Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.

Verizon Services Corporation

Frank C Cheston, Iii

Robert D Farris

James E Curry

Patricia V Hatton

A unified message platform system integrates voice recognition and dialing capabilities with directory systems, including automated telephone directory systems and private database directory systems, to enable a user to access stored directory information related to an intended recipient of a message. The unified message platform system prompts the user to speak the name of the party intended as the recipient of a message, and the type of address information to be accessed, for example fax number, e-mail address, home address, etc. The unified message platform system analyzes the input speech information, determines the appropriate database to be accessed, and accesses either local directory databases, or remote directory databases via a local area or wide area packet switched network. For remote directory databases such as private corporate directory databases, the unified message platform system also interacts with the remote directory databases to ensure compliance with any security protocols of the remote directory databases. The unified message platform, upon obtaining the requested information, either announces the information in an audible format, or uses the requested information, for example to place a call to the station corresponding to the requested information.

System for obtaining forwarding information for electronic system using speech recognition

A voice mail system today offers a user the option to forward a message that he or she has reviewed, alone or along with a message recorded by the user. However, to forward the message, the voice mail system needs to receive the telephone number of the party intended as the recipient of the forwarded message. To eliminate the need for manual output of the destination telephone number, the voice mail system is coupled for communication with a voice responsive directory service system. The directory service system or alternatively the voice mail system prompts the user to speak the name of the party intended as the recipient of the forwarded message. The directory service system analyzes the input speech information, identifies a desired destination and retrieves the number for that destination. The directory service system may announce the number to the user, for manual input to the voice mail system. Preferably, the directory service system supplies the number directly to the voice mail system. The voice mail system uses the number to forward the message.

Voice mail system for obtaining forwarding number information from directory assistance systems having speech recognition

Telecommunications calls exchanged between customer premise equipment (CPE) and a switched telephone network receive AIN treatment within the CPE and within the network. An AIN architecture is employed in the CPE and in the network, and the signaling systems are interfaced to permit an exchange of signaling messages. A request message, originating either within the CPE or within the network, can be directed to a service logic provider either within the CPE or within the network (e.g., an AIN integrated service control point, or ISCP). In particular, the ISCP of the switched telephone network can be programmed by the customer premises equipment and vice versa to provide enhanced services. These may include a look ahead busy service in which a query is sent to determine whether equipment is busy before a communications call is connected.

Advanced intelligent network interacting with customer premises equipment

Telecommunications calls exchanged between customer premise equipment (CPE) and a switched telephone network receive advanced intelligent network (AIN) treatment within the CPE and within the network. The overall processing operations are coordinated and integrated so that the CPE can draw upon the network for information and resources and the network can draw upon the CPE. An AIN architecture is employed in the CPE and in the network, and the signaling systems are interfaced to permit an exchange of signaling messages. Detection of a trigger event in the CPE, or by an AIN switch in the network, causes the call control unit detecting the trigger to formulate a request message soliciting information or a support action for the call processing to be continued. Because the signaling systems are interfaced, the request message, originating either within the CPE or within the network, can be directed to a service logic provider either within the CPE or within the network (e.g., an AIN integrated service control point, or ISCP). The request message may call for routing or other information, or it may express a need for support resources (e.g., a request that a voice announcement unit be made available). The required resource may be sought in the CPE or in the network. The service logic provider carries out a service logic program to produce the information required to continue processing, and that is forwarded to the requesting call control unit by way of the interconnected signaling systems, to continue the call processing.

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Potomac, MD, United States of America

Frank C Cheston, Iii