TIME-MATCHED VOICE MESSAGING SYSTEM

摘要

A specially configured called terminal (14) for use with a centralized voice messaging system (10) to allow for the selective retrieval of voice messages by a number of users. Calling party identification information is stored at the called terminal while the voice messages are stored in a central storage unit. Although the messages and the message information are stored in separate locations, an association between them is maintained using synchronized time-of-call information, such that the user at the called terminal can select one of the voice messages (18) for play back, and the called terminal can transmit the corresponding identification information to the central storage unit for retrieval of the selected voice message.