Octel Communications Corporation

Lucent Technologies Inc.

Avaya Technology LLC

James R Swoopes

Mark B Whipple

Michael P Dimitroff

Gregory M Vaudreuil

Robert S Cohn

Alan T Huch

Carl W Kalbfleisch

Carlton C O'Neal

David M Reece

Carl F Schoeneberger

Carl Schoeneberger

Carlton C O'neal

A communications system ( ) is provided which comprises a plurality of network hubs ( ), ( ), and ( ). Network hubs ( ), ( ), and ( ) are interconnected through a communications network ( ). The system ( ) interconnects messaging systems ( ), ( ), ( ), ( ), ( ), ( ), ( ), ( ), ( ) and ( ) having disparate capabilities and using disparate communications protocols. The network hubs use numbers of connection processors ( ) and ( ) to interact with the messaging systems. A hub database ( ) and message store ( ) are used to store control information and messaging information within the network hubs. A network processor ( ) is used to interact with other hubs within the communications system ( ). A message router ( ), connection manager ( ), data replicator ( ), and an administrative event manager ( ) are used to control the operations of-the hub in processing a message. A management server ( ) and a event processor ( ) are used by communications system ( ) to manage the internal operations of each of the network, hubs. The network center ( ) contains a customer computer interface system ( ) and an interactive voice response system ( ) to allow user interaction with information provider databases ( ), a customer service system ( ), a message tracking system ( ), a billing system ( ), and a HelpLine system ( ). The network center ( ) contains a master database ( ) that is used to synchronize the databases stored in each of the network hubs ( ), ( ), and ( ).

Network-based multimedia communications and directory system and method of operation

A communications system (10) is provided which comprises a plurality of network hubs (12), (14), and (16). Network hubs (12), (14), and (16) are interconnected through a communications network (18). The system (10) interconnects messaging systems (24), (26), (28), (30), (32), (34), (36), (40), (42) and (44) having disparate capabilities and using disparate communications protocols. The network hubs use numbers of connection processors (52) and (54) to interact with the messaging systems. A hub database (68) and message store (58) are used to store control information and messaging information within the network hubs. A network processor (60) is used to interact with other hubs within the communications system (10). A message router (72), connection manager (74), data replicator (76), and an administrative event manager (78) are used to control the operations of the hub in processing a message. A management server (64) and a event processor (70) are used by communications system (10) to manage the internal operations of each of the network hubs. The network center (37) contains a customer computer interface system (167) and an interactive voice response system (169) to allow user interaction with information provider databases (39), a customer service system (161), a message tracking system (163), a billing system (159), and a HelpLine system (157). The network center (37) contains a master database (151) that is used to synchronize the databases stored in each of the network hubs (12), (14), and (16).

Network-based multimedia communications and directory system and method

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Plano, TX, United States of America

James R Swoopes