Nortel Networks Corporation

Northern Telecom Limited

Avaya Inc.

Lloyd Malcolm Florence

Paul Michael Brennan

Jason Adelman

Richard A Weiss

Todd Joseph Wongkee

Brian Cruickshank

Lin Lin

Ping Lin

John Joseph O'Donovan

Jeff Williams

Methods and apparatus for operating on a non-text (voice or fax) message include for each of a number of voice messages, searching each voice message for signal samples having one of a plurality of sets of pre-defined characteristics (such as any seven or ten digit number which is then assumed to be a telephone number). For each signal sample found to have one of the sets of pre-defined characteristics, the found signal sample is associated with an equivalent text string and this text string is stored in an envelope for the message. Based on a user input, the messages may be searched for a given text string and on finding a message envelope containing the given text string, such message may be operated upon.

Methods and apparatus for operating on non-text messages

A system and method for speech recognition includes a speaker-independent set of stored word representations derived from speech of many users deemed to be typical speakers and for use by all users, and may further include speaker-dependent sets of stored word representations specific to each user. The speaker-dependent sets may be used to store custom commands, so that a user may replace default commands to customize and simplify use of the system. Utterances from a user which match stored words in either set according to the ordering rules are reported as words.

Speech recognition system and method permitting user customization

An apparatus and method for transferring a message from a calling party to an unavailable telephonically called party. The method comprises the steps of inititating a call to the called party over a communications channel, identifying that the called party is not available and instructing the calling entity to record the message at the calling entity and after recording to transmit the message to the called entity as a data message via a data channel for reception by the called entity. The system reduces the use of the voice/telephone communications networks by allowing a voice message to be transmitted through data channels, reducing the amount of voice traffic on the voice communication lines. The fact that the original voice message was actually stored with the calling entity after the telephone voice communication had been discontinued is transparent to both the calling party and the called party. Greetings for the called party can be stored at a messaging system of the calling entity.

Message transfer system

In a telephone system, if the telephone set of a called party is busy or an incoming call is not answered, the called party is unavailable. In this event an incoming call may progress to become intercepted at an attendant position or at a voice features server. A call take back feature permits the called party to be aware of an intercepted call progress so that the called party may retrieve the incoming call by going OFF HOOK and conversing directly with the calling party. A call screening feature is also available. The call screening feature permits the called party to hear the calling party's voice during an intercepted call progress via an audible link provided by the telephone system from the intercepted call. The called party may, at his discretion, retrieve the incoming call from the intercepted call progress by going OFF HOOK and conversing directly with the calling party.

Telecommunications answering feature method and apparatus

A telephone caller is permitted to retrieve his call from the central voice services feature of an unavailable called party, and resume the call progress by substituting a calling feature of his own. In a telephone system including a telephone switching facility and a voice features server, provision is made for enabling a calling party to invoke an appropriate calling party feature such as a ring back feature or an override feature, and thereby subsequently achieve a real time conversation with the called party instead of simply being able to leave a voice message for the called party.

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Lloyd Malcolm Florence