Abstract: A system having a postcard having a thickness not to exceed 5.5 mm while containing an audio message for playback and a power supply, the system also having a base recording unit for recording a message to the postcard when the postcard is inserted into the base recording unit. The base recording unit has no power supply and draws power from the power supply on the postcard. The postcard is suitable for mailing using the postal service. The unit for recording is compact, has no power supply, is easily portable and is attractive. The card has a play-back button, a compact battery power source to drive play-back and recording of audio messages. The postcard is absent a record button allowing the postcard with an audio message to be sent through the postal system without the risk of accidental erasure of the recorded message. The card may be recorded and re-recorded when placed in the recording unit. The card contains an audio board that has an IC chip having memory for storing an audio message.

Abstract: An audio message recording and playback system including a recorder-imprinter device, a self-contained voice module for playback of an audio message and a number of input devices for initially recording the audio message to the recorder-imprinter device.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for storing received voicemail messages to alternate storage locations. A subscriber to voicemail services provides a voicemail system with an address or a number of addresses to which the subscriber may forward voicemail messages for extended storage. The subscriber may provide an electronic mail address, facsimile device number, a forwarding telephone directory number, or the address of a wireless electronic device, such as a hand-held computer, personal digital assistant, or pager. After receiving and reviewing a voicemail message left for the subscriber at the voicemail system, the subscriber may select an alternate storage address to have the voicemail message forwarded to that address for extended storage and for subsequent review and use. The message may be converted from speech-to-text at the voicemail system prior to forwarding the message.

Abstract: The voice storage device of the invention includes a storage means that stores a voice signal, and a voice compression means that compresses the voice signal requiring a re-coding compression, of the voice signal stored in the storage means, in accordance with a compression degree and a significance of the voice signal.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mobile set integrating a memory efficient data storage system for the real time recording of voice conversations, data transmission and the like. The data recorder has the capacity to selectively choose the most relevant time frames of a conversation for recording, while discarding time frames that only occupy additional space in memory without holding any conversational data. The invention executes a series of logic steps on each signal including a voice activity detector step, frame comparison step, and sequential recording step. A mobile set having a modified architecture for performing the methods of the present invention is also disclosed.

Abstract: The invention is a system, a method of transmitting messages selectively as text or non-text from an entity (104) in a network (100 and 102), and an entity in a network. A system in accordance with the invention includes at least one terminal (16); a network containing the at least one terminal; an entity in the network which provides messages selectively as text or non-text to the network in a speech encoded form; and wherein the messages are transmitted in the speech encoded form by the network to the at least one terminal which reproduces the messages to a user thereof in either a text form or by a sound reproduction device of the at least one terminal.

Abstract: A client-server telephone call router system as part of a customer premises system has a client-server router adapted to execute on a telephony switch, such as a public branch exchange (PBX) or other telephony switch, or on a processor connected by CTI link to a telephony switch. The telephony switch or processor executing the router is connected to a local area network (LAN) that also interconnects computer workstations proximate to telephones connected to the telephony switch. Client user interface applications run on the computer workstations, allowing clients to edit routing rules for the router, which has a list of routing rules keyed to users and workstations of the customer premises system. The editing rules are kept by the router in portions dedicated to individual users. With this system a user can edit at a workstation on the LAN his\her own routing rules, and transmit the edits to the client-server router where the rules will be followed to route calls for that user and protocol.

Abstract: A voice recognition unit recognizes a recognition word code corresponding to a speech uttered by a user along with a command code for executing a function of a control object. A function execution unit executes a function corresponding to the command code from the voice recognition unit. A message outputting unit extracts a recognition word corresponding to the recognition word code from a recognition word storing unit, and generates a message properly utilizing the extracted recognition word. The generated message is notified to the user via a display or a speaker, so that the user can confirm that the uttered speech is adequately recognized.

Abstract: A server in a network gathers textual information, such as news items, E-mail and the like. From that information, the server develops or identifies messages for use by individual subscribers. The same server that accumulates the text messages or another server in the network converts the textual information in each message to a sequence of speech synthesizer instructions. The converted messages, containing the sequences of speech synthesizer instructions, are transmitted to each identified subscriber's terminal device. A synthesizer in the terminal generates an audio waveform signal, representing the speech information, in response to the instructions. In the preferred embodiment, the terminals utilize concatenative type speech synthesizers, each of which has an associated vocabulary of stored fundamental sound samples. The instructions identify the sound samples, in order.

Abstract: A system for handling messages may be adapted to handle both electronic mail and telephonic messages in substantially the same fashion. For example, telephonic messages may be converted to a textual format including both the identity of the source of the call and the substance of the call. The telephonic message may then be displayed using a graphical user interface that indicates whether the message is from a telephone source or an electronic mail source and provides information about the substance of the message in either case. Moreover, the system may handle calls differently based on the originator of the call.

Abstract: A personal directory system 10 has a translation server 40 for verifying the identity of a subscriber and recognizing the name of one or more subscribers that are stored on a personal directory of another subscriber. A caller is connected by a public telephone switch to the server 40 that accesses a personal directory computer 60 located on the World Wide Web 50. The requested number and/or speed dial number are converted from text to speech and the public telephone switch automatically dials the requested number.

Abstract: Speech at the beginning of a talkspurt in a discontinuous transmission (DTX) packet telephony system is speeded up to help make up for an access delay incurred during channel allocation. Incoming speech frames are buffered, a pitch period for a current portion of the signal is estimated, and then a pitch period=s worth of the signal is cut from that portion. This is continued until the original access delay, as estimated from the time lag between the commencement of voice input for the talkspurt, and notification that a channel is available, is eliminated. The remainder of the talkspurt is then transmitted without such compression.

Abstract: The present invention enhances directory assistance automation by searching traditional directory assistance databases with independent listing and locality queries. Initially, a caller's speech responses from a directory assistance inquiry are individually converted to independent listing and locality search queries. The listing and locality queries are determined by processing the caller's speech responses using a defined speech recognition grammar. The listing and locality queries are used to search a directory assistance database. Once the listing results are returned from the directory assistance database, the records in the listing results are analyzed to select a number for the caller's directory assistance request.

Abstract: A system (10) and method (40) for providing audible caller information to telephone service subscribers is presented. The system (10) includes a pre-processor (28) that converts textual caller information from a first data format to a second data format suitable for text-to-speech synthesis (TTS). The pre-processor (28) can be incorporated in a service node/intelligent peripheral (SN/IP) (24) in an advanced intelligent network (AIN). In this configuration, the pre-processor (28) can be used to convert caller-ID with name database entries into a predetermined TTS format. The TTS formatted information can be provided to a TTS synthesized (30) included in the SN/IP (24). In conjunction with a switching service point (SSP) (20), the pre-processor (28) can provide a talking call-waiting feature to subscribers with significantly improved intelligibility.

Abstract: A time varying electrical excitation(s) is applied to a system containing biologic and/or non-biologic elements, whereupon the time-varying electrochemical or electrical response is detected and analyzed. For biologic specimens, the presence, activity, concentration or relative quantity, and certain inherent characteristics of certain target substances (hereinafter referred to as “target analytes”) within, or comprising, the specimen of interest may be determined by measuring either the current response induced by a voltage-mode excitation, or the voltage response induced by a current-mode excitation. Labeling or marker techniques may be employed, whereby electrochemically active auxiliary molecules are attached to the substance to be analyzed, in order to facilitate or enhance the electrochemical or electrical response.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, a desired signal processing transfer function is implemented using a generic pipelined data processor having variable latency followed by a variable latency multistage FIFO. The delay of the multistage FIFO is varied dynamically to keep the number of outstanding samples (and thus the overall latency) a constant. The present invention enables an abstract approach to the design of higher-level signal processing transfer functions while the design of the underlying low-level circuitry is driven solely by target implementation technology issues. Thus, the higher-level design of signal processing transfer functions is decoupled from the low-level (logic and physical) design. Furthermore, test bench modules and vectors for testing the transfer function can also be to be prepared independent of the specifics of the low-level circuitry associated with the target implementation technology.

Abstract: A two way wireless hand held PDA device that allows remote mobile creation of messages and sending of those messages to recipients via different delivery modes. The recipients can be formed into groups by different criteria, the messages can be created or imported and edited from the remote device, and the messages can be delivered via more than one mode. Status of messages sent and in process is maintained as is account information related to the message and the user. Also messages can be formatted, and can be conditionally sent and receivers can perform automatic actions when specific messages are received. (And actions can be carried out in remote systems based on the responses to messages sent).

Abstract: An apparatus for taking an electronic message from a user and actively notifying a receiver is disclosed. The apparatus includes a message input device for receiving the electronic message from the user, a message storing device for storing the electronic message therein, a message playing device for playing the electronic message, a vibration detector for detecting a certain level of vibration, a controller electrically connected to the message input device, the message storing device, the message playing device and the vibration detector, and a case accommodating the message input device, the message storing device, the message playing device, the vibration detector and the controller therein. The vibration detector sends out a trigger signal in response to the vibration, and the controller allows the electronic message to be read out from the message storing device and played by the message playing device in response to the trigger signal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a phone-call apparatus, a phone-call method, a communication control apparatus, a communication control method, and a program. In a phone-integrated terminal, a CPU controls a communication unit to implement a phone conversation with a communication partner through a communication network. An audio signal input to a microphone of an input unit is transmitted to the communication partner by way of the communication unit. On the other hand, an audio signal transmitted from the communication partner is output to earphones or a speaker in an audio reproduction unit. The audio signal output to the earphones or the speaker in the audio reproduction unit is superposed on a musical signal reproduced from a memory card. Thus, the user can listen to not only a voice of the communication partner but also music reproduced as BGM during the phone conversation. As a result, the user can enjoy the phone conversation.

Abstract: A path search processing section 110 of a searcher 108 performs despreading processing for a signal that has undergone AAA reception by an MF 110a. A power addition circuit 110c adds power of a signal in which coherent addition of a despread signal has been performed, and outputs the result to a delay profile circuit 110d and also to threshold value decision circuit 111. Outputs from respective threshold value decision circuits 111 are output to a combining circuit 112. A power combination value combined by the combining circuit 112 is output to a delay profile circuit 113, and a delay profile is created based on this power combination value. A finger assignment circuit 114 finds despreading timing for AAA reception weight control from the delay profile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a telephone system, an exchange and a method for setting up telephone connections between a computer, which is an extension of the exchange, and the exchange via a computer network. The exchange comprises a switch core, a switch control means for setting up connections and a network connection device connected between the switch core and the computer network. The computer comprises a function for use as a telephone and has a computer network address. The network connection device registers the computer as a telephone to which calls can be made in the switch control means, sets up at least one traffic channel via the computer network for sending speech signals, and, receives data packets containing telephony from the computer over the traffic channel and removes a signal structure suitable for telephony from the data packets. The switch control means allocates a telephone number to the computer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for digital subscriber line (xDSL) communications between one or more digital signal processors (DSPs) and analog front ends (AFEs) each coupled to corresponding subscriber line(s). The apparatus transports channels of data between subscribers and the DSP(s). The apparatus includes a bus for the transport of digital data, a DSP AFE interfaces. The DSP interfaces couples the DSP to the bus. The DSP interface accepts downstream channels of digital data from the DSP and transmits packets each associated with a corresponding one of the downstream channels to the bus. Each of the packets identifies a targeted AFEs coupled to a selected one of the subscriber lines. The AFE interfaces each couple an associated one of the AFEs to the bus. Each of the AFE interfaces transmits selected packets to a selected one of the subscriber lines for the transport to the subscriber.

Abstract: A novel device to facilitate digital network, such as the internet, telephony by connecting a standard telephone handset to a computer sound card so as to allow voice communication using an integrated microphone and speaker is provided in which a specialized cable having a four-wire handset or equivalent telephone jack at one end and a pair of jacks adapted to engage the input and output ports of a computer soundcard at a second end connects a standard telephone handset to a computer soundcard or, in a second embodiment, in which a telephone handset is provided with a cable having a pair of jacks adapted to engage the input and output ports of a computer soundcard.

Abstract: In a communications network, systems and methods using a feature other than a tone for detecting if the destination is a machine are described. An exemplary method includes the following steps: establishing a communication with a destination, detecting a response, if a response is not detected within a pre-determined time interval, determining that the destination is a machine. If a response is detected, the method further includes the following steps: determining whether the response includes a speech signal that includes a predefined term (e.g., “please leave a message”), and if it does, determining that the destination is a machine. If the response does not include a predefined term, the method may send out a query to the destination and if no response to the query is received or the response is not a speech signal, the method determines that the destination is a machine.

Abstract: A voice mail service system for a private switching system includes a system matching circuit configured to couple to a private switching system and to interface all information related to a call and management of the call. A voice data memory provides a voice mail function and stores voice guide information in an address sector of a corresponding channel after compressing the voice guide information. A voice and signal processor stores voice data of the extension subscriber in the voice data memory and retrieves it so that the voice data can be transmitted. A communication controller manages a state of each channel matching with the private switching system, processes channel errors and maintains and repairs the channel. A control circuit is used to match with the private switching system to control an operation for maintaining the voice mail function.

Abstract: A service system for providing a service to a user comprises an application accept unit (4) for accepting an application for registration from a terminal (1) together with a telephone number of the terminal, a recording module (5) for recording the telephone number as an application telephone number, a telephone call receiving unit (6) for receiving a telephone call, a comparing unit (6) for comparing a caller telephone number of the received telephone call with the application telephone number, and a registration module (5) for registering, when the caller telephone number is coincident with the application telephone number, the application telephone number as a registered telephone number.

Abstract: A voice messaging system includes an externally accessible interface for accepting a removable digital memory card for storage of received voice messages. The removable digital memory card may be removed from the voice messaging system to archive previously recorded voice messages. The removed digital memory card may be either re-installed at a later time at the digital voice messaging system for playback, or in another playback device separate from the originally recording voice messaging system for playback. Removal and replacement of digital memory cards on a regular basis provides an unlimited capacity for even the most basic voice messaging devices. A general outgoing greeting message may be recorded in non-removable memory, or it may be customized in separate removable digital memory cards for quick and easy interchange of an outgoing greeting message corresponding to status changes of the user, e.g., one removable digital memory card used while on vacation, another while at work, etc.

Abstract: A technique for using a computer system to filter incoming telephone is provided. The computer system decodes caller ID information in an incoming telephone call and compares the decoded caller ID information against a stored list of caller ID information. If the caller ID information in the incoming call matches an item in the stored list, the computer system prevents the telephone input/output device from ringing, opens a connection on the telephone line, outputs a prerecorded audio message on the telephone line, and closes the connection. If the caller ID information in the incoming call does not match an item in the stored list, the computer system passes the incoming call to the input/output device normally. The computer system is configured to receive voice commands from a user to manage the stored list, including adding the caller ID information from a current or recent call to the list.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for providing speech recognition capability to callers in a cost efficient manner as part of one or more telephone services are described. Multiple speech recognition units with differing capabilities and therefore implementation costs are provided. Calls are assigned to speech recognition circuits throughout a call based on a signal such as a service type identifier indicating the type of service to be provided to the caller. During different phases of a call different speech recognition units may be used. In addition, different amounts of speech recognition processing capability may be allocated to service a call at different points during a call. In this manner efficient use of available speech recognition resources can be achieved.

Abstract: An automated transaction processing system designed to minimize human labor comprises various automated resources and at least one live operator. A transaction such as a telephone call is divided into a number of subtransactions The live operator processes only those subtransactions that cannot be processed by an automated resource or those subtransactions for which live operator processing is desirable. An automated resource is assigned to process the remaining subtransactions. One type of automated resource resource is an audiotext address generator, which automatically recognizes whether human speech over the public switched telephone network matches textual information such as a user's name and address. The system is also capable of processing transactions in media other than telephone, including internet transactions. A method for processing internet that includes synchronizing a live operator's display to an Internet user's display is also provided.

Abstract: An audio message recording and playback system including a recorder-imprinter device, a self-contained voice module for playback of an audio message and a number of input devices for initially recording the audio message to the recorder-imprinter device.

Abstract: A system (10) and method (40) for providing audible caller information to telephone service subscribers is presented. The system (10) includes a pre-processor (28) that converts textual caller information from a first data format to a second data format suitable for text-to-speech synthesis (TTS). The pre-processor (28) can be incorporated in a service node/intelligent peripheral (SN/IP) (24) in an advanced intelligent network (AIN). In this configuration, the pre-processor (28) can be used to convert caller-ID with name database entries into a predetermined TTS format. The TTS formatted information can be provided to a TTS synthesized (30) included in the SN/IP (24). In conjunction with a switching service point (SSP) (20), the pre-processor (28) can provide a talking call-waiting feature to subscribers with significantly improved intelligibility.

Abstract: A system and method for providing telephone type services over the internetwork commonly known as the Internet. Public switched telephone networks utilizing program controlled switching systems are arranged in an architecture with the Internet to provide a methodology for facilitating telephone use of the Internet by customers on an impromptu basis. Provision is made to permit a caller to set-up and carry out a telephone call over the Internet from telephone station to telephone station without access to computer equipment, without the necessity of maintaining a subscription to any Internet service, and without the requiring Internet literacy or knowledge. Calls may be made on an inter or intra LATA, region or state, nationwide or worldwide basis. Billing may be implemented on a per call, timed, time and distance or other basis. Usage may be made of common channel interoffice signaling to set up the call and establish the necessary Internet connections and addressing.

Abstract: The invention is directed towards an automated system for extracting voice messages from a voice mail system and for providing unified access to voice mail and electronic mail or voice mail and the internet. For a given user, a voice mail remote access server connects to the user's voice mail system through a telephone or data network, and uses speech recognition and understanding to navigate through the prompts of the voice mail system and extract the user's voice mail. Depending upon the access mechanism preferred by the user, the voice messages are sent as e-mail messages with attachments (audio files) to the user or made accessible to the user's world wide web server or displayed to the user using a stand-alone voice mail player application.

Abstract: A technique for notifying a person who is engaged in a telephone call with a second person that a third person is calling him or her is disclosed. The notification comprises not a series of beeps but a voice—synthetically generated or pre-recorded—that has at least one different psychoacoustic characteristic than the voice of the second person. By using a notification that is psychoacoustically different than the voice of the second person, the ability of the first person to simultaneously perceive and understand the notification and the voice of the second person is enhanced. Example psychoacoustic characteristics of a voice include, but are not limited to, the gender of the speaker's voice (i.e., male or female), the natural language of the speaker's voice (e.g., English, Spanish, French, etc.), and the smoothness of the speaker's voice (e.g., silky or raspy, etc.).

Abstract: A media processing platform includes an interface to a PBX/KTS backplane, a digital signal processor (DSP), and a high-speed link to a remote computer. One or more drivers are provided to support communication between the DSP and an application running on the remote computer. The one or more drivers also include the ability to provide continued operations if communication over the high-speed link is lost and then recovered.

Abstract: A networked system of voice-activated dialers is described. When a calling party using a local voice-activated dialer utters a phrase which indicates that information to reach a called party may be available at a remote site, a network connection is established to the remote site, spoken words or phrases are transmitted to the remote site, and the called party information is obtained from the remote site. The called party information is used to provide additional networked services to the calling party such as call-completion, voice messaging, or paging. These additional networked services may use the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and an existing signaling network such as the Signaling System No. 7 network.

Abstract: Facilitating voice access to personal information in a manner that the caller may voice command an action to be performed in response to hearing a particular personal information item. The voice commanded action is then automatically performed even if the action requires access to another personal information item of a different type. A voice access server receives a caller-issued voice command to hear a first item of personal information (such as a calendar item) corresponding to a first personal information type. Then, the voice access server automatically accesses the requested information, and audibly speaks the item to the caller. The caller may then submit a voice request to act on the first item of personal information. The voice access server then automatically accesses any other personal information needed to perform the requested action, even if access to a different personal information type is needed.

Abstract: A telephone set 2 to be connected to a main unit 1 of a private branch exchange or a key service unit includes therein a verbal telephone directory memory section 28d which stores information relating to the voice of the user and information relating to telephone numbers, a control section 28a which recognizes the user's input voice on the basis of the voice information and controls a dialing operation on the basis of the phone-number information, and a predetermined guidance memory section 28c which stores predetermined guidance used for giving instructions to the user in the form of voice or an indication.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for establishing a voice call to a PSTN extension on behalf of a networked client computer, and routing the voice call off of the network, is provided. In a first embodiment, the apparatus comprises a storage medium having stored therein a plurality of programming instructions for implementing a set of communication services for facilitating establishment of the voice call to the PSTN extension, and an execution unit, coupled to the storage medium, for executing the plurality of programming instructions. The set of communication services include services for soliciting inputs from one or more other apparatuses on one or more operating characteristics associated with the establishment and support of the voice call to the PSTN extension, and selecting one of the solicited apparatuses to place the voice call to the PSTN extension.

Abstract: A message processing device is adapted to obtain text data and read aloud the text data aloud by using a voice synthesizer. A loudspeaker device is connected to the message processing device to output or read aloud the text data. The text data can be received through a receiving device that receives outside information data or e-mail message data. The voice synthesizer can be controlled by an outside information controller, with the outside information controller being able to distinguish senders of the text data and being able to select one voice tone data to read aloud messages sent by one sender. If the controller recognizes that there are other messages sent by another sender, the controller allots different voice tone data for the other sender's messages. The message processing device can include a voice navigation device to generate voice signals for giving route guidance messages or information to a driver of a vehicle.

Abstract: A method and system for preventing hung calls on a channel of a network interface device of a voice messaging system is described. A channel of the network interface device receives a new incoming call from the telephone network. If no other call is in progress on the same channel as the one on which the new call was received, the new incoming call is accepted. On the other hand, if another call is already in progress on this channel, the other call is terminated and the new incoming call is rejected. At this point, the network interface device is ready to accept any subsequent calls received on that channel.

Abstract: An interactive apparatus allows the user to interrupt an outgoing prompt and remove component which is normally found in the users' responses (e.g., a frequency band) from the outgoing output prompt. An input signal analysis unit in the apparatus is able to detect the response of the user (and distinguish it from an echo of the outgoing prompt) by noting the presence of the component which is lacking from the outgoing prompt. As an alternative, the apparatus may force spaced timeslots in the outgoing signal to silence. In that case, the input signal analysis unit can detect the presence of the user's signal over a predetermined time interval. As well as being applicable to apparatuses which involve the user in prompt/response dialogues, the invention is also useful in relation to the interruption of messages being replayed by voice-controllable answerphones of the like.

Abstract: An arrangement for providing captioned telephone service is provided which permits persons who are hard of hearing to receive captioning of their telephone communications as they need it. A personal interpreter/captioned telephone device can dial a relay on a second telephone line while the assisted user if conversing with a hearing user over a first telephone line. The second telephone line connects to a relay which provides voice to text translation service and returns a text stream to the captioned telephone device.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for simultaneously providing multiple telephone-type services to any/all POTS-type devices on a single wire pair at a user premises. The present invention provides for the ability to add separately addressable POTS devices on a single service loop. This can be accomplished in at least two ways: first by the use of a multipoint protocol or second by Frequency Division Multiplexing.

Abstract: A distributed voice mail system in a network includes a server in a control layer of the network and one or more media gateways in a connectivity layer of the network, wherein the server controls resources in the media gateways to provide distributed voice mail services.

Abstract: A technique for recognizing telephone numbers and other information embedded in voice messages stored in a telephone voice messaging system. A voice recognition system is coupled to the telephone voice messaging system. A voice message stored in the voice messaging system is transferred to the voice recognition system. The voice recognition system segments the voice message and then searches the segments for a predetermined speech reference model (grammar) which is expected to contain information of importance to the recipient of the message. In a preferred embodiment, the predetermined is a numeric grammar which specifies a sequence of numbers occurring in the voice message. In alternate embodiments, the grammar specifies a date, a time, an address, and so forth, and can specify more than one such type of information. The grammar can be modified or selected by the recipient of the voice message so that the voice recognition system searches for information of particular interest to the recipient.

Abstract: A notification architecture utilizes multiple processes configured for managing notification operations based on reception of SMTP-based messages within IMAP based message stores. The notification architecture includes a notification process, configured for receiving notification messages for respective subscribers from messaging sources according to a prescribed open protocol such as Internet Protocol. The notification process accesses subscriber profile information from an open protocol-based subscriber directory based on the received notification messages. The subscriber directory is controlled by a directory management process, configured for storing subscriber notification preference information in an open protocol-based subscriber directory (such as LDAP). The directory management process stores, as a first object class, notification attributes for respective notification types, each notification attribute specifying for the corresponding notification type a corresponding notification device tag.

Abstract: In a portable telephone set, an input audio signal such as an audio signal is received through a microphone (111), and is then amplified by an amplifier (112). The output of the latter (112) is applied through an analog-to-digital converter (113) to a DSP (301), where it is compressed and stored in a memory (303) with the aid of a CPU (302), or it is stored therein as it is. Here, an audio signal from outside which is stored in the portable telephone set can be used as a calling sound or alarm sound. Therefore, selection of calling sounds or alarm sounds in the portable telephone set of the invention is wider than in the conventional one.

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.