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`U8008995433B2
`
`United States Patent
`
`Rojas
`
`(It!) Patent No.:
`(45; Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,995,433 B2
`*Mar. 31, 2015
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR [NSTANTVOIP
`MESSAGle
`
`Applicant: Empire 11’ LLC. New York. NY (US)
`Inventor:
`
`Michael J. Rojas. North Canton. OH
`(US)
`
`Assignee: Em plre 1P LLC. Austin. TX (US)
`
`Notice:
`
`Suhieel to any disclaimer. the term 01' this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.(.‘. 154w) by 0 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`cIaimer.
`
`“£24,125
`
`Mar. 25. 2014
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 201400204935 A]
`
`in]. 24. 2014
`
`Related [1.8. Application Data
`
`Cumimnlliun of application Nu. 13546.02}. filed an
`Jtll. 1]. 20l2. new Pal. N0. 3.224.022. which is a
`continuation of appliealion No. I2f3981163. liled on
`Mar. 4. 2009. new Pal. No. 8.243.723. which is a
`ctmlinuatinn of application No. ION-40.030. Iiled on
`Dec. 18. 2003. now [’01. No. 7.535.890.
`
`Int. Cl.
`HIM]. H.456
`H04L 12/58
`H0fo 5/533
`H041“ 7/00
`H04}. 29/196
`US. Cl.
`CFC ............ .. [1041. 51/04 (2013.01): H0412 12/58!
`(2013.01):HHJM353366(2013.01)1“(MM
`
`(2000.01)
`(2006.01)
`(2000.01)
`(2000.01)
`(2000.01)
`
`(Vol?
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Methods. systems and programs for instant voice messaging
`over a packebswitclled network are provided. A method For
`instant voice messaging may comprise receiving an instanl
`voice message having Ullt: or more recipienls. delivering The
`instant voice message to the one or more recipients over a
`packet—switched thwerk.
`temporarily storing the instant
`voice message il‘a recipient is unavailable: and del ivering the
`stored instant voice message [0 the recipienl once the recipi—
`ent becomes available.
`
`2/006 (2013.0l )_: HWM 2203f4536(2013.01}2
`H041. 65/40 (2013.0l ): {104.143.9533 (2013.0l)
`USI’C _______________________ __ 370852; TOWNS; 37988.1?
`Field of Classification Search
`CI’C
`H041. 65140; H04M 3.3533: 1-104M
`220304536
`3201852: 709me
`USI’C
`See application file for complete search history.
`References Cited
`
`U.S. RIYIEN'I' DCX‘UMEN'I‘S
`
`5.763.226 131
`T.0|3.ISS Bi ‘
`T.I33.6S? 131‘
`7.3”.92‘) Bl‘
`1535.390 HI!
`8.|99.?4? B2
`8.243323 13."!
`2003=008?033 Al
`2003-"0l2620':r
`.-\I
`2004-"00l4456 Al
`2004300300410 Al
`2004-‘00643l‘! Al“
`
`1-2004 McZeant.
`3.2006 Rufetal.
`.... _.
`.
`[1-2006 El—Iiishnwycl
`1-2003 EI-Fishnwy elnl.
`5-2009 Rojas
`6."2(1I2 Rojas
`832012 Rojas
`5.52003 Sagietnl.
`732003 Creameret al.
`1'2004 Viauancn
`2320-04 Schullcs etal.
`4.2004 (Jthmeretal.
`
`(Continued)
`
`_ 4553400
`. 455-2106
`._ 4555466
`
`._
`
`Primary! ISA-twitter — (‘rcighton Smith
`(24) Army-mitt Agent, or Firm — John R. Kaslta: Kelly l..
`Kashn: Kasltal Law LLC
`
`27 ('Tlaims, 9 Drawing Sheets
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`U.S. Pat. 8,995,433
`
`

`

`US 8,995,433 32
`Page 2
`
`(56]
`
`References Cited
`11‘s. RATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`EGGS-“010569? Al
`2005101135911 Al
`2006.-'00944?2 A1"
`200010107033 Al
`
`51'2005 Hollowellel :11.
`0-2005 111mm: a].
`532006 (thneretai.
`........... .. 4551563
`02000 130mm
`
`512004 Kwageial.
`200430085456 Al
`00004 Gomimanct :1].
`200410122900 M
`7120
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`23355
`930% 3:31:23!“ 2”
`immghgogz
`I 1],,004 Beam 31_
`Emswfiw Al
`11.12004 Ballad e1 al.
`2004102240118 AI
`I
`l
`2004:0225“ Al, “£2004 V
`.mh
`-'
`~
`'
`' m“ “'3 Z" "
`200410252679 Al
`IKE-“2004 Williams elal.
`2005.-'0053230 Al
`31"2005 Giernchf
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`11-2005
`3130050263720 Al
`{36533;
`3333134336;
`-'
`-'
`12-2003 139?in elal.
`2001110293309 .111
`31-2010 010:
`2010-0010275 Al
`2012".”275452 M “12”” Rm“
`201310066989 Al"
`312013 Enctccla].
`201310279681 Al
`1012013 Weiner
`
`,
`................. .. 709.205
`
`0002
`
`

`

`US. Patent
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`Mar. 31, 2015
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`

`

`2
`the terminal device is connected to the IP
`telephone 106.
`network 102 via a networking standard such as Ethernet.
`Bluetooth.
`IEEEE 1394 (also known as "Firewire“)_.
`llSEE
`802.11 (also known as “WiFi"). or networking over serial
`communication channels such as the Universal Serial Bus
`(i.e.. “USB"). Data cotrununication over the network then
`takes place using a connection protocol. cg, transfer control
`pmtccolr‘lnternet protocol (i.c.. “’l‘Cl’llP").
`Further regarding FIG. 1, terminal device 110 is a legacy
`telephone that is connected to a legacy switch 1 12 for (circuit-
`switched) voice communications 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 ll’ telephony between the legacy tele-
`phone 110 and a VoII’ terminal device, such as a Voll’ soft-
`phone 104 or Voll’ telephone 106. More specifically. the
`media gateway 114 converts the audio signal carried over
`PSTN to packets carried over the packet-switched IP network
`102. In addition. a media gateway I 18 may be disposed over
`the PSTN 116 and connected to a stiltswitclt 120 to convert
`the audio signal from the legacy telephone 110 to packets
`rottted over the 11’ network 102 via the softswitch 120.
`Voice messaging in both the V011) and PS‘I‘N is known.
`More specifically. the foregoing systems may be provided
`-5 with a facility to allow users to leave voice messages for
`recipients. which is a feature that is familiar to anyone who
`uses a telephone. (.‘onventionally. 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 ol‘options. listening to a green
`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. wltich is
`typically a general-purpose PC pnigratmned with instant text
`messaging software and in data communication over an 11’
`network with an instant text-messaging server. The instant
`text—messaging server presents the user. via the client termi~
`Ital. with a list of persons who are currently "online" and
`ready to receive text messages on their own client temtinals.
`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 inunediatcly via the text-
`mcssaging server to the selected one or more persons and is
`displayed on their respective client terminals.
`However. notwithstanding the foregoing advances in the
`\r'oIPt'l’STN voice communication and voicei’text messaging,
`there is still a need in the art tor providing a systan and
`method for providing instant Vol? messaging over an 11’
`network. More particularly. there is a need in the art for
`providing local and global instant voice messaging over VolP
`with PSTN support.
`
`ents and the instant voice message therefor over the network:
`
`.
`
`.'
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVEN‘I'ION
`
`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 embodiment of the present invention.
`there is provided an instant voice messaging system for deliv—
`ering instant messages over a packet-switched network. the
`system comprising: a clicttt connected to the network. the
`_ client selecting one or more recipients. generating an instant
`voice message therefor. and transmitting the selected recipi-
`
`0012
`
`US 8,995,433 BZ
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTANT VOIP
`MESSAGING
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application is a continuation of U .S. patent applica-
`tion Ser. No. 131546.633. llled Jul. 11. 2012. which is a
`continuation of U.S. application Sen No. 121398.063 filed
`Mar. 4. 2009. now U.S. Pat. No. 8.243.723. issuedAug. 14.
`2012. which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
`1017400301in on Dec. 18. 2003. now U.S. Pat. No. 7.535.
`890. issued May 19. 2009. the entire content and disclosure of
`which is incorporated by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THIS INVEN'I‘ION
`
`.
`
`1. Technical Field of the Invention
`The present invention generally relates to Internet tele-
`phony (IP telephony). More particularly. the present inven-
`tion is directed to a system and ntethod forenabling local and
`global instant V'oll’ messaging over an IIJ network. such as the
`Internet. with PSTN support.
`2. Description of tlte Prior Art
`Traditional telephony is based on a public switched tele-
`phone network (i.e.. “PSTN"). In the PSTN. a telephone
`terminal is electrically connected to a conventional or legacy
`switch. The telephone terminal and the legacy switch coin-
`ntunicate via a proprietary protocol. which may be different
`depending on the vendor oftlte legacy switch. Circuit switch-
`ing provides a comma nicalion path (i.c.. dedicated circuit) for
`a tclephonccall front 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 alternative to the PSTN is \«bice over lntemct Protocol
`(i.e.. “VoIP”). also known as IP telephony or Internet tele~
`phony. In the llJ telephony. a vow terminal device is con-
`nected to a packet-switched network (e.g.. lnternet ) and voice
`communication from the VoIP terminal device is digitized.
`packetizcd and transmitted over the packet-switched network
`to a destination \r’oll’ terminal device. which reconstructs the
`packets and audihly plays. stones or otherwise processes the
`transmission. The “at? terminal device may he a VoIP tele—
`phone or a general-purpose personal computer (PC) enabled
`for 11’ tclepltony. More specifically. the PC is programmed
`with the sollware and equipped with audio inputfoutput
`devices (e.g.. a combination of microphone and speaker or a
`headset} to serveas a Voll’ terminal device. The PC so enabled
`and equipped will herein be referred to as 21 Vol? terminal
`device or a Voli’ soflphone.
`FIG. 1 is an illttstrativc example of a prior art Il’telcphony
`system 100. The 11’ telephony system 100 comprises a packet-
`switched 1P netwark 102. such as the Internet, which trans—
`mits \t'olP lrallic from and to a plurality of terminal devices .
`104. 106 and 110. Terminal device 104 is a Voil’ softphone
`that is enabled for 11’ telephony over the network 102. Termi-
`nal device 106 is a Vol? telephone. which is connected to the
`network 102 via a soliswitch 108. The VoIP soilswitch 108 is
`disposed on the packet-switched network (cg. Internet) 102
`between an origination terminal device (such as VolP soft—
`phone 104) and a destination terminal device [such as Voll’
`telephone 106). and routes packets over the packet-switched
`[1-‘ network 102. The softswitch 108 may also manage and
`perform administrative functions for the terminal device or
`devices (cg. \«ialP telephone 106) to which it is Corutected.
`Whether the terminal device is a \r'olP softphone 104 or aVolP
`
`

`

`US 8,995,433 32
`
`message at the selected recipients.
`
`3
`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
`audiny play the instant voice message.
`According to anotherembudiment ol‘the present invention.
`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 [lie
`network. the client selecting one or more recipients. generat-
`ing 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 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 audiny 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 voiec~over-intentel-protocol (VolP)
`telephone connected to the network forproviding input audio:
`a client cotutected to the network. the client selecting one or
`more recipients. generating an instant voice mes sage therefor
`using the input audio provided by the Vol? telephone and
`transmitting the selected recipients and the instant voice mes— ‘
`sage therefor over the network: a server connected to tlte
`network. the server receiving the selected recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor. and delivering the instant
`voice message to the selected recipients overthe network the
`selected recipients being enabled to audiny play the instant
`voice message.
`According to still another embodiment of the present
`invention. there is provided an instant voice messaging sys-
`tem for delivering instant messages ovcra plurality of packet-
`switched networks.
`the system comprising: a client con-
`nected to a local network. the client selecting one or more
`external recipients connected to an extental 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 external 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 audiny play the instant
`voice message.
`According to yet another embodiment ol'thc 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 (PS'I'N) support. the system comprising: a l’S'l'N tele-
`phone connected to a local network for providing input audio:
`at client connected to the local network. the client selecting
`one or more external recipients connected to an external
`network outside the local network. generating an instant
`voice message therefor using the input audio provided by tlte
`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
`
`4
`voice message to the selected recipients over the external
`network. the selected recipients being enabled to audi bly play
`the instant voice message.
`According to yet a further embodiment of the present
`invention, there is provided an instant voice messaging sys—
`te m l"or delivering instant messages over a plurality ol‘packet—
`switched networks. the system comprising: a voice—over—in—
`ternct-protocol
`(VolP)
`telephone connected to a
`local
`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-
`work. generating an instant voice message therefor using the
`input audio provided by the Voll’ telephone. and transmitting
`the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor
`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 tltc
`selected recipients over the cxtcntal network. the selected
`recipients being enabled to audiny play the instant voice
`message.
`According to still a lilrther etnbodimettt of the present
`invention. there is provided an instant voice messaging sys-
`tem for delivering instant mcssa gcs over a plurality ofpackct-
`switched networks. the system comprising: a client con—
`nected to an external network, the client 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 llterefor over the external
`network: an extents] 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
`extemal network and the lt ‘aI 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 audiny play the instant voice message.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention.
`there is provided a method for instant voice messaging over a
`packet—switched network, tlte method comprising: selecting
`one or more recipients for instant “nee messaging at a client:
`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 (PS‘l'N) support. the method comprising: providing
`input audio via a l’S’l‘N telephone connected over the net-
`work; selecting one or more recipients for instant voice ines-
`saging at a client: generating an instant voice message using
`the input audio from the PSTN telephone for the selected
`recipients at the client: transmitting the selected recipients
`and the instant voice message therefor over tlte 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 audiny playing the instant voice
`
`0013
`
`

`

`and brevity. the local IVM server 202 is enabled to support a
`
`5
`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 a voice-over—intemet-protoeol (VolP)
`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 Voll‘
`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 recipients over the network: and attdibly
`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 mes-
`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
`extemal network; receiving the selected external recipients
`and the instant voice message tlterelbr at an external server
`connected to the external network: delivering the instant
`voice message to the selected external recipients over Lhe
`external network: and audiny playing the instant voice mes-
`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 of packet-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 external
`network outside the local network; generating an instant
`voice message for the one or more external 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 audiny playing the
`instant voice message at the selected recipients.
`According to still a further embodiment of the present
`invention. there is provided a method for instant voice mes-
`saging system over a plurality of packet-switched networks.
`the method comprising: providing input audio via a voice-
`over—internet—protocol (Voll’) telephone connected to a local
`network; selecting one or more external recipients for instant
`voice messaging at a client. the one or more external recipi-
`ents contracted to an external network outside the local net-
`work; generating art instant voice message for the one or more
`external recipients using the input audio provided by theVolP
`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 fmm the server over the external network: and
`audiny playing the instant voice message at the selected
`recipients.
`
`.
`
`.
`
`0014
`
`US 8,995,433 32
`
`6
`According to yet a further embodiment of the present
`invention. there is provided a method for instant voice rues-
`saging over a plurality of a plurality of packet-switched net-
`works. the method comprising: sclecting one or more recipi-
`ents connected to a local network at a client connected to an
`external network; generating art 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 rues-
`sage at the cxtenral 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 dteret‘or at a local server connected
`to the local network: delivering the instant voice message to
`the selected recipients overthe local network: audibly playing
`the instant voice message at the selected recipients.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`.
`
`_
`
`The objects. features and advantages of the present invert-
`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 art 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 WM cl icnt of FIG. 2 for
`enabling instant voice messaging according to the present
`invention:
`FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary lVM 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 IVM system com-
`prising a plurality of local IVM systems and global IVM
`clients. according to the present invention.
`
`DETAILED IJHSCRll’l‘lON
`
`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 ol‘a local instant voice
`messaging (IVM) 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 l’S'IN support accord-
`ing to the present invention. The architecture of the local IVM
`server 202 will be described in detail liereinbclow with ref-
`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 I’S'I'N legacy tele-
`phones 110. It is noted that although FIG. 2 depicts one of
`each IVM client 206. 208 and legacy telephone 1.10 for clarity
`
`

`

`handset ofthe IV’M client 206 or a speakerphone on the IVM
`
`8
`mentioned enables instant voice messaging liinctionality
`over the network 204. The IVM client 208 displays a list of
`one or more NM recipients on its display 216. provided and
`stored by the local I VM server 202. as will be particularly
`described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 4. The user
`operates the [VM client 208 by using the input device 218 to
`indicate a selection of one or more [VM recipients from the
`list. The user selection is transmitted to the IVM server 202.
`The user selection also generates a start signal to the IVM
`client 208 that the user is ready to begin instant voice irres-
`saging according to the present invention. In response to the
`start signal. the IVM client {softphonc) 208 listens to the input
`audio device 212 aiid records the user‘s speech into a digi-
`tiaed audio file 210 (i.e.. instant voice message) stored on the
`IVM client 208. The audio file 210 at the [VM 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. IV'M
`client 208 generates a send signal indicating that the digitized
`audio file 210 (instant voice message) is ready to be sent to the
`selected recipients. 'll'ie user generates the send signal when
`the user operates the [VM 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
`response to the send signal indicating that the instant voice
`message is ready to be seirt. the IVM client 208 sends the
`recorded audio file 210 destined for the selected one or more
`recipients via local IVM server 202 . Alter receiving the audio
`Iile 210. the IVM server 202 thereafter delivers the transmit-
`ted instant voice message to the selected one or more recipi-
`ents via the local IP network 204. The one or more recipients
`are enabled to display an indication that the instant voice
`message has been received and audiny play the instant voice
`message to an associated user. It should be understood that
`only the available IVM recipients. currently connected to the
`IVM server 202. will receive the instant voice message. It is
`noted that if a recipient IVM client is not currently connected
`to the local IV'M server 202 (i.e.. is unavailable). the IVM
`server temporarin saves the instant voice message and deliv-
`ers it to the IVM client when the IVM client connects to the
`local IVM server 202 (i.e., is available).
`"there are several embodiments for the operation ofthe
`IVM client (Voll’ telephone) 206 within the IVM system 200.
`according to the present invention. in the first embodiment.
`the Vtth telephone 206 is a standalone IVM client 206
`enabled lhr instant voice messaging according to the present
`invention. ln Lhe second embodiment. theV'oIP telephone 206
`operates synchronously either with the [VM client 208 or
`IVM server 202 to enable instant voice messaging according
`to the present invention. Thus. in operation according to the
`first embodiment in FIG. 2. the [VM client (Vol? telephone)
`206 is connected over the network 204 to the IVM server 202,
`which as aforementioned enables instant voice messaging
`functionality over the local network 204. The IV'M client 206
`displays a list ofone or more WM recipients on its associated
`display provided and stored by the local WM server 202. as
`will be particularly described hereinbclow with reference to
`FIG. 4. The user operates the IVM client 206 by using a
`keypad on the VolP telephone 206 to indicate a selection of
`one or more IVM recipients horn the list. The \t'olP telephone
`206 transmits the selection to the WM server 202. The riser
`selection also generates a start signal to the WM client 206
`indicating the riser is ready to begin instant voice messaging
`according to the present invention. The user speaks into the
`
`.
`
`.'
`
`0015
`
`US 8,995,433 BZ
`
`7
`plurality of each of the foregoing IVM clients 206. 208 and
`legacy telephone 110. The local packet-switched Il’ 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 WM server 202 to the local IP 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
`a V’olP sollphone. the architecture ofwhicl'i will be described
`in detail hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 1A microphone
`212 is connected to the IVM client 208 and enables the
`recording ofan iitsta or voice message according to the present
`invention into an audio lile 210 for transmission to the local
`IVM server 202 over Lhe network 204. An input device 218
`(eg. a keyboard) is connected to the WM client 20810 select
`one or nrore recipients that are to receive the recorded instant
`voice message. Although not depicted in FIG. 2. the input
`device 218 ntay include a trackball. digitizing pad or mouse.
`or the like. A display device 216 is connected to the WM
`client 208 to display i