Abstract: A broadband communication system including an Internet Protocol Telephony Network and public switched telephone network, including apparatus and methods for placing a call on hold in a way that significantly reduces the amount of network bandwidth utilized by the call while the call is on hold. When a call is placed on hold, embodiments of the architecture of the telephony network of the present invention allows the network to essentially “forget” about the call placed on hold. In other words, a call that is on hold may require very little, or even zero, bandwidth within the telephony network. Accordingly, the total necessary bandwidth capacity of the telephony network may be smaller than it would be if calls on hold were to consume precious network bandwidth as is found in existing telephony systems.

Abstract: A method of alerting a user of a variable bit rate communication between a first terminal and a distant terminal over alternative networks including a circuit switched network and a packet network permits the user the opportunity to change alerting preferences from a remote location or locally and to predetermine instructions for a calling party.

Abstract: In an internet telephony system, toll-free service and the calls that are accepted and paid for can be specified by the IP telephony system user to be limited according to the calling party's identity, time of day, day of week or other criteria Data that is used to screen or filter incoming calls is programmed into a call manager by the IP telephone system user's broadband residential gateway. Using such a system the user can carefully screen calls that are paid for and more closely control telecommunications service costs. More generally, the user has the ability to store predefined call handling criteria, which may be executed by the broadband residential gateway and/or the call manager.

Abstract: A cellular/wireless foreign subscriber is enabled to use her/his own cellular/wireless telephone instrument in a local cellular/wireless (C/W) network/system by entry of a code and a PIN into the local network/system desired to be used. The local C/W network/system algorithmically responds to the code and PIN by changing characteristics of the radio equipment of the local C/W network/system to accommodate operation of the subscriber's cellular/wireless telephone instrument with the network/system desired to be used.

Abstract: The present invention includes a number of systems and techniques for service control for a broadband communications system that includes voice, data and multimedia audio and video communication. One variation of the present invention includes service control based on multiple relationships between equipment specific unique media access control (MAC) addresses, system addresses and directory numbers to enable the properly route traffic between the broadband communication system and legacy telephone systems. In this case, one server, for example a dynamic host control protocof (DHCP) server is used to assign system addresses to equipment unique MAC addresses and another server, for example a call manager (CM) server is used to assign directory numbers to the system addresses.

Abstract: A video enable answering machine having many new features including customized video announcement messages, caller ID based video announcement messages, and time based video announcement messages.

Abstract: A cellular/wireless foreign subscriber is enabled to use her/his own cellular/wireless telephone instrument in a local cellular/wireless (C/W) network/system by entry of a code and a PIN into the local network/system desired to be used. The local C/W network/system algorithmically responds to the code and PIN by changing characteristics of the radio equipment of the local C/W network/system to accommodate operation of the subscriber's cellular/wireless telephone instrument with the network/system desired to be used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a personalized connection with a network from a variety of different terminals and/or ports connected with the network. Subscribers to the network can be provided with a unique subscriber ID that may be used by the network to identify the subscriber. Furthermore, based on the subscriber ID, the network or a network customizing device can access a subscriber profile in order to personalize a connection with the subscriber. Additionally, the subscriber profile can be used by the network service provider for billing purposes.

Abstract: Automatic activation of a wireless device with a first wireless communication system occurs within an area having an overlapping second wireless communication system. Operation of the first communication system access procedure is achieved by masking an access and authentication process for the second communication system from interference from the control signal levels of the second wireless communication system. During the first time access, the first communication system is supplied with the SID and MIN and ESN numbers for authentication and access.

Abstract: An IP telephony system hotline dials a pre-programmed or predetermined telephone number virtually instantaneously when the phone goes off hook in order to summon help or a public safety agency. In addition to immediately dialing the police or fire, the system can be programmed to call several numbers simultaneously or in some user-specified sequence. In addition to immediately dialing a number when a phone goes off hook, the system contemplates dialing a number in response to certain detectable.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a dynamic call forwarding service for a subscriber in an IP telephone network is disclosed. When a predetermined telephone number is called from a telephone other than the subscriber's home telephone, the subscriber enters a code for location registration. The directory number of the telephone the subscriber is using is determined for location registration. A call for the subscriber's home telephone is then routed to the telephone the subscriber used for location registration.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system and device/phone/computer for anonymous call rejection in an Internet Protocol telephony network. The method includes the steps of: determining whether a caller identification ID is available/identifiable for an incoming call; and rejecting the incoming call where the caller ID is unavailable or unidentifiable. The system includes a Caller Identification Unit, for determining whether a caller identification ID is available/identifiable for an incoming call and a Call Rejection Unit, coupled to the Caller Identification Unit, for rejecting the incoming call where the caller ID is unavailable or unidentifiable. A device/phone/computer of the invention provides a caller identification processing/rejecting unit and a transceiver. The caller identification processing/rejecting unit determines whether a caller identification ID is available or identifiable for an incoming call and rejects the incoming call where the caller ID is unavailable or unidentifiable.

Abstract: A method for connecting a call in an IP telephony system is disclosed. A dialed unique identifier is routed to a network device. The network device determines whether the dialed unique identifier has been ported. If the dialed unique identifier has not been ported, the network device attempts to connect the call to the dialed unique identifier. If the dialed unique identifier has been ported, new routing information is sent from a database to the network device. The network device then attempts to connect the call using the new routing information.

Abstract: The instant invention discloses a method and system for providing a novel wireless centrex service that untethers subscribers from the immobility associated with traditional desktop telephones. Essentially, the present invention extends the benefits of wireless voice and data services to subscribers having a need to move within a plurality of localities such as business and hospital campuses. In accordance with the invention, a wireless telephone subscriber can use a standard cellular/PCS telephone as a wireless extension of their desktop phone, while in the proximity of a miniature radio base station capable of communicating with the PCS/cellular telephone. The advantage of such a system is that a subscriber can use the same cellular/PCS telephone that provides service in the public network in the wireless centrex environment. Additionally, the wireless centrex system provides services and features which are similar to those offered to regular centrex telephone subscribers.

Abstract: Automatic activation (i.e., first time access) of digital wireless/cellular mobile telephones with a private/localized wireless/cellular system (i.e. a secondary system) occurs within an area having an overlapping macrocellular primary wireless communication system (i.e., a dominant system). Operation of the secondary access procedure is achieved by shielding/masking an access and authentication process for the secondary system from interference from the control signal levels of the dominant wireless communication system. During the first time access, the secondary system is supplied with the SID and MIN and ESN numbers for authentication and resultant access.

Abstract: A high bandwidth communications system for providing integrated voice, data, multimedia and other subscriber services and applications. Users of the system may select desired services on demand without intervention of the service provider. The services will then be provided over a high bandwidth pipe adequate to meet the needs of the requested services.

Abstract: The instant invention discloses a method and system for providing a novel wireless centrex service that untethers subscribers from the immobility associated with traditional desktop telephones. Essentially, the present invention extends the benefits of wireless voice and data services to subscribers having a need to move within a plurality of localities such as business and hospital campuses. In accordance with the invention, a wireless telephone subscriber can use a standard cellular/PCS telephone as a wireless extension of their desktop phone, while in the proximity of a miniature radio base station capable of communicating with the PCS/cellular telephone. The advantage of such a system is that a subscriber can use the same cellular/PCS telephone that provides service in the public network in the wireless centrex environment. Additionally, the wireless centrex system provides services and features which are similar to those offered to regular centrex telephone subscribers.

Abstract: Broadband services are provided to customer premises, whose existing premise wiring does not have broadband capability, by disaggregating the various signals, including broadband services, supplied to the premise from a broadband communication link at the customer premise's edge, so that the existing POTS wires, within the customer premises, may function as separate channels for varied broadband and narrow band services. Intra premises broad band services are disaggregated so that POTS service responds normally to the network while internal LAN networks operate independently of the outside system network.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a dynamic call forwarding service for a subscriber in an IP telephone network is disclosed. When a predetermined telephone number is called from a telephone other than the subscriber's home telephone, the subscriber enters a code for location registration. The directory number of the telephone the subscriber is using is determined for location registration. A call for the subscriber's home telephone is then routed to the telephone the subscriber used for location registration.

Abstract: Surveillance of IP telephony may be performed through the use of conventional telephone equipment, according to principles of the invention while preventing giving indication to the monitored phone by alerting the user of the monitoring phone to such surveillance use prior to pick up by an agent for engagement of the monitoring phone in response to the alert. Such alerts may assume many forms such as ringing, visual indicators, data readouts, activating ancillary equipment, various flags, etc. This alert prior to surveillance is distinct from alerts used for normal non-surveillance calls, which the monitoring phone is capable of receiving.