Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for determining call importance using social network context. A system can receive a call from a caller and establish the identity of the caller. The system can then retrieve a social network context associated with the caller identity from a social network and determine an importance score for the call using the social network context. Social network contexts can be derived from a social network profile, caller utterances, and a social graph. Based on the importance score, the contact center provides an appropriate level of customer service. The level of customer service a contact center provides can be based on resource availability, call type, call time, agent queue selection, offered communication modalities and customer follow-up.

Abstract: A method is disclosed that includes retrieving first data associated with a call from an action-object table. The method further includes retrieving second data from a resolution table based on the first data. The second data indicates a treatment type to be provided to the call. The method further includes, in response to determining that the treatment type indicates a particular treatment type, servicing the call with the particular treatment type. The particular treatment type includes routing the call to a destination associated with a call center.

Abstract: The invention relates to a piece of customer premises equipment (CPE) comprising a physical connector (21) for linking to a broadband network and a distributing structure (NTU, 24) that is connected to said physical connector for distributing broadband elements over one or more service modules (RGUs A, B, C, D) for associated customer modules (CUEs E, F, G, H). According to the invention, said distributing structure (NTU, 24) comprises a plurality of mechanically modularly arranged connector facilities (25) at an interface between the distributing structure and the service modules so as to provide a repeatedly mechanically exchangeable connection for a service module (RGU) belonging to one service provider from a range of mutually distinct service providers each time. The distributing structure (NTU, 24) is further provided with means (26, 27) for making said mutually distinct service providers indiscriminately exchangeable among said connector facilities (25).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for presenting multimedia content to a caller and/or a called party in association with a telephone call. Content may be presented pre-ring (before the called party's telephone rings), in-call, and/or post-call. Content presented to a party may be related to another party participating in the call or may be related to a third party (e.g., an advertiser that paid for the ability to have its content presented). Presented content may be actuable, to allow a caller to change the destination of a call, take advantage of an offer presented to him or her, redeem a coupon, schedule or queue a subsequent call, etc. To find a desired destination party, a caller may initiate a manual or automatic search of his or her local contacts (on his telephone) and/or a central or global directory or contact list.

Abstract: A phone call is selectively routed to a public switched telephone network or to a packet switched network based on a called number to which the phone call is directed. A phone call may be made as a Voice-Over-Internet-Protocol call through, for example, the Internet except when a user dials an emergency number, in which case the call is made to the public switched telephone network.

Abstract: A method of defining a voice browser for browsing a plurality of voice sites, at least some of the voice sites having different telephone numbers, the voice sites being configured to be accessed by telephone, is provided including storing information relating to voice sites visited by a voice user; and providing forward and back functions, comprising transferring a user from one voice site to another, in response to commands by the user. Computer program code and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A response center or other entity maintains in electronic storage records of trust relationships between parties. In an example method of operating a call center, personal profiles of clients of a service of the call center are maintained. At least some of the profiles include contact information for entities in trusted networks of the respective clients. An inquiry can be received from an inquiring party, inquiring whether a particular entity is trusted by a particular client. An electronic message is automatically sent to the inquiring part indicating whether or not the particular entity is trusted. In some implementations, entities may be assigned levels of trustedness.

Abstract: A system and method generates configurations used for accessing electronic mailboxes. A database stores the configuration conventions that are sets of e-mail expressions formed by symbols. A transformer module expands configuration conventions stored in the database to generate configurations based on user supplied context data.

Abstract: The invention disclosed comprises a method and device for receiving an order request from a first party along with contact information for the first party, routing at least some communication made using, or to, second contact information, such as may be provided to the first party, and providing at least part of the order request and first contact information to a third party. The contact information may be a phone number or an e-mail address or a plurality of same.

Abstract: An electronic device with a function of replying to a message based on the environment of the receiver is provided. The electronic device includes a storage unit, a receiving module, a determining module, a detecting module, an acquiring module, and a sending module. The storage unit stores an environment table which records relationships between receiver-environments and suitable replies. The receiving module receives a short message from a sending phone number. The determining module collects information to determine a current receiver-environment of the user of the electronic device. The detecting module detects an existing reply matching the current receiver-environment in the environment table. The acquiring module acquires the reply matching the current environment and the sending module sends a message which includes the acquired reply to the sending phone number.

Abstract: A system and method of providing a response with different language options for a data communication protocol, such as Session Initiation Protocol, are disclosed. For example, data communication is controlled between at least two endpoints. A response code indicative of a condition of the data communication is transmitted to one of the at least two endpoints. The response code is associated with a reason phrase operable to be displayed at the one of the at least two endpoints in a language selected from an option of a plurality of languages.

Abstract: Methods, apparatuses, system and a computer program product provide improved delivery of short messages. The method includes the steps of receiving a message to be delivered to user equipment, negotiating a timer value with a short message service routing element, forwarding the short message to the short message service routing element together with the negotiated timer value and starting a timer according to the negotiated timer value.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving a first request to join a conference from a first user device. The location of the first user device is determined. Based on the location of the first user device, the proximity of the first user device relative to endpoints configured to facilitate the conference is identified. A first one of the endpoints that is more proximate to the first user device than other endpoints is selected for handling the conferences.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses a method for a service access of a user in an Access Gateway Control Function (AGCF) entity, wherein a corresponding relationship between a logic number and a physical number of the user in the AGCF entity is stored in a Home User Server (HSS), the method includes that: in a registration process initiated by the user, the AGCF entity acquires the corresponding relationship between the physical number of the user and the logic number of the user from the HSS and stores it.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of the present invention, there is provided a method, system and apparatus for handling establishment of a communication session. A method of handling establishment of one or more communication sessions comprises receiving from a user an indication of user's desire to cause establishment of the one or more communication sessions. The method further comprises accessing scheduling data associated with the user, the scheduling data comprising one or more scheduling events, each of the one or more scheduling events associated with a corresponding one of the one or more communication sessions. The method further comprises in response to at least one of the one or more scheduling events, causing the corresponding one of the one or more communication sessions to be established with the communication device associated with the user.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically forming and/or maintaining a network of user-selectable devices, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

Abstract: The invention concerns telecommunications methods and systems, and more particularly methods and systems for enabling respondents, who may be potential customers, to respond to advertisements for items (goods or services) advertised by or on behalf of advertisers. Telecommunications methods and systems of the invention provide selective communication routing or forwarding to advertisers of communications made to anonymous contact identifiers selected from a pool of anonymous contact identifiers, each anonymous contact identifier able to be allocated to an item to be advertised by or on behalf of the advertiser. The anonymous contact identifier is a public telephone number or an email address, for example. The service is provided by way of hosted system for use by a plurality of advertisers.

Abstract: A first network comprising: one or more first end-user computer terminals; a gateway to a second, packet-based network comprising one or more second end-user computer terminals installed with a communication client of the second network; one or more telephone units for performing calls with one of the second end-user computer terminals over the second network; wherein each of the one or more first end-user terminals is installed with a communication client for performing calls with the second end-user computer terminals over the second network; and wherein the gateway comprises switching apparatus configured to detect a user selection between a first state in which one of said calls is to be performed using one of said first end-user computer terminals and a second state in which the call is to be performed using one of said telephone units; and on condition of detecting the first state, to route both call set-up signaling and call media to the first end-user computer terminal; and on condition of detecting t

Abstract: A system and method that enables the collaborative creation and editing of content on a VoiceSite over a telephone. The system and method enables the collaborative creation and editing of content on the VoiceSite by allowing one or multiple users (authors) to generate and edit the content of the VoiceSite at the same or different times. A Collaboration Manager is utilized to manage calls to/from one or more users. A VoiGen component utilizes voice-activated prompts to allow the one or more users to perform at least one of specify user preferences, load templates, store user preferences and service options, parse through obtained data, and generate/edit the VoiceSite based on the inputs provided by the one or multiple users. A Session Manager stores user specific information and ensures that the content provided by multiple users, including edits/changes, is integrated without conflicts.

Abstract: The disclosed and claimed concept describes a handheld electronic device that has the capability to process electronic messages that originate from an electronic mail service using the features that are supported by the electronic mail service.

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 coupling device that implements a related method for remote powering wide band digital telecommunication devices through telephone lines or coaxial cables installed in all buildings, has an AC blocking transistor inserted in the electrical path from a voltage supply line to the telephone line or coaxial cable. The transistor has a first current terminal coupled to the supply line and a second current terminal coupled to the telephone line, and it is controlled with a DC control voltage such to keep it in a substantially linear functioning condition at the edge of a saturation condition during the normal functioning whatever the supply current that flows through the transistor is, destined to the connected telecommunication devices.

Abstract: Systems and associated methods for editing telecom web applications through a voice interface are described. Systems and methods provide for editing telecom web applications over a connection, as for example accessed via a standard phone, using speech and/or DTMF inputs. The voice based editing includes exposing an editing interface to a user for a telecom web application that is editable, dynamically generating a voice-based interface for a given user for accomplishing editing tasks, and modifying the telecom web application to reflect the editing commands entered by the user.

Abstract: A mobile telephone has radio-frequency connection to a cellular network, a speaker, a stored contact list including telephone numbers for the contacts, a DTMF tone generator coupled to the speaker, and coded intelligence executing from a non-transitory physical medium, enabling a user to select a contact, causing the DTMF tone generator to produce a DTM tone sequence associated with the contact's telephone number audibly over the speaker.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an adaptor includes a first interface configured to connect to a telephone handset and configured to receive signals from, and transmit signals to, the telephone handset. The adaptor includes a second interface configured to connect to a telephone base and configured to receive signals from, and transmit signals to, a telephone network. The adaptor also includes a third interface configured to connect to a computer and to receive signals from, and transmit signals to, a data network, via the computer. The adaptor also includes a user input mechanism configured to receive a start meeting command which causes the adaptor to initiate an online meeting between a user that utilizes the telephone handset and computer, and one or more other users.

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: Example multiple channel systems for a twisted pair telephone wire local loop system are disclosed. An example method includes implementing, via a digital filter at a subscriber gateway, a frequency translation received from a first controller of a switching office in response to a bandwidth allocation request, wherein the frequency translation moves a signal to an available frequency band identified by the first controller of the switching office; operating a second controller at the subscriber gateway to control the digital filter; and transmitting a plurality of frequency division multiplexed signals via a first transceiver configured to send and receive via multiple independent channel located at the subscriber gateway.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and machine-readable articles of manufacture enable private notification of a participant in a telephone conference. In representative embodiments, a system receives a telephone call intended for a first conference participant, generates an informative announcement containing information regarding the call, mixes the informative announcement with the conference audio, and privately plays the mixed audio to the first participant. In other representative embodiments, the system concurrently generates a non-informative announcement, mixes the non-informative announcement with the conference audio, and plays the second mixed audio to the other conference participant or participants. In this way, the first participant is notified of the incoming call while simultaneously listening to the conference audio, and the information regarding the call is not shared with the other conference participant or participants.

Abstract: A system for making a trust determination of a telephone number includes a memory, which stores the telephone number, communicatively coupled to a processor. The processor transmits a request message, which comprises the telephone number and at least two of a telephone porting information request, a call forwarding information request, a telephone switching information request, and a telephone simultaneous ring information request, to a service provider. The processor then receives from the service provider a response message, which includes at least two of a telephone information response, a call forwarding information response, a telephone switching information response, and a telephone simultaneous ring information response. The processor then determines a tampering concern associated with at least one of the responses in the response message and increases an inquiry level based at least upon the determined tampering concern.

Abstract: A communication device for rendering one or more conversations. The communication device includes a receiver configured to receive media over a network and an encoder configured to encode media created using the communication device, where the received and encoded media are associated with the one or more conversations. A storage or memory element stores on the device both the received media and the encoded media. A conversation control element is provided for selecting one of the one or more conversations as current and for controlling the rendering of the media of the selected conversation.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a high reliability network. Context servers store information about calls in a telecommunications system. Network control elements can obtain call information from the context servers to help make call control and reporting decisions.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer usable program product for assigning and provisioning VOIP services are provided. A data processing system receives an order for the VOIP service and information about virtual inventory. The data processing system may create a provisioning command including provisioning information for provisioning a telecommunication line according to the order and send the provisioning command to a provisioning system, create a porting command including porting information for porting the phone number in the order if porting a phone number and send the porting command to a porting system, create a registration command including user information for registering a user and send the registration command to a web portal, create a setup command including the user information for creating an account for the user and send the setup command to a customer management system. The data processing system may then complete the order for the VOIP service.

Abstract: A method for connecting a website user to a contact center includes: establishing a communication channel between a user and an agent of the contact center, the communication channel comprising a voice communication channel; establishing a supplemental channel between the user and the contact center for exchanging data between the user and the contact center; and storing the data exchanged in the supplemental channel in association with the communication channel.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems, apparatus, methods, and computer readable media for interfacing with a phone system in an on-demand service environment. In one embodiment, a client machine is in communication with a data provider and the phone system. The phone system is operated by a phone provider separate from the data provider. A message is received at the client machine from the phone system. The message includes information regarding a phone event in relation to a phone call. The phone event information is provided in a first part of a user interface in a web browser on the client machine. A second part of the user interface is capable of displaying information received at the client machine from the data provider. The first part of the user interface and the second part of the user interface are adapted to communicate with one another. For example, the first part of the user interface is adapted to send a message including the phone event information to the second part of the user interface.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for rendering one or more conversations on a first communication device. The method includes receiving over a network and storing at the first communication device media associated with the one or more conversations. The method further includes selecting on the first communication device one of the one or more conversations as current and rendering the media associated with the selected current conversation. The rendering of the media of the currently selected conversation may be performed in either a near real-time mode where the media is progressively rendered as it is received or in a time shifted mode where the media is rendered at a time after it was received. The method also includes creating media on the first communication device associated with the selected current conversation and transmitting the created media over the network to one or more remote communication devices associated with the selected current conversation.

Abstract: A method for communication management includes receiving at least one keyword and receiving a replay time span input. Further, the method includes receiving a plurality of communication inputs including at least a first communication input and a second communication input, monitoring at least the first communication input and second communication input for the at least one keyword, and determining an instantiation of the at least one keyword in at least one of the first communication input and second communication input. Additionally, the method includes associating the determined instantiation with one of the first communication input and second communication input, and providing at least a portion of the communication associated with the determined instantiation based on the replay time span input responsive to the instantiation.

Abstract: A system and method can support a virtual private network based on a public telecommunication infrastructure. The virtual private network can receive a request from a caller for place a call to a callee via the virtual private network. The virtual private network can obtain at least one of presence status and location information of the callee. Then, the virtual private network can allow the caller to make a decision on whether or not to proceed with the call. The public telecommunication infrastructure can be based on a legacy network and an Internet Protocol Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) network, and the virtual private network can obtain information from both the legacy network and the IMS network via a service broker.

Abstract: A telecommunication and multimedia management apparatus and method that supports voice and other media communications and that enables users to: (i) participate in multiple conversation modes, including live phone calls, conference calls, instant voice messaging or tactical communications; (ii) review the messages of conversations in either a live mode or a time-shifted mode and to seamlessly transition back and forth between the two modes; (iii) participate in multiple conversations either concurrently or simultaneously; (iv) archive the messages of conversations for later review or processing; and (v) persistently store media either created or received on the communication devices of users. The latter feature enables users to generate or review media when either disconnected from the network or network conditions are poor and to optimize the delivery of media over the network based on network conditions and the intention of the users participating in conversations.

Abstract: A method in one embodiment includes storing a voicemail message in a mailbox of a recipient, the voicemail message being left by a sender, and then electronically receiving one or more attachments from the sender. The one or more attachments are stored as content associated with the voicemail message. Upon accessing the mailbox, the voicemail message and the one or more attachments are provided to the recipient. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a method for transmitting data over a network. The method includes ascertaining at a first node the need to transmit one or more data streams from the first 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 method also includes ascertaining at the first node 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 telecommunication and multimedia management apparatus and method that supports voice and other media communications and that enables users to: (i) participate in multiple conversation modes, including live phone calls, conference calls, instant voice messaging or tactical communications; (ii) review the messages of conversations in either a live mode or a time-shifted mode and to seamlessly transition back and forth between the two modes; (iii) participate in multiple conversations either concurrently or simultaneously; (iv) archive the messages of conversations for later review or processing; and (v) persistently store media either created or received on the communication devices of users. The latter feature enables users to generate or review media when either disconnected from the network or network conditions are poor and to optimize the delivery of media over the network based on network conditions and the intention of the users participating in conversations.

Abstract: A telecommunication and multimedia management apparatus and method that supports voice and other media communications and that enables users to: (i) participate in multiple conversation modes, including live phone calls, conference calls, instant voice messaging or tactical communications; (ii) review the messages of conversations in either a live mode or a time-shifted mode and to seamlessly transition back and forth between the two modes; (iii) participate in multiple conversations either concurrently or simultaneously; (iv) archive the messages of conversations for later review or processing; and (v) persistently store media either created or received on the communication devices of users. The latter feature enables users to generate or review media when either disconnected from the network or network conditions are poor and to optimize the delivery of media over the network based on network conditions and the intention of the users participating in conversations.

Abstract: A phone appliance and method of use are provided where the phone appliance can be used to make VoIP communications calls. In a preferred embodiment, the phone appliance includes an RF connection for connecting to a computer or other computing device for facilitating the placement of the VoIP communications calls. The phone appliance further includes a display or portal for depicting advertisements provided by various advertisers. The advertisements provided can be used to defray all or part of the cost associated with making VoIP communications calls. The portal can also be used to communicate with businesses for ordering products, such as ordering a pizza, and to perform various services, such as purchasing stocks. In an exemplary system, the phone appliance is used to transmit to a control center information related to the user of the phone appliance, such as interests and buying habits, and queries for receiving additional information for various advertised products and services.

Abstract: A communication signal distribution unit includes a plurality of input ports for receiving incoming communication signals, a plurality of outlet ports for providing communication signals to electronic devices, a display for viewing information; and a set of keys for selecting one of the outlet ports, for entering a time to disable the communication signal provided by the selected output port, and for entering a time to re-enable provision of the communication signal at the selected output port. A 911 lock permits emergency calls through a disabled port. Programming methods are included.

Abstract: A method for remotely configuring parameters of GPRS-type communication devices (2, 3) within a communications system in which data are exchanged between said GPRS-type communication devices (2, 3) and a central communications system (1) over a cellular phone network (6). According to the invention, configuration parameters (Pn) are first set and then stored in a configuration instruction queue (10) of said central communications system (1). Upon initiation of a communication using the GPRS protocol from a transmitting GPRS-type communication device (Idm), corresponding configuration parameters, provided that they are stored in queue, are then sent to said transmitting GPRS-type device (Idm) using GPRS protocol. The method is applicable to remote configuration of utility metering data over a GSM type network.

Abstract: A hot-desking application and methods of operating the same are described. The hot-desking application can be provisioned as an explicit sequenced application for all user addresses of record in addition to being provisioned as an implicit sequenced application for all of the possible hot-desk endpoint addresses. Through such provisioning, the hot-desking application can, among other things, allow for calls to be placed directly from a hot-desk endpoint but still show the user's address of record as the calling identity.

Abstract: This application relates to providing an end user control of temporary numbers established and linked to a trusted phone number using traditional forwarding mechanisms. Temporary phone numbers can be created and assigned to individuals to provide them with a unique point of contact. The temporary numbers are then linked to the individual's private number. The temporary numbers can be shared with individuals and organizations with whom the individual has an interest in communicating with. However, these numbers will often find their way into the hands of third parties with whom the individual has no interest in talking with. When the user simply no longer feels that the numbers are being properly used, the user can remove the temporary numbers linked with their private number so no further calls can be made and routed to their private number. The temporary numbers can be used to uniquely identify the calling party.

Abstract: An instant message (IM) connection is established at an IM server in the usual manner, under the policies and security rules promulgated by the IM service provider. Using this connection to the IM server, an offline IM chat request is made at the IM server for establishing an offline connection directly between consenting IM clients. The request may be included in a message to the IM server from a client, or the request may be in the form of IM session parameter, for the client, that authorizes an offline chat as the preferred type of IM session under certain conditions, such as the IM server being unavailable, IM server loading level or other factors that are under the control of the server. The conditions may also specify the presence of other IM clients as a criterion for establishing an offline chat, whether present in an online chat session or merely available.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method, system and apparatus for recording audio is provided so that the recording can be authenticated. The system may be implemented as a central server that is accessed via one or more lines for audio communication, or as a stand-alone unit. The system operates by encrypting communicated data (e.g., audio signals), storing the encrypted information, and providing at least one user with a key that can be used to decrypt the stored information.

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