Patent Application
20080247521
The present disclosure relates generally to communication systems, and more specifically to a system and apparatus for voicemail delivery.
A voicemail system allows a caller placing a call to leave a voice message when a called party does not answer the call. The called party can later access the voicemail system to retrieve and listen to the voicemail. The voicemail may be a voice or text message, or a combination thereof. Current voicemail systems generally deliver voice messages in two steps. In a first step, the voicemail system notifies the called party of new messages in a mailbox on the voicemail system. In a second step, the called party places a call to the voicemail system to retrieve the new message from the mailbox.
As one example method, a voicemail system can set a Message Waiting Indicator (MWI) on a phone line associated with the mailbox. The MWI may be a light indication on the phone, and/or a sound that is played on the phone line, when the phone is lifted off-hook. The MWI effectively notifies the called party of awaiting messages. As another example method, the voicemail system can send a text notification via a pager or an email to the called party.
Although these methods have proven useful, they do not address situations where a called party is traveling, too busy to respond to the MWI notice, is forgetful about retrieving voicemail messages, or simply did not notice the status of the MWI on their phone. Consequently, unread voicemail messages can be residing in the called party's account for hours or days.
A need therefore arises for a system and apparatus for voicemail delivery.
Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide a system and apparatus for voicemail delivery.
In a first embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium can have computer instructions for recording a delivery time for supplying voicemail messages recorded by the voicemail system, recording a voicemail message supplied by a calling party directed to a called party, and initiating at the delivery time an interactive communication session with a communication device of the called party to supply the voicemail message.
In a second embodiment of the present disclosure, a voicemail system can have a controller element to initiate a communication session to a communication device of a called party to supply one or more recorded voicemail messages.
In a third embodiment of the present disclosure, a presence system can have a controller element to supply a voicemail system presence information associated with a called party for the voicemail system to initiate a communication session with a communication device identified in the presence information to supply the called party one or more recorded voicemail messages.
In a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for supplying a voicemail message can involve initiating one or more communication sessions with one among one or more communication devices of a called party to supply a recorded voicemail message.
The presence system 102 can be utilized to track the whereabouts and status of a party communicating with one or more of the communication devices 106 in the communications network 101. In the arrangement shown, the presence system 102 can include a controller element 103 that supplies a voicemail system presence information of a requested party. Presence information can include a location of a party utilizing a communication device 106, the type of device used by the party (e.g., cell phone, PDA, home phone, home computer, etc.), and/or a status of the party (e.g., busy, offline, actively on a call, actively engaged in instant messaging, etc.). The presence system 102 performs said operations for parties who are subscribed to services of the presence system 102.
The voicemail system 104 can be utilized to record voicemail messages supplied by a called party. In the arrangement shown, the voicemail system 104 includes a controller element 105 corresponding to a processor, a programmable storage medium, a server, or any other suitable computing component. The voicemail message supplied by a calling party can include a caller ID retrieved from a call initiated by the calling party over the communication network 101 utilizing common signal processing means, and a voicemail message supplied thereby.
The voicemail system 104 can also include technology such as found in an interactive voice response system (IVR) for interacting with the calling and called parties utilizing voice and keyed input signals (e.g., DTMF tones), and for processing a voicemail message supplied by the calling party according to a particular call flow design. The presence and voicemail systems 102-104 can be provisioned to interact cooperatively to enhance processing of voicemail messages.
The communication network 101 comprises a number of common network elements interconnected by wired or wireless interfaces that support packet-switched and/or circuit-switched technologies. The communications network 101 can thus offer communication devices 106 Internet and/or traditional voice services such as, for example, POTS (Plain Old Telephone Service), Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol), IPTV (Internet Protocol Television), broadband communications, cellular telephony, as well as other known or next generation access technologies.
The communication devices 106 can represent any number of embodiments including without limitation a laptop or desktop computer, a POTS phone, a personal digital assistance (PDA), a cellular phone, or paging device, just to name a few. Some or all of these devices can interface to the communication network 101 with a wired or wireless interface. For example, the laptop can be interconnected to the communications network 101 by a wired Ethernet port to a DSL (Digital Service Line) interface in a residence or enterprise, or by an IEEE 802.x Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) wireless connection. The POTS phone can utilize cordless 2.4 GHz or 5.8 GHz technology for short-range roaming, and interface to the communications network 101 using POTS or VoIP communications. The PDA and cellular phone can support common wireless access technologies such as cellular and WiFi for interfacing to the communications network 101.
In a wireless communications setting, the transceiver 202 can utilize common technologies to support singly or in combination any number of wireless access technologies including without limitation cordless phone technology (e.g., DECT), Bluetooth™, Wireless Fidelity (WiFi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Ultra Wide Band (UWB), software defined radio (SDR), and cellular access technologies such as CDMA-1X, W-CDMA/HSDPA, GSM/GPRS, TDMA/EDGE, and EVDO. SDR can be utilized for accessing a public or private communication spectrum according to any number of communication protocols that can be dynamically downloaded over-the-air to the communication device. It should be noted also that next generation wireless access technologies can be applied to the present disclosure.
The UI 204 can include a keypad 208 with depressible or touch sensitive navigation disk and keys for manipulating operations of the communication device 106. The UI 204 can further include a display 210 such as monochrome or color LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) for conveying images to the end user of the communication device, and an audio system 212 that utilizes common audio technology for conveying and intercepting audible signals of the end user.
The power supply 214 can utilize common power management technologies such as replaceable batteries, supply regulation technologies, and charging system technologies for supplying energy to the components of the communication device and to facilitate portable applications. In stationary applications, the power supply 214 can be modified so as to extract energy from a common wall outlet and thereby supply DC power to the components of the communication device 106.
The location receiver 216 can utilize common technology such as a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver that can intercept satellite signals and therefrom determine a location fix of the communication device 106.
The controller 206 can utilize computing technologies such as a microprocessor and/or digital signal processor (DSP) with associated storage memory such a Flash, ROM, RAM, SRAM, DRAM or other like technologies for controlling operations of the aforementioned components of the communication device.
A subscriber can, for example, direct the voicemail system 104 to record a plurality of delivery times for supplying voicemail messages. Each delivery time can be associated with a dissimilar calendar period. For instance, the subscriber can direct the voicemail system 104 to deliver voicemail messages beginning at 6 pm for messages received between 8 am and 5:59 pm. Voicemail messages received after 6 pm are to be delivered at 7 am the next day.
Briefly referring to
Additionally, a configuration menu 400 can be provided for each voicemail box of a corresponding phone number. The configuration information, once specified, can then be stored in the voicemail system 104 and associated with an identified mailbox. In such regard, a subscriber can customize scheduling and delivery to different communication devices 106 having different phone numbers. The subscriber can continually make modifications to the configuration menu as needed. Notably, the configuration menu 400 allows a subscriber to self-adjust schedule times as to when the voicemail system 104 should call the subscriber to delivery voicemail messages.
Step 301 of
Referring back to
During the interactive communication session, voice interactions between the voicemail system 104 and the called party, and Dual Tone Multi Frequency (DTMF) signals supplied by the called party by way of the communication device 106 can be processed by the IVR. The IVR can present the subscriber with audio or visual navigation menus to retrieve the voicemail. As one example, the IVR can greet the subscriber by announcing that the call is associated with a delivery of voicemail messages. The greeting can also indicate the mailbox phone number associated with the delivery.
As another example, the IVR can present a voice menu list requiring the subscriber to enter a password to retrieve the voicemail. This feature can serve as a precaution in the event that the subscriber has listed a communication device 106 in the configuration menu 400 that is not owned by the subscriber, such as a friend's mobile device, a computer, or public telephone. The IVR can authenticate and/or authorize the retrieval of voicemail messages through the IVR user interface.
Suppose a subscriber has a mailbox associated with 210-555-5555. The subscriber has activated automatic delivery for that mailbox to 210-666-6666—a number different from the phone number of the mailbox (210-555-5555). At the specified delivery time the voicemail system 104 will out dial to 210-666-6666. When the subscriber answers the call, he/she will hear an announcement from the IVR, for example:
“Hello, this is your automatic voicemail delivery call, for mailbox 210 555 5555”
Then the standard mailbox IVR menu follows, for example:
“Please enter your PIN.”
Once the PIN is correctly entered, the IVR plays, for example:
“To listen to your new voice message, press 1”.
Returning back to
In the first case, if the specified notification number is the same as the mailbox phone number, and if the subscriber does not answer a delivery call, then the telephone network will route the delivery call to the same voicemail system 104, in an attempt to leave the subscriber a message. The voicemail system 104 then terminates the call by detecting the calling phone number being its own, and not causing any new messages to be left in the subscriber's mailbox. This effectively avoids the aforementioned message loop. This corresponds to step 318 of
In the second case, if the specified delivery number is different than the mailbox phone number, and if the subscriber does not answer, then the telephone network 101 will route the notification call to a foreign voicemail system disassociated with the voicemail system 104 that performed the out-dial in step 506 of
Referring to
Referring to
The presence system 102 can for example utilize common means to detect that the called party is presently at home and has turned off his/her cell phone. Accordingly, a home number is a better choice for delivering voicemail messages to the subscriber. Alternatively, the presence server 102 can detect that the called party is roaming with his/her cell phone. Accordingly, in step 714, the voicemail system 104 can initiate another communication session with another one of the one or more communication devices 106 identified by the presence system 102 in view of the presence information.
The above methods provide a means for a voicemail system 104 to deliver voicemail messages proactively to a called party without the called party having to take the initiative to call the voicemail system 104. These methods can be useful to busy individuals who, for example, may be traveling, are forgetful about retrieving voicemail messages, or have inadvertently ignored a message waiting indicator of a communication device.
Upon reviewing the aforementioned embodiments, it would be evident to an artisan with ordinary skill in the art that said embodiments can be modified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope and spirit of the claims described below. For instance, a subscriber of the voicemail system 104 can configure said system to deliver voicemails on weekdays differently than on weekends. In yet another embodiment, the voicemail system 104 can be programmed to check for presence information prior to a first attempt at communicating with the called party. To improve cost and response time, the presence system 102 and the voicemail system 104 can be integrated. In addition, methods 300, and 500-700 can be reduced, combined, or reordered without affecting the overall operations disclosed. These are but a few examples of how the present disclosure can be modified without deviating from the scope of the claims. Accordingly, the reader is directed to the claims section for a fuller understanding of the breadth and scope of the present disclosure.
The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will be understood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video or data communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein.
The computer system 800 may include a processor 802 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a main memory 804 and a static memory 806, which communicate with each other via a bus 808. The computer system 800 may further include a video display unit 810 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system 800 may include an input device 812 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 814 (e.g., a mouse), a mass storage medium 816, a signal generation device 818 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interface device 820.
The mass storage medium 816 may include a computer-readable storage medium 822 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 824) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein, including those methods illustrated above. The computer-readable storage medium 822 can be an electromechanical medium such as a common disk drive, or a mass storage medium with no moving parts such as Flash or like non-volatile memories. The instructions 824 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 804, the static memory 806, and/or within the processor 802 during execution thereof by the computer system 800. The main memory 804 and the processor 802 also may constitute computer-readable storage media.
Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement the methods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardware implementations.
In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein are intended for operation as software programs running on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementations can include, but not limited to, distributed processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the methods described herein.
The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containing instructions 824, or that which receives and executes instructions 824 from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a network environment 826 can send or receive voice, video or data, and to communicate over the network 826 using the instructions 824. The instructions 824 may further be transmitted or received over a network 826 via the network interface device 820.
While the computer-readable storage medium 822 is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “computer-readable storage medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “computer-readable storage medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present disclosure.
The term “computer-readable storage medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile) memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape; and carrier wave signals such as a signal embodying computer instructions in a transmission medium; and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives is considered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a computer-readable storage medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein and including art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which the software implementations herein are stored.
Although the present specification describes components and functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards and protocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) represent examples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same functions are considered equivalents.
The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description.
The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.
