WO2000036802A2

WO2000036802A2 - Ip-based message system and method

Info

Publication number: WO2000036802A2
Application number: PCT/US1999/030056
Authority: WO
Inventors: Robert Smith
Original assignee: Ericsson Inc.
Priority date: 1998-12-18
Filing date: 1999-12-16
Publication date: 2000-06-22
Also published as: WO2000036802A3; AU2366400A

Abstract

An integrated message storage system is disclosed. The message storage system receives, stores and presents multi-media messages of various types, including voice, electronic mail, facsimile, and video messages. The message storage system includes interfaces for connection to and communication over telephone and computer networks. A mailbox owner may retrieve stored messages assigned thereto using an IP-based interface. The mailbox owner is thus able to efficiently and inexpensively retrieve various multi-media messages in a single communication.

Description

IP-BASED MESSAGE SYSTEM AND METHOD

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Technical Field of the Invention The present invention relates, in general terms, to a messaging system and method, and particularly to an integrated system and method for handling multi-media messages Background and Objects of the Invention

Today, various forms of electronic communication exist. Individuals may send and receive voicemail, facsimile, electronic mail (e-mail) and video messages using a number of different communication systems. In order to effectively receive electronic messages sent by others, an individual must be capable of accessing numerous distinct communication systems. For example, a party sending and/or receiving electronic messages routinely must walk to and from a facsimile machine to send/retrieve facsimile messages; dial into or otherwise connect to a voicemail system to send/receive voice messages; or log into an Internet service provider (ISP) to access an e-mail or video mail service. The time spent learning, accessing and maintaining several distinct communication systems and databases may oftentimes proves quite costly, especially when accessing such systems and databases from a remote location. Consequently, there exists a need for a system and method for efficiently communicating electronic messages. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved system and method for multi-media message storage and delivery.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a simplified method of communicating electronic messages

Another object of the present invention is to provide a single database for storing and retrieving multi-media messages SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings in existing electronic messaging systems and satisfies a significant need for an integrated multi-media message storage and delivery system. The present system preferably includes a single database for storing multimedia messages of various types. The present system further includes a plurality of interfaces for communication over a number of different networks. The present invention preferably includes a plain old telephone service (POTS) interface and an integrated services digital network (ISDN) interface for accepting and initiating voice and facsimile calls. The present invention preferably further includes an Ethernet interface to an IP-based network for communicating voice over IP messages and video messages. The present system may include a mail server for handling e-mail messages from a telephone or IP- based network. A voice server is included to present an outgoing voice announcement and to save anincoming voice message. Afacsimile server is included for extracting a facsimile message from an incoming message. Through utilization of the various interfaces, the present invention may provide an IP-based routing function.

An incoming message is automatically handled by the appropriate server and stored in the storage database at the user mailbox specified in the incoming message . User access to stored messages is accomplished using an IP-based interface. Following logging into the system, a user having a mailbox account is presented with a summary of messages received by the system for the user. The messages are preferably summarized by message type. The user may review, delete and/or respond to each listed message.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Amore complete understanding of the system and method of the present invention may be obtained by reference to the following Detailed Description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a block diagram of the multi-media message system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating the operation of the present invention in handling an incoming message;

Figure 3 is a login browser display presented to a system user according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a message summary display presented to a system user according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 5 is a message listing display presented to the system user according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EXEMPLARY

EMBODIMENTS

The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiment set forth herein. Rather, the embodiment is provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art.

Referring to Figures 1 -5 , there is shown a multi-media message storage system 1 according to the present invention. Message storage system 1 includes a single database 10 for storing multi-media messages sent to a number of different users of message storage system 1, a plurality of interfaces for communication over various networks, such as telephone networks and computer networks, and a plurality of servers for managing the reception and delivery of various types of multi-media messages. Incoming multi-media messages are stored in the mailbox of the system user to which the message is directed for subsequent retrieval thereby.

Message storage system 1 preferably receives voice messages and facsimile messages over a telephone network, such as a public switched telephone network (PSTN). A plain old telephone service (POTS) interface 2 is preferably included to receive voice messages and facsimile messages from an IP-based network. In addition, POTS interface 2 preferably allows for initiating data telephone calls using a point-to-point protocol, as described below.

In addition to POTS interface 2, the present message storage system 1 includes an interface 3 to an integrated services digital network (ISDN) connection. ISDN interface 3 allows for the reception of voice and data calls and the initiation of data calls using the point-to-point protocol. In afirst embodiment of the present invention, ISDN interface 3 includes an ISDN basic rate interface (BRI) 3 A or an ISDN primary rate interface (PRI) 3B. Whether message storage system 1 employs ISDN BRI 3 A, ISDN PRI 3B or both may depend upon whether the present message storage system 1 is adapted for personal use (ISDN BRI 3 A) or commercial use (ISDN PRI 3B).

Message storage system 1 preferably further includes an Ethernet interface 4 for connection to a network, such as connection to a local area network (LAN) or an IP-based network. Ethernet interface 4 allows for the reception and delivery of voice over IP (VoIP) messages, such as H.323 compliant voice messages. In addition, Ethernet interface 4 allows for the reception of video messages, such as T.120 compliant messages.

The present message storage system 1 includes a number of servers for handling multi-media messages received over POTS interface 2, ISDN interface 3 and Ethernet interface 4. With respect to receiving electronic mail (e-mail) messages over POTS interface 2, ISDN interface 3 and Ethernet interface 4, a mail server 5 directs incoming e- mail messages to the appropriate user mailbox in database 10. Mail server 5 may employ the simple mail transport protocol (SMTP) which provides a standard method for exchanging electronic mail.

Message storage system 1 may further include a voice server 6 which directs voice messages received over POTS interface 2 or ISDN interface 3 and stores the voice messages within the appropriate user mailboxes within database 10. Further, voice server

6 may maintain a voice announcement in database 10 which is retrieved therefrom and inserted within an audio stream. The audio stream into which the voice announcement is inserted may be a voice message received from an interface 2-4 and being stored in a user mailbox within database 10, or an audio stream which is transported from message storage system 1.

The present invention preferably further includes a facsimile server 7 which extracts a facsimile message from an incoming audio stream and stores the facsimile message in the appropriate user mailbox in database 10. Facsimile server 7 further facilitates the retrieval of a facsimile message from database 10 for presentation to the respective user.

In order to suitably handle video messages received over Ethernet interface 4, the present invention includes a video server 8 which stores received video messages in the appropriate user mailbox within database 10. Video server 8 further facilitates the retrieval of stored video messages from database 10 for presentation to a mailbox owner. The present invention preferably further includes an Internet server 9 for providing web access to user message mailboxes serviced by message storage system 1 and to network configuration information thereof. Internet server 9 allows, among other things, multi-media messages to be presented to the corresponding user within a web browser framework. The hypertext transmission protocol (HTTP) is utilized by Internet server 9 for suitably conditioning the stored multi-media messages for transport to the appropriate user.

In accessing mailbox messages via POTS interface 2 or ISDN interface 3 , point-to-point server 11 preferably provides the necessary point-to-point protocol. Interface server 9 preferably provides a secure HTTP interface for retrieving stored messages.

POTS interface 2 and/or ISDN interface 3 preferably combine with Ethernet interface 4 to provide an IP -based routing function to a system user. In this way, a user is able to connect to the Internet via message storage system 1.

The operation of message storage system 1 in storing an incoming multi-media message is described below with reference to Figure 2. When an incoming multi-media message is received by message storage system 1 , the identity of the user is determined at step 20 in whose mailbox the message is to be delivered. The intended user mailbox is contained in the multi-media message itself. Thereafter, the multi-media message is routed to the appropriate user mailbox within database 10 at step 21 and stored therein. An entry may be then made in a log file at step 22 corresponding to the user mailbox. The log file documents the recent mailbox addition, including information as to the type of multi-media message, the length thereof, the date and time of receipt of the message, etc. The user log file, also stored in database 10, maybe subsequently accessed when the user assigned to the user mailbox accesses his mailbox messages.

The operation of message storage system 1 in providing stored user mailbox messages to auser is described below with reference to Figures 3 -5. As previously stated, message storage system 1 supports an IP-based interface for retrieving and/or managing multi-media messages by user having a mailbox Multi-media messages maintained by message storage system 1 maybe accessed from any standard IP-based browser. Internet server 9 ensures confidentiality when messages are retrieved from message storage system 1 by employing a secure socket connection

Figure 3 illustrates the browser window 30 utilized in logging into message storage system 1 for message retrieval. The user may enter either a PSTN identification or an Internet identification, together with a password corresponding thereto . In the event both the PSTN and the Internet identifications are maintained by the present system, the relationship between the two is additionally maintained so that a user may log onto the present system using either login. Following a successful login, the user is presented with the browser window 31 illustrated in Figure 4. Browser window 31 presents an overview of the messages stored within the user's mailbox The number of messages is presented for each type of multi-media message which is capable of being stored by message storage system 1 , including the number of voice, video, facsimile and e-mail messages. The user may then select a particular message type from the list of message types, whereupon browser window 32 is presented to the user (Figure 5)

Browser window 32 presents to the user the list of stored multi-media messages for the message type selected during the display of window 31 The date and/or time of each message is presented to the user. Other information, such as message length, may also be presented to the user. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the message information is obtained from the log file corresponding to the requesting user. Retrieve, Delete and Return keys 33 are preferably included to facilitate the user in retrieving and managing the stored messages. Retrieving a selected message causes the message to be presented to the user in a format which is suitable for its message type. Activating the delete key results in the selected message being deleted from database 10.

Retrieving a voice message results in the voice message being audibly presented to the user . The user is preferably provided an opportunity to reply to the voice message, the selection of which results in a VoIP voice call being directed to the message sender.

Retrieved e-mail messages are displayed in the browser window, including features for replying and forwarding the e-mail message. Retrieved facsimile messages may be presented in the browser window and/or printed using a printer associated with the user's computer. It is understood that by changing the type and number of interfaces 2-4, the message storage system 1 is scalable for both personal and commercial use. By providing a single integrated database and system from which different types of multi-media messages may be retrieved using a relatively inexpensive IP-based interface, a user is able to efficiently and effectively retrieve attempts to communicate therewith. The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 A message storage system, comprising: a database for storing electronic data, said electronic data being assigned to a particular user of said message storage system when stored in said database; a first interface for communicating voice telephone calls and facsimile telephone calls; a network interface for communicating to a computer network; a voice server for receiving a voice message over said first interface and said network interface and for storing said incoming voice message in said database, a mail server for receiving electronic mail messages over said first interface and said network interface and storing said received electronic messages in said database; a facsimile server for accepting facsimile messages received over said first interface and said network interface and storing said facsimile messages in said database, and an Internet server for providing Internet access to stored messages in said database over said first interface and said network interface.

2. The message storage system of claim 1, further comprising a video server for receiving video messages over said network interface and storing said video messages in said database.

3. The message storage system of claim 1, wherein: said voice server presents a voice announcement in response to a reception of an incoming voice message over said first interface and said network interface

4. The message storage system of claim 1, wherein: said network interface receives messages transported over the Internet

5. The message storage system of claim 1, wherein: said Internet server provides Internet access to configuration information of said message storage system.

6. The message storage system of claim 1, wherein: said first interface is a plain old telephone service interface.

7. The message storage system of claim 1, wherein: said first interface is an ISDN interface.

8. The message storage system of claim 7, wherein: said ISDN interface is an ISDN primary rate interface.

9. The message storage system of claim 7, wherein: said ISDN interface is an ISDN basic rate interface.

10. The message storage system of claim 1, wherein: said first interface includes an interface to a plain old telephone connection and an interface to an ISDN connection.

11. The message storage system of claim 1 , wherein: said Internet server provides access to messages stored in said database via said first interface using a point-to-point protocol

12. The message storage system of claim 1, wherein: said first interface and said network interface provide an IP-based routing function therebetween.

13 A method of managing messages, comprising the steps of receiving multi-media messages from a network, identifying the addressees of the multi-media messages, storing each said received multi-media messages in a mailbox corresponding to the respective addressee, retrieving said stored multi-media messages corresponding to a first addressee in response to a request therefrom, and providing said retrieved multi-media messages to the first addressee, wherein said received multi-media messages include a voice message, a facsimile message and an electronic mail message

14 The method of claim 13, wherein said multi-media messages includes a video message

15 The method of claim 13, wherein said multi-media messages includes a voice over IP message

16 The method of claim 13 , wherein said receiving step comprises the step of receiving multi-media messages transported over the Internet

17 The method of claim 13 , wherein said receiving step comprises the step of receiving multi-media messages from a network over an ISDN connection

18 The method of claim 13 , wherein said receiving step comprises the step of receiving multi-media messages from a telephone network

19. The method of claim 13 , wherein said providing step comprises the steps of: grouping said retrieved messages by message type; presenting a listing of a first group of said retrieved messages to the first addressee in response to a selection by the first addressee to access said first group of retrieved messages; and providing access to a retrieved message from said first group of retrieved messages in response to a selection by the first addressee of access thereto.

20. The method of claim 13, wherein: said providing step provides said retrieved multi-media messages in an IP-based browser format.

21. A computer program product including a computer readable medium having computer readable program code means embodied thereon, for a system for storing multimedia messages, said computer program product comprising: first computer readable program code means for receiving multi-media messages from a network; second computer readable program code means for identifying addressees of said multi-media messages; third computer readable program code means for storing each said received multimedia messages in a mailbox corresponding to the respective addressee, fourth computer readable program code means for retrieving said stored multi- media messages corresponding to a first addressee in response to a request therefrom, said retrieved multi-media messages including a voice message, a facsimile message and an electronic mail message; and fifth computer readable program code means for presenting said retrieved multimedia messages to the first addressee. 22 The computer program product of claim 21, wherein said retrieved multi-media messages includes a video message

23 The computer program product of claim 21 , wherein said first computer readable program code means receives multi-media messages transported over the Internet

24 The computer program product of claim 21, wherein said first computer readable program code means receives multi-media messages transported over a telephone network

25 The computer program product of claim 21, wherein said fifth computer readable program code means presents said retrieved multimedia messages within a browser application

26 The computer program product of claim 21 , further comprising sixth computer readable program code means for connecting to a telephone network, seventh computer readable program code means for connecting to an IP -based network, and eighth computer readable program code means for providing IP -based routing between said telephone network and said IP-based network