Computer, internet and telecommunications based network

• US 20040258055A1
• Filed: 06/25/2004
• Published: 12/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Parus Holdings, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Parus Holdings, Inc.
• Inventors: Kurganov, Alex
• Granted Patent: US 7,327,723 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/20 of structured data, e.g. relational data
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/30 of unstructured textual data document management systems G06F16/93
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/00 Speech recognition G10L17/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 17/22 Interactive procedures; Man-machine interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 21/00 Speech or voice signal processing techniques to produce another audible or non-audible signal, e.g. visual or tactile, in order to modify its quality or its intelligibility G10L19/00 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 25/48 specially adapted for particular use
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/56 Unified messaging, e.g. interactions between e-mail, instant messaging or converged IP messaging [CPM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4555 Directories for electronic mail or instant messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4557 Directories for hybrid networks, e.g. including telephone numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• 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 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42153 by subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 : Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/51 : Centralised call answering arrangements requiring operator intervention , e.g. call or contact centers for telemarketing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/515 : Night service systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53 : Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages , i.e. mailbox systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 : Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0003 : Interconnection between telephone networks and data networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0033 : Notification or handling of incoming calls by a computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 : for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 : Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements

Abstract

A method and apparatus for a computer and telecommunication network which can receive, send and manage information from or to a subscriber of the network, based on the subscriber'"'"'s configuration. The network is made up of at least one cluster containing voice servers which allow for telephony, speech recognition, text-to-speech and conferencing functions, and is accessible by the subscriber through standard telephone connections or through internet connections. The network also utilizes a database and file server allowing the subscriber to maintain and manage certain contact lists and administrative information. A web server is also connected to the cluster thereby allowing access to all functions through internet connections.

Claims

1. A computer and telecommunications network for receiving, sending and managing information from a subscriber to the network and from the network to a subscriber comprising:

at least one cluster, said cluster containing at least one voice server, said voice server containing telephony, speech recognition, text-to-speech and conferencing functions, such that said subscriber can access said cluster by a standard telephone connection or by a internet connection;

at least one database server, said database server being connected tos aid cluster and containing contact lists and administrative data, such that said subscriber can manipulate and manage said data;

at least one file server, said file server being connected to said cluster; and

a web server, said web server being connected to said cluster such that said subscriber can access said network by connecting to said web server via the internet;

wherein said network can receive a message from said telephone connection or said internet connection or said internet connection and transmit said message to said subscriber by said telephone or internet connection, and said network can receive a message from said subscriber by telephone connection or internet connection and transmit said message by telephone connection or said internet connection based on commands received from said subscriber.

2. The computer and telecommunications network described in claim 1, wherein the information received or transmitted by said subscriber comprises telephone calls, e-mail, faxes, conference calls and voice-mail.

3. The computer and telecommunications network described in claim 1, wherein manipulating and managing said data comprises creating and modifying a contact list.

4. The computer and telecommunications network described in claim 3, wherein manipulating and managing said data comprises utilizing said contact list to place telephone calls, send e-mail, voice-mail and faxes, and create or modify conference calls.

5. A method for receiving, sending and managing information between a computer and telecommunications network and a subscriber comprising the steps of:

providing at least one cluster, said cluster containing at least one voice server, said voice server containing telephony, speech recognition, text-to-speech and conferencing functions, such that said subscriber can access said cluster by a standard telephone connection or by a internet connection;

providing at least one database server, said database server being connected to said cluster and containing contact lists and administrative data, such that said subscriber can manipulate and manage said data;

providing at least one file server, said file server being connected to said cluster; and

providing a web server, said web server being connected to said cluster such that said subscriber can access said network by connecting to said web server via the internet;

receiving a message from said telephone connection or said internet connection transmitting said message to said subscriber by said telephone or internet connection, based on commands received by the network from said subscriber.

6. The computer and telecommunications network described in claim 5, wherein the information received or transmitted by said subscriber comprises telephone calls, e-mail, faxes, conference calls and voice-mail.

7. The computer and telecommunications network described in claim 5, wherein manipulating and managing said data comprises creating and modifying a contact list.

8. The computer and telecommunications network described in claim 7, wherein manipulating and managing said data comprises utilizing said contact list to place telephone calls, send e-mail, voice-mail and faxes, and create or modify conference calls.

9. A method for receiving, sending and managing information between a computer and telecommunications network and a subscriber comprising the steps of:

providing at least one cluster, said cluster containing at least one voice server, said voice server containing telephony, speech recognition, text-to-speech and conferencing functions, such that said subscriber can access said cluster by a standard telephone connection or by a internet connections;

providing at least one database server, said database server being connected to said cluster and containing contact lists and administrative data, such that said subscriber can manipulate and manage said data;

providing at least one file server, said file server being connected to said cluster; and

providing a web server, said web server being connected to said cluster such that said subscriber can access said network by connecting to said web server via the internet;

receiving a message from said subscriber by telephone connection or said internet connection; and

transmitting said message by said telephone or internet connection, based on commands received by the network from said subscriber.

10. The computer and telecommunications network described in claim 9, where in the information received or transmitted by said subscriber comprises telephone calls, e-mail, faxes, conference calls and voice-mail.

11. The computer and telecommunications network described in claim 9, wherein manipulating and managing said data comprises creating and modifying a contact list.

12. The computer and telecommunications network described in claim 11, wherein manipulating and managing said data comprises utilizing said contact list to place telephone calls, send e-mail, voice-mail and faxes, and create or modify conference calls.