At Switching Facility (e.g., Central Office, Switchboard) Patents (Class 379/84)
  • Patent number: 10687188
    Abstract: Techniques for providing mobile device content delivery acceleration for mobile applications are discussed herein. Some embodiments may provide for a mobile accelerator system including a plurality of point-of-presences (POPs) and a control tower system. The control tower system may be configured to control mobile data transfer acceleration between a mobile device and the content server via the plurality of POPs of the mobile accelerator system. Each mobile application executing on the mobile device may be registered, validated, and then associated with a device POP that forms a dedicated connection with an entry POP of the plurality of POPs. Mobile data transfer acceleration for each mobile application may be selectively activated or deactivated, such as based on user configurations at the application level, domain name level, and/or country level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: CLOUDFLARE, INC.
    Inventors: Jeff Sesung Kim, Junho Choi, Sang Jo Lee, Young Keun Park, Tianyu Shi
  • Patent number: 9025743
    Abstract: A system and method for processing quick note messages. A call from a calling party is intercepted prior to transmitting the call to the receiving telephone and prior to ringing the receiving telephone. A quick note message from the calling party is recorded. A quick note message waiting indicator is activated on the receiving telephone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2015
    Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: David E. Rondeau, Don L. Briscoe, David Emerson
  • Patent number: 8611276
    Abstract: A method and system for providing desired media when a Push-To-Talk (PTT) over Cellular (PoC) User Equipment (UE) retrieves media information stored in a PoC box and requests a desired media transmission in a PoC system. In the PoC system, the PoC UE sends, to the PoC box, a request for media information stored in the PoC box to receive media stored in the PoC box. When receiving the media information request, the PoC box sends the stored media information to the PoC UE. The PoC UE selects desired media using the received media information and requests a PoC box media transmission. The PoC box sends the requested media to the PoC UE.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Sung-Jin Park, Wuk Kim, Sang-Kyung Sung, Ji-Hye Lee
  • Patent number: 8341661
    Abstract: The present invention relates to system and method of reading and rewriting EDID in a video transmission system includes a transmitter transmitting a video signal and a receiver receiving the video signal that the transmitter transmitted which are connected to each other through digital interface, the method includes a reading step where the transmitter reads the EDID of the receiver through the digital interface; a first transmitting step where the transmitter transmit the video signal to the receiver on the basis of the EDID which the transmitter read; a second transmitting step where the receiver transmits a first message related to the EDID of the receiver; and a third transmitting step where the receiver transmits a second message related to the EDID of the receiver; wherein the transmitter, which received the first message from the receiver, does not read the EDID of the receiver until the second message is received.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignees: Hitachi Consumer Electronics Co., Ltd., Toshiba Corporation
    Inventors: Nobuaki Kabuto, Takashi Doi, Hideki Ohkita, Masahiko Mawatari
  • Patent number: 8280014
    Abstract: A system and method for associating an audio clip with an object is provided wherein the voice-based system, such as a voicemail system, is used to record the audio clips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: VoiceCaptionIt, Inc.
    Inventors: Jarold Bowerman, David Mancini
  • Patent number: 8194845
    Abstract: A telephone and voice mail (voice processing) system is implemented using only a single processing means for controlling operations of both the telephone system and the voice mail system. The single processing means communicates with a hard disk, which stores programs for running the various operations of the system, voice prompts and all voice mail messages. The single processing means is coupled to signal processing circuitry, which emulates analog electronics that would be used for filters, tone decoder, generators, etc. The single processing means and signal processing circuitry are coupled to central office lines and station lines by a digital cross-point matrix, which can connect any voice path to another voice path. The system integrates call processing and voice processing into one system controlled by one set of software and a single processing means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2012
    Assignee: Estech Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Harold E. A. Hansen, Eric Suder
  • Patent number: 8180381
    Abstract: A method and system for reducing an amount of traffic on a paging channel of a wireless communications system by holding a pending page message until a subsequent re-registration request and response cycle scheduled to occur within a threshold amount of time. A radio access network (RAN) may be configured to determine whether an amount of time to a next scheduled re-registration request and response cycle is less than a threshold amount. If the amount of time is less than the threshold amount, the RAN may delay transmission of the pending page message until the next re-registration request and response cycle. By sending the pending page message in a response to a scheduled re-registration request, or by sending the pending page as the response to a received re-registration request, the amount of traffic on the paging channel of the wireless communications system may be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Manoj Shetty, Sachin Vargantwar, Bhagwan Khanka, Deveshkumar Rai
  • Patent number: 8180024
    Abstract: In the present invention, a caller is presented with the state of the call as detected by the network, along with a number of potential options, such as: request sequential or parallel call notification to one or more other stations; end the call but leave a voicemail for the caller even if the called party does not subscribe to voicemail; end the call but leave a text message for the caller if the station is capable of receiving the text message; send a text or voice message as e-mail to the called party, if the called party permits such a service; request the network to leave a missed call notification along with a number to dial back; request to notify the caller when the original called party is idle or willing to accept a call; or any number of other options the service provider is capable of supporting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (publ)
    Inventor: Babu Mani
  • Patent number: 8045957
    Abstract: Embodiments may comprise hardware and/or code within a cellular phone to process data related to charges for a call to indicate the charges to the user. In some embodiments, the charges may be presented in the form of an icon. The icon may indicate whether or not charges apply to the call, a range of charges, and/or a rate of charge. Further embodiments may display characters describing conditional charges for a call. In still further embodiments, the charges for a call may be indicated by an audible alert such as a volume, frequency, pattern of frequencies, or a voice generated. Embodiments may also include hardware and/or code of a cellular phone server such as an MTSO to gather and transmit account information to a cellular phone (or apparatus with similar functionality such as a mobile broadband card).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2011
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Hung T. Dinh, Teng Hu, Dinh T. Le, Phong A. Pham
  • Patent number: 8019056
    Abstract: As apparatus for responding silently to incoming calls in a communication system. Such an apparatus provides the capability to respond to incoming calls in the communication system which could be, for example, a telephone system, for those cases necessitating minimal disruptions such as wherein the telephone user receiving the call is in a meeting or other group situation. With the system disclosed herein, the telephone user can respond to the caller immediately with pre-recorded responses. Special responses can be pre-recorder for special situations or special callers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2011
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Christopher Scott Worley, Robert D. Gardner
  • Patent number: 7769364
    Abstract: A cellular telephone handset stores audio files previously recorded by the user as well as voice mail messages from other users and selectively transmitted selected ones of these files to the remote listener, or to the voice mail system of a remote user. Voice mail messages are composed, stored, transmitted, forwarded and reviewed using a voice mail system without ringing the remote party's telephone, much as email is composed, stored, transmitted and reviewed using an email server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2010
    Inventors: James D. Logan, Caren Thornburgh-Logan
  • Patent number: 7684383
    Abstract: A method and system for dynamic call type detection for circuit and packet-switched networks. A network endpoint, such as a gateway, will receive an incoming signal and make an examination of the signal to detect characteristics of the signal. Upon detection of a characteristic of the signal, the gateway will generate a data packet, identifying the characteristic, and send the packet to a receiving network endpoint. The initial gateway will continue to examine the incoming signal and continue to send packets identifying characteristics of the signal as more characteristics are detected. The receiving gateway may then begin reproducing the signal in part by generating a signal that has the characteristics as indicated by the data packets. Once the initial gateway no longer receives the incoming signal, and determines that an event has occurred, the gateway will send a packet to the receiving gateway to inform it of the event.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: 3Com Corporation
    Inventors: Leland Otis Thompson, Michael G. Nicholas, Tejal S. Patel
  • Patent number: 7587041
    Abstract: Systems and methods for analyzing communications of a contact center are provided. A representative system incorporates a graphical user interface operative to display information corresponding to a communication of the contact center, the graphical user interface being configured to display the information such that different portions of the communication are visually distinguished from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2009
    Assignee: Verint Americas Inc.
    Inventor: Christopher Douglas Blair
  • Patent number: 7424098
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer program products, and methods of doing business by selectably mixing one or more sound files with a telephone caller's voice message, either as background for that message or embedded within the message. Or, the mixing may occur within a telephone conversation between parties. The disclosed techniques enable alleviating some of the problems that result from distance communication (as contrasted to face-to-face communication). In particular, context information (such as emotional context) can be provided through appropriate use of background sound and/or embedded audio files. The disclosed techniques may also make communication through voice mail exchange more enjoyable and/or increase its productivity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2008
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Renee M. Kovales, Edith H. Stern, Barry E. Willner
  • Patent number: 7406158
    Abstract: A centralized recorded announcement unit shared by multiple end offices on a public switched telephone network stores announcements in digital files. When a call is received at a switch and an announcement is required, the announcement is played to the caller by an announcement device if the particular announcement file is stored locally. If the announcement is not stored locally, a request is sent to the centralized recorded announcement unit to retrieve the announcement file and play the announcement to the caller. Both the request and the announcement file are sent via a packed-switched network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: AT&T Knowledge Ventures, L.P.
    Inventors: Robert Lowmaster, Sidney L. Underwood
  • Patent number: 7353256
    Abstract: Transmission of messages composed on one or more input devices to a single or multiple recipients by means of one or plural communication modes is facilitated. Such communication modes may include conventional or wireless telephone, facsimile transmission, pager, e-mail, postal mail or courier. An application program interface (API) mediates between remote applications requesting messaging functions and a message server that actually implements these functions. The API is capable of processing high-volume requests for message routing, status information, and various other functions on an automated basis, enabling businesses to make routine use of these functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2008
    Assignee: Varolii Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey Delaney, William H. Kirtley, Robert Kuszewski, John Andrew Lash, Robert Mathews, David Page, Martin Sarabura, Gregory Warden
  • Patent number: 7340246
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for transmitting information to a subscriber in a telephone system in connection with call establishment. In order to achieve more efficient transmission of information between the parties participating in the call establishment, a message designated for a predetermined subscriber or a group of subscribers is stored in a memory means, whereby in connection with the call establishment another party to the call establishment is identified, the message designated for the identified party is retrieved from the memory means, and said message is sent to the identified party in connection with the call establishment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Mikko Kanerva, Liisa Kuoppamäki
  • Patent number: 7013129
    Abstract: Apparatus and a method for establishing a cellular mobile call. If no radio traffic (voice or data) channels are available for a calling Mobile Station (MS), then a test is made to determine the expected wait time before a channel becomes available. If the expected wait time is less than a first threshold, then the call request is queued. If a channel does not become available before a second time threshold, then the caller is notified that the call has been queued and is expected to be established in a short time. A control message is sent to the MS to trigger an indication of the queued status to the user. The indication may be one or more tones, a data display, or the playing of a pre-recorded announcement. If the expected wait time is more than the first threshold, the caller is given the opportunity to be called back when a radio channel becomes available. Advantageously, the number of failed calls because of unavailable traffic channels is reduced, and the caller's annoyance level is reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 14, 2006
    Assignee: Lucent Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Goss, Jeffrey Ross Light, Chung-Zin Liu, Omar Hernando Salvador, Gitesh P. Shah, Mark Kevin Stockert, Kenneth Wayne Strom, Charles Varvaro, Randall Joe Wilson
  • Patent number: 6996090
    Abstract: A telephone installation includes an analogue telephone, an Internet connection terminal adapted to be connected to the Internet via a telephone network, and connecting means for connecting the telephone to the Internet connection terminal. The connecting means include switching circuits for connecting the telephone to the Internet connection terminal to enable the telephone to send and receive analogue format voice signals respectively to and from the telephone network. The installation also has means for receiving orders via the telephone network. The connecting means can be controlled by orders issued by a server to cause the telephone to be connected to the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2006
    Assignee: Alcatel
    Inventor: Martin De Loye
  • Patent number: 6982985
    Abstract: A communication system includes a switching network and a wireless network. The switching network includes a first gateway for receiving a communication from a caller, a second gateway for establishing an external connection through which the communication can be routed, and a command center that allows the first and second gateway to make an internal connection. The wireless network includes a visited mobile switch center and a home location register. The visited mobile switch center generates routing information, receives the communication from the external connection of the switching network, and routes the communication to a wireless network subscriber. The home location register locates the visited mobile switch center, and passes the routing information from the visited mobile switch center to the command center of the switching network. The command center causes the external connection to be established based on the routing information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2006
    Assignee: Verso Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Bohacek, David Sanders
  • Patent number: 6842772
    Abstract: Transmission of messages composed on one or more input devices to a single or multiple recipients by means of one or plural communication modes is facilitated. Such communication modes may include conventional or wireless telephone, facsimile transmission, pager, e-mail, postal mail or courier. An application program interface (API) mediates between remote applications requesting messaging functions and a message server that actually implements these functions. The API is capable of processing high-volume requests for message routing, status information, and various other functions on an automated basis, enabling businesses to make routine use of these functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2000
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: Envoy World Wide, Inc
    Inventors: Jeffrey Delaney, William H. Kirtley, Robert Kuszewski, John Andrew Lash, Robert Mathews, David Page, Martin Sarabura, Gregory Warden
  • Patent number: 6778660
    Abstract: An improved contact center is disclosed in which voice contacts may be processed by agents simultaneously by storing incoming voice and responding to it in near real time. The technique permits an agent at a contact center to process incoming voice contacts in near real time, but to simultaneously handle plural customers in a manner similar to that utilized in web chat applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Assignee: Concerto Software, Inc.
    Inventor: Laurence J. Fromm
  • Patent number: 6738458
    Abstract: Methods and systems are presented for changing the association of a mailbox from a first domain to a second domain in a messaging system that includes mailboxes organized into domains. Advantageously, the change is effected with only minor interruption to messaging services to the subscriber of the mailbox. With respect to a mailbox record including fields for mailbox name and for a list of other names, the new mailbox name is added to the list of other names and new corresponding names are added also to the list of other names. A change is made to the domain in the record for the mailbox in the table of incoming trunk configuration. After the change in the table, the new mailbox name and the new corresponding names are removed from the list of other names in the mailbox record. The old mailbox name is changed to the new mailbox name in the mailbox name field of the mailbox record. The old mailbox name is added to the list of other names.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2004
    Assignee: Bell South Intellectual Property Corporation
    Inventors: John E. Cline, Darrell Morgan, Joe H. Myers
  • Patent number: 6639972
    Abstract: A method for screening of an active voice mail message enables real time monitoring by a subscriber to the voice mail system of incoming calls. Once the identity of the subscriber is established, the subscriber is presented with the option of screening an incoming message. A subscriber desiring to screen the message responds by activating a predetermined key or sequence of keys to enter a listen-only mode for monitoring of the incoming message. The subscriber may then interrupt the message and take the call, continue listening to the incoming message, or terminate listen-only mode and simply permit the message to be stored for later retrieval.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Agere Systems Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph M. Cannon, Donald Alfred Fleck, James A. Johnason, Philip David Mooney
  • Publication number: 20030133560
    Abstract: The present disclosure describes a method comprising establishing a connection between a software communication channel and a media server, wherein the software communication channel is presented to the server as a media stream; transmitting to the media server a call object including a media handle; attaching a media application to the media handle; and establishing a connection between the media application and the software communication channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Publication date: July 17, 2003
    Inventor: Navindra Ramachandran
  • Patent number: 6574329
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an incoming call processing method for enabling immediate answering of the greatest possible number of incoming calls without generating unserviced phone calls, by determining whether to answer the incoming call immediately or to answer the incoming call at a later time at which the volume of incoming call traffic intensity is light. To this end, the method includes a call receiving step for causing an electronic exchanger to receive an incoming call, an incoming call acceptance step for determining whether to answer the incoming call received in the call receiving step immediately or to answer the incoming call at a later time at which the volume of incoming call traffic intensity is light, and an answer step for answering the incoming call according to the type of answer determined by the incoming call acceptance step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2003
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Tatsuyuki Takeuchi, Masataka Mukaihara
  • Patent number: 6567505
    Abstract: After a camp-on to a telephone B has been registered by a telephone A, when a callback is returned by detecting call termination of the telephone B, the callback can be temporarily released or the camp-on can be released by performing a release operation from a telephone D registered in the same group as the telephone A.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Wataru Omori, Junichi Wagatsuma, Mitsuhiro Sato, Kyoko Tanaka, Takahiro Shinagawa
  • Patent number: 6490346
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing a music-on-hold service to an originating subscriber requesting a call connection to a busy terminating subscriber in a key telephone system, using an external music-on-hold source coupled to a previously selected central office line port of a central office line circuit to provide a pre-recorded melody.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2002
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-Gyu Lee, Jeong-Woo Lee
  • Patent number: 6438215
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 29, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Ameritech Corporation
    Inventors: Julia Skladman, Robert J. Thornberry, Jr., Bruce A. Chatterley, Alexander Sio-Kay Ng, Bruce L. Peterson
  • Patent number: 6411707
    Abstract: In a circuit arrangement and method for announcement control, with a processing unit of a call distributor unit, announcements already forwarded to a caller as well as a current status of the announcement are determined and a called party is informed thereof. In response thereto, the called party can intentionally end the announcement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1998
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
    Inventor: Andreas Prey
  • Patent number: 6389552
    Abstract: By using advanced data communications transport methodology, remote electronic vaulting systems and methods provide a networked-based solution to facilitate the transportation of production data between the production data processing center and an off-site storage location. A local access network is used to facilitate data transport from the production data processing facility to the closest long-haul distance network point of presence facility. The point of presence facility houses an electronic storage device which provides the off-site storage capability. A user can then manipulate transportation to data from the production data processing center to the data storage facility using channel extension technology to store the data in electronic form on standard disk or tape storage devices. The user can then recall, copy or transmit the data anywhere on demand under user control by manipulating switching at the point of presence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1998
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2002
    Assignee: AT&T Corp
    Inventors: Bruce Hamilton, Douglas N. Weldon
  • Patent number: 6098076
    Abstract: AIN services include multiple SCP pairs, which can be expanded to meet increased demand. The expansion can occur without cessation in services by migrating records between SCP pairs while maintaining redundancy between the pairs. A centralized GTT maintains the GTTs distributed between multiple subsystems in the AIN system. Synchronization between mate SCPs within a pair occurs at high speed as the subscriber database is split into multiple files, each file having a separate synchronization process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2000
    Assignee: Alcatel USA Sourcing, L.P.
    Inventors: Thomas W. Rekieta, Chyuan-Meei Chen, Ketty E. Wang, Bihding Tung, Ding-Chyang Mao
  • Patent number: 6094475
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for controlling an automatic answering service in a base station unit even when the portable telephone is in a non-serviceable state. The apparatus includes a voice announcement message recorder/playback circuit for recording and playing back a voice announcement message that informs the caller that the portable telephone is in a non-serviceable state and requests the caller to leave a message. A caller message recorder/playback circuit records and plays back the caller's message. A controller checks the operation state of the portable telephone upon sensing an incoming call, causes the voice announcement message recorder/playback circuit to playback the voice announcement message to the caller when the portable telephone is in a non-serviceable state, and subsequently causes the caller message recorder/playback circuit to playback the caller's message to the portable telephone when the portable telephone is in a serviceable state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 25, 2000
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yoon-Sop Kang
  • Patent number: 5982858
    Abstract: The present invention describes as automatic voice messaging system for use in a telephone network having a calling station connectible to a first switch and a called station connectible to a second switch, with the first and second switches connected by a digital serial link. The voice messaging system preferably comprises an interface, a detection circuit, a speech circuit and a control circuit. The interface monitors signals on the digital serial link. The detection circuitry is connected to the interface for detecting busy or ring/no answer conditions at the called station upon call initiation to the called station from the calling station, and for detecting receipts of a predetermined code from the calling station indicating that the caller desires to leave a message from the called station. The speech circuit is also connected to the interface for issuing a predetermined prompt to a user of the calling station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: MessagePhone, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard E. Carter, Byron C. Pierce, Joel A. Pugh
  • Patent number: 5761276
    Abstract: A voice mail service apparatus directly registering mail numbers received from service users as a technique for designating the mail number of the service user facilitates accommodation of a larger number of service subscribers. This voice mail service uses a telephone exchange station for analyzing a concerned mail number and performing a call connection, when a voice mailing service is requested; a mail gateway for verifying the mail number which is analyzed in the telephone exchange station; a call distributor for analyzing a digit of the mail number which is verified in the mail gateway and inputted thereto, in order to sequentially distribute a call to a plurality of voice mailing units; and a server for checking whether the mail number is newly registered, in order to transmit registered information to the plurality of voice mailing units, the server being connected to the plurality of voice mailing units.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1996
    Date of Patent: June 2, 1998
    Assignee: SamSung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Soon-Bo Park
  • Patent number: 5745551
    Abstract: In the present telecommunication system, a wired network receives a plurality of voice signals and transmits them. A first communication device is connected to the wired network. The first communication device includes means for receiving the plurality of voice signals, a first storage means for storing the plurality of voice signals, a first playback means for retrieving a portion of the stored plurality of voice signals, and a first control means for controlling the first playback means to transmit the retrieved portion of voice signals. The portion of the stored plurality of voice signals which are retrieved are then placed onto a wireless network which is in communication with a plurality of portable units. Each of the portable units has capability of communicating with the wireless network for receiving the voice signals therefrom, for storing a received voice signal, and for playing back the stored voice signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: TCSI Corporation
    Inventors: Roger Strauch, Daniel H. Miller
  • Patent number: 5724406
    Abstract: A flexible, object-oriented call processor is employed in a wide range of messaging environments (e.g. voice messaging, facsimile mail, notification and electronic mail) to provide any number and type of messaging service. Call processing procedures can be changed or adapted to provide a new or different messaging service without rewriting large amounts of software or redesigning the messaging system. Various call processing primitives are established to perform various call processing services in a messaging application, with each to primitive performing a single operation. Sets of parameters are also defined for different types of call processing services and different subscribers. A service state table corresponding to a sequence of logical states is set up to provide the requested call processing service. Once a requested call processing service is identified in response to a subscriber call, the call processor executes the service logic in the corresponding service state table.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 3, 1998
    Assignee: Ericsson Messaging Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Bernard G. Juster
  • Patent number: 5699411
    Abstract: A hardware add-on including an interface to external I/O, a voice processor, and a micro-controller along with a terminate and stay resident program allow a digital dictation and voice mail system to run transparently on a PC operating under DOS. A hardware DTMF transceiver and software template files which equate strings representing DTMF tone signals to DOS commands permits dictation through a touch-tone phone. Voice sampling and playback speed are controlled with a reference signal and a feedback loop to an oscillator controlling the sampling rate of the voice processor. Dictation, template, and message files are DOS formatted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 16, 1997
    Assignees: BCB Technologies Inc., Robert Cook
    Inventors: Dirk K. Becker, Robert H. Cook
  • Patent number: 5694456
    Abstract: The present invention describes an automatic voice messaging system for use in a telephone network having a calling station connectible to a first switch and a called station connectible to a second switch, with the first and second switches connected by a digital serial link. The voice messaging system preferably comprises an interface, a detection circuit, a speech circuit and a control circuit. The interface monitors signals on the digital serial link. The detection circuitry is connected to the interface for detecting busy or ring/no answer conditions at the called station upon call initiation to the called station from the calling station, and for detecting receipt of a predetermined code from the calling station indicating that the caller desires to leave a message for the called station. The speech circuit is also connected to the interface for issuing a predetermined prompt to a user of the calling station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: MessagerPartners
    Inventors: Howard E. Carter, Joel A. Pugh, Byron C. Pierce
  • Patent number: 5652784
    Abstract: A telephone advertising service provides a short advertising message through a telephone receiver as a telephone call is initiated. The advertising message is stopped after a predetermined run time, and an invitation-to-dial tone is added. The advertising message is stopped when a subscriber starts to dial numbers. The method provides the advertising messages in lieu of invitation-to-dial tones. Differentiated subscribers are individually provided with distinct advertising messages. Subscribers are distinguished by characteristics of exchange number, monthly call volume, call type, geographical location and time of day. The advertising messages are provided by a message system rack connected to a digital or analog telephone exchange. Each rack has plural message recorders and plural cards connected to multiple users. Software controls a connection network. Subscriber lines are sampled to sense when a call is being initiated and to signal to a controller that a telephone call is being initiated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 29, 1997
    Assignee: Publitel Internacional, S.A.
    Inventors: Georgina Borbon Blen, Randolph H. Steinvorth
  • Patent number: 5646980
    Abstract: The present invention describes an automatic voice messaging system for use in a telephone network having a calling station connectible to a first switch and a called station connectible to a second switch, with the first and second switches connected by a digital serial link. The voice messaging system preferably comprises an interface, a detection circuit, a speech circuit and a control circuit. The interface monitors signals on the digital serial link. The detection circuitry is connected to the interface for detecting busy or ring/no answer conditions at the called station upon call initiation to the called station from the calling station, and for detecting receipt of a predetermined code from the calling station indicating that the caller desires to leave a message for the called station. The speech circuit is also connected to the interface for issuing a predetermined prompt to a user of the calling station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: MessagerPartners
    Inventors: Howard E. Carter, Byron C. Pierce, Joel A. Pugh
  • Patent number: 5646982
    Abstract: A message delivery sequence coordinates the scheduling and delivery of messages. When a user desires to send a message, the user contacts the message delivery system. An automated voice response unit prompts the user for message delivery information, including a delivery time and other delivery options and also prompts the user for the message itself. The message is stored in a message database and an access record corresponding to the message and containing message delivery information is stored in an access database. A delivery time is determined for the message and an event is stored in a scheduling database indicating the delivery time. At the scheduled delivery time, the message delivery system instructs a network control processor to start delivery of the message. The network control processor notifies the automated voice response unit that the message is to be delivered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: LinkUSA Corporation
    Inventors: Steven J. Hogan, Kristi T. Feltz, Douglas R. Murdock, Roy A. Rhodes, Keith E. Smith, Todd A. Goodman
  • Patent number: 5625675
    Abstract: The voice mail system includes a voice mail exchanger and a mail server. A voice mail communication between a telephone and a terminal device, such as a client computer, is registered in a LAN based multi-media mail box. A PBX based voice mail apparatus and a LAN based multi-media mail system are integrated such that voice information can be commonly used and reused.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1997
    Assignee: Hitachi, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ikuko Katsumaru, Junji Fukuzawa, Masato Terada, Osamu Takada
  • Patent number: 5550899
    Abstract: A long distance telephone switching system is adapted to provide various enhanced subscriber services, such as an audio news and information service, conference calling, voice messaging, message storage and forwarding, and speed dialing, in addition to conventional long distance calling. Additional improvements include the use of pre-recorded opening and closing scripts to facilitate the handling of operator-assisted calls, the retrieval of stored subscriber billing data prior to each call reorigination in order to detect instances of possible abuse, and the concatenation of subscriber-input authorization codes with access number data to allow the use of shorter authorization codes by the subscribers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation
    Inventors: Clark E. McLeod, Steven J. Hogan, Kristi T. Feltz, Douglas R. Murdock, Van E. Hanson
  • Patent number: 5539809
    Abstract: When one party places a long distance call to another party through a telephone network, there is a delay in completing the call after the calling party enters the telephone number of the called party. During this holding time, a message specific to the geographic location of the called party is synthesized in light of information gleaned from the dialed telephone number and delivered to the calling party. The message may include an identification of the location of the called party, the time of day and date where the called party is located, news, weather, or other location specific information. The message may also include advertising information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1996
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Daniel J. Mayer, Carol A. Wegrzynowicz
  • Patent number: 5535263
    Abstract: A method for recording subscriber specific messages in a telephone call for use in telephone services, particularly, for use in cooperation with an AIN Service Switching Point (SSP), an AIN Service Control Point (SCP) and an Intelligent Peripheral (IP). A CallInfoToResource message is generated at the AIN SCP for receipt by the SSP and the IP. The message instructs the SPP to establish a connection to the IP and further instructs the IP to record a subscriber message. The SSP generates a PRIFACILITY message which is directed for receipt by the IP and instructs the same to play an announcement and begin recording. Thereafter, an announcement is played at the IP which instructs the subscriber to begin speaking. The subscriber's message is recorded and a release message is generated at the SSP for receipt by the IP. The release message instructs the IP to tear down the call. A ResourceClear message is thereafter generated at the SSP for receipt by the SCP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: U S West Technologies, Inc.
    Inventor: Mark S. Blumhardt
  • Patent number: 5535262
    Abstract: An electronic private branch exchange system with a message recording function comprises a private branch exchange with at least one office line and a plurality of extensions for selectively switching between the office line and the extensions and between the extensions, extension telephones connected to the extensions, and a recording unit for recording and reproducing speech transmitted and received by the extension telephones, wherein each of the extension telephones includes request input means for inputting desired requests including requests for recording and reproducing speech related to its own call, and request informing means for informing the electronic private branch exchange of the contents of the request inputted from the request input means, and the electronic private branch exchange includes recording management control means for providing control of the recording unit according to the contents of the request, the control including the recording and reproducing of the contents of speech, when
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Sinichi Kanzawa
  • Patent number: 5519874
    Abstract: A subscriber terminal service system, which has a switchboard connected to a plurality of subscriber terminals and a computer connected with the switchboard and executes services to subscribers, has the functions of setting a flag indicative of the possibility/impossibility of the execution of an application on the basis of a message sent from the computer, referring to the flag in response to a service request sent from the subscriber terminal to determine whether or not the execution of the requested application should be permitted, sending a control message to the switchboard when the condition of possibility/impossibility of the execution of an application on the computer, and changing the content of the flag in the switchboard on the basis of the control message. The start or stop of any application executed in the computer is made through a console device connected with the computer or by a scheduler provided in the computer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 21, 1996
    Assignees: Hitachi, Ltd., Hitachi Microcomputer System, Ltd.
    Inventors: Junko Yamagishi, Takuo Tsuzuki, Noboru Mizuhara, Tetsuo Sakuma, Tomoaki Tsunoda
  • Patent number: 5515422
    Abstract: An automated attendant service supports any combination of single-line telephones, CENTREX telephones and one or more PBX in a single logical configuration. Multiple access numbers can be used to call the automated service and calls forwarded from DID lines can also be handled. The appropriate transfer codes are determined for the switch connecting a caller to the automated attendant service. Subscribers to the automated attendant service may be connected via different types of switches using different call progress signals. Analysis of the call progress signals is performed using parameters specific to the switch used for each call to an extension. The types of transfers supported by the automated attendant service include screened calls in which the caller is prompted to give a name provided identification. The name given by the caller may be stored, together with the time of the call and the phone number of the caller, so that a subscriber may return calls even if the caller does not leave a message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: Boston Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Patrick J. MeLampy, Christopher R. Sklarin, Scott A. Jones
  • Patent number: RE37073
    Abstract: A system and method of answering incoming calls are disclosed in which, if the resource (18)(19) desired by the caller is not then available, a robot controller (14) will inform the caller when a call back to the caller can be made. The callback time can be suggested by the robot controller (14) or the caller can request a specific callback time. The robot controller (14) ascertains and verifies the caller's call back identity and stores the number of the identity in a callback queue (11) along with such other pertinent information as the callback time, the caller's name and the required resource. At the appropriate time, the robot controller (14) removes the information from the callback queue (11), places the call and connects the desired resource (18)(19).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: InterVoice Limited Partnership
    Inventor: Daniel D. Hammond