Abstract: An electronic communication system enables one or multiple parties to aggregate one or multiple experts under one or multiple brand identities and to make each unique identity publicly or privately accessible to other entities seeking to access individual or aggregated experts on a free or paid basis. This system allows one single operator to effectively power hundreds or thousands of custom branded and independently owned expert networks deployed by different network sponsors.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium for establishing communication between two devices comprises connecting, by a first computer, to an open source Private Branch Exchange (PBX) platform via a port, receiving a phone number sent by a first one of the two devices at the open source PBX platform, invoking an interface module by the open source PBX platform, where the interface module resides on the open source PBX platform, and building a Calling Name request by the interface module related to the received phone number.

Abstract: One embodiment of a method for translating a message can be broadly summarized by the following steps: generating an electronic message in an understood language of an originating party; receiving instructions to translate contents of the electronic message to another language; converting the electronic message to the another language in accordance with the instructions; and delivering the converted electronic message to the receiving party. Other methods and devices are also provided.

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

Abstract: A system and method for incremental do-not-disturb. User input is received to activate the incremental do-not-disturb on a telephone. The incremental do-not-disturb is activated for a time period in response to receiving the user input to activate the incremental do-not-disturb. Incoming calls are diverted during the time period in response to activating the incremental do-not-disturb.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium are provided to manage a conference. The start of a conference is identified. For example, the start of the conference is identified when a host dials into a conference bridge. A timeline is created for the conference based on a first event that occurs at the start of the conference. The timeline includes the first event. The timeline is updated in real-time with a second event, as a second event occurs during the conference. This process is repeated throughout the conference. The timeline is rendered for display to one or more participants in the conference. The conference is then displayed to the conference participants, thus providing the conference participants with a real-time timeline of the conference.

Abstract: A method for handling an initiated communication includes receiving, from an initiating party, an initiated communication directed to a communication destination address assigned to a receiving party. Before the initiating party is provided access to the communication destination address, the initiating party is provided with a first menu of selectable options including an option to obtain information particular to a physical geographic location identified during the initiated communication. A selected option to obtain the information particular to the physical geographic location is received from the initiating party. The information particular to the physical geographical location is provided, and after providing the information particular to the physical geographical location, the initiating party is provided with access to the communication destination address.

Abstract: A method for effective utilization of call idle time, including detecting by the processor of a phone, that a first person using the 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 detecting, subsequently detecting, by the processor of the phone, that the second person has answered the call, and subsequently activating the normal mode of the phone in response to the subsequently detecting.

Abstract: A method receives a call from a device of a caller destined to a device of a subscriber of a communication network. The method connects the call to the device of the subscriber and then receives from the device of the subscriber an indication that the call is an undesirable call. The indication further includes a description of the call. The method then provides a reward to the subscriber when the indication further includes the description of the call.

Abstract: Information that is no longer valid due to the passage of time is not provided to a user. When a stock price information server acquires updated stock price information from a securities market network, a message that instructs that a predetermined application be started up and to which a term of validity has been attached is sent to a user terminal over a paging channel via an SMS server. When the user terminal receives the message, it determines whether or not the message is within the term of validity, and if it determines that the message is within the term of validity, starts up the instructed application from among a plurality of applications that are stored. The stock price information server then sends to the user terminal the stock price information that is requested by the started up application.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for providing calling party information in a request to establish a call session. The method comprises receiving a call request from an entity to establish an interactive call session. The method comprises receiving information associated with the entity. The method further comprises providing the information in the call request.

Abstract: A system of provisioning contact information associated with one or more contacts of a communication device user may include a first processing device associated with a first service provider, a first computer-readable storage medium in communication with the first processing device and a second processing device associated with a second service provider and in communication with the first processing device. The first computer-readable storage medium may include instructions for receiving a mobile device identifier corresponding to a mobile device associated with a user of a second service provider, sending a message having an authorization code to the mobile device associated with the user, and receiving the mobile device identifier and the authorization code, receiving contact information associated with one or more contacts of an address book associated with the user, updating the received contact information and updating contact information associated with the user in one or more second address books.

Abstract: A system and method can respond to a network user request for information by offering optional services to the user. The system and method can obtain the user request and determine a response to the user request. Based on user information available from the network and the determined response, the system and method can determine the optional services available to the user. The system and method can provide the user with a listing or menu of the optional services available for selection by the user. Once the user has made a selection, the system and method can transfer the user to a platform appropriate for delivery of the selected service.

Abstract: A mobile terminal adapted to process a received call signal or message signal by mapping a response mode corresponding to present user status information and a method thereof are provided. The method includes confirming user status information in the mobile terminal according to the received radio frequency signal, mapping a response mode corresponding to the confirmed user status information, and processing the radio frequency signal according to the mapped response mode.

Abstract: A method comprising directing a user equipped with a user's phone to a landing page in response to a call request to a call server communicatively coupled with a dynamic number insertion service (“DNIS”) provisioning server is disclosed. The user may be presented with an offer visible on the landing page such that the offer may be associable with the user's IP address. A user record may be created such that the user may be identifiable through a plurality of unique identifiers. A dynamic DNIS may be provisioned using the DNIS provisioning server such that a called ID associable with the landing page may be generated and the dynamic DNIS may be dialed such that the called ID may be captured. The user record may be matched using the dynamic DNIS and the dynamic DNIS may be released for re-use.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically changing contact information is presented. The system and method includes receiving a contact information change associated with a contact in a first contact list, determining that the contact is also in a second contact list and modifying the second contact list based on the contact information change.

Abstract: Systems and methods for terminating telephony communications to a mobile telephony device that is roaming outside of its native service area make use of a mobile roaming termination service. The mobile roaming termination service causes the native mobile telephony service provider that provides service to the mobile telephony device to forward incoming telephony communications directed the native telephone number of the mobile telephony device to a forwarding access number. The mobile roaming termination service receives telephony communications directed to the forwarding access number, and then terminates the telephony communication to the mobile telephony device via any one of multiple different methods. The mobile telephony service provider can be instructed to implement and cancel call forwarding instructions by dialing a special character string on the mobile telephony device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for implementing a radiophone based conference call and dynamic grouping, which generally includes selecting a dynamic grouping function and members of an intended group through a man-machine interface of a radiophone, generating a control packet in a coding format and an extensible interface, the coding format and the extensible interface being inherent to a preset protocol stack module, and then transmitting the control frame in a control frame to a corresponding receiving end, and the receiving end upon reception of the control frame decodes the control frame and initiates a frequency modification module to modify frequency modification information by adding the group ID of the intended group. The radiophone in the present invention can perform a scheduling function, and time can be saved in an emergency for rapid and convenient dealing with an incident.

Abstract: A Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) service system includes a SIP-enabled soft switch at a telephony service provider, executing code from a coupled machine-readable medium, routing SIP transactions to remote destinations, a media server coupled to the SIP-enabled soft switch storing media including ring tones and music-on-hold for use in progressing transactions, and an interface to a wide-area-network (WAN) for transmitting transactions and media. The SIP-enabled soft switch determines for each transaction from stored data whether media services are to be provided or not provided for that destination, and in the event media services are not to be provided, alters packet data to indicate media services to be provided by a server local to the destination.

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: Agencies issue multiple devices to personnel for maintaining distinct identities over the course of assigned investigations. To provide flexible capabilities to agencies, a phone is converted for use with multiple attached telephone numbers. Accordingly, a single phone may be used to manage multiple identities over the course of one or more investigations. Using a multiple attached number, a given device can place and receive calls over the network to and from contacts. In addition to providing multiple attached numbers, calls using the multiple attached numbers may be monitored live and recorded to establish evidence.

Abstract: A method that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining at a first directory server of a first regional call processing system whether a new name authority pointer associated with a telephone number is within a first geographic region of the first regional call processing system, transmitting the new name authority pointer to a first name server of the first regional call processing system for provisioning the name authority pointer to the first name server responsive to determining that the telephone number is located within the first geographic region, and transmitting the new name authority pointer to a second directory server for provisioning the new name authority pointer to a second name server of a second regional call processing system responsive to determining that the telephone number is not located within the first geographic region. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a method and a telephone-based system with voice-verification capabilities that enable a user to safely and securely conduct transactions with his or her online financial transaction program account over the phone in a convenient and user-friendly fashion, without having to depend on an internet connection.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a system and method for initiating a video phone call using a standard phone device. For instance, in one embodiment, a method for initiating a video phone call from a first party to a second party is disclosed. The method includes receiving a call from the first party. The call is initiated using a standard phone device. The method determines whether the call is a voice call or a call request to initiate a video call. In response to a determination that the call is a call request to initiate a video call, the method terminates the call, initiates a call to a video phone device of the first party and also a communication device of the second party. The method establishes a communication session between the video phone device of the first party and the communication device of the second party.

Abstract: A video call host module comprising a processor configured to decode video data corresponding to videos from endpoints and rank the videos based on motion indicators corresponding to each of the endpoints. The motion indicators are calculated from motion vectors corresponding to each of the videos. A predetermined number of highest-ranking videos are selected for display. A method of hosting a video call includes receiving encoded video data including motion vectors. Videos are ranked based on a motion indicator calculated from the motion vectors for each of the videos. Encoded video data is converted to decoded video data, and decoded video data corresponding to a predetermined number of the highest ranking videos is combined to create a single video.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention are directed to a system, method, or computer program product for providing a unified representation of all customer relationships with an entity. This representation focuses on customer products in arrears that are to be recovered. The invention presents automatic communication history tracking to aid in providing an overarching view of all customer relationships to a representative. This automatic communication history tracking monitors all communications, manual or automatic, incoming or outgoing. The tracking monitors the date, time, disposition, and the like of all customer communications. As such, the invention allows the representative to make decision and take appropriate actions immediately based on the entire relationship, including customer communication history. The invention takes this information and incorporates it with all of the customer's relationships and external factors to provide a holistic customer service experience for a customer with accounts in arrears.

Abstract: A system may include a communications device configured to select a contact from an address book, the contact including information descriptive of a user and including at least one address of the user. The communications device may be further configured to associate an outbound hunt group with the contact, the outbound hunt group configured to provide a list of addresses to be called in sequence to locate the user.

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 requestor 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.

Abstract: A method and system for integrating compliance and contact management between an origin and destination. An integrated control system can receive or initiate a request for a first communication contact type (e.g. phone call) between an origin and destination, the request including a first destination identifier (e.g. phone number). Depending on applicable mediation rules and lists of prohibited and exempted destination identifiers for the first communication contact type, the connection is either prohibited or allowed. If the first communication contact type is prohibited, a request for an alternate communication type (e-mail, mail, or facsimile) is sent to the same destination based on alternate destination identifiers. The integrated control system will either prohibit or allow the requested alternate communication contact based on one or more applicable mediation rules and lists of prohibited and exempted destination identifiers for each alternate communication contact type.

Abstract: Various user interfaces and other technologies for seamlessly transitioning between calls of different types can be implemented. The technologies can be implemented to give the impression of a single call that is upgraded from one call type to another. A new application can register so that an appropriate user interface control appears for activation when seamless call transition is possible. Transitioning for third party applications can thus be supported. Cross-platform implementations can be supported.

Abstract: A system and method for transferring information over a short range are disclosed. The system and method can be used for a variety of applications, including administrative provisioning of information to particular users, providing information relating to a user during a conference call, handing off calls to or from another phone, for other application deployment, for pass of control, and similar applications. The system includes a first device capable of short-range communication and having a client application thereon and a second device capable of short-range communication and having a client or an administrator application thereon. Information is passed between the first device and the second device using short range communication.

Abstract: Alerts are provided for calls, where the alerts are indicative of the relationship of a caller to a call recipient in a social networking platform. An identifier for a calling device is used to access social network data that is descriptive of a relationship of the caller to the call recipient in the social networking platform. An alert option for a call is selected, from among multiple, different alert options, based on the social network data that is descriptive of the relationship of the caller to the call recipient in the social networking platform.

Abstract: A switching platform comprises a first circuit for recognizing tones generated by an originating telephone line, the tones representing a common number of a party and associated with telephone lines of the party, a second circuit for recognizing that the party has answered one of the associated telephone lines, a third circuit for sending a challenge to the answered telephone line, a fourth circuit for awaiting the party to satisfy the challenge, and a fifth circuit for establishing a telephone connection between the originating telephone line and the answered telephone line if the challenge is satisfied.

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.

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

Abstract: A telephony system is presented that enables one user to monitor another user's extension and perform functions on calls destined for the other user's extension. The system includes a server with a telephony management software (TMS) unit, a telephony application programming interface (TAPI) unit, and an application unit. The application unit includes a control module, association module, presentation module, park module, monitoring device interface module, and storage interface module. A server sends information to a monitoring device regarding the status of a monitored extension and calls offering on that extension. A server also enables a user to navigate through multiple calls offering and park a selected call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for abstracting telephony functions is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a terminal device having a User Interface (UI) element that presents a plurality of Graphical User Interface (GUI) elements that abstract a corresponding plurality of telephony functions, and a telephony element that initiates a telephony process in response to a selection by an end user of the terminal device of two or more of the plurality of GUI elements to form a combined telephony function. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

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.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for for provisioning a Diameter binding repository (DBR) are disclosed. In one example, the method comprises receiving, at a Diameter routing node, a Diameter signaling message that is associated with a mobile subscriber and includes mobile subscriber related information. The method also includes selecting a network service node from a plurality of network service nodes configured to process the Diameter signaling message and querying a subscriber data management (SDM) node using the mobile subscriber related information to obtain additional information associated with the mobile subscriber. The method further includes generating Diameter binding record information using the mobile subscriber related information, the additional information, and an identifier corresponding to the selected network service node and providing the Diameter binding record information to a Diameter binding repository.

Abstract: A method for monitoring and providing access to back to back scheduled conference calls within a teleconferencing system. The method includes receiving a call and a password entry from a caller. The method includes determining the password entry is valid for a scheduled conference call. The method includes determining the scheduled conference call is scheduled back to back with a previous conference call and that the previous conference call is not over. The method then includes determining the password entry is a specific password, wherein the specific password is issued only to callers accessing back to back scheduled conference calls and placing the caller on hold.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed are a call processing supplementary service providing terminal device and an operation method thereof. The device includes: terminal operator configured to detect current state of the terminal device and provide an event signal corresponding to the detected current state; and a service provider configured to, when at least one of a voice call origination attempt state and a voice call end state is detected through the event signal, provide pre-registered additional content corresponding to the voice call. Accordingly, a call supplementary service can be conveniently provided without intervention of a communication service provider.

Abstract: A telephone user's speech volume is monitored in relation to a minimum volume sufficient for a remote conversant, with whom the user communicates, to audibly perceive the user's speech. Upon detecting that the user's volume exceeds the level sufficient to communication, it is determined whether the user moderates the volume, without being prompted, to the sufficient level. Upon determining that the user moderates the speaking voice without being prompted, positive reinforcement is provided to the user. Results are recorded over multiple phone calls. A frequency of the user moderating the speaking volume without being prompted is tracked from the recorded results. Upon the frequency of the user moderating the volume without being prompted rising over the tracked phone calls, the quality and/or quantity of the positive reinforcement may be improved. The user is thus trained or treated, e.g., audiologically or therapeutically, to self-modulate the volume.

Abstract: A vPBX server manages calls in a bridged line appearance (BLA) group. A BLA group can include extensions for location-aware mobile devices. The vPBX server contains location based forwarding rules that can be applied together with BLA redirection rules in managing incoming calls. A single extension can appear as a user interface element (e.g., an icon or button) on multiple mobile devices. Using the user interface element, a primary user can view a secondary user's status, including the secondary user's location information. The vPBX server allows the primary user to redirect the incoming calls to devices in accordance with the forwarding rules and the redirection rules.

Abstract: A sender is identified based at least in part on originator identification information associated with an incoming communication. A message recipient is then determined based at least in part on the identified sender and one or more databases associated with message recipients by comparing the originator identification information to one or more entries in the one or more databases. The incoming communication is routed to the determined message recipient of a shared mailbox of a unified messaging system. An intended recipient is identified among the owners of the shared unified messaging mailbox owners. Only the determined message recipient is notified of the deposited message, based on the dynamic information derived from each deposited message.

Abstract: Systems and methods of recommending that two parties form a link on a social networking system use activities conducted by the first party on a telephony system and information contained in contact or link lists stored for the second party on the social networking system to determine if the two parties are likely acquainted. If a comparison of this information indicates that the parties are likely acquainted, or at least are acquainted with common third parties, a recommendation that they form a link on the social networking system is issued to one or both parties.

Abstract: A terminal and a method are described herein for offering termination-side services to a user. In one embodiment, the terminal (e.g., cellular terminal, enterprise or residential wireline device, mobile device) is configured to provide one or more termination-side services (e.g., color ring back tone, voice mail, call diversion, hold before answer) to the user. The terminal is further configured to enable the user to directly setup and manage the one or more termination-side services without interacting with the telecommunication network.

Abstract: The method of authorizing the transmission of a message comprises requesting the transmission of a message from a calling party to a called party and presenting a plurality of audiovisual media elements to the calling party, one of which is representative of a physical characteristic of the called party. The other audiovisual media elements are similar in form to the media element representative of the called party. The calling party selects one audiovisual media element from the presented media elements. The transmission of the message from the calling party to the called party is authorized only in the case where the selected audiovisual media element is representative of the called party.

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.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting and resolving feature interactions during calls are disclosed. In particular, a finite-state machine and a corresponding method detect when a feature that is invoked during a call would interact with another previously-activated feature, and ensure that both features are not active simultaneously. Three different techniques for resolution are disclosed: in one technique, activation of the latter feature is always refused; in a second technique, the former feature is always deactivated and the latter feature is then activated; and in a third technique, one of the two features is selected to be the active feature—perhaps based on priorities assigned to the features—and the features are activated and/or deactivated accordingly.