Telephonic communications – Audio message storage – retrieval – or synthesis – Indication or notification of message
Reexamination Certificate
1997-12-17
2001-03-13
Weaver, Scott L. (Department: 2645)
Telephonic communications
Audio message storage, retrieval, or synthesis
Indication or notification of message
C379S088110
Reexamination Certificate
active
06201858
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus and method of providing indications of a phone subscriber's messages at multiple terminals.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Phone subscribers usually have more than one phone. For example, a subscriber typically has both a home phone and an office phone, and many subscribers have other phones such as cellular or car phones. The different phones for a particular subscriber often have different voice mail systems, such as one voice mail system for an office phone and another for a home phone.
In a traditional voice mail system, a subscriber receives an indication of a pending message at the terminal or phone that was called. For example, if a caller leaves a voice mail message at a subscriber's office phone, the subscriber receives an indication of the pending message at only the office phone. Likewise, if a caller leaves a message when calling a subscriber's home phone, the subscriber receives an indication of the pending message at only the home phone. Because subscribers only receive message indicators at the phone that was called, they may experience a delay in receiving indications of their pending messages. Thus, they may not know that they have a message unless, for example, they are physically present at their phone. It is often possible for a subscriber to call a particular voice mail system to check for pending messages. However, that option may inconvenience subscribers, particularly if they are associated with multiple voice mail systems.
Accordingly, a need exists for an improved system for providing indications of messages to a subscriber having multiple phones.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An apparatus consistent with the present invention receives a message for a phone subscriber associated with a plurality of phones. The apparatus provides an indication of the message at each phone within a group of the phones associated with the subscriber.
Another apparatus consistent with the present invention receives a message for a phone subscriber associated with a first phone and a second phone. The apparatus provides a first type of indication at the first and second phones if the first phone originated a call resulting in the message, and it provides a second type of indication at the first and second phones if the second phone originated the call resulting in the message.
A method consistent with the present invention receives a message for a phone subscriber associated with a plurality of phones and provides an indication of the message at each phone within a group of the phones associated with the subscriber. Another method consistent with the present invention receives a message for a phone subscriber associated with a first phone and a second phone. The method provides a first type of indication at the first and second phones if the first phone originated a call resulting in the message, and it provides a second type of indication at the first and second phones if the second phone originated the call resulting in the message.
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G. Vaudreuil, “Voice Profile for Internet Mail,” Octel Network Services, Network Working Group, Request for Comments: 1911, Category: Experimental (Feb. 1996), pp. 1-22.
“Interface Description—Interface Between Customer Premise Equipment; Simplified Message Desk and Switching System: IAESS™,” Bell Communications Research, Inc., Technical Reference TR-TSY-000283, Issue 1 (Jul. 1985), 10 pages.
Finnegan Henderson Farabow Garrett & Dunner L.L.P.
Nortel Networks Limited
Weaver Scott L.
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