Provisioning unified messaging system services

• US 7,443,961 B2
• Filed: 03/15/2007
• Issued: 10/28/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/19/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Dudley, David, Schroeder, Timothy P., Ho, Melody
• Primary Examiner(s): Gauthier; Gerald
• Application Number:
  US11/724,414
• Publication Number:
  US 20070171899A1
• Time in Patent Office: 593 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.13, 379/88.17, 379/88.28, 379/93.09, 370/401, 709/206
• US Class Current: 379/88.13
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/56 Unified messaging, e.g. interactions between e-mail, instant messaging or converged IP messaging [CPM]
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/253 where a visual mode is used instead of a voice mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4509 Unified messaging with single point of access to voicemail and other mail or messaging systems unified messaging in packet switching networks H04L51/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53325 Interconnection arrangements between voice mail systems

Abstract

In a particular embodiment, a method includes providing a messaging service using a messaging system. The messaging system includes a centralized Internet Protocol switching network, an Internet access subsystem, a voice access subsystem, a mail subsystem and a storage subsystem. One or more of the subsystems may be coupled to the centralized Internet Protocol switching networks via a communication link integrated with and internal to the messaging system.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

providing a messaging service using a messaging system, wherein the messaging system includes;

a centralized Internet Protocol switching network;

an Internet access subsystem coupled to the centralized Internet Protocol switching network via a first communication link, the first communication link integrated with and internal to the messaging system;

a voice access subsystem coupled to the centralized Internet Protocol switching network via a second communication link, the second communication link comprising a second internal link within the messaging system;

a mail subsystem coupled to the Internet Protocol switching network via a third communication link integrated with and internal to the messaging system; and

a storage subsystem coupled to the centralized Internet Protocol Switching network via a fourth communication link, wherein the fourth communication link is integrated with and internal to the messaging system.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising receiving a request to provide the messaging service to a subscriber.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the messaging service is provided to the subscriber.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the messaging service includes providing the subscriber access to stored voice mail and electronic mail messages.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the messaging service is operated by a messaging entity.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising sending a billing statement to the subscriber, wherein the billing statement including charges related to the messaging service provided by the messaging entity.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the first communication link is configured to transfer data according to a Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the second communication link is configured to transfer data according to a Voice over Internet Protocol format.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the third communication link is configured to transfer data according to at least one of a Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, a Post Office Protocol, and an Internet Message Access Protocol.

10. A method, comprising:

receiving a request for a messaging service at an order center, the order center placing a service order with a telephone entity element and with a messaging entity element, wherein the messaging service comprises providing access to a messaging system that includes;

a centralized Internet Protocol switching network;

an Internet access subsystem coupled to the centralized Internet Protocol switching network via a first communication link, the first communication link integrated with and internal to the messaging system;

a voice access subsystem coupled to the centralized Internet Protocol switching network via a second communication link, the second communication link comprising a second internal link within the messaging system;

a mail subsystem coupled to the Internet Protocol switching network via a third communication link integrated with and internal to the messaging system; and

a storage subsystem coupled to the centralized Internet Protocol switching network via a fourth communication link, wherein the fourth communication link is integrated with and internal to the messaging system.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the request for the messaging service is received from a subscriber.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising sending a billing statement from the telephone entity, the billing statement including charges related to the messaging service.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising providing the messaging service to the subscriber, wherein the messaging service is operated by the messaging entity.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein the first communication link is configured to transfer data according to a Hyper-Text Transfer Protocol.

15. A method of handling data messages in connection with providing a unified messaging system service, the method comprising:

receiving a data message by the unified messaging system at an Internet access subsystem, the Internet access subsystem coupled to a centralized Internet Protocol switching network via a first communication link, wherein the centralized Internet Protocol switching network is integrated with, and internal to the unified messaging system;

receiving a voice message by the unified messaging system at a voice access subsystem coupled to the centralized Internet Protocol switching network via a second communication link;

storing at least one of the data message and the voice message at a storage subsystem coupled to the centralized Internet Protocol switching network via a third communication link, wherein the third communication link is integrated with and internal to the unified messaging system; and

sending at least one of the data message and the voice message using a mail subsystem coupled to the centralized Internet Protocol switching network.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the second communication link is integrated with and internal to the unified messaging system.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the mail subsystem is coupled to the centralized Internet Protocol switching network via a fourth communication link.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the fourth communication link is integrated with and internal to the unified messaging system.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the data message is sent by attaching the data message in a mail message transmitted using the mail subsystem.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein the voice message is sent by attaching the voice message in a mail message transmitted using the mail subsystem.