Multimedia System (e.g., Voice Output Combined With Fax, Video, Text, Etc.) Patents (Class 379/88.13)
  • Patent number: 8856003
    Abstract: A method for dual channel monitoring on a radio device as provided enables efficient use of communication network resources. The method includes receiving at the radio device a first speech signal over a first channel, while simultaneously receiving at the radio device a second speech signal over a second channel. The first speech signal is then processed at the radio device to generate a text transcription of the first speech signal, and the text transcription of the first speech signal is displayed on a display screen of the radio device. An audible voice signal is then produced from a speaker that is operatively connected to the radio device simultaneously with displaying the text transcription of the first speech signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Motorola Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Wei Tuck Chong, Swee Aun Khor, Ing Boh Wong
  • Patent number: 8855273
    Abstract: An email-to-facsimile (fax) processing system efficiently services requests issued by customers of the system in a fair and impartial manner. The system illustratively includes a plurality of components configured to provide email-to-fax processing services over a network. The components of the email-to-fax system include computer nodes executing software processes and/or services embodied as one or more FaxEmail routers, FaxEmail pollers, Rendering servers and Fax assemblers. The email-to-fax processing services provided by the components illustratively include email storage and retrieval services, email-to-fax conversion services and fax organizational transmission services. One or more of these services may be performed by the components in a randomized fashion to ensure that the customer requests, such as email-to-fax requests, may be fairly and impartially processed by the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2014
    Assignee: Advanced Messaging Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Vlad Vendrow
  • Patent number: 8848880
    Abstract: In one aspect, a communication system allows telephone users to roam between cellular and broadband domains and obtain equivalent level of service and features in the broadband network as in the cellular network. For example, such users can make use of Push-To Talk service, as well as continuous telephone call service, independent of which domain they are connected through. In another aspect, users can pass messages, including voice messages, or establish two-way voice communication between disparate push-to-talk (PTT) or messaging and/or voice systems. For example, a user on a cellular network using a PTT service is able to communicate with a user on a data network using an IM service. In addition, information is passed between the systems to provide coordinated presence information for users. For example, a user can have presence information in multiple networks enabling users form different networks to communication with that user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Bridgeport Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce M. Wiatrak, Ivan Dean Bogdanovic
  • Patent number: 8843121
    Abstract: Various methods and apparatuses associated with the serving of data from a wireless mobile phone, including a wireless mobile phone, are described herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2014
    Assignee: Varia Holdings LLC
    Inventors: G. Eric Engstrom, Peter Zatloukal, Guy David-Byron Shefner, Paul R. Nash
  • Publication number: 20140270116
    Abstract: A system and method performed by a telephony system for delivering a targeted message to a calling party is disclosed. The system and method includes receiving a request for communication originating from a calling device and directed to a recipient and accessing a contact history associated with the calling device. The system and method further includes selecting, based at least in part upon the contact history, a targeted message associated with the recipient and based on the communication and the contact history and providing the targeted message to the calling device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: VONAGE NETWORK LLC
    Inventor: TZAHI EFRATI
  • Patent number: 8837689
    Abstract: A method for delivering messages in a telecommunications network where the first text-form message of the session N is delivered to the user of the service such that the sender address (the A number) is converted to correspond to the session number N and the session stage J, in stages 2-n of the session N, a text-form message is received from the user of the message service at the sender address defined in the message in the previous stage, and the session proceeds according to the contents of the message such that the sender address (the A number) is converted to correspond to the session number N and the new session stage J, and the next text-form message of session N is sent to the user of the message service.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: Bookit Oy Ajanvarauspalvelu
    Inventor: Jukka Salonen
  • Patent number: 8831573
    Abstract: A method for operating a voicemail system can include receiving a call at the voicemail system, wherein the call originates from a calling party device, determining if the calling party device is compatible with a video greeting feature, sending a video greeting to the called party device if it is determined that the calling party device is compatible with the video greeting feature, and recording a voicemail message received in response to the video greeting being played on the called party device. Another method can include sending a video greeting identifier to the called party device, the video greeting identifier being used to identify a video greeting stored on the calling party device. Methods for operating a mobile device and a voicemail system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: William Joseph Sigmund, Michael Robert Zubas, Brian Keith Rainer
  • Publication number: 20140247928
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a system, method, and computer program product for implementing do-not-disturb feature during media content. For example, in one embodiment, a determination is made on whether to implement the do-not-disturb feature is implemented on at least one of a plurality of devices associated with a user during the playback of the media content based on user preferences, wherein the user preferences specify a type of media content that triggers the do-not-disturb feature. In response to the do-not-disturb feature being implemented, notification of an incoming communication is suspended during playback of the media content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Publication date: September 4, 2014
    Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Shekhar Gupta, Curtis Tucker, Robert J. Morrill
  • Patent number: 8824645
    Abstract: An exemplary method includes a video messaging system 1) providing an asynchronous video messaging service, 2) maintaining communication thread data representative of a video communication thread that includes a plurality of video messages exchanged between users of the asynchronous video messaging service, 3) providing a user interface configured to facilitate user interaction with the video communication thread, 4) receiving, by way of the user interface, a user input command to process multiple video messages included in the video communication thread, and 5) stitching together the multiple video messages for use in processing the multiple video messages in response to the user input command. Corresponding systems and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Brian F. Roberts, Anthony M. Lemus, Japan A. Mehta, Kishore Tallapaneni, Donald H. Relyea, Sudhanshu Sharma
  • Patent number: 8819154
    Abstract: Techniques for use in messaging from a portable communication device having a camera module are described. In an instant communication session, the portable device displays a message thread involving two or more participants and a text input field for entering text. In response to an input to capture an image, the portable device automatically captures a photographic image via the camera module, attaches the photographic image to a message, and sends the message to at least one of the two or more participants.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Ennis Al-Asaaed, Abdallah Ibdah
  • Patent number: 8817959
    Abstract: System for handling messages and distributing information between subscribers and their customers and contact. Each system subscriber can generate customized landing and flyer web pages called flyer pages for each of the subscriber's products, services, and/or listings. Landing and flyer pages can contain multiple links to other flyer pages. When a subscriber's customer or contact views a landing or flyer page and clicks on a link presented on that page, the system provides subscriber's information to a customer or contact immediately after the information is requested. The system can also make a lead, including a record of that event, and present the record to the subscriber who owns the landing or flyer page, allowing a subscriber to view a report with a history of who has viewed which page for all leads generated for their pages. Leads are tracked through a process that includes steps of lead generation and lead propagation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: O'Harlan Ltd
    Inventor: Kenneth P. O'Hanlon
  • Patent number: 8817063
    Abstract: Methods and systems for voice and video messaging are provided here. In some embodiments a method for voice and video messaging may include establishing a telecommunication session with a calling device associated with a first user in response to an indication that a call request from the calling device directed to a called identifier associated with a second user failed, providing to the calling device an option to leave a video message and an option to leave an audio message, receiving a selection from the calling device indicating the selection of the option to leave a video message, disconnecting the established telecommunication session, and receiving a video message from the calling device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Vonage Network LLC
    Inventors: Marc Lefar, Weiping Guo, Kai Xin, Joseph Guo, Arthur Wilton, Boaz Zehavi
  • Patent number: 8811575
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system, method, and computer readable medium for providing information to a receiving party in a communications network. The method includes receiving a message from a sending party and performing a lookup of information relating to the sending party in a database via an Internet Protocol connection. The lookup is based on an identifier of at least one of the sending party and the receiving party. Subsequently, the information is provided to the receiving party based on the availability of the information in the database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: I D You, LLC
    Inventors: Monica Rose Martino, Kevin V Nguyen, M. Gregory Smith
  • Patent number: 8805690
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method of determining when an audio notification should be generated includes detecting receipt of a triggering event that occurs on a user device; generating, based on detecting, the audio notification for the triggering event; receiving, from the user device, a user voice command responding to the audio notification; and generating a response to the user voice command based on one or more of (i) information associated with the audio notification, and (ii) information associated with the user voice command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventors: Michael J. Lebeau, John Nicholas Jitkoff
  • Patent number: 8805330
    Abstract: A portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device comprises a processor, a memory, and a capturing application stored in the memory that, when executed on the portable electronic device, monitors a first voice telephone call with a first transmitting device. The portable electronic device also comprises records a telephone number spoken during the first voice telephone call. The portable electronic device also comprises sends a first message to the first transmitting device, the first message containing the telephone number and requesting confirmation of the telephone number. The portable electronic device comprises receives a second message from the first transmitting device, the second message confirming the telephone number.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Brita A. Horton, Sanjay K. Sharma, Kenneth R. Steele
  • Patent number: 8804938
    Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for processing user communications is provided. Instructions are received within a call center from a user via a vehicle calling system. A determination as to whether the instructions are correctly received is confirmed by processing the instructions, by providing results of the processed instructions to the user, and by receiving confirmation that the results are correct. The instructions are converted from speech to text upon the confirmation and are subsequently provided to an agent. A communication is received from the agent in response to the instructions and the communication is provided to the user via the vehicle calling system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Intellisist, Inc.
    Inventors: Gilad Odinak, Alastair Sutherland
  • Patent number: 8804921
    Abstract: A system and method that enables the collaborative creation and editing of content on a VoiceSite over a telephone. The system and method enables the collaborative creation and editing of content on the VoiceSite by allowing one or multiple users (authors) to generate and edit the content of the VoiceSite at the same or different times. A Collaboration Manager is utilized to manage calls to/from one or more users. A VoiGen component utilizes voice-activated prompts to allow the one or more users to perform at least one of specify user preferences, load templates, store user preferences and service options, parse through obtained data, and generate/edit the VoiceSite based on the inputs provided by the one or multiple users. A Session Manager stores user specific information and ensures that the content provided by multiple users, including edits/changes, is integrated without conflicts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Anupam Jain, Amit A. Nanavati, Nitendra Rajput
  • Patent number: 8804917
    Abstract: An identification manager provides a user-generated identity of an initiating party during a connection to a destination. The identification manager includes an identity store for storing user-generated identities, and an identity provider associated with the identity store, for retrieving, from the identity store, a user-generated identity of the initiating party, and for providing the retrieved identity to the destination. Prior to delivery of the retrieved identity to the destination, the identity provider may sense connection characteristics, such as the network type and terminal capabilities of the destination party, and adapt the initiating party's identity to the sensed characteristics. The identification manager may also include a provisioning system for users to generate multimedia identities by various mechanisms. Identity provisioning may be performed automatically, as user replies to system initiated IVR calls, MMS messages and/or SMS messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Comverse Ltd.
    Inventor: Daphna Steinmetz
  • Patent number: 8798243
    Abstract: A customer premises equipment (CPE) device, such as a telephone, connected to a local communications line existing on the premises is capable of receiving incoming telephone or like communication calls. The device has an interface which connects the device to the local communications line on the premises and enables the device to receive an alternating voltage analog ring signal corresponding to a notification of an incoming telephone call. The device also includes a demodulator for decoding and processing the ring signal including additional media data which is of low amplitude relative to that of the alternating voltage analog ring signal and which is modulated on the alternating voltage analog ring signal. Further, the device includes an input/output (I/O) component providing a means for audible and/or visual output of media from the device. The media output from the device directly corresponds to the media data modulated on the ring signal. CPE telephone systems and methods are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Motorola Mobility LLC
    Inventors: Christopher J. Cotignola, Jacob Igval, Dipak R. Patel
  • Patent number: 8792622
    Abstract: A method of delivering a story for engaging a user in an interactive, scripted, virtual reality story by generating calls from a group of actors or personalities called a clique, includes the steps of recording onto a memory device a series of calls by multiple persons who pretend to be friends of a user recipient; making calls using the recorded calls in a predetermined sequence to a user recipient and preferably displaying; telling a story in the first person perspective from multiple points of view by means of the calls; and doing everything real friends do when they communicate with each other, except these friends are fictional, rather than real. A system for engaging a user in an interactive, scripted, virtual reality story by generating calls from a group of actors or personalities called a clique, where the calls simulate everything real friends do when they communicate with each other, except these friends are fictional, rather than real.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Inventor: Catherine B. Clinch
  • Patent number: 8788624
    Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus for controlling the delivery of media data to a plurality of target devices in a target network is disclosed. The system, method, and apparatus allows for control of the delivery of media data from a source device to a plurality of target devices in a target network to be carried out remotely to the target network, but without the need for media data to pass out from or back into the target network via the access network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: Metaswitch Networks Ltd.
    Inventor: Piers Daniel Finlayson
  • Patent number: 8786667
    Abstract: A videoconference may be initiated between a plurality of endpoints. At least one of the endpoints may be coupled to a recording server, which may be configured to record the videoconference. A configuration may be selected (e.g., automatically or manually) for performing the recording. The endpoint (e.g., acting as an MCU) may transmit information to endpoints and may transmit recording information to the recording server. The recording information may be different from the videoconference information. For example, it may be in a “streaming friendly” format, at a different bit rate, encoded differently, have different inputs, etc. The manner in which the videoconference is stored and/or recorded may be based on the selected configuration. Clients may be configured to receive and display the videoconference from the recording server and may be configured to change the provided layout to different layouts, e.g., based on user input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: LifeSize Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Binu Kaiparambil Shanmukhadas, Hrishikesh G. Kulkarni, Raghuram Belur, Sandeep Lakshmipathy
  • Patent number: 8787538
    Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing an autoresponder that allows subscribers to opt-in to one or more autoresponder campaigns using their spoken voice. Voice input is received from a subscriber and converted to text. The subscriber is added to at least one campaign. A contact communication identifier is stored in a subscriber contact record from the text that was converted from the voice input. One or more messages are sent to the subscriber using the contact communication identifier, and according to a schedule specified in the campaign. A virtual seminar playback system is described that simulates a live virtual seminar and allows subscribers to access a playback of a media recording over a communication connection at a specified time. An autoresponder system is described that delivers messages to subscribers in multiple available formats, based upon selections received by the subscribers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: You Everywhere Now, LLC
    Inventor: Michael A. Koenigs
  • Patent number: 8787536
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a communication device. The communication device comprises a processor. Further, the communication device comprises a memory coupled to the processor. The memory comprises a database comprising at least one visual Interactive Voice Response (IVR) menu associated with at least one IVR system. Further, the memory comprises instructions executable by the processor for sending a first section of a data packet to a second communication device. The first section comprising first information is sent based on a visual IVR menu associated with the second communication device. Further, the memory comprises instructions executable by the processor for receiving an acknowledgement message from the second communication device based on the first section of the data packet. Furthermore, the memory includes instructions executable by the processor for sending a second section of the data packet to the second communication device based on the acknowledgement message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Inventors: Tal Lavian, Zvi Or-Bach
  • Patent number: 8787531
    Abstract: Instant messaging (IM) is provided between a TDD/TTY user and an entity. The user may use a TDD device to initiate a call with the entity. One or more converters may convert a TDD message from the user's device to IM, which is then provided to a recipient of the call, such as a representative of a company. The converter(s) may also convert IM from the representative into a TDD message that may then be provided to the user on the TDD device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: United Services Automobile Association (USAA)
    Inventor: Dena L. Smith
  • Patent number: 8781079
    Abstract: A server device receives a request for voicemail information from a user device, retrieves the voicemail information, performs data calls to another server device to obtain information to construct a visual user interface that includes data regarding the voicemail information, constructs the visual user interface using the obtained information, and transmits the constructed visual user interface to the user device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Jianxiu Hao, Dahai Ren, Shuai Wu, Diego Sebastian Rozensztejn, Guillermo Ortiz
  • Patent number: 8781080
    Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting audio messages are provided. In some aspects, a method includes receiving an audio message from a first user and generating a text-based representation of the audio message. The method also includes generating one or more identification tags based on the text-based representation of the audio message. At least one of the one or more identification tags includes a subject of the audio message. The method also includes presenting at least one of the text-based representation of the audio message or the one or more identification tags to a second user using a graphical user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Kelly Hale, Jes Thyssen
  • Patent number: 8781081
    Abstract: The present invention provides presence management to a multimodal communication network. A unified messaging system, providing the ability to deliver messages across multiple modes of communication, is integrated with a presence managing system. The presence management system provides an ability to locate a recipient of a message according to a stored schedule. The unified messaging system retrieves contact information from a presence management system. Upon received the message, the recipient can respond along the established line of communication. Multiple modes of communication comprises telephone, wireless telephone, electronic mail, pager, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), video, audio, picture, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Edward Walter
  • Patent number: 8782699
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for acquiring electronic service guide (ESG) information of a mobile phone TV, including: after encapsulating the ESG information into a multimedia message, the network side sends the multimedia message to a mobile phone TV terminal. The present invention also provides a system for acquiring the ESG information of a mobile phone TV, and the system is used for sending a multimedia message to a mobile phone TV terminal after encapsulating the ESG information into the multimedia message. The present invention also provides a mobile phone TV terminal, which is used for receiving the multimedia message from the multimedia message center and acquiring the ESG information from the multimedia message. The method for acquiring the ESG information as provided in the present invention allows the terminal to be able to quickly acquire the ESG information in real time by sending the ESG information via the multimedia message, thereby enhancing user experience.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventor: Gang Cao
  • Patent number: 8782171
    Abstract: A voice-enabled web portal system includes a web portal server and a call manager software module. The web portal server is operable to download data according to parameters of a web portal. The call manager software module is operable to accept a voice query from a user via telephone, to retrieve a portion of the downloaded data in response to the voice query, and to provide the portion of downloaded data to the user via telephone. A method of providing information from a web portal includes downloading data via a web portal according to parameters of the web portal at a predetermined time interval, filtering the downloaded data to produce portal information, and selectively providing portions of the portal information in response to a voice query.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Voice Enabling Systems Technology Inc.
    Inventors: Fakhreddine Karray, Jiping Sun
  • Patent number: 8768308
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for schedule management includes storing at least one schedule for a user. The current activity of the user is determined. At a remind time for each schedule, the user is reminded of the schedule according to a reminder method. The reminder method selection is based on at least the determined current activity of the user. Some of the reminder methods selected between may include, for example, voice, ring, vibration, light, and/or text.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Deutsche Telekom AG
    Inventors: Kyu-Han Kim, Nischal Piratla
  • Patent number: 8761379
    Abstract: A system and method for improved voice and data communication is described. One embodiment includes a method for voice and data communication, the method comprising connecting to a session server; receiving a voice call from an end-user; receiving an end-user phone number for the end-user; transmitting a session request to the session server, wherein the session request is based on the end-user phone number; and communicating with the end-user over a session established through the session server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Radish Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Richard A. Davis, Anthony J. Brittain
  • Patent number: 8761357
    Abstract: A network method for using a network telephone voice-mail service, by which a caller may leave a voice-message that includes the identification of an attachment, which may include, as examples only, audio, video, text, programs, spreadsheets and graphic attachments. A video, text, spreadsheet or graphic attachment may be converted to an audible attachment to the voice-mail at the caller's or the voice-mail subscriber's request. Such entries may be made, after receiving an automated prompt for leaving an attachment identifier or conversion request, audibly or by using a keypad entry. A network method is also provided for using a network telephone voice-mail service, by which the voice-mail service may detect an attachment to a voice-mail message and provide access to the attachment to the voice-mail message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Frederick Murray Burg, John F. Lucas, Vivian A. Pressley-Harris
  • Patent number: 8761355
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a call notification, voice mail message notification, or SMS message for a wireless device to a user's preferred device. When a wireless device receives an incoming call, a voice mail message, or a SMS message, the wireless device connects to a network and sends a notification to the user's preferred device. If the preferred device is not available, the notification is stored in a database.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignees: Telesector Resources Group, Inc., Verizon Data Services LLC
    Inventors: Craig L. Reding, Ziauddin Majid, Shashi Neelakantan
  • Patent number: 8762831
    Abstract: The present invention includes devices and methods to specify a document transformation. A template specifies a transformation that is applied to a document in a streaming mode, without building a full object tree in memory representing the document.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Open Invention Network
    Inventors: Matthew Fuchs, Changyi Zhu
  • Patent number: 8744050
    Abstract: A communication device for rendering one or more conversations. The communication device includes a receiver configured to receive media over a network and an encoder configured to encode media created using the communication device, where the received and encoded media are associated with the one or more conversations. A storage or memory element stores on the device both the received media and the encoded media. A conversation control element is provided for selecting one of the one or more conversations as current and for controlling the rendering of the media of the selected conversation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Voxer IP LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Katis, James T. Panttaja, Mary G. Panttaja, Matthew J. Ranney
  • Patent number: 8737968
    Abstract: A service node in a telecommunication network is arranged to receive a Multi-Media video call setup for a terminal to be called. The called terminal is called by the service node according to either a video or a voice call setup, depending on a current allowed answer mode of the called terminal. Responding to the call setup will, depending on either answering or rejecting the call setup by the called terminal, and depending whether the call setup is for a voice or a video call, be handled by the service node according to a predetermined method. When a call setup is answered by the called terminal, the service node further supports a method of toggling between a video call and a voice call at the called terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventors: Jan C. G. Hultkrantz, Jan Lidin
  • Patent number: 8739071
    Abstract: A collating application for message display and management executes on a communication device. The communication device includes a plurality of message applications associated with various communication channels, each message application receiving and storing messages associated with one of the various communications channels. The collating application dynamically accesses messages stored by the plurality of message applications to retrieve messages that meet defined matching criteria. The collating application permits the user to select a listing of the heterogeneous retrieved messages in a single view on the communication device. Icons associated with the matching criteria are displayable and vary in accordance with the presence or absence of unread messages meeting the matching criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Gerhard D. Klassen, Chris Wormald, David Yach
  • Patent number: 8731167
    Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for providing access to a telephone Application and an Information Application using a walk-up telecommunications terminal having an intuitive, context-sensitive interface configured to facilitate simple and intuitive usage by a user. An Idle Application is displayed on a display screen of the walk-up telecommunications terminal. A Startup Screen is then displayed on the display screen of the walk-up telecommunications terminal in response to a triggering event. The Phone Application is activated in response to a Phone Application event. An Information Application is activated in response to an Information Application event. The Phone Application is configured to take priority over the Information Application in the user interaction with the walk-up telecommunications terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: Sandra R. Abramson, Yihsiu Chen, Robert L. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 8730950
    Abstract: Systems and methods can include converting multi-channel circuit switched voice data to packet-switched voice over internet protocol (VoIP). A multi-channel connection originating from one or more customer premise equipment private branch exchanges can be terminated at a channel to packet gateway device. Call data originating from multiple customer premise equipment telephony devices can be received through the multi-channel connection associated with the one or more customer premise equipment private branch exchanges, and can be processed at the channel to packet gateway device responsive to call control instruction information. The payload data associated with the call data can be packaged according to predetermined packaging rules and transmitted according to VoIP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: ARRIS Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Carol Ansley
  • Patent number: 8726297
    Abstract: A user entering information in an application might desire functionality not supported by that application. Based on an input or a subset of the input, a functionality associated with a different application can be automatically applied within a current application. Sometimes, a particular application or mode of communication can be used to send information and reply information can be sent in a different mode of communication. The communications can be automatically associated or related to each other. A user can be presented with information relating to both communications, upon request, although the communications might be associated with different modes of communication. Constraints or parameters can be placed on a subsequent communication by either a sender or a recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Mary P. Czerwinski, Anoop Gupta, Paul J. Hough, Pavel Curtis, Richard J. McAniff, Raymond E. Ozzie
  • Patent number: 8718237
    Abstract: A mobile phone 100 with music reproduction function comprising a reproduction unit 106 that reproduces music data and a ring tone which are recorded in a music data recording medium 105 and a ring tone, a communication unit 108 that detects an incoming call from outside and a control unit 103 that instructs the reproduction unit 106 to perform a fade-out process of reproducing music data and to perform a fade-in process of outputting a ring tone when the communication unit 108 detects an incoming call while the reproduction unit 106 is reproducing music data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Kenji Tagawa, Takashi Hiraoka
  • Patent number: 8718690
    Abstract: A system for routing short message service (SMS) messages to endpoints in a contact center includes a first node for receiving SMS message streams from multiple sources operating variant protocols and for multiplexing the multiple streams into a single message stream following a universal protocol, a media gateway server connected to the first node for receiving the single message stream and for forwarding individual ones of the messages therein to individual ones of a plurality of connected servers, and a router connected to at least one of the connected servers for routing individual messages represented therein to individual ones of a plurality of network-supported endpoint devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Genesys Telecommunications Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Nikolay Anisimov, Yevgeniy Petrovykh, Sergey B. Belov, Mark Scott
  • Patent number: 8718244
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for rendering one or more conversations on a first communication device. The method includes receiving over a network and storing at the first communication device media associated with the one or more conversations. The method further includes selecting on the first communication device one of the one or more conversations as current and rendering the media associated with the selected current conversation. The rendering of the media of the currently selected conversation may be performed in either a near real-time mode where the media is progressively rendered as it is received or in a time shifted mode where the media is rendered at a time after it was received. The method also includes creating media on the first communication device associated with the selected current conversation and transmitting the created media over the network to one or more remote communication devices associated with the selected current conversation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Voxer IP LLC
    Inventors: Thomas E. Katis, James T. Panttaja, Mary G. Panttaja, Matthew J. Ranney
  • Patent number: 8718239
    Abstract: Techniques are described for performing actions for users based at least in part on spoken information, such as spoken voice-based information received from the users during telephone calls. The described techniques include categorizing spoken information obtained from a user in one or more ways, and performing actions on behalf of the user related to the categorized information. For example, in some situations, spoken information obtained from a user is analyzed to identify one or more spoken information items (e.g., words, phrases, sentences, etc.) supplied by the user, and to generate corresponding textual representations (e.g., via automated speech-to-text techniques). One or more actions may then be taken regarding the identified information items, including to categorize the items by adding textual representations of the spoken information items to one or more of multiple predefined lists or other collections of information that are specific to or otherwise available to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Shreedhar Madhavapeddi, John F. Pollard
  • Patent number: 8718240
    Abstract: One embodiment of a method for controlling disposition of a call comprises detecting an incoming call to a network station; checking for an active instant messaging session for the network station; and if the active instant messaging session exists, sending an instant message to the network station with call disposition choices with regard to the incoming call. Other methods and systems are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Donald Newton
  • Patent number: 8706147
    Abstract: A method system and apparatus for enhancing digital voice call initiation between a first telephony device and a second telephony device is provided. Text data is associated with digital voice data conveyed between the first telephony device and the second telephony device, the associating occurring prior to initiating transmitting the digital voice data, the text data based on input data received via an input device associated with the first telephony device. The text data is transmitted to the second telephony device in conjunction with transmitting the digital voice data, the text data to be provided synchronously at the second telephony device with an announcement of the digital voice data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Francis Couse, Ron Wellard
  • Patent number: 8704864
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller adapted to establish communications with a voicemail system over a Public Switched Telephone Network port of the communication device, receive from the voicemail system by way of a broadband port of the communication device an invitation to switch to a video call over the broadband port, transmit a Session Initiation Protocol message to establish video communications with the voicemail system, and transmit to the voicemail system a video message to be recorded by the voicemail system as a video voicemail message. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, LP
    Inventors: James Jackson, Anup D Karnalkar, Jyotindra Shah
  • Patent number: 8706825
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses a method for implementing instant message and E-mail interworking, comprising: corresponding an IM user applying a service of IM and E-mail interworking to at least one E-mail address, either being constructed from an IM address of the IM user or being a pre-allocated E-mail address; determining the E-mail address or IM address of a destination user from a received IM or a received E-mail from a user, converting the IM into a E-mail or the E-mail into an IM, and sending the E-mail or IM to the determined receiving address of the destination user. The disclosure also discloses a system for implementing IM and E-mail interworking. The disclosure realizes a free interworking between IM and E-mail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: ZTE Corporation
    Inventors: Zheng Huang, Fengjun Li, Ghazanfar Ali
  • Patent number: 8706091
    Abstract: A method in one embodiment includes storing a voicemail message in a mailbox of a recipient, the voicemail message being left by a sender, and then electronically receiving one or more attachments from the sender. The one or more attachments are stored as content associated with the voicemail message. Upon accessing the mailbox, the voicemail message and the one or more attachments are provided to the recipient. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall B. Baird