Abstract: A privacy screening service in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) includes a service node which records a caller's name when a call directed to a subscriber of the service originates at an unknown number. The service node, in turn, places a call to the subscriber and transmits the recorded name together with a signal which is recognizable by a voice mail system. Following the transmission, the service node waits for the subscriber either to accept or reject a call from the caller. When the subscriber's line is answered by a voice mail system, the voice mail system recognizes and acknowledges the signal so that the voice mail system and service node may determine that their call is between two machines and may take appropriate action. One such action is to connect the caller to the subscriber's voice mail and to restart the subscriber's outgoing voice mail greeting.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a call directed to a telephony network-based voice messaging service (VMS) implemented using packet-switched data network telephone conferencing resources, such as an IP-based voice-over-IP conferencing system. The systems and methods use one or more media gateway systems providing an interface between a conventional telephony domain and packet-switched data domain. When a call is to be redirected to the VMS system, the telephony network routes the call via the packet-switched data network using the media gateway. An application server in the packet-switched data network maintains registration information associated with the subscriber. If the subscriber is logged onto the packet-switched data network, the conferencing resources are used to establish a conference call between the caller, the VMS and the subscriber.

Abstract: A privacy management system is disclosed for when a calling party has a private telephone number. Privacy screening services allow a subscriber to manage and monitor incoming telephone calls, such that unwanted calls are not terminated to the subscriber. When a calling party calls the subscriber to this privacy screening service, the privacy management system manages the call according to whether the calling party number is known and public, known and private, or unknown. If the calling party number is known and public, the call is routed to the subscriber. If, however, the calling party is known and private, an announcement is played to the calling party, asking the calling party for permission to override his or her privacy. If the calling party is unknown, the calling party is asked to record his/her name.

Abstract: A method of operating a data network may include establishing a data path through the data network between a routing gateway for a subscriber of the data network and a service provider providing a data service. Moreover, the data service may be provided for use at the routing gateway over the data path during a data session. A request may be received from the service provider wherein the request defines a data flow characteristic for the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider providing the data service during the data session. The data flow characteristic may then be transmitted to a node along the data path between the routing gateway and the service provider for enforcement of the data flow characteristic for the data path at the node. More particularly, the data session may be a point-to-point protocol data session. Related methods, data networks, data service providers, routing gateways, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: A privacy screening service in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) includes a service node which records a caller's name when a call directed to a subscriber of the service originates at an unknown number. The service node, in turn, places a call to the subscriber and transmits the recorded name together with a signal which is recognizable by a voice mail system. Following the transmission, the service node waits for the subscriber either to accept or reject a call from the caller. When the subscriber's line is answered by a voice mail system, the voice mail system recognizes and acknowledges the signal so that the voice mail system and service node may determine that their call is between two machines and may take appropriate action. One such action is to connect the caller to the subscriber's voice mail and to restart the subscriber's outgoing voice mail greeting.

Abstract: A privacy screening service in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) includes a service node which records a caller's name when a call directed to a subscriber of the service originates at an unknown number. The service node, in turn, places a call to the subscriber and transmits the recorded name together with a signal which is recognizable by a voice mail system. Following the transmission, the service node waits for the subscriber either to accept or reject a call from the caller. When the subscriber's line is answered by a voice mail system, the voice mail system recognizes and acknowledges the signal so that the voice mail system and service node may determine that their call is between two machines and may take appropriate action. One such action is to connect the caller to the subscriber's voice mail and to restart the subscriber's outgoing voice mail greeting.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for audibly announcing information associated with a calling party in an advanced intelligent network comprising a service switching point, a service control point and a services node. The service switching point is adapted to suspend calls directed to an audio caller identification service and to forward information concerning the calling and called parties to the service control point. The service control point is adapted to direct the call to a selected services node. The services node sends a query to retrieve information concerning the calling party from the service control point. If necessary, other service control points may be queried for the information. While the aforementioned processing is occurring, the calling party continues to hear a ringing signal. When the aforementioned information is retrieved, the service directs a second call to the called party.