Abstract: Method and system for delivering a message over a telecommunications network to a recipient comprising transmitting a message over the telecommunications network to the recipient when a predetermined energy/silence condition is detected, performing echo cancellation on a signal communicated from the telecommunications network, and monitoring the signal to detect the energy/silence condition.

Abstract: A method and system for consolidating multiple mailboxes into a single universal mailbox. The system comprises an agent, a user database, an application database and a mail repository. The agent searches a user database to determine the list of messaging systems the user subscribes to. The agent then recalls from the application database the procedures for accessing the messaging systems and logs onto each messaging system in turn to retrieve any new messages. The agent notifies the user of new messages according to a predefined notification method.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering personalized broadcast messages is disclosed. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a broadcast message that is to be delivered to several recipients is stored in a network broadcast message database. Access numbers for each intended recipient of the broadcast message are stored in a recipient database in the network. The sender of the broadcast message generates a personalized message for each intended recipient and stores each personalized message in the recipient database. A message delivery module in the network retrieves the access number for each intended recipient from the recipient database and establishes a communications connection with each intended recipient. The message delivery module also retrieves the stored personalized message that is associated with the intended recipient and the stored broadcast message from the broadcast message database.

Abstract: A method and apparatus providing a communication service in which sponsors pay for communication services initiated by a caller. A caller may invoke the service by entering only the telephone number identifying the desired connection. A communication switch interprets the digits entered by the caller, determines whether the caller wishes to invoke the advertiser supported communication service and if so plays a message to the caller. At the end of the message the communication switch completes the desired connection.

Abstract: A system of delivering a message to a voice messaging system, coupled to a telephone extension, calls a telephone number received from a database. Subsequently, the call is monitored for speech energy and for a continuous silence interval after speech has been detected. Finally, a message is played to a voice messaging system after the continuous interval of silence expires.

Abstract: Method and system for delivering a message over a telecommunications network to a recipient comprising transmitting a message over the telecommunications network to the recipient when a predetermined energy/silence condition is detected, performing echo cancellation on a signal communicated from the telecommunications network, and monitoring the signal to detect the energy/silence condition.

Abstract: Numerous benefits are realized by allowing messaging platforms to receive and act on information packages that include one or more Execution Instruction Sets (EISs), where the EIS is executed as specified. Execution of the included EISs provides vastly enhanced capabilities to the messaging platform, such as controlling when an EIS is executed, from where necessary data is obtained for the execution of the EIS, what kinds of executions are permitted, who will be the recipients of the content portion of platform, what that content will be, etc. Increasing the interaction complexity a step further, the EIS permits creation of an interactive session with the recipient that makes the message more effective. A still additional capability is the establishment of a communication path from the messaging platform. This may be in the form of a message that is sent by the messaging platform, or a connection that is established between the recipient and some other party.

Abstract: Method and system for delivering a message over a telecommunications network to a recipient comprising transmitting a message over the telecommunications network to the recipient when a predetermined energy/silence condition is detected, performing echo cancellation on a signal communicated from the telecommunications network, and monitoring the signal to detect the energy/silence condition.

Abstract: A system and method for delivering automated pre-recorded messages to intended recipients is disclosed. An automated call controller places phone calls to intended recipients and plays a pre-recorded message for the recipient after the call is answered. The automated call controller accesses phone numbers for intended recipients from a database and automatically dials the accessed phone numbers. The automated call controller monitors parameters associated with the telephone call. A message delivery decision model analyzes these monitored parameters, and any other parameters input to the decision model, and, based on the analysis of the parameters, optimizes the delivery of the pre-recorded message by the call controller. Results from the completed phone call are stored in the database and are utilized by the decision model to optimize the completion of future phone calls to that particular phone number.

Abstract: A method for delivering voice mail to an intended recipient in which a voice-mail message is recorded for a recipient of the message, an urgent status is determined for the voice-mail message, a signal is sent for activating a message waiting indicator for the recipient, and a call is generated to the message recipient for delivering the message. A call is generated to the message recipient immediately after a telephone line for the recipient becomes not busy when the telephone line for the message recipient is busy. Similarly, a call is generated to the message recipient based on a predetermined schedule when the call generated to the message recipient is unanswered. The predetermined schedule includes a predetermined call retry interval and a predetermined call retry duration.

Abstract: A plurality of subscribers in a telecommunications network are divided into affinity groups. Subscribers in a particular affinity group have a common interest which is different from that of subscribers in other affinity groups. That interest may a common cultural heritage, a common language preference, a common vocational or avocational interest, or the like. Each respective affinity group has associated with it a customized set of call processing characteristics, such as a distinctive dial tone, a distinctive subscriber language preference, and/or an abbreviated dialing list of other subscribers in the group. In addition, each respective affinity group can have a special broadcast message sent to the some or all of the subscribers in the group.

Abstract: A method and system for consolidating multiple mailboxes into a single universal mailbox. The system comprises an agent, a user database, an application database and a mail repository. The agent searches a user database to determine the list of messaging systems the user subscribes to. The agent then recalls from the application database the procedures for accessing the messaging systems and logs onto each messaging system in turn to retrieve any new messages. The agent notifies the user of new messages according to a predefined notification method.

Abstract: A voice response system that functions in a receiving telephone system and learns individual caller behavior. The voice response system stores the callers unique identifier and a menu option selected by the caller in response to a menu manuscript. For subsequent calls by the caller, the caller is presented with a truncated menu manuscript that allows the caller to more quickly connect to the desired system.

Abstract: A creator of a voice mail message is provided with the ability to pre-define responses to the message. The pre-defined responses may be sent (i.e., are embedded) with the voice mail message to a recipient's mailbox so that when the recipient opens the voice message, the message is heard, and the recipient is provided with a menu of pre-defined responses from which to choose. After listening to the pre-defined responses, the recipient selects a particular response which is then forwarded to the creator of the original voice mail message.

Abstract: Interactive information and entertainment service customers see advertisers' bids for their attention which are displayed on their display screens and choose which advertisements to view. For each advertisement viewed, the advertisers' bid amount would pay for a portion of the user's service or usage charge. A display on the user's terminal screen includes the advertisers most willing to pay for the user's attention and the dollar amount bid. If the user chooses to see a particular advertiser's message, then the user is reimbursed, or a credit is applied to the user's service account for the amount of the bid promised by the advertiser whose message was viewed. Customer interest profiles and service usage data collected by the service provider are used to identify particular user characteristics to advertisers. Advertisers define user characteristics of particular desirability and place a dollar value on having messages viewed by individual users based on the desirability of the user.

Abstract: An audio service monitors the progress of a user as he or she proceeds through the service. The location in the service at the time of termination is detected and correlated with user and service identification information. As a result, a bookmark is created which enables the user to later resume the service at the point of prior termination.

Abstract: The invention provides a group message delivery system that includes a memory device coupled to a group message controller. The group message controller generates a group telephone number and a database corresponding to the group telephone number in the memory device based on first information received from a first caller. The first information includes a group list of at least one telephone number corresponding to at least one receiving party. The group message controller responds to a call by a second caller to the group telephone number by receiving second information from the second caller and delivering a message included in the second information to the at least one receiving party.

Abstract: Information "feeds" received from multiple information sources are aggregated, re-formatted and stored in a personalized real time information display system. When the display system receives a request from a user having a personal computer or other similar display device, the system is arranged to respond with information needed to display a screen saver that includes personalized, up to date information, such as traffic, weather and sports, that is of interest to that particular user. Each user has a personalized user profile indicating (a) the categories or types of information that the user desires to receive, such as sports information, weather, investment advisories, and so on, and (b) parameters that specify, for that user, the exact information desired to be received in each category.