Active Voice Corporation

Other

Tortel USA LLC

Michael J Robinson

Robert C Greco

Paul M Dunn

Robert L Richmond

A gatewayfor using non-IP digital telephone handsetswith an IP call controller ('PBX'). The gateway may be implemented to work with any non-IP digital telephone handset and any IP call controller. The call controller may be a public protocol IP Centrex call controlleror a proprietary protocol call controller. The gateway is programmable so that a single hardware unit can be programmed after it is plugged in to work with any such devices. The programming is accomplished via IP download from a server on the global IP network. The gateway may be implemented as a plug in cardfor an IP call controllerthat accepts plug in cards. Alternatively, it may be implemented to work with remote IP call controllers. In this latter configuration, the gateway may include a router for other IP devices which is designed to give voice quality preference to the telephone handsets over other IP devices.

Gateway for using non-IP digital PBX telephone handsets with an IP call controller

A method and apparatus for an auto attendant system to allow a called party to monitor a screening name left by a caller while the called party is on the telephone with a third party. If the called party wishes, the system can place the third party on hold and connect the caller. Alternatively, the system can redirect the caller to another line or ask the caller to hold. The system is implemented with a second communication channel from the telephone switch system to the called party so that the called party can monitor the screening name left by a caller without first putting the third party on hold or disconnecting from the third party. The system can be configured to automatically monitor each screening name as it is left without intervention by the called party.

Method and apparatus for monitoring a caller's name while using a

A method and apparatus for providing a telephone user with automated attendant functions with numerous selectable options. The options include selecting one of many greetings to be given to the caller before putting the caller on hold or sending the caller to voice mail, recording a new greeting for the caller after learning the caller's identity, re-routing the call and adding an audio message to be delivered to the substitute called party before the call is connected. A display screen with a cursor is used to facilitate presentation of information and options to the telephone user and selection of options by the telephone user.

Method and apparatus for processing an incoming call in a communication

A graphical user interface for the display of voice mail message information and playing voice mail messages through a computer speaker. Using a mouse, the messages can be manipulated individually or in groups. Using the mouse or the keyboard, the sender of a message can add textual copy or addressing to a message. The display also includes, merged into a single list, e-mail messages and fax messages for the user. The interface includes a facility for exporting voice mail messages into multimedia documents and importing sound clips from multimedia documents into voice mail messages. If the sender of a message does not want the recipient to copy the message for further distribution to others, the sender may designate the message as 'Private', and the system will not allow the message to be copied.

Method and apparatus for selecting and playing a voice mail message

A method and apparatus for providing a telephone user with information concerning a caller. The call by the caller causes information concerning the caller to be transferred over a communication channel, separate from the one used by the telephone user, connected to a PC located near the telephone user. The information is displayed in the form of symbols on a PC display, and the telephone user can respond to the information without having to answer the call. If desired, the telephone user can cause the PC to play an audio record concerning the caller. The information displayed can be developed from the caller or from a database, or both.

Telephone auto attendant system for delivering chosen greetings to

A method and apparatus for providing a telephone user with automated attendant functions with numerous selectable options. The options include selecting one or many greetings to be given to the caller before sending the caller to voice mail, recording a new greeting for the caller after learning the caller's identity, re-routing the call and adding an audio message to be delivered to the substitute called party before the call is connected, and delivering a selected or customized greeting to the caller and then placing the caller on hold without accepting the call. A display screen with a cursor is used to facilitate presentation of information and options to the telephone user and selection of options by the telephone user.

An analog communication signal such as the signal transmitted over a telephone line is converted to digital form for storage in the memory of a computer. Segments of the digital representation of the signal are analyzed to determine whether or not the signal has uniform frequency components repeating at regular intervals. Detection of such regularly repeating uniform frequency components is useful in an automated telephone system to determine whether a telephone signal consists of voice or a call progress signal.

Growing community of inventors

Seattle, WA, United States of America

Michael J Robinson