Abstract: A method for processing a call placed to a telephony identifier. The method comprises: obtaining information regarding an origin of the call; identifying a group of identities that is associated with the telephony identifier, each identity designating a party reachable by calling the telephony identifier; determining, based on the information regarding the origin of the call, that the call is intended for a particular identity among the group of identities; and causing routing of the call based on information associated with the particular identity. The party designated by each identity may be a different person. Also provided a system for processing a call placed to a telephony identifier.

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: A network entity comprising an input for receiving from a given IP device, a session initiation message for initiating a communication session over a packet based network via a session initiation message generated according to a particular session initiation protocol and a processing entity. The processing entity is operative for detecting a characteristic associated with the given IP device, determining, at least in part on the basis of the characteristic associated with the given device, a given interface module from a plurality of interface modules for processing the session initiation message generated according to the particular session initiation protocol and causing the first session initiation message generated according to the particular session initiation protocol to be processed by the given interface module for converting the first session initiation message into a second session initiation message generated according to a pre-determined session initiation protocol.

Abstract: A method for effecting communications, such as telephone calls, accesses to data network sites, alarm system communications, and/or other communications, over a communications network. The method comprises: determining that an ability of first end-user equipment at a first end-user premise to communicate via a first communication link connecting the first end-user equipment to the communications network is disrupted; establishing a wireless communication link between the first end-user equipment and second end-user equipment at a second end-user premise; and causing information transmitted by or destined for the first end-user equipment to be exchanged over the communications network via the wireless communication link and a second communication link connecting the second end-user equipment to the communications network. Also provided are apparatus and computer-readable media containing a program element executable by a computing system to perform such a method.

Abstract: A method and system for causing a common calling party identifier to be output in association with an outgoing call. The method comprising receiving over a network connection an indication of an attempt by a first communication device to place an outgoing call to a called party and determining a common calling party identifier associated to the first communication device and at least one other communication device. Each of the first communication device and the at least one other communication device is associated with a respective different network identifier. Once determined, the method further comprises causing the common calling party identifier to be conveyed in association with the outgoing call.

Abstract: A method for effecting communications, such as telephone calls, accesses to data network sites, alarm system communications, and/or other communications, having certain origins over a communications network.

Abstract: A method for effecting communications, such as telephone calls, accesses to data network sites (e.g., web sites), alarm system communications, and/or other communications, having certain destinations over a communications network.

Abstract: The present invention discloses numerous implementations for conveying an audio element to a source device initiating an outgoing call while a user of the source device is waiting for a user of a destination device to answer the call. A call processing system receives a call request message from the source device, determines an audio element from a plurality of audio elements to convey to the source device and initiates conveyance of the audio element to the source device in response to receiving the call request message. The system then causes establishment of a media connection between the source and destination devices and terminates conveyance of the audio element to the source device prior to or substantially simultaneous with the establishment of the media connection between the source and destination devices. In various implementations, the source device may be implemented within the PSTN and/or an IP network.

Abstract: The present invention discloses numerous implementations for conveying an audio element to a source device initiating an outgoing call while a user of the source device is waiting for a user of a destination device to answer the call. A call processing system receives a call request message from the source device, determines an audio element from a plurality of audio elements to convey to the source device and initiates conveyance of the audio element to the source device in response to receiving the call request message. The system then causes establishment of a media connection between the source and destination devices and terminates conveyance of the audio element to the source device prior to or substantially simultaneous with the establishment of the media connection between the source and destination devices. In various implementations, the source device may be implemented within the PSTN and/or an IP network.

Abstract: The present invention discloses numerous implementations for IP-based call processing systems that can selectively control an outgoing call initiated by a source device to a destination device. The call processing system communicates with a Service Switching Point (SSP) associated with the source device and determines whether to effect control of the outgoing call. It could determine to effect control of the outgoing call for many reasons including to convey a media message to the source device, to implement a call feature or to manage call restrictions. Upon determining to effect control of the outgoing call, the call processing system causes the SSP to initiate a media connection between the source device and the call processing system. The call processing system can then utilize the media connection with the source device to perform functionality for the outgoing call prior to and/or during the outgoing call.

Abstract: The present invention discloses numerous implementations for IP-based call processing systems that can selectively control an outgoing call initiated by a source device to a destination device. The call processing system communicates with a Service Switching Point (SSP) associated with the source device and determines whether a media message is to be conveyed to the source device. It could determine a media message is to be conveyed to the source device for many reasons including to convey a message related to a call feature, to prompt a user to provide authorization data, to alert a user of particular information or to provide an audio element to the source device prior to establishing the outgoing call. Upon determining to effect control of the outgoing call, the call processing system causes the SSP to initiate a media connection between the source device and the call processing system. The call processing system can then utilize the media connection to convey a media message to the source device.

Abstract: The present invention discloses numerous implementations for IP-based call processing systems that can selectively control an outgoing call initiated by a source device to a destination device. The call processing system causes a Service Switching Point (SSP) associated with the source device to initiate a media connection between the IP-based call processing system and the source device. The call processing system further causes initiation of a call feature for the outgoing call using the media connection with the source device. The call feature may include a call restriction feature, a call feature for conveying an audio element to the source device, a call record feature and a call feature for conveying information to the source device. The call processing system further causes establishment of a media connection between the source and the destination devices.

Abstract: A network entity comprising an input for receiving from a given IP device, a session initiation message for initiating a communication session over a packet based network via a session initiation message generated according to a particular session initiation protocol and a processing entity. The processing entity is operative for detecting a characteristic associated with the given IP device, determining, at least in part on the basis of the characteristic associated with the given device, a given interface module from a plurality of interface modules for processing the session initiation message generated according to the particular session initiation protocol and causing the first session initiation message generated according to the particular session initiation protocol to be processed by the given interface module for converting the first session initiation message into a second session initiation message generated according to a pre-determined session initiation protocol.

Abstract: A system and a method for processing calls. The system comprises a database including: a plurality of telephony identifiers; and for each telephony identifier, information regarding a group of persons that is associated with the telephony identifier, each person of the group of persons being reachable by placing a call to the telephony identifier, the information comprising, for each person of the group of persons, information related to processing of calls involving the person. The system also comprises a processing element having access to the database and being operative for: determining that a given call involves a particular person of the group of persons that is associated with a given one of the telephony identifiers: and processing the given call based on the information related to processing of calls involving the particular person.

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 system implemented by a network entity. The method comprising accessing communication routing information associated to a party. The communication routing information being indicative of at least a first termination device to which incoming communications for the party are to be routed. The method further comprises monitoring at least one of location information, presence information and behavior information associated to the party and processing the communication routing information and the at least one of the location information, presence information and behavior information at least in part on the basis of modification information in an attempt to determine the suitability of modifying the communication routing information. When it is determined that the communication routing information is suitable for modification, causing the party to be advised.

Abstract: A method that comprises receiving over a network connection a signal from a communication device indicative of an intention to initiate a telephony action, and causing a communication link between the communication device and a packet-based application server to be established. The communication link enabling the packet-based application server to receive from the communication device information related to an intended telephony action.

Abstract: A method for processing a call placed to a telephony identifier. The method comprises: obtaining information regarding an origin of the call; identifying a group of identities that is associated with the telephony identifier, each identity designating a party reachable by calling the telephony identifier; determining, based on the information regarding the origin of the call, that the call is intended for a particular identity among the group of identities; and causing routing of the call based on information associated with the particular identity. The party designated by each identity may be a different person. Also provided a system for processing a call placed to a telephony identifier.

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.