Abstract: Embodiments may provide techniques to screen for, detect, and prevent connection of robocalls. For example, in an embodiment, a method, implemented in a computer system comprising a processor, memory accessible by the processor, and computer program instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor, may comprise receiving, at a telecommunications switch, a request to initiate a call from an originating party, selecting, at the telecommunications switch, from a list of terminating carrier networks, a media server, routing, at the telecommunications switch, the request to initiate the call to the media server, forwarding, from the media server, a media prompt requesting the originating party to enter a response to the media prompt, and when the originating party does not enter a correct response to the media prompt, forwarding, from the media server, an indication that the call is forbidden.

Abstract: The present invention provides an effective means of screening calls by sharing contact data between individual users of communication devices. The contact information is augmented to include shareability data and relations data. The additional data can be used to configure the shared data in a way that private contacts, for example, can be restricted from sharing, while public contacts are shared.

Abstract: Embodiments may provide improved techniques to protect telephone users from unwanted calls, as well as unwanted SMS or other text messages. Embodiments may utilize white, gray and black lists and may create and process such lists. For example, a method may comprise receiving, at a call processing system, a call or message from an originator to a recipient user of the call processing system, determining, at the call processing system, whether the originator of the call or message is present in at least one of a plurality of lists of identifiers of originators of calls or messages, and handling, at the call processing system, the call or message differently based on which list of identifiers in which the originator is present.

Abstract: Embodiments may provide techniques to screen for, detect, and prevent connection of robocalls. For example, in an embodiment, a method, implemented in a computer system comprising a processor, memory accessible by the processor, and computer program instructions stored in the memory and executable by the processor, may comprise receiving, at a telecommunications switch, a request to initiate a call from an originating party, selecting, at the telecommunications switch, from a list of terminating carrier networks, a media server, routing, at the telecommunications switch, the request to initiate the call to the media server, forwarding, from the media server, a media prompt requesting the originating party to enter a response to the media prompt, and when the originating party does not enter a correct response to the media prompt, forwarding, from the media server, an indication that the call is forbidden.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present systems and methods may provide PBX functionality with mobile calling devices, such as cell phones. Embodiments may provide, for example, PBX functionality without the need to use land line (VoIP or PSTN, or any other) phones. For example, in an embodiment, a method of call completion may comprise receiving an indication of a called party phone to be dialed at a mobile device, determining, at the mobile device, whether the indication refers to an extension number of a private branch exchange or to a phone number in the public switched telephone network, and when the indication refers to an extension number of a private branch exchange dialing, at the mobile device, at least a phone number in the public switched telephone network in order to complete a call to the indicated called party phone.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present systems and methods may provide Internet connectivity even in situations in which power and communication infrastructure is unavailable.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method of providing ringless voicemail, where a voicemail service provider can deliver a message to a telephone service user in the most unobtrusive manner available. The present invention overcomes limitations of traditional automatic calling, by utilizing carrier service provider abilities to provide access to the voicemail services directly, without actually calling and ringing the telephone service user's telephone. The access can be implemented on any carrier service. The method includes retrieving a voicemail access number of a carrier service provider; accessing a voicemail system of the carrier service provider using the voicemail access number; navigating an interactive voice response system of the carrier service provider to reach a prompt for leaving a voicemail message in a voicemail box of a telephone user; and leaving the voicemail message in the voicemail box without initiating ringing of a phone of the telephone user.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing call loop detection and prevention for VoIP SIP based wholesale traffic termination when multiple carriers are involved in handling the same phone call is provided. A method of detecting a call loop includes receiving an originated call, determining whether an origination number of the originated call is a valid phone number, when the origination phone number is invalid, determining a number of calls in a Provisional State with an invalid origination number and the same destination number that were started during a time interval, when the origination phone number is valid, determining a number of calls with the same origination number and the same destination number that were started, but not answered, during the time interval, and when the number of calls per time interval exceeds a threshold for the number of calls, determining that a call loop has been detected.

Abstract: Integration of VoIP phone services with Intelligent Cloud Voice Recognition for emergency services overcomes limitations of conventional residential telephone technology to inexpensively provide more useful and advanced residential telephone services. For example, in an embodiment, a communication method may comprise establishing a communications session between either a user device and a telephone system or between a user device and voice recognition system, if the communications session is between a user device and a telephone system, extending the communications session to include a voice recognition system, if the communications session is between a user device and a voice recognition system, extending the communications session to include a telephone system, providing voice or speech information to the voice recognition system from the user device, and performing at least one function with the voice recognition system based on the provided voice or speech information.

Abstract: A method and system for authenticating a subscriber of a user using a graphical user interface or telephone using the same user name and password is provided. As a result, subscribers need to memorize only one user name and/or password, saving precious time and energy to the subscriber because of the low risk of forgetting the user name and/or password. In addition, with the advent of cross-category products such as web phones (Web user interface integrated in a telephone) and soft phone (software on a personal computer reproducing the function of a telephone), it can become confusing for subscribers to remember which passwords and user name to use for which device. Having one password and one user name to remember makes the situation simpler.

Abstract: A Family Branch Exchange (FBX) overcomes limitations of conventional residential telephone technology to inexpensively provide more useful and advanced residential telephone services. For example, a method of providing automatic call forwarding comprises receiving, at a service provider system connected to a telephone network and optionally to a data network, a call including dialing information indicating a person to whom the call is to be placed, retrieving, at the service provider system, destination information for the indicated person, and forwarding, from the service provider system, the call to at least one destination indicated by the destination information.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing full two-way interaction among participants at a large number of locations. A method for providing presentation services may comprise receiving an audio stream and a plurality of video streams of a presentation, wherein at least some of the plurality of transmitted video streams have different frame rates, resolutions, or both, receiving an audio stream and a video stream of each of a plurality of participants to the presentation, selectively transmitting the audio stream and the plurality of video streams of the presentation and the audio stream and the video stream of each of the plurality of participants to a presentation location and to each of the plurality of participants.

Abstract: A system and computer program product for providing a software-based operator switchboard for a phone system provide improved functionality, with greater simplicity, than conventional techniques. A telecommunications system may comprise an operator switchboard computer system displaying and receiving input with a graphical user interface indicating an operation to be performed by an end-user device, generating a first message in a first message format based on the received input, and transmitting the message to a server computer system, and a server computer system receiving the first message from the first computer system, translating the first message from the first message format to form at least one second message in a second message format, and transmitting the second message to perform the operation to be performed by at least one end-user device. Messages may also be transmitted from end-user devices to the server computer system, translated, and transmitted to the operator switchboard computer system.

Abstract: A Family Branch Exchange (FBX) overcomes limitations of conventional residential telephone technology to inexpensively provide more useful and advanced residential telephone services. For example, a method of providing distinctive ringing comprises receiving, at a service provider system connected to a telephone network and optionally to a data network, a call from a calling party to a user of the service provider system, playing, from the service provider system to the calling party, a message indicating a plurality of choices from which to select, receiving, at the service provider system, the calling party's selection, and transmitting, from the service provider system, a message indicating a ring tone or ring type to be used based on the calling party's selection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to performing advanced call routing in a mass telephone conference call, including: checking a conferee list to determine whether a telephone number is a ported number; creating a list of carriers for each ported number on the conferee list, which provides a list of the carriers for each ported number; arranging the list of the carriers in order based upon cost, from least expensive to most expensive, for the call; placing the call to each conferee based upon the ordered list of the carriers, starting with the least expensive to the most expensive of the carriers for each ported number; and wherein when the least expensive of the carriers is unavailable, placing the telephone call to a next one of the carriers on the ordered list, from the least expensive to the most expensive of the carriers.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing call loop detection and prevention for VoIP SIP based wholesale traffic termination when multiple carriers are involved in handling the same phone call is provided. A method of detecting a call loop includes receiving an originated call, determining whether an origination number of the originated call is a valid phone number, when the origination phone number is invalid, determining a number of calls in a Provisional State with an invalid origination number and the same destination number that were started during a time interval, when the origination phone number is valid, determining a number of calls with the same origination number and the same destination number that were started, but not answered, during the time interval, and when the number of calls per time interval exceeds a threshold for the number of calls, determining that a call loop has been detected.

Abstract: A method of providing conference call connections includes initiating a conference call between multiple conferees using a conferencing controller, placing each of the multiple conferees in a half-duplex listen only mode using the conferencing controller, and receiving a signal at the conferencing controller from at least one of the multiple conferees to actively participate in the conference call. Active participation can be in the form of asking questions, giving comments, or providing a keypress to vote or provide other information. The conference call can also be broadcast to increase participants. Also, after the conference call is initiated, additional potential conferees can be added.

Abstract: An automated teleconferencing control system and method reduces conference call setup time by simultaneously out dialing to multiple conferees through a plurality of parallel telecommunications resources. The teleconferencing control system includes the feature of automatically gathering statistics of each connection attempt, as well as many other call aspects, using these statistics to automatically improve the efficiency of subsequent conference call initiations. Gathered statistics are also used to automatically configure the system to cause all of the conferees to be connected to a conference call at substantially the same time. The selection of which telecommunications resources are used for contacting each target conferee is made based on criteria that include the telephone number or Internet address of the target conferee's telephone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to performing advanced call routing in a mass telephone conference call, including: checking a conferee list to determine whether a telephone number is a ported number; creating a list of carriers for each ported number on the conferee list, which provides a list of the carriers for each ported number; arranging the list of the carriers in order based upon cost, from least expensive to most expensive, for the call; placing the call to each conferee based upon the ordered list of the carriers, starting with the least expensive to the most expensive of the carriers for each ported number; and wherein when the least expensive of the carriers is unavailable, placing the telephone call to a next one of the carriers on the ordered list, from the least expensive to the most expensive of the carriers.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for detecting the type of NAT firewall using messages provides the capability to determine the type of NAT in use without requiring special purpose hardware or software. A method for determining a type of a NAT firewall may comprise receiving a message from a device inside the NAT firewall, the message addressed to a first IP address and port of a device outside the NAT firewall, transmitting a plurality of messages to the device inside the NAT firewall, at least one of the plurality of messages addressed from the first IP address and port and at least one of the messages addressed from a second IP address and port, receiving responses to at least some of the plurality of messages transmitted to the device inside the NAT firewall and determining the type of the NAT firewall based on the received responses.