Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying and prioritizing applications and application servers in a Voice over IP network is disclosed. In a first embodiment, elements of signaling information are extracted from a call and are mapped to parameters associated with the call. These mapped parameters are then used by a service broker in a VoIP network to identify one or more application servers adapted to process the values of the respective parameter. The service broker may illustratively identify the application servers by a pointer to permit flexible reassignment of processing of a given parameter. The matched pointer/parameter combinations are then mapped to a precedence index. Then, according to this precedence index, the aforementioned pointers are mapped to specific addresses of application servers and the elements of signaling information are forwarded to those addresses for processing of applications.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identifying and prioritizing applications and application servers in a Voice over IP network is disclosed. In a first embodiment, elements of signaling information are extracted from a call and are mapped to parameters associated with the call. These mapped parameters are then used by a service broker in a VoIP network to identify one or more application servers adapted to process the values of the respective parameter. The service broker may illustratively identify the application servers by a pointer to permit flexible reassignment of processing of a given parameter. The matched pointer/parameter combinations are then mapped to a precedence index. Then, according to this precedence index, the aforementioned pointers are mapped to specific addresses of application servers and the elements of signaling information are forwarded to those addresses for processing of applications.

Abstract: One or more elements in a telecommunications network (10, 10? and 10?) receive a call hold-initiating message when a first party places a second party to the call on hold, and in doing so, triggers a call hold event in the network. In response to the call hold-initiating message, the network element may take one or more actions, including releasing one or more network resources and/or providing a service to the second party during the period the call remains on hold. Upon resumption of the call, the network will re-acquire the resources that had been previously released.

Abstract: One or more elements in a telecommunications network (10, 10? and 10?) receive a call hold-initiating message when a first party places a second party to the call on hold, and in doing so, triggers a call hold event in the network. In response to the call hold-initiating message, the network element may take one or more actions, including releasing one or more network resources and/or providing a service to the second party during the period the call remains on hold. Upon resumption of the call, the network will re-acquire the resources that had been previously released.

Abstract: A network method for using a network telephone voice-mail service, by which a caller may leave a voice-message that includes the identification of an attachment, which may include, as examples only, audio, video, text, programs, spreadsheets and graphic attachments. A video, text, spreadsheet or graphic attachment may be converted to an audible attachment to the voice-mail at the caller's or the voice-mail subscriber's request. Such entries may be made, after receiving an automated prompt for leaving an attachment identifier or conversion request, audibly or by using a keypad entry. A network method is also provided for using a network telephone voice-mail service, by which the voice-mail service may detect an attachment to a voice-mail message and provide access to the attachment to the voice-mail message.

Abstract: A network method for using a network telephone voice-mail service, by which a caller may leave a voice-message that includes the identification of an attachment, which may include, as examples only, audio, video, text, programs, spreadsheets and graphic attachments. A video, text, spreadsheet or graphic attachment may be converted to an audible attachment to the voice-mail at the caller's or the voice-mail subscriber's request. Such entries may be made, after receiving an automated prompt for leaving an attachment identifier or conversion request, audibly or by using a keypad entry. A network method is also provided for using a network telephone voice-mail service, by which the voice-mail service may detect an attachment to a voice-mail message and provide access to the attachment to the voice-mail message.

Abstract: A user is associated with a plurality of communication devices each of which belongs to a different type of network. A Unified Presence Information System is configured to communicate with the different networks, and more particularly, to receive information concerning the status of the user's communication devices. The status information can include presence information and/or activity information. The status information can then be used (with or without user-defined preference information) to determine the network device with which the user is most likely in the vicinity of. This information may be used for a variety of purposes, including, but not limited to, directing an incoming communication request to a device where the user can most likely be reached.

Abstract: A personalized text-to-speech (pTTS) system provides a method for converting text data to speech data utilizing a pTTS template representing the voice characteristics of an individual. A memory stores executable program code that converts text data to speech data. Text data represents a textual message directed to a system user and speech data represents a spoken form of text data having the characteristics of an individual's voice. A processor executes the program code, and a storage device stores a pTTS template and may store speech data. The pTTS system can be used to provide various services that provide immediate spoken presentation of the speech data converted from text data and/or combine stored speech data with generated speech data for spoken presentation.

Abstract: One or more elements in a telecommunications network (10, 10? and 10?) receive a call hold-initiating message when a first party places a second party to the call on hold, and in doing so, triggers a call hold event in the network. In response to the call hold-initiating message, the network element may take one or more actions, including releasing one or more network resources and/or providing a service to the second party during the period the call remains on hold. Upon resumption of the call, the network will re-acquire the resources that had been previously released.

Abstract: A network method for using a network telephone voice-mail service, by which a caller may leave a voice-message that includes the identification of an attachment, which may include, as examples only, audio, video, text, programs, spreadsheets and graphic attachments. A video, text, spreadsheet or graphic attachment may be converted to an audible attachment to the voice-mail at the caller's or the voice-mail subscriber's request. Such entries may be made, after receiving an automated prompt for leaving an attachment identifier or conversion request, audibly or by using a keypad entry. A network method is also provided for using a network telephone voice-mail service, by which the voice-mail service may detect an attachment to a voice-mail message and provide access to the attachment to the voice-mail message.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a calling party initiated call in a communication system. More particularly, the invention encompasses a method and an apparatus for subscriber or caller originated multiple calling to one or more individuals at a plurality of addresses. The invention further includes the transfer of the control of the call back to the subscriber or calling party in the event that the called party was not available.

Abstract: A network-based system and method for providing anonymous voice communications using the telephone network and data communications links under the direction of a Call Broker and associated network elements. A user (the call initiator) present in a text chat room session establishes a data connection to Call Broker and, after qualifying for access (e.g., using credit card information) and providing a callback number, receives voice session information and participant access codes for each desired participant in a voice call. The initiator causes session information and participant codes to be passed to one or more selected chat participants in the current text chat room. When a selected participant uses the received session information, and enters the received participant code and a callback number, the Call Broker in cooperation with a Network Adjunct Processor (NAP) completes voice links to the initiator and the selected participant(s).

Abstract: One or more elements in a telecommunications network (10, 10? and 10?) receive a call hold-initiating message when a first party places a second party to the call on hold, and in doing so, triggers a call hold event in the network. In response to the call hold-initiating message, the network element may take one or more actions, including releasing one or more network resources and/or providing a service to the second party during the period the call remains on hold. Upon resumption of the call, the network will re-acquire the resources that had been previously released.

Abstract: A method for processing a telephone call within a telecommunication network for notifying a calling party while making a telephone call of a minimum cost calling plan or period for completing the telephone call. During telephone service connection invocation but before charges are billed, a subscriber is provided with a notification suggesting the telephone call would be cheaper if made on a different day or time. Also the notification may state that different calling plan would be cheaper at the time of the telephone call.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and system for processing a telephone call to an on-line subscriber, when the subscriber telephone line is busy as a result of the on-line connection. The subscriber sets an on-line state, the state being available-for-incoming-calls or not-available-for-incoming-calls. Once the subscriber sets the on-line state, telephone calls to the subscriber telephone number while the subscriber is on-line are processed according to the on-line state. As examples, if the state is available-for-incoming-calls, the subscriber is notified of the incoming call and the call is processed according to the subscriber's instructions. If the state is not-available-for-incoming-calls, the caller may be informed and the call is forwarded to another number or sent to messaging according to the subscriber's preset instructions.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for providing call subject information to a destination device. A call subject platform provides a selection menu to an originating device to receive call subject information. If call subject information is received at the call subject platform from the originating device, then the call subject platform sends a summary of the call subject information to the destination device.

Abstract: A method enables call management on a queue. An incoming call is placed on a queue and may be suspended at a predetermined position for a predetermined period such that the call does not advance on the queue during the predetermined period. The predetermined position may be any desired position on the queue and the predetermined period may be a wait time or a number of calls on the queue, for example. The caller may further receive an estimated wait time or queue length and may request a maximum desired wait time, a change in wait time, or a change in communication method.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and system for processing a telephone call to an on-line subscriber, when the subscriber telephone line is busy as a result of the on-line connection. The incoming call is forwarded to a server, where the calling station is given an option to leave a recorded message and particulars of the call (date and time) and calling station (telephone number and caller identification) are stored in a call-back list server. The system sends an alerting message to the data terminal of the on-line subscriber, where an icon, representing calls stored in the call-back list, is displayed to the subscriber. The subscriber may review particulars of calls stored in the call-back list and may return calls while remaining on-line using Internet telephony, or by other means, such as a TAPI interface. The subscriber may also review or retrieve stored messages in the voice-mail server while remaining on-line.

Abstract: A sender of a message may request independent notification of the message to a recipient by requesting such notification in the message itself. After creating such a message with a request for such notification, the sender launches the message into a network for ultimate delivery to the recipient. Upon receipt of the message, the network checks whether the sender requested independent notification of the message recipient. If the network determines that the sender requested independent notification, the network provides such notification to the recipient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an Internet Caller-ID Delivery Plus Service is presented. The telephone numbers and Internet accounts of a subscriber are aggregated in a database, with one of the telephone numbers being designated as the primary contact number for the subscriber. When the primary contact number is called by a caller attempting to reach the subscriber, the corresponding telephone numbers and Internet accounts of the subscriber are retrieved from the database by the Service. Each telephone number, including the primary contact number, is then dialed by the Service and the call is connected to the first numbers answered. In the case where none of the subscriber's telephone numbers are answered, each Internet account is analyzed to determine if the subscriber is currently on-line. If the subscriber is on-line, a pop-up window with the caller's ID will appear on the screen.