I||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||l||||||||||
`
`US008243723B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Rojas
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45; Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,243,723 B2
`*Aug. 14, 2012
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTANT VOIP
`MESSAGEG
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Michael J. Raj as, Nt.‘ll'll‘l ('a11tt"n1. UH
`(US)
`
`A35ig11r-geg
`
`Inc
`
`(:5) Notice:
`
`Subjem man},discL.,i,,,e,_ [hetern-10fIh_iS
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. l54[b) by 693 days.
`
`This patent is subject to it terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`(21) App1.Nn.: 12)'398,063
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 4, 2009
`
`(65)
`
`Prim’ Publication 133*“
`Us 2009;016l664 A1
`_;1m_ 25! 2009
`
`Related U.S. Application Data
`
`2004.«'nt2s356 Al
`2004..-0179092 .-\l*
`2004.-"OZSEGT9 Al
`2005.-0053230 Al
`2005!.-0l0559-J. Al
`2006.-‘amass At
`2006.-"0258750 Al
`
`wznoa Bernstein elal.
`9.-2004 .LaPoint
`IZIZUO4 Williamsetal.
`352005 Gicrachf
`5,2005 Hunuweu el 3]‘
`‘#2006 Buukobrza
`l]:".?006 Weiner
`
`_\-'It'Illk
`5."2007'
`2007'-"UIIEQE5 Al
`'i":'2i'JiJ'? Harry
`200'?x'0|74403 Al
`3:-2010 Cast
`2010.-"DU7tJ21r'5 Al‘
`()‘]‘[1]';R [JUB1"}C_;\‘[‘](jNS
`
`348.-"14.08
`
`704.-235
`
`l'll'l|I}1r' r'w\wv.cisco.com«"warp.-' pubiic.-'cc “pd.-"ncmn sw.-‘c allmn: prodlit.-"
`cm33__ds.htm: “Data Sheet Cisco Ca|l.\danager Version 3.3“. Nov.
`22. 2002.
`http:.-"Iwww.cisco.c01n.-"enflISipmducts-"hw.-"switchestps I 925-"prod-
`ucts data sheet 09 l8fi_aD{J80Ga3c3d.hLml; “Data Sheet Cisco MGX
`8000 Series" t Date unknown).
`http:.-Twww.hsteliann.c0I11.-"english.-"?m rte-3 I I'JO—V2 II’:
`3ll'JU—V'2lP". 2003.
`http:.-zfiwww.Iinuxdeviccscom-'articlcs'Nl'5 1999475 t9.hLm|;
`“Device Profile: snom [U0 Veil’ phone". May I5. 2002.
`(Cotitimted)
`
`"Tel iphune
`
`(63)
`
`l0J'740.030. filed on
`(Tontinuatinn of application No.
`Dec. 18, 2003, new Pat. No. 7,535,890.
`
`Creiglilflli Smiul
`Pi’-5”-'“".V E4""’“""’*'*‘-”'
`(74) A=‘mme_v- -4381“. or Firm Scu||y- SI-‘OIL Murphy &
`Presser. PC.
`
`(51)
`
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H041. 12/66
`U.S. Cl.
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`
`370852;
`709a’206
`See applit::atit1t1 file for complete search llisttiry.
`
`(56}
`
`Rcffffflfcfi Cited
`
`U-S” PATENT DOCUMENTS
`6.'!63.226 Bl
`T.-"2004
`.\«tc'/.eal. Jr.
`3003-"B03753? A I
`5-"3003 5?‘-E-i
`'5‘ 31-
`2003.-"0l?.620'J" Al
`7-52003 C
`2UU4.l_.0O1445fi Al It
`“.2004
`2004.-"003U04fi Al
`2.-‘Z004 Schultcs ct al.
`200-’-lI'008545fi Al‘
`S.-“Z004 Kwaget al.
`200-#0122906 Al
`6.-2004 Goodman el al.
`
`l.
`
`t
`
`455413
`
`348"2il.ll
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`There is prgvidgd an i_ng[a_[11'_ Vgicg rnegsagjng gy51em_ (and
`method) for delivering instant messages over a packet-
`switched network, the system comprising: a client connected
`to the network. the client selecting one or inure recipients.
`gencrati11g an instant voice tnessage therefor. and transmit-
`ting the selected recipients and the instant voice message
`therefor over the network: and a server connected to the
`network. the server receiving the selected recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor. and delivering the instant
`voice message to the selected recipients over the network. the
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`""“‘3"3 111955329-
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`8 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
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`Apple 1001
`U.S. Pat. 8,243,723
`U.S. Pat. 8,243,723
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`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
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`hl1p:5.-'\w»w.p|ng1cl.comfpr xpressagsp; .\To limits with the advanced
`industry standald SIP phone. Dec. 8. 2003: and.
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`Audi-:>C’nded Enabling Technology Pruducls. TPM-l 100 VoP Media
`Gateway Modules: 2003.
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`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2012
`
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`US 8,243,723 B2
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`
`
`__ LEGACY
`PHONE
`
`I VDIP
`SOFTPHONE
`
`FIG. 1
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`0003
`0003
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`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2012
`
`Sheet 2 of 9
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`US 8,243,723 B2
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`SWITCH
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`WM CLIENT
`[VoIP
`PHONE)
`
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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 14, 2012
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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 14, 2012
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`Sheet 9 of 9
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`US 8,243,723 B2
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`
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`

`
`US 3,243,723 B2
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTANT VOIP
`MESSAGING
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPl..lC'A'I'I()N
`
`TI1is application is a continttation of US. application Ser.
`No. I0t?40.030 lied on Dec. 18. 2003. the entire contents of
`which are incorporated herein by this reference.
`
`10
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Teclulical Field of the lnvetltion
`TI1e present invention generally relates to Internet tele-
`phony (IP telephony). More particularly. the present inven-
`tion is directed to a system and method for enabling local and
`global instant VoIP messaging over an IP network. such as the
`Internet, with PSTN support.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`Traditional telephony is based on a pttblic switched tele-
`phone network (ie. “I’STN“).
`In the PSTN, a telephone
`terminal is electrically connected to a conventional or legacy
`switch. The telephone terminal and the legacy switch com-
`municate via a proprietary protocol. which may be different
`depending on the vendor of the legacy switch. Circuit switch-
`ing provides a commtmication path {i.e.. dedicated circuit) for
`at telephone call from the telephone terminal to another device
`over the PSTN, including another telephone terminal. During
`the telephone call. voice communication takes place over that
`communication path.
`An altemative to the PSTN is Voice over Internet Protocol
`
`(i.e.. “VolP"}. also known as II’ telephony or Internet tele-
`phony. In the IP telephony. a VoIP terminal device is con-
`nected to a packet-switched network (e.g.. Internet) and voice
`communication from the Voll’ terminal device is digitized.
`packetized and transmitted over the packet—switched network
`to a destination VoIP terminal device. which reconstructs the
`packets and audibly plays, stores or otherwise processes the
`transmission. The \«'o]P tenninal device may be a VoIP tele-
`phone or a general-purpose personal computer (PC) enabled
`for IP telephony. More specifically. the PC is programmed
`with the software and equipped with audio inptttfoutpttt
`devices (e.g.. a combination of microphone and speaker or a
`headset} to serve as a VoIP terminal device. The PC so enabled
`and equipped will herein be referred to as a Voll’ terminal
`device or a Volt’ sofiphone.
`FIG. I is an illustrative example ofa prior art IP telephony
`system 100. The H’ telephony system 100 compriscsa packet-
`switched ll’ network 102, such as the Internet. which trans-
`mits Voll’ traffic from and to a plurality of terminal devices
`104. 106 and 110. Terminal device 104 is a VoIP sofiphone
`that is enabled for IP telephony over the network 102. ‘femu-
`rtal device 106 is a VoIP telephone. which is connected to the
`network 102 via a softswitch 108. The VoIP sofiswitch 103 is
`
`disposed on the packet-switched network (e.g.. Internet) 102
`between an origination temtinal device (such as Voll’ soft-
`phone 104) and a destination terminal device [such as VoIP
`telephone 106). and routes packets over the packet-switched
`IP network 102. The softswitch 108 may also manage and
`perform administrative functions for the terminal device or
`devices (eg. Volt’ telephone 106) to which it is connected.
`Whether the terminal device is a V"oIP softphone 104 or a Vol P
`telephone 106. the terminal device is connected to the IP
`network 102 via a networking standard such as Ethernet.
`Bluetooth, IEEE 1394 (also known as “Firewire")_. IEEE
`802.1] (also known as “WiI7i"). or networking over serial
`communication channels such as the Universal Serial Bus
`
`2
`(i.e., “USB"). Data commtmication over the network then
`takes place using a connection protocol, e.g.. transfer control
`protocolflnternet protocol [i.e.. “"l'CI’i’IP”).
`Further regarding FIG. 1, tenninal device 110 is a legacy
`telephone that is connected to a legacy switch 1 12 for (circuit-
`switchad) voice coirtrtttuiications over the PSTN 116 with
`other terminal devices. A media gateway 114 may be pro-
`vided between the legacy switch 112 and the packet-switched
`network 102 to enable II’ telephony between the legacy tele-
`phone 110 and a Voll’ terminal device, sttch as a Vol? soft-
`phone 104 or Vic-IP telephone 106. More specifically. the
`media gateway 114 converts the audio signal carried over
`PSTN to packets carried over the packet—swit'ched IP network
`102. In addition. a media gateway 118 may be disposed over
`the PSTN 116 and comtected to a sofiswitch 120 to convert
`
`the audio signal from the legacy telephone 110 to packets
`routed over the II’ network 102 via the sofiswitch 120.
`
`Voice messaging in both the \«"olP and PSTN is known.
`More specifically. the foregoing systents may be provided
`with a facility to allow users to leave voice messages for
`recipients. which is a ieantre that is familiar to anyone who
`uses a telephone. Conventionally. leaving a voice message
`involves dialing the recipient’s telephone number (often
`without knowing whether the recipient will answer}. waiting
`for the connection to be established. speaking to an operator
`or navigating through a menu of options. listening to a greet-
`ing message. and recording the message for later pickup by
`the recipient. In that message, the user must typically identify
`himself or herself in order for the recipient to return the call.
`Instant text messaging is likewise known. More specifi-
`cally, a user is provided with a client terminal. which is
`typically a general-pttrpose PC programmed with instant text
`messaging software and in data communication over an IP
`network with an instant text-messaging server. The instant
`text-rnessagittg server presents the user. via the client termi-
`nal. with a list of persons who are currently “online“ and
`ready to receive text messages on their own client terminals.
`The user then uses the client terminal to select one or more
`
`persons to whom the message will be sent and types in a text
`message. The text message is sent immediately via the text-
`messaging server to the selected one or more persons and is
`displayed on their respective client terminals.
`However. notwithstanding the foregoing advances in the
`VbIP!PSTN voice communication and voiceftext messaging,
`there is still a need in the art for providing a system and
`method for providing instant Volt’ messaging over an IP
`network. More particularly. there is a need in the art for
`providing local and global instant voice messaging over V'o[P
`with PSTN support.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`3U
`
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`
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`
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`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`The present invention is directed to a system and method
`for enabling local and global instant V’oIP messaging over an
`IP network. such as the Internet.
`According to an entbodintent of the present invention.
`there is provided an instant voice messaging system for del iv-
`ering instant messages over a packet—switched network. the
`system comprising: a client connected to the network, the
`client selecting, one or more recipients, generating an instant
`voice message therefor. and transmitting the selected recipi-
`ents and the instant voice message therefor over the network:
`and a server connected to the network, the server receiving the
`selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor, and
`delivering the instant voice message to the selected recipients
`over the network. the selected recipients being enabled to
`audibly play the instant voice message.
`0012
`0012
`
`

`
`3
`
`4
`
`US 3,243,723 B2
`
`local
`telephone comtected to a
`(Vi:iIP)
`ternet-protocol
`network for providing input audio: a client connected to the
`local network. the client selecting one or more external recipi-
`ents connected to an external network outside the local net-
`
`According to another embodiment o fthe present irivention.
`there is provided an instant voice messaging system for deliv-
`ering instant messages over a packet-switched network
`enabling public switched telephone network [PSTN) support.
`the system comprising: a PSTN telephone connected to the
`network for providing input audio: a client connected to the
`network. the client selecting one or more recipients. generat-
`ing an instant voice message therefor using the input audio
`provided by the PSTN teleplione. and transmitting the
`selected recipients zmd the instant voice message therefor
`over the network; a server connected to the network. the
`server receiving the selected recipients and the instant voice
`message therefor. and delivering the instant voice message to
`the selected recipients over the network. the selected recipi-
`ents being enabled to audibly play the instant voice message.
`According to a further embodiment of the present inven-
`tion. there is provided an instant voice messaging system for
`delivering instant messages over a packet-switched network.
`the system comprising: a voice-over-internet-protoeol (V"olP]
`telephone connected to the network for providing input audio:
`at client connected to the network, the client selecting one or
`more recipients. generating an instant voice message therefor
`using the inpttt attdio provided by the \«’olP telephone, and
`transmitting the selected recipients and the instant voice mes-
`sage therefor over the network: a server connected to the
`network. the server receiving the selected recipients and the
`instant voice message llierefor, and delivering the instant
`voice message to the selected recipients over the network, the
`selected recipients being enabled to audibly play the instant
`voice message.
`According to still another embodiment of the present
`invention. there is provided an instant voice messaging sys-
`tem lbr delivering instant messages over a plurality ol‘packet-
`switched networks.
`the system comprising: a client con-
`nected to a local network. the client selecting one or more
`external recipients comiected to an external network outside
`the local network. generating an instant voice message there-
`for. and transmitting the selected recipients and the instant
`voice message therefor over the local network and the exter-
`nal network: and a server connected to the extemal network.
`
`the server receiving the selected recipients and the instant
`voice message therefor. and delivering the instant voice mes-
`sage to the selected recipients over the external network_. the
`selected recipients being enabled to audibly play the instant
`voice message.
`According to yet another embodiment ofthe present inven-
`tion. there is provided an instant voice messaging system for
`delivering instant messages over a plurality of packet-
`switched networks enabling public switched telephone net-
`work (PSTN) support. the system comprising: a PSTN tele-
`phone connected to a local network tor providing input audio:
`a client connected to the local network. the client selecting
`one or more external recipients connected to an extemal
`network outside the local network. generating an instant
`voice message therefor using the input audio provided by the
`PSTN telephone. and transmitting the selected recipients and
`the instant voice message therefor over the local network and
`the external network; a server connected to the external net-
`work. the server receiving the selected recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor. and delivering the instant
`voice message to the selected recipients over the external
`network. the selected recipients being enabled to audibly play
`the instant voice message.
`According to yet a further embodiment of the present
`invention. there is provided an instant voice messaging sys-
`tem for delivering instant messages over a plurality of packet-
`switched networks. the system comprising: a voice-over-in-
`
`ll]
`
`3U
`
`35
`
`work. generating an instant voice message therefor using the
`input audio provided by the Vol P teleplionc. and transmitting
`the selected recipients and the instant voice message theretor
`over the local network and the external network: an server
`connected to the external network. the external server receiv-
`ing the selected recipients and the instant voice message
`therefor. and delivering the instant voice message to the
`selected recipients over the external network. the selected
`recipients being enabled to audibly play the instant voice
`message.
`According to still a further embodiment of the present
`invention. there is provided an instant voice messaging sys-
`tem for delivering instant messages over a plurality ofpacket-
`switched networks, the system comprising: a client con-
`nected to an external network. the cl ient selecting one or more
`recipients connected to a local network. generating an instant
`voice message therefor. and transmitting the selected recipi-
`ents and the instant voice message therefor over the extemal
`network; an external server system connected to the external
`network. the external server system receiving the selected
`recipients and the instant voice message. and routing the
`selected recipients and the instant voice message over the
`external network and the local network: a local server con-
`nected to the local network. the local server receiving the
`selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor. and
`delivering the instant voice message to the selected recipients
`over the local network. the selected recipients being enabled
`to audibly play the instant voice message.
`invention,
`According to an embodiment of the present
`there is provided a method for instant voice messaging over a
`packet-switched network, the method comprising: selecting
`one or more recipients for instant voice messaging at a cl ient:
`generating an instant voice message for the selected recipi-
`ents at the client; transmitting the selected recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor over the network from the
`client to a server: receiving the selected recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor at the server; delivering the
`instant voice message from the server to the selected recipi-
`ents over the network; and audibly playing the instant voice
`message at the selected recipients.
`Ac cording to another embodiment ofthe present invention.
`there is provided a method for instant voice messaging over a
`packet-switched network enabling public switched telephone
`network (PSTN) suppon. the tnelhod comprising: providing
`input audio via a PSTN telephone connected over the net-
`work: selecting one or more recipients for instant voice mes-
`saging at a client; generating an instant voice message using
`the input audio frorn the PSTN telephone for the selected
`recipients at the client; transmitting the selected recipients
`and the instant voice message therefor over the network from
`the client to a server: receiving the selected recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor at the server“. delivering the
`instant voice message from the server to the selected recipi-
`ents over the network; and audibly playing the instant voice
`message at the selected recipients.
`According to a further embodiment of the present inven-
`tion. there is provided a method for instant voice messaging
`over a packet-switched network. the method comprising: pro-
`viding input audio via 21 voice-over-intemet~protocol (VOIP)
`telephone connected over the network; selecting one or more
`recipients for instant voice messaging at a client: generating
`an instant voice message using the input audio from the VoIP
`telephone for the selected recipients at the client; transmitting
`0013
`0013
`
`4t":
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`

`
`5
`
`6
`
`US 3,243,723 B2
`
`the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor
`over the network from the client to a server: receiving the
`selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor at
`the server: delivering the instant voice message from the
`server to the selected recipients over the network: and audibly
`playing the instant voice message at the selected recipients.
`According to still another embodiment of the present
`invention. there is provided a method for instant voice 111es-
`saging over a plurality of packet-switched networks.
`the
`method comprising: selecting one or more external recipients
`for instant voice messaging at a client connected to a local
`network. the one or more external recipients connected to an
`external network outside the local network: generating an
`instant voice message for the selected external recipients at
`the client: transmitting the selected external recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor over the local network and the
`external network: receiving the selected external recipients
`and the instant voice message therefor at an external server
`connected to the external network: delivering the instant
`voice message to the selected external recipients over the
`extemal network: and audibly playing the instant voice n1es—
`sage at the selected external recipients.
`According to yet another embodiment ofthe present inven-
`tion. there is provided a method for instant voice messaging
`system over a plurality ofpacket-switched networks enabling
`public switched telephone network (PSTN) support.
`the
`method comprising: providing input audio via a PSTN tele-
`phone connected to a local network; selecting one or more
`external recipients for instant voice messaging at a client. the
`one or more external recipients connected to an extemal
`network outside the local network; generating an instant
`voice message for the one or more extemal recipients using
`the input audio provided by the PSTN telephone: transmitting
`the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor
`over the local network and the external network; receiving the
`selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor at a
`server connected to the external network: delivering the
`instant voice message to the selected recipients from the
`server over the external network: and audibly playing the
`instant voice message at the selected recipients.
`According to still a liirther embodiment of the present
`invention. there is provided a method for instant voice mes-
`saging system over a plurality ofpacket—switched networks.
`the method comprising: providing input audio via a voice-
`over-intcrnet-protocol (VolP) telephone connected to a local
`network: selecting one or more external recipients for instant
`voice messaging at a client, the one or more extenial recipi-
`ents connected to an external network outside the local net-
`work: generating a11 instant voice message for the one or more
`extemal recipients using the input audio provided by the VolP
`telephone: transmitting the selected recipients and the instant
`voice message therefor over the local network and the exter-
`nal network: receiving the selected recipients and the instant
`voice message therefor at a server connected to the external
`network: delivering the instant voice message to the selected
`recipients from the server over the external network: and
`audihly playing the instant voice message at the selected
`recipients.
`According to yet a fnnher embodiment of the present
`invention. there is provided a method for instant voice mes-
`saging over a plurality ofa plurality ofpacket-switched net-
`works. the method comprising: selecting one or more recipi-
`ents connected to a local network at a client connected to an
`
`external network; generating an instant voice message for the
`selected recipients at the client: transmitting the selected
`recipients and the instant voice message therefor over the
`external network from the client to an external server system;
`
`receiving the selected recipients and the instant voice mes-
`sage at the external server system; routing the selected recipi-
`ents and the instant voice message over the external network
`and the local network: receiving the selected recipients and
`the instant voice message therefor at a local server connected
`to the local network: delivering the instant voice message to
`die selected recipients over the local network; audibly playing
`the instant voice message at the selected recipients.
`
`Ill
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The objects, features and advantages of the present inven-
`tion will become apparent to one skilled in the art. in view of
`the following detailed description taken in combination with
`the attached drawings. in which:
`FIG.
`1 illustrates an example of a prior an IP telephony
`system;
`FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary local IVM system for
`enabling instant voice messaging according to the present
`invention:
`FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary IVM client of FIG. 2 for
`enabling instant voice messaging according to the present
`invention:
`FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary IVM server of FIG. 2 for
`enabling instant voice messaging according to the present
`invention;
`FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary global IVM system com-
`prising a local IVM system and global IVM clients. according
`to the present invention;
`FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary global IVM server system
`depicted in FIG. 5, according to the present invention;
`FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary transport server depicted in
`FIG. 6. according to the present invention:
`FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary directory server depicted in
`FIG. 6. according to the present invention: and
`FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary global TVM system com-
`prising a plurality of local IVM systems and global IVM
`clients_. according to the present invention.
`
`DlET.1\Il,E[) l)ESCRIPTlON OF THE PRlil"F.RRF.l)
`F.MBOI)IMliNI' OF TI--IF. INVTTNTION
`
`The present invention is directed to a system and method
`for enabling local and global instant Voll’ messaging over an
`IP network with PSTN support.
`FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration of a local instant voice
`messaging (WM) system 200 according to the present inven-
`tion. The instant voice messaging system 200 comprises a
`local IVM server 202 that provides the core functionality for
`enabling instant voice messaging with PSTN support accord-
`ing to the present invention. The architecture ofthe local IVM
`server 202 will he described in detail hereinbelow with ref-
`
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`erence to FIG. 4. According to the exemplary IVM system
`200. the local IVM server 202 is enabled to provide instant
`voice messaging to one or more IVM clients 206 and 208. as
`well support instant voice messaging for PSTN legacy tele-
`phones ll0. It is noted that although FIG. 2 depicts one of
`each TVM client 206, 208 and legacy telephone 110 for clarity
`and brevity. the local IVM server 202 is enabled to support a
`plurality of each of the foregoing WM clients 206. 208 and
`legacy telephone 1] I}. The local packet-switched IP network
`204 interconnects the IVM clients 206. 208 and the legacy
`telephone 110 to the local IVM server 202 as well as inter-
`connecting the local IVM server 202 to the local ll’ network
`204. The network 204 may be a local area network (LAN). a
`wide area network (WAN). or the like. which supports both
`wired and wireless devices. The exemplary IVM client 208 is
`0014
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`US 8,243,723 B2
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`a Voll’ so'liphone_. the architecture of which will be described
`in detail hereinhelow with reference to FIG. 3. A microphone
`212 is connected to the IVM client 208 and enables the
`
`recording ofan instant voice message according to the present
`invention into an audio lile 210 for transmission to the local
`IVM server 202 over the network 204. An input device 218
`[e.g.. a keyboard) is connected to the IVM client 208 to select
`one or more recipients that are to receive the recorded instant
`voice message. Although not depicted in l"'lG. 2. the input
`device 218 may include a trackball. digitizing pad or mouse.
`or the like. A display device 216 is connected to the IVM
`client 208 to display instant voice messages recorded andfor
`received by a useroltl1e IVM cliert12{|8.An audio device 214,
`such as external speaker, is is connected to the WM client 208
`to play received instant voice messages. It is noted that the
`microphone 212. audio device 214. display device 216 and
`input device 218 may form integral parts of the JVM client
`208.
`Further with reference to FIG. 2. IVM client 206 is inter-
`conntxted via the network 204 to the local IVM server 202.
`An exemplary IVM client 206 is a VoIP telephone. which
`cotnprises a screen display (not shown) capable ofdisplayirtg
`instant voice messages recorded andfor received by a user of
`tlie IVM client 206 according to the present invention. The
`Vc-lP telephone 206 litrther comprises a handset andfor
`speakerphone for recording instant voice messages and lis-
`tening to instant voice messages received at the VoIP tele-
`phone 206 according to the present invention. The VbIP tele-
`phones which may be implemented to provide instant voice
`messaging functionality according to the present invention
`are commercially available from many vendors. including
`Alcatel'”". l_ucent‘““. INIECT“ and C isco““. to name just a few.
`In addition to the foregoing IVM clients 206. 208. the IVM
`system 200 supports a legacy telephone I II} for instant voice
`messaging according to the present invention. The legacy
`telephone 110 is connected to a legacy switch 112. The legacy
`switch 112 is further connected to a media gateway 114. Both
`the legacy switch 112 and the media gateway 114 intercon-
`nect the legacy telephone 1 1 0 via the network 204 to the local
`IVM server 202. thereby facilitating instant voice messaging
`according to the present invention. The media gateway 114
`may be a gateway that supports trunk pack network control
`(i.e.. “TPNCP") protocol, media gateway control protocol
`[i.e.. “MCiC‘P")_. or a media gateway control H.428 protocol
`(i.e._. “Ml3GACO"). As previously mentioned. the media gate-
`way II4 converts the audio signal carried over PSTN to
`packets to be transmitted over a packet-switched IP network,
`such as the local network 204.
`The implementation of the instant voice messaging for
`IVM client 208 will be described first and will be followed by
`the implementations for ]\/M client 206 and legacy telephone
`110, with reference to the local IVM system 200 depicted in
`FIG. 2. These implementations implement a “record mode"
`ofthe instant voice messaging according to the present inven-
`tion. 'Ihcre will further be described an “intercom mode" of
`the instant voice messaging according to the present inven-
`tion. Therefore, in operation of the IVM client 208 according
`to FIG. 2. the IVM client (WM softphone) 208 is connected
`over the network 204 to the IVM server 202. which as afore-
`mentioned cnahles instant voice messaging functionality
`over the network 204. The WM client 208 displays a list of
`one or more IVM recipients on its display 216. provided and
`stored by the local IVM server 202. as will be particularly
`described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 4. The user
`
`operates the IVM client 208 by using the input device 218 to
`indicate a selection of one or more IVM recipients from the
`list. The user selection is transmitted to the WM server 202.
`
`The user selection also generates a start signal to the IVM
`client 208 that the user is ready to begin instant voice mes-
`saging according to the present invention. 111 response to the
`start signal. the IVM client [soltplione] 208 listens to the input
`audio device 212 and records the user's speech into a digi-
`tized audio file 210 (ie. instant voice message) stored on the
`IVM client 208. The audio file 210 at the IVM client 208 is
`
`finalized via a stop signal. which is generated by the user via
`the input device 218 or a preset time period without speech
`input via the input audio device 212 on the IVM client 208.
`Once the recording of the user‘s speech is finalized, IVM
`cl icnt 208 generates :1 send signal indicating that the digitized
`audio file 210 (instant voice message) is ready to be sent to the
`selected recipients. The user generates the send signal when
`the user operates the IVM client 208 via the input device 218.
`e.g.. pressing a key on a keyboard or clicking a button on a
`mouse. The IVM client 208 transmits the digitized audio file
`210 and the send signal to the local IVM server 202. In
`resp