Abstract: An Audio Caller ID service is provided which permits the calling party to speak a real time audio message that can be received and played by the called party's Caller ID equipment while his telephone equipment remains in the “on-hook” state. A calling party which has Audio Caller ID (ACID) service would speak a short audio message before dialing the called party. That message is converted to digital form, optionally compressed, and transferred to the called party in a manner similar to conventional Caller ID information. The called party's Caller ID equipment operates in the conventional manner, except that the received Audio Caller ID signal is recognized as an audio signal. At the site of the called party, a decoder is provided to convert the digital signal to an analog audio signal, and this analog signal is provided to a speaker, which plays back the calling party's audio message.

Abstract: Telephones, telephone answering devices (“TADs”) or larger systems are equipped to output audio announcements which identify the sources of incoming calls by comparing caller identity (“CID”) data and ring cadence signals in an incoming call with reference parameters. If a match occurs an audio announcement is output. Customized audio announcements may be recorded by a caller so they may be played back as a way of announcing incoming calls or as a greeting. The announcements are stored voices of callers who have originated incoming calls.

Abstract: A method for screening of an active voice mail message enables real time monitoring by a subscriber to the voice mail system of incoming calls. Once the identity of the subscriber is established, the subscriber is presented with the option of screening an incoming message. A subscriber desiring to screen the message responds by activating a predetermined key or sequence of keys to enter a listen-only mode for monitoring of the incoming message. The subscriber may then interrupt the message and take the call, continue listening to the incoming message, or terminate listen-only mode and simply permit the message to be stored for later retrieval.

Abstract: A telephone or similar device/system may be equipped or used to select preferred call back numbers. These preferred numbers may be programmed into a device by a user. When an incoming call comprising caller identity (“CID”) data is received, preferred call back numbers associated with a portion of the data are selected. A responsive, outgoing call is transmitted using one of the preferred call back numbers. The selected, preferred call back numbers may or may not be identical to a telephone number indicated in the CID data.

Abstract: A method for screening an active incoming voice mail message broadcasts the incoming message in real time on a speaker in or associated with the subscriber's telephone set upon and concurrent with receipt of the same by the voice mail system. Upon detection during the broadcast of an interrupt request provided by the subscriber via the subscriber's telephone set, the calling party is connected with the subscriber, and normal recording of the message by the voice mail system is discontinued.

Abstract: Systems and methods utilize cradle contacts for completing diagnostic tests of rechargeable devices, such as cordless telephones. A cordless telephone handset or base is placed into a test fixture. Once the handset or base is cradled, diagnostic message signals are transmitted through cradle contacts in the test fixture and handset/base. The message signals may be made up of ASK signals. The beginning and end of each test may be identified by a code or codes embedded in a message signal. The use of cradle contacts to complete diagnostic tests alleviates problems associated with use of internal test access ports to carry out such tests.

Abstract: Methods and devices are provided for overcoming interference which occurs when one or more cordless devices seek to communicate over the same range of narrow band channels. Any one of a number of algorithms not based on channel clarity may be utilized to order groups of available channels which surround a cordless device. The device then selects a channel from within the ordered group of channels to assure clear communications between a cordless telephone handset and base. The algorithm may be randomly selected from among a number of algorithms or may be selected by other means.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a cordless telephone according to the invention includes a base unit, including a paging mechanism, and a handset, including an alerting mechanism responsive to the paging mechanism. At least one of the base unit and the handset includes a page adjusting mechanism to affect an alerting signal output from the alerting mechanism based on a condition. Thus, the paging signal is adaptive to increase the opportunity for a user to determine the location of a misplaced handset. In another embodiment, a cordless telephone is equipped so that the base unit can provide an indication related to a distance between the base unit and the handset. In yet another embodiment, a cordless telephone is equipped so that the paging mechanism is adjusted based on user control. In a further embodiment according to the invention, a method is provided for affecting an alerting signal output by an alerting mechanism of a cordless telephone handset.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a cordless telephone according to the invention includes a base unit, including a paging mechanism, and a handset, including an alerting mechanism responsive to the paging mechanism. At least one of the base unit and the handset includes a page adjusting mechanism to affect an alerting signal output from the alerting mechanism based on a condition. Thus, the paging signal is adaptive to increase the opportunity for a user to determine the location of a misplaced handset. In another embodiment, a cordless telephone is equipped so that the base unit can provide an indication related to a distance between the base unit and the handset. In yet another embodiment, a cordless telephone is equipped so that the paging mechanism is adjusted based on user control. In a further embodiment according to the invention, a method is provided for affecting an alerting signal output by an alerting mechanism of a cordless telephone handset.

Abstract: Unique, electronic mailboxes may be configured to allow multiple users to use a single mailbox for storing messages and for screening messages using information related to the messages, such as the name and telephone number of the originator of a message. The unique mailboxes may be configured using systems and methods which make use of user-defined filters which may be applied to each mailbox. Each mailbox may be additionally protected by a password for changing the user defined filters and for retrieving messages.