Electronic mail system having integrated voice messages

Patent 5557659 Issued on September 17, 1996. Estimated Expiration Date:

December 21, 2014. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventor

Hyde-Thomson, Henry C. A.

Application

No. 361019 filed on 12/21/1994

US Classes:

379/88.13, Multimedia system (e.g., voice output combined with fax, video, text, etc.)379/88.11, Display of message related information379/88.17, Interaction with an external nontelephone network (e.g., Internet)379/88.18, Interacting voice message systems379/233Direct inward dialing

Examiners

Primary: Hofsass, Jeffery
Assistant: Hunter, Daniel S.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Haverstock & Associates

International Class

H04M 003/50

Abstract

In a computer network having a plurality of interconnected terminals and a shared memory device for storing digital data, a message handling system for sending and retrieving both voice and text messages over the computer network. A voice message is input either through a phone associated with one of the computer terminals or via a remote phone. The voice message is converted into a digital voice file which is stored on the shared memory device corresponding to the intended recipient's mailbox. Thereby, one mailbox can contain both voice and text messages. The same message handling mechanism is used for handling both voice and text messages. A list of the messages currently stored for each mailbox can be pulled for display by their respective terminals. A selected voice message may be selected for playback over the phone. Likewise, a text message may be selected for display by the terminal. Call answering and remote playback functions are also provided.

Other References

Lee et al. "Meridian SL Information Services" 1985, pp. 15 and 18 Bell Northern Research Limited
Morimoto et al. "A Case of Members Management in a Multimedia Mail System" IEICE Technical Report, Apr. 1987 SE-87 pp. 1-6
McNinch, "Screen Based Telephony" IEEE Communications Magazine Apr. 1990, pp. 34-38
TeleConnect, Jan. 1988 p. 39 "A New twist in Fax