Repetitive Call Attempts (e.g., Camp-on-busy, Retry) Patents (Class 379/209.01)
  • Patent number: 8509417
    Abstract: A first voice call is put in an on-hold state in response to a resource being unavailable. In response to putting the first voice call in the on-hold state, a first data communication is transferred for delivery to the communication device. The first data communication drives the communication device to display an offer for a media service. A second data communication transferred by the communication device is received indicating that the offer has been accepted. The first data communication drives the communication device, in response to the acceptance of the offer, to transfer the second data communication and to retrieve media from the media service. The first voice call is terminated in response to receiving the second data communication. A second voice call is established with the communication device in response to the resource becoming available.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Pallavur Sankaranaraynan, Lyle Walter Paczkowski, Sean Alan Isaacson
  • Patent number: 8503651
    Abstract: Teleconferencing systems may adapt to changes associated with participating terminals by monitoring characteristics of the terminals and modifying audio streams in accordance with detected changes. A terminal moving from a location shared with one or more other participating terminals may be detected in a variety of ways. In response to the location change, a teleconference server may modify the audio stream transmitted to the terminal so that audio originating from the one or more other participating terminals is included in the stream. Additionally, audio streams transmitted to the one or more other terminals may also be modified to include audio signals originating from the moved terminal. Other changes to a terminal that may also affect audio processing include activating a muting function. Muting a terminal while the terminal is among a group of participating terminals may cause the audio signals from the other terminals to also be muted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2013
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Jussi Virolainen, Jukka Saunamaki, Jari Selin
  • Patent number: 8483380
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing communication, comprising a plurality of communication subscribers, comprising at least one first piece of address information associated with a first communication subscriber, a second and at least one third piece of address information associated with at least a second communication subscriber and a fourth piece of address information associated with a central control function, wherein in the event of a failure of a first connection attempt made to a second communication subscriber by a communication subscriber determined by the first piece of address information while using the second piece of address information, during a second attempt at a connection following the failure by the first communication subscriber determined by the first piece of address information to the central control function determined by the fourth piece of address information, the control function initiates the forwarding of the second connection to the second communication subscriber w
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Enterprise Communications GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Thomas Lederer
  • Publication number: 20130170634
    Abstract: An electronic device has a function of redialing a telephone number. If a call of the telephone number hangs up, the electronic device detects if the telephone number satisfies a redial condition. If the telephone number is under the redial condition, the telephone number is redialed automatically. If a number of times of the redialing is more than the redial times, the electronic device stops the redialing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: July 4, 2013
    Applicant: FIH (HONG KONG) LIMITED
    Inventor: FIH (Hong Kong) Limited
  • Patent number: 8447334
    Abstract: As a network control device which controls a call connection between a calling party terminal and a called party terminal, a network control device determines whether the own network control device is in a congestion state when a handover request is acquired from another network control device which is in the congestion state, and stops transmitting a busy tone to a mobile terminal which is the calling party terminal and transmits a ring back tone to the mobile terminal when it is determined that the own network control device is not in the congestion state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Osamu Tsuchiya, Shuichi Abe, Yoshiyuki Imai, Takayuki Moriyama
  • Patent number: 8422642
    Abstract: A message system includes a first communication terminal, a second communication terminal and a communication circuit which connects the terminals. The first communication terminal displays a first message memo based on a first message data. The second communication terminal displays a second message memo based on a second message data which corresponds to the first message data. The second communication terminal makes a change of a second status of the second message data in response to an operation to the second message memo and transmits a change notice indicating the change. The second communication terminal updates the second message memo in response to the operation. The first communication terminal is configured to update the first message memo based on the change notice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Akiko Suito
  • Patent number: 8396201
    Abstract: A call handling system receives an asynchronous call request, from a call requester, requesting performance of an operation, where the call request includes a delay parameter specified by the call requester. The call handling system performs the requested operation, and sends a callback to the call requester, which includes partial results from performance of the requested operation, at selected intervals determined by the delay parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: Juniper Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Timothy Noel T, Srinivasa Ds, Siddharth Tuli
  • Patent number: 8391458
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Eric Michael Bloomcamp, Russell E. Huntsman
  • Patent number: 8374317
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention address deficiencies of the art in respect to interactive voice response (IVR) system session management and provide a method, system and computer program product for call interruption handling in an IVR data processing system. In an embodiment of the invention, a method for call interruption handling in an IVR data processing system can include detecting a call interruption of a telephone call between a caller and an IVR system during an established IVR session for the caller. The method also can include saving state information for the established IVR session in connection with the caller in response to detecting the call interruption. The method further can include determining a call back number for the caller and initiating a call back of the caller from the IVR system using the call back number of the caller thereby re-establishing an IVR session for the caller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Peeyush Jaiswal, James R. Lewis
  • Patent number: 8358763
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a scheduling/conferencing system provides a user with the ability to set up a camp-on request for a person invited to attend a conference session in response to one or more selections made by the user via a user interface, which may include a name of the person and a specified action to be taken when the person leaves the conference session. During the conference session, a conference port of the person is camped-on. When the person leaves the conference session and his conference port becomes free, the specified action, which includes an attempt to communicate with the person by the user, is executed. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Labhesh Patel, Sanjeev Kumar, Mukul Jain, Joseph F. Khouri, Christopher E. Pearce
  • Patent number: 8358764
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for automatically scheduling or rescheduling a voice connection (e.g., a telephone call) when one attempt to establish the connection fails. A recipient of a call fails to answer the call, but instead of the caller only having the option of leaving a voicemail message, he or his communication device (e.g., a mobile telephone, a personal digital assistant) automatically issues a separate communication toward the recipient's communication device indicating a time at which the caller will be available to receive a return call from the recipient of the attempted call. Alternatively, or in addition to this separate communication, the recipient's communication device may issue another separate communication toward the caller's communication device, to identify a time at which the recipient is expected to be available to receive a later call attempt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Intuit Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur J. Correa, Roy M. Rosin, Anna M. Simmons
  • Patent number: 8320548
    Abstract: A method for processing the busyness of flexible alert group with multi-user type, the method comprises: a caller dials a guiding number of Flexible Alert (FA), and the calling is connected to an application server, the application server acquires member numbers of the FA group based on the guiding number, and establishes the callings to each member in the FA group; when one member in the FA group returns a busyness message, if the FA is of the multi-user type, the application server continues waiting for the response from other members in the FA group; and if one member in the FA group hooks off and answers, the application server establishes a session from the caller to the member that hooks off and answers, and releases all the callings to the other members in the FA group; if all the members in the FA group return busyness messages, the application server returns FA group being busy to the caller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventor: Qiang Zhang
  • Patent number: 8311203
    Abstract: Techniques to defer an incoming communication and then schedule a follow up communication are disclosed. A communication recipient can defer an incoming communication and schedule a return communication time. The return communication may be manually deferred by a user and/or automatically deferred based at least in part on availability of a user on an appointment calendar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Winston Wang, Adam Holt, Feridoon Malekzadeh
  • Patent number: 8311202
    Abstract: A system and method for handling calls at one or more call centers. In an exemplary method of the invention, it may be determined whether a call should be transferred from the VSS to an agent of a call center based on, for example, agent availability or queue wait times. When it is determined to transfer the call to the agent, it may be determined whether a callback call should be offered to the caller. When it is determined to offer the callback call, the method may include providing one or more time blocks to which the caller can initiate the callback call to receive higher priority routing. Upon calling back into the system within one of the time blocks, the call may receive preferential routing treatment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2012
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventor: Duane Blaesi
  • Patent number: 8295472
    Abstract: A method for managing calls and web-submissions includes receiving a web-submission at a first time; generating a first ticket associated with the web-submission; generating a first digital file indicating both the first ticket and that the web-submission was received from a system; storing the first ticket and the first digital file in a first record of a queue; receiving a live call at a second time; generating a second ticket associated with the live call; generating a second digital file when the live call changes into a hang-up call before being serviced by an agent, the second digital file indicating both the second ticket and that the live call was received from a device; storing the live call or the second ticket and the second digital file in a second record of the queue, the first record being positioned in the queue before the second record, the queue being configured to have the first record being serviced before the second record.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2012
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: David Chevalier
  • Patent number: 8284919
    Abstract: A network system may include a first communication device, a second communication device composed separately from the first communication device and an address database. The first communication device may include a first access device. The first access device may be capable of accessing a network address. The address database may store the network address accessed by the first access device. The second communication device may include a telephone device, an address acquisition device and a second access device. The address acquisition device may acquire the network address from the address database in a case where the telephone device receives an incoming call. The second access device may be capable of accessing the network address acquired by the address acquisition device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Brother Kogyo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Satoru Yanagi
  • Patent number: 8270576
    Abstract: An arrangement includes an input to receive DTMF tones, logic to convert the DTMF tones to SMPP protocol, and an output to provide the SMPP protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Dinh C. Tat, Richard A. Layendecker
  • Patent number: 8228905
    Abstract: When a telephone a belonging to an office a calls up a telephone b belonging to an office b, a subscriber of the telephone a operates a WS a connected to a computer network and edits camp-on request information when the telephone b is busy. The camp-on request information is transferred from the WS a to a CTI server b belonging to the office b connected to the computer network. The CTI server unit b performs camp-on control between the telephone b belonging to the office b and the telephone a belonging to the office a by controlling a private branch exchange b based on a schedule corresponding to the received camp-on request information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Hisashi Fukuda, Hideaki Matsune
  • Patent number: 8229091
    Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes receiving a selection of an interactive voice response (IVR) option. The method also includes receiving, at an IVR system, a first spoken message. The first spoken message is translated, at a translator, into a short message service (SMS) text message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2012
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: John P. Romeo
  • Publication number: 20120163562
    Abstract: A communication apparatus comprises: a disaster information receiving section connected to a communication line for receiving disaster information therefrom; a microphone; a speech recognizing section for recognizing speeches input from the microphone; a communication section; and a control section. When the disaster information receiving section receives disaster information from the communication line, the speech recognizing section starts recognizing speeches from the microphone. When the speech recognizing section recognizes the presence of the speeches from the microphone, the control section controls the communication section to make a call to a predetermined destination of communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Inventors: Shinji Takuno, Satoru Moriyama
  • Patent number: 8189759
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for controlling execution of a call back to a called party, comprising determining availability status of the called party, evaluating compatibility of the availability status with initiating call back to the called party, and in the event the availability status is compatible with call back then initiating the call back to said called party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2012
    Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Francis Couse, Thomas A. Gray
  • Patent number: 8102985
    Abstract: A method for providing a camp-on hold service comprises detecting a hold condition between a first user and a second user and establishing a call hold by placing the call on hold. The method also comprises receiving a request from the second user to camp-on to the call hold and monitoring the status of the first user during the call hold. The method also comprises receiving an indication that the first user is available to continue communications with the second user and notifying the second user that the first user is available to continue communications with the second user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shmuel Shaffer, Labhesh Patel, Mukul Jain, Denise G. Caballero-McCann
  • Patent number: 8041019
    Abstract: An interactive voice response (IVR) system which assists in identifying repeat callers, understanding whether they are calling for the same reason as one of their previous calls, and properly disposing of the call. If the repeat caller is calling for the same reason, information from the previous call (or the previous calls) is retrieved and an action based on a defined business logic for repeat callers may then be executed for the current call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: SpeechCycle, Inc.
    Inventors: Roberto Pieraccini, Zor Gorelov, Alan Pan
  • Patent number: 7974659
    Abstract: A wireless network is disclosed that provides repeat dialing to called parties that are powered off. The wireless network includes an originating MSC system, a Home Location Register (HLR) system for a called party, and a serving MSC system that serves the called party. Responsive to identifying that the called party is powered off, the calling party transmits a repeat dialing instruction to the originating MSC system. The originating MSC system then transmits a repeat dialing indicator to the HLR system for the called party. The HLR system for the called party identifies when the called party powers on. When the called party does power on, the HLR system transmits an instruction to the serving MSC system to attempt to set up a call between the called party and the calling party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2011
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Frances Mu-Fen Chin, Paul C. Mui, Alok Sharma
  • Patent number: 7957514
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for conveying availability information of a calling party to a called party. A PBX serving the telephones of the calling and called parties is connected to a presence server. In an embodiment of the invention, the presence server is also connected to a computer and/or other information device (such as a personal data assistant or telephone) of the calling party. After the calling party has left a voice mail message for the called party, the called party will subsequently retrieve the message. In an embodiment of the invention, the PBX then queries the presence server as to the availability of the calling party. The presence server senses whether the calling party has indicated his or her presence; if so, it is inferred that the calling party is probably present and available for a return call. If the presence server detects no such indication by the calling party, it is inferred that the calling party is likely to be absent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 7, 2011
    Assignee: Paltalk Holdings, Inc.
    Inventor: Shankar Sahai
  • Publication number: 20110129080
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing communication, comprising a plurality of communication subscribers, comprising at least one first piece of address information associated with a first communication subscriber, a second and at least one third piece of address information associated with at least a second communication subscriber and a fourth piece of address information associated with a central control function, wherein in the event of a failure of a first connection attempt made to a second communication subscriber by a communication subscriber determined by the first piece of address information while using the second piece of address information, during a second attempt at a connection following the failure by the first communication subscriber determined by the first piece of address information to the central control function determined by the fourth piece of address information, the control function initiates the forwarding of the second connection to the second communication subscriber w
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2009
    Publication date: June 2, 2011
    Inventor: Thomas Lederer
  • Patent number: 7940919
    Abstract: A periodic and automatic telephone redialling system and method applicable to a dial-type communication device is proposed to provide a periodic and automatic telephone redialling procedure on phone numbers previously dialled by a user but failed to get through to the receiver. The advantages of this periodic and automatic telephone redialling system and method are that the user does not have to activate the redialling procedure manually, and the redialling procedure can be performed periodically for one or more phone numbers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Inventec Multimedia & Telecom Corporation
    Inventors: Ai-Kian Tan, Shih-Hsiung Weng
  • Patent number: 7853001
    Abstract: A method for providing a camp-on service includes receiving from a caller a request to communicate with a called party via a first communication method and notifying the caller that the called party is currently communicating on a first call via the first communication method. The method includes receiving from the caller a request to camp-on to the called party and an indication that the caller can be reached via a second communication method. The method also includes determining that the first call involving the called party has terminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Shmuel Shaffer, Shantanu Sarkar, Labhesh Patel
  • Patent number: 7822186
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for managing the scheduling of calls and automating the process of making and delivering such calls. Any endpoint (e.g., telephony-enabled) device can be used with a PSTN, cellular, and VoIP network. Different types of devices and interfaces may be used for provisioning users, conferring calling events, scheduling events, and/or delivering calls. Among other things, this increases user mobility. Also, automated retrying and rescheduling of calls, which may use updated data, reduces the likelihood of missed calls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2010
    Assignee: Verizon Laboratories Inc.
    Inventor: Piotr Boni
  • Patent number: 7792549
    Abstract: A wireless network is disclosed that provides repeat dialing to called parties that are powered off. The wireless network includes an originating MSC system, a Home Location Register (HLR) system for a called party, and a serving MSC system that serves the called party. Responsive to identifying that the called party is powered off, the calling party transmits a repeat dialing instruction to the originating MSC system. The originating MSC system then transmits a repeat dialing indicator to the HLR system for the called party. The HLR system for the called party identifies when the called party powers on. When the called party does power on, the HLR system transmits an instruction to the serving MSC system to attempt to set up a call between the called party and the calling party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2010
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Frances Mu-Fen Chin, Paul C. Mui, Alok Sharma
  • Patent number: 7760860
    Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling a subscriber to reply to a voice mail message that has been made available for the subscriber at a voice mail system (VMS). In response to an indication, the VMS transmits a release message with respect to the subscriber's communication to the VMS, which communication then is terminated to an intelligent network element (INE). The INE originates a call to the party to whom the subscriber desires to reply. The subscriber's communication and the INE's call are bridged to form the reply call from the subscriber to the party. The VMS is not included in the call path. After the reply call is concluded, the bridge is dismantled, the IP is released, and the subscriber's communication is returned to interaction with the VMS without the subscriber having to make a separate call into the VMS.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Maria Adamczyk, Joel Brand
  • Patent number: 7738645
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile terminal and a terminal communication system, and more particularly to, a mobile terminal, which allows multimedia contents service for waiting for call connection to be provided in a terminal communication system, and a multimedia contents service providing system and method for call connection waiting using the same. The mobile terminal comprises: a wireless communication unit which receives multimedia contents from a multimedia contents providing server during a call connection waiting time to process the same upon originating a call; an audio processing unit which outputs audio signals of the multimedia contents received through the wireless communication unit; a control unit which controls the multimedia contents set according to time intervals so as to be outputted during the call connection waiting time; and a display unit which displays the multimedia contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2010
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Han-Su Kim
  • Patent number: 7672440
    Abstract: A computer/telephony integrated single-point-of-contact system (CISS) enabling a user to contact another using multiple devices with a single contact attempt is disclosed. A plurality of computer programs residing in a computer use a subscriber database, authorization database, priority list database, and device attributes database to determine how to respond to a request to contact a subscriber. If the request is an emergency, the computer repeatedly contacts all of the subscriber's devices until a response is received. Otherwise, the computer contacts the subscriber's devices in a sequential order determined by the subscriber. The computer can also delete redundant un-received messages from a subscriber's devices and create a real-time connection between the requester and the subscriber, if it is technically possible, at the subscriber's request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Yen-Fu Chen, John Hans Handy-Bosma, Nancy Sun, Keith Raymond Walker
  • Patent number: 7660405
    Abstract: A system and method for enabling an enhanced camp-on feature for a communications device. In an illustrative embodiment, the system includes a first mechanism for providing information pertaining to why a first user of a first communications device is unable to be contacted. A second mechanism enables a second user of a second communications device to make a camp-on selection based on the information. In a more specific embodiment, the information includes state information pertaining to the first communications device. The first means includes a first module running on the first communications device. The first module is adapted to selectively relay the state information to an entity connected to the network. In the specific embodiment, the entity connected to the network includes Private Branch eXchange (PBX) system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Mukul Jain, Shmuel Shaffer, Denise Caballero-Mccann, Labhesh Patel
  • Patent number: 7630486
    Abstract: A method for handling a queued automatic call distributor call includes receiving a call from an endpoint of a caller over a first connection. The call comprises a request for service. The method includes connecting the call to an automatic call distributor through a second connection and determining that the call is queued. The method includes terminating the first connection with the caller and receiving an indicator to reestablish a connection with the caller. The method also includes reestablishing a connection with the caller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Johnny H. Lee, Fadi R. Jabbour, David C. Lee
  • Patent number: 7613470
    Abstract: A wireless network is disclosed that provides repeat dialing to busy called parties. The wireless network includes an originating MSC system that serves a calling party, and a terminating MSC system that serves a called party. The calling party initiates a call to the called party through the originating MSC system, and the terminating MSC system determines that the called party is busy on another call. The originating MSC system then receives a repeat dialing instruction from the calling party and transmits a repeat dialing indicator to the terminating MSC system. The terminating MSC system identifies when the called party becomes available in substantially real time. When available, the terminating MSC system attempts to set up a call between the called party and the calling party.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Frances Mu-Fen Chin, Paul C. Mui, Alok Sharma
  • Patent number: 7596210
    Abstract: An outcalling system considers subscriber presence information in determining when to initiate attempts to deliver messages to the subscriber. The subscriber presence state may provide insight into the likelihood of successful message delivery. The outcalling system may decide to initiate or may forgo initiation of a delivery attempt based in part on the subscriber presence state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Siemens Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Jeffrey M. Blohm
  • Patent number: 7590232
    Abstract: A client identity verification system and method which includes receiving a spoken voice sample from a client. Identifying the match of the client, verifying client information, changing parameters in a conditional database and communicating alerts based on the results. The method also includes matching the received spoken voice sample against a stored voiceprint and voiceprint template of random phrases. The method then also includes verifying the phone number of the client.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Inventors: John A. Carter, Ronald D. DeBerry, Kurt Schuder
  • Patent number: 7519170
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of arranging a call with a service provider is disclosed. The method includes: determining whether the service provider accepts arranged calls; if it is determined that the service provider does not accept arranged calls, contacting the service provider to request arranged calls from the service provider; and if it is determined that the service provider accepts arranged calls, requesting an arranged call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2009
    Assignee: UTBK, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Faber, Ron Hirson, James D. Migdal, Henrik Axel Ebbe Altberg, Sean David Van Der Linden
  • Patent number: 7499529
    Abstract: A system (140) that delivers messages receives a message intended for the receiving party. The system (140) determines whether the message should be delivered to the receiving party and converts the message to an audible message when the message should be delivered to the receiving party. The system (140) then initiates a telephony call to the receiving party and delivers the audible message to the receiving party during the telephony call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Verizon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Alexander Kvache, Michael Weintraub
  • Patent number: 7469044
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method of redialing in telecommunication networks for a call back when not engaged, whereby a caller carries out a call attempt to reach a callee, whereby the callee does not respond at firs. According to the invention, the callee may be reached without the caller having to continually undertake a further call attempt, whereby a radialling is automatically carried out by the relevant exchange within a given time window at given time periods and a connection to the callee is established should the same respond.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2008
    Assignee: T-Mobile Deutschland GmbH
    Inventor: Gerhard Kramarz-Von Kohout
  • Patent number: 7443283
    Abstract: A personal communicator with context awareness in a wristwatch form for connecting intimate friends and family via awareness cues and text, voice instant message, or synchronous voice connectivity. Sensors worn with the watch produce raw data tracking location (via GPS), acceleration, and speech activity. The raw data is classified and conveyed to the other party, where it appears in iconic form on the watch face. When a remote person with whom this information is shared examines it, their face appears on the watch of the person being checked on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2008
    Assignee: Massachusetts Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Christopher Schmandt, Natalia Marmasse
  • Patent number: 7440563
    Abstract: A telecommunication and advertising business model and method of utilizing same that permits users to make telephone calls for a predetermined amount of time according to the destination of the call. The telecommunication and advertising business model is controlled by an on-line database system and comprises customers, and companies that pay for advertising through a system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2008
    Assignee: Sumo Technologies, LLC
    Inventor: Enrique A Baiz Matuk
  • Patent number: 7409050
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing a missed-call list in a telephone device by flagging a missed-call entry as “called-back” when a telephone call is placed to or received from the party listed in a missed-call list. The telephone device may still maintain the missed-call in the missed-call list after being flagged. A user may view the missed-call list to see which missed-calls (if any) the user has returned and which missed-call (if any) the user has not returned. Beneficially, the invention enables a user to retain valuable information about a missed-call and is therefore advantageous to the user of a telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Jun Li, Michael T. Lundy
  • Patent number: 7391857
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forwarding Caller ID data on demand when retrieving messages from an answering device using an endpoint telecommunications device and an associated call control system (such as the central office of the calling phone, a PBX, ToL Gatekeeper, wireless carrier switch, etc.), to fully or partially automate the dialing process for remotely calling back a message sender. The invention permits the caller retrieving messages to quickly and easily return calls with little or no manual intervention, without having to create a trombone connection. The invention operates with calling endpoint telecommunication devices that are “intelligent” enough to receive, store and/or utilize Caller ID data forwarded from an answering device; as well as with not so intelligent telecommunications devices (such as many pay phones) that may lack the ability to receive, store and/or utilize forwarded Caller ID data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Siemens Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: William J. Beyda
  • Patent number: 7359498
    Abstract: According to one embodiment of the present invention, a method of arranging a call with a service provider is disclosed. The method includes: determining whether the service provider accepts arranged calls; if it is determined that the service provider does not accept arranged calls, contacting the service provider to request arranged calls from the service provider; and if it is determined that the service provider accepts arranged calls, requesting an arranged call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: UTBK, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Faber, Ron Hirson, James D. Migdal, Henrik Axel Ebbe Altberg, Sean David Van der Linden
  • Patent number: 7308081
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2007
    Assignee: Callwave, Inc.
    Inventors: David S. Trandal, David J. Brahm
  • Patent number: 7301661
    Abstract: A communication terminal device which comprises an SIP call control unit that performs call control by using an SIP (Session Initiation Protocol), a recognition unit that recognizes that a calling has become an error according to a response signal sent back from a called party terminal after making the call according to the SIP call control procedure, a redial management unit that manages a redial interval to make a redial when the calling has become an error, and a redial control unit that performs redial control according to redial information when the calling has become an error and the response signal contains the redial information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Fuji Xerox Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Sagiya, Yoshihiro Maei, Hideki Fujii, Hirotaka Kawabata, Kazutaka Saitoh
  • Patent number: 7280530
    Abstract: An integrated voice gateway system for use within a company which can route a voice telephone call between parties at two different locations over an IP network or over the PST NETWORK. The system can route a voice telephone call from a first location within the system to a second location within the system via the IP network, and then from the second location to a third location via the PST NETWORK. The integrated voice gateway system includes a gateway server which serves as an intranet/Internet telephony gateway. The gateway server routes intra-company voice or facsimile (fax) calls, over the company's intranet or the public Internet. The gateway server provides an alternate voice network to the PST NETWORK for a company. This alternate network is provided at a much lower cost. The gateway server is a combination of hardware and software components which reside on a PC server platform. The gateway server is coupled to a customer premise telephone system, i.e.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2007
    Assignee: Starvox Communications Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon K. Chang, Robert W. Harbison, Richard J. Barry, Ming C. Lo, Stephen R. Raab
  • Patent number: 7260202
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2007
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Maarit Laanti