Abstract: A system and method for processing a plurality of requests for a plurality of multi-media services received at a Private Service Exchange (PSX) defined on the system from a plurality of IP-communication devices. The system further includes a media server (MS) coupled to the PSX and to at least one IP Service Control Point (IP-SCP), which is operative to process the plurality of requests for the plurality of multi-media services. The IP-SCP further selectively directs the requests to the media server, which operates to form a preliminary multi-media communication path with a calling communication device. The MS further operates to play a plurality of announcements to the calling communication device over the preliminary multi-media communication path, as well as to collect caller-entered data from the calling communication device over the preliminary multi-media communication path.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing bit rates by replacing original texture in a video sequence with synthesized texture. Reducing the bit rate of the video sequence begins by identifying and removing selected texture from frames in a video sequence. The removed texture is analyzed to generate texture parameters. New texture is synthesized using the texture parameters in combination with a set of constraints. Then, the newly synthesized texture is mapped back into the frames of the video sequence from which the original texture was removed. The resulting frames are then encoded. The bit rate of the video sequence with the synthesized texture is less than the bit rate of the video sequence with the original texture. Also, the ability of a decoder to decode the new video sequence is not compromised because no assumptions are made about the texture synthesis capabilities of the decoder.

Abstract: When using finite-state devices to perform various functions, it is beneficial to use finite state devices representing regular grammars with terminals having markup-language-based semantics. By using markup-language-based symbols in the finite state devices, it is possible to generate valid markup-language expressions by concatenating the symbols representing the result of the performed function. The markup-language expression can be used by other applications and/or devices. Finite-state devices are used to convert strings of words and gestures into valid markup-language, for example, XML, expressions that can be used, for example, to provide an application program interface to underlying system applications.

Abstract: Systems for improving or generating a spoken language understanding system using a multitask learning method for intent or call-type classification. The multitask learning method aims at training tasks in parallel while using a shared representation. A computing device automatically re-uses the existing labeled data from various applications, which are similar but may have different call-types, intents or intent distributions to improve the performance. An automated intent mapping algorithm operates across applications. In one aspect, active learning is employed to selectively sample the data to be re-used.

Abstract: A Virtual Single Account (VSA) system and method that provides a mobile user with automatic authentication and connection to a remote network via local access networks with a single password, where the local access networks may be independent of the remote network. A mobile user has a single authentication credential for one VSA that is utilized by a VSA client installed on a mobile computing device. The VSA client provides for automatically authenticating and connecting the user's mobile device to a current local access network, and the target remote network such as the user's office network. All authentication credentials are encrypted using a key generated from the user's VSA password that is generated from the user's single password. The VSA client derives the key from the submitted VSA password and decrypts all authentication credentials that are required in order to connect the mobile device to the current local access network and thereafter to the office network.

Abstract: A Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message adapted for use by a multi-media services provider system to form a multi-media communication path between at least a calling communication device adapted to operate using a first protocol (e.g. SIP) and at least a destination communication device adapted to operate using a second protocol, such as Integrated Services Digital Network User Part (ISUP). The SIP message includes a header region having a number of header fields, a first body region having Session Description Protocol (SDP) information related to the calling communication device and a second body region having ISUP related addressing information associated with the destination communication device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing PBX-like functionality at a mobile location includes the capability of maintaining a network session with a mobile number associated with a remote worker. The system utilizes a remote office platform interposed between a data communications network and a conventional PBX switch. A remotely located individual (such as a telecommuter) “logs in” to the remote office platform and, once the individual is authenticated, PBX-like communication with the mobile device is established. If the device is a computer-enabled device and includes a display, the platform can enable a graphical user interface emulating a PBX station set to the device. Alternatively, the remote worker can enter either spoken commands or series of DTMF sequences to utilize the PBX-like features. For these applications, the remote office platform includes a speech recognition module and a translation table for converting a sequence of DTMF tones into a PBX-like call feature (e.g., transfer, hold, mute, etc.).

Abstract: A network-based system and method for providing anonymous voice communications using the telephone network and data communications links under the direction of a Call Broker and associated network elements. A user (the call initiator) present in a text chat room session establishes a data connection to Call Broker and, after qualifying for access (e.g., using credit card information) and providing a callback number, receives voice session information and participant access codes for each desired participant in a voice call. The initiator causes session information and participant codes to be passed to one or more selected chat participants in the current text chat room. When a selected participant uses the received session information, and enters the received participant code and a callback number, the Call Broker in cooperation with a Network Adjunct Processor (NAP) completes voice links to the initiator and the selected participant(s).

Abstract: An apparatus, a method, and a machine-readable medium are provided for characterizing differences between two language models. A group of utterances from each of a group of time domains are examined. One of a significant word change or a significant word class change within the plurality of utterances is determined. A first cluster of utterances including a word or a word class corresponding to the one of the significant word change or the significant word class change is generated from the utterances. A second cluster of utterances not including the word or the word class corresponding to the one of the significant word change or the significant word class change is generated from the utterances.

Abstract: A method of processing multi-media service requests received at a multi-media services provider computer system, including a processor coupled to a media gateway controller and to a media server. The method includes receiving a message from a SIP INVITE-enabled communication device at the media gateway controller. The message is processed at the media gateway controller for generating an instruction message with unique indicators, which is communicated to the media server in a SIP INVITE format. The media server processes the instruction message to provide media services and collect user-information from the communication device. The media server processes the user-information and generates a first message in an HTTP form POST format with unique indicators, which includes the user-information and which can be processed at the processor. In this manner, the multi-media services provider computer system is compatible with the SIP INVITE-enabled device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a user to signal to the network that a call to be initiated or a call that is in progress needs to occur in a peer-to-peer relationship with the terminating endpoint. The network will then remove itself from the call signaling and media path and direct the signaling and media communication to occur directly between the two endpoints.

Abstract: A frame erasure concealment technique for a bitstream-based feature extractors in a speech recognition system particularly suited for use in a wireless communication system operates to “delete” each frame in which an erasure is declared. The deletions thus reduce the length of the observation sequence, but have been found to provide for sufficient speech recognition based on both single word and “string” tests of the deletion technique.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for building a spoken language understanding model. Labeled data may be obtained for a target application. A new classification model may be formed for use with the target application by using the labeled data for adaptation of an existing classification model. In some implementations, the existing classification model may be used to determine the most informative examples to label.

Abstract: A method and system for description of synthetic audiovisual content makes it easier for humans, software components or devices to identify, manage, categorize, search, browse and retrieve such content. For instance, a user may wish to search for specific synthetic audiovisual objects in digital libraries, Internet web sites or broadcast media; such a search is enabled by the invention. Key characteristics of synthetic audiovisual content itself such as the underlying 2d or 3d models and parameters for animation of these models are used to describe it. More precisely, to represent features of synthetic audiovisual content, depending on the description scheme to be used, a number of descriptors are selected and assigned values. The description scheme instantiated with descriptor values is used to generate the description, which is then stored for actual use during query/search.

Abstract: A method for providing combined local, toll, toll-free services, and number portability, to a calling party originating calls from an IP-based communication devices which are coupled to an IP-based multi-media service provider. The method includes receiving a SIP INVITE message, which includes a multi-media service identifier, at the multi-media provider. The SIP INVITE message represents a call request for a multi-media service. The SIP INVITE message is processed at the multi-media service provider for determining if the call request can be satisfied. If the multi-media service provider includes resources for satisfying the call, the multi-media service identifier of the SIP INVITE message is set to a first predetermined state and the call is processed. If the multi-media service provider does not include resources for satisfying the call, the multi-media service identifier of the SIP INVITE message is set to a second predetermined state and the call is processed elsewhere.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing protection for mail servers in networks such as the packet networks are disclosed. For example, the present method detects a mail server is reaching its processing limit. The method then selectively limits connections to the mail server from a plurality of source nodes based on a spam index associated with each of the source nodes.

Abstract: A dialog manager and spoken dialog service having a dialog manager generated according to a method comprising selecting a top level flow controller based on application type, selecting available reusable subdialogs for each application part, developing a subdialog for each application part not having an available subdialog and testing and deploying the spoken dialog service using the selected top level flow controller, selected reusable subdialogs and developed subdialogs. The dialog manager capable of handling context shifts in a spoken dialog with a user. Application dependencies are established in the top level flow controller thus enabling the subdialogs to be reusable and to be capable of managing context shifts and mixed initiative dialogs.

Abstract: Network resources for a call between a calling party and a called party are allocated. The network resources for the call are reserved based on a reservation request. The network resources are reserved before any one network resource from the reserved network resources is committed. The reserved network resources for the call are committed when a called party indicates acceptance for the call.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VOIP)-enabled device having a unique identifier and including a receiver. The receiver is configured to receive data associated with a current geographic position of the VOIP-enabled device. The VOIP-enabled device is configured to transmit a signal including the unique identifier and the data associated with the position to a network each time a call is initiated. In other embodiments, a method includes determining a current position of a VOIP-enabled device associated with a unique identifier, and transmitting a signal including data associated with the current position to an IP gateway either before or after a call is initiated from the VOIP-enabled device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for organizing information in a world wide web page format. In one embodiment, information is received from a user (e.g., via a graphical user interface) and transformed into a world wide web page. The world wide web page is displayed to the user as the information is received (e.g., in substantially real time), so that the user can view the world wide web page as he or she constructs it. The invention therefore requires little to know prior programming knowledge.