Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting an advertisement to a telecommunications service subscriber are described. In an embodiment of the present invention, an advertisement player receives a signal indicating the termination of a telephone call. In response, the advertisement player plays an advertisement in lieu of a conventional ring tone. The advertisement player is in communication with a telecommunications network and may periodically download advertisements. In one embodiment, an advertiser associates demographics with an advertisement. In such an embodiment, the service provider matches the advertisements to be downloaded to subscriber profiles based on the demographics.

Abstract: A method for enabling one or both parties of a telephone call to view contents of a source computer via a computer network during the telephone call. The method includes the following steps: (1) associating a telephone number of a telephone line with a network address of the source computer; (2) retrieving the network address when a call is received by or placed on the telephone line; and (3) establishing a data session between the source computer and one or more display devices associated with the telephone line during which contents of the source computer are displayed on the display devices.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for providing personal safety enhancement for communication devices having a speech recognition module. In one embodiment, when a specific speech segment recognized by the speech recognition module is received by a communication device of the present invention, the communication device performs the following tasks: (1) establishing a communication session with the called party; (2) communicating with a location system to generate location information pinpointing the location of the communication device; and (3) providing the location information to the called party. In other embodiments, the communication device performs additional tasks, including for example: (4) detecting a triggering event during the communication session; (5) communicating with the location system to generate subsequent location information; and (6) providing one or more of the subsequent location information and the triggering event to the called party.

Abstract: One or more voice mail messages, respectively, may be provided as one or more reminder messages. After the playing of a voice mail message, an option may be provided to use the message as a reminder message. Delivery information for the reminder message is obtained. The delivery information may include the user's telephone number, another telephone number, multiple telephone numbers, or identifiers for other devices. The delivery information also may include a designated time for delivery or different times for each of the destinations. The delivery of the reminder message may be password protected. The reminder message is delivered based on the delivery information. If the reminder message is password protected, the reminder message is delivered in response to receipt of the password.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a message in Caller-ID information are described. In one embodiment of the present invention, an applications server, such as service control point (SCP), substitutes a message for Caller-ID information when a switch serving the called party's line requests the Caller-ID information. An embodiment may also include an application that provides a user interface, for example, a web-enabled interface, to allow the subscriber to add or change the message.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for providing Internet Call Waiting (ICW) Messaging Services. In an embodiment, a calling party places an incoming call to a called telephone number having an active ICW session and data connection. A telecommunications system allows a calling party to communicate an ICW message to a computer system engaged in the ICW session and data connection. The telecommunications system may also allow a called party (e.g., the user of the computer system) to communicate a response to the ICW message and, thus, allow interactive ICW messaging.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for providing Caller Control of Internet Call Waiting (ICW) Services. In an embodiment, a calling party places an incoming call to a called telephone number having an active ICW session and data connection. The calling party may enter an authorized code that authorizes interruption or disabling of ICW and the data connection. The interrupt code entered by the calling party is received in a telecommunications network, such as, for example the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or a mobile switching network. The telecommunications network verifies that the interrupt code to enable caller control, and, thereafter, disables or interrupts the ICW session and data connection to connect the incoming call.

Abstract: A method for recording an audible event includes receiving an incoming call from a calling party on a first calling line. The incoming call is connected to a voice mailbox associated with a voicemail witness service. An extended timeout period associated with the incoming call. Telecommunications data associated with an audible event is received over the first calling line for up to the extended timeout period. A voicemail witness record is generated by storing a representation of the received telecommunications data and associating the stored representation with the calling party.

Abstract: A telephone network includes a service switching point, a service control point, and a service node. The service node determines whether a call to a telephone line is a voice call or a data call. Based on this determination, the telephone network may connect the call to the telephone line, redirect the call to a service line, or terminate the call.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for monitoring calls that have been forwarded to a network-based voice mail system (VMS). The VMS receives the forwarded call and sends a start of greeting signal at the beginning and an end of greeting signal at the completion of the voice message greeting to the central office switch. The switch sends an activate call monitoring data message and a call monitoring alert signal to the customer premises equipment (CPE). If the CPE is adapted for call monitoring and includes a speaker assembly, then the speaker assembly is engaged in response to the activate call monitoring data message, thereby allowing hands-free call monitoring. If the CPE does not include a speaker assembly, then the called party may activate call monitoring by lifting the handset in response to detecting a call monitoring alert from the CPE. While monitoring the call, the called party may intercept the call to speak with the calling party.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a caller-controlled demarcation service is described. An embodiment of the present invention is advantageously implemented as an advanced service in an intelligent telecommunications network. An embodiment of the present invention allows the user to specify an interval for a telephone communication. A telecommunication switch times the communication and when the interval expires, the switch either plays a tone to signal the expiration or disconnects the call. The switch may enforce the interval for calls originating or terminating at the subscriber's phone.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for processing an electronic order to purchase an item via the Internet. A purchaser places an order at a client system and a server system receives the order. The server system receives with the order, an electronic request to purchase certain goods or services and notification information. The notification information is representative of at least one communication pathway for communicating with the shopper. Then the occurrence of a triggering event that affects the performance of the electronic request is recognized and the shopper is notified that the triggering event has occurred via the at least one communication pathway as represented in the notification information.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for implementing an improved electronic mail (email) Internet appliance. Improved capabilities include streamlined mechanisms for viewing and managing email messages and for accessing network services. An email Internet appliance obviates the conventional requirements of purchasing a personal computer and tying up a phone line for long periods of time in order to exchange email messages and to read on-line news updates.