Abstract: A teleconferencing system that enables facilitator-led teleconferences in which a caller can transfer their call to a different conference group, facilitator, or another party by initiating a transfer command, such as by pushing a particular key on their telephone keypad. Application software controls a switch that automatically transfers a caller to a different conference group, facilitator, or party when a transfer-initiating act, such as pressing a key on a keypad, is sensed. The transfer is reported to the current facilitator and to the new facilitator, if any, who is provided with contact information regarding the transferring-in caller.

Abstract: A method for providing law enforcement call preemption of VoIP subscribers may include receiving a call preemption request from a law enforcement agency (LEA) designating at least one subscriber telephone number and at least one LEA telephone number, wherein the at least one subscriber telephone number is associated with a voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) calling plan subscriber. An incoming call policy may be generated at a voice application server and configured to allow incoming calls to the at least one subscriber telephone number from only the at least one LEA telephone number. The incoming call policy may be stored in a memory associated with the voice application server. The incoming call policy may be activated. An outgoing call transfer policy may be generated at the voice application server and configured to automatically transfer all outgoing calls from the at least one subscriber telephone number to a designated one of the at least one LEA telephone numbers.

Abstract: A smooth and seamless terminal switching guaranteeing continuity of communication at an application level is realized. A call control part for setting and managing a physical and logical transmission path between communication terminals, a session management part for managing establishment of data communication between the communication terminals, and a switching request processing unit for controlling interruption and resumption of a session are provided, wherein the switching request processing unit exercises a function to temporarily interrupt a session after receiving a session switching request signal from a communication terminal, a function to instruct the call control part to establish a call connection with a switch destination communication terminal, a function to establish a session with an application on the switch destination communication terminal, and a function to resume, after establishing the session, a session with a communication terminal of an opposite side.

Abstract: The present invention provides a telephone relay apparatus in which even in a telephone terminal which cannot recognize a subaddress, it is possible to attain information to judge whether or not the call is to be started. A telephone relay apparatus 100 possesses a plurality of call transmission telephone numbers (proxy telephone numbers) to uses a telephone number (user telephone number) properly to transmit a call to a telephone terminal 210 on the call reception side according to a rule prescribed in advance, which enables the telephone terminal 210 on the call reception side to identify the type of the call via the telephone relay apparatus 100 based on the call transmitter telephone number (notification telephone number).

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), the first call being connected between a first party served by the first switching facility (20) and a second party; receiving a second call at the first switching facility (20) for the first party while the first party is still connected to the first call; determining where the second call originated from; and, selectively connecting the second party to the second call in response to the determined origin of the second call.

Abstract: Service invocation information including call routing, reasons for redirections, and similar information are provided to party requesting a communication session and recipients of an enhanced communication system along the call routing path as the request is routed. Some of the information is filtered based on system and/or user defined rules, user permission levels, and comparable aspects.

Abstract: A method for transferring time-synchronous data, particularly voice and video data, over a network, particularly the Internet, between at least two terminals, where between the terminals a connection is established using a SIP server and where the SIP protocol is used for establishing the connection, is—with respect to high Quality of Service for transferring time-synchronous data and with a technically simple and cost effective design—developed in a way that the SIP server analyzes the connection and/or the terminals or the like and that based on the analysis it determines an ideal bandwidth for optimizing the transfer of time-synchronous data.

Abstract: A system for causing the simultaneous, or near simultaneous, receipt by multiple pre-identified communication termination endpoints of electronic messages sent at times respectively delayed relative to one another and inviting each of the communication termination endpoints to join a communication session. The system receives identification of associated communication termination endpoints that are to receive, at substantially the same time, electronic messages to join a communication session. The system determines and stores send time delays for each such communication termination endpoint that are calculated by a respectively appropriate method.

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

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for handling telephone calls which comprises: means for configuring the operation of the apparatus based on user preferences relating to the handling of calls from particular callers, means for storing the user preferences, means for processing incoming calls based on the user preferences, and means for receiving updates to the user preferences in dependence on changes to a preference database for storing the preferences of at least one user. The invention also relates to a telecommunications system, and to an associated server.

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 for handling multiple call redirections in a voice messaging platform is provided that includes receiving a call at the voice messaging platform, wherein multiple, sequential redirecting numbers are associated with the call. The method also includes selecting a mailbox associated with a last number associated with the call when it is determined that the last number does not belong to a closed user group, and depositing a message in the selected mailbox. When the last number belongs to the closed user group, and if the closed user group does not allow individual call forwarding control, the method selects the mailbox based on a closed user group preference. An apparatus and a computer readable medium are provided.

Abstract: In an embodiment, call information is received indicating that a called party, responsive to receiving a call from a calling party, desires to record a complaint against the calling party relating to receipt of the call. A call complaint based on the call information is added to a complaint database. Call rejection information based on the call information is forwarded to a call rejection database configured to indicate blocking of further calls from the calling party to the called party. The complaint information may be forwarded to the complaint database through a number of different communications paths. In another embodiment, a request for a change in status of an identifier entry on a user call rejection list is received. The status of the identifier entry on the user call rejection list is changed based on a comparison of the current status of the identifier entry with the request.

Abstract: A method is provided for customizing a call control rule by a subscriber at a graphical user interface. The method includes providing a first display, including multiple conditions relating to identifying calls involving the at least one telephone number, and receiving a first selection of at least one identifying condition. The method further includes providing a second display, including multiple call dispositions relating to processing the calls based on the at least one selected condition, and receiving a second selection of at least one call disposition. The identifying condition and the call disposition are stored as the call control rule in association with the telephone number, and calls involving the telephone number are processed in accordance with the stored call control rule. The method may also include providing a third display describing the call control rule contemporaneously with receiving the first and second selections.

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: A method for transferring a call at an automatic call distribution system includes receiving from a caller a call for connection with one of a plurality of agents and connecting the call to a selected first agent of the plurality of agents. The method includes, while maintaining communication between the first agent and the caller, receiving a request to transfer the call to another one of the plurality of agents and selecting a second agent of the plurality of agents to receive the call transfer. The method also includes notifying the first agent of the selection of the second agent to receive the call transfer and transferring the call to the second agent.

Abstract: There is provided a linkage apparatus for linking a plurality of telephones with one another, including a communication part communicating with the plurality of telephones, a detection part detecting operating states of the plurality of telephones, a determination part determining, on the basis of the detected operating states, whether or not the operating state of a first telephone out of the plurality of telephones has changed to a first state from a third state, and when it is determined that the operating state of the first telephone has changed, determining whether or not the operating state of a second telephone precedently set to be linked with the first telephone is a second state, and a decision part deciding a linkage process that the linkage apparatus makes the second telephone to execute when it is determined that the operating state of the second telephone is the second state.

Abstract: A method for switching call between a mobile terminal with the same number and a soft terminal includes: receiving the switching instruction information sent by the soft terminal user during the call between the soft terminal or the mobile terminal with the same number and the opposing user; confirming the type of the switching instruction information, and carrying out the switching performance between the mobile terminal with the same number and the soft terminal according to the type of the switching instruction information. A system and an equipment for switching call between a mobile terminal with the same number and a PC client are disclosed in the present invention.

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: A method is disclosed that enables a user of one telecommunications terminal that is engaged in a call to move or “extend” the call to a second telecommunications terminal without notifying any other party on the call of the move. This is particularly useful in many situations. For example, the user might be at work and engaged in a call with a client on the user's wireline desk telephone. If the user needs to leave the office, the user can extend the call to his or her cell phone, while the call is in progress, without notifying the client. This enables the user to leave the office and continue the call on his or her cell phone without having the client ever know that the user is on his or her cell phone and not in the office.

Abstract: A call transfer process involves receiving a voice call at a call center from a caller, and initially servicing the voice call by a call center advisor. The servicing includes obtaining information from the caller pertaining to a purpose for which the voice call was made. Via the advisor, the method further involves answering at least one question pertaining to the voice call, where the question(s) is/are generated by a computer program run by a processor connected to an advisor workstation and is/are presented to the advisor on the advisor workstation during the voice call. Based on answer(s) to the question(s) and via the computer program, a particular department associated with the call center is recommended that is capable of further servicing the voice call. The voice call is transferred to the recommended department. Also disclosed herein is a system for accomplishing the same.

Abstract: This application describes a system and associated method for routing messages, such as phone calls. The destination of incoming calls may be determined based on a variety of factors, such as the state of the callee's security system, the date and time, the identity of the caller, and the number of recent call attempts by the caller. Potential destinations include all or a subset of the phones associated with a subscriber and outside phones, such as cellular phones operated by third parties. The rules used to route calls may be defined or modified via a web interface.

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 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 multimode handset and method that includes a first communications path adapted to communicate using a mobile telephone communications protocol, a second communications path adapted to communicate using a local, cordless communications protocol, and a processing unit in communication with the first and second communications paths and configured to switch between the first and second communications path during a telephone call.

Abstract: A multi-tiered communication system for minimizing communication latency for a caller in a remote location who initiates contact with a local data center. The system includes a local data center located in a first location including one or more Interactive Voice Recognition (IVR) functions that are configured for use with a caller who initiates contact with the local data center. The system also includes a remote media server located in a second location. The remote media server is configured to route an incoming call from the caller to the local data center, to route one or more IVR messages to the caller and to connect the caller with an agent for real-time communication. The agent is located in one of the second location or a third location that is substantially closer to the second location than the first location.

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: Examples of inbound call identification and management are described including a call management system that includes one or more repositories that can include data representing call action policies and data representing attributes associated with the caller devices and the callee devices. Further, the call management system can include one or more computing devices that include a call identifier (“IDer”) configured to characterize the attributes of the caller devices to form characterized attributes, a call management system controller configured to match the characterized attributes against routing criteria specified in the data representing the call action policies, and a call management system router configured to route calls from the caller devices to the callee devices responsive to a match between the characterized attributes and the routing criteria.

Abstract: A device is configured to detect a wireless device and determine if the wireless device is participating in a telephone call with a remote party. The device is further configured to establish a first voice communication link with the remote party, and establish a second voice communication link with the wireless device. In addition, the device is configured to bridge the first and second voice communication links together, thereby establishing voice communications between the wireless device and the remote party.

Abstract: A telephone call management system first receives a call over a telephone network from a calling device. The calling device is connected to a first called device by a first connection through the telephone network. A first call management message is received at a call routing engine, the first call management message to cause the engine to initiate establishment of a second connection among the calling device, the first called device, and a second called device. The engine issues, in response to the first call management message, a second call management message specifying a DTMF sequence for provision to the telephone network to cause the telephone network to establish the second connection. The telephone network may be a public switched telephone network.

Abstract: Provided is a method for multiple-termination routing in a wireless network environment that includes an Internet Protocol (“IP”) core. The method includes receiving a call delivery request. The call delivery request is based upon intelligent network protocols and includes a called number. The call features associated with the called number are retrieved, a determination is made whether the call features include multiple-termination routing information for a plurality of potential terminating devices, wherein at least one termination to be routed utilizes Session Initiation Protocol. When the call features include the multiple-termination routing information, call setups are initiated to each of the plurality of potential terminating devices. Upon detecting a first potential terminating device to complete one of the plurality of initiated call setups, any remaining initiated call setup or setups are released.

Abstract: A call manager includes a first device process that controls a first telephony device and that receives a call request from the first telephony device. The call request includes a telephone number associated with a second telephony device. The call manager also includes a call control module that receives the call request from the first device process, and the call manager further includes a route list control process that is associated with the telephone number and that receives the call request from the call control module. The route list process accesses a route list to determine a port of a gateway device that can transmit the call request to the second telephony device. The route list process communicates the call request to a second call manager that is coupled to the packet-based network and that controls the gateway device included in the route list.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for transferring contacts among automatic contact distributors of an automatic contact distribution system. The method includes the steps of collecting information from a contact through an interactive voice response unit of a broker automatic call distributor of the automatic contact distribution system, incorporating the collected information into a SIP message, forking the SIP message from the broker automatic contact distributor to a plurality of other automatic contact distributors of the automatic contact distribution system and transferring the contact from the broker automatic contact distributors to one of the plurality of automatic contact distributors.

Abstract: The invention discloses a call pickup method for a communication network system comprising a first terminal and a second terminal. The method comprise the steps of: (a) setting a common group extension in each of the first terminal and the second terminal; (b) transmitting a pickup request message via the common group extension from the second terminal while the first terminal is receiving an incoming call from a third terminal; (c) receiving the pickup request message from the second terminal via the common group extension at the first terminal; (d) transmitting a transfer message related to the pickup request message from the first terminal to the third terminal; (e) transmitting an invitation message from the third terminal to the second terminal; and (f) establishing the incoming call between the second terminal and the third terminal.

Abstract: A method includes receiving at a voice portal a telephone call from a caller and acquiring from the caller a billing telephone number. The method also includes determining, based on the billing telephone number, that the telephone call should be transferred to a specific call center; identifying an exchange number for the specific call center; assembling a refer message based on the billing telephone number and the exchange number of the specific call center; and sending the refer message to a network device.

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

Abstract: A method for controlling blind/attended transfer in an SIP-based network includes: transmitting, by an SIP-based terminal, a call request message to a third terminal, which is an object of a call transfer, after pausing a communication with a second terminal by transmitting a call waiting message to the SIP server; determining, by the SIP-based terminal, whether a call transfer function (Hook on) has been activated prior to receiving a call response (200OK) signal from the SIP server; and performing, by the SIP-based terminal, the blind transfer with the third terminal by transmitting a call transfer message (REFER) to the SIP server upon the call transfer function (Hook on) being activated prior to receiving the call response message from the SIP server. The SIP-based terminal processes the blind/attended transfer using one input, thereby providing convenience to a user.

Abstract: A messaging system includes a messaging platform for storing a message from a calling party or transferring the calling party to a transfer station, a switching mechanism for receiving a call from the calling party to a subscriber, and a routing application at a server. The call from the calling party is connected to the messaging platform and the calling party signals to be transferred to the transfer station. In response, the messaging platform sends a transfer message to the routing application and the routing application directs the switching mechanism to disconnect the calling party from the messaging platform and connect the calling party to the transfer station.

Abstract: A method provides call pickup in a communications network. The method includes initiating a call from a first device to a second device. The call is initiated over one or more networks, where at least one of the one or more networks includes a data network. The method further includes storing information relating to the call initiation between the first device and the second device, receiving a message from a third device during the call initiation, where the message includes a call pickup indication, retrieving the information relating to the call initiation between the first device and the second device, and establishing a call between the first device and the third device based on the retrieved information.

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

Abstract: A method and system for establishing floor control in a communication session enables remote control of devices in a network and provides a status update concerning floor ownership. The method includes processing at a floor controller a floor request message received from a first endpoint, where the floor request message requests that floor ownership be provided to a second endpoint (step 305). A floor control announcement message is then transmitted from the floor controller to at least both the first endpoint and the second endpoint, where the floor control announcement message indicates that the second endpoint has floor ownership (step 315).

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 incoming call that is directed to the user's desk set to be automatically forwarded to the user's cell phone, while in the presence of third-party call control. This is advantageous to the user because it provides the illusion to the caller that the user is physically in his or her office when she is not necessarily there. The third-party call control can be part of a computer-telephony integration (CTI) application—for example, in a telephone telemarketing center, which handles many incoming telephone calls.

Abstract: A method is provided for establishing a roaming line number in a communication network. The method includes receiving information from a telephony device indicating a desire to program a roaming line number for the telephony device. The method also includes associating the roaming line number with a packet network address of the telephony device such that calls placed to the roaming line number will be directed to the telephony device.

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

Abstract: A system for effecting transition of a private branch exchange (PBX) system-hosted voice only telephone session in progress into a voice session optionally enhanced with a data collaboration channel hosted by a conference bridge includes a call escalation system (CES) application for determining call state of the voice session to be transitioned and for executing a sequence of command requests for effecting the transition based on a trigger event; and a control application server for controlling the PBX switch.

Abstract: The present invention is a method and system for transferring calls among communicating devices connected through a public network. The service is offered by a public network to permit a party in a ongoing conversation to transfer a call to another communicating device that may be more convenient to use, such as from a mobile telephone experiencing static to a land-based telephone, or from a home telephone to a mobile phone as a party leaves the home. In a method according to the invention, the network first establishes a connection between two communicating parties. The network then receives from one of the parties a request to transfer the call to another communications device. The network then transfers the call. The invention may be entirely network-based, in which case there may be a database of transferee devices stored on the network.

Abstract: Multiple instances of an incoming call in a unified communication system capable of communicating through multiple networks are provided to devices and/or applications associated with the called party. Upon acceptance or a global rejection of the incoming call through one of the end devices/applications, the remainder are provided a cancellation notice for the forked call request that includes information associated with which end device took the action, what type of action was taken, whether the action was based on automatic policy implementation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes establishing a call, and continuously monitoring the call from or using a first endpoint associated with the call. Monitoring the call includes identifying when an information element associated with the call has changed. The method also includes determining when the information associated with the call has changed, and storing a representation of the information element in an enhanced directory arrangement associated with the first endpoint when the information associated with the call has changed.

Abstract: A system and method for mapping a voice identity to a telephone number includes: one or more phone systems; at least one policy processor coupled to the one or more phone systems; and a voice identity mapping data structure accessible to the at least one policy processor. The voice identity mapping data structure includes: search voice identities transitively mapped to one or more target voice identities, where the voice identity matches a first search voice identity, the first search voice identity is mapped by the policy processor to a first target voice identity according to a first mapping policy, the first target voice identity matches a second search voice identity of a second mapping policy, the second search voice identity is mapped by the policy processor to a second target voice identity according to the second mapping policy, where the voice identity includes a non-phone number voice identity.

Abstract: A method for realizing the universal personal number ring back tone service comprises: determining the ring back tone played according to the called information, and determining the media resources for playing the ring back tone according to the calling information, the media resources information and the said ring back tone information; the said media resource plays the said ring back tone. The present invention also discloses a device and a system for realizing the universal personal number ring back tone service. On the basis of the present invention, UPT users are supported to assign the different ring back tone for each destination number, respectively, and the ring back tone information of each media resource is dynamically updated in accordance with the using situation of the ring back tone, therefore realizing that the UPT ring back tone service utilizes the network resources effectively.