Abstract: A telecommunications service or application has associated with it a set of exceptions which, in effect, define a set of matchable inputs from a user and corresponding (answer) functions to be performed in the event of the particular input. Each exception has defined for it a text string or strings that a text string derived from an input text message must match for the exception to be matched, and has associated with it a corresponding answer function for the exception. An input user text message (50) is tested against a list (51) of exceptions sequentially until a match is found, and then the corresponding answer function is executed. If no explicit match is found, then the system automatically executes a default answer function. The matched answer function may contain an SQL query (52), which causes an external access to a database (5).

Abstract: A mobile telephone network (1) has associated with it an automated call response system (2) and an automated text message processing system (3), which are coupled to each other via a control link or path (4). The automated text message processing system (3) includes processing and intelligence to allow it to control the dialogue provided by the automated call response system (2) to a caller (5) on the basis of text messages that the automated text processing system (3) receives from the caller 5 during the call to the automated call response system (2). In this way, text messages sent by the caller 5 during the call- can control the voice dialogue provided for the call by the automated call response system (2) in real time.

Abstract: In a mobile telephone system, a call routing equipment such as an SMS Router (18) receives a routing information request signal (SRI_SM) indicative of a communication such as a text message intended for a mobile terminal (10), and returns a routing information response signal (False Response) indicative of the SMS Router (18) instead of being indicative of the intended mobile terminal (10). This allows processing (Copy sent via TCP/IP) of the resulting text message (MTForwardSM) by the SMS Router (18), such as archiving of the text message, sending the text message to an email address, and/or forwarding the text message to an alternative destination.

Abstract: Telecommunications services apparatus includes means for establishing a connection from a mobile terminal in response to alphanumeric dialling on the terminal, such that alphanumeric dialling information is transmitted from the terminal to the apparatus.

Abstract: A mobile telephone terminal includes means responsive to alphanumeric dialling to transmit information representative of a desired connection to a mobile telephone network. Upon entry of an alphanumeric string followed by a confirmatory action by the user, the alphanumeric string is sent to the network so as to automatically initiate a connection to a service platform.

Abstract: A flag in a home location register of a telephone network is used to control availability of processing features, such as text message SMS processing features, to the message recipient, providing functionality similar to “class of service” in a normal telephone exchange. Mobile terminated sort messages (SMS-MT) are always routed through the home PLMN of the recipient by modifying the response to the SRI-SM signal. Instead of delivering the address of the visited MSC of the recipient, the address of a SMS router in the home PLMN is sent back to the interrogating SMSC.

Abstract: A telephone conferencing system includes a voice services equipment (VSE) allowing a number of telephone calls to be connected together to form a conferencing function. Parties wishing to set up a conference agree on one of their telephone numbers being designated as a “link number”. The conference participants dial into the system and then each enters the link number. The system stores the link number in a link number store when the first caller calls in. The system also checks the caller's calling line identity (CLI) with the entered link number, and the conference will not be enabled unless there is a match; thus, the conference cannot be initiated until the link number participant has called in. Any other participant calling earlier can be put on “hold”. A number of different conferences may be taking place simultaneously, and participants will be grouped together correctly in their conference in accordance with the entered link number.

Abstract: In a telecommunications apparatus. a control processor (CSRS) receives a call request from a caller's terminal and establishes a call with a voice messaging system (VM). Signals from the voice messaging system (VM) and from the caller's terminal are combined and sent to the called party (user) upon receipt of an acceptance signal from the called party. If desired, the conversation between the caller and called party may be recorded by a recording apparatus.

Abstract: A telephone conferencing system includes a voice services equipment (VSE) allowing a number of telephone calls to be connected together to form a conferencing function. Parties wishing to set up a conference agree on one of their telephone numbers being designated as a “link number”. The conference participants dial into the system and then each enters the link number. The system stores the link number in a link number store when the first caller calls in. The system also checks the caller's calling line identity (CLI) with the entered link number, and the conference will not be enabled unless there is a match; thus, the conference cannot be initiated until the link number participant has called in. Any other participant calling earlier can be put on “hold”. A number of different conferences may be taking place simultaneously, and participants will be grouped together correctly in their conference in accordance with the entered link number.

Abstract: A telephone conferencing system includes a voice services equipment (VSE) allowing a number of telephone calls to be connected together to form a conferencing function. The initiator of the telephone conference calls in on an incoming line and is asked by the VSE to give the telephone numbers of the desired other participants to the conference. These numbers are then stored in a participant number store and the system dials out to these telephone numbers with an invitation to join the conference by ringing a certain number. When the participants call back on the incoming/outgoing lines, their identity is checked, preferably automatically by means of calling line identity signals, with the numbers in the store, and only in the event of a match is each participant allowed to join the conference. For additional security, the participants may also need to enter a specific PIN, which may have been read out by the stem during the invitation to join the conference.