Patent ID: 7221739

Claim:
A messaging system implemented as a service to a subscriber by a telephone service provider of the subscriber, the messaging system for storing a message from a calling party calling the subscriber and a telephone number of the calling party, the messaging system also for allowing the subscriber to access the stored message and call back the calling party based on the corresponding telephone number, the messaging system including: a switching mechanism for receiving a call from the subscriber to access the stored message, the switching mechanism being connected to a network; an application server connected to the network and running a routing application, the switching mechanism for notifying the routing application that the subscriber is calling in for the message; a messaging platform for storing the message from the calling party and the corresponding telephone number, the messaging platform being connected to the network, wherein the notified routing application is configured for directing the switching mechanism to establish communication between the subscriber and the messaging platform by way of the network, the switching mechanism being for establishing such communication, whereby the subscriber accesses the message from the calling party as stored at the messaging platform and, during such accessing, signals that a callback connection with the calling party is desired, wherein the messaging platform is configured for sending a message to the routing application by way of the network in response to the signal, the message including bookmark information comprising an identifier of the stored message being accessed, wherein the routing application is configured for receiving and storing the bookmark information and directing the switching mechanism to disconnect the subscriber from the messaging platform and connect the subscriber to the calling party, wherein the switching mechanism is configured for determining that the calling party has terminated the callback connection or that the subscriber has signaled to end the callback connection and thereafter notifying the routing application of the termination or the signaled end to the callback connection, wherein the notified routing application is configured for directing that the subscriber be re-connected with the messaging platform and sending the stored bookmark information back to the messaging platform and the messaging platform employing such bookmark information to re-establish a current state wherein the routing application, the switching mechanism, and the messaging platform all employ a converged-services platform that enables delivery of wireline and wireless services for converged voice and data networks and is configured to provide internet protocol (IP) and multimedia services by way of the network of the messaging platform.