Abstract: A telephone set on a dialing side includes a voice channel control circuit for, in case that a telephone set on a termination side has a voice recognition function, setting a channel to which a voice signal is sent when the above-described telephone set on a termination side is phoned from the telephone set on a dialing side to a channel for transmitting only a normalized signal in a hybrid coding method.

Abstract: A modification to a scheduling program is disclosed that allows event reminders to be sent via the telephone network. If a reminder is required, a telephone session is initiated between the computer in which the scheduling program is operating and the user's telephone station. Next, an event reminder is converted from a text format to an audible format with use of a text-to-voice converter and sent to the user's telephone station in order to be heard by the user. This allows for the event reminders to be received by the user whether he/she is local to his/her personal computer or not. A further modification to a scheduling program is disclosed that allows event reminders to be sent in series using a variety of different reminder techniques. If a first attempt to send a reminder to the user fails, a second attempt using a different technique, such as a different telephone directory number, is initiated.

Abstract: For establishing a protected communication segment between two network elements of a telecommunication network, a protected connection and a protecting connection must be set up. For this purpose, first cross connections carrying the communication traffic for the protected connection and second cross connections protecting the respective first cross connection for the protecting connection are established between corresponding termination points within these network elements, whereby this occurs in each network element independently of the respectively other network element.

Abstract: A computer-based virtual assistant the behavior of which can be changed by the user, comprising a voice user interface for inputting information into and receiving information from the virtual assistant by speech, a communications network, a virtual assistant application running on a remote computer, the remote computer being electronically coupled to the user interface via the communications network, wherein the behavior of the virtual assistant changes responsive to user input.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a network based voice mail system that includes advantages of traditional answering machines. When a call comes in that is not answered, a Remote Answering Device may pick up after a preselected number of rings and play a prerecorded greeting that is stored locally and then prompt the caller to wait for the beep. The Remote Answering Device may use three-way calling service to conference the user's voice mail number into the call. When a conference call is established it plays the beep and then plays the message which is being recording live on the speaker. If a call is received by the network based voice mail system that did net first pass through the Remote Answering Device, the network based voice mail system may synchronize the Remote Answering Device with the network based voice mail system.

Abstract: A system and method for providing an operator with automated calling functions allows the operator to be on the line when a customer call is placed so that a sales call can begin immediately if a customer answers the call. The system and method could be configured so that the operator can place calls automatically be selecting customers from customer call lists. The system and method may also allow the operator to cause a pre-recorded audio message to be played to a first customer, or the first customer's answering machine, while the operator proceeds to a second customer call placed over a second telephone line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a call-back method for telecommunications and to devices adapted accordingly, wherein a first subscriber with a first communication end device (A) that preferably comprises a SIM-card, indicates to a telecommunication system that he wants to communicate with at least a second subscriber with a second communication end device (B). Connections (10, 11, 2a, 2c) are further established to a backbone (1) through a local gateway (3a) and a destination gateway (3c), wherein said gateways provide for an economical communication. The local gateway (3a) and the destination gateway (3c) are determined so that the current charging rate towards the communication end devce (A) of the calling subscriber, or towards the communication end device (B) of the a called subscriber, is as reduced as possible.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for generating a prompt stream in a telephony system. At least one voice prompt associated with at least one audio stream to be played to a user of the telephony system is inserted into the prompt stream. Also inserted into the prompt stream is at least one active prompt associated with computer program instructions to be executed when the prompt stream is processed. Also provided are method and apparatus for processing the prompt stream. The at least one audio stream associated with the at least one voice prompt is played to the user, and the computer program instructions associated with the at least one active prompt are executed.

Abstract: A method of creating a call detail record is provided. An input signal is received. An account identification record is created in response to the input signal. An event jacket is created. The event jacket is associated with the account identification record. A command signal to store account identification information is received. A confirmation signal is received after the account identification information has been stored. Finally, a call detail leg jacket is created. The call detail leg jacket includes at least one record. Each record includes information relating to the stored account identification information.

Abstract: Call screening is provided by a call processing method, involving detecting a first call directed to the premises of a service subscriber requesting call processing instructions from a service control point in response to the first call, operating the service control point to instruct the signal switching point to temporarily park the first call at the signal switching point, and controlling the disposition of the first call as a function of a determination as to whether a second call to the service subscriber was answered by a machine or a human being.

Abstract: A method of allowing a telephone network user to initiate a call feature request during an in-progress call using a conventional touch tone telephone with a telephone handset and conventional touch tone telephone keys. The method includes receiving and recognizing a touch tone signal resulting from the user pressing one or more of the telephone keys, recognizing a user spoken predetermined voice command, then interpreting the touch tone signal and voice command as a request for a call feature.

Abstract: A system and method for registering voice codes (“VCodes”) associated with stored content corresponding to the VCodes, wherein the VCode may be used to access the stored content via telephone by calling a central number and entering the VCode or verbally describing the object, attraction or subject, in which case the verbal description is associated with a VCode or collection of VCodes.

Abstract: A combined loop current sink, battery detector, and ringing detector circuit as used in a channel unit at a telephone central office connection to a digital loop carrier circuit, to provide off-hook and on-hook signaling to analog switching circuits, and to simultaneously receive normal battery and ringing signals from the analog switching circuits. The combined circuit includes tip and ring connections to the digital loop carrier circuit to provide telephone service, a loop input controlled by logic circuits, at the telephone central office, and a battery output connected to the logic circuits. A first optocoupler, is connected to the loop input and also to ground, for providing a floating voltage coupling for the loop input to the circuit. A second optocoupler, is connected to the battery output and also to ground, for providing a floating voltage coupling for the circuit output. A transistor circuit has an input coupled to the first optocoupler and an output coupled to the second optocoupler.