Abstract: A validation method can include the step of identifying a host within a grid environment, wherein the host is a software object. A ghost agent can be associated with the host, where the ghost agent can move within the grid environment. The actions of the host can be replicated by the ghost agent. Data related to the replicated actions can be compared with validation data. Validation output can be generated based upon the comparison.

Abstract: One aspect of the present invention can include a method for restricting resources consumed by ghost agents. The method can include the step of associating a ghost agent with a host. A resource utilization value can be ascertained for the ghost agent and the host combined. The ascertained resource utilization value can be compared with a usage threshold. A determination can be made as to whether operations of the ghost agent are to be executed based upon the previous comparison.

Abstract: A method for supporting an application can include the step of receiving a problem indication relating to the application. The method can also identify a host within a grid environment, wherein a host can be a software object used by said application. A ghost agent can be associated with the host. The actions of the host can be replicated for use by the ghost agent. Data relating to the replicated actions can be recorded using the ghost agent. The indicated problem can be responded to, where the response can be based at least in part upon the recorded data.

Abstract: A method of aggregating interactive voice response services from a plurality of interactive voice response systems can include, for at least one caller, storing service information for a plurality of services within an interactive voice response system. Each service can be accessible through a corresponding one of the plurality of interactive voice response systems. The method further can include receiving a call from the caller and receiving an input from the caller over the call, wherein the input identifies at least one of the plurality of services and corresponding interactive voice response systems. The method also can include accessing the interactive voice response system corresponding to the identified service on behalf of the caller, retrieving information from the interactive voice response system, and providing the retrieved information to the caller.

Abstract: A system (10) and method (50) to enable instant collaboration via the use of pervasive messaging can include the steps of receiving (52) a call from a caller to a callee, transferring (54) the call to a voicemail system when the callee is unavailable, determining(56) if the callee is available via instant messaging, and querying (58) the caller if they want to leave one among a voice message and an instant message. In another aspect, a system and method (70) enables instant collaboration by receiving (72) a text message having a designation for text-to-speech conversion via an instant messaging network (14) where the text message is intended for a phone (16 or 18) coupled to a voicemail system (20), recognizing (74) the designation, converting (76) the text message to a voice message, calling (78) the phone, and delivering (86) the voice message to the voicemail system.

Abstract: A system (10) and method (50) for enabling phone users to participate in an instant messaging based conference can include the steps of receiving (52) a speech input from a telephone (26 or 28) through a teleconferencing system (24), transcribing (54) the speech input to a first text message and transmitting (58) the first text message to a plurality of devices (18, 20, 26 or 28) coupled to an instant messaging network belonging to the instant messaging based conference. The method can further include the steps of receiving (60) a second text message from any one among the plurality of devices on the instant messaging based conference, converting (62) the second text message to a speech output, and transmitting (68) the speech output to the telephone via the teleconferencing system.

Abstract: A method or system (40 or 50) for voice-to-text reduction for real-time messaging can use a microphone (12 or 52) for receiving a calling party's speech input, a text-to-speech converter (22 or 54) for converting the calling party's speech input to a text message, a transmitter for transmitting the text message as a text stream (23 or 60) to a called party, a receiver for receiving another text message as a text stream (31 or 70) from the called party, and a rendering device such as a speaker (36) or a display (68) for rendering text messages substantially in real-time. If a speaker is used, the system can further include a text-to-speech synthesizer or converter (24). A system (80) can further include a translator (82) for translating the text message into another language.

Abstract: A method of deriving audio content from visual content can include modifying a visual markup language document requested by a client computer system to specify a control for generating an audio markup language document version of the visual markup language document. The modified visual markup language document can be provided to the client computer system. Responsive to a selection of the control, an audio markup language document version of the visual markup language document can be generated. The audio markup language document can be saved for subsequent presentation through an audio interface.

Abstract: Within an interactive voice response system, a method of automatically disambiguating results presented to a user can include determining the identity of a user within an interactive voice response session, receiving user inputs specifying selections in an interactive voice response menu hierarchy, and storing historical information specifying the user selections within a profile associated with the identity of the user. For at least one subsequent input from the user, identifying the historical information associated with the identity of the user and using the historical information to reduce a number of possible selections in the interactive voice response menu hierarchy which are presented to the user.

Abstract: A method for implementing a remote receiver connected to a telephony network can include a call authorizer that can access remote receiver specific information, wherein the remote receiver specific information can include an authorization requirement. The call authorizer can receive a digitally encoded signal specifying an authorization code. Prior to a telephony connection being established between the remote receiver and an originating device, the call authorizer can determine whether the authorization code satisfies the authorization requirement. Responsive to this determination, the call authorizer can send a ringing signal via the telephone line to the remote receiver. The remote receiver can power an actuator within the remote receiver with a voltage from the ringing signal. The actuator can activate a device controlled by the remote receiver.

Abstract: A method for providing customized interactive voice response menus can include monitoring user interactions with an interactive voice response system. Data concerning the user interactions can be stored. A request to initiate an interactive voice response session can be received. The interactive voice response system can determine an identity for a user making the request. The interactive voice response system can generate a customized menu for the user. At least a portion of the customized menu can be based upon the usage data. The customized menu can be presented to the user.

Abstract: A method of providing telephony services can include receiving a request to query a subscriber information data store to determine service description information for a call. The service description information can specify at least one telephony service associated with a subscriber for use in processing the call. The method further can include querying the subscriber information data store to determine the service description information, receiving the service description information from the subscriber information data store, and providing the service description information to a telephony service node to implement a telephony service specified by the service description information with respect to the call.

Abstract: A method for conveying digital information can include initiating a telephone connection to a receiving device. Prior to establishing a voice channel connection with the receiving device, supplemental data can be digitally encoded into a CNG transmission. The CNG transmission can be conveyed via a CNG channel, wherein the CNG channel is capable of transporting a facsimile calling tone signal.

Abstract: A method and machine readable storage for facilitating communications between a user and an interactive voice response (IVR) application. The method includes the step of configuring to be displayed on a wireless communications device having a graphical user interface (GUI) at least one menu which includes user selectable options correlating to available IVR options. Responsive to a communications link being established between the wireless communications device and the IVR application, the menu is forwarded to the wireless communications device for presentation to the user on the GUI. A user selection is received via the GUI and an IVR operation is performed corresponding to the menu selection.

Abstract: A method of providing a telephony service can include creating a database of subscriber identities and subscriber voice prints and telephony services associated with the subscriber identities and receiving a spoken utterance from a subscriber. A subscriber identity can be determined according to voice print identification of the spoken utterance and a telephony service associated with the subscriber can be activated according to the determined subscriber identity.

Abstract: A method for receiving and presenting interactive voice response data can include sending a telephony connectivity request for establishing a voice channel connection between an originating device and a interactive voice response system. Prior to establishing the voice channel connection, an interactive voice response menu associated with said interactive voice response system can be received via a ringback channel. At least a portion the interactive voice response menu can be presented to a user of the originating device.

Abstract: A method for providing call authorization within a telephony network can include receiving a telephony connectivity request for establishing a telephony voice channel between the originating device and a receiving device. The specified receiving device can be determined and receiving device specific information that includes an authorization requirement can be accessed. A connection between the originating device and the receiving device can be established responsive to whether the authorization code satisfies the authorization requirement.

Abstract: A method for providing dynamic ringback services can include receiving a connection signal from an originating device and determining a receiving device specified by the connection signal. The method can access receiving device specific information and can dynamically generate a ringback transmission responsive to at least a portion of the receiving device specific information. The method can send this ringback transmission to the originating device before a connection is established between the originating device and the receiving device.

Abstract: A method of communication among telephony services using an event context cache can include, in a messaging telephony service, receiving a telephony event from a node in the public switched telephony network specifying a called directory number, a calling directory number, and service context data. The service context data can be stored as an entry within the event context cache. The event context cache can be accessible by at least one other telephony service. The entry can be associated with a key for the event context cache. The key can be specified by the called directory number and the calling directory number.

Abstract: A method of determining the accuracy of a speech recognition system can include identifying from a log of the speech recognition system a text result and attributes associated with the text result. An audio representation from which the text result was derived can be accessed. The audio representation can be processed with a reference speech recognition engine to determine a second text result. The text result can be compared with the second text result to determine an accuracy of the speech recognition system.