Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network element operating in a communication system having a controller element to receive from an initiating party a message directed to a subscriber of the communication system, receive from the subscriber a request to present the message, identify the initiating party supplying the message, transmit the identity of the initiating party to a telephone number mapping (ENUM) system with a request for a communication ID of a presence system that monitors the initiating party, transmit to the presence system according to the communication ID a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) SUBSCRIBE message requesting presence information of the initiating party, and present the subscriber one or more options to communicate with the initiating party according to the presence information received in a SIP NOTIFY message supplied by the presence system. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for supporting a session in Mobile IP are disclosed. A Mobile Node sends a first Mobile IP message identifying the Mobile Node to a Home Agent, wherein the first Mobile IP message indicates to the Home Agent that the Mobile Node is requesting dynamic configuration of a Mobile-Home authentication key to be shared between the Mobile Node and the Home Agent during the session. A Mobile-Home authentication key to be shared between the Home Agent and the Mobile Node is obtained or generated by the Mobile Node and the Home Agent, where the Mobile-Home authentication key is not valid after the session has ended or during another session.

Abstract: Described herein is a method and apparatus for connecting packet telephony calls between secure networks and non-secure networks. A first telephony stream having information content for delivery to a first address may be received wherein the first telephony stream is formatted according to a first communication protocol used by a first network. The first telephony stream may be terminated at a secure boundary between the first network and a second network. A second address associated with the first address may be identified. A second telephony stream having the information content and formatted according to the second communication protocol may be delivered to the second address.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a method for performing a communication transfer service for an access gateway control function user, comprising: after the AGCF user accesses to a public Switched Telephone Network/Integrated Services Digital Network Emulation Subsystem (PSTN/ISDN Emulation Subsystem (PES)), performing the communication transfer service for the AGCF user, by applying a tight/loose coupling mode between an AGCF and an application server (AS) and by applying an AS main control/end to end control mode between the AS and non-AGCF users. The disclosure also provides a system for performing a communication transfer service for an access gateway control function user, comprising: a communication transfer unit configured to perform the communication transfer service for the user belonging to the AGCF by applying a tight/loose coupling mode between the AGCF and an application server (AS) and by applying an AS main control/end to end control mode between the AS and non-AGCF users.

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

Abstract: A method for location relevant directory assistance through a PSTN is provided. The method can include connecting a calling party with a called party through a switch in a PSTN, receiving a directory assistance request from the calling party over the PSTN, and querying a database disposed within the PSTN to retrieve caller identification for the calling party. The method can further include retrieving from over a data communications network separate from the PSTN a call address in response to the querying of the database for the calling party from the database disposed within the PSTN. Location relevant directory information can be identified from a database that is external to the PSTN based upon the retrieved call address. Subsequently, the directory assistance request can be responded to using the identified location relevant directory information.

Abstract: A system and method for processing toll free telephone calls by a telecommunications service provider may include receiving, by the telecommunications service provider, a telephone call request for a telephone call being placed to a toll free telephone number from a telephone within a service area of the telecommunications service provider. The telecommunications service provider may determine that the toll free telephone number is one operated by the telecommunications service provider. The telephone call may be routed via a network of the telecommunications service provider to a telephone associated with the toll free telephone number to connect the telephone call.

Abstract: A method for migrating from an old communication switch to a new communication switch is provided according to the invention. The old communication switch interfaces between a packet telephony network and a circuit switched telephony network. The method includes configuring the old communication switch to signal the new communication switch and swinging one or more logical links from the old communication switch to the new communication switch until all logical links between the circuit switched telephony network and the old communication switch have been swung.

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

Abstract: Linecards and methods for processing signals are provided.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing telecommunication services between a SIP network and an SS7 network are disclosed. In one method, SIP/SS7 gateway receives an INVITE message from a SIP proxy server. The SIP/SS7 gateway extracts a called party number from the INVITE message and determines whether a telecommunications service is required and a type of service required for the INVITE message based on the called party number. The SIP/SS7 gateway then formulates an SS7 query to a database corresponding to the identified service type. The SIP/SS7 gateway receives a response from the database and uses data from the response to facilitate completion of the call. In one example, the SIP/SS7 gateway may forward a routing number extracted from the response back to the originating SIP proxy server. In another example, the SIP/SS7 gateway may generate a new INVITE message and forward the new INVITE message to a terminating SIP proxy server.

Abstract: A method and system for transferring a file from a home network to Wide Area Network (WAN) user device using the Universal Plug and Play (UPnP) telephony service are provided. A request is received from a Telephony Control Point (TCP) to start a file transfer session. The request can include information associated with the file. The file transfer session is established using a messaging service based on the request and file information received in the request from the TCP. The file is fetched from the TCP and stored in the TS. An invite is sent to the WAN user device for initiating the file transfer session from the home network to the WAN user device. The file is transferred to the WAN user device when an acknowledgment of the invite is received from the WAN user device.

Abstract: A method and corresponding apparatus are provided to route a call from a customer to a destination. A call setup message sent from a customer switch intended to signal a switch to perform a call routing function or request a call routing function be performed is intercepted. A call release message sent from the switch intended to signal the customer switch of network congestion is intercepted. In response to either the call setup message or the call release message being intercepted, a routing engine is queried with the destination of the call for a specific route over which to carry the call. The call setup message is modified to include the specific route. The call release message is responded to with a re-route call message that includes the specific route. The switch is directed with either the modified call setup message or re-route call message to use the specific route to carry the call from the customer to the destination.

Abstract: A method of setting up a video telephone call between a first video telephone terminal and a second video telephone terminal on a data network includes the steps of: establishing a telephone call over a telephone network between the first and second terminals; exchanging between the first and second terminals during the telephone call availability signals to seek availability to hold a video telephone call; if the availability is confirmed, releasing the telephone call; establishing respective telephone calls between each of the first and second terminals and a corresponding access server of the data network, for achieving connection of the first and second terminals to the data network; establishing a signalling exchange between the first and second terminals through a service center of the data network to achieve the set up of the video telephone call; and establishing a peer-to-peer video telephone call between the first and second terminals over the data network.

Abstract: A call method, a device, and a communication system for a private branch exchange (PBX) user are provided. User data of the private branch exchange user may be sent to an application server when the private branch exchange user has opened an account but not registered. The application server may continue normal calling by using the user data of the private branch exchange user. The PBX user can make a successful call without independent registration when implementing independent supplementary services.

Abstract: An ambient telecommunication system (10) is provided. The system (10) comprises a set of transmitters (11) and a corresponding set of receivers (12) for transmitting and receiving electronically or digitally encoded sound between two or more conversing parties. The ambient telecommunication system further comprises at least one light emitting unit (14) connected to a transmitter or receiver, and is configured to emit light when its corresponding transmitter (11) or receiver (12) is in an active mode. A method for operating the system, and a computer readable medium carrying code segments for carrying out the method is also provided.

Abstract: A call is processed by examining a nature of address indicator in a signaling message associated with the call and allowing the call to complete in a jurisdiction associated with a national nature of address indicator if the nature of address indicator is international. A call is also processed by examining a nature of address indicator in a signaling message associated with the call. A number of digits associated with a calling party number in the signaling message is determined and the call is allowed to complete if the nature of address indicator is national and the number of digits associated with the calling party number exceeds ten.

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

Abstract: Systems and methods for retrieving household data based on an origination identifier. In an embodiment, an origination identifier of a communication is captured. The origination identifier is indexed into a master table comprising a plurality of records. Each of the records comprises an association between an origination identifier and a universal database linkage key, and each universal database linkage key comprises an index into one or more databases. A universal database linkage key associated with the captured origination identifier is retrieved and indexed into one or more databases. Household data associated with the captured origination identifier is retrieved from the one or more databases and communicated to at least one recipient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for exchanging configuration information within a call center system between a central server and a plurality of dissimilar contact centers. The method includes the steps of the central server monitoring an contact center of the plurality of dissimilar contact centers for a configuration change message and converting the configuration change between a format of the central server and a format of a subscribing contact center of the plurality of contact centers, where the subscribing contact center is different than the monitored contact center.

Abstract: A system for determining whether to request additional telephone number resources for a telecommunications carrier. The system includes a first database operated by a telecommunications carrier and configured to store data indicative of telephone number usage and ENUM usage of telephone numbers assigned to the telecommunications carrier. The system further includes a computing device in communication with a multiple databases via a network, the multiple databases may contain telephone number usage information associated with multiple telecommunications carriers. The computing device executes software to query the first and multiple databases to retrieve information associated with the telecommunications carrier (i) to determine current utilization of telephone numbers of a rate center and (ii) to determine months to exhaust of telephone numbers and automatically generate a report utilizing the current utilization and months to exhaust in response to determining the current utilization and months to exhaust.

Abstract: A call routing device in a communication network is re-entrant to permit a set of call routing rules to be applied more than once. A routing table in the routing device has entries to indicate that an incoming call should be rerouted to the routing device to permit additional call routing rule(s) to be applied to the incoming call. A routing table is provided with entries to indicate when an incoming call should be rerouted to the routing device and how call attributes should be created/modified to achieve call routing in one or more iterations of call routing processing using the routing table. The re-entrant routing device and routing table permits a wide variety of call attributes to be used to direct call routing processing using a routing table that can have a reduced number of entries. The re-entrant routing device and routing table permits a flexible configuration for call routing in communication networks while conserving routing device resources.

Abstract: An Internet protocol query for Internet protocol private branch exchanges including a private branch exchange that is connected to the public switched telephone network for receiving a call setup request, the private branch exchange not being enabled for receiving calling name delivery information from a telecommunications circuit; at least one of an incumbent local exchange carrier switch and a competitive local exchange carrier switch in communication with the private branch exchange, the at least one of the incumbent local exchange carrier switch and the competitive local exchange carrier switch having the telecommunications circuit not enabled for calling name delivery information retrieval; a network in communication with the private branch exchange; and a calling name delivery database in communication with the network for receiving calling name delivery queries from the private branch exchange based on the call setup request. Methods for routing calls based on ENUM information is also included.

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

Abstract: A communication platform for providing computer/telephony integration services to remote subscribers comprises: a hosted call switching unit in communication with an external telephone network or interconnected networks through a communications trunk; for each subscriber, a subscriber telephony component, such as an intelligent agent, executed by processing means belonging to the communication platform and connected to an external subscriber's information system through a permanent private secure data channel, whereby said subscriber telephony component can communicate in a private manner with other information system components of said subscriber so as to be logically part of said information system, each subscriber component being capable of controlling said switching unit according to subscriber data; resources available to each subscriber telephony component in association with call processing or routing; means for allocating resources to each telephone call handled by a subscriber telephony component

Abstract: Speech telephones are incorporated in a LAN, and, for example, when a voice telephone 5 communicates with another voice telephone 8, call control is performed through exchange of information between a PC 1 and a PC 4, juxtaposed with the voice telephones, respectively, via a LAN hub 10, a LAN switching unit 50, and a LAN hub 20. Speech data of the respective telephones 5, and 8 are packetized in the data block of a MAC frame by concentrators 30, and 40 for voice telephones, respectively, and relayed to LAN-SW interfaces 30a, and 40a. Frames having a function of absorbing fluctuation are applied to the data block of the interfaces 30a and 40a. Respective voice data packetized according to the MAC address of the MAC frame are delivered to the voice telephones 5, and 8, respectively, via the LAN switching unit 50, and the concentrators 30, and 40 for voice telephones.

Abstract: A client-server telephone call router system as part of a customer premises system has a client-server router adapted to execute on a telephony switch, such as a public branch exchange (PBX) or other telephony switch, or on a processor connected by CTI link to a telephony switch. The telephony switch or processor executing the router is connected to a local area network (LAN) that also interconnects computer workstations proximate to telephones connected to the telephony switch. Client user interface applications run on the computer workstations, allowing clients to edit routing rules for the router, which has a list of routing rules keyed to users and workstations of the customer premises system. The editing rules are kept by the router in portions dedicated to individual users. With this system a user can edit at a workstation on the LAN his\her own routing rules, and transmit the edits to the client-server router where the rules will be followed to route calls for that user and protocol.

Abstract: Provided are a dual mode terminal, a base station, and a content controller, and a content transmission method thereof, and a terminal cradle. A cellular module of the dual mode terminal may receive a content from the base station through a cellular communication. A signal processor may release a compression of the received content and output the content. A short-range communication module may transmit the output content to a short-range terminal using a wideband.

Abstract: An architecture and accompanying method and apparatus for providing multi vendor administration of telephone numbers being ported from one service provider to another.

Abstract: A terminal adapter such as a residential gateway or an eMTA is configured to receive a set of signals such as a 403 message from network devices operating in a VoIP network. In response to receiving the signals, the terminal adapter provides audio information to a caller at a telephone. For example, when the caller attempts to make a call, the terminal adapter receives a 403 message which causes the terminal adapter to play an audio file to the caller.

Abstract: A system and method for processing toll free telephone calls by a telecommunications service provider may include receiving, by the telecommunications service provider, a telephone call request for a telephone call being placed to a toll free telephone number from a telephone within a service area of the telecommunications service provider. The telecommunications service provider may determine that the toll free telephone number is one operated by the telecommunications service provider. The telephone call may be routed via a network of the telecommunications service provider to a telephone associated with the toll free telephone number to connect the telephone call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing automatic international and local call dialing in a mobile communication terminal. Country identification information is received from a network in which the mobile communication terminal is currently located. When a request for an outgoing is received from a user, a country code corresponding to the received country identification information is extracted, and the extracted country code is compared with a country code included in a phone number for the outgoing call. Based on the comparison it is determined whether the outgoing call is an international or local call. The phone number is then changed in accordance with the outgoing call being the international or local call.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network element operating in a communication system having a controller element to receive from an initiating party a message directed to a subscriber of the communication system, receive from the subscriber a request to present the message, identify the initiating party supplying the message, transmit the identity of the initiating party to a telephone number mapping (ENUM) system with a request for a communication ID of a presence system that monitors the initiating party, transmit to the presence system according to the communication ID a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) SUBSCRIBE message requesting presence information of the initiating party, and present the subscriber one or more options to communicate with the initiating party according to the presence information received in a SIP NOTIFY message supplied by the presence system. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and computer usable program product for selecting a network for telecommunication are provided. A type of network supporting a called identifier is identified. Several types of networks are accessible to a calling communication device. The network corresponding to the identified network is selected at the calling communication device. The call is completed using the selected network. A database is queried with a query including the called identifier. The response to the query is used for identifying the identified network from the response. The query may be sent to a local database, a remote database, or both. The local database may include information about frequently called identifiers as well as called identifiers that are provided by a user. The identified network may be overridden by selecting a network of a type that is different from the type of network supporting the called identifier.

Abstract: Included are embodiments for providing advanced directory services. One embodiment of a method includes receiving categorical data related to a desired listing, wherein the categorical data is configured to describe at least one category associated with the listing, wherein the at least one listing includes at least one communications address. Other embodiments include receiving sub-categorical data related to the desired listing, wherein the sub-categorical data is configured to describe at least one sub-category associated with the at least one category. Still other embodiments include sending a search request for at least one listing, wherein the at least one listing is associated with the received categorical data and wherein the at least one listing is associated with the received sub-categorical data.

Abstract: Communication systems and methods are described that include class-based call request routing. Components of the communication systems are configured to receive information of a class at a calling device. In response to the class information, a call request is automatically generated and addressed to resources of a class group. The resources of the class group all possess a common attribute of the class. The attribute includes one or more of a skill, job specialty code, job title, company, department, and division. The generated call request is routed to target devices of the resources. In response to a resource accepting the call request, a response message is received from a target device of the resource. Communications are established between the calling device and the at least one target device in response to the response message received from the target device.

Abstract: Architecture for enabling user identities of callers to be collected from data sources and aggregated into respective meta-identities for each caller. Alternate user identities are searched, collected and associated with the meta-identity that can be a user name. A routing rule applied to the meta-identity is then applied across the alternate identities. The user identities can include a name of the caller, a phone number of the caller, or caller information collected from an external source. The phone numbers can include a partial phone number that is normalized into a full phone number format. The user identities can be mapped to the meta-identity and stored according to a hierarchy of confidence ratings. The user identities can be tagged with corresponding data source identifiers that designate respective data sources of the user identities. Conflict resolution is provided for selecting a suitable call routing path between callers having similar meta-identities.

Abstract: Systems and methods which facilitate selection of communication carriers for communications made in association with a controlled environment facility by a party to the communications are shown. Embodiments allow for a calling party and/or a called party to select a preferred communication carrier from a plurality of communication carriers for a current communication and/or one or more future communications. A party's carrier selection may be stored by a communication processing system for use with respect to a plurality of communication sessions. Embodiments provide a conflict resolution algorithm to arbitrate conflicting carrier selections where both a calling party and a called party to select a carrier for a communication session. Embodiments provide a premise based communication processing system, a centralized communication processing system, or a distributed configuration comprising a hybrid of the foregoing premise based and centralized configurations.

Abstract: A method and system for performing signaling between a private branch exchange (“PBX”) and a voicemail server external to the PBX (“VM server”) to facilitate serving voicemail services to a subscriber of the PBX and the voicemail services is provided. The method includes: exchanging, between a first gateway and the PBX, a first signaling message formed in accordance with a first signaling protocol of a digital private network signaling system; exchanging, between the first gateway and a second gateway, a second signaling message formed in accordance with a second signaling protocol for serving voice over internet-protocol services; exchanging, between the second gateway and the VM server, a third signaling message form in accordance with a terminal-control protocol for an internet-protocol network, converting between the first and second signaling messages, at the first gateway; and converting between the second and third signaling messages, at the second gateway.

Abstract: A distributed call control system is provided that can allot bandwidth amongst several call controllers. The distributed call control system includes one or more servers that execute two or more instances of call processing servers that administer call control. The call processing servers form a cluster or group. The cluster members negotiate and determine bandwidth allocation amongst the members. If a member requires more bandwidth, the call processing server, of that member, assesses its own needs and requests more bandwidth from other members. The negotiation and requests for bandwidth are accomplished with a set of dynamic and static bandwidth data that regiment the control of the bandwidth.

Abstract: The same number is redundantly set as the extension number associated to a fourth telephone number in different data tables associated to different second telephone numbers. For this reason, it is possible to maintain outstanding scalability of the system in a situation where the total number of settable numbers is limited. Further, even if an outgoing call is made to a caller side terminal from a lost receiver side terminal using the call register, the receiver number is recognized to be either an extension number associated to a fourth telephone number or an extension number associated to a fifth telephone number, and an instruction to disconnect a first call is sent to the call controller. As a result, the above-mentioned outgoing call (first call) from the lost receiver side terminal is disconnected, thereby making it possible to fully ensure security when a terminal is lost.

Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for a call control application bridges communication devices with a media call. In one embodiment, the call control application receives a request to place a media call from a source device to a destination device. The call control application determines if at least one of the source device and the destination device is associated with a telephone number registered in a relay registry. In response to a determination that the telephone number is registered in the registry, the call control application directs an intermediary agent to place a first media call to the source device and a second media call to the destination device. The call control application then bridges the first media call and the second media call via the intermediary agent.

Abstract: A system for and method of re-using telephone number is presented. The system and method may include receiving, via an input/output module, a public call invite request message to establish a communication session between a calling party and a called party, establishing, via the input/output module, a first communication session with the calling party based at least in part on the public call invite request message, transmitting, via a telephone number re-use module, a plurality of private call invite request messages to a plurality of communication devices associated with the called party, establishing, via the telephone number re-use module, a second communication session with the called party based at least in part on the plurality of private call invite request messages, and coupling, via a processing module, the first communication session and the second communication session to establish the communication session between the calling party and the called party.

Abstract: In a Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system for completing telephone calls over the Internet, the system uses a general routing table and client exception routing tables to instruct originating gateways about how to complete calls. When a call request for a particular client is received, the system first looks to that client's exception routing table to see if routing information for the call is available. If so, the system will use the routing information in the client's exception routing table to complete the call. The routing information in the client's exception routing table could include information about preferred destination gateways and/or preferred Internet Service Providers. If the client's exception routing table does not contain information that could be used to route the call, then the system simply uses the routing information in the general routing table. In some situations, the system could utilize multiple general routing tables.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method and routing system parameterize a routing policy and apply the parameterized-routing policy to a route. Parameters are assigned to at least some policy statements of the policy. The parameterized policy may be called with parameters stored in a parameter table. In some embodiments, common blocks of the policy may be identified and assigned parameter sets. A commonized routing policy may be reused within more than one policy. In some embodiments, a method and routing system may evaluate a configuration file to determine relationships between route attributes. The relationships may be expressed in one or more mathematical functions, and when a route is received from a peer, the attributes of the route may be modified based on the mathematical functions. In some embodiments, a router and method for implementing routing policy and traffic engineering are provided.

Abstract: A wireless telephone interface for use with the control operator of an automatic gate system. A device utilized as a telephone extension device where a user can remotely call the device and by entering a code, can wirelessly command the gate operator to initiate a movement of the gate to either an open or closed position. This system is designed as a direct telephone interface without the complexity of a telephone entry system. The key benefit is a programmable hold open time “per command”.

Abstract: A routing software application for predicting a best routing destination from a pool of considered routing destinations for an incoming event into a communications routing system has a detection module for detecting the arrival of the event for routing; at least one instance of an information gathering routine for gathering and compiling information about the considered destinations; at least one reporting module for organizing and reporting the gathered information; and a processing module for computing values from the gathered information and selecting the best routing destination based on isolation of the best computed value. In a preferred embodiment scalar load information per media type and per destination and agent skill information related to at least media skills per type of media per destination is processed by the processing module, which isolates, identifies, and selects at least the best destination for routing.

Abstract: A network appliance (100) is provided having a network controller subsystem (110) for coupling the appliance (100) to a data network for providing and receiving data packets to and from a packet data network. A digital signal processing subsystem (120) is coupled to the network controller subsystem (110). A signal conversion subsystem (130) is coupled to the digital signal processing subsystem (120) and a user interface subsystem (160) is coupled to both the signal conversion subsystem (130) and the digital signal processing subsystem (120). The digital signal processing subsystem (120) operates under the control of a computer program which is capable of detecting incoming calls, initiating call sessions, and preferably, implementing advanced telephony features.

Abstract: An endpoint system for media communication comprises a resource-limited device and a base station. The resource-limited device at least one of receives and outputs at least one of audio and graphic information. The base station communicates media and control packets with the resource-limited device via a permanent virtual circuit, establishes a switched virtual circuit with an endpoint device via a communications channel, and translates media packets between the permanent virtual circuit and the switched virtual circuit.

Abstract: A method and communication system is provided to identify a calling/called party when the call is being set up but before the call is answered. In the method, a first terminal and a second terminal are respectively provided with opposing terminal's image data before the call is answered. The image data of the first and second terminals can be registered in a media server disposed between the first and second terminals, and the image data can be transmitted between the first terminal and the media server and between the second terminal and the media server in accordance with an SIP protocol.