Abstract: Methods, apparatus and computer-readable media for registering and retrieving contact information associated with a potential calling party. The registration method comprises receiving an originating address associated with the potential calling party, receiving contact information associated with the potential calling party and storing the originating address associated with the potential calling party in an originating address field of a record associated with the potential calling party and storing the contact information associated with the potential calling party in a contact information field of the record associated with the potential calling party. This increases the variety of contact information that can be left by the potential calling party, contributes to a greater efficiency with which the eventual called party may retrieve contact information associated with a voice mail message and also accelerates the process by which an actual calling party can leave contact information for the called party.

Abstract: A mobile station has a plurality of modes for processing incoming push-to-talk (PTT) audio communications. A first PTT mode is a “forced audio” mode, in which the mobile station plays PTT audio communications automatically. A second PTT mode is a “polite” mode, in which the mobile station plays PTT audio communications only after acceptance by the user. A “white list” identifies any parties that are allowed to communicate with the mobile station using the first PTT mode. A PTT audio communication from an initiator that is not identified in the white list is processed using the second PTT mode, even if the first PTT mode is requested. In addition, a PTT audio communication may be processed using the second PTT mode if the mobile station's speaker volume level is below a threshold value.

Abstract: A method to provide a confirmation warning to a target sender of an electronic communication is disclosed. The confirmation warning is provided prior to transmitting the electronic communication from the target sender to a target recipient, there being an established pattern of communication between the target sender and the target recipient. In response to determining that specified details about the electronic communication are not consistent with details about the established pattern of electronic communication, setting a pattern warning flag and saving those details of the electronic communication determined to be not consistent. In response to detecting the presence of at least one of the pattern warning flag and a sensitive message flag, making available to the target sender a confirmation warning, and, in response to the target sender confirming acceptability of the target recipient to receive the electronic communication, transmitting the electronic communication to the target recipient.

Abstract: A device receives, from a management server, an optimal number of threads, generates a dynamic thread based on the optimal number of threads, and retrieves, from a message store, a message based on the dynamic thread and when the message store is not empty. The device receives a binding from a voicemail server associated with a voicemail user, generates a notification based on the retrieved message and based on the binding, and provides the notification to a user device associated with the voicemail user.

Abstract: Disclosed is reply voice message transmission system and method thereof for transmitting a reply voice message showing whether a voice message from a sender is received by receiver's pressing a predetermined key in a mobile phone in the course of or after hearing the voice message from the sender, in case that a voice message from the sender is transmitted to a receiver. The method comprises the steps of: a) registering a voice message from a sender; b) discriminating whether the registered voice message is confirmed by a receiver, and then storing the message in a database sequentially, in case that the voice message is not confirmed by the receiver; c) recording a reply voice message from the receiver in the course of or after hearing the voice message from the sender, in case that the voice message is confirmed by the receiver in the step (b); and d) transmitting the recorded reply voice message to a sender's mobile phone.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, circuit, system and application for providing messaging services. The method, circuit, system and application may provide for download, synchronization, voicemail-message to text-message translation, direct access and handling of selected voicemail messages through a user's user interface and other functionalities relating to voicemails, voicemail messages and/or voicemail/voicemail-messages related data received/generated/stored on a cellular operator's voicemail server.

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 method and apparatus for delivering information to a subscriber involved in an active telephony session is provided. A message originating from a sender and directed to the subscriber is received. Information related to the message is delivered to the subscriber by interrupting the active telephony session involving the subscriber.

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 phone terminal is provided which allows more efficient use of a record area for recording call data than before. A complex apparatus is capable of suspending recording of call data during a period in which a no-service state is detected. As a result, the recordation of call data is not performed while the call is interrupted. The call data no longer contains a voiceless area. The size of the call data can be minimized, resulting in that the effective use of the record area is promoted.

Abstract: A method for allowing a calling party to leave a message for a called party. The method comprises: receiving a command provided by the calling party and indicative of a desire of the calling party to leave a message for the called party; obtaining message destination information associated with the called party; receiving a voice message provided by the calling party; generating an electronic message representative of the voice message; and causing transmission of the electronic message based on the message destination information. An apparatus for implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for sending and receiving a message between a nonresident and a resident of a controlled environment facility that associates an identifier to the message, wherein the resident does not associate the identifier to resident created messages. The identifier my take the form of a barcode printed directly onto the message form or printed onto a detachable sticker that is affixed to the message form. Embodiments may allow the searching of a message for prohibited words, phrases, or ideas and notifying a relevant authority to the existence of such prohibited content. Embodiments may also allow a nonresident to select a delivery medium that is incompatible with the format of a message created by a resident by converting the resident created message to a message format compatible with the delivery medium.

Abstract: The present invention enables information about a service impacting network event to be collected from network operations and automatically conveyed to a Media Server that plays a network announcement to callers into network customer service center. The announcement can be played as an option on an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) menu and informs the caller of known service issues that are being addressed and estimates of when service should return to normal.

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

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for dynamically changing an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. Responses to a menu of prompts are monitored. A presentation order of the menu of prompts is automatically updated according to a set of rules. The set of rules describe qualifications for dynamically changing the menu of prompts.

Abstract: A digital notification and response system utilizes an administrator interface to transmit a message from an administrator to user contact devices having an advertising module and a customer module with translation abilities. The system comprises a dynamic information database that includes user contact data, priority information, and response data. The administrator initiates distribution of the message based upon grouping information, priority information, and the priority order. The message is transmitted through at least two industry standard protocols simultaneously to groups of user contact devices based upon priority information. Once the message is received by the user contact device, the user contact device transmits a response through the industry standard protocols back to the dynamic information database.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for providing a simulated stutter dial tone includes receiving a new voicemail notification message at a packet-based telephony device. The new voicemail notification message indicates that a new voicemail message is waiting in a voicemail box associated with a user of the packet-based telephony device. The method further includes detecting an off-hook status of the packet-based telephony device, and generating a simulated stutter dial tone signal by the packet-based telephony device in response to receiving the new voicemail notification message and detecting the off-hook status. The method further includes providing the simulated stutter dial tone signal to an audio reproduction device.

Abstract: A method and system for automatically connecting a calling party with a called party when the called party is leaving a message for the calling party. When first person is attempting to call a second person at the same time as the second person is leaving a voice mail message for the first person, a network system will determine that the second person is leaving the voice mail message for the first person and will responsively engage in call control signaling to disconnect the second person from the voice mail server and to instead set up a call between the first person and the second person. Once the call is set up between the first person and the second person, the first person and the second person may then conveniently talk with each other.

Abstract: When an electronic message with a voicemail attachment is received, an audio player object and a reply by chat object are displayed simultaneously along with the electronic message. A reply to the electronic message, whether by chat or by email, is associated with the same thread as the electronic message. The electronic message with the voicemail attachment is associated with a conversation thread that may also include chat messages and email messages. In a conversation view of a respective conversation thread, representations of an electronic voicemail message (an electronic message having a voicemail attachment), one or more chat messages and one or more email messages may be displayed simultaneously.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments provide notification information of a telephone voicemail message over a computer and/or hybrid communications network. A table of updated voicemail subscriber message information is generated that includes voicemail subscriber identifier information and voice mailbox message status for each respective subscriber. Web-based requests (or alternate communications standards communicating the requests) are received from subscribers for voice mailbox status information. For each request from a subscriber, subscriber-specific data is retrieved from the table and a data communications notification that incorporates the retrieved information is communicated to a voice/data communications device to provide an updated voice mailbox message status.

Abstract: A device and method provide a user with a template for a message having fields that can be pre-filled with data to reduce the manual entry of data into the message. The method includes, but is not limited to, executing an application at a device, wherein context data including context data items is associated with the executing application, selecting a messaging technology to send a message from the device, selecting a template for the message, wherein the template comprises one or more dynamic fields, selecting a context data item from the context data associated with the executing application, and inserting the selected context data item in the dynamic field to facilitate the creation of a message.

Abstract: A method and system for storing, transmitting and retrieving an audio message is disclosed herein. The invention allows a recipient to access a voice message sent by a sender by clicking on an access key in a SMS text sent to the recipient's phone. The SMS text preferably provides information on the sender and the length of the voice message. Once the recipient accesses the message, another SMS text is sent to the sender providing information on the when and how much of the voice message was communicated to the recipient. The voice message is preferably stored at a server of the system.

Abstract: A system and method for receiving information for voicemail. A call is received from a caller. A voicemail message from the caller is recorded. A caller identifier is received from the caller in response to recording the voicemail message. The caller identifier is associated with one or more profiles. The voicemail message is filed utilizing the associated profile in response to receiving the caller identifier.

Abstract: A 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: A CPU of an IP telephone apparatus transmits, to an ENUM server, a message “Request the NAPTR record” corresponding to the destination terminal. The CPU also receives a message “Respond to the NAPTR information” in response to the message “Respond to the NAPTR record”. Further, the CPU automatically transmits, from a network I/F to the ENUM server, the request for the registration of information regarding the apparatus terminal when the switch is initially turned ON after the IP telephone apparatus is installed and connected to the IP network. The request for the registration is previously stored in a memory. The CPU also receives the message “Respond indicating completion of the registration” in response to the request for the registration.

Abstract: A service providing information assistance may maintain for a subscriber contacts folders comprising private directories of the subscriber, and a personal profile containing the subscriber's preferences. When a user calls the service to attempt to communicate with a desired party through the service, the service can ascertain whether the desired party has a personal profile and/or a contacts folder associated with him/her. If so, the caller is allowed to communicate with the desired party on the terms and conditions defined by the desired party in his/her personal profile and/or contacts folder. For instance, the desired party may have defined therein who should be allowed to contact him/her, when he/she should be contacted, by what communication means, and whether the caller can be told any of the desired party's communication addresses (e.g., telephone number, email address, etc.).

Abstract: A method for multi-media message transfer transmits a message to multiple recipients. The method includes receiving a message addressed to multiple recipients. The method also includes determining an indication of a state of each recipient. The method also includes transmitting an acknowledgement. The acknowledgment includes at least one message identifying at least one recipient and the associated state of the at least one recipient.

Abstract: A method, system, and storage medium for providing comprehensive facsimile information within a voicemail system are disclosed. The method includes receiving a facsimile at a voicemail system, storing the facsimile in a recipient voice mailbox, and interpreting elements of the facsimile. The interpreting is performed by optical character recognition software. Upon receiving a request by a voicemail recipient to access the voice mailbox, and absent any pre-defined user preferences with respect to the handling of the facsimile, the method includes converting the interpreted elements of the facsimile into audible speech via a text-to-speech engine, formatting the converted elements resulting in a voicemail facsimile notification, presenting the voicemail facsimile notification and options to a communications device associated with the voicemail recipient, and implementing one of the options selected by the recipient.

Abstract: A method for providing a notification includes receiving a notification request at a central location. The notification request includes an audible message, a notification time, and a destination. The audible message is stored at the central location and associated with the notification time and destination. A current time is determined and compared with the determined notification time. The method further includes connecting a telephone call to the destination based on the determination and transmitting the stored audible message to the destination during the telephone call based on the connection.

Abstract: This disclosure details the implementation of methods, systems and computer program products for enhanced call screening (hereinafter, “ECS”). ECS systems implement a live call screening application whereby users may hear voicemail messages in real time as they are being recorded, decide whether or not they wish to talk to the caller leaving the message, and engage the caller in two-way communications by indicating interest in doing so.

Abstract: An automated product registration system registers a product in response to an incoming telephone call. Outbound telephonic notifications are sent based on user responses during the product registration. The notification can be a product recall alert, information about a complementary product and/or new feature the user showed interest in, and/or an option to extend warranty coverage. The system can transfer the user to a live agent when the user requests more information.

Abstract: A technique is disclosed that enables a telecommunications user to initially enter a greeting message in a single media format such as either voice or text. Subsequently, this greeting message is used by a server in response to any communication event that arrives for the user, such as a voice call or an email message, regardless of the media format of the arriving communication event. When the server receives arrival notifications of various communication events, it generates a customized greeting message in response to that event and in the same media format as the event itself. In other words, the server represents a previously-prepared outgoing voice or text message i) as a voice message in response to an incoming voice call and ii) as a textual message in response to an email, SMS text message, or instant message.

Abstract: A notification and response system utilizes an administrator interface to transmit an attendance messages from an administrator to a contact devices for guardians, employees, and students associated with an institution. The system comprises a dynamic information database that includes guardian, employee and student contact data, priority information, and response data. The administrator initiates distribution of the attendance message based upon grouping information, priority information, and the priority order. The message is transmitted through at least two industry standard protocol simultaneously to groups of guardian, employee, and student contact devices based upon priority information. Once the attendance message is received by the guardian, employee, or student contact devices, the guardian, employee, and student contact devices transmit a response through the industry standard protocol back to the dynamic information database.

Abstract: A digital notification and response system utilizing an administrator interface to transmit a message from an administrator to a user contact device. The system comprises a dynamic information database that includes user contact data, priority information, and response data. The administrator initiates distribution of the message based upon grouping information, priority information, and the priority order. The message is transmitted through at least two industry standard gateways simultaneously to groups of user contact devices based upon priority information. Once the message is received by the user contact device, the user contact device transmits a response through the industry standard gateways back to the dynamic information database.

Abstract: A unique system and method that facilitates group-based mobile communication around external feed content is provided. The system and method involve adding external feed content to content generated within a group. Both types of content can be viewed on the mobile devices of the group. Updates to the feed content can be obtained and communicated to the group. When multiple feeds are subscribed to by a group, one or more group members can display such feed content in a selective manner. For example, splinter groups can be formed off of the original group for members who wish to receive a subset of feeds (feed content) to assist them in focusing on a topic of interest. Group members can also employ display filters to restrict feed content displayed on their mobile devices. Users can also search for available feeds and form new groups around such content or join an existing group.

Abstract: A mailbox system that notifies the mail recipient, via a communication network, of the presence of physical mail in his or her mailbox. A button is placed in each mail slot that causes an electronic notification message to be sent to the mail recipient, thus notifying the mail recipient of the presence of physical mail in his or her mail slot and also causes an LED to be illuminated. When the physical mail is retrieved from the mail slot, the button is pressed again to deactivate the LED. Individual pieces of physical mail can be tagged with a RFID tag. A sensor in the mail slot reads the RFID tag and causes an electronic notification to be sent to the mail recipient.

Abstract: A digital multifunction device is provided with RAM having a virtual drive area. The digital multifunction device enables a personal computer connected to and capable of communicating with the digital multifunction device via a USB interface to recognize this virtual drive area as an external storage device. When the personal computer writes image data to the virtual drive area, the digital multifunction device selectively executes one of an image forming process, fax transmitting process, and mail transmitting process based on the type of folder in which the image data is written. Accordingly, image data in a first folder is printed on recording paper, or image data in a second folder is transmitted to an external facsimile machine.

Abstract: In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, a method is provided for arranging voice feedback to a digital wireless terminal device, which includes a voice-assisted user interface (Voice UI), wherein the terminal device gives a voice feedback corresponding to its state. The terminal device includes memory devices (PPM) for storing the voice feedbacks. In the method, the following stages take place to arrange the voice feedback in connection with the terminal device: one or more voice feedbacks are generated, the generated voice feedbacks are converted into a digital form, the digitalized voice feedbacks are edited with chosen algorithms (ACELP) in order to reduce their file size, and the edited voice feedbacks are stored in a memory (PPM) arranged in connection with the terminal device.

Abstract: A computer/telephony integrated single-point-of-contact system (CISS) enabling a user to contact another using multiple devices with a single contact attempt is disclosed. A plurality of computer programs residing in a computer use a subscriber database, authorization database, priority list database, and device attributes database to determine how to respond to a request to contact a subscriber. If the request is an emergency, the computer repeatedly contacts all of the subscriber's devices until a response is received. Otherwise, the computer contacts the subscriber's devices in a sequential order determined by the subscriber. The computer can also delete redundant un-received messages from a subscriber's devices and create a real-time connection between the requester and the subscriber, if it is technically possible, at the subscriber's request.

Abstract: Audibly identifying an event includes enabling selection of a first sound based upon an identifier. The identifier enables identification of an entity related to the event. A notification of an occurrence of the event is received. The notification includes the identifier. An intended recipient is alerted of the event by playing, in response to the notification, at least a portion of the first sound and at least a portion of a second sound that is related to the event.

Abstract: A system for customizing a communications network, the system including a first communications station associated with a calling party, a second communication station associated with a called party, a storage device containing at least one announcement, and a communications device for initiating a forked or forwarded call to locate the called party at the second communications station. The forked or forwarded call is initiated by the calling party whereby at least a portion of a call signal is replaced with at least a portion of the announcement. The announcement is associated with the calling party and is chosen by the called party and played to the calling party after initiation of the call but prior to active communication with the called party. Also, the call signal is selected from one of ringback signals, busy signals, network redirect signals, call progress signals, network announcement signals, or dial tone signals.

Abstract: A method and system is presented to route calls to a voicemail system. The method includes receiving a call from an originating device at a first redirecting device and forwarding the call from the first redirecting device to a second redirecting device. The forwarded call has an associated data message that includes a calling number of the originating device and the first redirecting number of the first redirecting device. The method also includes forwarding the call from the second redirecting device to a destination voice mailbox. The destination voice mailbox is selected based on an evaluation of the first redirecting number and the second redirecting number.

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: Disclosed are a method, system and computer program product for processing voicemail messages to a user's wireless communication device based on a location of a caller's wireless communication device. Call answering protocols are assigned for implementation based on the location of the caller's wireless communication device at a time a call is received from the caller's device. Call answering protocol entries are received via a wireless communication device. When a call is received, a location of the caller's wireless communication device is detected. Location information regarding the caller's wireless communication device is received at a call switching component. The call is processed at the call switching component based on the call answering protocol for handling a caller's call received from the location of the caller's wireless communication device.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing protocol information used in exchanging communications is provided. One or more protocol profiles are stored. Each of the protocol profiles is associated with a protocol. One or more transaction profiles are stored. Each of the transaction profiles identifies a combination of protocol profiles. One or more trading partner transaction profiles are stored. Each of the trading partner transaction profiles identifies a configuration of protocols for exchanging communications with a receiving party. After storing the profiles, a particular parameter value of a particular protocol profile is updated to identify an updated value without updating any of the transaction profiles. Updating the particular parameter value causes the updated value to be inherited by at least one of the transaction profiles. An application may obtain the updated value by accessing a profile that references the particular protocol profile.

Abstract: A method and system for using web services to notify a subscriber that an event has occurred at a voice mail switch and to retrieve the event is described. A notification server receives an event and an associated identifier from the voice mail switch. The identifier is correlated to a subscriber and an alert indicating that the event occurred is generated. The alert is sent to a destination selected by the subscriber. The alert includes an event reference that links the subscriber to the event through a network via a URL. The subscriber retrieves the event through a web portal view associated with the URL.

Abstract: A mechanism is disclosed for facilitating the performance of communication services in a communication network. An enhanced proxy server receives and proxies to a voice mail server a message indicative of a call attempt from an originating party to a terminating party. Further, the enhanced proxy server extracts an outgoing voice mail message from a data store and makes the outgoing voice mail message available for the voice mail server to play to the originating party in a session established between the voice mail server and the originating party in response to the signaling message.

Abstract: A portable terminal with a telephone or radio communication function, a call response message transmitting method and a server for, when the user cannot answer an incoming call, enabling the user of the portable terminal to inform the caller of his/her situation that does not allow him/her to answer the call. A portable terminal comprises a storage for storing information on different types of messages each being associated with an image in a prescribed pose or gesture and a camera section for shooting an image when a call is received. The portable terminal recognizes the pose or gesture from an image shot by the camera section, and selecting a message corresponding to the recognized pose or gesture from the storage, and transmits the selected message to a calling terminal.

Abstract: A system and method for instant voice messaging in a telecommunication system. Users are able to compose, store, retrieve or listen to short messages. The instant voice messaging system provides two operating modes: auto mode and prompt mode. In auto mode, the instant voice message is played on the destination telephone set without user intervention. In prompt mode, the user at the destination telephone set controls playback of the instant voice message. According to another aspect, the instant voice messaging system provides a whisper mode of operation which allows voice messages to be sent and received when the user at the originating set and/or destination set is involved in another call.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for establishing telecommunication between at least a first and a second users within a telecommunication network comprising the following steps: receiving a request from said first user to set up a telecommunication with said second user, monitoring telecommunication activity in accordance with said request to detect a telecommunication activity of said second user with a third user different from said first user, and, in case of detection of said telecommunication activity of said second user, setting up a telecommunication between said first and second users after the end of said telecommunication activity of said second user with a third user different from said first user. The invention also relates to devices for performing the method.