Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide methods, systems, and devices for user supervision and notification. In this regard, one embodiment of such a method, among others, can be broadly summarized by the following: monitoring activities performed by a telephone device; and notifying a user of the activities performed by the telephone and identification of users performing the activities, notification of activities being made by the telephone device.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method of controlling transmission of voice messages or information via telephonic voice message systems, which are sometimes referred to as Voice Mail Systems. Users of the system selectively specify voice message transmission instructions for controlling transmission of voice messages directed to them. Upon receipt of a user's voice message address, the voice message system determines whether the destination voice message address has a specified voice message transmission instruction previously selected by the recipient and processes the voice message in accordance with the instruction.

Abstract: A service delivery platform (SDP) docking station (DS) is part of a multiple layer service delivery platform implementation. The SDP DS adds a second SDP layer between the end user and the Core SDP. The Core SDP implements the process flows that enable, provision, and execute telecommunications products and services. The SDP DS provides a customizable front end to the Core SDP to provide local service provider customization, flexible local selection and activation of products and services, and other features.

Abstract: The automatic selection of interfaces can result in the optimization of interaction between entities. Such selection of interfaces can be applied specifically in the context of interactive voice response systems, and can allow the interface presented to a caller to be optimized based on factors including the caller's usage of the system.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided that use resources more efficiently for calls originating and terminating in a first address space that use services in an IP address space. A call is established from an originator in a first address space to an IP device within an IP address space. The IP device sends a message to a switch in the first address space indicating a new destination in the first address space. The established call is released and a second call is established from the originator in the first address space to the new destination in the first address space. In another implementation, a first leg of a call is established to an IP device from a first address space. The IP device establishes a second leg of a call to a destination in the first address space. The calls are bridged and resources released.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are inventions that integrate a home television set top box (“STB”) or home media center with a smart voicemail system of a telephone service provider. Smart voicemail features, such as email notification of voicemails, or online playback of voicemails, may be used to obtain digital voicemail audio files that are then stored and maintained in a home computer network. These files can be served over the network via a networked television STB or a media center computer, to a display monitor during normal usage. Embodiments cause new voicemail notifications to be displayed during typical operation of a television with the STB or media center computer and provide users with an interface for responding to new voicemail notifications, and reviewing, managing, and playing back voicemail. Messages received thus can be easily identified and reviewed through an interface with which subscribers are extremely comfortable.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a user with an accurate audible pronunciation of a person's name in a non-call environment using the spoken name pre-recorded and saved at the person's Voice Mail system is described herein. An Application Server can obtain an audio file of a person speaking his or her name for the external Voice Mail System to which he or she subscribes, and provide the audio file to a User requesting to hear an accurate pronunciation of the person's name. The Application Server can provide this spoken name pronunciation feature as part of a Directory Information Service, talking call waiting feature, or to other Online Applications.

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: There is provided a system for secure profile setting that includes at least one shared device and an RFID reader module embedded in the at least one shared device. The system further includes a database that is in communication with the at least one shared device. In the system, an RFID transponder module associated with a user transmits a signal that enables the at least one shared device to identify the user. The RFID transponder module can include a fingerprint scanner module, which can be used to acquire a user's fingerprint data to authenticate the user. Thus, after identifying the user, the at least one shared device retrieves a profile corresponding to the user from the database and sets the profile.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a device comprising a first interfacing means for linking to a residential phone wiring and a second interfacing means for accessing a network, the residential phone wiring being connected to a first phone subscriber line interface means located in a central office, the residential phone wiring comprising plugging means for connecting at least a first analogue phone. The device comprises second phone subscriber line interface means for providing phone services over the network and means for coupling the first phone to the second phone subscriber line interface means when the residential phone wiring is disconnected from the first phone subscriber line interface means.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide messages to television users are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of operating a telephone system wherein commercial messages may be inserted into telephone calls. Telephone subscribers may be financially rewarded for participating in the system. The subscribers may switch between a mode wherein advertisements are inserted and a mode wherein advertisements are excluded from calls. The subscribers may respond to advertisements by using their telephones to connect with the advertiser. Telephone calls may be recorded at the discretion of the call participants and may be forwarded for posting on social networks. Advertisers may be given the opportunity to buy advertising time wherein their advertisements are inserted into telephone calls. Advertising time may be acquired by bidding or by fixed predetermined price purchasing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to arrangements and methods for information relating to updates of a web page associated with a call dialog between the client that has a call set up with a further client via the telephony server, wherein the client comprises a telephony interface for managing at least one dialog and a browser for disclosing at least said web page.

Abstract: An Internet accessed server that on demand downloads and activates text-to-speech program elements to a subscriber's computer. Program elements are customized to match the operating system of the subscriber's computer. Upon termination of the text-to-speech session, the server deactivates all program elements and the subscriber becomes free to reinitiate over the Internet the text-to-speech program on the same or another computer system.

Abstract: The present invention is a computer system and method that manages connections between one or more data network interfaces and one or more phone interfaces. A manager process, running on a computer system having both data and phone network interfaces, receives one or more telephone calls from one or more users over one of the phone interfaces and than accesses one or more profiles associated with each of the users. These profiles have one or more service identifiers and one or more interactive response agent (IRA) identifiers associated with the respective user. A menu of the service identifiers is presented to the user. The system then looks up an agent address of one of the IRAs that is associated with the service identifier selected by the user from the menu and establishes a session with the associated IRA. Having done this a two-way communication with the associated IRA occurs during the session.

Abstract: A system is provided for recognizing speech for searching a database. The system receives speech input as a spoken search request and then processes the speech input in a speech recognition step using a vocabulary for recognizing the spoken request. By processing the speech input words recognized in the speech input and included in the vocabulary are obtained to form at least one hypothesis. The hypothesis is then utilized to search a database using the at least one hypothesis as a search query. A search result is then received from the database and provided to the user.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, an apparatus, and a system for processing a voice service. The method includes: judging whether a PSTN service exists on an access line of a main node; if no PSTN service exists, closing a switch component on the access lines of the main node so that the PSTN service on a branch node is transmitted to an HGW on the main node through the switch component and the HGW converts the PSTN service into a service based on a packet format and transmits the service based on the packet format. When the PSTN service is carried on the PS domain, no information needs to be exchanged with the network side, thus preventing impact caused by the failure at the network side and improving stability of the apparatus.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a system, apparatus and method for addressing the need of remotely providing live interpretation to location-specific sites in a timely manner. The system for bilingual communication includes a means to allow a first communicating party and a second communicating party to electronically communicate where the first party and second party communicate in different languages for a group consisting of all spoken languages and sign language. Either or both parties may be more than one person. Communication is made in at least a first location-specific site and is made in a timely manner through a remote third party live interpreter.

Abstract: The present invention is generally related to methods for use in connection with network-based messaging systems and related systems. In accordance with a particular embodiment, the method includes receiving a call at the network-based messaging system and providing a notification to a subscriber of the network-based messaging system that the call has been received and that a message for the subscriber is to be recorded. The subscriber is located remotely from the network-based messaging system. In accordance with another particular embodiment, the system includes a computer server and a notification module. The computer server is associated with the remote subscriber terminal and includes a voice message storage unit to store voice messages. The notification module is to notify the remote subscriber terminal when a call is received at the computer server and when a voice message is to be recorded.

Abstract: A system for processing voicemail is provided that includes a voicemail database processor establishing one or more of an accounts table, a messages table, a distribution list table, a distribution lists members tables, and a delete request table. In operation a message navigation menu is provided to a user to allow the user to move back and forth a specified number of voicemails, change between urgent and normal priority voicemails, retrieve messages only from a specific mailbox or from outside the system, or initiate an improved deletion operation.

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 includes connecting a communications device to an Internet Multimedia Subsystem network. The method includes transmitting presence information indicating multimedia capabilities of the communications device and requesting multimedia content from a multimedia server to cause the multimedia server to transmit multimedia content. The method includes detecting connection of a peripheral device to the communications device and determining that the multimedia capabilities have increased due to the connection of the peripheral device. The method includes updating the presence information to indicate the increased multimedia capabilities and transmitting the updated presence information to cause the multimedia server to transmit the multimedia content adjusted for the increased multimedia capabilities indicated in the updated presence information.

Abstract: A system and a method for conducting a telephone survey, which reduce the number of calls that are not answered by survey participants, are provided. The system comprises means of making outbound telephone calls with a selected call display number, storing a call record for each outbound call, and routing inbound telephone calls to a voicemail or interactive phone system if the inbound calling number is identifiable from the stored call records. The method comprises the steps of making outbound calls to survey phone numbers with the call display set to a local phone number, storing a call record with each outbound call, and routing inbound calls to a voicemail or interactive phone system if the inbound call number is identifiable from the stored call records.

Abstract: Multiple instances of an incoming call in an integrated system capable of communicating through multiple networks are associated such that the called party is provided a single (merged) notification along with options to select among available call types. The call is established using a selected network and end device registered to the called user. Association of the instances is accomplished by comparing caller identity derived from a variety of information associated with the calling party. Conversation or correlation IDs are used to associate the instances as being for the same call and with other related communications such as a related instant messaging session.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving information for voicemail. A call is received from a caller. A voicemail message from the caller is recorded. A caller identifier is received from the caller in response to recording the voicemail message. The caller identifier is associated with one or more profiles. The voicemail message is filed utilizing the associated profile in response to receiving the caller identifier.

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: A communication device configured to receive messages containing media over a communication network and to receive locally created messages containing media created using the communication device. The device also includes a time-shifting buffer to store in a time-based format the media contained in both the messages received over the communication network and the locally created messages. The time-shifting buffer enables on the communication device to either (i) render the media received over the network in a near real-time mode; or (ii) render both the media received over the network and the locally created media in a time-shifted mode by retrieving the stored media from the time-shifting buffer. The communication device also includes a message management system, which enables the communication device to transition the rendering of the media between the time-shifted mode and the near real-time mode without interrupting the ongoing storage of media of received messages into the time-shifting buffer.

Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide a unified messaging system. The unified messaging system comprises a unified messaging system server and clients, such as personal computers, telephones, facsimile machines, and two-way paging machines connected via both land based and wireless connections. This system enables a user to access and retrieve a variety of messages, including voice mail messages, facsimiles, and electronic mail messages via a unified user interface that clearly distinguishes each message type using message identifiers, and segregates messages by type.

Abstract: A digital downloading jukebox system including a mechanism for delivering custom services to a recognized user, including services for creating playlists, communicating with others, accessing other features, etc. is provided. In some exemplary embodiments, after a user is recognized, the jukebox system allows users to access a special front-end via an Internet-enabled device or on an actual jukebox. Then, the user may, for example, create playlists, share songs with friends, send messages to friends, and access other value-added content. Such a system preferably learns about networks of friends, and enables managers to send similar messages to regular customers and/or others known to the system. In some exemplary embodiments, changes via a first user interface on a first device are reflected on second user interface on other properly-configured devices.

Abstract: A method of and a communications system for providing a calling party (1) information (27) of a message (18) that is played to the calling party (1) in a communications system, when the calling party (1) calls (10) a called party (2) and the called party (2) is being alerted (13) of the call and/or after the called party has disconnected from the call. The information (27) is provided electronically on request (24) of the calling party (1). The calling party (1) may be prompted (28) to indicate (24) whether to receive the information (27). The prompt (28) may be provided while the message (18) is playing. The information (27) to be provided may include downloading of the message (18) or part thereof or content comparable with the message (18), such as an audio clip, a video clip or as a ring tone to be used by the calling party (1).

Abstract: A status proxy server having a full bandwidth connection with a media server and wireless connection with a mobile end user device, receives SIP or similar protocol structured data; maintains a status indicator representative of the received structured data; and communicating at time intervals an update of the status indicator to the mobile end user device.

Abstract: System and methods for preventing abusive use of a click-to-call callback function of virtual PBX services are disclosed. In some implementations, a challenge-response procedure can be implemented, and a click-to-call request is allowed when a correct response is timely received. In some implementations, one or more system wide policies can be applied in determining whether a click-to-call request should be allowed or denied. A system policy for blocking and unblocking requests having a particular request parameter (e.g., source IP address) is disclosed. An account specific policy for setting the state of a particular account targeted by a click-to-call request as normal, warning, or blocked, based on the current status of the particular account is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for central recording of telephone calls are provided. The method may include transferring a telephone call from a session border controller (SBC) to a contact center and to a central recording unit, transferring of CTI information from the contact center to the central recording unit, associating the CTI information to the telephone call and determining by the central recording unit whether to record the call.

Abstract: A communication application configured to support a conversation among participants over a communication network. The communication application is configured to (i) support one or more media types within the context of the conversation, (ii) interleave the one or more media types in a time-indexed order within the context of the conversation, (iii) enable the participants to render the conversation including the interleaved one or more media types in either a real-time rendering mode or time-shifted rendering mode, and (iv) seamlessly transition the conversation between the two modes so that the conversation may take place substantially live when in the real-time rendering mode or asynchronously when in the time-shifted rendering mode.

Abstract: A system and method may include establishing a processing data session over a data network based on a processing data session request from a remote communication device, identifying a dialing directory based on the processing data session request, the dialing directory including multiple complete addresses, and receiving address information over the data network via the processing data session. The system and method may further include processing the address information to determine whether the address information corresponds to one of the plurality of complete addresses, and providing the corresponding one of the plurality of complete addresses over the data network to the remote communication device.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-readable media are disclosed to provide selectable greetings or responses to a request to initiate a communication. In one embodiment, a method of providing selectable greetings in response to a request to initiate a communication can comprise receiving the request to initiate a communication from an initiating device. The request can identify an intended recipient device. A greeting can be selected from a set of pre-determined greetings in user profile information from a user of the recipient device. A response message to the initiating device can be generated where the response message indicates the selected greeting. The response message can be sent to the initiating device.

Abstract: A method and system of mass multimedia messaging in a system having a service provider and a plurality of subscriber communication terminals supported by the service provider, wherein at least some of the subscriber terminals have different messaging capabilities and different message format requirements. The method includes adaptation and handling of a mass multimedia message, and mass multimedia message notification. The system uses a retrieval platform and a processing platform. The retrieval platform generates a unique message identifier for the mass multimedia message, and pre-adapts the message into adapted content messages for the terminal types supported by the service provider. The processing platform formats message notifications for the subscriber terminals based on each terminal's messaging capabilities, with each notification containing the unique message identifier.

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 method and system for verifying authenticity of an online usage of a user may include sending a message in an electronic communication to an electronic message address of a user, interactively communicating with the user a request for a response including at least a portion of the message sent to the user, and determining if a response to the request from the user matches at least a portion of the message sent to the user. The message may include a personal identification number used for verification. A certification link or authentication code may be provided to the user for posting on a website or within an email. The certification link or authentication code, optionally displaying an indicia, may enable other users to have confidence that the user whose website other users access or whose emails other users receive are authentic and not someone impersonating the user.

Abstract: A method and system for performing signaling between a private branch exchange (“PBX”) and a voicemail server external to the PBX (“VM server”) to facilitate serving voicemail services to a subscriber of the PBX and the voicemail services is provided. The method includes: exchanging, between a first gateway and the PBX, a first signaling message formed in accordance with a first signaling protocol of a digital private network signaling system; exchanging, between the first gateway and a second gateway, a second signaling message formed in accordance with a second signaling protocol for serving voice over internet-protocol services; exchanging, between the second gateway and the VM server, a third signaling message form in accordance with a terminal-control protocol for an internet-protocol network, converting between the first and second signaling messages, at the first gateway; and converting between the second and third signaling messages, at the second gateway.

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 method for processing a wireless or land line telephone call from a telephone caller over a public switched telephone network (PSTN) through an IVR system for providing control to the called party for delivering SMS and/or MMS messaging to a mobile device of the caller while the call is being processed or is placed “on-hold” which may include logging of demographic information of the caller derived from the 10 digit number to form a demographic profile of the caller to differentiate and classify the caller based on the caller's demographics.

Abstract: The invention is to enable a secure sharing of an internet resource with a partner in conversation by the IP telephone, in simple and inexpensive manner and not requiring cumbersome operations, by a communication terminal only, not relying on another equipment. Internet resource sharing means is provided for a shared utilization of a same internet resource (WEB data, FTP file etc.) among the communication terminals (200, 220) in conversation. The sharing of the internet resource is executed by transmitting/receiving URL information of the desired internet resource by FTP or by an E-mail protocol, or by transmitting/receiving the internet resource itself by an HTTP proxy procedure with the partner communication terminal, in which either of the communication terminal and the partner terminal functions as an HTTP proxy server and the other functions as an HTTP client.

Abstract: Techniques are provided that allow users to collaborate in relationship to data views, application displays, applications or events. A user can type in a text view related to a specific view in an application display, and the information is shared with other users that take part in sharing that view. A user that expresses an interest in an event is notified about the event and has the capability to interact, in relation to the event, with other users (e.g. by text). The particular form of interaction (and sharing) can be selectively specified. This interaction is comparable to a dynamic bulletin board where the subject is event driven, and where a user can specify who are allowed to participate. In the case of an event interest(s), users specify their interest (e.g. in other user application events or system events) and the system automatically alerts them to the occurrence of the event.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which provides communication of recorded voice messages over a network among a plurality of users having voice communication devices. The system has a voice message server connected to the network, which includes a receiver which receives from a sending user's communication device a voice message signal including a header component and a recorded voice message component is stored at the server in association with the corresponding header. The header component identifies the sending user and an intended recipient user, and it is transmitted to the communication device of the intended recipient identified in the header component. The corresponding voice message component is transmitted to the recipient user's communication device in response to the recipient user's communication device requesting it. The recipient user may send a responsive voice message to the server addressed to the sending user.

Abstract: External-services data are processed for use in a user facility in a manner that enables easy user interface and control. According to an example embodiment of the present invention, an arrangement for processing external-services data includes an audio, video, and data signal bussing arrangement adapted to distribute audio, video, and data to designated points in a user facility. A plurality of appliances are communicatively coupled to the bussing arrangement and adapted to receive and process one or more audio, video, and data signals. A user input device is adapted to command a network interface unit (NIU) to process the external-services data for use at a particular one of the plurality of appliances in the user facility. External-services data is delivered over the bussing arrangement and to one or more of the plurality of appliances using the (NIU).

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method that involves receiving an indication that communications with a subscriber have been interrupted while engaged in voicemail processing, and recording a pointer to a last state of voicemail processing. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

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 and portable terminal for providing a video communication service are disclosed, in which video and audio data transmitted or received during video communication are recorded and the video and audio data are stored into files by the portable terminal, the files are merged; and the merged files are played. The portable terminal can store images and voices of both users during video communication by successively storing video and audio data, which are transmitted or received, in response to a user's key input and merging the video and audio data into a single file.

Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for facilitating identification of the originator of a communication. A communication is received from a sending device. Sending device identification information is requested from a distributed contact database fashioned from the contact databases of the communication devices in a group of communication devices. If the sending device identification information is available at a given communication device, it is received from the communication device.