Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosed invention include a system and a method for providing a call forward indicator to enable a called party to identify a forwarded call. In one embodiment, the method includes receiving calling information for placing a telephone call. The method determines from the calling information whether the telephone call is a forwarded call. The method modifies a caller identification of a calling party associated with the telephone call to include a call forward indicator in response to determining that the telephone call is a forwarded call. The method transmits the caller identification having the call forward indicator to a forwarded communication device associated with the called party.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a system and method for charting audible choices comprises determining if an option is offered; selecting the option if the option is offered; and saving a result, wherein the result is associated with the selected option.

Abstract: Unanswered calls route to voicemail after a variable number of ring cycles based on a history with the voicemail user. The history may include the caller's identity, the user's answering history, and user preferences. If the caller is not identified, an unanswered call may go to voicemail after a default number of ring cycles. If a caller has a history of previous calls to the user/called party, that history may increase or decrease the default number of ring cycles for that caller. For example, callers whose previous calls to the voicemail user have been answered may receive more ring cycles before going to voicemail. Conversely, callers whose previous calls to the user/called party were unanswered may receive a reduced number of ring cycles before going to voicemail. The number of ring cycles may also be adjusted where the call answering history suggests the called party is unavailable during certain times.

Abstract: A communication system includes a plurality of endpoints associated with predetermined groups of endpoints; a server adapted to store for each group of endpoints a list of the endpoints, among the plurality of endpoints, associated therewith; and a communication network adapted to allow the server and the plurality of endpoints to communicate with each other, wherein, for an incoming phone call from a calling endpoint, each endpoint of the plurality of endpoints includes modules adapted to: 1) receive from the calling endpoint a request to establish the incoming phone call; 2) send a message to the server reporting about the incoming phone call from the calling endpoint, and wherein the server includes modules adapted to: a) receive the message sent in 2); b) identify, based on the received message, a group of endpoints associated with the endpoint sending the message in 2); c) identify at least one monitoring endpoint associated with the group of endpoints identified in b); and d) send to the at least one mo

Abstract: The present invention provides a technique for directly calling telephones via a shared telephone number, which telephones do not have telephone numbers in the address space of the Public Switched Telephone Network. This is particularly useful for visitors and guests who are, for example, temporarily at a hotel, school campus, or business.

Abstract: A call is forwarded by connecting the call between an originating location and a forwarding location without connecting the call through a terminating location. The originating location is associated with a calling party. The terminating location is associated with a dialed number. The terminating location and the forwarding location is associated with the called party. A bill for the call is apportioned between the calling party and the called party. The bill portion for the calling party is a function of the originating location and the terminating location. The bill portion for the called party is a function of the terminating location and the forwarding location.

Abstract: A call forwarding system forwards telephone calls based on presence information of a user as reported by computing devices associated with a telephone number. When a telephone system receives an incoming call directed to one of the telephone numbers of the user's computing devices, it sends an incoming call event to each computing device. Upon receiving the incoming call event from a telephone system, each computing device determines whether the user is most likely present at that computing device based on the presence information. When a computing device determines that the user is most likely present at that computing device, it sends a notification to the telephone system to forward the incoming call to the telephone number associated with that computing device to effect the automatic forwarding of a call based on presence information.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes receiving a forwarded call. The forwarded call corresponds to a call forwarded from a first redirecting telephone device to a second redirecting telephone device. The forwarded call has an associated data message that includes a calling number of an originating telephone device and a first redirecting number of the first redirecting telephone device. The method also includes selecting a destination voice mailbox. The destination voice mailbox is selected from a plurality of voice mailboxes associated with a user. The destination voice mailbox is selected based on an evaluation of the first redirecting number and a second redirecting number of the second redirecting telephone device.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a system for forwarding a telephone call. The inventive method includes receiving a telephone call from a calling party line to a called party line, determining a location of the called party, determining a proximity of the location of the called party to one or more subscriber locations, and directing the telephone call to the one or more subscriber locations based on the determined proximity. The subscriber locations may be predefined by the called party. The location of the called party may be determined using a global position system and/or a radio frequency signal, for example.

Abstract: A communications management network for managing subscribers' communication sessions. The management network includes multiple sets of session management modules or servers (e.g., Intelligent Service Control Points), a services hub and a data warehouse. The network may also include a gateway for routing text messages. Each set of session management modules includes a plurality of modules, and each subscriber is assigned to one set of modules with one of the modules as a primary and another as a secondary or backup. Subscribers are grouped according to geographical area (e.g., by zip code, by area code), service area or other criteria, and all subscribers within a group are assigned to the same primary and secondary modules. Management of subscribers' communication sessions is load balanced by reassigning groups of subscribers to different sets of session management modules. Each module tracks account statuses (e.g., prepaid services balances) for its assigned subscribers.

Abstract: A rule-based intelligent call forwarding system is provided that typically includes a central office, a service control point, and an internet call routing system. The central office typically triggers a query responsive to receiving a call request. The service control point, which is coupled to the central office, receives the query, and triggers an internet call routing query. The internet call routing system, which is coupled to the service control point, typically receives the internet call routing query, determines presence of the called party with respect to a registered communication device, parses rules associated with the called party, and terminates the call request responsive to the rules parsing and presence determination. Methods and other systems are also provided.

Abstract: A proprietary internet converter (PIC) is disclosed, which allows a calling party end-user device with internet access such as a mobile telephone, to initiate voice communication with a called party VoIP (Voice Over Internet protocol) end-user device. The ID (Internet Device with a built-in PIC) converts the protocols used by the calling party end-user device so that the switch that routes calls to the called party VoIP end-user device understands instructions sent from the calling party end-user device. The switch has a call forwarding function. The calling party gives the calling party user name (e.g. ISP user name/contact or VoIP user name/contact) to the PIC over the internet. The PIC then sets call forwarding function on the switch, for that particular calling party, so that an incoming call from the calling party is automatically forwarded to the ISP user or VoIP user defined by the calling party.

Abstract: A system is described for determining the active copresence of users during interactions. The system may include a processor, a memory, and an interface. The memory may store a degree of active copresence. The interface may communicate with a user. The processor may identify a primary interaction of the user. The processor may determine whether the user engages in a secondary interaction while the user is engaged in the primary interaction. The processor may determine the degree of active copresence of the user during the primary interaction based on a quality score of the primary interaction and a quality score of the secondary interaction. The degree of active copresence may represent the level of engagement of the user during the primary interaction. The processor may provide the degree of active copresence to the user via the interface.

Abstract: A method and system of routing telephone calls from a calling party to a called party including placing a call to a called party, accessing context information associated with the called party, permitting the calling party to opt to continue with the call or terminate the call based on the accessed context information, wherein continuing with the call comprises connecting the call to the called party or selecting a redirection option with the call.

Abstract: Communications rate control is described. The rate control includes receiving a message addressed to a client device of a user. A determination is made as to a category of the message. Data of the message is synchronized between a server and the mobile device in response to one or more of the category and one or more user actions at the client device.

Abstract: A selective call forwarding system implemented on an advanced intelligent network telephone system. The system includes a subscription list and programmable telephone number table that includes, for subscriber telephone numbers in the subscription list: a plurality of associated forwarding telephone numbers and a plurality of associated preferred caller telephone numbers. The system also includes logic to execute a service package application and a service node, the service node providing subscribers with access to modify the programmable telephone number table. The system further includes a telephone system for: determining that a call placed by a caller is to a subscriber; determining that the caller is a preferred caller; and selectively forwarding the call to one the forwarding telephone numbers associated with the subscriber telephone number. The telephone system also provides an indication to the caller that the call is being forwarded to the forwarding telephone number.

Abstract: A method and apparatus supporting the handling of multimedia information using simulcasting using a broadband access gateway are disclosed. A broadband access gateway supporting both a personal area network and a broadband network may receive multimedia information during exchanges between access devices over a wireless wide area network. The wireless wide area network may intercept multimedia information, and may, for example, determine that the access device of the recipient is incompatible with the multimedia information. The wide area network may then redirect the multimedia information to a broadband access gateway that may cause the storage of the received multimedia information. In another representative embodiment of the present invention, the wide area network may adapt intercepted multimedia information to be compatible with the access device of the recipient, and may also redirect the original intercepted multimedia information to a broadband access gateway.

Abstract: A method of delivering a call to a called party's device. The method includes receiving a call directed to a wireline device and validating that a telephone number of the wireline device is associated with a telephone number of a wireless device. The method also includes transmitting a message to the wireless device, delivering the call to the wireline device when a return message is not received from the wireless device, and determining a location of the wireless device when a return message is received from the wireless device. The method further includes comparing the location of the wireless device with a location of the wireline device, delivering the call to the wireless device when the location of the wireless device is not within a predefined vicinity of the location of the wireline device, and delivering the call to the wireline device when the location of the wireless device is within a predefined vicinity of the location of the wireline device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed that enable a private branch exchange to determine that a voice mail system has answered a call, without some of the disadvantages in the prior art. The private branch exchange—or, generally-speaking, a data-processing system—infers that the voice mail system has answered a call by timing key events or by noting some of indications that are received from another system, or both. Subsequently, the private branch exchange drops the voice mail system from the call, thereby minimizing the non-enterprise voice mail system's handling of calls that are originated to an on-premises terminal.

Abstract: A target phone number previously associated with a first user is presently associated with a second user such that the target phone number is not presently associated with the first user. A caller uses a calling phone number to initiate a phone call to the target phone number. In response, it is determined whether the calling phone number is on a list of phone numbers associated with the first user. If the calling phone number is on the list of phone numbers associated with the first user, then the caller is notified that the target phone number is no longer associated with the first user. It is determined whether the caller wants to continue with the phone call, and if not, the phone call is terminated before it reaches the second user.

Abstract: A topic is associated with a temporary communications address such as a temporary telephone number. This assignment may be effected by the user when the temporary address is obtained by the user. Illustratively, a user who simultaneously uses a plurality of temporary addresses associates a different topic with each of those addresses. When a caller calls the temporary address, the call is redirected to the user's real address and the user receives the topic that is associated with that temporary address, and preferably also the called temporary address itself, along with the redirected call, and this information is either displayed or announced to the user. The information provides context for the call to the user, and may optionally be captured in call logs. Illustratively, when the user initiates a call via the temporary address or the topic, the temporary address or the topic is provided to the called party as the caller ID information. The user's identity is thus kept secret.

Abstract: A method of delivering a call to a called party's device. The method includes receiving a call directed to a wireline device and validating that a telephone number of the wireline device is associated with a telephone number of a wireless device. The method also includes transmitting a message to the wireless device, delivering the call to the wireline device when a return message is not received from the wireless device, and determining a location of the wireless device when a return message is received from the wireless device. The method further includes comparing the location of the wireless device with a location of the wireline device, delivering the call to the wireless device when the location of the wireless device is not within a predefined vicinity of the location of the wireline device, and delivering the call to the wireline device when the location of the wireless device is within a predefined vicinity of the location of the wireline device.

Abstract: A device is provided including a processor and a display configured to list more than one presence enabled contact. A user agent is configured to indicate an availability status of the device to a presence server. The user agent is at least partially executed by the processor. Moreover, at least one input is configured to enable a device user to request a communications session with at least one of the plurality of presence enabled contacts. The request is initiated by the user agent when the requested presence enabled contact is available.

Abstract: A system and method for restoring the original calling number in a call routed through an out-of-network enhanced service provider to a forwarding destination. The system comprises a service control point, a service switching point in communication with the service control point, and an enhanced service provider service node in communication with the service switching point, wherein the service node is located outside of a network while the remaining components reside within the network, and wherein the service switching point is provisioned with two triggers: an incoming trigger for calls to the service node and an outgoing trigger for calls from the service node. According to the method, the service control point, in response to the incoming trigger, removes and stores the private call information of a call exiting the network and, in response to the outgoing trigger, restores that private call information to the call once the call re-enters the network.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing automatic route selection (ARS) services through the use of advanced intelligent network (AIN) functionality are described. AIN based ARS services are provided through the use of a route selection table implemented outside a switch, e.g., at the service control point (SCP). Alternatively, ARS functionality is provided using conditional logic at the SCP or a combination of conditional logic and an ARS table. The AIN based ARS service can be provided in addition to switch based ARS services. Methods for selecting the ARS method to be used based on switch type and/or the complexity of the ARS service to be provided are also described. The ARS functionality identifies the route, e.g., physical trunk or other line, over which a call is to be routed. The selection may be between trunks corresponding to different telecommunications carriers, services or privately owned lines.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and a system for forwarding a telephone call. The inventive method includes receiving a telephone call from a calling party line to a called party line, determining a location of the called party, determining a proximity of the location of the called party to one or more subscriber locations, and directing the telephone call to the one or more subscriber locations based on the determined proximity. The subscriber locations may be predefined by the called party. The location of the called party may be determined using a global position system and/or a radio frequency signal, for example.

Abstract: A method and system is presented to route calls to a voicemail system. The method includes receiving a call from an originating device at a first redirecting device and forwarding the call from the first redirecting device to a second redirecting device. The forwarded call has an associated data message that includes a calling number of the originating device and the first redirecting number of the first redirecting device. The method also includes forwarding the call from the second redirecting device to a destination voice mailbox. The destination voice mailbox is selected based on an evaluation of the first redirecting number and the second redirecting number.

Abstract: An exemplary management method includes receiving at a first network a notice of an intended communication to a called party network, the notice including a first priority indicator, the intended communication requiring a resource for supporting a streaming data protocol in each network between a calling party network and the called party network; forwarding the notice to a second network and toward the called party network, the notice including the first priority indicator; in parallel with said forwarding, mapping the first priority indicator to a second priority indicator and initiating for the intended communication a determination of resource availability for the first network based on the second priority indicator; determining the determination of resource availability for the first network based on the second priority indicator, wherein the determination is for a first resource for the first network; and verifying resource availability for the intended communication.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes receiving at a first network a notice of an intended communication to a called party network, wherein the intended communication requires a resource for supporting a streaming data protocol in each network between a calling party network and the called party network; forwarding the notice of an intended communication to a second network and toward the called party network; in parallel with said forwarding, initiating for the intended communication a determination of resource availability for the first network; performing for the intended communication the determination of resource availability for the first network, wherein the determination is for a first resource for the first network; and verifying resource sufficiency for the intended communication. Verification of resource sufficiency is based on resource, (e.g., bandwidth) availability being greater than a threshold for plural network segment of the calling party to calling network required for the intended call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a single service destination in a telecommunications network is disclosed. In particular, but not exclusively, disclosed embodiments relate to the provision of a single mailbox for multi-service users having access to a plurality of different telephony services.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for management of a communications network are provided. An exemplary method includes receiving at a first network a notice of an intended communication to a called party network, wherein the intended communication requires at least one resource for supporting a streaming data protocol between a calling party network and the called party network; verifying resource availability of at least one resource in the first network; and in parallel with said verifying, forwarding the notice of an intended communication to a second network and toward the called party network prior to receiving an indication of resource availability of the at least one resource in the first network required for the intended communication.

Abstract: A PBX, when notified information of an originating manipulation such as dialing of a receiver's number from a keyboard connected with a PC, judges whether an origination request is from the PC or a first terminal. In a case of the request being from the PC, the PBX performs number analysis processing of the PC which is the originator. The PBX judges whether there is information about a terminal associating with the terminal requesting the origination, and when there is information for the terminal, performs to connect with the associating terminal, and processes the origination request to thereby connect with the counterpart terminal. When there is no information about the terminal, the PBX processes the origination request as usual to thereby connect with the counterpart terminal.

Abstract: The automated dissemination of information in response to a telephone call is disclosed. When a call is received, the call can be forwarded to a third party, such as an emergency service provider. Data and/or audio information associated with the call can be automatically transmitted to one or more recipients.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for monitoring calls that have been forwarded to a network-based voice mail system (VMS). The VMS receives the forwarded call and sends a start of greeting signal at the beginning and an end of greeting signal at the completion of the voice message greeting to the central office switch. The switch sends an activate call monitoring data message and a call monitoring alert signal to the customer premises equipment (CPE). If the CPE is adapted for call monitoring and includes a speaker assembly, then the speaker assembly is engaged in response to the activate call monitoring data message, thereby allowing hands-free call monitoring. If the CPE does not include a speaker assembly, then the called party may activate call monitoring by lifting the handset in response to detecting a call monitoring alert from the CPE. While monitoring the call, the called party may intercept the call to speak with the calling party.

Abstract: An IP based voice/video communication system and call pickup/forwarding method and a program storage device, readable by a machine, tangibly embodying a program of instructions executable by the machine to perform the call pickup/forwarding method enables a subscriber can have voice/video communication irrespective of time or place by forwarding voice/video calls between voice/video communication terminals such as a TV, PDA and home pad, or by picking up a incoming call at a nearby terminal if it is difficult for the subscriber to answer the call at the originally called terminal from his/her location.

Abstract: Dynamic telephone call routing. A voice service initiates a voice call session on a data communication network in response to an incoming telephone call directed to a user and generates a notification of the telephone call. An alerts service receiving and responsive to the notification executes a set of routing rules to select a computing device associated with the user. The alerts service also generates an alert directed to the computing device. If the computing device is online, a messaging service sends the alert to the computing device and receives a user request from the computing device in response thereto. The messaging service communicates the user request to the voice service for completing the voice call session to the computing device if specified by the user request. If the computing device is not online, the telephone call is routed to a telephone device.

Abstract: A menu is provided in a telephone call. The menu provides a plurality of destination options including a first destination option for a residence of a family, a second destination option for a first member of the family at a first location other than the residence, and a third destination option for a second member of the family at a second location other than the residence. A first selection of one of the destination options is received in the telephone call, and the telephone call is routed to a first telephone number corresponding to the first selection. Thereafter, an originating dual-tone multi-frequency trigger is detected. The telephone call to the first telephone number is interrupted, a second selection of the destination options is received, and the telephone call is routed to a second telephone number corresponding to the second selection.

Abstract: A telephone relay apparatus stores peripheral telephone numbers of a plurality of peripheral telephone terminals scheduled to be located at the periphery of each specific terminal user. When a line connecting request from an outgoing telephone terminal of an arbitrary telephone outgoing user to a specific telephone terminal is received, connection of a telephone call execution line from the outgoing telephone terminal to the specific telephone terminal is tried. Therefore, when the connection is connected, a telephone call between the telephone outgoing user and the specific terminal user can be immediately made. However, when the telephone call execution line to the specific telephone terminal is not connected, the peripheral telephone terminal is selected in a transfer trying order, and connection of the telephone call execution line is tried with the peripheral telephone numbers in the transfer trying order.

Abstract: A system and method for providing call forwarding. Telephone information of one or more telephones assigned to a user may be stored, where the telephone information may include location coordinates (e.g., GPS coordinates). Telephone information, including location coordinates, of one or more telephones assigned to an organization of which the user is associated may be stored. The organization may be an employer of the user, for example. If call forwarding is enabled by the user, then a call to a wireless device of the user may cause a determination as to whether the wireless device is within a predetermined range of a telephone assigned to either the user or organization may be made. A distinctive ring may be generated to notify the user that a call forwarding call is being received.

Abstract: The present invention provides flexible, user-definable call screening processes. The user can optionally define to which telecommunication terminals a screened call is to be broadcast to and under what conditions. An incoming call is forwarded to a call management system that asks the caller to leave a voice message. The call management system selectively couples the call to a POTS line or a VoIP-capable device so that the user can listen to the incoming message and thereby screen the incoming call. Based on the screening, the user can instruct the call management system to connect the caller to the user.

Abstract: A system and method provide a telecommunications extension service for a subscriber. The system allows a subscriber to identify one or more telecommunications units to serve as extensions of one of the subscriber's telecommunications units when a call is directed to the subscriber's telecommunications unit. A list of numbers associated with telecommunications units to serve as extensions is maintained by the subscriber and may be stored at a service control point. Upon receipt of a call directed to the subscriber's telecommunications unit, ringing is provided to the subscriber's telecommunications unit and the telecommunications units serving as extensions. After the call is answered by the first telecommunications unit to be answered, the remaining telecommunications units can join the in-progress call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forwarding of fax calls to a messaging service are disclosed. For example, the method receives a call and rings one or more endpoint devices. The method detects an off-hook condition for the one or more endpoint devices and detects a fax tone in the call. The method then informs a network to forward the call towards a messaging service.

Abstract: A method for forwarding calls. In one aspect, the method includes the steps of receiving at a server a first call to a first telephone number, selecting a target telephone number based on a geographic location of a communication device, initiating a second call from the server to the target telephone number, and connecting the first call and the second call.

Abstract: A method of call forwarding a call originally placed to a mobile telephone number of a mobile telephone to a landline telephone number of a landline telephone is provided, wherein the call is routed through a telephone network by a service provider. A forwarding location of the mobile telephone is determined using a mobile location technology. The landline telephone number of the landline telephone is provided to the service provider. A current mobile telephone location is determined by a mobile location technology. The mobile location technology is capable of locating the mobile telephone using service provider equipment. The service provider determines that the call is being made to the mobile telephone when the current mobile telephone location is at the forwarding location. The call to the mobile telephone number is forwarded to the landline telephone number when the current mobile telephone location is at the forwarding location.

Abstract: A telephone and a method for routing a telephone call using the telephone is provided. The telephone includes a microprocessor and a transceiver coupled to the microprocessor. The telephone further includes a voice recognition unit coupled to the microprocessor. The unit is further configured to determine when the user is speaking proximate the unit and to generate a match signal when the user is speaking. The microprocessor is configured to generate a command signal to induce the transceiver to transmit a voice mailbox routing signal to a telephone switching center upon receipt of the match signal from the unit.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a method for handling communication sessions by a central gateway, such as session border controller. The method may include receiving an indication that the interaction between a customer and an agent has ended and automatically routing by the session border controller the customer to an automated feedback application.

Abstract: A device may process a call, receive a request to forward the call at a call extension point, obtain information about parked calls from a queue that stores information associated with the parked calls, determine whether the call may be parked or forwarded to a terminating device based on the information, park the call at the call extension point when it is determined that the call may not be forwarded, and forward the call to the terminating device when it is determined that the call may be forwarded.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a do not redirect or reject call management system may include one or more of the following features: (a) a memory comprising, (i) a do not redirect or reject application that allows a caller to prevent a call recipient from redirecting or rejecting a call, and (b) a processor coupled to the memory that executes the do not redirect or reject application.

Abstract: A telecommunication system routes an incoming call to one or more telephony devices, including personal digital assistants and other remote devices, based on the called party's historical call pattern created and updated by the system. The system may also enhance the routing using transient information and/or real-time information when available. The call routing is designed to route calls to targeted devices to increase the likelihood that the call is answered by the intended called party while also alleviating the need to place multiple calls in an attempt to locate the called party.

Abstract: A call forwarding system forwards telephone calls based on presence information of a user as reported by computing devices associated with a telephone number. When a telephone system receives an incoming call directed to one of the telephone numbers of the user's computing devices, it sends an incoming call event to each computing device. Upon receiving the incoming call event from a telephone system, each computing device determines whether the user is most likely present at that computing device based on the presence information. When a computing device determines that the user is most likely present at that computing device, it sends a notification to the telephone system to forward the incoming call to the telephone number associated with that computing device to effect the automatic forwarding of a call based on presence information.