Off-hook visual message waiting indicator
First Claim
1. A method of providing a visual message waiting indicator signal to an off-hook telephone, comprising the steps of:
- receiving a voicemail message at a central location; and
sending, while said off-hook telephone is already participating in an established telephone call, a visual message waiting indicator signal from said central location and destined for said off-hook telephone, said visual message waiting indicator signal including call related information relating to a caller who left said voicemail message.
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Accused Products
Abstract
In a first embodiment of the invention, a method of providing a visual message waiting indicator signal to an off-hook telephone includes the step of receiving a voicemail message at a central location, and also includes the step of sending a visual message waiting indicator signal from the central location and destined for the off-hook telephone. In an alternative embodiment, a method of receiving a visual message waiting indicator signal in an off-hook telephone includes the steps of being in an off-hook condition, and receiving a visual message waiting indicator signal. This method may further include the step of displaying a visual message-waiting indicator based on the received visual message waiting indicator signal. This method may also include the step of receiving an alert signal, and the step of transmitting an acknowledgement signal in response to the alert signal. In another alternative embodiment, a telephone includes a visual message waiting indicator, and an interface unit adapted to couple the telephone to a network, such that the telephone is in an off-hook condition when coupled to the network and engaged in a communication activity, and is in an on-hook condition when coupled to the network and not engaged in a communication activity, wherein the interface unit is adapted to receive a visual message waiting indicator signal when in the off-hook condition.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A method of providing a visual message waiting indicator signal to an off-hook telephone, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a voicemail message at a central location; and
sending, while said off-hook telephone is already participating in an established telephone call, a visual message waiting indicator signal from said central location and destined for said off-hook telephone, said visual message waiting indicator signal including call related information relating to a caller who left said voicemail message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of receiving a visual message waiting indicator signal in an off-hook telephone, comprising steps of:
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transitioning to an off-hook condition;
establishing a telephone call while in said off-hook condition; and
receiving a visual message waiting indicator signal during said established telephone call, said visual message waiting indicator signal including call related information relating to a caller who left a voicemail message. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A telephone, comprising:
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a visual message waiting indicator; and
an interface unit adapted to couple said telephone to a network, such that said telephone is in an off-hook condition when coupled to said network and engaged in a communication activity, and is in an on-hook condition when coupled to said network and not engaged in a communication activity, wherein said interface unit is adapted to receive a visual message waiting indicator signal when said telephone is participating in an established telephone call and in said off-hook condition, said visual message waiting indicator signal including call related information relating to a caller who left a voicemail message. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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21. A telephone switch, comprising:
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a message storage unit adapted to receive a voicemail message associated with a telephone when said telephone is in an off-hook condition; and
a visual message waiting indicator signal transmission unit adapted to transmit a visual message waiting indicator signal to said telephone while said telephone is participating in an established telephone call while in an off-hook condition, said visual message waiting indicator signal including call related information relating to a caller who left said voicemail message. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23)
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Specification