Abstract: Methods and apparatus for increasing the utility and interoperability of peripheral devices such as, voice mail devices and voice dialing platforms, used in communications systems are described. Methods of efficiently providing speech recognition functionality to multiple subscribes through the use of centralized speech recognition circuits are also described. One feature of the invention is directed to dynamically enabling/disabling an automatic connection feature whereby a central office switch connects a subscriber to an intelligent peripheral device in response to an off-hook condition. In one embodiment the C.O. switch's automatic peripheral device connection feature is only enabled when a voice mail IP has a waiting message thereby reducing or eliminating unnecessary connections to the voice mail IP. In order to support automatic connection to multiple IPs in response to an off-hook condition, in one embodiment a caller is connected to a control IP in response to an off-hook condition.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing speech recognition capability to callers in a cost efficient manner as part of one or more telephone services are described. Multiple speech recognition units with differing capabilities and therefore implementation costs are provided. Calls are assigned to speech recognition circuits throughout a call based on a signal such as a service type identifier indicating the type of service to be provided to the caller. During different phases of a call different speech recognition units may be used. In addition, different amounts of speech recognition processing capability may be allocated to service a call at different points during a call. In this manner efficient use of available speech recognition resources can be achieved.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed for testing a switched telecommunications network by utilizing a terminating transponder unit 410 to respond with a unique identification code over switched network 300 following the receipt of a test signal from an originating micro logic terminal unit 210 over switched network 300, both units operating under the control of a central general purpose mini-computer 100.