Abstract: A system and method for controlling on a worldwide basis two or more telecommunications networks which are themselves capable of exercising a form of common channel signaling network control. The system uses an architecture in which a destination telecommunications network having common channel signaling control is connected to an originating telecommunications network having common signaling control through a call set up and control methodology which provides ad hoc connection between the two spaced telecommunication networks and common channel signaling networks via an unrelated world wide data network which preferably constitutes the Internet.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer instructions for securely transferring information in a communications system. Signals are generated by a communications keypad. In response to receiving an input indicating activation of a secure data transfer mode, these signals are converted from the communications keypad into speech signals, and the speech signals are transmitted to a receiving party.

Abstract: The present invention allows telephony users and on-line users to communicate with one another using an instant messaging (IM) service. The on-line user will provide and receive textual messages, wherein the telephony user will provide and receive corresponding audible messages. These messages may convey emotion using associated emotional indicia, such as emoticons, or other emotional indicia, including the use of capitalization, emphasis, and the like. Emotional indicia provided in the text messages from the on-line user are audibly conveyed to the telephony user. Similarly, emotional indicia provided by the telephony user in the form of actual emotions or commands are provided in text to the on-line user.

Abstract: A method includes integrating information regarding receiving, transmitting and converting capabilities of each device in a network with regard to signal formats, so that a pertinent transmission path can be determined. Such possible transmission paths can be specified in terms of the order of devices involved in the transmission paths and a signal format between these devices involved. One of the possible transmission paths that match the transmitting device and the transmitted signal format is selected as a pertinent transmission path. The method displays the selected transmission path on a monitor (305), to assist a user to manually establish a pertinent transmission path. According to one aspect of the invention, an apparatus includes a means for storing device capability information. Also included is a memory (306) for storing capability information of other devices. An analog input terminal (302) and a digital input/output terminal (300) are included.

Abstract: Perception of video clip is enabled in an instant messaging communications session by storing on a host system one or more video clips, receiving the request at the host system for a selected video clip to be delivered to an instant messaging participant system, accessing the selected video clip stored at the host system, and communicating the selected video clip from the host system to the instant messaging participant system for rendering in an instant messaging application running on the instant messaging participant system.

Abstract: An integrated circuit is provided to convert an analog telephone signal into a digital format. The integrated circuit includes an analog-digital converter coupled to an averager. Sampled analog values are averaged at intervals and compared to a threshold level to determine a digital value.

Abstract: A method for controlling additional service functions in a communications network, as well as an associated coujmincations network and an associated program, wherein data is transmitted between a number of terminals in the communications network using at least one identifier which is used to identify a connection in accordance with the first connection model, the connection identifier being converted to a least one indentifier which is used to identify a connection according to a second connection model which is provided for controlling call distribution from a computer so as to allow various international Standards to be satisfied at the same time.

Abstract: A method of transmitting and receiving text data via a communication device is provided. In one embodiment, an incoming message is received at a communication node. The node determines whether the incoming message comprises text data. If so, the incoming message is forwarded to a communication device. If not, the message is forwarded to a text interface. In another embodiment, an instruction signal is received at a communication node. Based on the instruction signal, a connection is established with a communication device. A text message is then received. The node determines if the device can receive the text-message. If so, the message is forwarded to the device. If not, the message is forwarded to a text interface.

Abstract: A method of enabling a legacy interactive voice response unit to accept multiple forms of user input can include associating dual tone multi-frequency selectable options of the legacy interactive voice response unit with non-dual tone multi-frequency user inputs. A non-dual tone multi-frequency user input can be received and processed to determine at least one dual tone multi-frequency selectable option that is associated with the received user input. Dual tone multi-frequency signals can be generated for selecting the at least one dual-tone multi-frequency selectable option associated with the user input. The dual tone multi-frequency signals can be provided to the legacy interactive voice response unit.

Abstract: The present invention aims at providing a portable radio communication apparatus in which forming of a message is easy. The portable radio communication apparatus is provided with a novel pre-message memory formed of a ROM or the like stored in which are fixed messages each consisting of fixed statements or fixed words as “CALL OFFICE AT XX:XX”. A transmitting message may be readily formed by selecting any of the fixed messages.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for integrating electronic mail, voice mail, and fax mail in a universal mailbox. Message receivers may access their messages with a telephone or a computer regardless of the communication medium used by the message sender. Using a telephone, message receivers may playback voice mail, redirect fax mail, and “listen” to e-mail through a text-to-speech conversion process. Using a computer and modem, message receivers may playback voice mail, view fax mail, and read e-mail by accessing the universal mailbox via connection software. Message senders and receivers may choose from a variety of filter and forward options that allow them to manage their communications via the universal mailbox. Forwarding and conversion of messages is performed automatically. The options are used to define a set of rules to be applied to inbound and outbound messages so that messages are sent and received in accordance with the preferences of the senders and receivers.

Abstract: According to this invention, a digital key telephone system connected to an analog public network NW having a function of transmitting a ringing signal including identification information of a calling line through a subscriber line (CO line), accommodating a plurality of extension lines each connected to a digital key telephone (DKT) 2 or a standard telephone (STT) 4 as an extension terminal, and having a function of switching and connecting the subscriber line to the plurality of extension lines or the extension lines to each other includes a called party storage means storing, in advance, information representing the correlation between the calling line and the extension terminals 2 and 4 as a called terminal. When a ringing signal arrives from the analog communication network NW, calling line identification information (caller ID) contained in the ringing signal is detected by a calling line identification information interface unit (RCIU) 12.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling on a worldwide basis two or more telecommunications networks which are themselves capable of exercising a form of common channel signaling network control. The system uses an architecture in which a destination telecommunications network having common channel signaling control is connected to an originating telecommunications network having common signaling control through a call set up and control methodology which provides ad hoc connection between the two spaced telecommunication networks and common channel signaling networks via an unrelated world wide data network which preferably constitutes the Internet.

Abstract: An email communication system employed in a packet switching network environment for transmission of an email message including at least one fax message for use by fax recipient(s), through the packet switching network environment, includes a network device for communication with one or more mail servers. The mail servers are responsive to an email message having at least one tax message received from an email user. The network device receives the email message, through a forward connection, from one of the mail servers and converts the received email message into the fax message for transmission thereof to at least one fax recipient.

Abstract: A method for data acquisition of data provided on an Internet site and a method for data communication to an Internet site is described. Data communication to the Internet site is performed in a predetermined data communication format and the Internet site is maintained on an Internet server. The data provided on the Internet site is automatically transformed at least partially into speech, and the data transformed into speech is communicated by speech telephony connection between a server-side speech telephony device and a remote speech telephony device of a user. The user is automatically offered data communication by a speech telephony connection between a remote speech telephony device of the user and a server-side speech telephony device using acoustic signals input by the user. The acoustic signals input by the user are automatically transformed into the predetermined data communication format and are communicated to the Internet site in this predetermined data communication format.

Abstract: A communication system is provided with a power supply budget such that portions of a phone line side circuit are powered from the TIP and RING phone lines while using standard electronic devices for the hookswitch circuits and the diode bridge circuit. For example, low voltage converters in the phone line side circuit are powered from the phone line. The low voltage converters operate off a low voltage power supply of approximately 2.5 V or less, more preferably operate off a low voltage power supply of approximately 2.0 V or less, and in one embodiment 1.9 V converters are utilized. In one embodiment, the communication system further includes a capacitive isolation barrier system for isolating the phone line side circuitry.

Abstract: An editing system for real-time remote transcription, such as may be used by deaf or hearing impaired individuals, displays transcribed text on a screen prior to transmission so that a human call assistant may identify words being held in a buffer by their spatial location on the screen to initiate a correction of those words either through speech or text entry.

Abstract: A networking modem capable of full duplex communication over a telephone line is adapted for use as a component of a computer system. The modem comprises a digital signal processor (DSP) capable of implementing a plurality of digital modulation and demodulation techniques, including pulse position modulation (PPM), quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK), and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM). The DSP implements a digital phase locked loop (DPLL), including a carrier NCO and a carrier detector to synchronize local demodulation timing to an incoming carrier signal. Available processing options include spectral agility for optimizing channel capacity, symbol shaping to compensate for evolving channel conditions, and echo cancellation.

Abstract: In a portable telephone set, an input audio signal such as an audio signal is received through a microphone (111), and is then amplified by an amplifier (112). The output of the latter (112) is applied through an analog-to-digital converter (113) to a DSP (301), where it is compressed and stored in a memory (303) with the aid of a CPU (302), or it is stored therein as it is. Here, an audio signal from outside which is stored in the portable telephone set can be used as a calling sound or alarm sound. Therefore, selection of calling sounds or alarm sounds in the portable telephone set of the invention is wider than in the conventional one.

Abstract: A device for detecting a predetermined waveform in a received signal and synchronizing the detected waveform to the predetermined waveform is disclosed. The device includes a memory element for storing a reference set of encoded values. The reference set representing an encoded version of the predetermined waveform. An encoder is used to PCM encode the signal to obtain sets of encoded values representing the received signal. A processor calculates the statistical correlation coefficient of the reference set and the signal sets. The processor then determines the maximum statistical correlation coefficient. The predetermined waveform is detected in the signal if the maximum statistical correlation coefficient is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold value. The device provides a compact, inexpensive, and fast method for detecting a known reference waveform in a received signal.

Abstract: The E-mail Card is the process of sending e-mail messages via the telephone. The process was made possible by integrating principles of telecommunications, computers, and the Internet. After dialing an access number and entering the PIN number, the customer is prompted by the server to say his or her message which is converted via voice recognition technology to text, inserted in e-mail to be sent. If the message is saved in voice form, it is attached to e-mail as a .wav file. In order to receive messages, an incoming text message is converted into a voice message that is played over the telephone. Possible additions to the present invention are features like a calling card, voice to fax, or e-mail to fax.

Abstract: A system for transmitting text messages over an enterprise network is disclosed. The system includes a network end device having a messaging application for constructing text message in a first format and a messaging server coupled to the network end device via the enterprise network for converting the text message from the first format to a second format. The messaging server may then forward text messages in the second format to a PBX via the enterprise network for transmitting the text message to one or more PBX phones. The messaging server may determine the PBX phones entitled to receive the message based on a stored policy rule.

Abstract: In one embodiment according to the invention, a telephonic apparatus includes an interface to a network, a memory adapted to store a telephone number, a text-to-speech module adapted to produce audible signals associated with the stored telephone number, a processor, and a local input unit. The local input unit is adapted to produce an input signal in response to user activation, and the processor is adapted to respond to the input signal by retrieving the stored telephone number from the memory and causing the text-to-speech module to produce the audible signals for transmission to the network via the interface. In an alternative embodiment according to the invention, a method of transmitting Caller ID data to a distant party includes the steps of receiving a local input command, retrieving stored Caller ID data in response to the local input command, producing audible signals based on the retrieved Caller ID data, and transmitting the audible signals to the distant party.

Abstract: A relay is described to facilitate communication through the telephone system between hearing users and users who need or desire assistance in understanding voice communications. To overcome the speed limitations inherent in typing, the call assistant at the relay does not type most words but, instead, re-voices the words spoken by the hearing user into a computer operating a voice recognition software package trained to the voice of that call assistant. The text stream created by the computer and the voice of the hearing user are both sent to the assisted user so that the assisted user can be supplied with a visual text stream to supplement the voice communications. A time delay in the transmission of the voice of the hearing user through the relay is of assistance in the assisted user comprehending the communications session.

Abstract: A system for providing demand responses to inquiries made by information consumers includes a database having a plurality of stored responses corresponding to inquiries made by an information consumer wherein each of the stored responses contains at least one stored item returnable to an information consumer in response to an inquiry. The returnable item of the stored response is of a preferred presentation media type that most effectively presents the returnable item. A real time inquiry response system receives inquiries submitted by information consumers from devices having a communications interface. Means are provided for correlating the consumer inquiries received by the real time inquiry response system with inquiry responses stored within the database.

Abstract: A telephone subscriber unit (22) includes a caller identification device (120), a memory unit (114), a pre-processor (124) and a text-to-speech synthesizer (TTS) (110). The caller identification device (120) receives caller ID information of a calling party in a first textual format and stores the caller ID information in the memory unit (114) The pre-processor (124) converts textual caller ID information from the first data format to a second data format suitable for text-to-speech synthesis by the text-to-speech synthesizer (110). The text-to-speech synthesizer (110) generates audible caller ID information responsive to receiving the textual caller information.

Abstract: A method and system for personalized multimedia messaging include multiple communication mode interfaces which enable the system to communicate with multiple types of communication devices. Caller profiles are configured for preselected callers such that each caller profile includes at least one caller identifier representative of data patterns in incoming. calls received over the communication modes. The caller profiles are selectively configured to include personalized messages intended for a subset of the preselected callers and can also include caller identity verification data. A caller identification subsystem monitors the communication modes for incoming calls which include the data patterns. Upon detecting one of the data patterns, a processor accesses a corresponding caller profile and determines if the caller profile includes a personalized message.

Abstract: Communication systems and methods are provided for selecting a channel for transmission of a facsimile utilizing a wireless communication network which has two different channel types available for wireless communications. In particular, systems and methods are provided which preferentially request one of the service types for a transmission of a facsimile but further provides for use of the alternate service type under conditions where a suitable channel is not available for the preferred facsimile support channel. More particularly, in one embodiment, when digital transmission services are not available, but analog services are available, facsimile transmission is provided over the analog channel rather than denying access to the wireless communication network for transmission of the facsimile.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for processing signals received on a R2 multifrequency compelled signalling subscriber channel within a telephone switch. The method includes the steps of disposing a digital signal processor within the telephone switch between an inbound path of the R2 multifrequency compelled signal subscriber channel and a controlling processor of the telephone switch and detecting an R2 multifrequency compelled signalling control transmission by the digital signal processor on the inbound path. The method further includes the steps of responding to the control transmission by the digital signal processor transmitting an acknowledgement on an outbound path of the subscriber channel and transferring a symbolic representation of the control transmission to the controlling processor of the switch.

Abstract: A subscriber, using a voice telephone set (12) may transmit a facsimile message to a recipient facsimile machine (14) by dialing a telephone number associated with a platform (22) in a telephone network (20) that provides outbound voice-to-facsimile service. Upon receipt of the call, the platform (22) prompts the caller for the message and the identity of the recipient facsimile machine (14). The platform (22) translates the message into a format appropriate for facsimile transmission and then launches a call to the recipient facsimile machine (14) to deliver the facsimile.

Abstract: A system provides messaging services by transmitting messages to groups of message recipients. The system receives a message from a subscriber in an input format and identifies the group of message recipients to receive the message (510). The system determines one or more output formats for the message for each of the message recipients in the group (530) and converts the message from the input format to the output format(s) when the output format(s) differ from the input format (540). The system then transmits the message to the group of message recipients in the output format(s) (550).

Abstract: A communications system is designed to allow sound-impaired persons to communicate with sound-unimpaired individuals via the Internet. When a sound-impaired person at a Text Teletypewriter (TTY) terminal initiates a call that is destined for a sound-unimpaired person, the communications system ascertains whether the sound unimpaired person is currently using the Internet and, if so, automatically completes the call over the Internet and the communications system without the help of any communications assistant.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which enables a multitude of dissimilar end-system devices, appliances, and platforms to interchange image information. The inventive method utilizes a directory database of end-user profiles, a session manager, a conversion manager, individual conversation processors, a queuing database, and a store-and-forward file-folder database. The system accommodates pre-subscribed end-users as well as non-subscription users. The system handles both real-time and store-and-forward communications modes. The present invention may be practiced as either a one-node or a multi-node distributed architecture, scalable as required, and may be either network-based or premises-based, or a hybrid combination of these. Communications transport both into and out of the node(s) can range from voiceband telephone on analog circuits to high speed channel or fact-packet protocol communications modes.

Abstract: A technique for reading speech mail or text E-mail stored in a computer by an external telephone uses an apparatus which includes: a text to speech converting service function, a speech sensing function, an E-mail managing function, and an E-mail down-loading function. The apparatus may use software which includes a program for calling the E-mail client of a computer by one of a public telephone, a cellular phone, and a portable computer having a speed phone capability, gaining access to the received E-mail, converting text E-mail into speech mail, and transmitting it to a receiver through a telephone line. Also, a computer periodically detects an E-mail server during the absence of a user and, when it is determined that there is received E-mail as a result of detecting the E-mail server, down-loads the E-mail and stores it in the computer. When urgent E-mail is received, the computer calls a receiver and informs him or her that urgent E-mail has arrived or transmits the urgent E-mail to the remote receiver.

Abstract: The invention provides a telecommunication relay device that relays communication from a first party to at least one second party. The first party and the second party may use terminals of different types such as telephone stations, text telephones, two-way pagers, personal digital assistants with communication capabilities, data network terminals, etc. The telecommunication relay device converts text received from text terminals into voice for voice terminals and converts voice to text and vice versa. The telecommunication relay device also permits the first party to leave messages for other parties. For example, the first party may send an e-mail message using a telephone station or receive an e-mail using a telephone station. In addition, the telecommunication relay device may open a private chat room to allow communication between data network terminals and telephone stations, for example.

Abstract: The present invention provides a centralized messaging service method and apparatus in which a message is sent to each of a subscriber's messaging services. When a sending party wishes to leave a message for a receiving party, the sending party activates his/her user device and enters the access number for the centralized message service. The centralized message service receives the communication signals from the sending party which include a receiving party identifier and the message to be sent. The centralized message service then retrieves profile information from a database corresponding to the messaging services of the receiving party based on the receiving party identifier entered by the sending party. The centralized message service then forwards the message to a portion of the receiving party's messaging services based on the profile information retrieved from the database.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling on a worldwide basis two or more telecommunications networks which are themselves capable of exercising a form of common channel signaling network control. The system uses an architecture in which a destination telecommunications network having common channel signaling control is connected to an originating telecommunications network having common signaling control through a call set up and control methodology which provides ad hoc connection between the two spaced telecommunication networks and common channel signaling networks via an unrelated world wide data network which preferably constitutes the Internet.

Abstract: A collaborative application system initiates a communication session over a network. The collaborative application system receives an identity of a called party and an identity of a collaborative application from a calling party. The calling party participates in the communication session at a first endpoint and the called party participates in the communication session at a second endpoint. Further, the collaborative application system determines a first endpoint type and a second endpoint type and selects a first version of the collaborative application based on the first endpoint type and a second version of the collaborative application based on the second endpoint type. The collaborative application system then retrieves and makes available the first version of the application to the calling party and second version of the application to the called party.

Abstract: A system for sending and receiving full motion, live, full duplex video of broadcast quality over existing telephone lines comprises apparatus for converting audio/video data recorded at a first location into a stream of packets, apparatus for reconverting the stream of packets into audio/video data to be presented at a second location, and apparatus for bypassing telephone company voice switches at central offices, thereby allowing the packets to travel directly from the local telephone lines to the long distance telephone network. The packets are created at the first location and are received at the second location and, in addition to encoded audio/video data, each packet contains a start flag, an end flag, and at least data specifying the encoding algorithm by which the encoded audio/video data was encoded.