Selective remote access of an audio messaging system

• US 6,449,345 B1
• Filed: 04/28/1999
• Issued: 09/10/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 04/28/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Avaya Technology Corporation Miami Lakes FLA US
• Inventors: Grimes, Gary J.
• Primary Examiner(s): WEAVER, SCOTT LOUIS
• Application Number:
  US09/301,473
• Time in Patent Office: 1,231 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.12, 379/88.19, 379/88.2, 379/88.21, 379/88.22, 379/88.23, 379/88.24, 379/142.01, 379/142.06
• US Class Current: 379/88.23
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/2218 Call detail recording
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53333 Message receiving aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5335 Message type or catagory, e.g. priority, indication

Abstract

Allowing a selective retrieval of messages based on message characteristics. The message characteristics are originating telephone number, specific caller, originating area code, originating country code, calls within a time period, and calls not resulting in a message. In addition, messages can be searched for a range of telephone numbers, range of area codes, range of country codes.

Claims

1. A method for selectively accessing records stored in a voice messaging system, comprising the steps of:

receiving an incoming call;

determining that the incoming call is to access records stored in the voice messaging system;

requesting a telephone number of a telephone originating the incoming call for use in accessing the records from an originator of the incoming call wherein the telephone number comprises a plurality of a character that represents any digit whereby a single number including the plurality of the characters represents a plurality of telephone numbers.

2. A method for selectively accessing records stored in a voice messaging system, comprising the steps of:

receiving an incoming call;

determining that the incoming call is to access records stored in the voice messaging system;

requesting an area code of a telephone originating the incoming call;

searching the records for the area code; and

transmitting in voice medium the records found to have the area code.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein the area code comprises a plurality of a character that represents any digit whereby a single area code including the plurality of the character represents a plurality of area codes.

4. An apparatus for performing the method of claim 2.

5. A method for selectively accessing records stored in a voice messaging system, comprising the steps of:

receiving an incoming call;

determining that the incoming call is to access records stored in the voice messaging system;

requesting a country code of a telephone originating the incoming call;

searching the records for the country code; and

transmitting in voice medium the records found to have the country code.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the country code comprises a plurality of a character that represents any digit whereby a single country code including the plurality of the character represents a plurality of country codes.

7. An apparatus for performing the method of claim 5.