METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR PROVIDING ASYNCHRONOUS AUDIO MESSAGING

• US 20100002691A1
• Filed: 09/16/2009
• Published: 01/07/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Corporation (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Karam, Gerald, Hanson, Karrie, Purdy, Kermit Hal
• Granted Patent: US 8,837,459 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/352
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/1813 for computer conferences, e.g. chat rooms instant messaging H04L51/04; protocols for multimedia communication H04L65/1101; arrangements for multi-party communication H04L65/403; telephonic conference arrangements H04M3/56; television conference systems H04N7/15
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 65/4061 Push-to services, e.g. push-to-talk or push-to-video
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/42 Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers specially adapted for wireless communication networks H04W4/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/006 Networks other than PSTN/ISDN providing telephone service, e.g. Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) , including next generation networks with a packet-switched transport layer H04L65/00 takes precedence; aspects not specific to the type of network H04M3/00; special services in those networks H04M3/42

Abstract

The present invention provides audio messaging in a communications network, e.g., a VoIP network. More specifically, the present invention establishes a non-duplex communication link between a first subscriber and a second subscriber. Audio messages are transmitted between the first subscriber and the second subscriber via the non-duplex communication link.

Claims

1. A method for providing audio messaging, comprising:

establishing a non-duplex communication link between a first subscriber and a second subscriber, wherein said non-duplex communication link is an open line between said first subscriber and said second subscriber; and

transmitting recorded audio messages between the first subscriber and the second subscriber via the non-duplex communication link.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein a subscriber is alerted of an incoming call using a call waiting service once the non-duplex communication link is established.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, in response to input from a subscriber, the non-duplex communication link is converted to a full duplex call.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein received messages are played back to a subscriber in response to input from the subscriber.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein audio messages transmitted between the first subscriber and the second subscriber are accessible via a website.

6. An apparatus for providing audio messaging, comprising:

means for establishing a non-duplex communication link between a first subscriber and a second subscriber, wherein said non-duplex communication link is an open line between said first subscriber and said second subscriber; and

means for transmitting recorded audio messages between the first subscriber and the second subscriber via the non-duplex communication link.

7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein a subscriber is alerted of an incoming call using a call waiting service once the non-duplex communication link is established.

8. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein, in response to input from a subscriber, the non-duplex communication link is converted to a full duplex call.

9. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein received messages are played back to a subscriber in response to input from the subscriber.

10. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein audio messages transmitted between the first subscriber and the second subscriber are accessible via a website.

11. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform steps of a method for providing audio messaging, comprising:

establishing a non-duplex communication link between a first subscriber and a second subscriber, wherein said non-duplex communication link is an open line between said first subscriber and said second subscriber; and

transmitting recorded audio messages between the first subscriber and the second subscriber via the non-duplex communication link.

12. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein a subscriber is alerted of an incoming call using a call waiting service once the non-duplex communication link is established.

13. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein, in response to input from a subscriber, the non-duplex communication link is converted to a full duplex call.

14. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein received messages are played back to a subscriber in response to input from the subscriber.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 11, wherein audio messages transmitted between the first subscriber and the second subscriber are accessible via a website.