Abstract: A stand-alone battery charger warning system for use with portable electronic devices is disclosed whereby a warning is generated in response to a determination that a) a battery is not presently connected to the charger and b) at least one predetermined time criterion has been met. This warning system advantageously may be used universally with any number of different battery chargers and is not limited to just one make or model. A particular embodiment of the present invention consists of a housing within which is contained the electronic circuitry and controls necessary to implement the warning system functionality. This housing is connected to an electrical source, such as a typical home electrical outlet. The battery charger for the portable electronic device is then connected electrically to the warning system.

Abstract: A method for use in a telecommunications system in which a call sequencing facility allows a caller who is trying to reach a called subscriber to be routed to each of a sequence of telephone numbers specified by the subscriber, even though a call placed to one such telephone number is answered.

Abstract: A voice messaging system is designed to select an announcement for a caller based on source information associated with a call initiated by that caller. The voice messaging system a) compares at least a portion of the source information to a stored language code selection list that associates particular call origination locations with predominant language(s) spoken at those locations, and b) based on the results of the comparison, delivers the system's message to the caller in the language that is most likely understood by the caller.

Abstract: Personal telephone number service is provided by an adjunct within a communications network to provide a number of functionalities, one of which allows associated subscribers to customize the way in which they receive telephone calls. In particular, each subscriber may dynamically specify a number of caller identifiers and a different call treatment for each such identifier as well as a particular billing mode. A call treatment may include, for example, a specification to forward an associated call to an (a) particular telephone number, (b) default telephone number, or (c) messaging service. A profile defining information about how services are to be carried out for a particular subscriber is created and/or updated via an arrangement which receives the information in facsimile form and then uses character recognition technology to "read" the information contained thereon and to update the profile.

Abstract: In an automated directory assistance system, the telephone number of the calling party is used to determine whether or not the outgoing "spoken" message will include the area code of the sought-after number.