Abstract: A method whereby advertisers wish to deliver at least one of offerings and advertising messages relative to at least one of a product and a service to a target audience of users selected by a system operator during an advertising campaign. The method includes defining the users within the context of a social network, selecting the users from among the users of the social network, storing the information relevant to the defined users and utilizing the information stored/defined within the social network to deliver the messages to the users in an optimal manner.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to connect telephone calls and track information about the telephone calls resulting from advertisements for groups of advertisers. In one embodiment, a method includes: receiving a telephone call at a second telephone number from a caller; connecting the telephone call to a first telephone number of a first entity who provides a price bid for a phone lead to be directed to the first telephone number of the first entity; where the first entity is to be billed for the telephone call connected to the first telephone number according to the price bid in response to a determination that the telephone is not a repeated telephone call from the caller to the first entity within a time period.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to connect telephone calls and track information about the telephone calls resulting from advertisements for groups of advertisers. In one embodiment, a method includes: a telephone-based directory receiving a telephone call from a mobile device; and providing an advertisement of a visual form to the mobile device in response to the telephone call, the advertisement to include a communication reference to be used by the mobile device to communicate with an advertiser; where the advertiser is to be billed for the advertisement in response to an initiation of a communication between the mobile device and the advertiser via the communication reference.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to present advertisements on mobile devices for communication connections of multiple content types. In one embodiment, a method includes: providing an advertisement to a mobile device, the advertisement to include a communication reference to be used by the mobile device to request a communication connection; and billing for the advertisement in response to an initiation of a communication, comprising more than one of text, voice, audio, image, and video, via the communication reference.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to provide access to manage advertisements which provide references usable to request real time communication connections. One embodiment includes receiving a request according to an application programming interface over a network connection; and providing access to manage an advertisement of an advertiser via the application programming interface in response to the request (e.g., to create, update, query, delete the advertisement, such as a pay per call advertisement). In one embodiment, the advertisement is to be embedded with a real time communication reference assigned to the advertiser; the real-time communication reference is to be used to request a real time communication connection with the advertiser; and the advertiser is to be charged for communication leads generated via the real-time communication reference embedded in the advertisement.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to track keywords used for matching advertisements that provide references to make calls for real time communications. One embodiment includes: selecting an advertisement based on a condition; providing a reference for presentation with the advertisement, to identify the condition and the advertisement; and charging an advertisement fee in response to a call via the reference for a real time communication session.

Abstract: An access point of a network maintains information about data received at the access point from a server accessible via the network and provides to the server the information maintained at the access point. The access point then receives from the server a payment for an account associated with an operator of the access point.

Abstract: A service order management system provisions service orders in a communications network having multiple network elements. The service order management system includes an order manager and an interface. The order manager, which receives requests representative of service orders for at least one communications service from dissimilar service order sources, includes an input process and an output process which determine, at least in part, service implementing information provided to the network elements to implement the at least one communications service. The interface is configured to interface the service order management system with the dissimilar service order sources.

Abstract: A system and method for providing prepaid dialtone services. The system includes a prepaid dialtone service center having an applications server that maintains a prepaid dialtone subscriber database including subscriber identification and service period information. The applications server is configured to automatically remind subscribers to renew their prepaid dialtone account and communicates with a local exchange carrier to place a hold on, or cancel, an expired subscriber account. The method includes the features of determining and monitoring a service period for a prepaid dialtone subscriber, communicating a reminder to the subscriber prior to expiration of the service period, and communicating with a local exchange carrier servicing the subscriber upon expiration of the service period.

Abstract: A method and system for hierarchical prioritization and execution of call completion services are provided. When a caller applies for a call completion service, the caller is identified and assigned a priority from among different priorities such as high priority or regular priority. Thereafter, attempts to execute call completion services are performed hierarchically by launching call completion services for callers having a higher priority before similar attempts are performed for callers of a lower priority. Hence, call completion services are handled according to the priority assigned to the callers rather than the order in which each caller applied for a call completion service.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and computer-readable medium for handling incoming calls destined for a called party. The method comprises detecting arrival of an incoming call destined for the called party and attempting to reach the called party by causing a communication device associated with the called party to emit a voice message soliciting a spoken call handling command from the called party. This allows the called party not only to recognize the calling party, but also to decide whether to accept, reject or forward the incoming call without having to physically manipulate the communication device. The network-based example of implementation is compatible with many existing communication devices and has the ability to query the calling party for identification information, whereas the communication device-based example of implementation is compatible with many existing network architectures, and does not require the called party to subscribe to any particular network service.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for announcing caller information to users over a television link. The method comprises receiving signalling information associated with an incoming call destined for a destination party, the signalling information comprising a portion conveying information regarding an origin of the incoming call and information regarding an identity of the destination party. The method also comprises attempting to establish a telephony link with a device associated with the destination party over a communication network in response to said receiving. The method further comprises attempting to establish a second telephony link with a processing entity to convey said portion of the signalling information to the processing entity to cause delivery of an indication of the origin of the incoming call over a television link associated with the destination party, said indication based on said information regarding an origin of the incoming call.

Abstract: A telecommunications service controls and monitors telephone calls by storing at a service control point (SCP) restricted telephone numbers and priority telephone numbers. Upon receiving call data relating to a call between a subscriber telephone number and an outside telephone number, the SCP determines whether the outside telephone number matches the restricted or priority telephone numbers. When the outside telephone number matches a restricted telephone number, the call is terminated and the SCP stores the call data. When the outside telephone number does not match a restricted telephone number, or matches a priority telephone number, the call is connected. The SCP transmits stored call data to a service management system, which is accessible by the subscriber via the Internet or an interactive voice response, for generating reports. The service further includes time schedules for implementing call restrictions and personal identification number for bypassing call restrictions.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-readable media are disclosed to provide notification of receipt of a communication across multiple platforms of potential diverse types. Cross-platform message notification can comprise receiving a request to initiate a communication from an initiating end device. The request may identify a single intended recipient device. A plurality of possible recipient devices can be identified for the request to initiate a communication based on user profile information from a user of the initiating end device. The request to initiate a communication can be forwarded to each of the plurality of possible recipient devices at substantially a same time. The initiating end device can be connected to one of the plurality of possible recipient devices based on a response from at least one of the possible recipient devices.

Abstract: In one embodiment, one or more gateways sniff the voice channel during the voice mode. If it is determined that V.8bis signals are being initiated, then the gateway breaks these exchanges by suppressing such signaling, thereby avoiding the above-described detrimental effects. Modem relay communications then are allowed to proceed. Briefly, the method and apparatus involve monitoring a call during a voice mode phase for an initiating signal representative of the defined signaling, the monitoring being performed by a local gateway and, if such an initiating signal is detected during the monitoring, then suppressing such detected signaling in such manner that the signaling does not reach the remote gateway. Preferably, the monitoring is for an initiating signal characterized by a dual tone of defined frequency and duration of approximately 1375 Hz and 2002 Hz for a duration of approximately 400 ms or 285 ms, in agreement with the ITU-T Recommendation V.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to manage collect phone calling limits are disclosed. A disclosed example method comprises: determining if collect calls from one or more predetermined locations to a terminating phone number have exceeded a collect calls limit; and determining a future date when collect calls will be permitted from the one or more predetermined locations to the terminating phone number if the collect calls limit has been exceeded.

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: When a number of users share one telephone number, the present invention indicates who the callee (the person the caller wants to talk to) is, with personalized rings and information shown on a display, so as to allow each user to quickly identify calls directed to him/her. A mobile phone user could inform the callee his/her intent and/or the urgency level of the call by selecting from options provided by the callee reflecting the callee's preferences.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a main apparatus of a communication system includes a storing unit that stores transmission times between each of a plurality of terminals and each of a plurality of conference apparatuses, to be associated with the plurality of terminals including a conference-holding terminal; a selecting unit that selects a conference apparatus among the plurality of conference apparatus which is least in the sum of the associated transmission times; and a notifying unit that notifies an conference ID of the selected conference apparatus to the plurality of terminals.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a telephone exchange apparatus includes a memory which stores a management table in which a terminal ID of the first telephone terminal, the called party's ID, and a terminal ID of the second telephone terminal are associated with one another, when transfer registration is made to transfer the incoming call including the called party's ID to a second telephone terminal after the incoming call reservation key is pressed on the first telephone terminal, and a controller which refers to the management table based on the called party's ID and identifies the terminal ID of the first telephone terminal which is associated with the called party's ID based on a result of the reference, and performs incoming call control on the second telephone terminal which is associated with the terminal ID of the first telephone terminal, when the incoming call including the called party's ID arrives.

Abstract: This invention shows a method for operating a voice communications network that comprises dynamically associating a private number with at least one public number of a circuit-switched voice communication network, authenticating a user of a private number without reliance on a static reproducible data code, receiving an incoming call to the public number and routing the incoming call from a caller to the private number. The method also shows the generation of an outgoing call from the private number and passing the outgoing call through the public number while generating calling party information to a target which preserves the privacy of the caller, and altering an associating of the private number and at least one public number. The system therefore acts as a proxy with authentication by means of dynamic code security. The caller and the user of the private number share seamless round-trip telephone communications while preserving the anonymity of the user of the private number.

Abstract: A method for stabilizing a connection between an xDSL modem (160) and a central office (120) is provided. The method includes detecting whether a signal on a telephone line is a ring signal; setting a ring signal flag if the signal on the telephone line is the ring signal; and maintaining a connection between the xDSL modem and the central office. An xDSL modem using the method is also provided.

Abstract: An enhanced whisper feature enables a user to engage simultaneously in disparate telephonic communication sessions by isolating audible input of the user from a select one of the telephonic communication sessions while providing audible output from each of the telephonic communication sessions to the user. The whisper feature can be further enhanced using a presence system that maintains presence information indicating the availability of the user. The presence system can enable the whisper feature of the user upon determining that the user is currently engaged in a first telephonic communication session when a request for the user to engage in a second telephonic communication session is received. In addition, the whisper feature can include a silent ring mode that is activated upon receipt of the request for the user to engage in the second telephonic communication session.

Abstract: A communication system is disclosed including at least a communication network, one caller party equipped with a communication device by using of which the caller party may originate a communication, one called party equipped with communication means by using of which the called party may response to the communication originated by the caller party and one or more network elements arranged in communication network for arranging the communication between the caller and called parties and which of network elements at least part are arranged to be operated as VoIP system elements in order to arrange VoIP-based communication. In communication system is arranged to be implemented as features a protocol enabling an availability of a presence information of at least the communication means of the called party and an universal designation feature in order to form a destination address for the communication from the caller party to the called party.

Abstract: A presence system is provided with a communications device associated with a presentity that is capable of displaying a respective presentity presence state indicating a respective availability of the presentity as provided by a presence system to each contact on a contact list of the presentity. The communications device includes a presence user client communicatively coupled to the presence system to receive presence information associated with the presentity, in which the presence information includes the respective presentity presence states for the contacts on the contact list, and a display for displaying the contact list and a respective representation of the respective presentity presence state for each contact on the contact list.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing a service to a telephony device. A call is routed to a virtual number in a service-providing network. The call is directed to a dialed telephone number in a native transport network, wherein the virtual telephone number is associated with the dialed telephone number. An advanced telephony service is received from the service-providing network.

Abstract: The embodiments disclosed include a system and method for sharing services between service profiles on a single telecommunications device resulting in improved ease of access for a user who wishes to access services through different service profiles. The user can access services in multiple service profiles with a single device. In one embodiment, the techniques described below are enabled through a Session Initiation Protocol (“SIP”)-based next-generation network (“NGN”), such as the IP Multimedia Subsystem (“IMS”) architecture.

Abstract: An application program interface (API) for sending and receiving batches of requests and responses has a batch request call for exchanging one or more request items between a provider system and a subscription system and a batch response call for exchanging corresponding responses between the provider system and the subscription system. Requests are grouped according to an extensible markup language schema and responses are grouped according to another extensible markup language schema.

Abstract: A communications network-based system and service is disclosed. The service permits subscribers to control and manage incoming telephone calls. Subscribers can establish preferences for how calls will be handled by a communications network if the calls are received while the subscriber has a privacy screening service engaged. The service also notifies a subscriber of a calling party's call based on whether preselected or predesignated preferences of the called party correspond to identifier(s) of the calling party.

Abstract: Communications right allocation information is additionally contained within a telecommunications conference control message, the allocation information specifying an event on whose occurrence a communications right is withdrawn from or allocated to the telecommunications terminal within the scope of the telecommunications conference.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for managing communications. One such method receives a communication from a sender. The communication is queued in a queue. Prior to removing the communication from the queue, the sender is provided with identifying information of a recipient to whom the communication will be communicated.

Abstract: A telecommunications device. The device includes a receiver for receiving an incoming call and a processor in communication with the receiver. The processor has a callback/callback reminder module for automatically calling back a calling party of an incoming call or for sending a user a reminder to callback the calling party.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for routing a call to a common number from a calling party, where the common number corresponds to a plurality of users. The method and system determine whether availability of unique identification information for the calling party in response to receiving an indication of the call to the common number, and correlate the unique identification information when it is available to a destination number associated with one of the plurality of users in order to route the call to the destination number.

Abstract: The system for transferring a call connection to a call waiting party operates when an incoming call is directed to one of the parties on the existing call connection. The called party receives an indication of the incoming call and flashes the switch-hook on their terminal device to place the other party on the existing call connection on hold and also to pick up the incoming call After speaking with the calling party, the called party determines that the calling party should communicate with only the other party on the existing call connection, who is presently on hold. The called party then operates their terminal device by inputting specific digits or a code to activate the system for transferring a call connection to a call waiting party which responds by maintaining the existing call connection while adding the calling party to the existing call connection and disconnecting the called party from the existing call connection.

Abstract: The system for adding a call waiting party to an existing call connection operates when an incoming call is directed to one of the parties on the existing call connection. The called party receives an indication of the incoming call and flashes to place the other party on the existing call connection on hold and also to pick up the incoming call. After speaking with the calling party, the called party determines that the calling party should communicate with both the called party and the other party on the existing call connection. The called party then operates their phone by inputting specific digits or a code to activate the system for adding the call waiting party to an existing call connection which responds by maintaining the existing call connection and also adding the calling party to the existing call connection.

Abstract: A method for providing a camp-on hold service comprises detecting a hold condition between a first user and a second user and establishing a call hold by placing the call on hold. The method also comprises receiving a request from the second user to camp-on to the call hold and monitoring the status of the first user during the call hold. The method also comprises receiving an indication that the first user is available to continue communications with the second user and notifying the second user that the first user is available to continue communications with the second user.

Abstract: An ENUM services system includes a server module configured to support an ENUM account for a subscriber. The ENUM account has a single incoming contact number for the subscriber and one or more preferred outbound contact addresses, such that when a caller calls the single incoming contact number the call is connected to the subscriber on one or more preferred outbound contact addresses. A supplemental ENUM services platform is coupled to the server module to allow the subscriber of the ENUM account to map additional internet ready devices to the ENUM account, so that the subscriber may contact the system using the ENUM account to remotely control the additional internet ready devices.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for utilizing calling party personal calendaring and scheduling information to facilitate enhanced directory assistance information. After obtaining a directory number for a called party from a subscriber's address book or from a directory assistance service, a voice services node queries a personal scheduling calendar of the called party to determine whether the called party is currently located at a location other than the location accessible by the obtained directory number. If so, the voice services node may obtain an alternate directory number for the current location of the called party, and the voice services node may automatically place a call to the called party via the alternate directory number or provide the alternate directory number to the subscriber.

Abstract: A communication assistance system for providing access to information corresponding to a plurality of subscribers includes a telephone switch for receiving calls from a plurality of requesters desiring to access the subscriber information. A listing database is configured to store the subscriber information including a field containing wireless phone numbers of a desired portion of the subscribers and a connect field that stores information instructing the system as to whether to mask the subscriber's wireless phone number to the requester, such that during a process that the requester is being connected to a desired subscriber, the connect field is examined to determine whether to disclose the subscriber's wireless phone number to the requester.

Abstract: A user may utilize a communication device, e.g., a wireless phone, mobile device or personal digital assistant (PDA), to contact an information/call center where an operator provides personalized information and communications services to the user in accordance with the invention. Such services may include, e.g., private directory and calendar data synchronization, identity pre-validation, etc. To personalize the services, at least one profile record associated with the user which may specify, among others, the devices used by the user to communicate with the information/call center, and preferred information/call center to which an information assistance call is routed. Accordingly, services and service features provided to the user may be tailored for use with the specified devices. Security measures may also be instituted in the profile record to restrict use of certain services and service features.

Abstract: A method of providing a caller with a directory assistance dialog. The dialog is configurable, at any level of the dialog, from an automated speech recognition (ASR) dialog to an operator-assisted (OP) dialog. The dialog is handed off to an operator if any level of the speech recognition dialog fails. Also, a configuration switch may be set to cause the dialog to be handed off to an operator even if a response at some level of the ASR dialog is successfully recognized.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, at an IP PBX, a SIP INVITE request comprising a Request-URI field identifying a URI of the IP PBX and a header field identifying a target DID number. The method also includes identifying a URI corresponding to the target DID number and forwarding the SIP INVITE request with a Request-URI field identifying the URI corresponding to the target DID number.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, at an IP private branch exchange (IP PBX), an event notification message from a user agent corresponding to a voicemail system. The event notification message includes a Request-URI field identifying a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) of the IP PBX and a header field identifying a target mailbox. The method also includes identifying a URI corresponding to the target mailbox and forwarding the event notification message with a Request-URI field identifying the URI corresponding to the target mailbox.

Abstract: A method and device for preventing fraud in collect calls from a domestic origin point to an international terminating point through a long-distance telecommunications system is described. In the system and method, a Screening for International Calls database is added to the call processing platform. This Screening of International Calls database contains records keyed by country codes, and each record has a blocked collect call field listing destination numbers that are blocked from receiving collect calls. When a domestic-to-international collect call is made, the record corresponding to the country code of the international terminating point of the collect call is retrieved from the Screening for International Calls database. This record is checked to determine if the destination number of the collect call matches any destination numbers listed in the blocked collect call field of the country code database record. If there is a match, the call is blocked.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a telephone system includes at least a single of a first main apparatus and a second main apparatus, the first main apparatus includes a memory which stores a management table in which a plurality telephone terminals housed in the first and the second main apparatuses, respectively, and sate information showing each operation state of the plurality of telephone terminals are associated with each another, and a controller which updates the state information in the management table based on the state information transmitted from the second main apparatus, refers to the management table when an incoming call arrives, and executes incoming call control to the plurality of the telephone terminals based on the reference result, and the second main apparatus includes a transmitter which monitors transmits state information of the telephone terminals of which the operation states have changed to the first main apparatus.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a server apparatus includes a communication management memory which stores a communication management table, in which the data IDs are associated with state information showing communication connection states among the plurality of data terminals, when the communication connections among the plurality of the data terminals are established, a determining unit to refer the communication management table, based on the data IDs associated with the telephone IDs included in the call information event in receiving the call information event and determine presence/absence of a change in the communication connection states among data terminals corresponding to the data IDs based on the reference result, and a controller to update state information corresponding to the data IDs in the communication management table and execute communication connections/disconnections among the relevant data terminals based on the updated state information.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for automatically routing a long distance call placed by a subscriber to a prepaid service provider. Six exemplary methods are discussed for allowing the prepaid subscriber to directly dial a called party's long distance telephone number, and then routing the placed call to a prepaid service. The subscriber, in each case, is not required to first dial the telephone number of the prepaid service provider before dialing the called party.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for enabling number portability in a communication session between a caller and a callee in an IMS network. When a caller or callee changes her subscription from a first network to a second network, mechanisms are implemented to have the number portability information provided so that the moved caller or callee can still engage in communication sessions using her original public identification number.

Abstract: A system for facilitating communications with an automated response system includes a database for storing an address book entry. The address book entry includes a location name and contact number for a location that employs an automated response platform that does not accept voice commands. The address book entry also includes at least one stored voice command related to a navigation command of the automated response platform and one stored associated assigned keystroke for the command. A voice response signal digital signal processor receives a voice input from a user corresponding to the stored voice command. A telephonic signal generator is included, such that when the user utters the voice input corresponding to the stored voice command, the system recalls the stored associated assigned keystroke and delivers a signal corresponding to the keystroke as a telephonic signal to the automated response platform.

Abstract: A method of evaluating a design for a call center system. A particular system is put into use and data collected to quantify various quality of service factors. Each quality of service factor is multiplied times an expense multiplier and added to an agent cost factor. The result is a metric that describes the system in monetary terms.