Abstract: A telecommunications network (30) includes a plurality of devices that communicate using a certain protocol, such as SIP. Packet phones (32) communicate with the network devices using GPSs (34). The GPSs (34) provide a GUI (graphical user interface) for the packet phones (32). As the user operates the GUI to perform functions, event data is sent to the GPS (34) associated with the phone. The GPS (34) interprets the event data and generates SIP (or other protocol) commands to create, modify and terminate communication sessions as desired by the user.

Abstract: This invention has as its object to appropriately inform the user of reception of an incoming call in accordance with the operation mode of a video camera upon arrival of call. To achieve this object, an apparatus has a telephone and video camera in a single housing, and comprises a device for muting a ringing tone during image sensing by the video camera.

Abstract: A portable communication apparatus has a camera section for capturing an image depending on an operation of a shutter key and a character recognition section for recognizing characters from an captured image. A character-size adjustment indicator is provided on the display. The character-size adjustment indicator has a size which provides a sufficiently high success rate in character recognition when at least one character included in the captured image fits into the reference frame.

Abstract: A method and system for administering calls on a voice network allows a user to selectively determine which calls will be accepted and assists the user in placing calls to other users on the network. The user may establish a list of users whose calls will be accepted and may also establish a list of users whose calls will not be accepted. The method and system may provide unwanted callers with an option to speak with the user for a fee. The method and system may also display phone or other messages to the user on a video display.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for providing connectivity to portable electronic devices, such as a cordless telephone, for the purpose of upgrading software features. In a preferred embodiment, portable electronic devices can receive incoming data at the PSTN jack from a personal computer that is also connected to the PSTN via a PSTN modem. In this manner, upgrades can be accomplished without requiring users to disconnect the telephone or to connect additional cables or components. The telephone is temporarily disabled from service only during the downloading of the upgrade software from the personal computer to the telephone. Upgrade software can be received at the personal computer from downloads or from other sources.

Abstract: A program enhancer system and method for embedding hearing-impaired friendly information into an existing computer program is provided. The existing computer program contains program information that is translated into a format usable by a hearing-impaired user. The systems and methods retrieves desired program information and translates the information into any of animation, digital movie and still image formats to be displayed to the user on a display device. A hyperlink is associated with the translated data and is stored in a memory device. The user can access the translated information using any type of input including hyperlink based inputs or natural language inputs.

Abstract: A voice telephony system integrates voice telephony technology with television programming via a visual interface for a telephony device operating in a speakerphone mode. The visual interface indicates a status of the telephony device to a user, and is displayed by a video processing device connected to the television.

Abstract: A system (10) includes a packet-switched network (12). A plurality of telephones (21-26) are each coupled to the network. A call manager server (31) is also coupled to the network, in order to interact with the telephones to implement telephony functions. Each of the telephones has the capability to act as an independent network client, by using Internet-compatible protocols to communicate directly with a resource server, without the participation or even the awareness of the call manager server. The resource server may be a local server (32) coupled directly to the network, or a remote server (66-68) coupled to the network through some other network, such as the Internet (52).

Abstract: The present invention provides for a telephone caller response and option selection. An interface system provides to a telephone caller a visual representation of a hierarchy of one or more menus. A caller phone is employable to select at least one option from the visual representation of a hierarchy of menus provided by the telephone interface system. A caller computer is employable to receive the visual representation of a hierarchy of menus from the interface system. A caller monitor is employable to display the visual representation of a hierarchy of menus, thereby avoiding the more time consuming presentation of the hierarchy of menus in an oral fashion.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a telephone caller response and option selection. An interface system provides to a telephone caller a visual representation of a hierarchy of one or more menus. A caller phone is employable to select at least one option from the visual representation of a hierarchy of menus provided by the telephone interface system. A caller computer is employable to receive the visual representation of a hierarchy of menus from the interface system. A caller monitor is employable to display the visual representation of a hierarchy of menus, thereby avoiding the more time consuming presentation of the hierarchy of menus in an oral fashion. The interface system is further employable to reconnect with a telephone caller at a later time if the telephone caller is to wait in a queue of the interface system longer than a specified time.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing operating system support of computer telephone sets are described. Services are provided to standardize the interactions between computer telephony applications and telephone sets, to unify those interactions into a coherent whole, and to simplify the interactions by automatically performing common tasks. A default Telephone Manager provides all the functionality needed to support basic telephony. With all call processing performed on the host computer, telephone sets attached to the host need have no native intelligence. Support for transporting voice to distant locations is provided entirely by the host computer rendering the telephone set independent of any transport technology.

Abstract: Calendar display apparatus, and an associated method, displays the calendar display at a mobile terminal operable in a radio communication system. The calendar display includes calendar items retrieved from both a local storage element and from a network-based calendar database. The calendar items are displayed simultaneously. And, calendar items stored locally are exportable to the network database. Analogously, calendar items stored at the network database are downloadable to the mobile station to be stored thereat.

Abstract: A method for communicating text through a telephone system comprises the steps of generating a text message in a TTY format and electronically converting the text message in the TTY format to a pager format capable of display on a pager. The text message is sent to the pager in pager format and displayed on the pager. The user of the pager may then communicate back with the user of the TTY device through another communications device, such as a pay phone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone. A communication system receives a request to generate a set of destination names at the finder service from the calling phone. If the calling phone is capable of processing IP data, the communication system sends a text-based menu interface including the set of destination names to the calling phone. The calling phone may send a menu response indicating one of the set of destination names to the communication system. The communication system receives the menu response from the calling phone and redirects the calling phone to the destination name.

Abstract: The present invention provides apparatus and method for automatically categorizing received mail messages. According to the apparatus and method, the importance of a received mail message is determined. Depending on the determined result, a reply mail message is sent. Alternatively, user is periodically notified of the received mail message. As a result, user can easily send a reply mail message or perform a callback. A controlling portion determines whether a sender mail address added to a received mail message or character information contained in a title of the received mail message has been registered with a memory. When the sender mail address or the character information has been registered, the received mail message is considered as an important mail message. Corresponding to schedule data recorded in the memory, a reply mail message is sent or user is notified of the received mail message using an audio alarm.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system of transmitting image data from a server via a network or another communication path to a cellular phone or another terminal. In order to enhance the picture quality of displayed images, the system causes input image data to be subjected to a tone correction process and a halftoning process according to display characteristics of the terminal. Image processing packages are provided in both the server and the terminal. The system selectively uses these image processing packages according to their processing capacities. The server determines execution or non-execution of image processing according to the type of the terminal. When any image processing is carried out in the server, a control signal representing execution of the image processing is mapped to the processed image data and transmitted to the terminal.

Abstract: In an information processing system provided with a camera and a microphone, for transmitting and receiving information of a user to and from another information processing system through a transmission lime, image data of the user obtained by a camera is stored in a memory in advance. When one user communicates another user, image data of the one user is obtained by the camera and is synthesized with the image data stored in the memory in advance by image-processing. The clothes, hair, background, make-up etc. of the one user are made different to reality and the image data are transmitted to the another user in the communication.

Abstract: A facsimile machine is capable of displaying a desired home page by one-touch operation. When button information obtained while the facsimile machine is in a standby state is a favorite-link button, a URL address corresponding to the button specifying information is retrieved from a memory unit, a HTTP request protocol is generated based on the URL address, and the generated HTTP request is transmitted to a server. After data in HTML is obtained from the server, the received data in HTML is displayed by the browser. Thus, the facsimile machine is capable of displaying the desired home page by one-touch operation.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for providing an indication of the busy condition to a calling party on a telecommunications system. The calling party may be the user of a text telephone device such as a TTY device. When a called party's line is busy, the method and system send a text message to the calling party that indicates that the called party's line is busy.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a display structure modification system and its method characterized by receiving a display structure modification command from the user, searching and indicating at least one display structure data previously stored on the display of the telecommunication apparatus, and modifying the screen establishment of the telecommunication apparatus into the display structure data corresponding to the selection command to any display structure data inputted by the user. The present invention provides the method that the display structure of the liquid crystal display is diversely constructed according to the user's individuality and the method that conveniences of the usage of the user's mobile telecommunication terminal are sought after by enabling an application hotkey establishment to be set up according to the user's intent.

Abstract: A system is described for assisting the hard of hearing in the use of the telephone, the system termed here text enhanced telephony or TET. The hard of hearing user uses a TET device or appliance which permits the user to speak and to hear the words spoken by the other party, the TET device also supplying to the user a text character stream of the words spoken by the other party. The TET system uses the system of voice-to-text relays, already in existence to assist the deaf community communicate with hearing persons over the telephone, to translate the spoken voice into a text stream. The TET relay and TET device are capable of separating voice and digital communications frequencies carrying text so that voice and a text communications stream of the words spoken by the voice can be carried over a common telephone line. The devices can also be capable of automated capabilities such that the devices can automatically configure a three-party relay call without the need for the user's instructions.

Abstract: A system is provided for establishing a connection between a telephone agent and a computer user. A request is received from the user requesting a return call by an agent. The request is received through a web server and includes an identifier associated with the web page being viewed by the user. The identifier associated with the web page is transmitted to an agent that will contact the user. This allows the agent to view the web page that was being viewed by the user when the request was entered. A telephone connection is then established between the user and the agent. An agent can be selected based on the content of the web page being viewed by the user at the time the request for agent contact is entered. Additionally, for an incoming call, a web page can be generated that contains information about the incoming call. An identifier associated with the generated web page is transmitted to an agent that will answer the call. The agent then accesses the web page using the received identifier.

Abstract: A user interface accesses a storage device and allows a user to change telephony features in a system that provides telephony service over IP. A user logs in to an MTA of a telephony terminal and chooses which features to change and which options associated with the chosen feature(s) is to be selected. The features may apply to incoming call features, such as ring cadence, and outgoing features, such as call blocking.

Abstract: A telephone device is customized with an indicator for presenting call connection status information to hearing impaired or deaf users. The telephone device detects call status events, such as ringing and busy signals, and presents the call status via the display. The telephone device also receives codes indicating particular call status events. A telephone device may generate a code, which indicates that the user is hearing impaired. Thus, devices receiving this code may perform particular functions in response to such a code. Public switches and public branch exchanges may also be modified to generate and deliver call status codes or messages. The present invention may also deliver call status information through another medium, such as a computer network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for embedding, detecting and extracting access information from a dial tone of a private branch exchange system. The access information is embedded at the zero crossings of the dial tone. This has a minimal effect on the audible quality of the dial tone. A connecting device, such as a modem, receives the altered dial tone having access information. The access information is extracted by the connecting device and displayed to a user. The access information is automatically downloaded by the connecting device upon connecting to the private branch exchange without interaction from a user by having the connecting device go off hook such that the dial tone is received. The connecting device detects, extracts and displays the access information. After the access information is displayed to a user, the connecting device can await further user interaction or immediately make use of the access information.

Abstract: The invention uses the advanced intelligent network to provide caller identification for calls placed over the internet (24). A long distance call placed with an internet carrier results in the originating SSP (14) forwarding the call to an originating POP (22) for the internet carrier. The caller ID information is routed through the signaling system 7 network (16) to the SSP (32) in the terminating network. The call is routed to a terminating POP (26) and then to the SSP (32) in the terminating network. The SSP (32) inserts the caller ID information received through the SS7 network (16) and routes the call to the terminating line (30).

Abstract: A method for notifying and reminding phone users of missed calls. The method is characterized in that when an incoming call is unanswered, the telephone notifies and subsequently reminds the user of the incoming call at a time period interval in a predetermined manner.

Abstract: A method for displaying a background image in a mobile telephone that downloads background images from a computer, stores the downloaded background images in a memory, and displays a selected one of the stored background images. The method comprises displaying the selected background image for a predetermined time, in a background image display request condition; determining whether an urgent character message display condition has occurred while the background image is displayed; upon detection of the urgent character message display condition, stopping display of the background image and displaying the urgent character message; and upon detection of a normal character message display condition, continuing to display the background image, and after expiration of a predetermined time, displaying the normal character message.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a transaction support system for processing information from an information terminal unit provided together with a telephone. In the transaction support system, an information storing part stores terminal information concerning a process performed in the information terminal unit, the terminal information corresponding to telephone information identifying the telephone. Then, a displaying part displays the terminal information corresponding to the telephone information when a call from the telephone is received.

Abstract: A data processing apparatus, capable of guaranteeing display operations when a destination terminal is a portable terminal apparatus, while the display operations are adapted to display capability of this portable terminal apparatus. The data processing apparatus includes a storage which stores first data therein, a convert section for converting the first data into second data, and a transmit section which transmits the second data to the destination. A judgment is made whether a destination is a portable terminal apparatus. When the destination is judged to be portable terminal apparatus, the convert section converts the first data into the second data based upon display capability of a data display apparatus of the data display apparatus.

Abstract: A telephone apparatus of the present invention comprises a telephone number comparator for comparing a telephone number included in caller information delivered from caller identification delivery service with a telephone number registered in an electronic telephone directory, and displays the telephone number registered in the electronic telephone directory in display unit when the telephone numbers match at least in part as a result of the comparison. The telephone apparatus is thus able to display a correct telephone number of the incoming call and dial the telephone number correctly when making a callback.

Abstract: A portable communication terminal has an active call-up device for a user who tends to leave it, frequently; when an in-coming call/mail reaches the portable communication terminal in the absence of the user, a data processor periodically activates the active call-up device so that the active call-up device gives rise to excitative indication such as vibrations, flicker and/or rumble; the excitative indication forces the user to pay the attention to the incoming call/mail not responded yet so that the user immediately responds to the call/mail after returning to the portable communication terminal.

Abstract: A technique for allowing an automated participant in a telephone conversation, such as an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system or a voice browser, to react to the placing of the conversation “on hold.” When a conversation between an automated participant and a human participant is placed on hold, a signal is provided to the automated participant indicating that the voice circuit between the two participants has been broken. In response to the signal, the automated participant may take appropriate action, such as suspending its participation in the conversation, extending the time for which it awaits a response from the human participant, continuing the conversation in a “visual” mode using the keypad and display on the human participant's handset, or some other appropriate action.

Abstract: A system and method (10) that enables customers (15) to order products and services from business vendors (19) using customized selection codes (24A) that they enter into a telephone ordering system (17). The order (32) is then transmitted (33) to the business vendor (19). The vendor (19) receives the order (32) and processes the order.

Abstract: The present invention provides a text-based interactive response system and a method for redirecting a calling phone from the interactive response system to a destination phone. The communication system receives a request at the interactive response system from the calling phone. If the calling phone is capable of processing IP data, the communication system sends a text-based menu interface to the calling phone. The calling phone can also send a menu response to the communication system. The menu response indicates a menu selection associated with a destination phone. The communication system receives the menu response from the calling phone and redirects the calling phone to the customer service representative chosen by the calling phone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for redirecting a calling phone from a finder service to a destination phone. A communication system receives a request to generate a set of destination names at the finder service from the calling phone. If the calling phone is capable of processing IP data, the communication system sends a text-based menu interface including the set of destination names to the calling phone. The calling phone may send a menu response indicating one of the set of destination names to the communication system. The communication system receives the menu response from the calling phone and redirects the calling phone to the destination name.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for a map-based directory service. Users are presented with a map on a computer screen, the map having symbols indicating real-world locations such as buildings, streets, parks, and bodies of water. A close correspondence exists between the map and the real-world. The map further has symbols indicating virtual locations. A virtual location, as the name implies, refers to a location that appears on the map but is not physically present in the real world. In accordance with the present invention, users can locate listings in conjunction with both real and virtual locations related to such listings, and, can connect to the entities associated with those listings once located.

Abstract: A data transaction processing system in which transaction data is entered by the user in response to prompts in a template which is tailored to each user application. The template and entered data are accumulated into data transactions that are immediately transmitted upon completion to an external database server for processing and storage. The data transactions are not locally stored for processing, and no conventional operating system is necessary. No local processing needs to be provided, and the only local storage is a flash PROM which stored the control firmware, a flash memory which stores the data streams making up the forms and menus, and a small RAM which operates as an input/output transaction buffer for storing the data streams of the template and the user replies to the prompts during assembly of a data transaction.

Abstract: An intermixing data and voice device and method that includes a screen phone. The screen phone has a screen display, a microphone, a speaker, a muter, a detector, a generator, a sender and a receiver. The detector is configured and arranged to detect a CAS tone and the generator generates an acknowledgement message in response to detection of the CAS tone in the case of the screen phone of the consumer. The detector detects the acknowledgement messages and the generator generates queries for graphics and textual support in the case of the screen phone of the business. The muter mutes the microphone and the speaker in accordance with instructions from a controller. In the case of the screen phone of the consumer, muting may arise in response to detection of the CAS tone. In the case of the screen phone of the business, muting may arise in response to answering a phone call.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for providing an indication of the busy condition to a calling party on a telecommunications system. The calling party may be the user of a text telephone device such as a TTY device. When a called party's line is busy, the method and system send a text message to the calling party that indicates that the called party's line is busy.

Abstract: A method for telephone communications includes providing a protocol that defines a relation between predetermined graphic elements and respective sequences of dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals. A screen to be displayed is designed, including one or more of the graphic elements. An encoded representation of the screen is then generated using DTMF signals in accordance with the protocol. The encoded representation is transmitted over a telephone line to a telephone subscriber unit, whereby the one or more graphic elements are displayed by the subscriber unit responsive to the encoded representation of the screen.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a communication apparatus capable of being connected to a communication line through which calling party information comes at the time of termination, wherein without bothering a user, it is possible to perform display of incoming call history, automatic dialing origination by using the display. In the communication apparatus, when a calling party information receiving section receives calling party information, a main controlling section reads the calling party information out of a specific area of a memory, and sequentially compares the calling party information received by the calling party information receiving section with the read calling party information.

Abstract: An alphanumeric messaging system for exchanging alphanumeric messages over a communications connection. The alphanumeric messaging system comprises a communications circuitry, an alphanumeric telephone, and a switching system. The communications circuitry is configured to originate a communications connection in response to receiving a stimulus and exchange alphanumeric messages over the communications connection. The alphanumeric telephone configured to originate a call connection and exchange the alphanumeric messages over the call connection. The switching system is configured to establish the communications connection and the call connection and exchange the alphanumeric messages for the alphanumeric telephone and the communications circuitry.

Abstract: A communication system is disclosed including a first digital telephone set, a second digital telephone set, or its processing equivalent, having a private branch exchange (PBX)-paging server interface, and a PBX operative between the first digital telephone set and the second digital telephone set, wherein the second digital telephone set transmits text messages received from the first digital telephone set to a paging server via the PBX-paging server interface and wherein the paging server transmits the text messages to a pager.

Abstract: A system is described for assisting the hard of hearing in the use of the telephone, the system termed here text enhanced telephony or TET. The hard of hearing user uses a TET device or appliance which permits the user to speak and to hear the words spoken by the other party, the TET device also supplying to the user a text character stream of the words spoken by the other party. The TET system uses the system of voice-to-text relays, already in existence to assist the deaf community communicate with hearing persons over the telephone, to translate the spoken voice into a text stream. The TET relay and TET device are capable of separating voice and digital communications frequencies carrying text so that voice and a text communications stream of the words spoken by the voice can be carried over a common telephone line. The devices can also be capable of automated capabilities such that the devices can automatically configure a three-party relay call without the need for the user's instructions.

Abstract: A system and method for Assisting Speech And Hearing-impaired Subscribers Using The Telephone And Central Office is disclosed. The present invention in some preferred embodiments permits remote customization of Central Office resources on behalf of a specific subscriber, and also allows the subscriber to test the customization before deployment. The present invention helps advance the art of telephony voice assistance by adding mechanisms to solve problems present in standalone environments. The method on the system comprises the steps of: receiving a communication session request from a first party using a first user unit; and determining if the first party is speech-impaired, and if the first party is speech-impaired, then performing the sub-steps of: prompting the first party for text input; receiving the text input from the first party; converting the text input, using a Text-to-Speech resource, to an audio output; and sending the audio output to a second party.

Abstract: A method for providing telephone services for the hearing-impaired includes establishing a conference call between a hearing-impaired party, a hearing party and a communication assistant. The hearing party sends a voice message to the communication assistant. The communication assistant converts the voice message into a corresponding text message and transmits the text message to the hearing-impaired party. The text message is displayed to the hearing-impaired party using a device that includes a modem. The modem outputs a synchronization tone in response to receiving the text message. The synchronization tone and other tones may then be filtered to ensure that they do not reach the communication assistant and the hearing party.

Abstract: The transmission of a service page according to the present invention provides for versatile data to be displayed on a display of a terminal, which is in contact with a telecommunication network, on the basis of CLIP or CoLP identifier information. This is implemented, for example, so that after having received (31) the CLIP identifier information, characteristic of a subscriber A, a subscriber B contacts a server (32), through a telecommunication network, and transmits (33) to it the CLIP information on the subscriber A. On the basis of this, the server transmits to the subscriber B the address of a service page (37), characteristic of the subscriber A, provided that it is located in a database (34, 35). After this, the subscriber B retrieves (38), from an Internet address (37) it has received, the service page, characteristic of the subscriber A, and displays it on its display (39).

Abstract: A telephony system allows a calling party to provide Call Context Identification (CCID) in conjunction with a voice telephone call. When a called party's telephone device is in its ringing state or in a call waiting alerting state, the CCID is displayed to the called party to aid the called party in determining whether to answer the call. The system allows a calling party to embed actions in text messages. Such actions are displayed on the called party's telephone device as action keys. Selection of these action keys results in performing an action defined by the calling party.

Abstract: A novel telephone call center split monitoring and display system, uses an integrated three-dimensional bar chart to display multiple split activity information in a single view, enabling easy comparison and multiple split monitoring by split managers without crowded views or frequent toggling between several views.