Abstract: The present invention allows a messaging system such as a voice mail system to determine if it is connected to a property management system or some other device. If it is coupled to a property management system, the present invention allows the messaging system to determine which, if any, of several known protocols to use for communication all without the intervention of a user or administrator. In one embodiment, the invention includes determining whether a device is connected to a communications port of a messaging system, receiving a data packet at the communications port, determining a communications protocol for the received packet, and analyzing the received packet data structure. The invention further includes comparing the received packet data structure with a data structure for a known device, and if the data structure of the packet matches that for the known device determining the device coupled to the communications port to be a known device.

Abstract: The present invention allows calls that have previously been handled by an answering system to be identified when they are forwarded from a switch back to the answering system. In one embodiment, the invention includes receiving an incoming call at an automated attendant port or answering system port, receiving a call handle associated with the incoming call, applying the call handle to retrieve caller information associated with the call handle, and using the retrieved caller information to handle the call if caller information associated with the call handle is found.

Abstract: The present invention allows an automated telephone attendant and a voice mail system to be shared among a plurality of users and tenants without duplicating tables stored at the switch in the voice mail system. In an automated attendant embodiment, the invention can include a port to receive an incoming call, the call having a called number associated with one of a plurality of users, an input to receive a user identification for the incoming call and a greeting storage to contain stored greetings retrievable based on the received identification. The invention further includes a telephone circuit interface of the port to answer the incoming call, and a playback device to play a retrieved greeting for the answered call based on a received user identification.

Abstract: The present invention allows a messaging system such as a voice mail system to determine if it is connected to a property management system or some other device. If it is coupled to a property management system, the present invention allows the messaging system to determine which, if any, of several known protocols to use for communication all without the intervention of a user or administrator. In one embodiment, the invention includes determining whether a device is connected to a communications port of a messaging system, receiving a data packet at the communications port, determining a communications protocol for the received packet, and analyzing the received packet data structure. The invention further includes comparing the received packet data structure with a data structure for a known device, and if the data structure of the packet matches that for the known device determining the device coupled to the communications port to be a known device.

Abstract: The present invention allows an automated telephone attendant and a voice mail system to be shared among a plurality of users and tenants without duplicating tables stored at the switch in the voice mail system. In an automated attendant embodiment, the invention can include a port to receive an incoming call, the call having a called number associated with one of a plurality of users, an input to receive a user identification for the incoming call and a greeting storage to contain stored greetings retrievable based on the received identification. The invention further includes a telephone circuit interface of the port to answer the incoming call, and a playback device to play a retrieved greeting for the answered call based on a received user identification.

Abstract: The present invention allows calls that have previously been handled by an answering system to be identified when they are forwarded from a switch back to the answering system. In one embodiment, the invention includes receiving an incoming call at an automated attendant port or answering system port, receiving a call handle associated with the incoming call, applying the call handle to retrieve caller information associated with the call handle, and using the retrieved caller information to handle the call if caller information associated with the call handle is found.