A method of automatically playing a voice message is proposed to be implemented by a smartphone that executes an instant communication software program. The method includes: opening, by the smartphone, a chat window for communication between a user of the smartphone and a chatting target; and upon determining that there is at least one voice message not having been played before in the chat window and, based on a signal provided by a proximity sensor near a receiver of the smartphone, that there is an object close to the receiver, automatically and audibly outputting the at least one voice message using the receiver.

Techniques are disclosed for responding to a pre-recorded inbound voice message in a communication system that includes communication devices and a communication server. In a first communication device, a pre-recorded inbound voice message is received from a sender communication device via a communication server. A reply mode is set for a response voice message from a plurality of reply modes. The response voice message is recorded and a reply mode flag is inserted into a message header. The response voice message is then sent to the communication server where it determines the reply mode. When the reply mode is reply to all, the response voice message is sent to the sender communication device and other recipient communication devices. When the reply mode is reply to sender, a direct channel communication link is established between the first communication device and the sender communication device and the response voice message is sent directly to the sender communication device.

One or more Push-To-Talk (PTT) processing devices of an Internet Protocol (IP) communication system receive an indication that a telephone call has been parked in the IP communication system. The one or more PTT processing devices determine the location of one or more PTT users of the IP communication system. The one or more PTT processing devices generate a first PTT channel based upon location of the one or more PTT users. The first PTT channel includes a first subset of the one or more PTT users. The one or more PTT processing devices transmit a first PTT audio notification that the telephone call is parked in the IP communication system to the first PTT channel.

In one aspect, a device includes a processor and storage accessible to the processor. The storage bears instructions executable by the processor to parse content of a message and determine, based on the parsing of content of the message, whether to provide a notification using the device. The instructions are also executable by the processor to provide the notification responsive to a determination, based on the parsing of content of the message, to provide the notification using the device.

A message processing method includes acquiring a voice message, selecting identification information corresponding to the voice message according to a marking policy corresponding to the voice message, and displaying the voice message carrying the identification information.

Techniques are disclosed for managing inbound voice messages in a communication system that includes communication devices and a communication server. A communication device receives an inbound voice message that is associated with a voice message temporal mode that includes a message mode and a live mode. The communication device may then determine the voice message temporal mode for the inbound voice message as well as a device temporal mode associated with the receiving communication device. The device temporal mode also includes a message mode and a live mode. When the voice message temporal mode is determined to be message mode, the communication device may provide a message received notification on the receiving communication device. When the device temporal mode is determined to be message mode, the communication device may provide a message received notification on the receiving communication device regardless of the voice message temporal mode. When the voice message temporal mode and device temporal mode are both determined to be live mode, the communication device may play the received inbound voice message back on the receiving communication device.

A system may include a processor that may execute computer-executable instructions that cause the processor to receive caller information regarding an incoming communication from a caller and receive a request from a user to route the incoming communication to a virtual assistant application. The virtual assistant application is configured to interact with the caller and determine whether the caller is associated a fraudulent caller activity stored on databases accessible by the processor. The processor may then receive an indication from the virtual assistant application that the caller is associated with the fraudulent caller activity and forward the incoming communication to another party in response to receiving the indication.

Systems and methods for improved e911 call handling. The system enables users to create multiple categories of callers. When a user makes a 911 (emergency) call, different categories of users receive different treatment. A call from a public safety access point (PSAP), for example, can be routed to the user's user equipment (UE). A caller on a favorites list may also receive the same, or similar, treatment. General callers, on the other hand, can be sent directly to voicemail, as is currently the practice for all callers. The system can enable certain callers to be sent to the UE to activate call-waiting, even though the user is on an emergency call, rather than being sent to voicemail with no explanation. The system can be used to provide this service to family members, healthcare professionals, PSAPs, and other important callers.

In one aspect, a device includes a processor and storage accessible to the processor. The storage bears instructions executable by the processor to parse content of a message and determine, based on the parsing of content of the message, whether to provide a notification using the device. The instructions are also executable by the processor to provide the notification responsive to a determination, based on the parsing of content of the message, to provide the notification using the device.

Embodiments herein provide a method and system of responding to a call with a text. The method includes receiving by a target communication device a call from an initiator communication device. The target communication device responds to the from call with a real time text (RTT). One or more characters in the RTT are sent instantaneously to the initiator communication device.