Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed that enable a caller to specify a condition of availability for a return call when the caller is unable to reach the called user. A condition might indicate a time interval in which the caller is willing to accept a return call, a location, or some other constraints. In the illustrative embodiments, when a caller places a call and is unable to reach the called user, the caller is prompted via an interactive voice response (IVR) system for one or more conditions of availability for a return call. As soon as the called user's terminal becomes available, a software application checks whether the condition of availability is satisfied, and if so, establishes a call between the caller's terminal and the called user's terminal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for collecting presence information about a user from one or more presence sources associated with the user, such as applications, devices and locations. A presence agent is associated with each presence source; and the presence agents provide presence information to one or more presence servers. Typically, the presence agents execute on a processor associated with the corresponding presence source. The presence agent reports one or more of macropresence events and micropresence events. The presence agent optionally prompts the user to update the presence information based on one or more criteria, such as exceeding a time threshold since the last presence event. Continuous presence functions are generated for each presence source that characterize the likelihood of the user to be present on the corresponding presence source at a given time.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for automatically reconnecting an interrupted voice call session. For example, a method for use in a communication system switch for managing a call session between a first device and second device includes the following steps. The first device and the second device are connected, via the communication system switch, in accordance with a call session. The first device and the second device are automatically reconnected, via the communication system switch, when the call session is unintentionally interrupted. By way of example, the communication system switch may be a private branch exchange server.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for controlling interaction between an enterprise application and a mobile client device in a communication system. Push content is generated in a wireless secure server or other type of server, responsive to information received in the wireless secure server from the enterprise application. The push content is deliverable from the wireless secure server to the mobile client device over a wireless network. The wireless secure server receives from the mobile client device, responsive to the push content, a request for additional information identifiable at least in part by the push content. The additional information is deliverable from the server to the mobile client device over the wireless network.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for improving the flow of data traffic between clients and servers by determining, in an enhanced hybrid peer-to-peer network, when a client telecommunications terminal should share its data with one or more peers, instead of transmitting that data to the servers. A “super-peer” client terminal in the hybrid peer-to-peer network is responsible for determining when to share data with peers and when to transmit data to the servers. The telecommunications terminal (i) shares data with other terminals when a particular user's presence has changed and (ii) transmits data to the enterprise servers when the overall group's presence that corresponds to the terminal's peer group has changed. The system of the illustrative embodiment aggregates presence and routes communications via peer-to-peer networking, instead of via client-to server-to peer networking, thereby reducing the load on the enterprise servers and lessening the occurrences of single points-of-failure.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for determining, for each candidate communication medium, the availability of one or more telecommunications endpoint users for participating in a communication session of interest (i.e., either new or existing) via the evaluated medium. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, an availability manager determines the availability based on (i) one or more discrete rules, or (ii) one or more continuous functions, or both. The continuous functions are specified with respect to the time that has elapsed since a previous session, the time remaining in an active session, and the expected duration of a new session. Once it has determined the availability of one or more participants in the communication session, the availability manager of the illustrative embodiment transmits one or more signals to a call-processing server, which then sets up the participants on the session via the appropriate communication medium such as voice, instant messaging, and so forth.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for automatically reconnecting an interrupted voice call session. For example, a method for use in a communication system switch for managing a call session between a first device and second device includes the following steps. The first device and the second device are connected, via the communication system switch, in accordance with a call session. The first device and the second device are automatically reconnected, via the communication system switch, when the call session is unintentionally interrupted. By way of example, the communication system switch may be a private branch exchange server.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the secure delivery of converged services to users of wireless devices in a wireless environment. An application layer broker is position between the user devices and the application server to provide an indirect coupling between the enterprise application server and the wireless user devices. The application layer broker links the wireless environment to the enterprise application server through an event triggered content delivery mechanism without providing a direct link between the wireless user device and the enterprise application server. Delivered content can only be accessed by the intended user and the authorized device. The application layer broker provides adaptation to various user devices and the various capabilities associated with each user device. Wireless devices can be upgraded independently from upgrades to the application server.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for determining, for each candidate communication medium, the availability of one or more telecommunications endpoint users for participating in a communication session of interest (i.e., either new or existing) via the evaluated medium. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, an availability manager determines the availability based on (i) one or more discrete rules, or (ii) one or more continuous functions, or both. The continuous functions are specified with respect to the time that has elapsed since a previous session, the time remaining in an active session, and the expected duration of a new session. Once it has determined the availability of one or more participants in the communication session, the availability manager of the illustrative embodiment transmits one or more signals to a call-processing server, which then sets up the participants on the session via the appropriate communication medium such as voice, instant messaging, and so forth.

Abstract: Controlled access to enterprise services is provided for a mobile device in a communication system, via a mobile gateway having a first server and a second server. The first server of the gateway is arranged behind a firewall of the enterprise network and is coupled between the second server and one or more enterprise servers of the enterprise network. The second server is arranged in front of the enterprise firewall and is configured for communication with an operator network associated with the mobile device. The gateway controls interaction between the mobile device and the one or more enterprise servers such that access to one or more associated enterprise services is provided in a secure manner.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are disclosed for improving the flow of data traffic between clients and servers by determining, in an enhanced hybrid peer-to-peer network, when a client telecommunications terminal should share its data with one or more peers, instead of transmitting that data to the servers. A “super-peer” client terminal in the hybrid peer-to-peer network is responsible for determining when to share data with peers and when to transmit data to the servers. The telecommunications terminal (i) shares data with other terminals when a particular user's presence has changed and (ii) transmits data to the enterprise servers when the overall group's presence that corresponds to the terminal's peer group has changed. The system of the illustrative embodiment aggregates presence and routes communications via peer-to-peer networking, instead of via client-to server-to peer networking, thereby reducing the load on the enterprise servers and lessening the occurrences of single points-of-failure.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed that enable a caller to specify a condition of availability for a return call when the caller is unable to reach the called user. A condition might indicate a time interval in which the caller is willing to accept a return call, a location, or some other constraints. In the illustrative embodiments, when a caller places a call and is unable to reach the called user, the caller is prompted via an interactive voice response (IVR) system for one or more conditions of availability for a return call. As soon as the called user's terminal becomes available, a software application checks whether the condition of availability is satisfied, and if so, establishes a call between the caller's terminal and the called user's terminal.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for collecting presence information about a user from one or more presence sources associated with the user, such as applications, devices and locations. A presence agent is associated with each presence source; and the presence agents provide presence information to one or more presence servers. Typically, the presence agents execute on a processor associated with the corresponding presence source. The presence agent reports one or more of macropresence events and micropresence events. The presence agent optionally prompts the user to update the presence information based on one or more criteria, such as exceeding a time threshold since the last presence event. Continuous presence functions are generated for each presence source that characterize the likelihood of the user to be present on the corresponding presence source at a given time.

Abstract: Voice message notification and retrieval functionality is provided for a mobile client device in a communication system by generating push content deliverable from a server to the mobile client device over a wireless network. The push content comprises a notification of at least one voice message received for a corresponding user in a voice messaging system. A connection between the mobile client device and the voice messaging system may be initiated from the mobile client device, responsive to the push content, for retrieval of the at least one received voice message. For example, the push content may comprise at least one link which when activated at the mobile client device initiates a connection between the mobile client device and the voice messaging system.

Abstract: Controlled access to enterprise services is provided for a mobile device in a communication system, via a mobile gateway having a first server and a second server. The first server of the gateway is arranged behind a firewall of the enterprise network and is coupled between the second server and one or more enterprise servers of the enterprise network. The second server is arranged in front of the enterprise firewall and is configured for communication with an operator network associated with the mobile device. The gateway controls interaction between the mobile device and the one or more enterprise servers such that access to one or more associated enterprise services is provided in a secure manner.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for the secure delivery of converged services to users of wireless devices in a wireless environment. An application layer broker is position between the user devices and the application server to provide an indirect coupling between the enterprise application server and the wireless user devices. The application layer broker links the wireless environment to the enterprise application server through an event triggered content delivery mechanism without providing a direct link between the wireless user device and the enterprise application server. Delivered content can only be accessed by the intended user and the authorized device. The application layer broker provides adaptation to various user devices and the various capabilities associated with each user device. Wireless devices can be upgraded independently from upgrades to the application server.

Abstract: Voice message notification and retrieval functionality is provided for a mobile client device in a communication system by generating push content deliverable from a server to the mobile client device over a wireless network. The push content comprises a notification of at least one voice message received for a corresponding user in a voice messaging system. A connection between the mobile client device and the voice messaging system may be initiated from the mobile client device, responsive to the push content, for retrieval of the at least one received voice message. For example, the push content may comprise at least one link which when activated at the mobile client device initiates a connection between the mobile client device and the voice messaging system.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for controlling interaction between an enterprise application and a mobile client device in a communication system. Push content is generated in a wireless secure server or other type of server, responsive to information received in the wireless secure server from the enterprise application. The push content is deliverable from the wireless secure server to the mobile client device over a wireless network. The wireless secure server receives from the mobile client device, responsive to the push content, a request for additional information identifiable at least in part by the push content. The additional information is deliverable from the server to the mobile client device over the wireless network.