Patent Publication Number: US-8537987-B2

Title: Broadcasting voicemail replies

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This is a continuation of prior co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/274,508, filed on Nov. 16, 2005, titled BROADCASTING VOICEMAIL REPLIES the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Benefits under 35 U.S.C. §120 are hereby claimed. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Implementations consistent with the principles of the invention relate generally to communication services and, more particularly, to voice messaging services and the translating of replies to voicemail messages. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Voicemail systems may receive, store and provide voicemail messages for subscribers of a voicemail service. A “subscriber” is typically a person that has a relationship with the provider of the voicemail service. For example, the voicemail service may be provided by a local telephone company through which a subscriber receives telephone service. 
     Voicemail services may have certain shortcomings. One such shortcoming, may occur when a subscriber wishes to retrieve his/her messages. For example, when a subscriber wishes to retrieve his/her messages, the subscriber typically calls a telephone number associated with the voicemail service and retrieves each message in the order in which the messages were stored. Therefore, the subscriber must listen to at least a portion of each message to determine who has left the message. This type of message retrieval system may be time consuming to use when the subscriber needs to access a large number of stored messages. 
     Another shortcoming associated with voicemail systems may occur when the subscriber responds to voicemail messages by, for example, sending a reply to a calling party. The subscriber may have to respond to each message individually even when callers are associated with each other, such as members of a sports team, employees of a department within a corporation, classmates, etc., and/or where the subject matter of the stored messages is very similar, such as when multiple messages pertain to the same topic. 
     Voicemail users may benefit from devices and/or techniques that let users interact with voicemail systems more efficiently. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to one aspect consistent with the principles of the invention, a method is provided. The method may include storing a message associated with a subscriber of a voicemail system. The method may include providing information about the stored message to the subscriber. The method may include receiving a message from the subscriber in response to the stored message. The method may include receiving an input from the subscriber, where the input represents a group of parties. The method may include sending the message to the group of parties as a broadcast message. 
     According to another aspect consistent with the principles of the invention, a messaging device is provided. The messaging device may include a memory configured to store a first message from a first caller and intended for a called party and to store information identifying a group that includes a group of broadcast parties that include the first caller. The messaging device may include a processor configured to receive a reply message from the called party and to broadcast the reply message to at least a subset of the group. 
     According to a further aspect consistent with the principles of the invention, a method is provided. The method may include notifying a called party about a group of stored messages received from a group of calling parties. The method may include making information about at least one of the group of messages available to the called party in response to a first input. The method may include recording a new broadcast message or retrieving a stored broadcast message on behalf of the called party in response to a second input. The method may include sending the new broadcast message or the retrieved broadcast message to at least a subset of the group of calling parties on behalf of the called party based on a third input. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and, together with the description, explain the invention. In the drawings, 
         FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary system in which methods and systems consistent with the principles of the invention may be implemented; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary configuration of the voicemail system of  FIG. 1  in an implementation consistent with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary database that may be associated with the directory server of  FIG. 1  in an implementation consistent with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary process for receiving and storing voicemail messages and caller information in an implementation consistent with the principles of the invention; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary process associated with retrieving information associated with stored voicemail messages and for retrieving the stored voicemail messages in an implementation consistent with the principles of the invention; and 
         FIGS. 6A-L , illustrate exemplary aspects of a user&#39;s interaction with VM system  140  consistent with the principles of the invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description of implementations consistent with the principles of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims and their equivalents. 
     Exemplary System 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an exemplary system in which methods and systems consistent with the invention may be implemented. Referring to  FIG. 1 , system  100  may include calling device  110 , called device  120  first network  110 , second network  150 , voicemail (VM) system  140  and directory server  160 . The number of elements and networks illustrated in  FIG. 1  is provided for simplicity. In practice, a typical system could include more or fewer elements and networks than illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     Calling device  110  and called device  120  may each include any device or combination of devices capable of transmitting voice signals to a network, such as first network  130 . In one implementation, calling device  110  and called device  120  may each include any type of telephone system/device, such as a plain old telephone system (POTS) telephone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) telephone, and/or a wireless telephone device. In another implementation, calling device  110  and called device  120  may each include a type of computer system, such as a mainframe, minicomputer, personal computer, a laptop, personal digital assistant (PDA), or the like. Calling device  110  and called device  120  may connect to first network  130  via any type of connection, such as wired, wireless, or optical connections. 
     In implementations described herein, calling device  110  may leave a voicemail message for a user, or subscriber, that is associated with called device  120 . “Voicemail message”, as used herein, may refer to substantially any type of message that may be associated with calling device  110  and/or called device  120 . For example, a voicemail message may include a conventional voicemail message such as those associated with Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) phones. In addition, a voicemail message may include messages that contain digitized audio, digital images, digital video and/or text. 
     First network  130  and second network  150  may each include a local area network (LAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), a wide area network (WAN), a telephone network, such as the PSTN, an intranet, the Internet and/or a combination of networks. In one implementation consistent with the invention, first network  130  may be implemented as a combined network that includes a PSTN, the Internet and/or a long distance telephone network. In this implementation, first network  130  may include one or more end offices, central offices (COs) and/or associated switches. First network  130  may also include one or more tandem switches, such as a Class 4 switch that may act as a point of presence for interfacing to a long distance network, etc. 
     In an exemplary implementation consistent with the principles of the invention, second network  150  may include a LAN and/or a WAN that connects VM system  140  to directory server  160 . In alternative implementations, VM system  140  may connect directly to directory server  160 . 
     VM system  140  may include one or more network devices (e.g., voicemail servers/platforms) that perform voicemail services, such as receiving, storing, and providing voicemail messages to subscribers. For example, VM system  140  may include an automated response unit (ARU) and automatic call distributor (ACD) that provide a greeting, to a caller and prompt the caller to leave a message. VM system  140  may be configured to store substantially any number of messages for a subscriber, and the stored messages may be associated with substantially any number of calling parties. 
     Implementations consistent with the principles of the invention use VM system  140  that may be configured to provide a broadcast message capability to subscribers of VM system  140 . For example, a subscriber may interact with VM system  140  to send a broadcast message to substantially any number of calling parties or non-calling parties. 
     As used herein, “broadcast message” or “broadcast reply” refers to any message that can be distributed to multiple destinations at the same time or substantially the same time via a single act, or series of acts. Broadcast messages may include voice, video, images and/or text. 
     As used herein, “calling party” refers to any party associated with a voicemail message that is stored in VM system  140 . For example, a calling party may have left a stored voicemail message that is intended for a called party. A calling party may be a subscriber of VM system  140  and/or a calling party may not be a subscriber of VM system  140 . 
     As used herein, “non-calling party” refers to any party that has not left a stored voicemail message in VM system  140 . A non-calling party may have information identifying the on-calling party stored in a database associated with VM system  140 , even though no stored voicemail messages may be associated with the non-calling party. Non-calling parties may be subscribers of VM system and/or non-calling parties may not be subscribers of VM system  140 . 
     As used herein, “subscriber” refers to any party that is associated with VM system  140 . For example, a called party may be a subscriber of VM system  140  by way of a voicemail account on VM system  140 . Calling parties and/or non-calling parties may also be subscribers of VM system  140  if the calling parties have, for example, accounts on VM system  140 . 
     Assume that a first caller leaves a first message and a second caller leaves a second message. The subscriber may play the first and/or second message via called device  120 . The subscriber may send a broadcast message to the first caller and the second caller using a single series of actions to generate and send the broadcast message, as described in more detail below. The broadcast message may operate as reply to the first message and/or the second message. 
     Broadcast messages may be sent in one or more formats, such as by sending a first format to a first calling party and a second format to a second calling party. Assume that a PSTN caller leaves a message for a subscriber. The subscriber may send a broadcast reply to the caller in a PSTN compatible format while sending an IP compatible broadcast reply to another party that may, or may not, be associated with the caller. Broadcast messages let a subscriber efficiently respond to substantially any number of messages associated with his/her voicemail account. 
     Directory server  160  may include any device capable of storing information about an identity of calling device  110  and/or a party. For example, directory server  160  may include one or more servers that store information regarding various calling party identifiers, such as telephone numbers, fax numbers, IP addresses, SIP addresses, instant messaging (IM) addresses and/or email addresses. For example, directory server  160  may include a database that lists telephone numbers across the United States and, optionally, outside the United States, and user names associated with the respective telephone numbers. Directory server  160  may also include other databases that store telephone numbers, names, and/or other identifying information associated with telephone numbers, names, and/or other identifying information associated with calling parties and/or non-calling parties, as described in more detail below. 
     Exemplary Configuration for Voicemail System 
       FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary configuration of VM system  140  in an implementation consistent with the invention. Directory server  160  may be similarly configured. Referring to  FIG. 2 , VM system  140  may include a bus  210 , processing logic  220 , a memory  230 , a read only memory (ROM)  240 , a storage device  250 , an input device  260 , an output device  270 , and a communication interface  280 . It will be appreciated that VM system  140  may include other components (not shown) that aid in receiving, transmitting, and/or processing voicemail messages. 
     Bus  210  may permit communication among the components of VM system  140 . Processing logic  220  may include any type of processor, or microprocessor, that interprets and executes instructions. In other implementations, processing logic  220  may be implemented as or may include an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like. Memory  230  may include a random access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storage device that stores information and instructions for execution by processing logic  220 . ROM  240  may include a ROM device and/or another type of static storage device that stores static information and instructions for processing logic  220 . Storage device  250  may include a magnetic or optical recording medium and its corresponding drive for storing information and/or instructions. 
     Input device  260  may include a device that permits an operator to input information to VM system  140 , such as a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a pen, a microphone, one or more biometric mechanisms, and the like. Output device  270  may include a device that outputs information to the operator, including a display, a printer, a speaker, etc. 
     Communication interface  280  may include any transceiver-like mechanism that enables VM system  140  to communicate with other devices and/or systems. For example, communication interface  280  may include mechanisms for communicating with another device or system via a network, such as first network  130  or second network  150 . 
     VM system  140 , consistent with the invention, may perform voicemail services, as described in detail below. VM system  140  may perform these and other services in response to processing logic  220  executing software instructions contained in a computer-readable medium, such as memory  230 . A computer-readable medium may be defined as one or more memory devices and/or carrier waves. The software instructions may be read into memory  230  from another computer-readable medium, such as data storage device  250 , or from another device via communication interface  280 . The software instructions contained in memory  230  may cause processing logic  220  to perform processes that will be described later. Alternatively, hardwired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement processes consistent with the principles of the invention. Thus, systems and methods consistent with the invention are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software. 
     Exemplary Database 
     VM system  140  may interact with directory server  160  to receive voicemail messages associated with a broadcast party. “Broadcast party,” as used herein, refers to any party that can receive a broadcast message. Broadcast parties may be calling parties, non-calling parties, subscribers, and/or non-subscribers. Broadcast parties may be associated with a database that stores information on behalf of a subscriber, such as a called party. The database may access broadcast party information when a called party is accessing a stored voicemail message and/or composing/sending broadcast messages to recipients. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary database  300  that may be associated with directory server  160  in an implementation consistent with the principles of the invention. Directory server  160  may operate with one or more databases  300  to process inbound calls when interacting with VM system  140 . Database  300  may be stored in, for example, a storage device within directory server  160  or may be located externally from directory server  160 . In alternative implementations, database  300  and/or directory server  160  may be stored in VM system  140 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , database  300  may include an identification field  310 , a name field  320 , an association field  330 , a location field  340  and a format field  350 . It should be understood that database  300  may include additional and/or different fields (not shown) that provide information associated with a telephone number and/or another identifier associated with a broadcast party. 
     In one implementation, a broadcast party may be associated with more than one called party in database  300 . Entries within database  300  may be arranged or grouped according to one or more criteria. For example, entries may be organized in rows and/or columns to facilitate interpretation of information stored in database  300  by an operator. Entries may be denoted as first entry  302 , second entry  304  and third entry  306 . 
     Identification field  310  may store an identifier associated with a user device, such as calling device  110 . The identifier may include, for example, any information that can be used to identify a device and/or a user of a device on a network. Implementations consistent with the principles of the invention may use IP addresses, email addresses, telephone numbers. SIP user names, etc., as entries in identification field  310 . For example, an identifier may include a unique group of characters, such as a 10 digit telephone number that is associated with a user device (e.g., calling device  110 ). 
     Name field  320  may store information associated with the identifier used in identification field  310 , such as the name of the party to whom the corresponding identifier in identification field  310  has been registered, or assigned to, by a service provider, such as a telephone company. Internet service provider (ISP), etc. For example, referring to  FIG. 3 , the telephone number 555-123-4567 in first entry  302  corresponds to the name Robert Jones. In contrast, second entry  304  in database  300  corresponds to an Internet address associated with Jane Smith, and third entry  306  in database  300  corresponds to an email address associated with Bill Lee. 
     Association field  330  may include any information for identifying entries in database  300  and/or for associating a number of database  300  entries together. For example, first entry  302  and second entry  304  may be associated with a book club of which a subscriber, e.g., recipient of a voicemail message, may be a member. Association field  330  may let the subscriber send a broadcast message, such as a reply to a voicemail message, to a subset of entries associated with the book club or to all entries associated with the book club. Assume that Robert Jones leaves a voicemail message for the subscriber regarding a book that will be read at an upcoming club meeting. The subscriber may notify other members of the book club about the book by sending a broadcast message to every entry that includes “book club” in association field  330 . 
     Location field  340  may store geographic information associated with a name in name field  320  and/or an identifier in identification field  310 . Geographic information may be associated with a local region, such as a neighborhood or city, or a non local region, such as a neighboring state and/or country. Geographic information may provide a subscriber with an additional way to identify calling parties. For example, if Jane Smith leaves a message for a subscriber about a city council meeting for the city of Fairfax, the subscriber may send a broadcast message to any entry  302 ,  304 ,  306  that includes “Fairfax” in location field  340 . Location field  340  may facilitate composing and sending broadcast messages to a number of recipients based on common criteria, such as a city of residence. 
     Format field  350  may include information that identifies a communication format, such as a communication and/or networking protocol, that can be used to send a broadcast message from VM system  140  and/or directory server  160  to a caller. For example, format field  350  may include “PSTN” to indicate that Robert Jones should be contacted is a message compatible with a PSTN. In contrast, “IP” may indicate that Jane Smith should be contacted via a message compatible with an IP network. Format field  350  may include multiple entries for a single caller. Multiple entries may cause multiple broadcast messages, in a number of formats, to be sent to the caller. Implementations consistent with the principles of the invention may let a subscriber send a broadcast message to multiple recipients using multiple formats. For example, a broadcast message may be sent to Robert Jones in a PSTN format and to Jane Smith in an IP network format, such as by way of an instant message (IM). In addition, in some implementations, multiple messages may be sent to one (or more) of the recipients in multiple different formats. 
     Implementations of database  300  may include other fields (not shown), such as a preference field that may include information for identifying one or more communication preferences associated with a caller. For example, a preference field may include entries listed in a hierarchy, where the hierarchy determines an order for contacting the caller. Assume that a preference field includes “PSTN”, “pager” and “email” for Robert Jones. When a subscriber sends a broadcast message to Robert Jones, the message may be sent in a PSTN format since PSTN is the first entry. If no acknowledgement is received, such as a receipt confirmation, within a determined time span, a pager compatible message may be sent and then an email message may be sent. 
     A preference field may also include additional information such as a time-of-day entry. The time-of-day entry may be associated with a broadcast party, such as Robert Jones. The time-of-day entry may be used to specify a time window when a recipient, such as Robert Jones, can be reached via a broadcast message. For example, if Robert Jones is only available to receive broadcast messages from 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM, a time-of-day entry for Robert. Jones may be “3-4 PM.” Time-of-day entries may also be used to set a lifetime value for a broadcast message. A lifetime value may determine how long a broadcast message may remain undelivered and/or unread before being deleted. For example, a subscriber may assign a lifetime value of one hour to a broadcast message. If the broadcast message is not read by a recipient within one hour of being sent, the message may be deleted from the recipient&#39;s inbox. 
     Database  300  may be populated using information obtained from a broadcast party and/or a called party. For example, a portion of database  300  may be associated with a called party. The called party may enter information into database  300  on his/her own behalf. For example, the called party may enter information into database  300  about callers that are known to the called party. Information about known callers can be arranged in a format that allows callers to be identified and/or grouped according to criteria provided by the called party. In an alternative implementation, consistent with the principles of the invention, callers may provide information to directory server  160  and/or an operator associated with directory server  160  along with a request that the information be placed in a portion of database  300  that is associated with a called party. 
     While only one database  300  is described above, it will be appreciated that database  300  may include multiple databases stored locally at directory server  160  and/or stored at different locations accessible by directory server  160  via first network  130  and/or second network  150 . Moreover, if a number of directory servers  160  are present, each 
     In other implementations, consistent with the principles of the invention, database  300  may be associated with one or more other devices in system  100 . For example, database  300  may be associated with VM system  140  and may be directly accessible by VM system  140 . For example, database  300  may be operated and/or maintained by the same entity that operates VMS system  140 . 
     Exemplary Processing 
       FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary process for receiving and storing voicemail messages and caller information in an implementation consistent with the principles of the invention.  FIG. 4  is discussed in connection with a PSTN; however, other implementations may employ other protocols and/or network architectures in conjunction with acts similar to those illustrated in  FIG. 4 . For example, processes similar to those described with respect to  FIG. 4  may be implemented in SIP networks, IP networks, etc. 
     A called party may subscribe to voicemail services provided by VM system  140 . A central office (CO) in first network  130  may receive an inbound call from a calling party (act  410 ). Assume that the called party does not answer the inbound call from the calling party. After a predetermined number of rings without an answer, a CO may forward the inbound call to a messaging system, such as VM system  140  (act  420 ). 
     The CO in first network  130  may be provided with a telephone number to which the inbound call is to be forwarded after the predetermined number of rings. For example, an entity associated with VM system  140  may provide a local exchange carrier (LEC) operating the CO in first network  130 , to which called device  120  is coupled, with a telephone number associated with VM system  140 . In an exemplary implementation, the LEC that forwards the call to VM system  140  may be unaffiliated with the entity that operates VM system  140 . That is, VM system  140  may be operated by an entity that provides voicemail services to the subscriber at called device  120 , but does not provide local phone service to that subscriber. For example, in some implementations. VM system  140  may be operated by an inter-exchange carrier (IEC) that provides long distance services via first network  130 . 
     Alternatively, VM system  140  may be affiliated with the LEC providing local telephone service to called device  120 . In this case, the LEC may forward the call to a switch in its own network that is associated with VM system  140 . In each case, the LEC (or other service provider) may configure the appropriate CO in first network  130  to forward calls to the appropriate telephone number after a predetermined number of rings without an answer at called device  120 . 
     VIM system  140  may receive the forwarded call. VM system  140  may determine if identifying information is available for the calling party associated with the forwarded call (act  430 ). For example, a telephone number associated with a calling party may serve as identifying information for the calling party. 
     If identification information is available for the calling party, VM system  140  may obtain the identification information (act  440 ). For example, VM system  140  may perform an automatic number identification (ANI) process to identify an originating telephone number associated with the calling party at calling device  110 . Alternatively, another device in system  100 , such as a local switch in first network  130 , may perform an ANI to identify the originating telephone number and may pass the ANI information to VM system  140  via first network  130 . In a data network implementation, such as an IP network, a packet sent from calling device  110  may include identifying information. 
     After the telephone number associated with the calling party is identified. VM system  140  may perform a lookup using the calling party&#39;s telephone number. For example, VM system  140  may forward the calling party&#39;s telephone number to directory server  160  and may use this telephone number to identify a name associated with the calling party. As an example, suppose that the identified telephone number is 555-123-4567. In this case, directory server  160  may access database  300  ( FIG. 3 ) and may identify the calling party (or the person to whom the originating telephone number has been assigned) as Robert Jones. 
     Directory server  160  may maintain a number of databases that can be associated with called parties. For example, directory server  160  may associate a first database with a first called party and a second database with a second called party. Directory server  160  may use a telephone number associated with the called party to identify a database for use with that called party. Assume that a caller places a call to called device  120  and the called party does not answer, VM system  140  and/or directory server  160  may process the called number to determine which database should be accessed. After the proper database is accessed (e.g., database  300 ), information, such as telephone numbers and/or names, associated with calling parties known to the called party may be used to identify the calling party. The identified calling party information may be used to record an audible prompt that identifies the calling party. The audible prompt may be played to the called party when the called party retrieves stored messages, as described below. 
     After identifying a name or some other identifier associated with the calling party, directory server  160  may forward the name and/or other identifying information, such as information in association field  330 , information in location field  340 , and/or information in format field  350 , to VM system  140 . VM system  140  may, concurrently with identifying the name associated with the calling party, prompt the calling party to leave a message. 
     VM system  140  may receive and store the voicemail message from the calling party along, with the name associated with the calling party (act  450 ). For example, VM system  140  may play a pre-recorded message for the calling party that prompts the calling party to leave a message. The calling party may then leave a voicemail message and VM system  140  may store the voicemail message along with the name of the calling party. 
     Returning to act  430 , if identification information, such as a telephone number, is not available for the calling party. VM system  140  may prompt the calling party for identification information (act  460 ). For example, if a calling party places a call to VM system  140  from a telephone having an unlisted number, no caller ID information may be available to VM system  140 . VM system  140  may prompt the calling party to speak his/her name and/or telephone number. VM system  140  may process the spoken response using a speech recognition application. 
     VM system  140  may determine if the identification information provided by the calling party is sufficient to identify the calling party (act  470 ). If the identification information received from the calling party is adequate to identify the calling party, process flow may go to act  450  and store a message from the calling party. For example, if VM system  140  can determine the identity of the calling party by processing the spoken response received in act  470 , the calling party may be allowed to leave a message for the called party. In contrast, if the identification information received from the calling party in act  470  cannot be used to determine the identity of the calling party, a message may be provided to the 
     VM system  140  may notify the called party that a stored message is on the system. For example, VM system  140  may transmit a message waiting indicator (MWI) to called device  120 . The MWI may be visual, such as a light, text, or image, and/or may be audible. For example, a MWI, consistent with the invention, may include a “stutter tone” that is provided to a user when called device  120  is taken off-hook. This stutter tone may alert the user to the presence of a voicemail message. Other implementations, such as an IP implementation, may display a MWI that includes text and/or images on a computer display. 
     A party associated with called device  120  may retrieve stored voicemail messages and/or may send broadcast replies, as described in detail below. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates an exemplary process associated with retrieving information associated with stored voicemail messages and for retrieving the stored voicemail messages in an implementation consistent with the principles of the invention. Processing may begin after a calling party has left a message for the called party associated with called device  120 . 
     Assume that the called party takes called device  120  off-hook to retrieve his/her messages from VM system  140 . The called party, consistent with the invention, may access VM system  140  (act  510 ). For example, a party at called device  120  may enter a telephone number associated with VM system  140 . Alternatively, a party at called device  120  may enter one or more pre-designated characters to retrieve the voicemail messages. Telephone-based implementations may provide the party at called device  120  with information in a spoken format, which can include human generated speech and/or machine generated speech. Other implementations, such as IP-based implementations, may provide information in text and/or spoken formats. 
     VM system  140  may request an authorization code, such as a user name and/or password, from a subscriber. The authorization code may be used to identify the subscriber before letting the subscriber access the stored voicemail messages associated with calls to called device  120 . In an alternative implementation consistent with the invention, VM system  140  may capture the telephone number and/or another identifier, such as an IP address, associated with called device  120  without requesting an authorization code. For example, ANI techniques may be used to capture the telephone number associated with the called device  120 . Alternatively, VM system  140  may employ speech recognition software to process spoken responses to capture information associated with called device  120 , such as a user name and/or password. 
     Assume that the called party has established communications with VM system  140  and has been authorized to access VM system  140 . Further assume that VM system  140  has stored a number of messages for the called party. For example, VM system  140  may have stored voicemail messages, email messages, and/or video messages for the called party. 
     VM system  140  may provide information about stored messages and/or the identities of callers associated with those messages tact  520 ). For example, an introductory message, such as a greeting, a time/date stamp for the message, a length of the message and/or a priority for the message may be provided to the party at called device  120 . The greeting may also identify the number and/or type of stored messages that are waiting for the called party. For example, VM system  140  may provide a message to the party at called device  120 , such as, “The first stored message is a voicemail message from Jane Smith, the second stored message is video message from Robert Jones,” etc. in this manner, the party at called device  120  may quickly determine who has left messages and/or may determine what types of messages are stored on VM system  140 . 
     In some implementations, VM system  140  may provide the party at called device  120  with a visible display identifying the callers who left messages. For example, if called device  120  includes a telephone with a display area and/or a computer display device, VM system  140  may transmit text information to called device  120 . The transmitted text information and/or images may include information that lets the called party identify callers who left messages. VM system  140  may also transmit other types of information that are associated with the caller, such as visual information (e.g.; images of the caller) or audible information (e.g., a name and/or affiliation announcement). 
     VM system  140 , consistent with the invention, may also provide options to allow the party at called device  120  to retrieve stored messages and/or send broadcast messages in substantially any order (act  530 ). For example, VM system  140  may provide a voice menu that allows the called party to select one of the names of the identified callers who left a message. Alternative implementations, such as web-based implementations, may provide for the use of a keyboard and display device and/or a speech recognition interface when called party is selecting the name of an identified caller. For example, VM system  140  may provide the called party with a display that shows information associated with stored messages. 
     Assume that the called party brings up a display showing stored messages. Further assume that the display presents information about stored messages in a format similar to the arrangement of entries in database  300  of  FIG. 3 . The called party may select a stored message using information associated with the message. For example, if the called party is accessing stored messages on a PDA, the called party may only wish to answer messages associated with callers capable of receiving, text-based broadcast messages. A format field may be included in the information displayed to the called party to let the called party know that certain callers can receive text based broadcast messages. In still other alternative implementations, VM system  140  may be configured to translate broadcast messages from a first format to a second format where the second format may be compatible with a calling party while the first format may not be compatible with the calling party. 
     VM system  140  may play the selected caller&#39;s message without playing each message that was stored prior to the selected message (act  540 ). As an example, suppose that VM system  140  provides the names Jane Smith, Robert Jones, Ed Wilson and George Taylor to the called party at called device  120 , identifying four parties who left voicemail messages. VM system  140  may provide a voice menu that instructs the called party to voice any one of the identified names to retrieve the corresponding message. For example, VM system  140  may provide a message such as, “Please select a caller to hear the message from that caller.” Further assume that the called party at called device  120  wishes to retrieve the message from Ed Wilson before hearing any other message. In this case, the called party may say the name Ed Wilson into called device  120 . Voice recognition software at VIM system  140  may recognize the called party&#39;s spoken input (i.e., Ed Wilson in this example) and may play Ed Wilson&#39;s voicemail message to the called party via called device  120 . In this manner, the called party at called device  120  may retrieve stored messages in substantially any order. 
     In alternative implementations, VM system  140  may prompt the called party at called device  120  to enter one or more inputs via a keypad and/or pointing device on, for example, called device  120  to select a particular message. For example, VM system  140  may provide a textual prompt such as “To hear Jane Smith&#39;s message, press 1; to hear Robert Jones&#39; message, press 2, . . . ”, etc. In this manner, a called party may retrieve stored messages in his/her desired order, regardless of the order in which the messages were received. Letting the called party retrieve messages out of order may save time with respect to retrieving the stored messages since the called party can choose any message. 
     Implementations may also let the called party associate priority information with a list of potential calling parties. For example, the called party may specify a priority for each broadcast party (e.g., a calling party) stored in database  300 . VIM system  140  may then present a list of names (or the actual stored voicemail messages) to the called party based on the priorities identified in the stored list. For example, suppose that the called party indicates that calls from his/her designated family members have the highest priority. If one of these designated family members leaves a message for the called party, the name of that calling party would be presented first to the called party when the called party retrieves his/her voicemail message. 
     Priorities, such as those associated with stored messages, may be used by a called party when sending broadcast messages to recipients. For example, assume that stored messages from a first calling party have a first priority and stored messages from a second calling party have a second priority. A called party may associate the first priority and the second priority to recipients of broadcast messages. For example, the called party may compose a broadcast message directed to the first calling party and the second calling party. The called party may send the broadcast message to the first calling via the first priority to and to the second calling party via the second priority. Implementations consistent with the principles of the invention let a called party associate substantially any number of priorities to incoming voicemail messages and/or to outgoing broadcast messages. 
     Assume that Robert Jones left a message on VM system  140 , the called party may access and play the stored message. The called party may compose a broadcast message to respond to one or more stored voicemail messages (act  550 ). For example, assume that the called party accesses a stored message using a telephone. The called party may play the stored message by, for example, speaking “Play, Robert Jones.” After the stored message has been played, the called party may compose a broadcast message by speaking in response to a prompt and/or by depressing keys on a keypad. For example, the called party may record the contents of a broadcast message by speaking into a handset of called device  120 . VM system  140  may store the broadcast message contents until the message is sent. In some implementations, the message may be converted to a digital format prior to storing. 
     The broadcast message may operate as a reply to the stored message and may include an answer to the stored message. A called party may then select recipients, such as broadcast parties, for the broadcast message by making a keypad selection and/or by speaking a command into a handset. For example, VM system  140  may present the called party with a list of broadcast party names that can be used to identify potential recipients of a broadcast message. When the called party selects recipients for the broadcast message, database  300  may associate an identifier with the selected names. Database  300  may further associate the selected identifiers with the broadcast message. Certain broadcast parties may be subscribers of VM system  140  while other broadcast parties may not be subscribers of VM system  140 . For example, co-workers of a called party may be subscribers or users affiliated with VM system  140  used by the called party at his/her place of employment. In contrast, friends of the called party may not be subscribers of the voicemail system used by the called party at his/her place of employment (e.g., VM system  140 ). 
     Assume that a stored voicemail message is an invitation to attend an event. A broadcast message that is generated in response to the stored message can include an RSVP as well as including other information, such as a request for directions, a question about suitable attire, and/or a request for additional details about the event. The broadcast message may be sent to the calling party, such as Robert Jones, and to another party that is associated with database  300 . For example, a broadcast message may be sent to Robert and to Robert&#39;s wife, who may be helping Robert with planning the event. 
     A broadcast message may be configured to match a protocol and/or format used for the stored message. Assume that a calling party leaves a PSTN compatible voicemail message on VM system  140 . Further assume that the called party composes a broadcast message that is compatible with a PSTN. The broadcast message may be configured to provide a voice response to a PSTN device associated with the calling party and another party. 
     A broadcast message may also be configured to include multiple formats. For example, in response to a PSTN voicemail message, a called party may generate a broadcast message that is compatible with a PSTN and an IP network. The called party may send the broadcast message to the calling party in a PSTN format and to the other party in an IP network compatible format. Implementations consistent with the principles of the invention are not limited to any particular type and/or format of broadcast message. In addition, broadcast messages may be sent to a calling party and any number of other parties using one or more formats for the broadcast message. 
     After generating the broadcast message, the called party may send the broadcast message to the calling party and at least one other party (act  560 ). For example, the called party may indicate, via, for example, a voice input, that the broadcast message should be sent to Robert Jones and Jane Smith. VM system  140  accesses database  300  and may identify the appropriate identifier in field  310  and format in field  350  and forwards the broadcast message to both Robert Jones and Jane Smith. Alternatively, the called party may provide a voice input of “Book Club.” VM system  140 , using speech recognition software, identifies the voice input and accesses database  300  to identify parties having an association in field  330  of “Book Club.” In this example, VM system  140  identifies first entry  302  and second entry  304  as having an association field  330  storing “Book Club.” VM system  140  identifies the recipients of the broadcast message as Robert Jones and Jane Smith. Using association field  330  allows the called party a simplified way in which to identify recipients of broadcast messages and also saves time with respect to identifying recipients. Recipients of broadcast messages may be subscribers of VM system  140  along with the called party. Alternatively, recipients of broadcast messages may not be subscribers of VM system  140 . Broadcast messages may also include features, such as return receipts, lifetime indicators that cause the broadcast message to be deleted if it is not read within a determined time interval, and/or keys to facilitate decryption of encrypted broadcast messages. Broadcast messages may also include links to other information, such as a universal resource locator (URL) associated with a networked device. 
     The called party may compose and/or send a broadcast message at any time during the review and/or playback of stored voicemail messages on VM system  140 . For example, the called party may compose and send a broadcast message without listening to a stored message, may compose and send a broadcast message after listening to a portion of a stored message, and/or may compose and send a broadcast message after listening to an entire stored message. In addition, the called party may send broadcast messages to all broadcast parties associated with database  300  and/or to a subset of the broadcast parties associated with database  300 . 
     For example, assume that a first coworker leaves a voicemail message for the called party about a meeting. Further assume that in response to the voicemail message, the called party may send a broadcast reply to the first coworker as well as to a second and/or third coworker even if the second and/or third coworker did not leave voicemail messages and/or may not be calling parties. The called party may also send the broadcast message to a party that is not associated with database  300 . For example, a called party may manually enter identifying information for a recipient of a broadcast message if that recipient does not have identifying information stored in database  300 . 
     Broadcast messages may allow a called party to merge a first stored message with another stored message. Assume that a called party receives a first voicemail message from a first calling party and a second voicemail message from a second calling party. Further assume that the first voicemail message includes only speech data while the second voicemail, message includes speech data and alphanumeric data about a web site, such as a URL. The called party may listen to a portion of the first voicemail message and/or a portion of the second voicemail message. The called party may want to send a first broadcast message to the first calling party and to another party. The broadcast message may contain a reply to the first voicemail message as well as the URL that was received via the second voicemail message. The called party may include the URL in the broadcast message by copying the URL from the second voicemail message to the first broadcast message. The first broadcast message may be sent to the first calling party and to another party. 
     The processing described above assumes that the called party retrieves his/her messages via the user device associated with the called number (i.e., called device  120  in the example above). In alternative implementations, the called party may retrieve his/her messages via any user device that can access VM system  140 . For example, the called party may retrieve messages left for him/her at his/her home telephone number using a wireless telephone or by using a telephone device at another location, such as his/her office. 
     The processing described above was directed to interactions between a PSTN device and VM system  140 . Implementations consistent with the principles of the invention may also be web-based. In a web-based implementation, the party at called device  120  may enter an Internet address associated with VM system  140 . For example, a called party using a web-based implementation may press one or more characters and/or function keys associated with a keyboard on called device  120  to retrieve the list of callers who have left messages. The retrieved list may be presented to the called party via a visual display that includes information identifying the callers who left messages. 
     Web-based implementations may operate with software modules to provide the called party with capabilities needed to access stored messages, obtain information about stored messages, select a stored message, compose a broadcast message and/or send a broadcast message. For example, a user interface may operate in conjunction with an information component that causes a pop up window to appear on a monitor associated with called device  120 . The pop up window may provide information about stored messages, such as names of callers, identifiers associated with callers, the length of stored messages associated with respective callers and/or formats associated with stored messages. The displayed information may have been determined using an identity component to identify one or more calling parties associated with stored messages. A selection component may let the called party select a message using, for example, an input device without having to listen to the stored message. A composition component may let the called party compose a broadcast message using, for example, a keyboard and/or speech recognition software. A distribution component may operate to send the broadcast message to substantially any number of destinations. Destinations may include calling parties and non-calling parties. Web-based implementations may adapt broadcast messages to be compatible with various types of destinations, such as PSTN compatible destinations, IP compatible destinations and/or destinations having still other compatibilities. 
     The embodiments described above assume that directory server  160  stores a name corresponding to the identified telephone number. If however, directory server  160  does not store a name corresponding to the identified telephone number (e.g., the telephone number is unlisted), VM system  140  may provide the telephone number from which the call originated to the called party, as opposed to a name. The called party may compose and send a broadcast message to the identified telephone number even if the called party does not know the true identity of the caller. 
     EXAMPLE 
       FIGS. 6A-L  illustrate exemplary aspects of a user&#39;s interaction with VM system  140  consistent with the principles of the invention.  FIGS. 6A-L  are directed to interactions between a called party and an IP-based telephone implementation that includes a display device to facilitate called party interactions with VM system  140 . Interactions between a called party and a PSTN-based telephone are also presented in conjunction with the IP-based telephone implementation of  FIGS. 6A-L . 
     A calling party may leave a message for a called party as described in connection with  FIG. 4 . The called party may pick up a handset associated with a telephone having a display device, associated therewith. 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates an exemplary display  600  that can be used with implementations of a telephone device to facilitate called party interactions with VM system  140 . Display  600  may present information to the called party about stored messages. For example, the called party may receive an audible indication via a handset and/or a visual indication via display  600  that one or more stored voicemail messages are available. Display  600  may include a message status portion  602  and an instruction portion  604 . Message status portion  602  may indicate the number and/or type of messages waiting. For example, message status portion  602  may indicate that three messages are waiting for the called party. Instruction portion  604  may instruct the called party regarding the retrieval of information associated with the stored messages. For example, instruction portion  604  may instruct the called party to depress “*” to retrieve information about stored messages. A PSTN-based implementation may provide the called party with a recorded message that says “Three messages are waiting. Press the star key to access the stored messages.” The called party 
       FIG. 6B  illustrates database  610  that may include information about stored messages and broadcast parties. Broadcast parties may be calling parties and/or non-calling parties. For example, database  610  may include an ID field  612  to store identifiers associated with broadcast parties stored in database  610 , a name field  614  to store names associated with parties stored in database  610 , an association field  616  to store information about associations that can be assigned to parties identified in database  610 , a location field  618  that can be used to associate geographic information with parties identified in database  610 , and a format field  620  that can be used to associate format information with parties identified in database  610 . For example, a broadcast party that is a calling party may be Robert Jones, and Robert Jones may be associated with a stored message in database  610 . 
     in  FIG. 68 , Robert Jones is associated with a first stored message as noted by the number “1” on the left side of database  610 , Jane Smith is associated with a second stored message, and Bill Lee is associated with a third stored message. In contrast, Sam Slade may be a broadcast party that is not associated with a stored message, as noted by the absence of a number along the left side of database  610  next to Sam Slade&#39;s phone number. 
     The called party may receive an audible instruction via the handset and/or a visual instruction via display  600  regarding selection of a stored message for playback. For example, in a PSTN-based or an IP-based telephone, a prompt may play through a handset that states “Press the number corresponding to a stored message to hear that message.” The called party may depress “1” to cause VM system  140  to access the stored message from Robert Jones. 
       FIG. 6C  illustrates an exemplary display that may result when the called party depresses a key to play a stored message. For example, information associated with a stored message from Robert Jones may be provided on display  600  and may include ID field  612 , name field  614 , association field  616 , location field  618 , and format field  620  that are associated with Robert Jones. In addition, display  600  may display a message length indicator  624 , and an instruction field  626 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 6C , instruction field  626  may instruct the called party to press “1” to play the stored message, “2” to rewind the message, “3” to delete the message, and “#” to compose a broadcast message. 
     A selected message may play through the telephone handset, a speaker associated with the telephone, and/or may be displayed on display  600  in cooperation with a speech-to-text application. The called party may depress a button on a keypad, or speak an instruction, to access further features of VM system  140 . For example, the called party may depress “#” while the message is playing to compose a broadcast message. With a PSTN-based telephone, VM system  140  may play “The stored message is from Robert Jones and was received from 555-123-4567. Robert is a member of the book club group, Robert is associated with a location of Fairfax Va., and Robert is associated with a PSTN format. Depress ‘1’ to play the stored message, depress ‘2’ to rewind the stored message, depress ‘3’ to delete the stored message, or depress ‘#’ to compose a broadcast message.” 
     The called party may depress “#” to compose a broadcast message. Depressing “#” may cause a broadcast message display to be provided. The broadcast message display may provide the called party with information useful to compose a broadcast message. The called party may compose a broadcast message by entering information via a keypad or keyboard. Alternatively, the called party may compose a broadcast message by speaking into a handset or microphone. In some implementations, the spoken input may be recorded or converted to text via a speech-to-text application operating in conjunction with VM system  140 . 
       FIG. 6D  illustrates an exemplary display  600  that can provide the called party with information about a broadcast message. Display  600  may include a destination portion  630 , a message body portion  632  and an options portion  634 . Destination portion  630  may include information identifying the party that will receive the broadcast message. For example, the name and telephone number of Robert Jones may be displayed in destination portion  630 . Message body portion  632  may include information associated with the body of the broadcast message. For example, text may be displayed in message body portion  632  as the called party composes a broadcast message. Options portion  634  may include information that lets the called party make selections regarding other actions that may be performed in conjunction with the composed broadcast message. For example, options portion  634  may let the called party specify another recipient for the broadcast message. A recipient specified via options portion  634  may be in addition to the recipient identified in destination portion  630 . The recipient specified in options portion  634  may be another calling party, such as Jane Smith or Bill Lee, or may be a non-calling party, such as Sam Slade ( FIG. 6B ). 
     With a PSTN-based telephone, VM system  140  may provide voice prompts to the called party via a handset. For example, in conjunction with  FIG. 6D , the called party may hear “Robert Jones is the recipient of the broadcast message and his telephone number is 555-123-4567. The recorded broadcast message is ‘Bob, I can attend the picnic. Can someone provide me with directions? Thanks.’ Press 0 to hear a list of other parties that can be added as broadcast message recipients.” The called party may depress “0” to select options portion  634  ( FIG. 6D ). The called party may be provided with information about other potential recipients of the broadcast message. 
       FIG. 6E  illustrates information associated with a database  638  that can be provided to a called party in response to selecting options portion  634  ( FIG. 6D ). Database  638  may include a portion of the contents of database  610 . For example, database  638  may include information associated with broadcast parties that have not been associated with the composed broadcast message. 
     The called party may select an entry from database  638  by depressing a keypad button corresponding to a number along the left side of database  638 . For example, the called party may read display  600  and may select Jane Smith by depressing “2”, Bill Lee by depressing “3” and/or Sam Slade by depressing “4,” With a PSTN-based telephone, the called party may be provided with a voice prompt. For example, the called party may hear “Press ‘2’ to select Jane Smith as a recipient, press ‘3’ to select Bill Lee as a recipient, or press ‘4’ to select Sam Slade as a recipient.” The called party may depress “2” to select Jane Smith in response to the display of  FIG. 6E  and/or a voice prompt associated therewith. 
       FIG. 6F  illustrates exemplary fields that may be displayed in response to the called party&#39;s actions associated with  FIG. 6E . For example, a first information field  642  may indicate that Jane Smith was added as a second recipient for the broadcast message. A first instruction field  644  may provide the called party with instructions for sending the broadcast message to Robert Jones and Jane Smith and/or for editing the broadcast message. For example, depressing “*” on a keypad may send the broadcast message, while depressing “#” on a keypad may cause an editing window to be displayed on display  600 . 
     With a PSTN-based telephone, the called party may be provided with voice prompts. For example, the called party may hear “The broadcast message will be sent to Robert Jones and Jane Smith. Press to send the broadcast message now, press ‘#’ to edit the broadcast message, or press ‘9’ to add an additional broadcast message recipient.” 
     The called party may depress “*” on a keypad to send the broadcast message to Robert Jones and Jane Smith. Depressing “*” in connection with  FIG. 6F  ma cause additional information to be displayed to the called party. 
       FIG. 6G  illustrates an exemplary display field  648  that may be provided to the called party in response to depressing “*” in connection with  FIG. 6F . For example, display field  648  may inform the called party that the broadcast message was sent to Robert Jones and Jane Smith and that the called party did not request delivery confirmation. With a PSTN-based telephone, the called party may be provided with an audible message. For example, VM system  140  may play “The broadcast message has been sent to Robert Jones and Jane Smith. You did not request a delivery confirmation for this broadcast message.” 
     Implementations consistent with the principles of the invention may let the called party perform additional actions, such as sending broadcast messages to groups and/or subsets of groups. For example, when the called party depressed “0” in connection with  FIG. 6D , the called party was able to access database  638 . In conjunction with information in database  638 , the called party may have been presented with a display that included information about groups, such as a book club group. 
       FIG. 6H  illustrates an exemplary display  600  that may be provided to the called party to inform the called party about available groups of broadcast message recipients. Group field  650  may provide the called party with instructions for sending a broadcast message to a group of recipients. With a PSTN-based telephone, the called party may be provided with audible instructions. For example, VM system  140  may play “Press ‘55’ to send a broadcast message to a group.” The called party may depress “55” on a keypad. In response to “55”, the called party may be provided with information about groups that are stored in VM system  140 . 
       FIG. 6I  illustrates an exemplary display that may be provided to the called party in response to depressing “55” in connection with  FIG. 6H , above. For example, group database  654  may be provided to the called party via display  600 . Group database  654  may include a portion of the contents of database  610 . For example, group database  654  may identify groups and broadcast parties included within those groups. 
     Entries in group database  654  may be arranged by, for example, organizations, such as a book club, an office, and/or a family. Each organization may have one or more names associated therewith. For example, the book club may have Robert Jones, Jane Smith and Jack Black associated therewith. Entries associated with group database  654  may be selected by, for example, depressing a keypad digit that corresponds to a number along the left side of group database  654 . For example, the called party may select the book club group by depressing “1” on a keypad. With a PSTN-based telephone, VM system  140  may play “Press ‘1’ to select the book club group, press ‘2’ to select the office group, or press ‘3’ to select the family group.” Depressing “1” may cause a book club listing to be displayed on display  600 . 
       FIG. 6J  illustrates an exemplary book club listing  658  that may include information about members of the book club. For example, book club listing  658  may include the names of members associated with the book club. In addition, book club listing  658  may include a status field that lets the called party select some or all of the names within the book club as recipients of a broadcast message. For example, book club listing  658  may identify Robert Jones and Jane Smith as being selected to receive a broadcast message and Jack Black as not being selected to receive the broadcast message. If the called party wants to change the status of Jack Black to “selected,” the called party may depress a keypad button that corresponds to a number associated with Jack Black&#39;s entry, here the number “3.” 
     With a PSTN-based telephone, the called party may be provided with audible information about book club listing  658 . For example, VM system  140  may play “Robert Jones and Jane Smith are selected to receive a broadcast message and Jack Black is not selected to receive the broadcast message. Press ‘3’ to select Jack Black” The called party may depress “3” to access information that can be used to change the status associated with Jack Black in book club listing  658 . For example, depressing “3” may toggle Jack Black&#39;s status from “not selected” to “selected.” 
       FIG. 6K  illustrates an exemplary display  600  that may be provided to the called party in response to depressing “3” in conjunction with book club group listing  658 . The display associated with  FIG. 6K  may also include an instruction field  662  to instruct the called party with respect to sending the broadcast message to the book club group. For example, depressing “#” may send the broadcast message to Robert Jones, Jane Smith and Jack Black. In response to depressing “#”, the called party my receive a confirmation  666  ( FIG. 6L ) that the broadcast message was successfully sent to the selected members of the book club group, namely Robert Jones, Jane Smith and Jack Black. 
     With a PSTN-based telephone, the called party may be provided with audible information. For example, VM system  140  may play “Jack Black has been selected. Press ‘#’ to send the broadcast message to Robert Jones, Jane Smith, and Jack Black.” If “#” is depressed by the called party, VM system  140  may broadcast the message to the selected parties and play “The broadcast message has been sent to Robert Jones, Jane Smith, and Jack Black.” 
     In one implementation, a PSTN based telephone may be used to retrieve stored messages, select broadcast reply recipients, compose broadcast replies and send broadcast replies to one or more calling parties. For example, a number of calling parties may leave messages for a subscriber of VM system  140 . The subscriber may receive a MWI via a handset to notify the subscriber that stored messages are available on VM system  140 . The subscriber may access VM system  140  by calling a telephone number associated with VM system  140 . 
     The subscriber may receive a prompt from VM system  140  after providing, for example, authentication information, such as a password. The prompt may tell the subscriber that stored messages are available. For example, VM system  140  may play “You have four stored messages. Press ‘1’ to hear stored messages in the order in which they were received. To associate a stored message with a broadcast reply, depress ‘2’ while the respective message is playing. To associate all stored messages with a broadcast reply, depress ‘3’ at any time”. 
     The subscriber may depress “1” to hear messages in the order in which they were received. For example, the subscriber may hear “Message one is from Jane Smith”, and then the message from Jane Smith may be played for the subscriber. The subscriber may depress “2” during the playback of the message from Jane Smith to associate Jane Smith as a broadcast reply recipient. The subscriber may depress “2” during the playback of a second message to associate, for example, Jack Black as a second broadcast reply recipient. The subscriber may listen to the third and fourth messages and may opt not to select the respective calling parties as broadcast reply recipients by not depressing any keys during the playback of those messages. 
     The subscriber may be prompted to create a broadcast reply or to select a stored broadcast reply after listening to the stored messages. For example, after the fourth message has finished playing, the subscriber may hear “Please begin speaking after the tone to generate a broadcast reply and depress the ‘#’ key when finished to store the broadcast reply. To re-record your broadcast reply depress ‘*’ and then depress ‘#’ when you are finished speaking. Depress ‘4’ to hear a listing of stored broadcast replies”. The subscriber may hear the tone and may speak “Hi this is Tom and I am on vacation until Thursday. I will return your call when I return”. The subscriber may depress “#” when finished speaking to store the broadcast reply on VM system  140 . 
     After the broadcast reply is stored on VM system  140 , the subscriber may receive a prompt that plays “Depress ‘5’ to send your broadcast reply to Jane Smith and Jack Black”. The subscriber may depress “5” to send the broadcast reply to Jane Smith and Jack Black. As discussed above, implementations consistent with the principles of the invention may allow a subscriber to send a broadcast reply to substantially any number of recipients using, a single action, such as by depressing a single button on a keypad of a PSTN telephone device. 
     CONCLUSION 
     Implementations consistent with the invention provide a voicemail service that provides identifiers associated with stored voice messages. This allows a subscriber to quickly identify the parties who have left messages. In addition, implementations consistent with the invention allow the subscriber to retrieve the messages in his/her preferred order regardless of the order in which the messages were received. Furthermore, implementations consistent with the principles of the invention may allow the subscriber to send broadcast messages to a number of recipients. 
     The foregoing description of exemplary implementations of the invention provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. For example, calling parties may be prompted to speak their names, as described above, instead of or in addition to, using directory server  160  to identify a name associated with a calling party. The spoken name may then be stored with the stored voicemail message. 
     In addition, while series of acts have been described with respect to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , the order of the acts may be varied in other implementations consistent with the invention. Further, acts being described as being performed by one device above may be performed by other devices in implementations consistent with the invention. Moreover, non-dependent acts may be implemented in parallel. 
     It will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that aspects of the invention, as described above, may be implemented in many different forms of software, firmware, and hardware in the implementations illustrated in the figures. The actual software code or specialized control hardware used to implement aspects consistent with the principles of the invention is not limiting of the invention. Thus, the operation and behavior of the aspects of the invention were described without reference to the specific software code, it being understood that one of ordinary skill in the art would be able to design software and control hardware to implement the aspects based on the description herein. 
     Further, certain portions of the invention may be implemented as “logic” that performs one or more functions. This logic may include hardware, such as an application specific integrated circuit or a field programmable gate array, software, or a combination of hardware and software. 
     No element, act, or instruction used in the description of the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.