System and method for transmitting voice messages through the internet

• US 7,457,281 B1
• Filed: 03/25/2003
• Issued: 11/25/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 11/15/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: ELE TEL Incorporated
• Inventors: Migimatsu, Taka, Krucik, George
• Primary Examiner(s): PHAN, MAN U
• Application Number:
  US10/400,155
• Time in Patent Office: 2,072 Days
• Field of Search: 370352-389, 370401-428, 370463-466, 379 67- 88, 379219-220, 709249-331
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4523 using lightweight directory access protocol [LDAP]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 61/4557 Directories for hybrid networks, e.g. including telephone numbers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/651 with speech synthesis
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/658 Means for redirecting recorded messages to other extensions or equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72433 for voice messaging, e.g. dictaphones for answering incoming calls H04M1/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4527 Voicemail attached to other kind of message
• 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 3/53383 Message registering commands or announcements; Greetings
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/18 Information format or content conversion, e.g. adaptation by the network of the transmitted or received information for the purpose of wireless delivery to users or terminals
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 68/00 User notification, e.g. alerting and paging, for incoming communication, change of service or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 8/26 Network addressing or numbering for mobility support

Abstract

A system for transmitting messages from a caller location to a receiver location using a plurality of computers 11 each coupled to another through a network such as the Internet. The system also has a plurality of access devices 13a-13l, which are coupled to the network through a telecommunication line. These access devices include computers, workstations, and the like. Each access device includes a voice conversion board for converting a voice message from a telephone device 17, 19 into digital data for transmission through the network.

Claims

1. A method for telecommunication, said method comprising:

transmitting a message and paging data from a first telephone device located in a first service area through a telecommunication medium, said telephone device being configured to transmit an analog signal or digital signal through said telecommunication medium;

receiving at said first service area said message and said paging data in a first access device, said first access device being coupled to a network;

converting said message into a first digital signal;

converting said paging data into a second digital signal;

utilizing said paging data and a look-up-table to determine a network address of a second access device, said second access device being coupled to a network;

transmitting said first digital signal and said second digital signal over a network of interconnected computers to said second access device;

converting said first digital signal into data for storage into a memory at said second access device;

converting said second digital signal into delivery notification information at said second access device;

notifying of delivery of said data; and

retrieving said data from said memory at said second access device using a second telephone device.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said telephone device includes a recording-delivery device.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein said message includes an audible message recorded on the recording-delivery device.

4. The method of claim 2 wherein said message includes a fax message recorded on the recording-delivery device.

5. The method of claim 2 wherein said recording-delivery device is a personal digital assistant.

6. The method of claim 2 wherein said recording-delivery device is a pocket PC.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein said second telephone device includes a fax machine.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein said second access device is at a second service area.

9. A method for telecommunication, said method comprising:

recording a message on a recording-delivery device;

converting said message into a first digital signal in said recording-delivery device;

selecting paging data to append to said first digital signal and converting said paging data into a second digital signal;

transmitting said first digital signal and said second digital signal from said recording-delivery device through a telecommunication medium;

receiving said first digital signal and said second digital signal in a first access device, said first access device being coupled to a network;

utilizing said paging data and a look-up-table to determine a network address of a second access device, said second access device being coupled to a network;

transmitting said first digital signal and said second digital signal over a network of interconnected computers to said second access device;

converting said first digital signal into data for storage into a memory at said second access device;

converting said second digital signal into delivery notification information at said second access device;

notifying of delivery of said data; and

retrieving said data from said memory at said second access device using a telephonic device.

10. The method of claim 9 wherein said message includes an audible message recorded on the recording-delivery device.

11. The method of claim 9 wherein said message includes a fax message recorded on the recording-delivery device.

12. The method of claim 9 wherein said page message includes a password for retrieving said data.

13. The method of claim 9 wherein said step of selecting paging data includes selecting a telephone number through a microphone or touch pad of the recording-delivery device.

14. The method of claim 9 wherein said step of selecting paging data includes selecting information from an LDAP directory.

15. The method of claim 9 wherein said first access device is at a first service area.

16. The method of claim 15 wherein said second access device is at a second service area.

17. The method of claim 9 wherein said recording-delivery device is a mobile device.

18. The method of claim 9 wherein said recording-delivery device is a personal digital assistant.

19. The method of claim 9 wherein said recording-delivery device is a pocket PC.

20. The method of claim 9 wherein the recording-delivery device is a telecommunication device configured to communicate digital signals across said telecommunication medium.

21. The method of claim 9 wherein the recording-delivery device is a device configured to download said first digital signal and said second digital signal to an access computer via a cradle device.

22. The method of claim 21 wherein said recording-delivery device delivers signals to the cradle device optically.

23. The method of claim 22 wherein said recording-delivery device delivers signals to the cradle in the infrared spectrum or visible spectrum.

24. A method for telecommunication, said method comprising:

recording a message on a recording-delivery device;

converting said message into a first digital signal in said recording-delivery device;

selecting destination information to append to said first digital signal and converting said destination information into a second digital signal;

transmitting said first digital signal and said second digital signal from said recording-delivery device through a telecommunication medium;

receiving said first digital signal and said second digital signal in a first access device, said first access device being coupled to a network;

utilizing said destination information and a look-up-table to determine a network address of a second access device, said second access device being coupled to a network;

transmitting said first digital signal and said second digital signal over a network of interconnected computers to said second access device;

converting said first digital signal into data for storage into a memory at said second access device;

converting said second digital signal into delivery notification information at said second access device;

notifying of delivery of said data; and

retrieving said data from said memory at said second access device using a telephonic device.

25. The method of claim 24 wherein said message includes an audible message recorded on the recording-delivery device.

26. The method of claim 24 wherein said step of selecting destination information includes selecting a telephone number through a microphone or touch pad of the recording-delivery device.

27. The method of claim 24 wherein said step of selecting destination information includes selecting information from an LDAP directory.

28. The method of claim 24 wherein said recording-delivery device is a mobile device.

29. The method of claim 24 wherein said recording-delivery device is a personal digital assistant.

30. The method of claim 24 wherein said recording-delivery device is a pocket PC.

31. The method of claim 24 wherein the recording-delivery device is a telecommunication device configured to communicate digital signals across a telephone line.