Messaging architecture supporting digital and analog media

• US 5,859,898 A
• Filed: 09/17/1996
• Issued: 01/12/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/17/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Nynex Science & Technology
• Inventors: Checco, John
• Primary Examiner(s): Hunter, Daniel S.
• Application Number:
  US08/714,953
• Time in Patent Office: 847 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67, 379/88, 379/89, 379/88.07, 379/88.17, 379/88.22, 379/88.23, 379/88.1, 379/88.08, 379/88.13, 395/200.56, 395/200.59, 395/200.71, 395/674, 395/675
• US Class Current: 379/88.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4509 Unified messaging with single point of access to voicemail and other mail or messaging systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53 Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages , i.e. mailbox systems

Abstract

A message system includes voice or data messages and which allows such messages to be retrieved at the convenience of the recipient. A preferred data messaging system architecture according to the present invention includes a digital signal processor at a communications entry point, an operational API, a number of calling device personality and rules sets, a storage input/output, and voice and data message storage. The digital signal processor determines the type of communications device contacting the system. The operational API interacts with the calling device to a set of operating rules. These rules specify the calling device'"'"'s abilities to navigate through a messaging path and provide capability which may be required for the calling device type. The calling device personality and rules set modules preferably contain a feature set for the particular type of communication device. Each personality and rules set module preferably contains all the resources needed for navigation and operations, such as storing, retrieving, and converting to and from other types of formats. The storage input/output provides an interface between the personality and rules set module and the voice and data message storage. The voice and data message storage maintains the messages and other information.

Claims

1. A messaging architecture for use in a communications network, comprising;

a. an entry point configured to receive a message from the communications network;

b. a plurality of personality and rules sets configured to process conmunications in a number of formats;

c. a digital signal processor connected to the entry point and configured to determine a format of a message received at the entry point and configured to select one of the personality and rules sets according to the determined format, wherein the digital signal processor is further configured to determine a communications device type issuing the received message by;

(1) detecting one of a presence and an absence of a digital signal;

(2) if no digital signal is detected, determining that the message is a voice message;

(3) if a digital signal is detected, determining a frequency of the received signal; and

(4) determining the communications device type from the determined frequency; and

d. a storage device configured to be responsive to the personality and rules sets.

2. The messaging architecture of claim 1, further including an operational application program interface (API) connected to the plurality of personality and rules sets.

3. The message architecture of claim 2, wherein the operational API is a single operational API connected to each of the plurality of personality and rules sets.

4. The messaging architecture of claim 1, farther including an input/output connected between the plurality of personality and rules sets and the storage device.

5. The messaging architecture of claim 1, wherein the entry point is further configured to receive voice messages, one personality and rules set is configured to handle voice messages and to convert voice messages into a digital signal, and the digital signal processor is configured to determine if a voice message is received at the entry point.

6. A messaging architecture for use in a communications network connected to a local area network (LAN), comprising:

a. an entry point configured to transmit and receive messages between the communications network and the LAN;

b. a number of workstations connected to the LAN, each workstation having;

(1) a network interface card (NIC) configured to transmit and receive messages between the LAN and at least one of the number of workstations;

(2) a processor connected to the NIC and configured to process received messages and having;

(a) a plurality of personality and rules sets configured to process messages in a number of formats; and

(b) a digital signal processor in communication with the entry point and configured to;

i. determine a format of a message received at the entry point by;

(A) detecting one of a presence and an absence of a digital signal;

(B) if no digital signal is detected, determining that the message is a voice message;

(C) if a digital signal is detected, determining a frequency of the received signal; and

(D) determining the communications device type from the determined frequency; and

ii. configured to select one of the personality and rules sets according to the determined format;

(3) a multitasking operating system in communication with the processor; and

c. a storage device connected to the LAN and configured to store messages.

7. The messaging architecture of claim 6, wherein each workstation includes a plurality of processors.

8. The messaging architecture of claim 6, wherein the LAN further comprises a front end switch configured to route incoming messages to wor load.

9. A method for providing data messaging in a communications network, comprising the steps of:

a. receiving a request from a communications device at an entry point;

b. determining the communications device type issuing the receipted request by;

(1) detecting one of a presence and an absence of a digital signal;

(2) if no digital signal is detected, determining that the message is a voice message;

(3) if a digital signal is detected, determining a frequency of the received signal; and

(4) determining the communications device type from the determined frequency;

c. selecting a personality and rules set according to the determined communnications device type;

d. determining if the request is to one of store and retrieve a message;

e. if it is determined that the request is to store a message, then;

(1) receiving the message from the communications network via the entry point;

(2) processing the message;

(3) storing the processed message; and

f. if it is determined that the message is to be retrieved, then;

(1) retrieving the message from storage; and

(2) delivering the message to the communications network.

10. The method of claim 9, further including before the step of storing the message, determining a recipient of the message.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of determining the recipient further includes the step of using a number called to deliver the request to the entry point.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of determining the recipient further includes the step of selecting the recipient from a list of possible recipients.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the step of determining the recipient further includes the step of providing a recipient identifier.

14. The method of claim 9, further including before the step of storing the message, compressing the message.

15. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of processing further includes converting the message from analog format to digital format.

16. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of processing further includes converting the message into a desired format.

17. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of retrieving further includes converting the message from digital format to analog format.

18. The method of claim 9, wherein the step of retrieving further includes converting the message into a desired format.

19. A method for providing data messaging in a communications network, comprising the steps of:

a. receiving a request from a communications device at an entry point;

b. determining the communications device type issuing the received request;

c. selecting a personality and rules set according to the determined communications device type;

d. determining an access level of the request by;

(1) determining if the access level is one of a subscriber, a secondary user, and a user;

(2) providing a subscriber with a first access level;

(3) providing a secondary user with a second access level; and

(4) providing a user with a third access level;

e. determining if the request is to one of store and retrieve a message;

f. if it is determined that the request is to store a message, then;

(1) receiving the message from the communications network via the entry point;

(2) processing the message;

(3) storing the processed message; and

g. if it is determined that the message is to be retrieved, then;

(1) retrieving the message from storage; and

(2) delivering the message to the communications network.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of determining an access level includes the steps of:

a. receiving a user identification; and

b. determining the access level based on the received user identification.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of receiving a user identification includes receiving DTMF signals.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of receiving a user identification includes:

a. receiving a voice signal; and

b. using a speech recognition device, converting the voice signal into a digital signal.

23. The method of claim 20, wherein the step of receiving a user identification includes receiving computer text.

24. A messaging architecture for use in a communications network, comprising:

a. a communications entry point configured to receive requests to send and receive messages to and from the communications network;

b. a plurality of personality and rules sets configured to process communications in a number of formats;

c. a digital signal processor connected to the entry point and being configured;

(1) to select one of the personality and rules sets according to a format of a communication;

(2) to determine an access level of a received request by determining if the access level is one of a subscriber, a secondary user, and a user; and

(3) to provide a subscriber with a first access level, provide a secondary user with a second access level, and provide a user with a third access level; and

d. data storage configured to be responsive to the personality and rules sets.

25. A messaging architecture for use in a communications network connected to a local area network (LAN), comprising:

a. an entry point configured to transmit and receive messages between the communications network and the LAN;

b. a number of workstations connected to the LAN, each workstation having;

(1) a network interface card (NIC) configured to transmit and receive messages between the LAN and the workstation;

(2) a processor connected to the NIC and configured to process received messages and to determine an access level of a received request by determining if the access level is one of a subscriber, a secondary user, and a user; and

to provide a subscriber with a first access level, provide a secondary user with a second access level, and provide a user with a third access level; and

the processor having;

i. a plurality of personality and rules sets configured to process messages in a number of formats; and

ii. a digital signal processor in communication with the entry point and configured to select one of the personality and rules sets according to a format of a received message; and

(3) an operating system connected to the processor; and

c. a storage device connected to the LAN and configured to store messages.