Telephonic communications – Audio message storage – retrieval – or synthesis – Message management
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-13
2001-07-10
Tsang, Fan (Department: 2645)
Telephonic communications
Audio message storage, retrieval, or synthesis
Message management
C379S088110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06259772
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for message delivery in telecommunications network.
2. Related Art
A service known as “True Message” has been advertised by AT&T. In this service, a caller may, if the called party is busy (or perhaps on other circumstances), choose to record a message for that called party. The network will then attempt later to set up a call to the called party and deliver the message. If the called party so wishes, they can deposit a message in reply for the calling party.
It may be perceived that the system thus described has similarity to conventional voice mail boxes, in which a message is left for a called party if they are unavailable, and to “call completion” services using such mail boxes (as described in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,313,515).
However, there is a difference. For voice mail boxes and call completion services, the message is stored in a mail box which is linked to the identity of the called party. Thus, the service can only be provided when the called party has made arrangements to enable it. With message delivery services such as the above described “True Message” service, the message is stored in a record linked to the identity of the calling party, and therefore requires no arrangements to have been by the called party. Rather than being deposited for access at the leisure of the called party, the message delivery is specified by the calling party.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides various improvements in a message delivery service of this type.
In a first aspect, the invention provides a call delivery service in which the network will, under predetermined conditions (for example, at the request of the called party) , set up a call from the called party back to the calling party after delivering the message.
In another aspect, the invention provides a message delivery service in which the calling party may specify a message delivery time. Preferably, the system will then check whether the delivery time corresponds to an antisocial period (for example, overnight) and will so indicate to the calling party.
In another aspect, the invention provides a message delivery service in which the dial number of the calling party is stored and is supplied as the calling line identification with the message delivery. Thus, called parties with calling line identification display terminals can see who the message is from before receiving it, reducing the risks of delivery of an unwelcome or harassing message.
In another aspect, the invention provides a call delivery system in which the announcements of the availability of the service are provided from dispersed announcement stores, rather than from the network point (e.g. speech processor unit) at which the messages are stored and from which they are delivered. This reduces network congestion by limiting connections to these network points to those occasions where the service is to be invoked.
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Fishburn Paul J
Stephens Christopher
British Telecommunications PLC
Foster Roland G.
Nixon & Vanderhye P.C.
Tsang Fan
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