Abstract: A telecommunications system including a network; a plurality of user devices coupled to the network; a multipoint control unit coupled to the network and configured to supervise multipoint conferencing among the plurality of user devices, the multipoint control unit including a presentation mixer, the presentation mixer configured to remove one or more backgrounds from a presentation and mix a live video feed into the presentation as a substitute background; and a screen for displaying a resulting mixed presentation such that a full area of the screen is used to display the mixed presentation. In some embodiments, the presentation mixer is further configured to adjust a level of transparency of the substitute background.

Abstract: An electronic business card is provided with voice data associated with the card owner. In some embodiments, the voice data is a digitized voice sample; in other embodiments, the voice data is a selection of pre-processed voice recognition data associated with a voice sample. In some implementations, the electronic business card can be transferred to other parties using a Bluetooth personal network. A user application can then make use of the voice sample or pre-processed voice recognition data for security or user identification.

Abstract: A method includes associating an e-mail address with a plurality of telephone numbers; associating one of the telephone numbers with a one number service (108); allowing telephone calls to the one of the telephone numbers by selecting the e-mail address. In some embodiments, the allowing telephone calls comprises calling a programmed caller number and calling to a called party number associated with the e-mail address. In some embodiments, a called party and a calling party are subscribers to a one-number service (108).

Abstract: A digital personal video stream manager (102) includes a control processor (202), a media interface (204), and one or more control interfaces. The media interface (204) can receive broadband audio and video and convert it into digital file format for transmission on a LAN, such as an IEEE 802.11 based wireless LAN, to a personal computer (110). The media interface (204) can likewise receive digital media files from the personal computer (110) via the wireless interface, and convert them to a format for playback by the audio system (118) or television (116). Further, the digital personal video stream manager (102) can receive controls from remote users to supervise media recording. The control interfaces allow control of the digital personal video stream manager, such as via infrared remote controls.

Abstract: A telecommunications device including a laptop computer having a telephony soft client. According to embodiments of the present invention, calls may be received even when the laptop computer is turned off. The laptop computer wakes up responsive to detecting an incoming call. In some embodiments, the system checks on a user presence status before waking up the laptop. In some embodiments, the telephony soft client may be quick booted to allow a user to make an emergency telephone call, without fully booting the laptop computer.

Abstract: A method includes receiving audio electronic business card data during a conference; comparing said audio electronic business card data with voices of conference speakers to confirm identities of said speakers; performing an acoustic triangulation to determine a position of speakers; correlating a position of said speakers with said identities; and displaying locations of said speakers.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a packet network; a plurality of VoIP endpoints; and a plurality of VoIP feature servers. The VoIP endpoints are able to send configuration request messages to the feature servers. The feature servers respond with information indicative of supported features. The VoIP endpoints can then update the system configurations based on the response information. Further, newly added feature servers transmit feature availability messages to endpoints when initially installed. The endpoints then respond to configure themselves appropriately.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a network; a plurality of user devices coupled to the network; a multipoint control unit coupled to the network and configured to supervise multipoint conferencing among the plurality of user devices, the multipoint control unit including a presentation mixer, the presentation mixer configured to remove one or more backgrounds from a presentation and mix a live video feed into the presentation as a substitute background; a screen for displaying a resulting mixed presentation such that a full area of the screen is used to display the mixed presentation; and a feature recognition system configured to identify a party from one or more features displayed on the screen and selectively adjust a transparency of said one or more features other than said party.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a telephone comprising an interface port to receive a computer network interface device.

Abstract: A telecommunications device includes a laptop computer having a telephony soft client that may run, for example, in a browser window. The telephony soft client includes a utility to allow it to determine the laptop's local external IP address and from it, the local country. The telephony soft client then performs a lookup of the local country's emergency telephone number, either from a local table or from a specially maintained remote database. The local emergency telephone number can then be displayed, or programmed to a “quick dial” key.

Abstract: A telephone answering system (100) and method (200) that permits a user to immediately generate a customized playback message in response to an incoming call without having to actually answer the call. The system (100) can include a ring detector (104), a command interface (114), a controller (110) and a telephone network interface (102). In response to an incoming call, the ring detector (104) alerts the called party and causes the controller (110) to activate the command interface (114). The command interface (114) is activated for a predetermined time while the call is still ringing. While activated, the called party can select or enter a playback message. The playback message can be a pre-recorded audio message stored within the device, or a voice message spoken by the called party during the activation period. After the playback message is selected by the called party, the telephone system (100) answers the incoming call and automatically plays the customized message to the calling party.

Abstract: A system including a conferencing telephone coupled to or in communication with an identification service. The identification service is configured to poll user devices of conference participants to determine or confirm identities. In response, the user devices transmit audio electronic business cards, which can include user voice samples and/or preprocessed voice recognition data. The identification service stores the resulting audio electronic business card data. When the corresponding participant speaks during the conference, the identification service identifies the speaker.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a network; a social networking service operably coupled to the network and configured to allow registration of users, to allow identification of registered users' interests, and to identify associated users, said associated users being associated with registered users; a presence service operably coupled to the network and configured to determine an availability of associated users responsive to one or more availability criteria; a translation unit configured to convert user information from a social networking service format to a presence service format; and a messaging service operably coupled to the network and configured to send notification messages to associated users determined to be available and having a common interest corresponding to an event responsive to an occurrence of the event and one or more availability criteria.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes a network; a plurality of user devices operably coupled to said network and including a microphone and a speaker; a collaboration server configured to cause a playing of one or more test tones at said plurality of user devices and compensate for feedback if said test tones are detected by microphones associated with said plurality of user devices.

Abstract: An electronic messaging scheme is described that is configurable to prevent intentional and unintentional transmission of electronic messages subject to one or more access restriction conditions. In accordance with one aspect of this electronic messaging scheme, an electronic message is interrogated for an access restriction notice in response to a user command to transmit the electronic message, and a detected access restriction notice is responded to in accordance with a prescribed transmission policy.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a system for synchronizing participant copies of presentation data during a collaboration session. A presenter/server controlling the session sends synchronization commands when a change in state of the presentation data occurs. The synchronization commands can be received by a mobile communication device and then forwarded to the participant computer system where it is used to synchronize the copy of the presentation data with the presenter/server.

Abstract: A text chat messaging system in which messages are displayed in chronological order on a message-by-message basis according to chat participants includes a messaging server (102); and a plurality of network clients (104) defining said chat participants and configured to identify messages (204) in a chat session according to chat participants and arrange said chat session for display according to a conversation order of participation in said chat session.

Abstract: Embodiments may provide a telephone and a computing device coupled to the telephone, the computing device to establish a telephone call with the telephone using a signaling protocol other than a Session Initiation Protocol.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a computer network, a computing device coupled to the computer network, and a telephone coupled to the computer network and to a telephone line. The telephone may receive telephone call signals from the telephone line and transmit information associated with the telephone call signals to the computing device over the network.

Abstract: Embodiments may provide a computer network, a telephone coupled to the computer network, and a computing device coupled to the computer network, the computing device to establish a telephone call with the telephone.