Voice-messaging with attachments

• US 8,494,125 B2
• Filed: 11/23/2011
• Issued: 07/23/2013
• 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:
  US13/303,295
• Publication Number:
  US 20120069973A1
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.11, 379/88.13, 379/88.14, 379/88.18, 379/88.1, 379/88.22, 705/14.26, 455/412.2, 455/413, 709/206, 709/231
• US Class Current: 379/88.13
• 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
• 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 method comprising:

storing the voice mail message in a first message store;

receiving an identification of an attachment from a caller, the attachment associated with the voice mail message;

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

2. The method of claim 1 wherein the attachment is stored in response to the caller identifying the attachment.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the second message store is located remote from the first message store.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein the caller identifies the attachment verbally.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein the caller identifies a location of the attachment.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein the location of the attachment is identified by the caller verbally.

7. A system comprising:

a first message store comprising a stored voice mail message from a caller; and

a second message store separate from the first message store, the second message store comprising a stored attachment associated with the stored voice mail message.

8. The system of claim 7 further comprising:

a called party receiver coupled to the first message store and the second message store.

9. The system of claim 8 wherein the called party receiver comprises a voice mail system.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the voice mail system stores a message prompting a caller to leave a voice mail message and a message prompting a caller to leave an attachment.

11. The system of claim 8 wherein the first message store is located in the called party receiver.

12. The system of claim 8 wherein the second message store is located remote from the called party receiver.

13. A system comprising:

a first message store configured to store a voice mail message from a caller;

a second message store separate from the first message store, the second message store configured to store an attachment associated with the voice mail message.

14. The system of claim 13 further comprising:

a called party receiver coupled to the first message store and the second message store.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the called party receiver comprises a voice mail system.

16. The system of claim 15 wherein the voice mail system stores a message prompting a caller to leave a voice mail message and a message prompting a caller to leave an attachment.

17. The system of claim 14 wherein the first message store is located in the called party receiver.

18. The system of claim 14 wherein the second message store is located remote from the called party receiver.