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: Systems, methods and computer program products for managing a call are described. In some implementations, an intelligent softswitch can be used to communicate with a provider system that can relay or switch one or more outbound calls initiated by a caller and intended for a subscriber to the intelligent softswitch. Upon receiving the relayed call, the intelligent softswitch can process the relayed call using one or more call handling rules that have been specified by the subscriber. After processing, the relayed call is routed back to the provider system for completing the call.

Abstract: A method and system for registering a client for a call-pickup service and for executing the call-pickup service for a new call placed to a given communication device. The call-pickup service may carried out, in part, by providing the client with notification of when the new call is placed to the given communication device, the client requesting that the new call be re-routed to a location other than the given communication device, and a server re-routing the new call to the location other than the given communication device. The location other than the given communication device may be the client that registers for the call-pickup service or another location.

Abstract: The present invention provides call processing for an incoming call based on the relative location of the user for which the call is intended. If the user is at a certain location, the incoming call is routed to one or more telephony devices associated with the user or location based on whether the user is at the location. If the user has multiple telephony devices associated with a given location and the user is at that location, an incoming call may be routed to one or more of the telephony devices. If the user is not at the location, the incoming call may proceed in normal course or may be processed as desired based on the user not being at the location. Different telephony devices may be associated with different locations, and different call processing rules may be implemented based on the location of the user.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a voicemail system stores a voicemail message left by a first caller for a second caller. The voicemail system facilitates the transfer of a call out of a playback of the voicemail to the first caller and generates a credential that is coupled with the call. If the first caller is not available for the call, the second caller is transferred to the voicemail mailbox of the first caller where second caller records a second voicemail, which is placed in the mailbox of the first caller. The call may be transferred back to the mailbox of the first caller in response to a transfer code entered by the second caller. The voicemail system verifies the second caller based on the credential and returns the second caller to the appropriate location in the queue of voicemails.

Abstract: An enhanced telephony (ET) computer user interface that seamlessly integrates features of a personal computer (PC) and a telephone into a coherent user interface. The user is provided with a rich variety of functionality that leverages the fact that the PC has considerably more processing power and greater access to variety of data than the ordinary telephone. This processing power and data access is used to the user's advantage as the telephone's capabilities and functionality are greatly expanded. In general, the ET user interface includes a plurality of environments for the user to choose. These environments include a My Contacts environment, a communication preferences environment, and a Call History environment. Each of these environments contains certain available processes and features for controlling and managing telephones.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes receiving a notification at a network server and directing the notification to a particular address of a plurality of addresses that are associated with a customer premises. The method further includes identifying one or more customer premises equipment (CPE) devices that are designated to receive notifications directed to the particular address based on a directed notification profile that is associated with the customer premises. The directed notification profile may be stored at a lightweight directory access protocol (LDAP) database that is accessible to the network server. The method further includes communicating the notification from the network server to the one or more identified CPE devices.

Abstract: When a telephone call line from an outgoing telephone terminal to the specific telephone terminal of a specific terminal user is not opened, the telephone relay apparatus acquires periphery requirement data from user scheduled data about the specific terminal user having a scheduled date matching the present date, and selects a peripheral telephone terminal. Opening of a telephone call line from the outgoing telephone terminal to the selected peripheral telephone terminal is tried, and the outgoing telephone terminal not connected to the specific telephone terminal is connected to the peripheral telephone terminal. Thus, it is possible to increase the possibility that the telephone outgoing user and the specific terminal user can talk to each other between the peripheral telephone terminal and the outgoing telephone terminal.

Abstract: A telecommunications system is disclosed that enables a user to pair a desk set that is an extension of a private-branch exchange with a cell phone that is accessible via the Public Switched Telephone Network. One feature of the telecommunications system enables an active call that is between the desk set and another party, to be transferred to the user's cell phone, while in the presence of third-party call control. This is advantageous because a user who is initially on a call at her desk set, but needs to get somewhere else (e.g., a meeting, the airport, home, etc.), is able to continue the call by transferring it to her cell phone. The third-party call control can be part of a computer-telephony integration (CTI) application—for example, in a telephone telemarketing center, which concurrently handles many active telephone calls.

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: Systems and methods for providing passive crowd-sourced alternate route recommendations. In one embodiment, locations of users of a number of mobile location-aware devices are tracked over time. Upon receiving a request, users of mobile location-aware devices that have traveled from a desired start location to a desired stop location are identified. Location histories for the identified users are analyzed to determine one or more different routes taken from the desired start location to the desired stop location. The one or more different routes, or a select subset thereof, are then returned to the requestor as recommended alternate routes.

Abstract: A communication method, system, and apparatus are applied to the field of communications technologies. The communication method includes presetting first correspondence between a user identifier and an extension number in a VoIP server. After the VoIP server receives a call request and if the call request contains a called extension number, a called user identifier is acquired according to the called extension number and the preset first correspondence. The call request is sent to a first client corresponding to the called user identifier, so that the first client is capable of forwarding a call to a voice communication telephone set connected to the first client.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and a communication device for establishing a communication transmission (ALTV), wherein upon detecting an original signaling (SIGRA) directed from a first terminal (EG2) to a second terminal (EG2) within the scope of an establishment of a connection, the second terminal (EG2) being addressed via a target address associated with the second terminal (EG2), it is recorded in what quantity further signalings (SIGRA) having the same sender address specifying the first terminal (EG1) and the same target address are detected within the scope of further attempts to establish a connection. An evaluation of time information is carried out with regard to the times of the detection of the detected original signaling (SIGRA) and the detected further signalings (SIGRA) in relation to at least one predetermined time period.

Abstract: A contact number encapsulation system is disclosed that is operable to consolidate a plurality of contact numbers associated with a given user into a single contact number. The system includes a call processing application that uses information contained in a message header to determine a list of contact numbers to call. The message header contains a call destination indication that is used by the call processing application to retrieve the list of contact numbers. The list of contact numbers is user defined and may be updated or modified by an account holder at any given time. Once the list of contact numbers is obtained, a simultaneous call module is used to simultaneously call each number. The account holder only needs to provide the primary contact number to individuals desiring to reach them instead of various numbers that are associated with locations the account holder may be located.

Abstract: A call forwarding server in a telephony network is configured to provide an authorization function during activation of a call forwarding service. In response to receiving a forwarding request including initiating and terminating telephone numbers (TN), the call forwarding server generates and sends a request for the terminating TN to obtain authorization for the forwarding service. In response to receiving an authorization response for enabling call forwarding, the call forwarding server enables call forwarding for the initiating TN by updating a call forwarding record to include an entry including the initiating TN and the terminating TN. Communications placed to the initiating TN are automatically forwarded to the terminating TN once the forwarding service is enabled.

Abstract: A personal communications device may be placed in, or removed from, a docking station. In response, a predetermined command may be selected from a plurality of predetermined commands and transmitted from the docking station to at least one of a plurality of network devices. Each predetermined command may include the address of the network device and may be configured to cause the network device to respond. In this way, a user's communication infrastructure may be reconfigured in a simple and intuitive manner.

Abstract: A method and system for providing computer-network related information about a second party. First, the second party receives a telephone number of a first party. The second party's customer premises equipment (CPE) or elements in a telephone network then use the telephone number to index a database, which contains combinations of telephone numbers and computer-network addresses. Once the first party's computer-network address is retrieved, first-party-customized information present at the computer-network location specified by the computer-network address can be sent to and displayed on the second party's CPE. Also, the first party's telephone number can be sent to an application in the computer network, causing the first-party-customized information to be automatically displayed on the second party's CPE.

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

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for enabling communication between a first party and a second party. The method and apparatus determine that the second party is calling the first party while the first party is leaving a message on the voicemail of the second party. The message is then aborted and the first party is connected to the second party.

Abstract: A call connection method is provided. When a terminal is in an IMS unregistered state, information indicating whether to perform a session transfer toward a CS domain is stored in a server during a registration or deregistration process. When receiving a call connection request message over an IMS, if the terminal is in the IMS unregistered state and the information indicates the session transfer, the call transfer toward the CS domain can be performed.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method for establishing a session between a caller and a callee, applying to a next generation network, after said callee picking up, which includes: restarting a session negotiation with said callee via a first application server corresponding to the callee, upon obtaining a session description protocol of said callee, sending an update request message containing a session description protocol of said callee to a second application server corresponding to the caller; renegotiating, by the second application server, session with a caller according to said session description protocol of said callee; after the caller completing session update, returning a response message containing a session description protocol of said caller to said callee. The method can realize the multi-service nesting triggering or the forwarding triggering of several flows in one service, and can guarantee the proper connection between the caller and the callee.

Abstract: The present invention relates to telephone call processing. In one embodiment, a call processing system receives from a caller a first call for a user, the first call including call signaling information. The call processing system determines whether the call signaling information includes caller identification information and whether the call signaling information indicates that the caller identification information is restricted. If the caller identification information is restricted, the call processing system instructs the caller to take a first action so that the caller identification information can be provided to the user. The call processing system determines whether the caller has performed the first action during the first call, and if the caller has performed the first action during the first call, the call processing system provides at least a portion of the caller identification information to the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for routing a call to a landline communication unit or a wireless communication unit based on the availability of the wireless communication unit. A call placed to a landline communication unit is routed to the wireless communication unit if the wireless communication unit is determined available. Otherwise, the call is routed to the landline communication unit.

Abstract: A personal call management system allows a user to specify how incoming telephone calls should be handled. The user can specify various parameters including modes, filters, schedules, and the like. Incoming calls are routed to a specified telephone number, or sent to voicemail, or otherwise disposed of. Users can change modes manually or can specify automatic mode selection based on time of date, day of week, location, and/or other factors.

Abstract: A call relay server comprises a usage status management unit that, when a user starts using a system from a main terminal and the notification is received from the main terminal and if a sub terminal related to the main terminal is registered, confirms the user via the main terminal whether to delete the registration of the sub terminal and, if a deletion instruction is received, deletes the registration of the sub terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for creation and management of user location policies and data. Generally described, the system provides for automated tools and personal tools that can alleviate the onerous and expensive task of updating location data and location based policies. The automated tools can use existing information within company databases to create and manage standard user locations. The personal tools can allow the user to personally create manage their own locations through a graphical user interface. The automated and personal tools can utilize global positioning system information to track the current location of the user. The information can be used to determine physical locations to a certain degree.

Abstract: An apparatus for forwarding data sent to a wireless device having a first address to a second address. The apparatus includes a server in communication with a wireless network and an external network. The server includes a processor. The processor includes a data forwarding module for forwarding the data to the second address via the external network when the wireless device is not in communication with the wireless network.

Abstract: For enabling the forwarding of communication requests directed by callers to callees who are subscribers of a carrier network (4) and users in an enterprise network (5), forwarding-profile information is received in a computerized central unit (2). The central unit (2) transfers forwarding information to a network server (41) in the carrier network (4) and/or a network server (51) in the enterprise network (5) for enabling the network servers (41, 51) to forward communication requests based on forwarding information. Thus, forwarding-profile information can be captured and maintained in one central location for generating consistent forwarding-profiles in a plurality of separate communication networks (4, 5, 8) which are operated and managed independently form each other by different entities with regards to technical platforms and organization.

Abstract: A system comprises a connection accessible to one or more incoming nodes, a call transfer interface for connecting the connection with the incoming nodes to a call transfer module capable of communicating with the incoming nodes, a distributed network of two or more provider nodes interfacing with the call transfer module through a router, the router connected to the call transfer module and provider nodes connected to the distributed network, said provider nodes connected to the incoming nodes through the router connected to the call transfer module connected to the call transfer interface and routed by the router in accordance with a provider node priority.

Abstract: A distributed call pickup group system comprises a call manager having an extension module. The extension module further comprises a group pickup module, a group pickup call stack, a backup group pickup module and a monitoring group pickup module. The extension module controls and manages the functionality associated with the group pickup feature. The group pick module advantageously allows any extension regardless of its location in the system or the switch to which it is connected to be included within a pickup group. The backup group pickup module provides fault tolerance for the pickup functionality such that if a particular switch and its associated group pickup module fail, a backup group pickup module is identified and made operational. The present invention also includes a variety of methods including a method for creating a group pickup list, a method for performing through pickup and a method for backing up group picked up.

Abstract: A second device (120) has a first virtual terminal and a second virtual terminal. The second device (120) switches the access point of a third telephone terminal (32) to the first virtual terminal and switches the access point of a second telephone terminal (22) to the second virtual terminal by control of a first device (110). Then, the first virtual terminal is put on hold. Then, the first virtual terminal calls the first telephone terminal by an outgoing call for forwarding to a first telephone terminal (12). Then, the first device (110) connects the first telephone terminal (12) to the third telephone terminal (32).

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for implementing a Multimedia Ring Back Tone (MRBT) service are provided. The method includes: receiving a call request originated by a calling terminal; parsing a tone playing policy specifying whether to play a caller tone or a callee tone or whether to filter a tone; performing caller tone media negotiation or callee tone media negotiation, or performing no tone negotiation according to the parsing result; and playing the caller tone or the callee tone to the caller, or playing no tone. With the technical solution of the present invention, the caller tone service can be implemented in the IMS domain. Whether a caller tone or a callee tone is played to the caller is determined according to a preset policy. Furthermore, the tone filtering service is also implemented. This gives a user freedom in experiencing the MRBT service.

Abstract: By using letters, this invention provides telephone numbers that contain the actual initials or name of the recipient. With business subscribers, each company's stock marker ticker symbol is their telephone number, such as ‘GE’ for General Electric. Custom programming routes a call with the simple dialing input of only the recipient's initials or name. Only one well-defined area code is needed per State, such as ‘AZ’ for Arizona. The same number is used for landline, facsimile, special feature, and cellular connections. Telephone numbers are permanent and fixed for the life of the subscriber. Global call numbers, such as GE's, shrink from 011-44-207-302-6000 to ‘UK-LO-GE.

Abstract: A privacy stamp for preventing the automatic display of private data items stored in a memory of a mobile telecommunications apparatus. The telecommunications apparatus is provided with user operable means to selectively associate a privacy stamp with the stored data items such that a processor prevents the data items associated with the privacy stamp from being automatically displayed on a user interface.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a network device receives, from a first device, a first call request for a second device. The network device may then send the first call request to a redirect server, which can determine where to send the call. The network device receives a response from the redirect server indicating an address to redirect the call request to. The network device then determines a redirect ID for the redirect. The network device sends a message to the first device with the redirect ID where the message indicates that a redirection occurred to the third device. The network device then receives a second call request from the first device that includes the redirect ID. The network device determines if the call was part of a previous redirect. If so, the second call request is sent to the address associated with the redirect ID.

Abstract: A VOIP service and method is provided which comprises an redirecting dialer device (RDD), which connects a telephone to a POTS circuit. Responsive to DTMF signals from the telephone representative of a long telephone distance number, the RDD intercept the DTMF signals and transits alternative DTMF signals representative of an alternative telephone number of a PSTN/VOIP gateway server. Once connected to the PSTN/VOIP gateway server, the RDD then transmits the DTMF signals associated with the original long distance number. The VOIP gateway server is operative to convert the analog signals from the telephone into digital and packetized VOIP data which is transmitted through a public or private IP-based network to a remote telecommunication device associated with the original long distance telephone number. If the DTMF signals from the telephone are representative of a local telephone number, the RDD is operative to forgo transmitting the alternative DTMF signals.

Abstract: A method of configuring a telephone, comprising configuring a plurality of self-labeling role keys to represent respective user roles, and configuring a plurality of self-labeling role associated keys associated with respective ones of the self-labeling role keys such that upon user selection of one of the self-labeling role keys representing a predetermined user role, the plurality of self-labeling role associated keys are presented to the user for invoking respective features associated with the selected user role. The method incorporates end user behavior patterns to collect programmable key data for the system to automatically update dynamic programmable keys, in conjunction with role associated keys or role independent keys.

Abstract: A system and method of generating a contact list based on a geographic definition and, in certain embodiments, other screening criteria. In an embodiment, a geographic definition, specifying a geographic area, is received. The geographic definition is translated into at least one linkage key. A contact list, comprising a plurality of records associated with the geographic area, is then generated from one or more databases using the at least one linkage key as an index into the one or more databases.

Abstract: Handling an incoming call from a caller to a user includes prompting a caller to record a message to the user and sending a special command to a user communication device indicting that the incoming call is available for screening and retrieving. In response to the user indicating a desire to screen the incoming call, the user listens to the message while the caller is leaving the message. In response to the user indicating a desire to retrieve the incoming call, the call is transferred to the user communication device. In response to the user indicating a desire to screen the call, an incoming media stream from the incoming call may be forked so that the message is being recorded while the user is listening to the message at the user communication device.

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: A system for dynamically coupling a special number call from a calling unit with at least one function-focused answering unit includes: (a) at least one communication network configured and situated for communicative coupling with the calling unit; (b) at least one switching facility coupled with at least one network of the plurality of networks; (c) a special number call receiving facility coupled with the at least one switching facility; and (d) the at least one switching facility being coupled with the at least one function-focused answering unit. After receiving the special number call, the special number call receiving facility directs dynamically coupling the special number call to one or more included function-focused answering unit of the at least one function-focused answering unit via the at least one switching facility. Determination which function-focused answering unit is an included function-focused answering unit is made at the special number call receiving facility.

Abstract: Customer communications can be controlled in accordance with customized rules. An initial menu includes options to modify an existing rule or create a new rule for controlling customer communications. An initial selection criteria menu includes options to indicate whether the new customized rule will be built using a preexisting template or starting from initial blank rule criteria. A list of preexisting templates for creating new customized rules can be provided, and input to populate a selected template can be accepted. Initial blank rule criteria for creating new customized rules can also be provided, including initial criteria and rule conditions for selected initial criteria. Communications are processed in accordance with the stored new customized rule.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for processing call blocking instructions and for managing mobile messaging. A method of processing call blocking instructions is described. A call processing system receives a call from a caller intended for a first user. A notification regarding the call is transmitted to a mobile device associated with the first user. A message from the user is received via the mobile device, wherein the message is a text or multimedia type message. At least partly in response to the message, the caller is placed on a blacklist indicating that future calls from the caller to the user are to be blocked.

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

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer storage medium, for inbound call identification and management. One of the systems 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; and one or more computing devices that include a call identifier (“IDer”) configured to characterize the attributes of the caller devices to form characterized attributes, a call management system controller configured to match the characterized attributes against routing criteria specified in the data representing the call action policies, and a call management system router configured to route calls from the caller devices to the callee devices responsive to a match between the characterized attributes and the routing criteria.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described herein for selectively displaying mobile caller identification (MCID) information for an incoming mobile telephone call on one or more display devices based on a location of the destination mobile device. A location of the destination mobile device can be compared to a display condition for one or more display devices. If the display condition is met for the given device, MCID information for the incoming call is provided to and displayed on the display device. The display condition can be based on the proximity of the mobile destination device and the display device.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, means, and computer program code is provided for routing a call which includes receiving a call request at a first server, the call request including header data identifying a requesting extension and an invited extension, the invited extension associated with a second server. The header data identifying an invited extension is then replaced with proxy data for the invited extension, and the call request (including header data identifying the requesting extension and the proxy data for the invited extension) is forwarded to a second server.

Abstract: A telephone system comprising switching circuitry configured for coupling a call to a telephone extension coupled to the system, voice processing circuitry configured for automatically interacting with the call, a microprocessor, a first data bus connected between the microprocessor and the switching circuitry, and a second data bus connected between the microprocessor and the voice processing circuitry.

Abstract: Provided is a method that includes receiving a redirect request from one or more switches of a telecommunications network, receiving, from one or more switches of the telecommunications network, a connect request that requests connection of a transmitter device to a receiver device associated with the normal subscriber number, and configuring the telecommunication network to connect the transmitter device to a receiver device associated with the modified subscriber number, independently of the switch serving the normal receiver device being operable or inoperable. The redirect request comprises a normal subscriber number and a modified subscriber number.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses detect an identity of a caller; receive an assigned incoming telephone number; identify a recipient associated with the assigned incoming telephone number and the identity; and connect the caller and the recipient.