Systems and methods for improved e911 call handling. The system enables users to create multiple categories of callers. When a user makes a 911 (emergency) call, different categories of users receive different treatment. A call from a public safety access point (PSAP), for example, can be routed to the user's user equipment (UE). A caller on a favorites list may also receive the same, or similar, treatment. General callers, on the other hand, can be sent directly to voicemail, as is currently the practice for all callers. The system can enable certain callers to be sent to the UE to activate call-waiting, even though the user is on an emergency call, rather than being sent to voicemail with no explanation. The system can be used to provide this service to family members, healthcare professionals, PSAPs, and other important callers.

Systems and methods for optimized call handling during e911 calls. Normally, when a user equipment (UE) is connected to a public safety answering point (PSAP)e.g., is on a 911 callall incoming calls are automatically routed to voicemail. In contrast, the systems and methods disclosed herein enable calls that were dialed within a predetermined time window of the 911 call to be sent through to call-waiting to enable the user to accept or reject the call. The system can use a guard timer to determine whether a call is within the predetermined time window. The system can include a single guard timer for all incoming callse.g., any call made from the UE within the previous X minutes prior to the 911 call. The system can also include individual guard timers for each call that expire separately relative to the call's proximity to the 911 call.

The present disclosure provides details of a system and method for customizing an inmate communication notification. Such a system provides an inmate different customized notification messages to be played to different called parties. The system includes a list of different contacts, and each of the contacts can be associated with one or more contact numbers. Each contact number is associated with one or more customized notification messages. The customized notification messages include terms, phrases, and sentences that draw the called party's attention and sound familiar to the called party. The customized notification messages include customized text files, audio files, and video files. An inmate chooses one or more customized notification messages to be played to a called party.

A system or a method may be provided that automatically distinguishes between a hold status and when someone live is talking on the phone. For example, the caller's phone may detect when the call holding has ended and a customer service representative is now actually on the line. The phone may alert the user to pick up the call at that time, such as utilizing a call-back mechanism. In an embodiment, the system may analyze and learn the various call holding music or recordings of call centers. The system may detect when the call holding music or recording ends in a telephone call and may alert the user.

An apparatus, system and method for call notifications to active communication devices are provided. At an apparatus comprising a processor and a communication interface, a call for a first device is received via the communication interface. When it is determined that a second device is active, a notification of the call is transmitted to the second device.

Various embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and computer program products for bridging a third party onto a communication such as a telephone call or Web chat that is being conducted between a first party and a second party. Specifically, a contact, such as a telephone number or webpage address, is linked with the communication being conducted between the first and second parties and a text message is sent to the third party that includes the contact. For instance, in particular embodiments, this contact may be embedded in the text message so that the third party can simply select the contact from the text message to initiate being bridged onto the communication. Accordingly, the third party makes use of the contact to be bridged onto the communication so that the third party can converse with the first party and the second party.

Various embodiments of the invention provide methods, systems, and computer program products for bridging a third party onto a communication such as a telephone call or Web chat that is being conducted between a first party and a second party. Specifically, a contact, such as a telephone number or webpage address, is linked with the communication being conducted between the first and second parties and a text message is sent to the third party that includes the contact. For instance, in particular embodiments, this contact may be embedded in the text message so that the third party can simply select the contact from the text message to initiate being bridged onto the communication. Accordingly, the third party makes use of the contact to be bridged onto the communication so that the third party can converse with the first party and the second party.

A mobile device executes an operating system (OS) call manager and an over-the-top (OTT) calling application. The OTT calling application receives a notification for a first OTT call, and notifies the OS call manager of the first OTT call. The OS call manager assigns shared device resources of the mobile device to the first OTT call. The OTT calling application receives a notification for a second OTT call, and sends, to an OTT Telephony Application Server (TAS) without notifying the OS call manager of the second OTT call, a request to switch from the first OTT call to a second OTT call. The OTT calling app identifies the first OTT call as inactive and the second OTT call as active, and allocates the shared device resources assigned to the first OTT call to the second OTT call.

Systems and methods for optimized call handling during e911 calls. Normally, when a user equipment (UE) is connected to a public safety answering point (PSAP)e.g., is on a 911 callall incoming calls are automatically routed to voicemail. In contrast, the systems and methods disclosed herein enable calls that were dialed within a predetermined time window of the 911 call to be sent through to call-waiting to enable the user to accept or reject the call. The system can use a guard timer to determine whether a call is within the predetermined time window. The system can include a single guard timer for all incoming callse.g., any call made from the UE within the previous X minutes prior to the 911 call. The system can also include individual guard timers for each call that expire separately relative to the call's proximity to the 911 call.

Systems and methods for optimized call handling during e911 calls. Normally, when a user equipment (UE) is connected to a public safety answering point (PSAP)e.g., is on a 911 callall incoming calls are automatically routed to voicemail. In contrast, the systems and methods disclosed herein enable calls that were dialed within a predetermined time window of the 911 call to be sent through to call-waiting to enable the user to accept or reject the call. The system can use a guard timer to determine whether a call is within the predetermined time window. The system can include a single guard timer for all incoming callse.g., any call made from the UE within the previous X minutes prior to the 911 call. The system can also include individual guard timers for each call that expire separately relative to the call's proximity to the 911 call.