Telephone call messaging device

• US 7,305,075 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2004
• Issued: 12/04/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/17/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Timothy M. Harris
• Original Assignee: Timothy M. Harris
• Inventors: Harris, Timothy M.
• Primary Examiner(s): GAUTHIER, GERALD
• Application Number:
  US11/005,235
• Publication Number:
  US 20050169445A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,093 Days
• Field of Search: 370/389, 379/88.19, 379/142.01
• US Class Current: 379/142.01
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/57 Arrangements for indicating or recording the number of the calling subscriber at the called subscriber's set at the operator set in a manual exchange H04M5/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2072 Schedules, e.g. personal calendars
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/16 with lock-out or secrecy provision in party-line systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42042 Notifying the called party of information on the calling party details within substation equipment H04M1/57, signalling details H04Q3/72
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42382 Text-based messaging services in telephone networks such as PSTN/ISDN, e.g. User-to-User Signalling or Short Message Service for fixed networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/493 Interactive information services, e.g. directory enquiries ; Arrangements therefor, e.g. interactive voice response [IVR] systems or voice portals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5108 Secretarial services
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53383 Message registering commands or announcements; Greetings
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0012 Details of application programming interfaces [API] for telephone networks; Arrangements which combine a telephonic communication equipment and a computer, i.e. computer telephony integration [CPI] arrangements

Abstract

A messaging device is disclosed. The device is connected to a telephone line and communicates with other devices identical to itself via a communications link established over existing phone lines, power lines or via wireless communications mechanisms. The messaging device records caller ID data upon detection of an incoming telephone call and prompts the user to enter additional data regarding the caller in assembling a message data packet including predefined messages. The message data packet is then transmitted to an identical messaging device wherein the caller ID data, caller name, caller'"'"'s company, and predefined messages are presented to the intended recipient of the message contained in the message data packet. Additional features include handwritten or typed detailed messages contained in said message data packet and security for preventing unauthorized viewing of message data. The messaging device is optionally integrated into the design of a telephone.

Claims

1. A messaging device performing the following steps:

receiving caller ID data when a telephone call occurs;

displaying a formatted screen on an electronic display means including said caller ID data and form blanks for a user to enter additional data regarding the telephone call subject matter, said form blanks including at least one field capable of receiving an image of a handwritten note exactly as written by the user;

receiving message data from the user, said message data including information entered by the user into at least one of the form blanks;

receiving from the user a destination address of a messaging device corresponding to a messaging device used by an intended recipient of the message data, said intended recipient being someone other than the user;

receiving a send input from the user; and

transmitting a message data packet comprised of said caller ID data, a date and time of the call, and said message data to the destination address.

2. The messaging device of claim 1 wherein the message data includes a sound input data signal captured by an audio input circuit means.

3. The messaging device of claim 1 further performing the following step:

storing the message data packet for later retrieval from the recipient messaging device.

4. The messaging device of claim 1 wherein the message data includes an image of a note written in the handwriting of the user.

5. The messaging device of claim 1 which further performs the step of:

capturing an image of a handwritten note as written by the user.

6. The messaging device of claim 5 wherein the image is captured by a touch sensitive screen.

7. The messaging device of claim 6 wherein said touch sensitive screen is integrated into said device.

8. The messaging device of claim 6 wherein the image is compressed.

9. The messaging device of claim 1 wherein the caller ID data is calling number identification information.

10. The messaging device of claim 1 wherein the user enters said additional data using a user input device.

11. The messaging device of claim 10 wherein said user input device is a keyboard.

12. The messaging device of claim 10 wherein said user input device is a touch sensitive screen.

13. The messaging device of claim 1 wherein said message data packet is comprised of a plurality of unique data packets.