Abstract: In a click-to-call (C2C) communication environment, a web client of a computing terminal is configured to initiate a C2C call when a user selects a call tag provided in a web page being presented to the user. The call is intended to be established between a remote endpoint associated with the call tag and one of either the computing terminal or another terminal associated with the user. If the C2C call is directed to an automated system and placed in a queue or on hold, the present invention allows supplemental content intended for the user to be delivered to the web client from which the C2C call was initiated. The web client may present the supplemental content to the user.

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

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating a call transmission screen using a collage technique is provided. The method includes analyzing user condition information, calculating priorities for terminal transmission/reception information corresponding to the analyzed user condition information according to predetermined priority conditions, selecting available transmission/reception information, used to create a call transmission screen, from the prioritized terminal transmission/reception information, and creating the call transmission screen using the collage technique by arranging images corresponding to the available transmission/reception information according to a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A method and system for initiating a connection between at least a first communication device and a second communication device respective of a first party and a second party. According to the present invention initiating a connection includes obtaining a destination subscriber identifier from the first party, wherein the destination subscriber identifier is a string including at least one character different than a numeric character and is respective of the second party. Then, a resolution request that includes data indicative of the destination subscriber identifier is conveyed to a hosting information storage server respective of the destination subscriber identifier, a resolution response including a destination address respective of the second communication device wherein the second party is available is obtained, and then, the present invention includes initiating a connection between the first communication device and the second communication device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for configuring and using speed dialing are described. A first user interface is displayed to a user, the first user interface providing a name field configured to display and/or receive a contact name and a phone address field configured to display and/or receive a phone address associated with the contact name. A speed dial field configured to receive and/or display a speed dial identifier associated with the phone address is provided. When the user later enters speed dial identifier via a telephone, the phone address is called.

Abstract: To effectively prevent information leakage from a communication node, such as a cellular phone. Not an actual communication-destination telephone number, but a telephone number code which is arbitrarily assigned corresponding to the actual communication-destination telephone number, and information required for telephone number selection are registered in an address book of a cellular phone 2. An actual telephone number of each cellular phone 2, a telephone number code of a communication destination thereof, and information of the communication destination are registered in an address book of an address management server 4 in association with one another.

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.

Abstract: A wireless communication device may have several contact buttons, including, for example, a Mom button, a Dad button and a Home button. The device may also have a Send button and an End button. A child may press one of the contact buttons, then dial Send, and a call will be placed to the specifically denoted contact. Accordingly, a child may easily and efficiently use the present invention to quickly wirelessly communicate with another person, without the confusion of extraneous buttons. The wireless communication device also includes a system and method for emergency dialing. Emergency dialing is effected by pressing an emergency call button and the Send button. In this manner, accidental dialing of an emergency number is avoided. The wireless device can be remotely programmed such that a parent or other person may remotely program the numbers called when the contact buttons are pressed.

Abstract: By establishing double star short dialing codes (short codes) a party may have assigned to it a two, three, four or five digit name or number that is easy to remember because it has only a few numbers. When that number is dialed, the number is directed to a special translator that translates the short code to the full number, or to a series of called numbers, for subsequent routing through the telephone network. Because of the shortage on the numbering plan, the short code is indicated to the telephone network by the calling user dialing a unique prefix combination of non-numeric digits. In one embodiment, a control digit within the short code indicates to the system also the length of the short code. In this manner, variable length short numbers can be utilized for telephone or SMS messaging routing purposes, thus expanding the existing dial plan for the short number purposes.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for providing online advertisements to consumers. A method disclosed herein allows a consumer to provide contact information to a business in response to a search request submitted to a search engine. Subsequently, the business may initiate a communication to the consumer at the contact information provided by the consumer. As a result, the business has better assurance that the advertisement fees provided to the search engine is in fact generating better consumer contacts for the business. In an embodiment of the system disclosed herein a telecommunications service provider may receive the contact information from the consumer and establish a line of communication between the consumer and the business.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for processing calls. An alias is associated to a called party's destination number. When the alias is then dialed for a call, the call is routed to the destination number. Exemplary embodiments thus enable a user to make calls without having to dial a long string of numbers. The user, instead, may simply select and dial an easy-to-remember alias associated with the called party.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for establishing a communication connection between a calling user A and a user B to be called in a communication system, in particular a telecommunication fixed network and/or a mobile radio network and/or a computer network or a combination of said networks, wherein a sequence of numbers is generated from a sequence of numbers uniquely identifying the user B for calling, for example, e-mail addresses, aliases, christian names and surnames, by means of a unique representation and a connection establishment is initiated using said sequence of numbers as a call number for the user B.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enabling a network service provider to compare the existing speed dial lists with new entries and only overwrite entries that have been modified are disclosed. In addition, the existing list remains active during this process and is protected from the update process. The existing list is only replaced by the updated list if the update process has been successfully completed without incident; otherwise, the existing list will remain active without being affected.

Abstract: A generalized code communication system using characters, numbers, symbols, and their combination forming a generalized code communication number as user identification for multimedia public communication service. Users use the generalized code communication system user equipment to dial numbers directly for vocal, characters, messages, images, music, and multimedia. Users also use normal cellular phone and lined telephones to send generalized code of vocal, characters, messages, images, QR codes, or other forms of data to this system to establish communication.

Abstract: A communications system for placing a plurality of calls with a common message to a plurality of subscribers via a public switched telephone network is provided. The communications system includes an end office switch disposed in an end office and in communication with the public switched telephone network. The communications system further includes an auto-dialer disposed in the end office and interconnected with the end office switch for placing the plurality of calls to the plurality of subscribers via the end office switch.

Abstract: A device and method for providing simple access to subscriber selected applications that reside in a telephone network. A programmable communication device that includes programmable push buttons operable for providing a user one button access to voice based and text based applications. A storage register is associated with each of the programmable push button and is operable for storing a directory number, such as a telephone number and a server address. The communication device includes a unique programming permission code for security purposes, such as restricting the use/reprogramming of the push buttons. A method of programming device push buttons including entering the programming permission code and selected advanced application information into the device. The method of programming may be done remotely or manually using various provisioning techniques.

Abstract: Voice service over a next generation network is provided using Advanced Intelligent Network solutions. A voice over network communications signal is communicated from an analog communications device over a telecommunications network to a softswitch (SSW) complex that detects and decodes a directory communications address to identify an internal, secret line number (SLN) communications address and, if associated with an SLN, to activate a voice over network application trigger to enable voice communications over an Internet Protocol, data communications network.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing Intelligent Outbound Calling provides enhanced calling services even when the called party is not a customer to such a service. A method for providing calling services may comprise storing contact information for a customer, the contact information comprising information relating to a plurality of contacts associated with the customer and for each contact, a plurality of contact telephone numbers, receiving an indication of a contact selected from among the plurality of contacts, and dialing a plurality of calls to the plurality of contact telephone numbers for the selected contact.

Abstract: A method that allows customers to connect remotely with customer service representatives by continuously monitoring the customers with cameras. Images from the cameras are sent to a computerized system that employs image processing techniques to determine when assistance is sought by a customer. When the customer is deemed in need of such assistance, a video phone call is initiated between the customer and a customer service representative.

Abstract: A method and system for monitoring calls being made from a cellular phone and preventing calls being made to unauthorized numbers, as defined by the owner of the cellular phone. A security challenge is issued to a cell phone user when a suspicious, previously unknown telephone number is attempted to be called. Approved/safe numbers and/or area codes are stored within the phone and/or in a subscriber's account accessible and updated via the Internet. If the user is unable to provide the correct security code in response to the challenge, the user is prevented from making the call to the particular number.

Abstract: There is disclosed a system and method of displaying a selectable access link. In an embodiment, the method comprises: assigning a dialing short form to an entity; storing the dialing short form in persistent memory; associating one or more access links with the dialing short form; and upon receiving a dialing short form input, displaying for selection together with the dialing short form the one or more access links. Upon selection of an access link, a process to access the selected displayed access link is initiated. The dialing short form may be one of a short code, fast dial key, or voice activated dialing. The selectable access link may be time limited to geographically limited to a geographic region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for automatically translating the dialed string entered by a calling party to identify a called party into another dialed string. The string translation may be based, for example, on characteristics of the telephone number or telephone terminal of the calling party or characteristics of the call itself. Translation rules translate the dialed string entered by the calling party to another dialed string. Each translation rule contains one or more conditions and a corresponding action item that should be performed to translate the dialed string when the rule is satisfied. The improved abbreviated dialing feature allows a shorter sequence of digits dialed from any telephone connected to a compliant switch to be replaced by a longer dialed string.

Abstract: A method to be executed in a session initiation protocol (SIP) environment is provided that includes initiating a conversion process that involves a change from a first communications platform to a second communications platform. One or more routing tables associated with the first communications platform are then dumped. A conversion script is executed such that one or more patterns associated with a dial plan corresponding to the second communications platform are provided in a dial plan format. One or more files associated with the dial plan are loaded into one or more endpoints that are designated to change to the second communications platform.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and apparatus for providing an intelligent speed dialing service for a phone user according to a pre-selected dialing algorithm. More specifically, this invention provides an intelligent speed dialing feature to call a list of available phone numbers of the person to be contacted. With this invention, a caller can dial pre-programmed speed dialing digits on the phone station to call the person to be contacted, according to a pre-program algorithm, to automatically dial one or multiple phone numbers of the person to be contacted. The present invention greatly improves the convenience of using the speed dialing feature of a phone station, especially when the advanced call forwarding feature such as “follow me” is not available to or not enabled by the person to be contacted.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating business promotional material with voice calling are described. The business sponsors a customer to sign up for an outgoing calling account with a promotional calling service provider company. The service provider identifies an user as a customer of the sponsor and therefore assigns one dedicated speed dial extension to connect directly to the sponsor. Other frequently called numbers are stored in a phone book at other speed dial locations. Sponsor gets to promote themselves to the sponsored user when the user sets up/maintains his/her online account or makes a call.

Abstract: Methods are provided for managing communications over a communications routing network. A data store is maintained of records of communications links established over the communications routing network between a first endpoint of the communications routing network and multiple second endpoints of the communications routing network distinct from the first endpoint. A frequency analysis is performed of the second endpoints to identify a frequency of establishing a communications link between the first endpoint and each of the second endpoints. A list is generated of a subset of the second endpoints in accordance with a result of the frequency analysis.

Abstract: A communication terminal having one or more one-touch-dial buttons simplifies operations needed for registration of destination data such as phone numbers or mail addresses. A communication terminal (e.g., a cellular phone) having one or more one-touch-dial buttons includes a destination-data registration unit (e.g., a phone-directory database) that allows destination data such as phone numbers or mail addresses to be registered therein, a one-touch-dial registration unit that allows destination data to be registered therein so as to be associated with the one or more one-touch-dial buttons, and a control unit that, in response to an operation of the one or more one-touch-dial buttons, determines whether destination data has been registered in the one-touch-dial registration unit or the destination-data registration unit, and that outputs a result of the determination and a query message regarding registration of the destination data.

Abstract: A communication control system includes accessing a document data recording unit based on the information concerning a document and acquiring characteristic data indicating the characteristic of the document when receiving a call initiation request including at least information identifying a called party terminal and information concerning a document related to the call initiation request; accessing a status data recording unit based on information identifying the called party terminal included in the call initiation request and acquiring status data indicating a status of the called party terminal of the call initiation request; determining whether a call requested by the call initiation request is initiated or not based on the acquired characteristic data and the acquired status data; and executing a call initiation process depending on the determination by the call initiation determining unit.

Abstract: A feature server provides an abbreviated dialing feature via an internet protocol based network to facilitate abbreviated dialing between a first phone system that serves a first location and a second phone system that serves a second location. A routing table at the first phone system stores a number range of a voice over internet protocol customer local area network located at a third location. The routing table includes instructions to route abbreviated-dialed calls to a first integrated access device. The feature server receives a query from the second phone system when an abbreviated-dialed call originating from the second phone system is not recognized by the second phone system. The abbreviated-dialed call is communicated to the internet protocol based network by a second integrated access device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a name-based communication service. A system may comprise an input for receiving from a first communication device a name registered in connection with the communication service and provided by a user of the first communication device. The system may also comprise a processing entity for: identifying a profile associated with the name and configured by a party having registered the name; determining, based on the profile, at least one action to perform from among a plurality of actions performable by said system, the plurality of actions including: (i) transmitting to the first communication device information regarding the party and included in the profile; and (ii) attempting to establish a phone call between the first communication device and a second communication device associated with the party; and performing the at least one action.

Abstract: The invention enables accessing and using a Voice over Internet Protocol network, and can use a standard telephone to automatically access a VoIP network. A first aspect of the invention uses an auto dialer to transmit digits, such as a network access number, an account number and a PIN, which remain unchanged from call to call made through a given network service provider. A second aspect of the invention provides a speed dial feature for placing VoIP telephone calls. Speed dial numbers are recorded in a VoIP service provider's database on a server, which is accessible through the Internet from a personal computer (PC) or a conventional telephone. A third aspect of the invention enables callers to complete calls from conventional telephones to personal computers connected to the Internet. The VoIP network detects a flag such as leading “0,” determines that the call recipient station is a personal computer, looks up the IP address of the PC and routes the call to the PC.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing routing of message signaling may include a processor. The processor may be configured to receive an indication of a signaling message including at least a partially dialed number, determine whether the dialed number is an incomplete number or a complete number associated with a user identity of a terminating user, forward, in response to a determination that the dialed number is the complete number, the signaling message to a call session control function associated with a location of the terminating user, and delay forwarding of the signaling message until the dialed number is the complete number in response to a determination that the dialed number is the incomplete number. A method and computer program product for providing routing of message signaling is also provided.

Abstract: Providing for electronic communications devices having QWERTY type keyboards a software based system which automatically translates alphabetical characters into numeric characters. Directly entered alphabetical characters are automatically converted to corresponding numeric characters. As an alternative to manually entered characters, in communications devices having a voice recognition feature, spoken signals are similarly converted. Automatic conversion proceeds only when the device is in a telephone mode of operation. Where fewer than ten characters are entered, the system may automatically add an area code to the number being dialed. If more than seven but fewer than ten characters are entered, some characters are eliminated.

Abstract: An abbreviated dialing feature over a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) platform facilitates abbreviated dialing between a first phone system that serves a first customer location and a second phone system that serves a second customer location. The first and second phone systems may comprise two Centrex groups, two PBXs or a Centrex group and a PBX.

Abstract: A method of retrieving a directory listing includes steps of storing a plurality of directory listings, each listing searchable by a plurality of keys, each of the keys comprising a plurality of symbols selected from a subset of an alphabet; receiving a sequence of inputs each designating a plurality of the symbols; identifying a number of the directory listings having at least one of the keys consistent with the sequence of inputs; displaying candidate ones of the directory listing having the at least one of the keys consistent with the sequence of inputs; and selecting one of the candidate directory listings to be contacted.

Abstract: In a communication system, an intelligent dialing method comprising: receiving a dialing sequence relating to a business entity; in a switch in the communication system, checking for the geographical location; an IN data base checks the request to direct the call; the call is directed through the switch to the telephone line specified by the client to be the destined call area. In a communication system, an intelligent dialing method comprising: receiving a dialing sequence relating to a person's name and having a prefix indicating that intelligent dialing is to be activated; an IN data base checks the request to direct the call; the call is directed through a switch to the telephone line specified by the client to be the destined call area.

Abstract: A system comprising an abbreviated digit constructor, an abbreviated digit analyzer and a calling line identification data store.

Abstract: Systems and methods for managing a phone lead transaction between a lead seller and a lead buyer as part of a first transaction between said lead seller and a consumer. The method, for example, includes enabling a plurality of lead buyers to bid for phone leads from at least, one lead seller. When the lead seller conducts a transaction with a consumer, a prequalification question is displayed to an agent associated with the lead seller to allow the agent to ascertain whether the consumer qualifies. If the consumer qualifies, the consumer is connected to the lead buyer either immediately or at a later time. Methods are disclosed for tracking the phone lead transaction and performing back-end accounting for account settlement purposes.

Abstract: A telephone capable of placing or receiving calls over the PSTN or a packet network. The telephone can store multiple telephone numbers for each potential called party along with preferences that govern the order of selecting telephone numbers to service any given outgoing call. Some or all of the telephone numbers can be associated with a presence service. Presence indicators stored in the telephone are dynamically updated via the packet network connection and are used as part of the telephone number selection algorithm. The preferred embodiment is a wireless system having a base station and a remote device.

Abstract: A system and method is described for managing phone calls initiated from a phone device of a personal digital assistant. In one example, a system for managing a phone call is described. The system comprises, among other things, a personal digital assistant. The personal digital assistant includes the following: a display device; a phone device; a call device configured to control the phone device and to display a selectable interface on the display device; a hard button configured to initiate the call device; and a selection mechanism configured to receive user selections from the selectable interface.

Abstract: When a contact in an electronically-stored phone book has more than one telephone number associated with the contact's name, a user is permitted to define times (and if desired day/dates) for which each number is to serve as the default number for the contact, so if the user selects the contact's name from a list or enters the contact's speed dial shortcut number, the number called by default changes depending on the time of day/date.

Abstract: A speed dial list associated with a telephone line is received via at least one of a computer network and a telephone network. The speed dial list is stored in a database and associated with an identifier of the telephone line. An event of connecting a telephone set to the telephone line is detected. Based on the event, the telephone line to which the telephone set has been connected is identified. The speed dial list associated with the identified telephone line is retrieved. A machine-readable form of the speed dial list is communicated to the telephone set via the telephone network.

Abstract: A system and method for providing easy access to messaging services in a telecommunications network having office switches that are used by different providers of telephone and messaging services. The system uses a supplementary services database to maintain customer records including whether the customer uses messaging services and whether the customer subscribes to a short dialing sequence service for access to the messaging services. The customer is connected to the central office switch, which analyzes the dialing sequences generated by the customer. When the customer attempts access to the messaging services, the customer dials a short dialing or message sequence, such as *XX. The central office switch triggers a query to the supplementary services database for a call forwarding number to the messaging service used by the customer when the selected short dialing sequence is recognized by the switch.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring, making, managing and controlling telephone communications with a computer call assistant with an integrated voice/data communications system are disclosed. A call assistant computer application preferably runs on a personal computer (“PC”) coupled to the integrated system over a packet bus. The call assistant exchanges control and/or status packets with the integrated system preferably over a packet bus. The call assistant enables the user to make, receive and control telephone calls, monitor the status of the user's extension, voice mail, etc., and preferably operates with integrated systems capable of transmitting and receiving voice and data in multiple modes.

Abstract: An innovative portable dialer device and method for automatically initiating a telephone call of a pre-programmed telephone number stored as data representing tones, when the portable dialer device is brought near a telephone handset or a cellular telephone. The proposed portable dialer device enables a manual or automatic activation of the sequence of tones required for initiating the telephone call. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the portable dialer device is a refrigerator magnet dialer.

Abstract: A system stores a set of telephone numbers dialed by a user. The system selects a subset of telephone numbers from the stored set of telephone numbers as the user's favorite telephone numbers based on one or more first scores, where the one or more scores include a frequency score associated with a frequency that the telephone numbers have been dialed by the user and/or a recency score associated with how recently that the telephone numbers have been dialed by the user. The system stores the list of the user's favorite telephone numbers in memory.

Abstract: A system and method for semi-automated dialing is provided. The system includes a display, and a standard keyboard upon which some keys have both a numeric and alphabetic interpretation. An input is received from the keyboard. A determination is made if the input consists only from the keys that have both numeric and alphabetic interpretation. If this is the case, then a numeric analysis is performed. Otherwise, a word analysis is performed. The numeric analysis includes determining if the input has an alternate interpretation, and if so then displaying them so that the user may select the intended input. Determining alternate interpretations includes comparing the input with a dictionary. The word analysis includes searching for word matches between the received input and words in a dictionary, and then converting the matched words into numbers using telephone convention. Results from the analyses may be dialed.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for processing calls in a telecommunication network. The system may comprise a plurality of terminals, wherein each of the plurality of terminals has an input for receiving a call request including a set of keywords, and wherein the plurality of terminals comprises a calling terminal and a set of destination terminals. The system further may comprise a call processing server for establishing communication between the calling terminal and the set of destination terminals in response to the reception of a call request from the calling terminal. The call processing server may comprise a management table, an alias resolution unit, an analyzer unit, and a switching subsystem.

Abstract: A method for displaying dialing information is disclosed. A trigger signal generated by pressing a virtual button of a virtual keypad of a mobile communication device is received. It is determined whether the trigger signal corresponds to a dialing operation. If the trigger signal corresponds to the dialing operation, a pattern corresponding to the pressed virtual button is displayed on a portion of the virtual keypad.

Abstract: A telephone capable of placing or receiving calls over the PSTN or a packet network. The telephone can store multiple telephone numbers for each potential called party along with preferences that govern the order of selecting telephone numbers to service any given outgoing call. Some or all of the telephone numbers can be associated with a presence service. Presence indicators stored in the telephone are dynamically updated via the packet network connection and are used as part of the telephone number selection algorithm. The preferred embodiment is a wireless system having a base station and a remote device.