Routing An Incoming Call On Multiple Lines To A Particular Appliance (e.g., Facsimile, Computer, Or Telephone) Patents (Class 379/142.07)
  • Publication number: 20100040215
    Abstract: An embodiment of a method for routing an incoming call includes receiving an incoming call addressed to a single phone number associated with a plurality of users at a network routing device. The method further includes determining, by the network routing device, an incoming caller identifier associated with the incoming call and determining, by the network routing device whether the incoming caller identifier matches at least one caller identifier in a caller list associated with at least one particular user of the plurality of users. If the caller identifier matches a caller identifier in a caller list associated with the particular user, the incoming call is routed, by the network routing device, to at least one telephone associated with the particular user.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 13, 2008
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Shekhar Gupta, Mike A. Roberts
  • Patent number: 7664252
    Abstract: The present invention enables an alert message and the display of calling party identity on all on-hook phones associated with an extension sharing the same phone number, when one phone is off-hook and in use. In one exemplary embodiment, this capability enables all other members of a household to receive information regarding an incoming call even when one phone is in use by another member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Marian Croak, Hossein Eslambolchi
  • Patent number: 7613172
    Abstract: Sensor nodes (or addresses therefore), acting as real-time message decoys, are distributed across a real-time communications network to attract unsolicited real-time messages. Filtering rules are derived from the message characteristics (such as the source address) and messaging content of the traffic encountered at the sensor nodes. The filtering rules are distributed to filtering agents positioned in the communications network in such a way that they can filter traffic for legitimate users. The filtering agents may identify and control the disposition of real-time messaging traffic that is part of a mass communication campaign on behalf of legitimate users of the real-time messaging communication system. Disposition may include suppressing, diverting, or labeling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: WatchGuard Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Rod Gilchrist, Richard Fogel, Robert Osborne, John Alsop
  • Patent number: 7606357
    Abstract: Simultaneous Ring Called Party Identification services identify an actual communications address (or other called party identifier) of an answering communications device in a simultaneous ring service. In some of the exemplary embodiments, a calling party uses a communications device that includes a computer program product—a Simultaneous Ring Called Party Identification Module—that requests a Simultaneous Ring Called Party Identification signal that includes a communications address of an answering communications device. The Simultaneous Ring Called Party Identification signal may be associated with multiple communications devices of the answering communications address, such as a POTS phone and a computer coupled with a modem communicating with a telecommunications network from the same switch. The Simultaneous Ring Called Party Identification signal may include text, video, voice, and/or digital data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Brian K. Daigle
  • Publication number: 20090181657
    Abstract: Multiple instances of an incoming call in an integrated system capable of communicating through multiple networks are associated such that the called party is provided a single (merged) notification along with options to select among available call types. The call is established using a selected network and end device registered to the called user. Association of the instances is accomplished by comparing caller identity derived from a variety of information associated with the calling party. Conversation or correlation IDs are used to associate the instances as being for the same call and with other related communications such as a related instant messaging session.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Rajesh Ramanathan, Pradipta Kumar Basu, Amritansh Raghav, Nikhil P. Bobde, Sriram K. Parameswar
  • Patent number: 7536000
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a communication method integrating network and extension forwarding to automatically broadcast caller messages to specific computer IP addresses, which will transmit in real-time the caller messages to a computer specified by each extension user, and display all kinds of information in a multimedia form, via network. The present invention comprises a main server, a caller ID module, a DTMF (Dual Tone Multi-Frequency) module, a telephone extension data base, a caller information database, a network communication interface, and a client-side program. When a user dials into an enterprise switch, the extension number that the caller intends to forward, and the caller's phone number will be retrieved, and be automatically transmitted to a computer specified by the extension user, thereby facilitating the retrieval of caller information for the extension user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2009
    Inventor: Tien-Hwa Ho
  • Patent number: 7532715
    Abstract: A system and methods through which incoming calls to and/or outgoing calls from a telephone can be controlled. The present invention utilizes an authorized caller list to determine whether an incoming call should be connected, and a similar list to determine whether an outgoing call should be connected. The present invention can also facilitate the use of new telephone user interfaces, including by iterating through telephone numbers associated with a contact, until communications with the contact are established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Miller Asset, LLC.
    Inventor: Larry Miller
  • Patent number: 7532712
    Abstract: A system and method for providing caller ID in a multi-region cable network. Caller identifying (CID) information of an incoming VoIP call is provided to a digital telephone subscriber through a video termination device (VTD) using a path that is different from the path by which the VoIP call packets are delivered to the digital telephone subscriber. The telephone number of a digital telephone subscriber is associated with the IP address and/or MAC address of the subscriber's VTD. The called number of the incoming VoIP call is used to select the VTD to which the CID information is delivered. A message is then sent through an out-of-band to the digital telephone subscriber's VTD comprising the CID information for display on video display equipment. Alternatively, the VTD is DOCSIS-compliant and a message is addressed to the VTD using the IP address of the VTD DOCSIS modem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2009
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable, Inc.
    Inventors: Tom Gonder, Scott Ramsdell, Howard Pfeffer, Matthew Cannon, James Balasalle, Albert Straub
  • Patent number: 7515905
    Abstract: A subscriber to a remote call forwarding feature on a wire-line telephone line associated with a PBX (101) or central office (402), hereinafter, a “user”, can enable that feature by entering a feature code from an IP terminal (112, 412). The user enters a feature code from his/her IP terminal (112, 412), which feature code is received by a remote server (for example, server 110) having access to an IP user directory (113, 413), hereinafter, for example, an active user registry (AUR) database, and forwards necessary information for invoking the feature in a determined manner to a Service Control Point (SCP) (106, 406). The SCP recognizes the feature code as a request to invoke the remote call forwarding feature on the user's wire-line telephone so that calls directed to that wire-line telephone are forwarded to, for example, the user's cellular phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: AT & T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Lee Begeja, Jeffrey Joseph Farah, Neil A. Ostroff
  • Patent number: 7515698
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter provide methods and systems to receive an incoming call message via a data interface upon activation of a trigger established with a voice communication network and activated when the voice communication network receives an incoming call to a destination identified by a pre-determined subscriber account; generate a call notification in response to the incoming call message; obtain a list of set-top boxes corresponding to the pre-determined subscriber account; and route the call notification to the set-top boxes on the list.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignee: AT & T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Ryan Van Wyk, Brian Bearden, Scott Steinbrueck
  • Patent number: 7496190
    Abstract: A method and system for providing call forwarding in an IP telephone network is disclosed. First, when a telephone number for a first telephone from a second telephone is dialed, the call is routing to a call manager. Call setup procedures with a BRG responsible for the first telephone are then initiated. The BRG then checks stored call forwarding profiles to determine whether there is an active call forwarding profile for the first telephone. The call is connected to the first telephone if an active call forwarding profile is not found. However, if an active call forwarding profile is found, the call forwarding information is sent to the call manager. The call is routed to at least a third telephone based on the call forwarding information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Fen-Chung Kung, Jesse Eugene Russell, Anish Sankalia, Hopeton S Walker, Spencer C. Wang
  • Patent number: 7496357
    Abstract: An automated telephone assistant device and associated methods including a base unit in communication with a telephone network, wherein the base unit is operable for executing a first algorithm disposed within the base unit and selectively allowing a telephone call received from the telephone network to be transmitted to a telephone handset belonging to a user and selectively preventing the telephone call received from the telephone network from being transmitted to the telephone handset belonging to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2009
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Julie Dunn, Barrett Kreiner
  • Patent number: 7489770
    Abstract: An incoming call notification is performed based on a caller number extracted from a call-in signal and a user status stored in a user status storage unit, and thereby, the incoming call is notified adequately in accordance with the user status and a caller. For example, the contents of the incoming call notification is changed in accordance with a busyness of a user or an importance of the caller, and thereby, a flexible response by the user becomes possible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2009
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Nemoto, Shinichi Kashimoto, Michiaki Eri
  • Patent number: 7483525
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system, method, device and machine readable medium for a selecting a recipient device or address with which a sender communicates. A sender using a sender device communicates with a recipient device selection server to indicate he wishes to communicate with a recipient. The sender indicates in what communication mode he wishes to communicate. The recipient device selection server determines all of the recipient devices and which communication modes they can receive. The recipient device selection server then selects a recipient device for the sender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2009
    Inventors: Navin Chaddha, Adesh Desai, Sanjeev Kuwadekar, Dan Sodhi
  • Patent number: 7480065
    Abstract: A fax processing system handles faxes that are originally destined for a recipient's phone number. The fax processing system communicates with the fax recipient via a data communications network (for example, the Internet) and can provide more sophisticated fax handling capabilities than conventional fax machines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2009
    Assignee: Callwave, Inc.
    Inventors: David S Trandal, David J Brahm, Leland W Kirchhoff, Robert A Dolan, David F Hofstatter
  • Publication number: 20090003569
    Abstract: The claimed subject matter provides a system and/or a method that facilitates enhancing connectivity associated with data communications. An interface can receive a portion of communication state data, wherein the communication state data is related to at least one of a data communication mode and a user context state. A routing component can evaluate the portion of communication state data to identify an optimized data communication mode, wherein the optimized data communication mode is dynamically linked to a virtual contact identifier. Moreover, the routing component can automatically and seamlessly employ an optimized communication session utilizing the dynamically identified optimized data communication mode based upon an activation of the virtual contact identifier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Scott C. Forbes, Ross Cutler, Timothy M. Moore, Jeremy T. Buch, Anthony J. Bawcutt
  • Patent number: 7469045
    Abstract: A process for presenting a state of availability of a user for communications using a plurality of telecommunication devices including at least one means for the production of the presentation associated with an intelligent platform, including acquiring first data composed of characteristics of a user including at least one identification of the user, at least two terminals to which the user can be associated with at least one characteristic of a connection mode and including storage at an address accessible to the intelligent platform of the characteristics, updating second data representative of a physical and/or logic state of a terminal of a user and/or of a general physical and/or logic state of the user with requests for the updating of the physical and/or logic state of an associated terminal and/or of the user by virtue of identification of a user and/or of the user's terminal by a system and/or an authorized user and including optional storage at an address accessible to the intelligent platform of t
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: Pushmessenger
    Inventor: Panagiotis Liakis
  • Patent number: 7466809
    Abstract: A system and method for routing an incoming call to a subscriber-selected destination number in accordance with dynamic data concerning the subscriber provided by an address book, a calendar and a presence server. A routing system routes the incoming call in accordance with a subscriber-defined routing rule associated with the originating number of the incoming call, as determined from the address book. The routing rule may specify that the incoming call be routed to a destination number associated with the current date and time, as indicated by the calendar. The routing rule may specify, alternatively or in addition thereto, that the incoming call be routed to a destination number associated with a presence-enabled service on which the subscriber is currently active. The subscriber or caller may also be alternatively notified of the routing of the incoming call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: James M. Carnazza, Arun Guha, Douglas M. Nortz, Russell P. Sharples
  • Patent number: 7463727
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T International Property, I, L.P.
    Inventors: Blake R. Urban, Isaac D. M. White, James E. Dickens, Kevin Forsberg, Charles Sawyer
  • Patent number: 7457613
    Abstract: A method for communicating on a wireless network includes receiving a mode signal from a network node. The mode signal represents an operational mode of the network node. The operational mode is defined by selecting from among a plurality of services at least one service whose reception over the wireless network is to be suspended or reinstated. Communication between the network node and the wireless network is subsequently conducted by taking into account the received mode signal. The network node may be a wireless communicator such as a cellular telephone or a fixed station device. Alternatively, the network node may be a wireless switch or a cellular base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Ileana A. Leuca, Michael Allen Raffel
  • Patent number: 7403604
    Abstract: An enhanced services display message protocol (ESDMP) facilitates display of messages in a compliant analog telephony device (ATD). An exemplary gateway device in a voice over packet (VOP) network can activate enhanced services in a compliant ATD using the ESDMP and includes a controller and first and second interfaces. One of the interfaces can transmit and receive communications over a VOP network. The other interface can transmit and receive voice band message data modulated according to a frequency shift keying (FSK) protocol. The ESDMP can be used to configure the gateway to activate features supported by the ATD, to update call state information and to display feature state information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Satish Kumar Manmal Mundra, Satyamurthy Yadavalli, Manoj Sindhwani
  • Publication number: 20080075251
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to the field of telecommunications and more particularly to a method of and system for organizing, prioritizing and placing a user's outgoing telephone calls. One embodiment of the invention allows a user to generate an electronic list of telephone calls to be made, the ordering of entries being made by priority level, higher priority entries being placed higher on the list than lower priority entries. The user simply requests that the next highest priority call in the list be made, and the method and system identifies the telephone number for the next party on the sorted list and places the call. Thus, the user can step through his list of calls without having to locate telephone numbers or waste time dealing with unimportant calls. Other embodiments allow the user to determine whether a potential callee is available, or willing to accept his call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Iotum Corporation, a Delaware corporation
    Inventors: Todd Jefferson, Yanick Dufresne, Andrew Hackston, Noam David Tomczak, Alec Saunders, Howard H. Thaw
  • Patent number: 7315614
    Abstract: A remote call notification system for incoming calls to a wireline telecommunications device. The system includes a switch, a service control point, an intelligent server, and a monitoring module all in communication with each other. The remote call notification is transmitted to a remote communication device such as a PC, an interactive pager, and a mobile phone. The call notification includes a calling number, the name of a calling party, time and date identifiers, status identifiers that provides a real-time status of the incoming communication, a disposition identifier, and a priority identifier. A remote call notification method including detecting an incoming communication to a subscriber's wireline communication device, creating a remote call notification, assigning an access address associated with a remote communication device, and forwarding the remote call notification to the remote communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Delaware Intellectual Property, Inc.
    Inventors: James C. Bedingfield, Sr., David A. Levine, Anita Simpson
  • Patent number: 7257211
    Abstract: At least one MULAP line in a communication installation is controlled and/or monitored using an application. To simplify the combination of MULAP lines and CTI applications, or to allow it at all, each MULAP line has an associated MULAP call number, and a plurality of terminals can access these MULAP lines, each of the MULAP lines having a respective associated terminal as master terminal. First, the application sends an order for a MULAP call number to the communication installation. The communication installation then converts the MULAP call number into the terminal call number of the master terminal associated with this MULAP line and carries out the order for this terminal call number, all messages relating to MULAP line being sent as those associated with the master terminal from the communication installation to the application as messages associated with this MULAP call number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2007
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Luc Crevits, Freddy De Clercq
  • Patent number: 7248679
    Abstract: A PBX connected to a public exchange includes a separate caller ID service unit for providing a caller ID and/or a system tone by performing a digital signal process. To display the caller ID on a receiver terminal, or caller ID phone, a line is established with the PBX through general switched telephone network, and a CID received through the line is converted and stored in the caller ID service block mounted with at least one memory through a switching block, under control by a control block. Then, the control block transmits all or part of the stored CIDs to the caller ID phone through the switching block and/or a subscriber line convergency unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: LG-Nortel Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Pil Heon Choi
  • Patent number: 7212618
    Abstract: A system (130) forwards a telephone call to a user. The system (130) receives a telephone call from a calling party and compares the name of the calling party to a list of names. If the calling party's name matches a name in the list, the system (130) forwards the telephone call to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Verizon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Cooperman, Albert M. Forcucci
  • Patent number: 7203294
    Abstract: A system and method for routing an incoming call to a subscriber-selected destination number in accordance with dynamic data concerning the subscriber provided by an address book, a calendar and a presence server. A routing system routes the incoming call in accordance with a subscriber-defined routing rule associated with the originating number of the incoming call, as determined from the address book. The routing rule may specify that the incoming call be routed to a destination number associated with the current date and time, as indicated by the calendar. The routing rule may specify, alternatively or in addition thereto, that the incoming call be routed to a destination number associated with a presence-enabled service on which the subscriber is currently active. The subscriber or caller may also be alternatively notified of the routing of the incoming call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: James M. Carnazza, Arun Guha, Douglas M. Nortz, Russell P. Sharples
  • Patent number: 7116974
    Abstract: A subscriber to a remote call forwarding feature on a wire-line telephone line associated with a PBX (101) or central office (402), hereinafter, a “user”, can enable that feature by entering a feature code from an IP terminal (112, 412). The user enters a feature code from his/her IP terminal (112, 412), which feature code is received by a remote server (for example, server 110) having access to an IP user directory (113, 413), hereinafter, for example, an active user registry (AUR) database, and forwards necessary information for invoking the feature in a determined manner to a Service Control Point (SCP) (106, 406). The SCP recognizes the feature code as a request to invoke the remote call forwarding feature on the user's wire-line telephone so that calls directed to that wire-line telephone are forwarded to, for example, the user's cellular phone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2006
    Assignee: Cingular Wireless, II LLC
    Inventors: Lee Begeja, Jeffrey J Farah, Neil A Ostroff
  • Patent number: 7103163
    Abstract: A method for handling calls for a telephonic device using a call processor is provided. The call processor intercepts a signal for the telephonic device, where the signal includes call information usable by the call processor. The call processor then searches a database for the call information. The database includes one or more actions corresponding to the call information. Once the one or more actions are found, the call processor takes an action based on the corresponding action determined by the search.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc.
    Inventor: Charles I. Cook
  • Patent number: 7058733
    Abstract: A portable handheld computing device has a notification system that alerts a user of an event regardless of whether the device is on or off. The notification system has a notification mechanism that is activated upon occurrence of the event and remains active until the user acknowledges the activated mechanism. In one implementation, the notification mechanism is a light emitting diode (LED) mounted externally on the handheld computing device. The LED is visible to the user when the lid is closed onto the base (i.e., the device is off) or when the lid is open (i.e., the device is on). The notification mechanism also has a deactivation button mounted externally of the handheld computing device. The user depresses the deactivation button to deactivate the LED. The LED and deactivation button may be integrated as a single component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: William Vong, Chad Schwitters
  • Patent number: 7058415
    Abstract: The dual mode handset system provides unified cellular service and wire-line service with a single Directory Number assigned to the dual mode handset and a corresponding cordless base station that are connected to the subscriber's local wire-line (POTS line) connection to the telephone network. The dual mode handset is programmed to operate as a cordless telephone when in proximity of the cordless base station. The handset operates as a cellular telephone when it is out of reach of the cordless base station. The dual mode handset is assigned the same telephone number as the subscriber's connection to a local wire-line telephone switching system. Consequently, the Caller ID information is consistent on calls originated through the dual mode handset, regardless of whether the call passes through the cordless base station to the subscriber's connection to a local wire-line telephone switching system or the cellular network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: William Jackson Bushnell, John E. Allers
  • Patent number: 6999568
    Abstract: An internet connecting system enables internet connection to be implemented simply. The user starts present system when the user connects a client computer to an internet. The client computer makes a telephone call to a server of a provider. The side of the server judges whether telephone number can be acquired on the occasion of the reception. When the telephone number can not be acquired, it causes the client computer to be informed that the telephone number is non-informed. The client computer side who receives this information performs re-dial to the server with the telephone number added “186” thereto at the head of the server's telephone number. When the telephone number can be acquired, it causes the nearest access point to the client computer to be selected from an access point table according to the telephone number, before informing the client computer about the access point. The client computer makes a telephone call to the access point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Fumiyuki Miyahara
  • Patent number: 6999563
    Abstract: The present invention enhances directory assistance automation by searching traditional directory assistance databases with independent listing and locality queries. Initially, a caller's speech responses from a directory assistance inquiry are individually converted to independent listing and locality search queries. The listing and locality queries are determined by processing the caller's speech responses using a defined speech recognition grammar. The listing and locality queries are used to search a directory assistance database. Once the listing results are returned from the directory assistance database, the records in the listing results are analyzed to select a number for the caller's directory assistance request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2006
    Assignee: Volt Delta Resources, LLC
    Inventors: Michael G. Thorpe, Robert C. Detrie, Gregory J. Bielby
  • Patent number: 6950503
    Abstract: A mediation system as disclosed herein is capable of performing a method for facilitating mediated communication. In at least one embodiment of the method for facilitating mediated communication, the method includes receiving a communication request, determining a context associated with the communication request in response to receiving the communication request, and preparing contextual decision information in response to determining the context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: SoloMio Corporation
    Inventors: Richard L. Schwartz, Stuart Evans
  • Patent number: 6950507
    Abstract: An arrangement that includes at least two PBXs interconnected by a network employs CTI ports to control operation of the PBXs. Through such control, a user can set up a telephonic presence in a visited PBX such that, to the user and to all others who interact with the user, it appears that the user is at the user's office, rather than at an office that is served by the visited PBX. This is effected by forwarding calls that are destined to the user at the user's office to the visited PBX, and by translating all dialing commands of the user at the visited PBX, and acting upon the translated commands, so as to provide the user with the features available to the user at the user's office while presenting an appearance to called parties that the user is at the user's office.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2005
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventor: Alan E. Kaplan
  • Patent number: 6856678
    Abstract: A method for updating call redirection destinations, in which a call redirection destination which has been changed by a user entry on a first subscriber terminal is stored for a second subscriber terminal, which forms a point of origin for a call redirection, in an associated memory together with the point of origin of the call redirection as call redirection information. The stored call redirection information is sent to a control unit associated with the second subscriber terminal. The control unit checks whether a call redirection indicated by the call redirection information has been set up. A call redirection is set up on the basis of the result of the check.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventors: Ian Catley, Martin Gartner, Hans-Peter Vow Ow, Stefan Honold, Burkhard Speitkamp
  • Patent number: 6853712
    Abstract: A communication apparatus for an exchange network having a service of notifying the telephone number of a caller during a call-receiving operation can recognize respective callers of past call-receiving operations. During a call-receiving operation, a communication partner's telephone number detection unit detects the telephone number (identification information) of the caller, and stores the detected telephone number in a nonvolatile RAM (random access memory). The RAM can store a plurality of sets of identification information, which are recorded and output in the form of a list by a recording unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2005
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hisashi Toyoda, Toshio Kenmochi
  • Publication number: 20040264656
    Abstract: A method and apparatus permit handling of unwanted calls from callers such as telemarketers, when caller identification is provided. In one embodiment, the called party adds the caller identification information for the telemarketer to a personal list after receiving the unwanted call. Subsequent calls from the telemarketer are intercepted. In a second embodiment, the called party identifies the telemarketer by detecting the caller identification information before answering the call. By providing a screen listing indication, the caller identification information is added to the called party's personal list before the call is completed, permitting the call to be intercepted and while future calls from the telemarketer to be intercepted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2004
    Publication date: December 30, 2004
    Applicant: SBC Properties, L.P.
    Inventors: Patrick J. Walsh, Theodore J. Myers, Jose M. Cruz, Bruce E. Stuckman, John G. Rauch
  • Publication number: 20040240650
    Abstract: A system and method for improved real-time communications in a computer system that eliminates the distinctions between various communication devices, communication channels and types of communication, including voice, text and video, is provided. When connected for communication, the user may easily move between modalities, including switching devices on which the user is communicating, switching networks, and transitioning between types of communication. A computer system includes various integrated communications-related devices, and a controller controls those devices based on user actions entered via buttons or user interface software and provides notifications to the user. The user is able to input data via any appropriate input mechanism, and receive data on any suitable output mechanism. Improved non-linear caller ID navigation is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Applicant: MICROSOFT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric Gould Bear, Chad Magendanz, Aditha May Adams, Carl Ledbetter, Steve Kaneko
  • Publication number: 20040218731
    Abstract: Monitoring calls in compliance with a law enforcement regulation or governmental law or order in a telecommunications network is provided. A law enforcement application executes commands that effect the law enforcement regulation. A primary rate interface (PRI) coupled to the law enforcement application redirects calls to be regulated by law enforcement regulation. A method for effecting a law enforcement regulation in a telecommunications network provides a law enforcement application is that regulates calls and a primary rate interface (PRI) for redirecting the calls to be regulated by law enforcement regulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Inventors: Bizhan Karimi-Cherkandi, Farrokh Mohammadzadeh Kouchri
  • Patent number: 6810115
    Abstract: In a transmitting-side telephone apparatus 1 of a telephone system, a multimedia data multiplexing portion 108 multiplexes character data in a character data memory 101, image data in an image data memory 104, and music data in a music data memory 107 to produce multiplexed multimedia data to be memorized in a caller identification information holding memory 109 as caller identification information. A communication control information/caller identification information multiplexing portion 110 multiplexes communication control information from a transmission communication control portion 111 and the caller identification information from the caller identification information holding memory 109 to produce multiplexed transmission data to be transmitted through a transmitting portion 112.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Michiko Fukuda
  • Patent number: 6798872
    Abstract: A caller information display system and recording medium in a communication system in which voice communication and data communication can be done between multiple terminals over a network following an Internet protocol, includes a caller information storage unit in which caller information of each local terminal is stored in advance in each terminal, and an input unit that inputs caller information. A display unit displays caller information, and a call circuit unit controls voice communication. The display system also has a caller information transmission and reception control unit which controls transmission and reception of caller information when a call is made or received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masaharu Matsumoto, Shigehiko Yazawa
  • Publication number: 20040096046
    Abstract: A call screening system and method. The method can include receiving an inbound telephone call destined for a called party. Associated caller identification data can be identified from the inbound telephone call. The associated caller identification data can be compared to a filter list of caller identification data. Finally, based upon the comparison, call management rules can be applied to the inbound call to manage the inbound call by either deferring the inbound call to voice mail, or automatically answering the inbound call without requiring pro-active intervention by the called party. Significantly, each of the receiving, identifying, comparing and applying steps is performed in a telephone tranceiving device. Alternatively, the receiving, identifying, comparing and applying steps can be performed centrally in a call processing switch.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2002
    Publication date: May 20, 2004
    Applicant: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: David B. Lection, Eric L. Masselle
  • Patent number: 6724749
    Abstract: An internet telephony system includes a plurality of switching equipment which accommodate a plurality of terminals which can perform at least one of voice communication and data communication, an internet network including a gate keeper, and a plurality of gateways which connect the plurality of switching equipment to the internet network and make it possible to perform communication through the switching equipment and the internet network by communication protocol conversion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Masayuki Tashiro, Kazuyuki Ohtsu, Noriyuki Fukuyama, Masanobu Morinaga, Takahiro Shirakawa, Kenichi Tonomura
  • Publication number: 20040047458
    Abstract: A relatively simple redialer device is provided at the customer's home to redirect outgoing alarm calls to a middleware processing center. The redialer first dials “★82” (or other appropriate code) to disable caller-ID blocking. The redialer then redirects the alarm call to a middleware processing center. The middleware processing center receives the alarm call and determines the customer identification by detecting the caller ID. The middleware processing center then dials out to the appropriate alarm company for that customer, and transfers the alarm data along with customer identification information (account number or the like) in a data format compatible with the alarm monitoring company's computers. The alarm is then handled by the alarm monitoring company in the normal manner practiced by the alarm monitoring company.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2003
    Publication date: March 11, 2004
    Inventors: Harvey Alexander Elliot, Bryan Field-Elliot
  • Publication number: 20040013252
    Abstract: A method and associated apparatus for indicating the voice of each talker from a plurality of talkers to be heard by a listener. The method uses a signal that is transmitted over a telecommunications system. The method includes projecting the voice from each one of the plurality of talkers to the listener. A talker indicator is provided proximate to the listener. Talker identification information is generated in the talker indicator that can be used to indicate the identity of each talker who is speaking at any given time to the listener. A device is coupled to the talker indicator that can transmit the voice signal from each talker to the listener. In different aspects, the talker identification information can include such varied indicators as audio, video, or an announcement combined with a temporally compressed voice signal. In another aspect, an emotographic figure is displayed to the listener that each represent a distinct talker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Applicant: General Instrument Corporation
    Inventor: Michael L. Craner
  • Publication number: 20040005044
    Abstract: In a system for integration of multi-function and information service, an electronic apparatus is connected to a teletelephone line for a user to edit message or instruction to transmit to the electronic apparatus through the teletelephone line. The electronic apparatus demodulates/decodes the received signal and then transfers it to its destination for remote control of intelligent appliance, delivery of message, placement of e-advertisement and various functions. In an embodiment, TV set is used as a data output medium for the electronic apparatus to output the received data in a video and/or audio format. In another embodiment, the electronic apparatus is integrated into a TV set to provide multi-function and information service in addition to entertainment function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventor: I-Hau Yeh
  • Publication number: 20040005042
    Abstract: A system and method that provides a dialog with the called party when a call is received, a process is initiated to communicate with the calling party and a process is initiated to communicate with the called party. The processes communicate with each other to provide limited communication between the called and calling parties without an actual connection being made between them. The called party process determines disposition of the call based on the caller ID of the calling party and the state of the called party telephone. Advantageously, the called party process prompts the called party as to how to handle the call. The called party can request further information regarding the person calling, the purpose of the call, etc., without a connection being made to the calling party.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2002
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Inventors: Krishna Kishore Dhara, David Joseph Skiba
  • Publication number: 20040005043
    Abstract: A system and method deliver audible caller identification information when standard Caller ID information can not be provided. A calling party is prompted by an announcement to provide the audible caller identification information. The announcement may be tailored by changing the language of the announcement, for example, to conform to the majority of calls received by the called party. A special designator may be stored in association with account information when the service is ordered. The designator is read before the announcement is played to the calling party. The audible caller identification information is recorded and played to the called party in a message. The message may be tailored by changing the language or format of the announcement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2003
    Publication date: January 8, 2004
    Applicant: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Teresa Farias Latter, John Wesley Moss, Thomas Joseph McBlain
  • Patent number: 6665381
    Abstract: A self-contained device using a single telephone line to receive telephone calls and facsimilies while being simultaneously connectable to the Internet, which provides an all-in-one solution for multiple devices present and operating on a single standard telephone line. The benefits include the ability to receive calls and faxes, whether online or not online and to remain online if already on line. Additionally, the present invention switches between voice and fax calls, automatically and without any intervention from the user. To achieve the combined functions, the present invention integrates a micro-processor which coordinates general functionality. Tone detection circuitry, which provides extremely narrow and selective detection range and detects the appropriate tones. Care is taken to assure a narrow enough detector design which will not false alarm or detect such sound as modem noise, which includes a fax tone and a call waiting tone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Inventor: Shary Nassimi