Dynamic configuration of unified messaging state changes

• US 20070055751A1
• Filed: 02/28/2005
• Published: 03/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 02/28/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: Manda, Srinivasa, Howell, David, Sundararaman, Sridhar, Lyon, James
• Granted Patent: US 8,225,232 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 709/220
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/42 Graphical user interfaces
• 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 3/53 Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages , i.e. mailbox systems

Abstract

The subject invention relates to systems and methods that enable dynamic programming and execution of an electronic communications dialog. In one aspect, a configurable messaging system is provided. The system includes a configuration file to describe interface options of a computerized dialog session, wherein the configuration file specifies interface activities and state transitions between the interface options within the configuration file. A state controller executes the interface options during communications activities with the dialog session. The configuration file can also describe prompt elements to solicit information from users or applications.

Claims

1. A configurable messaging system, comprising:

a configuration file to describe interface options of a computerized dialog session, the configuration file specifies interface activities and state transitions between the interface options within the configuration file; and

a state controller to execute the interface options during communications activities with the dialog session.

2. The system of claim 1, the configuration file describes prompt elements to solicit information from at least one user or application.

3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a message processing component to execute the configuration file and interact with the state controller.

4. The system of claim 1, further comprising a component to receive speech or dual tone multi frequency (DTMF) inputs.

5. The system of claim 1, the configuration file and the state controller are associated with a unified messaging application.

6. The system of claim 1, the configuration includes one or more activity elements, one or more prompt elements, and one or more transition elements to facilitate the dialog session.

7. The system of claim 6, the activity elements, the prompt elements, and the transition elements are formed in groups to create the dialog session.

8. The system of claim 1, further comprising a service that operates at least one of a configuration class and an activity class to operate the dialog session.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one of a gateway component, a protocol component, a speech engine, a mailbox server, and a directory server to facilitate interactions with users or applications.

10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a global configuration file that cooperates with the configuration file to enable the dialog session.

11. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one voice object to support the dialog session.

12. The system of claim 11, the voice object stores speech data in a digitized audio file.

13. The system of claim 1, the configuration file is programmed via an Extensible Markup language (XML).

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising at least one function to control a menu operation, a record voice mail activity, a read voice mail activity, a read e-mail activity, a read calendar activity, and a read contacts activity.

15. A computer readable medium having computer readable instructions stored thereon for implementing the components of claim 1.

16. A method for configuring a messaging system, comprising:

creating a configuration file that defines interface activities for users;

defining at least one activity, prompt, and transition within the configuration file;

executing the configuration file; and

automatically creating a interface session for the users based upon instructions within the configuration file.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising creating a service having a configuration class or an activity class to operate the configuration file.

18. The method of claim 16, further comprising programming the configuration file with multiple human language options.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising employing a wireless protocol to operate the interface session.

20. A system that provides a unified messaging service, comprising:

means for defining interface options for users or systems;

means for executing an activity, a prompt, or a transition in accordance with the interface options;

means for operating a dialog session upon execution of the activity, prompt, or transition; and

means for storing data resulting from the dialog session.