Abstract: In accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, a method for providing privacy protection to network users includes receiving a subscription request from a first end user. The subscription request identifies a second end user for whom the first end user would like to become a registered presence watcher. A cost to be assessed to become the registered presence watcher of the second end user is determined, and the first user is registered as the registered presence watcher of the second end user.

Abstract: During a telephone call between a telephone user and an interactive response system, the user is enabled to use only his voice and key presses on a numeric keypad of his telephone to interactively specify information that can be used to control delivery of content to a visual display of, or a storage medium accessible by, a target telephone which may be a land-line phone, a mobile phone, or some other device acting as a telecommunications device. The target telephone has a visual display or a memory to display or store the delivered content, which may include ringtones, text messages, games, wallpapers, ring-back tones, video clips, web pages, applications, or links to information. The user is enabled to engage in an interaction with the response system that is representative of an interaction between the user and a server connected to the Internet. On behalf of the user, a separate interaction is conducted with the server through the Internet based on the representative interaction.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide a computer network, a computing device coupled to the computer network, and a telephone coupled to the computer network and to a telephone line. The telephone may receive telephone call signals from the telephone line and transmit information associated with the telephone call signals to the computing device over the network.

Abstract: An autodiscovery system provides content credentials to customer premise equipment through an event-driven architecture. The autodiscovery system includes several modules for implementing the event-driven architecture, such as an autodiscovery front-end module, an autodiscovery back-end module, and a broadcast activation module. The autodiscovery system may also include a subscriber database that stores subscriber records that identify subscribers associated with a level of service, a customer premise equipment identifier, or both. The modules of the autodiscovery system may also communicate with a conditional access system that communicates the content credentials to a data carousel. When the content credentials are made available on the data carousel, the autodiscovery front-end module may notify the customer premise equipment that the content credentials are ready for retrieval from the data carousel.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for managing incoming transmissions. A response to an incoming transmission is generated as a function of recipient availability and information relating to the incoming transmission, such as a medium of the transmission. An indication, representative of the incoming transmission and the response, is provided to one or more recipient devices. A method and system are also provided for managing one or more transmission events, represented by notification signals, where the notification signals are processed as a function of schedule data relating to a user. Indication data is generated as a function of the notification signals and provided to one or more user-specified devices, wherein the indication data includes an identification of a type of transmission event and a representation of a response to at least one of the transmission events.

Abstract: Principles of the invention provide one or more secure key management protocols for use in a communication environment such as a conferencing system. For example, a method for managing a conference between two or more parties in a communication system comprises the following steps. An identity based authenticated key exchange operation is performed between a conference management element of the communication system and each of the two or more parties seeking to participate in the conference, wherein messages exchanged between the conference management element and the two or more parties are encrypted based on respective identities of recipients of the messages, and further wherein the conference management element receives from each party during the key authentication operation a random key component that is computed based on a random number selected by the party. The conference management element sends to each party a set comprising the random key components computed by the parties.

Abstract: A method and system are described for collating all avenues of communication through a single source. A user provides communication information to a service provider. The service provider associates this communication information with an identification code. The user then provides the identification code to new contacts instead of the user's communication information. When the contact tries to communicate with the user, the identification code directs the contact to the service provider. The service provider checks to see if the contact is permitted to communicate with the user. If permission is granted, the service provider routes the communication to the user, preferably in a format specified by the user.

Abstract: During voice communication between multiple telecommunications devices, a shareable application facilitates concurrent sharing of data and processes between the devices. The application may be configured to monitor the voice communication and execute a predetermined function upon detecting a predetermined condition in the voice communication. The application may further facilitate sharing of functionality and user interface displays during the voice communication. In some implementations, a server computing device on a communications network may facilitate functions of shareable applications on one or more telecommunications devices.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for authorization and routing of outdial communication services are disclosed. An example method disclosed herein comprises receiving a request to authorize an outdial communication service call initiated by a message center, and accessing an authorization table to determine whether the outdial communication service call is authorized, the authorization table to correlate input criteria associated with the request to an authorization result for the outdial communication service call, the input criteria comprising a first criterion indicating whether the outdial communication service call is for a real-time outdial service initiated in response to an indial communication service received at the message center, or for a non-real-time outdial service initiated by an application server associated with the message center.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for configuring a device based on proximity to another device. A user device is configured by obtaining one or more configuration rules that establish one or more configuration parameters of the user device based on a proximity to one or more additional general purpose devices; determining whether one or more of the configuration rules are satisfied; and configuring the user device based on the satisfied one or more configuration rules. The configuration rules can be configured by an authorized user of the user device. The proximity comprises a predefined physical relationship between devices that is based on distance, such as a radius around a given device, or a physical relationship, such as in the same room or building, or within a communication range of a device.

Abstract: An improved method is provided for managing a whitelist. Upon receipt of an electronic message from an approved sender, the message is reviewed for references to other potential sender that may be added to the whitelist. For example, the potential sender may be copied on the electronic message. Based on this reference, the potential sender is deemed trustworthy and placed on the recipient's whitelist.

Abstract: A device for collecting and managing documents and for controlling the viewing of the documents, with a related method comprises a telephone for calling a predefined reference telephone number, associated with a desired document, an exchange for collecting the calls related to a plurality of predefined reference telephone numbers, each one associated with a predefined document or set of documents and loaded together with the corresponding document on a server, and a server, which is functionally interconnected with the exchange, is provided with a predefined user interface, is adapted to provide a user who has called one of the loaded predefined telephone numbers with the associated document or set of documents, counting how many users have called each reference telephone number.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for exchanging information in a voice communication system, which includes a first communication device establishing a communication connection with a second communication device, and the first communication device exchanging digital data with the second communication device for achieving a specific function in a specific interval; wherein the specific interval is an interval that the first communication device does not exchange voice signals with the second communication device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for gaining access to communication services includes receiving an initial inquiry for communication service access, collecting equipment information based upon the initial inquiry, sending a non-voice communication to said equipment and receiving a request from said equipment to obtain communication service access. The apparatus includes a system having one or more controllers for performing communication service access.

Abstract: A secure telephone call management system is provided for authenticating users of a telephone system in an institutional facility. Authentication of the users of the telephone call management system is accomplished by using a personal identification number, biometric means, and/or radio frequency means. The secure telephone call management system includes accounting software capable of limiting access to the system based on funds in a user's account or other related limitations. The system includes management software capable of implementing widespread or local changes to the system and is further capable of modifying or setting any number of user account parameters.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to authorize and allocate resources for outdial communication services are disclosed. An example disclosed method comprises determining a first local access transport area (LATA) useable to route an outdial call initiated by a message center, identifying a first set of unified sub-groups within the first LATA having a first sub-group type and having unused capacity, each unified sub-group comprising a logical grouping of communication resources partitioned among at least one of a plurality of features or a plurality of subscriber categories, determining whether any of the unified sub-groups in the first set meets a first selection preference, and if any of the unified sub-groups in the first set meets the first selection preference, selecting a first unified sub-group having a lowest current load from the unified sub-groups in the first set meeting the first selection preference to route the outdial call.

Abstract: An approach provides fraud detection in support of data communication services. A list of single-event attributes (e.g., hot or cold attributes) is generated and includes a network address of an end user host originating a data call or a calling party identification (e.g., Automatic Number Identification (ANI) or an originating Calling Line Identification (CLI)) for network access, wherein entries of the list specify values of the hot attributes. An attribute value associated with the data call is compared with the entries. A fraud alert is generated if the attribute value matches one of the entries.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods are disclosed for enabling certain types of communications to occur, even when presence information might indicate that a particular user is unavailable. In the illustrative embodiment, a first user submits a request to communicate with a second user, where the request specifies a maximum time duration for the communication, and optionally: a minimum time duration, an expected time duration, a priority, a subject, and a type of communication. A presence server receives the request and decides whether the request should be granted based on the information specified in the request, and one or both of: presence information for the second user, and the contents of a calendar. The illustrative embodiment is also capable of detecting inconsistencies between calendars and presence information, as well as events that might affect a user's presence or indicate a departure from scheduled activities.

Abstract: The present invention, in one embodiment, is directed to the use of a communication pathway traversing a digital telephone network to handle a portion of the signaling traffic associated with a communication method performed over the Internet.

Abstract: Call management systems and methods are provided. The call management system includes a touch-sensitive display unit, and a processing unit. The touch-sensitive display unit displays data including at least a body and a phone number, and receives a selection corresponding to the phone number. In response to the selection corresponding to the phone number, the processing unit automatically dials according to the phone number, and displays the body of the data during dialing via the touch-sensitive display unit.

Abstract: A security plan for telephone clients allows the client to authenticate itself by sending a coded sequence of DTMF digits to a PBX at the beginning of each call. When the idle client telephone receives a call, it sends a coded DTMF sequence to the PBX. If the client makes a feature invoking call to the PBX while active on the first call, the client will be prompted for the security sequence. The client must send the same sequence of DTMF digits as for the first call. The first call is authenticated by virtue of being a call from the PBX to the telephone. The second call is authenticated by sending a DTMF sequence that matches the one sent with the first call. A call that fails authentication is dropped. The security plan for clients constrains the client to using a callback to originate a call from an idle telephone.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to perform outdial communication services are disclosed. A disclosed method to route an outdial call from a first communication device to a first endpoint comprises receiving an indial call setup from a second endpoint at the first communication device, wherein the call setup contains an access number used to route an indial call associated with the indial call setup from the second endpoint via a second communication device to the first communication device, and selecting, based on the access number, a route for the outdial call that includes the second communication device, wherein the second communication device is configured to communicatively couple the first and the second endpoints.

Abstract: A cybercrime detecting and preventing method and system authorization code includes a cybercrime detecting and preventing website, an interface dynamic web page, a detecting search program, and a checking comparison database. When a network user inputs a “telephone number code” and “authorization code” of a network server using an internet accessing device, the user is also required to input a “source identification code.” When access to a network receiver or server is requested, a “telephone number code and authorization code” set is input to the website for comparison with “telephone number codes” and “authorization codes” stored in the checking comparison database.

Abstract: A system includes a switch responsive to a control module. The control module that determines whether an incoming telephone call from a telephone number to a telephone line is a facsimile call or a voice call and whether facsimile calls are authorized to be routed to the telephone line. When the incoming telephone call is a voice call, the control module instructs a switch to route the incoming telephone call to the telephone line. When the incoming telephone call is a voice call, the control module instructs the switch to route the incoming telephone call to the telephone line when facsimile calls are authorized, and to deny routing the incoming telephone call to the telephone line when facsimile calls are not authorized.

Abstract: A method for verifying access authorization for voice telephony in a fixed network line or mobile telephone line, as well as a communications network having such access authorization verification are described. The access authorization is verified by analysis of a voice signal which was entered by the subscriber placing the call, before or during a call in progress. In one variant, the voice signal is entered as a password before the connection is established; in another variant, voice signals are analyzed for voice recognition and subscriber identification, the same voice signals also being transmitted to the person being called, making concealed access verification possible which does not hamper the normal flow of conversation.

Abstract: An electronic messaging system enables delivery of a stored message to a substitute recipient if the original intended recipient fails to access the message. When a message is being stored, the message originator is asked whether the originator will authorize making the stored message available to a substitute recipient if the original intended recipient fails to access the stored message within a predetermined period of time following storage. If the message originator provides such authorization, a substitute recipient is identified. The identity of the substitute recipient and the conditions under which the message will be made available to the substitute recipient are stored in association with the message. The message originator may be authenticated before the message is stored. The substitute recipient may be authenticated before the message is retrieved from storage for delivery to the substitute recipient.

Abstract: A computer implemented method includes sending a request from a customer service terminal to a broadband remote access server to retrieve a device identifier of a customer premises equipment device. The device identifier is received by the broadband remote access server via a point to point protocol over ethernet active discovery initiation packet sent from the customer premises equipment device. The computer implemented method includes receiving, at the customer service terminal, a response from the broadband remote access server that includes the device identifier of the customer premises equipment device.

Abstract: A system and method for allowing remote callers to access a secure telephone network maintains a registry (i.e. a database) of all remote callers that have access to the network. The registry contains an electronic serial number (ESN) and a personal identification number (PIN) for each remote caller. The ESN is typically the serial number of the callers cellular telephone. Alternatively, the ESN is a phone number of the remote caller's telephone. To establish a connection, the remote caller calls a private branch exchange (PBX) of the secure network. Upon receiving the call, the PBX compares the ESN and PIN of the remote caller with the ESN and PIN stored in the registry. If a match is found, the PBX authenticates the remote caller and allows the connection. The remote caller may have full access or access limited by a connection policy.

Abstract: A method and system for authenticating a telephone number. The method includes receiving a user-inputted telephone number over a communication channel. The method includes providing a security code to a user over the communication channel. The method includes initiating a voice telephone call session to the user-inputted telephone number. The method includes prompting the user over the voice telephone call session. The method includes responsive to receiving the security code from the user over the voice telephone call session, authenticating the user-inputted telephone number.

Abstract: The invention is directed to techniques for initiating lawful intercept of packets associated with subscriber sessions on a network device of a service provider network based on identification triggers. A law enforcement agency may send an intercept request for a subscriber to an administration device of the service provider network. The administration device may then configure one or more identification triggers for the subscriber based on the intercept request. The techniques described herein initiate lawful intercept when one or more subscriber sessions on a network device match the one or more identification triggers. The techniques described herein include configuring trigger rules that include identification triggers for subscribers on a network device via a command line interface (CLI) of the network device. In addition, the techniques described herein include configuring identification triggers in a subscriber profile on an authentication device connected to a network device.

Abstract: Whether a facsimile transmission tone is within a call is detected before routing the call from a switch of a telephone network to a first telephone line. When the facsimile transmission tone is detected, whether an incoming facsimile transmission transmitted by the call is permitted to be routed to the first telephone line is determined based at least partially on restriction information. Routing of the call from the switch to the first telephone line is denied when the incoming facsimile transmission is not permitted to be routed to the first telephone line.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for authorizing and allocating outdial communication services are disclosed. A disclosed system comprises an application server to initiate an outdial communication service, a gateway to transport the outdial communication service from the application server to an access network via a shared communication facility, and a policy server to selectively authorize the initiated outdial service and, if the outdial service is authorized, to allocate a portion of the shared communication facility to the authorized outdial service.

Abstract: To reduce the operations required by a user to perform user authentication using the user's communication apparatus, a call module (4d, 5d, 6d) acquires, upon receiving a user ID, a unique ID corresponding to the user ID and being of a user communication apparatus (11) by using a user ID matching list (4b, 5b, 6b), and also randomly selects one originating number with an originating number selector (4c, 5c, 6c). The call module (4d, 5d, 6d) makes a call with a predetermined number of rings to the user communication apparatus (11) having the unique ID corresponding to the user ID by using the selected originating number and via a system communication apparatus (13, 14, 15).

Abstract: A network appliance (100) is provided having a network controller subsystem (110) for coupling the appliance (100) to a data network for providing and receiving data packets to and from a packet data network. A digital signal processing subsystem (120) is coupled to the network controller subsystem (110). A signal conversion subsystem (130) is coupled to the digital signal processing subsystem (120) and a user interface subsystem (160) is coupled to both the signal conversion subsystem (130) and the digital signal processing subsystem (120). The digital signal processing subsystem (120) operates under the control of a computer program which is capable of detecting incoming calls, initiating call sessions, and preferably, implementing advanced telephony features.

Abstract: An information processing unit, such as a mobile phone, equipped with a fingerprint sensor and reconciles size reduction with operability at a high level. Adjacent to an operation panel is a V-shaped groove which contains a first slope stretching away from the operation panel and slanting downward and a second slope stretching further away from the operation panel and slanting upward, where the V-shaped groove contains a fingerprint sweep sensor which detects a fingerprint on a finger moved along the first slope and the second slope.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer-readable medium embodying a computer program for securing a communication against access by unintended users is presented. A communication is initiated from a person using an originating telecommunication device to an intended receiving wireless telecommunication device. In response to the communication failing to connect to the intended receiving wireless telecommunication device, a telecommunications host carrier provider may re-route the communication to an alternate telecommunication device. A business authentication logic of the host carrier then determines any security or quality of service filters established by the user of the originating telecommunication device prior to the communication being initiated to prevent unintended users from accessing the communication. Upon the business authentication logic of the host carrier authorizing the communication, the communication is encrypted and re-routed to the alternate telecommunication device.

Abstract: A method for providing communication control functionality at a remotely located site using a distributed feature architecture which provides communication features and data records to an Enhanced Network User (ENU). The ENU connects to a Distributed Feature Network (DFN) in order to gain access to communications features contained in the DFN. Based on the type of communication requested, one or more feature boxes are created in order to implement the requested communication.

Abstract: A system and method for providing easy access to messaging services in a telecommunications network having office switches that are used by different providers of telephone and messaging services. The system uses a supplementary services database to maintain customer records including whether the customer uses messaging services and whether the customer subscribes to a short dialing sequence service for access to the messaging services. The customer is connected to the central office switch, which analyzes the dialing sequences generated by the customer. When the customer attempts access to the messaging services, the customer dials a short dialing or message sequence, such as *XX. The central office switch triggers a query to the supplementary services database for a call forwarding number to the messaging service used by the customer when the selected short dialing sequence is recognized by the switch.

Abstract: A method for providing goods or services to a subscriber of a communications network, the method including the steps of: (a) verifying (40) a calling party number; (b) verifying (42) the identity of the subscriber associated with the calling party number; (c) verifying (44) the age of the subscriber; and, (d) providing (46) the subscriber with a subscriber identifier (PIN) to enable access to the goods or services.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to transmit to a communication system a PKI certificate, and engage in encrypted communications responsive to receiving a public key from the communication system. The communication system can have a plurality of network elements that integrate operations of a circuit-switched communication network and a packet-switched communication network. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A telephone system, comprising telephone sets, exchange device and server device, wherein a telephone set has notification unit accepting log-in operation and server device includes user management table associating each telephone number of telephone sets with identification information of users, address management table dynamically associating each telephone number of users with address information, specification processor specifies telephone number of logged-in user when log-in operation is performed, verification processor verifies presence/absence of registration of specified telephone number, determination processor determines coincidence/discordance between address information and notified address information, and update processor updates address management table by overwriting address information, if the notified address information does not coincide with address information corresponding to registered telephone number.

Abstract: An open Information Services network architecture is disclosed which enables multiple business entities to assume specialized roles of access provider, service provider, and service retailer. The disclosed technology provides instant plug-and-play service, decouples access and service networks and provides seamless (single step) access enabling customers to maintain a service account regardless of location. The benefits of the disclosed technology, among others, include: Multi-level and multi-service registration; Broker Services providing customers with a choice of provider; Security Services relating to distribution; Revenue Assurance services, Gentle Reminder/Gentle Touch; Revenue Assurance services pertaining to usage integrity verification upon registration; mobile services derived from G-ISN; and claim benefits pertaining to LNP services derived from G-ISN.

Abstract: A receiving unit receives state information including operational state of an IP phone terminal, user ID, and destination ID, and stores it in a state storage unit. An obtaining unit obtains state information including a user ID included in received state information from the state storage unit. A determining unit determines an order for selecting a second destination ID as a relay destination of a communication for a first destination ID based on the operational state. A generating unit generates order information indicating a selection of the second destination ID in a determined order. A notifying unit notifies the order information to a server device.

Abstract: Methods of switching personas associated with an asserted identity by determining a selected persona based on at least one of a sequence of digits entered during initiation of a call are provided. The at least one of the sequence of digits indicates a request for a persona associated with an asserted identity. It is indicated that an original persona associated with the asserted identity should be switched to the selected persona associated with the asserted identity if it is determined that the original persona and the selected persona are different. Related systems and computer program products are provided.

Abstract: An integrated security and communications system combines a security system to either or both of a telephone system interface and a data interface. Data functions such as electronic mail and possible partial or full World Wide Web access may also be provided at keypads of the security system, as well as at connected personal computers or computer terminals. The system keypads may be enhanced to better accommodate some of the added functions. A central communications station could be used to maintain secure, shared private key encrypted communications with each premises system, using a redirector arrangement or relay to allow each premises system to communicate securely with a central monitoring station and with other systems. The secure communications system could be used without a security system to allow secure computer-to-computer communications.

Abstract: A TV set (20) with a function of rejecting telephone calls is provided. The TV set includes a first communication port (201) and a second communication port (210) respectively connected with a telephone network (30) and a telephone (40). A switching circuit (209) is interposed between the first communication port and the second communication port; a decoder (202) is connected to the switching circuit and used for decoding a caller ID of an incoming call from the telephone network and transmitting the decoded caller ID to a display unit (205) to be displayed and to a MCU (203); and the MCU for invoking an automatically rejecting module (208) to automatically rejecting the incoming call by switching off the switching circuit according to rejection information stored in a memory. A related method is also provided.

Abstract: A communication system is disclosed which is arranged to cause establishment of a connection between a first system that is a party to a call, or is a party to a call being initiated, and a second system. The first and second systems are arranged to communicate via said connection. The communication comprises a data dialogue that is separate to initiation communications for the call. At least one of the first system and the second system is arranged to store data, or to cause a change to an application or data or process in dependence on the data dialogue. A corresponding method is also disclosed.

Abstract: An interface for personal communications systems is described which provides rapid identification of a caller and limited access based on a variety of parameters obtained from caller identification information encoded by the telephone company. The incoming telephone call information is compared to a preprogrammed access matrix to determine if the caller is authorized to access the personal communications system connected to the interface. A telephone call screening method and apparatus which incorporates the encoded caller identification is also described.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for electronic reauthentication of a communication party (12, 22). The method further relates to a device for electronic reauthentication of a communication party. A basic idea of the present invention is to have a communication party, which employs a service, state two different communication addresses, one being a telephone number, via which the communicating party may authenticate herself to a provider (11, 21) of the service.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network element having a controller to obtain network information associated with establishing a network among a group of communication devices, and provide the network information to a plurality of network set-up devices removably connected to the network element, where each of the plurality of network set-up devices is connectable with a communication device of the group of communication devices to provide at least a portion of the network information to the communication device, and where the network is established based at least in part on the at least a portion of the network information. Other embodiments are disclosed.