Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dialing numbers using a session initial protocol device are disclosed. According to one aspect of the present invention, a method includes obtaining at least a first part of an input string associated with a dialplan. The input string includes at least one character. The method also includes determining if at least a first potential target string stored in a local cache includes the first part of the input string, and accessing an external call manager arrangement if the first potential target string stored in the local cache does not include the first part of the input string.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses to provide telephonic connections to members of a social network. One embodiment includes: identifying a first member connected to a second member in a social network; determining whether profile data of the first member of the social network includes a telephonic reference of the first member; presenting a user interface element to the second member over a data communication network in response to a determination that the profile data of the first member includes the telephonic reference of the first member; and responsive to a selection of the user interface element, initiating a first telephonic connection to the first member using the telephonic reference of the first member and a second telephonic connection to the second member to provide a telephonic connection between the first member and the second member.

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 method for predicting to whom a phone call is being made, including identifying at least one state parameter for a mobile phone, and at least one weighting factor corresponding to the at least one state parameter for each identified state parameter, predicting one or more likely contacts that a user of the mobile phone is calling, given that the user is making a phone call, based on the identified state parameter, for each likely contact, assigning a combined weight to the likely contact based on the at least one weighting factor, ranking the likely contacts according to the combined weights, and facilitating making a phone call to one or more of the likely contacts with the highest rankings. A mobile phone is also described and claimed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an integrated handheld computer and telephony system. Integration of the handheld computer and telephony system is at the physical and operational level. For example, the integrated handheld computer and telephony system physically integrates a handheld computer with a mobile (e.g., cellular) telephone. In addition, the handheld computer is distinct from telephony system in that they are logically separable. However, they are also operationally integrated, for example, the telephony system executes a telephone application on the processor of the handheld computer. Likewise, the handheld computer can execute applications, for example, a phone book, that can be used to launch the telephony application.

Abstract: Telecommunications services apparatus includes means for establishing a connection from a mobile terminal in response to alphanumeric dialling on the terminal, such that alphanumeric dialling information is transmitted from the terminal to the apparatus.

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: In a fast, convenient voice dialing apparatus and method, users efficiently and conveniently apply a telephone number digit recognition engine to number dialing. By voicing only a subset of a telephone number among telephone numbers pre-registered in a telephone number directory, the success rate of number dialing and convenience of users increases. The voice dialing apparatus includes a fast voice dial mode setting unit, a contracted number database, a contracted number detection unit, and a telephone number connection unit. Since a user only needs to voice a subset of a telephone number stored in a telephone number directory, long telephone numbers are dialed with better recognition performance at an improved speed. Since telephone numbers that users try to call are pre-stored in a telephone number directory, the number of combinable numbers equals the number of lists registered in the telephone number directory, and recognition speed and performance are improved.

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 communication apparatus having an abbreviated dialing function allowing input of a destination number with fewer key input operations and a method of controlling the communication apparatus capable of reducing the operations of inputting a destination number is disclosed. The communication apparatus includes an abbreviated dialing input unit for inputting a destination number with fewer key input operations, a touch panel input/display unit for inputting the destination number, and a destination input operation menu controlling unit for controlling a menu display mode of a destination input operation menu on the touch panel input/display unit based on destination management information registering plural abbreviated dialing numbers referred to by the abbreviated dialing input unit.

Abstract: A system for initiating a telephony session includes a first dialing unit with access to a list of telephone numbers, and a second dialing unit having connectivity to the first dialing unit. A user operating the first dialing unit highlights a telephone number from the list of telephone numbers and sends the dialing instructions associated with the selected number to the second dialing unit wherein the second dialing unit dials the number initiating the telephony session based at least in part on the instructions received.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for processing calls. A dialed digit string is received and analyzed to determine whether the dialed digit string is a complete string according to a dialing plan of a service provider. If the dialed digit string is a complete string, then the call is sent for routing to the dialed digit string. If the dialed digit string is not a complete string, then it is determined whether the dialed digit string is a valid string according to a calling party's personal dialing plan. If the dialed digit string is valid, then a number is retrieved that corresponds to the dialed digit string according to the calling party's personal dialing plan. The call is then routed to the number.

Abstract: An automated intelligent component (the Personal Virtual Assistant or PVA) is located between a caller and a callee. A caller calls the PVA and directs the PVA to make one or more calls to one or more call recipients. Based on the information obtained from a voice or text dialog with the caller and a combination of other available informational sources, the disposition of an outgoing call is determined and acted upon by PVA. During the call the PVA remains available to take further actions at the request of the call participants.

Abstract: A system, method and a computer program product for automatically provisioning an abbreviated dialing code are disclosed. The system includes a provisioning manager designed to process a request to provision an abbreviated dialing code. The provisioning manager includes a provisioning server that receives the request and a database of rules, communicatively coupled to the provisioning server, that stores one or more rules associated with the abbreviated dialing code. The system also includes a registry manager, communicatively coupled to the provisioning manager, that determines whether an abbreviated dialing code is registered.

Abstract: A mobile terminal for providing a mobile service and a method for storing and finding a phone number using the mobile terminal. The mobile terminal stores and manages country code information, a mobile service subscriber's registration information, and mobile service usage history information; automatically generates a country code of a country where the mobile terminal is located using the mobile service subscriber's registration information and mobile service usage history information; and executes a phone number storage command or a phone number search command using the country code. Where an international roaming service is executed by a user's moving from one country to another country, the mobile terminal can automatically generate a country code or store an arbitrary phone number. Thus, there is no need for mobile service users to manually enter a country code in their mobile terminal when roaming service is executed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a general intellectual click-to-dial method and a software architecture thereof. The software architecture, which is installed on the PC end of a user, comprises: a configuration module for configuring a locally-configured telephone number and a default format of telephone number; a number acquisition module for monitoring and deciding whether the user has selected a text content; a number analysis module for deciding telephone number validity of the text content selected by the user based on the default format of telephone number provided by said configuration module, and for providing an interface for user click-to-dial where the selected text content is a valid telephone number; and a dialing module for forming a click-to-dial message and sending it to a click-to-dial server.

Abstract: A telecommunications service translates an abbreviated dialing code into a toll free number, routes the call to an interexchange carrier, and manages the billing associated with the call. A billing system processes the billing such that a subscriber of the abbreviated dialing code service is billed for the call rather than a calling party.

Abstract: Provided is an apparatus and method for searching a phone number and originating a call by using an image in a mobile communication terminal having a touch screen. The apparatus includes the touch screen for displaying at least one image in an image area, a memory unit for storing at least one image and a phone number corresponding thereto, and a control unit for performing call origination by using the phone number corresponding to each image if a touch input is made onto the relevant image displayed in the image area.

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 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: An embodiment of a method of speed dial performed in an electronic apparatus comprising a keypad comprising multiple buttons and a display unit is provided. The method comprises the following steps. A numeric sequence is displayed on the display unit for further edit when detecting that a button on the keypad is pressed over a predetermined time period. The numeric sequence is a portion of a full phone number.

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

Abstract: A private communications network and method of managing calls in a private communications network. Connected communications devices register with the network and are assigned aliases, with aliases for groups of registered devices sharing one or more common digits. Dialing strings for in-network calls are monitored for inclusion of a wildcard (e.g., *) which are treated as a “don't care.” The wildcard invokes group features, such as placing a conference call, invoking a hunting feature and invoking a pickup feature. The call is distributed/connected to the group corresponding to the remaining digits.

Abstract: A method and devices for dialling services in a mobile telecommunication network include a set of stored character strings used for comparison with character strings entered by a subscriber to call a service is modified, if a mobile user equipment switches from or to a visited telecommunication network.

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: Location-based communications routing includes determining whether a network apparatus which receives a communication, from a calling party attempting to contact a service corresponding to at least one predefined service area, provides service to at least one of the at least one predefined service area. When the network apparatus provides service to multiple of the predefined service areas, the location-based communications routing includes determining whether the calling party is in one of the at least one predefined service area. When the calling party is in one of the at least one predefined service area, the location-based communications routing includes determining which predefined service area the calling party is in. The communication is routed based upon determining whether the network apparatus provides service to at least one of the at least one predefined service area.

Abstract: Method for maintaining a virtual presence of a first remote telephone user in a PBX system having a frame relay network connection between two endpoint routers while permitting the first remote user to make local calls includes first signaling a PBX to represent the remote telephone as being off hook; routing a telephone call placed at the remote telephone in accordance with a defined protocol; and when the routed telephone call is terminated, second signaling the PBX to restore the on-hook status of the remote telephone. Preferably, the first and second signaling are performed in-band, in accordance with an FRF.11 or VToA AAL2 voice over packet protocol. The telephone call-routing may be to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) local to the remote telephone or it may be to another remote telephone user at the same site within the PBX system as the first remote telephone user.

Abstract: At least one call is routed based on a location of a calling party. A calling party calls a service corresponding to at least one predefined service area, and it is ascertained whether the calling party is within the at least one predefined service area. When the calling party is within the at least one predefined service area, it is determined which at least one predefined service area the calling party is in, and the routing for the call is determined based upon determining which at least one predefined service area the calling party is in. A route for the call to a destination for the service that corresponds to the determined predefined service area is identified based upon determining that the calling party is within the determined predefined service area.

Abstract: A telephone number searching system supporting an automatic telephone connection in which a telephone number is searched for through the internet and automatically dialed, and a method therefor. A web server is connected to a telephone number database for storing multiple predetermined telephone numbers. An information terminal is equipped with a web browser which is selectively connected to the web server for submitting a search request to receive a telephone number service and searching a telephone number from the telephone number database to display at least one searched telephone number. One number is selected by a user among the displayed telephone numbers and dialed automatically by a telephone plug-in to set up a communication channel through the telephone.

Abstract: A network-based personal dialing plan that allows a user to associate dialing strings of any length with easy-to-remember, user-selected aliases. A user may also define dialing rules, such as automatically adding digits to the directory number when the called number would be a long distance call from the calling location. A user may access the system to create or modify the user's personal dialing plan by voice telephone call (in a network having VXML capability), web interface, or other device, such as a wireless application protocol (WAP) phone or wireless personal digital assistant (PDA).

Abstract: A method for routing calls in a telecommunication system includes detecting data for a call from a calling party to a called party, providing a menu of options to the calling party and routing the call in accordance with information about the calling party, information about the called party or a menu selection.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for time based regulation of use of a telephone line are provided. An identity of a first caller requesting use of a telephone line is detected. Use of the telephone line by the caller is allowed only if a schedule for the telephone line indicates that the identity is currently allowed for the telephone line.

Abstract: A telecommunications service translates an abbreviated dialing code into a toll free number, routes the call to an interexchange carrier, and manages the billing associated with the call. A billing system processes the billing such that a subscriber of the abbreviated dialing code service is billed for the call rather than a calling party.

Abstract: A dialing method with phone number retrieval using partial pattern matching. First, a partial number string is received. Then, phone number sources are searched to retrieve candidate numbers according to the partial number string. All of the candidate numbers contain the partial number string. Thereafter, a phone number is selected from the candidate numbers, and an outgoing call is placed according to the selected phone number.

Abstract: A communications system is provided for routing calls based on a location of a calling party. The communications system includes a processor that determines routing of a call placed by a calling party using one of a plurality of call origination devices. The call origination devices are operatively connected to a switching device that is operatively connected to the processor. The call is placed to a destination corresponding to a service having a service area. The switching device services calls placed from call origination devices located within the service area and calls placed from call origination devices located outside the service area. The processor determines whether the calling party is within the service area, and the processor instructs the switching device to route the call to the destination based upon the processor determining that the calling party is within the service area.

Abstract: There is disclosed an expandable multiline dialing controller which is connected to a computer hosting a database of telephone contact records. The controller is rendered expandable by a capacity expansion interface which allows the connection of second or subsequent dialing controllers in a chain, all of the dialing controllers in the chain sharing the connection to the single computer in telephone contact database. Available operators and available outside lines could be shared between the dialing controllers in the chain. A multiline dialing control system comprising a plurality of such dialing controllers is also disclosed. Also disclosed is the method of conducting a telephone contact campaign in such an expandable hardware environment.

Abstract: A first method comprises initiating a telecommunication network trigger based upon a service code dialed from an originating party. The service code includes an alphabetical abbreviation for a name of a telecommunication service. In dependence upon the trigger, a step of provisioning the telecommunication service for the originating party is performed. A second method comprises initiating a telecommunication network trigger based upon a code including “*M” or “#M”. In response to the trigger, a step of providing a menu of a plurality of telecommunication options in is performed. Systems and articles associated with the first and second methods are disclosed.

Abstract: The inventive method and system enable an increase in the amount of information that may be transmitted from a call-initiating first telecommunication terminal to an automated application or device or machine or the like in conjunction with the call request. The content of the A-number field to be transmitted from a conversion/transmission center to a destination second telecommunication terminal is modified by adding control information to the A-number field. This control information is used to control an actuating device that is connected to the second telecommunication terminal and which operates or forms a part of the automated application or device or machine.

Abstract: Embodiments provide a method, article of manufacture, and apparatus for telecommunication service processing. In one embodiment, a calling card may be customized to redial a last number by entering a pre-defined shortcut sequence. In another embodiment, a search tool is used to search for a particular number using one or more pre-stored address books.

Abstract: A automated method of transferring calls can include, within an established call with a calling party, receiving from the calling party a request specifying a name. The name can be compared with a listing of names and associated directory numbers to determine if there is a match. A directory number associated with the matched name can be processed according to translation attributes to determine a dialable number. The dialable number can be sent to a telephony switch to transfer the call.

Abstract: A telecommunications service translates an abbreviated dialing code into a toll free number, routes the call to an interexchange carrier, and manages the billing associated with the call. A billing system processes the billing such that a subscriber of the abbreviated dialing code service is billed for the call rather than a calling party.

Abstract: My invention is a call processing circuit built inside a phone or connected to the phone through its I/O interface for uniquely defining/forwarding abbreviated phone numbers over one or several phone-area codes in conjunction with a telephone-computer integration system at an agent station whose phone number is pre-set in the call processing circuit and is automatically dialled if the dialled digits starts with a special ring digit (e.g.; #, *, #*, or *#). The call processing circuit also has unique hardware ID code to be retrieved automatically by called party (without any caller's effort nor any telephony centre involvement) for being used as an alternative non-phone number based Caller ID.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and devices for dialling services in a mobile telecommunication network. A set of stored character strings used for comparison with character strings entered by a subscriber to call a service is modified, if a mobile user equipment switches from or to a visited telecommunication network.

Abstract: A telecommunications system provides “feature forwarding” between a fixed telephone unit (such as a desktop wired telephone) and a portable telephone unit (such as a cellular telephone) that are assigned to the same prime telephone number. Thus, only one of the two phones in the telephone pair is accessible (e.g., is forwarded ring signals) at any one time. In one embodiment, the system monitors changes in state regarding whether or not the wireless telephone is in a power recharging state. When the wireless telephone is connected to a power recharger, the wired telephone is designated as the current exclusive telephone to which service features are to be applied. On the other hand, when the wireless telephone is removed from the power recharging state, the common user information necessary for seamlessly implementing common features is reallocated to providing service to the wireless telephone.

Abstract: The instant invention discloses a method and system for providing a novel wireless centrex service that untethers subscribers from the immobility associated with traditional desktop telephones. Essentially, the present invention extends the benefits of wireless voice and data services to subscribers having a need to move within a plurality of localities such as business and hospital campuses. In accordance with the invention, a wireless telephone subscriber can use a standard cellular/PCS telephone as a wireless extension of their desktop phone, while in the proximity of a miniature radio base station capable of communicating with the PCS/cellular telephone. The advantage of such a system is that a subscriber can use the same cellular/PCS telephone that provides service in the public network in the wireless centrex environment. Additionally, the wireless centrex system provides services and features which are similar to those offered to regular centrex telephone subscribers.

Abstract: A communications system is provided for routing calls based on a location of a calling party. The communications system includes a processor that determines routing of a call placed by a calling party using one of a plurality of call origination devices. The call origination devices are operatively connected to a switching device that is operatively connected to the processor. The call is placed to a destination corresponding to a service having a service area. The switching device services calls placed from call origination devices located within the service area and calls placed from call origination devices located outside the service area. The processor determines whether the calling party is within the service area, and the processor instructs the switching device to route the call to the destination based upon the processor determining that the calling party is within the service area.

Abstract: A user of a mobile terminal is enabled to call emergency services in a wireless telecommunications network, whether or not the user is in a foreign country. If the user signals for emergency help by sending an emergency call code to the base station, the user is connected to an emergency center corresponding to the user's base station. The user may also be provided with an emergency services display. Further, the user may be connected to a specific type of emergency center corresponding to the user's base station, if the user signals for the specific type of emergency center by sending a service category to the base station. These emergency signals sent from the mobile terminal to the base station are location-independent, and therefore work well at an international level.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the recordal of call results in a computer database in a predictive dialing application. Operators communicate call results back to the dialing controller using DTMF signals. The system uses a single computer to coordinate, administer and store the results of the campaign, and the need for computer terminals at the operator stations is eliminated, since any DTMF capable device could be used.

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 method for automatically establishing a conference call. The method includes viewing numbers associated with a call log feature of a communication device, selecting desired invitees from the call log using a select key, and conferencing desired invitees together by activating a key. Conference call set-up and connect information may be provisioned in a variety of ways, including via a menu-based dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) mechanism and via a form or formatted file sent from a subscriber. The present method queries a profile database and will connect invitees to a conference based on the directory number associated with the call-log. A method for aiding a subscriber in establishing an automatic conference call that is easy to use and does not require invitee action to connect to a conference bridge.