Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for providing additional information to called parties comprises receiving a call from a calling party, performing a lookup of information associated with the calling party in a database, receiving the information from the database, and forwarding the information to a called party. The system comprises at least one device for receiving a call from a calling party, and at least one database for storing information associated with the calling party, wherein the at least one device is operable to perform a lookup of information associated with the calling party in a database, receive the information from the database, and forward the information to a called party.

Abstract: A mobile terminal which includes a touch-screen display method thereof are provided. The mobile terminal includes a touch-screen display; a camera configured to capture image data; a sensing unit located in a corresponding area of the camera; and a controller configured to: receive a first touch gesture in the corresponding area of the camera, turn on the camera in response to the received first touch gesture and display a preview image on the touch-screen display, receive a second touch gestures in the corresponding area of the camera, said first touch gesture being different than the second touch gesture, and capture the image data in response to the second touch gesture, wherein the camera and the sensing unit are mounted on an area of the mobile terminal that excludes the touch-screen display.

Abstract: A method of executing an alarm with respect to a missed received call for a mobile communication terminal is provided. The method includes determining whether the mobile communication terminal is moving, and determining whether a missed received call occurs while the mobile communication terminal is moving, and executing an alarm with respect to the missed received call when it is determined that the mobile communication terminal does not move for a period of time if it is determined that the missed received call occurs while the mobile communication terminal is moving.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method for distributing phone calls includes the steps of receiving or initiating a telephone call from or with a caller associated with caller identification information, generating masked caller identification information by masking a portion of the caller identification information, transmitting the masked caller identification information to a plurality of potential call-buyers, determining a call-buyer of the plurality of potential call-buyers to receive the incoming phone call, and storing the caller identification information with the masked caller identification information. A system and computer-readable medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes making a phone call from a sender to a receiver and providing a non-audio identifier to the receiver in a phone call signal of the phone call. The non-audio identifier provides access to information of the sender by the receiver.

Abstract: The present disclosure illustrates a communication establishing method. The method includes following steps. A communication service program is executed on the mobile device to transmit an identification code to a cloud server. A toll-free number is determined and a communication number corresponding to the identification code is inquired from a lookup table. A control command is transmitted from the cloud server to the mobile device. The mobile device is controlled by the control command to dial a call request containing the toll-free number to a dial-up device. The dial-up device transmits a search request to the cloud server and the cloud server then return the communication number respected to the toll-free number to the dial-up device. Finally, the dial-up device automatic transfers the call request to the communication terminal, so as to establish a communication connection between the mobile device and a communication terminal.

Abstract: A network apparatus may determine a custom alert for a recipient based on pre-defined rules. The custom alert may provide advance notice of the data communication and specify that the custom alert be presented on the communication device before receipt of the data communication.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining the trustworthiness of calling party information, such as caller ID and ANI information, contained in a call request are provided. The method includes receiving a call request at a service provider network element, such as a telecommunication carrier switch. A decision is made as to whether the call request should be verified by reviewing a database of called telephone numbers for monitoring. When the call request is to be verified, a determination is made whether a discrepancy exists between the calling party information contained within the call request and authenticated stored calling party information. For example, the caller ID information in a call request is compared to service provider caller ID information for the calling party to determine if they match. When a discrepancy exists, a discrepancy report is transmitted to the called party.

Abstract: A method and system of collecting confidential data by means of initiating a bridge call with a caller and a vendor. The bridge call allows an interconnection between a merchant's Interactive Voice Response unit (IVR) and a vendor's Interactive Voice Response unit (IVR) without the need to loop the caller back to the merchant after the confidential data is collected. An Automatic Number Identification field is present on each call to identify the caller. A caller enters confidential data into a vendor's IVR using the telephone. Once the confidential data is validated and stored, the vendor updates a call management repository record and terminates the bridge call.

Abstract: A communication system including a communication network, an entertainment device connected to the communication network, and an application server connected to the communication network. The entertainment device has a software client adapted to provide real time two-way communication between the entertainment device and a telephony device connected to the communication network. The application server is adapted to communicate with the software client and facilitate the real time two-way communication between the entertainment device and the telephony device.

Abstract: A directory server may proactively provide to a remote mobile phone (or similar device) recent contextual information associated with callers who are likely to call the remote mobile phone, such that the remote mobile phone is likely to have a local set of recent contextual data about a given caller when the caller places a call to the remote mobile phone (or visa versa). When an unknown caller calls the remote mobile phone, the directory server may use the caller's phone number to identify directory information and one or more social-network or similar accounts that are used as sources of contextual information about the caller.

Abstract: The present invention is related to telecommunications, and in particular, to methods and systems for processing call signaling data. In an embodiment, a call processing system receives a first message from a switch while the switch is processing a call for a calling party, wherein the first message is initiated at least partly in response to a firing of a call event trigger configured within a switch. The first message includes call signaling information, including the calling party's phone number. The calling party's phone number is stored in the call processing system. A communication channel is established over a network between the call processing system and a computer associated with the called party. A message is transmitted to the networked computer, the message including the calling party's phone number, wherein the calling party's phone number is intended to be displayed on the networked computer associated with the called party.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top-box (STB) having a controller to join a multicast group having an associated multicast address, wherein the multicast address is associated with a first content type of a plurality of content types, access encoded content associated with the first content type from the multicast address, wherein the encoded content is transmitted by at least one source associated with the multicast group to the multicast address, decode the accessed encoded content, and display the decoded content on a channel mapped to the multicast address. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Example apparatus and methods concern establishing additional context for a call using pre-call information. The additional context is provided by a caller and used to determine, for example, whether and how to answer a call. An apparatus (e.g., smart phone, VoIP device) may be configured to augment an outgoing call with first context setting information (e.g., short message, picture, voice clip). The first context setting information may be embedded in the outgoing call or may be provided separately as part of a distinct communication. The apparatus may also be configured to acquire second context setting information associated with an incoming call. The second context setting information may be retrieved from the incoming call or may be retrieved using a separate communication that is triggered by the incoming call. The second context setting information may be presented in an integrated display that produces a single user interruption.

Abstract: A communication device and method can include one or more processors operatively coupled to memory and an audible output device, where the one or more processors receive a call from a calling party that includes caller identification information and a voice or video message associated with the caller identification information, presenting the caller identification information, present the voice message or video message as an alias of or to a ring tone or interleaved with the ring tone before the call from the calling party is answered or rejected. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A data receiving part receives data transmitted from a plurality of measuring devices. A time determining part distinguishes management time from date and time of the data. The record generating part stores data of the same management time which are received during a predetermined acceptance time, in the same record. When un-arrived data belonging to the same management time exists at the end of the acceptance time, arrival of the un-arrived data is waited for during a predetermined wait time. Even if the data is arrived with some delay, arrival-delayed data can be stored in the same record. Thus, the missing data occurrence frequency can be suppressed.

Abstract: The present invention is generally directed toward a system for modifying caller identification (Caller ID) information by an outgoing caller on a mobile device. The system includes a storage means for storing Caller ID information prepared by a telecommunications provider, a telecommunications provider Caller ID module configured to transmit the Caller ID information to a receiving party, and a mobile device Caller ID module stored on the mobile device and configured to display the name associated with the Caller ID information on the mobile device. The mobile device Caller ID module is configured to customize the name by the outgoing caller and transmit the customized name to the telecommunications provider Caller ID module. The customized name is then transmitted in place of the telephone account name to the receiving party as part of the Caller ID information.

Abstract: A caller information server provides caller identification (ID) information to a mobile device. The server receives caller ID information from local address books stored on multiple mobile devices. The caller information server aggregates the received caller ID information to generate a pooled address book. The caller information server may determine whether names within the caller ID information are legitimate and store or filter the information accordingly. When a mobile device receives a call from a telephone number for which it lacks caller ID information in its local address book, the mobile device sends a request for the caller ID information for the telephone number, to the caller information server. The server identifies caller ID information associated with the telephone number in the pooled address book, and sends this information to the mobile device.

Abstract: All calls terminating to a customer's directory number are intercepted. If caller identification information can be presented, the call is forwarded to a service node for disposition. The service node reconfigures signaling information of the call so that the call is not intercepted, then forwards the call to the subscriber's telephone. When the call is answered, the service node states the name or telephone number of the calling party which has been retrieved from the signaling information. The caller can decide whether to take the call, deny the call, send the call to voice mail or send a sales refusal message or other disposition option.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, a communication system, and a communication device for transmitting data to a first subscriber, within the framework of a connection signaling from a first primary service communication device of the first subscriber to a second primary service communication device, a primary address information message associated with the first primary service communication device and a secondary address information message associated with a first secondary service communication device of the first subscriber is transmitted to the second primary service communication device. The transmitted address information messages are identified and stored via the primary service communication device.

Abstract: A system, method and graphical user interface for determining a speaker's position and a generating a display showing the position of the speaker. In one embodiment, the system comprises a first speakerphone system and a second speakerphone system communicatively coupled to send and receive data. The speakerphone system comprises a display, an input device, a microphone array, a speaker, and a position processing module. The position processing module is coupled to receive acoustic signals from the microphone array. The position processing module uses these acoustic signals to determine a position of the speaker. The position information is then sent to other speakerphone system for presentation on the display.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of associating first data identifying a first party with second data to allow future recognition of the first party, including the steps of: conducting a telephone call with the first party; storing second data derived from the telephone call with the first party, the second data being different to the first data and characterizing a feature of the first party to allow future recognition of the first party; and associating the first data with the second data.

Abstract: A calling side communication apparatus includes a communication function executing means 11, a non-real time call sending means 12 for sending, in accordance with user operation, a non-real time call which is a request of telephone call which continues until a user at the other side responds or until a predetermined cancellation condition is satisfied. A called side communication apparatus includes a communication function executing means 21, a non-real time call receiving means 22 for receiving the non-real time call without entailing forcible ringing, a receiving call displaying means 23 for displaying, to a user, information about the non-real time call currently in the call reception state, and a non-real time call responding means 24 for establishing a telephone call or a data communication with the communication apparatus that sent the non-real time call, in accordance with a response operation given by the user in reply to the non-real time call currently in the call reception state.

Abstract: An application may provide a communication session platform for a first participant to communicate to a second recipient in a service provider capacity. For instance a doctor, lawyer or other service provider may initiate a call application on a their user device and the device may transmit a communication session request to another user device of a patient or client, via the call application. The application may also provide transmitting a consent request to the client user device requesting consent to a term described by a pre-recorded content segment and receiving a confirmation message from the client user device agreeing to the consent request, and bridging the communication session between the client user device and the service provide user device.

Abstract: An aspect of the present invention enables users to avail specialized services using missed calls. In one embodiment, a missed call server on receiving an indication that a missed call has been placed by a user to a phone number, determines the specialized service corresponding to the phone number, and then sends a data to the service provider offering the determined service. The service provider then delivers the specialized service (sought to be availed) to the user. One of the specialized services is the delivery of content to the user. Thus, a user is enabled to access different contents by placing missed calls to the appropriate phone numbers.

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: Embodiments of the present invention include a caller identification system and method for identifying a caller with a partial phone number look-up table. The caller identification system comprises a database that stores received calls and can be personalized to include information specific to partial phone numbers. In one embodiment, the caller identification system disclosed can be integrated into a cellular phone. In this embodiment, an incoming call initiates a search in a database to retrieve information about the caller. If a match is found, the identity of the caller is displayed. When an exact match is not found, a search for a partial match is executed with wild card values and information about the partial match is displayed. Information for a partial match can be personalized or pre-programmed into the caller ID system such as the city associated with a particular area code or prefix.

Abstract: A video telephony system and a control method thereof are provided. The video telephony system includes a first mobile communication terminal and a second mobile communication terminal, wherein, during a video telephone call connection, the first mobile communication terminal receives a command from a user and sends the received command to the second mobile communication terminal and wherein the second mobile communication terminal executes the command received from the first mobile communication terminal and reconfigures multi-media data transmitted to the first mobile communication terminal.

Abstract: The present invention provides an extensible phone application that uses extensions to interact with other applications executing in a mobile communication device. The extensible phone application is operable to handle wireless communication for the mobile communication device. Another application may interact with the extensible phone application by incorporating an extension. The extensible phone application enables the extension to register with the phone application for receiving a notification associated with an event. In response to the event, the extensible phone application sends the notification to the extension.

Abstract: A method in one embodiment includes receiving, by a mobile client device, an incoming call sent by a caller, a caller ID being associated with the incoming call. A node connected to a packet-based network is accessed to obtain information about the caller. Information about the caller is then received from the node by the mobile client device. This information is applied to a set of client rules that selects a specific ring tone from a plurality of ring tones stored on the mobile client device. Finally, the specific ring tone is generated on the mobile client device to announce the incoming call.

Abstract: A system, server, and method of DTMF detection in a VoIP network.

Abstract: A method and system for providing computer-network related information about a second party. First, the second party receives a telephone number of a first party. The second party's customer premises equipment (CPE) or elements in a telephone network then use the telephone number to index a database, which contains combinations of telephone numbers and computer-network addresses. Once the first party's computer-network address is retrieved, first-party-customized information present at the computer-network location specified by the computer-network address can be sent to and displayed on the second party's CPE. Also, the first party's telephone number can be sent to an application in the computer network, causing the first-party-customized information to be automatically displayed on the second party's CPE.

Abstract: A method for establishing a communication connection between a first communication device and a second communication device, the method comprising requesting contact information for a second communication device, during a first communication connection established between a first communication device and a third communication device; receiving the contact information from the third communication device, in response to a third party interacting with the third communication device during the first communication connection; and establishing a second communication connection between the first communication device and the second communication device based on the contact information received from the third communication device, wherein the second communication connection is established by way of the first communication device independently initiating communication with the second communication device.

Abstract: Phone calls may be tagged with the importance or the context of the call to be displayed along with the caller ID information on the display of a receiving phone. The context information is thus made available even before the call is answered to aid the user in determining whether or not to answer the call or how long thereafter it would be appropriate to wait before the call is returned.

Abstract: A method for initiating a service including initiating a communication to a destination according to an address of the destination; detecting the address during initiating of the communication; determining whether the detected address is associated with a trigger function; and triggering a request for the service when the detected address is associated with a trigger function. The request for the service is separate from the communication.

Abstract: A method and device for displaying information operate during a call service based on an IPTV system. When a first user terminal calls a second user terminal, a person-to-person communication enabler in the IPTV system obtains identity information of media streams of a ring tone service corresponding to the first user terminal and/or the second user terminal. The obtained identity information of the media streams of the ring tone service is sent to an Internet Protocol Television service terminal corresponding to a first user and/or a second user, for playing corresponding media streams of the ring tone service.

Abstract: A call interlocking system according to the present invention includes a plurality of in-house control apparatuses each including, data relay means for relaying communication data between a telephone and a call control server and communication data between an information display terminal and an information providing server respectively, and interlocking means for determining whether or not it is possible to interlock a telephone call performed by the telephone with a service that the information display terminal requests to start, and for notifying, when the interlocking means determines that the interlocking is possible, a start request of the service including information for specifying the telephone call to the information providing server, and an information providing server that interlocks the service with the telephone call and provides the interlocked service based on the start request of the service notified from the in-house control apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to methods, nodes, arrangements and articles of manufacture to automatically identify unknown identities of a target. The method comprises the following steps: positioning indicators indicating presence of a known identity of the target in at least one location are periodically collected; —at least one mobile network is interrogated and lists of identities of users located in defined target areas, each area covering at least one of the collected positioning indicators, are fetched; —a crosscheck between the fetched lists is performed; a single or restricted number of identities that is common to the fetched lists is identified.

Abstract: A preferred contact group centric interface for a communication device can be used to facilitate communications by a user. The user interface can be arranged to activate from a user's “home page” on the display, from an idle screen that is accessed after a timeout period expires, or any other appropriate mechanism that activates the preferred contact group centric experience. A user selects the preferred contact group from among an array of the user's contacts. Once the contact group is configured, a minimal number of navigation/selection features is necessary to activate any number of communication modes available to the contacts. The contact group is configured such that simple and quick navigation between the contact members is achieved. The contact group can be presented in 2D and 3D arrangements, in any number of list or geometric configurations. A pricing plan can optionally be tied to each member of the contact group.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring calls routed to a telephone network voice mail system from a variety of remote telephone locations. When a subscriber receives a telephone call, a determination is made as to whether the subscriber's line is busy or whether the call goes unanswered. If remote call monitoring services are activated, a three-way communication is set up between the calling party, the voice mail system and the subscriber via a remote call monitoring directory number provided by the subscriber. The subscriber is patched into the call on a listen-only basis, but upon command by the subscriber, the subscriber may answer the call. The subscriber may set up a number of remote call monitoring filters, including an “always monitor” list, a “never monitor” list, and a schedule of days or times during which the subscriber allows or excludes remote call monitoring.

Abstract: Embodiments provide caller information in multiple languages to multiple receiving communication devices. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a call request from a sending endpoint communication device connected to a network. Caller identification information associated with the call request is obtained, where the caller identification information includes one or more identifications associated with the sending endpoint communication device. Each identification specifies the same content in a different language. The call request and at least one of the identifications are transmitted over the network to be received by receiving endpoint communication devices connected to the network. Each receiving endpoint communication device can output at least one of the received identifications specified in a language designated for use by that receiving endpoint communication device.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed for providing telephone number sharing services to subscribers over public switched telephone network or data network. The disclosed system maintains a bank of reusable caller identifiers (IDs). The system receives call details of a call from a subscriber of the system. The call details include a caller identifier (ID) preference of the subscriber and a called number corresponding to the called party. The system stores the call details in a database. The system determines whether the call from the subscriber is a first call to the called number. In response to the call being the first call to the called number, the system assigns a call ID from the bank of reusable caller IDs that satisfies the reusable caller ID preference of the subscriber, and connects the call to the called number along with the caller ID.

Abstract: The present invention is related to telecommunications, and in particular, to methods and systems for processing call signaling data. In an embodiment, a call processing system receives a first message from a switch while the switch is processing a call for a calling party, wherein the first message is initiated at least partly in response to a firing of a call event trigger configured within a switch. The first message includes call signaling information, including the calling party's phone number. The calling party's phone number is stored in the call processing system. A communication channel is established over a network between the call processing system and a computer associated with the called party. A message is transmitted to the networked computer, the message including the calling party's phone number, wherein the calling party's phone number is intended to be displayed on the networked computer associated with the called party.

Abstract: A computerized method for managing phone numbers stored in a communication device, the communication device communicates with a communication service terminal provided by a telecommunication company. The communication device sends a request message for requesting to acquire a usage state of each of the phone numbers to the communication service terminal, and then detects which of the phone numbers have the usage state that matches one or more predetermined states. Any detected phone number which usage state matches the one or more predetermined states is deleted from the communication device.

Abstract: A communication system receives data that does not pertain to an attempted initial establishment of a communication. The communication system uses a new message format under an existing analog Caller ID standard. The communication system inserts the data (which can be in addition to existing Caller ID data) into a Caller ID message that uses the new message format. The communication system then sends the Caller ID message to a communication device/Private Branch Exchange (PBX)/contact center that can interpret the new message format. The communication device/PBX/contact center can use the data to further route the communication to a specific telephone and/or can use the data to display information such as Global Positioning System (GPS) coordinates of a cell phone. The data can enhance the capabilities of devices and systems that currently work under the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN).

Abstract: A user can have a contract with a mobile communication provider such that a limited number of communication minutes can be used overall or a limited number of minutes can be used with other providers. When incoming call identification information is disclosed, additional information can be presented relating to the contract, such as what provider the incoming call uses and how many free minutes the user has with an incoming provider. The user, in determining if the incoming communication should be engaged, can employ the additional information and make an appropriate decision.

Abstract: A method and system for communicating a variable set of contextual information relating to a conversation over a communication channel is provided. When the contextual information is exchanged, any authorized sending party of the contextual information can change the scope, content, or amount of the contextual information that is transmitted to a next receiving party in a determined communication channel path. Before transmitting the contextual information, a desirable scope of the contextual information may be determined based on the next receiving party, in conjunction with the sending party's rules. The contextual information may be updated by adding new contextual information and/or deleting part of the contextual information which is outside of the scope. No contextual information may be transmitted if the next destination desires no contextual information or does not have capabilities to receive any contextual information.

Abstract: A caller may initiate a phone call to a device. A call preview system may send a preview message in conjunction with the phone call. The preview message may contain preview information that identifies the caller. The call preview system may use a text or media messaging service to send the preview message. Callers can manage their own preview information relieving each user from continuously updating contact information in personal contact directories. The call preview system may use different schemes for initiating phone calls. In one example, the call preview system may initiate or forward phone calls in conjunction with sending the preview message. In another example, the call preview system may delay calling a phone number or delay forwarding the phone call until a message is received acknowledging the preview message or accepting the phone call.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide methods and systems to receive an incoming call message via a data interface upon activation of a trigger established with a voice communication network and activated when the voice communication network receives an incoming call to a destination identified by a pre-determined subscriber account; generate a call notification in response to the incoming call message; obtain a list of set-top boxes corresponding to the predetermined subscriber account; and route the call notification to the set-top boxes on the list.

Abstract: A method of using a system processing phone call routing, the method including: automatically capturing, by a computer system, call data for each of a plurality of phone calls utilizing a toll free number and routed as referrals to a service, which engages accounting software to automatically track compensation for the referrals by generating an association of the captured phone call data for each of the referrals with compensation for connecting the referrals so as to distinguish the service from phone call referral data and compensation for a plurality of other services receiving other referrals, the engaging initiating digital reporting, via an Internet address, which includes generating, from the association, call referral information related to the service and said compensation for the referrals to the service.