TELEPHONE SYSTEM INTEGRATED TEXT BASED COMMUNICATION PROCESSES, APPARATUS AND SYSTEMS

摘要

Systems are generally comprised of a ('PBX') module, a text server, a voice mail system, at least one telephone, at least one terminal device, and, in some cases, a computer network. Communication paths are used to selectively couple the above elements together, as needed to execute or implement the particular application or feature. Calls (TDD or otherwise) are initiated over the Internet or the world wide web to the text server, which is preferably in communication with the PBX module. The PBX module is in communication with a text server via a modem. The text server is directly or indirectly in communication with a voice mail system and with the PBX module. The text server may be in communication with the voice mail system via a voice card and PBX module or directly with certain voice mail systems with specialized software. The PBX module is in communication with at least one telephone. The text server is in communication with at least one terminal device via a local area network, the Internet, or some other form of a network. Processes use a bulletin board system which presents a number of options (e.g., (i) leave a message; (ii) transfer to a persons telephone number; and/or (iii) log on to a specific mailbox) to direct a call through the voice mail system, computer network, telephone system, PBX, and text server. At each stage, a first party (a calling party) is generally prompted to provide needed information to identify a second party (the called party) or instructions to instruct the preferred system what to do. Depending upon the instructions provided by the first and second parties, voice messages are left in voice mail, chat discussions are set-up, e-mail messages are sent, and voice mail boxes are set up, etc. Messages or signals can be sent to and from the voice mail system, the computer system, and text server.