Abstract: An Internet Protocol (IP) phone transmits on a network, an IP packet comprising a dynamically-assigned IP address. A computer associated with the network uses the dynamically-assigned IP address in the packet to identify a specific site to which the IP phone belongs and/or a specific local area network (LAN) to which the IP phone is connected. Then, data to be used to provide telephony service to the phone is recorded in a memory. In some embodiments, the computer associates the IP phone with a dialing plan unique to the specific site, wherein the dialing plan includes an area code to be used by the IP phone.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the problem of delay associated with establishing connections with individual phones by providing a method for sending a virtual real time voice message processed through a VOIP system to a group of phones concurrently. The method includes assembling a portion of the voice message. The voice message includes a voice portion and an address portion. The voice portion of the voice message is buffered in a digital buffer. The address portion is used to determine the address of each phone in the group. After the address of each phone in the group is determined, an attempt is made to establish a connection with each phone. The method further includes waiting for a period of time. The period of time is determined based at least in part on a time duration required to establish a connection with a phone. After waiting the period of time, the voice portion of the voice message is sent to at least one phone in the group of phones.

Abstract: A voice over internet protocol telephone system is described in which services for handling calls invoking account codes are distributed to voicemail servers in the system. If the voicemail server associated with a particular user does not have services for handling account code calls, then the request is forwarded to another voicemail server in accordance with a predefined procedure.

Abstract: A distributed VoIP system includes a first switch coupled to a network and configured to provide voicemail features to a first group of one or more users. The system also includes a voicemail server coupled to the network. The voicemail server is configured to provide voicemail features to a second group of one or more users. The first switch is configured to store voicemail data associated with only the first group, and the voicemail server is configured to store voicemail data associated with both the first and second groups.

Abstract: A phone is provisioned automatically when a user couples the phone to a network, with minimal (or preferably zero) involvement on part of an administrator to activate the phone. In several embodiments of the invention, when the user couples the phone to a network, a computer associated with the network automatically checks to see if the phone was previously provisioned. If not previously provisioned, the computer automatically records the existence of the phone in a memory of a telephone exchange that is to thereafter provide service to the phone. At this stage a phone number is not yet associated with the phone. In some embodiments, the just-described acts, namely checking and recording of existence are performed without any involvement on part of the administrator. The telephone exchange provides basic service to the new phone as soon as it detects existence of the phone (in its memory).

Abstract: A distributed VoIP system includes a first switch coupled to a network and configured to provide voicemail features to a first group of one or more users. The system also includes a voicemail server coupled to the network. The voicemail server is configured to provide voicemail features to a second group of one or more users. The first switch is configured to store voicemail data associated with only the first group, and the voicemail server is configured to store voicemail data associated with both the first and second groups.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the problem of delay associated with establishing connections with individual phones by providing a method for sending a virtual real time voice message processed through a VOIP system to a group of phones concurrently. The method includes assembling a portion of the voice message. The voice message includes a voice portion and an address portion. The voice portion of the voice message is buffered in a digital buffer. The address portion is used to determine the address of each phone in the group. After the address of each phone in the group is determined, an attempt is made to establish a connection with each phone. The method further includes waiting for a period of time. The period of time is determined based at least in part on a time duration required to establish a connection with a phone. After waiting the period of time, the voice portion of the voice message is sent to at least one phone in the group of phones.

Abstract: A system for providing voice mail backup on a secondary server including two or more distributed voice mail servers. Each distributed voice mail server includes a telephony management software (TMS) unit, a telephony application programming interface (TAPI) unit, and an application unit. The application unit includes a voice mail control module, a call status module, a call transfer module, a voice mail migration module, a storage module, an audio encoding/decoding module, a configuration module, an extension library module, and a telephony application programming interface (TAPI) interface module. Each server is capable of storing a voice message for an extension serviced by a remote server if the remote server is unavailable.

Abstract: A simultaneous hunt group system and method are provided. A call status module notices an incoming call to a simultaneous hunt group and offers the call to a plurality of endpoints. One of the plurality of endpoints answers the call. After the call is answered, a resource allocation module allocates resources for a communications channel, and a call transfer module transfers the caller to the agent that answered the call.

Abstract: When a caller calls a POTS telephone number for a user's premises, the incoming call is selectively routed to any combination of local extensions on the owner's premises, and to remote extensions such as a telephone instrument on another premises, a pager, a cellular telephone, a central office voice mail box, and a cellular telephone voice mail box. Control over the incoming call is maintained throughout the duration of the call to allow further routing of the incoming call. Consequently, the incoming call can be routed to multiple locations on the user's premises, or to a telephone answering service at any time after taking the incoming call. Moreover, the incoming call can be routed directly based on the type of call, e.g., voice, facsimile, or modem.

Abstract: With a personal call manager, when a caller calls a primary telephone number for the owner of the personal call manager, the personal call manager selectively routes the incoming call to any combination of local extensions on the owner's premises, and to remote extensions such as a telephone instrument on another premises, a pager, a cellular telephone, a central office voice mail box, and a cellular telephone voice mail box. A call handler stored in a memory of the personal call manager is used to specify how an incoming call is handled. The personal call manager retains control over an incoming call throughout the duration of the call. Consequently, the owner can route the incoming call to multiple locations, or transfer the call to a telephone answering service at any time after taking the incoming call as defined by the active call handler. Moreover, a call can be handled based on the type of call, e.g., voice, fax, or modem.