Abstract: In an end-of-hold notification method and apparatus, upon activation of end-of-hold notification from a first communication device, a detector is activated to monitor a communication connection between the first communication device and a second communication device for an end-of-hold condition from the second communication device, and a customized message from a user of the first communication device (e.g., a textual message, a graphical message, an audio message, etc.) is sent by the first communication device to the second communication device such that the custom message is sent outside of the communication connection and before detection of the end-of-hold condition from the second communication device.

Abstract: In an end-of-hold notification method and apparatus, upon activation of end-of-hold notification from a first communication device, a detector is activated to detect an end-of-hold condition from a second communication device, a first signal is provided to the second communication device to indicate activation of end-of-hold notification, and a user of the first communication device is permitted to record a personalized message. After detection of the end-of-hold condition from the second communication device, a second signal is sent to the second communication device, the second signal including the personalized message recorded by the user of the first communication device.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention employ targeted speech detection as part of end-of-hold detection in an end-of-hold notification system. The targeted speech detector is configured to be particularly sensitive to specific words or phrases so as to increase the likelihood of detecting a correct end-of-hold condition while reducing the likelihood of false end-of-hold detection. Targeted speech detection may be used along with other detection mechanisms such as DTMF detection and/or background noise detection.