Telephonic voice message transmission control method

• US 20050025298A1
• Filed: 06/17/2004
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/1994
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Eidos Communications LLC
• Original Assignee: WorldVoice Licensing, Inc.
• Inventors: Finnigan, Paul F.
• Granted Patent: US 7,224,779 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/88.220
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/301 Management of recordings
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2242/22 Automatic class or number identification arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/38 Graded-service arrangements, i.e. some subscribers prevented from establishing certain connections queuing arrangements H04Q3/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42059 Making use of the calling party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42102 Making use of the called party identifier
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/436 Arrangements for screening incoming calls , i.e. evaluating the characteristics of a call before deciding whether to answer it based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; diversion H04M3/54
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53316 Messaging centre selected by message originator
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53325 Interconnection arrangements between voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53333 Message receiving aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/54 Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 3/72 Finding out and indicating number of calling subscriber

Abstract

The present invention is directed to a method of controlling transmission of voice messages or information via telephonic voice message systems, which are sometimes referred to as Voice Mail Systems. Users of the system selectively specify voice message transmission instructions for controlling transmission of voice messages directed to them. Upon receipt of a user'"'"'s voice message address, the voice message system determines whether the destination voice message address has a specified voice message transmission instruction previously selected by the recipient and processes the voice message in accordance with the instruction.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a voice message in a telecommunication network, said method comprising the steps of:

acquiring an address for a recipient of the voice message;

prior to transmitting the voice message to the recipient, obtaining a recipient voice message instruction over a telecommunication network channel; and

processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the recipient address is acquired from a sender of the voice message.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of acquiring the recipient address comprises the step of:

the sender providing the address by voice.

4. The method of claim 2, wherein said step of acquiring the recipient address comprises the step of:

the sender entering the recipient address using dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) signals.

5. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

determining whether the recipient address is a valid address prior to obtaining the recipient voice message instruction.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the voice message is processed in accordance with the step of processing the voice message, if the recipient address is determined to be valid.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction comprises the step of:

forwarding the voice message to the recipient address over a telecommunication network channel.

8. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction comprises the step of:

forwarding the voice message over a telecommunication network channel to an alternative address, in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction.

9. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction comprises the step of:

processing the voice message based on a sender identification.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction further comprises the step of:

blocking the transmission of the voice message to the recipient address based on the sender identification.

11. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction further comprises the step of:

permitting the transmission of the voice message to the recipient address based on the sender identification.

12. The method of claim 9, wherein said step of processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message further instruction comprises the step of:

prioritizing the voice message relative to other voice messages based on the sender identification.

13. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction comprises the steps of:

converting the voice message to a text message; and

emailing the text message over a telecommunication network channel in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction.

14. The method of claim 6, wherein said step of processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction comprises the steps of:

converting the voice message to a text message; and

sending the text message by facsimile over a telecommunication network channel in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction.

15. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of:

the recipient selecting a preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said step of selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction comprises the step of:

selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction from a list of preprogrammed voice message instructions.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein said step of selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction comprises the step of:

selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction by speaking the instruction.

18. The method of claim 15, wherein said step of selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction comprises the step of:

selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction by entering the instruction using dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) signals.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein said step of selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction comprises the step of:

selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction by computer.

20. A method of controlling a voice message from a sender to a recipient in a telecommunication network, said method comprising the steps of:

at a first network subsystem, providing an address associated with the recipient;

generating and storing a voice message at the first network subsystem;

prior to transmitting the voice message to the recipient, acquiring a recipient voice message transmission instruction over a telecommunication network channel from a second network subsystem; and

processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message transmission instruction.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein said step of providing the recipient address comprises the step of:

providing the recipient address using a telephonic device associated with the sender.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein said step of providing the recipient address using the telephonic device associated with the sender comprises the step of:

the sender speaking the voice message.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein said step of providing the recipient address using the telephonic device associated with the sender comprises the step of:

the sender entering the voice message using dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) signals.

24. The method of claim 20 further comprising the steps of:

transmitting the recipient address from the first network subsystem to the second network subsystem over a telecommunication network channel;

validating the recipient address; and

transmitting a validation result to the first network subsystem over a telecommunication network channel.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said steps of acquiring the recipient voice message transmission instruction from the second network subsystem and processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message transmission instruction are executed if the recipient address is validated.

26. The method of claim 20, wherein said step of processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message transmission instruction comprises the step of:

forwarding the voice message from the first network subsystem to the recipient address over a telecommunication network channel.

27. The method of claim 20, wherein said step of processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message transmission instruction comprises the step of:

forwarding the voice message from the first network subsystem to an alternative address in accordance with the recipient voice message transmission instruction over a telecommunication network channel.

28. The method of claim 20, wherein said step of processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message transmission instruction comprises the step of:

processing the voice message based on a sender identification.

29. The method of claim 28, wherein said step of processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message transmission instruction further comprises the step of:

blocking the transmission of the voice message to the recipient address based on the sender identification.

30. The method of claim 28, wherein said step of processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message transmission instruction further comprises the step of:

permitting the transmission of the voice message to the recipient address based on the sender identification.

31. The method of claim 28, wherein said step of processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message transmission instruction further comprises the step of:

prioritizing the voice message relative to other voice messages based on the sender identification.

32. The method of claim 20, wherein said step of processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message transmission instruction comprises the steps of:

converting the voice message to a text message; and

emailing the text message from the first network subsystem over a telecommunication network channel in accordance with the recipient voice message transmission instruction.

33. The method of claim 20, wherein said step of processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message transmission instruction comprises the steps of:

converting the voice message to a text message; and

sending the text message from the first network subsystem by facsimile over a telecommunication network channel in accordance with the recipient voice message transmission instruction.

34. The method of claim 20, wherein the telecommunication network involves a local area network.

35. The method of claim 20, wherein the telecommunication network involves a wide area network.

36. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of:

the recipient selecting the recipient voice message transmission instruction.

37. The method of claim 36, wherein said step of selecting the recipient voice message transmission instruction comprises the step of:

selecting the recipient voice message transmission instruction from a list of preprogrammed voice message transmission instructions.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein said step of selecting the recipient voice message transmission instruction comprises the step of:

the recipient selecting the instruction by speaking into a telephonic device.

39. The method of claim 36, wherein said step of selecting the recipient voice message transmission instruction comprises the step of:

the recipient selecting the instruction using dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) signals.

40. The method of claim 36, wherein said step of selecting the recipient voice message transmission instruction comprises the step of:

the recipient selecting the instruction using a computer.

41. A voice message system comprising:

first telecommunication network subsystem;

second telecommunication network subsystem;

means for obtaining a recipient address and a recipient voice message transmission instruction, prior to transmitting a voice message from the first telecommunication network subsystem to the second telecommunication network subsystem over a telecommunication network channel; and

means for processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message transmission instruction.

42. The system of claim 41 further comprising:

means for determining whether the recipient address is a valid address prior to obtaining the recipient voice message instruction.

43. The system of claim 42, wherein said means for processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message transmission instruction processes the voice message if said means for determining whether the recipient address is valid determines that the recipient address is valid.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein said means for processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction comprises:

means for forwarding the voice message to the recipient address over a telecommunication network channel.

45. The system of claim 41, wherein said means for processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction comprises:

means for forwarding the voice message over a telecommunication network channel to an alternative address in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction.

46. The system of claim 41, wherein said means for processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction comprises:

means for processing the voice message based on a sender identification.

47. The system of claim 46, wherein said means for processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction further comprises:

means for blocking the transmission of the voice message to the recipient address based on the sender identification.

48. The system of claim 46, wherein said means for processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction further comprises:

means for permitting the transmission of the voice message to the recipient address based on the sender identification.

49. The system of claim 46, wherein said means for processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction comprises:

means for prioritizing the voice message relative to other voice messages based on the sender identification.

50. The system of claim 41, wherein said means for processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction comprises:

means for converting the voice message to a text message; and

means for emailing the text message over a telecommunication network channel in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction.

51. The system of claim 41, wherein said means for processing the voice message in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction comprises:

means for converting the voice message to a text message; and

means for sending the text message by facsimile over a telecommunication network channel in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction.

52. The system of claim 41 further comprising:

means for the recipient to select a preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction.

53. The system of claim 52, wherein said means for selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction comprises:

means for selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction from a list of preprogrammed voice message instructions.

54. The system of claim 52, wherein said means for selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction comprises:

means for selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction by speaking the instruction.

55. The system of claim 52, wherein said means for selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction comprises:

means for selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction using dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) signals.

56. The method of claim 52, wherein said means for selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction comprises:

means for selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction using a computer.

57. The system of claim 41, wherein said first telecommunication network subsystem comprises:

a voice message subsystem.

58. The system of claim 57, wherein said first telecommunication network subsystem further comprises:

a network interface device.

59. The system of claim 41, wherein said second telecommunication network subsystem comprises:

a voice message subsystem.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein said second telecommunication network subsystem further comprises:

a network interface device.

61. A method of controlling a voice message in a telecommunication network, said method comprising the steps of:

providing an address associated with a recipient of the voice message;

prior to transmitting the voice message to the recipient, providing a recipient voice message instruction over a telecommunication network channel, wherein the voice message is to be processed in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction.

62. The method of claim 61 further comprising the step of:

determining whether the recipient address is a valid address prior to providing the recipient voice message instruction.

63. The method of claim 61, wherein the recipient voice message instruction instructs that the voice message is to be forwarded, over a telecommunication network channel, to the recipient address.

64. The method of claim 61, wherein the recipient voice message instruction instructs that the voice message is to be forwarded, over a telecommunication network channel, to an alternative address.

65. The method of claim 61, wherein the recipient voice message instruction instructs that the voice message is to be processed based on a sender identification.

66. The method of claim 65, wherein the recipient voice message instruction further instructs that the transmission of the voice message is to be blocked based on the sender identification.

67. The method of claim 65, wherein the recipient voice message instruction further instructs that the transmission of the voice message is to be permitted based on the sender identification.

68. The method of claim 65, wherein the recipient voice message instruction further instructs that the transmission of the voice message is to be prioritized relative to other voice messages based on the sender identification.

69. The method of claim 61, wherein the recipient voice message instruction instructs that the voice message is to be converted into a text message and emailed over a telecommunication network channel in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction.

70. The method of claim 61, wherein the recipient voice message instruction instructs that the voice message is to be converted into a text message and transmitted by facsimile over a telecommunication network channel in accordance with the recipient voice message instruction.

71. The method of claim 61 further comprising the step of:

the recipient selecting a preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction.

72. The method of claim 71, wherein said step of selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction comprises the step of:

selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction from a list of preprogrammed voice message instructions.

73. The method of claim 71, wherein said step of selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction comprises the step of:

selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction by speaking the instruction.

74. The method of claim 71, wherein said step of selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction comprises the step of:

selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction by entering the instruction using dual tone multiple frequency (DTMF) signals.

75. The method of claim 71, wherein said step of selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction comprises the step of:

selecting the preprogrammed recipient voice message instruction by computer.