Enhanced message service indication

Claim 7

A method as in claim 3, wherein one of said plurality of different types of mailboxes is a mailbox for storing audible messages, and another of said plurality of different types of mailboxes is a mailbox for storing a type of data message.

Claim 8

A method as in claim 4, wherein the mailbox for storing a type of data message stores facsimile messages.

Claim 9

A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of determining if the call should be forwarded comprises the step of determining if the one subscriber line is busy.

Claim 10

A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of determining if the call should be forwarded comprises the step of determining if there is no answer of the call on the one line after a predetermined number of rings, said predetermined number of rings having been previously specified by the subscriber associated with the one line.

Claim 11

A method as in claim 1, wherein the step of determining if the call should be forwarded comprises the step of determining if a variable call forwarding option has been activated instructing the network to forward calls until deactivated.

Claim 16

A method as in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of subscriber lines is a telephone line and each of the plurality of directory numbers comprises a telephone number.

Claim 19

A method as in claim 12, wherein the preventing of effective forwarding of the call to the message service system comprises forwarding the call to the message service system and transmitting no directory number to the message service system.

Claim 20

A method as in claim 12, wherein the preventing of effective forwarding of the call to the message service system comprises blocking forwarding of the call to the message service system.

Claim 21

A method as in claim 12, wherein if the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (3) and the dialed directory number does not correspond to said preselected one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber line, the directory number transmitted to the message service system is the dialed directory number.

Claim 22

A method as in claim 12, wherein if the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (3) and the dialed directory number does not correspond to said preselected one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber line, the directory number transmitted to the message service system is a pre-specified one of the directory numbers assigned to the one line.

Claim 23

A communication system comprising: a plurality of subscriber communication lines; a message service system for storing incoming messages in a plurality of mailboxes; a switching system providing selective communication connections between said plurality of subscriber communication lines; and means for connecting the message service system to the switching system such that said switching system also selectively provides communication connections between the message service system and the subscriber communication lines, wherein: said switching system comprises programmed control means for responding to a call initiated by dialing a directory number assigned to one of the subscriber communication lines by determining if forwarding of the call is necessary; said programmed control means also determines if the one subscriber communication line has been assigned a plurality of directory numbers; said programmed control means also determines which of the following options a subscriber associated with the one subscriber communication line has selected: (1) transmitting the dialed directory number for each call forwarded to the message service system, and (2) transmitting a predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line for all calls forwarded to the message service system; said switching system further comprises means for forwarding the call to the message service system, and means for transmitting either the dialed directory number or the predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line to the message service system based on whether the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (1) or option (2); and said message service system comprises means for storing an incoming message in an appropriate one of the mailboxes in response to the number transmitted to the message service system.

Claim 24

A communication system comprising: a plurality of subscriber communication lines; a message service system for storing incoming messages in a plurality of mailboxes; a switching system providing selective communication connections between said plurality of subscriber communication lines; and means for connecting the message service system to the switching system such that said switching system also selectively provides communication connections between the message service system and the subscriber communication lines, wherein: said switching system comprises programmed control means for responding to a call initiated by dialing a directory number assigned to one of the subscriber communication lines by determining if forwarding of the call is necessary; said programmed control means also determines if the one subscriber communication line has been assigned a plurality of directory numbers; said programmed control means also determines which of the following options a subscriber associated with the one subscriber communication line has selected: (1) transmitting the dialed directory number for each call forwarded to the message service system, and (2) transmitting a predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line for all calls forwarded to the message service system; said switching system further comprises means for forwarding the call to the message service system, and means for transmitting either the dialed directory number or the predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line to the message service system based on whether the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (1) or option (2); and said message service system comprises means for storing an incoming message in an appropriate one of the mailboxes in response to the number transmitted to the message service system.

Claim 25

A communication system comprising: a plurality of subscriber communication lines; a message service system for storing incoming messages in a plurality of mailboxes; a switching system providing selective communication connections between said plurality of subscriber communication lines; and means for connecting the message service system to the switching system such that said switching system also selectively provides communication connections between the message service system and the subscriber communication lines, wherein: said switching system comprises programmed control means for responding to a call initiated by dialing a directory number assigned to one of the subscriber communication lines by determining if forwarding of the call is necessary; said programmed control means also determines if the one subscriber communication line has been assigned a plurality of directory numbers; said programmed control means also determines which of the following options a subscriber associated with the one subscriber communication line has selected: (1) transmitting the dialed directory number for each call forwarded to the message service system, and (2) transmitting a predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line for all calls forwarded to the message service system; said switching system further comprises means for forwarding the call to the message service system, and means for transmitting either the dialed directory number or the predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line to the message service system based on whether the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (1) or option (2); and said message service system comprises means for storing an incoming message in an appropriate one of the mailboxes in response to the number transmitted to the message service system, wherein the means for storing an incoming message in an appropriate one of the mailboxes comprises: means for storing the message received during the forwarded call in one of a plurality of mailboxes associated the one subscriber communication line based on which one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line the message service system actually receives, if the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (1); and means for storing the message received as result of the call in a single mailbox associated with the one subscriber communication line, if the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (2).

Claim 26

A communication system comprising: a plurality of subscriber communication lines; a message service system for storing incoming messages in a plurality of mailboxes; a switching system providing selective communication connections between said plurality of subscriber communication lines; and means for connecting the message service system to the switching system such that said switching system also selectively provides communication connections between the message service system and the subscriber communication lines, wherein: said switching system comprises programmed control means for responding to a call initiated by dialing a directory number assigned to one of the subscriber communication lines by determining if forwarding of the call is necessary; said programmed control means also determines if the one subscriber communication line has been assigned a plurality of directory numbers; said programmed control means also determines which of the following options a subscriber associated with the one subscriber communication line has selected: (1) transmitting the dialed directory number for each call forwarded to the message service system, and (2) transmitting a predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line for all calls forwarded to the message service system; said switching system further comprises means for forwarding the call to the message service system, and means for transmitting either the dialed directory number or the predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line to the message service system based on whether the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (1) or option (2); and said message service system comprises means for storing an incoming message in an appropriate one of the mailboxes in response to the number transmitted to the message service system, wherein the means for storing an incoming message in an appropriate one of the mailboxes comprises: means for storing the message received during the forwarded call in one of a plurality of mailboxes associated the one subscriber communication line based on which one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line the message service system actually receives, if the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (1); and means for storing the message received as result of the call in a single mailbox associated with the one subscriber communication line, if the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (2).

Claim 27

A communication system as in claim 17, wherein the switching system comprises at least one central office telephone switch.

Claim 28

A communication system as in claim 19, wherein the subscriber communication lines comprise telephone lines.

Claim 29

A communication system as in claim 17, wherein the message service system comprises means for storing audible messages.

Claim 30

A communication system comprising: a plurality of subscriber communication lines; a message service system for storing incoming messages in a plurality of mailboxes, wherein the message service system comprises means for storing data messages; a switching system providing selective communication connections between said plurality of subscriber communication lines; and means for connecting the message service system to the switching system such that said switching system also selectively provides communication connections between the message service system and the subscriber communication lines, wherein: said switching system comprises programmed control means for responding to a call initiated by dialing a directory number assigned to one of the subscriber communication lines by determining if forwarding of the call is necessary; said programmed control means also determines if the one subscriber communication line has been assigned a plurality of directory numbers; said programmed control means also determines which of the following options a subscriber associated with the one subscriber communication line has selected: (1) transmitting the dialed directory number for each call forwarded to the message service system, and (2) transmitting a predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line for all calls forwarded to the message service system; said switching system further comprises means for forwarding the call to the message service system, and means for transmitting either the dialed directory number or the predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line to the message service system based on whether the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (1) or option (2); and said message service system comprises means for storing an incoming message in an appropriate one of the mailboxes in response to the number transmitted to the message service system.

Claim 31

A communication system comprising: a plurality of subscriber communication lines; a message service system for storing incoming messages in a plurality of mailboxes, wherein the message service system comprises means for storing data messages; a switching system providing selective communication connections between said plurality of subscriber communication lines; and means for connecting the message service system to the switching system such that said switching system also selectively provides communication connections between the message service system and the subscriber communication lines, wherein: said switching system comprises programmed control means for responding to a call initiated by dialing a directory number assigned to one of the subscriber communication lines by determining if forwarding of the call is necessary; said programmed control means also determines if the one subscriber communication line has been assigned a plurality of directory numbers; said programmed control means also determines which of the following options a subscriber associated with the one subscriber communication line has selected: (1) transmitting the dialed directory number for each call forwarded to the message service system, and (2) transmitting a predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line for all calls forwarded to the message service system; said switching system further comprises means for forwarding the call to the message service system, and means for transmitting either the dialed directory number or the predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line to the message service system based on whether the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (1) or option (2); and said message service system comprises means for storing an incoming message in an appropriate one of the mailboxes in response to the number transmitted to the message service system.

Claim 32

A communication system as in claim 22, wherein the means for storing data messages comprises means for storing facsimile messages.

Claim 33

A communication system comprising: a plurality of subscriber communication lines; a message service system for storing incoming messages in a plurality of mailboxes; a switching system providing selective communication connections between said plurality of subscriber communication lines; and means for connecting the message service system to the switching system such that said switching .system also selectively provides communication connections between the message service system and the subscriber communication lines, wherein: said switching system comprises programmed control means for responding to a call initiated by dialing a directory number assigned to one of the subscriber communication lines by determining if forwarding of the call is necessary; said programmed control means also determines if the one subscriber communication line has been assigned a plurality of directory numbers; said programmed control means also determines which of the following options a subscriber associated with the one subscriber communication line has selected: (1) transmitting the dialed directory number for each call forwarded to the message service system, and (2) transmitting a predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line for all calls forwarded to the message service system; said switching system further comprises means for forwarding the call to the message service system, and means for transmitting either the dialed directory number or the predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line to the message service system based on whether the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (1) or option (2); and said message service system comprises means for storing an incoming message in an appropriate one of the mailboxes in response to the number transmitted to the message service system, wherein the means for storing an incoming message in an appropriate one of the mailboxes comprises: means for storing the message received during the forwarded call in either a means for storing audible messages or a means for storing data messages based on which one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber line the message service system actually receives, if the subscriber associated with the one line has selected forwarding of the dialed directory number to the message service system.

Claim 34

A communication system comprising: a plurality of subscriber communication lines; a message service system for storing incoming messages in a plurality of mailboxes; a switching system providing selective communication connections between said plurality of subscriber communication lines; and means for connecting the message service system to the switching system such that said switching .system also selectively provides communication connections between the message service system and the subscriber communication lines, wherein: said switching system comprises programmed control means for responding to a call initiated by dialing a directory number assigned to one of the subscriber communication lines by determining if forwarding of the call is necessary; said programmed control means also determines if the one subscriber communication line has been assigned a plurality of directory numbers; said programmed control means also determines which of the following options a subscriber associated with the one subscriber communication line has selected: (1) transmitting the dialed directory number for each call forwarded to the message service system, and (2) transmitting a predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line for all calls forwarded to the message service system; said switching system further comprises means for forwarding the call to the message service system, and means for transmitting either the dialed directory number or the predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line to the message service system based on whether the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (1) or option (2); and said message service system comprises means for storing an incoming message in an appropriate one of the mailboxes in response to the number transmitted to the message service system, wherein the means for storing an incoming message in an appropriate one of the mailboxes comprises: means for storing the message received during the forwarded call in either a means for storing audible messages or a means for storing data messages based on which one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber line the message service system actually receives, if the subscriber associated with the one line has selected forwarding of the dialed directory number to the message service system.

Claim 35

A communication system as in claim 24, wherein the means for storing data messages comprises means for storing facsimile messages.

Claim 36

A communication system comprising: a plurality of subscriber communication lines; a message service system for storing incoming messages in a plurality of mailboxes; a switching system providing selective communication connections between said plurality of subscriber communication lines; and means for connecting the message service system to the switching system such that said switching system also selectively provides communication connections between the message service system and the subscriber communication lines, the means for connecting the message service system to the switching system comprising a multi-line hunt group, wherein: said switching system comprises programmed control means for responding to a call initiated by dialing a directory number assigned to one of the subscriber communication lines by determining if forwarding of the call is necessary; said programmed control means also determines if the one subscriber communication line has been assigned a plurality of directory numbers; said programmed control means also determines which of the following options a subscriber associated with the one subscriber communication line has selected: (1) transmitting the dialed directory number for each call forwarded to the message service system, and (2) transmitting a predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line for all calls forwarded to the message service system; said switching system further comprises means for forwarding the call to the message service system, and means for transmitting either the dialed directory number or the predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line to the message service system based on whether the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (1) or option (2); and said message service system comprises means for storing an incoming message in an appropriate one of the mailboxes in response to the number transmitted to the message service system.

Claim 37

A communication system comprising: a plurality of subscriber communication lines; a message service system for storing incoming messages in a plurality of mailboxes; a switching system providing selective communication connections between said plurality of subscriber communication lines; and means for connecting the message service system to the switching system such that said switching system also selectively provides communication connections between the message service system and the subscriber communication lines, the means for connecting the message service system to the switching system comprising a multi-line hunt group, wherein: said switching system comprises programmed control means for responding to a call initiated by dialing a directory number assigned to one of the subscriber communication lines by determining if forwarding of the call is necessary; said programmed control means also determines if the one subscriber communication line has been assigned a plurality of directory numbers; said programmed control means also determines which of the following options a subscriber associated with the one subscriber communication line has selected: (1) transmitting the dialed directory number for each call forwarded to the message service system, and (2) transmitting a predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line for all calls forwarded to the message service system; said switching system further comprises means for forwarding the call to the message service system, and means for transmitting either the dialed directory number or the predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line to the message service system based on whether the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (1) or option (2); and said message service system comprises means for storing an incoming message in an appropriate one of the mailboxes in response to the number transmitted to the message service system.

Claim 38

A communication system as in claim 26, wherein the means for connecting the message service system to the switching system further comprises a data communication link for carrying the number transmitted from the switching system to the message service system.

Claim 39

A communication system as in claim 27, wherein the data communication link comprises a simplified message desk interface (SMDI).

Claim 40

A communication system comprising: a plurality of subscriber communication lines; a message service system for storing incoming messages in a plurality of mailboxes; a switching system providing selective communication connections between said plurality of subscriber communication lines; and means for connecting the message service system to the switching system such that said switching system also selectively provides communication connections between the message service system and the subscriber communication lines, wherein: said switching system comprises programmed control means for responding to a call initiated by dialing a directory number assigned to one of the subscriber communication lines by determining if forwarding of the call is necessary; said programmed control means also determines if the one subscriber communication line has been assigned a plurality of directory numbers; said programmed control means also determines which of the following options a subscriber associated with the one subscriber communication line has selected: (1) transmitting the dialed directory number for each call forwarded to the message service system, and (2) transmitting a predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line for all calls forwarded to the message service system; the programmed control means comprises: means for storing data, set at the subscriber's option, to indicate whether the subscriber selected option (1) or option (2); and means to access the stored data during call processing to determine which of the options the subscriber associated with the one subscriber communication line has selected; said switching system further comprises means for forwarding the call to the message service system, and means for transmitting either the dialed directory number or the predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line to the message service system based on whether the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (1) or option (2); and said message service system comprises means for storing an incoming message in an appropriate one of the mailboxes in response to the number transmitted to the message service system.

Claim 41

A communication system comprising: a plurality of subscriber communication lines; a message service system for storing incoming messages in a plurality of mailboxes; a switching system providing selective communication connections between said plurality of subscriber communication lines; and means for connecting the message service system to the switching system such that said switching system also selectively provides communication connections between the message service system and the subscriber communication lines, wherein: said switching system comprises programmed control means for responding to a call initiated by dialing a directory number assigned to one of the subscriber communication lines by determining if forwarding of the call is necessary; said programmed control means also determines if the one subscriber communication line has been assigned a plurality of directory numbers; said programmed control means also determines which of the following options a subscriber associated with the one subscriber communication line has selected: (1) transmitting the dialed directory number for each call forwarded to the message service system, and (2) transmitting a predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line for all calls forwarded to the message service system; the programmed control means comprises: means for storing data, set at the subscriber's option, to indicate whether the subscriber selected option (1) or option (2); and means to access the stored data during call processing to determine which of the options the subscriber associated with the one subscriber communication line has selected; said switching system further comprises means for forwarding the call to the message service system, and means for transmitting either the dialed directory number or the predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line to the message service system based on whether the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (1) or option (2); and said message service system comprises means for storing an incoming message in an appropriate one of the mailboxes in response to the number transmitted to the message service system.

Claim 42

A communication system as in claim 29, wherein the means for storing data comprises means for storing a translation table of data relating to services provided to a particular subscriber's communication line and one item of information stored in the translation table is the subscriber's selected option as to whether to always transmit the predetermined number or to always transmit the dialed directory number.

Claim 43

A communication system as in claim 30, wherein another item of information stored in the translation table is whether a call forwarding service is provided to the particular subscriber's communication line.

Claim 44

A communication system comprising: a plurality of subscriber communication lines; a message service system for storing incoming messages in a plurality of mailboxes; a switching system providing selective communication connections between said plurality of subscriber communication lines; and means for connecting the message service system to the switching system such that said switching system selectively provides communication connections between the message service system and the subscriber communication lines, wherein: said switching system comprises programmed control means for responding to a call initiated by dialing a directory number assigned to one of the subscriber communication lines by determining if forwarding of the call is necessary; said programmed control means also determines if the one subscriber communication line has been assigned a plurality of directory numbers; said programmed control means also determines which of the following options a subscriber associated with the one subscriber communication line has selected: (1) transmitting the dialed directory number for each call forwarded to the message service system, (2) transmitting a predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line for all calls forwarded to the message service system, and (3) transmitting one of the directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line to the message service system unless the dialed directory number corresponds to a preselected one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line; said switching system further comprises means for forwarding the call to the message service system, and means for transmitting either the dialed directory number or the predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line to the message service system based on whether the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (1) or option (2); said message service system comprises means for routing an incoming message to an appropriate one of the mailboxes in response to the number transmitted to the message service system; wherein said programmed control means selectively controls one of the means for forwarding and the means for transmitting such that (a) if the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (3) and the dialed directory number does not correspond to said preselected one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber line, the call is forwarded to the message service system, and a directory number assigned to the one subscriber communication line is transmitted to the message service system; and (b) if the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (3) and the dialed directory number corresponds to said preselected one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line, effective forwarding of the call to the message service system is prevented.

Claim 45

A communication system comprising: a plurality of subscriber communication lines; a message service system for storing incoming messages in a plurality of mailboxes; a switching system providing selective communication connections between said plurality of subscriber communication lines; and means for connecting the message service system to the switching system such that said switching system selectively provides communication connections between the message service system and the subscriber communication lines, wherein: said switching system comprises programmed control means for responding to a call initiated by dialing a directory number assigned to one of the subscriber communication lines by determining if forwarding of the call is necessary; said programmed control means also determines if the one subscriber communication line has been assigned a plurality of directory numbers; said programmed control means also determines which of the following options a subscriber associated with the one subscriber communication line has selected: (1) transmitting the dialed directory number for each call forwarded to the message service system, (2) transmitting a predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line for all calls forwarded to the message service system, and (3) transmitting one of the directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line to the message service system unless the dialed directory number corresponds to a preselected one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line; said switching system further comprises means for forwarding the call to the message service system, and means for transmitting either the dialed directory number or the predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line to the message service system based on whether the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (1) or option (2); said message service system comprises means for routing an incoming message to an appropriate one of the mailboxes in response to the number transmitted to the message service system; wherein said programmed control means selectively controls one of the means for forwarding and the means for transmitting such that (a) if the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (3) and the dialed directory number does not correspond to said preselected one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber line, the call is forwarded to the message service system, and a directory number assigned to the one subscriber communication line is transmitted to the message service system; and (b) if the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (3) and the dialed directory number corresponds to said preselected one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line, effective forwarding of the call to the message service system is prevented.

Claim 46

A communication system as in claim 32, wherein if the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (3) and the dialed directory number corresponds to said preselected one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line, said programmed control means controls the means for transmitting to prevent transmission of any of the directory numbers assigned to the one line to the message service system.

Claim 47

A communication system as in claim 32, wherein if the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (3) and the dialed directory number corresponds to said preselected one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line, said programmed control means controls the means for forwarding to block forwarding of the call to the message service system.

Claim 48

A communication system as in claim 32, wherein if the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (3) and the dialed directory number does not correspond to said preselected one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line, the programmed control means control the transmitting means to transmit the dialed directory number to the message service system.

Claim 49

A communication system in claim 32, wherein if the subscriber associated with the one line has selected option (3) and the dialed directory number does not correspond to said preselected one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication line, the programmed control means control the transmitting means to transmit a pre-specified one of the directory numbers assigned to the one line to the message service system.

Claim 50

A communication system comprising: a plurality of subscriber communication lines; a message service system for processing incoming messages; a network providing selective communication connections between said plurality of subscriber communication lines and selectively providing communication connections between the message service system and the subscriber communication lines; and a programmed controller within said network for detecting a call for one of the subscriber lines which has been assigned a plurality of directory numbers and controlling the network to forward said call to the message service system, said call being initiated by input of one of the directory numbers, wherein: if a subscriber associated with the one line has previously selected to have actual input directory numbers transmitted to the message service system for calls forwarded to the message service system, the network transmits said input one of the directory numbers to the message service system; and if the subscriber has previously selected to have a predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one line transmitted to the message system for all calls forwarded to the message service system, transmitting the predetermined directory number to the message service system.

Claim 51

A communication system comprising: a plurality of subscriber communication lines; a message service system for processing incoming messages; a network providing selective communication connections between said plurality of subscriber communication lines and selectively providing communication connections between the message service system and the subscriber communication lines; and a programmed controller within said network for detecting a call for one of the subscriber lines which has been assigned a plurality of directory numbers and controlling the network to forward said call to the message service system, said call being initiated by input of one of the directory numbers, wherein: if a subscriber associated with the one line has previously selected to have actual input directory numbers transmitted to the message service system for calls forwarded to the message service system, the network transmits said input one of the directory numbers to the message service system; and if the subscriber has previously selected to have a predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one line transmitted to the message system for all calls forwarded to the message service system, transmitting the predetermined directory number to the message service system.

Claim 52

A communication system as in claim 37, wherein said message service system comprises means for processing an incoming message in a manner selected in response to a number transmitted to the message service system.

Claim 53

In a communication system selectively routing calls to a plurality of subscriber links and to at least one message service system, a method comprising the steps of: detecting a call for one of the subscriber links which has been assigned a plurality of directory numbers, wherein said call is initiated by input of one of the directory numbers; forwarding said call to the message service system; if a subscriber associated with the one link has previously selected to have actual input directory numbers transmitted to the message service system for calls forwarded to the message service system, transmitting said input one of the directory numbers to the message service system; and if the subscriber has previously selected to have a predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one link transmitted to the message system for all calls forwarded to the message service system, transmitting the predetermined directory number to the message service system.

Claim 54

In a communication system selectively routing calls to a plurality of subscriber links and to at least one message service system, a method comprising the steps of: detecting a call for one of the subscriber links which has been assigned a plurality of directory numbers, wherein said call is initiated by input of one of the directory numbers; forwarding said call to the message service system; if a subscriber associated with the one link has previously selected to have actual input directory numbers transmitted to the message service system for calls forwarded to the message service system, transmitting said input one of the directory numbers to the message service system; and if the subscriber has previously selected to have a predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one link transmitted to the message system for all calls forwarded to the message service system, transmitting the predetermined directory number to the message service system.

Claim 55

A method as in claim 39, wherein said subscriber links comprise lines.

Claim 56

A method as in claim 39, further comprising: using the input one of the directory numbers to control operation of the message service system if said input one of the directory numbers is transmitted to the message service system; and using the predetermined one of the directory numbers to control operation of the message service system if said predetermined one of the directory numbers is transmitted to the message service system.

Claim 57

A communication system comprising: a plurality of subscriber communication means, each for providing a subscriber communication access to the system; a message service system for processing incoming messages; a network providing selective communications between said plurality of subscriber communication means and selectively providing communications between the message service system and the subscriber communication means; and a programmed controller within said network for detecting a call for one of the subscriber communication means which has been assigned a plurality of directory numbers and controlling the network to forward said call to the message service system, said call being initiated by input of one of the directory numbers through another of the subscriber communication means, wherein: if a subscriber associated with said one subscriber communication means has previously selected to have actual input directory numbers transmitted to the message service system for calls forwarded to the message service system, the network transmits said input one of the directory numbers to the message service system; and if the subscriber associated with said one subscriber communication means has previously selected to have a predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication means transmitted to the message system for all calls forwarded to the message service system, transmitting the predetermined directory number to the message service system.

Claim 58

A communication system comprising: a plurality of subscriber communication means, each for providing a subscriber communication access to the system; a message service system for processing incoming messages; a network providing selective communications between said plurality of subscriber communication means and selectively providing communications between the message service system and the subscriber communication means; and a programmed controller within said network for detecting a call for one of the subscriber communication means which has been assigned a plurality of directory numbers and controlling the network to forward said call to the message service system, said call being initiated by input of one of the directory numbers through another of the subscriber communication means, wherein: if a subscriber associated with said one subscriber communication means has previously selected to have actual input directory numbers transmitted to the message service system for calls forwarded to the message service system, the network transmits said input one of the directory numbers to the message service system; and if the subscriber associated with said one subscriber communication means has previously selected to have a predetermined one of the plurality of directory numbers assigned to the one subscriber communication means transmitted to the message system for all calls forwarded to the message service system, transmitting the predetermined directory number to the message service system.