Abstract: A system and method for notifying a notification recipient of an event status change and allowing the notification recipient to request action is disclosed. An event occurs. A message relating to the event applicable to an end-user is created. A communication link between an outbound module and a device associated with the end-user is established. The message is delivered to the end-user device. The communication link is transferred from the outbound module to an inbound module. A response is received from the end-user device at the inbound module.

Abstract: In a telephony system have management of telephony devices distributed among multiple call management devices, the call management devices use call redirection and relaying of message waiting indications to provide voicemail services to the telephony devices using a centralized voicemail server.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Unified Messaging System (UMS) having a controller to receive one or more voicemail, video, or text messages directed to a subscriber of the UMS, present the subscriber one of a first option to convert one of the one or more voicemail messages received in a first media playback format to a second media playback format, and a second option to transfer at least a portion of one or more of the received voicemail, video or text messages received by the UMS to one of a set top box or digital video recorder. The controller is adapted to detect a selection of one of said options, and execute the selected option. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A method of providing telecommunication service includes receiving a call for a called party from a calling party. The method also includes determining a presence status of the called party and communicating a greeting for the calling party, wherein the greeting identifies the presence status of the called party.

Abstract: A method for digitally notifying customers of a utility. The method includes receiving real time digital user data from a utility using an application programming interface in communication with a processor and a network, and storing the real time digital user data in a dynamic information database in communication with the processor. At least one message is transmit from the utility through the application programming interface to a first group of user contact devices before transmitting the message to a second group of user contact devices. Response information is received from each user contact device.

Abstract: A system, computer-readable medium system, and method which provide for delivering notifications to a mobile device where the provider has first and second mobile technology types. Initially, a notification is received from a notification sub-system. A first communication of the notification to the mobile device is then attempted via the first technology type. Where the mobile device has the second technology type, an error signal is received that the attempt has failed. Next, a second communication of the notification to the mobile device is attempted via the second technology type. Where the mobile device has the second technology type and receives the notification, a delivery signal that the attempt was successful is received. After the delivery signal is received, logging of the second technology type of the mobile device is made so that thereafter, any new notification is attempted using the logged second technology type.

Abstract: A system and method are provided that deliver critical communications to a plurality of recipients, on demand, at any time and nearly anywhere. A server receives input from a client interface that defines the communication, recipient information, and broadcast information. The system contacts pre-selected groups of recipients according to client-defined hunt group. One or more different media platforms may be used for client and recipient interfaces. Text-to-speech and speech recognition technologies further broaden the usability of the system and permit over-dial or web provisioning. Recipients may be selectively transferred to a contact center or a conference bridge with other recipients in response to the communication. Access levels and user permissions may be client defined to structure the system for a client's organizational needs.

Abstract: A processing system allows for the monitoring of user requests such that a response may be provided within a defined maximum processing time (MPT). The user request relating to issues or concerns with a product or application/usage of the product is received through an input portal, such as a web site. The user request is assigned a response time, typically based on the type of request, where the response time indicates a preferred guideline for how quickly an assistant should provide a response. Once the request has been assigned to an assistant, a notification is generated to inform the assistant about the user request and the corresponding deadline for response. At a pre-determined time prior to the expiration of the response time, it is determined if the response has been provided. If the response has not been provided, a reminder is generated to inform the assistant of the pending deadline.

Abstract: ThunderCall is a computer based system for delivering NWS (National Weather Service) severe weather warnings as a message (personalized information, if desired) via an automated dialing system to live persons and to automated recorders comprising the steps of: forming a database of names with their respective geographic locations; capturing a NWS Bulletin reciting the location of a severe storm; validating a relevant Bulletin into a Valid Bulletin by determining from the storm's location that it represents an imminent severe storm danger to at least one person of said database (capable of 10,000,000 or more persons) recording, if desired, an individual personal urgent warning to the name of the intended recipient of the Valid Bulletin; combining, if desired, said personal warning with a generic severe storm warning for said recipient; and, sending said Valid Bulletin with said combined warnings to said person whereby he is alerted within seconds of the release time of said National Weather Service bulletin to

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for utilizing voicemail messages to notify a subscriber of electronic mail receipt. A message notification and consolidation module monitors e-mail received, read, deleted or otherwise disposed of by an e-mail receiver (subscriber). Upon receipt of an e-mail message, the message notification and consolidation module constructs an e-mail notification message for depositing into the subscriber's voicemail system for alerting the subscriber that the subscriber has received an electronic mail message. At the beginning of the notification message, a unique identification tone is provided for identifying and locating the notification message.

Abstract: A telephone number change notification method is provided in which a calling party is reliably identified when a new telephone number of a called party is notified to the calling party when the called party changed the telephone number. When a telephone exchange detects that a called number is changed based on a subscriber information database, the telephone exchange sends a prompt message asking for sending a telephone number notification request to a calling telephone. The calling telephone creates a digital signature and sends it to the telephone exchange. The telephone exchange forwards it to a new telephone number of a called telephone. The called telephone receives the digital signature and verifies it. If the digital signature is valid, the called telephone notifies a new telephone number to the calling telephone.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for dynamically alerting calling parties of menu structure changes in a telephone prompting system. In a telephone prompting system, a menu structure change alert method can include determining whether a menu structure change has occurred for the telephone prompting system in response to the receipt of an incoming call from a calling party. Subsequently, the calling party can be selectively alerted of the menu structure change. In this regard, an alert message can be played to the calling party.

Abstract: An information processing terminal device includes a state monitoring unit that monitors whether or not there exits an unread e-mail or a missed call, a light order control unit that makes an emitting unit emit a color corresponding to each sender in a given order when the unread e-mail or the missed call is detected, where a light order control unit determines a light order of the colors according to a receiving order of the unread e-mail or an incoming order of the missed call.

Abstract: A system and method for a selective ring silencer that prevents people from having to listen to the telephone ring on and on with nuisance calls. The ringer silencer can be: (1) discretely constructed from a telephone, (2) part of a telecommunication device, or (3) part of a central telephone network construction. A receiver demodulates an incoming call. Control logic reads at least a portion of the called identification (CID) data and determines an action based on the reading. A switch in communication with the control logic is actuated to a first state that allows the communication data to be output from the ring silencer, and a second state that blocks the communication data from being output from the ring silencer to a user's communication device. The control logic blocks toll-free area codes originated calls from ringing a user's telephone, optionally forwarding the call to a voice mail module.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a network based voice mail system that includes advantages of traditional answering machines. When a call comes in that is not answered, a Remote Answering Device may pick up after a preselected number of rings and play a prerecorded greeting that is stored locally and then prompt the caller to wait for the beep. The Remote Answering Device may use three-way calling service to conference the user's voice mail number into the call. When a conference call is established it plays the beep and then plays the message which is being recording live on the speaker. If a call is received by the network based voice mail system that did not first pass through the Remote Answering Device, the network based voice mail system may synchronize the Remote Answering Device with the network based voice mail system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for addressing billing in a multimedia messaging service (MMS) utilizing store-and-automatic forward transmission, in which method the message addressed to a B-subscriber is transmitted from a terminal (TA) of an A-subscriber to a server (MMSC) of the multimedia messaging service system, the arrival of said message to the server (MMSC) is reported to a wireless terminal (MSB) of the B-subscriber, and in which method said message is transmitted from the server (MMSC) further to the wireless terminal (MSB) of the B-subscriber. According to the invention, the message addressed to the B-subscriber is retrieved to the wireless terminal (MSB) of the B-subscriber from the server (MMSC) by establishing a substantially toll-free data transmission connection between wireless terminal (MSB) of the B-subscriber and the server (MMSC), said data transmission connection being opened by the terminal (MSB) of the B-subscriber.

Abstract: An interactive voicemail selection system to refuse an incoming call is provided. A user indicates a specific voicemail message to be played to a calling party. A call is received in a recipient device, from a calling party. The call comprises an identification of a calling party. An identification of the calling party is displayed on a display of the recipient device. An indication is received from the recipient that identifies the specific prerecorded voicemail message, from a plurality of prerecorded voicemail messages, that is to be played to the calling party. An identifier associated with the specific prerecorded voicemail message is sent to a voicemail system in order for the specific prerecorded message associated with the selected identifier to be played to the calling party.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and computer program product are provided for deferring the answering of a phone call. Initially, a phone call is received from a caller. As a function of an input from a receiver of the phone call, the phone call is placed on hold and a message is played back to the caller. After the phone call is placed on hold, communication is allowed between the caller and the receiver.

Abstract: Methods and devices for networked applications are disclosed. In one embodiment, a device instructs a proxy server to receive traffic inbound for the device, and to notify the device when such traffic arrives. The device can then sleep, except for a notification channel that listens for a wakeup message from the proxy server. The proxy server detects traffic inbound for proxied devices, caches the data from that traffic, and issues notification messages to the proxied devices to cause those devices to download the cached data. One use for such a system is in instant messaging, as it allows a subscriber to place a battery-powered computing device in sleep mode while still advertising a continuous presence to her messaging buddies.

Abstract: Systems and methods for discovering features of a communication device. The features of a communications device are tracked or monitored. Features that are unused or undiscovered are identified. The undiscovered features are then included as ticker items in an interactive ticker. When a ticker item that corresponds to an undiscovered feature is selected, the user is presented with information or a tutorial that instructs the user about the feature or how to use the feature. The undiscovered features included in the ticker can change based on how the usage of the device's features changes.

Abstract: The disclosed personal information management (PIM) system supports tasks and reminders via a audio user interface. The user creates a task object via a telephone call to the server. The task object may include an audio recording of the user's voice received during the telephone call. The system may convert the user's speech to text and may store the text in the task object. The system may include other structured data further defining the task such as calling party number, due date, start date, priority, status, percentage complete, categories, or the like. As stored by the system, the task may appear with the user's other tasks in the user's client. The PIM system may provide outbound telephone calls to the user as reminders associated with the user's tasks. The user receiving the reminder call may hear voice prompts, computer generated speech, and/or the audio recording associated with the task.

Abstract: A platform provides access to multiple telecommunications services via a single telephone number. These services may include, for example, voicemail services, facsimile messaging services, paging services, and outbound calling services. A guest caller may call the single phone number to speak to a subscriber, leave a voicemail message for a subscriber, leave a facsimile message for a subscriber, or place a page to a subscriber. A subscriber may call the phone number to place outbound calls. In addition, a subscriber may call the single phone number to retrieve or send facsimile messages and/or voicemail messages. A subscriber may also call the phone number to configure service options. For instance, a subscriber may select routing options and choose what services are available to guest callers.

Abstract: A softphone telephony application is provided within a browser using a visible frame to provide event notifications and allow a user to issue commands and a hidden frame which receive asynchronous event notifications as a dynamic HTML stream. Outgoing control commands are implemented as web service behaviours. In this way, all of the functionality required to control a CTI application on a server and to receive event notifications from the CTI application can be provided using standard browser technology and without requiring the installation of any dedicated software or the provision of non-standard communication channels.

Abstract: The invention is a messaging subsystem used in combination with a software based intercom system for receiving and handling voice telephone calls from a plurality of callers and/or notes. The invention comprises a message pad module resident in the intercom system for capturing information pertaining to the voice telephone calls from the plurality of callers and/or notes. A database stores information obtained from the callers and/or notes other than the captured information. A computer module or program correlates the captured information to the corresponding stored information obtained from the callers and/or notes in the database. In the preferred embodiment, the database comprises a patient treatment database corresponding to treatment provided to a patient, such as a dental or medical history.

Abstract: This method for dispatching an alert message in a telecommunications network comprises a step (E20) of receiving a multimedia stream emitted by a calling device having emitted a call to a called device, and a step (E30) of transmitting to the called device, during the call setup phase, at least one part of the multimedia stream, which part can be restored, at least partially, by alert means of the called device.

Abstract: Outbound calling from a Voice eXtensible Markup Language (VXML) based voicemail system, which has distributed architecture, is disclosed. The voicemail system includes a media server, which is in communication with a telephone network. The media server includes multiple communication termination-link components, and the communication termination-link components are adapted to couple to trunks that extend to the telephone network. The media server also includes a network interface that is adapted to receive and provide communications to components of the telecommunications platform. The media server also includes a link-selector, a browser module, and a processor. The link-selector is adapted to select a given communication termination-link component from the plurality of communication termination-link components.

Abstract: Techniques and tools are described for converting incoming and/or outgoing communications to usable and convenient formats. For example, a user selects a desired profile from a group of available profiles, and the selected profile is activated. If a first profile is selected and an incoming communication having a textual component is received while the first profile is active, then the textual component is converting to an audio format and recited. If a second profile is selected and an incoming communication having an audio component is received while the second profile is active, then the audio component is converted to a textual format and displayed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for enabling a telephone caller to generate a brief message for transmission to an intended call recipient, as part of the initial procedure of setting up a phone call between the caller and recipient. The message is sent and displayed or otherwise made available to the recipient before the recipient is required to answer the call. The message could comprise a sequence of alphanumeric characters that conveyed an abbreviated message, or otherwise indicates the purpose to the call to the recipient or provides other information. Respective characters could be transmitted as corresponding sequences of binary tones sent to the call recipient between telephone rings.

Abstract: Voicemail systems and methods can provide a user with means for receiving categorized messages from parties. The categories can be independent of the intended recipients of the messages, such that multiple users can receive the same message. A user can subscribe to receive categorized messages within selected categories or from selected parties. A registered party, including a merchant, an organization, a government agency and/or another party, can input messages to selected categories and can input distribution parameters for the messages. Expiration dates can be associated with the messages such that messages can be deleted once expired.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide a call monitoring service for multiple telecommunications units. When an incoming communication directed to a subscriber's simultaneous ring number is received, outgoing communications are placed to each of the telecommunications units associated with the subscriber's simultaneous ring number. A determination is made as to whether the incoming communication should be routed to the voice mail system. If the incoming communication should be routed to the voice mail system and the call monitoring service is activated, a communication between the calling party and the voice mail system is established. A determination is made as to whether a user of one of the telecommunications units takes an action to connect to the communication between the calling party and the voice mail system. If an action is detected, then a communication between the calling party, the voice mail system, and the telecommunications unit is established.

Abstract: A multimedia terminal adapter connected with a user telephone includes a message recording module, a first notifying module, a second notifying module, and a message playing module. The message recording module records a voice message of the user telephone. The first notifying module signals a displaying module to produce a first indication so as to visually notify a user of the voice message. The second notifying module signals the user telephone to ring so as to audibly notify the user of the incoming voice message. The message playing module plays the voice message when a request for playing the voice message has been received. A message processing method of the multimedia terminal adapter is also provided.

Abstract: Determining unwanted multimedia message originated from a multimedia call. An interface receives a multimedia message from a telecommunication service operator, and multimedia message is stored on a storage area. A unified communication system manages communication message delivery to at least one of the following access points for the recipient, and the unified communication system includes a processor configured to execute computer-executable instructions for identifying a voice portion from content of the received multimedia message. An anti-spam engine is applied to analyze a textual representation of the identified voice portion, and a confidence ranking of the representation is generated in response to the analyzed representation. It is determined whether the multimedia message is an unwanted multimedia message as a function of the confidence ranking and the analyzed representation.

Abstract: A unified messaging interface and associated methods that enables mobile communication device users to initiate the creation of a message for a recipient without being required to explicitly specify the type of message that is to be created. The mobile communication device supports multiple message types, such as voice, text, and picture messages. The user begins providing message content to the communication device by, for example, speaking, entering text, or clicking a shutter of a camera. The unified messaging interface detects the nature of the content and creates a corresponding type of message. The user can indicate a desire to create and send a message by performing “one-click” action. The one-click action is an operation performed on the device that can be instantiated as a single button-press on the keypad; selection of a single soft key by depressing a button on the keypad or touching the screen of the device; or issuance of a single voice command.

Abstract: A system and method for simultaneously conducting multiple telephone conversations is provided. In an embodiment, a user converses with one individual on a first channel while simultaneously transmitting audible utterances to a second individual or a second channel. The user can select the desired channel or channels and a desired phrase and an electronic representation of the selected phrase is transmitted over the selected channel(s).

Abstract: A method and system are provided for allowing a subscriber of voicemail services to selectively deactivate a voicemail system and to designate a reviewed voicemail message as “unheard.” A subscriber to voicemail services provided by a telecommunications network-based system contacts the voicemail system and deactivates voicemail services temporarily or indefinitely. Subsequent callers forwarded to the subscriber's voicemail box at the voicemail system receive an announcement that the called party is not presently accepting voicemail messages. Alternatively, no announcement is provided to the calling party, and the calling party simply receives a busy signal or an unanswered call indication. Once the subscriber is ready to begin receiving messages in her voicemail box, the subscriber may reactivate the voicemail system.

Abstract: A data file reproducing method for a personal terminal which can include providing a data file by connecting a data supplying server to a communication network, selecting a data file, connecting the data supplying server to a personal terminal, transferring the selected data file to the personal terminal, and storing automatically the transferred data file in the personal terminal. A data reproducing apparatus for a personal terminal which can include a wireless transceiver that can transfer and receive data files to and from a mobile communication network, a storage device, a controller, a decoder and a reproducing unit.

Abstract: A method of controlling a voice mail system with an instant messaging client is disclosed. For example, the illustrative embodiment enables a user of a instant messaging client to forward a voice mail message to one or more people listed in the instant messaging client's buddy list. Furthermore, the instant messaging client also enables the user to annotate the voice mail message and to send the voice mail commentary alone with the voice mail message to one or more people listed in the instant messaging client's buddy list.

Abstract: A system includes a first network device and a second network device. The first network device is configured to receive a voicemail message for a called party, determine whether a second network device is available, and transfer the voicemail message to the second network device when the second network device is determined to be available. The second network device is configured to store the voicemail message in a mailbox associated with the called party, and automatically provide a network device associated with the called party with access to the voicemail message in response to a network address associated with the network device matching a subscriber identifier in a list of subscriber identifiers.

Abstract: Techniques are provided for communicating data to a mobile device. A system receives a request for data from a mobile device. The system identifies filter criteria associated with the mobile device. The filter criteria is applied to a set of data to identify particular data elements that satisfy the filter criteria. The identified data elements are then transmitted to the mobile device.

Abstract: A method of automatically sharing and transferring information between a Work at Work (WAW) ISDN telephone and a Work at Home (WAH) ISDN telephone. This information includes, calling line identifier delivery from the WAW telephone to the WAH telephone, facilitating subsequent transferring of the call to the WAH telephone if desired. Message waiting status is also shared, facilitating the coordination of message waiting lamps at both the WAW and WAH telephone. Information from one telephone to the other is carried transparently through the ISDN network as user-to-user information, calling party subaddress, D channel X.25 packet message, lower layer compatibility or a combination of these elements. The telephones automatically establish ISDN calls between themselves and swap information pertaining to the status of the companion telephones.

Abstract: A method to provide a digital notification and response to groups of users comprising storing user contact data for at least one group of users, user selected priority information, and user selected grouping information in a dynamic information database, and using an administrator interface to form at least one message. An administrator initiates transmission of the message simultaneously to a first group of user contact devices for all users in the at least one group of users, then simultaneously to a second group of user contact devices, using the user selected priority information. The administrator interface is used to ensure each user is contacted on the first group of user contact devices before the second group of user contact devices. Responses are received from the user contact devices indicating the devices that received the message and when insufficient user contact device information exists to contact the user contact devices.

Abstract: A messaging system component provides for a screening of an incoming call from a telephony device of a plurality of telephony devices. The messaging system component is associated with a network and conforms to a signaling protocol of the network to communicate with the network. The messaging system component is located in a peripheral relationship to the network which allows for the addition of providing for the screening of the incoming call from the telephony device without modification to an architecture associated with the network.

Abstract: A system and method for determining the status of a telephone in a packet switched network. The system and method provides for the telephone status to be determined by a status monitoring device or, where the network is a cable network and the equipment comprises a telephone, by a subscriber cable interface device. The equipment status file is accessible over a network, such as the Internet, by status accessing device. The status file provides status information indicative of the telephone for which the status is being determined.

Abstract: A method to provide a digital notification and response to groups of users comprising storing user contact data for at least one group of users, user selected priority information, and user selected grouping information in a dynamic information database, and using an administrator interface to form at least one message. An administrator initiates transmission of the message simultaneously to a first group of user contact devices for all users in the at least one group of users, then simultaneously to a second group of user contact devices, using the user selected priority information and transmitting the message through at least two industry standard gateways simultaneously. The administrator interface is used to ensure each user is contacted on the first group of user contact devices before the second group of user contact devices using the user selected priority information.

Abstract: In a method for giving notification of a message to a subscriber who is registered with at least two message services, each message service indicates to a common notification server at least the presence of a new message for the subscriber on that respective message service. The notification server transmits to at least one terminal of the subscriber a notification which includes at least the fact that a new message is present and identifies the message service in which the message is present. It is thus possible for a subscriber who is registered with a plurality of message services to be informed of the presence of a new message in a very reliable, quick and problem-free way.

Abstract: Automatic access to a secondary or alternate voicemail box while operating or using a first or primary voicemail box is provided. One touch access to an alternate voicemail box from a wireless telephone device is further provided, and access to a given voicemail box from a number of trusted telephone devices is provided without requiring users of the trusted devices to authenticate into the voicemail box (e.g., provide a password).

Abstract: A wireless mail notification system includes a portable controller that is housed within a dwelling and is spaced from the mailbox. The portable controller includes a transceiver and is adaptable between on and off positions. A stationary housing is conjoined to a mailbox support shaft. The stationary housing is mounted exterior of the mailbox. The stationary housing includes a transceiver that is in wireless communication with the portable controller transceiver. A wireless mechanism is included for generating a true notification signal and a false notification signal, respectively, when the door of the mailbox has been opened such that the user understands whether mail has been delivered or retrieved after the door of the mailbox is opened.

Abstract: A presence aware communications system, comprising a messaging system configured to perform at least one of the following operations: (a) provide a subscriber's communication device with information regarding an incoming contact during a messaging session between the subscriber's communication device and the messaging system; (b) provide the subscriber's communication device with a text message containing information regarding one or more messages when a notification is received that the subscriber's communication device is available; (c) provide the subscriber's communication device with a text message relating to a voice message from a different first party received by the messaging system; (d) in response to the subscriber's communication device requesting a connection with at least one of an inputted telephone number and address, provide the subscriber's communication device with a notification respecting at least one eligible message from a second party associated with the at least one of an inputted

Abstract: A presence aware communications system, comprising a messaging system configured to perform at least one of the following operations: (a) provide a subscriber's communication device with information regarding an incoming contact during a messaging session between the subscriber's communication device and the messaging system; (b) provide the subscriber's communication device with a text message containing information regarding one or more messages when a notification is received that the subscriber's communication device is available; (c) provide the subscriber's communication device with a text message relating to a voice message from a different first party received by the messaging system; (d) in response to the subscriber's communication device requesting a connection with at least one of an inputted telephone number and address, provide the subscriber's communication device with a notification respecting at least one eligible message from a second party associated with the at least one of an inputted

Abstract: A mobile station subscriber can access data from an informational database and have it forwarded to a desired destination. A database associated with the informational database maintains subscriber profiles. When the informational database receives a data request, it uses a mobile station identifier to acquire subscriber profile information. Using that profile information, the requested data is forwarded to a destination designated in the profile in a SMS format.