Abstract: A communications system includes a stationary unit, a mobile unit, and a proxy server. The stationary unit is adapted to send and receive messages. The mobile unit is adapted to establish a communication link with the stationary unit, and the mobile unit is also adapted to send and receive messages. The proxy server is adapted to route messages to one of the stationary unit and the mobile unit based on a status of the communication link between the stationary unit and the mobile unit. A method for routing messages includes monitoring the status of a communication link between a mobile unit and a stationary unit. A message is received and routed to one of the stationary unit and the mobile unit based on the status of the communication link.

Abstract: A method and system for processing messages in a unified messaging system. In particular, the system enables legacy e-mail, voice mail and facsimile systems to be integrated with a unified messaging system. The system includes a filter or mechanism which enables the user to filter certain message attributes such as the identification of the sender, recipient or the subject header or the message type to enable messages to be processed in accordance with the recipients wishes.

Abstract: Automated call booking, call reconnection and diary booking services are described with reference to an intelligent network. The network comprising service switching points (SSP) and a service control point (SCP) includes a number of intelligent peripherals (IP) arranged to provide services to users. On receipt of an access code from a telephone line, the SSP refers the request to the SCP which directs connection of IPs to obtain instructions from the user. In one case, the user can pre-book an automated telephone conference call at specified date and time (or at regularly recurring intervals). An alternative service enables a user to request reconnection of a call currently in progress at a specified later time or after a predetermined period. A voice record and replay facility enable useful alarm call information to be stored.

Abstract: A calling party dials a called party, a no-answer status is received, and the called number is automatically redialed at intervals until receiving an answer status or reaching a maximum limit. Prompting a user for redial options may be included. A called party may be requested to select connection before the call is connected to the calling party.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a point-to-point-to-point telephone connection between a remote telephone and a desired called telephone. The method and apparatus use a two-line base telephone unit, e.g., a home or office telephone, as an intermediary point in the telephone call to reduce long distance rates and/or to utilize features and/or information stored in the base telephone unit when the user is away from the home or office. In a first embodiment, the remote telephone makes a local call to the base telephone unit and instructs the base telephone unit to establish a telephone call with, and interconnect the remote telephone to, a called third party. In a second embodiment, the remote telephone makes a quick call to the base telephone unit instructing the base telephone unit to establish and interconnect both a telephone call back to the remote telephone and a second telephone call to the desired called telephone.

Abstract: An arrived call receiving system including a caller's number automatic recognition unit for extracting and recognizing a phone number included in an arrived call, an automatic answering unit for confirming by the caller whether the recognized phone number is correct and recognizing a reply from the caller, as well as conducting necessary processing according to the contents of the recognized reply, a caller's information storage unit and a caller's information data base for storing the phone number of the caller obtained by the caller's number automatic recognition unit, and a caller automatic call-up unit for reading the phone number of the caller stored in the caller's information data base to automatically call up the caller according to instructions of an operator.

Abstract: An arrangement is provided for enhancing the operational capabilities of a call center by automatically detecting when an agent is available. When an agent answers a routed call, corresponding to a call-back request, the agent enters an agent ID, representing the agent. The entered agent ID is encoded into DTMF tones. A telephony server detects the DTMF tones.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enabling provision of a call return service is disclosed. The apparatus utilizes a method of generating telephone numbers from voice messages. The method includes the step of using speech recognition to isolate a spoken number in a voice message, and confirming to a high degree of accuracy that the spoken number represents a telephone number. The method further includes the step of converting the spoken number into a data sequence representing the telephone number. This data sequence is then made available for immediate or later use.

Abstract: The present invention is a system and method for continuing a telephone call placed by a caller to a call center in a telecommunications network. When a caller attempts to make a call to a call center that is unavailable, the system obtains callback information for the caller including a telephone number where the caller can be reached. The call is then ended. When the call center is again available, the system continues the call by placing a call to the caller at said telephone number, placing a call to the destination, and joining the two calls.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and an apparatus for placing a caller into telecommunication with a subscriber. A call from the caller, directed to the subscriber, is detected and, in response thereto, a page is initiated to the subscriber and at the same time a forward leg call is initiated to a stored telephone address. If the call on the forward leg is answered, the party answering that call is placed in telecommunication with the caller. A call from the subscriber is also detected the subscriber is placed in telecommunication with the caller together with any party on a forward leg call.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for providing call subject information to a called party. A call subject platform receives a call from a calling party. The call subject platform prompts the calling party to provide call subject information. If call subject information is received at the call subject platform from the calling party, then the call subject platform sends at least part of the call subject information to the called party. The call subject platform then determines if the called party desires to communicate with the calling party.

Abstract: Apparatus and processes of operating a telephone answering device (TAD) to record a message from a third party caller who calls when a first telephone line connected to the TAD is busy when the third party calls. After the third party hangs up, the automatic third party callback module calls the third party back based on a telephone number obtained from call related information, e.g., Caller ID information. The TAD may alternatively or additionally automatically answer selected third party callers to a second telephone line of the TAD possibly based on a match between call related information with respect to the third party caller, e.g., Caller ID, and pre-entered telephone numbers of those the user desires to have the TAD automatically answer when busy on the first telephone line.

Abstract: A telephone line status notification system including at least one telephone line having a status, a communications network, at least one communications terminal which is connectable to the communications network and which is employable by a seeking user to communicate via the communications network a status request concerning the status of the at least one telephone line, apparatus for processing the status request the apparatus for processing is connectable to the communications network for receiving the status request from the seeking user therethrough and communicating the request, and apparatus for acquiring the status of the at least one telephone line, the apparatus for acquiring is in communication with the apparatus for processing for receiving the status request therefrom, and the apparatus for acquiring is connectable to the communications network for communicating the status via the communications network.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for secured redialing in a telephone is disclosed. The redial feature is made secure by establishing a prescribed time for storing in memory a last number dialed. Once the prescribed time has elapsed, the number is erased from the telephone memory. The apparatus and method can also prevent storing in memory the last dialed number.

Abstract: The invention discloses a method and system for processing a telephone call to an on-line subscriber, when the subscriber telephone line is busy as a result of the on-line connection. The incoming call is forwarded to a server, where the calling station is given an option to leave a recorded message and particulars of the call (date and time) and calling station (telephone number and caller identification) are stored in a call-back list server. The system sends an alerting message to the data terminal of the on-line subscriber, where an icon, representing calls stored in the call-back list, is displayed to the subscriber. The subscriber may review particulars of calls stored in the call-back list and may return calls while remaining on-line using Internet telephony, or by other means, such as a TAPI interface. The subscriber may also review or retrieve stored messages in the voice-mail server while remaining on-line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatic callback used in an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN). The system is particularly useful in the Personal Computer (PC) environment for guaranteed use of the next available channel to one of the modems of an Internet Services Provider (ISP). This invention makes use of the existing Automatic Call Back (ACB) feature designed for voice calls, to PC modem dial-up calls. In a specific example, the apparatus, that can be in the form of an Service Control Point (SCP) keeps in a table entries of unsuccessful communication attempts between modems and a called party, such as an ISP, as a result of a busy line condition on the ISP side. When the busy line condition ceases, the SCP issues the necessary control signals in the network to cause the Service Switching Point servicing a modem to notify the modem to re-dial. When the modem goes off-hook, the SSP applies dial tone. The modem that is invited to re-try establishing a communication attempt is selected from the table in the SCP.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing easy access to a service provider that provides service over a communications system. In accordance with the present invention, a caller that wishes to gains access to the service provider simply needs to make a single call to a so-called queuing system, and hang up. The queuing system obtains information regarding the caller such as the caller's name, address and phone number, makes a connection with the service provider, calls-back the caller when the connection is made, and connects the caller to the service provider through the connection. The caller is thereby connected to the service provider without having to spend a substantial amount of his/her free time making calls. This is particularly advantageous when the service provider is popular or oversubscribed (e.g. a service that provides Super Bowl tickets).

Abstract: A method and system for processing a variety of outbound service calls initiated by a network adjunct platform (NAP) over a Small Scale Adjunct Primary Rate Interface (SSA PRI) in a telecommunications network on a call by call basis is disclosed. A outbound service subscriber triggers the NAP to initiate the desired outbound service call. The outbound service call may include, for example, a software defined network call (SDN), an AT&T Digital Link (ADL) call, or a Megacom call or other such suitable outbound service call. The NAP forwards set-up data based on the type of call desired to an originating toll switch (OTS) programmed to accept the set-up data from the NAP. After receipt of the set-up data, the OTS determines if the forwarded set-up data classifies the call as an outbound service call. If the forwarded set-up data contains outbound service parameters, the originating toll switch processes and routes the call initiated by the NAP as the appropriate outbound service call.