SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR REMOTELY MANAGING VOICEMAIL UTILIZING A SET-TOP BOX

• US 20090210917A1
• Filed: 02/13/2009
• Published: 08/20/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/15/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CenturyLink Intellectual Property LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Embarq Holdings Company LLC (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: LAFRENIERE, GARY W., Goergen, Michael S., Emerson, David, Rondeau, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,869,227 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/106
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6505 storing speech in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/658 Means for redirecting recorded messages to other extensions or equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/42 Graphical user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/253 where a visual mode is used instead of a voice mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53358 Message preview
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4131 home appliance, e.g. lighting, air conditioning system, metering devices home automation data switching networks exchanging configuration information on appliance services H04L12/2807
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/43615 Interfacing a Home Network, e.g. for connecting the client to a plurality of peripherals home Audio Video Interoperability [HAVI] data switching networks H04L12/2805
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4788 communicating with other users, e.g. chatting arrangements for providing for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms, to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1813; distributed application using peer-to-peer [P2P] networks H04L67/104
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4882 for displaying messages, e.g. warnings, reminders arrangements for providing short real-time information to substation in data switching networks H04L12/1895
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/173 with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal

Abstract

A system and method for managing a voicemail system through a set-top box. A call may be received from a caller. The call is intercepted utilizing a voicemail system available through a network. The voicemail system is operable to store one or more messages. A user selection is received to access the voicemail system utilizing a set-top box. An interface for the voicemail system is displayed to a user. The interface is displayed on a display in communication with the set-top box. The one or more voicemail accounts are managed based on user input.

Claims

1. A method for managing a voicemail system through a set-top box, the method comprising:

receiving a call from a caller;

intercepting the call utilizing a voicemail system available through a network, the voicemail system being operable to store one or more messages;

receiving a user selection to access the voicemail system utilizing a set-top box;

displaying an interface for the voicemail system to a user, the interface being displayed on a display in communication with the set-top box; and

managing one or more voicemail accounts based on user input.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the user selection is a user selection of a channel associated with the voicemail system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the user manages the one or more voicemail accounts remotely through an interactive voice response system.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

associating caller information with the caller for the interface utilizing contacts of a global directory accessible through the network; and

displaying the caller information associated with the caller in response to receiving the call or accessing the one or more messages

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

converting the message to text for display in the interface.

6. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving access information for managing the voicemail accounts through the set-top box.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

transferring one or more messages between the voicemail accounts based on user input through the interface.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the voicemail system converts the user input into commands utilized by each of the voicemail accounts.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the voicemail system and set-top box communicate through a portal.

10. A system for managing voicemail comprising:

a set-top box utilized to display media content to a display;

a voicemail server in communications with the set-top box through a communications network, the voicemail server being operable to store one or more messages from a caller, the set-top box being operable to display the one or more messages utilizing an interface communicated to the display, wherein a user manages the one or more messages visually utilizing the interface.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the set-top box communicates with the voicemail server through a portal, wherein the user may access the portal to establish user preferences that control the display of the one or more messages to the interface.

12. The system of claim 10, wherein the set-top box communicates with a plurality of voicemail servers.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the voicemail server communicates the one or more messages between the voicemail servers based on a user selection, and wherein the voicemail server utilizes commands for each of the voicemail servers to communicate the one or more messages.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the interface is a graphical user interface of a visual voicemail system, wherein the user manages the one or more messages utilizing a remote control in communication with the set-top box.

15. The system of claim 10, wherein the interface displays semi-translucent indicators utilizing the user interface over content displayed by the set-top box.

16. A voicemail server comprising:

a processor for executing a set of instructions;

a memory in communication with the processor, the memory operable to execute a set of instructions to;

receive a call from a caller;

intercept the call utilizing a voicemail system available through a network, the voicemail system being operable to store one or more messages;

receive a user selection to access the voicemail system utilizing a set-top box;

display an interface for the voicemail system to a user, the interface being displayed on a display in communication with the set-top box; and

manage one or more voicemail accounts based on user input.

17. The voicemail server of claim 16, wherein the interface allows a user to manage the one or more messages and the one or more voicemail accounts visually.

18. The voicemail server of claim 16, wherein the user may provide user input for managing the one or more messages and the one or more voicemail accounts utilizing a remote control, wherein the remote control receives tactile and audible commands from the user.

19. The voicemail server of claim 16, wherein the set of instructions are further executed to:

further converts user input to commands that are utilized to communicate the one or more messages between the one or more voicemail accounts.

20. The voicemail server of claim 16, wherein the set of instructions are further executed to:

provide an interactive voice response system that the user accesses through a voice connection to manage the one or more messages and the one or more voicemail accounts.