Methods, systems, and devices for transmitting messages to wireless devices

• US 6,298,231 B1
• Filed: 09/29/1998
• Issued: 10/02/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/29/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: ReadyCom, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Ready Com Incorporated
• Inventors: Heinz, John M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Maung, Nay
• Assistant Examiner(s): Vuong, Quochien B.
• Application Number:
  US09/163,072
• Time in Patent Office: 1,099 Days
• Field of Search: 455/412, 455/413, 455/414, 455/415, 455/461, 455/466, 455/433, 379/88.11, 379/88.12, 379/88.1
• US Class Current: 455/413
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/18 wireless networks
• 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: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements

Abstract

A communication network includes a messaging system connected to a mobile switching center in a cellular network. When calls to a wireless device go unanswered, the messaging system answers the calls and records a message for that device. The messaging system sets a message waiting indicator (MWI) flag in a home location register (HLR) associated with the wireless device. When the wireless device then establishes communications with the mobile switching center, the mobile switching center transmits a MWI signal to the wireless device. The wireless device, after receiving the MWI signal, automatically establishes communications with the messaging system in order to retrieve the messages. The messages are digitized and compressed and are transmitted to the wireless device over a voice channel with DTMF signaling. The wireless device mutes the handset of the wireless device so that communications with the messaging system go entirely unnoticed by the user.

Claims

1. A wireless device, comprising:

a receiver for receiving a message waiting indicator signal, the message waiting indicator signal being generated when a message is remotely stored on behalf of the wireless device;

memory for storing the message;

a user interface for conveying user information in the message to a user; and

a controller for automatically initiating communications with a message server in response to detecting the message waiting indicator signal, the controller for retrieving the message from the message server and for placing the message in memory.

2. The wireless device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the receiver is for receiving signals in a mobile radiotelephone network.

3. The wireless device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the receiver is for receiving signals in a paging network.

4. The wireless device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the controller is for initiating communications with the message server through a mobile radiotelephone network.

5. The wireless device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the controller is for initiating communications with the message server through a paging network.

6. The wireless device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the controller is for receiving a voice message and for storing the voice message in the memory.

7. The wireless device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a speaker and the controller mutes the speaker while the controller initiates communications with the message server.

8. The wireless device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a speaker for playing the message to the user.

9. The wireless device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the user interface includes a display for displaying the message to the user.

10. The wireless device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the controller supplies an alert signal to the user interface after the message has been retrieved from the message server.

11. The wireless device as set forth in claim 10, wherein the user interface generates an audible alert in response to the alert signal.

12. The wireless device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the user interface generates a visual alert in response to the alert signal.

13. The wireless device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the controller receives the message in digital format.

14. The wireless device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the controller receives the message as a set of DTMF tones.

15. The wireless device as set forth in claim 14, wherein the controller decompresses the DTMF tones into digital message data and stores the digital message data in the memory.

16. The wireless device as set forth in claim 1, wherein the controller receives the message in analog format.

17. A method for forwarding messages to a wireless device, comprising the steps of:

receiving a message waiting indicator signal at the wireless device, the message waiting indicator signal being generated when a message is remotely stored on behalf of the wireless device;

automatically initiating communications with a message server in response to receiving the message waiting indicator signal; and

retrieving the message from the message server.

18. The method for forwarding messages as set forth in claim 17, wherein the step of receiving the message waiting indicator signal comprises a step of receiving the message waiting indicator signal over a mobile radiotelephone network.

19. The method for forwarding messages as set forth in claim 17, wherein the step of receiving the message waiting indicator signal comprises a step of receiving the message waiting indicator signal over a paging network.

20. The method for forwarding messages as set forth in claim 17, wherein the step of initiating communications comprises a step of initiating communications with the message server over a mobile radiotelephone network.

21. The method for forwarding messages as set forth in claim 17, wherein the step of initiating communications comprises a step of initiating communications with the message server over a paging network.

22. The method for forwarding messages as set forth in claim 17, wherein the step of retrieving the message comprises a step of retrieving the message in analog format.

23. The method for forwarding messages as set forth in claim 17, wherein the step of retrieving the message comprises a step of retrieving the message in digital format.

24. The method for forwarding messages as set forth in claim 17, wherein the step of retrieving the message comprises a step of receiving the message as a set of DTMF tones.

25. The method for forwarding messages as set forth claim 17, further comprising a step of decompressing the message.

26. The method for forwarding messages as set forth in claim 17, further comprising a step of notifying a user that the message has been received.

27. The method for forwarding messages as set forth in claim 17, further comprising a step of conveying information in the message to a user.

28. The method for forwarding messages as set forth in claim 27, wherein the step of conveying comprises a step of playing the message on a speaker.

29. The method for forwarding messages as set forth in claim 27, wherein the step of conveying comprises a step of displaying the message to the user.

30. The method for forwarding messages as set forth in claim 17, further comprising a step of muting a speaker during the step of initiating communications with the message server.

31. The method for forwarding messages as set forth in claim 17, further comprising a step of muting a speaker during the step of retrieving the message from the message server.

32. The method for forwarding messages as set forth in claim 17, further comprising a step of storing the message in memory at the wireless device.