Abstract: A communication management system operates with a packet switched local area network and includes a PSTN interface for communicating over a telephone line with a service provider central office. The system comprises means for establishing a logical channel over the packet switched local area network to support a real time communication session with a real time communication device in response to receiving session signaling from the real time communication device; means for controlling the PSTN interface to transition the telephone line to an off hook state in response to receiving session signaling; and translation means for providing digital audio over the logical channel, the digital audio representing a dial tone received on the telephone line from the central office and providing one of a plurality of dual tone multi frequency signals on the telephone line in response to receipt of data from the real time communication device corresponding to the one of a plurality of dual tone multi frequency signals.

Abstract: The event driven multi-media communication management system comprises a controller that interfaces with a plurality of communication space stations and with one or more communication medium service providers. The communication space station is a modular device that includes a platform, a voice system for providing an audio user interface, and a docking bay for coupling with a subscriber device. The controller accesses a subscriber contact directory that is associated with the subscriber device, communicates content messages representing at least a portion of the subscriber contact directory to the subscriber station, receives control messages representing subscriber selection of a contact, and establishes a communication channel in accordance with the selected subscriber communication information.

Abstract: A telecommunications system, for use with a packet-switched network and with a portable-communication-device docking station for receiving a portable communication device, includes a network interface configured to couple to the packet-switched network, a docking-station interface configured to couple to the portable-communication-device docking station, a real-time user interface including a microphone configured to receive sound signals and a speaker configured to provide sound signals corresponding to signals received via the packet-switched network, and a communication controller coupled to the real-time user interface, the docking-station interface, and the network interface, and configured to transfer streaming data between the network interface and the real-time user interface, to transfer non-streaming electronic messages from the network interface to the docking-station interface, and to send a download request to a remotely-located control unit via the packet-switched network in response to a downlo

Abstract: A communication management system operates with a packet switched local area network and includes a PSTN interface for communicating over a telephone line with a service provider central office. The system comprises means for establishing a logical channel over the packet switched local area network to support a real time communication session with a real time communication device in response to receiving session signaling from the real time communication device; means for controlling the PSTN interface to transition the telephone line to an off hook state in response to receiving session signaling; and translation means for providing digital audio over the logical channel, the digital audio representing a dial tone received on the telephone line from the central office and providing one of a plurality of dual tone multi frequency signals on the telephone line in response to receipt of data from the real time communication device corresponding to the one of a plurality of dual tone multi frequency signals.

Abstract: A real time communication device is provided for operation with a packet switched network interconnecting the real time communication device with a control unit and at least one other real time communication devices. The device may comprise a network interface for communicating over the packet switched local area network and means for establishing a logical channel over the packet switched network with an endpoint to support the exchange of real time streaming media with the endpoint during a media session. The endpoint may be an endpoint selected from the group of endpoints consisting of the control unit and the other real time communication devices. The device may further comprise means for providing a notice message to at least one subscription device. The subscription device may be selected from the group of subscription devices consisting of the control unit and a other real time communication devices.

Abstract: The multi-media communication management system comprises a controller that interfaces with a plurality of subscriber stations and with one or more communication medium service providers. The controller provides video conference services to the subscriber stations. To provide video conference services, the controller receives an indication of a plurality of conference session participants. The controller identifies a participating subscriber station that is serving a subscriber device associated with each conference session participant. A conference mix module establishes a streaming media communication channel with each participating subscriber station for receiving an audio signal from the participating subscriber station and for sending a mixed audio signal to the participating subscriber station.

Abstract: A packet-switched communication system providing a combination wireless access device and client, for communicating with a remotely-disposed control unit wired to a wired access point, includes an antenna, uplink channel circuitry coupled to the antenna and configured to communicate with at least one of an upstream wired access point, and an upstream packet-switched communication system, through the antenna on an uplink channel over an uplink channel link, cell channel circuitry coupled to the antenna and configured to communicate with a downstream packet-switched communication system through the antenna on a cell channel over a cell channel link, a subscriber information input apparatus comprising at least one of a touch-responsive device, configured to provide indicia corresponding to touches by a subscriber, and a microphone configured to transduce audio signals to electrical signals, and a controller coupled to the uplink channel circuitry and configured to cause subscriber information received from at le

Abstract: A real time communication device operates on with a packet switched network. The packet switched network interconnects the real time communication device with a control unit and at least one other real time communication device. The real time communication device includes a plurality of indicators with each indicator being uniquely associated with one of the other real time communication devices or with an outside line between the control unit and a central office of a local telephone service provider. A selection means is associated with each indicator. The real time communication device may establish a logical channel over the packet switched local area network with an endpoint. The endpoint is selected from the group of endpoints consisting of the control unit and the other real time communication devices and is the endpoint that is uniquely associated with an indicator selected from the plurality of indicators.

Abstract: The caller managed hold system enables a caller, when their incoming call is placed in a hold state, to manage the program materials that are transmitted to them. In addition, the identity of the caller and their customization of the program material choices are stored in memory to be used for any subsequent calls received from the caller. In this manner, the caller automatically receives a customized hold service whenever their call is placed in a hold state.

Abstract: A telecommunications system, for use with a packet-switched network and with a portable-communication-device docking station for receiving a portable communication device, includes a network interface configured to couple to the packet-switched network, a docking-station interface configured to couple to the portable-communication-device docking station, a real-time user interface including a microphone configured to receive sound signals and a speaker configured to provide sound signals corresponding to signals received via the packet-switched network, and a communication controller coupled to the real-time user interface, the docking-station interface, and the network interface, and configured to transfer streaming data between the network interface and the real-time user interface, to transfer non-streaming electronic messages from the network interface to the docking-station interface, and to send a download request to a remotely-located control unit via the packet-switched network in response to a downlo

Abstract: The present multi-media communication subscriber station has battery-powered backup. A power management controller monitors the line voltage and when the line voltage falls below a predetermined voltage level, the power management controller transfers operation power from line voltage to battery. When the multi-media communication subscriber station is operating on backup battery power, non-essential functional modules may be disabled. The power management controller continues to monitor the line voltage and when line voltage resumes, operation power is transferred back to line voltage.

Abstract: The multi-media communication management system comprises a control unit that interfaces with a plurality of communication space stations and with one or more communication medium service providers. The control unit provides video conference services to the communication space stations. To provide video conference services, the control unit receives an indication of a plurality of conference session participants. The controller identifies a participating subscriber station that is serving a subscriber device associated with each conference session participant. A conference mix module establishes a streaming media communication channel with each participating subscriber station for receiving an audio signal from the participating subscriber station and for sending a mixed audio signal to the participating subscriber station.

Abstract: A packet-switched data communication system includes a network interface configured to couple to a packet-switched network, a communication session module coupled to the network interface and configured to establish a communication session with a telecommunication device through the packet-switched network, a communication processing module coupled to the network interface and configured to receive real-time communication data, arrange the communication data in a sequence of packets, and send the sequence of packets to the network interface. Conference call capabilities include establishing multiple communication sessions between the communication session module and the telecommunication device.

Abstract: The event driven multi-media communication management system comprises a controller that interfaces with a plurality of communication space stations and with one or more communication medium service providers. The communication space station is a modular device that includes a platform, a voice system for providing an audio user interface, and a docking bay for coupling with a subscriber device. The controller accesses a subscriber contact directory that is associated with the subscriber device, communicates content messages representing at least a portion of the subscriber contact directory to the subscriber station, receives control messages representing subscriber selection of a contact, and establishes a communication channel in accordance with the selected subscriber communication information.

Abstract: A packet-switched communication system for use with a communication device for bi-directional communication includes a network interface configured to couple to at least one of a circuit-switched network and a packet-switched network, a communication session module coupled to the network interface and configured to establish a communication session with the communication device through the at least one of the networks, and to obtain caller information associated with the communication device, and a communication processing apparatus coupled to the network interface and the communication session module and configured to provide signals to the at least one interface for causing prompts to be played by the communication device, to receive an indication from the communication device via the network interface requesting paging of a called party, and to send an electronic message toward a pager associated with the called party, the electronic message containing the caller information associated with the communicati