User interface architecture and protocol for rich client controlled voicemail

• US 8,897,426 B2
• Filed: 06/07/2007
• Issued: 11/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 06/07/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Ramanathan, Rajesh, Shtiegman, Eran, Tidwell, Paul, Osborne, Robert, Maguire, Justin Michael III
• Primary Examiner(s): Tsang, Fan
• Assistant Examiner(s): BEZUAYEHU, SOLOMON G
• Application Number:
  US11/759,734
• Publication Number:
  US 20080304635A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,728 Days
• Field of Search: 379/74, 379/88.23, 379/88.27, 379/201.01, 455/412.1, 455/414.1
• US Class Current: 379/88.17
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems

Abstract

Systems and methods that control a voice mail experience from a client side of a voice mail server system and enhance features thereof. A dynamic voice mail user interface can change based on what predetermined activity the user engages in. Moreover, a field component further enables a caller to identify characteristics of the voice mail. An XML based protocol empowers a client application to control state of the voice mail system, wherein a session Initiation Protocol (SIP) INFO request or response can carry out voicemail control command, result and event.

Claims

1. A computer implemented system comprising:

a voice mail server system configured to provide a voice mail user interface and route a voice mail to an intended recipient via the voicemail user interface; and

the voice mail server system being controlled at least partly via an XML protocol employing a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) INFO request or response to carry out a voice mail control command causing a state transition of the voice mail server system that is reported in an event definition of the XML protocol, and having a success or failure reported according to a result definition of the XML protocol, the XML protocol being configured to employ parameters using a same syntax for the voice mail control command, the event definition and the result definition.

2. The computer implemented system of claim 1, the voice mail user interface including a field component configured to identify characteristics of the voice mail.

3. The computer implemented system of claim 1, further comprising an authorization component associated with the voice mail server system, configured to block depositing of voice messages.

4. The computer implemented system of claim 3, further comprising a control component configured to enable bypass of greetings associated with the voice mail server system.

5. The computer implemented system of claim 1, further comprising a client application configured to employ the XML protocol to control the voicemail system.

6. The computer implemented system of claim 1, further comprising an audio agent configured to evaluate at least one of tone of voice, volume or content of the voice mail.

7. The computer implemented system of claim 1, the voice mail user interface including a hang up button.

8. The computer implemented system of claim 1, the voice mail user interface including a flag button configured to flag the voice mail for follow up.

9. The computer implemented system of claim 7, the voice mail user interface including an importance button configured to set an importance of the voice mail.

10. The computer implemented system of claim 1, the voice mail user interface including an importance button configured to set an importance of the voice mail.

11. A computer implemented method comprising:

supplying a voice mail user interface;

carrying out a voice mail control command associated with the voice mail user interface via a session initiation protocol, the voice mail control command expressed in a syntax of an XML-based protocol;

based on the voice mail control command, causing a state transition of a voice mail server system interacting with the voice mail user interface;

reporting the state transition according to an event definition expressed in the syntax of the XML-based protocol;

reporting a success or failure of the voice mail control command according to a result definition expressed in the syntax of the XML-based protocol; and

employing at least one parameter using a same syntax for the voice mail control command, the event definition and the result definition.

12. The computer implemented method of claim 11, further comprising employing an audio agent to evaluate a content of a voice mail.

13. The computer implemented method of claim 12, further comprising employing the audio agent to evaluate a tone of voice or volume of the voice mail.

14. The computer implemented method of claim 11, further comprising checking responses to INFO requests of the session initiation protocol by associated applications to verify presence of voicemail control primitives.

15. The computer implemented method of claim 11, further comprising employing dual tone multi frequency, in a fall back scenario.

16. The computer implemented method of claim 11, further comprising roaming an active greeting.

17. The computer implemented method of claim 11, further comprising automatically setting an out of office greeting based on a change to an out of office state.

18. The computer implemented method of claim 11, further comprising sharing a voice mail greeting.

19. The computer implemented method of claim 11, further comprising defining characteristics of a voice mail.

20. A computer-readable storage device storing instructions executable by a computing device to perform operations comprising:

executing a client voicemail application;

presenting an interface that displays a plurality of options for call forwarding, the options including an option to have calls forwarded during specific times set via the interface, to a recipient set by the interface, and based on a location;

in response to selection of an option, communicating a command in an XML syntax to a voice mail server by way of the client voice mail application, in the form of a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) INFO request or response; and

causing a state transition in the voice mail server by the command, the state transition being reported in an event definition of the XML syntax and having a success or failure reported according to a result definition of the XML syntax, the XML protocol being configured to employ parameters using a same syntax for the command, the event definition, and the result definition.