Abstract: A method, system, and storage medium for providing comprehensive facsimile information within a voicemail system are disclosed. The method includes receiving a facsimile at a voicemail system, storing the facsimile in a recipient voice mailbox, and interpreting elements of the facsimile. The interpreting is performed by optical character recognition software. Upon receiving a request by a voicemail recipient to access the voice mailbox, and absent any pre-defined user preferences with respect to the handling of the facsimile, the method includes converting the interpreted elements of the facsimile into audible speech via a text-to-speech engine, formatting the converted elements resulting in a voicemail facsimile notification, presenting the voicemail facsimile notification and options to a communications device associated with the voicemail recipient, and implementing one of the options selected by the recipient.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for monitoring calls that have been forwarded to a network-based voice mail system (VMS). The VMS receives the forwarded call and sends a start of greeting signal at the beginning and an end of greeting signal at the completion of the voice message greeting to the central office switch. The switch sends an activate call monitoring data message and a call monitoring alert signal to the customer premises equipment (CPE). If the CPE is adapted for call monitoring and includes a speaker assembly, then the speaker assembly is engaged in response to the activate call monitoring data message, thereby allowing hands-free call monitoring. If the CPE does not include a speaker assembly, then the called party may activate call monitoring by lifting the handset in response to detecting a call monitoring alert from the CPE. While monitoring the call, the called party may intercept the call to speak with the calling party.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for monitoring calls that have been forwarded to a network-based voice mail system (VMS). The VMS receives the forwarded call and sends a start of greeting signal at the beginning and an end of greeting signal at the completion of the voice message greeting to the central office switch. The switch sends an activate call monitoring data message and a call monitoring alert signal to the customer premises equipment (CPE). If the CPE is adapted for call monitoring and includes a speaker assembly, then the speaker assembly is engaged in response to the activate call monitoring data message, thereby allowing hands-free call monitoring. If the CPE does not include a speaker assembly, then the called party may activate call monitoring by lifting the handset in response to detecting a call monitoring alert from the CPE. While monitoring the call, the called party may intercept the call to speak with the calling party.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer program products are provided for re-forwarding a forwarded communication, such as a telephone call to a destination communication device, such as a telephone. Methods according to some embodiments include receiving the forwarded communication at a communication port, re-forwarding the forwarded communication to the destination communication device, generating an identification signal based on an identity of the communication port, and transmitting the identification signal to a user of the destination communication device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for alerting of a call. A message is received that notifies of a call to a called number having an established connection to a data network. A customer-selected style and a customer-selected location of a control is retrieved that responds to the customer's action. The message and the control are processed to alert of the call to the called number.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media provide for detecting a missing cellular device. According to embodiments, a method for detecting a missing cellular device is provided. According to the method, a connection between a cellular device and a base module is established. Whether a distance between the cellular device and the base module exceeds a distance threshold based on the connection is detected. In response to detecting that the distance between the cellular device and the base module exceeds the distance threshold, the cellular device is switched from an operational mode to a missing phone mode. The operational mode enables regular function of the cellular device. The missing phone mode restricts the regular function of the cellular device.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for selecting the content of Internet Call-Waiting messages. An Internet Call-Waiting message is generated when an incoming call is received while having an established connection to a data network. Content is retrieved to accompany the Internet Call-Waiting message. A customer-selected style and a customer-selected location of a control is retrieved that accompanies the Internet Call-Waiting message. The Internet Call-Waiting message is presented to alert of the incoming call.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for monitoring calls that have been forwarded to a network-based voice mail system (VMS). The VMS receives the forwarded call and sends a start of greeting signal at the beginning and an end of greeting signal at the completion of the voice message greeting to the central office switch. The switch scads an activate call monitoring data message and a call monitoring alert signal to the customer premises equipment (CPE). If the CPE is adapted for call monitoring and includes a speaker assembly, then the speaker assembly is engaged in response to the activate call monitoring data message, thereby allowing hands-free call monitoring. If the CPE does not include a speaker assembly, then the called party may activate call monitoring by lifting the handset in response to detecting a call monitoring alert from the CPE. While monitoring the call, the called party may intercept the call to speak with the calling party.

Abstract: A method, system, and storage medium for providing comprehensive facsimile information within a voicemail system are disclosed. The method includes receiving a facsimile at a voicemail system, storing the facsimile in a recipient voice mailbox, and interpreting elements of the facsimile. The interpreting is performed by optical character recognition software. Upon receiving a request by a voicemail recipient to access the voice mailbox, and absent any pre-defined user preferences with respect to the handling of the facsimile, the method includes converting the interpreted elements of the facsimile into audible speech via a text-to-speech engine, formatting the converted elements resulting in a voicemail facsimile notification, presenting the voicemail facsimile notification and options to a communications device associated with the voicemail recipient, and implementing one of the options selected by the recipient.

Abstract: Included are embodiments of methods for providing voicemail conversion. At least one embodiment of a method includes receiving a message waiting indicator signal in a first protocol, the message waiting indicator signal being received from a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) based voicemail server, the message waiting indicator signal being configured to indicate that a message for a called party has been received by the PSTN based voicemail server. Some embodiment of a method include receiving a PSTN based identifier for an Internet Protocol (IP) based communications device associated with the called party and converting the received message waiting indicator signal from the first protocol to a second protocol, the second protocol being configured for communication to the IP based communications device.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments relate to a method, system, and storage medium for providing comprehensive facsimile information within a voicemail system. The method includes receiving and storing a facsimile at a voicemail system. The method also includes interpreting elements of a facsimile using an optical character recognition device. Upon receiving a request by a voicemail recipient to access a voice mailbox, the method includes converting interpreted elements of the facsimile into audible speech via a text-to-speech engine, formatting the converted elements resulting in a voicemail facsimile notification, and presenting the voicemail facsimile notification to a communications device associated with the voicemail recipient.

Abstract: A system and method for notifying an offline global computer network user of an online interaction in which the offline user could participate. The system and method specify notification criteria of the offline user, monitor activities occurring on the global computer network, compare the activities to the notification criteria, and, if the activities satisfy the notification criteria, forward an offline communication to the offline user, which notifies the offline user of the online interaction. Examples of the online interactions include chat rooms, game sites, instant messaging services, auctions, and calls made over the global computer network. Examples of the offline communication include calls to a wireline telephone, calls to a wireless telephone, messages to a caller identification device, messages to a wireless access protocol device, messages to a one-way pager, and messages to an interactive pager.

Abstract: A communications network-based system and service is disclosed. The service permits subscribers to control and manage incoming telephone calls. Subscribers can establish preferences for how calls will be handled by a communications network if the calls are received by while the subscriber in connected to an information network. The service also notifies a subscriber of a calling party's call based on whether preselected or predesignated preferences of the called party correspond to identifier(s) of the calling party.

Abstract: A system and method for notifying an offline global computer network user of an online interaction in which the offline user could participate. The system and method specify notification criteria of the offline user, monitor activities occurring on the global computer network, compare the activities to the notification criteria, and, if the activities satisfy the notification criteria, forward an offline communication to the offline user, which notifies the offline user of the online interaction. Examples of the online interactions include chat rooms, game sites, instant messaging services, auctions, and calls made over the global computer network. Examples of the offline communication include calls to a wireline telephone, calls to a wireless telephone, messages to a caller identification device, messages to a wireless access protocol device, messages to a one-way pager, and messages to an interactive pager.

Abstract: An apparatus for phonetically screening predetermined character strings. The apparatus includes a text-to-speech module, and a phonetic screening module in communication with the text-to-speech module. The phonetic screening module is for replacing a first character string with a second character string based on a phonetic enunciation by the text-to-speech module of the first character string.

Abstract: A communications network-based system and service is disclosed. The service permits subscribers to control and manage incoming telephone calls. Subscribers can establish preferences for how calls will be handled by a communications network if the calls are received by while the subscriber in connected to an information network. The service also notifies a subscriber of a calling party's call based on whether preselected or predesignated preferences of the called party correspond to identifier(s) of the calling party.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for notifying a called station of an incoming call. The called station has a busy status as a result of a connection to a data network via an access server. Because the called station is connected to the data network, and thus “busy,” the method receives an Internet Call-Waiting message from the access server. The Internet Call-Waiting message includes information representing the telephone number of a calling station. The method queries for additional information representing the calling station, and the method presents the telephone number and the additional information to a user at the called station. The telephone number and the additional information notify the called station of the incoming call.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments of the present invention include providing automated passcode recovery in an interactive voice response system by providing to a caller an automated passcode recovery question and processing a caller answer to the automated passcode recovery question to authenticate the caller.

Abstract: A communications network-based system and service is disclosed. The service permits subscribers to control and manage incoming telephone calls. Subscribers can establish preferences and set encumbrances. The service also connects calls to a called party otherwise prevented from receiving calls due to line encumbrances, permitting preselected or predesignated parties to by-pass line encumbrances.

Abstract: One or more voice mail messages, respectively, may be provided as one or more reminder messages. After the playing of a voice mail message, an option may be provided to use the message as a reminder message. Delivery information for the reminder message is obtained. The delivery information may include the user's telephone number, another telephone number, multiple telephone numbers, or identifiers for other devices. The delivery information also may include a designated time for delivery or different times for each of the destinations. The delivery of the reminder message may be password protected. The reminder message is delivered based on the delivery information. If the reminder message is password protected, the reminder message is delivered in response to receipt of the password.