Abstract: Voicemail systems (24, 26, 28) can include at least one memory and at least one processor. A memory can store data relating to one or more users. An incoming communication can be handled by the voicemail system (24, 26, 28), forwarded to another voicemail system (24, 26, 28), provided with functionality based upon a user's preferences, and the like. The voicemail systems (24, 26, 28) can include functionality to allow a user to consolidate voicemail messages and/or calls at one or more designated destinations, for example, a voicemail system (24, 26, 28) and/or a mobile device (18).

Abstract: A method (400) for creating and managing a distribution list can include creating a distribution list (410) at a voicemail system. The distribution list can include at least one recipient and at least one language preference for one or more of the at least one recipients. The method can further include selecting the created distribution list (504) and recording an audio message (508) to be sent to the at least one recipient. Translating the audio message (510) into the at least one language preference for one or more of the at least one recipients thereby creating at least one translated audio message and sending the at least one translated audio message (512) to the at least one recipient.

Abstract: A method for operating a voicemail system (110) can include receiving a call (302, 502) at the voicemail system (110), wherein the call originates from a calling party device (106), determining if the calling party device (106) is compatible with a video greeting feature (306, 506), sending a video greeting (308, 510) to the called party device (106) if it is determined that the calling party device (106) is compatible with the video greeting feature, and recording a voicemail message (314) received in response to the video greeting being played on the called party device (106). Another method can include sending a video greeting identifier to the called party device (106), the video greeting identifier being used to identify a video greeting stored on the calling party device (106). Methods for operating a mobile device (200) and a voicemail system (110) are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for updating voicemail data at least partially stored at a device (30) can include obtaining a command to update the voicemail data at a device (30). The device (30) can activate a data session through which voicemail data can be downloaded to the device (30). In some embodiments, the device (30) can automatically activate a data session upon the occurrence of a trigger event, for example, upon the receipt of a message waiting indicator, or upon powering on the device (30). In other embodiments, the device (30) can wait for a user action or command to download voicemail data. The action or command can be received at the device after a trigger event, or at any other time. Exemplary devices (30) and communications networks (10) for implementing these and other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A voicemail system (18, 24) includes a memory (36, 62) and a processor (32, 60). The memory (36, 62) can store data relating to one or more users. An incoming communication can be handled by the voicemail system (18, 24) and provided with functionality based upon a user's preferences, for example. The voicemail system (18, 24) can include functionality to allow a user to archive a voicemail message, to convert a voicemail message to a desired format, and/or to forward a voicemail message or converted voicemail message file to one or more designated destinations. The voicemail system (18, 24) can operate on a communications network (10), at a communications device (18), or both. Methods for archiving, converting, and/or forwarding voicemail messages are also disclosed.

Abstract: A voicemail system (18, 30) includes a memory (38, 64) and a processor (34, 62). The memory (38, 64) can store data relating to one or more users. An incoming communication can be handled by the voicemail system (18, 30) and provided with functionality based upon a user's preferences, for example. The voicemail system (18, 30) can include functionality to allow a user to convert a voicemail message to a desired format and forward the file to one or more designated destinations. Methods (700, 800, 900, 1000) for forwarding one or messages are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for operating a mobile device to set a voicemail password directly from the mobile device includes providing the mobile device with a memory for storing a visual voicemail (VVM) application, an interface for receiving user input to the VVM application, and a transceiver for communication with a VVM system. The VVM application includes an option to create a voicemail password. The method further includes: receiving a selection of the option to create the voicemail password, creating the voicemail password based upon an input of a password string, generating a request that includes instructions to the VVM system to associate the voicemail password with a voicemail account, and transmitting the request to the VVM system.

Abstract: A method for managing accessibility to a visual voicemail (VVM) service from a mobile device includes detecting that a first SIM has been inserted into a slot interface of the mobile device and establishing a data session with a VVM system to create a first VVM account. The first VVM account is configured to receive and store voicemail messages directed to a subscriber identified by the first SIM. The method further includes the mobile device receiving a voicemail message from the VVM system and storing the voicemail message in a memory. The method further includes the mobile device detecting the first SIM being removed and a second SIM being inserted into the slot interface. Upon insertion of the second SIM, the mobile device prevents access to the voicemail message associated with the first VVM account and communicative access to the first VVM account.

Abstract: A method for managing incoming voicemail messages at a visual voicemail (VVM) system can include receiving a new voicemail message for a voicemail account associated with a mobile device, generating a deposit notification message at the VVM system in response to receiving the new voicemail message, sending the notification message to the mobile device, and receiving a request for voicemail message header information from the mobile device. The method can further include sending the voicemail message header information to the mobile device. The mobile device uses the voicemail message header information to determine a status for each voicemail message presently stored on the mobile device to identify the new voicemail message. The method can further include the VVM system receiving a request for the new voicemail message, and sending the new voicemail message to the mobile device for storage and playback on the mobile device.

Abstract: A method for operating a mobile device to set a voicemail greeting includes providing the mobile device with a memory for storing a visual voicemail (VVM) application, an I/O interface, and a microphone for receiving an audio input. The method further includes: receiving a selection for an option to record the voicemail greeting, receiving the audio input, recording the audio input as the voicemail greeting for a voicemail account associated with the mobile device, storing the recorded voicemail greeting in the memory, and generating a request that includes the recorded voicemail greeting, a network address for a VVM system, and instructions to set the voicemail greeting as an active voicemail greeting for the voicemail account. The method further includes transmitting the request to the VVM system and receiving a response from the VVM system that includes an indication of whether the voicemail greeting was set as the active voicemail greeting.

Abstract: Methods for provisioning and initializing visual voicemail services on a mobile device, setting or changing a voicemail greeting for visual voicemail service, changing a password for accessing visual voicemail service, setting or changing a recorded name for a visual voicemail service, managing incoming voicemail messages for a visual voicemail system, managing a telephone user interface (TUI) for a visual voicemail system, managing multiple subscriber identify modules on a mobile device configured for visual voicemail service, and secure connections to a visual voicemail system are described herein. Corresponding systems are also described.