Abstract: A caller identification availability apparatus located adjacent a caller's telephone. The caller identification availability apparatus indicates who, among a select group of people, are available to receive telephone calls. Each caller within a select group has a similar apparatus adjacent their telephone. Caller's within the group are able to indicate availability or nonavailability to each caller within the group by means of their individual apparatus.

Abstract: A unified communications automated personal name addressing system is provided. The system creates personal address books for system subscribers automatically, without requiring the manual entry of name and address pairs by the subscriber. The system enables a subscriber to appropriately address a communication by providing the name of the intended recipient. In particular, the system of the present invention allows a subscriber to conveniently address any type of communication that may be sent from a unified communication server, even while interfacing with the unified communications server using a conventional voice telephone.

Abstract: Methods for displaying caller identification information on an integrated display/telephone system capable of displaying images are disclosed. One or more signals are received and one or more images are displayed on a display of the integrated display/telephone system. An incoming telephone call is received with the integrated display/telephone system, and data corresponding to the incoming telephone call is received with the incoming telephone call. A caller identification display signal in generated, and the caller identification display signal is based on the one or more received signals and the data received with the incoming telephone call. The caller identification display signal includes the one more received signals and signals from a generator that generates character signals and background display signals.

Abstract: A telecommunication system enables a called party having a caller identification device to learn the identity of a calling party although the calling party is a credit card caller, a calling card caller, a caller using an Intelligent/Agent service, a caller using a pager or a caller connected to a PBX system. If the calling party's ANI does not fully identify the calling party, information stored in a database is used to supplement the ANI so that the calling party can be identified.

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: The present invention is drawn to a call trace system and method that is simple to establish in a short amount of time. The call trace is implemented through a Web browser page which remotely programs central offices to trace calls to particular number. When a trace is established a message is sent back to the Web browser which displays the calling number, the called number and the central office detecting the call. Also, a page is sent to a pager which displays the traced information.

Abstract: A telephone line management system in communication with a telephone line is provided. In one aspect, the system includes a caller ID module operatively coupled to the telephone line for receiving and displaying a name and a telephone number of a calling party associated with a received telephone call and a false special information tone (SIT) generator module operatively coupled to the telephone line for sending a false signal on a telephone line substantially similar to at least a first part of a SIT in response to an incoming telephone call. In another aspect, the system includes a caller ID module, a false SIT generator module, and a controller for determining when the name and telephone number of a calling party is displayed and when the false signal is operationally coupled to the telephone line. In other embodiments, the system may include an answering machine module or a telephone module.

Abstract: A method for selecting from a plurality of modes for an incoming call indicator is provided. One of the plurality of modes comprises alternating playing one of a series of user-recorded messages as the incoming call indicator to a called party. When an incoming call is received, the selected mode determines the incoming call indicator.

Abstract: In a communication device, a number of source identifying information are stored in a memory for respectively identifying calling sources and a number of color information corresponding to the source identifying information are also stored in the memory. When a call is received, the memory is searched for source identifying information identifying the source of the received call. If such identifying information is detected, a lighting arrangement is energized according to the color information stored in the memory corresponding to the detected source identifying information.

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.

Abstract: The telephone memory aid provides a database to a primary party for storing and retrieving personal information about a secondary party, including summary information related to communication exchanges between the primary and secondary parties. The summary information includes, for example, the date and time of prior telephone calls and the topics discussed. This secondary party information, including the summaries of prior telephone calls, is available for review by the primary party during future phone calls with the secondary party. The telephone memory aid also facilitates entry of information into the database through speech recognition algorithms and through question and answer sessions with the primary and secondary parties.

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.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is a location blocking service for use in a wireless network that tracks the location and identity of network users, such as networks complying with enhanced 911 standards. The service provides a network user with the ability to prevent the location of her wireless handheld device from being disclosed to parties other than the wireless network provider and PSAPs (Public Safety Answering Points). The network user blocks the forwarding of location information by signaling to the wireless handheld device when the location information originates from the wireless handheld device, or by signaling to the network when the location information originates from the wireless handheld device or the network. Primary components of the present invention include at least one user interface and at least one location block processor provisioned in the wireless handheld device and/or the wireless network.

Abstract: A caller number received from an exchange machine by a telephone coordination server (CTI server) is noticed to a customer database to search for caller information. When pieces of caller information are acquired from the customer database by the telephone coordination server, the exchange machine is connected to a voice automatic response device (IVR device) to acquire predetermined voice data by telephone communication with a caller, and the voice data is compared with voice data included in the caller information by a voice recognition server to generate caller candidate information having priority levels. On the basis of caller candidate information, caller information of a first candidate is displayed on an operator client, candidate names of second and subsequent candidates are displayed as a list, and an operation of selecting a candidate in the displayed list is caused to change the caller information being displayed at the present into caller information of a selected candidate.

Abstract: A caller ID printing device is provided. The printing device typically includes a controller configured to detect caller ID information from an incoming call and a printer configured to automatically print the caller ID information and a message template onto a printed call record.

Abstract: There is provided a communication apparatus, with which it is possible to prevent the conventional problem that in the case where an incoming call arrives, not a name registered by a user but a caller's name informed from a switching system is displayed and therefore user's confusion is caused. The communication apparatus is connected to a communication line that provides a service for informing of caller's information. A display device performs displaying related to an opposite party. Registered contents, in which a plurality of opposite parties's IDs and a plurality of opposite parties's names are associated with each other are searched for an opposite party's ID matching an opposite party's ID contained in the caller's information when the caller's information is detected at the time of arrival of an incoming call.

Abstract: A callee identification feature provides a caller with a visual display of a telephone number that the caller requested from an information service, of a telephone number to which the caller was transferred, and of a new update telephone number if the present telephone number that a caller dialed is no longer accurate. The visual display is provided, for example, when the caller is a subscriber to the callee identification feature. The visual display is provided via a connection from a switched network such as a PSTN (12) when the caller is calling from a landline telephone (16), or on a MSC (18) if the caller is calling from a mobile phone (24).

Abstract: In an automatic answering mode operation, a caller ID detection circuit detects a caller ID that is given at the time of a call reception by a caller ID notification service that is provided by a telephone company. If reception history information having the same caller ID as the detected caller ID is stored in a reception history memory, the number of times of call reception in the reception history information is incremented by one. If no reception history information having the same caller ID as the detected caller ID is stored in the reception history memory, new reception history information having the detected caller ID is generated and additionally stored in the reception history memory. A caller ID and the number of times of call reception are displayed on an LCD based on the reception history information stored in the reception history memory.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and method in conjunction with a service wherein a called caller identification (caller ID) customer is provided a promotional message such as “We Are Talking Chevrolet”, rather than a conventional privacy message such as “anonymous caller”, during a silent interval between intermittent ringing signals or after a call waiting (CW) tone when a calling party or a local switching office of the calling party has invoked a privacy option to prevent the delivery of the calling party's directory telephone number with or without a corresponding name (DN) to customer premises equipment (CPE) of the caller ID customer. In accordance with this invention, when the calling party's DN is received at a local switching office (LSO) of the caller ID customer flagged as “private” indicating that the DN may not be disclosed to the caller ID customer, the LSO sends the intermittent ringing signals or the CW tone to the caller ID customer.

Abstract: A system and method for non-intrusively displaying telephone call information to a user is used with an existing telecommunications system. The system and method obtains telephone call information, such as automatic number identification (ANI) information, when a telephone call is placed to the telecommunications system. The system and method non-intrusively displays the telephone call information to a user or agent in the telecommunications system, for example, by displaying the ANI information in a title bar of an active window on the agent's workstation. In one example, the system and method uses scripts, such as a bind function script to load an external module, such as a dynamic link library (DLL), and bind a display function from the external module for use in displaying the telephone call information. A display information script obtains the telephone call (ANI) information and displays that information using the display function bound from the external module.

Abstract: A telephone system for reliably providing caller identification information to telephone call recipients such that they can choose whether or not to answer a telephone call. The telephone system includes a decoder module for receiving a toll-free telephone call and decoding automatic number identification (ANI) information included within the toll-free telephone call. The system also includes a converter module for converting the decoded ANI information into caller ID information. The system also includes a forwarding module for making an outgoing telephone call to a toll-based telephone number of the call recipient and sending the audio data of the original toll-free telephone call and the caller ID information with the outgoing telephone call. In this manner, ANI information is used to generate caller ID information even if the calling party has blocked its caller ID information.

Abstract: A telephone answering system and method that integrates caller ID and directory information to automate the message reply functions is taught. In an illustrative embodiment a telephone line interface circuit for receiving voice and caller ID information, with a telephone number portion, is coupled to a caller ID data decoding circuit. A voice message memory and a data memory are coupled to a controller. The controller operates to receive and store the voice portion of each message in the voice message memory, and to store the decoded caller ID data in the data memory. A reply actuator is coupled to the controller, and actuation of the reply actuator causes the controller to enable a telephone line interface to place a telephone call to the telephone number portion of the caller ID data. The reply message may be recorded to the message memory for communication at a later time, specified by the user.

Abstract: A call related information detector/receiver system which is capable of downloading call related information received at that device to another call related information detector/receiver system remote from the system which initially received the call related information, back over the telephone line. Thus, a remote user while away from the home or office can receive and synchronize call related information at a system other than the one which initially received the call related information. Thus, a remote user can update a local call related information system and review past callers to their home or business telephone at their leisure. Upon establishment of a telephone call between customer premises equipment respectively associated with the two relevant call related information detector/receiver systems, a remote call related information system will request download of call related information logged from another call related information system using the established telephone call.

Abstract: A method to receive calling party identification data and accept subscriber attached data for memory storage with projection as a focused lighted image on a flat surface is provided. The calling party identification data is received as Caller ID provided by the telephone service provider during the ring cycle of an incoming call and the subscriber attached data is additional information input by the called party for correlation and attachment to specific received calling party identification data. The lighted image is projected to provide a visual review of the calling party data in the form of grayscale or multicolor combination of text, characters or pictures from a viewing distance of two to forty feet in any ambient light.

Abstract: A method for interrelating call information between programs of a data processing device. Call information including a caller's name, phone number, the date of the call, start time of the call, finish time of the call, the call duration, and the type of call, may be organized and accessed by several different programs running on a data processing device. Information such as a caller's name and phone number may be accessed by a caller identification device coupled to the data processing device. Information such as the start time and finish time may be accessed by a clock coupled to the data processing device. The call duration may be calculated from the start and finish times or may be accessed from a timer coupled to the data processing device.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for determining the caller identification for an incoming call and for displaying such caller identification information on a video display device such as a television. A caller identification line modem determines the caller identification information, a control processor translates and/or inputs such caller identification information to a video circuit for displaying the caller identification information. Various methods for so displaying caller identification information are provided, including overlaying such information on an input video signal such as for a predetermined interval of time, generating a separate caller identification video signal, which may be placed, for example, on an unused television channel. The caller identification circuits and methods may be integrated or combined with various advanced television, video and/or telephony functions.

Abstract: A printing caller ID device includes an audio recording device for recording incoming telephone messages and telephone numbers, and also includes a printer for printing telephone numbers received by a caller ID system associated with the device. The present device combines both of the above features in a single compact unit, suitable for desktop use or use in another area of limited space. The device includes controls for audio playback for listening to messages received, and also includes a touch screen system for operating the caller ID printer functions. The printer can be set to print all caller IDs received from initial actuation, or may be programmed to print caller IDs received during a preselected time period, as desired. The user of the present printing caller ID device is thus freed from having to listen to a series of audio messages to retrieve any desired information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel apparatus and method for providing caller identification. Particularly, the present invention is configured to output caller identification to personal computer and to a terminal. These outputs are in response to a call received by the Caller ID system.

Abstract: A telephone stores a plurality of pairs of data in a memory 7, each pair consisting of a caller telephone number received from a telephone number forwarding service, and the time at which the telephone number was received. In response to a first operation, a control unit 1 controls a sequential display of a first display image and a second display image by the display unit using a content of the memory 7. The first display image includes caller telephone numbers and the second display image includes other display content. In response to a second operation, the control unit 1 continuously controls the display of a first display image on the display unit using the content of memory 7 to update caller telephone numbers displayed in the first display image.

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.

Abstract: An answering machine includes memory for storing voice messages and caller identification records. A control system receives input from a user and causes a display system to display caller identification information from a selected caller identification record in response to input from the user. The control system also causes a presentation system to present a voice message associated with the selected caller identification record.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a picture as caller ID (Identification). In a mobile communication system having a first mobile station (MS) on a calling side, a second MS on a called side, and a base station (BS) and an MSC that enable communication between the first and second MSs, the MSC has a storage component that stores picture information of each MS. The MSC receives a SETUP message from the first MS via the BS during a call attempt by the first MS, checks whether the picture information of the first MS is stored in the storage component in response to the SETUP message, and transmits the picture information of the first MS to the second MS so that the picture information of the first MS can be displayed as the caller ID on a display of the second MS, if the picture information of the first MS is stored in the storage component of the MSC.

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.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a photo enhanced caller ID service. A photo image is associated with a subscriber telephone line and stored at a local office or central office. When the subscriber places a telephone call, caller ID information along with the photographic image is transmitted to the called party. At the called party premises, the photo image is displayed either on a telephone set equipped with a suitable display or on a television set via a TV set-top box or other similar hardware to permit display of the telephone called on a monitor.

Abstract: A method for routing analog Caller ID signals includes receiving an incoming telephone call for a first telephone extension, the incoming telephone call associated with a first set of analog Caller ID signals, asserting a ringing signal to the first telephone extension, the ringing signal including the first set of analog Caller ID signals, coupling the incoming call to the first telephone extension, receiving a request to couple the incoming call from the first telephone extension to a second telephone extension, receiving a request to send the first set of analog Caller ID signals to the second telephone extension, and asserting a ringing signal to the second telephone extension, the ringing signal including the first set of analog Caller ID signals.

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.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing visual information to a telephone user regarding multiple voicemail services associated with the telephone user. The method includes providing a telephone comprising a display and organizing information relating to messages in the voicemail, wherein the information comprises an identifier indicating with which voicemail service each message is associated. Finally, the information is displayed on the display. Additional information may include the number of messages, a primary phone number from which each message was received, a name associated with each primary phone number, at least one alternative phone number associated with each primary phone number and a length of time for each message.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for determining the caller identification for an incoming call and for displaying such caller identification information on a video display device such as a television. A caller identification line modem determines the caller identification information, a control processor translates and/or inputs such caller identification information to a video circuit for displaying the caller identification information. Various methods for so displaying caller identification information are provided, including overlaying such information on an input video signal such as for a predetermined interval of time, generating a separate caller identification video signal, which may be placed, for example, on an unused television channel. The caller identification circuits and methods may be integrated or combined with various advanced television, video and/or telephony functions.

Abstract: A system for providing automated directory look-up over multiple switching systems in a network. Multiple switching systems are connected in a network. When a first switching system receives a request for a directory look-up, the first switching system generates a message requesting a directory look-up on each of the other switching systems. The messages is then transmitted to each of the other switching systems. The other switching systems receive the request and perform a look-up for matches to an input string. Response messages containing all of the matches are then transmitted back to the first switching systems. It is then determined whether a match for the desired name was found and the call is completed.

Abstract: A received telephone number is classified into group and stored by a simple operation, and is used as the telephone number when making a call.

Abstract: The system and method consistent with the present invention provides improved electronic business cards for a communication device. Electronic business cards may be created using CLID information, transferred among users of a telephone network, and used to initiate a call automatically.

Abstract: Customer premises telephone equipment and methods are provided for automatically recording telephone conversations based on a comparison of call related information (for incoming calls) or dialed telephone numbers (outgoing calls) to entries in a user defined automatic conversational record table. An automatic conversational record module compares the received or entered call related information, e.g., a telephone number, to the entries in the user defined automatic conversational record table and automatically activates recordation of the telephone conversation if a match is determined. The entries in the user defined automatic conversation record table may be entered manually, e.g., using a keypad, may be based upon previously received call related information, or may be transferred from other memory in the customer premises equipment, e.g., speed dial telephone numbers.

Abstract: Circuits and methods for determining the caller identification for an incoming call and for displaying such caller identification information on a video display device such as a television. A caller identification line modem determines the caller identification information, a control processor translates and/or inputs such caller identification information to a video circuit for displaying the caller identification information. Various methods for so displaying caller identification information are provided, including overlaying such information on an input video signal such as for a predetermined interval of time, generating a separate caller identification video signal, which may be placed, for example, on an unused television channel. The caller identification circuits and methods may be integrated or combined with various advanced television, video and/or telephony functions.

Abstract: According to this invention, a digital key telephone system connected to an analog public network NW having a function of transmitting a ringing signal including identification information of a calling line through a subscriber line (CO line), accommodating a plurality of extension lines each connected to a digital key telephone (DKT) 2 or a standard telephone (STT) 4 as an extension terminal, and having a function of switching and connecting the subscriber line to the plurality of extension lines or the extension lines to each other includes a called party storage means storing, in advance, information representing the correlation between the calling line and the extension terminals 2 and 4 as a called terminal. When a ringing signal arrives from the analog communication network NW, calling line identification information (caller ID) contained in the ringing signal is detected by a calling line identification information interface unit (RCIU) 12.

Abstract: The present invention is drawn to a call trace system and method that is simple to establish in a short amount of time. The call trace is implemented through a Web browser page which remotely programs central offices to trace calls to particular number. When a trace is established a message is sent back to the Web browser which displays the calling number, the called number and the central office detecting the call. Also, a page is sent to a pager which displays the traced information.

Abstract: A telephone with a ringer silencer call screening feature includes a ringer for indicating the receipt of an incoming call. A ringer control unit deactivates the ringer while the telephone is in a continuous on-hook state and reactivates the ringer upon termination of the incoming call. A call control unit for transmitting and receiving call signaling messages is connected to the ringer control unit for communication with the ringer control unit. Multiple keypads provide an interface between a user of the telephone and both the call control unit and the ringer control unit. A display connected to the ringer control unit and the call control unit displays caller identification information and a call status detector communicates with the ringer control unit upon termination of the incoming call. One method for screening calls includes utilizing one of the keypads to cause the ringer control unit to locally deactivate the ringer.

Abstract: A technique and apparatus allowing data transfer between multiple telephone devices on a common telephone line, e.g., to synchronize call related information such as Caller ID data. Data which may be transferred includes call related information to other devices on the common telephone line. The data transfer preferably occurs immediately after the call related information is received by a master device from the central office, e.g., between subsequent ring signals. Archival call related information relating to past incoming telephone calls may also be synchronized between the master and slave devices or between the slave devices using the data transfer.

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: An apparatus and method for automatically monitoring and recording incoming and outgoing telephone call parameters and forming a call record in response thereto. The apparatus has a signal conditioning device connected to the telephone line; incoming and outgoing call decoders; line status detector device; clock; and a computation device. The incoming call record comprises the incoming call data such as caller's identity and number, the call start and end times, and the call duration, the outgoing call record comprises the outgoing call data, the call start and end times, and the call duration. The records may be printed immediately as the call is concluded or stored an printed later by account number.

Abstract: A method for consolidating the information from multiple information sources so as to provide a uniform set of screens for an agent. All of the information sources are automatically linked in a coherent manner, which is defined by the user. The provision of an information item into a field automatically accesses user-specified information items from the various information sources. The user may combine and present the information from the various information sources in a uniform manner so that a given item of information always appears at the same location on the screen, and in the form desired, regardless of the original display format that is used by the information source. The station (10) receives (501) the initial information item and then sends (503) this information item to the sources specified by the information field, receives additional information items from these sources, and displays or presents the information items received in any desired media type.