MESSAGE TRANSFER SYSTEM

摘要

An apparatus and method for transferring a message from a calling party to an unavailable telephonically called party. The method comprises the step s 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 reco rd 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 call ed 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 t he calling party and the called party. Greetings for the called party can be stored at a messaging system of the calling entity.