Abstract: A method and system for capturing and managing an indication of availability of a user to make and receive media communications is disclosed. The user availability indication is suitable for use by a user having a plurality of communications devices operable over a variety of media at least some of which are attached to a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) enabled network. The method and system provide an architecture for managing and publication of user availability information. The method and system provide a user with interfaces for set up, publication and delivery of user availability data that can integrate across different media types. A user can establish role, group, activity and location dependent availability information that is managed and updated automatically according to user defined policies or based on a case-by-case basis as the user interacts with the system of the invention.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling and managing multimedia group communications, particularly for mobile devices attached to a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP)-enabled network. The method and system provide a plug-and-play architecture for managing policy-based group communications. The method and system provide standardized set up and delivery of services, and can integrate different media types. Groups can be created on an ad hoc basis, and group services can be extended to mobile communication devices, such as cellular telephones. A single server architecture permits policies, such as group presence policies, to be implemented.

Abstract: A communications system comprising includes a network and a plurality of applications connected to the network. Each of the applications handles a different type of communication and stores information concerning incoming communications directed to users of the communications system. At least one computer is connected to the network and receives incoming communications information from selected applications. The at least one computer includes a display and a processor executing a view application. The view application processes the incoming communications information and generates a three-dimensional representation thereof for presentation on the display.

Abstract: A data driven communication system has three layers consisting of destination, people or network nodes, and devices. Software agents represent the entities of these layers and relationships between agents are defined by policies or chains of policies. These relationships are used to determine communication paths within the system as well as features associated with a particular communication. A database representation of the objects (agents and policies) is used to configure the system and receive updates to the system by an administrator. A graphical user interface can be used to enter data into the database and facilitates an intuitive understanding of the nature of the relationships involved.

Abstract: A method of establishing a process agent comprising storing a library of first software programs representing system resources, storing a second software program representing a corresponding service agent which includes pointers to associated ones of the first software programs which are represented by the service agent, storing a software program for invoking a general process, including the steps of: requesting a usage right for functional services represented by the service agent required by the general process, sending pointers to system resources required for the general process from the service agent to the software program for operating the general process, and storing the pointers sent from the service agent in association with the software program for operating the general process, and executing the software program for operating the general process using the system resources identified by the stored pointers.

Abstract: A communication system includes a plurality of desktop controller agents receiving goal commands and invoking a process to achieve the goals. A plurality of resource agents each in communication with an associate device receives and stores goals from a desktop controller agent and operates the associated device in response to goals received from the desktop controller agent. A network interconnects all of the agents and carries goals between the agents. Communications folders for the user agents are maintained and include a log of communications made using devices associated with a respective desktop controller agent. Attachments can be selected to accompany communications made using the devices.

Abstract: A data driven communication system has three layers consisting of destination, people or network nodes, and devices. Software agents represent the entities of these layers and relationships between agents are defined by policies or chains of policies. These relationships are used to determine communication paths within the system as well as features associated with a particular communication. A database representation of the objects (agents and policies) is used to configure the system and receive updates to the system by an administrator. A graphical user interface can be used to enter data into the database and facilitates an intuitive understanding of the nature of the relationships involved.

Abstract: In a communication system wherein a communication connection is established between a communication apparatus of a first subscriber and a communication apparatus of a second subscriber, a method of terminating the communication connection by a subscriber placed on hold comprises the steps of displaying to the on hold subscriber a prompt to leave a message; in response to selection of the prompt, recording the message left by the on hold subscriber; transmitting the message to the other subscriber; terminating the communication connection; and providing a visual indication to the other subscriber that the communication connection has been terminated by the on hold subscriber and that the on hold subscriber has sent a message. A method of signifying one of the subscriber's desire to return to a communication connection when the communication connection has been placed on hold is also provided.

Abstract: A method of establishing a process agent comprising storing a library of first software programs representing system resources, storing a second software program representing a corresponding service agent which includes pointers to associated ones of the first software programs which are represented by the service agent, storing a software program for invoking a general process, including the steps of: requesting a usage right for functional services represented by the service agent required by the general process, sending pointers to system resources required for the general process from the service agent to the software program for operating the general process, and storing the pointers sent from the service agent in association with the software program for operating the general process, and executing the software program for operating the general process using the system resources identified by the stored pointers.

Abstract: A method of routing calls, messages or information (call routing) comprising storing in a memory a database representing a relationship or organization roles, including names of persons filling the roles and call directory numbers associated with the roles, in response to a request to complete a call to a particular directory number associated with one of the roles, looking up in the database a directory number associated with one of the roles, and processing the call as if the call were directed to the further directory number.

Abstract: A method of operating a communication switching system in conjunction with a PBX comprising: storing at the PBX equipment station identifiers in association with directory numbers, storing at the switching system the station identifiers in conjunction with the directory numbers and a PBX identifier, in the event of a station connected to the PBX going offhook, looking up at the PBX a station identifier associated with a directory number assigned to the offhook station, transmitting the looked up station identifier to the switching system, and upon receiving the transmitted station identifier at the switching system, looking up the corresponding directory number, and changing characteristics of a line between the switching system and the PBX over which communication is to take place, to suit predetermined characteristics based on the corresponding directory number.

Abstract: A method of indicating to a user of a terminal which includes a display, of the occurrence of a function which can be implemented on the terminal, comprising displaying a cursor on the display which cursor is moveable by the user and which has a form and position on the display which is related to a program currently being used by the user and which is unrelated to the function, and changing the form of the moveable cursor at the position to one which relates to the function upon occurrence of the function.

Abstract: A method of providing communication service to a plurality of subscribers comprised of allocating various services to roles to be filled by the subscribers, receiving a trigger for the service to a subscriber in a particular role, and providing different features to a user associated with the service which are restricted to those services which are allocated to the particular role.

Abstract: A method of invoking a telephone user profile comprised of storing in a database a user telephone service profile containing a directory number of a user, in association with a telephone set line, transmitting the user telephone service profile to a central computer, transmitting the service profile to a group of telephone office switches from the computer, storing the service profile at each of the telephone office switches in the group, and providing service to the user at each of the telephone office switches in the group in accordance with the service profile.

Abstract: A communication system is comprised of a computer system connected to a LAN, a local area communications system (LAX) connected to the LAN, peripheral communications devices connected to the LAX, apparatus for controlling communications between the devices via the LAX under control of programs resident in a computer of the computer system, the controlling apparatus comprising a database for storing server system configuration data, a peripheral driver, a call control for controlling the peripheral driver and accessing application programs and the system configuration data, and a protocol converter for passing control and data messages in manners proprietary to each peripheral communications device from and to the peripheral communications devices via peripheral drivers and to and from a variety of standard and non-standard application programs stored in the computer system.

Abstract: A method of invoking a telephone user profile is comprised of storing a user call operation profile in a database at a central switching system, dialing from any station in communication with the central switching system a predetermined sequence identifying the user, identifying the user from the sequence and the physical location of the station from which the dialing occurred and storing an indication of that physical location in the database in association with the profile; and accessing the profile for subsequent calls to the directory number and from the station, and using the profile in the processing of the subsequent calls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of operating a communication system comprised of providing a plurality of process agents for receiving goal commands (goals) and for invoking a process to achieve the goals, providing a plurality of device agents, each in communication with its own device, for receiving and storing goals from a process agent, and for operating its corresponding device in response to receiving the goals from a process agent, and interconnecting all of the agents and carrying goals between agents thereby.

Abstract: A communication system comprised of a computer system connected to a local area network (LAN), a local area communications system (LAX) connected to the LAN including plural line circuits, plural telephones connected to the LAX via the line circuits, one of which is associated with the computer system, control apparatus in the computer for sending messages to the LAX via the LAN for controlling the telephone associated with the computer system, an auxiliary keyboard associated with the one telephone associated with the computer system, connected to the computer system for commanding the control apparatus to send messages to the LAX to control the one telephone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of informing an agent of a follow-up call to the agent from a telephone subscriber comprised of on receiving the follow-up call from the telephone subscriber, detecting that the agent is busy, storing a callback number of the telephone subscriber, storing at least part of a message provided by the telephone subscriber in association with the callback number, determining the identity of a specific agent to which the call is to be directed, and routing the message and the callback number to the specific agent when the specific agent becomes free.

Abstract: A method of connecting an incoming call to one of a plurality of call responsive apparatus all of which are associated with a single directory number, comprised of determining which one of the call responsive apparatus answered an immediately preceding call, and ringing the one call responsive apparatus as a signal to respond to the incoming call.