System and method for voicemail privacy

• US 20060177005A1
• Filed: 02/07/2005
• Published: 08/10/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Arlington Technologies, LLC (Dominion Harbor Enterprises, LLC)
• Original Assignee: Avaya Incorporated
• Inventors: Frifeldt, Heine, Forney, David, Shaffer, Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 8,059,793 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 379/67.100
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/56 Unified messaging, e.g. interactions between e-mail, instant messaging or converged IP messaging [CPM]
• 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 3/53333 Message receiving aspects
• 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

An integrated messaging system for performing various types of messaging across different types of networks, including integrated user interfaces and administrator interfaces. Embodiments include a communication server that couples among networks of different types, and an interface module that couples to the communication server. The interface module may be hosted on a messaging server of a network. The interface module pulls various user information from the messaging server, including information relevant to at least the network that includes the messaging server. A cache couples to the communication server and to the interface module to hold information from the communication server and/or the user information pulled from messaging server. The interface module directs a message from the messaging server and/or the cache to at least one device on the networks using the user information.

Claims

1. A method for processing voice messages, the method comprising:

receiving a voice message from a call;

receiving a request from the caller to make the voice message private;

converting the voice message to an e-mail message;

protecting the e-mail message in a protection scheme recognized by a particular e-mail system; and

sending the e-mail through the e-mail system.

2. The method of claim 1, including:

receiving a user command;

if the user command is authorized under the protection scheme, then executing the command; and

if the user command is not authorized under the protection scheme, then not executing the command.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the protection scheme prevents the recipient of the message from forwarding the message.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the protection scheme prevents forwarding of the message outside of a network associated with the recipient.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the protection scheme prevents forwarding of the message outside of a network associated with the recipient'"'"'s enterprise.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the protection scheme prevents actions depending on the class of service (COS) of the recipient.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the COS is stored in a messaging and collaboration server that stores user information not directly associated with voice mail.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the protection scheme prevents actions depending on the group policy (GP) associated with the recipient.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the protection scheme prevents the recipient from accessing the message more than a limited number of times.

10. The method of claim 7, wherein number of times is only one time.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the protection scheme prevents the recipient of the message from forwarding the message.

11. A method for processing voice messages, the method comprising:

receiving a voice message from a call;

receiving a request from the caller to make the voice message private;

converting the voice message to an e-mail message;

protecting and encrypting the e-mail message in a rights management scheme recognized by a particular e-mail system; and

sending the e-mail through the e-mail system.

12. The method of claim 11, including packaging access control, rights and the voice message into structures defined by the e-mail system and the rights management scheme.

13. The method of claim 11, including

delivering the e-mail to a recipient;

and

taking an action requested by the recipient only if the action is permitted under the rights management scheme for the particular e-mail.

14. A voice mail system comprising:

logic that processes a voice message from a call;

logic to processes a request from the caller to make the voice message private;

logic that converts the voice message to an e-mail message;

logic that protects the e-mail message in a protection scheme recognized by a particular e-mail system; and

logic that sends the e-mail through the e-mail system.

15. A system comprising:

a voice mail system; and

an email system;

wherein the voice mail system includes,

logic that processes a voice message from a call;

logic to processes a request from the caller to make the voice message private;

logic that converts the voice message to an e-mail message;

logic that protects the e-mail message in a protection scheme recognized by a particular e-mail system; and

logic that sends the e-mail through the e-mail system.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein the protection scheme comprises a rights management system.

17. The system of claim 15, wherein the protection scheme is included within the email system.

19. A system comprising:

a network;

a set of devices coupled to the network, the set of devices including personal computers;

a voice mail system; and

an email system coupled to the network;

wherein the voice mail system is coupled to the email system and includes,

logic that processes a voice message from a call;

logic to processes a request from the caller to make the voice message private;

logic that converts the voice message to an e-mail message;

logic that protects the e-mail message in a protection scheme recognized by a particular e-mail system; and

logic that sends the e-mail through the e-mail system.

20. A message comprising:

message headers including a header with an identification of the recipient of the message;

audio information including a voice message to the recipient; and

information corresponding to rights that the recipient will have to act upon the message;

wherein the message headers, audio information and information corresponding to the rights are packaged within structures defined by a protection scheme; and

wherein at least the audio information is encrypted.

21. The message of claim 20, wherein the protection scheme comprises a rights management system.

22. The message of claim 20, wherein the protection scheme prevents the recipient of the message from forwarding the message.

23. The message of claim 20, wherein the protection scheme prevents forwarding of the message outside of a network associated with the recipient.

24. The message of claim 20, wherein the protection scheme prevents actions depending on the class of service (COS) of the recipient.

25. The message of claim 20, wherein the COS is stored in a messaging and collaboration server that stores and forwards messages including messages not including voice messages.