Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a method, which can comprise automatically causing a call to be connected. The call can be connected via a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) user identity provided by a calling device that requests the call. The SIP public user identity can be associated with one or more called devices. The SIP public user identity can be one of a set of one or more SIP user identities associated with a user.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing integrated network and operations control for a converged communications network providing all service types on a common architecture.

Abstract: Telecommunications systems for providing third party service support and call control in using a packet network are disclosed. The telecommunications systems for providing a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) are based interface for third party service call control and communication connections and support via an external application gateway in communication with a call control element of a packet network. The external application gateway signals a third party application server that controls the call via the SIP interface. The systems include border elements located between the call control elements of the packet network and the media servers of communication systems for providing SIP and media interfaces for the third party media servers or endpoints, which can be located inside or outside of the packet network. The systems include the reuse of existing network architectural elements to provide third party communications support and call control.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a method, which can comprise automatically causing a call to be connected. The call can be connected via a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) user identity provided by a calling device that requests the call. The SIP public user identity can be associated with one or more called devices. The SIP public user identity can be one of a set of one or more SIP user identities associated with a user.

Abstract: An access architecture for real-time communications is described. The architecture includes an inter-architecture network utilizing a single protocol, a plurality of border elements in communication with the inter-architecture network and with an external network, and one or more call control elements in communication with said inter-architecture network. The external network utilizes any of a variety of known networking technologies and protocols. The inter-architecture network utilizes a single protocol such as SIP. The present architecture provides a single common infrastructure for offering real-time communications services independent of call control protocols and networking technologies.

Abstract: Method and system are disclosed for intercepting voice/multimedia calls in a VPN environment. The calls are diverted to a voice/multimedia call intercepting server where the intercept subject is identified. The identification may be based on an image/picture as well as identifying information about the intercept subject provided to the VPN administrator. The identifying information may be, for example, a telephone number, URL, name, and the like, for the intercept subject. The combination of image/picture and identifying information is especially useful to confirm telephone numbers, URLs, names, and the like that can be used by someone other than real intercept subject. Once the identity of the intercept subject is confirmed, the call content is duplicated, encapsulated, and/or transported to the law enforcement agency. The method and system of the invention then re originates the call to prevent the intercept subject from detecting the intercept.

Abstract: A decomposed H.323 border element is disclosed that is useful for providing an entry point from one or more H.323-based networks into a SIP-based VoIP network. In one embodiment, the signaling element of the BE is separated into a separate functional entity from the media control element to facilitate a single signaling entity controlling multiple media entities. In another embodiment, the security element of the border element is also separated from the media control element so that firewall and network address translation elements may be performed by a separate functional entity. In a further embodiment, the media transcoding element is separated from the media control element. In a final embodiment, the internetworking facility between the SIP and H.323 element is separate from the H.323 gatekeeper elements.

Abstract: In order to provide a single common cost-efficient architecture for real time communication services for audio, video, and data over internet protocol, a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) system and architecture is provided by placing border elements (BEs) at the interface boundaries between the access network the user devices use and the VoIP infrastructure. The BEs use SIP protocol as the access call control protocol over any access networking technologies, for example, IP, Ethernet, ATM, and FR, and provides all services transparently to the end users that use SIP-enabled devices. To enable a scalable system, the SIP BEs are decomposed into separate communicating entities that make the SIP BE scalable and provide new capabilities not previously available by a self-contained SIP BE.