Abstract: A smart phonebook search method comprises collecting, from a customer, a phone number to use for a dial-up connection, filtering any national direct dialing prefix from the collected number, obtaining a country code from an operating system of the smart phonebook search, matching a pattern of a prefix of the collected number with area codes for a country of the customer to provide a closest entry for said connection, and selecting a phone number for said dial-up connection, the phone number having a customer provided area code and the operating system provided country code.

Abstract: A portable electronic long distance telephonic access assembly that includes an automatic dialing device for producing a long distance telephone number and a personal identification number and a carrier with machine readable data corresponding to the personal identification number for use in activating the number with a long distance telephone service provider.

Abstract: A system and method are presented for updating directory entries within an electronic communication device upon receipt of an electronic notification. Electronic communication devices may include, but are not limited to telephones, facsimile machines and electronic organizers. The system and method as described herein allows a portion of a directory entry, which may be referred to as an entry content value, to be updated within a directory of an electronic communication device upon the receipt of an altered value. For example, if a user calls a telephone number of a person listed in a directory entry of the telephone and receives a message stating that the number has been changed, the new number may be electronically transmitted to the directory of the telephone. The transfer searches the directory of the telephone for the existing entry and updates the changed entry content value. Thus, the other entry content values within the directory are not changed.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for the automatic generation of personal directories that list calls made to or from a specific phone number. The methods comprise the steps of receiving a telephone number related to a call placed or received on a user's phone, storing the phone number along with other information such as the date and time of the call, organizing the information in a useful manner, as well as incorporating other information related to the number such as a name and address, and finally providing the organized list of numbers in the form of a personal directory.

Abstract: A repertory dialer for managing commonly used phone numbers. The system manages memorized phone numbers automatically without direct user intervention. It is particularly useful when the phone company changes area codes. The system can make area code changes transparent to phone users.

Abstract: This apparatus (1) comprises monitoring means for an environment (2). These means are an integral part of a mobile telephone, for example. Thus, if an event occurs, a telephone communication takes place for another telephone apparatus (5). From the apparatus (5) it becomes possible to listen to what is occurring in the environment (2). According to one embodiment a communication is made periodically and, according to another mode, a communication is made as soon as an excessively intense noise occurs in this environment. Application: monitoring of young children.

Abstract: A method for performing speed dialing using symbols in a communication terminal having a touch pad is disclosed. The method comprises registering a symbol in association with a phone number; comparing a symbol input by a user from the touch pad with the registered symbol; and reading, when the input symbol is identical to the registered symbol, said phone number registered in associated with the registered symbol and automatically dialing the read phone number. An error message, or a re-input request message, is displayed when the input symbol is not identical to a registered symbol.

Abstract: A folding mobile communication device has a storage unit for storing at least one piece of call-destination information, each piece of call-destination information specifying a possible destination of a telephone call; a first display unit for displaying one piece of call-destination information in a position on a main body of the communication device that is exposed when the main body is in a folded state; and a call initiation unit for initiating, following the main body being put into an unfolded state, a telephone call to the destination specified by the piece of call-destination information being displayed.

Abstract: The present multi-media subscriber station has control unit and a plurality of communication devices. Each communication device includes speed dial controls which, when activated but a user, provide for establishing a communication session to a communication end point associated with the speed dial control. Each speed dial control is associated with a programmable image display on which an image associated with the communication end point may be displayed.

Abstract: A mobile telephone which can easily reach a target person and obtain a plurality of phone numbers thereof is disclosed. Registered phone numbers related to registered names are retrievably stored in a phone directory memory. A radial number memory stores a plurality of radial phone numbers which have been dialed. By selecting one of the radial phone numbers, a registered phone number related to the selected radial phone number is sequentially displayed to be redialed.

Abstract: A telephone dialer includes tables in memory for determining a dialing sequence such as a long distance carrier code to be appended to a dialed telephone number. A variable length prefix portion of the dialed telephone number accesses a prefix table entry that defines an action descriptor for indicating how the telephone number should be processed in a table lookup to determine the dialing sequence. The action descriptor includes a specification of the number of digits to be dialed to trigger a dialing action and may include an indication of an elapsed time to trigger dialing. The action descriptor also includes an indication of the number of digits after the prefix used to determine an action and may specify one of plural ways in which those digits are used to determine the action. The action descriptor also identifies a pointer table to be indexed by the specified digits of the telephone number.

Abstract: A system for generating number tones for dialing a telephone device. The system comprises a socket assembly, at least one button assembly, and a converter. The socket assembly defines at least one socket. Each button assembly comprises a memory device for storing a sequence of numbers and a switch device. The converter generates a DTMF signal comprising a sequence of DTMF tones. Operation of the switch device causes the converter to generate the DTMF signal based on the sequence of numbers stored by the memory device. The socket assembly electrically connects the converter to the telephone device.

Abstract: A programmable telephone system includes a guestroom telephone, where each guestroom telephone includes at least one speed-dial key, a memory corresponding to the at least one speed key for storing data corresponding to speed-dial telephone numbers, a controller and a call recognition circuit. The system further includes a computer remotely located from the guestroom telephone where the computer is configured to automatically place a call to the guestroom telephone and establish communication therewith. The communication is established when the call recognition circuit determines that the call has not been answered based on a predetermined criteria. The computer is configured to transmit the speed-dial data to the guestroom telephone during the communication such that the controller programs the guestroom telephone with the data corresponding to the received speed-dial data.

Abstract: A method of storing an e-mail address within an Abbreviated Dialing Number (ADN) record of a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card is provided. The ADN record typically includes a plurality of fields having personal contact information relating to a contact stored in the ADN record. The inventive method includes the steps of allocating a first number of bytes of memory space to a first field in the ADN record, storing an e-mail address of a contact in the first field in the ADN record, and setting a flag in a second field in the ADN record indicating a presence of a e-mail address in the first field in the ADN record.

Abstract: A telephone accessory that is connected to a subscriber's telephone line as an extension, and monitors the line for the initiation of a call from any telephone set. The invention detects a call initiation by determining that a telephone set has seized the line without ring voltage being present immediately beforehand. If the first digit dialed by the subscriber is a “1”, the invention immediately dials the remainder of a long-distance access code, without the initial “1”, followed by a “1” which signifies a long distance number. This burst of dialed digits takes a short time, after which the subscriber continues to dial the area code and number as normal. The effect for the subscriber is to manually dial a normal long ditance nimber as 1+area code+number, while this invention takes advantage of the fact that long distance access codes begin with “1” and automatically inserts the desired code.

Abstract: A user device and a control system operate to register a user with a communication system. The user device receives a user input requesting registration and transfers call tones to a telephone to initiate a telephone call. The control system answers the telephone call and transfers answer tones. The user device receives the answer tones and transfers user identification tones. The control system receives the user identification tones and a telephone number for the telephone. The control system processes the user identification tones and the telephone number to transfer acceptance tones over the telephone call and to transfer a route instruction to direct communications for the user to a communication device associated with the telephone number. The user device receives the acceptance tones and indicates successful registration to the user.

Abstract: A telephone dialing apparatus capable of directly downloading electronic telephone directory from a mobile phone subscriber identity module (SIM) card to provide a telephone dialing function for different telephone systems use comprises a SIM card socket, a SIM card reader, a control unit, a memory unit, a dialing unit, a human-machine interface, an alarm unit and an information processing unit. The apparatus allows users free from repeatedly entering the electronic telephone directory. More than one telephone systems are allowed to utilize the mobile phone electronic telephone directory to perform dialing operations.

Abstract: A called telephone number substitution mechanism is incorporated into the call-routing software employed by the microcontroller of a customer premises-installed communication device, through which digitized voice and data services are supplied to a customer site. The number substitution mechanism automatically selectively modifies digits of an original (dialed) telephone number, as necessary, to conform with the connectivity requirements of the communication link serving the destination device, thereby enabling the call to reach the destination device.

Abstract: A platform provides access to multiple telecommunications services via a single telephone number. These services may include, for example, voicemail services, facsimile messaging services, paging services, and outbound calling services. A guest caller may call the single phone number to speak to a subscriber, leave a voicemail message for a subscriber, leave a facsimile message for a subscriber, or place a page to a subscriber. A subscriber may call the phone number to place outbound calls. In addition, a subscriber may call the single phone number to retrieve or send facsimile messages and/or voicemail messages. A subscriber may also call the phone number to configure service options. For instance, a subscriber may select routing options and choose what services are available to guest callers.

Abstract: The present invention comprises four principal elements: (1) a telephone instrument; (2) a computer; (3) an automatic dialer; and (4) a telephone line. These elements allow for automatic dialing of local and long distance calls in the United States, as well as automatic dialing of international calls. The automatic dialing feature is accomplished, in part, by implementing a computerized data base grouped in N-files. These files may be searched by the computer system during and after the caller dials a number. If the dialed number matches one of the numbers in the files, the system may automatically out-dial the dialed number. The present invention also relates to a system for automatically selecting, preparing and entering supplemental information to information entered to completed or change an alphabetic, alphanumeric or numeric address.

Abstract: A digital communication link establishment control mechanism, termed ‘dial on off-hook’ (DOO) call routing, is incorporated into call routing control software employed by the microcontroller of an integrated access device (IAD). The DOO routine automatically routes an outgoing call to a user pre-specified destination number of a called circuit, in response to detecting an off-hook signaling state of the calling circuit. No user dialing is required.

Abstract: A method of accessing a dial-up service involves the following steps: (a) dialing a service number (172); (b) speaking a number of digits to form a first utterance (174); (c) recognizing the digits using speaker independent speaker recognition (176); (d) when a user has used the dial-up service previously, verifying the user based on the first utterance using a speaker verification system (178); (e) when the user cannot be verified, requesting the user enter a personal identification number (182); and (f) when the personal identification number is valid (184), providing access to the dial-up service (186).

Abstract: A method, apparatus, and system for partial redial in a telephony system.

Abstract: A community dialing circuit apparatus for IP phone and POTS phone is provided. The apparatus includes an IP phone system, a POTS phone system, an insulation system connected between the IP phone system and the POTS system, and a keypad connected to the IP phone system and the POTS system for inputting the phone number. When the city power is on and a phone number having a format of the IP phone number is inputted, the POTS phone is disabled and the IP phone is activated. When the city power is on and a phone number having a first format of the POTS phone number is inputted, the POTS phone is activated and the IP phone is disabled. When the city power is off and a phone number having a second format of the POTS phone number is inputted, the IP phone is turned off and the POTS phone is activated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of automatically dialing a telephone number from a string of characters constituted by the number or by a subscriber name corresponding to the number, the string being found in a document displayed on a computer screen. The method consists essentially in using optical character recognition. The invention is applicable to computer-assisted telephony.

Abstract: A system and method for quickly retrieving a telephone number is disclosed. The system includes an input device for inputting a dial string from a user, a storage device for storing a plurality of telephone numbers, a display device for displaying the dial string, and a processor for matching the dial string with telephone numbers stored in the storage device. The dial string includes one or more digits. The processor matches the one or more digits with telephone numbers stored in the storage device and retrieves the telephone numbers. Each of the retrieved telephone number includes all digits of the dial string. The retrieved telephone numbers are then displayed on the display device. After the user selects one of the displayed telephone numbers, the system performs an action with the telephone number. For example, the system can be configured to dial the selected telephone number.

Abstract: A method for dialing a telephone number indirectly, including obtaining an alphanumeric identifier that is assigned to a telephone subscriber and associating the identifier with a destination telephone number of the telephone subscriber to form a mapping therebetween. The method further includes storing the mapping in a lookup table, dialing the identifier using an originating telephone, using the identifier as a pointer to the lookup table so as to recover the destination telephone number from the stored mapping, and establishing a connection between the originating telephone and a destination telephone via the destination telephone number.

Abstract: Disclosed present invention is a shortened dialing device and phone combined a frame. More particularly, the present invention relates to the shortened dialing device and phone combined a frame which can be used to make a phone call in such a manner that sensors for shortened dialing are attached to specific positions in a picture of a frame such that a calling party applies pressure to or touches his or her finger to one of the specific positions, a calling signal corresponding to a predefined telephone number is transmitted in a wired or wireless manner through a shortened dialing device or phone operative to the sensors.

Abstract: A personal directory system 10 has a translation server 40 for verifying the identity of a subscriber and recognizing the name of one or more subscribers that are stored on a personal directory of another subscriber. A caller is connected by a public telephone switch to the server 40 that accesses a personal directory computer 60 located on the World Wide Web 50. The requested number and/or speed dial number are converted from text to speech and the public telephone switch automatically dials the requested number.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a dialed digit unlock and edit feature for an analog telephone connected to an advanced intelligent network (AIN) wireline network is disclosed. The analog telephone sends at least one digit of a called party number to an originating central office. The originating central office determines whether an initial address message (IAM) has been sent from the originating central office to a destination central office. If so, then the dialed digit unlock and edit feature is disabled. However, if the IAM has not been sent, then the originating central office determines whether a key to enable the dialed digit unlock and edit feature has been entered on the analog telephone. If the key has been entered, then the last digit(s) entered for the called party number are erased and the originating central office awaits a new digit(s) to be entered into the analog telephone.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a dialed digit unlock and edit feature for a digital telephone connected to an advanced intelligent network (AIN) wireline network is disclosed. The digital telephone sends at least one digit of a called party number to an originating ISDN switch. The originating ISDN switch determines whether a Q.931 CALL PROCEEDING call control message has been sent from the originating ISDN switch to the digital telephone. If so, then the dialed digit unlock and edit feature is disabled. However, if the Q.931 CALL PROCEEDING call control message has not been sent, then the originating ISDN switch determines whether a key to enable the dialed digit unlock and edit feature has been entered on the digital telephone. If the key has been entered, then the last digit(s) entered for the called party number are erased and the originating ISDN switch awaits a new digit(s) to be entered into the digital telephone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a digit handling system and digit handling method for a subscriber terminal of a wireless telecommunications system, the subscriber terminal being arranged to have an item of telecommunications equipment connected thereto and being connectable to a central terminal of the wireless telecommunications system via a radio resource to enable a call to be routed between the item of telecommunications equipment and an exchange coupled to the central terminal. The digit handling system comprises a detector for detecting when the item of telecommunications equipment enters an off-hook state, a dial tone generator for generating a fake dial tone to the item of telecommunications equipment upon detection of the off-hook state, and a radio manager, responsive to detection of the off-hook state, for seeking acquisition of a communication channel of the radio resource over which to pass call data.

Abstract: A device which stores frequently used data items in a retrieval list for easy retrieval and use. An example is a telephone operative to identify frequently-dialed telephone numbers and prompt a user to store frequently-dialed numbers in a speed-dial list. When a number is entered in the telephone, the number is compared with a log of stored numbers. Each stored number has an associated usage frequency. If the entered number is present in the log, the usage frequency of the entered number is updated. If the entered number is not present, the entered number is stored along with an initial usage frequency. The usage frequency of the number is compared against a predetermined criterion, and if the criterion is met the user is prompted to store the entered number in an empty space in the speed-dial list, or to replace an already existing entry in the speed-dial list with the entered number. Any of numerous alternatives may be chosen for prompting of the user and storage of the entered number.

Abstract: A method is provided for registering a dialed phone number in a telephone having a speed dial list and a redial list. The method includes the step of determining whether the dialed phone number is registered in the speed dial list, upon receipt of the dialed phone number. Speed dial information for the dialed phone number is displayed and registered in the redial list, when the dialed phone number is registered in the speed dial list. Then, it is determined whether the dialed phone number is registered in the redial list, when the dialed phone number is not registered in the speed dial list. A dialing frequency of the dialed phone number is set to one and the dialed phone number is registered in the redial list, when the dialed phone number is not registered in the redial list. The dialing frequency is increased by one when the dialed phone number is registered in the redial list, and then it is determined whether the dialing frequency is one of greater than and equal to a predetermined value.

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: Methods, systems, and media to capture a redialing sequence and to redial a phone or similar device are disclosed. Embodiments may capture a dialing sequence of a caller and provide access to the dialing sequence, or redialing sequence, when the caller desires to re-establish a telephone connection. More specifically, embodiments recognize a significant pause in a dialing sequence by a caller and associate the pause with a line event such as a circuit event or an audible event, or a length of time. Some embodiments comprise resource managers and agents of the resource manager may monitor a line, and identify, interpret, and/or route the line events to an application server to capture a redialing sequence or replay the redialing sequence to re-establish a telephone connection. Other embodiments incorporate security measures to protect private data and error detection to determine when a redialing sequence is invalid.

Abstract: Performing tone detection by (1) creating a search engine for every period of all possible tones, (2) applying the search engines on one period of the unknown tone, (3) eliminating the search engines that did not match the period of the unknown tone, (4) reapplying the remaining search engines, and (5) repeating (3) and (4) until the unknown tone can be identified as one of the possible tones based on the remaining search engines.

Abstract: A telephone set comprises a help key, a telephone service key to initiate a telephone service, and a logic circuit. The logic circuit detects a simultaneous actuation of the help key and the telephone service key, and in response thereto, retrieves help information specific to the telephone service.

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: An automatic dialing method in a telephone terminal. In the method, digit keys are entered from a user, the call type and digit number requirement for a telephone number that the input digit keys represent are determined upon absence of input of a SEND key, and the telephone number is dialled if the input digit keys are complete, or after a predetermined standby time if the input digit keys are incomplete.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method of auto-completing a pre-stored number being manually dialed by a user to make a phone call are provided. When a first digit of the number is entered, the digit is compared with first digits of pre-stored numbers to determine whether there is a match. If there is a match, the number whose digit matched the digit entered is provided to the user. The user may use the provided number to make the phone call or may continue to enter digits of the number. If there is not a match, the user will have to continue enter the number. When the number is used, it is automatically stored for future use. Instead of entering digits of a number, the user may enter letters of a name. As before, if the first letter entered matches a first letter of a pre-stored name, the name will be provided to the user. If the user indicates that the provided name is the desired name, a number associated with the name will be dialed to complete the phone call.

Abstract: A smart phonebook search method comprises collecting, from a customer, a phone number to use for a dial-up connection, filtering any national direct dialing prefix from the collected number, obtaining a country code from an operating system of the smart phonebook search, matching a pattern of a prefix of the collected number with area codes for a country of the customer to provide a closest entry for said connection, and selecting a phone number for said dial-up connection, the phone number having a customer provided area code and the operating system provided country code.

Abstract: A method and system for providing sales information via cellular telephone to a person who is passing by a sales establishment. A cellular telephone companies issues an alpha-numeric store phone number to a sales establishment. The sales establishment posts the store phone number so that it will be visible to passing vehicular traffic. A person travelling in a vehicle past a sales establishment can see the store phone number, and call it on his or her cellular telephone, thereby making contact with the sales establishment in a relatively quick and convenient manner.

Abstract: A telephone set includes a housing and a dialing interface operably connected to a plurality of dialing keys. The telephone set is provided with a message alert and retrieval device comprising a message key that is operably connected to the dialing interface and a light source that causes emission of a visible light from the message key. The light source is responsive to a message waiting signal generated by a call management interface, and the dialing interface generates a message retrieval control signal in response to activation of the message key.

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 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 of generating a telephone number permits a symbol representing a telephone number to be activated, the symbol corresponding to a hyperlink or the input of the telephone number as text.

Abstract: A telecommunication method and apparatus includes at least one bypass carrier code for completing a telecommunication connection between a telecommunication device and a communication network. The bypass carrier code is automatically entered for each outgoing toll and long distance call requiring a long distance carrier whenever a telephone number is input through a keypad or selected from a plurality of prestored memory telephone number locations. In one aspect, the bypass carrier code is stored in the memory of the telecommunication device. In alternate aspects, the bypass carrier code is re-programmable through the keypad or other numeric input on the telecommunication device or selectable by an input selector from a plurality of discrete bypass carrier codes.

Abstract: A message server makes an automated dialing service available to remote client systems. The message server receives calling information from remote client systems through a network connection—identifying a set of telephone numbers, corresponding names, and a campaign identifier in one embodiment. The message server creates one or more calling packets, based on the calling information. The message server sends the calling packets to an automated dialer, which employs the information in the packets to make telephone calls and deliver the specified campaign. In one example, a calling packet includes the telephone numbers, corresponding names, and corresponding campaign identifier. In further embodiments, the message server also maintains and reports call related statistics to remote client systems.

Abstract: A system and method for routing of telephone calls allows for convenient connection to a party where the telephone address is not known. A database is coded by keywords such as common nickname, trade-mark, or trade name. The system is available to all, and as such, becomes a valuable resource. Problems associated with telephone address recollection are avoided and the advertising message can concentrate on the corporate entity. In this way, contact information is more readily available and can be accessed in different manners using the telephone keypad to query the database.