Abstract: A telephone with a call screening device is able to screen automated calls by transmitting a message containing an instruction upon detecting an incoming call. The instruction from the call screening device requests that the calling party respond to the message correctly and in time before the call screening device allows the telephone to ring and the call answered. The instruction contains, inter alia, a string of randomly generated numbers that the calling party is asked to dial as part of his/her response. In the event that the response is not received in time or the response is incorrect, the call screening device terminates the call without the phone ever ringing.

Abstract: A method and system for providing context of a caller to a callee when a call is initiated is provided. The context system executing on the calling device collects context for the call. The calling device initiates the call and sends a message to the callee that includes the context. Upon receiving the message, the callee device notifies the caller that a call has been initiated and displays the received context. The callee can decide based on the received context whether to answer the call or not answer the call.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a method that involves receiving an indication that communications with a subscriber have been interrupted while engaged in voicemail processing, and recording a pointer to a last state of voicemail processing. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A user is identified based at least in part on a user identification designation associated with an incoming communication. A message recipient is then determined based at least in part on the identified user and one or more address books associated with message recipients by comparing the user identification designation to one or more entries in the one or more recipient databases. The incoming communication is routed to the determined message recipient. Escalation procedures are implemented up to a configured level in the recipient organization based on various criteria. As messages are escalated and deposited in mailboxes associated with the determined message recipients, the determined message recipients are notified of the deposited messages.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for facilitating message recalls. One embodiment includes receiving an indication that a message has been communicated in association with a user device. A confirmation message is communicated to the user device. The confirmation message includes a recall option that, if selected, initiates a recall of the voice message. An indication of a user selection of the recall option is received and, thereafter, a recall of the message is initiated.

Abstract: A method to detect the pause in the personal or system message to determine when to leave the payload message, but since there is an issue of the carrier disconnecting the call while waiting to make a determination if the personal or system message has been completed and the recording phase started, the present invention teaches a solution of sending a beep during every second of the pause time, to keep the line alive and the carrier therefore does not hang up and the message is left in full.

Abstract: Embodiments are provided for utilizing speech analytics for automatically managing messages in a communications network. A message from a calling party to an unavailable called party is recorded in a messaging management module. The messaging management module automatically identifies a category for assigning to the content of the message based on information associated with the unavailable called party or a calling party and associates a language model with the message content based on the category. An analysis module utilizes the language model to identify grammar making up the message content. The messaging management module automatically performs a messaging management function on the message content based on a set of rules. The messaging management function may include automatically determining a priority for the message (enabling the message to be retrieved out of order) or automatically triggering an action in response to the message which is directed to the unavailable called party.

Abstract: Apparatus, methods, and machine-readable articles of manufacture improve reliability and scalability of a messaging system. In some embodiments, the system's configuration data and subscriber information are stored in a central repository of a core node, and replicated to one or more non-core nodes. Data replication may be performed in real-time or near real-time, periodically, sporadically, or otherwise. Nodes may rely on the replicated data to provide the system's subscribers and outside callers with services that do not involve updating of configuration or subscriber data. In this way, the non-core nodes may continue to process calls when the core node is unavailable. For example, the non-core nodes can route calls to the appropriate subscribers without relying on the core. As another example, die non-core nodes can take messages from callers when the core node is unavailable. The messages may be queued for posting and delivery when the core node becomes available.

Abstract: The system of the present invention allows the recipient in a call to interrupt a voicemail message if the caller is still in the voicemail session with the recipient's voicemail box. The system has a Voicemail Session Monitor and an Interrupt Handler. In the method of the present invention, the voicemail connection is monitored by the recipient's phone and interrupted when the line is picked up, connecting the two parties if the calling party accepts the invitation. The receiving party is offered an invitation to accept the interrupt or to allow the calling user to stay in the voicemail system.

Abstract: Information processor 1 includes display unit 30 for displaying an interface screen having function execution key unit 23 indicating a prescribed function for each function type, and interface screen change key unit 22 for switching each function type; interface screen control unit 20 for controlling display switching of the screen on the display unit 30 in response to an input operation signal; interface screen operation history recording unit 110 for recording, as continuous operation information, operation time and operation contents of the function execution key unit 23 or interface screen change key unit 22 in response to the input operation signal; likelihood value providing unit 120 for calculating and adding, to each function the function execution key unit 23 indicates, a likelihood value indicating a degree of a user desire from the continuous operation information recorded; priority recognition word setting unit 130 for outputting word information corresponding to the function whose likelihood valu

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: Systems and methods of synchronizing media are provided. A client device may be used to capture a sample of a media stream being rendered by a media rendering source. The client device sends the sample to a position identification module to determine a time offset indicating a position in the media stream corresponding to the sampling time of the sample, and optionally a timescale ratio indicating a speed at which the media stream is being rendered by the media rendering source based on a reference speed of the media stream. The client device calculates a real-time offset using a present time, a timestamp of the media sample, the time offset, and optionally the timescale ratio. The client device then renders a second media stream at a position corresponding to the real-time offset to be in synchrony to the media stream being rendered by the media rendering source.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring calls routed to a telephone network-based voice mail system. When a subscriber receives a telephone call, a determination is made as to whether the call should be routed to the voice mail system. If call monitoring services are activated, a three-way communication is set up between the calling party, the voice mail system and the subscriber. The subscriber is bridged into the call on a listen-only basis, but upon command by the subscriber, the subscriber may answer the call.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method, system, and device for secret fingerprint scanning and reporting. When a portable communication device has been lost or stolen, an entity may transmit a fingerprint scan-report trigger message to the device. In response to receipt of the fingerprint scan-report trigger message, the device then automatically invokes an integrated fingerprint scanner to scan a fingerprint of a user of the device and to report the resulting fingerprint data to a remote destination. Optimally, the scanning and reporting are done without notification to a user of the device. The method, system, and device may thereby help to identify the user of the device and to potentially recover the device.

Abstract: A method for consulting a voice message received and a method for providing a compounded voice message. The compounded voice message is composed of at least one first and one second voice component and is associated with a group of items of information relating to the voice components. The method for consultation includes reading at least one voice component of the voice message, detecting at least one user interaction concomitant upon the reading of the at least one voice component, sending at least one signal relating to the interaction detected, and receiving a command of an action to be performed relating to a voice component read from the voice message and to at least one item of information of the group of items of information associated with the voice message. Also provided is a device implementing the method for consulting a compounded voice message.

Abstract: Systems and methods that can be utilized to convert a voice communication received over a telecommunication network to text are described. In an illustrative embodiment, a call processing system coupled to a telecommunications network receives a call from a caller intended for a first party, wherein the call is associated with call signaling information. At least a portion of the call signaling information is stored in a computer readable medium. A greeting is played the caller, and a voice communication from the caller is recorded. At least a portion of the voice communication is converted to text, which is analyzed to identify portions that are inferred to be relatively more important to communicate to the first party. A text communication is generated including at least some of the identified portions and including fewer words than the recorded voice communication. At least a portion of the text communication is made available to the first party over a data network.

Abstract: Disclosed is a visual IVR directory system for enabling a user to telephonically interact with organizations, the IVR system comprising a database comprising a plurality of organization entries wherein, each organization entry represents a organization registered therewith, each organization entry associated with at least one phone number and an visual IVR menu file, the execution of which leads to the display of a visual IVR menu comprising a plurality of graphical menu icons, the selection of each displays either a graphical submenu, organization information, or establishes an telephonic connection between the user and the organization, the IVR system configured such that, upon determining that a phone number dialed from a telephonic device of the user is listed within the database, the corresponding visual menu file is retrieved from the database and executed on the telephonic device, the telephonic device equipped with a display means.

Abstract: A mobile terminal participates in or originates a multipoint call with at least two other communication terminals connected to at least first and second call lines formed in the multipoint call. The voice data on each call line is separately recorded, or each party's voice data is separately recorded. A playback list is generated with playback selections, where each playback selection corresponds to one of the communication terminals. A user can thereby play back voice data from specific parties in the multipoint call without having to search an entire file to find the specific voice data.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delegating a message. An audio message from a prioritized list of audio messages is received by a computing device. The audio message identifies a first sender designated priority and a first recipient prioritization attribute. A delegate for responding to the audio message is determined. A delegation action identifier identifying a delegation action of a plurality of delegation actions is determined. A first delegation action directs a delegate to generate a response and send the response to the sender without notifying a delegator. A second delegation action directs the delegate to generate the response and send the response to both the sender and the delegator. A third delegation action directs the delegate to generate the response and send the response to the delegator.

Abstract: An incoming call is communicated to a first endpoint and a second endpoint. A call redirection message comprising a redirection number is received from the first endpoint, and it is determined whether the first endpoint should be disconnected from the call according to the redirection number. The call is disconnected from the first endpoint if the redirection number indicates that the call should be disconnected.

Abstract: The current application is directed to a multi-channel interactive message response system that allows for interaction between users and the multi-channel interactive message response system through many different types of devices, communications protocols, and communications media. The multi-channel interactive message response system, in one implementation, is implemented within an automated communications system that organizes and facilitates information exchange between members of organizations and between organizations and individuals outside the organizations.

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: A telecommunication and multimedia management apparatus and method that supports voice and other media communications and that enables users to: (i) participate in multiple conversation modes, including live phone calls, conference calls, instant voice messaging or tactical communications; (ii) review the messages of conversations in either a live mode or a time-shifted mode and to seamlessly transition back and forth between the two modes; (iii) participate in multiple conversations either concurrently or simultaneously; (iv) archive the messages of conversations for later review or processing; and (v) persistently store media either created or received on the communication devices of users. The latter feature enables users to generate or review media when either disconnected from the network or network conditions are poor and to optimize the delivery of media over the network based on network conditions and the intention of the users participating in conversations.

Abstract: A method for accessing offline voicemail messages within a mobile messaging application may be provided. First, a voice mail message may be received and the voicemail message may be transcribed to text. Next, the voicemail message and the text transcription may be stored. The recipient may then be presented with a list of voicemail messages and the voicemail message may be retrieved in response to the recipient. The recipient may read or listen to the voicemail message or both. The recipient may also annotate the voicemail message.

Abstract: Communication networks and associated methods are disclosed that provide third party charging for SIP sessions. A communication network of the invention comprises a session control function (e.g., an IMS CSCF), a network node (e.g., an IMS application server), and a charging system. The session control function serves a SIP session initiated between a first and second party. The network node identifies a third party to charge for the session. The network node includes a third party identifier for the third party in a SIP message for the session, and transmits the SIP message to the session control function. The session control function generates a charging message, maps the third party identifier to the charging message, and transmits the charging message that includes the third party identifier to the charging system. The charging system then initiates charging of the session to the third party based on the third party identifier.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the present invention is a method and apparatus for knowledge generation and deployment in a distributed network. In one embodiment, a method for processing messages in a social network includes receiving a new message from a first node in the network, the new message including a query, providing the first node with an answer to the query, if the answer is located in a repository, and initiating generation of the answer, if the answer is not located in the repository.

Abstract: Visual voicemail privacy protection is implemented by requiring a credential from a user or a user device before providing voicemail data to the user. The credential may be a user name and password combination, a digital certificate, or the like. The user may enable or disable this privacy protection feature at will. A first device being used for visual voicemail services may detect a second device within a defined area around the first device and either enable or disable privacy protection features based on whether the second device is determined to be an authorized or unauthorized device. Privacy protection features may be implemented locally or remotely.

Abstract: A terminal and a method are described herein for offering termination-side services to a user. In one embodiment, the terminal (e.g., cellular terminal, enterprise or residential wireline device, mobile device) is configured to provide one or more termination-side services (e.g., color ring back tone, voice mail, call diversion, hold before answer) to the user. The terminal is further configured to enable the user to directly setup and manage the one or more termination-side services without interacting with the telecommunication network.

Abstract: The present invention allows a user to screen messages being left at a hosted voicemail system from a telephone terminal. Incoming calls intended for the telephone terminal are routed to the voicemail system immediately or after attempting to connect incoming call to the telephone terminal. As the caller is leaving a message at the voicemail system, a connection between the incoming call, voicemail system, and telephone terminal is established to allow the user to listen to the message and decide whether to take the call. The user may decide to take the call or let the caller finish leaving the message. In one embodiment, the telephone terminal is equipped to open only the speaker channel for monitoring the message and will provide a fully bi-directional connection if the user takes the call. The supporting switch and telephone terminal communicate with each other to facilitate the monitoring and taking of calls.

Abstract: A method of recording audio/video or a combination of audio/video information on a local, possibly mobile, device while in a live communication with one or more parties. The method comprises signaling the compute device to perform a routing of input directly to its internal recording subsystem, not transmitting the input over the communication, signaling the compute device to resume normal routing of its input for transmission, indexing and storing (recording) the input in a local data store and retrieving the locally stored information for later playback. A system and computer-readable medium are also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer programs encoded on a computer-readable storage medium for transcribing information. A method includes: identifying a telephone number that once dialed has an associated message that is played or includes a response system; transcribing the message or information about the response system; storing the transcribed message or information in association with the telephone number in database; receiving a request from a user that includes the telephone number; and providing information about the transcribed information to the user.

Abstract: A system and method of saving and delivering a voice memo or text memo to identify incoming calls is provided. A user of the system of the invention is given the option of recording a memo on the calls he or she has received through a prompt on a telecommunication device. The user can choose to record a voice memo or text memo after each call. The memos are saved in connection with caller id information pertaining to the number from which the call was placed. When a user of the system receives a call from a number that has a memo saved in relation thereto, the user will be prompted to hear, and may listen to, the voice memo before answering the call. If the memo is in text form, the user can configure the system to provide various processing options. In one processing option, a text to speech audio presentation of the text of the memo is made available to permit the message to be heard over a telephone or networked audio capable PDA device.

Abstract: A voicemail computer system transcribes a voicemail message into text that is presented to a calling party for approval. A calling party is able to approve, disapprove or edit a voicemail message prior to delivery to one or more called parties. The voicemail computer system may analyze a voicemail message to detect errors, omissions, or potentially offensive words. The voicemail computer may analyze a voicemail message to make suggestions as to tone, content or information contained within the voicemail message. The calling party can edit the voicemail message or approve it prior to providing a notification to one or more called parties that they have received the voicemail message.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for performing and controlling speech recognition and enrolment are provided. The method for performing speech recognition and enrolment includes: receiving a Speech Enrolment Start Request and a Speech Recognition Request sent from a media gateway controller (MGC); performing speech recognition and enrolment according to the Speech Enrolment Start Request and the Speech Recognition Request, and obtaining a recognition and enrolment result; and feeding back the recognition and enrolment result to the MGC.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a system, method and device for providing information relating to a received communication for a device. The method comprises: while the device is composing an outbound communication, monitoring for receipt of an inbound communication; upon receipt of the inbound communication, evaluating a subject field of the inbound communication against a subject field of the outbound communication to determine whether the inbound communication is related to the outbound communication; and if the inbound communication is related to the outbound communication, generating a first message on a display of the device providing a warning indicating that the inbound communication has been received and when a send command is activated on the device for the outbound communication generating a second message on the display providing a command for merging the inbound communication with text of the outbound communication.

Abstract: An automatic message escalation system includes attaching an acknowledgement flag to a message after it is received in the message mailbox of an identified message recipient. The status of the acknowledgement flag indicates whether or not the message has been retrieved. After a given or specified period of time, the acknowledgement flag is checked to see if the message was retrieved. If the message was retrieved, the message will not be escalated. If the message was not retrieved, the message will be sent to the next message recipient on an escalation list.

Abstract: A mass-scale, user-independent, device-independent, voice messaging system that converts unstructured voice messages into text for display on a screen is disclosed. The system comprises (i) computer implemented sub-systems and also (ii) a network connection to human operators providing transcription and quality control; the system being adapted to optimize the effectiveness of the human operators by further comprising 3 core sub-systems, namely (i) a pre-processing front end that determines an appropriate conversion strategy; (ii) one or more conversion resources; and (iii) a quality control sub-system.

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 relate to set of improvements to the out of office assistant that send out of office messages to senders of messages while a recipient is out of the office. One embodiment of the out of office assistant associates an out of office message with a calendar event to ensure the out of office message is sent only for the predetermined time period associated with the calendar event. Other embodiments of the out of office assistant generating different messages to people internal to an organization and people external to an organization, and the out of office assistant allows different rich text formatting for the different messages. In a further embodiment, a persistent reminder reminds the user that the out of office message application is turned on.

Abstract: A method for accessing offline voicemail messages within a mobile messaging application may be provided. First, a voice mail message may be received and the voicemail message may be transcribed to text. Next, the voicemail message and the text transcription may be stored. The recipient may then be presented with a list of voicemail messages and the voicemail message may be retrieved in response to the recipient. The recipient may read or listen to the voicemail message or both. The recipient may also annotate the voicemail message.

Abstract: A device for recording the content of live communications sessions allocates each session with a unique identifier which is also communicated to a server, exchange, switch or endpoint having control of that session. A log of events occurring in the session is updated with the unique identifier of the recorded content, and following the session, the log of events is communicated to the recording device, indexed under the unique identifier, and stored with the recorded content of the session itself.

Abstract: A method for execution by a network entity to allow a calling party to leave a message for a called party, the calling party using a communication device to call the called party, the network entity being connected to the communication device via a communications network. The method may comprise: consulting at least one source of information in an attempt to obtain message destination information associated with the called party; if the attempt is successful, providing an opportunity for the calling party to leave a message for the called party; receiving a voice message provided by the calling party via the communication device; generating an electronic message representative of the voice message provided by the calling party; and causing transmission of the electronic message based on the message destination information. An apparatus for implementing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A system and method for providing wireline telephone services may include providing wireline telephone services to a residence to enable a user to place telephone calls. In response to receiving an access code, the user may be enabled to place telephone calls. The user may be billed for placing the telephone calls on a per-usage basis.

Abstract: The multi-party conversation analyzer of the present invention allows users to search a database of recorded phone calls to find calls which fit user-defined criteria for “suspicious calls”. Such criteria may include indications that a call included a 3-way call event, presence of an unauthorized voiced during the call, presence of the voice of an individual known to engage in identity theft, etc. A segment of speech within a call may be graphically selected and a search for calls with similar voices rapidly initiated. Searches across the database for specified voices are speeded by first searching for calls which contain speech from cohort speakers with similar voice characteristics.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and tangible computer-readable media for automatically transcribing voicemail. The method includes receiving a plurality of voicemail messages from callers, identifying for each voicemail message in the plurality of voicemail messages a first frequency with which the respective caller leaves voicemails, identifying for each voicemail message in the plurality of voicemail messages a second frequency with which a user requests transcription of each voicemail, assigning a priority ranking to each voicemail message in the plurality of voicemail messages based on the respective first frequency and the respective second frequency, and transcribing untranscribed voicemail messages with a highest priority ranking The method can include establishing a priority ranking threshold and repeatedly transcribing a next highest ranking untranscribed voicemail message until no further untranscribed voicemail messages remain above the priority ranking threshold.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes determining whether a user has connected to a voice-message system. The method further includes, automatically and without user input after the connection, prompting the user to create one or more new voice greetings. The method further includes, automatically and without user input after the prompt, beginning to record one or more of the new voice greetings.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for monitoring calls routed to a telephone network voice mail system from a variety of remote telephone locations. When a subscriber receives a telephone call, a determination is made as to whether the subscriber's line is busy or whether the call goes unanswered. If remote call monitoring services are activated, a three-way communication is set up between the calling party, the voice mail system and the subscriber via a remote call monitoring directory number provided by the subscriber. The subscriber is patched into the call on a listen-only basis, but upon command by the subscriber, the subscriber may answer the call. The subscriber may set up a number of remote call monitoring filters, including an “always monitor” list, a “never monitor” list, and a schedule of days or times during which the subscriber allows or excludes remote call monitoring.

Abstract: An improved system and method to provide important information either, as voice, text, picture, holographic image or video from the called party to a calling party before the called party answers a telephone. The information may be a recorded voice, text, image or video message. The called party may send a voice message, for example, and send it along with a call alerting message. The voice message may be recorded beforehand. Instead of the calling party's telephone playing a ringback signal, the recorded voice message is played or a data/bearer stream is heard. The calling party hears the voice message instead of the ringback tone normally heard when there is an incoming telephone call. If the calling and called party have telephones, such as mobile phones, IP phones, IP softphones, PDA with telephony capabilities, etc., which allow for multimedia messages such as text, images and video messages, the called party's recorded voice message may include text, images or video.

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

Abstract: Methods and systems to facilitate communications between users via different modalities. A method includes identifying, by a first user device, a voice call originating from a second user device, and presenting a user interface to a user of the first user device, where the user interface provides an option to respond to the voice call by voice and an option to respond to the voice call in a text form. The method further includes detecting that the user of the first user device has selected the option to respond to the voice call in the text form, and causing a user response to the voice call to be converted into voice data for the second user device.