System and method for selectively forwarding text messages to users by voice telephone

• US 20040034690A1
• Filed: 06/18/2003
• Published: 02/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/18/2002
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Winfield Technology Corporation
• Original Assignee: Winfield Technology Corporation
• Inventors: Schmitz, Kennen R.
• Application Number:
  US10/464,428
• Publication Number:
  US 20040034690A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/206
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/56 Provisioning of proxy services store-and-forward switching systems in data switching networks H04L12/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/565 Conversion or adaptation of application format or content adding application control or application functional data H04L67/561
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/18 Comparators
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4509 Unified messaging with single point of access to voicemail and other mail or messaging systems unified messaging in packet switching networks H04L51/56
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4536 Voicemail combined with text-based messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/537 Arrangements for indicating the presence of a recorded message , whereby the presence information might include a preview or summary of the message

Abstract

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, text based messages that are received by a user are checked to determine if they meet certain criteria. The criteria is preferably defined or definable by a user. If a text message meets the criteria, it is converted to speech and delivered in a specified manner.

Claims

1. A method for selectively forwarding electronic messages to a user, comprising:

checking for text messages;

determining whether at least one of said text messages meets one or more specified criteria;

if at least one of said text message meets at least one of said one or more specified criteria, converting said at least one text message into an audio message; and

transmitting the audio message to a specified telephone number for playback.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising retrieving said text messages.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising playing back said audio message to a user at said specified telephone number.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising transmitting the audio message to a second specified telephone number.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein said converting said at least one text message comprises converting at least a portion of a header of said at least one text message.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein said converting said at least one text message comprises converting at least a portion of a body of said at least one text message.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising storing said audio message in a voice messaging system associated with said specificed telephone number.

8. A system for selectively forwarding electronic messages to a user, comprising:

a text message forwarding system operable to;

check for text messages;

determine whether at least one of said text messages meets one or more specified criteria;

if at least one of said text message meets at least one of said one or more specified criteria, convert said at least one text message into an audio message; and

transmit the audio message to a specified telephone number for playback.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein said text message forwarding system is further operable to retrieve said text messages.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein said text message forwarding system is further operable to play back said audio message to a user at said specified telephone number.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein said text message forwarding system is further operable to transmit the audio message to a second specified telephone number.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein said text message forwarding system is further operable to convert at least a portion of a header of said at least one text message.

13. The system of claim 8, wherein said text message forwarding system is further operable to convert at least a portion of a body of said at least one text message.

14. The system of claim 8, further comprising a voice messaging system associated with said specified telephone number for storing said audio message.