Abstract: A method includes receiving a selection of a subgroup of participants from a group of potential focus group participants, placing each participant in the subgroup of participants in a waiting room environment, establishing a respective testing video conference between each participant in the subgroup of participants and the second user and confirming, based on the respective testing video conference, a respective technical ability to carry out a video conference. The method includes establishing the video conference comprising each respective confirmed participant and the second user, receiving respective data as part of the focus group from each respective confirmed participant and presenting live data associated with the video conference of the focus group to the first user at a user device. The method and associated network server enable a quick way to establish a focus group and then carry out a focus group on a topic of interest.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring network communications for mobile vehicles are described. A method may include receiving vehicle data items for each of the mobile vehicles of the fleet of mobile vehicles. The vehicle data items may include vehicle identifiers, such as fleet number or vehicle number; route information; origin and destination, etc. The method may include receiving network communication metrics associated with a network access service provided to devices on the fleet. The method may include presenting, to a user, multiple aggregation options, with each aggregation option associated with a vehicle data item. The method may include receiving, from the user, selection of an aggregation option and presenting, to the user, a list of vehicle data items organized by the first vehicle data item, along with a plurality of network communication metric options selected by the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for updating applications are provided herein. During operation, an application server will determine that an application is to be updated on a device associated with a public-safety officer. The application server will then determine all members of a team which the public-safety officer is a member. The application server will then update the application on the device only when at least N members of the team have access to the application as the application is being updated (where N is an integer greater than zero).

Abstract: A method and system is provided for policy driven, online meeting updates during the course of an electronic meeting. The invention defines one or more groups of participants in an electronic meeting, and assigns a unique relative priority to each group of participants. Meeting events, such as slide changes or other data that is sent to the various participants for viewing, are transmitted to the various groups in a sequence ordered by the relative priorities assigned to the groups. Alternatively, the invention provides for randomly staggering the delivery of data to the various groups. Both embodiments alleviate the scalability problems that arise for electronic meetings having large numbers of participants.

Abstract: A resource selection computing system for selecting at least one resource for one or more communication sessions in an enterprise is disclosed. The resource selection computing system includes a monitoring module for monitoring one or parameters associated with at least one communication session from at least one customer. The system further includes a database for storing the one or more monitored parameters. The system further includes a computation module for computing at least one connection score for the at least one customer with each of a plurality of resources based on the one or more stored parameters. The system further includes a resource selection module for selecting the at least one resource from the plurality of resources based on the at least one computed connection score.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for providing a conference call and enhanced conference call controls for traditional, for example circuit switched-only, and advanced, for example packet switched and dual circuit and packet switched, communication devices. The system includes components for receiving, transcoding, and distributing communication protocols from any suitable public, commercial, or otherwise known communication protocol source or architecture. In addition, the system includes components for dynamically transferring host control functions from one conference call participant while maintaining a conference call communication bridge, as well as components for maintaining a conference call communication bridge should a conference call host device become inadvertently disconnected.

Abstract: A conference controller (111, 175) configured to place an upstream audio signal (123, 173) associated with a conference participant and a sound signal within a 2D or 3D conference scene to be rendered to a listener (211) is described. The conference controller (111, 175) is configured to set up a X-point conference scene with X different spatial talker locations (212) within the conference scene, X being an integer, X>0; assign the upstream audio signal (123, 173) to one of the talker locations (212); place a sound signal at a spatial sound location (503) within the X-point conference scene; and generate metadata identifying the assigned talker location (212) and the spatial sound location and enabling an audio processing unit (121, 171) to generate a spatialized audio signal based on a set of downstream audio signals (124, 174) comprising the upstream audio signal (123, 173) and the sound signal.

Abstract: The invention enables multimodal cognitive communications, collaboration, consultation and instruction with multichannel multiplexed streaming imagery data. It also enables synchronous multiparty curation, multisensory annotation and metadata tagging, as well as multi-formatted encapsulation, saving and sharing of collaborated imagery data as packetized augmented intelligence. The invention acquires both live stream and archived medical modality imagery from network-connected medical devices, cameras, signals and sensors, as well as multi-omic [phenotypic, genomic, metabolomic and radiomic] clinical data from biometric maps and movies, hapmaps, heat maps and data stream visualizations. The invention also acquires both medical and non-medical streaming imagery data from image data repositories, documents and structured reports, workstations and mobile devices, as well as from wearable computing, signals and sensors.

Abstract: Systems and methods to provide anonymous communication connections between customers in different countries/regions and service providers. Different call-in references are configured for customers residing in different regions and/or having different language preferences. Different prices are computed for foreign customers based on a single price of a service provider and the call-in references used by the customers to initiate the anonymous connections to take into account of the international/long distance call charges. Currency conversion is performed based on exchange rates in backend payment management. Location information of service providers and customers is provided in a configurable way, based on preference, service category, without compromising privacy.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer program product for determining and utilizing local phone topography is presented. A first signal level for each of a plurality of telephone lines is determined, each of the telephone lines having a telephone of a plurality of telephones associated therewith. A new signal is initiated on another telephone line with an additional telephone. Next, a change in signal level is determined for each of the plurality of telephone lines and, based on the change in signal level for each of the plurality of telephone lines, a determination made regarding which telephones of the plurality of telephones are within a listening distance (also referred to herein as earshot) of the additional telephone. A topography is defined for the telephones and the additional telephone based on the determining which telephones are within a listening distance of the additional telephone.

Abstract: A method for transferring participation authorization for a scheduled conference call. A conference call server includes a memory for storing conference call scheduling information with respect to a scheduled conference call session, the conference call scheduling information including participant authorizations for eligible communication devices of the scheduled conference call session.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an audio/video conference includes receiving audio from a moderator via a circuit-switched telephone network, transmitting a representation of the audio to a first listener group via the circuit-switched telephone network, and transmitting a representation of the audio to a second listener group via a packet-switched network. The audio/video conference may be transmitted to the first listener group and the second listener group in real-time or near real-time (e.g., within a few seconds). The method and system may be used with a circuit-switched telephone network such as, for example, a public switched telephone network. Further, the method and system may be used with a packet-switched network such as, for example, the Internet. The method and system further provide synchronization of video data, including slide data, and audio data related to the audio/video conference.

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: The present invention provides systems and methods employing Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology to provide multi-channel, multi-access voice communication capabilities.

Abstract: A system for managing customer involvement with a contact center involves one or more monitoring applications executing on one or more computerized servers associated with the contact center, the applications monitoring communications between individual customers and the center; and a rules engine executing on the one or more computerized servers, the rules engine accessible to the monitoring application, the rules engine enabled to generate and implement business rules. Upon detection by one of the monitoring applications of an instance of unsuccessful or incomplete interaction between a customer and the contact center, session data determined during monitoring is used by the rules engine to determine contact center-initiated activity to be implemented to establish new communication with the customer to resolve issues related to the unsuccessful or incomplete interaction.

Abstract: Agencies issue recording devices to personnel for administrating and monitoring controlled calls during the course of their duties. To provide flexible capabilities to agencies, a virtual number is provisioned and configured to enable an operator to administrate controlled calls without dedicated recording devices. Using the virtual number, the operator may setup a controlled call between a victim and a baddie. The victim is contacted via the virtual number by the operator and optionally informed about the controlled call process. In turn, the baddie is contacted using number information of the victim's phone and connected with the victim. Call audio between the victim and baddie is transmitted to the operator. When necessary, the operator may terminate the call remotely from the telephonic device the operator used to setup the call.

Abstract: A method, a system, and computer readable medium comprising instructions for optimizing on-premise conferencing are provided. The method comprises receiving at least one call from at least one caller, identifying at least one call from at least one caller, and connecting the at least one call to a conference call bridge via a single connection.

Abstract: A teleconferencing system based on application software run on a primary server that establishes a teleconference involving a plurality of callers and at least one facilitator. The teleconferencing system enables transferring callers from the primary server to connected secondary servers, each of which is connected to the primary server, thereby enabling the size of the teleconference to scale either upon initiation of or during the teleconference. Callers may be transferred to secondary servers, and secondary servers may be added or removed from the teleconferencing system during a teleconference. The inventive teleconferencing system enables an almost unlimited number of callers to participate in a teleconference.

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: Agencies issue recording devices to personnel for administrating and monitoring controlled calls during the course of their duties. To provide flexible capabilities to agencies, a virtual number is provisioned and configured to enable an operator to administrate controlled calls without dedicated recording devices. Using the virtual number, the operator may setup a controlled call between a victim and a baddie. The victim is contacted via the virtual number by the operator and optionally informed about the controlled call process. In turn, the baddie is contacted using number information of the victim's phone and connected with the victim. Call audio between the victim and baddie is transmitted to the operator. When necessary, the operator may terminate the call remotely from the telephonic device the operator used to setup the call.

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.

Abstract: Data processing and communications devices are configured to generate, using command signals received from at least one user input device, a signal set representing a meeting request, the meeting request signal set comprising signals representing one or more parameters for a proposed meeting and configured for causing a second data processing and communications device to initiate a voice call on receipt of command signals representing a response to the meeting request; and forward the generated meeting request signal set to the second data processing and communications device.

Abstract: A method, system and computer program product for alerting a participant when a topic of interest is being discussed and/or a speaker of interest is speaking during a conference call. A participant to a conference call identifies the topics and/or speakers of interest which is stored for future use along with the participant's contact information. When a participant's identified topic of interest is being discussed and/or a participant's identified speaker of interest is speaking during a conference call, the participant will be alerted to that fact, such as via the means specified in the participant's contact information.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer readable media for optimization of bearer resources for IMS roaming are disclosed. According to one aspect a system for optimization of bearer resources for IMS roaming includes a home media resource function controller module (HMRFC) for managing local media resources and for selecting a visited media resource function controller module (VMRFC) to provide media resources to a home subscriber that is roaming in the visited network (“visiting subscriber”), and a VMRFC for managing media resources within the visited network and for providing media resources to the visiting subscriber in response to a request to provide media resources to the visiting subscriber.

Abstract: Included are systems and methods for a virtual inmate visitation. Some embodiments include providing a scheduling user interface for a visitor to schedule a video visitation, receiving a visitor scheduling request for the video visitation with an inmate, and determining a visitor type for the visitor. Some embodiments include providing, based on the visitor type, a scheduling option, providing a visitor payment mechanism that depends on the visitor type, and providing a video visitation user interface to the visitor for conducting the video visitation between the visitor and the inmate. Still some embodiment include in response to receiving a visitor input, conduct the video visitation between the visitor and the inmate, determining whether the video visitation includes an unacceptable activity and performing a preventative measure.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for receiving a join request, from a requestor, to join an online conversation in which an online user of an instant messaging system is participating. A notification is provided to the online user that the requester would like to join the online conversation.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for detecting fraudulent use of a moderator passcode in a conference calling system. The method sets a threshold number of moderator passcodes permitted in a conference call. The total number of moderator passcodes entered into the conference call is determined and compared to the threshold number with a processor. The conference call is allowed to continue if the threshold number exceeds the total number of moderator passcodes entered into the conference call. If, however, the total number of moderator passcodes exceeds the threshold number of moderator passcodes, the processor performs validation actions and/or alert actions.

Abstract: This invention relates to a conferencing and data collaboration operation and management system and method and, more particularly, to a managing, system and method for scheduling, monitoring and controlling of audio and video communication and data collaboration.

Abstract: A method is provided for authorizing an authenticated user into a teleconference session as a participant that avoids some of the costs and disadvantages of doing so in the prior art. The authorization is a combination of the enterprise user's authentication at work and cryptographic authorization to the teleconference system by the inviter. When a user goes to work and connects with his or her office computer to the network of the user's employer, a secure single sign-on (SSO) access control procedure is executed. In a secure single sign-on (SSO) access control procedure, the user submits authentication information, such as a user name and password, to an identity provider and receives back a credential token when the identity provider determines that the user name/password pair is valid. The credential token is saved on the user's computer and used for further authentication.

Abstract: A validation service offers the ability to validate a telephone conference. The validation service can verify that a telephone number and a pass code can be used to access the telephone conference at the time the telephone conference is scheduled. The validation service can also inform users about changes to the scheduled telephone conference, and provide alternative telephone numbers that can be used to access the telephone conference.

Abstract: A system for conference calling having a memory having at least one user record associated with a system user, the user record having telephone number and an electronic address. A conference call request receiving function is executable by the processor to receive a conference call request email, the conference call request email has calendar information and an electronic address of one or more participants. A scheduling function is executable by the processor to schedule a conference call on the system server between the one or more participants that are system users at the time of the conference call according to the calendar information in the conference call request email. Also provided is a method for conference calling whereby a conference call request is received via email.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for recording an exchange between a central monitoring station and a protected premises. The method includes the steps of transmitting an alarm notification from a protected premises to an alarm routing service, the alarm routing service establishing a voice connection between the protected premises and a central monitoring station in response to the alarm notification and the alarm routing service recording audio on the voice connection between the protected premises and the central station.

Abstract: A teleconferencing system for establishing a facilitator-led teleconference involving a plurality of callers, a facilitator, and at least one party that can receive transfers. The teleconferencing system is operated by the facilitator under the control of application software through a user interface. A facilitator-led teleconference is formed and the callers are informed of how to initiate a transfer to the party, such as by touching of a key on their telephone keypad. The system detects the callers who initiate transfer. If the party is available the initiating caller is automatically transferred to that party. If the party is not available, such as would happen if numerous callers initiate transfer to that party, the initiating callers are placed into a transfer queue. When the party becomes available the callers in the queue are then transferred in queue order.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for receiving multimedia from a plurality of endpoints participating in a conference session, including multimedia from an endpoint that was muted during the conference session. A muting state is detected at a particular endpoint during the conference session and the multimedia from the particular endpoint is recorded even though it is not forwarded and rendered to the other endpoints during the conference session. Information associated with the multimedia data for the conference session is stored to indicate the time period during which the muting state was detected at the particular endpoint. Techniques are also provided for granting access at a later time to the stored multimedia data for conference session, including access controls to the muted multimedia.

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.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a set of rules established by a third-party to control the execution of various functions offered by a device. The set of rules can block a function outright, or can specify particular combinations of days and times when the function can be executed and when it is blocked. Then, when the user of the device requests an instance of the function to be executed, the set of rules can be accessed to determine whether the requested function instance is permitted, after which the device can either block or execute the requested function instance.

Abstract: A conference calling system and method for designating of hosting control from a server device. In a conference call session, one of the client devices may be designated as a host device, wherein that host device is permitted to implement hosting functions. In some instances, the required host device may not be available for the scheduled conference call, but may be available prior to the conference call. The host device may provide hosting control commands to the server device prior to the conference call. Such hosting control commands may include such commands as delegating of hosting control functions in relation to the designated host device. This may allow the presently designated host device to end communications with the server device prior to starting a conference call, while having the server device implement the specific hosting control commands.

Abstract: A message is received from a first device in an information/call center, wherein the message identifies a second device in an information/call center capable of providing a requested service and includes a command directed at he second device to activate the service. The first device may comprise, e.g., an operator terminal, The message may comprise a uniform resource locator (URL), and may additionally identify a software application residing on the second device. The message may also include one or more parameters used to provide the requested service. The command is retrieved from the message, and the command is transmitted to the second device, thereby causing the second device to provide the service.

Abstract: A geospatial telephony system initiates conference calls between participants based on location of participants. For example, a node within the system can receive a location at which a first communication device is geospatially located and can enable a conference call to be initiated between the first communication device and at least one other communication device based on that location.

Abstract: A method and system for providing an audio conference includes receiving audio from a moderator via a circuit-switched telephone network, transmitting a representation of the audio to a first listener group via the circuit-switched telephone network, and transmitting a representation of the audio to a second listener group via a packet-switched network. The audio conference is preferably transmitted to the first listener group and the second listener group in real-time or near real-time (e.g., within a few seconds). Although the method and system could be used with any suitable circuit-switched telephone network, the method and system are preferably used with a public switched telephone network. Further, although the method and system could be used with any suitable packet-switched network, the method and system are preferably used with the Internet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing access to teleconference services using voice recognition technology to receive information on packet networks such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) networks are disclosed. In one embodiment, the service provider enables a caller to enter access information for accessing a conference service using at least one natural language response.

Abstract: A conference bridge of a conference system having a plurality of conference stations, the bridge comprising: reception means for receiving dual-channel audio signals coming from the conference station; determination means for determining at least one processing function per conference station of the conference system; application means for applying respective weighing functions to the received dual-channel signals; build-up means for building up one hybrid dual-channel signal for forwarding per conference station by means for summing a portion of the process dual-channel audio signals; and forwarding means for forwarding the respective hybrid dual-channel audio signal to each of the various conference stations of the conference system. A method of forwarding a spatialized audio scene and implemented by a conference bridge is also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automated conference call initiation are provided. In an embodiment, a system for providing automated conference call initiation includes at least one meeting server, at least one calendar server and at least one profile server. A conference call initiator then uses data on the calendar server, the profile server and the meeting server to automatically initiate a conference call. In another embodiment, a method for providing automated conference call initiation involves analyzing the data on a meeting server to determine meeting conditions of two or more users, and initiating a conference call between two or more users based on the meeting conditions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for audio switching and conferencing. The method comprises: providing a plurality of audio channels comprising at least one active audio channel, the active audio channel comprising at least one of an input audio stream and output audio stream; converting the input audio streams from the at least one audio channel in input data; providing audio channel communication requests between parties of the at least one active audio channel; determining a set of Boolean values depending on the parties of the audio channels; determining output data for the respective active audio channels by combining the elements of the Boolean set and the input data; and encoding the output data in output audio streams for the respective active audio channels.

Abstract: A method and system of an embodiment of the present invention may involve receiving an incoming call from a calling party for one or more members of a group; transmitting an invite message to the one or more members; identifying an acceptance of the invite message by at least one member of the one or more members; and establishing an active dialog between the calling party and the at least one member.

Abstract: A conference call system with a plurality of endpoints, a participant control server, a conference bridge and a switch is described. A first endpoint transmits conference data to the participant control server. The participant control server transmits the conference data to the other endpoints. In response to requests from the endpoint, the participant control server transmits recorded conference data for video, audio and web sessions that are individually controllable to pause, fast-forward and rewind the conference data. The participant control server establishes secondary connections for the endpoints including a ghost hold and a sidebar.

Abstract: Telecommunications conference hosting resources are allocated for the management of a conferencing function by generating a validation for each of a plurality of conference hosts to permit access to the telecommunications conference hosting resources for a predetermined duration selectable by the respective conference hosts. Telecommunications conference hosting resources are allocated to each conference host for the predetermined duration so as to allow the conference host to make multiple accessions to the telecommunications conference hosting resources at any time before the expiry of the predetermined duration. The telecommunications conference hosting resources are connected to the conference host in response to such accessions. Different conference hosts may be validated for use of the same resources for different durations. Allocation of resources is prioritized for the conference hosts according to the duration selected by each of the conference hosts.

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.

Abstract: A method for establishing a group of individuals as a single contact entity eligible for contact services within a contact center includes the steps (a) identifying a group and each group member according to existing group rules and member profiles; (b) identifying and quantifying the unifying aspects of the members in the group; (c) aggregating the contact information for each group member relative to communications channels common to the group members and to the contact center; and (d) establishing one or more temporary and or permanent group channels between the contact center and the group members.

Abstract: A conference call management method and system. The method includes receiving by a computer processor from a conference call administrator, a command for enabling a first conference call. The computer processor enables the first conference call thereby allowing telecommunications between the conference call administrator and a first participant. The computer processor locks the first conference call such that additional participants are unable to access the first conference call. The computer processor receives from a second participant, a conference call request for accessing a second conference call and routes the second participant to a virtual holding area. The computer processor enables the second conference call and routes the second participant from the virtual holding area to the second conference call.