Universal messaging service using single voice grade telephone line within a client/server architecture

Claims

We claim:

1. A voice and data messaging system, comprising:

(a) a server comprising a first computer, a multi-applications platform (MAP) running on said first computer, and means for storing voice and data messages;

(b) a client comprising a second computer with an associated display and means for transmitting analog voice messages and digital data messages to said server;

(c) a client and server interface coupling said client to said server and providing a medium over which said client and server communicate, wherein the interface is a single telephone line;

(d) universal mailbox means for (1) visually indicating to a user, via the display associated with the second computer, that voice and data messages have been delivered for said user and are being held by said server; and (2) permitting said user to review, erase, or forward, via said second computer and said single telephone line, a selected one of said voice and data messages stored by said server;

wherein said universal mailbox means further includes means for performing a plurality of message functions including:

(1) an initialization function wherein a client outdials the server; the server recognizes that the call is for a universal mailbox user; the server allocates a voice and data port; the server sends a DTMF identifying code; and the client receives the DTMF identifying code and initializes a client and server session, thereby permitting the user to perform message retrieval and message send functions;

(2) erase selected message wherein the server performs a database function to change the status of a message to erased; and

(3) save selected message, wherein the server performs a database function to change the status of a message to saved; and

(e) client interface means for allowing the user to select from some or all of said plurality of message functions, a message function to be performed.

2. A messaging system as recited in claim 1, wherein said universal mailbox means comprises application software running on said first computer.

3. A messaging system as recited in claim 1, wherein said universal mailbox means comprises application software running on said second computer.

4. A messaging system as recited in claim 1, further comprising an object database serving as a repository for stored voice, facsimile, and data messages exchanged between said client and server, said stored voice, facsimile, and data messages defining message objects.

5. A messaging system as recited in claim 4, further comprising a user database containing information concerning users along with references to message objects in said object database.

6. A messaging system as recited in claim 1, wherein said client and server interface comprises a public switched telephone network (PSTN).

7. A messaging system as recited in claim 1, wherein said client comprises a telephone for use in transmitting and receiving analog voice signals.

8. A messaging system as recited in claim 1, further comprising an object database serving as a repository for stored voice, facsimile, and data messages exchanged between said client and server, said stored voice, facsimile, and data messages defining message objects, and further comprising a user database containing information concerning users along with references to message objects in said object database; wherein said client and server interface comprises a public switched telephone network (PSTN); and wherein said client comprises a telephone for use in transmitting and receiving analog voice signals.

9. A messaging system as recited in claim 8, wherein said universal mailbox means comprises a server universal mailbox application and/or a client universal mailbox application.

10. A voice and data messaging system, comprising:

(a) a server comprising a first computer, a multi-applications platform (MAP) miming on said first computer, and means for storing voice and data messages;

(b) a client comprising a second computer with an associated display and means for transmitting analog voice messages and digital data messages to said server;

(c) a client and server interface coupling said client to said server and providing a medium over which said client and server communicate, wherein the interface is a single telephone line; and

(d) universal mailbox means for (1) visually indicating to a user, via the display associated with the second computer, that voice and data messages have been delivered for said user and are being held by said server; and (2) permitting said user to at least review, erase, or forward, via said second computer and said single telephone line, a selected one of said voice and dais messages stored by said server;

wherein said universal mailbox means further includes means for performing the following functions:

(1) initialization, wherein the client outdials the server; the server recognizes an incoming call and connects the call; the server recognizes that the call is for a universal mailbox user; the server allocates a voice and data port; the server sends a DTMF identifying code; the client receives the DTMF identifying code and initializes a client and server session, thereby permitting the user to perform message retrieval and message send functions;

(2) message summary, wherein the server gathers all messages associated with a user's mailbox;

(3) select and review selected message, wherein the server receivers a current message from the client for playback over a voice channel, wherein the user is given prescribed message review handling options while the current message is being played over the voice channel;

(4) update memo, wherein the server updates a memo field associated with a message, said memo field being placed in a database;

(5) create new message, wherein the user is enabled to create a new message; and

(6) send message, wherein a previously created message is sent to another user stationed at another client.

11. A messaging system as recited in claim 10, wherein said universal mailbox means further includes means for performing the following functions:

(7) erase selected message, wherein the server performs a database function to change the status of a message to erased; and

(8) save selected message, wherein the server performs a database function to change the status of a message to saved.

12. A server for use in a voice and data messaging system conforming to a client and server architecture, comprising:

(a) a first computer and a multi-applications platform (MAP) running on said first computer;

(b) database means operatively coupled to said first computer for storing voice, data and facsimile messages; and

(c) universal mailbox means for (1) visually indicating to a user, via a display device associated with a second, client computer operatively coupled to said server via a single telephone line, that voice and data messages have been delivered for said user and are being held by said database means; and (2) permitting said user to at least review, erase, or forward, via said second computer, a selected one of said voice and data messages stored by said server;

wherein said universal mailbox means further includes means for performing the following functions:

(1) initialization, wherein the server sends a DTMF identifying code to the client upon receiving an incoming call for a universal mailbox user; the server allocates a voice and data port; and the client initializes a client and server session upon receipt of the DTMF identifying code, thereby permitting the user to perform message retrieval and message send functions:

(2) message summary, wherein the server collects all messages associated with a user's mailbox;

(3) select and review selected message, wherein the server receives a current message from the client for playback over a voice channel, wherein the user is given prescribed message review handling options that are available while the current message is being played over the voice channel;

(4) update memo, wherein the server updates a memo field associated with a message, said memo field being placed in a data base;

(5)create new message, wherein the user is enabled to create a new message; and

(6) send message, wherein a previously created message is sent to another user's mailbox.

13. A server as recited in claim 12, wherein said database means for storing voice and data messages comprises an object database, wherein the server stores in said object database stored voice, facsimile, and data messages exchanged between a client and the server, said stored voice, facsimile, and data messages defining message objects.

14. A server as recited in claim 13, further comprising a user database, wherein the server stores in said user database information concerning users along with references to message objects in said object database.

15. A server for use in a voice and data messaging system conforming to a client and server architecture, comprising:

(a) a first computer and a multi-applications platform (MAP) running on said first computer;

(b) means operatively coupled to said first computer for storing voice, data and facsimile messages;

(c) universal mailbox means for (1) visually indicating to a user, via a display device associated with a second, client computer operatively coupled to said server via a single telephone line, that voice and data messages have been delivered for said user and are being hold by said server; and (2) permitting said user to at least review, erase, or forward, via said second computer and said single telephone line, a selected one of said voice and data messages stored by said server;

wherein said universal mailbox means further includes means for performing the following functions:

(1) initialization, wherein said client outdials the server; the server recognizes an incoming call and connects the call; the server recognizes that the call is for a universal mailbox user; the server allocates a voice and data port to the user; the server outdials the client and sends a DTMF identifying code; the client receives the DTMF identifying code and initializes a client and server session, thereby permitting the user to perform message retrieval and message send functions;

(2) message summary, wherein the server gathers all messages associated with a user's mailbox;

(3) select and review selected message, wherein the server receives a current message from the client for playback over a voice channel, wherein the user is given prescribed message review handling options while the message is being played over the voice channel;

(4) update memo, wherein the server updates a memo field associated with the message, said memo field being placed in a database;

(5) create new message, wherein a new message is created when a record option is selected by the user; and

(6) send message, wherein a previously created message is sent to another user stretched at another client.

16. A server as recited in claim 15, wherein said universal mailbox means further includes means for performing the following functions:

(7) erase selected message, wherein the server performs a database function to change the status of a message to erased; and

(8) save selected message, wherein the server performs a database function to change the status of a message to saved.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to messaging systems, e.g., a voice-mail system and a user interface therefor. More particularly, the present invention relates to a Client/Server messaging system providing integrated voice, data and facsimile (image) messaging services. The description of preferred embodiments of the invention refers to PC-based clients. However, the invention may be practiced with any screen-based client platform, such as a Macintosh or Unix-based computer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. COMPUTER/TELEPHONY MESSAGING SYSTEMS

Voice-mail service systems permit a calling party to send a voice message to a called party without the assistance of another person. The called party is permitted to retrieve messages at will via his or her telephone without the assistance of another person. Conventional voice-mail service systems provide only audio access to the voice messages. That is, the messages can only be retrieved or created via a telephone, which means that a user must scroll sequentially through his or her message headers in voice mode by listening to the header information. This disadvantage is purportedly addressed by U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,577, Mar. 26, 1991, titled "Voice and Data Interface to a Voice-Mail Service System," which discloses a user access interface to a voice messaging (voice-mail) system. The disclosed system includes a voice channel and a data channel, the latter permitting the user to interact with the voice-mail service system via a video terminal or display-equipped computer and to print message headers on the terminal or display. The user can visually scan the headers and then listen to the messages or record new messages via the voice channel. An interface between the terminal and voice message system is provided by a "function" executing on the terminal. A data terminal interface "function" is executed on the voice-message service system. Users and their respective terminals are described as being interconnected by a private branch exchange (PBX) switching system. In addition, according to the patent, voice terminals are connected to the PBX by voice channels while data terminals are connected to the PBX by data channels. The patent states that the voice and data channels can be carried by separate physical links or a common link. For example, where the voice terminal is a standard telephone and the data terminal is a stand-alone PC, the voice and data channels could be carried, respectively, by a conventional telephone loop and a separate data link supporting the ISDN xB+D protocol. However, where the voice terminal is a digital telephone and the data terminal is a PC coupled to the digital telephone set, both the voice and data channels could be carried by a single link supporting the ISDN protocol.

One shortcoming of the system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,577 is that, if the user does not have a digital telephone, he or she must employ two separate communications links to concurrently access analog voice and digital data messages. Moreover, this system is believed to be inefficient in its use of "dumb" terminals; the complexity required to synchronize separate voice and data paths; and the cost associated with the additional port needed to provide voice and data paths. Furthermore, ISDN is not presently in general use, and so the system disclosed is limited to the extent it relies on ISDN.

2. THE UNISYS NETWORK APPLICATIONS PLATFORM

U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,004, Jul. 21, 1992, titles "Digital Computer Platform for Supporting Telephone Network Applications," discloses a "Network Applications Platform" (NAP) that is employed in a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The disclosure of this patent represents part of the background of the present invention, and thus is summarized below. The reader should review the patent itself for a complete description of the NAP. U.S. Pat. No. 5,323,450, dated Jun. 21, 1994, should also be reviewed for background.

The variety of telephone services currently available include call answer, call forward, voice store and forward, voice-mail, emergency number facilities, directory assistance, operator assistance, call screening, and automatic wake-up services. Such services had generally been provided by dedicated systems specifically designed for the service and the hardware environment in which the system was to be deployed, which made the systems inflexible and expensive. Following divestiture, the Bell Operating Companies (BOCs) and Independent Telephone Companies (Telcos), in devising ways to increase the return on their installed telephone networks, began to offer new services that integrated into, or interfaced with, the existing network, resulting in greater utilization of the network. The invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,133,004 made it easier for the BOCs and Telcos to provide new services by removing the dependence on the telephone switch provider in implementing these new services. In particular, the Network Applications Platform, or NAP, was designed to interface with the telephone network and support application software deployed by the BOCs and Telcos to provide services they wanted to offer.

The NAP is a digital computer that interfaces with the network and is programmed with software providing the telephone network functionality required to support the new service-related applications. Such functionality includes detecting and reporting an incoming call from the network, initiating an outgoing call to the network, receiving a voice message from the network, sending a voice message to the network, collecting digits entered from the network, switching calls between channels, terminating calls, and detecting and reporting call termination.

The NAP includes a database including a voice file for storing predetermined digitized voice and tone messages to be applied to the network and voice messages received from the network to be re-applied thereto. The NAP is implemented on an A Series digital computer system commercially available from Unisys Corporation, Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, the assignee of the present invention. The NAP uses the standard parallel I/O processing capabilities, the Data Management System II (DMSII) and disk storage facilities and Direct I/O, as well as the communications capabilities such as Communication Management System (COMS) and Data Communications (DATACOM) of the A Series system. The applications communicate with the NAP through message-passing communication apparatus, such as the A Series COMS. The applications comprise a plurality of independent applications deployed by the telephone company to provide the desired services to the users.

The NAP includes three software modules collectively referred to as a Voice Network Management System (VNMS). The VNMS comprises an Application Interface Module (AIM), a Voice Message Management Module (VMMM), and a Network Interface Unit Manager (NIUM). The VNMS resides in main memory of the computer system on which the NAP is installed, i.e., the A Series system. The applications communicate with the AIM through the COMS via multiple dialogs, each representing a logically distinct sequence of related messages. The messages within each dialog occur in pairs, with each pair comprising an AIM Command from an application requesting the NAP to perform a function and a response from the AIM to the application with appropriate status information or data, such as keyed-in caller digits or message number identification Tokens.

The AIM is the point of communication between the NAP and the applications and directs the functionality of the NAP. Under the direction of the AIM, the VMMM controls sending and receiving digital voice messages between the NAP and the network. The AIM also communicates with the NIUM to receive digits from the network, such as DTMF digits; to receive status signals from the network; and to control call switching at the interface between the NAP and the network.

The NAP interfaces with the network through one or more Network Interface Units (NIUs). Each NIU comprises a computer-controlled, digital matrix switch that communicates with the lines and trunks of the network. The NIUs communicate with the voice message portion of the NAP via ports over a communication link comprising a conventional T1 digital voice link or trunk.

The NIUs communicate with the NIUM via communication apparatus, such as the A Series DATACOM. The communication links through the DATACOM from the NIUM to the NIUs control switching of ports so that any port can be connected to any other port. The NIUs include DTMF receivers that may be selectively connected to the ports of incoming calls under control of the NIUM to provide entered DTMF digits to the NIUM.

The VMMM controls sending and receiving digital voice messages to and from the network. The messages are stored on a disk. The VMMM communicates with the disk through an I/O processor system including an A Series I/O interface such as DMSII and Direct I/O. The I/O processor system communicates with the T1 digital voice link via an interface composed of one or more Voice Interface Modules (VIMs). The VMMM communicates with the VIMs via the I/O processor system which includes the standard A Series MLI (SDS 2323 7399) communication subsystem for effecting data transfers. Each of the VIMs is associated with a plurality of voice channels currently established by the system.

Predetermined voice messages, such as service offering prompts and instructions to callers, are stored on disk. These messages are accessed by the applications via the VMMM and transmitted over a voice channel through selected ports in the NIU. Voice messages from callers are stored on disk for re-transmission to the network under control of appropriate applications. The NIUM selects and connects the ports of the NIU under command of the applications and the VMMM controls the flow of the digital voice messages.

Central Office (CO) switches include the capability of detecting a predetermined number of ring-back or busy tones with respect to an incoming call and switching the incoming line to an outgoing line predetermined by the telephone company. Thus, for applications such as Call Answer, the CO can switch the call to a telephone number in the address space of the CO, for routing the call to the NAP so that the appropriate application can provide the service. Other services such as voice-mail and voice-store and forward use appropriate access telephone numbers in the address space of the CO to connect to the desired service. Based on configurable translation of information, such as the incoming port address and telephone number or other information transmitted to the NAP by the CO, the NIUM determines the appropriate application to ut