Abstract: Disclosed is a voice message exchange system and method for improving communication between an inmate and a third party by enabling the inmate to leave a message when a call is not answered and further allowing the third party who receives the message to reply with a message to the inmate. Additionally, outside parties that meet the institution's requirements can leave messages for inmates at any time. The present invention can be used as an add-on to legacy inmate call management systems or incorporated internally into an inmate call management system. The system also provides monitoring, controlling, recording, and billing means.

Abstract: A method for configuring a communication system (20) comprising an exchange (34), the method comprising: identifying a type of the exchange; selecting a configuration module (56) adapted to communicate with the identified type of the exchange; and under the control of the selected configuration module, retrieving and analyzing automatically a configuration database from the exchange, and configuring the exchange to provide communication connectivity to both a fixed network and a mobile network.

Abstract: A device containing an MTA, executing a connection deletion method, determines that a connection at one of its endpoints may be abandoned after a predetermined amount of time after an on-hook event following a first call. If the MTA determines that the CMS it is coupled to has begun managing a new, or second, call, the MTA, sends a message to the CMTS it is coupled to requesting deletion of the first call, and the resources associated with it. The MTA also sends a message to the CMS requesting deletion of the connection at the endpoint of the MTA device.

Abstract: A communication terminal includes a communication unit configured to carry out communications with a communication terminal of an intended counterparty; a detector configured to detect information reflecting a status of a user of the own communication terminal; a condition checker configured to check whether a predetermined condition is satisfied by comparing information reflecting a status of a user of the communication terminal of the counterparty, received via the communication unit, with the information detected by the detector; and a controller configured to exercise control so that a communication circuit is established with the communication terminal of the counterparty via the communication unit when it is determined by the condition checker that the condition is satisfied.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for call control are disclosed. In one example, methods and apparatuses for receiving communications associated with a monitoring of a first interface, a second interface, and a third interface for an incoming call. A current active call is placed in a bold queue, the hold queue configured to contain calls placed on hold received over the first interface, the second interface, and the third interface. Notification of a second user action to place the incoming call on a hold status is received. The incoming call is placed in the hold queue, a next call from the hold queue is retrieved, and the next call is activated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a three-way call detection system and method for use with a telephone management system. Specifically, a three-way call detection system and method for detecting continuous noise indicative of an attempt to mask a three-way call attempt. The continuous noise detection system and method may be stand alone or used in conjunction with any existing three-way call detection system and method.

Abstract: A system and method of operating a communication system is described. A communication interface receives a first user request for a voice service from a communication device. In response to receiving the first user request, the communication interface transfers an initial message requesting access to the voice service. The communication interface receives a response to the initial message that indicates that the voice service is not available. After receiving the response, the communication interface receives a second user request from the communication device. A processing system processes the second user request to determine if the second user request indicates an emergency service. If the second user request indicates the emergency service, then the communication interface transfers a call request for the emergency service. If the second user request does not indicate the emergency service, then the communication interface notifies the communication device that the voice service is not available.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for implementation of split charging in an Internet protocol multimedia subsystem, allowing subsystem users to negotiate at setup and at a modification of a session initiation protocol session which user will be charged for each multimedia component of the subsystem. A method includes transmitting a first message to a user equipment for initiating one of a multimedia call setup and a call modification, the first message including a split charging offer request and a first split charging ratio, and receiving a second message from the user equipment, the second message comprising a second split charging ratio.

Abstract: A communication device having an answering system sets task names, task schedule times of one or more tasks, predetermined ring settings when an incoming call is received during one of the task schedule times, and setting predetermined recorded message. The answering system is configured for determining if the incoming call is received during one of the task schedule times, ringing using the predetermined ring setting if the incoming call is received during one of the task schedule times, replying to the incoming call with the predetermined recorded message if the incoming call is received during one of the task schedule times and if the incoming call has not been answered.

Abstract: A communication terminal includes a communication unit configured to carry out communications with a communication terminal of an intended counterparty; a detector configured to detect information reflecting a status of a user of the own communication terminal; a condition checker configured to check whether a predetermined condition is satisfied by comparing information reflecting a status of a user of the communication terminal of the counterparty, received via the communication unit, with the information detected by the detector; and a controller configured to exercise control so that a communication circuit is established with the communication terminal of the counterparty via the communication unit when it is determined by the condition checker that the condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A call control system comprises a communication interface and a processing system. The communication interface is configured to receive a first access request from a communication system requesting access to a voice service. The communication interface is configured to, in response to receiving the first access request, transfer a rejection to the communication system that indicates that the voice service is not available. The communication interface is configured to, in response to transferring the rejection, receive a first call request for a priority service from the communication system. The processing system is configured to process the first call request to determine if the first call request indicates the priority service. If the first call request indicates the priority service, then the communication interface is configured to transfer a second access request to a communication network in response to the first call request.

Abstract: An apparatus for switching a user between an IP network and a PSTN is disclosed in the present invention and includes a user port, a Subscriber Line Interface Circuit, a detection circuit, a PSTN port, an IP network interface circuit and an action unit. A method for switching a user between the IP network and the PSTN is also disclosed. According to the method, the action unit is controlled by the control signal from a CPU, thereby implementing the user switching between the IP network and the PSTN on the apparatus. The apparatus and the method enable one or more users to switch between the IP network and the PSTN, implements flexible user selection between the two networks and offers user communication backup when failure occurs. Accordingly, the present invention increases the satisfaction of users and the core competence of enterprises.

Abstract: A system and method that notifies a voice mailbox subscriber of the receipt of a message at a voicemail server using instant messaging. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes an enhanced notification server that receives a notification of the message from the voicemail server, queries the availability of an instant messaging client via an instant messaging presence server, and forwards the notification to the instant messaging client via the instant messaging presence server if the instant messaging client is available. In preferred embodiments, provisions are made to forward the message to the subscriber via instant messaging.

Abstract: In a communication system comprising multiple networks, a system is provided for notifying a caller that a call destination who was initially unavailable is now available, involving subscribers of possibly different networks. The system, when installed in a network, can support destination availability notifications following failed call attempts in which at least one user is a user of the network, regardless to which network the other user subscribes.

Abstract: A method for providing telephony features at an endpoint includes accessing a service framework at an endpoint. The service framework is operable to provide one or more telephony features. Feature logic associated with a first telephony feature is accessed. The feature logic specifies a plurality of actions for implementing the first telephony feature. The first telephony feature is registered to receive an intercept upon the occurrence of an event. The occurrence of the event for which the first telephony feature is registered is identified. The event initiates a transition from a first state to a second state. The feature logic associated with the first telephony feature is loaded to provide the first telephony feature.

Abstract: A communication network that includes a flash hook detector and a communication device is operated by detecting a flash hook of the communication device at the flash hook detector. A signal is transmitted from the flash hook detector to the communication network responsive to detecting the flash hook. The flash hook is processed in the communication network.

Abstract: In providing call backup of a VoIP terminal, where the VoIP terminal connected to a VoIP network is automatically provided with a PSTN backup function, the on the hook state is deferred for a predetermined time period even when the on the hook state is required to be performed while a user makes an urgent communication, and a ring tone signal transmitted from a PSTN can be detected even when the telephone connected to the VoIP terminal is in a VoIP mode state. Simultaneously, the telephone connected to the VoIP terminal senses the hook state of the telephone in the state of the PSTN, and can be automatically connected to the VoIP network upon the VoIP terminal being on the hook.

Abstract: A method for providing a wait-time service in a telecommunications network and a telecommunications system, comprising user terminals connected to a network via radio path. When a terminal user must wait for a requested service from the service provider, this is often indicated by a queue tone, a busy tone, or a piece of music, depending on the terminal used. The objective of this invention is, on the one hand, to avoid compressing and coding messages, such as a piece of music, and on the other hand, to avoid wasting a lot of spectrum. This objective is achieved by offering a new service by means of which it is possible to start and execute a wait-time service at the terminal of the user when the requested connection is not available immediately. However, the wait-time service can be provided in fixed networks, too.

Abstract: A method for producing a hook-flash event on a loop (6B) incorporating a supervisory signal circuit. The supervisory signal circuit includes a supervisory signal source (2) that causes a supervisory current to flow around the loop through a threshhold detector device (4) and one or more supervised devices (10 and 24). When a counter-signal source (34) is connected to the loop, it opposes the flow of loop supervisory loop current (12), causing its level to drop below the detection threshhold of the threshhold detector device. After a timed period, the counter-signal source is disconnected from the loop, allowing the level of supervisory loop current to return to its normal state, thereby completing the hook-flash event on the loop.

Abstract: The invention is to provide a method enabling mobile telephones to have automatic multiple telephone number dialing capability to a same called party consisting of establishing a database recording a plurality of telephone numbers of a called party set by a user in a telephone directory stored in a memory of a mobile telephone; automatically searching the said database to determine whether the said called party has other telephone numbers when detecting that the line of one telephone number of the said called party being dialed is busy; and listing all the other telephone numbers in the said database belonging to the said called party on a screen of the mobile telephone for selectable dialing, thereby effectively reducing the time spent on user searches for other telephone numbers as well as the annoying dialing of other telephone numbers.

Abstract: A method for carrying out an outgoing call reservation service, method comprises the steps of determining whether there is an input of the outgoing call reservation request from a calling subscriber of an exchange system, when a called party is determined to be in a busy state; concurrently re-dialing the called party over a plurality of available central office lines; detecting when one of said central office lines connects to the called party; terminating the re-dialing over the remaining plurality of available central office lines when one of the central office lines connects to the called party; and connecting the central office line that made the connection to the called party to the calling subscriber.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processing calls to busy telecommunications lines. In one embodiment, the presence of a subscriber accessing a computer network over a first telephone line via a first computer terminal is detected, wherein the subscriber also has a first telephone station connected to the first line. When a caller calls the first line and the first line is busy, the call is forwarded to a second telephone line associated with a call manager system. The call manager system determines when the subscriber is no longer accessing the computer network. At least partly in response to determining that the subscriber is no longer accessing the computer network, the call manager system transmits a text message to the caller, the message including the subscriber's phone number. The caller can then call back the first line using the transmitted phone number.

Abstract: An off-hook management telecommunication system comprising a DTMF detector, an encoder and a microprocessor located within a channel unit. The system allows the user to depress a selected sequence of keys during a line connection which indicate to the microprocessor to hold the line off-hook, via signaling to a central office, despite the fact that the telephone is being returned to an on-hook position. The line is held off-hook for a predetermined amount of time to allow the user to switch telephones.

Abstract: A switch based feature that allows subscribers to adjust their incoming or outgoing audio signal strength. The value of the transmit or receive pad values on the subscriber line card are adjusted to control the strength of the audio signal transmitted to, or received from, the network. The subscriber controls the feature by sending a hook flash to the switch, entering the DTMF keypad feature code and transmit or receive volume parameters, and then returning to the call.

Abstract: A tone processing method and communications system which reduce the probability of falsely detecting modem and facsimile communications that occur on a communications link. The link connects a calling endpoint to an answering endpoint. In a preferred embodiment, when the answering endpoint goes off-hook in response to receiving a call from the calling endpoint, an elapse of time is measured while monitoring the link. If a predetermined amount of time elapses without detecting at least one tone on the link, tone detection criteria is modified to reduce tone detection sensitivity, or to ignore tones altogether. In another embodiment, the tone detection criteria is similarly modified if voice activity is detected on the link. In yet another embodiment, when tones and voice activity occur at different times during a call, at least one characteristic is modified to optimize the link for the type of communications occurring on the link.

Abstract: A proximity detector (111) is provided for causing automatic callback. The proximity detector (111) causes the called party's telephone (506) to send a signal to the telephone system indicating that the automatic callback may proceed. For example, the detector may cause an off-hook/on-hook event to be sent, or other specific signaling. The telephone system signals the calling party (502), who may then answer the automatic callback and be connected to the called party.

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.