Methods and apparatus for integrated voice communication

• US 5,434,909 A
• Filed: 10/28/1994
• Issued: 07/18/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 09/11/1990
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Dsc Telecom L.P.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Price, Robert, Scruggs, Jeff
• Primary Examiner(s): Brown, Thomas W.
• Application Number:
  US08/330,408
• Time in Patent Office: 263 Days
• Field of Search: 379/89, 379/67, 379/88, 379/210, 379/212, 379/213, 379/214
• US Class Current: 379/88.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems

Abstract

An integrated voice communication system is provided which includes first circuitry for delivering a stored message to a subscriber calling party upon the receipt of a first command. Second circuitry is coupled to the first circuitry and is operable to create a direct connection with a selected called party without exiting the system upon the receipt of a second command.

Claims

1. A communications system comprising:

a first circuitry for storing a voice message directed to a subscriber;

a second circuitry for delivering said stored message directed to a subscriber calling party upon the receipt of a first command; and

a third circuitry coupled to said second circuitry and operable to establish a direct connection between said subscriber calling party and a called party upon receipt of a second command without exiting said communications system;

wherein said circuitry for delivering a stored message is operable to automatically deliver a second stored message upon the termination of said direct connection with said called party.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said second circuitry for delivering a stored message is operable to deliver said first or said second stored messages upon receipt of a voice command.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said circuitry operable to establish a direct connection is further operable to receive a voice command.

4. A method for processing voice data in an integrated voice communications system, comprising the steps of:

enabling a caller to store a message for a subscriber responsive to a first command;

enabling the subscriber to receive a stored message responsive to a second command;

enabling the subscriber to place a direct dial telephone call without exiting the voice communications system responsive to a third command; and

following the termination of the telephone call, automatically enabling the subscriber to receive a second stored message.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said first and second commands comprise voice commands.

6. The method of claim 4, and further comprising the steps of:

following the termination of the telephone call, automatically enabling the subscriber to cause delivery of a voice message to another subscriber.