Abstract: A system and method is provided to operate a directory assistance call center based upon data stored in a directory assistance database and a line information database (LIDB). A caller can access a directory assistance call center to request phone listing information about a particular party. The directory assistance call center can send a query to a directory assistance database for the requested information. Moreover, if the requested information is not found, then the directory assistance call center can send a query to a LIDB or CNAM database provider. The LIDB or CNAM database provider can forward the query to a local LIDB or CNAM database and to other remote LIDB or CNAM database providers to find the requested information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for recording a call between a client and an agent through an automatic contact distributor. The method includes the steps of the automatic contact distributor receiving a recording request from the agent, the automatic contact distributor activating a recording program, the recording program sniffing traffic within a packet telephone of the agent to detect packets exchanged between the agent and client and the recording program recording the detected packets between the agent and customer.

Abstract: A telecommunications device including a notification set-up unit associated with a user device; an access control unit configured to receive notification configuration information from said notification set-up unit and provide notification to said user device of a pending conference in accordance with said notification configuration information.

Abstract: The invention provides systems and methods in which an incoming call port is looped back at a switch and, under control of a call segment controller, is directed to applications and/or other termination points to provide enhanced calling services. According to a preferred embodiment, the call segment controller is provided with initial call instructions to initially direct an incoming call. The call may then be directed to an application which interacts with the call to determine further call instructions. These further call instructions are passed to the call segment controller to further process the call. Under control of the call segment controller the call may be directed to multiple termination points, including redirection to the application to provide subsequent interaction with the call.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for a user to monitor and/or override a forwarded call. Typically, the forwarded call was initially an incoming call from a caller to the user and thereafter forwarded to a remote service system, such as a remote messaging system. The system and method determine a redirecting number from which the incoming call was forwarded. The system and method then initiates a second call to the user and a voice path is established connecting the forwarded call to the second call. Thereafter, the user is notified, for example, with a distinct ring at the user's telephone, of the option that the user may monitor and override the forwarded call. The system and method can also execute procedures to actuate the options elected by the user.

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 of allocating, revoking and transferring resources from a pool of conference resources provided by a conference system comprises assigning a guaranteed status to at least some participants to a conference to be hosted by the system. At least some of the resources may be reserved for the guaranteed status participants, to enable the guaranteed status participants to participate in the conference. When another participant to the conference is received, the other participant may be assigned a provisional status. Unused resources in the pool of resources may be allocated as provisional resources to the provisional status participant and the participant is admitted to participate in the conference utilizing the provisional resources. The provisional resources may be reserved for, but are at the time not used by a guaranteed status participant. Borrowed resources may be reclaimed and transferred to the guaranteed status participant.

Abstract: Method for managing lists stored in a mobile telephone includes automatically storing telephone numbers of incoming and outgoing calls in a first or second list. The first list is accessible to any use, the second list contains code protected telephone numbers. A telephone number stored in a temporary register is verified to whether it's contained within the second list. Method includes limiting a user's access to only telephone numbers in first list until a code is input by user. After inputting code, telephone numbers in first and second lists are accessible by user. Both first and second lists are stored in mobile phone, and telephone numbers associated with second list are not stored in first list, and second list is at least one of accessible and displayable only after inputting code.

Abstract: A mobile station comprises a reception unit configured to receive a signal transmitted from a base station; a selection unit configured to select a communication area to perform communication from a plurality of communication areas based on traffic load in the plurality of communication areas where the reception unit can receive the signal; and a notification unit configured to notify the base station of the communication area selected. Another mobile station comprises a reception unit configured to receive a signal transmitted from a base station; a calculation unit configured to calculate a ratio of an average reception quality value over a short period to an average reception quality value over a long period; and a selection unit configured to select a communication area to perform communication from a plurality of communication areas where the reception unit can receive the signal, based on the ratio.

Abstract: A method and system for providing directory assistance to erroneous calls. The method and system includes an intercept system that intercepts erroneous calls and automatically routes them to a directory assistance service. The directory assistance service provides a least one advertisement and a variety of other services to the callers using a business subscriber information service, a white page database service; a yellow pages database service; a business intelligence database service; rule-based expert system service; and/or an Internet search service. The directory assistance service accepts fees from advertisers, businesses and providers of the variety of services to refer information to callers.

Abstract: Calls placed to a call recipient bypass the terminating messaging system, creating an enhanced message in the call originator's messaging system and delivering the enhanced message using alternate routing information. A caller creates enhanced messages for a call recipient even when the call recipient's messaging system does not support such functionality. The caller also embeds stored content and/or use links in the enhanced messages to allow the message to be modified and/or deleted before it is accessed by the call recipient.

Abstract: A computing device is configured to monitor a local vicinity around a user and detect identification devices located in the vicinity. When an identification device is detected, data is read from the device and a person associated with the device is identified. One or more user applications are searched to determine if the identified person is listed in a user application. If so, a notification is provided to the user that the identified person is in the vicinity. In one implementation, a user calendar is searched to determine if the identified person is scheduled to attend an upcoming event with the user (e.g. a meeting). If so, the user is notified that the identified person is in the area and that the person is scheduled to attend an upcoming event—which is particularly identified—with the user.

Abstract: A cellular telephone system is provided with a process and apparatus for screening an incoming call. The process is carried out by, and the apparatus comprises, a service provider (20) and a mobile station (30). The mobile station (30) answers the incoming call and places the call on hold. The mobile station (30) connects to the service provider (20) and places the service provider (20) and the incoming caller on multi-party hold. The mobile station (30) then signals the service provider (20) to begin screening the call. In response, the service provider (20) prompts the incoming caller for the incoming caller's identification and then communicates this information to the mobile station (30). Based on this information, the mobile station (30) can elect to accept or reject the incoming call.

Abstract: A system of terminating signals in a telecommunication system is disclosed. In one embodiment a line card comprises functional circuitry, line card connector contacts and a termination resistor. The functional circuitry is used to interface first type ports with second type ports. The line card connector contacts are adapted to be selectively coupled to a backplane of a chassis. The termination resistor is adapted to terminate signal lines when a jumper is coupled across select line card contacts.

Abstract: A dual network telephone device selectively performs a telephone communication via a public telephone network and via an IP telephone network. The dual network telephone device generates IP telephone identification information for a non-IP telephone device registers to an IP telephone server an association of an IP address of the dual network telephone device and the IP telephone identification information for the non-IP telephone device, receives a first call request sent from the IP telephone server, sends a call request notice instruction to the non-IP telephone device when the first call request includes the IP telephone identification information for the non-IP telephone device as a call request destination, receives IP telephone identification information input to and sent from the non-IP telephone device, sends a second call request to the IP telephone server.

Abstract: One embodiment disclosed relates to a network device that includes at least one port to connect to a network and at least one throttle that limits a rate of connections made from the device. An auto-adaptive thresholding mechanism determines a threshold for the throttle. The mechanism may be tunable to various aggressiveness levels. Another embodiment disclosed relates to a network apparatus including multiple ports capable of making connections and multiple throttle instantiations. Each throttle instantiation is associated with a port or group of ports. Threshold levels for each throttle instantiation are independently set. The ports may be physical ports or may be logical ports.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a retailer to track shoppers by a customer's phone number are disclosed. When the customer reaches a purchase target, e.g., a predefined amount of money spent at the retailer, the present invention enables a trigger to place an outbound call to the customer to present a promotional announcement, e.g., inviting the customer to come into the store of the retailer and to receive a discount at the point of sale.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus to disambiguate requests are presented. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a request for information from a user. Then data is retrieved from a back-end database in response to the request. Based on a predetermined configuration of a disambiguation system and the data retrieved, the ambiguity within the request is dynamically resolved.

Abstract: A system and method of processing a call at a call center is provided. In a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving the call at the call center, receiving an indication element associated with a call center transaction, retrieving call center transaction data based on the indication element, and generating a sequence of pre-populated call center agent terminal transaction processing screens based on at least a portion of the call center transaction data. In a particular embodiment, a set of prioritized transactions based on likelihood of matching a customer request is disclosed.

Abstract: In a method for use in Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems, an IVR is configured such that voice prompts provided to a caller vary systematically and caller hang-up activity is attributed to the particular version of a prompt played to the caller. Voice prompt modifications are chosen based on how long the caller willingly listens to the voice prompt. A relatively short time listening to a prompt before hang-up, indicates dissatisfaction with that prompt. The system compares caller hang-up rates for each of the phrases in a prompt and chooses the optimum solution, which is the variant of the prompt with the longest caller listening time. Optionally, the system compares hang up rates to a threshold and contingent on that comparison chooses an alternative version of the prompt.