CA1207477A - Electronic communication message system - Google Patents
Electronic communication message systemInfo
- Publication number
- CA1207477A CA1207477A CA000438514A CA438514A CA1207477A CA 1207477 A CA1207477 A CA 1207477A CA 000438514 A CA000438514 A CA 000438514A CA 438514 A CA438514 A CA 438514A CA 1207477 A CA1207477 A CA 1207477A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- message
- audio
- digital
- audio messages
- telephone
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired
Links
Abstract
ABSTRACT
An electronic communication message system for receiving, storing and/or transmitting audio telephone messages from a private branch exchange or central tele-phone office of a telephone company. The system com-prises an electronic voice and data digital signal pro-cessing unit which includes a call processor sub- sys-tem, a housekeeper or administrative sub-system, and a data storage sub-system. In addition apparatus is provided for controlling access to the system and to permit a user to access the system to deposit a message for transmission to selected telephone addresses at selected times and dates. Apparatus is also provided for informing a user that a message for him has been deposited in the system and to enable him to access the system to receive the message.
An electronic communication message system for receiving, storing and/or transmitting audio telephone messages from a private branch exchange or central tele-phone office of a telephone company. The system com-prises an electronic voice and data digital signal pro-cessing unit which includes a call processor sub- sys-tem, a housekeeper or administrative sub-system, and a data storage sub-system. In addition apparatus is provided for controlling access to the system and to permit a user to access the system to deposit a message for transmission to selected telephone addresses at selected times and dates. Apparatus is also provided for informing a user that a message for him has been deposited in the system and to enable him to access the system to receive the message.
Description
~Z~47~
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to telecommunication sys tems in which an electronic digital signal processor will receive, store and deliver audio messages.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
:
The modern day telsphone network spans distance well, but a conversation requires the involvement of both parties at the same time. Tradi~ional telephone calls as we now know them require both the calling and called parties to participate simultaneously and gen-erally at the same time the calling party wishes to con-verse. This requires that the called party must suspend his activity to handle the call and in some cases wait for the telephone call to arrive. The calling party has the problem of not reaching the intended party on the initial try a high perc~entage of the time either because the recipient is not at his telephone station or because his telephone is in use. Subsequent calls eventually connect the parties but only after frustating rounds of "telephone tag".
To some extent, at least in the residential com-munity, telephone answering machines help minimize missed calls and telephone tag. But, these machines do not have the technology, features and flexibility to meet the needs and requirements of today' 5 business com-munity.
Allternatively, telephone systems have begun to enhance their equipment with features that try to reduce the wasted time and expense of "telephone tag". Camp-on is one such feature I~ allows the calling party to re-main on the called party's line when the phone is busy.
The called party is signalled with a "beep" that a call is waiting. When the called party hangs up from the previous call the calling party will then be connected.
Another feature is "automatic dial with redial". This ~eature allows the calling party to preprogram his phone with frequently called telephone numbers so that when he encounters a busy line or no-answer condition, the tele phone line will automatically redial. However, both of these enhancements have the disadvantage that both the caller and called party must be available at their tele-phones to communicate. Also, only the newer telephone systems have these enhancements.
In other words, today's telephone systems still require that both parties participate simultaneously if they wish to converse. Such situations result in an in-efficient use of time and resources (telephone equip-ment) by the caller.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an obj~ct of the present invention to pro-vide a telecommunications system that will overco~e the above disadvantages; a system that will enable people to communicate with each other in their own voices across time and distance without the requirement for the cal-ling party and the called party to be in direct contact with each other.
It is a further object of this invention to pro-vide a portable message announcer indicator that at-taches to the User's telephone. This device will indi-~.~
74L~7~
cate that the User has telephone messages waiting for him which he can retrieve at his convenience.
It is not the intent of this invention to re-place normal telephone communications since many calls require interaction. However, it should minimize the disruption caused by trivial calls, one-way information calls, and eliminate the occurence of "telephone tag".
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention can be understood and readily carried into effect, and so that the afore-mentioned and other objects will become apparent, a telecommunication system in accordance with the inven-tion will now be described, by way of example only, in which Figure 1 illustrates diagrammatically a voice and data digital messaging system connected to a private telephone exchange and off-premises suscribers who can access the messaging system through a central office, ., 25 Figure 2 is a block diagram of the voice store and forward system, Figure 3 is a block diagram of the call pro-cessor sub-system shown in Figure 2, Figure ~ i5 a block diagram of the housekeeper sub-system shown in Figure 2, ~ .
Figure 5 is a block diagram of the data storage sub-system shown in Figure 2, Figure 6 is a flow chart of the system access process, Figure 7 is a flow chart of the message deposi~
process, Figure 8 is a flow chart of the retrieval pro-cess, Figure 9 is a flow chart of the message transfer process, and Figure 10 is a flow chart of the message deliv-ery process.
DESCRIPTIQN OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
~ _ .
Referring to Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, a Voice and Data Digital Messaging System (hsreinafter re-ferred to as "VDS") is indicated a~ ~hich is connect-ed through a tie line la to a Voice Connecting Arrange-ment 2 (hereinafter referred to as "VCA") which in ~urn is connected to a private Branch Exchange 3 (hereinafter referred to as "PBX") by a tie line 2a, the whole forming a first communication system (hereinaf~er re-ferred to as "Syst0m 1") D
Although such a VDS w~uld normally be connected to a PBX, it can be used in conjonction with a VCA to form a second communication system (hereinafter referred to as "System 2).
~7~77 The VCA 2 is supplied by a telephone company pursuant to Go~ernmental regulations to provide a line of demarcation between a private user's equipment and the telephone company's equipment.
As will be seen from Figure 1 of the drawinys, telephones connected to the PBX 3 have dirPct access to the VDS 1 via the VCA 2 and are referred to as being "on net" or PBX subscribers.
However, in addition to the subscribers connect ed directly to the PBX 3, subscribers may be connected to the PBX 3 through a central office 4 cf the telephone cornpany via a tie line 4a, whereby access can be gained to the VDS 1. Telephone company subscribers who have direct connection to central office 4, who are not sub-scribers of VDS 1 can access VDS 1 system to deposit messages in the VDS 1 subscribers' mailboxes. All the subscribers including those with rotary dial telephone instruments can leave messages to the system.
The subscribers to the VDS 1 via the central of-fice 4 are often referred to as off-premises extension subscribers, or "off-net".
As can be seen from Figure 2 of the drawings, the VDSl comprises 2 housekeeper sub-system 5, a data storage sub system 6, and a series of call processor sub-systems 7; depending upon the number of telephone lines interfacing with or connected ~o the VDS 1. The sub-systems 5, 6 and 7 communicate with each other through a multi-bus system interface, which include data storage buses 5a, 6a and 7a which interconnect the sub-7~
systems 5, 6 and 7, whereby the housekeeping sub-system 5 and call processor sub-systems 7 have access to the data storage system 6, and with each oth r.
Each call processor sub-system 7 comprises, as shown in Figure 3 of th0 drawings, a central processing unit 8 such as INTEL's 86/30 board which contains their 8086 microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as "CP~ 8") and a central processor ~emory 9 for the CPU 8, which memory 9 has multiple ports to permit transfer of data between the memory 9 and the CPU 8 via a data storage bus 9a~ and to the data storage sub-system 6 via a data storage bus 9b and the multibus system interface. In addition, depending upon the number of telephone lines served by the VDS 1, each call processor sub-system 7 will include a line control module 10 for each telephone line, which module 10 is separately connected to the memory 9, and the multibus interface system, by data buses lOa and lOb respectively. The CPU 8 is also con-nected to the multlbus system interface by a data bus 8a.
Referring to Figure 4 of the drawings, the housekeeper sub-system 5 comprises a CPU 8 connected to a memory 9, both being connected to the multibus system interface by data buses 8b and 9c and to e~ch other by a data bus 8c. In addition, the CPU 8 is connected by se-rial interface lines 8d and 8e to a printer 59 and a system console 11 respectively.
The data storage sub-system 6 is illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings and comprises at least two disc st~rage units i3, each having an associated controller :~2~
12 which interface with the housekeeping sub-system 5 and the call processor sub-systems 7 via data buses 12a, which communicate with the multibus system interface.
It will be seen that all data i5 stored on the disc units 13.
When a user wants to deposit a message to be transmitted later by telephone, the procedure to be fol-lowed is illustrated in the 10w chart shown in Figure 6 of the drawings (system 20).
The procedure starts when a user dials into the VDS 1 (step 30) whereby the greeting system will ac-knowledge the call (step 40). The caller then inputs his personal identification code (step 50) by use of the touchtone ~eys on his telephone. The system indicates to the user that he may dictate, deposit a message, re-trieve a message, access the password or gree-t.ing's sub-systems The user then depresses a predetermined key on his telephone to access the message deposit sub-system (step 62). The caller is requested to enter the tele-phone number or group number to which his messa~e is to be transmitted (step 210).
The caller then enters that his message is for immediate delivery or fu~ure delivery (step 220). If the message is for future delivery, the system asks the call.er to input the date and time of the delivery re-quired (step 225).
On completion of steps 220 or 225, the system asks if there are more numbers to which the message is to be sent (step 230). If the answer is no, then the message is recorded (step 240).
~owever, if further telephone numbers to which the message i5 to be transmitted are to be put into the system, after entry of the first number together with its date and time of delivery, the user returns to step 210, and the above described steps 210, 220, 225 and 230 are repeated, the message finally being recorded at step 240.
~hen the message has been recorded (step 240), the user can decide (step 250) whether to save the mes-sage (step 251) or to archive the message (step 261~.
If the message is to be saved, then it is input into the user's mailbox (step 252~. If the message is to be archived it is input in a fille on an appxopriate storage medium such as a floppy disk for off-line storage (step 26~).
Alternatively, if the user wishes to continue using the system (step 270), then the system reverts to step 60.
If the user hangs up or dials a predetermined key such as the "#" key, the system will terminate com-munication between the user and the system ~step 290).
If the user fails to take any action during ten seconds the system requests further action. If the user fails to take any such further action in the next ten seconds, th~ system will automatically terminate the 07~7~
g ~
communication between the user and the system (steps 280, 281 and 283).
Referring now to Figures 6 and 8 of the draw-ings, if a user has a message in his mailbox, such is indicated by a message announcer 18 which may be at-tached to the user's telephone. Such an announcer 18 may comprise a lamp which is illuminated if a message is in the user's mailbox.
When such a message is present, he accesses the VDS 1 system (step 20) as described above. The system's greeting will include an announcement advising the user of the number and types of messages in his mailbox tstep 40). The user then inputs his identification code ~step 50) into the system. If the code is valid, the user then depresses a predetermined key to access the re-trieval sub-system (step 63). The system will then play the message (step 310).
Similarly, when the message delivery system 400 calls a recipient ~step 410), if the recipient's tele-phone is unanswered (step 420), the message announcer will illuminate ~step 425), and the above described functions will op~rate. The system is so design~d that the call will not be repeated when not answered. Fur-thermore, if this user's mailbox receives any more mes-sages, the telephone will not ring again. ~owever, i someone calls the user's number, his telephone will ring.
If the telephone is answered ~ St8p 420), then as with the retrieval process, the recipient must input his ~, ~2~47~
identification code (step 430), which if correct will result in the message being played (step 310). Messages for non-users will be automatically delivered by the VDS
1 system.
When the message has b~en played (step 310), the user or recipient has ~everal choices available to him (step 320). He can decide to erase the message (step 330), archive it (step 340), reply (step 350) or trans-fer it to another telephone (step 360). Ul~imately, he may decide to hang up without carrying out any of func-tions 330, 340, 350 or 360 (step 380) in which case the system will save the message.
If the message is to be erased, this occurs on user's command (step 331). Archiving in a special file i5 also possible on command (step 341), whilst a reply (step 351) may be recorded if desired.
If the user does not perform any of these func-tions and doe not hang up, after delivery of the mes-sage, the system waits for ten seconds (step 371), and if it does not receive a signal from a predetermined key such as the "#" key, it will automatically terminate the call and save the message if there are no further mes-sages (step 373).
However, if more messages are ready for deli-very to the user ~step 372), the system reverts to step 310.
In order to transfer a call (step 360) ~system 52), the user puts the number or numbers to which the c~' call is to be transferred into the system (steps 53 and 54) followed by step 56 if he is to add anything to the message. The VDS 1 then records any addition to the message (step 55) and the transfer is completed (step 57). The system then reverts to step 320.
The system may also be used to dictate a memo, letter, message, etc... by making the appropriate choice after step 60 (step 61). The user may then insert, add, remove or delete as required. When he has terminated, the system reverts to step 250.
It will be appreciated that the term PBX is to be understood as including, but not limited to, private automatic branch exchanges (PABX), electronic private automatic branch exchanges (EPABX) and computerized branch exchanges (CBX) in addition to off-premise switching systems. In additon to the above, VDS 1 may be interfaced with portable touchtone key pads and rota-ry dial telephone instruments via central offices.
~ ~ "
" ,
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to telecommunication sys tems in which an electronic digital signal processor will receive, store and deliver audio messages.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
:
The modern day telsphone network spans distance well, but a conversation requires the involvement of both parties at the same time. Tradi~ional telephone calls as we now know them require both the calling and called parties to participate simultaneously and gen-erally at the same time the calling party wishes to con-verse. This requires that the called party must suspend his activity to handle the call and in some cases wait for the telephone call to arrive. The calling party has the problem of not reaching the intended party on the initial try a high perc~entage of the time either because the recipient is not at his telephone station or because his telephone is in use. Subsequent calls eventually connect the parties but only after frustating rounds of "telephone tag".
To some extent, at least in the residential com-munity, telephone answering machines help minimize missed calls and telephone tag. But, these machines do not have the technology, features and flexibility to meet the needs and requirements of today' 5 business com-munity.
Allternatively, telephone systems have begun to enhance their equipment with features that try to reduce the wasted time and expense of "telephone tag". Camp-on is one such feature I~ allows the calling party to re-main on the called party's line when the phone is busy.
The called party is signalled with a "beep" that a call is waiting. When the called party hangs up from the previous call the calling party will then be connected.
Another feature is "automatic dial with redial". This ~eature allows the calling party to preprogram his phone with frequently called telephone numbers so that when he encounters a busy line or no-answer condition, the tele phone line will automatically redial. However, both of these enhancements have the disadvantage that both the caller and called party must be available at their tele-phones to communicate. Also, only the newer telephone systems have these enhancements.
In other words, today's telephone systems still require that both parties participate simultaneously if they wish to converse. Such situations result in an in-efficient use of time and resources (telephone equip-ment) by the caller.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
It is an obj~ct of the present invention to pro-vide a telecommunications system that will overco~e the above disadvantages; a system that will enable people to communicate with each other in their own voices across time and distance without the requirement for the cal-ling party and the called party to be in direct contact with each other.
It is a further object of this invention to pro-vide a portable message announcer indicator that at-taches to the User's telephone. This device will indi-~.~
74L~7~
cate that the User has telephone messages waiting for him which he can retrieve at his convenience.
It is not the intent of this invention to re-place normal telephone communications since many calls require interaction. However, it should minimize the disruption caused by trivial calls, one-way information calls, and eliminate the occurence of "telephone tag".
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the invention can be understood and readily carried into effect, and so that the afore-mentioned and other objects will become apparent, a telecommunication system in accordance with the inven-tion will now be described, by way of example only, in which Figure 1 illustrates diagrammatically a voice and data digital messaging system connected to a private telephone exchange and off-premises suscribers who can access the messaging system through a central office, ., 25 Figure 2 is a block diagram of the voice store and forward system, Figure 3 is a block diagram of the call pro-cessor sub-system shown in Figure 2, Figure ~ i5 a block diagram of the housekeeper sub-system shown in Figure 2, ~ .
Figure 5 is a block diagram of the data storage sub-system shown in Figure 2, Figure 6 is a flow chart of the system access process, Figure 7 is a flow chart of the message deposi~
process, Figure 8 is a flow chart of the retrieval pro-cess, Figure 9 is a flow chart of the message transfer process, and Figure 10 is a flow chart of the message deliv-ery process.
DESCRIPTIQN OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
~ _ .
Referring to Figures 1 to 5 of the drawings, a Voice and Data Digital Messaging System (hsreinafter re-ferred to as "VDS") is indicated a~ ~hich is connect-ed through a tie line la to a Voice Connecting Arrange-ment 2 (hereinafter referred to as "VCA") which in ~urn is connected to a private Branch Exchange 3 (hereinafter referred to as "PBX") by a tie line 2a, the whole forming a first communication system (hereinaf~er re-ferred to as "Syst0m 1") D
Although such a VDS w~uld normally be connected to a PBX, it can be used in conjonction with a VCA to form a second communication system (hereinafter referred to as "System 2).
~7~77 The VCA 2 is supplied by a telephone company pursuant to Go~ernmental regulations to provide a line of demarcation between a private user's equipment and the telephone company's equipment.
As will be seen from Figure 1 of the drawinys, telephones connected to the PBX 3 have dirPct access to the VDS 1 via the VCA 2 and are referred to as being "on net" or PBX subscribers.
However, in addition to the subscribers connect ed directly to the PBX 3, subscribers may be connected to the PBX 3 through a central office 4 cf the telephone cornpany via a tie line 4a, whereby access can be gained to the VDS 1. Telephone company subscribers who have direct connection to central office 4, who are not sub-scribers of VDS 1 can access VDS 1 system to deposit messages in the VDS 1 subscribers' mailboxes. All the subscribers including those with rotary dial telephone instruments can leave messages to the system.
The subscribers to the VDS 1 via the central of-fice 4 are often referred to as off-premises extension subscribers, or "off-net".
As can be seen from Figure 2 of the drawings, the VDSl comprises 2 housekeeper sub-system 5, a data storage sub system 6, and a series of call processor sub-systems 7; depending upon the number of telephone lines interfacing with or connected ~o the VDS 1. The sub-systems 5, 6 and 7 communicate with each other through a multi-bus system interface, which include data storage buses 5a, 6a and 7a which interconnect the sub-7~
systems 5, 6 and 7, whereby the housekeeping sub-system 5 and call processor sub-systems 7 have access to the data storage system 6, and with each oth r.
Each call processor sub-system 7 comprises, as shown in Figure 3 of th0 drawings, a central processing unit 8 such as INTEL's 86/30 board which contains their 8086 microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as "CP~ 8") and a central processor ~emory 9 for the CPU 8, which memory 9 has multiple ports to permit transfer of data between the memory 9 and the CPU 8 via a data storage bus 9a~ and to the data storage sub-system 6 via a data storage bus 9b and the multibus system interface. In addition, depending upon the number of telephone lines served by the VDS 1, each call processor sub-system 7 will include a line control module 10 for each telephone line, which module 10 is separately connected to the memory 9, and the multibus interface system, by data buses lOa and lOb respectively. The CPU 8 is also con-nected to the multlbus system interface by a data bus 8a.
Referring to Figure 4 of the drawings, the housekeeper sub-system 5 comprises a CPU 8 connected to a memory 9, both being connected to the multibus system interface by data buses 8b and 9c and to e~ch other by a data bus 8c. In addition, the CPU 8 is connected by se-rial interface lines 8d and 8e to a printer 59 and a system console 11 respectively.
The data storage sub-system 6 is illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings and comprises at least two disc st~rage units i3, each having an associated controller :~2~
12 which interface with the housekeeping sub-system 5 and the call processor sub-systems 7 via data buses 12a, which communicate with the multibus system interface.
It will be seen that all data i5 stored on the disc units 13.
When a user wants to deposit a message to be transmitted later by telephone, the procedure to be fol-lowed is illustrated in the 10w chart shown in Figure 6 of the drawings (system 20).
The procedure starts when a user dials into the VDS 1 (step 30) whereby the greeting system will ac-knowledge the call (step 40). The caller then inputs his personal identification code (step 50) by use of the touchtone ~eys on his telephone. The system indicates to the user that he may dictate, deposit a message, re-trieve a message, access the password or gree-t.ing's sub-systems The user then depresses a predetermined key on his telephone to access the message deposit sub-system (step 62). The caller is requested to enter the tele-phone number or group number to which his messa~e is to be transmitted (step 210).
The caller then enters that his message is for immediate delivery or fu~ure delivery (step 220). If the message is for future delivery, the system asks the call.er to input the date and time of the delivery re-quired (step 225).
On completion of steps 220 or 225, the system asks if there are more numbers to which the message is to be sent (step 230). If the answer is no, then the message is recorded (step 240).
~owever, if further telephone numbers to which the message i5 to be transmitted are to be put into the system, after entry of the first number together with its date and time of delivery, the user returns to step 210, and the above described steps 210, 220, 225 and 230 are repeated, the message finally being recorded at step 240.
~hen the message has been recorded (step 240), the user can decide (step 250) whether to save the mes-sage (step 251) or to archive the message (step 261~.
If the message is to be saved, then it is input into the user's mailbox (step 252~. If the message is to be archived it is input in a fille on an appxopriate storage medium such as a floppy disk for off-line storage (step 26~).
Alternatively, if the user wishes to continue using the system (step 270), then the system reverts to step 60.
If the user hangs up or dials a predetermined key such as the "#" key, the system will terminate com-munication between the user and the system ~step 290).
If the user fails to take any action during ten seconds the system requests further action. If the user fails to take any such further action in the next ten seconds, th~ system will automatically terminate the 07~7~
g ~
communication between the user and the system (steps 280, 281 and 283).
Referring now to Figures 6 and 8 of the draw-ings, if a user has a message in his mailbox, such is indicated by a message announcer 18 which may be at-tached to the user's telephone. Such an announcer 18 may comprise a lamp which is illuminated if a message is in the user's mailbox.
When such a message is present, he accesses the VDS 1 system (step 20) as described above. The system's greeting will include an announcement advising the user of the number and types of messages in his mailbox tstep 40). The user then inputs his identification code ~step 50) into the system. If the code is valid, the user then depresses a predetermined key to access the re-trieval sub-system (step 63). The system will then play the message (step 310).
Similarly, when the message delivery system 400 calls a recipient ~step 410), if the recipient's tele-phone is unanswered (step 420), the message announcer will illuminate ~step 425), and the above described functions will op~rate. The system is so design~d that the call will not be repeated when not answered. Fur-thermore, if this user's mailbox receives any more mes-sages, the telephone will not ring again. ~owever, i someone calls the user's number, his telephone will ring.
If the telephone is answered ~ St8p 420), then as with the retrieval process, the recipient must input his ~, ~2~47~
identification code (step 430), which if correct will result in the message being played (step 310). Messages for non-users will be automatically delivered by the VDS
1 system.
When the message has b~en played (step 310), the user or recipient has ~everal choices available to him (step 320). He can decide to erase the message (step 330), archive it (step 340), reply (step 350) or trans-fer it to another telephone (step 360). Ul~imately, he may decide to hang up without carrying out any of func-tions 330, 340, 350 or 360 (step 380) in which case the system will save the message.
If the message is to be erased, this occurs on user's command (step 331). Archiving in a special file i5 also possible on command (step 341), whilst a reply (step 351) may be recorded if desired.
If the user does not perform any of these func-tions and doe not hang up, after delivery of the mes-sage, the system waits for ten seconds (step 371), and if it does not receive a signal from a predetermined key such as the "#" key, it will automatically terminate the call and save the message if there are no further mes-sages (step 373).
However, if more messages are ready for deli-very to the user ~step 372), the system reverts to step 310.
In order to transfer a call (step 360) ~system 52), the user puts the number or numbers to which the c~' call is to be transferred into the system (steps 53 and 54) followed by step 56 if he is to add anything to the message. The VDS 1 then records any addition to the message (step 55) and the transfer is completed (step 57). The system then reverts to step 320.
The system may also be used to dictate a memo, letter, message, etc... by making the appropriate choice after step 60 (step 61). The user may then insert, add, remove or delete as required. When he has terminated, the system reverts to step 250.
It will be appreciated that the term PBX is to be understood as including, but not limited to, private automatic branch exchanges (PABX), electronic private automatic branch exchanges (EPABX) and computerized branch exchanges (CBX) in addition to off-premise switching systems. In additon to the above, VDS 1 may be interfaced with portable touchtone key pads and rota-ry dial telephone instruments via central offices.
~ ~ "
" ,
Claims (27)
1) An electronic communication message system for receiving, storing and/or transmitting audio telephone messages from a private branch exchange or central of-fice, the system comprising:
a) electronic digital signal processing means for controlling operation of the message system, b) digital storage means controlled by the elec-tronic digital signal processing means to store digital representation of the audio message, c) means for controlling access to the message sys-tem, which include means for preventing unautho-rized access to the message system, d) means for enabling an originator to access the message system by signals transmitted from a telephone, e) means for storing in said storage digital repre-sentations of audio messages from a telephone, f) means for storing selected recipient telephone addresses for digital representations of audio messages in said memory, g) means for accessing said stored digital repre-sentations, h) means for reproducing the audio message from the stored digital representations, and i) means for transmitting the reproduced audio mes-sages.
a) electronic digital signal processing means for controlling operation of the message system, b) digital storage means controlled by the elec-tronic digital signal processing means to store digital representation of the audio message, c) means for controlling access to the message sys-tem, which include means for preventing unautho-rized access to the message system, d) means for enabling an originator to access the message system by signals transmitted from a telephone, e) means for storing in said storage digital repre-sentations of audio messages from a telephone, f) means for storing selected recipient telephone addresses for digital representations of audio messages in said memory, g) means for accessing said stored digital repre-sentations, h) means for reproducing the audio message from the stored digital representations, and i) means for transmitting the reproduced audio mes-sages.
2) An electronic communication message system as claimed in claim 1, in which the electronic digital signal processing means comprises storage means for digital representations of audio messages, and means for converting the stored digital representations to an audio message and transmitting the audio message to one or more telephones.
3) An electronic communication message system as claimed in claim 1 in which the means for preventing unauthorized access to the system comprises multiple levels of security.
4) An electronic communication message system as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 31 including further means for storing digital representations of audio messages and further means for converting the stored digital repre-sentations to an audio message.
5) An electronic communication message system as claimed in claim 2, in which the means for converting the stored digital representations are coupled to a printer to provide printed representations of the stored digital representations.
6) An electronic communication message system as claimed in claim 3, in which the means for connecting the stored digital representations are coupled to a printer to provide printed representations of the stored digital representations.
7) An electronic communication message system as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, in which the digital storage means comprises disc drivers, connected to the signal processing means by disc controllers.
8) An electronic communication message system as claimed in claim 1, 2 or 3, including means for indi-cating to a user that an audio message has not been transmitted.
9) An electronic communication message system as claimed in claim 1, which includes means for selecting the time at which an audio message is to be delivered to a recipient.
10) An electronic communication message system as claimed in claim 1, including means which enable a user to input an identification code via his telephone to enable the system to transmit and/or receive stored mes-sages to the user.
11) An electronic communication message system as claimed in claim 10, including means for storing and/or archiving an audio message received by a user.
12) An electronic communication message system as claimed in claim 10, including means for permitting a user to reply to a message.
13) An electronic communication message system as claimed in claim 10, in which means are provided for transferring audio messages received by a user to the other telephone stations.
14) An electronic communication message system as claimed in claim 13, in which means are provided to per-mit a user to add to a message he has received and is to transfer, before the message is transferred.
15) An electronic communication message system as claimed in claim 10 in which means are provided to per-mit a user to dictate a message and edit same.
16) An electronic communication message system as claimed in claim 10 in which means are provided for transmitting a message to a number of people at the same time by calling up a predetermined list of subscribers and/or non-subscribers to said private branch exchange and/or by entering the telephone numbers of the desired recepients at the time of origination of the message.
17) An electronic communication message system of claim 1 wherein said electronic digital signal processing means includes means for timing a predetermined period of time so that the originator may generate an audio message and store digital representations of said audio message in said memory means.
18) An electronic communication message system of claim 1, wherein said means for storing selected recipient telephone addresses includes means for designating with an abbreviated address a plurality of telephone station addresses for receipt of one of said reproduced audio messages, wherein each of said telephone stations receives the same audio message.
19) An electronic communication message system of claim 1, further comprising means for a recipient to reply to the originator of an audio message after receiving the audio message on the same telephone call through signals transmitted from the recipient's telephone station; means for storing digital representations of a reply message in said memory means; and means for reproducing and transmitting the reply message to the originator's telephone station.
20) An electronic communication message system of claim 1, further comprising means for a recipient to control said transmitting means through signals transmitted from a recipient telephone station to said electronic digital signal processing means.
21) An electronic communication message system of claim 1, further comprising means to transfer digital representations of an audio message transmitted to a recipient to said digital storage means, including means for assigning a file identification number for storing with said digital representations of said message in said digital storage means for later replay.
22) An electronic communication message system of claim 1, further comprising means for a recipient to access the message system through signals transmitted from a telephone station; means for determining the total number of audio messages corresponding to the digital representations addressed to the recipient; means for transmitting an audio message from the message system to inform the recipient of the number of audio messages for delivery; and means for the recipient to activate the transmission of an audio message corresponding to the digital representations addressed to the recipient.
23) A method for storing audio messages transmitted from a user's telephone station and for subsequently forwarding the stored audio messages to a selected message addressee, comprising:
providing an access signal in order to allow a message originator to transmit an audio message through the telephone station;
recording and storing the originator's audio message along with addressee identification information;
providing access to a selected message addressee in response to the stored message addressee information;
reproducing and transmitting the stored audio message in response to accessing the selected message addressee;
accumulating the total number of stored audio messages intended for an addressee; and reproducing and transmitting the number of stored audio messages for an addressee in response to a signal from the message addressee.
providing an access signal in order to allow a message originator to transmit an audio message through the telephone station;
recording and storing the originator's audio message along with addressee identification information;
providing access to a selected message addressee in response to the stored message addressee information;
reproducing and transmitting the stored audio message in response to accessing the selected message addressee;
accumulating the total number of stored audio messages intended for an addressee; and reproducing and transmitting the number of stored audio messages for an addressee in response to a signal from the message addressee.
24) An electronic communication message system for storing and forwarding audio messages via telephones comprising:
a plurality of ports for being coupled to any private branch exchange or central office to receive audio messages and address signals which represent plural desired recipients from various telephone stations;
means associated with said ports for converting said audio messages and address signals into digital signals;
digital storage means for storing said digital signals representing audio messages and said address signals from each of said ports;
means for accessing all digital signals representing audio messages stored in said storage means and associated with each address signal;
electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of said storage means and said accessing means;
means for converting said access digital signals into audio messages; and means for sequentially transmitting all audio messages associates with an address signal through said ports to each of said plural desired recipients.
a plurality of ports for being coupled to any private branch exchange or central office to receive audio messages and address signals which represent plural desired recipients from various telephone stations;
means associated with said ports for converting said audio messages and address signals into digital signals;
digital storage means for storing said digital signals representing audio messages and said address signals from each of said ports;
means for accessing all digital signals representing audio messages stored in said storage means and associated with each address signal;
electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of said storage means and said accessing means;
means for converting said access digital signals into audio messages; and means for sequentially transmitting all audio messages associates with an address signal through said ports to each of said plural desired recipients.
25) An electronic communication message system for storing and forwarding audio messages via telephones comprising:
a plurality of ports for being coupled to any private branch exchange or central office to receive audio messages and address signals of desired recipients from various telephone stations;
means associated with said ports for converting said audio messages and address signals into digital signals;
digital storage means for storing said digital signals representing audio messages and said address signals from each of said ports;
means for accessing all digital signals representing audio messages stored in said storage means and associated with each address signal;
electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of said storage means and said accessing means;
means for converting said access digital signals into audio messages;
means for sequentially transmitting all audio messages associates with an address signal through one of said ports to the desired recipient; and means for transmitting an audio signal to said desired recipient informing of the number of audio messages to be transmitted.
a plurality of ports for being coupled to any private branch exchange or central office to receive audio messages and address signals of desired recipients from various telephone stations;
means associated with said ports for converting said audio messages and address signals into digital signals;
digital storage means for storing said digital signals representing audio messages and said address signals from each of said ports;
means for accessing all digital signals representing audio messages stored in said storage means and associated with each address signal;
electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of said storage means and said accessing means;
means for converting said access digital signals into audio messages;
means for sequentially transmitting all audio messages associates with an address signal through one of said ports to the desired recipient; and means for transmitting an audio signal to said desired recipient informing of the number of audio messages to be transmitted.
26) An electronic communication message system for storing and forwarding audio messages via telephones comprising:
a plurality of ports for being coupled to any private branch exchange or central office to receive audio messages and address signals of desired recipients from various telephone stations;
means associated with said ports for converting said audio messages and address signals into digital signals;
digital storage means for storing said digital signals representing audio messages and said address signals from each of said ports;
means for accessing all digital signals representing audio messages stored in said storage means and associated with each address signal;
electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of said storage means and said accessing means;
means for converting said access digital signals into audio messages;
means for sequentially transmitting all audio messages associates with an address signal through one of said ports to the desired recipient; and means for enabling said desired recipient to transmit reply audio messages to said message system for storage and forwarding after said desired recipient has received audio messages.
a plurality of ports for being coupled to any private branch exchange or central office to receive audio messages and address signals of desired recipients from various telephone stations;
means associated with said ports for converting said audio messages and address signals into digital signals;
digital storage means for storing said digital signals representing audio messages and said address signals from each of said ports;
means for accessing all digital signals representing audio messages stored in said storage means and associated with each address signal;
electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of said storage means and said accessing means;
means for converting said access digital signals into audio messages;
means for sequentially transmitting all audio messages associates with an address signal through one of said ports to the desired recipient; and means for enabling said desired recipient to transmit reply audio messages to said message system for storage and forwarding after said desired recipient has received audio messages.
27) A method for storing and forwarding audio messages via telephones having tone signaling push button dialing comprising:
coupling a plurality of ports through the telephone network to any private branch exchange or central office to receive audio messages and address signals of desired recipients from any one of a plurality of telephone stations;
converting said audio messages and address signals into digital signals;
storing said digital signals representing audio messages and said address signals from each of the ports;
accessing all digital signals representing audio messages stored in said storage means and associated with each address signal;
converting said accessed digital signals into audio messages;
sequentially transmitting via a telephone call all audio messages associated with an address signal through one of the ports to the desired recipient in response to operation of the telephone push button dialing by the recipient; and receiving and transmitting audio messages left by said recipient during said telephone call.
coupling a plurality of ports through the telephone network to any private branch exchange or central office to receive audio messages and address signals of desired recipients from any one of a plurality of telephone stations;
converting said audio messages and address signals into digital signals;
storing said digital signals representing audio messages and said address signals from each of the ports;
accessing all digital signals representing audio messages stored in said storage means and associated with each address signal;
converting said accessed digital signals into audio messages;
sequentially transmitting via a telephone call all audio messages associated with an address signal through one of the ports to the desired recipient in response to operation of the telephone push button dialing by the recipient; and receiving and transmitting audio messages left by said recipient during said telephone call.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000438514A CA1207477A (en) | 1983-10-06 | 1983-10-06 | Electronic communication message system |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000438514A CA1207477A (en) | 1983-10-06 | 1983-10-06 | Electronic communication message system |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1207477A true CA1207477A (en) | 1986-07-08 |
Family
ID=4126239
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000438514A Expired CA1207477A (en) | 1983-10-06 | 1983-10-06 | Electronic communication message system |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1207477A (en) |
-
1983
- 1983-10-06 CA CA000438514A patent/CA1207477A/en not_active Expired
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