Network of voice and/or fax mail systems

• US 5,454,030 A
• Filed: 02/08/1995
• Issued: 09/26/1995
• Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1992
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alcatel NV (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Alcatel NV (Nokia Corporation)
• Inventors: de Filipe, Luis M. F., Vogel, Ralf M., de Oliveira, Jorge A. F., Costa, Joao L. R., Bomberowitz, Robert J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chan, Wing F.
• Application Number:
  US08/385,738
• Time in Patent Office: 230 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67, 379/88-100, 379/201, 379/211, 379/214, 379/216, 379/233, 370/60, 370/60.1, 370/61, 370/62, 370/85.12, 370/94.1-94.3, 370/85.3, 370/85.5, 370/124, 358/400, 358/402, 358/407, 358/442
• US Class Current: 379/100.08
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53325 Interconnection arrangements between voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/00 Arrangements for interconnection between switching centres
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 379/905 Fax mail
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 379/908 Multimedia

Abstract

A network comprising a plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems and one or more exchanges, each having one or more of the voice and/or fax mail systems connected thereto via a plurality of associated access lines, wherein each of the voice and/or fax mail systems has an associated network interface such as a Fiber Distributed Data Interface to a message path interconnecting all of the voice and/or fax mail systems. The network increases the total capacity of the voice and/or fax mail system so that subscribers can leave and retrieve messages in real time, even during busy times of the day.

Claims

1. A method of depositing voice and/or fax messages in a subscriber'"'"'s home mailbox in a network comprising a plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems (VMS1, . . . , VMS20) and one or more exchanges (VST) each having one or more of said voice and/or fax mail systems (VMS1, . . . , VMS20) connected thereto via a plurality of associated access lines (PCM30), each of said voice and/or fax mail systems (VMS1, . . . , VMS20) having at least one associated bulk storage unit and an associated network interface (FDDI=Fiber Distributed Data Interface) to a message path (NW) interconnecting all of said voice and/or fax mail systems, wherein each of said network interfaces (FDDI) is a fiber distributed data interface, and wherein each of said network interfaces (FDDI) and said message path (NW) are implemented with a fiber distributed data interface ring (LWL-S), the method comprising the following steps:

transmitting an access number entered by a subscriber to the exchange and seizing an arbitrary idle access line to one (VSM1) of the plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems;

outputting from said one voice and/or fax mail system a prompt requesting the subscriber to enter a desired home-mailbox number, and making available a visitor mailbox;

after reception of the desired home-mailbox number, transmitting a broadcast message from said one voice and/or fax mail systems (VMS1) via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to all of the other voice and/or fax mail systems (VMS2), . . . , VMS20) to determine a further system (VMS2) in which the home mailbox associated with the home-mailbox number is installed;

transmitting a reply message from the further system (VMS2) via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to said one system (VMS1) having transmitted the broadcast message, said reply message containing all control data identifying the home mailbox;

outputting from said one system (VMS1) a prompt requesting the subscriber to enter a voice message and/or fax message;

depositing the entered voice message and/or fax message in the visitor mailbox, and

after completion of the entry by the subscriber, transferring the voice message and/or fax message into one of the bulk storage units of said one system (VMS1) and transmitting the control data associated with said message via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to the home mailbox in the further system (VMS2).

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the following step:

after completion of the entry by the subscriber, transmitting the entered voice message and/or fax message as well as the control data associated therewith via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to the home mailbox in the further system (VMS2).

3. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems (VMS1, . . . , VMS20) is connected to a visual display unit for administration, operator control, and maintenance, and wherein for the administration, operator control, and maintenance of the plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems, a connection can be established from the visual display unit via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to any one of the plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1, wherein each network interface (FDDI) is connected to a bus system of the voice and/or fax mail system, said bus system interconnecting a plurality of buffers (PTS1, . . . , FAX), a signalling unit (INU) connected to the access lines (PCM30), a switching unit (GTP), and a control unit (CPU30) in such a way that, on the one hand, both control data transmitted over the access lines (PCM30) and voice and/or fax messages are storable in the bulk storage units (VD, DD) of said one voice and/or fax mall system and, on the other hand, both the control data and the voice and/or fax messages are transmissible via the network interface (FDDI) to any of the other voice and/or fax mail systems.

5. A method as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one of the plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems (VMS1, . . . , VMS20) is connected to a visual display unit for administration, operator control, and maintenance, and wherein for the administration, operator control, and maintenance of the plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems, a connection can be established from the visual display unit via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to any one of the plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems.

6. A method of retrieving or depositing voice and/or fax messages from or in a home mailbox of an authorized subscriber in a network consisting of a plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems and one or more exchanges (VST) each having one or more of said voice and/or fax mail systems (VMS1, . . . , VMS20) connected thereto via a plurality of associated access lines (PCM30), each of said voice and/or fax mail systems (VMS1, . . . , VMS20) having at least one associated bulk storage unit and an associated network interface (FDDI=Fiber Distributed Data Interface) to a message path (NW) interconnecting all of said voice and/or fax mail systems, wherein each of said network interfaces (FDDI) is a fiber distributed data interface, and wherein each of said network interfaces (FDDI) and said message path (NW) are implemented with a fiber distributed data interface ring (LWL-S), the method comprising the following steps:

transmitting an access number entered by the subscriber to the exchange and seizing an arbitrary idle access line to one (VSM1) of the plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems;

outputting from said one voice and/or fax mail system (VMS1) a prompt requesting the subscriber to enter a desired home-mailbox number, and making available a visitor mailbox;

after reception of a home-mailbox number provided with a code identifying home-mailbox owner, transmitting a broadcast message from said one voice and/or fax mail system (VMS1) via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to all of the other voice and/or fax mail systems (VMS2, VMS20) to determine a further system (VMS2) in which the home mailbox associated with the home-mailbox number is installed;

transmitting a reply message from the further system (VMS2) via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to said one system (VMS1) having transmitted the broadcast message, said reply message containing all control data identifying the home mailbox, including an associated personal access code and a directory;

outputting from said one system a prompt requesting the subscriber to enter his or her personal access code, and subsequently checking the entered access code for agreement with the transmitted access code;

if the subscriber is an authorized subscriber, outputting a prompt requesting an arbitrary access for retrieval or deposition of a voice message and/or fax message, and making available a permanent connection, for the whole duration of the access, between said one system (VMS1) and the further system (VMS2) comprising the home mailbox via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW), and

after completion of the access by the authorized subscriber, transmitting all changed control data via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to the home mailbox of the further system (VMS2), and releasing the permanent connection.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein each network interface (FDDI) is connected to a bus system of the voice and/or fax mail system, said bus system interconnecting a plurality of buffers (PTS1, . . . , FAX), a signalling unit (INU) connected to the access lines (PCM30), a switching unit (GTP), and a control unit (CPU30) in such a way that, on the one hand, both control data transmitted over the access lines (PCM30) and voice and/or fax messages are storable in said bulk storage units (VD, DD) of said one voice and/or fax mail system and, on the other hand, both the control data and the voice and/or fax messages are transmissible via the network interface (FDDI) to any of the other voice and/or tax mail systems.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one of the plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems (VMS1, . . . , VMS20) is connected to a visual display unit for administration, operator control, and maintenance, and wherein for the administration, operator control, and maintenance of the plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems, a connection can be established from the visual display unit via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to any one of the plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems.

9. A method as claimed in claim 6, comprising the following step:

if the authorized subscriber has deposited a message in the associated visitor mailbox of said one system, placing the voice message and/or fax message in one of the bulk storage units of said one system and transmitting the control data associated with said message as well as a changed directory via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to the home mailbox in the further system (VMS2).

10. A method as claimed in claim 6, comprising the following step:

if the authorized subscriber has deposited a message in the associated visitor mailbox of said one system (VMS1), transmitting the entered voice message and/or fax message via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to the home mailbox in the further system (VMS2).

11. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least one of the plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems (VMS1, . . . , VMS20) is connected to a visual display unit for administration, operator control, and maintenance, and wherein for the administration, operator control, and maintenance of the plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems, a connection can be established from the visual display unit via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to any one of the plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems.

12. A network comprising of a plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems (VMS1, . . . , VMS20) and one or more exchanges (VST) each having one or more of said voice and/or fax mail systems (VMS1, . . . , VMS20) connected thereto via a plurality of associated access lines (PCM30), each of said voice and/or fax mail systems (VMS1, . . . , VMS20) having at least one bulk storage unit and an associated network interface (FDDI=Fiber Distributed Data Interface) to a message path (NW) interconnecting all of said voice and/or fax mail systems, wherein each of said network interfaces (FDDI) is a fiber distributed data interface, and wherein each of said network interfaces (FDDI) and said message path (NW) are implemented with a fiber distributed data interface ring (LWL-S),

wherein one of said exchanges transmits an access number onto the network in response to said access number being entered by the subscriber to said one exchange, and wherein an arbitrary idle access line to one (VSM1) of the plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems is seized in response to the transmission of said access number onto the network;

wherein, in response to being seized, said one voice and/or fax mail system (VMS1) outputs a prompt, said one exchange being responsive to said prompt for requesting the subscriber to enter a desired home-mailbox number, and wherein said one voice and/or fax mail system is further responsive to being seized for making available a visitor mailbox;

wherein said one voice and/or fax mail system (VSM1) is responsive to the reception of a home-mailbox number for transmitting a broadcast message via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to all of the other voice and/or fax mall systems (VMS2, . . . , VMS20) to determine a further system (VMS2) in which the home mailbox associated with the home-mailbox number is installed;

wherein said further system is responsive to said broadcast message for transmitting a reply message via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to said one system (VMS1), said reply message containing all control data identifying the home mailbox;

wherein said one system is responsive to said reply message for outputting a second prompt, said one exchange being responsive to said second prompt for requesting the subscriber to enter a voice message and/or fax message;

wherein said one system is responsive to a voice message and/or fax message entered by the subscriber at said one exchange for storing said voice message and/or fax message in said visitor mailbox; and

wherein, in response to the completion of the entry of a voice message and/or fax message by the subscriber, said one system transfers the voice message and/or fax message into one of said bulk storage units of said one system (VMS1) and transmits the control data associated with said message via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to the home mailbox in the further system (VMS2).

13. A network as claimed in claim 12,

wherein an authorized subscriber is identified by the entry of a code after the entry of a home-mailbox number, said code identifying the subscriber as an authorized subscriber;

wherein said one voice and/or fax mail system (VSM1) is responsive to the reception of said home-mailbox number provided with said code for transmitting an authorized subscriber broadcast message via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to all of the other voice and/or fax mail systems (VMS2, . . . , VMS20) to determine a further system (VMS2) in which the home mailbox associated with the home-mailbox number is installed;

wherein said further system is responsive to said authorized subscriber broadcast message for transmitting an authorized subscriber reply message via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to said one system (VMS1), said reply message containing all control data identifying the home mailbox, including an associated stored personal access code and a directory;

wherein said one system is responsive to said authorized subscriber reply message for outputting said second prompt, said one exchanges being responsive to said second prompt for requesting the subscriber to enter his or her personal access code, said one system being response to the entry of said personal access code by the authorized subscriber for checking for agreement with the stored personal access code;

wherein, in response to agreement between the entered and the stored personal access code, said one system outputs a third a prompt requesting an arbitrary access for retrieval or deposition of a voice message and/or fax message, said network being responsive to said third prompt for making available a permanent connection, for the whole duration of the access, between said one system (VMS1) and the further system (VMS2) comprising the home mailbox via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW), and

wherein, in response to completion of the access by the authorized subscriber, said one system transmits all changed control data via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to the home mailbox of the further system (VMS2), and releases the permanent connection.

14. A network as claimed in claim 13, wherein in response to the authorized subscriber depositing a message in the associated visitor mailbox of said one system, the voice message and/or fax message is placed in one of said bulk storage units of said one system, and said one system transmits the control data associated with said message as well as a changed directory via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to the home mailbox in the further system (VMS2).

15. A network as claimed in claim 13, wherein in response to the authorized subscriber depositing a message in the associated visitor mailbox of said one system (VMS1), the entered voice message and/or fax message is transmitted from said one system via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to the home mailbox in the further system (VMS2).

16. A network as claimed in claim 13, wherein the network interface (FDDI) is connected to a bus system of the voice and/or fax mail system, said bus system interconnecting a plurality of buffers (PTS1, . . . , FAX), a signalling unit (INU) connected to the access lines (PCM30), a switching unit (GTP), and a control unit (CPU30) in such a way that, on the one hand, both control data transmitted over the access lines (PCM30) and voice and/or fax messages are storable in bulk storage units (VD, DD) of said one voice and/or fax mail system and, on the other hand, both the control data and the voice and/or fax messages are transmissible via the network interface (FDDI) to any of the other voice and/or fax mail systems.

17. A network as claimed in claim 16, wherein at least one of the plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems (VMS1, . . . , VMS20) is connected to a visual display unit for administration, operator control, and maintenance, and wherein for the administration, operator control, and maintenance of the plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems, a connection can be established from the visual display unit via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to any one of the plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems.

18. A network as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least one of the plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems (VMS1, . . . , VMS20) is connected to a visual display unit for administration, operator control, and maintenance, and wherein for the administration, operator control, and maintenance of the plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems, a connection can be established from the visual display unit via the network interface (FDDI) and the message path (NW) to any one of the plurality of voice and/or fax mail systems.