Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for providing alternate caller names in accordance with caller-name preferences are provided. In one embodiment, a device identifier associated with a phone call initiated by a calling device is received. A caller-name preference(s) associated with the calling device is referenced. The caller-name preference(s) can indicate usage of a first caller name and/or a second caller name. The caller-name preference(s) can be used to select one of the first caller name or the second caller name to provide to in association with the phone call initiated by the calling device.

Abstract: Alerts may be suppressed for communications. A timing parameter is retrieved describing an amount of time. An initial alert is processed to initially alert of an incoming communication. Subsequent alerts of the incoming communication are suppressed for the amount of time described by the timing parameter.

Abstract: A method may include receiving a call having call data, determining that the call data cannot be forwarded along a call path, assigning an identifier to the call data, forwarding the call along the call path without the call data, and storing the call data and the identifier at a device outside the call path.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are disclosed herein for organizing communication information. Data received associated with a communication is recorded at the communication device. An identifier is associated with the communication. The identifier indicates a unique identity. A call score is calculated for the identifier at the communication device based on the communication. The particular identifier is ranked in a list in accordance with the calculated call score.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device and an associated method provide an improved call log that presents information relating to logged phone calls in a collapsed manner, meaning that for each phone number having a call stored in the memory of the device, only the most recent in time call is listed on the call log. An improved handheld electronic device and an associated method also provide a call history for any phone call from the improved call log that is selected by the user. The call history includes a listing of all of the calls stored by the device that are associated with the selected call log call.

Abstract: A methodology wherein a voice service client application on one or more phones and a voice service server perform a call set-up process through a mix of an external data channel and a normal voice channel that enables call subject information to be effectively provided by a calling party to a called party so that it can be displayed along with other caller ID information.

Abstract: Automatically created and dynamically updated lists of a user's frequently called contacts and favorite calling numbers may be provided via a frequently called contacts and favorite calling numbers application. If a call usage count associated with a particular phone number meets a prescribed threshold, the phone number may be added to a frequently called contacts list. Given a user's call frequency and type, the frequently called contacts list may be updated dynamically. A favorite calling numbers list may be generated manually or automatically based on various criteria for adding contact numbers to the list. Both the frequently called contacts list and the favorite calling numbers list may be tied in with a service provider's billing system, wherein special rates or discounts may be applied to calls made to or received from phone numbers in the frequently called contacts list or favorite calling numbers list.

Abstract: Described are a system and method for processing content in a unified communications environment. As part of an electronic communication session between a first party electronic device and at least one second party electronic device, an identifier is received from the first party electronic device at the at least one second party electronic device. A search is performed for collaborative history data at the second party electronic device using the identifier. Data related to the electronic communication session and/or the collaborative history data is presented at the second party electronic device.

Abstract: An embodiment includes one or more call systems and a computer processor communicatively coupled with the one or more call systems. The computer processor is configured to receive a communication from a first call system of the one or more call systems. The computer processor is further configured to retrieve recipient data from a second call system of the one or more call systems. The recipient data includes one or more receiver conditions. The computer is additionally configured to determine if the one or more receiver conditions have been met, and if they have been met, the computer processor forwards the communication to the second call system.

Abstract: A method of altering a caller line identification in a phone service is disclosed. The method includes receiving, via a user interface, a phone number from a user of the phone number. A to-be called phone number is then selected from a pool of phone numbers. The to-be called phone number is temporarily associated with the phone service for a selected period of time. The to-be called phone number is displayed on the user interface. Via the user interface, the user is requested to call back the displayed to-be called phone number within the selected period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus, a method, and a computer program are disclosed. According to one example the apparatus may be configured to receive via the receiver a message from a mobile device to connect with an agent. The apparatus may also be configured to determine and select an available agent via the processor in order for the mobile device to communicate with the available agent, and transmit via the transmitter an agent availability message to the mobile device, wherein the agent availability message requires an acknowledgement from the mobile device prior to connecting the mobile device with the available agent.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and storage media provide for receiving a message pertaining to a telephone call set-up; identifying in the message a called telephone number; selecting a calling telephone number based on the called telephone number; replacing a calling telephone number included in the message with the selected calling telephone number; and transmitting the message that includes the selected calling telephone number.

Abstract: In an example embodiment, there is described a unified communication system that automatically presents a number of communication attempts from a caller since last contact with a caller, along with the caller identification information. Optionally, links may be provided to access detailed information about the past communication attempts.

Abstract: Method, system, and computer readable medium for providing an identifier for a caller identifier (ID) function when processing a communication request between a calling party and a called party in a communication network is described. In some examples, an initial identifier for the caller ID function associated with the calling party is received. A determination is made if the calling party has a virtual identifier configured in the communication network. A determination is made if the called party has a predefined identifier associated with the calling party configured in the communication network. The initial identifier is replaced with a terminating identifier based on configuration of the virtual identifier and the predefined identifier in the communication network.

Abstract: An incoming-call management method of mobile telecommunication devices is provided. The method includes offering options for telephone holder and caller, and controls the procedure according to the telephone holder's setting and caller's decisions.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide for the sharing of information about the time availability of a telephone user. Initially, at least one status is set in a telephone of user. The status may contain information about the current or future availability or busy status of the user and/or the user's ability to accept or decline phone and/or video calls. A caller who is preparing to make a phone and/or video call to user, is provided with a real-time graphic, textual and/or audio interpretation of the status of the user. The status may further include the time and/or date on which the user will be available for an incoming call, or it may additionally include any graphic, textual, and/or audio message entered by the user.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to using agent queues for a contact center. An agent queue profile includes parameters to configure an agent queue for each agent that is assigned to the agent queue profile. An agent queue profile manager is programmed to assign a given agent to the agent queue profile to define a corresponding agent queue for the given agent. The agent queue profile manager can also define parameters for the agent queue profile. A distribution module can control distribution of a transaction in the corresponding agent queue based on rules and can control handling of the transaction in the corresponding agent queue based on the agent queue profile.

Abstract: A method for screening and routing incoming telephone calls includes extracting caller identification information from an incoming telephone call, providing a plurality of tables including a primary ring table, a secondary ring table, a voicemail table, a block call table, and a forward call table, and determining which one of the plurality of tables includes the caller identification information. The method further includes sending the incoming telephone call directly to voicemail without having a ring tone if the voicemail table includes the caller identification information, blocking the incoming telephone call if the block call table includes the caller identification information, and forwarding the incoming telephone call if the forward call table includes the caller identification information.

Abstract: Audibly informing a recipient of an arrival of a digital communication from a sender includes receiving a digital communication from a sender directed to a recipient and determining whether the digital communication is associated with an audio identifier that identifies the sender of the digital communication and that is designated by the sender of the digital communication. Perception by the recipient of the audio identifier is conditioned on whether the digital communication is determined to be associated with the audio identifier. The audio identifier is perceived prior to or concurrent with perception of the digital communication by the recipient.

Abstract: A method for testing electronic devices that are correspondingly connected to test units includes generating control signals for the electronic devices that are connected to one or more test units selected from the test units. A control unit adds ID codes corresponding to the selected test units to the control signals, and wirelessly transmits the control signals with the ID codes to all of the test units. Each of the test units compares the ID codes added to the control signals with its own stored ID code. When the ID code added to a control signal is in accordance with the ID code stored in one of the test units, the test unit controls the electronic device connected thereto to be turned on and off according to the control signal.

Abstract: A method and computing device for encoding an image according to a preset encoding parameter for the image. The encoding producing an encoded image having a file size. If it is determined that the file size exceeds a maximum file size and the encoding parameter does not meet a threshold, the encoding parameter is modified. The encoding, determining and modifying are repeated until the file size does not exceed a maximum file size or the encoding parameter meets the threshold.

Abstract: A process and apparatus to facilitate communication between callers and callees in a system comprising a plurality of nodes with which callers and callees are associated is disclosed. In response to initiation of a call by a calling subscriber, a caller identifier and a callee identifier are received. Call classification criteria associated with the caller identifier are used to classify the call as a public network call or a private network call. A routing message identifying an address, on the private network, associated with the callee is produced when the call is classified as a private network call and a routing message identifying a gateway to the public network is produced when the call is classified as a public network call.

Abstract: A method may include receiving a telephone number mapping query associated with a call from a calling party to a called party. The method may also include identifying, based on the query, first routing information that identifies a call session control component to process the call, and second routing information that identifies a border control component. The method may further include forwarding the first routing information to the querying device, and forwarding the second routing information to the querying device when the query originated from outside a network servicing the called party.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses detect an identity of a caller; receive an assigned incoming telephone number; identify a recipient associated with the assigned incoming telephone number and the identity; and connect the caller and the recipient.

Abstract: A control circuit determines a contact number as corresponds to an incoming call, accesses a contacts list to identify at least one contact identifier as corresponds to that contact number, and then makes a corresponding decision and/or takes a corresponding action regarding the display of more than one contact identifier as corresponds to the contact number and/or a numeric representation of how many contact identifiers correspond to the contact number. This can comprise simultaneously displaying at least two contact identifiers as correspond to the incoming contact number. These multiple identifiers can be displayed in a predetermined order. For example, earlier-entered contact identifiers may be presented ahead of later-entered contact identifiers. By another approach, the foregoing can comprise displaying only one of the candidate contact identifiers along with a numeric representation of how many contact identifiers correspond to the contact number.

Abstract: A system according to the present invention includes a calling terminal that makes a call, a called terminal that can receive the call from the calling terminal, and a message server that stores in advance a plurality of messages correlated with call results to the called terminal from the calling terminal, selects a first message from the plurality of messages on the basis of the call results, and transmit the first message to the called terminal.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that relate to a centralized communication hub at a user location for coordination of receiving/sending phone calls, SMS/MMS messages, and requests for video conferences to/from a display. A user may indicate that she wishes to receive a call/message by selecting an option on a remote control associated with the display. A microphone and/or camera connected to a gateway may provide audiovisual capabilities during a call. In a separate embodiment, the functionality of the communication hub may be split between two devices; one device detects incoming calls and a separate device routes the calls/messages to/from the appropriate gateway.

Abstract: An anonymous communication system allows a third party, which is not a communicating party, to determine the anonymities of the communicating parties. An anonymity notifying apparatus to be installed in an anonymous communication system enables anonymous communication. An anonymous communication system and method detects the anonymities of communication parties and notifies them to a third party device other than communication devices of the communication parties.

Abstract: A method for processing a call placed to a telephony identifier. The method comprises: obtaining information regarding an origin of the call; identifying a group of identities that is associated with the telephony identifier, each identity designating a party reachable by calling the telephony identifier; determining, based on the information regarding the origin of the call, that the call is intended for a particular identity among the group of identities; and causing routing of the call based on information associated with the particular identity. The party designated by each identity may be a different person. Also provided a system for processing a call placed to a telephony identifier.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for performing contact management services. Systems and methods may maintain one or more address books. Contacts may be added to the address book from one or more sources. Systems and method may receive a command to add a party to the address book. Contact-related information associated with the party may obtained and added to the address book. A user may be notified of an incoming call placed by a calling party and destined to a communication device associated with the user. Systems and methods may receive a command, responsive to the notification, to add the calling party to an address book associated with the user. An address book may be updated to reflect changes in the contact-related information.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable medium comprising instructions for providing Internet protocol enabled information delivery are provided. Information from a calling party is received at an Internet protocol enabled device. A lookup of information relating to the calling party is performed in a database via an Internet protocol connection. A message is received from the database comprising information relating to the calling party.

Abstract: Aspects are directed toward managing, including reorganizing, inbound communications, a communications log, or presentation of a communication to a user, based on one or more of the identity, role and urgency of calling or communicating party, including, for example, forwarding or hybrid priority routing. For example, in an e-mail type of environment, received communications could be re-organized based on one or more of the above, such that higher priority communications are escalated to “the-top-of-the-stack.” This similar type of operation can be done in a communications modality independent manner, and extended to, for example, voicemails, caller ID, SMS messages, or in general any communication in any communications modality, where one or more communications are capable of being managed and re-organized. As an optional embodiment, an attribute or characteristic associated with the communication can be modified, such that the user is aware of the ranking associated with that communication.

Abstract: A system for instant voice messaging comprising an IVM server operative to essentially simultaneously receive from an initiating user at least one voice message fragment and stream the at least one voice fragment to at least one target user; and a switch coupled to the IVM server and operative to effect communications between the initiating user and each target user and the IVM server, as well as between the users themselves. The streaming operation ends with an entire instant voice message being transmitted to the target user(s). Each target user may instantly retrieve a message by using a smart notification provided by the IVM server. Special numbering systems facilitate both the instant voice messaging and the instant message retrieval aspects.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for providing service provider information for a user communication device. A targeted communication link associated with a target service provider is determined using a user communication device associated with a user service provider. The determination of the indicator for the target service provider may be with a user service provider Central Office or server. An indicator of the target service provider is received and displayed on the user communication device. Communication services available to the communication device are determined and presented to the communication device by audible or visual signals. Representations of services available or restricted to the user communication device are provided to the user device. Restricted services may be enabled by override options.

Abstract: A videoconference system includes a camera at each several user locations, a computer at each user location linked to the camera at each location, and one or more bridges linking the computers to one another. A video encoding program stored on each computer causes each computer to encode video data received from the camera at the user location. A decode information set request monitoring program stored on at least one of the computers causes the computer to monitor the bridges for reception of a decode information set request message; and respond to the decode information set request message by querying the request message for an ID. If the ID of the request message matches an ID assigned to the computer, the computer generates a decode information set based on video data received from the camera, and communicates the decode information set to all of the other computers.

Abstract: Unwanted picture or video images are inhibited from being displayed by wireless communication devices based on the identity of the message originator, be that identity a phone number, an e-mail address, a website, a blocked message originator identification signal, the absence of a message originator identifier associated with the wireless picture message, or an electronic serial number of the message originator's device.

Abstract: A multimedia conferencing system includes a loud speaker system, one or more microphones for receiving a local audio signal and a remote audio signal, a state machine and an echo canceller that operates in conjunction with two reference signals to remove substantially all of a feedback signal component in the local audio signal that results from reinforcing and playing the local audio signal over the loud speaker system. The state machine operates to detect that only the local audio is active, and if so controls the operation of the echo canceller such that only the feedback component of the local audio signal is removed and the local audio signal is not suppressed.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, and computer program products provide dynamic replacement communication identification (ID) service. A request is received from a user for dynamic replacement communication ID from a current location of the user. The user requesting dynamic replacement communication ID is authenticated. A user profile of the user requesting dynamic replacement communication ID is retrieved. A current profile of the current location is replaced with the user profile of the user.

Abstract: A communication session between a user of a communication network and a communication system is controlled. The communication network comprises a first network and a second network. The communication system operates on the first network. A session request packet is transmitted from a device of the user to a first node in the first network. The session is initiated with the communication system at the first node responsive to receiving the session request. During the session, a calling identity is provided from the first node to the device and used by the device during a communication event between the user and an entity. The calling identity is used to establish a connection between the device and a second node in the second network. The calling identity is associated with an address of the entity. Upon termination of the session, the calling identity is disassociated from the address of the entity.

Abstract: In one embodiment, source data for a communication session may be split into an audio portion for transmission on a phone channel and a non-audio portion for transmission on a data channel. A server and a phone may accordingly establish an audio portion of a communication session on the phone channel. In response to a trigger, the server may provide a push notification on the data channel to the phone, where the push notification is associated with an application executing on the phone that is configured to participate in the non-audio portion of the communication session on the data channel with the server. Upon obtaining the push notification on the data channel during the audio portion on the phone channel, the application may correspondingly activate on the phone to participate in the non-audio portion of the communication session during the phone's participation in the audio portion (e.g., merging the portions).

Abstract: The present invention teaches a multiple server based interactive voice response (IVR) system in which individual IVR strings on an index computer are associated with connections to external servers, the IVR system index computer accessible by each individual IVR string's self-identification telephone number either from Dialed Number Identification Service (DNIS) information, Automatic Number Identification (ANI) service information, item ID information provided by a caller or a combination thereof. When a call is received to the IVR system index computer, it uses DNIS, ANI and/or item ID information to route the call to string information (outgoing messages, menu options, etc) which might be located the index computer or on a clientele computer. In embodiments, the client business might be able to easily access the information associating options to messages and the message files themselves and change their IVR string without technical support.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described that relate to a centralized communication hub at a user location for coordination of receiving/sending phone calls, SMS/MMS messages, and requests for video conferences to/from a display. A user may indicate that she wishes to receive a call/message by selecting an option on a remote control associated with the display. A microphone and/or camera connected to a gateway may provide audiovisual capabilities during a call. In a separate embodiment, the functionality of the communication hub may be split between two devices; one device detects incoming calls and a separate device routes the calls/messages to/from the appropriate gateway.

Abstract: An improved handheld electronic device and an associated method provide an improved call list that presents information relating to logged phone calls in a collapsed manner. A single entry is displayed on the call list to represent a call log of phone calls from the same phone number.

Abstract: A communication device is provided. The communication device includes a calling party information receiving unit to receive calling party information, a first call record storing unit to create and store a call record including the calling party information based on receiving conditions of the incoming call, a second call record storing unit to create and store a call record without the calling party information based on receiving conditions of the incoming call, and a call record output unit to output the call records inclusive of the call records stored by the first call record storing unit and by the second call record storing unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a telephone relay apparatus in which even in a telephone terminal which cannot recognize a subaddress, it is possible to attain information to judge whether or not the call is to be started. A telephone relay apparatus 100 possesses a plurality of call transmission telephone numbers (proxy telephone numbers) to uses a telephone number (user telephone number) properly to transmit a call to a telephone terminal 210 on the call reception side according to a rule prescribed in advance, which enables the telephone terminal 210 on the call reception side to identify the type of the call via the telephone relay apparatus 100 based on the call transmitter telephone number (notification telephone number).

Abstract: It is determined whether a call-connection condition set to a call-connection device is a first call-connection state or a second call-connection state. When the determination result shows that the first call-connection state is set, a call is connected from an originating terminal to a destination terminal. When the determination result shows that the second call-connection state is set, the call is connected from the originating terminal to the destination terminal and conversation-termination processing is performed without waiting for a disconnection request transmitted from the originating terminal or the destination terminal.

Abstract: Personal mobility, multiparty control, and device augmentation features are provided within a voice-over-Internet protocol environment, such as a distributed feature composition (DFC) telecommunications architecture. The personal mobility features allow a caller to be identified to a callee using a desired identifier in place of an identifier of the device from which a call is made. Such personal mobility features are made available in multiparty calling environments and after mid-call moves. Device augmentation features provide enhanced calling options to a device that may otherwise be unequipped to provide such options, thus enabling personal mobility and multiparty control features across a wide variety of telecommunications devices.

Abstract: The described embodiments relate generally to methods, systems and handheld electronic communications devices for selecting and displaying a caller ID image from an image database configured to respond to user input and selectively display images on a display. The image database stores at least one tag identifier data corresponding to each image. An address book database stores at least one individual identifier and at least one corresponding address. A caller ID image corresponding to at least one caller ID is selected from the images and displayed on the display.

Abstract: An electronic device comprising: a display; a housing enclosing the display and defining an exterior surface region adjacent to the display, the exterior surface region having a plurality of surface zones indicated thereon, the surface zones being capable of being written on by a user to save a written marking thereon; a memory; and user input apparatus; the device having: a first mode in which the device performs a function in respect of a subject entity and in which in response to operation of the user input apparatus to indicate one of the zones the device stores the entity in the memory in association with that zone; and a second mode in which in response to selection of a zone by means of the user input apparatus the device performs a function in respect of an entity stored in association with the selected zone.

Abstract: A method for managing a phishing call is provided. The method includes receiving an incoming telecommunication request. The method also includes comparing a unique identification associated with the incoming telecommunication request against a set of contact lists. The method further includes, if the unique identification is not found on the set of contact lists, activating a delay timer to prevent a set of user notification components from being triggered for a delay period. The method yet also includes performing a connection analysis to determine status of the incoming telecommunication request. The method moreover includes, if the incoming telecommunication request is terminated during the delay period, updating a phishing call log with data about the incoming telecommunication request, wherein the updating of the phishing call log occurs without the set of user notification components being triggered, responsive to the incoming telecommunication request, during or subsequent to the updating.