Patent application number | Description | Published |
20130094347 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR RE-ROUTING CALLS IN A PACKET NETWORK DURING FAILURES - Method and apparatus for re-routing a call in a packet network during failures is described. In one example, a failure condition is detected for a destination endpoint for the call. At least one alternative endpoint address is identified from an alternative routing plan registered with the packet network in response to the failure condition. For example, various alternative routing plans may be registered with the packet network and stored in a database. Each of the alternative routing plans may include alternative endpoint address data for a plurality of endpoint devices. The database may be queried using the destination endpoint as an index value and the at least one alternative endpoint address may be retrieved. The call is then routed to the at least one alternative endpoint address. | 04-18-2013 |
20130094496 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENABLING PHONE NUMBER DIALING USING EMAIL ADDRESSES - The invention comprises a method and apparatus for enabling a subscriber to establish a call to at least one destination phone number using an email address. Specifically, the method comprises receiving an incoming communication request from the subscriber for establishing the call (where the incoming communication request comprises an email address), determining at least one destination phone number associated with the email address, and processing the call using at least one of the at least one destination phone number associated with the email address. | 04-18-2013 |
20130094497 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SENDING ALERTS TO INTERNET PROTOCOL PHONES - The present invention enables an alert message and the display of calling party identity on all on-hook phones associated with an extension sharing the same phone number, when one phone is off-hook and in use. In one exemplary embodiment, this capability enables all other members of a household to receive information regarding an incoming call even when one phone is in use by another member. | 04-18-2013 |
20130094645 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR UBIQUITOUS ACCESS TO DIALING PLANS FOR ENTERPRISE NETWORKS - The invention comprises a method and apparatus for providing at least one network endpoint of an enterprise customer network access to at least one dialing plan. Specifically, the method comprises receiving at least one dialing plan request from the at least one network endpoint, retrieving at least one address mapping in response to the at least one dialing plan request, and responding to the at least one dialing plan request using the at least one address mapping. | 04-18-2013 |
20130097465 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MONITORING VOICE SERVICE FEATURE FAILURES IN A TELECOMMUNICATION NETWORK - A method includes receiving multiple alarm messages, each being associated with a failure associated with a service feature available within a telecommunication network. A failure rate for a type of failure having a common set of service feature failure characteristics is determined from the alarm messages received. When the failure rate exceeds a threshold, a maintenance ticket is generated automatically. | 04-18-2013 |
20130100843 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DETERMINING A DIRECT MEASURE OF QUALITY IN A PACKET-SWITCHED NETWORK - A method and system for analyzing deficiencies in a packet-switched network is described. In one example, network measurement data pertaining to components within a packet-switched network are obtained. Reliability estimates of access networks and associated access links coupled to the packet-switch network are conducted. Lastly, an end-to-end direct measure of quality (DMOQ) is calculated from the network measurement data and network estimation data derived from the reliability estimates. | 04-25-2013 |
20130155910 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING AN AUDIBLE CALLING PARTY IDENTIFICATION FOR A CALL WAITING SERVICE - The present invention enables users of packet-switched network services, e.g., VoIP network services, to hear a very gentle whispering tone that quietly conveys the identity of the calling party when they are engaged in conversation and to receive a call-waiting signal. The tone is audible only to the called party but does not mute the ongoing conversation path. This enables subscribed users to hear their ongoing conversation while receiving the whispering tone. | 06-20-2013 |
20130223291 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STAGGERING INTERNET PROTOCOL TELECONFERENCING CALLS - A method and apparatus for enabling providers of PSTN toll free services to stagger simultaneous transmission of call setup signaling messages into an IP based teleconference bridge, supported by a VoIP network, by suspending a subset of calls and placing them on hold while placing other calls to be connected to the conference bridge are disclosed. The PSTN network can stagger calls by limiting the number of call setup signaling messages to be sent to the VoIP network within a predefined period of time interval and spread all the calls over multiple of such predefined periods. Prerecorded announcements or music can be played while the calls that have been placed on hold are in queue. | 08-29-2013 |
20130242981 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENABLING PEER-TO-PEER COMMUNICATION BETWEEN ENDPOINTS ON A PER CALL BASIS - A method and apparatus for enabling a user to signal to the network that a call to be initiated or a call that is in progress needs to occur in a peer-to-peer relationship with the terminating endpoint. The network will then remove itself from the call signaling and media path and direct the signaling and media communication to occur directly between the two endpoints. | 09-19-2013 |
20130268658 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR MONITORING CLIENT SOFTWARE USAGE IN END USER DEVICE - The present invention enables a capability for packet-switched network service providers, e.g., VoIP network service providers, to monitor the CPE application usage of their subscriber to ensure that changes to the network do not interfere with these applications and to potentially provide changes to the network to enhance these premise based applications. Monitoring software will be installed in the CPE to monitor upgrades and features installed by the end users so that any potential impact to these applied applications can be assessed before a VoIP network upgrade is carried out. | 10-10-2013 |
20130336171 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING VOICE CONTROL FOR ACCESSING TELECONFERENCE SERVICES - A method and apparatus for providing access to teleconference services using voice recognition technology to receive information on packet networks such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) networks are disclosed. In one embodiment, the service provider enables a caller to enter access information for accessing a conference service using at least one natural language response. | 12-19-2013 |
20130343203 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING END-TO-END CALL COMPLETION STATUS - The present invention enables a method for following the state of a call and generating defects as function of call completion success as opposed to discrete events that happen at individual network elements during the call. In one embodiment, the invention uses Call Detail Records (CDR) to analyze the end-to-end completion status to measure per call basis defects instead of using defect codes generated by network elements on a per equipment basis. CDR is data associated with a telephone call, including the calling and the called numbers, the date and timestamp, the duration, the call setup delay, and the final handling code of the telephone call. | 12-26-2013 |
20130343533 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING SPECIAL CALL HANDLING FOR VALUED CUSTOMERS OF RETAILERS - The present invention enables users of a network service to register with the network as valued shoppers, thereby allowing them to receive specialized treatment when calling registered retailers. The present invention enables retailers to register with the network, thereby allowing them to set preferred service logic for handling valued customer calls by the network. | 12-26-2013 |
20140036731 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING DYNAMIC INTERNATIONAL CALLING RATES - A method and apparatus for enabling VoIP service providers to dynamically adjust international calling rates as a function of adjustments made with partner carrier arrangements that VoIP service providers put in place are disclosed. Thus VoIP service providers can pass on savings, if the new calling rate is lower than the old calling rate, to their subscribers in order to enhance the loyalty of existing subscribers. Instead of having subscribers to call into customer service centers to take advantage of these new lower international calling rates, the new calling rates will be updated dynamically and immediately for subscribers without these subscribers having to call in to request their billing rates to match the new calling rates. | 02-06-2014 |
20140050314 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ROUTING A CALL TO A SUBJECT MATTER EXPERT VIA A PACKET NETWORK - A method and apparatus for routing a call to a subject matter expert via a packet network is described. In one embodiment, a request to route said at least one call to the SME is received. A predefined location associated with the SME is also obtained. The call is then routed to a foreign Internet Protocol gateway associated with the predefined foreign location to communicate with the SME. | 02-20-2014 |
20140165084 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR STORING USER SELECTED VIDEO CONTENT - A method and apparatus for enabling registered users to select and purchase video sessions from a network to be viewed from any video display devices connected to the network are disclosed. Specifically, these purchased video sessions can be stored within the network and accessed from any viewable display device connected to any video endpoint device at any time upon the users' request. In one embodiment, the stored video sessions can be downloaded and recorded onto a recording medium for future use. | 06-12-2014 |
20140294166 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING SPECIAL CALL HANDLING FOR VALUED CUSTOMERS OF RETAILERS - The present invention enables users of a network service to register with the network as valued shoppers, thereby allowing them to receive specialized treatment when calling registered retailers. The present invention enables retailers to register with the network, thereby allowing them to set preferred service logic for handling valued customer calls by the network. | 10-02-2014 |
20150025803 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING TRAFFIC INFORMATION ASSOCIATED WITH MAP REQUESTS - A method and apparatus for enabling users who request a map of a specified route to invoke a data session to see images of the key markers and a video session to see live views of key points along the route are disclosed. If traffic appears congested, the subscriber can request an alternative route from the network along with image and video sessions to verify the traffic conditions of the alternative route. | 01-22-2015 |