Abstract: A computer is provided access to a page from a computer site without a login. The computer sends a first request to the computer site in response to a user-initiated action made using the page. The computer site generates a first redirect message based on the first request to redirect the computer to a server. The first redirect message encodes information that comprises a time stamp, and encodes a digital signature generated based on the information. The computer site sends the redirect message to the computer, which causes a second request to be sent to the server. Based on the second request, the server directs a service element to initiate the network service if the computer has an active session with the server and the information encoded in the second request is valid based on the digital signature.

Abstract: The invention provides a system, method and apparatus for connecting a target telephone with Voice Mail System in a network comprising Centrex or other TDM telephones and VoIP (or SIP) type telephones. The invention provides a system for the connection of a target telephone with a Voice Mail System in a network using a protocol converter that is connectable to a PSTN network and an IP network and a voice mail system. The converter may comprise instructions; computer memory and a processor. The converter converts message signals between SIP signals and SMDI signals as may be required and then directs the message signals to a target telephone, which may be through an IP Gateway. The system may further comprise a management console or an end office facility. An Electronic Numbering facility comprising phone numbers convertible between PSTN numbers and SIP numbers may also be provided with the system.

Abstract: A portal uses portlets to provide a session to a user. Based on portlet events that occur in the session, portlet log entries are sent from the portlets to a log server. The log server stores log entries comprising the portlet log entries and the portal log entries. A customer service representative in communication with the user is provided a display of an activity of the user in the session based on the log entries from the log server.

Abstract: In one embodiment according to the invention, there is disclosed a method for implementing call controls in a telephony network. The method comprises processing a call log of actual calls for an individual end user of the telephony network to identify applicability, for each call of the call log, of each rule of a set of call control rules; and providing a display of a call disposition that would occur for at least one call in the call log, assuming implementation of the set of call control rules. Another embodiment according to the invention comprises providing a call log of calls for an individual end user of the telephony network; and providing a display of a call control rule applied to a call of the call log. The display of the call control rule comprises an identification of one or more criteria that triggered application of the call control rule, and a disposition of the call as a result of the call control rule.

Abstract: In one embodiment according to the invention, there is disclosed a method for providing a missed calls log. The method comprises, in a messaging service that communicates with a telephony network, creating a missed calls log of call context information for calls forwarded to the messaging service from the telephony network.

Abstract: In one embodiment according to the invention, there is disclosed a method for providing a visual display element for a graphical browser interface. The method comprises setting a background color for a region of the graphical browser interface; and providing a visual display element overlaying the background color, wherein the visual display element provides a visual effect of having the same color as the background color, independent of changes to the background color.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a portal view of a trusted application to a user over a communication network is discussed. The portal view can be generated from at least one of the services linked to the application according to a trust model in which trust is extended to the application from the user. When the application provides single sign-on capabilities, those services that are linked to the application can then be logged into simultaneously when the user logs into only one of the services. The trusted application is opaque to those services not linked to the application. The portal view provides a means for linking and de-linking services.

Abstract: Call logs are generated based upon calls from a subscriber line and calls to a subscriber line. The call logs are formatted from Generic Data Interface (GDI) messages into an email format (e.g., SMTP) within a call log gateway. The formatted email is then emailed to an email recipient, which can include a messaging service provider or the subscriber himself. The email address to the recipient is determined by the call log gateway based upon the subscriber's identity.

Abstract: A service delivery system is disclosed and includes a first service provider platform and a second service provider platform. Further, the service delivery system includes an identity provider system that provides a single sign-on service with respect to the first service provider platform and the second service provider platform. The service delivery system also includes a log server to store session information created at the first service provider platform, the second service provider platform, and the identity provider system. Additionally, the service delivery system includes a customer care application server that provides a customer care application. The customer care application server has access to the log server in order to retrieve the stored session information.

Abstract: A distributed computer system is disclosed and includes a plurality of identity provider servers and a plurality of service provider servers coupled to a data network. Further, an identity provider locator server is coupled to the data network. In response to a request from one of the plurality of service provider servers, the identity provider locator server can provide an identifier of at least one of the plurality of identity provider servers. The identity provider locator server can include a memory that stores a list of active identity provider servers for a particular end-user having access to the data network. Further, one or more of the plurality of identity provider servers is able to add or remove itself from the list of active identity provider servers.

Abstract: A method of providing a content guide includes receiving a request for a content guide. The request for the content guide is transmitted to a web server. Thereafter, the content guide is received from the web server. Further, the content guide is modified according to one or more parental controls after determining that the one or more parental controls are enabled. The method also includes retrieving the one or more parental controls from a database within a set top box server before modifying the content guide. The one or more parental controls can prevent one or more programs from being available at a television coupled to the set top box at least partially based on a rating associated with the one or more program. Further, the content guide is modified to delete information associated with the one or more programs not available at the television.

Abstract: A method of providing email services via a set top box is described and includes periodically polling an email messaging server from the set top box over a data network. The method further includes identifying a user account that has received one or more emails and communicating an indication to a user having the user account that the one or more emails have been received. The indication is communicated at a display coupled to the set top box during one or more television commercials. Particularly, the indication can be communicated between the fifty eighth and sixtieth minute of each hour. Moreover, the indication can be communicated between the twenty eighth and thirtieth minute of each hour. The indication can also be communicated between the thirteenth and fifteenth minute of each hour. Further, the indication can be communicated between the forty third and forty fifth minute of each hour.

Abstract: A method of managing recorded content at a set top box memory device for use by a digital video recorder is provided. The method includes dividing a total memory capacity of the set top memory device into a plurality of memory portions. Further, the method includes assigning a unique user name to each of the plurality of memory portions. In a particular embodiment, the method further includes receiving an indication to record at least one content item associated with a selected user name. The at least one content item is recorded within one of the plurality of memory portions associated with the selected user name. Additionally, a title associated with the at least one content item is placed on a play list assigned to the selected user name.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and a method display incoming and outgoing call log data associated with telephone calls to and from a plurality of subscriber telephone numbers from one or more telephone networks. The system includes a switch in one network that receives a telephone call from the subscriber's telephone and launches a query in response to an AIN trigger to a service control point. In response, the service control point forwards associated call data to a call log gateway that translates the message into an asynchronous message containing call log data. The call log gateway forwards the asynchronous message to a unified communication platform where it is placed in subscriber mailbox and made available as a call log to a subscriber via a graphic user interface over the internet. A web server retrieves the call log and displays it to the subscriber at a web client.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to activate or deactivate a web interface to a voicemail system through a telephone user interface to the voicemail system. During a setup procedure that runs on the first use of the telephone user interface, the method and apparatus asks the subscriber if the subscriber wants the web interface activated. The method and apparatus then activates the web interface and allows the subscriber to specify a sequence of both digits and letters as the subscriber's initial web password and username. The present invention also provides the capability to activate or deactivate the web interface via the telephone user interface at any time after the initialization.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for a shared line Find-Me-Follow-Me (FMFM) voicemail application. Each person sharing a telephone number is provided a sub mailbox with FMFM contact numbers individually configured for each user sub mailbox. The invention further provides a method and apparatus for dynamic out dial determination that removes numbers from the FMFM contact number list that match numbers in the inbound call path to avoid looping. The present invention further provides a method and apparatus for FMFM call path duplication of the inbound call path onto the out dial call information to provide caller identification for the original calling party after the call is forwarded or processed using FMFM.

Abstract: According to the various embodiments of the present invention, an outbound call to a number on an emergency call list may change the incoming call controls to a telephone. In particular, methods of altering incoming call controls after a call has been placed to an emergency number comprises steps of performing a first modification of a first call control related to a first incoming calling number, and performing a second modification of the first call control related to the first incoming calling number after a predetermined period of time. Systems for altering incoming call controls after a call has been placed to an emergency number are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system to route calls to a voicemail system is disclosed. The method includes receiving a call from an originating device at a first redirecting device and forwarding the call from the first redirecting device to a second redirecting device. The forwarded call has an associated data message that includes a calling number of the originating device and the first redirecting number of the first redirecting device. The method also includes forwarding the call from the second redirecting device to a destination voice mailbox. The destination voice mailbox is selected based on an evaluation of the first redirecting number and the second redirecting number.

Abstract: In one particular embodiment, the disclosure is directed to a method of activating a prepaid telephony account. The method includes receiving a call from a caller at a prepaid service destination address identified by a prepaid calling card; receiving a prepaid card number of the caller; receiving a destination number; receiving an origination address of the caller; providing a message to the caller including an offer to associate a prepaid account corresponding to the prepaid calling card with the origination address of the caller; receiving a response to the message from the caller; and associating a long distance service code with the origination address of the caller based on the response to the message.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a method of providing a distinctive call waiting tone based on a redirecting number. The method includes receiving a call from an originating device at a redirecting device; forwarding the call from the redirecting device to a destination device; and applying a distinctive type of call waiting tone to the destination device based upon determining that a data message includes a redirecting number. The forwarded call has an associated data message that includes a calling number of the origination device, a called number of the destination device, and a redirecting number of the redirecting device.