Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and a system for verifying identity of a user and a system for generating and maintaining verification codes. The method and the system use system-generated caller numbers as verification codes. When an application system needs to verify the identity of a user, the verification system generates a caller phone number and uses a communication switching system to place a call originating from the caller phone number to the user's phone. The user's phone has a caller ID display function to automatically display the caller number, which serves as a user identity verification code. The user provides the received caller number to the application system for user identity verification. No text messaging or other ways of communication is required. The method and the system can achieve reliable user identity verification. A centralized system may support multiple application systems for user identity verification.

Abstract: A method for realizing a multimedia call includes the following steps. A call request initiated by a calling terminal is received. An indication of the multimedia negotiation capability of the calling terminal is acquired, in which the indication of the multimedia negotiation capability identifies whether the terminal has the capability of supporting multiple multimedia negotiations or not. It is determined, according to the indication of the multimedia negotiation capability, whether the calling terminal has the capability of supporting multiple multimedia negotiations or not. A multimedia call connection is performed according to the multimedia negotiation capability of the calling terminal. It is determined, according to the factor whether the calling terminal has the capability of supporting multiple multimedia negotiations or not, how to perform the multimedia call connection, so as to flexibly realize the multimedia call connection accordingly.

Abstract: A system and method 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. In one embodiment, the position processing module comprises an auto-detection module, a position analysis module, a tracking module and an identity matching module for the detection of sound, the determination of position and transmission of position information over the network.

Abstract: A computing device is configured to receive an incoming communication from another computing device. The incoming communication may be for purpose of initiating a voice-exchange session. In response to receiving the incoming call, the computing device may identify or determine a message identifier of the other computing device. The message identifier is determined based at least in part on data provided with the incoming communication. The computing device may programmatically address a message to the other computing device using the message identifier determined from the incoming communication.

Abstract: When an ad hoc group call is initiated, or at a subsequent time but before the group call is terminated, a call originator may set a parameter to establish a time limit. The time limit is invoked when the call originator drops from the group call. The time limit may be set to zero time indicating that all participants will be disconnected and the group call will be terminated immediately upon exit of the call originator. The time limit may also be set to a predetermined amount of time, which indicates that the group call may remain up until the predetermined amount of time expires. If no parameter to establish a time limit is selected, the group call may remain indefinitely even after the originator exits the group call.

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 first receives call details of a call from a subscriber of the system. The call details include reusable call number preference of the subscriber as well as a phone number of a called party. The system stores the call details in a database. The system determines whether the received call from the subscriber is a first call to the called number. In response to the call being the first call to the called party, the system assigns a reusable call number that satisfies the reusable call number preference of the subscriber, and forwards the call to the called number with the reusable call number.

Abstract: The same number is redundantly set as the extension number associated to a fourth telephone number in different data tables associated to different second telephone numbers. For this reason, it is possible to maintain outstanding scalability of the system in a situation where the total number of settable numbers is limited. Further, even if an outgoing call is made to a caller side terminal from a lost receiver side terminal using the call register, the receiver number is recognized to be either an extension number associated to a fourth telephone number or an extension number associated to a fifth telephone number, and an instruction to disconnect a first call is sent to the call controller. As a result, the above-mentioned outgoing call (first call) from the lost receiver side terminal is disconnected, thereby making it possible to fully ensure security when a terminal is lost.

Abstract: A digital photo frame, including a memory for storing a plurality of digital photos, and tags associated with the digital photos, where a tag for a digital photo corresponds to an object appearing in the digital photo, a screen for displaying the digital photos, an interface for making connection with a communicator, wherein the communicator includes a storage for storing a contact list of phone numbers for objects, and a controller, coupled with the memory and the interface, for rendering one of the plurality of digital photos on the screen, and for instructing the communicator via the interface (i) to identify the phone number of a selected object, and (ii) to dial the identified phone number, in response to user activation of a tag associated with the rendered digital photo and corresponding to the selected object.

Abstract: A communication apparatus includes an obtaining unit, an image data receiving unit, an extracting unit and a first display control unit. The obtaining unit is configured to obtain a caller identification information through a caller identification via a communication line when an incoming call is received from a caller. The image data receiving unit is configured to receive an image data transmitted from the caller via the communication line. The extracting unit is configured to extract caller information from the image data to specify the caller. The first display control unit is configured to display the caller information on a display screen when the obtaining unit does not obtain the caller identification information at the incoming call.

Abstract: A method is provided in which information about one or more telecommunications session characteristics is stored in a communications history log. A prediction is then made for the occurrence of telecommunications session characteristic in the future on the basis of the information stored in the communications history log.

Abstract: A clearinghouse is used to determine caller location for VoIP calls. The clearinghouse maintains (i) a first correlation between a first IP address and a first ISP and (ii) a second correlation between a second IP address and a second ISP. The clearinghouse receives the first IP address from a VoIP service provider (VSP). The first IP address is a source address of a request from a VoIP telephone to set up a call, received by the VSP from the first ISP. The clearinghouse references the first correlation and queries the first ISP with the first IP address. The clearinghouse then receives from the first ISP a location associated with the first IP address. The clearinghouse transmits this location to an entity such as the VSP or, for a 911 call, perhaps a PSAP. The clearinghouse may select the PSAP based at least in part on the location.

Abstract: A system and method deliver audible caller identification information when standard Caller ID information is invalid or cannot be provided. In one disclosed embodiment, the Caller ID information must include a valid number of digits and a valid area code. If the Caller ID information is not valid, a calling party is prompted by an announcement to provide the audible caller identification information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for locating files. Upon receipt of caller identification information, a search is performed to identify all files associated with the caller identification information. A presentation of the caller identification information is caused.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a device and method for implementing a Coloring Ring Back Tone (CRBT) service and a device for acquiring a CRBT file. The device for implementing a CRBT service includes a first receiving module adapted to receive CRBT access information, a channel management module adapted to acquire a real-time CRBT file according to the CRBT access information, and a playing module adapted to play the real-time CRBT file. The method for implementing a CRBT service includes acquiring a real-time CRBT file customized by a subscriber according to CRBT access information and playing the real-time CRBT file to a calling subscriber.

Abstract: A method, a system and a computer program product for determining one or more characteristics of a caller, such as the mood, gender, age, and urgency of the caller, utilizing the biometric characteristics of the caller. One or more biometric characteristics are detected when a request to place an outgoing call to one or more destinations is received at a first telecommunication device. When the request to place an outgoing call is a verbal request, one or more biometric voice samples are obtained. The biometric voice samples comprise the biometric characteristics of the caller. The biometric characteristics are extracted from the biometric voice samples, encoded into a datagram, and transmitted from the first telecommunication device to the outgoing call destination (i.e. a second telecommunication device).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a communication from an originating party, with the communication intended for a receiving party. A database of pre-created messages is accessed, with the database storing a pre-created message having a common association between the receiving party and the originating party. The pre-created message is then communicated.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method is disclosed for use in conjunction with a portable electronic device with a touch screen display. A list of items comprising missed telephone calls is displayed. Upon detecting user selection of an item in the list, contact information is displayed for a respective caller corresponding to the user selected item. The displayed contact information includes a plurality of contact objects that include a first contact object, comprising a telephone number object having a first telephone number associated with the missed telephone call, and a second contact object. Upon detecting user selection of the second contact object, a communication with the respective caller is initiated via a modality corresponding to the second contact object.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of telecommunications. More particularly, to a method and an apparatus that would allow callers to time-share telephone, tele-communication or communication lines in order to truthfully vary the telephone line from which they are calling parties through a communication, telecommunication or Public Switch Telephone Network (PSTN). The system would allow customers to utilize methods that would manage their calls in ways that would maximize the probability that a called party would answer.

Abstract: A cellular telephone system is provided with a process and apparatus for screening an incoming call. The process is carried out by, and the apparatus comprises, a service provider (20) and a mobile station (30). The mobile station (30) answers the incoming call and places the call on hold. The mobile station (30) connects to the service provider (20) and places the service provider (20) and the incoming caller on multi-party hold. The mobile station (30) then signals the service provider (20) to begin screening the call. In response, the service provider (20) prompts the incoming caller for the incoming caller's identification and then communicates this information to the mobile station (30). Based on this information, the mobile station (30) can elect to accept or reject the incoming call.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device and an associated method provide an improved call list that presents information relating to logged phone calls in a collapsed manner. A single entry is displayed on the call list to represent a call log of phone calls from the same phone number.

Abstract: A communication device is configured to receive messages. The communication device may comprise a display screen upon which messages are displayed. A microprocessor configured to execute at least one message management program on the communication device, filters incoming messages. The message management program comprising a message filter application filters messages based on a comparison of sender identification data associated with a message to approved sender identification data.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus is configured for receiving a call comprising multiple callers who are identified in a multi-party caller identification value that is received with the call; retrieving from a database, based on the multi-party caller identification value, information about each of the multiple callers; based on the retrieved information and a collective importance algorithm, determining or selecting one or more call treatment attributes for the call; and processing the call using the one or more call treatment attributes that are determined or selected. For example, a contact center or call center can provide differentiated services based on collective attributes or profiles, or a weighted average priority, of multiple people who are calling together, rather than only taking into account information about a single calling party. Call processing attributes such as priority, queuing, routing, and screen pop-up content, may be selected based on collective data about multiple callers.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for enabling communication between a first party and a second party. The method and apparatus determine that the second party is calling the first party while the first party is leaving a message on the voicemail of the second party. The message is then aborted and the first party is connected to the second party.

Abstract: A system and associated methods deliver Caller ID information directed to a user's mobile phone onto the user's home television set for viewing. One particular method set forth involves selective providing to a video provider information regarding an incoming call destined for and based on the location of a designated mobile phone associated with a particular user, enabling the video provider to insert the information regarding the incoming call into a video stream for delivery to a video display device associated with the particular user. According to the method, a mobile switching center receives a call from a calling phone. Thereafter, a determination is made as to whether designated mobile phone is within a home zone for the particular user. If so, then the calling phone identification and the mobile phone destination number are sent to a video provider associated with the particular user for insertion into the video stream.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing a call attempt triggered messaging service in a communications network comprises intercepting a call signaling message including a calling party subscriber identifier and a called party subscriber identifier. A call attempt triggered message generation (CATMG) database using the called party subscriber identifier is queried. In the event the called party subscriber identifier exists in the CATMG database, a messaging service message is generated. The messaging service message is then transmitted to a contact address.

Abstract: A system for managing contact information between mobile devices. A notification is received any time a mobile device initiates or terminates a communication. The receiving mobile device is prompted to obtain the contact information of the caller. Based on permissions set by the caller, the receiving mobile device may obtain the caller's public contact information, private contact information, none of the caller's contact information or some combination of the caller's public and private contact information. In one embodiment, a subset of the caller's contact information is displayed in the screen of a receiving mobile device coincidentally while receiving the phone call to provide a caller-identification feature.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling execution of a call back to a called party, comprising determining availability status of the called party, evaluating compatibility of the availability status with initiating call back to the called party, and in the event the availability status is compatible with call back then initiating the call back to said called party.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing users operating on Signaling System No. 7 (SS7) networks with the ability to interconnect with Advance Intelligent Networking (AIN) and, in particular, to provide database lookup for the Do Not Call (DNC) Registry, without requiring users to implement complex and expensive systems in their network. An Intelligent Call Management (ICM) structure receiving information of a dialed toll number is able to convert the information into a compatible database request to determine whether the call to the toll number is allowed to be completed based on information retrieved from the database.

Abstract: There is described a method, a terminal device, and a communication system for programming a button of a communication terminal device whereby a user input on the communication terminal device activates an application on a data processing device associated with the communication terminal device. The activated application triggers the display of button programming information for selection for a respective button programming. The selection of one of the displayed button programming information messages on the data processing device triggers the assignment of the associated button programming to the button on the communication terminal device.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing Key Word Programmable Caller ID Screening services. One method monitors a telephone call for a key word call screening request. The telephone call is from a calling telephone number to a called telephone number. An action is taken in response to the key word call screening request. The action could be playing an announcement, terminating the connection, forwarding to voice mail, storing, adding, updating, and or blocking incoming communications matching the ICLID information and/or subscriber identified alphanumeric information. The call screening request may comprise a Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency, a softkey entry, and/or a data message. Subsequent incoming calls from the calling telephone number are characterized as undesirable and are screened from alerting or otherwise establishing a communications connection to the called telephone number.

Abstract: A request is received from a user of a communication device to block a use of a ring tone remotely selected by another user for an incoming call to the communication device. The ring tone remotely selected by the other user is blocked from being played to the user of the communication device on the incoming call to the communication device.

Abstract: A dialed number of a called party is received from a calling party. Based on the dialed number, a name of the called party is retrieved from a database. An audio message which includes the name of the called party is generated and communicated to the calling party. A call is routed between the calling party and the called party after said communicating the audio message.

Abstract: A method for playing an enterprise color ringback tone is disclosed, including the following steps: establishing, by a service switching entity, a connection with a service access entity in accordance with an EVC access code; searching, by the service access entity, for a connection identifier of a destination terminal corresponding to a service identifier of the destination terminal in accordance with a correspondence relationship between the service identifier and the connection identifier of the terminal, and sending the connection identifier of the destination terminal to the service switching entity; and establishing, by the service switching entity, a connection between the source terminal and the destination terminal in accordance with the connection identifier of the destination terminal, and playing, by the service access entity, an enterprise CRBT to the source terminal. A system and a device for playing an enterprise color ringback tone are also disclosed.

Abstract: To update phone book data (identification information necessary for connection to one's own apparatus stored in communication partner information storing means of a communication partner) of a communication apparatus easily, inexpensively, quickly, and reliably.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing enhanced caller identification screening using audible caller name announcement are disclosed. Generally, a request for audible caller identification associated with a calling communication station is transmitted to the calling communication station based on an analysis of a query comprising data indicating whether presentation of standard call identification information to a called communication station. Audible caller identification information is then received and transmitted to the called communication station.

Abstract: To simplify the acquisition and exchange of social information, a social information acquisition application could be triggered when the calling party initiates a call to a called party. The application adds a request to the called dialing sequence for a list of all available social information repositories associated to the called party. If multiple repositories exist, one of those repositories this selected either by the calling party or by applying selection rules. Information retrieved from the selected repository could be presented to the calling party and/or used to update social information repositories maintained on behalf of the calling party.

Abstract: In a SIP network, SIP servers are provisioned with information used to authenticate subscribers and entities that will be placing calls. This information can be used during call establishment to allow or deny calls, as well as to determine the appropriate party to bill if the call involves a charge, such as a long distance charge. In addition to allowing calls between authenticated and trusted entities, there is a need for the SIP server to allow certain kinds of calls that involve non-trusted users or entities. If non-trusted entities where not recognized, trusted users and entities within the SIP network would not be able to receive calls from users or entities not know to the SIP server that is providing them services.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a computer-implemented method is disclosed for use in conjunction with a portable electronic device with a touch screen display. A list of items comprising missed telephone calls is displayed. Upon detecting user selection of an item in the list, contact information is displayed for a respective caller corresponding to the user selected item. The displayed contact information includes a plurality of contact objects that include a first contact object, comprising a telephone number object having a first telephone number associated with the missed telephone call, and a second contact object. Upon detecting user selection of the second contact object, a communication with the respective caller is initiated via a modality corresponding to the second contact object.

Abstract: Information associated with messages and/or missed calls is provided to a subscriber. Calls received but not answered by the subscriber may be monitored. Each monitored call is classified as one of a missed call and a message. The monitored calls may be summarized based on a customizable rule set to create a summary. The summary is provided to the subscriber via, for example, a voice notification.

Abstract: A voiceprint of a calling party, and identifying information, are obtained during a call. One or more voiceprint samples stored in association with the identifying information are selected, and the calling party's identity is verified based on a comparison of the voiceprint to at least one of the selected voiceprint samples. For example, the voiceprint samples may be derived from a verbal utterance by the calling party before the call, mixed with different background noises likely corrupting the calling party's utterance during the call. If the comparison fails to determine the calling party's identity, an attempt to verify the calling party's identity is made based on additional information received during the call. In another example, if the calling party's identity is verified based on the additional information, the voiceprint may be stored in association with the identifying information as a voiceprint sample for use in future verification of the calling party's identity.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for activating a credit card held by a telephone subscriber using identifying information provided through the PSTN to a credit card activation authority. In accordance with the present invention, a credit card activation management method can include activating a credit card through an established telephone call with a credit card customer using information derived from outside of the established telephone call without first prompting the credit card customer for identifying information. Also, the method can include the step of transferring the telephone call to a customer service representative responsive to a request for live help by the credit card customer.

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 pre-determined subscriber account; and route the call notification to the set-top boxes on the list.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method determines an indication of a mood for a caller during a service call. The mood may be determined using a facial analysis of the caller's facial expressions. The mood may indicate an emotion of the user, such as the user is angry, happy, etc. The mood may be determined based on a facial expression analysis of the caller during a portion of the service call. The service call may be a call between the caller and a service center, which may provide customer support to a caller for a product, service, etc. One example of a service center may be video contact service center that enables video calls with a caller. An action is then determined based on analysis of the mood invoked during a portion of the call. Once the action is determined, the action may be performed.

Abstract: A method and system for causing a common calling party identifier to be output in association with an outgoing call. The method comprising receiving over a network connection an indication of an attempt by a first communication device to place an outgoing call to a called party and determining a common calling party identifier associated to the first communication device and at least one other communication device. Each of the first communication device and the at least one other communication device is associated with a respective different network identifier. Once determined, the method further comprises causing the common calling party identifier to be conveyed in association with the outgoing call.

Abstract: When a call from external telephone network can not be forwarded to a telephone terminal used by a requested communicator, a client PC of the communicator who took the call, accepts an inputting of call back data, displaying the call back message, to communicate to the requested communicator by the concerned communicator. The concerned client PC sends the accepted call back data to the client PC used by the designated requested communicator. When the client PC of the sending destination receives the call back data, it notifies the concerned communicator that he/she has received a call back data. Furthermore, the client PC of the sending destination responds to an instruction by a communicator, and lists the received call back data in the inputted order.

Abstract: A communications network-based system and service is disclosed. The service permits subscribers to control and manage incoming telephone calls. Subscribers can establish preferences for how calls will be handled by a communications network if the calls are received while the subscriber has a privacy screening service engaged. The service also notifies a subscriber of a calling party's call based on whether preselected or predesignated preferences of the called party correspond to identifier(s) of the calling party.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, a system, and an apparatus for providing a sound source, which has been encoded by using an audio codec, as a ringback tone alternative having an improved quality by adaptively applying various audio codecs according to the service type so that, when a mobile communication terminal is provided with a ringback tone alternative by separately applying an audio codec and a voice codec to a ringback tone provision section and a voice communication section, respectively, it is unnecessary to individually and additionally change or modify a number of devices in a mobile communication network, but a specific device in an intelligent network controls other devices based on overall consideration of the ability of the mobile communication terminal, the type of the ringback tone alternative, etc.

Abstract: Rich contact information is provided coincident to a telephone call on a mobile device in an alternate communication. When a telephone call is received on the phone, rich content such as rich personal contact data is provided to the receiver of the call. The rich contact data corresponds to the sender of the call. The rich contact data is sent as an alternate communication directly between the device initiating the call and the device receiving the call.

Abstract: The disclosed technology described herein provides devices and methods for disconnecting only the duplicate legs of a call which may have been twice or more received on a telecommunications switch for the same phone call. In embodiments of the disclosed technology, the duplicate legs indicate a twice (or more) rejected call from a called party indicating that the call should not be returned to the called party, where the called party is defined as the intended recipient of the phone call. A remaining leg or legs are kept open upon duplicate leg detection on a switch, and the call is then handled with a premium feature, such as forwarding to voicemail.

Abstract: Embodiments of a system and method for displaying a geographic location associated with an incoming call being received on a mobile device are provided. The mobile device has a user interface that provides a call screen to the user for identifying a phone number associated with the incoming call, and for displaying data including the geographic location associated with the incoming call. The geographic location is resolved by identifying a geographic location associated with a contact entry in the address book of the mobile device, or by comparing the area code of the phone number of the incoming call in a list of area codes and associated geographic location to find a match corresponding to the area code of the incoming call.