Abstract: A method is provided of establishing a communications session between first and second devices associated with first and second parties respectively. A session request message indicates a request to establish the session and comprises session information. In response to the session request message, further information is retrieved and included in the session request message. A session is established based on information in the resulting session request message. The session may be established between the first and second devices using Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). Summary information is included for determining complete information by the second device after the session has been established. The complete information is stored in a mail server and the summary information derived from the complete information is stored in a database.

Abstract: A method and operation for a call announcement service which answers incoming phone calls. The system retrieves identifying information about the calling party and provides that information to the called party. The called party can choose from several options for answering the call, such as completing the call with the calling party, sending the calling party to voice mail or terminating the call. In an alternative embodiment, the calling party can be notified that they have dialed a cellular phone customer, and can be provided the option of accepting the called party's cellular phone charges.

Abstract: A system and method for automatic assignment of outbound and inbound call identity between a salesperson and a client is disclosed. For automatic assignment of outbound call identity between a salesperson and a client, a salesperson places a call to the telephone number of the client. A phone server matches a sales group to a salesperson and an entered sales group and an NPA (i.e., area code) of the client in a database. If a match is found, the phone server substitutes a replacement caller ID for actual caller ID of the salesperson. When the client answers the call, the replacement caller ID or default caller ID is displayed on client's phone. For automatic assignment of inbound call identity between a client and a salesperson, the client places a call using the replacement caller ID. The phone server searches the database for a sales group that matches the DID of the replacement caller ID.

Abstract: Operating a mobile terminal may include providing a list in memory of the mobile terminal with the list including at least one identification of a communications device remote from the mobile terminal. An update for the list may be received from outside the mobile terminal over a wireless link, and the list may be automatically updated in the memory of the mobile terminal after receiving the update from outside the mobile terminal. Communications may then be moderated based on the list in the memory. Related systems and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: A communication system includes a calling device, an answering device and a transmission device. The calling device is operable by a caller to make a call. The answering device includes telephones and computers corresponding to the telephones. The transmission device includes an actuating unit, a judging unit connected to the actuating unit and a database connected to the actuating unit. On receiving a call from the calling device, the judging unit provides data into the judging unit from the database so that the judging unit determines the identity of the caller. Then, the actuating unit actuates and provides the identity and data of the caller to at least one of the computers related to the call.

Abstract: A system and method of saving and delivering a voice memo or text memo to identify incoming calls is provided. A user of the system of the invention is given the option of recording a memo on the calls he or she has received through a prompt on a telecommunication device. The user can choose to record a voice memo or text memo after each call. The memos are saved in connection with caller id information pertaining to the number from which the call was placed. When a user of the system receives a call from a number that has a memo saved in relation thereto, the user will be prompted to hear, and may listen to, the voice memo before answering the call. If the memo is in text form, the user can configure the system to provide various processing options. In one processing option, a text to speech audio presentation of the text of the memo is made available to permit the message to be heard over a telephone or networked audio capable PDA device.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer-readable media for registering and retrieving contact information associated with a potential calling party. The registration method comprises receiving an originating address associated with the potential calling party, receiving contact information associated with the potential calling party and storing the originating address associated with the potential calling party in an originating address field of a record associated with the potential calling party and storing the contact information associated with the potential calling party in a contact information field of the record associated with the potential calling party. This increases the variety of contact information that can be left by the potential calling party, contributes to a greater efficiency with which the eventual called party may retrieve contact information associated with a voice mail message and also accelerates the process by which an actual calling party can leave contact information for the called party.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a telephone exchange apparatus includes a memory and a calculation module and a controller. The memory stores data associating a caller ID specifying a caller and a recipient ID specifying a transfer operation source with frequency of transfer for each of at least one of a telephone terminal and a group to be a transfer destination. The calculation module calculates a percent of transfer from frequency of transfer in a predetermined period and store the percent of transfer for each of the caller ID in the memory. The controller refers the memory based on the caller ID and the recipient ID included in an incoming call, and performs incoming call control to at least one of a telephone terminal and a group corresponding to a transfer destination including a percent of transfer which is larger than a predetermined value based on a reference result.

Abstract: A method for transmitting an image of a person based on tag information, includes the steps of: acquiring an image of a specific person; retrieving an address related to the specific person from tag information attached to the image of the specific person; and transmitting the image of the specific person to the retrieved address. As a result, the user can easily transmit the image of the person to one who has relation to the person. Moreover, methods for displaying an image of a caller, and retrieving images of a desired person based on the tag information is also disclosed.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a caller identification system and method for identifying a caller with a partial phone number look-up table. The caller identification system comprises a database that stores received calls and can be personalized to include information specific to partial phone numbers. In one embodiment, the caller identification system disclosed can be integrated into a cellular phone. In this embodiment, an incoming call initiates a search in a database to retrieve information about the caller. If a match is found, the identity of the caller is displayed. When an exact match is not found, a search for a partial match is executed with wild card values and information about the partial match is displayed. Information for a partial match can be personalized or pre-programmed into the caller ID system such as the city associated with a particular area code or prefix.

Abstract: A method is described of providing validation data associated with a subscriber line of a telecommunication network using a validation system. The method includes obtaining line data of the subscriber line wherein the line data is suitable for interrogating a line identification database (LIDB). The method interrogates the LIDB with the line data to obtain reference subscriber data associated with the line data, and processes the reference subscriber data to obtain validation data associated with the subscriber line. The method includes identifying a local exchange carrier (LEC) associated with the subscriber line to determine if a billing arrangement exists between the validation system and the LEC. The invention extends to a subscriber line validation system to validate a subscriber line of a communication network.

Abstract: A telecommunications device and/or service are provided that enable a user to identify a particular call announcement to be used when announcing an incoming call from the user on the call recipient's telecommunications device. The call from the user includes call data that identifies the particular call announcement. When received, the recipient's device processes the incoming call and announces it with the requested announcement.

Abstract: A telephone or telephone system launches an application upon the dialing of a trigger telephone number. The application may be an electronic message generator that sends an electronic message to one or more recipients upon a telephone number being dialed. One or more text messages may be sent by a telephone or telephone system when a user dials an emergency number with the telephone or telephone system. Real time information such as geographic location information may be automatically generated by the application and included in the electronic messages that are sent after being triggered by a telephone call.

Abstract: The present invention is related to telecommunications, and in particular, to methods and systems for processing call signaling data. In an embodiment, a call processing system receives a first message from a switch while the switch is processing a call for a calling party, wherein the first message is initiated at least partly in response to a firing of a call event trigger configured within a switch. The first message includes call signaling information, including the calling party's phone number. The calling party's phone number is stored in the call processing system. A communication channel is established over a network between the call processing system and a computer associated with the called party. A message is transmitted to the networked computer, the message including the calling party's phone number, wherein the calling party's phone number is intended to be displayed on the networked computer associated with the called party.

Abstract: An apparatus and method directed to automated call screening, and specifically the utilization of location history of a call recipient to determine call authorization, are provided. In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a computer readable medium embodied in an article of manufacture is encoded with instructions for directing a processor to receive a request from a first device to communicate with a second device. The processor is further directed to determine at least one location associated with the first device, determine an authorization for the request based at least in part upon the at least one location associated with the first device and at least one prior location of the second device, and transmit the request to the second device in accordance with the authorization.

Abstract: A method, user interface module, application program interface, computer program product and system that provides access to context information in a display window that remains persistent as the user navigates the application and views application data. The persistent dashboard can be populated from a communications event, such as an inbound telephone call; from data entered by the customer service agent via the user interface, such as a response to one of a series of scripted questions; from search results of a user-initiated search; or from application data displayed in a display window of the user interface. Various types of information from enterprise databases can be captured in the persistent dashboard to address the enterprise's business processes and needs. Information displayed in the persistent dashboard is configurable.

Abstract: A platform provides access to multiple telecommunications services via a single telephone number. These services may include, for example, voicemail services, facsimile messaging services, paging services, and outbound calling services. A guest caller may call the single phone number to speak to a subscriber, leave a voicemail message for a subscriber, leave a facsimile message for a subscriber, or place a page to a subscriber. A subscriber may call the phone number to place outbound calls. In addition, a subscriber may call the single phone number to retrieve or send facsimile messages and/or voicemail messages. A subscriber may also call the phone number to configure service options. For instance, a subscriber may select routing options and choose what services are available to guest callers.

Abstract: A system and method of saving and delivering a voice memo or text memo to identify incoming calls is provided. A user of the system of the invention is given the option of recording a memo on the calls he or she has received through a prompt on a telecommunication device. The user can choose to record a voice memo or text memo after each call. The memos are saved in connection with caller id information pertaining to the number from which the call was placed. When a user of the system receives a call from a number that has a memo saved in relation thereto, the user will be prompted to hear, and may listen to, the voice memo before answering the call. If the memo is in text form, the user can configure the system to provide various processing options. In one processing option, a text to speech audio presentation of the text of the memo is made available to permit the message to be heard over a telephone or networked audio capable PDA device.

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 communication apparatus capable of reducing a burden caused by operation for registering a plurality of serial phone numbers is provided. A communication apparatus 100 includes a database 140 for storing information, an input section 110 for inputting input information including a start number and an end number showing a plurality of serial phone numbers, and a registered information management section 130 that registers registration information as serial phone numbers to the database 140 in accordance with the input information.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for personalized calling party number determination and identification. The apparatus includes an interface for receiving a calling party number corresponding to a calling party, a memory for storing an alpha tag corresponding to the calling party number, and a processor coupled to the interface. The processor includes instructions to determine a character indicating presence of a character string including a unique identifier portion, a classification portion, and a calling party portion. The processor correlates the alpha tag to the calling party upon matching the calling party portion of the character string to the calling party number stored in the memory. The method of personalized calling party number determination and identification can occur for incoming or outgoing call messages relative to the communications network including the apparatus.

Abstract: A system for selectively blocking and unblocking the sending of outgoing caller ID information from a communication device comprises a communication device, a processor coupled to the communication device and a storage medium coupled to the processor containing a directory of information entries. The information entries include both telephone numbers and associated security levels. When a call is placed to a number using the communication device, the processor seeks the number in the directory of the storage medium. If an entry is found for the number by the processor, caller ID information is prevented from being sent to the number unless a security level associated with the number is at or above a predefined cut-off level.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and a method for providing, among other things, local calling name caller identification to a broadband phone, personalized user-specified actions associated with a plurality of users based on an incoming caller identification number to a broadband phone, and remote access to locally stored data on a broadband phone.

Abstract: A system (20) for providing a caller identification with name service includes a destination service switching point (22) having a plurality of destination numbers (24). A switching control point (26) has a caller identification with name database (30) and a customer caller identification with name database (32). A signaling system seven link (28) connects the destination service switching point (22) to the switching control point (26).

Abstract: A call receiving device includes an identification information acquisition part configured to acquire identification information by receiving calls each made based on identification information that is explicitly or implicitly provided in a web page and that identifies a call receiver. An information associating part is configured to associate the acquired identification information with discrimination information to discriminate each of the calls. A call connection part is configured to connect each of the calls to the call receiver. A discrimination information sending part is configured to send the discrimination information to the call receiver through the call connected to the call receiver. A discrimination information receiving part is configured to receive the discrimination information input into a predetermined device.

Abstract: A mechanism for indicating a specific response message to be played to a caller is provided. A call that comprises an identification of a caller is received in a recipient device. If the recipient device is operating in the phone management mode, a recipient notification of the call is blocked on the recipient device. If the caller is identified as a known caller based on the identification of the caller, a caller specific response message is sent to the known caller. The caller specific response message is at least one of an interactive or a non-interactive caller specific response message. The interactive response message includes a code with which to respond. If the response message is the interactive response message and the caller enters the code associated with the interactive response message, then the recipient notification of the call is activated on the recipient device.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus which outputs information includes an acquisition unit that acquires identification information for identifying an intended party, a storage unit that stores, when identification information is acquired, a file operation record indicating a file operated during a call in a storage unit so that the file operation record is associated with the identification information, and an output unit that outputs, in a case of determining that identification information that matches identification information stored in the storage unit is acquired by the acquisition unit, information about the file stored in the storage unit in association with the acquired identification information.

Abstract: A method, comprising causing a telephony communication originating from a calling party communication device to be routed to a first called party communication device together with calling party identifier information associated with the calling party communication device. The method further comprises receiving an identification of a second called party communication device to which the telephony communication should be routed, and generating modified calling party identifier information associated with the telephony communication on the basis of modification information received from the first called party communication device. Finally, the method comprises routing the telephony communication to the second called party communication device together with the modified calling party identifier information.

Abstract: A calling party's mobile terminal includes a push-to-talk (PTT) actuator, a transceiver operable to communicate in a half-duplex mode, and a controller. SIP signaling messages sent by the calling party include information associated with one or more customized caller IDs of the calling party. The caller IDs are customized, stored, and managed by the calling party. A remote party's mobile terminal receives the SIP signaling messages, and outputs the calling party's customized caller ID to the remote party to identify the calling party.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to detect a selection of an image from a graphical user interface, identify an entry in a contact book responsive to the detected selection of the image, and retrieve one or more communication identifiers associated with the party from the entry of the contact book for initiating a communication session. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to detect by way of an input device an entry of a communication identifier without contact information of a party associated with the communication identifier, retrieve from a database operating externally to the communication device contact information of the party according to the communication identifier, initiate a communication session according to the communication identifier, present at least a portion of the retrieved contact information and the communication identifier, and store the communication identifier in a communication log with the retrieved contact information. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for delivering enhanced caller information to a called party. A user document associated with a calling party is provided to the called party as part of signaling information associated with the call, such as a SIP invite message. The user document may be, for example, a vCard or vCalendar.

Abstract: A method for activating a distinctive ring-tone can include the steps of extracting caller identifying data from an incoming phone call; comparing the caller identifying data to data in a caller list; determining whether the caller is authorized to activate a distinctive ring-tone based upon the comparison; and, activating a distinctive ring-tone if the caller is authorized and if a request to activate a distinctive ring-tone can be detected in the incoming phone call. The extracting step can include the step of extracting a source phone number from the incoming phone call. The determining step can include the step of determining whether the caller has been included in the caller list as an authorized caller. Conversely, the determining step comprises the step of determining whether the caller has been included in the caller list as an unauthorized caller.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example comprises one or more call control components. One or more of the one or more call control components connect an internet protocol call initiated by a communication device to an internet protocol endpoint. One or more of the one or more call control components collect identification information of the communication device and send the identification information to the internet protocol endpoint.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for processing a contact with a client of an organization. The method includes the steps of a contact processing resource of the organization detecting a contact with the client through a first communication channel operating under a first communication format, the contact processing resource generating an information request based upon the contact with the client, transferring the information request to a media server of the organization and the media server sending an information response to the client through a second communication channel operating under a second communication format.

Abstract: A communication device includes one or more programmable modules for receiving and selectively handling a telephone call including pre-specified caller identification information. The programmable module includes a registry of caller identification information and instructions on how to handle a particular telephone call when the telephone call includes caller identification information specified in the registry. The communication device includes several programmable modules, each configured to provide different functionality for selectively handling a telephone call. The programmable modules are inserted and removed from ports included with the communication device for providing functionality as needed. The communication device includes a web engine for configuring the programmable modules utilizing a web browser. The communication device includes functionality for announcing caller identification information to a user upon receipt of a telephone call.

Abstract: A method, program product and system for retrieving customer data in a call center environment, includes completing a connection between a customer and a call agent. It also includes searching a database for a customer account or a business agreement based on information provided by the customer to the call agent. It further includes searching the database optionally for a premises that is either dependent of the customer account or business agreement or that is independent of the customer account or business agreement. It still further includes determining a contract corresponding to the premises and the customer account or business agreement. It also includes a search process that is completely flexible regarding search criteria and sequence. It finally includes dealing with the customer to resolve an issue related to the contract.

Abstract: A system for selectively blocking and unblocking the sending of outgoing caller ID information from a communication device comprises a communication device, a processor coupled to the communication device and a storage medium coupled to the processor containing a directory of information entries. The information entries include both telephone numbers and associated security levels. When a call is placed to a number using the communication device, the processor seeks the number in the directory of the storage medium. If an entry is found for the number by the processor, caller ID information is prevented from being sent to the number unless a security level associated with the number is at or above a predefined cut-off level.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention comprise a device, system, and method of receiving a phone call to a non-Inward WATS phone number, such as a typical non-toll free phone number, forwarding the phone call to a carrier capable of reading ANI information associated with the call, and providing ANI information to the called party. The providing of ANI information may be by way of forwarding to a toll-free number of a provider and populating caller ID data with ANI information before forwarding to the called party, or by way of forwarding the call to a provider with the ANI information, whereby the provider forwards the call and information gleaned from the ANI information to the called party.

Abstract: A voicemail apparatus comprises a voicemail database for storing messages awaiting retrieval by a subscriber, wherein each stored message comprises a message header and message data, the message header including a calling party phone number and calling party network information. A voicemail controller is coupled to the voicemail database for handling an incoming call from a calling party to the subscriber. The voicemail controller compares the calling party phone number of the incoming call with calling party phone numbers of each of the stored messages for the subscriber. If the calling party phone number of the incoming call matches at least one calling party phone number of the stored messages then the incoming call is authenticated by comparing the calling party network information for the incoming call with calling party network information stored for the calling party phone number matching messages.

Abstract: A method, system and computer-usable medium for optimizing retrieval of customer data needed to handle a call are presented. The method includes the steps of receiving a call at a data center; initiating a query for a business data related to the call; creating a key that identifies the business data related to the call; pre-fetching the business data using the key with a lookup table; caching the pre-fetched business data; attaching the key to the call; routing the call with the attached key to a desktop agent; receiving a request from the desktop agent for the pre-fetched business data; retrieving the cached pre-fetched business data; and transmitting the cached pre-fetched business data to the desktop agent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for creating traditional multi-line appearance telecommunications capabilities in a computer network for communications received from a switched circuit network. The system and method create key system and attendant/attendee relationships between the respective terminal end-points of the computer network. In addition, multiple line appearances may be supported simultaneously at a single terminal end-point.

Abstract: The present invention relates to telephone call processing. In one embodiment, a call processing system receives from a caller a first call for a user, the first call including call signaling information. The call processing system determines whether the call signaling information includes caller identification information and whether the call signaling information indicates that the caller identification information is restricted. If the caller identification information is restricted, the call processing system instructs the caller to take a first action so that the caller identification information can be provided to the user. The call processing system determines whether the caller has performed the first action during the first call, and if the caller has performed the first action during the first call, the call processing system provides at least a portion of the caller identification information to the user.

Abstract: A method of facilitating a telephonic response to an electronic message is described. The method includes determining at least one telephone number from a received electronic message, and assigning the determined telephone number dynamically to a button on the telephone to provide a speed dial button on the telephone. Determining the telephone number may include comparing an electronic mail address in an address field of the electronic message with a telephone directory to determine a telephone number associated with the address. If the electronic message is a text or a voice message, determining the telephone number may include parsing a body of the message to determine a telephone number, if present, which has been included into the body of the text message.

Abstract: A method of providing telecommunication service includes receiving caller identification information associated with a call to a communication device and determining whether the caller identification information corresponds to any of a plurality of stored identifiers, each stored identifier associated with audio data. The method further includes transmitting, in response to determining that the caller identification information corresponds to a stored identifier, audio data associated with the corresponding stored identifier to the communication device.

Abstract: A method of operating a phone is provided and includes receiving input to set a phone in a do-not disturb mode and to set a time period during which the do-not-disturb mode is activated and setting the phone accordingly, upon reception of an incoming call from a caller during the time period, activating a caller ID function of the phone, detecting a caller ID of the caller and searching for the caller ID in black- and white-lists. In an event the caller ID of the caller is stored in the blacklist, the voicemail function is activated or the incoming call is ended. In an event the caller ID of the caller is stored in the whitelist, an input of the password associated with the caller ID is requested, and, in an event the caller inputs the password, the ringing function is activated.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying telemarketer communications directed to a subscriber of a call screening service is provided. A link monitoring system monitors all inbound and outbound calls of a carrier network collecting data such as calling and called telephone directory numbers, and a termination status for at least each inbound call to a calling number. The data is analyzed at a telemarketer detection module to determine calling patterns of calling numbers. If a calling pattern of a calling telephone number matches a profile of telemarketer communications, the calling number is stored in a database of telephone directory numbers associated with telemarketer communications. A call is received from a calling party directed to a subscriber of the call screening service. Then a determination is made as to whether a telephone directory number of the calling party is known.

Abstract: A system and method for selecting callers on a communication device is disclosed. When a call is received from a caller, call history data are obtained from a call history database, and presented on a display. A user may then decide based on the call history whether to receive the call.

Abstract: A system for obtaining location data of calling parties for telephone calls provides location data for display by a called device. Through reception of the name, telephone number, or other calling party identifier as is done through the conventional caller ID service, the called device formulates a query to a database containing location data for calling parties. Existing advanced intelligent network infrastructure may be used to provide caller ID data to the called device, and the called device uses this caller ID data to formulate the query to the database. Additionally, the called device may have access to multiple databases containing location data and may detect an appropriate database to query based upon analysis of the caller ID data that has been received.

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.