Method and apparatus for visual message indication in a VoIP system

• US 20080043727A1
• Filed: 06/29/2007
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 06/30/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Vonage Network LLC (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: Vonage Network LLC (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Smitheimer, Don
• Application Number:
  US11/824,715
• Publication Number:
  US 20080043727A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72433 for voice messaging, e.g. dictaphones for answering incoming calls H04M1/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/38 Displays
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/537 Arrangements for indicating the presence of a recorded message , whereby the presence information might include a preview or summary of the message
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42

Abstract

Method and apparatus to provide a numerical verification of new and existing voice messages as it relates to subscribers of VOIP services. The apparatus is placed on the subscriber'"'"'s telephone line; the subscriber'"'"'s VOIP voice message servers call and update the device with the subscriber'"'"'s current voice message status including the number of existing messages and new message(s). The apparatus is equipped to display the number of existing and new messages.

Claims

1. An apparatus for visual indication of voice messages in a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system comprising:

means for detecting signaling indicative of an incoming telephone call;

means for determining the identity of the caller of the incoming telephone call;

means for processing packet-based network information indicative of voice message status at a voice message server; and

a display means for providing visual indication of voice message status based on the processed information.

2. A method for conveying visual indication of voice messages Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) system comprising:

detecting signaling indicative of an incoming telephone call;

determining the identity of the caller of the incoming telephone call;

processing packet-based network information indicative of voice message status at a voice message server if the identity of the caller is a voice message server; and

displaying visual information indicative of voice message status based on the processed information.