(I2) INTERNATIONAL APPLIC.-\TlON PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT)
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`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`International Bureau
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`(43) International Publication Date
`28 February 2002 (28.02.2002)
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`PCT
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`(I0) International Publication Number
`W0 02/17658 AI
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`(51) International Patent Classification’: HIHQ 7.522, N32
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`(21) International Application Number:
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`l'(."l”fl~‘l01i'fl0732
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`(22) International Filing Date: 20 August 3001 (2(J.U8.2iJ[)ll
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`CZ, DE. DK, DM. DZ. EC, Eli, ES. FI. GB, GD, G15. (ill,
`GM, ll'R, IlU. ID, II... TN, IS,JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC,
`LK, LR. LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD. MG, MK, MN, MW,
`MX. M’/.. NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO. RU, SD, Sli. SG, SI, SK.
`S1,, TJ, TM. TR, TT, TZ. UA. UG, US, UZ. VN, YU, ZA,
`aw.
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`(25) Filing Language:
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`(26) Publication Language:
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`English
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`English
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`(30) Priority Data:
`20001838
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`21 August 2000 (21.08.2000)
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`F1
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`(84) Designated States tregionm’): ARIPO patent IGH. GM.
`Kli, LS, MW, N17,, SI), SL, SZ, '['/., UG. KW), Eurasian
`patent {t'\M, AZ, BY, KG, K7,, Ml), RU, T.l,'['M), Iiuropcan
`patent (.«'\'l", Bii, CH, CY, DIE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB. GR, IE.
`IT, LU. MC. NL, PT, SE, TR"), OAPI patent (BF, BJ. CF.
`CG, (II, CM, GA, GN, (EQ, GW, ML, MR, Nli, SN. Tl),
`TG).
`
`(71) Applicant and
`(72) Inventor:
`VAANANEN. Mikkn, Kaiervo |l’UFl]‘.
`Laivanvaruslajankalu 7}} 13, FIN-0t)l4[J Ilclsinki (l"I‘,1.
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`Published:
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`win‘: t'nternan‘onm’ search report
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`(81) Designated States mationm’): Mi. AG. AL, AM. AT. AU.
`A2/., BA. BB. BG, BR. BY, BZ, CA, (SH, (IN. (20, CR, CU.
`
`For Mo-letter codes and other abbrtrviations. refer to the "Guid-
`ance Nates on C'oa'es and .—'lbbre'vt‘att'ons" appearing at the begin-
`ning ofeach regular issue ofthe PCT Gazette.
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`(54) Title: INS'l'ANT \t'[Dl'*L()— AND VOICIEMAII. MESSAGING Mli'l'H()D AND MEANS
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`IID
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`220
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`00T|TlEt:I:i0n fun-1-ted to
`server
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`230
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`Re:ipiert1(s)contat.1
`ixtfomlatinn u-a.nsf:rred
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`I0 SETVCT
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`(57) Abstract: The invention relates to the field of instant
`messaging. More specifically the invention relates to a server
`centric method and means for instant voice and video mail
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`liven more particularly the invention nclalos lo
`messaging.
`voicemail messaging with mobile terminals.
`The invention
`lias been explained above with tolerance to the aforementioned
`embodiments and several commenzial and industrial advantages
`have been demonstrated. The inventive methods and means
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`under study allow faster voice messaging and enable similar.
`but not identical audiofvideo message "ping ball". The sending
`of voicemail in accordance with the invention is instantaneous
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`and involves no dilTcrcn1 telephone numbers for the sender to
`ncmcmbcr.
`'li1e rcccptioli of messages is always instantaneous.
`provided the recipient is available, and only if not available, may
`the delivery of the messages be delayed.
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`
`
`
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`sewerts) attempt lo
`tesend mcssagqs) to
`resend to altetmtive
`tlirecusrics, send rlotifica
`tion of message
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`undelivered me-ssasflts)
`slated at SFSN
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`Su'vcr‘[.I) relay tncssage
`to the recipia1l.{Sj thmugh
`the Internet or the
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`telephony network
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`aud.'tot"\rid.¢o
`inessage recanted
`v-"tn eonttection to
`the server
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`240
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`Recipient cuittaet
`infurlml-ion find
`“WW8! M59941
`I0 355”
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`260
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`W002/17658A1||||||||||l||||||||ll||||||l|||IllIll||||l|||||||||l||||||||l|||||ll||l||||||l||
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`
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`Apple 1008
`Apple 1008
`U.S. Pat. 7,535,890
`U.S. Pat. 7,535,890
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`PCT!FI0li00732
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`Instant video- and voicemail messaging method and means
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`PRIORITY REQUEST DATA
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`A previous patent application describes an invention with same goals and essence in
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`patent application FI2000l 838 with server independent embodiments, Where servers
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`are used only as a backup, which is here taken as reference and priority of which is
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`requested.
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`FIELD OF INVENTION
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`The invention relates to the field of instant messaging. More specifically the invention
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`relates to a server centric method and means for instant voice and video mail
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`messaging. Even more particularly the invention relates voicemail messaging with
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`mobile terminals.
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`BACKGROUND
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`For further prior art to this invention, we wish to submit W0 013543 87 A1, Nguyen.
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`This document discloses a method where: “A unique telephone number and extension
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`are associated with each (1) one of a plurality of subscribers (105). The telephone
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`number is also associated with a remote access point ofpresence (RAPP) (120).
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`Messages are left for subscribers by establishing a phone call to the phone number
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`associated therewith. The phone call is received at a RAPP (120). The RAPP (120)
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`receives the voice message, digitises and pocketsize the voice message, and transmits
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`the message over a packet network (130) to a store and forward messaging system
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`(125). The store and forward messaging system stores the message for retrieval. The
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`message can be retrieved by either telephone, a client computer, or a private branch
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`exchange terminal (110).” This document is cited here as reference.
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`In addition prior art methods in delivering messages include Cellular voicemail and
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`SMS (Short Message Service) messages. SMS messages are text—based messages,
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`which are delivered to the terminal directly as a first priority, and stored on the
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`network if delivery is unavailable. With Cellular Voicernail it is possible to call the
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`voicernail box ofthe recipient, and the recipient of the voicemail may later listen the
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`Il'i€SS3.g6.
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`This prior art has several disadvantages in contrast with the invention in the priority
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`document and this inventive method under study based on the priority document.
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`SMS messages are restricted to text, which is harder to input than voice by speech.
`SMS messages are therefore tedious to the sender. ‘Cellular voiccmail is both tedious
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`to send and receive. In order to send voicemail, the sender has to know the telephone‘
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`number of the voicemail box oi‘ the recipient, which is typically different from the
`phone number, or wait ‘for the voicemail box to connect to the original telephone
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`number when the recipient is not available. In order to receive voicemail, the recipient
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`needs to retrieve the message fi-orn the network, because the message is not delivered-
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`instantiy to him.
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`SUMMARY
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`The method under study is far faster and enables similar, but not identical audiofvideo
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`message “ping ball” as described in the priority document. The sending ofvoicemail
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`in accordance with the invention is instantaneous and involves no different telephone
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`numbers for the sender to remember. The reception of messages is always
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`instantaneous, provided the recipient is available, and only ifnot available, may the
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`delivery of the messages be delayed.
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`The aforementioned advantages are best realised with an exemplary ernbodiment of
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`the invention, in which the user has a software application running on his subscriber '
`terminal. The user chooses a recipient for a voice- or video mail from the contacts
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`book of the terminal by pressing a button. The terminal forms a data connection to a
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`server or dials a telephone connection to a server, which typically has a low latency
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`i.e. the connection to the server is formed fast. The subscriber terminal sends the
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`contact information of the recipient to the server. The subscriber terminal, the server
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`or both indicate to the user that the recording of the message is begun or may be
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`started. The recording is displayed andfor dictated down the phone line to the sewer
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`or through a packet switched connection to the server. The server stores the recording
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`typically in MP3-, WAV- or Realsystem Secure, u-law, A—1aw, PCM or ADPCM or
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`the like format to a database. There is typically a DSP circuit that digitises the
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`recording to a data file. Alternatively tape recording may be used. The server inspects
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`the phone number, I? address or other contact directory ofthe recipient, and routes
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`the message file, or a copy of it, to a server in close proximity in the SFSN (Store and
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`Forward Server Network). This server, or alternatively the original server, then
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`establishes a comrnunication connection to the recipient(s). The connection is
`typically established by a phone call to the recipient, and when the recipient answers
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`the message is played to the recipient. Prefixes and postfixes may be attached to the
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`message such as: ”Message ofMs. Vilma Vti.:'intinen” MESSAGE “ The message of
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`Vilma Viiiiniineri was brought to you by OPERATO .”
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`A video- andfor voicernail messaging method, comprising at least one subscriber
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`terminal and at least one server, in accordance with the invention is characterised by
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`the steps of,
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`-
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`—
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`-
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`-
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`-
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`-
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`choosing at least one message recipient or a group,
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`forming a communications connection to at least one server,
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`recording at least one voicefvideo message to at least one server via at least one
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`established communications connection,
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`transferring at least one contact directory of at least one recipient to at least one
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`server,
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`disconnecting the connection to at least one server,
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`at least one server relays the message to at least one recipient terminal via
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`telephony network or the Internet.
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`A video- andior voicernail messaging method, comprising at least one subscriber
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`terminal and at least one server, in accordance with the invention is characterised by
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`the steps of,
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`-
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`choosing at least one message recipient or a group,
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`forming a communications connection to at least one server,
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`recording at least one Voice;/video message to at least one server via at least one
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`established communications connection,
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`transferring at least one contact directory of at least one recipient to at least one
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`server,
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`disconnecting the connection to at least one server,
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`transfening at least one said message and at least one said contact directory to a
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`Store and Forward Server Network (SFSN),
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`at least one server in the SFSN or the original server relays at least one message to
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`at least one recipient terminal device through the Internet or the telephony
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`network,
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`A video— andfor voicemail messaging server, comprising at least one media player
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`andfor a DSP and at least one data storage means and communications connections in
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`and out of the telephony network, SFSN andfor the Internet in accordance with the
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`invention is characterised in that,
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`—
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`a recording is arranged to be made to the media player andfor DSP through an
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`established colnrnunications connection from a subscriber terminal,
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`a capture of recipient contact information and/or other message attributes from the
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`subscriber terminal is arranged on the server, and the contact information is
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`arranged to be stored to the storage means,
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`at least one media player and}or DSP is arranged to store the recording to a data
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`file,
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`at least one data file is arranged to be stored on the data storage means,
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`at least one data file, or at least one copy of the data file is arranged to be sent to
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`another server in the SFSN andfor a connection is arranged to be formed to at least
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`one recipient.
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`A video— and/'01‘ voicemail messaging subscriber terminal in accordance with the
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`30
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`invention is characterised in that,
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`—
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`the user is arranged with the possibility to select at least one recipient,
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`SUBSTITUTE SHEET {RULE 26)
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`~
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`at least one communications connection is arranged to be formed to the server
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`upon selection of at least one recipient,
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`the recipient contact information is arranged to be sent to the server,
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`the terminal is arranged to relay at least one video andfor audio signal to the
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`server,
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`-I
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`the communidation connection is arranged to be disconnected upon a dedicated
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`action or upon the fulfilment of dedicated criteria.
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF
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`DRAWINGS
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`In the following the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to
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`exemplary embodiments in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which
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`Figure 1 demonstrates the principal method 10 of the invention as a flow diagram.
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`Figure 2 demonstrates a more scalable messaging method 20 in accordance with the
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`invention.
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`Figure 3 demonstrates a method applicable to circuit switched networks in accordance
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`with the invention.
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`Figure 4 demonstrates a subscriber tenninal 40 in accordance with the invention.
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`Figure 5 demonstrates a network server 50 in accordance with the invention.
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`Figure 6 demonstrates a scalable messaging architecture 60 in accordance with the
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`invention.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIIVEENTS
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`In phase 110 of figure 1 the message recipient is chosen. The recipient may be chosen
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`by labeling the recipient with a pointer from the “contacts" file ofthe terminal device,
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`the recipient may be chosen by speech recognition, a dedicated keyboard accelerator,
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`hot key, dedicated key or any combinations or permutations of these in some
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`embodiments. Several recipients or a group may also be selected in some
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`embodiments. A simple press pf a button may also be used to select at least one
`recipient. The terminalfidexdce is typically a computer, palmtop, laptop, or a mobile
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`station, mobile phone, pager or any wired or wireless information device. In some
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`embodiments the terminal features Windows—, Windows NT-, Epoc-, Windows CE-,
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`Unix-, Linux-, OS/2, Symbian, Epoc, Palm0S, Pocket PC, GEOS, MS-Stinger andfor
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`Sybase or the like operating system or software.
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`In phase 120 a packet switched or a circuit switched connection is established to the
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`server. In some embodiments the subscriber terminal intercepts a selected recipier1t(s)
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`contact directory, and forms a communications connection to the server. The
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`connection is typically a ss7-, GSM-, H323—, HTTP-, GSM—data, IP—RAN-, UMTS-,-
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`WAP-, Te1desic—, Inm_a_Isat-, Iridium—, GPRS-, CDMA-data-, WCDMA—data-, HT'IP—,
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`I-I323-, SMS-, MMS-, email- LAN-, TCPJIP-, imode-, Globa1star- andfor WLAN-
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`connection in some embodiments.
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`In phase 130 the recipient contact information of at least one recipient or a recipient
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`group is transferred to the server via the connection or otherwise. The recipient
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`contact information may comprise the telephone number, static or dynamic IP~
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`address, ISDN-number, MSISDN—number, email, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) 1])
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`of the recipient, or any other directory infonnation. The subscriber terminal may
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`translate directory infonnation fron1 one type to the next depending on the
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`requirements. For example, when the network is packet switched, a telephone number
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`may be converted to an IP-address in some embodiments. In some embodiments the
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`directory information of the sender, such as Caller ll), telephone number, IP address
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`or the like is transferred to the server as well. The directory information of the
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`recipients, sender or other message attributes are transferred via the established
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`communications channel, or through a separate communications or messaging _
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`channel. For example if the connection is a phone call, DTMF tones, SMS messages,
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`USSD messages or the like may be used to communicate the said information. Ifthe
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`connection is an 1}‘ connection, usually this same connection is used to convey the
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`said information.
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`In phase 140 the voicefvideo message is recorded in packet switched or circuit
`switched format, but otlier formats are also possible in some embodiments.
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`Consequently, the recording is written to a data file. The data file is typically an MP3-
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`, WAV- or Realsystem Secure data file in some preferable embodiments. In some
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`alternative embodiments the message may be recorded on tape. In some embodiments
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`phase 140 may be executed prior to 130, or both maybe executed concurrently.
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`In phase 150 the connection is disconnected. The connection is preferably
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`disconnected when the message has been completed. The connection may be
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`disconnected by the user by a dedicated action, such as pressing a button or a like
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`action. The fulfilment of a predefined time limit may disconnect the connection, as
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`well as Voice Activity Detection. Ifthe user is silent, then either the terminal may
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`conclude the message completed, and disconnect the connection. Also the release or
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`press of a button may be used to disconnect the connection.
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`In phase 160 the server relays the message to the recipient(s) through the Internet or
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`the telephony network. Ifthe recipient terminal is capable ofreceiving the data file,
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`which means typically having a packet switched access to the recipient device, the
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`message may be sent with an packet switched connection, like IP, through the
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`Internet, or through some other closed network. Ifthe receiving terminal is a circuit
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`switched device, for instance a telephone of any kind, the server may call the number
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`and once answered by a recipient or a voicemail box plays the message as playback
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`down the phone line. In some embodiments of the invention, a special prefix and
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`postfix may be stored to the server, which in some embodiments are associated and
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`recognized on the basis of the sender's directory information, the SIM or the mobile
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`station memory, and is played prior to the recording in the data file or after it. The
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`prefix andfor postfix could play for instance: “In the following you will hear a
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`message from Ms Vilma Va.tiniinen.”MIES SAGE “ This completed the message of
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`Vilma Vai3'nanen.” In some preferable embodiments the sender is displayed on the
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`recipient terminal screen.
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`‘When the recipient receives the message in phase 170, some indication of this is
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`typically captured. The recipient is asked in the postfix whether he would like to hear
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`the message again, whether he understood the message, whether he is the person the
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`message was intended to or any other attributes related to the status of the message
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`may be queried. The user may indicate his preferences by pressing eg. a dedicated
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`button. This dedicated action will signal the server on the status of a certain message
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`with respect to a certain recipient.
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`If the recipient is unavailable, the message may be stored on the server for some time,
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`and attempts to deliver the message may be taken at timely intervals. In some
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`embodiments the message is rerouted to an alternative directory, such as email or
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`voicemail box if the user is unavailable. The server may send a notification to the
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`sender concerning which messages got delivered, which did not, how long will the
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`messages remain in the network and other related important delivery status
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`information relating to the delivery of said messages or attributed given by the
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`recipient(s).
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`In phase 180 the recipient may answer sender directly. This may be done by pressing
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`a button after the data file has been played and dictating another data file or another
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`dictation to tape, which will be sent to the initial sender as a reply. The reply may be
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`delivered in accordance with the inventive methods 10, 20 andfor 30 in some
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`embodiments. In some further embodiments it is also possible to forward messages to
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`other recipients or third parties. The data file is typically an MP3-, WAV~ or
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`RealSystem Secure data file.
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`SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)
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`Figure 2 displays a more scalable messaging method in accordance with the invention.
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`In phase 210 of figure 2 at least one recipient is chosen. In phase 220 the subscriber
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`terminal forms a connection to the server. Recipient contact information is typically
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`transferred in phase 230, and the recording of the said videofaudio message is done in
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`phase 240. The connection is disconnected in phase 250.
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`Before phase 260 the server establishes, whether it should deliver the message to the
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`recipient directly as in phase 160 of method 10, or forward it to other servers in a
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`Store and Forward Server Netvvork associated with the original server. In a scalable
`network architecture, pliase 260 is typically proceeded with and both the recipient
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`contact information and the message are passed onto the SFSN. In some embodiments
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`where several recipients or at least one group exists, the message may be relayed to
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`some recipients by the original server and to some by the SFSN. The SFSN is ’
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`typically a network of servers linked together through the Internet, telephony network,
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`a Virtual Private Network (VPN), or some other communications or signalling
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`network. The connections in the SFSN may be TCPIIP-, IP-, UDP—, HTTP-, H323—,
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`andfor FTP- in some embodiments.
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`In phase 2'70 the servers in the SFSN typically deliver a copy of the message to a
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`server near a recipient, and this server attempts to relay the message to the said
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`recipient. The server may attempt to form a packet switched connection to one, some
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`of the recipients terminals, attempt to dial a circuit switched telephone
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`connection and play the message as playback down the phone line, or email the
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`message to the recipient. In phase 280 the messages that were undelivered are stored
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`on the SFSN.
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`In phase 290 some or all of messages that were undelivered in phase 270 are being
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`resent. The server may attempt to resend the message to the same directories or
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`addresses, or it may attempt to reroute the message to an alternative address of the
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`recipient. In some preferable embodiments the server sends a different message, for
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`instance an SMS message, signifying that the message was not delivered and is on the
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`server for later retrieval. The notification message may contain access codes, directory
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`information of the server, such as dial in phone number, URL address, IP address or
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`_t1_1e like.
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`In one alternative embodiment, the software in the subscriber terminal has the
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`telephone number of the software stored. Both the telephone number and the current
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`IP-address are given to the server; Telephone numbers and IP-addresses can then be
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`used interchangeably when contact is made between software applications. This
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`results to the effect that information in packet switched format can be readily
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`transmitted to telephone numbers, provided these telephone numbers have a
`corresponding IP-addrei~.s.
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`In figure 3 the method 30 shows an inventive audiolvideo messaging method which is
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`most applicable to circuit switched communication systems, i.e. cellular e.g. GSM or
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`CDMA or fixed line e.g. POTS (Pain Old Telephone Service). In phase 310 at least
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`one recipient or a group are selected from the telephone or mobile station memory.
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`The recipient may be chosen by labelling the recipient with a pointer from the
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`“contacts” file ofthe terminal device, the recipient may be chosen by speech
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`recognition, a dedicated keyboard accelerator, hot key, dedicated key or any
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`combinations or permutations of these in some embodiments. Several recipients or a
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`group may also be selected in some embodiments. A simple press of a button may
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`also be used to select at least one recipient.
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`In some preferable embodiments the mobile station features SIM Application Toolkit
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`(SAT), Java Virtual Machine- or Wireless Telephony Application Interface support
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`WTAI. A special menu e.g. “Voice Messages”, or “Instant Voice Messages” or “Uni-
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`directional phone call” menu may be realised in accordance with the invention. The
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`recipient may be selected fi'om this menu, typically on the SIM andlor mobile station
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`memory with the aforementioned methods.
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`In phase 320 the terminal intercepts the selected recipient telephone number, and dials
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`a telephone number associated with the server.
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`Once the connection to the server is operational, either the terminal sends or server
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`retrieves the recipient(s) contact directory and the telephone number of the sender or
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`caller ID of the message in phase 330. These telephone numbers may be sent through
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`SS-, USSD-, SMS~ or SS’7— channels, or as DTTMIF tones through the connection. The
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`server then records these numbers and translated or modifies them according to some
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`rules or definitions to enable further delivery of the message. Once the relevant
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`information has been signalled between the terminal and the server, either one may
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`indicate to the user that the dictation may begin.
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`In phase 340 the message is being dictated through the connection and recorded on
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`the server. Consequently, the recording is written to a data file. The data file is
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`typically an MP3-, WAV- or Realsystern Secure, u-law, A-lavv, PCM or ADPCM
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`data file in some preferable embodiments. In some alternative embodiments the
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`message may be recorded on tape. In some embodiments the process is cancelled if
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`the connection breaks and an error notification indicating this may be sent by SMS.
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`In phase 350 the dial up connection is disconnected. The connection is preferably
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`disconnected when the message has been completed. The connection may be
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`disconnected by the user by a dedicated action, such as pressing a button or a like
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`action. The fillfilment of a predefined time limit may disconnect the connection, as
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`well as Voice Activity Detection. Ifthe user is silent, then either the terminal may
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`conclude the message completed, and disconnect the connection. Also the release or
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`press of a button may be used to disconnect the connection.
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`In phase 360 the server examines the message delivery requests. Ifit is determinable
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`that the recipient is near the server, from the telephone number, country or area code,
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`VLR (Visitor Location Register), HLR (Home Location Register) or any other source,
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`the server may proceed to phase 371. Ifthc server concludes that reaching the
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`recipient is not feasible or justified according to set criteria, it will proceed to phase
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`370. Other logical reasons apart from narity, for example cost of terminating
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`connection may determine whether to proceed to 370 or 371, or neither. In extreme
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`circumstances, if the delivery of the message is impossible, the server may delete the
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`message and send a notification to the recipient, for example by SMS or email.
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`Assume the server proceeded to 371. In this phase the original server calls the
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`numbers of the recipients and once answered by a recipient or a voicemail box plays
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`the message as playback down the phone line. In some embodiments of the invention,
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`a special prefix and postfix may be stored to the server, which in some embodiments
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`are associated and recognized on the basis of the sender’s directory information, the
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`SIM or the mobile station memory, and is played prior to the recording in the data file
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`or after it. The prefix andfor postfix could play for instance: “In the following you will
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`hear a message from Ms Vilma Vaa.nanen."lVlESSAGE “ This completed the message
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`of Vilma Viiiinéinen.” In some preferable embodiments the sender is displayed on the
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`recipient terminal screen. In some embodiments, the caller ID, the name of the sender
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`or the like is displayed by the Caller 1]) property of the network, or by a SMS, OTA
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`(Over the Air) or WAP-flash, or SMS broadcast message.
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`In phase 381 the undelivered messages are stored at the server or in the SFSN. In
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`phase 391 the original server or the SFSN attempts to deliver the message at timely
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`intervals, for example by placing further calls. In some embodiments the message is
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`rerouted to an alternative directory, such as email or voicemail box, or the like if the
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`user is unavailable. Alternatively, the messages could be attempted to send via a
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`packet switched connection as described in FI2000l838 of the applicant. The server
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`may send a notification to the sender concerning which messages got delivered, which
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`did not, what was the reason; was the recipient busy, refused the call, in radio shadow,
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`how long will the messages remain in the network and other related important
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`delivery status infonnation relating to the delivery of said messages. In some
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`preferable embodiments the server sends a different message to the recipient, for
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`instance an SMS message, signifying that the message was not delivered and is held
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`on the server for later retrieval. The notification message may contain access codes,
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`directory information of the server, such as dial in phone number, URL address, IP
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`address or the like.
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`Assume the server proceeded to phase 370. Here the SFSN servers relay the message
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`to the recipients through the Internet or the Telephony network. The call to the
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`recipient is sometimes made from an optimal server in the SFSN. This may be the
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`closest server or the one with the most inexpensive communications connection to the
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`recipient. The choice of the server making contact with a particular recipient is
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`determined by delivery criteria set in the network. When the same message is
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`delivered to various recipients in different locations, copies of the same message may
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`be routed to several different servers, from which the call is made. The message
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`delivery process may be as described in phase 371.
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`In phase 380, the undelivered messages are stored on the SFSN. The messages may be
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`stored for a period of time, before proceeding to phase 390. In some alternative
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`emboditnents there is an iteration loop between phases 380 and 390. In some cases
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`several attempts to call a recipient are made, and a notification or rerouting of the
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`message are taken after some attempts have failed. Any SFSN server may send a
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`notification to the sender concerning which messages got delivered, which did not,
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`how long will the messages remain in the network and other related importallt
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`delivery status information relating to the delivery of said messages.
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`The recipients may also answer sender directly, upon reception of a message. This
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`maybe done by pressing a button after the data file has been played and dictating
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`another data file or another dictation to tape, which will be sent to the initial sender as
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`a reply. The reply may be delivered in accordance with the inventive methods 10, 20
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`andfor 30 in some embodiments. In some further ernbodirnents it is also possible to
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`forward messages to other recipients or third parties. The data file is typically an
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`MP3-, WAV- or RealSysten1 Secure, u-law, A-law, PCM or ADPCM data file.
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`During, in between or after any of the phases of methods 10, 20, 30, directory lookup
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`maybe executed in some preferable embodiments. The telephone number of the
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`recipient is converted to an [P-address in one preferable embodiment. A prior art
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`solution to directory lookup and conversion is presented in my patent application
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`“Telenetwork directory template”, FI19992774, which is taken here as reference.
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`Directory lockup is here established as the interchange retrieval andfor comparison of
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`any directory information such as email—, IP- address, URL, ISDN number, MSISDN,
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`phone number or the like to another corresponding email-, IP- address, URL, ISDN
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`number, phone number or the like directory from the network, network server ajadfor
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`terminal in order to deliver the message to a directory. Especially in cases where the
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`IP-address of the recipient is a dynamic one, the directory loolcup is an advantageous
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`feature. In some embodiments Where the recipient has a static IP address, the IP-
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`address need not be looked up separately every time. In some preferable embodiments
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`]P—addresses ofrecipients are stored on the subscriber terminal. In some embodiments
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`only static IP-addresses of recipients are stored.
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`During, in between or after any of the phases of methods 10, 20, 30, signal barring
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`maybe executed in some preferable embodiments. In some embodiments the
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`recipients may decline to receive messages fi'on1 unwanted parties, for example by
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`setting conditions to their subscriber terminal.
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`Voice recognition may be employed during, before, in between or after any ofthe
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`phases ofmethods 10, 20, 30. In some preferable embodiments, voice recognition is
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`used to convert the dictation into a written email, SMS—,_MMS- message or the like.
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`In some embodiments, at least one subscriber terminal and at least one server form