Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide extended voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) services are disclosed. An example method comprises determining a location of a cellular communication device, and selecting a route for a call to the cellular communication device or to a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) communication device based upon the location, wherein the VoIP communication device is not implemented by the cellular communication device.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for acquiring services on a multiplicity of devices. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a service management center (SMC) (100) that has a plurality of service centers (102-110) for supplying services to a corresponding plurality of devices (120-128), and a controller (112) for managing operations of the service centers. The controller is programmed to receive (202) from a select one of the devices an identification reference in response to a request for service by an end user, search (210) for one or more services associated with the identification reference, select (212) from the search results one or more services appropriate for the requesting device, and enable (220) the one or more services on the selected device.

Abstract: A system and methods are disclosed for communications between a communication device and wireless access points. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a multimode communication device (MCD), a controller, a global position (GPS) receiver, and a multimode wireless transceiver. The controller can be programmed to authenticate the MCD with a first wireless access point, request and receive a first internet protocol (IP) address, establish communications with a network management system (NMS) according to the first IP address, transmit to the NMS a location of the MCD, receive a second IP address from the NMS in response to the NMS determining that the MCD is near a second wireless access point, and establish communications over the second wireless access point according to the second IP address.

Abstract: A system and methods (300, 400) are disclosed for seamless communications between a communication device and wireless access points. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a multimode communication device (MCD) (106) having a controller (214) to manage operations of a global position (GPS) receiver (212), and a multimode wireless transceiver (202). The controller can be programmed to authenticate (304) the MCD with a first wireless access point, request and receive (306) a first IP address, establish (308) communications with a network management system (NMS) (100) according to the first IP address, transmit (310) to the NMS a location of the MCD, receive (320) a second IP address from the NMS in response to the NMS determining that the MCD is near a second wireless access point, and establish (330) communications over the second wireless access point according to the second IP address. Embodiments for the NMS are also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and methods (300, 500) are disclosed for enabling communications between a communication device and a wireless access point. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a multimode communication device (MCD) (106) having a controller (214) for managing operations of a multimode wireless transceiver (202) supporting communications on a plurality of wireless access technologies (103). The controller can be programmed to transmit (324) to a network management system (NMS) (100) over a first wireless access technology a request for configuration information associated with a wireless access point, receive (326) the configuration information from the NMS, and enable (320) communications with the wireless access point over a second wireless access technology according to the configuration information. Embodiments for the NMS are also disclosed.

Abstract: A knowledge management system and method is described. The knowledge management system and method comprises the steps of receiving a user search term from a user, searching an index for at least one identifier of an expert based upon the user search term, ranking the at least one identifier by an activity factor and a reputation factor, compiling a search result based on the ranking and transmitting the search result to the user.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for processing session initiation protocol (SIP) messages associated with a Voice over IP (VoIP) terminal. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network proxy having a controller that manages a communications interface in a communication system. The controller can be programmed to receive from a VoIP terminal a SIP message comprising a request to communicate with a destination point, detect from the SIP message a lack of location information associated with the VoIP terminal, and transmit a location query to one among the VoIP terminal, and a gateway connecting the VoIP terminal to the network proxy. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for presenting ring back tones is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network management system (NMS) having a tracking element that tracks an approximate location of a subscriber, a detection element that detects the subscriber roaming from a first time zone to a second time zone according to one or more of the approximate locations tracked, and a configuration element for updating a temporal configuration of a ring back tone service of the subscriber according to the second time zone. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for processing session initiation protocol (SIP) messages associated with a Voice over IP (VoIP) terminal. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network proxy having a controller that manages a communications interface in a communication system. The controller can be programmed to receive from a VoIP terminal a SIP message comprising a request to communicate with a destination point, detect from the SIP message a lack of location information associated with the VoIP terminal, and transmit a location query to one among the VoIP terminal, and a gateway connecting the VoIP terminal to the network proxy. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A knowledge management system and method is described. The knowledge management system and method comprises the steps of receiving a user search term from a user, searching an index for at least one identifier of an expert based upon the user search term, ranking the at least one identifier by an activity factor and a reputation factor, compiling a search result based on the ranking and transmitting the search result to the user.