Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for simultaneously rendering one or more conversations on a communication device. The method includes receiving at the first communication device media associated with the one or more conversations over a network and defining a set of conversations among the one or more conversations to be simultaneously rendered. The received media associated with the one or more conversations is simultaneously rendered regardless if the received media overlaps or not.

Abstract: A method for providing a message service for a site is described. It is determined whether a service is provided at the site. If the service is provided at the site, a request is sent to a node at the site that provides the service. Determining if the service is provided at the site includes automatically determining if the service is provided at the site without user input.

Abstract: This invention provides a network access system that permits communication device users to access a network such as the Internet, a cable network, a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) network or a broadband network (which may include cable and DSL networks). A network access device receives commands from users and executes the commands such as send e-mail, search the network, log on to pages supported by other parties on the network, download information from the network, request information such as movies from the network, bidding in an auction, etc. A user profile saves preferences of a user for interacting with the network. The network access device may supply primitive commands for the user to use individually or to construct complex command macros so that by a single command, more complex functions may be performed using the network.

Abstract: A communication system includes a plurality of network devices that communicate using one or more protocols, such as SIP. Graphical terminals (30) communicate with the network devices. Graphical servers (32) provide a graphical user interface for the graphics terminals (30) responsive to signaling messages received by the graphical terminals (30) and forwarded to the graphical server (32) in a service request. As the user operates the interface to perform functions, graphical information on the user's actions is sent to the associated graphical server (32). The graphical server (32) interprets the graphical information and updates the graphical interface and/or generates service requests for signaling messages to create, modify and terminate communication sessions as desired by the user, using the appropriate protocol.

Abstract: A system and method for processing digital templates having one or both of a pre-filled image and text field. Optional image and/or text fields are provided for filling in by the customer using customer-selected data. As the customer adds text and images to the template, a data file is created having an indication of the template style selected as well as the optional data fields filled in by the customer including one or more of the location, orientation, size and font thereof. The data file is transmitted to a photofinisher which has access to a high resolution copy of the template, which is populated by the data in the data file to create the finished template print. Since only the data file is transmitted to the photofinisher, the file size is kept to a relative minimum and is thus relatively quick and easy to transmit to the photofinisher.

Abstract: A filter circuit is constructed as a triplex filter having a high-pass filter, a low-pass filter with attenuation in the passband, and a second low-pass filter without attenuation in the passband. The filter circuit has a frequency response with a high-pass portion, a flat loss portion, and a low-pass portion. Attenuation in the flat loss portion is uniform and is predetermined via selection of filter components. The filter circuit is useful in a bidirectional CATV system in which performance is improved by selectable attenuation of a first source of return path signals but without attenuation of a second source of return path signals.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for processing a database query between one or more clients and one or more databases. The database query, which is formatted using a first protocol, is received from one of the clients. One of the databases is selected to process the database query and the database query is translated from the first protocol to a second protocol. The translated database query is then sent to the selected database for processing. A response to the database query, which is formatted using the second protocol, is received from the selected database and the response is translated from the second protocol to the first protocol. The present invention determines which of the clients sent the database query and sends the translated response to the client that sent the database query. This method can be implemented as a computer program embodied on a computer readable medium.

Abstract: The invention is an SMS distribution method for inquiries, invitations and proposals in which inquiries are sent to mobile telephone numbers included in a distribution list and their replies are collected as text messages via the SMS service (7) provided by the telecommunications network by means of a software program (1) installed on a server (2). The problem in distributing inquiries with existing SMS services has been the limited possibility of replying to the sending telecommunications operator and separating replies to several inquiries from one another. In the method embodied by this invention, universally reachable mobile network numbers (11) are used as reply addresses for the inquiries, invitations and proposals, and replies are separated from one another by means of reply addresses consisting of public mobile communication network numbers and SMS service numbers and automatically generated reply symbols.

Abstract: A communication apparatus 100 is equipped with, as plural communication sections capable of communicating with another communication apparatus over different transmission lines, a powerline communication section which performs a wired transmission using a powerline PL and a wireless communication section which performs a wireless transmission. The communication apparatus 100 causes at least one of the powerline communication section and the wireless communication section to perform a communication. If at least one of the powerline communication section and the wireless communication section is not to perform a communication, operation of that communication section is suspended.

Abstract: A method selects a buddy with which a user wants to connect. The buddy has a buddy identification listed in a pre-identified group of Internet-accessible destinations. The user using a user telephone means to which is associated identification information. A call is initiated from the user telephone means to an Internet-enabled computing device and has associated thereto calling line identification (CLID) information. The CLID information is compared to the user telephone means identification information. The CLID information is validated using the comparison and upon positive validation, the user providing the buddy identification; consulting the pre-identified group of Internet-accessible destinations for a match between the buddy identification and one of the Internet-accessible destinations; and advising the user of a successful or unsuccessful match. Alternatively, a call is placed to a party which does not necessarily belong to a pre-identified group of Internet-accessible destinations.

Abstract: A communication device capable of participating in a conversation over a network. The communication device includes an encoder to receive and encode media locally created using the communication device and associated with the conversation and a transmitter to transmit over the network the locally created media to one or more participants of the conversation. The communication device also includes a receiver to receive media from the one or more participants of the conversation over the network and a time-shifting buffer to store in a time-based format both the media received over the communication network and the locally created media. The time-shifting buffer enables 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.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively allowing calls to a device, especially a facsimile machine, that may receive calls on a signal line. The apparatus detects an incoming call on the signal line and allows the incoming call to reach the device if received during an enabled time period but prevents the incoming call from reaching the device if received outside the enabled time period. The apparatus may be configured to prevent a first incoming call, detected outside said enabled period, from reaching said device and subsequently to initiate said enabled time period.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a node for transmitting data over a network. The node includes a first ascertaining element configured to ascertain the need to transmit one or more data streams from the node to a second node over the network, the one or more data streams including time-based media that is generated either locally or remotely on the network. The node also includes a second ascertaining element configured to ascertain a timeliness preference for reviewing the one or more data streams by one or more recipients respectively. The ascertained timeliness preference for each one of the data streams is either (a) time-sensitive where at least one recipient of the one data stream has indicated an intent to review the one data stream in a near real-time mode as received by the recipient over the network while the time-based media of the one data stream is being generated or (b) less-than time-sensitive.

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: A digital logger system includes a multichannel interface circuit that: 1. concurrently and continuously-receives audio telecommunication signals for at least two telephone calls from a digital hybrid telephone line; and 2. continuously transmits linearly encoded digital audio data representing the received audio signals. A Universal Serial Bus (“USB”) hub of the system receives the transmitted digital data for retransmission to a USB root hub. A USB root hub of personal computer (“PC”) receives transmitted digital data, and executes PC software which continuously monitors the digital data for embedded line status and signaling information including a telephone line “going off hook.” When a telephone line goes “off hook,” the software records both: 1. an audio header that stores information about a telephone call; and 2. an audio file that stores compressed digital data for the telephone call. Jul. 2, 2009.

Abstract: A portable tele-homecare monitoring system and method for the same overcomes the problem of medical monitoring requiring a large organized system, with the associated high costs and disadvantages generated due to the large amount of equipment required by the prior art. The present invention allows a user to access home monitoring data by a portable electronic device, an application program or explorer via the Internet from a distributed data server. The portable tele-homecare monitoring system does not require a server and is designed to be modular and portable, so it costs are reduced and so that the design is flexible.

Abstract: A security system with call management functionality is disclosed and includes a security controller having at least one first interface to at least one user identification device and a second interface to a call management controller. The security controller also includes logic to determine a security status of a user based on identification information received from the at least one user identification device and to communicate the security status of the user to the call management controller, where the call management controller enables, disables, or modifies a communication service based on the security status of the user.

Abstract: A contact number encapsulation system is disclosed that is operable to consolidate a plurality of contact numbers associated with a given user into a single contact number. The system includes a call processing application that uses information contained in a SIP message header to determine a list of contact numbers to call. The SIP message header contains a call destination indication that is used by the call processing application to retrieve the list of contact numbers. The list of contact numbers is user defined and may be updated or modified by an account holder at any given time. Once the list of contact numbers is obtained, a simultaneous call module is used to simultaneously call each number contained in the list. As such, the account holder only needs to provide the primary contact number to individuals desiring to reach him/her instead of various numbers that are associated with various locations the account holder may be located.

Abstract: A communication device for consecutively rendering one or more conversations. The device includes a receiver configured to receive at the communication device media associated with the one or more conversations over a network. The one or more conversations include a defined set of conversations to be consecutively rendered in accordance with a defined priority hierarchy. The device also includes a sequencing element, which sequences the received media associated with the defined set of conversations into a sequence order at least partially based on the defined priority hierarchy. A rendering element consecutively renders the received media associated with the defined set of conversations in the sequence order.

Abstract: A method of accessing a plurality of features of a second telecommunication system from a first telecommunication system includes receiving a telephone call on the second telecommunication system from a first device having a first telephone number and determining whether the first telephone number is a stored authorized number. The method further includes determining if the first telephone number is a stored authorized number, and providing access to the plurality of features if it is.

Abstract: One embodiment of a call handling method, among others, includes receiving a query from a switching system indicating that a called party telephone is busy; examining handling information for the called party to determine if the called party has voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) service; and instructing the switching system to then route the analog call over a VoIP connection to the called party after the called party chooses to communicate using the VoIP service.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of email processing within a multitenant unified communications environment includes receiving, at a first email system component that is a sub-component of a unified communications system, an email that is addressed to a recipient by way of a delivery address that includes a first domain identifier. Based at least in part on the delivery address, a second delivery address associated with the user is identified. The second delivery address does not include the first domain identifier but does include a second domain identifier that is different than the first domain identifier. The email is automatically sent to the second delivery address.

Abstract: A device for obtaining, storing and displaying information from a remote server, the device has a modem for establishing communication sessions with the remote server. A memory coupled to the modem stores the obtained information, and a display is coupled to the memory for displaying the stored information. The device automatically and periodically communicates with the remote server for obtaining the information.

Abstract: A device for obtaining, storing and displaying information from a remote server, the device has a modem for establishing communication sessions with the remote server. A memory coupled to the modem stores the obtained information, and a display is coupled to the memory for displaying the stored information. The device automatically and periodically communicates with the remote server for obtaining the information.

Abstract: A VOX interface is provided that interfaces with at least two communication paths to two separate devices. One communication path may be to a first electronic device, such as a central monitoring station remote from the VOX interface, and another communication path may be to one or more remote devices, such as to one or more patient devices remote from the VOX interface. The VOX interface may determine which of the communication paths is sending a signal (such as an audio signal), and configure the VOX interface (via one or more switches) to pass the signal through. Specifically, the VOX interface may sense signals indicating the presence of audio from a central station audio bus and the patient station bus, may do some background noise filtering on the signals, and may pass these filtered values through a differentiator circuit to determine which bus presented the audio.

Abstract: In a telephone conferencing system, a digital communication network such as the Internet is used to establish and control the telephone connections between multiple conferees with the telephone network being the means of exchanging verbal information. Each conferee may have a computer connected to the digital network, and each has an independent telephone instrument connected to the public switched telephone network. An in-charge conferee utilizes his computer containing appropriate software to initiate the conference and to control the participation of the conferees. The in-charge conferee sends digital control signals to a switch interface controlling a telephone switch as a gateway to the telephone network using SS7 control signals. These SS7 control signals include the commands by which the conferee telephones are rung up, brought on line, or dropped from the conference.

Abstract: The main idea is to simplify an intercom-to-cell phone system and to make it cheaper for the consumer by using a conventional phone line to connect an intercom to a designated cell phone. The intercom itself consists of a call button, microphone and speaker that wired to a connector. A controller will call a designated cellular phone when the call button is pressed. If the controller location is close enough, the door part of the system does not need any battery or power supply. Since a regular phone line is used, the controller does not need a transmitter and receiver, and it makes the system cheaper. The system is simple, affordable and ready for use after minimal installation and entering a cellular phone number in the memory of the controller. Programming is as simple as for a regular phone set.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide methods and systems for allowing users to efficiently create new accounts in an online service. The new account creation scheme allows users to begin using aspects of the online service before creating an account. The user is provided a temporary account and, in the event they choose to finalize joining the service, the user is permitted to save settings from their temporary account. For example, in some embodiments, the user is permitted to perform various functions, such as, browsing the online service, navigating external links, and viewing various pages of other users and groups. The user may also be allowed to collect information on other members that they are interesting and may be offered a temporary homepage where the user can view the activities of these other members. The temporary home page allows the potential new user to immediately begin using the services of the social network service without having to specifically request a new account.

Abstract: A method for creating an accounting record in a communication network may include receiving a SIP message and matching service point triggers with data. The method may also include invoking an application server associated with the service point trigger matched. The method also includes capturing accounting information associated with the invoked application server.

Abstract: A system for powering an electric device with power drawn from a telephone line in a telephone network includes an exchange connecting a telecommunication network to a subscriber apparatus through one telephone line. The system includes a control and feeding device located at the subscriber's premises, connected between the telephone line and subscriber apparatus, and further connected to the electric device to be powered, and a logic control unit in the exchange connected between the subscriber line interface circuit of the telephone line and the telecommunication network, and a bidirectional device connected between the logic control unit and subscriber circuit for recognising and applying to the logic control unit signals received by the subscriber circuit through the telephone line, and for sending to the subscriber circuit control information generated by said logic control unit and relating to the power drawing.

Abstract: Systems and methods for integrating analog voice service and derived POTS voice service in a DSL environment are provided. One embodiment is a system comprising: a first communication path for carrying plain old telephone service (POTS) voice signals between a telephone-type device and a subscriber line of a telephone network; a second communication path for carrying derived POTS voice signals between the telephone-type device and the subscriber line; and a switching mechanism configured to switch the telephone-type device between the first communication path and the second communication path.

Abstract: A telecommunications system 100 is provided that includes a plurality of TTY devices 124a-n, a switching system 104 to switch a call to a selected one of the plurality of TTY devices; and back-to-back modems 132a-m comprising first and second modems 136 and 140. The first modem 136 faces the TTY devices 124a-n and the second modem 140 faces a set of outgoing trunks.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a transaction using a telephone with a printer, includes: establishing a plurality of communications sessions between a first party and a second party to the transaction, where the first party comprises the telephone with the printer; conducting the transaction over a first communication session; and receiving a note by the first party from the second party over a second communication sessions, wherein the note comprises information about the transaction. In one embodiment, the first and second communication sessions exist simultaneously. In one embodiment, the first communication session is a voice session, and the second communication session is a data session. The note is then printed using the telephone with the printer, and a confirmation is sent from the first party to the second party to confirm the printing of the note.

Abstract: A system is described for providing communication services and this system comprises a communication network with a number of exchanges and a number of connection points. Each connection point is connected by a fixed line to an exchange and is adapted to connect at least one communication terminal to the corresponding exchange. First connection points of the number of connection points are in an operative state and second connection points of the number of connection points are in an inoperative state. Operative connection points allow a communication terminal connected thereto access to at least one communication service through the system by having been assigned a unique address from a first group of unique addresses to each of the operative connection points.

Abstract: To reduce memory space for storing applications only one copy, of otherwise duplicate coding, may be provided in a telecommunications device. To ensure that certain telephony functions are enabled relatively quickly on start-up of the device the invention provides a method of initialising telephony functionality and then initialising other functionality in two sequential phases, where the first phase includes initialising parts of the other functionality that are relied on by the telephone functionality prior to initialising other parts that the telephony functionality does not use.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods for live broadcasting of one or more media streams, such as audio streams, via the internet such that it is accessible substantially by a number of listeners at a number of locations. Said system is operable such that the contents of each of said one or more media streams can originate from a call or other communication from a conventional telephony device which does not require internet connection.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include techniques for creating voice applications in different design environments and translating voice applications into any runtime environment. A set of rendering engines creates a translation layer that can convert a voice application into any runtime environment. Each rendering engine receives a voice application and converts the voice application into a runtime-specific voice description. The voice description performs the same or similar functions in the selected runtime environment as the original voice application. Voice applications from different design environments may be stored as metadata and translated through one or more steps into different runtime environments.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retrieving information from household appliances are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request from a user of an appliance. The method then receives stored information from the appliance as one or more Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) signals.

Abstract: A method and system of providing a language interpretation service is disclosed. A language access number, such as an 811 number, can be provided. The language access number can be used to place a telephone call to a language interpretation service for language assistance. A language access telephone call is received at the language interpretation service provider from a caller speaking a first language. The caller places the language access telephone call by dialing the language access number. The caller has at least one business need. The first language is identified so as to provide the customer with an interpreter that can translate between a first language and a second language. The interpreter can be associated with the language interpretation service provider. The interpreter can telephonically engage an agent representing a merchant that can serve the at least one business need of the caller.

Abstract: A communication terminal having one or more one-touch-dial buttons simplifies operations needed for registration of destination data such as phone numbers or mail addresses. A communication terminal (e.g., a cellular phone) having one or more one-touch-dial buttons includes a destination-data registration unit (e.g., a phone-directory database) that allows destination data such as phone numbers or mail addresses to be registered therein, a one-touch-dial registration unit that allows destination data to be registered therein so as to be associated with the one or more one-touch-dial buttons, and a control unit that, in response to an operation of the one or more one-touch-dial buttons, determines whether destination data has been registered in the one-touch-dial registration unit or the destination-data registration unit, and that outputs a result of the determination and a query message regarding registration of the destination data.

Abstract: A method for implementing information exchange is disclosed in the present invention, and the method comprises: a calling user terminal sending information to be sent to a called user terminal by carrying the information in a user-to-user signaling (UUS) field of a call message; the called user terminal sorting out the information carried in the UUS field from the call message after receiving the call message, and feeding back a message other than an acknowledge message to the calling user terminal; the calling user terminal terminating this call after receiving the message fed back by the called user terminal. The simplicity and the easy transformation of the software update of user terminals are fully utilized in the present invention; therefore the present invention can enable a user terminal to have the information exchange function only by properly modifying the software of the user terminal.

Abstract: A remote access system between a remote client and an office telephone via a packet network on a point-to-point basis is provided. The office center includes a web server having a web page stored thereon and a PBX system. During a remote session, incoming communications to the PBX continue to flow to the office telephone and then are routed to the remote client. The remote client is able to view, manage and control the events as if the worker was at the office. Alternatively, the office telephone may establish a remote session with the remote client on a point-to-point basis such that all communications to the remote client flow to the office workstation. Additionally, the office telephone and remote client may have connectivity devices coupled to them so data from the connectivity devices can be viewed, managed and controlled at a remote location.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus implementing a telephony terminal for connecting a telephone to a data network. In one implementation, a telephony system includes: a phone connection for connecting to a telephone; a network connection for connecting to a network; and a controller connected to said phone connection and to said network connection; wherein said controller provides a phone service for processing inflation for said phone connection, said controller provides a network service for processing information for said network connection, and said controller provides a network voice service for converting information to and from a network voice format.

Abstract: Systems and methods for transferring data over a voice channel during a voice communication connection (e.g., a telephone call) using DTMF signals over a single voice communication channel. The arbitrary data can include contact information, graphics, photographs, streaming media, interactive game information, location information, cached web pages, audio clips, etc. Some or all of the standard DTMF signals can be uniquely mapped to groups of bits. For example, the standard DTMF signals for numbers “0” through “7” can be mapped to the corresponding three-bit binary representations of those numbers. The arbitrary data can be placed in a container with meta-data indicating the start and end of the data, the type of the data, the amount of data, error correction/detection information, etc. The receiver can prevent the DTMF signals from being converted to audio signals to spare any human listeners from hearing the DTMF signals.

Abstract: A communication system is provided that includes a controller and a system to allow efficient transmission of information with a plurality of nodes. The information includes an alignment signal provided from the controller to enable the nodes to align their response signals. The information further includes node identification information. Once alignment and identification occur, nodes can then transmit packet data to the controller.

Abstract: A computational component for establishing a communication between a contactor and a contactee is provided that includes a user configuration agent 324 operable to (a) determine a network configuration requirement resulting from a disability of at least one of the contactor and the contactee, (b) incorporate the disability network configuration requirement in a communication set-up message; and (c) forward the communication set-up message to a communication device associated with the contactee.

Abstract: A system for generating and working with communities of interests is disclosed. In various forms, the present system allows multiple users sharing common interests to interact with each other seamlessly, seek out times when each is available, and other such convenience functions.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe a network device including a class AB common mode suppression (CMS) circuit coupled in parallel between a line voltage source and a physical layer (PHY) device that provides active EMI suppression and Phy device termination. A network connector is coupled to provide the line voltage source to the class AB CMS circuit. The class AB CMS circuit provides current to the PHY device, terminates open-drain transmit drivers of the PHY device and suppresses common mode noise thereby minimizing electromagnetic interference. In other embodiments, the class AB CMS circuit is coupled in parallel between the network connector and a physical layer (PHY) device. The class AB CMS circuit suppresses common mode noise, and terminates open-drain transmit drivers of the PHY device, thereby minimizing electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: A customer premises equipment (CPE) device, such as a telephone, connected to a local communications line existing on the premises is capable of receiving incoming telephone or like communication calls. The device has an interface which connects the device to the local communications line on the premises and enables the device to receive an alternating voltage analog ring signal corresponding to a notification of an incoming telephone call. The device also includes a demodulator for decoding and processing the ring signal including additional media data which is of low amplitude relative to that of the alternating voltage analog ring signal and which is modulated on the alternating voltage analog ring signal. Further, the device includes an input/output (I/O) component providing a means for audible and/or visual output of media from the device. The media output from the device directly corresponds to the media data modulated on the ring signal. CPE telephone systems and methods are also provided.

Abstract: A message-processing agent receives an object from a space in a Scalable Infrastructure System. The message-processing agent determines the destination of the object and checks a preference setting for the destination. The message-processing agent then routes the object to its destination as determined by the preference settings, possibly altering the destination in favor of an alternate destination indicated by the preference settings.