Abstract: Methods and systems consistent with the present invention provide a unified messaging system. The unified messaging system comprises a unified messaging system server and clients, such as personal computers, telephones, facsimile machines, and two-way paging machines connected via both land based and wireless connections. This system enables a user to access and retrieve a variety of messages, including voice mail messages, facsimiles, and electronic mail messages via a unified user interface that clearly distinguishes each message type using message identifiers, and segregates messages by type.

Abstract: Telephone users desiring directory assistance services are connected via standard telephone procedures to a directory assistance provider, such as an operator. An operator provides the destination number and initiates a connection to that number. Once that connection is initiated, the connection is monitored for the occurrence of a predetermined condition, such as a busy signal. If no such condition is detected, the caller proceeds with the call in the normal manner. If, however, such a condition is detected, the caller is automatically transferred to a directory assistance provider for further help. In addition, a pool of operators/agents capable of receiving the request for concierge-like services generate an electronic ticket representing such request. A pool of fulfillment agents capable of receiving the electronic ticket engage in such action as necessary to fulfill the request.

Abstract: A voice processing system, method and computer program product therefor, allows telephone callers without computers to access World Wide Web pages from the Internet. Usual graphical-based Hyper-Text Mark-Up language (HTML) commands are interspersed with special HTML tags including the commands and data for forming a voice application, which, when run on the voice processing system, provides a voice browser for allowing telephone callers to access Web pages. The voice application tags are provided together with the remainder of the HTML document, thus facilitating editing of the combined data. This helps to keep the graphical browser and voice browser versions of the same data set synchronized.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sending messages to a portable device. The apparatus broadcasts query signals and receives an identification code from a portable device as a reply. The identification code can identify a portable device user, user preferences and portable device capabilities. Messages of various formats are retrieved from local and/or remote messaging systems based on the identification code. The apparatus can send the retrieved messages to the portable device and receive messages from the portable device.

Abstract: A system and method of automatic call handling allowing agent optimization in an automatic call distributor using voice recognition and speech synthesis technology. A speech synthesizer takes a script as input and generates speech as output. A prepared script includes speech input for the speech synthesizer. Connect a call with a call contact, speak to the call contact speech generated using the prepared script as input to the speech synthesizer, receive live agent voice input, and recognize agent speech.

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

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel system, method and apparatus for answering a telephone call. In one aspect of the invention, there is provided a system for call answering that includes a switch for connecting a telephony device to incoming calls received from callers connected to the switch via a telephone network. The switch is also connected to a processing unit and a storage device that contains a plurality of pre-recorded messages. When a callee at the telephony device receives an incoming call during a meeting (or at some other inconvenient time) and yet the callee wishes to respond to the caller, then the callee can provide (via a keypad on the telephony device) message selection criteria to the processing unit. The processing unit can then assemble an outgoing message based on the message selection critiera. The message is assembled from from the plurality of messages saved on the storage device. Having assembled the message, the processing unit can then play that outgoing message to the caller.

Abstract: A method and system for providing a telephone caller information assistance such as driving directions from a starting location to a destination location. To obtain information assistance, the caller places a telephone call to access the system. If the geographical location of the caller can be determined by an automatic location identification system it is displayed on an operator console where the caller's request is transferred to be handled by a live operator. The operator receives the caller's destination request and queries the system for the street route driving instructions to the requested destination. After obtaining the street route driving instructions, the call can be transferred to an audio box having an interactive user interface capable of replaying the desired information to the caller. In an illustrative embodiment, the interactive user interface is capable providing functions to stop, start, pause, and replay the information to the caller.

Abstract: The present method and system enable a called party to cancel an unwanted call and send a message to the calling party. The method and system are activated in response to a plurality of inputs provided by the called party. In response to the input provided by the called party, a custom or a standard message can be transmitted to the calling party. A confirmation message can also be transmitted to the called party. The method and system can be implemented in conjunction with other systems that are also activated in response to an input from the called party.

Abstract: A service system for providing a service to a user comprises an application accept unit (4) for accepting an application for registration from a terminal (1) together with a telephone number of the terminal, a recording module (5) for recording the telephone number as an application telephone number, a telephone call receiving unit (6) for receiving a telephone call, a comparing unit (6) for comparing a caller telephone number of the received telephone call with the application telephone number, and a registration module (5) for registering, when the caller telephone number is coincident with the application telephone number, the application telephone number as a registered telephone number.

Abstract: The present invention provides a telephony-accessed application system for providing a service, such as voicemail, in accordance with a switching interface such as in the ITU-T H.323 or IETF SIP recommendation. Queuing functionality is made possible in a system which employs a switch which does not support queuing. The queuing functionality is made possible by a queue means which is provided within an application means, i.e. the voicemail means itself. Consequently, the switch itself is relieved of the burden of having to keep track of the exact status of each of its ports at all times. The high-level queuing is performed at a logical level rather than at the physical level, and therefore affords a cleaner interface. Furthermore, the implementation of the queuing functions in the terminating application means allows for the use of a wider variety of intermediate switch means in a network.

Abstract: A method of providing a session for ordering a telecommunication service includes receiving a telecommunication call for ordering the telecommunication service, communicating a prerecorded terms and conditions message for the telecommunication service to an individual ordering the telecommunication service, and receiving a reply message to the terms and conditions message from the individual. The prerecorded terms and conditions message is communicated to the individual and the reply message is received during the telecommunication call. A system for providing the session is disclosed.

Abstract: A technique for using a computer system to filter incoming telephone is provided. The computer system decodes caller ID information in an incoming telephone call and compares the decoded caller ID information against a stored list of caller ID information. If the caller ID information in the incoming call matches an item in the stored list, the computer system prevents the telephone input/output device from ringing, opens a connection on the telephone line, outputs a prerecorded audio message on the telephone line, and closes the connection. If the caller ID information in the incoming call does not match an item in the stored list, the computer system passes the incoming call to the input/output device normally. The computer system is configured to receive voice commands from a user to manage the stored list, including adding the caller ID information from a current or recent call to the list.

Abstract: Telephone users desiring directory assistance services are connected via standard telephone procedures to a directory assistance provider, such as an operator. An operator provides the destination number and initiates a connection to that number. Once that connection is initiated, the connection is monitored for the occurrence of a predetermined condition, such as a busy signal. If no such condition is detected, the caller proceeds with the call in the normal manner. If, however, such a condition is detected, the caller is automatically transferred to a directory assistance provider for further help.

Abstract: An external accessory is added to an automatic call director to ensure first in first out operation for connection to primary resources when secondary resources are accessed prior to primary resources. A controller intercepts resource requests for the call director and manages an auxiliary queue to provide first in first out operation. The resource requests are returned to the call director queue once first in first out is guaranteed.

Abstract: An intelligent digital recording system, in conjunction with public centralized network resources, provides wide area multimedia (Fax, Internet, Screens, Video, Voice, etc.) recording SERVICES. The architecture allows parallel recording from a variety of communication sources, i.e., wireline and wireless networks etc. and the stored data can be accessed by the end users via a variety of multimedia mediums or can be distributed to the users on a predetermined schedule using several different storage and/or transmission mediums.

Abstract: A directory service, containing unique identifiers (e.g., telephone numbers) and related Internet address(es), accessible through the Internet. An Internet-enabled communication system, such as IP-PBX or voice mail system, accepts a telephone number as a destination address. It then contacts the directory service and requests the Internet address related to that telephone number. The communication system uses the Internet address to set up a delivery path via the Internet to the destination. Thus, all time-dependent charges normally associated with message delivery by the telephone network can be avoided.

Abstract: A relay is described to facilitate communication through the telephone system between deaf people and hearing people. To overcome the speed limitations inherent in typing, the call assistant at the relay does not type most words but, instead, re-voices the words spoken by the hearing person into a computer operating a voice recognition software package trained to the voice of that call assistant. The conversation-type flow of communications achieved by this type of relay enables the design of a new class of interpreters for the deaf.

Abstract: A central station is provided to which the pharmacy can forward calls at the convenience of the pharmacy. A caller will call in to the pharmacy to request a refill and the call will be automatically routed to the central facility unbeknownst to the caller. The central station will obtain the refill information required, preferably by means of an automated computer system as is known in the art. This information can then be transferred to the pharmacist in a number of ways, such as by periodically faxing the information to the pharmacy. Voice messages could be flagged and the pharmacist would have to call into the central facility to obtain the voice mail message. Alternatively, a PC could be installed in the pharmacy having a reduced version of a complete, stand-alone program. The refill information can then be sent to the pharmacy by modem and the pharmacist could see a computer display of the refill orders and could hear voice messages. Alternatively, the information could be e-mailed to the pharmacy.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing speech recognition capability to callers in a cost efficient manner as part of one or more telephone services are described. Multiple speech recognition units with differing capabilities and therefore implementation costs are provided. Calls are assigned to speech recognition circuits throughout a call based on a signal such as a service type identifier indicating the type of service to be provided to the caller. During different phases of a call different speech recognition units may be used. In addition, different amounts of speech recognition processing capability may be allocated to service a call at different points during a call. In this manner efficient use of available speech recognition resources can be achieved.