摘要:
When an entity (such as a customer using a communication device 131, 141, 151 . . . ) attempts to communicate with a target (such as an employee), an arrangement indicates to the customer, “status” information describing at least the employee's present and future ability to communicate with the entity (such as by returning his call). At least one sensing device 111-119 is configured to provide sensing information concerning the target employee's status in response to an action of the target employee with respect to the sensing device. A monitoring server 102 is configured to receive the sensing information and to govern communication to the entity (customer) of the target's “status.” In one implementation, a particular sensing device (such as a cash register 111, computer terminal 112, or time clock 113) is configured to perform both (A) a primary function that is not related to providing the sensing information, and (B) the secondary function of providing the sensing information. In this implementation, the particular sensing device provides the sensing information in response to the person's ordinary use of the particular sensing device as he goes about his job (performing the particular sensing device's primary function), so that the person does not have to explicitly perform any purely presence-related action in order to cause the particular sensing device to communicate the sensing information.
摘要:
Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a method comprising receiving, from a user-operated telecommunications device, a user-initiated communication to a non-911 communications address. The method can comprise automatically providing a user with a current location of a user-associated telecommunications device. The method can comprise requesting, from the user, verification of the current location of the user-associated telecommunications device.
摘要:
A viewer can select one of a plurality of personal channels on a set-top box (10) and receive preferred programming on that channel irrespective of the true channel on which such programs are actually carried. The set-top box stores a look-up table (38) that identifies for each personal channel, the start time and true channel for each preferred program associated with a corresponding personal channel. Upon selection of the personal channel, the look-up table is scrutinized to determine which preferred program should be selected. Upon selection, the preferred program is displayed on the personal channel.
摘要:
Certain exemplary embodiments comprise a method comprising receiving, from a user-operated telecommunications device, a user-initiated communication to a non-911 communications address. The method can comprise automatically providing a user with a current location of a user-associated telecommunications device. The method can comprise requesting, from the user, verification of the current location of the user-associated telecommunications device.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for enabling IP service subscribers to share media contents with other IP service subscribers or Internet users in either a secured or open fashion are disclosed. In one embodiment, the present invention enables the sharing of home movies, pictures, and other media contents, where media could be stored media or media created in real-time. Namely, the present method allows IP service subscribers to effectively create their own TV station, e.g., complete with stored or live content programming and content scheduling.
摘要:
A subscriber (12, 14, 16) initiating an Internet telephony call may receive specific content targeted to that subscriber in accordance with a match between at least one of the dialed number and the calling party number. Upon receipt of the subscriber's Internet telephony call, an Internet Telephony Service Provider server (18) searches each of a dialed number database, a calling party number database and a default database to establish a match between the calling party number, the dialed number or a range of either numbers. Upon finding a match, the Internet Telephony Service Provider server retrieves corresponding content, typically in the form of a URL that links to an associated web site, to provide to the subscriber who may elect to retrieve that information at the subscriber's discretion.
摘要:
A method and apparatus for providing authentication are disclosed. For example, the method receives a request from a customer to access a service via a first user endpoint device, and sends a first authentication request to the customer for first authentication information. The method then sends a second authentication request to the customer for second authentication information via a second user endpoint device if the first authentication information is received, wherein the first user endpoint device is different from the second user endpoint device. The method then enables the customer to proceed with accessing the service if the second authentication information is received.
摘要:
A call from a calling party (12) is routed to at least one called party (14, 16, and 18) in accordance with the network preference of the calling party while taking into account the network capability of the called party. The calling party initiates an attempt to the called party over a preferred network (32) by first querying a database (40) containing records, each indicating the network capability of a corresponding called party. If the called party has the capability of receiving a call on the preferred network, the call is routed over that network. Otherwise, the call is routed over an alternate network (30) on which the called party has the capability of receiving a call.
摘要:
A system and method to access an information or electronic service uses a single access telephone number. The telephone number is used to access a particular service provider no matter where the subscriber is located, and may be, for example, 950-DATA, 1-800-ATT-DATA, or 1-500-EASY-DATA. The system and method are particularly well suited to internet access through internet service providers (ISPs).
摘要:
A computer is provided with a network planning facility, which displays in map form a network comprising a plurality of nodes each serving a plurality of subtending nodes, and in which the network is characterized by data stored in the computer. The operation of the planning facility is initiated in response to a user entering an appropriate command. Specifically, responsive to the command, the computer displays a plurality of symbols representing respective ones of the nodes, in which each such symbol is arranged so that it is indicative of the number of traffic terminations at its associated node. The user may then select, in a conventional manner, one of the displayed symbols and then invoke either an automatic mode or a manual mode. In the automatic mode, the computer itself develops a plan for rehoming to another network node individual ones of the subtending nodes associated with the selected node, in which the rehomed subtending nodes are selected based on their having a predetermined traffic relationship with the other node. In the manual mode, it is the user, rather than the computer, which develops the rehoming plan.