Abstract: In the present invention, a caller is presented with the state of the call as detected by the network, along with a number of potential options, such as: request sequential or parallel call notification to one or more other stations; end the call but leave a voicemail for the caller even if the called party does not subscribe to voicemail; end the call but leave a text message for the caller if the station is capable of receiving the text message; send a text or voice message as e-mail to the called party, if the called party permits such a service; request the network to leave a missed call notification along with a number to dial back; request to notify the caller when the original called party is idle or willing to accept a call; or any number of other options the service provider is capable of supporting.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for the selective notification of incoming electronic messages. In this regard, a selective message notification method can include selectively generating a notification for a received message based upon pre-determined criteria irrespective of how the received message is handled. The pre-determined criteria can include a manually specified criteria, a rules based criteria, or a profile based criteria.

Abstract: For realizing priority policy processing with complex preference in color ring-back tone service, a system for preference processing of multimedia resources in color ring-back tone service is provided by the invention, which comprises: a multimedia color ring-back tone Customized Multimedia Ringing (CMR) Server, which determines the resources which need to be presented based on a priority policy and presents the resources; and a CMR User Interface Unit, which is connected to the CMR Server. A user inquires and sets a priority policy by the CMR User Interface Unit. Moreover, a method and an apparatus for preference processing of multimedia resources in color ring-back tone service are provided by the invention. By implementing the system, method and apparatus of the invention, a user can inquire and set a priority policy corresponding to complex preference, thus the system is enabled to determine the highest priority policy under specified conditions, so as to present preference resources set by users.

Abstract: A PT (Push-To) service among SIP based session services, and particularly, a method and terminal for establishing a PT session in order to allow a certain user to use a PT box service under control of a PT server in a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) based service, are discussed. According to an embodiment, the method of providing a Push-To (PT) box service, includes storing, in a PT server, PT box setting information of a terminal; receiving, by the PT server, a session invitation directed to the terminal; and determining, by the PT server, a routing of the session invitation to a PT box for the terminal based on at least the PT box setting information.

Abstract: A Unified Messaging (UM) gateway device located at a branch office of a UM system manages calls if the network connecting the branch office to a UM server of the UM system is unavailable. The UM gateway device contains relatively simple hardware and software as compared to the hardware and software of a UM server. The UM gateway device provides call answering functionality, in the absence of the UM server. In various configurations, the UM gateway device provides access to mailboxes, manages incoming calls, provides an outgoing message (e.g., an announcement or prompt), provides an indication where the called-for person can be reached, and, when the network becomes available, returns management of incoming calls to the UM server and/or handles incoming calls in conjunction with the Unified Messaging server.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, in which an indication of a telephone call being placed from a calling number is received, and a determination is made of an audio advertisement to play based on the calling number. The audio advertisement is played based on the determination.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for creating an answer tone for a computing device with phone capabilities or a telephone is disclosed.

Abstract: A missing-call short message notification device includes: a main control module for controlling and scheduling other modules; a relay signaling processing module for receiving information sent by the switching device and sending information to the switching device; a short message constructing module for constructing a missing-call short message; a short message sending module for sending the constructed message to the called user. A method for realizing short message notification service for missing calls includes: a called user sets a call forward number to be a missing-call short message notification number; a switching device detects that a call from a calling user to a called user is not put through, and sends information of the calling user to an MCND based on the call forward number; the MCND constructs a missing-call short message based on the information of the calling user and sends the constructed message to the called user.

Abstract: A communication system has a communication controller for multiplexing and transmitting a power supply voltage and an audio signal to be played back by a plurality of channels, and a plurality of communication adapters which start in response to reception of the multiplexed/transmitted power supply voltage, and play back the audio signal using a playback device. The communication controller includes an audio data modulation circuit configured to modulate audio data by shifting, based on a first modulation ratio, a modulation carrier clock for modulating the audio data and a data transmission rate for transmitting the audio data in order to set a command transmission frequency bandwidth, and a command data modulation circuit configured to modulate command data by shifting, based on a second modulation ratio, a modulation carrier clock for modulating the command data and a data transmission rate for transmitting the command data in the command transmission frequency bandwidth.

Abstract: A system and method for recording and/or monitoring data by forwarding it, with or without analyzing or otherwise filtering the data itself are provided. According to embodiments of the invention, the system and method are operative over IP networks. According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a system and method for forwarding data according to at least one characteristic of the data, such as the session's metadata for example, without analyzing or otherwise filtering the data itself. According to another embodiment of the invention, before the data is forwarded to the recording device, pre-processing algorithms are performed according to a system preset or according to one or more rules.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for downloading media resources to a terminal. The method may be applied to mobile communication network, and includes: calling by a calling terminal a called subscriber through an MSC at a calling side; establishing a bi-direction connection between the calling terminal and a color ring back tone platform through the MSC at the calling side according to ring back tone registration information of a called terminal obtained by the MSC at the calling side; and receiving by the color ring back tone platform the download command from the calling terminal through the bi-direction connection and sending a media resource corresponding to a ring back tone to the calling terminal. The present invention also discloses a system and a color ring back tone platform for downloading media resources to a terminal. With the present invention, the subscriber may download media resources easily and conveniently.

Abstract: Methods of processing incoming telephone calls include receiving an incoming telephone call from a caller, identifying the caller associated with the incoming telephone call, and processing the incoming call in response to a call handling rule generated in response to a menu selection made in a previous incoming call from the caller. Processing the incoming call in response to the generated call handling rule may include playing an interactive voice response menu to the incoming caller. The interactive voice response menu may include at least one menu option included in the interactive voice response menu in response to the call handling rule. Corresponding call handling units and computer program products are also provided.

Abstract: A method is used to intercept call contents for provision of the contents to a monitoring authority for example the police or security services. The method identifies a network device in a bearer path to act as an intercept access point. This device is then instructed to copy the contents and to forward them to a collection node for inspection by the authority.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for facilitating enhanced call awareness. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include an interface that receives a signal associated with a call to a telephone number. A call information engine may be coupled to the interface and may recognize that a party to the call subscribes to an enhanced call activity service. In some cases, the party may be a called party or a calling party, and the activity may include an incoming call to the telephone number, an outgoing call, a missed call, or a waiting voicemail message. A memory may maintain a data network address for the party, and a messaging engine may initiate sending of a message containing call information to the data network address. The message may be sent in response to a trigger signal output by a notification engine without consideration for whether or not a telephone line associated with the telephone number is busy.

Abstract: This application is for an audio message-driven customer interaction queuing system for retail, help desk or any public web page in a support context, allowing web page visitors to utter questions into a browser-resident recorder application similar to a Walkie-Talkie. These questions then queue along with originating web page information and are distributed to customer service agents. These agents can then research the question, using the web page as reference, and respond with an audio message, played upon the recorder application by the user after some brief service interval. The invention includes client, server and agent elements. The Client resides in a standard browser on a PC. The Client as initially instantiated consists of a Macromedia Flash interface driving an ActiveX control and JavaScript using audio encoding/decoding codecs. The Server consists of Java Servlets, Enterprise Java Beans, a web and application server and generic database technology.

Abstract: A method for retrieving information may include receiving a telephone call from a caller and identifying a telephone number from which the telephone call was made. The method may also include retrieving information from a database based on the identified telephone number. The method may further include providing an audible message to the caller to verify whether the retrieved information is correct.

Abstract: A communication terminal and reception blocking method thereof are disclosed, by which a signal of a sender having poor credibility can be blocked in advance, by which a plurality of recipients are able to rate a credibility of a specific sender to block a signal of the specific sender and by which information for the rating can be shared. The present invention includes the steps of setting a level of a reception blocking for a signal transmitted from a specific sender identification number, receiving credibility rating information for the specific sender identification number, and if a credibility rating of the specific sender identification number based on the credibility rating information belongs to a range of the set level, deciding the reception blocking for the signal transmitted from the specific sender identification number.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for switching contexts within a spoken dialog between a user and a spoken dialog system. The spoken dialog system utilizes modular subdialogs that are invoked by at least one flow controller that is a finite state model and that associated with a dialog manager. The spoken dialog system includes a dialog manager with a flow controller and a reusable subdialog module. The method includes, while the spoken dialog is being controlled by the subdialog module that was invoked by the flow controller, receiving context-changing input associated with speech from a user that changes a dialog context and comparing the context-changing input to at least one context shift. And, if any of the context shifts are activated by the comparing step, then passing control of the spoken dialog to the flow controller with context shift message and destination state.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal for providing a content and its method are disclosed. The mobile communication terminal for providing content includes a transceiver for receiving a content from a server; a display unit for displaying the content received from the transceiver on a pre-set region; and a controller for controlling the transceiver to receive the displayed content and controlling the display unit.

Abstract: A telecommunications device. The device includes a receiver for receiving an incoming call and a processor in communication with the receiver. The processor has a call hold module for placing the call on hold prior to the call being answered by a user of the telecommunications device.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of listening in to calls between two or more subscribers of a communications network comprising one or more IP networks as well as to a listening server, a call control server, and an IP router for carrying out the method. When the listening server detects a request to monitor one of the subscribers, it determines at least one call control server assigned to the subscriber. Further, at least one IP router is determined which is responsible for a network access point of the subscriber to the IP network or IP networks. The listening server causes the at least one determined call control server to acquire call data associated with calls in which the subscriber is involved. Further, the at least one determined IP router is caused to acquire contents data associated with calls in which the subscriber is involved.

Abstract: A method and an electronic unit are disclosed for controlling traffic on a network, especially for controlling peer-to-peer related traffic. A filter unit is intercepting messages related to peer-to-peer application from a network line, irrespective of the messages' destination, A control logic then manages a request represented by an intercepted message subject to its content and subject to peering specific information.

Abstract: An interactive voice advertisement exchange presents an interactive voice advertisement to a user of a voice network who is placed on hold. After the user sends a signal response from a user device to a receiving system and is placed on hold, the hold time and a parameter associated with the signal response are received from the receiving system. Using the hold time and the parameter, an interactive voice advertisement is selected from one or more interactive voice advertisements sent by advertisers. The selected interactive voice advertisement includes a voice message and an application that dictates how the user can interact with the voice message. The voice message and the application of the selected voice interactive voice advertisement are sent to the receiving system. The receiving system sends the voice message to the user device and executes the application during a portion of the hold time.

Abstract: A PBX which accommodates an extension station and voice store equipment, the PBX comprising a controller for controlling interconnection between the extension or the voice store equipment and an outside line, the controller including: a destination extension number determination unit for determining the destination extension number for an incoming call from the outside line; a destination extension determination unit for determining whether the destination extension is the extension station or the voice store equipment based on the determined destination extension number; a voice store equipment termination processing unit for performing termination processing concerning the voice store equipment in case it is determined on the destination extension determination means that the destination extension is the voice store equipment; and an extension station termination processing unit for performing termination processing concerning the extension station in case it is determined on the destination extension deter

Abstract: The invention is a messaging subsystem used in combination with a software based intercom system for receiving and handling voice telephone calls from a plurality of callers and/or notes. The invention comprises a message pad module resident in the intercom system for capturing information pertaining to the voice telephone calls from the plurality of callers and/or notes. A database stores information obtained from the callers and/or notes other than the captured information. A computer module or program correlates the captured information to the corresponding stored information obtained from the callers and/or notes in the database. In the preferred embodiment, the database comprises a patient treatment database corresponding to treatment provided to a patient, such as a dental or medical history.

Abstract: An audible announcement is played to a calling party, upon initiation of a call to a called party, before establishment of the call as a two party stable call between the calling party and the called party. The audible announcement comprises one or more of: a number of the called party; a name of the called party; and/or a rate for the call between the calling party and the called party.

Abstract: A messaging system component provides for a screening of an incoming call from a telephony device of a plurality of telephony devices. The messaging system component is associated with a network and conforms to a signaling protocol of the network to communicate with the network. The messaging system component is located in a peripheral relationship to the network which allows for the addition of providing for the screening of the incoming call from the telephony device without modification to an architecture associated with the network.

Abstract: A system for recording voice calls, comprising a plurality of endpoints, a call controller for establishing call connections between the endpoints, a storage element, and a middlebox for storing and forwarding call control packets and voice packets between the endpoints and call controller, and intercepting and forwarding predetermined voice packets to the storage element for archiving.

Abstract: A system and method for recording and/or monitoring data by forwarding it, with or without analyzing or otherwise filtering the data itself. According to preferred embodiments of the present invention, the system and method are operative over IP networks. According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a system and method for forwarding data according to at least one characteristic of the data, such as the session's metadata for example, without analyzing or otherwise filtering the data itself. According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, before the data is forwarded to the recording device, pre-processing algorithms are performed according to a system preset or according to one or more rules.

Abstract: Automated unique call announcements for incoming telephone calls are provided. When a call is received at a mobile or wired telephone, a variety of data about the calling party, for example, caller identification and profile data for the calling party and data associated with the called party, for example, scheduling data, contacts data, and contextual data, such as time of day, may be used for generating a text-to-speech message that may be played to the called party as a unique call announcement. If desired, a standard or customized ring tone may be played before, after, or before and after presentation of the unique call announcement. In addition, voice command functionality may be provided for allowing a called party to direct a disposition of an incoming telephone call without answering the incoming telephone call.

Abstract: A telephone terminal having a function of telephone communication is provided with a communication recording unit that records the telephone communication as communication data, an interruption controller that controls the communication recording unit to interrupt and to restart recording the telephone communication, the communication recording unit indexing a position, in the communication data, corresponding to the interruption of recording, and a replaying unit that replays the telephone communication as recorded based on the communication data, the replaying unit notifying that the recording was interrupted at the indexed position.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for switching contexts within a spoken dialog between a user and a spoken dialog system. The spoken dialog system utilizes modular subdialogs that are invoked by at least one flow controller that is a finite state model and that associated with a dialog manager. The spoken dialog system includes a dialog manager with a flow controller and a reusable subdialog module. The method includes, while the spoken dialog is being controlled by the subdialog module that was invoked by the flow controller, receiving context-changing input associated with speech from a user that changes a dialog context and comparing the context-changing input to at least one context shift. And, if any of the context shifts are activated by the comparing step, then passing control of the spoken dialog to the flow controller with context shift message and destination state.

Abstract: A method of establishing a cooperative ad hoc network of phone extensions is implemented by the cellular devices within the ad hoc network. First, a first cellular device receiving an incoming call or placing an outgoing call is designated as the master of the ad hoc network and the remaining cellular devices are designated as slaves of the ad hoc network. Second, each cellular device is operated to facilitate a multi-party connection to the incoming call or outgoing call, the multi-party connection including the master and one or more slaves.

Abstract: A method, system and program storage device are provided for interjecting messages into a real-time isochronous discourse (such as a telephone call) between a plurality of callers wherein the method, system and device accesses the call between the callers, monitors the discourse to determine if the discourse relates to a system message desired to be communicated to the caller, chooses and communicates the system message to the callers when the discourse is determined to be relevant to the system message and continues the above accessing, monitoring and communicating steps until the call being accessed between the callers is terminated. The interjected messages are primarily related to advertising and can be introduced to one or more callers, or, separate messages in different languages can be introduced to one or more callers depending on the caller's accessing the telephone. Caller subscribers of the system will typically have the cost of the call partly or totally subsidized by the method and system.

Abstract: Transmission of messages composed on one or more input devices to a single or multiple recipients by means of one or plural communication modes is facilitated. Such communication modes may include conventional or wireless telephone, facsimile transmission, pager, e-mail, postal mail or courier. An application program interface (API) mediates between remote applications requesting messaging functions and a message server that actually implements these functions. The API is capable of processing high-volume requests for message routing, status information, and various other functions on an automated basis, enabling businesses to make routine use of these functions.

Abstract: Message delivery system primarily for answering machines which provides a realistic sounding recorded message containing an individualized personal greeting which can be delivered onto one or more answering machines. This automated method of delivering a recorded personalized information message via an automated dialing system to automated recorders involves a series of steps of: forming a database of first names, determining frequency of occurrence of greatest number of the first names in the database; recording individual personal greetings to the first names having the greatest frequency of occurrence and, playing the individualized personally greeting without truncation onto answering machines associated with the first names having the greatest frequency of occurrence. This system provides a preliminary personalized greeting to the beginning of the generic message being delivered so that the recipient believes the message is coming from a real person.

Abstract: An architecture and method for intercepting communications in a communications network is disclosed. The architecture includes a first access device that captures call identifying information of a call to the communications network and transmits the captured call identifying information to a network infrastructure of the communications network over a communications channel that interconnects the first access device to the network infrastructure. The architecture also includes a second access device that resides within the network infrastructure and captures call content information of the call. The method includes the steps of capturing call identifying information of the call to the communications network by the first access device, transmitting the captured call identifying information to the network infrastructure over the communications channel, and capturing call content information of the call by the second access device.

Abstract: A method for lawful interception of communication related information is disclosed. In the preferred embodiment, the method includes detecting the occurrence of an event in a packet data network. The method also includes collecting communication related information of a communication in the packet data network in response to the detection of the event based at least in part on the detected event and providing the collected communication related information to one or more law enforcement agencies.

Abstract: A method for operating a telecommunications server including configuring a personal auto attendant associated with a particular telephone extension, the personal auto attendant including a series of menu selections, each menu selection associated with a user defined action, receiving an incoming call from a caller for the particular telephone extension, transferring the incoming call to the particular telephone extension, outputting the series of menu selections to the caller, receiving a menu selection from the series of menu selections from the caller, and performing a user-defined action associated with the menu selection.

Abstract: A call screening system and method. The method can include receiving an inbound telephone call destined for a called party. Associated caller identification data can be identified from the inbound telephone call. The associated caller identification data can be compared to a filter list of caller identification data. Finally, based upon the comparison, call management rules can be applied to the inbound call to manage the inbound call by either deferring the inbound call to voice mail, or automatically answering the inbound call without requiring pro-active intervention by the called party. Significantly, each of the receiving, identifying, comparing and applying steps is performed in a telephone tranceiving device. Alternatively, the receiving, identifying, comparing and applying steps can be performed centrally in a call processing switch.

Abstract: A system (130) forwards a telephone call to a user. The system (130) receives a telephone call from a calling party and compares the name of the calling party to a list of names. If the calling party's name matches a name in the list, the system (130) forwards the telephone call to the user.

Abstract: A system for classifying outbound telephone calls is provided. According to the invention, voice messages received as a result of placing outbound telephone calls can be classified. In particular, autovoice messages, including network intercept messages, can be detected even in the absence of a special information tone. Furthermore, the present invention allows for the initial classification of voice messages to be performed by human operators, with subsequent recognition of classified messages by automated systems. Appropriate responses to recognized voice messages can be performed in substantially real time with dialer operations, or during subsequent dialer operations.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for answering Home Network telephone calls. The method comprises: receiving telephone calls addressed to a Home Network endpoint; routing the received calls from a gateway to the endpoint; and, automatically recording the received call at a telephone answering device (TAD). The call can be recorded by an endpoint, the gateway, or an external line service provider facility central office or web site. Telephone calls can be addressed to an endpoint from external communication media or another endpoint. Some aspects of the method include sending notification that a message has been recorded. The gateway may initiate the notification. Alternately, the gateway may receive a request for any TAD information that may exist for an addressed endpoint, and if a message exists, the TAD creates a bridge between the TAD and a requesting entity to forward the notification.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for conducting surveillance in a SS7 Intelligent Network (IN) or Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) provides in the case of AIN that an Info Analyzed trigger is armed in an end office switch and notifies a delivery function when a call is processed. The delivery function instructs the end office switch to forward the call to the delivery function, where it is accessed for monitoring forwarded back to the end office switch. A similar method is used to process calls received by the SUS. In the case of IN, the identity of a line card assigned to a subscriber under surveillance (SUS) is changed to a number dedicated to surveillance subjects. Calls originated by the SUS are forwarded to a delivery function, which identifies the SUS based on the dedicated number of the calling party, intercepts call content, and forwards the call back to the end office switch with the called party id aid the original number and id of the SUS. The end office switch then completes the call.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an individual answering method for an automatic answering telephone set which can selectively ring the telephone when a call is received by distinguishing absent users from users who are at home. A plurality of individual answering mode setting buttons are provided and enable each user to individually set an automatic answering function. Also, the user can push an automatic answering mode setting button or individual answering mode setting button during a conversation to allow the caller to leave a voice message for another user.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to voice response systems. Specifically, this invention relates to an interactive voice response client using script engines to control various voice processing systems. In a preferred embodiment, a customer dials a designated phone number and is connected to a main switch of the system. The switch sends a message pertaining to the call to a Computer Telephony Integration system, which in turn sends a signal to an IVR Engine. The IVR Engine is adapted to send and receive data from the caller. The IVR Engine also interacts with a Script Engine that is adapted to run any appropriate scripts, such as a script to apply business rules or logic. The Script Engine sends instructions to the IVR Engine, which are then passed on to the caller. Responses from the caller to the IVR may then be passed back to the Main Script Engine. This process repeats itself until all data is gathered or the call is terminated.

Abstract: A system and method for facilitating password control and maintenance is provided. A system 10 is provided where a plurality of categories are set so that a single piece or multiple pieces of information that are familiar to the user can be set as a password element(s) for each category. Each sampled password element that is grouped according to each category that is randomly sampled from said categories is displayed, in random order, together with a plurality of scramble elements, on a display device 17. Of those displayed, the user chooses selected password elements that are familiar to him. If all of the selected password elements match the preset sampled password elements, authentication is issued to the user.

Abstract: A telecommunications system is described for dynamic port sharing of a multiple port, multiple script, IVR facility, using CTI server(s).

Abstract: A telephone call information delivery system includes answering circuitry to answer a telephone call incoming from a service provider and to attain information input by a caller. The system further includes an information signal provider to provide at least one signal to deliver at least some of the attained information to a user. As an example, from the delivered information the user can decide whether or not to answer the incoming call. In another embodiment, the system further includes an alert signal provider to provide a signal to alert the user and an activator to receive instruction from the user. The information signal provider operates responsive to the activator. This embodiment answers an incoming call, attains information from the caller, alerts the user, the user then instructs the activator and the signal provider responds and delivers attained information to the user. The user then decides whether to answer the call.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting an answering machine for a new voice message delivery method and system. The invention detects the presence of an existing answering machine or voicemail system of a Recipient by listening for talk-over during playback of the message or initial prompts. The method and system will also restart playback of the prompts and/or message if talk-over is detected to ensure that the message is properly recorded on the answering machine.