Abstract: A method for setting a voice tag is provided, which comprises the following steps. First, counting a number of phone calls performed between a user and a contact person. If the number of phone calls exceeds a predetermined times or the user fails to perform a voice dialing before calling to the contact person within a predetermined duration, the user is inquired whether or not to set a voice tag corresponding to the contact person after the phone call is complete. If the user decides to set the voice tag, a voice training procedure is executed for setting the voice tag corresponding to the contact person.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for providing a target mobile station with a multimedia content such as audio or video content before a call an originating mobile station attempted to connect is answered by the target mobile station. A mobile communication network protocol for multimedia transmission between a target mobile station and a network is established before a called party receives a call, so that multimedia such as images or moving pictures may be sent to the target mobile station before the called party answers the call. In this way, the called party is able to enjoy a multimedia service before the phone call is connected. Moreover, if the multimedia is an audio or moving picture about a calling party, the called party can identify the calling party based on the multimedia.

Abstract: Sensor nodes (or addresses therefore), acting as real-time message decoys, are distributed across a real-time communications network to attract unsolicited real-time messages. Filtering rules are derived from the message characteristics (such as the source address) and messaging content of the traffic encountered at the sensor nodes. The filtering rules are distributed to filtering agents positioned in the communications network in such a way that they can filter traffic for legitimate users. The filtering agents may identify and control the disposition of real-time messaging traffic that is part of a mass communication campaign on behalf of legitimate users of the real-time messaging communication system. Disposition may include suppressing, diverting, or labeling.

Abstract: Methods and systems for obtaining the location of a caller during an emergency or other telephone call. Before or during a call, a phone system can obtain from one or more sources a subscriber access line identity associated with a subscriber location record that includes a subscriber access line identity attribute and a subscriber location attribute. A phone system can send a query that includes the subscriber access line identity to a subscriber location query system that returns a subscriber location record or a subscriber location to the phone system. The phone system can then display the caller location information to a phone system, an agent or operator so that emergency services can be quickly and accurately dispatched. Using similar procedure and a memory, phone systems can also determine if a subscriber phone has or is changing location. Methods for testing the emergency call capabilities of a subscriber access line.

Abstract: The present invention is related to telecommunications, and in particular to systems and methods of using telecommunication services for user authentication. Account information is stored for a user, the account information including at least a first phone number associated with the user. A user order is received. A verification phone call is received from the user, the call including charge phone number information. The charge number information is compared to the first phone number to authenticate that the user is associated with the first phone number. Based at least in part on the comparison, the user order is selectively caused to be fulfilled.

Abstract: Aspects relate to provision of enterprise call capabilities to mobile devices. For example, a mobile device can indicate, over a data channel, that a PBX is to make a call on its behalf to a called party. The PBX can call back the mobile device, call the called party, and bridge those call legs to establish the call. The mobile device can employ mechanisms that a particular incoming call is made by the PBX. These mechanisms can include using ANI information, sending, and receiving audible verification codes over the voice channel established after answering the incoming call. The verification codes can be selected based on different behaviors of the mobile devices and the network or networks used by the device(s).

Abstract: In general, the techniques are described for adjusting audio gain levels for multi-talker audio. In one example, an audio system monitors an audio stream for the presence of a new talker. Upon identifying a new talker, the system determines whether the new talker is a first-time talker. For a first-time talker, the system executes a fast-attack/decay automatic gain control (AGC) algorithm to quickly determine a gain value for the first-time talker. The system additionally executes standard AGC techniques to refine the gain for the first-time talker while the first-time talker continues speaking. When a steady state within a decibel threshold is attained using standard AGC for the first-time talker, the system stores the steady state gain for the first-time talker to storage. Upon identifying a previously-identified talker, the system retrieves from storage the steady state gain for the talker and applies the steady state gain to the audio stream.

Abstract: Methods, devices, and systems are provided for employing an efficient call tracing algorithm. Messages may be filtered according to an initial filter criteria, then messages that meet the initial filter criteria are analyzed to develop a secondary filter criteria. The first and/or second filter criteria can then be applied to subsequently transmitted messages for a predetermined amount of time, most likely relating to the length of the call which met the first filter criteria.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system for enhancing user interaction with Interactive Voice Response (IVR) destinations, the system comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising: data encoding a database, the database comprising a list of telephone numbers associated with one or more destinations implementing an IVR; instructions executable by the processor for automatically communicating with at least one user; and instructions executable by the processor to pull at least one menu from the database and display the menu to the at least one user, wherein the menu is associated with a telephone number dialed by the at least one user, and wherein the menu comprises at least one icon.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for creating and utilizing subscriber specific memory locations or storage folders for storing incoming voicemail messages in a telecommunications system voicemail system. A subscriber to voicemail services creates subscriber or user-specific memory locations or storage folders to which callers may direct a voice message. When a caller calls the subscriber's directory number and is forwarded to the subscriber's voicemail service, the caller is given the option to save the message in one of a number of previous created voice message folders. For example, the caller may receive a prompt like “Press 1 to leave a message for Jane.” If messages are inadvertently left in the wrong voice message folder, the user having authorized access to that folder may move the message to the appropriate folder. If desired, personal identification numbers (PIN) may be assigned to each voice message folder to control access to messages saved therein.

Abstract: A method includes receiving from a visual voice mail (VVM) client a request to access VVM services and determining whether VVM services have been previously activated. The method further includes providing a negative response to the VVM client if it is determined that VVM services have not been activated and receiving, from the VVM client, a self-provisioning request to initialize VVM services. The method may also include configuring VVM services based on the self-provisioning request and providing, to the VVM client, an indication that VVM services have been configured. The method may additionally include providing notifications and retrieval of voice mail messages, and submitting voice mail messages from the user device.

Abstract: A Voice over IP (VoIP) or Real Time Messaging (RTM) firewall device is claimed that protects VoIP or RTM network traffic by identifying and controlling the delivery of such network traffic that is unsolicited and undesired by the recipient (i.e. VoIP or RTM spam). The system involves applying a unique marking to RTM messages close to a point of message origination and then at a point close to message termination for the intended recipient examining a reputation store for information on the unique marking and using that information in conjunction with a set of policy rules to decide whether to pass, reject, pass on to an RTM store or otherwise filter the RTM message. The unique marking serves to identify a source characteristic of the message such as the message originator, a corporate affiliation for the originator, or a RTM network characteristic of the originator such as a transmission gateway.

Abstract: A system and method that notifies a voice mailbox subscriber of the receipt of a message at a voicemail server using instant messaging. A preferred embodiment of the invention includes an enhanced notification server that receives a notification of the message from the voicemail server, queries the availability of an instant messaging client via an instant messaging presence server, and forwards the notification to the instant messaging client via the instant messaging presence server if the instant messaging client is available. In preferred embodiments, provisions are made to forward the message to the subscriber via instant messaging.

Abstract: A system and method for providing enhanced information to a user is described. A broadband access gateway communicatively coupled to a plurality of access devices may collect information about multimedia content available on the access devices and/or information exchanged with access devices. The gateway may search the collect information upon receiving information identifying a called or calling party, to find information that may be associated with the called or calling party. Selected items of the information associated with the called or calling party may then be delivered to the access device of the called or calling party. Information accessible to the gateway via a broadband connection may also be made available to the user of the access device.

Abstract: A mobile terminal and method for transferring call charges between mobile terminals are disclosed. To transfer call-related charges between mobile terminals, the mobile terminal and call charge transfer method place a call by a calling mobile terminal to a called mobile terminal to establish a call connection for conversation, transmit a call transfer request by the calling mobile terminal to impose call-related charges on the called mobile terminal, and perform, if the called mobile terminal accepts the call transfer request, a call transfer operation to impose the call-related charges on the called mobile terminal, and maintain, if the called mobile terminal rejects the call transfer request, the call to impose the call-related charges on the calling mobile terminal. As a result, during a call between mobile terminals, the called user can accept a call transfer request of the calling user to transfer call-related charges to the called party, thereby enabling flexible and efficient billing.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a method of handling a telephone call. The method includes providing a multi-tenanted computer-telephony integration (CTI) server. The different tenants correspond to various outlets for one or more product or service offerings. The CTI server is located outside the customer premises for the various outlets. The method further includes receiving a call directed to one of the outlets and using CLI for the call by the CTI server to identify the calling party and a customer profile for the calling party. The customer profile is based on previous orders. The method further includes queuing the call within the network if it is determined that the outlet is unable to currently service the call, and forwarding the call to the outlet to process the call. The CTI server uses the customer profile for providing priority call handling treatment for loyal customers.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed generally to recording communication of a call utilizing a multi-channel recording technique. According to one exemplary embodiment, inbound communication from each party to a call (e.g., from each communication device that is party to a call) to a recording system is assigned to a separate channel, and communication on each channel is independently recorded. Further, during the call, a control channel is generated that correlates the multiple communication channels. The independently recorded communication channels and control channel may be used to analyze a recorded call from any desired perspective. For instance, communication from a given party may be analyzed in isolation. Further, the control channel enables the recorded multiple communication channels to be correlated such that the communication received (e.g., heard) by any selected party may be accurately re-created for analysis thereof.

Abstract: A method is provided for providing customized ring-back tones to callers on a wireline network such as a public switched telephone network having an advanced intelligent network or a VoIP network. When a call request is received from a calling party to connect to a called party through a wireline telephone network it is determined if the calling party is identified in a screening list for the called party. If so, then a customized audible ring-back tone is played to the calling party until the called party is connected to the calling party or until the call request is terminated.

Abstract: A networking system may comprise a web site serviced by a web server assembly. The web site may generally comprise a combination of the following components: a crediting system, a chat bidding system, a performance bidding system, a telephony switching system, a media interaction system, a display system, a photo management system, and a messaging system. An exemplary embodiment of the chat bidding system may comprise a plurality of common user accounts, a queue, and a featured user account. Common users of the common user accounts may pose tasks to the featured user, and may make a pledge for each task. The tasks may be stored in, and sorted by, the queue based on their pledges. A featured user of the featured user account may be presented with a highest ranked task in the queue, and may choose to respond to the task or to skip the task.

Abstract: A web page is composed for an entity using information obtained by a computer-based service provider during a telephone call. In some embodiments, a user calls the service provider using a telephone having a telephone number associated with the entity. The user receives an audible message listing a first set of information, and sends a response that indicates whether the first set of information is accurate with respect to the entity. In response to one or more audible prompts, the user also provides a second set of information concerning the entity. Optionally, the user may send a completion command to the service provider via the telephone. The service provider generates a publicly accessible web page based on first and second sets of information.

Abstract: Data related to a call is stored to a container in a manner that enables the data to be authenticated. “Container” refers to any type of data structure for storing data, such as a file, database, etc. Thus, a protected container is provided to which captured information relating to a call (e.g., recorded audio of the call, captured application data, captured external data, etc.) is stored. The protected container enables detection of any tampering of the protected data, as well as authentication of such data. A multi-channel recording technique is used to record audio for each outbound channel of a call. Each channel of the audio may be watermarked, and a signature may be generated for use in authenticating the audio data. Information relating to the call (e.g., captured audio, application data, external data, etc.) is captured and streamed into the protected container during the call (i.e., in real time).

Abstract: A voiceprint of a calling party, and identifying information, are obtained during a call. One or more voiceprint samples stored in association with the identifying information are selected, and the calling party's identity is verified based on a comparison of the voiceprint to at least one of the selected voiceprint samples. For example, the voiceprint samples may be derived from a verbal utterance by the calling party before the call, mixed with different background noises likely corrupting the calling party's utterance during the call. If the comparison fails to determine the calling party's identity, an attempt to verify the calling party's identity is made based on additional information received during the call. In another example, if the calling party's identity is verified based on the additional information, the voiceprint may be stored in association with the identifying information as a voiceprint sample for use in future verification of the calling party's identity.

Abstract: A presence aware communications system, comprising a messaging system configured to perform at least one of the following operations: (a) provide a subscriber's communication device with information regarding an incoming contact during a messaging session between the subscriber's communication device and the messaging system; (b) provide the subscriber's communication device with a text message containing information regarding one or more messages when a notification is received that the subscriber's communication device is available; (c) provide the subscriber's communication device with a text message relating to a voice message from a different first party received by the messaging system; (d) in response to the subscriber's communication device requesting a connection with at least one of an inputted telephone number and address, provide the subscriber's communication device with a notification respecting at least one eligible message from a second party associated with the at least one of an inputted

Abstract: A method and program product for securing privacy of an e-mail address is provided. The method includes generating an e-mail message to one or more recipients on a sender e-mail client and encrypting, using a privacy plug-in installed on the sender e-mail client, an e-mail address of the sender, using a respective public key corresponding to each recipient. The method further includes transmitting the e-mail message to the recipients with the sender e-mail address encrypted and decrypting, upon receipt by a respective recipient e-mail client, the sender's e-mail address without displaying the sender's e-mail address. The transmitting step further includes stripping, before the e-mail is sent, an e-mail address of any other recipient besides the recipient to whom the e-mail is sent and sending a hyperlink to a web site for installing the privacy plug-in on a recipient client, such that the recipient can reply to the sender.

Abstract: Systems and methods which detect unauthorized, impermissible, or otherwise undesired call activity through the use of one or more third party databases are shown. For example, a controlled environment facility information management system may access a database external thereto, such as a victim notification database, which is created and maintained by a third party unrelated to the controlled environment facility. Such third party database access may be accomplished at the point of call validation or caller verification for determining the treatment of the call (e.g., allowed, blocked, allowed with limitations, etcetera). Such call treatment determinations may be made with respect a particular prisoner or other resident of the controlled environment facility making the call, may be made with respect to all calls made from a particular controlled environment facility, may be made with respect to a group of controlled environment facilities, etcetera.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product for providing targeted messages to a person using telephony services by generating user profile information from telephony data and using the user profile information to retrieve targeted messages.

Abstract: A user of a conversational biometrics based voice mail system sets a user profile of the user that defines one or more biometric parameters of received voice mail intended for the user. A conversational biometrics device analyzes the voice mail in accordance with the one or more biometric parameters of the user profile set by the user and generates a biometric analysis result of the voice mail. The conversational biometrics device assigns a priority for delivery of the voice mail compared with a plurality of voice mails received by the conversational biometrics based voice mail system in accordance with the biometric analysis result and places the voice mail in a sequence in a delivery queue determined by the assigned priority. The delivery queue of the conversational biometrics based voice mail system delivers the voice mail to the user in the sequence determined by the assigned priority.

Abstract: A method for providing communication service includes determining that a call was not answered by an intended recipient of the call and determining a due date associated with the call. The method also includes communicating the due date to the intended recipient.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatuses for caller identification messaging are disclosed. According to one embodiment, a calling party uses a Caller ID Messaging Device that supplants the incoming calling line identification (ICLID) signal with a Caller ID Messaging Signal and transmits the Caller ID Messaging Signal to a destination communications address. An alternate embodiment provides that the calling party may use a conventional telephone to access a communications network, activate Caller ID Messaging Services, compose or retrieve a stored Caller ID Message of the Caller ID Messaging Signal, and transmit the Caller ID Messaging Signal to the destination communications address. The Caller ID Message and Caller ID Messaging Signal may include text, video, voice, and/or digital data.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for announcing caller information to users over a television link. The method comprises receiving signalling information associated with an incoming call destined for a destination party, the signalling information comprising a portion conveying information regarding an origin of the incoming call and information regarding an identity of the destination party. The method also comprises attempting to establish a telephony link with a device associated with the destination party over a communication network in response to said receiving. The method further comprises attempting to establish a second telephony link with a processing entity to convey said portion of the signalling information to the processing entity to cause delivery of an indication of the origin of the incoming call over a television link associated with the destination party, said indication based on said information regarding an origin of the incoming call.

Abstract: A control method of a communication terminal having a telephone directory user interface and a communication system, the control method and system include storing a plurality of telephone numbers corresponding to a destination user as telephone directory data, requesting a notification of location information of the destination user to a server, receiving location information of the destination user from a server, and displaying a telephone number corresponding to a current location of the destination user.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that receives an incoming call at an electronic device, where the incoming call includes caller identification information. Further, the method determines whether a personal address book stored remotely from the electronic device includes an entry associated with the caller identification information. Additionally, an audio alert associated with the entry is inserted into a multimedia data stream, where the audio alert is determined based at least in part on the entry.

Abstract: A system receives, from a first user, a communication request for a second user and determines, in response to receiving the communication request, whether a trigger is satisfied. The system may aggregate, in response to determining that the trigger is satisfied, content of different types to form multimedia content and provide the multimedia content to the first user.

Abstract: A method and system for registering external telephone numbers and associating such external telephone numbers with an extension in a voice mail system. When a call is received from a telephone which is not registered in the called systems database, after the caller has identified an extension and entered an appropriate password, the user is given an opportunity to register the external telephone with the system and to associate the telephone with and extension in the called system.

Abstract: A method that associates the first telephone number of a first user with a second telephone number of a second user that has a relationship with the first user; tracks incoming and outgoing telephone calls; and stores a plurality of telephone messages received by the first user. For each telephone message, the method assigns such telephone message to one of first, second, and third groups; and sorts the plurality of telephone messages for playback. By doing so, the telephone messages may be prioritized such that the first user may be able to more quickly determine whether or not the first user should return a telephone message, often reducing the number of unnecessary telephone calls and improving efficiency.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, methods and systems are provided for processing facsimiles. A call processing system receives a first message transmitted from a first carrier system regarding a facsimile call to a phone address. The first message includes an identifier associated with the user. The identifier is used to determine if the user is authorized to receive call processing system services. If the user is authorized, a second message is transmitted to the first carrier system, the second message indicating that the first carrier system is to connect the call to the call processing system. The call processing system is connected to the call. A facsimile is received via the call at the call processing system. Information regarding the facsimile call is provided over a network, wherein some or all of the information is displayed in a call log visually accessible by the user.

Abstract: Methods and systems for obtaining the location of a caller during an emergency or other telephone call. Before or during a call, a phone system can obtain from one or more sources a subscriber access line identity associated with a subscriber location record that includes a subscriber access line identity attribute and a subscriber location attribute. A phone system can send a query that includes the subscriber access line identity to a subscriber location query system that returns a subscriber location record or a subscriber location to the phone system. The phone system can then display the caller location information to a phone system, an agent or operator so that emergency services can be quickly and accurately dispatched. Using similar procedure and a memory, phone systems can also determine if a subscriber phone has or is changing location. Methods for testing the emergency call capabilities of a subscriber access line.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and distributing messages including dynamic content is provided. In one form, an entity provides a plurality of content segments for use in building a dynamic message. The entity also provides a listing of end users to receive a message and information associated with the user, such as demographic or prior purchasing information. In an alternate form, the service connects to the user in a communication session and collects information from the user directly. The service then uses this information, whether provided by the entity or the end user, as the basis for selection of various content segments which will make up a dynamic message for presentation to the user.

Abstract: A remote call notification system for incoming calls to a wireline telecommunications device. The system includes a switch, a service control point, an intelligent server, and a monitoring module all in communication with each other. The remote call notification is transmitted to a remote communication device such as a PC, an interactive pager, and a mobile phone. The call notification includes a calling number, the name of a calling party, time and date identifiers, status identifiers that provides a real-time status of the incoming communication, a disposition identifier, and a priority identifier. A remote call notification method including detecting an incoming communication to a subscriber's wireline communication device, creating a remote call notification, assigning an access address associated with a remote communication device, and forwarding the remote call notification to the remote communication device.

Abstract: Methods and systems for screening incoming calls for use in a device having telecommunication capability. An incoming call from a caller is received. In response to the incoming call, a prompt is generated to the caller, and a response corresponding to the prompt is received therefrom. It is determined whether the response conforms to a specific answer. If so, the device indicates the reception of the incoming call. The prompt and response may be voice and/or text.

Abstract: A system enables voice authentication via a network. The system may include an intelligent voice response engine operatively coupled to the network for receiving transaction or access requests from a plurality of telecommunications devices over the network. A speech recognition and verification services engine may be operatively coupled to the network and a database may be operatively coupled to the speech recognition and verification services engine for storing user voice print profiles. The speech recognition and verification services engine may receive a speaker verification call from the intelligent voice response engine and perform speaker verification on the received speaker verification call based on the stored user voice print profiles. The speech recognition and verification services engine may generate a verification score based upon results of the speaker verification.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a message to a recipient is provided. The system includes a network communication system for providing a message to a recipient using a communication device. The network communication system includes a communication system operatively connected to at least one communication device. The network communication system further includes an exchange platform, the exchange platform having a signal media server operatively connected to at least one message server, the exchange platform receiving a communication from a potential recipient through the communication device, the communication system determining if the potential recipient is flagged in a recipient database, the message server determining the message, the message server retrieving at least one message, wherein the signal media server forwards the message to the recipient via the communication device.

Abstract: In a messaging system, a messaging server transmits signals over the telephone network to be received by equipment at, e.g., the customer premises. The receiving equipment converts the signals into meaningful information (e.g., written or audible words, audible tones, and/or lights), and provides that information (e.g., by audible announcement and/or visual display) to the user. The signals can be of a variety of types. For example, the signal can be the Incoming Caller Line Identification (ICLID) signal associated with an incoming telephone call. Alternatively, the ICLID signal can be can be sent with the set-up of a non-associated telephone call, and can correspond to a message code, such as to provide the recipient with notification information such as emergency notification messages. Such notification information can be substantially simultaneously transmitted to a number of sets of receiving equipment (e.g., all homes in a given region).

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for processing calls. A call is received at a softswitch or other call processing system from a caller intended for a first subscriber. The first call is associated with signaling information, the signaling information including a phone number associated with the caller. A determination is made as to whether the first subscriber has previously received a call associated with the caller phone number at the softswitch. If the first subscriber has not previously received a call associated with the caller phone number at the softswitch, a first message is played to the caller. An indication that the first message was played to the caller is stored in association with an account record associated with the first subscriber.

Abstract: A system and method for handling telephone call interruptions from a common telephone number or common user that provides the user with intelligent options to efficiently manage the interruption. The system is particularly efficient in handling interruptions that involve voicemail messages. The system identifies matches of outgoing calls to and incoming calls from common numbers and/or users and presents various options to the user to handle the call. These options include allowing the user to cancel or delete voicemail messages that are in progress while simultaneously accepting the incoming call.

Abstract: An embodiment includes a method that includes receiving data through a non-voice input. The method also includes translating the data into one or more numeric values. The method includes encoding the one or more numeric values into an audio stream, wherein the audio stream is to be transmitted over a transmission medium that is in use for voice communication.

Abstract: Embodiments of voice initiated network operations are presented herein. Voice initiation of operations is described which may be utilized to assist a user in performing operations, such as when other input mechanisms are undesirable, inconvenient, or impossible. A user provides speech to a client device. The speech is converted to text. The text is used to perform operations and obtain results.

Abstract: A telephone call handling system wherein a user is provided with caller I.D. information. For responding to the information, the system affords the user a plurality of call handling options beyond the simple option of answering the call or not. The user can instruct the system to implement any one of the plurality of options. One option can send a call back message to the caller. Another option can send a hold message to the caller and then places the caller on hold. A third option can send entertainment to the caller such that user and caller can simultaneously enjoy the entertainment.

Abstract: In the method of the present invention, a customer of a service provider would be placed in hold while waiting to speak to a customer service representative. The method and system of the invention would recognize the telephone number of the caller using a “caller ID” system. If this call is the first time the caller has ever called, the caller would be presented with an audible listing of listening choices that would include but not be limited to the latest news, the weather (of the caller's location), financial headlines, or a selection of music stations (via cable radio, for example). The caller would then speak or type his/her preference into the keypad and the selection would be played. If the caller does not like the selection, the caller can then speak another selection or type the new selection as many times as the caller prefers. The caller selection is recorded in a caller preference database.

Abstract: An efficient and effective method and system for providing to a customer an audible call notification of a current call and a subsequently received call waiting call. The present embodiments notify the customer that a current call is waiting in an effective manner that reduces confusion. Confusion is reduced by the combination of audible call waiting indicators and audible caller identification information associated with the calling telephone station. Additionally, both the indicator and the representation of the information can be provided automatically without significant delay. The indication is provided even when standard caller identification information is not available by prompting the caller to provide spoken caller identification information. The spoken caller identification information is provided to the called party along with call disposition options, such as options to accept or reject the call, route the call to voice mail or send a sales refusal message.