Systems and methods for storing, delivering, and managing messages

• US 7,895,313 B2
• Filed: 12/11/2006
• Issued: 02/22/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1994
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: j2 Cloud Services, LLC (Consensus Cloud Solutions, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Messaging Technologies, Inc. (J2 Global, Inc.)
• Inventors: Bobo, Charles R. II
• Primary Examiner(s): NGUYEN, THUONG
• Application Number:
  US11/608,999
• Publication Number:
  US 20070083656A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,534 Days
• Field of Search: 709/217, 709/226, 709/223, 713/200, 713/193, 713/168, 379/88, 379/89, 455/461, 455/412, 455/435, 348/6, 726/4, 726/26
• US Class Current: 709/223
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/066 Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/214 using selective forwarding
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 51/224 providing notification on incoming messages, e.g. pushed notifications of received messages
• 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 65/40 Support for services or applications
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 69/08 Protocols for interworking; Protocol conversion
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/40 Network security protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/40 using speech recognition speech recognition per se G10L15/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/42 Graphical user interfaces
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2201/60 Medium conversion
• 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 2203/253 where a visual mode is used instead of a voice mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4536 Voicemail combined with text-based messaging
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/4938 comprising a voice browser which renders and interprets, e.g. VoiceXML
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/5307 for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53316 Messaging centre selected by message originator
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53333 Message receiving aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53358 Message preview
• 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 7/12 for working between exchanges having different types of switching equipment, e.g. power-driven and step by step or decimal and non-decimal
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00209 : Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00212 : Attaching image data to computer messages, e.g. to e-mails
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00214 : details of transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00217 : only involving computer data transmission protocols, e.g. SMTP, WAP or HTTP communication protocol aspects and techniques in packet data networks H04L69/00; network-specific arrangements or communication protocols supporting networked applications H04L67/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0022 : involving facsimile protocols or a combination of facsimile protocols and computer data transmission protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00458 : Sequential viewing of a plurality of images, e.g. browsing or scrolling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32106 : separate from the image data, e.g. in a different computer file
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/324 : intermediate the transmitter and receiver terminals, e.g. at an exchange
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32432 : in a particular memory file for retrieval by the user, e.g. in a facsimile mailbox
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32438 : Informing the addressee of reception
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/4413 : involving the use of passwords, ID codes or the like, e.g. PIN
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/444 : to a particular document or image or part thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0068 : Converting from still picture data
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0086 : Image transceiver H04N2201/0093 and H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0093 : Facsimile machine H04N2201/0094 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3205 : of identification information, e.g. name or ID code H04N2201/3209 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3209 : of a telephone number
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3214 : of a date
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3215 : of a time or duration
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3216 : of a job size, e.g. a number of images, pages or copies, size of file, length of message
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3226 : of identification information or the like, e.g. ID code, index, title, part of an image, reduced-size image
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3243 : of type information, e.g. handwritten or text document
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3247 : Data linking a set of images to one another, e.g. sequence, burst or continuous capture mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3278 : Transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13034 : A/D conversion, code compression/expansion
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/1305 : Software aspects
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13095 : PIN / Access code, authentication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13103 : Memory
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13106 : Microprocessor, CPU
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13175 : Graphical user interface [GUI], WWW interface, visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13204 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13216 : Code signals, frame structure
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13286 : Direct in-dialling in PBX, DDI
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13292 : Time division multiplexing, TDM
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13336 : Store & forward, messaging systems email H04Q2213/13375
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13374 : Paging
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13389 : LAN, internet
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 2213/13405 : Dual frequency signaling, DTMF
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 707/99939 : Privileged access

Abstract

Systems and methods are provided for receiving and storing a message addressed to an intended recipient and for delivering the message to a client computer that has a graphical user interface. The received message is stored in a restricted-access message storage area associated with the intended recipient. A hyper-text transfer protocol daemon receives requests to access the storage area and the message, and transmits at least part of the message to the client computer.

Claims

1. A method for receiving and storing a message addressed to an intended recipient and for delivering the message to a client computer that has a graphical user interface, comprising:

receiving the message;

storing the message in a restricted-access message storage area associated with the intended recipient;

receiving, at a hyper-text transfer protocol daemon, a first request from the client computer, and forwarding the first request to a network server, wherein the first request is a request to access the restricted-access message storage area;

receiving, at the hyper-text transfer protocol daemon, a second request from the client computer, and forwarding the second request to the network server, wherein the second request is a request for the message;

forwarding at least a part of the message from the network server to the hyper-text transfer protocol daemon; and

transmitting at least part of the message from the hyper-text transfer protocol daemon to the client computer;

wherein the transmitting comprises transmitting a mark-up language file to an application program executing on the client computer, and wherein the application program generates a mailbox user interface in response to the mark-up language file, the mailbox user interface comprising a link to the message in the restricted-access message storage area.

2. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the message is a member of the group consisting of a voice mail message received via an interface to a public switched telephone network, a facsimile message received via an interface to the public switched telephone network, and a data message.

3. The method as set forth in claim 1, wherein the client computer comprises the intended recipient'"'"'s computer.

4. A method for receiving and storing a message addressed to an intended recipient and for delivering the message to a client computer that has a graphical user interface, comprising:

receiving the message;

storing the message in a restricted-access message storage area associated with the intended recipient;

creating a markup language file that, when processed in the client computer, causes an interactive user interface to be displayed on the graphical user interface, wherein the markup language file provides a mailbox user interface including a selectable indication of the presence of the message, the selectable indication comprising a link to the message in the restricted-access message storage area;

receiving, from the client computer, via a communications network, at a network server, a first request, wherein the first request is a request to access the restricted-access message storage area;

authenticating the first request, and, in response to a successful authentication, transmitting to the client computer the markup language file;

receiving, from the client computer, via the communications network, at the network server, a second request, wherein the second request is coupled from the client computer in response to a user selection of the selectable indication in the mailbox user interface; and

in response to the second request, forwarding, from the network server, via the communications network, to the client computer, at least portion of the message.

5. The method as set forth in claim 4, wherein the client computer comprises the intended recipient'"'"'s computer.

6. A method for receiving and storing a message addressed to an intended recipient and for delivering the message to a client computer that runs a web browser program, comprising:

receiving the message;

storing the message in a restricted-access message storage area associated with the intended recipient;

creating an HTML file that, when processed in the client computer, causes a user interactive web page to be displayed by the web browser program in a graphical user interface, wherein the HTML file causes the user interface to provide a link to at least a portion of the message;

receiving, from the client computer, via an Internet, at a network server, a first request, wherein the first request is a request to access the restricted-access message storage area;

authenticating the first request, and, in response to a successful authentication, transmitting to the client computer the HTML file;

receiving, from the client computer, via the Internet, at the network server, a second request, wherein the second request is coupled from the client computer in response to a user selection of the link; and

in response to the second request, forwarding, from the network server, via the computer network, to the client computer, at least portion of the message.

7. The method as set forth in claim 6, wherein the client computer comprises the intended recipient'"'"'s computer.

8. A method for receiving and storing a message directed to an intended recipient and for relaying the message to a client computer that runs a web browser program, comprising:

receiving the message;

storing the message in a restricted-access message storage area associated with the intended recipient;

creating a markup language file that, when processed in the client computer, causes a user interactive web page to be displayed by the web browser program in a graphical user interface, wherein the markup language file causes the user interface to provide a link to at least a portion of the message;

receiving, from the client computer, via a communications network, at a network server, a first request, wherein the first request is a request to access the restricted-access message storage area;

authenticating the first request, and, in response to a successful authentication, transmitting to the client computer the markup language file;

receiving, from the client computer, via the communications network, at the network server, a second request, wherein the second request is coupled from the client computer in response to a user selection of the link; and

in response to the second request, forwarding, from the network server, via the communications network, to the client computer, at least portion of the message.

9. The method as set forth in claim 8, wherein the client computer comprises the intended recipient'"'"'s computer.

10. A method for storing and delivering a message addressed to an intended recipient to the intended recipient'"'"'s computer, comprising:

storing the message in a restricted access storage area of a storage medium associated with a network server; and

establishing an application layer session between a browser program executing on the intended recipient'"'"'s computer and an application layer program executing on the network server, via an HTTPD, over the Internet, and, during the application layer session;

transmitting a mark-up language file from the network server to the intended recipient'"'"'s computer, wherein the browser program produces a mailbox user interface in response to the mark-up language file, the mailbox user interface comprising a link to the message in the restricted access storage area thereby enabling the intended recipient to request delivery of the message;

transmitting the message, over the Internet, from the restricted access storage area to the intended recipient'"'"'s computer, in response to a request for delivery of the message made by the intended recipient.

11. A method for storing and delivering a message addressed to an intended recipient to the intended recipient'"'"'s user device, comprising:

storing the message in a restricted access storage area associated with a network server;

the network server receiving a request for access to the restricted access storage area from a browser program executing on the user device, over a network, via an HTTPD;

responsive to the request for access, the network server granting or denying the requested access; and

responsive to a grant of access, the network server transmitting a mark-up language file to the user device, over the network, via the HTTPD;

wherein the browser program produces a mailbox user interface in response to the mark-up language file, the mailbox user interface providing a hyper-text link which can be activated by the intended recipient to download the message from the remote storage and delivery system to the intended recipient'"'"'s device, over the network.

12. A method for accessing a message addressed to a user and stored on a network server using a hyper-text transfer protocol, comprising:

sending an access request from a hyper-text browser executing on a client computer to the network server via the packet switched data network in accordance with the hyper-text transfer protocol, wherein the access request contains an application layer address associated with the network server on the network and is indicative of a request by a user of the client computer to gain access to a user-specific message storage area accessible by the network server;

in response to a determination made by the network server to grant the access request, receiving from the network server at the hyper-text browser a mark-up language file, via the network, using the hyper-text transfer protocol;

using information contained in the markup language file, the hyper-text browser generating a mailbox user interface through which a link to the message stored in the user-specific message Storage area can be selected by the user;

sending, via the network, in accordance with the hyper-text;

transfer protocol, an indication that the user has selected the link;

receiving the message at the client computer, via the network, in accordance with the hyper-text transfer protocol; and

transmitting information related to the message to the user via the hyper-text browser, wherein the message is addressed to the user.

13. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the computer comprises a personal computer comprising a display device and a user input device.

14. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the application layer address comprises a URL.

15. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the network comprises the Internet.

16. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the network comprises a private network.

17. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the user-specific message storage area comprises a user-specific message mailbox within a messaging database comprising a plurality of message mailboxes for a plurality of users.

18. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the message comprises an HTML file.

19. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the mark-up language file comprises an HTML file.

20. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the network server executes a hyper-text transfer protocol daemon (HTTPD) to execute the hyper-text transfer protocol interactions between the network server and the hyper-text browser.

21. The method as set forth in claim 20, wherein the network server comprises an HTTP server and the user'"'"'s computer comprises an HTTP client.

22. The method as set forth in claim 21, wherein the network comprises the Internet.

23. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the message comprises a mark-up language file that conforms with a dialect of a standardized generalized mark-up language (SGML).

24. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the message comprises a standardized generalized mark-up language (SGML) file.

25. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the message is received in a first file format other than a mark-up language file format, and, further comprising converting a file format of the received message from the first file format to the mark-up language file format.

26. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the message comprises a voice mail message.

27. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the message comprises a facsimile message.

28. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the message comprises a data message.

29. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the making a determination is performed in response to an authentication information received from the hyper-text browser via the network, in accordance with the hyper-text transfer protocol.

30. The method as set forth in claim 29, wherein the authentication information includes a user-specific password.

31. The method as set forth in claim 29, wherein the authentication information includes a user name.

32. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the hyper-text browser comprises a web browser.

33. The method as set forth in claim 32, wherein the packet switched data network comprises the Internet.

34. The method as set forth in claim 32, wherein the computer comprises a personal computer that includes a keyboard and a display.

35. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the mailbox user interface provides additional links to other messages stored in the user-specific message storage area.

36. The method as set forth in claim 35, wherein the mailbox user interface further provides an indication of the total number of messages stored in the user-specific message storage area.

37. The method as set forth in claim 36, wherein the mailbox user interface further provides an indication of the total number of new messages stored in the user-specific message storage area, and an indication of the total number of saved messages stored in the user-specific message storage area.

38. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the message is a confidential message intended to be viewed by only the user.

39. The method as set forth in claim 12, wherein the mailbox user interface enables the user to browse through all messages stored in the user-specific message storage area.

40. The method as set forth in claim 12, further comprising sending a notification to the user to notify the user that the message has been received.

41. The method as set forth in claim 40, wherein the notification comprises an e-mail message.

42. The method as set forth in claim 40, wherein the notification comprises a wireless notification.