IL93695A - Message management system - Google Patents

Description

93695/2 A MESSAGE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM niynn "7inTJ imyn EFRAT TECHNOLOGY LTD.

C:0891& Inventors Nimrod. Sandlerman Boaz Misholi Tyii Itzchak Danzinger Steve Kowarsky Ziv' Ringer O89l8com.bin 19feb90 I-728 FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to message management systems generally.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various types of store and forward systems are known. One such system, which provides voice, facsimile (fax), data and cyptographic store and forward capability, is described in U.S. Patent 4,371t752. Other voice store and forward systems are available from major computer manufacturers, such as Wang and IBM .

In the article, "The EMS Communications System Integrates the Flow of Information,", Telcom Report 8, (1985) No. 1 (Siemens), Gunther Mierzowsky discloses a communications system designed for a factory situation. The communications system enables voice and text messages to be passed between workers. Additionally, it notifies each worker when a message is sent to him .

In the article, "Meridian SL Information Services," by L. Lee et al , Telesis 1 85 two , (Bell Northern Research Ltd.), an information service apparatus is discloses which enables text and voice messages to be combined and sent to various workers in a company.

Store and forward systems having a facsimile capability are described in the following patent references: Japanese Kokai 57-1195*11 provides a retrieval system for communication state for the purpose of shortening the retrieval time of a facsimile communication system by reducing transmission and reception signals between the switchboards of an originating side and a terminating side, by setting the display of the completion of communication message distribution by retrieving state call information during communication by using a time-series number as key information. Communication call information is controlled by a time-series number, and the number is sent from a terminating switchboard to an originating switchboard via common-line signal equipment when a communication message is distributed to a terminating facsimile terminal. The original switchboard retrieves a communication information table by the time-series number as key information to read corresponding communication state information, and sets the display of the completion of communication message distribution, thus controlling a communication-call completion state.

Japanese Kokai 57*38055 provides a memory control circuit for storage exchange facsimile for the purpose of operating a plurality of input and output ports with different period and data transmission speeds at the same time, by providing each input/output port storage means and priority designation gate means and enabling use of memories with priority to ports faster in the data transmission speed. When video information is inputted to a memory section, the video information is inputted from a scanner via a coder. A compressed code data received through a communication control section from an external line is inputted to the memory section with the identification number for every original unit. The video data inputted is stored on a plurality of pages and each page is linked in the order of the originals. The identification number of each original is managed with an input/output control section and a system control section provided inside the memory section. If the output of the original is requested, the system control section and the video data are sequentially read out from the memory and transmitted to the output device.

Japanese Kokai 57~78325 provides a transmitting system of facsimile picture information, for the purpose of reducing the transmission time of a picture information from a transmitter side terminal to a storing switchboard, by adding the specific time fill code to the storing switchboard in accordance with the picture information to be transferred. The picture information stored in a data register is transferred to a transmission shift register to be converted into series-type signals and transmitted by a bit to a communication circuit from the register via a multiplexer. A main control device calculates the number of bits equivalent to a line of the transmission picture information based on information regarding the space of the transmission line of the picture information set to a parameter register and the data transfer speed of the circuit and then sets the calculated bit number to a counter . After detecting the line end signal EOL, the device switches the multiplexer to the side of a time fill generator if the contents of the counter is larger than zero .

Japanese Kokai 57-192167 provides a facsimile storage exchanger, for the purpose of efficiently transferring facsimile information to an incoming terminal with a simple constitution by inserting information to be added to a facsimile signal after converting the information into coded graphic information. The conventional device is provided with a graph generating circuit and a graph insertion circuit. When facsimile information is transmitted from a facsimile, a storage section stores a facsimile signal. In this case, a control circuit stores time information given from a clock section and when the facsimile signal is stored in the storage section, it is transmitted, via various circuits, and finally coded. The coded data of the circuit is inserted into a facsimile information graph insertion circuit and given to a communication control circuit.

Japanese Kokai 58-138148 provides a mail box index output system, for the purpose of improving the performance of service and economy in mail box service, by editing and synthesizing a prescribed part to be an index of each mail in a mail box and transmitting the picture data to the corresponding terminal, in a facsimile storage exchange system. First, a mail managing section reads out a part of an encoded picture data of a head page of each mail in a desired mail box from a file sequentially and tranfers it to an index forming section. In this section the trasferred encoded picture data is decoded at a decoder as binary data and this is transferrred to a buffer of a full-white recognition circuit via a bus. Thus, when the encoded picture data relating to the index of all the desired mails are stored in a memory the data are transferred to a desired facsimile terminal via the section, a facsimile procedure control section, and a telephone exchange network for recording and output.

Japanese Kokai 58-138162 provides a facsimile storage converting system, for the purpose of reducing the load for the facsimile data conversion control and the file capacity, by encoding and communicating encoded facsimile data in a form matched to the standards of a facsimile device at the reception side, after the data is decoded into the original facsimile data. When only the sub-scanning line density of stored facsimile data is dissident with the standards of the reception side, the data is matched by elimination for one line's share at every other line in decoding the data at a decoding section. Since the amount of facsimile data encoded at an encoding section is reduced by half of the data transferred from a facsimile data storage section, the data transferred to a facsimile device is discontinuous. Then, the encoded data is not transmitted to the devise directly but transferred to the data storage section for storage after the decoding and storage of data for one original's share are finished, the data is transmitted again to the facsimile device.

Japanese Kokai 58-165^52 provides a facsimile exchange system, the purpose of which is to eliminate the need for the repetition of retransmission from a transmission terminal, by receiving a telegraphic message transmitted from a transmission terminal at a facsimile storage exchange for a reception terminal tentatively even when it is in use, and transmitting the message automatically when the reception terminal is free.

Japanese Kokai 59-99846 provides a facsimile communication device for the the purpose of improving the utilizing efficiency of a 4-wire system exclusive line by connecting the 4-wire exclusive line to an external device by switching in response to a control signal. A semi-duplex communication facsimile terminal is provided with a switching controller which is connected optionally by switching to an external device by an output signal of a controller incorporation transmission/receiving terminal of a 4-wire exclusive. When the unidirectional or bidirectional transmission line is idle, it is used for information transmission between the devices. As a result, the utilizing efficiency of the lines is improved.

Japanese Kokai 58-1753^2 provides a data transmission controlling system, with the purpose of eliminating the interruption of the transmission information due to the congestion of a system and to decrease the frequency of retransmission, by sending out a time filler when the next transmission data does not exist after the end position equivalent to a line of the transmission data is detected. When the picture information is transmitted to a terminal, a facsimile storage exchange stores once the received picture information in a storage device and then transmits the stored picture information to the terminal. When an end position EOL of the picture information equivalent to a line is detected in the transmission data, whether or not the position shows the end of the data equivalent to a page. If the EOL does not show the end of the data of a page and no transmitting request is given for the next transmission data, and end mark EOL of the picture information equivalent to a page is transmitted and then a time filler is sent out for a maximum of five seconds until the transmitting request is given to the next transmission data.

Japanese Kokai 59-H7845 provides a facsimile storage exchange, for the purpose of attaining the communication of a facsimile screen at a possible resolution degree of screen by commanding a compression rate from a transmission terminal, storing the rate by coding, commanding an expanding rate from a receiving terminal and decoding the rate. A facsimile signal inputted from a facsimile terminal passes through a compressor via an exchange switch , an amount of information is compressed and the signal is converted into a prescribed code at a coder and stored in a large capacity file memory. The stored facsimile information is read out from the memory when it is required to be communicatied to a facsimile terminal of output side, and decoded into the original code at a decoder, the amount of information is expanded through an expander and the signal is outputted to a facsimile termial via an exchange.

Japanese Kokai 57~H9537 provides a facsimile communication system, for the purpose of achieving economization without spoiling the advantage of a store and forward switching type facsimile communication system, by immediatedly transferring data without storing it when the free state of an incoming terminal is discriminated. Picture information from an originating terminal is stored in a storing and converting device only when the central processer of a switchboard judges that the standard of the originating terminal and the standard of a terminating terminal extracted from a subscriber file are different from each other, or when the terminating terminal is busy. When the standards are coincidental and the terminating terminal is free, a picture signal is transferred immediately through an instantaneous circuit and never stored.

Japanese Kokai 57~H9537 provides a facsimile communication system of store and forward exchanging type comprising: terminals each having an automatic reception function; and exchange including a subscribers file for storing standards of said terminals; and a storage and conversion device for transmitting and receiving picture signals to and from said terminal, said exchange comprising: a first means for collating the standard of a transmitting terminal and the standard of a receiving terminal which are extracted from said subscribers file; and a second means for judging whether or not said receiving terminal is busy, wherein the picture signals transmitted out of said transmitting terminal being at once transferred to said transmitting terminal being at once transferred to said receiving terminal without storing said picture signals into said storage and conversion device when said first means determines that the standards of said transmitting and recieving terminals are identical with each other and when said second means judges that said receiving termial is not busy. The facsimile communication system is characterized in that said picture signals transmitted out of said transmitting terminal are stored in said storage and conversion device when said second means judges that said receiving terminal is busy, and the stored picture signals are transferred to said receiving terminal when said receiving terminal becomes not busy.

The facsimile store and forward systems described above do not have a voice store and forward capability or the ability to be controlled by the regular touch-tone (DTMF) keypad of a standard telephone in order to transfer, send, receive, checkout messages waiting, reply, or listen to help instructions. They also do not have the ability to annotate facsimile messages with voice or annotate voice messages with facsimile.

None of the prior art described above includes the feature of providing a voice notification of receipt of a facsimile message.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to provide a highly efficient and economical message management system, which incorporates, as a portion thereof, integrated voice and image store and forward apparatus.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a message management system comprising apparatus for producing a multi-media message, including a visually sensible portion and an aurally sensible portion and control apparatus for transmitting the multi-media message to a selected subscriber. Preferably there is also provided apparatus for providing notification to the selected subscriber of the arrival of a multi-media message.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus for producing a multimedia message comprises telephone apparatus and image transmission apparatus. The image transmission apparatus preferably comprises facsimile apparatus but alternatively may comprise any other suitable apparatus for transmitting images, i.e. text or any other suitable images.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the telephone apparatus and image transmission apparatus are located remotely from each other. According to an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the telephone apparatus and image transmission apparatus are located in close proximity.

Additionally in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the control apparatus comprises a DTMF keypad.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the message management apparatus also comprises apparatus for providing a store and. forward function.

In accordance with the foregoing embodiment of the invention, the apparatus providing a store and forward function may comprise interconnect subsystem apparatus arranged to interconnect with telephone switching apparatus and image transmission apparatus, a control subsystem for providing control instructions to the interconnect subsystem apparatus, including instructions for transmitting and receiving image transmissions, and voice messages and instructions for providing voice messages relating to such image transmissions and mass storage subsystem apparatus coupled to the control subsystem for storing voice and image transmissions. The storage is in digital form. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the image is stored in digital form without an intermediate conversion to audio prior to storage.

There is also provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a store and forward system comprising interconnect subsystem apparatus arranged to interconnect with telephone switching apparatus and image transmission apparatus, a control subsystem for providing control instructions to the interconnect subsystem apparatus, including instructions for transmitting and receiving image transmissions and voice messages and instructions for providing voice messages relating to such image transmissions and mass storage subsystem apparatus coupled to the control subsystem for storing voice and images to be forwarded.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the mass storage subsystem is operative for storing voice messages, images, and messages combining voice and images to be forwarded.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the interconnect subsystem comprises facsimile subsystems and line subsystems.

Further in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the control system and the mass storage subsystem apparatus are coupled by a SASI bus.

Additionally in accordance with an embodiment of the invention there is provided means for storing voice messages, images, and messages combining voice and images. Preferably the means for storing comprises means for storing images in digital form without an intermediate conversion to audio.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided means for interaction between the user and the machine. The means for interaction are preferably vocal prompts from the machine and user responses via the telephone keyboard.

Alternatively, the means for interaction between the user and the machine comprise at least one predefined form sheet to be marked by the user. The marked form sheet is sent to the system thereby to indicate to the system user selected control information.

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a subscriber is defined with a unique direct inward dialling (DID) number for receiving facsmile messages. There is provided means for emulating a facsmile machine when a subscriber's unique DID number is called thereby to receive a facsmile message from a sender to the subscriber. There is additionally provided means for identifying the subscriber such that the subscriber will interact with the machine in accordance with the means for interaction upon calling the system in order to receive his facsimile message.

Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided means for directing image transmissions from the means for storing to an image printing device. The image transmission direction can be manual or automatic.

Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a subscriber can define a customized cover sheet to be sent in front of every image transmission.

Further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is provided means permitting a subscriber receiving said message to reply or annotate said message in a medium other than that in which the message was received. Preferably the permitting means is operative to provide voice reply or annotation of a received message.

The present invention also seeks to provide an image information base system.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a network of image information base systems wherein each image information base system comprises means for creating the structure of an information base comprising a multiplicity of pieces of information, means for inserting and updating pieces of information into the information base, and means for retrieving pieces of information from the information base to an image transmission apparatus. The image transmission apparatus preferably comprises facsimile apparatus.

Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the means for inserting and the means for retrieving comprise means for interaction between the user and the machine. The means for interaction are preferably vocal prompts from the machine and user responses via the telephone keyboard.

Alternatively, the means for interaction between the user and the machine comprise at least one predefined form sheet to be marked by the user. The marked form sheet is sent to the system thereby to indicate to the system user selected control information .

Still further in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a subscriber is defined with a unique direct inward dialling (DID) number for receiving at least one piece of information.

Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the means for retrieving include means for directing at least one piece of information from the information base to an image printing device.

Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, pieces of information may be duplicated in the network. Additionally, when a duplicated piece of information is updated on one image information base system, the system updates the piece of information on the remaining systems which contain the piece of information.

Still further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the means for retrieving include means for receiving information from an external computer and means for creating an image transmission from the received information .

The present invention also seeks to provide a highly efficient and economical emergency crew mobilization system.

There is thus provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention an emergency mobilization system comprising a network of mobilization devices each comprising apparatus for producing messages and apparatus for transmitting at least one message by telephone to each of a plurality of recipient apparatus each associated with at least one recipient. Each recipient apparatus typically comprises at least one of the following: facsimile machines, pagers, telephones or computer terminals connected to a host computer.

Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus for transmitting comprises apparatus for receiving acknowledgements of receipt of the messages from the recipients. The acknowledgements can be in the form of vocal replies or in the form of a code entered in DTMF or in pulse or speech or in the form of a fax and can be transferred to the sender of the message in the form of spoken messages for vocal replies or in the form of a fax or in the form of a printed or displayed report.

Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the message may be a recorded mobilization message or a notification that a mobilization message awaits the recipient.

Still further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus for transmitting comprises apparatus for dialling to the recipient apparatus and apparatus for outputting the mobilization message to a recipient only if the recipient apparatus goes OFF-HOOK. Alternatively, the apparatus for transmitting comprises apparatus for sending the mobilization message to mailboxes belonging to the recipients, apparatus for dialling to the recipient apparatus and apparatus for outputting a notification that a message awaits the recipient in the mailbox to each recipient only if his recipient apparatus goes OFF-HOOK. Once the recipient has identified himself to the mailbox, the mobilization message is transmitted to the recipient.

Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, if the recipient apparatus is OFF-HOOK or the recipient does not answer within a predetermined time, the apparatus for dialling redials to the recipient apparatus until either the recipient responds or a predetermined number of redials has elapsed. Alternatively, if the mobilization message was sent to a recipient's mailbox and the recipient apparatus is OFF-HOOK or the recipient does not answer within a predetermined time, the apparatus for dialling redials to the recipient apparatus until either the recipient accesses his mailbox or a predetermined number of redials has elapsed. The redialling to the recipient apparatus is performed in accordance with a predefined plan which states the number of redials and the time between the redials in accordance with the dial result, the number of previous redials and the priority attached to the mobilization message.

Moreover, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mobilization apparatus includes apparatus for defining a backup recipient for each recipient where the backup recipient will receive the mobilization message if the recipient is unavailable, i.e. if a predetermined number of retries has taken place without success.

Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each mobilization apparatus includes apparatus for creating and storing a plurality of mobilization lists wherein each of the mobilization lists is a list of at least one recipient to be mobilized. The mobilization list can also comprise a locating list for mobilizing a first predefined number of recipients on the mobilization list who are successfully contacted. The apparatus for creating and storing comprises a telephone, a console attached to the mobilization device, or a host computer connected to the mobilization device.

Still further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the mobilization message comprises a prerecorded message. Alternatively, the apparatus for producing messages can record the mobilization message shortly before the time of transmission of the mobilization message.

Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus for transmitting concurrently and asynchronously sends a multiplicity of copies of the messages on a multiplicity of separate telephone lines. Alternatively, a multiplicity of versions of the messages can be sent .

Moreover, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each mobilization device also includes apparatus for providing information on the status of the mobilization to an authorized supervisor via telephones, terminal displays, facsimile reports, printers, or communication with a host computer.

Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, means is provided to enable one of the mobilization devices in the network to originate an emergency mobilization procedure and instruct a multiplicity of the mobilization devices in the network to perform the mobilization. It is appreciated that the mobilization of different groups may be performed concurrently and independently for each group.

Still further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each mobilization device includes apparatus for receiving a multiplicity of instruction inputs for selectably mobilizing a multiplicity of groups of recipient apparatus within the plurality of recipient apparatus.

Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each mobilization device mobilizes recipient apparatus located within a local region of the mobilization device. For each of the mobilization devices in the network at least one backup mobilization device is defined wherein the backup mobilization device belongs to the network. Additional redundancy is achieved through building each mobilization device as a twin mobilization device.

Moreover, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, initiation of a local mobilization procedure may be performed on any one of the mobilization devices in the network via any suitable telephone.

Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus for producing messages comprises at least one of the following: telephone apparatus, telephone apparatus in association with DTMF acoustic diallers, telephone apparatus in association with facsimile machines and telephone apparatus associated with computer apparatus.

Still further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each mobilization device also comprises apparatus for providing a store and forward function. The apparatus for providing a store and forward function also comprises interconnect subsystem apparatus arranged to interconnect with telephone switching apparatus, a control subsystem for providing control instructions to the interconnect subsystem apparatus, including instructions for transmitting and receiving voice and fax messages, and mass storage subsystem apparatus coupled to the control subsystem for storing voice transmissions .

Additionally, each mobilization device may also comprise apparatus for storing voice messages, images, and messages combining voice and images.

There is further provided in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention a method of mobilizing emergency personnel including the steps of instructing an originator mobilization device to perform a specified mobilization and instruction by the originator mobilization device to a plurality of mobilization devices belonging to a network each to mobilize a specific group of recipients.

Additionally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step of instruction includes the steps of transmission of at least one message from one of the plurality of mobilization devices to each one of its respective specific group of recipients and of recording the success or failure to transmit the at least one message.

Further, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the step of transmission of messages includes the steps of receiving an acknowledgement receipt from a multiplicity of the recipients and of recording the acknowledgement receipts.

Finally, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the method of mobilizing emergency personnel also includes the step of reporting the status of the mobilization .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a block diagrm illustration of a message management system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a pictorial illustration of the geographical distribution of elements of an emergency mobilization system in conjunction with a single alert network, constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention ; Fig. 3 is a diagram of a. subscriber list and a plurality of methods of accessing further subscribers if the main subscriber is unavailable, useful in the system of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 4 is a pictorial illustration of the geographical distribution of elements of an emergency mobilization system in conjunction with a plurality of national alert networks, useful in the sytem of Figs. 1 and 2; Fig. 5 is a block diagram illustration of the apparatus of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is a block diagram illustration of a line subsystem forming part of the system of Fig. 5; Fig. 7 is a block diagram illustration of a control subsystem forming part of the apparatus of Fig. 5; Fig. 8 is a block diagram illustration of a mass storage subsystem forming part of the apparatus of Fig. 5; Fig. is a block diagram illustration of MTU circuitry forming part of the line subsystem shown in Fig. 6; Fig. 10 is a block diagram illustration of SPU circuitry forming part of the line subsystem shown in Fig. 6; Figs. 11 and 12 together define a schematic illustration of a preferred embodiment of SPU circuitry illustrated in Fig. 10; Figs. 13 - 16 together define a schematic illustration of a preferred embodiment of the MTU circuitry illustrated in Fig. 9; Fig. 17 is a block diagram illustration of TIU circuitry employed in the apparatus of Fig. 6; Figs. 18-21 are schematic illustrations of the TIU circuitry shown in Fig. 17; Figs. 22-43 are flow chart representations describing the man/machine interface of the system of the present invention; Fig. 44 is an example form sheet useful in the man/machine interface of the system of the present invention; Fig. 45 is a schematic illustration of a facsimile processing unit (FPU) constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and Fig. 46 is a schematic illustration of line control unit circuitry (LCU) constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The message management system of the present invention supports a message file system and receives and stores image records in subscriber's mailboxes. As noted above, any suitable type of image transmission may be employed. A preferred type of image transmission is facsimile transmission. Therefore, the explanation which follows relates to a message management system employing facsimile image transmission.

The apparatus of the present invention is capable of informing a subscriber when a voice message, a facsimile record, or a combination of the two has been placed in his mailbox. The apparatus informs the subscriber by calling him over the telephone or by any other suitable technique.

The system, when the subscriber uses any DTMF telephone, scans the subscriber's mailbox for messages which are either voice messages or facsimile records. The subscriber can then hear or view his messages, delete or keep them, reply to the sender, or forward them to another subscriber, while optionally adding annotation.

The subscriber can also forward his facsimile messages to any other subscriber's mailbox anywhere over the telephone network via a specially equipped personal computer or a facsimile system. The user can also retrieve the facsimile message immediately at a facsimile machine or at a specially equipped PC connected to his telephone line. He can control both transmission and retrieval of the facsimile message from his telephone keypad. Equipment for suitable adaptation of a PC is available from TITN Inc. and GAMALINK both of the U.S.A.

The invention may also comprise text reading capability and capability for reading out received text. The text reading capability may be provided by a commercially available DEST PC Scan device available from DEST Corporation of Milpitas, California, and associated Text-Pak software, also available from DEST Corporation. The voice read out capability may be provided by voice synthesis apparatus commercially available from Speech Plus Incorporated of Mountain View California, under the trade mark CallText.

It may therefore be appreciated that incoming faxes may be read to subscribers over ordinary telephones. Additionally, using the DEST apparatus, the incoming image, whether text or graphics or a combination thereof, may be displayed on a subscriber's CRT display.

As noted above, the apparatus of the present invention supports the addition of a voice annotation to a facsimile record and linking of facsimile records into multirecord facsimile files.

Anybody, whether or not a subscriber, can create and send a voice message, a facsimile record or a combined message (facsimile record with voice annotation) to any subscriber or to any telephone number.

Facsimile records may be sent to a subscriber's mailbox by specifying his ID or extension number and to a facsimile system (or specially equipped PC) by specifying its extension number. Facsimile records may be sent to a non-subscriber's facsimile by specifying its telephone number as well as to a list of subscribers, non-subscribers, and facsimile systems.

Notification of the arrival of a facsimile record is preferably provided by a voice message to the subscriber's mailbox and/or a telephone call to a prespecified telephone number. The subscriber may then forward the facsimile to any facsimile system or PC over the telephone network (including a facsimile machine or PC connected to his telephone line).

The entire interaction of the user (subscriber or non-subscriber) with the system is carried out over the telephone. The user is guided with voice prompts and controls the system with DTMF keystrokes or with voice commands. Sending a facsimile to a subscriber and receiving it and programming the telephone number for notification are all done over the telephone .

A special option of the system is the support of DID lines with associated subscribers' mailboxes. The user may call such an appropriate DID number to send or receive a voice message or facsimile. This eliminates the need for DTMF telephone sets.

Reference is now made to Fig. 1, which illustrates in block diagram form, an integrated message management system constructed and operative in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The system comprises a plurality of messaging systems 10, which are described in greater detail in Fig. 5, each of which is adapted to interface with at least one PBX telephone switch 24, at least one telephone central office 26, and PC terminals 28 and facsimile machines 29, as well as telephones 30 via the PBX switch 2k or via the central office 26. The system may interconnect via the central office 26 with a telephony network 31 and thereby with cellular telephone switching apparatus 32 and paging systems 33· The messaging system 10 may interface with an X.25 Network 3^ and with a Host Computer 35· Reference is now made to Fig. 5· which illustrates the messaging system 10 of Fig. 1 in block diagram form. The messaging system 10 comprises a control subsystem 11, which is coupled to one or more mass storage subsystems 12 via a SASI bus Ik . The control subsystem is also coupled to host computer 35 via an RS 232 or Ethernet link (not shown). The control subsystem may be coupled additionally to an X.25 network "k and to other messaging, such as those described in the present disclosure.

Control subsystem 11 is also coupled via one or more LBX busses l6 to a plurality of line subsystems l8, each of which is adapted to interface with a PBX telephone switch 2k, a telephone central office 26, as well as facsimile machines 2 and telephones 30, via the PBX 2k or via the central office 26.

The messaging system 10 of the present invention, activated by using any DTMF telephone or DTMF acoustic dialler, scans the subscriber's mailbox for messages which are either voice messages or facsimile records. The subscriber can then hear or view his messages, delete or keep them, reply to the sender, or forward them to another subscriber, while optionally adding annotation.

The subscriber can also forward his voice or facsimile messages to any other subscriber's mailbox anywhere over the telephone network via a telephone, a specially equipped personal computer or a facsimile system. The user can also retrieve the facsimile message immediately at a facsimile machine or at a specially equipped PC connected to his telephone line. He can control both transmission and retrieval of the facsimile message from his telephone keypad. Equipment for suitable adaptation of a PC is available from TITN Inc. and GAMALINK both of the U.S.A.

As noted above, the system 10 supports the< addition of a voice annotation to a facsimile record and linking of facsimile records into multirecord facsimile files.

Any subscriber, can create and send a voice message or a facsimile record to any telephone number or subscriber. Any non-subscriber may create and send a voice message or a facsimile record to any subscriber.

Voice or facsimile records may be sent to a subscriber's mailbox by specifying his ID or extension number within an office and to a facsimile system (or specially equipped PC) by specifying its extension number within an office. Voice or facsimile records may be sent to a non-subscriber's facsimile by specifying its telephone number as well as to a list of subscribers, non-subscribers, and facsimile systems.

Notification of the arrival of a voice or facsimile record to a subscriber's mailbox is preferably provided by a telephone call to a prespecified telephone number. Additionally, the notification may be made by activating a 'message waiting' indicator light on the subscriber's telephone, by activating a pager, or by display of the subscriber's mailbox identification code on a display or a printer.

The entire interaction of the user (subscriber or non-subscriber) with the system 1G is typically carried out over the telephone. The user is guided with menu-based voice prompts and controls the system 10 with DTMF keystrokes or with voice commands. Typically, the voice commands comprise a set of words such as the numbers 0 - 10 and the words "stop", "cancel", "delete", "send", etc.

The user typically interacts with the system in order to receive a message or a facsimile transmission or to send such a message or transmission to a subscriber. The user interaction includes indicating to the system message attributes, such as priority, time and/or date to send the message, etc. Additional user interaction include programming the telephone number for notification and defining a subscriber password. It will be appreciated that the above operations are all performed over the telephone .

Alternatively, the interaction between the user and the machine comprises at least one predefined Optical Mark Recognition (OMR) form sheet to be marked by the user.' An example form sheet is shown in Fig. 44. It comprises a destination area 500, a message attribute area 501 and a delayed delivery area 502. On the destination area 500 the user marks the telephone number of a non-subscriber or the identification number of a subscriber. The number 473276 is shown in Fig. 5. On the message attribute area 01 , the user marks whether the message is urgent and/or confidential and/or whether he requires some form of positive acknowledegement from the system that the message was successfully delivered. On the delayed delivery area 502 , the user defines the date on which to send the message, if he wants to send the message on a date other than the current date.

When a multiplicity of systems 10 are connected together in a network and a user is sending a message from his system 10 to the system 10 of the receiver of the message, the user need not explicitly specify the receiver's system 10 . The user need only specify the destination, whether a subscriber or a non-subscriber, and the message will arrive there. This transparent destination specification is typically achieved by defining including in the subscriber identification number certain digits which indicate the system 10 with which the subscriber is associated. The identi ication code is defined to be different than telephone numbers such that non-subscribers can be identified via their telephone numbers. Alternatively, each system 10 stores a table of the entirety of subscribers and their associated system 10 . When a message is sent, the system 10 compares the destination with the list of subscribers. If the destination is a subscriber, than his name or identification number will appear on the list and the message will be sent to the appropriate system 10 . If the destination is a non-subscriber, his name or identification number will not appear on the list. Therefore, the system 10 will assume that the destination number is a phone number and will dial it.

A special option of the system 10 is the support of DID lines with associated subscribers' mailboxes. The user may call such an appropriate DID number to send or receive a voice message or facsimile. This eliminates the need for DTMF telephone sets.

For example, a subscriber is allocated a unique DID number for receiving facsmile messages. When a subscriber's unique DID number is called, the system emulates a facsmile machine and receives the facsimile message, placing it into the subscriber's mailbox. The subscriber, upon notification that a facsimile message has arrived, calls the system, identifies himself and retrieves the message. The interaction is typically as described hereinabove.

An additional feature of the system enables the subscriber to direct an image transmission from his mailbox to an image printing device, such as a facsimile machine. To do so, the subscriber indicates to the system the telephone number of the image printing device. If the subscriber has many image transmissions, he may, using a single instruction, send the entirety of transmissions to a single image printing device. Rather than sending the entirety of transmissions to the image printing device in one instruction, for each transmission, he may give an instruction. Further, he may send each transmission to a different image printing device. It should be noted that once the transmission has been directed to a printing device, it is deleted from the subscriber's mailbox. The man/machine interaction for directing an image transmission to an image printing device is shown in Fig. 25.

A further feature of the present invention enables a subscriber to define a telephone number of an image printing device for automatically directing all non-confidential image transmissions once they are received. The subscriber can additionally schedule the automatic directing by defining the time at which the image transmissions are sent to the image printing device. This is known as scheduled automatic directing. For example, the subscriber. may choose to have all transmissions received between the hours of, say, 6:00am and 6:00pm be automatically printed as soon as they are received and all those received between 6:00pm and 6:00am be printed at 6:00am.

However, urgent transmissions override the scheduled automatic directing such that if an urgent image transmission is received, it is sent immediately to the previously defined printing device. It should be noted that the transmission which have been automatically directed are not automatically deleted from the subscriber's mailbox. Typically, the subscriber gives a delete instruction. The man/machine interaction for the automatic direction of printing is shown in Fig. Ί2.

An additional feature of the invention enables the subscriber to define a customized cover sheet to be sent in front of all of the image transmissions which he sends. The customized cover sheet typically comprises a letterhead, the subscriber's name and phone number, and the recipient's phone number. The subscriber merely indicates to the system the recipient's phone number and the cover sheet is prepared.

The customized cover sheet letterhead is entered into the system via a facsimile machine performing as a scanner. The facsimile machine reads the letterhead and stores it in the subscriber's mailbox. The man/machine interaction for entering a letterhead is shown in Fig. 43· The present invention may be utilized as an image information base system. A multiplicity of systems are connected together in a network wherein each system comprises an information base, such as road maps, comprising a multiplicity of pieces of information. Each system additionally comprises means for creating the structure of the information base, means for inserting and updating pieces of information into the information base, and means for retrieving pieces of information from the information base to an image transmission apparatus. The image transmission apparatus preferably comprises facsimile apparatus.

For the example of road maps, five systems are connected together, where each is located in a different city. Each system stores the road maps of the roads around it, as well as the interconnecting roads. Thus, some pieces of information are duplicated among the systems. When a specific road map is updated, the updated information is entered into one of the systems and this system automatically broadcasts the changes to all other systems which contain that road map.

In order to retrieve the information, a user calls the system closest to him and requests a specific piece or pieces of information. For the above example, he would request a road map. The man/machine interaction is typically via voice prompts requesting, for example, the specific road map number, or via a hierarchical tree of vocal menus gradually narrowing to the specific map requested.

Alternatively, the specific road map number may be a DID number. Further, the user may send the system a predefined OMR form on which he has marked the specific road map number.

The requested information is typically received at an image printing device, such as a facsimile machine. The image printing device may be connected in line with the user's telephone or it may be remotely located. In the later case, the user must instruct the system to send the information to the phone number of the image printing device.

It is a feature of the present invention that the information base may be stored externally in a host computer, typically in alphanumeric form, although graphic information may also be stored. Once a user has requested a specific piece of information, the system retrieves the information from the host computer, converts it to an appropriate format for image transmission, and sends it to the user defined printing device.

The present invention may be employed as an emergency mobilization system. Reference is now made additionally to Fig. 2 which illustrate a number of elements of the emergency mobilization system of the present invention. The emergency mobilization system comprises a multiplicity of mobilization units 1, each termed mobilization apparatus, each in telephonic communication with at least one public telephone switch 2. Additionally, the emergency mobilization system of the present invention typically operates in conjunction with at least one alert network which comprises the hierarchy of people to be mobilized. Each mobilization unit 1 is preferably embodied in a messaging system 10, as described herein.

When an emergency mobilization is required, an initator in an alert network control center 3 (Fig- 2) responsible for the mobilization dials the mobilization apparatus 1 corresponding to that control center 3. creates a mobilization message, and instructs the apparatus 1 to perform a specific mobilization procedure. The initiator is a preliminary message sender; other mobilization personnel can create and send mobilization messages, as will be described hereinbelow.

A mobilization procedure typically is performed by mobilizing personnel who are identified on a mobilization list. To that end, the mobilization apparatus 1 typically has stored in it a number of previously defined lists of personnel to be mobilized. The personnel to be mobilized will be known hereinafter as 'recipients' . Recipients are divided into two classes, subscribers, for each whom there is defined in apparatus 1 a private profile record and optionally, a private mailbox, and non-subscribers whose name and telephone numbers at which they can be reached are recorded on the mobilization list.

The private profile record typically comprises definitions of private parameters, such as an address and a plurality of telephone numbers, at which the subscriber can be reached. The subscriber's private mailbox is defined as a storage place in apparatus 1 which typically stores arriving messages.

The mobilization list is typically created and modified via a console which may be an element of mobilization apparatus 1, via a host computer connected to mobilization apparatus 1 or via a telephone. The mobilization list, or lists, may be created before the moment of the emergency and stored within the mobilization apparatus 1. Alternatively, it may be created at the time of initiation of the mobilization.

The mobilization list may comprise a record for a single recipient or it may comprise a plurality of records, one per a plurality of recipients. Additionally, the recipients may be subscribers and/or non-subscribers .

Upon notification of a mobilization, mobilization apparatus 1 dials to each of the recipients on the mobilization list, via the public telephone switches in its region. The recipient may receive the phone call either at a private telephone , a public telephone , a cellular phone via a cellular telephone switch , via a pager , or via any other suitable telephonic means.

Fcr a non-subscriber recipient, the mobilization apparatus 1 plays the mobilization message, typically twice, when someone at the telephone number of the non-subscriber •responds to the phone call. If the person answering the telephone is not the non-subsciber , it is expected that that person will transmit the mobilization message to the non-subscriber.

For subscriber recipients, mobilization apparatus 1 typically sends the mobilization message to each subscriber's mailbox. Apparatus 1 dials each subscriber and plays a predefined notification message which notifies the subscriber to access his mailbox. If desired by the recipient, the notification can be made repeatedly, typically until the subscriber accesses his mailbox. The mobilization apparatus plays the notification message to whomever picks up the telephone. If the subscriber is the one to pick up the telephone, the subscriber can immediately identify himself to the system and receive the mobilization message. If somebody else picked up the telephone and then ntoified the subscriber, the subscriber can dial to the system, identify himself, and receive the mobilization message. This method of sending messages enhances the confidentiality of the mobilization and enables the sender to create detailed messages.

The amount of time between attempts to notify a subscriber, or to access a non-subscriber, as well as the number of such attempts is typically defined according to a predefined plan and is a function of the dial result, such as busy, no answer, etc. , the number of tries previously attempted, and of the priority given to the notification or mobilization message, respectively. The retry periodicity may be a function of the number of previous unsuccessful attempts.

The mobilization message may have been recorded some time before the start of the mobilization or a sender may record it immediately before sending it.

The mobilization apparatus 1 typically is capable of concurrently and asynchronously accessing multiple, typically 32, recipients via the at least one telephone switch 2. Apparatus 1 typically will play the same mobilization message to each of the multiple recipients. Alternatively, a multiplicity of different messages can be played. In either case, for each recipient, the message is played starting from the beginning of the message.

Upon accessing a recipient, mobilization apparatus 1 may request an acknowledgement of receipt of the message. The acknowledgement typically comprises the recording of a vocal reply or the entering of a code, either via pulse or DTMF dialling, or via speech recognition. Any unreceived messages are returned to the sender after a predetermined number of retries have occurred or a predetermined amount of time has elapsed.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each recipient is associated with a backup recipient who will receive his messages if he does not answer within the predetermined amount of time. This is known as cascading and it is typically organized by having each recipient define who his backup recipient is.

The cascading can be organized in a number of ways, as shown in Fig. 3 · The recipients can be serially cascaded, as shown by (a), such that the apparatus 1 first attempts to access a main recipient 13 · I main recipient 13 is unavailable, the apparatus 1 attempts to access a backup recipient 15 · If the backup recipient 15 is unavailable, the apparatus 1 returns a message to the sender indicating its inability to access anyone. Alternatively, the serially cascading can be longer, as shown in (b) .

Should a person organizing the cascading require that someone successfully receive the message, and thus, be mobilized, the cascading is typically organized in a loop as shown in (c) where apparatus 1 first dials recipient 13 , then recipient 15 and then recipient 17 · If none of them respond, then apparatus 1 retries recipient 13 and so on until a reply is received.

Finally, the recipients can be organized in a tree structure, as shown in (d). In the example shown, recipients 19 and 21 are backed up by recipient 25 who, in turn, is backed up 93,695/2 by recipient 29. Recipient 23 is backed up by recipient 27 who is also backed up by recipient 13 . A loop can be included, as shown between recipients 27 and2<3..

The mobilization list can be utilized as a mailing list, where the message is sent to all recipients. Apparatus 1 notifies the sender of recipients which received and those who did not receive the message. Alternatively, the mobilization list can be utilized as a locating list where the sender requires that the message be received by a predetermined number of recipients listed on the mobilization list. Typically, once the predetermined number of recipients have responded, mobilization apparatus 1 no longer attempts to mobilize the remaining personnel on the list, if any exist.

Since each apparatus 1 typically only accesses recipients located in the area near its location, the originally notified apparatus 1 may additionally notify other apparatus 1 to send the mobilization message to recipients in their areas. Moreover, the apparatus 1 can be organized into a network covering a large area, in order to effect the mobilization of large population. Additionally, by spreading the mobilization activity among a multiplicity of regional mobilization apparatus 1, the number of long-distance telephone calls is reduced.

Fig. 2 illustrates an example network of apparatus 1. The network comprises a plurality of apparatus 1 distributed throughout a given region, typically of a state or country, where each apparatus 1 serves the geographical region in which it is located. Additionally, the at least one alert network comprises the alert network control center 3, a multiplicity of regional control centers 45" and a plurality of local control centers 43. Each local control center 43 is responsible . for' overseeing the mobilization occurring within a small geographic location and for reporting to a regional control center 5· Each regional control center 45 receives information as to the status of ttie mobilization within its region and reports that ' information to the alert network control center 3. which is responsible for the overall mobilization.

As mentioned hereinabove, the mobilization is typically initiated from the alert network control center 3 which dials the mobilization apparatus 1 assigned to it, marked 1A on Fig. 2. Apparatus 1A is typically the apparatus 1 which is closest to alert network control center 3· Apparatus 1A then dials the other apparatus 1 which service the alert network, in accordance with instructions from the alert network control center 3. and transmits to them information regarding the current emergency mobilization, such as the message to send, the specific mobilization list or lists to use , etc .

Each of the apparatus 1 which receives mobilization instructions, including apparatus 1A, performs the mobilization procedure described hereinabove. Mobilizations are typically performed hierarchically, beginning with mobilization of personnel with state-wide or national responsibilities, proceeding through mobilization of personnel with regional responsibilities and through mobilization of personnel with local responsibilites . The mobilization typically terminates with mobilization of the required personnel. Each person mobilized is called by the apparatus 1 located nearest to his home and/or place of work.

If the mobilization requires personnel with certain skills, then the initiator selects, or creates, a mobilization list of those personnel. If only a few of the personnel with the required skills are needed, apparatus 1 will then use the list as a locating list and will mobilize the required number of people. If the personnel with the skills are located in a number of regions, then one of the apparatus 1 will be assigned the job of mobilizing them, thus requiring it to mobilize some people outside of its region.

In order to ensure that the mobilization is proceeding properly, controllers in each local control center 43 dial their respective apparatus 1 and receive reports from the apparatus 1 on the status of the mobilization procedure (e.g. number of acknowledgements, the acknowledgements themselves, a list of people unsuccessfully contacted, etc). They then can instruct the apparatus 1 assigned to them with additional instructions, such as the sending of new mobilization messages or the mobilization of a new group of people. Additionally, the local controllers report to the regional control center 45 typically by sending messages from their apparatus 1 to mailboxes of the regional controllers in the apparatus 1 assigned to the regional control center 45· The reports can be received via a telephone, via a facsimile machine, via a printer or via a display apparatus connected to a host computer.

The regional control center 45 receives status reports from a plurality of local controllers. Similarly to the local controllers, the regional controllers can issue additional mobilization instructions to the apparatus 1 assigned to them and they can report the status of the regional mobilization to the alert network control center 3· They can also send messages to the local controllers with instructions concerning additional mobilizations to perform or with other information concerning the emergency mobilization.

The alert network control center 3 receives reports from the regional controllers via apparatus 1A. It additionally can request reports from apparatus 1A describing the status of the mobilization of the personnel in the local area near control center 3· However, typically, there is a local control center 43 assigned to apparatus 1A, which receives the status reports from apparatus 1A and reports the results to the regional control center 45 who then reports to alert network control center 3· In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, each apparatus 1 additionally stores the mobilization lists and other information concerning the recipients of at least one neighboring apparatus 1. This provides redundancy in the mobilization system of the present invention and ensures that a mobilization can be performed even if a portion of the apparatus 1 and/or the telephony environment is not functioning. Additionally, for redundancy purposes, each apparatus 1 is a twin apparatus 1 to ensure that if one of twins is not functioning, the other one is operative.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a plurality of independent alert networks can typically be defined over the network of apparatus 1, as illustrated in Fig. k. For example, if the network of Fig. belonged to a state, the state may choose to utilize it to define independent alert networks for the state police, the army, the reserves, local fire and police departments, and for hospitals. Each organization can define multiple alert networks, typically ranging from total mobilization to partial mobilization, such as a skeleton mobilization.

With multiple alert networks, mobilization of any organization can be performed in stages, if necessary. It can begin with a skeleton mobilization and then proceed through a partial mobilization to a full mobilization. A staggered mobilization, such as is described hereinabove, can be performed manually, by dialling the apparatus 1A each time a different level of mobilization is required and at that time, instructing apparatus 1A as to which mobilization list to use, or it can be performed automatically, by assigning a specific time when a mobilization list is to be used or by assigning priorities to the messages sent by the different mobilization lists.

The automatic priority mobilization will be performed by allocating the entirety of the resources of the network of apparatus 1 to the mobilization lists having the highest priority. As more and more of the highest priority personnel have been contacted, the network allocates more and more resources to the next highest priority mobilization list. The process proceeds until all personnel on the mobilization lists have been 12 contacted .

It should be noted that the mobilization procedure described hereinabove pertains to a multi-regional emergency mobilization. It is also possible to perform a local mobilization utilizing one or a few of the apparatus 1. In the local case, the local or regional controllers are responsible for the mobilization and there is no need for them to report to an alert network control center.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the detailed control of the mobilization process provided by the system of the present invention enables the mobilizing organization to employ fewer people to perform the mobilization while being continually aware of the status of the mobilization. This enables the mobilizing organization to make informed decisions about other aspects of the mobilization, such as transportation- of those mobilized to their respective locations for duty.

The emergency mobilization apparatus of the present invention supports a message file system and receives and stores voice and image records in subscriber's mailboxes.

The mobilization apparatus 1 of the present invention is capable of informing a subscriber when a voice message or a facsimile record, has been placed in his mailbox. As mentioned hereinabove, the apparatus 1 informs the subscriber by calling him over the telephone or by any other suitable technique. , Reference is now made to Fig. 6, which illustrates, in block diagram form, a line subsystem 3^. The line subsystem 13 comprises an MTU interface card 50 , which is described hereinbelow in connection with Fig. 9 , and which is connected to the control subsystem via the LBX bus 32 (Fig. 5 ) . The MTU interface card 50 is coupled via an extender card 2 to a sub LBX parallel bus 5 ^ and to a PCM highway serial bus 5 ^ - A plurality of signal processing units (SPU) 581 and optionally, a facsimile processing unit (FPU) 57 , are coupled to the busses $k and 6 . A schematic illustration of a preferred facsimile processing unit (FPU) appears at Fig. ^ · A plurality of telephone interface units (TIU) 60 are connected to the PCM highway bus 56 and are connected to telephone lines via an RJ11C connection.

Reference is now made to Fig. 7 . which illustrates, in block diagram form, the control subsystem 11'. of Fig. 5 · The control subsystem It comprises two line CPUs (LCU) O, such as an ESBC 86 manufactured by the present appl i can ts / as s ignees and illustrated in detail in Fig. 1*6.

The LCU 70 is preferably similar to a combination of the ISBC 186/03 of Intel and a memory, such as an Intel SBC12 CX memory. Each LCU 70 is coupled to a line subsystem 3*1 via an LBX bus 32 .

The LCUs 70 are connected to a multibus 7^ · Also connected to multibus Ik are a mass storage controller 76 , coupled via SASI bus l1) to the mass storage subsystem 12 , a 93695/2 main CPU (MCU) 80 , such as an SBC 286/14 of Intel, a host computer Interface 82 , such as an Intel SBC 544, an optional ethernet Interface (not shown), such as an Intel SBC 552 , and an X. 25 interface 86, such as an Intel SBC 188/56 .

Reference is now made to Fig. 8 , which illustrates the mass storage subsystem 12 . It is seen that subsystem 12 comprises a primary mass storage unit 90 including a plurality of controllers 92 , such as OMTI 5200 cards, each of which operates a pair of disk drives 94 and 6 . Each mass storage subsystem may also include a floppy drive 98 .

Subsystem 12 also typically comprises a secondary mass storage unit 106 which is similar to unit 0 except that it typically comprises at least one additional disk drive 108 , operated by a separate controller 110 . PSU circuits 100 , 102 and 104 provide power to the various components.

Reference Is now made to Fig. 9, which Is a block 93605/2 diagram illustration of MTU circuitry forming part of, the line subsystem shown in Fig. 6. Reference is also made to Figs. 13 16 which are schematic illustrations of the circuitry of Fig. . The general function of the MTU circuitry is to provide an Interface between the LBX bus 2 and the sub-LBX parallel bus 5¾ enabling a LCU 70 (Fig. 7 ) to access the SPU circuits 58 (Fig. 6 ) . In addition the MTU circuitry generates the necessary timing signals for providing control of the operation of the TIU circuits 60 .

•Address bus signals ABO - AB19, received along the LBX bus, ere processed in the following manner: Signals ABO, AB10 AB19 are fed to a line receiver 200 which shapes the signals and outputs to an address decoder 202 , which generates timing signals BDSEL, DSPCS and I0SEL. Timing signal IOSEL is employed to gate the access of the LCU 70 to the MTU circuitry 50 . Timing signal DSPCS is employed to gate the access of the LCU 70 to the SPU circuits 58 · Timing signal BDSEL is employed to gate timing generation circuitry 20*J and 206 . Address decoder 202 is typically embodied in a PROM having a firmware program.

Address signals ABO - AB16 supplied from LBX bus 32 are supplied to line drivers 208 , 210 and 212 which define a three state buffer 21k, which outputs buffered signals LAO - LA 16 to the sub LBX parallel.bus 5Ί .

Buffered address signals BAD0, BAD10 and BAD11 from line receiver 200 and timing signal IOSEL are supplied to an address decoder 216, which provides chip selection and Initialization logic functions.

Data signals LDG - LD15 from LBX bus 3 are coupled to transceivers 218, 220 and 222, which are collectively indicated on Fig. 9 by reference numeral 217· The transceivers, which operate in both: directions, shape and buffer the signals, and are are also coupled to subLBX data signals DO - DI5. Data transceiver 220 is employed to provide a swapping operation for a double 8 bit transfer by a 16 bit bus. The operations of transceivers 218, 220 and 222 are controlled by timing signals EVENEN/, SWAPEN/ and ODDEN/, generated by timing circuitry 224.

The operation of timing circuitry 224 is described hereinbelow: Timing signals BDSEL, STDSTB , LBHEN and BADO are fed to timing circuitry 224, an address decoder 226 and logic gates 228 and 23Ο.

A real time clock 232 supplies real time information (time and date) to the LCU 70. which accesses clock 232 using timing and' address signals LAI - LA4 , DLWT/ , DLRD/ and data bus signals DO - D3« The clock 232 receives electrical power from a power supply back up circuitry 234.

Status input circuitry 23 provides conversion of analog signals from the subLBX bus to digital signals that can be read by the LCU 70 and includes a line receiver 238.

Wait state generator and delay circuitry 240 includes shift register 204 and 206 flip flops 258, 260, 262, 264 and 266 and a decoder 268. Gating signals ADSTB/ and DSTB are buffered by a line receiver 270 which outputs a buffered signal BDSTB to flip flop 266 and a buffered signal BADSTB/ to flip flop 264 via a gate 272.

A clock signal CLK8HZ together with gating signals BLSEL, DSPCS and IOSEL are supplied to shift registers 204 and 206 which output timing signals DLDSTB . DLWT/ , LACK/. These timing signals are delayed versions of the corresponding inputs to the shift registers 204 and 206 and are used to gate input-ouput operations of the rest of the circuitry.

The MTU circuitry 50 also includes timing circuitry for the the TIU and SPU circuitry 58 and 60 respectively. This timing circuitry comprises an oscillator 280 , which outputs a 16 MHZ clock signal to divider circuitry 282, which includes counters 284, 286, 288, 290, 292 and 294. Outputs of these counters are supplied to timing logic circuitry 296, which comprises a shift register 298 and flip flops 300 and 302 . Outputs from timing logic circuitry 296 and divider circuitry 282 are supplied to line driver circuitry 304 which outputs the following timing signals to the subLBX bus 54: SYNC256, PCNCK, CLK16, Q3SH and SINC64.

Reference is now made to Fig. 10, which is a block diagram illustration of SPU circuitry forming part of the line subsystem shown in Fig. 6 . Reference is also made to Figs. 11 and 12 which are schematic illustrations of the circuitry of Fig. 10. The general functions of the SPU circuitry will now be set forth: A. Conversion of a 64 kbs PCM signal from the TIU circuitry 60 into kbs ADPCM data and vice versa.

B. Detection of ring signals in cooperation with the TIU circuitry 60.

C. Detection of pulse dialing signals and, in cooperation with the TIU, detection of the DTMF dialing signals. 93695/2 D. Detection of signaling tones in cooperation with the TIU circuitry 60.

E. Voice energy calculation for automatic gain control and pause compression.

F. Control of output gain via the TIU circuitry 60.

The SPU circuitry of Fig. 10 comprises interface circuitry indicated generally by reference numerals 350 and 351 in addition to digital signal processing devices 3 2 and 35^. Interface circuitry 3 0 provides switch bank based communication between devices 352 and 3 ** on the one hand and LCU 70 on the other hand via subLBX bus $k .

The circuitry of Fig. 10 may also be adapted to provide fax modem functions.

The operation of the switch bank based communication will now be described: At any given moment, the LCU 70 can access RAM banks A or B, respectively indicated by reference numerals 3 6 and 358 via six of twelve 3~state transceivers 360, 362, 36 and 366 and 3-state buffers 368, 370, 372, 374, 376, 378, 38Ο end 382. 3-state buffers 368, 370, 372 and 374 are used to switch the address signals CAB0 - CAB12 from the subLBX bus 5¾ and control eignals CCS, SWR and CRD from a decoder 384 to the RAM banks A end B, while 3-state buffers 376, 378, 380 and 382 are used to switch the address signals MAB0 - NAB12 from address translation circuitry 3 Ί and control signals NCS, SWR end NRD 93695/2. from parallel read-write logic circuitry 388 to RAM banks A and B.

Three-state transceivers 36Ο. 362, and 366 are used to switch data signals CDBO - CDB7 from subLBX bus 54 and NDBO - NDB7 from devices 352 and 35*4 to the RAM banks A and B.

The switching operation Is controlled by timing signals SW1 and SW2 from decoder 38 . A line receiver 390 shapes control signals Al , DSTB, R/W, A13 - l6, and LES from the subLBX bus 54. Line receiver 3 0 outputs corresponding buffered signals to decoder 384, which in turn, outputs control signals S 1 , SW2 and ESW which are directed to the remainder of the SPU circuitry. Decoder 38^ s typically embodied in a PAL I6L8 chip having firmware* Sync counters 3 and address translation circuitry 394 ere employed to generate address signals NABO - NAB12. Address translation circuitry is typically embodied in a PROM 7*45^ 71 having firmware.

Timing circuitry 3 6, which comprises flip flops 3 8 and 400 and logic gates 402 and 404, together with decoder 386 generate timing signals used to read the serial PCM information into the devices 352 end 354. Decoder 386 is typicelly embodied in e PAL I6L8 chip having firmware* Reference is now made to Fig. 17 which is e block diagram illustration of the TIU circuitry end to Figs. 18 - 21 which together ere a schematic lllustretlon of this circuitry. The general function of the TIU circuitry is to Interface the store and forward system of the present invention to subscriber telephone lines. The TIU circuitry converts the analog signals on the subscriber telephone lines to digital form suitable for further, processing, by the SPU circuits 58. Additionally the TIU circuitry controls the conventional telephone operations such as OFF HOOK/ON HOOK.

A subscriber telephone line is connected to an active hold and feed circuit 450, to ring and current detect circuit 4 2 and to a transformer 454. When the subscriber calls the apparatus 1, ring detect circuit 452 converts the ringing signal into a logic level which is transferred to parallel to serial conversion circuits 456. These circuits transmit the converted signal through PCM highway 6 (Fig. 6) to the SPU circuits for further processing .

When the apparatus 1 answers the subscriber's call, it provides an. OFF HOOK- operation, in the following manner.: A relay 458 is switched on closing a current loop through the subscriber line and active hold circuitry 460. Ring and current detect circuitry 452 detects the current flow through the loop and supplies a digital indication to the parallel to serial converter 456, which, in turn, transmits data through the PCM highway 5 to the SPU circuitry 58.

Any audio signal coming from the telephone subscriber line is fed to transformer 454 which provides DC isolation of 2/4 wire conversion circuitry 462 from the subscriber telephone line, while permitting passage of the audio AC signals therethrough. The 2/4 wire conversion circuitry 462 routes the incoming- audio signal to a programmable gain amplifier 463 which amplifies the signal according to a digital code supplied by control latches 472 . The amplified signal is fed to an analog to digital converter (codec) 464 , which converts the analog signal into a PCM equivalent waveform.

This waveform is transmitted along PCM highway 5 to the SPU circuitry 8 for compression and further processing. The apparatus 1 outputs audio signals to the subscriber line using the following method: PCM coded audio signals are transferred from the SPU circuitry through the PCM highway 56 to codec 464 which converts the signal to an analog waveform. This waveform is routed by the 2 /4 wire conversion circuitry 462 and through the transformer 4 4 to the subscriber line.

The audio from the transformer 4 4 is also fed to the DTMF receiver 468 . This receiver detects DTMF dialing tones and converts them into 4 bit digital data. This data is coupled onto the PCM highway 5 and transmitted to the SPU circuitry 58 for furthe processing .

It is appreciated that the circuitry of Fig. 19 is identical to that of Fig. 18 and provides support for additional telephone subscriber line interfaces.

TIU circuitry 60 is controlled by gating and timing signals generated by timing circuitry 70 . Whenever the SPU requires control of an operation such as OFF HOOK or OUTPUT GAIN SELECT, it issues, via the PCM highway 56 , an appropriate digital code which is then latched onto registers 472 and then fed to the remainder of the circuitry, as shown in Figs 17 and 21.

An oscillator 4θ6 (Fig. 11) generates a I6MHZ signal and, together with counters 408 and flip flops 410 and 412 generates timing signals CLK and CK2 for devices 352 and 35^ and a latch 414 which is used to drive indication LEDs 4l6.

Figures 22-43 are flow chart representations describing the man/machine interface of the emergency mobilization apparatus forming part of the present invention. In view of the fact that they are self-explanatory and in the interest of conciseness, no further explanation thereof is provided herein.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited by what has been particularly shown and described hereinabove. Rather the scope of the present invention is defined only by the claims which follow:

Claims (13)

93695/2 C L A I M S 1. A message management system suitable for use with conventional telephones and conventional telefaxes comprising: means for producing a combined multi-medial message, including a facsimile portion and an aurally sensible portion; single control means for transmitting the combined multi-media message to a selected subscriber; apparatus for reading said facsimile portion; and means for providing an aurally sensible output of said facsimile portion. 2. A message management system according to claim 1 and also comprising means for providing notification to the selected subscriber of the arrival of a multi-media message. 3. A message management system according to claim 1 and wherein said control means includes as a user interface a DTMF keypad. 4. A message management system according to claim 1 and also comprising means for storing facsimile records in digital form without an intermediate conversion to audio. 5. A message management system according to claim 1 and also comprising means for permitting a subscriber receiving said message to reply or annotate said message in a medium other than that in which the message was received. 6. A message management system according to claim 5 and wherein said permitting means includes means for providing voice reply or annotation of a received message. 7. A message management system according to claim 1 , wherein said conventional telephones and conventional telefaxes are located remotely from each other. 8. A message management system according to claim 1, wherein said conventional telephones and conventional telefaxes are located in close proximity to each other. 93695/2 9. A message management system suitable for use with conventional telephones and conventional telefaxes comprising: means for producing a combined multi-medial message, including a facsimile portion and an aurally sensible portion; single control means for transmitting the combined multi-media message to a selected subscriber; apparatus for reading said facsimile portion; and means for providing a visibly sensible output of said facsimile portion on a computer display. 10. A message management system having store and forward capability for messages which may include a voice part and a facsimile part and comprisi g: interconnect subsystem means arranged to interconnect with telephone switching apparatus and image transmission apparatus; a control subsystem for providing control instructions to the interconnect subsystem means, including means for transmitting instructions for transmitting and receiving facsimile transmissions and voice messages and means for transmitting instructions for providing voice messages relating to such facsimile transmissions; and mass storage subsystem means coupled to the control subsystem for storing voice and facsimiles to be forwarded; and wherein said mass storage subsystem means is operative for storing voice messages, facsimile records, and messages combining voice and facsimile records to be forwarded. 11. A message management system according to claim 10 and also comprising means permitting a subscriber receiving said messages to reply or annotate said messages in a medium other than that in which the messages were received. 12. A message management system according to claim 11 and wherein said permitting means includes means for providing voice reply or annotation of received messages. 93695/3 13. A message management system suitable for use with conventional telephones and conventional telefaxes comprising: means for producing a combined multi-medial message, including a facsimile portion and an aurally sensible portion; control means for transmitting the combined multi-media message to a selected subscriber; means for providing a store and forward function including: interconnect subsystem means arranged to interconnect with telephone switching apparatus and facsimile transmission apparatus; a control subsystem for providing control instructions to the interconnect subsystem means, including means for transmitting instructions for transmitting and receiving facsimile transmissions and voice messages and means for transmitting instructions for providing voice messages relating to such facsimile transmissions; and mass storage subsystem means coupled to the control subsystem for storing voice and facsimiles to be forwarded; and whererin said mass storage subsystem means is operative for storing voice messages, facsimile records, and messages combining voice and facsimile records to be forwarded. For the Applicant, San ofd T. Co & Co. C: 08918 1-1304 93695/2 C L A I M S

1. A message management system suitable for use with conventional telephones and conventional telefaxes comprising: means for producing a combined multi-medial message, including a facsimile portion and an aurally sensible portion; single control means for transmitting the combined multi-media message to a selected subscriber; apparatus for reading said facsimile portion; and means for providing an aurally sensible output of said facsimile portion.

2. A message management system according to claim I and also comprising means for providing notification to the selected subscriber of the arrival of a multi-media message.

3. A message management system according to claim 1 and wherein said control means includes as a user interface a DTMF keypad.

4. A message management system according to claim 1 and also comprising means for storing facsimile records in digital form without an intermediate conversion to audio.

5. A message management system according to claim 1 and also comprising means for permitting a subscriber receiving said message to reply or annotate said message in a medium other than that in which the message was received.

6. A message management system according to claim 5 and wherein said permitting means includes means for providing voice reply or annotation of a received message.

7. A message management system according to claim 1 , wherein said conventional telephones and conventional telefaxes are located remotely from each other.

8. A message management system according to claim 1, wherein said conventional telephones and conventional telefaxes are located in close proximity to each other. 93695/2

9. A message management system suitable for use with conventional telephones and conventional telefaxes comprising: means for producing a combined multi-medial message, including a facsimile portion and an aurally sensible portion; single control means for transmitting the combined multi-media message to a selected subscriber; apparatus for reading said facsimile portion; and means for providing a visibly sensible output of said facsimile portion on a computer display.

10. A message management system having store and forward capability for messages which may incl ude a voice part and a facsimile part and comprising: interconnect subsystem means arranged to interconnect with telephone switching apparatus and image transmission apparatus; a control subsystem for providing control instructions to the interconnect subsystem means, including means for transmitting instructions for transmitting and receiving facsimile transmissions and voice messages and means for transmitting instructions for providing voice messages relating to such facsimile transmissions; and mass storage subsystem means coupled to the control subsystem for storing voice and facsimiles to be forwarded; and wherein said mass storage subsystem means is operative for storing voice messages, facsimile records, and messages combining voice and facsimile records to be forwarded.

11. 1 1. A message management system according to claim 10 and also comprising means permitting a subscriber receiving said messages to reply or annotate said messages in a medium other than that in which the messages were received.

12. A message management system according to claim 11 and wherein said permitting means incl udes means for providing voice reply or annotation of received messages. 93695/3

13. A message management system suitable for use with conventional telephones and conventional telefaxes comprising: means for producing a combined multi-medial message, including a facsimile portion and an aurally sensible portion; control means for transmitting the combined multi-media message to a selected subscriber; means for providing a store and forward function including: interconnect subsystem means arranged to interconnect with telephone switching apparatus and facsimile transmission apparatus; a control subsystem for providing control instructions to the interconnect subsystem means, including means for transmitting instructions for transmitting and receiving facsimile transmissions and voice messages and means for transmitting instructions for providing voice messages relating to such facsimile transmissions; and mass storage subsystem means coupled to the control subsystem for storing voice and facsimiles to be forwarded; and whererin said mass storage subsystem means is operative for storing voice messages, facsimile records, and messages combining voice and facsimile records to be forwarded. For the Applicant, C: 08918 1-1304