Abstract: A data network-based teleconferencing platform is implemented to allow individuals to set up and control conference calls over the conventional voice network, even individuals without direct access to a teleconference-enabling element (such as a PBX switch). A network-controlling server (such as a CTI server), in conjunction with a web server, are located in the data network and used to interface between the individual and a conventional conference element (such as a PBX switch). The web server responds to data commands from the indvidual to set up a conference call, and may use directory listings stored in a data base at the platform to retrieve the necessary call set-up information. The call set-up information is then sent from the web server to the CTI server, which translates this information into telecommunication commands and forwards the commands to the PBX switch, where the PBX switch then sets up the call in its usual fashion.

Abstract: A network interface unit is provided for use intermediate a LAN and a public or private network, or a combination of both, for establishing secure links to a VPN gateway. Login by a LAN client with the network interface unit, addressing, authentication, and other configuration operations achieved using a web page-based GUI are applied in establishing tunnels from LAN clients to desired VPN destinations. Illustrative network interface units include a DHCP server and provide encryption-decryption and encapsulation-decapsulation of data packets for communication with VPN nodes. Configuration and connection of a client are further enhanced by a built-in DNS server and other functional servers to provide a high degree of autonomy in establishing connections to a desired VPN gateway via an ISP or other public and/or private network links to. The interface unit then performs required authentication exchanges, and required encryption key exchanges.

Abstract: A method for placing a call intended for an enhanced network user on hold is disclosed. A calling party is enabled to select the type of information which is provided to the calling party while the calling party is on hold by using a Distributed Feature Network (DFN) architecture. The DFN includes a plurality of feature boxes with each feature box being created for the purpose of enabling a particular communication feature. A call intended for one of a group of ENUs is received by the DFN and an estimated hold time is determined for the call. The hold time is communicated to a caller associated with the call and the caller is provided with a list of options for information to be received by the caller while the caller is on hold. The caller's selection of a hold option is received by the DFN. A feature box is created for providing the caller with the selected information option, and the call is connected to the created feature box.

Abstract: A method and system for consolidating multiple mailboxes into a single universal mailbox. The system comprises an agent, a user database, an application database and a mail repository. The agent searches a user database to determine the list of messaging systems the user subscribes to. The agent then recalls from the application database the procedures for accessing the messaging systems and logs onto each messaging system in turn to retrieve any new messages. The agent notifies the user of new messages according to a predefined notification method.

Abstract: A method for placing a call intended for an enhanced network user on hold is disclosed. A calling party is enabled to select the type of information which is provided to the calling party while the calling party is on hold by using a Distributed Feature Network (DFN) architecture. The DFN includes a plurality of feature boxes with each feature box being created for the purpose of enabling a particular communication feature. A call intended for one of a group of ENUs is received by the DFN and an estimated hold time is determined for the call. The hold time is communicated to a caller associated with the call and the caller is provided with a list of options for information to be received by the caller while the caller is on hold. The caller's selection of a hold option is received by the DFN. A feature box is created for providing the caller with the selected information option, and the call is connected to the created feature box.

Abstract: A system and method of using two-way paging to establish communications with a mobile party having a Personal Telephone Number. The mobile party uses the two-way pager to transmit call control parameters which are used by the telephone network to route calls directed to the party's PTN. The mobile party may also use the pager to transmit subsequent routing parameters which are used by the network to reroute calls which have been previously routed. The subsequent routing of a call may be performed at any time following a previous routing, even after the call has received answer supervision.

Abstract: Apparatus for linking multiple baseband telephone lines to provide broadband communication. The apparatus includes a broadband port, a plurality of baseband ports, and a controller. The broadband port provides connection to a broadband device or broadband communication line. The baseband ports provide connection to baseband communication lines. The controller integrates baseband data streams accepted at the baseband ports into a broadband data stream for transmission at the broadband port, and/or demultiplexes a broadband data stream received at the broadband port into baseband streams for transmission at the baseband ports. The baseband data include message data corresponding to the message data of the broadband stream, and control data describing an interrelationship among the message data, for controlling integrating of the baseband message data. The invention allows an individual to use multiple plain old telephone service (POTS) lines in combination to emulate the capability of a broadband line.

Abstract: A called party is alerted to the presence of a voice call on the Internet (110) by a page that is automatically transmitted to the called party's pager (120) upon initiation of the call by a calling party from his terminal (101) running Internet voice communications software and equipped with a microphone (102) and speaker (103). The page is transmitted in response to a message sent by a service provider (115) on the Internet, which receives from the calling party's terminal on the Internet, information for identifying the called party's pager. The called party, upon receiving the page, connects to the called party on the Internet through his home terminal (105) that is running that same voice communications software and is also equipped with a microphone (106) and speaker (107), or through any such similarly equipped portable or fixed terminal (125) at any location from which the Internet can be accessed.

Abstract: In order to minimize the number of transmitters from which a page is transmitted in a Personal Reach System in which a subscriber is paged to alert him or her of a waiting telephone call, the subscriber's last known location, the time at her or she was located there, and the elapsed time since being located there, are used to determine an outer perimeter of the geographic area in which the subscriber is likely to be presently located. A page is then transmitted to the subscriber from those transmitters which cover that geographic area. If the elapsed time is more than a predetermined threshold, during which period the subscriber could have traveled anywhere, a nationwide page, rather than a localized page, is transmitted.

Abstract: A speech recognition system recognizes a caller identifier received during a telephone call as a speech signal from a caller. The system generates a plurality of caller identifier choices from the speech signal and receives location information of the caller. The system includes a database on which is stored a plurality of caller identifiers indexed to a plurality of location information. The system queries a database based on the received location information and retrieves one or more caller identifiers from the database. The system then selects the recognized caller identifier from the plurality of caller identifier choices based on the retrieved one or more caller identifiers.

Abstract: Managing, in a two-way paging communication system, paging menus containing paging-menu options, comprises receiving, from a subscriber, paging-menu options. A subscriber then sends information including a first set of callers and a second set of callers, and first and second paging menu are configured accordingly.

Abstract: A method and system for consolidating multiple mailboxes into a single universal mailbox. The system comprises an agent, a user database, an application database and a mail repository. The agent searches a user database to determine the list of messaging systems the user subscribes to. The agent then recalls from the application database the procedures for accessing the messaging systems and logs onto each messaging system in turn to retrieve any new messages. The agent notifies the user of new messages according to a predefined notification method.

Abstract: A modem concentrator is provided that creates network-initiated connections to users of the network. According to the method, active downstream data is received from a data network at one data port. A controller of the modem concentrator reads the active downstream data and compares recipient information contained therein with stored identifiers of users. The identifiers are stored in association with identifiers of a user-side port to which the modem concentrator is connected. The controller identifies another data port associated with the identified recipient and causes a connection to be made between the one data port where the downstream data is received and the other data port connected to the user. The modem concentrator provides a use-once registration feature. When the concentrator processes upstream data, data from a user to be delivered to the network, it reads the upstream data to identify source information identifying the user that generated it.

Abstract: A cellular phone network provides location-based information to a user of a cellular phone. The cellular phone network includes a plurality of antennas coupled to at least one server. The server is coupled to a database. Stored on the database is a plurality of location-based information that is indexed to the plurality of antennas. The cellular phone transmits communication signals to one of the antennas. A phone call is established between the server and the user, and the server receives an identification of the antenna that the user transmits to. The server then queries the database and retrieves information local to the user. This information is then presented to the user in the form of menus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide a database in a pager that contains menus that may be displayed on a pager display. A paging service sends a page including an identification to the pager. The pager receives the identification, retrieves a menu from the pager database and displays the menu. The pager responds to the page based on a selection selected from the displayed menu.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for updating a communications network from one or more user communications devices. The invention uses the electronic scheduling or other time-based features within a communications device to control and/or initiate transmission of information between the communications device and the communications network. Information from one or more communications devices is updated to the communications network in response to time-based components in the information entries corresponding to a timing device associated with the respective communications device. Also, once the network has received this updated information, comparisons of related information entries are initiated to detect discrepancies therebetween. In this manner, user submitted time and geographic location information is compared with similar information automatically retrieved by the communications network using conventional and future network communications technology.

Abstract: A call routing system routes an incoming telephone call to a desired party based upon at least one of a plurality of conditions of at least one general purpose electronic device associated with the desired party. The call routing system includes a receiver, a processor, a selector and a routing device. The receiver receives the telephone call of the desired party. The processor determines the state of the desired party at the location of the received telephone call based on at least one general purpose electronic device. The selector selects one of a plurality of communication devices based upon the determined condition of the at least one electronic device. The routing device routes the telephone call to the selected one of the plurality of communication devices. A method for routing telephone calls is also described.

Abstract: A system and method of using two-way paging to establish communications with a mobile party having a Personal Telephone Number (PTN). The mobile party uses the two-way pager to transmit call control parameters which are used by the telephone network to route calls directed to the party's PTN. The mobile party may also use the pager to transmit a location indicator which specifies the subscriber's location and informs the network of the subscriber's intention to receive calls according to a call examination procedure. To invoke the call examination procedure, the bandwidths and protocols of all possible terminating stations associated with the subscriber's location are stored in the network on a pre-provisioned basis.

Abstract: A system and method of using two-way paging to establish communications with a mobile party having a Personal Telephone Number. The mobile party uses the two-way pager to transmit call control parameters which are used by the telephone network to route calls directed to the party's PTN. The mobile party may also use the pager to transmit subsequent routing parameters which are used by the network to reroute calls which have been previously routed. The subsequent routing of a call may be performed at any time following a previous routing, even after the call has received answer supervision.

Abstract: A speech recognition system recognizes a customer identifier received as a speech signal from a customer. The system generates a first plurality of customer identifier choices from the speech signal and a probability associated with each of the first plurality of choices. The system includes a database having stored thereon a plurality of customer attribute parameters indexed to a second plurality of customer identifier choices. The system queries the database using the first plurality of choices, and retrieves one or more customer attribute parameters from the database. The probabilities are adjusted by the system based on the retrieved customer attribute parameters. The customer identifier is then selected from the first plurality of choices based on the adjusted probabilities.