AONAA
`
`United States Patent 15
`
`5,260,986
`[11] Patent Number:
`Nov. 9, 1993
`(45) Date of Patent:
`Pershan
`
`
`[54] GROUP NOTIFICATION SERVICE AND
`SYSTEM
`
`Teams Concept -Timely Meregency Alerting Means
`Safety”.
`
`[75]
`Inventor:
`[73] Assignee:
`
`Barry Pershan, Olney
`Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.,
`Arlington, Va.
`
`[21] Appl. No.: 689,433
`(22] Filed:
`Apr. 23, 1991
`(S1]
`Into Cle cnccsincce HO4M11/00; HO4M 3/38;
`HO4M 3/50
`F82} USACcecscsccsctcsscissasensecierssenecescces 379/57; 379/67;
`379/88; 379/89
`{58] Field of Search .....s.:.s1---- 379/58, 57, 67, 88,
`379/89, 91, 144; 340/825.5, 825.51
`
`{56]
`
`.
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3.761.632
`9/1973 Colman .
`.
`4,371,751
`2/1983 Hilligoss. Jr.
`4,371,752
`2/1983 Matthewset al.
`4.446.336
`5/1984 Bethel etal.
`.
`-
`4.581.486 4/1986 Matthewset al.
`4.602.129
`7/1986 Mathewset al. ........-c 379/88
`4,625,081 11/1986 Lotito etal.
`.
`.
`4.761.807
`8/1988 Matthews et al.
`4,833,701
`5/1989 Comroeetal. ..............- 455/33.2
`4,860,341
`8/1989 D’Avello et al... 379/91
`4.899.358
`2/1990 Blakley ..........
`379/88
`4.926.460
`5/1990 Gutmanet al.
`..
`4,961,216 10/1990 Baehr et al. .....
`4.965.821 10/1990 Bishopet al. ....
`5.05815) 10/1991 Tamaka et al. wesc: 379/67 X
`
`379/57
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Community Alert Network Publication entitled "A
`——
`
`Primary Examiner—Curtis Kuntz
`Assistant Examiner—George J. Oehling
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Lowe, Price, LeBlanc &
`Becker
`
`ABSTRACT
`[57]
`Disclosed is a method ofutilizing a public switched
`telecommunications network which includes a voice
`messaging system (VMS)to providea reliable andflexi-
`ble notification service to deliver to designated persons
`a message which may beprestored or created at the
`timeofinitiating the notification. Thelist of persons to
`be notified is pre-established and permits multiple tele-
`phone numbersto be used to locate a single person or an
`alternate person. Pagers may be simultaneously or se-
`quentially called requesting that the desired person call
`in for their message. The list of persons to be notified
`may be changed by the system coordinator from any
`DTMFtelephone and the telephone numbers or pager
`numbers assigned to persons to be notified may be
`changed by such persons from any DTMFtelephone.
`Alternatively the list may be created or changed by the
`coordinator using a personal computer or ASCII data
`type device. The system automatically reports the re-
`sults of a notification session to the coordinator and
`automatic billing is provided. The service includes es-
`tablishment of redundant data bases in different geo-
`graphic locales for added reliability.
`
`15 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`(__J--- - --------3
`Kom
`tli
`
`i
`
`ie
`a
`—
`
`ig
`.
`i
`
`CEWTRAL OFFICE
`
`
`
`
`
`ae?
`a
`
`a2
`
`0001
`0001
`
`Facebook Ex. 1017
`Facebook Ex. 1017
`U.S. Pat. 8,243,723
`US. Pat. 8,243,723
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 1993
`
`Sheet 1 of 5
`
`5,260,986
`
`14
`
`18
`
`SWITCH
`
`TRUNKS
`40
`42
`
`SWITCH Tt OR DS-I
`
`Figure 1
`
`0002
`0002
`
`

`

`93SiLV1SINOLYILIVogseW3ISKS3H1SI1
`
`
`SULNNIW€YO21StOL¥O1VNIGHO09
`
`
`
`Asha¥ONIALZO3UWBHLONYLVS>yqdhOWSIHL40OLT1V91N0-2
`
`
`“U3LN3TeteHLONY0¢aeTWIW3HLéSiAsiS|9NOSUId
`
`H108UOd“¢|1413038WAYIA¥OS2|WO#YqOVdNOSU3d
`
`1413034G3INIYdOS‘||¥WHI40.U38N
`
`
`WAL4vS3IYL3YHSIM0AJWWN3H1SLVISHASTWGNLUIS~J
`Age|#UUVNYILW! ae)3LVNUSLTV||¥31N3||YOJ#Y30Vd¥|G)|OS33HL
`
`
`
`WOHASNU3LAV3HLVEL3IAVNFHLLVSON\QuOMSS¥d
`:DYILNG|S|99INOHdI131YILN3
`“WQIN3éisnQ)
`ANVWMOH29
`b6|NVSH3HL!|Slbg|bl
`ISUI3401938409
`||2eaunbiy
`
`3HLNONOSU3d
`Leleeeeeeeeeeee—_—
`IHLdOOd=]auntSTD
`
`WYOOLHSIMOA1817ONLISIXG
`
`_|ONLISIX339NVHO-¢
`4Si}Y)
`
`JHLSLWISNOLY3L4V
`
`€Ww2‘
`
`08
`
`1X3NJHL40JWVN
`
`S34
`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 1993
`
`Sheet 2 of 5
`
`5,260,986
`
`INOLWIL4V
`
`(IN
`
`WAISKS
`
`0003
`0003
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 1993
`
`Sheet 3 of 5
`
`5,260,986
`
`Sana%S237135)|{%00132135i.
`
`TW40
`
`SYNAYL
`
`b#dl
`
`Q3Y31N3Si
`
`%Ol3213S
`
`Q3U31N3S|
`
`%0S3213S
`
`W3IN3
`
`QNILN9S3NdaybHO‘¢2‘
`
`LX3NTIVO
`
`UdaWnN
`
`
`
` éSidLLY¢Wal4vASNA
`
`260sI
`
`
`
`FHLAVG3WIGYIGWAN
`
`WILJWVS
`
`Yad
`
`USGWNIN=
`
`INOHdI131
`
`¢Q3U3MSNY
`
`QUOMSSVd
`
`
`
`cHdl\#JI040034esa
` JIVSSIN
`
`G3U31N3SIQ3¥3IN3SIJOVSS3W
`
` YaGHNN=ogl1S!1NO
`
`
`WaidyG3ASH134sad.GV|duv
`
`JYSSIN1S3n03u
`:4évanWidO3NINd
`KONIOUNUL
`
`YSINI
`
`QUOMSSVd
`
`QUOMSSVd
`
`¢1938409
`
`8bl
`
`ON
`
`QUOMSSVd
`
`¢1934809
`
`0
`Ll
`
`NOLLVOISILON
`
`JOIAYSS
`
`bbl
`
`HOLWNIQYO09
`
`Siva
`
`0004
`0004
`
`43A1130
`
`ell
`
`¢sinbis
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Nov. 9, 1993
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`5,260,986
`
`WNOILIGOYJVOLHSIMAOA
`
`00
`
`¢S3JINVHO
`
`¢ONISHIV313130
`
`OLHSIMNOA
`
`SNILSIT¥O0V
`
`bl
`
`Vbainbi4
`
`@baanbi+
`
`02baanbi4
`
`80l
`
`b6
`
`
`
`{S11WOUdSWVN
`
`3413130YOQVOL-2
`
`
`
`S3IML3YANVWMOH
`
`
`
`
`
`SILANIN€40°21
`
`
`
`WSLN3“S3HL3Y
`
`ONO)MOHASNVONIMSOIYWAL
`
`N33M138LIVAV¥
`
`ALVISJNOLY3L4V
`
`
`
`ASK]SIHLYOd
`
`SAWNMIN3HL
`
`
`
`
`ONLINIHdYOS31HL3UAOIST)SHOLTv)1Nd-2
`EUO2|isi]¥40(W3IN3“TWNOISASNwhaLNG1934409¥ONIAI3038¥3dVON\QuOMSSV¢OLHSIMAOA
`40JONVHDOL-I40#YAN1S11KANLYVAS~|DY3IN3
`
`—_——ee
`
`
`JONVHDOLLNVA1S11ONLISIX3
`
`
`00
`
`¢
`
`86S3A
`
`00!es
`
`Vbasnbi4
`
`
`
`AST)SNLISIX3
`
`JONVHO-¢
`
`bS
`
`0005
`0005
`
`
`
`OLNISTIV9
`
`
`
`W3LSAS3HL
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`INOLY3L4V
`
`
`
`JWWN3H)ALVIS
`
`NOSU3dJH40
`
`
`
`
`
`NV—
`
`ON|
`
`Nov. 9, 1993
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`5,260,986
`
`“ae
`
`NOSU3d
`
`Q300V3801
`
`4S11OL
`
`Gbaanbi4
`
`NOSU3d
`
`
`
` ¢NOSU3dSIH)
`
`Y3LN3
`
`JAVNYILW
`
`INOHdI131
`
`uJOWNN
`
`NVae
`
`
`
`JAVNSLVNYSLWV
`
`SIH1403
`
`éNOSYId
`
`SIH1¥03YSBWAN
`HO#JLVNYSLIV
`
`‘DY31N3
`
`Ad!393NWEU3A-2AdlJ03d
`LNIYd-1
`
`H108¥04-¢
`
`SIHLY04#Y3dVdVoe
`
`NOSU3d
`
`
`
`WNOILIGGYSYVA
`
`OLHSIMOA
`
`00
`
`éSJONVHD
`
`éSWYN3HLHIM
`
`Q34SILVSNOA
`
`90!
`
`0006
`0006
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`1
`
`5,260,986
`
`GROUP NOTIFICATION SERVICE AND SYSTEM
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`
`This application relates to a group notification ser-
`vice and system and moreparticularly relates to such a
`service and system utilizing and integrated into a public
`switched telecommunications network.
`
`BACKGROUNDAND PRIOR ART
`
`2
`Community Alert Network of Schenectady, N.Y.,
`advertises a public notification service for correctional
`facilities. The Community Alert Network (CAN) pro-
`poses to provide a prompt methodofnotifying response
`teams, corrections officials, off duty personnel, the me-
`dia, state, county and local law enforcementofficers as
`well as the neighboring communityandspecialfacilities
`such as schools and hospitals in the event of an escape
`or other type of other emergencyat the facility. The
`CAN apparatus provides a computer driven telephone
`service at the correctional facility designed for targeted
`emergencysituations.
`Community Alert Network contracts with an organi-
`zation to provide a service for personnel notification
`and emergency response and establishes a data base of
`telephone directory numbers provided bytheclient for
`each contract. Once the data base is established CAN
`apparatus provides the notifying process upon the oc-
`currence of the predesignated emergency situation.
`When an incident has occurred or threatens and has
`been reported to the appropriate official the notifying
`process is begun. The designated official contacts CAN
`via a 24 hour emergency phone numberand dictates an
`access code and password to the CAN operator. The
`emergencyofficial identifies specific lists of phone num-
`bers to be called and may dictate the message to be
`delivered. Different messages may be delivered to dif-
`ferent targeted groups. Some messages may have been
`prerecorded and simply recalled. The computers at
`CANthen begin calling the requested phone numbers
`and delivering the designated message. A report is later
`delivered to the client summarizing the numberofcalls
`made, completed, busy and no answer, etc. The con-
`tract usually entails a start-up fee based uponthesize of
`the telephone numberdata base in addition to a usage
`charge based on computer line calling time plus an
`update charge for modifications to the data base.
`Message Processing Systems, Inc. of LaCosta, Calif.,
`advertises an emergency notification automatic out-
`dialing system. The system consists of a micro-com-
`puter based central processing unit, keyboard and moni-
`tor. The system may be activated from any touch tone
`telephone by use of the caller’s pass code. Whenverifi-
`cation is completed the system requests the list of indi-
`viduals to be notified and the caller may choosea prere-
`corded message or record a new message for transmis-
`sion. The system thereupon loads the appropriate num-
`bers and commences a calling cycle. The system is pri-
`marily designed as consumer premise equipment which
`includes both hardware and software.
`
`DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
`
`Various systems and methodology have been pro-
`posed for automatic or semi-automatic dissemination
`and distribution of a prerecorded message to a desig-
`nated group orlist of directory numbers or persons. In
`general these systems have been designed for specific
`purposes such as emergencynotifications, various types
`of alerts, delivery of business messages, and the like.
`Theinstallation of such a system and service usually
`entails the acquisition and installation of a sophisticated
`and costly private business exchange (PBX)for the use
`of a particular business organization orrelatively exten-
`sive capital investment to establish a central data and
`contro] system linked through leased lines to a public
`switched telecommunications system (PSTS).
`Matthewset al U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,752,issued Feb. 1,
`1983, describes a PBX type approach wherein a PBX
`voice messaging system (VMS)is adapted to record
`voice messages and accept predesignations of addresses
`to which the voice messages are to be sent. Upon actua-
`tion the PBX WMS then delivers the voice message
`independently to each person within the group.
`Matthewset al U.S. Pat. No. 4,581,486, issued Apr. 8,
`1986, describes a generally similar system wherein the
`user is also permitted to reply to all addresses in the
`predesignated group.
`Matthewset al U.S. Pat. No. 4,761,807, issued Aug. 2,
`1988. presents a variation on the foregoing wherein the
`user must access the system by speaking a password
`whichis then compared to a speaker dependent templet
`stored in the system.
`Bethe] et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,446,336, issued May 1,
`1984, describes a communications system for distribut-
`ing and broadcasting announcements individually to a
`large number of persons using mass announcement
`units. Each such unit includes a storage disk for storing
`announcements to be broadcast to the network.
`Colman U.S. Pat. No. 3,761,632, issued Sep. 25, 1973,
`describes an emergencyor alarm type notification sys-
`tem which responds to the occurrenceofan alarm situa-
`tion such as fire or burglary. When such an emergency
`is detected the system automatically dial calls to various
`telephones according to a programmed sequence and
`Thepresent invention provides a modern telecommu-
`then plays an alarm message to each ofthe stations or
`nications networkintegrated notification service which
`telephonescalled. Variations in systemsofthis type are
`utilizes existing equipment
`to make available to the
`described in related Colman U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,519,745
`customer or consumer an exceptionally reliable and
`and 3,700,813.
`flexible method to inform specific people of issues or
`Hilligoss, Jr. et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,371,751, issued Feb.
`events by calling them and delivering a customized
`1, 1983, describes an automatic message transmitting
`message via the telecommunications network. Theser-
`apparatus which includesa base station and remote unit
`vice and system allows up to four telephone numbers to
`for receiving inputs indicative of various operator emer-
`be used to locate a single person or an alternate person
`gency conditions and for thereupon automatically se-
`in place of the primary name onapre-established list.
`quentially dialing a plurality of preselected telephone
`Pagers may be simultaneously or sequentially called
`numbers and transmitting messages indicative of the
`requesting that the desired person call in for their mes-
`sage.
`alarm condition. The apparatus includes storage for
`multiple messages and a keyboard for inputting infor-
`A person or group of people at an organization is
`mation such as selected telephone numbers and alarm
`assigned the responsibility of acting as the system coor-
`times.
`dinator who performstheinitial act of establishing the
`
`25
`
`30
`
`an
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`0007
`0007
`
`

`

`5,260,986
`
`3
`list. This is accomplished by the coordinator via a
`DTMFtelephone withoutthe necessity ofany on prem-
`ise equipment.
`The coordinator dials into the system and enters a
`passwordto be usedin al] future transactions. The coor-
`dinator next forms each desiredlist. Eachlist is prefera-
`bly given a unique nameusing the voice of the coordi-
`nator. The coordinator is then prompted to key in the
`size of the list required, 25, 50, 75, 100, etc., in incre-
`ments of 25.
`Responsive to prompts the coordinator designates
`how long the system should wait between attempts if
`the line is busy and secondly, in the event that one or
`more of the telephone numbers entered are long dis-
`tance calls, what credit card numberisto be billed.
`The coordinator is then asked to verbally state the
`nameofthe first person to appear onthelist. The sys-
`tem next prompts entry of the first telephone number
`for this person and the pager numberif such is desired.
`After the telephone number and possibly a pager num-
`ber is entered they are sequentially promptedto enter a
`second telephone numberoran alternate person.In the
`latter event they will be requested to state the person’s
`name, in addition to keying in the telephone number.
`This permits the system to regenerate the person's name
`upon completing a call to that person.
`The operation continues in this manner until a maxi-
`mum of four numbers or names have been entered, The
`process continues to the maximum limit that the coordi-
`nator entered earlier. Prior to actually using the system,
`each person on thelist may call into the system and, as
`a substitute for the password entered by the coordina-
`tor, may enter a personalized passwordthat will be used
`during an actual call out by the system. All lists and
`parameters may be updated at anytime by the coordina-
`tor.
`
`In order to initiate an actual notification session a
`coordinatorcalls into the system and enters their pass-
`word. If there is more than onelist the system prompts
`the designation of the desired list. The system then
`prompts the entry of the desired priority designation.
`The priority designation entered by the coordinator
`assigns a class of service to the call which will deter-
`mine how manytrunksare assigned for the particular
`out-calling and assignment. This in turn determines the
`rapidity with which the sequence may be completed.
`The out-dialing sequence then begins. Thefirst num-
`ber is dialed and if a person answers the telephone the
`system states: “There is a message for ‘the person’s
`name’. If this personis available please enter the correct
`password.” If the password is correct, the message in
`the coordinator’s voice is delivered. A printed and/or
`verbal confirmation is then delivered back to the coor-
`dinator showing the name, date andtime ofdelivery. If
`the telephone number was busy, the system retries the
`number three times. The duration between attempts
`would have been designated by the coordinator during
`the original set-up ofthe list. After three attempts the
`system goes to the alternate number and/or name for
`this person. If the wrong passwordis entered the person
`would be given three chances. If the passwordisstill
`incorrect the system would go to the next number and-
`/or name onthelist. Similarly, if no one answers the
`telephone,
`the system proceeds to the next number
`and/or person onthelist.
`This process continuesuntil all four numbers or peo-
`ple are tried. If no one was reached during this process
`and no onecalled in for the message, the system would
`
`4
`begin the process again for a second and third timeif
`necessary. After the third attempt, the printed report
`would note that no one could be reached after three
`attempts including the time each attempt was made.
`Simultaneously, pager numbersarecalled. Up to four
`pager numbers may be entered for each primary entry.
`The system dials the pager number and leaves a mailbox
`numberfor the personto call into to retrieve their mes-
`sage. All four pager numbers will be called. If no one
`responds to retrieve the message within a predesignated
`time limit, this process is repeated two additional times.
`After this, if no onecalls in to retrieve the message and
`the system is unable to deliver it through it’s normal
`out-dialing procedure, it is noted in the coordinator’s
`printout.
`It is accordingly a primary object of the present in-
`vention to provide a modern telecommunications net-
`workintegrated notification service which utilizes ex-
`isting equipment to make available to the consumer an
`exceptionally reliable and flexible method to inform
`specific people of issues or events by calling them and
`delivering a customized message via the telecommuni-
`cations network.
`It is another object of the invention to provide such
`an improved notification service wherein the user is
`able to elect the degree or priority involved and speed
`with which notification occurs.
`It is another object of the invention to provide a
`modern telecommunications networkintegrated notifi-
`cation service which permits utilization of existing
`voice messaging equipmentto virtually simultaneously
`perform multiple functions including the new service.
`It
`is another object of the invention to provide a
`modern telecommunications network integrated notifi-
`cation service which utilizes existing telephone com-
`pany equipment and requires no capital investment on
`the part of customers.
`It is another object of the invention to provide such
`an improvednotification service without requiring the
`purchase,lease orinstallation of equipment on the con-
`sumer’s premises.
`It is another object of the invention to provide a
`modern telecommunications network integrated notifi-
`cation service to inform specific people of issues or
`events through notification either of the specifically
`designated people or of predesignated alternates such
`people.
`;
`It is still another object of the invention to provide
`such a modern telecommunications network integrated
`notification service which permits designated persons
`to update their listed telephone directory and/or pager
`numbers.
`It is another object of the notification service of the
`invention to provide an improvednotification service of
`the foregoing type wherein the customer is provided
`with a verbalorprinted report summarizing the number
`ofcalls made, completed, busy, no answer,etc.
`It is still another object of the invention to provide a
`modern telecommunications network integrated notifi-
`cation service which provides automatedbilling using
`existing PSTN equipment and procedures such as AMA
`and AMATPS.
`It is still another object of the invention to provide a
`modern telecommunications network integrated notifi-
`cation service which provides enhanced reliability
`through the provision of redundant storage in geo-
`graphically separate locales subject to entirely different
`environmental and ambient conditions.
`
`10
`
`25
`
`30
`
`40
`
`45
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`0008
`0008
`
`

`

`5
`is another object of the invention to provide a
`It
`modern telecommunications network integrated notifi-
`cation service which permits a customerto utilize a
`personal computer or ASCII data type device to enter
`and query the data base that resides within the network
`integrated equipment.
`Still other objects and advantages of the present in-
`vention will become more readily apparent
`to those
`skilled in the art from the following detailed descrip-
`tion, wherein a limited number of preferred embodi-
`ments of the invention are shown and described, simply
`by wayofillustration of the best mode contemplated of
`carrying out the invention.
`Aswill be realized the invention is capable of other
`and different embodiments andits details are capable of
`modifications in various obvious respects, all without
`departing from the invention. Accordingly, the draw-
`ing and description are to be regardedas illustrative in
`nature, and notas restrictive.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`Theinvention will be more fully understood from the
`following detailed description taken in conjunction
`with the accompanying drawings, in which:
`FIG. 1is a diagrammatic illustration ofa first embodi-
`ment of the invention;
`FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating the creation or
`generation of the originallist;
`FIG.3 is a flow chartillustrating a typical operation
`of the notification service of the invention:
`FIGS. 4A and 4B is a flowchart illustrating the pro-
`cedure for changing an existing list according to the
`invention.
`
`BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
`INVENTION
`
`Referring to FIG. 1 there is shown at 10 a central
`office having one or more program controlled elec-
`tronic switches (5ESS, 1AESS,etc.) 12 connected in a
`public switched telephone network (PSTN) between
`telephonestations 14 and 16, local switches 18 and 20
`and intermediate switches exemplified by switch 22.
`The switches are interconnected by suitable trunks such
`as DS1 or T1 trunks 24, 26 and 28.
`The switch 12 is housed in a central office 10 which
`also contains a Voice Messaging System (VMS)gener-
`ally indicated at 30. The VMS maybe ofany available
`commercial manufacture such as, by way of example,
`the Boston Technology, Inc. CO Access System, The
`VMS includes a conventional master control unit
`(MCU)32,digital switching system (DSS) 34 and voice
`processing unit (VPU) 36. The VMS is connected to the
`switch 12 via a suitable trunk such as a DS] or T1 trunk
`38. Outgoing trunks of a suitable type, such as DS1 or
`T1 trunks are provided as indicated at 40, 42 and 44.
`As will be understood by those skilled in the art the
`VMS30is presently utilized in PSTNs to provide vari-
`ous types of voice messaging services. Among the most
`commonof these are central office or telephone com-
`pany (Telco) based answering services, Voice Mail and
`call completion.
`Voice Mail
`is a service wherein a caller dials the
`called party’s mailbox number and leaves a message.
`The called party can retrieve messages by dialing the
`mailbox from any DTMFtelephone and entering an
`authentication code. By entering instructions from the
`dial, the message can be repeated, erased, or retained in
`
`5,260,986
`
`6
`the file. Voice messagesare stored digitally in a voice
`messaging storage or data base in the VPU.
`It is a feature of the present invention thatthe notifi-
`cation services of the invention may be provided
`through usage of the VMS equipmentalready available
`in the PSTN,such as the VMS equipmentillustrated at
`30 in FIG. 1. In order to achievethis result it is neces-
`sary only to provide additional storage capacity in the
`VPU along with added software for the MCU. The
`added storage may be referred to as additional mail-
`boxes but is preferably referenced as added slots de-
`picted graphically as slots 46. These may vary in num-
`ber but in an illustrative example might comprise 25
`slots. In addition to these slots 46 the VPU is provided
`with an administrator slot depicted graphically at 48.
`The slots are interconnected with the DSS and MCU to
`carry out their designated functions under control of
`the MCUandit’s software.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`
`The method and system of the invention is now de-
`scribed in conjunction with the drawings.
`GENERATING THE ORIGINAL LIST
`A person or group of people at an organization is
`designated as the coordinator.Thefirst step of the coor-
`dinator is to create and set up the desired list. This is
`accomplished by dialing into the system with a DTMF
`telephone such as any ofthe telephonestations 14 and
`16 shown in FIG. 1.
`Referring to the flow diagram of FIG.2, the coordi-
`natordials into the system at 50. Responsive to a verbal
`prompt the coordinator enters at 52 a temporary pass-
`word given to them by the Telco. The coordinator is
`then asked to enter a new password that will be used
`with all future interactions with the system. The pass-
`wordis verified at 54 and the input of information to
`create the list and its operating parametersis initiated at
`56. At this point the coordinator elects one of three
`options, namely, (1) start a new list, (2) out-calls to the
`existing list, or (3) changethe existing list.
`Assuming that
`the coordinator elects to create or
`start a new list and selects the first option, a series of
`questionsis presented by the system for answer by the
`coordinator via the DTMFbuttons. Those questions
`may be are as follows:
`Howlong should the system wait between attemptsif
`the line is busy?
`How manyattempts should be madeif a line is busy?
`Would youlike to use your credit card for any long
`distance calls? If so, please enter the credit card
`number.
`The system would then ask the 10XX code so the
`user could choose their selected carrier.
`Following the input of this data the coordinatoris
`readyto begin the process ofbuilding the desired group
`or groups. At 58 the coordinator is asked to verbally
`state the nameofthe first group. This name may bethe
`nameof the organization orof a particular work group
`within the organization.
`At 60 the coordinator is prompted to verbally state
`the nameofthe first person, organization or work group
`within this group. At 62 the coordinator is prompted to
`enterthefirst telephone number they wouldlike to have
`dialed in order to reach the person or organization just
`named. This number is entered via the DTMF key-
`board.
`
`10
`
`5
`
`20
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`60
`
`65
`
`0009
`0009
`
`

`

`5,260,986
`
`5
`
`— 0
`
`20
`
`8
`Group (5) One of the Vice Presidents, four of the
`directors, twelve Second Levels and thirty First
`Levels
`Group (6) Another Vice President’s organization
`Group (7) Groups 1, 3 and 5
`Group (8) The whole organization.
`If duplicate names appear due to combining groups
`the system recognizes the duplication and will only call
`the person once.
`Following completion of the lists as indicated by a
`negative response at 82 the system provides the neces-
`sary prompts for establishing the parameters of opera-
`tion. Thus at 84 the coordinator is queried and responds
`as to how many retries are desired after receiving a busy
`signal. Here the coordinator may enter 1, 2, or 3. At 86
`the coordinatoris queried and responds to the length of
`wait desired betweenretries, such as 1, 2 or 3 minutes.
`At 88 the coordinator establishes the type of receipt
`desired following an actual notification session. Thus
`the coordinator may elect a printed receipt, a verbal
`receipt, or both. At 90 the coordinator may exit by
`indicating that no changes are desired and thatthelists
`are complete. The procedure for changing a list or
`making other changesin the notification sessionisillus-
`trated in and described in connection with FIG. 4.
`
`7
`Following the entryofthis first telephone number the
`coordinator is queried as to whether or not there is a
`pager number for the person. If the answeris affirma-
`tive the coordinator is prompted to enter the pager
`number. Following the entry of the pager numberthe
`coordinator is prompted to advise if there is a second
`telephone number they would like to dial in the event
`the first number is busy after the selected number of
`attempts, or the number does not answer. This inquiry
`occursat 64. If the responseis affirmative the coordina-
`tor is prompted to enter the alternate telephone number
`at 66. Up to four telephone numbers maybeentered for
`each listing. If the inquiry as to an alternate telephone
`numberis answered in the negative the coordinatoris
`queried at 68 as to whetheror notthere is a pager num-
`ber for the person.
`is
`is affirmative the coordinator
`If
`the answer
`prompted to enter the pager numberat 70. The system
`permits the entry of both an alternate telephone number
`as well as a pager numberfor the person designated and
`an inquiry to this end is provided at 72. Up to four
`telephone numbers and four pager numbers may be
`entered for each listing. While in most cases the addi-
`tional telephone numbers will be alternate locations for
`the listed person, it may also be a second or third person
`that could act for the first person within thatlisting.
`Similarly, the pager numbers may be for people who
`could act for the first person within the listing. The
`Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B the coordinator enters
`establishment of four telephone numbers and four pager
`at 92 if proceeding from the completion of generation of
`numbers is accomplished by repetition of the sequence
`an originallist as just described in connection with FIG.
`indicated within the broken lines at 74. The coordinator
`2. If this is not the case and the coordinatoris entering
`can end the process by indicating at any time that there
`the system to change a previously established list and
`are no additional telephone numbers or pager numbers
`notification session the coordinators enters at 50 via
`required for this person or organization. The coordina-
`passwordidentification at 52 and 54. If the coordinator
`tor can close off the group at any time by entering a
`elects to change an existing list at 56 the system pro-
`touch tone button that indicates that there are no more
`ceeds to 96 where the coordinator enters the numberof
`names to be entered.
`the list it
`is desired to change. Following entry of the
`Having completed the listing for the first person the
`number of the list which the coordinator desires to
`coordinatoris queried at 76 as to whether or not there
`change, the election is made at 98 as to whetheror not
`is another person to be added tothelist. If the answer is
`it is desired to change the nameofthelist. If an affirma-
`affirmative the name is verbally entered at 78. The sys-
`tive response is forthcoming the new nameis verbally
`tem then repeats the sequence indicated at 74 with re-
`stated at 100 and this new nameis verified or changed at
`102.
`spect to this new person onthe list. If the coordinator
`responds to the inquiry at 76 in the negative the list is
`If the name is verified at 102 the coordinator is
`closed at 80 and the coordinator is queried at 82 as to
`queried at 104 as to whether or not additional changes
`whether or notit is desired to start another list. If the
`are desired. If the response is negative the coordinator
`answeris affirmative the system proceeds to 58 to re-
`exits the program at 106. If additional changes are de-
`peat the sequence just described to form thefirstlist.
`sired the coordinator is returned to the entry inquiry at
`Each group will have its own distinct number and
`56 via entry 92. From 92 the coordinator proceeds
`name; for example, the first group formed will be group
`through steps 56 and 96 and 98 to 108. It is to be noted
`number one, the second group number two, etc., en-
`that this point would be reachedinitially if the coordi-
`abling the coordinator to quickly access a group at a
`nator had responded negatively at 98 in theinitial entry.
`later date. If the coordinator should reach the maximum
`At 108 the coordinator is queried as to whetherit is
`numberoflistings that were contracted for, i.e., 25, 50,
`desired to change the numberofretries following a
`100, etc., the system prompts them that no morelistings
`busy/no answer or the printing or, in the alternative,
`are available.
`whetherit is desired to add or delete a namefromalist.
`No one group can exceed the total numberoflistings
`If the response indicates a desire to change the number
`the client ordered. While one person or organizational
`of retries or printing, the coordinator proceeds to 110.
`name and its telephone numbers may appear in many
`Here the coordinator enters directions as to how many
`groups, the total number of people or organizations
`retries are desired—1, 2 or 3. Followingthis the interval
`cannot exceed the total number of listings ordered. This
`betweenretries is established at 112. The election of a
`would allow the coordinator to set up an organization
`printed receipt, verbal receipt, or both is made at 114.
`in the following manner:
`Following this the coordinator may elect to make addi-
`Group (1) Vice Presidents
`tional changesor exit the system at 104, 94, or 106.
`Group (2) Directors
`Returningto the step indicated at 108,if the coordina-
`tor indicates a desire to add or delete a name fromalist
`Group(3) Second Levels
`Group (4) First Levels
`they next proceed to 116 wherean election is made as to
`
`MAKING CHANGESTO AN EXISTING LIST
`AND NOTIFICATION SESSION
`
`40
`
`45
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`0010
`0010
`
`

`

`9
`10
`whether or notto deletealisting. If deletion is desired
`lar out-calling assignment. For example, if a “one” was
`the coordinator proceeds to 118 to enter the number of
`entered the system will dial out up to 40 attempts per
`the nameit is desired to delete. The coordinator thence
`minute for this session. If a “four” was entered the sys-
`may proceed to 120 to elect to make additional changes
`tem would make five attempts per min