Abstract: The present invention provides a centralized messaging service method and apparatus in which a message is sent to each of a subscriber's messaging services. When a sending party wishes to leave a message for a receiving party, the sending party activates his/her user device and enters the access number for the centralized message service. The centralized message service receives the communication signals from the sending party which include a receiving party identifier and the message to be sent. The centralized message service then retrieves profile information from a database corresponding to the messaging services of the receiving party based on the receiving party identifier entered by the sending party. The centralized message service then forwards the message to a portion of the receiving party's messaging services based on the profile information retrieved from the database.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selectively eliminating nuisance signals during communications connections as during conference calling in which the signals are eliminated when a call path is placed on hold by monitoring signals in a reverse traffic channel from a holding party. If the reverse traffic channel contains a predetermined signal, a music on hold circuit is disabled. When the call is first placed on hold, a check for the predetermined signal is made. If the predetermined signal is not detected during a defined period of time, the music on hold circuit is engaged; otherwise the circuit remains disabled. The predetermined signal may be noise signals, speech signals or a sequence of touch tones or speech representing a command to disable the music on hold circuit. Optionally, a disabled music on hold circuit may be enabled by placing a second command signal, such as speech or touch tones, into the reverse traffic channel.

Abstract: An easy to use (easy-reach) dialing system that connects a calling party with a called party based on data received over a first communication channel and a second communication channel. A calling party calls an easy-reach device and sends data to the easy-reach device over a second communication channel. The easy-reach device calls the called party based on data received over the second communication channel and connects the calling party with the called party.

Abstract: A called party is alerted to the presence of a voice call on the Internet (110) by a page that is automatically transmitted to the called party's pager (120) upon initiation of the call by a calling party from his terminal (101) running Internet voice communications software and equipped with a microphone (102) and speaker (103). The page is transmitted in response to a message sent by a service provider (115) on the Internet, which receives from the calling party's terminal on the Internet, information for identifying the called party's pager. The called party, upon receiving the page, connects to the called party on the Internet through his home terminal (105) that is running that same voice communications software and is also equipped with a microphone (106) and speaker (107), or through any such similarly equipped portable or fixed terminal (125) at any location from which the Internet can be accessed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for updating the telephone number in a subscriber's profile to the telephone number at the subscriber's current location based on a revertive call. When a revertive call is received by a system from a subscriber, the subscriber's number is identified and compared to a default number in the subscriber's profile. The call is connected and the system checks whether the telephone number is the same as the number stored in the subscriber's profile. If the subscriber's number is different than the number stored in the subscriber's profile, after the call is terminated, the system queries the subscriber as to whether the subscriber would like to have calls forwarded to his or her current telephone number for a particular length of time.

Abstract: The present invention provides a centralized electronic mail apparatus and method in which a message is sent to each of a subscriber's electronic mail receiving devices. When a sending party wishes to send an electronic mail message to a receiving party, the sending party creates the electronic mail message along with any attachments using his/her user device and sends the electronic mail message to the centralized electronic mail apparatus. The centralized electronic mail apparatus receives the electronic mail message and retrieves profile information from a profile database corresponding to the receiving party. Based on the profile information, the centralized electronic mail device further determines the receiving party's electronic mail receiving devices to which the electronic mail message is to be sent. The centralized electronic mail apparatus further determines the portions of the electronic mail message that are to be sent to each of the electronic mail receiving devices.

Abstract: In order to minimize the number of transmitters from which a page is transmitted in a Personal Reach System in which a subscriber is paged to alert him or her of a waiting telephone call, the subscriber's last known location, the time at her or she was located there, and the elapsed time since being located there, are used to determine an outer perimeter of the geographic area in which the subscriber is likely to be presently located. A page is then transmitted to the subscriber from those transmitters which cover that geographic area. If the elapsed time is more than a predetermined threshold, during which period the subscriber could have traveled anywhere, a nationwide page, rather than a localized page, is transmitted.

Abstract: A service optimizer establishes an initial subscriber profile relating to a subscriber upon subscribing to a service. The service optimizer uses service data within the subscriber profile to administer a service for the subscriber. The initial subscriber profile contains personal and service information particular to the subscriber. The service optimizer analyzes the personal and service information in the subscriber profile to alter the service data used by the service optimizer to more efficiently administer the service. Additionally, the service optimizer analyzes information indicating how the subscriber uses the service to alter the service data used by the service optimizer to more efficiently administer the service.

Abstract: Managing, in a two-way paging communication system, paging menus containing paging-menu options, comprises receiving, from a subscriber, paging-menu options. A subscriber then sends information including a first set of callers and a second set of callers, and first and second paging menu are configured accordingly.

Abstract: An apparatus and method provide a database in a pager that contains menus that may be displayed on a pager display. A paging service sends a page including an identification to the pager. The pager receives the identification, retrieves a menu from the pager database and displays the menu. The pager responds to the page based on a selection selected from the displayed menu.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus and method for updating a communications network from one or more user communications devices. The invention uses the electronic scheduling or other time-based features within a communications device to control and/or initiate transmission of information between the communications device and the communications network. Information from one or more communications devices is updated to the communications network in response to time-based components in the information entries corresponding to a timing device associated with the respective communications device. Also, once the network has received this updated information, comparisons of related information entries are initiated to detect discrepancies therebetween. In this manner, user submitted time and geographic location information is compared with similar information automatically retrieved by the communications network using conventional and future network communications technology.

Abstract: A call routing system routes an incoming telephone call to a desired party based upon at least one of a plurality of conditions of at least one general purpose electronic device associated with the desired party. The call routing system includes a receiver, a processor, a selector and a routing device. The receiver receives the telephone call of the desired party. The processor determines the state of the desired party at the location of the received telephone call based on at least one general purpose electronic device. The selector selects one of a plurality of communication devices based upon the determined condition of the at least one electronic device. The routing device routes the telephone call to the selected one of the plurality of communication devices. A method for routing telephone calls is also described.

Abstract: A private broadcasting system includes communication terminals which are coupled to both a broadcasting network and point-to-point network. A private broadcasting device included in the broadcasting system is coupled to a database that contains a pool of encryption keys and a pool of channel numbers. The encryption keys and channel numbers are assigned to a private broadcast request when the communicating partners of the private broadcast request are available for communication. The encryption key and channel number is issued to each of the participating terminals. Each of the participating terminals encrypts and de-encrypts the information transmitted on and received from the broadcasting channel at the assigned channel number. In this way, the terminals communicate with each other privately excluding all other terminals that are not part of the private broadcast communication.

Abstract: Call center functions are provided to a plurality of remotely located customer service representatives (CSRs) via a data network, such as the Internet. Each CSR station includes a telephone and a computer. Separate log-in procedures for the computer and the telephone improve system security. Incoming calls are routed to an available CSR. A call control server provides call control pages that include a set of clickable commands (e.g., transfer, hold, conference, speed-dial buttons, and the like) and telephone digits to CSR computers that allow CSRs to remotely control telephone calls. A merchant server can also provide a merchant application page to CSR computers to allow CSRs to process customer calls.

Abstract: A paging service decides whether a subscriber may be paged, or is busy and should not be paged, depending on the subscriber's location. The subscriber's location is either transmitted by his 2-way pager, or determined by determining the identity of the cell site used to relay the pager's signal. The status corresponding to a cell site may be fixed, or may vary with a schedule or subscriber preference information stored in a memory.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for prioritizing telphone calls that enables a caller to specify priority criteria relating to the calls and a recipient to specify priority criteria relating to the treatment of the calls.

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: 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 method for updating a caller database in a communication system by detecting repeat callers during the bridging of calls placed to a called party subscriber and upon such detection, enabling the subscriber to enter corresponding alphanumeric identifiers in the frequent caller database. This method is useful in a communication system that completes a telephone call placed by a caller to a personal telephone number of a called party by bridging that call to a return call originated by the called party in response to a paging signal alerting the subscriber of the telephone call.

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.