Abstract: A method includes receiving an authentication certificate of a voice mail account holder and/or an authentication certificate of a caller wanting to leave a voice mail message the holders' voice mail account. A voice mail apparatus that provides voice mail service for the voice mail account holder performs such receiving. The account holder and/or the caller are authenticated after receiving the authentication certificate of the party being authenticated. Authenticating the account holder and/or the caller is performed using authentication information contained within the respective certificate. After such authentication is successfully performed, a voice mail message record can be created in the account of the account holder. Such creating includes allowing the caller to store the message in the account of the account holder in addition to associating authenticated identification information of the caller with the message and/or providing authenticated identification of the account holder to the caller.

Abstract: A ringback replacement insertion system for customizing a communication network is disclosed. The system includes a first communication station associated with a first network service provider and a second communication station associated with a second network service provider. A network gateway is provided for connecting a call placed from the first communication station to the second communication station. The first network service provider receives information regarding a proximity location of the first communication station. The storage device transmits at least a portion of the at least one announcement to the first communication station that is related to information within a predefined geographical distance from the first communication station, where at least a portion of the at least one announcement is delivered as a call signal after establishing contact with a communication network.

Abstract: A user is identified based at least in part on a user identification designation associated with an incoming communication. A message recipient is then determined based at least in part on the identified user and one or more address books associated with message recipients by comparing the user identification designation to one or more entries in the one or more recipient databases. The incoming communication is routed to the determined message recipient. Escalation procedures are implemented up to a configured level in the recipient organization based on various criteria. As messages are escalated and deposited in mailboxes associated with the determined message recipients, the determined message recipients are notified of the deposited messages.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for enabling a telecommunications terminal to notify its user of the arrival of a message via an acoustic or visual signal whose properties are based on attributes of the message. A network infrastructure element (e.g., a switch, a private branch exchange [PBX], a server, etc.) receives a message directed to a terminal and sets the values of ringtone properties (e.g., tempo, volume, pitch, rhythm, etc.) based on attributes of an incoming message (e.g., the sender, a priority, a subject, the location from which the message was sent, etc.). In a first illustrative embodiment the network infrastructure element sends the message and the instantiated ringtone to the terminal, while in a second illustrative embodiment the network infrastructure element sends the message and the property values to the terminal, and the terminal plays a locally-stored ringtone in accordance with the property values.

Abstract: A system and method that enables the collaborative creation and editing of content on a VoiceSite over a telephone. The system and method enables the collaborative creation and editing of content on the VoiceSite by allowing one or multiple users (authors) to generate and edit the content of the VoiceSite at the same or different times. A Collaboration Manager is utilized to manage calls to/from one or more users. A VoiGen component utilizes voice-activated prompts to allow the one or more users to perform at least one of specify user preferences, load templates, store user preferences and service options, parse through obtained data, and generate/edit the VoiceSite based on the inputs provided by the one or multiple users. A Session Manager stores user specific information and ensures that the content provided by multiple users, including edits/changes, is integrated without conflicts.

Abstract: A system and method for providing enhanced information to a mobile communication device regarding a calling device is described. The system and method includes receiving an incoming call request at a mobile communication device including the identifier of the calling device. An information request is then formulated including the identifier of the calling device. The information request is transmitted from the mobile communication device to the query processing center via a data communication channel. A response is then obtained from the data processing center and transmitted to the mobile phone via the data communication channel. The response received from the data processing center includes the requested information related to the calling device.

Abstract: IMS networks, text message systems, and methods are disclosed for delivering text messages to IMS wireline phones. A text message system of an IMS network receives a text message intended for the IMS wireline phone. The text message system identifies capability data for an IMS wireline phone that indicates the capability of the IMS wireline phone for handling text messages. The text message system processes the capability data for the IMS wireline phone to determine if the IMS wireline phone is capable of handling text messages. If the IMS wireline phone is not capable of handling text messages, then the text message system appends the text message to a caller ID header of an IMS signaling message, and forwards the IMS signaling message to the IMS wireline phone to display the text message on a caller ID unit associated with the IMS wireline phone.

Abstract: A method, a system and a device for call processing are disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention. The method includes: obtaining, by a call initiator, address information of all or part of call managers in a network domain that processes a call, where the all or part of the call managers include a call manager that processes the call and is adjacent to the call initiator; sending, by the call initiator, a first call creating request message to an adjacent call manager according to the address information of the all or part of the call managers; and receiving, by the call initiator, a first call creating response message from the adjacent call manager. In the case that a service at a client side is required to be sent through multiple networks at a server side, inter-domain link selection and admission control may be implemented through section call processing.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, systems, and devices for user supervision and notification. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following: monitoring activities performed by a telephone device; and notifying a user of the activities performed by the telephone and identification of users performing the activities, notification of activities being made by the telephone device.

Abstract: A system and method of saving and delivering a voice memo or text memo to identify incoming calls is provided. A user of the system of the invention is given the option of recording a memo on the calls he or she has received through a prompt on a telecommunication device. The user can choose to record a voice memo or text memo after each call. The memos are saved in connection with caller id information pertaining to the number from which the call was placed. When a user of the system receives a call from a number that has a memo saved in relation thereto, the user will be prompted to hear, and may listen to, the voice memo before answering the call. If the memo is in text form, the user can configure the system to provide various processing options. In one processing option, a text to speech audio presentation of the text of the memo is made available to permit the message to be heard over a telephone or networked audio capable PDA device.

Abstract: A method and system for providing context of a caller to a callee when a call is initiated is provided. The context system executing on the calling device collects context for the call. The calling device initiates the call and sends a message to the callee that includes the context. Upon receiving the message, the callee device notifies the caller that a call has been initiated and displays the received context. The callee can decide based on the received context whether to answer the call or not answer the call.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a user with an accurate audible pronunciation of a person's name in a non-call environment using the spoken name pre-recorded and saved at the person's Voice Mail system is described herein. An Application Server can obtain an audio file of a person speaking his or her name for the external Voice Mail System to which he or she subscribes, and provide the audio file to a User requesting to hear an accurate pronunciation of the person's name. The Application Server can provide this spoken name pronunciation feature as part of a Directory Information Service, talking call waiting feature, or to other Online Applications.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a telephone customer to configure telephone service for multiple users at a single location associated with the customer. The location has at least two telephones, at least two phone numbers and a voice mail box. The telephone customer is visually provided an option to assign one of the phone numbers to one of the telephones. The telephone customer is visually provided an option to assign each of the multiple users exclusive access to at least one of the telephone numbers via their account identifier. The telephone customer is visually provided the option to, for each of the multiple users, allow access or deny access via their account identifier to the voicemail box.

Abstract: In a communication system comprising multiple networks, a system is provided for notifying a caller that a call destination who was initially unavailable is now available, involving subscribers of possibly different networks. The system, when installed in a network, can support destination availability notifications following failed call attempts in which at least one user is a user of the network, regardless to which network the other user subscribes.

Abstract: A telephone connection is established between a first terminal and a second terminal. The first terminal is presumed to be associated with a subscription in a first home telephone network in which the terminal is identified by a first network identity. Correspondingly, the second terminal is presumed to be associated with a subscription in a second home telephone network in which the second terminal is identified by a second network identity. A host resource routes a call from the first terminal to the second terminal based on a combination of the first network identity and a first common telephone number in the first home telephone network dialed by the first terminal. The first common telephone number is selected such that it is unique and is adapted to be shared among a group of users in the first home telephone network.

Abstract: A networking apparatus including a PBX that relays between and manages IP and analog telephones that are assigned extension number information has: a VoIP conversion portion which converts an analog audio signal into an IP signal; an IP connection portion to which an IP telephone is connected; and an analog connection portion to which an analog telephone is connected. When a call originated from an IP or analog telephone is relayed and connected to an analog telephone, extension number information of the call originator is output to the analog telephone.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provides systems and methods for pooled IP recording. An exemplary method of the present invention comprises monitoring a user's logon, associating a communication device to the user, assigning an interface to a recorder associated with the communication device, and recording data from the communication device sent over the interface. Another exemplary method of the present invention comprises detecting a recorder failure and dynamically routing an interface associated with the failed recorder to at least one other recorder.

Abstract: Incoming call indication method and system in a call initialization process in a mobile telecommunication system, whereby a user (caller, USER1) having a calling mobile telecommunication terminal device (MOBILE1) makes a call to another user (recipient, USER2)) having a called mobile telecommunication terminal device (MOBILE2), in which the call initialization process the calling user dials or selects the called user's telephone number and the calling mobile phone contacts the called mobile phone according to the mobile telecommunication system protocol and preferably alarms (alerts) the called mobile phone for an incoming call, and wherein the calling user's ID, preferably the phone number, is transmitted to the called mobile phone, and wherein media, such as a tag, specified by the calling user (USER1) is steered to and displayed and/or otherwise processed in the called mobile telecommunication terminal device at least during the call initialization process.

Abstract: A method and system for handling calls to emergency telephone numbers by a VoIP telephone that is configured as an extension to a home telephone. The VoIP telephone is provided with a home telephone number that is different than the home telephone number. The location of the VoIP telephone is maintained in a caller ID location database and is regularly updated when necessary. Location updates are made at least when the VoIP telephone registers using a different IP address than was used for the most recent communication. The system is configured to enable the VoIP telephone to ring when a call is placed to the home telephone number. In addition, non-emergency calls from the VoIP telephone are accompanied by caller ID information associated with home telephone. In this way, VoIP telephones may be configured as extension telephones and used to make emergency calls, even when being used nomadically.

Abstract: A method and system for providing context of a caller to a callee when a call is initiated is provided. The context system executing on the calling device collects context for the call. The calling device initiates the call and sends a message to the callee that includes the context. Upon receiving the message, the callee device notifies the caller that a call has been initiated and displays the received context. The callee can decide based on the received context whether to answer the call or not answer the call.

Abstract: In an embodiment, call information is received indicating that a called party, responsive to receiving a call from a calling party, desires to record a complaint against the calling party relating to receipt of the call. A call complaint based on the call information is added to a complaint database. Call rejection information based on the call information is forwarded to a call rejection database configured to indicate blocking of further calls from the calling party to the called party. The complaint information may be forwarded to the complaint database through a number of different communications paths. In another embodiment, a request for a change in status of an identifier entry on a user call rejection list is received. The status of the identifier entry on the user call rejection list is changed based on a comparison of the current status of the identifier entry with the request.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, implementing and using techniques for verifying incoming telephone calls to a telephone services subscriber. An incoming telephone call from a caller is received. A time variable including one or more of a current date, a day-of-week, and a time-of-day is determined. One or more challenge questions is selected from a pre-defined schedule, in response to determining the time variable. The schedule includes challenge questions for different time variables. The caller is subjected to the one or more challenge questions. At least one challenge response to one or more of the selected challenge questions is received. It is determined whether the at least one challenge response was an expected correct response. If the at least one challenge response was correct, an action is taken with respect to the incoming telephone call.

Abstract: One embodiment in accordance with the invention is a method that includes automatically identifying a telephone number associated with an incoming or outgoing telephone call. The telephone call is associated with a telephone system account. A name is automatically determined that corresponds to the telephone number. The name and the telephone number are automatically stored in association with an electronic address book.

Abstract: Provided are a method, a device, and a system for displaying at least one character for identifying a caller, together with the caller's phone number, on a recipient's mobile phone when an incoming call is received. The system includes a caller's mobile phone for allowing the caller to input a recipient's phone number and at least one character desired to be added after the phone number, generating an outgoing call message including the caller's phone number, recipient's phone number and input word or phrase for an outgoing call, and sending the generated message; a base station for receiving the outgoing call message, and changing the outgoing call message to an incoming call message which will be sent to the recipient's mobile phone; and the recipient's mobile phone for receiving the incoming call message and outputting any word or phrase included in the incoming call message.

Abstract: A communication system is provided that enables automated retrieval of caller ID picture information and association with contact information, while still allowing security control over information or images that are sent to the requesting device. The communication system has a wireless device communicating with a picture server. The wireless device receives an incoming call with caller ID information, and determines if a picture is locally stored for the caller. If no picture is locally stored for the caller, then a request is made to retrieve a picture from the picture server. If the picture server has the requested picture, and the wireless device is authorized to receive the picture, then the picture is downloaded to the wireless device, where the picture is associated with contact information for the caller. The picture of the caller will then be automatically displayed when the caller places future calls.

Abstract: The invention concerns a system (100) and method (200, 300, 400) for creating audio identification messages for a first communication device (102). In one arrangement, the method can include the step of populating a call list. This can be done by associating a recorded audio identification message with a caller identification (106) of a second communication device (104) that calls the first communication device, and storing (210) the recorded audio identification message in a call list. The audio identification message can be recorded by a user of the second communication device. In another arrangement, the method can include the steps of playing (308) the audio identification message and initiating (314) a call to an entry associated with the audio identification message.

Abstract: In general, this disclosure describes techniques for alerting a user of a mobile communications device of an event using a radio frequency transmitter. The techniques may include determining that an event has occurred. The event may relate to an incoming communication received by the mobile communications device. The techniques also may include determining that an approximate speed of the mobile communications device exceeds a defined threshold speed. The techniques further may include transmitting, using a radio frequency transmitter, an audible alert that provides notification of the event in response to the mobile communications device determining that the approximate speed exceeds the predefined threshold speed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods of personalizing a self-service option for customers. Customers are identified at call inception and the self-service channel is personalized to tailor the caller experience based upon information specific to each customer. The systems and methods of telephone channel personalization is company/provider driven, which allows the provider to control and personalize the caller experience based on criteria set by the provider. The telephone channel personalization systems and methods determine what choices to present to the caller (i.e., in a speech self-service application—what to say and how to say it). A personalized self-service channel reduces call time and enhances the caller experience and therefore is an attractive option for businesses utilizing a call-center model. The personalized self-service application caters to the needs of a particular customer and appears to the customer that the provider knows why they are calling.

Abstract: A system and methods for telephoning individuals associated with a domain. A current location of a given individual within a domain is automatically determined and the given individual is automatically associated with a telephone extension number based on the current location of the given individual. As the given individual moves around within the domain, the associated telephone extension number associated with the given individual is updated. A receptionist or other individual within the domain may select to telephone the given individual thereby automatically accessing and dialing the telephone extension number currently associated with the given individual in response to selecting to telephone the given individual. If the given individual is not currently located within the domain, an external telephone number associated with the given individual may be automatically accessed and dialed in response to selecting to telephone the given individual.

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.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method receives a communication from an originating party, with the communication intended for a receiving party. A database of pre-created messages is accessed, with the database storing a pre-created message having a common association between the receiving party and the originating party. The pre-created message is then communicated.

Abstract: A system for facilitating to an end-user the recognition of other participants attending a conference call, comprising means attached to the end-user's telephone for receiving signals from the telephone line, means for analyzing the telephone line signals and associating a unique caller identification to each new participant joining the conference call, means for associating with each such caller identification, a unique position in a representation of the conference call, and means for representing to the end-user such unique position for all participants in the conference call.

Abstract: A cellular telephone system is provided with a process and apparatus for screening an incoming call. The process is carried out by, and the apparatus comprises, a service provider (20) and a mobile station (30). The mobile station (30) answers the incoming call and places the call on hold. The mobile station (30) connects to the service provider (20) and places the service provider (20) and the incoming caller on multi-party hold. The mobile station (30) then signals the service provider (20) to begin screening the call. In response, the service provider (20) prompts the incoming caller for the incoming caller's identification and then communicates this information to the mobile station (30). Based on this information, the mobile station (30) can elect to accept or reject the incoming call.

Abstract: Provided is a communication connection device that, if receiving an incoming call in which a representative telephone number that represents a group of mobile telephones is dialed, ensures that one of users of the mobile telephones answers the incoming call for sure.

Abstract: Subscriber information is provided in a Voice over IP (VoIP) system by transmitting multimedia data (e.g., graphics data or image data) depending on Caller Identification (CID) information of respective IP terminals connected to the VoIP system to a called IP terminal, or to broadcast multimedia data to the respective IP terminals belonging to each group in response to a subscriber's request while managing address information of the respective IP terminals.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device and an associated method provide an improved call list that presents information relating to logged phone calls in a collapsed manner. A single entry is displayed on the call list to represent a call log of phone calls from the same phone number.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing caller identification services to an Internet Protocol-enabled device are provided. The method includes receiving a communication request from a caller device over a voice network, the communication request including a caller party number, mapping a called party number to an Internet Protocol-enabled device address of a called party, and sending the caller party number to the Internet Protocol-enabled device address corresponding to the called party number.

Abstract: When one party to an active call has momentarily stepped away from the call that has not been put on hold, the other party can record and leave a message for the party that stepped away, and then hang up. The call is monitored for return of the party that stepped away. When the returned party begins to speak, the message is immediately played to the returned party in response. In a conference, after a conferee who wishes to leave the conference, records a message and hangs up, the conference is monitored for either a break in the conversation or conversation directed to the party that left, and in response the message is played to the other conferees.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-usable medium for routing a call. A server receives a call from a client. A routing engine captures a voice print from the call. In response to the routing engine capturing the voice print from the call, the routing engine compares the voice print to a database that includes a collection of voice prints. In response to the routing engine matching the voice print to at least one voice print among the collection of voice prints, an interactive voice response (IVR) module routes the call to an appropriate call queue based on the matching of the voice print. The appropriate queue routes the call from the appropriate call queue to a call center corresponding to the appropriate call queue.

Abstract: According to embodiments described in the specification, a method and apparatus for managing a call to a user associated with a destination communications device, the call initiated by a caller at an originating communications device, is described. An indication of the call is received, the indication of the call comprising data associated with the user. A state of the user is determined by processing the data associated with the user and consulting a record of the state of the user. The call is parked if the state of the user comprises a delayed answer state, the delayed answer state comprising the user being available to receive the call, but requiring additional time to retrieve the call using the destination communications device, and a notification of the call is triggered at the destination communications device by transmitting a signal to the address of the communications device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing enhanced information to a user is described. A broadband access gateway communicatively coupled to a plurality of access devices may collect information about multimedia content available on the access devices and/or information exchanged with access devices. The gateway may search the collect information upon receiving information identifying a called or calling party, to find information that may be associated with the called or calling party. Selected items of the information associated with the called or calling party may then be delivered to the access device of the called or calling party. Information accessible to the gateway via a broadband connection may also be made available to the user of the access device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing enhanced caller identification screening using audible caller name announcement are disclosed. Generally, a request for audible caller identification associated with a calling communication station is transmitted to the calling communication station based on an analysis of a query comprising data indicating whether presentation of standard call identification information to a called communication station. Audible caller identification information is then received and transmitted to the called communication station.

Abstract: A communication assistance system provides access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscribers. The system includes a means for receiving incoming communications from a plurality of requesters desiring to access the information corresponding to subscribers and a database directory listing storing information corresponding to each one of the subscribers. The information includes a pre-announcement field containing information indicating whether a requester is pre-announced before a connection to a subscriber is made.

Abstract: A caller ID verifier may be employed to protect telephone users against caller ID spoofing. The caller ID verifier may be implemented in a telephony apparatus, such as a smart phone, stand alone caller ID device, or telephone network infrastructure, for example. Telephone numbers of related callers may be grouped into caller groups. The caller ID verifier may be configured to play one of several audio messages depending on the caller group of the telephone number corresponding to the caller ID of the telephone call. An audio message may include a question. The caller ID verifier may forward the telephone call to the telephone user when the caller answers the question correctly. Otherwise, the caller ID verifier may terminate the telephone call and give the telephone user the option to return the telephone call using the caller ID.

Abstract: A system and method for providing information about a calling party to a called party is disclosed. Generally, a network element obtains information about a calling party when a telephone line of a called party is busy. The network element notifies the called party that the calling party is attempting to contact the called party and transmits an audible version of the information about the calling party to the called party without receiving an input from the called party.

Abstract: Systems and methods which detect unauthorized, impermissible, or otherwise undesired call activity through the use of one or more third party databases are shown. For example, a controlled environment facility information management system may access a database external thereto, such as a victim notification database, which is created and maintained by a third party unrelated to the controlled environment facility. Such third party database access may be accomplished at the point of call validation or caller verification for determining the treatment of the call (e.g., allowed, blocked, allowed with limitations, etcetera). Such call treatment determinations may be made with respect a particular prisoner or other resident of the controlled environment facility making the call, may be made with respect to all calls made from a particular controlled environment facility, may be made with respect to a group of controlled environment facilities, etcetera.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for selectively playing received ringtones. Receipt at a communication device of an incoming voice call that includes a ringtone is detected. A ringtone preselected for the communication device is played in response to receiving the incoming call. Prior to receiving input for answering the call at the communication device, user input for one of playing and not playing the received ringtone at the communication device is received. The received ringtone is played or not played based on the received user input.

Abstract: Before completing a call initiated at a calling telephony device for a called telephony device; caller identification information for the calling telephony device is obtained for the call. If standard caller identification information is not available, the caller is prompted to provide spoken caller identification information. The caller identification information is communicated to the called telephony device via a connectionless protocol such as VoIP where a continuing connection does not exist between communicating end points. The called party is given call disposition options. The process which controls this operation may be located anywhere in the network, including at switching equipment and at the called telephony device.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal includes timer for detecting the time of an incoming call, a caller number registration table for storing caller numbers, answer message ID numbers and time-dependent switching codes in relation to each other, the time-dependent control codes designating callers for whom answer messages are switched depending on a time zone in which the call is made. There is thus provided a capability of selecting an answer message for a caller based on the caller number included in the incoming call signal and switching between answer messages based on the time of call incoming detected by the timer.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal includes timer for detecting the time of an incoming call, a caller number registration table for storing caller numbers, answer message ID numbers and time-dependent switching codes in relation to each other, the time-dependent control codes designating callers for whom answer messages are switched depending on a time zone in which the call is made. There is thus provided a capability of selecting an answer message for a caller based on the caller number included in the incoming call signal and switching between answer messages based on the time of call incoming detected by the timer.