Patent ID: 6553106
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
An alphanumeric messaging system for providing alphanumeric messages over a communications connection, comprising:a plurality of telephone station sets. each of which has an alphanumeric display that is capable of displaying alphanumeric call status messages, for providing voice communications over a communications connection; a telephone switching system that serves said plurality of telephone station sets for establishing communications connections to said plurality of telephone station sets; communications circuit means, served by said telephone switching system, for originating a communications connection to a selected one of said plurality of telephone station sets in response to a stimulus: alphanumeric messaging means for transmitting an alphanumeric message over said communications connection to said telephone switching system; and wherein said telephone switching system is responsive to said communications circuit means originating said communications connection for activating said selected telephone station set to display said alphanumeric meaasge absent voice communications on said communications connection.