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: System and method for activating a terminal (7) connectable to a first network (1). An activation module (6) is connected to a second network (5) on the one hand and to the terminal on the other hand and can activate the terminal after receiving an activation code. The activation module might also activate a connection between the terminal and the server, while the server might further activate the terminal. If the second network (5) passes on to the activation module (6) an identifier (e.g. CLI) of the node via which the server (2) connects to the second network, the activation module can activate the terminal in various ways in accordance with the value of the recorded identifier. The server (2) can connect to the network via nodes with various identifiers. The activation code can also comprise notification messages or other messages (for example SMS), which the server (2) sends directly to the user terminal (7) via the activation module (6).

Abstract: Integration of telecommunication message services and other communication services is achieved by notifying a user of a communication system of successful receipt of a message (e.g., a facsimile message) by sending a confirmation message to the user, e.g., using e-mail, facsimile, voice and/or data communications. The user may be identified by a unique identifier, e.g., a telephone number. The confirmation message may comprise a facsimile message, an attachment which includes the received message or a computer network address of a location where information regarding the received message and/or the message itself may be accessed. For the latter case, the computer network address is preferably a universal resource locator (URL) associated with a web page at which the information and/or received message may be accessed. The information may allow the user to view the message (e.g.

Abstract: An alpha-numeric string electronic telephone and client service provider communication system is superimposed over the existing Internet, telephone and pager legacy systems to provide a much simpler communication system that will work seamlessly with the existing communication systems. The new system will allow an unlimited number of connections and unlimited number of signal type protocols to be used in the future and eventually phase out all of the separate numeric only telephone systems world wide and at the same time integrate the legacy e-mail system of the Internet with the legacy world wide numeric communication systems in a seamless and more powerful manner.

Abstract: An alarm notifying device comprises a circuit which performs communications via a communication line, a circuit which detects a signal indicative of an operating condition of a facility to be monitored, and an alarm signal sent therefrom, and a CPU. The alarm notifying device notifies an alarm to the outside when the alarm signal is detected. The alarm notifying device has the function of receiving a mail, the function of analyzing the contents of a text of the received mail, and the function of changing information lying inside the device according to the contents of the text of the received mail.

Abstract: The present invention provides an alarm notifying device comprising means for inputting an alarm signal of a facility to be monitored, means for connecting to a mail server for delivering an electronic mail by way of a communication line, a memory for storing a guidance text corresponding to the contents of an alarm, and a CPU having the function of transmitting an electronic mail about the alarm. In the alarm notifying device, the CPU has the function of adding the contents of an alarm and a guidance text corresponding to the alarm contents to an electronic mail.

Abstract: A messaging system (10) for notifying subscribers of incoming e-mail messages includes an e-mail system (12) communicating with a notification system (14). The e-mail system (12) includes a user interface (22) that permits subscribers to populate filter lists (16) with e-mail message attributes, such as sender e-mail addresses. The filter list (16) is provided to the notification system (14), which selectively notifies subscribers of incoming e-mail messages based on the contents of their respective filter lists. The notification system (14) can alert subscribers to incoming e-mail messages by pager, facsimile, voice mail, synthetic speech via cellular or conventional telephones, or the like.

Abstract: A telephone device and method for operating the telephone device. The telephone device has one bi-directional line connecting the telephone device to central office switching equipment. A memory in the telephone device contains at least one nontelephony application program. An application in the memory of the telephone device provides a method that determines when the telephone device is in an off-hook condition. The method then determines that at least one nontelephony application program command has been requested. In response to receiving the request, the method executes the at least one nontelephony application program command while the telphone device is in the off-hook condition.

Abstract: A portable communication terminal has an active call-up device for a user who tends to leave it, frequently; when an in-coming call/mail reaches the portable communication terminal in the absence of the user, a data processor periodically activates the active call-up device so that the active call-up device gives rise to excitative indication such as vibrations, flicker and/ or rumble; the excitative indication forces the user to pay the attention to the incoming call/mail not responded yet so that the user immediately responds to the call/mail after returning to the portable communication terminal.

Abstract: When a call from a subscriber telephone set 81 is received via a telephone switch 74 and a metallic subscriber line 72 in a subscriber terminal 51, an xDSL home unit 60 generates an electronic mail indicative of the call reception with a metallic subscriber line 72 used as an xDSL line 72 for feeding the electronic mail thus generated via the xDSL line 72, an xDSL station side unit 104 and an internet NW to an internet provider 105 and thence transmitting the mail via an internet NW to a portable telephone radio base station 106 and also to a portable telephone set 107. When a reception request is provided from the portable telephone set 107, the xDSL home unit 60 feeds the call from the subscriber telephone set 81 via the xDSL line 72, an xDSL station side unit 104, the internet NW to the internet provider 105 for transmission of the call via the internet NW to a portable telephone radio base station 106 and also to the portable telephone set 107.

Abstract: An easy response system for enabling a reply of yes or no to be made with the touch of a key or a voice reply to be made to electronic mail received at a portable telephone. A gateway unit 20 having an interface to Internet 1000 and an interface to a portable telephone network 2000 contains Internet communication means for transmitting and receiving electronic mail to and from a personal computer 10, portable telephone filter means for converting electronic mail received from the personal computer into a format in which the electronic mail can be handled on a portable telephone 30, reply mail preparation means for preparing reply mail to the personal computer 10, and portable telephone data communication means for receiving key input on the portable telephone. The portable telephone contains gateway communication means for sending key input to the gateway unit, electronic mail display means, and key input means, and operation description means for converting the key input into the corresponding operation.

Abstract: An information communication terminal with an e-mail receiving section extracts a plurality of informations corresponding to sender of the e-mail from the received e-mail. Then, the information communication terminal registers the extracted informations in its phone book in one registering operation by a user of the terminal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided to digitize an incoming telephone message, optionally compress the audio file to make the file smaller, optionally encrypt the file to make it secure, send the audio file as an electronic mail attachment with optional caller ID information to identify the caller, receive the electronic mail on a remote computer, and finally de-compress, de-encrypt and play the attached audio file through a sound card on the remote computer. A permanent electronic record of the voice mail is now available on the user's remote computer.

Abstract: Previous to the sending of an electronic mail, an attached file verifying unit retrieves a mail text to retrieve the presence or absence of an attachment representation indicative of the existence of an attached file, and if the attached representation has been retrieved, it issues for display a warning message urging the sender to verify the forget-to-attach. Furthermore, the attached file verifying unit compares the estimated number of attached files based on a number of attached files representation in the mail text with the actual number of attached files existing in the electronic mail, and if the actual number of the attached files is less than the estimated number of the attached files, it issues a warning message indicative of a lack of the attached files. In addition, the attached file verifying unit compares a file name in the mail text with a file name in the attached file, and if the two are not coincident with each other, it issues a warning message indicative of attachment of an erroneous file.

Abstract: An automated message processing system is disclosed which receives an electronic mail message, coverts the mail message into speech and delivers the converted message to one or more telephone recipients identified in the electronic mail message. The system includes means for creating an electronic mail message which identifies one or more telephone recipients, means for converting the electronic mail message to speech and means for delivering the converted electronic mail message to the one or more telephone recipients identified in the electronic mail message. The system of the present invention utilizes text-to-speech techniques to convert the text in the electronic mail message into speech.

Abstract: An image communication apparatus of the present invention is provided with a reception section to receive an e-mail at predetermined intervals through a telephone line along with an automatic telephone answering function. In such an image communication apparatus, when the automatic telephone answering function is switched to valid, the e-mail reception operation is not performed. Thereby, when the automatic telephone answering function is valid because a user is out of home, the e-mail reception operation is not performed, reducing the cost accompanied by the e-mail reception operation. On the other hand, when the automatic telephone answering function is invalid, the e-mail reception operation is performed at predetermined intervals. Therefore it is possible to omit the e-mail reception instruction by a user, and to provide the image communication apparatus with excellent operability.

Abstract: A system and method for electronic communications; more specifically, a system and method for transmitting real-time or non-real-time voice and facsimile electronic data across both circuit-switched and packet-switched networks. The system may include a gatekeeper server capable of communicating with a system subscriber across a packet-switched network and a network node capable of communicatively interconnecting a circuit-switched network, such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), and a packet-switched network utilizing the Internet Protocol for transmission. If a subscriber is not available to receive an electronic communication at his primary telephone number or IP address, the system may be capable of re-directing the communication to additional telephone numbers or IP addresses across either the circuit-switched or packet-switched networks, according to the subscriber's preferences.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a mobile terminal having a multimedia data service capability is disclosed. The method initially includes establishing a call connection to a base station if a multimedia data service request is made by a mobile terminal user to receive multimedia data. Upon establishing the call connection, the mobile terminal sends a multimedia data service request signal to a base station and receives the corresponding multimedia data for a first predetermined period of time. Then, it disconnects the call connection and stops providing electric power to a signal receiving/transmitting part of the terminal after receiving a confirmation signal responding to the play-back period it has calculated earlier. Finally, it plays-back the received data for the play-back period. By using the present invention, an unnecessary connection fee can be eliminated, and the power being supplied to the mobile terminal while playing-back the data can be efficiently saved.

Abstract: A technique for reading speech mail or text E-mail stored in a computer by an external telephone uses an apparatus which includes: a text to speech converting service function, a speech sensing function, an E-mail managing function, and an E-mail down-loading function. The apparatus may use software which includes a program for calling the E-mail client of a computer by one of a public telephone, a cellular phone, and a portable computer having a speed phone capability, gaining access to the received E-mail, converting text E-mail into speech mail, and transmitting it to a receiver through a telephone line. Also, a computer periodically detects an E-mail server during the absence of a user and, when it is determined that there is received E-mail as a result of detecting the E-mail server, down-loads the E-mail and stores it in the computer. When urgent E-mail is received, the computer calls a receiver and informs him or her that urgent E-mail has arrived or transmits the urgent E-mail to the remote receiver.

Abstract: A unified messaging system. A server node with a telephony interface to interface with the public switch telephone network and a web interface providing an interface to a wide area network receives messages of a plurality of type via these interfaces. The messages are stored in a database and provided by the server node to a user node executing a web browser. The server node provides message conversion so that a user at the user node can retrieve messages of the different media types, respond to those messages, forward messages, and send messages of different message types across a plurality of media originating from the user node over the wide area network.

Abstract: Methods, devices and software for processing incoming communications are disclosed. Incoming messages and calls may be prioritized in accordance with the rank of the message or call originator within the organization. This may be effected by querying an org chart for the organization upon receipt of an incoming communication, in order to assess the rank of the originator. The org chart may be stored in a directory server, and queried by a computing device receiving the message or processing the call. The methods lend themselves to processing received electronic mail messages, telephone calls and the like. In an example embodiment, calls from originators meeting defined criteria may initiate distinctive ringing at the recipient's phone or may signal another device.

Abstract: A messaging system (10) for notifying subscribers of incoming e-mail messages includes an e-mail system (12) communicating with a notification system (14). The e-mail system (12) includes a user interface (22) that permits subscribers to populate filter lists (16) with e-mail message attributes, such as sender e-mail addresses. The filter list (16) is provided to the notification system (14), which selectively notifies subscribers of incoming e-mail messages based on the contents of their respective filter lists. The notification system (14) can alert subscribers to incoming e-mail messages by pager, facsimile, voice mail, synthetic speech via cellular or conventional telephones, or the like.

Abstract: A system and a method for indicating to the subscriber of a network, which subscriber is not continually connected to the network host facility, of the existence of a reason for initiating such a connection. A computer device is connected to the host facility and adapted for generating an indication signal addressed to the subscriber. A system modem is interconnected between a telephone communication link and the computer device so as to be responsive to the indication signal for generating an outgoing call and transmitting thereof to a subscriber modem associated with the subscriber.

Abstract: A data terminal apparatus coupled to a local area network and a telephone line network includes a first and second communications mechanisms, a memory, a printer, and first and second controllers. The first communications mechanism exchanges electronic mail with other data terminals and a mail server. The second communications mechanism exchanges image information with facsimile terminals. The memory stores the image information which is received from one of the facsimile terminals. The printer reproduces the image information. The first controller generates electronic mail which includes the image information when the printer is in an inoperative condition, and sends the electronic mail to the mail server. Then, the first controller erases the image information from the memory. The second controller retrieves the electronic mail from the mail server when the printer recovers from the inoperative condition and instructs the printer to reproduce the image information included in the electronic mail.

Abstract: A client is coupled to a modem pool and a server by a communication link in a wide area network. The client allows a user to browse the World Wide Web in response to user inputs entered entirely from a remote control device using a television set as a display device. The communication link to the client is shared by a telephone circuit at the client end of the link. A disruption in communication with the server may occur due to a Call Waiting signal caused by an incoming telephone call. The incoming call includes Caller ID information. In response to such a disruption, communication with the server is terminated. After pausing for a predetermined period of time, the client automatically re-establishes communication with the server if the line is clear. Upon reconnecting to the server, the client accesses a “White Pages” telephone directory Web site on a remote server.

Abstract: When a telephone call is received via an internal line, an information control/storage device transmits an electronic mail to a terminal device via an information line. The electronic mail includes information about the caller of the telephone call. When a user of the internal line cannot respond to a telephone call, an electronic mail is transmitted to a user designated as a substitute answerer. In this case, the electronic mail includes information indicating the user to whom the telephone call is originally addressed. After completion of the response to the telephone call, the substitute answerer transmits a message by an electronic mail to a terminal device of the user to whom the telephone call was originally addressed.

Abstract: A private branch exchange (PBX) capable of transmitting and receiving an E-mail over a network is provided. The PBX includes an interface for communicating with the network, an E-mail server for receiving and storing the E-mail; an extension interface for exchanging a communication signal including an audio signal and control signal with an extension telephone, a database for storing a destination address of an E-mail and an extension number corresponding to the address, an examining unit for examining whether or not an mailing address contained in an E-mail received at the E-mail server from the network is registered in the database, and a controller for sending a notice of the reception of the E-mail the extension telephone of the extension number allocated to the mailing address of the E-mail when the examining unit judges that the mailing address of the E-mail is registered in the database.

Abstract: A communication terminal device of the present invention is provided with both facsimile communication function and electronic mail transmission/reception function. At the transmission side, scanned image data is coded by MH, MR method and the like, converted to text data, then edited according to electronic mail format for transmitting it as an electronic mail to computer network like internet. The transmission side also transmits by facsimile (by a circuit switching method) a transmission notification indicating transmission of the electronic mail and a signal indicating reception of the electronic mail. After receiving the signal requesting reception of the electronic mail, the receiving side receives the electronic mail from the computer network, converts it into image data and prints the image data out by facsimile.

Abstract: The methods bypass present lengthy modem renegotiations (typically 20-30 seconds) to effect fast reestablishment of ISO Application-Oriented Layer communication link between user Application Programs/Browsers and Internet Service Provider, and enables complete session continuity without user being aware of noticeable difference due to frequent connections/disconnections of PSTN line. The methods at its most basic essence requires that the reconnecting incoming calls be routed to the same Port #/Modem unit/Data channel.

Abstract: In a system for registering E-mail addresses for subscribers of the system, a telephone call manager, upon request, provides a subscriber with a unique identifier and stores a copy of the unique identifier. An E-mail manager receives and processes an E-mail message sent to a first E-mail address, the received E-mail message including a request to register a second E-mail address, the received E-mail message including the unique identifier. The E-mail manager, upon receipt of the E-mail message, compares the unique identifier with the copy of the unique identifier stored by the telephone call manager, and registers the second E-mail address only if the unique identifier and the copy of the unique identifier correspond. In a second embodiment, an E-mail message requesting registration of the second E-mail address is first sent to the E-mail manager.

Abstract: A toll saving method and apparatus for a remote access system is provided. A first communication device receives a connection request from a second communication device. The first communication device then decodes caller identification information from the connection request to determine a user identity, without completing the connection request. The first communication device determines whether an event associated with the user identity has occurred. If the event associated with the user identity has not occurred, the connection request is not completed. In a preferred embodiment, the toll saving method and apparatus allows an email user to call an ISP to determine whether unaccessed email is present in the user's account. If no email is present in the user's account, the call is never answered and no toll charges are incurred.

Abstract: An integrated security and communications system combines a security system to either or both of a telephone system interface and a data interface. Users have access to voice-mail or other PBX-type telephone functions, many or all of which can be accessed not only at telephone sets, but also at keypads of the security system. Data functions such as electronic mail and possible partial or full World Wide Web access may also be provided at the keypads, as well as at connected personal computers or computer terminals. The system keypads may be enhanced to better accommodate some of the added functions. A central communications station could be used to maintain secure, shared private key encrypted communications with each premises system, using a redirector arrangement or relay to allow each premises system to communicate securely with a central monitoring station and with other systems. The secure communications system could be used without a security system to allow secure computer-to-computer communications.

Abstract: A message consignor transmits messages, recipient information regarding the intended recipients of the messages and day/hours information designating the day and hours for communicating each message to a message management site via a telephone network if an attribute of the message is voice or via the Internet if an attribute of the message is an e-mail. The message management site stores these messages, recipient information and day/hours information in association with one another, and transmits a message regarding which the day and hours designated by day/hours information associated with it have arrived via the telephone network if an attribute of the message is voice or via the Internet if an attribute of the message is an e-mail, on the basis of recipient information associated with the message. In addition, automatic conversion of a message attribute and association of a plurality of messages with one another are also accomplished.

Abstract: A device dedicated to providing information to a customer regarding e-mail messages. The device, in its simplest configuration has an annunciator showing the receipt of one or more e-mail messages held for the customer by a remote ISP. In more advanced configurations, the e-mail is prioritized and the device shows the messages having certain priority. In even more advanced configuration, the device may also display and or announce e-mail sender's name and may also display the subject of the e-mail message if this item was provided by the e-mail sender, and may also display the actual e-mail message text. The device may be disposed in small housing dedicated for e-mail display and announcement or alternatively may be incorporated into another device such as a telephone or any other electronic consumer equipment.

Abstract: A system and apparatus provides a voice message of a calling party to a called party. The method includes the steps of initiating a telephone call to the called party over a first network and receiving the telephone call at a network node within the first network. The method further includes the steps of determining whether the called party is on-line a second network and receiving the voice message from the calling party. The method further includes the steps of converting the voice message to a digital file and sending an electronic mail message that includes the digital file to the called party.

Abstract: An electronic mailbox filters or sorts messages according to personalized or customized rules set by the owner of the mailbox through the use of address extensions. The addressee will assign an address extension to a prospective sender before the sender sends a message. The sender may use this address extension when addressing and sending a message to the addressee. The addressee can also provide a specific sender with multiple address extensions so that the sender could send messages relating to particular topics or projects. The addressee will maintain a look-up table of valid address extensions. This look-up table correlates address extensions with particular levels of priority. The addressee can change the priority associated with particular messages by reassigning the priority associated the corresponding address extension in the look-up table.

Abstract: In a communication device (20) comprising a message function (SMS, Short Message Service) a certain short message (7) or other reply message is sent in response to an incoming call in a situation where the user can't answer the call him/herself. The reply message can be sent immediately (9) or after a short delay (10, 11), whereby during the delay, the user can choose, whether he/she answers him/herself. The calling party (5) is identified from the CLI information (Caller Line Identity), whereby the reply message can be chosen according to the calling party. Time information can be included in the reply message in order to express at which time by the clock or after a how long time the receiving party is reachable. After that time the automatic reply function based on the reply message is automatically disconnected.

Abstract: The system allows for the allocation of email addresses to almost every possible person within a country, and allows for easy lookup and/or addressing of messages whether by email, telephone, mail or fax to those subscribers. It makes use of a combination of the subscriber's telephone number and an alphabetical component chosen from their name, for individuals, or an alphabetical description of a department within a business, together with a database server that stores information about each subscriber, and their preferred mode of delivery. The system requires users to create or modify their primary account by a telephone interface, as the system allows for delivery of email messages to subscribers by telephone, mail or fax, to those subscribers who do not have access to a computer and thus access to software to read their emails.

Abstract: The reception part 30 outputs the text and the header of the received electronic mail to the voice synthesizing part 32. The voice font switching part 326 outputs the sander ID contained in the header to the voice font searching part 328. The voice font searching part 328 searches the voice feature data in the voice font database part 330 to have voice feature data in which the user ID contained in the header of the voice feature data matches the sender ID sent to the rhythm control part 322 and the voice generating part 324. The rhythm control part 322, the voice generating part 324 and the voice output part 38 read the content of the text in a voice feature indicated by the phonemes contained in the supplied voice feature data and generates a voice signal characterized by rhythm data contained in the header of the voice feature data for output.

Abstract: A client is coupled to a modem pool and a server by a communication link in a wide area network. The client allows a user to browse the World Wide Web in response to user inputs entered entirely from a remote control device using a television set as a display device. The communication link to the client is shared by a telephone circuit at the client end of the link. A disruption in communication with the server may occur due to a Call Waiting signal caused by an incoming telephone call. The incoming call includes Caller ID information. In response to such a disruption, communication with the server is terminated. After pausing for a predetermined period of time, the client automatically re-establishes communication with the server if the line is clear. Upon reconnecting to the server, the client accesses a “White Pages” telephone directory Web site on a remote server.

Abstract: The present invention introduces that E-mails are managed effectively without imposing a burden on a mail server. A memory is provided in a telephone, whereby an E-mail from the mail server can be down-loaded. When this telephone is accessed from plural terminal devices, the mail status is stored in order to be capable of recognizing that a E-mail is down-loaded to which terminal device. With this system, when E-mails are transmitted and received with plural terminal device, it is possible to manage E-mails integratedly by accessing not a mail server but a telephone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for transmitting a digital message from a source to one or more receiving devices. After the digital message is received from the source, the one or more receiving devices are selected from a list of addressable receiving devices and the digital message is routed through a local area network until the digital message can be transmitted to the one or more receiving devices. The digital message is then transmitted to the one or more receiving devices using a single wireless transmission. Alternatively, the present invention provides a method and system for transmitting a digital message from a source to one or more destinations. After the digital message is received from the source, the digital message is transmitted over a wireless communications link to each of the one or more destinations, if any, that has a device for receiving the digital message over the wireless communications link.

Abstract: A telephone docking station for a personal digital assistant provides a simple docking arrangement in conjunction with a basic telephone circuit that exploits all of the resident intelligence of a PDA in connection with the telephone circuit to extend the PDA's functionality to the telephone, while extending the telephone's communications capability to the PDA. The docking arrangement preferably consists of a docking slot or port provided within the telephone housing itself by which the PDA is readily received and secured to the telephone, and by which an electrical interconnection or infrared (i.e. digital) is made to the telephone circuitry within the telephone housing. Software installed on the PDA implements desired communications functions, such as automatic dialing of a phone number stored in the PDA directory, the receipt and transmission of email, provides the ability to access electronic networks, such as the Internet, e.g.

Abstract: A multi-user e-mail reader system allows several users to access their e-mail accounts simultaneously and have the e-mail messages played back with speech synthesis. The user navigates through various functional states of the system using either touch-tone keypad commands or optionally voiced commands interpreted by a speech recognizer. Users can send reply e-mail messages without the use of a computer, by invoking the system's text processor. The text processor operates in conjunction with a keypad-to-ASCII conversion mechanism that allows fully punctuated and properly addressed e-mail messages to be composed from the touch-tone phone. Digital audio sound file attachments may be recorded through the telephone handset and attached to an outgoing e-mail message. A system for storing canned messages allows the user to quickly send pre-composed reply messages, either as stored or after editing using the text processor.

Abstract: The method for assembling and presenting a structured electronic message begins when the sender creates a voicemail message that includes a plurality of messaging elements that include embedded instructions that define a structure of the message. Other messaging elements may include textual fragments, audio fragments that refer to audio data files that are associated with the message, and/or references to textual fragments and/or audio fragments that are stored at specified locations. The instructions may define a hierarchical menu structure which, when the message is presented to the recipient by a messaging system, offers the recipient different navigational choices from which the recipient may select and thus effect the information content of what is presented.

Abstract: Unique, electronic mailboxes may be configured to allow multiple users to use a single mailbox for storing messages and for screening messages using information related to the messages, such as the name and telephone number of the originator of a message. The unique mailboxes may be configured using systems and methods which make use of user-defined filters which may be applied to each mailbox. Each mailbox may be additionally protected by a password for changing the user defined filters and for retrieving messages.

Abstract: In a messaging system of the type that receives a voice and/or fax message intended for a subscriber, an electronic mail message notifying the subscriber of the received message is composed in a language selected by the subscriber and then sent to one or more subscriber supplied electronic mail addresses. The subscriber can select to receive such notification messages in any one of a plurality of different languages that are available on the system. Different subscribers can select different ones of the available languages.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for notifying a subscriber via a telephone calling card that a message has arrived at the message center of a service subscriber. The messaging center may be a voice mail or e-mail system. In accordance with the method, the service provider receives and stores an incoming message for the subscriber. The service provider then transmits a radio signal to the telephone calling card of the subscriber indicating that the incoming message has arrived.

Abstract: A communication infrastructure providing communication between agents, between agents and agent-hosting servers, and between agent-hosting servers. The communication infrastructure consists of three layers (from bottom to top): Mail Facility Layer, Message Facility Layer, and Agent Management Communication Facility Layer. The Mail Facility Layer is the lowest layer providing a general, semantics-free mail paradigm for asynchronous communication between distributed objects, whether they are local or remote to each other. The Mail Facility Layer provides a level of abstraction in terms of mail, virtual mailbox, post office, and mail queue, and hides the details of implementation and actual transport. It is designed to provide location transparency and to be implementable using various transport protocols. The next Message Facility Layer provides a typed messaging paradigm for asynchronous and synchronous message passing between distributed objects.

Abstract: Disclosed is an electronic mail system, which comprises: a transmitting communication terminal for transmitting an electronic mail to which an address is added; an electronic mail server for storing an electronic mail transmitted from the transmitting communication terminal; and a receiving communication terminal for receiving an electronic mail having an address thereof from the electronic mail server, wherein the electronic mail server comprises: managing means for managing an address and call number of the receiving communication terminal; receiving means for receiving an electronic mail from the transmitting communication terminal; storing means for storing the electronic mail received by the receiving means; retrieving means for retrieving a call number of the receiving communication terminal managed by the managing means corresponding to an address added to the electronic mail received by the receiving means; and distributing means for transmitting the electronic mail received by the receiving means to