Abstract: A system, method and apparatus for managing voicemail in a communication session between a sending communication device and a receiving communication device are provided. It is determined at the receiving communication device that a voicemail is to be created. The voicemail based on content received via the sending communication device. The voicemail is recorded. The voicemail is caused to be stored at resources associated with the sending communication device.

Abstract: Voicemail is received at a voicemail server and converted to an audio file format; it is then sent or streamed over a wide area network to a voice to text transcription system comprising a network of computers. One of the networked computers plays back the voice message to an operator and the operator intelligently transcribes the actual message from the original voice message by entering the corresponding text message (actually a succinct version of the original voice message, not a verbose word-for-word conversion) into the computer to generate a transcribed text message. The transcribed text message is then sent to the wireless information device from the computer. Because human operators are used instead of machine transcription, voicemails are converted accurately, intelligently, appropriately and succinctly into text messages (SMS/MMS).

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for notifying a caller that they are leaving a low quality voice mail. The user can be notified that they are leaving such a voicemail before they are done leaving the message. This allows the user to try and leave another voicemail having a better quality, thereby making the voicemail more comprehensible.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for managing calls to voice mail is disclosed. A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a voicemail system having a controller element that receives a call redirected away from a targeted communication device without providing the targeted communication device notice of the call responsive to a voicemail redirection request supplied by signaling information associated with the call. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that allow for storing of data messages (e.g., text messages or multimedia messages) in a data message mailbox. If a data message is sent from a sender to a recipient, then the communication network receiving the data message attempts to deliver the data message to the recipient. If unsuccessful in delivering the data message, then the network stores the data message for the recipient. If the communication network later receives a request to retrieve the stored data message from the recipient, then the communication network delivers the stored data message to the recipient.

Abstract: A method including receiving a voice call; analyzing speech in real-time to determine whether payment information is included in the voice call; omitting to record the voice call when it is determined that the voice call includes the payment information; and recording the voice call when it is determined that the voice call does not include the payment information.

Abstract: A system and method for managing messages, such as, but not limited to, voicemails and text messages, is presented. For example, in one embodiment, the method includes identifying a caller associated with a message for a callee. The method determines whether at least one other new message for the callee is from the caller. In response to at least one other new message for the callee is from the caller, the method groups the message with the at least one other new message.

Abstract: A context aware help system generates context data for web sessions. The context data may be used either by a human operator or by an automated response system to help resolve user web session problems. For example, a user may initiate a telephone call to the context aware help during a web session. The context data may be displayed to a telephone operator in response to the telephone call. The telephone operator may use the context data to determine what web pages and user inputs were previously entered during the web session. This allows the telephone operator to quickly analyze web session problems and provide more effective and efficient web session support. The help system may alternatively, or in addition, provide other types of automated audio or data support.

Abstract: A universal phone number is provided for connecting to communication methods, including fixed line, mobile line, and internet communication methods. A communication group of communication methods may include multiple communication methods belonging to one individual or to multiple individuals within the communication group, such as a family. The universal phone number may be designated as the primary contact number for the communication group such incoming phone calls and text messages may be automatically routed to the communication methods in the communication group. The universal phone number may provide alerts to the multiple communication methods for notifying when incoming phone calls are answered. A universal voicemail box may also be provided for a scenario when the incoming call is not answered. Additionally, the universal phone number may provide the ability to keep the contact information for each of the individual communication methods private.

Abstract: A voice traffic gateway including: a voice traffic input, a voice traffic output, a first domain router, non-secure warning (NSW) tone application apparatus and a signalling filter. The input receives voice traffic including voice messages and signalling messages from a first traffic domain. The output delivers output voice messages and signalling messages to a second, different traffic domain. The first domain router routes voice messages to the NSW apparatus and routes signalling messages to the signalling filter. The NSW apparatus applies a NSW tone to a received voice message to form an output voice message. The signalling filter compares a feature of a received signalling message with a reference feature. The signalling filter will pass a signalling message if the signalling message feature is the same as the reference feature and will block a signalling message if the signalling message feature is not the same as the reference feature.

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 implemented by a network entity that comprises identifying contact information associated with a previously-originated call, receiving from a user information indicative of a desired modification to a database associated with the user, wherein the desired modification involves the contact information associated with the previously-originated call. The method further comprises configuring the database associated with the user at least in part on the basis of the desired modification and the contact information associated with the previously-originated call.

Abstract: Voicemail systems can include a memory and a processor. The memory can store data relating to users. An incoming communication can be handled by the voicemail system, forwarded to another voicemail system, provided with functionality based upon a user's preferences, and the like. The voicemail systems can include functionality to allow a user to consolidate voicemail messages and/or calls at one or more designated destinations, for example, a voicemail system and/or a mobile device.

Abstract: A telecommunications system includes switching circuitry for coupling a call to a extension coupled to the system, voice processing circuitry for automatically interacting with the call, a microprocessor, a first data bus connected, between the microprocessor and the switching circuitry, and a second data bus connected between the microprocessor and the voice processing circuitry. In the telecommunications system, a method includes coupling, with the switching circuitry, a call to a telecommunications extension coupled to the system, and the voice processing circuitry automatically interacting with the call when the telecommunications extension does not answer the call.

Abstract: Conserving call logic during handoff may be provided. First, a call may be received at a first server. Next, the first server may determine that it cannot handle the call. Then the call may be transferred by the first server to a second server with enough information so that the second server can take up the call where the first server left off. Transferring the call to the second server with enough information so that the second server can take the call up where the first server left off may comprise placing the information in a REFERRED-BY header and sending the REFERRED-BY header to the second server.

Abstract: A method for generating a ring tone for a given caller based on a prior conversation with that caller. A portion of a conversation with a given caller is recorded and stored in memory as a ring tone. When a subsequent call is received from the same caller, identified by caller ID, the ring tone is played, alerting the user to the incoming call as well as the context of their prior communication. In alternative embodiments of the invention, a prior textual or video conversation is used as the basis for a ring tone, and/or the ‘ring tone’ is delivered by other than audio means. The invention is capable of implementation in telecommunications systems such as cellular, local exchange, and VOIP, and in combination with other forms of internet-based telecommunication.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a voicemail system stores a voicemail message left by a first caller for a second caller. The voicemail system facilitates the transfer of a call out of a playback of the voicemail to the first caller and generates a credential that is coupled with the call. If the first caller is not available for the call, the second caller is transferred to the voicemail mailbox of the first caller where second caller records a second voicemail, which is placed in the mailbox of the first caller. The call may be transferred back to the mailbox of the first caller in response to a transfer code entered by the second caller. The voicemail system verifies the second caller based on the credential and returns the second caller to the appropriate location in the queue of voicemails.

Abstract: One or more tags are associated with a voice or multimedia message. These tags can be applied to the message based on one or more of an analysis of the message, rules, caller information, presence information, user input and GPS information. Based on the assigned and associated tags, one or more of message handling, classification and one or more actions can be automatically invoked to assist with management of messages. An interface is also provided that allows for the management of the assigned tags as well as the editing and creation of new tags and rules to assist with message management.

Abstract: Call specific information input by a user and user information pre-stored in a database are mapped to a voice response unit (VRU) map associated with a targeted VRU. A call with the targeted VRU is initiated and the targeted VRU is navigated to an option associated with a user goal input by the user. The VRU map is displayed and progress of the navigation of the targeted VRU is displayed to the user during the call on the displayed VRU map as the VRU is navigated.

Abstract: A call tracking system and method that uses an automated filtering function to increase accuracy of call tracking. In some embodiments, the system utilizes a spam blocking module, such as a challenge-response test (e.g., a CAPTCHA), a blacklist for callers sharing certain criteria indicative of robo-dialed or spam calls, or other similar spam filter to block unwanted calls from being routed to an advertiser. By using a spam blocking module, the amount of noise in the call tracking system can be reduced and the attribution of calls correspondingly more accurate. In some embodiments, an interactive voice response (IVR) module is utilized to reduce the noise in the system by filtering or blocking unwanted calls. By utilizing an automated filtering function, the disclosed system improves the accuracy of call tracking and allows advertisers to better track the performance of advertising campaigns that they undertake.

Abstract: An agent of a contact center records an agent message. The recorded agent message is received at the contact center. The recorded agent message is stored. An agent actively using one of a first communication device or a second communication device is detected. In response to detecting that the agent is actively using the first or the second communication device, the recorded agent message is sent to the one of the first or the second communication devices that the agent is actively using. The system and method also has a peer-to-peer configuration for recording and sending agent messages.

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: A Duplicate Content Storage and Access Program (DCSAP) identifies duplicate content, stores the duplicate content in one location, and provides a doclink to the stored duplicate content so that the doclink may be automatically replaced with the duplicate content. DCSAP examines email to determine whether the email contains a section identifier. A section identifier is a data element assigned by an algorithm in such a manner that no two section identifiers can be the same. If the email does not contain a section identifier, DCSAP embeds a section identifier into the email and forwards the email. If the email contains a section identifier, DCSAP extracts the section. DCSAP stores the extracted section in a repository and creates a doclink to the stored section. DCSAP then embeds a section identifier in the remainder of the email, and forwards the remainder and the doclink to the recipient. The doclink may be activated by the recipient, or it may be activated automatically.

Abstract: Voice data from speech start till mute are transmitted as a section voice file to the opposite side voice data transmitting and receiving system, thus permitting voice data transmission free from voice interruption. By transmitting voice data from the speech start till the mute it is possible to eliminate packet losses in the data transmission channel and perform voice communication in the same voice quality as in the transmitting side. Besides, because of the use of HTTP communication port it is possible to obtain voice communication exceeding the rooter without any special setting.

Abstract: A method, system, and medium are provided for delivering recallable messages via Internet or telephony paths. A sender may configure a message as a recallable message on a communication device that is communicatively connected to a messaging alert platform. The request is delivered to a messaging alert platform, which then delivers the recallable message on the Internet or telephony paths. The messages are formatted by the messaging alert platform based to comply with the requirements of the selected communication path. The messaging alert platform attempts delivery until all paths are exhausted or a response, not an auto-reply, is received from the recipient of the message. The responses are filtered by the messaging alert platform before delivering the response from the recipient to the user.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is described to process an incoming telephone call. The method may comprise, at a recipient telephone system, receiving the incoming call including speech and identifying when a Do-Not-Disturb option is set. The Do-Not-Disturb option may identify that a user has requested not to receive telephone calls. Content analysis may be performed to identify content of the speech and a reference database may be interrogated based on the content to identify an associated rule. Thereafter, the Do-Not-Disturb option may be selectively overridden based on the associated rule. The content analysis may comprise performing speech recognition on the speech to obtain a reference word/phrase and interrogating the reference database with the word/phrase to identify the associated rule. A method of configuring a Do-Not-Disturb option in a telephone system is also described that allows a user to define reference words and associated rules.

Abstract: A method is provided for passing information through a network during overload and subsequent actions to reduce congestion. An exemplary method includes receiving an origination request from a mobile device of a calling party, detecting an overload condition, transmitting a message request to a terminating network element associated with a called party in response to the origination request during the overload condition, receiving an acknowledgement of receipt of the message request, and denying the origination request. In this manner, high resource requests (e.g. a voice call) may be converted into lower resource requests (e.g. text or voicemail messages), or the resource request may be deferred to a more appropriate time.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes a system, method, and computer-readable medium for providing audio announcement of communications to a called party in a communication network. The method includes receiving communication from a calling party and performing a lookup of information relating to the calling party in a database via an Internet Protocol connection based on an identifier of at least one of the calling party and the called party. The information comprises one or more audio files. The method then provides the audio announcement to a called party based on the audio files.

Abstract: A schedule for a desired call, obtained, for example as an SMS message sent from a user's mobile station, enables a server to automatically initiate set-up of a voice call for the user's mobile station at a scheduled time selected by the user and indicated in the message. The user can specify time and a telephone number for the call, in advance, in the call scheduling request message. However, at the time of the call, the user does not need to read a reminder or dial the call. The call scheduling and automatic set-up services described by way of examples herein may be very useful, for example, for attending important conference calls. This may also be very useful for setting a reminder to call a special person to wish him/her well on his/her birthday/anniversary etc.

Abstract: In system and method of prioritizing a voice mail message, a voice mail message is received comprising caller information and chronological information, a voice mail priority is associated with the first voice mail message based on at least one of a matching criteria, a call history criteria, a chronological criteria, a frequency metric, and a missed call value, and a voice mail list is ordered according to the voice mail priority.

Abstract: A system and method for establishing guest mailboxes. User input to partition a voicemail box of a user is received to create a guest voicemail box. The voicemail box is partitioned to create the guest voicemail box. An access number is established for the guest voicemail box. The guest voicemail box is removed based on an expiration.

Abstract: A network component in communication with a call message system is disclosed. The network component includes a configurable communications portion and a configurable processor portion. The communications portion is configured to detect a call indicative of a call to a mobile device. The processor portion is configured to determine an originator of the call. The processor portion is also configured to determine a genre of the call. The determination of the genre of the call is based at least in part on the originator of the call. The genre of the call is compared to a predetermined genre. The processor portion is configured to terminate the call or to provide the call to the call message system based on the comparison of the genre of the call to the predetermined genre.

Abstract: A method for removing voice messages in a voicemail system queue. The method includes acquiring data associated with a first call, including a voice message provided during the first call and a unique identifier assigned to the voice message of the first call. The method also includes receiving a second call and acquiring data for the second call, the data including information indicating whether the second call relates to a voice message previously provided to the voicemail system. The method also includes determining if the second call is related to the first call based on a comparison of at least a portion of the data for the second call and at least a portion of the data for the first call. The method also includes modifying the stored data associated with the first call if the second call is determined to be related to the first call.

Abstract: A telephony user device capable of establishing a communications session for communication of data in a data communications network, the telephony user device including a processing system configured to provide a reconfigurable graphical user interface, establish a telephone call with a voicemail system, establish a separate communications session, separate from the telephone call, for the transfer of data to/from the telephony user device, on the basis of one or more call party details associated with the telephone call, and reconfigure at least a part of the graphical user interface in accordance with configuration data received via the separate communication session, the configuration data relating to and/or being derived from the voicemail system.

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: 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 is automatically testing the quality of an audio channel between a caller and a callee that includes a device under test, such as a VoIP or other gateway. An analyzer receives timestamps from a caller and callee during a calling session, including timestamps for when the callee initially provides audio (e.g., speech) to the caller, when the caller initially detects sound, when the caller initially provides audio to the callee, and when the callee initially detects sound. The analyzer uses the relative timing of the timestamps and the speech recognizer's outcome to determine whether the audio channel is experiencing interference or echo. When the audio includes speech, a confidence level corresponding to accuracy of speech recognition also may establish the audio channel's quality. Random selection and timing of output may be employed, such as to vary the testing patterns during repetitive tests.

Abstract: A call setup method and terminal in an IP network, in which in response to a request for an outbound call from a first terminal, it is identified whether or not an index matching an identification of a second terminal exists in a matching table. The identification of the second terminal is inputted at the request for the outbound call. If the index matching the identification of the second terminal exists in the matching table, a call initialization message is directly transmitted to the second terminal. In response to call setup, a call state synchronization message is transmitted to a call manager.

Abstract: Techniques for notifying a customer of a financial institution about an alert message over a communication device are disclosed. Upon contacting an alert message center of the financial institution, the customer is presented with a notification of alert messages and may choose what action to take with respect to each alert message. The customer may respond to those issues that the customer deems important enough to warrant immediate attention without having to also sort through numerous other issues that the customer does not wish to address at the time. The alert message center collects and sorts alert messages for presentation to the customer according to various customer preferences that are updated and stored by the alert message center.

Abstract: A computer-implemented voice mail method includes obtaining an electronic audio file of a recorded user message directed to a telephone user, automatically generating a transcript of the recorded user message, and identifying locations in the transcript in coordination with timestamps in the recorded user message so that successive portions of the transcript can be highlighted in coordination with playing of the recorded user message. The method also include identifying one or characteristics of the message using meta data relating to the recorded user message, and storing the recorded user message and information about the identified locations of the recorded user message.

Abstract: At one of the timings: during a period between the moment when one of terminals which performs transmission calls out a communication partner and the moment of response and at the timing after the communication between the terminals is complete; content data is read out from a database and the read out content data is transmitted to the terminal.

Abstract: Facilities are provided herein for backing up messages and related activities. An active telephone call is initiated to a voicemail server and recording of the audio stream of the active telephone call is initiated to record a voicemail message being played back during the telephone call. The recorded voicemail message may then be edited, tagged, enhanced, organized with other messages, and shared, as examples. In another aspect, backup of messages is facilitated by an intermediary system that establishes an active telephone call between a voicemail server and a client. The intermediary system passes a request from the client to the voicemail server to commence playback of a voicemail message, and the intermediary system records a portion of the audio stream of the active telephone call.

Abstract: A communications system includes a first communications device cooperating with a second communications device. The first communications device multiplexes a digital speech message and a corresponding text message into a multiplexed signal, and wirelessly transmits the multiplexed signal. The second communications device wirelessly receives the multiplexed signal, de-multiplexes the multiplexed signal digital into the speech message and the corresponding text message, decodes the speech message for an audio output transducer, and operates a text processor on the corresponding text message for display. The corresponding text message is displayed in synchronization with the speech message output by the audio output transducer. A memory is coupled to the text processor for storing the text message, and the text processor is configured to display the stored text message.

Abstract: A system and method for efficiently transcribing verbal messages to text is provided. Verbal messages are received and at least one of the verbal messages is divided into segments. Automatically recognized text is determined for each of the segments by performing speech recognition and a confidence rating is assigned to the automatically recognized text for each segment. A threshold is applied to the confidence ratings and those segments with confidence ratings that fall below the threshold are identified. The segments that fall below the threshold are assigned to one or more human agents starting with those segments that have the lowest confidence ratings. Transcription from the human agents is received for the segments assigned to that agent. The transcription is assembled with the automatically recognized text of the segments not assigned to the human agents as a text message for the at least one verbal message.

Abstract: A method of automatically distributing phone call recordings to interested parties generally includes associating one or more forwarding criteria with each of one or more interested parties, establishing a phone call from a calling party to a destination number through an institutional phone system, recording the phone call, and, if the phone call satisfies one or more forwarding criteria associated with one or more interested parties, automatically distributing the recording of the phone call to the at least one interested party associated with the satisfied one or more forwarding criteria. Distribution may be by e-mail, by uploading the recording to a website that interested parties (and preferably only interested parties) can access, by queuing the recordings for export to physical media, and/or through a voice mail system. Calls may be selected for distribution based on the caller, the called party, conversation content, call time, or any other suitable criteria.

Abstract: The present invention relates to managing connections between one or more data network interfaces and one or more phone interfaces. In one embodiment, a manager process, running on a computer system receives one or more telephone calls from one or more users over one of the phone interfaces and then accesses one or more profiles associated with each of the users. These profiles have one or more service identifiers and one or more interactive response agent (IRA) identifiers associated with the respective user. A menu of the service identifiers is presented to the user. The manager process looks up an agent address of one of the IRAs that is associated with the service identifier selected by the user from the menu and establishes a session with the associated IRA. A two-way communication with the associated IRA occurs during the session.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for receiving a voice message from a first access device, storing said message and subsequently forwarding the voice message to a second access device. The system has a plurality of access devices which are coupled to each other over a network such as the Internet. These access devices may include computers, workstations, and the like. An access device is configured to operate as an intermediary access computer in which it receives a voice message from one access device over the network and subsequently re-transmits it over the network to another access device.

Abstract: A communication terminal apparatus comprises: a communication history information part storing a communication history related to at least one of destination information of a receiver and destination information of a sender; a user information part storing user information corresponding to a plurality of users; a security function setting part enabling whether or not the destination information is outputted in a communication management report; and an output part configured to output the communication management report containing a plurality of communication histories of the users based on an output instruction by a first user, wherein when the security function setting part is in a state that the destination information is not outputted, the communication management report does not contain the destination information that does not correspond to the communication history of the first user.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for voicemail notification. In one embodiment, a method includes submitting an extension call request to a telephony system, wherein the extension call request identifies a recipient extension. The method also includes receiving a return message from the telephony system in response to the extension call request. The method further includes determining whether the recipient extension is currently associated with the telephony system based on the return message received from the telephony system. In addition, the method includes documenting an association between the recipient extension at the telephony system if the recipient extension is currently associated with the telephony system. The preceding operations may be repeated for additional recipient extensions and/or additional telephony systems to determine associations between one or more recipient extensions and one or more telephony systems.

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