Three-way Calling Patents (Class 379/207.01)
  • Patent number: 9966072
    Abstract: Methods, and devices and systems, for example an answering machine system, are provided for determining a language among a plurality of languages available for a voice to text transcription of phone calls between a caller and a recipient. In the method, at least two of said available languages are proposed to the caller. The proposed languages are based on a phone country code corresponding to said caller, a phone country code corresponding to said recipient, a language from a set of languages available for the transcription by said answering machine system, or a language selected automatically on the basis of parameters set by the caller or the recipient. The caller selects said language by interacting with said answering machine system, and a corresponding voice message is transcribed into text of the selected language for forwarding to said recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: SARONIKOS TRADING AND SERVICES, UNIPESSOAL LDA
    Inventor: Ezequiel Ruiz Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 9953630
    Abstract: A computing device reduces the complexity of setting a preferred language on the computing device based on verbal communications with a user. The device may detect when a user is having difficulty navigating a device in a current language and detects the language spoken by a user to cause a language setting to change. The computing device may cross reference other information associated with user, such as other applications or content, when selecting a preferred language.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Colleen Maree Aubrey, Jeffrey Penrod Adams
  • Patent number: 9898703
    Abstract: The invention is generally related to operations support systems and more specifically, to a method of and system for deployed maintenance operations for equipment or assets. Existing web-based systems support organizations may be spread over large geographies, but only insofar as each part of that organization can remain fully-connected to the central server or data center. The system described herein, on the other hand, allows portions of the organization to operate for long periods of time without a dedicated connection, while keeping technical records accurate. The system described herein allows a customer to set up a ‘deployed site’, which is effectively an environment that operates as a partial copy of the master site (which contains baseline data), and is only allowed to operate on a specific subset of the assets in the system (say, a fleet of aircraft).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: MXI TECHNOLOGIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Patrick Carriere, Yui Sotozaki
  • Patent number: 9875238
    Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing a language translation setting for a telephony communication determine whether first and second parties to the telephony communication are likely to speak different languages. If so, one or both parties are queried to determine if they would like a language translation to be performed. One or both parties' response to that query is used to establish a language translation setting for the telephony communication. If one or both parties request a translation, some form of real-time translation may then be provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: VONAGE AMERICA INC.
    Inventors: Yuval Golan, Gil Osher
  • Patent number: 9807732
    Abstract: Techniques for using user input to tune calls include receiving communication data from a first client device, at a server, directed to a second client device during a call between the first client device and the second client device; forwarding the communication data to the second device; receiving from one of the first client device or the second client device, first user input data; using the first user input data as an input to a call-tuning model; and modifying a call parameter of the call according to output from the call-tuning model in response to the first user input. Other embodiments are described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: FACEBOOK, INC.
    Inventors: Jason Clark, Jiawei Ou, Stephane Taine
  • Patent number: 9380524
    Abstract: A multi-Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) wireless communication device includes: a first communications unit; a second communications unit; a recording unit; and a control unit configured to cause the first communications unit to interrupt output of a first audio output signal to a sound reproduction device and conduct a first decoded audio signal to the recording unit; and the control unit configured to cause the second communications unit to output a second audio output signal to the sound reproduction device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Ravi Kanth Kotreka, Pavan Kumar Kadiyala, Ramlal Karra
  • Patent number: 9344560
    Abstract: A recording device provides conversation recording with real-time notification between users of communication terminals engaged in a conversation. The recording device provides a recording start notification to a second communication terminal in response to receiving an initiate recording request from a first communication terminal, and initiates recording of the conversation. The recording device terminates recording of the conversation in response to receiving a terminate recording request from the first communication terminal, provides a recording stop notification to the second communication terminal, and saves the recorded conversation to a file in a file storage medium. The recording start and recording stop notifications can be either audible or electronic notifications. The first communication terminal may be muted prior to providing a notification, and un-muted subsequent to the notification. The recording device may obtain permission from the second communication terminal to record the conversation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: John T. Hursey, Robert Z. Evora
  • Patent number: 9300791
    Abstract: Systems and methods insert a modulated signal into audio of a controlled-environment facility resident's side of a call, such as by a controlled-environment communication apparatus, or the like. The same or a different controlled-environment communication apparatus, or the like, may detect the same and/or another modulated signal inserted into the audio of the same and/or another controlled-environment facility resident's side of the call in the audio of an other party's side of the call. The same or a different controlled-environment communication apparatus, or the like, may determine if more than one modulated signal is present in the other call party's side of the call and alert an authority that more than one controlled-environment facility resident is taking part in the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2016
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph Higgs
  • Patent number: 8892662
    Abstract: A system is disclosed for achieving completion of a telephone call by way of an instant communications client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Richard G. Moore, Gregory L. Mumford, Duraisamy Gunasekar
  • Publication number: 20140334617
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventor: Christopher Ryan Bennett
  • Patent number: 8824652
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: World Emergency Network - Nevada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Christopher Ryan Bennett
  • Patent number: 8774383
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J. Marquis, Kenneth William Kurz, Warren Edward Baxley, Douglas Oneal Utley
  • Patent number: 8731171
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: World Emergency Network—Nevada, Ltd.
    Inventor: Christopher Ryan Bennett
  • Patent number: 8724788
    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: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher H. Claudatos, William Dale Andruss
  • Patent number: 8712391
    Abstract: In an embodiment, a user equipment (UE) participating in a server-mediated communication session maintains an identifier of the session and a list of UEs that are currently participating in the session. The UE determines to suppress its participation level in the session, and configures a member update message to include the identifier and to indicate the suppressed participation level of the UE. The UE transmits the configured member update message to each other UE currently participating in the session. In another embodiment, the UE receives a request to modify one or more of a given set of control parameters associated with the session. The UE determines whether the UE belongs to a subset of UEs that are currently participating in the session and to which permission to modify the given set of parameters is restricted. The UE selectively grants the received request based on the determination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Biren R. Patel, Mark A. Lindner
  • Patent number: 8681965
    Abstract: By incorporating into the voice prompt response at least one item of private information, the caller knows that the IVR system providing the response is controlled by the trusted institution. Thus, when the caller does not hear the expected response, the caller is alerted to the fact that someone is masquerading as the trustworthy entity and the caller can then refuse to provide the desired information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Intervoice Limited Partnership
    Inventors: Kris Herrin, Ron Hudson
  • Patent number: 8654956
    Abstract: Tthe present invention seeks to avoid origination or continuation of unauthorized calls, while also avoiding the inconvenience, expense and uncertainty for call parties resulting from premature termination of calls because of erroneous or ill-founded suspicions that unauthorized activities are occurring. By permitting one or more parties to a call that is deemed suspicious to provide information establishing proper authorization, or innocent mistake, security procedures can be assured while avoiding improper false-positive determinations that unauthorized calling activities have occurred. When suspicions cannot be overcome, the called party is requested to terminate the call and a separate continuation link is established to the called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2014
    Assignee: Confinement Telephony Technology, LLC
    Inventors: William Ryan, III, Charles David Orr, Timothy Edwin Pabon, John Vincent Townsend, III, Dan Apple
  • Patent number: 8649781
    Abstract: A GPS mobile terminal (2) that a person (1) carries monitors position information on a dog (3) to whom a GPS terminal (4) is attached. When the person (1) and the dog (3) are separated more than a preset distance, the GPS mobile terminal (2) that the person (1) carries uses PoC communication enabling intragroup communication such as a transceiver to make a call request to mobile terminals (6, 7, 8) of all guardians belonging to any one of a plurality of groups (A, B, C) made up of the guardians. When there is a response from a group of the guardians, the communication is enabled in the group, so that the guardians can guide the person (1) to a safe place.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Yuuichi Yamaguchi
  • Patent number: 8625577
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a packet network based service feature to record verbal notes or other spoken (or even artificially generated audio) information on behalf of a subscriber while in a conversation are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present method allows a subscriber to effectively self-record or verbally transcribe desired portions of a conversation without the fear of privacy invasion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventor: Donnie Henderson
  • Patent number: 8619962
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: Avaya, Inc.
    Inventors: Mahalingam Mani, Tanjore K. Srinivas
  • Patent number: 8594290
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of conducting a multimedia conference can include identifying a participant from a plurality of participants as a descriptive audio participant in the multimedia conference and detecting a state change during the multimedia conference. The method can include correlating the state change with an audio cue and outputting the audio cue to the descriptive audio participant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Tracee L. Wolf, Andrew L. Schirmer, Jeremy B. Sussman
  • Patent number: 8577003
    Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which provide a centralized architecture for call processing. Embodiments utilize voice over Internet protocols (VoIP) to carry calls from a location at which calling services are provided to a centralized call processing platform providing call processing functionality, such as calling party identification, call validation, call routing, and connection to the public switched telephone network (PSTN). Call processing gateways may be utilized to provide plain old telephone service (POTS) analog line interfaces for use with a plurality of telephone sets disposed for use at a location and at least one wide area network (WAN) interface for providing high speed data communication to a centralized call processing platform. PSTN interfacing by a call processing platform may be provided as a VoIP connection to the PSTN and/or as POTS trunking Call processing platforms may provide for data sharing, aggregation, and/or analysis across multiple facilities served.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert L. Rae
  • Patent number: 8571186
    Abstract: A system and method for recording telephone conversations which have been placed on hold is provided. After a telephone conversation has been placed on hold, assuming that the conversation was being recorded, the call is designated to be in the background. Once a processor senses that a background call exists, a check is performed to determine if there is a downlink connection for this call. If there is, a new communication channel is opened so that the background call can be recorded and then appended to the original recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Lawrence Edward Kuhl, Anton Epp
  • Patent number: 8571592
    Abstract: Methods and devices are disclosed for including a plurality of users in a conversation over a communication network. A conversation is initiated when a text message is received requesting the conversation. A conversation is established using conversation gateways currently unused by users to be included in the conversation. Communication may occur across gateways in order to conserve conversation gateway resources.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Skype
    Inventors: Andrew Jagoe, Enlai Chu
  • Patent number: 8565125
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
    Inventors: William R. Blum, Michael Everald Barrett
  • Patent number: 8447019
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for determining whether a call in a packet-switched network to a first destination is to be forwarded, forwarding the call to a second destination based on a determination that the call is to be forwarded, notifying the first destination that the call has been forwarded, receiving a request from the first destination to screen the call, and enabling the first destination to screen the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventor: David C. Robbins
  • Patent number: 8442197
    Abstract: The present invention is directed, in one embodiment, to the simultaneous streaming of a text representation of a first voice stream from a first call to a telephone for display and transmitting of a second voice stream from a second call to the telephone for audible play to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce P. Mazza, Paul Roller Michaelis
  • Patent number: 8442200
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher H. Claudatos, William Dale Andruss
  • Patent number: 8406403
    Abstract: A participant may join a conference call whenever a person specific attribute is read by an interrogator and verified as being authorized to participate in the call. The interrogator may be integrated into a telephone and manually activated or periodically activated. The attribute is an RFID tag, bar code, fingerprint, etc. Conference calls may be joined and rejoined when moving from room to room. Further, real-time participant lists may be accessed during the call and archived.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: David Boyer, Kevin Nelson
  • Patent number: 8396200
    Abstract: A three-way call detection system and method for detecting continuous noise indicative of a an attempt to circumvent existing three-way call detection systems and methods. The continuous noise detection system and method may be used in conjunction with any existing three-way call detection system and method, including for example, a system and method that monitors the active communications of the telephone management system for pulses of energy indicative of a three-way call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Global Tel*Link Corporation
    Inventors: Steve Hodge, Fred Kesterson, Oliver Oldham
  • Publication number: 20130028396
    Abstract: Provided herein is a system and method for sharing control of a customer service provided by a contact center. The method may include: receiving, from a customer, a customer contact to request the customer service; communicating by use of a communication channel between the customer and the contact center in order to provide the customer service; receiving a join request, from the customer, to join an outside party to the customer service; and joining the outside party to the customer service.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2011
    Publication date: January 31, 2013
    Applicant: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Alberto Pasi, Mark Schmidt, Andrew D. Flockhart
  • Patent number: 8355495
    Abstract: An architecture and accompanying method and apparatus for providing multi vendor administration of telephone numbers being ported from one service provider to another.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Telcordia Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John Phillip Malyar, Richard Jacowleff, Adam Newman, George Tsacnaris, Joel Zamlong, Patrick Keenan White, Lisa Marie Maxson, Chris Smaling
  • Patent number: 8351587
    Abstract: A telecommunications device including a notification set-up unit associated with a user device; an access control unit configured to receive notification configuration information from said notification set-up unit and provide notification to said user device of a pending conference in accordance with said notification configuration information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Enterprise Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Jacqueline Levy, Michael Sharland, Jay Maskell
  • Patent number: 8345850
    Abstract: Embodiments of this disclosure include methods in which a three-way call attempt is detected. Methods include monitoring the active communications of a telephone management system for pulses of energy indicative of a three-way call. A Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is computed for each pulse of energy with time domain characteristics consistent with a click. Phases of each component for the pulse are also analyzed. If the phases are generally linear (i.e., if the phases have a common group delay or phase delay), then the pulse is a three-way call click and appropriate action (e.g., monitoring the call, terminating the call, warning the caller, etc.) is initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Value-Added Communications
    Inventor: Stephen L. Hodge
  • Patent number: 8331546
    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: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2012
    Assignee: EMC Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher Claudatos, William D. Andruss
  • Patent number: 8295448
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a communication method comprising the steps of making a determination in respect of at least initiating a first call between first and second communication devices having first and second contact numbers respectively; said making the determination comprising identifying at least one of the first and second contact numbers associated with said initiating, accessing a database comprising at least a first monitored contact number and at least one associated third party number corresponding to a third communication device, determining whether or not at least one of a first contact number and the second contact number match the first monitored contact number; and establishing, in response to the determination, a third party call to the third communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert H. Hyerle, Alain Comment
  • Patent number: 8275108
    Abstract: A teleconference between at least two participants is evaluated by monitoring the teleconference and detecting a triggering event if more than one participant desires to speak at the same time. Upon detecting a triggering event, e.g., detecting an attempt of one or more participants to interrupt another participant, or detecting a request initiated by one or more participants to interrupt another participant, a dominant source is selected from among the ones of the participants attempting/requesting to speak based at least in part upon a determined hierarchal order of those participants attempting/requesting to speak. A participant is then selected from the participants to have the role of the dominant participant based upon the selected dominant source and only the speech of the dominant participant is conveyed to each participant through the teleconference system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Patrick J. O'Sullivan, Edith H. Stern, Robert C. Weir, Barry E. Willner, Marjorie R. Willner
  • Patent number: 8259920
    Abstract: A method is disclosed that enables a user of one telecommunications terminal that is engaged in a call to move or “extend” the call to a second telecommunications terminal without notifying any other party on the call of the move. This is particularly useful in many situations. For example, the user might be at work and engaged in a call with a client on the user's wireline desk telephone. If the user needs to leave the office, the user can extend the call to his or her cell phone, while the call is in progress, without notifying the client. This enables the user to leave the office and continue the call on his or her cell phone without having the client ever know that the user is on his or her cell phone and not in the office.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Sandra R. Abramson, Stephen M. Milton, Emil F. Stefanacci
  • Patent number: 8243903
    Abstract: A separate peer-to-peer multi-directional audio channel is established between a subset of the participants to an existing multi-party communication session on the same channel as the original multi-party communication session. Since the secure channel is established on the existing call, the same NAT/firewall traversal mechanisms may be used, and even the same socket may be used. Participants on the secure side conversation can hear both the secure side conversation and the main multi-party communication session. Participants that are not on the secure side conversation may receive packets from the secure side conversation, but are not part of the security association for the secure side conversation and, hence, cannot hear the audio from the secure side conversation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventor: Arn Hyndman
  • Patent number: 8229096
    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 on-premise call from at least one caller on the premise, collecting the at least one on-premise call from the at least one call, and connecting the at least one on-premise call to a conference call bridge via a single connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel J Marquis, Kenneth William Kurz, Warren Edward Baxley, Douglas Oneal Utley
  • Patent number: 8223942
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, systems, and devices for improved audio, video, and data conferencing. The present invention provides a conferencing system comprising a plurality of endpoints communicating data including audio data and control data according to a communication protocol. A local conference endpoint may control or be controlled by a remote conference endpoint. Data comprising control signals may be exchanged between the local endpoint and remote endpoint via various communication protocols. In other embodiments, the present invention provides for improved bridge architecture for controlling functions of conference endpoints including controlling functions of the bridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: Polycom, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Rodman, David Drell
  • Patent number: 8213592
    Abstract: A telephone call management system first receives a call over a telephone network from a calling device. The calling device is connected to a first called device by a first connection through the telephone network. A first call management message is received at a call routing engine, the first call management message to cause the engine to initiate establishment of a second connection among the calling device, the first called device, and a second called device. The engine issues, in response to the first call management message, a second call management message specifying a DTMF sequence for provision to the telephone network to cause the telephone network to establish the second connection. The telephone network may be a public switched telephone network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Kenneth Jordan, Tse-Ming Wang, Vincent Milano, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8204186
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer program products, and methods of doing business by selectably mixing one or more sound files with a telephone caller's voice message, either as background for that message or embedded within the message. Or, the mixing may occur within a telephone conversation between parties. The disclosed techniques enable alleviating some of the problems that result from distance communication (as contrasted to face-to-face communication). In particular, context information (such as emotional context) can be provided through appropriate use of background sound and/or embedded audio files. The disclosed techniques may also make communication through voice mail exchange more enjoyable and/or increase its productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Renee M. Kovales, Edith H. Stern, Barry E. Willner
  • Patent number: 8189745
    Abstract: A system and method for recording telephone conversations which have been placed on hold is provided. After a telephone conversation has been placed on hold, assuming that the conversation was being recorded, the call is designated to be in the background. Once a processor senses that a background call exists, a check is performed to determine if there is a downlink connection for this call. If there is, a new communication channel is opened so that the background call can be recorded and then appended to the original recording.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Lawrence Edward Kuhl, Anton Epp
  • Patent number: 8180027
    Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for score-driven management of such recordings. A score is assigned to a recording based at least in part on a plurality of monitored events that are detected for the call being recorded, and such score is then used for managing the recording, such as managing storage and/or post-processing of the recording. A recording manager is provided, which is operable to perform score-driven management of a recording. According to one embodiment, an initial score is determined for a recording at the initiation of the call being recorded. Such initial score may be determined based on fixed factors that are known at the time of the call's initiation. Various events related to the call are monitored during the call, and the score is then revised based on detected events. Management of storage, post-processing, and/or other handling of the recording is then based on the score assigned thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: James E. Magnuson, John S. Hogg, Jr.
  • Patent number: 8169937
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing a packet switched, centralized conference call between a plurality of terminals 13. In order to enable an enhancement of the user comfort, it is proposed that the method comprises at a conference call server 12 receiving data packets from all terminals 13. Based on these data packets, then at least one terminal 13 currently providing voice data is determined. In a next step, the data received in the data packets is mixed, and the mixed data is inserted into new data packets together with at least one identifier associated to one of the terminals 13 which were determined to provide voice data, such that the at least one identifier can be distinguished from any other information in the data packets. Finally, the new data packets are transmitted to terminals 13 participating in the conference call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2012
    Assignee: Intellectual Ventures I LLC
    Inventors: Jarmo Kuusinen, Ari Lakaniemi
  • Patent number: 8165280
    Abstract: A method and system of an embodiment of the present invention may include sending an override signal to a first user wherein the first user is having a first dialog with a second user; establishing a second dialog with the first user; receiving a signal from the second user; and establishing a third dialog with the second user, in response to the signal, wherein the first dialog is terminated after the third dialog is established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Verizon Services Organization Inc.
    Inventor: David C Robbins
  • Patent number: 8150368
    Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a usage monitoring telephony service. A service-providing network, which has the capability of monitoring attributes, including duration, for calls that traverse it, provides usage-monitoring services for calls directed to a telephony device on a native transport network. The native transport network is a network that naturally carries a subscriber's calls but does not have the capabilities required to provide usage monitoring. The system uses a virtual number to map a service in the service-provider network with a device in the native transport network. The usage monitoring services capture usage-monitoring data for multiple telephone numbers in multiple native transport networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L. P.
    Inventors: Robert A. Koch, James C. Bedingfield
  • Patent number: 8135115
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed generally to recording communication of a call utilizing a multi-channel recording technique. According to one exemplary embodiment, inbound communication from each party to a call (e.g., from each communication device that is party to a call) to a recording system is assigned to a separate channel, and communication on each channel is independently recorded. Further, during the call, a control channel is generated that correlates the multiple communication channels. The independently recorded communication channels and control channel may be used to analyze a recorded call from any desired perspective. For instance, communication from a given party may be analyzed in isolation. Further, the control channel enables the recorded multiple communication channels to be correlated such that the communication received (e.g., heard) by any selected party may be accurately re-created for analysis thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Hogg, Jr., Christopher R. McFarlen
  • Patent number: 8121264
    Abstract: Data related to a call is stored to a container in a manner that enables the data to be authenticated. “Container” refers to any type of data structure for storing data, such as a file, database, etc. Thus, a protected container is provided to which captured information relating to a call (e.g., recorded audio of the call, captured application data, captured external data, etc.) is stored. The protected container enables detection of any tampering of the protected data, as well as authentication of such data. A multi-channel recording technique is used to record audio for each outbound channel of a call. Each channel of the audio may be watermarked, and a signature may be generated for use in authenticating the audio data. Information relating to the call (e.g., captured audio, application data, external data, etc.) is captured and streamed into the protected container during the call (i.e., in real time).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Securus Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: John S. Hogg, Jr., Christopher R. McFarlen, Justin E. Good