Abstract: In response to receiving a voice message, a telephony service creates an e-mail message directed to the intended recipient of the voice message. The e-mail message includes the voice message as an attachment and an embedded image file. Once the e-mail message has been created, a mail system is utilized to transmit the e-mail message to the intended recipient of the voice message. An e-mail client application program may be used to retrieve the e-mail message and to view the message content. In order to render the message content, the e-mail client application program will transmit a request for the image file. In response to receiving the request for the image file, an indication is transmitted to the telephony service indicating that the intended recipient has heard the voice message. In response to receiving the indication, the telephony service marks the voice message as heard.

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

Abstract: Systems and methods of managing announcement messages provide for receiving a first announcement message, where the first announcement message is compatible with a first platform protocol of a first messaging server. The first announcement message is translated into a second announcement message, where the second announcement message is compatible with a second platform of a second messaging server. By enabling announcement messages such as voice mail greetings and email “out-of-office” messages to be created and updated with a single interface, more efficient messaging is achieved.

Abstract: According to various embodiments of the present invention, systems and methods for mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) telephone number provisioning and voicemail routing by a mobile virtual network enabler (MVNE) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method includes: provisioning a telephone number (TN) and its associated mobile subscriber identification (MSID) owned by a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) on a home location register (HLR) of a third party carrier, the third party carrier is not the owner of the TN; routing a call to the provisioned TN from a calling party by utilizing the HLR, wherein a called party of the TN is at least one of providing no answer or unreachable; receiving an indication from a gateway mobile switching center (GW MSC) of the third party carrier that there is no voicemail transfer number associated with the TN; and initiating a new call to a voicemail server of the MVNO, the new call to provide voicemail associated with the TN to the calling party.

Abstract: A prepaid messaging solution which uses open networking standards (e.g., TCP/IP) and which supports pre-payment of enhanced Internet messaging services. The disclosed prepaid architectures and methods accurately determine if a subscriber has sufficient account balance to deliver a complete short message, prior to delivery of the message. The short message may be prevented from being delivered (either at the source end or at the destination end) if insufficient funds are in the subscriber's account. A prepaid tariff engine is preferably extensible over a TCP/IP network, and supports remote interaction with the SMSC and web chat servers for the purpose of applying a real-time billing charge for each message. A service provider may create subscriber classes of service that define and uniquely identify subscriber rate and/or tariffing plans used to apply real-time billing charges for sending or receiving of messages. The prepaid short message tariff engine determines the appropriate message billing based upon, e.

Abstract: A method of processing a telephone call that includes creating an email notification of the telephone call if the telephone call to a telephone number registered to receive email notifications is determined unanswered and sending the email notification based on information associated with the registered telephone number.

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

Abstract: A system for automatically selecting an outgoing message for an incoming call. In response to receiving an incoming call, a calling party is identified. The identified calling party is compared against call log data to determine that the identified calling party has previously heard a first outgoing message. In response to determining that the identified calling party has not previously heard the first outgoing message, the first outgoing message is played as a selected outgoing message for the incoming call. In response to determining that the identified calling party has previously heard the first outgoing message, a second outgoing message is played as the selected outgoing message for the incoming call. Then, the call log data is updated to identify the selected outgoing message played for the incoming call.

Abstract: An interactive voice response (IVR) system which assists in identifying repeat callers, understanding whether they are calling for the same reason as one of their previous calls, and properly disposing of the call. If the repeat caller is calling for the same reason, information from the previous call (or the previous calls) is retrieved and an action based on a defined business logic for repeat callers may then be executed for the current call.

Abstract: A method and system for registering external telephone numbers and associating such external telephone numbers with an extension in a voice mail system. When a call is received from a telephone which is not registered in the called systems database, after the caller has identified an extension and entered an appropriate password, the user is given an opportunity to register the external telephone with the system and to associate the telephone with and extension in the called system.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for providing telecommunications services by receiving a notification forwarded from a wireless device, the notification indicating that a voicemail message intended for a recipient associated with the wireless device was received. The voicemail message associated with the notifications is retrieved and forwarded to an alternate device associated with the recipient and/or converted into a text message representative of the content of the voicemail message.

Abstract: A system and method for canceling a message sent to a recipient prior to retrieval by the recipient. A telephone call is received by a network from a calling party who desires to cancel a message left for a recipient through an earlier call from the calling party to the recipient after termination of the earlier call. By mapping the calling party's automatic number identifier (ANI) with at least one call record, a voice mailbox of the recipient may be accessed to determine whether the message has been retrieved by the recipient. If the message is still pending, the calling party is provided with the option to cancel the message. Alternatively, the calling party provides the telephone number from where the earlier call originated to a network server, which looks up the ANI of the originating number and then maps the ANI of that number with the at least one call record to enable the cancellation procedure.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a system and method for transferring voice messages. The system includes a voice message server. When a voice message and called terminal information are transmitted from a calling terminal, the voice message server stores the voice message, searches for a connection mute to the called terminal with reference to the called terminal information, and transmits a reception request signal to the called terminal. Furthermore, when the called terminal responds to the reception request signal, the voice message server reproduces the voice message. Furthermore, when the called terminal does not respond to the reception request signal and the reception request signal is forwarded to a different receiving object, the voice message server checks whether the route of the reception request signal has been changed and interrupts the transmission of the voice message. Accordingly, an additional communication charge may be avoided.

Abstract: A database and communications server allow for composure of a family disaster plan that is tailored to the demographic and geographic information provided by a subscriber to the disclosed system. In the event of an emergency, relevant portions of a family disaster plan are communicated to a subscriber and the family members of the subscriber. Each subscribing family member may communicate with the database, which in turn automatically distributes the message to all family members. After the disaster has ended, insurance information is relayed to the subscriber, and the subscriber's insurance companies are notified.

Abstract: Methods for providing feedback in messaging systems are described. A communication node can include a first counter for counting a first number of messages which received by and/or forwarded by the node. The communication node can also include a second counter which counts a second number of messages which are expected to be delivered from that node to other nodes.

Abstract: A voicemail system includes a voicemail bookmarking procedure that permits users to bookmark voicemail messages during message playback. Upon receiving a bookmark request from a user, the procedure generates a bookmark pointer defining a starting point for subsequent playback of the message. The bookmark pointer can be based, in part, on a timing offset value entered by the user while making the bookmark request. The timing offset value defines a user-selected playback starting point that occurs before the message time at which the bookmark request was made. The value of the timing offset can be user selected.

Abstract: A system and method for providing dynamically generated information to a caller during the ringing state of a telephone call. In one example, color ringback tones may be used in conjunction with text-to-speech technology and caller ID services to provide personalized audio messages. These messages may be generated in real time and may include information that may be useful to the caller, such as up-to-date status information (e.g., the status of the caller's voicemail inbox), news or other information.

Abstract: As apparatus for responding silently to incoming calls in a communication system. Such an apparatus provides the capability to respond to incoming calls in the communication system which could be, for example, a telephone system, for those cases necessitating minimal disruptions such as wherein the telephone user receiving the call is in a meeting or other group situation. With the system disclosed herein, the telephone user can respond to the caller immediately with pre-recorded responses. Special responses can be pre-recorder for special situations or special callers.

Abstract: The invention is a message distribution system that can deliver a single message to a large number of people with a single act using a group of computer servers. The preferred embodiment requires the user to establish an account using a website and enter a contact list. The contact list can include both email addresses and telephone numbers. When the user wishes to send a message, at a later time, the user contacts the group of computer servers by a telephone number or email address. The user records a message on the servers and the server sends the messages to all email addresses and telephone numbers on the contact list for that user. Other embodiments include procedures to confirm the validity of the email addresses and telephone numbers and to confirm the delivery of messages to the email address and telephone numbers on the contact list.

Abstract: An apparatus in one example has: a mobile switching center having a voice mail system, a subscriber database with voicemail information, and a greetings database; the greetings database having a plurality of lists, and at least one phone number in each of the lists; and the greetings database also having a plurality of recorded greetings, respective greetings in the plurality of recorded greetings being associated with respective lists in the plurality of lists.

Abstract: Some embodiments provide reception of a call from a calling party to a called party, acquisition of a voice message form the calling party to the called party, reception from the calling party a selection of an email message sent to the called party, and association of the voice message with the email message.

Abstract: A technique includes receiving a first communication from a first member of a group of members and recording a voice message during the communication from the first member. The technique includes, in response to the first communication, automatically attempting to communicate with at least one member of the group other than the first member to deliver the recorded voice message.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for defending against telephone-based robotic attacks. An interactive voice response method is disclosed, comprising the steps of obtaining a script to present to a caller, the script including at least one menu option having at least one personal code; generating a random number for the personal code; and presenting the at least one menu option with the generated random number to the caller. The step of generating a random number for the personal code is optionally responsive to receipt of the call. The method is optionally performed only if one or more predefined criteria defining an attack are satisfied. The disclosed IVR system can optionally monitor the caller response to determine whether the caller enters the generated random number.

Abstract: A system collects a plurality of communications including at least two different types of communications. The system links the plurality of communications with an identifier that can be used to identify the plurality of communications, and stores the plurality of communications. The system allows a user to perform an action on at least one of the plurality of communications.

Abstract: A messaging device may include a memory configured to store a first message from a first caller and intended for a called party and to store information identifying a group that includes a number of broadcast parties that include the first caller. The messaging device may include a processor configured to receive a reply message from the called party and to broadcast the reply message to at least a subset of the group.

Abstract: A method and system for transferring audio content to a telephone-switching system is provided. The telephone-switching system receives the audio content from a source. Thereafter, the telephone-switching system authenticates the source. The telephone-switching system also authenticates the audio content. Thereafter, the telephone-switching system stores the audio content in a file directory of the telephone-switching system.

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: 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: A telecommunications network includes multiple media messaging systems, such as voicemail platforms. A translation server stores messaging system data that associates each mailbox with a routing address (e.g., an IP address) that can be used to reach the media messaging system that hosts the mailbox. The translation server receives a translation request that includes an identification of a destination mailbox and a service code. The service code indicates that a routing address for a media messaging system is being requested. In response to the translation request, the translation server obtains from the messaging system data the routing address associated with the media messaging system that hosts the destination mailbox, and the translation server returns the routing address in a translation response. The routing address may then be used to send a call or to send a media message to the media messaging system that hosts the destination mailbox.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for accessing messages in one communication system by another communication system. In some embodiments, a request to access data is received from a second communication system. The data is located at a first communication system. The first communication system is configured to communicate using a first standard communication protocol, while the second communication system is configured to communicate using a second standard communication protocol. The received request is converted to a command of the first standard communication protocol. Using the command, the data at the first communication system is accessed.

Abstract: Upon receiving a service code from a calling party, a list of parties previously called by the calling party is retrieved. An audio message is generated based on the list, and communicated to the calling party. A dialed input indicating a selected party from the list is received from the calling party. Based on the dialed input, a call between the calling party and the selected party is initiated.

Abstract: Methods and systems are disclosed that allow for the exchange of voice mail messages between different VMSs of different service providers and/or in different networks by the transmission of such messages through a data network using a standard protocol of the data network. Methods and systems also are disclosed that validate message transactions among subscribers receiving regional messaging services over the PSTN. The subscribers are located in different geographic areas and may be provided their voice, facsimile or data messaging services by different companies. The present invention validates passing messages (data) among customers of potentially different companies located in different areas by assessing the validity of the transaction in light of a number of conditions, including applicable regulatory or business conditions.

Abstract: The system for providing emergency voice mail service includes two components: a first component that informs a calling party that emergency voice mail service has been activated due to an interruption in telephone service provided by the affected local exchange(s), and a second component that provides emergency voice mail service to customers who are displaced from their residences or simply affected by the service outage. The calling party that wishes to leave a message or the customer whose service is interrupted and wishes to listen to their messages calls a nationwide toll free number and is routed to the Emergency Voice Mail System. The caller is asked to enter the telephone number of the customer who is out of service and then can enter a predetermined code to leave a voice mail message or retrieve a voice mail message for the wire -line or wireless customer who is out of service.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for authorizing and allocating outdial communication services are disclosed. A disclosed system comprises an application server to initiate an outdial communication service, a gateway to transport the outdial communication service from the application server to an access network via a shared communication facility, and a policy server to selectively authorize the initiated outdial service and, if the outdial service is authorized, to allocate a portion of the shared communication facility to the authorized outdial service.

Abstract: A ringback replacement insertion system for replacing certain communications network signals and tones is disclosed. Communications devices activate and interact with the ringback replacement system to allow for modification of the network service.

Abstract: An improved approach to failover voice messaging services is provided. In one example, a method includes detecting a network communication interruption between a branch office and a main office, provisioning a mailbox of a failover voice messaging system of the branch office, and receiving an incoming call at the branch office. The method also includes routing the incoming call to the mailbox, storing a message associated with the incoming call in the mailbox, and detecting a restored network connection between the branch office and the main office. The method further includes synchronizing the message between the mailbox of the failover voice messaging system of the branch office and a corresponding mailbox of a voice messaging system of the main office in response to the restored network connection. Failover voice messaging systems supporting such features are also provided.

Abstract: Techniques for storing voicemails in real-time in a caller's voicemail system when a voicemail is left in a callee's voicemail system are provided. A connection to the callee's voicemail system is detected during a call from the caller to the callee. When a voicemail is being left on the caller's voicemail system, a copy of the voicemail message is automatically forked to the caller's voicemail system. Thus, when a voicemail message is recorded on the callee's voicemail system, a copy of the voicemail message is also stored on the caller's voicemail system.

Abstract: An integrated messaging system for performing various types of messaging across different types of networks, including integrated user interfaces and administrator interfaces. Embodiments include a communication server that couples among networks of different types, and an interface module that couples to the communication server. The interface module may be hosted on a messaging server of a network. The interface module pulls various user information from the messaging server, including information relevant to at least the network that includes the messaging server. A cache couples to the communication server and to the interface module to hold information from the communication server and/or the user information pulled from messaging server. The interface module directs a message from the messaging server and/or the cache to at least one device on the networks using the user information.

Abstract: An improved mechanism for voice mail notification is disclosed. When a voice mail server receives a voice mail message left by a first party for a second party, the voice mail server stores the voice mail message and generates and sends to the second party a pictorial voice mail notification message that includes (i) an image associated with the first party and (ii) a link to the stored voice mail message at the voice mail server. The pictorial voice mail notification message may be structured such that, when a user invokes the link, an active session will be established between the user's device and the voice mail server, and the voice mail server will automatically play the stored voice mail message to the user and then offer the user one or more normal voice mail management options, such as options to delete, replay, save, or forward the message.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a voicemail messaging system provides a user with the ability to record a voicemail message that includes at least one static portion and a dynamic content portion. When the voicemail message is accessed for listening by a recipient the dynamic content portion is filled with information retrieved via a URL link. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for delivering voicemail messages to multiple recipients are disclosed. A system is provided that allows users of voicemail systems to record a voicemail or video message and select multiple recipients to receive the message. The sender may designate a delivery method though a paradigm similar to email systems where recipients may be copied or blind-copied. Recipients of the voicemail message may be made aware of other recipients of the voicemail message, and are made aware of the expectations of the sender.

Abstract: A system and method for call center dialog management is disclosed. The method discloses: presenting a contact with a first call center dialog segment having a current call center dialog property; receiving from the contact a contact dialog segment; identifying a dialog property keyword within the contact dialog segment; replacing the current call center dialog property with a new call center dialog property in response to the dialog property keyword; and presenting a second call center dialog segment having the new call center dialog property to the contact. The system of the present invention, discloses means for implementing the method.

Abstract: A method and a system for providing commercial information (CI) messages as a ring-back tone (RBT) to a caller in an inter-operator telecommunication system are provided. In the inter-operator telecommunication system, the caller and the callee are registered to different telecommunication service providers. The second telecommunication service provider sends a request to the first telecommunication service provider to provide a CI id associated with a caller profile of the caller. The request is routed through a global broker. An RBT player of the second telecommunication service provider plays the CI message corresponding to the CI id as ring-back tone to the caller.

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: According to one embodiment, a voice mail apparatus includes a voice processor which processes voice messages by a arbitrary processing gain, a gain controller which monitors a signal level of an output signal of the voice processor, and controls the processing gain of the voice processor to change the signal level into a specified level, and a processing controller which makes the gain controller to perform gain control of a learning voice by inputting a portion of the voice message into the voice processor as the learning voice when processing of the voice message is requested or based on predetermined conditions.

Abstract: A method, system, and program provide for voice mail management. A voice mail filtering controller calculates a separate Bayesian score for each voice mail message from among multiple voice mail message entries received into a voice mailbox for a user, wherein each separate Bayesian score indicates a probability that the associated voice mail message is unwanted by said user. During playback, the voice mail filtering controller automatically deletes a selection of the voice mail messages each with a separate Bayesian score greater than a particular Bayesian score of the last played voice mail message from the voice mailbox.

Abstract: Disclosed is a simplified interactive solution for providing access to back-end services. A communication is established from a communication device to a processing system. The processing system receives a picture from the communication device. The user is presented with tasks (services to perform on the picture) on an IVR menu in an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system. The user responds by choosing a task to perform on the picture. The task is then performed on the picture. Some of the tasks that can be performed are to generate postcards/greeting cards based on pictures. These can be combined with other services such as photo processing services/delivery services to provide a rich set of services to the user.

Abstract: An improved arrangement for managing voice mail boxes. A group voice mail account will be defined to include a general mailbox and two or more sub-mailboxes. For each sub-mailbox, the voice mail account will define a respective pass code that can be used as a key for gaining management access to that sub-mailbox and to the general mailbox but not to any other one of the sub-mailboxes. When the voice mail system receives from a user the pass code associated with a given sub-mailbox, the voice mail system will thus allow the user to manage greetings and/or messages associated with the given sub-mailbox and greetings and/or messages associated with the general mailbox, but the voice mail server will not allow the user to manage greetings or messages associated with other mailboxes. Further, upon gaining access to manage the general mailbox, the user may create additional sub-mailboxes.

Abstract: An IP telephone system includes a source IP telephone apparatus, a destination telephone apparatus, a Web server and an ENUM server. The IP telephone apparatuses are connected to an IP network. The Web server stores control information for controlling an answering machine function. The control information corresponds to a telephone number assigned to the source or destination IP telephone apparatus. The ENUM server stores a NAPTR resource record in which a URI specifies link information related to the control information stored in the Web server. In the IP telephone system, the IP telephone apparatus that has received a call transmits, to the ENUM server, a query for a NAPTR record corresponding to an intended recipient's telephone number. The IP telephone apparatus then transmits, to the Web server, a request for the control information corresponding to the URI included in the obtained NAPTR resource record, and controls the answering machine function according to the obtained control information.

Abstract: A communication system (1) in which a user (A) can elect to leave a message directly in the mailbox (11a) of another user (B) without calling or disturbing user (B). A store (database 7) is generated and maintained which identifies those users who are allowed direct access to the mailbox of user (B). The store is automatically updated whenever user (B) sends a communication to other users.