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: Storage locations, such as voice mailboxes are addressed on a plurality of widely distributed host systems, connect via a network, by defining logical domains Bach of which may include storage locations on more than one host system. The domains are defined by address tables which indicate which host systems provide ranges of address locations. Transfer of data between domains is simplified by the use of translation tables. One type of translation table is an alias table which has entries containing a range in the originating domain, a new domain and a starting point for a range in the new domain, thus defining a one-to-one correspondence between the ranges in the two domains. Another translation table is a gateway table which defines a gateway to a new domain when an input address has characteristics matching a prefix, number of digits, or both, of an entry in the gateway table.

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.

Abstract: Dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) signals are automatically generated by a telecommunications device after a telephone number is called. The signals generated to call the telephone number are determined by a manually operated switch indicating pulse code signal generation or dual tone multifrequency signal generation. It is determined that the telephone number has been dialed by detecting a ring-back signal, voice frequency signals, DTMF signals, or data stream signals. Alternatively, if a predetermined period of time, such as ten seconds, passes without the user pressing a number on the keypad, it may be assumed that the telephone number has been dialed. Upon detecting one of these signals or the passage of time, the telecommunications device is controlled to generate only dual tone multifrequency signals for communication with automated services, such as voicemail, telephone banking, reservation systems, etc.

Abstract: A pay telephone message system is disclosed that includes a voice message system storing and forwarding to a destination telephone a voice message left by a user. Call information including the destination telephone number is routed out-of-band, that is, in a data or service request channel separate from the voice channel, over a packet concentrator network separate from the voice telephone network. During operation a message telephone call is placed to the voice message system over the existing telephone network. The call information is routed over the concentrator network as a voice message service request. The voice message system returns a token, a call identifier or service request number, corresponding to the service request to the pay telephone interface making the request and handling the pay telephone call. The interface sends the token in-band over the telephone network to the voice message system prior to allowing the pay telephone user to store a message.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus that receives various types of call record information when a called number is busy or does not answer, and converts the call record information into uniform format information suitable for recording messages on a message storage system. The system receives the different call forwarding information from different devices and translates and reformats that information into mailbox information suitable for controlling a message storage operation. The system includes one integration process for each type of switching device even when plural devices of a particular type are connected to the system. The integration processes provide a uniform packet routed to the message storage system. Packets arriving from the message storage system defined for a switching device are presented to the integration processes in a uniform format.

Abstract: An integrated services platform for a telephone communication system includes a plurality of application processing ports for providing different types of information services through the telephone communication system. A master control unit and a high speed digital switch control processing of incoming phone calls to recognize the type of service being requested by a subscriber and non-subscriber, and route the call to the appropriate application processing port which is capable of providing the requested service. Application processing ports can be provided to implement a number of information services including videotex, voice, speech synthesis, E-mail, facsimile store and forward, speech recognition, telex, residential call answering, business voice messaging, home shopping, classified advertising, trucking dispatch, doctor's register and automated attendant. In this manner, a centrally located services platform can be provided to provide a number of different types of service to the user.

Abstract: A coin tone validator (CTV) is located in a local central office and is connected between a pay telephone and a switching system. The CTV monitors DC loop current changes using opto-couplers inserted into a local loop in addition to measuring standard 1700 Hz and 2200 Hz tone frequencies generated when a coin is inserted into the paystation. A comparison of the two components, the current changes and the frequencies, is performed to determine a timing and magnitude relationship. If the frequency component is misaligned within a specified time frame or the magnitude is not sufficient, then the tones received or the current change sensed are dismissed as interference. The CTV prevents users of pay telephones from fraudulently generating coin tones that are acoustically coupled into the handset of a paystation from a calling station at any time during a call.

Abstract: The present invention provides a distributed architecture that includes multiple voice processing unit each designated as a home unit for a subscriber's messages. An incoming call is preferentially switched to the home VPU by a digital switching system under the control of a master control unit. If a master control unit determines that all lines to the home unit are busy or the home unit is otherwise unavailable, the master unit causes the digital system to switch the call to another or remote voice processing unit. The remote unit then handles the call by either locally storing a message or retrieving a message from the home unit storage over an internal message bus.