System and method for telephone call recording and recorded call retrieval

• US 6,792,093 B2
• Filed: 07/25/2001
• Issued: 09/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/05/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Mind Fusion, LLC (Ascend Innovation Management, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Gad Barak, Sarah Barak, Zvi Barak
• Inventors: Barak, Zvi, Barak, Sarah, Barak, Gad
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsang, Fan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Escalante, Ovidio
• Application Number:
  US09/912,752
• Publication Number:
  US 20020067810A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,147 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67.1, 379/68, 379/84, 379/85, 379/88.19, 379/88.27, 379/88.25, 379/202.01, 379/207.02, 379/114.2, 379/114.01, 379/158, 379/207.01, 379/203.01, 379/204.01, 379/205.01, 379/206.01, 379/210.01
• US Class Current: 379/202.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/656 for recording conversations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42221 Conversation recording systems at the subscriber's set H04M1/656
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/56 Arrangements for connecting several subscribers to a common circuit, i.e. affording conference facilities video conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/45 using multi-frequency signalling H04Q1/46 takes precedence

Abstract

A telephone call recording and recorded call retrieval system records telephone conversations and stores the recorded conversations for later retrieval. The system includes on one or more servers coupled to the PSTN, but preferably separate from mobile and land-based telephone company switches. A first server includes telephony, call recording, and call conferencing functionality. A subscriber calls an access telephone number for the first server and is routed to the server by the PSTN. The subscriber has several options with respect to the type of recording: dictation-type recording, automatic recording upon dialing and answer by a called party, or selective recording of any portion of a conversation upon activation of pre-assigned keys on the telephone. The recorded calls are then stored for later retrieval by the subscriber, e.g., on a storage server. The system may be used from both land-based and mobile telephones.

Claims

1. A method of setting up a conference call, comprising:

a) calling with a first telephone an access number for a server such that a first connection is created between the first telephone and the server;

b) initiating a second connection between the server and a second telephone and setting up a telephone call between the first and second telephones utilizing said first and second connections;

c) generating a conference identification code for a conference;

d) providing the conference identification code to additional parties while maintaining the connection between the first telephone and the server;

e) one of the additional parties calling with a third telephone an access number for the server such that a connection is created between the third telephone and the server;

f) entering from the third telephone the conference identification code to the server; and

g) conferencing the third telephone with the first telephone;

wherein said conference identification code is generated by said first telephone in response to user interaction with said first telephone and communicated from said first telephone to said server.

2. A method of setting up a conference call, comprising:

a) calling with a first telephone an access number for a server such that a first connection is created between the first telephone and the server;

b) initiating a second connection between the server and a second telephone and setting un a telephone call between the first and second telephones utilizing said first and second connections;

c) generating a conference identification code for a conference;

d) providing the conference identification code to additional parties while maintaining the connection between the first telephone and the server;

e) one of the additional parties calling with a third telephone an access number for the server such that a connection is created between the third telephone and the server;

f) entering from the third telephone the conference identification code to the server; and

g) conferencing the third telephone with the first telephone;

wherein said conference identification code is generated by said server and communicated from said server to said first telephone.

3. A method of setting up a conference call, comprising:

a) creating a first telephone call between a first telephone and a second telephone;

b) requesting a conference with the first telephone;

c) generating a conference identification code for the conference;

d) providing the conference identification code to additional parties while maintaining the connection between the first telephone and the second telephone;

e) one of the additional parties calling with a third telephone an access number for a conference appliance;

f) entering from the third telephone the conference identification code to the conference appliance; and

g) conferencing the third telephone with the first telephone;

wherein said conference identification code is generated by said first telephone in response to user interaction with said first telephone and communicated from said first telephone to said server.

4. A method of setting up a conference call, comprising:

a) creating a first telephone call between a first telephone and a second telephone;

b) requesting a conference with the first telephone;

c) generating a conference identification code for the conference;

d) providing the conference identification code to additional parties while maintaining the connection between the first telephone and the second telephone;

e) one of the additional parties calling with a third telephone an access number for a conference appliance;

f) entering from the third telephone the conference identification code to the conference appliance; and

g) conferencing the third telephone with the first telephone;

wherein said conference identification code is generated by said server and communicated from said server to said first telephone.

5. A method of setting up a conference call, comprising:

a) creating a first telephone call between a first telephone and a second telephone;

b) requesting a conference with the first telephone;

c) generating a conference identification code for the conference;

d) providing the conference identification code to additional parties while maintaining the connection between the first telephone and the second telephone;

e) one of the additional parties calling with a third telephone an access number for a conference appliance;

f) entering from the third telephone the conference identification code to the conference appliance; and

g) conferencing the third telephone with the first telephone.

6. A method of setting up a conference call, comprising:

a) calling with a first telephone an access number for a server such that a first connection is created between the first telephone and the server;

b) initiating a second connection between the server and a second telephone and setting up a telephone call between the first and second telephones utilizing said first and second connections;

c) generating a conference identification code for a conference;

d) providing the conference identification code to additional parties while maintaining the connection between the first telephone and the server;

e) one of the additional parties calling with a third telephone an access number for the server such that a connection is created between the third telephone and the server;

f) entering from the third telephone the conference identification code to the server; and

g) conferencing the third telephone with the first telephone.

7. A method according to claim 6, wherein:

the one of the additional parties pays for the cost of the connection between the third telephone and the server.