Abstract: A method for providing concurrent service in a mobile communication system is disclosed in which a SCCP connection identifier SLR/DLR of a lower layer and a Service Option Connection Identifier (SOCI) on an IOS message of the higher layer to be exchanged are transmitted when a SCCP connection is established between a BSC and a MSC, thereby providing additional services to those already requested from a mobile station after the SCCP connection establishment without stopping a currently used service. According to the method, the concurrent service is provided while minimizing the conventional call processing procedures on the interface between the BSC and the MSC, thereby allowing a subscriber to use new additional service without stopping the current service or concurrently use a plurality of services such as voice and packet data services. Furthermore, a flexible confront is possible to a future development direction of the network.

Abstract: A communications system, which has a plurality of terminals connected thereto, has one or more object presence detecting devices associated with the individual terminals. The detecting devices detect whether or not an object, such as a person, has been detected near any particular and associated terminal and informs the system. The telephone system can then provide a visual indication to other terminals within the system that a person is near their terminal. Such detecting capabilities can also be used to forward communications to another terminal if a user is not near their terminal.

Abstract: A method and system for forwarding information, such as a message waiting indicator (MWI) message, to a telephone number corresponding to a foreign network (e.g., a wireless network) and a shared NPA/NXX. The invention evaluates individual telephone numbers of shared NPA/NXXs to determine to what networks to send messages. A representative embodiment of the invention uses a service control point and service package application to deliver an MWI message from a messaging service provider to a wireless (i.e., foreign network) telephone number of a shared NPA/NXX. Shared NPA/NXXs are marked as “portable” in a signal transfer point for forwarding to the service control point, which determines whether the shared NPA/NXX telephone numbers require local number portability global title translation or should be forwarded to an inter-switch voicemail routing (ISVMR) service package application. The ISVMR service package application determines the point code to which the MWI message should be routed.

Abstract: The present invention supports a voice messaging service in a wireless communications system. A subscriber accesses a voice messaging system (VMS) through a wireless device in order to retrieve voice messages that are deposited into the subscriber's voice mailbox. The subscriber may wish to return a call to a call sender. The call is established to the call sender's directory number through a serving mobile switching center (MSC) in concert with a service control point (SCP) and an intelligent peripheral (IP). The subscriber may return to the VMS so that the subscriber can resume the voice mail session. The subscriber ends the call or optionally enters a feature rebound code. The IP detects an associated call event and initiates a connection between the subscriber and the VMS. The IP notifies the SCP, causing the SCP to instruct the serving MSC to re-establish the connection between the subscriber and the VMS.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inducing a person to store telephone numbers or other contact information entered into a new voice message delivery method and system. The invention preferably operates after the person has completed a transaction, such as sending or receiving a voice message, so that the action of saving the telephone number or other contact information is convenient for the user and is less competitive with the action of sending or receiving a voice message. After a person sends or receives a voice message, the invention determines whether to offer the person an opportunity to save the telephone number or other contact information already entered into the system. The invention then allows the person to save the telephone number or other contact information in an address book associated with their account.

Abstract: A method for interfacing a subscriber to a voice mail component of a telecommunications system is provided. The method includes playing messages to the subscriber when the subscriber is in a message review area and providing a plurality of functions to the subscriber while the messages are playing and including an option of accessing a settings area. The method further includes placing the subscriber in a settings area in response to a subscriber's command and sequentially listing a series of persistent settings features when the subscriber is in the settings area.

Abstract: A cellular telephone handset stores audio files previously recorded by the user and selectively transmitted to the remote listener at a time when it is inappropriate for the handset user to speak, such as when an incoming call arrives when the user in a meeting or theater. In addition, a designated recorded message may be transmitted at future designated time to a designated telephone number supplied by the user, and may request and save a response recorded by the remote listener after the designed message is transmitted. The handset's keypad is used to accept data and commands from the user in a menu system that controls message recording, selection, playback and transmission, as well as the playback of responses recorded by the recipient of a transmitted message. Messages may be entered as character data and transmitted as spoken messages when prerecorded messages do not satisfy needs that arise during a conversation that is being conducted under “silent” conditions.

Abstract: A system, method and computer program product are provided for determining an area code during voice activated dialing. Initially, utterances are received from the user during a session via a speech recognition portal. Such utterances are indicative of a third party. A speech recognition process is then performed on the utterances to interpret the utterances. A phone number is then identified based on the utterances. It is then determined whether the phone number includes an area code. If it is determined that the phone number does not include an area code, the area code is inferred. The inferred area code may then be outputted to the user. The user is then prompted to confirm the inferred area code. The phone number is then dialed with the inferred area code upon the receipt of confirmation from the user.

Abstract: A method and system for interactive message communication, including the steps of receiving a marked up e-mail by an interactive voice response system, the marked up e-mail containing a menu, converting the menu from text speech, producing a speech menu, reading the speech menu from the interactive voice response system to a telephone unit, and transmitting a response to the marked up e-mail based on the speech menu.

Abstract: Common dial-up numbers and/or common ID numbers are set for the simultaneous transmission of information, such as news or advertising, to a plurality of mobile wireless terminals. In addition, these common dial-up numbers and/or common ID numbers are also recorded in a switching center that sends out information. When information is sent from the information providers, the switching center simultaneously transmits this information to mobile wireless terminals having these common dial-up numbers and/or common ID numbers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a computer and telecommunication network which can receive, send and manage information from or to a subscriber of the network, based the subscriber's configuration. The network is made up of at least one cluster containing voice servers which allow for telephony, speech recognition, text-to-speech and conferencing functions, and is accessible by the subscriber through standard telephone connections or through internet connections. The network also utilizes a database and file server allowing the subscriber to maintain and manage certain contact lists and administrative information. A web server is also connected to the cluster thereby allowing access to all functions through internet connections.

Abstract: A telephone line status notification system including at least one telephone line having a status, a communications network, at least one communications terminal which is connectable to the communications network and which is employable by a seeking user to communicate via the communications network a status request concerning the status of the at least one telephone line, apparatus for processing the status request the apparatus for processing is connectable to the communications network for receiving the status request from the seeking user therethrough and communicating the request, and apparatus for acquiring the status of the at least one telephone line, the apparatus for acquiring is in communication with the apparatus for processing for receiving the status request therefrom, and the apparatus for acquiring is connectable to the communications network for communicating the status via the communications network.

Abstract: A telephone annunciator is disclosed which includes a voice ROM with a prerecorded message which is played back in response to a call received from an unwanted caller. A line current modulator is coupled with the voice ROM and the telephone line. A DTMF tone decoder circuit is coupled with the telephone line for decoding at least one DTMF code signal for producing a trigger signal. An on/off control circuit is responsive to the trigger signal for turning on the voice ROM whereby the telephone line current is modulated by the modulator in accordance with the audio signal from the voice ROM. A start-up power supply includes a storage capacitor and stores a charge in response to a ring signal on the telephone line. A main power supply is connected with the telephone line to receive power therefrom when an off-hook signal is detected.

Abstract: A telephony application architecture which allows creating programs as a set of nested routines running independently and concurrently on three different control layers. Each layer focuses on only a particular portion of the overall call processing function thus allowing that portion to be written or presented in a substantially linear fashion. This linear presentation greatly reduces the complexity of development and maintenance of the software.

Abstract: A messaging system to store and retrieve messages for playback in response to input user commands includes memory to store user messages. The messaging system also maintains preference records associated with users of the messaging system. Each preference record is associated with a communication device used by a user to access the messaging system and includes user preference data for message playback. A messaging application is responsive to incoming calls from users to playback messages for that user stored in the memory. The messaging application accesses preference records associated with a user calling the messaging system and plays back the messages in accordance with a selected one of the preference records. In one embodiment, the selected one of the preference records is selected based on caller line identification (CLI) data accompanying the call made to the messaging system.

Abstract: A personal assistant system uses context to intelligently make contacts and for provisioning an address book. The system can be customized by subscribers for all or specific contacts. The system uses history information to make predictions of whether calls will be successful when no preference is specified by the user.

Abstract: A system and method for creation and automatic deployment of personalized, dynamic, and interactive voice services relating to subscriber books, including information derived from on-line analytical processing (OLAP) systems is described. More specifically, the invention relates to a system and method that enable personalized delivery of book-related information in real-time, via natural language voice communication with a voice enabled terminal device.

Abstract: A voice message delivery method and system for delivering voice messages from a Sender to a Receiver, where neither the Sender nor the Receiver are required to be Subscribers to the system. The invention allows voice messages to be delivered to non-Subscribers and, if they are not how, to be recorded into the existing answering machine or voicemail system of the Recipient. Advertisements played during either the process of sending or receiving a message provide revenue for a company providing the service of the present invention without requiring users to become Subscribers.

Abstract: A method and system for processing messages in a unified messaging system. In particular, the system enables legacy e-mail, voice mail and facsimile systems to be integrated with a unified messaging system. The system includes a filter or mechanism which enables the user to filter certain message attributes such as the identification of the sender, recipient or the subject header or the message type to enable messages to be processed in accordance with the recipients wishes.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing and facilitating a voice call connection from a client computer to a PSTN extension includes incorporating offers to participate in a voice communication session into a call invitation list providing convenient and persistent access to such offers for present and/or future acceptance by a user of the client computer.