Abstract: A system that dynamically creates a mailbox if the mailbox does not exist for a message at the time that the message is to be stored when dynamic mailbox creation is enabled. A system level process indicates that the mailbox exists and provides default subscriber information to a voice messaging application during the receipt of a message when a mailbox does not exist on the system for the recipient of the message and dynamic mailbox creation is enabled. At the time the message is to be stored the mailbox is created with the default subscriber information. The system checks for erroneous mailboxes by requesting confirmation of the recipient telephone number from the telephone system using a message waiting indication packet. This check can be performed before the mailbox is created when the mailbox address is available, while the message is being held before being stored, or it can be used to delete the mailbox after it is created. When the message is retrieved, the mailbox is initialized.

Abstract: A system and method that implements a network of voice mail systems using a telephone network. Each node of the network queues voice messages to be sent to remote locations in a voice mailbox created for that remote location until a scheduled time for sending messages to that remote location. When the messages are sent, conventional telephone lines of the telephone network are used by dialing through the public telephone network to establish a node to node connection. When the connection is established, the messages in the queue are transferred over the telephone network in either analog or digital form. Multiple message processors in each node can allow multiple connections and simultaneous transmission and receipt of messages between nodes.

Abstract: An information services system accessed via telephones by subscribers stores lists of codes for accessing automated telephonic information services, such as telephone banking, airline reservations, stock quotes, etc. A subscriber to an information services system according to the invention accesses the system and enters a gateway learn mode in which the subscriber is given a dial tone via a switch which permits the information services system to separately identify signals from the subscriber and from the number called by the subscriber. Representations of the dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) signals generated by the subscriber are stored as tone codes, together with time codes indicating when the DTMF signals should be generated in an execution mode. In addition, command signals, preferably received as voice signals, from the subscriber are detected using voice recognition and control codes are stored corresponding to the command signals.

Abstract: A voice mail message system detects the length of each message and provides an indication of the length to a user together with other message information when messages are requested. The indication of message length may be a qualitative one in which the number of short, medium and long messages is indicated to the user. In addition, if a user interrupts a message as it is being played back, the user is informed of the remaining length of the message.

Abstract: An automated attendant service supports any combination of single-line telephones, CENTREX telephones and one or more PBX in a single logical configuration. Multiple access numbers can be used to call the automated service and calls forwarded from DID lines can also be handled. The appropriate transfer codes are determined for the switch connecting a caller to the automated attendant service. Subscribers to the automated attendant service may be connected via different types of switches using different call progress signals. Analysis of the call progress signals is performed using parameters specific to the switch used for each call to an extension. The types of transfers supported by the automated attendant service include screened calls in which the caller is prompted to give a name provided identification. The name given by the caller may be stored, together with the time of the call and the phone number of the caller, so that a subscriber may return calls even if the caller does not leave a message.

Abstract: Equipment providing information services, whether installed near a central office or provided as part of a PBX includes a search service for generating a number of outdialing operations in an effort to reach a subscriber of the search service for a caller. A plurality of outdialing operations are initiated simultaneously, sequentially, or as sets of calls in a sequence with each set including one or more simultaneously dialed telephone numbers. The numbers called may be extensions on a PBX, phone numbers within any area code, cellular phones, or any other type of number which can be reached by telephone. The caller is kept informed of the success or failure of the outdialing operations and when the subscriber called by the caller is reached, the two are connected and any other outdialing operation is terminated. When all of the outdialing operations for one set of telephone numbers is unsuccessful, the next set in sequence is used in one or more new outdialing operations.

Abstract: An automated attendant service supports any combination of single-line telephones, CENTREX telephones and one or more PBXs in a single logical configuration. Multiple access numbers can be used to call the automated service and calls forwarded from DID lines can also be handled. The appropriate transfer codes are determined for the switch connecting a caller to the automated attendant service. Subscribers to the automated attendant service may be connected via different types of switches using different call progress signals. Analysis of the call progress signals is performed using parameters specific to the switch used for each call to an extension. The types of transfers supported by the automated attendant service include screened calls in which the caller is prompted to give a name providing identification. The name given by the caller may be stored, together with the time of the call and the phone number of the caller, so that a subscriber may return calls even if the caller does not leave a message.