Abstract: A communication apparatus capable of improving convenience of voice mail service. Voice message storing unit stores voice messages in association with respective message numbers. User information management unit manages user information about voice mail users. When transmitting registration notification information notifying the registration of a voice message, registration notification information transmitting unit changes the form of notification of the registration notification information in accordance with address information registered in the user information, and transmits the resulting registration notification information to a recipient. Voice message replaying unit replays the voice message and transmits the replayed message to the recipient through a voice channel.

Abstract: A system and method that notifies the receipt of a voicemail message at an IP telephone using one or more of instant messaging and short message service. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides an IP telephone that prepares a notification regarding the receipt of a voicemail message. In one embodiment, the IP telephone queries the availability of an instant messaging client via an instant messaging presence server, and forwards the notification to the instant messaging presence server if the instant messaging client is available. In another embodiment, the IP telephone sends the notification to a short message service client via a short message service gateway. In still another embodiment, the IP telephone sends the notification to both instant messaging client and short message service clients.

Abstract: A cellular phone issues a request for content from a server. The cellular requests and authorizes the content for use by another cellular phone. When the content is received by the second cellular phone, the first cellular phone is billed.

Abstract: A method for delivering voice messages comprising receiving at least one recipient name from a user, locating at least one recipient phone number correlated to the recipient name, receiving at least one message from the user, linking the message to the recipient phone number, receiving a termination code from the user, initiating a telecommunication connection with the recipient responsive to the termination code and transmitting the message upon establishment of the telecommunication connection.

Abstract: A network method for using interactive voice response (IVR) for telecommunication. Voice menu options for a menu level with a voice menu hierarchy are played to a caller. Each menu option can be a voice segment that is audibly played to the caller. The IVR system receives control input in which a second plurality of menu options are received. The menu options in the second plurality are selected from any of the previously presented individual menu options. The selected menu options can be temporarily saved in a memory location in the IVR system. The IVR system can retrieve the selected menu options from the memory location. The second plurality of menu options for the menu level is played to the caller to give the caller control over which part or parts of the menu options are to be repeated.

Abstract: A system and method for creation and automatic deployment of personalized, dynamic and interactive voice services relating to subscriber travel, including information derived from on-line analytical processing (OLAP) systems. More specifically, the invention relates to a system and method that enable personalized delivery of travel-related information in real-time, via natural language voice communication with a voice-enabled terminal device.

Abstract: A method for establishing call connections with a plurality of extension communication units in a cellular communication is disclosed. A subscriber telephone number directory identifies a number of extension communication units assigned to receive a call. Each of said extension communication units further include a list of subscriber numbers from which said extension communication unit wishes to receive call connections. A conference call decision process allows the subscribers to then determine who will take the call. All subscribers have the same priority for answering the call and minimum resources are utilized to reach the correct extension communication unit. Conference call connections with multiple extension communication units are further provided.

Abstract: A computer system for automatically generating and sending messages to individuals, entities, processes, or locations (objects) in response to events when specified conditions are met. The automated messaging system is capable of delivering generated messages via a plurality of message delivery mechanisms (e.g. e-mail, FAX, voice mail, textual page). The automated messaging system provides the ability to link objects in chains of relationships and to use these chains to determine which messages to generate, which objects are the recipient of generated messages, and via which message delivery mechanism generated messages are sent. The automated messaging system is useful in a variety of environments including asset management, electronic-commerce, and Internet-based securities trading, as well as other applications.

Abstract: There are obtained various telephone answering procedures by stating telephone answering procedures by a markup language, and by acquiring the telephone answering procedures via a communication network.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for retrieving a deleted short message in a mobile telecommunication terminal. The mobile telecommunication terminal has an additional data area, for indicating whether or not the deleted message is retrievable, in a start address region of each short message storage block within a memory. If a user demands for retrieval of a message, data in the data area identifying retrievability of the message retrieves only the short message retrievable upon the user's demand by referring to the data identifying whether or not the message in a message storage block is retrievable.

Abstract: The present invention allows telephony users and on line users to communicate with one another using an instant massaging (AIM) service. The on line IM user will provide and receive textual messages, wherein the telephony user will provide and receive corresponding audible messages. To allow more efficient interaction with the telephony user, responses to queries posed to the telephony user are structured with possible answers. The answers are used to define and limit the voice recognition grammar for processing the telephony user's response. Predefining the grammar for responses increases the effectiveness of the speech recognition system and the integrity of the IM session. Further, voice commands may be predefined to facilitate better control of the IM session as well as provide more effective communications.

Abstract: The present invention is an item location system which relies upon voice activation and responsiveness to identify location(s) of item(s) sought by a user. The system includes a continuous speech recognition digital signal processor, a programmable microprocessor interfaced therewith, voice input and user feedback mechanisms, including audio and/or video feedback. Preferred embodiments utilize audio feedback to the user. The continuous speech recognition engine utilizes Hidden Markov Models to create real time continuous speech recognition and feedback.

Abstract: A method for providing telephonic services comprises providing a toll-free access telephone number and receiving signaling or a call made to the toll-free number by a customer. The calling number of the customer number is determined and the signaling is terminated or the call is hung up. Thereafter, the customer is called-back and provided with a dialing prompt whereby the customer can select a desired service.

Abstract: A telephone system is provided comprising a plurality of telephone devices, a call control for establishing calls between the telephone devices in response to receipt of commands, at least one Voice and DTMF detector (VDD) resource allocated to the calls between the telephone devices for (i) detecting and transmitting DTMF tones received from the telephone devices to the call control for further call processing, and for (ii) detecting and buffering voice received from the telephone devices and notifying the call control. At least one Speech Recognition Engine is also provided for receiving the voice from the Voice and DTMF detector resource upon notification of the call control and in response performing speech recognition and notifying the call control for further call processing.

Abstract: Responsive to an incoming telephone call, a session server consults pre-stored caller preferences to generate a source file of caller-specific audio content, then conducts an interactive playback session audibly presenting the content to the caller. Each call's source file may include an internally stored history record documenting events that occur during playback, such as caller utterances, identity of audio content presented, voice prompts presented to the caller, errors, and time stamps of various playback events. In response to certain caller utterances or completion of the source file's presentation, the session server may reference the history record for guidance in creating an appropriate follow-up source file containing appropriate supplementary audio content. Use may also be made of history records for purposes such as increasing the functionality of interactive user playback, providing billing records, aiding debugging, and preserving data that is useful for marketing purposes.

Abstract: A telephone handset dynamically buffers a real-time audio signal. The handset includes a microphone and a speaker connected to a telephone network interface. A proximity sensor is located near the speaker of the handset. The proximity sensor is connected to a circuit for measuring a coupling between the handset and an ear of a user. A buffer continuously records the real-time audio signal. The recorded signal can than be played back after the handset is first removed from the ear of the user, and second re-applied with the ear of the user using a time-compressed audio signal, until the playback signal is resynchronized with the real-time audio signal.

Abstract: A service system is provided for recording spoken passages exchanged between parties, for example, via the public telephone system. The service system is called into action preferably by the agreement of the parties and is used to make a recording of the spoken exchanges between the parties. At the termination of recording, each party is preferably provided with the opportunity to review the recording and asked to confirm their acceptance of the recording. The service system then provides a reference copy of the recording. Where a digital copy of the recording is made, the parties are preferably required to indicate their acceptance by digitally signing and returning the recording to the service system.

Abstract: A method for voice based communication between a number of mobile terminals of a telecommunication network, the method comprising the steps of creating a group of said number of terminals and storing group information in each of the number of terminals, recording a voice message in one of the terminals of the group, dispatching the voice message to the terminals of the group from the one of the terminals, and receiving the voice message at at least all other terminals of the group. The step of creating a group of terminals further comprises the steps of coupling together a number of mobile terminals, initiating a group creation command from at least one of the terminals, sending predetermined information from terminal to terminal to each terminal of the number of terminals for forming a group information, and transmitting the group information to all of the terminals thus forming a group of the terminals.

Abstract: A system and method for coordinating a telephony session on a voice messaging platform with an e-mail session on an e-mail messaging platform in an integrated universal messaging system are disclosed. The method, which is carried out by the system, comprises the steps of: (a) receiving a call on the voice messaging platform placed by a subscriber from a telephone handset and processing the call on the voice messaging platform in accordance with a first call flow; (b) invoking from the first call flow, a second call flow that initiates access to the subscriber's account on the e-mail messaging platform, the second call flow executing in parallel with, and asynchronously of, the first call flow; (c) continuing to execute the first call flow while the second call flow is executing; and (d) playing one or more prompts by the first call flow, as needed, to mask at least a portion of any delays experienced in receiving a response from the second call flow.

Abstract: An audio message recording and playback system including a recorder-imprinter device, a self-contained voice module for playback of an audio message and a number of input devices for initially recording the audio message to the recorder-imprinter device.