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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A method by which a recipient's messaging system non-simultaneously receives a voice message and image data, and creates a composite voice and data message in electronic
format for storage in, and subsequent retrieval by the recipient from, a mailbox assigned to the recipient, the mailbox comprising a data structure in an information storage system of the messaging system, the method comprising the steps of:
during a first call, recording the voice message in electronic format on the information storage system;
selecting an available message identification number associated with the mailbox;
during a second call, distinct from the first call, receiving the image data for storage on the information storage system; wherein the second call occurs either prior to or subsequent to the first call;
providing the message identification number to a caller during the earlier of the first and second calls and accepting, from the caller, the message identification number during the later of the first and second calls;
assigning a first priority level to the voice message in response to caller input during the first call and assigning a second priority level to the image data in response to caller input during the second call, wherein the first and second
priority levels correspond to either urgent priority or non-urgent priority; and
associating the image data with the voice message using the message identification number to create a composite voice and data message within the mailbox assigned to the recipient.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of associating the image data with the voice message further comprises the steps of:
determining that the message identification number provided to the caller during the earlier of the first and second calls matches the message identification number accepted from the caller during the later of the first and second calls; and
generating an entry in the information storage system indicating that the voice message and image data are parts of one composite voice and data message.
3. The method of claim 2 further comprising the steps of comparing the priority level assigned to the voice message to the priority level assigned to the image data, and designating the composite voice and data message as having urgent priority
if the priority level of either the voice message or the image data is assigned urgent priority.
4. A messaging system used by a recipient, that enables a caller to create a composite voice and data message in electronic format for storage in, and subsequent retrieval by the recipient from, a mailbox assigned to the recipient, wherein the
mailbox comprises a data structure in an information storage system of the messaging system, and wherein the composite voice and data message includes a voice message portion and an image data portion, the messaging system comprising:
means for recording a voice message in electronic format during a first call;
means for receiving image data during a second call, distinct from the first call, and storing the image data in electronic format, wherein the second call occurs either prior to or subsequent to the first call;
means for providing pre-programmed prompts to the caller during the earlier of the first and second calls that inquire whether the caller desires to create a composite voice and data message;
means for creating a composite voice and data data structure responsive to a reply of the caller to the pre-programmed prompts;
means for selecting and storing a message identification number associated with the mailbox and which is specific to either the voice message or the image data, whichever was received first by the messaging system;
means for providing the message identification number to the caller during the earlier of the first and second calls;
means for accepting from the caller during the later of the first and second calls the message identification number provided to the caller during the earlier of the first and second calls; and
means employing the message identification number for associating the image data with the voice message to create a composite voice and data message and for storing the composite voice and data message in the recipient's mailbox, wherein the
voice message forms the voice message portion of the composite voice and data message and the image data forms the image data portion of the composite voice and data message.
5. The messaging system as defined in claim 4 further comprising means for the caller to assign a priority level to each of the voice message and the image data, wherein the priority level can be assigned as an urgent priority or non-urgent
priority.
6. The messaging system as defined in claim 5 further comprising means for comparing the priority level assigned to the voice message to the priority level assigned to the image data, and designating the composite voice and data message as
having urgent priority if either the voice message or the image data is assigned urgent priority.
7. The messaging system as defined in claim 4 wherein the means for selecting further comprises means for enabling the recipient to pre-designate the message identification number.
8. The messaging system as defined in claim 4 further comprising means for enabling the recipient to access and listen to the voice message portion of the composite voice and data message.
9. The messaging system as defined in claim 8 further comprising means for enabling the recipient to direct transmission of the image data portion of the composite voice and data message to a facsimile machine selected by the recipient.
10. The messaging system as defined in claim 9 further comprising means for providing a cover letter for the image data portion of the composite voice and data message directed to the facsimile machine selected by the recipient, wherein the
cover letter bears the message identification number.
11. The messaging system as defined in claim 8 further comprising means for enabling the recipient to direct transmission of the image data portion of the composite voice and data message to a computer workstation selected by the recipient.
12. A messaging system, employed by a recipient, that allows a caller to non-simultaneously create a composite voice and data message in electronic format for storage in a mailbox assigned to the recipient, the mailbox comprising a data
structure in an information storage system of the messaging system, and the composite voice and data message including a voice message portion and an image data portion, the messaging system comprising:
means for receiving and storing the image data portion in electronic format;
means for providing pre-programmed prompts to the caller, that inquire whether the caller desires to create a composite voice and data message;
means for receiving, from the caller, responses to the pre-programmed prompts;
means for selecting and storing a message identification number, wherein the message identification number is a next available message identification number assigned to the mailbox and is specific to the image data;
means for creating in the mailbox a composite voice and data data structure responsive to the caller's responses to the preprogrammed prompts;
means for providing the message identification number to the caller, responsive to the caller's responses to the preprogrammed prompts;
means for prompting the caller to enter the message identification number before or after recording the voice message portion;
means for recording the voice message portion in electronic format; and
means employing the message identification number for associating the image data portion with the voice message portion to create the composite voice and data message.
13. The messaging system as defined in claim 12 further comprising means for enabling the recipient to access and listen to the voice message portion of the composite voice and data message.
14. The messaging system as defined in claim 13 further comprising means for enabling the recipient to direct transmission of the image data portion of the composite voice and data message to a facsimile machine selected by the recipient.
15. The messaging system as defined in claim 14 further comprising means for providing a cover letter for the image data portion of the composite voice and data message directed to the facsimile machine selected by the recipient, wherein the
cover letter bears the message identification number.
16. The messaging system as defined in claim 14 further comprising means for enabling the recipient to direct transmission of the image data portion of the composite voice and data message to a computer workstation selected by the recipient.
17. A method by which a recipient's messaging system non-simultaneously receives a voice message and image data, and creates a composite voice and data message on an information storage system for subsequent retrieval by the recipient, the
method comprising the steps of:
accepting a first call from a first caller and establishing a first connection to the information storage system;
receiving a voice message from the first caller, during the first call, for recording in electronic format on the information storage system;
receiving from the first caller a priority level and assigning the priority level to the voice message, wherein the priority level corresponds to urgent priority or non-urgent priority;
audibly providing to the first caller a message identification number;
terminating the first connection and the first call;
accepting a second call from a second caller and establishing a second connection to the information storage system;
accepting, from the second caller, the message identification number;
receiving image data from the second caller, during the second call, for storage to the information storage system; and
receiving from the second caller a priority level and assigning the priority level to the image data, wherein the priority level corresponds to urgent priority or non-urgent priority;
associating the image data with the voice message using the message identification number to create a composite voice and data message for storage within the mailbox of the recipient.
18. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of associating the image data with the voice message further comprises the step of:
a. determining that the message identification number provided during the first call matches the message identification number accepted during the second call; and
b. generating an entry in the information storage system indicating that the voice message and image data are parts of the composite voice and data message.
19. The method of claim 17 further comprising the steps of comparing the priority level assigned to the voice message to the priority level assigned to the image data, and designating the composite voice and data message as having urgent
priority if the priority level of either the voice message or the image data is assigned urgent priority.
20. A messaging system that provides for the creation of a composite voice and data message in electronic format for storage in a mailbox assigned to a recipient, the mailbox comprising a data structure in an information storage system of the
messaging system, and the composite message including a voice message portion created by a first caller during a first call into the messaging system and an image data portion created by a second caller during a subsequent call into the messaging system,
the messaging system comprising:
means for recording a voice message by the first caller in electronic format during the first call;
means for providing pre-programmed prompts to the first caller that inquire whether the first caller desires to create a composite voice and data message;
means for receiving a reply to the preprogrammed prompts from the first caller;
means for creating a composite voice and data data structure responsive to the reply indicating that the first caller desires to create a composite voice and data message;
means for generating and storing a message identification number, wherein the message identification number is specific to the voice message;
means for audibly providing the message identification number to the first caller;
means for prompting the second caller, during the subsequent call, to enter the message identification number and then begin transmitting image data to the messaging system;
means for accepting, from the second caller, the message identification number;
means for receiving and storing image data in electronic format during the subsequent call; and
means employing the message identification number for associating the image data with the voice message to create the composite voice and data message within the recipient's mailbox, wherein the voice message forms the voice message portion of
the composite voice and data message and the image data forms the image data portion of the composite voice and data message.
21. The messaging system as defined in claim 20 further comprising means for the first caller to assign a priority level corresponding to either urgent priority or non-urgent priority to the voice message and for the second caller to assign a
priority level corresponding to either urgent priority or non-urgent priority to the image data.
22. The messaging system as defined in claim 21 further comprising means for comparing the priority level assigned to the voice message to the priority level assigned to the image data, and designating the composite voice and data message as
having urgent priority if either the voice message or the image data is assigned urgent priority.
23. The messaging system as defined in claim 20 wherein the means for generating a message identification number comprises means to select a next available message identification number assigned to the mailbox.
24. The messaging system as defined in claim 20 wherein the means for selecting further comprises means for enabling the recipient to pre-designate the message identification number.
25. The messaging system as defined in claim 20 further comprising means for enabling the recipient to access and listen to the voice message portion of the composite voice and data message.
26. The messaging system as defined in claim 25 further comprising means for enabling the recipient to direct transmission of the image data portion of the composite voice and data message to a facsimile machine selected by the recipient.
27. The messaging system as defined in claim 26 further comprising means for providing a cover letter for the image data portion of the composite voice and data message directed to the facsimile machine selected by the recipient, wherein the
cover letter bears the message identification number.
28. The messaging system as defined in claim 25 further comprising means for enabling the recipient to direct transmission of the image data portion of the composite voice and data message to a computer workstation selected by the recipient.
29. The messaging system as defined in claim 20 wherein the first caller and the second caller are one and the same person.
30. A method by which a messaging system non-simultaneously receives a voice message and image data, and creates a composite voice and data message on an information storage system in the messaging system for subsequent retrieval by a recipient,
the method comprising the steps of:
accepting a first call from a first caller and establishing a first connection to the information storage system;
providing pre-programmed prompts to the first caller that inquire whether the first caller desires to create a composite voice and data message;
receiving, from the first caller, responses to the pre-programmed prompts;
recording a voice message during the first call and storing the recorded voice message in the information storage system;
audibly providing, to the first caller, a message identification number, responsive to the first caller's responses to the pre-programmed prompts;
terminating the first call and the first connection;
accepting a second call from a second caller and establishing a second connection to the information storage system;
accepting, from the second caller, the message identification number;
receiving image data during the second call and storing the received image data in the information storage system; and
associating the voice message with the image data using the message identification number to create a composite voice and data message in the mailbox of the recipient. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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This invention
relates to methods and apparatus for transmitting and storing voice messages and electronic representations of text or images or both, and particularly to non-simultaneous transmittal of separate portions of a composite voice/data message.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Contemporary business has embraced two technologies that allow an individual employee to be more efficient and productive. The first of these technologies is voice messaging technology. In conventional voice messaging technology, a caller first
calls an intended recipient by telephone. If the recipient of the call is absent, the caller is automatically connected to the recipient's voice messaging system. This system enables the caller to record a message for the recipient-subscriber in the
caller's own voice, which message is then stored in an electronic format by the system. When subscriber calls into the system, he can play back the voice message on his telephone by issuing suitable commands.
The second technology effecting modern business practices is the facsimile machine or telecopier, which enables a sender to transmit a text or visual image (collectively "data") via electronic medium to a remote location, where the text or image
may be printed out. Conventional facsimile technology requires telecopy equipment at both the sending and receiving stations, the first to encode the transmittal into electronic format and the latter to decode the transmittal back to a text or visual
image suitable for printing.
Voice messaging and telecopy technologies have freed the employee from his office, and have enabled the businessman to conduct a large part of his work away from his home office. By calling in to his office from a remote location, the executive
can listen to voice messages. Likewise, the facsimile machine has enabled the businessman to receive text or visual images virtually anywhere in the world accessible by public telephone lines.
An evolution of facsimile technology is the ongoing development of methods and apparatus for receiving and storing in electronic format the electronic representation of a facsimile transmittal. Such systems, known generically as "Fax Mail"
systems, permit an incoming telecopy transmittal to be stored on a data storage system in electronic form, for later recall by the system subscriber. In this manner, the intended recipient may, for example, call into the office from a remote location,
determine that a facsimile transmittal is available for him, and then direct that the text or image stored on the system be transmitted for printout to a facsimile machine at the remote location.
An adjunct to "Fax Mail" technology is the annotation of facsimile transmittals with a voice message, wherein the voice message is recorded in the caller's own voice. Such previously known systems--"composite voice/data" message
systems--contemplate that a caller will call the recipient's voice messaging system using the telephone handset found on the facsimile equipment, record a voice message concerning the impending facsimile transmission, and then send the facsimile
transmission as a continuous part of the call. Thus, the resulting call is "simultaneous" in the sense that the telephone call and the facsimile transmittal are part of a single transaction. A subscriber to the system can then dial into the system from
a remote location, listen to the voice portion of the message, and direct the disposition, i.e., printout or storage, of the facsimile portion.
Such simultaneous composite voice/data message systems have the inherent drawback that the sender of the facsimile transmittal must be physically present at the facsimile machine in order to record the voice portion of the message. On the other
hand, if--as is typical for most large businesses--the facsimile machine is located in a mail center, it may not be possible for the sender of the facsimile to provide the desired voice annotation of the transmittal. This is because he will typically
not be present when the facsimile transmittal is actually sent. While the sender could call the recipient from his desk and leave a voice message that a facsimile is being or will be sent, previously known methods and systems of voice/data processing do
not enable the voice portion of the message to be matched up with its corresponding facsimile portion.
If the recipient in the above scenario receives only one voice message and one facsimile transmittal, he would have little problem in determining their relationship. If, however, several voice messages and facsimile transmittals were to be
received, the recipient may have to waste a considerable amount of time determining which voice message corresponds to each of the facsimile transmittals. This problem could be especially acute, for example, where several drafts of a document are sent
to the recipient within a relatively short period, for example, as in time-sensitive contract negotiations.
It would therefore be desirable to provide a method for annotating a facsimile transmittal to be stored in electronic format with a voice message, wherein the voice message and facsimile transmittal are created non-simultaneously.
It would further be desirable to provide apparatus for matching a facsimile transmittal stored in electronic format with a timewise separated voice message to form a composite voice/data message.
It would further be desirable to provide methods for printing out a facsimile transmittal from electronic storage wherein the print out includes indicia that permits the facsimile transmittal to be matched up with a voice message.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the foregoing, it is an object of the present invention to provide methods and apparatus for annotating a facsimile transmittal to be stored in electronic format with a voice message, so that the voice message and facsimile transmittal
may be transmitted non-simultaneously.
It is another object of this invention to provide methods and apparatus for associating a facsimile transmittal stored in electronic format with a timewise separated voice message to form a composite voice/data message.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide methods for printing out a facsimile transmittal from electronic storage so that the print out includes indicia that permits the facsimile transmittal to be matched up with a voice message.
These and other objects are accomplished in accordance with the principles of the present invention by providing methods and apparatus that enable a caller to call into a recipient-subscriber's voice messaging data storage system and record a
message concerning a specific facsimile transmittal, and then send the facsimile transmittal to that storage system using facsimile equipment. The timewise separated voice message and facsimile transmittal are linked by the recipient's system. Thus,
when the subscriber calls into the system, he is apprised of the existence of a composite voice/data message. The subscriber may then listen to the voice portion of the composite message, while directing printout of the facsimile portion to a
conveniently located facsimile machine or appropriately configured personal computer.
The methods and apparatus of the present invention provide a message identification number that is used by the system to link up the timewise separated voice message and facsimile transmittal. In an embodiment where the caller records a voice
message before sending the facsimile transmittal, the caller informs the system that he is sending a composite voice/data message. Either before or after the recording the voice message, the caller is given a message identification number by the voice
messaging/data storage system. When the facsimile transmittal is later sent, the same or a different caller again calls the subscriber's system, enters the message identification number previously provided by the system, and then sends the facsimile
transmittal.
The apparatus of the present invention comprises an electronic storage system that interfaces with a telephone system and is capable of storing both voice messages and facsimile transmittals in electronic format. The system includes a central
processing unit that interacts with the caller to provide prompts as required to obtain information from, and provide information to, the caller concerning whether the caller desires to leave a voice message, a facsimile transmittal, or a composite
voice/data message. If the caller informs the system that he desires to create a non-simultaneous composite voice/data message, the system provides the caller with a message identification number, either before or after the voice message has been
recorded. When the caller again calls to send the facsimile transmittal, the system prompts the caller to enter the previously-provided message identification number. The system then uses the identification number to match the voice portion of the
message with the facsimile transmittal to form the composite voice/data message that is presented to the subscriber. The system also provides the ability to direct the facsimile transmission portion of the composite voice/data message at a designated
printer or facsimile machine for printing, wherein the print out may include a banner including indicia, for example, the message identification number, concerning to which composite voice/data message the print out pertains.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF
THE DRAWINGS
The above and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like parts
throughout, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a voice messaging/data storage system constructed in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is a process schematic diagram depicting the processing methodology and structure of the present invention whereby a composite voice/data message can be created by a caller by non-simultaneously recording a voice message and sending a
timewise separated facsimile transmittal to the system shown in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In overview, the voice messaging/data storage system of the present invention is connected to a central office telephone switch and is capable of intercepting calls when the call recipient is absent. The system comprises an electronic storage
system capable of interfacing with a public switch telephone network or a private branch exchange/central office system, and includes an electronic storage medium capable of storing both voice messages and facsimile transmittals in electronic format.
When there is no answer for an incoming call, the system acquires control of the call and interacts with the caller, providing pre-programmed prompts as required to obtain information from, and provide information to, the caller. These prompts
concern, for example, whether the caller desires to leave a voice message, a facsimile transmittal, or a composite voice/data message. The voice message or data sent by the caller is stored in electronic format for subsequent playback or print out, or
both, by the call recipient.
Referring to FIG. 1, voice messaging/data storage system 10 in accordance with the present invention is described. The system comprises central processing unit (CPU) 11, digital line card 12, trunk interface card (TIC) 13, system file card 14
and data storage device 15. Components 11 through 15 are interconnected via communications bus 16.
Trunk interface card 13 couples digital line card 12 to the subscriber's telephone switch 20. Incoming calls are passed via TIC card 13 to digital line card 12, which processes the incoming signal and makes it available on bus 16.
System file card 14 is coupled to data storage device 15, for example a conventional disk drive. Data storage device 15 stores the system files, subscriber profiles, voice greetings and preprogrammed prompts, and incoming voice messages,
facsimile transmittals and composite voice/data messages received by the system in electronic format.
Central processing unit 11, which may be, for example, a 86C386 microprocessor, available from Intel Corporation, Santa Clara, Calif., controls the data transfer over bus 16 between digital line card 13, and system file card 14. In accordance
with the present invention, digital line card 12 includes a digital signal processing (DSP) semiconductor chip, for example, a Texas Instruments TMS 320C31, that functions as a single channel port for both voice and data communications. The DSP chip may
be programmed using, for example, C-assembler programming language, so that chip has the ability to discriminate between incoming voice (analog) signals and digital transmissions (fax protocol and modem). This capability enables system 10 to switch
between facsimile reception modes and interactive, voice activated modes.
Other than the digital line card described above, the components of the apparatus of the present invention may be commercially available, for example the Aspen Voice Messaging System, available from Octel Communications Corporation, Milpitas,
Calif. Using conventional programming techniques, one skilled in the art may program the system in accordance with the process diagrams described below with respect to FIG. 2. In addition to the digital line card, it is the programming of the system in
accordance with the processing methods described hereinafter that provides heretofore unavailable advantages with respect to non-simultaneously creating composite voice/data messages.
Furthermore, the digital line card constructed in accordance with the present invention enables the process of the present invention to be practiced using commercially available voice processing systems, such as the above-mentioned Aspen system,
simply by replacing the pre-existing line card and modifying the system programming in accordance with the process shown in FIG. 2.
Each subscriber to voice messaging/data storage system 10 has a message hierarchy or "mailbox" associated with his telephone extension. The subscriber profile stored on data storage device 15 contains a variety of information that is used by the
system to manage the subscriber's individual mailbox, such as the subscriber's password and information relating to the status and location within storage device 15 of the user's greeting and stored messages.
In accordance with the present invention, composite voice/data message identification numbers are provided which are specific to each subscriber's mailbox. For example, for a three-digit message identification numbering scheme, each subscriber
can receive voice, facsimile or composite voice/data messages numbered between 001 and 999. The actual number of such messages resident in a subscriber's mailbox at any one time will of course be limited by the total storage capability of storage means
15.
The message identification numbers assigned to each subscriber's mailbox may comprise two classes: a first class, for example numbers 001 through 099, which are subscriber-assignable; and a second class, for example numbers 100 through 999, which
are assigned by the system. The subscriber-assignable numbers may be given by the subscriber to a potential caller, so that the subscriber knows that when a message is received, it will have a "known" message identification number. System-assignable
numbers, on the other hand, may be assigned by the voice messaging/data storage system 10 in a first-available sequential order. This sequence "wraps around" after 999 to 100 or the next higher currently unused system-assignable number.
A system constructed in accordance with the present invention enables a caller to first call into a recipient-subscriber's voice messaging data storage system and record a message concerning a specific facsimile transmittal. The caller later
sends the facsimile transmittal to that storage system using facsimile equipment. The timewise separated voice message and facsimile transmittal are then linked by the recipient's system. Thus, when the subscriber calls into the system, he is apprised
of the existence of a composite voice/data message in his mailbox.
A message identification number is used by the system to link up the timewise separated voice message and facsimile transmittal. In a first embodiment, the caller records a voice message before sending the facsimile transmittal, and then informs
the system that he intends to later send a facsimile transmission. If the caller informs the system that the recorded voice message is to be annotated to a later transmitted facsimile image, the system provides the caller with a message identification
number. When the same or a different caller again calls to send the facsimile transmittal, the system prompts the caller to enter the previously-provided message identification number, and then prompts the caller to start transmission of the facsimile
image. The system uses the message identification number to match the voice portion of the message with the facsimile transmittal to form the composite voice/data message that is presented to the subscriber.
With the foregoing overview in mind, the detailed operation of the system | | |
