Abstract: Disclosed are systems, including client devices and servers, and methods for creating a collaborative virtual session between client devices, wherein each of the client devices is associable with a coupler agent for interfacing with a communicating entity (such as a person). A client device includes a processor and memory operable to: generate a locally instantiated virtual room; instantiate a virtual representation of a first entity associated with the client device in the locally instantiated virtual room; transmit metadata representative of the first entity to a second client device; receive metadata representative of a second entity associated with the second client device; and, instantiate a virtual representation of the second entity as a function of the received metadata, from a perspective of the first entity, in the locally instantiated virtual room. A server can be utilized to join the client devices in the collaborative virtual session and exchange the metadata.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, including client devices and servers, and methods for creating a collaborative virtual session between two or more client devices, wherein each of the client devices is associable with a coupler agent for interfacing with a communicating entity (such as a person).

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, including client devices and servers, and methods for creating a collaborative virtual session between two or more client devices, wherein each of the client devices is associable with a coupler agent for interfacing with a communicating entity (such as a person).

Abstract: A communication system, and method for creating a collaborative virtual session, including a first coupler agent connected to a first entity, a second coupler agent connected to a second entity, and a first client, coupled to the first coupler agent and a server. The first client is configured to initiate a virtual session with the server, receive metadata representing a second virtual representation of the second entity, and instantiate the second virtual representation in a first collaborative virtual room. The communication system includes a second client, coupled to the second coupler agent and the server, configured to join the virtual session with the server, receive metadata representing a first virtual representation of the first entity, and instantiate the first virtual representation in a second collaborative virtual room.

Abstract: A communication system, and method for creating a collaborative virtual session, including a first coupler agent connected to a first entity, a second coupler agent connected to a second entity, and a first client, coupled to the first coupler agent and a server. The first client is configured to initiate a virtual session with the server, receive metadata representing a second virtual representation of the second entity, and instantiate the second virtual representation in a first collaborative virtual room. The communication system includes a second client, coupled to the second coupler agent and the server, configured to join the virtual session with the server, receive metadata representing a first virtual representation of the first entity, and instantiate the first virtual representation in a second collaborative virtual room.

Abstract: A method for supporting communications includes establishing a packet-based audio communication link with a remote device and informing a local computing device of the audio communication link. A message requesting identification of enhanced media capabilities associated with the remote device is received from the local computing device and tunneled in the audio communication link to the remote device. A tunneled response in the audio communication link is received from the remote device and forwarded to the local computing device. The response identifies the enhanced media capabilities associated with the remote device.

Abstract: A system for, and method for, performing state-based signaling on behalf of a stateless client. In one embodiment, the system includes a controller, couplable to a state-based terminal, that translates at least one stateless signaling message received from the stateless client to at least one state-based signaling message for presentation to the state-based terminal thereby facilitating a media stream communications session between the stateless client and the state-based terminal over an Internet Protocol (IP)-based network.

Abstract: A method for supporting communications includes establishing a packet-based audio communication link with a remote device and informing a local computing device of the audio communication link. A message requesting identification of enhanced media capabilities associated with the remote device is received from the local computing device and tunneled in the audio communication link to the remote device. A tunneled response in the audio communication link is received from the remote device and forwarded to the local computing device. The response identifies the enhanced media capabilities associated with the remote device.

Abstract: A method for supporting communications includes establishing a packet-based audio communication link with a remote device and informing a local computing device of the audio communication link. A message requesting identification of enhanced media capabilities associated with the remote device is received from the local computing device and tunneled in the audio communication link to the remote device. A tunneled response in the audio communication link is received from the remote device and forwarded to the local computing device. The response identifies the enhanced media capabilities associated with the remote device.

Abstract: A system includes telephony devices that provide services and applications through the execution of scripts in web pages.

Abstract: A method of providing communication service includes receiving user identification information and first communication service criteria. The user identification information identifies a user, while the first communication service criteria describe a first communication service requested by the user. The method also includes generating a first communication service order based on the first communication service criteria. The first communication service order includes the user identification information and the communication service criteria. The method further includes selecting premise equipment for the user and generating an equipment order. The equipment order includes the user identification information and identifies the selected premise equipment. Additionally, the method includes transmitting the first communication service order to a first service provider and transmitting the equipment order to an equipment provider.

Abstract: A method of providing communication service, includes receiving user identification information and first communication service criteria. The user identification information identifies a user, while the first communication service criteria describe a first communication service requested by the user. The method also includes generating a first communication service order based on the first communication service criteria. The first communication service order includes the user identification information and the communication service criteria; The method further includes selecting premise equipment for the user and generating an equipment order, wherein the equipment order includes the user identification information and identifies the selected premise equipment. Additionally, the method includes transmitting the first communication service order to a first service provider and transmitting the equipment order to an equipment provider.

Abstract: A method is provided for establishing a telephone call between a trusted Internet Protocol (IP) telephone and an untrusted device. The method includes receiving a call initiation request from the untrusted device that indicates a desired communication with the trusted IP telephone. The method evaluates the call initiation request, and establishes a telecommunication link between the untrusted device and the trusted IP telephone in response to a positive evaluation of the call initiation request.

Abstract: A system for, and method for, performing state-based signaling on behalf of a stateless client. In one embodiment, the system includes a controller, couplable to a state-based terminal, that translates at least one stateless signaling message received from the stateless client to at least one state-based signaling message for presentation to the state-based terminal thereby facilitating a media stream communications session between the stateless client and the state-based terminal over an Internet Protocol (IP)-based network.

Abstract: A system for, and method for, performing state-based signaling on behalf of a stateless client. In one embodiment, the system includes a controller, couplable to a state-based terminal, that translates at least one stateless signaling message received from the stateless client to at least one state-based signaling message for presentation to the state-based terminal thereby facilitating a media stream communications session between the stateless client and the state-based terminal over an Internet Protocol (IP)-based network.

Abstract: A method for supporting communications involves establishing a communications conference that includes multiple conference participants that each provide an audio stream. Audio data packets in the audio streams are identified, and audio information from selected audio data packets is mixed to generate a conference audio stream that is communicated to the conference participants. Enhanced media packets in at least one of the audio streams are identified, and the enhanced media packets are communicated to selected conference participants.

Abstract: A telephone is provided for delivering content to a client that is coupled to a communications network. The telephone includes a processor and a network interface operable to couple the telephone to the communications network. The telephone also includes a handset operable to provide oral communication by a user of the telephone using the network interface. Furthermore, the telephone includes a memory that is coupled to the processor and operable to store content for delivery to the client using the network interface. The content that is stored is associated with the operation of the telephone. In a particular embodiment, the client to which the content is delivered is a Web browser, and the content is at least one HyperText Markup Language document to be displayed in the Web browser.