Abstract: A method for synchronizing time within a local, networked system including a first device and a least one second device. The first device uses a short-wavelength, ultra-high frequency radio communications protocol to advertise a time that is being maintained by a first clock of the first device. The second device uses the received time to discipline a second clock of the second device such that the second clock of the second device is generally synchronized to the first clock of the first device.

Abstract: A video call method includes: receiving a first input performed by a user on a first target contact that is displayed on a first screen; and in response to the first input, initiating a video call request to the first target contact, and displaying a video call interface corresponding to the first target contact on the second screen.

Abstract: A system for managing a conference call, the system comprising a call answering server configured to receive a call from an attendee device that has been forwarded from a host device, identify a conference call associated with the host device for the attendee device to join, receive a request from the attendee device to join the conference call, and connect the attendee device to the conference call.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system, method, and computer-readable medium for providing audio announcement of communications to a called party in a communication network. The method includes receiving communication from a calling party and performing a lookup of information relating to the calling party in a database via an Internet Protocol connection based on an identifier of at least one of the calling party and the called party. The information comprises one or more audio files. The method then provides the audio announcement to a called party based on the audio files.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer readable medium comprising instructions for providing Internet protocol enabled information delivery are provided. Information from a calling party is received at an Internet protocol enabled device. A lookup of information relating to the calling party is performed in a database via an Internet protocol connection. A message is received from the database comprising information relating to the calling party.

Abstract: Implementations are directed to utilizing an assistant to automatically navigate an interactive voice response (IVR) tree to arrive at a target state during an assisted telephone call. The assistant can receive input to initiate the assisted telephone call, identify an entity to engage with, on behalf of the user, and during the assisted telephone call, based on the input, and identify an IVR tree stored in association with the entity. In various implementations, navigation of the IVR tree can be modified based on interaction(s) detected at a client device subsequent to initiating the assisted telephone call. In various implementations, the assisted telephone call can be initiated from a search interface, and the target state can be associated with a given search result. In various implementations, the IVR tree can be dynamic in that only a subset of candidate state(s) of the IVR tree may be available as the target state.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing calls and alerts on a mobile electronic communications device include detecting a sleep state associated with the user, providing alerts to the user in a manner and at a time determined by the user's current sleep state. Similarly, calls are managed based on the user's sleep state so that the user is not awakened from deep sleep by routine calls but may be awakened in the event of an urgent call.

Abstract: Certain aspects of the disclosure are directed to context aggregation in a data communications network. According to a specific example, process user-data communications between a client station and another station participating in data communications via the data communications services can be processed, where the client station is associated with one of a plurality of client entities configured and arranged to interface with a data communications server providing data communications services. Context information can be aggregated for each respective user-data communication between the client station and the participating station, where the context information corresponds to at least one communications-specific characteristic associated with the user-data communications.

Abstract: The method and system may provide a seamless handoff of user information from a drugstore to a call agent. When a customer communicates with a drugstore device regarding a drugstore-related inquiry, the drugstore device attempts to identify an answer to the drugstore-related inquiry. When the drugstore device does not identify an answer to the drugstore-related inquiry, the drugstore device initiates communication between the customer and a contact center. A transcribed version of the communication may be stored in a database accessible by the contact center along with additional user information for the customer related to the customer's experiences with the drugstore. The user information may be provided to a call agent's contact center device for display and in this manner, the call agent may be made aware of the communication to avoid asking repeat questions and to quickly and efficiently answer the customer's drugstore-related inquiry.

Abstract: In a call forwarding system, a management apparatus of the call forwarding system determines service terminals capable of near field wireless communication within a reception range of near field wireless communication, generates a terminal list, and receives a call event message reporting the receipt of a call from a reference terminal. The management apparatus may transmit a call report message including the terminal list to the reference terminal and the service terminals. The management apparatus may forward the call initially received by the reference terminal to a terminal which transmitted a receipt request message by transmitting a call forwarding request message to the reference terminal. The management apparatus may transmit, to the reference terminal and the service terminals, a receipt report message reporting the call was forwarded. According to a change receipt message or upon non-receipt by an intended terminal, the call may be reforwarded to another terminal.

Abstract: When an incoming call is received from a customer, various aspects may include receiving an indication of availability from several call agents within the computer-telephony integration system and presenting the indications of availability and identification information for each of the call agents on a display. A user control for searching the call agents may also be presented on the display for use by a first call agent to view an indication of availability for a particular call agent. The customer call may then be transferred from the first call agent to the particular call agent in response to the indication of availability identifying the particular call agent as available.

Abstract: The disclosed system enables the display of enhanced user profile information on a terminating handset of a call recipient. A caller initially submits enhanced user profile information to a telecommunications service provider, such as the caller's name, company name, physical address, e-mail address, and photograph. When the caller places a phone call, the enhanced user profile information is displayed on a terminating handset of the call recipient. The enhanced user profile information may be transmitted directly to the call recipient or may be retrieved by a network associated with the called party. The disclosed system provides management options for both the caller and the call recipient. For example, the call recipient may specify a preference to automatically save the enhanced user profile information on the terminating handset, or the caller may specify a preference to disable or enable the display of enhanced user profile information on the terminating handset.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for storing and sharing telephone call data using online systems. One method includes receiving, over an electronic network, call data relating to a telephone call from a telephone device of a consumer to a business, the call data including a telephone number of the telephone device of the consumer; accessing a database storing correlated call data and user data; retrieving correlated call data and user data based on the telephone number of the call data; determining a confidence score that defines a confidence that the received call data relates to the retrieved correlated call data and user data; correlating the received call data with retrieved call data and user data when the confidence score is greater than a threshold value; and determining a targeted advertisement based on the correlated call data and user data.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a method implemented by a first terminal for setting up a session with a second terminal. An identifier of a session server is obtained at least from a subscriber device in the first terminal which comprises a subscriber identifier and an operator identifier. A session request and an identifier of the second terminal are sent to the server. At least one instruction is received from the server and a message comprising a first set, relative to the first terminal, of at least one characteristic parameter of the requested session is generated in accordance with at least one instruction received and sent to the server. A message is received from the server comprising a second set of at least one characteristic parameter of the requested session, the second set relating to the second terminal and having a non-zero overlap with the first set.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for using arbitrary criteria to define events occurring within a network infrastructure, as well and techniques for detecting and responding to the occurrence of such custom events. Doing so allows a collection of networking elements (switches, routers, etc.) to perform a variety of distributed functions from within the network itself to respond to custom events. Further, because custom events are published across the network, multiple network elements can communicate and respond to the same event. Thus, unlike currently available event management systems, custom events (and responding applications) can be used to create and coordinate software defined networking within a common network infrastructure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for clustering emergency services routing proxies are provided. The described features allow a group of ESRPs running as individual servers or a group of virtual servers, to be referenced using a single URI. In one implementation, an emergency services routing proxy device includes an emergency services routing proxy node configured to route a call to a downstream entity, the call received from an upstream entity. The device further includes a cluster manager configured to receive registration information from the emergency services routing proxy node, the registration information including a routing service identifier. The cluster manager may be further configured to identify the emergency services routing proxy node for call routing based on a comparison of an identifier included in the call with the routing service identifier.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for notifying an end user of a messaging event in a multi-user setting is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium in a communication device which includes computer instructions at least for matching a caller identifier associated with a messaging event and entries in a plurality of contact books corresponding to a plurality of users, and identifying a plurality of parties to whom the messaging event is potentially directed based on the matching. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for informing a telecommunications subscriber in a foreign country of at least one item of information. The telecommunications subscriber is assigned to a telecommunications provider in a home country via a customer relationship. The home country has a first time zone. The foreign country has a second time zone. The at least one item of information comprises the first time zone and the second time zone and is transmitted to the telecommunications subscriber when a mailbox provided by the telecommunications provider is used. The method includes transmitting the at least one item of information to the telecommunications subscriber via a voice message, announcing the voice message via an automatic voice message, and then playing back a call stored in the mailbox.

Abstract: In a call forwarding system, a management apparatus of the call forwarding system determines service terminals capable of near field wireless communication within a reception range of near field wireless communication, generates a terminal list, and receives a call event message reporting the receipt of a call from a reference terminal. The management apparatus may transmit a call report message including the terminal list to the reference terminal and the service terminals. The management apparatus may forward the call initially received by the reference terminal to a terminal which transmitted a receipt request message by transmitting a call forwarding request message to the reference terminal. The management apparatus may transmit, to the reference terminal and the service terminals, a receipt report message reporting the call was forwarded. According to a change receipt message or upon non-receipt by an intended terminal, the call may be reforwarded to another terminal.

Abstract: A method comprises receiving a first request from a source, the first request comprising an identification of a first person, a source of the first request, and an indicator whether the first person is currently available for communication. The method further comprises assigning a weight to each of the identification of the person, the source, and the indicator whether the first person is currently available for communication, wherein the assigned weights are based on historical data about the first person and summing each of the assigned weights to produce a prioritization factor. The method further comprises sending the first request to a first telephone dialer if the prioritization factor for the first request is above or equal to a threshold and sending the first request to a second telephone dialer if the prioritization factor for the first request is below the threshold.

Abstract: An interactive voice response method permits an intelligent interactive voice system to communicate with a caller. The method includes determining that a caller is a first time caller, interactively communicating with the first time caller, and routing a call to a particular destination based upon information received from the caller. The method also includes establishing a caller personal profile based on the information received from the first time caller, developing a predictive personalized interactive communication dialog for a repeat call by the first time caller, and storing the caller personal profile and the predictive personalized interactive communication dialog. The method further includes updating the predictive personalized interactive communication dialog based on information obtained by the repeat call by the first time caller.

Abstract: Implementations of the present disclosure involve a system and/or method for providing account information for a telephone number. All users are authenticated to ensure they may access the account information. Once authenticated, the user provides one or more telephone numbers that they would like to retrieve account information for. The system searches for the telephone number and if found, checks to ensure that the telecommunications provider services the phone number. When the telecommunications provider is the provider for the phone number, the record is retrieved and sent to the user.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a method for prompting a calling request and a device for the same, which belong to the field of electronic technology. The method includes: receiving a calling request from a second terminal during a call session with a first terminal, the calling request carrying a communication identification of the second terminal; inquiring whether the first user information corresponding to the communication identification of the second terminal is in a contact list stored in local; and converting the first user information to corresponding first audio data through an audio transformation according to the first user information, and playing the first audio data during the call session.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of processing a user call via an intelligent voice response (IVR) call processing application is disclosed. One example method may include receiving a call from a user device, obtaining user information from the received call, comparing the user information to at least one pre-stored user information stored in a user databank associated with a user account, and calculating a first confidence level by comparing the user information to the pre-stored user information. The method may also include authorizing the user device to receive an offer based on the first confidence level, and transmitting the offer to the user authorized by the first confidence level.

Abstract: Disclosed are a network-based device, method and computer-readable medium for operating an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) to provide registration review. The method embodiment includes tracking and storing all current registrations for each user in an IMS system, receiving a request from a user for a status of the user's current registrations and presenting, in response to the request, the current status of current registrations for the user.

Abstract: Methods and devices for providing naming information of a called party to a circuit-switched mobile terminal (300, 600, 900, 1000) of a calling party via a mobile telecommunication network are described. In particular, a method performed by a circuit-switched switching node (310, 610, 910, 1010) comprises the steps of receiving (S100) from the mobile terminal a request for setting up a call to a terminal (340, 640, 940-948) of the called party, obtaining (S110) an identifier of the called party, sending (S120) a request for naming information of the called party to a database (330, 630, 930, S22, S33) wherein the naming information of the called party is registerable in association with the called party identifier, the request comprising the identifier, receiving (S130) the naming information from the database, and executing (S140) a delivery of the naming information to the mobile terminal.

Abstract: An interactive voice response method permits an intelligent interactive voice system to communicate with a caller. The method includes determining that a caller is a first time caller, interactively communicating with the first time caller, and routing a call to a particular destination based upon information received from the caller. The method also includes establishing a caller personal profile based on the information received from the first time caller, developing a predictive personalized interactive communication dialog for a repeat call by the first time caller, and storing the caller personal profile and the predictive personalized interactive communication dialog.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for providing information. Phone numbers are stored in an address book in a memory of the portable electronic device. Call history information for a phone number is displayed on a display of the portable electronic device together with a first option for editing of information associated with the phone number if the phone number is in the address book.

Abstract: A computing device displays a call history graphical user interface (GUI). The call history GUI includes a new list and an old list. The new list may include new missed call elements and missed call elements associated with new unopened voicemails. The old list may include other call history GUI elements, such as old missed call elements and missed call elements associated with opened voicemails.

Abstract: A method and a device are disclosed for managing a contact card of a mobile terminal, belonging to the mobile terminal field. The method includes: for every other preset period of time, extracting a communication event of a specific contact from a communication record of a mobile terminal; counting the number of the communication event of the specific contact according to a type of the communication event; and associating the specific contact with the communication event, so as to simultaneously display the number of the communication event of the contact when displaying the contact. A statistical result is displayed in a mobile phone contact card book, intuitively displaying a latest contact state, so that it is convenient for the user to process and maintain interpersonal communications, thereby enhancing and promoting communication and life for people.

Abstract: An analyzer resource receives call information about outbound phone calls from multiple phone numbers to target phone numbers in a phone network. The analyzer resource analyzes the call information to detect likely unwanted call activity. Based on the analyzing, the analyzer resource produces a list of phone numbers from which one or more entities originate unwanted calls to the subscribers in the phone network.

Abstract: An electronic advertising system anonymously directs the attention of a user to content provided by an advertiser, in exchange for subsequently permitting the same user to access otherwise restricted desirable content of another part. Such desirable content may include online entertainment media, digital video content, social media, news media, and other privileged services or data. The user accumulates points, or virtual currency, in exchange for viewing the advertisements of vendor affiliates of the present system. The user may then spend previously accumulated points, or virtual currency, in order to access desirable content of redeemer affiliates of the present system. The present system further facilitates financial transactions between the system operator, vendor affiliates, and redeemer affiliates, relative to the movement of virtual currency amongst the various parties.

Abstract: A computing device displays a call history graphical user interface (GUI). The call history GUI includes a new list and an old list. The new list may include new missed call elements and missed call elements associated with new unopened voicemails. The old list may include other call history GUI elements, such as old missed call elements and missed call elements associated with opened voicemails.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a computer-readable storage medium in a telephone having computer instructions to execute a web server application in the telephone. The web server application can be operable to detect an incoming plain old telephone service call, identify a calling party identifier from the incoming plain old telephone service call, and direct one of a plurality of devices detected by web server application to present the calling party identifier. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and an inference engine for processing telephone communication data of telephone parties of a telephone network are provided to allow better services and better allocation of resources in a telephone network. The inference engine comprises an obtainer for obtaining telephone communication data that associates telephone parties identifiable by telephone network identifiers with usage data that describes usage of one or more services of a telephone network. Further, the inference engine also comprises a generator for generating contact structure data for a set of the telephone parties based on the telephone communication data, wherein the contact structure data expresses a degree of connectivity between each member of at least a part of the set and one or more other members. The generated data gives the required information to improve services and resource allocation in the network.

Abstract: A method and a mobile communication device are provided for providing information. Phone numbers in an address book are stored in a memory of the mobile communication device. A display unit of the mobile communication device displays call history information for a phone number. It is determined whether the phone number is in the address book. A menu is displayed on the display unit, the menu having either a first option for editing information associated with the phone number or a second option for adding the phone number to the address book based on whether the phone number is in the address book.

Abstract: A method for implementing Multimedia Caller Identification (MCID) service is disclosed. The method includes: if the network determines that the calling UE is an MCID service subscriber and determines that the called UE supports the MCID early media, the network negotiates the MCID early media with the called UE, and plays a MCID to the called UE if the negotiation succeeds. In addition, a system for implementing the MRBT service and MCID service is disclosed. The present invention enables the MCID service in an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) so that users may use the multimedia services in the IMS and have a better experience.

Abstract: An indication of an incoming call may be received at a call control unit communicatively coupled to, and/or resident within, a telephone. The indication may include identification information for the incoming call. It may be determined whether additional information regarding a caller associated with the identification information exists, and if so, a first operation may be performed on the incoming call responsively to the additional information, otherwise, a second operation may be performed on the incoming call responsively to an absence of the additional information. The additional information my include a user-configurable list of desired callers (e.g., a whitelist) and/or undesired callers (e.g., a blacklist). The additional information may also include caller identification information and/or a spam score.

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 are provided for providing information, performed by an electronic device. Phone numbers are stored in an address book in a memory of the electronic device. Call history information for a phone number together with an option that when selected enables editing of information associated with the phone number are displayed on a screen of a display of the electronic device, if the phone number is in the address book. Call history information for a phone number together with an option that when selected enables adding the phone number to the address book are displayed on a screen of the display, if the phone number is not in the address book.

Abstract: Techniques for bypassing call screening in a call messaging system. In one embodiment, for example, a method performed by one or more computing devices comprises: receiving an incoming call from a device of a caller; determining whether a bypass condition exists for the incoming call; and in response to determining that the bypass condition exists, causing the incoming call to be connected to a device of a callee without performing a call screening action of a call screening rule that, based at least in part on one or more conditions of the call screening rule, applies to the incoming call.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for routing an incoming call includes receiving an incoming call addressed to a single phone number associated with a plurality of users at a network routing device. The method further includes determining, by the network routing device, an incoming caller identifier associated with the incoming call and determining, by the network routing device whether the incoming caller identifier matches at least one caller identifier in a caller list associated with at least one particular user of the plurality of users. If the caller identifier matches a caller identifier in a caller list associated with the particular user, the incoming call is routed, by the network routing device, to at least one telephone associated with the particular user.

Abstract: A system for and method of providing a gateway transfer mechanism is presented. In one exemplary embodiment, the system and method of providing a gateway transfer mechanism may be realized as a method, comprising identifying, at a gateway, a call to be routed to a first location, determining whether to transfer the call to a second location, in the event the call is to be transferred to the second location, transferring the call, wherein transferring the call comprises ending a process to route the call to the first location, generating transfer information for the second location, and transferring the call to the second location using the generated transfer information.

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 system includes a network entry point configured to receive and process internet protocol (IP) based connection requests originating from outside the communications network, and a telephone number mapping (ENUM) database configured to store a uniform resource identifier (URI) of the network entry point and to respond to a request for routing information for a subscriber terminal within the communications network received from a remote entity outside the communications network by providing a naming authority pointer resource (NAPTR) record including the URI of the network entry point to the remote entity in response to the request for routing information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for using caller data to add a phone number to an outbound-call list. In one aspect, a method involves (i) a record manager receiving caller data corresponding to a phone-call; (ii) responsive to the record manager receiving the caller data, the record manager retrieving from a data storage, a first school-record corresponding to the received caller data, wherein the first school-record is associated with a second school-record; (iii) the record manager retrieving the second school-record; (iv) the record manager making a determination that the first school-record is associated with a closed operational-status; and (v) responsive to the record manager making the determination that the first school-record is associated with the closed operational-status, the record manager causing an administrator phone-number corresponding to the second school-record to be added to an outbound-call list associated with a workstation terminal.

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 method system and apparatus for enhancing digital voice call initiation between a first telephony device and a second telephony device is provided. Text data is associated with digital voice data conveyed between the first telephony device and the second telephony device, the associating occurring prior to initiating transmitting the digital voice data, the text data based on input data received via an input device associated with the first telephony device. The text data is transmitted to the second telephony device in conjunction with transmitting the digital voice data, the text data to be provided synchronously at the second telephony device with an announcement of the digital voice data.

Abstract: Methods and arrangements for managing mobile transactions. A mobile number of a customer is registered with a mobile telephone network operator. An alternate mobile number is assigned to the customer, and the mobile number is associated with the alternate mobile number. The alternate mobile number is employed in communication between the customer and a service provider.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer-readable media for bypassing call screening in a call messaging system includes storing a call screening rule for a callee specifying one or more conditions under which the call screening rule applies to an incoming call to the callee and specifying one or more call screening actions to take when an incoming call to the callee is received under the one or more conditions. When an incoming call from the caller's device to the callee's device is received under the one or more conditions of the call screening rule, a determination is made whether a bypass condition exists, and if a bypass condition exists, the incoming call is connected to the callee's device without taking the one or more call screening actions.