Abstract: A customizable mechanism is provided for determining and reporting the overall reachability of a user based on the current statuses of a variety of network elements associated with the user, such as devices or applications that a user may use to communicate with others. The system can evaluate customizable reachability rules to determine an overall reachability status for the user. The system provides for distribution of reachability status and presence statuses of network elements to authorized subscribers.

Abstract: An approach for providing telephony services over a data network is disclosed. A communications system includes a location server that receives a request from a calling station to establish a call with a station associated with a called party. The location server generates a message specifying a set of addresses relating to the called party and context information. A proxy server communicates with the location server and is configured to receive the message and to attempt to establish the call based on the set of addresses. The proxy server iteratively queries the location server to obtain another set of addresses if no prior address results in establishment of the call.

Abstract: Network servers in a session initiation protocol (SIP) telecommunication network implement playback of announcements to end-users by embedding programming scripts defining how the announcements are to be played in a SIP message. In particular, the scripts may define the sequence in which a series of announcements are to be played, duration information relating to a playback length of the announcements, and repetition information defining how many times an announcement is to be repeated. By including a script in a single message, announcement instructions may be efficiently communicated in the network.

Abstract: A customizable mechanism is provided for determining and reporting the overall reachability of a user based on the current statuses of a variety of network elements associated with the user, such as devices or applications that a user may use to communicate with others. The system can evaluate customizable reachability rules to determine an overall reachability status for the user. The system provides for distribution of reachability status and presence statuses of network elements to authorized subscribers.

Abstract: A customizable mechanism is provided for determining and reporting the overall reachability of a user based on the current statuses of a variety of network elements associated with the user, such as devices or applications that a user may use to communicate with others. The system can evaluate customizable reachability rules to determine an overall reachability status for the user. The system provides for distribution of reachability status and presence statuses of network elements to authorized subscribers.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for placing a call between a client in one network and a client in another network. The IP network includes a SIP server and a network gateway configured to provide access to a public switched network. The method includes receiving a SIP call request message from the first client. The SIP call request message is authenticated to thereby identify an authentic originating client. Subsequently, a database is searched to find client billing tag corresponding to the authentic originating client. The call is completed if the client billing tag is obtained, and not completed if the client billing tag cannot be obtained. Thus, the present invention provides an efficient method for billing phone calls that are placed from SIP enabled devices to a telephone connected to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). The method of the present invention also substantially eliminates certain types of fraud.

Abstract: A method provides call pickup in a communications network. The method includes initiating a call from a first device to a second device. The call is initiated over one or more networks, where at least one of the one or more networks includes a data network. The method further includes storing information relating to the call initiation between the first device and the second device, receiving a message from a third device during the call initiation, where the message includes a call pickup indication, retrieving the information relating to the call initiation between the first device and the second device, and establishing a call between the first device and the third device based on the retrieved information.

Abstract: In a SIP network, SIP servers are provisioned with information used to authenticate subscribers and entities that will be placing calls. This information can be used during call establishment to allow or deny calls, as well as to determine the appropriate party to bill if the call involves a charge, such as a long distance charge. In addition to allowing calls between authenticated and trusted entities, there is a need for the SIP server to allow certain kinds of calls that involve non-trusted users or entities. If non-trusted entities where not recognized, trusted users and entities within the SIP network would not be able to receive calls from users or entities not know to the SIP server that is providing them services.

Abstract: Applying a filter to state information sent from a server to a subscribing client includes receiving a subscription request from the subscribing client, where the subscription request requests a subscription for the subscribing client. A subscriber value is established from the subscription request. A filter set corresponding to the subscriber value is implicitly determined. The filter set comprises one or more filters, where a filter operates to filter state information sent from a server to the subscribing client. The filter set is recorded in a subscription record of the subscription for the subscribing client.

Abstract: A method for adjusting a contact list is provided. The method includes obtaining a contact list having a list of one or more media types for a contact. Contact data is obtained. The contact data defines an accessibility of the contact to the one or more media types. The method may include determining an accessibility level for reaching the contact using the one or more media types based on the contact data. The accessibility level may be a probability of reaching the contact using the one or more media types. The contact list may be adjusted based on the determined accessibility level.

Abstract: Network servers in a session initiation protocol (SIP) telecommunication network implement playback of announcements to end-users by embedding programming scripts defining how the announcements are to be played in a SIP message. In particular, the scripts may define the sequence in which a series of announcements are to be played, duration information relating to a playback length of the announcements, and repetition information defining how many times an announcement is to be repeated. By including a script in a single message, announcement instructions may be efficiently communicated in the network.

Abstract: A session initiation protocol (SIP) server adds billing and authentication information to conventional SIP messages used in establishing call transfers. This additional information is later verified by a SIP server and used to enable advanced billing and fraud protection features for call transfers in a SIP telecommunications network.

Abstract: Network servers in a session initiation protocol (SIP) telecommunication network implement playback of announcements to end-users by embedding programming scripts defining how the announcements are to be played in a SIP message. In particular, the scripts may define the sequence in which a series of announcements are to be played, duration information relating to a playback length of the announcements, and repetition information defining how many times an announcement is to be repeated. By including a script in a single message, announcement instructions may be efficiently communicated in the network.

Abstract: A session initiation protocol (SIP) server adds billing and authentication information to conventional SIP messages used in establishing call transfers. This additional information is later verified by a SIP server and used to enable advanced billing and fraud protection features for call transfers in a SIP telecommunications network.

Abstract: A system includes a database configured to store account information relating to users of a telecommunications network. Additionally, a session initiation protocol (SIP) server receives first messages initiating call transfers. The server appends billing information and a digital signature to the first message based on account information of one of the users stored in the database. The digital signature provides for authentication of the call transfers.

Abstract: An approach for providing telephony services over a data network is disclosed. A communications system includes a location server that receives a request from a calling station to establish a call with a station associated with a called party. The location server generates a message specifying a set of addresses relating to the called party and context information. A proxy server communicates with the location server and is configured to receive the message and to attempt to establish the call based on the set of addresses. The proxy server iteratively queries the location server to obtain another set of addresses if no prior address results in establishment of the call.

Abstract: An approach for providing telephony and other services over a data network is disclosed. A communications system includes a location server that generates a first subset from the set of all addresses relating to a called party. A proxy server obtains a first subset of addresses from the location server and attempts to establish a session with the called party based on the subset of addresses. In response to whether the first subset of addresses results in session establishment, the proxy server may then request a second subset from the location server. Context information provided by the location server with the first subset may be returned to the location server as part of the request for the second subset.

Abstract: In a SIP network, SIP servers are provisioned with information used to authenticate subscribers and entities that will be placing calls. This information can be used during call establishment to allow or deny calls, as well as to determine the appropriate party to bill if the call involves a charge, such as a long distance charge. In addition to allowing calls between authenticated and trusted entities, there is a need for the SIP server to allow certain kinds of calls that involve non-trusted users or entities. If non-trusted entities where not recognized, trusted users and entities within the SIP network would not be able to receive calls from users or entities not know to the SIP server that is providing them services.

Abstract: A method provides call pickup in a communications network. The method includes initiating a call from a first device to a second device. The call is initiated over one or more networks, where at least one of the one or more networks includes a data network. The method further includes storing information relating to the call initiation between the first device and the second device, receiving a message from a third device during the call initiation, where the message includes a call pickup indication, retrieving the information relating to the call initiation between the first device and the second device, and establishing a call between the first device and the third device based on the retrieved information.

Abstract: A method provides call pickup in a communications network. The method includes initiating a call from a first device to a second device. The call is initiated over one or more networks, where at least one of the one or more networks includes a data network. The method further includes storing information relating to the call initiation between the first device and the second device, receiving a message from a third device during the call initiation, where the message includes a call pickup indication, retrieving the information relating to the call initiation between the first device and the second device, and establishing a call between the first device and the third device based on the retrieved information.