Abstract: A method and device for managing a telecommunication system, including call forwarding, with a computer network (LAN, WAN, etc.) integrated with a private branch exchange (PBX) connected to a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). Calls are forwarded based upon the device used to log onto the computer network by the called party.

Abstract: A method and a device for the management of a TAPI or TSAPI based telecommunications system through the use of a graphical user interface. The invention displays incoming and outgoing calls as icons which are graphically manipulated to control the functions of the system. Dialing, transferring, and conferencing telephone calls, as well as other functions, is accomplished by the manipulation of icons and windows on a computer display.

Abstract: A telephone system with extension telephones and voice mail features allows an extension owner to monitor a message as it is being left in voice mail. The monitoring method may be implemented in a system with a simple extension telephone or with an extension including a second channel of communication to a display screen. If the monitoring begins later than the time when the caller began leaving the message, monitoring may commence at a midpoint of the message or, with a delay, from the beginning of the message, playing back at a rate faster than real time to catch up with real time. For extensions with a display screen, each call received by the system for the extension creates an entry in a call log for the extension and, for each such entry where a message was left, the called party may play back the message by selecting on the screen the call log entry for that call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for an auto attendant system to allow a called party to monitor a screening name left by a caller while the called party is on the telephone with a third party. If the called party wishes, the system can place the third party on hold and connect the caller. Alternatively, the system can redirect the caller to another line or ask the caller to hold. The system is implemented with a second communication channel from the telephone switch system to the called party so that the called party can monitor the screening name left by a caller without first putting the third party on hold or disconnecting from the third party. The system can be configured to automatically monitor each screening name as it is left without intervention by the called party.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a telephone user with automated attendant functions with numerous selectable options. The options include selecting one of many greetings to be given to the caller before putting the caller on hold or sending the caller to voice mail, recording a new greeting for the caller after learning the caller's identity, re-routing the call and adding an audio message to be delivered to the substitute called party before the call is connected. A display screen with a cursor is used to facilitate presentation of information and options to the telephone user and selection of options by the telephone user.

Abstract: A graphical user interface for the display of voice mail message information and playing voice mail messages through a computer speaker. Using a mouse, the messages can be manipulated individually or in groups. Using the mouse or the keyboard, the sender of a message can add textual copy or addressing to a message. The display also includes, merged into a single list, e-mail messages and fax messages for the user. The interface includes a facility for exporting voice mail messages into multimedia documents and importing sound clips from multimedia documents into voice mail messages. If the sender of a message does not want the recipient to copy the message for further distribution to others, the sender may designate the message as "Private", and the system will not allow the message to be copied.

Abstract: A system for easily creating a menu structure for the control of an electronic device via a telephone is disclosed. The system contains an editor for easily creating a menu structure design, a memory table for containing the parameters of the menu structure design, and a logic engine for implementing the menu structure design according to the memory table. The use of a memory table to define each menu structure allows multiple menu structures to be available for execution by the engine and allows switching between them. It also allows certain user inputs to be defined as short cuts to reach other portions of the menu structure.