Abstract: A dynamically configurable presence service provides support for heterogeneous presentities. Presentity types are registered using a presentity manifest that includes information such as type names, addresses of applications associated with actions related to the presentity type, application parameters, icons for watcher application, and the like. Users (watchers) can then register for different groups of presentities based on type and receive updated presence information. Watcher applications are dynamically configured for presentation and management purposes based on updated presentity type information.

Abstract: A monitoring and entry system presence service provides notification about a trigger event to a user and performs actions based on user input. Interface devices equipped with client applications capable of performing actions such as VoIP calls, video calls, and the like, register with a control and session layer, which facilitates interaction with a specific presence application and an integrated presence service, such as a doorbell application and a generic presence service. Upon determining the location of a user, notification and a list of actions are provided through a watcher client application. In response to the user selection, actions are facilitated through the same network session(s).

Abstract: A doorbell presence hardware is configured to provide notification about a trigger event at an entry point such as a person at the door pressing a button. The doorbell presence hardware is equipped with physical components such as a camera, a microphone, a speaker, and the like, and associated client applications to facilitate user selected actions in response to the notification. The doorbell presence service controlling the doorbell presence hardware includes an integrated presence service to determine a location of the user and provide notification and a list of actions through a watcher client application. The interactions of the system are facilitated through network sessions.

Abstract: Systems and methods for notifying a user that a meeting participant is within a specified distance of a meeting location are disclosed. A method according to the invention includes receiving a location signal that represents a current location of a meeting participant, storing meeting location data that represents a meeting location and distance data that represents a specified distance from the meeting location, determining from the location signal, the meeting location data, and the distance data whether the current location of the meeting participant is within the specified distance from the meeting location, and transmitting a notification message if the current location of the meeting participant is within the specified distance from the meeting location.

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: Apparatus for operating home appliances using gesture recognition are disclosed. An image receiver receives a continuous stream of images of a gesture made within the image receiver's field of view. An image processor is connected to the image receiver for sampling the received stream of gesture images to form a gesture image sequence, and for recognizing whether the gesture image sequence corresponds to one of a predefined set of gestures. If the input gesture is recognized as being one of the predefined gestures, an operations processor, which is connected to the image processor, identifies a home appliance operation associated with the recognized gesture. An appliance controller is connected to the operations processor for causing the predefined home appliance operation to be performed. Home appliances and methods for operating home appliances using gesture recognition are also disclosed.

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: A system and method for a caller to control a tune notification for a telephone call includes a service switching point and a service control point. The service switching point is operable to receive a tune notification service access code and a called directory number, and to issue a query in response to receiving the service access code. The service control point is operable to receive the query and issue a response including a tune notification signal to the service switching point. Upon receiving the response from the service control point, the service switching point processes the call so that the tune notification signal causes the tune notification to be applied to a called telephone line associated with the called directory number.

Abstract: A system for monitoring the status of a plurality of service package applications operating on a service node of a telecommunications network. A heartbeat message generating application is stored on the service node and includes a shared database that is accessible by at least two of the plurality of service package applications. A heartbeat message receiving application is stored on a service control point (SCP) that is in communication with the service node, the heartbeat message receiving application including a status database that includes records for monitoring the status of the at least two of the plurality of service package applications. The heartbeat message generating application generates a heartbeat message containing information retrieved from the shared database and sends the heartbeat message to the heartbeat message receiving application where the information is extracted and used to update the status database.

Abstract: A system for a caller to control a distinctive ring for a telephone call includes a service switching point and a service control point. The service switching point is operable to receive a feature code and a called directory number, and to issue a query in response to receiving the feature code. The service control point is operable to receive the query and issue a response to the service switching point. The response includes a distinctive ring parameter. Upon receiving the response from the service control point, the service switching point processes the call so that the distinctive ring parameter causes a distinctive ring signal to be applied to a called telephone line associated with the called directory number.

Abstract: Systems and methods for notifying a user that a restrained party is within a specified distance of a specified location are disclosed. A method according to the invention includes storing identity data that represents an identity of a restrained party, location data that represents a specified location, and distance data that represents a specified distance from the specified location. A restrained party location signal that represents a current location of the restrained party is received. From the location data and the distance data, a determination is made as to whether the current location of the restrained party is within the specified distance from the specified location. If the current location of the restrained party is within the specified distance from the specified location, an alert is transmitted to one or more contacts.

Abstract: A system and method enables a caller to detect subscribers to a privacy screening service. The caller detection of privacy screening is initiated when a subscriber to the caller detection of privacy screening service places a telephone call to a called party. After the calling party enters the telephone number of the called party, the caller detection of privacy screening service places a query to an SCP. The SCP determines if the called party is a subscriber to privacy screening. If the called party is a subscriber to privacy screening, the call is not completed, and a message is sent from the SCP to the SSP indicating that this is a caller detection of privacy screening call. This information is forwarded from the SSP to a billing system for processing as a caller detection of privacy screening charge. If the called party is not a subscriber to privacy screening, the call is completed and normal charges accrue.

Abstract: Apparatus for operating home appliances using gesture recognition are disclosed. An image receiver receives a continuous stream of images of a gesture made within the image receiver's field of view. An image processor is connected to the image receiver for sampling the received stream of gesture images to form a gesture image sequence, and for recognizing whether the gesture image sequence corresponds to one of a predefined set of gestures. If the input gesture is recognized as being one of the predefined gestures, an operations processor, which is connected to the image processor, identifies a home appliance operation associated with the recognized gesture. An appliance controller is connected to the operations processor for causing the predefined home appliance operation to be performed. Home appliances and methods for operating home appliances using gesture recognition are also disclosed.

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 processing packages is provided. A package is received at an intermediate shipping site and a delivery authorization status corresponding to the package is determined. The package is delivered if the authorization status is that delivery is acceptable and the package is not delivered if the authorization status is that delivery is not acceptable.

Abstract: During a telephone call, a transferring party performs an action to cause the telephone call to be transferred. The action causes a switch to send a query to a service control point (SCP) in a public-switched telephone network (PSTN). The SCP determines a transfer telephone number to which the telephone call is transferred. The transfer telephone number can be stored in a subscriber information table. The SCP determines the transfer telephone number and returns the transfer telephone number to the switch sending the query. The switch makes a telephone call to the transfer telephone number to cause a telephone associated with the transfer telephone number to ring. When the telephone associated with the transfer telephone number is answered, the transferring party disconnects from the telephone call to complete the transfer of the telephone call. A services node can also be used to determine the transfer telephone number.

Abstract: Systems and methods for notifying a user that a restrained party is within a specified distance of a specified location are disclosed. A method according to the invention includes storing identity data that represents an identity of a restrained party, location data that represents a specified location, and distance data that represents a specified distance from the specified location. A restrained party location signal that represents a current location of the restrained party is received. From the location data and the distance data, a determination is made as to whether the current location of the restrained party is within the specified distance from the specified location. If the current location of the restrained party is within the specified distance from the specified location, an alert is transmitted to one or more contacts.

Abstract: Systems and methods for notifying a user that a specified person is within a specified distance of a specified meeting location are disclosed. A method according to the invention includes receiving a location signal that represents a current location of a specified party, storing identity data that represents an identity of the specified party and location data that represents a specified location, and determining from the location signal and the location data whether the specified party has arrived at the specified location. Such a method can also include transmitting a notification message if the specified party has arrived at the specified location.

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: 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.