Method for handling accesses to a mailbox

• US 6,606,648 B1
• Filed: 06/25/1999
• Issued: 08/12/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 06/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Mukundan, Purandar, Bain, Lynda L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Powell, Mark R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): VU, THONG H
• Application Number:
  US09/344,531
• Time in Patent Office: 1,509 Days
• Field of Search: 709/202, 709/203, 709/206, 709/207, 709/238, 709/214, 379/88.17, 379/67.1
• US Class Current: 709/206
• 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 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 3/382 using authorisation codes or passwords
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53333 Message receiving aspects

Abstract

A method for handling multiple accesses to a messaging mailbox prompts the user for action when the status indicates an active session in the mailbox. The method includes receiving a request from a user to access the mailbox to retrieve messages, and determining the session status in the mailbox. If the session status indicates an active session in the mailbox, the user is prompted for action, otherwise, the user is granted access to the mailbox.

Claims

1. A method for handling multiple accesses to a messaging mailbox, the method comprising:

receiving a request from a user to access the mailbox;

determining a session status in the mailbox; and

if the status indicates an active session in the mailbox, prompting the user for action, otherwise, granting the user access to the mailbox.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein prompting the user for action comprises:

prompting the user to select an action from a set of options, the set of options including the option to disconnect the active session.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein prompting the user for action comprises:

notifying the user of an idle time of the active session.

4. The method of claim 1 wherein prompting the user for action comprises:

notifying the user of a location of the active session.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein prompting the user for action comprises:

notifying the user of an interface type for the active session.

6. The method of claim 1 wherein prompting the user for action comprises:

prompting the user to select an action from a set of options, the set of options including the option to start a read-only session.

7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:

upon selection of the option to start a read-only session, starting a read-only session.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein starting the read-only session further comprises:

taking a snapshot of the mailbox; and

establishing a session with the mailbox snapshot.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein establishing the session with the mailbox snapshot further comprises:

upon demand, reverting the snapshot to the snapshot taken at the start of the read-only session.

10. The method of claim 8 further comprising:

upon demand, taking a new snapshot of the mailbox; and

establishing a session with the new mailbox snapshot.

11. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

upon disconnection of the active session, notifying the user of the option to start a read/write session in the mailbox.

12. A method for handling multiple accesses to a messaging mailbox, the method comprising:

receiving a request from a user to access the mailbox;

determining a session status in the mailbox;

if the status indicates an active session in the mailbox, prompting the user to select an action from a set of options including the option to disconnect the active session, otherwise, granting the user access to the mailbox; and

upon selection of the option to disconnect the active session, disconnecting the active session and, thereafter, granting the user access to the mailbox.

13. A system for handling multiple accesses to a messaging mailbox, the system comprising a messaging server having control logic operative to:

receive a request from a user to access the mailbox;

determine a session status in the mailbox; and

if the status indicates an active session in the mailbox, prompt the user for action, otherwise, grant the user access to the mailbox.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein the messaging server is a voice messaging server.

15. The system of claim 13 wherein the messaging server is an email messaging server.

16. The system of claim 13 wherein the messaging sever is a unified messaging server operative to handle voice messages, fax messages, and email messages.

17. The system of claim 13 wherein the control logic is further operative to:

prompt the user to select an action from a set of options, the set of options including the option to disconnect the active session.

18. The system of claim 13 wherein the control logic is further operative to:

prompt the user to select an action from a set of options, the set of options including the option to start a read-only session.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the control logic is further operative to:

upon selection of the option to start a read-only session, start a read-only session by taking a snapshot of the mailbox, and establishing a session with the mailbox snapshot.

20. The system of claim 19 wherein the control logic is further operative to:

upon disconnection of the active session, notify the user of the option to start a read/write session in the mailbox.

21. The system of claim 18 wherein the control logic is further operative to:

upon selection of the option to start a read-only session, start a read-only session wherein each message is accessed by taking a snapshot of that message and accessing that snapshot.