Bce Inc.

Newstep Networks Inc.

Revd Networks, Inc.

Bell Canada

David Edward Johnston

L Lloyd Williams

Alexander Markman

David William Clark

Sean MacLean Murray

William Barry Crago

William B Crago

Gregory A Lam

Methods, apparatus and computer-readable media for registering and retrieving contact information associated with a potential calling party. The registration method comprises receiving an originating address associated with the potential calling party, receiving contact information associated with the potential calling party and storing the originating address associated with the potential calling party in an originating address field of a record associated with the potential calling party and storing the contact information associated with the potential calling party in a contact information field of the record associated with the potential calling party. This increases the variety of contact information that can be left by the potential calling party, contributes to a greater efficiency with which the eventual called party may retrieve contact information associated with a voice mail message and also accelerates the process by which an actual calling party can leave contact information for the called party.

Systems and methods for registration and retrieval of voice mail contact information

A method for execution by an owner of a mailbox in a voice mail system. The method comprises using an access device to access a voicemail message contained in the mailbox and entering a command instrumental in causing the voicemail message to be forwarded over a telephone network to a conversion entity. At the conversion entity, an electronic representation of the voicemail message is created and then the electronic representation of the voicemail message is rendered accessible to the owner of the mailbox, e.g., by sending an email message to a predetermined address. In this way, electronic representations of voicemail messages in a mailbox can be accessed by the owner of the mailbox using a device of choice, not necessarily the access device used initially to enter the command. Also, this functionality is achieved while allowing the voice mail system to remain a legacy voice mail system.

Methods and systems for rendering voice mail messages amenable to electronic processing by mailbox owners

A method and apparatus for efficiently utilizing resources in a switched telephone network by providing call treatment at the closest available resource to the calling party preventing holding up network connection through to the terminating location if resources are not available at call termination equipment to handle a call. The selected calls are locally parked pending the availability of service termination resources to handle the call. The availability of service resources at the termination is determined before a selected call is extended through the network. Advantageously while the call is parked call treatment discrimination can be performed.

Method and apparatus for providing local call treatment discrimination for selected calls on a switched telephone network

A method and system for correlating information retrieved from a data network, with a telephone call initiated by an initial address message (IAM) at a multi-line facility, such as a call center or a voice access server (VAS), hinges on extracting an identifier string inserted into the user-user-interface field of the IAM, and accompanying the information. The information is used to perform an enhanced service feature which may include aiding the selection of an internal line at call center's call distributor, or the selection and customization of delivery of a service feature, at a VAS. The information may also be displayed at a display terminal associated with a call center agent handling the call.

Method and system for correlating telephone calls with information delivery

A system and method provide a call service features in response to call control information conveyed by a monitored bearer channel in a telecommunications network. A bearer channel monitor captures the call control information and relays the information to a call control application server. The call control application server analyzes the call control information, and provides call control instructions to a call control node that operates in the telecommunications network to effect the call service. The call control node serves as one or more virtual switching points in the network to directly control call routing without disconnecting a called or calling party, unless required as part of a service feature. Control from a center of the telecommunications network provides rapid and efficient call control without use of edge devices or duplication of bearer channels in the network.

Method and apparatus for effecting telecommunications service features using call control information extracted from a bearer channel in a telecommunications network

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Whitby, Canada

David Edward Johnston