Abstract: Systems and methods for providing enhanced caller identification screening using audible caller name announcement are disclosed. Generally, a request for audible caller identification associated with a calling communication station is transmitted to the calling communication station based on an analysis of a query comprising data indicating whether presentation of standard call identification information to a called communication station. Audible caller identification information is then received and transmitted to the called communication station.

Abstract: A method for providing Interactive Voice Response functionality within a multi-tiered telephony environment can identify an enterprise archive file that contains an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) application. The enterprise archive file can contain multiple interpreters for different markup languages. The enterprise archive file can also include a servlet that maps the interpreters to telephony sessions. The enterprise archive file can be deployed within a J2EE compliant application server having a SIP interface. The deployed IVR application can be utilized to provide IVR functions for SIP based telephony sessions.

Abstract: A method and a system for incorporating audio clips during a voice call between a calling subscriber A and at least one called subscriber B is provided. At least one of the subscribers A or B incorporates a desired audio clip into the voice call by a press of a button on the respective subscriber's telecommunications terminal.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for responding to a communication. The communication is received from a sender's address and is destined for a recipient's address. An audible message associated with the sender's address is retrieved. The audible message is sent to a server that stores messages associated with the sender.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed generally to recording communication of a call utilizing a multi-channel recording technique. According to one exemplary embodiment, inbound communication from each party to a call (e.g., from each communication device that is party to a call) to a recording system is assigned to a separate channel, and communication on each channel is independently recorded. Further, during the call, a control channel is generated that correlates the multiple communication channels. The independently recorded communication channels and control channel may be used to analyze a recorded call from any desired perspective. For instance, communication from a given party may be analyzed in isolation. Further, the control channel enables the recorded multiple communication channels to be correlated such that the communication received (e.g., heard) by any selected party may be accurately re-created for analysis thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for creating a composite data source having a common data representation from disparate sources of voice data. Data transmission links are established to heterogeneous messaging data sources, requests for voice data is sent using data access protocols, the voice data is received, and a set of voice data transformation rules are selectively applied to the voice data to transform the data into a common data representation. The common data representation can also be used as a source for reporting and graphical displays to monitor the operational aspects of the sources of voice data.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system, method and device for providing information relating to a received communication for a device. The method comprises generating and providing a message on a display of the device indicating receipt of an inbound communication, after determining that the device is to receive the inbound communication while the device is composing an outbound communication and after determining the inbound communication is related to the outbound communication by an analysis of information of the inbound communication against information of the outbound communication. The message provides options for processing the inbound communication depending on whether the outbound communication is initiated as either a reply to the inbound communication or a forwarding of the inbound communication.

Abstract: A method and system for accomplishing closed-loop transaction processing in conjunction with interactive, real-time, voice transmission of information to a user is disclosed. A voice-based communication between a user and a first system is established and a report is transmitted to the user. The report might comprise information and at least one request for user input based on said information. In response to the report, the user can request a transaction based on said information. The requested transaction is completed automatically by connecting to a second system for processing.

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

Abstract: To manage a continuity of telephone service in relation to a user associated with a communication terminal (TC) and with at least one communication device (DC), a server (SC) connected to the communication terminal and to the communication device is able to power off the communication terminal following detection of an event relating to the absence of the user close to the communication terminal, and to enable call forwarding from the communication terminal to the communication device based on a user profile. The server is also able to power on the communication terminal following detection of an event relating to the presence of the user close to the communication terminal, and to disable the call forwarding from the communication terminal to the communication device.

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: Described and disclosed is a system and method for routing and delivering medical phone messages efficiently in a hospital or clinic setting. The invention includes extending a call resource accessible to medical personnel and patients through an application programming interface and recording communications between users of the system. Messages may then be routed to an appropriate user. Employed is a dual-tone multi-frequency signaling system and setting a sample rate using a global parameter, sample rate and a frame size. The system and method have ability to leave a message mid-call based on the dual-tone multi-frequency signaling wherein the system leaves a generic message while the user is navigated to leave an actual voice message all in a “in-call” process that is transparent to the user.

Abstract: Apparatus and method to allow retrieval of voice messages deleted from the voice message memory of a voice messaging system. A voice messaging system such as a telephone answering device includes a deleted voice message memory for storing voice messages deleted from the voice message memory. The deleted voice messages stored in the deleted voice message memory are retrievable by the user for review subject to rules for permanent deletion of the deleted voice messages (e.g., after a period of time, when the deleted voice message memory approaches capacity, periodically, etc.).

Abstract: Data related to a call is stored to a container in a manner that enables the data to be authenticated. “Container” refers to any type of data structure for storing data, such as a file, database, etc. Thus, a protected container is provided to which captured information relating to a call (e.g., recorded audio of the call, captured application data, captured external data, etc.) is stored. The protected container enables detection of any tampering of the protected data, as well as authentication of such data. A multi-channel recording technique is used to record audio for each outbound channel of a call. Each channel of the audio may be watermarked, and a signature may be generated for use in authenticating the audio data. Information relating to the call (e.g., captured audio, application data, external data, etc.) is captured and streamed into the protected container during the call (i.e., in real time).

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: Methods and systems are described for providing a telecommunications services menu accessible via a voice interactive system, such as a voice services node. A subscriber accesses a voice communications menu by accessing a voice services node. The voice services node queries a customer profile database to obtain a list of telecommunications services available to the subscriber. At the voice services node, a voice prompt is constructed for providing the subscriber a voice menu of the available services. After the subscriber receives the voice prompt of menu items, the subscriber may select a service from the provided menu.

Abstract: A computational system is provided that includes: (a) a boundary analyzer 164, 168, and 216 operable to identify a next boundary in a predetermined activity; and (b) an interrupt handler 160 operable to (i) determine that a notification is to be provided to a user, (ii) determine that the user is currently engaged in the predetermined activity on a computational device, and (iii) provide the notification to the user in temporal proximity to the identified next boundary.

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: The invention disclosed comprises a method and device for receiving an order request from a first party along with contact information for the first party, routing at least some communication made using, or to, second contact information, such as may be provided to the first party, and providing at least part of the order request and first contact information to a third party. The contact information may be a phone number or an e-mail address or a plurality of same.

Abstract: A messaging system for selectively performing an action on information, for remote retrieval of messages, for performing action on information at different times, for selective paging, for providing a user interface for message access and having integrated audio visual messaging.

Abstract: The current invention is a system for providing directory assistance service in which a user sends a request to the system and the system will, based on the request, return advertisements, which may be in a visible or audible form. The advertisements are selected from a databank, which may include any number advertisements categorized within the category associated with the service, according to selection criteria. After the advertising announcement is completed, the directory assistance call is processed as usual.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for responding to a voice message includes accessing input from a first user at an endpoint indicating a desire to communicate to a second user a response to a voice message created by the second user and forwarded to the first user by a third user. The forward includes the voice message and at least one introduction to the voice message. The method also includes accessing the response, which includes a voice message created by the first user, automatically determining an address associated with the second user for communicating the response to the second user, and automatically communicating the response to the determined address without communicating to the determined address the introduction to the voice message forwarded to the first user.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and system for providing third party advertisements with the use of a delayed call connection system, comprising an answering system configured to play an advertisement message after answering a call to a business; a plurality of advertisers' messages stored in memory and accessible by said answering system, whereby at least one of the advertisers is not related to the business; and a communication system configured to connect the telephone caller to the business after the plurality of advertisers' messages have been played.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for creating and utilizing caller-specific memory locations or folders within a single voicemail box of a telecommunications network-based voicemail system. A subscriber to voicemail services sets up a plurality of caller-specific memory locations or folders within her voicemail box for directing incoming messages to particular folders. Preferably, the folders are specific to particular callers based on the caller directory number or caller ID. The subscriber assigns a given folder with directory numbers of callers known to be associated with that folder. When a call comes in to the voicemail system with a directory number associated with a given folder, the voice message from that call is directed to and saved in the associated folder. If desired, personal identification numbers (PIN) may be assigned to each folder to control access to messages saved therein.

Abstract: Systems and methods that, among other things, analyze and monitor the performance of a call center including performance of the interactive voice response (IVR) systems, call center agents, and other components of the call center. The systems and methods record characteristics of the call such as the audio data, and analyze that record to identify the events and the actions that take place during the call. These events and actions may be defined as complex customer/call center interactions, such as dropped calls, logic errors or other event. A call center administrator may also identify a set of metrics, such as the number of dropped calls that occur during a day or for each agent, the number of times a client was left on hold for more than two minutes, or other such metrics that may be monitored by the systems described herein.

Abstract: Included are embodiments for providing communications data. At least one embodiment of a method receiving data associated with a communications session, the communications session including a first communications stream and a second communications stream, wherein the first communications stream and the second communications stream are received in a receiving order and recording at least a portion of the communications session. Some embodiments include receiving a request to provide, from the recording, at least a portion of the first communications stream in a visual format and providing at least a portion of the first communications stream in the visual format.

Abstract: A communication system that integrates audio and visual messaging, including a mobile communication device for receiving visual messages and for transmitting voice messages to a recipient, a base station system in communication with the mobile communication device, an electronic mail gateway for delivering visual messages to the base station system for transmission to the mobile communication device, and an integrated mail gateway for receiving from the base station a voice message and addressing information that were both transmitted from the mobile communication device. The integrated mail gateway is programmed to create an e-mail message comprising the voice message. The integrated mail gateway is also programmed to use the addressing information to address the e-mail message, and to send the addressed e-mail message to the recipient.

Abstract: The present invention provides an option to record messages that can be geared to specific audiences, using PIN-restricted access as needed. The present invention provides a method and apparatus way for subscribers to record a number (more than one) of personalized messages or greetings geared towards specific callers or audiences in a plurality of bulletin boards associated with a single telephone number. The personalized greetings comprise public messages, private messages, public comments and private comments. The method and apparatus of the present invention also ensures customer privacy and increases the level of security by providing an option to PIN-protect the content and access to the content for each of the public and private recorded messages and comments.

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

Abstract: A system and method for the creation and delivery of automated, personal information service gathers news, weather, financial and other data for transmission by telephone or other media. The recipient of a given voice broadcast may be detected and discriminated to adjust the content delivery. For instance, if a machine pick-up is detected, the call may be terminated or the message curtailed. Secondary recipients may be authorized in a subscriber's service profile, and other delivery preferences may be registered.

Abstract: System and method for recording telephone calls comprising receiving computer telephony integration fields from first and second sources, identifying which of the CTI fields are physical CTI fields to be used for locating audio to be recorded, identifying which of the CTI fields are logical CTI fields, identifying one of the physical CTI fields received from the first source and one of the logical CTI fields received from the second source as being related to a specific telephone call and recording said telephone call based on audio location information from the physical CTI field associated with the call.

Abstract: A system and method for providing telephone services to a secure facility from an external, centralized call platform. An embodiment of the system includes a call processing center that is external to the facility and includes a plurality of computer clusters, and is configured to route communications to and from a router located at the secure facility. Having a majority of the system located outside the facility reduces equipment requirements at each individual facility, improves security and uptime, and provides more efficient management and expansion of the call platform.

Abstract: Processing data messages is disclosed. A mobile data message is received. It is determined whether the mobile data message requires communication policy compliance handling. The mobile data message or a copy thereof is sent to a communication policy compliance destination if it is determined that the mobile data message requires communication policy compliance handling.

Abstract: An embodiment of a method for providing a personalized greeting to a caller includes receiving an incoming call addressed to a first communication device from a caller using a second communication device, and determining a received caller identifier associated with the second communication device. The method further includes determining if the received caller identifier matches a pre-assigned caller identifier from a pre-assigned caller list. If the received caller identifier matches a pre-assigned caller identifier the method further includes playing an outgoing audio message associated with the pre-assigned caller identifier, recording an audio message from the caller, converting the audio message into a text message, and sending the text message to a user associated with the first communication device.

Abstract: A system and method for sending an outbound greeting. User input is received specifying a recipient, a date, and a time for delivery of the outbound greeting. The outbound greeting is received. The outbound greeting is stored for future delivery. A call is initiated to the recipient in response to the date and the time specified by the user input being met.

Abstract: A method includes storing a profile associated with a user of a telephone and, based upon the profile, presenting the user with an option to search, browse, subscribe to, or bookmark content provided by a plurality of IVR content providers.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating a message. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise determining whether a communication link between a sender's communication device and a recipient's communication device is presently available. If it is determined that a communication link between the sender's communication device and the recipient's communication device is not presently available, then the sender may be provided with an option to record a message on the sender's communication device for later automatic delivery to the recipient's communication device. A message from the sender may then be recorded on the sender's communication device for later automatic delivery to the recipient's communication device, and the recorded message may be automatically delivered to the recipient's communication device.

Abstract: To facilitate improved delivery of messages via multiple messaging servers, a data abstraction layer is provided. When a first messaging server receives a message destined to a particular party served by a second messaging server, the first messaging server queries the data abstraction layer, and the data abstraction layer then queries potentially multiple databases to obtain information usable to facilitate message delivery, including presence data, preference data, and capabilities data, and provides the information to the first messaging server. The first messaging server may use the presence data to decide whether to send the message, and may use the preference data to decide which device should receive the message. When the first messaging server sends the message to the second messaging server, the first messaging server may provide the second messaging server with the capabilities data to facilitate tailoring of the message content for the destination device.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, at an IP private branch exchange (IP PBX), an event notification message from a user agent corresponding to a voicemail system. The event notification message includes a Request-URI field identifying a Uniform Resource Identifier (URI) of the IP PBX and a header field identifying a target mailbox. The method also includes identifying a URI corresponding to the target mailbox and forwarding the event notification message with a Request-URI field identifying the URI corresponding to the target mailbox.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the event-driven analysis of media contents derived from customer interactions is disclosed. Content analysis is executed exclusively on those segments of the interaction media that are relevant in a given context. The steps of the analysis are carried out either in a static or dynamic manner where less demanding on resources analysis type is performed prior to more demanding analysis type.

Abstract: A voicemail module is described, which module is intended to be incorporated into a voicemail system of one or more end users. The voicemail module includes a plurality of settings, some of which may be provided by the developer and some of which may be provided by the end user. For at least some of the settings that are provided by the developer, a flag or some other mechanism is provided for indicating whether the developer allows the end user to modify the setting. Thus, a flexible voicemail module is provided that enables the developer of the module to retain control of the aspects of the module that can be configured by the end user.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system for generating an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) database. The system comprises a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor. The memory comprises a list of telephone numbers associated with one or more destinations implementing IVR, wherein the destinations are grouped based on at least one category; instructions executable by the processor for automatically communicating with at least one user; and instructions executable by the processor for at least one personal record from the at least one user and for storing the at least one personal record in the IVR database.

Abstract: A method and a system for executing correlative services are provided. In the method and the system, an event type corresponding to an input message is determined through semantic analysis. After collecting the necessary execution information of the event type according to the input message, a user database, or by inquiring the user or another system, the system automatically executes various correlative services of the event type. Therefore, the system can help users to execute correlative services more correctly and more efficiently.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method, device, and system for taking voice memos during a communication session. More specifically, voice memos may be taken using the same communication device that is used in the communication session. This can be accomplished by automatically muting the communication device and establishing a communication channel with another endpoint, such as a recording endpoint, to record audio signals transmitted by the communication device.

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

Abstract: A software interface is provided for managing audio resources used in one or more voice applications. The software interface includes a first portion thereof for mapping the audio resources from storage to use-case positions in the one or more voice applications, a portion thereof for accessing the audio resources according to the mapping information and for performing modifications there of, a portion thereof for creating new audio resources; and a portion thereof for replication of modifications across distributed facilities. I a preferred application a developer can modify or replace existing audio resources and replicate links to the application code of the applications that use them.

Abstract: A method of screening a call from a calling party to a called party, the calling party being connected to a communication network through a first line, the called party being connected to said communication network through a second line, includes sending a notification to a screening terminal which is connected to the communication network through a third line other than the second line when a voice message is being recorded by the calling party in a voice mailbox associated with the called party.

Abstract: A voice mail system that allows for the delivery of voice messages by chunks, thereby optimizing the delivery of the information. When a subscriber attempts to listen to his or her voice mail message, the header information for the first voice mail message is down loaded and played back to the subscriber. While the subscriber listens to the header information, the next two blocks of data of the voice message are downloaded. Upon the completion of the playback of the header information, the first two blocks of the voice mail message are available for playback and the first block is immediately available for playback. As the subscriber listens to the voice mail message subsequent blocks of the first voice mail message, and optionally header information and blocks of subsequent voice mail messages are simultaneously down loaded.

Abstract: A messaging system includes a messaging platform for storing a message from a calling party or transferring the calling party to a transfer station, a switching mechanism for receiving a call from the calling party to a subscriber, and a routing application at a server. The call from the calling party is connected to the messaging platform and the calling party signals to be transferred to the transfer station. In response, the messaging platform sends a transfer message to the routing application and the routing application directs the switching mechanism to disconnect the calling party from the messaging platform and connect the calling party to the transfer station.

Abstract: The present invention provides system and method for delayed answering of a call to a cellular phone which can operate in either a distributed or a centralized manner. In particular, the system and method according to the present invention allows the cellular phone user upon receiving a call to play a message to the caller, such as informing the caller to “hold on” for a short time and that the user will be available shortly. The present invention provides a number of advantageous alternatives to provide a cellular phone user flexibility in answering incoming calls.