Method and system for real-time monitoring of voice mail during active call

DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present invention provides a method and a system for real-time monitoring of voice mail during an active call that substantially eliminate or reduce problems and disadvantages associated with previous systems and methods.
In particular, a called party is able to maintain an active connection while listening to incoming voice mail.
In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, a method and system for monitoring voice mail during an active call includes generating a duplicate of a calling party voice stream being recorded by voice mail for a called party on a call with a previously connected party.
The called party voice stream is combined with a previously connected voice stream to generate a combined voice stream for the called party.
The combined party voice stream is played to the called party during the call.
More specifically, in accordance with a particular embodiment of the present invention, a return connection from the called party to the calling party can be established in response to a request by the called party while maintaining the call.
In this embodiment, the called party voice stream is switched from the previously connected party to the calling party in response to the request by the called party.
The called party voice stream is switched from the calling party back to the previously connected party in response to a call resumption request by the called party.
The return request is then terminated.
Technical advantages of the present invention include providing a method and a system for real-time monitoring of voice mail during an active call.
In a particular embodiment, a called party is able to maintain an ongoing connection while listening to incoming voice mail for urgent requests.
Thus, the linearity and limitations of current telephone systems are overcome.
Another technical advantage of one or more embodiments of the present invention include allowing a called party to pick up a call routed to voice mail while still maintaining a preexisting active connection