Region-wide messaging system and methods including validation of transactions

• US 6,882,708 B1
• Filed: 02/25/2000
• Issued: 04/19/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/26/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bedingfield, James Carlton, Gilmartin, Neil, Adamczyk, Maria
• Primary Examiner(s): Foster, Roland G.
• Application Number:
  US09/513,005
• Time in Patent Office: 1,880 Days
• Field of Search: 379/67.1, 379/88.17, 379 8818- 8823, 379 8825- 8827, 379/219, 379/220.01, 37922101-22102, 379/221.08, 379/221.09, 379/221.12, 379/221.14
• US Class Current: 379/88.18
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/56 Unified messaging, e.g. interactions between e-mail, instant messaging or converged IP messaging [CPM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4555 Directories for electronic mail or instant messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4557 Directories for hybrid networks, e.g. including telephone numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/306 User profiles
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2207/203 composed of PSTN and data network, e.g. the Internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4931 Directory assistance systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53325 Interconnection arrangements between voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/12 for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13336 Store & forward, messaging systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13377 Recorded announcement
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/0045 involving hybrid, i.e. a mixture of public and private, or multi-vendor systems

Abstract

Methods and systems are disclosed that allow for the exchange of voice mail messages between different VMSs of different service providers and/or in different networks by the transmission of such messages through a data network using a standard protocol of the data network. Methods and systems also are disclosed that validate message transactions among subscribers receiving regional messaging services over the PSTN. The subscribers are located in different geographic areas and may be provided their voice, facsimile or data messaging services by different companies. The present invention validates passing messages (data) among customers of potentially different companies located in different areas by assessing the validity of the transaction in light of a number of conditions, including applicable regulatory or business conditions.

Claims

1. A method for validating messaging transactions between customers served by voice mail servers located in different geographic regions, operated by different service providers, or both, the method comprising:

creating a messaging directory with information on characteristics of respective voice mail servers;

querying the messaging directory to identify a first voice mail server associated with a caller originating a message and a second voice mail server associated with the recipient of the message; and

based on the identities of the first and second voice mail servers, causing the messaging directory to check the respective characteristics of the two voice mail servers to determine whether the message may be transferred between the first and second voice mail servers.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the querying involves using the identities of the first and second voice mail servers to determine (i) their locations, (ii) the identity of the one or more service provider(s) operating the first or second voice mail server or (iii) both the locations of the first and second voice mail servers and the identity of the one or more service provider(s) operating the first or second voice mail servers.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the querying is performed by providing the messaging directory with at least the message recipient'"'"'s telephone number correlated to at least the identities of one of the first or second voice mail servers.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein the providing is implemented by formulating a query to the messaging directory and transmitting the query over a network.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the determining involves using the location of the first or second voice mail server to determine whether applicable regulatory rules allow message transactions between those locations.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the determining step involves determining whether the message transaction may proceed if the identities of the service providers operating the first and second voice mail servers are different.

7. A process for determining the identity of a first voice mail server associated with an originating caller that has left a message with a second voice mail server associated with a receiving caller that may seek to respond to the message, the process comprising;

ascertaining an identifier associated with the originating caller;

using the identifier to determine an identity code that identifies the first voice mail server;

using the identity code to determine information including the location of the first voice mail server, the identity of the service provider operating the first voice mail server, and the existence of agreements between the first service provider and other service providers; and

using the information to determine whether the receiving caller may communicate with the first voice mail server in response to the message.

8. A method for validating the passage of data between customers of different companies operating messaging servers that serve different areas, the method comprising:

causing a messaging directory to include information relating to the passage of data between customers of different companies operating messaging servers that serve different areas; and

causing the messaging directory to use the information including business rules, regulatory rules or both to determine whether the data may be passed between the customers'"'"' messaging servers.

9. A method according to claim 8 further comprising identifying the voice mail servers involved in the passage of the data.

10. A method according to claim 9 further comprising using the identities of the voice mail servers to determine their respective locations, their respective operating service providers or both.

11. A method according to claim 10 further comprising applying regulatory rules to determine whether the data may be passed between the identified voice mail servers.

12. A method according to claim 11 further comprising determining whether the operating service providers will accept data from one another.

13. A method according to claim 12 further comprising confirming to the customer the destination of the data or message.

14. A method according to claim 8 further comprising out-dialing a telephone call to a person not subscribing to regional messaging services in order to deliver a message.