Special Services Patents (Class 379/201.01)
  • Patent number: 8594289
    Abstract: A method for provisioning subscribers, products, and services in a broadband network includes establishing a directory system for storing information about a plurality of subscribers. The directory system includes a subscriber namespace and a device namespace. A subscriber is added by instantiating a subscriber object for the subscriber in the subscriber namespace. Each available service has its own state in the directory system to provide a multi-state provisioning system that permits granular management services.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Holdings, LLC
    Inventor: Sachidanada Kangovi
  • Patent number: 8594292
    Abstract: Examples of associating user information from social network sites with a conference call application may include a series of operations. One example method of operation may provide receiving user credentials to access a user account and authenticating the user credentials and permitting access to the user account. The method may also provide receiving a command to share at least one social networking application with a scheduled conference call and accessing an application programming interface (API) of the social networking application, and sharing user profile information with a graphical user interface (GUI) application of the scheduled conference call corresponding to the command to share the social networking application.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Moore, Bruce Pollock
  • Patent number: 8594639
    Abstract: A system and method to automatically park a voice call on a mobile electronic device so that the device can receive data, comprising a switch for establishing a voice call at the at least one caller device, a database for storing at least one call processing rule, and an enterprise data server for receiving a data message, comparing contents of the data message with at least one rule in the database, and in the event that the contents match the rule then parking the call, switching the mobile electronic device to a data mode of operation, downloading the data message to the device and un-parking the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Daryl Joseph Martin, James Andrew Godfrey, John Ferguson Wilson
  • Publication number: 20130308768
    Abstract: With a method for communication in a communication network, a subscriber is assigned an authorization level depending on the respective applicable scenario at the time when the authorization level is assigned for that subscriber in that communication network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2011
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Inventors: Michael Tietsch, Karl Klaghofer, Holger Prange, Thomas Scharnagl
  • Patent number: 8588383
    Abstract: Various methods, systems, and computer program products are disclosed for controlling a number of calls based on promotional message impressions. The method may include receiving a request to communicate at least one promotional message, wherein the at least one promotional message is associated with one or more phone numbers. The method may include communicating the at least one promotional message and the one or more phone numbers. The method may include receiving one or more calls associated with the at least one promotional message. The method may include determining a call through rate for the at least one promotional message based on the one or more calls. The method may include determining a number of impressions of the at least one promotional message based on the determined call through rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Surojit Chatterjee, Anshul Kothari, Chen Chen
  • Patent number: 8588211
    Abstract: A method for changing ICS session media includes: receiving a media type change request including a new media type sent from a terminal equipment or a MSC, releasing a CS call leg based on an original media type between an ICCF and the terminal equipment, establishing a CS call leg based on the new media type between the ICCF and the terminal equipment, and updating a media type of a second call leg between the ICCF and a second party into the new media type; or, receiving a media type change request including a new media type sent from a second party, updating a media type of a second call leg between an ICCF and the second party into the new media type, releasing a CS call leg based on an original media type between the ICCF and a terminal equipment, and establishing a CS call leg based on the new media type between the ICCF and the terminal equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuiping Long, Yaoping Luo
  • Patent number: 8588389
    Abstract: A system for effecting a telephone call between telephonic devices is operative to use a computer network, without manual use of the alphanumeric keypads. A third party call control (3PCC) application program interface (API) provides the capability for users to use a web browser or other Internet capable software to place a call, rather than using the telephone keypad. A third party call control application program interface includes a uniform resource locator operable over the Internet to cause a call between a first telephonic device and a second telephonic device to be completed. The uniform resource locator includes identification of the first telephonic device and identification of the second telephonic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Vonage Network LLC
    Inventors: Jeffrey Citron, Andrew Wason, Nilesh Shah
  • Patent number: 8589563
    Abstract: A method for facilitating communication sessions includes establishing a communication session between a first endpoint and a second endpoint, sending a hibernation message from the first endpoint, and receiving the hibernation message by the second endpoint. The method further includes storing, by the first and second endpoint, session state information associated with the communication session in response to receiving the hibernation message, and deactivating at least a portion of the communication session. After storing the session state information by the first and second endpoints, the method further includes retrieving the session state information by the first and second endpoints, and reestablishing the deactivated portion of the communication session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Randall P. J. Ethier, Michael P. Hammer
  • Publication number: 20130301820
    Abstract: A system for client interaction application integration, comprising a plurality of enterprise communications systems, each comprising at least a call status system; and a callback cloud accessible coupled to the plurality of enterprise communications systems via a data network; wherein, upon receipt of a request from a consumer user to initiate a callback to the consumer user, the callback cloud performs the steps of: (a) obtaining from at least one of the enterprise communications systems a status of communications resources comprising at least an estimated wait time; (b) sending a notification to the consumer user from whom the request was received advising the consumer user of the estimated wait time for service; (c) providing at least an option to wait for a callback to the consumer user from whom the request was received; (d) receiving a selection from the consumer user from whom the request was received; and (e) directing at least one of the enterprise communications systems to initiate a callback to th
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: VIRTUAL HOLD TECHNOLOGY, LLC
    Inventors: Mark J. Williams, Jeremy Starcher, Robert F. Brazier, JR.
  • Publication number: 20130301821
    Abstract: In one embodiment a method for accessing and interacting with an interactive telecommunications service system is disclosed. The method can include activating a programming mode, entering a plurality of keystrokes to create a keyed sequence where the keyed sequence can include a telephone number and a menu response sequence. The menu response sequence can control the menu driven portion of the telecom service system after the device is connected via a telecommunications network. The keyed sequence can include delays between each of the plurality of keystrokes. The delays can be recorded and a session identifier can also be recorded. The keyed sequence can be associated with the delays and the session identifier in response to the activated programming mode. Access to the service and results from a service request can be automated by the disclosed arrangements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Candice B. Gilzean, Gahlya J. Greer, Fabian F. Morgan, Angie B. Pelt
  • Patent number: 8582733
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: RingCentral, Inc.
    Inventor: Curt T. Larson
  • Patent number: 8582741
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for unifying rosters is provided. A client receives an escalation request associated with a first roster and responds to the escalation request. The client subscribes to the first roster as a participant in response to accepting the escalation request or subscribes to the first roster as an observer in response to denying the escalation request. The client identifies a second roster within the first roster that the client is not subscribed to and subscribes to the first roster as an observer. The client updates an entry associated with the client in the second roster to indicate that the client is subscribed to the first roster as one of a participant or an observer. The client additionally updates an entry associated with the client in the first roster to indicate that the client is subscribed to the second roster as an observer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Chris Pearce, Ho Bao, Ping Ni
  • Patent number: 8577016
    Abstract: An online and offline communication processing and tracking using data processing and data/voice networks is described. A phone address from a phone address number pool is automatically assigned to a first entity. A call quality rating is determined and recorded. A call from a caller directed to the phone address is received at a call bridging system coupled to at least one network, wherein the call is associated with call signaling information. Based at least in part on the call quality associated with the caller call, the caller call is assigned to a first location in a call queue. An outbound call is generated from the call bridging system and the inbound and the outbound calls are bridged. One or more parameters of the bridged call are compared to the call quality rating. An indication is recorded regarding the successful bridging of the calls in association with an entity identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Ringrevenue, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert J. Duva, Colin D. Kelley, Jason S. Spievak, David S. Trandal
  • Patent number: 8576270
    Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods provide intelligent device inspection and interrogation in an application layer system to route packet-based network calls. These systems and methods can be used to detect the status of a specified endpoint. Endpoint devices can be configured to communicate status information to a central call manager. Endpoints can also be periodically polled to request device information. Pre-defined rules applied at the central call manager can be used to process call flow based on the device information. These rules can be configured so that a call that is not completed for any reason can be transferred to another destination such as a video mail service or an automated or live operator service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Glowpoint, Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Vitale, Stuart Morris
  • Patent number: 8571193
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described that facilitate a conference call between a plurality of communication devices. The method can comprise: providing a first control link between a first primary communication device and a conference call controller; providing a second control link between a second primary communication device and the conference call controller; and establishing a media link between the first primary communication device and the second primary communication device via the conference call controller. In certain embodiments, the first control link can facilitate the exchange of a first identification data comprising at least one first security key, which can be configured to contain participation level data indicating at least one participation level of the first primary communication device or the second primary communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Brian Oliver, Ian McDonald, Douglas Gisby, Christopher Labrador, Michael McAndrews
  • Patent number: 8571552
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for managing an availability of a call agent, comprising acquiring a session identification by a basestation (BS) and a call agent (CA), wherein the BS is coupled to the CA, if the CA's state is changed from an active state to a standby state, requesting a new connection with the BS; and after the new connection is established between the CA and the BS, sending another session identification from the CA to the BS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Ubeeairwalk, Inc.
    Inventors: Hyunyung Cha, Myoung Chul Choi, Jae Hong Park
  • Patent number: 8571528
    Abstract: A method for capturing identity information on a voice call, including determining that a phone call is in session on a mobile device, where the voice call is conducted between an identifying user and a target user, receiving an activation input, initiating, in response to the activation input, an audio recording of the target user on the phone call, recording a voice of the target user in the audio recording, receiving a deactivation input, concluding, in response to the deactivation input, the audio recording of the target user on the phone call, storing the audio recording of the target user, converting the audio recording into an audio recording text, parsing the audio recording text to generate the identity information of a third party, creating, for the third party, a contact including the identity information in the mobile device, and storing the contact in the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventor: Girish Mallenahally Channakeshava
  • Patent number: 8571196
    Abstract: The invention pertains to a method for retrieving at least one piece of information regarding a telephone communication between at least two telephone terminals (2, 3) belonging to different users (20, 30) via a communication server (1), from at least one of the telephone terminals (2, 3). The invention further pertains to the corresponding communication server (1). The inventive information retrieval method comprises the steps of the communication server detecting the closing of communication by one of the users (20, 30) and the communication server (1) activating, for at least one of the users, an information retrieval service (1). The retrieval service comprises, for each of the users (20, 30) for which it is activated, the steps of selecting a form based on a criterion, submitting the form to the user (20, 30), and transmitting the completed form, along with said at least one piece of information, to a database (4).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Alcatel Lucent
    Inventors: Jacques Litteaut, Jean-François Rey
  • Patent number: 8571015
    Abstract: Methods of routing a non-IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) message from a first user terminal that has telecommunications service provided by a first carrier to a second user terminal that has telecommunications service provided by a second carrier are provided. Pursuant to these methods, a first telephone number mapping (ENUM) database is queried to identify an address of a second ENUM database that is operated by the second carrier. The identified address is used to query the second ENUM database. Routing information for the non-IMS message is received from the second ENUM database in response to the query to the second ENUM database. The non-IMS message may then be routed to the second user terminal based on the routing information received from the second ENUM database. Related systems and computer program products are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Bernard Ku
  • Patent number: 8571526
    Abstract: A system and method for recording a session is provided. One session related to first and second parties may be established. Another session related to the first party and a recording server may be established. The sessions may be joined, and the common session may be recorded by the recording server. A recorded session may be stored and played back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Just Calling, LLC
    Inventors: Sheldon Kass, Michael James Langford
  • Patent number: 8571474
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer program for routing an outgoing communication in real time is presented. A communication is received from a caller to an intended receiving wireless telecommunication device. In response to the communication failing to connect to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device, a host carrier initiated query of third party priority of contacts routing preferences of the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device is initiated to determine if other communication devices are available for receiving a re-route of the original communication. If third party routing preferences of the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device have previously been established, then the call is rerouted through one or more alternate telecommunication devices to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device. The priority of contacts is stored with the host carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy R. Chavez, Jacob D. Eisinger, Michael C. Hollinger, Jennifer E. King, Christina K. Lauridsen, Fabian F. Morgan
  • Publication number: 20130279673
    Abstract: Processing a communication is disclosed. A first request to establish communication is received at a redirection node from a requesting communication participant. A destination communication participant associated with the request is determined. A communication session in which the requesting communication participant, the redirection node, and the destination communication participant are participants at the same time is established, including sending from the redirection node to an equipment associated with the destination communication participant a second request to establish communication between the redirection node and the equipment associated with the destination communication participant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Christopher H. Claudatos, William Dale Andruss
  • Publication number: 20130279674
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventor: Timothy Mark Gilles
  • Publication number: 20130279675
    Abstract: Call party details of a telephone call involving first and second telephony user devices are received. The call party details include first and second identities associated with the first and second telephony user devices respectively. A client-server connection request is received from, and a client-server connection is established with, one of the user devices. A session for the communication of data to and/or from the user devices is established separately from the telephone call on the basis of the first and second identities. The receipt of pre-configured user data by the one of the user devices is enabled via the client-server connection. The pre-configured user data has been specified by a user of another of the user devices prior to the establishment of the telephone call as data for receipt by other user devices during telephone calls conducted by the user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 24, 2013
    Inventors: Chris MAIRS, David DRYSDALE, Shaun CRAMPTON, Philip PEARL, Felix PALMER
  • Patent number: 8565400
    Abstract: A call management system having a call monitor operable to identify an attempt, in use, by a user to call a predetermined number attributed to a first entity; a processor, configured to derive at least one alternative number, attributed to another entity, based on the predetermined number attributed to the first entity; and a router to provide a user with an opportunity to route a or the call to at least one of the derived at least one alternative numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Adaffix GmbH
    Inventor: Claudia Dreier-Poepperl
  • Patent number: 8565399
    Abstract: A system for handling an outbound call from a call originator to a call target including a database storing a plurality of outgoing telephone numbers, each outgoing telephone number having one of two or more area codes; and an information processor controlled by the call originator. The information processor configured to process a trigger comprising at least an area code of a telephone number of the call target; select from the database a telephone number from the plurality of outgoing telephone numbers where the selected telephone number has at least an area code the same as the area code of the telephone number of the call target; set caller identification data of the outbound call to the selected telephone number; and transmit the caller identification data to the call target in connection with the outbound call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: NobelBiz, Inc.
    Inventor: James Siminoff
  • Patent number: 8565398
    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. The method incorporates end user behavior patterns to collect programmable key data for the system to automatically update dynamic programmable keys, in conjunction with role associated keys or role independent keys.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Matthew Hillier, Paul Andrew Erb
  • Patent number: 8559612
    Abstract: Established multimodal conversations are enabled to be parked within an enhanced communication system such that a subscriber of the system can be notified through a variety of means and enabled to retrieve selected or all modalities for continuing the conversation. Different modalities may be parked together or separately. While waiting for the subscriber to retrieve the conversation, a participant may receive audio, video, presentation, or other forms of content as playback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Rajesh Ramanathan, Brian Stucker
  • Patent number: 8554617
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to provide options for alternative connections in response to customer requesting for connections to advertisers for real time communications. One embodiment includes: providing an advertisement of a first advertiser for presentation to a customer, the advertisement including a reference to be used to request a connection server to provide a telephonic connection between the first advertiser and the customer; receiving a request made via the reference included in the advertisement for a telephonic connection between the first advertiser and the customer; determining a status of the first advertiser at a time of the request; and presenting an option to make an alternative connection for the customer based on the determined status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2013
    Assignee: Ingenio LLC
    Inventors: Ebbe Altberg, Scott Faber, Ron Hirson, Sean Van Der Linden
  • Publication number: 20130259215
    Abstract: A telephone number identification system (“TNIS”) and techniques for facilitating telephonic communications (including but not limited to audible communications, text messages, video communications, and multimedia communications) between calling parties and called parties operating electronic devices configured for telephonic communication via telephone numbers are described. The TNIS operates in any client-side electronic device associated with or including a phone, identifying the formats of incoming or outgoing telephone numbers, which are associated with particular countries and include geographic area identifiers and subscriber numbers. The geographic area identifiers are used to identify one or more possible geographic locations associated with the calling or called parties, one or more possible time zones, and/or estimate the cost of telephonic communications between calling and called parties.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Inventor: Xuan Xing
  • Patent number: 8548143
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for inbound call identification and management. One of the systems includes one or more repositories that can include data representing call action policies and data representing attributes associated with the caller devices and the callee devices; and one or more computing devices that include a call identifier (“IDer”) configured to characterize the attributes of the caller devices to form characterized attributes, a call management system controller configured to match the characterized attributes against routing criteria specified in the data representing the call action policies, and a call management system router configured to route calls from the caller devices to the callee devices responsive to a match between the characterized attributes and the routing criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: RingCentral, Inc.
    Inventor: Vlad Vendrow
  • Patent number: 8548142
    Abstract: A subscriber to a universal point of contact service designates a preferred point of contact at which a communication initiator, such as a telephone caller, can contact the subscriber. Such an initiator desiring to contact the subscriber uses the subscriber's email address to establish a communication session with a device associated with the subscriber's preferred point of contact. The subscriber's email address is input to an initiating device, preferably a telephone or facsimile machine, using an entry device capable of entering an email address. A requestor unit, receiving the email address, locates a repository of the subscriber's point of contact information, and requests that information. The repository sends the point of contact information the subscriber has designated as preferred, and the requester unit uses that information to control a telephone switch to establish a communication session between the initiating device and the subscriber's preferred point of contact device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Ayman, LLC
    Inventors: Ayman Hariri, Scott D. Birnbaum
  • Patent number: 8548147
    Abstract: A teleconference server may calculate a fully qualified number (FQN), which specifies a string of numbers that, if dialed by an calling party, will establish a call with a called party. The fully qualified number may include, for example, an external access code, an international access code, a country code, a national destination code, and/or a subscriber number. In order to determine a calling party and a called party, the teleconference server may access data regarding a scheduled call. The teleconference server may determine a fully qualified number based on the relationship between the called party and the calling party. The teleconference server may send the fully qualified number to the calling party, which may then initiate a scheduled call with the called party by dialing the received fully qualified number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shashikant H. Jagdale, Krutarth M. Shah
  • Patent number: 8548150
    Abstract: A method for location relevant directory assistance through a PSTN is provided. The method can include connecting a calling party with a called party through a switch in a PSTN, receiving a directory assistance request from the calling party over the PSTN, and querying a database disposed within the PSTN to retrieve caller identification for the calling party. The method can further include retrieving from over a data communications network separate from the PSTN a call address in response to the querying of the database for the calling party from the database disposed within the PSTN. Location relevant directory information can be identified from a database that is external to the PSTN based upon the retrieved call address. Subsequently, the directory assistance request can be responded to using the identified location relevant directory information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Creamer, Peeyush Jaiswal, Victor S. Moore
  • Patent number: 8543169
    Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for selectively displaying mobile caller identification (MCID) information for an incoming mobile telephone call on one or more display devices based on a location of the destination mobile device. A location of the destination mobile device can be compared to a display condition for one or more display devices. If the display condition is met for the given device, MCID information for the incoming call is provided to and displayed on the display device. The display condition can be based on the proximity of the mobile destination device and the display device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventor: Mark Wuthnow
  • Patent number: 8542809
    Abstract: A method and system for alphanumeric identifier indexing for advertising with cloud computing. A cloud computing service is provided to process alphanumeric identifiers (e.g., mobile device identifier, social network identifier, etc.) and used to categorize and associate pre-determined advertising and/or dynamically generated advertising with the alphanumeric identifiers. When the alphanumeric identifier is received anywhere on a cloud computing network, pre-determined or dynamically generated advertising associated with the alphanumeric identifier is sent to a target device. The cloud computing service keeps advertising synchronized across all devices all alphanumeric identifiers and all logins owned by a user of the target device used from anywhere on the cloud computing network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Inventor: Blake Bookstaff
  • Patent number: 8542097
    Abstract: The present invention generally relates to systems and methods for sharing information related to a location also referred to herein as a “spot,” such as spot alerts and/or spot comments (e.g., shared information, advertisements, etc.) received, displayed, played, and/or actuated, for example, on recipient mobile electronic devices proximately located to such location (e.g., spot). Users of the system can create spot alerts in which designated recipients can receive messages, such as spot alerts and/or spot comments (e.g., shared information, advertisements, etc.) received, displayed, played, and/or actuated, for example, on respective recipient mobile electronic devices, when located within a proximity of a defined location (e.g., spot).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2013
    Assignee: Jingle Technologies LLC
    Inventors: David Ross, Charles Taylor
  • Patent number: 8537997
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and techniques for providing presence and location information from available media resources to participants in a media conference so that the participants can use then use such available resources in the conferencing interaction. When participating in such rich media conferences with presence and location capabilities, apparatus and techniques are provided for determining the device(s) being used and their capabilities and determining available resources presently connected to a network that is available to the participants and presenting such presence information to the conference participants. Additionally, apparatus and techniques are provided for obtaining presence and location knowledge of potential resources that are accessible but not connected to the network or shutdown and presenting such information to the participants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter M. Gits, Dale J. Seavey
  • Patent number: 8537998
    Abstract: Systems and methods for using caller data to add a phone number to an outbound-call list. In one aspect, a method involves (i) a record manager receiving caller data corresponding to a phone-call; (ii) responsive to the record manager receiving the caller data, the record manager retrieving from a data storage, a first school-record corresponding to the received caller data, wherein the first school-record is associated with a second school-record; (iii) the record manager retrieving the second school-record; (iv) the record manager making a determination that the first school-record is associated with a closed operational-status; and (vi) responsive to the record manager making the determination that the first school-record is associated with the closed operational-status, the record manager causing an administrator phone-number corresponding to the second school-record to be added to an outbound-call list associated with a workstation terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2013
    Assignee: Tribune Broadcasting Company, LLC
    Inventor: Hank J. Hundemer
  • Patent number: 8532276
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to present communication references to connect people for real time communications via concurrent calls. One embodiment includes: responsive to a search request, identifying information of an entity according to the search request; associating a telephonic reference with the information of the entity; providing the telephonic reference for presentation with the information of the entity to a user; and responsive to a request made via the telephonic reference for a telephonic connection between the user and the entity, initiating a plurality of concurrent calls to a plurality of telephonic references of the entity or a plurality of concurrent calls to a plurality of telephonic references of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Ingenio LLC
    Inventors: Ebbe Altberg, Judith Lynn Ciesla, Scott Faber, Ron Hirson, Sean Van Der Linden
  • Patent number: 8532627
    Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamic treatment of callers are described. Optionally, a communication system may include an application installed on a user communication device. The communication system may be utilized to receive and screen calls, enable a user to specify which calling parties may bypass a low indication mode and/or a non-indication mode, challenge callers, and/or identify urgent calls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Inventor: Shary Nassimi
  • Patent number: 8520818
    Abstract: A disclosed method allows service subscribers to modify service subscriptions online. Operations within the method may include receiving an order for a service package from a subscriber, wherein the service package includes multiple features. In response to the order, the features in the service package may automatically be cross referenced with a list of existing features for the subscriber to detect any overlap between the features in the service package and the existing features. In response to detecting an overlap, a subscription change request may automatically be computed, wherein subscription change request includes only the features in the service package that do not overlap the existing features. The subscription change request may then be submitted for implementation by a service provider, possibly after receiving confirmation of the change request from the subscriber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Meredith Lyn McQuilkin, William Gerritt Demzik, Jr., Christopher Benjamin Bujanda
  • Patent number: 8515053
    Abstract: A method for changing ICS session media includes: receiving a media type change request comprising a new media type sent from one of a terminal equipment, a mobile switching center (MSC), or a second party; releasing a circuit-switched (CS) call leg based on an original media type between an IMS CS control function (ICCF) and the terminal equipment; establishing a CS call leg based on the new media type between the ICCF and the terminal equipment; and updating the media type of a second call leg between the ICCF and a second party into the new media type or establishing a second call leg based on the new media type between the ICCF and the second party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shuiping Long, Yaoping Luo
  • Patent number: 8516078
    Abstract: A method and system for transferring a file from a home network to Wide Area Network (WAN) user device using the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) telephony service are provided. A request is received from a Telephony Control Point (TCP) to start a file transfer session. The request can include information associated with the file. The file transfer session is established using a messaging service based on the request and file information received in the request from the TCP. The file is fetched from the TCP and stored in the TS. An invite is sent to the WAN user device for initiating the file transfer session from the home network to the WAN user device. The file is transferred to the WAN user device when an acknowledgment of the invite is received from the WAN user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Mayuresh Madhukar Patil, Je-Young Maeng
  • Patent number: 8515396
    Abstract: A method for providing ringback tone presence information includes: obtaining a subscription record of a ringback tone presence service corresponding to a user terminal of a call and a routing address of a ringback tone device; connecting the call to the ringback tone device according to the routing address; obtaining the presence information of the called user according to a user terminal number of the call; and sending the presence information of the called user to the calling user terminal. The present invention further provides a system and a ringback tone device for providing presence information. According to the present invention, the calling user may obtain the presence information of the called user via a ringback tone to acquire the state and mood of the called user; therefore, the communication experience is improved; the telecom service types are enriched; and the presence service is popularized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Quan Qi, Jian Liu
  • Patent number: 8509413
    Abstract: Device and method for recognizing wanted and/or unwanted telephone calls of a telephone user as a function of the user's behavior. The device has an interface to at least one telephone of the user and an interface to at least one media terminal. A mechanism determines the input of a telephone call on the user's telephone. An examining mechanism establishes a spatial relationship between the user's telephone and the media terminal. A detection mechanism detects the activation state of the media terminal. A tapping mechanism taps the media content playing on the media terminal at the time point of the input of a telephone call on the user's telephone. A comparison mechanism compares the media content during an incoming call on the user's telephone with the media content of Event Files of a User Profile stored in a storage mechanism. A determining mechanism determines whether a call is wanted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Vodafone Holding GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Holtel, Matthias Fischer
  • Patent number: 8509408
    Abstract: A text/voice system comprises a device configured to receive an incoming voice call intended for a called party, and detect, in response to receiving the voice call, the current status of the called party on a text messaging system, where the current status may include active or inactive. The device is also configured to establish a communication session between the calling party and the called party via the text messaging system, where speech from the calling party is translated to text and delivered to the called party during the communication session, and responsive text from the called party is translated to speech and delivered as speech to the calling party during the communication session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Lee N Goodman, Sujin C Chang
  • Patent number: 8509220
    Abstract: A system and method for displaying a contact's availability information on a display of a voice over internet protocol (IP) phone includes sending a request for a selected telephone contact's availability information. The request is from the IP phone to a web service calendar module operable on a web server connected to the IP phone. The telephone contact's availability information is extracted from an application server connected to the web server. The availability information is formatted for display in a graphical user interface on the IP phone. The availability information for the telephone contact is then displayed on the IP phone to enable a user to determine when the selected telephone contact is available to receive a telephone call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Francis Couse
  • Patent number: 8503646
    Abstract: Methods and systems for processing and routing calls are described. A call processing system receives from a telecommunications system a communication indicating that a first call to a user is in progress. A call routing instruction associated with the user is accessed. Based at least in part on the call routing instruction, a second call to be placed to a first telephonic device and a third call to be placed to a second telephonic device, wherein the second call and the third call are placed at substantially the same time or a second call to be placed to a first telephonic device and a third call to be placed to a second telephonic device, wherein the third call is placed if the second call is not timely answered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Callwave Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Leland W. Kirchhoff, David S. Trandal
  • Patent number: RE44597
    Abstract: A system and method for supporting updates of database contact information to mobile communications devices includes a system having a data entry computer for compiling database contact information for a group of mobile communications devices, a service provider computer server in signal communication with the data entry computer for uploading the database contact information into the service provider computer server and for downloading the database contact information substantially simultaneously to the group of mobile communications devices, and a mobile communications device in signal communication with the service provider computer server for receiving the database contact information and for updating its own global logical database; wherein the method for supporting updates of database contact information to mobile communications devices includes the steps of compiling database contact information for a group of mobile communications devices, uploading the database contact information to a service provid
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2013
    Assignee: Thomson Licensing
    Inventor: Louis Robert Litwin