Abstract: An integrated messaging system for performing various types of messaging across different types of networks, including integrated user interfaces and administrator interfaces. Embodiments include a communication server that couples among networks of different types, and an interface module that couples to the communication server. The interface module may be hosted on a messaging server of a network. The interface module pulls various user information from the messaging server, including information relevant to at least the network that includes the messaging server. A cache couples to the communication server and to the interface module to hold information from the communication server and/or the user information pulled from messaging server. The interface module directs a message from the messaging server and/or the cache to at least one device on the networks using the user information.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for overriding existing functionality provided in an application programming interface (API) for a local protocol implementation is provided. The method includes providing an API for a local protocol implementation having a raw interface function that can be invoked by a client application to override existing functionality provided in the API. The method further includes defining for the raw interface function an array of pre-formed payload elements to be included for creating a customized protocol request message for requesting a protocol service from a server application using a remote protocol implementation different than the local protocol implementation, populating data for each element in the array defined, and invoking the raw interface function, which takes as input the array defined and inserts them, in order, behind a protocol message header of the protocol request message and sends the customized protocol request message to the server application.

Abstract: A method for measuring network performance parity includes the steps of computing a call completion ratio for at least one network provider, and determining whether the call completion ratio passes a first test. These steps may further include computing a first call completion ratio for a first network provider, a second call completion ratio for a second network provider, a difference between the first call completion ratio and the second call completion ratio, and a variance for the difference. The method also includes the step of assessing whether a second test is determinate if the call completion ratio does not pass the first test, by determining whether the variance is greater than a variance cutoff. In addition, the method includes the step of assessing whether a call completion ratio passes the second test, if the second test is determinate, by determining whether the difference is greater than a threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a unified communications manager via instant messaging are provided. In particular, a user may interface with a user service center to use applications via an instant messaging service to manage various aspects of their communications such as their phone calls, voice mail, email, and instant messages. A user may also manage their contact information and profile, such as rules for how calls are forwarded to the user. Thus, a user is provided a unified communications manager to implement rules and conditions across a wide variety of devices and networks.

Abstract: Various methods and apparatuses associated with the serving of data from a wireless mobile phone, including a wireless mobile phone, are described herein.

Abstract: A method of customer identification for personalizable Internet portals is described. The method identifies customers on the basis of the phone number of the calling party, in which the phone number and service request is transmitted from the terminal via the access network to a proxy server, which in turn is responsible for converting the protocol between the access network and Internet, in which depending on the service request, the proxy server inserts a customer ID into the service request and the customer ID is called up by the proxy server from a customer registry based on the MSISDN, so that at the portal the ID can be taken from the service request and the authorization of the customer can be verified through an inquiry sent to the customer registry at which point the service request of the customer is fulfilled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of communication processing at a client (e.g., media gateway) connected to a server (e.g., media gateway controller) includes collecting events in a quarantine buffer. The contents of the buffer are examined to determine whether the collected events include one or more synchronizing events. An instruction signal sent to the client from the server includes information defining one or more events as a synchronizing event. If one or more synchronizing events is present, the collected events are processed from the buffer relative to the one or more synchronizing events. The processing may include processing the collected events beginning after the most recent or second most recent synchronizing event. The collected events that occurred up to the most recent or second most recent synchronizing event may be moved to a synchronized event list. The synchronized event list may be reported to the server or discarded.

Abstract: A self-help application such as in an interactive voice response (IVR) platform serving users is enabled for providing an integrated development (IDE) and monitoring environment. This provides real-time reporting and analysis on user behavior, application performance and transaction success. The application is coded in software objects (VoiceObjects) specific to the context of the application. These are pre-built objects that include dialog components, resource management, logic, actions, layer and business tasks. This object-oriented approach uncouples the underlying technology from the application and allows designers to build user-friendly applications. In one embodiment, Java or VoiceXML codes are generated dynamically from these objects and executed by a browser in the IVR. A set of core metrics is defined for each object type as well as configurable levels for these metrics. Data associated with individual objects are collected, aggregated, analyzed and displayed in context by the IDE.

Abstract: A user-dedicated storage area (97) of a cellular phone (10) is retained in a storage server (9) on a network (6). Software purchased by a user via a sales server (12) is not transferred directly to the user's cellular phone (10) but is stored in the user-dedicated storage area (97) of the user. The user downloads the software from his or her own dedicated storage area (97) to his or her own cellular phone (10) before using the software.

Abstract: A device receives, from a voicemail server, log information associated with voicemail transactions performed by the voicemail server, and determines data elements, of the log information, to be aggregated. The device also aggregates the determined data elements of the log information, determines a time period to provide the aggregated log information to a database for storage, and provides the aggregated log information to the database at the determined time period.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering voicemail messages to multiple recipients are disclosed. A system is provided that allows users of voicemail systems to record a voicemail or video message and select multiple recipients to receive the message. The sender may designate a delivery method though a paradigm similar to email systems where recipients may be copied or blind-copied. Recipients of the voicemail message may be made aware of other recipients of the voicemail message, and are made aware of the expectations of the sender.

Abstract: Buffering is made more efficient by resizing a jitter buffer based, for example, on a user's location within a TUI. To illustrate how this might be implemented in a TUI-based system, assume that two jitter buffer sizes are available: a larger one for voice and a smaller one for DTMF. Assume that the ability to select the buffer size is software-controllable. By virtue of the TUI structure, the initial state for a communication session could be a buffer size appropriate for DTMF. Since the messaging system may provide an audible beep whenever it's appropriate for a user to speak, the same sub-routine within the TUI code that triggers the beep could also command the buffer management mechanism instructing it to size the buffer for voice. Any subsequent DTMF entry or other event indicating that voice input has been terminated could cause the buffer to resize appropriately for DTMF.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for providing interactive voice response (IVR) applications executable on individual communication devices. Unlike current IVR applications that run from centralized voice servers, the present invention describes a system in which communication units initiate communication with a multimedia server over a data network such as the Internet and download extensible copies of voice response applications. The communication device then runs the voice response applications, thus, locally administering the voice messages and accepting the voice or data input from a user. The multimedia server may preferably divide the application software into executable segments to accommodate communication devices with limited memory resources, such as mobile phones and hand-held computers. The system and method may implement different level of complexity by breaking application functionality into modules and the sub-modules.

Abstract: A method for processing a request from a first terminal to establish a communication session between the first terminal and a second terminal, the first terminal and the second terminal being operable to communicate via a telecommunication network, the method comprising: receiving at the telecommunication network a request from the first terminal to establish a communication session with the second terminal; determining whether the second terminal is available to support the communication session; and if the second terminal is determined not to be available to support the communication session, transmitting to the first terminal the address of a data set corresponding to the second terminal.

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

Abstract: An approach is described for providing shared trunking between a telephony gateway and an end office switch. The telephony gateway processes a packetized voice call, and interfaces a shared trunk to an end office switch (e.g., Class 5 switch) configured to switch calls over a circuit-switched telephone network. The trunk utilizes out-of-band signaling (e.g., Primary Rate Interface (PRI) signaling) in support of call establishment or teardown of the packetized voice call.

Abstract: A system, method, and apparatus are directed to enabling a user to record VOIP conversations for selective instant replay. The VOIP conversation may be automatically recorded upon initiation of the conversation, or the user may select to record at least a portion of the VOIP conversation. At any point during the VOIP conversation, the user may select to bookmark a position for later replay. During the VOIP conversation, the user may select to instantly replay at least some of the recorded VOIP conversation. The user may select to instantly replay from a beginning of the recorded conversation, from the bookmarked position, or from a pre-determined time interval into the recorded conversation. Upon completion of the instant replay, the user may then return to a latest chronological rewind position within the recorded VOIP conversation. The other party may also be provided an indicator that the conversation is being recorded.

Abstract: One embodiment of the present method and apparatus for user-moderation of an online chat room in which a plurality of users are exchanging messages includes providing the chat room and controlling a manner in which the users send and receive the messages in the chat room in accordance with user feedback relating to the messages. In one embodiment, the user feedback is received in the form of user chat profiles, which describe the respective users' participation in the chat room, and flags, which users may be given in response to messages that are deemed inappropriate for the chat room.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer-readable media for registering and retrieving contact information associated with a potential calling party. The registration method comprises receiving an originating address associated with the potential calling party, receiving contact information associated with the potential calling party and storing the originating address associated with the potential calling party in an originating address field of a record associated with the potential calling party and storing the contact information associated with the potential calling party in a contact information field of the record associated with the potential calling party. This increases the variety of contact information that can be left by the potential calling party, contributes to a greater efficiency with which the eventual called party may retrieve contact information associated with a voice mail message and also accelerates the process by which an actual calling party can leave contact information for the called party.

Abstract: A method and a system allows an Instant Message (IM) user or an E-mail user to arrange and to place a present or a future telephone call by way of a respective IM or E-mail, without dialing a telephone.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a voicemail notification to a subscriber or customer in a communication network are disclosed. For example, the present method uses a wireless integrated access device (WIAD) to interact with a voicemail server via the Internet. The WIAD determines whether a newly saved voicemail exists for a customer and then interacts with at least one endpoint device that is located at a customer premise to provide a voicemail notification to the customer if a newly saved voicemail exists for the customer.

Abstract: A system includes telephony devices that provide services and applications through the execution of scripts in web pages.

Abstract: Systems and methods for recording audio are provided. In this regard, an representative method comprises: receiving audio information corresponding to an audio communication; receiving parameter information corresponding to a manner in which the audio communication is to be provided to a user in audible form; providing the audio information and the parameter information in the form of Internet Protocol (IP) packets; and recording the audio information and the parameter information provided by the IP packets.

Abstract: A network-based voice activated auto-attendant service is disclosed. In a particular embodiment, a data processor is provided that can construct an enterprise voice directory by executing instructions to encrypt eXtended Markup Language (XML)-based files using an encryption key issued by a voice activated auto-attendant service provider network to form encrypted XML-based files. The instructions are further to store the encrypted XML-based files in a manner that is accessible to the voice activated auto-attendant service provider network, and to create the enterprise voice directory based on the encrypted XML-based files. The enterprise voice directory is configured to provide run-time access to the voice activated auto-attendant service provider network.

Abstract: A computing device is configured to receive an incoming communication from another computing device. The incoming communication may be for purpose of initiating a voice-exchange session. In response to receiving the incoming call, the computing device may identify or determine a message identifier of the other computing device. The message identifier is determined based at least in part on data provided with the incoming communication. The computing device may programmatically address a message to the other computing device using the message identifier determined from the incoming communication.

Abstract: A web programmable telephone and a method for operating a web programmable telephone are disclosed. In one embodiment of the present invention, a voice module of a wireless household telephone is controlled by an internal web module that can retrieve and execute data operations from a remote portal or server thus adding data functionality to the conventional functions of a telephone. The programmable web module controls all functionality of the web programmable telephone so that every function of the telephone can be programmed and customized by a user.

Abstract: A boundary node router determines whether a received packet includes a SIP message and a REGISTER message, and, if so, adds its router identifier to a REGISTER message which includes a user identifier and a user terminal identifier, sent from a user terminal, and sends the message to a SIP server. The SIP server has a user management table which stores the user terminal identifier, the router identifier of a router which serves the user terminal, and a predetermined Quality of Service type, in association with each user identifier. The SIP server extracts a user identifier, a user terminal identifier, and a router identifier from a received REGISTER message, and updates the user terminal identifier and the router identifier corresponding to the extracted user identifier, to the extracted user terminal identifier and the extracted router identifier.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a scheme is disclosed for routing a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) call in a network environment including a circuit-switched (CS) network and an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) network. When a SIP call is originated by a user equipment (UE) device in the CS network domain, call information associated with the call is provided to an application server (AS) node disposed in the IMS network. At the AS node, a pool of E.164 numbers are maintained as IP multimedia routing numbers (IMRNs) which are mapped to or otherwise associated with called party SIP URIs. The AS node dynamically allocates a select IMRN with respect to a called party's SIP URI received from the UE device and returns it to the UE device. The dynamically allocated IMRN is then utilized for routing the SIP call towards the called party.

Abstract: Techniques for attaching content to a voicemail are described. Content may be attached to a voicemail by storing the content and the voicemail in a common container or envelope, embedding the content at a location within the voicemail, tagging the content with an identifier identifying the voicemail, tagging the voicemail with a tag identifying the content and a location of the content on a network, or otherwise associating the content with the voicemail. A representation of the content to be attached to the voicemail may be visually displayed on a user interface of an originating telecommunications device before attaching the content to the voicemail.

Abstract: A system and method of updating automatic speech recognition parameters on a mobile device are disclosed. The method comprises storing user account-specific adaptation data associated with ASR on a computing device associated with a wireless network, generating new ASR adaptation parameters based on transmitted information from the mobile device when a communication channel between the computing device and the mobile device becomes available and transmitting the new ASR adaptation data to the mobile device when a communication channel between the computing device and the mobile device becomes available. The new ASR adaptation data on the mobile device more accurately recognizes user utterances.

Abstract: A method for communicating with a subscriber having a first telephone number that is out-of-service comprises providing a database that is accessible at least through a second telephone number, and allowing the subscriber to access the database to post a message. The message is made available to an interested party. A system for a subscriber to communicate with an interested party is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method for a network to choose an authentication mode, wherein the key lies in that, according to the received authentication information in the authentication vector request message from S-CSCF as well as according to type of the requesting subscriber, HSS returns authentication information of the Early-IMS-based authentication vector to S-CSCF, or returns authentication information of the Full-IMS-based authentication mode to S-CSCF, or directly returns failure information to S-CSCF. If it is under the former two situations, the subscriber will be authenticated by adopting the corresponding authentication mode, and then S-CSCF will return access-allowed or access-rejected information to the subscriber according to authentication result. If it is in the latter situation, S-CSCF will directly send access-rejected information to the subscriber.

Abstract: Techniques for providing a bulk refresh of sessions in a network are provided. A plurality of session identifiers for sessions that were created are determined. These session identifiers may be included in a bulk refresh message. The bulk refresh message is sent to a device configured to determine if sessions associated with the plurality of session identifiers are active or inactive. The device then sends a response to the refresh requestor. The response can be used to determine which sessions are active or inactive. After the determination, actions can be taken in order to clear the hanging session. For example, the session may be torn down or a BYE message may be sent to end the session on a peer device.

Abstract: A method of providing telecommunication service includes receiving a call for a called party from a calling party. The method also includes determining a presence status of the called party and communicating a greeting for the calling party, wherein the greeting identifies the presence status of the called party.

Abstract: An interactive visual menu system seamlessly integrates an interactive visual menu with an audio menu provided in an interactive voice response system. The system augments a voice menu by displaying the content of the voice menu to a caller. The system assumes that the caller is placing a call near an interactive device such as a computer and the user is logged onto the interactive device using, for example, instant messaging. The system “pushes” a graphical menu through the Internet onto the interactive device. Display of the graphical menu is synchronized with the audio menu. The caller selects the desired choices either by pressing the phone keypad or by clicking on graphical menus on the interactive device; both voice and visual information are updated accordingly.

Abstract: A mixed media reality (MMR) system includes an MMR user, a MMR computer, a user printer that produces a printed document, a networked media server, an office portal, a service provider server, an electronic display that is electrically connected to a set-top box, a document scanner, a network, a capture device, a cellular infrastructure, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) technology, Bluetooth® technology, infrared (IR) technology, wired technology, and a geo location mechanism. The MMR system provides mechanisms for forming a mixed media document that includes media of at least two types, such as printed paper as a first medium and a digital photograph, digital movie, digital audio file, or web link as a second medium. Furthermore, the MMR system facilitates business methods that take advantage of the combination of a portable electronic device, voice mail or email, and a paper document.

Abstract: Queue callback systems and methods handle scheduled callbacks to requesters in the absence of resources by providing a pre-established message soliciting the establishment of an alternate callback. Non-callback options can also be presented to the respective requester. Agents can also be organized in a plurality of queues, each of a selected size, to more effectively use callback resources.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods for utilizing a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone with a built-in VPN client is disclosed. A VoIP telephone with an internal VPN client module incorporated into the VoIP telephone establishes a VPN tunnel directly from the VoIP telephone VPN client to an IP-PBX network access point. A VPN session, established in response to keypad input from a user of the VoIP telephone, is conducted over the VPN tunnel to a remote location. In a disclosed method, a secured VoIP telephone communication link is established by receiving a request from a user of the VoIP telephone, processing the request, and sending a signal from the VoIP telephone unit's VPN client over a data interface to a remote location. After exchange of authentication messages between the VoIP telephone VPN client and a remote location's VPN server, a VPN session is established.

Abstract: An integrated messaging system for performing various types of messaging across different types of networks, including integrated user interfaces and administrator interfaces. Embodiments include a communication server that couples among networks of different types, and an interface module that couples to the communication server. The interface module may be hosted on a messaging server of a network. The interface module pulls various user information from the messaging server, including information relevant to at least the network that includes the messaging server. A cache couples to the communication server and to the interface module to hold information from the communication server and/or the user information pulled from messaging server. The interface module directs a message from the messaging server and/or the cache to at least one device on the networks using the user information.

Abstract: Outbound calling from a Voice eXtensible Markup Language (VXML) based voicemail system, which has distributed architecture, is disclosed. The voicemail system includes a media server, which is in communication with a telephone network. The media server includes multiple communication termination-link components, and the communication termination-link components are adapted to couple to trunks that extend to the telephone network. The media server also includes a network interface that is adapted to receive and provide communications to components of the telecommunications platform. The media server also includes a link-selector, a browser module, and a processor. The link-selector is adapted to select a given communication termination-link component from the plurality of communication termination-link components.

Abstract: A voice messaging system comprises a common message store, a local data store located remotely from the common message store, and a media server. The media server is operable to receive a call directed to a number serviced by the media server, prompt the user for a voice message, direct the voice message to the local data store for temporary storage, notify the common message store that the voice message is present in the local data store, respond to a request to transfer the voice message to the common message store, and direct the local data store to erase the message upon receipt of a communication from the common message store that the voice message was successfully saved.

Abstract: A method for providing identification for voice notifications sent to notification recipients is disclosed. The method includes receiving, from a user, a request for transmitting at least one voice notification to a plurality of notification recipients, and receiving at least one identifier related to the at least one voice notification. The method also includes associating the voice notification with the identifier, and transmitting the voice notification and the identifier. In certain instances, the method further includes transmitting an alert containing the identifier before the voice notification is transmitted. A system for providing identification for voice notifications sent to notification recipients is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for providing certified voice and/or multimedia mail messages in a broadband signed communication system which uses packetized digital information. Cryptography is used to authenticate a message that has been compiled from streaming voice or multimedia packets. A certificate of the originator's identity and electronic signature authenticates the message. A broadband communication system user may be provisioned for certified voice and/or multimedia mail by registering with a certified mail service provider and thereby receiving certification. The called system user's CPE electronically signs the bits in received communication packets and returns the message with an electronic signature of the called system user to the calling party, along with the system user's certificate obtained from the service provider/certifying authority during registration. The electronic signature is a cryptographic key of the called party.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a presence management system comprises a server unit and a plurality of terminal devices. The server unit controls a plurality of presentities and a plurality of watchers. The terminal devices may be set to any of the presentities and the watchers for other terminal devices. The server unit includes a database, a reading module and a notification processing module. The database stores a relationship table in which parameters showing relationships to each watcher for each presentity in a table form. The reading module reads each of the parameters of the watchers for presentities of their change sources from the database when changes in presence of the presentities working under the server unit. The notification processing module notifies the presences of the presentities to each watcher for the presentities of the change sources at timing in accordance with the read parameters.

Abstract: Queries for IP addresses associated with a telephone number are conducted in accordance with query flags contained with an ENUM record. A query flag indicates the type of query to be initiated against the DNS databases. The query flag provides a means for interpreting the domain name portion of the URI contained in the ENUM record. Query flags provide an explicit indication as to the type of query to be performed against the DNS and provide an explicit indication as to how the domain name portion of a URI in an ENUM record should be interpreted. Query flags also provide guidance pertaining to subsequent actions to be performed. The use of query flags eliminates ambiguities associated with making assumptions about the domain name contained in an ENUM record. Thus, the use of query flags can reduce latency, reduce the load on transmission links, and reduce processing load on network elements.

Abstract: A method for administering conferencing resources in a communications system comprising a plurality of terminals and a conference server, the method comprising: transmitting from a first terminal to the server a first message comprising a request for a resource capable of sustaining a conference call; allocating by means of the server a network address identifying a resource capable of sustaining the conference call; and transmitting from the server to the first terminal a second message comprising the network address.

Abstract: An Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) includes a Serving-Call Session Control Function (S-CSCF). The S-CSCF includes a Service Capability Interaction Manager (SCIM) configured to invoke one or more application services in response to a message being received by the S-CSCF.

Abstract: A method and system for optimizing a configuration of mediation devices in a telecommunications central office. Specifications associated with mediation devices are provided. A configuration of mediation devices and legacy devices in a central office is generated. A specification is compared to an attribute of a mediation device in the configuration. The attribute is one of: (1) a distance between the mediation device and a legacy device to be connected to the mediation device, (2) an amount of data to be received by the mediation device from one or more legacy devices to be connected to the mediation device, and (3) a count of one or more legacy devices to be connected to the mediation device. The configuration is updated in response to the comparing of the specification to the attribute. The updating of the configuration provides an optimized number of mediation devices.

Abstract: A system for interacting with voice extensible markup language application content includes a content source node connected to a network for rendering availability of voice extensible markup language content and code; a communication device connected to the network for acquiring at least the code rendered available; and a software interface running on the communication device for determining local existence of at least the code acquired and initializing execution of found code. Upon code execution, the content may be played on the communication device without a persistent network connection to the enterprise hosting the content.

Abstract: A method of operating a telecommunications system with a switching facility and with subscriber channels over which digital data are transmissible in the form of data packets each including a destination address, and such a telecommunications system are characterized in that the data packets of two or more subscriber channels to be sent to the Internet are combined onto a single concentrating channel.