Patent ID: 6751300
Filing Date: 2004-06-15
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
In a network based voice mail system that has a user voice mail box that is accessible over a telephone network via a predetermined telephone number and an optional predetermined access code, a remote answering device comprising:a) a modem answering an incoming call upon detecting a predetermined number of rings, dial the user's voice mail box using a three-way calling service and conferencing the incoming call with the user's voice mail box; b) a memory storing the predetermined telephone number and the optional predetermined access code, and a local greeting that is played to a caller during an incoming call while the network based voice mail system is being accessed; c) a processor controlling the modem and passing the predetermined telephone number and optional predetermined access code from the memory to the modem; and d) a paging receiver receiving a paging signal that indicates that a message exists in the network based voice mail system that was not received by the remote answering device, and outputting a numerical code to the processor indicating a message count.