Message storage systems and methods using filters

Details Message storage systems and methods using filters Message storage systems and methods using filters

1998-12-28

2001-05-15

Kuntz, Curtis (Department: 2643)

Telephonic communications

Telephone line or system combined with diverse electrical...

Having transmission of a digital message signal over a...

C379S067100, C379S088080

Reexamination Certificate

active

06233322

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
People who utilize telephone answering devices (“TADs”), electronic mailboxes, message storage systems and the like must sometimes share the same electronic mailbox. Typically, when this occurs each person sharing the same electronic mailbox is allowed to listen to or play back all of the messages to make sure they have received all of the messages addressed to them even though many of the messages are addressed to others and may not be intended for them. This causes each person to spend more time than is necessary listening to messages directed at others and may even lead to greater undesired results if messages intended for one person are made known to others. Even when there are multiple electronic mailboxes available so that each person can be given a separate mailbox, there is no way to limit the type of calls which are directed into a specific person's mailbox. Typically, a caller is asked to enter a set electronic mailbox number or code using, for example, dual-tone, multiple frequency (“DTMF”) dialing, i.e., touchtone dialing to identify the mailbox and little else. If the user of the mailbox wishes to screen out undesired calls from specific callers, phone numbers, at specific times of the day she is unable to do so.
It is desirable, therefore, to realize systems and methods which will eliminate or reduce the disadvantages of present message storage systems.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide for message storage systems and the like which comprise configurations of multiple, unique password-protected electronic mailboxes, where user defined “filters” are applied to each electronic mailbox to make sure that each user will only receive messages intended for them.
It is another object of the present invention to provide methods for storing messages which comprise configuring message storage systems and the like with multiple, unique password-protected electronic mailboxes, where user defined “filters” are applied to each electronic mailbox to make sure that each user will only receive messages intended for them.
It is another object of the present invention to provide for message storage systems which comprise a programmed medium which comprises program code for configuring message storage systems and the like with multiple, unique password-protected electronic mailboxes, where user defined “filters” are applied to each electronic mailbox to make sure that each user will only receive messages intended for them.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide methods for storing messages which comprise using programmed mediums and components further comprising program code for configuring message storage systems and the like with multiple, unique password-protected electronic mailboxes, where user defined “filters” are applied to each electronic mailbox to make sure that each user will only receive messages intended for them.
Other objectives, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention message storage systems are provided with multiple, unique password-protected electronic mailboxes, where user defined “filters” are applied to each electronic mailbox to make sure that each user will only receive messages intended for them. Some of these systems comprise: programmed means or a medium which further comprises program means or a program, the program comprising program code means or program code for: selecting a priority message storage location, non-priority message storage locations and default message storage locations from a message storage memory or circuitry; applying filters to the priority message storage location and non-priority message storage locations; comparing the filters of the priority message storage location and nonpriority message storage locations to a message signal; storing the message signal in the priority message storage location when the message signal matches a filter of the priority message storage location; storing the message signal in a non-priority message storage location when the message signal matches a filter of a non-priority message storage location and does not match a filter of the priority message storage location; and storing the message signal in a default message storage location when the message signal does not match a filter of the priority and non-priority message storage locations. Other embodiments may comprise programs which additionally comprise program code for: assigning a password code to each message storage location; applying filters to the priority message storage location when a password signal matches a password code assigned to the priority message storage location; and applying filters to a non-priority message storage location when a password signal matches a password code assigned to the non-priority message storage location.
The present invention envisions embodiments where the message storage systems comprise: selection circuitry for selecting a priority message storage location, non-priority message storage locations and default message storage locations from message storage memory circuitry; application circuitry for applying filters to the priority message storage location and non-priority message storage locations; comparison circuitry for comparing the filters of the priority message storage location and non-priority message storage locations to a message signal; and storage circuitry for storing the message signal in the priority message storage location when the message signal matches a filter of the priority message storage location, for storing the message signal in a non-priority message storage location when the message signal matches a filter of a non-priority message storage location and does not match a filter of the priority message storage location and for storing the message signal in a default message storage location when the message signal does not match a filter of the priority and non-priority message storage locations. An additional embodiment comprises password circuitry for assigning a password code to each message storage location. Still other embodiments comprise application circuitry for applying filters to: the priority message storage location when a password signal matches a password code assigned to the priority message storage location; and to a non-priority message storage location when a password signal matches a password code assigned to the non-priority message storage location.
All of these embodiments may additionally comprise: message storage memory or circuitry for storing priority, non-priority and default message storage locations; configurations where message storage locations comprise electronic mailboxes; configurations where filters may be selected from a group consisting of name, phone number, time, date and ring cadence; and configurations which additionally comprise receiving circuitry or a receiver for receiving message signals and a password signal.
In addition to systems, the present invention envisions methods for storing messages, some of which comprise using programmed means or a medium, the medium comprising a program or program means, the program further comprising program code means or program code for configuring message storage systems and the like with multiple, unique password protected electronic mailboxes, where user defined “filters” are applied to each electronic mailbox to make sure that each user will only receive messages intended for them. Embodiments which utilize programmed mediums may comprise using programmed mediums, the mediums comprising programs, the programs further comprising program code for: selecting a priority message storage location, non-priority message storage locations and default message storage locations from a message storage memory; applying filters to the prority message storage location and non-priority message storage locations; compari

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