Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlling and retrieving messages from multiple voice mail systems used by a single individual are described. A voice messaging retrieval and forwarding (VMRAF) system checks a subscriber's voice message systems for messages, retrieves the messages and forwards them to the subscriber as attachments to E-mail files. E-mail replay messages are used to control deleting of the messages from the original systems. Prompt messages played to callers by different voice messaging systems before they leave a message can be updated automatically. This is done by indicating to the VMRAF system when one or more prompt messages are to be updated and which messages, from a set of prerecorded messages, are to be loaded into the voice message systems to replace the existing prompt messages. Accordingly, the VMRAF system facilities message retrieval and the updating of prompt messages, e.g., on a preselected schedule or at preselected times.

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: Transmission of messages composed on one or more input devices to a single or multiple recipients by means of one or plural communication modes is facilitated. Such communication modes may include conventional or wireless telephone, facsimile transmission, pager, e-mail, postal mail or courier. Thus, a message may be directed to a single recipient via multiple modes, such as e-mail and fax, in order to ensure the earliest possible receipt of the message; or may be directed to multiple recipients by a single mode or by different modes. In the case of multiple-mode delivery, “escalation” rules may specify conditions under which different delivery modes may be sequentially employed. Automatic follow-up to determine whether a message has been received, as well as automatic sender notification upon confirmation of receipt, may be employed. The system is capable of sending messages having embedded questions, and facilitating multi-question surveys.

Abstract: A method and system of mass multimedia messaging in a system having a service provider and a plurality of subscriber communication terminals supported by the service provider, wherein at least some of the subscriber terminals have different messaging capabilities and different message format requirements. The method includes adaptation and handling of a mass multimedia message, and mass multimedia message notification. The system uses a retrieval platform and a processing platform. The retrieval platform generates a unique message identifier for the mass multimedia message, and pre-adapts the message into adapted content messages for the terminal types supported by the service provider. The processing platform formats message notifications for the subscriber terminals based on each terminal's messaging capabilities, with each notification containing the unique message identifier.

Abstract: In a communication network that provides a path through a cable IP network between sending and receiving terminals residing on respective networks (e.g., an HFC, and/or PSTN network) controlled by different network managers or service providers, a controller hands off control of service access of the terminals between the service providers. Subscriber terminals may include broadband telephony interfaces, cable modems, or multimedia terminal adapters. To effect hand-off control, configurable modules of the terminals enable them to respond directly to a network manager (e.g., cable modem termination system or call management server) according to instructions supplied by the controller based either on subscriber authorization, database information, call type, dialing plan, and/or other parameters. Transfer of call control may also occur on a call-by-call basis.

Abstract: A telephony communications approach implements an autodiscover feature that enables an endpoint device to automatically locate and establish communication with a desirable server in a web of interconnected servers. In one specific example implementation, the endpoint device is an internet-type telephone communicating with a remotely-located server in an internet-based private branch exchange. Various packet-communicating endpoint devices are adapted to communicate with the internet-based private branch exchange by adapting each to automatically broadcast its identity and, in response to receiving an assignment for the appropriated iPBX, establish communication with the internet-based private branch exchange from other packet-based servers. Other aspects of the invention are directed to approaches for distinguishing the desired internet-based private branch exchange from the other packet-based servers and implementations for assigning the appropriate iPBX.

Abstract: A method of presenting an item from a menu of an IVR system for selection is provided, comprising presenting the item to a caller, presenting an audio space to the caller, and detecting any of a number of inputs from an input device during the presentation of the item and the audio space to indicate the selection of the item by the caller.

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: Disclosed is a unified messaging system and method for combining a voice-mail system with an e-mail system. The present invention is a hybrid event driven system that polls a universal e-mail box for receipts, with the voice-mail system being fully event driven. The present invention maintains two persistent log-ins to the universal e-mail box, one to deliver messages and one to read message receipts. Thus, the system and method does not need to log-in and -out or read the entire list of messages. The present invention uses a file system instead of a state database. The system and method acts in real time such that messages in the unified messaging systems are synchronized within a pre-determined real-time. The system and method uses a “fail-safing” technique in which, after copies of messages are made and stored by each messaging component, allows one system to work if another is down.

Abstract: A method for signaling an Integrated Messaging System (IMS) on an Internet Protocol (IP) based network to deposit a message, including the steps of sending a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) SIP INVITE request to the IMS indicating a message deposit action; receiving a corresponding SIP message from the IMS agreeing to participate in the message deposit action; and sending an SIP acknowledge message to the IMS confirming receipt of the corresponding SIP message; and depositing the message in a destination mailbox. A method of signaling an IMS on an IP based network to retrieve a deposited message, the method including the steps of sending a SIP INVITE request to the IMS indicating a message retrieval action; receiving a corresponding SIP message from the IMS agreeing to participate in the message retrieval action; sending an SIP acknowledge message to the IMS confirming receipt of the corresponding SIP message; and retrieving the deposited message from a mailbox corresponding to known account information.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the methods and apparatuses receive a telephone number from an originating device; match the telephone number to an IM identifier; associate the IM identifier to a receiving device; and establish a telephone call between the originating device and the receiving device.

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: A telephone message system accessible to a calling party attempting to reach a called party is disclosed. The system includes a carrier switch configured to route telephone calls via a public switched telephone network, and a message server associated with the calling party and independent of the called party, wherein the message server is configured to record a message from the calling party and to deliver the message to the called party, and wherein the carrier switch is configured to selectively route the calling party to the message server.

Abstract: A method is provided for transmitting notification messages for submission of multimedia messages to telecommunications devices embodied as multimedia message sinks, wherein to reduce the effort involved in transmitting notification messages and the associated administration effort in an entity sending the notification message on submission of multimedia messages to telecommunications devices embodied as multimedia message sinks independently of their multimedia capabilities, a service center responsible for sending the notification messages transmits on submission of multimedia messages in a notification message a first notification information which is preferably binary coded, and a second notification information which is preferably embodied as text information, uniformly to different variants of telecommunications devices as regards their multimedia capabilities.

Abstract: A system for providing information content over a network to a mobile communication device includes a transcoding system and a first network device. The transcoding system includes a plurality of transcoders. Each transcoder is operable to transcode the information content from a respective input content type into a respective output content type. The first network device is in communication with the transcoding system and includes a connection handler system. The first network device is operable to receive a first connection request that includes transcoder request data and to select a corresponding connection handler. The connection handler is operable to select one or more transcoders from the plurality of transcoders based on the transcoder request data.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a translation gateway is for use between a network of a messaging service provider and a hostile data network. The gateway is to forward messages using a secure connection through the hostile network, to a customer's network. Different types of inbound messages (e.g., voice; fax) can be delivered to a single client process running on a customer machine on the customer network. In addition, the translation gateway may be used to securely forward different types of outbound messages originating from the client process to the service provider's network (where the messages are retransmitted as voice calls or facsimiles into a telephone network). Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

Abstract: A method for execution by an owner of a mailbox in a voice mail system. The method comprises using an access device to access a voicemail message contained in the mailbox and entering a command instrumental in causing the voicemail message to be forwarded over a telephone network to a conversion entity. At the conversion entity, an electronic representation of the voicemail message is created and then the electronic representation of the voicemail message is rendered accessible to the owner of the mailbox, e.g., by sending an email message to a predetermined address. In this way, electronic representations of voicemail messages in a mailbox can be accessed by the owner of the mailbox using a device of choice, not necessarily the access device used initially to enter the command. Also, this functionality is achieved while allowing the voice mail system to remain a legacy voice mail system.

Abstract: One preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a system and method for supplying third party announcements to a receiving party having a device coupled to the Internet. One embodiment of the present invention includes a method and system for providing Internet caller-ID service, wherein third party content is placed in the Internet caller-ID messages. In return, the receiving party and/or calling party receives consideration from the third party. Other methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: A method may include selecting a voice mail out-dial access number corresponding to a local access transport area (LATA) boundary, storing the voice mail out-dial access number on a voice mail system, and providing, by the voice mail system, voice mail out-dial service based on the LATA boundary associated with the voice mail out-dial access number. A method for providing toll-free access to the voice mail system that may be used by customers from both on-network and off-network end points.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems for message notification in instant messaging are provided in which a message in an instant messaging session is received at a client application. The content of the received message is compared with a set of entries and the content is matched with an entry. Notification of a new message is displayed in a form representing the matched entry. Each entry may be associated with a category and the step of displaying notification represents the category of the matched entry. The entries may be any one of or a combination of words, phrases and/or symbols which commonly appear in messages such that a user can determine the category of a message content without focusing on the message.

Abstract: A network device has a voice mail module adapted to provide voice mail functionality for calls of a first type directed to the network device. The calls of the first type are originally intended for the network device. The voice mail module also provides voice mail functionality for calls of a second type directed to the network device. The calls of the second type are originally intended for one or more other network devices in respect of which the network device has been designated as a backup. In a system having such network devices, voice mail functionality may be provided locally at the network devices. The network devices may be implemented as telephones. In the event that a network device is no longer available on the network, another network device designated as a backup network device takes voice mail messages for the network device that is unavailable. This significantly improves overall system reliability and availability.

Abstract: The present invention provides presence-aware systems. More specifically, methods and systems are provided that enable a contact center to utilize presence information when servicing a contact. When the presence of a particular customer is detected, such information may be provided to or otherwise ascertained by the contact center. Once the contact center has the presence information it may use it to determine how best to call back the customer such that it is convenient for the customer and an agent of the contact center.

Abstract: An application server is configured for initiating a messaging session for an incoming call by accessing a subscriber profile information from a directory server and a subscriber announcement from a messaging server. The application server includes a fault tolerant routine for initiating a messaging session, enabling playing of the subscriber's spoken name during the messaging session based on a determined unavailability of the messaging server. The subscriber announcement and the subscriber's spoken name (or another audible subscriber identifier) are stored in the messaging server as first and second data files having first and second sizes, respectively, where the second size is substantially smaller than the first size. The second data file also is stored in the directory server with the subscriber profile information.

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 computer-implemented system is provided, including a network consisting of the Internet, PSTN, and CATV network. The network is connected to multiple users' client systems, and also to multiple service provider systems. Each user has a user profile stored in a User Preference Database, while each service provider has service parameters defining the type of its service stored in a Service Database, both of which are connected to the network. The system further includes a Gatekeeper Server, which establishes voice communication among the client systems and the service provider systems. In operation, upon receiving a user's request for service, the Gatekeeper Server identifies one or more service providers whose service parameters match the user's request for service and the user's profile. Upon the user's selection of one such service provider, the Gatekeeper server automatically selects and establishes a preferred mode of voice connection between the user and the selected service provider.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed to provide recommendations to a wireless device, based on stored bookmark/short-cut data. When a wireless device accesses services, data pertaining to the service access, along with any context related information is transmitted within the wireless device, or to a remote server. The data is processed in conjunction with bookmarks/short-cuts specified within the device, and are organized and presented to the wireless device in accordance with preference instructions specified within the wireless device.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and devices for unified messaging. One method provides for receiving a message having a first identifier associated with a user, translating the first identifier associated with the user to a second identifier comprising a zip code and a street address, the second identifier being associated with a network address, and sending the message to the user at the network address. A line interface device of the present invention is associated with an address that comprises a zip code.

Abstract: Processing a speech utterance by communicating between a local computer and a remote computer using a hyper text communication session. The local computer sends a recording of a speech utterance to the remote computer in the session, and receives a result from the remote computer, the result based on a processing of the recording at the remote computer.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a user with an accurate audible pronunciation of a person's name in a non-call environment using the spoken name pre-recorded and saved at the person's Voice Mail system is described herein. An Application Server can obtain an audio file of a person speaking his or her name for the external Voice Mail System to which he or she subscribes, and provide the audio file to a User requesting to hear an accurate pronunciation of the person's name. The Application Server can provide this spoken name pronunciation feature as part of a Directory Information Service, talking call waiting feature, or to other Online Applications.

Abstract: In a content delivery system, a gatekeeping apparatus is connected to a network. Prior to the transmission of a request message to a content server, a user terminal transmits an enquiry message to the gatekeeping apparatus. In response, the gatekeeping apparatus makes a decision as to whether or not a content can be retrieved from the content server and performs control on the transmission of the request message according to the decision. If the decision indicates that a content can be retrieved, the user terminal transmits the request message to the content server. In a preferred embodiment, the gatekeeping apparatus makes comparison between user's preference data and server's policy data and determines whether the requested content can be retrieved from the server. A cache memory may be provided in the user terminal or gatekeeping apparatus to store past decisions regarding requested contents.

Abstract: An integrated messaging system for performing various types of messaging across different types of networks, including integrated user interfaces and administrator interfaces. Embodiments include a communication server that couples among networks of different types, and an interface module that couples to the communication server. The interface module may be hosted on a messaging server of a network. The interface module pulls various user information from the messaging server, including information relevant to at least the network that includes the messaging server. A cache couples to the communication server and to the interface module to hold information from the communication server and/or the user information pulled from messaging server. The interface module directs a message from the messaging server and/or the cache to at least one device on the networks using the user information.

Abstract: A contact relating to a communication being processed in a contact center (such as for example a voice call, video call or chat session) is allocated a unique identifier. A web page is accessible to the remote customer involved in the communication. On entering the unique identifier in the web page the user is provided with a customised page including information regarding the status of the contact (such as for example queue position, queue skillset, and expected wait time) and the user can select options in this page to influence the processing of the contact by the contact center, such as by switching queues, requesting a specific agent to handle the contact or terminating the contact and substituting an email or a callback request.

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 to selectively share messages are described. An apparatus may comprise a trusted delegate server having a message sharing module. The message sharing module may be operative to selectively retrieve messages for a primary message recipient from a unified messaging server based on a message type defined by a message sharing policy. The messaging sharing module may send the messages to a secondary message recipient for the message type as defined by the message sharing policy over a packet-switched network. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A voicemail system enabling various components of the voicemail system to be distributed geographically yet operate as a seamlessly integrated system is disclosed. A signal gateway interfaces with a telephone network. In addition, one or more media servers interface with the signal gateway as well as the telephone network. The signal gateway is configured to block calls to malfunctioning media servers. The signal gateway monitors the media servers, and responsive to determining that a media server has malfunctioned, the signal gateway initiates auto-blocking such that the telephone network does not route calls to the malfunctioning media server. In addition, the signal gateway is configured to auto-detect a media server responsive to the media server being initialized. The voicemail system can include a variety of other elements, such as one or more system management units and one or more central data and message store systems.

Abstract: A system and method for accepting a recipient identifier, wherein the recipient identifier can be used to identify an electronic mail (email) recipient; generating a petition based on the recipient identifier and at least one petition rule, wherein the at least one petition rule includes at least one of: 1) a sender identification method; and 2) a recipient; and wherein the petition can be used by a email provider to allow a recipient to receive email from a sender.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus and method for storing a language preference and providing the stored language preference automatically without any intervention of a user. The user may have an option to set a desired language preference on the calling apparatus such as a telephone device. A call center may send a query requesting language preference information of the user to the calling apparatus when the user makes a call connection to the call center. The desired language preference saved on the calling apparatus may be sent directly from the calling apparatus to the call center. In this manner, the user may not have to repeat a language selection process for every call made to the call center.

Abstract: The present invention informs a recipient of a holding non-voice call and allows the recipient to participate in real time text communication. A voice/text server is capable of communicating with a text device across a network or the Internet. The text device transmits the non-voice call to the voice/text server where the non-voice call is stored in a memory. The voice/text server generates a placeholder call and transmits the placeholder call to a voice telephone. The recipient receives the placeholder call by use of a voice telephone. A local text device generates a text link that is transmitted to the voice/text server. The voice/text server matches the text link to the holding text call. Text communication may then proceed between the users in any number of formats.

Abstract: The present invention integrates Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) and computer network technologies to provide telephone services. The system of the present invention comprises a gateway serving as an interface between a service control point (SCP) of an AIN and a computer network. The computer network is preferably the Internet. The SCP obtains call routing instructions from the subscriber of the present invention through a link during a communication session between the subscriber and the computer network. A trigger is provisioned on a subscriber's line. When a call for a telephone line having the provisioned trigger is detected at a service switching point (SSP), a query is launched to the SCP. A call processing request query comprising calling party information is provided to the gateway. The gateway obtains a response from the computer network containing call processing instructions. The call is processed in accordance with the response.

Abstract: An approach is disclosed for providing an audio phone card. A telephone call is received for an audio service from a voice station by user. Audio content is transmitted to the user over the telephone call, wherein playback of the audio content is controlled by the user via the telephone call.

Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to an apparatus and methodology for recording, at a central data center, telephone conversations originating from remote locations. The present subject matter has particular utility to the penal (corrections) environment in that it discloses a methodology for recording and storing voice and related data at a central data center remote from either the origination or destination locations of a telephone call placed by an inmate in a prison or other facility. The disclosed technology permits storage of both voice and call related data at a remote facility in such a manner that the data is searchably accessible by authorized personnel at other remote locations by way of network or Internet connection to the central data center.

Abstract: A communication system can include a telephony application server and at least one speech engine, where the system uses a standardized messaging protocol that specifies a standard for media resources. The telephony application server can have at least one voice server component. The speech engines can be allocated to handle requests for the voice server component on a per turn basis. The standardized messaging protocol can define a message format for request messages sent from the voice server component to a selected speech engine, a message format for response messages sent from the speech engine to the voice server component, and a message format for event messages sent from the speech engine to the voice server component. Each message format can include a field for a call identifier.

Abstract: Aspects of the present invention relate to improved systems and methods adapted for receiving and storing a voice recording and transmitting the recording to an Internet social networking website. The method and systems of the present invention include receiving a voice recording at a server from a telecommunications client, associating the voice recording with an identification datum related to the origin of the voice recording, and storing the voice recording with the associated identification datum on the server. A server may receive a request from a user using a second telecommunications client to send the stored voice recording to a social networking website. The user may be presented with a menu of social networking websites. The server may receive a social networking website selection from the user and the identification datum from the user.

Abstract: An audible announcement is played to a calling party, upon initiation of a call to a called party, before establishment of the call as a two party stable call between the calling party and the called party. The audible announcement comprises one or more of: a number of the called party; a name of the called party; and/or a rate for the call between the calling party and the called party.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for supporting intelligent call routing (ICR) systems multiple vendors, in a vendor neutral fashion using a computer is described. One embodiment has a voice program send a call routing request using an HTTP format to a call routing program. The call routing program decodes the HTTP request and identifies the appropriate vendor-specific communication format and communications method for talking to the ICR system specified in the HTTP request. The call routing program sends the request and receives the answers from the ICR system in the vendor specific formats. The call routing program provides the ICR system response back to the voice program in a vendor neutral fashion. This approach allows voice programs to easily be written that work with multiple ICR systems and allow component reuse of call routing code amongst programs that end up working with multiple systems.

Abstract: A method of enabling a user of an instant messaging client to forward an audio recording to another person via his or her instant messaging client is disclosed. The recipient's instant messaging client then inquires whether the recipient would like to hear the audio recording immediately. If the recipient answers yes, then the audio recording is played for the recipient through the instant messaging client. In contrast, if the user answers no, or is “unavailable,” or does not answer at all, the instant messaging client forwards the audio recording a voice mailbox associated with the recipient for later retrieval in well-known fashion via a telephone. This invention is particularly advantageous when the recipient is engaged in a telephone call when the audio recording arrives because it enables the recipient to hear the message immediately and without having to access the voice mail system while engaged in call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for associating message types, elements, and/or content with data from one or more data stores are provided. Current limitations on the tracking and management of information contained within or associated with message types and elements are overcome through an association manager or “data linking engine” that provides context-driven workflow management for end-users. The end-users may work in an application context that is not integrated in the messaging system. The application context may include databases, systems, data stores, links in Web pages, etc. If the association manager appends data to a given message, recipients of that message have the ability to access added functionality within the context of the messaging system.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for detecting and repairing audio recordings that contain busy signals and extended periods of silence by searching for clusters of silence by reviewing the amplitude in an audio recording sample and listing each silence and sample time.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a translation gateway is for use between a network of a messaging service provider and a hostile data network. The gateway is to forward messages using a secure connection through the hostile network, to a customer's network. Different types of inbound messages (e.g., voice; fax) can be delivered to a single client process running on a customer machine on the customer network. In addition, the translation gateway may be used to securely forward different types of outbound messages originating from the client process to the service provider's network (where the messages are retransmitted as voice calls or facsimiles into a telephone network). Other embodiments are also described and claimed.

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.