Method and apparatus for visual indication of stored voice signals

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for storage and retrieval of voice signals, comprising:

(a) a plurality of first input means for input of said voice signals;

(b) a plurality of second input means for input of input control signals associated with said voice signals, said input control signals including addressee identification signals and message description signals;

(c) storage means for storing said voice signals for later retrieval and output;

(d) station means, identified by a particular one of said addressee identification signals, said station means further comprising:

(d1) output means for output of said stored voice signals;

(d2) display means for display of text messages; and

(d3) generating means for generating voice signal retrieval signals;

(e) control means for:

(e1) responding to said input control signals to control said storage means to store said associated voice signals;

(e2) outputting said text messages, said text messages corresponding to said stored voice signals,

to said station means for display when said addressee identification signals associated with said stored voice signals identify said station means, said corresponding text messages including information in accordance with said message description signals; and

(e3) responding to said voice signal retrieval signals from said station means to control said storage means to output said associated voice signals to said station means for output; and,

(f) transmission means for;

(f1) transmitting said voice signals from said first input means to said

storage means, and said stored voice signals from said storage means to said station means;

(f2) transmitting said input control signals from said second input means to said control means;

(f3) transmitting said text messages from said control means to said station means; and

(f4) transmitting said voice signal retrieval signals from said station means to said control means

2. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said message description signals and said text messages comprise information identifying the originator of said voice signals

3. Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said information identifying said originator comprised in said message description signals consists of an identification code and said information identifying said originator comprised in said text message consists of an alphanumeric identifier and wherein said control means includes a predetermined look-up table for matching said identification codes to said alphanumeric identifier.

4. Apparatus as described in claim 3 wherein said control means is further responsive to identification code to also allow a user to access previously stored voice signals

5. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said transmission means further comprises a digital transmission link for transmission of said text messages to said station means.

6. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said text messages are transmitted to said station means through said transmission means in the form of telephone signals.

7. Apparatus as described in claim 6 wherein a telephone connection is established between said station means and said control means for transmission of said text messages.

8. Apparatus as described in claim 7 wherein said transmission means includes a telephone switching system and said text messages are transmitted through said telephone switching system.

9. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said message description signals comprise telephone signals which encode selected alphanumeric characters.

10. Apparatus as described in claim 9 wherein said selected alphanumeric characters are included in said text messages.

11. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said station means further comprises text message storage means for storing a plurality of said text messages, and wherein said display means is responsive to said text message storage means and to text display signals input by a user of said station means to display selected ones of said stored text messages.

12. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said station means further comprises means responsive to said display means and to autodial signals input by a user of said station means to control said means for generating voice signal retrieval signals to generate signals to retrieve the stored voice signals associated with said displayed text messages.

13. Apparatus as described in claim 12 wherein said station means further comprises means for controlling said display means to display an initial summary text message summarizing said text messages stored in said text message storage means.

14. Apparatus as described in claim 13 wherein said display controlling means is further for modifying said initial summary message to indicate when one or more of said stored text messages has been deleted from said text message storage means.

15. Apparatus as described in claim 11 wherein said control means is further for outputting update text messages associated with previously output stored text messages and wherein said station means further includes means for responding to said update text messages to update said stored text messages to indicate changes in the status of said associated stored voice signals.

16. Apparatus as described in claim 15 wherein said update text message indicates that said associated stored voice signals have not been accessed by their intended addressees within a predetermined period since they were stored.

17. Apparatus as described in claim 2 wherein said station means further comprises means responsive to said display means and to autodial signals input by a user of said station means to control said means for generating voice signal retrieval signals to generate signals to retrieve the stored voice signals associated with said displayed text messages.

18. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said station means classifies said text messages into in classes accordance with said message description signals and displays a selected text message from each of said classes of text messages during a first mode of operation, and displays a selected class of said text messages during a second mode of operation.

19. Apparatus a described in claim 18 wherein said display of said selected text messages is sequential in accordance with a predetermined order.

20. Apparatus as described in claim 19 wherein said selected class is displayed by sequentially displaying all text messages in said selected class in reverse chronological order.

21. Apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein said control means is further for outputting callback messages to said station means, each of said callback messages including a telephone number, and wherein said station means further includes means for responding to predetermined user input signals to automatically dial said telephone numbers.

22. Apparatus as described in claim 21 wherein if said callback messages do not visually identify their originators said station means responds to first user input signals to generate particular voice signal retrieval signals; said control means responding to said particular voice signal retrieval signals by vocally identifying said originators, and said station means responding to second user input signals to select and automatically dial said telephone numbers.

23. Apparatus for storage and retrieval of voice signals comprising:

(a) voice mail means for storage and retrieval of said voice signals;

(b) station means connected to said voice mail means for output of stored voice signals, said station means further comprising means for displaying text messages;

(c) means responsive to signals input by originators of said voice signals for transmitting said text messages to said station means, said text messages each corresponding to one of said voice signals;

(d) means responsive to signals input by a user of said station means for selecting a particular one of said text messages for display by said display means;

(e) means responsive to said display means and second signals input by said user of said station means for generating voice signal retrieval signals in accordance with said particular displayed text message and transmitting said voice signal retrieval signals to said voice mail means; and

(f) said voice mail means being further for responding to said voice signal retrieval signals to output the one of said stored voice signals corresponding to said particular displayed text message to said station means.

24. Apparatus as described in claim 23 wherein said text messages include information identifying the originators of associated voice signals.

25. Apparatus as described in claim 24 wherein said signals input by said user of said voice mail means define an identification code for said user and said text messages comprise an alphanumeric identifier of said user, and wherein said voice mail means includes a predetermined look-up table for matching said identification code to said alphanumeric identifier.

26. Apparatus as described in claim 25 wherein said voice mail means is further responsive to said identification code to also allow a user to access previously stored voice signals.

27. Apparatus as described in claim 23 further comprising a digital transmission link for transmission of said text messages to said station means

28. Apparatus as described in claim 23 wherein said text messages are transmitted to said station means in the form of telephone signals.

29. Apparatus as described in claim 28 wherein a telephone connection is established between said station means and said voice mail means for transmission of said text messages.

30. Apparatus as described in claim 29 further comprising a telephone switching system and wherein said text messages are transmitted through said telephone switching system.

31. Apparatus as described in claim 23 wherein said signals input by said user of said voice mail means comprise telephone signals which encode selected alphanumeric characters.

32. Apparatus as described in claim 31 wherein said selected alphanumeric characters are included in said text messages.

33. Apparatus as described in claim 23 wherein said station means further comprises text message storage means for storing a plurality of said text messages, and wherein said display means is responsive to said text message storage means and to text display signals input by a user of said station means to display selected ones of said stored text messages.

34. Apparatus as described in claim 33 wherein said station means further comprises means responsive to said display means and to autodial signals input by a user of said station means to control said means for generating voice signal retrieval signals to generate signals to retrieve the stored voice signals associated with said displayed text messages.

35. Apparatus as described in claim 34 wherein said station means further comprises means for controlling said display means to display an initial summary text message summarizing said text messages stored in said text message storage means.

36. Apparatus as described in claim 35 wherein said display controlling means is further for modifying said initial summary message to indicate when one or more of said stored text messages has been deleted from said text message storage means.

37. Apparatus as described in claim 33 wherein said voice mail means is further for outputting update text messages associated with previously stored text messages and wherein said station means further includes means for responding to said update text messages to update said stored text messages to indicate changes in the status of associated stored voice signals.

38. Apparatus as described in claim 37 wherein said update text messages indicate that said associated stored voice signals have not been accessed by their intended addressees within a predetermined period since they were stored.

39. Apparatus as described in claim 23 wherein said station means classifies said text messages into classes in accordance with the contexts of said text messages and displays a selected text message from each of said classes of text messages during a first mode of operation, and displays a selected class of said text messages during a second mode of operation.

40. Apparatus as described in claim 39 wherein said display of said selected text messages is sequential in accordance with a predetermined order.

41. Apparatus as described in claim 40 wherein said selected class is displayed by sequentially displaying all text messages in said selected class in reverse chronological order.

42. Apparatus as described in claim 23 wherein said voice mail means is further responsive to user input signals to output callback messages to said station means, each of said callback messages including a telephone number, and wherein said station means further includes means for responding to predetermined user input signals to select and automatically dial one of said telephone numbers.

43. Apparatus as described in claim 42 wherein if said callback messages do not identify their originators said station means responds to first user input signals to generate particular voice signal retrieval signals; said voice mail means further responding to said particular voice signal retrieval signals to output voice signals identifying said originators, and said station means responding to second user input signals to select and automatically dial one of said telephone.

44. A method for storage and retrieval of voice signals comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving voice signals and associated addressee identification signals and associated message description signals at a central location;

(b) storing said voice signals in accordance with said associated addressee identification signals at said central location;

(c) identifying station sets in accordance with said associated addressee identification signals and outputting text messages to said identified station sets, said text messages including information in accordance with said associated message description signals.

(d) selecting particular ones of said text messages for display at said identified station sets;

(e) outputting voice signal retrieval signals from said identified station sets to said central location, said voice signal retrieval signals identifying particular ones of said stored voice signals in accordance with said displayed text messages; and,

(f) outputting said identified stored voice signals to said identified station sets in accordance with said voice signal retrieval signals.

45. A method as described in claim 44 wherein said associated message description signals and said text messages comprise information identifying the originators of said voice signals.

46. A method as described in claim 44 comprising the further step of responding to the input of autodial signals input by users of said identified station sets to automatically generate said voice signal retrieval signals.

47. A method as described in claim 44 comprising the further step of outputting updated text messages from said central location to update previously output text messages to reflect changes in the status of said stored voice signals.

48. A method as described in claim 47 wherein said previously output text messages are updated to reflect that voice signals associated with said previously output text messages have not been accessed within a predetermined period of time.

49. In a voice mail system of the type wherein users are provided with a personal identification signal for identification of voice signals input by said users, a method of identifying voice signals belonging to a predetermined class, comprising the steps of:

(a) providing said users of said system with a common, secondary identification signal which said users may substitute for their personal identification signals prior to input of voice signals;

(b) responding to input of a voice signal together with said secondary identification signal to store said voice signal for later access by an addressee and associating said stored voice signal with said predetermined class; and

(c) prior to outputting said stored voice signal to said addressee outputting information to said addressee identifying said stored voice signal as belonging to said predetermined class.

50. A method as described in claim 49, wherein said voice mail system comprises station means for output of said stored voice signal and said station means further comprises display means for display of text, comprising the further step of displaying said output identifying information in textual form at said station means prior to access to said stored voice signal by said addressee.

Description Submit all comments and votes

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to systems for storage and forwarding of voice signals, commonly known as voice mail systems. More particularly, it relates to voice mail systems which are particularly adapted for use with small groups of interconnected telephone-like devices (hereinafter referred to as "stations") which include the capability of displaying text messages, autodialing of pre-programmed telephone numbers, and other well known capabilities of "smart phones".

Voice mail systems are well known. Typical of such systems are the systems described in commonly assigned U.S. patent applications numbers 013,303 and 013,304; both by A. Sweet et al., or those described in U.S. Pats. Nos. 4,371,752; 4,580,012; 4,581,486; 4,602,129; 4,640,991; 4,585,406; 4,652,200; and 4,580,016; all assigned to VMX, Inc. While such system vary in capacity, and in particular capabilities offered, all share as a common subset of functions the ability to store messages intended for system users for later retrieval by those users. Each user is assigned a "mailbox" and may retrieve his messages by accessing the system and then identifying his "mailbox". In general, anyone having knowledge of the telephone numbers for the system, may leave messages, but only users having a "mailbox" may retrieve messages.

To retrieve messages a user of a typical voice mail system accesses the system over the telephone lines and, after identifying himself by mailbox number, and possibly a password, hears a recorded message produced by the system advising him of the status of his mailbox (e.g number of messages waiting, etc.). The user may then listen to brief prerecorded portions of each message, commonly referred to as "headers" which further describe the message, for example, by identifying the originator. The user may then decide whether or not to listen to each message.

Such systems have many disadvantages. First, it is necessary for a user to access the voice mail system and engage in an extensive system of prompts and responses merely to determine if there are messages in his mailbox; their number, or who originated the messages. Little, if any information is available to the user before he accesses the system. (Prior systems have been provided with a "message waiting" indicator, such as a lamp, or a change in the dial tone, or a limited text display, to indicate that the user has at least one message waiting; which is functionally identical to the commonly known system of message lamps provided on hotel telephones. Other systems may call a recipient at a predetermined time to deliver a particular message.) Second, prior voice message systems provide no way for the recipient of a message to determine its importance or urgency without accessing the system. An urgent message from the CEO and a casual invitation to lunch are identical to the addressee until he accesses the system. Thirdly, the user must access the system to determine the status of messages to which he has listened but not responded.

Small groups of interconnected stations, each having a capacity for the display of limited text messages are also known. Such a system is described in commonly assigned U.S. patent applications serial numbers 849,992; by D. Chamberlin et al. and 895,010; by N. D'Agosto et al. Such systems commonly include a microcomputer, such as an IBM PC, etc., to receive brief text messages input by an operator and to transmit these messages to each station. Also commonly, the stations are interconnected both over telephone lines, for example, through a PBX, and by conventional digital transmission lines, such as a twisted pair, for the transmission of the text messages in digital form.

Such systems commonly include an operator and one station associated with the microcomputer for use by an operator. The operator will receive calls for members of the group who are not at their desk and enter brief text messages for display on the corresponding user's station display, in essence, providing an electronic substitute for the well known pink message slip. While effective for their intended purpose, these systems require an operator and do not provide the automatic storage and forwarding of voice signals provided by voice mail systems.

Thus, prior art voice mail systems either required intervention by a user to provide the user with information about messages in his mailbox, or require the user to access the system to receive information; which is available only in audible form. Also, while voice mail systems which automatically call a recipient at a predetermined time provide a way for the originator to try to assure delivery of a message they do not provide a mechanism by which a recipient may check messages at his convenience

Accordingly, it is an object of the subject invention to provide a voice mail system wherein a user may obtain information describing messages waiting without need to access the system.

It is another object of the subject invention to provide a voice mail system having a simplified form of user access.

It is still another object of the subject invention to provide a system which allows a telephone caller to originate text messages for display to an addressed system user automatically.

It is a more particular object of the subject invention to provide such a system where such descriptive information may include the identity of the originator of the message.

It is still another object of the subject invention to provide a voice mail system where a user may obtain information about messages in his voice mailbox by a visual scan of information.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The disadvantages of the prior art are overcome, and the above objects are achieved, in accordance with the subject invention by means of an apparatus for storage and retrieval of voice signals which includes first input devices for input of the voice signals, second input devices for input of input control signals associated with the voice signals, the input control signals including addressee identification signals and message description signals, memory storage for storing the voice signals for later retrieval and output, telephone-like stations, each identified by a particular one of the addressee identification signals for output of the voice signals; each station including an audio output for the voice signals, a display for text messages, and circuitry for generating voice signal retrieval signals, and a controller for controlling the system operation. The controller responds to the input control signals to control the memory storage device to store the associated voice signals, outputs text messages corresponding to the stored voice signals to the stations identified by each particular one of the addressee identification signals for display; the corresponding text messages including information in accordance with the message description signals, and responds to the voice signal retrieval signals from the identified stations to control the memory storage device to output the stored voice signals to the identified stations for audio output.

In a preferred embodiment of the subject invention, the message description signals and the text messages include information which identifies the originators of the voice signals.

In another preferred embodiment of the subject invention, the stations further include signal inputs and the voice signal retrieval signal generating circuitry is responsive to the display and the signal inputs to generate voice signal retrieval signals corresponding to the displayed text messages so that voice signals associated with the displayed text messages are output to the associated stations.

In still another preferred embodiment of the subject invention, the message description signals and the text message include information describing the status of the corresponding voice signal (e.g. the voice signal is an urgent message, or is a reply to a previous message)

In still another preferred embodiment of the subject invention, the originator of a message may input control signals to automatically display a brief text message.

Thus, it may be seen that the subject invention clearly overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art and achieves the objects set forth above. Other objects and advantages of the subject invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the detailed description of preferred embodiment set forth below and the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the system of the subject invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a station set used in conjunction with the subject invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the station set of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of a voice mail system used with the subject invention.

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a typical sequence of displayed text messages.

FIG. 5A is an illustration of the format of a transmitted text message.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart of the operation of the station set of FIGS. 2 and 3 when receiving a text message.

FIGS. 7, 7A and 7B are a flow chart of the display of a text message.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the operation of the system of FIG. 1 when outputting voice messages.

FIGS. 9 and 9A are a flow chart of the operation of the system of FIG. 1 when inputting a voice signal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a system in accordance with the subject invention. A plurality of telephone-like stations 10, including a master station 10m provide input and output for voice signals through handset 12, input various control signals through keyboard 14, and display text messages on display 16. The system may also comprise remote station 10r connected over the telephone system, as will be more fully described below.

Station 10m is connected through interface 18m to microcomputer 200. Computer 200 includes floppy disk drives 202, hard disk 204, keyboard 206 and CRT display 208, and is preferably a well known conventional microcomputer such as the IBM Model PC AT marketed by the IBM Corporation of Armonk, N.Y.

Computer 200 and station 10m are connected through interface 18m to digital data path 210 for the transmission- of text messages and other digital information in a conventional manner well known to those skilled in the art. Data path 210 and interface 18m also provide a digital transmission path between stations 10 and computer 200. Thus, the system, as described so far, may operate as an electronic message center wherein an operator receives messages for users over station 10m and enters text messages for the users into computer 200 through keyboard 206 for transmittal to the appropriate station in the manner more fully described in the above referenced applications Ser. Nos. 849,992 and 895,010 and used in the communication system marketed by the assignee of the subject application under the trademark "Connexions". Computer 200 may also perform other tasks such as monitoring of telephone or dictation activity on the system, but such additional tasks are not relevant to an understanding of the subject invention and will not be discussed further here.

Computer 200 is further connected to voice message system (VMS) 300 over a data link 310. VMS 300 controls computer 200 over data link 310 to transmit text messages to stations 10m,10 in the above described conventional manner. VMS 300 establishes a correspondence between the text messages and stored voice signals in a manner which will be more fully described below. (While shown as functionally separate, it may be preferable for Computer 200 and VMS 300 to share common chassis, power supply, etc.)

PBX 400 is connected to stations 10mand VMS 300 over internal telephone lines 402. Lines 402 allow transmission of voice signals to or from any of stations 10m,10; VMS 300; and PBX 400 in a conventional manner well understood by those skilled in the art. PBX 400 also allows connection of remote input devices such as station 10r and other conventional telephone stations to the system over external telephone network 404. PBX's are, of course, extremely well known devices for switching telephone signals whose operation is well understood by those skilled in the art and need not be discussed further here for an understanding of the subject invention. (Of course those skilled in the art will also recognize that central switching systems such as the well known "Centrex" system may be substituted for PBX 400.)

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a station set 10 in accordance with the subject invention. Set 10 is structurally substantially identical to the "C" units described in commonly assigned co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 895,017; to Chamberlin et al. the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

Station set 10 contains electronic circuitry shown in FIG. 3 and which will be described in more detail below. Such circuitry includes a microprocessor, such as the Hitachi Model 6303; and differences between station set 10 and the above described "C" modules relate substantially only to the programming for this microprocessor as it relates to the display of messages on display 16 to indicate the status of stored voice signals in accordance with the subject invention.

Referring again to FIG. 2, station set 10 is provided with a handset 12 having a speaker and microphone, similar to handsets normally provided in conventional telephone instruments. Handset 12 is held in a cradle 10c integral to the top panel of station set 10, and which cradle includes a hook switch (not shown) whose function is substantially identical to the conventional hook switch normally provided in telephones. Handset 12 differs from conventional telephone handsets in that it has a control yolk 20 and a control button 22. Yoke 20 and button 22 are useful when station set 10 is to be used with a dictation unit, as is more fully described in the above reference commonly assigned patent application, and yoke 20 may also be used in recording responses to stored voice signals A handset such as handset 12 is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,872,263, assigned to the assignee of the present invention. On the top panel of station set 10 various keys are located, including conventional push button telephone keypad 14, preset function keys 26 and 28, user-programmable keys 30, and "soft" keys 40. A user of station set 0 may initiate a telephone call by depressing appropriate keys to "dial" a conventional telephone number, by thus providing either Dual Tone Multiple Frequency (DTMF) signals (marketed by various telephone companies under the trademark "Touch Tone") or conventional dialing pulses. User-programmable keys 30 maybe programmed to dial a preselected telephone number in a manner which is described in the above reference commonly assigned U.S. patent applications. Similarly, the function keys 26,28 are generally used in a known manner described more fully in the above reference commonly assigned U.S. patent application and need not be discussed further here for an understanding of the subject invention. However, the "Dial" key 26d and the "Back" key 28b preferably maybe used in the subject invention in a manner which will be more fully described below.

"Soft" keys 40 are keys whose function is controlled by programming in a well known conventional manner. Preferably "Soft" keys 40 will be used in the subject invention to control the display of text messages relating to stored voice signals in a manner which will be described more fully below. Such use allows simple adaptation of existing "C" units to the subject invention with only programming changes, though those skilled in the art will readily recognize that additional fixed function keys could readily be provided

Those skilled in the art will, of course, recognize that station set 10 preferably will also include conventional telephone and dictation functions such as are commonly known and/or are described in the above referenced commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 895,017, however descriptives of such functions are, in general, not believed necessary to an understanding of the subject invention and will not be discussed further here except to such limited extent as they may interact with capabilities of the subject invention.

FIG. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of some of the relevant circuitry of station set 10 and its interconnection to the system of the subject invention. Consideration of the above referenced commonly assigned U.S. patent application will show that the circuitry of FIG. 3 is substantially identical to that of the "C" units, however, certain elements, such as those relating to dictation functions, are not believed relevant to an understanding of the subject invention and are not described here.

As in shown in FIG. 3 station set 10 includes a microprocessor 70 and a telephone interface 76. Also shown are keypad 14, function keys 26 and 28, programmable keys 30, and soft keys 40, as well as hook switch 98, which is normally opened when handset 12 is placed in cradle 10c and is closed when handset 12 is removed from cradle 10c.

As is shown, microprocessor 70, which may be a conventional microprocessor such as the Hitachi Model 6303, is coupled to keypad 14, function keys 26 and 28, soft keys 40, and hook switch 98. Actuation of any of the keys or switches connected to microprocessor 70 is detected in a conventional manner well known to those skilled in the art. Details of conventional interface circuitry, such as switch detectors is omitted from FIG. 3.

Random access memory (RAM) 95 and read-only memory (ROM) 97 are provided; the RAM memory for data and variable program storage and the ROM memory for fixed program storage.

A clock signal source 61 is provided to generate timing signals for set 10 and for a time and date function. Source 61 has a battery back-up so that it will not lose power during temporary power failures.

Bus 72 couples microprocessor 70 to display 16, various keys 14, 26, 28, 30, and 40, interface 18, telephone interface 76, dial signal generator 82, ring detector 84, ring tone generator 86, RAM 95, ROM 97, and hook switch 98. Microprocessor 70 operates to control various elements connected through bus 72 to perform conventional telephony functions in a well known manner more fully described in the above referenced commonly assigned U.S. patent application.

Referring still to FIG. 3 and to FIG. 1, it can be seen that microcomputer 200 is connected to a plurality of station sets 10, 10m through interface 18m and data bus 210. Interface 18m acts as a network controller to control polling of stations 10, 10m for conventional communication of text messages in digital form. As is described in the above referenced commonly owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 895,017, station set 10m may be used in conjunction with microcomputer 200 as an operator controlled electronic message center in the manner described above where an operator enters text messages through keyboard 206 for transmission to one or more of station sets 10, 10m. Upon receipt of this message by interface 18, signals are transmitted to microprocessor 70 which controls display 16 to provide a visible indication of the receipt of the text message. The text message is stored in RAM memory 95 and may be accessed and displayed on display 16 in response to predetermined control signals entered by a user. Note that memory 95 permits a number of text messages to be stored for later retrieval by the user. These capabilities are described in further detail in the above referenced commonly assigned U.S. patent application and are also used in accordance with the subject invention in a manner which will be more fully described below.

Handset 12 and other station sets 10 are connected through telephone lines 402 and telephone interface 76 to provide a voice signal communication path for users of the system of the subject invention. PBX 400 is also connected to telephone lines 402 to provide connection to off-net telephone systems and voice message system 300 is connected to te