Mobility voice messaging

• US 20040203935A1
• Filed: 10/02/2002
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Enterprise Systems Technologies S.a.r.l. (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc.
• Inventors: Sahim, Faramarz F., Dowling, Daniel F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,747,260 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/458
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/645 with speech synthesis
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72433 for voice messaging, e.g. dictaphones for answering incoming calls H04M1/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4234 Remote access to features of PBX or home telephone systems-teleworking in a PBX
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/546 in private branch exchanges
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/16 Communication-related supplementary services, e.g. call-transfer or call-hold
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/18 Processing of user or subscriber data, e.g. subscribed services, user preferences or user profiles; Transfer of user or subscriber data

Abstract

A wireless communications device, network and method of wireless communications. The wireless device (e.g., a cell phone) allows users to respond to calls silently by selecting prompts. Each prompt is replaced with a recorded vocal response. The caller hears the recorded response.

Claims

1. A wireless communications device comprising:

means for receiving incoming wireless calls;

means for listening to said incoming wireless calls; and

means for non-verbally responding to said incoming wireless calls, vocal responses being provided responsive to non-verbal prompts.

2. A wireless communications device as in claim 1, wherein said means for receiving incoming wireless call comprises:

means for connecting to a public wireless communications network.

3. A wireless communications device as in claim 1, wherein said means for non-verbally responding comprises:

means for storing spoken responses;

means for selecting each of said stored spoken responses; and

means for wirelessly transmitting selected said spoken responses as said vocal responses.

4. A wireless communications device as in claim 3 wherein said spoken responses are stored locally on said wireless communications device.

5. A wireless communications device as in claim 4 wherein said wireless communications device is a mobile computer.

6. A wireless communications device as in claim 4 wherein said wireless communications device is a cell phone.

7. A wireless communications device as in claim 1 further comprising:

teleworking server means for managing communications with users of a

communications server means for managing said private network and connecting remote teleworking private network stations responsive to said teleworking server means.

8. A wireless communications device as in claim 7 wherein said wireless communications device is a cell phone, calls directed to one of said remote teleworking private network stations being forwarded to said cell phone responsive to said teleworking server means.

9. A wireless communications network comprising:

a plurality of communications devices networked together over a private communications network;

a communications server managing said private communications network;

at least one wireless communications device connected to said private communications network through a public wireless network; and

a teleworking server storing vocal responses and redirecting communications directed to selected ones of said plurality of communications devices to corresponding selected ones of said at least one wireless communications device, said teleworking server substituting stored said vocal responses responsive to selected non-verbal prompts from each said at least one wireless communications device.

10. A wireless communications network as in claim 9 wherein said at least one wireless communications device is at least one cell phone.

11. A wireless communications network as in claim 9 wherein said at least one wireless communications device is at least one mobile computer.

12. A wireless communications device as in claim 9 wherein said communications server is a private branch exchange (PBX) server.

13. A method of wireless communications, said method comprising the steps of:

a) receiving a call at a wireless device;

b) selecting a prompt from said wireless device; and

c) replacing said selected prompt with a recorded vocal response.

14. A method of wireless communications as in claim 13, wherein each of said prompts is assigned to a corresponding said vocal response, when each said vocal response is recorded.

15. A method of wireless communications as in claim 13, wherein the step (a) of receiving the call at the wireless device comprises the steps of:

i) receiving a call directed to a private network station; and

ii) selectively redirecting said received call to said wireless device.

16. A method of wireless communications as in claim 13, wherein said prompts are assigned to a corresponding said vocal response, when each said vocal response is recorded.

17. A method of wireless communications as in claim 13, before the step (a) of receiving the call further comprising the step of:

a1) placing said wireless device'"'"'s ringer in vibrate mode.