Communications systems and methods for exchanging messages between users

• US 7,995,715 B2
• Filed: 03/16/2009
• Issued: 08/09/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 09/12/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sabse Technologies Inc.
• Original Assignee: Sabse Technologies Inc.
• Inventors: Bhatia, Sabeer, Patel, Yogesh B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Anwah; Olisa
• Application Number:
  US12/405,072
• Publication Number:
  US 20090253428A1
• Time in Patent Office: 876 Days
• Field of Search: 455/432.1, 455/413, 455/412.2, 455/412.1, 455/414.1, 455/414.2, 455/466, 379/88.12, 379/88.11, 379/68
• US Class Current: 379/88.12
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• 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 2203/4509 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 2203/4536 Voicemail combined with text-based messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/652 Call initiation triggered by text message
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53 Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages , i.e. mailbox systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/537 Arrangements for indicating the presence of a recorded message , whereby the presence information might include a preview or summary of the message

Abstract

A communications system exchanges messages between users. A messaging store stores the messages. A messaging server accesses and manages messages of the message store. A plurality of servers interface between the messaging server and different networks of the users. Processes employing dynamic mailboxes and for selectively retrieving messages are also provided.

Claims

1. A process for notifying a user of a communication system of a waiting message, comprising the steps of:

determining whether the user is roaming;

compiling a short message service (SMS) notification text message for notifying the user of the message;

if the user is roaming, embedding in the notification text message a roaming callback number, the roaming callback number allowing the user to access the message from a location where the user is roaming;

if the user is not roaming, embedding in the notification text message a home callback number, the home callback number allowing the user to access the message from a home location of the user; and

sending the notification text message to the user, with one of the roaming callback number and the home callback number.

2. The process of claim 1, the message being a newly received message.

3. The process of claim 1, the message being a message that has not been accessed by the user for a specific amount time after an initial notification.

4. The process of claim 1, the step of compiling comprising compiling the notification text message from a template appropriate for a type of the message.

5. The process of claim 1, further comprising embedding in the notification text message a message ID identifying the message.

6. The process of claim 1, further comprising the steps of determining the user'"'"'s roaming status;

and if the roaming status indicates roaming, creating a mailbox at the location where the user is roaming.

7. The process of claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

copying the message from a mailbox at the home location to a server of the location where the user is roaming;

keeping the message in the server of the location where the user is roaming for a duration of roaming; and

deleting the message when the user returns to the home location.

8. The process of claim 1, wherein the type of the message comprises at least one of email, SMS, audio, graphic, image, facsimile, and/or video.

9. The process of claim 1, further comprising embedding in the notification text message a caller ID and ANI information.