Voice mail system with multi-retrieval mailboxes
First Claim
1. A method of voice mail messaging in a voice mail system comprising a voice mail mailbox including a plurality of messages and a pointer indicating a message in the mailbox, the method comprising the steps of:
- setting the pointer to point to a first message in the voice mail mailbox;
playing the first message to a first user, responsive to a command from the first user;
updating the pointer to point to a second message in the voice mail mailbox; and
playing at least a portion of the second message to the second user, while the first message is being played to the first user, responsive to a command from the second user.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A voice mail system voice mail mailbox having a message container storing a plurality of messages and a pointer indicating a message in the message container. The pointer is initially set to point to a first message in the message container. A first user accesses the voice mail mailbox. At the same time, or any time thereafter, a second user also accesses the voice mail mailbox. Responsive to a command from the first user, the first message is played to the first user. The pointer is then updated to point to a second message in the message container. Responsive to a command from the second user, the second message is played to the second user, simultaneously with the first message being played to the first user.
192 Citations
10 Claims
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1. A method of voice mail messaging in a voice mail system comprising a voice mail mailbox including a plurality of messages and a pointer indicating a message in the mailbox, the method comprising the steps of:
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setting the pointer to point to a first message in the voice mail mailbox; playing the first message to a first user, responsive to a command from the first user; updating the pointer to point to a second message in the voice mail mailbox; and playing at least a portion of the second message to the second user, while the first message is being played to the first user, responsive to a command from the second user. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 5, 6, 7)
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4. A voice mail messaging system comprising:
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a message storage device including a voice mail mailbox storing a plurality of messages and a pointer indicating a message in the voice mail mailbox; a user interface, coupled to the message storage device, playing voice mail messages from the message storage device and prompts to users and receiving inputs from users; a memory, storing program instructions and data; and a controller, coupled to the user interface, the message storage device and the memory, executing program instructions from the memory to perform the steps of; setting the pointer to point to a first message in the voice mail mailbox; playing the first message to a first user, responsive to a command from the first user; updating the pointer to point to a second message in the voice mail mailbox; and playing at least a portion of the second message to the second user, while the first message is being played to the first user, responsive to a command from the second user.
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8. A voice mail messaging system comprising:
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a voice mail mailbox including a plurality of voice mail messages and a pointer indicating a first message; a first message playback device, playing the first message to the first user, responsive to a command from the first user; a pointer update device, updating the pointer to point to a second message in the voice mail mailbox; and a second message playback device, playing at least a portion of the second message to the second user, while the first message is being played to the first user, responsive to a command from the second user. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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Specification