Voicemail system with subscriber specific storage folders

• US 8,160,216 B2
• Filed: 12/06/2005
• Issued: 04/17/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 06/26/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I LP (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: Baker, La Veria, Scott, David
• Primary Examiner(s): Phan, Joseph T
• Application Number:
  US11/295,078
• Publication Number:
  US 20060083365A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,324 Days
• Field of Search: 379/88.22
• US Class Current: 379/88.22
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2203/4554 Sender-side editing
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems

Abstract

A method and system are provided for creating and utilizing subscriber specific memory locations or storage folders for storing incoming voicemail messages in a telecommunications system voicemail system. A subscriber to voicemail services creates subscriber or user-specific memory locations or storage folders to which callers may direct a voice message. When a caller calls the subscriber'"'"'s directory number and is forwarded to the subscriber'"'"'s voicemail service, the caller is given the option to save the message in one of a number of previous created voice message folders. For example, the caller may receive a prompt like “Press 1 to leave a message for Jane.” If messages are inadvertently left in the wrong voice message folder, the user having authorized access to that folder may move the message to the appropriate folder. If desired, personal identification numbers (PIN) may be assigned to each voice message folder to control access to messages saved therein.

Claims

1. A computer-implemented method of saving voicemail messages to selectable voice message folders, the method comprising:

creating a plurality of voice message folders, wherein the plurality of voice message folders is associated with a general voice message folder;

associating each of the plurality of voice message folders with one of a plurality of called parties;

receiving a call from a calling party at a voicemail system directed to one of the plurality of called parties;

providing the calling party a list of the plurality of voice message folders from which to choose a specific voice message folder;

allowing the calling party to select a specific voice message folder from the plurality of voice message folders;

receiving a voice message from the calling party;

if the calling party selected a specific voice message folder, saving the voice message in the specific voice message folder selected;

receiving a personal identification number associated with a called party;

receiving a move command to move the voice message to a second voice message folder;

moving the voice message to the second voice message folder;

if the calling party did not select a specific voice message folder, saving the voice message in the general voice message folder;

receiving a command to move the voice message from the general voice message folder to one of the plurality of voice message folders;

providing to the called party the list of the plurality of voice message folders;

receiving from the called party a selection of one of the plurality of voice message folders; and

moving the voice message from the general voice message folder to the voice message folder selected by the called party.

2. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the personal identification number telephonically.

3. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving the personal identification number via an Internet-based web page for accessing the voicemail system.

4. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving an identification for one of the plurality of voice message folders.

5. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein receiving an identification for one of the plurality of voice message folders includes receiving a name associated with a called party associated with the one of the plurality of voice message folders.

6. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, wherein receiving an identification for one of the plurality of voice message folders includes receiving an alpha-numeric identification associated with a called party associated with the one of the plurality of voice message folders.

7. The computer-implemented method of claim 4, further comprising:

saving each of the plurality of voice message folders and an associated identification for each of the plurality of voice message folders.

8. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

associating the personal identification number with each of the plurality of voice message folders for accessing each of the plurality of voice message folders.

9. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a command to access the voice message saved in the general voice message folder.

10. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, further comprising:

receiving a request to access one of the plurality of voice message folders to retrieve a voice message saved therein.

11. The computer-implemented method of claim 10, further comprising:

providing the called party an indication that at least one voice message is saved in the one of the plurality of voice message folders.

12. The computer-implemented method of claim 11, further comprising:

providing the called party an audio message informing the called party of the presence of the at least one voice message saved in the one of the plurality of voice message folders.

13. The computer-implemented method of claim 1, prior to moving the retrieved voice message to one of the plurality of voice message folders, further comprising:

providing the called party the list of the plurality of voice message folders; and

receiving from the called party a selection of the second voice message folder.

14. A system for saving voicemail messages to selectable voice message folders, comprising:

means for creating a plurality of voice message folders, wherein the plurality of voice message folders is associated with a general voice message folder;

means for associating each of the plurality of voice message folders with a particular called party;

means for receiving a call from a calling party at the voicemail system directed to a called party;

means for providing the calling party a list of the plurality of voice message folders from which to choose a specific voice message folder in which to save a voice message to the called party;

means for receiving a selection by the calling party of the specific voice message folder from the list of the plurality of voice message folders in which to save a voice message;

means for saving the voice message in the specific voice message folder selected;

means for receiving a personal identification number from the called party to obtain access to the voice message folder for retrieving the voice message saved therein;

means for moving a voice message retrieved from the general voice message folder to one of the plurality of voice message folders;

means for providing the called party the list of the plurality of voice message folders;

means for receiving a selection by the called party of one of the plurality of voice message folders; and

means for moving a voice message retrieved from the general voice message folder to the voice message folder selected by the called party.