Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that allow for the exchange of voice mail messages between different VMSs of different service providers and/or in different networks by the transmission of such messages through a data network using a standard protocol of the data network. Methods and systems also are disclosed that validate message transactions among subscribers receiving regional messaging services over the PSTN. The subscribers are located in different geographic areas and may be provided their voice, facsimile or data messaging services by different companies. The present invention validates passing messages (data) among customers of potentially different companies located in different areas by assessing the validity of the transaction in light of a number of conditions, including applicable regulatory or business conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling a subscriber to interrupt a review of messages in a voice mail system (VMS), to make a call or take some other action, and to return to the same position as occupied at the time of interruption in the review of messages in the VMS. In response to an indication from the subscriber's communication to leave the review, an identifier is created to mark the position of the subscriber's communication in the review. The identifier is stored in the VMS. The VMS transmits a release message with respect to the subscriber's communication, the message including a copy of the identifier. The message may be a GR-1120 message including a remote operations (RO) parameter with the copy of the identifier. In response to the release message, a service control point (SCP) stores the copy of the identifier and causes whatever action is indicated in the message to be taken with respect to the subscriber's communication.

Abstract: A voice messaging platform utilizes resources from remote intelligent peripherals within the network system. The voice messaging platform preferably includes a voice mail module, an internal controller, and an internal storage device. Preferably, the voice mail module allows the voice messaging platform to provide a full feature voice mail system for the users wherein the voice mail module is configured to store incoming messages, play stored messages, play outgoing messages, place outgoing calls, and the like. The internal controller preferably directs the voice messaging platform to detect different types of resources available to the voice messaging platform from the remote intelligent peripherals. Further, the internal controller also directs the voice messaging platform to find addresses corresponding to each of the remote intelligent peripherals within the network system.

Abstract: An audible confirmation system automatically and seamlessly outputs an audible name of a call recipient to a calling party. This audible confirmation system is preferably configured to audibly identify the call recipient to the calling party prior to the call recipient and the calling party communicating with each other. The audible confirmation system preferably includes a text to speech converter coupled to an intelligent network architecture having at least one calling name database. The audible confirmation system allows the calling party to audibly identify the call recipient to the calling party without any input from the call recipient and without using any special equipment such as a display screen by the calling party. The audible confirmation system is especially useful when the call recipient does not have voice mail service and is not available to receive a call.

Abstract: A billing system and method automatically charges a call to a predetermined telephone line wherein the call is placed by a calling part through a service. This service is any one or combination of a voice mail system, a call forwarding system, and the like. Preferably, this billing system and method also automatically charges the call to a predetermined telephone line even when the calling party places the call from a remote location. The billing system and method preferably includes a signal control point coupled to the calling party, the predetermined telephone line, and the service. Preferably, the signal control point is configured to implement the billing system and method such that the call placed by the calling party through the service is billed to the predetermined telephone line. A terminating attempt trigger within a switch associated with predetermined telephone line preferably directs this switch to record a duration of the call and a particular feature utilized for the call.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling a subscriber to interrupt a review of messages in a voice mail system (VMS), to make a call or take some other action, and to return to the same position as occupied at the time of interruption in the review of messages in the VMS. In response to an indication from the SSP subscriber's communic ation to leave the review, an identifier is created to mark the position of the subscriber's communication in the review. The identifier is stared in the VMS. The VMS transmits a release message with respect to the subscriber's communication, the message including a copy of the identifier. The message may be a GR-1129 message including a remote operations (RO) parameter with the copy of the identifier. In response to the release message, a service control point (SCP) stores the copy of the identifier and causes whatever action is indicated in the message to be taken with respect to the subscriber's communication.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling a subscriber to interrupt a review of messages in a voice mail system (VMS), to make a call or take some other action, and to return to the same position as occupied at the time of interruption in the review of messages in the VMS. In response to an indication from the subscriber's communication to leave the review, an identifier is created to mark the position of the subscriber's communication in the review. The identifier is stored in the VMS. The VMS transmits a release message with respect to the subscriber's communication, the message including a copy of the identifier. The message may be a GR-1120 message including a remote operations (RO) parameter with the copy of the identifier. In response to the release message, a service control point (SCP) stores the copy of the identifier and causes whatever action is indicated in the message to be taken with respect to the subscriber's communication.

Abstract: A conversion system and method allows a calling party to transmit a message to a telephone belonging to a recipient party wherein the message is transmitted via an Internet Protocol network. This conversion system and method preferably utilizes an Internet Protocol gateway. The Internet Protocol gateway preferably includes a controller and a database. In use, a telephone number of the recipient party is preferably transmitted to the Internet Protocol gateway from the calling party. Then, the controller preferably directs this telephone number to the database. The database preferably matches the telephone number of the recipient party to an Internet Protocol address which corresponds with the telephone number and returns this corresponding Internet Protocol address to the controller. Finally, the Internet Protocol gateway responds to the conversion system and method by returning the Internet Protocol address.

Abstract: A bookmark system and method automatically stores a subaddress associated with a particular user and location within a presently connected server. The subaddress preferably indicates a location where the user exited the server. This bookmark system and method seamlessly places the user back to this subaddress within the server when the user reconnects to the server. The bookmark system and method is preferably configured to operate within an Intelligent Network service. By utilizing the bookmark system and method, the user is able to move from server to server and automatically return to a subaddress where the user previously exited the server. Further, the bookmark system and method does not require a call to be routed through a prior server in order for the user to return to the subaddress where the user previously exited the prior server.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling a subscriber to reply to a voice mail message that has been made available for the subscriber at a voice mail system (VMS). In response to an indication, the VMS transmits a release message with respect to the subscriber's communication to the VMS, which communication then is terminated to an intelligent network element (INE). The INE originates a call to the party to whom the subscriber desires to reply. The subscriber's communication and the INE's call are bridged to form the reply call from the subscriber to the party. The VMS is not included in the call path. After the reply call is concluded, the bridge is dismantled, the IP is released, and the subscriber's communication is returned to interaction with the VMS without the subscriber having to make a separate call into the VMS.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling a subscriber to reply to a voice mail message that has been made available for the subscriber at a voice mail system (VMS). In response to an indication, the VMS transmits a release message with respect to the subscriber's communication to the VMS, which communication then is terminated to an intelligent network element (INE). The INE originates a call to the party to whom the subscriber desires to reply. The subscriber's communication and the INE's call are bridged to form the reply call from the subscriber to the party. The VMS is not included in the call path. After the reply call is concluded, the bridge is dismantled, the IP is released, and the subscriber's communication is returned to interaction with the VMS without the subscriber having to make a separate call into the VMS.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that allow for the exchange of voice mail messages between different VMSs of different service providers and/or in different networks by the transmission of such messages through a data network using a standard protocol of the data network.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling a subscriber to reply to a voice mail message that has been made available for the subscriber at a voice mail system (VMS). In response to an indication, the VMS transmits a release message with respect to the subscriber's communication to the VMS, which communication then is terminated to an intelligent network element (INE). The INE originates a call to the party to whom the subscriber desires to reply. The subscriber's communication and the INE's call are bridged to form the reply call from the subscriber to the party. The VMS is not included in the call path. After the reply call is concluded, the bridge is dismantled, the IP is released, and the subscriber's communication is returned to interaction with the VMS without the subscriber having to make a separate call into the VMS.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for in situ measurement of the concentration of a gas with a frequency modulated tunable diode laser is disclosed. The sampling cell, which is mounted in the flow of gases to be measured, is a Herriott cell. Gas enters the sampling cell through sintered metal filters that prevent entrance of particulates. Signals from a sample detector and a null detector are compared to eliminate interference patterns from the laser optics. High accuracy dynamic calibration of the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for measuring the concentration of gases that are unstable or difficult contain in a sample cell. A frequency modulated laser is tuned to the frequency of a first spectral feature of a gas of interest and a laser beam is projected through a reference cell containing, at a selected pressure, a selected second gas that has a second spectral feature near the first spectral feature of the gas of interest. The laser is line-locked to an outer zero crossing of a third harmonic of the detected laser beam coincident with the first spectral feature. The concentration of the gas of interest is calculated from a second harmonic of a portion of the laser beam projected through a transmission medium containing the gas.