Lucent Technologies Inc.

Other

Alcatel-lucent USA Inc.

Rhoda Yaker

Eugene J Rosenthal

For use with a user communication device (UCD) that communicates over a packet network by alternately transmitting and receiving streams of associated continuous media communication data packets, systems and methods for providing call processing features, such as call forwarding and call blocking, to the communication device. In one advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the call processing system: (1) determines that a call composed of a stream of continuous media communication packets and associated with the UCD requires a specified alternative processing and (2) causes the continuous media communication data packets associated with the call to be processed in accordance with the specified alternative processing.

System and method for providing advanced calling features to a packet network-based communication device and packet network employing the same

Private electronic message system

A voice messaging system enables a callee to specify a retention time for retaining a stored voice message from a caller. The system then automatically deletes the stored voice message after the expiration of the retention time. In one embodiment, the caller is able to specify one retention time when the message is first recorded, and the callee can change that retention time when the message is retrieved. If the message is not retrieved by the callee before the caller-specified retention time expires, the system will automatically delete the message. In one embodiment, a callee can also assign a retention time to an outgoing voice message for playback to subsequent callers. The present invention improves the operations of a voice messaging system with limited memory resources, by reducing the chances that the system's memory will become filled with old messages which would leave the system unable to store new messages from callers.

Specifiable delete times for voice messaging

Computer programs such as word processing, spreadsheet and electronic mail are run from a remote telecommunications terminal, without benefit of any user interaction with a screen display, by software associated with the computer that translates a combination of remotely-generated tone and voice signals to executable application program commands. The communication protocols use a conversant system's query-response sequences to call up an application and to run selected portions of the program. Pre-recorded voiceprints of a particular user's voice commands and utterances required to operate the software are stored at the computer; and compared during usage to the actual utterances. Insufficient matches result in suspension or termination of access.

Screen-less remote voice or tone-controlled computer program operations

An enhanced call waiting (ECW) feature is provided by a switch serving a called subscriber who, while still on a first telephone call, receives a subsequent telephone call. According to ECW, the switch provides service so that the called party may select from processing treatments for the second call which, in addition to the conventional processing of a) placing the first telephone call on hold and answering the second telephone call request, or b) simply declining the subsequent telephone call request, include treatments such as: 1) declining acceptance of the subsequent telephone call request but signaling the subsequent telephone call originator, via a message, to call again at a predetermined time or at the end of a specified period of time; 2) declining acceptance of the subsequent telephone call request and signaling the subsequent telephone call originator, via a message, that the called subscriber will return the call at a predetermined time or at the end of a specified period of time; 3) bridging the subsequent telephone call originator with the first telephone call to establish a conference; 4) directing, via a message, that the telephone call be transferred to another telephone number, e.g., a secretary or voice messaging system, that is specified as part of the message; or 5) disabling call waiting while the called subscriber remains on the first call, (i) for this particular caller, (ii) for all callers except those listed on a so-called 'exception' list, or (iii) for all callers.

Advanced call waiting processing

The functions of a paging device and the calling card or any other type of credit card having integrated into one unit which is referred to as a smartcard and has approximately the dimensions of a standard credit card. The smartcard not only receives the number of the caller from the paging center but automatically dials and transmits billing information when inserted into a pay telephone. The user can through the use of switches on the smartcard return all of the calls for the telephone numbers that were received from the paging service. In addition, the smartcard allows for the storage of commonly-dialed numbers used by the user that can also be automatically dialed when the smartcard is inserted into a pay telephone. Also, if the name of the caller is transmitted rather than the telephone number from the paging center, the smartcard searches the commonly-dialed numbers to find the telephone number associated with that name.

Growing community of inventors

Annandale, NJ, United States of America

Rhoda Yaker