Abstract: This invention shows a method for operating a voice communications network that comprises dynamically associating a private number with at least one public number of a circuit-switched voice communication network, authenticating a user of a private number without reliance on a static reproducible data code, receiving an incoming call to the public number and routing the incoming call from a caller to the private number. The method also shows the generation of an outgoing call from the private number and passing the outgoing call through the public number while generating calling party information to a target which preserves the privacy of the caller, and altering an associating of the private number and at least one public number. The system therefore acts as a proxy with authentication by means of dynamic code security. The caller and the user of the private number share seamless round-trip telephone communications while preserving the anonymity of the user of the private number.

Abstract: This invention shows a method for operating a voice communications network that comprises dynamically associating a private number with at least one public number of a circuit-switched voice communication network, authenticating a user of a private number without reliance on a static reproducible data code, receiving an incoming call to the public number and routing the incoming call from a caller to the private number. The method also shows the generation of an outgoing call from the private number and passing the outgoing call through the public number while generating calling party information to a target which preserves the privacy of the caller, and altering an associating of the private number and at least one public number. The system therefore acts as a proxy with authentication by means of dynamic code security. The caller and the user of the private number share seamless round-trip telephone communications while preserving the anonymity of the user of the private number.

Abstract: This invention shows a method for operating a voice communications network that comprises dynamically associating a private number with at least one public number of a circuit-switched voice communication network, authenticating a user of a private number without reliance on a static reproducible data code, receiving an incoming call to the public number and routing the incoming call from a caller to the private number. The method also shows the generation of an outgoing call from the private number and passing the outgoing call through the public number while generating calling party information to a target which preserves the privacy of the caller, and altering an associating of the private number and at least one public number. The system therefore acts as a proxy with authentication by means of dynamic code security. The caller and the user of the private number share seamless round-trip telephone communications while preserving the anonymity of the user of the private number.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product is provided for establishing real-time communications between computer users connected by a communications network. An invitation is created by a first computer. An invitation is data that proposes a communication session. An invitation can indicate the status or availability of the sending user or of some other resource. Creation of the invitation is followed by the transfer of the invitation from the first computer to at least one second computer. The invitation can be transferred electronically through the network, or physically, by the transfer of a magnetic medium bearing the invitation. The invitation contains parameters to configure an invitation communicator application for communications between the first and second computers. The second computer accepts the invitation and invokes an invitation communicator application to allow communication.

Abstract: This invention shows a method for operating a voice communications network that comprises dynamically associating a private number with at least one public number of a circuit-switched voice communication network, authenticating a user of a private number without reliance on a static reproducible data code, receiving an incoming call to the public number and routing the incoming call from a caller to the private number. The method also shows the generation of an outgoing call from the private number and passing the outgoing call through the public number while generating calling party information to a target which preserves the privacy of the caller, and altering an associating of the private number and at least one public number. The system therefore acts as a proxy with authentication by means of dynamic code security. The caller and the user of the private number share seamless round-trip telephone communications while preserving the anonymity of the user of the private number.

Abstract: This invention shows a method for operating a voice communications network that comprises dynamically associating a private number with at least one public number of a circuit-switched voice communication network, authenticating a user of a private number without reliance on a static reproducible data code, receiving an incoming call to the public number and routing the incoming call from a caller to the private number. The method also shows the generation of an outgoing call from the private number and passing the outgoing call through the public number while generating calling party information to a target which preserves the privacy of the caller, and altering an associating of the private number and at least one public number. The system therefore acts as a proxy with authentication by means of dynamic code security. The caller and the user of the private number share seamless round-trip telephone communications while preserving the anonymity of the user of the private number.

Abstract: A server arrangement for facilitating the exchange of content between a plurality of user system associated with a common group is provided by employing a centralized server for directing publishing and extracting of content and a plurality of associated servers for facilitating the transmission of content between the user systems. A publisher is directed by the central server to a specific data server where content is to be provided. A consumer is directed by the central server to a specific data server from which content is to be extracted. The system is particularly adept for facilitating the exchange of video data between members of a common group coupled to the Internet.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for conveying availability information of a calling party to a called party. A PBX serving the telephones of the calling and called parties is connected to a presence server. In an embodiment of the invention, the presence server is also connected to a computer and/or other information device (such as a personal data assistant or telephone) of the calling party. After the calling party has left a voice mail message for the called party, the called party will subsequently retrieve the message. In an embodiment of the invention, the PBX then queries the presence server as to the availability of the calling party. The presence server senses whether the calling party has indicated his or her presence; if so, it is inferred that the calling party is probably present and available for a return call. If the presence server detects no such indication by the calling party, it is inferred that the calling party is likely to be absent.

Abstract: A method and computer program product which allows both phone-based and IP-based clients to participate in a single audio conference. The method enables at least two multi-point control units (MCUs) (i.e., conferencing servers) to connect via a standard data linkage (i.e., full-duplex dial-up or IP link). The method and computer program product enables the phone-based MCU to handle the phone clients and the IP-based MCU to handle the IP-based clients, while connecting the two to allow each participating client to hear all other participating clients.

Abstract: An improved method, system, and computer program product for efficient transmission of data to multiple network nodes is disclosed. A method for transmitting a data block over a network from a first sending node to a first set of recipient nodes, comprises, in the first sending node, a) dividing the first set of recipient nodes into a subset of selected nodes, selected according to scoring criteria associated with each recipient node, and a subset of unselected nodes, b) assigning at least one of the unselected nodes to at least one selected node according to scoring criteria associated with the respective selected nodes, c) transmitting to each selected node a packet including the data block and a list of the nodes assigned to the selected node.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for conveying availability information of a calling party to a called party. A PBX serving the telephones of the calling and called parties is connected to a presence server. In an embodiment of the invention, the presence server is also connected to a computer and/or other information device (such as a personal data assistant or telephone) of the calling party. After the calling party has left a voice mail message for the called party, the called party will subsequently retrieve the message. In an embodiment of the invention, the PBX then queries the presence server as to the availability of the calling party. The presence server senses whether the calling party has indicated his or her presence; if so, it is inferred that the calling party is probably present and available for a return call. If the presence server detects no such indication by the calling party, it is inferred that the calling party is likely to be absent.

Abstract: A method and computer program product which allows both phone-based and IP-based clients to participate in a single audio conference. The method enables at least two multi-point control units (MCUs) (i.e., conferencing servers) to connect via a standard data linkage (i.e., full-duplex dial-up or IP link). The method and computer program product enables the phone-based MCU to handle the phone clients and the IP-based MCU to handle the IP-based clients, while connecting the two to allow each participating client to hear all other participating clients.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product is provided for establishing real-time communications between computer users connected by a communications network. An invitation is created by a first computer. An invitation is data that proposes a communication session. An invitation can indicate the status or availability of the sending user or of some other resource. Creation of the invitation is followed by the transfer of the invitation from the first computer to at least one second computer. The invitation can be transferred electronically through the network, or physically, by the transfer of a magnetic medium bearing the invitation. The invitation contains parameters to configure an invitation communicator application for communications between the first and second computers. The second computer accepts the invitation and invokes an invitation communicator application to allow communication.

Abstract: A method and computer program product which allows both phone-based and IP-based clients to participate in a single audio conference. The method enables at least two multi-point control units (MCUs) (i.e., conferencing servers) to connect via a standard data linkage (i.e., full-duplex dial-up or IP link). The method and computer program product enables the phone-based MCU to handle the phone clients and the IP-based MCU to handle the IP-based clients, while connecting the two to allow each participating client to hear all other participating clients.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product is provided for establishing real-time communications between computer users connected by a communications network. An invitation is created by a first computer. An invitation is data that proposes a communication session. An invitation can indicate the status or availability of the sending user or of some other resource. Creation of the invitation is followed by the transfer of the invitation from the first computer to at least one second computer. The invitation can be transferred electronically through the network, or physically, by the transfer of a magnetic medium bearing the invitation. The invitation contains parameters to configure an invitation communicator application for communications between the first and second computers. The second computer accepts the invitation and invokes an invitation communicator application to allow communication.

Abstract: A server arrangement for facilitating the exchange of content between a plurality of user system associated with a common group is provided by employing a centralized server for directing publishing and extracting of content and a plurality of associated servers for facilitating the transmission of content between the user systems. A publisher is directed by the central server to a specific data server where content is to be provided. A consumer is directed by the central server to a specific data server from which content is to be extracted. The system is particularly adept for facilitating the exchange of video data between members of a common group coupled to the Internet.

Abstract: An improved method, system, and computer program product for efficient transmission of data to multiple network nodes is disclosed. A method for transmitting a data block over a network from a first sending node to a first set of recipient nodes, comprises, in the first sending node, a) dividing the first set of recipient nodes into a subset of selected nodes, selected according to scoring criteria associated with each recipient node, and a subset of unselected nodes, b) assigning at least one of the unselected nodes to at least one selected node according to scoring criteria associated with the respective selected nodes, c) transmitting to each selected node a packet including the data block and a list of the nodes assigned to the selected node.

Abstract: A method and computer program product which allows both phone-based and IP-based clients to participate in a single audio conference. The method enables at least two multi-point control units (MCUs) (i.e., conferencing servers) to connect via a standard data linkage (i.e., full-duplex dial-up or IP link). The method and computer program product enables the phone-based MCU to handle the phone clients and the IP-based MCU to handle the IP-based clients, while connecting the two to allow each participating client to hear all other participating clients.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for conveying availability information of a calling party to a called party. A PBX serving the telephones of the calling and called parties is connected to a presence server. In an embodiment of the invention, the presence server is also connected to a computer and/or other information device (such as a personal data assistant or telephone) of the calling party. After the calling party has left a voice mail message for the called party, the called party will subsequently retrieve the message. In an embodiment of the invention, the PBX then queries the presence server as to the availability of the calling party. The presence server senses whether the calling party has indicated his or her presence; if so, it is inferred that the calling party is probably present and available for a return call. If the presence server detects no such indication by the calling party, it is inferred that the calling party is likely to be absent.

Abstract: An improved method, system, and computer program product for efficient transmission of data to multiple network nodes is disclosed. A method for transmitting a data block over a network from a first sending node to a first set of recipient nodes, comprises, in the first sending node, a) dividing the first set of recipient nodes into a subset of selected nodes, selected according to scoring criteria associated with each recipient node, and a subset of unselected nodes, b) assigning at least one of the unselected nodes to at least one selected node according to scoring criteria associated with the respective selected nodes, c) transmitting to each selected node a packet including the data block and a list of the nodes assigned to the selected node.