Abstract: A method and system for presenting additional information about a user are provided. The user may be a calling party or a called party. A request for information in addition to the information normally contained in the caller ID may be constructed and sent to a repository of additional information that returns the additional information. If the user is a calling party, the additional information may be presented on the called party's communication device. If the user is a called party, the additional information may be presented on the calling party's communication device. A system including the repository may receive the request. An authoring and editing component of the system may allow the user or others to edit the additional information about the user. The system may select and send the additional information based on a set of parameters in the request and the access type of the requestor.

Abstract: When a call is received at a first contact center, information is collected about the call. The information can be information that the caller enters through an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system, an Automatic Number Identification (ANI), an associated Universal Caller Identification (UCID), other information gathered from the caller, and the like. An identifier associated with a second contact center, such as a Dialed Number Identification Service (DNIS) number, is associated with the information and stored in a shared resource. The call is transferred to the second contact center using the identifier. As the transferred call comes into the second contact center, the second contact center determines if the identifier in the transferred call matches the stored identifier. If so, the information is used in the second contact center for various purposes in supporting the call, such as routing the call in the second contact center.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to retrieve a targeted party telephone number, retrieve a telephone number assigned to the communication device, submit to a system at least a portion of the targeted party telephone number and at least a portion of the telephone number assigned to the communication device, receive from the system information indicating a dialing format for the targeted party telephone number, and initiate communications according to the information supplied by the system. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system for providing termination information for an international telephone number includes a centralized database of terminating characteristics. The system may also include request processing logic that receives an international telephone number from a user. In response to receiving the telephone number, the request processing logic may automatically query the centralized database to obtain information that indicates whether the telephone number uses wireless termination. In response to obtaining the information from the centralized database, the request processing logic may automatically transmit to the user a response that indicates whether the telephone number uses wireless termination. The system may also include a database engine that uses a tree structure of linked nodes to perform a longest matching prefix search on the telephone number in response to the request processing logic querying the centralized database.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining and providing call disposition information for outgoing calls are provided. More particularly, the disposition of a call placed from a communication device is determined, and associated with a call log for that communication device. The call disposition information is displayed or otherwise output to a user when the call log is accessed by the user. The call disposition information can be determined by a call disposition application running on a communication server that provides the call disposition information to a communication device for display by that communication device.

Abstract: A method comprising directing a user equipped with a user's phone to a landing page in response to a call request to a call server communicatively coupled with a dynamic number insertion service (“DNIS”) provisioning server is disclosed. The user may be presented with an offer visible on the landing page such that the offer may be associable with the user's IP address. A user record may be created such that the user may be identifiable through a plurality of unique identifiers. A dynamic DNIS may be provisioned using the DNIS provisioning server such that a called ID associable with the landing page may be generated and the dynamic DNIS may be dialed such that the called ID may be captured. The user record may be matched using the dynamic DNIS and the dynamic DNIS may be released for re-use.

Abstract: An intelligent dialing method and a terminal are provided by the present invention. The method includes: a terminal receiving a called number input by a user and inquiring home location information of the called number; obtaining home location information of a local host number and information of a telecommunication operator to which the local host number belongs; determining a call type of this call according to the home location information of the called number and the home location information of the local host number; extracting a dialing prefix corresponding to the telecommunication operator to which the local host number belongs and the call type according to corresponding relationship information among a stored dialing prefix with the telecommunication operator and the call type; and combining the extracted dialing prefix with the called number into a target number to make the call.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing trusted caller identification services between a first entity and a second entity are provided herein. In some embodiments, a method for validating an identity of a first entity to the second entity may include registering the first entity with a trust authority, wherein registering the first entity includes authenticating the identity of the first entity, and associating the unique code with a caller ID name (CNAM) of the first entity, receiving an identifier in association with a call request, determining that the identifier is correlated with the unique code, and providing to the second entity the CNAM together with an indication of validity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing enterprises with the ability to provide telecommuting virtual number to these remote workers that are consistent with the dialing plans used internally at an enterprise location are disclosed. This telecommuting virtual number is routed through a packet network, e.g., a VoIP network, to allow calls placed to and from these workers to be treated as local calls.

Abstract: A multiple server based interactive voice response (IVR) system in which individual IVR strings on an index computer are associated with connections to external servers, the IVR system index computer accessible by each individual IVR string's self-identification telephone number either from Dialed Number Identification Service (DNIS) information, Automatic Number Identification (ANI) service information, item ID information provided by a caller or a combination thereof. When a call is received to the IVR system index computer, it uses DNIS, ANI and/or item ID information to route the call to string information (outgoing messages, menu options, etc) which might be located the index computer or on a clientele computer. In embodiments, the client business might be able to easily access the information associating options to messages and the message files themselves and change their IVR string without technical support.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method includes presenting, at a first communication device, first location information after an incoming communication is answered. The first location information corresponds to a first location of the first communication device. The method further includes presenting updated first location information, at the first communication device, prior to the incoming communication being terminated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus facilitating access to a communication session for a client is provided. The method may comprise obtaining one or more call plan proposals, receiving a destination phone number for making a call on a wireless communications device (WCD) when the WCD is in a source country, determining the source country from which the call is to be made, determining a destination country code of the destination phone number, identifying each of the one or more call plan proposals available to the WCD in the source country, selecting a call plan proposal from the identified available call plan proposals, generating a destination number string, and executing the call using the destination number string. The destination number string can comprise the destination phone number combined with the destination country code and the country access code and the discount identifier code of the selected call plan proposal.

Abstract: An interactive assistant for managing telephone communications and services is disclosed. In one of many possible method embodiments, a chat interface is provided to a device associated with an intended recipient of an incoming voice call. A chat message from the intended recipient is received through the chat interface. The chat message is presented to a calling party associated with the incoming call prior to a disposition of the call being determined. In other embodiments, an interface provides controls for individually managing calls on a conference call, without affecting other calls on the conference call.

Abstract: A system and method for providing location information is provided. The system may include a communication device. The communication device may include a communication interface to receive a notice of an incoming communication. The communication device may also include a display to display a representation of a present location of a calling party and to display a representation of a location of the communication device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a telephone including: an audio database for storing a tone or a message received when a phone call is not connected; an audio recognition unit that determines whether a tone or a message received, when making a phone call, matches the tone or the message stored in the audio database; and a redialing unit that carries out redialing when it is determined by the audio recognition unit that the received tone or message matches the tone or message stored in the audio database.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and a computer-readable storage media for placing a plurality of calls with a common message to a plurality of subscribers are provided. The systems, methods, and a computer-readable storage media include receiving an instruction to place the plurality of calls with the common message to the plurality of subscribers. The instruction includes call information that identifies the plurality of subscribers. One of the plurality of auto-dialers for placing each of the plurality of calls based on the call information is determined, and an instruction is transmitted to each of the plurality of auto-dialers based on results of the determination.

Abstract: A participant may join a conference call whenever a person specific attribute is read by an interrogator and verified as being authorized to participate in the call. The interrogator may be integrated into a telephone and manually activated or periodically activated. The attribute is an RFID tag, bar code, fingerprint, etc. Conference calls may be joined and rejoined when moving from room to room. Further, real-time participant lists may be accessed during the call and archived.

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 system and method for reducing unwanted telemarketing calls may include storing a contact list for users of a telephone assigned to an associated telephone number. An incoming telephone call from a caller may be intercepted and a determination may be made as to whether the caller is in the contact list. In response to determining that the caller is in the contact list, the incoming call may be connected to the telephone assigned to the called telephone number. Otherwise, in response to determining that the caller is not in the contact list, the caller may be prompted with an audible message, and, in response to the caller responding to the audible message by entering a first response, the incoming call may be blocked from connecting to the called telephone. Otherwise, in response to a second response, the incoming call may be connected.

Abstract: A communication assistance system includes a first database having a plurality of listings, each listings has at least one contact name and a corresponding contact number. A means is provided for receiving communications from a user among a plurality of users desiring to access the listings. An operator terminal displays a search screen among a plurality of search screens, each of which maintain at least a partially different arrangement of content and search windows for receiving search terms to search for listings contained in the first database, where the displayed search screen is determined based on criteria contained in a search request from the user. The operator terminal is further configured to receive the communication from the user and retrieve a listing from the first database using the displayed search screen.

Abstract: An application server that provides RBT treatment to a caller and simultaneously notifies the called party, as subscriber of the service facilitated by the present invention, of an incoming call, whereby the called party is able to select a treatment for the call to be presented to the caller based on input collected from the called party on a real-time basis.

Abstract: A system and methods for telephoning individuals associated with a domain. A current location of a given individual within a domain is automatically determined and the given individual is automatically associated with a telephone extension number based on the current location of the given individual. As the given individual moves around within the domain, the associated telephone extension number associated with the given individual is updated. A receptionist or other individual within the domain may select to telephone the given individual thereby automatically accessing and dialing the telephone extension number currently associated with the given individual in response to selecting to telephone the given individual. If the given individual is not currently located within the domain, an external telephone number associated with the given individual may be automatically accessed and dialed in response to selecting to telephone the given individual.

Abstract: A method of transmitting a communication event from a calling entity to a called entity located in a communication network comprising a first network and a second network, said method comprising determining a first identity associated with the called entity, wherein the first identity is recognizable in the first network; allocating a calling identity to the called entity, wherein the allocated identity is recognizable in the second network; associating at a first node located in the first network the first identity with the calling identity; providing the calling identity to the calling entity; establishing a connection with a second network node located in the second network; wherein the connection with the second network node is established using the calling identity, querying the first node with the calling identity associated with the called entity to determine the first identity associated with the called entity; transmitting the communication event to the called entity using the first identity associat

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of handling a telephone call initiated from a calling terminal in a circuit switched telecommunications network by providing called party identification data of a called party to said network. In the method proposed said call is set up by obtaining answering party identification data from a service control point associated with said called party based on said provided called party identification data. Communication is provided through said network between said calling terminal and an answering terminal identified using said answering party identification data. Said answering party identification data is made available to at least one service control point in said network for identifying services associated with said answering terminal. The invention further relates to a switching device for use with said method.

Abstract: A method includes receiving at a voice portal a telephone call from a caller and acquiring from the caller a billing telephone number. The method also includes determining, based on the billing telephone number, that the telephone call should be transferred to a specific call center; identifying an exchange number for the specific call center; assembling a refer message based on the billing telephone number and the exchange number of the specific call center; and sending the refer message to a network device.

Abstract: A system is provided for use by a caller placing a call with a calling device over a communications network linking a plurality of call destinations. The system includes a call-destination information source containing one or more call-destination characteristics associated one or more call destinations. The system further includes a processing unit communicatively linked to the call-destination information source. The processing unit generates one or more call-destination character indicators based on the one or more call-destination characteristics. A call-destination character indicator is generated in response to the system receiving call-destination identifier that identifies a particular call destination.

Abstract: A method and system is provided wherein routing information is obtained from previously cached information or from a gatekeeper. An originating gateway in a network receives a request for a connection and determines whether pertinent routing information is cached. If available, the cached routing is used to attempt to establish a connection. If no previously established routing is available, the originating gateway requests preferred routing from a gatekeeper, including prioritized selections of terminating gateways through which to make a connection to a designated call recipient.

Abstract: A dialed number of a called party is received from a calling party. Based on the dialed number, a name of the called party is retrieved from a database. An audio message which includes the name of the called party is generated and communicated to the calling party. A call is routed between the calling party and the called party after said communicating the audio message.

Abstract: A method for implementing a service triggered by off-hook includes: sending information of a service triggered by off-hook which is subscribed by a user to a service implementing server; carrying out an operation of the service triggered by off-hook according to the information of the service triggered by off-hook when the user is off-hook. The embodiments of the present invention also provide a system for implementing a service triggered by off-hook. In accordance with the embodiments of the present invention, the service implementing server may carry out the operation of the service triggered by off-hook according to a subscription type of the user to implement the service triggered by off-hook.

Abstract: Systems and methods which detect unauthorized, impermissible, or otherwise undesired call activity through the use of one or more third party databases are shown. For example, a controlled environment facility information management system may access a database external thereto, such as a victim notification database, which is created and maintained by a third party unrelated to the controlled environment facility. Such third party database access may be accomplished at the point of call validation or caller verification for determining the treatment of the call (e.g., allowed, blocked, allowed with limitations, etcetera). Such call treatment determinations may be made with respect a particular prisoner or other resident of the controlled environment facility making the call, may be made with respect to all calls made from a particular controlled environment facility, may be made with respect to a group of controlled environment facilities, etcetera.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for managing incoming and outgoing communications for various communications methods are disclosed to provide control over inbound communications including definition of if, when, and who may communicate with a recipient, A concealed identification communication may involve no exchange of actual addresses, phone numbers, or other addressing IDs The capability to initiate immediate, delayed, scheduled, or recurring outbound communications is also discussed.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting updates of database contact information to mobile communications devices includes a system having a data entry computer for compiling database contact information for a group of mobile communications devices, a service provider computer server in signal communication with the data entry computer for uploading the database contact information into the service provider computer server and for downloading the database contact information substantially simultaneously to the group of mobile communications devices, and a mobile communications device in signal communication with the service provider computer server for receiving the database contact information and for updating its own global logical database; wherein the method for supporting updates of database contact information to mobile communications devices includes the steps of compiling database contact information for a group of mobile communications devices, uploading the database contact information to a service provid

Abstract: A system receives an emergency call, a local exchange carrier (LEC) charge number, and Calling Party Number (CPN) from a user device, and overrides the LEC charge number with the CPN for Automatic Number Identification (ANI) determination purposes. The system also determines the ANI of the user device based on the CPN, receives an address associated with the user device based on the ANI, and provides the emergency call and the address to a Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP).

Abstract: A system and related techniques enhance the generation and delivery of dialed number identification service (DNIS) data to automatic call distributors and other destinations. Unlike conventional DNIS-based (800) or other call centers or other resources whose available DNIS-based identifications can become overtaxed during comparatively high call volumes, according to embodiments of the invention DNIS numbers are dynamically generated from an available pool on a per-call basis under call router supervision. According to embodiments of the invention in one regard, the dynamic DNIS may be associated with that call to the call's particular destination, such as an automatic call distributor, interactive voice response unit or other resource, during the duration of the call for the operative destination, with other calls being locked out from using that DNIS assignment while the call is in progress.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring calls being made from a cellular phone and preventing calls being made to unauthorized numbers, as defined by the owner of the cellular phone. A security challenge is issued to a cell phone user when a suspicious, previously unknown telephone number is attempted to be called. Approved/safe numbers and/or area codes are stored within the phone and/or in a subscriber's account accessible and updated via the Internet. If the user is unable to provide the correct security code in response to the challenge, the user is prevented from making the call to the particular number.

Abstract: A method, comprising causing a telephony communication originating from a calling party communication device to be routed to a first called party communication device together with calling party identifier information associated with the calling party communication device. The method further comprises receiving an identification of a second called party communication device to which the telephony communication should be routed, and generating modified calling party identifier information associated with the telephony communication on the basis of modification information received from the first called party communication device. Finally, the method comprises routing the telephony communication to the second called party communication device together with the modified calling party identifier information.

Abstract: A system and method for remotely enabled voice activated dialing. Generation of a special dial tone indicating that a user may give the voice identifier is initiated. A voice identifier is received over a network from a wired telephone utilized by a user. Dialing information associated with the voice identifier is determined. One or more receiving parties associated with the voice identifier are dialed. The wired telephone is connected to the one or more receiving parties.

Abstract: A system and method deliver audible caller identification information when standard Caller ID information is invalid or can not be provided, even when the called party connects to the network by private trunk group facilities. In one disclosed embodiment, a trunk group trigger associated with the called communication station is encountered, launching a termination attempt query. If standard caller identification information can not be provided for the calling party, the call will be routed to a privacy service to obtain the audible caller identification information.

Abstract: A CTI system includes a translation table of user names against consistent (i.e. simulated) calling line identity. When a user originates a call, the CTI server knows the name of the user currently associated with, i.e. logged on at, the originating work desk, and refers to the consistent CLI translation table to obtain the consistent CLI for that user, and to instruct the switch to make the call using that consistent CLI in the setup signalling message. In some CTI systems, the consistent CLI translation table is in the form of a user-associated dummy terminal translation table, and the CTI server instructs the PBX to make a call from the respective user-associated dummy terminal. In this case, the PBX stores the consistent CLI corresponding to that dummy terminal.

Abstract: A caller number is provided to a network element that associates name information with the caller number. The network element receives location information for the caller and provides the location information and name information as a response to being provided the caller number.

Abstract: A system and methods through which incoming calls to and/or outgoing calls from a telephone can be controlled. The present invention utilizes an authorized caller list to determine whether an incoming call should be connected, and a similar list to determine whether an outgoing call should be connected. The present invention can also facilitate the use of new telephone user interfaces, including by iterating through telephone numbers associated with a contact, until communications with the contact are established.

Abstract: A system and methods through which incoming calls to and/or outgoing calls from a telephone can be controlled. The present invention utilizes an authorized caller list to determine whether an incoming call should be connected, and a similar list to determine whether an outgoing call should be connected. The present invention can also facilitate the use of new telephone user interfaces, including by iterating through telephone numbers associated with a contact, until communications with the contact are established.

Abstract: A dialed number of a called party is received from a calling party. Based on the dialed number, a name of the called party is retrieved from a database. An audio message which includes the name of the called party is generated and communicated to the calling party. A call is routed between the calling party and the called party after said communicating the audio message.

Abstract: A method for processing a transaction. The method includes receiving validation requests, automatically initiating one or more callbacks to an authorized transactor, and validating one or responses from the authorized transactor. The automatic initiation is in response to the validation requests, and according to pre-selected authorized transactor information. The responses from the authorized transactor are in reply to the callbacks.

Abstract: A system and methods through which incoming calls to and/or outgoing calls from a telephone can be controlled. The present invention utilizes an authorized caller list to determine whether an incoming call should be connected, and a similar list to determine whether an outgoing call should be connected. The present invention can also facilitate the use of new telephone user interfaces, including by iterating through telephone numbers associated with a contact, until communications with the contact are established.

Abstract: A dialed number of a called party is received from a calling party. Based on the dialed number, a name of the called party is retrieved from a database. An audio message which includes the name of the called party is generated and communicated to the calling party. A call is routed between the calling party and the called party after said communicating the audio message.

Abstract: A fraud prevention system has a customer sign-up program accessible via a computer network that functions to receive an inquiry from a customer. A phone number database enables confirmation of a phone number provided by the customer. A validation program generates a validation page having a text receiving box adapted for receiving an inputted PIN, calls the phone number to establish phone communication with the customer via a phone service, provides a PIN via the phone service, receives an inputted PIN via the validation page, and confirms that the inputted PIN matches the PIN provided via the phone service. Finally, the validation program updates the phone number database so that the phone number is no longer valid, and provides credit to the affiliate for referring the customer.

Abstract: A fraud prevention system has a customer sign-up program accessible via a computer network which functions to receive an inquiry from a customer referred by an affiliate, provide a customer sign-up page, and receive sign-up information from the customer, including a phone number. A validation program confirms that the phone number is valid by referencing a phone number database, generates a validation page having a PIN, calls the phone number, receiving an inputted PIN, confirms that the inputted PIN matches the PIN of the validation page, updates the phone number database so that the phone number is no longer valid, and provides credit to the affiliate.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring calls being made from a cellular phone and preventing calls being made to unauthorized numbers, as defined by the owner of the cellular phone. A security challenge is issued to a cell phone user when a suspicious, previously unknown telephone number is attempted to be called. Approved/safe numbers and/or area codes are stored within the phone and/or in a subscriber's account accessible and updated via the Internet. If the user is unable to provide the correct security code in response to the challenge, the user is prevented from making the call to the particular number.

Abstract: A system and method for supporting updates of database contact information to mobile communications devices includes a system having a data entry computer for compiling database contact information for a group of mobile communications devices, a service provider computer server in signal communication with the data entry computer for uploading the database contact information into the service provider computer server and for downloading the database contact information substantially simultaneously to the group of mobile communications devices, and a mobile communications device in signal communication with the service provider computer server for receiving the database contact information and for updating its own global logical database; wherein the method for supporting updates of database contact information to mobile communications devices includes the steps of compiling database contact information for a group of mobile communications devices, uploading the database contact information to a service provid