Universal messaging service using single voice grade telephone line within a client/server architecture
First Claim
1. A voice and data messaging system, comprising:
- (a) a server comprising a first computer, a multi-applications platform (MAP) running on said first computer, and means for storing voice and data messages;
(b) a client comprising a second computer with an associated display and means for transmitting analog voice messages and digital data messages to said server;
(c) a client and server interface coupling said client to said server and providing a medium over which said client and server communicate, wherein the interface is a single telephone line;
(d) universal mailbox means for (1) visually indicating to a user, via the display associated with the second computer, that voice and data messages have been delivered for said user and are being held by said server; and
(2) permitting said user to review, erase, or forward, via said second computer and said single telephone line, a selected one of said voice and data messages stored by said server;
wherein said universal mailbox means further includes means for performing a plurality of message functions including;
(1) an initialization function wherein a client outdials the server;
the server recognizes that the call is for a universal mailbox user;
the server allocates a voice and data port;
the server sends a DTMF identifying code; and
the client receives the DTMF identifying code and initializes a client and server session, thereby permitting the user to perform message retrieval and message send functions;
(2) erase selected message wherein the server performs a database function to change the status of a message to erased; and
(3) save selected message, wherein the server performs a database function to change the status of a message to saved; and
(e) client interface means for allowing the user to select from some or all of said plurality of message functions, a message function to be performed.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An integrated voice and data messaging system is disclosed. The system includes a Server comprising a first computer, a network applications platform (NAP) running on the first computer, and means for storing voice and data messages. In addition, the system includes a Client comprising a second computer with an associated display and means for transmitting analog voice messages and digital data messages to the Server, a Client/Server interface coupling the Client to the Server and providing a medium over which the Client and Server communicate; and a Universal Mailbox Application running on the Server, the Client, or both the Server and Client. The system is capable of visually indicating to a user, via the display device associated with the Client computer, that a message has been delivered for the user and is being held by the Server, wherein the message may be a voice, data or facsimile message. The system is particularly suited for exchanging messages among Small Office/Home Office (SOHO) users having access to one or more database services, including a voice-mail service. The SOHO users are typically not attached to a local area network (LAN) and gain access to a Server of the messaging system through a public switched telephone network (PSTN), a telephone and a personal computer (PC).
346 Citations
16 Claims
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1. A voice and data messaging system, comprising:
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(a) a server comprising a first computer, a multi-applications platform (MAP) running on said first computer, and means for storing voice and data messages; (b) a client comprising a second computer with an associated display and means for transmitting analog voice messages and digital data messages to said server; (c) a client and server interface coupling said client to said server and providing a medium over which said client and server communicate, wherein the interface is a single telephone line; (d) universal mailbox means for (1) visually indicating to a user, via the display associated with the second computer, that voice and data messages have been delivered for said user and are being held by said server; and
(2) permitting said user to review, erase, or forward, via said second computer and said single telephone line, a selected one of said voice and data messages stored by said server;wherein said universal mailbox means further includes means for performing a plurality of message functions including; (1) an initialization function wherein a client outdials the server;
the server recognizes that the call is for a universal mailbox user;
the server allocates a voice and data port;
the server sends a DTMF identifying code; and
the client receives the DTMF identifying code and initializes a client and server session, thereby permitting the user to perform message retrieval and message send functions;(2) erase selected message wherein the server performs a database function to change the status of a message to erased; and (3) save selected message, wherein the server performs a database function to change the status of a message to saved; and (e) client interface means for allowing the user to select from some or all of said plurality of message functions, a message function to be performed. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A voice and data messaging system, comprising:
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(a) a server comprising a first computer, a multi-applications platform (MAP) miming on said first computer, and means for storing voice and data messages; (b) a client comprising a second computer with an associated display and means for transmitting analog voice messages and digital data messages to said server; (c) a client and server interface coupling said client to said server and providing a medium over which said client and server communicate, wherein the interface is a single telephone line; and (d) universal mailbox means for (1) visually indicating to a user, via the display associated with the second computer, that voice and data messages have been delivered for said user and are being held by said server; and
(2) permitting said user to at least review, erase, or forward, via said second computer and said single telephone line, a selected one of said voice and dais messages stored by said server;wherein said universal mailbox means further includes means for performing the following functions; (1) initialization, wherein the client outdials the server;
the server recognizes an incoming call and connects the call;
the server recognizes that the call is for a universal mailbox user;
the server allocates a voice and data port;
the server sends a DTMF identifying code;
the client receives the DTMF identifying code and initializes a client and server session, thereby permitting the user to perform message retrieval and message send functions;(2) message summary, wherein the server gathers all messages associated with a user'"'"'s mailbox; (3) select and review selected message, wherein the server receivers a current message from the client for playback over a voice channel, wherein the user is given prescribed message review handling options while the current message is being played over the voice channel; (4) update memo, wherein the server updates a memo field associated with a message, said memo field being placed in a database; (5) create new message, wherein the user is enabled to create a new message; and (6) send message, wherein a previously created message is sent to another user stationed at another client. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A server for use in a voice and data messaging system conforming to a client and server architecture, comprising:
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(a) a first computer and a multi-applications platform (MAP) running on said first computer; (b) database means operatively coupled to said first computer for storing voice, data and facsimile messages; and (c) universal mailbox means for (1) visually indicating to a user, via a display device associated with a second, client computer operatively coupled to said server via a single telephone line, that voice and data messages have been delivered for said user and are being held by said database means; and
(2) permitting said user to at least review, erase, or forward, via said second computer, a selected one of said voice and data messages stored by said server;wherein said universal mailbox means further includes means for performing the following functions; (1) initialization, wherein the server sends a DTMF identifying code to the client upon receiving an incoming call for a universal mailbox user;
the server allocates a voice and data port; and
the client initializes a client and server session upon receipt of the DTMF identifying code, thereby permitting the user to perform message retrieval and message send functions;(2) message summary, wherein the server collects all messages associated with a user'"'"'s mailbox; (3) select and review selected message, wherein the server receives a current message from the client for playback over a voice channel, wherein the user is given prescribed message review handling options that are available while the current message is being played over the voice channel; (4) update memo, wherein the server updates a memo field associated with a message, said memo field being placed in a data base; (5)create new message, wherein the user is enabled to create a new message; and (6) send message, wherein a previously created message is sent to another user'"'"'s mailbox. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A server for use in a voice and data messaging system conforming to a client and server architecture, comprising:
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(a) a first computer and a multi-applications platform (MAP) running on said first computer; (b) means operatively coupled to said first computer for storing voice, data and facsimile messages; (c) universal mailbox means for (1) visually indicating to a user, via a display device associated with a second, client computer operatively coupled to said server via a single telephone line, that voice and data messages have been delivered for said user and are being hold by said server; and
(2) permitting said user to at least review, erase, or forward, via said second computer and said single telephone line, a selected one of said voice and data messages stored by said server;wherein said universal mailbox means further includes means for performing the following functions; (1) initialization, wherein said client outdials the server;
the server recognizes an incoming call and connects the call;
the server recognizes that the call is for a universal mailbox user;
the server allocates a voice and data port to the user;
the server outdials the client and sends a DTMF identifying code;
the client receives the DTMF identifying code and initializes a client and server session, thereby permitting the user to perform message retrieval and message send functions;(2) message summary, wherein the server gathers all messages associated with a user'"'"'s mailbox; (3) select and review selected message, wherein the server receives a current message from the client for playback over a voice channel, wherein the user is given prescribed message review handling options while the message is being played over the voice channel; (4) update memo, wherein the server updates a memo field associated with the message, said memo field being placed in a database; (5) create new message, wherein a new message is created when a record option is selected by the user; and (6) send message, wherein a previously created message is sent to another user stretched at another client. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification