A message waiting light control system for use in cooperation with a message storage and retrieval computer includes a microprocessor, a memory, address decoders, and an organization of message waiting lights, relays, and latches. The lights, relays and latches are organized in subgroups as memory mapped input/output words which correspond to the words of bits in the memory. Groups of the latches and relays are addressable. The microprocessor is responsive to an identification code number and a message waiting command to address the proper group and to write a data word to the proper subgroup to activate the selected light. In a similar manner, the lights may be deactivated.
An automatic message waiting alerting arrangement in a telephone switching system. Messages for parties served by the system are automatically and manually generated and stored in a database. A message waiting indicator associated with a station is automatically activated only when the database contains an unaccessed message for the station, even though other accessed messages may be retained in the database for the convenience of the station owner. An "accessed" indicator included with each stored message is set to an "unaccessed" state when the message is initially stored. The indicator is set to an "accessed" state when the corresponding message is accessed by an authorized party. At the termination of an access session, the data base is searched for unaccessed messages for the station and the message waiting indicator is activated only if at least one unaccessed message for the station is found.
An apparatus and method for illuminating a message lamp on analog customer premises equipment (CPE) under the control of a digital switch. A message conversion circuit (MCC) which is positioned intermediate to the digital switch and the analog CPE controls an on-hook isolation and relay circuit to selectively connect the subscriber line associated with the analog CPE with a voltage supply to illuminate the message lamp.
A method for managing messages in a private branch exchange system uses a personal computer as an operator console. The method includes storing a message to be transmitted to a subscriber who is absent through the personal computer; if there is a call from the subscriber, transmitting a call message from the subscriber indicating whether the call is for confirming the message or is a general call to the personal computer; if the call message is for confirming the message, automatically displaying the message to be transmitted to the subscriber on a monitor of the personal computer; and informing the subscriber of the displayed message.
A telephone system is operatively coupled to a private automatic branch exchange (PABX) system and to a voice mail system, where the telephone system permits a user to retrieve recorded voice messages from the voice mail system. The telephone system includes one or more telephones, where each telephone further includes a handset, a message waiting indicator configured to inform the user that the voice message is pending with the voice mail system, a message retrieval key for retrieving the voice message from the voice mail system, and an audio speaker configured to provide the user with audio output corresponding to the voice message. A single action by the user of activating the message retrieval key causes the voice message to be retrieved and the audio speaker to be automatically activated such that the voice message is output on the audio speaker without the user lifting the handset.
