Abstract: A system, computer-readable medium, and a method including receiving, by a processor, sensor data related to a physical asset; obtaining, by the processor, at least a stored model of the physical asset from a data storage device; generating, by the processor, a visualization representation of the physical asset based on an integration of the sensor data related to the physical asset and the stored model of the physical asset; and presenting, by the processor in a shared virtual workspace accessible by a first user entity and at least one second user entity located remotely from the first user entity, the virtualization representation of the physical asset.

Abstract: A method for streaming content that includes loading the content on a streaming server wherein the streaming server is designed to generate models of the content and model updates. Generating the model updates is based on the models, acquired client metrics containing viewing device specific information and a client state containing information about previously transmitted model updates. Transmitting the model updates to a viewing device. Providing the content for visualization according to the model updates.

Abstract: A communal media system includes a content management system for storing multimedia content and a synchronization system configured to: retrieve the multimedia content for delivery to a plurality of user devices and receive social media content generated by the user devices; separate the multimedia content and the social media content into a set of prioritized layers; determine a timestamp offset for each of the user devices; and adjust simultaneous deliveries of the multimedia content and the social media content to the user devices, based on a priority associated each layer and the timestamp offset associated with each user device, The multimedia content is delivered to each user devices at the same time and the social media content is delivered to the user devices at the same time while the multimedia content is being viewed on the user devices.

Abstract: Techniques for implementing an audio distribution system using only standard network cabling for both power transmission and audio signal transmission. The system comprising of one or more Audio-streaming Source Units and one or more self-contained Network-powered Speaker Units where a plurality of audio streams can exist simultaneously and any audio stream can be directed between any Audio-streaming Source Unit and any Network-powered Speaker Unit.

Abstract: A timestamp processing method for streaming media is provided to generate a current output video timestamp and a current output audio timestamp. The method includes the steps of: extracting multiple video data and multiple audio data from a multimedia data; processing the video data to obtain multiple video timestamps; processing the audio data to obtain multiple audio timestamps; initializing a start timestamp; calculating a first characteristic value and a second characteristic value based on multiple target timestamps, which are the video timestamps or the audio timestamps; and updating the start timestamp and using the start timestamp as the current output video timestamp or the current output audio timestamp when the absolute difference between the first characteristic value and the second characteristic value is greater than a threshold value.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally provides a system and method for providing a real-time digital virtual audience. The system and method may include processing video associated with an event to produce a corresponding data stream, combining the corresponding data stream with at least one sequence of predictability data stream to create a digital framework, processing the digital framework into at least one representation of at least one object depicted in the video, and transmitting the at least one representation to one or more communication devices associated with one or more virtual audience members, wherein the one or more virtual audience members are viewing the same event using their respective communication devices.

Abstract: A method and system for profiling teleconference session quality in communication networks. Specifically, the disclosed method and system entail providing classifications labeling teleconference session quality using a classification model. The classification model may produce these aforementioned quality classifications based on the ingestion of features extracted from teleconference session network traffic, which may have traversed through sampling network device(s) positioned in the network traffic path of the teleconference session between client devices.

Abstract: A storage radio unit (SRU) for a device can include a radio, embedded universal integrated circuit card (eUICC), a processor, an antenna, and nonvolatile memory. The SRU can support standards for removable storage form factors and record a file system for a device. The device can be associated with a service provider and the SRU can be associated with a network provider. The radio can support Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) standards. The SRU can operate a file system interface (FSI) for the radio, where the device records application data in a file of the FSI. The SRU can attach to a wireless NB-IoT network using credentials recorded in the eUICC. The SRU can read the file of the FSI, and compress, encrypt, and transmit the application data to a network provider via the radio. The network provider can transmit the application data via TLS to the service provider.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed for automatically managing multiple types of applications, electronic forms, electronic forms data instances, network services and, network services. The methods and systems allow organizations with a mobile workforce that relies on established business processes to execute timely and secure exchange of information while providing easy to use, fast, accurate and flexible information capture capability in the field. These organizations and/or third-party providers may optimize the design of mobile applications to better match existing corporate processes and forms in order to reflect existing business needs, preferred graphical user interfaces, processes and experiences on the mobile devices.

Abstract: Solutions for enabling analytics for a virtualized application leverage reproducibility of information as a substitute for persisting information. Disclosed solutions include: collecting, by a virtualized application, first analytics data on a user equipment (UE); performing, by the virtualized application, a one-way function (e.g., a hash function) on persistent information (e.g., an international mobile equipment identity (IMEI) number) on the UE to generate a unique UE identification (ID); transmitting the first analytics data and the UE ID to a remote node across a network; collecting, by the virtualized application, second analytics data on the UE; and transmitting the second analytics data and the UE ID to the remote node across the network. Because the UE ID is deterministic, it may be generated repeatedly, as needed, (producing the same value each time) to compensate for the inability of the virtualized application to persist the UE ID on the UE.

Abstract: A system comprising a plurality of peer caches associated with a corresponding plurality of content owners; shared ledger logic having a channel for each content owner of a plurality of content owners, the shared ledger logic to maintain a shared ledger data structure and to perform the operations of: in response to receipt of a first content title, responsively recording a first ledger entry for the first content title which is visible to a first content owner which owns the first content title; receiving an encryption key from the content owner, wherein the first content title comprises an encrypted content title encrypted with the key; storing the encrypted content title on one or more network storage devices; and when the encrypted content title reaches an edge cache, using the key to decrypt the encrypted content title and updating the first ledger entry to identify the edge cache.

Abstract: A system and method for creating and updating a distributed indexing table for peer nodes in a peer-to-peer network. In one embodiment, a method includes providing, from a first node to a second node of the peer-to-peer network, a first level of a first plurality of levels for a first designator identifying the first node and entered in a first distributed indexing table stored in the first node. The method also includes receiving, at the first node from the second node, a corresponding first level of a second plurality of levels for a second designator identifying the second node and entered in a second distributed indexing table stored in the second node, and updating the corresponding first level of the second plurality of levels for the second designator within the first distributed indexing table of the first node.

Abstract: A method, computer program product, and computer system for applying deductive artificial intelligence (AI) attribution and auditability to data inputs, wherein the deductive AI may account for ontologies and competing system information, and wherein the deductive AI attribution and auditability may be applied to the data inputs by vendor workflow. The data inputs applied with the deductive AI attribution and auditability may be processed via a feedback loop to align a sense-understand-decide-act (SUDA) understanding with an inductive AI understanding. The inductive AI may be automated via the feedback loop based upon, at least in part, an AI expert system processing of the data inputs. One or more policy based rules may be developed for user automation authorization based upon, at least in part, the feedback loop.

Abstract: A mobile computing device may comprise at least one memory that comprises mobile application instructions and a state container. The mobile application instructions may cause a processing device of the mobile computing device to perform operations of: creating, while in an offline mode such that the mobile device is disconnected from a remote application server, a local update packet corresponding to the state container; establishing, via a wireless network, a network connection with the remote application server, thereby causing the mobile computing device to enter an online mode; synchronizing the memory of the mobile computing device with the remote application server, the synchronizing comprising comparing a first timestamp associated with the local update packet with a second timestamp associated with the remote update packet; and initiating display of a graphical user interface representation of the second modified contents of the state container to a user of the user device.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, a system and method for automated data reconciliation processing is presented. The system receives a data movement request with a first status indicator and appends a unique request code to the data movement request. The system causes presentation of the data movement request at a client device and receives a movement response from a second server via a network. The system modifies the first status indicator of the data movement request to a second status indicator to provisionally reflect the receipt of the movement response and verifies the indication of movement from a receiving entity.

Abstract: A method of operating a storage system is provided. The method includes establishing a security context between a client and the storage system, the security context comprising a single ticket for multiple nodes within the storage system. The method includes distributing a first request to a first blade within the storage system and distributing a second request to a second blade within the storage system. The distributing the first request and the second request includes determining a node for handling the first request and the second request based on data within the single ticket.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for managing data includes collecting workload information for a data storage device in a data storage system over a period of time. A peak workload of the data storage device for the period of time is determined. A maximum workload threshold for the data storage device in the data storage system over the period of time is also determined. Movement of additional workload to the device in the data storage system is prevented during a subsequent period of time when the data storage device is predicted to be at about the peak workload for the data storage device in response to a determination that adding the additional workload would cause the workload of the device to exceed the maximum workload threshold.

Abstract: Energy and demand costs reduction method through management of an entity load using an energy storage system; simulating the entity load including using predictive analytics; or receiving user inputs of an event schedule impacting entity load; performing optimization at start of billing cycle including establishing a demand reduction target achievable with an energy storage system device implemented; setting a periodic schedule for energy storage system discharge and allocating a portion of energy storage capacity to a reserve to be used in event of volatility in entity load; determining any unused capacity of the energy storage system at an end of a period, and responsive to the determining, redistributing any unused capacity to a remaining period of the schedule; and resetting the demand reduction target for each time-of-use period to what was achieved previously for the same billing period.

Abstract: A reliability evaluation method for a multi-state distributed network system is provided. The network system includes a network topology of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, edge servers, cloud servers, transmission nodes and transmission arcs. The capacity of the transmission arc is regarded as a random multi-state. The data generated by the IoT devices are transmitted to the edge servers. After processing and compression by the edge servers, the data are transmitted to the cloud servers for calculation. System reliability is defined as the probability that a specific amount of data can be successfully transferred from the IoT devices to the cloud servers. Algorithms are used to calculate the transmission mechanism between the IoT devices, the edge servers, and the cloud servers, evaluate the quality and reliability of multi-state distributed network systems, and further serve as an indicator of system management. Sensitivity analysis is also used to improve quality.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a network access method and a network access apparatus for speech recognition service based on artificial intelligence. The network access method includes: judging whether there is available IP address information in an IP buffer module when a speech recognition request is received, in which the IP buffer module is configured to buffer IP address information used for a speech recognition performed successfully last time; performing an identity authentication on the available IP address information when there is the available IP address information in the IP buffer module; and accessing to the speech recognition service via the available IP address information passing the identity authentication, in which the speech recognition service is configured to recognize a speech in the speech recognition request.

Abstract: A cloud platform may an application server that detects activation of an application instance, determines connections between steps of a setup process and one or more users, monitors setup progress, and notifies users when the users are needed to perform one or more setup steps. The techniques enable quick and efficient data processing model setup and configuration (as well as configuration of other computing applications). The cloud platform further supports a landing page (e.g., home page, application interface, etc.) that presents tiles customized based on various metrics such as application use history, attributes associated with the user, setup progress, data processing results, etc. The landing page also enables efficient setup and management because of the customization techniques.

Abstract: A home computing system (cloud) integrates a protocols gateway, WiFi router, cloud server, and mass storage device to support one or more Internet of Things (IoT) devices, possibly with different connectively protocols, in a local environment such as a residential home. The home computing cloud often reduces the amount of data traffic sent to a public computing cloud by locally processing collected device data rather than by sending the device data to the public computer cloud for processing. The home computing cloud may download an appropriate data analytic model from the public computing cloud, locally train (for example, reinforcement learning) the model, and locally execute the trained model to obtain prediction information from collected IoT device data. The home computing cloud also allows direct access of the connected IoT devices by user applications via the internet, through a protocols gateway and an IoT message translator.

Abstract: There is provided a microservice management unit that, in a service provided by executing one or a plurality of microservices, executes a pre-update service flow including a microservice before update and a post-update service flow including a microservice after update, and outputs an execution result of the pre-update service flow and an execution result of the post-update service flow, and a service update analysis processing unit that evaluates the execution result of the pre-update service flow and the execution result of the post-update service flow, and as a service flow in which the evaluation result satisfies a predetermined relation, selects either the pre-update service flow or the post-update service flow.

Abstract: In some aspects, a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having computer-executable instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by a processor, causes the processor to receive an indicator of a functionality; map the indicator to a first service and a second service dependent on the first service; identify a policy based on the first service and the second service; and determine, based on the policy, locations of deployment for the first service and the second service.

Abstract: Conventional efforts for estimating the geographic location (geolocation) of devices associated with particular Internet Protocol (IP) addresses typically yield woefully inaccurate results. In many cases, the estimated IP geolocations are on the wrong continent. Embodiments of the present technology include techniques for identifying and improving incorrect estimates based on latency measurements, Domain Name Server (DNS) information, and routing information. For example, latency measurements from multiple collectors can be used to rate the plausibility of an IP geolocation estimate and, in certain cases, to increase the accuracy of the LP geolocation estimate. DNS and routing information can be used to corroborate the estimated IP geolocation. The resulting more accurate IP geolocation estimate can be used to route Internet traffic more efficiently, to enforce rules for routing sensitive information, and to simplify troubleshooting.

Abstract: A disclosed system may include (1) a wearable dimensioned to be donned on a body of a user of a computing device (2) a set of sensors coupled to the wearable, wherein the set of sensors detect one or more neuromuscular signals via the body of the user, and (3) at least one processing device communicatively coupled to the set of sensors, wherein the processing device (A) determines, based at least in part on the neuromuscular signals detected by the set of sensors, an intention of the user in connection with an application running on the computing device and, in response to determining the intention of the user, (B) modifying a feature of the application running on the computing device to account for the intention of the user. Various other devices, systems, and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method instantiates a proxy that stores first state information for first workloads running on a first computing device. The first computing device receives a migrated workload from a second computing device and second state information for a session associated with the migrated workload. The second state information is generated by a proxy on the second computing device that processed one or more packets for the migrated workload on the second computing device. The method stories the second state information for the proxy on the first computing device and resumes the session associated with the migrated workload using the proxy on the first computing device.

Abstract: According to an example aspect, there is provided a method for obtaining profile information by a node of a distributed network. Need for providing profile information for a user by a node of a second local private network is detected. A profile request transaction is provided to a public distributed ledger for obtaining profile information associated with the user. Profile information associated with the user is received from a providing node capable of accessing a first private distributed ledger storing the profile information. At least some of the received user profile information is provided for at least one device connected to the second local private network.

Abstract: A sub-system and method for a network-based media processing (NBMP) system including a first entity and a second entity that each include at least one processor, the method including receiving, by the first entity of the NBMP system from the second entity of the NBMP system, a request, including a parameter having a value, to perform an action with the first entity by using the value of the parameter; and transmitting, by the first entity of the NBMP system to the second entity, an acknowledgement that indicates whether the value of the parameter is accepted by the first entity to perform the action.

Abstract: Example methods and systems for request handling with automatic scheduling are described. In one example, a computer system may receive, from multiple client devices, respective multiple requests that are generated and sent according to a first set of control parameters. Based on the multiple requests, request characteristic(s) may be monitored to determine whether an automatic scheduling condition is satisfied. In response to determination that the automatic scheduling condition is satisfied, the computer system may assign a second set of control parameters to the respective client devices and instruct the client devices to generate and send respective multiple subsequent requests according to the second set of control parameters to cause a modification of the request characteristic(s).

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus are described providing networking engines. Specifically, the present specification relates to a method for implementing software containers implementing network engines that may be configured to act in a zero-knowledge environment. In such implementations, all information pertaining to the network engine associated with a user that is stored in the container is solely that of a user unless explicitly shared by the user. In some implementations, the containers may be configured to participate in a publish-and-subscribe network in order to share information. In addition, the containers may be provisioned with controls so that global operators may comply with local privacy rules.

Abstract: Various methods, apparatuses/systems, and media for generating a two-dimensional selectable user experience (UX) element are disclosed. A client device having a graphical user interface (GUI) for receiving user input is configured to run interface applications. The client device is coupled with one or more server devices via a communication network. The one or more server devices provides user interface (UI) metadata. A processor causes a receiver to receive the UI metadata from the one or more server devices; generates, at the client device, a two-dimensional (2D) selectable user experience (UX) element based on the received UI metadata; receives a single action user input to select a single desired field, which conveys two desired actions, from the 2D selectable UX element; and executes the two desired actions based on the selected single desired field from the 2D selectable UX element.

Abstract: A DACD for controlling access to data resources in a high latency network is provided. The DACD includes a high latency network interface for connecting with a remote network, and a local network interface for connecting with a local network. Communications with the local network have a lower latency than communications with the remote network. The DACD is programmed to receive using the local network interface a request including a resource identifier that identifies a data resource which may be safely accessed by at most one server device at a time, query an activation database on the local network with the resource identifier to determine that the resource identifier is in a deactivated status, broadcast using the high latency network interface a broadcast request that includes the resource identifier, and update the activation status for the resource identifier in the database to an activated status for the local network.

Abstract: A client node may execute an application that communicates with a first messaging service component of a first broker node in a server segment and a second messaging service component of a second broker node in the server segment. A load balancing component is coupled to the client node, and a first virtual provider entity for the first messaging service component is coupled to the load balancing component. The first virtual provider entity may represent a first HA message broker pair, including: (i) a first leader message broker entity, and (ii) a first follower message broker entity to take control when there is a problem with the first leader message broker entity. A shared database is accessible by the first broker node, the first HA message broker pair, and the second broker node, and includes an administration registry data store.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods for adaptive compression of stored information includes a memory management computing device programmed to monitor a size of a plurality of data structures stored in a data repository. The computing device compares the size of each of a plurality of data structures to a predetermined threshold. When a size of an uncompressed data structure meets the threshold, the memory management computing device calculates a value of a first compression parameter based on a value of a first parameter and a value of a second parameter of each data element of the uncompressed data structure, calculates a value of a second compression parameter based the value of the first parameter of each data element of the uncompressed data structure, generates a compressed data structure based on the value of the first compression parameter and the second compression parameter; and replaces, in the data repository, the uncompressed data structure with the compressed data structure.

Abstract: A MIPI CSI-2/D-PHY receiving device is configured to handle being hot plugged to MIPI CSI-2/D-PHY transmitting device. During a hot plugging event, the MIPI CSI-2/D-PHY receiving device has not been initialized by receipt from the MIPI CSI-2/D-PHY transmitting device of a Stop State signal of duration TINIT. Though the MIPI CSI-2/D-PHY transmitting device is already transmitting data associated with a partial frame, the MIPI CSI-2/D-PHY receiving device will not enter into an error or unknown state, and will ignore line start/end and frame end events and drop the data packets associated with the partial frame until a frame start event corresponding to a full frame is received from the MIPI CSI-2/D-PHY transmitting device.

Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed herein.

Abstract: An electronic device is disclosed, including: a housing that is foldable, the housing including a front plate facing a first direction, a rear plate facing a second direction opposite the first direction, and a side member surrounding a space defined between the front plate and the rear plate, a display having one surface visible through the front plate, and foldable with the front plate, a speaker disposed between the front plate and the rear plate, the speaker movable with a folding of the front plate, and a resonance space defined between the speaker and the rear plate, a size of the resonance space changeable according to the folding of the front plate.

Abstract: Various embodiments relate to an electronic device including a button and a method for an operation in the electronic device. The electronic device may include: an elongated housing comprising a first end and a second end; a dielectric tip disposed at the first end; a button arranged on an outer surface of the housing; a first circuit connected to the dielectric tip and configured to receive a first electromagnetic signal from a touchscreen display of an external device and to transmit a second electromagnetic signal to the display of the external device; a second circuit configured to wirelessly receive and transmit a third signal; and a control circuit operatively connected to the first circuit and the second circuit.

Abstract: A method for establishing a communication connection and related products are provided. The method is applicable to a terminal. The terminal is in communication connection with a first earphone of wireless earphones. The first earphone is in communication connection with a second earphone of the wireless earphones. The method includes the following. A first distance between the terminal and the first earphone, a second distance between the terminal and the second earphone, and a third distance between the first earphone and the second earphone are determined. The communication connection between the terminal and the first earphone is disconnected when the first distance is greater than the second distance and the third distance is greater than or equal to a first threshold value. A communication connection between the terminal and the second earphone is established.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an electronic device presents user interfaces of the application store that are specific to a respective application. In some embodiments, an electronic device presents application store user interfaces that include information about applications in a respective category. In some embodiments, an electronic device presents application store user interfaces for accessing a respective category of applications. In some embodiments, an electronic device presents a visual indication of a number of application updates that are available in an application store user interface. In some embodiments, an electronic device presents user interfaces for launching and removing a respective application. In some embodiments, an electronic device presents user interfaces of a generic application store and a dedicated application store for a respective category of applications. In some embodiments, an electronic device presents notifications of the completion of a download.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a page control method and apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium, and pertains to the technical field of application software. The method includes detecting an operation of a user on a current page of an application, displaying a label of each of at least one history page visited by the user, in response to detecting that the user triggers a page selection function, and jumping to a page corresponding to a label selected by the user from the current page, in response to detecting that the operation of the user is to select the label.

Abstract: A provider computing system provides a mobile banking application to a user mobile device. The mobile banking application is configured to activate a contextual provider location mode when the user enters a provider location. The contextual provider location mode presents a plurality of modifications to both appearance and operation of the mobile banking application. Each modification is in response to an analysis performed by a context circuit of the mobile banking application. The modifications serve to facilitate the user's experience at the provider, enabling the user to perform their intended tasks in an easier more efficient manner. Additional data pertaining to the user's tasks and behavior are further categorized and transmitted back to the provider, enabling further accuracy and improvements during subsequent visits.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses a method for preventing a SIP device from being attacked, a calling device, and a called device, belonging to the field of network security. The present disclosure provides a method including: generating, by a calling device and a called device, the same public password, and transmitting, by the calling device, a connection request to the called device; performing, by the called device, header field verification on the connection request to verify whether a specified header field is carried in the connection request; performing, by the called device, device verification on the connection request; and performing, by the called device, identity verification on the connection request, and establishing, by the called device, a connection to the calling device. In this case, spoofing data is filtered out and the SIP device is not easily attacked, so that a user is free of disturbance.

Abstract: Methods and systems that include, by a client computing device of a first user of a social-networking system, receiving from the first user an identifier associated with an intended recipient to which outgoing communication is to be initiated, wherein the identifier is received via a user interface of an application, identifying, based on the intended recipient, social information relevant to the first user, and displaying, in the user interface, the social information that is relevant to the first user. The identifier may include a phone number or an email address of the intended recipient. The social information may include a name of the intended recipient, and/or a social-network profile of the intended recipient. The intended recipient may be a second user of the social-networking system, and the social information may be identified based on how many degrees of separation there are between the first user and the second user.

Abstract: A method for permitting unfamiliar call, applied to a communication device having a memory and a call-blocking app to provide an unfamiliar call, includes the steps of: configuring an area in the memory of the communication device as a storage unit; recording at least one password into a password-correlated table in the storage unit, each of the at least one password being related to a specific user of the communication device; as an unfamiliar call is received, asking a caller of the unfamiliar call to provide an answer for a trivial question immediately provided by the communication device; determining whether or not the answer matches any of the at least one password in the password-correlated table; forwarding the unfamiliar call to the user corresponding to the matched password listed in the password-correlated table if positive; and, blocking the unfamiliar call if negative.

Abstract: A disclosed method includes receiving data inputs for a plurality of events including alarms, sensors, and mobile device emergency call and emergency alert related emergency data; determining event correlations based on the data inputs to generate a set of correlated events; determining emergency network dispatch rules for each correlated event based on event type; applying corresponding emergency network dispatch rules to each corresponding correlated event; and sending a dispatch recommendation to an emergency network entity for each correlated event based on application of the corresponding emergency network dispatch rules.

Abstract: Techniques for data matching in a contact center system are disclosed. In one particular embodiment, the techniques may be realized as a method for data matching in a contact center system comprising determining, by at least one computer processor communicatively coupled to and configured to operate in the contact center system, an interaction event time associated with a historical contact interaction; determining, by the at least one computer processor, an outcome event time associated with a historical contact interaction outcome; analyzing, by the at least one computer processor, the interaction event time and the outcome event time to determine a correlation; and matching, by the at least one computer processor, the historical contact interaction with the historical contact interaction outcome based on the correlation.

Abstract: A computerized method of routing customer interactions (call and chats) includes the following steps performed by a server computing device: creating a database with a document for every agent with a set of attributes identifying the types of customer interactions they service, receiving a set of call attributes associated with an incoming call; formulating a query of the call attributes against all agent profiles and returning a matching score for all available agents using Elastic Search; and routing the incoming call to a target agent with the highest score in the set of available agents, if there is at least one available agent; or a customer waiting queue, if there is no suitable agent achieving at least a minimum score.

Abstract: Briefly, a variety of embodiments, including the following, are described: a system embodiment and methods that allow random access to voice messages, in contrast to sequential access in existing system embodiments; a system embodiment and methods that allow for the optional use of voice recognition to enhance usability; and a system embodiment and methods that apply to the area of voicemail.