Architecture for voice messaging systems

• US 5,657,376 A
• Filed: 10/13/1995
• Issued: 08/12/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 10/13/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Glenayre Electronics Incorporated (EDCI Holdings Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Glenayre Electronics Incorporated (EDCI Holdings Incorporated)
• Inventors: Espeut, Donald B., Bettis, Sonny R.
• Primary Examiner(s): TSANG, FAN S
• Application Number:
  US08/543,036
• Time in Patent Office: 669 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67, 379/88, 379/89, 379/57-66, 379/210, 379/211, 379/201
• US Class Current: 379/88.17
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53325 Interconnection arrangements between voice mail systems

Abstract

An improved architecture for providing high capacity capability to voice message systems is disclosed. The system includes a plurality of stand-alone voice message processors (VMP), each of which are communicatively connected via a high-speed local area network. Each of the voice message processors are communicatively connected to a network interface module (NIM) that receives all incoming calls from a public switched telephone network (PSTN). A control module is connected to the NIM and also interfaces with each of the VMPs over the local area network. As each incoming call is received, the control module routes the call to the appropriate VMP assigned to the subscriber to whom the call is designated. A terminal server is also connected to the local area network. The terminal server receives calls from subscribers utilizing a personal computer. In this manner, a subscriber can access his or her voice mailbox account.

Claims

1. A voice messaging system for storing voice or data messages for a plurality of subscribers, said voice messaging system operating to connect a calling party from a public switched telephone network to a desired subscriber of said plurality of subscribers, said voice message system comprising:

a plurality of voice message processors, each including a plurality of ports and each one of said plurality of voice message processors having assigned thereto for handling a predetermined portion of said plurality of subscribers;

a network interface module for receiving calls from said public switched telephone network, said network interface module including a plurality of network ports for receiving said calls, said network interface module also communicatively connected to each of said voice message processors through said ports of said voice message processors;

a control module for directing the interconnection of said calling party to a voice message processor assigned to said desired subscriber, said control module including a database that corresponds each of said plurality of subscribers to one of said voice message processors, said control module also operative to direct said network interface module to initiate an alerting call to said desired subscriber upon request of said voice message processor; and

a local area network communicatively connecting said network interface module, said plurality of voice message processors, and said control module,

wherein said network interface module connects said alerting call to said subscriber to said calling party further wherein the ports of said voice message processor associated with said calling party and said alerting call are released by said voice message processor.

2. The system of claim 1, further including a terminal server connected to said local area network, said terminal server including a plurality of modems that can receive incoming calls from said subscribers to said system, said terminal server providing access for said subscribers to a voice message processor assigned to said subscribers.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the local area network is a TCP/IP compatible network.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the telephone number of said alerting call is dependent upon the time at which the calling party calls.

5. A method of connecting a calling party from a public switched telephone network to a called subscriber of a plurality of subscribers of a voice message system, said voice message system including a plurality of voice message processors, each including a plurality of ports and each one of said voice message processors having assigned thereto for handling a predetermined portion of said plurality of subscribers, a network interface module for receiving calls from said public switched telephone network, said network interface module including a plurality of receiving ports for receiving said calls, said network interface module also communicatively connected to each of said voice message processors through said ports of said voice message processors, a control module for directing the interconnection of said calling party to a voice message processor assigned to said desired subscriber, said control module including a database that corresponds each of said plurality of subscribers to one of said voice message processors, a local area network communicatively connecting said network interface module, said plurality of voice message processors, and said control module, said method comprising:

receiving a call from said calling party through said network interface module on a receiving port of said network interface module;

determining said voice message processor assigned to said called subscriber;

routing said call from said calling party to one of said ports of said voice message processor assigned to said called subscriber;

having the voice message processor assigned to said called subscriber generate an alerting call to said called subscriber through one of said ports of said voice message processor and an outward calling port of said network interface module;

awaiting an answer from said called subscriber;

connecting said called subscriber to said calling party by interconnecting said outward calling port and said inward calling port of said network interface module.

6. The method of claim 5 further including releasing the ports of said voice message processor associated with said calling party and said alerting call when said calling party and said called subscriber are connected.

7. The method of claim 5 further including determining the time at which said call of said calling party arrives at said voice message processor and selectively determining the telephone number of said alerting call based upon the time at which said call of said calling party arrives.