Abstract: An on-hold activity selection apparatus and method that allows an on-hold party to select an on-hold activity, from a menu of on-hold activities, with which to be entertained and/or informed. The on-hold activity selection apparatus detects the occurrence of an on-hold condition in a communication between a first party terminal and a second party terminal. In response to detecting the on-hold condition, the on-hold activity selection apparatus provides a menu of available on-hold activities to the terminal which is placed on-hold. If a reply is received from the on-hold terminal identifying a selected on-hold activity, the on-hold activity selection apparatus then provides the on-hold terminal with the selected activity. The menu of available on-hold activities may be based on profile information, corresponding to the on-hold terminal, stored in a database.

Abstract: A communications system is designed to allow an end-user device that is coupled to a telephone set to receive activation codes that are transmitted thereto by a switch of such communications system when the telephone set is in an on-hook position. The communications system may initiate the transmission of the activation codes to the end-user device. Alternatively, the end-user device may poll the communications system to receive the activation codes therefrom. The end-user device may invoke a communications service in real time by transmitting to the communications system activation codes stored in its memory via an SVD channel modem while another SVD channel is being used for another communication service.

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: In a caller telephone number storage system, when the polarity inversion detector 6 detects the polarity inversion of the line 7, the timer controller 12 starts measuring six seconds. When the short ringer detector 11 detects a short ringing from the line 7 supplied via the ring signal binary encoder 5, a short ringer detection signal is sent to the relay controller 14. When the relay controller 14 receives the short ringer detection signal, the timer controller 12 controls the line closure relay 13 within six seconds to dc close the line 7. Thereafter, the data receiver 15 sends the number display data to store it into the data storage means 16. At the same time, the data receiver 15 sends reception completion signal to the timer controller 12. Thus, the timer is cleared.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to inform an online computer user of the presence of an incoming telephone call without disturbing an associated modem connection is disclosed. A telephony device is connected to a telephone line, modem and telephone set, and utilizes a Call Waiting service provided by the telephone company. Upon detection of a Call Waiting signal the telephony device generates a four second warbling tone to a piezoelectric sounder alert the user to the presence of an inbound telephone call. The user may answer or ignore the telephone call. Caller identifiers included in incoming calls may be used to alert the user of the origin of the incoming call before the user decides to accept or ignore the call. When the telephony device determines that the user has lifted the telephone set, it places the modem on hold, generates a signal displayed as a colored LED display, connects the telephone to the incoming tip/ring connection, thus establishing a connection to the caller.

Abstract: A method and system for message communications in different media. A first message is received via a first communications medium. First address information associated with the first communications medium is extracting from the first communications medium. Second address information associated with a second communications medium is determined automatically in response to the first address information. A reply for the first message is sent via the second communications medium using the second address information.