Abstract: A process performed by a personal interactive voice communication system includes accepting settings of interactive voice communication system prompts for a communication address to which communications are received by the personal interactive voice communication system. The process includes mapping, in response to instructions specific to the network communication address, actions to correspond to selections of set interactive voice communication system prompts. The process also includes identifying a selection of an interactive voice communication system prompt and executing a mapped action corresponding to the selection identified. Voice communications to and from the personal interactive voice communication system are transmitted as packets over the internet via a network server that coordinates communications for personal interactive voice communication systems.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a call from communication device associated with a caller. The call is directed to a second communication device associated with a callee. The method includes determining whether a caller profile associated with the caller is available. The method includes searching at least two networks in response to determining that the caller profile is not available. The method includes creating the caller profile based on the search of the at least two networks and populating a caller identification portal with at least one of a plurality identification characteristics included in the caller profile.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to monitor conference call activity with Internet protocol (IP) networks are disclosed. An example method comprises monitoring a network for a first conference call participant connection request, prompting the first conference call participant for authentication credentials, and when the first conference call participant is authorized based on the credentials, associating an Internet protocol (IP) address with the first conference call participant for use in place of the authentication credentials.

Abstract: A process performed by a personal interactive voice communication system includes accepting settings of interactive voice communication system prompts for a communication address to which communications are received by the personal interactive voice communication system. The process includes mapping, in response to instructions specific to the network communication address, actions to correspond to selections of set interactive voice communication system prompts. The process also includes identifying a selection of an interactive voice communication system prompt and executing a mapped action corresponding to the selection identified. Voice communications to and from the personal interactive voice communication system are transmitted as packets over the internet via a network server that coordinates communications for personal interactive voice communication systems.

Abstract: A process performed by a personal interactive voice response service node includes setting interactive voice response service node prompts for a communications address to which communications are answered by the personal interactive voice response service node. The process includes mapping, in response to individualized instructions, actions to correspond to selections of set interactive voice response service node prompts. The process also includes identifying a selection of an interactive voice response service node prompt and executing a mapped action corresponding to the selection identified. Voice communications to and from the personal interactive voice response service node are packetized and transmitted over the internet via a network server that coordinates communications for personal interactive voice response service nodes.

Abstract: A process performed by a personal interactive voice response service node includes setting interactive voice response service node prompts for a communications address to which communications are answered by the personal interactive voice response service node. The process includes mapping, in response to individualized instructions, actions to correspond to selections of set interactive voice response service node prompts. The process also includes identifying a selection of an interactive voice response service node prompt and executing a mapped action corresponding to the selection identified. Voice communications to and from the personal interactive voice response service node are packetized and transmitted over the internet via a network server that coordinates communications for personal interactive voice response service nodes.

Abstract: A personal interactive voice response service node includes a memory that stores executable instructions, and a processor that executes the executable instructions. The personal interactive voice response service node accepts personalized instructions to define interactive voice response service node prompts on behalf of an individual assigned a communications address serviced by the personal interactive voice response service node. The personal interactive voice response service node accepts personalized instructions to define actions to take in response to selections of corresponding interactive voice response service node prompts. When executed by the processor, the executable instructions cause the personal interactive voice response service node to identify a selection of an interactive voice response service node prompt and execute an action associated with the selection identified.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for alternative billing of VoIP services are disclosed. An example method comprises receiving an indication at a voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) device that a call placed from the VoIP user device is blocked, and sending a VoIP protocol message containing billing information received at the VoIP user device to an alternative billing server. Another disclosed example method comprises determining at a VoIP call session control function (CSCF) server that a VoIP session is blocked, and providing a prompt at a VoIP user device to obtain billing information for the VoIP session.

Abstract: A system and method for remote speech recognition includes one or more customer premise equipment, a speech engine, and a communication engine. The customer premise equipment interfaces with a host from which the customer premise equipment is remotely located. The speech engine, remotely located from the host, recognizes a plurality of speech spoken by a user of the customer premise equipment and translates the speech into the language of the host. The speech engine further converts the recognized speech into one or more text data packets where the text data packets include the recognized speech as data instead of voice. The communication engine encrypts the text data packets and transmits the text data packets to the host. Transmitting data instead of voice to the host reduces the computational demands on the host. Additionally, the communication engine receives a plurality of information from the host.

Abstract: A method processes and conditionally routes a call. The method includes receiving a call from a caller, determining a telephone number of the caller, and determining if the telephone number of the caller is a telephone number assigned to a specific individual. The method also includes accessing an electronic database to determine a stored language preference of the specific individual when the telephone number of the caller is determined to be assigned to a specific individual, prompting the caller to select a language preference when the specific individual does not have a stored language preference, and storing the language preference selected by the caller based on the prompting in an electronic database. The method further includes routing the call to a predetermined destination based on the stored language preference of the specific individual in the electronic database.

Abstract: A particular method includes initiating outbound calls associated with at least two recipients that are to receive a notification message. The outbound calls include a first call to a first telephone address associated with a first recipient of the at least two recipients. The method further includes, in response to a determination that the first call is unanswered, initiating a second call to a second telephone address associated with the first recipient and initiating generation of an email message to an electronic mail address associated with the first recipient.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to deflect callers to websites are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein to deflect a caller to a webpage comprises receiving a call from the caller, identifying a webpage based on information characterizing the call, and providing an address of the webpage to the caller when the caller consents to terminate the call.

Abstract: A method of managing incoming calls is disclosed and includes receiving a telephone call. Further, the method includes offering a caller a bypass option to bypass an automated help application and placing the telephone call in a queue for a next available customer service agent. The method can also include prompting the caller for payment when the caller selects the bypass option. Further, the method can include indicating a current wait time when the bypass option is declined. Moreover, the method can include offering the caller an instant service option to directly connect the caller to a customer service agent. The method can also include prompting the caller for payment when the caller selects the instant service option and directly connecting the telephone call to a customer service agent.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing a custom ring tone in connection with a call. In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving, at a communication system, an indication to provide a customized ring tone associated with a call to a callee device. The method further includes delivering at least a portion of the customized ring tone to the callee device from the communication system when the callee device is determined to be operable to output the customized ring tone.

Abstract: A method of providing caller identification information to a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) telephone device is disclosed and includes receiving an incoming telephone call. The method also includes determining a destination VoIP telephone device associated with the incoming call. Further, the method includes populating a caller identification portal with a plurality of identification characteristics from a caller profile and presenting the caller identification portal to a display of the destination VoIP telephone device. The caller identification portal can include a first mode in which a partial caller identification portal is presented and a second mode in which a full caller identification portal is presented.

Abstract: A method that processes and conditionally routes a call. The method includes receiving a call from a caller, determining a telephone number of the caller, and determining if the telephone number of the caller is a telephone number assigned to a specific individual. The method also includes accessing an electronic database to determine a stored language preference of the specific individual when the telephone number of the caller is determined to be assigned to a specific individual. The method further includes routing the call to a predetermined destination based on the stored language preference of the specific individual in the electronic database, and routing the call to a first default destination when the telephone number of the caller is determined to not be assigned to a specific individual.

Abstract: A personal Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system includes a plurality of IVR servers communicating personal IVR service node information in a network and a plurality of personal IVR service node clients coupled to the plurality of IVR servers communicating the personal IVR service node information. The plurality of personal IVR service node clients have a client-server relationship with the plurality of IVR servers. The personal IVR system further includes facilities for managing transmission of the personal IVR service node information using a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology.

Abstract: A particular method includes initiating outbound calls associated with at least two recipients that are to receive a notification message. The outbound calls include a first call to a first telephone address associated with a first recipient of the at least two recipients. The method further includes, in response to a determination that the first call is unanswered, initiating a second call to a second telephone address associated with the first recipient and initiating generation of an email message to an electronic mail address associated with the first recipient.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing a custom ring tone in connection with a call. In a particular embodiment, a method includes receiving, at a communication system, an indication to provide a customized ring tone associated with a call to a callee device. The method further includes delivering at least a portion of the customized ring tone to the callee device from the communication system when the callee device is determined to be operable to output the customized ring tone.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for broadcasting Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) messages. A method incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include receiving an indication that a message should be delivered to a plurality of recipients. In response, contact information for the plurality of recipients may be identified, and an outbound packetized call to each of the recipients may be launched. In practice, the packetized call may be in a VoIP form or some other appropriate packetized form. If a call is answered, the call may be connected to a multicast server capable of playing the to-be-delivered message.