Apparatus and method for device independent messaging notification

• US 6,711,154 B1
• Filed: 01/29/1999
• Issued: 03/23/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 01/29/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Microsoft Technology Licensing LLC (Microsoft Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
• Inventors: OʼNeal, Stephen C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Jung, Min
• Assistant Examiner(s): LEE, CHI HO A
• Application Number:
  US09/240,435
• Time in Patent Office: 1,880 Days
• Field of Search: 370/352, 370/353, 370/354, 370/356, 370/392, 370/401, 370/389, 370/465, 370/466, 370/467, 379/88.13, 379/88.14, 379/88.18, 379/88.23, 379/88.27, 379/201.01, 379/201.02, 709/223, 709/224, 709/206
• US Class Current: 370/352
• 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: H04L 67/535 Tracking the activity of the user network monitoring arrangements H04L43/00; recording of computer activity G06F11/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/75 Indicating network or usage conditions on the user display
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/329 in the application layer [OSI layer 7]
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/2066 Call type detection of indication, e.g. voice or fax, mobile of fixed, PSTN or IP
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 7/0033 Notification or handling of incoming calls by a computer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00281 with a telecommunication apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, a selective call terminal details of transmission H04N1/00095; establishing a communication with one of a facsimile machine or another apparatus sharing a single line H04N1/32704; interfacing cordless telephone terminals with an accessory to increase the functionality of user interface H04M1/72409
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00312 with a digital transmission apparatus, e.g. a switched network of teleprinters for the distribution of text-based information, SMS or ISDN device transmitting or receiving via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network or the internet H04N1/00214; transmission of digital information H04L
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0068 Converting from still picture data
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 11/0435 Details
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13039 Asymmetrical two-way transmission, e.g. ADSL, HDSL
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13098 Mobile subscriber
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13174 : Data transmission, file transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13175 : Graphical user interface [GUI], WWW interface, visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13179 : Fax, still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13209 : ISDN
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13298 : Local loop systems, access network
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13336 : Store & forward, messaging systems email H04Q2213/13375
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13374 : Paging
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13375 : Electronic mail
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet

Abstract

An apparatus and method for alerting a user upon receipt of selected messages, independent of the type of device generating the message is provided. Message generating devices include telephony devices (telephone, fax machine, etc.), or data devices such as a computer or PDA. All messages are converted into a format compatible with a data network for delivery to a web server. The web server includes a message notification system with message alert type selection and incoming message filtering. A user designates, either from a computer, or from a telephone, the types of messages for which s/he wishes to be alerted, and designates one or more device types (email address, fax machine, pager number, or telephone number) to receive the alert. When messages are received by the web server, they are distinguished by message type, and filtered according to the user defined criteria. Selected messages cause a message alert to be generated to the user configured devices.

Claims

1. A method of supporting device independent messaging notification, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of communications, including telephony, email and facsimile communications, on behalf of users via a telephony server and first and second point of presence (POP) data communications servers;

converting all received communications, including said telephony, email and facsimile communications, as necessary into a format compatible with a data network linking said POP data communication servers;

routing all of said converted telephony, email and facsimile communications through the POP data communications servers via the data network to a message notification system;

generating message alerts in the message notification system according to settings defined by said users; and

routing the message alerts through the POP data communication servers via the data network to communication devices associated with said users.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising receiving the settings defined by said users.

3. The method of claim 2 wherein receiving the settings defined by said users includes receiving said settings via a web server.

4. The method of claim 2 further comprising allowing said users to specify one or more types of messages for which message alerts should be generated.

5. The method of claim 4 wherein said one or more types of messages include facsimile, email and voicemail messages.

6. The method of claim 1 further comprising recording messages for said converted communications in the message notification system.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein generating message alerts in the message notification system according to settings defined by said users comprises:

defining a filter setting;

applying the filter to said communications routed through the message notification system; and

generating message alerts based on the filter setting to distinguish said received communications.

8. The method of claim 7 wherein defining a filter includes defining a filter to be applied to email communications.

9. The method of claim 7 wherein defining a filter includes defining a filter to be applied to voicemail messages.

10. The method of claim 7 wherein defining a filter includes defining a filter to be applied to facsimile messages.

11. The method of claim 7 wherein defining the filter setting comprises defining a key word, and wherein applying the filter comprises searching for the key word in said communications routed through the message notification system.

12. A method of supporting device independent messaging notification, the method comprising:

receiving a plurality of communications, including telephony and email communications, on behalf of users via a plurality of point of presence (POP) communications servers wherein receiving includes receiving the plurality of communications from a plurality of different types of message sending devices;

converting all received communications, including said telephony and email communications, as necessary into a format compatible with a data network linking the POP communication servers;

routing all of said converted communications through POP communication servers via the data network to a message notification system;

generating message alerts in the message notification system according to settings defined by said users; and

routing the message alerts through the POP communications servers via the data network to communication devices associated with said users.

13. One or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions for performing a method of supporting device independent messaging notification comprising:

receiving a plurality of communications, including telephony, email and facsimile communications, on behalf of users via a telephony server and first and second point of presence (POP) data communications servers;

converting all received communications, including said telephony, email and facsimile communications, as necessary into a format compatible with a data network linking said POP data communication servers;

routing all of said converted telephony, email and facsimile communications through the POP data communications servers via the data network to a message notification system;

generating message alerts in the message notification system according to settings defined by said users; and

routing the message alerts through the POP data communication servers via the data network to communication devices associated with said users.

14. One or more computer-readable media having computer-executable instructions for performing a method of supporting device independent messaging notification comprising:

receiving a plurality of communications, including telephony and email communications, on behalf of users via a plurality of point of presence (POP) communications servers, wherein receiving includes receiving the plurality of communications from a plurality of different types of message sending devices;

converting all received communications, including said telephony and email communications, as necessary into a format compatible with a data network linking the POP communication servers;

routing all of said converted communications through POP communication servers via the data network to a message notification system;

generating message alerts in the message notification system according to settings defined by said users; and

routing the message alerts through the POP communications servers via the data network to communication devices associated with said users.