Abstract: Delivering a transcribed voice message includes detecting receipt of a voice message for delivery to a user, the voice message related to an incoming call for the user; determining a current presence of the user on at least one of a plurality of messaging channels in real time during receipt of the voice message; transcribing the voice message to text in real time; and delivering, in real time, the transcribed voice message to the at least one messaging channel on which the current presence of the user is determined. Delivering the transcribed voice message can also include receiving from the user initial identification of different user accounts, along with authorizations and permissions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided. The method includes reproducing, by a portable phone, multimedia content via an external output device while the portable phone is coupled with the external output device, determining whether the portable phone is decoupled from the external output device, and terminating the reproducing of the multimedia content based at least in part on a determination that the portable phone is decoupled from the external output device.

Abstract: Briefly, a variety of embodiments, including the following, are described: a system embodiment and methods that allow random access to voice messages, in contrast to sequential access in existing system embodiments; a system embodiment and methods that allow for the optional use of voice recognition to enhance usability; and a system embodiment and methods that apply to the area of voicemail.

Abstract: Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing monitoring and detection of fraudulent or unauthorized use in telephone conferencing systems or voice networks. In various embodiments, a computing system might monitor call activity through telephone conferencing system or voice network. In response to detecting use of the telephone conferencing system or voice network by at least one party based on the monitored call activity, the computing system might identify incoming and/or outgoing associated with a call initiated by the at least one party. The computing system might analyze the identified incoming and/or outgoing call data to determine whether the call initiated by the at least one party constitutes at least one of fraudulent use or unauthorized use of the telephone conferencing system or voice network. If so, the computing system might initiate one or more first actions.

Abstract: A method of enhancing personal contact information display on a mobile device is disclosed herein. The method of enhancing personal contact information display on a mobile device includes integrating a software code with an operating system for the mobile device. The code is configured to interact with a voice message module, the phone module, the internet module, and the personal contact information module of the mobile device operating system. The method of enhancing personal contact information display on a mobile device is useful for viewing contact information and accessing at least one voicemail left by a first-user.

Abstract: Briefly, a variety of embodiments, including the following, are described: a system embodiment and methods that allow random access to voice messages, in contrast to sequential access in existing system embodiments; a system embodiment and methods that allow for the optional use of voice recognition to enhance usability; and a system embodiment and methods that apply to the area of voicemail.

Abstract: Briefly, a variety of embodiments, including the following, are described: a system embodiment and methods that allow random access to voice messages, in contrast to sequential access in existing system embodiments; a system embodiment and methods that allow for the optional use of voice recognition to enhance usability; and a system embodiment and methods that apply to the area of voicemail.

Abstract: An account management server, a communication device and a service device are provided for managing access to an account. The account management server, for example, includes, but is not limited to, a storage device configured to store identifying information for each of a plurality of service devices and configured to store an account associated with each of the plurality of service devices, and a processor communicatively coupled to the storage device, wherein the processor is configured to: receive identifying information from a communication device; identify at least one service device whose stored identifying information matches the received identifying information; and grant management access to the account associated with the identified at least one service device to the communication device.

Abstract: Techniques for automatically prompting a calling user to send a message to a called user, the calling user using a calling device and the called user using a called device, the method including receiving, at a processor in the calling device, an indication that a call from the calling device to the called device has disconnected, determining, at the processor in the calling device, whether the call connected before receiving the indication that the call has disconnected, and in response to determining that the call did not connect before receiving the indication that the call has disconnected, determining that the call was a missed call.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of processing pre-stored recipient information and configuring a targeted message to be sent to the recipient(s) is disclosed. One example method of operation includes retrieving a list of recipients and corresponding recipient profile information from a database, and comparing the recipient profile information to at least one target lifestyle segment or persona (e.g., demographics, healthcare spending, consumer spending, and media preferences). The method may also include identifying that the list of intended recipients' profile information matches the target persona, and selecting and transferring a pre-recorded, persona-tailored automated voice call script to the list of recipients according to a minimum response threshold value of the target persona.

Abstract: A personalized news service provides personalized news programs for its users by generating personalized combinations of audible versions of news stories derived from text-based based versions of the news stories. The audible versions may be generated from the text-based version by a text-to-speech system, or may by recording a person reading aloud the text-based version. To acquire recordings, the personalized news service can make a determination that a particular news story has a threshold extent of popularity. The news service can then transmit a request to a remote recording station for a recording of a verbal reading of the particular news story. The news service can then receive the requested recording from the remote recording station.

Abstract: A method for handling e-mail communication by an e-mail server is provided. The method includes receiving an e-mail by the e-mail server, parsing the e-mail to identify a large content item within the e-mail, generating a modified e-mail by replacing the large content item within the e-mail with an identifier, storing the large content item and the large content item forms a basis for a weblog associated with the identifier, sending the modified e-mail, and receiving a reply e-mail to the modified e-mail and the content of the reply e-mail builds an extension to the weblog.

Abstract: Method for enabling unwanted caller notifications or unwanted message sender notifications for all communication devices and applications including those with restricted programmatic call and message log access. The method delivers and stores a database of unwanted caller/message sender identification information in the device default contacts list, which is made available to the device's default caller/message sender identification service and to applications installed on the device. In one embodiment the unwanted caller/message sender identification information database is delivered as a separate synchronized address book, which can include additional unwanted caller notification information, for example the number or type of complaints about a given phone number.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a system that performs operations including receiving one or more media processor commands generated by a voice processing system that synthesizes the one or more media processor commands according to voice data provided by a portable device by way of an adapter, and executing the one or more media processor commands to generate an updated presentation of media content. The adapter converts a first radio frequency (RF) signal to a second RF signal comprising the voice data, the first RF signal generated by the portable device according to a first RF protocol, the second RF signal conforming to a second RF protocol that differs from the first RF protocol, and the second RF signal comprising routing information to route the voice data to the voice processing system. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An approach for coordinating a communication response is described. A response coordination platform determines delivery of a notification to at least one device associated with a user. The response coordination platform further determines, based on the delivery, messaging content, a user specified response time, or a combination thereof for generating a message for responding to the notification. The response coordination platform then generates, based on the response time, at least one instruction for triggering an alert, a communication session, or a combination thereof by the at least one device associated with the user, other devices associated with the user, a device that sent the notification, or a combination thereof.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer program are provided for distributing payment to digital content owners. In use, usage of digital content is identified, utilizing a source of the usage of the digital content. Further, a record of the usage of the digital content is transmitted to a central collection system, for use in distributing payment to an owner of the digital content.

Abstract: A system for controlling, monitoring, and recording of wireless telecommunications services associated with penal institutions is provided comprising a portable electronic device and application executing on the device that present a listing of available call destinations based on receiving a first instruction from a first authorized party possessing the device. The application receives a second instruction comprising a choice of a first call destination from the listing. The application transmits a third instruction requesting connection with the destination and joins a second authorized party associated with the first call destination in a first voice session. The application joins the first authorized party to the first session. The application further joins the first party to a second voice session initiated by the second party based on determining that the second party initiated the second session from the first destination.

Abstract: Methods and systems for routing mobile device calls, based on a converted telephone number of a mobile device, location information of the mobile device, and trunk group identifiers. A query requesting one or more routes for a mobile device call is generated. The query includes a converted telephone number of the mobile device and location information of the mobile device. One or more responses identifying one or more routes for the mobile device call are received from a centralized routing function. The one or more responses each include an originating trunk group identifier. The originating trunk group identifier includes an egress trunk group. Upon receiving the one or more responses, the mobile device call is routed using an outbound trunk group of a response from the centralized routing function.

Abstract: Methods for responding to an email message by a phone call from a mobile device are described. In some embodiments, mobile devices are capable of receiving emails. The emails may be in form of messages in a threaded conversation. Each message has metadata and the metadata includes a phone number corresponding to a sender of the message. The text or information associated with the message is displayed but not the metadata. While a user is reading the message displayed on the mobile device, the user is provided with a plurality of options to respond to the message, an option is for the user to call the sender of the message using the phone number in the metadata. Upon selecting such an option, the user is able to initiate a call to the sender of the message by activating a feature to call using the phone number stored in the metadata without physically looking up and dialing the sender's number. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A method and system for remotely wiping a mobile device, the method receiving, at a telephonic server hosting a telephonic menu, a selection to wipe data and connections from the mobile device; and forwarding a wipe data request to a network server to send a wipe command.

Abstract: A correctional facility communication system for sending an external message to an offender of a correctional facility is disclosed. The correctional facility communication system includes a messaging system and a correctional facility system coupled together with a wide area network. The messaging system is at a first location and the correctional facility system is at a second location, different from the first location. The messaging system authenticates a sender of the external message, receives the external message in electronic form at the first location, checks the external message against criteria specified by the correctional facility, determine a second location of the offender and a corresponding printer, and sends the external message to the second location for automatic printing with the corresponding printer.

Abstract: A telecommunications system is provided comprising a mobile device and an IP Multi-media Sub-system (IMS), the mobile device being connected to a Public Land Mobile Network, PLMN. The mobile device is adapted to: identify if the PLMN supports Customized Applications for Mobile network Enhanced Logic, CAMEL; and, upon receiving an attempt to initiate a call to a dialled number, if the PLMN supports CAMEL, allow the call to proceed. The PLMN is adapted to: receive a request to connect a call from the mobile device; invoke a CAMEL service trigger indicating that the call should be routed to the IMS; and, route the call to the IMS. The IMS is adapted to: control the call; and, refer the call to a call storage system for call storage. A mobile device, IP Multi-media Sub-system and method in a mobile device are also provided.

Abstract: A provisioning system configured to retrieve a voicemail password and/or a pilot number for a voicemail account, create a first service request directed to an over-the-air system, and send the first service request to the over-the-air system, if the provisioning system determines that the voicemail account has been initialized. The first service request instructs the over-the-air system to format a first message including the voicemail password and/or the pilot number for delivery to a mobile device. The provisioning system is further configured to create a second service request directed to the over-the-air system and send the second service request to the over-the-air system, if the provisioning system determines that the voicemail account has not been initialized. The second service request instructs the over-the-air system to format a second message including a default voicemail password and/or a default pilot number for delivery to the mobile device.

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: In an instant messaging system, message latency is reduced by initiating traffic channel set-up at a receiving device concurrently while a sending device is generating the instant message. When a user begins generating an instant message, the sending device transmits a service request to a payload and connection server to indicate that an instant message is pending. Upon receipt of the service request, the payload and connection server notifies the receiving device so that the receiving device can initiate traffic channel set-up concurrently while the instant message is being recorded. When the traffic channel is established, the receiving device polls the server. If the instant message is not yet received by the payload and connection server when the polling request is received, the payload and connection server waits a predetermined period of time to receive the pending instant message and forwards the instant message when it is received.

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: A voice message system records voice message usage information by creating voice message records when a voice message is sent and when it is received. The voice message record includes: the voice message, a voice message sender identity, a voice message recipient identity, and voice message action records. A voice message action records includes a voice message action that specifies an action on the voice message, and a voice message action time that includes the time at which the action occurs. Voice message actions include sent, received, and listened. The system further includes a voice message analyzer for analyzing voice message records, and a voice message reporter for generating reports from an analysis by the analyzer. The voice message system provides tractable information for voice messages, allowing companies to enforce a voice message usage policy.

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: 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: A method and system for allowing a calling party to send a voicemail message as a text message. A calling party leaves a voicemail message and that message is converted from voice to a text message. If the calling party wishes to confirm the conversion, the text message is then converted to a voicemail message. The converted voicemail message is presented to the calling party so that the calling party can review and edit the message. The calling party can review and edit any portion of the converted voicemail message, The edits of the voicemail message are applied and the voicemail message is converted to a new text message. If the calling party wishes to further review and edit the text message, it is converted to a new voicemail; otherwise the text message is sent to the called party.

Abstract: The invention features a computer-implemented method for playing back an announcement message to a user device. The method includes initiating, by a computing device, an announcement session in response to a user device establishing communication with the computing device and determining, by the computing device, the announcement message to be played back to the user device. The method includes loading, by the computing device, into a queue associated with the announcement session, a descriptor referencing a memory buffer on the computing device. The memory buffer includes a plurality of memory partitions, each memory partition storing at least one portion of the announcement message encoded at a different rate. The method includes the computing device scheduling play back of the announcement message, playing the announcement message to the user device at a first rate and receiving a request from the user device for playback at a second rate.

Abstract: A character agent function is added to a wireless terminal and an avatar user interface (UI) for generating and processing an event is expressed when an event occurs in the wireless terminal, such that call and message-related events occurring in the wireless terminal can be expressed through the character agent function.

Abstract: A system according to the present invention includes a calling terminal that makes a call, a called terminal that can receive the call from the calling terminal, and a message server that stores in advance a plurality of messages correlated with call results to the called terminal from the calling terminal, selects a first message from the plurality of messages on the basis of the call results, and transmit the first message to the called terminal.

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 computing device may establish a communication session with a user equipment device (UE). The computing device may interact with the UE via interactive voice response (IVR) services and enable a first portion of the communication session to be recorded using a first recording mode. The computing device may out-dial a second portion of the communication session and enable a second portion of the communication session to be recorded using a second recording mode. A recording mode may include recording a portion of a communication session locally, streaming a portion of the communication session to a recording system, or out-dialing a portion of the communication session to enable a communication session tap to be placed on the out-dialed portion of the communication session.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of providing virtual messaging is provided. The method comprises examining status information associated with a plurality of servers for notifying call recipients of messages using at least one messaging protocol, wherein each of the plurality of servers operates independently, identifying an available server of the plurality of servers, based on the status information, for handling a message and directing an incoming call to the available server, wherein the available server stores the message until communication of the message to at least one call recipient, wherein the available server communicates at least one notification message associated with the message to at least one telephone number of the at least one call recipient, wherein the at least one notification message comprises a telephone number associated with the call origination device and a message link number for communicating with the available server.

Abstract: Processing communications to and from multiple communications systems based on user preferences and based on presence information for one or more users of the communications systems is provided. A user who operates multiple communications systems may set preferences with each of the systems individually or through a centralized communications management system to control call processing to each of the systems based on prescribed user preferences and based on presence information for the user. In addition, communications applications associated with one or more communications systems may be automatically activated or functionally modified based on user preferences and/or user presence information.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for forwarding telephone calls, facsimile transmissions and electronic messages to a single forwarding telephone number. The telephone calls, fax transmissions and electronic messages are first forwarded to a central forwarding repository by the forwarding party where the fax transmissions, and messages are converted to audio formats. Forwarded telephone calls and audio formatted versions of the fax transmissions and electronic messages are then forwarded directly to a designated forwarding number. If the forwarding party answers at the forwarding number, she will receive forwarded calls, and the audio formatted versions of fax transmissions and electronic messages will be played to her over her telephone. If the forwarding party does not answer the forwarded call, she subsequently may retrieve saved telephone calls, saved telephone messages and saved audio versions of fax transmissions and electronic messages from the central forwarding repository.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a telephone system includes a plurality of terminal devices which are connected to a packet communication network to realize voice calls with one another via the communication network, an attribute management function which manages attribute information for each user of the terminal devices, a message processing database which associates storage aspects of message information from a calling source user to incoming call destination users to each attribute possible to be owned by the incoming call destination users and stores them in a form of a database, and a message storage control unit which stores the message information to the incoming call destination users in aspects corresponding to the attribute information of the incoming call destination users to be managed by the attribute management function on the basis of content of the message processing database.

Abstract: A system and method of providing a response with different language options for a data communication protocol, such as Session Initiation Protocol, are disclosed. For example, data communication is controlled between at least two endpoints. A response code indicative of a condition of the data communication is transmitted to one of the at least two endpoints. The response code is associated with a reason phrase operable to be displayed at the one of the at least two endpoints in a language selected from an option of a plurality of languages.

Abstract: A system and method for managing telephone calls is disclosed. The system includes a central controller that receives and processes telephone calls. The identity of a caller is first determined. Based on predetermined settings designated by an end user, a call is directed to one or more telephones of the end user. Preferably, the end user's telephones ring simultaneously. The user may answer any of his/her telephones and choose from among several options of how to handle the call. If the user chooses to answer the call, the call may be transferred to that telephone and the conversation may commence.

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 computer-implemented method and system to remotely test message-waiting notifications over a communications network is provided. The method includes receiving broadband signaling from a voicemail platform; converting the broadband signaling to narrowband signaling; and transmitting the narrowband signaling, which generates status notifications, and transmits the status notifications to a remote test location. The system includes a switching element that routes the broadband signaling generated by the voicemail platform. The switching element routes the broadband signaling to a message processing component that executes code that searches a message-waiting-notification database to generate appropriate tones based on the broadband signaling received from the switching element.

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: A method may include receiving, by a computing device, a communication session invitation from a user device and determining, by the computing device, whether a communication session, corresponding to the communication session invitation, is to be recorded. The method may also include, when the communication session is to be recorded, identifying, by the computing device, a record mode, corresponding to the communication session, from a group of record modes. The method may further include establishing, by the computing device, recording services corresponding to the record mode, and establishing, by the computing device, the communication session with the user device. The method may also include, when the communication session is not to be recorded, establishing, by the computing device, the communication session with the user device.

Abstract: A device is configured to receive a request for a first user, of a first telephone device, to leave a voice mail message for a second user of a second telephone device; retrieve a profile associated with the second telephone device and to determine, based on the profile, whether the second telephone device is registered for a selective voice mail service; determine, based on the profile, whether the first user is allowed to leave the voice mail message when the second telephone device is registered for the selective voice mail service; and allow the first user to leave the voice mail message for the second user of the second telephone device when the second telephone device is not registered for the selective voice mail service or when the first user is allowed to leave the voice mail message.

Abstract: A topic is associated with a temporary communications address such as a temporary telephone number. This assignment may be effected by the user when the temporary address is obtained by the user. Illustratively, a user who simultaneously uses a plurality of temporary addresses associates a different topic with each of those addresses. When a caller calls the temporary address, the call is redirected to the user's real address and the user receives the topic that is associated with that temporary address, and preferably also the called temporary address itself, along with the redirected call, and this information is either displayed or announced to the user. The information provides context for the call to the user, and may optionally be captured in call logs. Illustratively, when the user initiates a call via the temporary address or the topic, the temporary address or the topic is provided to the called party as the caller ID information. The user's identity is thus kept secret.

Abstract: A method for screening and routing incoming telephone calls includes extracting caller identification information from an incoming telephone call, providing a plurality of tables including a primary ring table, a secondary ring table, a voicemail table, a block call table, and a forward call table, and determining which one of the plurality of tables includes the caller identification information. The method further includes sending the incoming telephone call directly to voicemail without having a ring tone if the voicemail table includes the caller identification information, blocking the incoming telephone call if the block call table includes the caller identification information, and forwarding the incoming telephone call if the forward call table includes the caller identification information.

Abstract: An audio indication of a message recipient is received from a user who desires that a message be sent to the message recipient. The audio indication is analyzed to determine the recipient and searching an electronic database for an account of the recipient. Information is retrieved from the electronic account. The retrieved information indicates at one or more modes of message delivery to the recipient. An audio guide for the user based is constructed upon the retrieved information. The audio guide includes one or more audio prompts that are entirely customizable and not based upon a predetermined pattern. The user is sequentially prompted with the audio prompts to select at least one of the modes of message delivery. The message is constructed and sent to the recipient according to the selected mode of message delivery.

Abstract: The invention provides a system and method for indexing and organizing voice mail message by the speaker of the message. One or more speaker models are created from voice mail messages received. As additional messages are left, each of the new messages are compared with existing speaker models to determine the identity of the callers of each of the new messages. The voice mail messages are organized within a user's mailbox by caller. Unknown callers may be identified and tagged by the user and then used to create new speaker models and/or update existing speaker models.