Telecommunications – Radiotelephone system – Message storage or retrieval
Reexamination Certificate
1999-09-24
2001-06-12
Le, Thang Cong (Department: 2684)
Telecommunications
Radiotelephone system
Message storage or retrieval
C455S412100, C455S418000, C379S088160, C379S067100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06246871
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention pertains to a message system for use in a telecommunications network. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing multiple recipients limited access to a network subscriber's message mailbox in a cellular communications network for retrieving designated messages.
2. Description of the Related Art
Modern cellular networks, such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), provide several efficient mechanisms for wireless messaging among subscribers. One such mechanism is the use of Short Message Services (SMS) wherein relatively short messages (typically up to 160 characters) are communicated over a communication network using common SMS transfer procedures to intended recipients. The expense or cost to a user of SMS is less than that of a standard voice message (e.g. a telephone call) thus making SMS an attractive alternative for communicating short messages.
Another mechanism used for efficient messaging among system users is voice mailboxing, which allows users to communicate with each other through temporarily stored messages in a message database. Voice mailbox features are commonplace in modern communications systems and are employed when a user attempts, unsuccessfully, to reach a recipient. In that event, the user will have the option of storing a message (either voice or text) for the intended recipient in memory (e.g., a mailbox) accessible by the recipient via an authentication procedure, for example, a code or password input through the recipient's mobile station or another mobile station or a conventional telephone. Oftentimes, however, it is desirable for a network subscriber to broadcast messages to a group of recipients or to allow a group of recipients access to a common message such as, for example, when a user is a member of a group or team and requires dissemination of a particular message to all of the team members. To accomplish such a task, existing voice mailbox systems require separately contacting the mailboxes of all group members and conveying the common message. Such redundancy is time consuming and costly to the user who must place multiple calls on the cellular phone network, i.e. a separate call to each group member.
Several existing systems provide for conveyance of a common message to multiple recipients. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,790,637 (Johnson et al.) and PCT Application WO 98/10608 (Green) provide for the conveyance of a common message to members of a group by selecting a desired group, i.e. one of a plurality of pre-stored groups. A drawback of such systems is that the group members must be pre-defined, thus maling it difficult to designate specific recipients for messages. Other known systems, such as the system described in PCT Application WO 98/37678 (Miner) require the broadcasting of a common message to multiple recipients who are designated by a user.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A voice mail method and apparatus are provided for use with a wireless communications network to allow a network subscriber to provide limited access to a network subscriber mailbox for the purpose of retrieving messages. The inventive method provides for the subscriber to access a network mailbox system through use of a telephone number or other access code such as an internet URL, and then access the subscriber mailbox utilizing a subscriber access code, such as a personal password. The subscriber mailbox contains a pre-stored temporary message which may be created by the subscriber and intended for distribution to recipients, or created by a third party for receipt by the subscriber, and for which the subscriber intends to further distribute to recipients. Once the subscriber mailbox is accessed with the subscriber access code, a temporary access code or password is assigned to the pre-stored message, which allows the pre-stored message to be accessed by recipients of the temporary access code. A notification message, including the temporary access code and an address code which provides access to the network mailbox system servicing the subscriber mailbox is then transmitted to the intended recipients of the pre-stored message. The notification message can be transmitted in any known manner such as via email, voice messaging or SMS. The recipients can then access the pre-stored message by entering the address code and the temporary access code.
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Cohen & Pontani, Lieberman & Pavane
Le Lana
Le Thang Cong
Nokia Networks Oy
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