GB2372900A

GB2372900A - Voice message transmission system

Info

Publication number: GB2372900A
Application number: GB0105180A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael Kilgannon; Barry Sharples; Mark Shasby
Original assignee: LAMMTARA IND Ltd
Current assignee: LAMMTARA IND Ltd
Priority date: 2001-03-02
Filing date: 2001-03-02
Publication date: 2002-09-04
Also published as: GB0105180D0

Abstract

In apparatus for and a method of transmitting voice messages, a voice message is transmitted from a first phone to a computer connected into the Internet and directed over the Internet comprising a further computer and a destination phone. The transmitting party identifies the intended destination phone for the voice message. The destination phone may be alerted to the presence of a voice message for it either by simply ringing that phone or by providing an SMS text message. Alternatively, the destination phone may enquire as to the presence or otherwise of voice messages. The arrangement provides a method of sending voice messages for the cost of a local call at both the transmitting and receiving phones.

Description

VOICE MESSAGE TRANSMISSION SYSTEM

The present invention relates to a voice message transmission system.

Telephone systems using either landline or mobile phones for international calls are already well known. However, the international call charges for such systems are high. E-mail systems in which text messages are sent via computers over the internet are also well known and are relatively cheap to operate as compared with international call systems as e-mails are both transmitted and received by way of a local telephone call at both the transmitting and receiving ends. The transmitter and receiver logs onto their respective internet service provider (LISP) by way of a local call. The provider of the transmitter sends the message over the internet to the internet service provider of the intended recipient determined by reference to the e-mail address from whom the recipient can receive the message by logging onto their service provider. Text messaging however in effect removes the personal characteristics inherent in a voice message.

According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for the transmission of voice messages including a voice receiver, a voice transmitter, and a computer for receiving signals from the voice receiver and for sending signals to the voice transmitter, the computer being adapted for connection to the internet whereby voice messages may be sent to and received from a remote location on the internet.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of sending and receiving a voice telephone message including the steps of transmitting or receiving a voice message from or to a computer and providing the voice message with a destination address whereby the computer can route the voice message over the internet to be accessed at the destination by an intended recipient.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention the voice receiver and the voice transmitter form integral parts of a conventional telephone handset.

The telephone handset may form part of a conventional landline phone or mobile phone. The computer is accessible through the handset through a predetermined number. The computer also incorporates means for recognizing a destination phone number attached to a voice message enabling the voice message to be routed to the correct destination over the internet. The computer also incorporates means enabling incoming voice messages to be recognized and routed to the correct destination phone.

The computer may also incorporate means for automatically ringing the destination phone on receipt of an appropriate voice message or for responding to a request from the destination phone as to the existence or otherwise of voice messages or for providing a text message using the SMS (short message service) system alerting the destination phone user of the existence of a message.

In order that the invention may be more clearly understood, one

embodiment thereof will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the single figure of the accompanying drawing which shows diagrammatically a system incorporating the invention.

Referring to the drawing, the system comprises two parts a first part which would generally be located in one country in this particular case the U. K. and another part which would generally be located in another country in this particular case India. The two parts are indicated generally by the reference numerals 1 and 2 respectively. The parts are connected over the internet. Both parts 1,2 comprise a telephone 3,4 and computer means 5,6 enabling voice messages transmitted via the telephone to be sent electronically over the internet to the intended remote location. The telephone and computer also enable voice messages to be received which have been sent electronically over the internet from a remote location. Each computer 5,6 also enables a voice message transmitted to be tagged with the destination number for which the message is intended. The telephone may be of any suitable type and in particular may be a landline phone or a mobile phone.

To operate the system, the user accesses the computer 5 by dialing an access number on his telephone 3. He may then proceed to follow a single option or by responding to a variety of prompts, predetermined number of options (dependant upon which level of service is required) or jump straight into a preferred option. His choice may be made by voice

(utilising voice recognition) or by using the input device on the phone.

Dependant upon his choice the user may or may not be required to log in to either register, select or change personalised options, retrieve messages sent to him, file messages, build user groups, forward messages, record and send any number of messages and copies of messages.

To identify the destination for a message the user would enter a destination phone number by voice, or by using the input device on the phone or by selecting a phone number from a directory selection. The message may be sent immediately or the user may choose a time that the message will be sent later.

The users own number could be identified from the phone initiating the call or from the user entering his number by voice or by using the input device on the phone.

The intended recipient is notified that a message is waiting either by an automatic voice message made to his phone, by SMS/Text message, by e-mail or when he dials in as described above.

The intended recipient picks up the message by following the same steps as above.

On sending the message the sender could choose to be notified of the time/date when the recipient picked it up. Once picked up confirmation is sent either by an automatic voice message made to his phone, by SMS/Text message, bye-mail or when he dials in as described above.

Messages are routed over the internet to the host computer 6 in the destination country. A voice message is transmitted over the internet by means of a local call at both the transmitting and the receiving parts.

The parts located at both the transmitting and the receiving ends may be identical. Each part will have a means for transmitting a voice message via a phone or equivalent to a computer which can transmit the message in digital form over the internet and also a means for receiving a voice message transmitted over the internet in digital form.

The voice transmitter and receiver will usually be integral parts of the same handpiece or they could be separate to provide, for example, a handsfree facility.

Other options that can be incorporated into the solution would include e-mail notices, forward message and RYU (Ring You Up) facilities. A corporate premium service would contain value add services such as filing of messages, diary, voice activated dialing, auto attendant, directory assistance and intelligent personal agent.

It will be appreciated that the above embodiment has been described by way of example only and that many variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for the transmission of voice messages including a voice receiver, a voice transmitter, and a computer for receiving signals from the voice receiver and for sending signals to the voice transmitter, the computer being adapted for connection to the internet whereby voice messages may be sent to and received from a remote location on the internet.
2. Apparatus as claimed in claim 1, in which the voice receiver and the voice transmitter form integral parts of a conventional telephone handset.
3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the telephone handset forms part of a landline phone.
4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2, in which the telephone handset is a mobile phone.
5. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the computer incorporates means for recognizing an incoming voice message and for routing it to a specified destination.
6. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the computer incorporates means enabling incoming voice messages to be recognized and routed to the correct destination phone.
7. Apparatus as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the computer incorporates means for automatically ringing the destination phone on

receipt of an appropriate voice message.
8. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6 in which the computer incorporates means for responding to a request from the destination phone as to the existence or otherwise of voice messages.
9. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 1 to 6, in which the computer incorporates means for providing a text message alerting the destination phone user of the existence of a message.
10. Apparatus for the transmission of voice messages substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.
11. A method of sending and receiving a voice telephone message including the steps of transmitting or receiving a voice message from or to a computer and providing the voice message with a destination address whereby the computer can route the voice message over the internet to be accessed at the destination by an intended recipient.
12. A method as claimed in claim 11, in which messages are transmitted or received using a landline phone.
13. A method as claimed in claim 11, in which messages are transmitted or received using a mobile phone.
14. A method as claimed in claim 11,12 or 13, in which the computer operates to ring the destination phone on receipt of an appropriate voice message.
15. A method as claimed in claim 11,12 or 13, in which the computer operates to respond to a request from the destination phone as to the existence or otherwise of voice messages.
16. A method as claimed in claim 11,12 or 13 in which the computer operates to provide a text message alerting the destination phone user of the existence of a message.
17. A method of sending and receiving a voice telephone message substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawing.