Mobile voice message/electronic mail system

• US 6,151,491 A
• Filed: 11/04/1997
• Issued: 11/21/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Incorporated (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Goodman, William, Farris, Robert D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Bost, Dwayne D.
• Assistant Examiner(s): CONTEE, JOY KIMBERLY
• Application Number:
  US08/964,234
• Time in Patent Office: 1,113 Days
• Field of Search: 455/413, 455/412, 455/414, 455/418, 455/419, 455/466, 455/557
• US Class Current: 455/412.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/72 of terrestrial networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/08 specially adapted for optional reception of entertainment or informative matter
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/02 Arrangements for increasing efficiency of notification or paging channel

Abstract

In an information distribution system having mobile users, a method of distributing communication channels to mobile users includes the steps of receiving information signals including at least one of voice, data, and electronic mail signals broadcast from an external source in the receiver of the at least one mobile terminal, and storing the information signals in its entirety in at least one mobile terminal prior to broadcasting same to a mobile user. The method also includes the steps of controlling operations of the at least one mobile terminal, formatting the information signals for broadcasting after being stored in the at least one mobile terminal, and broadcasting the formatted information signals to the mobile user of the at least one mobile terminal.

Claims

1. An information distribution system having mobile users, comprising:

a mobile switching office selectively connecting the mobile users of the information distribution system;

information service providers, operatively connected to said mobile switching office, at least one of the information service providers receiving signal inputs, and transmitting selected mail message information including at least one of voice mail signals and electronic mail signals to the mobile switching office responsive to the signal inputs; and

at least one mobile terminal, comprising;

a receiver, operatively coupling the at least one mobile terminal to the mobile switching office, receiving the selected information from the at least one of the information service providers via said mobile switching office;

a control processor controlling operations of the at least one mobile terminal;

signal format means for formatting the selected information for broadcasting, and for outputting formatted selected information; and

broadcast means for broadcasting the formatted selected information,

wherein the at least one of the information service providers include;

programming servers storing programs;

speech recognition means for receiving the audio selection via said mobile switching office, and for generating data selection signals; and

a gateway for receiving the data selection signals from said speech recognition means, said gateway selecting at least one of the programs stored in at least one of the programming servers responsive to the data selection signals,

wherein said at least one mobile terminal further comprises a memory operatively connected to said receiver, and

wherein said receiver receives the at least one of the programs corresponding to the data selection signals and stores the at least one of the programs entirely in said memory before broadcasting to the mobile user, thereby minimizing connection between said at least one mobile terminal and said mobile switching office.

2. An information distribution system as in claim 1,

wherein the at least one of the information service providers further includes audio menu means for presenting program selections audibly to the mobile user, and

wherein the mobile user selects at least one of the program selections using the audio selection.

3. An information distribution system as in claim 2,

wherein said at least one mobile terminal further includes a picture display,

wherein the at least one of the information service providers further includes picture transmitting means for presenting picture program selections visually to the mobile user while substantially simultaneously presenting the program selections audibly to the mobile user, and

wherein the mobile user selects the at least one of the program selections using the audio selection responsive to the program selections presented audibly and the picture program selections presented visually.

4. An information distribution system as in claim 1, wherein said receiver comprises two-line receiver means for receiving the selected information from the at least one of the information service providers via said mobile switching office using one of two communication channels, and for receiving a voice telephone call for connection with the mobile user.

5. An information distribution system as in claim 1,

wherein the signal inputs are transmitted to the mobile switching office using a first communication channel which operates using a first communication speed, and

wherein said receiver receives the at least one of the programs corresponding to the data selection signals and stores the at least one of the programs entirely in said memory using a second communication channel which operates using a second communication speed substantially greater than the first communication speed of the first communications channel.

6. An information distribution system as in claim 1,

wherein the information distribution system further comprises:

cellular equipment transmitting and receiving cellular calls for voice connection; and

switching means for selectively switching between said cellular equipment and said at least one mobile terminal, and

wherein said control processor monitors the activity of said cellular equipment and said at least one mobile terminal for selective transmission and reception between said mobile switching office and either said at least one mobile terminal or said cellular equipment.

7. An information distribution system as in claim 6, wherein when said control processor determines that both said cellular equipment and said at least one mobile terminal are active, said control processor controls transmission and reception between said mobile switching office and said at least one mobile terminal, denying transmission and reception access to said cellular equipment.

8. An information distribution system as in claim 1,

wherein the information distribution system further comprises:

auxiliary audio means for receiving auxiliary audio signals from an audio source;

auxiliary broadcast means for broadcasting at least one of the auxiliary audio signals and the user selected information; and

switching means for selectively switching between said auxiliary broadcast means and either said auxiliary audio means or said at least one mobile terminal.

9. An information distribution system as in claim 8, wherein when said control processor determines that both said auxiliary audio means and said at least one mobile terminal are active, said control processor controls switching between said auxiliary broadcast means and said at least one mobile terminal, denying transmission and reception access to said auxiliary audio means.

10. An information distribution system as in claim 1, wherein the at least one of the information service providers includes:

voice mail servers storing voice mail;

speech recognition means for receiving the communications via said mobile switching office, and for generating communication selection signals; and

a gateway for receiving the communication selection signals from said speech recognition means, said gateway selecting at least one of the voice mails stored in at least one of the voice mail servers responsive to the communication selection signals.

11. In an information distribution system having mobile users, a method comprising the steps of:

receiving mail message information signals including at least one of voice mail signals and electronic mail signals broadcast from an external source in the receiver of the at least one mobile terminal, and storing each of the mail message information signals in its entirety in the at least one mobile terminal prior to broadcasting same to a mobile user;

presenting message selections audibly to the mobile user for selection;

controlling operations of the at least one mobile terminal;

formatting the information signals for broadcasting after being stored in the at least one mobile terminal; and

broadcasting the formatted information signals to the mobile user of the at least one mobile terminal.

14. A method as in claim 11,

wherein the information distribution system further comprises:

cellular equipment transmitting and receiving cellular calls for voice connection; and

at least one switch selectively switching between the cellular equipment and the at least one mobile terminal, and

wherein said method further comprises the steps of monitoring the activity of the cellular equipment and the at least one mobile terminal for selective transmission and reception between the mobile switching office and either the at least one mobile terminal or the cellular equipment.

15. A method as in claim 14, further comprising the step of, when both the cellular equipment and the at least one mobile terminal are active, controlling transmission and reception between the mobile switching office and the at least one mobile terminal, denying transmission and reception access to the cellular equipment.

16. A method as in claim 11, further comprising the step of the information distribution system performing:

receiving auxiliary audio signals from an audio source;

broadcasting at least one of the auxiliary audio signals and the user selected information; and

selectively switching between the auxiliary audio signals and the information signals at least one mobile terminal.

12. In an information distribution system having mobile users, a method comprising the steps of:

receiving mail message information signals including at least one of voice mail signals and electronic mail signals broadcast from an external source in the receiver of the at least one mobile terminal, and storing each of the mail message information signals in its entirety in the at least one mobile terminal prior to broadcasting same to a mobile user;

controlling operations of the at least one mobile terminal;

formatting the information signals for broadcasting after being stored in the at least one mobile terminal;

broadcasting the formatted information signals to the mobile user of the at least one mobile terminal;

receiving selected message information from the source using one of two communication channels; and

receiving a voice telephone call for connection with the mobile user.

13. In an information distribution system having mobile users, a method comprising the steps of:

receiving mail message information signals including at least one of voice mail signals and electronic mail signals broadcast from an external source in the receiver of the at least one mobile terminal, and storing each of the mail message information signals in its entirety in the at least one mobile terminal prior to broadcasting same to a mobile user;

controlling operations of the at least one mobile terminal;

formatting the information signals for broadcasting after being stored in the at least one mobile terminal;

broadcasting the formatted information signals to the mobile user of the at least one mobile terminal; and

transmitting selection signal inputs to a mobile switching office using a first communication channel which operates using a first communication speed;

wherein the receiving step comprises receiving mail message information signals corresponding to the selection signal inputs using a second communication channel which operates using a second communication speed substantially greater than the first communication speed of the first communication channel.

17. In an information distribution system having mobile users, a method comprising the steps of:

(a) transmitting at least one of voice mail signals and electronic mail signals received via at least one of internet, ADSL, another mobile, a land-based user, and the at least one information service provider;

(b) receiving the at least one of voice mail signals and electronic mail signals from the at least one information service provider in the receiver of the at least one mobile terminal, and storing the at least one of voice mail signals and electronic mail signals in its entirety in the at least one mobile terminal prior to broadcasting same to the mobile user; and

(c) formatting and broadcasting the stored mail signals after being stored in at least one mobile terminal.

18. An asymmetrical data signal delivery system having mobile users, comprising:

at least one mobile terminal, comprising;

a receiver receiving data signals including at least one of voice mail signals and electronic mail signals for broadcasting to a mobile user;

a control processor controlling operations of the at least one mobile terminal; and

transmit means for transmitting communications initiated by the mobile user;

a first mobile switching office receiving the communications initiated by the mobile user which operates under a first communication speed;

information service providers, operatively connected to said first mobile switching office, at least one of the information service providers transmitting the data signals; and

a second mobile switching office, operatively connected to said at least one of the information service providers, devoted to receiving the data signals transmitted by said at least one of the information service providers using a communication channel which operates under a second communication speed, and devoted to transmitting the data signals to said at least one mobile terminal,

wherein the second communication speed of the communication channel of said second mobile switching office is substantially greater than the first communication speed of the first communications channel of said second mobile switching office.

19. An asymmetrical data signal delivery system as in claim 18, wherein the at least one of the information service providers includes:

voice mail servers storing voice mail;

speech recognition means for receiving the communications via said mobile switching office, and for generating communication selection signals; and

a gateway for receiving the communication selection signals from said speech recognition means, said gateway selecting at least one of the voice mails stored in at least one of the voice mail servers responsive to the communication selection signals.

20. An asymmetrical data signal delivery system as in claim 19,

wherein the at least one of the information service providers further includes audio menu means for presenting at least one of program selections and instructions audibly to the mobile user, and

wherein the mobile user selects at least one of the program selections and the instructions using the audio selection.

21. An asymmetrical data signal delivery system as in claim 20,

wherein said at least one mobile terminal further includes a picture display,

wherein the at least one of the information service providers further includes picture transmitting means for presenting picture program selections visually to the mobile user while substantially simultaneously presenting the program selections audibly to the mobile user, and

wherein the mobile user selects the at least one of the program selections using the audio selection responsive to the program selections presented audibly and the picture program selections presented visually.

22. An asymmetrical audio message delivery system having mobile users, comprising:

at least one mobile terminal, comprising;

a receiver receiving message data signals including electronic mail signals received via at least one of internet, ADSL, another mobile, a land-based user, and at least one information service provider for broadcasting to a mobile user;

a control processor controlling operations of the at least one mobile terminal;

means for generating user signals and for transmitting the user signals;

signal format means for formatting the message data signals for broadcasting, and for outputting formatted information; and

broadcast means for broadcasting the formatted information;

a first mobile switching office receiving the user signals;

information service providers, operatively connected to said first mobile switching office, at least one of the information service providers transmitting at least one message; and

a second mobile switching office, operatively connected to said at least one of the information service providers, devoted to receiving the at least one message transmitted by said at least one of the information service providers, and devoted to transmitting the at least one message to said at least one mobile terminal.

23. A message download distribution system having mobile users, comprising:

a mobile switching office selectively connecting the mobile users of the message download system;

message service providers, operatively connected to said mobile switching office, at least one of the message service providers transmitting at least one message to the mobile switching office; and

at least one mobile terminal, operatively coupled to the mobile switching office, receiving the message from the at least one of the message service providers via said mobile switching office, formatting the message for broadcasting, and broadcasting the formatted message, said at least one mobile terminal including a memory, and

wherein the message comprises electronic mail signals received via at least one of internet, ADSL, another mobile, a land-based user, and at least one message service provider for broadcasting to the mobile user, and

wherein said receiver receives the message and stores the message entirely in said memory before broadcasting to the mobile user, thereby minimizing connection between said at least one mobile terminal and said mobile switching office.

24. A message distribution system having mobile users, comprising:

a mobile switching office selectively connecting the mobile users of the message distribution system;

message service providers, operatively connected to said mobile switching office, at least one of the message service providers receiving signal inputs, and transmitting a selected message to the mobile switching office responsive to the signal inputs; and

at least one mobile terminal, comprising;

a receiver, operatively coupling the at least one mobile terminal to the mobile switching office, receiving the selected message from the at least one of the message service providers via said mobile switching office;

a control processor controlling operations of the at least one mobile terminal;

signal format means for formatting the selected message for broadcasting, and for outputting formatted selected message; and

broadcast means for broadcasting the formatted selected message,

wherein the selected message comprises at least one of voice, data, and electronic mail signals received via at least one of internet, ADSL, another mobile, a land-based user, and at least one message service provider for broadcasting to the mobile user,

wherein the at least one of the message service providers include;

programming servers storing programs;

speech recognition means for receiving the signal inputs via said mobile switching office, and for generating data selection signals; and

a gateway for receiving the data selection signals from said speech recognition means, said gateway obtaining the selected message from storage in one of the programming servers responsive to the data selection signals,

wherein said at least one mobile terminal further comprises a memory operatively connected to said receiver, and

wherein said receiver receives the selected message and stores the selected message in said memory before broadcasting to the mobile user, thereby minimizing connection between said at least one mobile terminal and said mobile switching office.

25. A message distribution system as in claim 24,

wherein the at least one of the message service providers further includes audio menu means for presenting program selections audibly to the mobile user, and

wherein the mobile user selects at least one of the program selections using the audio selection.

26. A message distribution system as in claim 25,

wherein said at least one mobile terminal further includes a picture display,

wherein the at least one of the message service providers further includes picture transmitting means for presenting picture program selections visually to the mobile user while substantially simultaneously presenting the program selections audibly to the mobile user, and

wherein the mobile user selects the at least one of the program selections using the audio selection responsive to the program selections presented audibly and the picture program selections presented visually.

27. A message distribution system as in claim 24, wherein said receiver comprises two-line receiver means for receiving the selected message from the at least one of the message service providers via said mobile switching office using one of two communication channels, and for receiving a voice telephone call for connection with the mobile user.

28. A message distribution system as in claim 24,

wherein the signal inputs are transmitted to the mobile switching office using a first communication channel which operates using a first communication speed, and

wherein said receiver receives the at least one of the programs corresponding to the data selection signals and stores the at least one of the programs entirely in said memory using a second communication channel which operates using a second communication speed substantially greater than the first communication speed of the first communications channel.

29. A message distribution system as in claim 24,

wherein the message distribution system further comprises:

cellular equipment transmitting and receiving cellular calls for voice connection; and

switching means for selectively switching between said cellular equipment and said at least one mobile terminal, and

wherein said control processor monitors the activity of said cellular equipment and said at least one mobile terminal for selective transmission and reception between said mobile switching office and either said at least one mobile terminal or said cellular equipment.

30. A message distribution system as in claim 24, wherein when said control processor determines that both said cellular equipment and said at least one mobile terminal are active, said control processor controls transmission and reception between said mobile switching office and said at least one mobile terminal, denying transmission and reception access to said cellular equipment.

31. A message distribution system as in claim 24,

wherein the message distribution system further comprises:

auxiliary audio means for receiving auxiliary audio signals from an audio source;

auxiliary broadcast means for broadcasting at least one of the auxiliary audio signals and the user selected message; and

switching means for selectively switching between said auxiliary broadcast means and either said auxiliary audio means or said at least one mobile terminal.

32. A message distribution system as in claim 31, wherein when said control processor determines that both said auxiliary audio means and said at least one mobile terminal are active, said control processor controls switching between said auxiliary broadcast means and said at least one mobile terminal, denying transmission and reception access to said auxiliary audio means.

33. A message distribution system as in claim 24, wherein the at least one of the message service providers includes:

voice mail servers storing voice mail;

speech recognition means for receiving the communications via said mobile switching office, and for generating communication selection signals; and

a gateway for receiving the communication selection signals from said speech recognition means, said gateway selecting at least one of the voice mails stored in at least one of the voice mail servers responsive to the communication selection signals.