Electronic mail distribution system for integrated electronic communications
First Claim
1. An electronic communications system including an electronic mail gateway for facilitating cross-media messaging between an electronic mail messaging system and a telecommunications switch, comprising:
- a first telephone number associated with a first user of the electronic communications system to which incoming voice calls are directed via the telecommunications switch;
a second telephone number associated with the first user for retrieval of voicemail messages;
a first host computer in communication with the telecommunications switch for storing a voicemail message from a first incoming voice call and for generating a first electronic mail message with an attachment comprising the voicemail message, the first host computer also in communication with the electronic mail messaging system;
a second host computer in communication with the electronic mail messaging system for receiving from the first host computer the first electronic mail message with the voicemail attachment containing the voicemail message; and
a retrieval mechanism for allowing the first user to retrieve the voicemail message either by calling the second telephone number via the telecommunications switch, or by receiving from the second host computer the first electronic mail message with the voicemail attachment.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system is disclosed for integrated electronic mail, voice mail, and fax mail messaging. A common message format is defined for use by an electronic mail service and a telecommunications service so electronic mail messages that may include voice and fax mail attachments may be exchanged between the services. Message senders and receivers may choose from a variety of filter and forward options that allow them to manage their communications and specify a preference for receiving messages at the electronic mail or telecommunications service. Forwarding and conversion of messages is performed automatically. The options are used to define a set of rules to be applied to inbound and outbound messages so that messages are sent and received in accordance with the preferences of the senders and receivers.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. An electronic communications system including an electronic mail gateway for facilitating cross-media messaging between an electronic mail messaging system and a telecommunications switch, comprising:
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a first telephone number associated with a first user of the electronic communications system to which incoming voice calls are directed via the telecommunications switch;
a second telephone number associated with the first user for retrieval of voicemail messages;
a first host computer in communication with the telecommunications switch for storing a voicemail message from a first incoming voice call and for generating a first electronic mail message with an attachment comprising the voicemail message, the first host computer also in communication with the electronic mail messaging system;
a second host computer in communication with the electronic mail messaging system for receiving from the first host computer the first electronic mail message with the voicemail attachment containing the voicemail message; and
a retrieval mechanism for allowing the first user to retrieve the voicemail message either by calling the second telephone number via the telecommunications switch, or by receiving from the second host computer the first electronic mail message with the voicemail attachment. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An electronic communications system including an electronic mail gateway for facilitating cross-media messaging between an electronic mail messaging system and a telecommunications switch, comprising:
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a first telephone number associated with a first user of the electronic communications system to which incoming faxes are directed via the telecommunications switch;
a first host computer in communication with the telecommunications switch for storing a first incoming fax message and for generating a first electronic mail message with an attachment comprising the fax message, the first host computer also in communication with the electronic mail messaging system;
a second host computer in communication with the electronic mail messaging system for receiving from the first host computer the first electronic mail message with the fax attachment containing the fax message; and
a retrieval mechanism for allowing the first user to retrieve from the second host computer the first electronic mail message with the fax attachment. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8)
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9. A method for distributing electronic mail messages received at an electronic mail service comprising:
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a) receiving at an electronic mail distributor at the electronic mail service an incoming electronic mail message;
b) determining a message receiver for the electronic mail message;
c) retrieving from a message receiver profile database rules defined by the message receiver for processing the electronic mail message;
d) examining the rules defined by the message receiver to determine if the message receiver has specified a preference to receive the electronic mail message at a telecommunications service; and
e) if the message receiver has specified a preference to receive the electronic mail message at a telecommunications service;
i. determining the message receiver'"'"'s preferred telecommunications service;
ii. modifying the electronic mail message to include routing information for the message receiver'"'"'s preferred telecommunications service; and
iii. forwarding the electronic mail message to the message receiver'"'"'s preferred telecommunications service. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification