Region-Wide Messaging System and Methods including Validation of Transactions
First Claim
1. A region-wide messaging system, comprising:
- a. a data network using at least one data protocol to transmit messages through the data network;
b. a first communications network having multiple network elements and which couples to the data network, the first communications network including a first messaging server that is adapted to (i) operate as a network element within the first communications network and (ii) transmit a message using the data protocol from the first messaging server to the data network; and
c. a second messaging server that is adapted to (i) operate as a network element within either the first communications network or within a second communications network located in a different geographical area from the first communications network and (ii) transmit a message transmitting via the data protocol from the first messaging server to the data network.
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Abstract
Methods and systems are disclosed that allow for the exchange of voice mail messages between different VMSs of different service providers and/or in different networks by the transmission of such messages through a data network using a standard protocol of the data network. Methods and systems also are disclosed that validate message transactions among subscribers receiving regional messaging services over the PSTN. The subscribers are located in different geographic areas and may be provided their voice, facsimile or data messaging services by different companies. The present invention validates passing messages (data) among customers of potentially different companies located in different areas by assessing the validity of the transaction in light of a number of conditions, including applicable regulatory or business conditions.
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Citations
31 Claims
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1. A region-wide messaging system, comprising:
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a. a data network using at least one data protocol to transmit messages through the data network;
b. a first communications network having multiple network elements and which couples to the data network, the first communications network including a first messaging server that is adapted to (i) operate as a network element within the first communications network and (ii) transmit a message using the data protocol from the first messaging server to the data network; and
c. a second messaging server that is adapted to (i) operate as a network element within either the first communications network or within a second communications network located in a different geographical area from the first communications network and (ii) transmit a message transmitting via the data protocol from the first messaging server to the data network. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A regional messaging system adapted for deployment over a communications network, the system comprising at least two voice mail platforms provided with AIN functionality and configured to act as intelligent peripherals within the communications network, whereby communications routed to either of the two voice mail platforms are controlled by elements of the communications network.
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6. A method for sending and receiving a voice mail message, the method comprising:
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a. providing a data network using at least one standard protocol to transmit messages through the data network;
b. coupling to the data network a plurality of voice mail servers;
c. causing, in response to a user'"'"'s request to initiate a message, a first voice mail server to query a directory for information associated with the message destination provided by the user;
d. returning at least routing information from the directory so that the first voice mail server can route the message to a second voice mail server associated with the destination provided by the user. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. In a messaging system including a data network using at least one standard protocol to transmit messages through the data network, the messaging system used for delivery of at least voice mail messages and comprising:
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a. a telecommunications network operative to receive a voice mail message in a standard protocol of the data network from the data network and to deliver the voice mail message to a voice mail server; and
b. the voice mail server operative to receive the voice mail message from the telecommunications network and to make the voice mail message available for retrieval. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for validating messaging transactions between customers served by voice mail servers located in different geographic regions, operated by different service providers or both, the method comprising:
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a. querying at least one directory in order to identify a first voice mail server associated with a caller originating a message and a second voice mail server associated with the recipient of the message; and
b. determining, based on the identities of the first and second voice mail servers, whether the message may be transferred between the first and second voice mail servers. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 19)
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20. A process for determining the identity of a first voice mail server associated with an originating caller that has left a message with a second voice mail server associated with a receiving caller that may seek to respond to the message, the process comprising:
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ascertaining an identifier associated with the originating caller;
using the identifier to determine an identity code that identifies the first VMS and correlates with the identifier;
associating the first voice mail server'"'"'s identity code with information selected from the group consisting of;
the location of the first voice mail server, the identity of a first service provider operating the first voice mail server, and the existence of agreements between the first service provider and other service providers; and
determining whether the receiving caller may communicate with the first voice mail server in response to the message.
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- 21. A method for validating the passage of data between customers of different companies operating messaging servers that serve different areas, the method comprising using business rules, regulatory rules or both to determine whether the data may be passed between the customers'"'"' messaging servers.
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28. A system for validating a directory query initiated by a second subscriber served from a second messaging server that has received a message from a first subscriber served by a first messaging server and wishes to respond to the message, the system comprising:
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two or more messaging servers, at least the first and second of which are (i) either located in different LATAs or in different geographical regions, (ii) share a common message transfer protocol, or (iii) are operated by different service providers;
a directory that stores the identity of the two or more messaging servers and responds to an inquiry from the second messaging server by providing at least the identity of the first messaging server;
a database, associated with the directory, that specifies rules governing the exchange of data between messaging servers; and
wherein, in response to the query from the second messaging server, the directory either validates or denies the proposed message transfer between the first and second messaging server.
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29. A method for validating messaging transactions handled by two different messaging servers comprising:
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(a) determining (i) a first identity code associated with the message initiator and (ii) a second identity code associated with the message recipient;
(b) providing the first and second identity codes to a database; and
(c) analyzing validation criteria associated with each of the first and second identity codes in order to determine the validity of the messaging transaction. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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31. A validation method for use in a regional voicemail system comprising at least two different networks, the first operated by a first service provider, the second operated by a second service provider, whereby a data network couples the first and second networks to a messaging server, the method comprising:
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associating the identities of the message originator and recipient with the identities of an originating messaging server and a destination messaging server;
comparing data describing the originating and destination voice messaging servers to determine whether the voice mail may be forwarded from the originating messaging server to the destination messaging server;
sending a validation acknowledgment to the originating messaging server that the message may be sent; and
forwarding the voice mail to the destination messaging server upon receipt of the validation acknowledgment.
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Specification