Methods and systems for instant voice messaging and instant voice message retrieval

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR INSTANT VOICE MESSAGING AND INSTANT VOICE MESSAGE RETRIEVAL

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to telecommunications, in particular wired and wireless telephone and telephone signaling systems, the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) and public switched telephone networks such as the Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN) and Voice Over Internet Protocol (VoIP), and more particularly , which relates to the signaling system No. 7 (SS7). The present invention also relates to cellular telephony technologies first generation ("1G" or analog cellular telephone), second generation ("2G", ie Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) and Time Division (TDMA)). multiple access), 2.5G ("2.5G", or General Packet Radio Services (GPRS)) and third generation (3G) cellular telephones such as the Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS) and 1XRTT(1x) wireless communication technologies; related

The invention also relates to messaging, including immediate messaging and voice messaging. Immediate messaging is a relatively new concept, generally proposed by ICQ. The present invention also relates to Instant Messaging and Presence Service (IMPS) such as IVC (immediate or instant voice communication) and PTT VoIP (PTT over VoIP).

<u>Conventional IVC technology</u>

Several technologies enable instant voice communication. Although telephone voice communications can be easily established over circuit-switched lines such as dial-up connections, they still have delays (connection delays), which do not exist in PTT technologies such as integrated digital enhanced network (iDEN) or terrestial trunked radio (TETRA). does not

First introduced in 1994, iDEN has been used in the field of cellular telephony. Its installed base is very low compared to other cellular technologies. In iDEN, a user can speak to the handset at the push of a button, and a designated group immediately receives what the user has to say. Thus, iDEN is similar to wireless walkie-talkie technology. The target listener can respond immediately, which is also very similar to a walkie-talkie system.

TETRA is an open standard for a single, integrated, two-way wireless network that supports multiple government agencies across countries, often communicating with each other on the same network, and has a small installed base on the consumer side.

Other IVC technologies include "Private Mobile Radio", which is a short-range wireless service with limited capabilities used primarily by workgroups, also called 'Cobra' and 'Talkabout' and "walkie-talkie terminals" such as , which represent a growing market on the consumer side (theme parks, ski resorts, etc.), but with limited transmission range.

PTT technology has a small installed base in the cellular market compared to other common cellular technologies such as GSM, CDMA and TDMA.

Recently, the concept of 'always-on' to data networks has been developed. In this concept, the user always connects to the data network with his cellular handset. This can be seen in GPRS cellular telephones, where an IP network is added to the GSM cellular voice network. This persistent data access is growing a lot of hope for IVC with a large installed base of cellular users.

VoIP can transmit voice over data networks and is therefore expected to be an important technology for the IVC concept over data networks. This implementation of VoIP requires modification of the end user's handset to enable the handset to support encoding and decoding of voice over IP networks. Such modifications may be referred to as 'client software'.

<u>Existing instant messaging solutions</u>

ICQ is a widely used instant messaging technology that began as an Internet-based (and therefore data-based) technology. ICQ technology enables people to communicate by means of text messages delivered instantly over the Internet. Users can attach voice files to ICQ messages, but this technology is not voice-based, it is just an attachment. ICQ is implemented over an advanced cellular network, such as a GPRS network, but uses the data part and does not use the voice part of the cellular network. ICQ technology requires that 'client software' be installed on the end user device. Other ICQ-like technologies exist, for example, as 'AOL messengers'.

Short messaging service (SMS) refers to another instant messaging platform that allows instant text messages of up to 160 characters to be sent over the signaling subnetwork of a telephone (especially cellular) system. EMS (Enhanced SMS) is a technology that enables the transmission of images or pictures by enabling the concatenation of short SMS messages.

Another instant voice messaging method may be viewed as a 'record and send' service based on a multimedia service (MMS). In this service, the user records his message in his MMS supporting handset and sends the message to another MMS 'record and send' supported handset. This message can be stored and played on the target user's handset. This service requires an MMS-enabled network and a dedicated handset, and requires a lot of interoperability effort to run between multiple networks and handsets.

Another instant voice messaging method is voice paging (VP). VP is based on calling a predetermined phone number and entering a subscriber identification number (IDN) followed by a voice message relay. This message is sent to the voice paging device.

With the advent of 2.5G cellular technologies such as GPRS, messages can be transmitted instantly over always-on data networks. SMS messages can be sent similarly.

In a recent effort to standardize instant communication or instant messaging technology, Ericsson, Motorola, April 2001, to define and promote a universal set of specifications for mobile instant messaging and presence service. and 'Wireless village' hosted by Nokia. Wireless Village proposes a standard protocol for instant messaging and presence service (IPMS), which includes presence information management, instant messaging, group management and shared content. Another forum is the Presence and Availability Management forum (PAM). Another PAM forum is an independent, non-profit consortium established to standardize the management and sharing of presence and availability information across multiple services and networks. The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) has a group dealing with the Instant Messaging and Presence Protocol (IMPP). The IMPP group is involved in the protocols and data formats needed to build Internet-scale end-user presence awareness, notification, and instant messaging systems. The most recently established group (31 October 2002) is the Extensible Messaging and Presence Protocol (XMPP) working group within the IETF.

<u>Traditional voicemail technology</u>

Leaving a voice message over a telecommunications network is a common operation supported by voice mail systems. They forward the call to a voice mail answering machine where the caller can leave a voice message. Voice mail systems are built in different capacities and sizes, such as for telecommunication carriers, for medium-sized organizations, or for individual customers (response machines at home) systems. These systems allow the caller to leave a message even if the called party does not answer, the calling number is busy or even waiting for a call. It is also possible to leave a message if the receiving party is a cellular client outside the appropriate wireless coverage area. Another way to leave a voice message is to call the voicemail system directly (without dialing the other party) and dial the other party's phone number. Thus, for example, dialing 151-54-123456 would make it possible to leave a voice and/or fax message on subscriber number 054 123456 without calling the other party.

When a voice (and/or fax) message is left to the far-end customer, that customer receives an SMS indication or a small icon, e.g., displayed on the handset display. <img file="KR20060034635A_D0001.tif" />You can detect this event by receiving a .

Another way to check if new voicemail has arrived at your voicemail box is to simply call your voicemail system and hear how many new messages are waiting. Message retrieval is done by calling the voicemail system and listening to the Interactive Voice Response (IVR) followed by listening to the IVR's next instruction.

Voicemail technology is common. Comverse (29 HaBarzel Street, Ramat Hachayal, Tel Aviv 69710, Israel) is a market leader in developing voicemail technology. The voice mail technology may use the SS7 signaling system interconnect to connect to the telephone system. Other voice mail systems are implemented over data networks. These voice mail systems use VoIP technology to send and receive voice over the data network to which these voice mail systems are connected.

Some voicemail systems (such as Comverse's) allow users who leave messages to mark them as "urgent". In this case, all urgent messages will be played to the opposing user prior to 'regular' messages (messages not marked urgent). The playing order of emergency messages follows the remaining time order.

<u>Existing VoIP embodiment for instant voice communication</u>

In the prior art, several attempts have been made to implement instant voice communication over a data network. These implementation attempts mimic the experience of using 'push to talk' technology. For example, Mobile Tornado (6 Galgaley Haplada Street, POBox 4043, Herzlya 46140, Israel) uses cellular data networks (eg GPRS, 1X RTT, etc.), which are always connected to the end user. have characteristics. Thus, the user is always connected to the network and thus can be used to receive messages within a very short time. Since the network described above is built for data communication, voice can be transmitted over such a network only through VoIP. VoIP requires special network setup, special handsets, and special interoperability issues, so the longer the time to market, the fewer users the system can use, and many interoperability issues arise. Also, VoIP networks have low quality of service (QoS) due to typical characteristics of VoIP systems, such as jitter (variable delay), delay, and bandwidth problems.

<u>Problems with existing solutions</u>

Existing solutions do not provide instant voice messaging with a near real-time experience of voice communication for all phone systems and technologies (both wired and cellular). Most existing solutions require client software on the end-user terminal. Most existing solutions have a limited installed base, such as iDEN technology or TETRA technology.

Existing VoIP solutions for instant voice communication over 2.5G cellular data networks, such as GPRS data networks, have lower sound quality than circuit switched voice networks. This is primarily due to the improved sound quality that circuit switched voice networks can provide. A circuit-switched voice network is a dedicated dial-up connection in which the data network is packet-based. VoIP technology is required when a packet-based network (data network) is used to transmit voice, and the quality of the transmitted voice is lower than that of the voice transmitted over a circuit switched network.

Existing methods for retrieval of voice and/or fax messages only retrieve the desired message after the user calls the system and hears the system's greeting and a new message received before the desired message.

Existing PTT technology does not necessarily provide a "store and forward engine. That is, similar to the situation in two-way radio communication, unheard messages are actually discarded. Without a store and forward engine, PTT becomes intrusive, i.e. when playing an incoming voice message it may suddenly start making intrusive noise iDEN does not allow the storage of e.g. outgoing messages So if the target user does not listen, the message will be lost Further, no indication will be provided to the target user that the message will be delivered to the target user, nor will any indication of receipt or non-reception be provided to the sending user.

A major problem with the existing message retrieval method is that the target user cannot reach and search for a specific message without hearing all previous messages. Also, even if the target user is notified of a voice (and/or fax) message that is expected to be very important or urgent, the target user will still have to call his or her voice mail system to hear all previous messages. Another problem with existing voice mail retrieval methods is the need to listen to greetings and operation instructions of the IVR. One recently introduced method for enabling instant voicemail search is provided by Comverse, also known as 'visual voice-mail'. This method requires dedicated 'client software' or an additional communication link (eg, an IP-based session) with a dedicated handset and voice mail system. In fact, according to this method, the end user can discover which messages have been left with him and then have a browsing session including voicemail where he can select which messages to play. Messages will be played as requested. This method requires an IP-based session with a special end-user device and a voice mail server.

US Patent Application No. 20020146097 discloses a method, apparatus and system for a short voice message (SVM) sent as an SMS message, an SMS-like message, or an instant message. The operating method proposed by this patent application is a method of using the MMS protocol for a new user's terminal and network, utilizing the existing SMS point-to-point service by connecting packet data units (PDUs) that are bundled together to form a single voice message. method, a method of applying a voice-to-text converter to recorded messages and a text-to-speech converter when the message is played, or a method of transmitting a voice message over a data network.

Canadian Patent No. 2355420 discloses an apparatus and method for transmitting information over an electronic network in the form of a user-to-user voice messaging service between mobile phone subscribers. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, the system is provided as a voice SMS platform comprising a voice SMS server and an application user interface layer connected to a graphical user interface (GUI). The present invention can be applied based on technologies such as Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) or a browser-based interface based on HTML or C-HTML, SIM Application ToolKit (SAT), and Interactive Voice Response (IVR).

US Patent Application No. 20020146097 and Canadian Patent No. 2355420 do not disclose solutions that may be implemented with existing standard networks and end-user equipment, allowing full end-user flexibility and real-time availability.

Accordingly, there is a need for a method and system for instant voice messaging and voice message retrieval that is not present in the prior art, and it would be very beneficial to have such a method and system.

The present invention relates to a novel instant (on-the-fly) voice messaging (IVM) method and system. Some of the IVM methods disclosed herein provide acknowledgment of receipt or non-reception of a message. The IVM method disclosed herein differs from prior art voice communication methods (such as PPT method) in that it can be easily performed over all cellular and wireline telephone networks and all existing end-user telephone devices.

According to the present invention, there is provided a system for instant voice messaging within a communication network, wherein the system substantially simultaneously receives at least one voice message fragment from an initiating user and sends the at least one voice fragment to at least one an IVM server (described below) operative to stream to a target user, coupled to the IVM server, and operative to effect communication between an initiating user and each target user and the IVM server, and between the initiating user and at least one target user each voice message generated from the initiating user may be immediately transmitted to the at least one target user via the communication network.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method of relaying an instant voice message from an initiating user to at least one target user via a communication network, the method comprising the steps of: receiving at an IVM server at least one voice message fragment from an initiating user; and streaming said at least one speech fragment to at least one target user essentially concurrent with the receiving step.

According to the present invention, there is provided a method for instant retrieval of a voice message sent from an initiating user to a target user via an Instant Voice Messaging (IVM) server, the method comprising: by the target user a specific instant voice from an IVM server receiving a smart notification that a message has been sent to the target user; direct access, by the target user, to the specific message.

According to the present invention, there is provided an instant voice messaging (IVM) server, wherein the server receives at least one voice message fragment from a first user, and essentially simultaneously sends the at least one voice message fragment to the at least one first user. a mechanism for streaming to two users; and a communication mechanism for an IVM server to communicate with the first user and at least one second user.

The present invention discloses a system and method for transmitting instant voice, fax and multimedia messages over existing standard cellular and PSTN networks and standard end-user terminal technologies. Messages are preferably sent to the end user using a "push" operating method and streaming technology that allows the user to start listening to the message while the message is being recorded, and retrieve the recorded message using a single function (a button on the handset). is sent to The user can also easily switch to a conventional phone conversation of two-way communication.

The present invention also provides enhancements to VPs by enabling voice paging (VP) integration with the instant voice messaging services disclosed herein. This may allow IVM services to be extended to voice paging devices. The phone user shall store a phone number including (a) an instant messaging server number, (b) a voice paging server number, and (c) a target user paging identification number. When this phone number is dialed, the IVM server will contact the voice paging server and generate an intuitive and simple instant voice paging service with the possibility of initiating the service from a regular telephone device.

The present invention makes it possible to send a PTT message to a phone user who does not have a PTT phone or to a phone user who is not a subscriber to a PTT service. This can be done by sending a PTT message to an IVM server, which converts the message into an IVM message and sends it to the phone user. In addition, the present invention enables each phone user to convert an IVM message into a PTT format and transmit it to an IVM server that transmits it to the PTT system. The PTT system then forwards this PTT message to any PTT user designated by the phone user.

The present invention discloses a special numbering feature (method) that enables instant access to an IVM server, making it possible to implement this service over an existing telephone network, in particular a network using the SS7 signaling system. This feature makes it possible to create an instant voice message and at the same time initiate a voice session with the target user(s). For example, dialing "152", then dialing the target user's phone number, for example 152-054-123456, will start an instant session with the IVM server, followed by IVM with the 054 123456 phone user at the same time. The session will start. In this example, "152" is a special "IVM prefix" that informs the switch that the session is an IVM session and is therefore sent to the IVM server.

The voice session with the target user(s) preferably includes a special notification to the target user(s) letting the target user(s) know that the session includes instant voice messaging communications. The IVM server allows the initiating user to create their own message while the target user(s) can already start listening to the message. The initiating user may be notified of whether his or her message is being listened to during message creation by inserting a special notification (eg, a "dialing tone") into the initiating user's voice session with the IVM server. Alternatively, the initiating user may be notified that his or her message has been slightly heard after the initiating user has completed a voice session with the IVM server. This notification may be done by SMS or by a message that may be generated by the IVM server and sent to the initiating user. Both the initiating user and the target user may be connected to the IVM server, but generally do not have a two-way communication channel of the phone between them, although such a channel can be easily established. Accordingly, the IVM service is a content-based call-teaser or content-based call-screening service, that is, a phone call can be established according to the content of a predetermined message (call -teasing)) or cannot be opened (call-screening). Nevertheless, the IVM service allows the initiating user to select in advance (by using a different dial number) whether he or she will send an instant voice message or have a conversation with the target user. The innovative numbering method disclosed herein allows the user (both the initiating user and the target user) to choose whether to use the messaging mode or the conversation mode directly from the initiation of the session, since different numbers exist for chat sessions and messaging sessions. This instant voice message may be limited to a certain period of time (eg, up to 2 minutes, etc.).

The methods and systems disclosed herein provide for add-hoc, one-to-many conference call establishment. This process may start with an instant voice message from a one-to-many user, for example, "please join me in a conference," or it may continue as a conference call. Sending a short message to multiple users saying "please join me to a conference call" can force target users to press a key on their phone and join a regular conversation with the initiating user.

The present invention also discloses a method and system for instant retrieval of regular voice and/or fax and/or instant voice messages. The system provides direct access to specific voice and/or fax and/or multimedia and/or integrated messages without the need to listen to previous messages and/or system greetings and/or system operation instructions. After the user has been notified that a message has been left for him, for example by SMS notification saying "I have a new voice (and/or fax) message from phone number +972 3 123456", the user can The received information (in this case, number +972 3 123456) can be used to call the voice mail system described herein. For the search to be "instant", the notification needs to be "smart", for example SMS with a "smart" caller ID such as 153 972 3 123456 1997. In this example, "153" is a prefix, which when dialed tells the switch that it is an instant search for an instant voice message. Thus, the switch sends this call to the IVM server, which has one difference from the "152" prefix in the server's accessing above. "152" is the message<u>produce</u> reflects the session, but "153" is the message <u>search</u> reflect the session. The IVM server will treat calls with the 153 prefix as lookup calls. "1997" is an example of a suffix that can specify a particular message to be retrieved immediately. The combination of the initiating user number and the suffix can make the suffix shorter, since in that case the suffix must specify only messages left by a particular initiating user and not all messages left in the system.

Exemplary text (content) of SMS is as follows. There is one instant voice message from "972 3 123456". Dial the number of the sender of this message to retrieve it immediately." The user can then use the number in the SMS by simply pressing the CALL or SEND button on their handset.

Methods and systems for instant retrieval of regular voice, fax and instant voice messages allow direct and immediate access to unheard (unheard) instant voice messages that have become voice mail messages. This is done as follows. That is, when an IVM message is sent from an IVM server to another storage device, for example voicemail, the IVM server can communicate with the other storage device (voicemail in this case) server and immediately respond to the message within the new storage device. Get a special pointer to access. The receiving (target) user does not need to know whether the message has been sent to another storage device. Users simply use the numbering method for immediate access to messages stored within the IVM server. If the message is delivered, the IVM server can still access it and play it on the fly. Alternatively, any message stored in a conventional storage system, such as voicemail, can acquire an instant access pointer, and the smart notification described above is sent to the receiving user so that the user can immediately retrieve the message without using the IVM server. make it possible

The present invention is suitable for implementing cellular technology and wireline technology. Unlike the conventional method, the present invention preferably uses a circuit-switched network for the instant voice messaging service, thus providing high-quality transmitted voice.

The following will be described in detail with reference to preferred embodiments of the present invention shown in the accompanying drawings. The drawings are illustrative only and not restrictive. Although the present invention has been generally described in the context of these preferred embodiments, it is not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the invention to the specific embodiments. The advantages of a preferred embodiment of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

1a is a schematic block diagram of a basic preferred embodiment of an instant voice messaging (IVM) system according to the present invention;

1B illustrates an exemplary individual IVM number;

1C is a diagram illustrating IVM numbers of a plurality of target users;

Fig. 2a is an exemplary flow chart showing the main steps in a preferred embodiment of a method for an IVM according to the present invention for performing an IVM "push" function;

Fig. 2B shows details of the steps of the flowchart of Fig. 2A;

Fig. 2c shows another additional step of processing the IVM transmitted in Fig. 2;

Fig. 2d is an exemplary flow chart showing the main steps of a preferred embodiment of a method for instant voice messaging in accordance with the present invention for performing an IVM instant search function;

Fig. 2e shows details of the steps of the flow chart of Fig. 2d;

3 is a view showing another embodiment of the IVM system according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating a notification procedure from an IVM server to an initiating user when a message is sent to a target user.

5 is an exemplary flow chart illustrating a notification procedure from an IVM server to an initiating user when a message is sent to a plurality of target users.

FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the IVM system of the present invention including a plurality of optical components in addition to the components shown in FIGS. 1 and 3;

Fig. 7 is a diagram showing another embodiment of the IVM system of the present invention, in which an IVM server is connected to an IP (data) area by VoIP technology;

Fig. 8 shows another embodiment of the IVM system of the present invention, wherein the IVM server is connected to a legacy PTT system and/or a VoIP-based PTT system;

The present invention relates to a method and system for instant voice messaging and voice message retrieval.

1A is a schematic block diagram of a basic preferred embodiment of an instant voice messaging system 100 according to the present invention. The system comprises an initiating end user device ("initiating user") 102 connected to an instant voice messaging (IVM) server 106 installed on a telephone (cellular or wireline) or VoIP network 108 via a telephone or VoIP switch 104 . ) is included. The initiating user may be connected to one or more target end-user devices ("target users") 110 via switch 104 . The following continues with the discussion of one target user, and the invention applies equally to a plurality of such users. The initiating and target end user devices may be cellular handsets (analog and/or digital 2G, 2.5G or 3G), landline telephone sets or VoIP sets, and may have optional memory capable of storing numbers. Hereinafter, all such devices are simply referred to as "handsets". Each user is assigned an instant voice messaging number, which is described in more detail below. This is the first important feature of the present invention. Dialing the target user's IVM number immediately establishes (initiates) a session with the IVM server 106, which allows the initiating user to create instant voice messages. At the same time, server 106 initiates sessions with one or more target users. Then, in contrast to all existing voice messaging techniques, the portion (fragment) of the message previously generated by the initiating user is sent (streamed) by the IVM server to the target user, and the initiating user continues to create other fragments. do.

The first primary enable feature that facilitates the simultaneous creation of IVMs by the initiating user and the initiation of a session between the IVM server and the target user is the unique and unique IVM numbering system discussed below. The second main feature that enables simultaneous message fragment storage and streaming to a target user is the "store and stream fragments" module 120, which is preferably included in the IVM server 106. The module 120 is operative to recognize the format of the received message and initiate storage of the message in a predetermined format, for example MP3. This module also operates to store messages in fragments of a given size and stream (transmit) these fragments to the target user, even before the entire message is received by the IVM server.

The system 100 may include an optional "instant search" module 122 preferably (but not necessarily) included in the server 106 . In this case, module 122 provides a "smart" indication (eg, a "smart" caller ID or SMS) to the target user. This indication may be used by the target user if the "push" operation fails or the user accesses what has already been heard and stored. This indication provides the target user with immediate access to the stored message. In the present invention, "smart" refers to a numbering system that allows immediate retrieval of specific messages. The system 100 may optionally further include a presence status module 326, preferably included in the IVM server, as described in detail below, operable to provide status of the target user.

Module 122 creates a method for displaying stored messages by pointing to these messages so that they are retrieved immediately. Also, this module creates smart indications. The IVM server does not necessarily store IVM messages. For example, if the target user heard the message during message preparation and did not require it to be stored or transmitted, the message may simply be discarded. In this case, the IVM server only performs a buffering operation instead of a storage operation. In addition, the operator can specify that IVM messages are not stored, only buffered, and only heard when heard during message preparation.

1B illustrates an example individual IVM number (for a session between an initiating user and a single target user). 1C illustrates an exemplary multiple target user IVM number (for a session between an initiating user and multiple target users). When the initiating user dials the number, the switch recognizes it as a call to send to the IVM server. Also, the IVM server recognizes this as an instant voice message to be "pushed" (to be sent immediately) even before the message is complete, ie before it is fully recorded on the server to the target user with the phone number included in the IVM number. An individual IVM number may contain two or three parts. The two-part IVM number may include an IVM prefix 152 and a target user number 154, such as 152 054 123456, where "152" is the prefix and 054-123456 is the target user number. As is usually the case with telephone networks, zeros at the beginning of a number are omitted when a prefix is added. Thus, the target user number 154 would be 54123456. In general, if the prefix or suffix identifies the session as an IVM session, including the three parts shown in FIG. It may satisfy to identify. That is, the phone or VoIP switch can use the prefix or suffix as an indication for sending this message to the IVM server. Part 154 allows the IVM server to immediately request a phone or VoIP switch to connect to the target number. The target user's IVM number can be accessed immediately, and a session can be started immediately. "152", "154", "156" may also be numbers representing an IP address and have the format of an IP address (eg, "152" is 172.24.204.205).

Table 1 shows an example entry into the phone memory. The stored number is an IVM number with a prefix 152 .

Table 1.

<table><tgroup xmlns="http://www.oasis-open.org/tables/exchange/1.0" cols="1"><colspec colnum="1" align="left" colname="col1" colwidth="8638" /><tbody><row><entry align="left" colname="col1"> Instant Voice Messages - Mom ..............152 054 123456 Instant Voice Messages - Dad...152 054 654321 IMVM Sharon ............... ................152 053 334455 IMVM Dana .............................152 053 576632 </entry></row></tbody></tgroup></table>

If there are multiple (or group) target users, the multiple target user IVM number also preferably has three parts, as shown in FIG. 1C . That is, the plurality of target user IVM numbers include an IVM session identifier, a plurality of target user identifiers, a phone number, or an IP address (eg, an Internet-based system) of each target user. The first portion 160 notifies the phone or VoIP switch that the session initiated is an IVM session. The second portion 162 notifies the IVM server that this is a request for an IVM session between the initiating user and a plurality of target users. The third part 164 contains all the phone numbers of the group of target users. All phone numbers of all target users may be directly input in turn or may be input separately by an agreement signature.

As shown in FIG. 1C , an exemplary plurality of target user IVM numbers may be 152 * 054 123456 # 054 765432 # 053 234876 , where "152" 160 represents "initiating IVM session". "*" 162 indicates a session with multiple end users, and "#" is between the phone numbers of several group members (here three numbers 054 123456, 054 665432 and 053 234876 forming part 164). indicate division. The total plurality of target user IVM numbers may be stored on the initiating user device under a predefined name, such as "IVM to my classmate." In addition, a user group can be defined by dialing 152 to the IVM server and then keying in a predetermined code such as 777, for example. They get an interactive voice response (IVR) that guides them to enter the group member's number. Such a group then obtains a group identification number, such as "54321", after which the IVM message can be left in the entire group by simply dialing, for example, 152 54321. In addition, it is always possible to define user groups by accessing the IVM server via the Internet (WEB interface).

When an IVM server is involved, the IVM server becomes the conduit for all communication between the initiating user and the target end-user(s) during the IVM session. However, any user (target or initiator) may request the IVM server to change the mode of communication from the IVM session to a two-way phone call (for two participants) or a conference call (for two or more participants). In such a case, the initiating user can press some agreed-upon key (eg, press ##), and the IVM server signals the phone or VoIP switch to initiate a two-way or conference call.

The IVM server may have logged messages that can be played to all users connected to it, at various times while the users are connected. Such messages may instruct the initiating and target users for various functions, such as establishing a regular voice phone conversation by entering any key.

The IVM server may include a function to limit the length of instant voice messages. To eliminate overloading the telephone network by instant voice messages that are too long, the IVM server may stop creating the IVM after a time limit (eg, 2 minutes). The initiating user may then be notified to create a message that is longer than a predetermined time limit.

Figure 2a is an exemplary flow chart illustrating the two main steps of a preferred embodiment of an instant voice messaging method according to the present invention for performing an IVM "push" function. These include receiving at the IVM server at least one voice message fragment from the initiating user at 200 and streaming at least one voice fragment to the at least one target user at approximately the same time as the receiving at 202. . These steps are described in more detail in FIG. 2B .

2B , step 200 further includes the following steps. That is, a typical IVM "push" procedure begins at step 210 with the initiating user providing the target user's IVM number to the IVM server via the switch (ie, establishing a signaling session). In step 212, the IVM server is accessed (ie, a voice session is established) with the initiating user using this number. After being accessed, the IVM server preferably sends a notification signal to the initiating user, for example a dial tone, to notify the initiating user that it can start logging messages. At step 214, both processes occur concurrently: the IVM server (using the fragment storage and streaming module 120) begins recording messages provided by the initiating user and accesses the target user at approximately the same time. The IVM server records and stores message fragments until the entire message is sent by the initiating user.

2B , step 202 further includes the following steps. That is, the target user may or may not respond to the IVM server after being accessed by the IVM server. If the target user responds, the IVM server streams the already stored fragments until the entire message is sent in step 216 . The target user may move to a full-duplex session with the initiating user at any streaming stage (step 218). Also, if the target user responds to the incoming IVM message, the initiating user can at any time change the IVM session to a two-way phone conversation by pressing a key on his or her handset. Either user can notify the server that he wants to have a two-way communication session with the other party. This may be notified by, for example, a Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) signal generated by pressing any key on the handset. Other notifications are also possible, such as arbitrary commands based on data codes that may be generated within the end user handset, for example in an IP phone. Upon receiving the notification, the IVM server connects the relevant users to the two-way communication session through the server, or instructs the telephone (or VoIP) switch to connect these users to the two-way communication session directly through the switch.

Alternatively, the target user may further process the message, for example by storing, responding to, or sending the message, which is described in more detail with respect to steps 248-258 of FIG. 2C. If the target user does not respond to the server (step 215), the server may further process the message according to a predetermined rule. This processing may include, for example, storing in an IVM server, sending it to a voice mail system, or attempting to resend the IVM message. For example, if a message is still stored in the IVM server, the message is played immediately. If the message is not stored, the IVM server connects to the voicemail system and performs a smart search (where the message is immediately played), or does not do any "smart" and just connects the search user to the voicemail system. (Here is a regular message search). In contrast, users can generally access their voicemail and attempt to retrieve any existing messages. If the spoken message is in the voice mail system, the user will simply listen to it.

2C is a more detailed flowchart of an exemplary IVM process in accordance with the present invention. After the process has started, in step 232 the initiating user selects (or enters) a number, and preferably presses a "send" function on his handset. In step 234 a connection between the initiating user and the IVM server is immediately established. At step 236, the IVM server provides an indication of approval (eg, a "go-ahead" notification) to the initiating user. The two steps (same as 212/222) then follow essentially simultaneously. That is, in step 238 the initiating user starts to record his/her own message in the IVM server, and in step 240 the IVM server calls the target user. In step 242, it is checked whether the target user who answered the incoming call is running. If executed ("yes"), in step 244 the IVM server begins playing the already recorded part (fragment) of the message to the target user. Then, in step 246, the target user can select one of the following six optional actions, preferably by pressing the DTMF key on his/her handset. That is, either store the message at step 248, respond with an instant voice message at step 250, respond at step 256 to all users, i.e. the initiating user and all target users if there is one or more target users, or at step 252 Either send the message to the other user as an IVM, establish a two-way communication phone conversation with the initiating user in an immediate manner at step 254, or delete the message at step 258. Alternatively, the target user may immediately end the session.

If the target user does not answer the call (NO in step 242), the recorded message in step 260 is played when accessed by the target user, or if not accessed for a predetermined period of time, the recorded message is returned in step 262 may be sent to voicemail, and the process is terminated.

Figure 2d is a flow chart illustrating the two main steps of a preferred embodiment of an instant voice messaging method according to the present invention for performing an IVM instant search function. These include receiving by the target user a notification from the IVM server that an instant message (voice, fax, etc.) has been sent to the user in step 264, and directly accessing the specific instant message in step 266. These steps are described in more detail in FIG. 2E .

Before step 264, the IVM server sends a "smart" notification to the target user, which may be, for example, an instant voice message from "ABC#XYZ*W054 123456". Here, "ABC" refers to the access code for the IVM Instant Retrieval module located within the IVM server (ie, module 122) or within any other system capable of storing messages. "#XYZ" indicates the unique identification code for the specified message, and "*W" indicates the message type (voice mail, MMS message, integrated message, or IVM). For example, W=1 means a voice mail message, W=2 means an MMS message, W=3 means an integrated message, and W=4 means an instant voice message. If the target user does not see the call ID and misses (unanswered) incoming IVM messages, the target user seeing the 'missed instant voice message' notification may read the missed (unanswered) instant voice message containing the prefix ( Step 276), one may manually dial the prefix of a particular message to retrieve it immediately (step 278). In step 278, the target user may immediately press the "DIAL" or 'CALL' button on the handset, seeing any 'missed' message notification, in which case the handset automatically dials the prefix.

Alternatively, the notification may be an SMS message, as detailed below. In step 270, the target user checks whether the notification is a caller ID or an SMS message. If it is an SMS message (step 272), the target user reads the message in step 280, accesses the SMS sender's number in step 282 as indicated, and is quickly connected to the IVM server in message retrieval mode in step 284. If it is a caller ID notification (step 274), the caller ID is displayed on the target user's handset display at step 276, the target user accesses the displayed number at step 278, and then connects to the IVM server at step 284 . A check 285 is performed by the IVM server to see if the message is still stored in the IVM. The message may be stored in storage module 623 for later immediate retrieval (see FIG. 6 ). If yes, the target user directly accesses and retrieves the message in step 287 as indicated. If no, the IVM server checks whether the message has been sent to another storage server (not shown in step 289). For example, a voice mail server (not shown) is coupled to server 106 . Alternatively, multimedia messages may be maintained in an MMS server (not shown), and unified messages may be maintained in a unified messaging system (UMS) (not shown). Servers of these types and their connections to telephone or VoIP systems or networks are known in the art. If yes, the IVM server further checks whether there is a smart connection with the storage server in step 292 . If such a connection exists (if yes), then in step 296 the IVM server provides the stored message ID number to the storage server, giving the storage server immediate access to the message and playing the message to the target user. If no, in step 294 the target user is connected to the storage server by the IVM server and is guided by the storage server's menu on what to do. If the message has not been sent to another storage server in step 289, the retrieval process is terminated. Step 289 represents a "deferred" instant message retrieval.

"Instant retrieval" refers to direct access to specific voice and/or fax and/or multimedia and/or integrated messages without the need to listen to previous messages and/or greetings of the system and/or operating instructions of the system. This functionality is enabled by the instant search module 122 .

Alternatively, after step 276, if the message is stored in the IVM server, the message is played immediately. If the message is not stored, either the IVM server contacts the voicemail system and performs a smart search (in this case the message is played immediately), or the IVM server does not do anything "smart" and either directly sends the search user to the voicemail Connect to the system (in this case, regular message retrieval exists). Alternatively, users can always access their voicemail and attempt to retrieve existing messages. This may be done without intervention of the IVM server, as described above. If the spoken message is in the voice mail system, the user will simply listen to it.

The basic system shown in FIG. 1A can be extended by adding optional elements to perform additional functions. These will be described later.

3 shows another embodiment of the instant voice messaging system of the present invention. The figure shows system 300 including all components of system 100 of FIG. 1A and all components of optional presence server 302 . The presence server allows the user to specify whether or not messages can be received. Presence servers are known in the art. Existing presence engines include those provided by ICQ, Odigo, Comverse ('Next 2 Me') and AOL (AOL 'Messenger'). When the GMS cellular system is included in the IVM, the presence server may be connected to a Home Location Register (HLR) 306 . The presence server 302 is coupled to the IVM server 106 and allows each user to define their own presence parameters. This can be done, for example, by using another "smart" numbering method, for example by dialing "152#0", where the user defines himself as "offline", and "152 #1", where the user defines himself as online. This can be done by dialing HLR stores information about cellular users. A simple presence criterion may be the fact that the target user's handset is switched on or off, for example. An ON or OFF handset switching operation is registered by the HLR. The presence server obtains this information from the HLR and asks if it uses it as a simple presence (availability) standard.

As far as the user's likelihood or willingness to receive instant voice messages is concerned, the presence parameter is a state selected by the user. Such a status could be, for example, 'online', meaning that the user can use and receive IVM, or 'send me a message', meaning that the user is actually requesting to receive an instant voice message. )' and 'offline' to indicate that the user is not available for instant voice messages. The presence state can be defined by dialing a dedicated number that can be maintained in the target user's device memory, so that it can be dialed quickly and easily. This dedicated presence state number preferably includes two minutes, the first part being the IVM prefix described above. The second part is the code that the IVM server interprets as a presence state. Thus, when the IVM server receives the presence status command, it initiates communication with the presence server 302 and updates a database (not shown) located within the presence server.

In a typical case, the initiating user wants to update his presence status to 'offline'. The user dials, for example, 152#* 111 054 987654. The IVM prefix "152" tells the phone switch that this is an IVM session, so this session is connected to the IVM server. "#*" tells the IVM server that this is a presence status update command. Accordingly, the IVM server initiates a communication session with the presence server 302 . "111" indicates to the presence server that the user wants to be 'offline'. The user is identified by his or her caller ID or the number after his presence state, in this case 054 87654. Accordingly, the presence server updates the presence status of the user whose phone number is 054 87654 in its database as 'offline'. When the numbering method is adopted as setting the presence characteristic, or when the presence status is obtained from the HLR, the presence server may be a module in the IVM server. Before establishing an instant voice messaging session by one or more target users, the IVM server may check the presence status of each target user, allowing one user to belong to a single user or group. If the presence state is 'offline', the IVM session is not established and the voice message will be stored in the IVM server until the target end-user becomes available for the IVM session. If the target user is not available to receive an IVM session, a notification is sent to the initiating user during creation of the IVM. This notification is preferably inserted as a special dial tone to be sent by the IVM server to the initiating user.

4 is an exemplary flow diagram of an IVM server-initiated user notification procedure. This notification is provided by the IVM server to the initiating user that initiates and sends an IVM message to a single target user. Immediately after establishment of a voice session between the initiating user and the IVM server, in step 402 the IVM server provides a 'Go Ahead' signal (such as a dial tone) to the initiating user 102 . At step 404, the initiating user begins recording his or her message. Essentially at the same time in step 405 , the IVM server checks the presence status of the target user by communicating with the presence server (see 302 in FIG. 3 ). In the case of a target user 'offline' that is unable to receive the IVM message, in step 420 the IVM server notifies the initiating user by using a voice signal (eg, by a series of fast repeating tones). IVM server-initiated user notifications may be sent by short text messages (SMS) or by establishment of an IVM session between the IVM server and the initiating user. Initiation of this session may be done by the server, which will have a pre-recorded voice notification. In the case of an SMS notification, the IVM server will initiate communication with the SMSC 605 . The notification text message is stored in the IVM server and sent to the user via SMSC as a text SMS message. In the telephone network, the SMSC is connected to a telephone switch as shown in FIG.

If the target user is 'online' and is able to receive the IVM message, in step 406 the IVM server calls the target user. In this step, the target user responds to the incoming message call at step 410 and rejects the incoming message call at step 412 or does nothing and causes the phone to ring (in this case no notification IVM). will not be sent to the initiating user by the server).

The IVM server may require the switch to notify that the target user has responded to the session. In this case, in step 414 the IVM server will notify the initiating user that the target user has responded to the session or has received a message (eg inserts a special dial tone into the voice session with the initiating user). The IVM server may receive a session duration (CDR-Call Duration Registry) with the target user from the switch. If this duration is similar to the duration of the original message left by the initiating user, the IVM server can establish that the session was not only answered but also heard the message. If, in step 412, the target user has rejected the incoming IVM message (eg by pressing 'exit' on its handset), then the IVM server in step 416 informs the initiating user by a voice signal (eg, a dial tone) can notify. The target user may define an 'invisible status' in which the initiating user cannot receive a notification from the IVM server on reception or rejection of a message sent by the initiating user to the target user. This can be done by dialing a dedicated number in a manner similar to how presence status is defined.

5 is an exemplary flow diagram of an IVM server-initiated user notification when a message is sent to a plurality of target users. In step 502, a message is sent to a plurality of target users as described above. Accept the message because each target user may hear an incoming message at a different time (eg, some users respond after one ring originates, others respond after three rings originate, etc.) A different way of notifying the initiating user about real-time status, such as accept (listen) or reject, is needed. In step 504,<u>every</u> A notification may be sent to the initiating user after the target user has heard the IVM message or after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. In the latter case, the IVM may identify the target user who heard the message and the user who did not hear it from the initiating user. This notification is sent in step 506 using one of the procedures described above.

6 illustrates another embodiment of an IVM system 600 of the present invention including a number of optional components other than those shown in FIGS. 1A and 3 . Optional components may be added to the basic system configuration of FIG. 1A individually or in various combinations. For example, system 600 may receive paging messages (voice or text) from paging system 602, voice and/or text paging system 602 in communication with an IVM server, and in some cases voice or text via the paging system. It may also include a text pager 604 and an optional short message service center (SMSC) 605 that can respond to the initiating user with a text message. SMSC 605 is coupled to IVM server 106 and further coupled to a phone or VoIP switch 104 in a VoIP network, such as phone or network 108 . The system 600 includes a speech recognition module 606 , a voice paging module 608 , a text-to-speech module 610 , an SMSC module 612 and an IVM generation module 614 used to convert a voice message into a text message. It may include more. These modules are preferably included in the IVM server. Network 108 may be coupled to other telephone or VoIP networks 630 .

The initiating user dials the instant messaging access number (eg, 152) followed by a number unique to the voice paging message (eg, 99999) followed by the target paging user number (identification code, eg, 3963). can do. If the paging system is a voice paging system, the IVM server converts this message into a voice-paging message (with a voice paging format) in the voice paging module 608, and then sends the message as a voice paging message to the target paging user. To do so, the target paging user's number is sent to the voice paging system 602 .

To send a text message, an IVM access code (eg 152), a number unique to the text paging message (eg 88888), followed by a target paging user number (eg an identification code, eg For example, 4175) is preferably dialed. The voice recognition module 606 is used to convert a voice message into a text message. If the text paging system has a reply function (text reply), the replied text message from the text pager 604 is sent via the text paging system 602 to the IVM server. This text message is text-to-speech converted in the server by module 610 and converted to IVM format by module 614 . The message is then sent to the initiating user as an IVM message. When a text SMS message is sent to an initiating or target user, the text-to-speech module 610 is also required if the SMSC number of the message belongs to the SMSC module 612 . By specifying the SMSC number belonging to the IVM server (via module 612 ), text SMS messages are received in SMSC module 612 , communicated to voice in text-to-speech module 610 , and module 614 . is converted to IVM format by , and sent as an IVM message to each user by the IVM server. Another case where a text-to-speech module is needed is when the text message is an IP-based text message (eg ICQ message or e-mail message) or another type of text message. In such a case, the ICQ or e-mail message will be sent to the target user via the IVM server using the numbering method disclosed herein. For example, the IVM server may have an e-mail domain such as "IVM.com" for example, and each user may have an e-mail address such as "123456@IVM.com". When a user receives an e-mail, the IVM server converts it into an IVM message using a text-to-speech module. In the case of ICQ, the IVM server can be identified as a user with many ICQ numbers. Each ICQ number belongs to a different target user and is stored in a database within the IVM server. When an ICQ user sends an ICQ message to a target user, the ICQ message will arrive at an IVM server that is virtually registered as an ICQ user. The IVM server then converts the ICQ text message into a voice message in the text-to-speech module, and sends it to the target user as an IVM message indicating the ICQ number in the database of the IVM server.

The IVM module 614 is used when the IVM server needs to transmit an IVM message that needs to be provided in the IVM server, for example, a notification message. This module may provide IVM format for text messages or voice paging messages converted to IVM messages.

In another possible scenario, a phone user may optionally wish to send a message that was originally a voice message (IVM) to an ICQ user. The ICQ user may be an IP device 704 (see FIG. 7 ) running instant text messaging software such as ICQ. In fact, each ICQ user can receive a unique phone number in this scenario (receiving instant voice messages). The phone number belongs to the IVM server that receives the IVM message and may also have a list of assigning such phone numbers to ICQ numbers. The IVM server converts the voice message to text in module 606 and sends the text message to IP user 704 (see lower part of FIG. 7 ) via IP domain 702 (see lower part of FIG. 7 ). will be.

If one or more target users receive an instant voice message and are unable to respond by speaking out loud (eg, in a meeting, etc.), the IVM sends a message such as "Instant voice message from..." may be displayed on each handset. The target user(s) may then respond by SMS. A response by an SMS message may be done using the sender's number provided in the "Caller ID".

The IVM server may also optionally include a "matching module" 650, which is a standard by which a user arrives at the module via Internet or phone calls and Interactive Voice Response (IVR) and the IVM server returns IVM messages. establish a set In such a case, the IVM server may send the IVM to multiple users at once, and these users will be able to immediately establish a two-way voice conversation between them.

The IVM server may optionally further include a "smart charging" module 660, which allows the phone system to connect to the IVM service, for example, if the target user chooses to establish a two-way phone call after receiving the IVM message. It makes it possible to provide 'smart' charging. The smart charging module will notify the charging method of the phone system at this stage, where the billing party is the target user.

In either embodiment, the system of the present invention may further include a specific handset 670 provided to each user. Handset 670 includes a set of buttons including dedicated buttons such as dedicated IVM button 672 , dedicated SMS button 674 , dedicated PTT button 676 , and the like. The initiating user selects a target phone number and then presses a dedicated button for the requested function. Thus, for example, pressing the IVM button 672 automatically enables the initiating user to send an IVM to the target user, pressing the SMS button 674 automatically enables the initiating user to send an SMS to the target number, and the PTT button Pressing 676 automatically causes the initiating user to send a PTT message to the target user. The same can be done with e-mail, paging (voice, text), instant IP text message (eg ICQ), and the like. The button set thus improves menu-based handset operation.

7 shows another embodiment of the system of the present invention, wherein an IVM server is selectively connected to an IP (data) domain 702 . This means instant voice messaging is from the user's phone device to one or more IP devices 704, which may be VoIP phones or personal computers (PCs) or any other device with data (IP) connections running text or voice messaging software. allow it to be transmitted. The IVM server may identify an instant voice message targeted to a VoIP client, for example, simply by adding the suffix to the number dialed by the initiating user. This number may be, for example, an IVM access number such as "152" or a regular phone number assigned to an IP device that follows the IVM access number. After this suffix, '.' Instead, there is the IP address 192.168.100.11 of the target IP user where '#' can be used. The full number to dial can be, for example, 152 192#168#100#11 or 152 54123456 192#168##11#11, where 54123456 is the IP user's assigned phone number. Also, the suffix may be omitted if each IP user obtains a dedicated (regular telephone) phone number or other IP identifier (eg, e-mail address). Device 704 (including telephony software running on the PC) can send an instant voice message to a circuit switched telephone (regular phone) to the user.

The IP device may be a text device such as e-mail or ICQ running on a PC or a VoIP device such as VoIP software running on a PC. If the target device is a text IP device (ie, the target user is defined as a text user), the initial IVM message is preferably converted into a text message using the speech recognition module 606 . Each IP user can be assigned a phone number. This number is maintained along with the user's IP address in a database within the IVM server. The phone system 108 assigns these phone numbers to the IVM server, and whenever the initiating user sends an IVM message to that phone number, the IVM server receives the message, converts it to a text message as described above, and It will be sent to the text IP based user 704 as a text message. If the target IP user 704 is a VoIP user (VoIP software running on a PC), the original IVM message will not be converted to a text message. The database in the IVM server is updated with respect to the IP target user properties (text or voice). This database is registered within the IVM server and contains a specific set of phone numbers that enable the IVM server to perform this interconnection with the IP data world. Alternatively, a suffix may be added to the dialed number (eg, suffix *01 for text users, *02 for voice users), providing the IVM server with information about whether the target user is a text or voice user. have.

8 shows another embodiment of the system of the present invention, wherein the IVM server includes a PTT module 802 and is connected to a legacy PTT system 804 or an IP-based (VoIP) PTT system 806. , instant voice messages are sent to and/or received from the PTT system. This connection may be implemented, for example, by using another numbering format, such as using the prefix "154", instead of dialing the typical "152" prefix (which indicates that this is an IVM session). The "154" prefix will be identified by the phone switch as a call to the IVM server. However, the IVM server identifies "154" and the number of the subsequent PTT target user 806 or VoIP PTT user 812 as the message going to the PTT system.

When the PTT user 810 or the VoIP PTT user 812 decides to send a PTT message to a given phone number, and when the PTT system recognizes that the target number does not belong to the PTT registered user, the PTT system It will send a message to the IVM server. The IVM server then converts the PTT type message into IVM format and sends this message to the requested target user(s). Alternatively, the IVM server may be a PTT subscriber with a PTT module 802 that sends and receives PTT messages to and/or from the PTT system (in the same way as done by PTT user 810 or VoIP user 812). have. However, it is desirable for each IVM user to have a unique 'PTT' user number that is registered in the PTT system as an IVM number. Therefore, the PTT message will be sent to the IVM server. The IVM server has a database that matches PTT numbers to regular phone numbers, and each user will have that unique match. Accordingly, the received PTT message is received in the PTT module 802 and then sent in IVM format in the IVM generation module 614 and sent to the target IVM user. The IVM user may, for example, send the response 250 to the legacy PTT system 804 or IP PTT system 806 in response to a message requesting the IVM server (by the PTT module 802) to convert the response to a PTT format. and the PTT system sends this message to the legacy PTT user 810 or the VoIP PTT user 812, respectively.

All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated herein by reference. Furthermore, citation or identification of any reference in this application should not be construed as an admission that that reference is available as prior art to the present invention.

Although the invention has been described above with respect to a limited number of embodiments, many variations, modifications, and other applications of the invention may be made.