Abstract: The present invention provides integration of separate functions, such as television viewing, Internet television viewing, gaming, video recording, telephone call handling, etc. in a user friendly way. For example, a system for providing unified services may comprise a server system utilizing a universal open protocol that provides the capability for different service providers to offer services over unified cable/TV/Internet network independent technologically from particular network providers, and a plurality of client systems, each client system utilizing the protocol to provide integrated services to a user.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing Intelligent Outbound Calling provides enhanced calling services even when the called party is not a customer to such a service. A method for providing calling services may comprise storing contact information for a customer, the contact information comprising information relating to a plurality of contacts associated with the customer and for each contact, a plurality of contact telephone numbers, receiving an indication of a contact selected from among the plurality of contacts, and dialing a plurality of calls to the plurality of contact telephone numbers for the selected contact.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing the total bandwidth and number of packets utilized to transmit a voice transmission over a satellite connection is provided. RTP allows packets to store different sizes of an audio signal, including 40 and 60 millisecond. By increasing the amount of an audio signal that is stored in packets from 20 ms to 60 ms, the actual network bandwidth utilized by a compression algorithm, such as G.729, is decreased from over 25 Kbits to fewer than 17 Kbits and the amount of packets utilized to transmit the audio signal is reduced.

Abstract: A method of controlling conference calls includes initiating a conference call between multiple conferees using a conferencing controller, placing each of the multiple conferees in a listen only mode using the conferencing controller, receiving a signal at the conferencing controller from a plurality of the conferees requesting active participation in the conference call, displaying a list of the plurality of conferees requesting active participation in the conference call, receiving from a user a selection of one of the plurality of conferees who have requested active participation in the conference call, and placing the one of the plurality of conferees in a talk mode using the conferencing controller. The method may also include monitoring a connection between the conferencing controller and a controlling application and notifying an operator if the connection is disrupted.

Abstract: An efficient article and method for automating the process of changing the status of a voicemail (or other multimedia message or object) that is stored in a multimedia server (such as a voicemail server), when the voicemail has been associated with an email, and the email has been opened by the intended recipient.

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 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: 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 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: A method for establishing a data packet exchange communication session that allows the exchange of data packets between an originating client and a destination client in a data network having a client-server arrangement is provided. An originating client transmits communications session request data message to a communications management server via a first temporary signaling communications path. The communications session request data message contains at least a unique network address of a destination client. The communications management server, upon determining that said originating client is residing behind a first network firewall, determining whether said first network firewall will allow exchange of data packets between said originating client and any other client not residing behind said first network firewall.

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: A central switch is linked to at least one field video station (FVS) and at least one remote specialist video station (SVS) via a communication network, typically the Internet. Each FVS station includes a medical device associated with a patient and operated by an operator. The medical device generates patient test data. A two-way audio system is installed in the station. A video camera provides an overview of the FVS. A local computer executes software for processing patient and camera data as streaming video for transmission to the network along with two-way audio. Each SVS includes a processor for receiving, converting and displaying the streaming video along with receiving and transmitting two-way audio. The FVS and the SVS interact via the network after the specialist registers with a management system in the central switch, and is selected by the technician.

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: A method enables VOIP customers to obtain emergency E911 services from a Public Switched Access Point (PSAP) via a service provider. The customer registers a calling device and at least one device location with the service provider for services. An E911 call to the service provider is initiated by the customer without a real telephone number. A signaling message to the service provider includes the customer device name and address. The service provider accesses a local database in which the customer is registered. Using the device name, the service provider identifies the customer account having an associated updated location. An available telephone number is selected by the service provider and associated with the location to create and store a location-telephone number for the customer. The created location-telephone number is just-in-time provisioned in a positioning center, prior to release of the call.

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: 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: A method, system, and computer program product for providing Intelligent Outbound Calling provides enhanced calling services even when the called party is not a customer to such a service. A method for providing calling services may comprise storing contact information for a customer, the contact information comprising information relating to a plurality of contacts associated with the customer and for each contact, a plurality of contact telephone numbers, receiving an indication of a contact selected from among the plurality of contacts, and dialing a plurality of calls to the plurality of contact telephone numbers for the selected contact.

Abstract: A method and system for reducing the total bandwidth and number of packets utilized to transmit a voice transmission over a satellite connection is provided. RTP allows packets to store different sizes of an audio signal, including 40 and 60 millisecond. By increasing the amount of an audio signal that is stored in packets from 20 ms to 60 ms, the actual network bandwidth utilized by a compression algorithm, such as G.729, is decreased from over 25 Kbits to fewer than 17 Kbits and the amount of packets utilized to transmit the audio signal is reduced.

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 method, system, and computer program product for receipt, storage, playback of video voicemail and a menu for controlling playback of voicemail and other video content provides enhanced features. A method for delivering messages may comprise storing a message including both audio and video, determining an audio and video capability of a device requesting delivery of the message, and transmitting either the audio and video or the audio only to the requesting device based on the determined audio and video capability of the requesting device.