Apparatus and method for channel-transparent multimedia broadcast messaging

• US 20010048735A1
• Filed: 06/05/2001
• Published: 12/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Oʼneal, Stephen C.
• Inventors: OʼNeal, Stephen C.
• Granted Patent: US 7,035,383 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/88.13
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/6418 Hybrid transport
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/6443 Network Node Interface, e.g. Routing, Path finding

Abstract

An apparatus and method are provided for addressing and broadcasting a message to recipients having both telephone network-based receiving devices and data network-based receiving devices. The apparatus includes a message router that translates the broadcast message into individual messages that are addressed to each message recipient in a format, e.g., voice, text, email, fax, pager, compatible with each message recipient'"'"'s receiving device. The individual messages are transmitted by a data network server over a data network. Individual messages designated for recipients having receiving devices addressable by the data network are delivered directly over the data network to the receiving devices. Individual messages designated for recipients having receiving devices addressable by the telephone network are delivered over the data network first to a telephone network server. The telephone network server then delivers the individual messages to the telephone network-based receiving devices over the telephone network via a local telephone switch corresponding to the telephone network server.

Claims

1. An apparatus for sending a broadcast message to a first recipient and a second recipient, the first recipient having a first receiving device addressable over a data network and the second recipient having a second receiving device addressable over a telephone network, the apparatus comprising:

a message router, configured to translate the broadcast message into a first message and a second message, said first message being in a first format for delivery to the first receiving device, said second message being in a second format for delivery to the second receiving device;

a data network server, coupled to said message router, configured to transmit said first and second messages over the data network, and to deliver said first message to the first receiving device; and

a telephone network server, coupled to said data network server, configured to receive said second message from the data network, and to deliver the second message to the second receiving device over the telephone network.

2. The apparatus as recited in

claim 1

, wherein the broadcast message is originated in voice form.

3. The apparatus as recited in

claim 2

, wherein the first receiving device is a computer.

4. The apparatus as recited in

claim 3

, wherein said computer has an IP address, said IP address corresponding to the first recipient.

5. The apparatus as recited in

claim 2

, wherein said first message is delivered to the first recipient in text format as an email, or as a fax, or as a text file.

6. The apparatus as recited in

claim 2

, wherein said first message is delivered to the first recipient in voice format as an electronic voice file.

7. The apparatus as recited in

claim 1

, wherein the second receiving device is a telephone.

8. The apparatus as recited in

claim 7

, wherein said second message is delivered to the second recipient in voice format as an electronic voice file.

9. The apparatus as recited in

claim 1

, wherein the second receiving device is a facsimile machine.

10. The apparatus as recited in

claim 9

, wherein said second message is delivered to the second recipient in text format as a facsimile.

11. The apparatus as recited in

claim 1

, wherein the second receiving device is a pager.

12. The apparatus as recited in

claim 11

, wherein said second message is delivered to the second recipient in text format.

13. The apparatus as recited in

claim 1

, wherein the broadcast message is originated in text form.

14. The apparatus as recited in

claim 13

, wherein the broadcast message is delivered to the first recipient in text format as an email, or as a fax, or as a text file.

15. The apparatus as recited in

claim 13

, wherein the second receiving device is a telephone.

16. The apparatus as recited in

claim 15

, wherein said second message is delivered to the second recipient in voice format as an electronic voice file.

17. The apparatus as recited in

claim 13

, wherein the second receiving device is a facsimile machine.

18. The apparatus as recited in

claim 17

, wherein said second message is delivered to the second recipient in text format as a facsimile.

19. The apparatus as recited in

claim 13

, wherein the second receiving device is a pager.

20. The apparatus as recited in

claim 19

, wherein said second message is delivered to the second recipient in text format.

21. The apparatus as recited in

claim 1

, wherein said message router selects said first and second formats for delivery according to receiving capabilities of the first and second receiving devices.

22. The apparatus as recited in

claim 1

, wherein said message router includes a telephone number within said second message that corresponds to the second receiving device.

23. The apparatus as recited in

claim 22

, wherein said telephone network server extracts said telephone number from within said second message for initiating a call session over the telephone network to the second receiving device for delivery of the broadcast message.

24. A message broadcasting apparatus, comprising:

a message router, for routing a broadcast message to a first receiving device and a second receiving device, wherein said first receiving device is connected to a data network and said second receiving device is connected to a telephone network;

a data network server, coupled to said message router, for transmitting said broadcast message over said data network, and for delivering said broadcast message to said first receiving device; and

a telephone network server, coupled to said data network server, for retrieving said broadcast message from said data network, and for delivering said broadcast message to said second receiving device over said telephone network.

25. The message broadcasting apparatus as recited in

claim 24

, wherein said broadcast message is originated in voice form or text form.

26. The message broadcasting apparatus as recited in

claim 25

, wherein said message router translates said broadcast message into a first message having a first format compatible with said first receiving device and a second message having a second format compatible with said second receiving device.

27. The message broadcasting apparatus as recited in

claim 26

, wherein said first receiving device is a computer.

28. The message broadcasting apparatus as recited in

claim 27

, wherein said first message is delivered to said computer in text format.

29. The message broadcasting apparatus as recited in

claim 26

, wherein said first message is delivered to said computer in voice format.

30. The message broadcasting apparatus as recited in

claim 26

, wherein said second receiving device is a telephone.

31. The message broadcasting apparatus as recited in

claim 26

, wherein said second receiving device is a facsimile machine.

32. The message broadcasting apparatus as recited in

claim 26

, wherein said second receiving device is a pager.

33. A message broadcasting system, comprising:

message entry logic, for originating a broadcast message addressed to recipients, wherein a first recipient is accessed over the internet and a second recipient is accessed over a telephone network, said broadcast message comprising;

a first message, having within a first IP address corresponding to said first recipient; and

a second message, having within a second IP address and a telephone number corresponding to said second recipient;

a message routing computer, coupled to said message entry logic, for formatting said first and second messages, and for designating a telephone switch whereby said second recipient is contacted;

a data network computer, coupled to said message routing computer, for transmitting said first and second messages over the internet; and

a telephony computer, coupled to said data network computer, for directing said telephone switch to access said second recipient, and for delivering said second message to said second recipient, wherein said second IP address uniquely identifies said telephony computer.

34. The message broadcasting system as recited in

claim 33

, wherein said message entry logic allows entry of said broadcast message in either spoken form or textual form.

35. The message broadcasting system as recited in

claim 33

, wherein said first message is transmitted to a computer.

36. The message broadcasting system as recited in

claim 33

, wherein said second message is transmitted to a telephone.

37. The message broadcasting system as recited in

claim 33

, wherein said second message is transmitted to facsimile machine.

38. The message broadcasting system as recited in

claim 33

, wherein said second message is transmitted to a pager.

39. A method for sending a broadcast message to a first receiving device and a second receiving device, the first receiving device being addressed by a telephone network and the second receiving device being addressed by a data network, the method comprising:

a) translating the broadcast message into a first message and a second message, the first message being in a first format compatible with the first receiving device and the second message being in a second format compatible with the second receiving device;

b) sending, via the data network, the first message to the first receiving device and the second message to a telephone switch;

c) causing the telephone switch to access the second receiving device; and

d) delivering the second message over the telephone network.

40. The method as recited in

claim 39

, wherein said translating comprises embedding an IP address corresponding to a telephone network server into the second message.

41. The method as recited in

claim 40

, wherein said causing comprises:

i) providing a telephone number to the telephone switch; and

ii) directing the telephone switch to dial the telephone number.