Voice messaging service for network-based instant connect systems

• US 8,548,433 B1
• Filed: 06/27/2007
• Issued: 10/01/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 06/27/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Smith Micro Software Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Smith Micro Software Incorporated
• Inventors: Othmer, Konstantin, Ruf, Michael P.
• Primary Examiner(s): Hailu, Kibrom T
• Assistant Examiner(s): LAMONT, BENJAMIN S
• Application Number:
  US11/769,608
• Time in Patent Office: 2,288 Days
• Field of Search: 379 671- 70, 379 85- 86, 455/412.1, 455/412.2, 455/413
• US Class Current: 455/412.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/00 Services specially adapted for wireless communication networks; Facilities therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/45 for Push-to-Talk [PTT] or Push-to-Talk over cellular [PoC] services

Abstract

Voice messaging services are used to provide messages for recipients associated with terminated network-based instant connect communication sessions. A first device engages in a communication session with a second device. The communication session between the two devices terminates and the first device records locally a voice message addressed to the second device. The message may be stored on the first device and transmitted to the second device after another communication session is established between the two devices. Alternately, the voice message may be transmitted to a message server and forwarded to the second device at a later time.

Claims

1. In a sending communication device communicably connectable to one or more receiving communication devices, a method for creating and delivering a voice message after a terminated push-to-talk session, the method comprising:

in response to a termination of a push-to-talk session in which the sending communication device participated by sending audio via the push-to-talk session prior to its termination and in which one or more of the receiving communication devices participated by receiving and playing the audio sent via the push-to-talk session prior to its termination, automatically providing a prompt to create a voice message;

in response to receiving user input replying to the prompt that was automatically provided in response to the termination of the push-to-talk session, creating and storing, a voice message for a first receiving communication device that participated in the terminated push-to-talk session;

sending a notification to the first receiving communication device informing the first receiving communication device of the voice message stored on the sending communication device;

receiving a request, from the first receiving communication device, to initiate a second push-to-talk session with the first receiving communication device; and

upon establishing the second push-to-talk session with the first receiving communication device, automatically sending the voice message to the first receiving communication device over the second push-to-talk session.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein at least one of the sending communication device and the first receiving communication device comprises a mobile telephone.

3. The method as in claim 1, wherein the prompt to create the voice message is automatically provided in response to the push-to-talk session being terminated based on a network that carried the push-to-talk session being overloaded.

4. The method as in claim 1, wherein the prompt to create the voice message is automatically provided in response to the push-to-talk session being terminated based on improperly configured routing rules in a network that carried the push-to-talk session.

5. The method as in claim 1, wherein the prompt to create the voice message is automatically provided in response to the push-to-talk session being terminated based on a failure of a network component of a network that carried the push-to-talk session.

6. The method as in claim 1, wherein the prompt to create the voice message is automatically provided in response to the push-to-talk session being terminated based on a noisy radio signal of the sending communication device.

7. The method as in claim 1, wherein the prompt to create the voice message is automatically provided in response to the push-to-talk session being terminated based on a noisy radio signal of the first receiving communication device.

8. The method as in claim 1, wherein the prompt to create the voice message is automatically provided in response to the push-to-talk session being terminated based on a weak radio signal of the sending communication device.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the prompt to create the voice message is automatically provided in response to the push-to-talk session being terminated based on a weak radio signal of the first receiving communication device.

10. One or more computer storage devices storing computer executable instructions which when executed cause a sending communication device to perform a method for creating and delivering a voice message to a receiving communication devices after a push-to-talk session between the sending and receiving communication devices is terminated, the method comprising:

in response to a termination of a push-to-talk session in which the sending communication device participated by sending audio via the push-to-talk session prior to its termination and in which the receiving communication device participated by receiving and playing the audio sent via the push-to-talk session prior to its termination, automatically providing a prompt to create a voice message;

in response to receiving user input replying to the prompt that was automatically provided in response to the termination of the push-to-talk session, creating and storing, a voice message for the receiving communication device that participated in the terminated push-to-talk session;

sending a notification to the receiving communication device informing the receiving communication device of the voice message stored on the sending communication device;

receiving a request, from the receiving communication device, to initiate a second push-to-talk session with the receiving communication device; and

upon establishing the second push-to-talk session with the receiving communication device, automatically sending the voice message to the receiving communication device over the second push-to-talk session.

11. The one or more computer storage devices of claim 10, wherein at least one of the sending communication device and the receiving communication device comprises a mobile telephone.

12. The one or more computer storage devices of claim 10, wherein the prompt to create the voice message is automatically provided in response to the push-to-talk session being terminated based on a network that carried the push-to-talk session being overloaded.

13. The one or more computer storage devices of claim 10, wherein the prompt to create the voice message is automatically provided in response to the push-to-talk session being terminated based on improperly configured routing rules in a network that carried the push-to-talk session.

14. The one or more computer storage devices of claim 10, wherein the prompt to create the voice message is automatically provided in response to the push-to-talk session being terminated based on a failure of a network component of a network that carried the push-to-talk session.

15. The one or more computer storage devices of claim 10, wherein the prompt to create the voice message is automatically provided in response to the push-to-talk session being terminated based on a noisy radio signal of the sending communication device.

16. The one or more computer storage devices of claim 10, wherein the prompt to create the voice message is automatically provided in response to the push-to-talk session being terminated based on a noisy radio signal of the receiving communication device.

17. The one or more computer storage devices of claim 10, wherein the prompt to create the voice message is automatically provided in response to the push-to-talk session being terminated based on a weak radio signal of the sending communication device.

18. The one or more computer storage devices of claim 10, wherein the prompt to create the voice message is automatically provided in response to the push-to-talk session being terminated based on a weak radio signal of the receiving communication device.