Abstract: In a call park and call park pickup system, a plurality of network devices have local call park functionality. For call park of a call between two network devices initiated at one of the network devices and call park pickup of the call at a third network device, the local call park functionality is used to provide messaging between the three network devices for parking and picking up the call without the need of central processing equipment for providing call park and call park pickup functionality.

Abstract: A system and method can enable a user of a communications network, such as a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), wireless and/or voice over IP network to participate in Presence Availability Management (PAM) and Instant Messaging (IM) activities of a PAM/IM network. In response to phone network triggers, a phone network Service Control Point (SCP) can generate requests to a web server. The web server can translate the requests to presence information that can be forwarded to presence user agents for participants of the PAM/IM network. The presence user agents can present the user's presence information to participants having the user on their “buddy list”. In turn, the presence user agent for the user can forward the presence information for participants on the user's “buddy list” to a media server that can communicate the information to the user through Automatic Speech Recognition, Text to Speech and/or Dual Tone MultiFrequency technology.

Abstract: A method is presented for routing a call from a PBX to a voice mailbox on a communication platform wherein a call is received from an originating device at the PBX and the PBX is associated with a voice mail box on a communication platform. A redirecting number associated with the PBX is assigned to an ISDN message set-up string. The call is forwarded to the communication platform along with the ISDN set-up string information. After verification against a subscriber database, the forwarded call, including related ISDN information is delivered to the communication platform voice mail box server for storage and further processing. The redirecting number may represent the voice mail box identifier, and for increased security and privacy, the voice mail box may be different from the number for the PBX extension from which the voice and data messages are received.

Abstract: A method may include receiving a call having call data, determining that the call data cannot be forwarded along a call path, assigning an identifier to the call data, forwarding the call along the call path without the call data, and storing the call data and the identifier at a device outside the call path.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and system for handling a session setup procedure initiated by an user equipment for establishing a session of a specific type to a called entity, wherein a session setup request sent to a network entity for establishing the requested session, includes location information and an identifier for identifying the called entity. A database is provided which stores a list of location information and associated identifiers. The network entity accesses this database, wherein, when detecting that the identifier represents a session of the specific type in an area represented by the location information, the session set-up is continued in a manner appropriate for a session of the specific type.

Abstract: In a messaging system, a messaging server transmits signals over the telephone network to be received by equipment at, e.g., the customer premises. Upon receiving a specific signal, the receiving equipment automatically signals the telephone network to connect the call, such as by going off-hook or by performing a hook flash sequence. In the connected state, the receiving equipment can receive data over the network, such as data to provide the recipient with notification information such as emergency notification messages.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for supporting the mobility of a subscriber across a communication system comprising a communication terminal which is associated with a first communication device and can be registered when a log-on procedure is initiated by the input of log-on information relating to the subscriber, a second communication device for providing configuration data of the subscriber, and a packet-oriented network by which means the communication terminal is connected to the first and second communication devices. Once a successful registration has been carried out, the communication terminal is logged off the first communication device and associated with the second communication device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for identification of telephone numbers for IP telephones in offices to be assigned to different persons by (1) assigning one of the offices to one of the persons upon a request from the one of persons; (2) accessing a physical network address for an IP telephone located in the assigned one of the offices; (3) obtaining a telephone number for the one of the persons; (4) determining from the accessed physical network address an IP address of the IP telephone; (5) transmitting a message having the telephone number and IP address to a telecommunication switching system to which the IP telephone is interconnected; and (6) assigning the telephone number to the IP address by the telecommunication switching system in response to the message thereby assigning the telephone number to the IP telephone.

Abstract: Responding to a telephone call made by a calling party includes receiving a first telephone call and identifying an account associated with the telephone number to which the first calling party directed the first telephone call. Configuration data related to the account is accessed. A first identity associated with the account is identified based on the configuration data accessed. A first electronic communication is sent to a computer of a first called party associated with the first identity. The first called party may respond to the first electronic communication by dynamically and manually inputting a call redirection telephone number, sending an e-mail, or sending an instant message. If a call redirection telephone number is inputted, the first telephone call may be redirected to the call redirection telephone number.

Abstract: A telephone system, comprising telephone sets, exchange device and server device, wherein a telephone set has notification unit accepting log-in operation and server device includes user management table associating each telephone number of telephone sets with identification information of users, address management table dynamically associating each telephone number of users with address information, specification processor specifies telephone number of logged-in user when log-in operation is performed, verification processor verifies presence/absence of registration of specified telephone number, determination processor determines coincidence/discordance between address information and notified address information, and update processor updates address management table by overwriting address information, if the notified address information does not coincide with address information corresponding to registered telephone number.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying redirected calls are provided. A particular method includes receiving a redirected call. When the redirected call is redirected from a first address, the method includes generating a first distinctive ring at a communication device. When the redirected call is not redirected from the first address, the method includes generating a second distinctive ring at the communication device.

Abstract: Techniques for managing instant message (IM) communications are provided. Instant message communications of a plurality of network implementations is managed using an instant message module that uses one or more policies. A policy in the one or more policies includes an action applicable for an IM communication. The techniques comprise receiving an instant message communication at the instant message module. The IM communication may be in a network implementation of one of the plurality of network implementations. Then, a policy is determined from the one or more policies that is applicable for the instant message communication. An action associated with the policy for the instant message communication is then performed.

Abstract: A system and method of automatically transferring a call between telephones based on the distance between the two telephones is provided. First the proximity of a first telephone to a second telephone is determined. If the proximity is within a predetermined limit or threshold, calls directed to the first telephone are transferred to the second telephone. Security of the transfer may be ensured to prevent fraudulent use of the subscription of either telephone. Procedures are provided which permit any the above-mentioned steps to be performed either at the level of the individual telephones involved in the transfer, or by an element of the network, such as an SC or HLR.

Abstract: A method for operating a telephone system with at least two telephony terminals to where, in addition to voice data or user data, functional data is transmitted by means of special functions of the telephone system, such as forwarding or holding established call connections. It shall be possible in a simple way for the user to handle even a relatively large multitude of special functions. For this purpose, according to the invention, an action key of a first telephony terminal, provided for triggering special functions is assigned the respective special function to be triggered, depending on its own status or the status of a second telephony terminal within the same team.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for lawful interception in the case of call forwarding (AW_TlnB) in a packet-oriented telecommunications network (TK1, TK2, TK3), in which switching functions (S-CSCF1, . . . , P-CSCF3) are made available by servers. The additional aim in this telecommunications network (TK1) is to monitor connections of a subscriber (Tln B) with call forwarding (AW_TlnB) by means of lawful interception. In this case, monitoring (ÜW_TlnB) of the connections of the subscriber (Tln B) is notified to a first switching function (S-CSCF1) which is responsible for a called subscriber (Tln B) with call forwarding (AW_TlnB). The first switching function (S-CSCF1) then writes (23) a tag for said subscriber (Tln B) to a predetermined parameter of a switching protocol. Only then is signalling of call forwarding (AW-TlnB) carried out to a second switching function (S-CSCF2) which is responsible for a calling subscriber (Tln A) and the connection is then forwarded to a third switching function (S-CSCF3).

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a call monitoring service for multiple telecommunications units. When an incoming communication directed to a subscriber's simultaneous ring number is received, outgoing communications are placed to each of the telecommunications units associated with the subscriber's simultaneous ring number. A determination is made as to whether the incoming communication should be routed to the voice mail system. If the incoming communication should be routed to the voice mail system and the call monitoring service is activated, a communication between the calling party and the voice mail system is established. A determination is made as to whether a user of one of the telecommunications units takes an action to connect to the communication between the calling party and the voice mail system. If an action is detected, then a communication between the calling party, the voice mail system, and the telecommunications unit is established.

Abstract: A method for forwarding a request of connection originating from a first telecommunication apparatus (6) allocated to a calling subscriber from a second telecommunication apparatus (6) allocated to a called but absent subscriber to a third telecommunication apparatus (6) shall take into account the interests of the calling subscriber in a particularly great extent. For this purpose, the calling subscriber is offered, according to the invention, to select the third telecommunication apparatus (6).

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to a method, system, and storage medium for providing automated call acknowledgement services over a network. The method includes receiving a data request from a call-receiving device to acknowledge an incoming call from a calling device. The data request includes a phone number for the call-receiving device, a phone number or text address for the calling device, a message type, and a voice/text indicator selection. The method further includes retrieving a pre-defined acknowledgement message from a database based upon the message type and sending the pre-defined acknowledgement message to the calling device in lieu of answering the incoming call.

Abstract: A menu is provided in a first 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 selection of one of the destination options is received in the first telephone call. A second telephone call is initiated to a telephone number corresponding to the selection. The first telephone call and the second telephone call are connected.

Abstract: A system and method track short term and long term intervals to assess whether a voice message source is a likely source of voice spam. Upon detection of a spamming threshold, calls from the source are blocked until detection that a sufficient time interval has elapsed without generation of messages.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing extensions for a cordless telephone system. A menu configured to receive user input is displayed to a user for setting a configuration for routing incoming communications of the cordless telephone system to one or more of a plurality of handsets. An identifier of a caller is associated with one or more handsets based on the user input. The handsets wirelessly communicate through a base station utilizing a singe phone number. A call is routed to the one or more of the handsets in response to determining the identifier is associated with the call.

Abstract: A telephone subscriber registers with a digital telephone service provider (DTSP) to obtain telephone service. The telephone subscriber also registers with an instant messaging service provider (IMSP) and receives a screen name. The telephone subscriber registers the screen name with the DTSP to receive caller identifying information (CID) via instant messaging (IM) (sometimes referred to herein as “CID IM service”). When a call to the telephone number of the telephone subscriber is received at a switch operated by the DTSP, the DTSP confirms that the telephone subscriber has registered a screen name with the DTSP and then sends the caller identification information to the IMSP. The IMSP then sends an instant message containing the caller identification information to the telephone subscriber's instant message client.

Abstract: A method of propagating information across a network may include receiving, from a subscriber mobile device coupled to the network, information associated with a subscriber of a service provider. The information may be sent in response to a setting change associated with the information. The method may also include identifying, from a registry, one or more contacts associated with the subscriber to whom the information should be transmitted over the network, where the one or more contacts may be included in an address book associated with the subscriber. For each identified contact, a notice associated with the information may be sent to a server node associated with the contact for propagation over the network to a mobile device associated with the contact.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a call processing element in a communication system having a controller to detect an incoming call directed to a called party, retrieve presence information associated with a plurality of communication devices of the called party, retrieve presence information of a calling party initiating the incoming call, and determine from the presence information of the called party, the presence information of the calling party, and a call processing profile of the called party how to respond to the incoming call. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A telephone call processing method comprising the steps of: (i) receiving a telephone call for transfer to a first telephone number; (ii) determining whether the first telephone number has been set to divert calls to a second telephone number; and (iii) processing the call in dependence upon the determination of step (ii).

Abstract: According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method, in a communication gateway, of forwarding a call establishment request from a caller of a first network to a subscriber of a second network, comprising: receiving from a caller a call establishment request intended for a subscriber; obtaining the identities of the caller and the subscriber, the identities being in a format of the first network; converting the extracted subscriber identity into a format of the second network; determining whether to forward the call establishment request to the subscriber; and where it is so determined, converting the call establishment request into a format suitable for the second network, and forwarding the converted call establishment request to the subscriber using the converted identity.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for processing a call. When the call is received, processing of the call is suspended. A database is queried for a calling number and a called number associated with the call. A network address associated with the calling number and with the called number. An intended recipient of the call is also retrieved from the database. A notification message is sent to the network address, and the notification message includes the calling number and the intended recipient of the call. Processing of the call is resumed.

Abstract: Context-based call routing is provided in a unified communication system by enabling subscribers to define a routing document, which is published by the communication system to callers who subscribe to a presence of the called party. Through publication of the context-based routing information, callers are enabled to make selections between call destination options as defined by the caller and provide a subject for the requested call. The call is then routed by the system according to the caller selection allowing efficient facilitation of the communication between the caller and the called party or their designees.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a user with control over telecommunications services provided by a service provider. Using almost any type of communications device, a user may gain access to, view, and make changes or modifications to profile information related to the services. The changes may be made quickly and efficiently, but accuracy and thoroughness in the implementation of the changes are not sacrificed. Further, the changes to the communications services are implemented almost immediately and without involvement by the service provider. Particularly, profile information about the telecommunications service is stored on a server in a data network. A change action relating to the profile information may be received at the server from a data device (such as a wireless unit) operating on the network. The change action is implemented on the profile information to result in changed profile information, which may be provided from the server via the data network to the telecommunications system.

Abstract: The primitives between an upper management layer and the MAC layer within a mobile station and a base station are defined in order to specify and clarify the operations within the protocol stack layers in a broadband wireless access system to allow a mobile station to perform scanning procedures. Media Independent Handover (MIH) procedures can be achieved because the NCMS and MIH layer can communicate through use of these primitives.

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: The concept of “roaming” is extended to wireline networks with a network hosted technique which emulates a wireline telecommunications network user's environment when the user is using a wireline telecommunications device located at a physical location other than his or her “home” location, or when using a wireline or wireless telecommunications device other than his or her own regardless of the location. Any telephone or other telecommunications device being used by the user advantageously appears to be logically connected directly to his or her home telecommunications network, irrespective of the location of the telephone or other telecommunications device being used and the telecommunications network to which that device is actually connected.

Abstract: A method and system for providing call forwarding in an IP telephone network is disclosed. First, when a telephone number for a first telephone from a second telephone is dialed, the call is routing to a call manager. Call setup procedures with a BRG responsible for the first telephone are then initiated. The BRG then checks stored call forwarding profiles to determine whether there is an active call forwarding profile for the first telephone. The call is connected to the first telephone if an active call forwarding profile is not found. However, if an active call forwarding profile is found, the call forwarding information is sent to the call manager. The call is routed to at least a third telephone based on the call forwarding information.

Abstract: A communication system includes a communication network, and an originating telephony device, a target telephony device, and a call manager coupled to the communication network. The call manager signals the target telephony device to indicate an incoming call from the originating telephony device. The call manager includes an alternate number list that identifies at least one alternate telephony device to be signaled in response to the incoming call directed to the target telephony device. The call manager additionally includes one or more mapping tables associating a packet network address with each identified alternate telephony device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing rapid call-forwarding are described. The method includes receiving a feature code operable for activating a call-forwarding service, receiving a forward code assigned to a target address, such as a dialing number, recognizing the feature code and the forward code, and forwarding incoming calls to the target address. The method further comprises receiving call-forwarding logistics and generating a call-forwarding record. The system for providing rapid call-forwarding includes a switch operable for receiving a selection by a subscriber of a feature code and a forward code, wherein the feature code is used to activate a call-forwarding service and the forward code is used in the place of a target address, a call-forward control computer operable for storing and recognizing the feature code and the forward code, and a call connector operable for executing the rapid call-forward service.

Abstract: There is described herein a message forwarding system that is easily adaptable to evolving technologies. In one embodiment, a first user attempts to place a telephone call to a second user, and caller identification (CID) data are encoded into the outgoing call. The call is directed into a public switched telephone network (PSTN) servicing the second user. The PSTN may operate on a modern telephony protocol such as Signaling System #7 and may be equipped with an Advanced Intelligent Network. If the call is not completed, a message including CID information is sent via means such as short messaging service. Because the equipment resides in the PSTN, it is independent of the technology used to receive the transmitted data. Furthermore, the information may be provided even in times of emergency, such as when telephone service to the second user has been disrupted.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for multiple leg call processing, in which the timing of a plurality of outgoing call legs is determined according to a plurality of parameters in order to achieve near simultaneous notification of a group of member directory numbers. The parameters can include static information obtained from a network database such as end user device technology type, call forwarding disposition, answering machine or voicemail service, geographic distance to the member directory number, and/or signaling type and carrier or other local information. Actual setup times may be measured for use in determining the timing of the outgoing call leg processing, which may be used alone or in combination with the local and static information parameters to determine the outgoing call schedule for routing the call to multiple member directory numbers.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a call dispatch method which can hold a plurality of calls concurrently for a flexible dispatch and which includes allocating a received call to a dispatch terminal, receiving a call processing request returned from the dispatch terminal, and executing the processing of storing the received call in a call hold queue corresponding to the dispatch terminal, of holding a call currently processed by the dispatch terminal to the call hold queue corresponding to the dispatch terminal and processing the received call, or of allocating the received call to another dispatch terminal in response to the call processing request. The present disclosure further discloses a call dispatch system and a dispatch device.

Abstract: Communication systems and methods are disclosed that provide a voice mail bridging service. A communication network attempts to connect a call between a calling party and a called party. The called party has a plurality of telephone numbers corresponding with a plurality of voice mail systems. Responsive to the communication network determining that the called party has not answered the call attempt, the communication network prompts the calling party to record a voice message. The communication network receives a voice message from the calling party. The communication network identifies a plurality of telephone numbers for the called party, such as a home number, a mobile number, a business number, etc. The communication network then transmits the voice message to the voice mail systems corresponding with the identified telephone numbers for the called party. The called party can thus access any of the voice mail systems to retrieve the voice message.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that enables the screening of unwanted telephone calls, such as voice or video calls, for one or more called parties. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment of the present invention, an anti-SPAM system receives signaling information for one or more telephone calls made to one or more called parties by a calling party. Although the calling party can be a human caller, in a SPAM-over-Internet-Telephony context the calling party can alternatively be a server or other network element that originates SPAM voice calls for advertising purposes; both possibilities are accounted for in the illustrative embodiment. The anti-SPAM system then observes the behavior of the called party or parties that is exhibited in response to receiving the telephone calls. Based on the observed behavior, the anti-SPAM system then updates one or more rules for handling future telephone calls made to the protected called parties.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for re-forwarding a forwarded communication, such as a telephone call to a destination communication device, such as a telephone. Methods according to some embodiments include receiving the forwarded communication at a communication port, re-forwarding the forwarded communication to the destination communication device, generating an identification signal based on an identity of the communication port, and transmitting the identification signal to a user of the destination communication device.

Abstract: A telecommunication system that routes an inbound telephone communication through an enterprise communication network and server. The system and its operating method routes an incoming call to a first recipient, and if the first recipient does not answer, then routes the call to a second recipient (or more) based on a predetermined user profile and/or user overflow group. The server retrieves an overflow group profile, consisting of a plurality user profiles, associated with the called device, determines how to route the call, and initiates a call to the user and/or overflow group members according to how the call should be routed. The system can route the incoming call to a plurality of telephony devices including personal digital assistants and other remote devices.

Abstract: A system and method for routing an incoming call to a subscriber-selected destination number in accordance with dynamic data concerning the subscriber provided by an address book, a calendar and a presence server. A routing system routes the incoming call in accordance with a subscriber-defined routing rule associated with the originating number of the incoming call, as determined from the address book. The routing rule may specify that the incoming call be routed to a destination number associated with the current date and time, as indicated by the calendar. The routing rule may specify, alternatively or in addition thereto, that the incoming call be routed to a destination number associated with a presence-enabled service on which the subscriber is currently active. The subscriber or caller may also be alternatively notified of the routing of the incoming call.

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: A method of message delivery can include registering a plurality of reception states for a receiving party. The reception states can specify conditions for establishing communications links with receiving party addresses. A receiving party address can be identified from a first initiated communications link between the sending party and the receiving party. Reception state data specified by the plurality of reception states can be determined according to the receiving party address and can be presented to the sending party.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an S-CSCF receiving a terminating request associated with a called user and executing services for the called user. The S-CSCF determines an indication in Session Case indicating originating services handling in call forwarding situation, and based on this executes a subset of services for the user.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method of providing an improved call forwarding service in a telecommunications network, and a network unit and a computer program product to execute this method. A call initiated by a caller (10) to a first callee (21) is consecutively forwarded, starting from the first callee (21), to one or more further interlinked callees (22, 23), thereby forming a call forwarding chain (401, 402). A set of data is added to the call, the data comprising an identifier of each of the callees (21, 22, 23) involved in the call forwarding chain (401, 402) and an address associated with a respective message memory (210, 220, 230) assigned to each of the callees (21, 22, 23) involved in the call forwarding chain (401, 402). When the call is forwarded to the message memory (230) assigned to a last callee (23) of the call forwarding chain (401, 402), the caller (10) is prompted to provide a message to be stored in one or more of the message memories (210, 220, 230).

Abstract: A computer program for routing a service call from a calling party to a service network having a plurality of service network locations, the program stored in a computer-readable medium. The program includes receiving a service call request to connect the calling party to one of the service network locations, determining a location of the calling party by searching a Number Plan Area (NPA) table to determine an NPA of the calling number of the calling party, identifying one of the service network locations for receiving the service call request, and identifying routing information for routing the service call request to the receiving service network location, and completing the service call request to the receiving service network location.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for use by organizations that have PBXs at a plurality of sites. The invention pertains to cell phone calls from an affiliated terminal to her “home” private branch exchange. For example, an employee who works at the Chicago branch office might call the Chicago office's PBX to invoke a feature such as setting up call forwarding, retrieving voice mail, etc. Such calls might be automatically and transparently directed to another PBX when it is advantageous to do so. In the illustrative embodiment, the need or desirability to redirect such calls to another PBX is ascertained while the caller is still in the process of entering all of the required calling information. The effect of assessing whether to redirect the call in parallel with the caller entering the information is to reduce the delays otherwise experienced by the caller when placing calls outside of the enterprise area served by the home private branch exchange.

Abstract: A method and system for providing call forwarding in an IP telephone network is disclosed. First, when a telephone number for a first telephone from a second telephone is dialed, the call is routing to a call manager. Call setup procedures with a BRG responsible for the first telephone are then initiated. The BRG then checks stored call forwarding profiles to determine whether there is an active call forwarding profile for the first telephone. The call is connected to the first telephone if an active call forwarding profile is not found. However, if an active call forwarding profile is found, the call forwarding information is sent to the call manager. The call is routed to at least a third telephone based on the call forwarding information.