Abstract: A method for managing appointments using a wireless device includes receiving scheduling data for a future appointment including a time associated with the future appointment. A current location of the wireless device is determined, and a reminder for the future appointment is provided at a time prior to the future appointment based on the current location of the wireless device. For example, the reminder may be provided at a time that varies based on the current location of the wireless device, a location associated with the future appointment, and an estimated travel time between the current location of the device and the location associated with the future appointment. Related methods, devices, and computer program products are also discussed.

Abstract: Contact information management is described. In an embodiment, an account can be established for a subscriber to provide contact information for contacting the subscriber in the event that a disaster disrupts a regular communication service of the subscriber. The account can be indexed in a database by associating one or more identifiers for identifying the subscriber with the account, so that the account can be identified based on one or more of the identifiers. The account can be activated when the regular communication service of the subscriber has been disrupted by the disaster, so that the contact information can be provided to a searching person who is attempting to contact the subscriber.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for call routing from a wired telephone switch. A wireless device is registered with a database of the wired telephone switch. Incoming wireless calls destined for the wireless device are routed to a standard telephone. The wireless device is unregistered to disable the call routing to the standard telephone.

Abstract: An approach for establishing a communication session according to a subscriber profile that is automatically updated is disclosed. A locator device, which is associated with a subscriber and includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) transponder, outputs geographic information that is transmitted to a communications network for establishing the communication session. The geographic information corresponds to one of a plurality of addresses specified in the subscriber profile to set a current address. The addresses are associated with a plurality of devices adapted to complete the communication session. The one address is designated as the current address if the geographic information corresponds to the one address, otherwise the current address is set to a default address, wherein the communication session is established based on the current address.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for E911 registration assistance for subscribers using portable Internet Protocol (IP) communications devices are disclosed. According to one method, an IP address of a portable IP communications device is stored. A message is received that indicates an IP address of the portable IP communications device. Next, it is determined whether a difference between the stored IP address and the received IP address indicated by the registration message indicates a change in geographic location of the portable IP communications device. In response to determining that the difference between the stored IP address and the IP address indicated by the received message indicates a change in geographic location of the portable IP communications device, a subscriber is prompted to update stored geographic location information for providing E911 service to the subscriber.

Abstract: A system and method for call time warning generation that includes a telephony device that includes a processor and a memory. During initiation of a call from the device to a destination party, the device determines if a current time is within a do-not-call time and provides a warning if the call is during the do-not-call time before the call is sent.

Abstract: A system and method for location-based configuration of an information handling system are disclosed. A method may include detecting an available network for communication with the information handling system. Based on at least the detected available network, a current location of the information handling system may be determined. Based on the determined current location of the information handling system, one or more parameters of the information handling system associated with the determined current location may be automatically configured.

Abstract: Systems, methods and computer program products for utilizing location information in a virtual private branch exchange (vPBX) system are described. In some implementations, the vPBX system can use the location information to determine an availability status of a user of a mobile device (e.g., out of the office, in the office, at home, busy, and the like). The vPBX system can obtain the geographic coordinates of the mobile device and correlate these coordinates with known coordinates for locations associated with the user (e.g., the user's office, home, or other predefined locations). An inference of the user's availability can then be determined based on the correlation (e.g., whether the user is currently out of the user's office, at the user's home, or at another location). The user's availability can be made available to other users associated with the vPBX system, and can be used for call management (e.g., routing).

Abstract: A system and method for establishing a telephone call between a calling party telephone and a called party telephone over a wired network. A telephone number associated with the called party telephone is monitored using a telephone status monitor to obtain a status of the called party telephone. The status of the called party telephone is entered in a called party telephone status file that is accessible to a calling party processor over the wired network. The calling party processor dials the telephone number of the called party telephone when an on-hook status is detected by the calling party processor so as to establish a telephone call between the calling party telephone and the called party telephone over the wired network.

Abstract: A CTI system comprises a telephone terminal (12-2) having an ID tag (18-2), a server-connected main unit (11, 13) for controlling the telephone terminal, and an information processing terminal (16-1) having an ID reader and a communication unit (CU). By positioning the ID reader of the information processing terminal and the ID tag of the telephone terminal in close proximity to each other, the ID reader reads ID information of the ID tag in a non-contact manner. The information processing terminal sends the ID information read by the ID reader to the main unit by the use of the communication unit. The main unit associates the information processing terminal with the telephone terminal with reference to the ID information. The main unit is responsive to a request of the information processing terminal and carries out call control for the telephone terminal associated with the information processing terminal.

Abstract: A system including a first network configured to receive IP device data from an IP device and to provide one or more IP addresses of the IP device based on the IP device data; a second network comprising: a second network location database configured to store physical location information, and a second network location server configured to receive the one or more IP addresses of the IP device from the first network, and query the second network location database to determine physical location information of the IP device based on the one or more IP addresses.

Abstract: In a telecommunication system having at least two communicants (i.e., a caller and a callee), a system and method are presented for collecting information associated with the geographical location of either of the communicants. In one embodiment, the approach entails receiving a geographical location corresponding to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) telephone number, and collecting geographical location information associated with the received geographical location.

Abstract: A method of call forwarding a call originally placed to a mobile telephone number of a mobile telephone to a landline telephone number of a landline telephone is provided, wherein the call is routed through a telephone network by a service provider. A forwarding location of the mobile telephone is determined using a mobile location technology. The landline telephone number of the landline telephone is provided to the service provider. A current mobile telephone location is determined by a mobile location technology. The mobile location technology is capable of locating the mobile telephone using service provider equipment. The service provider determines that the call is being made to the mobile telephone when the current mobile telephone location is at the forwarding location. The call to the mobile telephone number is forwarded to the landline telephone number when the current mobile telephone location is at the forwarding location.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for providing an improved interface to a caller during the initiation of a VoIP call. The present invention includes placing, by the caller, a request for information regarding a party to be called; returning a URL responsive to the request; and displaying to the caller one or more connection options corresponding to the URL. Additional aspects of the present invention include choosing, by the caller, at least one of the one or more connection options, and placing a call responsive to the one or more connection options chosen by the caller.

Abstract: A method for exploitation of location proximity to derive a location of an employee in a corporation utilizing instant messaging or automatic telephone calls is provided. A search request for a location of an employee is received. A look up of coworkers of the employee in a corporate database is performed. A list of neighbors of the employee is extracted from the coworkers, and the list of neighbors of the employee is generated in accordance with the proximity of neighbors in the list of neighbors to a workspace of the employee. The list of neighbors is presented, in response to the search request. The list of neighbors is polled to locate the employee via instant messaging and/or automatic telephone calls. The location of the employee is received, in response to polling the list of neighbors. The neighbors are alerted that the employee has been located.

Abstract: Connecting a meeting room telephone to a conference call, including: parsing a user's calendar entry to determine a room where a conference is scheduled, a meeting start time, and a conference call telephone number; querying a room reservation system for a telephone number for a meeting room telephone; waiting until detecting an attendee entering the room; in response to the attendee, other than a meeting chairperson, entering, connecting the telephone to the call with a participant passcode, other that a chairperson passcode; and detecting the chairperson entering the room, and in response thereto, automatically re-dialing the number and/or renegotiating the call utilizing the chairperson passcode; if the telephone is not connected to the call when the chairperson enters the room, automatically detecting that the chairperson has entered the room and, in response thereto, connecting the telephone to the call utilizing the chairperson passcode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for establishing a telecommunication connection. The method is accomplished by receiving the called party and the calling party plurality of identifying or dialing information, processing and storing identifying or dialing information in the active telephone directory, determining by data query analysis the called party and the calling party relations in the telecommunications networks, associating the relations with the networks routing information, generating dynamic calling number for the associated relations, processing and storing the dynamic calling number in the active telephone directory for routing in the telecommunication networks, and establishing a telephonic communication between the calling party and the called party using the active telephone directory dynamic calling numbers.

Abstract: An approach for establishing a communication session according to a subscriber profile that is automatically updated is disclosed. A locator device, which is associated with a subscriber and includes a Global Positioning System (GPS) transponder, outputs geographic information that is transmitted to a communications network for establishing the communication session. The geographic information corresponds to one of a plurality of addresses specified in the subscriber profile to set a current address. The addresses are associated with a plurality of devices adapted to complete the communication session. The one address is designated as the current address if the geographic information corresponds to the one address, otherwise the current address is set to a default address, wherein the communication session is established based on the current address.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing real-time position information of one party to another party by utilizing a conventional telecommunication network system such as the convention telephone network, a mobile telecommunications network, a computer network, or the Internet. More specifically, the preferred embodiments of the present invention allow a caller and a receiver of a telephone call to provide to and receive from each other position information related to the caller and/or receiver's physical location, including address information, GPS coordinates, nearby fixed locations such as a parking structure, etc. Additionally, the preferred embodiments of the present invention allow a caller and receiver to retrieve routing instructions or maps for traveling to or from each other.

Abstract: A telecommunication station set such as an IP phone is configured based on proximity of a user. Proximity of the user relative to the station set can be determined using RF-ID, UWB, GPS, direct user input, contextual information or other technology. For example, the user may carry a badge equipped with an RF-ID tag. The RF-ID tag is operative in response to an RF-ID reader associated with the phone, when in close proximity, to signal user ID and password, which may be encrypted. The user ID and password are sent to a SIP server, which authenticates the user and retrieves user-specific configuration details which are returned to the IP phone. The IP phone configures itself with the user-specific parameters. If the user moves away from the phone, as determined by the RF-ID tag being out of range of the reader, the IP phone de-configures itself.

Abstract: A method for distributing calls of an automatic call distributor system includes determining location information for agents at a call center. The method further includes routing a request for connection with one of the agents to one of the agents based at least in part on the location information. A method for managing agents in a call center includes determining location information for a plurality of agents in a call center. The method further includes communicating a message to at least one of the agents requesting the agent to move to a new location in response to at least one request for connection with one of the agents.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for providing real-time position information of one party to another party by utilizing a conventional telecommunication network system such as the convention telephone network, a mobile telecommunications network, a computer network, or the Internet. More specifically, the preferred embodiments of the present invention allow a caller and a receiver of a telephone call to provide to and receive from each other position information related to the caller and/or receiver's physical location, including address information, GPS coordinates, nearby fixed locations such as a parking structure, etc. Additionally, the preferred embodiments of the present invention allow a caller and receiver to retrieve routing instructions or maps for traveling to or from each other.

Abstract: Very flexible call management is achieved by a method for handling a call setup request (7-10, 7-22, . . . ) from A party (A1 . . . A9) to a B party (511). A reachability server (RS) receives (7-0) the B party's multiple simultaneous caller groups, profiles, redirection settings and associations thereof. Each time the B party's reachability changes, he indicates his current profile (7-20, 7-40, 7-50). Based on the call setup request, the server (RS) determines the A party's identity. Based on the A identity, one of the multiple simultaneous caller groups is determined. Then one of the multiple associations that corresponds to the determined caller group and the current B party is determined. Finally, the call setup request is processed according to the redirection setting of the determined association. The redirection settings may indicate a changed call mode, such as chatting, in case the B party is unable to take a voice call.

Abstract: A system and method are provided to alert two mobile communications users in the event they come in close proximity to one another. The present system uses a distributed algorithm denoted as the Strips algorithm, in which a pair of moving friends with mobile telecommunications devices makes an agreement about a static buffering region between them. After the agreement is made, the users do not need to follow each other's location until one of them enters the buffering region for the first time. By doing so, they invalidate the agreement. Consequently, they replace a location update message between them, determine if they got within the vicinity of each other, and otherwise make a new agreement on a new buffering region. When one of them enters the buffering region for the first time, a message is sent to both friends alerting them of the proximity of the other.

Abstract: A telephony system (100) is disclosed as including a number of telephone sets (116a-116f), a home server (110), a fingerprint scanner (102), a keypad (104), a smart card reader (106), and such other identification devices which are adapted to detect the occurrence of location-related events relating to users of the system (100), and the home server (110) is adapted to assess, on the basis of occurrence of the location-related events, the respective probability of the users being in the vicinity of each of the telephone sets (116a-116f). There is also disclosed a method of operating a telephony system (100), including providing a number of telephone sets (116a-116f); providing a home server (110); detecting the occurrence of location-related events relating to users of the system (100 ); and assessing the respective probability of the users being in the vicinity of each of the telephone sets (116a-116f).

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, and systems directed to managing wireless node access to one or more wireless networks. According to one implementation, a business logic application may function as a package tracking application to manage access to wireless access points in different WLANs along the route. A sensor node is initialized and configured with one or more connection parameter sets allowing it to associate with a given wireless network implemented by one or more access points. In one implementation, the sensor node is configured only to accept received wireless frames that it can properly decrypt using the currently stored encryption key. When the sensor node and such a wireless access point associate, they may exchange encrypted information (e.g., data regarding the package) using an encryption key. Before the sensor node disassociates with time wireless access point, the wireless access point transmits a new connection parameter set to the sensor node.

Abstract: A method for providing telecommunications services in a telecommunications network. A telecommunications service provider monitors data relating to communications initiation or termination criteria for at least two communicants in the telecommunications network and initiates or terminates communications between the at least two communicants if, by processing the data, it is determined that the criteria have been met.

Abstract: In a communication system, a delayed call dialing processing system and method are described. The delayed call dialing processing system includes logic that allows a caller wishing to call a callee to delegate the task of monitoring presence information to detect when the callee is present to accept the call. The delayed call dialing process system further allows the caller to delegate the task of monitoring the delayed call and then makes the delegated task visible to the caller to enable the caller to either reschedule the delayed call or cancel the delayed call after the call has been queued for delay dialing. When presence information indicates that the caller and the callee are available, the calls are put through and bridged.

Abstract: The present method and system enable a called party to cancel an unwanted call and send a message to the calling party. The method and system are activated in response to a plurality of inputs provided by the called party. In response to the input provided by the called party, a custom or a standard message can be transmitted to the calling party. A confirmation message can also be transmitted to the called party. The method and system can be implemented in conjunction with other systems that are also activated in response to an input from the called party.

Abstract: A presence device operable in a first mode and a second mode is associated with a communication device. In the first mode, a user using the presence device is biometrically authenticated and a presence confirmation input is received from the communication device. In the second mode, a user-entered log-in input is received from the communication device. A central presence database is updated to indicate that the communication device is active for the user. A received message which is to be routed to the user is sent to the active device indicated by the central presence database.

Abstract: A system is provided for automatic feature enablement on the basis of a user's current location, in order to enable the most appropriate set of features. The system is implemented within a tuple space for allowing communication among system components. A location service is provided for tracking the location of a user. Policy daemons are created which contain user specified policies to select appropriate feature sets depending on the user's location. An interface is provided for specifying user preferences for features depending on location. Finally, a basic PBX feature architecture is used which consists of a database to hold individual user feature selections as a set of tuples and a call processing system which uses these feature selections.

Abstract: A method for location-based call distribution is provided that includes receiving from a customer communication device a request to establish a communication session with an agent communication device based on a specified telephone number. An agent database is searched for the specified telephone number. Location data corresponding to the specified telephone number is retrieved from the agent database when the specified telephone number is found in the agent database. The customer communication device is located. The agent communication device that is nearest to the customer communication device is located based on the retrieved location data. A communication session is established between the customer communication device and the nearest agent communication device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a communication system which improves the system flexibility and serviceability by efficiently controlling presence information. A presence inquiring section makes an inquiry about a presence state of a communicating party. A presence information receiving section receives presence information. A presence information display section displays the received presence information. A presence determining section determines the presence state. A presence information generating section generates the presence information. A presence information sending section sends the presence information upon reception of the inquiry.

Abstract: A telecommunication system for accessing personal information relating to a caller having a home network and being engaged in a call with a call taker in a remote network distal from the home network includes: (a) an internetwork communication system coupling a plurality of networks that includes the home network and the remote network; (b) an information store coupled with the internetwork communication system for receiving information contributions from the plurality of networks; and (c) an identification device for introducing identification information into the internetwork communication system. The identification device identifies the caller to the information store for use when responding to an inquiry by the call taker to provide the personal information to the call taker.

Abstract: A system and method of changing entity configuration information in a call center is disclosed. By automatically monitoring entities in a call center, selecting an entity in the call center, and modifying configuration information of the selected entity, keeping track of entities in a call center is automated. Agents and consoles are examples of entities monitored in the call center. When agents or consoles change physical location, the electronic floor plan is automatically updated to reflect the new physical location information for the agents and consoles. Further, a supervisor of a call center can change entity configuration information by selecting an entity on the electronic floor plan.

Abstract: A path search processing section 110 of a searcher 108 performs despreading processing for a signal that has undergone AAA reception by an MF 110a. A power addition circuit 110c adds power of a signal in which coherent addition of a despread signal has been performed, and outputs the result to a delay profile circuit 110d and also to threshold value decision circuit 111. Outputs from respective threshold value decision circuits 111 are output to a combining circuit 112. A power combination value combined by the combining circuit 112 is output to a delay profile circuit 113, and a delay profile is created based on this power combination value. A finger assignment circuit 114 finds despreading timing for AAA reception weight control from the delay profile.

Abstract: A method for providing telecommunications services in a telecommunications network. A telecommunications service provider monitors data relating to communications initiation or termination criteria for at least two communicants in the telecommunications network and initiates or terminates communications between the at least two communicants if, by processing the data, it is determined that the criteria have been met.

Abstract: A communications system, which has a plurality of terminals connected thereto, has one or more object presence detecting devices associated with the individual terminals. The detecting devices detect whether or not an object, such as a person, has been detected near any particular and associated terminal and informs the system. The telephone system can then provide a visual indication to other terminals within the system that a person is near their terminal. Such detecting capabilities can also be used to forward communications to another terminal if a user is not near their terminal.

Abstract: A method and system for increasing the number of geographical addresses for mobile devices in regions of the Earth nearer to the equator than those regions closer to the North and South poles and without significantly increasing the size (number of bits) of the addresses is provided. Typically, regions nearer to the equator have higher populations and a greater need for large amounts of geographical addresses than those regions found closer to the South and North poles. By using the sine of a latitude coordinate for a particular location instead of the actual latitude coordinate, the range of available geographical addresses for mobile devices in the most densely populated regions on Earth can be significantly increased while decreasing the number of addresses available in regions closer to the South or North poles.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for determining and tracking the locations of agents using wireless units to process calls directed through an automatic call distribution system. Based on signals with different cells or based on independent navigation information, locations of wireless units can be monitored and stored for later analysis. In addition, location information can be compared to an agent location schedule to determine adherence and provide adherence reports.

Abstract: A system and method for voice interaction for location-relevant mobile resource management are disclosed. In one embodiment, a network server transmits a voice message to a voice device at a mobile unit upon detection that the mobile unit is within a predetermined distance of a certain location. Pursuant to another embodiment, the network server receives a voice request for location-relevant information from a user at a mobile unit and transmits responsive location-relevant information to the user as a voice message. The network server may also conduct certain actions responsive to voice requests received from users at mobile units. Users may receive information from the server via voice devices even when not located at a mobile unit.

Abstract: A system and method for voice interaction for location-relevant mobile resource management are disclosed. In one embodiment, a network server transmits a voice message to a voice device at a mobile unit upon detection that the mobile unit is within a predetermined distance of a certain location. Pursuant to another embodiment, the network server receives a voice request for location-relevant information from a user at a mobile unit and transmits responsive location-relevant information to the user as a voice message. The network server may also conduct certain actions responsive to voice requests received from users at mobile units. Users may receive information from the server via voice devices even when not located at a mobile unit.

Abstract: The present invention to a system for positioning staff in an office, which comprises a plurality of fixed identification reader devices, a plurality of identification devices and a host computer. Each staff carries the identification device. The identification reader devices are places at fixed points of the terminal of the system to record and identify staff near the terminal. The host computer is used for collecting and recording the information read by the reader devices. Thereby, the system for position staff in an office according to the present invention could manage the staff in an office efficiently.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a telephone caller information assistance such as driving directions from a starting location to a destination location. To obtain information assistance, the caller places a telephone call to access the system. If the geographical location of the caller can be determined by an automatic location identification system it is displayed on an operator console where the caller's request is transferred to be handled by a live operator. The operator receives the caller's destination request and queries the system for the street route driving instructions to the requested destination. After obtaining the street route driving instructions, the call can be transferred to an audio box having an interactive user interface capable of replaying the desired information to the caller. In an illustrative embodiment, the interactive user interface is capable providing functions to stop, start, pause, and replay the information to the caller.

Abstract: A presence device operable in a first mode and a second mode is associated with a communication device. In the first mode, a user using the presence device is biometrically authenticated and a presence confirmation input is received from the communication device. In the second mode, a user-entered log-in input is received from the communication device. A central presence database is updated to indicate that the communication device is active for the user. A received message which is to be routed to the user is sent to the active device indicated by the central presence database.

Abstract: In ordinary telephones, a communication partner is called without considering the location of the communication partner and whether or not the communication partner is busy. In the present invention, it is determined whether or not the communication partner is to be called at least based on information relating the position of a communication apparatus possessed by the communication partner.

Abstract: A method of operating an availability service in a telecommunication system interconnecting a legacy telephone system with at least one presence system, said legacy telephone system including a plurality of terminals (T1 . . . T10), at least some (T1,T2) of which are terminals of subscribers to said availability service, said method including: (a) continuously monitoring each subscriber terminal (T1,T2) for a change of a call status of said subscriber terminal from the presence of a call to the absence of a call; (b) generating a first or “high availability” signal when said call status of said subscriber terminal changes from said presence of a call into said absence of a call; (c) monitoring an interval of time beginning with said first signal; (d) generating a second or “availability unknown” signal after a predetermined time period &tgr; within said interval; and (e) making said availability signals accessible to any interconnected presence system.

Abstract: A method for providing telecommunications services in a telecommunications network. A telecommunications service provider monitors data relating to communications initiation or termination criteria for at least two communicants in the telecommunications network and initiates or terminates communications between the at least two communicants if, by processing the data, it is determined that the criteria have been met.

Abstract: A system and method for locating the subscriber of a telephony product in which a best guess location is assigned to each subscriber of the telephony product. Under certain predetermined conditions, the telephony product directs incoming phone calls to a subscriber by first attempting to locate the subscriber at the best guess location. If the best guess location does not successfully answer or is not attempted first, an alternate search method is used.

Abstract: A system providing a map and driving directions to a user of a user telephone for a remote location associated with a remote telephone number. The system includes the user telephone and a server connected through a telephone system. The user telephone includes a location number designator for designating a remote telephone number and an object decoder for decoding software objects such as a map object having map information for the area about the location of a remote address associated with the remote telephone number and a driving directions object having driving directions information for traveling to the remote location.