Electronic mail distribution system for integrated electronic communications

• US 7,116,766 B2
• Filed: 07/16/2004
• Issued: 10/03/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 06/17/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Oath Inc. (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Cranberry Properties, LLC (Verizon Communications Inc.)
• Inventors: Owens, Stephen J.H., Finney, Michael S., Snider, Michael L., Wright, Randall S., Paynter, James W., Bard, Robin R.
• Primary Examiner(s): WOO, STELLA L
• Application Number:
  US10/893,042
• Publication Number:
  US 20050002503A1
• Time in Patent Office: 809 Days
• Field of Search: 379/93.24, 379/93.15, 379/100.08, 379/100.13, 379/88.13, 379/88.14
• US Class Current: 379/93.24
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/107 Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/212 using filtering or selective blocking
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/56 Unified messaging, e.g. interactions between e-mail, instant messaging or converged IP messaging [CPM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/301 Management of recordings
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4509 Unified messaging with single point of access to voicemail and other mail or messaging systems unified messaging in packet switching networks H04L51/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4536 Voicemail combined with text-based messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53333 Message receiving aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00209 Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00212 Attaching image data to computer messages, e.g. to e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00214 details of transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00217 only involving computer data transmission protocols, e.g. SMTP, WAP or HTTP communication protocol aspects and techniques in packet data networks H04L69/00; network-specific arrangements or communication protocols supporting networked applications H04L67/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/324 intermediate the transmitter and receiver terminals, e.g. at an exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32416 Storage of instructions or retrieval of prestored instructions
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0086 Image transceiver H04N2201/0093 and H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99939 Privileged access

Abstract

A system is disclosed for integrated electronic mail, voice mail, and fax mail messaging. A common message format is defined for use by an electronic mail service and a telecommunications service so electronic mail messages that may include voice and fax mail attachments may be exchanged between the services. Message senders and receivers may choose from a variety of filter and forward options that allow them to manage their communications and specify a preference for receiving messages at the electronic mail or telecommunications service. Forwarding and conversion of messages is performed automatically. The options are used to define a set of rules to be applied to inbound and outbound messages so that messages are sent and received in accordance with the preferences of the senders and receivers.

Claims

1. A method for distributing electronic mail messages received at an electronic mail service comprising:

a) receiving at an electronic mail distributor at the electronic mail service an incoming electronic mail message addressed for delivery to a message receiver of the electronic mail service;

b) determining the message receiver for the electronic mail message;

c) retrieving from a message receiver profile database rules defined by the message receiver for processing the electronic mail message;

d) examining the rules defined by the message receiver to determine if the message receiver has specified a preference to receive the electronic mail message at a telecommunications service; and

e) if the message receiver has specified a preference to receive the electronic mail message at a telecommunications service;

i. determining the message receiver'"'"'s preferred telecommunications service;

ii. modifying the electronic mail message to include routing information for the message receiver'"'"'s preferred telecommunications service; and

iii. forwarding the electronic mail message to the message receiver'"'"'s preferred telecommunications service;

iv. determining at the telecommunications service the message receiver'"'"'s electronic mailbox address; and

v. storing the electronic mail message in the message receiver'"'"'s electronic mailbox at the telecommunications service.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein forwarding the electronic mail message to the message receiver'"'"'s preferred telecommunications service comprises forwarding the electronic mail message to a telecommunications service mailbox.

3. The method of claim 2 further comprising forwarding the electronic mail message from the telecommunications service mailbox to an electronic mail service network node at the telecommunications service.

4. The method of claim 3 further comprising allowing the message receiver to retrieve the electronic mail message via a telephone.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein allowing the message receiver to retrieve the electronic mail message via a telephone comprises allowing the message receiver to call the telecommunications service and to request access to the electronic mail message wherein a text-to-speech operation is performed on the electronic mail message so the message receive may hear the message.