Abstract: Disclosed is a voice message exchange system and method for improving communication between an inmate and a third party by enabling the inmate to leave a message when a call is not answered and further allowing the third party who receives the message to reply with a message to the inmate. Additionally, outside parties that meet the institution's requirements can leave messages for inmates at any time. The present invention can be used as an add-on to legacy inmate call management systems or incorporated internally into an inmate call management system. The system also provides monitoring, controlling, recording, and billing means.

Abstract: An electromagnetic transducer includes a yoke, a first magnet, a second magnet, and a spacer. The yoke is disposed along a vertical axis. The first magnet is magnetically coupled to the yoke and has a polarization in a first orientation with respect to the vertical axis. The second magnet is magnetically coupled to the yoke and has a polarization in the first orientation with respect to the vertical axis. The spacer is disposed between the first magnet and the second magnet and is extended along the vertical axis.

Abstract: A user is writing an email or other message. The message is inspected for a predetermined word and for at least one of: a predetermined phrase or a template match. A score is generated if the predetermined phrase or the template match is detected. A suggestion is provided to a user that the message may need an attachment if the predetermined word is detected or if the score is greater than a predetermined score. The inspection may begin when the user begins creating the message, indicates that the message should be sent, or at some point in between. The user may provide feedback that the suggestion is accepted or that the suggestion is rejected.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems for controlling telephone calls are disclosed. For example, such a method can include receiving an incoming call, determining caller identification information for the incoming call, and, responsive to the determining, generating an indication and receiving an input in response to the indication. In such an embodiment, the incoming call is received at a call control unit, the call control unit is associated with a telephone, and the incoming call is directed to the telephone. Further, the indication is generated by the call control unit.

Abstract: A technique for obtaining caller-originated alert signals in IP-based communication sessions is disclosed. According to one embodiment, the technique may be realized as a method comprising the steps of: receiving, from a first user equipment and via a first communication channel, a request to initiate a communication session, the request being received at a second user equipment; in response to the request, causing a phonepage server to transmit, via a second communication channel, a caller-originated alert to the second user equipment; and rendering the caller-originated alert to alert a user associated with the second user equipment.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a data sharing method for a terminal, a data sharing apparatus and the terminal including a plurality of systems. The method includes: setting a data channel for communication between each two systems among the systems; when data needs to be shared between any two systems among the systems, performing a security detection on data to be shared through a data channel between the any two systems, to determine whether the data to be shared is security data; sharing the data to be shared through the data channel if the data to be shared is the security data, or prohibiting sharing the data to be shared if the data to be shared is not the security data. The present disclosure can realize communication between a security system and an ordinary system under the premise of ensuring that data in the security system has higher security.

Abstract: Methods and systems for customer administered calling controls in an institutional setting comprising receiving customer control information from a customer outside of an institution where the customer control information comprising one or more control mechanisms and providing a resident of the institution, through a telephone network, phone services subject to the one or more control mechanisms.

Abstract: A user is writing an email or other message. The message is inspected for a predetermined word and for at least one of: a predetermined phrase or a template match. A score is generated if the predetermined phrase or the template match is detected. A suggestion is provided to a user that the message may need an attachment if the predetermined word is detected or if the score is greater than a predetermined score. The inspection may begin when the user begins creating the message, indicates that the message should be sent, or at some point in between. The user may provide feedback that the suggestion is accepted or that the suggestion is rejected.

Abstract: Devices, methods, and systems for mass notification are described herein. One method includes receiving, by an operator station, a selection associated with a particular paging group of a fire network associated with a facility, receiving an audio message by the operator station, and communicating the audio message to the particular paging group according to the selection.

Abstract: A method is described for call treatment based on user association with one or more user groups. The method includes receiving a phone call from a call source that is directed to a call recipient, identifying a user group associated with the call recipient, and determining a number of received indications assigned to the user group. The received indications are assigned to the user group by users associated with the user group, and the received indications reflect a desire by the users for a special treatment of future calls from the call source. The method also includes distinguishing treatment of the phone call from the call source based on the number of received indications.

Abstract: Audible alerts are suppressed for subsequent calls from a calling address. An initial audible alert is processed for an initial call from the calling address. Subsequent audible alerts from the same calling address are suppressed, such that subsequent calls from the calling address may fail to alert. Visual alerts may still be processed.

Abstract: A universal communication system including a processor configured to execute a client application is described and includes first logic configured to provide a client interface for accessing a plurality of communication and media types from the command window, and second logic configured to integrate a plurality of contact information from the plurality of media and communication types into a single contact list, where the single contact list being accessible from the client interface. The system further includes third logic configured to receive executable instructions from a multi-protocol application program interface to alter the plurality of communication and media types and the plurality of contact information received therefrom.

Abstract: An intelligent household system based on a call center and an implementation method includes a subscriber registration component which is configured to achieve registration binding of a subscriber number and a home terminal corresponding to the subscriber number. The system further includes a call center which is configured to acquire a subscriber operation command and send the subscriber operation command to the home terminal corresponding to the subscriber number according to a binding relationship between the subscriber number and the home terminal. The system further includes a home terminal which is configured to execute the received subscriber operation command. The intelligent household system based on the call center and the implementation method essentially have no requirements for a subscriber side, monitor an intelligent household device based on a call center, and reduce the use threshold of subscribers.

Abstract: A subscriber who seeks to block access to contact information may receive identifying information for people attempting to access the subscriber's contact information. The subscriber also may be provided interfaces to enable the attempting person to contact the subscriber, in a variety of escalating forms, without revealing the subscriber's contact information. In a particular implementation, a request is received from an information seeker for contact information for a subscriber. A data structure is accessed that includes an indication that the subscriber should be provided with information relating to requests received for the subscriber's contact information. A message address for the subscriber is accessed, and a message is sent to the subscriber indicating the request for the subscriber's contact information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products notify parents of child activities. A child's device stores rules that prohibit certain activities. When the child's device attempts a prohibited activity, a message is sent to a notification address associated with the parent. The message, for example, may be sent to the parent's cell phone. The instant message describes the prohibited activity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for realizing videophone are provided in the present invention. The method includes setting different videophone modes; and selecting the videophone mode for a user to perform a video conversation by using the selected videophone mode. The apparatus includes a setting module and a control module which is connected with the setting module. With the method and apparatus for realizing videophone according to the present invention, the user can select a normal conversation or a preset audio/video mode according to requirements in the process of the videophone conversation so as to achieve different video effects.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing Programmable Caller ID Screening services. One method monitors a telephone call for a call screening request for commercial, residential, and other identifiers of incoming calls. An action is taken in response to the call screening request. The action could be playing an announcement, terminating the connection, forwarding to voice mail, storing the ICLID information in a database, adding the ICLID information to a Do Not Call list, updating a subscriber's profile with the ICLID information, and/or storing the ICLID information in a subscriber's blocked communications list. 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: An apparatus and method for controlling an incoming call to an incoming call subscriber terminal of a mobile communication system. A Mobility Management Entity (MME) receives the incoming call for the incoming call subscriber terminal from an outgoing call terminal, analyzes a type of the incoming call subscriber to determine whether a call restriction is required for incoming calls to the incoming call subscriber terminal, determines whether an outgoing call number of the outgoing call terminal is one of previously registered call-allowed numbers, if the call restriction is required; and pages the incoming call subscriber terminal, if the outgoing call number is one of the previously registered call-allowed numbers.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing Programmable Caller ID Screening services. One method monitors a telephone call for a call screening request for commercial, residential, and other identifiers of incoming calls. An action is taken in response to the call screening request. The action could be playing an announcement, terminating the connection, forwarding to voice mail, storing the ICLID information in a database, adding the ICLID information to a Do Not Call list, updating a subscriber's profile with the ICLID information, and/or storing the ICLID information in a subscriber's blocked communications list. 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 method for processing telephone call includes: access number configuration information corresponding to a called number is stored in an access number configuration equipment in a communication system; the calling party requests for the pre-call registration in the communication system, the communication system adds a corresponding pre-call registration record into a pre-call registration list according to the access number configuration information; the calling party initiates the call to the called party, after the communication system receives the call request of the calling party and before calling the called party, the communication system determines whether the calling party has been registered in the pre-call registration list, if the calling party has been registered, connects the call request and initiates the call to the called party; otherwise, refuses to initiate the call to the called party.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing Programmable Caller ID Screening services. One method monitors a telephone call for a call screening request for commercial, residential, and other identifiers of incoming calls. An action is taken in response to the call screening request. The action could be playing an announcement, terminating the connection, forwarding to voice mail, storing the ICLID information in a database, adding the ICLID information to a Do Not Call list, updating a subscriber's profile with the ICLID information, and/or storing the ICLID information in a subscriber's blocked communications list. 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 method of configuring a telephone, comprising configuring a plurality of self-labeling Role Keys to represent respective user roles, and configuring a plurality of self-labeling Role Associated Keys associated with respective ones of the self-labeling Role Keys such that upon user selection of one of the self-labeling Role Keys representing a predetermined user role, the plurality of self-labeling Role Associated Keys are presented to the user for invoking respective features associated with the selected user role.

Abstract: A method of screening a call from a calling party to a called party, the calling party being connected to a communication network through a first line, the called party being connected to said communication network through a second line, includes sending a notification to a screening terminal which is connected to the communication network through a third line other than the second line when a voice message is being recorded by the calling party in a voice mailbox associated with the called party.

Abstract: A computer includes a sound card and a processor that runs one or more applications that cause the processor to generate audio signals coupled to the sound card. The processor is operable to execute code that provides a graphical user interface which allows a user to selectively mute the audio signals associated with a set of the one or more applications. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring calls being made from a cellular phone and preventing calls being made to unauthorized numbers, as defined by the owner of the cellular phone. A security challenge is issued to a cell phone user when a suspicious, previously unknown telephone number is attempted to be called. Approved/safe numbers and/or area codes are stored within the phone and/or in a subscriber's account accessible and updated via the Internet. If the user is unable to provide the correct security code in response to the challenge, the user is prevented from making the call to the particular number.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for preventing theft in automotive vehicle service centers. The apparatus includes at least one portable tool and a controller. The portable tool includes circuitry configured to communicate with the controller. The portable tool further includes anti-theft circuitry, which is configured to disable the portable tool if no communication occurs between the portable tool and the controller for a predetermined time period.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and a method for providing, among other things, local calling name caller identification to a broadband phone, personalized user-specified actions associated with a plurality of users based on an incoming caller identification number to a broadband phone, and remote access to locally stored data on a broadband phone.

Abstract: A secure electronic message exchange system, including a plurality of workstations, a communications medium, and a control platform coupled to a workstation of the plurality of workstations by the communications medium. The control platform includes one or more apparatuses for monitoring, controlling, converting, and billing related to, messages exchanged between a plurality of local users and a plurality of remote users. The control platform also prevents a forwarding of or a copying of a message, sent by a local user of the plurality of local users and received by a remote user of the plurality of remote users, to another party, where the control platform provides authentication of the remote user.

Abstract: A phone anti-stalk system operates by determining when a user has carried out actions that are unacceptable. This can operate according to a rule, for example, which prevents the user from being allowed to receive calls after the user carries out some kind of action like making too many calls in a row. Rules are set which block communications from those users who carry out specified actions, like calling repeatedly without leaving messages. The user is then automatically blocked for some amount of time. The user anti-stalk criteria is stored associated with the contact's information, so that any time a communication comes in from that contact, it is automatically prevented from being indicated. The contacts of the user can also be set so that they automatically update based on information from a remote database.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for processing billable activities. The system includes a scheduling component configured to support creation of a plurality of activity records. A sub-set of the activity records are designated as being associated with billable activity. The system also includes an accounting component for receiving information based on the sub-set of the activity records. The information is transmitted from the scheduling component to the accounting component.

Abstract: An electronic messaging system for both participating institutions and nonparticpating institutions and their populations. When an institution is participating in the system of the present invention, both message senders and recipients are authenticated and known and verified before any communication can take place. Messages for institutions not currently participating in the system are converted to printed mail for delivery to the non-participating institution using traditional postal systems. The present invention also teaches novel message processing techniques that take advantage of the electronic format of the messages to provide automated security and translation and/or transliteration services and further teaches the novel feature of marking incoming messages with a code to assist in accurately and secure delivery of reply messages to the appropriate party.

Abstract: A communication support system includes a command signal recognition unit which discretely detects a command signal sent by a telephone unit and a command signal sent from a telephone network, and determines whether the command signal is from the telephone unit, the command signal from the telephone unit indicating one of a plurality of telephone services of a data processing device. A signal transmission inhibition unit inhibits transmission of a signal from the telephone unit to the telephone network. A telephone service processing unit performs a telephone service processing of the data processing device for the telephone service indicated by the command signal from the telephone unit, the telephone service processing unit starting execution of the telephone service processing when the command signal recognition unit determines that the command signal is from the telephone unit.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically changing the operation of signaling features in a telephone are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method is disclosed to provide automatic reduction in the sound volume associated with the signaling features of a telephone system, during a selected portion of a day. A user is provided with a programmable menu in communication with one or more devices associated with a telephone system. From the menu provided, the user may enter a the beginning and ending time for the “quiet mode” operation of the telephone system. In addition, the user may select the signaling features to be quieted, as well as the sound volume associated with quiet mode operation for a given signaling feature.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring calls being made from a cellular phone and preventing calls being made to unauthorized numbers, as defined by the owner of the cellular phone. A security challenge is issued to a cell phone user when a suspicious, previously unknown telephone number is attempted to be called. Approved/safe numbers and/or area codes are stored within the phone and/or in a subscriber's account accessible and updated via the Internet. If the user is unable to provide the correct security code in response to the challenge, the user is prevented from making the call to the particular number.

Abstract: A device and method for controlling the use of a communication device make a determination as to whether a communication may proceed. The determination may be based upon a time reference, such as a total amount of time that the communication may proceed or an interval of time when communication is not permitted. The determination may alternatively be based upon whether the user is authorized by entry of a personal identification number prior to placing the communication. Various other considerations may be accounted for including whether the communication is to a communication address and/or whether the communication is of a particular type. If the communication may not proceed, then the circuit between a communication device and the communication network is obstructed to terminate the communication following an audio or visual warning.

Abstract: Each communication terminal of the calling user (Uj-k) is logically connected to a first communication equipment (Sk) and each communication terminal of the called user (Uj?-k?) is logically connected to a second communication equipment (Sk?). The combination of these terminals enables a plurality of modes of communication between these two users. If the called user accepts the setting up of a call: the second communication equipment (Sk?) determines each terminal of the called user that would enable setting up of the requested call; the second communication equipment (Sk?) then sends the first communication equipment (Sk) a terminal identifier for each terminal thus determined; and the first communication equipment (Sk) then selects, from the identifiers of the called user that it receives, at least one terminal identifier, and then initiates the setting up of a call.

Abstract: A telephone station interface is provided with apparatus for detecting when a called party has or is attempting to patch or bridge one telephone call with another telephone call. The detecting of such bridging or conferencing is accomplished through the detection of tones which are commonly associated with such activities, such as a ring signal, a busy signal, special information tones (SIT tones), dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) tones or so-called Touch Tones, call progress tones, or other tones that occur when calls are placed. The present invention does not have the capability of sensing clicks, pops, or other audio signals associated with the conferencing of multiple communications circuits. The method and apparatus herein are for managing institutional telephone activity, and utilize a computer control unit to control a trunk management unit, which connects institutional telephones to outside telephone lines.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method to perform a telecommunication between a caller terminal and a callee terminal identified by an identification code, such as a phone number. Method wherein it comprises the steps of: collecting routing information related to the identification code of the callee, after entering said code at the caller's terminal and before activating the telecommunication or establishing the telecommunication link, then displaying at least a part of said collected routing information at the caller's end, for example directly on the caller terminal and finally either activating the telecommunication in order to establish the telecommunication link corresponding to the entered code or cancelling the current attempt to establish a telecommunication link based on said dialed code.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel telecommunication architecture. The architecture includes a subscriber agent for each subscriber within a telecommunication network. The subscriber agent includes the subscriber's telephone number and calling features. The network also includes terminal agents which are directly associated with one or more terminals such as telephones. The subscriber agent can be associated with one or more terminal agents within the network, so that the subscriber's telephone number and set of calling features can be carried to any terminal within the network. A wide variety of calling features and terminals are supported by the architecture.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for intermediary device initiated callee identification are provided. A trusted telephone network detects a call receipt connection from a destination device. The trusted telephone network then brokers a connection between the destination device and an external server enabled to perform a callee identity authentication service. A voice utterance for a callee is received at the external server from the destination device. The server authenticates a callee identity associated with the voice utterance and transfer the authenticated callee identity to the trusted telephone network. The trusted telephone network then specifies services available for the call according to a callee profile for the authenticated caller identity.

Abstract: A system and method of telephony resource management and security for monitoring and/or controlling incoming and outgoing calls between an enterprise's end-user stations and a public circuit-switched network and/or a public packet-switched network. A security policy is made up of one or more rules designating at least one action to be performed based on at least one attribute of the incoming or outgoing call. Calls are detected and sensed on the line, trunk and/or cabling, and analyzed to determine attributes associated with each call. Actions are performed based upon the determined attributes, in accordance with the security policy rules.

Abstract: There is provided a resistor unit 115 for bypassing an output cell 107 of an interrupt request signal and an input cell 108 of an external interrupt factor, and the output cell 107 of the interrupt request signal is controlled to a high impedance when an internal power source is broken. Thus, an interrupt request signal sent from the external interrupt factor is given to a CPU when the internal power source is broken.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which detect unauthorized, impermissible, or otherwise undesired call activity through a silence detection technique employing multiple samples. One embodiment monitors a call in progress to detect an event such as might be indicative of unauthorized call activity. Thereafter, a sampling process may be invoked which analyzes multiple samples of the call to make a determination as to whether or not a particular unauthorized call activity is being attempted. A party to the call may be muted to thereby prevent that party from thwarting the unauthorized call activity determination. Embodiments implement techniques for defeating parties to calls learning the unauthorized call activity detection system in order to avoid detection, such as by implementing a plurality of detection techniques.

Abstract: A method and apparatus that generate a 2100 Hz answer tone, similar to the answer tones sent by facsimile machines and modems, upon answering an incoming call. This causes predictive telemarketing dialers to remove the telephone number from their databases.

Abstract: A method and system for providing call forwarding in an IP telephone network is disclosed. First, when a telephone number for a first telephone from a second telephone is dialed, the call is routing to a call manager. Call setup procedures with a BRG responsible for the first telephone are then initiated. The BRG then checks stored call forwarding profiles to determine whether there is an active call forwarding profile for the first telephone. The call is connected to the first telephone if an active call forwarding profile is not found. However, if an active call forwarding profile is found, the call forwarding information is sent to the call manager. The call is routed to at least a third telephone based on the call forwarding information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing institutional telephone activity utilizes a computer control unit to control a trunk management unit, which connects institutional telephones to outside telephone lines. The computer control unit contains a database for storing the calling privileges and restrictions of institutional users and for recording calling transactions made by the users. The computer control unit implements a prospective call screening feature whereby outside recipients of undesired calls from the institution may enter a code that directs the computer control unit to prohibit similar calls in the future.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method and apparatus for detecting and preventing telephone call fraud. The call fraud detector apparatus is connected to the telephone line, and includes a telephone line interface with switch hook. A parallel set detector indicates to the microcontroller that another device has gone off hook on the telephone line. The microcontroller causes the telephone line interface switch hook to also go off hook in parallel, thereby preventing pulse dialing by the other device. The device may also include a DTMF tone detector and generator to prevent DTMF dialing on the telephone line. The call fraud detector can provide a visual, audible, and/or tactile indication when unauthorized use of the telephone line occurs, and can be enabled or disabled by an external device. The call fraud detector can log the time and date of each unauthorized call placed on a line, and can also notify the telephone service provider when an unauthorized call is attempted.

Abstract: A system and method to provide secure communication across the untrusted public switched telephone network includes a set of rules in a security policy which are implemented by a virtual private switched telecommunications network (VPSTN). The VPSTN provides for intercepting voice calls and modifying their set-up to include a request for bearer capability to support a data call.

Abstract: A call prevention device. The device includes a caller ID detection unit for detecting caller ID data transmitted over a telecommunication network before a connection is established when a call is made by a calling party. The device also includes a processing unit in communication with the caller ID detection unit for retrieving a caller profile from a caller profile database in response to the caller ID data and for comparing the caller profile with the caller ID data, the processing unit further for incrementing a call total value when the caller profile and the caller ID data match favorably, and the processing unit further for generating a message when the call total value exceeds a user defined value.

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.