Abstract: An IP telephony system allows users of the IP telephony system to register extension telephony devices with the IP telephony system. An extension telephony device is one that is provided with service by a separate telephony service provider. Once an extension telephony device is registered, a user can obtain communications services from the IP telephony system using the extension telephony device. A extension telephony device may be tied to a user's main telephony services account with the IP telephony system such that when the user obtains communications services from the IP telephony system using an extension telephony device, the user will be billed for those communications services through the user's main account.

Abstract: A method of providing automatically updated content in a messaging session is disclosed. The method comprising exchanging, via a user interface of a messaging system on a first user device, messages with one or more other user devices in a messaging session, wherein the user interface includes a first region for exchanging messages; initiating display of a list of services as selectable messaging objects that can be presented in association with the messaging session; receiving a first user selection of one of the displayed messaging objects to include in association the messaging session; and displaying content associated with the selected messaging object in association with the messaging session, wherein the content is updated periodically.

Abstract: A single virtual telephone number that is used to route telephony communications is assigned to first and second users if the first and second users rarely, if ever, communicate with the same party. When an incoming call is received on the virtual telephone number, telephony information for the first and second users is reviewed to determine if the calling party is one that has communicated with either of the first and second users in the past. If so, the telephony communication is routed to the user who has communicated with the calling party in the past.

Abstract: A method and a system for dynamically controlling at least one electronic device of a plurality of electronic devices in a common operating environment are provided. According to an embodiment, a method for dynamically controlling at least one electronic device comprises storing, in a memory, user input for automatically controlling operation of a first electronic device of a plurality of electronic devices while a second electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices is being operated, detecting, by a processor, a first state transition event affecting an operating state of at least one of the first electronic device or second electronic device and, based on the stored input and detected state transition event, processing instructions for at least one of modifying or suspending operation of at least one feature of the first or second electronic devices.

Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing a language translation setting for a telephony communication determine whether first and second parties to the telephony communication are likely to speak different languages. If so, one or both parties are queried to determine if they would like a language translation to be performed. One or both parties' response to that query is used to establish a language translation setting for the telephony communication. If one or both parties request a translation, some form of real-time translation may then be provided.

Abstract: An IP telephony system allows a user to register a telephony device that receives its native telephony service from a different telephony service provider as an extension telephone. The user can then place calls through the IP telephony system using the extension telephone. Such calls may or may not be established using the extension telephone's native telephony service provider.

Abstract: Systems and methods performed by an IP telephony device or an element of an IP telephony system mask the data contained in data packets bearing the media of an IP telephony communication to prevent an Internet service provider from identifying the data packets as carrying the media of an IP telephony communication. The systems and methods can also modify the size of data packets and/or modify the data transfer rate of a stream of data packets bearing the media of an IP telephony communication to prevent an Internet service provider from identifying the stream of data packets as bearing the media of an IP telephony communication.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handling the processing of multiple SIP transactions that have been requested at substantially the same time can involve establishing a priority order for processing the SIP transactions, and then individually processing the SIP transactions based on the established priority order. One or more SIP transactions having a lower priority can be held in a SIP processing queue of a software application until the processing of SIP transactions having a higher priority has been completed. Each time that the processing of a higher priority SIP transaction is completed, the next-highest priority SIP transaction in the queue is submitted for processing. Also, where possible, two or more SIP transactions in the queue may be consolidated into a single SIP transaction.

Abstract: Systems and methods of recommending that two people form a link on a social networking system uses activities conducted by a first person on a telephony system to determine the names of individuals and businesses that the first person has communicated with through the telephony system. This list of names and individuals is then compared to the names of individuals and businesses that are members of the social networking system. If the first person is communicating with individuals or businesses who are members of the social networking system, a recommendation that they form a link on the social networking system is issued to one or both parties.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for testing in a communication network is described. One example of the invention relates to a method of testing in a voice over internet protocol (VOIP) network. At least one test script is obtained from the VOIP network at an enhanced terminal adapter. The enhanced terminal adapter is configured to couple at least one communication device to the VOIP network. The at least one test script is executed within a scripting framework of the enhanced terminal adapter to interact with at least one component coupled to the VOIP network. Results of the execution of the at least one test script are transmitted from the enhanced terminal adapter to the VOIP network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling delivery of media content are provided herein. In some embodiments a method for enabling delivery of media content, comprises receiving a first message from a user device associated with a first subscriber of a telephony service provider to establish a real time communication session with a content service, wherein the first message includes a first subscriber identifier and information identifying the content to be streamed, determining that the first subscriber is authorized to access the content, and sending a second message directed to a second subscriber identifier associated with the content service to establish the real time communication session between the user device and the content service, wherein the real time communication session is established to begin streaming the content.

Abstract: A method for voice modification during a telephone call comprising receiving a source audio signal associated with at least one participant, wherein the source audio signal comprises a voice of the at least one participant, detecting a source dialect of the at least one participant, selecting a target dialect based on at least a characteristic of a target participant and creating a modulated audio signal based on the source audio signal, the source dialect, and the target dialect and transmitting the modulated audio signal to the target participant.

Abstract: A communications adaptor comprising an adaptor first port; an adaptor second port; an adaptor third port; and a processor. The adaptor first port is configured to connect to an analog communications line. The adaptor second port is configured to connect to a data network. The adaptor third port is configured to connect to an analog telephony device. The processor is configured to determine that a first call setup request signal has been received at the adaptor first port. The processor is further configured, subsequent to such determination: (1) to transmit a second call setup request signal over the adaptor second port to an Internet Protocol (IP) telephony system over the data network; and (2) to transmit a third call setup request signal over the adaptor third port.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying logical locations of network devices on a Local Area Network (LAN) is provided herein. The method may include receiving an input including a network identifier of a network terminal adaptor on a LAN, determining, using the received network identifier, one or more network devices connected upstream of the TA, wherein a network address of each of the one or more network devices connected upstream is filtered such that only network devices including a private IP address are identified; determining device telemetry data associated with each determined network device and the network terminal adaptor, and generating, using the device telemetry data, a data structure including (a) a representation of a logical location of the network terminal adaptor and of each determined network device connected to the LAN, and (b) at least some of the device telemetry data.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically assigning virtual numbers are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for automatically assigning virtual numbers may include receiving, from a first customer device associated with a first identifier, a second identifier associated with a recipient device; establishing a call between the first customer device and the recipient device; assigning a first virtual number associated with the first identifier and the second identifier, wherein the first virtual number is selected to be in a local calling area of the first identifier; and transmitting the first virtual number to the customer for use in making future calls to the recipient device.

Abstract: An award system associated with a telephony communications system analyzes one or more users' telephony activity to determine if the telephony activity satisfies certain predetermined award rules. If a single user's telephony activity satisfies one or more award rules, the system makes an award to the user. The making of an award can include posting the award on a social networking site with which the user is associated. The analysis can also include collecting information about a predetermined type of telephony activity for multiple users of the system, and determining which of the multiple users has experienced the most of the predetermined type of telephony activity. An award is then granted to those users who experienced the most of the predetermined type of telephony activity.

Abstract: A method of operating an internet-based telephony system comprises (1) determining that a telephony device associated with a customer of the internet-based telephony system has access to service of the internet-based telephony system; (2) sending a first location update signal to a public land mobile network associated with the customer; (3) receiving an indication that the public land mobile network associated with the customer no longer considers the internet-based telephony system as being the network visited by the telephony device associated with the customer; (4) determining the telephony device associated with the customer and the internet-based telephony system are in data communication, and (5) sending a second location update signal to the public land mobile network associated with the customer to register again the internet-based telephony system as the network visited by the telephony device associated with the customer.

Abstract: Packet telephony devices with encryption keys are configured to enable authentication systems and methods for increasing the security of online account access and transactions. The instant disclosure leverages the security in customer equipment hardware such as a terminal adaptor (TA) or router to authenticate a web transaction. A packet telephony device has an encoded encryption key. The encryption key may be used with a display, a user actuable trigger or in a secure connection with a web-enabled device to authenticate a user or a website.

Abstract: Methods and systems for dynamic allocation of network resources for optimized voice capacity and quality management are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for dynamic allocation of network resources for optimized voice capacity and quality management may include providing; monitoring real-time call metrics and real-time network traffic capacity usage of a plurality of network devices having a network traffic capacity; and adjusting the network traffic capacity based on at least one of an analysis of historical network traffic, an analysis of the real-time call metrics, or an analysis of the real-time network traffic capacity usage, wherein adjusting network capacity comprises one of activating additional network devices to increase the network traffic capacity or deactivating one or more of the plurality of network devices to decrease the network traffic capacity.

Abstract: Systems and methods for handling the processing of multiple SIP transactions that have been requested at substantially the same time can involve establishing a priority order for processing the SIP transactions, and then individually processing the SIP transactions based on the established priority order. One or more SIP transactions having a lower priority can be held in a SIP processing queue of a software application until the processing of SIP transactions having a higher priority has been completed. Each time that the processing of a higher priority SIP transaction is completed, the next-highest priority SIP transaction in the queue is submitted for processing. Also, where possible, two or more SIP transactions in the queue may be consolidated into a single SIP transaction.