Abstract: A method is employed in association with a communication session over a peer-to-peer network between a first node associated with a first session participant and a second node associated with a second session participant. In the method, identification information identifying the second session participant is received. Profile information descriptive of the second session participant is gathered using the identification information. The communication session is conducted using the profile information descriptive of the second session participant.

Abstract: A method of operating a communication system to establish communication sessions between an origination network and a peer-to-peer network comprises receiving session signaling to establish a session between an origination device in the origination network and a destination node in the peer-to-peer network, wherein the session signaling includes a participant identifier associated with the origination device. The method further comprises processing the participant identifier to determine if persona information that identifies an originating participant and an entity associated with the originating participant is available for display by a destination device registered as the destination node on the peer-to-peer network and, if the persona information is available, transferring the persona information for delivery to and display by the destination device to a destination participant.

Abstract: A method of operating a communication system comprises registering a plurality of communication devices with a peer-to-peer network as a plurality of enterprise nodes using a plurality of network handles that identify positions in an enterprise hierarchy. The method further comprises receiving a request to establish a session with a participant node and an enterprise node of the plurality of enterprise nodes using a first network handle of the plurality of network handles that identifies a first position in the enterprise hierarchy. In response to the request, the method provides identifying a routing identifier associated with the enterprise node and exchanging user communications for the session with a communication device of the plurality of communication devices registered as the enterprise node using the routing identifier.

Abstract: A method is employed in association with a communication session over a peer-to-peer network between a first node associated with a first session participant and a second node associated with a second session participant. In the method, identification information identifying the second session participant is received. Profile information descriptive of the second session participant is gathered using the identification information. The communication session is conducted using the profile information descriptive of the second session participant.

Abstract: A method of operating a communication system comprises registering a plurality of communication devices with a peer-to-peer network as a plurality of enterprise nodes using a plurality of network handles that identify positions in an enterprise hierarchy. The method further comprises receiving a request to establish a session with a participant node and an enterprise node of the plurality of enterprise nodes using a first network handle of the plurality of network handles that identifies a first position in the enterprise hierarchy. In response to the request, the method provides identifying a routing identifier associated with the enterprise node and exchanging user communications for the session with a communication device of the plurality of communication devices registered as the enterprise node using the routing identifier.

Abstract: A method of operating a communication system to establish communication sessions between an origination network and a peer-to-peer network comprises receiving session signaling to establish a session between an origination device in the origination network and a destination node in the peer-to-peer network, wherein the session signaling includes a participant identifier associated with the origination device. The method further comprises processing the participant identifier to determine if persona information that identifies an originating participant and an entity associated with the originating participant is available for display by a destination device registered as the destination node on the peer-to-peer network and, if the persona information is available, transferring the persona information for delivery to and display by the destination device to a destination participant.

Abstract: A method of operating a communication system comprises registering a first communication device with a peer-to-peer network as a first node associated with a first session participant and a first entity and registering a second communication device with the peer-to-peer network as a second node associated with a second session participant. The method further comprises initiating a communication session between the first node and the second node, transferring for display by the second communication device first persona information identifying the first session participant and the first entity, and exchanging user communications for the communication session between the first communication device and the second communication device.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for establishing packet-based communication between first and second endpoints over a network, in a manner which reduces the latency and complexity associated with call setup. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a resource is requested from the network utilizing a first protocol, and while the request is pending, transmission of packets at a first priority level is commenced. After a response is received from the network granting access to the requested resource, a tagging mechanism is utilized to identify particular packets for transmission at a second priority level higher than the first priority level. In an illustrative embodiment, the first protocol is the Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP), the first priority level corresponds to a Better than Best Effort (BBE) policy, and the second, higher priority level corresponds to an Expedited Forwarding (EF) policy.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for delivering enhanced messages to a calling party. A message document address is provided to the calling party that is a pointer or hyperlink to a message document containing a message for the calling party, such as a uniform resource locator (URL) identifying an Internet document. The calling party may receive a message, e.g., when the called party is not available or containing a list of user-specific menu options in an IVR system. The message document can be (i) a static document created; (ii) a default document created; or (iii) a dynamically generated document based on one or more rules that alter the content of the document based on various characteristics of the calling party or the call (or both). The presentation of the message document address to the user can be conditioned upon the satisfaction of one or more rules, such as when the called party is unavailable or based on one or more predefined characteristics of the calling party or the call (or both).

Abstract: The present efficient packet encryption method decreases the computation time to encrypt and decrypt successive packets of plaintext data. An S-vector is generated and the S-vector is used to encrypt successive packets of plaintext, thus reducing the per packet encryption/decryption time. The formula for encrypting successive packets includes use of the packet sequence number with a third variable injected to eliminate the predictability of the variables, thus making the present efficient packet encryption method more secure. A fourth variable is injected into the calculations to generate an encryption stream that does not repeat as frequently to provide additional security from hackers. For encrypting a packet having a long payload of plaintext, a packet byte sequence number is used to generate an encryption stream that is less likely to repeat within a particular packet.

Abstract: A telecommunications system is disclosed for a destination or “target” party to indicate his or her “presence” or availability to receive communications. The presence indication may include various states such as “available”, “unavailable”, “on vacation”, etc. Each time an initiating party attempts to navigate to a target party, the communications system informs the initiating party of a target party's presence status. The initiating party can then decide which menu path to choose: to continue to a covering party for the target party or the target party's coverage path, such as voicemail. In this manner, user frustration is alleviated, fewer telecommunications resources are consumed and both the initiating and target parties can communicate more effectively.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for delivering enhanced messages to a calling party. A message document address is provided to the calling party that is a pointer or hyperlink to a message document containing a message for the calling party, such as a uniform resource locator (URL) identifying an Internet document. The calling party may receive a message, e.g., when the called party is not available or containing a list of user-specific menu options in an IVR system. The message document can be (i) a static document created; (ii) a default document created; or (iii) a dynamically generated document based on one or more rules that alter the content of the document based on various characteristics of the calling party or the call (or both). The presentation of the message document address to the user can be conditioned upon the satisfaction of one or more rules, such as when the called party is unavailable or based on one or more predefined characteristics of the calling party or the call (or both).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for delivering enhanced caller identification services to a called party. Caller ID information is extended to include a user document address that is a pointer or hyperlink to a user document containing additional information about the calling party. The user document address may be, for example, a uniform resource locator (URL) identifying an Internet document or a database address identifying a database document or entry. The user document generally contains information that the calling party would like to be presented to the called party and may be stored by the called party or accessed over a network. The user document can be (i) a static document; (ii) a document created in accordance with predefined default document content rules; or (iii) a dynamically generated document based on one or more rules that alter the content of the document.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for delivering messages to one or more intended recipients based on the presence, preferences or location of the recipient(s). Text-based messages, such as instant messages, can be delivered to one or more intended recipients by means of (i) a voice call to a voice-capable device associated with the recipients; (ii) a voice mail message to a voice mail box associated with the recipients; or (iii) a text or voice message, as appropriate, that is delivered upon the availability of one or more intended recipients. An instant message originating as a text message is converted to speech, if necessary, before being delivered to the intended recipient. The speech corresponding to the text of the message is played out once the call is answered or once the voice mail message is retrieved. The invention thus enables the delivery of messages to be routed and scheduled based on the location and availability of the intended recipient.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for establishing packet-based communication between first and second endpoints over a network, in a manner which reduces the latency and complexity associated with call setup. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a resource is requested from the network utilizing a first protocol, and while the request is pending, transmission of packets at a first priority level is commenced. After a response is received from the network granting access to the requested resource, a tagging mechanism is utilized to identify particular packets for transmission at a second priority level higher than the first priority level. In an illustrative embodiment, the first protocol is the Resource Reservation Protocol (RSVP), the first priority level corresponds to a Better than Best Effort (BBE) policy, and the second, higher priority level corresponds to an Expedited Forwarding (EF) policy.

Abstract: A unique method and apparatus for a dynamic rate, differential class-based quality of service agent for a communication network that provides a quality of service guarantee by taking into account the existing state of the network and user-defined classes of service is provided. A flexible quality of service agent, separate from the control plane which contains call processing and network management, is provided which optimizes network performance by minimizing the amount of information transmitted over the network to set-up a call and media negotiation, implements admission control to maintain the quality of the ongoing calls and administers the system wide quality of service by providing instantaneous feedback on the current state of the system/network at both the transmitting and receiving end.

Abstract: The present efficient packet encryption method decreases the computation time to encrypt and decrypt successive packets of plaintext data. An S-vector is generated and the S-vector is used to encrypt successive packets of plaintext, thus reducing the per packet encryption/decryption time. The formula for encrypting successive packets includes use of the packet sequence number with a third variable injected to eliminate the predictability of the variables, thus making the present efficient packet encryption method more secure. A fourth variable is injected into the calculations to generate an encryption stream that does not repeat as frequently to provide additional security from hackers. For encrypting a packet having a long payload of plaintext, a packet byte sequence number is used to generate an encryption stream that is less likely to repeat within a particular packet.