WO2016014067A1

WO2016014067A1 - Voice messaging system and methods of use

Info

Publication number: WO2016014067A1
Application number: PCT/US2014/048062
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oziegbe Mobolaji OSEGHALE; Kunle BADMUS
Original assignee: Oseghale Oziegbe Mobolaji; Badmus Kunle
Priority date: 2014-07-24
Filing date: 2014-07-24
Publication date: 2016-01-28

Abstract

Voice messaging system (100) and methods of use are provided herein. In one embodiment, a method includes storing a message that is linked to a message board established for an owner party (230), leaving a missed call message for at least one of a plurality of member parties (405), and delivering the message to the at least one of the plurality of member parties when the at least one of the plurality of member parties establishes a call session by dialing a message board identifier associated with the message board (415), the message being provided as early media.

Description

VOICE MESSAGING SYSTEM AND METHODS OF USE

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERAL SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM Not Applicable

BACKGROUND

[0001] 1 . Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments relate to voice messaging systems and methods of use, and more specifically, but not by way of limitation, to voice messaging systems that store and deliver voice messages to recipients using message boards, where voice messages can be retrieved without requiring recipients to use traditional voice message retrieval methods using telephony systems.

[0003] 2. Description of Related Art

[0004] Customers typically retrieve voice messages after they have been stored on a telephony network, such as a cellular communications network. For example, a first caller can leave a voice message for a second caller using voicemail features provided by the second caller's telephony network. When the first and second callers are utilizing wireless device such as cell phones, these callers are required to use valuable over-the-air communications to leave and/or retrieve these voicemails.

[0005] While the use of voicemail in developed countries is ubiquitous and messaging costs related to airtime are relatively low, callers in the developing world, where airtime is an expensive commodity, are often dissuaded from the prohibitive costs of leaving and/or retrieving voicemails. [0006] A major mode of telecommunication in the world without Internet is cellular telephony. As mentioned above, calling and texting using these systems is often expensive and therefore not useful for mass-communication. Beyond that texting relies on written words and simply cannot reach everybody. In addition there is no way of knowing whether your text arrived and is read. Calling from feature phones to feature phones is limited to one-on one calls and requires the two parties to be available at the same time. With all these limitations, individuals in the developing work still use such technologies for group communications, despite the costs and the drawbacks.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0007] Generally speaking, the present technology is directed to voice messaging systems that allow participants to store and disseminate voice messages using cloud or server storage. Rather than requiring users to utilize airtime to call and leave a voice message on a voicemail account of a recipient, and conversely requiring the recipient to utilize airtime to retrieve the message from their voicemail, voice message boards can be established for an owner. Voice messages can be stored on the message board.

[0008] One or more member parties (recipients) can be provided an identifier for the message board. For example, to inform the member parties that a message is available, the present technology leaves a missed call message on the telecommunications devices of the member parties. This missed call message includes the message board identifier for the message board.

[0009] Using the identifier for the message board, a member party can request the voice message. For example, a member party can dial the message board identifier and a call session initiation protocol (SIP) server delivers the voice message to the member party during an early media portion of a call session.

[00010] According to some embodiments, call sessions can be routed via public switched telephone network (PSTN) to a SIP server in early-media mode. The SIP server makes backend service requests for voice messages. Member parties can be informed of awaiting voice messages using missed call features, email, short message service (SMS) messages, push alerts, and other forms of messaging that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[00011] In some embodiments, the present technology may allow for the creation and use of hierarchical or special-purpose message boards. For example, a hierarchical ordering of message boards may be used to disseminate messages across numerous linked message boards. In other instances, message boards may be purposed, for example, to provide messages in a specific language.

[00012] According to some embodiments, the present technology is directed to a method that includes assigning a member board identifier to at least one of a plurality of member parties. The member board identifier is preferably linked to a message board identifier. Also, the message board identifier is preferably associated with a message board established for an owner party. Thus, a logical connection exists between each member party and the message board of the owner. These member parties can now retrieve messages from the message board of the owner.

[00013] Next, the method comprises storing a message that is linked to the message board of the owner party and also leaving a missed call message with the at least one of the plurality of member parties, the missed call message comprising the message board identifier.

[00014] Next, the method includes delivering the message to the at least one of the plurality of member parties when the at least one of the plurality of member parties establishes a call session. In some instances the message is provided as early-media. That is, a SIP server provides the voice message to a member party during an early-media portion of a call session

[00015] For context, early-media mode, or an early-media portion of a call session is a time period of a call session during which the calling party would hear a ringing tone, and prior when the called party joins the call session (i.e., answers the phone). [00016] Some methods may include establishing the message board for the owner party and receiving an inbound call from each of member party. It will be understood that the inbound call is initiated by the at least one of the plurality of member parties, by dialing a message board identifier of the owner party.

[00017] In some embodiments, delivering the message further comprises routing the call session to a call session initiating protocol (SIP) server, the SIP server playing the message to the at least one of the plurality of member parties.

[00018] In one embodiment, the owner party is charged a fee when the message is delivered to the at least one of the plurality of member parties.

[00019] In some embodiments, the method includes providing the message board identifier to each of the plurality of member parties.

[00020] In additional embodiments, the method includes comparing a member board identifier for the at least one of the plurality of member parties and the message board identifier to a database that includes indexes of member board identifiers and message board identifiers.

[00021] In another embodiment, the method comprises transmitting to the least one of the plurality of member parties a previously joined message if the least one of the plurality of member parties has already joined the message board.

[00022] Leaving a missed call message with the at least one of the plurality of member parties, the missed call message comprising the message board identifier comprises initiating a calling to each of the plurality of member parties, during call initiation, detecting the member board identifier associated with called member party. Also, leaving a missed call message also includes transmitting to the called member party the message board identifier as a missed call.

[00023] In one embodiment, the method further comprises, prior to the call, setting a ring-tone for the member party to a ring-tone selected by the owner party.

[00024] In yet other instances, the method further includes assigning to each of a plurality of message boards a unique message board identifier, linking the plurality of message boards together using the unique message board identifiers, and transmitting the message to each of the plurality of message boards.

[00025] In some embodiments, the method includes storing the message on one of the plurality of message boards based on a language. It will be understood that each of the plurality of message boards is associated with a unique language and the plurality of member parties are each assigned a message board based upon their language.

[00026] In some embodiments, the method includes translating the message into a target language, the target language being based on the unique language for a message board.

[00027] In one embodiment, the method includes identifying which of the plurality of member parties has retrieved the message and transmitting a reminder message to any of the plurality of member parties who have not retrieved the message within a given period of time.

[00028] In accordance with the present disclosure, an example method includes receiving a response message from the at least one of the plurality of member parties, and storing the response message on the message board.

[00029] In yet other embodiments, the method includes allowing any of the plurality of member parties to like, flag, or share the message.

[00030] According to some embodiments, the present technology is directed to a system that includes a memory for storing executable instructions and a processor for executing the instructions stored in memory to assign a member board identifier to at least one of a plurality of member parties. Again, the member board identifier is linked to a message board identifier and the message board identifier is associated with message board established for an owner party.

[00031] In one embodiment, the system is configured to store a message that is linked to the message board of the owner party, and leave a missed call message with the at least one of the plurality of member parties, the missed call message comprising the message board identifier.' [00032] In another embodiment, the system is configured to deliver the message to the at least one of the plurality of member parties when the at least one of the plurality of member parties establishes a call session, using the message board identifier, by providing the message as early media.

[00033] The system may also include a call session initiating protocol (SIP) server that receives the call session. The SIP server is configured to play the message to the at least one of the plurality of member parties.

[00034] In some embodiments, the system compares a caller identifier for the at least one of the plurality of member parties and the message board identifier to a database that includes indexes of member party identifiers and message board identifiers and transmits to the least one of the plurality of member parties a previously joined message if the least one of the plurality of member parties has already joined the message board.

[00035] In other embodiments, the system initiates a calling to each of the plurality of member parties, detects the member board identifier associated with called member party, and transmits to the called member party the message board identifier as a missed call.

[00036] Also, the system is configured to, prior to the call, set a ring-tone for the member party to a ring-tone selected by the owner party.

[00037] According to some embodiments, the present technology is directed to a method that comprises storing a message that is linked to a message board established for an owner party. Also, the method includes leaving a missed call message for at least one of a plurality of member parties, and delivering the message to the at least one of the plurality of member parties when the at least one of the plurality of member parties establishes a call session by dialing a message board identifier associated with the message board. In one embodiment, the message is provided as early media.

[00038] These and other advantages of the present technology will be

described in greater detail below with reference to the collective drawings, FIGS. 1 -7.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [00039] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a computing architecture that can be used to practice aspects of the present technology.

[00040] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an example method of creating a message board for an owner party according to an embodiment.

[00041] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of an example method of allowing a member party to register with the system and retrieve messages according to an embodiment.

[00042] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for delivering messages to member parties according to an embodiment.

[00043] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of an example system that can be used to send a message in accordance with the present technology.

[00044] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of an example system that can be used to retrieve stored messages in accordance with the present technology.

[00045] FIG. 7 a schematic diagram of a computing system that is used to implement embodiments according to the present technology.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[00046] In the following description and best mode implementation, for purposes of explanation and not limitation, specific details are set forth, such as particular embodiments, procedures, techniques, etc. in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced in other embodiments that depart from these specific details.

[00047] In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that the disclosure may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, structures and devices are shown at block diagram form only in order to avoid obscuring the disclosure.

[00048] Reference throughout this specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearances of the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" or "according to one embodiment" (or other phrases having similar import) at various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. Furthermore, depending on the context of discussion herein, a singular term may include its plural forms and a plural term may include its singular form. Similarly, a hyphenated term (e.g., "on-demand") may be occasionally interchangeably used with its non-hyphenated version (e.g., "on demand"), a capitalized entry (e.g., "Software") may be interchangeably used with its non-capitalized version (e.g., "software"), a plural term may be indicated with or without an apostrophe (e.g., PE's or PEs), and an italicized term (e.g., "N+1 ") may be interchangeably used with its non-italicized version (e.g., "N+1 "). Such occasional interchangeable uses shall not be considered inconsistent with each other.

[00049] Also, some embodiments may be described in terms of "means for" performing a task or set of tasks. It will be understood that a "means for" may be expressed herein in terms of a structure, such as a processor, a memory, an I/O device such as a camera, or combinations thereof. Alternatively, the "means for" may include an algorithm that is descriptive of a function or method step, while in yet other embodiments the "means for" is expressed in terms of a mathematical formula, prose, or as a flow chart or signal diagram.

[00050] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/ or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[00051] It is noted at the outset that the terms "coupled," "connected", "connecting,"

"electrically connected," etc., are used interchangeably herein to generally refer to the condition of being electrically/electronically connected. Similarly, a first entity is considered to be in "communication" with a second entity (or entities) when the first entity electrically sends and/or receives (whether through wireline or wireless means) information signals (whether containing data information or non-data/control information) to the second entity regardless of the type (analog or digital) of those signals. It is further noted that various figures (including component diagrams) shown and discussed herein are for illustrative purpose only, and are not drawn to scale.

[00052] Generally speaking, the present technology advantageously lowers the interactivity barrier between offline (PSTN) and online (IP) voice messaging. The present technology contemplates a voice messaging platform that closes the gap between offline and online messaging users in a way that seamlessly enables interactive voice messaging across both worlds.

[00053] The present technology also socializes voice messaging services, allowing users to like, share, or otherwise use messages in a social networking context. The present technology also allows for broadcasting of voice messaging using data such as maps and demographics, and also enables single dial access to categorized voice messages using hierarchical and/or special-purpose message boards.

[00054] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary architecture 100 that provides messaging services in accordance with the present disclosure. The architecture 100 may include a messaging system (hereinafter "server 105") that facilitates the deployment of messaging methods of the present technology. The architecture 100 also generally incudes clients, such as client 1 10 and SIP server 105B. Cloud storage 105C can be utilized to store, for example, messages that are delivered to recipients. Each of these components of the architecture 100 will be described in greater detail below.

[00055] The components of the architecture 100 utilize network 1 15. Suitable networks may include or interface with any one or more of, for instance, a local intranet, a PAN (Personal Area Network), a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), a MAN (Metropolitan Area Network), a virtual private network (VPN), a storage area network (SAN), a frame relay connection, an Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) connection, a synchronous optical network (SONET) connection, a digital T1 , T3, E1 or E3 line, Digital Data Service (DDS) connection, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) connection, an Ethernet connection, an ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) line, a dial-up port such as a V.90, V.34 or V.34bis analog modem connection, a cable modem, an ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) connection, or an FDDI (Fiber Distributed Data Interface) or CDDI (Copper Distributed Data Interface) connection. Furthermore, communications may also include links to any of a variety of wireless networks, including WAP (Wireless Application Protocol), GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), GSM (Global System for Mobile Communication), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) or TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access), cellular phone networks, GPS (Global Positioning System), CDPD (cellular digital packet data), RIM (Research in Motion, Limited) duplex paging network, Bluetooth radio, or an IEEE 802.1 1 -based radio frequency network. The network 1 15 can further include or interface with any one or more of an RS-232 serial connection, an IEEE-1394 (Firewire) connection, a Fiber Channel connection, an IrDA (infrared) port, a SCSI (Small Computer Systems Interface) connection, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection or other wired or wireless, digital or analog interface or connection, mesh or Digi^® networking. The server 105 may couple to the network 1 15 using a network interface 135.

[00056] The client 1 10 may include, for example, a mobile computing device such as a Smartphone, a cellular telephone, a tablet, or a laptop or desktop computer - just to name a few. [00057] According to some embodiments, the system 105 may include a cloud based computing environment. In general, a cloud-based computing environment is a resource that typically combines the computational power of a large grouping of processors and/or that combines the storage capacity of a large grouping of computer memories or storage devices. For example, systems that provide a cloud resource may be utilized exclusively by their owners, such as Google™; or such systems may be accessible to outside users who deploy applications within the computing infrastructure to obtain the benefit of large computational or storage resources.

[00058] The cloud may be formed, for example, by a network of web servers such as server 105 with each web server (or at least a plurality thereof) providing processor and/or storage resources. These servers may manage workloads provided by multiple users (e.g., cloud resource consumers or other users). Typically, each user places workload demands upon the cloud that vary in real-time, sometimes dramatically. The nature and extent of these variations typically depend on the type of business associated with the user, which in this instance, includes at least the messaging features described herein.

[00059] In general, the server 105 may be generally described as a particular purpose computing environment that includes executable instructions that are configured to provide the messaging features, which will be described in greater detail herein.

[00060] The server 105 generally comprises a processor 120 and a memory 125.

According to some embodiments, the memory 125 comprises logic 130 (e.g., instructions or applications) that can be executed by the processor 120 to perform various methods. A message processing application 125A (hereinafter application 125A) may be stored in the memory 125 and executed by the processor 120. Additional components of the server 105 and/or client 1 10 are described in greater detail below with reference to the computing system 1 of FIG. 7.

[00061] It is noteworthy that the memory may include additional applications, layers, modules, engines, or components, and still fall within the scope of the present technology. As used herein, any of the aforementioned logical components may also be embodied as an application-specific integrated circuit ("ASIC"), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality.

[00062] In one embodiment, the server 105 and SIP server 105B may be part of a telecommunications system that is operated by a telecommunications operator. In some embodiments, the present technology can be implemented in combination public switched telephone networks (PSTN) and voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) networks. End users can utilize their cellular phones to request and retrieve messages from the server 105.

[00063] FIG. 2 is a flowchart of an example method of creating a message board for an owner party. The term "owner party" refers generally to the entity that owns a message board. A message board will be understood to include a location at which messages of the owner party can be stored for later retrieval. In some instances, the message board includes a portion of the storage 105C that is allocated to the owner party.

[00064] To create a message board, the method includes the server 105 receiving

205 a request to establish a message board from an owner party. For example, the owner party may log onto the server 105 using a web-based interface provided by the server 105 and provide their request to create a message board.

[00065] Next, the method includes the server 105 allocating 210 a message board space for the owner party in storage 105C. The method also includes the server 105 assigning 215 a master board identification tag phone number (MBITP), also referred to as a message board identifier to the owner party. The owner party can access their message board using the MBTIP.

[00066] The method includes the server 105 providing 220 the MBTIP to the owner party. The owner party can then disseminate the MBTIP to member parties. To be sure, a member party as referred to herein is an entity that joins the message board using the MBTIP. The server 105 can be configured to provide the MBTIP to potential member parties using, for example, SMS, email, telephone, or other methods that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art.

[00067] The method may also include the owner party providing 225 a message that can be stored in the message board established for the owner party. To be sure, a message may include a voicemail, a text message, a video file, an audio file, a multimedia file, or other message type that would be known to one of ordinary skill in the art with the present disclosure before them.

[00068] Thus, the method also includes the server 105 storing 230 the message in storage.

[00069] FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method for allowing a member party to register with the system and retrieve messages. The method includes a client dialing 305 the MBTIP to register with the message board. The method includes the system 105 determining 310 if the party that dialed the MBTIP has already joined the message board associated with the MBTIP. In one embodiment, the method includes the system 105 using a caller identifier of the party and the MBTIP to determine if the party has already joined the message board.

[00070] As background, the system 105 will link caller identifiers for each member party that has joined (or in some instances member parties that have been invited to join by the owner party) with the MBTIP for a message board, and create an access list. The system 105 can check to see if a party is authorized to access the message board by checking the access list. For example, when a party calls, the server 105 can route the call session to the SIP server 105B. The SIP server 105B performs an authorization check to determine if the requesting party has access (or should have access) to the message board. The authorization check can include comparing the caller identifier for the requesting party to the access list.

[00071] If the party has already joined, the method includes the system 105 transmitting 315 a reminder message to the party that they have already joined the message board. [00072] Alternatively, the party has not joined the message board the method includes the server 105 assigning 320 a membership board identifier (BID) to the member party. The server 105 uses the BID of each party to "call" the member party, as described in greater detail with respect to FIG. 4.

[00073] FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for delivering messages to member parties. When the owner party saves a message on the message board the method includes the server 105 leaving 405 a missed call message for one or more of the member parties. The missed call message comprises the message board identifier. For example, the server 105 initiates a call with each BID, which is a phone number assigned to a member party. The server 105 will hang up prior to the member party picking up the call, such that a missed call message is left on the member party device. Stated otherwise, during call initiation, the server 105 detects the membership BID, and sends MBTIP number to member party and hangs up before the user has time to answer. Again, this process is more cost efficient then leaving voicemail. Advantageously, this message storage and retrieval process is more cost effective for users who want to pick up voicemail but not be charged for receiving voice mail messages.

[00074] The method further includes the server 105 receiving 410 a request to retrieve the message by a member party. For example, a request to retrieve a message includes a member party calling the MBTIP. Again, the MBTIP is included in the missed call message left for the member party.

[00075] Next, the method includes the server 105 and/or SIP serer 105B delivering

415 the message to the at least one of the plurality of member parties when the at least one of the plurality of member parties initiates a call session, using the message board identifier. In one example, the server 105B receives the request, such as the call to the MBTIP from the member party. The server 105 recognizes that the call session initiation includes the MBTIP and then routes the call to the SIP server 105B. The SIP server 105B provides the message as early media. To be sure, the system overall does not establish an end-to-end call session between the message board and the client. Rather, the SIP server 105B plays the message as early media without an end-to-end call session being established so as not to require the member to utilize their cellular airtime, which is a costly commodity. The voice message can be played at no charge to the user. In one embodiment, the SIP server uses ring back tone early media standards to deliver the message.

[00076] In some embodiments, the method includes charging 420 the owner party when a message is played to a member party. In another embodiment, a member party (or their telecommunications carrier) can be charged to retrieve a message.

[00077] In one embodiment, the method includes the server 105 tracking and providing 425 metrics regarding member party message retrieval. For example, the system may track which of the parties have and have not retrieved the message. Other metrics regarding message playback times and duration can be tracked.

[00078] In some embodiments, the server 105 allows multiple message boards to be created and linked together. These message boards may be organized into a hierarchical ordering. Thus, when a message is stored on one message board, the message can be disseminated to any of the other associated message boards. The message boards can be owned by the same or different owner parties, and each of the message boards includes its own MBTIP. The MBTIPs are joined or linked together using an index or record.

[00079] In some embodiments, when a message is left on first board, the server

105 proceeds downwardly and looks at membership BIDs for each board and sends out message to all membership bids of both boards. This linking allows messages to cascade down from high boards to lower boards. This makes it possible for voice messages (or other types of messages such as SMS) to flow vertically from parent boxes to child or horizontally to affiliate boxes.

[00080] In accordance with the present disclosure, message boards can include special-purpose message boards. For example, a message board can be established in a specific language. By way of example, a company can establish multiple message boards that each are associated with a unique language. When a message is left on one message board, the server 105 may be configured to translate the message into other languages of the other boards.

[00081] Member parties can also leave feedback relative to a message. For example, members can like, share with other users, or comment on a message.

[00082] The following paragraphs provide use case examples that described example implementations of the present technology. One implementation contemplates a distributed offline voice message driven contact center. The contact center is a distributed virtual data center made up offline phones. Voicemail messages can be left on a support board and the server places missed calls notification to the agents. The agents can then dial in to pick up the support questions.

[00083] Voice mailbox transfer options are also available using the present technology. That is, a message board can be transferred from one subscriber to the next with all messages available to the new subscriber regardless of phone number.

[00084] Advantageously, the present technology provides a unique direct access phone number per board (categorized message group), and each board has a PSTN routable access number that uniquely identifies that board to the user without the need of special ID numbers, labels or tags and the like.

[00085] In some embodiments, recipients (member parties) of a broadcast message can be selected by drawing a shape on a map or using geographic information. That is, the server 105 can provide the owner party with an interactive map. The owner party can use a boundary tool to draw a boundary around an area on the map and the area is defined by GIS coordinates. The recipients that fall within or without the GIS coordinates are targeted with the message.

[00086] In some embodiments, the member party can immediately determine that a call is coming from a number associated with a message board, informing the member party not to pick up the call. [00087] In another example use case, the message boards of the present technology can be implemented for educational uses. For instance, the present technology provides governments an effective means of communicating policy changes, programs and events to schools. The present technology provides governments with feedback from schools through the use of message feedback and polls. The present technology gives school administrators, teachers, students and parents a way to interact and continue the learning experience outside the classroom.

[00088] Teachers can keep parents informed about their child's performance, behavior, challenges and strengths. Administrators can keep students and parents informed about school activities, meetings and events. Students can share ideas, questions and suggestions with their teachers and other students. The present technology provides parents a means of accessing their child's performance using reports.

[00089] In another example use case, the message boards of the present technology can be implemented for healthcare purposes. The present technology provides hospitals and clinics with IVR (Interactive Voice Response), SMS and web applications that are compatible with all phones. These applications give primary health care providers the ability to convey critical information to patients in a timely manner. Patients can be informed, for example, about doctors appointments, antenatal and postnatal advice, and immunizations using message boards.

[00090] In another example use case, the message boards of the present technology can be implemented to help governments keep citizens informed about government infrastructure projects like road maintenance schedules, transformer installations, hospital renovations, school construction, drainage repair, advocacy campaigns and much more. The present technology empowers the citizens by letting them provide critical feedback or complaints about violations.

[00091] The present technology can provide waste management authorities with the tool set they need to keep the citizens aware of waste collection days, delays, schedule changes, defaults, fines, penalties and policy changes. The present technology empowers residents and citizens in reporting incidents in a cost effective manner and this helps to keep all stakeholders informed, resulting in a more responsive waste management process.

[00092] In another example use case, the message boards of the present technology can be implemented to compliment the disaster management process by providing instant, reliable communication with those who need help and those who can provide help. The present technology can redirect inbound phone calls instantly to any working telephone number, whether a branch office, home, wireless, VOIP or satellite phone. The present technology can also communicate emergency response plans to residents instantly and help coordinate disaster recovery efforts through effective communication and feedback between government and citizens.

[00093] In another example use case, the message boards of the present technology can be implemented to set up social networks where people can follow/subscribe to popular boards to get, for example, messages from celebrities, or perhaps from a family member or a friend living across the country or the world.

[00094] In another example use case, the message boards of the present technology can be implemented to reduce the use of counterfeit medicine, which is a substantial problem in the world with over 700,000 estimated deaths each year worldwide. The present technology can be used to request medicine information and providing instant feedback on the authenticity of the products. By using the present technology, drug manufacturers can avoid printing their own phone numbers on a package, as that is something that is easily counterfeited as well.

[00095] The present technology also provides security by separating the ownership of the message board and subscribers. By separating board owner and subscribers, the present technology eliminates the need for people to hand over their phone numbers to different organizations, giving member parties control over their own privacy. Member parties can keep in touch even if they change their phone number, simply by re-subscribing using their new number. By implementing both public and private boards parties can control how messages are shared, ensuring that messages will reach only intended parties.

[00096] FIGS. 5 and 6 collectively illustrate the use of a system 500 that is configured to receive and store messages of the present technology, as well as allow users to retrieve messages as early media. The system 500 generally includes sender clients 505, recipient clients 510, a network 515, voice messaging server (server 520), and storage 525. In accordance with the present technology, a sender, using a sender client 505, transmits to the server 520 a request 530 to store a message. The server 520 provides a menu messenger 535 that provides the sender client with a graphical user interfaces that allow the sender to upload a message, as well as provide tags for the message. The request provided by the sender may also include a tag such as a master board identification tag phone number (MBITP). In some embodiments, the MBTIP may be embodied as sender metadata. Also, the tag may comprise message parameters. The message parameters may comprise an identification of one or more recipient parties. The identification can include a member board identifier or a telephone number, or any other identifier that identifies a unique recipient.

[00097] Thus, the sender client 505 transmits to the server 520 the message for storage, as well as the MBTIP. The server 520 can then store the message in storage 525. Again, the storage 525 may include distributed cloud storage of the message.

[00098] Generally, the server 520 comprises a tag processor 540, contact manager, 545, recipient list selector 550, message dispatcher 555, reaction handler 560, and notification agent 565. The individual components of the server 520 can be embodied as executable instructions that are stored in memory and executable by a processor. In other embodiments, the components of the server 520 can include an application-specific integrated circuit ("ASIC"), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) that executes one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. Each of the components can be a separately configured server operating within a cloud computing environment.

[00099] The tag processor 540 is configured to extract and analyze the tags of each message/request that is received from a sender. The tag processor 540 will, for example, extract MBTIPs and/or member board identifiers that are specified in the message that is to be stored. The tag processor 540 cooperates with the contact manager 545 to locate recipients for the message. For example, if a request includes a MBTIP, the tag processor 540 queries the MBTIP with the contact manager 545 and recipient list selector 550 to determine contacts or recipients for the message, which includes the users associated with the MBTIP. In some embodiments, the recipients identified may include a board member (member party), the board owner, or other eligible recipients that are designated by the sender in their message parameters.

[000100] The message dispatcher 555 and the notification agent 565 are configured to dispatch notifications, such as notification 570 to one or more recipients that a message is waiting. For example, the message dispatcher 555 leaves a missed call notification with each recipient identified by the contact manager 545 and recipient list selector 550. The reaction handler 560 is configured to process recipient reactions (feedback) to messages, as will be discussed in greater detail below with reference to FIG. 6.

[000101] FIG. 6 illustrates the system being used by recipients to retrieve messages and provider recipient feedback to these retrieved messages. As mentioned throughout, when a message is requested by a recipient, the request is in response to a missed call notification from the server 520. This missed call notification includes the MBTIP associated with the message board that stores the message.

[000102] A recipient client 510 transmits a request 585 for the message by calling the MBTIP that was left in the missed call notification. The server 520 responds by having the message dispatcher 555 retrieve a message 575 from storage 525. Again, the message is stored in the message board associated with the MBTIP. In one example, the message dispatcher 555 provides the message to the recipient client 510 as early media. The message 575 can also be delivered to any other recipients 580 as specified in the message parameters provided by the recipient. After listening to the message 575, the recipients can provide feedback about the message to the server 520. For example, the recipients can provide indications of whether they enjoyed or disliked the message. In one example, the recipient can provide their feedback through a message that is sent to the server such as an SMS message or an email message. In another example, the menu messenger can provide the recipient with feedback forms or other interactive means such as a webpage with a text input box or dropdown list or radio buttons that allow the recipient to specify their preference or sentiment for a message. For example, the recipient can select, from a plurality of options, such as enjoyed, liked, okay, did not like, and so forth. The reaction handler 560 can store the feedback for later retrieval by the message sender.

[000103] FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary computing device 1 that may be used to implement an embodiment of the present systems and methods. The system 1 of FIG. 7 may be implemented in the contexts of the likes of the server 105 and reader devices described herein. The computing device 1 of FIG. 7 includes a processor 10 and main memory 20. Main memory 20 stores, in part, instructions and data for execution by processor 10. Main memory 20 may store the executable code when in operation. The system 1 of FIG. 7 further includes a mass storage device 30, portable storage device 40, output devices 50, user input devices 60, a display system 70, and peripherals 80.

[000104] The components shown in FIG. 7 are depicted as being connected via a single bus 90. The components may be connected through one or more data transport means. Processor 10 and main memory 20 may be connected via a local microprocessor bus, and the mass storage device 30, peripherals 80, portable storage device 40, and display system 70 may be connected via one or more input/output (I/O) buses. [000105] Mass storage device 30, which may be implemented with a magnetic disk drive or an optical disk drive, is a non-volatile storage device for storing data and instructions for use by processor 10. Mass storage device 30 can store the system software for implementing embodiments of the present technology for purposes of loading that software into main memory 20.

[000106] Portable storage device 40 operates in conjunction with a portable nonvolatile storage medium, such as a floppy disk, compact disk or digital video disc, to input and output data and code to and from the computing system 1 of FIG. 7. The system software for implementing embodiments of the present technology may be stored on such a portable medium and input to the computing system 1 via the portable storage device 40.

[000107] Input devices 60 provide a portion of a user interface. Input devices 60 may include an alphanumeric keypad, such as a keyboard, for inputting alphanumeric and other information, or a pointing device, such as a mouse, a trackball, stylus, or cursor direction keys, or a scanner for reading bar codes. Additionally, the system 1 as shown in FIG. 7 includes output devices 50. Suitable output devices include speakers, label and receipt printers, network interfaces, and monitors.

[000108] Display system 70 may include a liquid crystal display (LCD) or other suitable display device. Display system 70 receives textual and graphical information, and processes the information for output to the display device.

[000109] Peripherals 80 may include any type of computer support device to add additional functionality to the computing system. Peripherals 80 may include a modem or a router.

[000110] The components contained in the computing system 1 of FIG. 7 are those typically found in computing systems that may be suitable for use with embodiments of the present technology and are intended to represent a broad category of such computer components that are well known in the art. Thus, the computing system 1 can be a personal computer, hand held computing system, telephone, mobile computing system, workstation, server, minicomputer, mainframe computer, or any other computing system. The computer can also include different bus configurations, networked platforms, multi-processor platforms, etc. Various operating systems can be used including UNIX, Linux, Windows, Macintosh OS, Palm OS, and other suitable operating systems.

[000111] Some of the above-described functions may be composed of instructions that are stored on storage media (e.g., computer-readable medium). The instructions may be retrieved and executed by the processor. Some examples of storage media are memory devices, tapes, disks, and the like. The instructions are operational when executed by the processor to direct the processor to operate in accord with the technology. Those skilled in the art are familiar with instructions, processor(s), and storage media.

[000112] It is noteworthy that any hardware platform suitable for performing the processing described herein is suitable for use with the technology. The terms "computer-readable storage medium" and "computer-readable storage media" as used herein refer to any medium or media that participate in providing instructions to a CPU for execution. Such media can take many forms, including, but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media and transmission media. Non-volatile media include, for example, optical or magnetic disks, such as a fixed disk. Volatile media include dynamic memory, such as system RAM. Transmission media include coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, among others, including the wires that comprise one embodiment of a bus. Transmission media can also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio frequency (RF) and infrared (IR) data communications. Common forms of computer-readable media include, for example, a floppy disk, a flexible disk, a hard disk, magnetic tape, any other magnetic medium, a CD-ROM disk, digital video disk (DVD), any other optical medium, any other physical medium with patterns of marks or holes, a RAM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM, a FLASHEPROM, any other memory chip or data exchange adapter, or any other medium from which a computer can read.

[000113] Various forms of computer-readable media may be involved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructions to a CPU for execution. A bus carries the data to system RAM, from which a CPU retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received by system RAM can optionally be stored on a fixed disk either before or after execution by a CPU.

[000114] Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present technology may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, PHP, MySQL, HTML, Java Script, CSS, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the "C" programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider).

[000115] The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present technology has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Exemplary embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present technology and its practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. [000116] Aspects of the present technology are described above with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

[000117] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

[000118] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks.

[000119] While the present invention has been described in connection with a series of preferred embodiment, these descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular forms set forth herein. It will be further understood that the methods of the invention are not necessarily limited to the discrete steps or the order of the steps described. To the contrary, the present descriptions are intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims and otherwise appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art.

REFERENCES (incorporated herein by reference)

Not Applicable

Claims

CLAIMS What is claimed is:

1 . A method, comprising:

assigning a message board identifier to at least one of a plurality of member parties, the message board identifier being associated with a message board established for an owner party;

storing a message that is linked to the message board of the owner party; leaving a missed call message with the at least one of the plurality of member parties, the missed call message comprising the message board identifier; and

delivering the message to the at least one of the plurality of member parties when the at least one of the plurality of member parties initiates a call session, using the message board identifier, by providing the message as early media.

2. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

establishing the message board for the owner party, the message board having the message board identifier; and

receiving an inbound call from each of member party, the inbound call being initiated by the at least one of the plurality of member parties, by dialing a message board identifier of the owner party.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one of the plurality of member parties initiates a call session by dialing the message board identifier.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein delivering the message further comprises routing the call session to a call session initiating protocol (SIP) server, the SIP server playing the message to the at least one of the plurality of member parties.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the owner party is charged a fee when the message is delivered to the at least one of the plurality of member parties.

6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising providing the message board identifier to each of the plurality of member parties.

7. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising comparing a member board identifier for the at least one of the plurality of member parties and the message board identifier to a database that includes indexes of member board identifier and message board identifiers.

8. The method according to claim 7, further comprising transmitting to the least one of the plurality of member parties a previously joined message if the least one of the plurality of member parties has already joined the message board.

9. The method according to claim 1 , wherein leaving a missed call message with the at least one of the plurality of member parties, the missed call message comprising the message board identifier comprises:

initiating a calling to each of the plurality of member parties using a member board identifier (BID); and

transmitting to the called member party the message board identifier as a missed call.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising, prior to the call, setting a ring-tone for the member party to a ring-tone selected by the owner party.

1 1 . The method according to claim 1 , further comprising:

assigning to each of a plurality of message boards a unique message board identifier;

linking the plurality of message boards together using the unique message board identifiers; and transmitting the message to each of the plurality of message boards.

12. The method according to claim 1 1 , further comprising storing the message on one of the plurality of message boards based on a language, wherein each of the plurality of message boards is associated with a unique language and the plurality of member parties are each assigned a message board based upon their language.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising translating the message into a target language, the target language being based on the unique language for a message board.

14. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising identifying which of the plurality of member parties has retrieved the message.

15. The method according to claim 14, further comprising transmitting a reminder message to any of the plurality of member parties who have not retrieved the message within a given period of time.

16. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising receiving a response message from the at least one of the plurality of member parties; and storing the response message on the message board.

17. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising allowing any of the plurality of member parties to like, flag, or share the message.

18. A system, comprising:

a memory for storing executable instructions; and

a processor for executing the instructions stored in memory to:

assign a message board identifier to at least one of a plurality of member parties, the message board identifier being associated with a message board established for an owner party; ; store a message that is linked to the message board of the owner party;

leave a missed call message with the at least one of the plurality of member parties, the missed call message comprising the message board identifier; and

deliver the message to the at least one of the plurality of member parties when the at least one of the plurality of member parties establishes a call session, using the message board identifier, by providing the message as early media.

19. The system according to claim 18, wherein the processor further executes the instructions to initiate a call session when the at least one of the plurality of member parties dials the message board identifier.

20. The system according to claim 19, further comprising a call session initiating protocol (SIP) server that receives the call session, the SIP server being configured to play the message to the at least one of the plurality of member parties.

21 . The system according to claim 18, wherein the processor further executes the instructions to compare a caller identifier for the at least one of the plurality of member parties and the message board identifier to a database that includes indexes of member party identifiers and message board identifiers; and transmit to the least one of the plurality of member parties a previously joined message if the least one of the plurality of member parties has already joined the message board.

22. The system according to claim 18, wherein the processor further executes the instructions to:

initiate a calling to each of the plurality of member parties using member board identifiers (BIDs);

transmit to the called member party the message board identifier as a missed call; and prior to the call, set a ring-tone for the member party to a ring-tone selected by the owner party.

23. The system according to claim 18, wherein the processor further executes the instructions to:

identify which of the plurality of member parties has retrieved the message; and

transmit a reminder message to any of the plurality of member parties who have not retrieved the message within a given period of time.

24. A method, comprising:

storing a message that is linked to a message board established for an owner party;

leaving a missed call message for at least one of a plurality of member parties; and

delivering the message to the at least one of the plurality of member parties when the at least one of the plurality of member parties establishes a call session by dialing a message board identifier associated with the message board, wherein the message is provided as early media.

25. The method according to claim 24, further comprising assigning a member board identifier to at least one of a plurality of member parties, the member board identifier being linked to the message board identifier, the message board identifier being associated with the message board established for an owner party.