Patent ID: 6553102
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
A method of fully integrating a single voice mail box for different station extensions on a PBX, said method comprising the steps of:providing an integration apparatus connected between said PBX and a voice mail system, said integration apparatus including a switching apparatus having a plurality of input ports connected to voice mail extensions on said PBX, a plurality of output ports connected to a plurality of voice mail ports of said voice mail system, and a switching circuit interconnecting the input ports to the output ports for selectively cross-connecting calls from said input ports to said output ports, said integration apparatus further including a switching control apparatus coupled to said switching apparatus for selectively controlling cross-connecting of said calls from said input ports to said output ports; receiving a call on said PBX; automatically generating and communicating a set of call information directly from said PBX to said switching control apparatus, said call information identifying at least the called party extension and a respective PBX voice mail extension to which the call is being forwarded; comparing said called party extension to a mail box replacement database in said switching control apparatus, said mail box replacement database including the called party extension and a replacement voice mail box extension to use as a replacement for the called party extension; replacing said called party extension with said replacement voice mail box extension; determining an available voice mail port; creating a new set of call information for said call, said new set of call information identifying said replacement voice mail box extension, and further identifying a respective voice mail port to which the call is being cross-connected; communicating said new set of call information to said voice mail system to identify said call to said voice mail system; cross-connecting said call from said input port to said available output port; providing a personalized greeting associated with said called party extension; and receiving a voice mail message from the calling party.