Abstract:
Systems and processes for communication of messages between one or more networked objects on circuit and packet data networks are described. Specifically, means for representation of various communication types, including content description and disposition rules, delivery and routing descriptions and rules, conversion and translation descriptions and rules, and methods for interactions and for administration over one or more network types, through one or more communication protocol types, to one or more destination types are described. The delivery of messages and other communication over various communication protocols in addition to email is described. Methods for administering and managing rules for directing and transforming said messages and communications for purposes of routing or delivery to one or more specific destinations are also presented.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for minimizing clock drift between un-synchronized clocks which may occur at opposing ends of a communication link established in, for example, a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) communications network, especially for use with, for example, a FAX or modem terminal device. The illustrative system employs two or more clocks, wherein at least one of these clocks operates at an intentionally higher frequency than the nominal clock frequency (e.g., 8 kHz) and wherein at least one of these clocks operates at an intentionally lower frequency than the nominal clock frequency. In operation, the illustrative system alternatively chooses one of the clocks, in order to attempt to match the clock of the far-end terminal device on average. The state and/or history of the receiving device's associated jitter buffer may be advantageously used to determine which clock to select.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for handling telephone calls which comprises: means for configuring the operation of the apparatus based on user preferences relating to the handling of calls from particular callers, means for storing the user preferences, means for processing incoming calls based on the user preferences, and means for receiving updates to the user preferences in dependence on changes to a preference database for storing the preferences of at least one user. The invention also relates to a telecommunications system, and to an associated server.
Abstract:
The present invention provides apparatus, systems and methods for managing incoming and outgoing communications for various communications methods. The invention provides control over inbound communications including definition of if, when, and who may communicate with a recipient. The invention also supports concealed identification communication in that no actual addresses, phone numbers, or other addressing IDs are required to be exchanged by the communication initiator and recipient. The invention also provides the capability to initiate immediate, delayed, scheduled, or recurring outbound communications. As depicted in FIG. 1, if the database (45) contains call management settings for a call recipient, the application logic (40) will evaluate the rules to determine if a particular caller is authorized to connect with the call recipient at the current time and date. If the caller is authorized by the recipient to connect to the recipient phone number, and is furthermore authorized to do so for the current time and date, the application logic (40) will connect the call utilizing the public telephone switch (50). The computer (1) passes the caller and call recipient phone numbers as stored in the database (45) to the telephone switch (50) using an application programming interface ("API") appropriate to the service provider or telephone switch manufacturer. The exemplary embodiment of the invention utilizes an API provided by a telephone service provider as an interface to its switching infrastructure (50). The API captures both caller and recipient telephone numbers along with other variables useful for call setup and tracking. The telephone service provider then connects both parties' telephones (55), (60) to a phone call by dialing both numbers and connecting the call upon the parties' answer.
Abstract:
The present invention proposes a method for processing a Group 3 fax call on a gateway connecting a sending fax machine and a receiving fax machine to an IP network, the method comprising: when receiving a digital identification signal DIS sent by the receiving fax machine, checking whether an error correction mode ECM bit in the digital identification signal has been set or not; and, where the ECM bit has been set, clearing the ECM bit, so that the sending fax machine starts a non-ECM fax call based on the digital identification signal DIS with the ECM bit being cleared. The present invention further provides a gateway device for connecting a sending fax machine and a receiving fax machine to an IP network.
Abstract:
A signal processing system which discriminates between voice signals and data signals modulated by a voiceband carrier. The signal processing system includes a voice exchange, a data exchange and a call discriminator. The voice exchange is capable of exchanging voice signals between a switched circuit network and a packet based network. The signal processing system also includes a data exchange capable of exchanging data signals modulated by a voiceband carrier on the switched circuit network with unmodulated data signal packets on the packet based network. The data exchange is performed by demodulating data signals from the switched circuit network for transmission on the packet based network, and modulating data signal packets from the packet based network for transmission on the switched circuit network. The call discriminator is used to selectively enable the voice exchange and data exchange.
Abstract:
A Message Storage and Deliver System (10) (MSDS) is connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and receives incoming calls with these calls being facsimile, voice, or data transmissions. The MSDS (10) detects the type of call and stores the message signal in a database. The MSDS (10) is also connected to the Internet and has a hyper-text transfer protocol deamon (HTTPD) for receiving requests from users. The HTTPD forwards requests for certain files or messages to a network server which transmits at least part of the message to the HTTPD and then to the user. In addition to request for certain documents, the HTTPD may also receive a request in the form of a search query. The search query is forwarded from the HTTPD to an application program for conducting the search of the database. The results of the search are forwarded through the HTTPD to the user. The user may then select one or more files or messages from the search results and may save the search for later reference.