Patent ID: 6263064
Filing Date: 2001-07-17
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
A computer-implemented control center for permitting a subscriber of a plurality of communication services of a unified messaging system to customize communication options pertaining to said plurality of communication services through either a telephony-centric network using a telephone or a data-centric network using a display terminal, said computer-implemented control center comprising:a subscriber communication profile database, said subscriber communication profile database having therein an account pertaining to said subscriber, said account including said communication options for said subscriber, said communication options including parameters associated with individual ones of said plurality of said communication services and routings among said plurality of communication services;a computer server coupled to exchange data with said subscriber communication profile database, said computer server being configured to generate a single graphical menu for displaying said communication options for each of said communication services at the same time, and to visually display said single graphical menu on said display terminal when said subscriber employs said display terminal to access said computer-implemented control center through said data-centric network, said computer server also being configured to receive from said subscriber via said display terminal and said data-centric network a first change to said communication options and to update said first change to said account in said subscriber communication profile database, wherein said single graphical menu comprises at least a first display area for showing a first communication service and a first communication option associated with said first communication service, and a second display area for showing a second communication service and a second communication option associated with said second communication service, the first display area and the second display area being displayed at the same time in said single graphical menu, and wherein the first communication option includes a first enable option for enabling or disabling the first communication service, and wherein the second communication option includes a second enable option for enabling or disabling the second communication service; anda telephony server coupled to exchange data with said communication profile database, said telephony server being configured to audibly represent said communication options to said telephone when said subscriber employs said telephone to access said computer-implemented control center, said telephony server also being configured to receive from said subscriber via said telephone a second change to said communication options and to update said second change to said account in said subscriber communication profile database.