VOICEMAIL SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE METHOD AND MEANS AND A SUBSCRIBER TERMINAL

• US 20120066327A1
• Filed: 11/16/2011
• Published: 03/15/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: S Aqua Semiconductor LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: Dot Assets No 14 LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Inventors: VÄÄNÄNEN, Mikko Kalervo
• Granted Patent: US 8,406,746 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/04 Real-time or near real-time messaging, e.g. instant messaging [IM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• 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 1/2757 by data transmission, e.g. downloading
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/7243 with interactive means for internal management of messages
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72442 for playing music files
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 15/59 based on real time
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53 Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages , i.e. mailbox systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5315 where the non-audio components are still images or video still image mailbox systems H04N1/324, intermediate storage of video signals for videophones H04N7/147
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/24 Accounting or billing
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 48/08 Access restriction or access information delivery, e.g. discovery data delivery signalling during connection H04W76/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/10 Connection setup
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

The invention relates to a voicemail short messaging method (10, 20, 30) and means and a subscriber terminal (500). In particular it concerns a method and means for instantaneous packet switched voicemail between Internet compatible computers, personal digital assistants, telephones and mobile stations. In particular the inventive subscriber terminal (500) concerns a hardware and a software setup that allows the combined use of audio and/or video devices (550) with both the normal cellular or fixed telephony network (520) and with an Internet connection (510). The inventive subscriber terminal (500) allows the flexible use of both the Internet and telephony network with numerous advantages, one of which is the inventive voicemail short messaging method under study. The inventive voicemail messaging method (10), comprising at least one subscriber terminal is characterised by server independence.

Claims

1. A method to provide a voicemail service, the method comprising:

receiving at a messaging server at least one voicemail message from a first wireless mobile station and storing the at least one voicemail message in memory at the messaging server;

establishing a packet switched data communication over a wireless telephony network with a recipient of the at least one voicemail message, wherein the recipient is a second wireless mobile station;

transmitting over the packet switched data communication a copy of the at least one voicemail message to the second wireless mobile station to facilitate display of the at least one voicemail message in an inbox; and

maintaining the at least one voicemail message at the messaging server.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the transmitting the copy of the at least one voicemail message to the inbox is provided by attaching the at least one voicemail message to an email message.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the wireless telephony network is part of the Internet.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the inbox visually displays and lists a plurality of voicemail messages including the at least one voicemail message.

5. A voicemail messaging server, the messaging server comprising:

circuitry configured to receive at least one voicemail message from a first wireless mobile station and memory to store the at least one voicemail message;

circuitry configured to establish a packet switched data communication with a recipient of the at least one voicemail message, wherein the recipient is a second wireless mobile station;

circuitry configured to transmit over the packet switched data communication a copy of the at least one voicemail message to the second wireless mobile station to facilitate display of the at least one voicemail message in an inbox; and

the memory configured to maintain the at least one voicemail message at the messaging server.

6. The voicemail messaging server of claim 5 wherein the circuitry configured to transmit the copy of the at least one voicemail message to the inbox is provided by attaching the at least one voicemail message to an email message.

7. The voicemail messaging server of claim 5 wherein the packet switched data communication is over the Internet.

8. The voicemail messaging server of claim 5 wherein the inbox visually displays and lists a plurality of voicemail messages including the at least one voicemail message.

9. A voicemail messaging server, the messaging server comprising:

means for receiving at least one voicemail message from a first wireless mobile station and memory to store the at least one voicemail message;

means for establishing a packet switched data communication with a recipient of the at least one voicemail message, wherein the recipient is a second wireless mobile station;

means for transmitting over the packet switched data communication a copy of the at least one voicemail message to the second wireless mobile station to facilitate display of the at least one voicemail message in an inbox; and

means for storing the at least one voicemail message at the messaging server.

10. The voicemail messaging server of claim 9 wherein the means for transmitting the copy of the at least one voicemail message to the inbox is provided by attaching the at least one voicemail message to an email message.

11. The voicemail messaging server of claim 9 wherein the packet switched data communication is over the Internet.

12. The voicemail messaging server of claim 9 wherein the inbox visually displays and lists a plurality of voicemail messages including the at least one voicemail message.

13. A method to provide a voicemail service, the method comprising:

establishing a packet switched data communication over a wireless telephony network by a wireless mobile station;

receiving at the wireless mobile station at least one voicemail message, provided from another wireless mobile station, from a messaging server over the packet switched data communication over the wireless telephony network;

storing the at least one voicemail message in memory at the wireless mobile station; and

displaying the at least one voicemail message in an inbox at the wireless mobile station.

14. The method of claim 13 wherein the at least one voicemail message is delivered as an attachment with an email message.

15. The method of claim 13 wherein the wireless telephony network is part of the Internet.

16. The method of claim 13 wherein the inbox visually displays and lists a plurality of voicemail messages including the at least one voicemail message.

17. A wireless mobile station, the wireless mobile station comprising:

circuitry configured to establish a packet switched data communication over a wireless telephony network;

circuitry configured to receive at least one voicemail message, provided from another wireless mobile station, from a messaging server over the packet switched data communication over the wireless telephony network;

circuitry configured to store the at least one voicemail message at the wireless mobile station, wherein the at least one voicemail message is also stored as a copy at the messaging server; and

circuitry configured to display the at least one voicemail message in an inbox.

18. The wireless mobile station of claim 17 wherein the at least one voicemail message is delivered as an attachment with an email message.

19. The wireless mobile station of claim 17 wherein the wireless telephony network is part of the Internet.

20. The wireless mobile station of claim 17 wherein the inbox visually displays and lists a plurality of voicemail messages including the at least one voicemail message.

21. A wireless mobile station, the wireless mobile station comprising:

means for establishing a packet switched data communication over a wireless telephony network;

means for receiving at least one voicemail message, provided from another wireless mobile station, from a messaging server over the packet switched data communication over the wireless telephony network;

means for storing the at least one voicemail message at the wireless mobile station, wherein the at least one voicemail message is also stored as a copy at the messaging server; and

means for displaying the at least one voicemail message in an inbox.

22. The wireless mobile station of claim 21 wherein the at least one voicemail message is delivered as an attachment to an email message.

23. The wireless mobile station of claim 21 wherein the wireless telephony network is part of the Internet.

24. The wireless mobile station of claim 21 wherein the inbox visually displays and lists a plurality of voicemail messages including the at least one voicemail message.