Method for administering message attachments
First Claim
1. In a messaging system providing access for authorized users to pre-stored messages, wherein at least one of said pre-stored messages has multiple message portions including an initial audio message created by a first person and one or more audio attachments to said initial audio message created by a person or persons other than the first person, a method for providing access to selected portions of said at least one of said pre-stored messages comprising the steps of:
- providing a signal to a user indicative of at least one of said pre-stored messages being available for access by said user;
upon selection by said user of an available pre-stored message, having multiple message portions including an initial audio message created by a first person and one or more audio attachments to said initial audio message created by a person or persons other than the first person, providing said user a different signal indicating that said selected pre-stored message includes both an initial audio message and one or more audio attachments;
providing a user option for selecting one message portion from a selected pre-stored message which includes an initial audio message with one or more audio attachments; and
upon selection by a user of said one message portion of said selected pre-stored message, causing only said selected portion to be provided to said user,wherein said pre-stored messages may be coded to restrict a forwarding of one or more portions of a message so coded to one or more identified users.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method for more effectively accessing message attachments that is particularly applicable in a telephone voicemail or e-mail system. The system provides users with the ability to selectively process attachments to a main or originating message and to designate messages as able to be forwarded only once and/or be reviewed only once. Among other benefits, the time required for handling attachments and/or for listening to attachments is reduced. Various embodiments of the invention include the use of telephone keypad input control, push-button, voice recognition and computer control.
56 Citations
27 Claims
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1. In a messaging system providing access for authorized users to pre-stored messages, wherein at least one of said pre-stored messages has multiple message portions including an initial audio message created by a first person and one or more audio attachments to said initial audio message created by a person or persons other than the first person, a method for providing access to selected portions of said at least one of said pre-stored messages comprising the steps of:
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providing a signal to a user indicative of at least one of said pre-stored messages being available for access by said user; upon selection by said user of an available pre-stored message, having multiple message portions including an initial audio message created by a first person and one or more audio attachments to said initial audio message created by a person or persons other than the first person, providing said user a different signal indicating that said selected pre-stored message includes both an initial audio message and one or more audio attachments; providing a user option for selecting one message portion from a selected pre-stored message which includes an initial audio message with one or more audio attachments; and upon selection by a user of said one message portion of said selected pre-stored message, causing only said selected portion to be provided to said user, wherein said pre-stored messages may be coded to restrict a forwarding of one or more portions of a message so coded to one or more identified users. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 25)
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15. A messaging system for providing authorized users of said system with access to selected portions of pre-stored messages, wherein at least one of said pre-stored messages has a plurality of message portions including an initial audio message created by a first person and one or more audio attachments to said initial audio message created by a person or persons other than the first person, said system comprising:
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a message available indicator operative to provide a signal to a user of at least one of said pre-stored messages being available for access by said user; an input device responsive to user input to select an available message for further processing by said system; a message attachments indicator operative to provide a signal to said user indicating that a selected available message, including an initial audio message created by a first person and one or more audio attachments to said initial audio message created by a person or persons other than the first person, includes both an initial audio message and one or more audio attachments; a selection interface operating in conjunction with said input device for providing said user an option to select a desired portion of a message that includes one or more audio attachments, and for accepting a signal from said user identifying said selected desired portion; an output device for providing said selected desired portion to said user; and a coding means operative to code said pre-stored messages to restrict a forwarding of one or more portions of a message to one or more identified users. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 27)
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24. In a messaging system providing access for authorized users to pre-stored messages, wherein at least one of said pre-stored messages has multiple message portions including an initial audio message created by a first person and one or more audio attachments to said initial audio message created by a person or persons other than the first person, a method for providing access to selected portions of said at least one of said pre-stored messages comprising the steps of:
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providing a signal to a user indicative of at least one of said pre-stored messages being available for access by said user; upon selection by said user of an available pre-stored message, having multiple message portions including an initial audio message created by a first person and one or more audio attachments to said initial audio message created by a person or persons other than the first person, providing said user a different signal indicating that said selected pre-stored message includes both an initial audio message and one or more audio attachments; providing a user option for selecting one message portion from a selected pre-stored message which includes an initial audio message with one or more audio attachments; and upon selection by a user of said one message portion of said selected pre-stored message, causing only said selected portion to be provided to said user, wherein a pre-stored message, including an initial audio message created by a first person and one or more audio attachments to said initial audio message created by a person or persons other than the first person, is coded by the user and forwarded by the user to a further user, wherein the coding limits the ability of the further user to forward the initial audio message or one or more of the audio attachments.
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26. A messaging system for providing authorized users of said system with access to selected portions of pre-stored messages, wherein at least one of said pre-stored messages has a plurality of message portions including an initial audio message created by a first person and one or more audio attachments to said initial audio message created by a person or persons other than the first person, said system comprising:
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a message available indicator operative to provide a signal to a user of at least one of said pre-stored messages being available for access by said user; an input device responsive to user input to select an available message for further processing by said system; a message attachments indicator operative to provide a signal to said user indicating that a selected available message, including an initial audio message created by a first person and one or more audio attachments to said initial audio message created by a person or persons other than the first person, includes both an initial audio message and one or more audio attachments; a selection interface operating in conjunction with said input device for providing said user an option to select a desired portion of a message that includes one or more audio attachments, and for accepting a signal from said user identifying said selected desired portion; an output device for providing said selected desired portion to said user; and a coding means, wherein a pre-stored message, including an initial audio message created by a first person and one or more audio attachments to said initial audio message created by a person or persons other than the first person, is coded by the user using said coding means and forwarded by the user to a further user, wherein the coding limits the ability of the further user to forward the initial audio message or one or more of the audio attachments.
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Specification