Abstract: A telephone line management system in communication with a telephone line is provided. In one aspect, the system includes a caller ID module operatively coupled to the telephone line for receiving and displaying a name and a telephone number of a calling party associated with a received telephone call and a false special information tone (SIT) generator module operatively coupled to the telephone line for sending a false signal on a telephone line substantially similar to at least a first part of a SIT in response to an incoming telephone call. In another aspect, the system includes a caller ID module, a false SIT generator module, and a controller for determining when the name and telephone number of a calling party is displayed and when the false signal is operationally coupled to the telephone line. In other embodiments, the system may include an answering machine module or a telephone module.

Abstract: Audible calling line identification. Network resources are used to provide text-to-speech translation based audio “caller-ID” services to a telephone subscriber. In a plain old telephone system (POTS), audio calling line identification is played to the subscriber after the subscriber answers the phone in response to a ringing signal. The subscriber is then given the opportunity to supply a response, directing the disposition of the call. In a telephone system which supports on-hook signaling between the switch and the customer premises equipment (CPE), a setup message is sent to the CPE to go off-hook and play the audible calling line identification through a built-in speaker. An intelligent peripheral (IP) or service node within the network provides the required text-to-speech translation services.

Abstract: The collect call party identification service disclosed enables a service provider to identify a person who makes an assistance-free collect call and to transmit the caller's identity on the called phone regardless of the phone number from which the call is made and before any charges are incurred. The service provider, in a database controlled by the service provider, lists and identifies each person in a defined group with a personal identification number such as his/her phone number, social security number or the like. The Collect Calling Party Identification service is invoked by using a prefix such as *99. A person listed in the service provider's database and having been assigned a personal identification number can make a collect call without the assistance of an operator by dialing *99 plus his/her personal identification number. Upon confirmation from the database that the caller is listed in the database, the caller making the collect call then inputs the number that he/she is attempting to reach.

Abstract: An method and system for providing automatic alternative media address information. The method is adapted for use in a communication network including a plurality of subscribers, each having at least one communication device for sending and/or receiving communications such as voice or data (facsimile, e-mail, video, optical, etc.). A network element receives an incoming communication from a calling party for a subscriber and an alternative media address signal is generated for receipt by the subscriber.

Abstract: A caller information display system and recording medium in a communication system in which voice communication and data communication can be done between multiple terminals over a network following an Internet protocol, includes a caller information storage unit in which caller information of each local terminal is stored in advance in each terminal, and an input unit that inputs caller information. A display unit displays caller information, and a call circuit unit controls voice communication. The display system also has a caller information transmission and reception control unit which controls transmission and reception of caller information when a call is made or received.

Abstract: For use with analog telecommunications equipment that responds to in-band stimuli, a system for, and method of suppressing an in-band stimulus and a telecommunications infrastructure employing the system or the method. In one embodiment, the system includes: (1) a stimulus detector, associated with the analog telecommunications equipment, that detects a presence of the in-band stimulus and (2) a stimulus suppressor, coupled to the stimulus detector, that alters the in-band stimulus to cause the analog telecommunications equipment to disregard the in-band stimulus.

Abstract: A communication apparatus of the present invention has a first storing unit for storing information detected by a caller information detector, a caller identifying unit for identifying a calling place of a caller based on the information stored in the first storing unit, a second storing unit for storing information of the calling place identified by the caller identifying unit, a third storing unit for storing predetermined information, and a controller for controlling a display unit to display combined information of the calling place information stored in the second storing unit and the predetermined information stored in the third storing unit. The communication apparatus has a controller for extracting voice data selected by a voice data selecting unit and controlling the voice converting unit to output a voice signal, when the plurality of voice data correspond to the caller information detected by the caller information detector.

Abstract: A communications network with user presence availability and a capability of locating call forwarded users or other users. Network stations display selection of do-not-disturb (DND) at other stations, e.g., by fluttering corresponding line keys. Network stations also may selectively display call forward locations, numbers for call forwarded stations or other designated user locations that may not normally be related to call forwarding.

Abstract: A system and method for providing customized announcements to callers based on the called party telephone number and the calling party telephone number. The system comprises a server system and a messaging system. The server system detects that a customized announcement is to be delivered and the messaging system delivers the announcement to the caller. The customized announcements may be provided in conjunction with voicemail systems or other services for processing calls when a called party is not available. In a preferred embodiment the customized announcements are provided via a service node in an advanced intelligent network.

Abstract: A telephone directory address storing method and an information terminal by which telephone directory information is efficiently managed to achieve augmentation of the operability. The information terminal includes a display section, a storage section, an inputting section, a circuit interface section, and a control section for controlling the entire information terminal. The control section has a function of drawing a window delineated by closed line segments on the display section. The display section draws a first window displayed most forwardly with respect to any other window, fetches a character train selected on a second window into the first window through the storage section, waits a call origination instruction from the inputting section in the first window, dials in response to a call origination instruction from the inputting section through the circuit interface section, and simultaneously stores the character train selected on the second window into a telephone directory address storage section.

Abstract: An Internet directory system and method that is based on user telephone number addressing. The system includes an interactive white and yellow pages directory that is based on telephone numbers. Thus, a user's telephone number is a unique identifier used to key other information within the directory. The telephone number may also be used as the primary component of an email address, domain name, or web site URL for the user. The use of a telephone number as the primary component of an e-mail address or domain name greatly simplifies the process of locating a user. E-mail addresses and domain names may be readily found using standard telephone information services, such as “411”, as well as other telephone-based methods for obtaining telephone directory information. This Internet directory system and method brings all communication methods and directory services together using one searchable key, a user's telephone number.

Abstract: A telephone unit capable of checking a caller information even upon incoming call from a caller not registered on a telephone directory of the telephone unit, can be provided. Upon receipt of incoming call notice of a voice call, a voice communication portion obtains a telephone number of the caller from incoming call information by a caller number obtaining portion. The telephone number obtained by the caller number obtaining portion is fed to the caller retrieval portion. When the caller information cannot be found, the caller retrieval portion feeds the telephone number to a data communication portion to transmit a caller information retrieval request including the telephone number of the caller to a caller information retrieving system connected to internet from the data communication portion. A display portion displays the telephone information and the caller information obtained from the caller retrieving portion or the data communication portion.

Abstract: Upon detecting an incoming call, a call screening system determines the CALLER ID information associated with the call and compares it to a database of allowable calling parties. If the calling party is to be allowed to ring through, the call screening system routes the incoming call to one or more communication devices associated with the calling party information in the allowable calling party database. In this manner, certain screened calls only ring through to a handset if authorized, while others are authorized to ring through to a fax machine, an answering machine, another handset, or a remote device connected between a remote handset and the local exchange. A single call screening device having several ports thus filters calls to multiple communications devices. Incoming call screening may be selectively different during different times of the day, for different calling parties, or for different communications devices connected to the call screening device.

Abstract: A system configured to deliver wireline messages to terminating stations, such as telephones, using a conventional public switched telephone network (PSTN). The wireline messages may be composed of text, ring tones, or other items. The wireline messages may be created using modified conventional telephones, mobile telephones, personal computers and the like. The wireline messages are stored within a wireline message database associated with a conventional service control point (SCP) contained in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN). The wireline messages are delivered to a terminating station, such as a wireline telephone, after a trigger has been actuated. Wireline messages composed of text are displayed on a display screen incorporated within the terminating station or electrically coupled to the terminating station. Wireline messages composed of ring tones are played to alert a called party that an incoming call has been placed from a particular directory number.

Abstract: A system for identifying and locating an identity (ID) and the method thereof are disclosed. An ID processing unit receives an ID code from an ID unit and identify its ID. A delay time is estimated according to the received ID code, so that the location of the ID in a store. This enables a service representative to know which customers are in a nearby area in advance. The service representative can further look up the customer data from a customer database in order to provide better, personalized services for customers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively sending a false system information tone (SIT) in response to an incoming telephone call is provided. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a telephone line interface, caller identification (caller ID) module, programmable oscillator, display device, and controller. In another embodiment, the apparatus includes a data storage module, telephone line interface, caller ID module, programmable oscillator, display device, controller, and one or more control devices. The method includes the steps of: a) detecting a ring on the telephone line, b) receiving information about a calling party associated with the incoming telephone call, c) determining if a false SIT is to be sent based on the calling party information, and, d) if the false SIT is to be sent, i) determining when the false SIT is to be sent; ii) generating the false SIT; and, iii) sending the false SIT at the determined time.

Abstract: A personalized caller ID service is provided. A subscriber to the service who is calling his own telephone line from a remote location may enter a personal identification number (PIN) after dialing the subscriber's telephone number. A database within the telephone network stores a text message along with the PIN, where the text message is preferably composed by the subscriber at the time of enrollment in the personalized caller ID server. When the PIN is entered, the text message is retrieved from the database and transmitted to the subscriber's caller ID equipment during call termination for display on that equipment. The invention may be embodied in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN), wherein a termination attempt trigger (TAT) is provisioned on the subscriber's line. Upon actuation of the trigger, the service control point within the AIN instructs the service switching point that services the caller's line to prompt the caller for a PIN and collect the PIN digits.

Abstract: Processing a call from a calling party at a calling communication station to a called communication station includes detecting signalling information for the call, including determining whether standard caller identification for the calling communication station can be provided to the called communication station and detecting a privacy level selected by a called party at the called communication station. The call is routed in response to the signalling information and the privacy level. This permits management of privacy levels at the called communication station using the signalling information for the call.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems for recording Call ID data and transmitting the Caller ID data to remote telecommunications devices on demand, to fully or partially automate the dialing process for remotely calling back a message sender.

Abstract: A telephone or adjunct Caller ID device adaptively stores Caller ID data based, for example, on a blocked status of the Caller ID data. In a particular example, a telephone or Caller ID device includes a memory adapted to store Caller ID data associated with an incoming call, and a processor adapted to affect storage of the Caller ID data based on an attribute of the Caller ID data, such as a blocked status of the Caller ID data. In an alternative embodiment, a method of receiving an incoming telephone call includes the steps of receiving Caller ID data associated with the incoming telephone call, evaluating a portion of the Caller ID data, and making a storage decision based on the evaluation. The decision may be based on a blocked status of the Caller ID data. The decision may be made proximate in time to the reception of the incoming telephone call, or in response to a user input to affect Caller ID already stored.

Abstract: A system (100) and method deliver audible caller identification information when standard Caller ID information can not be provided, even when a subscriber to the service has per line blocking. A service control point (106) detects the directory number to which a terminating attempt trigger is assigned and places this directory number in a parameter for transmission to a service switching point (102) using a forward_call message (206). The per line blocking function does not interfere with transmission of this parameter so that the called party's directory number can be passed for processing and call completion by the system.

Abstract: An intelligent voice message status indication device for a single line of a telephone network includes a controller that responds to caller-ID signals to detect whether a mailbox contains a message, responds to a call-waiting signal to break communication with the voicemail system during message retrieval to capture an incoming call, and toggles multiple indicators associated with respective sub-mailboxes on a single line. The message waiting indicators may include respective unique audio, as well as respective unique, visual indication of message presence in one or more mailboxes. The voicemail servers of the network may be correspondingly partitioned to host multiple mailboxes and to provide unique outbound caller IDs to identify a mailbox having a message.

Abstract: A method and telecommunications device is provided for accessing a telecommunications device feature. The method includes detecting an incoming call from a calling party, providing information identifying the calling party, and configuring the telecommunications device feature in response to the information identifying the calling party. The telecommunications device includes a means for receiving an incoming call from a calling party, a caller identification system capable of providing information identifying the calling party, and a control logic capable of configuring the telecommunications device feature in response to the information identifying the calling party.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to automatically screen incoming telephone calls, wherein the caller identification (“Caller ID”) transmitted by the telephone company is received, compared to a list of stored caller identification criteria, and a telecommunication device, such as a telephone, answering machine, fax machine or computer modem, is activated or deactivated in response to unwanted or low-priority calls. The Caller ID information transmitted by the telephone company, such as date, time, number and/or name of the calling party, is used as the decision criteria to accept or intercept the call.

Abstract: A remote access device is provided with access to caller ID information stored in a base unit. A communication path between the remote access device and the base unit is established. Caller ID information is transmitted from the base unit to the remote access device according to a communication protocol. The communication path can include a telephone network such as the public-switched telephone network.

Abstract: A method is presented for efficiently utilizing network resources while routing voice communications over a packet-based data network with specified minimum quality of service requirements, where greater network resources are required to ensure higher quality of service parameters. A dial code can be entered by a user to specify an appropriate quality of service. If the dial code is valid, the call is routed with the specified quality of service. If the dial code is not valid, the call is routed with default minimum quality of service parameters. Also, a line may be associated with overriding minimum quality of service parameters, whereby all calls directed to such a line are automatically upgraded, if necessary, to conform to the overriding minimum quality of service parameters.

Abstract: The present invention is for a sensing device that monitors the conditions of a remote location. The device has a detecting means which detects the conditions at the remote location; a transmitting module that reads and remotely transmits information containing the detected conditions and the power level of a power source powering the transmitting module; a base module that receives, selectively processes and conveys the information telephonically; and an identifying means that identifies the remote location of the call before the call is completed, and thus the information can be passed without completing a call. The invention is also directed to a method of sensing conditions at a remote location in the least possible time.

Abstract: An interactive user interface displayed on a monitor as part of a telephone is disclosed. The interactive user interface allows a user to easily use basic and advanced telephony functions, telephony-related services, such as accessing phone directories and voice mail, and non-telephony services. These non-telephony services can include any information deliverable over, for example, TCP/IP or DHCP, and can include information such as stock prices, weather, sports data, and so on, typically from third-party services. It can also include intra-company information such as meeting schedules, conference room bookings, cafeteria menus, and so on. A user can also pull up context-sensitive “help” information on the display at any time to learn more about a particular mode, option, or feature.

Abstract: A mobile telephone, or personal communication services subscriber who wishes directory assistance services is connected in the conventional manner to an operator who identifies a destination telephone number desired by the subscriber. As known in the prior art, the operator then initiates a call connecting the subscriber to the destination telephone number. In a preferred embodiment, the operator locates a desired destination telephone number in a computer database, and can select automatic dialing of the located number. Further, rather than dropping all further involvement with the call, the preferred embodiment of the present invention continually monitors the connection thereby established for a predetermined DTMF signal issued by the customer, such as that obtained by pressing the “*” button. If such a signal is detected, the customer is transferred to a directory assistance operator, who can then provide whatever further assistance is needed (e.g., providing further directory assistance).

Abstract: Caller information display system includes a caller terminal, a service system and a receiver terminal. The caller terminal stores caller information and transmits data including the caller information during a call. The service system receives the data including the caller information from the caller terminal and transmits the data to a receiver terminal. The receiver terminal receives the data from the service system, stores the caller information to be linked with a telephone number of the caller terminal, and displays the caller information when a paging signal is received.

Abstract: A computer readable storage medium storing computer readable program code, the code configured to provide caller identification information to a called party when standard Caller ID cannot be provided. If standard caller ID information cannot be provided for a call, the call is interrupted by the present service and the calling party is prompted for audible caller identification information. In one embodiment, when the audible caller identification is provided, the call is presented to the called party with a distinctive ring at the called telephone station. In another embodiment, the calling party may enter a personal identification number (PIN) to bypass the requirement for audible caller identification information. In still another embodiment, when the PIN is entered, the call is presented with a distinctive ring at the called communication station. In still another embodiment, the called party may send the incoming call to a voice mail system.

Abstract: A method and apparatus permit handling of unwanted calls from callers such as telemarketers, when caller identification is provided. In one embodiment, the called party adds the caller identification information for the telemarketer to a personal list after receiving the unwanted call. Subsequent calls from the telemarketer are intercepted. In a second embodiment, the called party identifies the telemarketer by detecting the caller identification information before answering the call. By providing a screen listing indication, the caller identification information is added to the called party's personal list before the call is completed, permitting the call to be intercepted and while future calls from the telemarketer to be intercepted.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus for efficient communication of messages such as voice messages in a telephone answering system. The apparatus includes an input to receive an incoming call, a recorder for recording outgoing messages, a memory to store incoming and outgoing messages, a comparator for comparing caller information to a client list, a player for playing a particular outgoing message to a calling party if the caller information matches a specific client in the client list, and a menu for identifying members of the client list and to identify locations in the memory for each of the members. The particular outgoing message includes a question previously posed by the specific client and a response to the question.

Abstract: Telephone network service logic relating to calls over the telephone network to a customer terminal, uses both terminal functions and network functions. The terminal has a service logic script for execution at the terminal to control the terminal functions. To control the execution of this script remotely from the network, a script-control message is determined and sent over the telephone network to the terminal. This may use the GR30 message format, with an additional call qualifier specific to the terminal service logic script, and the type of control being requested, e.g., start execution or terminate the script. This enables the reliability of the interaction between the service logic at the network side, and the service logic script at the terminal to be improved. This enables announcement type services to be provided in which a loudspeaker on the terminal can be remotely controlled to make verbal announcements without requiring customer action to lift a receiver.

Abstract: When an incoming telephone call for a certain staff is answered by another staff, a display indicating who is the caller, to whom the caller wants to speak, and how to respond to the call, is displayed on a display of a PC near the another staff. The response method is indicated by a background color on the screen, and for example, yellow indicates that a message is to be delivered to the caller, blue indicates that the telephone call is to be transferred to the staff in charge, and red indicates that the call is to be rejected gently. When a report is required, for example in the case of message, it is notified to the staff in charge by an electronic mail, immediately after the telephone conversation, whether the message is delivered to the caller, and the like.

Abstract: An electronic method and apparatus for handling telephone calls is described. The method includes storing in a memory a telephone number template. The template preferably is as wide as a telephone number is long and identifies one or more telephone number digits by the digit positions within a telephone number field for comparison purposes. The method further includes monitoring a telephone line for a call placed thereon, identifying at least one of the origin and the destination telephone number and storing one or more digits of such identified telephone number in a memory. The method further includes comparing the stored digits of the identified telephone number with the corresponding digits of the stored template. Finally, the method includes processing the call based upon the result of said comparing. Such processing may include any one or more of logging, filtering, blocking, ignoring, rerouting, forwarding, distinctive-ringing and answering the call.

Abstract: A caller identification availability apparatus located adjacent a caller's telephone. The caller identification availability apparatus indicates who, among a select group of people, are available to receive telephone calls. Each caller within a select group has a similar apparatus adjacent their telephone. Caller's within the group are able to indicate availability or nonavailability to each caller within the group by means of their individual apparatus.

Abstract: A system and method for effectively managing telephone functionality by utilizing a settop box may preferably include a television coupled to the settop box for displaying television programming from a television programming source, and a telephone coupled to the settop box for receiving telephone calls from a telephone network. The settop box may include a TV mute manager for controlling a television mute mode that may be activated to mute audio programming on the television when receiving incoming telephone calls. The settop box may further include a caller ID manager that controls a caller ID mode that may be activated to display caller identifications on the television when receiving incoming telephone calls. The settop box may also include a phone mute manager that controls a telephone mute mode that may be activated to mute telephone ringing when receiving incoming telephone calls.

Abstract: Transmitting caller identification data to residential equipment within a digital transport stream is provided. Telephony signals that include caller identification data are received and the caller identification data is extracted from the telephony signals. The caller identification data in is then embedded the digital transport stream. The digital transport stream, including the caller identification data, is transmitted to residential equipment. The residential equipment extracts the data from the digital stream and presents the caller ID data to a subscriber overlaid on video.

Abstract: A method for notifying and reminding phone users of missed calls. The method is characterized in that when an incoming call is unanswered, the telephone notifies and subsequently reminds the user of the incoming call at a time period interval in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: The call screener employs a telephone system interface connected between a telephone network and a telephone device of a user. The interface selectively routes calls (and refrain from routing calls) based on the results from the dialogue system. The dialogue system elicits speech from an incoming caller and causes the telephone system interface to route calls from the incoming caller based on a comparison of the elicited speech with a set of stored speaker models. The stored speaker models may be maintained automatically by the system, using either a passive mode, in which calls exceeding a predetermined duration are assumed to be “acceptable” callers; and a proactive mode in which the system prompts the user at the end of the call to elect whether to save the speech models developed during that call in the acceptable user database.

Abstract: A call center system is composed of stations connected with each other through a WAN, and each station has the function of executing the waiting control of an incoming call and the function of executing the distribution control of the incoming call. A call history information transmitting and receiving control unit attaches call history information for indicating the state of waiting control and the state of transfer of the incoming call, to the incoming call to be transferred to another station, and conversely receives call history information attached to the incoming call transferred from another station. A waiting control unit executes the waiting control and distribution control of the incoming call corresponding to the call history information based on the call history information received by the call history information transmitting and receiving control unit.

Abstract: Apparatus and systems for recording Call ID data and transmitting the Caller ID data to remote telecommunications devices on demand, to fully or partially automate the dialing process for remotely calling back a message sender.

Abstract: A system for obtaining location data of calling parties for telephone calls provides location data for display by a called device. Through reception of the name, telephone number, or other calling party identifier as is done through the conventional caller ID service, the called device formulates a query to a database containing location data for calling parties. Existing advanced intelligent network infrastructure may be used to provide caller ID data to the called device, and the called device uses this caller ID data to formulate the query to the database. Additionally, the called device may have access to multiple databases containing location data and may detect an appropriate database to query based upon analysis of the caller ID data that has been received.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement and a method for handling answers at a telephone. The arrangement comprises: a connection device (8); an identification device identifying an A number belonging to a caller; and a processing device arranged to create at least two answering alternatives, where each answering alternative comprises a respective point of time when a called party at said telephone intends to call back. The answering alternatives are displayed on a display (2) together with an indication of said A number. An input device (4, 5, 6) is utilized to select one of the at least two answering alternatives, whereby the processing device is arranged to transmit the selected answering alternative to the A number. The selected answering alternative and indication of the A number is displayed on said display as a reminder for the called party.

Abstract: A system (10) and method (40) for providing audible caller information to telephone service subscribers is presented. The system (10) includes a pre-processor (28) that converts textual caller information from a first data format to a second data format suitable for text-to-speech synthesis (TTS). The pre-processor (28) can be incorporated in a service node/intelligent peripheral (SN/IP) (24) in an advanced intelligent network (AIN). In this configuration, the pre-processor (28) can be used to convert caller-ID with name database entries into a predetermined TTS format. The TTS formatted information can be provided to a TTS synthesized (30) included in the SN/IP (24). In conjunction with a switching service point (SSP) (20), the pre-processor (28) can provide a talking call-waiting feature to subscribers with significantly improved intelligibility.

Abstract: LNP databases are made locally accessible to one or more CNAM SCP to avoid network traffic associated with LNP routing determinations required with the advent of providers local number portability. All CNAM service queries are routed to the one or more CNAM SCPs for processing. Service routing is determined from the local accessible LNP databases without additional network traffic associated with such routing determinations in conventional systems. Four classes of service provider are defined. Queries for telephone services are routed in accordance with the class of service provider.

Abstract: A mobile station in a cellular telecommunication network includes an apparatus and method for storing a calling party identification signal. This calling party identification signal is transmitted to an originating MSC along with the call set up signals. The originating MSC then transmits the calling party identification signals to an HLR which transmits them to a serving MSC for delivering to the called party mobile station. Accordingly, the method and apparatus support the delivery of calling party identification signals to the called party without requiring the creation and maintenance of databases for storing such information. The mobile station as well as the MSCs adaptive to store the calling party information signals and to receive and transmit the same. The communication signal definitions between the mobile stations MSCs base stations HLRs and VLRs are all adapted to include and support the transmission of the calling party identification signals which are permanently stored in the mobile station.

Abstract: A novel virtual calling card system and method aid in the formation of online relationships, serving as an introduction tool and as a contact mechanism. The calling card is an exchangeable entity that is automatically updated, ensuring that the recipient or viewer sees the most current version of the card. The card may display an aspect ratio that is the same as that of a traditional business card, and has front side and a reverse side. Furthermore, the card provides a number of avenues for the card owner to express themselves, including an array of affiliation symbols, a most recent mood symbol, and a text field. The reverse side of the card can display a representation of the owner's social network, so that recipients of the card may identify common friends and associates. The exchange of the card, although server-based, appears to users to simply be a transfer of the card from the owner, or other party, to the recipient, much as a card changes hands in the physical world.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for signaling the call of a call-communication device (1) reaching a communication terminal (2). The aim of the invention is to enlarge the possibilities of allocating identifications to such calls.