Abstract: The endpoint status notification system includes an address book of network user's names and their associated endpoints. A user selects a personal list of contacts from the address book and receives an instant message alert upon every occurrence of a reportable event for one of the contacts on the list. Alerts are informational status messages pertaining to the contact and are delivered unbeknownst to the contact. Preferably, alerts are popup windows displayed for a preset amount of time, however audible alerts are available in lieu of or in combination with the popups. Reportable events are selected by the user for each of the contacts on the list and may differ from contact to contact. Simultaneous with the alert, the user may be provided a call-control option related to the reportable event and pertaining to the contact. If selected, the call-control option causes a telecommunication function to immediately occur.

Abstract: A remote access system between a remote client and an office telephone via a packet network on a point-to-point basis is provided. The office center includes a web server having a web page stored thereon and a PBX system. During a remote session, incoming communications to the PBX continue to flow to the office telephone and then are routed to the remote client. The remote client is able to view, manage and control the events as if the worker was at the office. Alternatively, the office telephone may establish a remote session with the remote client on a point-to-point basis such that all communications to the remote client flow to the office workstation. Additionally, the office telephone and remote client may have connectivity devices coupled to them so data from the connectivity devices can be viewed, managed and controlled at a remote location.

Abstract: A communication device for visually impaired persons assists the user to determine the function of each key and input on the modern-day device. The communication device includes a plurality of surface sensors that when activated, guide the user in call placement, routing, control options and general communications. The device may include a vibration feature that causes an area on the device to vibrate. A whisper audio feature may audibly coach the user when sensed areas are touched. Additionally, a networked device may provide third party assistance to the user. The techniques of the various embodiments provide effective guidance without disrupting the user, the called party or others in proximity to the user, such as in an office-type environment.

Abstract: An architecture for resource management in a telecommunications network includes two or more nodes connected over a logically direct path in a peer-to-peer manner. At each node, local events typically trigger the node to transmit a broadcast to every other node. Broadcast information comprises a status of the local node's resources. Remote nodes receive the local node's broadcast and independently transmit their own broadcasts with similar information. Each node stores the received broadcast information in a local storage for future retrieval. When a session is desired with a remote node, the local node simply retrieves the remote node's resource status information from its local storage and determines if a session can occur. In this manner, every node of the network is aware of the nodal addresses of the other nodes, remote node's resource status, and can quickly retrieve, from its own local storage, the availability of the remote node's resources.

Abstract: A system and method for registering one or more networked endpoints devices includes indicating each user account to be associated with a registered endpoint. Each user account is assigned a unique PIN that will be used during registration of an endpoint. Once the endpoint is connected to the communication network, the system prompts the endpoint for a PIN. The PIN may be entered manually or electronically at the endpoint device. The system matches the PIN to its associated user account and sends the endpoint configuration files. The system retrieves the MAC address from the endpoint (which is generally stored within the endpoint device) and replaces the PIN with the MAC address. The endpoint is now registered on the network without the tedious task of manually entering long strings of addressing data.

Abstract: A firmware distribution system is disclosed with particular application to integrating a plurality of ancillary endpoints into an existing network of endpoints. The ancillary endpoints being coupled to an isolated network and a master device downloading the desired firmware to the ancillary endpoints in a peer-to-peer distribution. An administrator may be coupled to the isolated network for providing a management and control mechanism for an installer. Once the ancillary network has the firmware loaded, the network may be tested prior to integration with the existing network of endpoints. Upon verification of the download and operation of the ancillary endpoints, the ancillary endpoints can be readily integrated with the existing network without major disruption to the existing network.

Abstract: A system and method for data attachment to live call transfers allows the call recipient to attach data to a call, unbeknownst to the caller, and transfer the call and the data to a second recipient. Attached data can be subsequently retrieved, viewed, modified or deleted by the second recipient. The attached data remains with the call as it transferred about a businesses communication system for display at recipient endpoints.

Abstract: A method of self-discovery and self-calibration is provided for allowing arbitrary placement of audio and video components in a multimedia conferencing system. In particular, one or more markers are provided on the audio components (e.g. microphone arrays, etc.) that are detectable by the video components (e.g. cameras). A unique signature (e.g. flashing sequence, color, etc.) characterizes each marker so that its exact location relative to the camera may be calculated. A self-calibration operation is then performed to relate, regulate and standardize dimensions and locations in the conferencing environment to the video system.

Abstract: A conferencing unit, comprising an array of microphones embedded in a diffracting object configured to provide a desired high frequency directivity response at predetermined microphone positions, and a low frequency beamformer operable to achieve a desired low frequency directivity response, wherein the beamformer is linearly constrained to provide a smooth transition between low and high frequency directivity responses.

Abstract: A prompt translation application for use in a telecommunications messaging system provides an administrator with a plurality of messaging prompts in a base language for revising, translating, and editing. The administrator can nearly simultaneously revise both a visual component of a prompt and an audio component of the prompt, and save the revisions for use on any number of associated endpoints. In the preferred embodiments, revisions to the visual component are made by user input, such as keystrokes, and to the audio component by selection of audio segments to be played in a particular order.

Abstract: A system and method for automatic identification and integration of audio/visual devices in a room for multi-media conferencing operation. Each device includes a circuit that periodically emits a signal that is recognized by another device. Upon receiving the signal, the other devices respond with information relating to how they can inter-communicate with each other over one or more networks they are connected to. An ad-hoc conferencing network is established between the integrated devices, such that the quality of multi-media conferencing is improved through the use of all the available devices within a room. The signal is preferably one that is confined to a room, and a specific protocol can be implemented to manage the exchange of information between the devices.

Abstract: A user enabled application for monitoring the presence of a PDA connected to a network via a cradle and, in response, ringing a phone in the vicinity of the PDA. The display on the telephone displays a message that asks the user to enter an access code via the telephone dialpad. If the user enters the correct access code then nothing happens and the phone continues to work as normal. If, however, the correct access code is not entered, the system communicates the unauthorized removal of the PDA to pre-selected phone numbers, pager numbers or email addresses. Appropriate steps can then be taken to try to and recover the missing device.

Abstract: A precoding circuit for minimizing distortion of an input signal in a communication channel having a compound transfer function in the Z-Domain: H(z)=(1+a1.z?1+a2.z?2+a3.z31 3+ . . . +an.z?n)/(1+b1.z?+b2.z?2+b?3.z?3+ . . . +bp.z?p). A feedback circuit comprises a first FIR filter and a transfer function corresponding to the inverse of a feedforward part of a transfer function of the communication channel. A feedforward circuit comprises a second FIR filter and a transfer function corresponding to the inverse of a feedback part of a transfer function of the communication channel. A first subtracting circuit subtracts a feedback signal of the feedback circuit from a feedforward signal of the feedforward circuit and outputs a difference signal which is added to a transmit end signal by a first adding circuit.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data through an analogue channel from an analogue modem to a digital modem includes encoding data inputted to the analogue modem. An encoder encodes data inputted into the analogue modem into corresponding constellation points of a one-dimensional constellation. During initial handshaking a microprocessor in the digital modem computes the constellation points of the constellation so that mid points between adjacent constellation points coincide with mid points between adjacent codec levels. The computed constellation points of the constellation are transmitted along with the value of the largest constellation point and its corresponding codec level to the analogue modem. By selecting the mid points between the constellation points to correspond with mid points between adjacent codec levels the noise margin is significantly enhanced.