Toll saver for centralized messaging systems

We claim:

1. In a switched communications network having at least one switching system for providing selective communications between subscribers' lines, said at least one switching system also providing selective communications between subscribers' lines and a centralized messaging system for storing messages directed to individual subscribers, a method comprising:

forwarding to the centralized messaging system a first call directed to one subscriber's line if the first call is not answered within a first interval;

recording a message for a called subscriber in the centralized messaging system;

sending an instruction from the centralized messaging system to the communication network in response to the recording of a message for the called subscriber;

in response to the instruction, forwarding a second call directed to the one subscriber's line to the centralized messaging system after a second interval, shorter than the first interval.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein the first interval is defined by a first number of rings of the one subscriber's line, and the second interval is defined by a second number of rings of the one subscriber's line, the first number of rings exceeding the second number of rings.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein the step of forwarding a first call comprises:

routing the first call to the one subscriber's line;

applying a periodic ringing signal to the one subscriber's line, and rerouting the first call from the one subscriber's line to the centralized messaging system if the first call is not answered after a number of periods of the ringing signal equal to said first number of rings.

4. A method as in claim 3, wherein the step of forwarding a second call comprises:

routing the second call to the one subscriber's line;

applying the periodic ringing signal to the one subscriber's line, and

rerouting the second call from the one subscriber's line to the centralized messaging system if the second call is not answered after a number of periods of the ringing signal equal to said second number of rings.

5. A method as in claim 3, wherein the step of forwarding a second call comprises routing the second call directly to the centralized messaging system such that the second number of rings is zero.

6. A method as in claim 1, further comprising storing in translation data associated with the one subscriber's line in the at least one switching system information specifying the second interval in response to the instruction.

7. A method as in claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

answering the second call at the centralized messaging system;

transmitting the recorded message via the answered second call;

sending another instruction from the centralized messaging system to the communication network;

in response to said another instruction, forwarding a third call directed to said one subscriber's line to the centralized messaging system after said first interval.

8. A method as in claim 7, further comprising:

in response to the instruction after recording of the message, storing in translation data associated with the one subscriber's line in the at least one switching system information specifying the second interval; and

in response to said another instruction, replacing the stored information specifying the second interval in the translation data associated with the one subscriber's line in the at least one switching system with information specifying the first interval.

9. A method as in claim 7, further comprising:

in response to the instruction after recording of the message, setting a destination trigger in translation data associated with the one subscriber's line in the at least one switching system to instruct the at least one switching system to access a remote database in response to the second call; and

in response to said another instruction, removing the destination trigger associated with the one subscriber's line in the at least one switching system.

10. A method as in claim 1, wherein the communication network is a public switched telephone network, and the subscribers' lines are telephone lines.

11. A method as in claim 1, wherein the stored message is a voice message.

12. A method as in claim 1, further comprising receiving input information from a subscriber defining the first interval and the second interval.

13. A method as in claim 1, further comprising receiving input information from a subscriber activating or deactivating changes in call forwarding operations for subsequent calls.

14. In a switched communications network for providing selective call connections between subscribers' lines and between subscribers' lines and a centralized messaging system, a method comprising:

routing a call directed to one subscriber's line through the switched communication network to the centralized messaging system after a specified period;

wherein the specified period will have either a first value or a second value depending on whether or not the centralized messaging system has previously stored at least one new message for the one subscriber, said first value being higher than said second value.

15. A method as in claim 14, wherein said first value corresponds to application of a first number of ringing signals to the one subscriber's line, and said second value corresponds to application of a second number of ringing signals to the one subscriber's line, the first number being higher than the second number.

16. A method as in claim 15, wherein the second number is zero.

17. In a switched communications network having at least one switching system for providing selective call connections between subscribers' lines, and a centralized messaging system for storing messages directed to individual subscribers, said at least one switching system also providing selective connections between the subscribers' lines and the centralized messaging system, a method comprising:

routing a plurality of calls, which are directed to one subscriber's line and which are not answered after a threshold period, through the communication network to the centralized messaging system;

setting said threshold period to a first predetermined value for a first one of said calls and setting said threshold period to a second predetermined value lower than said first predetermined value for a second one of said calls as a function of the status of a mailbox maintained for said one subscriber in said centralized messaging system.

18. A method as in claim 17, wherein said status relates to whether or not the centralized messaging system stores any messages for said one subscriber.

19. A communications system comprising:

a switched communications network for providing selective call connections between subscribers' lines;

a centralized messaging system for storing messages directed to individual subscribers and transmitting stored messages to subscribers, wherein the network forwards calls directed to one of said subscribers' lines to said centralized messaging system; and

means for sending an instruction to the network indicating that the centralized messaging system has stored at least one message for the one subscriber,

wherein said network changes a parameter of its call forwarding function with respect to calls directed to the one subscriber's line in response to said instruction, the change in the parameter of the call forwarding function being perceptible to subsequent callers.

20. A system as in claim 19, wherein:

said means for sending an instruction to the network sends another instruction to the network after the centralized messaging system has transmitted all stored messages for the one subscriber to the one subscriber, and

the network changes the parameter of its call forwarding function with respect to calls directed to the one subscriber in response to said another instruction.

21. A system as in claim 19, wherein the network comprises a switching system, and said means for sending an instruction to the network comprises:

a ring count change interface associated with the centralized messaging system for transmitting the instruction;

a multi-services platform connected to receive and process the instruction from the ring-count interface; and

a recent change-memory allocation channel through which the multi-services platform transmits the processed instruction to the switching system.

22. A system as in claim 19, wherein said means for sending an instruction to the network transmits said instruction to a switching system of the network via a simplified message desk interface (SMDI) link.

23. A system as in claim 19, wherein said means for sending an instruction to the network sends a message waiting signal to the network in response to which the network will also provide a message waiting indication to the one subscriber via the one subscriber's line.

24. A system as in claim 23, wherein said means for sending an instruction to the network transmits said message waiting signal to a switching system of the network via a simplified message desk interface (SMDI) link.

25. A system as in claim 19, wherein said centralized messaging system is a voice mail system.

26. A system as in claim 25, wherein said voice mail system comprises:

a plurality of voice processing units for transmitting prompting messages to callers and receiving and storing messages from callers; and

means for selectively routing a plurality of calls forwarded by the network to individual ones of the voice processing units.

27. A system as in claim 19, wherein the network comprises a switching office of a public switched telephone network.

28. A system as in claim 19, wherein the network comprises:

a first switching system and a second switching system for providing the selective call connections between subscribers' lines; and

a central control separate from the first and second switching systems, said central control sending data to and receiving data from the first and second switching systems to control said first and second switching systems; wherein

if the centralized messaging system has stored no un-replayed message for the one subscriber, the first switching system routes calls to the one subscriber's line and forwards calls to the centralized messaging system if the calls are unanswered after a predetermined interval, and

if the centralized messaging system has stored at least one un-replayed message for an identified subscriber, the first switching system obtains data from the central control and in response thereto routes calls directed to the one subscriber's line directly to the centralized messaging system.

29. A communications system comprising:

a switched communications network for providing selective call connections between subscribers'lines;

a centralized messaging system, wherein the network forwards calls directed to one of said subscribers' lines to said centralized messaging system, and the centralized messaging system includes means for answering forwarded calls and recording incoming messages for individual subscribers; and

means for sending an instruction to the network indicating a change in status of storage of messages for the one subscriber in the centralized messaging system,

wherein the network changes a parameter of its call forwarding function with respect to calls directed to the one subscriber in response to said instruction, the change in the parameter of the call forwarding function being perceptible to subsequent callers.

30. A system as in claim 29, wherein the network comprises an end office switching system for providing the forwarding of calls directed to the one of said subscribers' lines to said centralized messaging system.

31. A system as in claim 29, wherein the network comprises:

a first switching system and a second switching system for providing the selective call connections between subscribers' lines; and

a central control separate from the first and second switching systems, said central control sending data to and receiving data from the first and second switching systems to control said first and second switching systems.

32. A system as in claim 29, wherein said centralized messaging system comprises:

a plurality of processing units for receiving and storing messages from callers and transmitting stored messages to subscribers; and

means for selectively routing a plurality of calls forwarded by the network to individual ones of the processing units.

33. In a switched communications network for providing selective call connections between subscribers' lines and between subscribers' lines and a centralized messaging system, a method comprising:

routing a plurality of calls, which are directed to one subscriber's line and which are not answered after a predetermined period, through the communication network to the centralized messaging system;

wherein for each one of said plurality of calls, the predetermined period will have either a first value or a second value depending on a current status at the time of the call of a service provided by the centralized messaging system to the one subscriber, said first value being higher than said second value.

34. A method as in claim 33, wherein said status relates to whether or not the centralized messaging system stores at least one message for the one subscriber.

35. A method as in claim 33, further comprising receiving input information from the one subscriber defining the first value and the second value.

36. In a switched communications network having at least one switching system for providing selective communications between subscribers'lines, and at least one centralized messaging system for storing messages directed to individual subscribers, said at least one switching system also providing selective communications between subscribers' lines and the centralized messaging system, a method comprising:

receiving in the centralized messaging system information from a subscriber defining a predetermined ringing interval;

transmitting information representing the received information from the centralized messaging system to the communications network;

forwarding at least one call directed to a line assigned to the subscriber to the centralized messaging system if the call is not answered on the subscriber's line within the predetermined ringing interval;

wherein the received information includes a first value and a second value for said predetermined ringing interval, said first value being higher than said second value, and the step of forwarding at least one call comprises forwarding a first call if unanswered within an interval equal to the first value and forwarding a second call if unanswered within an interval equal to the second value.

37. A switched communications network comprising:

a switching system providing selective call connections between subscribers' lines;

a centralized messaging system for storing messages directed to individual subscribers and transmitting stored messages to subscribers, wherein said switching system forwards calls directed to one of said subscribers' lines to said centralized messaging system; and

means for sending an instruction to the switching system in response to a change in status of a service provided by the centralized messaging system to the one subscriber,

wherein said switching system changes a parameter of its call forwarding function with respect to calls directed to the one subscriber in response to said instruction.

38. A system as in claim 37, wherein said change of status relates to whether or not the centralized messaging system stores any messages for said one subscriber.

39. A system as in claim 38, wherein the status changes once when said centralized messaging system stores a new message for said one subscriber and the status changes again when said centralized messaging system transmits the new message to said one subscriber.

40. A system as in claim 37, wherein the centralized messaging system is a mail system and the service provided by said centralized messaging system is storage of messages in a mailbox assigned to the one subscriber.

41. A system as in claim 40, wherein the centralized messaging system is a voice mail system for storing and retrieving audio messages.

42. A system as in claim 37, wherein the centralized messaging system changes the status of said service in response to information input by the one subscriber.

43. A system as in claim 42, wherein the centralized messaging system receives service activation information from the one subscriber.

44. A system as in claim 42, wherein the information input by the one subscriber specifies a call forwarding parameter.

45. A system as in claim 44, wherein the specified call forwarding parameter determines a ringing threshold interval after which a call is recognized as unanswered.

Description Submit all comments and votes

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to centralized messaging systems, such as voice mail or FAX mail systems. Specifically, the present invention transfers information from a centralized messaging system to an associated office switching system of a communication network, to control operation of a call forwarding function provided through the network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A variety of systems are currently available for providing centralized messaging services, and the services offered are becoming increasingly popular. Such services include voice mail, store and forward type facsimile (FAX) mail, E-mail and the like. Particularly when offered by a local telephone company (TELCO) or through a TELCO's end office switch, these services involve forwarding unanswered calls directed to the subscriber's equipment to a centralized messaging system. The caller then transfers one or more messages to the centralized messaging system for storage in the called subscriber's mailbox. Subsequently, the subscriber calls in to the centralized messaging system to retrieve the messages.

Consider a voice mail service, offered by a local TELCO, as one specific example of a centralized messaging service. With a typical voice mail service offered through local telephone companies, a caller dials the subscriber's normal telephone number. If the subscriber's line identified by the dialed telephone number is busy or if there is no answer, the public switched telephone network forwards the call to a voice mail system. This voice mail system answers the call and provides an answering prompt message to the caller. In many systems, this prompt will include a personalized greeting message recorded by the called subscriber. After the prompt, the voice mail system records a message from the caller in the called subscriber's mailbox.

In many of the voice mail systems, a subscriber retrieves messages from a remote location by calling the subscriber's own telephone number. Assuming that the subscriber's line is not busy since the subscriber is away from home, the call will go unanswered. After a set ringing interval or a predetermined number of rings, the public telephone network will forward the unanswered call to the voice mail system, in the same manner as for any other call directed to the subscriber's telephone number. The voice mail system will provide the normal answering prompt to the subscriber, but the subscriber will respond by inputting some form of command code, for example by actuating one or more specific keys of a dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) telephone. The voice mail system detects DTMF signals representing the code, executes some form of security procedure (e.g. requiring input of a personal identification code or password) and allows the subscriber access to all of the available mailbox control functions, including message retrieval. The voice mail system may provide a prompt message informing the subscriber of how many messages are stored in the subscriber's mailbox and/or how many messages are new (stored but not yet replayed to the subscriber). The subscriber can then actuate the keys on the telephone to instruct the voice mail system to replay selected stored messages, delete messages, forward messages to other voice mail subscribers, etc.

Retrieval calls of the type described above often involve a long distance telephone call from the subscriber's current location to the voice mail system and/or charges for use of a pay telephone. When there are no new messages stored in the subscriber's mailbox, the subscriber still must complete the call to the voice mail system to determine such a current empty status of the mailbox. As a result, the subscriber incurs long distance charges and/or pay telephone charges but receives no new messages. These problems also arise in calling in to check the status of mailboxes in other types of centralized messaging systems, such as FAX mail systems or E-mail systems.

A similar problem has been recognized in the answering machine art, where a subscriber calls home to retrieve messages. An advanced answering machine will wait for a relatively long ringing interval before answering (e.g. six rings) if the machine has stored no new messages since the last retrieval operation. However, if the answering machine has stored one or more new messages since the last retrieval operation, the machine waits for a shorter interval before answering (e.g. two rings). Consequently, the owner calling in to check if messages are recorded can count the number of ringback signals heard. If the owner hears three or four ringbacks, then the machine has stored no new messages, and the owner can hang up before the machine answers the call. Consequently, the owner incurs no toll or pay telephone charges for the call. If the machine has stored new messages, the machine will answer incoming calls after a short interval. If the owner is calling in, this quick answer will occur before the owner might choose to hang up, and the owner can retrieve the new messages.

A solution similar to that used in answering machines apparently has not been applied to centralized messaging systems. To do so would require the centralized answering system to identify the called subscriber prior to answering each incoming call and then vary the number of rings before answering based on the status of the called subscriber's mailbox. This would complicate operations of the centralized messaging systems. Typically, unanswered calls are forwarded to the centralized messaging system after a set number of rings at the called station. Thus, the caller has already waited for some measurable interval. To force all callers to wait an additional long number of rings before the messaging system answered the call (when no new messages are already stored in the called subscriber's mailbox), would discourage many callers. Some such callers might choose to hang up before the messaging system answered their calls, not even knowing that they could leave a message. The resultant failures to store messages for the subscriber would defeat the purpose of the centralized messaging service.

Also, many messaging systems vary the number of rings before answering in order to queue incoming calls somewhat during peak usage. If call processing resources are heavily loaded or not available, the system may allow the new incoming call to go unanswered until some resource becomes available to process the call. Systems varying the ringing period before answering for one purpose cannot effectively vary that period for another newer purpose. If the messaging system varies the ringing period to queue calls, the system can not also vary that period as an indication of mailbox status; and if the centralized messaging system were to vary the ringing period as an indication of mailbox status, that system can no longer vary that period to queue calls.

From the above discussion it should be clear that a need exists to provide some indication of the status of a subscriber's mailbox or other service provided by a centralized messaging system to a calling subscriber, before the centralized messaging system answers an incoming call.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses the above discussed need and solves the above discussed problems by providing information from the centralized messaging system to the communication network which forwards calls to the centralized messaging system. The information indicates the status of the centralized messaging system with respect to the services provided thereby to the called subscriber. In response to the information from the centralized messaging system, the communication network changes at least one parameter of the forwarding function used to route calls to the messaging system for the particular subscriber in a manner which is perceptible to subsequent callers.

In the preferred embodiments, the communication network changes the ringing period (often expressed as a threshold number of rings) before which the network forwards that subscriber's incoming calls to the centralized messaging system. Also, the status which the preferred embodiments respond to relates to whether or not the centralized messaging system has stored new messages, although monitoring of other states of the messaging system service such as the urgency of stored messages are disclosed. In one embodiment, if the information from the messaging system indicates that new messages have been stored in a subscriber's mailbox, the communication network forwards unanswered calls for that subscriber to the centralized messaging system after a relatively short interval (e.g. one to three rings). In embodiments using an advanced intelligent network architecture, the communication network actually directs the call to the centralized messaging system before ringing at the subscriber's station (i.e. after a zero interval or zero ring count). If the information from the messaging system indicates that no new messages have been stored in the subscriber's mailbox, the communication network forwards unanswered calls to the centralized messaging system after a relatively long interval (e.g. four to six rings).

Consequently, when the subscriber calls in to check if messages are recorded, the subscriber can count the number of ringback signals heard as an indication of the status of that subscriber's services in the centralized messaging system. In a mailbox system example, if the subscriber hears more ringbacks than would correspond to the normal low threshold value (e.g. more than three), then the messaging system has stored no new messages in that subscriber's mailbox. The subscriber therefore can hang up before the system answers the call and thereby avoid incurring any toll or payphone charges for the call. If new messages are stored in the subscriber's mailbox, however, the network forwards the subscriber's call to the messaging system, and that system answers relatively quickly, i.e. before the subscriber might normally choose to hang up if calling in to check status. The centralized messaging system then offers the subscriber the option to access the subscriber's services, for example to retrieve the new messages from the subscriber's mailbox in the normal manner.

The centralized messaging system may also offer the subscriber the option to call in and turn on or off the above described toll saver feature. The centralized messaging system may also offer the subscriber the further option to specify the high and low ring counts and/or the ring count used when the toll saver feature is inactive.

A first system embodying the invention provides a ring count change interface associated with the centralized messaging system. This interface communicates data between the messaging system and a multi-services platform. The multi-services platform in turn exchanges data with a switching office via a recent change-memory allocation channel. When the status of a subscriber's services in the centralized messaging system changes, the messaging system sends an instruction to the switching office via the ring count change interface, the multi-services platform and the recent change-memory allocation channel. In this embodiment, the switching office responds to the instruction by changing the ring count or interval threshold parameter used for forwarding calls for the subscriber's line when the calls go unanswered. In the mailbox example, the centralized messaging system sends an instruction to set the ring count or interval low when that system stores a new message in a subscriber's mailbox, and the centralized messaging system sends an instruction to set the ring count or interval high when that system replays all new messages from the mailbox to the subscriber.

As noted above, the present invention can be implemented using an advanced intelligent network (AIN) type communication system. In an AIN type network, local and/or toll offices of the public telephone network detect one of a number of call processing events identified as AIN "triggers". A Service Switching Point or SSP type office which detects a trigger will suspend call processing, compile a call data message and forward that message via a common channel interoffice signalling (CCIS) link to an Integrated Service Control Point (ISCP). If needed, the ISCP can instruct the central office to obtain and forward additional information. Once sufficient information about the call has reached the ISCP, the ISCP accesses its stored data tables to translate the received message data into a call control message and returns the call control message to the office of the network via CCIS link. The network offices then use the call control message to complete the particular call. The AIN system offers customers a wide variety of service features and those features can be customized to suit the needs of each customer.

In AIN embodiments, the present invention relies on normal switch based call forwarding on a no answer condition after a relatively long number of rings, when the centralized messaging system does not currently store any new messages for the called subscriber. When new messages are stored, however, a destination trigger is set in the SSP type switching system. Subsequently, when the SSP switching system receives a call to that subscriber, the SSP will suspend call processing and query the ISCP for a destination number to actually route the call to. The ISCP will return a number associated with the centralized messaging system, and the SSP type switching system will connect the call to a line to the messaging system, without a prior ring. To the caller, it appears as if the call was forwarded to the centralized messaging system before any rings (zero ring count or a zero duration ringing interval), and the messaging system will answer after a first ring or at least after a short number of rings. The calling subscriber familiar with the toll saver operation can differentiate the redirection without an initial ring from the large number of rings prior to forwarding in the same manner as in the earlier embodiment.

Two specific advanced intelligent network embodiments are disclosed. The first, utilizes the ring count change interface, the multi-services platform and the recent change-memory allocation channel to instruct the SSP to set or cancel the trigger as a function of the status of the subscriber's services in the centralized messaging system. Many centralized messaging systems instruct the switching system to set or cancel a messaging waiting indicator. In the second advanced intelligent network embodiment, the SSP type switching office sets and cancels the trigger in response to the signals from the centralized messaging system activating or canceling the message waiting indication.

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is simplified block diagram of a first embodiment of a communication system implementing the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing the portion of the call processing in accord with the present invention performed by a switching system in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the portion of the call processing in accord with the present invention performed by a centralized messaging system in the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a simplified block diagram of a second embodiment of a communication system implementing the present invention, specifically one utilizing an advanced intelligent network architecture.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing call processing of the type used in an advanced intelligent network embodiment, such as that shown in FIG. 4, to route calls to a centralized messaging system.

FIG. 6 is a simplified block diagram of another embodiment of a communication system implementing the present invention using an advanced intelligent network architecture.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

For simplicity of discussion, the description of the preferred embodiments below will assume that the centralized messaging system provides voice mail type services. The principles of the present invention, however, apply equally to other types of centralized messaging systems, such as for providing E-mail, store and forward facsimile services and the like. Also, the discussion will concentrate on changing the ring count or ring timing interval used to recognize an unanswered call for forwarding purposes as a function of whether or not a subscriber's mailbox stores any new messages. It is within the scope of the present invention to change other types of call forwarding parameters, and the present invention could vary the forwarding parameter as a function of some other aspect of status of the subscriber's service provided by the centralized messaging system, such as the level of urgency of recorded messages.

ARCHITECTURE OF FIRST EMBODIMENT

In its simplest form, shown in FIG. 1, the communication system of the present invention includes at least one switching system 10 and at least one centralized message service system 20. The switching system 10 may be a local or "end office" type telephone central office switch, such as a 1AESS or 5ESS switch sold by American Telephone and Telegraph.

The end office switching system 10 typically includes, among other components, a space or time division switching matrix, a central processing unit, an input/output device and one or more data communication units. Structurally, the switching system 10 is a standard central office telephone switch. Each subscriber has at least one piece of customer premises equipment, illustrated as telephone station sets 31 to 33 in the drawing. Local telephone lines 35 to 37 serve as communication links between each of the telephone station sets 31 to 33 and the end office switching system 10. Although shown as telephones in FIG. 1, the subscriber station equipment can comprise any communication device compatible with the line. Where the line is a standard voice grade telephone line, for example, the subscriber station equipment could include facsimile devices, modems etc.

The centralized message service system in the illustrated example comprises voice messaging equipment such as a voice mail system 20. Although referred to as "voice" messaging equipment, equipment 20 may have the capability of storing messages of a variety of different types as well as voice messages. For example, a single system 20 may receive incoming messages in the form of audible messages, such as voice messages, as well as text format data messages. The voice messaging equipment 20 may also store messages in an image data format, such as facsimile. Message service systems having the capability to store messages in a variety of audible, data and image formats are known, see e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,110 to Jones et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,926 to Misholi and U.S. Pat. No. 4,652,700 to Matthews et al.

The illustrated voice mail system 20 includes a digital switching system (DSS) 21, a master control unit (MCU) 23, a number of voice processing units (VPU's) 25 and a master interface unit (MIU) or concentrator 27. The master control unit (MCU) 23 of the voice mail system 20 is a personal computer type device programmed to control overall operations of the system 20.

Each of the voice processing units 25 also is a personal computer type device. The voice processing units 25 each include or connect to one or more digital mass storage type memory units (not shown) in which the actual messages are stored. The mass storage units, for example, may comprise magnetic disc type memory devices. Although not specifically illustrated in the drawing, the voice processing units 25 also include appropriate circuitry to transmit and receive audio signals via T1 type digital audio lines. To adapt the system 20 to receive information other than voice and/or offer services other than voice mail, one or more of VPU's 25 might be reprogrammed to run other types of applications and/or process other types of incoming information. For example, one such unit might process facsimile information, one might process E-mail, etc.

An ETHERNET type digital network 29 carries data signals between the MCU 23 and the voice processing units 25. The Ethernet network 29 also carries stored messages, in digital data form, between the various voice processing units 25. The system 20 further includes T1 type digitized audio links 28 between the DSS switch 21 and each of the voice processing units 25.

The voice mail system 20 connects to the switching system 10 via a number of simplified message desk interface (SMDI) type data lines 41. Specifically, these SMDI links 41 connect between one or more data units (not shown) in the end office switching system 10 and the MIU 27 in system 20. Each SMDI line 41 carries 2400 baud RS232 data signals in both directions between the voice mail system 20 and the switching system 10. The MIU 27 is a data concentrator which effectively provides a single connection of as many as thirty-two SMDI lines into the MCU 23 of the voice mail system.

The voice mail system 20 also connects to the end office switching system 10 via a number of voice lines 43 which form a multi-line hunt group (MLHG) between the switch matrix within the switching system 10 and the DSS switch 21 of the voice mail system 20. Typically, the MLHG lines 43 consist of a number of T1 type trunk circuits which each carry 24 voice channels in digital time division multiplexed format.

The above described voice mail system architecture is similar to existing voice mail type central messaging systems, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,029,199 to Jones et al., although other messaging system architectures such as disclosed in the other patents cited above could be used.

For purposes of the present embodiment, the voice mail system 20, or other centralized messaging system, will further comprise a ring count change interface 51. The interface 51 connects to the Ethernet network 29 and provides two-way data communication between the network 29 in the voice mail system 20 and a multi-services platform (MSP) 53. For example, the unit 51 might provide a 9600 baud data channel over a line to the platform 53.

The interface 51 will receive packets of data over the Ethernet network 29 indicating changes in the status of the various subscribers' mailboxes. These packets of data will identify a particular subscriber and indicate the number a number of rings for future use in processing calls for that subscriber. The interface 51 forwards the ring count change data packets to the platform 53. The interface also receives data signals from the MSP 53, for example acknowledgements of transmitted data and/or signals indicating actual changes of status information by the switching system 10. In enhanced embodiments, the interface might include some data processing capabilities, as well. Also, the interface can provide instructions to change some other parameter of the call forwarding procedure, such as the subscriber's forwarding number.

The multi-services platform 53 connects to the end office switching system 10 via a recent change-memory administration channel (RC-MAC) 55. RC-MAC 55 is a data link to the proces