Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for simultaneously indicating, on each of a plurality of communication terminals, instructions transmitted by each terminal and the identity of the respective terminals that transmitted the instructions. Such a feature can be used to indicate the moves of parties playing a game over a telephone line. Once a communications link is established between two or more parties, their terminals are placed in a game mode which activates inband signal detection and player identification circuitry located within the terminals. Multi-colored indicators and player identification displays at each terminal are activated, their color being dependent upon the source of received instructions. In one embodiment, player identification indicators may be incorporated into a touch tone keypad located on the terminals. The keypad's touch tone keys are modified such that each key has two or more color coded indicators incorporated within, each color representing a particular player's move.

Abstract: The present invention provides an extensible phone application that uses extensions to interact with other applications executing in a mobile communication device. The extensible phone application is operable to handle wireless communication for the mobile communication device. Another application may interact with the extensible phone application by incorporating an extension. The extensible phone application enables the extension to register with the phone application for receiving a notification associated with an event. In response to the event, the extensible phone application sends the notification to the extension.

Abstract: The invention concerns improvements to telecoms systems. In the proposed method and apparatus, an image (which may have advertising content) is displayed to a caller and a recipient prior to relaying a caller message. This supplementary image may take the place of conventional text such as CALLING. On audio/visual equipment, an audio message may take the place of a ringing tone.

Abstract: A mobile communication terminal having a function of displaying a communication state and a method thereof are disclosed. The method of displaying a communication state in a case of a multiparty call using a mobile communication terminal having a plurality of display units includes displaying information on one calling party on a first display unit, and displaying information on the other calling party on a second display unit. Here, information on one calling party and information on another calling party can be switched with each other and displayed on the different display units, and therefore voice communication is possible between one or more of the parties at the same time.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a server having a controller to receive a call request from a set top box that is remote from the server where the call request identifies a telephone number that is displayed in video content presented by the set top box where the telephone number was detected based on at least one of image pattern recognition and voice recognition and where the telephone number is associated with a marketing entity of the video content, establish a voice communication with a first telephone device associated with the set top box, and establish the voice communication with a second telephone device associated with the telephone number and the marketing entity if the first telephone device accepts the voice communication. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method for delivering electronic services in a personal area network (PAN) can include providing a kiosk in a publicly traversable area. The kiosk can be configured to deliver electronic services over short-range radio communications links to wireless devices in a personal area network (PAN). The kiosk also can be configured to communicate over an existing physical communications link medium. A PAN can be established in the publicly traversable area. Electronic services can be selectably retrieved through the existing physical communications link medium into the kiosk. Finally, the retrieved selected electronic services can be delivered to wireless devices in the PAN over the short-range radio communications link. Notably, the step of establishing a PAN in the publicly traversable area can include establishing a BLUETOOTH-based PAN with wireless devices in the publicly traversable area.

Abstract: A method and apparatus used in communications devices for associating images with data is described. The method includes the steps of comparing data associated with a plurality of images with data associated with a record and linking an image from the plurality of images to the record if at least a portion of the data associated with the image matches at least a portion of the data associated with the record. The apparatus includes a memory for storing images and records and data associated with the images and records, a processor coupled to the memory for comparing the data associated with the records and data associated with a plurality of images, and a display coupled to the controller for displaying the image if at least a portion of the data associated with the image matches at least a portion of the data associated with the record.

Abstract: A telephone system that has the ability to provide a caller with additional information (beyond a busy signal or a ring tone) concerning the called party when the called party's line is busy: The called party can control the amount and type of additional information provided to the calling party. In one embodiment, when the called party is notified that someone is trying to place a call (by a mechanism such as by conventional caller ID) the called party has the option of providing the calling party with a variety of different information, such as whether or not the called party is on a conference call and the number (and name if available) of the party to whom the called party is speaking.

Abstract: Disclosed are an apparatus and a method for forming an event picture in a mobile communication terminal. According to the invention, when there occurs any event such as call reception, alarm or message reception under state that a service picture is displayed on a screen of the terminal, the current service picture is backed up, a command input through the buttons provided to the terminal is interrupted and the event picture is overlapped over the current service picture, thereby allowing a user to perceive the corresponding event. Accordingly, the terminal user can correctly perceive the event occurred during the service. In addition, when the event occurs, the command input through the buttons is interrupted, so that it is possible to prevent an unintended event processing or erroneous operation due to an erroneous button manipulation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a service node will recognize an attempt to initiate a call from a first terminal to a second terminal, and automatically provide information to media clients associated with the first and second terminals such that a media session can be readily established between the media clients in association with the call. The service node may be configured to interact with telephony switches that support the first or second terminals, directly or indirectly via a signaling adaptor. In a second embodiment, the service node will recognize an attempt to initiate a call and will route the call to a gateway, which is controllable by the service node. Once the call is sent to the gateway, the service node may provide instructions to the gateway for routing or otherwise processing the call.

Abstract: A system may receive a telephone call request for a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) user. The telephone call request omits a name of a calling party. The system may further determine if the VoIP user has a calling party name feature enabled and obtaining, when the VoIP user has a calling party name feature enabled, the name of the calling party from a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) based repository of calling party names.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a system and method for establishing telephone communication between a calling party and called party wherein the calling party may store a plurality of numbers or identifiers of a called party and initiating a number or identifier of the called party enables the system and method to call multiple numbers of the called party from the stored plurality of numbers.

Abstract: A communication terminal having one or more one-touch-dial buttons simplifies operations needed for registration of destination data such as phone numbers or mail addresses. A communication terminal (e.g., a cellular phone) having one or more one-touch-dial buttons includes a destination-data registration unit (e.g., a phone-directory database) that allows destination data such as phone numbers or mail addresses to be registered therein, a one-touch-dial registration unit that allows destination data to be registered therein so as to be associated with the one or more one-touch-dial buttons, and a control unit that, in response to an operation of the one or more one-touch-dial buttons, determines whether destination data has been registered in the one-touch-dial registration unit or the destination-data registration unit, and that outputs a result of the determination and a query message regarding registration of the destination data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention include a caller identification system and method for identifying a caller with a partial phone number look-up table. The caller identification system comprises a database that stores received calls and can be personalized to include information specific to partial phone numbers. In one embodiment, the caller identification system disclosed can be integrated into a cellular phone. In this embodiment, an incoming call initiates a search in a database to retrieve information about the caller. If a match is found, the identity of the caller is displayed. When an exact match is not found, a search for a partial match is executed with wild card values and information about the partial match is displayed. Information for a partial match can be personalized or pre-programmed into the caller ID system such as the city associated with a particular area code or prefix.

Abstract: Say John on a PSTN needs to contact Chuck. Chuck's telephone is a SIP, H.323, DCP, or analog endpoint, connected to the PSTN via an enterprise network and gateway. John already knows Chuck's number. Before dialing Chuck's phone number, John navigates to a URL that includes something unique to Chuck in its name, such as www.xyzco.com/303-555-1212 or www.xyzco.com/chuck. The webpage of the URL contains two fields: number you will be calling from and subject. John enters his number and then enters the subject “Sale going through!” John then dials Chuck's number. The enterprise network receives the call and the associated Caller-ID via its PSTN gateway, maps the inbound Caller-ID to the information provided by John, routes the call to Chuck's phone, and causes the display on Chuck's phone to show John's Caller-ID and the subject of the call. Chuck thinks the subject may be important and therefore decides to answer.

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: The invention is directed to a method of displaying multimedia data and providing multitasking features and a mobile communications terminal capable of implementing the same; and cradle for the mobile communications terminal. A mobile communications terminal includes a transceiver, a memory, a first display unit, a second display unit, a processor, a sensor to detect a rotational movement of a body, and a cradle for displaying multimedia contents is provided. The display unit can display the multimedia data in a fixed viewing angle regardless of which direction a user rotates the terminal.

Abstract: An apparatus for obtaining and displaying call progress information of a telephone call on the monitor of the television, including means for communicating control signals that flow in either direction between the apparatus and a set top box that controls the television.

Abstract: A system and method for providing information local to a called party located in a different geographic location may include storing information and telephone number identifiers as associated with remote geographic locations. In response to a telephone number being dialed, a determination may be made as to whether a portion of the dialed telephone number matches a stored telephone number identifier. If a portion of the dialed telephone number matches a stored telephone number identifier, at least a portion of the information associated with the matched telephone number identifier may be presented to a user. Otherwise, information associated with a portion of the dialed telephone number that identifies a geographic location from a communications network may be requested and presented to the user.

Abstract: A voice terminal provides an enhanced dial-by-name feature using presence information indicating availability of subscribers. The voice terminal includes an input device configured to receive input from a user indicating directory search criteria for searching a directory of subscribers to identify those subscribers matching the input and a user interface operable to provide both a list of subscribers matching the input and presence information on each of the subscribers in the list.

Abstract: Techniques to manage the display of information for multiple voice and/or data calls in wireless devices. The techniques can manage a summary of all calls that are in progress and detailed information for individual calls. In one method, summary information is initially provided (e.g., to a display) for the multiple calls. The summary information may include, for example, the type and status of each call. An indication is then received to view detailed information for a selected call. In response, the detailed information for the selected call is provided. The detailed information for the selected call may include, for example, the caller name, call number, call duration, and so on. The detailed information for a data call may indicate various attributes for the data call (e.g., data rate, connection status, activity, service type, billing information, and so on).

Abstract: A telephone apparatus includes: a call signal detecting unit that detects a call signal transmitted via a public telephone line; an identification information detecting unit that detects source identification information transmitted via the public telephone line; and a source identification information detection control unit that controls an operation of the identification information detecting unit. The source identification information detection control unit actuates the identification information detecting unit when the call signal detecting unit detects the call signal and a predetermined condition is satisfied, and stops or does not actuate the identification information detecting unit when the call signal detecting unit detects the call signal and the predetermined condition is not satisfied.

Abstract: A telephony provider apparatus comprising: a pre-call information receiver, for receiving pre-call information transmitted through a first path and associated with a phone call transmitted through a second path; and a network component, associated with the pre-call information receiver, for provisioning the pre-call information to a callee and co-ordinating connection of the associated phone call to the callee with delivery of the pre-call information. Preferably the call is connected after the callee has seen the pre-call information and actively accepted the call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for processing a contact with a client of an organization. The method includes the steps of a contact processing resource of the organization detecting a contact with the client through a first communication channel operating under a first communication format, the contact processing resource generating an information request based upon the contact with the client, transferring the information request to a media server of the organization and the media server sending an information response to the client through a second communication channel operating under a second communication format.

Abstract: Search methods. A string is first received. The string is divided to generate at least one string fragment set, comprising of at least a first and a second fragments. A record conforming to the string fragment set is searched for and retrieved. A first data block of the record may include or begin with the first fragment, and a second block may include or begin with the second fragment. The first block may include or begin with the second fragment, and the second block may include or begin with the first fragment.

Abstract: A method for displaying status information on a mobile terminal is provided. The method comprises the steps of when an event is generated in the mobile terminal, determining whether a function for displaying a character image has been set for the event; if the function has been set, processing the generated event, selecting a character image corresponding to the event in a character memory and displaying an event processing result together with the selected character image; and if the function has not been set, processing the generated event and displaying the event processing result.

Abstract: A communications device and method for selecting a missed call reminder alert by comparing an identifier associated with a telephone number of an unattended received communications call with a database of alert profiles stored a memory of the communications device. The comparing identifies a call reminder alert time profile for the unattended received communications call. Next, there is performed a selecting, from the database of alert profiles, an identified call reminder alert time profile for the unattended received communications call. Thereafter, the communications device and method provide for emitting the missed call reminder alert based on the identified call reminder alert time profile.

Abstract: A method and communication network for providing a subscriber with a blend of services of the communication network delivered to the subscriber through a telephone and services delivered to the subscriber through a TV delivery system in communication with the network. Upon receipt of a message from a calling party, a service broker function may be configured to execute service package information associated with services of the TV delivery system subscription to include obtaining and delivering caller ID information of the calling party. The service broker function may be configured to alter the message request to generate a modified message request in respect to information affecting alerting of the subscriber's phone. The modified message is sent to the subscriber's phone so that, while information of the calling party is displayed on the TV delivery system, alerting of the phone is modified.

Abstract: A system is provided for managing incoming communications placed in response to advertising, online content, and/or special service numbers. Information extracted from incoming communications can be received by a system server and cross-referenced with a database to obtain cross-referenced customer information pertaining to previous customer communications in the form of online communications, telephone calls, and/or in person customer meetings. The cross-referenced customer information can be passed to a client workstation and displayed to the user in the form of an industry-specific template formatted in accordance with the business needs of the user. The template can be automatically populated with the cross-referenced customer information. The user can view and update the customer information, thereby maintaining a retrievable record of the communication.

Abstract: Methods are provided for managing and configuring voice services the notification and disposition of voice services, such as telephone calls, in a cable television services system. In response to receiving a notification of an incoming voice service in the cable television services system, a voice services banner is generated for displaying options for managing the incoming voice service. Options for managing the incoming voice service are selected from the voice services banner. An on-screen user interface is generated for configuring voice services options on a display device in communication with a set-top box. The user interface receives selections for configuring the voice services options. In response to receiving a selection, a determination is made whether to display a menu for configuring the voice services options based on a subscriber profile. If it is determined that the configuration of voice services is authorized, then the menu is displayed for configuring the voice services options.

Abstract: A telephone terminal is connected to a communication network that transmits voice packets and connected to a terminal control unit. The telephone terminal includes a display, an input buffer, an acquisition unit, and a controller. The input buffer temporarily stores text display information that represents an operational state of the telephone terminal, the text display information being transmitted from the terminal control unit via the communication network. The acquisition unit acquires display control information required for dividing the text display information into a plurality of pieces of component information. The controller reads the text display information stored in the input buffer, divides the text display information into a plurality of pieces of component information based on the display control information, and controls the display to display the component information pieces in different display positions.

Abstract: A system and method for displaying information to a user of a telephone during a telephone call may include requesting information from a plurality of applications in response to receiving data indicative of a telecommunications device during a telephone call. The information may include information associated with a second user of the telecommunications device. The information received from the applications may be displayed for the first user to view during the telephone call.

Abstract: Described is a method for entry of information into a directory accessible to a caller telecommunications device. Information associated with a called telecommunications device is transmitted from the called telecommunications device over an auxiliary communication channel to a caller telecommunications device. The information is sent in response to an initiation of a communication, such as a voice communication, between the devices over a primary communication channel. An inquiry is presented to a user of the caller telecommunications device to determine if the received information is to be stored. If the user responds affirmatively, the information is stored in a directory in the caller telecommunications device or in a directory on a remote server accessible to the caller telecommunications device. In other embodiments one or more additional auxiliary communications channels are used to transmit or retrieve the information.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an originating communication device within a wireless communications system sends a call request to a server to initiate a communication session with a target communication device, and also sends, along with the call request, a session description request, the session description request requesting alerting data to be sent to the target communication device from the server in addition to a call announce message for announcing the communication session to the at least one target communication device, the alerting data describing a nature of the communication session. The server sends the call announce message and the alerting data to the target communication device. The target communication device receives the call announce message and the alerting data, notifies a user of the target communication device of the announced communication session and outputs the alerting data to the user of the target communication device in conjunction with the notification.

Abstract: A method of providing telecommunication service includes receiving a call for a called party from a calling party. The method also includes determining a presence status of the called party and communicating a greeting for the calling party, wherein the greeting identifies the presence status of the called party.

Abstract: An integrated telephony and video system allows a viewer of a program to selectively accept a telephone call based on caller identification information and automatically buffer the program upon acceptance of the call. When the call is terminated, the buffered program is played from the point of interruption until the buffered program is the same as the real-time program. The system may store data about the call, such as the caller identification information and length of the call. Such data may be used to determine a compression format for the buffered program. Such data may also be used to generate a list of callers for whom the user desires to be interrupted while viewing the program.

Abstract: A web-type audio information system using phone communication lines including a computer based host accessible to phones, supporting multiple indexed stored audio information segments, wherein the content of the segments are substantially selected and supplied by multiple independent subscribers, and the host supports an interactive directory system providing for connecting a phone line with an audio segment in accordance with supplied segment identification.

Abstract: An electronic device, such as a telephone, includes a key operable to be pressed into a depressed position, said key being associated with a function, and a control system for initiating the function associated with the key, wherein if the key is pressed into the depressed position and released within a timeout period, the control initiates the function upon release of the key, and if the key is pressed into the depressed position and retained in the depressed position for the timeout period, the control system does not initiate the function upon release of the key.

Abstract: A method of sending mobile phone contact list data from one mobile phone to another mobile phone is disclosed. The sender composes an SMS or MMS message having contact data from the mobile phonebook attached. The message is sent using a messaging service like SMS or MMS to other mobile phones in a group. Before receiving mobiles act on the message, a check is determined to see if the message contains contact list data. If it does not, the message is processed normally. If the message does contain contact list data, a software program is launched to manage the received contact list data. The program displays the received mobile phone contact list data so that the mobile phone user can examine the data. An import function is run to resolve conflicts, store and overwrite data into the mobile phone's contact database based on the newly received contact list data.

Abstract: A phone dialing method is carried out on a communication device when browsing photos so as to make a phone call. First, a browser is activated to load a picture. Face features of all the existing human faces are detected. The face features of all contacts in a directory are compared to find out the contact matching the characters of human face. Then, the phone number of the contact is dialed. Further, after the picture is loaded, a user may set an identification area to narrow down the scope of identifying human faces. After that, the characters of human face of the selected human face are analyzed, and a search is made in the directory to find the contact matching the characters of human face. Finally, call contact by the number of directory.

Abstract: Select Ring allows users of communication devices, such as cellular telephones, to designate which incoming calls may transmit voice, video, and/or text data via the device's loudspeaker and display screen while the phone is ringing and before the incoming call is accepted. Select Ring also allows users of communication devices to designate which incoming callers may automatically transmit to the user's phone and receive from the user's phone voice, video, and/or text data via the device's loudspeaker and display screen without requiring the user to manually accept the incoming call.

Abstract: There is provided an interface viewable on a display for a communications apparatus used during a session for voice communications between at least two parties. The interface includes at least one edge of the display having a row of objects, each object of the row being for representing each of the at least two parties; and a main portion of the display being for showing the object of the party speaking at a particular point in time, with a plurality of the objects being shown when a plurality of the parties are speaking at the particular point in time. Advantageously, the object of the speaking party is shown on the main portion when the speaking party's voice is detected by the speaking party's communications apparatus, a host server receiving information from the speaking party's communications apparatus to aid in displaying the object of the speaking party at the particular point in time.

Abstract: An integrated telephony and video system allows a viewer of a program to selectively accept a telephone call based on caller identification information and automatically buffer the program upon acceptance of the call. When the call is terminated, the buffered program is played from the point of interruption until the buffered program is the same as the real-time program. The system may store data about the call, such as the caller identification information and length of the call. Such data may be used to determine a compression format for the buffered program. Such data may also be used to generate a list of callers for whom the user desires to be interrupted while viewing the program.

Abstract: A system and method for integrating voice and data operations into a single mobile device capable of simultaneously performing data and voice actions. The mobile device working in a network capable of exchanging both cell phone calls and data items to the mobile device. By wearing an earphone or an ear-bud device the user is capable of dealing with voice conversations while working with data centric information related to the current caller. By providing a data-centric device with voice capabilities there is a new range of features that allow incoming data events to trigger outgoing voice events.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses receive a telephone number from an originating device; match the telephone number to an IM identifier; associate the IM identifier to a receiving device; and establish a telephone call between the originating device and the receiving device.

Abstract: A method for sending a message containing a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) to a customer. The method includes recording in a customer's telephone system a destination address of the communications terminal, selecting at least one URL to be sent to the communications terminal during a telephone call, obtaining the destination address, generating a message containing the URLs, and sending the message from a telephone system of the merchant or sender to the destination address of the customer's communications terminal. The message may also contain additional items, including for example, electronic coupons, an on-line trial subscription, a user ID, a user password, advertisements, sender information, or combinations thereof, wherein the user ID and user password are required by the Website having the address of the URLs. The method may further include recording the at least one URL into the bookmark section of the browser in the communications terminal.

Abstract: An interactive information distribution system that facilitates automatic transmission of a variety of information packets to the communication devices of a calling party and parties called during a call. The information packets are comprised of actual files and or links to files or websites, and are automatically transmitted following the initiation of a call. Upon initiating a call, an indicator that may include metadata linked to information packets is processed to identify at least one database for locating information packets to which the metadata is linked. The interactive information distribution system also includes a verbal communication conversion engine that allows verbal telephone communications to be converted to text and filtered to generate keywords which are used in additional database searching to identify additional information packets.

Abstract: A system and method track short term and long term intervals to assess whether a voice message source is a likely source of voice spam. Upon detection of a spamming threshold, calls from the source are blocked until detection that a sufficient time interval has elapsed without generation of messages.

Abstract: The present invention provides presence-aware systems. More specifically, methods and systems are provided that enable a contact center to utilize presence information when servicing a contact. When the presence of a particular customer is detected, such information may be provided to or otherwise ascertained by the contact center. Once the contact center has the presence information it may use it to determine how best to call back the customer such that it is convenient for the customer and an agent of the contact center.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a method, devices, a computer program product and a computer program element for changing the appearance of an item displayed to a user. A first set of electronic messages related to at least one first sender are received and the frequency at which said messages are received is determined. The appearance of at least one item (22, 26, 30) displayed in a view showing items related to received messages is then changed in dependence of said frequency. In this way a user can instantly and directly receive an indication of the messaging frequency.