Systems and methods for seamlessly providing carrier-independent VoIP calls initiated using an existing carrier-issued telephone number are provided. In exemplary embodiments, the existing carrier-issued telephone number to be called is received. Subsequently, a status regarding if the existing carrier-issued telephone number is a registered telephone number stored in a carrier-independent database is determined. If the existing carrier-issued telephone number comprises a registered telephone number in the carrier-independent database, a call is established via peer-to-peer connection using an address associated with the registered telephone number. However, if the existing carrier-issued telephone number is not a registered telephone number in the carrier-independent database, the call is placed via a standard route.

Certain embodiments of the invention generally relate to lawful interception of communications for IP Multimedia System-based (IMS-based) voice over IP (VoIP). For example, some embodiments relate to interception of communications including interception for encrypted, transcoded media. A method may include identifying a network node that provides call content interception. The method may also include determining a codec type used at a location of the call content interception at the network node. The method may further include sending a matched codec of the codec type used at the location of the call content interception at the network node to a delivery function in the communications network.

A distributed voice applications system includes a voice applications rendering agent and at least one voice applications agent that is configured to provide voice applications to an individual user. A management system may control and direct the voice applications rendering agent to create voice applications that are personalized for individual users based on user characteristics, information about the environment in which the voice applications will be performed, prior user interactions and other information. The voice applications agent and components of customized voice applications may be resident on a local user device which includes a voice browser and speech recognition capabilities. The local device, voice applications rendering agent and management system may be interconnected via a communications network.

An apparatus including a server is disclosed for providing data-communications services to and configuring contact lists for a plurality of Internet-enabled devices. The apparatus includes a data server communicatively connected to the plurality of user-communications devices. In response to receiving a first data message, from a first device not included in the plurality of devices, that includes contact information and identifies one of the plurality of devices, the device management circuit adds a new contact having the contact information to the respective contact list of the identified one of the plurality of devices.

A phone appliance and method of use are provided where the phone appliance can be used to make VoIP communications calls. In a preferred embodiment, the phone appliance includes an RF connection for connecting to a computer or other computing device for facilitating the placement of the VoIP communications calls. The phone appliance further includes a display or portal for depicting advertisements provided by various advertisers. The advertisements provided can be used to defray all or part of the cost associated with making VoIP communications calls. The portal can also be used to communicate with businesses for ordering products. such as ordering a pizza, and to perform various services, such as purchasing stocks. In an exemplary system, the phone appliance is used to transmit to a control center information related to the user of the phone appliance, such as interests and buying habits, and queries for receiving additional information for various advertised products and services. The control center transmits the queries to the appropriate vendors for providing the user with additional information. Other functions and features are provided to the phone appliance, such as being able to download e-mail messages stored within or received by the computer.

A distributed voice applications system includes a voice application rendering agent and at least one voice applications agent that is configured to provide voice applications to an individual user. A management system may control and direct the voice applications rendering agent to create voice applications that are personalized for individual users based on user characteristics, information about the environment in which the voice applications will be performed, prior user interactions and other information. The voice applications agent and components of customized voice applications may be resident on a local user device which includes a voice browser and speech recognition capabilities. The local device, voice applications rendering agent and management system may be interconnected via a communications network.

A multi-port VOID telecommunications system that allows the user to gain access to telephone connectivity through the Internet by connecting directly to the Internet or by connecting to the Internet through the existing Internet connection of a computer or cell phone device. The present system includes an Ethernet port, a Wi-Fi receiver to facilitate the transmission and receipt of Internet protocol signals wirelessly, a USB plug connectable to the ATA, connectivity to a home monitoring network and connectivity to Bluetooth devices.

A dual-mode voice communications system includes a processor, and a first communication connection module, a second communication connection module, and a wireless transceiver module that are separately connected to the processor, where the first communication connection module is configured to realize a communication connection between the dual-mode voice communications system and an Internet Protocol (IP) base station, the second communication connection module is configured to realize a communication connection between the dual-mode voice communications system and an external communications device, the wireless transceiver module is configured to realize a communication connection between the dual-mode voice communications system and a wireless terminal device, and the processor is configured to process data transmitted by the IP base station, the external communications device, and the wireless terminal device.

Described herein is a system and method for controlling a remote computer over a remote session. In an exemplary aspect, the method comprises receiving, by an intelligent personal assistant (IPA), a speech-based instruction from a user of a mobile device, the speech-based instruction comprising a request to execute a task; in response to determining, based on analysis of the speech-based instruction, an intent of the user to initiate the remote session with the remote computer: identifying, by the IPA, a remote client on the mobile device for creating the remote session with the remote computer via the cloud infrastructure; generating, by the IPA, a command object that causes a software agent on the remote computer to execute the task; and transmitting, by the IPA, the command object through the remote session to the remote computer; and presenting results for execution of the task in an interface of the remote client.

A multi-port VoIP telecommunications system that allows the user to gain access to telephone connectivity through the Internet by connecting directly to the Internet or by connecting to the Internet through the existing Internet connection of a computer or cell phone device. The present system includes an Ethernet port, a Wi-Fi receiver to facilitate the transmission and receipt of Internet protocol signals wirelessly, a USB plug connectable to the ATA, connectivity to a home monitoring network and connectivity to Bluetooth devices.