Abstract: Methods and systems for encoding and decoding audio signals are described. In one embodiment, a first DTMF tone in an audio signal may be identified and decoded. A second DTMF tone in the audio signal may be identified and decoded at a time delay from the first DTMF tone. A requested action is determined for an electronic figurine associated with the first DTMF tone and the second DTMF tone. The second DTMF tone is different than the first DTMF tone. Additional methods and systems are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system of an embodiment may include receiving at least a portion of a call recording request at a voice response unit, identifying a call received at the voice response unit as a call matching one or more parameters of the call recording request, and utilizing available digital signal processing resources of the voice response unit to record one or more specified portions of the call.

Abstract: A method for adjusting caller ID information includes receiving at a call device a caller ID message that includes a calling number. An address book associated with the call device is searched. An address book telephone number having the matching area code or local exchange number is analyzed to determine if the first digits of both address book phone number and calling number constitute a “1.” If the first digit in both numbers is the same, the calling number is stored unadjusted, while if the first digits differ, the calling number is adjusted. A method for adjusting caller ID information includes comparing the format of a received calling phone number to a set of predetermined criteria that are used to enable a “truncate” function in a context-sensitive “delete” button only when a predetermined criterion is met.

Abstract: An analog telephone adapter (ATA) comprises a dial tone generator, control logic and a packet generator. The dial tone generator generates a dial tone when the ATA is in an unregistered state. The control logic processes a dial-out request when the ATA is in the unregistered state. The control logic directs the packet generator to generate an invite packet for an emergency proxy to handle the dial-out request on behalf of the ATA when the ATA is in the unregistered state.

Abstract: A method for determining a user intended number from a partial phone number includes steps for receiving a partial phone number, determining whether the partial phone number corresponds with at least one database number based on at least one selected criteria list and performing a system action based on the determination. The method may include prioritizing a list of database numbers that correspond to the partial number.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communication device like a cellular handset includes multiple communication addresses stored in its memory. Each address is associated with one or more inputs of an input key. For example a first telephone number is associated with a single input of a particular key, and a second telephone number may be associated with two sequential inputs of the same key. The communication address is transmitted from the wireless communication device upon entering the one or more key inputs associated therewith and upon maintaining a last of the sequential key inputs for a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: There is provided a telephone system, which can surely read a telephone number written on a sheet such as a name card and make a call to the telephone number. OCR reader 3, key input section 4 and calling control section 5 are connected to CPU 1. In telephone directory memory 7 connected to the CPU 1, telephone number data obtained based on written content data read by the OCR reader 3 can be saved as it is or in an edited state, telephone number data newly entered by the key input section 4 can be saved, and the saved data can be taken out at an optional point of time. Identification/determination section 8 connected to the CPU 1 carries out identification and determination to obtain telephone number data from the written content data read by the OCR reader 3 under predetermined conditions.

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

Abstract: Methods and systems for allowing a user to enter a request, such as dialing input, without having to specify, or otherwise commit to, a particular request method. Upon detecting a user input that represents a user request for service, response data is retrieved that represents an appropriate response to the request should the user intend the request to be in accordance with a first request method. However, other response data is also retrieved that represents an appropriate response to the request should the user have intended the request to be in accordance with other request methods. Accordingly, the user need not commit to a particular request method before entering the request, thus unifying and simplifying the request process.

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: Destination party information related to a call history is stored and destination party information frequently used among destination party information related to the call history is set as erase inhibited, so that a call is placed by displaying the destination party information stored in the memory area on the display section.

Abstract: A telephone or similar device/system may be equipped or used to select preferred call back numbers. These preferred numbers may be programmed into a device by a user. When an incoming call comprising caller identity (“CID”) data is received, preferred call back numbers associated with a portion of the data are selected. A responsive, outgoing call is transmitted using one of the preferred call back numbers. The selected, preferred call back numbers may or may not be identical to a telephone number indicated in the CID data.

Abstract: This invention enables personal digital assistants to quickly and accurately transmit stored telephone numbers directly to an integrated telephone or other communication device containing a dialing device. The preferred embodiment of this invention links the personal digital assistant directly to a compatible communication device. Then the personal digital assistant transmits data and instructions preferably via a wireless connection directly to the telephone, wherein the telephone automatically stores and dials the transmitted phone number. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the PDA transmits stored telephone numbers to an external dialing device, wherein the external dialing device transmits the information to a compatible telephone or other communication device and instructs the telephone to automatically dial the transmitted telephone numbers.

Abstract: A pay telephone includes a keypad, a card reader, and a processor. The keypad receives input signals from a caller. The card reader reads identification data and speed dial numbers from a card received from the caller. The processor receives the input signals from the keypad and the identification data and speed dial numbers from the card reader, and concurrently validates the card using the identification data and initiates a telephone call using the input signals or the speed dial numbers.

Abstract: A telephone (202) includes a microphone (204), earphone (206), keypad (208), and display unit (210). The keypad (208) is the preferred user interface for entry of a telephone number into the telephone so that the telephone may call it. However, a voice recognition device (212) may be attached to the microphone with similar effect. The telephone includes a list (214) of stored telephone numbers, which may be added onto the list in any convenient way. As digits are entered into the phone through the user interface (208, 212), a comparator (216) compares the resulting partially entered number with the numbers on the list. When the comparison demonstrates some pre-established association between the numbers, then the stored number is displayed on the display unit (210). If the user selects (310) one of the displayed numbers (perhaps with scrolling), the number is called (312). If not, the next digit is entered.

Abstract: A method for controlling a communications terminal in which control instructions can be called from an instruction memory wherein, the control instructions have, at least to a certain extent, individually callable control instruction components such that a freely selectable sequence of control instruction components can be stored under names, and held ready for a call.