Abstract: Methods for efficiently establishing TLS connections include detecting the proximity of a user relative to a communication device and establishing a TLS connection between the switch and the communication device based on the proximity of the user. An apparatus according to the invention may include one or more proximity sensors coupled to a presence server, which may be coupled to a soft switch. If proximity of a user is detected, such information may be published as part of a user's availability to a presence server. Publication may be accomplished with any device that has network connectivity. The soft switch may gain access to the presence information by subscribing to the presence server. When proximity is detected, such information may be published to the presence server and a TLS connection may be established by a soft switch.

Abstract: The present invention may include a call controller for initiating third-party call control requests. The invention may also include an endpoint control manager for determining whether a remote endpoint is a simple endpoint or intelligent endpoint. The invention may further include an intelligent device manager for coordinating third-party call control requests from the call controller for endpoints determined to be intelligent by the endpoint control manager, and a simple device manager for coordinating third-party call control requests from the call controller for endpoints determined to be simple by the endpoint control manager.

Abstract: A communications network with callback completion to public network stations. An enterprise private network (EPN) includes a communications server, e.g., a private branch exchange (PBX) managing communications with communications devices located at EPN stations and is connected to a public communications network. A call completion (CC) server connected through a Parlay Gateway to the public communications network manages callback requests from connected communications devices to public communications network stations. Call completion to busy subscriber (CCBS) and call completion on no reply (CCNR) services are thus made available from the EPN to the public network or networks including a mixture of public and private telephones.

Abstract: A virtual private communications network (VPCN) and method of managing calls on the network. Stations on a private communications network are identified by an unique private network identification (ID) code or dial in direct (DID) number. Remote communications devices (e.g., cell phones, analog phones, etc.) are virtual client devices connected from a public communications network to the private communications network. One or more DID numbers are shared DID numbers, dedicated for the virtual client devices. Calls from the virtual client devices may be placed to network stations by dialing shorthand (e.g., 5 or fewer digits) numbers. Each call has a dedicated DID number temporarily assigned to it for placing the call as an in network call. Once the call reaches its final destination, the shared DID number is released for temporary assignment to other virtual client device calls.

Abstract: A communications network with callback completion to public network stations. An enterprise private network (EPN) includes a communications server, e.g., a private branch exchange (PBX) managing communications with communications devices located at EPN stations and is connected to a public communications network. A call completion (CC) server connected through a Parlay Gateway to the public communications network manages callback requests from connected communications devices to public communications network stations. Call completion to busy subscriber (CCBS) and call completion on no reply (CCNR) services are thus made available from the EPN to the public network or networks including a mixture of public and private telephones.

Abstract: A virtual private communications network (VPCN) and method of managing calls on the network. Stations on a private communications network are identified by an unique private network identification (ID) code or dial in direct (DID) number. Remote communications devices (e.g., cell phones, analog phones, etc.) are virtual client devices connected from a public communications network to the private communications network. One or more DID numbers are shared DID numbers, dedicated for the virtual client devices. Calls from the virtual client devices may be placed to network stations by dialing shorthand (e.g., 5 or fewer digits) numbers. Each call has a dedicated DID number temporarily assigned to it for placing the call as an in network call. Once the call reaches its final destination, the shared DID number is released for temporary assignment to other virtual client device calls.

Abstract: A system and method is presented for providing a ringback tone at the initiating end of a call while substantially reducing bandwidth usage. The initiating end initiates a call through a network. The receiving end of the call responds by transmitting an alerting message containing information on the characterization of a ringback tone to the initiating end of the call. At the initiating end of the call, the proper ringback tone is determined based on this information, and a ringback tone is generated. When the call is picked up at the receiving end, a transmission to the initiating end alerts the initiating end to cease the ringback tone. Silence suppression may be used at the receiving end to prevent the transmission of an audio stream before the terminal (e.g., a phone) is picked at the receiving end.