Abstract: A system for unified communication, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises a CAS communicatively coupled to a client. The CAS comprises a server communicatively coupled to a CAS application and a number of service providers. The server receives from the client a CAS message encoded in a CAS format and including a request for a unified communication service. The server communicates with the CAS application to determine a service type for the request. The server sends the request to one of the number of service providers. The server sends a reply message to the client.

Abstract: A system can include at least one auxiliary device comprising a plurality of user interface components responsive to user inputs. A host device can include a link interface configured to communicate with each auxiliary device via a communication link. The host device also includes configuration logic to automatically configure each auxiliary device to implement at least one of a plurality of virtual interactive pages, which is assigned based on the number of auxiliary devices connected to the host device. Each of the virtual interactive pages is programmed to associate a discrete set of actions or events with specified user interface components of the respective auxiliary device to which the virtual interactive page is assigned. The host device can execute a selected one of the actions or events in response to activation of a corresponding one of the user interface components.

Abstract: A method includes providing account enable data from a multi-tenant hosted communication system to a premises based communications system. The method also includes receiving user configuration data at a remote portal of the hosted communications system, the configuration data including the account enable data and user data describing properties of each of a plurality of users in the premises based communications system including at least one user group to which a subset of the users belongs. The method also includes providing enablement data to the premises based communications system via the portal to identify which resources in the multi-tenant hosted system are enabled for the plurality of users in the premises based communications system based on the user configuration data. Changes in the enablement data further can be synchronized based on changes in the user configuration data received from the premises based communications system via the portal.

Abstract: A system for simulated communication is described. A simulator module generates simulated communication information. A Graphical User Interface module (“GUI module”) generates graphical data based at least in part on the simulated communication information. The graphical data creates the appearance of an ongoing communication between a reserved agent and a third party user that is not yet occurring. The GUI module sends the graphical data to a display associated with the reserved agent device so that the display depicts a simulated communication.

Abstract: A method includes providing account enable data from a multi-tenant hosted communication system to a premises based communications system. The method also includes receiving user configuration data at a remote portal of the hosted communications system, the configuration data including the account enable data and user data describing properties of each of a plurality of users in the premises based communications system including at least one user group to which a subset of the users belongs. The method also includes providing enablement data to the premises based communications system via the portal to identify which resources in the multi-tenant hosted system are enabled for the plurality of users in the premises based communications system based on the user configuration data. Changes in the enablement data further can be synchronized based on changes in the user configuration data received from the premises based communications system via the portal.

Abstract: A multi-tenant management service (MTMS) can be configured to receive a plurality of requests for a multi-tenant service from a plurality of tenants. A given and another of the plurality of tenants can have a resource object (RO) with the same dialable number (DN) assigned thereto. The MTMS can also be configured to generate a federated dial plan for each of the plurality of tenants. Each federated dial plan can include a system identifier (ID) and a corresponding DN for each RO associated a respective tenant. The MTMS can further be configured to provide a federated DN corresponding to the multi-tenant service to each of the plurality of tenants.

Abstract: A telephony system is presented that enables a phone to access a directory and use the directory in conjunction with other phone functions. The system includes a server with a telephony management software (TMS) unit, a telephony application programming interface (TAPI) unit, and an application unit. The application unit includes a control module, a function module, a filter module, a presentation module, a phone interface module, and a storage interface module. A server sends a signal to a phone regarding the contents of a directory. A server also enables a user to navigate through the directory, filter the directory, and perform call functions on phone numbers associated with directory entries.

Abstract: A unified communication server or Client Application Server (CAS) comprises a client communication module, a status determination module, an operation determination module, an object manager, and a permissions module. The CAS enables communication between a client device and a plurality of communication services. The CAS receives requests for services from the client devices. The CAS interacts with a plurality of service providers offering different functionality and responds to requests or provides listings of available services in a unified manner despite the service offerings and service providers being disparate. The present invention also includes a number of methods including a method for operating a unified communication server, a method for generating a list of possible operations, a method for determining the status of a user and a method for determining permissions of a user.

Abstract: A system for unified communication, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprises a CAS communicatively coupled to a client. The CAS comprises a server communicatively coupled to a CAS application and a number of service providers. The server receives from the client a CAS message encoded in a CAS format and including a request for a unified communication service. The server communicates with the CAS application to determine a service type for the request. The server sends the request to one of the number of service providers. The server sends a reply message to the client.

Abstract: A system for providing enhanced history information across multiple clients comprises a call application server having a history system, a telephony system and a history cache. The call application server advantageously maintains a history records for each user of the system. The enhanced history system is particularly advantageous because regardless of the endpoint (e.g., phone, thin client, personal call manager or standalone IP phone) with which the user is interacting, the history information specifically for that user is delivered by the call application server to that endpoint. Furthermore, the call application server allows the user to access history information using end points which heretofore were unable to provide history functionality. Finally, the call application server makes the history records universal across all endpoints with which the user interacts, in contrast to prior art, which had limited call history information specific to a particular endpoint.

Abstract: A system can include an upgrade system manager. The upgrade system manager can be configured to communicate with an upgrade database that employs a given schema. The system can also include a legacy system manager configured to communicate with a legacy database that employs a different schema, wherein the legacy database contains a subset of the data stored at the upgrade database. The legacy database can be configured to provide a forward migration trigger to the upgrade system manager in response to detecting an update to the legacy database. The upgrade system manager can further be configured to determine whether data received from an application configured to produce data for the upgrade database is to be provided to the legacy database.

Abstract: A system for simulated communication is described. A simulator module generates simulated communication information. A Graphical User Interface module (“GUI module”) generates graphical data based at least in part on the simulated communication information. The graphical data creates the appearance of an ongoing communication between a reserved agent and a third party user that is not yet occurring. The GUI module sends the graphical data to a display associated with the reserved agent device so that the display depicts a simulated communication.

Abstract: A system for providing enhanced history information across multiple clients comprises a call application server having a history system, a telephony system and a history cache. The call application server advantageously maintains a history records for each user of the system. The enhanced history system is particularly advantageous because regardless of the endpoint (e.g., phone, thin client, personal call manager or standalone IP phone) with which the user is interacting, the history information specifically for that user is delivered by the call application server to that endpoint. Furthermore, the call application server allows the user to access history information using end points which heretofore were unable to provide history functionality. Finally, the call application server makes the history records universal across all endpoints with which the user interacts, in contrast to prior art, which had limited call history information specific to a particular endpoint.

Abstract: A system for providing enhanced history information across multiple clients comprises a call application server having a history system, a telephony system and a history cache. The call application server advantageously maintains a history records for each user of the system. The enhanced history system is particularly advantageous because regardless of the endpoint (e.g., phone, thin client, personal call manager or standalone IP phone) with which the user is interacting, the history information specifically for that user is delivered by the call application server to that endpoint. Furthermore, the call application server allows the user to access history information using end points which heretofore were unable to provide history functionality. Finally, the call application server makes the history records universal across all endpoints with which the user interacts, in contrast to prior art, which had limited call history information specific to a particular endpoint.

Abstract: One or more possibilities that are normally displayed in response to input from a user are augmented with real time information. Displaying real time information for one or more of the possibilities enables the user to take such information into account in deciding whether or not to continue with an action that the user was in the process of performing. For example, if a partial data entry provided by the user is indicative of an extension number to be dialed to place a phone call, and if a telephone call manager that receives the user's input displays call activity indicating that the user's intended callee is already on the phone, the user may decide to wait until the callee becomes available (as indicated by a change in callee's call activity).

Abstract: One or more possibilities that are normally displayed in response to input from a user are augmented with real time information. Displaying real time information for one or more of the possibilities enables the user to take such information into account in deciding whether or not to continue with an action that the user was in the process of performing. For example, if a partial data entry provided by the user is indicative of an extension number to be dialed to place a phone call, and if a telephone call manager that receives the user's input displays call activity indicating that the user's intended callee is already on the phone, the user may decide to wait until the callee becomes available (as indicated by a change in callee's call activity).

Abstract: A telephony system is presented that enables a phone to access a directory and use the directory in conjunction with other phone functions. The system includes a server with a telephony management software (TMS) unit, a telephony application programming interface (TAPI) unit, and an application unit. The application unit includes a control module, a function module, a filter module, a presentation module, a phone interface module, and a storage interface module. A server sends a signal to a phone regarding the contents of a directory. A server also enables a user to navigate through the directory, filter the directory, and perform call functions on phone numbers associated with directory entries.

Abstract: A telephony system is presented that enables a phone to access a directory and use the directory in conjunction with other phone functions. The system includes a server with a telephony management software (TMS) unit, a telephony application programming interface (TAPI) unit, and an application unit. The application unit includes a control module, a function module, a filter module, a presentation module, a phone interface module, and a storage interface module. A server sends a signal to a phone regarding the contents of a directory. A server also enables a user to navigate through the directory, filter the directory, and perform call functions on phone numbers associated with directory entries.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for a telephone system includes programmable buttons which may be customized for individual users or groups of users. The programmable buttons enable user specific functionality to be provided, for example, enabling a button to be defined to record a call at a particular extension with one touch. The programmable buttons are collected onto toolbars and displayed on the user interface.

Abstract: A distributed VoIP system includes a network and a first switch at a first site coupled to the network. The first switch is configured to provide telephony services to a first communication device. The system also includes a second switch at a second site coupled to the network. The second switch is configured to provide telephony services to a second communication device. The system also includes a spare switch coupled to the network. The spare switch is configured to provide telephony services to the first communication device if the first communication device is unable to register with the first switch, and the spare switch is configured to provide telephony services to the second communication device if the second communication device is unable to register with the second switch.