Method and apparatus for providing asynchronous audio messaging

• US 8,837,459 B2
• Filed: 09/16/2009
• Issued: 09/16/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hanson, Karrie, Purdy, Kermit Hal, Karam, Gerald
• Primary Examiner(s): Sam, Phirin
• Application Number:
  US12/561,127
• Publication Number:
  US 20100002691A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,826 Days
• US Class Current: 370/351
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4061 Push-to services, e.g. push-to-talk or push-to-video
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42

Abstract

The present invention provides audio messaging in a communications network, e.g., a VoIP network. More specifically, the present invention establishes a non-duplex communication link between a first subscriber and a second subscriber. Audio messages are transmitted between the first subscriber and the second subscriber via the non-duplex communication link.

Claims

1. A method for providing audio messaging, comprising:

establishing, by a processor of a call control element, a non-duplex communication link between an endpoint device of a first subscriber and an endpoint device of a second subscriber, wherein the non-duplex communication link is an open line between the endpoint device of the first subscriber and the endpoint device of the second subscriber that is established via a service request received from a border element by the call control element and the call control element contacting an application server in response to the service request;

transmitting, by the processor, recorded audio messages back and forth between the endpoint device of the first subscriber and the endpoint device of the second subscriber via the non-duplex communication link, wherein the recorded audio messages are recorded for play back; and

presenting, by the processor, an open line menu comprising an option to place another call and an option to play back a previously sent audio message.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a subscriber is alerted of an incoming call using a call waiting service once the non-duplex communication link is established.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, in response to input from a subscriber, the non-duplex communication link is converted to a full duplex call.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein received messages are played back to a subscriber in response to input from the subscriber.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein audio messages transmitted between the first subscriber and the second subscriber are accessible via a website.

6. An apparatus for providing audio messaging, comprising:

a processor of a call control element; and

a computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations, the operations comprising;

establishing a non-duplex communication link between an endpoint device of a first subscriber and an endpoint device of a second subscriber, wherein the non-duplex communication link is an open line between the endpoint device of the first subscriber and the endpoint device of the second subscriber that is established via a service request received from a border element by the call control element and the call control element contacting an application server in response to the service request;

transmitting recorded audio messages back and forth between the endpoint device of the first subscriber and the endpoint device of the second subscriber via the non-duplex communication link, wherein the recorded audio messages are recorded for play back; and

presenting an open line menu comprising an option to place another call and an option to play back a previously sent audio message.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a subscriber is alerted of an incoming call using a call waiting service once the non-duplex communication link is established.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein, in response to input from a subscriber, the non-duplex communication link is converted to a full duplex call.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein received messages are played back to a subscriber in response to input from the subscriber.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein audio messages transmitted between the first subscriber and the second subscriber are accessible via a website.

11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions which, when executed by a processor of a call control element, cause the processor to perform operations for providing audio messaging, the operations comprising:

establishing a non-duplex communication link between an endpoint device of a first subscriber and an endpoint device of a second subscriber, wherein the non-duplex communication link is an open line between the endpoint device of the first subscriber and the endpoint device of the second subscriber that is established via a service request received from a border element by the call control element and the call control element contacting an application server in response to the service request;

transmitting recorded audio messages back and forth between the endpoint device of the first subscriber and the endpoint device of the second subscriber via the non-duplex communication link, wherein the recorded audio messages are recorded for play back; and

presenting an open line menu comprising an option to place another call and an option to play back a previously sent audio message.

12. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein a subscriber is alerted of an incoming call using a call waiting service once the non-duplex communication link is established.

13. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein, in response to input from a subscriber, the non-duplex communication link is converted to a full duplex call.

14. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein received messages are played back to a subscriber in response to input from the subscriber.

15. The non-transitory computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein audio messages transmitted between the first subscriber and the second subscriber are accessible via a website.