System and method for electronic message status notification

• US 7,225,230 B1
• Filed: 06/28/2001
• Issued: 05/29/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/28/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Knoerle, Joseph M., LaPierre, Stephen R., Meadows, Vernon, Scott, David A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Meky, Moustafa M.
• Application Number:
  US09/894,296
• Time in Patent Office: 2,161 Days
• Field of Search: 709/206, 709/205, 709/224, 709/207, 709/217, 709200-203, 709218-219, 709/227, 455/412.3, 379/88.12
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/23 Reliability checks, e.g. acknowledgments or fault reporting
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2083 Confirmation by serviced party
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53366 Message disposing or creating aspects

Abstract

This invention is directed to a system and method for providing a status notification for a message in a communications network. An embodiment of this invention is a voicemail system, which provides a caller in a telecommunications network with the option of requesting a status notification for a voicemail message when the recording of the message is complete. By requesting status notification, the caller is indicating that the voicemail system should track any actions related to the message that occur within the voicemail system. The caller also specifies a destination identifier, which includes formatting and addressing information that the voicemail system uses for subsequent notification. As actions are taken in relation to the message, the voicemail system creates disposition identifiers and associates these identifiers with the message. When a triggering event occurs, such as the recipient deleting the message, the voicemail system retrieves the disposition identifiers to generate the status notification and sends the status notification in the format and to the address specified by the destination identifier.

Claims

1. A method for providing a status notification for a message in a communications network comprising:

assigning a message identifier for said message;

receiving a destination identifier for communicating said status notification; and

associating said destination identifier with said message;

wherein said destination identifier comprises an address identifier indicating an address to which said status notification is to be sent, said address identifier indicating an address different than an originating address for said message, and

a format identifier identifying a format for said status notification,

wherein said method further comprises;

creating a plurality of disposition identifiers in response to a plurality of disposition event corresponding to a change in message status;

associating the plurality of disposition identifiers with said message, wherein disposition identifiers are associated with the message in response to a change in message status;

determining whether accessing of said message constitutes a triggering event; and

creating said status notification when said accessing of said message constitutes said triggering event, the status notification including disposition identifiers created prior to the triggering event.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein creating said status notification comprises:

compiling said disposition identifiers and said message identifier to create said status notification when said accessing of said message constitutes said triggering event; and

wherein said method further comprises communicating said status notification in accordance with said destination identifiers.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:

billing a party to said message for said providing of said status notification.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said disposition event comprises at least one of:

a managing event; and

a dispatching event.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein said managing event comprises at least one of:

accessing said message;

deleting said message;

presenting an indication of said message;

expiring said message; and

terminating a recipient of said message from said communications network.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein said managing event comprises at least one of:

denying said status notification of said message; and

malfunctioning of said status notification of said message.

7. The method of claim 4, wherein said dispatching event comprises at least one of:

forwarding said message; and

replying to said message.

8. The method of claim 4, wherein said triggering event comprises at least one of:

said disposition event; and

a passage of time.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein said address identifier comprises at least one of:

an email address; and

an access address.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein said format identifier comprises at least one of:

an audio format;

a video format;

a text format;

a short message service format; and

a markup language document format.

11. The method of claim 1, wherein said communications network comprises at least one of:

an electronic communications network;

a text-based communications network;

a telecommunications network;

a video-enabled communications network; and

a multimedia-enabled communications network.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein said message identifier comprises at least one of:

a type identifier;

an alphanumeric identifier;

a capabilities identifier; and

an annotation.

13. The method of claim 1, wherein said message identifier comprises at least one of:

a communication network identifier;

a device identifier;

a role identifier;

a party identifier;

a date identifier; and

a time identifier.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein said role identifier comprises at least one of:

an originator;

a sender;

a caller;

a recipient; and

a system administrator.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein said party identifier comprises at least one of:

an email address;

an access address;

a voice sample; and

an image.

16. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing an attribute for said status notification for said message, wherein said attribute comprises at least one of:

said message identifier;

said destination identifier;

said disposition identifiers; and

said status notification.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising administrative functionality, wherein said administrative functionality comprises at least one of:

deleting said attribute;

monitoring said attribute;

moving said attribute;

forwarding said attribute;

securing said attribute;

archiving said attribute;

backing up said attribute;

informing a recipient of said attribute; and

blocking said attribute.

18. A system to provide a status notification for a message in a communications network comprising:

a processor to assign a message identifier for said message;

said processor further operative to receive a destination identifier for communicating said status notification; and

said processor further operative to associate said destination identifier with said message;

wherein said destination identifier comprises an address identifier indicating an address to which said status notification is to be sent, said address identifier indicating an address different than an originating address for said message; and

a format identifier identifying a format for said status notification,

said processor further operative to create a plurality of disposition identifiers in response to a plurality of disposition events corresponding to a change in message status;

said processor further operative to associate the disposition identifiers with said message, wherein disposition identifiers are associated with the message in response to a change in message status;

said processor further operative to determine whether accessing of said message constitutes a triggering event; and

create said status notification when said accessing of said message constitutes said triggering event, the status notification including disposition identifiers created prior to the triggering event.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein said processor is further operative to:

compile said disposition identifiers and said message identifier to create said status notification when said accessing of said message constitutes said triggering event; and

communicate said status notification in accordance with said destination identifiers.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein said processor is further operative to:

bill a party to said message for said providing of said status notification.

21. The system of claim 18, wherein said triggering event comprises at least one of:

said disposition event; and

a passage of time.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein said disposition event comprises at least one of:

a managing event; and

a dispatching event.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein said managing event comprises at least one of:

accessing said message;

deleting said message;

presenting an indication of said message;

expiring said message; and

terminating a recipient of said message from said communications network.

24. The system of claim 22, wherein said managing event comprises at least one of:

denying said status notification of said message; and

malfunctioning of said status notification of said message.

25. The system of claim 22, wherein said dispatching event comprises at least one of:

forwarding said message; and

replying to said message.

26. The system of claim 18, wherein said address identifier comprises at least one of:

an email address; and

an access address.

27. The system of claim 18, wherein said format identifier comprises at least one of:

an audio format;

a video format;

a text format;

a short message service format; and

a markup language document format.

28. The system of claim 18, wherein said communications network comprises at least one of:

an electronic communications network;

a text-based communications network;

a telecommunications network;

a video-enabled communications network; and

a multimedia-enabled communications network.

29. The system of claim 18, wherein said message identifier comprises at least one of:

a type identifier;

an alphanumeric identifier;

a capabilities identifier; and

an annotation.

30. The system of claim 18, wherein said message identifier comprises at least one of:

a communication network identifier;

a device identifier;

a role identifier;

a party identifier;

a date identifier; and

a time identifier.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein said role identifier comprises at least one of:

an originator;

a sender;

a caller;

a recipient; and

a system administrator.

32. The system of claim 30, wherein said party identifier comprises at least one of:

an email address;

an access address;

a voice sample; and

an image.

33. The system of claim 18, said processor further operative for storing an attribute for said status notification for said message, wherein said attribute comprises at one least of:

said message identifier;

said destination identifier;

said disposition identifiers; and

said status notification.

34. The system of claim 33, said processor further operative to perform administrative functionality, wherein said administrative functionality comprises at least one of:

deleting said attribute;

monitoring said attribute;

moving said attribute;

forwarding said attribute;

securing said attribute;

archiving said attribute;

backing up said attribute;

informing a recipient of said attribute; and

blocking said attribute.

35. The system of claim 33, further comprising a data repository operative to store said attribute.

36. The system of claim 35, wherein said data repository comprises a database.

37. The system of claim 35, wherein said data repository comprises:

a first database for storing said message; and

a second database for storing said attribute.

38. A system to provide a status notification for a voicemail message in an advanced intelligence network (AIN) comprising an intelligent peripheral operative to:

assign a message identifier for said message;

receive a destination identifier for communicating a status notification; and

associate said destination identifier with said message;

wherein said destination identifier comprises an address identifier indicating an address to which said status notification is to be sent, said address identifier indicating an address different than an originating address for said message, and

a format identifier identifying a format for said status notification,

said intelligent peripheral further operative to create a plurality of disposition identifiers in response to a plurality of disposition events corresponding to a change in message status;

said intelligent peripheral further operative to associate the disposition identifiers with said message, wherein disposition identifiers are associated with the message in response to a change in message status;

said intelligent peripheral further operative to determine whether accessing of said message constitutes a triggering event; and

create said status notification when said accessing of said message constitutes said triggering event, the status notification including disposition identifiers created prior to the triggering event.

39. The system of claim 38, wherein said intelligent peripheral is further operative to:

compile said disposition identifiers and said message identifier to create said status notification when said accessing of said message constitutes said triggering event; and

communicate said status notification in accordance with said destination identifiers.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein said intelligent peripheral is further operative to:

bill a party to said message for said providing of said status notification.

41. The system of claim 38, wherein said triggering event comprises at least one of:

said disposition event; and

a passage of time.

42. The system of claim 41, wherein said disposition event comprises at least one of:

a managing event; and

a dispatching event.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein said managing event comprises at least one of:

accessing said message;

deleting said message;

presenting an indication of said message;

expiring said message; and

terminating a recipient of said message from said AIN.

44. The system of claim 42, wherein said managing event comprises at least one of:

denying said status notification of said message; and

malfunctioning of said status notification of said message.

45. The system of claim 42, wherein said dispatching event comprises at least one of:

forwarding said message; and

replying to said message.

46. The system of claim 38, wherein said address identifier comprises at least one of:

an email address; and

an access address.

47. The system of claim 38, wherein said format identifier comprises at least one of:

an audio format;

a video format;

a text format;

a short message service format; and

a markup language document format.

48. The system of claim 38, further comprising:

a service switching point functionally connected to said intelligent peripheral; and

an interface functionally connected to a service switching point and operative to accept communications from a second communications network.

49. The system of claim 48, further comprising a mobile telephone switching office (MTSO) functionally connected to said interface and operative to facilitate said status notification directed to a cellular device.

50. The system of claim 48, further comprising a computer network functionally connected to said interface and operative to facilitate said status notification directed to a computer network client device.

51. The system of claim 48, further comprising a personal digital assistant communications network functionally connected to said interface and operative to facilitate said status notification directed to a personal digital assistant.

52. The system of claim 38, wherein said message identifier comprises at least one of:

a type identifier;

an alphanumeric identifier;

a capabilities identifier; and

an annotation.

53. The system of claim 38, wherein said message identifier comprises at least one of:

a communication network identifier;

a device identifier;

a role identifier;

a party identifier;

a date identifier; and

a time identifier.

54. The system of claim 53, wherein said role identifier comprises at least one of:

an originator;

a sender;

a caller;

a recipient; and

a system administrator.

55. The system of claim 53, wherein said party identifier comprises at least one of:

an email address;

an access address;

a voice sample; and

an image.

56. The system of claim 38, said intelligent peripheral further operative for storing an attribute for said status notification for said message, wherein said attribute comprises at least one of:

said message identifier;

said destination identifier;

said disposition identifiers; and

said status notification.

57. The system of claim 56, further comprising a service management system functionally connected to said intelligent peripheral, operative to perform administrative functionality comprising at least one of:

deleting said attribute;

monitoring said attribute;

moving said attribute;

forwarding said attribute;

securing said attribute;

archiving said attribute;

backing up said attribute;

informing a recipient of said attribute; and

blocking said attribute.