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: 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: An apparatus, system and method for call notifications to active communication devices are provided. At an apparatus comprising a processor and a communication interface, a call for a first device is received via the communication interface. When is determined that a second device is active, a notification of the call is transmitted to the second device.

Abstract: A method for transferring a data stream between devices on a network is initiated by one of the devices. The devices on the network include a first device requesting the transfer and a second device currently receiving the data stream via the network. The method steps include a first device determining a proximity to a second device. The method steps also include the first device initiating a command to terminate a data stream received by the second device via a network when the proximity is below a threshold; and the first device initiating a command to transfer the data stream via the network so that the data stream is received by the first device.

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: 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: Techniques for providing a gateway transfer mechanism are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method, comprising identifying, at a gateway, a call to be routed to a first location, determining whether to transfer the call to a second location, in the event the call is to be transferred to the second location, transferring the call, wherein transferring the call comprises ending a process to route the call to the first location, generating transfer information for the second location, and transferring the call to the second location using the generated transfer information.

Abstract: The present invention moves service control, including call control, for a user element from any number of subsystems to a multimedia subsystem (MS). Call control for originating or terminating a call in any subsystem as well as transferring the call between user elements is anchored at a continuity control function (CCF) in the MS. A call may be transferred by the CCF from a first user element to a second user element in the same or different subsystems upon receiving a request from the second user element. A user may invoke a transfer from the first user element to the second user element by having the second user element send an appropriate request to the CCF. The request may be provided to the CCF by initiating a call from the second user element that is intended for the CCF, when the call with the first user element is active.

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: 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: In the field of communications, a session transfer method and a User Equipment (UE) are provided, so as to solve the problem that when a UE is involved in a voice session and a video session at the same time, session transfer cannot be performed. The technical solution according to the present invention includes: determining a session in an active state among a video session and a voice session; and initiating transfer of the session in the active state, so that a network side transfers the session in the active state to a Circuit Switched (CS) domain, and transfers a session in an inactive state among the video session and the voice session. The session transfer method and the UE may be applied in a radio communication network.

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 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 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 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 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 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 teleconferencing system for establishing a facilitator-led teleconference involving a plurality of callers, a facilitator, and at least one party that can receive transfers. The teleconferencing system is operated by the facilitator under the control of application software through a user interface. A facilitator-led teleconference is formed and the callers are informed of how to initiate a transfer to the party, such as by touching of a key on their telephone keypad. The system detects the callers who initiate transfer. If the party is available the initiating caller is automatically transferred to that party. If the party is not available, such as would happen if numerous callers initiate transfer to that party, the initiating callers are placed into a transfer queue. When the party becomes available the callers in the queue are then transferred in queue order.

Abstract: Established multimodal conversations are enabled to be parked within an enhanced communication system such that a subscriber of the system can be notified through a variety of means and enabled to retrieve selected or all modalities for continuing the conversation. Different modalities may be parked together or separately. While waiting for the subscriber to retrieve the conversation, a participant may receive audio, video, presentation, or other forms of content as playback.

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: Techniques for transfer error recovery are described. A system may comprise a context generator module operative to record context information for a first call session between a first call terminal and a call system resource, and store the context information with a context identifier in a context table. The system may include a transfer error context module to couple to the context generator module, the transfer error context module operative to generate transfer error context information having the context identifier. The system may include a call transfer module to couple to the transfer error context module, the call transfer module operative to send the transfer error context information to the first call terminal for use in case of a transfer failure event. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

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: An incoming call is communicated to a first endpoint and a second endpoint. A call redirection message comprising a redirection number is received from the first endpoint, and it is determined whether the first endpoint should be disconnected from the call according to the redirection number. The call is disconnected from the first endpoint if the redirection number indicates that the call should be disconnected.

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: The present invention enables users of a network service to register with the network as valued shoppers, thereby allowing them to receive specialized treatment when calling registered retailers. The present invention enables retailers to register with the network, thereby allowing them to set preferred service logic for handling valued customer calls by the network.

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 of redirecting a directory-assistance call includes receiving a directory-assistance request from a caller, determining via a free directory-assistance service whether information corresponding to the directory-assistance request is available, responsive to a determination that the information is available, presenting, to the caller, the information free of charge to the caller and, responsive to a determination that the information is not available, redirecting the directory-assistance call to a chargeable directory-assistance service.

Abstract: A telephony system is presented that enables one user to monitor another user's extension and perform functions on calls destined for the other user's extension. The system includes a server with a telephony management software (TMS) unit, a telephony application programming interface (TAPI) unit, and an application unit. The application unit includes a control module, association module, presentation module, park module, monitoring device interface module, and storage interface module. A server sends information to a monitoring device regarding the status of a monitored extension and calls offering on that extension. A server also enables a user to navigate through multiple calls offering and park a selected call.

Abstract: Communication systems and methods are described that include call notification with rich caller identification. Components of the communication systems are configured to receive a call for a user via an enterprise voice channel. A call request is automatically generated in response to event data of the received call. The call request includes caller data from enterprise databases or directories. The caller data provides identifying information of the caller to the user via the call request. The call request can include response options by which the user can participate in the call. The call request is routed to a target device of the user via a data channel of the host enterprise. The target device provides the user with multiple action or response options via the call request. The response options include for example accepting the call, delaying the call, forwarding the call, ignoring the call, and ignoring the caller.

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

Abstract: A method of supporting a mid-call hand-off feature (22) is provided in a telecommunications network (40). The method includes: connecting a first call through a first switching facility (20) of the telecommunications network (40) such that a first party served by the first switching facility (20) and a second party are participating in the call; making a decision to invoke the mid-call hand-off feature (22); placing a second call from the first switching facility (20) to a designated telephone number; and, connecting the second party to the second call.

Abstract: Voice service over a next generation network is provided using Advanced Intelligent Network solutions. According to an exemplary embodiment, a Voice over Network system includes a communications device having a directory communication address in communication with a telecommunications network, means for decoding the directory communications address to identify a voice over internet protocol service feature of the communications address, and means for establishing an internet protocol telephony communications connection of the communications device with a called party's communications address via a VoN hotline. According to further exemplary embodiments, the hotline may include a media gateway, an application server, a feature server, and means for communicating among the media gateway, the application server, and the feature server.

Abstract: A unitary handheld portable module includes a keypad for entering data and a display for displaying data. A base module is configured to be coupled with and communicate through a telephone line and includes a keypad for dialing a telephone number and a display for displaying information. The portable and base modules are configured to have a mounted configuration in which the portable module is removably mounted on the base module and covers the base module's display, and the modules communicate with each other for the portable module's display to display information relating to operation of the base module.

Abstract: A communication device includes a communication unit, a storage unit, a processor, and a transfer module. The communication unit communicates with an external communication device. The storage unit stores a call transfer code. The processor records a ring data of the external communication device. The ring data is defined to a ring count of each incoming call made from the external communication device and number of times called made from the external communication device. The transfer module compares the ring data with the call transfer code, sets the telephone number of the external communication device to be a transferring telephone number of the communication device when the ring data is equal to the call transfer code, and implements a call transfer function and message transfer function of the communication device.

Abstract: An approach is provided for transferring in-progress communication between communication devices. A transfer code is received from a target terminal of a user. An in-progress call is detected between a first terminal and a second terminal, where the first terminal is associated with the user, and the second terminal is associated with another user. Transfer of the in-progress call from the first terminal to the target terminal is initiated in response to the received transfer code.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, in which a call transfer can be performed independently of a positive final response in a call transfer to the a third party subject of the call transfer. In some implementations, a first party to the communications session can send a drop/disconnect signal after initiating the call transfer or after receiving an acknowledgement of the initiation of a call transfer.

Abstract: There is provided a telephone that is capable of accessing a memory for storing subscription information that includes a phone number. The telephone comprises, among other things: a searching unit that searches the memory for second subscription information that is different from the first subscription information selected by the selecting unit; an obtaining unit that obtains a first phone number included in the first subscription information and transfer source information that enables a call transfer server of a network operator associated with the second subscription information to identify a second phone number included in the second subscription information; and a sending unit that sends, to the call transfer server, a call transfer request for requesting the network operator to transfer a call addressed to a phone number, which is identified by the call transfer server based on the transfer source information, to the first phone number.

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 a call that is directed to the user's desk set to be automatically forwarded to the user's cell phone. This is advantageous to the user because it provides the illusion to the caller that the user is physically in her office when she is not necessarily there. A similar feature also provides the illusion when a third party initiates a call that connects the user's cell phone to a called party. Such a third party includes a computer-telephony integration (CTI) application in a telephone telemarketing center, which automatically places many outgoing telephone calls.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for allocating call resources during a conference call are disclosed. A conference call between a plurality of clients is conducted on a first conference call. The clients communicate media streams to the first conference call for mixing. A media gateway identifies a second call resource to conduct the conference call and mix the media streams, and transfers the conference call from the first call resource to the second call resource without suspending a plurality of mixed media streams received by the clients.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, systems, and devices for user supervision and notification. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following: monitoring activities performed by a telephone device; and notifying a user of the activities performed by the telephone and identification of users performing the activities, notification of activities being made by the telephone device.

Abstract: A method of semi-supervised synonym inference for a call handling application, such as automated directory assistance or call routing, is described. In one embodiment the method comprises examining a database of caller interaction results from a directory assistance system that includes an automated directory assistance engine, detecting a specified characteristic in the caller interaction results, and using the detected characteristic to automatically train a destination map, where the destination map is for use by the automated directory assistance engine in automatically mapping human speech to a destination. The detecting of the specified characteristic in the caller interaction results may include a statistical analysis of the caller interaction results for each of one or more speech recognition strings.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a method and system for trunk independent gateway transfer of calls are disclosed. In one particular exemplary embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a computer implemented method, comprising receiving a call transfer request for a call at a gateway and determining, using a processor of the gateway, whether a trunk to be used for transferring the call requires a transfer command. In the event the trunk requires transfer command, the techniques comprise generating a transfer command, and transferring the call using the transfer command.

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

Abstract: A system and method for transferring calls. A voice communication is received. The voice communication is placed on hold in response to receiving user input. Multiple phones are rung simultaneously in response to receiving the user input. The voice communication is connected to one of the multiple phones in response to a user answering the voice communication on one of the multiple phones.

Abstract: Customer communications can be controlled in accordance with customized rules. An entry 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: A subscriber accommodating apparatus which receives a call connection request from at least one subscriber terminal includes a control unit. The control unit compares a number of sessions under connection with a predetermined threshold value and controls a transfer of the call connection request according to the comparison result, when receiving the call connection request from the subscriber terminal.

Abstract: A method for coordinating the sharing of contacts between a directory terminal (104) and a portable communication device (102) is implemented in one embodiment when the directory terminal receives from the portable device a request to conduct a directory sharing session and a communication device identifier. The directory terminal retrieves screen interface information associated with the identifier and renders a user interface on a display screen (101) of the directory terminal based on the retrieved information. The directory terminal receives a first set of contact records from the portable communication device, wherein each contact record includes a contact name and at least one contact entry. The directory terminal searches a second set of contact records to find contact records containing contact names included in contact records of the first set. Contact entries for common contact records are conveyed to the portable communication device for automatic association with the first set.

Abstract: A method is provided for transferring an incoming call made to a first fixed communications terminal attached to a local network, towards a second fixed communications terminal forming part of a plurality of fixed communications terminals situated in the local network. The method includes: making comparisons between firstly data about the incoming call and secondly call data associated with the fixed communications terminals of the plurality of terminals as previously recorded in the local network; selecting, as the second fixed communications terminal, a favorite fixed communications terminal in application of a similarity criterion between the call data associated with that terminal and the data about the incoming call; and causing the incoming call to be transferred to the selected favorite fixed communications terminal.

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