Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for conveying availability information of a calling party to a called party. A PBX serving the telephones of the calling and called parties is connected to a presence server. In an embodiment of the invention, the presence server is also connected to a computer and/or other information device (such as a personal data assistant or telephone) of the calling party. After the calling party has left a voice mail message for the called party, the called party will subsequently retrieve the message. In an embodiment of the invention, the PBX then queries the presence server as to the availability of the calling party. The presence server senses whether the calling party has indicated his or her presence; if so, it is inferred that the calling party is probably present and available for a return call. If the presence server detects no such indication by the calling party, it is inferred that the calling party is likely to be absent.

Abstract: A voicemail notification indicates a caller has recorded a voicemail. The voicemail notification may be sent to any destination, such as a caller's device. The voicemail notification may be displayed in a communication log to visually indicate that the voicemail was recorded. A different notification may be sent and displayed to indicats the recipient retrieved the voicemail.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a system maintains a database of a plurality of persons. The database includes an audio clip of a pronunciation of a name of a first person in the database. The system determines from a calendar database that a second person has an event in common with the first person, and transmits to a device associated with the second person an indication that the database includes the pronunciation of the name of the first person.

Abstract: Preferred embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods subscribing to receive a call forwarding status notification associated with a call forwarding service, receiving a call forwarding status notification when a state associated with the call forwarding service changes, and interpreting the call forwarding status notification.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for receiving a message containing image data and sending a message to notify of the receipt of the message. The system may have a plurality of access devices which are coupled to each other over a network such as the Internet. These access devices may include computers, workstations, and the like. Upon receipt of a message containing image data, such as facsimile data, a notification of the message may be sent to a recipient, such as a message in the form of an email message or a paging message. The system may be configured based on the specifications of the caller and/or the recipient.

Abstract: A hosted private branch exchange (PBX) system is provided that includes: non-transitory storage that includes subscriber identifying information that identifies a subscriber to a message routing service; non-transitory storage that includes distribution rules information associated with the identified subscriber; and a message management server configured to receive a message sent over the Internet to the identified subscriber and to send the message over the Internet to one or more devices according to the distribution rules associated with the identified subscriber.

Abstract: A system for preventing noise transmission at the end of a telephone call includes a telephone having a handset and a base unit. The telephone has a proximity sensor configured to detect when the handset is in close proximity to the base unit prior to the handset contacting the base unit. A control element communicates with the proximity sensor and prevents transmission of sound received from the handset when the proximity sensor indicates that the handset is in close proximity to the base unit thereby preventing transmission of noise caused by the handset contacting the base unit.

Abstract: A user interface system is provided for managing communications messages of a communications device supporting voice and data services. The user interface system is operative to receive a data element wherein the data element identifies the type of communications message received and sender identification, display a menu upon receiving the data element, wherein the menu comprises a selectable object with the selectable object having a label identifying the message type, receive a data item indicating selection of the selectable object and generate a communications action in response to selection of the selectable object.

Abstract: When a communication is directed to an intended recipient, a determination may be made by an intelligent communication disposition manager as to whether one or more available communication devices of the intended recipient are available for routing the incoming communication either based on device availability or routing previously defined by the intended recipient. The intelligent communication disposition manager may utilize presence data of the intended recipient for sending a notification of the incoming communication to one or more of the intended recipient's available communication devices. The intended recipient may select a preferred call routing option for the incoming call/message to be sent. Based on the real-time response from the intended recipient, the call/message may be routed to his/her preferred communication device.

Abstract: A network device may include a memory to store a database including voicemail message information associated with a voicemail mailbox, a transmitter, and a receiver. The transmitter may send a notification to each of a plurality of communication devices, the notification including an indication of a number of new voicemail messages in the voicemail mailbox, an indication of a total number of voicemail messages in the voicemail mailbox, and an identifier of a most recent voicemail message in the voicemail mailbox, where each of the plurality of communication devices uses the notification signal to determine whether to request a list of voicemail messages. The receiver may receive, from one of the communication devices in response to the notification, a request for the list of voicemail messages associated with voicemail message information stored in the database. The transmitter may sends, to the one of the plurality of communications devices, the list of voicemail messages.

Abstract: The present invention provides a feature for phones and other communication devices. More particularly, the feature allows a user to customize the notification for an incoming call or contact. The customization may be based on the user's recent communication history with the user currently calling. This allows the user receiving the call to determine its possible importance prior to answering the call or even identifying the caller.

Abstract: In one aspect of the invention, a communications device is described to include novel software for aggregating voice and other messages from various communications media and presenting the user with a display of same, ordered by medium, date of receipt, source etc. The software also comprises a user-friendly man-machine interface for forwarding the messages from one medium to another, including making such messages available to members of social websites. In a second aspect of the invention, a server computer is described, including software to receive, organize and store said messages in digital form, with the participation of the user's communication device in one mode and automatically without the participation of the user's device in another mode. The server comprises software that generates links to selected stored messages that the user can post on the Web.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products provide voicemail notifications. A first notification is received that indicates a caller has recorded a voicemail. In response to the first notification, the caller's communication log is updated to indicate that the voicemail was recorded. A second notification is received that indicates the recipient retrieved the voicemail. In response to the second notification, the caller's communication log is updated to indicate that the voicemail has been played. When the recipient listens to the voicemail, the communication log thus informs the caller.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product are provided for conveying availability information of a calling party to a called party. A PBX serving the telephones of the calling and called parties is connected to a presence server. In an embodiment of the invention, the presence server is also connected to a computer and/or other information device (such as a personal data assistant or telephone) of the calling party. After the calling party has left a voice mail message for the called party, the called party will subsequently retrieve the message. In an embodiment of the invention, the PBX then queries the presence server as to the availability of the calling party. The presence server senses whether the calling party has indicated his or her presence; if so, it is inferred that the calling party is probably present and available for a return call. If the presence server detects no such indication by the calling party, it is inferred that the calling party is likely to be absent.

Abstract: A method and system provides the ability to use VoIP devices to generate and/or propagate a broadcast message to other devices. A device transmits a broadcast message to a recipient device over a peer-to-peer communication channel. Such a device can be an originator or a propagator designated by a third party. Upon receipt of a request to broadcast a message, or upon detecting any triggering event to broadcast, the device processes the request or the triggering event to compose content of the message. Subsequently, a group of recipient devices are identified and located. The device may transmit the broadcast message over existing communications channels without disturbing a conversation with the recipient device. Further, a peer-to-peer communication channel may be established to transmit the broadcast message. Alternatively, the device may request the recipient device to broadcast the message to devices outside of its current peer-to-peer communication connections.

Abstract: A portable electronic device is provided. The portable electronic device comprises a processor, a memory, and a capturing application stored in the memory that, when executed on the portable electronic device, monitors a first voice telephone call with a first transmitting device. The portable electronic device also comprises records a telephone number spoken during the first voice telephone call. The portable electronic device also comprises sends a first message to the first transmitting device, the first message containing the telephone number and requesting confirmation of the telephone number. The portable electronic device comprises receives a second message from the first transmitting device, the second message confirming the telephone number.

Abstract: A method stores subscriber information in a mobile terminal. The method includes checking whether a received message includes a plurality of sets of subscriber information when a message is received, checking whether there is registered subscriber information if the message includes subscriber information, and updating the registered subscriber information to different subscriber information included in the message if there is registered subscriber information.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method and system to remotely test message-waiting notifications over a communications network is provided. The method includes receiving broadband signaling from a voicemail platform; converting the broadband signaling to narrowband signaling; and transmitting the narrowband signaling, which generates status notifications, and transmits the status notifications to a remote test location. The system includes a switching element that routes the broadband signaling generated by the voicemail platform. The switching element routes the broadband signaling to a message processing component that executes code that searches a message-waiting-notification database to generate appropriate tones based on the broadband signaling received from the switching element.

Abstract: When a first user is leaving a voicemail while a second user is attempting to call the first user back, the first user is given the option to ignore the second caller, delete the voicemail and connect with the second user, or hold while the second user reviews the voicemail. The voicemail may or may not be complete. This may avoid the need for the first user to repeat the information contained in the voicemail. In one embodiment, the voicemail message is played on the second user's device as a ring-back tone.

Abstract: The present invention enables an overlay capability to be invoked on network systems and elements that are designed to support multiple customer bases. Depending on the registered identification of the user, screens and other user interfaces that provide access to functions can be overlaid on the network component and segmented along customer classifications.

Abstract: Information associated with messages and/or missed calls is provided to a subscriber. Calls received but not answered by the subscriber may be monitored. Each monitored call is classified as one of a missed call and a message. The monitored calls may be summarized based on a customizable rule set to create a summary. The summary is provided to the subscriber via, for example, a voice notification.

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: The present invention provides presence management to a multimodal communication network. A unified messaging system, providing the ability to deliver messages across multiple modes of communication, is integrated with a presence managing system. The presence management system provides an ability to locate a recipient of a message according to a stored schedule. The unified messaging system retrieves contact information from a presence management system. Upon received the message, the recipient can respond along the established line of communication. Multiple modes of communication comprises telephone, wireless telephone, electronic mail, pager, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), video, audio, picture, among others.

Abstract: Systems and methods for presenting audio messages are provided. In some aspects, a method includes receiving an audio message from a first user and generating a text-based representation of the audio message. The method also includes generating one or more identification tags based on the text-based representation of the audio message. At least one of the one or more identification tags includes a subject of the audio message. The method also includes presenting at least one of the text-based representation of the audio message or the one or more identification tags to a second user using a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A subscriber who seeks to block access to contact information may receive identifying information for people attempting to access the subscriber's contact information. The subscriber also may be provided interfaces to enable the attempting person to contact the subscriber, in a variety of escalating forms, without revealing the subscriber's contact information. In a particular implementation, a request is received from an information seeker for contact information for a subscriber. A data structure is accessed that includes an indication that the subscriber should be provided with information relating to requests received for the subscriber's contact information. A message address for the subscriber is accessed, and a message is sent to the subscriber indicating the request for the subscriber's contact information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for managing a call in real-time are disclosed. Methods and systems consistent with the present invention manage a call in real-time based on input from a user. A service center receives information pertaining to a call to the user from a service control point and sends a notification of the call to a device associated with the user. The service center receives a response to the notification from the user. Thereafter, the service center instructs the service control point to connect the call based on the response.

Abstract: An interactive assistant for managing telephone communications and services is disclosed. In one of many possible method embodiments, a chat interface is provided to a device associated with an intended recipient of an incoming voice call. A chat message from the intended recipient is received through the chat interface. The chat message is presented to a calling party associated with the incoming call prior to a disposition of the call being determined. In other embodiments, an interface provides controls for individually managing calls on a conference call, without affecting other calls on the conference call.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable storage media for splitting SIP back-to-back user agents and converting SIP communications between a back-to-back user agent server and a back-to-back user agent client to HTTP requests while preserving SIP headers. The back-to-back user agent server receives a SIP invite from a caller and converts the SIP invite to an HTTP request, wherein headers from the SIP invite are preserved in the HTTP request. The server transmits the HTTP request to a user agent client via a wide area network connection and receives, from the user agent client, an HTTP response to the HTTP request. The server converts the HTTP response to a SIP response, and transmits the SIP response to the caller, wherein the SIP response contains instructions for establishing SIP communications between the caller and a callee via a network.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for schedule management includes storing at least one schedule for a user. The current activity of the user is determined. At a remind time for each schedule, the user is reminded of the schedule according to a reminder method. The reminder method selection is based on at least the determined current activity of the user. Some of the reminder methods selected between may include, for example, voice, ring, vibration, light, and/or text.

Abstract: Provisioning is described for use in communications systems. The provisioning includes receiving a message at an inbox of a device. The message includes information of an electronic location of a source device from which to download the appropriate application and device and user-specific information used for configuration of the application. An application is automatically transferred to the device in response to selection of the received message by a user of the device. The application is automatically installed on the device. The application is auto-started, at which time it self-configures using the original message.

Abstract: A method for screening and routing incoming telephone calls includes extracting caller identification information from an incoming telephone call, providing a plurality of tables including a primary ring table, a secondary ring table, a voicemail table, a block call table, and a forward call table, and determining which one of the plurality of tables includes the caller identification information. The method further includes sending the incoming telephone call directly to voicemail without having a ring tone if the voicemail table includes the caller identification information, blocking the incoming telephone call if the block call table includes the caller identification information, and forwarding the incoming telephone call if the forward call table includes the caller identification information.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a call notification, voice mail message notification, or SMS message for a wireless device to a user's preferred device. When a wireless device receives an incoming call, a voice mail message, or a SMS message, the wireless device connects to a network and sends a notification to the user's preferred device. If the preferred device is not available, the notification is stored in a database.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for providing a notification to a communication device indicating that a voice mail recording from a calling party is in progress. One embodiment comprises a voice mail entity of a communication network. The voice mail entity initiates a recording of a voice mail message from a calling party for a communication device, and provides an alert to the communication device indicating that the recording of the voice mail message is in progress. In another embodiment, the voice mail entity receives a request from the communication device to communicate with the calling party, determines if the recording is in progress, and forwards a call from voice mail entity to the communication device based on a determination that the recording is in progress.

Abstract: A system and method for notifying the calling party of acknowledgment of the missed calls by the called party is disclosed. The called party and the calling party can subscribe for the notification service to enable charging for the service. When the calling party initiates a call to the called party it may result in a missed call as the called party may be out of coverage area or busy. When the called party views the record of the missed call a notification is generated on the wireless device by the application on the wireless device of the called party. The notification is then sent to the calling party. The acknowledgement notification may be sent directly to the calling party or via an application server.

Abstract: Displaying an IP call status is disclosed. An IP call status notification is received from an IP telephony device. A display update is caused by transmitting a display notification to an IP telephone.

Abstract: A system is disclosed which provides communication of recorded voice messages over a network among a plurality of users having voice communication devices. The system has a voice message server connected to the network, which includes a receiver which receives from a sending user's communication device a voice message signal including a header component and a recorded voice message component is stored at the server in association with the corresponding header. The header component identifies the sending user and an intended recipient user, and it is transmitted to the communication device of the intended recipient identified in the header component. The corresponding voice message component is transmitted to the recipient user's communication device in response to the recipient user's communication device requesting it. The recipient user may send a responsive voice message to the server addressed to the sending user.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for using caller data to electronically disseminate a message. In one aspect, a method involves (i) a phone switch receiving a phone call and corresponding caller data, (ii) the phone switch sending to a record manager, the caller data, (iii) the record manager receiving the sent caller data, and (iv) responsive to the record manager receiving the sent caller data, the record manager (a) retrieving from a data storage, a school identifier corresponding to the received caller data, and (b) causing a notification system to electronically disseminate a message, wherein the message indicates that an updated operational-status of a school identified by the retrieved school identifier is expected soon.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a mobile terminal (10), which comprises: a storage module (101), configured to store a linked list that includes a service ID and a reception time of a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) notification message, and a maximum length of the linked list; an inquiry module (102), configured to inquire whether there is a service ID identical with a service ID of a received MMS notification message in the linked list when the MMS notification message is received; a length determination module (103), configured to determine whether a length of the linked list is smaller than the maximum length when there is no service ID of the received MMS notification message in the linked list; a time difference determination module (104), configured to determine whether the time difference between the reception time and the last node in the linked list is greater than the time difference between the first node and the last node in the linked list when the length of the linked list is smaller than the maximu

Abstract: A collating application for message display and management executes on a communication device. The communication device includes a plurality of message applications associated with various communication channels, each message application receiving and storing messages associated with one of the various communications channels. The collating application dynamically accesses messages stored by the plurality of message applications to retrieve messages that meet defined matching criteria. The collating application permits the user to select a listing of the heterogeneous retrieved messages in a single view on the communication device. Icons associated with the matching criteria are displayable and vary in accordance with the presence or absence of unread messages meeting the matching criteria.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing messages and providing notifications regarding the same are described. An optional embodiment includes a telecommunications interface, a data network interface, and an answering system coupled to the telecommunications interface and the data network interface, the call processing system configured to receive a first call from a caller via the telecommunications interface, store a message from the caller, transmit a message notification using the data network to the intended recipient of the call via which the intended recipient can access the message, and transmit information related to the intended recipient's receipt of the message.

Abstract: A communication terminal includes a transceiver and a controller. The transceiver receives electronic messages from another communication terminal. The controller responds to receipt of each of the messages by examining content of the message according to at least one defined rule and to control sound characteristics of an alert tune that is played through a speaker responsive to the examined message content. The controller may attempt to match text from the message to a stored list of words and/or phrases, and to control the sound characteristics of the alert tune in response to an outcome of the matching.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to processing calls to busy and Do-Not-Disturb capable telecommunications lines. In one embodiment, the presence of a subscriber accessing a computer network over a first telephone line via a first computer terminal is detected, wherein the subscriber also has a first telephone station connected to the first line. When a caller calls the first line and the first line is busy, the call is forwarded to a second telephone line associated with a call manager system. The call manager system determines when the subscriber is no longer accessing the computer network. At least partly in response to determining that the subscriber is no longer accessing the computer network, the call manager system transmits a text message to the caller, the message including the subscriber's phone number. The caller can then call back the first line using the transmitted phone number.

Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling users to listen to outgoing voice mail messages are provided. These systems and methods record an audio file corresponding to a voice message being left by a user during an outgoing telephone call to a recipient, link the audio file to contact information associated with the recipient, and provide the user access to the audio file through, for example, playback of the audio included in the file. These systems and methods may be implemented through individual communications devices, such as an iPhone, through a telephone communications provider, or a combination of the same.

Abstract: A system and method for emergency telephone call notification. The system includes an AIN capable switch, a service control point (SCP) having a database of designated contact numbers associated with a service subscriber telephone number, and an intelligent peripheral (IP) in communication with the SCP for contacting the designated contact numbers. The method includes the steps of recognizing an N11 trigger and the SCP initiating telephone calls, via the IP, to each of the contact numbers corresponding to the telephone number of the subscriber making the emergency telephone call.

Abstract: Methods and systems to examine, in one embodiment, content of a voicemail to determine whether the voicemail is message-less. An indicator that indicates the voicemail is message-less can be presented in response to determining that the voicemail is message-less. A method in an embodiment can be performed on either a client system or on a voicemail server. In another embodiment, a method can determine whether a length of the content of a voicemail is less than a period of time and can display an indicator that the voicemail has either no content or is very short.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for associating a caller utterance with corresponding elements of a flowgraph that depicts a voice-response system. Thus, an analyst who selects an element in a flowgraph receives immediate access to those utterances—and only those utterances—that are associated with the selected element. The analyst can easily listen to the utterances and review statistics associated with them. The utterances are stored, retrieved, and presented in a systematic and organized way. In some embodiments in accordance with the present invention, an utterance is associated with the link between two events in the voice-response system. In some alternative embodiments, an utterance is associated with other data, including, but not limited to: the event that precedes it; the event that follows it; the telephone number of the caller.

Abstract: One or more devices in a visual voicemail system voicemail notification messages indicating voicemails are available for a user of the visual voicemail system and distribute the voicemail notification messages to a network device. The one or more devices receive an indication of a backlog processing requests for the visual voicemail system and stop, based on the indication, distributing the voicemail notification messages to the network device. After the stopping, the one or more devices receive another indication that the backlog processing requests for the visual voicemail system no longer exists and resume, based on the other indication, distributing the voicemail notification messages to the network device.

Abstract: A method for managing visual voicemail messages includes displaying a list of voicemail messages on a telecommunications handset, receiving user commands for operating on the voicemail messages including a delete message command and in response to a delete message command, marking a voicemail message for deletion with a delete timestamp and moving the voicemail message to a Deleted Messages folder. A Deleted Message Age Indicator function processes to control permanent deletion of voicemail messages in the Deleted Messages folder based on delete timestamps and a global Delete Time value in cooperation with a visual voicemail platform.

Abstract: The invention provides a method, system, and program product for authenticating a user to a telephonic communication device. In one embodiment, the invention includes obtaining a reference sample of an authorized user's voice, storing the reference sample of the authorized user's voice, collecting a sample of the voice of a user of the telephonic communication device, comparing the sample of the voice of the user to the reference sample of the authorized user's voice, determining whether the user is the authorized user, and in the case that the user is determined not to be the authorized user, prohibiting use of the telephonic communication device.

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