On-hold message updating system and method

• US 6,741,683 B1
• Filed: 12/20/2002
• Issued: 05/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Cooler Master Technology Inc.
• Original Assignee: Cooler Master Technology Inc.
• Inventors: Wilder, Mark A., Shelton, Charles Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): WOO, STELLA L
• Application Number:
  US10/324,915
• Time in Patent Office: 522 Days
• Field of Search: 379/101.01, 379/162, 379/163, 379/374.01, 379/93.01, 379/90.01
• US Class Current: 379/101.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4285 Notifying, informing or entertaining a held party while on hold, e.g. Music On Hold

Abstract

A local protractive message on hold device, which contacts and interacts with a server, in order to receive from the server the audio programming and to install and alter the audio programming on the message on hold device. The device may interact with said server by any sort of electronic communication medium capable of transmitting digitized information as binary code or as binary code embedded in a text format based on ASCII. The local protractive device identifies itself to the server, then either the local device or the server checks specific areas within the storage system of the server to see if there are programming changes available for the local device. If there are no changes available in the storage system of the server; local device terminates its link to said server and then resumes normal operation. If, however, there are changes available to said local device, either the local device or the server downloads the files necessary to implement those changes prior to terminating its link with the server. The local protractive device then implements the programming changes made available to it via the communications link with the server. Upon completing implementation of the changes found on the server, the local protractive device then resumes normal operations.

Claims

1. A system for updating messages on hold audio programs comprising:

a local device programmed to play an audio program for broadcast over telephone lines and for a) initiating contact with a server, b) determining if audio program changes are available from said server for said local device, c) downloading files for said local device from said server and d) installing the audio programming changes into said local device,

a communication link and

said server for storing program changes for said local device and being operably connected to said local device through said communication link.

2. The system according to claim 1 wherein said local device determines if audio program changes are available from said server for said local device and download files for said local device from said server.

3. The system according to claim 1 wherein said server determines if audio program changes are available from said server for said local device and download files for said local device from said server.

4. The system according to claim 1 wherein said local device comprises in operable combination a central processing unit, a digital signal processing unit, a digital to analog converter, a communications link device, random access memory, nonvolatile random access memory, electronically programmable read-only memory, read-only memory and operating system software.

5. The system according to claim 1 where in said electronic link comprises an electronic communication medium capable of transmitting digital information.

6. A local device for playback of messages to music on hold compatible telephone systems and other message output devices, comprising in operable combination a central processing unit, a digital signal processing unit, a digital to analog converter, a communications link device, random access memory, nonvolatile random access memory, electronically programmable read-only memory, read-only memory and operating system software.

7. The method for automated updating of a local device programmed for storing and playing messages telephonically to callers on hold comprising a local device carrying out the steps of:

a) initiating electronic communication to a server,

b) identifying the local device to said server,

c) securing access to areas within the storage system of said server

d) determining if audio programming changes are available in said storage system for said local device,

e) downloading the files necessary to implement changes by the local device from said server,

f) terminating the electronic communication to said server, and

g) implementing the audio programming changes made available to it via the communications link with the server.

8. The method according to claim 7 wherein said local device is programmed to contact said server at a specific time.

9. The method for automated updating of a plurality of local devices programmed for storing and playing messages telephonically to callers on hold comprising each said local device:

a) initiates electronic communication to a server,

b) identifies the local device to said server,

c) secures access to areas within the storage system of said server

d) determines if audio programming changes are available in said storage system for said local device,

e) downloads the files necessary to implement changes by the local device from said server,

f) terminates the electronic communication to said server, and

g) implements the audio programming changes made available to it via the communications link with the server.

10. The method according to claim 9 wherein each said local device is programmed to contact said server at a specific time.

11. The method for automated updating of a local device programmed for storing and playing messages telephonically to callers on hold comprising said local device:

a) initiating electronic communication to a server, and said server;

a) identifying the local device,

b) determining if audio programming changes are available in said storage system for said local device and

c) downloading the files necessary to implement changes by the local device from said server.

12. The method for automated updating of a plurality of local devices programmed for storing and playing messages telephonically to callers on hold comprising each said local device:

a) initiates electronic communication to a server, and said server;

a) identifies the local device,

b) determines if audio programming changes are available in said storage system for said local device and

c) downloads the files necessary to implement changes by the local device from said server.