Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for remotely configuring selective call features includes receiving a selective call feature request message addressed to a feature configuration address associated with a first communication device from a second communication device. The selective call feature request message includes a selective call feature command. The method further includes enabling a selective call feature indicated by the selective call feature command for the first communication device. In various embodiments, the selective call feature request message is a text message. In some embodiments, the method further includes sending a selective call feature acknowledgment message to the second communication device. The selective call feature acknowledgment message indicates that the selective call feature is enabled for the first communication device.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and system for the management and routing of telecommunications information on data and telephone lines. In one exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention, a flexible system whereby business information is correlated to a user's telephone number is provided. In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides an on-line answering service in which the identification information of the called party can be maintained during call forwarding and/or diversion. In another exemplary embodiment, the identification information of the user called can be detected by the answering system. In addition, in another exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides answering services access to information about the called party as well as the calling party in order to facilitate the answering services' responses on behalf of their users.

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 managing a call in real-time are disclosed. Methods and systems consistent with the present invention manage a call in real-time based on input from a user. A service center receives information pertaining to a call to the user from a service control point and sends a notification of the call to a device associated with the user. The service center receives a response to the notification from the user. Thereafter, the service center instructs the service control point to connect the call based on the response.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for initiating a call to an intended called party on one or more alternate numbers based on availability of the called party, as determined by the called party's presence server or other database. If the called party is determined to be ‘not available’ and does not have any useful forwarding features enabled on his/her primary line served by a primary number, calls are attempted on one or more alternate numbers rather than on the primary number.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Unified Messaging System having a controller element to submit to a Calling Card Server (CCS) over a primary call leg a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) SUBSCRIBE message requesting outdial event notification for a call placed on a secondary call leg responsive to a reply of a voicemail message, and receive over the primary call leg a SIP NOTIFY message from the CCS indicating outdial events associated with placing the call over the secondary call leg. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: To manage a continuity of telephone service in relation to a user associated with a communication terminal (TC) and with at least one communication device (DC), a server (SC) connected to the communication terminal and to the communication device is able to power off the communication terminal following detection of an event relating to the absence of the user close to the communication terminal, and to enable call forwarding from the communication terminal to the communication device based on a user profile. The server is also able to power on the communication terminal following detection of an event relating to the presence of the user close to the communication terminal, and to disable the call forwarding from the communication terminal to the communication device.

Abstract: An incoming call relaying status identifying unit determines whether or not a call receiving request from an incoming call forwarding system is delivered through a preset forward source terminal apparatus based on incoming call relaying status identifying information included in the call receiving request. Next, when a determination based on the incoming call relaying status identifying information brings about a positive result, a display unit displays information for a call-back including forward source terminal information representing the forward source terminal apparatus utilized for relaying the incoming call based on the incoming call relaying status identifying unit. This makes it possible for a user of a forward destination to recognize from which forward source the incoming call is forwarded.

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: Call processing can include receiving a call directed to a first destination device associated with a called party, determining, using a processor, an attribute of the call, and determining a location of the called party. A call processing rule can be selected that matches the attribute of the call and the location of the called party. The call can be redirected to a second and different destination device according to the matched call processing rule.

Abstract: A method and system creates on a portable electronic device a real-time graphical view of an in-store product display that pinpoints the location of one or more target products on the product display. The graphical view is generated by capturing image data, such as a video feed of the in-store product display, and processing the data to initiate the one or more target products based on predefined product recognition criteria uniquely associated with the respective target products.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for provisioning a temporary disposable number are described. A user can be provided with a pool of available temporary disposable numbers that have a limited shelf life. The user can select one of the available temporary disposable numbers while submitting a permanent phone number associated with a communications device (e.g., mobile phone, home phone, business phone, etc.). Prior to activating the selected temporary disposable number, the temporary disposable number is linked to the permanent phone number. After activation, when an incoming call to the temporary disposable number is received, the permanent phone number is identified to be associated with the temporary disposable number being called. The incoming call is then forwarded to the communications device on which the permanent phone number is established.

Abstract: A telecommunications system is disclosed that enables a telecommunications switch to be “user” programmable in the “field”—in contrast to only programmable by the manufacturer or third-party software company—with audio samples. Each audio sample is exemplar of a sound that might be encountered during or after the establishment of a telecommunications call that is handled by the telecommunications switch. In accordance with the illustrative embodiment, the audio samples are received by the telecommunications switch through one or more of the same ports that the telecommunications switch uses to route calls, in contrast to programs and program data that are received by the telecommunications switch through a programming port.

Abstract: A method for changing configuration settings of a telephony system comprises initiating a telephony configuration service, establishing service rights associated with a telephone number, a step for presenting one or more selectable options consistent with the service rights, at least one of which corresponds to a configuration setting change for a call-forwarding task. Additionally, the method includes a step for presenting one or more call-forwarding task options, a step for receiving a selection of at least one of the call-forwarding task options, a step for confirming the selection of at least one of the call-forwarding task options, and changing at least one configuration setting of a telephony system based at least in part upon a received selection of at least one of the call-forwarding task options.

Abstract: Systems and methods for establishing a communications session among end-points are shown and described. The method can include receiving, from a client computing device at a gateway computing device, a request to establish a communication session with an end-point, the client computing device executing a program that locates address information for the end-point within application output displayed at the client computing device and forwarding at least a portion of the received request to a private branch exchange in communication the gateway computing device, the at least a portion of the received request including the address information of the end-point and address information associated with an end-user of the client computing device.

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 may include receiving a call connection request associated with a calling device over a telephony network, the call connection request requesting establishment of a telephone call. The system and method may further include presenting a plurality of call rejection options, each of the plurality of call rejection options being associated with separate call rejection messages, and determining which one of the plurality of call rejection options is selected, where the plurality of call rejection options permit a called party to intelligently reject a phone call.

Abstract: The present invention provides two methods for diverting call. The key point is that call diverting information including a number to be called is transmitted when there is an incoming call or a conversation is being conducted and then a party receiving the call diverting information initiates a call to a terminal to which the number to be called directs, so that the call is diverted. Further, the present invention provides two phone terminals. By virtual of the present invention, it is possible for a user to select any terminal to receive a call, and such selection may be made before or during the phone conversation. Moreover, since it is unnecessary to use exiting call diverting methods, it is possible for the function which otherwise should be implemented at the switch side to be easily implemented on a terminal, and thus the cost of call diverting is saved. The present invention is easy to be deployed.

Abstract: A system and method for routing calls based on the different fee structure between voice and data is disclosed. The origination type for an incoming call is determined. When the incoming call is a VoIP call then the call is routed based, in part, on selecting the minimum fee required to terminate the call.

Abstract: The present invention includes a method and system for the management and routing of telecommunications information on data and telephone lines. In one exemplary embodiment in accordance with the present invention, a flexible system whereby business information is correlated to a user's telephone number is provided. In another exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides an on-line answering service in which the identification information of the called party can be maintained during call forwarding and/or diversion. In another exemplary embodiment, the identification information of the user called can be detected by the answering system. In addition, in another exemplary embodiment, the present invention provides answering services access to information about the called party as well as the calling party in order to facilitate the answering services' responses on behalf of their users.

Abstract: A network device receives, from a switching node, a forwarded call directed to a particular mobile terminal and holds the forwarded call. The network device generates an alert message including context information for the forwarded call and sends, to the mobile terminal, the alert message. Information from the alert message is presented to a user of the mobile terminal in advance of receiving the call. After sending the alert message, the network device routes the forwarded call to the mobile terminal.

Abstract: In the presence information management method of the present invention, the e-mail address of the user and the terminal address of a terminal are extracted upon receipt of an e-mail transmission request, the e-mail address and terminal address correspondence table is retrieved by using the extracted e-mail address, and the extracted terminal address is registered in the e-mail address and terminal address correspondence table if the retrieved terminal address does not correspond to the extracted terminal address. Thus, the user can automatically update presence information with his/her e-mail transmission request.

Abstract: The present invention relates to telecommunications, and in particular, to systems and processes for processing telephone calls and providing telephony services. In one embodiment, a call processing system, compromises a first telephony interface configured to receive a call from a caller, a storage device configured to store a greeting, and a call answering system. The call answering system is configured to play the greeting in response to receiving the call, record a voice message from the caller, determine when the caller has completed recording the voice message, after determining that the caller has completed recording the voice message, play a prompt regarding the caller becoming a subscriber to call services provided by the call processing system, receive from the caller information used to establish a call services account, and establish a call services account for the caller.

Abstract: A system and method may include receiving an invite message associated with a calling device over a data network, the invite message requesting establishment of a voice over data communication session, and presenting a plurality of call rejection options, each of the plurality of call rejection options being associated with separate call rejection messages. The system and method may further include determining which one of the plurality of call rejection options is selected, where the plurality of call rejection options permit a called party to intelligently reject a voice over data communication session.

Abstract: A real number and a published number are allocated to a call origination telephone terminal 100. The real number is a telephone number used in the case of directly connecting to the telephone terminal, and the published number is a number published for a third party as a telephone number of the telephone terminal. The telephone relaying apparatus 200 stores the real number and the published number in correlation with each other for each of a plurality of telephone terminals. When receiving a first call in which the real number of the call origination telephone terminal 100 is a calling number, the telephone relaying apparatus 200 reads out the published number corresponding to the real number of the call origination telephone terminal 100.

Abstract: A telephone relaying apparatus 200 receives a request for connection to a second telephone terminal 300 from a first telephone terminal 100. The connection request includes telephone numbers of the first telephone terminal 100 and the second telephone terminal 300. The telephone relaying apparatus 200 stores a real number that is a telephone number used in the case of directly connecting to each telephone terminal and a published number that is a number published for a third party as a telephone number of the telephone terminal in correlation with each other. When receiving the connection request, the telephone relaying apparatus 200 makes a first call with respect to the first telephone terminal 100, and a second call with respect to the second telephone terminal 300.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided. The method includes the steps of connecting a rerouting processor to a communication port of an alarm panel, the connected processor capturing an alarm notification sent from the alarm panel through the communication port, said alarm notification including a destination telephone number of a first central monitoring station, the connected processor altering the captured alarm notification by deleting the destination telephone number from the captured alarm notification and the connected processor routing the altered alarm notification to a second central monitoring station that is different than the first monitoring station.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of routing a call made by a calling party to a fixed telephone number of a called party, wherein the call is routed to one or more mobile terminals (34) via an Internet Protocol network (12) and a wireless access point (10) associated with the fixed telephone number if the one or more mobile terminals (34) are located in an area covered by the wireless access point (10), or to an alternative terminating point if the one or more mobile terminals (34) are located outside the area. A specific Service Control Point is arranged to store a list that comprises alternative terminating points for the calls to the fixed number.

Abstract: A system may receive configuration information relating to forwarding of communications in a network from a first endpoint to other endpoints. Presence information may also be received for the endpoints. The presence information may include proximity information indicating whether pairs of the endpoints are in physical proximity to one another. The system may forward communications destined for a first of the plurality of endpoints to a second of the plurality of endpoints based on the configuration information and the presence information.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processing calls to busy and Do-Not-Disturb capable 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: A method may include receiving a call from a caller and interacting with the caller, via an interactive voice response (IVR) unit, to identify first information associated with a reason for the call. The method may also include accessing a database storing second information associated with the caller, identifying third information to be provided to the caller based on the stored second information and providing the third information to the caller prior to forwarding the call to an agent.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, system, and program product for managing conference calls. Specifically, prospective conference call participants (e.g., moderators and/or invitees) will initially provide user profiles. A participant's profile will include, among other things, a set of contact numbers at which the participant can be reached. Thereafter, a moderator and a set of invitees of a conference call to be held are identified. This is typically done based on synchronization with a calendar application used to send and accept an invitation to the conference call. When the moderator later initiates the conference call, the present invention will access the profile of each invitee that accepted the invitation, and then call the invitees at the respective contact numbers set forth therein. When contact is made with an invitee, the call will be merged into the conference call with the moderator.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing do-not-disturb during media content. Do-not-disturb is implemented during playback of the media content in response to a selection of media content. An incoming communication is received. The incoming communications is sent directly to voice mail during the playback.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and computer program products for provisioning a temporary disposable number are described. A user can be provided with a pool of available temporary disposable numbers that have a limited shelf life. The user can select one of the available temporary disposable numbers while submitting a permanent phone number associated with a communications device (e.g., mobile phone, home phone, business phone, etc.). Prior to activating the selected temporary disposable number, the temporary disposable number is linked to the permanent phone number. After activation, when an incoming call to the temporary disposable number is received, the permanent phone number is identified to be associated with the temporary disposable number being called. The incoming call is then forwarded to the communications device on which the permanent phone number is established.

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: A system, method, and computer-readable media for bypassing call screening in a call messaging system includes storing a call screening rule for a callee specifying one or more conditions under which the call screening rule applies to an incoming call to the callee and specifying one or more call screening actions to take when an incoming call to the callee is received under the one or more conditions. When an incoming call from the caller's device to the callee's device is received under the one or more conditions of the call screening rule, a determination is made whether a bypass condition exists, and if a bypass condition exists, the incoming call is connected to the callee's device without taking the one or more call screening actions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for routing call in a wireless network environment. In one embodiment, a phone address is assigned to a subscriber and/or a subscriber's mobile telecommunications device. A call directed to the phone address is routed to a call processing system. An outbound call from the call processing system is placed to a wireless communication service provider so as to cause, at least in part, the wireless communication service provider to route the outbound call to the subscriber's mobile telecommunications device, wherein the call processing system configures call signaling parameters associated with the outbound call so that the outbound call appears to be to a phone number ported to the wireless communication service provider, and wherein the phone number has not been ported to the wireless communication service provider. The outbound call is bridged with the inbound call.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and distributing messages including dynamic content is provided. In one form, an entity provides a plurality of content segments for use in building a dynamic message. The entity also provides a listing of end users to receive a message and information associated with the user, such as demographic or prior purchasing information. In an alternate form, the service connects to the user in a communication session and collects information from the user directly. The service then uses this information, whether provided by the entity or the end user, as the basis for selection of various content segments which will make up a dynamic message for presentation to the user.

Abstract: The location of a mobile terminal associated with a user is determined using GPS or by monitoring signals generated and received by the mobile terminal, etc. Coordinates for at least one hot spot defined by the user are accessed to determine whether the location of the mobile terminal is within the hot spot. When an incoming contact is received for the user, a determination is made as to whether there are any contact routing rules associates with the user. If so, the record of contact routing rules associated with the user is accessed. If the record of contact routing rules includes at least one contact routing rule assigned to a hot spot, the contact is routed according to the at least one contact routing rule, based on whether or not the mobile terminal is determined to be within the hot spot.

Abstract: In a call forwarding system, a call from a calling party for a called party is received at a switching device and in response to the received call the switching device issues a request for call processing instructions to a control device. The call processing instructions request is received at the control device and in response to the received request the control device checks with the destination station to determine the availability thereof. The control device returns call processing instructions to the switching device including a telephone number of the destination station if the destination station is available. Similarly, the control device returns alternative call processing instructions to the switching device if the destination station is not available.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for enabling forwarding of communication requests directed by callers to callees. Forwarding-profile information, which may be used in forwarding of communication requests directed to a callee, may be received in a computerized central unit. The computerized central unit may then transfer forwarding information that is based on the forwarding-profile information, to a network server in a network in which the callee is a user and/or a subscriber, for enabling the network server to forward communication requests to the callee based on the forwarding information. The forwarding-profile information may comprise destination addresses for forwarding communication requests to the callee; categorizations of callers into caller groups; and/or forwarding-schemes for specifying how to forward communication requests from particular callers.

Abstract: The present invention allows a user to screen messages being left at a hosted voicemail system from a telephone terminal. Incoming calls intended for the telephone terminal are routed to the voicemail system immediately or after attempting to connect incoming call to the telephone terminal. As the caller is leaving a message at the voicemail system, a connection between the incoming call, voicemail system, and telephone terminal is established to allow the user to listen to the message and decide whether to take the call. The user may decide to take the call or let the caller finish leaving the message. In one embodiment, the telephone terminal is equipped to open only the speaker channel for monitoring the message and will provide a fully bi-directional connection if the user takes the call. The supporting switch and telephone terminal communicate with each other to facilitate the monitoring and taking of calls.

Abstract: Provided is a software entity adapted to operate in a first network on behalf of a relocatable device to negotiate services for the relocatable device from the network, and to be transportable or replicable to operate in a second network to negotiate services for the relocatable device from the second network.

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: Methods and apparatuses for call control are disclosed. In one example, methods and apparatuses for receiving communications associated with a monitoring of a first interface, a second interface, and a third interface for an incoming call. A current active call is placed in a bold queue, the hold queue configured to contain calls placed on hold received over the first interface, the second interface, and the third interface. Notification of a second user action to place the incoming call on a hold status is received. The incoming call is placed in the hold queue, a next call from the hold queue is retrieved, and the next call is activated.

Abstract: Call forwarding profiles corresponding to call forwarding settings based on time, location, and/or presence states of a called party are created. Different call forwarding settings are then activated based on corresponding predefined call forwarding profiles. Users are enabled to pre-configure their call forwarding profiles based on one or more rules.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for realizing a one-number multiple-terminal service, the method comprises the following steps: a calling terminal calls a called terminal in a first network; the first network triggers, when the called terminal is a one-number multiple-terminal service subscriber and the called number is a main number, the call service to an intelligent service platform; the intelligent service platform obtains, from the first network, a Temporary Local Directory Number (TLDN) of the called terminal corresponding to the main number, stores the TLDN and sends a service control indication to the first network; the first network routes the call to a Next Generation Network according to the service control indication from the platform; the next generation network triggers the call service to the platform; and the platform returns the TLDN of the called terminal corresponding to the main number and all other terminal numbers bound to the main number to the Next Generation Network to connect

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing alternate communication paths for telephone calls. Calls directed to a telephone are relayed to a second electronic communication device, which may be a second telephone, based on the physical relationship of the telephone and the second device. According to one aspect, the physical relationship is automatically detected and compared with one or more conditions. When one of the conditions is met, an incoming call directed to the telephone is relayed to the second electronic communication device. Detection of the physical relationship may include detecting whether the telephone and the second device are in close proximity, whether one or both of the telephone and the second device is moving, or other aspects of the relationship. Relaying a call to the second device may be accomplished by call forwarding, a ring-no-answer treatment, three-way calling, or other methods.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for location based call signal conversion in a wireless communication network. The location based call signal conversion apparatus comprises an LBS (Location Based Service) server that provides location information on user terminals, and a call signal conversion server that converts the called signal to anyone called terminal on the called target terminal list that has been set up according to the current location of said called user terminal if a call connection request to a receiving user terminal from a sending user terminal is sensed among said user terminals, and if conditions for call signal conversion are satisfied according to the location and state of said called user terminal.

Abstract: Method and communication system for providing a value added service, such as an intelligent network (IN) service, which is available in a first network (5), to a subscriber (3) in a second network (7). The first network (5) comprises a first network node (11) for executing the value added service. The method comprises detecting in a terminating call to the subscriber (3) that the subscriber (3) desires to use the value added service, forwarding control of the call towards the first network node (11) associated with a forwarding number in the first network (5), executing the value added service by the first network node (11), and, when necessary, further directing the call towards the subscriber (3) associated with the terminating call. The present method can also be applied to originating calls from a subscriber. In this case, the call is further directed towards a destination associated with the call.