Active voice messaging

• US 20030016656A1
• Filed: 07/20/2001
• Published: 01/23/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Net2Phone, Inc. (IDT Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Net2Phone, Inc. (IDT Corporation)
• Inventors: Schwartz, Daniel I.
• Granted Patent: US 6,870,833 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2535 adapted for voice communication over an Internet Protocol [IP] network Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network equipment and services H04M7/006; implementation or adaptation of Internet protocol [IP], of transmission control protocol [TCP] or of user datagram protocol [UDP] H04L69/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/2749 Automatic dialling or redialling systems, e.g. on off-hook or redial on busy
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/658 Means for redirecting recorded messages to other extensions or equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53366 Message disposing or creating aspects
• 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

A method and system for delivering messages to customers/subscribers by “pushing” the message to the intended recipient(s) in voice form. By utilizing a digitized voice stream that can be routed over a packet switched network, the message can be distributed to multiple recipients cost effectively.

Claims

1. A computer program product for controlling a message delivery computer, comprising:

a first computer code device configured to receive a destination telephone number of an active voice message;

a second computer code device configured to receive an active voice message to be sent to the destination telephone number;

a third computer code device configured to control a terminating side switch to repeatedly attempt to establish a connection to the destination telephone number; and

a fourth computer code device configured to track a status of whether the active voice message has been sent to the destination telephone number.

2. The computer program product as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fourth computer code device comprises:

a fifth computer code device configured to prompt a recipient at the destination telephone number for specified response; and

a sixth computer code device configured to change a status of the active voice message to “

delivered”

if the specified response is received from the user.

3. The computer program product as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fifth computer code device comprises a seventh computer code device configured to prompt the recipient to press a specific DTMF key.

4. The computer program product as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fifth computer code device comprises a seventh computer code device configured to prompt the recipient to enter a secret PIN using DTMF keys.

5. The computer program product as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third computer code device comprises a fifth computer code device configured to attempt to establish a connection to the destination telephone number at a frequency based on a class of service.

6. The computer program product as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third computer code device comprises a fifth computer code device configured to attempt to establish a connection to the destination telephone number no more than a specified number of times.

7. The computer program product as claimed in claim 1, wherein the third computer code device comprises a fifth computer code device configured to attempt to establish a connection to the destination telephone number in an order based on a class of service.

8. The computer program product as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fifth computer code device configured to charge a message initiator for delivery of the active voice message.

9. The computer program product as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fifth computer code device configured to charge a message recipient for delivery of the active voice message.

10. The computer program product as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a fifth computer code device configured to activate the first through fourth computer code devices based on a failed call attempt.

19. The method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising charging a message recipient for delivery of the active voice message.

11. A computer-implemented method for controlling a message delivery computer, comprising:

receiving a destination telephone number of an active voice message;

receiving an active voice message to be sent to the destination telephone number;

controlling a terminating side switch to repeatedly attempt to establish a connection to the destination telephone number; and

tracking a status of whether the active voice message has been sent to the destination telephone number.

12. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the step of tracking comprises:

prompting a recipient at the destination telephone number for specified response; and

changing a status of the active voice message to “

delivered”

if the specified response is received from the user.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the step of prompting comprises prompting the recipient to press a specific DTMF key.

14. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein the step of prompting comprises prompting the recipient to enter a secret PIN using DTMF keys.

15. The method as claimed in claim 11 wherein the step of controlling comprises attempting to establish a connection to the destination telephone number at a frequency based on a class of service.

16. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the step of controlling comprises attempting to establish a connection to the destination telephone number no more than a specified number of times.

17. The method as claimed in claim 11, wherein the step of controlling comprises attempting to establish a connection to the destination telephone number in an order based on a class of service.

18. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising charging a message initiator for delivery of the active voice message.

20. The method as claimed in claim 11, further comprising recording the active voice message in response to a failed call attempt.