Abstract: Various technologies and techniques are disclosed for providing an autoresponder that allows subscribers to opt-in to one or more autoresponder campaigns using their spoken voice. Voice input is received from a subscriber and converted to text. The subscriber is added to at least one campaign. A contact communication identifier is stored in a subscriber contact record from the text that was converted from the voice input. One or more messages are sent to the subscriber using the contact communication identifier, and according to a schedule specified in the campaign. A virtual seminar playback system is described that simulates a live virtual seminar and allows subscribers to access a playback of a media recording over a communication connection at a specified time. An autoresponder system is described that delivers messages to subscribers in multiple available formats, based upon selections received by the subscribers.

Abstract: An apparatus and method control transmission of messages over a fixed bandwidth communication link from fixed position client or communication devices to a central controller. In one exemplary embodiment, the central controller determines an identifier associated with each communication device, a reporting period during which messages are to be transmitted by the communication devices, and transmission increments within the reporting period. The central controller allocates each transmission increment to a respective group of multiple communication devices.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for using automatic speech recognition to analyze a voice interaction and verify compliance of an agent reading a script to a client during the voice interaction. In one aspect of the invention, a communications system includes a user interface, a communications network, and a call center having an automatic speech recognition component. In other aspects of the invention, a script compliance method includes the steps of conducting a voice interaction between an agent and a client and evaluating the voice interaction with an automatic speech recognition component adapted to analyze the voice interaction and determine whether the agent has adequately followed the script. In still other aspects of the invention, respective data for specific interactions, including voice records or panels, transcribed text equivalents to such voice records or panels, and/or script text governing such voice records or panels, can be forwarded to one or more respective clients.

Abstract: A home gateway system has a transceiver (70) capable of establishing a wireless local loop connection (72). A voice processing system (74) is coupled to the transceiver (70). The voice processing system (74) is capable of storing a message from an incoming call. A caller identification processing system (76) is coupled to the transceiver (70). The caller identification processing system (76) determines a telephone number of the incoming call and routes the incoming call to the voice processing system (74), if the telephone number belongs to a screened group of telephone numbers.

Abstract: A poll definition comprising a plurality of poll questions and a phone list comprising a plurality of phone list entries is received over the network from a user. Each phone list entry comprises a phone number for one of a first plurality of poll targets. A first poll run is conducted as a dial-out poll run using the poll definition and the phone list, such that a first set of answers to the plurality of poll questions is received from at least some of the first plurality of poll targets. A second poll run is conducted as a call-in poll run, using the poll definition, such that a second set of answers to the plurality of poll questions is received from a second plurality of poll targets. A third poll run is conducted as a web survey, using the poll definition, such that a third set of answers to the plurality of poll questions is received from a third plurality of poll targets.

Abstract: Disclosed is a voice message exchange system and method for improving communication between an inmate and a third party by enabling the inmate to leave a message when a call is not answered and further allowing the third party who receives the message to reply with a message to the inmate. Additionally, outside parties that meet the institution's requirements can leave messages for inmates at any time. The present invention can be used as an add-on to legacy inmate call management systems or incorporated internally into an inmate call management system. The system also provides monitoring, controlling, recording, and billing means.

Abstract: A method for providing on-hold messaging, wherein the method receives a telephone call placed by a caller to a target, generates caller information, selects a first message based on that caller information, and recites the first message prior to the target answering the telephone call.

Abstract: A system and method for processing a call between a caller and a live agent is provided. A stream of verbal speech utterances is received from the caller and converted into text. Text messages are received from the agent in response to the stream of verbal speech utterances and converted into synthesized speech utterances. The synthesized speech utterances are provided to the caller. A record of the call is processed and presented to a further live agent for manipulation. The manipulated record is stored.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for receiving a voice message, selecting from multiple destinations, transmitting the voice message to a destination and subsequently playing back the voice message after it has been received by the destination. The system has a plurality of access devices which may be coupled to each other over a network such as the Internet. These access devices may include computers, workstations, and the like. Access devices may include a voice decoding device for converting a voice message received over a network into a voice signal for playback to a telephone device and may include a voice encoding device for converting a voice signal received into a voice message.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products dynamically change an interactive response system. Responses to a menu of prompts are monitored. A presentation order of the menu of prompts is automatically updated according to a set of rules. The set of rules describe qualifications for membership in a tier.

Abstract: A facility is provided for interfacing the Internet with a telecommunications network and vice versa so that a user who does not have access to the Internet may, nevertheless, provide a Web page and update the Web page via the telecommunications network and so that a user may access the telecommunications network via the Internet.

Abstract: At least one example embodiment discloses a method of determining crosstalk for a joining line in a communication system having a plurality of current active lines. The method includes obtaining a number of disturber lines among the plurality of current active lines, the number of disturber lines being less than a number of the plurality of current active lines, obtaining a pilot matrix, a first dimension of the pilot matrix being based on the number of disturber lines, the pilot matrix representing a sequence of pilots to be transmitted across the plurality of current active lines and the joining line, the first dimension being a number of time instances, the number of time instances being less than the number of the plurality of active lines and determining a crosstalk coupling vector for the joining line based on the pilot matrix.

Abstract: A process performed by a personal interactive voice response service node includes setting interactive voice response service node prompts for a communications address to which communications are answered by the personal interactive voice response service node. The process includes mapping, in response to individualized instructions, actions to correspond to selections of set interactive voice response service node prompts. The process also includes identifying a selection of an interactive voice response service node prompt and executing a mapped action corresponding to the selection identified. Voice communications to and from the personal interactive voice response service node are packetized and transmitted over the internet via a network server that coordinates communications for personal interactive voice response service nodes.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system, method, and computer readable medium for providing information to a receiving party in a communications network. The method includes receiving a message from a sending party and performing a lookup of information relating to the sending party in a database via an Internet Protocol connection. The lookup is based on an identifier of at least one of the sending party and the receiving party. Subsequently, the information is provided to the receiving party based on the availability of the information in the database.

Abstract: A method for testing an interactive voice response application may include storing a number of files associated with interactive voice response applications. The method may also include receiving a selection from a user, where the selection corresponds to a first one of the files. The files may include a number of prompts and may be stored in a first format. The method may further include accessing the first file and generating a second file based on the first file, where the second file includes links to audio files associated with the prompts and is stored in a second format.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to process an incoming message is described. The method may comprise, at a recipient system, receiving an incoming message from a message communicator and automatically analyzing message content to identify a keyword included in the message content. Thereafter, a predefined action associated with the keyword may be identified and the action may be performed. In an example embodiment, the predefined action may be a priority with the message, alerting an intended recipient of the message, routing the message to the intended recipient, paging the intended recipient, emailing the message to the intended recipient, sending an SMS message to the intended recipient, or the like. In an example embodiment, a user/owner of a mailbox may search a message database to identify incoming messages which includes the search term in the message content.

Abstract: A method for updating voicemail data at least partially stored at a device can include obtaining a command to update the voicemail data at a device. The device can activate a data session through which voicemail data can be downloaded to the device. In some embodiments, the device can automatically activate a data session upon the occurrence of a trigger event, for example, upon the receipt of a message waiting indicator, or upon powering on the device. In other embodiments, the device can wait for a user action or command to download voicemail data. The action or command can be received at the device after a trigger event, or at any other time. Exemplary devices and communications networks for implementing these and other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for call recording, e.g. in a VoIP system. At least one endpoint may be configured to terminate a call. A recording system may be configured to record call content data from multiple endpointsA the controller may receive, from a call exchange, interaction metadata relating to calls starting and terminating at the endpoint; receive notifications relating to call content from the recording system; and match the interaction metadata to the notifications.

Abstract: A recording device provides conversation recording with real-time notification between users of communication terminals engaged in a conversation. The recording device provides a recording start notification to a second communication terminal in response to receiving an initiate recording request from a first communication terminal, and initiates recording of the conversation. The recording device terminates recording of the conversation in response to receiving a terminate recording request from the first communication terminal, provides a recording stop notification to the second communication terminal, and saves the recorded conversation to a file in a file storage medium. The recording start and recording stop notifications can be either audible or electronic notifications. The first communication terminal may be muted prior to providing a notification, and un-muted subsequent to the notification. The recording device may obtain permission from the second communication terminal to record the conversation.

Abstract: A system and method for enabling a telephone number to be called in an anonymous manner by associating an identifier with the telephone number and providing for calling the number via the identifier. In one embodiment, the telephone call, including communication of the telephone number is performed using encryption. The identifier may be an email address or user identifier. Other users may call the telephone number via a website that operates as a virtual payphone, using software downloaded to a computer or other communication device, or by calling a voice portal, for example.