Abstract: An authentication method, network switch, and network device are provided. In one example, a method is described that includes receiving a first signal indicative of a data lane being activated and configured to carry data to or within the network switch, receiving a second signal indicative of an authentication lane being established in the network switch or a device connected to the network switch, where the authentication lane is different from the data lane, and enabling data transmission across the data lane only in response to receiving the second signal indicative of the authentication lane being established.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for training a machine-learning model to detect characteristics of fraudulent calls. The machine-learning model is trained using audio clips, voice recognition, call handler feedback and general public knowledge of commercial risks to detect and divert fraudulent calls, thereby alleviating the burdens otherwise placed on call center service representatives.

Abstract: A system, method and computer-readable medium for simulating intelligent network triggers in a network system are provided. A mobile terminal is configured with an intelligent network Simulator adapted to detect call events and originate simulated intelligent network triggers in response to the call events. Call progressions implemented according to the simulated intelligent network triggers may be managed or coordinated by at least one of a carrier-gateway server and an Enterprise-gateway server. Call progressions implemented by simulated intelligent network triggers may be specified according to Enterprise member policies or general Enterprise behaviors.

Abstract: A user may access an institution system via more than one communications channel, either by the same device (e.g., a mobile device accessing the institution system via a voice channel and a data channel) or by different devices (e.g., a personal computer via a web channel and a phone via a voice channel). If a user is not currently authenticated to a communications channel and attempts to access the institution system via a communications channel, the user may be authenticated using strong authentication. If the user is currently authenticated to the institution system via a communications channel and would like to engage a second communications channel to access the institution system, the user may authenticate to the second communications channel using both communications channels and weak authentication, such as single factor authentication or a challenge question.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for authenticating a communication device is disclosed. An system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, an authentication system having a controller element that receives from a communication device over a packet-switched network a terminal ID and a request to authenticate said communication device, generates a first registration ID, stores the first registration ID and a first communication identifier, transmits the first registration ID to the communication device, receives from an interactive response system a second communication identifier and a second registration ID that the interactive response system received during a communication session with the communication device over a circuit-switched network, and authenticates the communication device in response to detecting a match between the first and second communication identifiers and the first and second registration IDs. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A speech recognition method includes receiving input speech from a user, processing the input speech to obtain at least one parameter value, and determining an experience level of the user using the parameter value(s). The method can also include prompting the user based upon the determined experience level of the user to assist the user in delivering speech commands.

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 message header to determine a list of contact numbers to call. The 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. The account holder only needs to provide the primary contact number to individuals desiring to reach them instead of various numbers that are associated with locations the account holder may be located.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a system to process telephone calls. The system can receive a telephone call and identify the telephone number of the calling party. A database of processing instructions then specifies whether to block the telephone call, forward the telephone call to another telephone number, send the telephone call to a voicemail system or an answering machine, or ring the telephone assigned to the called number. Based on the time of the call, the instructions to be applied can differ.

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: A system for placing a telephone call on hold and presenting video to the user that has been placed on hold comprises video on hold arbiter that either is a part of the server or the switch of an IP telephony system. The video on hold arbiter comprises a hold monitoring module, a switch interface module and a media source interface module. The video on hold arbiter monitors calls between parties for the selection of a hold signal indicating that a first caller is placing a second caller on hold. The video on hold arbiter then determines the capabilities of the first caller and the second caller, a source video signal and switches the call to a video-on-hold status. In the video-on-hold status, the video on hold arbiter provides a video signal to the caller on hold from the determined source video and matching the capabilities of the party on hold. Video on hold arbiter and monitors for an off hold signal.

Abstract: A method and system for verifying authenticity of an online usage of a user may include sending a message in an electronic communication to an electronic message address of a user, interactively communicating with the user a request for a response including at least a portion of the message sent to the user, and determining if a response to the request from the user matches at least a portion of the message sent to the user. The message may include a personal identification number used for verification. A certification link or authentication code may be provided to the user for posting on a website or within an email. The certification link or authentication code, optionally displaying an indicia, may enable other users to have confidence that the user whose website other users access or whose emails other users receive are authentic and not someone impersonating 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 computer implemented method and computer program product for managing conversational input. The process authenticates a user on a device in a set of communication devices for manipulating conversation stubs. The process monitors an exchange of conversation for a triggering event on the device in a set of communication devices. Responsive to detecting the triggering event, the process generates a conversation stub that contains information relating to the topic of conversation. The conversation stub is stored in a storage device located remotely to the set of communication devices. Responsive to receiving a selection of the conversation stub, the process presents the conversation stub on a communication device selected from the set of communication devices.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for simultaneously providing multiple telephone-type services to any/all POTS-type devices on a single wire pair at a user premises. The present invention provides for the ability to add separately addressable POTS devices on a single service loop. This can be accomplished in at least two ways: first by the use of a multipoint protocol or second by Frequency Division Multiplexing.

Abstract: A handsfree device in communication with a remote communication device by one of wireless communication and wired communication for establishing a handsfree call includes a call interruption detection unit for detecting a call interruption by a second call while the remote communication device is involved in a first call and a response command transfer unit for transferring a response command to the remote communication device in response to the call interruption when the call interruption is detected by the call interruption detection unit.

Abstract: A voice communication apparatus is interposed between a telephone set and a public switched telephone network (PSTN) or a broadband network which can provide a frequency bandwidth broader than a frequency bandwidth of the public switched telephone network. The apparatus selects one of the PSTN and the broadband network, from which a voice signal is input. The apparatus takes account of the selected network, frequency characteristics of the selected network and of the telephone set, and appropriately adjusts frequency characteristics of a voice signal transmitted between the telephone set and the selected network by means of transmitter and receiver band-pass filter units. As a result, both the telephone set and the counterpart communication terminal can receive a voice signal of better transmission quality.

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 system for authenticating and/or authorizing users of a service includes one communication interface with an access communication channel and another communication interface with a confirmation communication channel. Requests for a user to access a service are received over the access communication channel, and confirmation codes for the user are received over a trusted confirmation channel, such as an SMS text messaging system. Confirmation codes may be received from the user requesting access to the service or by a third party acting as a gatekeeper to the service. The system tests the validity of received confirmation codes, and enables the user to access the service if a valid confirmation code is received.

Abstract: An approach for providing multi-user access to a packet switched network via a shared Ethernet-based local area network (LAN) is disclosed. Multiple end user stations are connected to the LAN, in which each of end user stations executes a communication software. The communication software is based upon a communication protocol (e.g., Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)) that establishes a point-to-point communication session. The end user stations generate packets based upon the communication protocol. In addition, each of the end user stations selectively encapsulates the communication protocol packets using the Ethernet-based LAN protocol. Further, attached to the LAN is a customer premise equipment (CPE), which transmits the encapsulated packets to a line terminating equipment, which according to one embodiment is a digital subscriber line (DSL) access multiplexer that is located in a central office.

Abstract: A method for real-time authentication or authorization of a user (1) of a secured system (3) is based on using two authentication channels and an authentication device (4) from which the secured system can request authentication or authorization (6) over a secured information network connection (6, 9). One of the authentication channels is a telephone network (8), to which the authentication device (4) is connected. A user logging into the secured system (3) over the other channel (6) of the authentication channels must make a call to the authentication device over the telephone network by his or her telephone (2). The authentication device verifies that a call has been received from a telephone number of the user's telephone, and issues a positive verification response to the secured system. Upon receiving a positive response, the secured system provides a requested service through the other channel.

Abstract: A method for automatic provisioning of ATM traffic is provided. The method includes receiving upstream asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) data from customer premises equipment, detecting the port number at which the upstream ATM data is received, and reading a first virtual path identifier (VPI) number of the upstream ATM data from the header information. The method further includes acquiring a new VPI number for the upstream ATM traffic based on the receiving port number and the first VPI number, attaching the new VPI number to the upstream ATM traffic, and directly mapping the ATM traffic onto one or more TDM transmission lines.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for simultaneously providing multiple telephone-type services to any/all POTS-type devices on a single wire pair at a user premises. The present invention provides for the ability to add separately addressable POTS devices on a single service loop. This can be accomplished in at least two ways: first by the use of a multipoint protocol or second by Frequency Division Multiplexing.

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the use of dual tones over an established voice channel of a telecommunications network. The method inhibits a call tone by removing at least one frequency selected from a group of frequencies used for in-band signaling. The method may also determine a time for inhibiting the call tone.

Abstract: A method for receiving and processing an incoming message in a wireless messaging terminal is disclosed. In particular, the method includes providing a receiver which receives the message and a memory for storing the message. The method further includes matching the message with a pre-recorded voice prompt stored in the memory and retrieving the voice prompt from the memory. In addition, the method includes playing the voice prompt as an audible alert signal through an audio output device.

Abstract: A radio communications device has a memory having stored therein a user application program (16), a telephony program (18) and an application programming interface (API) 30 between these. Various aspects of the API are described. In one aspect, the API has a command for establishing a call and the telephony program accepts, as an argument of the command for establishing the call, an array identifying several terminal objects (54-58), thereby permitting establishment of a call for multiple terminal objects. In another aspect, groupings of events are described and an API command defines an event class from one of the groups together with an ID defining an event within the event class. In a further aspect, a program in the telephony program is called to create a call object (50). The call object is created regardless of whether radio service for the radio comunications device has been established.