Abstract: A system and associated methods for automation and management of trunk routing among switches in a telecommunications network between carriers connected to a third party tandem services provider or manager (a “neutral tandem network.”) The system and methodology can be used to, among other things, effectuate a business model for providing preferred rates, or other preferences, to a defined group of members or subscribers by managing and directing subscriber-associated call traffic from subscriber-owned switches to one or more tandem switches owned by a third-party tandem managing entity other than a LEC or ILEC.

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

Abstract: The present invention system and method facilitates efficient and accurate maintenance of LERG information. The present system and method periodic implementation of LERG downloads permits network devices to automatically update LERG information. A local exchange routing guide update method includes performing an automated LERG maintenance initialization process; engaging in an automated LERG parsing process; and executing an automated LERG synchronization process.

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

Abstract: A system and method for operating a telephony application platform including a load balancer that receives application requests, a scalable plurality of telephony resources that includes a communication gateway to at least one application server and a communication gateway to at least one telephony device, and a resource allocation that scales the plurality of telephony resources according to capacity requirements of the application requests. A telephony resource of the plurality of telephony resources processes an application session initiated from an application request of a load balancer.

Abstract: A method for implementing a number portability (NP) service includes: by a local NP database, receiving a called user number from a switching device; determining an NP database storing NP data of the callee according to a preset correspondence between the called number and identifiers (IDs) of NP databases storing the NP data of the callee; and obtaining the NP data of the callee from the determined NP database and returning the obtained NP data to the switching device so that the switching device routes a call to the callee according to the returned NP data. In addition, a system for implementing an NP service is provided, including an NP database and a switching device. Two types of NP databases are also provided. With the present invention, each NP database only needs to store partial NP data, which lessens the load of each NP database in storing and updating NP data.

Abstract: A method for resolving conflicts between conference bridges in a distributed conferencing system includes determining that a conflict exists between a first conference bridge and a second conference bridge. The conflict may arise from the first conference bridge and the second conference bridge independently providing a meeting resource for a first meeting. The method also includes determining at the first conference bridge and at the second conference bridge that the meeting resource is to be provided by the first conference bridge. In determining that the meeting resource is to be provided by the first conference bridge, there is a probability of determining that the meeting resource is to be provided by the second conference bridge. The method also includes, providing the meeting resource for the first meeting at the first conference bridge and stopping providing the meeting resource for the first meeting at the second conference bridge.

Abstract: A tangible computer-readable storage medium is encoded with an executable computer program for routing international communications. When executed, the processor performs operations including receiving, from an international gateway via a network node, international communication origination data for an international communication to a customer's communication address. Customer routing instructions are received from the customer via a web server and are stored. The received customer routing instructions are retrieved and a determination is made of a first destination communication address based on the international communication origination data and the retrieved customer routing instructions. The first destination communication address is forwarded to the network node for routing the international communication to the destination communication address.

Abstract: Efficient telephone number mapping (ENUM) based call routing during area code splits is described. An ENUM domain management component can associate an ENUM domain name with multiple records when a numbering plan area code split links an old area code of a telephone number corresponding to the ENUM domain name with a new area code. An ENUM provisioning component can perform permissive dialing of the old and new area code during ENUM based call routing by utilizing the multiple records.

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: One embodiment of the present invention provides a collect call method and system thereof, more particularly, in order to charge the called party with a uniform toll for collect call, which is determined by only the type and location of called party terminal. In one embodiment, the collect call method, system and a counsel service providing method use a free VoIP network for part of the voice call link and a charge PSTN network for the rest of the voice call link. In one embodiment, if the first link corresponding to the collect call request is established, the collect call switch calls the called party terminal to establish the second link, and billing on the second link is initiated.

Abstract: A system and method provides a natural language interface to world-wide web content. Either in advance or dynamically, webpage content is parsed using a parsing algorithm. A person using a telephone interface can provide speech information, which is converted to text and used to automatically fill in input fields on a webpage form. The form is then submitted to a database search and a response is generated. Information contained on the responsive webpage is extracted and converted to speech via a text-to-speech engine and communicated to the person.

Abstract: To change between a packet-oriented PTT session and a circuit-oriented telephone connection as selectable communication connections between at least one first connected radio communication appliance and at least one second connected radio communication appliance in a radio communication system, a first of these two communication connections is selected and set up by at least one connected radio communication appliance and/or by at least one control unit in the radio network in the radio communication system. A change is made from this first communication connection, which has been set up, to the second communication connection under the control of a radio communication appliance which is connected to the first communication connection and/or under the control of that control unit in the radio network in the radio communication system which is connected to the first communication connection by activating the second communication connection while the first communication connection still exists.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium comprising instructions for establishing a conference call comprising sending a first SIP INVITE message from a Media Gateway to an Application Server, sending a second SIP INVITE message to a first Media Server, establishing a session between the Media Gateway and the first Media Server, sending a third SIP INVITE message from the Application Server to a Conference Controller, allocating resources related to the conference call by the Conference Controller on a second Media Server, requesting by the Conference Controller for the Application Server to move data related to establishing the conference call from the first Media Server to the second Media Server, sending a fourth SIP INVITE message by the Application Server to the second Media Server and sending a SIP RE-INVITE message by the Application Server to the Media Gateway, and establishing an RTP session between the Media Gateway and the second Media Server thereby establishing the conference call.

Abstract: A caller ID based call routing feature is described for blocked and non-blocked caller ID's. A processing system in the public switched telephone network (PSTN) receives first identifying information for identify the source of a telephone call and associates additional information stored in a memory with the first identifying information. The additional information may be information about the calling party initially downloaded to the memory by a subscriber. Once retrieved from the memory by the processing system, the additional information may then be transmitted to the subscriber via the Internet for display on a monitor or to the subscriber's telephone for display on a telephone display. Another feature described is a branch calling feature where the subscriber may program a processing system within the PSTN to forward an incoming call to two or more end units (e.g., telephones) simultaneously.

Abstract: A communications unit is provided that can be coupled to a building's telecommunication wiring to provide an automated mechanism for isolating the building's wiring from a PSTN, while also providing a telecommunications connection to an alternative communications network via, for example, broadband or cellular networks. The communications unit can further be configured to be coupled to an alarm controller unit of a security system, thereby permitting the security system to communicate with a remote server system without loss of alarm data. The communications unit can also be configured to permit the legacy security system to provide normal disconnect functionality of building telephones from an outgoing telecommunications line while an alarm condition is present.

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: 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 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: 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: 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 system and method for providing multimedia portal contents in a communication system. The method provides a ring-back tone to a calling terminal, the calling terminal sets first multimedia portal contents to be provided as the ring-back tone in consideration of given information of a calling terminal user. A called terminal sets second multimedia portal contents to provide as the ring-back tone in consideration of the given information of the calling terminal user, and the calling and called terminals transmit call connection setup related signals including set information. A first server receives the call connection setup-related signals and provides specific multimedia portal contents as the ring-back tone when the calling and called terminals set the multimedia portal contents, and provides the determined multimedia portal contents to the calling terminal.

Abstract: Customer communications can be controlled in accordance with customized rules. An entry menu includes options to modify an existing rule or create a new rule for controlling customer communications. An initial selection criteria menu includes options to indicate whether the new customized rule will be built using a preexisting template or starting from initial blank rule criteria. A list of preexisting templates for creating new customized rules can be provided, and input to populate a selected template can be accepted. Initial blank rule criteria for creating new customized rules can also be provided, including initial criteria and rule conditions for selected initial criteria. Communications are processed in accordance with the stored new customized rule.

Abstract: A 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. A database is queried with a query including the called identifier to identify the types of networks that are accessible to a called communication device. A network corresponding to the called communication device is selected at the calling communication device. A communication session is established between the calling and called communication devices using the selected network.

Abstract: Techniques for processing an incoming message from premises equipment at a monitoring location. In one embodiment, an event message, including digits with varying amplitudes, is generated at a premises (such as a home, office, factory, etc.) in response to an event at the premises. A communication channel is established between the premises equipment and the monitoring location and the event message is sent from the premises equipment to the monitoring location. The entire event message is evaluated based on the number of digits received compared to expected receiving parameters defined in a communication protocol. A number of possible interpretations of the event message is determined. One or more possible interpretations of the event message are eliminated based on the number of digits in each of the possible interpretations to create a subset of possible interpretations.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating in a communication network, comprising presenting a communication comprising data over a communications network to a router, said router being adapted to route the communication to one of a plurality of available network destinations; automatically executing a communication targeting algorithm in the router, based at least in part on the data, wherein the communication targeting algorithm operates to contextually jointly analyze a plurality of parameters extracted from the data and a plurality of contextual parameters, to determine an optimum target for the communication, wherein the optimum target varies in dependence on both the data and the context of the communication; and routing the communication in dependence on the algorithm execution.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of routing a call made by a calling party to a fixed telephone number of a called party, said method comprising: —checking if the called party is a subscriber to a routing service; —if the called party is a first subscriber: checking if the first subscriber is located in a first area covered by one or more wireless access points; —checking if the calling party is a subscriber to said routing service; —if the calling party is a second subscriber: checking if the second subscriber is located in a second area covered by one or more further wireless access points; —routing said call to one or more mobile terminals associated with said fixed number via an IP network and one of said wireless access points in the case wherein said first subscriber is located in said first area or both said first subscriber and said second subscriber are located in their respective first and second areas, or otherwise routing said call to a predetermined alternative terminating point.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating HLR access includes receiving a query request from a query entity, processing the query request to yield an SS7 request message, dispatching the SS7 request message to a HLR, receiving an SS7 response message from the HLR, constructing a query response, and returning the query response to the query entity.

Abstract: A method for routing a toll-free call through a network includes receiving a toll-free call from a call origination endpoint, determining an identifier associated with the call origination endpoint, determining a meet point trunk based on at least a portion of the identifier if a DAL is not available, and routing the toll-free call to a LEC via the determined meet point trunk. A system for routing a toll-free call entering a network to an appropriate carrier includes an inbound gateway device configured to receive a toll-free call from a call origination endpoint having an assigned telephone number and to query a core routing engine (CRE) for a route plan using the assigned telephone number, and a CRE configured to select an interconnection access line based on the origination endpoint telephone number, wherein the interconnection access line is connected to a LEC that is operable to route the call to the appropriate carrier.

Abstract: A computerized method and related system and software for simplifying telephonic calling, comprising: designating a default destination area code; the user specifying a destination telephone number; and as a default, causing the call to be signaled using the designated default destination area code in combination with the specified destination telephone number, without the user entering the designated default destination area code when specifying the destination telephone number.

Abstract: A disclosed method for providing service provider information to a user communication device includes determining a telecommunications service provider associated with a targeted node such as a called party telephone number. An indicator of the telecommunications service provider is provided to and displayed by the user communication device. Communication services available to the communication device are then determined based at least in part on the identity of the telecommunications service provider. Indications of the available communication services may be presented to the communication device by audible or visual signals.

Abstract: A method of call control in which a first communications network, detecting calls directed to a destination in the first network; redirects at least some of the calls to a destination in a second network (e.g. on no answer from the destination in the first network). The first network then operates in two phases. In a first phase, for a group of calls redirected to the second network, the time delay before the call is answered in the second network is recorded. When a number of time delays have been recorded, a delay period is set to a value less than the maximum value of the recorded time delays. In a second phase, for a second group of calls redirected to the second network subsequent to the calls of the first group, when a call of the second group is not answered in the second network within the delay period, the call is redirected to a message service associated with the first network.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically and seamlessly routing telephone calls across a telephone network. The system includes a telephone network interface box having a computer, a master file and client file stored in the computer. The master file is dynamically linked to the client file at routing time to produce a selected client location telephone number which is transmitted across the telephone network. In one embodiment, the system utilizes Automatic Number Identification to identify the calling party. The master file has a plurality of records having a telephone number and a spatial key and is updated frequently. The client file has a plurality of records having a spatial key and a client telephone number. Another embodiment utilizes a spatial coordinate of an instantaneous location of a caller's mobile device as an input to a real-time process which identifies one or more client service locations corresponding to the location of the caller's device.

Abstract: A type of network traffic associated with a packet received from a remote node of an access network is determined. A first interface logic routes the packet to a radio network controller (RNC) if the packet is received from an Internet protocol-basestation (IP-BTS) access network and destined to a packet core network. The RNC forwards the packet to a component of the packet core network. A second interface logic routes the packet to the component of the packet core network, including aggregating other packets of the same type received from other remote nodes, if the packet is received from a femto cell and destined to the packet core network. A breakout logic routes the packet to a destination of the Internet directly to enable the packet to reach the Internet without having to route the packet to the component of the packet core network, if the packet is destined to the Internet.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enabling efficient telephone number mapping (ENUM) based call routing during area code splits are presented herein. An ENUM domain management component can associate an ENUM domain name with multiple records when a numbering plan area code split links an old area code of a telephone number corresponding to the ENUM domain name with a new area code. An ENUM provisioning component can perform permissive dialing of the old and new area code during ENUM based call routing by utilizing the multiple records.

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: Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing a country code identifier in an international ENUM system are disclosed. According to one method, a message is received that includes a telephone number and information associated with a country of origin of the telephone number. A country code identifier may be determined for the telephone number based on the information associated with the country of origin of the telephone number. Further, the country code identifier may be appended to the telephone number of the received message.

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: The present invention is directed to a method and apparatus for learning call routing information in a communication system. A switching architecture is presented. The switch may be implemented in a centralized architecture or a distributed architecture. In addition, the switch may be implemented in a variety of networks such as a circuit-switched network or a packet-switched network. The switch includes a policy server and a self-learning application server. The policy server includes routing information for routing calls across the switch. The routes for incoming and outgoing calls are analyzed as they pass through the switch. The self-learning application server uses artificial intelligence techniques and caching algorithms to learn new more-efficient routing paths or initial routing paths based on the incoming and outgoing calls. The self-learning application server then updates the policy server with the new learned routes.

Abstract: A method for providing a remote PBX service by a customer's phone service provider. More than one telephone number is assigned to one customer's telephone communication link. The one customer's telephone communication link is in communication with at least one telephone. A connect signal is received by the customer's phone service provider. The connect signal includes one of the telephone numbers assigned to the one customer's telephone communication link. A called telephone code is generated. The called telephone code is indicative of the one of the telephone numbers included in the connect signal. The called telephone code is sent to the customer's telephone communication link whereby a user of the customer's telephone communication link is capable of knowing which of the more than one telephone numbers assigned to the one customer's telephone communication link was called prior to answering the at least one telephone connected to the customer's telephone communication link.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for providing at least one network endpoint of an enterprise customer network access to at least one dialing plan. Specifically, the method comprises receiving at least one dialing plan request from the at least one network endpoint, retrieving at least one address mapping in response to the at least one dialing plan request, and responding to the at least one dialing plan request using the at least one address mapping.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a number of techniques for processing multimedia data that can improve multi-program “picture-in-picture” viewing, particularly in a wireless mobile apparatus setting. In one example, a method includes receiving multiple channels of the multimedia data, decoding frames associated with two or more of the channels, presenting first frames of a first channel at a first frame rate, and presenting second frames of a second channel at a second frame rate while presenting the first frames, wherein the second frame rate is lower than the first frame rate. In another example, method includes receiving multiple channels of the multimedia data, receiving channel switch frames (CSFs) associated with the multiple channels, and simultaneously presenting the CSFs associated with two or more of the multiple channels to a user.

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: A method includes receiving a telephone number mapping query associated with a call. The method may also include generating routing information based on the query and forwarding the routing information to a control device. The routing information may indicate that processing associated with routing the call is to bypass a core portion of an Internet multimedia subsystem (IMS) when a calling party associated with the call does not invoke an IMS service, the called party associated with the call does not invoke an IMS service and the called party is not an IMS subscriber.

Abstract: A method of providing telephone services includes receiving an advanced payment. The advanced payment corresponds to a fixed time interval of telephone service spanning at least one day. The method also includes activating service to a mobile device for the fixed time interval and collecting a plurality of call data.

Abstract: A method and system for operating a multitenancy telephony system including a call queue that stores call requests received from a plurality of users; an expandable and contractible telephony resource cluster that establishes call sessions for call requests; a analysis system that calculates capacity requirements of the system; a resource allocator that manages the scaling and operation of the telephony resource cluster; and a plurality of telephony network channels that are used as telephony communication channels for call sessions.

Abstract: A personal call center that can schedule calls for a user, make the call at the scheduled time and connect the user when the other party answers, thus making the calls completely “hands free” and transparent for the user. In essence, the system can make an outbound call look and act like an inbound call. Advantageously, the system can also be used by a manager or a centralized call center to schedule calls for a given user or group of users. This way, managers or call centers can schedule calls, between salespersons and customers, and have calls go through without interaction from the salesperson.

Abstract: A method and system for facilitating HLR access includes receiving a query request from a query entity, processing the query request to yield an SS7 request message, dispatching the SS7 request message to a HLR, receiving an SS7 response message from the HLR, constructing a query response, and returning the query response to the query entity.

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

Abstract: When an ad hoc group call is initiated, or at a subsequent time but before the group call is terminated, a call originator may set a parameter to establish a time limit. The time limit is invoked when the call originator drops from the group call. The time limit may be set to zero time indicating that all participants will be disconnected and the group call will be terminated immediately upon exit of the call originator. The time limit may also be set to a predetermined amount of time, which indicates that the group call may remain up until the predetermined amount of time expires. If no parameter to establish a time limit is selected, the group call may remain indefinitely even after the originator exits the group call.