Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for a called party to provide indication information for a calling party. The method includes the steps of: presetting the indication information to be provided to the calling party at the called party; before the called party answers the call in the connection procedure between the calling party and the called party, the network side obtaining the preset indication information from the called party and sending the indication information to the calling party. Accordingly, the present invention discloses a system for a called party to provide the indication information to a calling party. The present invention makes it possible that the called party flexibly selects the indication information to be provided to the calling party and the problem that only the indication info nation in the indication information database can be provided is avoided.

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: A system and method for providing access to a visual phone menu is disclosed. The system receives a phone number transmitted from a calling device to initiate a call, determines whether a visual phone menu (VPM) is available for the phone number, provides the calling device with a VPM address when a VPM exists, and proceeds with the call from the calling device to the phone number when a VPM does not exist.

Abstract: Systems for providing a tune master caller identification (ID) device include a telecommunications network and a caller device configured to provide caller identification information for an incoming telephone call, and a tune master caller ID device that is coupled to a telephone device. The tune master caller ID device receives caller identification information, associates a tune with the caller identification information, and plays the tune associated with the caller identification. The telephone device coupled to the tune master caller ID device provides telephone call processing capabilities. Other systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A system for identifying an originator based on an image and a method thereof are disclosed. The method includes: transmitting a session initiate protocol INVITE message by inserting predetermined image information in the session initiate protocol INVITE message at a transmitting terminal; and displaying an image by analyzing image information included in a received session initiate protocol INVITE message transmitted from the transmitting terminal at a receiving terminal.

Abstract: A computing device includes a processing unit and a system memory. The processing unit creates a normalization module programmed to modify a plurality of telephone numbers so that the telephone numbers conform to a specified format, creates a calling line manipulation module programmed to manipulate a calling line identification number to form a number for querying one or more databases including contact information, and creates a resource query module programmed to query the databases including the contacting information using the number, receive one or more query results from the databases, and select one of the query results for inclusion in a notification of a telephonic message.

Abstract: Call-handling rules may be provided. A user interface may access a plurality of information associated with a user and provide functionality for creating a plurality of rules based on the information. An incoming call intended for the user may be received and processed according to the created rules.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for notifying an end user of a messaging event in a multi-user setting is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in a communication device which includes computer instructions at least for matching a caller identifier associated with a messaging event and entries in a plurality of contact books corresponding to a plurality of users, and identifying a plurality of parties to whom the messaging event is potentially directed based on the matching. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for storing and transmitting a videoconference system name (identifier) in the languages of double byte character sets. Although described in terms of a videoconferencing system, the techniques described herein have applicability to various other systems that rely upon inter-language compatibility, including telephonic communication such as cell phones or IP phones, as well as various computer network applications in which computers having different default languages are in communication. In a preferred embodiment, the system identifier is stored in a text or ASCII format rather than native (binary) format. Additionally, a system employing a preferred embodiment of the teachings described herein allows a particular system to have multiple site names in multiple different languages. This allows such a system to interface and exchange identifier data with other systems having different language settings during a caller ID exchange.

Abstract: An application for a caller-identification system includes a circuit for receiving caller-identification information from a tip and ring interface and a circuit for wirelessly transmitting at least a subset of the caller-identification information to a display system. In the display system includes a circuit for receiving the caller-identification information and a circuit for displaying the caller-identification information on a display.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for authenticating caller identification in VoIP communication. A VoIP device receives an incoming call from an originating calling device; wherein the incoming call includes (1) a caller identification and (2) a unique identifier associated with the originating calling device. The VoIP device verifies that the caller identification in the received incoming call matches an entry in a trusted directory, wherein the trusted directory includes one or more entries of previously verified caller identifications. Upon verifying that the caller identification in the received incoming call matches a caller identification entry in the trusted directory, the VoIP device sends an inquiry to a unique locator associated with the matching caller identification in the trusted directory.

Abstract: A system and method for managing contact information is provided. In one implementation, for example, a method comprises accessing a contact record associated with a user of a user communication device, the contact record comprising at least one originating identifier identifying the user communication device and at least one contact field identifying contact information of a contact associated with the user. A contact record map is generated in which an alias identifier is assigned for the contact record. A destination identifier is selected from a plurality of available destination identifiers and assigned to the contact associated with the user. The assigned destination identifier is unique with respect to other contacts associated with the user. The alias identifier and the destination identifier are to the origination identifier identifying the user communication device within the contact record map.

Abstract: A method of operating a telephony system including receiving a call from a caller, the call being provided through at least a telecommunication network. A phone number is received, associated with the call from the caller, were the phone number is identified using a caller identification process. It is determined if the phone number is associated with a wireless telecommunications device and the caller is prompted to input a residential phone number for a landline associated with the caller if the phone number is associated with the wireless telecommunications device. The residential phone number is received and stored in association with the phone number into one or more memory locations of one or more databases.

Abstract: In a messaging system, a messaging server transmits signals over the telephone network to be received by equipment at, e.g., the customer premises. The receiving equipment converts the signals into meaningful information (e.g., written or audible words, audible tones, and/or lights), and provides that information (e.g., by audible announcement and/or visual display) to the user. The signals can be of a variety of types. For example, the signal can be the Incoming Caller Line Identification (ICLID) signal associated with an incoming telephone call. Alternatively, the ICLID signal can be can be sent with the set-up of a non-associated telephone call, and can correspond to a message code, such as to provide the recipient with notification information such as emergency notification messages. Such notification information can be substantially simultaneously transmitted to a number of sets of receiving equipment (e.g., all homes in a given region).

Abstract: A communication device includes a communication unit configured to communicate with an external communication device, and a first storage unit configured to store, when a phone call or an e-mail is received, information on a caller or a sender of the e-mail. A notification is performed in response to the reception, and a controller determines, when a reply to a first reception performed by a first communication function of the communication unit is not performed and a second reception performed by a second communication function of the communication unit is performed, whether a caller or a sender relating to the second reception is identical to a caller of a sender relating to the first reception in accordance with the information on the caller or the sender stored in the first storage unit. A notification is performed in response to the second reception in accordance with a result of the determination.

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: In a telecommunication system, providing to a recipient end point a caller identification (CID) from a calling end point, the calling end point including a default CID and at least one additional CID, the method includes receiving a call setup message from the calling end point, the call setup message including the additional CID, allocating a temporary end point for the call, from a pool of available end points, sending contact data for the allocated temporary end point to the calling end point, processing a first call received from the calling end point to the temporary end point, processing a second call to the recipient end point using the additional CID as the calling CID, and joining the first and second calls to generate a call from the calling end point to the recipient end point.

Abstract: An intelligent telephone set is disclosed that includes a caller-ID circuit that extracts a call identifier from an incoming call. A call processing circuit in communication with the caller-ID circuit assigns the incoming call to a caller category associated with the call identifier. Subsequently, it selects a call processing action corresponding to the caller category and processes the incoming call using the selected call processing action. The intelligent telephone set allows users to set criteria for receiving and processing calls based on CID data. One such call processing action is to use CID data to forward an incoming call to a predetermined location.

Abstract: A method is provided for identifying a calling party to a called party utilizing biometric information. Biometric information of first calling party is received. If stored, a calling party profile is retrieved based on first calling party biometric information. A call is placed to a called party. The first calling party profile is provided to called party. A biometric information change from first calling party biometric information to a second calling party biometric information is automatically detected, and it is determined whether the second party biometric information is stored. If stored, a second calling party profile of second calling party is retrieved and is provided to called party. Responsive to determining that the biometric information for second calling party is not stored, the called party is notified that the second calling party is communicating and the second calling party profile is automatically created based on second calling party biometric information.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for conveying presence information from distinct communication devices are disclosed. The present invention enables multiple communication devices using distinct communications technologies, such as cellular telephone, traditional wire line telephone, packet based telephone, and computer supporting instant messaging applications, to communicate presence status to a single server to enable another subscriber to determine the best method to use to establish a communication channel with a subscriber.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for caller identification messaging are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a calling party uses a Caller ID Messaging Device that supplants the incoming calling line identification (ICLID) signal with a Caller ID Messaging Signal and transmits the Caller ID Messaging Signal to a destination communications address. An alternate embodiment provides that the calling party may use a conventional telephone to access a communications network, activate Caller ID Messaging Services, compose or retrieve a stored Caller ID Message of the Caller ID Messaging Signal, and transmit the Caller ID Messaging Signal to the destination communications address. The Caller ID Message and Caller ID Messaging Signal may include text, video, voice, and/or digital data.

Abstract: The present invention discloses numerous implementations for conveying an audio element to a source device initiating an outgoing call while a user of the source device is waiting for a user of a destination device to answer the call. A call processing system receives a call request message from the source device, determines an audio element from a plurality of audio elements to convey to the source device and initiates conveyance of the audio element to the source device in response to receiving the call request message. The system then causes establishment of a media connection between the source and destination devices and terminates conveyance of the audio element to the source device prior to or substantially simultaneous with the establishment of the media connection between the source and destination devices. In various implementations, the source device may be implemented within the PSTN and/or an IP network.

Abstract: The present invention discloses numerous implementations for conveying an audio element to a source device initiating an outgoing call while a user of the source device is waiting for a user of a destination device to answer the call. A call processing system receives a call request message from the source device, determines an audio element from a plurality of audio elements to convey to the source device and initiates conveyance of the audio element to the source device in response to receiving the call request message. The system then causes establishment of a media connection between the source and destination devices and terminates conveyance of the audio element to the source device prior to or substantially simultaneous with the establishment of the media connection between the source and destination devices. In various implementations, the source device may be implemented within the PSTN and/or an IP network.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing background sound to a communication device and a system applying the method. The method is preferably applied to a voice communication procedure. In the meantime, a background sound is simultaneously played with a telephone call according to a user's selection or a sound schedule. In accordance with an embodiment, the steps in the method firstly include a step of receiving a call, and a step of activating a noise-suppression function and a background-sound enabling procedure. The background-sound enabling procedure is conducted to play the background sound at the time of the call based on the user's selection, or a sound schedule. In particular, the user can decide to play or not to play the background sound while phoning in the beginning. At last, the method ends the voice communication procedure with or without the background sound after hanging up the phone.

Abstract: A caller number notification synchronized with an incoming signal is disclosed. An analog circuit interface section outputs incoming call signal presence information that shows whether to receive the incoming call signal that has the information indicated at a predetermined position on a highway and outputs the received caller ID to a speech signal path. An analog extension interface section detects the incoming call signal presence information on the highway, detects the caller ID on the speech signal path, generates an incoming call signal based on the detected incoming signal presence information and sends out the generated incoming call signal and the detected caller ID to the analog extension. A system control section connects the analog circuit interface section to the analog extension interface section.

Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments provide a method, comprising: automatically detecting at an agent an installation of a communications device to a local network coupled to the agent; automatically offering via the communications device a plurality of user-selectable service options relating to a service provider's network and relating to at least one capability of the communications device, the at least one capability detected by the agent; in response to a selection of at least one service option from the plurality of service options, providing via the agent a user connection address.

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: An answering system and method comprising a caller ID input; an outgoing message output; a memory for storage of a plurality of messages; a processor for selecting outgoing message; whereby the processor selects a message from memory dependent upon the caller ID input.

Abstract: An approach provides caller identification-based messaging services. A user-defined message associated with a directory address of a communication device is received. The user-defined message is inserted into a caller identification field of a caller identification message. Establishment of a communication session is initiated with the communication device. The caller identification message is transmitted to the communication device for presentation of the user-defined message during establishment of the communication session.

Abstract: Methods and systems to display, in real time, detailed attribute information regarding a calling party. This information may be presented to a user in conjunction with an incoming voice-call or message on the user's smartphone/mobile internet device (MID) or other mobile device. Such information can help him/her in real-time to decide whether to respond to the communication. Attribute information is collected at a caller attributes processing server and communicated to a receiver device of the called party.

Abstract: A network device may maintain an association of a telephone number with information identifying a rule and information identifying multimedia content, where the telephone number is associated with the network device, and where the rule specifies when the multimedia content is to be provided in connection with a telephone call to the telephone number. The network device may further receive a telephone call from a user device, where the telephone call is directed to the telephone number; detect, in connection with the telephone call, that the rule has been satisfied; and provide the multimedia content to the user device in response to detecting that the rule has been satisfied.

Abstract: A method for attributing costs for a telephone call in an SS7 network. Information associated with the telephone call is captured and retained when the telephone call is provided to a call recipient by a second carrier that is a UNE-P lessee of a first carrier. The captured information is stored when including a CNAM query. The CNAM query is associated with the second carrier and reflected in an updated record containing the total volume of CNAM queries handled by the first carrier for the second carrier.

Abstract: A method of associating an image with a contact record on a mobile device. The contact record is displayed in a user interface and the user selects an image file for association with the contact record. The selected image is rendered and overlaid with a cropping shape. The image is cropped in accordance with a position of the cropping shape to produce a sub-image, which is then encoding in accordance with a predefined image format to produce a sub-image file, and stored in association with the contact record.

Abstract: A caller information providing system includes a caller device, a database and a receiver device, each of which is in communication with the network. The caller device has an identification code. According to the identification code, caller information of the caller device is provided by the database. The caller information of the caller device provided by the database is acquired through the network, and revealed by the receiver device.

Abstract: A method for transmitting enhanced originator information over a communications network includes retrieving a service profile for a recipient terminal from a service profile database in response to initiation of a communication by an originator terminal to the recipient terminal. The service profile specifies a service plan and a terminal capability of the recipient terminal to retrieve the enhanced originator information from the originator terminal. The method also includes retrieving multiple information elements associated with the originator terminal from a network database based upon the service plan and the terminal capability of the recipient terminal, and transmitting a communication including the multiple information elements to the recipient terminal prior to establishing a communications session with the recipient terminal.

Abstract: A communication terminal device is capable of communicating with an external terminal device and an external information supplying device.

Abstract: A system for controlling incoming and/or outgoing calls on a telephone system having a single incoming/outgoing telephone line to which multiple telephone ports are connected. The system includes a database of instructions for processing calls, with the instructions being determined by the line owner. The system also includes a central processing unit for applying one or more of the user-specified instructions to selectively process an incoming or outgoing telephone call. The system may additionally include a caller identification device for identifying incoming caller numbers, and may process incoming calls according to the identity of the caller. The system may also include instructions for processing calls according to the time of day, or other user-specified parameters. Another aspect of the invention provides a method for controlling incoming and/or outgoing telephone calls, using the system and instructions described above.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for displaying of collections of interactive elements that trigger actions directed to a particular contact, message, media file, or other item. In one aspect, a method is performed by a system comprising one or more data processing devices and a touchscreen display.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, 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: There are provided methods and systems for authenticating a user. A method includes receiving a voice signature certificate corresponding to a setup portion of a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) call. The VoIP call further has a voice conversation portion. The voice signature certificate includes a voice signature segment. The method further includes reproducing the voice signature segment to enable verification of voice continuity from the setup portion to the voice conversation portion. The verification is performing by comparing the voice signature segment to a user's voice during the voice conversation portion.

Abstract: Systems and methods can provide an identity to a conference bridge; the identity including an email address for the conference bridge. When two or more people desire to conduct a conference, a person creates an invitation to the conference. The invitation can be an email invitation from a calendar program that can be sent to the invitees. The invitation can be sent to the conference bridge using the email address for the conference bridge. The conference bridge may then receive a call from a caller for a conference. The conference bridge can extract a caller identifier from the call and determine an email associated with the caller. The conference bridge may then retrieve the invitation having the email. Then, the conference bridge can attach the caller to the conference associated with the invitation.

Abstract: A method for retrieving information may include receiving a telephone call from a caller and identifying a telephone number from which the telephone call was made. The method may also include retrieving information from a database based on the identified telephone number. The method may further include providing an audible message to the caller to verify whether the retrieved information is correct.

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: A system and method of serving text-based data messages to a caller identification (caller ID) system in a telecommunications network environment may overwrite source-specific information in a selected data packet header field with text-based message data. A protocol translator may enable text data to be served to a caller ID system used in conjunction with a plain old telephone service (POTS) telephone as well as with a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) device. Text messages addressed and routed to a caller ID enabled device may be displayed on the caller ID display.

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: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a method performed by a conference server for providing caller identification information for a TDM conference call. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving a request from a host to set up a TDM conference call. The method further includes receiving host configuration parameters for providing the host with caller ID information of callers participating in the conference call. The method provides the host with a calling number for enabling callers participating in the conference call to call in. In response to receiving a call and caller ID information associated with a caller calling the calling number, the method connects the call to the conference call and provides the caller ID information to the host based on the host configuration parameters.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a call originator to select a notification a recipient sees or hears accompanying an incoming call.

Abstract: A communication terminal includes an obtaining unit, a judging unit, a removing unit, and a transmitting unit. The obtaining unit obtains a phone number which is associated with a message from a transmitter. The judging unit determines whether an international code precedes a telephone number used by the transmitter, and further for generating a first control signal when the phone number includes an international code preceding the telephone number. The removing unit removes the international code from the phone number in response to the first control signal to get the telephone number only. The transmitting unit communicates with the transmitter using the telephone number only.

Abstract: A system and related techniques enhance the generation and delivery of dialed number identification service (DNIS) data to automatic call distributors and other destinations. Unlike conventional DNIS-based (800) or other call centers or other resources whose available DNIS-based identifications can become overtaxed during comparatively high call volumes, according to embodiments of the invention DNIS numbers are dynamically generated from an available pool on a per-call basis under call router supervision. According to embodiments of the invention in one regard, the dynamic DNIS may be associated with that call to the call's particular destination, such as an automatic call distributor, interactive voice response unit or other resource, during the duration of the call for the operative destination, with other calls being locked out from using that DNIS assignment while the call is in progress.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal includes timer for detecting the time of an incoming call, a caller number registration table for storing caller numbers, answer message ID numbers and time-dependent switching codes in relation to each other, the time-dependent control codes designating callers for whom answer messages are switched depending on a time zone in which the call is made. There is thus provided a capability of selecting an answer message for a caller based on the caller number included in the incoming call signal and switching between answer messages based on the time of call incoming detected by the timer.