I||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||ll||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
`
`US00?21 891982
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Viiéinfinen
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`
`(45; Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,218,919 B2
`*May 15, 2007
`
`(54) VOICEMAIL SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE
`METHOD AND MEANS AND A SUBSCRIBER
`TERMINAL
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PA'l‘IiN'I‘ |J()(7UMl€N'l'S
`
`(-I5}
`
`Inventor:
`
`Mikko Kalcrvo Véiéinfinen. Helsinki
`
`(73)
`
`Assignee:
`( * ) Notice:
`
`(F1)
`
`Suinno Oy. Helsinki (Fl)
`
`Subject to any disclaimer. the term ofthjs
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`u.s.(:. t54(b) by 208 days.
`
`This patent is subject to at terminal dis-
`claimer.
`
`(21)
`
`(22)
`
`(36)
`
`Appl. No.:
`PCT Filed:
`
`PCT No.:
`
`l0a‘3-14,995
`
`Aug. 8. 2001
`P(.‘Ti'FI0lt'00'?0l
`
`§3?t (c_)(t).
`(2). (4) Date:
`
`Jul. 28, 2003
`
`PCT Pub. No.: W002!17650
`
`PCT Pub. Date: Feb. 28, 2002
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 200420005877 Al
`
`Jan. 8. 2004
`
`(37)
`
`(65)
`
`(30)
`
`Aug. 21, 2000
`(51)
`Int. Cl.
`H0411! H./00
`1104M H/'10
`U.S. (II.
`
`(52)
`
`Foreign Application Priority Data
`20001838
`
`(F1)
`
`(2006.01)
`(2006.01)
`455!-412.1: 455E413: 455E466:
`379188.13: 3?9f88.26
`
`455E403.
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`-:t55M06. 412.2. 413. 414.4. 418: 379188.13.
`3?9i’88.24. 93.28: 7091201. 203. 206
`See application tile for complete search history.
`
`5.950.123 A
`5.U38.|‘)‘) A *
`6.351.523 Bl ""
`
`9r'l999 Schwclb ct al.
`352000 Pawlowski et al.
`2.-‘"2002 Dellef
`
`369.-‘£9.02
`3T9.-"88.l4
`
`(Continued)
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`l"l
`
`[D8982 B
`
`4-C3002
`
`((Tontirmed]
`OT]-IFR PUBLICATIONS
`
`Internet article https:.-".-'xcsifc00 l .noki.1.com.-' exc hange.-'EX'l‘-PW F.
`PzltenE—Agency.-"Inb0xx'FW:%20Suinn.
`[5 pages.
`
`(Cotitintted)
`
`}’r.I'iJmr_t' 1:'_raiin'm'r- Binh K. Tieu
`(74) A!t‘orne_t'. Agem‘. or Firiir-—Y0ung 8'. Tliornpson
`
`(57)
`
`.-\BS'['RA(T'l‘
`
`A voicemail short messaging method (10. 20. 30) and unit
`and a subscriber terminal for instantaneous packet switched
`voieemail between Internet compatible computers. personal
`digital assisteuits. telephones and mobile stations. in particu-
`lar the subscriber terminal (500) concerns at hardware and a
`software setup that allows the combined use ofaudio andfor
`video devices (550) with both the normal cellular or fixed
`telephony network (520) and with an Internet connection
`(510). The subscriber terminal (500) allows the flexible use
`of both the Internet and lclepliorty network with nuntcruus
`ztdvanitetges. one of which is the inventive voicemail short
`messaging method under study. The voicemail niessaging
`method (10). comprising at least one subscriber terminal is
`characterized by server independence.
`
`23 Claims, 8 Drawing Sheets
`
`L10
`
`I10
`
`1"
`
`I3
`
`D
`1
`
`1
`
`1-90
`
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`1
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`
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`nanap
`
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`E13
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`it
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`inmamumm
`II:ipb:lv'I|iqho:|
`fi|l*H'In‘ll'II§
`
`
`
`mivimlm
`drum:
`
`Tmini-mo’
`
`unwuamdn
`
`0001
`0001
`
`Apple 1008
`Apple 1008
`U.S. Pat. 8,243,723
`U.S. Pat. 8,243,723
`
`

`
`US 7,218,919 B2
`Page 2
`
`US. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6.385.306 BI‘
`6.400.958 131*
`6.753.226 Bl "‘
`6.836.407 Bl *
`
`379»"8S.l3
`5.52002 Baxter. Jr.
`455.5466
`6.-‘Z002
`Isomurstt et al.
`45St'9t).2
`7.-‘.2004 Mcleal. Jr.
`ll."2004 l.-Iclferich .................. .. 4555466
`
`
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`W0
`W0
`W0
`WE)
`W0
`W0
`W0
`
`WO 98344709
`WO 99766746
`W0 9966746
`Wt) 00302367
`W0 0030374
`W0 0030374
`W0 00.338340
`
`*
`
`1051998
`l2«'I999
`12-’ I999
`132000
`552000
`552000
`6f2000
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Internet article htt'ps:a’i'anten.fol.nl.*'nokia»'nokia.html. Welcome to
`this NOKI.»'\9000I9 l 10 page. 5 pages.
`Index of *NOKIAt'INSTAI.I..l. pp. 1-9.
`Internet article htlp:.-’."press.nokia.cotn"PR.’ l.9.99D6.-’776767_5.hlrnl.
`“Nokia introduces the world's first high-speed data terminal for
`wireless networks". NOKIA Connecting People. pp. [-2.
`Internet
`article
`]1ttp:i'.-"ww\i.'.dueksbreaIJ1.eom.-'ducks.t'warmup-'tips.
`htm. Mr. Facility’s Guide To: How To Get Audio Over the Web.
`Version 1.2. Oct. l. I996. pp. 1-13.
`Nokia Moble Phones, User's Manual. No. 9357168. Issue 3 EN.
`I999.
`generation
`second
`its
`introduces
`"Nokia
`Press Releases
`comrnunii:ator—The p()eke[—si‘2ted Nekia 9| [0 Communicator com-
`
`a
`
`superb phone".
`
`office with
`ultimate mobile
`an
`bines
`Imeme!—http:.-",e'press.nokia.corn. I998.
`Harry Newton. “Newton’s Telecorn Dictionary”. New York. Mar.
`1998. pp. 526-529.
`Martin I}. Weik. DSc.. “Corru'nunications Standard Dictionary".
`Second Edition. Dynamic Systems. Inc.. Reston. Virginia. 1989. pp.
`768-769.
`
`Mikko Viéiniinen. Memo regaring “intemalional Application No.
`PCT-‘Fl 0la"0(}7(}]". Helsinki. Finland. May 2002.
`C. Zhu. "RTP Payload Fonnal for H.263 Video Streams". Intel
`(Torporalion. IInternet—flp:.r'.-'fip.isi.edu, Sep. 1997.
`Jarkko Sevauto. "Multimedia Messaging Service lbr GPRS anti
`UM'l'S". New Orleans. LA. vol. 3. 1999. pp. 1422-1426.
`Gtuhl et al.. “A demonstrator for real-time multimedia sessions over
`3"‘ generation wireless networks", New York. New York. vol. 2.
`2000. pp. 959-962.
`(Thawea et al.. “Transmission of streaming video over an EGPRS
`wireless network". New York. New York. vol. I. 2000. pp. 275-778.
`RealNe1woII-ts.
`Irle..
`"Delivering
`REAI .AUDIO®
`or
`RJ£.»’-\LVlD[-L(}® from a Web Server". RealNetworl<s Technical
`Blueprint Series. Seattle. WA. 1998.
`for Real-Time
`Schulztinne et al... “RTP: A Transport Protocol
`Applications". Altdio-Video Transport Working Group; GMD
`Fokus; Precept Software. Inc.: Xerox Palo Alto Research Center;
`Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Internet—fip:.".-"ttp.isi.edu.
`Jan. 1996.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`0002
`0002
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`May 15,2007
`
`Sheet 1 of8
`
`US 7,218,919 B2
`
`110
`
`[E3
`
`Choose message
`recipient
`
`Directory
`lockup
`
`record voicefvideo
`
`message in packet
`switched format
`
`‘mite recording to data
`file
`
`transmit data file to
`
`recipient via telephone
`network or Internet
`
`recipient plays
`data file
`
`answer sender
`
`0003
`0003
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`May 15,2007
`
`Sheet 2 of8
`
`US 7,218,919 B2
`
`210
`
`Choose message
`recipient
`
`_
`_
`record voice/video
`message in packet
`switched format
`
`Directory
`lookup
`
`stream packets to the
`recipient via telephony
`network or internet
`
`recipient plays
`packet stream
`
`recipient plays
`data file
`
`recipient may
`answer sender
`
`0004
`0004
`
`FIG 2
`
`'
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`May 15,2007
`
`Sheet 3 of8
`
`US 7,218,919 B2
`
`305
`
`310
`
`Choose message
`recipient
`
`3_0
`
`Directory
`lockup
`
`record voicefvideo
`message in packet
`switched format
`
`315
`
`320
`
`325
`
`write recording to data
`file
`
`decompose data file
`into 1'P-packets
`
`_
`_
`‘ecllnent my
`answer sender
`
`stream packets to the
`recipient via telephony
`network or meme:
`
`reassenables data file
`
`recipientPhys Packet
`stream directly and for
`
`3 3 5
`
`3 30
`
`FIG 3.
`
`0005
`0005
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`May 15,2007
`
`Sheet 4 of8
`
`US 7,218,919 B2
`
`I53
`
`420
`
`telephone number
`
`
`
`IP-address
`
`
`
`packet stream I
`data filc
`
`email-account
`
`440
`
`FIG 4.
`
`0006
`0006
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`May 15,2007
`
`Sheet 5 of8
`
`US 7,218,919 B2
`
`Subscriber terminal
`
`audiofvideo devices
`
`audiolvideodrivcudiofvidcoplayer’
`
`IP network
`connection
`
`tolenetworic
`connection
`
`FIG 5.
`
`0007
`0007
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`May 15,2007
`
`Sheet 6 of8
`
`US 7,218,919 B2
`
`600
`
`FIG 6.
`
`0008
`0008
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`May 15,2007
`
`Sheet 7 of8
`
`US 7,218,919 B2
`
`730
`
`710
`
`I25’
`
`720
`
`740
`
`FIG 7.
`
`0009
`0009
`
`

`
`US. Patent
`
`May 15,2007
`
`Sheet 8 of8
`
`US 7,218,919 B2
`
`E F
`
`IG 9.
`
`0010
`0010
`
`

`
`US 7,218,919 B2
`
`1
`VOICEMAIL SHORT MESSAGE SERVICE
`ME'l‘II()D AND MEANS AND A SUBSCRIBER
`TERMINAL
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVEENTION
`
`The invention relates to a voicemail short messaging
`method and means and a subscriber terminal. In particular it
`concerns a method and means liar instantaneous voice mail
`between lntemet compatible computers. personal digital
`assistants. telephones and mobile stations. In particular the
`inventive subscriber tenninal concems a hardware and a
`
`software setup that allows the combined use of audio andfor
`video devices with both the normal cellular or fixed tele-
`
`phony network and with an lntemet connection.
`Prior art packet switched voicemail
`features methods
`where the voicemail
`is delivered between GPRS andfor
`
`UMTS mobile stations. The voicemail messages are sent to
`an ll’-address or an ISDN address. One prior art packet
`switched voicemail method is described in the W0
`0Of023G7 publication. which is taken here as reference.
`Prior art subscriber terminals typically do not allow the
`seamless interplay of the same audio andfor video devices
`with both the ltttemet comtection and the telephony network
`connection. For example. WAP-compatible mobile phones
`lack the facility to use the telephony audio devices when
`browsing the Internet.
`The prior art has several disadvantages. 1" irslly the prior
`art method is only applicable for sending voice mail between
`a limited number ofdeviees. i.e. mobile stations. Second. the
`use of IP-address or ISDN-address is conceptually diflicult.
`It is also technologically diflicult. especially in cases where
`the receiver does not have a pennanent IP-address. but rather
`a dynamic one. Thirdly. a specific voieernail central server
`is an essential requirement for the prior art method. 'fh.is
`introthlccs ttnnecessary network hardware.
`Prior art mobile subscriber temtinals do not allow the use
`of audio features with the Internet cotmection. This litnits
`the facility to arrange ll’ conferences. make Internet calls.
`operate hyperlinks and send and reproduce packetized
`audiofvideo data, such as voicemail. seamlessly.
`
`SUMMARY OI-‘ TIIIF. lNV'l-?N’I‘l()N
`
`The purpose of the invention is to remove the aforemen-
`tioned disadvantages. The present inventive method allows
`voiceniail to be sent directly to telephone numbers in a
`flexible manner from both software applications and mobile
`stations. The inventive method and means allows instanta-
`neotts voicemail to be sent and received from and to any
`Internet compatible device on l.he basis of the telephone
`number of that device, or other directory information ofthat
`device. There will only be an optional need for a central
`server storing the messages.
`IP-conferences and Internet calls maybe arranged with the
`telephony audio devices in accordance with the inventive
`subscriber terminal. Likewise. voice hyperlinks are easy to
`operate with the same audio devices. The transmission.
`reception and reproduction of packet switched voice mail
`will also be seamless with the subscriber tenninal in accor-
`dance with the invention.
`
`l.l'l addition, the purpose of the invention is to introduce a
`favourable inventive user interface and method for exchang-
`ing voicemail seamlessly and instantaneously between IP-
`addresses. email-addresses.
`telephone numbers.
`artd.t'or
`ISDN addresses.
`
`Ur
`
`Ill
`
`3o
`
`35
`
`4t":
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`2
`
`Most or all of the aforementioned advantages of the
`invention are preferably implemented with a special exem-
`plary embodiment of the invention. in which a recipient is
`chosen from the electronic phone book of a mobile station
`by pressing. a button. The button is held down as the message
`is being dictated. The dietatiotl
`is
`recorded in packet
`switched format to a data file on the mobile station or on a
`server in the network or on the Internet_. in which case there
`will be a conununications connection open to the server
`from the mobile station. Once the button is released the
`recording is finished and the data file will be sent to the
`recipient. Compression and cryptogaphy methods may be
`employed with the data file andfor the packet stream. The
`data file may be sent either to the telephone number of the
`recipient directly, or to an ll’-address of the recipient through
`the Internet by a variety of transmission protocols. such as
`TC P-. IP-. UDP-. H323-. HTTP- SMS-. MMS- or any other
`protocol or message delivery service. The IP-address of the
`recipient may be found front a central lookup server on the
`basis ofthe telephone number of the recipient. name or other
`infortnation. Likewise. the telephone number may be found
`on the basis ofthe IP—add.ress or other information related to
`the recipient by querying the lookup server.
`Once the data file has been received.
`it can be played
`immediately at the mobile station of the recipient by press-
`ing a button. The user may also reply to the voieeinail
`immediately with another recording. If the recipient mobile
`station cannot be reached, the message may be stored on a
`central server in the network or on the Internet
`for an
`
`indefinite ti111e. lfthe receiving terntinal is unable to play the
`recorded format. it may also be adapted on the central server
`to a suitable packet switched data format. or altematively it
`can be played down the phone line to the recipient through
`a voice or a data connection.
`
`In some preferable embodiments the voice message is
`streamed to the recipient through tl1e lntcmet in real time.
`and the receiver may play it in real time. In some eInbodi-
`ments the subscriber tenninal is a virtual software telephone
`in a PC. This software is preferably compatible to comnnI-
`nicate with the mobile stations directly. The communication
`with the messages outlined here is faster than with contem-
`porary SMS-mcssages. entails or telephone calls as t.l1e user
`neither has to write the messages with an often limited
`keyboard. nor has to wait for the recipient to answer on the
`other end. Very fast voicentail “ping-ball” is made possible
`by the outlined preferred embodiment of the invention.
`Most or all of the aforementioned advantages of the
`invention are preferably implemented with a special exem-
`plary embodiment of the inventive subscriber tenninal. in
`which the audio and video software of the subscriber ter-
`
`minal has the ability to control both the Internet and nonnal
`telephony network connections. This allows the arrange-
`ment of ll’-conferences by a setup signal that is transmitted
`through the telephony network. This allows seamless trans-
`mission; reception and processing ofpacket switched voice-
`mail between both mobile stations. PCs and other terminals.
`The inventive software allows seamless IP-conferences
`between PC‘s and mobile stations. It also allows the eflicient
`
`deployment of voice hyperlinks front the subscriber temti-
`nal. In some preferable embodiments it also allows least cost
`routing. Choices of whether to form IP-conferences or route
`through a nonnal telephony carrier can be made on the basis
`of economic and qttality of service (Q08) criteria with this
`inventive subscriber terminal and related software. in some
`
`preferable embodiments.
`0011
`0011
`
`

`
`3
`
`4
`
`US 7,218,919 B2
`
`A voicemail messaging method. comprising at least one
`subscriber terminal. characterised by the steps of.
`choosing at least one message recipient or a group.
`recording at least one voicefvideo message_.
`writing at least one recording to at least one data file.
`transmitting at least one data file to at least one recipient
`via telephony network or the Internet,
`A voieemail messaging method. comprising at least one
`subscriber tern1inal_. characterised by the steps oi’.
`choosing at least one message recipient or a group.
`recording at least one voicefvideo message.
`streaming data packets to at least one recipient via tele-
`phony network or the Internet.
`at least one recipient receives andfor reassemblcs packet
`stream.
`
`A voicemail messaging method. comprising at least one
`subscriber terminal. characterised by the steps of.
`choosing at least one message recipient_.
`recording at least one voicelvideo message.
`writing at least one recording to at least one data file.
`decomposing at least one data file into [P-packets.
`streaming packets to at least one recipient via telephony
`network or the Internet.
`
`A subscriber terminal. comprising a software. an Internet
`connection andfor a telephony network connection in accor-
`dance with the invention is characterized in that.
`
`the software is arranged to transmit and receive data
`andfor record and.r'or play files using both the Internet
`andfor
`the telephony network connection simulta-
`neously or at separate times,
`the software is arranged to use some or all of the same
`audio andfor video devices with both of the connec-
`tions.
`
`A network server comprising at least one media player. at
`least one dialer, at least one telephony oomiection andfor at
`least one data network connection in accordance with the
`invention is characterised in that.
`the network server is arranged to receive, store and
`forward undelivered messages or copies of messages in
`data tile format.
`the network server is arranged to resend andfor reroute
`messages to directories, to at least one other server or
`voicemail box electronically in file format. andfor by
`playing the message down the phone line with at least
`one media player to at
`least one recipient andfor
`voicemail box.
`
`A client terminal. comprising recipient contact informa-
`tion. at
`least one telephony andtor Internet connection
`n1eans_. media recorder. and a user interface. and audio
`andJ'or video recording andfor reprodttction means. charac-
`terised in t.hat.
`at
`least one dedicated action from the user interface
`
`indicates at least one message recipient or a group of
`recipients from the associated recipient contact infor-
`mation and arranges the media recorder to record an
`audio andtor a video signal from the audio andfor video
`recording andfor reproduction means to a data file.
`which data file is further sent, played andfor reproduced
`to at least one indicated recipient using the said tele-
`phony andfor Internet comiection.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In the following the invention will be described in greater
`detail with reference to exemplary c111bod.iments in accor-
`dance with the accompanying drawings. in which
`
`1 presents a method 10 in accordance with the
`FIG.
`invention as a flow diagram.
`FIG. 2 presents another method 20 in accordance with the
`invention as a flow diagram.
`FIG. 3 presents a further method 30 in accordance with
`the invention as a llow diagram.
`FIG. 4 presents a method of address allocation in accor-
`dance with the invention.
`FIG. 5 presents an arrangement 50 of the subscriber
`temtinal in accordance with the invention.
`
`ll]
`
`FIG. 6 presents an arrangement 60 of the user interface of
`the subscriber tenninal in accordance with the invention.
`
`FIG. 7 presents another arrangernent 70 of the user
`interface of the subscriber terminal in accordance with the
`invention.
`[-‘IG. 8 presents another embodiment 80 of the backup
`server in accordance with the invention.
`
`FIG. 9 presents another embodiment 90 of arranging the
`backup server in accordance with the invention in a distrib-
`utcd and persistent fashion.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`PRIEFIERRI-El) l.EMl30l)lM[EN'l‘S
`
`3U
`
`35
`
`1 the message recipient is chosen.
`In phase 110 of FIG.
`The recipient may be chosen by labeling the recipient with
`a pointer froln the “contacts" file of the tenniual device, the
`recipient may be chosen by speech recognition. a dedicated
`keyboard accelerator. hot key. dedicated key or any combi-
`nations or permutations of these in some embodiments.
`Several recipients or a group may also be selected in some
`embodiments.
`In phase I20 the voicefvideo message is
`recorded in packet switched format. but other formats are
`also possible in some enibodiments. In some elnbodiments
`the order of phases 110 and 120 may be reversed. Conse-
`quently. the recording is wrote to a data file. 130. During. in
`between or after any of these phases, directory lookup
`maybe executed in some preferable embodiments. ‘l'he tele-
`phone number of the recipient is converted to an IP-address
`in one preferable embodiment. A prior art solution to direc-
`tory lookup and conversion is presented in my patent
`application “Telenetwork directory template“. 13119992774.
`which is taken here as reference.
`In one alternative embodiment, the software in the sub-
`scriber terminal has the telephone number of the software
`application stored. Both the telephone number and the
`current II’-address are given to a central server. Telephone
`numbers and IP-addresses can then be used interchangeably
`when contact is made between software applications. This
`results to the effect that
`information in packet switched
`format can be readily transmitted to telephone numbers.
`provided these telephone numbers have a corresponding
`IP-address. Directory lookup is here established as the
`interchange retrieval andfor comparison of any directory
`information such as email-. IP-address. URL. ISDN nurnber.
`phone number or the like to another corresponding email-.
`IP—address. URL, ISDN number. phone number or the like
`directory from the network. network server andi"or terminal
`in order to deliver the message to a directory.
`In phase 140 the data tile is transmitted to the recipient via
`telephony network or the Internet. In some embodiments the
`subscriber terminal is a mobile station, and the messages are
`transmitted only on the condition that the radio field is
`adequate. In some embodiments attempts are made to send
`the message at various intervals. and if the attempt fails the
`message is postponed. typically for a fttrther attempt.
`[11
`many embodiments messages may be kept on standby for
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`transmittal once favourable circumstances such as adequate
`network access. radio network access. radio signal strength.
`bandwidth. authentication or the like arise. Typically the
`transmission will be directed to an IP-address. Especially in
`cases where the IP-address of the recipient is a dynamic one.
`tl1e directory lookup is an advantageous feature. In some
`embodiments where the recipient has a static 11-’ address. the
`II’-address need not be looked up separately every time. In
`some preferable embodiments IP-addresses of recipients are
`stored on the subscriber terminal. In some embodiments
`only static IP-addresses of recipients are stored.
`In some embodiments the message is sent by SS'!-_. GSM-_.
`H323—. HTTP—. GSM—data. IP—RAN-. UMTS—. WAP-. Tel-
`desic-.
`Inmarsat-_.
`Iridium-.
`GI-‘RS-,
`(TDMA-data-.
`WCDMA-data-.
`II'[‘I‘P-_.
`II323-. SMS-. MMS-. email-
`LAN-. TCPIIP-. imode-. Globalstar- andfor WLAN- con-
`nection. In some embodiments the message is recorded in a
`file. which is attached to an email. which email is then sent
`to the recipients.
`In some embodiments,
`the message is
`recorded to a data file. which is then encoded to text format.
`This text is t.11en pastedfwritten to the email. which email is
`tl1en sent to the recipients. In some embodiments the recipi-
`ents are capable ofplaying the message from the text format.
`for example by decoding the text format back to a data file.
`which data tile can then be played with a media player. like
`WAV- or MP3-player. I11 some embodiments. messages may
`be sent to several recipients. a group or several groups or
`groups and individuals by sending several copies of the
`same filcfmessage or otherwise.
`In phase 150 the recipient plays the data file. In some
`embodiments the message is played automatically after it is
`received. This feature is user configurable in some embodi-
`ments. The recipient may answer sender directly in phase
`160. This may be done by pressing a button after the data file
`has been played and dictating another data file, which will
`be sent to the initial sender as a reply. In some embodiments
`it is also possible to forward messages to other recipients or
`third parties. The data file is typically an MP3-. WAV’- or
`RealSystem Secure data file in some preferable etnbodi-
`ments.
`
`the inventive method is
`In one special embodiment
`arranged with a mobile station. In one embodiment the
`method is realized with a computer program that is arranged
`to run on the SIM card [Subscriber Identity Module) of the
`mobile station. The SIM card typically has a CPU.
`IEEPROM-. ROM- and RAM-memories. In one phase ofthis
`special embodiment the message recipient, wveral recipi-
`ents or a group may be chosen from the memory of the SIM
`card or from the memory of the mobile station. or it
`is
`inputted to the mobile station. When a dedicated action. such
`as pressing a button. is taken, a data file is recorded from the
`dictation, voice or video that is available. A media player!
`recorder located on the EEPROM andfor RAM ofthe SIM
`
`card or the memory of the mobile station typically does the
`recording of the file. In some embodiments the message
`itself is recorded to the RAM memory of the SIM card
`andfor the mobile station. After this the mobile station
`transfers the file to the recipient. to a secondary address of
`the recipient. or dials the telephone number of the recipient
`and plays the message as playback to the recipient when the
`call
`is answered or to the voicemail box if the call
`is
`answered by the voicemail box. The dialing of a data or a
`voice call may be realized from the SIM card as well in some
`embodiments using the proactive SIM feature of the SAT
`SIM Application Toolkit. wltich is specified in lI1e phase 2+
`of the GSM specification.
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`I11 some embodiments of the invention. a special prefix
`and postfix maybe stored on the network. the SIM or the
`mobile station memory. and is played prior to the recording
`in the data file. The prefix andfor postlix could play for
`instance: “In the fol lowing you will hear a message from Mr.
`Jero Jiirvenpiiii.” MIESSAGIIE “'l'l1is completed the message
`ofJero .larvenpz"ta." The fact that the message was received
`could be detected in various ways in accordance with the
`invention. When the recipient or the voicemail box answers
`or hangs up, a DTMF tone may be transmitted and detected.
`which may be used to notify that the message was delivered.
`Alternatively the recipient could be asked to press a button
`or perform a dedicated action in order to signal that the
`message was indeed received andfor understood. If one or
`sortie of the recipients are unavailable. the message may be
`kept
`in memory and several other attempts to send the
`message may be taken. In some embodiments it is possible
`to set expiration conditions for the message_. such as tin1e_.
`demands on memory by other functions. or various other
`conditions. In some embodiments the SIM and the mobile
`station may execute the method together. by for example the
`SIM performing the recipient selection and commands for
`forming or dialing connection. and the mobile station by
`providing a media player. Many prior art tenninals already
`feature a MP3 player or the like.
`In the phase 210 of FIG. 2 the message recipient is chosen
`by entering a telephone number or by choosing a name from
`an electronic phone book or the like. A recipient may be
`chosen on the basis of other directory infonuation as well.
`for example on the basis of an Ii’-address. Following this, a
`voicelvideo message is recorded typically. but not necessar-
`ily in packet switched format in phase 221}. In some embodi-
`ments the order of phases 210 and 220 may be reversed.
`In phase 230 packets are streamed to the recipient via
`telephony network or the Internet. In some embodiments
`phases 230 and 210 maybe concurrent. The recipient may
`receive the packet stream and play it in real time in phase
`240. Alternatively. the recipient may also reassemble the
`packet stream to a data file in phase 240. which can be stored
`to the memory of the subscriber terminal andlor a server in
`the telephony network or on the Internet and played at a later
`time. Upon reception the recipient is given the opportunity
`to answer the sender in phase 260. In some embodiments.
`messages may be streamed to several recipients by sending
`several copies of the same packet stream.
`During. in between or after any of the phases 211). 220.
`230. directory lookup maybe executed in some preferable
`embodiments.
`In the phase 305 of FIG. 3 the message recipient is chosen
`by entering a telephone number or by choosing a name from
`an electronic phone book or the like. Following this. a
`voicelvideo message is recorded in packet switched fonnat
`in phase 310. In some embodiments the order of phases 305
`and 310 may be reversed.
`The recording is written to a data tile in phase 315.
`Following this. the data file is decomposed into IP-packets
`in phase 320, or packets of any other information transmis-
`sion protocol e.g. H323. HTTP. Packets are streamed to the
`recipient or multiple recipients or a group via telephony
`network or the Internet in phase 325. In many embodiments
`packet streams may be kept on standby. discontinued and
`then continued for transmittal once favourable circum-
`stances such as adequate network access. radio network
`access. radio signal strength. bandwidth. authentication or
`the like arise.
`During. in between or after any of these phases. directory
`lookup maybe executed in some preferable embodiments.
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`Recipient plays packet stream directly andfor reassembles
`the data file in phase 330. The recipient may receive the
`packet stream and play it in real time. In some embodiments
`the packet stream is played autmnatically. Alternatively. the
`recipient may also reassemble the packet stream to a data file
`in phase 330, which can be stored to the memory of the
`subscriber terminal andfor on a server in the telephony
`network or on the Internet and played at a later time. Upon
`reception the recipient is given the opportunity to answer the
`sender in phase 335.
`is typically a mobile station
`The subscriber terminal
`equipped with an Internet connection andfor a telephony
`network connection. The mobile station typically abides to
`UMTS—. GSM—. WAP—. Teldesic—.
`Imnarsat—.
`Iridittm—.
`GPRS-. C‘DMA—. HTTP-. H323-. SMS-. MMS—. and.-‘or
`WCDMA-standards in some preferable embodiments. ‘Ihe
`subscriber terminal used in the method may also be a PC.
`PDA. Pahn Computer or an Apple Macintosh computer
`equipped with an Internet connection andfor a telephony
`network connection in some preferable embodiments. The
`subscriber terminal
`in accordance with the invention has
`
`typically an operating system like Windows—. Windows NT—.
`Epoc-. Windows CL?-, Unix-_. Linux-_. OSI2, Symbian, Epoc.
`l’almOS. Pocket PC‘. GEOS. MS-Stinger andfor Sybase. The
`execution of methods 10. 20. 30 is typically realised with a
`separate software application operating under the control of
`these operating systems. Alternatively.
`the execution of
`methods 10. 20, 30 may be realised with software that is
`integrated to any of the above operating systems. In some
`embodiments the execution of methods 10. 20, 30 and their
`favourable penntttations and further ernbodimems may be
`realised by OEM software for mobile stations. modems.
`computers,
`radio, SIM cards andfor line cards. In some
`embodiments the execution of methods ll}. 2|}, 3!} may be
`realised with software that is integrated to any email client
`software. such as Microsoft Outlook, Outlook Express or the
`like. In some entbodintents the execution of tnethods 10. 20.
`30 may be realised with software that is developed using
`SAT (SIM Application 'Ibolkit) or WTAI (Wireless Tele-
`phony Application Interface} of WAP (Wireless Application
`Protocol).
`The information transfer in accordance with the inventive
`
`method follows a harmonious information transfer protocol.
`which is typically packet switched itt sottte embodiments
`and compatible with the various hardware and software
`setups of the subscriber temtinals. Typically different hard-
`ware setups of subscriber terminals have different client
`software programs. which are all
`intercompalible. For
`example in some preferable embodiments the data file is of
`MP3— or WAV—. Or Realsystem Secure—forn1at which is
`ttnderstood by all software programs residing in subscriber
`terminals in accordance with the invention. Various other
`
`compression methods may also be employed to produce the
`data tile.
`
`The subscriber terminals need also be compatible to
`handle the direct packet stream in accordance with the
`invention,
`in some preferable embodiments. This packet
`stream may be an IP—(Internet Protocol) ntulticasting,
`’1‘(_‘P-
`['l‘rans1nission Control Protocol) andfor UDP (User
`Datagram Protocol) data stream. The data file may also be
`transmitted using these protocols or others in some prefer-
`able embodiments.
`Provided the receiving subscriber terminal is incompat-
`ible to receive the transmitted format_. the fomtat may be
`adapted to the data format of the recipient at a central server
`in the telephony network. cellttlar network andJ'or on the
`Internet. If the recipient is Lmable to receive the voicernail
`
`the message may be stored on a central server for the time
`being. If the subscriber terminal is an analog phone. or
`otherwise unable to decipher and reproduce the data lbnnat
`of the voicentail. the voice mail can always be played down
`the phone line from the server as a last resort. For all cases
`where the recipient subscriber terminal cannot reproduce or
`store the message. a backup server may be designated in the
`transmission in some preferable embodiments. During,
`befor