Method and system for automatic distribution addressing

• US 6,005,928 A
• Filed: 04/15/1997
• Issued: 12/21/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 04/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: MCI Communications Corporation (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Johnson, William J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz, Curtis A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Barnie, Rexford N
• Application Number:
  US08/839,748
• Time in Patent Office: 980 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67, 379/89, 379/93.03, 379/93.17, 379/93.23, 379/118, 379/120, 379/122, 379/127, 379/142, 379/265, 379/266, 379/93.24, 379/67.1, 379/88.11, 379/88.13 , 379/202, 379/201
• US Class Current: 379/142.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/48 Message addressing, e.g. address format or anonymous messages, aliases
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2745 using static electronic memories, e.g. chips
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/575 Means for retrieving and displaying personal data about calling party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/022 Paging systems personal calling arrangements or devices G08B3/1008; selective calling networks H04W84/022
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2218 Call detail recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/36 Statistical metering, e.g. recording occasions when traffic exceeds capacity of trunks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42323 PBX's with CTI arrangements
• 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: H04Q 3/625 Arrangements in the private branch exchange

Abstract

A system and method for automatic addressing of distributions. The system receives distributions, such as phone calls, phone messages, E-mail messages, soft facsimiles, print jobs, and pages, historically maintains a set of information, such as addressing information associated with senders of the distributions. The set of address information includes the sender'"'"'s name, E-mail address, phone number, fax number, pager number, LAN address, or the like. The system permits the recipient of an inbound distribution to automatically address an outbound distribution to a previous sender of the inbound distribution by invocation of hot keys, or by use of a query manager. The system also permits the recipient to paste information about the sender directly into arbitrary applications on his computer.

Claims

1. A method for addressing an outbound distribution, comprising the steps of:

receiving an inbound distribution in a telephone system, wherein said distribution includes a source identifier associated with a sender of said distribution;

determining by said telephone system said source identifier corresponding to the sender of said inbound distribution;

accessing information about said sender automatically in response to determining said source identifier wherein said information includes a distribution address; and

automatically addressing an outbound distribution using said distribution address,

wherein said inbound distribution and said outbound distribution are not of the same type.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein said receiving step further comprises the step of receiving a voice mail distribution.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein said receiving step further comprises the step of receiving a phone call distribution.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein said receiving step further comprises the step of receiving an E-mail distribution.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein said receiving step further comprises the step of receiving a facsimile distribution.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein said receiving step further comprises the step of receiving a print distribution.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein said receiving step further comprises the step of receiving a pager distribution.

8. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of permitting the recipient to view said information about said distribution.

9. The method according to claim 1, further comprising the step of permitting the recipient to retrieve some or all said information about said sender using hot keys.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising the step of permitting the recipient to modify said hot keys.

11. The method according to claim 9, wherein said step of permitting the recipient to retrieve some or all said information comprises the step of pasting said retrieved information to a cursor hot spot.

12. A system for automatic retrieval of distribution information, comprising:

an address book database;

a historical distribution correlator, wherein said correlator;

determines an identifier (ID) corresponding to a sender of a distribution to a recipient;

accesses information about said sender from said address book database using said ID wherein said information includes a distribution address;

displays said information; and

automatically addressing an outbound distribution using said distribution address, wherein said outbound distribution is not the same type as said inbound distribution.

13. The system according to claim 12, wherein said communication comprises at least one of a telephone call, a voice mail distribution, an E-mail distribution, a facsimile distribution, a print distribution, and a pager distribution.

14. The system according to claim 12, further comprising means for permitting the recipient to retrieve some or all of said information using hot keys.

15. The system according to claim 14, further comprising means for permitting the recipient to modify said hot keys.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein said keys are implemented using a terminate and stay resident (TSR) application program.

17. The system according to claim 14, wherein said means for permitting the recipient to retrieve some or all said information further comprises means for pasting said retrieved information to a cursor hot spot.