Abstract: A method and apparatus for alarming on all signaling protocol messages that fail in substantial numbers on any particular routes within an IP network are disclosed. For example, upon receiving these alarms, the network will attempt to identify, and to correct the error producing conditions to prevent further call signaling message failures.

Abstract: Examples of systems described herein include videoconferencing systems having audio/visual components coupled to a codec. The codec may be configured by a control system. Communication networks having different security levels may be alternately coupled to the codec following appropriate configuration by the control system. The control system may also be coupled to the communication networks.

Abstract: A system for enhancing eye gaze in a telepresence system includes a plurality of local cameras coupled to at least one local display. Each local camera is directed to at least one respective local user section and operable to generate an image of the respective local user section. The system also includes a plurality of remote displays. Each remote display is operable to reproduce the local video image of the local user section. Within the system the plurality of remote displays and the plurality of local cameras are aligned such that when a first local user within a local user section looks at a target at least one remote display is operable to reproduce the local video image of the first user section comprising the first local user such that the eye gaze of the reproduced image of the first local user is directed approximately at a corresponding target.

Abstract: Gaze tracking or other interest indications are used during a video conference to determine one or more audio sources that are of interest to one or more participants to the video conference, such as by determining a conversation from among multiple conversations that a subset of participants are participating in or listening to, for enhancing the audio experience of one or more of the participants.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling a camera of a portable terminal are provided. The method includes determining a rate at which at least a portion of a subject occupies an input image obtained in a video phone call from camera, comparing the determined rate with a preset reference level, automatically controlling a zoom function of the camera according to the comparison result, and transmitting the input image obtained from the camera in which the zoom function is automatically controlled.

Abstract: Systems and methods for secure recording in a customer center environment are provided. The system receives data related to a communication at a media distribution device. A key is provided by a key server to the media distribution device to encrypt the received data. In addition, an identifier may be associated with the received data. The key and the identifier are stored in a database associated with the key server. The encrypted data is recorded the a recorder, where it is accessible to authorized users within the customer center. Upon request, the key is provided to the authorized user to decrypt the encrypted data for play back. The customer center environment may include a user interface for viewing customer contacts. The contact may be organized into folders and annotations associated with the customer contacts may be received.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products for automatically identifying a calling party using voice recognition. Voice recognition is the computing task of identifying or validating a person's identity using characteristics of their voice. A first voice record is obtained from an identifiable party and associated with a voice identifier. When a second voice record is received from a calling party, the voice in the second voice record is compared to the voice in the first voice record to determine the identity of the calling party. If the there is a match between the voice in the second voice record and the voice in the previously obtained first voice record, then the called party is notified of the identity of the calling party. A voice identifier, when available, is preferably displayed to the called party on a screen instead of caller ID information.

Abstract: An approach provides lighting for a videoconferencing system to improve an image of a user of the videoconferencing system. Light is emitted onto the user of a videoconferencing system, and is controlled onto the user in conjunction with capturing of the image of the user by the videoconferencing system to improve the captured image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a telephone user with one or more of a plurality of possible voice scripts are disclosed. The voice scripts may be comprised of one or more individual voice modules which are dynamically selected for presentation to the user based on information known about the user. The information known about the user may include the user's identity, information obtained from the user on one or more previous calls, and/or demographic information obtained from third party sources. The user's identity may include the user's ANI, gender, and/or other identity data. The user's gender may be determined by analyzing the tonality of the user's voice.

Abstract: An Internet accessed server that on demand downloads and activates text-to-speech program elements to a subscriber's computer. Program elements are customized to match the operating system of the subscriber's computer. Upon termination of the text-to-speech session, the server deactivates all program elements and the subscriber becomes free to reinitiate over the Internet the text-to-speech program on the same or another computer system.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a system, apparatus and method for addressing the need of remotely providing live interpretation to location-specific sites in a timely manner. The system for bilingual communication includes a means to allow a first communicating party and a second communicating party to electronically communicate where the first party and second party communicate in different languages for a group consisting of all spoken languages and sign language. Either or both parties may be more than one person. Communication is made in at least a first location-specific site and is made in a timely manner through a remote third party live interpreter.

Abstract: A phone system can include a phone terminal that includes a biometric data input device. Methods of using the phone terminal can include receiving biometric data of a user at the phone terminal and comparing the biometric data to saved biometric data. A comparison of the received and saved biometric data can be performed to locate one or more configuration files for a user, to authenticate or otherwise confirm the identity of a party, perform another activity, or any combination thereof. In one embodiment, the biometric data, other data, or a combination thereof can be used to access one or more configuration files that can be used to configure a phone terminal or a data processing system outside of the phone terminal. In another embodiment, the identity of a calling party, a called party, one or more other parties, or any combination thereof can be authenticated or otherwise confirmed.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a calling party to a called party utilizing biometric information. Biometric information of first calling party is received. If stored, a calling party profile is retrieved based on first calling party biometric information. A call is placed to a called party. The first calling party profile is provided to called party. A biometric information change from first calling party biometric information to a second calling party biometric information is automatically detected, and it is determined whether the second party biometric information is stored. If stored, a second calling party profile of second calling party is retrieved and is provided to called party. Responsive to determining that the biometric information for second calling party is not stored, the called party is notified that the second calling party is communicating and the second calling party profile is automatically created based on second calling party biometric information.

Abstract: A system for forming and transmitting a plurality of video images, at an image transmission rate of at least 1-3 images per sec, from a first cellphone to a second cellphone spaced apart from the first cellphone. A first cellphone user can choose to illuminate and transmit an image of the user or an image of a selected object distinct from the user.

Abstract: A system and method of saving and delivering a voice memo or text memo to identify incoming calls is provided. A user of the system of the invention is given the option of recording a memo on the calls he or she has received through a prompt on a telecommunication device. The user can choose to record a voice memo or text memo after each call. The memos are saved in connection with caller id information pertaining to the number from which the call was placed. When a user of the system receives a call from a number that has a memo saved in relation thereto, the user will be prompted to hear, and may listen to, the voice memo before answering the call. If the memo is in text form, the user can configure the system to provide various processing options. In one processing option, a text to speech audio presentation of the text of the memo is made available to permit the message to be heard over a telephone or networked audio capable PDA device.

Abstract: A video conference system includes a first video conference environment, and a second video conference environment linked to the first video conference environment. Each video conference environment has a conference view direction and a reference view direction, the reference view directions being symmetrically oriented with respect to the conference view directions.

Abstract: A method of sending video data over a network is disclosed. The method includes initiating a video data stream between a first site and a second site over the network, sending compressed video content from the first site to the second site, decompressing the video content at the first site, decompressing the video content at the second site and synchronizing the decompressed video content at the first and second site whereby the video data stream can be controlled by either the first or second site.

Abstract: A method of and a communications system for providing a calling party (1) information (27) of a message (18) that is played to the calling party (1) in a communications system, when the calling party (1) calls (10) a called party (2) and the called party (2) is being alerted (13) of the call and/or after the called party has disconnected from the call. The information (27) is provided electronically on request (24) of the calling party (1). The calling party (1) may be prompted (28) to indicate (24) whether to receive the information (27). The prompt (28) may be provided while the message (18) is playing. The information (27) to be provided may include downloading of the message (18) or part thereof or content comparable with the message (18), such as an audio clip, a video clip or as a ring tone to be used by the calling party (1).

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal and text-to-speech method. The mobile communication terminal includes a display unit for displaying at least one object on a screen; a controller for identifying a depth of an activated object on the screen and finding a speech data set mapped to the identified depth; a speech synthesizer for converting textual contents of the activated object into audio wave data using the found speech data set; and an audio processor for outputting the audio wave data in speech sounds. As a result, textual contents of different objects are output in different voices so the user can easily distinguish one object from another object.

Abstract: The present virtual video muting technique seamlessly inserts a virtual video into a live video when the user does not want to reveal his/her actual activity. The virtual video is generated based on real video frames captured earlier, and thus makes the virtual video appear to be real.