Abstract: A multi-media messaging system (101) allows message recipients who lack full-motion video message-retrieval capability to retrieve at least some image content of video messages via video snapshots--image frames retrieved as still images. The system determines (302) the video capability of the recipient's terminal. If it is not full-motion video, the system plays back (320) only the soundtrack of the video message and monitors (400) the recipient's input for a snapshot request. Upon receipt of a snapshot request, the system captures (402-410) the image frame of the video message that corresponds in the video message to the point in the playback of the soundtrack at which the request was made and converts the frame from moving-image format to still-image format. If the recipient's terminal's video capability is slow video, the system sends (432) the converted frame to the recipient's terminal during simultaneous or interrupted playback of the soundtrack.

Abstract: A voice-mail system (10) is assembled from one (100) or more (100-102) programmable multi-function boards all of which are interchangeable and physically identical. The voice-mail system functionality is distributed, on a function-by-function basis, among the modules of the system, each one of which can perform any one or more, or all, of the requisite functions. One of the modules is designated a master module (100). Under program control, it specifies to all the modules which functions that module is to perform. Under program control, each of the modules responds to the specification by loading itself with requisite programs whose execution will result in the performance of the specified functions. No separate and distinct resource-management module is needed.

Abstract: An adjunct processor (100) is embedded in a telecommunications switching system (10) wherein port circuits (106-108) are interconnected with each other and with a control processor (101) by a TDM bus (105). The adjunct processor is physically incorporated into the switching system, is connected directly to the TDM bus, and communicates with the control processor exclusively via the TDM bus. The adjunct processor is made up of a telecommunications feature module such as a conventional voice-mail system (200), an arrangement (210, 220, 240) for interfacing the feature module to the TDM bus whereby the adjunct processor emulates a port circuit in its connection to the TDM bus, and an arrangement (203) for interfacing the feature module to the control processor whereby the adjunct processor emulates a telephone in its interactions with the control processor.

Abstract: In a circuit module (100) that removably plugs into a backplane carrier (11) that provides both a power connection (713) and a ground connection (714,715) to the module, a circuit (150) in the module responds to power outage on the module by using the presence or absence of the ground connection to determine whether the circuit module has been unplugged from the carrier. Upon restoration of power, a circuit (203) responds to the determination by affecting functionality of the module in one or another manner depending upon whether the module had or had not been unplugged from the carrier.

Abstract: The present electronic messaging system allows a system subscribed to record a plurality of "customized" announcement messages. Each such message is associated with at least one calling party. Upon receiving an incoming communication for that subscriber, the system automatically utilizes the calling party identification for that communication to retrieve the associated customized announcement message. The calling party identification, which identifies the communication instrument utilized by the calling party, is automatically provided to the electronic messaging system by the communications network through which the incoming communication is routed.