Method for non-real time group interaction using a voice messaging system

• US 7,526,074 B2
• Filed: 03/08/2004
• Issued: 04/28/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 08/12/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: John N. Craig
• Original Assignee: John N. Craig
• Inventors: Craig, John N.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kuntz; Curtis
• Assistant Examiner(s): Phan; Joseph T
• Application Number:
  US10/794,551
• Publication Number:
  US 20050041786A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,877 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 379/88.23
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4536 Voicemail combined with text-based messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53316 Messaging centre selected by message originator
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/06 Selective distribution of broadcast services, e.g. multimedia broadcast multicast service [MBMS]; Services to user groups; One-way selective calling services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements

Abstract

This invention provides a method for conducting a non-real time group interaction, employing a programmable voice messaging system, such as a voice message board, for storing and replaying messages from facilitators and group members. The invention provides a method for communication in rounds of discussion, whereby facilitators leave a first message and group members listen to and optionally respond to that message. The facilitators then listen to the members'"'"' responses and optionally create additional messages or optionally edit the members'"'"' messages, to guide and control the discussion. The cycle of facilitators listening, optionally responding, optionally editing followed by group members listening and optionally responding can be repeated multiple times. Also provided is a voice note pad means for users of the instant invention, whereby users can interrupt the stream of voice messages and create a new, private voice note pad message, and optionally later listen to or edit their voice note pad messages.

Claims

1. A method for conducting a non-real time telephonic group interaction comprising:

a. a group of a facilitator and a plurality of members;

b. a programmable voice messaging system providing authentication to each facilitator and member;

c. first interaction phase wherein the facilitators provides a first voice message on the voice messaging system addressed to the group members at a first predetermined time;

d. a second interaction phase wherein the members access the voice messaging system and listen to the first voice message at a second predetermined time, and the members optionally respond to the first voice message by providing a responsive voice message addressed to the group;

e. a feedback loop interaction phase, wherein

i. at a third predetermined time, the facilitators accesses the voice message system and listens to all responsive voice messages, and responds with a third voice messages addressed to the group members, and

ii. at a fourth predetermined time, each group member accesses the voice message system and listens to the third message; and

iii. the facilitator and members optionally repeat the feedback loop interaction phase, wherein any member may optionally respond at the fourth predetermined time to the third message, with a new responsive message addressed to the group, and the events at the third and fourth predetermined times are repeated; and

f. a termination phase, wherein at a predetermined time, the group interaction ends.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the facilitator can optionally edit messages on the voice messaging system, wherein said editing comprises reordering, rearranging, reorganizing, combining, redirecting, or deleting all or part of any specific voice message on the system.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the feedback loop interaction phase is repeated one or more times.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein during the second or fourth predetermined time, the members can rewind, fast forward, skip messages, or pause the playing of messages.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein one or more group members have authentication and voice messaging system rights that allow them to listen to messages on the voice messaging system and leave messages on the voice messaging system for the facilitator or the entire group.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein none, one, or more group members have authentication and voice messaging system rights that allow them to only listen to messages on the voice messaging system.

9. The method of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of two or more facilitators.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein during the termination phase, the facilitator summarizes the contents of the voice messages of the facilitator and group members provided during the feedback loop interaction phase, by providing a summary voice message for the group, and at a predetermined time the group members listen to the summary voice message prior to the end of the group interaction.

12. The method of claim 1, wherein each predetermined time spans a time frame of one hour to one week.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the size of the group does not exceed 20 members.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the size of the group does not exceed 10 members.

7. A method for conducting a non-real time telephonic group interaction comprising:

a. a group of a facilitator and a plurality of members;

b. a voice messaging system with a communal voice mail account and personal voice mail accounts for each individual member, wherein only the facilitator can listen to messages on the communal voice mail account, and members can only listen to messages on their personal voice mail account;

c. a first interaction phase wherein at a first predetermined time the facilitator provides a first voice message forwarded to each personal voice mail account;

d. a second interaction phase, wherein at a second predetermined time the members access their personal voice mail account and listen to the first voice message, and the members can optionally respond to the first voice message by leaving a responsive voice message directed to the group on the communal voice mail account;

e. a feedback loop interaction phase, wherein

i. at a third predetermined time, the facilitator accesses the communal voice mail account and listens to all responsive voice messages, and forwards each responsive voice message to each personal voice mail account, and wherein the facilitator provides-a third phase voice message which is forwarded to each personal voice mail account; and

ii. at a fourth predetermined time, each group member accesses their personal voice mail account and listens to the set of messages forwarded by the facilitator at the third predetermined time; and

iii. the facilitator and members optionally repeat the feedback loop interaction phase, wherein the members access the communal voice mail box and leave a new responsive voice message, and wherein the facilitator and members repeat the events at the third and fourth predetermined times; and

f. a termination phase, wherein at a predetermined time;

the group interaction ends.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the feedback loop phase is repeated one or more times.

11. The method of claim 7, wherein during the termination phase, at a fifth predetermined time, the facilitator creates a fifth phase voice message forwarded to each personal voice mail account, and at a sixth predetermined time the group members listen to the fifth phase voice message, and at a seventh predetermined time, the group interaction ends.

13. The method of claim 7, wherein each predetermined time spans a time frame of one hour to one week.

16. The method of claim 7, wherein the size of the group does not exceed 20 members.

17. The method of claim 7, wherein the size of the group does not exceed 10 members.