Abstract: Network servers in a session initiation protocol (SIP) telecommunication network implement playback of announcements to end-users by embedding programming scripts defining how the announcements are to be played in a SIP message. In particular, the scripts may define the sequence in which a series of announcements are to be played, duration information relating to a playback length of the announcements, and repetition information defining how many times an announcement is to be repeated. By including a script in a single message, announcement instructions may be efficiently communicated in the network.

Abstract: To provide an integrated information communication system without using dedicated lines or the Internet, ensuring communication speed, communication quality, communication trouble countermeasures in a unified manner, wherein security and reliability in communication is ensured. The system is comprised of an access control apparatus for connecting a plurality of computer communication networks or information communication equipment to each, and a relay device for networking the aforementioned access control apparatus, the system having functions for performing routing by transferring information by a unified address system, and is configured such that the aforementioned plurality of computer communication networks or information communication equipment can perform communications in an interactive manner.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a telephone customer to configure telephone service for multiple users at a single location associated with the customer. The location has at least two telephones, at least two phone numbers and a voice mail box. The telephone customer is visually provided an option to assign one of the phone numbers to one of the telephones. The telephone customer is visually provided an option to assign each of the multiple users exclusive access to at least one of the telephone numbers via their account identifier. The telephone customer is visually provided the option to, for each of the multiple users, allow access or deny access via their account identifier to the voicemail box.

Abstract: A sending device exchanges handshake signals with a receiving device prior to the delivery of compressed digital audio data. The sending and receiving devices are remotely connected using a data network. In one embodiment of the present invention, the sending device sends an access code to the receiving device. The access code is an encrypted data of two components: a digital data associated with the sending device and a digital data associated with the receiving device. The receiving device decrypts the access code. The receiving device stores the compressed digital audio data in its memory if the decrypted access code contains the correct components.

Abstract: A data transaction processing system in which transaction data is entered by the user in response to prompts in a template which is tailored to each user application. The data transaction is received via protocols at a database server which, depending upon the application, stores the entire data transaction, explodes the data transaction to produce ancillary records which are then stored, and/or forwards the data transaction or some or all of the ancillary records to other database servers for updating other databases associated with those database servers.

Abstract: A telephone line status notification system including at least one telephone line having a status, a communications network, at least one communications terminal which is connectable to the communications network and which is employable by a seeking user to communicate via the communications network a status request concerning the status of the at least one telephone line, apparatus for processing the status request the apparatus for processing is connectable to the communications network for receiving the status request from the seeking user therethrough and communicating the request, and apparatus for acquiring the status of the at least one telephone line, the apparatus for acquiring is in communication with the apparatus for processing for receiving the status request therefrom, and the apparatus for acquiring is connectable to the communications network for communicating the status via the communications network.

Abstract: A telephone calling interface is disclosed. The telephone calling interface may be implemented as a toolbar within an Internet web browser. The toolbar may identify telephone numbers included in a web page requested by a user of the Internet web browser and conspicuously display the identified telephone numbers when the web page is displayed. The toolbar may recognize activation by the user of one of the conspicuously displayed identified telephone numbers included in the web page as an activated telephone number and initiate a telephone call between a predefined telephone number and the activated telephone number. The method may be executed on a computing device such as, for example, a personal computer.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically connecting a calling party with a called party when the called party is leaving a message for the calling party. When first person is attempting to call a second person at the same time as the second person is leaving a voice mail message for the first person, a network system will determine that the second person is leaving the voice mail message for the first person and will responsively engage in call control signaling to disconnect the second person from the voice mail server and to instead set up a call between the first person and the second person. Once the call is set up between the first person and the second person, the first person and the second person may then conveniently talk with each other.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a scheme is disclosed for managing call routing in a network environment including a circuit-switched (CS) network and an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) network. When a call is originated by a user equipment (UE) device in the CS network, call information associated with the call is provided to a call continuity control function (CCCF) network node disposed in the IMS network. At the CCCF 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 numbers. The CCCF node dynamically allocates a select IMRN with respect to a called party number received from the UE device and returns it to the UE device. The dynamically allocated IMRN is then utilized for routing the call towards the called party.

Abstract: When an electronic message with a voicemail attachment is received, an audio player object and a reply by chat object are displayed simultaneously along with the electronic message. A reply to the electronic message, whether by chat or by email, is associated with the same thread as the electronic message. The electronic message with the voicemail attachment is associated with a conversation thread that may also include chat messages and email messages. In a conversation view of a respective conversation thread, representations of an electronic voicemail message (an electronic message having a voicemail attachment), one or more chat messages and one or more email messages may be displayed simultaneously.

Abstract: A method for effecting delivery of a message from an originator in an original message format to a plurality of authorized receivers in a respective reception message format includes the steps of: (a) composing the message; (b) characterizing the message for addressing to indicate at least one feature of the message; (c) addressing the message according to the characterizing pursuant to information provided in a data base that identifies particulars relating to each respective authorized receiver; the addressing establishing selected receivers of the plurality of authorized receivers as permitted receivers; the particulars including the appropriate respective reception message format for each respective permitted receiver; and (d) transmitting the message to each respective permitted receiver via a communication network that includes respective communication media configured for delivering the message in the appropriate respective reception message format to each respective permitted receiver.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide notification information of a telephone voicemail message over a computer and/or hybrid communications network. A table of updated voicemail subscriber message information is generated that includes voicemail subscriber identifier information and voice mailbox message status for each respective subscriber. Web-based requests (or alternate communications standards communicating the requests) are received from subscribers for voice mailbox status information. For each request from a subscriber, subscriber-specific data is retrieved from the table and a data communications notification that incorporates the retrieved information is communicated to a voice/data communications device to provide an updated voice mailbox message status.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for optimal Short Message System (SMS) encoding in a wireless communications device having SMS capabilities. The system includes an optimizing subsystem and an encoding subsystem. The optimizing subsystem accepts an SMS message, identification of available encoding formats, and information regarding wireless device resource encoding requirements, such as memory usage, for the available encoding formats. The optimizing subsystem evaluates the characters in the SMS message to identify which of the available encoding formats are usable for encoding the characters, determines a memory usage requirement, and selects, as the optimal encoding format, the usable encoding format having the lowest memory usage. The optimizing subsystem supplies an optimizing signal identifying the optimal encoding format. The encoding subsystem accepts the SMS message and the optimizing signal, and encodes the message in the optimal encoding format.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a scheme is disclosed for managing call continuity in a network environment including a circuit-switched (CS) network and an IP multimedia subsystem (IMS) network wherein unique identity (ID) information supplied by a user equipment (UE) device is utilized. A pool of dynamically allocable IP multimedia routing numbers (IMRNs) maintained at an IMS network node are used for associating an IMRN with call information received from the UE device, which can include at least one of a GRUU, Instance ID, and the called party number relating to a call. When the dynamically allocated IMRN is returned by the UE device, the network node utilizes the IMRN mapping to effectuate call continuity with respect to the called party.

Abstract: An object of the invention is to associate a DID/public or non-DID/private telephone number and/or reachable location information with a SIP Enabled Device. More specifically, an embodiment of the invention is directed to providing an additional data parameter comprising alphanumeric data, as a “Display_ID” parameter. The parameter includes information including a DID/public telephone number non-DID/private number and/or location information that is specific to the SIP user endpoint and is different from the SIP URI host address/user information (terminal name and/or terminal number). In another embodiment, a first SIP Enabled Device accesses the local Display_ID and includes the Display_ID in a communication request. A second SIP Enabled Device is capable of processing the incoming communication request, extracting the Display_ID parameter, and displaying the Display_ID associated with the first SIP Enabled Device on the text display of the second SIP Enabled Device.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method and system that allows a telephone user to send voice messages to multiple recipients. According to an embodiment, DTMF signals along with a voice message may be sent over a voice call to a network service platform. The voice message may then be delivered to contacts identified in the DTMF signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a communication device includes an outgoing call alerting agent 196 that (i) detects that a communication device has entered an off-hook state and that a first line appearance has been selected by a user for an outgoing call, (ii) forwards a first call setup message to a third party call controller, the call setup message including a request to reserve the first line appearance for the outgoing call, and (iii) thereafter collects a set of digits dialed by the user for the outgoing call and provides the collected set of digits to the third party call controller.

Abstract: A voice-image e-mail transmitter device that is designed for emergency and surveillance purposes is disclosed. This device converts voice signals and picture images into digital format, which are transmitted to the nearest voice-image message receiving station from where the digital signal strings are parsed and converted into audio and image files, such as “.wav” and “.jpeg” files. The generated files are attached to e-mails and delivered to pre-defined e-mail addresses and a 911 rescue team. The message information includes the caller's voice, pictures of a potential attacker, time the message was sent and received, device serial number, and approximate location of the caller. An external camera and microphone may be connected by wire or wireless means to a CPU element in a base portion of the voice-image e-mail transmitter device. Data may be recorded and sent within seconds by simply pressing and releasing a push button on the device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a digital audio device that includes a communications port to communicatively connect the device to a server. The device also includes a unique identifier to identify the device. The device also includes a controller to allow transfer of digital audio files from the server. The digital audio files contain interleaved data selected by the server based on the unique identifier. The device also includes a decoder to decode the interleaved data and a data store to store at least one of the digital audio files and the interleaved data.

Abstract: A system for implementing voice services can include at least one virtual machine, such as a Java 2 Enterprise Edition (J2EE) virtual machine. The virtual machine can include a bean container for handling software beans, such as Enterprise Java Beans. The bean container can include a voice browser bean. The voice browser bean can include a VoiceXML browser.

Abstract: A system and method to provide content and call attributes for a destination phone number using a click-to-dial connection includes accepting a query, retrieving links to a document, and searching through cached data using the query to identify relevant or destination number information. If no match is found, the method continues with accessing the document identified by the link for identifying relevant number information and creating a click-to-dial icon to link to the relevant numbers included in the relevant phone number information identified by the query. Next, a popup box for content relevant to the click-to-dial icon and a click feature on the popup box are created to retrieve call destination attributes for viewing by a user. Further, computer instructions create at least one communication connection between two communication devices after viewing call destination attributes.

Abstract: A method and system for storing, transmitting and retrieving an audio message is disclosed herein. The invention allows a recipient to access a voice message sent by a sender by clicking on an access key in a SMS text sent to the recipient's phone. The SMS text preferably provides information on the sender and the length of the voice message. Once the recipient accesses the message, another SMS text is sent to the sender providing information on the when and how much of the voice message was communicated to the recipient. The voice message is preferably stored at a server of the system.

Abstract: A system and method for recording and attaching an audio file to an electronic message generated by a portable client device. In some embodiments, the audio file may be recorded remotely from the portable client device, and may be attached to the electronic message at an enterprise server while being transmitted from the portable client device to an intended recipient.

Abstract: A system comprises a ringtone originator, a ringtone sharing device, and a ringtone receiver. The ringtone originator (e.g., one or more of a personal computer, a mobile telephone, a PDA, or other computing device) allows a user to generate ringtone content using audio content stored locally. A ringtone definition, describing characteristics of the audio content and manipulations used to transform the audio content to the ringtone content, is generated and is sent to the ringtone sharing device. The ringtone sharing device (e.g., a server operated by a commercial service provider or a mobile telephone service provider) stores a plurality of ringtone definitions that can be accessed by the ringtone receiver. The ringtone receiver (e.g., one or more of a personal computer, a mobile telephone, a PDA, or other computing device) can download the ringtone definition and recreate the ringtone content.

Abstract: Service levels for call-processing are enhanced based on the subscriber status of at least one of the calling party and the called party. In one example, a calling party (caller) places a call to a called party (recipient). At least one of the parties subscribes to a call-processing service and the call normally would be processed according to a predetermined service level. However, the service level is enhanced in response to a subscriber status for at least one of the parties, and the call is processed according to the enhanced service level.

Abstract: A CD-ROM that records programs for setting up a general-purpose computer as an IP telephone terminal by using a CPU, a memory, an input, a network card, a sound card, and a CD-ROM drive except an HD drive, the program including parts for: making the computer start to deploy the programs in the CD-ROM over the memory by a CD-ROM boot method without booting from an HD; making the computer obtain user identification data respectively and correspondingly inputted by the users through the input; making the computer send the user identification data to a management server via a network based on a location data recorded onto the CD-ROM; making the computer receive an IP telephone terminal setup data sent from the management server via the network; and making the computer function as an IP telephone terminal by setting up the computer as such.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for VoIP call recording. A call control network element monitors an existing telephone call for a call recording request from one of the parties. Upon receipt of the request, a determination is made as to whether recording is authorized. This determination may be made, for example, by sending a permission request message to the non-requesting party and waiting for receipt of a permission message from the non-requesting party. Alternatively, the authorization determination may be made by accessing a database storing call recording authorization information whereby subscribers can pre-authorize certain types of recording in order to expedite the authorization determination during an actual call. If authorized, the data packets implementing the voice data stream between the parties are duplicated, and the duplicate data packets are sent to a media server to record the call.

Abstract: A wireless subscriber terminal (ST) for use with IP push-to-talk (IPP2T) service using a wireless local area network (WLAN) operating in a plurality of modes, including a mobile terminal having an ability to communicate over the air to a wireless Access Point (AP), the mobile terminal further programmable to use conventional WLAN protocols, and a method for operating the wireless terminal are described.

Abstract: A method for exchanging voice messages that may be employed in an answering machine, in wired or wireless telephone, or in an voice messaging system. An incoming voice message from a message source is received and recorded, parsed into segments, and the parsed message is played back to a listener, pausing between each of the parsed segments to accept and record a spoken response from the listener. A reply message is returned to the original message source that includes each such spoken response along with a snippet extracted from the particular segment responded to in the original message. The listener may also interrupt the playback of the voice message at any time to record a response.

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: Method and apparatus for managing call requests in a communication network is described. In one example, a call request for a public identifier associated with a recipient party is received from an originating device. A set of approved calling party identifiers associated with the public identifier is identified. A calling party identifier associated with the originating device is compared with the set of approved calling party identifiers. If the calling party is approved, then: a private identifier for a recipient device is selected based on the calling party identifier, and the call request is routed to the recipient device using the private identifier. If the calling party is not approved, then: a call handling treatment associated with the public identifier may be identified, and the call request may be handled in accordance with the calling handling treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to the processing of combined display screen-oriented and voice-oriented web page information (i(html,xml)). To this end, display screen-oriented web page information (i(html)) is processed in an internet terminal (PC) and voice-oriented web page information (i(xml)) is processed in a multimedia platform (VOX). In order to synchronize the processing of web page information that is distributed among the internet terminal and the multimedia platform, voice information (ivox) is exchanged by using voice agents (Avox) and control information (isig) and data (idat) are exchanged by using a communications agent (Asig). This results in dynamically reducing the load placed upon the multimedia platform.

Abstract: In conventional telephone services, methods of response to a call in cases where the destination caller cannot answer the call are limited, such as by playing back an answering machine message or transferring the call to another telephone system in a rigid manner. In such systems, there is no flexibility in choosing the manner of response depending on the situation of the destination caller. The example systems and methods described herein enable the response method to be automatically selected depending on user's current position information in an Internet telephone system in which voice data is transmitted and received via the Internet. The user registers response methods associated with network addresses in a database, and the user's current position is determined from the IP address.

Abstract: A system that services international multimedia message calls includes an MMSC that determines from the destination MSISDN of the header of a multimedia message that the call is an international transmission and, at the same time, determines whether or not the forwarding destination supports number portability, by referencing the MSISDN routing table. If number portability is supported, it acquires the IMSI corresponding to the destination MSISDN by inquiring the HLR. Next, the MMSC acquires the domain name of the MMSE of the forwarding destination by referencing the IMSI routing table from the IMSI that has thus been acquired and forwards the multimedia message to this MMSE. If number portability is not supported, it forwards the multimedia message to the MMSE of the domain name acquired by referencing the MSISDN routing table.

Abstract: An H.323 client terminal (102) according to an embodiment of the invention employs primary and secondary H.323 control units or state machines (110a, 110b). The primary control unit (110a) sends signaling messages to a primary gatekeeper (108a) and triggers the secondary control unit (110b) to send a message with an appropriate correlation identifier directly to a second client terminal. The primary control unit (110a) establishes a call per standard H.323 protocols. The secondary control unit (110b) also establishes a direct signaling connection to the second client terminal as back up. However, no media channels are established for this backup signaling. The secondary control unit (110b) checks the status of the call with the primary control unit (110a). If the call signaling on the primary control unit (110a) is proceeding normally, no further action is taken.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a computer program product thereof for enabling an Internet extension to ring a conventional extension are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an SIP proxy and an RTP relay. The SIP proxy receives a calling request from the Internet extension, substitutes an exchange number for a conventional extension number comprised in the calling request, and transmits the substituted calling request to a gateway, so that the substituted calling request can be transmitted to a voice automatic machine via a telephone exchange. The RTP relay transmits the conventional extension number in DTMF format to the gateway. Thus, this invention enables the Internet extension to ring the conventional extension with lower hardware costs.

Abstract: A method system, interface and server for establishing a communications call by selecting a B party (6) using an interactive device (16) connected to a public network (10,12), sending called address data for the B party (6) and calling address data for an A party (4) to a communications platform (18) of the public network (10,12), and establishing a call between the A and B parties (4,6) over the public network (10,12) using the communications platform (18) and the called and calling address data. The called address data can be accessed from the public network, and may reside on a server of a messaging network, such as the Internet.

Abstract: For subscribing a user to a service offered by a first application server (SIP-AS1) of an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem, a request for the service, addressed to a public service identifier of the service, is received from the user in a Call Session Control Function unit (S-CSCF). The request is evaluated based on filter criteria (iCF) associated with the user. In absence of the filter criteria (iCF) associating the service with the first application server (SIP-AS1), the request is forwarded to a second application server (SIP-AS2) based on addressing information obtained from filter criteria (FC) associated with the public service identifier. The second application server (SIP-AS2) transmits to the user a message that includes means for enabling the user to subscribe to the service. Users can be subscribed to a service at the time they desire to use the service, immediately preceding usage of the service.

Abstract: System and method for providing customer support via Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP) for particular aspects of tax programs and other computer-implemented processes. Different areas of tax preparation may be identified as different modules in the tax program. After selecting a module, a user of the tax program may select a particular document or particular field on a document that the user may need assistance with. A user interface may provide one or more mechanisms whereby the user may access VoIP support targeted at the particular aspect (e.g., module, document, or field). By enabling users to select particular aspects of the tax program and to invoke VoIP support for aspects at which support is needed, embodiments may enable users to sort themselves into queues targeted at the particular aspects for which support is needed before contacting the vendor's support system.

Abstract: A method of facilitating access to the Internet involving vocal and aural navigation, selection and rendering of Internet content. Visual Internet content is selected and rendered to produce information in amounts appropriate for representation in concise aural form to facilitate vocal selection and navigation based upon such aural representation.

Abstract: A system and method provides a natural language interface to world-wide web content. Either in advance or dynamically, webpage content is parsed using a parsing algorithm. A person using a telephone interface can provide speech information, which is converted to text and used to automatically fill in input fields on a webpage form. The form is then submitted to a database search and a response is generated. Information contained on the responsive webpage is extracted and converted to speech via a text-to-speech engine and communicated to the person.

Abstract: An electronic messaging system enables delivery of a stored message to a substitute recipient if the original intended recipient fails to access the message. When a message is being stored, the message originator is asked whether the originator will authorize making the stored message available to a substitute recipient if the original intended recipient fails to access the stored message within a predetermined period of time following storage. If the message originator provides such authorization, a substitute recipient is identified. The identity of the substitute recipient and the conditions under which the message will be made available to the substitute recipient are stored in association with the message. The message originator may be authenticated before the message is stored. The substitute recipient may be authenticated before the message is retrieved from storage for delivery to the substitute recipient.

Abstract: A voicemail system enabling various components of the voicemail system to be distributed geographically yet operate as a seamlessly integrated system is disclosed. A signal gateway interfaces with a telephone network. In addition, one or more media servers interface with the signal gateway as well as the telephone network. The signal gateway is configured to block calls to malfunctioning media servers. The signal gateway monitors the media servers, and responsive to determining that a media server has malfunctioned, the signal gateway initiates auto-blocking such that the telephone network does not route calls to the malfunctioning media server. In addition, the signal gateway is configured to auto-detect a media server responsive to the media server being initialized. The voicemail system can include a variety of other elements, such as one or more system management units and one or more central data and message store systems.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for generating a prompt in a particular language. Multiple prompt components are selected and arranged based on the language in which the prompt is generated.

Abstract: An advertisement delivery system for publishing a voice-enabled advertisement chosen among multiple voice-enabled advertisements to a specific voice application version chosen among multiple voice application versions available to the system has a telephony interface for enabling voice interactive access to at least one running version of the chosen voice application; and a matching service application for determining selection of the advertisement, the voice application version to host the advertisement, and at least one advertisement position in the voice application version for presenting the advertisement.

Abstract: An improved data communication technique may be employed with modems through a packet network. The disclosed technique facilitates a virtual end-to-end connection between two modems such that the two modems can effectively behave as if directly connected to each other, unaware of any modifications to the data being transferred or to the protocols configured within the communication connection. Preferably, a data communication system for carrying out the communication technique demodulates data coming from a first modem, transports the demodulated data in packets between two gateways, and then remodulates the data before delivering to a second modem at the other end.

Abstract: A system and method of facilitating communications between a mobile device and an interactive voice response system is described. In some cases, the mobile device determines a called number is associated with an IVR system, and performs an action in response to the determination. For example, the mobile device may present visual information to a user related to audio information received from the IVR system. In some cases, the mobile device sends DTMF tones to the IVR system in response to or without user input.

Abstract: The invention comprises a method and apparatus for providing multimedia content to a calling party device. Specifically, the method comprises receiving a connection establishment request from a calling party device where the connection establishment request is operable for establishing a connection between the calling party device and a called party device in an Internet Protocol (IP) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network, obtaining multimedia content information in response to the connection establishment request where the multimedia content information is operable for establishing at least one multimedia session with the calling party device, and transmitting at least a portion of the multimedia content information towards the calling party device contemporaneously with establishment of the connection.

Abstract: A telephony application host has a web service environment and a telephony application proxy. The web service environment is adapted to host one or more instances of a telephony application. The telephony application proxy is adapted to receive telephony messages associated with the one or more instances of the telephony application and to proxy each received telephony message into a web request. The telephony application is adapted to process the web request within the web service environment.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for managing messages in a packetized voice environment. A system incorporating teachings of the present disclosure may include a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephone. The VoIP telephone may include an interface for communicatively coupling with a broadband network access device. The VoIP telephone may also include an answering machine module that is capable of initiating the answering of an incoming VoIP call, the playing of a recorded announcement to a calling party, and the saving of a message from the calling party. In some embodiments, the answering machine module may be integral with the VoIP telephone and the saved message may be stored on a local memory.