APPARATUS AND METHOD THAT ALLOW TELEPHONE CALLERS TO LEAVE LONGER MESSAGES

• US 20010012334A1
• Filed: 01/20/1998
• Published: 08/09/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/20/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Unify GmbH & Co. KG (Atos SE)
• Original Assignee: Siemens Information And Communication Networks, Inc.
• Inventors: IGLEHART, DAVID, LESTER, LELAND, RAPER, KEVIN M.
• Granted Patent: US 6,522,724 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/67.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

Abstract

A messaging system allows a message recipient to assign different message lengths to different messages. In one embodiment, the recipient sets the length of time per message. In another embodiment, the recipient programs the messaging system with codes that, when matched, enable longer messages. The recipient assigns the codes to “preferred” senders. The senders transmit the code, either explicitly, for example by a sequence of keystrokes, or automatically, for example by transmitting caller identification.

Claims

1. A messaging system comprising:

a data processor;

a recording apparatus for recording messages in said messaging system, the length of recording time for said messages being controlled by said data processor; and

a data input for enabling a user to input a code to said data processor, wherein if said data processor receives a preselected signal, said data processor adjusts said length of recording time in accordance with said preselected signal.

2. The system of

claim 1

further comprising a telephone answering device.

3. A messaging system comprising:

a data processor;

a recording apparatus for recording messages in said messaging system, the length of recording time for said messages being controlled by said data processor; and

a data input for enabling a user to input a code to said data processor;

wherein said code programs said data processor to adjust said length of recording time.

4. The system of

claim 3

further comprising a telephone answering device.

5. In a voice messaging system, a method of taking messages comprising the following steps:

setting an allotted time for recording a message;

receiving a message; and

if the system receives a preselected signal, adding time to said allotted time.

6. The system of

claim 5

, wherein the preselected signal is a code transmitted by a calling party.

7. The system of

claim 6

, wherein the transmitted code is cued by the system.

8. The system of

claim 5

, wherein the preselected signal is a caller identification recognized by the system.

9. The system of

claim 5

, wherein said preselected signal is received before said message is recorded.

10. The system of

claim 5

, wherein said code is entered by a sequence of keypad keystrokes.

11. The system of

claim 5

, wherein said code is entered by a sequence of keyboard keystrokes.

12. In a voice messaging system, a method of taking messages comprising the following step:

setting, by a call recipient, an allotted time per call for recording a message.

13. A system for receiving facsimile transmissions comprising:

a data processor; and

a recording apparatus for recording facsimile transmissions, the length of recording for said facsimiles being controlled by said data processor, wherein said data processor looks up information corresponding to said code in a memory and adjusts said length of recording in accordance with said information.

14. The system of

claim 13

wherein said recording apparatus is a memory, and said length of recording is an amount of storage.

15. The system of

claim 15

wherein said recording apparatus is paper.

16. A system for receiving electronic mail transmissions comprising:

a data processor; and

a memory for storing said electronic mail transmissions, the amount of memory allotted for each electronic mail transmission being controlled by said data processor, wherein when said system receives a preselected signal, said data processor adjusts the amount of memory allotted to said transmission in accordance with said signal.