| Entries |
| Document | Title | Date |
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| 20080198983 | Method And Apparatus For Management Of Electronic Greetings Using A Telecommunication Service - Method, apparatus, and computer readable medium for managing an electronic greeting in a telecommunication system are described. In some examples, a call is received via the telecommunication system. Descriptions of pre-recorded electronic content are played in the call. A selection of one or more items of the pre-recorded electronic content is received. An electronic greeting is formed from the one or more items of the pre-recorded electronic content. A selection of one or more intended recipients is received. The electronic greeting is scheduled to be sent towards the one or more intended recipients via the telecommunication system. | 08-21-2008 |
| 20080205605 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FORWARDING MESSAGES - A system and method for forwarding voice messages is presented. One embodiment of the system comprises a voice message recorder configured to record a voice message, and a call controller configured to attach the recorded voice message to an electronic message and forward the electronic message to a predetermined forwarding address. One embodiment of the method can be broadly summarized as receiving a voice message from a caller in response to a pre-recorded voice prompt, recording the received voice message, and preparing and delivering an electronic message with the voice message attached to the electronic message. | 08-28-2008 |
| 20080219418 | Inter-Switch Voicemail Analysis Tool - A method for analyzing ISVM signaling messages that includes copying, to a message file, messages being transmitted through a signaling link, extracting ISVM messages from the message file that meet at least one trouble criterion, storing the extracted messages in an error report file, and generating an error report from the error report file. The error report lists the extracted messages. Examples of the trouble criterion include messages referencing a designated directory number, messages reporting an error, messages having a signaling point code and a destination point code that are equal, query messages having no matching responses, and unit data service messages. | 09-11-2008 |
| 20080232561 | Advertising funded data access services - Techniques for using advertising to fund the use of client-side or network-side data access services by a user of a personal electronic device are discussed. Digital advertising content is associated with data items accessible via a particular data access service at a variety of processing locations, using a variety of techniques. An account having an account balance is used to record exchanges of consideration between the user and the data access service. When the user uses the personal electronic device to access data items via the data access service, the account balance is adjusted to reflect a consideration provided by the data access service. When the user consumes digital advertising content, the account balance is adjusted to reflect consideration provided by the user. In this manner, the account serves as a medium for the advertising source to fund the use of the data access service. | 09-25-2008 |
| 20080267368 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR VOICE MAIL NOTES - A novel method and apparatus for recording an audio note for a voice message stored on a messaging platform are disclosed. | 10-30-2008 |
| 20080292071 | Method and System for Non-Traditional Directory Assistance - A directory assistance service includes a database and an interface module. The database stores a set of audio advertisements, and the audio advertisements are priced based on a tiered pricing model. The interface module is in communication with the database and receives a directory assistance request from a caller, plays the caller one or more audio advertisements from the database, and charges an advertiser for playing the audio advertisements based on the tiered pricing model. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080298563 | System and method for pre-call messaging - A system and method for playing pre-call messages. User input is received to record a pre-call message for one or more intended recipients in anticipation of an incoming call from the one or more intended recipient. The pre-call message is associated with an identifier of the one or more intended recipients. The pre-call message is played to the one or more intended recipients during the ring back period in response to determining the incoming call is from the one or more intended recipients using the identifier. The pre-call message is deleted in response to determining the one or more intended recipients have received the entire pre-call message. | 12-04-2008 |
| 20090003552 | Personal message expiration - A method for eliminating expired personal messages routed over a telecommunications network includes: receiving a message from a message originator for an intended recipient; at least temporarily storing the message; determining when the message expires based upon an expiration parameter included with the message; and, deleting the stored message automatically after the message expires. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090003553 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - The present invention is directed to a method for consecutively rendering one or more conversations on a first communication device. The method includes defining a set of conversations to be consecutively rendered among the one or more conversations and defining a priority hierarchy for rendering the media associated with the defined set of conversations. During operation, media associated with the defined set of conversations is received at the first communication device over a network. In accordance with the method, the available media is continually sequenced into a sequence order at least partially based on the hierarchy priority. The one or more conversations are consecutively rendered by continually rendering the media in the sequence order. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090003554 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - A communication device configured to receive messages containing media over a communication network and to receive locally created messages containing media created using the communication device. The device also includes a time-shifting buffer to store in a time-based format the media contained in both the messages received over the communication network and the locally created messages. The time-shifting buffer enables on the communication device to either (i) render the media received over the network in a near real-time mode; or (ii) render both the media received over the network and the locally created media in a time-shifted mode by retrieving the stored media from the time-shifting buffer. The communication device also includes a message management system, which enables the communication device to transition the rendering of the media between the time-shifted mode and the near real-time mode without interrupting the ongoing storage of media of received messages into the time-shifting buffer. | 01-01-2009 |
| 20090016497 | NETWORK EDGE TELEPHONY DEVICE WITH AUDIO MESSAGE INSERTION - A network edge telephony device for local audio message insertion comprises a network interface for receiving data from and transmitting data to a network, and a user interface for receiving data from and transmitting data to a user, the data including data representing an audio signal, and processing means coupled to the network and user interfaces, the processing means comprising a mixer adapted to locally mix a call progress tone derived in dependence on an audio signal received from the network or user interfaces with a data stream representing a pre-recorded audio message. Also provided is user event processing means coupled to the user and network interfaces, which is adapted to detect feedback from the user and generate and transmit an event data signal to a remote server via the network interface. | 01-15-2009 |
| 20090034698 | SYSTEM FOR PROCESSING RECORDED MESSAGES - A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a network element operating in a communication system having a controller element to receive from an initiating party a message directed to a subscriber of the communication system, receive from the subscriber a request to present the message, identify the initiating party supplying the message, transmit the identity of the initiating party to a telephone number mapping (ENUM) system with a request for a communication ID of a presence system that monitors the initiating party, transmit to the presence system according to the communication ID a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) SUBSCRIBE message requesting presence information of the initiating party, and present the subscriber one or more options to communicate with the initiating party according to the presence information received in a SIP NOTIFY message supplied by the presence system. Additional embodiments are disclosed. | 02-05-2009 |
| 20090067593 | Method for Dynamically Assembling Voice Messages at a Wireless Communication Device - A wireless communication device has a call-answering module that answers incoming calls automatically before alerting a user. The wireless communication device also includes a calendar application that maintains scheduled event information for the user. Upon receiving an incoming call from a remote party, the call-answering module retrieves the scheduled event information from the calendar application to determine the user's status. Based on that scheduled event information, the call-answering module selects one or more prerecorded voice message segments stored in memory of the device, and assembles them to form a complete voice message for transmission to the remote party. | 03-12-2009 |
| 20090103693 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - An apparatus for enabling legacy communication devices to engage in conversations in either a near real-time or a time-shifted mode. The apparatus includes a gateway node having a first interface to enable the gateway node to receive conversation control information from a remote conversation management device and a second interface to couple the gateway node to a communication network. The communication network is configured to support a conversation between a first communication device and one or more other communication devices over the communication network. The gateway node further includes a message buffer configured to receive over the second interface media of the conversation and to store the media of the conversation as the media is received from the communication network. The gateway node also includes a conversation management element configured to receive the conversation control information from the remote conversation management device, and in response, manage the rendering of the conversation for the first communication device by controlling the timing of when the media is (i) retrieved from the message buffer and (ii) transmitted over the communication network to the first communication device. | 04-23-2009 |
| 20090110159 | MESSAGE DELIVERY USING A VOICE MAIL SYSTEM - Voicemail systems and methods can provide a user with means for receiving categorized messages from parties. The categories can be independent of the intended recipients of the messages, such that multiple users can receive the same message. A user can subscribe to receive categorized messages within selected categories or from selected parties. A registered party, including a merchant, an organization, a government agency and/or another party, can input messages to selected categories and can input distribution parameters for the messages. Expiration dates can be associated with the messages such that messages can be deleted once expired. | 04-30-2009 |
| 20090147933 | METHOD FOR EXPLOITATION OF LOCATION PROXIMITY TO DERIVE A LOCATION OF EMPLOYEES UTILIZING INSTANT MESSAGING - A method for exploitation of location proximity to derive a location of an employee in a corporation utilizing instant messaging or automatic telephone calls is provided. A search request for a location of an employee is received. A look up of coworkers of the employee in a corporate database is performed. A list of neighbors of the employee is extracted from the coworkers, and the list of neighbors of the employee is generated in accordance with the proximity of neighbors in the list of neighbors to a workspace of the employee. The list of neighbors is presented, in response to the search request. The list of neighbors is polled to locate the employee via instant messaging and/or automatic telephone calls. The location of the employee is received, in response to polling the list of neighbors. The neighbors are alerted that the employee has been located. | 06-11-2009 |
| 20090161840 | System and method for guest voicemail box - A system and method for establishing guest mailboxes. User input to partition a voicemail box of a user is received to create a guest voicemail box. The voicemail box is partitioned to create the guest voicemail box. An access number is established for the guest voicemail box. The guest voicemail box is removed based on an expiration. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090161841 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING MESSAGE-BASED COMMUNICATIONS VIA A CENTRALIZED VOICE MESSAGE SERVER - A system and method for providing message-based communications via a centralized voice message server is provided. A plurality of communication devices are interfaced over a data network. A session is initiated upon receipt of a sign-in request from one of the communication devices. An identity of a user associated with that communication device is verified. The user is assigned to at least one discussion group, which includes one or more other signed-in users each associated with an other communication device located at a location removed from the communication device. A voice message is received on a message server from the user. The voice message is encrypted for each of the other signed-in users using keys unique to the other communication devices associated with the other signed-in users. The encrypted voice message is provided from the message server to the other signed-in users. | 06-25-2009 |
| 20090238347 | COMPUTER READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM AND DATA PROCESSOR - A computer readable storage medium stores a computer-executable program for outputting a user interface to a computer. The computer includes a voice message output device for outputting a voice message, and the user interface being capable of consecutively informing a progress of a process executed by the computer and the progress is informed with the voice message through the voice message output device. The program causing the computer to execute the steps includes first determining whether or not the user interface consecutively informs an another progress of another process with a voice message at the computer upon start timing of informing a one progress of a specific process to be executed, first outputting to the computer a first user interface capable of consecutively informing the one progress of the specific process with a first voice message that includes a start message indicating a start of the specific process, an ongoing message indicating an ongoing of the specific process, and an end message indicating an end of the specific process, if the first determining step determines that the user interface does not consecutively inform the another progress of the another process with the voice message, and second outputting to the computer a second user interface capable of informing the one progress of the specific process with a second voice message that includes a start message and an end message while omitting the ongoing message, if the first determining step determines that the user interface consecutively informs the another progress of the another process with the voice message. | 09-24-2009 |
| 20090245485 | PUSH VOICEMAIL VIA "ALWAYS ON" - Solutions which address a growing and compelling need recognized in connection with rendering VOIP systems on laptops, or even on other mobile devices, even more versatile and user-friendly so as to even better replicate the advantages of cell phones. Broadly contemplated herein two modes of network access and two modes of user interface, which modes can be combined in any way as deemed suitable or appropriate. Preferably, a commonality between the contemplated network access and user interface modes is the use of a low-powered secondary processor, a secondary operating system, and non volatile storage applications which could be networking applications (e.g., an Always On subsystem). | 10-01-2009 |
| 20090274280 | RETRIEVAL OF DELETED VOICE MESSAGES IN VOICE MESSAGING SYSTEM - Apparatus and method to allow retrieval of voice messages deleted from the voice message memory of a voice messaging system. A voice messaging system such as a telephone answering device includes a deleted voice message memory for storing voice messages deleted from the voice message memory. The deleted voice messages stored in the deleted voice message memory are retrievable by the user for review subject to rules for permanent deletion of the deleted voice messages (e.g., after a period of time, when the deleted voice message memory approaches capacity, periodically, etc.) | 11-05-2009 |
| 20090285371 | Enhanced Call Return in a Communications Network - 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. The caller-specific information may include caller's name, caller's telephone number and the date/time the call was received from the caller. | 11-19-2009 |
| 20090316865 | Method for providing green service to a communication unit - The present invention provides a method for providing green service to a mobile unit. A mobile unit subscribes to a green service, which charges the mobile unit an additional fee. The fee goes into an account that is separate from the operational account of the service provider. Funds from this account are used to pay for investing in, installing, and using alternative energy sources. Upon receiving a call for a user of the green service, the service provider plays a message to the caller. The message includes information about the green service, such as the fact that the called party has subscribed to the service and may invite the caller to also subscribe to the green service. | 12-24-2009 |
| 20090323911 | Method And System For Telephone Message Management - A system for managing telephone messages played by a telephone includes an integrated telephone answering device configured to playback a plurality of outgoing messages. The system further includes a first memory section to store a default outgoing message and a second memory section to store one or more custom outgoing messages. The system further includes a handset operable to send outgoing messages for storage in the base unit and to send information related to outgoing messages for storage in a database of the base unit, the information including an outgoing message identifier associated with each outgoing message and a list of calling numbers associated with each outgoing message identifier. The system further includes a processor operable to receive an indication of a playback outgoing message request, to determine a calling party number associated with the outgoing message identifier, to retrieve an outgoing message identifier associated with the calling party number, and to send a signal to the integrated telephone answering device to playback an outgoing message associated with the outgoing message identifier. | 12-31-2009 |
| 20100046723 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING UNSOLICITED MESSAGING IN REAL TIME MESSAGING NETWORKS - A Voice over IP (VoIP) or Real Time Messaging (RTM) firewall device is claimed that protects VoIP or RTM network traffic by identifying and controlling the delivery of such network traffic that is unsolicited and undesired by the recipient (i.e. VoIP or RTM spam). The system involves applying a unique marking to RTM messages close to a point of message origination and then at a point close to message termination for the intended recipient examining a reputation store for information on the unique marking and using that information in conjunction with a set of policy rules to decide whether to pass, reject, pass on to an RTM store or otherwise filter the RTM message. The unique marking serves to identify a source characteristic of the message such as the message originator, a corporate affiliation for the originator, or a RTM network characteristic of the originator such as a transmission gateway. | 02-25-2010 |
| 20100074422 | SETTING SELECTED ANNOUNCEMENTS CONCERNING USERS OF COMMUNICATION EQUIPMENT INTO A MESSAGING SERVER OF A NETWORK OPERATOR - An announcement managing device for communication equipment includes a method recording means arranged for storing data within the communication equipment which is representative of successive actions carried out by a user for accessing the messaging server to record an announcement, and for storing timings between these successive actions, the data and the corresponding timings defining a method. The announcement managing device also includes a managing means which when triggered by a dedicated action, is operable for providing a list of titles respectively associated with recorded announcements on a display means of the communication equipment so that a user can select a title. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100080364 | SYSTEM FOR DETERMINING ACTIVE COPRESENCE OF USERS DURING INTERACTIONS - A system is described for determining the active copresence of users during interactions. The system may include a processor, a memory, and an interface. The memory may store a degree of active copresence. The interface may communicate with a user. The processor may identify a primary interaction of the user. The processor may determine whether the user engages in a secondary interaction while the user is engaged in the primary interaction. The processor may determine the degree of active copresence of the user during the primary interaction based on a quality score of the primary interaction and a quality score of the secondary interaction. The degree of active copresence may represent the level of engagement of the user during the primary interaction. The processor may provide the degree of active copresence to the user via the interface. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100080365 | OFFLINE VOICEMAIL - A method for accessing offline voicemail messages within a mobile messaging application may be provided. First, a voice mail message may be received and the voicemail message may be transcribed to text. Next, the voicemail message and the text transcription may be stored. The recipient may then be presented with a list of voicemail messages and the voicemail message may be retrieved in response to the recipient. The recipient may read or listen to the voicemail message or both. The recipient may also annotate the voicemail message. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100080366 | CALL PROCESSING BASED ON CALL PATTERNS AND OTHER CRITERIA - The patent application describes techniques for managing calls. In one embodiment, a computer-implemented method comprises detecting a call to a target phone; determining a source of the call; determining one or more patterns of talk time for calls between the source and the target phone, wherein the patterns indicate one or more call durations for the calls between the source and the target phone; determining an amount of talk time a battery in the target phone can sustain; determining that at least one of the call durations for the calls between the source and target phone is greater than the amount of talk time the battery in the target phone can sustain; and sending the call to a voice mail associated with the target phone. | 04-01-2010 |
| 20100098227 | Method and Apparatus for Voice Mail Notes - A novel method and apparatus for recording an audio note for a voice message stored on a messaging platform are disclosed. | 04-22-2010 |
| 20100128856 | Marking voice messages as heard - In response to receiving a voice message, a telephony service creates an e-mail message directed to the intended recipient of the voice message. The e-mail message includes the voice message as an attachment and an embedded image file. Once the e-mail message has been created, a mail system is utilized to transmit the e-mail message to the intended recipient of the voice message. An e-mail client application program may be used to retrieve the e-mail message and to view the message content. In order to render the message content, the e-mail client application program will transmit a request for the image file. In response to receiving the request for the image file, an indication is transmitted to the telephony service indicating that the intended recipient has heard the voice message. In response to receiving the indication, the telephony service marks the voice message as heard. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100128857 | CALL FORWARDING SYSTEM AND METHOD EMPLOYING VIRTUAL PHONE NUMBERS ASSOCIATED WITH LANDLINE AND OTHER DISCRETE TELEPHONE UNITS - A system and method for forwarding calls to virtual phone numbers, the virtual phone numbers associated with landline and other discrete telephone units. A user cellular telephone can receive the calls for the virtual phone numbers, based on preferences specified by the user for when and/or where particular calls are forwarded to the device. The user cellular telephone can be interconnected by a network to a system server that employs a forwarding application to forwards calls to the user cellular telephone when desired, in accordance with the preferences specified by the user. If the call is not one desired to be received by the user cellular telephone, the call can be forwarded to a voicemail database where a voicemail message may be stored, as a distinct voicemail for the virtual number dialed by the calling party. | 05-27-2010 |
| 20100142686 | HIGH AVAILABILITY AND OPERATIONS ARCHITECTURE FOR IVR APPLICATIONS - A method for managing voice response services in a call center for interactive voice response (IVR) applications that provides full IVR call capacity during the installation and testing of new IVR application software. The call center includes web application servers, a network dispatcher, IVR clusters, databases and a network switch, which are reconfigured during the installation and testing of new IVR application software so that full IVR call capacity is maintained at all times. The call center further includes the ability to uninstall newly installed IVR application software and restore the call center to the original IVR application software configuration without reducing the call center IVR call capacity. | 06-10-2010 |
| 20100150324 | Method and apparatus for managing voicemail in a communication session - A system, method and apparatus for managing voicemail in a communication session between a sending communication device and a receiving communication device are provided. It is determined at the receiving communication device that a voicemail is to be created. The voicemail based on content received via the sending communication device. The voicemail is recorded. The voicemail is caused to be stored at resources associated with the sending communication device. | 06-17-2010 |
| 20100158220 | CALENDAR-CALLBACK VOICEMAIL - Calendar-callback voicemail that provides proposed callback times is described herein. Calendar-callback voicemail includes a calendar callback service that access, among other things, calendar information and location information. The calendar callback service uses that information to provide a proposed callback time to the caller, which the caller may accept or reject. A recipient of the voicemail can access the calendar callback service to schedule times in which callback times are not to be proposed. Further, the calendar callback service may connect the caller and the recipient at the time of the proposed call. | 06-24-2010 |
| 20100183127 | METHODS, APPARATUS AND COMPUTER-READABLE MEDIA FOR PROVIDING A NETWORK-BASED CALL PARK FEATURE - A method, which comprises receiving an indication of an intent to communicate using a first communication client registered to a user account. A memory is then consulted in an attempt to identify a communication session previously established with a party that is a communication client registered to the user account, the communication session having been placed in a held state. If the attempt is successful, the first communication client is then engaged in the communication session. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100183128 | SYSTEM, METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MANAGING MESSAGES - A system, method and device for managing messages. A caller dialing a particular line has a message managing device operatively connected to the line, that records a copy of the message to be recorded on the line, such as on a conventional answering machine. The MMD includes ring detection circuitry to detect an incoming call. The copy of the message recorded on the line can be communicated to the appropriate user by correlating the incoming call data with a contact list or other preferences selected by a user. The user/recipient of the message can also be manually selected by the caller. The MMD can also implement a virtual phone application for creating a plurality of distinct, unique rings for one line, based upon the caller information. | 07-22-2010 |
| 20100189229 | Toggling Voicemail Class of Service | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100189230 | System and Method for Handling Multiple Call Redirections in a Voice Messaging System - A method for handling multiple call redirections in a voice messaging platform is provided that includes receiving a call at the voice messaging platform, wherein multiple, sequential redirecting numbers are associated with the call. The method also includes selecting a mailbox associated with a last number associated with the call when it is determined that the last number does not belong to a closed user group, and depositing a message in the selected mailbox. When the last number belongs to the closed user group, and if the closed user group does not allow individual call forwarding control, the method selects the mailbox based on a closed user group preference. An apparatus and a computer readable medium are provided. | 07-29-2010 |
| 20100195809 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS ADVERTISING - A telecommunications advertising means is disclosed. The telecommunication advertising means includes an advertisement database coupled to a processing means. The advertisement database stores subscriber specific or third party advertisements that are selectively associated with communications in a telecommunications network. The selective association is carried out by the processing means. In one embodiment, a router is coupled to the advertisement database. The router routes communications from source to destination within the telecommunications network. The router also routes advertisements that have been associated with the communications to the sources and destinations of the communications. A telecommunications system is also disclosed. The telecommunications system comprises a network subsystem, which includes a telecommunications advertising means. The telecommunications advertising means comprises an advertisement database and a processing means. | 08-05-2010 |
| 20100208874 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DELIVERING CONTENT TO A USER OF A TELEPHONY DEVICE - A system and method for utilizing information exchanged during an initiation phase (i.e., the “ringing” phase) of a conventional telephone connection request received from a telephony device, in order to identify and provide a user with content or enhanced services. In a convention telephone call the connection request includes information that identifies the user and/or telephony device that placed the phone call (the originating number) and the dialed phone number (the signaling number). The connection request is rejected and the call is terminated Prior to termination of the call the originating dumber and/or signaling number are extracted and used to identify a task that is desired by a user; content associated with the task is delivered to the user. | 08-19-2010 |
| 20100220843 | System and Method for Providing Audible Messages in Replacement of Telephone Tones - A computer implemented system and method for providing at least one audible message at a communication device in replacement of a pre-determined telephone tone. There is provided a tone detector interface for detecting the pre-determined telephone tone provided at the communication device; an audible messages database accessible to the tone detector interface and the communication device, the audible messages database storing the audible messages; and a tone replacement module in communication with the tone detector interface. The tone replacement module, in response to detecting the pre-determined telephone tone, may provide the audible message in replacement of the pre-determined telephone tone. | 09-02-2010 |
| 20100272247 | METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ENABLING A CALLING PARTY TO LEAVE A VOICE MESSAGE FOR A CALLED PARTY - A method for execution by a network entity to allow a calling party to leave a message for a called party, the calling party using a communication device to call the called party, the network entity being connected to the communication device via a communications network. The method may comprise: consulting at least one source of information in an attempt to obtain message destination information associated with the called party; if the attempt is successful, providing an opportunity for the calling party to leave a message for the called party; receiving a voice message provided by the calling party via the communication device; generating an electronic message representative of the voice message provided by the calling party; and causing transmission of the electronic message based on the message destination information. An apparatus for implementing the method is also provided. | 10-28-2010 |
| 20100278321 | PHONECASTING REFERRAL SYSTEMS AND METHODS - Incoming phone calls are answered with playback of an audio feed. A listener can enter a phone number or other identifier to refer a friend. A message recommending the phonecast is then sent to the friend, possibly including a link or some other form of a ‘click-to-call’ facilitation. In some embodiments, the message is a text message sent via the short-message service (SMS) system. Email or voice mail messages may alternatively be employed. The referral identifier is captured along with identifying information of the caller and any message the caller wishes to provide. The system generates recommendation messages based on the captured information. | 11-04-2010 |
| 20100290601 | Method for Characterizing System State Using Message Logs - A method that enables the run-time behavior of a system to be analyzed is disclosed. By analyzing the totality of the messages in the log or logs system behavior can be better understood. The illustrative embodiment of the present invention detects patterns in message logs, clusters similar messages, and determines system behavior based on the clustering of messages. | 11-18-2010 |
| 20100329435 | Prioritized Prompt Ordering and Call Processing In Interactive Voice Response Systems - A system and method for processing a call to a destination associated with multiple group members in a unified messaging system by determining a prioritized order of the group members for presentation to caller and receiving a selection from the caller. The order of the group members can be determined based on call histories, address books, and distribution lists of the calling party and the group members of the destination. A weighted score is computed for each group member, and the group members are sorted based on the weighted scores. The sorted list of group members is then presented to the calling party for selection. Based on the calling party's selection the unified messaging system can further process the call. | 12-30-2010 |
| 20110002451 | Intelligent Tagging for Multimedia Call Recording Purposes Using Continuous Metadata - A method of indexing recordings of contact center communication sessions is described. The method allows for a recording to be indexed with metadata reflecting a time-varying characteristic of one or more of the parties of the communications session, e.g. the mood of a caller, the current location of a caller. The indexing of recordings with such information allows for more granular search of recordings, in order to find particular call conditions. This can be useful from the point of view of education and training of new call center operatives, and for assessment of call center performance. | 01-06-2011 |
| 20110044437 | Method and System for Presenting Dynamic Commercial Content to Clients Interacting with a Voice Extensible Markup Language system - A system for selecting a voice dialog, which may be an advertisement or information message, from a pool of voice dialogs and for causing the selected voice dialog to be utilized by a voice application for presentation to a caller during an automated voice interactive session includes a voice-enabled interaction interface hosting the voice application; and, a sever monitoring the voice-enabled interaction interface for selecting the voice dialog and for serving at least identification and location of the dialog to be presented to the caller via the voice application. | 02-24-2011 |
| 20110051910 | Method and apparatus for Forwarding Voicemail - A method and apparatus for forwarding voicemail is provided. A voicemail server determines that voicemail data stored in a memory device has been classified as urgent, the voicemail data for forwarding to a recipient communication device. Availability data associated with the recipient communication device is processed to determine an availability of the recipient communication device. If the availability data is indicative that the recipient communication device is available for receiving calls, then the voicemail data is provided to the recipient communication device. | 03-03-2011 |
| 20110064207 | System for Advertisement Selection, Placement and Delivery - An advertisement delivery system for publishing a voice-enabled advertisement chosen among multiple voice-enabled advertisements to a specific voice application version chosen among multiple voice application versions available to the system has a telephony interface for enabling voice interactive access to at least one running version of the chosen voice application; and a matching service application for determining selection of the advertisement, the voice application version to host the advertisement, and at least one advertisement position in the voice application version for presenting the advertisement. | 03-17-2011 |
| 20110085646 | Call Handling Treatment for Voicemail Systems - A voicemail system ( | 04-14-2011 |
| 20110123006 | Method and Apparatus for Development, Deployment, and Maintenance of a Voice Software Application for Distribution to One or More Consumers - A system for developing, deploying and maintaining a voice application over a communications network to one or more recipients has a voice application server connected to a data network for storing and serving voice applications, a network communications server connected to the data network and to the communications network for routing the voice applications to their intended recipients, a computer station connected to the data network having control access to at least the voice application server, and a software application running on the computer station for creating applications and managing their states. The system is characterized in that a developer operating the software application from the computer station creates voice applications through object modeling and linking, stores them for deployment in the application server, and manages deployment and state of deployed applications including scheduled deployment and repeat deployments in terms of intended recipients. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110150193 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MONETIZING TELEPHONE CALLS TO DISCONNECTED BUSINESS LISTINGS - A method includes developing a call profile for a call that has been identified for intercept treatment, the call comprising a call from a caller to a disconnected listing. The developing comprises accessing one or more listing characteristics for the disconnected listing independently of the caller. The method further includes selecting a targeted advertisement for the caller based at least in part on the call profile. Additionally, the method includes reporting to the caller regarding the disconnected listing, the reporting comprising presenting the targeted advertisement to the caller. | 06-23-2011 |
| 20110176665 | METHOD, SYSTEM, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT FOR CONTACTING INTENDED CUSTOMERS - A method, system, and apparatus are used to contact an intended customer. In one embodiment, one or more notification details associated with an intended customer are received. The notification details may include at least a phone number and a name of the intended customer. Subsequently, a phone call to the intended customer is originated. One or more audio messages are played to a recipient of the phone call. Subsequently, one or more inputs from the recipient are received. Whether the recipient is the intended customer is determined based on the inputs provided. In one embodiment, the phone call is routed to an agent or an automated system if the recipient is the intended customer. In another embodiment, if the recipient is not the intended customer, the recipient may be prompted to provide availability information of the intended customer. | 07-21-2011 |
| 20110235787 | AUTOPLAY OF STATUS IN TELECONFERENCE VIA EMAIL SYSTEMS - A computer-implemented method for auto play of a status in a telephone conference is provided. The method includes receiving, at an e-mail server, a status message of a party to a telephone conference, and determining from the status message whether the party will be able to attend the telephone conference. When it is determined that the party cannot attend the telephone conference, the method further includes forwarding the status message to a voice box for conversion of the status message into audio that is saved in an audio file. The method may also include notifying a teleconference bridge that the party associated with the status message will not be able to attend the telephone conference. The teleconference bridge creates an entry in a repository indicating that the party will need a voice proxy from the audio file, and, during the telephone conference, the status of the party is provided to other parties to the telephone conference by playing the audio file. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110235788 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR EFFICIENT USE OF ADDRESS RESOURCES WITHIN AN AUTOMATED COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM - Embodiments of the present invention are directed to automated systems for organizing and facilitating information exchange between members of an organization. Automated systems that represent embodiments of the present invention allow for creation and administration of hierarchical groupings of members of the organization to facilitate efficient dissemination of information among members of groups. Embodiments of the present invention provide for automated and intelligent routing of information and communications among many different types of communications media and devices through which members of the organization can distribute and exchange information with one another. Embodiments of the present invention additionally provide for sophisticated logging, tracking, and monitoring of information distribution and management within the organization. | 09-29-2011 |
| 20110261935 | System for Managing Voice Files of a Voice Prompt Server - A software interface is provided for managing audio resources used in one or more voice applications. The software interface includes a first portion thereof for mapping the audio resources from storage to use-case positions in the one or more voice applications, a portion thereof for accessing the audio resources according to the mapping information and for performing modifications there of, a portion thereof for creating new audio resources; and a portion thereof for replication of modifications across distributed facilities. I a preferred application a developer can modify or replace existing audio resources and replicate links to the application code of the applications that use them. | 10-27-2011 |
| 20110274256 | VOICEMAIL MODULE - A voicemail module is described, which module is intended to be incorporated into a voicemail system of one or more end users. The voicemail module includes a plurality of settings, some of which may be provided by the developer and some of which may be provided by the end user. For at least some of the settings that are provided by the developer, a flag or some other mechanism is provided for indicating whether the developer allows the end user to modify the setting. Thus, a flexible voicemail module is provided that enables the developer of the module to retain control of the aspects of the module that can be configured by the end user. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20120069976 | Multi-Mode IVR - Included are embodiments of systems and methods for providing information. At least one embodiment of such a method includes facilitating establishment of a communication between a user on a communications device and an interface server, the interface server being configured to provide data related to an information tree to the user, the information tree being configured with a plurality of options. Some embodiments include facilitating navigation of a user through the information tree and receiving a first version of a marker from the user, the marker being configured to mark at least one position in the information tree. Still some embodiments include associating the received first version of the marker with a position in the information tree. | 03-22-2012 |
| 20120076281 | Message Forwarding Based On Sender And Recipient Relationship - Techniques for message forwarding based on a relationship between a sender and a recipient are described herein. In one embodiment, a process includes, but is not limited to, in response to a message from a sender over a network, identifying a list of candidate recipients to handle the message based on roles of the candidate recipients within an organization in view of the sender, and forwarding the message to a recipient selected from the list of the candidate recipient to enable the selected recipient to handle the message. Other methods and apparatuses are also described. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120076282 | TELEPHONE NOTIFICATION METHOD AND SYSTEM, SIGNALING MONITORING UNIT AND SERVER - A telephone notification method and system, a signaling monitoring unit and a server are disclosed. The telephone notification method comprises that: acquiring a hang-up signal of a target user terminal from a signaling network and then sending a notification message to a server; and after receiving the notification message, the server calls the target user terminal when determining there is a telephone notification task for the target user terminal. According to the embodiments of the present invention, a server can timely initiate a telephone notification for the target user, and the success rate of the telephone notification can be increased. | 03-29-2012 |
| 20120087483 | Retrievable Outgoing Audio Messaging - The present invention relates generally to retaining outgoing audio messages between two voice communicating devices. In particular, the present invention relates to a system and method for using an external device that monitors all outgoing communication from a voice communicating device and stores such voice data with associate information for future retrieval. A system and method is disclosed that uses a device on the sender's side or on a remote system offered through the voice data network to monitor and record voice mails simultaneously with the receiver's side voice mail device. The recorded mail is available for access from any voice data device and also through electronic mail. | 04-12-2012 |
| 20120093302 | Dynamic Load Balancing Between Multiple Locations With Different Telephony System - A method includes receiving a call from a primary interactive voice response (IVR) system at a load-balancing IVR system. The primary IVR system routes a first percentage of calls to routing logic and a second percentage of calls to the load-balancing IVR system. A telephony system is selected from among a plurality of telephony systems based on agent availability data associated with call center sites of the plurality of telephony systems. The method includes routing the call to a routing protocol component of the routing logic, where the routing protocol component routes the call to a call center of the selected telephony system. | 04-19-2012 |
| 20120128137 | METHOD FOR PLAYING A SEQUENCE OF ADVERTISEMENTS AS WAITING MESSAGE, AND CALL CENTRE SYSTEM - A method for playing a sequence of advertisements as a waiting message of at least one private automatic branch exchange (“PABX”) is disclosed. A template sequence message may be created at the advertisement management server. The template sequence message may comprise a plurality of successive slots, each slot being able to receive an advertisement. The template sequence message and the advertisements may be sent to the PABX. For each incoming call received by the PABX and placed on hold by the PABX, the advertisements may be organized in a random order so as to allocate to each advertisement a rank, the successive advertisements may be inserted respectively in the successive slots of the template sequence message according to rank, and the completed template sequence message in which the advertisements have been inserted may be played by an audio player software of the PABX while the incoming call is on hold. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120134481 | Retrieval of Deleted Voice Messages in Voice Messaging System - Apparatus and method to allow retrieval of voice messages deleted from the voice message memory of a voice messaging system. A voice messaging system such as a telephone answering device includes a deleted voice message memory for storing voice messages deleted from the voice message memory. The deleted voice messages stored in the deleted voice message memory are retrievable by the user for review subject to rules for permanent deletion of the deleted voice messages (e.g., after a period of time, when the deleted voice message memory approaches capacity, periodically, etc.) | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120134482 | Methods, Systems, and Products for Responding to Communications - Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for responding to a communication. The communication is received from a sender's address and is destined for a recipient's address. An audible message associated with the sender's address is retrieved. The audible message is sent to a server that stores messages associated with the sender. | 05-31-2012 |
| 20120148036 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR HANDLING CALLS ASSOCIATED WITH AN INTERACTIVE VOICE RESPONSE APPLICATION - A method for processing a call is provided. The method includes receiving an inbound call leg via a network device. The inbound call leg is processed using an interactive voice response (IVR) device, and an outbound call leg is generated based on processing the inbound call leg. The outbound call leg is made available to the network device. The inbound call leg and the outbound call leg are handed off from the IVR device to the network device. | 06-14-2012 |
| 20120163568 | CONFERENCE ASSISTANCE SYSTEM AND METHOD - A conference manager detects that a communication has been initiated between a communication device and conferencing system. A user of the conferencing system is identified. For example, the user can be identified by using the caller ID of the person who initiated the communication. In response to identifying the user of the conferencing system, the conference manager gets a list of conferences in which the user is scheduled to participate. The list can include one or more conferences. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120163569 | User Status Management in a Voice Calling Architecture - A mechanism for indicating a specific response message to be played to a caller is provided. A call that comprises an identification of a caller is received in a recipient device. If the recipient device is operating in the phone management mode, a recipient notification of the call is blocked on the recipient device. If the caller is identified as a known caller based on the identification of the caller, a caller specific response message is sent to the known caller. The caller specific response message is at least one of an interactive or a non-interactive caller specific response message. The interactive response message includes a code with which to respond. If the response message is the interactive response message and the caller enters the code associated with the interactive response message, then the recipient notification of the call is activated on the recipient device. | 06-28-2012 |
| 20120170724 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR DELIVERING MESSAGES - A method and apparatus for delivering a message. A plurality of audio messages destined for a recipient is received from a corresponding plurality of senders. Each of the plurality of audio messages includes a corresponding first sender designated priority designated by the corresponding sender. Member configuration data that identifies a first recipient prioritization attribute is accessed. A prioritized list of the plurality of audio messages is generated based on both the corresponding first sender designated priority and the first recipient prioritization attribute associated with the each of the plurality of audio messages. A subset of the plurality of audio messages is provided to a client device associated with the recipient based on the prioritized list. | 07-05-2012 |
| 20120201364 | METHOD FOR MINIMIZING MESSAGE COLLISION IN A DEVICE - A method for minimizing message collision in a device is presented. Two or more overlapping real-time streaming simplex audio messages are received. One of the audio messages is forwarded to be reproduced while the other is stored. Forwarding of the delayed audio message is delayed such that overlapping reproduction of the audio messages is minimized. Reproduction is delayed until a predetermined clock time expires or is dependent on one or more of: the length of the second audio message or the amount of overlap of the first and second audio messages. | 08-09-2012 |
| 20120207289 | METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR RECORDING TELEPHONE CONVERSATIONS PLACED ON HOLD - A system and method for recording telephone conversations which have been placed on hold is provided. After a telephone conversation has been placed on hold, assuming that the conversation was being recorded, the call is designated to be in the background. Once a processor senses that a background call exists, a check is performed to determine if there is a downlink connection for this call. If there is, a new communication channel is opened so that the background call can be recorded and then appended to the original recording. | 08-16-2012 |
| 20120275581 | Stateful Home Phone Service - This application describes a system and associated method for routing messages, such as phone calls. The destination of incoming calls may be determined based on a variety of factors, such as the state of the callee's security system, the date and time, the identity of the caller, and the number of recent call attempts by the caller. Potential destinations include all or a subset of the phones associated with a subscriber and outside phones, such as cellular phones operated by third parties. The rules used to route calls may be defined or modified via a web interface. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120275582 | System And Method For Transmitting Voice Messages Via A Centralized Voice Message Server - A system and method for transmitting voice messages via a centralized voice message server is provided. A plurality of communication devices are interfaced over a data network, and each communication device is associated with a user. At least one of the users is associated with a plurality of discussion groups. The user is identified as signed-in to two or more of the discussion groups. At least one of the two or more discussion groups to which the user is signed-in is identified as active. A voice message is received on a voice message server from the user. The voice message is transmitted to all members signed-in to the active discussion group from the voice message server. The voice message server further transmits voice messages to the user from members signed-in to the discussion groups to which the user is signed-in. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120275583 | TELECOMMUNICATION AND MULTIMEDIA MANAGEMENT METHOD AND APPARATUS - A telecommunication and multimedia management apparatus and method that supports voice and other media communications and that enables users to: (i) participate in multiple conversation modes, including live phone calls, conference calls, instant voice messaging or tactical communications; (ii) review the messages of conversations in either a live mode or a time-shifted mode and to seamlessly transition back and forth between the two modes; (iii) participate in multiple conversations either concurrently or simultaneously; (iv) archive the messages of conversations for later review or processing; and (v) persistently store media either created or received on the communication devices of users. The latter feature enables users to generate or review media when either disconnected from the network or network conditions are poor and to optimize the delivery of media over the network based on network conditions and the intention of the users participating in conversations. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120275584 | SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR PROVIDING SELECTABLE OPTIONS TO A CALLING PARTY ON-HOLD - A method for handling an on-hold communication includes receiving an incoming communication from an initiating party directed to a communication destination address assigned to a receiving party. When the incoming communication is placed on-hold, the initiating party is provided a menu of selectable options including an option to obtain information particular to a physical geographic location identified during the incoming communication. The on-hold initiating party selects the option to obtain the information particular to the physical geographic location, and the information particular to the physical geographical location is provided while the incoming communication is on-hold. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120281821 | System and Methods for Enhanced Multimedia in VoIP Networks - Calls placed to a call recipient bypass the terminating messaging system, creating an enhanced message in the call originator's messaging system and delivering the enhanced message using alternate routing information. A caller creates enhanced messages for a call recipient even when the call recipient's messaging system does not support such functionality. The caller also embeds stored content and/or use links in the enhanced messages to allow the message to be modified and/or deleted before it is accessed by the call recipient. | 11-08-2012 |
| 20120288072 | Automatic Message Management Utilizing Speech Analytics - Embodiments are provided for utilizing speech analytics for automatically managing messages in a communications network. A message from a calling party to an unavailable called party is recorded in a messaging management module. The messaging management module automatically identifies a category for assigning to the content of the message based on information associated with the unavailable called party or a calling party and associates a language model with the message content based on the category. An analysis module utilizes the language model to identify grammar making up the message content. The messaging management module automatically performs a messaging management function on the message content based on a set of rules. The messaging management function may include automatically determining a priority for the message (enabling the message to be retrieved out of order) or automatically triggering an action in response to the message which is directed to the unavailable called party. | 11-15-2012 |
| 20120288073 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A VISUAL INDICATOR ON A COMMUNICATION DEVICE - Embodiments of the disclosed invention include an apparatus, method, and computer program product for providing a larger display area for viewing pictures and/or videos on a communication device. For example, in one embodiment, a communication device is disclosed comprising a plurality of display components for displaying an image that covers a plurality of sides of the communication device. In certain embodiments, a user first image is displayed in response to receiving an incoming call for providing a visible indicator for alerting the user of an incoming call. | 11-15-2012 |
| 20120307985 | Method and Apparatus for Connecting a Caller Previously Diverted to Voicemail - Disclosed is a method and apparatus for enabling communication between a first party and a second party. The method and apparatus determine that the second party is calling the first party while the first party is leaving a message on the voicemail of the second party. The message is then aborted and the first party is connected to the second party. | 12-06-2012 |
| 20120321056 | On-Hold Message System - A programmable in-the-skin or intelligently connected message on hold delivery system is disclosed which comprises a message storage system and a processor for generating prompts which are transmitted to a control device. The prompts are received at the control device and allow an operator to select from a number of options in order to select, among other things, certain ones of the messages stored on said message storage system for playback, as well as the sequence in which said messages are to be played back. The message playback devices are each provided with one or more libraries of messages, and comprise at least one or more audio and/or visual advertising messages. Said system enables the user to start a pre-recorded audio or visual message at the beginning each time a caller is placed on hold in the telephone system. | 12-20-2012 |
| 20120328088 | Targeted On-Hold Messaging System and Method Thereof - A method for providing on-hold messaging, wherein the method receives a telephone call placed by a caller to a target, generates caller information, selects a first message based on that caller information, and recites the first message prior to the target answering the telephone call. | 12-27-2012 |
| 20130022182 | INTEGRATED, INTERACTIVE TELEPHONE AND COMPUTER NETWORK COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM - A method comprising the steps of: receiving via internet a time, a date and a telephone number for a reminder telephone call (such as a wakeup call); storing in a database the time, date and telephone number of the reminder telephone call; and delivering to the subscriber via telephone the reminder telephone call at the specified time, date and telephone number. In one embodiment, the reminder call comprises a marketing message. In another embodiment, the method further comprises the steps of: receiving via the internet demographic information corresponding to the subscriber; matching the marketing message to the demographic information; and delivering the matched marketing message to the subscriber during the reminder telephone call. In other embodiments, the method further comprises the steps of receiving via the internet a personal reminder message or a selection for information, and delivering the personal reminder message or selected information during the reminder telephone call. | 01-24-2013 |
| 20130034216 | System and Method for Handling Multiple Call Redirections in a Voice Messaging System - A method for handling multiple call redirections in a voice messaging platform is provided that includes receiving a call at the voice messaging platform, wherein multiple, sequential redirecting numbers are associated with the call. The method also includes selecting a mailbox associated with a last number associated with the call when it is determined that the last number does not belong to a closed user group, and depositing a message in the selected mailbox. When the last number belongs to the closed user group, and if the closed user group does not allow individual call forwarding control, the method selects the mailbox based on a closed user group preference. An apparatus and a computer readable medium are provided. | 02-07-2013 |
| 20130077773 | Secure Processing of Confidential Information on a Network - A system, method, and apparatus for processing confidential information. In one embodiment, the method includes: receiving confidential information on an incoming line coupled to the call center server; intercepting a DTMF tone portion of the confidential information at an encoder located between the incoming line and an agent at the remote client; and processing the DTMF tone at approximately the same time for two separate data paths, wherein a first path contains encoded confidential information for a call server, and a second path contains no confidential information for the agent. | 03-28-2013 |
| 20130083907 | Method and Device for Consulting a Voice Message - A method for consulting a voice message received and a method for providing a compounded voice message. The compounded voice message is composed of at least one first and one second voice component and is associated with a group of items of information relating to the voice components. The method for consultation includes reading at least one voice component of the voice message, detecting at least one user interaction concomitant upon the reading of the at least one voice component, sending at least one signal relating to the interaction detected, and receiving a command of an action to be performed relating to a voice component read from the voice message and to at least one item of information of the group of items of information associated with the voice message. Also provided is a device implementing the method for consulting a compounded voice message. | 04-04-2013 |
| 20130156170 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SERVICING A CALL - A call from a caller to an interactive voice response (IVR) system may be serviced based on behavior by the caller in one or more prior calls to the IVR system. The call may be serviced by predicting information to be used in servicing the call. Predicting such information may include analyzing data reflecting behavior by the caller in one or more prior calls to the IVR system. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130156171 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SERVICING A CALL - A call from a caller to an interactive voice response (IVR) system may be serviced based on behavior by the caller in one or more prior calls to the IVR system. The call may be serviced by predicting information to be used in servicing the call. Predicting such information may include analyzing data reflecting behavior by the caller in one or more prior calls to the IVR system. | 06-20-2013 |
| 20130177144 | Global Tree Rules For an Interactive Voice Response System - Methods, computer readable media, and apparatuses for managing calls in an interactive voice response system are presented. According to one or more aspects, a call from a user or customer is received by an interactive voice response system. The interactive voice response system retrieves user information based on user credentials. An interactive voice response program analyzes the user information and determines a first business rule to retrieve. A decision tree application retrieves the first business rule and analyzes the information within the first business rule. The decision tree application may retrieve one or more additional business rules based on a decision from the first business rule. The decision tree application makes a decision based on the information within the business rules and sends the decision to the interactive voice response application. Based on the decision, the interactive voice response application manages the call in the interactive voice response system. | 07-11-2013 |
| 20130251123 | Selecting A Voice Mailbox For A Call Associated With A Diversion Chain - A selection identifying a voice mailbox associated with an endpoint in a call diversion chain in which to store a voice message is received. In response to receiving a call from an endpoint and the call not being answered, a header field is generated in signaling data for the call that identifies the selected voice mailbox to store a voice message associated with the call. | 09-26-2013 |
| 20130279668 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THE AUTOMATIC DISTRIBUTION OF INMATE PHONE RECORDINGS - A method of automatically distributing phone call recordings to interested parties generally includes associating one or more forwarding criteria with each of one or more interested parties, establishing a phone call from a calling party to a destination number through an institutional phone system, recording the phone call, and, if the phone call satisfies one or more forwarding criteria associated with one or more interested parties, automatically distributing the recording of the phone call to the at least one interested party associated with the satisfied one or more forwarding criteria. Distribution may be by e-mail, by uploading the recording to a website that interested parties (and preferably only interested parties) can access, by queuing the recordings for export to physical media, and/or through a voice mail system. Calls may be selected for distribution based on the caller, the called party, conversation content, call time, or any other suitable criteria. | 10-24-2013 |
| 20130329870 | DATA COMMUNICATION - A telephony user device capable of establishing a communications session for communication of data in a data communications network, the telephony user device including a processing system configured to provide a reconfigurable graphical user interface, establish a telephone call with a voicemail system, establish a separate communications session, separate from the telephone call, for the transfer of data to/from the telephony user device, on the basis of one or more call party details associated with the telephone call, and reconfigure at least a part of the graphical user interface in accordance with configuration data received via the separate communication session, the configuration data relating to and/or being derived from the voicemail system. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20140003589 | PROVIDING AUDIO ANNOUNCEMENT TO CALLED PARTIES | 01-02-2014 |
| 20140029736 | Telecommunications System and Method - A telecommunications system includes switching circuitry for coupling a call to a extension coupled to the system, voice processing circuitry for automatically interacting with the call, a microprocessor, a first data bus connected, between the microprocessor and the switching circuitry, and a second data bus connected between the microprocessor and the voice processing circuitry. In the telecommunications system, a method includes coupling, with the switching circuitry, a call to a telecommunications extension coupled to the system, and the voice processing circuitry automatically interacting with the call when the telecommunications extension does not answer the call. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140029737 | Conserving Call Logic During Handoff - Conserving call logic during handoff may be provided. First, a call may be received at a first server. Next, the first server may determine that it cannot handle the call. Then the call may be transferred by the first server to a second server with enough information so that the second server can take up the call where the first server left off. Transferring the call to the second server with enough information so that the second server can take the call up where the first server left off may comprise placing the information in a REFERRED-BY header and sending the REFERRED-BY header to the second server. | 01-30-2014 |
| 20140270120 | Preconfigured Sender Communication - Methods and systems are described for allowing a calling party to provide a provisional message for a called party. In one aspect, when the calling party places a call to the called party and does not receive an answer, the calling party may choose to have the provisional message delivered. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140301538 | SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HIGHLY ASSURED DELIVERY OF AN IMPORTANT SEGMENT OF AN AUTOMATED CALL - System and method to administer an outbound automated call from a call center, including: starting playback of an automated message during a call from a caller to a callee, wherein the message comprises a first portion having a first level of importance and a second portion having a second level of importance, wherein the second level of importance is greater than the first level of importance; detecting that the caller has disconnected the call; stopping playback of the message; and determining whether the second portion of the message has been played. Embodiments may further include rescheduling the call if the second portion of the message has not been played. | 10-09-2014 |
| 20140328474 | System and Method for Automatically Transcribing Voicemail - Disclosed herein are systems, computer-implemented methods, and tangible computer-readable media for automatically transcribing voicemail. The method includes receiving a plurality of voicemail messages from callers, identifying for each voicemail message in the plurality of voicemail messages a first frequency with which the respective caller leaves voicemails, identifying for each voicemail message in the plurality of voicemail messages a second frequency with which a user requests transcription of each voicemail, assigning a priority ranking to each voicemail message in the plurality of voicemail messages based on the respective first frequency and the respective second frequency, and transcribing untranscribed voicemail messages with a highest priority ranking The method can include establishing a priority ranking threshold and repeatedly transcribing a next highest ranking untranscribed voicemail message until no further untranscribed voicemail messages remain above the priority ranking threshold. | 11-06-2014 |
| 20160044177 | AUTOMATIC PERSONALIZED OUTGOING MESSAGE DELIVERY RESPONSIVE TO UNANSWERED INCOMING AUDIO / VIDEO CALL - A system and a process for automatically providing an outgoing message in response to an unanswered incoming call are disclosed. The process includes providing one or more of an outgoing video message, an outgoing audio message, and an outgoing audio-visual message. In some embodiments, the process includes providing a personalized message in response to an unanswered incoming call. In some embodiments, a personalized message is based on at least one of a group profile and an individual profile. The process provides a personalized outgoing group message when a caller of an unanswered incoming call is associated with a particular group profile. The process provides a personalized outgoing individual message when a caller of an unanswered incoming call is associated with a particular individual profile. | 02-11-2016 |
| 20160119474 | Dynamically Changing IVR Trees - Methods, systems, and products dynamically change an interactive response system. Responses to a menu of prompts are monitored. A presentation order of the menu of prompts is automatically updated according to a set of rules. The set of rules describe qualifications for membership in a tier. | 04-28-2016 |
| 20180027119 | Automatic Message Management Utilizing Speech Analytics | 01-25-2018 |
