Abstract: A paging service database is updated by a subscriber by using a terminal. The terminal may update a corresponding database in a pager served by the paging service by linking to the pager through an infrared or wired serial link. The pager may also be coupled to the paging service through a modem and receive database updates or may receive database updates directly from the paging service over the airwaves. The subscriber may enter a new menu using the pager and update the paging service database by sending an update command. The new menu may be permanent or temporary. A temporary new menu may be erased either by an erase command sent from the pager to the paging service or a time limit specified by the subscriber.

Abstract: A technique for programming operating parameters in an electronic device, such as programmable configuration settings, uses an interactive response configuration server accessible through the telephone network. The configuration server provides voice prompts to an electronic device operator over a telephone connection. The voice prompts concern a desired manner of operation achievable with particular operating parameter settings. Desired operating parameter settings are determined based on the operator's responses. A programming signal including representations of the desired operating parameter settings is then generated and transmitted to the electronic device. The electronic device then sets the values of its programmable operating parameters in accordance with the received programming signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus determine a caller's eligibility to enter a lottery, determine whether the caller has won the lottery and advise the caller of the winning status in response to a caller's request for communication services. The odds of winning a lottery for the caller can be adjusted based on the caller's participation history, such as a past number of calls made or total call time logged by the caller. Thus, frequent users of a communication service can be rewarded with increased odds of winning a lottery each time a request for communication services is made and communication services are provided.

Abstract: Cross-service connectivity between use of the telephone network and use of an e-mail data network is provided by enabling a recipient of an e-mail message to receive e-mail messages through an alias e-mail address which is directly associated with the recipient's telephone number. Thus, the alias e-mail address consists of the recipient's telephone number as the recipient name at a well-known and publicized common domain name server. A sender therefore addresses an e-mail message to the recipient to that alias e-mail address using the recipient's alias telephone number name. A message addressed to the alias e-mail address is sent to a translation server at that known domain name, where the alias telephone number-recipient name is translated to the actual e-mail address comprising the recipient's actual name and associated domain name server, and the message is then forwarded to that recipient at that actual e-mail address.

Abstract: An intelligent pager remotely manages an E-Mail server that receives E-Mail messages transmitted over an E-Mail network. Useful E-Mail messages can be identified by the pager and separated from the junk mail. The pager remotely controls the server to forward messages as directed by the recipient. The E-Mail server sends a summary of the E-Mail message to the pager over a different network so that the pager can select a forwarding destination for the message. The pager sends a selection signal to the E-mail server which then forwards the E-Mail message to the selected destination. The E-Mail message can be forwarded by the server over another network, such as the public telephone network, to a computer or a FAX machine at the recipient's office, home or other destination.

Abstract: A system and method for providing personal communications services are disclosed. A bridging and signaling unit implements a bridge for connecting telephone calls between a caller, a called party, and an alternate destination. A caller who calls the personal telephone number associated with a called party is held at the bridging and signaling unit while waiting for a return telephone call from the called party. The called party is alerted to the existence of the call through a paging system. If the time period during which the caller is on hold exceeds a timeout period, the caller will be connected to an alternate destination, such as a secretary, an answering service, or a voice messaging system.

Abstract: In a personal reach telephone service in which a calling party's telephone call to a personal reach telephone number of a called party/subscriber is bridged to a return call placed by the called party/subscriber in response to a page which indicates to the called party/subscriber the presence of a waiting call, a connection is established between a bridging and signaling unit associated with the interexchange network to which the calling party is directed, and the home PBX associated with the called party/subscriber. After establishing the connection between the bridging and signaling unit and the home PBX, a determination is made, using two-way paging technology, whether the pager associated with the called party/subscriber is registered within the local area covered by the home PBX. If the pager is registered in the local area, then the calling party's call is connected directly to the PBX and a local page is broadcast to the called party/subscriber.

Abstract: The invention provides a mobile communication system in a network that receives a location schedule from a subscriber and directs a call to the subscriber based on the location schedule. The network may include a telephone network, a data network and a cable network interconnected together. Each of the networks connects to communication devices. For example, the cable network is connected to fixed location devices such as cable units conventionally provided to cable subscribers. The fixed location devices may be connected to communication devices such as televisions, stereos or mailboxes. When a subscriber location schedule indicates that the subscriber is reachable at a specific fixed location device, the mobility system pages the subscriber at the specific fixed location device when a call is received for the subscriber during the specified date and time found in the location schedule.

Abstract: A method and system for transmission of control information over a separate channel to devices connected to a telecommunications network. An outdial node couples a destination system to a user who is accessing the destination system using a first communications pathway through a telecommunications network. When the destination system requests control data be entered, the user causes a signal to be transmitted on a second communications pathway. The signal, which includes information identifying the user and the desired control function, is transmitted by the user from a two-way pager. The signal is received by a paging system and transmitted to the outdial node. The outdial node accesses a database using the user identifying information and selects an entry corresponding the user and to the control function. The control data contained in the selected entry is then output to the destination system.

Abstract: A system and method of using two-way paging to establish communications with a mobile party having a Personal Telephone Number. In one possible embodiment, the mobile party uses a two-way pager to transmit a terminating number, bandwidth, and protocol to a paging service. The paging service relays the terminating number, bandwidth, and protocol to a Customer Routing Point where the information is stored. Thereafter, when a caller initiates a call to the mobile party by dialing the mobile party's Personal Telephone Number, a Network Control Point is notified. The Network Control Point accesses the Customer Routing Point, cross-references the Personal Telephone Number with the stored terminating number, bandwidth, and protocol, and retrieves the cross-referenced information. The Network Control Point then uses the retrieved information to route the call to a terminating telephone station associated with that information.

Abstract: The system of the present invention allows a customer to access a company computer system via a data network and to request contact with a customer service representative. The company computer system automatically selects a customer service center and a customer service representative in accordance with a set of selection criteria, including customer preferences. A monitor, also connected to the company computer system via the data network, may choose to accept or to change the selections made by the company computer system. Once a customer service representative has been selected, the company computer system causes a telecommunication control device to connect the customer, the selected customer service representative, and the monitor via a voice network. If a monitor is not available, the company computer system causes the telecommunication control device to connect the customer and the selected customer service representative, and then records the communication therebetween for future review by a monitor.

Abstract: A personal reach system includes a network, a personal reach unit, a cellular network, and a landline telephone station. The personal reach unit is coupled to the cellular network and the landline telephone through the network. When a first party pages a second party through the personal research unit, the first party is connected to the second party by either the personal reach unit through the landline telephone station or the cellular network through the cellular phone.

Abstract: A subscriber to a two-way paging system can configure a call routing/forwarding "speed-dial" menu for display on the subscriber's two-way pager. The subscriber can then choose from among the options in this menu each time a call is placed to the subscriber's personal telephone number (PTN). The call forwarding menu is stored in a customer routing point (CRP) database record associated with the subscriber and/or the subscriber's PTN, and is either downloaded upon creation to the subscriber's two-way pager for long-term storage in the two-way pager's memory, or downloaded to the two-way pager each time a call is made to the subscriber's PTN. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the subscriber can configure multiple call routing menus, and designate for each menu the caller(s) to which the menu corresponds.

Abstract: A system and method for secure communication of access information codes to access a telecommunications network and use network services, such as a personal reach service. In that regard, the present invention communicates the access information with the network over a secure paging channel. When call for the user is received at a personal reach service node, a paging message is transmitted to the user through a paging system, the paging message indicating that the call has been received. The user then places a call to the personal reach service node. Upon receiving the call from the user, a request for access information is transmitted to the user. The user then transmits a paging signal from a two-way pager, the paging signal including an indicator of the access information. The personal reach service node receives the indicator of the access information from the user through the paging system and validates the indicated access information.

Abstract: E-Mail messages transmitted over an E-Mail network are routed to an E-Mail server servicing the recipient, where useful E-Mail messages can be identified, separated from the junk mail, and forwarded as directed by the recipient. The E-Mail server sends a summary of the E-Mail message to the recipient over a different network so that the recipient can select a forwarding destination for the message. The recipient sends a selection signal to the E-mail server which then forwards the E-Mail message to the selected destination. The E-Mail message can be forwarded by the server over another network, such as the public telephone network, to a computer or a FAX machine at the recipient's office, home or other destination.

Abstract: With the advent of personal digital assistants (PDAs) having modems for information, e.g., facsimile and/or data, transmission over wireless connections, as well as the capability for voice communications, we have recognized that is possible to communicate with a person, wherever they are, in whatever form is desired. In order to do so in a manner that simulates the way a person at a fixed location having a separate telephone, fax machine and data modem would communicate, incorporate into a PDA is a) a receiver for a wireless actuation signal that indicates that a communication of some type is waiting for a called party; b) an outgoing connection origination unit that establishes a connection from the PDA to the waiting communication; c) a discriminator, which makes a determination as to the type of communication that is waiting; and d) a selection unit that routes the information signals received over the connection established by the PDA to an appropriate communication unit within the PDA, e.g.

Abstract: The number of times that a subscriber is forced to add an area code to his or her dialing sequence is substantially reduced by allowing calling parties to dial without including the area code, by analyzing the called party number relative to the calling party, and by resolving ambiguities in the called number based on that analysis. The analysis includes, but is not limited to, taking account of the calling pattern of the calling subscriber, and taking account of the distance between the calling and the called parties.

Abstract: We have recognized that in the prior art, to insure that there is at least some communication between the calling and called parties, when the called party is unavailable to take a call, the calling party may be connected to an alternate destination, e.g., a voice messaging system, and the caller's telephone call is considered completed. If the called party thereafter becomes available, the called party is not connected to the caller's telephone call. However, in accordance with the principles of the invention, this problem is overcome by, in response to receipt of an indication that the called party is available for a caller's telephone call after the caller's telephone call has already been connected to an alternate destination, a) disconnecting the caller's telephone call from the alternate destination and, instead, b) connecting it the called party, thus interrupting the connection between the caller and the alternate destination.

Abstract: A call placed by a calling party from within the local office or campus area served by an intelligent PBX of a called party who is a subscriber to a personal reach service is held at that PBX for determination of whether the called party/subscriber is within or outside the local area served by the PBX. This determination is made using two-way paging technology through which a pager-carrying called party/subscriber is determined to be within the local area if the two-way pager carried by the called party/subscriber is registered within the area. If the called party/subscriber is determined to be within the local area, then a local page is broadcast to the called party/subscriber and a return call to the PBX by the called party/subscriber is bridged with the call being held from the calling party at the PBX.

Abstract: It is known in the prior art to, when a telephone customer is unavailable to take a call, page the customer, thereby notifying the customer that a telephone call is waiting. The customer may then call in to a meet-me bridge to be connected to the incoming telephone call. However, if the customer does not respond to the page in time, prior art systems provide for the calling party's call to be routed to an alternate destination, e.g., a voice messaging system. The calling party's telephone call is thereby considered completed. If the customer thereafter becomes available, the customer is not connected to the caller's telephone call even if the caller is still connected to the alternate destination.