Apparatus, System, and Method for Accessing A Mailbox Associated with a Wireless Network

• US 20070050480A1
• Filed: 10/24/2006
• Published: 03/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2001
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Bellsouth Intellectual Property Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Jordan, Royce
• Application Number:
  US11/552,195
• Publication Number:
  US 20070050480A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/219
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/00 User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/58 Message adaptation for wireless communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/12 Messaging; Mailboxes; Announcements
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 92/02 Inter-networking arrangements

Abstract

An apparatus for accessing a mailbox associated with a wireless network from an external network. The apparatus includes a server in communication with the wireless network and the external network. The server includes a processor. The processor includes a message receive module and a message send module. The message receive module is for receiving a request to access the mailbox via the external network. The message send module is for sending mailbox information via the external network in response to the request.

Claims

1. An apparatus for accessing a mailbox associated with a wireless network from an external network, the apparatus comprising:

a server in communication with the wireless network and the external network, wherein the server includes a processor, the processor including;

a message receive module for receiving a request to access the mailbox via the external network; and

a message send module for sending mailbox information via the external network in response to the request.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the server includes a database for storing mailbox information.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the database has a directory structure for identifying the mailbox.

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the mailbox information includes a text message.

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the mailbox information includes a plurality of text messages.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the external network is the Internet.

7. An apparatus for accessing a mailbox associated with a wireless network from an external network, the apparatus comprising:

a server in communication with the wireless network and the external network, wherein the server includes a processor, the processor including;

means for receiving a request to access the mailbox via the external network; and

means for sending mailbox information via the external network in response to the request.

8. A system for accessing a mailbox associated with a wireless network from an external network, the system comprising:

a gateway in communication with the wireless network and the external network, wherein the gateway includes a server, wherein the server includes;

a processor, the processor including;

a message receive module for receiving a request to access the mailbox via the external network; and

a message send module for sending mailbox information via the external network in response to the request.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the gateway further includes:

an internal network;

a network router connected to the internal network;

a protocol handler connected to the internal network;

a database machine connected to the internal network; and

a mail router connected to the internal network.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the internal network is a local area network.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the network router is connected to the wireless network.

12. The system of claim 9, wherein the database machine includes a database for authenticating a user of the wireless network.

13. The system of claim 9, wherein the mail router is connected to the external network.

14. A method for accessing a mailbox associated with a wireless network via an external network, the method comprising:

connecting to the Internet from the external network;

requesting a web page;

selecting a hyperlink displayed on the web page;

inputting a user name; and

inputting a password.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein requesting a web page includes clicking onto a hyperlink.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein requesting a web page includes entering a universal resource locator into an address space on a toolbar of a browser.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein selecting a hyperlink displayed on the web page includes selecting a hyperlink associated with the mailbox.