Abstract:
A method and system are disclosed for setting up a communication session between a first peer inside a mobile network, and a second peer outside that mobile network. Contact is established from the second peer to a connection broker responsible for brokering various connections with the first peer, and the second peer requests from the connection broker a connection to the first peer. The connection broker determines whether the first peer is reachable, and finds out what costs, if any, would be borne by the first peer or the second peer or both, in order to pay for a lease of at least the connection requested by the second peer. Then the communication session is set up via the connection, if the first peer is reachable and the costs are acceptable.
Abstract:
A communications interface comprises a plurality of modems (12, 13, 14) each for communication by way of a respective network. A call routing and address management processor (2) controls connections between domestic communications devices (4, 5, 7, 9, 11) and the networks in dependence upon factors including call cost, network availability and call type. The processor (2) also manages address book and calendar data and may provide an enhanced caller identification display based upon stored address book information. Were a incoming CLI number is not present in the address boo, the processor (2) can access the world wide web ad search for additional detail from directory web sites(16, 17, 18). The processor (2) may also access other websites (20, 21, 22) to obtain calendar information to populate a family diary to avoid appointment clashes and to facilitate booking sitters, taxis or determining public transport availability for example.
Abstract:
A system for providing termination information for an international telephone number includes a centralized database of terminating characteristics. The system may also include request processing logic that receives an international telephone number from a user. In response to receiving the telephone number, the request processing logic may automatically query the centralized database to obtain information that indicates whether the telephone number uses wireless termination. In response to obtaining the information from the centralized database, the request processing logic may automatically transmit to the user a response that indicates whether the telephone number uses wireless termination. The system may also include a database engine that uses a tree structure of linked nodes to perform a longest matching prefix search on the telephone number in response to the request processing logic querying the centralized database.
Abstract:
A method (400) and a communication network (210) for cross coding between encoded protocols in a communication system (100) are described herein. The communication system (100) provides communication services to a plurality of endpoints. In particular, the communication network (210) provides a cross coding element (330) coupled to receive a first encoded signal from a first endpoints (230) using a first encoded protocol. The communication network (210) converts the first encoded signal within the cross coding element (330) from the first encoded protocol to a second encoded protocol to produce a second encoded signal. The communication network (210) communicates the second encoded signal to a second endpoint (250) using the second encoded protocol.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for efficiently utilizing resources in a switched telephone network (10) by providing call treatment for calls to specific telephone numbers. The call treatment is provided at a closest available resource (50) to the calling party (56) to avoid routing a connection through the switched telephone network to service termination equipment (58) if resources are not available at the service termination equipment to handle a call. The selected calls are locally parked pending the availability of service termination resources to handle the call. The availability of service resources at the service termination equipment may be determined before a selected call is extended through the network. Advantageously while the call is parked, call treatment discrimination can be performed.
Abstract:
A method for using alternative media (sending a letter, a facsimile, an e-mail, placing a telephone call, a short message (SMS)) to establish communication with a party especially when contact with the party must be made as quickly as possible, such as in emergency or possible fraudulent credit card use situations. A first communication is initiated (205) using a first media and if the desired result is not achieved (215) then at least a second communication is initiated (235), preferably using at least one different media. Typically, but not necessarily, the desired result is considered not to have been achieved if contact with the party has not been established within a certain time. A contact strategy is employed to determine the communication methods based upon the type of triggering event and, in some cases, the customer contact preferences. Some types of triggering events are emergency, urgent, routine, and bulk.
Abstract:
A method for using alternative media to establish communication with a party especially when contact with the party must be made as quickly as possible, such as in emergency or possible fraudulent credit card use situations. A first communication is initiated (205) using a first media and if the desired result is not achieved (215) then at least a second communication is initiated (235), preferably using at least one different media. Typically, but not necessarily, the desired result is considered not to have been achieved if contact with the party has not been established within a certain time. A contact strategy is employed to determine the communication methods based upon the type of triggering event and, in some cases, the customer contact preferences. Some types of triggering events are emergency, urgent, routine, and bulk.