Voice-messaging with attachments

• US 8,085,908 B2
• Filed: 12/16/2008
• Issued: 12/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/2001
• 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: Burg, Frederick Murray, Lucas, John F., Pressley-Harris, Vivian A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Gauthier, Gerald
• Application Number:
  US12/316,743
• Publication Number:
  US 20090103692A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,106 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.16, 379/88.18, 379/88.25, 379/10.03, 379/88.13, 379/93.01, 455/556.1, 455/422.1, 705/14.26, 705/3, 348/468, 370/352, 709/206
• US Class Current: 379/88.18
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/0225 Avoiding frauds
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 13/00 Speech synthesis; Text to speech systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 63/083 using passwords cryptographic mechanisms or cryptographic arrangements for entity authentication using a predetermined code H04L9/3226
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/72436 for text messaging, e.g. short messaging services [SMS] or e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/39 using speech synthesis speech synthesis per se G10L13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53333 Message receiving aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 12/08 Access security
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements

Abstract

A network method for using a network telephone voice-mail service, by which a caller may leave a voice-message that includes the identification of an attachment, which may include, as examples only, audio, video, text, programs, spreadsheets and graphic attachments. A video, text, spreadsheet or graphic attachment may be converted to an audible attachment to the voice-mail at the caller'"'"'s or the voice-mail subscriber'"'"'s request. Such entries may be made, after receiving an automated prompt for leaving an attachment identifier or conversion request, audibly or by using a keypad entry. A network method is also provided for using a network telephone voice-mail service, by which the voice-mail service may detect an attachment to a voice-mail message and provide access to the attachment to the voice-mail message.

Claims

1. A system for storing and retrieving voice-messages with attachments, the system comprising:

a called party receiver, wherein the called party receiver is equipped with a voice mail system, and the voice mail system has a message prompting a caller to leave a voice mail message and a message prompting a caller to leave an attachment,

a first message store for storing the voice mail message, and

a second message store separate from the first message store for storing the attachment.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the first message store is in the called party receiver.

3. The system of claim 2 wherein the second message store is located remote from the called party receiver.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the message prompting a caller to leave an attachment also prompts the caller to leave a location for the attachment.

5. The system of claim 4 further including a keypad for entering the location of the attachment.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the keypad includes any one of a mobile terminal keypad, a computer keyboard or a terminal touch screen.

7. The system of claim 1 including access means for accessing the attachment.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the access means includes access to a public network.

9. The system of claim 7 wherein the access means includes access to a private network.