Patent application number | Description | Published |
20080313154 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING CONTACT INFORMATION - A method for managing contact information is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to perform a web-based search for contact information based on a request, present search results obtained from the web-based search, monitor for a selection to populate an address book of the communication device with a target portion of the contact information for an entry of the search results, parse the entry of the search results to obtain the target portion of the contact information, and populate the address book with the target portion of the contact information. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 12-18-2008 |
20080313547 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRESENTING A GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to present a graphical user interface (GUI) with a plurality of toolbars, detect a selection of a web-based toolbar, present the GUI with a hierarchical listing of content associated with the selected web-based toolbar, detect a selection of content from the hierarchical listing of content, create a new toolbar associated with the selected content with at least one selectable GUI element, present the GUI with the new toolbar intermixed with at least a portion of the plurality of toolbars, poll a web service for content updates, wherein the web service is associated with the selected content, and present the GUI with content updates supplied by the web service displayed in a portion of the new toolbar. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 12-18-2008 |
20090028312 | ENABLING PRIORITY BASED CALL HANDLING FOR MULTIPLE DIFFERENT TELEPHONY DEVICES - A disclosed application server and method are operable to enable a user to access and modify a remote user profile stored on or otherwise accessible to the application server. The user profile identifies the user's CPE devices and information indicative of priority based call handling rules defined by the user. The profile may also include priority levels assigned by the user to selected telephone numbers. The application server downloads a user's profile information to the CPE devices identified in the profile, which may include multiple CPE devices that operate on different telecommunications networks, for example, VoIP networks, wireless cellular networks, and/or traditional TDM networks. The application server communicates the profile information to the CPE devices defined in the profile. In the case of a TDM phone, the application server uses an intermediary, such as a central office or Service Node, to implement the service on behalf of a TDM telephone. | 01-29-2009 |
20090034698 | SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING RECORDED MESSAGES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network element operating in a communication system having a controller element to receive from an initiating party a message directed to a subscriber of the communication system, receive from the subscriber a request to present the message, identify the initiating party supplying the message, transmit the identity of the initiating party to a telephone number mapping (ENUM) system with a request for a communication ID of a presence system that monitors the initiating party, transmit to the presence system according to the communication ID a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) SUBSCRIBE message requesting presence information of the initiating party, and present the subscriber one or more options to communicate with the initiating party according to the presence information received in a SIP NOTIFY message supplied by the presence system. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 02-05-2009 |
20090109278 | Integrated Devices for Multimedia Content Delivery and Video Conferencing - A receiver device for use in conjunction with an MCDN includes a computer readable storage resource, a controller to execute stored instructions, a network interface coupling the device to the MCDN, and a decoder to decode streaming multimedia content received via the network interface. The receiver includes a remote control interface to detect a remote control command from a remote control device and a handset interface to communicate audio data with a handset device. A local video interface receives video data from a camera or other local video resource. The stored instructions include, a remote control application to execute remote control commands, a handset module to communicate audio date with the handset device, and a session initiation module to establish a video conferencing session. A video conferencing module integrates the audio data and the video data and communicates the integrated data via the video conferencing session. | 04-30-2009 |
20090245495 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRESENTING COMMUNICATION IDENTIFIERS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to retrieve a telephone number having an area code, an exchange code, and an extension code, generate from the telephone number at least one additional dialing format, present a plurality of dialing formats comprising the telephone number in its original dialing format and the at least one additional dialing format, detect a selection from the plurality of dialing formats, and initiate communications according to the selected dialing format. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 10-01-2009 |
20090274285 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SELECTING COMMUNICATION IDENTIFIERS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to retrieve a targeted party telephone number, retrieve a telephone number assigned to the communication device, submit to a system at least a portion of the targeted party telephone number and at least a portion of the telephone number assigned to the communication device, receive from the system information indicating a dialing format for the targeted party telephone number, and initiate communications according to the information supplied by the system. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 11-05-2009 |
20100020949 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING CONTACT BOOKS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to receive from a first communication device (CD) a telephone number of a second CD, submit a verification code to the second CD, submit a request to the first CD for the verification code, receive the verification code from the first CD, provide the first CD access to update in whole or in part a second contact book of the second CD stored in a contact book account, receive from the first CD one or more entries of a first contact book of the first CD, merge the one or more entries of the first contact book with one or more entries of the second contact book, thereby generating an updated second contact book, and store the updated second contact book in the contact book account. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 01-28-2010 |
20100022237 | MULTI-MODE COMMUNICATION SYSTEM - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication system having a battery-operated communication device (BOCD) operating according to a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) access protocol, or a Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunications (DECT) wireless access protocol, one or more battery-operated handsets (BOHs) operating according to the DECT wireless access protocol, and a base unit with a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) port and an Ethernet port. The base unit can be adapted to provide voice or data services to the BOCD by way of the PSTN port or the Ethernet port while communicatively coupled thereto according to the DECT wireless access protocol, or the WiFi access protocol, and provide voice services to each of the one or more BOHs by way of the PSTN port while communicatively coupled thereto according to the DECT wireless access protocol. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 01-28-2010 |
20100067676 | System and Method of Providing Number Identification in an Intelligent Telephone Network - In a particular embodiment, a method of managing calls to a toll-free telephone number is disclosed. The method includes modifying a calling party identification (ID) privacy indicator associated with a received telephone call directed to a toll-free number. The calling party ID privacy indicator is modified based at least in part on a day that the telephone call is received. | 03-18-2010 |
20100111283 | METHODS, APPARATUS AND ARTICLES OF MANUFACTURE TO DETERMINE ROUTING FOR IDENTICAL VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK (VPN) NUMBERS ASSIGNED TO MULTIPLE COMPANIES - Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to determine routing for identical virtual private network (VPN) numbers assigned to multiple companies are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes receiving a query from a switch module to determine routing information for a call initiated by a calling party, the query including dialed digits, a calling party identifier, and a route identifier representative of a route via which the call was initiated, selecting a private VPN number look-up table from a plurality of private VPN number look-up tables based on the calling party identifier, and to perform a lookup within the selected private VPN number look-up table based on a portion of the dialed digits and the route identifier, the lookup to identify the routing information associated with the dialed digits, and transmitting the routing information to the switch module. | 05-06-2010 |
20100128641 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING CONFERENCE CALLS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to retrieve from an address book a communication identifier for each of a plurality of participants, determine from the address book a conferencing type for each of the plurality of participants, and initiate according to the conference type and the communication identifier of each participant a Voice over Internet Protocol conference call directed to communication devices of the plurality of participants. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 05-27-2010 |
20100128853 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING ALERTS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a cordless phone operating in an establishment with a plurality of cordless phone handsets having a controller adapted to monitor a source for weather alerts, detect a weather alert, determine from the weather alert a weather alert type, retrieve a user profile, identify from the user profile and the weather alert type one or more of the plurality of cordless phone handsets to be notified of the weather alert, select from the user profile a ringtone type for each of the identified cordless phone handsets, wherein the ringtone type identifies the weather alert type, and transmit a message to cause each of the indentified cordless phone handsets to assert the ringtone type identified therefor. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 05-27-2010 |
20100131377 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING TASKS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to receive a grocery list from a communication device of a user, identify a location in a store for each item in the grocery list, determine a selection order for the items in the grocery list based on the identified location of each item, adjust the grocery list according to the selection order and the location of each item, and transmit the adjusted grocery list to a device in the store for conducting grocery shopping according to the adjusted grocery list. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 05-27-2010 |
20100142688 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING COMMUNICATIONS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to detect a selection of an image from a graphical user interface, identify an entry in a contact book responsive to the detected selection of the image, and retrieve one or more communication identifiers associated with the party from the entry of the contact book for initiating a communication session. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 06-10-2010 |
20100142691 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RETRIEVING CONTACT INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH A PARTY - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to detect by way of an input device an entry of a communication identifier without contact information of a party associated with the communication identifier, retrieve from a database operating externally to the communication device contact information of the party according to the communication identifier, initiate a communication session according to the communication identifier, present at least a portion of the retrieved contact information and the communication identifier, and store the communication identifier in a communication log with the retrieved contact information. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 06-10-2010 |
20100144327 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PRESENTING A USER INTERFACE - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a tablet adapted to detect a presence of another communication device with a display, determine operating characteristics of the display, create according to the operating characteristics of the display a first user interface (UI) portion to be presented by the display of the other communication device and a second UI portion to be presented by a touch-sensitive display of the tablet, transmit the first UI portion by way of the base unit using the wireless data protocol for presentation at the display of the other communication device, present the second UI portion at the touch-sensitive display of the tablet, and navigate between the first and second UI portions as a single UI of the tablet. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 06-10-2010 |
20100157978 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR MANAGING A PRESENTATION OF MEDIA CONTENT - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to detect a media device operating externally to the communication device actively engaged in presenting media content, detect an incoming communication session initiated by another communication device, present a notice identifying the media device and the media content being presented by the media device, detect a directive to modify an operation of the media device to mitigate interrupting a communication session with the other communication device, and instruct the media device to modify its operation according to the directive. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 06-24-2010 |
20100162284 | SHARING BEHAVIORAL PATTERNS BETWEEN DEVICES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a set-top box having a controller to present media content at a presentation device as directed by a user, monitor the media content consumed by the user, detect a first behavioral pattern based on the media content consumed by the user, transmit the detected first behavioral pattern to a communication device of the user, receive from the communication device a second behavioral pattern, and identify media content correlating to the second behavioral pattern. The communication device can be adapted to adjust communication operations according to the detected first behavioral pattern. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 06-24-2010 |
20100299188 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING TASKS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to present a plurality of selectable commodity items, detect one or more selections from the plurality of commodity items, generate a list from the one or more commodity items selected, and transmit the list to a system. The system can be adapted to receive the list from the communication device, determine a selection order for the items in the list based on a location of each item in a store and at least one characteristic of at least one of the items, update the list according to the selection order, and transmit the updated list to a device for conducting commodity shopping according to the adjusted list. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 11-25-2010 |
20100329439 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING AUTHORIZATION LEVELS IN A VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK (VPN) - Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to determine authorization levels in a virtual private network are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes determining whether a call originated from an originating station associated with a virtual private network, the call originating via a private branch exchange associated with the virtual private network by a first user of a plurality of users associated with the virtual private network, querying a private-number table based on at least one of a switch identifier representing a service switching point, a trunk group identifier representing the private branch exchange, or an originating station identifier representing the originating station to obtain a private number assigned to the first user, and providing an authorization level associated with the private number to the service switching point, the service switching point to process the call according to the authorization level. | 12-30-2010 |
20110064206 | APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING MESSAGING SERVICES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a voicemail device having a controller to detect a recording of a voicemail message, generate a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message, wherein the SIP message contains visual voicemail data associated with the recorded voicemail message, and transmit the SIP message to a cordless phone system, wherein the SIP message is received by the cordless phone system over a data port of the cordless phone system, wherein the cordless phone system comprises a base station and at least one cordless communications device, wherein the visual voicemail data is retrieved by the base station, and wherein the visual voicemail data is transmitted by the based station to the at least one cordless communications device by utilizing a cordless wireless access protocol. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-17-2011 |
20120166305 | SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING TASKS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to present a plurality of selectable commodity items, detect one or more selections from the plurality of commodity items, generate a list from the one or more commodity items selected, and transmit the list to a system. The system can be adapted to receive the list from the communication device, determine a selection order for the items in the list based on a location of each item in a store and at least one characteristic of at least one of the items, update the list according to the selection order, and transmit the updated list to a device for conducting commodity shopping according to the adjusted list. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 06-28-2012 |
20120170727 | Method and Apparatus for Presenting a User Interface - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, utilizing a first communication device for identifying a user interface adaptation according to operating characteristics of a second display of a second communication device, identifying first and second user interface portions according to the user interface adaptation, presenting the first user interface portion at a first display of the first communication device, transmitting the second user interface portion to the second communication device for presentation at the second display of the second communication device, and enabling user interface navigation that includes the first and second user interface portions as a single user interface based on user inputs received at the first communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 07-05-2012 |
20120185921 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING PERMISSION-BASED ACCESS TO SENSITIVE INFORMATION - A method provides for permission-based access to personal information over a communication network. The method includes entering specified owner personal information in an owner terminal, by an owner, to establish a secure owner profile, which is stored in an owner database. The method also includes entering specified user personal information in a user terminal, by a user, to establish a secure user profile, which is stored in a user database. The method further includes entering a user request in the user terminal requesting permission to receive a designated piece of the owner personal information from the secure owner profile. A server determines whether to approve the user request; and provides permission to use the designated piece of the owner personal information to the user over the communication network after the user request is approved by the server. | 07-19-2012 |
20130040704 | Method and Apparatus for Presenting a User Interface - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, utilizing a first communication device for identifying a user interface adaptation according to operating characteristics of a second display of a second communication device, identifying first and second user interface portions according to the user interface adaptation, presenting the first user interface portion at a first display of the first communication device, transmitting the second user interface portion to the second communication device for presentation at the second display of the second communication device, and enabling user interface navigation that includes the first and second user interface portions as a single user interface based on user inputs received at the first communication device. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 02-14-2013 |
20130074130 | Apparatus and Method for Managing a Presentation of Media Content - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to detect a media device operating externally to the communication device actively engaged in presenting media content, detect an incoming communication session initiated by another communication device, present a notice identifying the media device and the media content being presented by the media device, detect a directive to modify an operation of the media device to mitigate interrupting a communication session with the other communication device, and instruct the media device to modify its operation according to the directive. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 03-21-2013 |
20130088560 | Integrated Devices for Multimedia Content Delivery and Video Conferencing - A receiver device for use in conjunction with an MCDN includes a computer readable storage resource, a controller to execute stored instructions, a network interface coupling the device to the MCDN, and a decoder to decode streaming multimedia content received via the network interface. The receiver includes a remote control interface to detect a remote control command from a remote control device and a handset interface to communicate audio data with a handset device. A local video interface receives video data from a camera or other local video resource. The stored instructions include, a remote control application to execute remote control commands, a handset module to communicate audio date with the handset device, and a session initiation module to establish a video conferencing session. A video conferencing module integrates the audio data and the video data and communicates the integrated data via the video conferencing session. | 04-11-2013 |
20130101105 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING AUTHORIZATION LEVELS IN A VIRTUAL PRIVATE NETWORK (VPN) - Example methods, apparatus and articles of manufacture to determine authorization levels in a virtual private network are disclosed. A disclosed example method includes determining whether a call originated from an originating station associated with a virtual private network, the call originating via a private branch exchange associated with the virtual private network by a first user of a plurality of users associated with the virtual private network, querying a private-number table based on at least one of a switch identifier representing a service switching point, a trunk group identifier representing the private branch exchange, or an originating station identifier representing the originating station to obtain a private number assigned to the first user, and providing an authorization level associated with the private number to the service switching point, the service switching point to process the call according to the authorization level. | 04-25-2013 |
20130195261 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING CONTACT BOOKS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a system having a controller to receive from a first communication device (CD) a telephone number of a second CD, submit a verification code to the second CD, submit a request to the first CD for the verification code, receive the verification code from the first CD, provide the first CD access to update in whole or in part a second contact book of the second CD stored in a contact book account, receive from the first CD one or more entries of a first contact book of the first CD, merge the one or more entries of the first contact book with one or more entries of the second contact book, thereby generating an updated second contact book, and store the updated second contact book in the contact book account. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 08-01-2013 |
20130223288 | Apparatus and Method for Providing Messaging Services - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a voicemail device having a controller to detect a recording of a voicemail message, generate a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message, wherein the SIP message contains visual voicemail data associated with the recorded voicemail message, and transmit the SIP message to a cordless phone system, wherein the SIP message is received by the cordless phone system over a data port of the cordless phone system, wherein the cordless phone system comprises a base station and at least one cordless communications device, wherein the visual voicemail data is retrieved by the base station, and wherein the visual voicemail data is transmitted by the based station to the at least one cordless communications device by utilizing a cordless wireless access protocol. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 08-29-2013 |
20130237178 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISTRIBUTING ALERTS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a cordless phone operating in an establishment with a plurality of cordless phone handsets having a controller adapted to monitor a source for weather alerts, detect a weather alert, determine from the weather alert a weather alert type, retrieve a user profile, identify from the user profile and the weather alert type one or more of the plurality of cordless phone handsets to be notified of the weather alert, select from the user profile a ringtone type for each of the identified cordless phone handsets, wherein the ringtone type identifies the weather alert type, and transmit a message to cause each of the indentified cordless phone handsets to assert the ringtone type identified therefor. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 09-12-2013 |
20140045471 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MANAGING COMMUNICATIONS - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a communication device having a controller to detect a selection of an image from a graphical user interface, identify an entry in a contact book responsive to the detected selection of the image, and retrieve one or more communication identifiers associated with the party from the entry of the contact book for initiating a communication session. Other embodiments are disclosed. | 02-13-2014 |