Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method, system and apparatus for causing a communication client to join a media-over-packet communication session. The method comprises receiving from a communication client an indication indicative of a desire of the communication client to establish a communication session, the communication client being registered in association with a user account. The method further comprises determining if there exists at least one active communication session established with at least one other communication client registered in association with the user account. Responsive to determining that there does exist at least one active communication session, the method further comprises causing the communication client to join at least one of the at least one active communication session.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method, system and apparatus for causing a communication client to join a media-over-packet communication session. The method comprises receiving from a communication client an indication indicative of a desire of the communication client to establish a communication session, the communication client being registered in association with a user account. The method further comprises determining if there exists at least one active communication session established with at least one other communication client registered in association with the user account. Responsive to determining that there does exist at least one active communication session, the method further comprises causing the communication client to join at least one of the at least one active communication session.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method, system and apparatus for causing a communication client to join a media-over-packet communication session. The method comprises receiving from a communication client an indication indicative of a desire of the communication client to establish a communication session, the communication client being registered in association with a user account. The method further comprises determining if there exists at least one active communication session established with at least one other communication client registered in association with the user account. Responsive to determining that there does exist at least one active communication session, the method further comprises causing the communication client to join at least one of the at least one active communication session.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method, system and apparatus for logging into a communication client. The method comprises receiving a registration request from a first communication client, the first communication client being registered in association with a device group. The method further comprises, responsive to a determination that there does exist a second communication client registered in association with the device group, provisioning the first communication client and the second communication client according to the registration request.

Abstract: A method and network element for implementing a virtual PBX feature for a customer associated with a plurality of endpoints. The method comprises receiving information regarding a call. Based on the information regarding the call, it is determined if the call is an external inbound call or an internal call that identifies a particular one of the endpoints. Responsive to determining that the call is an external inbound call, the call is caused to be routed to the plurality of endpoints associated with the customer, while responsive to determining that the call is an internal call that identifies a particular one of the endpoints, the call is caused to be routed to the particular one of the endpoints. This allows members of a small business or household to share a common external subscriber line, while also allowing the members to reach one another with ease.

Abstract: Provided are methods, apparatuses and systems for providing prioritized data distribution at a customer premise. A network access component may determine a particular hardware identifier associated with data received from a communication entity. The hardware identifier may uniquely identifying a piece of hardware originating data. The network access component may also determine a particular priority level associated with the data based on the particular hardware identifier. The network access component may also prioritize at least a portion of the data on a basis of the particular priority level.

Abstract: Provided are methods, apparatuses and systems for providing prioritized data distribution at a customer premise. A network access component may receive priority information from a trusted source, the priority information being indicative of an association between at least one identifier and a respective priority level. The network component may determine a particular identifier associated with data received from a communication entity. The network access component may determine a particular priority level associated with the data based on the particular identifier and the priority information. The network component may also prioritize at least a portion of the data on a basis of the particular priority level.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method, system and apparatus for handling a request for a communication session. The method comprises receiving, at a processing time, a request for a communication session, the request comprising a destination network identifier, the destination network identifier having been registered in association with a plurality of communication clients; the request having been originated by an originating party associated with an originating identifier. The method further comprises identifying, based on at least one of the originating network identifier and the processing time, a subset of the plurality of communication clients. The method further comprises delivering the request to the subset of the plurality of communication clients.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method, system and apparatus handling a request for a media-over-packet communication session. The method comprises receiving a request for a media-over-packet communication session destined for a network address. Responsive to determining existence of an active communication session with a first communication client registered to the network address, the method further comprises determining an identifier associated with a second communication client registered to the network address, the second communication client different from the first communication client; and routing the request to the second communication client using the identifier.

Abstract: A method implemented by a network entity. The method comprises identifying a previously-originated call involving a party. The method also comprises receiving information regarding processing of a potential future call related to the previously-originated call. The method further comprises using the information regarding processing of a potential future call related to the previously-originated call to cause configuration of call processing information associated with the party. Also provided is a configuration entity for implementing the method.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method, system and apparatus for providing customized calling identification. A method for providing customized calling identification comprises receiving a request for initiating an outgoing call from a communication client, the communication client being registered in association with a network address and being associated with a communication client identifier. The method further comprises, based on the communication client identifier, determining an auxiliary identifier associated with the communication client. The method further comprises augmenting the request for initiating an outgoing call with the auxiliary identifier to generate an augmented request.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for handling incoming calls destined for a called party. The method comprises detecting arrival of an incoming call destined for the called party and attempting to reach the called party by causing a communication device associated with the called party to emit a voice message soliciting a spoken call handling command from the called party. This allows the called party not only to recognize the calling party, but also to decide whether to accept, reject or forward the incoming call without having to physically manipulate the communication device. The network-based example of implementation is compatible with many existing communication devices and has the ability to query the calling party for identification information, whereas the communication device-based example of implementation is compatible with many existing network architectures, and does not require the called party to subscribe to any particular network service.

Abstract: A system for enabling a user of a communication device to both handle an incoming call and originate an outgoing call without having to touch the communication device, by way of exchange of voice messages with the communication device. The system is operative for receiving a signal produced by a microphone associated with the communication device and for processing this signal in an attempt to detect at least one of a plurality of spoken commands potentially contained therein. The plurality of spoken commands comprises at least one spoken call handling command and at least one spoken call origination command. In response to detecting a spoken call handling command, the system causes handling of an incoming call destined for the communication device in accordance with the detected spoken call handling command.

Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, there are provided a method, system and apparatus for joining a communication session. A method comprises receiving from a first communication device an indication of a desire of the first communication device to establish a communication session; the first communication device having been associated with a device group comprising the first communication device and at least one second communication device. The method further comprises determining if there exists an active communication session with the at least one second communication device. The method further comprises, responsive to existence of the active communication session, causing the first communication device to join the active communication session.

Abstract: Provided are methods, apparatuses and systems for providing prioritized data distribution at a customer premise. A network access component may receive priority information from a trusted source, the priority information being indicative of an association between at least one identifier and a respective priority level. The network component may determine a particular identifier associated with data received from a communication entity. The network access component may determine a particular priority level associated with the data based on the particular identifier and the priority information. The network component may also prioritize at least a portion of the data on a basis of the particular priority level.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method, system and apparatus for providing customized calling identification. A method for providing customized calling identification comprises receiving a request for initiating an out-going call from a communication client, the communication client being registered in association with a network address and being associated with a communication client identifier. The method further comprises, based on the communication client identifier, determining an auxiliary identifier associated with the communication client. The method further comprises augmenting the request for initiating an outgoing call with the auxiliary identifier to generate an augmented request.

Abstract: A method and network element for implementing a virtual PBX feature for a customer associated with a plurality of endpoints. The method comprises receiving information regarding a call. Based on the information regarding the call, it is determined if the call is an external inbound call or an internal call that identifies a particular one of the endpoints. Responsive to determining that the call is an external inbound call, the call is caused to be routed to the plurality of endpoints associated with the customer, while responsive to determining that the call is an internal call that identifies a particular one of the endpoints, the call is caused to be routed to the particular one of the endpoints. This allows members of a small business or household to share a common external subscriber line, while also allowing the members to reach one another with ease.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method, system and apparatus for causing a communication client to join a media-over-packet communication session. The method comprises receiving from a communication client an indication indicative of a desire of the communication client to establish a communication session, the communication client being registered in association with a user account. The method further comprises determining if there exists at least one active communication session established with at least one other communication client registered in association with the user account. Responsive to determining that there does exist at least one active communication session, the method further comprises causing the communication client to join at least one of the at least one active communication session.

Abstract: Provided are methods, apparatuses and systems for providing prioritized data distribution at a customer premise. A network access component may determine a particular hardware identifier associated with data received from a communication entity. The hardware identifier may uniquely identifying a piece of hardware originating data. The network access component may also determine a particular priority level associated with the data based on the particular hardware identifier. The network access component may also prioritize at least a portion of the data on a basis of the particular priority level.

Abstract: A method implemented by a network entity. The method comprises identifying a previously-originated call involving a party. The method also comprises receiving information regarding processing of a potential future call related to the previously-originated call. The method further comprises using the information regarding processing of a potential future call related to the previously-originated call to cause configuration of call processing information associated with the party. Also provided is a configuration entity for implementing the method.