Abstract: A communication management system operates with a packet switched local area network and includes a PSTN interface for communicating over a telephone line with a service provider central office. The system comprises means for establishing a logical channel over the packet switched local area network to support a real time communication session with a real time communication device in response to receiving session signaling from the real time communication device; means for controlling the PSTN interface to transition the telephone line to an off hook state in response to receiving session signaling; and translation means for providing digital audio over the logical channel, the digital audio representing a dial tone received on the telephone line from the central office and providing one of a plurality of dual tone multi frequency signals on the telephone line in response to receipt of data from the real time communication device corresponding to the one of a plurality of dual tone multi frequency signals.

Abstract: A real time communication device is provided for operation with a packet switched network interconnecting the real time communication device with a control unit and at least one other real time communication devices. The device may comprise a network interface for communicating over the packet switched local area network and means for establishing a logical channel over the packet switched network with an endpoint to support the exchange of real time streaming media with the endpoint during a media session. The endpoint may be an endpoint selected from the group of endpoints consisting of the control unit and the other real time communication devices. The device may further comprise means for providing a notice message to at least one subscription device. The subscription device may be selected from the group of subscription devices consisting of the control unit and a other real time communication devices.

Abstract: A packet-switched data communication system includes a network interface configured to couple to a packet-switched network, a communication session module coupled to the network interface and configured to establish a communication session with a telecommunication device through the packet-switched network, a communication processing module coupled to the network interface and configured to receive real-time communication data, arrange the communication data in a sequence of packets, and send the sequence of packets to the network interface, and an encryption module coupled to the communication processing module and configured to selectively encrypt the received communication data in response to an encryption indication received via the network interface.

Abstract: A real time communication device is provided for operation with a packet switched network interconnecting the real time communication device with a control unit and a plurality of remote real time communication devices. The device comprises a network interface for communicating over the packet switched network. The device further comprises means for establishing a logical channel to support a media session over the packet switched network with an endpoint. The endpoint is an endpoint selected from the group of endpoints consisting of the control unit and a one of the plurality of remote real time communication devices. The device further comprises means for sending a multicast status message on the packet switched network addressed to a multicast group. The multicast group comprises any of the remote real time communication devices that have joined the multicast group. The multicast status message announces a state of the real time communication device.

Abstract: One aspect of the invention provides a method performed by the control unit for controlling external electronic systems coupled to a LAN. One embodiment of the method includes receiving a first signal from a first subscriber station. Responsive to the first signal, the method forwards a tagged subscriber station message to the first subscriber station. The tagged subscriber station message is applicable to the subscriber interface of the first subscriber station. The method receives a second signal from the first subscriber station based at least in part on the tagged subscriber station message. The method forwards a tagged external system message that includes a control command to at least one external system based at least in part on the second signal from the first subscriber station.

Abstract: The multi-media communication management system comprises a controller that interfaces with a plurality of subscriber stations and with one or more communication medium service providers. The controller provides video conference services to the subscriber stations. To provide video conference services, the controller receives an indication of a plurality of conference session participants. The controller identifies a participating subscriber station that is serving a subscriber device associated with each conference session participant. A conference mix module establishes a streaming media communication channel with each participating subscriber station for receiving an audio signal from the participating subscriber station and for sending a mixed audio signal to the participating subscriber station.

Abstract: The multi-media communication management system comprises a controller that interfaces with a subscriber station that includes an interface for coupling to a subscriber device. The subscriber device receives subscriber emails over a wide area network communication link to an email server. The system comprises a email interface system for establishing communications with a remote email server coupled to a service provider network and receiving subscriber emails directed to the remote email server and a subscriber device email interface system for establishing communications with the subscriber station at which a subscriber device is coupled and receiving subscriber emails that were provided to the subscriber device over the wide area network. The system generates inbox content and provides the inbox content to the subscriber station for display on a display associated with the subscriber station.

Abstract: The caller managed hold system enables a caller, when their incoming call is placed in a hold state, to manage the program materials that are transmitted to them. In addition, the identity of the caller and their customization of the program material choices are stored in memory to be used for any subsequent calls received from the caller. In this manner, the caller automatically receives a customized hold service whenever their call is placed in a hold state.

Abstract: The present multi-media communication subscriber station has battery-powered backup. A power management controller monitors the line voltage and when the line voltage falls below a predetermined voltage level, the power management controller transfers operation power from line voltage to battery. When the multi-media communication subscriber station is operating on backup battery power, non-essential functional modules may be disabled. The power management controller continues to monitor the line voltage and when line voltage resumes, operation power is transferred back to line voltage.

Abstract: The present multi-media communication management system comprises a controller that interfaces with a plurality of space station communication devices and with one or more communication medium service providers. The controller translates multi-media communications received from a multi-media service provider into the protocols required for use by the space station communication devices as well as any convention telephone stations that may be coupled to the controller. The communication and control signaling between the controller and the space station communication devices may be wireless in nature with the space station communication devices being powered by an internal battery and/or connection to a local source of conventional line voltage. Modular docking interfaces may be used to couple the space station communication device to portable subscriber devices and to enable integrated and coordinated communication through multiple communication medium service providers.

Abstract: A desk top telephone includes a network interface circuit for audio session set up and audio session communication with a remote telephone device. A display device docking bay accommodates a simple display screen or a portable computing device such as a portable data device (PDA). Each of a plurality of adapters coupled one of the modular display screens or a PDA to the docking bay. Each of the module display screens and PDAs can have various display sizes, resolutions, and color/gray-scale combinations.

Abstract: The present multi-media communication management system comprises a controller that interfaces with a plurality of space station communication devices and with one or more communication medium service providers. The controller translates multi-media communications received from a multi-media service provider into the protocols required for use by the space station communication devices as well as any conventional telephone stations that may be coupled to the controller. The controller further records dynamic information relating each subscriber device to the communication space station that is serving the subscriber device for communication and control signaling. This enables the controller to receive communication signaling for a subscriber device and translate and route communication signaling to the communication space station serving the subscriber device.

Abstract: The multi-media communication management system comprises a controller that interfaces with a plurality of communication space stations and with one or more communication medium service providers. The communication space stations include docking bays for coupling to a selected appliance module. The controller includes a local content server for providing information content that is compatible with the subscriber interface of a modular appliance. The communication space station provides for translation of information content between the information content server and the appliance module.

Abstract: The present multi-media subscriber station has control unit and a plurality of communication devices. Each communication device includes speed dial controls which, when activated but a user, provide for establishing a communication session to a communication end point associated with the speed dial control. Each speed dial control is associated with a programmable image display on which an image associated with the communication end point may be displayed.

Abstract: A communication device is served by a communication system that interconnects the communication device with a communication service provider network and may be served by a wide area network communication device that interconnects the communication device with a wide area wireless service provider network. The communication device comprises a dialog system for interfacing real time streaming audio with a subscriber, a network interface circuit for exchanging the real time streaming audio over the communication system, a docking interface for coupling to the wide area network communication device and exchanging the real time streaming audio over the wide are wireless service provider network using the wide are network communication device, and means for receiving subscriber selection of one of the network interface circuit and the docking interface for use exchanging the real time streaming audio with the communication end point.

Abstract: The present multi-media communication system comprises a controller that interfaces with a plurality of communication space stations and with one or more communication medium service providers. Each communication space station includes a subscriber voice interface and a help button. Further, each communication space station is configurable to include a graphic display screen and may server a subscriber device that includes a graphic display screen. The controller provides help information to the subscriber station in response to subscriber activation of the help button that is dependent on the operational state of the communication space station and is compliant with the communication space station's subscriber interface. The controller further provides for establishing a communication session with a help station in response to a second subscriber activation of the help button.

Abstract: The event driven multi-media communication management system comprises a controller that interfaces with a plurality of communication space stations and with one or more communication medium service providers. The communication space station is a modular device that includes a platform, a voice system for providing an audio user interface, and a docking bay for coupling with a subscriber device. The controller accesses a subscriber contact directory that is associated with the subscriber device, communicates content messages representing at least a portion of the subscriber contact directory to the subscriber station, receives control messages representing subscriber selection of a contact, and establishes a communication channel in accordance with the selected subscriber communication information.

Abstract: A real time communication device operates on with a packet switched network. The packet switched network interconnects the real time communication device with a control unit and at least one other real time communication device. The real time communication device includes a plurality of indicators with each indicator being uniquely associated with one of the other real time communication devices or with an outside line between the control unit and a central office of a local telephone service provider. A selection means is associated with each indicator. The real time communication device may establish a logical channel over the packet switched local area network with an endpoint. The endpoint is selected from the group of endpoints consisting of the control unit and the other real time communication devices and is the endpoint that is uniquely associated with an indicator selected from the plurality of indicators.

Abstract: The present multi-media communication management system comprises a controller that interfaces with a plurality of communication space stations and with one or more communication medium service providers. Each communication space station may be coupled to a wide area network mobile telephone served by a wide area network service provider. The multi-media communication management system communicates with a wide area network controller through the service provider medium and automatically provides instructions to the wide area network controller to forward telephone calls that are directed to the mobile telephone to the system controller upon the mobile telephone being coupled to a communication space station.

Abstract: The multi-media communication management system comprises a controller that interfaces with a subscriber station that includes an interface for coupling to a subscriber device. The subscriber device receives subscriber emails over a wide area network communication link to an email server. The system comprises a email interface system for establishing communications with a remote email server coupled to a service provider network and receiving subscriber emails directed to the remote email server and a subscriber device email interface system for establishing communications with the subscriber station at which a subscriber device is coupled and receiving subscriber emails that were provided to the subscriber device over the wide area network. The system generates inbox content and provides the inbox content to the subscriber station for display on a display associated with the subscriber station.