Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide message notification systems and methods. Briefly described, one embodiment of a message notification method can be broadly summarized by the following: receiving a new message at a first inbox of a recipient, the new message having a request for a triggering event to be set such that a notification message for the new message is sent to a second inbox if the triggering event occurs and setting the triggering event if a first messaging device is set by the recipient to allow sender-forced notifications. Other methods and systems are also provided.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to provide messages to television users are disclosed. An example method includes receiving a request for a voicemail message from the television user, determining a voicemail mailbox associated with the television user, and sending at least one of a list of one or more voicemail messages or a voicemail message to a display device associated with the television user.

Abstract: Providing electronic mail (e-mail) to an electronic device includes receiving a text message from the electronic device, retrieving e-mail from one or more e-mail accounts in response to the text message, generating a hyperlink to the e-mail and sending the hyperlink to the electronic device. The electronic device may be a cell phone.

Abstract: A subscriber to a universal point of contact service designates a preferred point of contact at which a communication initiator, such as a telephone caller, can contact the subscriber. Such an initiator desiring to contact the subscriber uses the subscriber's email address to establish a communication session with a device associated with the subscriber's preferred point of contact. The subscriber's email address is input to an initiating device, preferably a telephone or facsimile machine, using an entry device capable of entering an email address. A requestor unit, receiving the email address, locates a repository of the subscriber's point of contact information, and requests that information. The repository sends the point of contact information the subscriber has designated as preferred, and the requester unit uses that information to control a telephone switch to establish a communication session between the initiating device and the subscriber's preferred point of contact device.

Abstract: An SMS related table memory portion of a memory device has a storing region for each SMSC apparatus, and the telephone number of the SMSC apparatus, the program of the communication protocol, the parameter and the like are stored in each storing region. When sending a short message, a controlling device selects an SMSC apparatus based on whether a short message is inputted from an input device or sent from a slave unit, refers to the storing region for the selected SMSC apparatus of the SMS related table memory portion, and performs dial calling from a network control device based on the telephone number and the communication protocol of the SMSC apparatus that are stored. After a line is established, short message data that has been prepared in advance are sent to the SMSC apparatus.

Abstract: Image data communication equivalent to facsimile communication using a public network is realized on e-mail communication. When a communication apparatus for transmitting/receiving e-mail data by connecting to the Internet is to communicate e-mail data having facsimile-format image data attached, communication concerning functional information is performed in addition to the communication of the e-mail data. The functional information can be exchanged by an optimum method matching the form of connection to the Internet. This allows maximum utilization of the capability of each apparatus function in facsimile image communication using e-mail.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a communication unit which receives email through a communication line, the email having been sent by a user and including a first identifier and data. The apparatus further includes an accumulation unit which stores therein the data, a printout unit, an input unit which receives a second identifier entered by the user through direct operation thereof, and a control unit which controls the printout unit to print the data corresponding to the first identifier by reading the data from the accumulation unit if the second identifier matches the first identifier.

Abstract: The disclosed and claimed concept describes a handheld electronic device that has the capability to process electronic messages that originate from an electronic mail service using the features that are supported by the electronic mail service.

Abstract: A system and method is described for transcribing a recorded message automatically from a voicemail message system or an answering machine. The designated message may be automatically transcribed and forwarded to various archival devices, such as a printer, a facsimile machine, computer memory storage, or email. Thus, the system and method of the present invention automates the transcription process of a recorded message eliminating the need for a person to transcribe the message.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for reliable and customer-friendly delivery of documents. One method of the present invention include the steps of: producing document data for printing documents; accepting requests to print selected documents; determining whether a selected document is accepted for electronic delivery or for non-electronic delivery; printing documents accepted for non-electronic delivery; and electronically delivering documents accepted for electronic delivery.

Abstract: A mobile communications device (116) comprises a message receipt and routing logic structure (216), which may include a rule comparison logic structure, a message routing logic structure and a default message handling logic structure. The message receipt and routing logic structure (216) receives an incoming message via a data service network (400). The message receipt and routing logic structure (216) subsequently compares a portion of each incoming message to at least one criterion contained in at least one message routing rule having a message database object (418, 420) associated with it, stores each incoming message meeting each criterion for a message routing rule in the message database object (418, 420) associated with that message routing rule, and stores all messages not routed to a message database object (418, 420) according to a message routing rule into a default message database object (422).

Abstract: According to the present invention there are provided a system, method and program storage device for establishing a connection for an endpoint to a scheduled audiovisual conference between a plurality of participants, the plurality of participants connecting to the audiovisual conference from a plurality of endpoints, connections for the plurality of endpoints to the audiovisual conference being maintained by a multipoint control unit, comprising: receiving a request at a conference control server from a participant to connect an endpoint associated with the participant to the scheduled audiovisual conference; obtaining an IP address or a telephone number for the endpoint; writing the IP address or the telephone number for the endpoint to the multipoint control unit; and communicating audiovisual conference data from the multipoint control unit to the endpoint via the IP address or the telephone number, thereby enabling the endpoint to be connected to the audiovisual conference.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for storing messages using multiple communication modalities, in which a first communication is received from a first communication system. The first communication system is configured to communicate using a first standard communication protocol. The first communication is converted to a second communication, which is compatible with a second standard communication protocol. The first communication and second communication are separately stored.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system and a methodology enabling a first provider party to provide to a second recipient party software and services to enable the recipient party to embed in an Internet e-mail of the recipient party directed to an addressee, an HTML hyperlink file which includes a telecommunication initiating trigger, sending the e-mail to the addressee via the Internet, the addressee upon receiving the e-mail actuating the hyperlink via its trigger and, responsive to the trigger actuation, connecting the addressee via the Internet to a web page located on an Internet server, wherein the web page includes a request for a telephone number of the addressee.

Abstract: A system notifies a computing device of an incoming message. In the system, a message server is coupled to a data communications network for receiving the incoming message, and a communications system is coupled to the message server so that the message server can communicate to the communications system that the incoming message awaits retrieval by the computing device. A communications line is coupled to the communications system and to the computing device so that the communications system can signal the computing device over the communications line that the incoming message awaits retrieval by such computing device. The computing device is for receiving the aforementioned notification and retrieving the incoming message from the message server, and includes a communications device for coupling with the aforementioned communications line.

Abstract: A method and system for identifying alternate contact information of a specific type; particularly, by providing an inputted Email address in a query, one or more alternate Email addresses can be returned to the query, using an automated database. The system is queried using an entity's known Email address, which, in turn, is associated with other contact information for the entity, such as name and postal address, and the other contact information is then used to identify alternative Email addresses for the targeted entity either at the time of the query or in preparation of the database, and the alternative Email address(es) are then outputted to the requestor from the system. The method uses knowledge of contact points of different types for the same entity to identify alternate contact points of a single type, within a database of contact information.

Abstract: In a communication device, user activation of a speed-dial button causes a context-sensitive menu to be displayed. The menu lists available options, or communication modes, for contacting the party associated with the speed-dial button. The user can select an item from the menu in order to initiate communication with the selected party using the communication mode associated with the menu item. In various aspects, the invention provides additional functionality for redialing previously called contact numbers, assigning speed-dial buttons to other commands and functions, and displaying presence information for contacts.

Abstract: In accordance with a method and apparatus of the present invention, a voice communication system is disclosed for use in a packet switching network environment including a host server for communicating voice information, initiated by a telephone user, to an electronic mail (email) recipient. A public switching telephone network (PSTN) includes at least one telephone device for communicating the voice information therethrough. The host server is responsive to email messages, transmitted in packet form, through the packet switching network The voice communication system includes a network device responsive to a voice message generated by the telephone user.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for efficiently managing the storage of e-mail message information for a mobile station are described. In one illustrative example, a plurality of e-mail messages are received by the mobile station through a wireless network and stored in memory. If a size of the e-mail messages reaches a predetermined limit of the memory, e-mail message bodies of some of the e-mail messages (e.g. relatively “old” e-mails) are automatically deleted from the memory while e-mail message headers of the e-mail messages are retained. E-mail message headers of e-mail messages having deleted e-mail message bodies may still be visually displayed in a list at the mobile station. Subsequently, if a user selection of one of these e-mail messages in the list is identified, an e-mail message body of the e-mail message is requested by the mobile station and received from a server through the wireless network.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for integrating electronic mail, voice mail, and fax mail in a universal mailbox. Message receivers may access their messages with a telephone or a computer regardless of the communication medium used by the message sender. Using a telephone, message receivers may playback voice mail, redirect fax mail, and “listen” to e-mail through a text-to-speech conversion process. Using a computer and modem, message receivers may playback voice mail, view fax mail, and read e-mail by accessing the universal mailbox via connection software. Message senders and receivers may choose from a variety of filter and forward options that allow them to manage their communications via the universal mailbox. Forwarding and conversion of messages is performed automatically. The options are used to define a set of rules to be applied to inbound and outbound messages so that messages are sent and received in accordance with the preferences of the senders and receivers.

Abstract: A method for providing communication services for the hearing-impaired includes establishing a communication link between a hearing-impaired party and a communication assistant. The communication assistant may also establish a voice link with a hearing party. The hearing-impaired party and the communication assistant may then communicate via text messages, such as instant messages. The hearing party may send a voice message to the communication assistant. The communication assistant may then convert the voice message into an instant message and transmit the instant message to the hearing-impaired party. The communication assistant may also convert instant messages received from the hearing-impaired party into voice messages for the hearing party.

Abstract: An apparatus for forwarding data sent to a wireless device having a first address to a second address. The apparatus includes a server in communication with a wireless network and an external network. The server includes a processor. The processor includes a data forwarding module for forwarding the data to the second address via the external network when the wireless device is not in communication with the wireless network.

Abstract: This invention provides a first communication apparatus, which makes a facsimile communication via a packet communication network and can describe different contents image header information each including a date, time, source information, destination information, and the like in image data having a predetermined number of pixels upon sending the image data to a plurality of destinations, and a communication method. This invention also provides a second communication apparatus which makes a facsimile communication via a packet communication network and has a first mode in which image header information such as a date, time, source information, destination information, and the like can be described in image data having a predetermined number of pixels and can send the image data, and a second mode in which image data having one of various resolutions and an indefinite number of pixels can be sent.

Abstract: A system for reporting status of and offering service to an image communication terminal is provided. The system includes an image communication terminal, a manager personal computer connected to the image communication terminal via a network, and a service center connected to the image communication terminal via the network. The image communication terminal includes a registering part for registering an e-mail address of the manager, an e-mail address of the service center and identification information of the image communication terminal, an e-mail controlling part for exchanging e-mails via the network and a status detecting part for detecting statuses of the image communication terminal.

Abstract: An enhanced email program/service is provided to facilitate provisioning for a user an expanded addressee ordered listing of emails including expanded listing entries for emails addressed to one or more addressees of interest as secondary and/or member addressees, in addition to listing entries where the one or more addressees of interest are addressed as primary addressees. In various embodiments, the enhancements include facilities that enable the user to easily request for the expanded listing, from an addressee ordered or non-addressee ordered listing of emails, with or without explicitly specifying the addressee or addressees of interest. In response, the email program/service provisions the expanded listing, including the re-ordering if necessary, accordingly. As a result, the user may easily obtain a listing of all emails addressed to one or more addressees of interest, independent of the position and/or manner the addressees of interest are addressed.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a user with personalized recommendations of accessing electronic-mail at an electronic-mail document server are provided. Recommendations may be based on determined interests of the user based on the theme or concept of a previously categorized document, the previously categorized document having been previously accessed by the user.

Abstract: A utility for enabling real-time, point-to-point communications over computer networks between users having dynamically assigned Internet Protocol addresses includes the ability to identify incoming communications, and, based on the identity of the incoming communication, selectively responding. In one embodiment, an information profile contained within an incoming signal is compared to a plurality of information profiles contained within the personal directory of a user, and, if a match occurs, the notification signal associated with the matched profile is generated. In an alternative embodiment, the information profile contained within the incoming communication includes an identifier of a notification signal which is used to select from a number of predefined notification signals resident within the user's private directory.

Abstract: An Internet facsimile machine including a processor having an ability exchanging function for transmitting to a receiving device a first electronic mail that includes format information of original image data and standard format image data, transmitting a second electronic mail that includes machine receiving ability information of the receiving device, and transmitting a third electronic mail that includes image data formed from the original image data in accordance with the machine receiving ability information. The processor has a communication management recording function for storing a communication record table of the series of electronic mails and outputting the communication record table.

Abstract: A remote control adapted for use with a releasable readable media storage device. A readable media storage device having data and target indicators. Electrical contacts provide releasable connection with the remote control.

Abstract: Phone system for a digital subscriber line integrated call waiting service are provided. A representative phone system includes a digital subscriber line routing system operable to check an application server for accessibility of a called party digital subscriber line associated with a called party. The application server is coupled to the internet and is operable to prompt the called party to answer the incoming call over the called party digital subscriber line when the called party digital subscriber line is accessible. The voice call is connected upon the called party choosing to answer the incoming call over the called party digital subscriber line.

Abstract: This invention provides a first communication apparatus, which makes a facsimile communication via a packet communication network and can describe different contents image header information each including a date, time, source information, destination information, and the like in image data having a predetermined number of pixels upon sending the image data to a plurality of destinations, and a communication method. This invention also provides a second communication apparatus which makes a facsimile communication via a packet communication network and has a first mode in which image header information such as a date, time, source information, destination information, and the like can be described in image data having a predetermined number of pixels and can send the image data, and a second mode in which image data having one of various resolutions and an indefinite number of pixels can be sent.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides a method for performing electronic postmarking of data, including ancillary data is provided. The method includes receiving data from a sender. The method further includes selecting ancillary data. The method further includes generating an electronic postmark including the ancillary data. The method further includes forwarding the data with the electronic postmark including the ancillary data to a receiver.

Abstract: An electronic-mail apparatus comprises an acceptor that accepts an electronic-mail, an electronic-mail transmitter that transmits the accepted electronic-mail to a designated electronic mail destination address, and an operational panel that includes a start member that starts a transmission of an electronic-mail to a destination address. The operational panel designates an electronic mail destination address, and further designates an alternative destination address, to be used in case of a transmission completion failure, to which a message indicating a failure in completion of a started transmission of an electronic-mail is sent when the transmission of an electronic-mail started by the start member is not completed. The message provides an indication, at the alternative destination address, of a transmission completion failure during transmission of an electronic-mail.

Abstract: IFAX is installed in securities firm A. PC is installed in a customer B and the other IFAX is installed in a branch C. IFAX transmits and receives image data between PC and IFAX via LAN and the Internet by use of e-mail. While, IFAX is connected to PSTN. IFAX transmits and receives facsimile data between G3FAX and IFAX via PSTN. IFAX transmits and receives image data among PC and the other IFAX and G3FAX and transmits the same image data to a host computer installed in a center in reduction in communication costs with respect to the center.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for integrated electronic mail, voice mail, and fax mail messaging. A common message format is defined for use by an electronic mail service and a telecommunications service so electronic mail messages that may include voice and fax mail attachments may be exchanged between the services. Message senders and receivers may choose from a variety of filter and forward options that allow them to manage their communications and specify a preference for receiving messages at the electronic mail or telecommunications service. Forwarding and conversion of messages is performed automatically. The options are used to define a set of rules to be applied to inbound and outbound messages so that messages are sent and received in accordance with the preferences of the senders and receivers.

Abstract: A system and method for providing multi-mode communication options on a data processing device. A method according to one embodiment of the invention includes: receiving an incoming electronic message having an identifiable sender address; querying data storage to determine if the sender address is a known sender address; if the sender address is a known sender address, then automatically retrieving alternate contact information associated with the sender address; and automatically generating an interface containing the alternate contact information, the interface accessible by the user of the data processing device.

Abstract: A printing apparatus or the like which can print by a simple hardware construction while security is assured and the operability is maintained is provided. A printer receives a print job which is sent from a host computer, holds it into a memory unit, generates an E-mail with a key code corresponding to the print job including the key code of each print job, and sends it to a cell phone designated upon job reception via a mail server through an LAN. In the cell phone which received the E-mail, when the user wants to print, contents of the E-mail are not changed but reply mail corresponding thereto is returned to the printer. In the printer which received the reply mail, if the key code included in the E-mail with the key code coincides with a key code included in the reply mail, the printing of the corresponding print job is started.

Abstract: In the case where facsimile receiving is carried out while a failure occurs with a printer, a CPU creates a notification E-mail having the received image data attached thereto as a attachment file, and transmits to Internet the created E-mail when an E-mail address registered in a notification destination address area in the information storage is defined as an address.

Abstract: A voice messaging system includes an input device to accept a destination electronic messaging address, a voice-to-text converter to convert or transcribe a received voice message into a converted text message, and a processor to operate an electronic messaging program and to prepare the text message for automatic electronic transmission to the destination electronic messaging address. A method is also provided to convert a voice message into a text message and to transmit the same to a destination electronic messaging address. The method includes inputting a destination electronic messaging address. A received voice message is converted or transcribed into a text message and prepared as a text file. The prepared text file is automatically transmitted to the destination electronic messaging address. A log file including the text of the voice messages may be maintained with updates at a predetermined time interval.

Abstract: A universal point of contact identifier system calling device facilitates a connection between a caller and a call recipient over a telephone network by communicating with a universal point of contact identifier system server. The calling device includes a keyboard, a display, a circuit to make a telephone call and transmit and receive digital data over the network, a memory unit and a micro-controller to control the functions of the device. The keyboard facilitates the entry of an identifier, e.g., an email address, into the memory unit of the device. After entry of the identifier, the circuit connects the device with the server and transmits the identifier to the server. The server utilizes the identifier to establish a connection over the network between the caller and call recipient.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filtering messages comprising determining a first semantic anchor corresponding to a first group of messages, for example, legitimate messages and a second semantic anchor corresponding to a second group of messages, for example, unsolicited messages. Determining a vector corresponding to an incoming message; comparing the vector corresponding to the incoming message with at least one of the first semantic anchor and the second semantic anchor to obtain a first comparison value and a second comparison value; and filtering the incoming message based on the first comparison value and the second comparison value.

Abstract: A telecommunications system, for use with a packet-switched network and with a portable-communication-device docking station for receiving a portable communication device, includes a network interface configured to couple to the packet-switched network, a docking-station interface configured to couple to the portable-communication-device docking station, a real-time user interface including a microphone configured to receive sound signals and a speaker configured to provide sound signals corresponding to signals received via the packet-switched network, and a communication controller coupled to the real-time user interface, the docking-station interface, and the network interface, and configured to transfer streaming data between the network interface and the real-time user interface, to transfer non-streaming electronic messages from the network interface to the docking-station interface, and to send a download request to a remotely-located control unit via the packet-switched network in response to a downlo

Abstract: When characters are input, the input information is sequentially displayed on a first display, an e-mail address, which is registered in a one-touch key registration area, is retrieved by using the input information, and the retrieved e-mail address is displayed on a second display. Further, when an @ mark is input after a character string input, the information displayed on the second display is switched to a domain name read from the domain name registration area. Thus, the @ mark key, which is always used to input e-mail addresses, is also utilized to switch the display information. Accordingly, the data communication apparatus is capable to prevent the inconvenience of inputting the entire e-mail addresses and to prevent input errors.

Abstract: In the Internet facsimile communication system, to exchange the functions of one another between the transmitting side and the receiving side, the Internet facsimile machine 20 carries out facsimile communication by using an electronic mail via the Internet. The principal control unit 1 exchanges the ability of the facsimile machine with that of the other end by using the electronic mail with the same communicating procedure as the communicating procedure of ITU-T recommendation T-30 used in the facsimile communication, and transmits an image data according to the exchanged ability of each facsimile machine. The electronic mail includes the FAXID (facsimile communication identifying number) which is the data for identifying the series of facsimile communication.

Abstract: A computer system includes a detection processing module for determining whether a remote system associated with the destination of an electronic communication is capable of decompressing a compressed portion of the electronic communication. The computer system also includes a compression processing module for compressing a portion of an electronic communication if the remote system is determined capable of decompressing the compressed portion. The computer system also includes a communication processing module for sending the compressed portion of the electronic communication to the remote system.

Abstract: The network printer obtains information from a Web page over the network, and stores this obtained information together with a URL thereof and the time when this information was received into the storage. When a print request from the outside via a console panel is made, the network printer reads data of an assigned URL from the storage, and prints this data using the printer engine.

Abstract: A mediation system as disclosed herein is capable of performing a method for facilitating mediated communication. In at least one embodiment of the method for facilitating mediated communication, the method includes facilitating data-based communication between a mediation subscriber communication device and a mediation system for performing a decision operation with a mediation subscriber, and facilitating voice-based communication for performing a mediated follow-through operation associated with a mediated party.

Abstract: An Electronic Document Answering Machine is adapted to connect to remote information sources and to download digital documents including e-mail and WEB pages, and to store the documents for later review by a user. The Answering machine has an alert device for alerting a user that new documents are available for review, and an initializing device for a user to cause documents to be communicated for review one-at-a-time. In a preferred embodiment documents are communicated over a speaker via voice synthesis. In an alternative preferred embodiment a small display is provided wherein documents may be displayed in alphanumeric characters. The answering machine can be implemented as a stand-alone device or can be connected via a serial port to a host PC for transferring documents to the PC for processing and review. In other embodiments the Answering Machine is implemented as a system in a PC, with alert and selective input added as an interface.

Abstract: A communication apparatus that reduces the number of procedural steps that need to be performed by a user in attaching facsimile data to an e-mail and transmitting the e-mail, includes a CPU of a personal computer that starts a transmission program for performing a series of operations, such as causing a facsimile apparatus to scan a document, generating an image file of the scan data, attaching the image file to an email, and transmitting the e-mail. In accordance with the transmission program, a mail address, a scan mode, and a format for generating an image file of the scan data are set. Then, the CPU instructs the facsimile apparatus to start scanning a document. The CPU receives and stores scan data. Upon receiving a scan end command, the CPU converts the scan data into the format designated as described above, and generates an image file of the scan data. After attaching the image file to an e-mail, the CPU transmits the e-mail.

Abstract: A system and method for sending an e-mail message from a subscriber entity in a telecommunications network are described. One exemplary method includes receiving a call request from a first subscriber entity to establish a call between the first subscriber entity and a second subscriber entity. The call request includes a management code and a destination identifier such as a MIN or a PSTN number associated with the second subscriber entity. The method further includes converting the destination identifier to one or more e-mail addresses associated with the second subscriber entity. Further, the method includes receiving a message from the first subscriber entity and sending the message to one or more e-mail addresses associated with the second subscriber entity. In one embodiment, the method further includes converting a voice message to a text message and sending the text message to one or more e-mail addresses associated with the second subscriber entity.