Technique for reducing message notification blockage in voice mail systems
First Claim
1. A method of reducing message notification blockage in a Voice Mail System which is connected by a switching system to a message recipient'"'"'s extension on that switching system comprising the steps of:
- (a) identifying a line connecting the Voice Mail System with the switching system;
(b) dedicating the line identified in step (a) for use in only providing message notification to recipients of a voicemail message received at the Voice Mail System by performing the substeps of;
(b1) accessing the switching system with the line identified in step (a); and
(b2) dialing a feature code used by the switching system for preventing incoming calls to the Voice Mail System from being sent over the line identified in step (a); and
(c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for any other line connecting the Voice Mail System with the switching system to be dedicated for use in only providing message notification to recipients of voicemail messages.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Method and apparatus are disclosed for dedicating one or more second lines interconnecting a public/private communication system (PCS), such as a Private Branch Exchange (PBX), and a Voice Mail System (VMS) for only providing message notification to communication devices of recipients of voicemail messages via the PCS. A plurality of analog first lines in a hunt group between the PCS and the VMS permit voice communications between callers and the VMS via the PCS. The VMS includes an applications processor which is integrated (coupled) to the PCS. The applications processor determines if a second line to be used only for message notification is part of the plurality of analog first lines in the hunt group. If the second line is part of the plurality of analog first lines, the applications processor accesses the PCS over the second line, and causes the second line to be made inaccessible to the public/private communication system for transmitting incoming calls to the Voice Mail System. When a second line is not part of the plurality of analog first lines, the applications processor accesses the PCS, and causes all incoming calls that are directed to the VMS over this second line to be forwarded to the plurality of analog first lines.
24 Citations
9 Claims
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1. A method of reducing message notification blockage in a Voice Mail System which is connected by a switching system to a message recipient'"'"'s extension on that switching system comprising the steps of:
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(a) identifying a line connecting the Voice Mail System with the switching system; (b) dedicating the line identified in step (a) for use in only providing message notification to recipients of a voicemail message received at the Voice Mail System by performing the substeps of; (b1) accessing the switching system with the line identified in step (a); and (b2) dialing a feature code used by the switching system for preventing incoming calls to the Voice Mail System from being sent over the line identified in step (a); and (c) repeating steps (a) and (b) for any other line connecting the Voice Mail System with the switching system to be dedicated for use in only providing message notification to recipients of voicemail messages. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. Apparatus comprising:
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a Voice Mail System comprising an applications processor; a switching system comprising a plurality of analog first lines in a hunt group which interconnect the switching system and the Voice Mail System; and at least one second line interconnecting the switching switching system and the Voice Mail System which is dedicated for only providing a notification by the Voice Mail System of a receipt of a voicemail message at the Voice Mail System to a communication device at a voicemail message recipient'"'"'s location via the switching system wherein the applications processor in the Voice Mail System comprises software which;
(a) automatically accesses each of the at least one second line to receive dial tone from the switching system, and (b) upon receipt of the dial tone, transmits a predetermined feature code over each of the at least one second line to place each of the at least one second line in a condition which indicates that each of the at least second line is inaccessible to the switching system for transmitting incoming calls to the Voice Mail System. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
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6. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein on start-up or power-up of the switching system and the Voice Mail System, the applications processor automatically reserves each of the at least one second line for only providing a notifaction by the Voice Mail System of a receipt of a voicemail message to the recipient'"'"'s communication device.
Specification