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: A system for managing message volume and timing, which permits messages from multiple sources to be spaced apart over time, with the pacing controlled in part by the type or priority of the message. The system permits the volume of messages to be reduced by aggregating messages according to a set of rules and by discarding or delaying messages that are sufficiently similar and sent too close together. In addition, the system allows message sources to be notified when a recipient has not received a message within a designated time period. The system can be implemented as a centralized pacing system or through use of a data storage system accessible by the message sources.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for recording at least two separate incoming signals which reduces computational complexity and memory requirements of the recording device. In one embodiment, the apparatus records and stores the first arriving signal using a high-compression algorithm to reduce memory requirements. Upon receipt of a second signal concurrent with the first arriving signal, the apparatus records and stores the second signal using a second compression algorithm with a lower compression ratio. The second algorithm requires less hardware or processor resources while still providing a moderate degree of compression in relation to the first algorithm. Upon completion of receipt of the first arriving signal, the second signal which was compressed using the second algorithm is decoded and then re-encoded using the first high-compression algorithm. This further reduces memory storage requirements without requiring additional hardware or processor capability.

Abstract: A calling party dials a called party, leaves a message on a voice messaging system after either receiving a busy status or a no-answer status, and the messaging system dials the called party at intervals until receiving an answer status and then plays the message. Prompts for delivery options and message options may be included.

Abstract: Routing a call to a voice mail system using subscriber information maintained in a database associated with a service control point. Once a call is received by the service node and the service node determines that a voice mail call should be originated, the service node sends a message including a voice mail indicator and a subscriber identifier to the service switching point. The service switching point uses the subscriber identifier to query the service control point for routing information. The service control point determines the voice mail access number associated with the subscriber using a database associated with the service control point. The service control point responds to the service switching point by providing the voice mail access number associated with the subscriber and setting the original called party number and the last redirecting party number to the directory number of the subscriber.

Abstract: A holistic, automated, personalized telephone call management system is capable of responding to all incoming calls. The system employs customized software, computer chips, printed circuit board, ANI, where available, and a data input/output module, which are applied in an integrated manner to accomplish a broad array of functions important to modem household communication needs. System accepts operational time factors and telephone numbers as stored data to be matched automatically with the telephone numbers of incoming calls. The telephone rings under certain qualifying criteria, and an incoming call is passed in silent mode to a smart answering machine under other criteria. The smart answering machine is capable of handling emergency call situations, and the integration of call-waiting options. System also has a smart software function to deal with a state of delinquency on any lease/rent contract for the system.

Abstract: In a telephone network for use in placing telephone calls to a destination number associated with a called party, the destination number having restricted access for collect telephone calls, a system and method for providing a message to the called party of a collect telephone call from a calling party. A caller placing a collect telephone call is notified of the restricted access of the destination number for collect telephone calls and provided with an option for recording a message for delivery to the called party. If the calling party accepts the option, a message is recorded, such as by routing the collect telephone call to a messaging platform for use in recording the message.

Abstract: A method for screening of an active voice mail message enables real time monitoring by a subscriber to the voice mail system of incoming calls. Once the identity of the subscriber is established, the subscriber is presented with the option of screening an incoming message. A subscriber desiring to screen the message responds by activating a predetermined key or sequence of keys to enter a listen-only mode for monitoring of the incoming message. The subscriber may then interrupt the message and take the call, continue listening to the incoming message, or terminate listen-only mode and simply permit the message to be stored for later retrieval.

Abstract: Incoming calls from selected calling numbers are routed to call waiting for immediate response while calls from other calling numbers are handled in a different manner, e.g., they are routed to voice mail, to a forwarding number, or scheduled for call back. In order to route calls from selected calling numbers to call waiting, the subscriber enters the directory numbers of selected callers (or other caller identifying indicia) on the subscriber's telephone keypad together with an activation code for storing this information in a caller identification (ID) table, or data base. Each time an incoming call is received, the incoming call number (or other caller identifying indicia) is compared with the contents of the caller ID table and the call is routed to the call waiting function if the incoming call number is stored in the caller ID table.

Abstract: A telephone communicates with a base station and a network, each having an answering machine. The telephone has a key and a controller which connects the telephone to the base answering machine of the base station in response to activating the key for a first period of time, and connects the telephone to the network answering machine of the network in response to activating the key for a second period of time.

Abstract: A voice mail system employs caller-specific sub-mailboxes that are created within a voice mail account owner's mailbox so that a caller designates an access pincode for the sub-mailbox and then has access to the sub-mailbox for leaving messages, deleting messages, and re-ordering messages. Consequently, the voice mail systems achieve increased flexibility in accessing previous messages by one caller from multiple telephone locations, increased overall productivity of voice mail system users, the capability to allow a mailbox owner to prioritize the playing of recorded messages, and minimized connection time and battery consumption of portable, handheld devices accessing the voice mail system.

Abstract: A method for providing telecommunication services includes the step of establishing a prepaid telephone account for a subscriber and providing an access telephone number. Access telephone information is received from a caller to the access telephone number. The access information is validated, the sufficiency of funds is determined, and the caller is permitted to access at least one premium telephone service. The prepaid account is debited for the access. A system for providing telecommunication services is also disclosed.

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: A method and related apparatus for delivering a message from a calling party at a calling station to a called party at a called station, the method including: in response to an unsuccessful attempt to communicate from the calling station to the called station, storing a message from the calling station, using a messaging system, for later delivery to the called station; obtaining address information, using the messaging system, for the calling party and for the called station, from the calling station; attempting to deliver the message, using the messaging system, to the called station by initiating a communication from the messaging system to the called station using the address information for the called station that was obtained from the calling station; determining, using the messaging system, whether the message delivery attempt was successful; and, in response to successful delivery of the message, attempting to notify the calling party that the message to the called station was successfully delivered.

Abstract: A messaging system allows a message recipient to assign different message lengths to different messages. In one embodiment, the recipient sets the length of time per message. In another embodiment, the recipient programs the messaging system with codes that, when matched, enable longer messages. The recipient assigns the codes to “preferred” senders. The senders transmit the code, either explicitly, for example by a sequence of keystrokes, or automatically, for example by transmitting caller identification.

Abstract: Methods and systems for forwarding anonymous and unknown calls include a call forwarder that receives call signaling messages from a calling party end office. The call forwarder determines whether a call identified by the call signaling message is anonymous or unknown. In response to determining that the call is anonymous or unknown, the call forwarder determines whether the calling party has an anonymous call forwarding feature. In response to determining that a calling party has an anonymous call forwarding feature, the call forwarder forwards the call to a predetermined destination.

Abstract: Call screening and other communication services are described. The described methods and apparatus allow a call screening service subscriber to be provided with a caller supplied spoken name when caller ID information is blocked or unavailable. The call screening service subscriber can decide after hearing the spoken identification information how to dispose of the call. A plurality of call disposition options are supported including accept the call, reject the call, transfer to voice mail, etc. A specific salesman reject message is included as one of the call disposition options. In order to support interactive real time subscriber selection of call disposition options and the use of an answering machine by call screening service subscribers, methods and apparatus are used to detect when a human, as opposed to a machine has answered a call.

Abstract: A line group function in a communications network based on ITU-T H.323 is implemented via a proxy function. First, an alias address for the line group is converted into a group transport address for a proxy function, and a connection setup message is transmitted from the calling endpoint to the proxy function using the group transport address. A connection setup message is transmitted from the proxy function to group endpoints in the line group using transport addresses known to the proxy function. After a response message has been transmitted from one of the group endpoints to the proxy function, the address of this endpoint is transmitted to the calling endpoint, and the address of the calling endpoint is transmitted to the responding group endpoint by the proxy function. A connection is set up between the calling endpoint and the responding group endpoint using the addresses of these endpoints.

Abstract: A method for signaling an Integrated Messaging System (IMS) on an Internet Protocol (IP) based network to deposit a message, including the steps of sending a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) SIP INVITE request to the IMS indicating a message deposit action; receiving a corresponding SIP message from the IMS agreeing to participate in the message deposit action; and sending an SIP acknowledge message to the IMS confirming receipt of the corresponding SIP message; and depositing the message in a destination mailbox. A method of signaling an IMS on an IP based network to retrieve a deposited message, the method including the steps of sending a SIP INVITE request to the IMS indicating a message retrieval action; receiving a corresponding SIP message from the IMS agreeing to participate in the message retrieval action; sending an SIP acknowledge message to the IMS confirming receipt of the corresponding SIP message; and retrieving the deposited message from a mailbox corresponding to known account information.

Abstract: A caller-controlled barge-in telephone service, managed by telephone systems, intercepts telephone calls directed to instantly busy telephone lines predesignated as objects of this service, and: 1) verifies that the called line is a respectively predesignated object of this service and that the caller is entitled to invoke the service relative to that line; and 2) forms a bridging connection between the caller and parties to a telephone call instantly busying the called line. Verification that a caller is entitled to the service can be implemented by playing a voice announcement requesting the caller to speak or key in an authorization code. If the caller fails to respond or returns an invalid code, the caller is either disconnected or transferred to a voice mail service. Disconnection of the caller may be preceded by a voice announcement (e.g. a spoken “goodbye”).

Abstract: A communications system is designed to allow a temporary electronic find transfer from a pre-paid calling card balance to an account of the prepaid calling card issuer to take place when the user of such prepaid calling card number elects to record a spontaneous message for a called party. The transferred fund is either permanently deducted from the prepaid calling card balance when the recorded message is delivered to the called party, or partially or fully refunded to the prepaid calling card balance when the recorded message is deemed undeliverable.

Abstract: A method of recording and delivering a voice message from a calling telephone (1) to a called telephone (2) in the event that the called telephone (2) cannot be reached. A voice message (12) is recorded at the calling telephone (1) and is stored there until the calling telephone (1) receives a message (10) from the telephone network (3) that the called telephone (2) can now be reached. Upon receipt of this message (10), the calling telephone (1) initiates a call to the called telephone (2) and replays the recorded message (14) over the open voice channel.

Abstract: A method of recording and delivering a voice message from a calling telephone (1) to a called telephone (2) in the event that the called telephone (2) cannot be reached. A voice message (12) is recorded at the calling telephone (1) and is stored there until the calling telephone (1) receives a message (10) from the telephone network (3) that the called telephone (2) can now be reached. Upon receipt of this message (10), the calling telephone (1) initiates a call to the called telephone (2) and replays the recorded message (14) over the open voice channel.

Abstract: A screening and monitoring capability for switch based voice messaging systems that allows a called party to hear the caller and the caller's voice as the caller leaves a message and break in to start a normal telephone discussion if the caller or the caller's subject warrants such action. The method and apparatus of this invention provide for an advanced intelligent network service feature that controls the bridging of the connections to the voice mail and the called party's telephone station. The service feature turns the voice mail off and tears down the connection if the monitoring called party speaks.

Abstract: A method and system enhance communication capabilities between a message sender and a message recipient. The message sender generates a message notification that identifies to the recipient a recording/playback technique associated with message content. The recipient uses the information in the notification to load the playback technique. The information in the notification can be the code for the playback process or an indirect reference to the code, i.e., identification of the place from which the code can be retrieved.

Abstract: A system for distributing voice information service messages (VISMs) to subscribers through their voice pagers is provided with a voice information service workstation where VISMs are recorded, and a voice information service terminal which converts the VISMs into voice pages and transfers them into a voice paging network for distribution to subscribers' voice pagers. The system may be accessed by subscribers via telephone, computer, or voice pager for changing personal settings.

Abstract: A telephone answering apparatus for determining the time of message reception includes a host computer having a host clock operatively connected to an application running on the host computer. A telephone answering device includes a controller operatively connected to a device clock, and a memory device operatively connected to the controller to store a message. The application is operatively connected to the controller wherein the application resets the device clock and stores a host clock value on the host computer and adds an incremented device clock value assigned to the stored message to the host clock value to determine the actual time of message reception.

Abstract: The voice mail system is embodied on a card (VxC) designed to be inserted into the PBX cabinet and communicate with the PBX processor via the backplane of the system. The VxC card includes a dual port RAM for providing two way communication between the VxC and the PBX. Through the allocation of memory areas, and control commands corresponding to the respective allocated areas, the PBX processor and VxC can communicate via the dual port RAM interface over the PBX backplane. The use of the dual port RAM communication over the PBX backplane eliminates the need for asynchronous RS-232 signaling to establish control and implement voice mail functions to a PBX system.