Abstract: A business object model, which reflects data that is used during a given business transaction, is utilized to generate interfaces. This business object model facilitates commercial transactions by providing consistent interfaces that are suitable for use across industries, across businesses, and across different departments within a business during a business transaction. In some operations, software creates, updates, or otherwise processes information related to a sales territory business object.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for provisioning a temporary disposable number are described. A user can be provided with a pool of available temporary disposable numbers that have a limited shelf life. The user can select one of the available temporary disposable numbers while submitting a permanent phone number associated with a communications device (e.g., mobile phone, home phone, business phone, etc.). Prior to activating the selected temporary disposable number, the temporary disposable number is linked to the permanent phone number. After activation, when an incoming call to the temporary disposable number is received, the permanent phone number is identified to be associated with the temporary disposable number being called. The incoming call is then forwarded to the communications device on which the permanent phone number is established.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a correct international telephone number for a contact, based on the location of the user, the optional location of the contact and a set of rules representing the formats used in the two locations. The location information may be entered by the user or identified using the number and the set of rules. Once the location information is identified, the interface may determine the correct number to dial using the set of rules to produce a correct international telephone number. The correct telephone number may then be associated with the contact so that the correct telephone number is dialed upon receiving a user input to call the contact.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for providing at least one network endpoint of an enterprise customer network access to at least one dialing plan. Specifically, the method comprises receiving at least one dialing plan request from the at least one network endpoint, retrieving at least one address mapping in response to the at least one dialing plan request, and responding to the at least one dialing plan request using the at least one address mapping.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and other embodiments associated with securing and authenticating multiple devices behind a network address translation (NAT) device are described. One example method includes controlling a phone proxy to provide security credential information to an Internet Protocol (IP) phone located behind the NAT device. The credentials may be selectively provided in response to receiving a certificate request from the IP phone. The certificate request includes IP phone identifying addresses. The method may also include controlling the phone proxy to update an entry in a secure IP phone data store to relate together the IP phone identifying addresses, a source port associated with the IP phone, and the fact that credential information was provided to the IP phone. This entry can mark the IP phone as an authorized phone. The entry may be addressable as a function of a least a portion of the IP phone identifying addresses.

Abstract: A broadband access network terminal comprising a hardware integrated circuit is disclosed. The hardware integrated circuit is for communicating with a plurality of access points. The plurality of access points is for communicating with a plurality of subscriber terminals via a wireless local area network. The hardware integrated circuit is further for communicating with a broadband access network. In addition, the broadband access network terminal comprises an internet protocol multicast enabled broadband access network terminal, The broadband access network terminal further supports an internet protocol push-to-talk service for the plurality of subscriber terminals via the wireless local area network and supports media stream mixing and multicasting of information associated with the internet protocol push-to-talk service.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for providing one or more services in a communication session such as a call or other media exchange independent of supporting network technologies. According to one embodiment, a system for providing one or more services in a communication session can comprise a communication network and an application dispatcher communicatively coupled with the communication network. The application dispatcher can be adapted to determine one or more components for providing at least one service in the communication session and direct the communication session to the one or more components. According to one embodiment, determining the one or more components and directing the communication session to the one or more components can be performed independent of supporting network technologies.

Abstract: A device is provided that may initiate a communication with a communication device; log the communications initiated with respective communication devices; determine a likelihood that any one of the communication devices will be a next communication device with which communication will be initiated based on the logged information; and order, in a displayable list based on the determined likelihoods, identifiers associated with at least two of the communication devices.

Abstract: The application discloses a method for establishing a connection between a first communication device capable of receiving an activating message and a mobile communication device, the method comprising: (a) determining that the mobile communication device is seeking communication with a communication device; (b) checking the status of a first communication device; (c) choosing an action required for establishing the connection in view of the status of the first communication device; and (d) taking the action chosen in (c), wherein taking the action comprises sending to the first communication device an activating message, having at least a portion which activates an application residing on the first communication device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reestablishing voice communications in the event of a service interruption. The method comprises establishing a call session with a user via a communication device, storing call state and bridge information associated with the call session, determining that the call session has been disconnected, and maintaining the call state and bridge information associated with the call session and redialing for the disconnected user. The method may further include providing an audio message to other call participants.

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: A method and/or apparatus of a voice-response directory assistance system having a targeted advertising engine is disclosed. In one embodiment, a method of a directory assistance system includes providing a greeting to a user of a mobile communication device, automatically determining a location based information of the user, determining a telephone number of a listing requested by the user, providing a targeted advertisement to the user based on the location information, and communicating the telephone number to the user. The method may include requesting a selection of a business listing and a residential listing through the greeting. The method may include processing a caller identification data to determine the location based information of the user, applying the caller identification data to a library of potential advertisements and selecting the potential advertisement as the targeted advertisement through applying the caller identification data to the library of potential advertisements.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling the upgrade of a VoIP endpoint device by downloading a firmware component to support CALEA related monitoring and recording of conversations for all calls originated or terminated by the endpoint device are disclosed. The upgraded CALEA firmware component can be activated by the network on demand or when the signaling information to set up a watched call is received. Once the recording is completed it can be translated into a standard audio format file that can be uploaded transparently to the network and sent in near real time to the appropriate CALEA server.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing access to a telephone Application and an Information Application using a walk-up telecommunications terminal having an intuitive, context-sensitive interface configured to facilitate simple and intuitive usage by a user. An Idle Application is displayed on a display screen of the walk-up telecommunications terminal. A Startup Screen is then displayed on the display screen of the walk-up telecommunications terminal in response to a triggering event. The Phone Application is activated in response to a Phone Application event. An Information Application is activated in response to an Information Application event. The Phone Application is configured to take priority over the Information Application in the user interaction with the walk-up telecommunications terminal.

Abstract: Systems and method for processing orders for telecommunications services are disclosed. Generally a telecommunications transaction set of an electronic data interchange standard is received, the telecommunications transaction set corresponding to a telecommunications product or service for a customer. An order for the telecommunications product or service is then generated based on processing of the telecommunications transaction set.

Abstract: A method may include storing a database including a plurality of subscriber identifiers, wherein each subscriber identifier is associated with a telephone number and a subscriber name and address. Each subscriber identifier may be unique to the corresponding subscriber name and address. The method may include storing a database including a plurality of customer identifiers. Each customer identifier may be associated with one of the subscriber identifier and a customer name and address. The method may further include receiving an update to the subscriber name or address associated with one of the telephone numbers and associating a new subscriber identifier with the updated subscriber name or address. The method may further include associating the new subscriber identifier with one of the customer identifiers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling packet network service providers, e.g., a VoIP network service providers, to collect information on the feature usage of their subscribers and spontaneously offer them the opportunity to subscribe to enhanced service features based on their existing feature usage patterns is disclosed. For example, users who accumulate a lot of voice mail can be offered a locate me feature, those who frequently use Do-Not-Disturb features can be offered an instant messaging application, and those who engage in three way conference calls can be offered a personal conferencing service that provides up to 10 conference legs.

Abstract: A computer-readable storage device stores instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations including prompting a caller during a call for an order identifier. The order identifier identifies a pending order. The operations also include prompting the caller to provide a reason for the call. The operations further include transferring the call to an automated check order status system in response to receiving an indication that the reason for the call is to obtain an order status associated with the pending order. The operations also include, in response to receiving an indication that the order status is not locatable, automatically transferring the call to a customer service agent.

Abstract: A telephone exchange system includes a connection interface connecting a communication line and a plurality of extension telephones, a database having a dial-in conversion table registering a received number in association with a number after conversion for a dial-in incoming call, and an extension number table registering an extension telephone in association with an extension number of the extension telephone, and a main controller connected to the connection interface and the database. When the dial-in incoming call comes from the communication line, the main controller retrieves an extension number which coincides with the received number from the extension number table. When there is an extension number which coincides with the received number, the main controller causes an extension telephone corresponding to the extension number to ring.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for implementing a Multimedia Ring Back Tone (MRBT) service are provided. The method includes: receiving a call request originated by a calling terminal; parsing a tone playing policy specifying whether to play a caller tone or a callee tone or whether to filter a tone; performing caller tone media negotiation or callee tone media negotiation, or performing no tone negotiation according to the parsing result; and playing the caller tone or the callee tone to the caller, or playing no tone. With the technical solution of the present invention, the caller tone service can be implemented in the IMS domain. Whether a caller tone or a callee tone is played to the caller is determined according to a preset policy. Furthermore, the tone filtering service is also implemented. This gives a user freedom in experiencing the MRBT service.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for implementing a Multimedia Ring Back Tone (MRBT) service are provided. The method includes: receiving a call request originated by a calling terminal; parsing a tone playing policy specifying whether to play a caller tone or a callee tone or whether to filter a tone; performing caller tone media negotiation or callee tone media negotiation, or performing no tone negotiation according to the parsing result; and playing the caller tone or the callee tone to the caller, or playing no tone. With the technical solution of the present invention, the caller tone service can be implemented in the IMS domain. Whether a caller tone or a callee tone is played to the caller is determined according to a preset policy. Furthermore, the tone filtering service is also implemented. This gives a user freedom in experiencing the MRBT service.

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 system and method for transferring calls. A voice communication is received. The voice communication is placed on hold in response to receiving user input. Multiple phones are rung simultaneously in response to receiving the user input. The voice communication is connected to one of the multiple phones in response to a user answering the voice communication on one of the multiple phones.

Abstract: A telecommunication system and method for seamlessly switching mobile devices during a conversation without placing the conversation on hold or otherwise parking the conversation.

Abstract: A system that includes a tandem access controller (TAC) coupled to the PSTN, where the TAC allows a subscriber to set-up and change the configuration of the phone line or other communications device, including selective call forwarding, using the web. The TAC is coupled internally to the PSTN in a local service area and is outside the central office of the subscriber. A calling party makes a first call to the subscriber using the subscriber's public telephone number. The TAC receives the first call prior to the call reaching the subscriber's terminating central office, which in some cases avoids a toll. The TAC then carries out the subscriber's instructions for the first call, such as making one or more second calls using telephone numbers different from the subscriber's public telephone number. When the second call is answered, the answering phone is connected by the TAC to the caller.

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for providing a forced hold service such as is used for an emergency services call, which is supported at least in part over a packet network. The forced hold service acts to effectively hold a connection for the call with a called party, even when the caller takes an action that would normally end a call, such as going on hook, pressing end, or the like. When the caller takes an action that would normally end the call, the forced hold service allows the caller to automatically reconnect to the emergency services provider over the held connection upon going offhook, pressing send, or the like. Alternatively, the emergency services provider can effectively re-engage the call wherein the caller is reconnected over the held connection upon going offhook, pressing send, or the like.

Abstract: A system and method for resolving conflicts in voice data packets received by a wireless device. Each data packet includes a source identification number, a sequence number, and an end-marker bit. The wireless device reconstructs audio streams based upon the sequence of the data packets received. If a data packet has the same source identification number as the last-received data packet and the sequence number of the data packet differs from the sequence number of the last-received data packet for more than a predefined threshold number, the wireless device ends a current audio stream and starts a new audio stream using the data from the data packet.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system, method and apparatus for authenticating an Internet Protocol (IP) phone and a user of the IP phone by determining whether the IP phone is an authorized device, and whenever the IP phone is authorized and a trigger condition occurs, determining whether the user of the IP phone is authorized. The user authorization process initiates a call to the IP phone, sends a request for a passcode to the IP phone, sends a message to disable the IP phone whenever the passcode is invalid, and terminates the call. The user authentication process uses an in-band channel and the IP phone does not run a two factor authentication client application during the authentication process.

Abstract: A telephone relaying apparatus 200 receives a request for connection to a second telephone terminal 300 from a first telephone terminal 100. The connection request includes telephone numbers of the first telephone terminal 100 and the second telephone terminal 300. The telephone relaying apparatus 200 stores a real number that is a telephone number used in the case of directly connecting to each telephone terminal and a published number that is a number published for a third party as a telephone number of the telephone terminal in correlation with each other. When receiving the connection request, the telephone relaying apparatus 200 makes a first call with respect to the first telephone terminal 100, and a second call with respect to the second telephone terminal 300.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for responding to an incoming communication attempt, sent from a sender to a recipient. The method includes receiving the incoming communication attempt and presenting options for responding to the incoming communication attempt. The options include at least one of acknowledgement message options and communication answering-related options. The method also includes receiving an option selection and responding to the incoming communication attempt according to the instructions of the selected option. The acknowledgement message options provide information to the sender without requiring that the recipient answer the incoming communication attempt.

Abstract: The present invention relates to managing communication events in a Communication System at least comprising a first communication device (1), associated with a first user named Caller; a second communication device (2), associated with a second user named Callee; a central component, named Gatekeeper (3), being connected to said first and second communication devices (1, 2) to mediate communication connections between the Caller and the Callee, wherein said Gatekeeper (3) is also connected to said users' workstations (1, 2). A method is provided for reducing or preventing a negative impact of communication-based interruptions on a user's work. The invention relates to the case that a communication connection is established and, therefor, proposes to initiate state-saving actions on the workstation (1, 2) of at least one user involved in said communication.

Abstract: An inbound traffic allocation module is configured to store, in a database, data received from a plurality of site-services, and to determine a route capacity based at least in part on the received data, data received from each of the site-services including data related to at least one of a health and a busyness of the site-service. A traffic manager module is configured to retrieve the data from the site-services and to provide the data to the inbound traffic allocation module. A service selection engine module is configured to receive a request to route a call, and to route the call to one of the site-services based at least in part on the route capacity associated with the site-service.

Abstract: Social websites, such as dating websites, are provided with advanced features. For example, a dynamic telephone number generator is provided that may be associated to a destination telephone number. Someone calling that dynamic telephone number may be routed to the destination number. The dynamic number may be generated as a result of receiving user input to a dating website. Additionally, a dynamic number may call a user's web browser directly such that users can utilize traditional telephone lines to talk over the internet to a website.

Abstract: A method and system for providing directory assistance to erroneous calls. The method and system includes an intercept system that intercepts erroneous calls and automatically routes them to a directory assistance service. The directory assistance service provides a least one advertisement and a variety of other services to the callers using current caller data and to one or more alternative numbers for the callers.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for provisioning a temporary disposable number are described. A user can be provided with a pool of available temporary disposable numbers that have a limited shelf life. The user can select one of the available temporary disposable numbers while submitting a permanent phone number associated with a communications device (e.g., mobile phone, home phone, business phone, etc.). Prior to activating the selected temporary disposable number, the temporary disposable number is linked to the permanent phone number. After activation, when an incoming call to the temporary disposable number is received, the permanent phone number is identified to be associated with the temporary disposable number being called. The incoming call is then forwarded to the communications device on which the permanent phone number is established.

Abstract: A method of providing a ringback tone to a calling party. The method includes receiving a call directed to a subscriber from the calling party. At least one of an adaptive ringback tone and an actionable ringback tone is provided to the calling party. The adaptive ringback tone is based on state data.

Abstract: A method for controlled display on a telephone, the method constituted of: downloading a display portion from a first network to the telephone; detecting a call instance; displaying on the telephone the downloaded display portion responsive to the detected call instance; in the event the data communication module is in communication with the first network, requesting, via the data communication module, a new display portion from the first network; and in the event the data communication module is not in communication with the first network, creating a time stamp and storing the time stamp on a memory of the telephone.

Abstract: A system and method of call prioritization and, in particular, a system and method of location sensitive caller and callee based voice call prioritization are disclosed. A method includes: determining that an incoming call is designated as priority by a caller; determining that the caller is contained in a whitelist; and handling the incoming call as a priority call at a callee telephone when the incoming call is designated as priority by the caller and the caller is contained in the whitelist.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for implementing a Multimedia Ring Back Tone (MRBT) service are provided. The method includes: receiving a call request originated by a calling terminal; parsing a tone playing policy specifying whether to play a caller tone or a callee tone or whether to filter a tone; performing caller tone media negotiation or callee tone media negotiation, or performing no tone negotiation according to the parsing result; and playing the caller tone or the callee tone to the caller, or playing no tone. With the technical solution of the present invention, the caller tone service can be implemented in the IMS domain. Whether a caller tone or a callee tone is played to the caller is determined according to a preset policy. Furthermore, the tone filtering service is also implemented. This gives a user freedom in experiencing the MRBT service.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for implementing a Multimedia Ring Back Tone (MRBT) service are provided. The method includes: receiving a call request originated by a calling terminal; parsing a tone playing policy specifying whether to play a caller tone or a callee tone or whether to filter a tone; performing caller tone media negotiation or callee tone media negotiation, or performing no tone negotiation according to the parsing result; and playing the caller tone or the callee tone to the caller, or playing no tone. With the technical solution of the present invention, the caller tone service can be implemented in the IMS domain. Whether a caller tone or a callee tone is played to the caller is determined according to a preset policy. Furthermore, the tone filtering service is also implemented. This gives a user freedom in experiencing the MRBT service.

Abstract: A phone system with a methodology for call parking is described. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a user of a communications endpoint device can use a user interface at the communications endpoint device to select persons to notify of a parked call. Upon successfully parking the call, the phone system notifies the selected persons in the manner specified in their account profiles. Such manner can include sending an e-mail to the selected person or sending a text message to the selected person. Advantageously, the manner for notifying the selected persons of the parked call is determined by the selected persons themselves through configuration of their account profiles thereby alleviating the user parking the call from having to determine the manner for notifying the selected persons.

Abstract: A method of using an intercom on a cordless telephone during an active call. The active call is put on hold while the intercom is in use. Once the call is re-activated, the intercom is shut off. This system may be designed for a cordless telephone with one handset or a plurality of handsets.

Abstract: A designated service provider of a customer having slamming protection on their account may not be changed without authorization from the customer to remove the slamming protection. When a customer's telephone company receives a request to change the customer's long distance provider and subsequently determines that the customer has slamming protection on their account, the telephone company notifies the requester that the requested change may not be provisioned due to the slamming protection. The customer's authorization to remove the slamming protection is provided by the requester in the form of an audio file that is reviewed by the telephone company. If the telephone company or an agent of the telephone company listens to the audio file and approves the request, then the customer's slamming protection is removed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and non-transitory computer readable medium for determining whether to perform telephone call blocking. One example method of operation provides initiating a telephone call from a call server, determining whether the call is a solicitation call and determining the area code of the call and performing a lookup operation of the area code in a call suppression database. The method may also include retrieving a call block entry for a current day from the call suppression database, and comparing the area code to the call block entry for the current day to determine whether the call should be blocked.

Abstract: An exemplary method provides access to call origination features contained in an internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS) for a subscriber of the IMS who originates a call request from customer premises equipment (CPE) outside of the IMS. The call request is received at a public service identity (PSI) server in the IMS with a phone number to which the call request is routed. An IMS internal desk number is retrieved based on the number of the outside CPE. A first modified call request is transmitted from the PSI server to a telephony application server (TAS) identifying the IMS internal desk number as a request universal resource identity (RURI). Call origination treatment as specified by the subscriber is performed by the TAS.

Abstract: A method of transferring communication streams, including establishing a first stream via a first communication path between a first terminal and a second terminal, opening a second communication path between the second terminal and the first terminal, sending to the first terminal, via the second communication path, a request to establish a communication stream between the first terminal and a third terminal via a third communication path, and comparing respective capabilities of the first terminal and the third terminal to determine whether it is possible to establish a communication stream between the first terminal and the third terminal, and in the affirmative, interrupting the first stream and establishing a communication stream, between the first terminal and the third terminal.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure involve systems, methods, computer program products and the like for managing calls in a telecommunication network. In one example, the systems and methods involve passing information into a standard signaling flow in order to obtain a unique routing for customers sharing a single interface.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for determining location of a principal. According to one embodiment, a method of providing location information for a principal can comprise receiving a presence event related to the principal. A location of the principal can be indicated by or determined based on the presence event. The location of the principal can be stored as a location attribute of a presence profile of the principal. The method can further comprise providing access to the location attribute of the presence profile of the principal to one or more subscribers or users of a presence service. In some cases, providing access to the location attribute of the presence profile of the principal to the one or more subscribers can be based on one or more policies of the presence service.

Abstract: A method for effective utilization of call idle time, including automatically detecting that a first person using a phone has initiated a phone call to a second person, and that the second person has not yet answered the call, wherein the phone is operative in an idle mode to present content pre-designated by the first person, and is operative in a normal mode to send and receive voice communications to and from the second person and to not present the pre-designated content, activating the idle mode of the phone in response to the automatically detecting, further automatically detecting that the second person has answered the call, and automatically activating the normal mode of the phone in response to the further automatically detecting. A cell phone is also described and claimed.

Abstract: A method of receiving a phone number is provided, including receiving, at a receiver of a first phone during a first voice communication session between the first phone and a second phone, a phone number transmitted by a user of the second phone after the first voice communication session is established. The phone number is detected with a signal detector coupled for communication with the receiver, and stored in a memory coupled to the signal detector.