Abstract: A system and method for identifying users dropped from a conference call and rejoining the user to the call upon reconnection. Users can participate in the conference by connecting through different types of networks using a device having one or more types of communication lines. When a user is disconnected before the end of the conference (due to a bad mobile phone connection, for example), a bookmark is placed in the recording indicating the disconnection point. When the user rejoins the conference, the user is given the option to begin listening to the conference at the point where the user was disconnected. The user can issue playback-type requests, such as play, rewind, fast forward, etc., to review missed information. Other users are alerted by a characteristic tone when a user disconnects from the conference and by another characteristic tone when the disconnected user rejoins the conference.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for compensating recipients of calls are provided. A request to bill a caller a tariff for a call is initiated, wherein the caller originates the call. The caller is prompted to accept payment of the tariff to receive access to a destination line during the call. Responsive to negotiating for the payment of the tariff from the caller, the caller is connected with the destination line, such that the caller pays for access to the destination line. In particular, the caller may pay for access to a particular callee at the destination line.

Abstract: A system and method for copying and transmitting telephony recordings during a conference call. A user can forward a portion of the recording to a third party during the conference call. A user issues a command using a telephony device and optionally indicates the beginning and end of the portion to be sent. The user provides recipient information, such as an email address. A user can issue these commands by voice or by sending data (for example, text) through the user's device. The commands may also be issued by software running on the user's device. The user can choose to send the selected portion in audio format, textual format, or both. The selected portion can be sent through the internet using email, instant messaging, or FTP, for example. The marked portion can also be sent over a telephone, a computer network, or the like.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for billing for service provided to destination device according to the calling plan of the individual receiving the call. An authenticated identity for a callee answering a call placed to a destination device is received at an intermediary device. The intermediary device then accesses a billing plan for the authenticated identity of the callee and loads the billing plan for specifying charges for the call, such that telephone service billed to the callee is accessible at multiple destination devices.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for expert hold queue management are provided. A call is received at a call center. The call is placed on hold in a hold queue until a representative of the call center is available to answer the call. While on hold in the hold queue, the call is transferred to an expert. In particular, the call may be transferred to a second hold queue within the first hold queue if the expert is not immediately available. Experts may include freelance experts, query based experts, and emergency response experts. Then, responsive to detecting the call at the top of the call queue, the caller is notified of an availability of a representative. The caller may select to remain with the expert or transfer to the representative.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for billing for service provided to an origin device according to the current caller billing plan. A trusted telephone network, including at least one service provider, receives a request for service from an origin device. The origin device is associated with a line number to be billed for according to a line subscriber billing plan. An identity of a caller requesting the service from the origin device is authenticated. Then, a billing plan associated with the authenticated caller identity is accessed and utilized to replace or supplement the line subscriber billing plan, such that billing for service provided at an origin device is specified according to the caller currently utilizing the origin device.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for third party regulation of calls based on the caller and callee pair to the call. An identity of a caller to a call and an identity of a callee logged in to receive the call are detected. A selection of third party criteria for regulating a call between the caller identity and the callee identity are accessed. A communication channel between the caller and the callee is regulated according to the selection of third party criteria.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for detecting a state of a device such as a meter or appliance and transmitting to a remote location a particular tone or tones corresponding to the detected state. The transmission is initiated either by a predetermined series of tones from the remote location to the apparatus or by changing conditions within the device. The claimed subject matter enables a service provider to detect a service outage, the scope of the outage and the resumption of service.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for managing a caller profile for multiple callers across multiple call hold centers are provided. Multiple call centers preferably subscribe to a remote caller profile server that manages caller profiles that are distributable to the multiple call centers. Each of the multiple call centers utilizes caller profiles to specify services to the callers related to the caller profiles when those callers are placed on hold within the caller centers. In addition, each of the call centers monitors the activity of callers while on hold and transfers the monitored activity information to the remote caller profile server to update the caller profiles.

Abstract: A system and method for interfacing with a personal telephony recorder is provided. Users can issue commands to the personal telephony recorder through a variety of means. A user using a device with video capabilities can use facial cues, such as a facial expression, that is recognized as a command and sent to the personal telephony recorder. Video-based users can also send commands using a Doppler shift created by moving away from or towards the video recorder or a portion of the recorder. Personal telephony recorder users that use a pervasive computing device, such as a handheld computer or personal digital assistant, can issue commands by using a thumb switch usually located on the side of the device, or by using a stylus to select portions of the device's screen, such as command buttons.

Abstract: A system and method for querying and bookmarking telephony conversations is provided. The users issue commands to insert bookmarks into the audio recording, the textual recording, or both, either during the live conference or during later playback. A user can issue these commands by voice or by sending data (for example, text) through the user's device. The commands may also be issued by software running on the user's device. The user can add, modify, and delete bookmarks and can provide a descriptive title for bookmarks. Bookmarks can be used to indicate important words or phrases, to mark changes in the subject of the conversation, etc. Bookmarks can be used by users to assist in the retrieval of information as well as by information processing software used to retrieve portions of stored conversations.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying users dropped from a conference call and rejoining the user to the call upon reconnection. Users can participate in the conference by connecting through different types of networks using a device having one or more types of communication lines. When a user is disconnected before the end of the conference (due to a bad mobile phone connection, for example), a bookmark is placed in the recording indicating the disconnection point. When the user rejoins the conference, the user is given the option to begin listening to the conference at the point where the user was disconnected. The user can issue playback-type requests, such as play, rewind, fast forward, etc., to review missed information. Other users are alerted by a characteristic tone when a user disconnects from the conference and by another characteristic tone when the disconnected user rejoins the conference.

Abstract: Software application integration including providing a multiplicity of predefined data communications receivers, each receiver specific to a software application and a communications protocol; providing a multiplicity of predefined data communications senders, each sender specific to a software application and a communications protocol; providing one or more transports, each transport having the capability of configuring itself, in dependence upon configuration parameters from a profile, with a receiver and a sender; providing a multiplicity of predefined transfer managers; providing an adapter profile identifying communications transports, including receivers and senders, and, optionally, one or more transfer managers, wherein the adapter profile includes configuration parameters for the data communications transports and the transfer managers; and constructing an application integration adapter in dependence upon the profile, wherein the adapter comprises the transports, receivers, senders, and the transfer

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for detecting a state of a device such as a meter or appliance and transmitting to a remote location a particular tone or tones corresponding to the detected state. The transmission is initiated either by a predetermined series of tones from the remote location to the apparatus or by changing conditions within the device. The claimed subject matter enables a service provider to detect a service outage, the scope of the outage and the resumption of service.

Abstract: Systems and methods of application integration, including constructing an application integration adapter in dependence upon a profile including data describing the adapter, receiving instructions to alter the adapter, and altering the adapter in dependence upon the instructions. Exemplary embodiments of the invention include communicating integration messages among applications through the adapter as altered. In typical embodiments, receiving instructions to alter the adapter includes detecting changes in the adapter profile. In such embodiments, detecting changes in the adapter profile includes creating a copy of the profile, and periodically comparing the profile and the copy. In other exemplary embodiments, receiving instructions to alter the adapter includes receiving from an application an administrative integration message bearing the instructions to alter the adapter. In such embodiments, altering the adapter in dependence upon the instructions includes updating the profile.

Abstract: A system and method for interfacing with a personal telephony recorder is provided. Users can issue commands to the personal telephony recorder through a variety of means. A user using a device with video capabilities can use facial cues, such as a facial expression, that is recognized as a command and sent to the personal telephony recorder. Video-based users can also send commands using a Doppler shift created by moving away from or towards the video recorder or a portion of the recorder. Personal telephony recorder users that use a pervasive computing device, such as a handheld computer or personal digital assistant, can issue commands by using a thumb switch usually located on the side of the device, or by using a stylus to select portions of the device's screen, such as command buttons.

Abstract: Software application integration, including constructing an application integration adapter where the constructing is carried out in dependence upon a profile. The profile includes data describing the adapter. Embodiments include communicating integration messages among applications through the adapter. Profiles include identifications of at least two communications transports, including configuration parameters for the data communications transports. In typical embodiments, constructing an application integration adapter includes creating the transports identified in the adapter profile, and configuring the transports in accordance with the configuration parameters.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for identifying parties to a call to an incoming calling party are provided. A context for a current call is identified, wherein the context comprises at least an identity of a caller and an identity of a callee to the current call. An identifier for an incoming calling party to the current call is identified. The context is filtered according to the identifier for the incoming calling party. Output of the filtered context to the incoming calling party is controlled.

Abstract: A system and method for recording a telephone conference and replaying a portion of the recording during the conference. Users can participate in the conference by connecting through different types of networks using a device having one or more types of communication lines. The recording can be in audio format, text format (obtained by converting the audio to text), or both. Thus, users could potentially recall and replay textual information in addition to the recorded audio. Other information—such as time and user data—may also be recorded along with the audio and text. Both text and audio may be compressed (in real time if required) to save storage space. Users may issue playback-type requests such as play, rewind, fast forward, stop, and pause to navigate through the recorded data. While the user is issuing requests and is reviewing missed information, only the user can hear the playback.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving and processing specialized voice commands during a conference call. Users issue vocal commands to retrieve information during the live conference or during later playback. A user may issue these commands by voice or by sending data through the user's device. A user may issue a command to find the latest spoken name in the conference or for determining which participant said something. The name may be replayed to the user or at the user's request the name may be accompanied by additional information by searching particular databases. The users may also issue other commands requesting information such as the latest spoken word indicating location, the latest spoken word indicating time, the latest spoken word indicating method, etc. Information can also be retrieved from networks, such as the Internet, in response to the voice commands.