Abstract: An exemplary parking facilitation system includes a plurality of parking space devices disposed at different parking spaces within a parking area and a parking management system configured to control operation of, and to exchange data with, the parking space devices. Each of the parking space devices respectively includes a processor, a vehicle presence detector configured to determine whether any vehicle is parked in a parking space at which the parking space device is disposed, and a parking availability indicator configured to visually indicate an availability status of the parking space. The parking availability indicator is positioned at a height greater than that of any vehicle that the parking space is configured to accommodate so as to be concurrently visible, with parking availability indicators of other parking space devices, from various locations within the parking area at which drivers attempting to locate available parking spaces are to be located.

Abstract: An exemplary parking facilitation system includes a plurality of parking space devices disposed at different parking spaces within a parking area and a parking management system configured to control operation of, and to exchange data with, the parking space devices. Each of the parking space devices respectively includes a processor, a vehicle presence detector configured to determine whether any vehicle is parked in a parking space at which the parking space device is disposed, and a parking availability indicator configured to visually indicate an availability status of the parking space. The parking availability indicator is positioned at a height greater than that of any vehicle that the parking space is configured to accommodate so as to be concurrently visible, with parking availability indicators of other parking space devices, from various locations within the parking area at which drivers attempting to locate available parking spaces are to be located.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forwarding communications, such as telephone calls over a voice network, are provided. A user accesses a data network to specify one or more rules for forwarding telephone calls. For example, the user may use an electronic calendar to specify patterns for forwarding their telephone calls. These patterns may include one or more rules for determining a forwarding pattern, and one or more time periods specifying when the pattern is effective. The rules are provided to a service center which provides configuration information to the voice network. The voice network then forwards calls based on the configuration information for the time periods specified by the user.

Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided for managing one or more communications lines associated with a user of a communications network. A service center may receive from a user line management information regarding one or more of the user's communications lines. This line management information may include a request from the user to handle all calls to the communications line in a particular manner (e.g., forward all calls to a different number). This line management information may also include information regarding scheduling the handling of calls to the communications line (e.g., scheduling call forwarding) or a request to handle calls differently based on information identifying the origination of the call (e.g., caller-ID). The service center may then forward instructions to the communications network such that the components (e.g., SSP or SCP) of the communications network implement the user's modifications.

Abstract: Methods and systems providing access to integrated communications services are disclosed. A notification of a call to a user is received at a device associated with the user, the device being connected to a data network and including a base unit, a handset, and a user interface, wherein the device is determined based on retrieved data corresponding to the user, and the retrieved data was retrieved using information pertaining to the call. Input from the user indicative of a response to the notification is also received at the device. Response information reflective of the response to the notification is then sent to the server, wherein the server instructs a service control point to connect the call based on the response to the notification.

Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided for managing one or more communications lines associated with a user of a communications network. A service center may receive from a user line management information regarding one or more of the user's communications lines. This line management information may include a request from the user to handle all calls to the communications line in a particular manner (e.g., forward all calls to a different number). This line management information may also include information regarding scheduling the handling of calls to the communications line (e.g., scheduling call forwarding) or a request to handle calls differently based on information identifying the origination of the call (e.g., caller-ID). The service center may then forward instructions to the communications network such that the components (e.g., SSP or SCP) of the communications network implement the user's modifications.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a unified communications manager via instant messaging are provided. In particular, a user may interface with a user service center to use applications via an instant messaging service to manage various aspects of their communications such as their phone calls, voice mail, email, and instant messages. A user may also manage their contact information and profile, such as rules for how calls are forwarded to the user. Thus, a user is provided a unified communications manager to implement rules and conditions across a wide variety of devices and networks.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for supplying calling party information to a called party via a network comprising a telephone network, a data network, and at least one gateway device. The gateway device is connected to both the telephone network and the data network. The gateway device receives, via the telephone network, signaling information representing a telephone call from the calling party to the called party. The signaling information includes called party information. Calling party information is obtained based on the signaling information. The calling party information is provided to the called party via the data network.

Abstract: Interests of a person may be analyzed based on the dial stream to/from the person. When a call is being made to/from a person, signaling information from the dial stream is routed to an analysis server. Information in the signaling information, such as called party identifier and caller-id data, is retrieved and archived by the analysis server. Based on the information in the dial stream, a person's interests may then be analyzed and provided to a recipient, such as a business. The person may be compensated in exchange for allowing their dial stream to be analyzed. In addition, businesses may also register with the analysis server.

Abstract: Methods and systems providing access to integrated communications services are disclosed. A notification of a call to a user is received at a device associated with the user, the device being connected to a data network and including a base unit, a handset, and a user interface, wherein the device is determined based on retrieved data corresponding to the user, and the retrieved data was retrieved using information pertaining to the call. Input from the user indicative of a response to the notification is also received at the device. Response information reflective of the response to the notification is then sent to the server, wherein the server instructs a service control point to connect the call based on the response to the notification.

Abstract: An interactive assistant for managing telephone communications and services is disclosed. In one of many possible method embodiments, a chat interface is provided to a device associated with an intended recipient of an incoming voice call. A chat message from the intended recipient is received through the chat interface. The chat message is presented to a calling party associated with the incoming call prior to a disposition of the call being determined. In other embodiments, an interface provides controls for individually managing calls on a conference call, without affecting other calls on the conference call.

Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided for managing one or more communications lines associated with a user of a communications network. A service center may receive from a user line management information regarding one or more of the user's communications lines. This line management information may include a request from the user to handle all calls to the communications line in a particular manner (e.g., forward all calls to a different number). This line management information may also include information regarding scheduling the handling of calls to the communications line (e.g., scheduling call forwarding) or a request to handle calls differently based on information identifying the origination of the call (e.g., caller-ID). The service center may then forward instructions to the communications network such that the components (e.g., SSP or SCP) of the communications network implement the user's modifications.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forwarding communications, such as telephone calls over a voice network, are provided. A user accesses a data network to specify one or more rules for forwarding telephone calls. For example, the user may use an electronic calendar to specify patterns for forwarding their telephone calls. These patterns may include one or more rules for determining a forwarding pattern, and one or more time periods specifying when the pattern is effective. The rules are provided to a service center which provides configuration information to the voice network. The voice network then forwards calls based on the configuration information for the time periods specified by the user.