SE523049C2

Method and system for sending of messages to a recipient via any of a plurality of different messaging systems

Abstract

A method and a corresponding system for enabling the sending of messages to a recipient via any of a number of messaging systems of different types are disclosed. In the method addresses for said recipient are stored. Furthermore, recipient availability information is received from the messaging systems. The recipient availability information is interpreted so as to determine in which of the messaging systems the recipient is currently available. Furthermore, an originator input including an identification of the recipient is received and an address among the stored addresses that are associated with messaging systems in which the recipient is currently available is chosen. Finally, the messaging system associated with the chosen address is identified. <IMAGE>

SE523049C2, drawing sheet 1 — Sheet 1 of 7

Term

No projected expiry on record.

29 claims: 10 independent, 19 dependent

1
PATENTKRAV 1. Förfarande för möjliggörande av sändning av ett meddelande till en mottagare via ett godtyckligt av 5 ett antal meddelandesystem av olika typer, innefattande stegen:att lagra adresser för nämnda mottagare;att motta mottagartillgänglighetsinformation från nämnda meddelandesystem;och IQ att tolka nämnda mottagartillgänglighetsinformation för fastställande av i vilka av,nämnda meddelandesystem som mottagaren är tillgänglig för närvarande, att motta en avsändarinmatning som innefattar en identifikation av nämnda mottagare;15 att välja en adress av de lagrade adresserna, vilken adress är associerade ett meddelandesystem i vilket nämnda mottagare är tillgänglig för närvarande;och att identifiera meddelandesystemet som är associerat med den valda adressen.
2
Förfarande enligt patentkrav 1, varvid ett av nämnda meddelandesystem är ett cellulärt mobilsystem och nämnda mottagartillgänglighetsinformation innefattar en indikation av huruvida en mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare 25 är tillgänglig eller ej.
3
Förfarande enligt patentkrav 2, varvid nämnda indikation av huruvida nämnda mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare är tillgänglig eller ej är en indikation av 30 huruvida nämnda mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare är ansluten till nämnda cellulära mobilsystem eller ej, vidare innefattande stegen:att fastställa att nämnda mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare är tillgänglig om nämnda mobilenhet hos nämnda 35 mottagare är ansluten till nämnda mobilsystem;och att fastställa att nämnda mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare inte är tillgänglig annars. 523 049
4
Förfarande enligt patentkrav 3, varvid nämnda indikation av huruvida nämnda mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare är ansluten till nämnda cellulära mobilsystem eller ej mottas från ett hemregister i nämnda cellulära mobilsystem.
5
Förfarande enligt patentkrav 3, varvid nämnda indikation av huruvida nämnda mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare är ansluten till nämnda cellulära mobilsystem eller ej mottas från ett besökarregister i nämnda cellulära mobilsystem.
6
Förfarande enligt patentkrav 1, vidare innefattande stegen:att sända ett SMS-meddelande till nämnda mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare via ett SMS-center i nämnda cellulära mobilsystem;att fastställa att nämnda mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare är tillgänglig om en kvittering mottas från SMS-centret inom en tidsgräns;och att fastställa att nämnda mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare inte är tillgänglig annars.
7
Förfarande enligt något av patentkraven 1—6, vidare innefattande steget:att lagra preferenser för nämnda mottagare, vilka preferenser innefattar en identifikation av en föredragen adress för kommunikation, varvid nämnda valda adress är nämnda föredragna adress.
8
Förfarande enligt något av patentkraven 1-7, varvid nämnda avsändarinmatning vidare innefattar ett meddelande, vidare innefattande steget:523 049 att sända meddelandet till nämnda mottagare via meddelandesystemet som är associerat med nämnda valda adress.
9
Förfarande enligt något av patentkraven 1-7, varvid nämnda avsändarinmatning tas emot som en röstinmatning, vidare innefattande steget:att omvandla nämnda röstinmatning till text.
10
Förfarande enligt patentkrav 9, varvid avsändarinmatningen vidare innefattar ett meddelande, vidare innefattande stegen:att fasställa typen av meddelande, text eller röst, som används i meddelandesystemet som är associerat med nämnda valda adress;och att sända nämnda meddelande som nämnda fastställda typ av meddelande till nämnda mottagare via meddelandesystemet som är associerat med nämnda valda adress.
11
Förfarande enligt patentkrav 8 eller 10, varvid meddelandesystemet som är associerat med nämnda valda adress är ett cellulärt mobilsystem, nämnda valda adress är ett mobiltelefonnummer till en mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare och meddelande sänds som ett SMS-meddelande via nämnda cellulära mobilsystem.
12
Förfarande enligt patentkrav 8 eller 10, varvid meddelandesystemet som är associerat med nämnda valda adress är ett e-postsystem, nämnda valda adress är en epostadress till nämnda mottagare och meddelandet sänds som ett e-brev via nämnda e-postsystem.
13
Förfarande enligt patentkrav 10, vidare innefattande stegen:att motta ett svarsmeddelande från nämnda mottagare 523 049 som nämnda typ av meddelande via meddelandesystemet som är associerat med nämnda valda adress;att omvandla nämnda svarsmeddelande till röst om nämnda svarsmeddelande är ett textmeddelande.
14
System för möjliggörande av sändning av meddelanden till en mottagare via ett godtyckligt av ett antal meddelandesystem (105, 107) av olika typ, innefattande:första gränssnittsorgan (113, 114) som är anslutna till nämnda meddelandesystem;andra gränssnittsorgan (110) för mottagning av en avsändarinmatning som innefattar en identifikation av nämnda mottagare;tredje gränssnittsorgan (116, 117) för mottagning av mottagartillgänglighetsinformation från nämnda meddelandesystem;och minnesorgan (112) för lagring av adresser till nämnda mottagare;första behandlingsorgan (111) för val av en adress av de lagrade adresserna och för identifiering av meddelandesystemet som är associerat med den valda adressen;andra behandlingsorgan (118) för tolkning av nämnda mottagartillgänglighetsinformation för fastställande av i vilka av nämnda meddelandesystem som nämnda mottagare är tillgänglig för närvarande, varvid nämnda första behandlingsorgan är funktionellt anslutna till nämnda andra behandlingsorgan och anordnade att välja en adress bland de adresser som är associerade med nämnda meddelandesystem i vilka nämnda mottagare är tillgänglig för närvarande.
15
System enligt patentkrav 14, varvid ett av nämnda meddelandesystem är ett cellulärt mobilsystem och nämnda tredje gränssnittsorgan är anordnade att motta mottagartillgänglighetsinformation som innefattar en 523 049 indikation av huruvida en mobilenhet (104) hos nämnda mottagare är tillgänglig eller ej.
16
System enligt patentkrav 15, varvid nämnda tredje gränssnittsorgan är anordnade att motta nämnda indikation av huruvida nämnda mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare är tillgänglig eller ej som en indikation av huruvida nämnda mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare är ansluten till nämnda cellulära mobilsystem eller ej, och nämnda andra behandlingsorgan är anordnade att fastställa att nämnda mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare är tillgänglig om nämnda mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare är ansluten till nämnda cellulära mobilsystem och att fastställa att nämnda mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare inte är tillgänglig annars.
17
System enligt patentkrav 16, varvid nämnda tredje gränssnittsorgan är anordnade att motta nämnda indikation av huruvida nämnda mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare är ansluten till nämnda mobilsystem från ett hemregister i nämnda cellulära mobilsystem.
18
System enligt patentkrav 16, varvid nämnda tredje gränssnittsorgan är anordnade att motta nämnda indikation av huruvida nämnda mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare är ansluten till nämnda mobilsystem från ett besökarregister i nämnda cellulära mobilsystem.
19
System enligt patentkrav 14, varvid nämnda tredje gränssnittsorgan vidare är anordnade att sända ett SMS-meddelande till nämnda mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare via ett SMS-center i nämnda cellulära mobilsystem, och att nämnda andra behandlingsorgan är anordnade att fastställa att nämnda mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare är tillgänglig om en kvittering mottas från SMS-centret inom en tidsgräns och att fastställa att 523 049 nämnda mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare inte är tillgänglig annars.
20
Systemet enligt något av patentkraven 14-19, varvid nämnda minnesorgan vidare är anordnade att lagra preferenser för nämnda mottagare, vilka preferenser innefattar en identifikation av en föredragen adress för kommunikation, och nämnda första behandlingsorgan är anordnade att välja nämnda föredragna adress.
21
System enligt något av patentkraven 14-20, varvid nämnda avsändarinmatning vidare innefattar ett meddelande, och nämnda första gränssnittsorgan är anordnade att sända nämnda meddelande till nämnda mottagare via meddelandesystemet som är associerat med nämnda valda adress.
22
Systemet enligt något av patentkraven 18-20, varvid nämnda andra gränssnittsorgan är anordnade att motta nämnda avsändarinmatning som ett textmeddelande, vidare innefattande fjärde gränssnittsorgan (108) för mottagning av nämnda avsändarinmatning som en röstinmatning, omvandlingsorgan (109) för omvandling av nämnda röstinmatning till text, vilka omvandlingsorgan är anslutna till nämnda andra och nämnda fjärde gränssnittsorgan.
23
System enligt patentkrav 22, varvid nämnda första behandlingsorgan vidare är anordnade att fastställa typen av meddelande, text eller röst, som används i meddelandesystemet som är associerat med nämnda valda adress, och nämnda första gränssnittsorgan är anordnade att sända nämnda meddelande som den fasställda typen av meddelande till nämnda mottagare via meddelandesystemet som är associerat med nämnda valda adress. 523 049
24
System enligt patentkrav 21 eller 23, varvid meddelandesystemet som är associerat med nämnda valda adress är ett cellulärt mobilsystem, nämnda valda adress är ett mobiltelefonnummer till en mobilenhet hos nämnda mottagare och nämnda första gränssnittsorgan vidare är anordnade att sända nämnda meddelande som ett SMSmeddelande via nämnda cellulära mobilsystem.
25
Systemet enligt patentkrav 21 eller 23, varvid meddelandesystemet som är associerat med nämnda valda adress är ett e-postsystem, nämnda valda adress är en epostadress till nämnda mottagare och nämnda första gränssnittsorgan vidare är anordnade att sända meddelandet som ett e-brev via nämnda e-postsystem.
26
Systemet enligt 23, varvid nämnda första gränssnittsorgan vidare är anordnade att motta ett svarsmeddelande från nämnda mottagare via ett av nämnda meddelandesystem, och nämnda omvandlingsorgan vidare är anordnade att omvandla nämnda svarsmeddelande till röst om nämnda svarsmeddelande är ett textmeddelande.
27
Datorläsbart medium som har datorexekverbara instruktioner för utförande av stegen:att lagra adresser för nämnda mottagare;att motta mottagartillgänglighetsinformation från nämnda meddelandesystem;och att tolka nämnda mottagartillgänglighetsinformation för fastställande av i vilka av nämnda meddelandesystem som mottagaren är tillgänglig för närvarande, att motta en avsändarinmatning som innefattar en identifikation av nämnda mottagare;att välja en adress av de lagrade adresserna, vilken adress är associerade ett meddelandesystem i vilket nämnda mottagare är tillgänglig för närvarande;och 523 049 att identifiera meddelandesystemet som är associerat med den valda adressen.
28
Datorläsbart medium enligt patentkrav 27 som har ytterligare datorexekverbara instruktioner för utförande av stegen:att lagra preferenser för nämnda mottagare, vilka preferenser innefattar en identifikation av en föredragen adress för kommunikation, varvid de datorexekverbara instruktionerna för utförande av steget att välja en adress bland de lagrade adresserna utför steget: att välja nämnda föredragna adress.
29
Datorläsbart medium enligt patentkrav 27 eller 28 som har ytterligare datorexekverbara instruktioner för utförande av stegen:att motta en avsändarinmatning som innefattar ett meddelande till nämnda mottagare;och att sända nämnda meddelande till nämnda mottagare via meddelandesystemet som är associerat med den valda adressen. 523 049 1/5

Independent claims29

86 paragraphs in 8 sections, as filed

SWEDEN (12) PATENT WRITING (13) C2 du 523 049

(19) SE (51)

International class 7

H04Q 7/20, H04L 12/58, G06F 17/30, 17/60

PATENT AND REGISTRATION (45) (41) (22) (24) (62) (86) (86) (83)

Patent filed Application widely available The patent application was submitted on expiration date

Application number International filing date

Filing date for European patent application Deposit of microorganism

2004-03-23

2001-10-28

2000-04-27

2000-04-27 (21) Patent Application Number Q001536-2

Application received as:

Swedish patent application completed international patent application with number □ converted European patent application with number (30) Priority information (73) (72) (74) (54) (56)

PATENTHOLDER Microsoft Corp., One Microsoft Way Redmond 98052-6399 WA US INVENTOR Jan Michael Ouzounidis, Nacka SE, Christopher Donald

Williams, Woodinville WA US, Christer Lundin, Sollentuna SE

OMBUD AWAPATENT AB

NAME Universal message management system with user accessibility information

CALLED PUBLICATIONS:

Parker Martin F et al, Unifieel Messaging- A valve-creating engine for next-generation network services, Bell Labs Technical Journal, 1999 vol 4, no 2, pages 71-87 ABU-HAKIMA S et al, A Common Multi-Agent TesHzed for Diverze seanless Personal Information Networking Applications

IEEE Communications Magazine, July 1998, Vol 36, No. 7, pages 68-74

ABU-HAKIMA S et al, Intelligent Seanless Messaging, Proceedings of the IEEE International Conference on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, 1998, vol 2, pp. 1241-1244

LISCANO RAMIRO et al, Integratin Multi-Model Messages across Heterogeneous Networks, Proceedings of the 1997 1st IEEE Enterprise Networking Mini-Conference, June 11-12 1997, pages 45-53 (57)

SUMMARY:

A method and corresponding system for enabling the transmission of messages to a recipient via any of a number of message systems of different types are described. The method stores addresses for said recipients. Further, a sender input is received which includes identification of said recipient, an address is selected from the stored addresses and the messaging system associated with the selected address is identified.

401, SAVE ADDRESSES ___i_ 402 j RECEIVE ROST INPUT 40^ j CONVERT TO TEXT i 494 RECEIVE ACCESSIBILITY INFORMATION ', _ί_, 405 SET AVAILABILITY Uj_I

SELECT ADDRESS, IN IDENTIFY MESSAGE SYSTEM '-1

TRANSFORM ί 409 TO VOTE H 4) ° l SEND MESSAGE L —- The numbers in brackets indicate international identification code, INID code. Letters in clamps indicate international document code.

523 049

SUMMARY

523 049

Technical area

The present invention relates generally to message systems. More specifically, the invention relates to a method and a corresponding system for enabling the transmission of messages to a recipient via any of a number of messaging systems of different types.

Technical background

In today's communication environment, there are a number of different systems for transmitting messages between users, such as the Internet, mobile systems and the public switched telephone network (PSTN). These communication systems have different addressing principles, types of messages (eg text or voice) etc. Furthermore, a single person usually has one or more addresses in each of these communication systems, such as an e-mail address, a mobile number, a fixed telephone number etc.

The fact that each person is reachable in a number of different communication networks and that different addresses and message types are used in these messaging systems cause a number of problems. One of the problems is that it is difficult for a sender to keep track of all the recipients' addresses. Another problem is that the sender needs to try on some or even all different addresses before finding an address at which a recipient is currently reachable. Furthermore, the sender needs to use different interfaces to reach the different addresses, for example, a sender must connect to an SMS center (SMS-C) to send a short message system message to a recipient and a sender must connect to an email system for sending an email.

523 049

Furthermore, even if a recipient is currently reachable at one of the addresses as an e-mail address, it may be that the sender has no opportunity to send an e-mail at the moment. For example, the sender may only have access to a Plain Old Telephone Service (POTS) or a mobile phone at this time. A similar problem arises when the sender only has access to a POTS telephone and the receiver is only available on a mobile phone, but only via SMS messages because the receiver is at a meeting and cannot join voice communication.

The problems are particularly acute when the sender is away from the office or home, such as when traveling. In this case, the sender could carry a laptop and some type of mobile device to alleviate the above problems to some extent. However, the sender needs to perform a number of steps to find an address at which the recipient is currently available, such as joining an email system and entering a message, joining a mobile network and writing a text message or making a call, etc. as described, the message needs to be repeated for each attempt. Furthermore, the environment in which the sender is presently may not be suitable for enrolling messages.

For example, this is the case when the sender is currently driving a car, going etc.

Summary of the Invention

The invention provides a means for enabling the transmission of messages to a recipient via any of a number of different message systems such as an email system, an SMS system, etc.

According to one aspect of the invention, a method is provided. In the method, addresses of the recipient are stored, a sender input is received which includes an identification of the recipient and an address among the recipients.

523 The 049 stored addresses are selected, and the message system associated with the selected address is identified.

According to another aspect of the invention, a system is provided. The system includes first interface means for receiving a sender input, including an identification of the receiver. The system further includes memory means for storing addresses for said recipients and first processing means for selecting an address of the stored addresses and for identifying the message system associated with the selected address.

By storing recipient addresses and identifying the messaging system associated with the addresses, the invention allows a sender to send a message to a recipient via any of the messaging systems without having to remember the recipient's different addresses or determine in advance which messaging system to use. . In other words, the invention provides a uniform way for a sender to address a receiver in all message systems associated with the stored addresses. Furthermore, the invention provides a common interface for transmitting messages to a recipient via various messaging systems by means of a common interface to the various messaging systems.

Advantageously, the first interface means of a system according to the invention are provided with the ability to send messages to said recipients via the messaging system associated with the selected address. In this way, when a sender input is received which, in addition to the receiver identification, also includes a message, this message will be sent to the selected address via the first interface means. This feature provides the sender with a common interface for sending messages, such as SMS or e-mail, to a recipient in any of the various messaging systems.

523 049

The system according to the invention is further advantageously provided with means for receiving the sender input as a voice input and means for converting the voice input into text. One of the advantages of this feature is that it provides a common and simple interface for the sender to access the system according to the invention. Thus, the sender can use any communication means that provides a voice interface, such as a mobile phone or a POTStphone, when connected to the system of the invention. Together with the above features which provide a common interface for sending messages to a recipient in any of different messaging systems, this feature allows the sender to use, for example, a mobile phone or even a POTS telephone for sending SMS or email messages to the recipient . This can be done without having to enter a message.

Further, according to the invention, accessibility information from said messaging system can be received. This recipient accessibility information is interpreted to determine in which of the message systems the recipient is currently available. In other words, the system according to the invention can keep track of which systems the receiver can currently reach. The address to be selected can then be selected from the addresses associated with the messaging systems in which the recipient is currently available. This has the additional advantage that when a sender sent a message to a recipient, the message will be sent via a messaging system in which the recipient is currently available.

The accessibility information, if the messaging system is a mobile phone system, may be information from a home location register (CPR) or a visitor location register (VLR) indicating whether the recipient is

523 049 attached (attached) to the mobile phone system, or information from an SMS-C indicating whether a test SMS has been successfully delivered. Said CPR, VLR and SMS-C refer to a GSM system. Of course, similar functions can be provided in a mobile telephone system of any other type using information from devices corresponding to said CPR,

VLR and SMS-C in these other systems.

Another advantageous feature of the invention is that the receiver can store a preferred address for communication. The address that will be selected can then be the preferred address. For example, the recipient may change the preferred address to indicate a currently preferred address. This can be seen as an alternative way of sending accessibility information.

Brief description of the drawings

The invention will now be further elucidated in the form of examples of embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the same reference numerals indicate the same features, and in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a system in which a system according to the invention is enclosed;

Figure 2 is a more detailed diagram of part of the system of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a detailed diagram of another part of the system of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a flowchart of one embodiment of a method according to the invention;

Figure 5 is a flowchart of the processing performed by a voice system and a message server according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 6 is a flowchart of exemplary operations for acquiring accessibility information in the embodiment referred to in Figure 4; and

523 Figure 7 is a flow chart with another set of exemplary operations for acquiring accessibility information in the embodiment referred to in Figure 4.

Detailed description of the invention

In a system in which a system according to the invention is enclosed, as shown in Figure 1, a sender can connect from a terminal 101 to a message server 102 via a voice system 102. This then allows the sender to send messages to a receiving terminal, such as a mobile terminal 104 which is connected to a mobile network 105 or a computer terminal 106 connected to a computer network 107, for example the Internet. The voice system 103 includes fourth interface means 108 which can interpret a voice input from the sender. The fourth interface means 108 are connected to voice-to-text conversion and text-to-voice conversion converters 109. The conversion means 109 converts the voice input from the sender to text to create a text input that can be read by the message server 102.

The message server 102 includes other interface means 110 connected to the voice system, which other interface means 110 may receive the text input. The second interface means 110 is also connected to first processing means 111, such as a computer, which interprets and processes the text input. The message server 102 also includes storage means 112, such as a database, for storing recipient information, such as recipient addresses and preferences, and first interface means 113, 114 for connecting the message server 102 to the messaging systems 105, 106.

Further, the message server 102 is connected to the presence server 115. The presence server 115 includes third interface means 116, 117 for connecting the presence server to the message systems 105, 107.

523 The third interface means 116, 117 receives information from message systems 105, 106, which information indicates the availability of a receiving terminal 104, 106.

The third interface means 116, 117 are then connected to second processing means 118, such as a computer, which interprets the accessibility information to determine whether the receiving terminal 104, 106 is available or not. The result of the second processing means 110 is then sent to the first processing means 111 in the message server 102.

Referring to Figure 2, the sender can connect to the voice system 103 using a voice-based communication terminal, such as a POTS telephone, mobile phone, etc., as the sending terminal 101. The connection is made via the fourth interface means 108. The voice system 103 is based on a system which includes voice recognition means. 201 and conversion means 202 for conversion from voice to text and vice versa. The voice system 103 is connected to a voice-based communication system. This type of voice system also includes a dialog server 203 for guiding the user through a session. Additional features of this voice system 103 include means for authentication (not shown) by the user prior to connection to the message server 102, and matching means 204 for adapting a voice command that has been converted to text into a text input that can be applied to a message server, such as the message server 102.

The message server 102 supports standard services for sending messages, such as e-mail and SMS, to mobile devices 104 or fixed devices 106. Various functions for these services can be performed by calls to corresponding application software objects controlled by the first processing means 111 via the second interface means 110. These application software objects interact with database 112

523 049 and performs the functions, such as e-mail and SMS functions. For example, there are application software objects for listing existing e-mails, reading e-mails, sending e-mails, deleting e-mails, sending SMS messages to mobile devices, handling simple address book lookup and so on. Furthermore, it is possible for senders to log on to the message server 102. This can be done directly or via the voice system 103. The same objects can be called via the voice system, providing the same functionality as connecting directly to the message server 102.

In order for the sender to be able to call the application software objects controlled by the first processing means 111 in the message server 102 via the voice system 103, the voice system 103 supports a number of voice entries corresponding to the application software objects. For example, if the user provides the voice input retrieval address, the voice recognition means 201 will recognize the voice input and the conversion means 202 will convert the voice input into text. Then, the matching means 204 will adapt the text to an input applicable for calling the application lookup application objects controlled by the message server 102 via the second interface means 110. Furthermore, the dialog server 203 in the voice system 103 guides the user through the execution of the functions which execute the functions. For example, if the user provides the voice input transmitted message, the voice system 103 can respond with the question to which recipient.

The voice system 103 may also include an auxiliary function which provides the user with auxiliary information. For a more detailed description, see the description below with reference to Figure 5.

523 049

Figure 3 shows part of the system of Figure 1. A presence server 115 is connected to a device 301 which is in turn connected to the mobile network 105 to which the receiver's mobile phone 104 is connected.

In one embodiment illustrated by Figure 3, device 301 is an SMS-C. In order to obtain information from the mobile network regarding the accessibility of the recipient's mobile phone 104, the presence server 115 sends an SMS message to the recipient's mobile telephone 104 and waits for a receipt message from the SMS-C 301. If there is a receipt from the SMS-C within a specified period of time, presence server 115 that the recipient's mobile phone is available. Otherwise, the presence server 115 determines that the recipient's mobile phone is unavailable.

In another embodiment, also illustrated by Figure 3, the device 301 is a CPR or a VLR. In this case, the presence server 115 receives information from the HLR 301 (or VLR). This information determines whether the recipient's mobile phone 104 is connected to the mobile telephone network 105, or rather whether the subscriber associated with the SIM card in the recipient's mobile phone is connected to the mobile network 105. If so, the presence server 115 determines that the recipient's mobile phone 104 is available. Otherwise, the presence server 115 determines that the recipient's mobile phone 104 is unavailable.

In the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3, the message server 102, the voice system 103, and the presence server 115 are mapped in block form, indicating that they are separate physical units. Of course, the embodiments can also be realized in a single device in which the means 108-114, 116-188 are incorporated as software or hardware modules.

We now turn to Figure 4, where a flow chart for one embodiment of a method according to the invention is shown. In step 401, one or more addresses are stored

523 049 a receiver 104, 106 in an address book, which addresses are associated with one or more message systems 105,

107th The address book could be a private address book for the sender or a central address book, which can be used by several different users. The addresses are linked to a receiver identification, which is used, for example, when the sender wants to look up the address of the receiver in the memory means 112. When a sender has connected to the message server 102 via the voice system 103, he or she can provide a voice input which includes a receiver identification and a message. The voice system 103 then receives the voice input in step 402. The voice system 103 then converts this voice input into text in step 403 and forwards it to the message server 102. In step 404, a presence server 115 receives access information about the recipient from the message systems 105, 107 to which the message server .

The accessibility information is interpreted in step 405 to determine in which of the message systems 105, 107 that the receiver is currently available. This information is then forwarded to the message server 102. For a detailed description of the accessibility information, see the description below with reference to Figures 6 and 7. The message server then selects one of the addresses of the recipient in step 406 and identifies the message system 105, 107 associated with the selected address in step 407. In step 408, the message server 102 determines whether the message system 105, 107 associated with the selected address uses text or voice messages. If a voice message is to be used, the text message included in the sender input is converted back to voice in step 409. Alternatively, a recording of the original voice message can be used. If a text message is to be used, no one is needed

523 049 conversion. Finally, the message is sent to the recipient in step 410.

Figure 5 shows the operation of a voice system 103 and a message server 102 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. Once a sender has joined the voice system 103, the sender is authenticated in step 501. The sender can now provide a voice input in step 502, such as a receiver identification to which he or she wants to send a message. The voice system 103 will interpret the voice message and convert it to text in step 503. The voice system will then invoke via the second interface means 110 the application software object corresponding to the function of the message server 102 that the sender desires in step 504. The message server 102 will then execute the desired function in step 505. When the command is executed, the message server 102 will return 103 in step 507.

For example, if the sender gives the voice input transmitted message, the voice system 103 will recognize and interpret this, and ask to which receiver the message should be sent. The sender will then provide a recipient identification and the voice system 103 will convert it to text and call the application lookup object object in the message server 102 via the second interface means 110. The address lookup application object will execute an address lookup in the memory means 112 based on the receiver identification provided by the sender. The result of the address lookup will be addresses associated with the recipient identification. One of these addresses will then be selected according to the method described with reference to Figure 4 or by any other means of selecting an address, such as selecting an address which has been defined as a preferred address for communication. Alternatively, all addresses are selected. The message server 102 will then return the address

523 049 to the voice system 103 and the voice system 103 will convert it to voice and play it to the sender. Now, the voice system 103 will ask the sender to forward a message. The sender in front of the message and the voice system 103 converts the message into text and calls the appropriate application software object for sending a message through the first interface means 113, 114 in the message server 102. The messaging system to be used when sending the message is determined to be the messaging system 105, 107 associated with the selected address. For example, if the address is an email address, the application software object for sending an e-mail will be used, and if the address is a mobile number, the appropriate application software object for sending an SMS message will be used. The message will then be sent to the recipient via the first interface means 113, 114.

Now we move to Figure 6, where a flowchart with exemplary operations for acquiring accessibility information in the embodiment referred to in Figure 4 is shown. These operations are suitable for reaching a receiver in a cellular cellular telephone system 105. In step 601, accessibility information is received as information about whether the receiver, or rather the subscriber associated with the SIM card in the receiver's mobile phone, is connected to the cellular mobile telephone system 105. This information is received from an HLR 301 in the cellular mobile telephone system 105. In the step 602 is then determined, based on information from the CPR, whether the receiver is connected or not. If the receiver is connected, the receiver is determined to be available in the cellular cellular telephone system 105. Unless the receiver is determined not to be available in the cellular cellular telephone system 105. In an alternative embodiment, information is provided as to whether the receiver is

523 049 connected or not received from a VLR in the cellular mobile telephone system 105.

Figure 7 shows a flowchart with another set of exemplary operations for acquiring accessibility information in the embodiment referred to in Figure 4. This embodiment is also suitable when a receiver is to be reached in a cellular cellular telephone system 105. In step 701, an SMS message is sent from the attendance server 115 to an SMS-C 301 in the cellular mobile telephone system 105. Said SMS-C 301 will then send a receipt back to the presence server 115 if the message could be delivered. In step 702, it is then determined whether a receipt has been received from said SMS-C 301 to the attendance server 115 within a specified time limit. If so, the receiver is determined to be available in the cellular mobile telephone system 105. If not, the receiver is determined not to be available in the cellular mobile telephone system 105. The SMS message sent in step 701 may either be an SMS message sent from the presence server 115 for testing purposes to determine the availability of the recipient, or it may be a previously sent message from a sender. In the latter case, the presence server 115 will check the time of the last sent SMS message. If the time is within a predetermined time limit, the attendance server will determine that the recipient is available. If not, the presence server will determine that the recipient is unavailable.

523 049

Contents8

11 members in 5 offices

This recordMember, by publication datePriority claim

Priority claims2

Priority claims
Document	Office	Kind	Date
0001536	Sweden	A	2000-04-27
SE20000001536	–	–	–

Members11

Family members, oldest first
Document	Office	Kind
SE0001536D0	Sweden	D0	2000-04-27
SE0001536L	Sweden	L	2001-10-28
EP1150473A1	European Patent Office (EPO)	A1	2001-10-31
US2002007397A1	United States of America	A1	2002-01-17
EP1150473B1	European Patent Office (EPO)	B1	2003-12-03
AT255793T	Austria	T	2003-12-15
ATE255793T1	Austria	T1	2003-12-15
DE60101346D1	Germany	D1	2004-01-15
SE523049C2This record	Sweden	C2	2004-03-23
DE60101346T2	Germany	T2	2004-12-02
US7130918B2	United States of America	B2	2006-10-31

Method and system for sending of messages to a recipient via any of a plurality of different messaging systems

Abstract

Term

(19) SE (51)

H04Q 7/20, H04L 12/58, G06F 17/30, 17/60

PATENT AND REGISTRATION (45) (41) (22) (24) (62) (86) (86) (83)

OMBUD AWAPATENT AB

CALLED PUBLICATIONS:

SUMMARY:

SELECT ADDRESS, IN IDENTIFY MESSAGE SYSTEM '-1

SUMMARY

Priority claims2

Members11

Events

Numbers

Titles2

Classification