Method and system for filter based message processing in a unified messaging system

• US 20030012348A1
• Filed: 06/26/2002
• Published: 01/16/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Clearinghouse LLC (RPX Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Ameritech Corp. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Ng, Alexander Siu-Kay, Skladman, Julia, Chatterley, Bruce A., Peterson, Bruce L., Thornberry, Robert J. Jr.
• Granted Patent: US 6,782,079 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/88.13
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/224 providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/56 Unified messaging, e.g. interactions between e-mail, instant messaging or converged IP messaging [CPM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4509 Unified messaging with single point of access to voicemail and other mail or messaging systems unified messaging in packet switching networks H04L51/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53 Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages , i.e. mailbox systems

Abstract

A method and system for processing messages in a unified messaging system. In particular, the system enables legacy e-mail, voice mail and facsimile systems to be integrated with a unified messaging system. The system includes a filter or mechanism which enables the user to filter certain message attributes such as the identification of the sender, recipient or the subject header or the message type to enable messages to be processed in accordance with the recipients wishes.

Claims

1. A unified messaging system, comprising:

an interface for permitting a user to select at least one predetermined attribute associated with messages;

a user profile for storing the predetermined attribute selected by the user; and

a filter mechanism for processing an incoming message based on the predetermined attribute stored in the user profile.

2. The unified messaging system of claim 1, wherein the filter mechanism includes

means for selectively discarding or storing the incoming message as a function of the predetermined attribute in the user profile.

3. The unified messaging system of claim 1, wherein the filter mechanism includes means for selectively notifying the user of the incoming message based on the predetermined attribute in the user profile.

4. The unified messaging system of claim 1, wherein the filter mechanism includes a message server configured to process the incoming message according to the predetermined attribute in the user profile.

5. The unified message system of claim 1, wherein the interface includes a web page configured to allow the user to input the predetermined attribute.

6. The unified message system of claim 1, wherein the interface includes an interactive voice response (IVR) system configured to allow the user to input the predetermined attribute.

7. The unified message system of claim 1, wherein the predetermined attribute includes a message attribute selected from the group consisting of send identification and subject header.

8. A method of processing messages in a unified messaging system, comprising:

providing an interface for permitting a user to select at least one predetermined attribute associated with messages;

receiving the predetermined attribute selected by the user;

storing the predetermined attribute in a user profile;

receiving a message and associated message information from at least one of a plurality of disparate messaging systems; and

processing the message based on a comparison between the message information and the predetermined attribute stored in the user profile.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

discarding the message as a result of the comparison.

10. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

storing the message as a result of the comparison.

11. The method of claim 8, further comprising:

notifying the user of the message as a result of the comparison.