Abstract: A telephony-based messaging system application is built for use by a particular customer. The application is stored on a computer readable medium and includes a set of modules, where each module comprises call flows, code and a Customization List. The Customization List includes one or more tables each having a list of names and a modifiable list of corresponding DTMF signal identifiers. With this architecture, the particular customer is permitted to change the mapping between caller-entered DTMF signals and the corresponding actions taken by the messaging system by modifying the list of DTMF signal identifiers, i.e., without modifying the call flows or code.

Abstract: A plurality of subsets of prompt definitions associated with a particular language are stored in a memory for access by a system, such as a voice messaging system, that plays prompts according to such prompt definitions during execution of a call flow. Subsets can be created that contain prompt definitions that apply during only parts of the call flow, and different subsets can contain modified forms of the prompt definitions in other subsets. One of the subsets is designated as a base subset. During execution of a call flow, in addition to the base subset, one of the other subsets can be designated as an alternate subset. After that point in the call flow, the system responds to a request to play a particular prompt by first searching the alternate subset to determine whether it contains a prompt definition for the requested prompt, and if so, plays the prompt according to the prompt definition in that alternate subset.

Abstract: A telephony application capable of being updated while on-line is disclosed. The application supports a plurality of active dialogs with callers, and comprises functions, call flows, voice prompts, and on-line updating versions for making on-line modifications of the functions, call flows, and voice prompts. The modifications are coordinated so that selected sets of functions, call flows and voice prompts can be committed to use while one or more active dialogs are occurring without affecting the active dialog(s).

Abstract: In combination with the Network Application Platform (NAP), a Speech Interface to NAP (SPIN) creates or modifies a SPIN application for each language in which the prompts of a Network Application deployed on NAP are to be spoken. A prompt is mapped into a sequence of static and dynamic elements. Each SPIN application owns the prompt mappings, elements and element voice for the prompts to be played. The Network Application issues a PEP command to a Prompt Expansion Processor (PEP) to play an identified prompt in a language identified by a SPIN application ID. The command supplies the dynamic data to be played at the positions of the dynamic elements in the prompt definition PEP expands the command into a sequence of NAP Message IDs to play the sequence of NAP voice messages corresponding to the static and dynamic elements of the prompt mapping. The dynamic data is categorized into dynamic element types.

Abstract: A personal computer (PC) running on MS/DOS interactively and graphically creates or modifies definitions for print fonts, electronic forms, page compositions and sketches and includes a function for converting the definitions for transfer to a mainframe computer facility for use by the mainframe printer control function and printer. The PC further includes functions for creating or modifying character arrangements, EFORM arrangements, page composition arrangements and sketch arrangements where the arrangements include all of the components required to print the entity. The mainframe computer comprises an OS1100 system with PERCON for controlling a laser printer. The invention includes a function at the mainframe facility for converting the definitions transferred thereto from the PC into omnibus elements containing the data required by PERCON to print the entities. The omnibus elements are stored in a user library.