Voice mail notification system

• US 5,664,009 A
• Filed: 10/23/1995
• Issued: 09/02/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 03/13/1992
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Global Crossing Telecommunications Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Allnet Communication Services, Inc. (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Fernald, Steven A., Hurst, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): TSANG, FAN S
• Application Number:
  US08/553,784
• Time in Patent Office: 680 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67, 379/88, 379/89, 379/100
• US Class Current: 379/88.22
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/537 Arrangements for indicating the presence of a recorded message , whereby the presence information might include a preview or summary of the message

Abstract

A method and system is provided for performing voice mail services in conjunction with a telecommunication service network. The invention specifically discloses a method and system of updating a message count representing the number of pending voice mail messages directed to a telecommunication service subscriber. The invention also discloses a method and system of automatically notifying a telecommunication service subscriber of the number of pending voice mail messages based on the value of the message count. The invention further discloses a method and system of automatically assigning a voice mail box number to a telecommunication service subscriber upon the request of the subscriber.

Claims

1. A method of automatically assigning a voice mail box to a telecommunications service subscriber upon access to a telecommunication system host computer connecting with an interactive voice response system and a processing means, the method comprising the steps of:

utilizing the processing means to determine whether a voice mail box has been assigned to the subscriber;

upon determining that a voice mail box has not been assigned to the subscriber, prompting the subscriber to input a signal to direct the interactive voice response system to assign the voice mail box to the subscriber;

inputting the signal from the subscriber;

upon verifying the signal, utilizing the processing means to assign the voice mail box to the subscriber; and

transmitting a mail box number from the interactive voice response system to the telecommunication system host computer, the mail box number representing the voice mail box assigned to the subscriber.

2. A system of automatically assigning a voice mail box to a telecommunications service subscriber upon access to a telecommunication system host computer connecting with an interactive voice response system, the system comprising:

means for determining whether a voice mail box has been assigned to the subscriber;

means for prompting the subscriber to input a signal to direct the interactive voice response system to assign the voice mail box to the subscriber upon determining a voice mail box has not been assigned to the subscriber;

means for inputting the signal from the subscriber;

means for verifying the signal;

means for assigning the voice mail box to the subscriber; and

means for transmitting a mail box number from the interactive voice response system to the telecommunication system host computer, the mail box number representing the voice mail box assigned to the subscriber.