Abstract: A system and method related to creating a reference transcript for a portion of audio data that includes natural language using a speech-to-text recognition process executed at a reference speed. A threshold deviation may be identified from the reference transcript. A plurality of generated transcripts may be generated for the portion of audio data using the speech-to-text recognition process executed at a plurality of increased speeds that each exceed the reference speed. A generated transcript of the plurality of generated transcripts that is the closest to the threshold deviation without exceeding the threshold deviation may be identified. The generated transcript may be generated at a respective increased speed of the plurality of increased speeds. An increased playback speed may be determined for the portion of the audio data based on the respective increased speed of the generated transcript.

Abstract: In some embodiments, the instant invention provides for a computer system that includes at least one server and software stored on a computer readable medium accessible by the at least one server; at least one database accessible by the at least one server and is configured to store the game data of the at least one personalized game; a plurality of specifically programmed input devices, where the at least one server, the at least one database and the plurality of specifically programmed input devices are connected through a computer network; where the plurality of specifically programmed input devices are at least a thousand of specifically programmed input devices; and where the at least one server is configured to manage, in real-time, the at least a thousand of specifically programmed input devices.

Abstract: Providing a badge counter from a server to a consumer. The badge counter indicates a number of notifications. A method includes receiving an event in a sequence of events. The event has an associated time stamp. The method further includes associating with the event a plurality of additional time stamps from events in the sequence of events occurring before the event. The method further includes creating a notification for an end user consumer device, the notification including an indication of a badge counter value based on the plurality of additional time stamps. The method further includes sending the notification, including badge counter value to the consumer device.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to electronic systems and methods for screening incoming phone calls and more particularly to a system and method of hosting a cloud synced database of authorized or unauthorized callers, phone numbers, or numbers associated with unauthorized merchant identification numbers which is a solution to robo-calling and telemarketers.

Abstract: Aspects relate to provision of enterprise call capabilities to mobile devices. For example, a mobile device can indicate, over a data channel, that a PBX is to make a call on its behalf to a called party. The PBX can call back the mobile device, call the called party, and bridge those call legs to establish the call. The mobile device can employ mechanisms that a particular incoming call is made by the PBX. These mechanisms can include using ANI information, sending, and receiving audible verification codes over the voice channel established after answering the incoming call. The verification codes can be selected based different behaviors of the mobile devices.

Abstract: Aspects relate to provision of enterprise call capabilities to mobile devices. For example, a mobile device can indicate, over a data channel, that a PBX is to make a call on its behalf to a called party. The PBX can call back the mobile device, call the called party, and bridge those call legs to establish the call. The mobile device can employ mechanisms that a particular incoming call is made by the PBX. These mechanisms can include using ANI information, sending, and receiving audible verification codes over the voice channel established after answering the incoming call. The verification codes can be selected based different behaviors of the mobile devices.

Abstract: Aspects relate to provision of enterprise call capabilities to mobile devices. For example, a mobile device can indicate, over a data channel, that a PBX is to make a call on its behalf to a called party. The PBX can call back the mobile device, call the called party, and bridge those call legs to establish the call. The mobile device can employ mechanisms that a particular incoming call is made by the PBX. These mechanisms can include using ANI information, sending, and receiving audible verification codes over the voice channel established after answering the incoming call. The verification codes can be selected based different behaviors of the mobile devices.

Abstract: There is provided a device for managing recorded data, comprising: a recording unit configured to record a telephone communication; a designation unit configured to designate a time delimiting point to be set to recorded data being recorded by the recording unit; a receiving unit configured to receive a signal indicating a time delimiting point from an external device of a party on the other side; a setting unit configured to set the designated time delimiting point designated through the designation unit and the received time delimiting point received from the external device to the recorded data.

Abstract: When one party to an active call has momentarily stepped away from the call that has not been put on hold, the other party can record and leave a message for the party that stepped away, and then hang up. The call is monitored for return of the party that stepped away. When the returned party begins to speak, the message is immediately played to the returned party in response. In a conference, after a conferee who wishes to leave the conference, records a message and hangs up, the conference is monitored for either a break in the conversation or conversation directed to the party that left, and in response the message is played to the other conferees.

Abstract: There is provided a method and system for real-time authorization of cardholder-not-present transactions. An authorization request application may be implemented on an electronic device, such as a cellular phone, a personal media player, or a computer. A cardholder may register a card account, such as a credit account, a debit account, a gift card account, and so forth, for participation in the real-time authorization program. The cardholder may then receive authorization requests when cardholder-not-present transactions are attempted. Via the authorization request application, the cardholder may approve or decline the authorization request. In addition, the cardholder may configure settings for automatically responding to missed authorization requests. The authorization request application may also allow the cardholder to flag automatically approved requests as unauthorized within a certain time period after an automatic approval response is sent, thereby enabling prompt detection of fraudulent activity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a telephonic annotation services is disclosed. In one embodiment, a mobile telephone may be configured to include an annotation component used to record audio-based annotations for a telephone conversation. In another embodiment, a voice over internet protocol (VoIP) enabled telephone is used. Annotation recordings may be created both during and after a telephone conversation. The annotation recordings may be stored in a database and indexed to a telephone number associated with the other participant in the conversation. Subsequently, prior to calling the same telephone number, or prior to placing a call to the same telephone number, annotations may be selectively played back, according to criteria specified in an annotation profile. Additionally, annotations templates may be used to structure an annotation recording according to a predefined format.

Abstract: A system and method for non-speech input or keypad-aided word and spelling recognition is disclosed. The method comprises performing spelling recognition via automatic speech recognition (ASR) on received speech from a user, the ASR being performed using a statistical letter model trained on domain data and producing a letter lattice RLN. If an ASR confidence is below a predetermined level, then the method comprises receiving non-speech input from the user, generating a keypad constraint grammar K and generating a letter string based on a composition of finite state transducers RLN and K. Other variations of the invention include recognizing input by first receiving non-speech input, dynamically generating an unweighted grammar, generating a weighted grammar using domain data, and then performing speech, and thus spelling, recognition on input speech using the weighted grammar.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer program products, and methods of doing business by selectably mixing one or more sound files with a telephone caller's voice message, either as background for that message or embedded within the message. Or, the mixing may occur within a telephone conversation between parties. The disclosed techniques enable alleviating some of the problems that result from distance communication (as contrasted to face-to-face communication). In particular, context information (such as emotional context) can be provided through appropriate use of background sound and/or embedded audio files. The disclosed techniques may also make communication through voice mail exchange more enjoyable and/or increase its productivity.

Abstract: A wizard that from a fixed design can create various audio interfaces. The generated interfaces can be speech only, DTMF only, or various mixed speech and DTMF UIs. When specifying both speech and DTMF prompts, a number of combinations of these interfaces could be automatically generated. Robust speech recognition systems can be built by automatically generating a “shadow” DTMF application. The DTMF application will perform the same task as the primary speech application; however the transfer to a DTMF application could be done explicitly by the user, or could be transferred automatically (either a temporary or permanent transition) at a point in the call flow where there was a problem with the speech recognition.

Abstract: A method of generating a subscriber line ringing signal includes the step of applying a time-varying waveform W(t) to the tip line while maintaining the ring line at a pre-determined supply level for a duration T/2. The time-varying waveform is subsequently applied to the ring line while maintaining the tip line at the pre-determined supply level for the duration T/2. A subscriber line interface circuit apparatus includes a power supply providing a time-varying supply level, W(t). A signal processor controls a linefeed driver to alternately couple W(t) to one of the tip and ring lines while coupling an alternate supply level to the other of the tip and ring lines for a duration T/2. In various embodiments, the resulting differential ringing signal is trapezoidal or sinusoidal.

Abstract: A method of generating a subscriber line differential ringing signal with a DC component includes providing a time-varying supply level, W(t), having a plurality of non-equidistantly spaced critical points along a folding line. W(t) is coupled to the tip line while coupling an alternate source to the ring line in response to a first critical point. W(t) is coupled to the ring line while coupling the alternate source to the tip line in response to a second critical point. An apparatus for generating the ringing signal includes a power supply providing a supply level W(t)=|f(t)?C|+C+D, wherein D is a power supply offset, wherein C?0. When W(t)?K a signal processor controls a linefeed driver to toggle between 1) coupling W(t) to the tip line while coupling the ring line to an alternate supply, VALT(t), and 2) coupling W(t) to the ring line while coupling the tip line to VALT(t), wherein K is a pre-determined switching threshold.

Abstract: A telephone call information delivery system includes answering circuitry to answer a telephone call incoming from a service provider and to attain information input by a caller. The system further includes an information signal provider to provide at least one signal to deliver at least some of the attained information to a user. As an example, from the delivered information the user can decide whether or not to answer the incoming call. In another embodiment, the system further includes an alert signal provider to provide a signal to alert the user and an activator to receive instruction from the user. The information signal provider operates responsive to the activator. This embodiment answers an incoming call, attains information from the caller, alerts the user, the user then instructs the activator and the signal provider responds and delivers attained information to the user. The user then decides whether to answer the call.

Abstract: A method and system for delivering messages to customers/subscribers by “pushing” the message to the intended recipient(s) in voice form. By utilizing a digitized voice stream that can be routed over a packet switched network, the message can be distributed to multiple recipients cost effectively.

Abstract: A system for screening telephone calls is provided. The system includes a ring detector that generates ring status data, such as a first data value when a ring signal is being received and a second data value when no ring signal has been received for a predetermined period of time. A message detector generates message status data, such as a first data value when an outgoing message end tone has been detected and a second data value when no outgoing message end tone has been detected for a predetermined period of time. A message screener is connected to the ring detector and the message detector and amplifies a message based on the ring status data and the message status data, such as when the ring status data and the message data indicate that an incoming message is being recorded.

Abstract: A system establishes a session with a voice response unit. The system receives a pause signal and pauses the session, and receives a resume signal and resumes the session. A message interrupted by the pause may be continued or replayed.

Abstract: A mobile telephone network detects that a caller has dialed a called user's previously assigned network number, and automatically sends the caller a Phone Update command comprising the sequence corresponding to the caller's telephone. The network obtains the correct sequence for that caller's telephone from a mapping of equipment type against menu structure type, and all users have an equipment identifier entry in their profiles. The Phone Update command also includes the called user's new number, and the control unit enters this in the appropriate place of the Add Entry submenu function ready for the user to accept.

Abstract: The present invention provides an answering system for a communication device which, when set up with an automatic answering mode because a called party is absent or does not want to answer it, responds to a calling party by outputting automatically an responding message that a telephone of the called party is set up with an automatic answering mode for a predetermined time, whereby an user of the calling party is informed that an automatic answering mode of a telephone of a called party is activated although the communication has not completed yet. Accordingly, an user of the calling party pays no bill which is unnecessary when an automatic answering mode is activated on a telephone of the calling party, and the efficiency of communication system increases since the phone lines are free from the unnecessary phone calls.

Abstract: A telephone answering apparatus for verification of the presence of a remote user includes a detector, and a controller operatively connected to the detector and to a timer, wherein the controller restarts the timer upon detection of a telephone signal from the remote user and terminates a telephone connection if the telephone signal is not detected within a set period of time.

Abstract: A telephone answering apparatus for confirming an acoustic command signal includes a controller operatively connected to an acoustic signal detector and to an acoustic signal generator. The controller initiates the transmission of an acoustic response signal to a remote user in response to the detection of an acoustic command signal.

Abstract: Detection of alerting or other tone signals in a composite signal are reliably detected with an improved false tone detect suppression technique which employs the use of a moving window analysis on a subset of frequencies detected within an underlying speech signal performed during each of a plurality of data frames. The composite signal is transformed during each data frame using a discrete Fourier transform comprising the so-called Goertzel Algorithm. All of the Goertzels relating to the tone detection are analyzed during each data frame, but only a subset of the Goertzels relating to the sweeping harmonic analysis of the underlying speech signal are analyzed during any particular data frame.

Abstract: To provide a voice information service system wherein designation of the desired item of the voice information can be easily performed even with a cordless telephone by manipulating one or two specific telephone keys, the voice information service system comprises; a DTMF input timing detector (4) for detecting input timing of a specific DTMF (Dual Tone Multi-Frequency) code entered by the user, and calculating an effective passage time necessary for reproducing the voice information from a head until the specific DTMF code is entered, and an information number setting section (3) for determining an alternative information number of voice information to be reproduced next, according to the effective passage time, information number of the voice information actually served and a kind of the specific DTMF code.

Abstract: The invention is related to a method and a device for use in an apparatus, preferably a portable radiotelephone, equipped with a number of keys. Upon activation of a key, the device detects which key has been activated. The device comprises a signal generating unit which generates an oscillating signal whose character, e.g. frequency, unambiguously corresponds to the activated key. A signal detecting unit determines from the character of the oscillating signal a digital value which unambiguously indicates which key has been activated. An advantage offered by the invention is that the device can be implemented by use of simpler and cheaper circuits than prior known devices of similar type.

Abstract: A method and system for distinguishing valid DTMF signals from spurious DTMF noise includes detecting signals having a first signal component indicative of DTMF signals and having a second signal component having frequencies unrelated to DTMF frequencies. The second component is utilized in isolation from the DTMF frequencies of the first signal component. The analysis includes determining a signal level representative of the second signal component. If the signal level exceeds a predetermined threshold level, the first signal component is determined to be spurious noise. On the other hand, if the signal level is below the threshold level, the first signal component is passed to a DTMF-responsive system, such as a voicemail system or a voice response unit. Optionally, the operation includes requesting confirmation of the signal of interest, if the signal level of the second signal component falls within a range which includes the threshold level as its upper limit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mode-switchable telephone and mode setting and switching methods for the telephone. The mode-switchable telephone has a comparing unit which compares a value of a ringer adjusting volume with a volume value for setting a second mode, and a control unit which switches a first mode to the second mode when it is determined based on the result of the comparison by the comparing unit that the value of the ringer adjusting volume is set to be equal to or less than the volume value for setting the second mode. This structure facilitates the operation of the telephone having an automatic answering/recording function and a simple pager function.

Abstract: A telephone call screener and method of use is disclosed for use with a user's telephone system. It rejects unwanted telephone calls, such as those from telemarketers, while still allowing personal calls to ring through to the user, all without any user involvement. The screener recognizes an incoming call and disconnects the user's telephone. The screening process then reads prerecorded messages to the caller, attempting to verbally filter out and reject undesired call types. In a first embodiment, the screener generates a random single digit number, and requests the caller to press this number key on their phone to verify compliance with the previously read message. Depending on the caller's actions, the call is either disconnected, or is allowed to ring through to the user's telephone. Neither the caller nor the screener user needs to know any predefined codes. Further, the screener does not depend on any Caller ID system or telephone answering machine.

Abstract: A method for transferring a speech message registered by a user from an automatic telephone answering system at a reserved time wherein the reserved time and speech message are registered along with a telephone number so that the registered speech message can be automatically transferred at the reserved time as the telephone number is automatically dialed at the reserved time.

Abstract: A data communication apparatus includes a receiving unit for receiving data, a memory unit for storing received data, an informing unit for, after memory reception is performed by the memory unit, automatically calling a predetermined destination and informing that memory reception is performed, and a transmitting unit for transmitting data of the memory unit in accordance with reception of a control signal.

Abstract: This invention relates to arrangements for leaving messages from a held telephone. A recording device or system attached to the held telephone station, to a PBX or to a central office switch records the message in response to a request from the held party. Advantageously, this permits a party who has been put on hold by another party a third alternative between the presently allowed alternatives of hanging on or hanging up; a message may be all that is needed and the held party can be saved from frustration.

Abstract: An on hold telephony service that allows a party placed on hold, if he is a subscriber to the service, to also place the call on hold and then hang up. The on hold service can be implemented on a central office switch or an enhanced services platform connected to the switch. The on hold service is accessed by the party placed on hold, i.e., subscriber, through a transfer function that causes the call to be maintained by the on hold service. When the party who originally placed the call on hold returns to the call, the on hold service informs him that the service will then call the subscriber so that both parties can be reconnected.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for providing call screening in conjunction with a variety of network-based call services. An exemplary method for providing a called party at a called party station with call screening includes: (a) forwarding a call to the called party station (CPS) to a voice mailbox so that a caller can leave a message for the called party; (b) initiating a simplex call to the CPS; and (c) bridging the call forwarded to the voice mailbox and the simplex call to the CPS so that the called party can hear the caller leaving a message for the CPS; (d) initiating a duplex call to the CPS in response to signaling received from the CPS; and (e) bridging the call forwarded to the voice mailbox and the duplex call so that the caller and the called party are in communication with one another. In one embodiment of the present invention, the step of initiating a simplex call includes the step of delivering a distinctive ring to the CPS indicating that the caller is leaving a message for the CPS.

Abstract: An automated telephone hold device including a housing with a visual indication mechanism, audible indication mechanism, and push button switch positioned on a top face thereof. Further included is a voice playback mechanism, decoder, phone interface, and sequential logic located within the housing. In use, the sequential logic allows a user on hold to depress the push button switch which, in turn, actuates the visual indication mechanism. At this point in time, the phone interface allows communication between the voice playback mechanism and the phone of the second party for prompting the second party to press a designated key on the phone thereof. Once the second party presses the designated key, the sequential logic mechanism is adapted to actuate the audible indication mechanism. Also, upon the user lifting the handset thereof from an inoperative orientation, the sequential logic mechanism prompts the phone interface to revert to a normal mode of operation.

Abstract: A method for providing a proactive voice mail service wherein a message is recorded by a voice mail server if the customer's phone line is busy or does not answer and the voice mail server then attempts to deliver the message proactively to the customer. The method avoids loop-back charges which limit the usefulness of present implementations of proactive voice mail and allow for a nation-wide proactive voice mail service utilizing a server with toll-free inbound phone lines.

Abstract: When a request to record is received from an information provider by way of a telephone network, a storage area is secured for each information number of provided information, and index numbers designated by the information provider and voice file numbers designated within the device are recorded to the storage area. The information is then recorded in designated voice files for each arbitrary unit set by the information provider. When a playback request is received from an information user, voice file numbers are read out from the corresponding storage area in the order of the index numbers according to the designation of information numbers from the information user, and the information is played back in the order of the read voice files.

Abstract: A remotely accessible telephone control system for connection to a telephone network and method of handling telephonic communications. The system includes a detector for detecting signals on received via the network. A signal generator is responsive to control signals to produce predetermined signals and apply the signals to the network. A memory is provided for storing data and a central processing unit is programmed for monitoring signals detected by the detector, accessing the memory and producing and applying predetermined control signals to the signal generator. The central processing unit also answers an incoming call to the system and transmits a prompt to the caller, and also senses for transmission of an access code.

Abstract: A stand alone Personal Electronic Telephone Directory (PETD) apparatus is provided, that includes an internal telephone line segment, an off hook circuit, a Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) receiver, a ring detection circuit, a micro-controller, a memory, a speech synthesizer, and a DTMF generator. The PETD apparatus is a stand alone device intended for connection to an individual user's home telephone line, and for access by using a common touch tone ("DTMF") telephone. The user can access the memory of the PETD apparatus of the present invention locally or remotely. Then the user can issue coded instructions by simply pressing the keys of the DTMF telephone. By giving specific instructions, the user is allowed to add, retrieve or delete data from the memory of the PETD apparatus. The PETD apparatus communicates with the user by voice, generated by the speech synthesizer.

Abstract: A telephone answering device (TAD) includes a remote access mode which is operative responsive to dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals. At least three bandpass filters each receive an input signal from a telephone line interface provided in the TAD. A software controlled sampling section receives outputs from all the bandpass filters for sampling outputs from the bandpass filters, the sampling section including a multiplexer which receives the outputs from all of the bandpass filters, and a peak hold circuit coupled to an output of the multiplexer. An analog-to-digital converter receives an output from the peak hold circuit, and a digital controller receives the output of the analog-to-digital converter for controlling operations of the TAD in a remote access mode responsive to the detected DTMF signals. First and second ones of the bandpass filters have respective center frequencies corresponding to frequencies of respective DTMF signals and a third bandpass filter has a different center frequency.

Abstract: A telephone answering machine includes at least two tapes, the first of which records a subscriber's outgoing universal message (OGM) to all callers. A second of the two tapes records incoming messages from callers. A control device detects a tone code defined by, and entered by, a caller in conjunction with recording one of the messages as a message from the caller. The second tape is rewound and plays back the recorded caller's message to the subscriber. The subscriber can then re-enter the same code and record a response to the recorded caller's message on the first tape. The control device detects the code being re-entered by the caller if the caller has called again, in search of the response recorded by the subscriber, which corresponds to the re-entered code. The control device further searches for the re-entered code on the first tape in conjunction with the response recorded by the subscriber in response to the caller having re-entered the code.

Abstract: A system and method of remotely recording a telephone message at a selected recording device connected to a telephone receiver by an RF link may include a base station having an RF transmitter connected to a telephone receiver, and plural paging/recording devices, each with an RF receiver and a message recorder. The paging/recording devices may be contained within suitable children's toys. A caller calls the telephone receiver and when the telephone connection has been made provides a first code signal to the telephone receiver to gain access to the RF transmitter, and then provides a second code signal to identify a particular paging/recording device that is to receive and record the message.

Abstract: In a voice processing system, a voice detection algorithm is disclosed wherein the sensitivity is adjusted based upon whether or not tones (e.g.; DTMF) are presently being received. In an additional embodiment, the adjustment is made only when the voice processing system is in a predetermined mode.

Abstract: A controller circuit enables remote control of conventional answering machines from any telephone coupled to the same telephone line to which the answering machine is coupled, and within the same dwelling (such a telephone herein sometimes called a "local remote-control" telephone). The controller in a first mode of operation is transparent to the answering machine and to the normal operation of the local remote-control telephone. When activated by a DTMF security code transmitted from the local remote-control telephone, the controller enters a second (local remote-control) mode of operation which causes the answering machine to pick up the line as if answering a call. DTMF signals transmitted by the local remote-control telephone are coupled by the controller to the answering machine for enabling remote control operation of the machine (e.g., to retrieve recorded messages).

Abstract: A controller circuit enables remote control of conventional answering machines from any DTMF-capable telephone coupled to the same telephone line to which the answering machine is coupled, and within the same dwelling (such a telephone is referred to as a "local remote-control" telephone). The controller is coupled between the answering machine and the telephone line, and in a first mode of operation is transparent to the answering machine. When activated by a DTMF security code transmitted from a local remote-control telephone, the controller enters a second (local remote-control) mode of operation. The controller in this second mode causes the answering machine to pick up the line as if answering a call. DTMF signals transmitted by the local remote-control telephone are coupled by the controller to the answering machine for enabling remote control of the machine (e.g., to retrieve recorded messages).

Abstract: A telephone answering device (TAD) which includes a means of intelligently organizing voice messages, associated entered codes such as personal IDs and home telephone numbers, and information stored in the memory of the TAD. These codes or numbers are decoded by means of the caller entering DTMF signals into the telephone which are recognized, recorded and processed by the TAD. When processed with codes and personal information previously entered into the device's memory, the TAD displays the identity of the callers for each message, thus providing a menu of choices, i.e., a list of callers. This enables the user to access messages in a selective manner based on the identity of the caller. The need to listen to the actual voice messages to determine the caller's identity and the need to listen to the messages sequentially or chronologically is obviated, saving both time and effort.

Abstract: An interactive telephonic message delivery method and apparatus for providing an intended recipient of a voice message with options as to when the intended recipient will hear the message. Initially, the recipient of the voice mail is directed to indicate that he or she has a touch-tone telephone by generating a recognizable tone through pressing any one of the telephone touch-tone buttons. If the recipient does not generate a recognizable tone before the expiration of a predetermined amount of time, the recipient is informed of a telephone number to dial at a later time from a touch-tone telephone in order to retrieve the message. On the other hand, if the recipient indicates that he or she possesses a touch-tone telephone (i.e., if the recipient generates a recognizable tone), the recipient is then provided with a number of options for processing the message. The recipient then selects particular options by pressing the telephone buttons associated with the particular options.

Abstract: An interactive voice communication terminal (10) provides alpha and numeric characters transmitted from a DTMF generator (36) to access a database by interfacing with the mouthpiece (24) of a telephone handset (26) via a transducer (22). A keypad (14) is operable to allow selection of one of multiple characters associated with alpha characters and numeric characters. A table of DTMF strings associated with each key is stored in a memory (34). In response to depression of a key on the keypad (14), a centralized controller (32) controls the DTMF generator (36) to output the sequence associated with the depressed key that was stored in the memory (34) to transducer (22) via a driver (38). The tables in the memory (34) can be a combination of DTMF sequences for alpha characters and single number sequences for numerical sequences or they can be fixed-length sequences for all numerical and alpha characters.

Abstract: A telephone message system overcomes the problems and limitations of presently available systems that seek to enhance inter-and intra-premises communications. The system comprises a controller unit with Caller ID capabilities and one or more adjunct units that are all bridged onto a single wire-pair at a user's residential location in a parallel electrical connection. For facilitating a message routing capability, a mailbox of groups of telephone numbers are associated with a particular party at the residence. These telephone numbers are preprogrammed into the controller unit so that upon receipt of an incoming call from one of these telephone numbers, identified through caller ID, the incoming call is associated with the particular called party and the controller unit routes the incoming call directly to the called party's mail box where the calling party is able to leave a message.