Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for employing underutilized communication channels as outbound gateways. A call from a calling terminal to a called terminal is routed to a first residential gateway at a first customer premises via a broadband data network and then routed from the first residential gateway to the called terminal via a local area network. The call is thereafter re-routed to a second residential gateway at a second customer premises via the broadband network and then routed from the second residential gateway to the called terminal via the local area network. The re-routing of the call via the second residential gateway may be in response to a determination that the first customer premises requires bandwidth (of either the broadband network or local area network) or other resources that are being used by the telephone call being routed via the first residential gateway.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for dynamically adjusting one or more characteristics of a multimedia transmission between a content provider and a content recipient. In one embodiment, the system responds to a change in available bandwidth between the content provider and the content recipient.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for dynamically adjusting one or more characteristics of a multimedia transmission between a content provider and a content recipient. In one embod, the system responds to a change in available bandwidth between the content provider and the content recipient.

Abstract: A system and method for providing PBX-like functionality at a remote office location includes the capability of maintaining a network session with a mobile number associated with the remote worker once the worker terminates the remote office session. The system utilizes a remote office platform interposed between a data communications network and a conventional PBX switch (located either at a subscriber-based office location or within the communication network and shared by a number of different subscribers). A remotely located individual (such as a telecommuter) “logs in” to the remote office platform and, once the individual is authenticated, a graphical user interface (GUI) emulating a PBX station set is enabled at the remote employee's personal computer, the GUI including a field for entry of the user's mobile number.

Abstract: A method of handling incoming calls directed to a virtual communication subscriber is disclosed. An incoming call intended for the virtual communication subscriber is received at a first communication device. A call is placed to a second communication device using contact information provided by the virtual communication subscriber. Extension information is provided to a guest PBX when the call is answered which corresponds to a communication line associated with the second communication device. Upon connection to the second communication device, the incoming call is bridged with the call placed to the second communication device.

Abstract: A communication system including a communication network, an entertainment device connected to the communication network, and an application server connected to the communication network. The entertainment device has a software client adapted to provide real time two-way communication between the entertainment device and a telephony device connected to the communication network. The application server is adapted to communicate with the software client and facilitate the real time two-way communication between the entertainment device and the telephony device.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for dynamically adjusting one or more characteristics of a multimedia transmission between a content provider and a content recipient. In one embodiment, the system responds to a change in available bandwidth between the content provider and the content recipient.

Abstract: A communication system including a communication network, an entertainment device connected to the communication network, and an application server connected to the communication network. The entertainment device has a software client adapted to provide real time two-way communication between the entertainment device and a telephony device connected to the communication network. The application server is adapted to communicate with the software client and facilitate the real time two-way communication between the entertainment device and the telephony device.

Abstract: A network interface unit is provided for use intermediate a LAN and a public or private network, or a combination of both, for establishing secure links to a VPN gateway. Login by a LAN client with the network interface unit, addressing, authentication, and other configuration operations achieved using a web page-based GUI are applied in establishing tunnels from LAN clients to desired VPN destinations. Illustrative network interface units include a DHCP server and provide encryption-decryption and encapsulation-decapsulation of data packets for communication with VPN nodes. Configuration and connection of a client are further enhanced by a built-in DNS server and other functional servers to provide a high degree of autonomy in establishing connections to a desired VPN gateway via an ISP or other public and/or private network links to. The interface unit then performs required authentication exchanges, and required encryption key exchanges.

Abstract: A network interface unit is provided for use intermediate a LAN and a public or private network, or a combination of both, for establishing secure links to a VPN gateway. Login by a LAN client with the network interface unit, addressing, authentication, and other configuration operations achieved using a web page-based GUI are applied in establishing tunnels from LAN clients to desired VPN destinations. Illustrative network interface units include a DHCP server and provide encryption-decryption and encapsulation-decapsulation of data packets for communication with VPN nodes. Configuration and connection of a client are further enhanced by a built-in DNS server and other functional servers to provide a high degree of autonomy in establishing connections to a desired VPN gateway via an ISP or other public and/or private network links to. The interface unit then performs required authentication exchanges, and required encryption key exchanges.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for dynamically adjusting one or more characteristics of a multimedia transmission between a content provider and a content recipient. In one embodiment, the system responds to a change in available bandwidth between the content provider and the content recipient.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for failing over from a current network access medium to an alternative network access medium. A customer premises equipment (CPE) box has ports for connections to a network through several network access media, such as high speed cable connections, DSL connections and dial-up connections. QoS parameters for each of the connections are monitored from a bandwidth manager remote from the CPE box. When it is determined that a fail-over would be beneficial, a message is sent from the bandwidth manager to the CPE box containing a command to fail-over and an identity of the alternate network access media.

Abstract: A system and method for call control wherein a call received at a communication device may be controlled through an IP device connected to an IP network over which at least a portion of the call was routed. The IP device is connected to the IP network via a control gateway.

Abstract: A method of handling incoming calls directed to a virtual communication subscriber is disclosed. An incoming call intended for the virtual communication subscriber is received at a first communication device. A call is placed to a second communication device using contact information provided by the virtual communication subscriber. Extension information is provided to a guest PBX when the call is answered which corresponds to a communication line associated with the second communication device. Upon connection to the second communication device, the incoming call is bridged with the call placed to the second communication device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for employing underutilized communication channels as outbound gateways. A call from a calling terminal to a called terminal is routed to a first residential gateway at a first customer premises via a broadband data network and then routed from the first residential gateway to the called terminal via a local area network. The call is thereafter re-routed to a second residential gateway at a second customer premises via the broadband network and then routed from the second residential gateway to the called terminal via the local area network. The re-routing of the call via the second residential gateway may be in response to a determination that the first customer premises requires bandwidth (of either the broadband network or local area network) or other resources that are being used by the telephone call being routed via the first residential gateway.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for employing underutilized communication channels as outbound gateways. A call from a calling terminal to a called terminal is routed to a first residential gateway at a first customer premises via a broadband data network and then routed from the first residential gateway to the called terminal via a local area network. The call is thereafter re-routed to a second residential gateway at a second customer premises via the broadband network and then routed from the second residential gateway to the called terminal via the local area network. The re-routing of the call via the second residential gateway may be in response to a determination that the first customer premises requires bandwidth (of either the broadband network or local area network) or other resources that are being used by the telephone call being routed via the first residential gateway.

Abstract: A method of handling incoming calls directed to a virtual communication subscriber is disclosed. An incoming call intended for the virtual communication subscriber is received at a communication device. A call is placed to the communication device using contact information provided by the virtual communication subscriber. Extension information is provided to a SLS when the call is answered which corresponds to a communication line associated with the communication device. Upon connection to the communication device, the incoming call is bridged with the call placed to the communication device.

Abstract: A method of handling incoming calls directed to a virtual communication subscriber is disclosed. An incoming call intended for the virtual communication subscriber is received at a communication device. A call is placed to the communication device using contact information provided by the virtual communication subscriber. Extension information is provided to a SLS when the call is answered which corresponds to a communication line associated with the communication device. Upon connection to the communication device, the incoming call is bridged with the call placed to the communication device.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing access to a telephone Application and an Information Application using a walk-up telecommunications terminal having an intuitive, context-sensitive interface configured to facilitate simple and intuitive usage by a user. An Idle Application is displayed on a display screen of the walk-up telecommunications terminal. A Startup Screen is then displayed on the display screen of the walk-up telecommunications terminal in response to a triggering event. The Phone Application is activated in response to a Phone Application event. An Information Application is activated in response to an Information Application event. The Phone Application is configured to take priority over the Information Application in the user interaction with the walk-up telecommunications terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for providing PBX-like functionality at a remote office location includes the capability of maintaining a network session with a mobile number associated with the remote worker once the worker terminates the remote office session. The system utilizes a remote office platform interposed between a data communications network and a conventional PBX switch (located either at a subscriber-based office location or within the communication network and shared by a number of different subscribers). A remotely located individual (such as a telecommuter) “logs in” to the remote office platform and, once the individual is authenticated, a graphical user interface (GUI) emulating a PBX station set is enabled at the remote employee's personal computer, the GUI including a field for entry of the user's mobile number.