Methods, systems, and products for providing communications services

• US 20040174964A1
• Filed: 03/16/2004
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/29/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Koch, Robert A.
• Granted Patent: US 7,257,204 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/88.17
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/642 storing speech in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53366 Message disposing or creating aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53391 dependent on calling party
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99945 Object-oriented database structure processing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99948 Application of database or data structure, e.g. distributed, multimedia, or image

Abstract

Methods, systems, and products are disclosed for providing communications services. One method allows a subscriber to create a data message. The subscriber may associate the data message to an originating party and to a recipient. When a communication from the originating party is received, the data message is communicated to the recipient via an Internet Protocol communications network.

Claims

1. A method of providing communications services, comprising the steps of:

allowing a subscriber to create a data message;

allowing the subscriber to associate the data message to an originating party and to a recipient;

receiving a communication from the originating party; and

communicating the data message to the recipient via an Internet Protocol communications network.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of receiving the communication comprises receiving a telephone call intended to terminate at a telephone number associated with the subscriber.

3. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of receiving the communication comprises receiving an electronic communication addressed to the subscriber.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of allowing the subscriber to create the data message comprises allowing the subscriber to create an audio message.

5. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of allowing the subscriber to create the data message comprises allowing the subscriber to access a user interface via an Internet Protocol communications network, the user interface prompting the subscriber to create the data message and to associate the data message to a recipient.

6. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of allowing the subscriber to create the data message comprises allowing the subscriber to specify a time of day that the data message is communicated to the recipient.

7. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of allowing the subscriber to preview the data message.

8. A method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of allowing the subscriber to audibly preview the data message.

9. A method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of allowing the subscriber to visually preview the data message.

10. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of allowing the subscriber to attach a computer file to the data message.

11. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of allowing the subscriber to create the data message comprises allowing the subscriber to record audio content.

12. A method according to claim 1, wherein the step of allowing the subscriber to create the data message comprises allowing the subscriber to input text.

13. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of accepting voice commands from the subscriber when creating the data message.

14. A method of providing communications services, comprising the steps of:

storing a user interface in memory, the user interface allowing a subscriber to compose a data message and to associate that data message with an originating party and with a recipient;

receiving a communication from the originating party; and

communicating the data message to the recipient.

15. A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of receiving the communication comprises receiving a telephone call intended to terminate at a telephone number associated with the subscriber.

16. A method according to claim 14, wherein the step of receiving the communication comprises receiving an electronic communication addressed to the subscriber.

17. A method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of allowing the subscriber to preview the data message.

18. A method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of allowing the subscriber to attach a file to the data message.

19. A method according to claim 14, further comprising the step of allowing the subscriber to record audio content for the data message.

20. A system, comprising:

a Communications Module stored in a memory device, and a processor communicating with the memory device;

the Communications Module allowing a subscriber to compose a data message and to associate that data message with an originating party and with a recipient, and when a communication from the originating party is received, the Communications Module initiates communication of the data message to the recipient.

21. A computer program product, comprising:

a computer-readable medium; and

a Communications Module stored on the computer-readable medium, the Communications Module allowing a subscriber to compose a data message and to associate that data message with an originating party and with a recipient, and when a communication from the originating party is received, the Communications Module initiates communication of the data message to the recipient.