Abstract: A system for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network includes: (a) a plurality of subscriber units coupled with the telecommunication network; and (b) a conference control unit coupled with the telecommunication network. The conference control unit responds to a request message from a requesting subscriber unit to effect coupling of a conference-set of subscriber units in a conference calling configuration. The conference control unit controls inclusion in the conference-set by respective subscriber units. The system may provide that the conference control unit provides and controls conferencing services for the conference-set of subscriber units.

Abstract: A system for delivering video products to a subscriber unit includes: (a) at least one subscriber unit equipped for processing video signals; (b) a telecommunication network coupled with the at least one subscriber unit; and (c) at least one video provider station coupled with the telecommunication network. Each respective video provider station is responsive to a predetermined call code for providing a predetermined video product to a particular subscriber unit via the telecommunication network.

Abstract: A method is provided for administering an interactive real world game in which a player (20) is to find a designated target. Suitably, the player (20) employs mobile user equipment (UE) (40) to participate in the game, wherein the UE (40) is served by a wireless access network (32) providing the UE (40) access to an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) (30). The method includes: sending a clue to the UE (40) via the IMS (30), the clue hinting at an identity of the designated target; receiving an answer to the clue, the answer being submitted from the UE (40) via the IMS (30); and, determining whether the received answer correctly or incorrectly identifies the designated target.

Abstract: The present specification discloses is a method for providing a viewer (20) on-demand instant replay of live television (TV) being provided from a source (10) over a primary delivery channel. The method includes: obtaining a feed of the live TV supplied by the source (10); storing content from the obtained feed in a storage device (32); selecting a portion of the content from the storage device (32); and, delivering the selected portion of the content to a viewer's user equipment (UE) (24) while leaving uninterrupted the live TV provided by the source over the primary delivery channel.

Abstract: Communication networks and methods are disclosed that provide an information service that is tailored (or “auto-focused”) to individual customers or subsets of customers based on the location of those customers. The information service is implemented in one embodiment within a communication network (e.g., IMS network or traditional wireless network) having a presence/location server that maintains presence/location information associated with various customers served by the communication network.

Abstract: A method of managing a multimedia call session conducted over a communications network (10) is includes: receiving a request to set-up the multimedia session over the communications network (10), including a plurality of media types; and, establishing a separate single media session for each media type included in the request, the established sessions being between a plurality of participating terminals (40, 50).

Abstract: A broadband address of a first subscriber is identified and communicated to a second subscriber in a first communication system using an SMS data enabled cellular system or call origination set up messaging. If authorization is given by the second subscriber, the broadband address of the second subscriber is delivered to the first subscriber by the first communication system, whereby the first and second subscribers have exchanged their respective broadband addresses over a first communications system where the broadband addresses are utilized for broadband communications over a second communication system.

Abstract: A system and method of transmitting media to a plurality of wireless terminals. The method includes forming a group of wireless terminals, and transmitting a group-specific media message to each of the wireless terminals in the group. The method can include forming a location-based group of wireless terminals disposed within a proximity of a location and transmitting a media message to each of the wireless terminals in the location-based group. The method can also include determining the location of the plurality of wireless terminals. The system includes a Location Server for determining the location of the plurality of wireless terminals and an Application Server for grouping the wireless terminals. The system also include a Call State Function Controller for routing calls thereby transmitting the group-specific media messages to the wireless terminals in the group via wireless interfaces.

Abstract: In a multimedia communications system (100), a multimedia-based answering system (200) lowers the amount of air interface bandwidth used to send multimedia mail messages. When a called party is unavailable, a user of a user terminal (102) is given an option to send a multimedia mail message for the unavailable called party (300, 302, 304). If the user wants to send a multimedia mail message, the bandwidth requirements for the call are renegotiated to reduce bandwidth for sending the multimedia mail message (306). The multimedia mail message is then transmitted over-the-air to a multimedia mail system (208), where the multimedia mail message is buffered, transcoded (if necessary) and stored until the called party retrieves it (308, 310).

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for indicating a predetermined item in a communication system. A mobile unit indicates a predetermined item to an online screening processor. The online screening processor initiates a session with an online commerce site to determine if the predetermined items are available. The mobile unit receives and displays this indication of the availability of the predetermined item from the online screening processor. The mobile unit then accepts input from the user of the mobile unit and sends the input to the online screening processor. A multimedia session is then established between the mobile unit and the online commerce site. The multimedia session connects the mobile unit and online commerce site to facilitate an exchange of information between the two with the intent that the mobile user may purchase or receive additional information about the item from the online commerce site.

Abstract: A broadband address of a first subscriber is identified and communicated to a second subscriber in a first communication system using an SMS data enabled cellular system or call origination set up messaging. If authorization is given by the second subscriber, the broadband address of the second subscriber is delivered to the first subscriber by the first communication system, whereby the first and second subscribers have exchanged their respective broadband addresses over a first communications system where the broadband addresses are utilized for broadband communications over a second communication system.

Abstract: A method of converting between media types in a call session conducted over a multimedia communications network (10) includes receiving call set-up signaling from a calling party. The call set-up signaling initiates establishment of the call session and identifies the calling party's selection of a first media type which the calling party desires to use for participation in the call session. The method further includes inviting a called party to join the call session, querying the called party to determine the called party's selection of a second media type which the called party desires to use for participation in the call session, and receiving a response to the query, the response identifying the called party's selection of the second media type.

Abstract: A method of managing a multimedia call session conducted over a communications network (10) is includes: receiving a request to set-up the multimedia session over the communications network (10), including a plurality of media types; and, establishing a separate single media session for each media type included in the request, the established sessions being between a plurality of participating terminals (40, 50).

Abstract: A system and method of transmitting media to a plurality of wireless terminals. The method includes forming a group of wireless terminals, and transmitting a group-specific media message to each of the wireless terminals in the group. The method can include forming a location-based group of wireless terminals disposed within a proximity of a location and transmitting a media message to each of the wireless terminals in the location-based group. The method can also include determining the location of the plurality of wireless terminals. The system includes a Location Server for determining the location of the plurality of wireless terminals and an Application Server for grouping the wireless terminals. The system also include a Call State Function Controller for routing calls thereby transmitting the group-specific media messages to the wireless terminals in the group via wireless interfaces.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone. A communication system receives a request to generate a set of destination names at the finder service from the calling phone. If the calling phone is capable of processing IP data, the communication system sends a text-based menu interface including the set of destination names to the calling phone. The calling phone may send a menu response indicating one of the set of destination names to the communication system. The communication system receives the menu response from the calling phone and redirects the calling phone to the destination name.

Abstract: A system for effecting conference calling in a telecommunication network includes: (a) a plurality of subscriber units coupled with the telecommunication network; and (b) a conference control unit coupled with the telecommunication network. The conference control unit responds to a request message from a requesting subscriber unit to effect coupling of a conference-set of subscriber units in a conference calling configuration. The conference control unit controls inclusion in the conference-set by respective subscriber units. The system may provide that the conference control unit provides and controls conferencing services for the conference-set of subscriber units.

Abstract: A system for delivering video products to a subscriber unit includes: (a) at least one subscriber unit equipped for processing video signals; (b) a telecommunication network coupled with the at least one subscriber unit; and (c) at least one video provider station coupled with the telecommunication network. Each respective video provider station is responsive to a predetermined call code for providing a predetermined video product to a particular subscriber unit via the telecommunication network.

Abstract: A system for delivering web products to a subscriber unit including: (a) at least one subscriber unit equipped for processing web signals; (b) a telecommunication network coupled with the at least one subscriber unit; and (c) at least one web provider station coupled with the telecommunication network. Each respective web provider station is responsive to a predetermined call code for providing a predetermined web product to a particular subscriber unit via the telecommunication network.

Abstract: In a multimedia communications system (100), a multimedia-based answering system (200) lowers the amount of air interface bandwidth used to send multimedia mail messages. When a called party is unavailable, a user of a user terminal (102) is given an option to send a multimedia mail message for the unavailable called party (300, 302, 304). If the user wants to send a multimedia mail message, the bandwidth requirements for the call are renegotiated to reduce bandwidth for sending the multimedia mail message (306). The multimedia mail message is then transmitted over-the-air to a multimedia mail system (208), where the multimedia mail message is buffered, transcoded (if necessary) and stored until the called party retrieves it (308, 310).

Abstract: The present invention provides a text-based interactive response system and a method for redirecting a calling phone from the interactive response system to a destination phone. The communication system receives a request at the interactive response system from the calling phone. If the calling phone is capable of processing IP data, the communication system sends a text-based menu interface to the calling phone. The calling phone can also send a menu response to the communication system. The menu response indicates a menu selection associated with a destination phone. The communication system receives the menu response from the calling phone and redirects the calling phone to the customer service representative chosen by the calling phone.