System and method for notifying a user of awaiting messages

• US 5,802,147 A
• Filed: 09/19/1996
• Issued: 09/01/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Unify GmbH & Co. KG (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Business Communication Systems Inc. (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Shaffer, Shmuel, Beyda, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsang, Fan S.
• Application Number:
  US08/716,116
• Time in Patent Office: 712 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67, 379/88, 379/89, 379/102.06, 340/533, 340/535, 340/539, 340/306, 340/330, 340/825.31, 340/542, 340/543, 340/692, 340/825.34
• US Class Current: 340/5.74
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/00 Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/025 Door telephones adapted for television H04N7/186
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/30 Determination of the location of a subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/48 Arrangements for recalling a calling subscriber when the wanted subscriber ceases to be busy
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/54 Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308

Abstract

A system for notifying a user of awaiting messages is provided. In the preferred embodiment, this system includes a messaging device (30), a lock system (20), a central computer (40) and a output device (50). Central computer (40) processes signals from lock system (20) and to messaging device (30). Central computer (40) also monitors lock system (20) and sends user related information to messaging device (30). Output device (50) automatically contacts the user with information related to the awaiting messages.

Claims

1. A system for notifying a user of awaiting messages, comprising:

a messaging device;

a lock system;

connecting means for processing signals from the lock system and to the messaging device, the connecting means monitoring the lock system and sending user related information to the messaging device; and

contacting means for immediately and automatically contacting the user with information for notifying the user of awaiting messages when the lock system detects a user.

2. The system for notifying a user of awaiting messages of claim 1, wherein the connecting means includes a central computer for coordinating information and for communicating with the lock system and the messaging device.

3. The system for notifying a user of awaiting messages of claim 1, wherein the lock system is located in at least one of a hotel and a telecommuting center.

4. The system for notifying a user of awaiting messages of claim 1, wherein the messaging device is at least one of a voice mail system, a video mail system, an electronic mail system and a fax messaging system.

5. The system for notifying a user of awaiting messages of claim 1, wherein the connecting means includes at least one of a wired electrical connection and a wireless connection.

6. The system for notifying a user of awaiting messages of claim 5, wherein the wired electrical connection is a hotel telephone system.

7. The system for notifying a user of awaiting messages of claim 1, wherein the lock system is an electronic door lock.

8. The system for notifying a user of awaiting messages of claim 7, wherein the electronic door lock works with encoded locks, each of the encoded locks being programmed for a specific user.

9. The system for notifying a user of awaiting messages of claim 7, wherein the connecting means determines when the electronic door lock is activated in response to a user input.

10. A method for notifying a user of awaiting messages, comprising the steps of:

activating a lock system;

transmitting a first signal from the lock system to a central computer, the first signal notifying the central computer of the lock system activation and identifying the user;

transmitting a second signal from the central computer to a messaging system, the second signal notifying the messaging system of the lock system activation and identifying the user; and

automatically and immediately contacting the user with information for notifying the user of awaiting messages when the first signal is received by the central computer.

11. The method for notifying a user of awaiting messages of claim 10, further comprising the step of playing the awaiting messages for the user.

12. The method for notifying a user of awaiting messages of claim 10, wherein the lock system is located in at least one of a hotel and a telecommuting center.

13. The method for notifying a user of awaiting messages of claim 10, wherein the messaging device is at least one of a voice mail system, a video mail system, an electronic mail system and a fax messaging system.

14. The method for notifying a user of awaiting messages of claim 10, wherein the transmitting of the first signal is done over at least one of a wired electrical connection and a wireless connection.

15. The method for notifying a user of awaiting messages of claim 10, wherein the transmitting of the second signal is done over at least one of a wired electrical connection and a wireless connection.

16. The method for notifying a user of awaiting messages of claim 10, wherein the lock system is an electronic door lock.

17. The method for notifying a user of awaiting messages of claim 16, wherein the electronic door lock works with encoded locks, each of the encoded locks being programmed for a specific user.

18. The method for notifying a user of awaiting messages of claim 16, wherein the central computer determines when the electronic door lock is activated in response to a user input.