Comdial Corporation

Herb E Fickes

John Baird

Jay Neale

Michael Berrang

Michael W Brown

A method, system, and computer program product are provided that extend the functionality of personal information managers (PIMs) to allow a user to perform telephone control operations through the PIM. The method, system, and computer program product also allow the user to extend the capabilities of his telephone system. The user can receive information maintained by the PIM (such as contacts, unread e-mail messages, and calendar appointments) as needed, without requiring a query. The user can receive unread e-mail or reminders about imminent appointments through a pager, for example. Parties trying to contact the user can also receive information maintained by the user's PIM. For example, a caller can learn the user's whereabouts, as indicated by the user's appointment calendar, when the user is unavailable to answer a telephone call. This functionality is provided in part by connecting the PIM and its data structures to a private branch exchange. This facilitates the distribution of information maintained by the PIM and allows control of telephone operations through the PIM user interface.

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Stanardsville, VA, United States of America

Herb E Fickes