Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling communication systems for the hearing impaired are disclosed. A portable communication device requests control over a plurality of communication devices. The portable communication device connects to and controls the plurality of communication devices. The portable communication device includes a user interface that enables a user to transfer a call from a first communication device to a second communication device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for enabling electronic communication with an audibly-impaired user are disclosed. A communication device receives a call from a video endpoint associated with a calling party, wherein the call is intended for the audibly-impaired user. If the audibly-impaired user is unavailable to receive the call, information is selected from a database with one or more entries associated with the audibly-impaired user. The one or more entries include a video greeting previously recorded by the audibly-impaired user and a text greeting previously entered by the audibly-impaired user. The video greeting and the text greeting are combined as a merged video stream. The merged video stream is then presented on the video endpoint associated with the calling party.

Abstract: A group routing server, communication devices, and related methods are described. The group routing server may comprise a processor operably coupled with communication elements and memory, and be configured to determine a destination communication device from among a plurality of communication devices to which an incoming call is to be routed, determine whether an assistive communication service is needed for providing interpretive services based, at least in part, on differing communication abilities between a far-end user associated with a far-end communication device initiating the incoming call and a near-end user associated with the destination communication device, route the incoming call to the assistive communication service according to the routing rules if the assistive communication device is determined to be needed, and route the incoming call directly to the communication service according to the routing rules if the assistive communication device is not determined to be needed.

Abstract: A video endpoint and related methods are disclosed. A video endpoint includes a control circuit configured to provide a user interface configured to enable a user to communicate with another user of another video endpoint with text during video communications with the other user. The user interface is also configured to enable the user to select from text strings stored in a database. A method of operating the video endpoint includes transmitting data corresponding to a selected one of the text strings stored in the database to the other video endpoint during the video communications responsive to the user selecting the selected one of the text strings. A method of transforming a computing device into a video endpoint includes storing computer-readable instructions directed to performing the functions of the control circuit on one or more servers, and transmitting the computer-readable instructions to the computing device.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for distributing images corresponding to communication endpoints. A system includes one or more servers configured to determine whether image privacy settings corresponding to images of communication endpoints permit the images to be transmitted to others of the communication endpoints for display with contacts lists of the others of the communication endpoints. A method includes transmitting the data corresponding to the images to the others of the communication endpoints as permitted by the image privacy settings. A communication endpoint is configured to present a contacts list displaying the images corresponding to communication endpoints listed in the contacts list to a user, if permitted by the corresponding image privacy settings.

Abstract: A communication system comprises a server configured to associate a plurality of communication devices with each other in a user group. Each communication device of the plurality of communication devices is associated with a group-wide individual unique identifier that is unique as to other members of the same group; a network-wide individual unique identifier that is unique as to other communication devices of the network; and a group unique identifier that is shared with the plurality of communication devices of the user group. A method comprises receiving a call request including a group-wide individual unique identifier, and sending an outgoing call to the individual communication device. The group-wide individual unique identifier is unique to an individual communication device within a user group of communication devices that is smaller than a number of communication devices configured for communication on a network.

Abstract: A video endpoint and related methods are disclosed. A video endpoint includes a control circuit configured to provide a user interface configured to enable a user to communicate with another user of another video endpoint with text during video communications with the other user. The user interface is also configured to enable the user to select from text strings stored in a database. A method of operating the video endpoint includes transmitting data corresponding to a selected one of the text strings stored in the database to the other video endpoint during the video communications responsive to the user selecting the selected one of the text strings. A method of transforming a computing device into a video endpoint includes storing computer-readable instructions directed to performing the functions of the control circuit on one or more servers, and transmitting the computer-readable instructions to the computing device.

Abstract: Communication systems, video endpoints, and related methods are described. A video endpoint is configured to receive commands corresponding to functions of the video endpoint from a mobile electronic device responsive to a user interacting with a remote control interface of the mobile electronic device. The functions include in-call functions. A method includes performing the functions responsive to receiving the commands from the mobile electronic device. A method of transforming a mobile electronic device into a remote control device for the video endpoint includes storing computer-readable instructions at one or more servers. The computer-readable instructions are configured to instruct the mobile electronic device to provide the remote control interface and transmit the commands to the video endpoint.

Abstract: High-speed video interfaces, video endpoints, and related methods are disclosed. A high-speed video interface includes a system cable, a remote camera unit, and a main processing unit. The system cable includes one or more twisted pairs. A method includes capturing near-end video images including multi-channel, high-definition video data, serializing the video data, and transmitting the serialized video data to the main processing unit through a single one of the one or more twisted pairs of the system cable with the remote camera unit. The method also includes deserializing the serialized video data with the main processing unit. A video endpoint configured to enable an audibly impaired user to participate in video communication sessions for audibly impaired users includes the high-speed video interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling communication systems for the hearing impaired are disclosed. A portable communication device requests control over a plurality of communication devices. The portable communication device connects to and controls the plurality of communication devices. The portable communication device includes a user interface that enables a user to transfer a call from a first communication device to a second communication device.

Abstract: Devices and methods for creating and administering a user group with a user interface of a communication device. One or more servers are configured to address the communication device with an individual unique identifier assigned to the communication device. The one or more servers are also configured to address the communication device with a group unique identifier assigned to the new user group.

Abstract: Visual assistance systems and related methods are disclosed. A visual assistance system includes a visual assistance service configured to receive and display images from a user device on an electronic display for a live assistant. The visual assistance service is also configured to transmit assistant audio from the live assistant conveying information derived by the live assistant's review of the images. A visual assistance system comprises a user device configured to capture and transmit the images to the visual assistance service. The user device is also configured to receive the assistant audio from the visual assistance service, and reproduce the assistant audio to a user of the user device. The user is registered with the visual assistance service as having at least a minimum level of visual disability. A method of operating the visual assistance system includes receiving the images from, and transmitting the assistant audio to the user device.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for notifying a group of communication devices about a missed call are disclosed. Each communication device is associated with a group identifier that is shared with all the communication devices in a group. Each communication device is also associated with an individual identifier that is unique to that communication device. An unanswered communication to the group identifier is received on all the communication devices in the group. A first communication device transmits to a remote server an acknowledgement notification that the unanswered communication related to the group identifier has been acknowledged by the user. A clear indicator indicating that the unanswered communication has been acknowledged is transmitted from the remote server to all the devices in the group except the first communication device. Each of the communication devices receiving the clear indicator can then clear its indicator that notifies the user of a missed call.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for enabling electronic communication with an audibly-impaired user are disclosed. A communication device receives a call from a video endpoint associated with a calling party, wherein the call is intended for the audibly-impaired user. If the audibly-impaired user is unavailable to receive the call, information is selected from a database with one or more entries associated with the audibly-impaired user. The one or more entries include a video greeting previously recorded by the audibly-impaired user and a text greeting previously entered by the audibly-impaired user. The video greeting and the text greeting are combined as a merged video stream. The merged video stream is then presented on the video endpoint associated with the calling party.