Methods, systems, and storage mediums for providing information storage services

• US 20050138305A1
• Filed: 12/17/2003
• Published: 06/23/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 12/17/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Zellner, Samuel N.
• Granted Patent: US 7,334,090 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 711/159
• 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 51/42 Mailbox-related aspects, e.g. synchronisation of mailboxes
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements

Abstract

Embodiments relate to a method, system, and storage medium for providing information storage services to a service application user via a service provider. The method includes presenting options to the service application user operable for specifying a duration of time for storing an information element at a remote location. The method further includes receiving a selection from the service application user in response to options presented and assigning a storage period to the information element based upon the selection. Embodiments also include a system and a storage medium.

Claims

1. A method for providing information storage services to a service application user via a service provider, said method comprising:

presenting options to said service application user operable for specifying a duration of time for storing an information element at a location remote from said service application user;

receiving a selection from said service application user in response to said presenting options; and

assigning a storage period to said information element based upon said selection.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

notifying said service application user before said storage period expires; and

extending said storage period upon a request to do so by said service application user.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing said information element in a data repository for said storage period, said data repository associated with at least one of:

said service provider; and

a remote information storage provider.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said information storage services are integrated with a service application, said service application executed by at least one of:

a device operated by said service application user; and

a server operated by said service provider.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said device includes at least one of a:

computer;

mobile telephone;

personal digital assistant; and

networked television.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said duration of time includes at least one of:

a choice of pre-set time periods provided by said service application;

a user-defined time period; and

an unlimited time period.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein said information element comprises at least one of:

an electronic message;

a voicemail message;

a television program;

a video file;

an image file;

a document;

a database record; and

a data file.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein a size of said information element is limited to a pre-established number of bytes.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said service application comprises at least one of:

a messaging application;

a voicemail system;

a television service provider system; and

a data warehouse.

10. The method of claim 2, further comprising billing said service application user in accordance with said selection.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

rating said information elements by duration of storage time; and

assigning billing fees in accordance with said rating.

12. A storage medium including machine-readable computer program code for providing information storage services to a service application user via a service provider, said storage medium including instructions for causing a computer to implement a method comprising:

presenting options to said service application user operable for specifying a duration of time for storing an information element at a location remote from said service application user;

receiving a selection from said service application user in response to said presenting options; and

assigning a storage period to said information element based upon said selection.

13. The storage medium of claim 12, further comprising instructions for causing said computer to implement:

notifying said service application user before said storage period expires; and

extending said storage period upon a request to do so by said service application user.

14. The storage medium of claim 12, further comprising instructions for causing said computer to implement:

storing said information element in a data repository for said storage period, said data repository associated with at least one of;

said service provider; and

a remote information storage provider.

15. The storage medium of claim 13, wherein said information storage services are integrated with a service application, said service application executed by at least one of:

a device operated by said service application user; and

a server operated by said service provider.

16. The storage medium of claim 15, wherein said device includes at least one of a:

computer;

mobile telephone;

personal digital assistant; and

networked television.

17. The storage medium of claim 12, wherein said duration of time includes at least one of:

a choice of pre-set time periods provided by said service application;

a user-defined time period; and

an unlimited time period.

18. The storage medium of claim 12, wherein said information element comprises at least one of:

an electronic message;

a voicemail message;

a television program;

a video file;

an image file;

a document;

a database record; and

a data file.

19. The storage medium of claim 12, wherein a size of said information element is limited to a pre-established number of bytes.

20. The storage medium of claim 12, wherein said service application comprises at least one of:

a messaging application;

a voicemail system;

a television service provider system; and

a data warehouse.

21. The storage medium of claim 13, further comprising instructions for causing said computer to implement:

billing said service application user in accordance with said selection.

22. The storage medium of claim 21, further comprising instructions for causing said computer to implement:

rating said information elements by duration of storage time; and

assigning billing fees in accordance with said rating.

23. A system for providing information storage services, comprising:

a server in communication with a service provider and at least one service application user device;

an information storage system in communication with said service provider;

a data repository in communication with said server, said data repository storing;

consumer records associated with service application users; and

information elements;

wherein said information storage system performs;

presenting options to a service application user operable for specifying a duration of time for storing an information element in said data repository, said data repository remotely located from said service application user device;

receiving a selection from said service application user in response to said presenting options; and

assigning a storage period to said information element based upon said selection.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein said duration of time includes at least one of:

a choice of pre-set time periods provided by a service application;

a user-defined time period; and

an unlimited time period.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein said information element comprises at least one of:

an electronic message;

a voicemail message;

a television program;

a video file;

an image file;

a document;

a database record; and

a data file.

26. The system of claim 24, wherein said service application comprises at least one of:

a messaging application;

a voicemail system;

a television service provider system; and

a data warehouse.