Voice Mail Patents (Class 455/413)
  • Patent number: 8781445
    Abstract: Voice message processors are configured to produce text representations of voice messages. The text representations can be compacted based on one or more abbreviation libraries or rule libraries. Abbreviation processing can be applied to produce a compact text representation based on display properties of a destination device or to enhance user perception. Text representation length can be reduced based on abbreviations in a standard abbreviation list, a user specific abbreviation list, or a combination of standard and custom lists. In some examples, text length is shortened based on stored rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventor: Thomas Cast
  • Patent number: 8781081
    Abstract: The present invention provides presence management to a multimodal communication network. A unified messaging system, providing the ability to deliver messages across multiple modes of communication, is integrated with a presence managing system. The presence management system provides an ability to locate a recipient of a message according to a stored schedule. The unified messaging system retrieves contact information from a presence management system. Upon received the message, the recipient can respond along the established line of communication. Multiple modes of communication comprises telephone, wireless telephone, electronic mail, pager, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), video, audio, picture, among others.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Edward Walter
  • Patent number: 8781458
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for performing a software upgrade are disclosed. The method determines a plurality of mobile endpoint devices affected by a wireless network access software upgrade, and schedules a deployment of the wireless network access software upgrade. The method transmits a notification to the plurality of mobile endpoint devices, wherein the notification is configured to cause each of the plurality of mobile endpoint devices to store user settings in a memory of each of the plurality of mobile endpoint devices. The method downloads the wireless network access software upgrade wirelessly to the plurality of mobile endpoint devices, wherein the wireless network access software upgrade is configured to cause each of the plurality of mobile endpoint devices to install the wireless network access software upgrade and to restore the user settings from the memory of each of the plurality of mobile endpoint devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Yung Choi-Grogan, Jun Shen, Ming Zhang
  • Patent number: 8774880
    Abstract: A mobile wireless communications device may include a portable housing that may include an electrically conductive continuous ring defining a perimeter of the portable housing. The electrically conductive continuous ring may be configured to function as an antenna. The mobile wireless communications device may further include a printed circuit board (PCB) carried by the portable housing and may include an electrically conductive layer defining a ground plane. The mobile wireless communications device may further include wireless transceiver circuitry carried by the PCB and coupled to the antenna. The mobile wireless communications device may also include an electrically conductive shorting member coupled between the electrically conductive continuous ring and the ground plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Joshua Kwan Ho Wong, John Alfred Whitmore, Adrian Matthew Cooke, Steven Eugene Downs, Jari Kristian Van Wonterghem
  • Patent number: 8775188
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for voice approval, where the method includes: receiving voice approval request information sent by an enterprise application server; establishing a voice communication connection with the terminal according to the contact information of the approver terminal; sending approval content audio information corresponding to the voice approval request information to the approver terminal; receiving feedback information, and obtaining approval result information according to the feedback information; and sending the approval result information to the enterprise application server. Embodiments of the present invention also provide a device and system for voice approval. In the embodiments of the present invention, the enterprise application server and the enterprise gateway are combined and improved to enable an approver to approve, in voice mode, an approval request raised by an applicant, thereby increasing the approval efficiency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Weijun Deng, Yu Yin, Liyan Song
  • Patent number: 8774772
    Abstract: A set of techniques are described for preventing the problem of voicemail tromboning. The techniques can be implemented with a service broker or other intermediate entity having a connection to a telecommunications network. The service broker can receive an incoming call from a switch in a home network of the subscriber. The service broker can then determine that a recipient device of the incoming call is roaming in a visited network. If it is determined that the subscriber is roaming, the service broker can contact a remote switch in the visited network and instruct the remote switch in the visited network to disable late call forwarding prior to relaying the incoming call message to the remote switch. The service broker can then be responsible for contacting the voicemail server in the home network of the subscriber so that the subscriber can still have access to voicemail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Oracle International Corporation
    Inventors: Tzach Livyatan, Ayal Itzkovitz, Tal Zoller, Nadav Kadosh, Shlomo Livne
  • Patent number: 8774771
    Abstract: An operator is prevented from accidentally operating a communication apparatus during short range communication, even if there is an incoming call/mail. A communication apparatus has at least a first communication unit that performs wireless communication for a call or a mail, and a second communication unit that is different from the first communication unit. The communication apparatus changes a notification function that notifies a user of an incoming call/mail received by the first communication unit to a prohibited status in accordance with a start of communication by the second communication unit, and cancels the prohibited status of the notification function in accordance with an end of communication by the second communication unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Eiji Imaeda
  • Publication number: 20140188620
    Abstract: Briefly, a variety of embodiments, including the following, are described: a system embodiment and methods that allow random access to voice messages, in contrast to sequential access in existing system embodiments; a system embodiment and methods that allow for the optional use of voice recognition to enhance usability; and a system embodiment and methods that apply to the area of voicemail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 3, 2014
    Applicant: TVG, LLC
    Inventors: Michael Demmitt, Amit Manna, Michael Smith, Luis Arellano, Chris Pedregal, Mike LeBeau, Brian Salomaki
  • Patent number: 8768307
    Abstract: In part the invention relates to a method of providing remote access to data generated by a mobile device having a device storage element. The method includes the steps of monitoring the mobile device such that changes in local data resident in the device storage element are detected using a client application installed on the mobile device, wherein the changes in the local data accumulate during a period of time to comprise at least one change set; transmitting the at least one change set over a network; receiving the at least one change set at a remote server, the remote server having a remote storage element; and processing the at least one change set using a server application to generate user accessible remote data. Various embodiments further involve remote text message archives, positional and temporal information associated with change sets, alert generation by trigger events, and archiving with associated searchable meta-data for data mining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: ZeroTouch Digital, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Brian Heins, Gregory Michael Morey
  • Patent number: 8761743
    Abstract: A control circuit, during a call via a wireless transceiver with a first party, permits a user to establish a call via the wireless transceiver with a second party apart from the call with the first party and then, during at least a part of a call-establishment process to establish a call with the second party, displays via a touch-screen display a user-selectable option to return to the call with the first party. This user-selectable option can comprise, at least in part, a moniker for the first party. The control circuit may obtain this moniker by accessing a contacts list. If desired, this user-selectable option can be colored a color that contrasts with other displayed proximal colors then presently displayed on the touch-screen display in order to highlight the user-selectable option's availability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Erik Artur Greisson
  • Patent number: 8761816
    Abstract: Methods and systems for providing a SMS message sent to a particular phone number or address to a preferred device. A sender may send a SMS message to a phone number address of a user. The SMS message is then routed to a preferred device selected by the user and displayed in an appropriate format on the preferred device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignees: Telesector Resources Group, Inc., Verizon Data Services LLC
    Inventors: Craig L. Reding, Ziauddin Majid, Shashi Neelakantan
  • Patent number: 8756051
    Abstract: Communication network and method for providing communication facilities for a plurality of users. The communication network comprises an announcement generating element (14) for sending network related messages to any of the users. A further network element is connected to the announcement generating element, the further network element being arranged for determining a preferred language for a specific user (10) of the plurality of users, and sending network related messages to the specific user (10) in the preferred language.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (Publ)
    Inventors: Rogier August Caspar Jospeh Noldus, Arvind Dev Sharma, Ulf Ingemar Olsson
  • Patent number: 8750837
    Abstract: A first network device is configured to receive a message that identifies a relationship between a wireless user device and a client device. The relationship allows voice mail information, associated with voice mail messages for the wireless user device, to be sent to the client device. The first network device is configured to receive voice mail information associated with a voice mail message for the wireless user device, determine to send the voice mail information to the client device, based on the information identifying the relationship between the wireless user device and the client device; and send the voice mail information to the client device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Assignees: Cellco Partnership, Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Ashish R. Gandhi, Rodney D. Regan
  • Patent number: 8750841
    Abstract: Provided is a system and method for automatically leaving an Outgoing Caller Message (OCM) at a callee's (i.e. called) recording system. If a mobile caller reaches an OutGoing Message (OGM) from a callee's system because the callee does not answer, the caller can opt to automatically leave a preconfigured message instead of spending time leaving a message. An OCM background thread of processing is started at the mobile device for taking over the active call, and the initial active call processing thread terminates for releasing user interface focus so the caller is free to perform other application processing while background processing occurs. The OCM background thread determines the best OCM to leave, for example based in part on a situational location of the mobile caller, and then automatically leaves the OCM at the callee's system before terminating the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2014
    Inventors: William J. Johnson, Jason M. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20140155040
    Abstract: A method of recording media transmitted to or from a first party communicating through one of a plurality of mobile telecommunications networks with a second party is described. Either the first party or the second party initiates a call with the other party. One of a set of call splitters distributed through the plurality of telecommunications networks is then determined to be a local call splitter to one of the parties. A connection is then established between the first party and the local call splitter to split the call into a recording part and a call part. The call part is routed between the first party and the second party via the call splitter to provide transmission of media between the first party and the second party, and the recording part is provided by the local call splitter to a recording service associated with the first party.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: James Tagg, Timothy Paul Evans, Igor Borisoglebski, James Edward Body, Edward Thomas Guy, III
  • Patent number: 8744532
    Abstract: There is provided a device for alerting a user of an occurrence of an event. The device comprises a memory configured to store alert data and a media stream having a beginning and an end, the alert data designating a plurality of points for the media stream, the plurality of points including a start point and an end point after the start point, wherein at least one of the start point and the end point is different from the beginning and the end of the media stream. The device further comprises a processor configured to detect the occurrence of the event; retrieve the alert data from the memory in response to the occurrence of the event; begin playback of the media stream from the start point; and stop playback of the media stream at the end point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2014
    Assignee: Disney Enterprises, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott Watson
  • Publication number: 20140148133
    Abstract: A marine wireless device includes a calling unit, a response unit, a communication establishment unit, a call processor, a condition memory unit, and a recorded data processor. The calling unit sends call information requesting the start of communication. The response unit sends response information with respect to the call information sent by a communication partner. The communication establishment unit receives the response information from the communication partner and establishes communication with the communication partner. The call processor executes a voice call with the communication partner with whom the communication establishment unit has established communication. The call memory unit stores as recorded data a voice call executed by the call processor. The condition memory unit stores specific data processing conditions related to recorded data. The recorded data processor varies the processing related to recorded data according to the data processing conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2013
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: FURUNO Electric Company Limited
    Inventor: Takuto HAZAMA
  • Patent number: 8738050
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic electronic-mail filtering for mobile devices are provided. Incoming e-mail messages are received and provided to an e-mail inbox associated with the intended recipient. Those e-mail messages are evaluated to determine whether they may be desirable to the recipient. Desirability of an e-mail may be determined by such factors as the e-mail address of origin or key words in subject line. E-mail messages determined to be desirable are provided to a mobile device associated with the recipient. The recipient may then be notified concerning the desirable messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Seven Networks, Inc.
    Inventors: Ari Backholm, Lauri Vuornos
  • Patent number: 8738089
    Abstract: A mobile communication device displays, via a display, an audio waveform associated with a voicemail received by the mobile communication device, and receives selection and sustained contact with the audio waveform from a user associated with the mobile communication device. The device also enlarges a portion of the audio waveform based on the sustained contact with the audio waveform, and displays, via the display, the enlarged portion of the audio waveform. The device further enables the user to manipulate, via the display, the enlarged portion of the audio waveform, and provides, via a speaker, audible feedback associated with the manipulated enlarged portion of the audio waveform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Daniel Spurgeon Dunnam, Heath Stallings
  • Patent number: 8737588
    Abstract: Methods for enabling enhanced call return in a communications network is disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes receiving an incoming telephone call from a caller, wherein the incoming telephone call identifies a subscriber as a callee thereof; capturing caller-specific information for the caller, wherein the caller-specific information includes at least one of the name of the caller and the telephone number of the caller; and storing the caller-specific information into an intelligent peripheral (IP) within the network. Some embodiments of the methods include allowing the subscriber to access the caller-specific information stored in the IP. In some embodiments, the subscriber subscribes to an enhanced call return (ECR) feature as part of a service plan. The ECR feature allows the subscriber to access caller-specific information for a predetermined number of past callers and also to return calls from those past callers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Larry Scott Easley, Donald N. Cardina
  • Patent number: 8739071
    Abstract: A collating application for message display and management executes on a communication device. The communication device includes a plurality of message applications associated with various communication channels, each message application receiving and storing messages associated with one of the various communications channels. The collating application dynamically accesses messages stored by the plurality of message applications to retrieve messages that meet defined matching criteria. The collating application permits the user to select a listing of the heterogeneous retrieved messages in a single view on the communication device. Icons associated with the matching criteria are displayable and vary in accordance with the presence or absence of unread messages meeting the matching criteria.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Gerhard D. Klassen, Chris Wormald, David Yach
  • Patent number: 8737978
    Abstract: Improved approaches for users of electronic devices to communicate with one another are disclosed. The electronic devices have audio and/or textual output capabilities. The improved approaches can enable users to communicate in different ways depending on device configuration, user preferences, prior history, etc. In one embodiment, the communication between users is achieved by short audio or textual messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: IpVenture, Inc.
    Inventors: C. Douglass Thomas, Peter P. Tong
  • Patent number: 8737982
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for storing a phone number through remote control between mobile communication terminals are provided. The method includes receiving a message including protocol IDentification (ID) information indicating a pre-arranged remote phone number storage protocol, determining whether a remote phone number storage function is active, comparing authentication information contained in the received message with authentication information of the mobile communication terminal, and storing at least one of a phone number and phone number related information contained in the received message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Myoung-Do Park
  • Publication number: 20140141753
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for managing different types of messages, such as, but not limited to, voicemails and text messages, is presented. For example, in one embodiment, the method includes identifying a sender associated with a message for a recipient; and grouping all messages from the sender under a directory associated with the sender, wherein the directory includes different types of messages received from the sender.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2014
    Publication date: May 22, 2014
    Applicant: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC
    Inventors: Shekhar Gupta, Mike Roberts, Blaine Smith
  • Patent number: 8730970
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer program products for providing voicemail routing information in a network that provides customized voicemail services are disclosed. According to one method, a voicemail routing query is received at an advanced voicemail routing node, where the query includes at least one parameter associated with a voicemail transaction. Based on at least one query parameter, voicemail routing information may be determined that identifies a voicemail server and a voicemail service from among a plurality of voicemail servers, where at least some of the voicemail servers provide different services. A voicemail routing query response may then be generated including the determined voicemail routing information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Tekelec Global, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick L. Allison, Apirux Bantukul, Peter J. Marsico
  • Patent number: 8731522
    Abstract: Mailbox pooling pre-emptive criteria is set forth for use in an adaptive polling system for synchronizing data between a mail server and a mobile communication device. The polling engine stores an indication of the number of messages in the mailbox, the total mailbox size (i.e. the used storage size in bytes), and the last message ID from the last poll. In the next poll, the polling engine retrieves this information from the mailbox and checks against the values stored from the last poll. If the information is the same, then there is no need to compare the message ID list. Whenever either the number of messages in the mailbox or the mailbox size or last message ID has changed, then the full comparison of the message ID list is performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventor: Truyen Huynh
  • Patent number: 8731532
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and media for delivering electronic documents using mobile telephony identifiers, such as IMEI, in a secure manner in conjunction with Internet protocols and address systems are provided herein. According to some embodiments, exemplary methods may include receiving a communication, determining a hybrid endpoint identifier associated with a communications device by evaluating the communication for either the hybrid endpoint identifier or routing information, the hybrid endpoint identifier comprising an identifier appended to a telephone number, and routing the communication to the communications device via a telephony network based upon the hybrid endpoint identifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: VLSI Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Manjesh Singh Ailaney, Gerald Dan Hutcheson
  • Patent number: 8731147
    Abstract: Methods and systems for processing messages and providing notifications regarding the same are described. An optional embodiment includes a telecommunications interface, a data network interface, and an answering system coupled to the telecommunications interface and the data network interface, the call processing system configured to receive a first call from a caller via the telecommunications interface, store a message from the caller, transmit a message notification using the data network to the intended recipient of the call via which the intended recipient can access the message, and transmit information related to the intended recipient's receipt of the message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2014
    Assignee: Callwave Communications, LLC
    Inventors: David C. McClintock, David S. Trandal
  • Patent number: 8725119
    Abstract: In-person shopping at brick-and-mortar locations can be facilitated using visual voicemail systems. A user device can be detected upon entry or proximity to a retail location and a greeting visual voicemail message can be transmitted to the user device. User data may be integrated into the greeting message. The greeting message can also include options for a user to activate that allow the integration of the virtual and physical shopping experience. Options can include requests for sales associate help, product information or location, associated service plans or accessories, etc. Multiple remote resources can be coordinated to service a user's requests via a visual voicemail system while the user is shopping in the retail location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Venson M. Shaw
  • Publication number: 20140128039
    Abstract: One embodiment of a method of retrieving voicemail messages that were previously recorded for a user on a carrier voicemail system in a communication network includes storing user data related to voicemail retrieval for the user, storing carrier data related to voicemail retrieval from the carrier, connecting to the carrier voicemail system through the communication network, receiving audio signals through the communication network from an interactive voice response system of the carrier voicemail system, sending audio signals through the communication network to the carrier voicemail system to navigate the interactive voice response system based on predetermined response conditions, recording audio signals received from the voicemail system according to predetermined playback criteria and disconnecting from the voicemail system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Veem, Inc.
    Inventor: David Maybach
  • Publication number: 20140128038
    Abstract: This document describes various techniques for implementing local voicemail on a mobile device. These techniques may include enabling the mobile device to answer a voice call, record audio of the voice call to provide a voicemail file, and store the voicemail file to local computer-readable media. A locally stored voicemail file may be associated with relevant data, exposed via the associated data for local processing, and/or manipulated through a user interface of the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Publication date: May 8, 2014
    Applicant: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventor: Microsoft Corporation
  • Publication number: 20140120884
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus to audibly provide messages in a mobile device at described. An example method includes determining that audio of a voicemail includes a predetermined phrase and, in response to determining that the audio includes the predetermined phrase, audibly presenting the voicemail while the electronic device is set to at least one of a silent mode, a quiet mode, and a lock mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2014
    Publication date: May 1, 2014
    Applicant: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: JAMES ALLEN HYMEL, JEFFERY ERHARD LINDNER
  • Patent number: 8712381
    Abstract: A host service queues one or more data messages for delivery to a wireless mobile device, and attempts to authenticate whether a service session with the device is active. A session includes a saved login credential over a predetermined time period, where the credential was previously received and saved from a previous login. When the session is active, the host service sends the data message to the device via a wireless network. When the session is inactive, the host service sends a notification message to the router system over a previously-established connection. The notification message is subsequently forwarded by the router system to the device in the wireless network. After sending the notification message, the host service receives a new login credential from the device for activating a new service session, authenticates the new login credential, and activates the new service session for data message delivery.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: BlackBerry Limited
    Inventors: Ronald Scotte Zinn, Michael Thomas Hardy
  • Patent number: 8712384
    Abstract: Methods and systems for triggering the delivery of a message waiting indicator (MWI) are introduced. In a wireless communication network, a radio access network (RAN) determines that a wireless communication device (WCD), such as a mobile phone, has missed an incoming call, and responsively: (i) routes the incoming call to a message storage system to enable an originator of the call to leave a message for a user of the WCD, (ii) waits a period of time after routing the incoming call to the message storage system, and (iii) then generates and transmits a message waiting query to the message storage system without prompting from the WCD. In response to the message waiting query, the message storage system may transmit a signal indicative of the message to the RAN. Responsively, the RAN may then transmit to the WCD a message waiting indication (MWI) indicative of the message, for presentation of the MWI to the user of the WCD.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Anoop K. Goyal, Bhagwan Khanka, Hemanth Balaji Pawar, Shilpa Kowdley Srinivas
  • Patent number: 8712385
    Abstract: The exemplary live voicemail functionality offers a user of a mobile station the ability to listen to a voicemail message, as the message is being recorded in a voicemail platform. The mobile communication network serving the user directs an incoming call intended for the mobile station to the voicemail platform, which records the audio for the incoming message. The network infrastructure also duplicates the audio and directs the duplicate audio to the mobile station for monitoring of the incoming message by the user, as the platform is recording the voicemail message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: Cellco Partnership
    Inventor: David W. Young
  • Patent number: 8706091
    Abstract: A method in one embodiment includes storing a voicemail message in a mailbox of a recipient, the voicemail message being left by a sender, and then electronically receiving one or more attachments from the sender. The one or more attachments are stored as content associated with the voicemail message. Upon accessing the mailbox, the voicemail message and the one or more attachments are provided to the recipient. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 CFR 1.72(b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Randall B. Baird
  • Patent number: 8705708
    Abstract: Methods and systems to examine, in one embodiment, content of a voicemail to determine whether the voicemail is message-less. An indicator that indicates the voicemail is message-less can be presented in response to determining that the voicemail is message-less. A method in an embodiment can be performed on either a client system or on a voicemail server. In another embodiment, a method can determine whether a length of the content of a voicemail is less than a period of time and can display an indicator that the voicemail has either no content or is very short.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Patrick Piemonte
  • Patent number: 8706147
    Abstract: A method system and apparatus for enhancing digital voice call initiation between a first telephony device and a second telephony device is provided. Text data is associated with digital voice data conveyed between the first telephony device and the second telephony device, the associating occurring prior to initiating transmitting the digital voice data, the text data based on input data received via an input device associated with the first telephony device. The text data is transmitted to the second telephony device in conjunction with transmitting the digital voice data, the text data to be provided synchronously at the second telephony device with an announcement of the digital voice data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
    Inventors: Peter Francis Couse, Ron Wellard
  • Patent number: 8706096
    Abstract: In accordance with one configuration, a network communication manager identifies an expected duration of time to complete playback of the streaming content. Subsequent to receiving a do not disturb command, the network communication manager prevents visual notifications of future phone calls during the estimated duration of time to provide undisturbed playback of the streaming content on the display screen. Accordingly, embodiments herein support a do not disturb function in which a subscriber can prevent display of visual notifications such as phone call alerts (e.g., pop-up text messages) on the display screen during playback of the streaming content. The do not disturb functionality can be disabled in response to any suitable trigger such as that the subscriber has terminated playback of the streaming content, playback of the streaming content completed, etc.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Enterprises LLC
    Inventors: Matthew J. Cannon, Frank E. Figueroa, David G. Bell
  • Patent number: 8706092
    Abstract: Systems and methods for enabling users to listen to outgoing voice mail messages are provided. These systems and methods record an audio file corresponding to a voice message being left by a user during an outgoing telephone call to a recipient, link the audio file to contact information associated with the recipient, and provide the user access to the audio file through, for example, playback of the audio included in the file. These systems and methods may be implemented through individual communications devices, such as an iPhone, through a telephone communications provider, or a combination of the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Michael M. Lee
  • Patent number: 8705705
    Abstract: Tags, such as XML tags, are inserted into email to separate email content from signature blocks, privacy notices and confidentiality notices, and to separate original email messages from replies and replies from further replies. The tags are detected by a system that renders email as speech, such as voice command platform or network-based virtual assistant or message center. The system can render an original email message in one voice mode and the reply in a different voice mode. The tags can be inserted to identify a voice memo in which a user responds to a particular portion of an email message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventors: Balaji S. Thenthiruperai, Elizabeth Roche, Brian Landers, Jesse Kates
  • Patent number: 8706090
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for delivering voice mail messages to one or more intended recipients with an indication of the presence of the sender. A message recipient can automatically respond to a voice mail message using a desired form of communication. The presence server can provide presence information across domains so that a user in one domain can automatically obtain presence information and respond to a user in another domain. A client-side presence enabled voice mail application process (i) retrieves voice mail messages from a voice mail server of a user, (ii) queries a presence server to determine the presence of the sender of each retrieved message, and (iii) presents the retrieved voice mail message(s) to the recipient with an indication of the presence of the sender.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Avaya Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Boyer, Shabbir A. Khakoo, Latha Ravishankar, Prem Sumetpong
  • Patent number: 8699677
    Abstract: Methods, systems, computer readable media, and apparatuses for voice data transcription are provided. Packets that include voice data may be received and for each time that a threshold amount of voice data is received, a segment of voice data may be created and transcribed to text. A message that includes the transcribed text may then be transmitted to an intended recipient of the voice data, to allow the intended recipient to view the message prior to transcription of the remaining segments of the voice data. Additionally, subsequent to transmission of the message, another message may be transmitted that includes text transcribed from a different segment of the voice data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Comcast Cable Communications, LLC
    Inventors: Tong Zhou, Matthew Sirawsky
  • Patent number: 8693377
    Abstract: A computer implemented method and system is provided for exchanging voice messages between a sender and a recipient. A client component that allows the sender to create, address, and render the voice messages to the recipient using a graphical user interface is provided. A messaging server that enables interaction between the sender and the recipient is also provided. The sender records one or more voice messages and addresses the recorded voice messages on the client component by entering a recipient address or an arbitrary address. The client component transmits the recorded voice messages, the recipient address or the arbitrary address, and a client identifier to the messaging server. The messaging server resolves a recipient delivery address based on the arbitrary address. The messaging server transmits a delivery message comprising the recorded voice messages to the resolved recipient delivery address. The recipient responds to the recorded voice messages with response messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Inventor: Robert Joseph Hazy
  • Patent number: 8688075
    Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium comprising instructions for handling insufficient account balance of subscribers in a mobile communications network is disclosed. A request for communication is received from a mobile station. A determination is made as to whether a subscriber of the mobile station has an insufficient account balance. If the subscriber has an insufficient account balance, the request is withheld and the mobile station is notified by a short message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: West Corporation
    Inventors: Kuen-Yih Hwang, John Lawrence Snapp
  • Patent number: 8688082
    Abstract: Voicemail systems can include a memory and a processor. The memory can store data relating to users. An incoming communication can be handled by the voicemail system, forwarded to another voicemail system, provided with functionality based upon a user's preferences, and the like. The voicemail systems can include functionality to allow a user to consolidate voicemail messages and/or calls at one or more designated destinations, for example, a voicemail system and/or a mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: William Joseph Sigmund, Michael Robert Zubas, Brian Keith Rainer
  • Publication number: 20140087700
    Abstract: A network device receives a message that identifies a relationship between a first user device and a second user device, the relationship permitting status information of the first user device to be sent to the second user device when the first user device is communicating with a third user device. The network device receives the status information relating to a communication involving the first user device. The network device determines to send the status information to the second user device, based on the information identifying the relationship stored by the network device; and the network device sends the status information for presentation on the second user device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2012
    Publication date: March 27, 2014
    Applicant: VERIZON PATENT AND LICENSING INC.
    Inventors: Bhaskar R. GUDLAVENKATASIVA, Premanand SIVAKKOLUNDHU, George L. HUGHES
  • Patent number: 8682304
    Abstract: Voicemail is received at a voicemail server and converted to an audio file format; it is then sent or streamed over a wide area network to a voice to text transcription system comprising a network of computers. One of the networked computers plays back the voice message to an operator and the operator intelligently transcribes the actual message from the original voice message by entering the corresponding text message (actually a succinct version of the original voice message, not a verbose word-for-word conversion) into the computer to generate a transcribed text message. The transcribed text message is then sent to the wireless information device from the computer. Because human operators are used instead of machine transcription, voicemails are converted accurately, intelligently, appropriately and succinctly into text messages (SMS/MMS).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: Nuance Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Daniel Michael Doulton
  • Publication number: 20140080455
    Abstract: A media control profile is described herein. The media control profile provides a number of selectable pre-defined and/or user-defined settings to manipulate the functionality of a hybrid telecommunications and entertainment mobile device. Three basic modes of operation, namely a telecommunications-only device mode, an entertainment-only device mode, and a hybrid telecommunications and entertainment device mode are provided. Setting associated with one or more of these basic modes are combined to form a media control profile for the hybrid mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Richard Zaffino, Andrew T. Smoak
  • Patent number: 8676275
    Abstract: Ambient sound-based call functions include calculating, via a computer processor on a mobile communications device, a decibel level of ambient noise. In response to receiving an incoming call from a calling device, and prior to activating a ringtone on the mobile communications device, the ambient sound-based call functions include determining that the decibel level exceeds a threshold value, and sending an automated response to the calling device in lieu of connecting the call to the mobile communications device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Gaurav Chhaunker, John G. Musial, Sandeep R. Patil, Husein Shamshudin