Abstract: A method and apparatus for distributing objects. In one embodiment, the method comprises computing a modulus operand based on a number of objects to be distributed and a number of objects pertaining to a first category; computing a modulus operation based on a number of distributed objects and the modulus operand; and distributing a first object or a second object based on a result of computing the modulus operation.

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: 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: 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: A method of dynamic server assignment in a VoIP network includes detecting a telecommunication device on the VoIP network and querying a geo-location server for geographic information related to the telecommunication device's location and receiving the geographic information. Based on the geographic information a server assignment is determined. A configuration file for the telecommunication device including the server assignment and location is created and the configuration is provided to the telecommunication device over the network. The configuration file may also include features related to local customs or practice.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for busy override in an internet protocol-based telephone system are described. In some examples, a first communication attempt of a third party to a first party is received, the first party being in an established communication session with a second party. A busy operation is performed with respect to the third party in response to the first communication attempt. At least one additional communication attempt by the third party is received. A busy override operation is performed with respect to the first party in response to the first communication attempt and the at least one additional communication attempt satisfying at least a threshold pattern of communication attempts.

Abstract: A system for effecting a telephone call between telephonic devices is operative to use a computer network, without manual use of the alphanumeric keypads. A third party call control (3PCC) application program interface (API) provides the capability for users to use a web browser or other Internet capable software to place a call, rather than using the telephone keypad. A third party call control application program interface includes a uniform resource locator operable over the Internet to cause a call between a first telephonic device and a second telephonic device to be completed. The uniform resource locator includes identification of the first telephonic device and identification of the second telephonic device.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for discovering devices on a local area network. The method comprises sending a DNS request from a host networking element, receiving the DNS request at one or more devices, and responding to the host networking element with one or more DNS responses. The DNS request comprises one or more particular domain names. The one or more DNS responses comprise local network address information for the one or more VoIP devices. The apparatus comprises means for filtering a set of network traffic for a DNS request, means for responding to a DNS request with a local network address, and means for forwarding the DNS request to another device. The system comprises a computer for generating a DNS request for a particular domain, and one or more VoIP devices for receiving the DNS request and sending a DNS response to the computer with a local network address for the VoIP device.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a user to purchase an instant mobile telephony services plan makes use of an application on a mobile telephony device. The user can purchase an instant mobile plan via a third party merchant. Once purchased, the user can also make use of the application on the user's mobile telephony device to obtain the purchased telephony services. The communications services provider that provides services to the user under an instant mobile plan may be different from the communications services provider that is tied to the user's mobile telephony device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for terminating telephony communications to a mobile telephony device that is roaming outside of its native service area make use of a forwarding termination service. The forwarding termination service causes the native mobile telephony service provider that provides service to the mobile telephony device to forward incoming telephony communications directed the native telephone number of the mobile telephony device to a forwarding access number. The forwarding termination service receives telephony communications directed to the forwarding access number, and then terminates the telephony communication to the mobile telephony device via any one of multiple different methods. The mobile telephony service provider can be instructed to implement and cancel call forwarding instructions by dialing a special character string on the mobile telephony device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for terminating telephony communications to a mobile telephony device that is roaming outside of its native service area make use of a forwarding termination service. The forwarding termination service causes the native mobile telephony service provider that provides service to the mobile telephony device to forward incoming telephony communications directed the native telephone number of the mobile telephony device to a forwarding access number. The forwarding termination service receives telephony communications directed to the forwarding access number, and then terminates the telephony communication to the mobile telephony device via any one of multiple different methods. The mobile telephony service provider can be instructed to implement and cancel call forwarding instructions by dialing a special character string on the mobile telephony device.

Abstract: A system and method for customized caller identification and call routing are disclosed. A disclosed method of providing customized caller identification information for a phone call includes associating a first phone number in a database with a plurality of user specified identifications, selecting one of the plurality of user specified identifications in response to the phone call placed from the first phone number to a second phone number as a function of the second phone number, and providing the selected one of the plurality of identifications to a device associated with the second telephone number.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for provisioning a wireless multi-modal client device in a telecommunications system includes determining a provisioning environment within and a provisioning condition under which the client device is operating, determining a state of a configuration file of the client device and obtaining an updated configuration file based on the provisioning environment and provisioning conditions. The provisioning environment is determined by detecting one or more wireless networks accessible by the client device such as an IP-based network and a PSTN-based network. Connection to the IP-based network is made via WiFi and to the PSTN-based network via GSM/GPRS. The wireless networks defining the provisioning environment have characteristic timing intervals for configuration file updating.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for authorizing a calling card telephone call are described. In one example, a telephone calling card includes a planar body having a memory system, an input circuit, a controller, and a display. The memory system is configured to store key code information. The input circuit is configured to receive a personal identification number (PIN). The controller is configured to derive a key code from the key code information using the PIN. The display is configured to present the key code. The user may then use the key code for purposes of authorizing a call made using a calling card. The key code may change from time-to-time as the user uses the calling card. Since the user's PIN is not entered into a telephone by the user, the calling card is less susceptible to unauthorized and/or fraudulent use by third parties.

Abstract: Method and system for group calling in an IP-based communication system includes receiving an administrator identifier, receiving one or more invitee identifiers, initiating a first connection from a central location and initiating at least one or more second connections from the central location to join an administrator and at least one invitee. The administrator identifier and one or more invitee identifiers can be a telephone number or other identifiers associated with the communication system. To establish the group call, the administrator identifier and one or more invitee identifiers are received from the administrator. The first connection initiation is to the administrator and the second or more connection initiations are to the at least one invitee. System for making a group call includes a user interface adapted for use by the administrator, a database manager, a database, a load balancer and a group calling pool adapted for SIP-based group call setup.

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. An 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 and apparatus for accessing data using an N-leg search tree including determining a tree identifier using a computer, traversing an N-leg search tree associated with the tree identifier, and accessing a data structure. The N-leg search tree is stored on a computer and traversed to a given node within the tree. The accessed data structure is associated with a deepest valid traversed node. The given node corresponds to a given element of a structured identifier.

Abstract: A system for effecting a telephone call between telephonic devices is operative to use a computer network, without manual use of the alphanumeric keypads. A third party call control (3PCC) application program interface (API) provides the capability for users to use a web browser or other Internet capable software to place a call, rather than using the telephone keypad. A third party call control application program interface includes a uniform resource locator operable over the Internet to cause a call between a first telephonic device and a second telephonic device to be completed. The uniform resource locator includes identification of the first telephonic device and identification of the second telephonic device.

Abstract: A system and method for customized caller identification and call routing are disclosed. A disclosed method of providing customized caller identification information for a phone call includes associating a first phone number in a database with a plurality of user specified identifications, selecting one of the plurality of user specified identifications in response to the phone call placed from the first phone number to a second phone number as a function of the second phone number, and providing the selected one of the plurality of identifications to a device associated with the second telephone number.

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.