CA2293301C - Electronic mail distribution system for integrated electronic communications - Google Patents
Electronic mail distribution system for integrated electronic communications Download PDFInfo
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- CA2293301C CA2293301C CA002293301A CA2293301A CA2293301C CA 2293301 C CA2293301 C CA 2293301C CA 002293301 A CA002293301 A CA 002293301A CA 2293301 A CA2293301 A CA 2293301A CA 2293301 C CA2293301 C CA 2293301C
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- Prior art keywords
- electronic mail
- message
- messages
- electronic
- service
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Classifications
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- G—PHYSICS
- G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
- G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- G06Q10/00—Administration; Management
- G06Q10/10—Office automation; Time management
- G06Q10/107—Computer-aided management of electronic mailing [e-mailing]
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L51/00—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
- H04L51/06—Message adaptation to terminal or network requirements
- H04L51/066—Format adaptation, e.g. format conversion or compression
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L51/00—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
- H04L51/21—Monitoring or handling of messages
- H04L51/214—Monitoring or handling of messages using selective forwarding
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L51/00—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
- H04L51/56—Unified messaging, e.g. interactions between e-mail, instant messaging or converged IP messaging [CPM]
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/50—Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers ; Centralised arrangements for recording messages
- H04M3/53—Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages, i.e. mailbox systems
- H04M3/5307—Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages, i.e. mailbox systems for recording messages comprising any combination of audio and non-audio components
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M3/00—Automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M3/42—Systems providing special services or facilities to subscribers
- H04M3/50—Centralised arrangements for answering calls; Centralised arrangements for recording messages for absent or busy subscribers ; Centralised arrangements for recording messages
- H04M3/53—Centralised arrangements for recording incoming messages, i.e. mailbox systems
- H04M3/533—Voice mail systems
- H04M3/53333—Message receiving aspects
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
- H04N1/00204—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server
- H04N1/00209—Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
- H04N1/00204—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server
- H04N1/00209—Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
- H04N1/00212—Attaching image data to computer messages, e.g. to e-mails
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
- H04N1/00204—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server
- H04N1/00209—Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
- H04N1/00214—Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax details of transmission
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
- H04N1/00204—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server
- H04N1/00209—Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax
- H04N1/00214—Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax details of transmission
- H04N1/00217—Transmitting or receiving image data, e.g. facsimile data, via a computer, e.g. using e-mail, a computer network, the internet, I-fax details of transmission only involving computer data transmission protocols, e.g. SMTP, WAP or HTTP
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/32—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device
- H04N1/32358—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device using picture signal storage, e.g. at transmitter
- H04N1/324—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device using picture signal storage, e.g. at transmitter intermediate the transmitter and receiver terminals, e.g. at an exchange
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
- H04N1/32—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device
- H04N1/32358—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device using picture signal storage, e.g. at transmitter
- H04N1/324—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device using picture signal storage, e.g. at transmitter intermediate the transmitter and receiver terminals, e.g. at an exchange
- H04N1/32406—Circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device, e.g. between a still-image camera and its memory or between a still-image camera and a printer device using picture signal storage, e.g. at transmitter intermediate the transmitter and receiver terminals, e.g. at an exchange in connection with routing or relaying, e.g. using a fax-server or a store-and-forward facility
- H04N1/32411—Handling instructions for routing or relaying
- H04N1/32416—Storage of instructions or retrieval of prestored instructions
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
- H04L51/00—User-to-user messaging in packet-switching networks, transmitted according to store-and-forward or real-time protocols, e.g. e-mail
- H04L51/21—Monitoring or handling of messages
- H04L51/212—Monitoring or handling of messages using filtering or selective blocking
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2201/00—Electronic components, circuits, software, systems or apparatus used in telephone systems
- H04M2201/60—Medium conversion
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2203/00—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M2203/30—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges related to audio recordings in general
- H04M2203/301—Management of recordings
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2203/00—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M2203/45—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges related to voicemail messaging
- H04M2203/4509—Unified messaging with single point of access to voicemail and other mail or messaging systems
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
- H04M2203/00—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges
- H04M2203/45—Aspects of automatic or semi-automatic exchanges related to voicemail messaging
- H04M2203/4536—Voicemail combined with text-based messaging
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
- H04N2201/0077—Types of the still picture apparatus
- H04N2201/0086—Image transceiver
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC
- Y10S—TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y10S707/00—Data processing: database and file management or data structures
- Y10S707/99931—Database or file accessing
- Y10S707/99939—Privileged access
Abstract
A system is disclosed for integrated electronic mail, voice mail, and fax mail messaging. A common message format is defined for use by an electronic mail service (10) and a telecommunications service (12) so electronic mail messages that may include voice and fax mail attachments may be exchanged between the services. Message senders (18) and receivers (22) may choose from a variety of filter and forward options that allow them to manage their communications and specify a preference for receiving messages (16) at the electronic mail or telecommunications service. Forwarding and conversion of messages is performed automatically. The options are used to define a set of rules to be applied to inbound and outbound messages so that messages are sent and received in accordance with the preferences of the senders and receivers.
Description
ELECTRONIC MAIL DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM FOR
INTEGRATED ELECTRONIC COMMZJNICATIONS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to communication' technologies such as electronic mail (e-mail), voice mail, and facsimile (fax) mail messaging.
Particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic mail gateway for integrating communications to facilitate access to electronic mail, voice mail, and fax mail messages.
Description of the Related Art Communications technology today allows inaividuals to send messages to one another fi-om virtually any location in the world at virtually any time of day. The variety or l~ communication modes (e.g., telephone, computer) and communication media (e.g., e-mail, voice mail, fax mail) available today allows individuals to clioose one appropriate for the circumstances.
Iu general, message senders today may select from a variety of communication media while message receivers are limited to the option selected by the message sender. If the sender uses the telephone to leave a voice mail message, the message receiver is required use a telephone to retrieve the voice mail message. If the sender uses a computer to send an e-mail message, the message receiver is required to use a computer to retrieve the e-mail message.
Some days, the message receiver may be unable to retrieve a message because the available communication mode may not be used to retrieve the message. h other instances, even if a message receiver alas access to a telephone, a computer, or some otlier communication device, the receiver may prefer using one device over the others. For example, the receiver may spend most of liis working day on a computer and may therefore, prefer to retrieve all of his inbound messages-regardless of the originating communication medium-using his computer.
The inability to alter the message medium after a message lias been sent (or to use a communication mode otlier tlian the one selected by the sender) umlecessarily burdens both message senders and message receivers. Senders and receivers may be required to select a medium prior to communicating so the parties are assured the communication will be received in a timely manner. If circumstances for the receiver change at any point following selection of the medium and the receiver is unable to notify the sender of the change, the receiver may risk missing the sender's communication because the message may not be accessible using an alternate communication mode. In addition, the inability of a message receiver to retrieve all inbound messages using a single communication mode or device results in additional burdens.
1 ~ Receivers are inconvenienced wlien they are required to switch, for example, between the telephone to retrieve void mail messages and the computer to retrieve e-mail messages.
Technologies liave been introduced that address the inconveniences imposed by widespread use of different messaging media. For example, Text-To-Speech (TTS) technology allows electronic tent messages to be lieard by a message receiver.
However, message receivers are generally required to integrate this technology into their own customized telecommunications/computer environments. Messages in differing media (e.g., e-mail, voice mail, fax mail) have not been seamlessly integrated so a message receiver may simply cloose a prefeiTed messaging medium and lave all incoming or inbound messages processed accordingly.
SUI~ffVIARY OF THE INVENTION
Tlie present invention addresses the limitations in current communications technology that require receivers to retrieve messages in accordance witli a predetermined communication medium or in accordance with the communication mode selected by senders. The present invention is a seamlessly integrated communications system tliat combines e-mail, voice mail, and fax mail messaging. The cross-media messaging system of the present invention allows messages to be exchanged between electronic mail and telecommunications service providers so all inbound messages-regardless of the originating communication medium-may be retrieved by a message receiver using a telephone or computer.
The present invention is an electronic mail gateway that allows electronic messages to be exchanged between an electronic mail service and a telecommunications service. Messages forwarded from the electronic mail service to the telecommunications service may be retrieved using a teleplione. Using a standard telephone, receivers may listen to voice mail messages, redirect fax mail to a fax macliine, or "listen" to e-mail messages that originated as text 1~ messages and liave been forwarded from an electronic mail service to a telecommunications service switch. Messages may also be forwarded &~om the telecommunications service to the electroluc mail service. Using a computer and modem, users may playback voice mail messages, view fax mail messages, or read e-mail messages tliat originated as voice or fax messages. Messages and/or message attacliments wvich are exclianged using electronic mail messaging teclmology are automatically reformatted or conveuted into the appropriate format (e.g., xiug protocol, TIFF format.) Message reformatting or conversion is performed automatically at a telecommunications or electronic mail service provider that delivers inbound - messages so message receivers need only specify a preferred communication medium to take advantage of the features and fmnctionality of the present invention.
., C .C~;~ ." ~ J, l CI
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic mail gateway for facilitating cross-media messaging between an electronic mail messaging system and a telecommunications switch. The gateway comprises a first host computer in communication with the electronic mail messaging system, the first host computer being adapted to store and forward a plurality of electronic mail messages. The gateway also includes an electronic mail distributor at the first host computer for selectively altering electronic mail messages for routing to a plurality of electronic mailboxes associated with the telecommunications switch. The gateway further includes a second host computer in communication with the telecommunications switch, the second host computer being adapted to receive electronic mail messages from the electronic mailboxes associated with the telecommunications switch.
The electronic mail messaging system may be part of an online information service.
The electronic mail distributor may selectively alter electronic mail messages for routing to the electronic mailboxes in association with the telecommunications switch in accordance with electronic mail message recipient profiles.
The electronic mail distributor may selectively alter electronic mail messages in accordance with a common message format.
The electronic mail distributor may selectively alter electronic mail messages by concatenating new routing information to certain ones of the plurality of electronic mail messages.
New routing information may comprise a sender field identifying an electronic mail service provider and a receiver field identifying a telecommunications service provider.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic mail gateway for facilitating cross-media messaging between an electronic mail messaging system and a telecommunications switch. The gateway comprises a first host computer in communication with the telecommunications switch, a second host computer in communication with the electronic mail messaging system, an electronic mail distributor for distributing the electronic mail messages with the attachments to a plurality of electronic mailboxes, and a graphical user interface for 3a on i ~ ~ ~in i~" ~ ~~.
use by recipients of said electronic mail messages. The first host computer is adapted to store and forward a plurality of electronic mail messages with voice mail or fax mail attachments. The second host computer is adapted to receive electronic mail messages with attachments from the first host computer.
The graphical user interface is adapted for communication with the electronic mailboxes and comprises an audio player for playing the voice mail attachments and a fax viewer for displaying the fax mail attachments.
The electronic mail messaging system may be part of an online information seance.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for forwarding electronic mail messages to a telecommunications switch. The method involves accepting an electronic mail message in accordance with a first format from an electronic messaging system, locating a profile associated with a recipient of the electronic mail message, the profile including forwarding instructions, altering the electronic mail message in accordance with the forwarding instructions for routing to an electronic mailbox in association with the telecommunications switch, and forwarding the altered electronic mail message to the telecommunications switch.
The electronic mail message may be altered ' in accordance with a common message format.
Altering the electronic mail message may include concatenating new routing information to the electronic mail message.
The new routing information may comprise a sender file identifying an electronic mail service provider and a receiver field identifying a telecommunications service provider.
3b BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a system organization diagram of the primary components for a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a flow chart of the primary steps of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a common message format for a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODI1VVIENT(S) The present invention is a sophisticated computer system tliat facilitates communications between senders and receivers of e-mail, voice mail, and fax mail messages.
The system is comprised of a collection of application programs and services hosted on different computers (or servers) and various devices that are interconnected by an infrastructure or gateway that supports electronic mail communications between the participating entities. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the application programs and services as well as the supporting hardware components of the present invention may be developed and maintained by different service providers who cooperate with one another to provide the features and functionality of the present invention.
Using this arrangement, each service provider may focus on the development of technology suited to its particular area of expertise. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the features and fiulctionality may be developed and maintained by a single service provider or access service. The service provider or access service on which the message receiver relies for delivery of voice mail, e-mail, and fax mail u~essages knows the receiver's preferences as defined in a set of rules stored in a message receiver or user profile database so all messages tnay be delivered to the receiver in accordance with his or her preferences.
The ability to ~1 exchange electronic messages between service providers based on rules defined in accordance with user preferences is unique to the present invention.
The present invention offers a variety of features to both "senders" and "receivers" of messages. Senders are users who address communications to message receivers.
Senders use ~ a particular communication mode (e.g., teleplione, computer/modem) to send messages.
Initially, messages are routed to and stored :n a mzilbox compatible W t1 the sender's communication mode/medium. For example, messages sent via the telephone may be stored in a voice mailbox. Messages sent via a computer and modem may be stored in an electronic mailbox.
Re~:eivers are the users to whom the individual voice mail, fax mail, and e-mail messages are addressed. Receivers are, preferably, subscribers or users of the telecommunications and/or electronic mail senrice. Electronic mail senrices may be provided by an online information service sucli as the CompuServe Information Service.
Au online information serrice such as the CompuServe Information Senrce may provide Internet access 1 ~ and access to proprietary databases in addition to providing electronic mail sen~icos. Tile information service mr~y be cc.esprised of lzrge Lumber of network nodes or servers that located througlloia the world and that are capable of communicating with each otlier in order to create a global network.
Couuectieu software provided by the electronic mail service allows message receivers to connect to and communicate with the service. Preierab~.y, the connection software is embodied in a graphical user interface that allows users to interact with the service using - graphical C11Sp11yS alld a pointing device such as a mouse. CompuServe's WiIICIM Version 3.0 is an example of connection software that supports access to and interaction W th an electroiuc mail service. To communicate with the service, a subscriber or user establislies a connection witli one of the nodes or servers that belongs to the information service.
hi addition to providing access to and interacting with an electronic mail service, the connection software allows a user to define roles or filter and forward instructions for managing incoming (inbotmd) and outgoing (outbound) messages. In addition to other rules or filter and forward instructions, a message receiver may indicate a preferred communication medium by selecting options that define one or more rules to be applied automatically by an electronic mail service provider to inbound messages. For example, a receiver may, by selecting certain options, define a rule to request that messages initiated via the telephone be stored in a voice mailbox and forwarded to an e-mail mailbox for later viewing. Alternatively, a receiver may, by selecting certain options, define a rule to request that messages initiated via a computerl'modem (i.e., e-mail messages) be stored in an e-mail mailbox and forwarded to a voice mailbox for later retrieval.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a message receiver may interact with l~ a teleplione voice response unit to select options that define rules to be applied to incomvlg voice and fax mail messages. The rules may be stored in a database at the telecommunications service and applied to iilcomiug messages.
As may be apparent, user preferences may be selected and stored in a database at either the electronc mail service or the telecommunications service. As messages addressed to the receiver arrive at the telecommunications or electronic mail service (either of which facilitates delivery of the message), the receiver's rules are applied by an electronic mail distributor or other message distributor so all forwarding and conversion of messages (if necessary) may be performed automatically. The receiver then uses the appropriate communication mode (e.g., telephone, computer) to retrieve the inbotmd messages. For example, a receiver may dial into a voice mailbox with a standard telephone and listen to voice mail messages, redirect fax mail to a local fax machine, or "listen" to e-mail messages.
Alternatively, a user may dial into an e-mail mailbox witli a computer and playback voice mail messages, vew fax mail messages, and read e-mail messages.
Referring to Figure 1, the present invention is an electronic mail gateway that facilitates the exchange of electronic messages between an electronic mail service 10 and a telecommunications service 12 to support cross-media messaging. Messages are exchanged according to a common message format. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, messages between the electronic mail service 10 and telecommunications service 12 are electronic mail messages that may include voice mail or faY mail attachments.
Messages are exchanged between the services based on preferences of users of the system. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention in which electronic mail messages are forwarded to a telecommunications service, an electronic mail distributor 14 located at the electronic mail service 10 examines au incoming message 16 from a user (i. e., message sender) 18 of the electronic mail service 10 wlio may use dial-up access 20 to send a message to another user (i.e., message receiver) of the service. Alternatively, incoming messages 16 may be fonvarded to the service from another electronic mail service or the Internet. TMe electronic mail distributor 14 wliicli, preferably, is an application program tliat operates on a server located at the electronic mail service determines the receiver of the message and accesses a Message Receiver Profile Database 22 to determine whether the receiver of the message has mle 24 in lais or her profile that indicates the message receiver would like the message to be forwarded to the telecommunications service 12 for later retrieval via the telephone. If the receiver has specified a preference (via a rule in his or her message receiver profile) for receiving incoming messages at the telecommunications service 12, the incoming message f 6 is modified by the electronic mail distributor 14 to include telecommunications service routing information 26.
The telecommunications service routing information is preferably stored in a Telecommunications Service Routing Irrfonuatiou Database 28 wliich is accessible by the electronic mail distributor i4. For example, information may be stored in service name-routing information pairs within the database 28. A message receiver's profile may include the name of a telecommunications to which electronic mail messages are to be fonvarded. The Telecommunications Service Routing Information Database 28 may include the service name-routing information pair so that the distributor may perform a look-up in the database based on the service name found in the message receiver's profile 22.
The modified electronic message 30 is then forward by the electronic mail distributor 14 to an electronic mailbox 34 in communication with an electronic mail service network node 32 at the electronic mail service 10 and that has been created specifically for the telecommunications service 12. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an electronic mail service network node 38 located at the telecommunications service 12 1~ periodically polls the electronic mail service network node 32 at the electronic mail service 10 to determine whether the telecommunications service mailbox 34 contains any modified messages to be forwarded to the telecommunications service 12. The polling operation and the exchange of messages between the services, preferably, is performed using an X.25 link 36 that has been established between the services. Modified messages 30 from the telecommucrications service mailbox 34 rnay then be transmitted from the electronic mail service network node at the electronic mail service 32 via the X.2~ iirrk 36 to the electronic service network node at tile telecommunications service 38.
Oncc at the telecommunications service 12, the incoming messages are examined to identify the individual message receivers. Each message receiver's personal messages may then be stored in au electronic mailbox 40 located at the electronic mail service network node 38. A message may then be made available througli the teleplione switch 46 at the telecommunications service 12 and the message 30 may be retrieved by a message receiver via the telephone. When the message receiver calls the telephone switch 46 to retrieve a message, the telephone switch 46 communicates witli the electronic mail service network node 38 via a switcli node 44 connected via a local area network 42. A te,~ct-to-speech operation performed at the telecommunications service allows the electronic mail message to be heard by the message receiver when he or she calls the switch to hear the message.
Alternatively, the message receiver may arrange to receive the electronic mail message at a fax machine specified by the receiver.
Alternatively, if the message receiver does not specify a preference for receiving the incoming message at the telecommunications service, the electronic mail distributor 14 based on other preferences or actions of the message receiver may forward the electronic message 16 to the receiver's mailbox 4S at the electronic mail service 10 or to one or more electronic mailboxes 50 designated for use by other members of the electronic mail service 10. Finally, the message 16 may be forwarded to Internet or another electronic mail service 52.
Referring to Figure 2, a flow cliart of the primary steps of the present invention is shown for a preferred embodiment of the present invention in wliich electronic mail messages are forwarded from an electronic mail service to a telecommv.ulications service. 1'lie steps or operations shown in Figure 2, preferably, are perfoonecl by the electronic mail dis2ibutor of the presort invention. When the electrou.ic mail distributor receives an incoming message, it first examines the message receiver preferences or filter and fomvard instmctions as defrned in the message receiver's profile stored in tl~c message receiver profile database 60. Preferably, the incoming message is comprised of a message header that includes an identifier for the message receiver or recipient and text for the message. The electronic mail distributor may then loointp the receiver's profile based on the identifier in the lieader of the message. In the new step, the electronic mail distributor determines, based on information or instructions stored in the profile, whether the message receiver wants the electronic mail message to be forwarded to the telecommunications service 62. If the message receiver does not want the electronic mail message to be forwarded to the telecommunications switch, the electronic mail distributor arranges to forward the message to the message receiver's mailbox located at the electronic mail service, to other service subscribers, or to the Internet or another electronic mail service 64. If the message receiver wants the electronic mail message to be forwarded to the telecommunications switcli, the electronic mail distributor modifies the message to include routing information for the telecommunications service electronic mailbox located at the electronic mail service 66. The message is flier forwarded to the telecommunications seance mailbox 68. Once at the telecommunications service mailbox, messages stored in the mailbox are sent to the electronic mail service network node located at the telecommunications service wlien the electronic mail service network node located at the telecommunications service polls the mailbox 70. Once at the telecommunications service, the message receiver may retrieve the message via the teleplioue.
Refening to Figure 3, a common message format for messages exchanged between the electronic mail service and telecommmicatious service is shown. Preferably, the message is comprised of au envelope 80 and a body 82. The body of the comnnou message format is preferably the original message seat by the message sender. Tine original message is preferably comprised in pant of a message header 84 that identifies the subject of the original message, the recipient of the original message, tl~e sender of the original message, and tire date and time the original message was sent. The original nnessage also contains the text of the original message 86. 1n the common message format, the envelope 80, preferably, is comprised of a message header 88 that includes several fields with information that allow the message to be processed at either the telecommunications service or the electronic mail service. A first field 90 may identify the telecommunications or electronic mail service provider to which the message may be forwarded. The message lieader of the envelope 88 may also include a field with a subject line 92 tliat refers to the telecommunications or electronic mail service as well as a field with the date and time the original message was modified 94.
Finally, the message lieader of the envelope 88 may include a field that identifies the message sender 96 as the telecommunications or electronic mail service rather than the original message sender.
Modifying the original message to include an new envelope allows electronic messages to be exclianged between an electronic mail service and a telecommunications service.
Messages are exchanged between mailboxes designated for use by the services.
One or more distributors located at each service route electronic messages to a central repository for the service so they may be exchanged between the services. After messages arrive at the 1~ designated service, tliey may be sent to and stored in mailboxes associated witli individual message receivers for Iater retrieval by the message receivers. Upon retrieval messages may be converted as needed by additional equipment located at the service and/or at the message receiver's site.
The common message format and the use of the central message repository for each service facilitates the exchange of messages between the electronic mail service and the telecommunications service. The common format is based on lcnow~~ e-mail formats so that messages may be fomvarded from the electronic mail service to the telecommmicatious sewice, and vice-versa, using standard electronic mail protocols. Using this approach, the telecommunications service appears to tl~e electronic mail service to be part of the electronic mail service global network and another member of the service to whom messages may be forwarded. The telecommwucations service may accept all types of messages, including multipart and binary messages, flint the electronic mail service is capable of processing. For example, messages processed by the electronic mail service and consequently, the telecommmucations service, may include attachments sucli as voice mail attachments (e.g., xing protocol) and fax mail attachments (e.g., TIFF files). The equipment at the telecommunications service may then be adapted to understand the common message format so flint electronic mail messages comprised originally of text may be processed at the telecommunications switch. For example, the original text may be converted through a text-to-speech process so that a message receiver may liear the original message over the telephone. The original text may also be converted to a TIFF image, so that the message may be processed througli a fax machine.
Using the common message format approach, the telecommunications service appears to the electronic mail service to be another electronic mail service from which electronic mail messages also may be received. Voice mail messages that originate at the telecommunications service may be forwarded to the electronic mail service in accordance with an electronic mail message flint lias au attached audio file containing the original voice mail message. Computer users may then use connection software to retrieve electronic mail messages including those electronic mail messages associated with audio files. The connection software, which may be equipped with au audio file player, may then, at the user's request, play the voice mail message for the computer user. Alternatively, fax mail messages that originate at the telecommunications service may be fomvarded to the electronic mail service in accordance with an electronic mail message that has an attaches! T(FP file containing the original fax mail message. Computer users may then use connection software to retrieve electronic mail messages including those electronic mail messages associated with far files.
The fax file may be viewed using a fax viewer provided with the connection software.
Altliough the uivention is described in detail with specific reference to a single prefewed embodiment and certain alternatives, it is not limited to that particular embodiment or alternatives. For example, the configuration of the components that provide the features and fimctionality of the present invention may change and fall witliin the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims.
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INTEGRATED ELECTRONIC COMMZJNICATIONS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to communication' technologies such as electronic mail (e-mail), voice mail, and facsimile (fax) mail messaging.
Particularly, the present invention relates to an electronic mail gateway for integrating communications to facilitate access to electronic mail, voice mail, and fax mail messages.
Description of the Related Art Communications technology today allows inaividuals to send messages to one another fi-om virtually any location in the world at virtually any time of day. The variety or l~ communication modes (e.g., telephone, computer) and communication media (e.g., e-mail, voice mail, fax mail) available today allows individuals to clioose one appropriate for the circumstances.
Iu general, message senders today may select from a variety of communication media while message receivers are limited to the option selected by the message sender. If the sender uses the telephone to leave a voice mail message, the message receiver is required use a telephone to retrieve the voice mail message. If the sender uses a computer to send an e-mail message, the message receiver is required to use a computer to retrieve the e-mail message.
Some days, the message receiver may be unable to retrieve a message because the available communication mode may not be used to retrieve the message. h other instances, even if a message receiver alas access to a telephone, a computer, or some otlier communication device, the receiver may prefer using one device over the others. For example, the receiver may spend most of liis working day on a computer and may therefore, prefer to retrieve all of his inbound messages-regardless of the originating communication medium-using his computer.
The inability to alter the message medium after a message lias been sent (or to use a communication mode otlier tlian the one selected by the sender) umlecessarily burdens both message senders and message receivers. Senders and receivers may be required to select a medium prior to communicating so the parties are assured the communication will be received in a timely manner. If circumstances for the receiver change at any point following selection of the medium and the receiver is unable to notify the sender of the change, the receiver may risk missing the sender's communication because the message may not be accessible using an alternate communication mode. In addition, the inability of a message receiver to retrieve all inbound messages using a single communication mode or device results in additional burdens.
1 ~ Receivers are inconvenienced wlien they are required to switch, for example, between the telephone to retrieve void mail messages and the computer to retrieve e-mail messages.
Technologies liave been introduced that address the inconveniences imposed by widespread use of different messaging media. For example, Text-To-Speech (TTS) technology allows electronic tent messages to be lieard by a message receiver.
However, message receivers are generally required to integrate this technology into their own customized telecommunications/computer environments. Messages in differing media (e.g., e-mail, voice mail, fax mail) have not been seamlessly integrated so a message receiver may simply cloose a prefeiTed messaging medium and lave all incoming or inbound messages processed accordingly.
SUI~ffVIARY OF THE INVENTION
Tlie present invention addresses the limitations in current communications technology that require receivers to retrieve messages in accordance witli a predetermined communication medium or in accordance with the communication mode selected by senders. The present invention is a seamlessly integrated communications system tliat combines e-mail, voice mail, and fax mail messaging. The cross-media messaging system of the present invention allows messages to be exchanged between electronic mail and telecommunications service providers so all inbound messages-regardless of the originating communication medium-may be retrieved by a message receiver using a telephone or computer.
The present invention is an electronic mail gateway that allows electronic messages to be exchanged between an electronic mail service and a telecommunications service. Messages forwarded from the electronic mail service to the telecommunications service may be retrieved using a teleplione. Using a standard telephone, receivers may listen to voice mail messages, redirect fax mail to a fax macliine, or "listen" to e-mail messages that originated as text 1~ messages and liave been forwarded from an electronic mail service to a telecommunications service switch. Messages may also be forwarded &~om the telecommunications service to the electroluc mail service. Using a computer and modem, users may playback voice mail messages, view fax mail messages, or read e-mail messages tliat originated as voice or fax messages. Messages and/or message attacliments wvich are exclianged using electronic mail messaging teclmology are automatically reformatted or conveuted into the appropriate format (e.g., xiug protocol, TIFF format.) Message reformatting or conversion is performed automatically at a telecommunications or electronic mail service provider that delivers inbound - messages so message receivers need only specify a preferred communication medium to take advantage of the features and fmnctionality of the present invention.
., C .C~;~ ." ~ J, l CI
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic mail gateway for facilitating cross-media messaging between an electronic mail messaging system and a telecommunications switch. The gateway comprises a first host computer in communication with the electronic mail messaging system, the first host computer being adapted to store and forward a plurality of electronic mail messages. The gateway also includes an electronic mail distributor at the first host computer for selectively altering electronic mail messages for routing to a plurality of electronic mailboxes associated with the telecommunications switch. The gateway further includes a second host computer in communication with the telecommunications switch, the second host computer being adapted to receive electronic mail messages from the electronic mailboxes associated with the telecommunications switch.
The electronic mail messaging system may be part of an online information service.
The electronic mail distributor may selectively alter electronic mail messages for routing to the electronic mailboxes in association with the telecommunications switch in accordance with electronic mail message recipient profiles.
The electronic mail distributor may selectively alter electronic mail messages in accordance with a common message format.
The electronic mail distributor may selectively alter electronic mail messages by concatenating new routing information to certain ones of the plurality of electronic mail messages.
New routing information may comprise a sender field identifying an electronic mail service provider and a receiver field identifying a telecommunications service provider.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided an electronic mail gateway for facilitating cross-media messaging between an electronic mail messaging system and a telecommunications switch. The gateway comprises a first host computer in communication with the telecommunications switch, a second host computer in communication with the electronic mail messaging system, an electronic mail distributor for distributing the electronic mail messages with the attachments to a plurality of electronic mailboxes, and a graphical user interface for 3a on i ~ ~ ~in i~" ~ ~~.
use by recipients of said electronic mail messages. The first host computer is adapted to store and forward a plurality of electronic mail messages with voice mail or fax mail attachments. The second host computer is adapted to receive electronic mail messages with attachments from the first host computer.
The graphical user interface is adapted for communication with the electronic mailboxes and comprises an audio player for playing the voice mail attachments and a fax viewer for displaying the fax mail attachments.
The electronic mail messaging system may be part of an online information seance.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for forwarding electronic mail messages to a telecommunications switch. The method involves accepting an electronic mail message in accordance with a first format from an electronic messaging system, locating a profile associated with a recipient of the electronic mail message, the profile including forwarding instructions, altering the electronic mail message in accordance with the forwarding instructions for routing to an electronic mailbox in association with the telecommunications switch, and forwarding the altered electronic mail message to the telecommunications switch.
The electronic mail message may be altered ' in accordance with a common message format.
Altering the electronic mail message may include concatenating new routing information to the electronic mail message.
The new routing information may comprise a sender file identifying an electronic mail service provider and a receiver field identifying a telecommunications service provider.
3b BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 is a system organization diagram of the primary components for a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Figure 2 is a flow chart of the primary steps of the present invention; and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic representation of a common message format for a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODI1VVIENT(S) The present invention is a sophisticated computer system tliat facilitates communications between senders and receivers of e-mail, voice mail, and fax mail messages.
The system is comprised of a collection of application programs and services hosted on different computers (or servers) and various devices that are interconnected by an infrastructure or gateway that supports electronic mail communications between the participating entities. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the application programs and services as well as the supporting hardware components of the present invention may be developed and maintained by different service providers who cooperate with one another to provide the features and functionality of the present invention.
Using this arrangement, each service provider may focus on the development of technology suited to its particular area of expertise. In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the features and fiulctionality may be developed and maintained by a single service provider or access service. The service provider or access service on which the message receiver relies for delivery of voice mail, e-mail, and fax mail u~essages knows the receiver's preferences as defined in a set of rules stored in a message receiver or user profile database so all messages tnay be delivered to the receiver in accordance with his or her preferences.
The ability to ~1 exchange electronic messages between service providers based on rules defined in accordance with user preferences is unique to the present invention.
The present invention offers a variety of features to both "senders" and "receivers" of messages. Senders are users who address communications to message receivers.
Senders use ~ a particular communication mode (e.g., teleplione, computer/modem) to send messages.
Initially, messages are routed to and stored :n a mzilbox compatible W t1 the sender's communication mode/medium. For example, messages sent via the telephone may be stored in a voice mailbox. Messages sent via a computer and modem may be stored in an electronic mailbox.
Re~:eivers are the users to whom the individual voice mail, fax mail, and e-mail messages are addressed. Receivers are, preferably, subscribers or users of the telecommunications and/or electronic mail senrice. Electronic mail senrices may be provided by an online information service sucli as the CompuServe Information Service.
Au online information serrice such as the CompuServe Information Senrce may provide Internet access 1 ~ and access to proprietary databases in addition to providing electronic mail sen~icos. Tile information service mr~y be cc.esprised of lzrge Lumber of network nodes or servers that located througlloia the world and that are capable of communicating with each otlier in order to create a global network.
Couuectieu software provided by the electronic mail service allows message receivers to connect to and communicate with the service. Preierab~.y, the connection software is embodied in a graphical user interface that allows users to interact with the service using - graphical C11Sp11yS alld a pointing device such as a mouse. CompuServe's WiIICIM Version 3.0 is an example of connection software that supports access to and interaction W th an electroiuc mail service. To communicate with the service, a subscriber or user establislies a connection witli one of the nodes or servers that belongs to the information service.
hi addition to providing access to and interacting with an electronic mail service, the connection software allows a user to define roles or filter and forward instructions for managing incoming (inbotmd) and outgoing (outbound) messages. In addition to other rules or filter and forward instructions, a message receiver may indicate a preferred communication medium by selecting options that define one or more rules to be applied automatically by an electronic mail service provider to inbound messages. For example, a receiver may, by selecting certain options, define a rule to request that messages initiated via the telephone be stored in a voice mailbox and forwarded to an e-mail mailbox for later viewing. Alternatively, a receiver may, by selecting certain options, define a rule to request that messages initiated via a computerl'modem (i.e., e-mail messages) be stored in an e-mail mailbox and forwarded to a voice mailbox for later retrieval.
In another embodiment of the present invention, a message receiver may interact with l~ a teleplione voice response unit to select options that define rules to be applied to incomvlg voice and fax mail messages. The rules may be stored in a database at the telecommunications service and applied to iilcomiug messages.
As may be apparent, user preferences may be selected and stored in a database at either the electronc mail service or the telecommunications service. As messages addressed to the receiver arrive at the telecommunications or electronic mail service (either of which facilitates delivery of the message), the receiver's rules are applied by an electronic mail distributor or other message distributor so all forwarding and conversion of messages (if necessary) may be performed automatically. The receiver then uses the appropriate communication mode (e.g., telephone, computer) to retrieve the inbotmd messages. For example, a receiver may dial into a voice mailbox with a standard telephone and listen to voice mail messages, redirect fax mail to a local fax machine, or "listen" to e-mail messages.
Alternatively, a user may dial into an e-mail mailbox witli a computer and playback voice mail messages, vew fax mail messages, and read e-mail messages.
Referring to Figure 1, the present invention is an electronic mail gateway that facilitates the exchange of electronic messages between an electronic mail service 10 and a telecommunications service 12 to support cross-media messaging. Messages are exchanged according to a common message format. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, messages between the electronic mail service 10 and telecommunications service 12 are electronic mail messages that may include voice mail or faY mail attachments.
Messages are exchanged between the services based on preferences of users of the system. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention in which electronic mail messages are forwarded to a telecommunications service, an electronic mail distributor 14 located at the electronic mail service 10 examines au incoming message 16 from a user (i. e., message sender) 18 of the electronic mail service 10 wlio may use dial-up access 20 to send a message to another user (i.e., message receiver) of the service. Alternatively, incoming messages 16 may be fonvarded to the service from another electronic mail service or the Internet. TMe electronic mail distributor 14 wliicli, preferably, is an application program tliat operates on a server located at the electronic mail service determines the receiver of the message and accesses a Message Receiver Profile Database 22 to determine whether the receiver of the message has mle 24 in lais or her profile that indicates the message receiver would like the message to be forwarded to the telecommunications service 12 for later retrieval via the telephone. If the receiver has specified a preference (via a rule in his or her message receiver profile) for receiving incoming messages at the telecommunications service 12, the incoming message f 6 is modified by the electronic mail distributor 14 to include telecommunications service routing information 26.
The telecommunications service routing information is preferably stored in a Telecommunications Service Routing Irrfonuatiou Database 28 wliich is accessible by the electronic mail distributor i4. For example, information may be stored in service name-routing information pairs within the database 28. A message receiver's profile may include the name of a telecommunications to which electronic mail messages are to be fonvarded. The Telecommunications Service Routing Information Database 28 may include the service name-routing information pair so that the distributor may perform a look-up in the database based on the service name found in the message receiver's profile 22.
The modified electronic message 30 is then forward by the electronic mail distributor 14 to an electronic mailbox 34 in communication with an electronic mail service network node 32 at the electronic mail service 10 and that has been created specifically for the telecommunications service 12. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, an electronic mail service network node 38 located at the telecommunications service 12 1~ periodically polls the electronic mail service network node 32 at the electronic mail service 10 to determine whether the telecommunications service mailbox 34 contains any modified messages to be forwarded to the telecommunications service 12. The polling operation and the exchange of messages between the services, preferably, is performed using an X.25 link 36 that has been established between the services. Modified messages 30 from the telecommucrications service mailbox 34 rnay then be transmitted from the electronic mail service network node at the electronic mail service 32 via the X.2~ iirrk 36 to the electronic service network node at tile telecommunications service 38.
Oncc at the telecommunications service 12, the incoming messages are examined to identify the individual message receivers. Each message receiver's personal messages may then be stored in au electronic mailbox 40 located at the electronic mail service network node 38. A message may then be made available througli the teleplione switch 46 at the telecommunications service 12 and the message 30 may be retrieved by a message receiver via the telephone. When the message receiver calls the telephone switch 46 to retrieve a message, the telephone switch 46 communicates witli the electronic mail service network node 38 via a switcli node 44 connected via a local area network 42. A te,~ct-to-speech operation performed at the telecommunications service allows the electronic mail message to be heard by the message receiver when he or she calls the switch to hear the message.
Alternatively, the message receiver may arrange to receive the electronic mail message at a fax machine specified by the receiver.
Alternatively, if the message receiver does not specify a preference for receiving the incoming message at the telecommunications service, the electronic mail distributor 14 based on other preferences or actions of the message receiver may forward the electronic message 16 to the receiver's mailbox 4S at the electronic mail service 10 or to one or more electronic mailboxes 50 designated for use by other members of the electronic mail service 10. Finally, the message 16 may be forwarded to Internet or another electronic mail service 52.
Referring to Figure 2, a flow cliart of the primary steps of the present invention is shown for a preferred embodiment of the present invention in wliich electronic mail messages are forwarded from an electronic mail service to a telecommv.ulications service. 1'lie steps or operations shown in Figure 2, preferably, are perfoonecl by the electronic mail dis2ibutor of the presort invention. When the electrou.ic mail distributor receives an incoming message, it first examines the message receiver preferences or filter and fomvard instmctions as defrned in the message receiver's profile stored in tl~c message receiver profile database 60. Preferably, the incoming message is comprised of a message header that includes an identifier for the message receiver or recipient and text for the message. The electronic mail distributor may then loointp the receiver's profile based on the identifier in the lieader of the message. In the new step, the electronic mail distributor determines, based on information or instructions stored in the profile, whether the message receiver wants the electronic mail message to be forwarded to the telecommunications service 62. If the message receiver does not want the electronic mail message to be forwarded to the telecommunications switch, the electronic mail distributor arranges to forward the message to the message receiver's mailbox located at the electronic mail service, to other service subscribers, or to the Internet or another electronic mail service 64. If the message receiver wants the electronic mail message to be forwarded to the telecommunications switcli, the electronic mail distributor modifies the message to include routing information for the telecommunications service electronic mailbox located at the electronic mail service 66. The message is flier forwarded to the telecommunications seance mailbox 68. Once at the telecommunications service mailbox, messages stored in the mailbox are sent to the electronic mail service network node located at the telecommunications service wlien the electronic mail service network node located at the telecommunications service polls the mailbox 70. Once at the telecommunications service, the message receiver may retrieve the message via the teleplioue.
Refening to Figure 3, a common message format for messages exchanged between the electronic mail service and telecommmicatious service is shown. Preferably, the message is comprised of au envelope 80 and a body 82. The body of the comnnou message format is preferably the original message seat by the message sender. Tine original message is preferably comprised in pant of a message header 84 that identifies the subject of the original message, the recipient of the original message, tl~e sender of the original message, and tire date and time the original message was sent. The original nnessage also contains the text of the original message 86. 1n the common message format, the envelope 80, preferably, is comprised of a message header 88 that includes several fields with information that allow the message to be processed at either the telecommunications service or the electronic mail service. A first field 90 may identify the telecommunications or electronic mail service provider to which the message may be forwarded. The message lieader of the envelope 88 may also include a field with a subject line 92 tliat refers to the telecommunications or electronic mail service as well as a field with the date and time the original message was modified 94.
Finally, the message lieader of the envelope 88 may include a field that identifies the message sender 96 as the telecommunications or electronic mail service rather than the original message sender.
Modifying the original message to include an new envelope allows electronic messages to be exclianged between an electronic mail service and a telecommunications service.
Messages are exchanged between mailboxes designated for use by the services.
One or more distributors located at each service route electronic messages to a central repository for the service so they may be exchanged between the services. After messages arrive at the 1~ designated service, tliey may be sent to and stored in mailboxes associated witli individual message receivers for Iater retrieval by the message receivers. Upon retrieval messages may be converted as needed by additional equipment located at the service and/or at the message receiver's site.
The common message format and the use of the central message repository for each service facilitates the exchange of messages between the electronic mail service and the telecommunications service. The common format is based on lcnow~~ e-mail formats so that messages may be fomvarded from the electronic mail service to the telecommmicatious sewice, and vice-versa, using standard electronic mail protocols. Using this approach, the telecommunications service appears to tl~e electronic mail service to be part of the electronic mail service global network and another member of the service to whom messages may be forwarded. The telecommwucations service may accept all types of messages, including multipart and binary messages, flint the electronic mail service is capable of processing. For example, messages processed by the electronic mail service and consequently, the telecommmucations service, may include attachments sucli as voice mail attachments (e.g., xing protocol) and fax mail attachments (e.g., TIFF files). The equipment at the telecommunications service may then be adapted to understand the common message format so flint electronic mail messages comprised originally of text may be processed at the telecommunications switch. For example, the original text may be converted through a text-to-speech process so that a message receiver may liear the original message over the telephone. The original text may also be converted to a TIFF image, so that the message may be processed througli a fax machine.
Using the common message format approach, the telecommunications service appears to the electronic mail service to be another electronic mail service from which electronic mail messages also may be received. Voice mail messages that originate at the telecommunications service may be forwarded to the electronic mail service in accordance with an electronic mail message flint lias au attached audio file containing the original voice mail message. Computer users may then use connection software to retrieve electronic mail messages including those electronic mail messages associated with audio files. The connection software, which may be equipped with au audio file player, may then, at the user's request, play the voice mail message for the computer user. Alternatively, fax mail messages that originate at the telecommunications service may be fomvarded to the electronic mail service in accordance with an electronic mail message that has an attaches! T(FP file containing the original fax mail message. Computer users may then use connection software to retrieve electronic mail messages including those electronic mail messages associated with far files.
The fax file may be viewed using a fax viewer provided with the connection software.
Altliough the uivention is described in detail with specific reference to a single prefewed embodiment and certain alternatives, it is not limited to that particular embodiment or alternatives. For example, the configuration of the components that provide the features and fimctionality of the present invention may change and fall witliin the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention is defined by the following claims.
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Claims (12)
1. An electronic mail gateway for facilitating cross-media messaging between an electronic mail messaging system and a telecommunications switch, comprising:
a first host computer in communication with said electronic mail messaging system, said first host computer adapted to store and forward a plurality of electronic mail messages;
an electronic mail distributor at said first host computer for selectively altering said electronic mail messages for routing to a plurality of electronic mailboxes associated with said telecommunications switch; and a second host computer in communication with said telecommunications switch, said second host computer adapted to receive electronic mail messages from said electronic mailboxes associated with said telecommunications switch.
a first host computer in communication with said electronic mail messaging system, said first host computer adapted to store and forward a plurality of electronic mail messages;
an electronic mail distributor at said first host computer for selectively altering said electronic mail messages for routing to a plurality of electronic mailboxes associated with said telecommunications switch; and a second host computer in communication with said telecommunications switch, said second host computer adapted to receive electronic mail messages from said electronic mailboxes associated with said telecommunications switch.
2. The gateway of claim 1 wherein said electronic mail messaging system is part of an online information service.
3. The gateway of claim 1 wherein said electronic mail distributor selectively alters said electronic mail messages for routing to said electronic mailboxes in association with said telecommunications switch in accordance with electronic snail message recipient profiles.
4. The gateway of claim 1 wherein said electronic mail distributor selectively alters said electronic mail messages in accordance with common message format.
5. The gateway of claim 1 wherein said electronic mail distributor selectively alters said electronic mail messages by concatenating new routing information to certain ones of said plurality of electronic mail messages.
6. The electrons mail distributor of claim 5 wherein new routing information comprises a sender field identifying an electronic mail service provider and a receiver field identifying a telecommunications service provider.
7. An electronic mail gateway for facilitating cross-media messaging between an electronic mail messaging system and a telecommunications switch, comprising:
a first host computer in communication with said telecommunications switch, said first host computer adapted to store and forward a plurality of electronic mail messages with voice mail or fax mail attachments;
a second host computer in communication with said electronic mail messaging system, said second host computer adapted to receive said electronic mail messages with said attachments from said first host computer;
an electronic mail distributor for distributing said electronic mail messages with said attachments to a plurality of electronic mailboxes; and a graphical user interface for use by recipients of said electronic mail messages, said graphical user interface adapted for communication with said electronic mailboxes and comprising an audio player for playing said voice mail attachments and a fax viewer for displaying said fax mail attachments.
a first host computer in communication with said telecommunications switch, said first host computer adapted to store and forward a plurality of electronic mail messages with voice mail or fax mail attachments;
a second host computer in communication with said electronic mail messaging system, said second host computer adapted to receive said electronic mail messages with said attachments from said first host computer;
an electronic mail distributor for distributing said electronic mail messages with said attachments to a plurality of electronic mailboxes; and a graphical user interface for use by recipients of said electronic mail messages, said graphical user interface adapted for communication with said electronic mailboxes and comprising an audio player for playing said voice mail attachments and a fax viewer for displaying said fax mail attachments.
8. The gateway of claim 7 wherein said electronic mail messaging system is part of an online information service.
9. A method for forwarding electronic mail messages to a telecommunications switch comprising the steps of:
(a) accepting an electronic mail message in accordance with a first format from an electrons messaging system;
(b) locating a profile associated with a recipient of said electronic mail message, said profile including forwarding instructions;
(c) altering said electronic mail message in accordance with said forwarding instructions for routing to an electronic mailbox in association with said telecommunications switch; and (d) forwarding said altered electronic mail message to said telecommunications switch.
(a) accepting an electronic mail message in accordance with a first format from an electrons messaging system;
(b) locating a profile associated with a recipient of said electronic mail message, said profile including forwarding instructions;
(c) altering said electronic mail message in accordance with said forwarding instructions for routing to an electronic mailbox in association with said telecommunications switch; and (d) forwarding said altered electronic mail message to said telecommunications switch.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein said electronic mail message is altered in accordance with a common message format.
11. The method of claim 9 wherein step (c) includes concatenating new routing information to said electronic mail message.
12. The method of claim 11 wherein said new routing information comprises a sender field identifying an electronic mail service provider and a receiver field identifying a telecommunications service provider.
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US08/877,614 | 1997-06-17 | ||
US08/877,614 US6023700A (en) | 1997-06-17 | 1997-06-17 | Electronic mail distribution system for integrated electronic communication |
PCT/US1998/012531 WO1998058491A2 (en) | 1997-06-17 | 1998-06-17 | Electronic mail distribution system for integrated electronic communications |
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CA2293301A1 CA2293301A1 (en) | 1998-12-23 |
CA2293301C true CA2293301C (en) | 2003-03-18 |
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CA002293301A Expired - Fee Related CA2293301C (en) | 1997-06-17 | 1998-06-17 | Electronic mail distribution system for integrated electronic communications |
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US (4) | US6023700A (en) |
EP (1) | EP1013068B1 (en) |
JP (1) | JP2002505781A (en) |
CN (1) | CN1115642C (en) |
AT (1) | ATE428245T1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU740925B2 (en) |
BR (1) | BR9810176B1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2293301C (en) |
DE (1) | DE69840724D1 (en) |
HK (1) | HK1029406A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO1998058491A2 (en) |
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ATE428245T1 (en) | 2009-04-15 |
BR9810176B1 (en) | 2013-07-02 |
US20070081642A1 (en) | 2007-04-12 |
EP1013068A4 (en) | 2004-05-19 |
EP1013068B1 (en) | 2009-04-08 |
AU740925B2 (en) | 2001-11-15 |
WO1998058491A3 (en) | 1999-04-01 |
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