Abstract: A messaging center, connected to a communications network, processes messages intended for a subscriber. A caller sends a message to the message center in a first caller format. The message center stores the message in the first caller format, notifies the subscriber, and awaits a request for the stored message from the subscriber. In response to the message request, the message center sends the stored message to the subscriber in a first subscriber format independent of the first caller format. If the subscriber desires, the subscriber constructs a response to the message and sends it to the message center in a second subscriber format independent of the first caller format and the first subscriber format. The message center stores the response in the second subscriber format and sends the stored response to the caller in a second caller format independent of the first caller format and the first and second subscriber formats.

Abstract: A messaging center, connected to a communications network, processes messages intended for a subscriber. A caller sends a message to the message center in a first caller format. The message center stores the message in the first caller format, notifies the subscriber, and awaits a request for the stored message from the subscriber. In response to the message request, the message center sends the stored message to the subscriber in a first subscriber format independent of the first caller format. If the subscriber desires, the subscriber constructs a response to the message and sends it to the message center in a second subscriber format independent of the first caller format and the first subscriber format. The message center stores the response in the second subscriber format and sends the stored response to the caller in a second caller format independent of the first caller format and the first and second subscriber formats.

Abstract: An enhanced telephony call waiting feature is provided wherein identifying information related to a third party wishing to converse with a first party already engaged in a conversation with a second party is spontaneously provided to the first party. The method comprises the steps of the local office sending a call waiting tone having predetermined characteristics to the first party and its apparatus responding thereto by muting its associated handset for a predetermined interval of time. The local office then transmits the identification data relating to the third party and the first party apparatus receives and displays to the first party the identification information related to the third party thereby allowing the first party to either accept or reject the waiting call in the conventional manner but also based on the displayed information.

Abstract: A telecommunications system is disclosed which is user programmable permitting inter and intrapremises communications from existent two-wire telephone extension sets at a customer's premises. The system may be functionally described as a telephone call interceptor comprising a number of building blocks for providing a plurality of features which the existent telephone extension sets may not be capable of by themselves. A data processor (110) receives data input from an incoming ringing signal detector (140), a telephone signal receiver (115), a dial tone detector (160) or from an associated user-activatable data input device (117). Responsive to the data input, the data processor provides output through a speech processor (150), a telephone signal generator (116), a ring generator (119) or through an associated data output device (113) such as a loudspeaker.

Abstract: An infrared personnel locator system using a periodic unique infrared identification code emitted from a battery-powered transmitter unit to identify the person carrying the transmitter unit to an overhead infrared receiver as the person enters the receiver's monitoring zone. The transmitter unit identification code together with the receiver identification code is communicated to a common control unit which displays the location of all of the transmitter units. For paging, the system provides alerting units which are selectively operated in the zone closest to the person being paged. Additionally, the system controls electronic locks for restricting access of users to certain locations or equipment. A telephone interface provides system access from the telephone network.