Outgoing voice mail recording and playback

• US 20090175425A1
• Filed: 01/03/2008
• Published: 07/09/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/03/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Original Assignee: Apple Inc.
• Inventors: Lee, Michael M.
• Granted Patent: US 8,706,092 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/88.110
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/27453 Directories allowing storage of additional subscriber data, e.g. metadata
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72433 for voice messaging, e.g. dictaphones for answering incoming calls H04M1/64

Abstract

Systems and methods for enabling users to listen to outgoing voice mail messages are provided. These systems and methods record an audio file corresponding to a voice message being left by a user during an outgoing telephone call to a recipient, link the audio file to contact information associated with the recipient, and provide the user access to the audio file through, for example, playback of the audio included in the file. These systems and methods may be implemented through individual communications devices, such as an iPhone, through a telephone communications provider, or a combination of the same.

Claims

1. A method for accessing outgoing voice mail messages, the method comprising:

recording an audio file corresponding to a voice message being left by a user during an outgoing telephone call to a recipient;

linking the audio file to contact information associated with the recipient; and

providing the user access to the audio file.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving an instruction from the user to record the voice message.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the instruction is a selection of at least one potential recipient before the outgoing telephone call is made.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein the instruction is received during the outgoing telephone call.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein the instruction comprises a voice command.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein the instruction comprises a key input.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the recording of the audio file is initiated after the outgoing telephone call is diverted to voice mail.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the recording and the linking are implemented through a device used to initiate the outgoing telephone call.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the device comprises a wireless communication device.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the device comprises an iPhone.

11. The method of claim 1 wherein the recording and the linking are implemented through a telephone communications provider.

12. The method of claim 1 further comprising notifying the user of the existence of a recording of an outgoing voice mail message.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the notifying the user ceases when the outgoing voice mail message is no longer outstanding.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the outgoing voice mail message is no longer outstanding if a communication by, or to, the recipient is attempted.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein providing the user access to the audio file comprises playing back audio included in the file to the user.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the user access to the audio file occurs in response to an incoming communication from the recipient.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the communication is selected from the group consisting of a call, a fax, an e-mail and a message.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the user access to the audio file occurs in response to an outgoing communication to the recipient.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the communication is selected from the group consisting of a call, a fax, an e-mail and a message.

20. A communication device for accessing outgoing voice mail messages, the device comprising:

a recorder that records an audio file corresponding to a voice message being left by a user during an outgoing telephone call made using the device to a recipient;

a memory that stores the audio file and a plurality of contact files;

control circuitry that links the audio file to at least one of the contact files associated with the recipient; and

an output that provides the user with content included in the audio file.