Abstract: A forwarding apparatus includes: a transmission source acquisition part for acquiring a first telephone number of a telephone corresponding to a transmission source of digital information; a call destination receiving part for receiving, from the telephone server, a second telephone number of a telephone called through the telephone number acquired by the transmission source acquisition part; a forwarding destination identifying part for identifying a forwarding destination corresponding to a telephone having the second telephone number received by the call destination receiving part; and a forwarding part for forwarding the digital information to the forwarding destination identified by the forwarding destination identifying part.

Abstract: A method is described for call treatment based on user association with one or more user groups. The method includes receiving a phone call from a call source that is directed to a call recipient, identifying a user group associated with the call recipient, and determining a number of received indications assigned to the user group. The received indications are assigned to the user group by users associated with the user group, and the received indications reflect a desire by the users for a special treatment of future calls from the call source. The method also includes distinguishing treatment of the phone call from the call source based on the number of received indications.

Abstract: A smooth and seamless terminal switching guaranteeing continuity of communication at an application level is realized. A call control part for setting and managing a physical and logical transmission path between communication terminals, a session management part for managing establishment of data communication between the communication terminals, and a switching request processing unit for controlling interruption and resumption of a session are provided, wherein the switching request processing unit exercises a function to temporarily interrupt a session after receiving a session switching request signal from a communication terminal, a function to instruct the call control part to establish a call connection with a switch destination communication terminal, a function to establish a session with an application on the switch destination communication terminal, and a function to resume, after establishing the session, a session with a communication terminal of an opposite side.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program for routing an outgoing communication in real time is presented. A communication is received from a caller to an intended receiving wireless telecommunication device. In response to the communication failing to connect to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device, scan of other alternate telecommunication devices is initiated to determine if other communication devices are available for receiving a re-route of the original communication. If an alternate telecommunication device is available to receive the communication, then the communication is rerouted to the preferred alternate telecommunication device based on the alternate telecommunication device being a mutual contact of the contact list of the caller telecommunication device and the mapping profile of the intended receiving telecommunication device.

Abstract: A system and method for customized caller identification and call routing are disclosed. A disclosed method of providing customized caller identification information for a phone call includes associating a first phone number in a database with a plurality of user specified identifications, selecting one of the plurality of user specified identifications in response to the phone call placed from the first phone number to a second phone number as a function of the second phone number, and providing the selected one of the plurality of identifications to a device associated with the second telephone number.

Abstract: A method of call control in which a first communications network, detecting calls directed to a destination in the first network; redirects at least some of the calls to a destination in a second network (e.g. on no answer from the destination in the first network). The first network then operates in two phases. In a first phase, for a group of calls redirected to the second network, the time delay before the call is answered in the second network is recorded. When a number of time delays have been recorded, a delay period is set to a value less than the maximum value of the recorded time delays. In a second phase, for a second group of calls redirected to the second network subsequent to the calls of the first group, when a call of the second group is not answered in the second network within the delay period, the call is redirected to a message service associated with the first network.

Abstract: During establishing a communication or power characteristics, an idle state is activated such that a communication terminal is at least temporarily unattainable. The idle state results in reducing electric power consumption in the communication terminal for which switchings off such as Always-on-Device are not provided.

Abstract: A method for transferring time-synchronous data, particularly voice and video data, over a network, particularly the Internet, between at least two terminals, where between the terminals a connection is established using a SIP server and where the SIP protocol is used for establishing the connection, is—with respect to high Quality of Service for transferring time-synchronous data and with a technically simple and cost effective design—developed in a way that the SIP server analyzes the connection and/or the terminals or the like and that based on the analysis it determines an ideal bandwidth for optimizing the transfer of time-synchronous data.

Abstract: Receiving a request from a device for an incoming call to a called number. Obtaining presence information of the called party. Presenting the obtained information via the calling device. Presenting action option(s) including an option to proceed with the call. Receiving an action choice corresponding to proceed with the call. Presenting a request for credentials to the calling party. Receiving credentials corresponding to a calling party permitted to continue with the call. Proceeding with the call.

Abstract: Communications over a network are selectively routed to one of multiple mobile devices identified by the same mobile device number. In one example, a method includes identifying a first mobile phone associated with a first activation priority by a phone number and identifying a second mobile phone associated with a second activation priority by the same phone number. The activation priority indicates a priority with which the first and the second mobile phones are activated for communications on a network. Communications associated with the phone number are selectively routed to one of the first mobile phone or the second mobile phone having a highest activation priority. The phone number defines an address at which the communications are routed to the one of the first mobile phone or the second mobile phone having the highest activation priority without being routed to an intervening address defined by another device number.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a method and system for identifying a first dialog between an element and a server and a second dialog between the server and a first device, wherein the first dialog and second dialog are connected to form an active call, identifying a call park request code from the first device through a third dialog between the first device and the server, creating a fourth dialog between the server and a parking address based on the call park request code, disconnecting the first dialog and second dialog, connecting the first dialog with the fourth dialog to park the active call, identifying a call pickup request code from a second device through a fifth dialog between the second device and the server, disconnecting the first dialog and the fourth dialog, and connecting the first dialog with the fifth dialog to resume the active call.

Abstract: A method, which comprises receiving an indication of an intent to communicate using a first communication client registered to a user account. A memory is then consulted in an attempt to identify a communication session previously established with a party that is a communication client registered to the user account, the communication session having been placed in a held state. If the attempt is successful, the first communication client is then engaged in the communication session.

Abstract: Examples of inbound call identification and management are described including a call management system that includes one or more repositories that can include data representing call action policies and data representing attributes associated with the caller devices and the callee devices. Further, the call management system can include one or more computing devices that include a call identifier (“IDer”) configured to characterize the attributes of the caller devices to form characterized attributes, a call management system controller configured to match the characterized attributes against routing criteria specified in the data representing the call action policies, and a call management system router configured to route calls from the caller devices to the callee devices responsive to a match between the characterized attributes and the routing criteria.

Abstract: Systems and methods in which call intelligence, such as may be deployed in communication with signaling systems utilized in controlling calls and telecommunication databases, is used to analyze information about a call in order to make a determination as to the likelihood or risk that call redirecting, such as call forwarding or remote call forwarding, will be invoked with respect to a call are shown. The call intelligence, upon a determination that an unacceptable risk that call redirecting will be invoked, preferably institutes appropriate call treatment or handling procedures, such as to block the call or to allow the call while invoking additional call treatment action.

Abstract: A telephone includes first circuitry enabling communications with a telephone network. A call block list includes at least one user designated number. A call blocking logic module is implemented within the first circuitry and selectively blocks incoming calls to the telephone over the telephone network responsive to the at least one user designated number in the call block list.

Abstract: A system may include a call controller configured to receive a refer message configured to transfer a first endpoint of a call session, the call session being between at least the first endpoint at a first communications device and a second endpoint at a second communications device, the refer message indicating to transfer the first endpoint from the first communications device to a third communications device. The call control may be further configured to subscribe the first communications device to notification messages associated with the referral of the transferred call session, the subscription to the referral extending beyond the call transfer until termination of the call; and send, through the subscription to the first communications device, a notification message indicating termination of the transferred call.

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

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for routing telephone calls within a household. In the disclosed home call routing system, a head of the household or other person with administrative authority within the home can control the routing of telephone calls by establishing and modifying call system parameters such as call priorities, traffic times, caller identities, routing rules, etc. through a home computer.

Abstract: A method of establishing a communications session in a communications system is disclosed. The communications system comprises a caller terminal (103), a mobile terminal (101) associated with the caller terminal (103), a callee terminal (115) associated with a callee and session initiation means (111,113). It has become common yet frustrating for users to have to maintain contact lists on a multiplicity of communications devices (e.g. the caller terminal and the mobile terminal). The method comprises: (i) identifying the callee using the mobile telephone (101); (ii) responsive to identification of said callee, transferring data identifying the callee from the mobile terminal (101) to the session initiation means (111,113); and (iii) in dependence on the transferred data, operating the session initiation means (111,113) to establish a communications session between the caller terminal (103) and the callee terminal (115).

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for a user to monitor and/or override a forwarded call. Typically, the forwarded call was initially an incoming call from a caller to the user and thereafter forwarded to a remote service system, such as a remote messaging system. The system and method determine a redirecting number from which the incoming call was forwarded. The system and method then initiates a second call to the user and a voice path is established connecting the forwarded call to the second call. Thereafter, the user is notified, for example, with a distinct ring at the user's telephone, of the option that the user may monitor and override the forwarded call. The system and method can also execute procedures to actuate the options elected by the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for handling telephone calls which comprises: means for configuring the operation of the apparatus based on user preferences relating to the handling of calls from particular callers, means for storing the user preferences, means for processing incoming calls based on the user preferences, and means for receiving updates to the user preferences in dependence on changes to a preference database for storing the preferences of at least one user. The invention also relates to a telecommunications system, and to an associated server.

Abstract: A method for screening and routing incoming telephone calls includes extracting caller identification information from an incoming telephone call, providing a plurality of tables including a primary ring table, a secondary ring table, a voicemail table, a block call table, and a forward call table, and determining which one of the plurality of tables includes the caller identification information. The method further includes sending the incoming telephone call directly to voicemail without having a ring tone if the voicemail table includes the caller identification information, blocking the incoming telephone call if the block call table includes the caller identification information, and forwarding the incoming telephone call if the forward call table includes the caller identification information.

Abstract: Rerouting telecommunications to a user including receiving a plurality of RFID signals from an RFID tag located with the user, anticipating a user's future location in dependence upon the RFID signals, selecting a telephony device in dependence upon the anticipated future location, and rerouting an ongoing call to the selected telephony device. In typical embodiments, selecting a telephony device in dependence upon the anticipated future location also includes identifying location based routing preferences for the user. In typical embodiments, selecting a telephony device in dependence upon the anticipated future location also includes identifying device-based routing preferences for the user. In typical embodiments, anticipating a user's future location in dependence upon the RFID signals also includes determining a first user location, determining a second user location, and predicting a user's future location in dependence upon the first user location and the second user location.

Abstract: Communication systems and methods are described that include class-based call request routing. Components of the communication systems are configured to receive information of a class at a calling device. In response to the class information, a call request is automatically generated and addressed to resources of a class group. The resources of the class group all possess a common attribute of the class. The attribute includes one or more of a skill, job specialty code, job title, company, department, and division. The generated call request is routed to target devices of the resources. In response to a resource accepting the call request, a response message is received from a target device of the resource. Communications are established between the calling device and the at least one target device in response to the response message received from the target device.

Abstract: The present invention provides flexible call processing. For example, a call processor system can receive an inbound call intended for a called party and place an outbound call to the called party. The call processing system can provide the called party with a call transfer option.

Abstract: A facility for screening service requests for requesting assistance is described. The facility receives from a user a service request that requests assistance with solving a problem associated with a system accessible to the user and includes information related to the system. The facility searches a collection of system status information for at least one entry that corresponds with the received information related to the system. Where a corresponding entry is found, the facility provides to the user an indication of the correspondence and an opportunity to cancel the service request.

Abstract: Communications over a network are selectively routed to one of multiple mobile devices identified by the same mobile device number. In one example, a method includes identifying a first mobile phone associated with a first activation priority by a phone number and identifying a second mobile phone associated with a second activation priority by the same phone number. The activation priority indicates a priority with which the first and the second mobile phones are activated for communications on a network. Communications associated with the phone number are selectively routed to one of the first mobile phone or the second mobile phone having a highest activation priority. The phone number defines an address at which the communications are routed to the one of the first mobile phone or the second mobile phone having the highest activation priority without being routed to an intervening address defined by another device number.

Abstract: A computing device is configured to receive an incoming communication from another computing device. The incoming communication may be for purpose of initiating a voice-exchange session. In response to receiving the incoming call, the computing device may identify or determine a message identifier of the other computing device. The message identifier is determined based at least in part on data provided with the incoming communication. The computing device may programmatically address a message to the other computing device using the message identifier determined from the incoming communication.

Abstract: A method for processing telephone call includes: access number configuration information corresponding to a called number is stored in an access number configuration equipment in a communication system; the calling party requests for the pre-call registration in the communication system, the communication system adds a corresponding pre-call registration record into a pre-call registration list according to the access number configuration information; the calling party initiates the call to the called party, after the communication system receives the call request of the calling party and before calling the called party, the communication system determines whether the calling party has been registered in the pre-call registration list, if the calling party has been registered, connects the call request and initiates the call to the called party; otherwise, refuses to initiate the call to the called party.

Abstract: A method and a corresponding apparatus for forwarding incoming calls according to the current position of the intended receiver. The position is detected by means of RFID tag and corresponding detectors. A plurality of telephone receivers are distributed within the offices of one or more sites of an entity (e.g. a private Company or Corporation or a Public Body) all connected together by means of a switchboard system. A corresponding plurality of detectors are positioned in proximity of the telephone receivers, so that the presence of an RFID tag is detected whenever it comes within a predetermined distance. Such presence of the RFID tag (and consequently the presence of the person carrying the tag to whom a telephone number is assigned) next to a target telephone receiver will then be communicated to a Central Switchboard.

Abstract: An electronic device, referred to as a beacon gateway, capable of communicating an incoming call on one phone to a second phone operating on a different telecommunications network is described herein. A landline phone, voice-over-Internet-protocol phone (VOIP phone), cable phone, and mobile phone may be connected to the beacon gateway. When one of the phones receives an incoming call, the beacon gateway rings the other phones with ring tones indicative of the receiving phone. Additionally, a user can elect to make a phone call across one network (e.g., wireless) from a phone that communicates calls across a different network (e.g., landline). Moreover, a thin client operating in a mobile device is configured to handle communicating inbound calls and outgoing calls on mobile device to other phones connected to the beacon gateway.

Abstract: A method, apparatus and system for call leg selection is provided. In an embodiment, a call manger is provided which is connected to telephones that have the same telephone number. When the call manager receives an incoming call identifying that telephone number, the call manager sends a query to each of the telephones inquiring as to which telephone should receive the call. Depending on the response, the call manager will route the call to the appropriate one of the telephones.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, in which a first telephone number is associated with a second telephone number, and a web-based advertisement is served for an advertiser that includes the first telephone number. A call placed to the first telephone number is received, and the call is routed to the second telephone number based on the association of the second telephone number with the first telephone number. A determination as to whether a call-through event in response to receiving the call placed to the first telephone number has occurred, and an advertiser associated with the second telephone number is charged a cost-per-call amount if the call-through event is determined to have occurred.

Abstract: A technology for converting a source or destination telephone number according to usage purposes of a telephone apparatus user. A number converter (115) is provided to convert the source telephone number based on the destination telephone number to which a call is made from an IP voice terminal (130) or a voice terminal (140), using information stored in a called number conversion database (112). The number converter (115) also converts the destination telephone number based on the source telephone number from which a call is made from the IP voice terminal (130) or the voice terminal (140), using information stored in a calling number conversion database (113).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a subscriber who is originating a call to a called party endpoint to specify call handling treatments when a busy or a no answer network condition is encountered when calling the called party endpoint with no subscribed network based voice mail service are disclosed. The subscriber, for example, can re-originate the call that is originally directed to a home phone number of the called party to a cellular phone number of the called party instead upon encountering a busy or no answer network condition.

Abstract: Systems and methods for initiating telephony calls are presented. In one example, a phone call initiation is detected on a first communications network. The phone call initiation is redirected to a second communications network. The call is connected utilizing the second communications network.

Abstract: A system and method deliver audible caller identification information when standard Caller ID information is invalid or cannot be provided. In one disclosed embodiment, the Caller ID information must include a valid number of digits and a valid area code. If the Caller ID information is not valid, a calling party is prompted by an announcement to provide the audible caller identification information.

Abstract: A network scanner, communication protocols, and client and server programs and are provided which provide an improved way to transmit legally binding documents, obviating the need for outmoded, legacy fax transmissions. Using the network scanner, a document may be scanned and transferred directly into any shared folder inbox residing on any computer attached to the Internet. Enhanced server systems and network communications and messaging protocols are provided that are more practical to use than email for sending documents such as executed legal documents or other documents requiring robust integrity and authenticatability. Similarly, the inventive network scanner, server systems and communication protocols provide improved ways to perform large file transfers and to manage bandwidth to minimize problems associated with uploading/downloading large files as attachments to/from email servers and for enabling user control over VoIP quality during file transmission sessions.

Abstract: Included are embodiments for recording data from a communication. A least one embodiment includes a system for recording data from a communication that includes a controller component and a gateway component passively coupled to a switching component. In at least one embodiment the gateway component configured to receive at least a portion of the control data, the gateway component further configured to receive media data associated with the with the communication.

Abstract: An association dictionary creation apparatus is provided that is capable of easily and efficiently creating an association dictionary suiting the user's taste.

Abstract: An examples of active call filtering, screening and dispatching is described, including receiving data representing a call from a first communication endpoint; presenting at a second communication endpoint, prior to connecting to the call, a subset of prompts that specify dispatching actions for the call, at least one of the dispatching actions including transmitting a response via a communications network, detecting selection of a prompt that specifies a dispatching action for the call, and transmitting an instruction from the second communication endpoint to a call messaging system to perform the dispatching action. In some embodiments, a determination is made as to whether a bypass condition exists, the bypass condition specifying that one or more customized screening rules are to be bypassed. If the bypass condition exists, then a call messaging system can bypass the use of a subset of prompts.

Abstract: A system and method for automatic proximity based call termination determines when a mobile telephony device enters a predetermined area. When that occurs, call termination instructions are automatically issued to re-direct incoming telephone calls directed to the mobile telephony device to an alternate telephone number. In some instances, incoming telephone calls directed to the mobile telephony device may be simultaneously sent to both the mobile telephony device, and to an alternate telephone number. When the mobile telephony device leaves the predetermined area, the call termination instructions are automatically canceled, and calls directed to the mobile telephony device are only sent to the mobile telephony device.

Abstract: Methods are described for handling an incoming call at a mobile switching center when the mobile station is currently in either an access state (in the process of making an outgoing call) or in a paging state (in the process of receiving an earlier incoming call). The mobile switching center waits until the mobile station transitions out of the access state or paging state into a traffic state. The mobile switching center sends an alert message to the mobile station alerting the user of the new incoming call. The mobile switching center handles the incoming call per a response to the alert message. One option would be to send the new incoming call to the user and drop the other incoming call (or the outgoing call). Another option would be to direct the incoming call to voice mail. In either case, the handling of the incoming call is per the user's direction, i.e., as dictated by the response message.

Abstract: A method and system for providing directory assistance to erroneous calls. The method and system includes an intercept system that intercepts erroneous calls and automatically routes them to a directory assistance service. The directory assistance service provides a least one advertisement and a variety of other services to the callers using a business subscriber information service, a white page database service; a yellow pages database service; a business intelligence database service; rule-based expert system service; and/or an Internet search service. The directory assistance service accepts fees from advertisers, businesses and providers of the variety of services to refer information to callers.

Abstract: A method and system for providing directory assistance to erroneous calls. The method and system includes an intercept system that intercepts erroneous calls and automatically routes them to a directory assistance service. The directory assistance service provides a least one advertisement and a variety of other services to the callers using a rule-based expert system service.

Abstract: A method and system for providing directory assistance to erroneous calls. The method and system includes an intercept system that intercepts erroneous calls and automatically routes them to a directory assistance service. The directory assistance service provides a least one advertisement and a variety of other internal and external information services to the callers using a business subscriber information service, a white page database service; a yellow pages database service; a business intelligence database service; and/or an Internet search service.

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.

Abstract: One or more aspects of the disclosure relate to various functions and processes related to routing of calls based on origination and/or destination information. In one aspect, a method may comprise receiving a request for a call session, and the request may include an indicator that may indicate whether to route a call based on origination and/or destination information of the call session. Based on the indicator, a routing element may determine whether the call session should be routed based on origination information and/or destination information.

Abstract: A user may utilize a communication device, e.g., a wireless phone, mobile device or personal digital assistant (PDA), to contact an information/call center where an operator provides personalized information and communications services to the user in accordance with the invention. Such services include, e.g., providing listing information, contacts information, appointments information, etc. To provide effective connectivity, for example, when a user locates a phone number in his/her private directory using a web browser, the user may utilize a direct connect feature of the invention to initiate a phone call to the desired number over the Internet. In addition, the invention allows for delivery of the appointments information to the user not only via voice connection, but also SMS, email, facsimile, PDA, etc. It also allows for rendering a calendaring service in combination with such services as a TeleConcierge® service which helps the user to plan a future event, e.g., making a restaurant reservation.

Abstract: A packet switched telephone system includes a packet switched routing apparatus. The packet switched routing apparatus selectively associates a local telephone number with a phone call based on a called telephone number, and routes the phone call based on the called telephone number. The local telephone number may be substituted for a calling telephone number when the called telephone number corresponds to a predefined number, such as an emergency number. When the called telephone number corresponds to an emergency number, the phone call may be routed with the substituted local telephone number to a Public Safety Access Point (PSAP) that services the local area of the subscriber.