Abstract: Methods, systems, and storage mediums for implementing self-provisioning telephony services are provided. A method includes storing an access number at a service control server that services a local exchange carrier switch. The method also includes assigning a toll-free number to a customer account and distributing the toll-free number and access number to the corresponding customer. The method further includes receiving, at the local exchange carrier switch, a call from a customer, the call identified as the access number. The method also includes routing the call to a server and, absent human intervention, the server accessing the toll-free number identified for the customer account and generating a provisioning order that includes a customer telephone number from the customer account and the toll-free number. The method also includes transmitting the provisioning order to the service control server, the service control server activating the toll-free number for the customer account.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing caller identification services to an Internet Protocol-enabled device are provided. The method includes receiving a communication request from a caller device over a voice network, the communication request including a caller party number, mapping a called party number to an Internet Protocol-enabled device address of a called party, and sending the caller party number to the Internet Protocol-enabled device address corresponding to the called party number.

Abstract: A reliability authorizing device determines whether to authorize a service transfer based on reliability of a partner device or a partner user when one user of one device authenticates other user of other device to exchange the service between devices connected to a network. A partner-reliability collecting unit collects reliability of the partner device or the partner user. A partner-reliability providing unit provides the reliability of the partner device or the partner user collected by the partner-reliability collecting unit.

Abstract: A CTI-enabled SIP-Phone, and an associated method, is provided for a telephonic call center. Responsive to a call operation indication, such as delivery to the phone of a SIP invite message, or of a CTI-formatted call instruction, the embedded functionality of the SIP-Phone provides interfacing operations, such as CTI-to-SIP or SIP-to-CTI conversions, to facilitate communications of the phone at the call center.

Abstract: A system and method for improved audio controls on a personal computer is provided. The system and method provide a unified architecture for audio controls across hardware and software interfaces of the personal computer. An intelligent facility may automatically change audio controls for users to simply interact with various communications and media applications. To this end, a configurable audio controller intelligently handles various aspects of the system's audio devices by following various rules that may be based at least in part on user-configurable settings and a current operating state. The present invention also provides audio controls so that a user may easily change audio settings such as the volume of an audio output device. There are many applications that may use the present invention for automatic control of audio devices based upon the user's context.

Abstract: An animatronic telephone agent consisting of a communications subsystem connected to a wired or wireless telephone network for receiving incoming telephone calls, and a robotic automaton coupled to the communications subsystem and responsive to incoming telephone calls for performing different movements that provide non-verbal visual cues to a human observer that are indicative of the status of each incoming call. The automaton preferably takes the form of an animatronic device that has movable appendages and a face with at least movable eyes or eyelids and which provides visual cues by making gestures and/or exhibiting facial expressions that are indicative of the receipt and progress of incoming calls.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing announcements at a called number. A call is processed to the called number, and a database is queried for a name of an announcement for the call and an Internet Protocol address associated with the called number. A data message is sent to the Internet Protocol address that identifies the name of the announcement to be retrieved from memory of a device at the Internet Protocol address.

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: Provided is a ghost register processing apparatus and method. The ghost register processing apparatus may include a ghost setting determining unit to determine whether a ghost is set with respect to a caller identification (ID) that is received in response to a call request or a message reception and a reception information controller to store reception information associated with the caller ID in a ghost memory unit when the determining determines that the ghost is set.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method for rewarding an RBT, including selecting an RBT and initiating an RBT reward via a third-party platform in which a donator exists; processing an RBT reward request from a third-party platform, and downloading the RBT selected by the donator to a customized RBT library of the rewarded party when a predetermine condition is met. The CRBT platform may also return reward result information (Successful or Failed) to the third-party platform; the third-party platform receives the reward result information and charges the donator for the rewarded RBT. If the donator is charged successfully, the rewarded party is notified that the rewarded RBT is received; if the donator is charged unsuccessfully, the downloaded RBT is deleted from the customized RBT library of the rewarded party. The disclosure further describes a device and a system for implementing the method.

Abstract: Upon receiving a service code from a calling party, a list of parties previously called by the calling party is retrieved. An audio message is generated based on the list, and communicated to the calling party. A dialed input indicating a selected party from the list is received from the calling party. Based on the dialed input, a call between the calling party and the selected party is initiated.

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 channel 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.

Abstract: The functionality of Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) components and Internet-based resources are integrated to provide simultaneous visual and telephonic access to an interactive information delivery system. The present invention enhances conventional Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems by simultaneously providing visual information that corresponds to the voice-based information that is delivered telephonically. A user that contacts a conventional IVR service provider (IVR host) can be provided with the option of a Visual IVR (VIVR) session. The VIVR session can provide visual information to the user in the form of HTML-formatted web pages delivered over an Internet connection and will provide audible message information over a conventional wireless or wireline voice telephone connection. A VIVR session can coordinate the delivery of visual information (e.g., web pages) and the delivery of telephony-based information (e.g.

Abstract: This invention is directed to the method and system of providing a call number owner's information to a communication terminal through an information communication network, comprising the steps of: (a) receiving a call number owner's information that includes at least a call number and a call number owner's name or its business name, from a plurality of call number owner's terminals and storing it; (b) receiving a call number taken from any one of a list of absent calls, received calls or sent calls held in a memory of the communication terminal, for which call number the owner's information is required by a call number management program run on the communication terminal; (c) reading the call number owner's information corresponding to the received call number in said (b) step from the stored call number owner's information in said (a) step and transmitting the information to the call number management program.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method, system and apparatus for providing customized calling identification. A method for providing customized calling identification comprises receiving a request for initiating an out-going call from a communication client, the communication client being registered in association with a network address and being associated with a communication client identifier. The method further comprises, based on the communication client identifier, determining an auxiliary identifier associated with the communication client. The method further comprises augmenting the request for initiating an outgoing call with the auxiliary identifier to generate an augmented request.

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: A URL adapter for a Web browser that enables the integration of telephone numbers into a web browser's address line for parsing as a URI. The URL adapter bypasses traditional search hook functions to identify potential telephone numbers. The URL adapter has access to a name server for translating names entered into the browser into telephone numbers. The URL adapter can also parse Web pages to self-identify telephone numbers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling end-to-end media on packet networks such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) networks are disclosed. The present method provides an algorithm to be run by channel terminations such that the media channel is controlled by compositional actions. For example, the servers that terminate the media channel are able to respond on behalf of an endpoint in order to effect the appropriate compositional action. The present method also enables each direction of a bi-directional media channel to be controlled independent of the media channel in the opposite direction.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method includes selecting call detail report (CDR) call setup attributes from captured CDR data, refining the CDR data, and summing CDR amount attribute values for each set of CDR call entries having common values for the selected CDR call setup attributes. Each set of one or more CDR call entries having common values for the CDR call setup attributes are combined into a single refined CDR call entry having the common CDR call setup attribute values and the summed CDR amount attribute values. The summing process is repeated for each set of CDR data associated with each of a plurality of network elements. After summing the CDR attribute amount values for call entries having common CDR setup call attribute values for each switch, CDR attribute amount values associated with common CDR setup attribute values in call entries associated with all switches are summed to generate a final set of refined CDR data.

Abstract: A system is provided for managing telephone calls made to special service numbers. Information extracted from incoming telephone calls can be received by a system server and cross-referenced with a database to obtain cross-referenced caller information pertaining to previous customer telephone calls and/or in person customer meetings. The cross-referenced caller information can be passed to a client workstation and displayed to the user in the form of an industry-specific template formatted in accordance with the business needs of the user. The template can be automatically populated with the cross-referenced caller information. During the telephone call, the user can view and update the caller information, thereby maintaining a retrievable record of the telephone call. With regard to the multi-housing industry in particular, caller information can be displayed in the form of a guest card template and/or a service card template.

Abstract: Methods of processing a call initiated by a caller and received by a call processing system wherein, in at least one embodiment, information specific to the caller's identity is obtained, at least one message is selected automatically and based on the obtained information, and the at least one message is automatically presented to the caller, among other aspects. The obtained information upon which the at least one message is automatically selected may also be automatically obtained. Such automatically obtained information may also be obtained based on or employ previously obtained information, including previously obtained information that was also automatically obtained.

Abstract: A method implemented by a network entity that comprises identifying contact information associated with a previously-originated call, receiving from a user information indicative of a desired modification to a database associated with the user, wherein the desired modification involves the contact information associated with the previously-originated call. The method further comprises configuring the database associated with the user at least in part on the basis of the desired modification and the contact information associated with the previously-originated call.

Abstract: A routing system is provided for intelligent routing of instant messages between clients connected to a data network and customer service representatives connected to the network. The system comprises at least one instant message server and at least one intermediate server connected to and addressable on the network, the intermediate server capable of routing and accessible to the instant message server. Clients connecting to the instant message server through instant message software assert a connection link advertised by the instant message server to establish bi-directional communication between the client machine and the intermediate server. In preferred application, the intermediate server interacts with the client for identification of client and client software.

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

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for presenting differentiated calling party identifiers representative of a calling party to various called parties based on the identifier information for a particular called party. The differentiated calling party identifier that is conveyed to a called party may be selected from a list of calling party identifiers associated with the calling party. The system receives an indication of an attempt to initiate a call by a calling party which includes identifier information indicative of the called party, determines a calling party identifier to be conveyed to the called party based on the identifier information indicative of the called party and causes an appropriate calling party identifier to be conveyed in association with the initiated call.

Abstract: Information processing apparatus that can improve the convenience of data sharing. A portable apparatus has a voice call function implemented by a voice call block and a data storage function implemented by a shared data storage block. A voice call destination information output block identifies the destination of a voice call, when the voice call block and the voice call function of the information processing apparatus start the voice call, and outputs voice call destination identification information identifying the voice call destination. Receiving the identification information output by the voice call destination information output block, an access control block judges whether the received identification information is included in access control information stored in an access control information storage block.

Abstract: An enhanced telephony (ET) computer user interface that seamlessly integrates features of a personal computer (PC) and a telephone into a coherent user interface. The user is provided with a rich variety of functionality that leverages the fact that the PC has considerably more processing power and greater access to variety of data than the ordinary telephone. This processing power and data access is used to the user's advantage as the telephone's capabilities and functionality are greatly expanded. In general, the ET user interface includes a plurality of environments for the user to choose. These environments include a My Contacts environment, a communication preferences environment, and a Call History environment. Each of these environments contains certain available processes and features for controlling and managing telephones.

Abstract: A system and method for simultaneously conducting multiple telephone conversations is provided. In an embodiment, a user converses with one individual on a first channel while simultaneously transmitting audible utterances to a second individual or a second channel. The user can select the desired channel or channels and a desired phrase and an electronic representation of the selected phrase is transmitted over the selected channel(s).

Abstract: An interface for personal communications systems is described which provides rapid identification of a caller and limited access based on a variety of parameters obtained from caller identification information encoded by the telephone company. The incoming telephone call information is compared to a preprogrammed access matrix to determine if the caller is authorized to access the personal communications system connected to the interface. A telephone call screening method and apparatus which incorporates the encoded caller identification is also described.

Abstract: A user accesses a destination such as a call centre 6; the call centre generates a record for insertion into the user's personal address book (e.g. at server 3) with a telephone number of the centre 6 and metadata concerning a transaction. To place a later call on the same matter, the user selects, either using his telephone or via a separate terminal, the address book entry and the call is made. The centre 6 receives the user's telephone number via the calling line identity (CLI) and translates this (at 8) into a data address whereby it can “pull” the metadata from the personal address book at 3. Alternatively the server 3 can translate the centre's telephone number into a data address to “push” the metadata to the centre.

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.

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.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses are disclosed for announcing audio caller identification information to a PC or other IP communications device connected with a telecommunications network. A calling party dials a called telephone number and an incoming communications signal is detected, decoded, and used to generate a data message that associates a selection of announcement fields and/or files with the incoming communications signal in the telecommunications network. The telecommunications network transmits the data message and the incoming communications signal to the called telephone number. The PC or IP communications device associated with the called telephone number receives the data message. The data message is deciphered, associated with locally stored announcement fields and/or files, and otherwise transformed to play the audio caller identification announcement.

Abstract: A user selects a ringtone or other alert pattern that can be played to provide notification of an incoming call and provisions the user-selected alert pattern into a mobile station. The mobile station is communicatively coupled to a docking station. When the mobile station receives an incoming call, the docking station plays the user-selected alert pattern through one or more audio systems associated with the docking station.

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.

Abstract: A method is presented for managing user chat status in a chat application. The chat application automatically detects user activity and/or user inactivity external to the chat application and then automatically sets a user chat status value within the chat application based on the detected user activity and/or the detected user inactivity. The chat application may automatically set the user's current chat status at a given time, for example: based on retrieved schedule information that reflects the user's activity at that given time; based on application usage information that reflects the user's activity at that given time with other applications; based on telephone usage information that reflects the user's telephone activity at that given time; based on information about the ambient environment that reflects the user's activity or inactivity in the ambient environment at that given time; or some other automatically gathered information.

Abstract: An advanced intelligent network (AIN) based system and method that allows a subscriber connected to the Internet to receive customized call alerts and caller identification information concerning an incoming telephone call. Using client software, the subscriber associates telephone numbers to sound files. Then, when an incoming call with caller identification information is received, the client software determines whether the incoming telephone number points to a sound file. If so, the client software directs the sound file to play.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to enable the user, in the case of a wired telephone, to check an incoming call even when the user is not present near the telephone and, regardless of the type of the telephone, enable the user to check calling party information when a call arrives. A gateway apparatus associates a PDA with a NET telephone connected to a LAN and, upon receiving an incoming call to the NET telephone, notifies the PDA of the calling telephone number received from a local exchange. When the incoming call notification is received from the gateway apparatus, the PDA causes a ringing tone to sound and displays the received calling telephone number. Further, based on the calling telephone number, the PDA searches telephone directory data stored therein and displays calling party information such as the caller's name.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for deleting a text message received in a mobile communication terminal including an information detecting unit for detecting deletion time information from the received text message; a time checking unit for checking whether the deletion time arrives; and a deleting unit for deleting the received text message at the deletion time. The deletion time information is generated when the text message is generated by a calling side mobile communication terminal, is transmitted, and then is inserted as a predetermined tag into a CHARi field of a user data subparameter, from among subparameters of the bearer data parameter of the transport layer in the short message service data burst message structure. Otherwise, the deletion time information is included in a validity period subparameter, or is detected in a newly added subparameter.

Abstract: In accordance with embodiments, there are provided mechanisms and methods for integrating a private branch exchange (PBX)-equipped client and an on-demand database service. These mechanisms and methods for integrating a PBX-equipped client and an on-demand database service can enable embodiments with additional infrastructure at the client that is better equipped to leverage the on-demand database service. The ability of embodiments to provide such client side infrastructure can enable additional enhanced services in conjunction with telephone calls, etc.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for locating and retrieving stored computer files that are related to an incoming telephone call directed to a computer user. A called party receives a telephone call while the called party is operating her computer. A computer telephony interface receives caller identification information on the calling party and uses that information to launch a software synchronization program for locating files stored on the called party's computer that are related to the calling party. A dialog box is displayed on the screen of the called party's computer that provides the caller identification on the calling party and provides an icon for displaying a list of stored files related to the incoming caller. The list of files may be automatically presented to the called party, or the called party may retrieve the list of stored files by selection of the icon presented in the dialog box.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present invention provides a system that facilitates developing applications with telephony functionality. The system includes a session initiation protocol (SIP) gateway configured to interface with a public switched telephone network (PSTN). The SIP gateway translates telephone calls from telephones coupled to the PSTN to SIP protocol messages. A SIP server coupled to the SIP gateway accepts these SIP protocol messages and an application server accesses a voice extensible markup language (VXML) page on behalf of the SIP server. A VXML gateway provides access to the VXML page by a users of the telephones.

Abstract: This specification relates to a method for providing information about a caller before the call is completed. The invention comprises a method for intercepting a telephone number from a phone line or phone system, searching a database for information associated with that phone number and displaying the information on a computer screen, such that a person may see the information before the phone is answered. This provides immediate access to information related to an incoming or outgoing call to an individual without the need to manually search for the file.

Abstract: A user interface for screen phones monitors telephone line state information and displays user interface controls and telephone line status information dependent on the telephone line state. The user interface includes a display element referred to as a call slip that expands and collapses in response to changes in telephone line state and user input. The call slip updates the information that it displays based on telephone line state changes and information communicated from one or more telephony monitoring applications. The call slip displays user interface controls representing tasks that are dependent on information derived from a telephone call, such as caller ID information. The software used to control the display of call slips and to monitor telephone line state is part of a software platform that may be customized for a particular device or application.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for maintaining a universal call-log in a Home Network telephone system. The method comprises: transceiving calls on at least one external telephone line; bridging calls to a plurality Home Network endpoints; and, logging the bridged calls. Bridging calls to a plurality Home Network endpoints includes initiating an outgoing call from an endpoint. Then, the outgoing calls initiated from endpoints are logged. Likewise, incoming calls received on an external telephone line addressed to an endpoint and bridged, and logged. Logging the bridged calls includes cross-referencing entries such as call time, the call duration, the type of call, the external telephone involved, the external line telephone number from which an incoming call is received, the external telephone line telephone number to which an outgoing call is addressed, the endpoint to which an incoming call is addressed, and the endpoint initiating an outgoing call.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a message in Caller-ID information are described. In one embodiment of the present invention, an applications server, such as service control point (SCP), substitutes a message for Caller-ID information when a switch serving the called party's line requests the Caller-ID information. An embodiment may also include an application that provides a user interface, for example, a web-enabled interface, to allow the subscriber to add or change the message.

Abstract: A system and method for processing caller information across heterogeneous networks is provided. An enterprise application receives a message from a name resolution adapter over a computer network. The message includes caller attributes and port location information. The enterprise application uses the caller attributes to retrieve a caller profile. The enterprise application determines whether to accept the call using the caller profile and whether a call exists on a telephone port corresponding to the port location information. Once enterprise application decides to accept the call, the enterprise application retrieves service subscriptions corresponding to the caller and processes the call using the caller's service subscriptions.

Abstract: Upon receiving a service code from a calling party, a list of parties previously called by the calling party is retrieved. An audio message is generated based on the list, and communicated to the calling party. A dialed input indicating a selected party from the list is received from the calling party. Based on the dialed input, a call between the calling party and the selected party is initiated.

Abstract: Call identification information regarding calls placed to or from a wireless device that subscribes to a Call Log service is recorded and stored in network-based incoming and outgoing call information logs, preferably at a Service Node. The network is prompted to capture call identification information by triggers provisioned on the subscribing line, wherein the triggers identify the subscribing directory number as a subscriber to the Call Log service. The call information logs can be retrieved by any requesting communication device that sends a presentation request and can be authenticated at the network via provision of an authentication code, or via referencing number in a network-based database permissions associated with the requesting communication device's directory.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for supplying calling party information to a called party via a network comprising a telephone network, a data network, and at least one gateway device. The gateway device is connected to both the telephone network and the data network. The gateway device receives, via the telephone network, signaling information representing a telephone call from the calling party to the called party. The signaling information includes called party information. Calling party information is obtained based on the signaling information. The calling party information is provided to the called party via the data network.