Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for creating special communications or recordings containing messages from family members and the like may be delivered to a recipient in the form of a keepsake type of device that can be used to play the communications when and as many times as desired.

Abstract: A method of setting up a session between peer user terminals of a communication system, wherein at least one of the user terminals is a dual-mode terminal having access to both an IP-based packet-switched access network and a circuit-switched access network, and the session extends at least in part across the circuit-switched access network. One of the user terminals initiates the session by sending Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) signaling to a SIP server over the IP-based network. The SIP server sends a notification to a gateway server to establish one or more conversational bearers. The gateway server then sends a callback telephone number to the dual-mode terminal. The dual-mode terminal then calls the callback number to establish a circuit-switched session with the gateway server.

Abstract: A process for collecting the identity of a telephone caller is disclosed. In one embodiment, a personalized Context Free Grammar (CFG) is created for each potential call recipient, and is configured to support identification of incoming callers utilizing voice recognition. Each CFG incorporates an indication of high probability callers and probability weights in each CFG are altered accordingly. When a recipient receives a call, the relevant CFG is applied in association with a voice recognition application to enable at least a preliminary identification of the caller. In accordance with another embodiment, the caller confirms identifications. In accordance with one embodiment, standard caller-ID functionality is utilized if possible at least to assist in the caller identification process. In accordance with still another embodiment, voice recognition enhanced caller identification is utilized to provide intelligent call routing functionality.

Abstract: A first electronic device engages in a voice communication with another electronic device. The voice communication is associated with data stored by the first electronic device. In some instances, the data is generated the first electronic device or received by the first electronic device from the second electronic device in response to, or as a consequence of the voice of the voice communication. During the voice communication, or sometime after the voice communication is terminated, the first electronic device determines that the data is associated with the voice communication. The data is then made available to an application program, so that the data can be associated with other data. Thus, a human user of the first electronic device is relieved of identifying data within a context, and relieved of the task associating the data with other data.

Abstract: A sending device exchanges handshake signals with a receiving device prior to the delivery of compressed digital audio data. The sending and receiving devices are remotely connected using a data network. In one embodiment of the present invention, the sending device sends an access code to the receiving device. The access code is an encrypted data of two components: a digital data associated with the sending device and a digital data associated with the receiving device. The receiving device decrypts the access code. The receiving device stores the compressed digital audio data in its memory if the decrypted access code contains the correct components.

Abstract: A telephone line status notification system including at least one telephone line having a status, a communications network, at least one communications terminal which is connectable to the communications network and which is employable by a seeking user to communicate via the communications network a status request concerning the status of the at least one telephone line, apparatus for processing the status request the apparatus for processing is connectable to the communications network for receiving the status request from the seeking user therethrough and communicating the request, and apparatus for acquiring the status of the at least one telephone line, the apparatus for acquiring is in communication with the apparatus for processing for receiving the status request therefrom, and the apparatus for acquiring is connectable to the communications network for communicating the status via the communications network.

Abstract: A method and system for storing, transmitting and retrieving an audio message is disclosed herein. The invention allows a recipient to access a voice message sent by a sender by clicking on an access key in a SMS text sent to the recipient's phone. The SMS text preferably provides information on the sender and the length of the voice message. Once the recipient accesses the message, another SMS text is sent to the sender providing information on the when and how much of the voice message was communicated to the recipient. The voice message is preferably stored at a server of the system.

Abstract: A health monitor subsystem detects and responds to faults within a geographically disperse voice messaging system. The health monitor subsystem comprises agent, manager, interface, and common processes. The agent process monitors a respective voice messaging system component operative on the host. The manager process monitors and manages detected faults on the host. The interface process exposes a status responsive to the host. The common process monitors and manages a platform of hosts. The health monitor subsystem enables monitoring at the component, host, and platform levels.

Abstract: Generating a series of digits corresponding to a personal identification number (PIN) of a user for unified messaging access to personal information management (PIM) data. Data involved in the generation of the series of digits along with the series of digits are stored for subsequent use during authentication of the user and PIN updates.

Abstract: Methods, systems and devices for creating special communications or recordings containing messages from family members, friends, coworkers, colleagues and the like may be delivered to a recipient in the form of a keepsake type of device that can be used to play the communications or recordings when and as many times as desired.

Abstract: A method of providing telecommunication service includes receiving a call for a called party from a calling party. The method also includes determining a presence status of the called party and communicating a greeting for the calling party, wherein the greeting identifies the presence status of the called party.

Abstract: A machine requiring periodic maintenance, such as a vending machine, is retrofitted to include an alert system for notifying a machine operator that the machine requires servicing. The alert system includes one or more sensors to detect default conditions, a voice recorder for storing one or more voice messages corresponding to default conditions, a transmitter for transmitting the voice messages to the machine operator, and a trigger connected to the one or more sensors and the transmitter for selectively initiating the transmission of appropriate voice messages in accordance with predetermined parameters. The voice messages are transmitted over the public switched telephone network (PSTN) to be heard by the machine operator or stored on the machine operator's voice answering system. The transmitter may be a simple auto dialer connected by wires to a nearby phone jack.

Abstract: The present subject matter is directed to an apparatus and methodology for recording, at a central data center, telephone conversations originating from remote locations. The present subject matter has particular utility to the penal (corrections) environment in that it discloses a methodology for recording and storing voice and related data at a central data center remote from either the origination or destination locations of a telephone call placed by an inmate in a prison or other facility. The disclosed technology permits storage of both voice and call related data at a remote facility in such a manner that the data is searchably accessible by authorized personnel at other remote locations by way of network or Internet connection to the central data center.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for allowing a subscriber of voicemail services to selectively deactivate a voicemail system and to designate a reviewed voicemail message as “unheard.” A subscriber to voicemail services provided by a telecommunications network-based system contacts the voicemail system and deactivates voicemail services temporarily or indefinitely. Subsequent callers forwarded to the subscriber's voicemail box at the voicemail system receive an announcement that the called party is not presently accepting voicemail messages. Alternatively, no announcement is provided to the calling party, and the calling party simply receives a busy signal or an unanswered call indication. Once the subscriber is ready to begin receiving messages in her voicemail box, the subscriber may reactivate the voicemail system.

Abstract: A system and methods through which incoming calls to and/or outgoing calls from a telephone can be controlled. The present invention utilizes an authorized caller list to determine whether an incoming call should be connected, and a similar list to determine whether an outgoing call should be connected. The present invention can also facilitate the use of new telephone user interfaces, including by iterating through telephone numbers associated with a contact, until communications with the contact are established.

Abstract: A method for initiating a session in a store and forward messaging system, such as a voice/video call answering (VCA) system, is provided. A data storage device stores capability information for subscribers of the messaging system, the capability information including data such as video codecs and audio codecs supported by the subscriber's device. When a session initiation request is received from a guest of the messaging system, the capability information of the device used by the guest is compared to the stored capability information of the device used by the subscriber for whom the guest wishes to deposit a message. If the capability information matches, the system presents to the guest only the matching capability information. The session continues using the matching capability information, thereby eliminating the need to transcode data when the message is retrieved by the subscriber.

Abstract: A system and method for quick note messaging on a wireless device. A message prompt is issued indicating a caller may leave a quick note message during a ring back period. A recording alert is played in response to receiving a caller selection to record the quick note message. The quick note message is recorded. An indication is given to the wireless device indicating that the quick note message has been received.

Abstract: A system and methods through which incoming calls to and/or outgoing calls from a telephone can be controlled. The present invention utilizes an authorized caller list to determine whether an incoming call should be connected, and a similar list to determine whether an outgoing call should be connected. The present invention can also facilitate the use of new telephone user interfaces, including by iterating through telephone numbers associated with a contact, until communications with the contact are established.

Abstract: A method of establishing a cooperative ad hoc network of phone extensions is implemented by the cellular devices within the ad hoc network. First, a first cellular device receiving an incoming call or placing an outgoing call is designated as the master of the ad hoc network and the remaining cellular devices are designated as slaves of the ad hoc network. Second, each cellular device is operated to facilitate a multi-party connection to the incoming call or outgoing call, the multi-party connection including the master and one or more slaves.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a call directed to a telephony network-based voice messaging service (VMS) implemented using packet-switched data network telephone conferencing resources, such as an IP-based voice-over-IP conferencing system. The systems and methods use one or more media gateway systems providing an interface between a conventional telephony domain and packet-switched data domain. When a call is to be redirected to the VMS system, the telephony network routes the call via the packet-switched data network using the media gateway. An application server in the packet-switched data network maintains registration information associated with the subscriber. If the subscriber is logged onto the packet-switched data network, the conferencing resources are used to establish a conference call between the caller, the VMS and the subscriber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for a computer and telecommunication network which can receive, send and manage information from or to a subscriber of the network, based on the subscriber's configuration. The network is made up of at least one cluster containing voice servers which allow for telephony, speech recognition, text-to-speech and conferencing functions, and is accessible by the subscriber through standard telephone connections or through internet connections. The network also utilizes a database and file server allowing the subscriber to maintain and manage certain contact lists and administrative information. A web server is also connected to the cluster thereby allowing access to all functions through internet connections.

Abstract: A method for logging Voice Over IP (VOIP) calls from a caller client device to a recipient client device. The method includes the steps of generating a VOIP call from the caller client device directed to the recipient client device; storing identification information associated with the caller client device in server call log resident on a hyper text transfer protocol (HTTP) server associated with the recipient client device; generating an update request at the recipient client device requesting updated call log information associated with the server call log from the HTTP server; transmitting the updated call log information from the HTTP server to the recipient client device; and updating a client call log resident on the recipient client device in response to the updated call log information.

Abstract: This invention makes it possible to deliver the voice portion of a Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) message to a recipient without requiring the recipient wireless stations to be MMS-enabled. A sender creates an MMS message, and sends it to the wireless station of the intended recipient. If the recipient wireless station is not MMS-enabled, the message is conveyed to a message server, where its voice content is extracted and stored in the interactive voice recognition (IVR) system. If the intended recipient wireless station supports the Short Message Service (SMS) protocol, an SMS notification alerting the recipient to the arrival of a new message is transmitted. In the event that the recipient wireless station is neither MMS- nor SMS-enabled, the recipient can be alerted of the receipt of a MMS message by Voicemail, Email, Instant Message, Page, or another medium able to effect delivery. The notification includes instructions for accessing the voice portion of the MMS message from the IVR system.

Abstract: Message delivery system primarily for answering machines which provides a realistic sounding recorded message containing an individualized personal greeting which can be delivered onto one or more answering machines. This automated method of delivering a recorded personalized information message via an automated dialing system to automated recorders involves a series of steps of: forming a database of first names, determining frequency of occurrence of greatest number of the first names in the database; recording individual personal greetings to the first names having the greatest frequency of occurrence and, playing the individualized personally greeting without truncation onto answering machines associated with the first names having the greatest frequency of occurrence. This system provides a preliminary personalized greeting to the beginning of the generic message being delivered so that the recipient believes the message is coming from a real person.

Abstract: Voice mail service in an environment having multiple voice mail technology platforms is provide by an Automatic Message Attendant (AMA) device and a subscriber profile database. The AMA device has a platform selector element that queries the subscriber profile database for voice mail technology platform indicator information, which it then uses to select a voice mail technology platform. Additionally, the AMA device may also have a greeting player and message recorder element that queries an announcement database, and a content adapter element that queries a message format requirement database. Thus, the AMA device may also provide call termination functionality by playing a greeting and recording a message from the caller, and converting the recorded message into a format suitable for use with the selected voice mail technology platform.

Abstract: Enhanced message notification is provided by an enhanced notification function element and a subscriber preference profile database. The enhanced notification function element queries the subscriber preference profile database to obtain subscriber communication terminal capabilities information, which it uses to select a message notification technology. The enhanced notification function element may then format an enhanced notification that is delivered to a communication terminal through a delivery system architecture appropriate for the selected message notification technology. The enhanced notification may contain: a message type indicator; an identifier of the party leaving the message; a date and time that the message was deposited; multimedia objects; and other enhanced information. The enhanced notification function element may also query a terminal roaming status database in order to determine if the enhanced message should be sent when the terminal is roaming.

Abstract: A voicemail short messaging method (10, 20, 30) and unit and a subscriber terminal for instantaneous packet switched voicemail between Internet compatible computers, personal digital assistants, telephones and mobile stations. In particular the subscriber terminal (500) concerns a hardware and a software setup that allows the combined use of audio and/or video devices (550) with both the normal cellular or fixed telephony network (520) and with an Internet connection (510). The subscriber terminal (500) allows the flexible use of both the Internet and telephony network with numerous advantages, one of which is the inventive voicemail short messaging method under study. The voicemail messaging method (10), comprising at least one subscriber terminal is characterized by server independence.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for storing received voicemail messages to alternate storage locations. A subscriber to voicemail services provides a voicemail system with an address or a number of addresses to which the subscriber may forward voicemail messages for extended storage. The subscriber may provide an electronic mail address, facsimile device number, a forwarding telephone directory number, or the address of a wireless electronic device, such as a hand-held computer, personal digital assistant, or pager. After receiving and reviewing a voicemail message left for the subscriber at the voicemail system, the subscriber may select an alternate storage address to have the voicemail message forwarded to that address for extended storage and for subsequent review and use. The message may be converted from speech-to-text at the voicemail system prior to forwarding the message.

Abstract: A first electronic device engages in a voice communication with another electronic device. The voice communication is associated with data stored by the first electronic device. In some instances, the data is generated the first electronic device or received by the first electronic device from the second electronic device in response to, or as a consequence of the voice of the voice communication. During the voice communication, or sometime after the voice communication is terminated, the first electronic device determines that the data is associated with the voice communication. The data is then made available to an application program, so that the data can be associated with other data. Thus, a human user of the first electronic device is relieved of identifying data within a context, and relieved of the task associating the data with other data.

Abstract: A system and method for interfacing unified message processing systems with legacy voice mail, e-mail and facsimile systems, located behind corporate firewalls. The system includes a unified message server, a proxy interface and a message protocol converter. The proxy interface is configured to access the legacy system in response to a request from a unified message server. Messages stored on the legacy system are converted by a protocol converter to a predetermined format compatible with the unified message server. The converted messages are then transferred to a unified message server which is capable of providing messages from different messaging system, such as voice mail, e-mail and facsimile to users in a predetermined format. The invention permits enterprise wide communication systems to provide unified messaging without abandoning pre-existing legacy messaging system.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of instant messaging. More specifically the invention relates to a server centric method and unit for instant voice and video mail messaging. Even more particularly the invention relates to voicemail messaging with mobile terminals. The inventive methods and units under study allow faster voice messaging and enable similar, but not identical audio/video message “ping ball”. The sending of voicemail in accordance with the invention is instantaneous and involves no different telephone numbers for the sender to remember. The reception of messages is always instantaneous, provided the recipient is available, and only if not available, may the delivery of the messages be delayed.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for providing an enhanced call waiting announcement to a called party that is busy on a first call and receives a second call. Information provided by a second calling party is recorded and played back to the called party after the first call is over. The called party is not interrupted during the duration of the first call.

Abstract: Embodiments of the method and system provide for providing a call waiting method for use in a telecommunications network in which a first caller is engaged in a current call with a second caller, and for processing an incoming call from a third caller to the first caller.

Abstract: A voice mail apparatus and a method of processing voice mail are provided. Upon taking out digitized voice from a memory, a sender identifier identifies a proper number of a sender of the digitized voice. A retrieval of a table is performed to find an address corresponding to the proper number. A documentation converter converts reply voice to digitized document. The digitized document of the reply voice is transmitted by a transmitter to an address of the sender.

Abstract: A system and methods through which incoming calls to and/or outgoing calls from a telephone can be controlled. The present invention utilizes an authorized caller list to determine whether an incoming call should be connected, and a similar list to determine whether an outgoing call should be connected. The present invention can also facilitate the use of new telephone user interfaces, including by iterating through telephone numbers associated with a contact, until communications with the contact are established.

Abstract: A method for operating a telephone server includes receiving an incoming call from a first user for a second user at a telephone extension, prompting the first user to speak a message, receiving a spoken message from the first user, receiving a spoken telephone call-back number from the first user, recognizing a numeric telephone call-back number in response to the spoken telephone call-back number, associating the numeric telephone call-back number with the spoken message, and storing the spoken message and the numeric telephone call-back number in a memory.

Abstract: Authentication of voice message recipient network addresses employs generating (102) and storing (104) a “network file” that includes “voice clips” and associated network addresses that are extracted from voice messages received across a network (10) from voice message systems (16, 18). A voice clip is the first one to three seconds of voice extracted from each received voice message. Over time, the network file will grow to contain multiple voice clips and associated network voice message addresses. When a voice message originator subsequently enters a recipient's network address (106), the originating voice message system searches (114) the network file for the network address, retrieves the associated voice clip (116), and plays it for the voice message originator to authenticate the recipient's network address.

Abstract: An intelligent voice message status indication device for a single line of a telephone network includes a controller that responds to caller-ID signals to detect whether a mailbox contains a message, responds to a call-waiting signal to break communication with the voicemail system during message retrieval to capture an incoming call, and toggles multiple indicators associated with respective sub-mailboxes on a single line. The message waiting indicators may include respective unique audio, as well as respective unique, visual indication of message presence in one or more mailboxes. The voicemail servers of the network may be correspondingly partitioned to host multiple mailboxes and to provide unique outbound caller IDs to identify a mailbox having a message.

Abstract: A method and device for receiving a voice mail from a cellular phone service provider utilizing a satellite radio. When the cellular phone service provider determines that a called party's cellular phone is unable to receive a call because the called cellular phone is not within a live cell, the calling party is prompted to leave a voice mail message. The voice mail message is uplinked to a space satellite, which transponds the message to a one-way satellite radio receiver. The radio receiver sends the voice mail message to a coupled recorder. A repeater, coupled to the recorder, then transmits the voice mail message to the called cellular phone to a highly limited zone. The called party's cellular phone then receives the voice mail message as if it were one-way cellular phone call.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method, a telecommunications system, a message server and terminal equipment enabling that the sender of a message can be billed for a reply to the message. In the method of the invention, an indication is added to a first message, indicating that the sender of the first message is billed for a reply to the first message, the message containing the first indication is transmitted (506) to the receiver, and when the receiver replies to the message, a second indication is added to the reply of the receiver, containing at least a part of the first indication, and on the basis of the second indication, the sender of the first message is billed (516) for the reply.

Abstract: A coupler includes an analog port for interfacing with a telephone answering system a network port that is adapted for connection to an insecure network. The security problem associated with eavesdropping over insecure network is overcome by encrypting the messages that exit through the coupler's network port. In one embodiment, the coupler and the telephone answering system are distinct hardware elements and the coupler is connected to the TAD. In another embodiment, a single processor and associated memory perform the functions of the coupler's controller and of the telephone answering system, thus forming a single device that has an analog port for connecting to the public switched telephone network, as well as a port for connection to the insecure network. In yet another embodiment, the coupler/TAD combination includes a control port to allow connection to the control port of an ISDN telephone.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring a call directed to a telephony network-based voice messaging service (VMS) implemented using packet-switched data network telephone conferencing resources, such as an IP-based voice-over-IP conferencing system. The systems and methods use one or more media gateway systems providing an interface between a conventional telephony domain and packet-switched data domain. When a call is to be redirected to the VMS system, the telephony network routes the call via the packet-switched data network using the media gateway. An application server in the packet-switched data network maintains registration information associated with the subscriber. If the subscriber is logged onto the packet-switched data network, the conferencing resources are used to establish a conference call between the caller, the VMS and the subscriber.

Abstract: In a first embodiment of the invention, a method of providing a visual message waiting indicator signal to an off-hook telephone includes the step of receiving a voicemail message at a central location, and also includes the step of sending a visual message waiting indicator signal from the central location and destined for the off-hook telephone. In an alternative embodiment, a method of receiving a visual message waiting indicator signal in an off-hook telephone includes the steps of being in an off-hook condition, and receiving a visual message waiting indicator signal. This method may further include the step of displaying a visual message-waiting indicator based on the received visual message waiting indicator signal. This method may also include the step of receiving an alert signal, and the step of transmitting an acknowledgement signal in response to the alert signal.

Abstract: In a communicating apparatus which accommodates a plurality of channels, a message from a sender can be recorded even if a transfer station is busy (a telephone is being employed) or is located at a place where a radio wave does not reach. The communicating apparatus is able to detect a specified signal, such as a tone signal like DTMF or the like, which is transmitted from the sender upon a call transfer. When the specified signal is received, the communication apparatus suspends the transfer of the call and stores a message from the sender using a message recording function of the communicating apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention provides an e-mail system and an incoming e-mail check method in which a client can know whether a new e-mail addressed to the client has arrived at a server at a stage before the client is connected to the server. The system includes a mail managing table, means for moving a client having a higher incoming mail check frequency to an upper line of the mail managing table, and means for moving a record of a client having a lower incoming mail check frequency to a lower line of the mail managing table.

Abstract: A cellular telephone handset stores audio files previously recorded by the user and selectively transmitted to the remote listener at a time when it is inappropriate for the handset user to speak, such as when an incoming call arrives when the user in a meeting or theater. In addition, a designated recorded message may be transmitted at future designated time to a designated telephone number supplied by the user, and may request and save a response recorded by the remote listener after the designed message is transmitted. The handset's keypad is used to accept data and commands from the user in a menu system that controls message recording, selection, playback and transmission, as well as the playback of responses recorded by the recipient of a transmitted message. Messages may be entered as character data and transmitted as spoken messages when prerecorded messages do not satisfy needs that arise during a conversation that is being conducted under “silent” conditions.

Abstract: A user while traveling may call an operator in an information/call center to request directions to a desired destination. In response, the operator obtains a directions file containing the requested directions. To facilitate the user receiving directions in installments in accordance with the invention, the directions file has an indicator associated therewith. The requested directions are read from the directions file to the user by an interactive voice response (IVR) unit via synthesized voice. The indicator is used to indicate in the file which direction is to be read to the user. The user may terminate the call after hearing a desired quantity of directions. When the user subsequently needs another installment of directions, the user may call back the IVR unit which then continues to read directions in the directions file from where the associated indicator indicates. The above process can be repeated, thereby enabling the user to controllably receive the directions in installments.

Abstract: An improved contact center is disclosed in which voice contacts may be processed by agents simultaneously by storing incoming voice and responding to it in near real time. The technique permits an agent at a contact center to process incoming voice contacts in near real time, but to simultaneously handle plural customers in a manner similar to that utilized in web chat applications.

Abstract: A method, system, and program for identifying parties to a call to an incoming calling party are provided. A context for a current call is identified, wherein the context comprises at least an identity of a caller and an identity of a callee to the current call. An identifier for an incoming calling party to the current call is identified. The context is filtered according to the identifier for the incoming calling party. Output of the filtered context to the incoming calling party is controlled.

Abstract: Processes and apparatus for collection and delivery of voice messages. The process includes identifying information indicative of a calling party attempting to complete a call to a another party and then identifying that a condition other than ring no answer or normal busy exists preventing the calling party from completing a call to the another party. In response to identifying that a condition exists that prevents call completion, the process includes storing a message from the calling party to the another party in a memory, storing the information indicative of the calling party in the memory and attempting to deliver the stored message to the another party at a later time.