Abstract: Techniques for synchronizing communication across devices are described. A system receives an input command corresponding to an announcement and sends data representing the announcement to devices of the system. The system receives responses from the devices and causes the device that originated the announcement to output content corresponding to the responses.

Abstract: Techniques for communicating announcements across devices are described. A system performs speech processing on input audio data to determine a command to output an announcement. The system determines devices outputting indicators representing users are proximate thereto. The system generates output audio data corresponding to at least a portion of the input audio data corresponding to announcement content. The system sends the output audio data to the devices along with instructions to output audio corresponding to the output audio data.

Abstract: Techniques for synchronizing communication across devices are described. A system receives an input command corresponding to an announcement and sends data representing the announcement to devices of the system. The system receives responses from the devices and causes the device that originated the announcement to output content corresponding to the responses.

Abstract: Techniques for synchronizing communication across devices are described. A system receives an input command corresponding to an announcement and sends data representing the announcement to devices of the system. The system receives responses from the devices and causes the device that originated the announcement to output content corresponding to the responses.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing a call in real-time are disclosed. Methods and systems consistent with the present invention manage a call in real-time based on input from a user. A service center receives information pertaining to a call to the user from a service control point and sends a notification of the call to a device associated with the user. The service center receives a response to the notification from the user. Thereafter, the service center instructs the service control point to connect the call based on the response.

Abstract: The method and system make it possible for devices that may not be co-located to capture information such as images, videos, text, audio, speech, location, etc. and create a composite image therefrom. The method and system includes a session initiated by one of the devices to other devices through a central server and/or by peer-to-peer network to synchronize the capture of information across all the devices. The method and system makes it possible to either synchronize the capture of information at each device or allow for preset time differences when each device captures information or allow for such time differences to be random or otherwise uncontrolled.

Abstract: The methods and systems in this invention apply to messaging systems that are used by people to communicate between a plurality of mobile devices and/or computers. Methods and systems are presented for communicating with participants in a manner that allows for more open discussion and gossiping. The methods and systems permit a conversation between a plurality of users in a manner such that one or more users in the system are excluded from participating in the said conversation. The methods and systems also allow one or more users to participate in a conversation without revealing identity by choosing to be anonymous, choosing an alias, or by impersonating another user or reverting to original identity at any point during the gossip. The methods and systems presented also provide for the option for other users to know if a user is participating by impersonating or via an alias. The methods and systems also allow for any user in the system to delete any message posted by the said user in a conversation.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing a call in real-time are disclosed. Methods and systems consistent with the present invention manage a call in real-time based on input from a user. A service center receives information pertaining to a call to the user from a service control point and sends a notification of the call to a device associated with the user. The service center receives a response to the notification from the user. Thereafter, the service center instructs the service control point to connect the call based on the response.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forwarding communications, such as telephone calls over a voice network, are provided. A user accesses a data network to specify one or more rules for forwarding telephone calls. For example, the user may use an electronic calendar to specify patterns for forwarding their telephone calls. These patterns may include one or more rules for determining a forwarding pattern, and one or more time periods specifying when the pattern is effective. The rules are provided to a service center which provides configuration information to the voice network. The voice network then forwards calls based on the configuration information for the time periods specified by the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems for establishing a computer-enhanced conference call are disclosed. Methods and systems consistent with the present invention establish a computer-enhanced conference call between a plurality of users, including an initiating user. A service center detects a computer-enhanced conference call event that was previously configured by the initiating user. Conference users associated with the computer-enhanced conference call event are thereafter contacted. After at least one response from the conference users is received, a conference call between the initiating user and the conference users is established based on the at least one received response. The service center also establishes a collaboration between the initiating user and conference users that are authorized to participate in the collaboration.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing a call in real-time are disclosed. Methods and systems consistent with the present invention manage a call in real-time based on input from a user. A service center receives information pertaining to a call to the user from a service control point and sends a notification of the call to a device associated with the user. The service center receives a response to the notification from the user. Thereafter, the service center instructs the service control point to connect the call based on the response.

Abstract: Methods and systems for routing a communication to a preferred device are disclosed. A service center consistent with the present invention is operable to receive information pertaining to a communication to a user from a calling party, and retrieve data corresponding to the user using the received information. The service center also determines a preferred device of the user based on the retrieved data, wherein the preferred device is one of a plurality of devices associated with the user. Thereafter, the service center ascertains whether the preferred device of the user requires a new mode of delivery, and routes the communication to the preferred device of the user based on the ascertaining.

Abstract: Methods and systems for initiating a collaboration between users are disclosed. An application server receives information pertaining to a call to a first user placed by a second user. A notification server sends notification of the call to a device associated with the first user. A network access server may then receive a response to the notification. Thereafter, the notification server sends a notification of a collaboration request to a device associated with the second user based on the response, and the application server initiates a collaboration between the first user and the second user based on a determination that the second user accepts the collaboration request.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a user's preferred device with a notification of an incoming communication for one of a plurality of a user's devices. Notification of an incoming communication is provided to the user's preferred device via a communications service. The communications service receives, from a data or voice network, information representing an incoming communication intended for one of a plurality of a user's devices. The service then provides a notification of the incoming communication to the user's preferred device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically providing conference calls are disclosed. In one aspect of the invention, methods and systems detect a conference call event that was previously configured by a subscriber user and identify participant users associated with the conference call event. Once identified, each participant user is contacted and a response is received from each of the users. Based on the received responses, a conference call is established between the participant users and the subscriber user. In one aspect of the invention, at least one of the detecting and identifying steps are performed without user intervention.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing contact management services. Systems and methods may maintain one or more address books. Contacts may be added to the address book from one or more sources. Systems and method may receive a command to add a party to the address book. Contact-related information associated with the party may obtained and added to the address book. A user may be notified of an incoming call placed by a calling party and destined to a communication device associated with the user. Systems and methods may receive a command, responsive to the notification, to add the calling party to an address book associated with the user. An address book may be updated to reflect changes in the contact-related information.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing a communications line associated with two or more users. These methods and systems include receiving first user line management information regarding handling of calls to the communications line from one or more contacts in a first address book, the first address book associated with the first user. Further, these methods and systems include receiving second user line management information regarding handling of calls to the communications line from one or more contacts in a second address book, the second address book associated with the second user.

Abstract: A call log associated with outgoing calls originating from calling devices may be established and maintained. Filter parameters may be set to specify which outgoing calls to log. Outgoing call information associated with calls originating from a user's calling devices may be obtained and transmitted to a service center. A server in the service center may determine whether or not to log the outgoing call information based on the filter settings. The outgoing call information may be stored in the call log, which may reside in a database in the service center. The user may access the call log from a user terminal and/or the calling devices. The call log may be used to add contacts to a contact list and facilitate data analyses.

Abstract: Methods and Systems are provided for managing one or more communications lines associated with a user of a communications network. A service center may receive from a user line management information regarding one or more of the user's communications lines. This line management information may include a request from the user to handle all calls to the communications line in a particular manner (e.g., forward all calls to a different number). This line management information may also include information regarding scheduling the handling of calls to the communications line (e.g., scheduling call forwarding) or a request to handle calls differently based on information identifying the origination of the call (e.g., caller-ID). The service center may then forward instructions to the communications network such that the components (e.g., SSP or SCP) of the communications network implement the user's modifications.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for obtaining contact-related information associated with a party using an identifier. The identifier may include a calling party number, a previously-dialed number, and/or a number specified by a user. The identifier could also include an e-mail address, an instant messenger address, a photograph, etc. A request for contact-related information may be initiated by a user and/or a device associated with the user. The request may include an identifier associated with a party. Methods and systems may retrieve contact-related information associated with the party using the identifier. Methods and systems may leverage one or more networks to retrieve the contact-related information. Contact information may be retrieved in order to add a contact to a user's address book.