Voice mail interface

Abstract

Persistent voicemail settings features are set by generating a list of persistent settings features, which are maintained in a defined state through more than one subscriber session, to include multiple persistent settings features that can be selected and set in accordance with input of a voicemail subscriber. The subscriber is sequentially prompted to select a persistent settings feature from the generated list by sequentially playing a first prompt for each of the persistent settings features. The selected persistent settings feature is set in accordance with input from the subscriber.

1 . A method for setting persistent voicemail settings features, comprising: 
 generating a list of persistent settings features, which are maintained in a defined state through more than one subscriber session, to include a plurality of persistent settings features that can be selected and set in accordance with input of a voicemail subscriber;    sequentially prompting the subscriber to select a persistent settings feature from the generated list by sequentially playing a first prompt for each of the persistent settings features, and    setting the selected persistent settings feature in accordance with input from the subscriber.    
   
   
       2 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 playing voicemail messages when the subscriber initially accesses a voicemail account for which the persistent settings features are set; and    providing, while the voicemail messages are playing, an option to review the sequential prompts and select and set persistent settings features,    wherein the subscriber is sequentially prompted to select a persistent settings feature from the generated list when the subscriber selects the option to review the sequential prompts.    
   
   
       3 . The method according to  claim 2 , further comprising: 
 providing, while the first prompts are sequentially played, an option to again play voicemail messages,    wherein the voicemail messages are played again when the subscriber selects the option to again play voicemail messages.    
   
   
       4 . The method according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein the persistent settings features are listed in a priority order.    
   
   
       5 . The method according to  claim 4 , 
 wherein priority order of the persistent settings features in the persistent settings features list is based upon a frequency of selection.    
   
   
       6 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 adding new persistent settings features to the generated list in accordance with subscriptions to new services by the subscriber.    
   
   
       7 . The method according to  claim 1 , further comprising: 
 removing persistent settings features from the generated list in accordance with subscription cancellations of services by the subscriber.    
   
   
       8 . The method according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein at least one input can be used at multiple times during a single voicemail session to perform the same function.    
   
   
       9 . The method according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein the persistent settings features include a password feature.    
   
   
       10 . The method according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein the persistent settings features include a greeting feature.    
   
   
       11 . The method according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein the persistent settings features include a distribution list feature.    
   
   
       12 . The method according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein the persistent settings features include an erased message feature.    
   
   
       13 . The method according to  claim 2 , 
 wherein the playing voicemail messages comprises playing a subsequent message a predetermined time period after a current message finishes playing, in the event that the subscriber does not enter a command.    
   
   
       14 . The method according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein the sequentially prompting the subscriber to select a persistent settings feature comprises skipping to a next first prompt when a skip command from the subscriber is received while a current first prompt is played.    
   
   
       15 . The method according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein sequentially prompting the subscriber to select a persistent settings feature comprises repeating a previous first prompt when a repeat command from the subscriber is received.    
   
   
       16 . The method according to  claim 1 , 
 wherein sequentially playing a first prompt comprises playing a prompt listing the title of each persistent settings feature.    
   
   
       17 . The method according to  claim 16 , further comprising: 
 when a command to select a current persistent settings feature has not been entered after a first prompt for the current persistent settings feature has been played, again prompting the subscriber to select the current persistent settings feature from the generated list by playing a second prompt describing the current persistent settings feature.    
   
   
       18 . The method according to  claim 17 , further comprising: 
 when the command to select the current persistent settings feature has still not been entered after the first prompt and the second prompt have been played for the current persistent settings feature, again playing the first and second prompts describing the current persistent settings feature.    
   
   
       19 . The method according to  claim 18 , further comprising: 
 when the command to select a current persistent settings feature has still not been entered after again playing the first and second prompts describing the current persistent settings feature, playing prompts associated with a subsequent persistent settings feature.    
   
   
       20 . A tangible computer readable medium for storing a computer program, executable by a computer, that sets persistent voicemail settings features, comprising: 
 generating code for generating a list of persistent settings features, which are maintained in a defined state through more than one subscriber session, to include a plurality of persistent settings features that can be selected and set in accordance with input of a voicemail subscriber;    prompting code for sequentially prompting the subscriber to select a persistent settings feature from the generated list by sequentially playing each of the persistent settings features, and    setting the selected persistent settings feature in accordance with input from the subscriber.