Abstract: A telecommunications system, method of managing a telecommunications system and program product therefore. Telecommunications system branches are linked to a network and to each other in a wide area network (WAN). Each branch includes telecommunications devices and a media processor that supports a concurrent port for each local telecommunications device. A controller, e.g., at a data center, selects media processing resources to aggregate system media during conference calls for efficient bandwidth use. The controller may select resources based on user location, Call Admission Control (CAC) policy bandwidth usage, and availability of media resources and media processor ports.

Abstract: A communications system of networked communications devices, method and program product for such a system. Location and presence information about system users is stored, e.g., in a central storage. An identity context reminder service monitors location and presence status for the communications devices for inconsistencies with stored user location and presence information. The identity context reminder service provides a reminder to a respective communications device for each inconsistency. An identity context reminder client may reside on the communications devices to facilitate managing identity context reminder notifications and stored location and presence information.

Abstract: A private communications network and method of managing calls in a private communications network. A Session Border Controller (SBC) listens for private network voice communications originating from private communications devices, e.g., Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) devices sending/receiving Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications such as SIP messages. The SBC assigns a unique port to each registering communications device and adds a path header with a single, common SBC port to the SIP register messages. A softswitch responds by adding a route header to identified voice communications. Thereafter, all identified voice communications pass through a single, common SBC port.

Abstract: A real-time communications system of networked communications devices, method and program product for operating such a system. E-mail activity is, monitored for e-mail exchange threads. Selected threads are identified and a prompt to switch to an IM session is sent to a local e-mail recipient. If the recipient elects to continue the exchange in an instant messaging (IM) session, the substance of the thread is copied to the IM session and the exchange continues.

Abstract: A telecommunications system, method of managing a telecommunications system and program product therefore. Telecommunications system branches are linked to a network and to each other in a wide area network (WAN). Each branch includes telecommunications devices and a media processor that supports a concurrent port for each local telecommunications device. A controller, e.g., at a data center, selects media processing resources to aggregate system media during conference calls for efficient bandwidth use. The controller may select resources based on user location, Call Admission Control (CAC) policy bandwidth usage, and availability of media resources and media processor ports.

Abstract: Methods for efficiently establishing TLS connections include detecting the proximity of a user relative to a communication device and establishing a TLS connection between the switch and the communication device based on the proximity of the user. An apparatus according to the invention may include one or more proximity sensors coupled to a presence server, which may be coupled to a soft switch. If proximity of a user is detected, such information may be published as part of a user's availability to a presence server. Publication may be accomplished with any device that has network connectivity. The soft switch may gain access to the presence information by subscribing to the presence server. When proximity is detected, such information may be published to the presence server and a TLS connection may be established by a soft switch.

Abstract: A digital telecommunications system, a method of reconnecting branches to a softswitch in a communications network and a program product for reconnecting branches to a softswitch in a communications network. A softswitch manages communications between devices at network endpoints, e.g., session initiation protocol (SIP) devices. When a branch is disconnected from the softswitch, the softswitch manages reconnects, prioritizing reconnects when multiple branches request reconnecting.

Abstract: A private communications network and method of managing calls in a private communications network. A Session Border Controller (SBC) listens for private network voice communications originating from private communications devices, e.g., Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) devices sending/receiving Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications such as SIP messages. The SBC assigns a unique port to each registering communications device and adds a path header with a single, common SBC port to the SIP register messages. A softswitch responds by adding a route header to identified voice communications. Thereafter, all identified voice communications pass through a single, common SBC port.

Abstract: The present invention may include a call controller for initiating third-party call control requests. The invention may also include an endpoint control manager for determining whether a remote endpoint is a simple endpoint or intelligent endpoint. The invention may further include an intelligent device manager for coordinating third-party call control requests from the call controller for endpoints determined to be intelligent by the endpoint control manager, and a simple device manager for coordinating third-party call control requests from the call controller for endpoints determined to be simple by the endpoint control manager.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a call forking dynamic key exchange system may include one or more of the following features: (a) a memory comprising, (i) a dynamic key exchange program that allows a caller to initiate a call having a security request to multiple subscribers and selecting at least one subscriber who answers the call, and (b) a processor coupled to the memory that executes the dynamic key exchange program.

Abstract: A private communications network and method of managing calls in a private communications network. Connected communications devices register with the network and are assigned aliases, with aliases for groups of registered devices sharing one or more common digits. Dialing strings for in-network calls are monitored for inclusion of a wildcard (e.g., *) which are treated as a “don't care.” The wildcard invokes group features, such as placing a conference call, invoking a hunting feature and invoking a pickup feature. The call is distributed/connected to the group corresponding to the remaining digits.

Abstract: A real-time communications system of networked communications devices, method and program product for operating such a system. A screensaver resides on at least one of the communications devices, that selectively displays status information on a corresponding identified user. Presence and availability information about the particular system user is stored on a central storage and provided to the screensaver for display. Information on the screensaver apprises viewers of current user presence and availability status.

Abstract: A communications network, method and computer program product for managing network calls. Calls between mobile stations at base transceiver stations (BTS), each connected to a different base station controller (BSC) in a different switching sub-domain are passed between BSCs over a dedicated line between endpoints. Call linkage for the calls pass in call context objects separate from the calls and need not pass in a signaling channel with the calls.

Abstract: A conference call arrangement, conferencing device, conference unit and a method of managing conference calls. The conferencing device may be a speakerphone with a speak up indicator. Whenever a conference call attendee does not speak loudly enough for remote participants, the conference unit sends a speak up indication to a corresponding conferencing device.

Abstract: Methods for efficiently establishing TLS connections include detecting the proximity of a user relative to a communication device and establishing a TLS connection between the switch and the communication device based on the proximity of the user. An apparatus according to the invention may include one or more proximity sensors coupled to a presence server, which may be coupled to a soft switch. If proximity of a user is detected, such information may be published as part of a user's availability to a presence server. Publication may be accomplished with any device that has network connectivity. The soft switch may gain access to the presence information by subscribing to the presence server. When proximity is detected, such information may be published to the presence server and a TLS connection may be established by a soft switch.

Abstract: A communications system, service provider infrastructure, method and program product for providing personally tailored communications. System communications devices are identified with corresponding system subscribers. System subscribers can provide/select information for display at individual devices, e.g., cell phone displays. Communications are monitored at service provider infrastructure and user specific information is passed to selected communications devices. Individually tailored information is displayed for each specific user at corresponding communications devices, e.g., as an advertisement in a banner on the device display.

Abstract: The present invention may include a call controller for initiating third-party call control requests. The invention may also include an endpoint control manager for determining whether a remote endpoint is a simple endpoint or intelligent endpoint. The invention may further include an intelligent device manager for coordinating third-party call control requests from the call controller for endpoints determined to be intelligent by the endpoint control manager, and a simple device manager for coordinating third-party call control requests from the call controller for endpoints determined to be simple by the endpoint control manager.

Abstract: A real-time communications system of networked communications devices, method and program product for operating such a system. E-mail activity is, monitored for e-mail exchange threads. Selected threads are identified and a prompt to switch to an IM session is sent to a local e-mail recipient. If the recipient elects to continue the exchange in an instant messaging (IM) session, the substance of the thread is copied to the IM session and the exchange continues.

Abstract: Systems and methods that allow users in predefined communications groups to selectively control and manage the transfer of multimedia information across a wire or wireless network by allowing a group member to record multimedia content and transmit such content to a distribution server are provided. The present invention may also include a user interface for use with the multimedia messaging system that automatically notifies group members of new member multimedia content.

Abstract: A communications system of networked communications devices, method and program product for such a system. Location and presence information about system users is stored, e.g., in a central storage. An identity context reminder service monitors location and presence status for the communications devices for inconsistencies with stored user location and presence information. The identity context reminder service provides a reminder to a respective communications device for each inconsistency. An identity context reminder client may reside on the communications devices to facilitate managing identity context reminder notifications and stored location and presence information.