Abstract: A method and system for automatically distributing calls from calling parties to agents in a telephonic service provider facility, in which a database associates specific calling parties with specific agents. An identifier of a calling party is compared to identifiers in the database and the calling party is connected to the agent with whom the calling party has been associated if the identifier matches one in the database. If the identifier of the calling party does not match one of the identifiers in the database, a voice message is provided to the calling party to urge the calling party to provide a further identifier, which is then compared to the identifiers in the database. If the further identifier matches one of the identifiers in the database, the calling party is connected to the agent with whom the calling party has been associated.

Abstract: A private branch exchange has a terminating classification table for storing, in connection with terminating information transmitted through an outside line circuit, destining extension numbers and additional parameters by relating them to each other and a control unit for controlling the above components. When a call terminates at the outside: line circuit, the control unit picks up a destining extension number corresponding to terminating information from the terminating classification table, delivers a terminating signal from a corresponding extension line circuit and also delivers a corresponding additional parameter in the form of an additional parameter signal from the inside line circuit.

Abstract: A CTI system in which a user profile contains a call-related feature table for holding the user's chosen timeout values for the facility “Divert To Mail After Timeout”. The call-related features are Name, Area Code, Time, and Route, and there is also provision for a Default value. The call-related features are ranked, and, for a incoming call to a called user, the CTI controller accesses that called user's profile, selects the highest ranking of the entries, e.g. Bob, and, using a CLI-to-name translation table, tries to find a match, i.e. is the incoming call from Bob. If there is a match, the associated timeout value is retrieved, and if there is no match, the Default timeout is retrieved. A countdown timer is started from the retrieved timeout value, and the current countdown value is displayed at the client of the called user to enable the called user to make a more informed decision about how and whether he will answer that call.

Abstract: Audible calling line identification. Network resources are used to provide text-to-speech translation based audio “caller-ID” services to a telephone subscriber. In a plain old telephone system (POTS), audio calling line identification is played to the subscriber after the subscriber answers the phone in response to a ringing signal. The subscriber is then given the opportunity to supply a response, directing the disposition of the call. In a telephone system which supports on-hook signaling between the switch and the customer premises equipment (CPE), a setup message is sent to the CPE to go off-hook and play the audible calling line identification through a built-in speaker. An intelligent peripheral (IP) or service node within the network provides the required text-to-speech translation services.

Abstract: An method and system for providing automatic alternative media address information. The method is adapted for use in a communication network including a plurality of subscribers, each having at least one communication device for sending and/or receiving communications such as voice or data (facsimile, e-mail, video, optical, etc.). A network element receives an incoming communication from a calling party for a subscriber and an alternative media address signal is generated for receipt by the subscriber.

Abstract: An on-demand caller ID service is disclosed. A customer dials an access code to retrieve calls made to his telephone number. An automated voicemail response system would repeat the telephone numbers and/or names associated with those telephone numbers that called over a predetermined time period, such as the last 24 hours. The customer is billed a per usage charge for each time he accesses the service. The customer may also subscribe to the service. Customers that are not subscribers of caller ID may utilize this service if they are seeking to track down an incoming call that may have been missed during the day. Also, customers who are away from their telephone line may remotely check who has called them by accessing the service.

Abstract: A private branch exchange has a terminating classification table for storing, in connection with terminating information transmitted through an outside line circuit, destining extension numbers and additional parameters by relating them to each other and a control unit for controlling the above components. When a call terminates at the outside line circuit, the control unit picks up a destining extension number corresponding to terminating information from the terminating classification table, delivers a terminating signal from a corresponding extension line circuit and also delivers a corresponding additional parameter in the form of an additional parameter signal from the inside line circuit.

Abstract: A technique for using a computer system to filter incoming telephone is provided. The computer system decodes caller ID information in an incoming telephone call and compares the decoded caller ID information against a stored list of caller ID information. If the caller ID information in the incoming call matches an item in the stored list, the computer system prevents the telephone input/output device from ringing, opens a connection on the telephone line, outputs a prerecorded audio message on the telephone line, and closes the connection. If the caller ID information in the incoming call does not match an item in the stored list, the computer system passes the incoming call to the input/output device normally. The computer system is configured to receive voice commands from a user to manage the stored list, including adding the caller ID information from a current or recent call to the list.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for providing call subject information to a destination device. A call subject platform provides a selection menu to an originating device to receive call subject information. If call subject information is received at the call subject platform from the originating device, then the call subject platform sends a summary of the call subject information to the destination device.

Abstract: A presence device operable in a first mode and a second mode is associated with a communication device. In the first mode, a user using the presence device is biometrically authenticated and a presence confirmation input is received from the communication device. In the second mode, a user-entered log-in input is received from the communication device. A central presence database is updated to indicate that the communication device is active for the user. A received message which is to be routed to the user is sent to the active device indicated by the central presence database.

Abstract: A novel Automatic Call Distribution (ACD) Center allows an on-hold customer, upon learning of an unacceptable waiting time for service, to accept a date- and time-stamped “Priority Token,” and then end the current telephone call. If the customer calls the ACD Center back within a predefined Token Window (stored in the ACD system memory and announced to the customer as he/she is receiving the Priority Token), as indicated by the automatic presentation of the Priority Token, the customer is placed back into the queue position he/she had during the previous call, or if that queue position has already passed, the customer is placed at the top of the queue to be served by the next available agent. The Priority Token stored in the ACD system memory includes the Directory Number in the preferred embodiment for ease of detection of calls incoming to the ACD Center.

Abstract: Telephones are able to exchange arbitrary messages over a public-witch telephone network. Messages are created and sent to a switch. The switch transfers the message to a called party telephone. The switch sends data indicative of the end of the message to the called party telephone. Computers can send messages to telephones over the PSTN in this manner as well. Messages can be sent whether the called party is using the called party telephone or otherwise unable to immediately answer the called party telephone.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved telephone system and method that reduce call interruptions to a telephone, i.e., reduce interruptions caused by a caller placing a call to the telephone. If the no-call feature is enabled and a call is received by the telephone, the telephone answers the incoming telephone call in response to receiving the telephone call. The telephone then plays a message to the caller indicating that no calls are being taken. The telephone plays the message after the telephone answers the incoming telephone call. The telephone does not generate an audible ring signal in response to the telephone call received from the caller. The telephone system further comprises an exemption logic unit for allowing calls placed by certain callers to come through even when the no-call feature is enabled. The user indicates the exception parties to the no-call feature prior to receiving a call from an external party or at a later time.

Abstract: This invention can state a Client's question or request for information, answer the question and give the requested information and get a response on the question answered and a response on the information given all in one call and all of it is done on tape. The Professional has recorded a tape which lasts 3 minutes and has 3 sections each lasting one minute. When the Client calls the number is registered on the Caller I D and is decoded. When decoded it plays the section on the tape set aside for the Client. Section one will restate the question or request the Client wants answered. Section two will give the answer to the question or request stated in section one. In section three the Client has the opportunity to respond to the information given in section two after the Client hears, “Please record your response after the beep.” After the Client calls the button on the left of the Client's name lights up.

Abstract: In processing of VoIP calls, a called facility, prior to the cut through of ringing that would alert personnel to the presence of an incoming call, transmits previously stored information that identifies the persons at the called facility that are authorized to handle particular types of calls. In response to the receipt of caller-ID information, the called facility queries a database to determine whether (a) the caller is known and, if so, whether there are particular call handling instructions stored for this caller; and (b) whether the called facility is classified as blocked from participating in called party identification service. If the database response indicates that the called facility participates in called party identification service, the data base sends to the caller, before the call is answered, a list of persons at the called facility who are authorized to answer the call and, advantageously, some indication of what that persons area of responsibility may be.

Abstract: A system D interfaces with a multiplicity of individual terminals T1-Tn of a telephone network facility C, at the terminals callers are prompted by voice-generated instructions to provide digital data that is identified for positive association with a caller and is stored for processing. The caller's identification data is confirmed using various techniques and callers may be ranked and accounted for on the basis of entitlement; sequence or demographics. Callers are assigned random designations that are stored along with statistical and identification data. A break-off control circuit may terminate the computer interface aborting to a terminal for direct communication with an operator. Real-time operation processing is an alternative to stored data. The accumulation of stored data (statistical, calling order sequence, etc.) is variously processed and correlated as with developed or established data to isolate a select group or subset of callers who can be readily identified and reliably confirmed.

Abstract: A method of screening incoming telephone calls and programming screening options and apparatus that allows incoming calls to be screened according to various criteria programmed by a subscriber.

Abstract: A method and system for preventing hung calls on a channel of a network interface device of a voice messaging system is described. A channel of the network interface device receives a new incoming call from the telephone network. If no other call is in progress on the same channel as the one on which the new call was received, the new incoming call is accepted. On the other hand, if another call is already in progress on this channel, the other call is terminated and the new incoming call is rejected. At this point, the network interface device is ready to accept any subsequent calls received on that channel.

Abstract: An automatic answering telephone set which eliminates cumbersome operations when a user tries to listen to a recorded business message from a remote place. The automatic answering telephone set includes a termination detection section and a line interface to which a telephone line is connected commonly, a reception section connected to the line interface, a voice recording and reproduction section which provides an automatic answering telephone function, a control section formed from a microcomputer for controlling the entire automatic answering telephone set, an operation key section including several keys such as dial keys and connected to the control section, and a memory for storing a telephone number and other necessary information to be registered in advance in the automatic answering telephone set.

Abstract: An improved system and apparatus for providing caller identification information to a called party when standard Caller ID cannot be provided. If standard caller ID information cannot be provided for a call, the call is interrupted by the present service and the calling party is prompted for audible caller identification information. In one embodiment, when the audible caller identification is provided, the call is presented to the called party with a distinctive ring at the called telephone station. In another embodiment, the calling party may enter a personal identification number (PIN) to bypass the requirement for audible caller identification information. In still another embodiment, when the PIN is entered, the call is presented with a distinctive ring at the called communication station. In still another embodiment, the called party may send the incoming call to a voice mail system.

Abstract: A Plain Old Telephone System (POTS) connection is established between a Broadband modem and a remote server. A configuration request is then transmitted from the Broadband modem to the remote server using DTMF tones. Subsequently a domain name associated with a Broadband Service Node (BSN) and a user identifier, such as a telephone number, is received from the remote server via the POTS connection using Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) tones. A PPPoE session is then established using the domain name, by firstly authenticating the Broadband modem for the PPPoE session and then configuring the DSL modem. This configuration is accomplished by transmitting a request for configuration details from the Broadband modem to the BSN having the domain name and then receiving configuration details from the configuration server. The Broadband modem then automatically configures itself using the configuration details.

Abstract: An interaction manager system and method are provided to aid a caller in communicating with a callee. An interaction space is provided to a caller's communication device. This interaction space can include visibility information that informs the caller about the status of the callee, accessibility information that provides the caller with a list of communication channels available to the caller, and continuity information that includes information and action facilitation data that reflect the ongoing interaction between the caller and the callee.

Abstract: The system and method consistent with the present invention provides improved electronic business cards for a communication device. Electronic business cards may be created using CLID information, transferred among users of a telephone network, and used to initiate a call automatically.

Abstract: Customer premises telephone equipment and methods are provided for automatically recording telephone conversations based on a comparison of call related information (for incoming calls) or dialed telephone numbers (outgoing calls) to entries in a user defined automatic conversational record table. An automatic conversational record module compares the received or entered call related information, e.g., a telephone number, to the entries in the user defined automatic conversational record table and automatically activates recordation of the telephone conversation if a match is determined. The entries in the user defined automatic conversation record table may be entered manually, e.g., using a keypad, may be based upon previously received call related information, or may be transferred from other memory in the customer premises equipment, e.g., speed dial telephone numbers.

Abstract: In various forms of telephone network signaling, automatic number identification information (ANI) includes a field of two or more ‘information’ (II) digits, typically used to indicate a calling line attribute, such as hospital line, residential line, payphone, etc. A number of situations have arisen where it is desirable to use these digits to control network functions and it is necessary to accurately pass the digits through with all call related signaling. For example, accurate II digits can enable appropriate processing, billing and payments for toll-free calls from payphones. Existing switch software, however, does not always provide the correct II digits or pass the digits through unchanged. In accord with the invention, a call requiring flexible ANI functionality triggers access to a central database, preferably in a service control point (SCP) or a signaling transfer point (STP).

Abstract: This is a service which can be offered by a telephone service provider to enable a caller ID subscriber to now positively determine the identity of a member of a defined group regardless of the phone number from which the call is made. The subscriber-defined group can have a maximum of ten members with assigned numbers from 0 to 9. Specifically, the subscriber can assign a number, i.e., the number 1 to a person such as his/her mother. Now, when the subscriber's mother calls the subscriber, the number of the phone from which the call is made will appear as the caller ID number plus the number 1. Thus, regardless of the phone from which the call is made, be it from a pay phone or a friend's phone, the number 1 will identify the caller as being the subscriber's mother. In another embodiment, a name can be used in place of the number and, therefore, the name Mom can appear instead of the number 1.

Abstract: A communication apparatus of the present invention displays, in its stand-by state, particular callers' name belonging to a preset group and the latest messages respectively corresponding to particular callers' names continuously on a display 6. On the receipt of a radio signal, a message conversion section 12 converts it to a received message. A comparison and controller 5 determines whether or not the converted message includes any one of the particular callers' names registered previously at a RAM (Random Access Memory) 8. If the answer of this decision is positive, the latest message corresponding to the particular caller's name and also stored in the RAM 8 is updated. Thereafter, a group name to which the particular caller's name belongs, all of the particular callers' names belonging to the group and the latest messages respectively corresponding to all of the particular callers' names are displayed on the display 6.

Abstract: A communication apparatus includes an antenna, a TDMA/TDD processing unit, a radio unit provided between the antenna and the TDMA/TDD processing unit for data transfer, a telephone directory memory that stores a plurality of telephone numbers divided into a plurality of groups, and a control unit that determines which group in the telephone directory memory an input telephone number belongs to and provides control of whether to notify calling information to a called party via the TDMA/TDD processing unit, the radio unit and the antenna according to the determination result.

Abstract: A method for storing telephone numbers of communication terminals. The method includes the steps of receiving a telephone number entered after a telephone number storage mode is selected; checking whether there is name data stored in a specific area of a memory; if the name data is detected, displaying the name data; checking whether any name is selected; if a name is selected, storing the telephone number and the selected name in a first storage area of the memory; and storing the selected name in a second storage area of the memory.

Abstract: A method is provided for preventing the transmission of unsolicited phone calls. The telephone number corresponding to the source of the phone call is first compared with a reject list and with an approved list to determine whether the call should be transmitted to the user. If the telephone number corresponding to the source of the phone call is not on either list, a registration procedure is carried out. Upon being successfully registered, the phone call is transmitted to the user and the source is added to the approved list.

Abstract: A system and method for determining a desired listing by ranking coverage areas based on the intersection of a search region and one or more coverage areas. The desired listing is created by determining the location of a reference point and defining the search region in respect to the reference point. The search region is compared against the coverage areas of the listings. The coverage area of each listing may be defined by default based upon a categorization of the listing or upon selection criteria, such as payment of a fee. The coverage areas that intersect with the search region are typically ranked in descending order based upon the area of the intersection region, which is the area including both the coverage area and the search region. Alternatively, if no intersecting regions exist, the coverage areas may be ranked in descending order based on the proximity of the perimeter of the coverage areas to the reference point.

Abstract: A calling party announcement apparatus and method for providing the identity of the caller in a non-synthesized, pre-recorded human speech. The invention detects and decodes the Incoming Caller Line Identification (ICLID) signal between ring signals before the called party answers the phone and announces the calling party's name and/or phone number. The called party answers the telephone or rejects the call before the receiver goes off-hook. Additionally, if the called party elects to accept the call, the call is answered, an individualized pre-recorded message is played back, or any other preferences selected with respect to the ICLID information is performed. An important aspect of the invention is the ability to play and record announcements and messages without the use of expensive and power-consuming digital signal processors. The invention provides for recording and locating pre-recorded announcements and predetermined preferences for call acceptance using the decoded ICLID information.

Abstract: A directory dialing telephone set, with which the user can register necessary telephone numbers in a directory of the directory dialing telephone set efficiently and with a minimum of effort, is presented. For example, a telephone number dialed by the user for calling or a telephone number of a calling party which is informed via the telephone network (i.e. a current telephone number) is stored one by one in a telephone number temporary storage section which can store a predetermined number of telephone numbers.

Abstract: A method and system for indicating authentication of the identity of a calling party based on an intrinsic property of the calling party is disclosed. Representations of intrinsic properties of potential calling parties are gathered and stored as reference representations for use in comparisons with later acquired representations. When a later acquired representation matches an earlier acquired representation, authentication of the calling party is deemed to have occurred. Speedier authentication may be provided by using calling line identification information in conjunction with representation matches. When authentication occurs, a signal is produced to indicate same and such signal may be used in uniquely identifying the calling party or in routing the call, for example.

Abstract: A variable voice compression device and method in a voice messaging system is provided. The device includes a call related information/coding table or database which contains associations between call related information regarding desired calling parties, and selected coding techniques and effective data rates resulting in varying voice compression ratios. Upon receipt of an incoming call, call related information sent from the central office is compared to entries in the call related information/coding table or database. If a match is found, the subsequent voice message is encoded with a coding technique and effective data rate determined from the matching entry in the call related information/coding table or database. Otherwise, the voice message is encoded with a default coding technique and effective data rate.

Abstract: For use with a public telephone network CO incorporating a vast number of terminals Tl-Tn, a system CS limits and controls interface access to implement voice-digital communication for statistical processing. The system CS accommodates calls in different modes, e.g. “800”, “900” or area code and incorporates qualifying apparatus to restrict against caller misuse. Alternative calling modes are used to reach an interface facility that also affords some control based on calling terminal identification, e.g. as by ANI equipment.

Abstract: A method and system for organizing and managing information to be used by a voice mail system to facilitate call handling based on information contained in an address book having a database with entries corresponding to information about callers and a user interface. The method comprising the steps of automatically or manually creating an entry in the address book associated with the information about a caller, maintaining the address book based on a set of options provided by the user interface, and managing the voice mail system corresponding to the address book by interacting with the user interface. Calls can be initiated and different calls can be treated differently using the information in the address books.

Abstract: A telephone call processing system and method for providing operator service. The system maintains a number of customer directories, each customer directory having information pertaining to a number of subscribers of the customer. When an incoming telephone call is received by the system, the system automatically identifies the customer directory corresponding to the customer indicated by the telephone number dialed by the caller. Upon locating the appropriate customer directory, the system automatically switches access by the system operator thereto. Thereafter, the system operator may perform a search in the customer directory for the subscriber who the caller wishes to contact. Upon successfully locating information pertaining to the subscriber in the customer directory, the subscriber information may be communicated to the caller.

Abstract: A speech recognition system recognizes a caller identifier received during a telephone call as a speech signal from a caller. The system generates a plurality of caller identifier choices from the speech signal and receives location information of the caller. The system includes a database on which is stored a plurality of caller identifiers indexed to a plurality of location information. The system queries a database based on the received location information and retrieves one or more caller identifiers from the database. The system then selects the recognized caller identifier from the plurality of caller identifier choices based on the retrieved one or more caller identifiers.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, there is provided an automatic person-following system for a telephone switching machine having at least one 2-way DID trunk operative for receiving incoming and transmitting outgoing calls, a 3-way calling feature connectable to the trunk, a bank of data storage cells accessible from the DID trunk, each cell having storage capacity for storing at least one pre-recorded voice message, at least one incoming voice message, and at least one pre-recorded telephone number; signaling apparatus for signaling a hookswitch flash to the DID trunk, and dialing apparatus for dialing the pre-recorded telephone number to the DID-trunk after sending a hookswitch flash signal.

Abstract: A communication system that provides information to customers holding in a queue. Upon arrival to the queue, the queue identifies the customer and further identifies information that is related to the customer's motivation for entering the queue from the customer's identity. The queue selects individual messages from the relevant information for presentation to the customer. Certain messages may be prioritized over others based on the queue experience with other customers or based on external events that raise the likelihood that the message is relevant. The communication system may operate in a telecommunication network or a computer network.

Abstract: A method and system for generating a predetermined message during selected calls-in-progress utilizes a communication station to detect a connection being attempted between a subscriber telephony device and a second telephony device. An adjunct processor determines whether the connection between the subscriber telephony device and the second telephony device requires call-attendant monitoring and if so, monitors the connection between the subscriber telephony device and the second telephony device to identify a predetermined event. An intelligent peripheral unit generates the predetermined message based on the predetermined event and a subscriber profile associated with the subscriber telephony device.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an improved telephone system and method that reduce call interruptions to a telephone, i.e., reduce interruptions caused by a caller placing a call to the telephone. If the no-call feature is enabled and a call is received by the telephone, the telephone answers the incoming telephone call in response to receiving the telephone call. The telephone then plays a message to the caller indicating that no calls are being taken. The telephone does not generate an audible ring signal in response to the telephone call received from the caller. The telephone system further comprises an exemption logic unit for allowing calls placed by certain callers to come through even when the no-call feature is enabled. The user indicates the exception parties to the no-call feature prior to receiving a call from an external party or at a later time.