Centigram Communications Corporation

Oracle International Corporation

Contigram Communications Corporation

Roberto Irribarren

Mohan K Arthur

Mark E Haseltine

Mohit Doshi

Yash Pal Talreja

Siddhartha Agarwal

Michael Vargo

A computer-implemented method of presenting an electronic bill from a biller to a customer over a computer network includes steps of receiving biller-originated bill data and bill format data over the network into a bill presentment and payment database. The inputted bill data and bill format data are then stored in a first area of the bill presentment and payment database. The stored bill data and/or the bill format data is then validated and the validated bill data and/or the format data is swapped from the first area to a second area of the bill presentment and payment database, the second area being accessible to the customer. The bill, now incorporating the validated bill data and formatted according to the bill format data, may then be presented to the customer. A third, customer accessible area may be included in the database to archive the bills. The bill format data may include a plurality of bill templates, each of which may define a distinct appearance for the bill. A plurality of bill template selection rules may be applied to the validated bill data. Based on this evaluation, one of the plurality of bill templates may then be selected to format the bill presented to the customer.

Methods, devices and systems for electronic bill presentment and payment

A method and system for a truly distributed messaging architecture based on existing LAN and PC technologies. A caller using one multi-media enabled PC (MPC) attempts to connect to a called MPC via a LAN or other digital data communication network. If the called MPC is in a receive mode but no one answers after a preset time, a prepared greeting message from the called MPC (e.g., an audio or audiovisual data file) is transmitted via the LAN to the calling MPC and played to the caller. The caller may then record an audio or audiovisual outgoing message for the called MPC. The outgoing message is stored in an 'Outbox' for the caller, and a LAN message from the calling MPC starts a 'message waiting' indicator on the called MPC. Whenever the called party is ready to receive waiting messages, that party can start an application which shows envelope information for such messages. The recipient can then retrieve any outgoing message stored in the Outbox for the calling MPC, and play back such messages. The invention can also be used for 'call screening' by called parties, for sending audio or audiovisual information from a calling MPC over a LAN to many called MPCs simultaneously, and for 'conference' calls.

Distributed messaging system

A communication system comprising a voice message system for storing and retrieving voice messages and facsimile data, a computer database accessing system for storing and retrieving text messages from a separate computer system and for converting the text messages into voice messages, and a personal computer (including an Internet communications device, or 'ICD') which allows a user to generate and receive voice messages, facsimile data, and text messages. The systems are integrated via a network which coordinates the functions of each individual system. Additionally, the input/output ports of the voice message system and the computer database accessing system are connected in a parallel fashion to a personal computer or ICD. In this configuration, a user may access voice messages, facsimile messages, and text messages through the personal computer or ICD, either locally or remotely.

System and method for integrating voice, facsimile and electronic mail

In summary, the present invention is a communication system comprising a voice message system for storing and retrieving voice messages and facsimile data, a computer database accessing system for storing and retrieving text messages from a separate computer system and for converting the text messages into voice messages, and a personal computer which allows a user to generate and receive voices messages, facsimile data, and text messages. The systems are integrated via a network which coordinates the functions of each individual system. Additionally, the input/output ports of the voice message system and the computer database accessing system are connected in a parallel fashion to a personal computer. In this configuration, a user may access voice messages, facsimile messages, and text messages through the personal computer.

A communication system for verbal telephonic communication has a voice message system for storing and retrieving voice messages integrated with a computer database accessing system for storing and retrieving text messages from a separate computer system and for converting the text messages into voice. The systems are integrated via a network which coordinates the functions of each individual system. Additionally, the input/output ports of the voice message system and the computer database accessing system are connected in a parallel fashion to at least one telephone line. In this configuration a user may access both voice messages and database information, including text or electronic mail messages, with a single telephone call. Optionally, facsimile messages can be stored, retrieved and manipulated with a single telephone call.

Growing community of inventors

Fremont, CA, United States of America

Roberto Irribarren