Message delivery using a voice mail system
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A voice mail system comprising:
- at least one subscriber database;
at least one voice mail message in the at least one subscriber database associated with at least one category;
at least one user database, wherein the at least one user database is configured to store the message retrieved from the at least one subscriber database;
an access controller configured to present an indication that the message is available in the at least one subscriber database, wherein the indication is presented based on predefined preferences for allowing indications related to messages in the subscriber database;
wherein the access controller is further configured to receive a request to retrieve the message from the at least one subscriber database; and
wherein the access controller is further configured to deliver the message, formatted for visual display.
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Abstract
Voicemail systems and methods can provide a user with means for receiving categorized messages from parties. The categories can be independent of the intended recipients of the messages, such that multiple users can receive the same message. A user can subscribe to receive categorized messages within selected categories or from selected parties. A registered party, including a merchant, an organization, a government agency and/or another party, can input messages to selected categories and can input distribution parameters for the messages. Expiration dates can be associated with the messages such that messages can be deleted once expired.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. A voice mail system comprising:
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at least one subscriber database; at least one voice mail message in the at least one subscriber database associated with at least one category; at least one user database, wherein the at least one user database is configured to store the message retrieved from the at least one subscriber database; an access controller configured to present an indication that the message is available in the at least one subscriber database, wherein the indication is presented based on predefined preferences for allowing indications related to messages in the subscriber database; wherein the access controller is further configured to receive a request to retrieve the message from the at least one subscriber database; and wherein the access controller is further configured to deliver the message, formatted for visual display. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A method for selection of preferences in a voice mail system comprising:
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providing to a user an at least partially wireless access to the voice mail system; receiving from the user a designation of at least one subscriber category of at least one database in the voice mail system from which to receive messages; receiving from the user a designation of expiration time periods for categorized messages indicating that expired messages should not be presented; receiving from the user a designation of storage areas for received messages; and receiving from the user a selection of whether to indicate the availability of a new voice mail message. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20)
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21. A method for providing voice mail to a plurality of users, comprising:
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providing voice mail system access to at least one user, configuring at least one subscriber database with at least one category; registering a plurality of users, wherein registering a user includes receiving a user profile with user preferences associated with each user, the preferences including at least one of a designation of database categories from which to receive messages and a designation of database categories from which to not receive messages; storing at least one message in at least one category in a subscriber database; indicating to a user accessing the voice mail system that a voice mail message is available in the subscriber database, wherein the indication is provided according to the user preferences; and formatting the voice mail message for visual display. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24)
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Specification