Methods and systems for storing predetermined multimedia information

• US 7,353,187 B1
• Filed: 08/28/2000
• Issued: 04/01/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Comverse Limited (Mavenir Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Comverse Limited (Mavenir Group Holdings Ltd.)
• Inventors: Emodi, Dan, Zevadi, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith; Jeffrey A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Allen; William J.
• Application Number:
  US09/648,532
• Time in Patent Office: 2,773 Days
• Field of Search: 705 26- 27, 705/1, 379/90.01, 379/101.01, 379/82.2, 725/60
• US Class Current: 705/26.5
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0601 Electronic shopping [e-shopping]
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0613 Third-party assisted
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0621 Item configuration or customization
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0633 Lists, e.g. purchase orders, compilation or processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0641 Shopping interfaces

Abstract

An apparatus for storing predetermined multimedia information is provided. The apparatus includes a telephony messaging platform and first and second storage locations contained in the telephony messaging platform. The predetermined multimedia information is stored in at least the first storage location and the second storage location such that a first multimedia portion of the predetermined multimedia information is stored in the first storage portion and a second multimedia portion of said predetermined multimedia information is stored in the second storage portion. In addition, the telephony messaging platform receives at least one multimedia command from an access device of a user. Then, the telephony messaging platform selectively reproduces one of the first multimedia portion and the second multimedia portion as a selected multimedia portion based on the one multimedia command. Afterwards, the telephony messaging platform outputs the selected multimedia portion to the access device.

Claims

1. An apparatus for storing predetermined multimedia information, comprising:

at least a first telephony platform configured to receive at least one multimedia command from a user'"'"'s access device and generate a menu containing criteria options relating to at least one of a music track and a video track so that the user can make a selection; and

a first storage location coupled to said at least said first telephony platform, wherein said first storage location stores at least a part of said predetermined multimedia information, said predetermined multimedia information corresponding to said at least one of a music track and a video track; and

said first telephony platform is configured to have said predetermined multimedia information downloaded to an email address or a computer network address; and

a second storage location coupled to said at least said first telephony platform;

said first storage location and said second storage location store said at least said part of said predetermined multimedia information;

wherein,

a first multimedia portion of said predetermined multimedia information is stored in said first storage location and a second multimedia portion of said predetermined multimedia information is stored in said second storage location,

said at least said first telephony platform is configured to selectively reproduce one of said first multimedia portion and said second multimedia portion as a selected multimedia portion based on said at least one multimedia command,

said at least said first telephony platform is configured to output said selected multimedia portion to said access device,

said predetermined multimedia information comprises at least one of music information and video information,

said predetermined multimedia information comprises a first music track group,

said first multimedia portion contains a first music track of said first music track group and said second multimedia portion contains a second music track of said first music track group,

said first storage location comprises a first mailbox and said second storage location comprises a second mailbox,

said at least one multimedia command comprises a plurality of menu navigation inputs,

said menu navigation inputs correspond to responses to said musical criteria options, and

said at least said first telephony platform is configured to determine that said user desires to access said first music track stored in said first mailbox based on said menu navigation inputs.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said menu navigation inputs comprise at least one input from the group of artist name of said first music track, album name containing said first music track, and type of music of said first music track.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first music track group corresponds to an album, and

wherein said first music track and said second music track correspond to music tracks on said album.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one multimedia command comprises a purchasing command, and

wherein said user can purchase said selected multimedia portion by inputting said purchasing command.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said purchasing command instructs said at least said first telephony platform to have a copy of at least said selected multimedia portion mailed to a postal address of said user.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 4, wherein said purchasing command instructs said at least said first telephony platform to have a copy of at least said selected multimedia portion downloaded to a computer network address of said user.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein said at least one multimedia command comprises a purchasing command, and

wherein said user can purchase said album by inputting said purchasing command.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said purchasing command instructs said at least said first telephony platform to have a copy of said album mailed to a postal address of said user.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said purchasing command instructs said at least said first telephony platform to have a copy of said album downloaded to a computer network address of said user.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one multimedia command comprises a save command,

wherein said first music track corresponds to said selected multimedia portion,

wherein, after selecting said first music track, said user saves first data corresponding to said first music track in a user memory portion coupled to said at least said first telephony platform by inputting said save command, and

wherein said user memory portion is assigned to said user.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first data is music data of said first music track.

12. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said first data is pointer data that identifies said first storage location containing said first music track.

13. The apparatus as claimed in claim 10, wherein said predetermined multimedia information comprises an additional music track,

wherein said user saves additional data corresponding to said additional music track in said user memory portion after selecting said additional music track by inputting an additional save command via said access device, and

wherein said first music track and said additional music track correspond to at least some saved tracks.

14. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said at least one multimedia command comprises a purchasing command, and

wherein said user can purchase a customized album containing said saved tracks by inputting said purchasing command.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said purchasing command instructs said at least said first telephony platform to have a copy of said customized album mailed to a postal address of said user or downloaded to a computer network address of said user.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 13, wherein said at least one multimedia command comprises a radio playback command, and

wherein said at least said first telephony platform sequentially outputs said saved tracks to said access device in response to said radio playback command.

17. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one multimedia command comprises a forwarding command, and

wherein said at least said first telephony platform forwards said selected multimedia portion to a second access device of a second user in response to said forwarding command.

18. The apparatus as claimed in claim 17, wherein said second user is part of a distribution list of a plurality of recipient users, and

wherein said distribution list has been created by said user and stored in said at least said first telephony platform prior to inputting said forwarding command.

19. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one multimedia command comprises a forwarding command, and

wherein said at least said first telephony platform forwards said selected multimedia portion to a storage location corresponding to a second access device of a second user in response to said forwarding command.

20. The apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said second user is part of a distribution list of a plurality of recipient users, and

wherein said distribution list has been created by said user and stored in said at least said first telephony platform prior to inputting said forwarding command.

21. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one multimedia command comprises an information command, and

wherein said at least said first telephony platform outputs an information message to said access device containing additional information relating to said selected multimedia portion.

22. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said at least one multimedia access command comprises a multiple user session command, and

wherein said at least said first telephony platform connects said access device of said user with access devices of other users who are interested in topics relating to said selected multimedia portion so that said user and said other users can communicate in a multiple user session.

23. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein said multiple user session corresponds to a telephone party line.

24. The apparatus as claimed in claim 22, wherein said multiple user session corresponds to a chat room.

25. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said first telephony platform includes:

means for managing;

means for storing messages;

means for converting a telephone signal into a message suitable for the telephony platform; and

means for generating control signals for the telephony platform.

26. The apparatus as claimed in claim 25, further including a high-speed backbone that interconnects the means for managing, the means for storing messages, the means for converting and the means for generating control signals.

27. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said access device is a telephone.

28. An apparatus for storing predetermined multimedia information, comprising:

at least a first telephony platform configured to receive at least one multimedia command from a user'"'"'s access device and generate a menu containing criteria options relating to at least one of a music track and a video track so that the user can make a selection;

a first storage location coupled to said at least said first telephony platform, wherein said first storage location stores at least a part of said predetermined multimedia information, said predetermined multimedia information corresponding to said at least one of a music track and a video track;

said first telephony platform is configured to have said predetermined multimedia information downloaded to an email address or a computer network address; and

a second storage location coupled to said at least said first telephony platform, wherein, said first storage location and said second storage location store said at least said part of said predetermined multimedia information,

a first multimedia portion of said predetermined multimedia information is stored in said first storage location and a second multimedia portion of said predetermined multimedia information is stored in said second storage location,

said at least said first telephony platform is configured to selectively reproduce one of said first multimedia portion and said second multimedia portion as a selected multimedia portion based on said at least one multimedia command,

said at least said first telephony platform is configured to output said selected multimedia portion to said access device,

said predetermined multimedia information comprises at least one of music information and video information,

said predetermined multimedia information comprises a first music track group,

said first multimedia portion contains a first music track of said first music track group and said second multimedia portion contains a second music track of said first music track group,

said at least one multimedia command comprises a save command, and

said first music track corresponds to said selected multimedia portion, wherein, after selecting said first music track, said user saves first data corresponding to said first music track in a user memory portion coupled to said at least said first telephony platform by inputting said save command, and

wherein said user memory portion is assigned to said user.

29. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein said first data is music data of said first music track.

30. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein said first data is pointer data that identifies said first storage location containing said first music track.

31. The apparatus as claimed in claim 28, wherein said predetermined multimedia information comprises an additional music track,

wherein said user saves additional data corresponding to said additional music track in said user memory portion after selecting said additional music track by inputting an additional save command via said access device, and

wherein said first music track and said additional music track correspond to at least some saved tracks.

32. The apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein said at least one multimedia command comprises a purchasing command, and

wherein said user can purchase a customized album containing said saved tracks by inputting said purchasing command.

33. The apparatus as claimed in claim 32, wherein said purchasing command instructs said at least said first telephony platform to have a copy of said customized album mailed to a postal address of said user or downloaded to a computer network address of said user.

34. The apparatus as claimed in claim 31, wherein said at least one multimedia command comprises a radio playback command, and

wherein said at least said first telephony platform sequentially outputs said saved tracks to said access device in response to said radio playback command.

35. An apparatus for storing predetermined multimedia information, comprising:

at least a first telephony platform configured to receive at least one multimedia command from a user'"'"'s access device and generate a menu containing criteria options relating to at least one of a music track and a video track so that the user can make a selection;

a first storage location coupled to said at least said first telephony platform, wherein said first storage location stores at least a part of said predetermined multimedia information, said predetermined multimedia information corresponding to said at least one of a music track and a video track;

said first telephony platform is configured to have said predetermined multimedia information downloaded to an email address or a computer network address; and

a second storage location coupled to said at least said first telephony platform, wherein, said first storage location and said second storage location store said at least said part of said predetermined multimedia information,

a first multimedia portion of said predetermined multimedia information is stored in said first storage location and a second multimedia portion of said predetermined multimedia information is stored in said second storage location,

said at least said first telephony platform is configured to selectively reproduce one of said first multimedia portion and said second multimedia portion as a selected multimedia portion based on said at least one multimedia command,

wherein said at least said first telephony platform is configured to output said selected multimedia portion to said access device,

said at least one multimedia command comprises a forwarding command, and

said at least said first telephony platform forwards said selected multimedia portion to a second access device of a second user in response to said forwarding command.

36. The apparatus as claimed in claim 35, wherein said second user is part of a distribution list of a plurality of recipient users, and

wherein said distribution list has been created by said user and stored in said at least said first telephony platform prior to inputting said forwarding command.

37. An apparatus for storing predetermined multimedia information, comprising:

at least a first telephony platform configured to receive at least one multimedia command from a user'"'"'s access device and generate a menu containing criteria options relating to at least one of a music track and a video track so that the user can make a selection;

a first storage location coupled to said at least said first telephony platform, wherein said first storage location stores at least a part of said predetermined multimedia information, said predetermined multimedia information corresponding to said at least one of a music track and a video track;

said first telephony platform is configured to have said predetermined multimedia information downloaded to an email address or a computer network address; and

a second storage location coupled to said at least said first telephony platform, wherein, said first storage location and said second storage location store said at least said part of said predetermined multimedia information,

a first multimedia portion of said predetermined multimedia information is stored in said first storage location and a second multimedia portion of said predetermined multimedia information is stored in said second storage location,

said at least said first telephony platform is configured to selectively reproduce one of said first multimedia portion and said second multimedia portion as a selected multimedia portion based on said at least one multimedia command,

said at least said first telephony platform is configured to output said selected multimedia portion to said access device,

said at least one multimedia command comprises a forwarding command, and

said at least said first telephony platform forwards said selected multimedia portion to a storage location corresponding to a second access device of a second user in response to said forwarding command.

38. The apparatus as claimed in claim 37, wherein said second user is part of a distribution list of a plurality of recipient users, and

wherein said distribution list has been created by said user and stored in said at least said first telephony platform prior to inputting said forwarding command.

39. An apparatus for storing predetermined multimedia information, comprising:

at least a first telephony platform configured to receive at least one multimedia command from a user'"'"'s access device and generate a menu containing criteria options relating to at least one of a music track and a video track so that the user can make a selection;

a first storage location coupled to said at least said first telephony platform, wherein said first storage location stores at least a part of said predetermined multimedia information, said predetermined multimedia information corresponding to said at least one of a music track and a video track;

said first telephony platform is configured to have said predetermined multimedia information downloaded to an email address or a computer network address; and

a second storage location coupled to said at least said first telephony platform, wherein, said first storage location and said second storage location store said at least said part of said predetermined multimedia information,

a first multimedia portion of said predetermined multimedia information is stored in said first storage location and a second multimedia portion of said predetermined multimedia information is stored in said second storage location,

said at least said first telephony platform is configured to selectively reproduce one of said first multimedia portion and said second multimedia portion as a selected multimedia portion based on said at least one multimedia command,

said at least said first telephony platform is configured to output said selected multimedia portion to said access device,

said at least one multimedia access command comprises a multiple user session command, and

said at least said first telephony platform connects said access device of said user with access devices of other users who are interested in topics relating to said selected multimedia portion so that said user and said other users can communicate in a multiple user session.

40. The apparatus as claimed in claim 39, wherein said multiple user session corresponds to a telephone party line.

41. The apparatus as claimed in claim 39, wherein said multiple user session corresponds to a chat room.

42. A method of accessing stored predetermined multimedia information, comprising:

providing at least a first telephony platform, a first storage location, and a second storage location, said first storage location and said second storage location coupled to said at least said first telephony platform, wherein

said first storage location and said second storage location store at least said part of said predetermined multimedia information, said predetermined multimedia information corresponding to at least one of a music track and a video track, and further wherein

a first multimedia portion of said predetermined multimedia information is stored in said first storage location and a second multimedia portion of said multimedia information is stored in said second storage location;

generating a menu containing criteria options relating to at least one of said music track or video track so that the user makes a selection; and

receiving the selection identified by at least one command from the user'"'"'s access device;

selectively reproducing one of said first multimedia portion and said second multimedia portion as a selected multimedia portion based on said at least one command;

downloading said at least one of said music track or video track that corresponds to the selection made by the user to an email address or computer network address,

wherein said at least one command further comprises a save command, and said method further comprises,

after making said selection, saving first data corresponding to said at least one of a music track or video track in a user memory portion coupled to said at least said first telephony platform by inputting said save command,

wherein said user memory portion is assigned to said user.

43. The method as claimed in claim 42, wherein said at least one command comprises a playback command, and

wherein said method further comprises:

sequentially outputting said saved first data to said access device in response to said playback command.

44. A method of accessing stored predetermined multimedia information, comprising:

providing at least a first telephony platform, a first storage location, and a second storage location, said first storage location and said second storage location coupled to said at least said first telephony platform, wherein

said first storage location and said second storage location store at least said part of said predetermined multimedia information, said predetermined multimedia information corresponding to at least one of a music track and a video track, and further wherein

a first multimedia portion of said predetermined multimedia information is stored in said first storage location and a second multimedia portion of said multimedia information is stored in said second storage location;

generating a menu containing criteria options relating to at least one of said music track or video track so that the user makes a selection; and

receiving the selection identified by at least one command from the user'"'"'s access device;

selectively reproducing one of said first multimedia portion and said second multimedia portion as a selected multimedia portion based on said at least one command;

downloading said at least one of said music track or video track that corresponds to the selection made by the user to an email address or computer network address,

wherein said at least one command comprises a forwarding command, and said method further comprises,

forwarding said at least one of a music track or video track corresponding to said selection to a second access device of a second user in response to said forwarding command.

45. The method as claimed in claim 44, wherein said second user is part of a distribution list of a plurality of recipient users, and

wherein said distribution list has been created by said user and stored in said at least first telephony platform prior to inputting said forwarding command.

46. A method of accessing stored predetermined multimedia information, comprising:

providing at least a first telephony platform, a first storage location, and a second storage location, said first storage location and said second storage location coupled to said at least said first telephony platform, wherein

said first storage location and said second storage location store at least said part of said predetermined multimedia information, said predetermined multimedia information corresponding to at least one of a music track and a video track, and further wherein

a first multimedia portion of said predetermined multimedia information is stored in said first storage location and a second multimedia portion of said multimedia information is stored in said second storage location;

generating a menu containing criteria options relating to at least one of said music track or video track so that the user makes a selection; and

receiving the selection identified by at least one command from the user'"'"'s access device;

selectively reproducing one of said first multimedia portion and said second multimedia portion as a selected multimedia portion based on said at least one command;

downloading said at least one of said music track or video track that corresponds to the selection made by the user to an email address or computer network address,

wherein said at least one command comprises a multiple user session command, and wherein said method further comprises;

connecting said access device of said user with access devices of other users who are interested in topics relating to said at least one of said music track or video track so that said user and said other users can communicate in a multiple user session.

47. The method as claimed in claim 46, wherein said multiple user session corresponds to a telephone party line.

48. The method as claimed in claim 46, wherein said multiple user session corresponds to a chat room.