Siemens Communications, Inc.

Siemens Enterprise Communications, Inc.

Joseph LoBuono

Johannes Ruetschi

A private communications network and method of managing calls in a private communications network. Connected communications devices register with the network and are assigned aliases, with aliases for groups of registered devices sharing one or more common digits. Dialing strings for in-network calls are monitored for inclusion of a wildcard (e.g., *) which are treated as a 'don't care.' The wildcard invokes group features, such as placing a conference call, invoking a hunting feature and invoking a pickup feature. The call is distributed/connected to the group corresponding to the remaining digits.

Private communications network with wildcard dialing

A real-time communications system of networked communications devices, method and program product for operating such a system. E-mail activity is, monitored for e-mail exchange threads. Selected threads are identified and a prompt to switch to an IM session is sent to a local e-mail recipient. If the recipient elects to continue the exchange in an instant messaging (IM) session, the substance of the thread is copied to the IM session and the exchange continues.

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Delray Beach, FL, United States of America

Joseph LoBuono