IP handset-based voice mail notification

• US 6,891,934 B1
• Filed: 08/20/2002
• Issued: 05/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Gao, Xiaofeng, Scott, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsang, Fan
• Assistant Examiner(s): Chow, Ming
• Application Number:
  US10/223,407
• Time in Patent Office: 994 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.11, 379/88.12, 379/88.14, 379/88.13, 379/88.17, 379/88.18, 379/88.19, 379/88.2, 379/88.21, 379/67.1, 379/88.07, 379/88.22, 379/908, 370/352
• US Class Current: 379/88.17
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4536 Voicemail combined with text-based messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53325 Interconnection arrangements between voice mail systems
• 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: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/14 Short messaging services, e.g. short message services [SMS] or unstructured supplementary service data [USSD]

Abstract

A system and method that notifies the receipt of a voicemail message at an IP telephone using one or more of instant messaging and short message service. A preferred embodiment of the invention provides an IP telephone that prepares a notification regarding the receipt of a voicemail message. In one embodiment, the IP telephone queries the availability of an instant messaging client via an instant messaging presence server, and forwards the notification to the instant messaging presence server if the instant messaging client is available. In another embodiment, the IP telephone sends the notification to a short message service client via a short message service gateway. In still another embodiment, the IP telephone sends the notification to both instant messaging client and short message service clients.

Claims

1. A method for providing voicemail notification comprising:

recording a voicemail message at an IP telephone;

reviewing on the IP telephone voicemail notification preferences set by a user of the IP telephone;

preparing on the IP telephone a notification of the voicemail based on the voicemail notification preferences, wherein the notification includes one or more attributes of the voicemail message and wherein the one or more attributes of the voicemail message comprise a size of the voicemail message; and

sending from the IP telephone the notification to at least one of an instant messaging client and a short message service client.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising querying a presence of the instant messaging client before the sending step.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising queuing the notification for a later delivery if the instant messaging client is not available.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more attributes comprise one or more of an identity of a caller, a date on which the voicemail message was created, and a time at which the voicemail message was created.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the identity is a telephone number associated with the caller.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the identity is a name associated with the caller.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the IP telephone uses Session Initiation Protocol.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the recording uses a message recorder associated with the IP telephone.

9. A system providing for voicemail notification comprising:

an IP telephone, wherein the IP telephone is adapted to record a voicemail message, wherein the IP telephone is configured to prepare a notification of the voicemail message, wherein the notification includes one or more attributes of the voicemail message, and wherein the one or more attributes of the voicemail message comprise a size of the voicemail message; and

a client in communication with the IP telephone, wherein the client is adapted to receive the notification from the IP telephone, wherein the client is one of a short message service client and an instant messaging client.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the IP telephone queries an instant messaging presence server for an availability of the instant messaging client.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the IP telephone queues the notification for a later delivery if the instant messaging client is not available.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein communications between the IP telephone and the client involves an IP network.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein communications between the IP telephone and the client involves a wireless network.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the IP telephone uses Session Initiation Protocol.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the IP telephone is adapted to record the voicemail message.