Abstract: The subject matter of this disclosure can be implemented in, among other things, a device that includes processors, means for receiving a voicemail greeting template having a default portion and a placeholder portion, wherein the default portion is included in voicemail greetings generated based on the voicemail greeting template, and a user status propagation module executable by the one or more processors. In these examples, the user status propagation module receives status information for a user or a device, wherein the status information includes a state of the user or a state of the device, and replaces the placeholder portion of the voicemail greeting template with the received status information to generate a personalized voicemail greeting of the user that includes the default portion and the received status information, wherein output of the personalized voicemail greeting is initiated in response to an incoming phone call.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a system for enhancing user interaction with Interactive Voice Response (IVR) destinations, the system comprising: a processor; and a memory coupled to the processor, the memory comprising: data encoding a database, the database comprising a list of telephone numbers associated with one or more destinations implementing an IVR; instructions executable by the processor for automatically communicating with at least one user; and instructions executable by the processor to pull at least one menu from the database and display the menu to the at least one user, wherein the menu is associated with a telephone number dialed by the at least one user, and wherein the menu comprises at least one icon.

Abstract: Sensor nodes (or addresses therefore), acting as real-time message decoys, are distributed across a real-time communications network to attract unsolicited real-time messages. Filtering rules are derived from the message characteristics (such as the source address) and messaging content of the traffic encountered at the sensor nodes. The filtering rules are distributed to filtering agents positioned in the communications network in such a way that they can filter traffic for legitimate users. The filtering agents may identify and control the disposition of real-time messaging traffic that is part of a mass communication campaign on behalf of legitimate users of the real-time messaging communication system. Disposition may include suppressing, diverting, or labeling.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus, including computer program products, in which a first telephone number is associated with a second telephone number, and a web-based advertisement is served for an advertiser that includes the first telephone number. A call placed to the first telephone number is received, and the call is routed to the second telephone number based on the association of the second telephone number with the first telephone number. A determination as to whether a call-through event in response to receiving the call placed to the first telephone number has occurred, and an advertiser associated with the second telephone number is charged a cost-per-call amount if the call-through event is determined to have occurred.

Abstract: A presence aware communications system that includes a messaging system configured to perform one or more of 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, 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, 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, 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 telephone number and address, while a con

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) and more specifically to a system and method of terminating a VoIP call.

Abstract: Methods and systems for processing messages and providing notifications regarding the same are described. An optional embodiment includes a telecommunications interface, a data network interface, and an answering system coupled to the telecommunications interface and the data network interface, the call processing system configured to receive a first call from a caller via the telecommunications interface, store a message from the caller, transmit a message notification using the data network to the intended recipient of the call via which the intended recipient can access the message, and transmit information related to the intended recipient's receipt of the message.

Abstract: A system and method for providing message-based communications via a centralized voice message server is provided. A plurality of communication devices are interfaced over a data network. A session is initiated upon receipt of a sign-in request from one of the communication devices. An identity of a user associated with that communication device is verified. The user is assigned to at least one discussion group, which includes one or more other signed-in users each associated with an other communication device located at a location removed from the communication device. A voice message is received on a message server from the user. The voice message is encrypted for each of the other signed-in users using keys unique to the other communication devices associated with the other signed-in users. The encrypted voice message is provided from the message server to the other signed-in users.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a message. A plurality of audio messages destined for a recipient is received from a corresponding plurality of senders. Each of the plurality of audio messages includes a corresponding first sender designated priority designated by the corresponding sender. Member configuration data that identifies a first recipient prioritization attribute is accessed. A prioritized list of the plurality of audio messages is generated based on both the corresponding first sender designated priority and the first recipient prioritization attribute associated with the each of the plurality of audio messages. A subset of the plurality of audio messages is provided to a client device associated with the recipient based on the prioritized list.

Abstract: To use the supplementary services of a conventional mobile communication service, such as Short Message Service (SMS) and Voice Mail System (VMS) service, there are problems in that an access method to each service must be known and several steps must be undergone. The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for sending voice messages in a mobile communication network and, more particularly, to a method and apparatus that gain access to the service providing page of the wireless Internet in such a way as to input the telephone number of a counterpart and a wireless Internet access key, and send a voice message to the counterpart.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for providing audio information to a user. The method and apparatus provide information in multiple modes that represent various pieces of information and/or alternatives. In various embodiments, the form of a prompt played is dependent on what previously played prompts were given to the user during that session.

Abstract: A mechanism for indicating a specific response message to be played to a caller is provided. A call that comprises an identification of a caller is received in a recipient device. If the recipient device is operating in the phone management mode, a recipient notification of the call is blocked on the recipient device. If the caller is identified as a known caller based on the identification of the caller, a caller specific response message is sent to the known caller. The caller specific response message is at least one of an interactive or a non-interactive caller specific response message. The interactive response message includes a code with which to respond. If the response message is the interactive response message and the caller enters the code associated with the interactive response message, then the recipient notification of the call is activated on the recipient device.

Abstract: A conference manager detects that a communication has been initiated between a communication device and conferencing system. A user of the conferencing system is identified. For example, the user can be identified by using the caller ID of the person who initiated the communication. In response to identifying the user of the conferencing system, the conference manager gets a list of conferences in which the user is scheduled to participate. The list can include one or more conferences. The list of conferences is sent to an application running on the communication device and displayed to the user. Once a conference from the list is selected by the user, the communication manager receives information that identifies the selected conference and the user is connected to the selected conference. As the user is connected to the conference, different progress messages can be sent and displayed to the user.

Abstract: A method for providing voice telephony services can include the step of receiving a call via a telephone gateway. The telephone gateway can convey call identifying data to a resource connector. A media port can be responsively established within a media converter that is communicatively linked to the telephone gateway through a port associated with the call. A call description object can be constructed that includes the call identifying data and an identifier for the media port. The call description object can be conveyed to a telephony application server that provides at least one speech service for the call. The telephony application server can initiate at least one programmatic action of a communicatively linked speech engine. The speech engine can convey results of the programmatic action to the media converter through the media port. The media converter can stream speech signals for the call based upon the results.

Abstract: A method for processing a call is provided. The method includes receiving an inbound call leg via a network device. The inbound call leg is processed using an interactive voice response (IVR) device, and an outbound call leg is generated based on processing the inbound call leg. The outbound call leg is made available to the network device. The inbound call leg and the outbound call leg are handed off from the IVR device to the network device.

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: 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: 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: A technique for handling messages in a messaging system includes receiving a playback request for a message. A first user control input that is associated with the playback request for the message is then received. The first user control input corresponds to a fast-forward function or a rewind function. It is then determined whether a second user control input, which corresponds to a same function as the first user control input, is received prior to expiration of a first time period. The playback request for the message is then serviced using a first offset when the second user control input is not received prior to expiration of the first time period or using a second offset, which is different than the first offset, when the second user control input is received prior to expiration of the first time period.

Abstract: Unanswered calls route to voicemail after a variable number of ring cycles based on a history with the voicemail user. The history may include the caller's identity, the user's answering history, and user preferences. If the caller is not identified, an unanswered call may go to voicemail after a default number of ring cycles. If a caller has a history of previous calls to the user/called party, that history may increase or decrease the default number of ring cycles for that caller. For example, callers whose previous calls to the voicemail user have been answered may receive more ring cycles before going to voicemail. Conversely, callers whose previous calls to the user/called party were unanswered may receive a reduced number of ring cycles before going to voicemail. The number of ring cycles may also be adjusted where the call answering history suggests the called party is unavailable during certain times.

Abstract: A method for playing a sequence of advertisements as a waiting message of at least one private automatic branch exchange (“PABX”) is disclosed. A template sequence message may be created at the advertisement management server. The template sequence message may comprise a plurality of successive slots, each slot being able to receive an advertisement. The template sequence message and the advertisements may be sent to the PABX. For each incoming call received by the PABX and placed on hold by the PABX, the advertisements may be organized in a random order so as to allocate to each advertisement a rank, the successive advertisements may be inserted respectively in the successive slots of the template sequence message according to rank, and the completed template sequence message in which the advertisements have been inserted may be played by an audio player software of the PABX while the incoming call is on hold.

Abstract: Systems, methods and software product control voicemail transcription from a communication device. An audio mode is monitored within the communication device to determine a change in status between a sound-on mode and a sound-off mode. Automatic transcription of voicemail messages is enabled if the audio mode status transitions from sound-on to sound-off and automatic transcription of voicemail messages is disabled if the audio mode status transitions from sound-off to sound-on.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for score-driven management of such recordings. A score is assigned to a recording based at least in part on a plurality of monitored events that are detected for the call being recorded, and such score is then used for managing the recording, such as managing storage and/or post-processing of the recording. A recording manager is provided, which is operable to perform score-driven management of a recording. According to one embodiment, an initial score is determined for a recording at the initiation of the call being recorded. Such initial score may be determined based on fixed factors that are known at the time of the call's initiation. Various events related to the call are monitored during the call, and the score is then revised based on detected events. Management of storage, post-processing, and/or other handling of the recording is then based on the score assigned thereto.

Abstract: The current invention is a system for providing telephone directory assistance service in which a telephone user calls to the system and the system will, based on the requested number or type of service, hear a recorded advertisement. 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. The selection criteria can include the use of SIC codes.

Abstract: Solutions which address a growing and compelling need recognized in connection with rendering VOIP systems on laptops, or even on other mobile devices, even more versatile and user-friendly so as to even better replicate the advantages of cell phones. Broadly contemplated herein two modes of network access and two modes of user interface, which modes can be combined in any way as deemed suitable or appropriate. Preferably, a commonality between the contemplated network access and user interface modes is the use of a low-powered secondary processor, a secondary operating system, and non volatile storage applications which could be networking applications (e.g., an Always On subsystem).

Abstract: A method for providing a message service for a site is described. It is determined whether a service is provided at the site. If the service is provided at the site, a request is sent to a node at the site that provides the service. Determining if the service is provided at the site includes automatically determining if the service is provided at the site without user input.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a message-based communications infrastructure for automated call center post-call processing is described. Verbal speech utterances in a stream of recorded user messages are identified. The recorded user messages are parsed from a call with a user into a call center. The stream of recorded user messages are stored into a database maintained by the call center. The call is processed through an agent. One or more of the user messages is presented to the agent. Commands on the user messages are executed responsive to the agent.

Abstract: A plurality of prompting layers configured to provide varying levels of detailed assistance in prompting a user are maintained. A prompt from a current prompting layer is presented to a user. Input is received from the user. A level of detail in prompting the user is adaptively changed based on user behavior. Upon the user making a hesitant verbal gesture that reaches a threshold duration, a transition is made from the current prompting layer to a more detailed prompting layer. Upon the user interrupting the prompt with a valid input, a transition is made from the current prompting layer to a less detailed prompting layer.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a call from a primary interactive voice response (IVR) system at a load-balancing IVR system. The primary IVR system routes a first percentage of calls to routing logic and a second percentage of calls to the load-balancing IVR system. A telephony system is selected from among a plurality of telephony systems based on agent availability data associated with call center sites of the plurality of telephony systems. The method includes routing the call to a routing protocol component of the routing logic, where the routing protocol component routes the call to a call center of the selected telephony system.

Abstract: Methods and computer-readable media provide presenting a customized message to an incoming calling party and for allowing the calling party to save or forward the customized message. A called party submits a customized message to an intelligent network component of her telecommunications service provider along with identifiers for specified incoming callers who are to receive the customized message upon calling the called party. After the customized message is prepared, incoming callers who have been associated with the customized message are presented with the customized message before being connected to the called party. If the incoming call is not from a telephone directory number associated with the customized message, the incoming call is processed according to normal call processing methods.

Abstract: Methods, media, and systems are provided for delivering short messaging service (SMS) messages via a satellite radio network are provided. A cellular-satellite gateway (CSG) server is coupled to both the network of a terrestrial cellular telecommunications provider and to the network of a satellite radio provider. Once a requisite number of unsuccessful attempts for delivery have been made by the elements of the cellular network, the SMS message is forwarded to the CSG server. The CSG sends the text message to a specified satellite radio network. The satellite radio network broadcasts the text message so that it may be received by a satellite radio enabled device. Messages are filtered at the mobile device to ensure only the intended recipient receives the text message. Acknowledgment is sent the next time the mobile device connects to its cellular network.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for allowing a user to efficiently manage communications. A system for allowing a user having a unique identity is provided, wherein the unique identity is associated with a plurality of electronic devices. The system includes a service for assigning a reference to a user's unique identity, wherein other identities can access the user's unique identity only by using the reference. The system additionally includes permission controls for allowing the user to control access to the unique identity by restricting authorization to a selected set of other identities. Groups of individuals may receive different levels of authorization such that some individuals may be authorized to make live contact and others may be required to leave a message. Preference controls allow the system user to select at least one associated device from a plurality of associated devices for receiving communication upon an access attempt by an authorized user.

Abstract: A system and method for providing data transfer from a source node to a destination node in a network using variance based messaging is provided. The method comprises the steps of receiving one or more messages by the source node; selecting a plurality of messages to be grouped from the one or more messages, wherein the plurality of messages comprise data with minimum deviation in content; creating an integrated message from the plurality of messages; sending the integrated message from the source node to the destination node; and recreating each message of the plurality of messages at the destination node.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for creating and utilizing subscriber specific memory locations or storage folders for storing incoming voicemail messages in a telecommunications system voicemail system. A subscriber to voicemail services creates subscriber or user-specific memory locations or storage folders to which callers may direct a voice message. When a caller calls the subscriber's directory number and is forwarded to the subscriber's voicemail service, the caller is given the option to save the message in one of a number of previous created voice message folders. For example, the caller may receive a prompt like “Press 1 to leave a message for Jane.” If messages are inadvertently left in the wrong voice message folder, the user having authorized access to that folder may move the message to the appropriate folder. If desired, personal identification numbers (PIN) may be assigned to each voice message folder to control access to messages saved therein.

Abstract: A request is received from a user of a communication device to block a use of a ring tone remotely selected by another user for an incoming call to the communication device. The ring tone remotely selected by the other user is blocked from being played to the user of the communication device on the incoming call to the communication device.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to retaining outgoing audio messages between two voice communicating devices. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and method for using an external device that monitors all outgoing communication from a voice communicating device and stores such voice data with associate information for future retrieval. A system and method is disclosed that uses a device on the sender's side or on a remote system offered through the voice data network to monitor and record voice mails simultaneously with the receiver's side voice mail device. The recorded mail is available for access from any voice data device and also through electronic mail.

Abstract: A device receives, from a user device, a request to use a visual voicemail (VVM) application, directs the user device to a self provisioning server based on the request, and receives, from the self provisioning server, a selected VVM subscription plan and information associated with a user of the user device. The device also provides, to a billing system, a feature code associated with the selected VVM subscription plan, receives, from one or more voicemail servers, pre-existing voicemail messages associated with the user, and provides, to the user device, the pre-existing voicemail messages.

Abstract: A method includes receiving from a visual voice mail (VVM) client a request to access VVM services and determining whether VVM services have been previously activated. The method further includes providing a negative response to the VVM client if it is determined that VVM services have not been activated and receiving, from the VVM client, a self-provisioning request to initialize VVM services. The method may also include configuring VVM services based on the self-provisioning request and providing, to the VVM client, an indication that VVM services have been configured. The method may additionally include providing notifications and retrieval of voice mail messages, and submitting voice mail messages from the user device.

Abstract: Once a voicemail is received, it is the onus of the recipient of the voicemail message to call the caller back when a “missed call” message is received on the phone or after the voicemail message is retrieved. While some of the more advanced voicemail systems provide the capability of automatically placing a call from the callee back to the caller upon completion of the callee listening to the voicemail message, an exemplary embodiment of the present invention allows the caller to be connected to the callee should the callee become available while the caller is leaving a voicemail message for the callee.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for performing call correlation across network elements are disclosed. For example, the method receives by a first correlation engine one or more Call Detail Records (CDRs) from one or more network elements at a completion of a call wherein each of said one or more CDRs contains a correlation identification and a service identification. The method identifies a list of expected CDRs for said call and determines whether all of said expected CDRs for said call are received. The method then creates a CDR set for the call.

Abstract: A PT (Push-To) service among SIP based session services, and particularly, a method and terminal for establishing a PT session in order to allow a certain user to use a PT box service under control of a PT server in a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) based service, are discussed. According to an embodiment, the method of providing a Push-To (PT) box service, includes storing, in a PT server, PT box setting information of a terminal; receiving, by the PT server, a session invitation directed to the terminal; and determining, by the PT server, a routing of the session invitation to a PT box for the terminal based on at least the PT box setting information.

Abstract: A telephone notification method and system, a signaling monitoring unit and a server are disclosed. The telephone notification method comprises that: acquiring a hang-up signal of a target user terminal from a signaling network and then sending a notification message to a server; and after receiving the notification message, the server calls the target user terminal when determining there is a telephone notification task for the target user terminal. According to the embodiments of the present invention, a server can timely initiate a telephone notification for the target user, and the success rate of the telephone notification can be increased.

Abstract: Techniques for message forwarding based on a relationship between a sender and a recipient are described herein. In one embodiment, a process includes, but is not limited to, in response to a message from a sender over a network, identifying a list of candidate recipients to handle the message based on roles of the candidate recipients within an organization in view of the sender, and forwarding the message to a recipient selected from the list of the candidate recipient to enable the selected recipient to handle the message. Other methods and apparatuses are also described.

Abstract: A system and method for providing easy access to messaging services in a telecommunications network having office switches that are used by different providers of telephone and messaging services. The system uses a supplementary services database to maintain customer records including whether the customer uses messaging services and whether the customer subscribes to a short dialing sequence service for access to the messaging services. The customer is connected to the central office switch, which analyzes the dialing sequences generated by the customer. When the customer attempts access to the messaging services, the customer dials a short dialing or message sequence, such as *XX. The central office switch triggers a query to the supplementary services database for a call forwarding number to the messaging service used by the customer when the selected short dialing sequence is recognized by the switch.

Abstract: A system and method for providing enhanced quality audio streaming, including an audio streaming server providing an audio stream, a client including a buffer storing at least portions of the audio stream received from the audio streaming server, a buffer status sensor operative to monitor the contents of the buffer and a client audio output enhancer operative in response to an output from the buffer status sensor for providing a modified audio stream output.

Abstract: A Unified Messaging (UM) gateway device located at a branch office of a UM system manages calls if the network connecting the branch office to a UM server of the UM system is unavailable. The UM gateway device contains relatively simple hardware and software as compared to the hardware and software of a UM server. The UM gateway device provides call answering functionality, in the absence of the UM server. In various configurations, the UM gateway device provides access to mailboxes, manages incoming calls, provides an outgoing message (e.g., an announcement or prompt), provides an indication where the called-for person can be reached, and, when the network becomes available, returns management of incoming calls to the UM server and/or handles incoming calls in conjunction with the Unified Messaging server.

Abstract: Establishing a connection from a caller to a user using a pre-authorized credit from the user is described. A processor identifies one or more source identifications (IDs) for receiving pre-authorized credit for the incoming call. One or more destinations are specified to receive the incoming call. The processor defines a rule associated with the one or more destinations and the one or more source IDs. An interface receives the incoming call directed to one of the destinations from the caller. A storage area stores the defined rule. The incoming call and the caller are determined as a function of the one of the destinations, one or more identified source IDs and the defined rule. The pre-authorized credit is issued for the incoming call from the caller if it is determined that the incoming call to the destination satisfies the defined rule. The processor routes the incoming call to the user.

Abstract: A method for delivering audio announcements, includes: receiving an announcement package, the announcement package including a package identity, a package update time, and one or more announcement items; and presenting the announcement package to an audio player. Each announcement item includes an item identity, and a summary part, where the summary part includes audio information. The audio information includes an audio data type and audio data. Updates for the announcement package can be received, where the announcement package is modified according to the update. A content of the announcement package can be replaced, deleted, or added. The announcement item can be presented to the audio player once, repeatedly, or periodically. In this manner, audio announcements are delivered in an effective and timely manner.

Abstract: Included are embodiments of systems and methods for providing information. At least one embodiment of such a method includes facilitating establishment of a communication between a user on a communications device and an interface server, the interface server being configured to provide data related to an information tree to the user, the information tree being configured with a plurality of options. Some embodiments include facilitating navigation of a user through the information tree and receiving a first version of a marker from the user, the marker being configured to mark at least one position in the information tree. Still some embodiments include associating the received first version of the marker with a position in the information tree.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods, devices, and systems for detecting and filtering SPam over Internet Telephony (SPIT). The invention includes a two level filter. The first level may include a robust audio hash used to filter audio messages based on their audio content and the second level may include a near-duplicate pattern matching algorithm having a number of content filters and an evaluator to aggregate the results from the multiple content filters. By supporting multiple aggregation methods, a more flexible SPIT detection scheme is provided.