Abstract: A computer readable storage medium storing computer readable program code, the code configured to provide caller identification information to a called party when standard Caller ID cannot be provided. If standard caller ID information cannot be provided for a call, the call is interrupted by the present service and the calling party is prompted for audible caller identification information. In one embodiment, when the audible caller identification is provided, the call is presented to the called party with a distinctive ring at the called telephone station. In another embodiment, the calling party may enter a personal identification number (PIN) to bypass the requirement for audible caller identification information. In still another embodiment, when the PIN is entered, the call is presented with a distinctive ring at the called communication station. In still another embodiment, the called party may send the incoming call to a voice mail system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transmitting a message to a telephone station are disclosed. Generally, a network element analyzes information related to an outgoing call.

Abstract: All calls terminating to a customer's directory number are intercepted. If caller identification information can be presented, the call is forwarded to a service node for disposition. The service node reconfigures signaling information of the call so that the call is not intercepted, then forwards the call to the subscriber's telephone. When the call is answered, the service node states the name or telephone number of the calling party which has been retrieved from the signaling information. The caller can decide whether to take the call, deny the call, send the call to voice mail or send a sales refusal message or other disposition option.

Abstract: A system (100) and method deliver audible caller identification information when standard Caller ID information can not be provided, even when a subscriber to the service has per line blocking. A service control point (106) detects the directory number to which a terminating attempt trigger is assigned and places this directory number in a parameter for transmission to a service switching point (102) using a forward_call message (206). The per line blocking function does not interfere with transmission of this parameter so that the called party's directory number can be passed for processing and call completion by the system.

Abstract: A provisioning server implements a telephony service associated with a user, in which calls involving a directory number of the user are processed in accordance with the telephony service and customized call service data. The provisioning server interfaces a call processor with a web server and an interactive voice response (IVR) platform. The provisioning server includes a first interface for receiving the customized call service data from the web server, and a second interface for receiving at least portion of the customized call service data from the IVR platform. The provisioning server also includes a third interface for sending the customized call service data to be stored in a database accessible to the call processor. An instruction is received over the first interface or the second interface to activate the telephony service, in accordance with the customized call service data, via one of the web server and the IVR platform.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing enhanced caller identification screening using audible caller name announcement are disclosed. Generally, a request for audible caller identification associated with a calling communication station is transmitted to the calling communication station based on an analysis of a query comprising data indicating whether presentation of standard call identification information to a called communication station. Audible caller identification information is then received and transmitted to the called communication station.

Abstract: A system and method for providing information about a calling party to a called party is disclosed. Generally, a network element obtains information about a calling party when a telephone line of a called party is busy. The network element notifies the called party that the calling party is attempting to contact the called party and transmits an audible version of the information about the calling party to the called party without receiving an input from the called party.

Abstract: A system and method provide an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) service for a packet-based telephone subscriber using an Intelligent Negotiator Node (INN), the INN capable of communicating using a packet-based communication protocol. The INN includes an application server that receives a service request message at the INN, including information in a packet-based protocol, the information including an identification of a packet-based telephone subscriber. The application server determines an AIN service subscribed to by the packet-based telephone subscriber, and performs the AIN service. Performance of the AIN service may include using a media server of the INN to provide a voice message to a packet-based telephone subscriber during the providing of the AIN service, thereby incorporating the INN into the voice path of a telephone call. Performance of the AIN service may include the INN retrieving information from the Internet, that is used in the providing of the AIN service.

Abstract: A method for routing calls in a telecommunication system includes detecting data for a call from a calling party to a called party, providing a menu of options to the calling party and routing the call in accordance with information about the calling party, information about the called party or a menu selection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for verifying call waiting information in a communication system is particularly well suited for correcting mispronunciation of caller identification information provided for a call waiting call. A current pronunciation of the call waiting information is provided to the calling party who is prompted to change the current pronunciation. The system receives a new pronunciation of the call waiting information and stores information about the new pronunciation for subsequent retrieval.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for providing an enhanced call waiting announcement to a called party that is busy on a first call and receives a second call. Information provided by a second calling party is recorded and played back to the called party after the first call is over. The called party is not interrupted during the duration of the first call.

Abstract: The present method and system enable a called party to cancel an unwanted call and send a message to the calling party. The method and system are activated in response to a plurality of inputs provided by the called party. In response to the input provided by the called party, a custom or a standard message can be transmitted to the calling party. A confirmation message can also be transmitted to the called party. The method and system can be implemented in conjunction with other systems that are also activated in response to an input from the called party.

Abstract: A telecommunications service translates an abbreviated dialing code into a toll free number, routes the call to an interexchange carrier, and manages the billing associated with the call. A billing system processes the billing such that a subscriber of the abbreviated dialing code service is billed for the call rather than a calling party.

Abstract: All calls terminating to a customer's directory number are intercepted. If caller identification information can be presented, the call is forwarded to a service node for disposition. The service node reconfigures signaling information of the call so that the call is not intercepted, then forwards the call to the subscriber's telephone. When the call is answered, the service node states the name or telephone number of the calling party which has been retrieved from the signaling information. The caller can decide whether to take the call, deny the call, send the call to voice mail or send a sales refusal message or other disposition option.

Abstract: All calls terminating to a customer's directory number are intercepted. If caller identification information can be presented, the call is forwarded to a service node for disposition. The service node reconfigures signaling information of the call so that the call is not intercepted, then forwards the call to the subscriber's telephone. When the call is answered, the service node states the name or telephone number of the calling party which has been retrieved from the signaling information. The caller can decide whether to take the call, deny the call, send the call to voice mail or send a sales refusal message or other disposition option.

Abstract: A system (10) and method (40) for providing audible caller information to telephone service subscribers is presented. The system (10) includes a pre-processor (28) that converts textual caller information from a first data format to a second data format suitable for text-to-speech synthesis (TTS). The pre-processor (28) can be incorporated in a service node/intelligent peripheral (SN/IP) (24) in an advanced intelligent network (AIN). In this configuration, the pre-processor (28) can be used to convert caller-ID with name database entries into a predetermined TTS format. The TTS formatted information can be provided to a TTS synthesized (30) included in the SN/IP (24). In conjunction with a switching service point (SSP) (20), the pre-processor (28) can provide a talking call-waiting feature to subscribers with significantly improved intelligibility.

Abstract: A subscriber implements and accesses telecommunications services, using a graphical user interface (GUI) via the Internet, and an interactive voice response (IVR) system via the public switched telecommunications network (PSTN). The subscriber can create preferences for calls placed to operator assistance.

Abstract: A telecommunications system (600) distributes text-to-speech synthesis (900) between a telephone network (603) and a telephone subscriber unit (602). The telephone network (603) receives (1102) a telephone call from a first telephone subscriber unit (601) over a first communication channel (604) intended for a second telephone subscriber unit (602), determines (1103) that the second telephone subscriber unit (602) subscribes to a speech-based caller identification service provided by the telephone network (603), converts (1107) text information (707), representing the caller identification of the first telephone subscriber unit (601) into symbols (708), encodes (1108) the symbols (708) to form a data stream (709), opens (1109) a second communication channel (605) between the telephone network (603) and the second telephone subscriber unit (602), and sends (1110) the data stream (709) to the second telephone subscriber unit (602) over the second communication channel (605).

Abstract: A system and method deliver audible caller identification information when standard Caller ID information can not be provided. A calling party is prompted by an announcement to provide the audible caller identification information. The announcement may be tailored by changing the language of the announcement, for example, to conform to the majority of calls received by the called party. A special designator may be stored in association with account information when the service is ordered. The designator is read before the announcement is played to the calling party. The audible caller identification information is recorded and played to the called party in a message. The message may be tailored by changing the language or format of the announcement.

Abstract: A telecommunications system (600) distributes text-to-speech synthesis (900) between a telephone network (603) and a telephone subscriber unit (602). The telephone network (603) receives (1102) a telephone call from a first telephone subscriber unit (601) over a first communication channel (604) intended for a second telephone subscriber unit (602), determines (1103) that the second telephone subscriber unit (602) subscribes to a speech-based caller identification service provided by the telephone network (603), converts (1107) text information (707), representing the caller identification of the first telephone subscriber unit (601) into symbols (708), encodes (1108) the symbols (708) to form a data stream (709), opens (1109) a second communication channel (605) between the telephone network (603) and the second telephone subscriber unit (602), and sends (1110) the data stream (709) to the second telephone subscriber unit (602) over the second communication channel (605).