Abstract: A method and system for providing unified location and presence information of and intercommunication among a plurality of networked users is disclosed, where the users may be real world people or virtual world personae. Generally, after receiving data representative of a first and second user's presence or location in the real or a virtual world over a communications network, the users are permitted to view each other's presence in a virtual network. The users are identified by endpoint addresses, and may intercommunicate using various types of media via the communications network.

Abstract: A method and system for providing unified location and presence information of and intercommunication among a plurality of networked users is disclosed, where the users may be real world people or virtual world personae. Generally, after receiving data representative of a first and second user's presence or location in the real or a virtual world over a communications network, the users are permitted to view each other's presence in a virtual network. The users are identified by endpoint addresses, and may intercommunicate using various types of media via the communications network.

Abstract: A method and system for providing unified location and presence information of and intercommunication among a plurality of networked users is disclosed, where the users may be real world people or virtual world personae. Generally, after receiving data representative of a first and second user's presence or location in the real or a virtual world over a communications network, the users are permitted to view each other's presence in a virtual network. The users are identified by endpoint addresses, and may intercommunicate using various types of media via the communications network.

Abstract: A method and system for providing unified location and presence information of and intercommunication among a plurality of networked users is disclosed, where the users may be real world people or virtual world personae. Generally, after receiving data representative of a first and second user's presence or location in the real or a virtual world over a communications network, the users are permitted to view each other's presence in a virtual network. The users are identified by endpoint addresses, and may intercommunicate using various types of media via the communications network.

Abstract: A method and system for providing unified location and presence information of and intercommunication among a plurality of networked users is disclosed, where the users may be real world people or virtual world personae. Generally, after receiving data representative of both a first and second user's presence or location in the real or a virtual world over a communications network, the users are permitted to view each other's presence in a virtual network. The users are identified by endpoint addresses, and may intercommunicate using various types of media via the communications network.

Abstract: A method and system for providing unified location and presence information of and intercommunication among a plurality of networked users is disclosed, where the users may be real world people or virtual world personae. Generally, after receiving data representative of both a first and second user's presence or location in the real or a virtual world over a communications network, the users are permitted to view each other's presence in a virtual network. The users are identified by endpoint addresses, and may intercommunicate using various types of media via the communications network.

Abstract: A method and system for providing unified location and presence information of and intercommunication among a plurality of networked users is disclosed, where the users may be real world people or virtual world personae. Generally, after receiving data representative of both a first and second user's presence or location in the real or a virtual world over a communications network, the users are permitted to view each other's presence in a virtual network. The users are identified by endpoint addresses, and may intercommunicate using various types of media via the communications network.

Abstract: A telecommunications system uses an external application gateway (EAG) in communication with a network call control element and external server systems for controlling calls. The telecommunications system further includes a session initiation protocol (SIP) proxy, an intelligent application proxy, and an intelligent application call control. The EAG communicates with a network call control element of a packet network and a third party application server for controlling calls. The external application gateway controls the flow of information between the network call control element and the third party application server, performing such functions as modifying or stripping out network-proprietary information with delivery of the modified messages to the third party application server, keeping track of call state information and associating messages with specific calls, verifying that the third party application server is making only allowed requests, and limiting traffic volumes.

Abstract: A method and system for providing unified location and presence information of and intercommunication among a plurality of networked users is disclosed, where the users may be real world people or virtual world personae. Generally, after receiving data representative of both a first and second user's presence or location in the real or a virtual world over a communications network, the users are permitted to view each other's presence in a virtual network. The users are identified by endpoint addresses, and may intercommunicate using various types of media via the communications network.

Abstract: Telecommunications systems for providing third party service support and call control in using a packet network are disclosed. The telecommunications systems for providing a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) are based interface for third party service call control and communication connections and support via an external application gateway in communication with a call control element of a packet network. The external application gateway signals a third party application server that controls the call via the SIP interface. The systems include border elements located between the call control elements of the packet network and the media servers of communication systems for providing SIP and media interfaces for the third party media servers or endpoints, which can be located inside or outside of the packet network. The systems include the reuse of existing network architectural elements to provide third party communications support and call control.

Abstract: Methods of managing media server resources that may be used for VoIP calls are disclosed. In an embodiment, a media server resource broker receives a request for a set of media server resources from an application server. The media server resource broker determines the service request should be handled by a first media server based on the type of request and the availability of the first media server and provides the address of the first media server to the application server. The media server resource broker updates records regarding an assignment level of the first media servers to reflect the most recent request. When the call is complete and the resources become idle, the media server resource broker can update the assignment level to reflect the increase in availability of resources in the first media server.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computing device having a User Interface (UI), one or more electromechanical elements, a controller that manages operations of the UI, and the one or more electromechanical elements, and a housing assembly with an ergonomic form-factor for carrying in whole or in part the UI, the one or more electromechanical elements, and the controller. The controller can be adapted to detect a triggering event, and cause at least one of the one or more electromechanical elements to adjust the ergonomic form-factor responsive to the detected triggering event. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of managing media server resources that may be used for VoIP calls are disclosed. In an embodiment, a media server resource broker receives a request for a set of media server resources from an application server. The media server resource broker determines the service request should be handled by a first media server based on the type of request and the availability of the first media server and provides the address of the first media server to the application server. The media server resource broker updates records regarding an assignment level of the first media servers to reflect the most recent request. When the call is complete and the resources become idle, the media server resource broker can update the assignment level to reflect the increase in availability of resources in the first media server.

Abstract: A method is provided for selectively guiding calls from a legacy network into a new network for service processing there. The methodology allows a less costly transition from a legacy network to a new network as the overall network evolves.

Abstract: A method of completing a call is disclosed. A call is received in a communications network from a first communication device subscribed to a communications carrier for a called party using a second communication device. A determination is made as to whether the first communication device subscribes to a Same Subscriber Service (SSS). If the first communication device does subscribe to SSS, a second determination is made as to whether the second communication device subscribes to the same communications carrier as the first communication device. If the second communication device subscribes to the same communications carrier as the first communication device, an announcement is provided to the first communication device. Special call treatment is applied to the call, and the call is routed to the second communication device.

Abstract: An AIN system having a service switching point (SSP), a service control point (SCP) and an intelligent peripheral (IPe) is disclosed. A calling party makes a call to a called party which results in a trigger signal at the originating SSP. The trigger signal causes the SSP to access the SCP which, in turn, sends a Send_to_Resource message to the SSP. In response to the Send_to_Resource message, the SSP establishes a first connection to an IPe, whose functionality is required. The IPe establishes a second connection carrying a second call to the called party, the first and second calls being connected at the IPe. The IPe subsequently requests that the SSP merge the first and second calls. In response, the call between the called party and the calling party is connected via the SSP, thereby releasing the IPe connections formerly used to connect calling and called parties.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of notifying a caller of personal event information during the set-up of a call between the caller and a called party. A query is received from a communication network carrying the call from the caller to determine if the caller is a subscriber to a notification service. If the caller is a subscriber, a Notification and Management System (NMS) is queried to determine if the caller has any pending notifications pertaining to personal event information. If the caller has pending notifications, the call is temporarily sent to an announcement system. The pending notifications are played to the caller during call set-up. The communication network is instructed to continue to route the call to the called party.

Abstract: A method of completing a call is disclosed. A call is received in a communications network from a first communication device subscribed to a communications carrier for a called party using a second communication device. A determination is made as to whether the first communication device subscribes to a Same Subscriber Service (SSS). If the first communication device does subscribe to SSS, a second determination is made as to whether the second communication device subscribes to the same communications carrier as the first communication device. If the second communication device subscribes to the same communications carrier as the first communication device, an announcement is provided to the first communication device. Special call treatment is applied to the call, and the call is routed to the second communication device.

Abstract: This invention provides a telecommunications routing system and method that allows a switch (e.g., an intelligent peripheral) to control the routing to a special applications device, which results in savings of time, cost and capacity throughout the entire network. Control of the routing lies within the Service Switching Point (SSP) which reduces the need to requery a Service Control Point (SCP) in error situations. This invention incorporates into the SSP a remote IP routing table containing routing instructions for IPs. The SSP will know if an alternate route is possible, based on the error from the IP. The SSP will have a rudimentary intelligence about routing which allows it to reroute when necessary, without requerying back to the SCP. The remote IP routing table will also allow the SSP to route to a successive IP if the local IP, although operative, cannot process the request.

Abstract: An enhanced intelligent network telephony system includes at least one service nodes (SN) imbued with special routing, message handling and billing capabilities. Using the Extension Parameter in an Analyze-Route message, a service control point (SCP) provides a set of service node parameters including service node identification and message content. The SN receives, processes and implements the services corresponding to the message content. Included among these may be announcement IDs corresponding to announcements, such as advertisements, that the SN can initiate at an intelligent peripheral for playing to calling and called parties, and routing numbers which the SN can use to route a particular destination under certain conditions as per the service needs. The SN is also able to request an originating switch to update an Automated Message Accounting (AMA) record created at the originating switch, using information created by the SN.