Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing network origination calls in a hybrid network. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network management system (NMS) having a detection module to detect at a first terminal a network origination call directed to a second terminal, a search module to search a terminal type for each of the first and second terminals according to information supplied in the network origination call, and an enablement module to enable at least one media gateway to provide communication services to each of the first and second terminals identified as a circuit-switched terminal by its corresponding terminal type. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a false caller ID. The system receives caller identification data and signaling system data from the call, compares the caller identification data to the signaling system data, and determines if the call has a false caller ID based on the comparison. The signaling system data may include signaling system 7 data. The system may also alert the intended recipient by modifying the properties of the call or by enacting a peripheral system to contact the intended recipient.

Abstract: A menu is provided in a telephone call. The menu provides a plurality of destination options including a first destination option for a residence of a family, a second destination option for a first member of the family at a first location other than the residence, and a third destination option for a second member of the family at a second location other than the residence. A first selection of one of the destination options is received in the telephone call, and the telephone call is routed to a first telephone number corresponding to the first selection. Thereafter, an originating dual-tone multi-frequency trigger is detected. The telephone call to the first telephone number is interrupted, a second selection of the destination options is received, and the telephone call is routed to a second telephone number corresponding to the second selection.

Abstract: A menu is provided in a telephone call. The menu provides a plurality of destination options including a first destination option for a residence of a family, a second destination option for a first member of the family at a first location other than the residence, and a third destination option for a second member of the family at a second location other than the residence. A first selection of one of the destination options is received in the telephone call, and the telephone call is routed to a first telephone number corresponding to the first selection. Thereafter, an originating dual-tone multi-frequency trigger is detected. The telephone call to the first telephone number is interrupted, a second selection of the destination options is received, and the telephone call is routed to a second telephone number corresponding to the second selection.

Abstract: A menu is provided in a telephone call. The menu provides a plurality of destination options including a first destination option for a residence of a family, a second destination option for a first member of the family at a first location other than the residence, and a third destination option for a second member of the family at a second location other than the residence. A first selection of one of the destination options is received in the telephone call, and the telephone call is routed to a first telephone number corresponding to the first selection. Thereafter, an originating dual-tone multi-frequency trigger is detected. The telephone call to the first telephone number is interrupted, a second selection of the destination options is received, and the telephone call is routed to a second telephone number corresponding to the second selection.

Abstract: A method and system of supporting abbreviated dialing between phones include determining dialing by a first phone of an abbreviated number associated with a second phone. The first phone is in a circuit-switched network associated with a Centrex system and the second phone is in an Internet Protocol (IP) packet-switched network disassociated from the Centrex system. The phones in the circuit-switched network are associated with the Centrex system. The Centrex system supports abbreviated dialing between phones associated with the Centrex system. A routing number for a phone call from the first phone to the second phone is determined as a function of the abbreviated number. The routing number includes IP addressing sufficient to support routing of the phone call through the packet-switched network to the second phone such as if both phones were associated with the Centrex system.

Abstract: Method and system of supporting abbreviated dialing. The method and system may be used in conjunction with calls between affiliated phones if at least a portion of the signals associated therewith are transmitted over a non-affiliated network.

Abstract: A system and method deliver audible caller identification information when standard Caller ID information is invalid or can not be provided, even when the called party connects to the network by private trunk group facilities. In one disclosed embodiment, a trunk group trigger associated with the called communication station is encountered, launching a termination attempt query. If standard caller identification information can not be provided for the calling party, the call will be routed to a privacy service to obtain the audible caller identification information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for processing network origination calls in a hybrid network. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network management system (NMS) having a detection module to detect at a first terminal a network origination call directed to a second terminal, a search module to search a terminal type for each of the first and second terminals according to information supplied in the network origination call, and an enablement module to enable at least one media gateway to provide communication services to each of the first and second terminals identified as a circuit-switched terminal by its corresponding terminal type. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes provisioning a mobile user with usage minutes for usage calls. The method includes determining whether the mobile user and a telephone user either belong to the same provider or different providers after a call between the users is initiated. The call is designated as a usage call if the users belong to different providers. If the call is a usage call, then the mobile user is advised that the call is a usage call and the number of usage minutes remaining and an affirmation from the mobile user is required to complete the call.

Abstract: All calls terminating to a customer's directory number are intercepted. If caller identification information can be presented, the call is forwarded to a service node for disposition. The service node reconfigures signaling information of the call so that the call is not intercepted, then forwards the call to the subscriber's telephone. When the call is answered, the service node states the name or telephone number of the calling party which has been retrieved from the signaling information. The caller can decide whether to take the call, deny the call, send the call to voice mail or send a sales refusal message or other disposition option.

Abstract: An enhanced Calling Party Pays (CPP) or Paging Party Pays (PPP) system that enables 1) billing of calls originating from traditionally non-billable sources, 2) routing of incoming calls to voicemail if the caller does not wish to incur the additional charges, 3) allowing the caller to complete the call and charge the cellular (or paging) subscriber for additional air-time usage when the caller enters a PIN or security code, also referred to as a billing override code, and 4) allowing the caller to block CPP/PPP charges from being billed to the calling party.

Abstract: Method and system of alerting callers of surcharges associated with making phone calls. The method and system relating to calls made between affiliated and non-affiliated providers wherein the surcharges are fees incurred in service calls therebetween. The fees may be flat-rate fees or other per phone call fees which are independent of call length, duration, etc. The fees may be charged by the non-affiliated provider and/or fees incurred by the affiliate provider in servicing such calls.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for providing DSL services and selected telephone service over a common telephone line. Digits or the called numbers are received and if the called numbers correspond to an escape code, the call is enabled. A selected announcement to the calling number may be made if the call is not enabled.

Abstract: A method (200) and apparatus (102, 108) are disclosed for monitoring network activity. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an activity notification system (ANS) (102) having a controller (104) that manages operations of a communications interface (110) for communicating with network elements (101) in a communication system. The controller can be programmed to monitor (202) network activities associated with a plurality of communication devices of an end user, generate (204) from the monitored activities an end user profile that predicts a behavior of the end user, and transmit (212, 222) a notice when a change in the monitored activities differs from a behavior predicted by the end user profile. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An efficient and effective system and method for screening calls is based upon user provided call screening preferences. The present embodiments utilize multiple types of information to effectively screen incoming and outgoing calls. The present embodiments also allow for the user to be notified of the calls that were screened.

Abstract: A system and method for detecting a false caller ID. The system receives caller identification data and signaling system data from the call, compares the caller identification data to the signaling system data, and determines if the call has a false caller ID based on the comparison. The signaling system data may include signaling system 7 data. The system may also alert the intended recipient by modifying the properties of the call or by enacting a peripheral system to contact the intended recipient.

Abstract: A privacy management system allows a called party to re-direct picked up calls. A call is suspended if standard calling line identification can not be provided for the call. The caller is prompted to provide audible caller identification which is recorded and replayed to the called party before completing the call. The called party may enter a first input to accept the call based on the audible caller identification. If the called party subsequently determines that the call should be handled by another automatic disposition, the called party can enter a second input to provide a call redirection indication. In response to the call redirection indication, the call is disconnected and redirected to complete between the calling party and a destination such as voice mail or a message which is indicated by the call redirection indication.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for routing a call to a common number from a calling party, where the common number corresponds to a plurality of users. The method and system determine whether availability of unique identification information for the calling party in response to receiving an indication of the call to the common number, and correlate the unique identification information when it is available to a destination number associated with one of the plurality of users in order to route the call to the destination number.

Abstract: A telecommunications service controls and monitors telephone calls by storing at a service control point (SCP) restricted telephone numbers and priority telephone numbers. Upon receiving call data relating to a call between a subscriber telephone number and an outside telephone number, the SCP determines whether the outside telephone number matches the restricted or priority telephone numbers. When the outside telephone number matches a restricted telephone number, the call is terminated and the SCP stores the call data. When the outside telephone number does not match a restricted telephone number, or matches a priority telephone number, the call is connected. The SCP transmits stored call data to a service management system, which is accessible by the subscriber via the Internet or an interactive voice response, for generating reports. The service further includes time schedules for implementing call restrictions and personal identification number for bypassing call restrictions.