Abstract: System and method for representing preference and policy in a contact list are described. One embodiment is a graphical user interface (“GUI”) for displaying a directory of contacts of a user. The GUI comprises a list of contacts displayed in a first window of the GUI; for each contact in the list of contacts, a preference and policy category for the contact, wherein the preference and policy category for the contact is displayed in the first window of the GUI; and for each contact in the list of contacts, a feature icon indicative of whether a feature is enabled for the contact according to the preference and policy category for the contact, wherein the feature icon is displayed in association with the contact in the first window of the GUI.

Abstract: When facsimile data is transmitted by performing facsimile communication, a public line is seized. Then, when the public line is seized, it is a determined which of a dial tone signal or a voice signal for phone call a signal received from the public line is, it is controlled to perform the facsimile communication in a case where the received signal is determined as the dial tone signal, and it is controlled not to perform the facsimile communication in a case where the received signal is determined as the voice signal.

Abstract: A telephone includes logic to enable the telephone and a structured voice interaction system to exchange navigation information and commands via a data channel connection between the telephone and the structured voice interaction system, the navigation information coordinated with voice prompts and one or more navigation commands exchanged via a voice channel connection. The telephone stores representations of one or more navigation commands provided from the telephone to the structured voice interaction system.

Abstract: Establishing a telephone call includes enabling display of a visual indicator of a call destination entity and detecting selection by a user of the visual indicator. The availability of the user to receive a first telephone call is determined. Voice communications between the call destination entity and the user are established in response to detection of the selection by the user of the visual indicator and conditioned on the user being determined to be available to receive the first telephone call. Establishing voice communications includes enabling placement of the first telephone call to the user to establish a first PSTN link with the user and enabling a voice communications link to be setup with the call destination entity.

Abstract: The functionality of Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) components and Internet-based resources are integrated to provide simultaneous visual and telephonic access to an interactive information delivery system. The present invention enhances conventional Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems by simultaneously providing visual information that corresponds to the voice-based information that is delivered telephonically. A user that contacts a conventional IVR service provider (IVR host) can be provided with the option of a Visual IVR (VIVR) session. The VIVR session can provide visual information to the user in the form of HTML-formatted web pages delivered over an Internet connection and will provide audible message information over a conventional wireless or wireline voice telephone connection. A VIVR session can coordinate the delivery of visual information (e.g., web pages) and the delivery of telephony-based information (e.g.

Abstract: In a communications network, voice and facsimile calls are established between first and second and second terminals via first and second media gateways in a communications network. Each gateway is capable of autonomous transitioning between a voice over IP (VoIP) call mode and a facsimile over IP (FoIP) call mode. A bearer path for the call is established via a media gateway controller. During call setup, the media gateways exchange confirmation of each gateway's capability to perform autonomous transitioning between VoIP and FoIP call modes. The call is established as a VoIP call, and, on a determination by the media gateways that a facsimile call is required, each media gateway autonomously transitions between its VoIP and FoIP call modes without the intervention of the media gateway controller.

Abstract: A digital telephone switch allows transparent switching from a convention telephone service to a cable digital telephone service. The switch is connected to the customer premises equipment and to the old and new telephone services. In its initial state, the switch connects the customer premises equipment to the old telephone service, leaving the new telephone service disconnected. Once a ring is detected on the new telephone service, or another appropriate control signal is received, the switch disconnects the customer premises equipment from the old telephone service and connects the customer premises equipment to the new telephone service. One embodiment can switch back and forth between the old and new telephone services to accommodate intercoms and the like.

Abstract: A terminal for use in a peer-to-peer voice communications system comprising: a base station; and at least one handset arranged to communicate wirelessly with said base station; wherein the base station comprises a first interface to a packet data network and a second interface to a public switched telephone network, said base station being arranged to selectively establish a packet data call from said first interface and a public switched telephone call from said second interface.

Abstract: A teleconferencing system for voice and data provides interconnections among user sites via a central station. User stations at user sites each alternate operation between a data mode connecting a user computer and modem to a user telephone communication path and a voice mode connecting a telephony circuit to the communication path. The teleconferencing system is adapted for conducting a voice conference over standard telephone lines while allowing simultaneous viewing of data objects such as slides, graphs, or text. A host computer connected to the central station serves as a central repository for storage and retrieval of data objects for use in teleconferences.

Abstract: A network device is configured to receive a registration message from a private user device including a private internet protocol (IP) address associated with the private user device. A public IP address and discrete port number are assigned to the private user device and private IP address and stored in an incoming call table. The registration message is translated to include the public IP address and discrete port number. The registration message is forwarded to a proxy server for registration. An incoming call invitation message is received from a public user device, where the call invitation message is directed to the public IP address and discrete port number associated with the private user device. The call invitation message is translated to include the private IP address associated with the private user device based on the received public IP address and discrete port number and the incoming call table. The call invitation message is forwarded to the private user device.

Abstract: A call processing device communicating with a plurality of line cards includes a mapping table and an address table. The call processing device receives a telephone number, searches the mapping table for one index related to the received telephone number, searches the address table for one address corresponding to the sought index, rejects a call corresponding to the received telephone number if the sought address is a specially preset address, and updates one or more of the addresses of the line cards in the address table if operating modes of one or more of the line cards are changed. A call processing method is also provided.

Abstract: A voice communication system, which is connected to a LAN to which communication terminals are connected and to a public network to which telephones are connected, is provided with a communication server between the LAN and public network having different protocols from each other. The communication server enables a voice communication between a telephone on the public network and a communication terminal connected to the LAN by performing processing similar to that for a voice communication between two communication terminals connected to the LAN. The communication server determines whether an address of the other party inputted by a user is a communication terminal address or a telephone number, and transmits a voice communication request to a communication terminal of the other party when the address is a communication terminal address.

Abstract: A facility is provided for interfacing the Internet with a telecommunications network and vice versa so that a user who does not have access to the Internet may, nevertheless, provide a Web page and update the Web page via the telecommunications network and so that a user may access the telecommunications network via the Internet.

Abstract: In a communication device (20) comprising a message function (SMS, Short Message Service) a certain short message (7) or other reply message is sent in response to an incoming call in a situation where the user can't answer the call him/herself. The reply message can be sent immediately (9) or after a short delay (10, 11), whereby during the delay, the user can choose, whether he/she answers him/herself. The calling party (5) is identified from the CLI information (Caller Line Identity), whereby the reply message can be chosen according to the calling party. Time information can be included in the reply message in order to express at which time by the clock or after a how long time the receiving party is reachable. After that time the automatic reply function based on the reply message is automatically disconnected.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for configuring a connection for a port in an electronic device. The system comprises: an interface circuit to process signals for the connection for the port; an interface circuit connection bus connecting to the interface circuit; a port connection bus connecting to the port; and a removable wiring adapter providing a connection circuit connecting tracks in the interface connection bus to tracks in the port connection bus.

Abstract: A method for integrating cordless telephony, data network, and broadband connection is disclosed. Preferred embodiments of the invention are configured to provide one or more of the following tasks: (1) support voice over a WLAN with QoS with enhanced power consumption and range; (2) provide for both broadband telephony and PSTN access; (3) utilize a broadband connection to deliver content to a cordless handset; and (4) utilize a wired data terminal to provide enhanced telephony functions.

Abstract: A device includes a facsimile circuit, a voltage detector, an open-circuit voltage detector, and a telephone status monitoring unit. If a first voltage difference is less than a predetermined voltage difference, the monitoring unit judges that the public line is released if a second voltage difference is less than the predetermined difference, and that the public line is closed if the second difference is not less than the predetermined difference. If, when the facsimile circuit has released the public line, the first difference is not less than the predetermined difference, the monitoring unit judges that the public line is released if the second difference is less than the predetermined difference or if the detected line voltage equals the open-circuit voltage, and that the public line is closed if the second difference is not less than the predetermined difference and if the detected line voltage is different from the open-circuit voltage.

Abstract: A method, system and device for relay call transfer services in hearing-impaired communications is described. A voice phone number of a relay service is entered into a voice phone and a first segment of a communication session is established between a hearing-capable user on a voice phone and a relay service. The hearing-capable caller provides the relay service with a contact number of a hearing-impaired user. The relay service accesses the user profile of the hearing-impaired user and determines the user's preferred communication devices listed from most preferred to least preferred. An interpreter or communications assistant attempts to establish a connection to the hearing-impaired user's most preferred communication device. If the relay service fails to establish a connection with the most preferred communication device, the relay service can then transfer the call to a subsequent call service system that corresponds to the hearing-impaired user's next most preferred communication device.

Abstract: A voice communication system, which is connected to a LAN to which communication terminals are connected and to a public network to which telephones are connected, is provided with a communication server between the LAN and public network having different protocols from each other. The communication server enables a voice communication between a telephone on the public network and a communication terminal connected to the LAN by performing processing similar to that for a voice communication between two communication terminals connected to the LAN. The communication server determines whether an address of the other party inputted by a user is a communication terminal address or a telephone number, and transmits a voice communication request to a communication terminal of the other party when the address is a communication terminal address.

Abstract: A voice communication system, which is connected to a LAN to which communication terminals are connected and to a public network to which telephones are connected, is provided with a communication server between the LAN and public network having different protocols from each other. The communication server enables a voice communication between a telephone on the public network and a communication terminal connected to the LAN by performing processing similar to that for a voice communication between two communication terminals connected to the LAN. The communication server determines whether an address of the other party inputted by a user is a communication terminal address or a telephone number, and transmits a voice communication request to a communication terminal of the other party when the address is a communication terminal address.

Abstract: A voice communication system, which is connected to a LAN to which communication terminals are connected and to a public network to which telephones are connected, is provided with a communication server between the LAN and public network having different protocols from each other. The communication server enables a voice communication between a telephone on the public network and a communication terminal connected to the LAN by performing processing similar to that for a voice communication between two communication terminals connected to the LAN. The communication server determines whether an address of the other party inputted by a user is a communication terminal address or a telephone number, and transmits a voice communication request to a communication terminal of the other party when the address is a communication terminal address.

Abstract: A data relay device comprises a modem, an adaptor, and a base station. The base station is configured to determine whether an incoming call has a corresponding record among one or more records of the data relay device, obtain media by using the corresponding record, and transmit the media to a customer premise equipment device.

Abstract: An outlet for a Local Area Network (LAN), containing an integrated adapter that converts VoIP to and from analog telephony, and a standard telephone jack (e.g. RJ-11 in North America) for connecting an ordinary analog (POTS) telephone set. Such an outlet allows using analog telephone sets in a VoIP environment, eliminating the need for an IP telephone set or external adapter. The outlet may also include a hub that allows connecting both an analog telephone set via an adapter, as well as retaining the data network connection, which may be accessed by a network jack. The invention may also be applied to a telephone line-based data networking system. In such an environment, the data networking circuitry as well as the VoIP/POTS adapters are integrated into a telephone outlet, providing for regular analog service, VoIP telephony service using an analog telephone set, and data networking as well. In such a configuration, the outlet requires two standard telephone jacks and a data-networking jack.

Abstract: Presented herein are systems, methods, and apparatus for displaying pictures. In one embodiment, there is presented a decoder system for decoding video data. The decoder system comprises a port and a transport processor. The port receives packets carrying encoded video data from a plurality of video streams. The transport processor adds a header to encoded video data from at least one of the packets. The header identifies a particular one of the plurality of video streams, wherein the at least one packet is from the particular one of the plurality of video streams.

Abstract: A communication device enables a voice communication with another communication device connected to a communication circuit network. The communication device has a calling signal detection system that detects whether a calling signal is received from the other communication device via the communication circuit network, a circuit closing system that is configured to close a circuit connecting the communication device and the other communication device when a communication starting operation is performed by a user after the calling signal detection system detects the calling signal from the other communication device, a state detection system that detects whether the calling signal currently received is in ON or OFF state, and a standby control system that controls the circuit closing system to await closing the circuit until the state detection system detects the OFF state of the calling signal if the state detection system detects the ON state of the currently received calling signal.

Abstract: The communication terminal device includes a handset, a central controller, a telephone network adaptor unit for converting analog signals transmitted/received between telecommunication network and the communication terminal device into digital signals, an interface unit physically isolating the central controller from the telephone network adaptor unit, and transmitting/receiving the converted digital signals between the central controller and the telephone network adaptor unit, and a telephone circuit unit which transmits the voice signals generated by processing the digital signals received from the telephone network adaptor unit to a handset through the interface unit and transmits the digital signals generated by processing the voice signals received from the handset to the telephone network adaptor unit through the interface unit.

Abstract: A call processing device communicating with a plurality of line cards includes a mapping table and an address table. The call processing device receives a telephone number, searches the mapping table for one index related to the received telephone number, searches the address table for one address corresponding to the sought index, rejects a call corresponding to the received telephone number if the sought address is a specially preset address, and updates one or more of the addresses of the line cards in the address table if operating modes of one or more of the line cards are changed. A call processing method is also provided.

Abstract: A method and system provides for notification of a called party of an incoming voice phone call intended for the called party even while the called party is engaged in data communications via a dial-up modem. In response to a calling party placing a call, a telecommunications network determining whether the called number is busy. If the called number is busy, the telecommunications network determines whether the called number is engaged in data communications. If the called number is engaged in data communications, the telecommunications network further: determines a data communication protocol being used by the called party to access the data network via a modem device, retrieves from a user profile of the called party one or more user notification addresses associated with the data communication protocol, and transmits an incoming call notification message to the one or more user notification addresses of the called party.

Abstract: A business contact center for interfacing customers with a business is described. The business contact center includes a plurality of media handlers and a conference controller. Each of the plurality of media handlers includes a corresponding control link. Each of the plurality of media handlers is configurable via the corresponding control link to define a plurality of media services including at least one of; routing media between selected media endpoints, recording media from a selectable media source, and playing selectable media to a selected media endpoint. The conference controller is coupled with each of the plurality of media handlers via the corresponding control link. The conference controller is responsive to a customer contact to configure via the corresponding control link an available one of the plurality of media handlers to define selected ones of the media services, media sources and media endpoints for handling the customer contact.

Abstract: The telephone system of the invention combines at least one telephone terminal (40 to 43) and one microcomputer (38 to 40) using a set of software modules, especially a module for functions normally carried out by top range telephone stations: free hand functions, recorder telephone answering sets, fax/modems, storage of numbers, automatic dialling, display on the screen of a microcomputer, and/or a module for services normally centralised for a large number of users, and/or a module concerning new functionalities: Internet/Intranet access, vocal recognition, automatic reading, small capacity unit automatic exchanges.

Abstract: A system for supplying power in a communication network includes a network element and a plurality of subscriber devices in communication with the network element. Each of the plurality of subscriber devices is configured to communicate with the network element via a respective communication line, each of the plurality of subscriber devices includes a power supply for supplying power to the subscriber device. Each subscriber device of at least a subset of the plurality of subscriber devices includes a power transmission circuit in communication with the respective power supply. The power transmission circuit is configured to transmit a portion of the power supplied by the power supply of the subscriber device to the network element via the respective communication line. The portions of power supplied from the at least subset of the plurality of subscriber devices are aggregated to provide power for the network element.

Abstract: A cordless slave apparatus is connected to a host apparatus connected to lines via wireless communications. When the cordless slave apparatus is picked up from a charging apparatus to respond to a call from any of the lines, if the line at which the call has arrived has been selected by the cordless slave apparatus, the line is connected immediately and communications can start. If the line is not selected by the cordless slave apparatus, when a connection instruction from the user is provided, the line is connected and communications can start. When calls have arrived from lines simultaneously, communications can start by capturing a line according to a connection instruction. When a call from another line has arrived during communications, the lines are switched according to a switching instruction from the user and the line through which the communications have been performed is automatically turned to be on hold.

Abstract: A call between a calling party and a called party, one or both of whom may be subscribers to Internet Telephony (IT) services, commences upon the receipt of a call dialed by the calling party to the Plain Old Telephony Service (POTS) number associated with the calling party. A first hub receives the call and routes it to the called party if that party is not an IT services subscriber that is currently on line. If the called party is an IT services subscriber that is on-line, the call is received at an Internet Services Provider serving the called party. The ISP converts the call to an IT format if the call is not already in that format and thereafter delivers the call to the called party.

Abstract: An active call handover arrangement for managing a handover between a plurality of telecommunication devices associated with a public extension number is provided. The arrangement includes a mobility server configured to manage a telecommunication session between a telecommunication device of a third-party caller and a first telecommunication device of the plurality of telecommunication devices. The arrangement also includes a switch component configured to be associated with at least one telecommunication device of the plurality of telecommunication devices. At least one telecommunication device is configured to include mobility client software. The switch component is also configured to enable a user to perform the handover between the first telecommunication device and a second telecommunication device of the plurality of telecommunication devices.

Abstract: A relay is described to facilitate communication through the telephone system between hearing users and users who need or desire assistance in understanding voice communications. To overcome the speed limitations inherent in typing, the call assistant at the relay does not type most words but, instead, re-voices the words spoken by the hearing user into a computer operating a voice recognition software package trained to the voice of that call assistant. The text stream created by the computer and the voice of the hearing user are both sent to the assisted user so that the assisted user can be supplied with a visual text stream to supplement the voice communications. A time delay in the transmission of the voice of the hearing user through the relay is of assistance to the assisted user in comprehending the communications session.

Abstract: Described are a system and method for multimedia communications over a communication network between a calling party and a called party. A request to establish a SIP (session initiation protocol) session with the called party is received from a SIP-enabled communication device of the calling party. In response to the request, a voice connection is established between the SIP-enabled communication device of the calling party and a communication device used by the called party. Without terminating the voice connection between the SIP-enabled communication device of the calling party and the communication device of the called party, a second connection for transferring media other than voice is established between the SIP-enabled communication device of the calling party and a computing device used by the called party.

Abstract: A call system for performing a voice call by an Internet call function using a known telephone terminal. In a multifunction machine serving as the telephone terminal, the output destination and the input source of audio signals input/output from/to a transmitter/receiver may be switched to an audio I/F. In the switched state, audio based on audio signals input/output from/to an outside source through the audio I/F is output/input from the transmitter/receiver. Therefore, when the multifunction machine is connected to a PC having the Internet call function such that audio signals can be input/output through an audio cable, an indirect audio call by the Internet call function with the transmitter/receiver is available. When an incoming call from a telephone line network is received, reception of the incoming call is notified so that a user can confirm the reception of the incoming call during the voice call by the Internet call function.

Abstract: Provided is a path setting method of an integrated switch for simultaneously providing real-time mobility of an IP address and a telephone number. The path setting method of an integrated switch constructs an information pair of the telephone number and the IP address and transmits a voice call and a data packet using a home agent (HA) and a foreign agent (FA) for providing mobility in a mobile network easily and rapidly when a telephone terminal and an IP data terminal are moved. According to the path setting method of an integrated switch, the telephone terminal and the IP data terminal can use original addresses thereof when the telephone terminal and the IP data terminal are moved to a network area having a number system different from that of the network area to which the telephone terminal and the IP data terminal originally belong.

Abstract: A method is described by which digital data can be sent between mobile phones concurrent with speech during a same phone call. The digital data can be from a digital camera that is integrated with the mobile, or cellular, phone. The discontinuous transmission system of the mobile phone system is modified to include a transmission handler that is used to control the packetizing of the digital data to be transmitted within the voids in the transmitted speech determined by a voice activated detector. A reception handler is added to the discontinuous transmission system to allow the extraction of the digital data from the transmitted mobile phone system signal.

Abstract: Disclosed is a hardware architecture receiving multi-input blind source signals and obtaining multi-output. An apparatus for separating blind source signals includes: a forward process unit receiving a plurality of blind source signal vectors and outputting a plurality of output signal vectors by using a predetermined blind source separation algorithm; an update process unit receiving the plurality of output signal vectors and learning first weighting values used for the predetermined blind source separation algorithm according to a predetermined learning algorithm; and a weight process unit having a matrix operation structure for receiving the first weighting values and converting them into coefficients and second weighting values applicable to the predetermined blind source separation algorithm. The forward process unit includes (L+1) identical processing elements connected in a systolic array structure, where L is the number of sequential delay of blind input signal vectors.

Abstract: A device is dedicated to the management of communications between communication terminals (TMi, TFi and PCi). This device includes a memory (M) which stores user identifiers in correspondence with lists of at least one communication terminal identifier, and processing means (PM) which are charged, when they receive a call request to a user, known as the called user, from another user, known as the calling user, to access the memory (M) in order to extract from it the lists of identifiers associated with the calling and called users, and then to determine, from these extracted lists, a calling and a called terminal which are likely to establish a call between them that will satisfy the call request, in accordance with at least one availability criterion.

Abstract: An exemplary embodiment of the invention may include a system, a method and/or a computer program product for enabling detecting the off-hook status of a telephony device, including, e.g., but not limited to, monitoring an earpiece channel of the telephony device to detect an earpiece audio signal associated with a telephone call; initiating a recording of the telephone call upon detecting said earpiece audio signal on the earpiece channel; injecting a signal having a predetermined frequency into a microphone channel of the telephony device; and terminating said recording if the injected signal is not detected in a sidetone on the earpiece channel.

Abstract: An image communication apparatus having an Internet facsimile communication device and a G3 facsimile communication device includes a detector for detecting a facsimile function of a communication partner's apparatus during communication by the G3 facsimile communication device, and a controller for performing control of causing the G3 facsimile communication device to disconnect communication in a G3 facsimile mode and shifting to communication by the Internet facsimile communication device, based on the detection of the facsimile function of the communication partner's apparatus by the detector.

Abstract: In a particular embodiment, a method includes providing a messaging service using a messaging system. The messaging system includes a centralized Internet Protocol switching network, an Internet access subsystem, a voice access subsystem, a mail subsystem and a storage subsystem. One or more of the subsystems may be coupled to the centralized Internet Protocol switching networks via a communication link integrated with and internal to the messaging system.

Abstract: Techniques that enable a user to make VOIP phone calls using a traditional telephone by directing a communications module to connect the caller to another user are provided. The caller first dials a DID and identifies a receiver to be reached. Once the caller has identified the receiver, the caller may hang up the phone and wait until the communications module contacts the caller once the receiver has been connected. The communication module hunts the receiver using the receiver's multiple contact information by calling each of the receiver's contact numbers. Once the receiver answers one of the calls, the communications module detects that the receiver has been connected and then contacts the caller. Finally, once the caller answers the telephone, the caller and the receiver are connected and a communication may commence.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reserving an appointment in a communications network is described. In one embodiment, a request is received from a caller to schedule an appointment with an enterprise customer, wherein the request is processed in accordance with a media server in the communications network. A scheduling calendar is then accessed. Afterwards, the appointment is reserved with one of a plurality available appointment time slots.

Abstract: A switchboard device and methods of operation of same are disclosed. Embodiments of the invention may provide a flexible means of interconnecting wideband and narrowband communications interfaces, where wideband communications interfaces may transfer wideband data sampled at a higher sampling rate, and narrowband communication interfaces may transfer narrowband data sampled at a lower sampling rate. Data streams sampled at different sampling rates can be combined and the sampling rate of the result adjusted as needed by the destination interface. Methods of operating embodiments of the present invention are included. An additional aspect of the present invention may include machine-readable storage having stored thereon a computer program having a plurality of code sections executable by a machine for causing the machine to perform the foregoing.

Abstract: A contents reproducing apparatus includes a main CPU, and in a radio mode, the main CPU causes a DSP to decode broadcast data included in a radio packet signal input via a LAN controller, and decoded PCM data is input to a D/A conversion circuit. Consequently, a sound of Internet radio broadcasting is output from a speaker. Then, when there is a telephone call, the main CPU switches to a telephone mode. That is, receiving speech data included in a telephone packet signal input via the LAN controller is decoded by the DSP, and decoded PCM data is input to a PCM codec. Consequently, a receiving speech sound is output from a speaker of a receiver. It is noted that in a case that a radio program during reception is a pay program, the main CPU does not switch to the telephone mode.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, respective client terminals are linked to a plurality of respective telephone terminals in a communication system. A server connects the respective client terminals while associated with a voice communication between the telephone terminals, and performs various media communications. When the connected voice communication is disconnected, the client terminal disconnects a first type media communication to be synchronized with the voice communication among the connected media communications, and disconnects a second type media communication not to be synchronized with the voice communication after the second type media communication is finished.

Abstract: A method and device for performing some preprocessing on voice transmissions depending upon the intended destination of the transmission. The device includes a receiving component configured to receive a voice signal from a source over a network. The device also includes a processing component configured to determine a destination address associated with the received signal, determine a signal processing algorithm from a plurality of signal processing algorithms based on the determined address, and process the voice signal according to the specified algorithm. The device further includes a delivery component configured to send the processed signal to the associated address.