Telephone network messaging
First Claim
1. A data communication method for use in a telephone network having a caller-identification feature, wherein the caller-identification feature communicates data to a called party that includes data corresponding to a telephone number of a calling party, the method comprising:
- identifying a message recipient having a message recipient telephone number on the telephone network;
selecting a message for the message recipient;
providing a message code corresponding to the selected message, wherein the message code is in the format of a telephone number;
setting up a non-associated telephone call to the recipient telephone number from a simulated calling party having the same telephone number as the message code, such that the telephone network uses the caller-identification feature to communicate data corresponding to the message code to the recipient telephone number;
receiving the data corresponding to the message code at the recipient telephone number.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
In a messaging system, a messaging server transmits signals over the telephone network to be received by equipment at, e.g., the customer premises. The receiving equipment converts the signals into meaningful information (e.g., written or audible words, audible tones, and/or lights), and provides that information (e.g., by audible announcement and/or visual display) to the user. The signals can be of a variety of types. For example, the signal can be the Incoming Caller Line Identification (ICLID) signal associated with an incoming telephone call. Alternatively, the ICLID signal can be can be sent with the set-up of a non-associated telephone call, and can correspond to a message code, such as to provide the recipient with notification information such as emergency notification messages. Such notification information can be substantially simultaneously transmitted to a number of sets of receiving equipment (e.g., all homes in a given region). The notification information need not be transmitted alongside an incoming telephone call, and can be received regardless of whether the telephone equipment at the customer premises is on- or off-hook. The receiving equipment can display and/or announce the information, e.g., in the user'"'"'s preferred language.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A data communication method for use in a telephone network having a caller-identification feature, wherein the caller-identification feature communicates data to a called party that includes data corresponding to a telephone number of a calling party, the method comprising:
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identifying a message recipient having a message recipient telephone number on the telephone network; selecting a message for the message recipient; providing a message code corresponding to the selected message, wherein the message code is in the format of a telephone number; setting up a non-associated telephone call to the recipient telephone number from a simulated calling party having the same telephone number as the message code, such that the telephone network uses the caller-identification feature to communicate data corresponding to the message code to the recipient telephone number; receiving the data corresponding to the message code at the recipient telephone number. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification