AutoACO™

A Programmable Automated Call Routing Device, capable to

Route Calls through Alternative Lines. AutoACO has an
additional CO port, which can be connected to a GSM, VoIP GW
or leased line interface. AutoACO can route the call through either
the main CO port (regular PSTN) or the alternative port (GSM,
VoIP GW, or leased line). Main CO port can be configured to
perform Call Through and International Call Back Services.

Automated Transparent Operations Routing Operation

AutoACO is an effective programmable device for Least Cost Routing
applications. The user simply dials a long distance, GSM, or international
call directly as usual and waits for the call to be answered while Flash
Horizon’s AutoACO performs the necessary dialing procedure to process
the call through a GSM Converter, VoIP GW, or Alternative PSTN Carrier
(call through or call back) in a manner totally transparent to the user.
Routing the Calls through Alternative CO
AutoACO has an additional CO port, which can be connected to a GSM
Converter, VoIP GW, or leased line interface. AutoACO can route the call
through either the main CO port (regular PSTN) or the alternative port
(GSM Converter, VoIP GW, or leased line interface)

Multiple Routes 1 2 3

4 5 6
7 8 9
* 8 #

PSTN IP
AutoACO can be programmed to perform automated operations to City A
1 2 3
4 5 6
7 8 9

Phone
* 8 #

process calls through GSM Converters, VoIP GWs, multiple Alternative

Carriers according to different routing instructions. Virtually unlimited

PSTN Calls
Phone
number of routes for routing calls to different service providers’ systems,
according to the Intercept Sequence of the user dialed number, can be
programmed into AutoACO (limited only by the capacity of the EEPROM
installed).

Intercept Sequences and Exception Sequences AutoACO Alternative

ITSP GW
These are sequences that AutoACO looks out for to decide whether or not
to intercept a call and process it. Intercept Sequences are usually the PBX
GSM, or international call routing code and national call routing code of

GSM C alls
Cell phone
1 2 3 1 2 3

the country in which the AutoACO is installed, for example 00, 0, 011, 1,
4 5 6 4 5 6

7 8 9 7 8 9
* 8 # * 8 #

0011, etc. Destination sensitive routing may be performed by

programming country codes and city codes in the Intercept Sequences, for
example 0041, 00353, etc.
Exceptions to a routing program are allowed by entries of Exception
Sequences in the program. For example, 1800, 1900, 1976, 00525, and
0735 could be exceptions to the Intercept Sequences 1, 00, and 07.
There is virtually no limit to the number of Intercept and Exception
Sequences that can be programmed into an AutoACO (limited only by the
capacity of the EEPROM installed).
Day and Time Sensitive Routing
Intercept and Exception Sequences may also include date and time
ranges, which AutoACO compares with the current date and time.
AutoACO performs least cost routing according to the destination, day of
the week, day of the month, day of the year, and time of the day
Concurrent Operations to Save Time
AutoACO analyzes the digits dialed by the user in either pulses or DTMF
tone. If no Intercept Sequence is found, or if an Exception Sequence is
found, the user digits go through to the PSTN as usual. If an Intercept
Sequence is found (and no match of another Intercept or Exception
Sequence is found), AutoACO seizes the call and executes two
concurrent operations: With respect to the user, it remains in off-hook
condition and continues to collect the digits dialed by the user. Meanwhile
with respect to the CO, it gets a fresh dial tone and performs the actions
necessary to route the call through an Alternative Carrier or local
telephone company.
Phone Phone
Cell phone
GSM Converter
Multi-stage call through operation
After obtaining a fresh dial tone, AutoACO dials the access number to
reach the Alternative Carrier’s switch. Then AutoACO waits to detect
some kind of signal tone or a voice prompt before dialing in DTMF the
digits which it has collected. It can dial a # or * to indicate the end of the
number. It can also dial a PIN or security code before or after the
destination number if necessary.
Single-stage call through operation
Rather than dialing an access number first, the AutoACO may be
programmed to dial a sequence of digits (prefix) ahead of the destination
number or to redial the destination number with the international call
routing code replaced with a sequence that indicates to the Central Office
which carrier has been selected.
Call back operation
After obtaining a fresh dial tone, AutoACO dials the DID number to reach
the International Call Back System (ICBS). Then AutoACO waits to
detect a ring back signal or some kind of signal tone before going back
on-hook to wait for a call back call from the ICBS. Upon detecting the call
back’s ring signal, AutoACO answers the call, waits for a voice prompt or
some kind of signal tone then dials in DTMF the international call routing
code, if required, followed by the digits of the telephone number dialed by
the user that it has collected. It can dial a # or * to indicate the end of the
number. It can also dial a PIN or security code before or after the
destination number if necessary.
 Hang Up Supervision
AutoACO can be programmed to detect on-hook condition at the end of a
call and then perform a function. Typically the function would be to
generate a DTMF tone (for example A, B, #, *) or sequence of tones (for
example ###, **) to tell the service provider the end of the call session.
Programming of AutoACO
The programming system consists of a modem connected to a serial port
of a PC running ACXSoft in Windows environment. A CO line or a
telephone line simulator is connected to the CO port of the modem. The
AutoACO is connected to a CO line at a remote location or to another port
of the telephone line simulator.
ACXSoft is intuitive in design and therefore easy for anyone who is
computer literate to learn and to use. The routing programs are written in
ACXSoft by simple point and click actions according to what you want the
AutoACO to do in simulating the actions that one would take in a manual
operation to use the Alternative Carriers or International Call Back
Services.
Programming of an AutoACO is done using V.22 protocol either locally at
the same site as the AutoACO or remotely through the Public Switched
Telephone Network.
Programming can be initiated (1) by the programming system by calling
the line where the AutoACO is installed and then waiting for the AutoACO
to answer automatically after a certain number of rings (programmable) or
waiting for the device connected to the AutoACO to be answered, (2) by
the AutoACO at a preprogrammed time by calling a management system
(AutoManag -ACX) at a preprogrammed number, or (3) by the user of the
AutoACO by dialing a special command using the telephony device
connected to the AutoACO.
Programming is password protected. After verification of the password,
the program is downloaded into the non-volatile memory of the AutoACO.
This program transfer operation is carried out with great accuracy by
having a positive receipt verification of each line of program confirmed
between ACXSoft and the AutoACO.
Benefits to the User
AutoACO enables the user of pulse dialing or rotary-dial
telephones to make use of Alternative Carriers transparently.
AutoACO’s automated functions eliminate the tedium and
bother of manual dialing and ensure dialing accuracy to access the
service providers’ systems and enforce the corporate management’s
regime designed to achieve savings on long distance calls by routing
such calls through an Alternative Carrier.
AutoACO automatically routes calls through one Alternative
Carrier or another or through the telephone company network
according to its Least Cost Routing programming to achieve the
greatest savings.
AutoACO’s automated dialing function reduces dialing time by
as much as 75%. It saves time and money.
AutoACO may be programmed to automatically dial a
disconnect sequence (required by some service providers’ systems
to indicate the end of a call) when the user hangs up, thus eliminating
the need for the user to remember to do so.
FLASH HORIZON INC. 1600 Aimco Blvd. Unit 9
http://www.flashorizon.com Mississauga, Ontario
CANADA L4W 1V1
Versatile Programmable Functions
AutoACO is programmed using an analog modem and ACXSoft software
running under Windows to perform virtually all kinds of automated
functions to process a call through an Alternative Carrier in all kinds of
procedures adopted by different service providers. AutoACO may also be
programmed to re-route calls through the regular telephone company or
another service provider when the routing through the usual service
provider fails, for example if the ICBS does not call back, if the call to the
alternative carrier is busy, if the service provider’s switch fails to generate
the expected signal.
Call Progress Detection and Detection of Specific
Frequencies
AutoACO performs accurate call progress detection and detection of
specific frequencies using DSP technology.
Registers
AutoACO can write to registers, the contents of which can be updated
and retrieved. These registers may be used as counters; for example, to
count the number of times a certain Intercept Sequence is dialed or the
number of times a certain service provider is used. The registers may be
used to store numbers, such as PINs or telephone numbers, which can
be accessed for dialing during the routing of a call.
Non-Volatile Memory
All routing and other instructions programmed into AutoACO are saved in
EEPROM and, as such, will not be lost even in the event of a general
electrical power failure.
Additional Features
Meter Pulsing. AutoACO has the additional capability of generating 12
or 16 kHz meter pulses, which certain kinds of telephony equipment can
use to time and cost long distance calls. Different meter pulse rates may
be programmed according to destination country code or city code, day,
and time. Different initial pulses for setup charge may also be
programmed. This feature is useful in situations where the billing of calls
is based on meter pulsing, as is the case with PBXs of many hotels.
Polarity Reversal. AutoACO has the additional capability to reverse
the line polarity when the called party answers. The telephony device,
such as a PBX, connected to the user port of the AutoACO, may time
calls by looking for a reversal in line polarity as an indication of the start of
the call and a second reversal as an indication of the end of the call.
Benefits to You, the Service Provider
With AutoACO you can offer the service to telephone service
subscribers in areas where DTMF tone dialing service is not
available. AutoACO works well with pulse dialing telephone lines
and thus opens up new markets for your service.
AutoACO automatically seizes every call that you want to
capture for routing through your system thus optimizing on revenue
earning on the particular installation.
AutoACO allows you to selectively route only the calls that you
want to carry through your system, thus saving you time and
resources.
AutoACO’s automated functions and transparent operations
allow your service to be used by every telephone user, even ones
that are unable to follow the procedure of Call Through or
International Call Back Operation.
In the event that your system is unable to carry the call due to
system failure or whatever reasons, AutoACO can automatically re-
route the calls through the telephone company network.
Tel. 1 905 238 7080
Fax. 1 905 882 7088
Email: info@flashorizon.com