Abstract: A privacy management system is disclosed for when a calling party has a private telephone number. Privacy screening services allow a subscriber to manage and monitor incoming telephone calls, such that unwanted calls are not terminated to the subscriber. When a calling party calls the subscriber to this privacy screening service, the privacy management system manages the call according to whether the calling party number is known and public, known and private, or unknown. If the calling party number is known and public, the call is routed to the subscriber. If, however, the calling party is known and private, an announcement is played to the calling party, asking the calling party for permission to override his or her privacy. If the calling party is unknown, the calling party is asked to record his/her name.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for selecting the content of Internet Call-Waiting messages. One method includes providing a selection of content for an Internet Call-Waiting message and allowing a customer/user to select the content of the Internet Call-Waiting message. The customer/user may select graphics, animation, and sound to accompany the Internet Call-Waiting message. Once the content is selected, the customer/user may then associate the content with a telephone number.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing advanced telephony services to telephone numbers served by telecommunications networks lacking the infrastructure to provide these advanced services directly are described. In an embodiment of the present invention, a service-providing network, which has the capability of providing advanced telephony services to a service subscriber for calls that traverse it, provides advanced telephony services to 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 advanced services. In one embodiment, the system uses a virtual number to map a service in the service-provider network with a device in the native transport network.

Abstract: A personal interactive voice response system with a web-based interface allowing the user to specify treatment of incoming calls based on voice or touchtone responses provided by the calling party. A graphical user interface available over a computer network, such as the Internet, allows the user to personalize greetings that callers hear, as well as customizing treatment of callers based on the caller's response. The user may record an initial greeting or other messages, either over the telephone or over the Internet, so that the messages are played to callers in the user's voice. Additionally, the user may enter text, via a PC or wireless device connected to the Internet, that is played back for the caller, based on the caller's response, via text-to-speech conversion using voice extensible markup language technology. Resulting actions, such as call forwarding, distinctive ringing, or remote notification of the incoming call may also be included.

Abstract: The driver cap assembly of this invention includes a tubular body and a driver sleeve that may be positioned over and/or about an end of a shafted body. A force is applied to the driver cap such that the other end of the shafted body is driven into a surface. The driver cap facilitates a variety of shaft sizes and shapes. Alternate embodiments of this invention disclose a driver cap assembly that includes a tubular body and an H-shaped sleeve.

Abstract: A network-based personal dialing plan that allows a user to associate dialing strings of any length with easy-to-remember, user-selected aliases. A user may also define dialing rules, such as automatically adding digits to the directory number when the called number would be a long distance call from the calling location. A user may access the system to create or modify the user's personal dialing plan by voice telephone call (in a network having VXML capability), web interface, or other device, such as a wireless application protocol (WAP) phone or wireless personal digital assistant (PDA).

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for enhancing telephone line records with Global Positioning System coordinates. One embodiment acquires Global Positioning System information and provides the Global Positioning System information to assemble a telephone line record.

Abstract: Data is transmitted to and obtained by selected wireless devices in a wireless network without assignment of a unique network address (UNA) to the wireless devices. The data is transmitted over a broadcast and the wireless device obtains the data from the broadcast. Specifically, a wireless device is provisioned with a hardware serial number (HSN) and generic access numbers (GANs). The wireless device registers using the HSN and a randomly selected GAN. The service provider assigns and transmits a broadcast access number (BAN). The wireless device uses the BAN to access data from a broadcast from the service provider.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering a notification of an email arrival to one or more customer premises equipment to alert users that an email has been received at a mail server. The systems and methods comprise receiving a message on an application server where the message includes at least an email addressee. The application server uses the email addressee to lookup a subscriber's directory number or an internet protocol address and user name associated with the email addressee. Based at least in part on this information, the application server sends an instruction a service control point (if the lookup returns a directory number) or to the internet protocol address (if the lookup returns such an address). If the instruction is sent to a service control point, then the service control point causes an advanced intelligent node to initiate a call to the subscriber directory number and send a signal to the telephone customer premises equipment.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for accessing a Network Interface Device of a telecommunications network. The apparatus has a main body and a wrench. The main body has a first end, a second end, and an interior cavity. The interior cavity is open at the first end and extends into an interior region of the main body. The interior cavity is bound by a side wall and terminates within the main body at an end wall. The wrench is a 216-Type can wrench extending from the second end of the main body. The 216-Type can wrench has a thin-walled, polygonally-shaped interior cross-section.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for routing a communication cable within a crawlspace. The apparatus has a chain dangling from a means for supporting the apparatus. A generally hook-shaped saddle supports a communications cable thereacross. The saddle has a crown, a stem downwardly extending from the crown, and a generally semi-circular section outwardly extending from the stem and forming the saddle. The crown includes an open-ended slot for sliding onto a link of the chain. The crown can be positioned along the chain, thus varying the height of the saddle along the chain and helping maintain a desired routing of the communication cable.

Abstract: A system routes local toll-free calls dialed to a toll-free number via local switches and network onto interconnecting local providers with local access settlement rates, thereby allowing a local rather than toll cost structure. The system operates with existing a subscriber's existing toll-free service provider. When an originating number is identified as an LCA or intraLATA call, the system routes the local toll-free call from the SCP network to participating local switches that service the subscriber's terminating number. The originating calls are separated between the LCA and the rest of the LATA based upon the NPA-NXXs that are considered local to the subscriber's terminating number. The system also provides for routing local toll free calls and for reporting each local toll free call to the subscriber.

Abstract: A tool for automating management of software development and deployment processes. The tool is made up of a series of lists or databases tracking various information related to the software releases and individual software components making up the releases. The tool includes a user interface for receiving build requests from users. When a build request is received from a user, the tool checks a user list to verify that the user's role allows the request, and the tool executes the build script associated with the component, and updates a status associated with the build request. Builds are automatically sent to target nodes in pre-determined environments for testing or for operational deployment. The tool stores the code in the correct directory locations and install the code for use. The tool further allows tester to grade software and provide feedback and test results to the developers and configuration managers for further development.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for marking telephone calls from a subscriber to an Internet Service Provider (“ISP”) with a class of service marker. Using this system and method, subscribers can obtain enhanced connections to their ISPs based on their class of service. An ISP can designate several different levels, or classes of service which their subscribers may choose. Generally, with higher the classes of service, the subscriber will have a greater opportunity for a successful dial-up connection to the ISP. The telephone service provider uses a class of service scheme provided by the ISP to determine the best route for the call. Additionally, the class of service marker is made available to the ISP in a manner such that the ISP can determine the caller's class of service without actually answering the call. Thus, two levels of enhanced ISP connections are provided. First, the telephone service provider (“telco”) can use the COS to determine the best route for each individual call.

Abstract: The present invention relates to systems and methods for monitoring and intercepting messages to a voicemail system connected to an AIN or WIN network for screening calls incoming to a landline or wireless telephone. After a call is forwarded to voicemail system, the called party is provided an opportunity to monitor a message as it is spoken into a voicemail system. The called party may intercept the message at any time during delivery of the message to answer the telephone call.

Abstract: A hand-held remote control unit for controlling the operation of a television and other electronic audio/video components, such as a VCR, DVD player, or home stereo, operates in a different mode for use as a video game controller. The location and position of the push buttons on the remote controller unit are arranged such that a subset of the buttons that are used for the television remote control are operable in a different mode as a video game controller. A user rotates the remote control unit from a vertically upright position to a horizontal position to use the remote control unit for operating a video gaming system. When used as a video game controller, the controller indicates which of the subset of buttons on the remote control are to be used for operating the video game.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing privacy screening service during telephone calls. One method monitors a telephone call for a call screening request. The telephone call is from a calling telephone number to a called telephone number. An action is taken in response to the call screening request. The action could be playing an announcement, terminating the connection, forwarding to voice mail, storing the calling telephone number in a database, adding the calling telephone number to a Do Not Call list, updating a subscriber's profile with the calling telephone number, and/or storing the calling telephone number in a subscriber's blocked call list. The call screening request may comprise a Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency, a softkey entry, and/or a data message.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing information about a user's communications. The inventions allow a user to obtain information correlated or corresponding to a communication. In addition, the inventions allow a user to take action based on the information about a communication or the correlated or corresponding information. An exemplary system includes a telecommunications (telecom) manager connected to a telecommunications network; a gateway connected to a data network; and a communications manager that may communicate with the telecom manager and the gateway. In addition, the communications manager may store information about a user's communication preferences. The preferences may include a preference for presentation of information correlated or corresponding to a communication. The communications manager obtains information correlated or corresponding to a communication from its own resources, from the telecom manager, or from the gateway.

Abstract: Web based clients using embodiments of the disclosed invention may efficiently access stored manipulation functions in order to perform manipulation functions on data via Internet applications. The disclosed system allows web based applications to receive manipulation services on data using dynamically maintained, centrally stored, manipulation functions.

Abstract: A method for notifying an internet browser user of an incoming telephone call is performed by internet call notification software residing on the user's computer and software residing within a telephone network. A user selects the location of the internet notification software as a home page for the browser. The home page prompts the user for activation of internet call notification. If the user requests internet call notification, the software transmits an internet protocol address to the telephone network. The network then stores the internet protocol address for the user. When a call is made to the user, the telephone network accesses a database to retrieve the stored internet protocol address. The network then transmits a message to the user's software to notify the user of the incoming call. The software displays a window containing information about the telephone call. If the user chooses to accept the call, the software closes the browser and connects the telephone call to the user.