Abstract: A system and method enables Voice over IP (VoIP) session peering via Internet. A converged enterprise web server can receive a request from a caller to initiate a session, associate a Service Level Agreement (SLA) and address information of the caller with the request, and then provide the request to a receiver using a first communication protocol. After accepting from the receiver a response to the request if the caller is an allowed partner of the receiver based on the SLA, wherein the response is associated with address information of the receiver, the converged enterprise web server can establish the session between the caller and the receiver using a second communication protocol.

Abstract: A method for providing communication service includes determining that a call was not answered by an intended recipient of the call and determining a due date associated with the call. The method also includes communicating the due date to the intended recipient.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a future availability system may include one or more of the following features: (a) a memory having, (i) a future availability program that allows a caller to obtain future availability information about a call recipient if the caller has been designated by the recipient to have access to the future availability data, (ii) program that notifies the caller through a method chosen by the caller when the call recipient's availability changes (b) a processor coupled to the memory that executes the future availability program, (c) an inference engine located on the memory that stores information about the call recipient.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, device, and system for taking voice memos during a communication session. More specifically, voice memos may be taken using the same communication device that is used in the communication session. This can be accomplished by automatically muting the communication device and establishing a communication channel with another endpoint, such as a recording endpoint, to record audio signals transmitted by the communication device.

Abstract: A method, device and computer program for coordinating a communication session between an individual and a user of a portable communication device. A portable communication device is provided having an appointment application program stored in memory. The appointment application program includes a queue indicative of a plurality of contacts that are required to contact an associated user of the portable communication device during a predetermined period from an authorized contact number. When the user of the portable communication device 10 receives a telephone call, the call is processed to determine if the telephone call is from one of the authorized contact numbers associated with one of the contacts from queue.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus for communication and provision of routing address information. The prior owner of a called telephone number is referred to herein as a “prior subscriber”. When a number is released by a prior subscriber, it is placed into a database referred to as the “spare pool” which includes available (unsubscribed) telephone numbers. When a caller dials a number that is in the spare pool, the invention intercepts the call and takes any number of possible actions. In one embodiment, the invention automatically forwards the caller to a new number based on a database that stores the new number of the prior subscriber or routes the caller to a message that gives the caller the option (either via a charge or after listening to an advertisement) of being connected to, or being given, the current number of the prior subscriber.

Abstract: A ringback tone, indicative of an emotional state that is input by a user of a called communication device, is selected to play to a calling communication device during a call to the called communication device.

Abstract: Messages are handled by a determination that an incoming message is in response to a previous outgoing message, where the previous outgoing message is sent from the computing device. The previous outgoing message is identified, as stored on the computing device. Data that indicates information relating to receiving the incoming message is provided with at least (i) a listing of the previous outgoing message, or (ii) a body of the previous outgoing message.

Abstract: A telecommunications device. The device includes a receiver for receiving an incoming call and a processor in communication with the receiver. The processor has a callback/callback reminder module for automatically calling back a calling party of an incoming call or for sending a user a reminder to callback the calling party.

Abstract: A call reminder functionality is provided by an arrangement that is operable with a network-enabled communication device in which a reminder to return a phone call can be generated in an automated manner upon the occurrence of a call event. When the call event occurs, an option is displayed on a user interface (“UI”) on the device to create a link between the call and the user's schedule application. If the user selects the option, a callback task is added to the user's task list maintained by the schedule application, and a reminder to make the callback is generated and then displayed on the UI at a future time. The reminder includes pertinent call information and also includes a button that enables the user to place the callback through the UI (i.e., a “one-click call back”).

Abstract: An automated IVR apparatus for notifying entities of customer-specific information. An automated IVR application that enables subscribers to check the status of their DSL line and to report problems in real time. A “Service Restoration Callback” application enables a service provider to automatically contact a customer via telephone when service is restored after an outage. The customer can configure parameters concerning the received callback. An outage detection module checks all available systems for the status of a customer's service on a real-time, customer-by-customer, call-for-call basis.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a call completion service for a call between a caller and a destination over a network. Outgoing and Incoming call profiles, identifying enabled call completion services, are associated with callers and destinations, and are retrieved from a database based on the particular caller and destination. The caller and destination profiles are compared to select the appropriate call completion service for the call. In the absence of retrieving an outgoing call profile and an incoming call profile, a default profile can be generated and associated with the respective party to enable determination of the call completion service. The determination is made, at least in part, on the basis of a common call completion service identified as being enabled in both the OCP and the ICP. Additionally, a hierarchy of call completion services can be further considered in the determination of the call completion service.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a call back option to a customer of a call center. According to one embodiment, the system includes a telecommunications switch and an automatic call distributor in communication with the telecommunications switch via first and second communications links. The system also includes means for providing the customer with a call back option in response to a first call from the customer, wherein the first call is routed to the automatic call distributor by the telecommunications switch over the first communications link, and means for establishing a second call between the automatic call distributor and the customer over the second communications link when the customer accepts the call back option.

Abstract: A method, system and gateway device enables interworking between an IP-based network and a circuit-switched network. A first address information of a first connection end located in the circuit-switched network is routed in a trigger message from the IP-based network to a gateway control function. The first and second call legs are established in parallel towards the first connection end based on the first address information, and towards a second connection end located in the IP-based network based on a second address information obtained from the trigger message. A single connection between the two connection ends is then established by connecting the first and second call legs. Thereby, IP-based signaling functionality can be used to add capability for subscribers located in the CS domain to be invited into conferences or calls with subscribers located in an IP-based domain, e.g. the IMS domain.

Abstract: A method for performing midcall fallback is provided. The method includes assigning a direct inward dialing (DID) number to a first client. The DID number may be selected from a list of direct inward dialing numbers. The method may further include establishing a VoIP phone call between the first client and a second client and sending a DID number representing the first client and receiving a dial sequence identifying a call agent serving the second client. The dial sequence may define a phone number to be dialed to reach the call agent. The method may also include determining that mid-call fallback should be performed, and performing midcall fall back, midcall fallback including establishing a public switched telephone network (PSTN) phone call between the first client and the second client.

Abstract: In a communications system, a computer network server (2) is arranged to communicate simultaneously with a plurality of remote computers 201 . . . 20n. A remote embedded application in the form of a vending machine (1) has a module (12) that is arranged to communicate with the computer network server (2) such that file transfer sessions are carried out between the server and the vending machine (1). The server (2) is arranged to cause call request data to be transmitted to the module (12) and the module (12) is arranged to initiate a call back to the server (2) or other designated server, in response to the call request data. The call request data is transmitted using calling line identification (CLI). The module (12) is arranged to detect the call and the CLI; to not answer the call; and to initiate a call back to the server (2) or other designated server, after having received the call with CLI.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a reason for ignoring an incoming call is disclosed. The system may comprise a network element having one or more computer processors and data storage units, the network element configured to identify an incoming call from a caller, transmit information associated with the incoming call to a user at a first communications device, receive a reason for ignoring the incoming call, and transmit the reason for ignoring the incoming call to the caller at a second communications device.

Abstract: The callback system comprises: a transmitting terminal which comprises a storing section configured to store an attribute data which is uniquely determined and given, and a transmission request processing section configured to transmit a callback request including the attribute data for starting a callback communication; a database configured to relate and store a callback transmission source telephone number used in the callback communication for each attribute group prepared by collecting a plurality of the attribute data; a charging target judging section configured to receive the callback request and extract the callback transmission source telephone number which corresponding to the attribute data included in the callback request, as a selection callback transmission source telephone number from the database; and a transmission processing section configured to carry out the callback communication with the transmitting terminal, with the selection callback transmission source telephone number as a transmi

Abstract: A printer has voice recognition capabilities to transcribe a recorded voice message into printed text. The printer has a communication interface that is connected to a communication line for receiving a voice message. The printer also has an extended memory that stores the voice message, and a speech bank that stores speech patterns and vocabulary words. After the voice message is stored in the extended memory, a speech recognizer compares the voice message to the speech patterns and vocabulary words in the speech bank and translates the voice message into text data. The text data is stored into a print buffer, where the text data may be accessed by a central processing unit (CPU). The CPU controls a print mechanism that actually prints the text data.

Abstract: A method for providing communications network identification data (carrier ID) to a calling party and/or a receiving party in advance of the termination, acceptance or refusal of the call request from a first party to a second party. The highlighted background and/or carrier name and information of the calling and/or receiving party are displayed on the calling party and/or receiving party's endpoint device(s) and may be associated and displayed with their respective caller ID information. Upon display of the carrier ID information, the calling party and/or the receiving party may accept, terminate or decline the call request pursuant to the carrier ID information of each respective party.

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.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing an untaken call on a called communication terminal, where at least for the untaken call a communication address for a caller or his calling communication terminal is entered in a caller list associated with the called communication terminal. An instruction given by the caller during or after the call suppresses a return call which can be initiated by the entry in the caller list.

Abstract: Number portability is a service where a subscriber can keep his old telephone number within a portability cluster and thus retain easy contactibility. Because of number portability, a called address, i.e. B-number, no longer refers to the subscription network/number range owner and the old rule “the number range of the called party reveals the tariff level” is no longer valid. To overcome this defect all intelligent network-like service invocation requests are routed (3-2) via a network node performing a number portability function to the network node controlling the service. The node performing the number portability function performs (3-3) a mapping of the B-number and relays (3-4) the service invocation requests indicating the subscription network/number range owner.

Abstract: The present invention is related to telecommunications, and in particular, to methods and systems for processing call signaling data. In an embodiment, a call processing system receives a first message from a switch while the switch is processing a call for a calling party, wherein the first message is initiated at least partly in response to a firing of a call event trigger configured within a switch. The first message includes call signaling information, including the calling party's phone number. The calling party's phone number is stored in the call processing system. A communication channel is established over a network between the call processing system and a computer associated with the called party. A message is transmitted to the networked computer, the message including the calling party's phone number, wherein the calling party's phone number is intended to be displayed on the networked computer associated with the called party.

Abstract: A system for establishing a connection between a contact requester (i.e. a potential customer) and a communications center is disclosed. The system has a message receiver which accepts a message from a communications device, such as a mobile telephone or a PDA, and a contact number. The contact number is usually the number of the mobile telephone or PDA. The system has furthermore a parser for parsing the message and identifying one or more identifiers in the message, including a destination identifier. The destination identifier indicates the number of a communications center, such as a call center, to which the message should be sent. A connector in the system uses the destination identifier and the contact number to establish a connection between a requested one of the communications centers and the contact requester.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring or conferencing a call between user-accessible communication endpoints are provided. In particular, information related to a call in progress or a connection in progress is stored in removable memory associated with a first user-accessible communication endpoint. The user then removes the removable memory from the first user-accessible communication endpoint, and places it in a second user-accessible communication endpoint. The second user-accessible communication endpoint then calls a network authority, and provides the call information stored on the removable memory to the network authority. In response to receiving the call information, the network authority forks the call to the second user-accessible communication endpoint. The first user-accessible communication endpoint can then be disconnected.

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.

Abstract: A network device having delayed call establishment is disclosed. The network device includes a port to allow the device to communicate with a called endpoint and a processor. The processor sends a call request message associated with a call to the called endpoint and receives a notification that a delay point has been reached. Alternatively, the network device includes a port to allow the device to communicate with a calling endpoint and a processor. The processor receives a call request message associated with a call from the calling endpoint, responds with a notification of delayed call establishment availability; and processes the call to a delay point. Once the delay point has been reached the processor determines if the call is to be established, and if the call is to be established, notify the called endpoint.

Abstract: Queue callback systems and methods handle scheduled callbacks to requesters in the absence of resources by providing a pre-established message soliciting the establishment of an alternate callback. Non-callback options can also be presented to the respective requester. Agents can also be organized in a plurality of queues, each of a selected size, to more effectively use callback resources.

Abstract: In one method and apparatus for blocking unwanted calls in a callback system, parameters associated with a callback request (e.g., the user device to which the call is to be directed, the IP address from which the request originated or an identifier of the source computer from which the callback request originated, the party from whom the call is requested) are tracked for each call. A decision to automatically block the requested callback is made based on one or more criteria based on a combination of these parameters, which may be a total over a period of time. In a second method, one or both of the parties to the callback is queried as to whether the callback is unwanted and, if so, one or more parameters associated with the request are blacklisted.

Abstract: If an attempt by a first user to contact another party fails, a callback server sets a flag. The callback server monitors terminals that have such flags set and is arranged to transmit an alert to the calling party when the called party next becomes available. However, if at the time when the called party becomes available, the calling party is himself no longer available, being now switched off or busy, an additional flag in the store, indicative of activity by the calling party, prevents a callback alert from being generated until the monitoring process can obtain availability indications in respect of both parties simultaneously. Availability may be determined by factors such as available bandwidth or terminal capabilities. A callback may be initiated when a predetermined number of called parties become available to participate in a conference call.

Abstract: A communication terminal 110A that can redial without imposing much emotional burden on the other party of the call even if the call is put on hold and the party who put the call on hold behaves thoughtlessly includes: a control unit 200 substantially implemented by a computer, for central control of communication terminal 110A, and a call communication device 204 for wireless voice communication with another terminal during a call with another terminal, a data communication device 206 for wireless data communication with another terminal and with management server 106, an input device 212 used by the user for operating communication terminal 110A, a time counter 214 for counting date and time, a display device 210, a sound input/output device 208, and a storage 202 for storing various pieces of information, all connected to the control unit 200.

Abstract: A method for facilitating a data session in a communications environment is provided that includes receiving, at a first endpoint, a call that was initiated by a second endpoint. The first endpoint is already engaged in a previous call. The method further includes invoking a reverse eCamp-On™ feature in response to receiving the call from the second endpoint such that the first endpoint initiates a new call to the second endpoint once the previous call is completed.

Abstract: A communication system for receiving incoming communications from mobile communication devices and for initiating a call-back is disclosed. The communication system receives incoming communications from a mobile communication device, such as data requests. The data requests may be for a list of providers or companies and for a list of corresponding queues related to customer services, such as billing, for example. Further, the communication system typically includes components and queues for initiating a call-back sequence to a communication receiving device and placing an identifier associated with the communication receiving device in a user-selected queue. The communication system also determines the wait time in a queue and places an outgoing call to the communication receiving device. Also, a method for initiating a call-back to a communication receiving device is disclosed.

Abstract: A mobile communication device is provided for enabling a user to establish an automated call back from a communication system, such as a call center, for example. A software device application enables the mobile communication device to communicate with the call center through the exchange of data. The mobile communication device includes a display screen for displaying controls for allowing the user to interact with the communication system. The controls allow the user to request a list of providers from which to select a provider or company to contact. The mobile communication device further provides controls for allowing the user to select a queue to join from a list of queues associated with the selected provider. For example, one queue may be related to billing and another queue may be related to another aspect of customer service. The user may then request the expected wait time in the selected queue for receiving a call-back from the communication system.

Abstract: A method for transmitting a character message from a mobile communication terminal with a function of transmitting the character message. Using the method, the character message can be transmitted promptly and conveniently upon failure of an originating call due to no reply of a receiver. The method comprises the steps of checking whether a preset “Send Message After Call Ending menu item” is chosen or not, as a user attempts to make a call to another mobile communication terminal, automatic ending the originating call, as the “Send Message After Call Ending menu item” is chosen, and converting the menu item into a screen for inputting a character message after ending the originating call, and performing origination of the character message according to the user's input.

Abstract: A communication terminal is provided including a plurality of service providing sections (terminal adaptation function, operation section) which terminates a call, accepts operation instruction information, and provides a predetermined information service, a DCF for managing the setup information, which is commonly set for the plurality of service providing sections and outputting control instruction information based on this setup information or operation instruction information, and a control section which controls operation of the plurality of service providing sections based on the control instruction information which is output from the DCF, are disposed, so that operation control of the plurality of service providing sections (e.g. startup of transfer/telephone answering machine) according to the common setup information or operation instruction information is implemented.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed to minimize wasted bandwidth by suppressing communications between a trunking gateway and a media gateway until a telephone service-related signal is detected during an on-hook state. In an embodiment, the trunking gateway and the media gateway are part of a telecommunications network that utilizes a single fabric for both voice traffic and data traffic. For example, the network could transport all traffic via Internet Protocol packets.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing manned, e.g., live customer support to customers, e.g., people using the Internet to purchase goods and/or services are described. A person viewing a Web Site, e.g., a customer, is presented with a button which provides the opportunity to talk to a customer service representative. Upon activating the button, e.g., by clicking on it, the customer's computer or other Internet browser device sends a signal, e.g., a call request message, over the Internet indicating that the customer wants to talk with a service representative. The call request message includes the customer's telephone number and/or IP address. In response to the call request message, calling equipment is used to establish a customer service call between the customer and a customer service representative. The equipment can be owned by the telephone company thereby avoiding the need for E-business companies to make investments in telephone equipment.

Abstract: A method and arrangement for determining the expiry time for a period during which the re-establishment of lost radio bearers is allowable. There is determined a first expiry time (206, 207) for a period during which the re-establishment of lost radio bearers used to provide services of a first category, like real time services, is allowable. Additionally there is determined a second expiry time (208, 209) for a period during which the re-establishment of lost radio bearers used to provide services of a second category, like non-real time services, is allowable.

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.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for providing call intermediation services. The method for providing the call intermediation services allows a user to automatically make a call with a company if a user inputs only the telephone number on the web. After confirming the company profile of the Internet portal site, a user can speak by telephone with a person in charge of a company without a waiting time for call connection, and the user can rapidly acquire necessary information by means of query and response.

Abstract: Techniques for using call history for voice data over a packet-switched network includes receiving call history data that indicates a redirected network identity that served as a target of a particular voice data session from a particular calling party. The redirected network identity is different from both a caller network identity that identifies the particular calling party, and a current target network identity that identifies a current target party of the particular voice data session. A call history display composition is formed that indicates at least that the redirected network identity exists. The call history display composition is presented for viewing by at least one of the particular calling party and the current target party. These technique allow a party to redirected communications to easily call or save the network address of a former target of the call.

Abstract: According to the inventive method, call back information is transmitted to a telephone network via an internet terminal using a click-to-dial service. In order to verify the information, the telephone network extracts internet terminal specific information from the access server via the internet. After comparing the call number information which is contained in the call back information and in the internet terminal specific information, the return call is initiated or suppressed. Return calls to subscribers who do not want to be called are thus suppressed.

Abstract: A system and method for initiating calls via electronic calendar is disclosed. A call list is associated by a user to a particular time and day within the electronic calendar. When the particular day and time arrives, the call list is forwarded to a service which executes the call list, and subsequently contacts the members of the call list. The system may initially query the callees through a prerecorded voice messaging system to determine which callees are present, and then establish a telephone connection based on responses to the queries. Once a connection is established, the user and the members of the list are linked to a conference bridge.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining a call from a caller, and determining whether to offer a first callback time to the caller. The first callback time is a future time for a contact between the caller and the call center. The method also includes providing the first callback time to the caller, obtaining a response from the caller, and scheduling the contact at the first callback time if the response indicates that the caller desires a contact at the first callback time. Providing the first callback time to the caller includes soliciting the response from the caller which indicates whether the caller desires the contact at the first callback time.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for providing multimedia content to a calling party device. Specifically, the method comprises receiving a connection establishment request from a calling party device where the connection establishment request is operable for establishing a connection between the calling party device and a called party device in an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network, obtaining multimedia content information in response to the connection establishment request where the multimedia content information is operable for establishing at least one multimedia session with the calling party device, and transmitting at least a portion of the multimedia content information towards the calling party device contemporaneously with establishment of the connection.

Abstract: A system and method for coordinating communications. User selection of multiple contacts from an address book are received. The user selection of multiple contacts are added to a contact schedule. The multiple contacts listed in the contact schedule are automatically called. A voice communication is initiated in response to a receiving party answering a call. A message specified by a user is sent to the receiving party in response to the receiving party not answering the call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for ensuring a real-time connection between users and selected service providers using voice mail. The system enables seekers of a wide array of services to select, contact, converse, and pay for a service provider using a communications device such as the telephone. A seeker locates a service provider by providing the name of a profession, which is recognized by the system's software. Once a service provider is selected, the system connects the seeker with the service provider for a live conversation. However, during service provider unavailability, the system enables the seeker to leave a voice mail message for the service provider and reconnects the user and service provider once the message is reviewed by the service provider. The system automatically bills the seeker for the time spent conversing with the service provider and compensates the service provider.

Abstract: The present invention provides system and method for delayed answering of a call to a cellular phone which can operate in either a distributed or a centralized manner. In particular, the system and method according to the present invention allows the cellular phone user upon receiving a call to play a message to the caller, such as informing the caller to “hold on” for a short time and that the user will be available shortly. The present invention provides a number of advantageous alternatives to provide a cellular phone user flexibility in answering incoming calls.