Importance

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Abstract

An enhanced, deferred messaging service ensures a message is received even when an answering machine is connected to a line and receives the call. In such a case, the service notes the number of rings n necessary to activate the recipient's answering machine. The service then resumes redialing and lets the phone ring n-1 times for each attempted call until either the phone is answered or a time-out occurs. If the recipient's answering machine, however, is in toll-saver mode, then the answering machine may answer a second time in less than n-1 rings. If the toll-saver feature is activated, then the service notes the number of rings m which caused the answering machine to be reached in toll-saver mode. The service then resumes redialing and lets the phone ring m-1 times for each attempted call until either the phone is picked up or a time-out occurs. Thus, even after leaving a message on an answering machine, the service will attempt to reach a human.

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First Claim