|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||l||||||||||
`
`U8008243723B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Rojas
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,243,723 32
`*Aug. 14, 2012
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTANT vorp
`MESSAGING
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Michael J. Raj as, North Canton. OH
`(US)
`
`Assignee:
`
`Inc
`
`[ $ ) Notice:
`
`Subjem to an}, disclailner' Ihe tenn girth-is
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154[b) by 693 days.
`
`[his Pam“ ls Emblem 10 a lemllml dls'
`claimcr.
`
`(21) Appl. No; 12!398,063
`
`(22}
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 4, 2009
`
`[65)
`
`Pm" Publication Data
`US 2009;0161664Al
`Jim 25' 2009
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`20040128356 Al
`200430179092 Al"
`200450252679 Al
`EGGS-"0053230 Al
`2005_I.-0l05697 Al
`2006-0167883 At
`200630268750 Al
`
`7.2004 Bernstein elal.
`9.2004 LaPoint
`[2!2004 Williamseta].
`3-“2005 Gicrachf
`5.2005 Hunuwe“ el al
`1-2006 Boukob‘za
`[132006 Weiner
`
`55200? Mfliik
`2001'0112925 Al
`7200'? Barry
`2007;"0I74403 Al
`3920”)
`(.35!
`201050070275 Al ’3
`()‘l‘Ill'gR PUBI‘ICA‘I‘KjNS
`
`34s.-'14.0s
`
`704F335
`
`http:e'fwww.cisco.eome’warpptlbiicxce ’pdt'nemn sw.-'c allmn-prodliU'
`cm33__ds.htm: “Data Sheet Cisco CallManager Version 3.3“. Nov.
`22 2001
`http::"x'vwwv.cisco.comtentltSipmduct5-'hw.-'switchesfps | 925-"pr0d-
`ucts data sheet 0918fi_aflt}80(}a3c3d.html; “Data Sheet Cisco MGX
`8000 Series" t Date unknown).
`httpL-‘fwww.hsteliann.e0|11.-"english.-"?Zo rte-‘3 I t'JO—VZ ll’:
`3IDU—VZIP". 2003.
`https-I-‘uw'.|inuxdcviees.com-‘articles-N15 1999475 19.1mm;
`“Device Profile: snom [0t] Voll’ phone". May [5. 2002.
`(Continued)
`
`"Tel iphone
`
`lOf’?40.030. filed on
`(63) Continuation of application No.
`Dec. 18. 2003, now Pat. No. 7,535,890.
`I
`
`Creighmn 3mm]
`Primary Exam-“9"
`(74) Attorney- Agem. or Firm Scully- Scott Murphy &
`Presser. RC.
`
`[51}
`
`Int. Cl.
`I104}. 12/66
`“.8. Ci.
`(52)
`(58} Field of Classification Search
`
`(2006.01)
`
`370.3352: 7092206
`STUJ'352;
`709i’206
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56}
`
`References Cith
`
`US” PATENT DOCUMENTS
`o.?63.226 Bl
`1-2004 MeZeatJr.
`gag'etal‘t
`]
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`..i_.
`r
`:4.
`rcarncrea.
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`2004-0014455 Al *
`2.9004 Schtlites eta].
`2004.-"003004fi Al
`2004r'0085456 Al“
`5.0004 Kwaget at.
`2004.-’0122906 Al
`6-2004 Goodman et at.
`
`455-413
`348-211.”
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`‘l‘here is provided an 111313111 voicg messaging gyslem [and
`method) for delivering instant messages over a packet-
`switched network. the system comprising: a client connected
`to the network. the client selecting one or more recipients.
`generating an instant voice message therefor. and transmit-
`ting the selected recipients and the instant voice message
`therefor over the network: and a server connected to the
`network. the server receiving the selected recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor. and delivering the instant
`voice message to the selected recipients overthe network. the
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`US 8,243,723 BZ
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`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
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`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2012
`
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`US 8,243,723 B2
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`
`
`., LEGACY
`PHONE
`
`VoIP
`SOFTPHONE
`
`FIG, 1
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`0003
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Aug. 14, 2012
`
`Sheet 2 of 9
`
`US 8,243,723 B2
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`216
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`/
`
`LOCAL
`IVM
`SERVER
`
` WM CLIENT
`
`[VoIP
`PHONE)
`
`FIG“ 2
`
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`

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`US. Patent
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`Aug. 14, 2012
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`Aug. 14, 2012
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`

`US 8,243,723 BZ
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTANT VOIP
`MESSAGING
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPHCA'I‘ION
`
`This application is a continuation of US. application Ser.
`No. 101110.030 fled on Dec. 18. 2003. the entire contents of
`which are incorporated herein by this reference.
`
`ll]
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`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 method for enabling local and
`global instant VoIP messaging over an IP network. such as the
`Internet, with PSTN support.
`2. Description of the Prior Art
`Traditional telephony is ba5cd 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 com-
`municate via a proprietary protocol. which may be different
`depending on the vendor of the legacy switch. Circuit switch-
`ing provides a communication path {i.e.. dedicated circuit) for
`a telephone call from the telephone terminal to another device
`over the PSTN, including another telephone terminal. During
`the telephone call. voice communication takes place over that
`communication path.
`An altemative to the PSTN is Voice over Internet Protocol
`
`(i.e.. “VoIP"}. also known as IP telephony or Internet tele-
`phony. In the IP telephony. a VoIP terminal device is con-
`nected to a packet-switched network (e.g.. Internet) and voice
`communication from the Voll’ terminal device is digitized.
`packetized and transmitted over the packet—switched network
`to a destination VoIP terminal device. which reconstructs the
`packets and audibly plays. stores or otherwise processes the
`transmission. The \r'olP tenninal device may be a V’oIP tele-
`phone or a general-purpose personal computer (PC) enabled
`for IP telephony. More specifically. the PC is programmed
`with the software and equipped with audio inputloutput
`devices (e.g.. a combination of microphone and speaker or a
`headset} to serve as a VoIP terminal device. The PC so enabled
`and equipped will herein be referred to as a VoIP terminal
`device or a VoIP sofiphone.
`FIG. I is an illustrative example ofa prior art IP telephony
`system 100. The IIJ telephony system 100 compriscsa packet-
`switched IP network 102. such as the Internet. which trans-
`mits VoIP traffic from and to a plurality of terminal devices
`104. 106 and 110. Terminal device 104 is a VoIP sofiphone
`that is enabled for IP telephony over the network 102. ‘l'ermi-
`nal device 106 is a VoIP telephone. which is connected to the
`network 102 via a soltswitclt 108. The VoIP sofiswitch 103 is
`
`disposed on the packet-switched network (cg. Internet) 102
`between an origination temtinal device (such as VoIP soft~
`phone 104) and a destination terminal device (such as VoIP
`telephone 106). and routes packets over the packet-switched
`IP network 102. The softswitch 108 may also manage and
`perform administrative functions for the terminal device or
`devices (cg. VolP telephone 106) to which it is connected.
`Whether the terliiinal device is a VoIP softphone 104 or a Vol P
`telephone 106. the terminal device is connected to the IP
`network 102 via a networking standard such as Ethernet.
`Bluetooth= IEEE 1394 (also known as “Firewire")_. IEEE
`802.1] (also known as “Wilii'U. or networking over serial
`communication channels such as the Universal Serial Bus
`
`2
`(i.e., “USB"). Data communication over the network then
`takes place using a connection protocol, e.g.. transfer control
`protocolllnternet protocol (i.c.. “T'CI’IIP’j.
`Further regarding FIG. 1, tenninal device 110 is a legacy
`telephone that is connected to a legacy switch 1 12 for (circuit-
`swilchod) voice comrtumications over the PSTN 116 with
`other terminal devices. A media gateway 114 may be pro-
`vided between the legacy switch 112 and the packet-switched
`network 102 to enable II’ telephony between the legacy tele-
`phone 110 and a VoIP terminal device, such as 3 Vol? soft-
`phone 104 or Vic-1P 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 118 may be disposed over
`the PSTN 116 and comtected to a sofiswitch 120 to convert
`
`the audio signal from the legacy telephone 110 to packets
`routed over the [1’ network 102 via the sofiswitch 120.
`
`Voice messaging in both the V’oIP and I’STN is known.
`More specifically. the foregoing systems may be provided
`' with a facility to allow users to leave voice messages for
`recipients. which is a feanire that is familiar to anyone who
`uses a telephone. Conventionally. leaving a voice message
`involves dialing the recipient’s telephone number (often
`without knowing whether the recipient will answer}. waiting
`for the connection to be established. speaking to an operator
`or navigating through a menu of options. listening to a greet-
`ing message. and recording the message for later pickup by
`the recipient. In that message. the user must typically identify
`himself or herself in order for the recipient to return the call.
`Instant text messaging is likewise known. More specifi-
`cally, a user is provided with a client terminal. which is
`typically a general-purpose PC programmed with instant text
`messaging sofiware and in data communication over an IP
`network with an instant text-messaging server. The instant
`text-messaging server presents the user. via the client termi-
`nal. with a list of persons who are currently “online” and
`ready to receive text messages on their own client terminals.
`The user then uses the client terminal to select one or more
`
`3U
`
`35
`
`persons to whom the message will be sent and types in a text
`message. The text message is sent immediately via the text-
`messaging server to the selected one or more persons and is
`displayed on their respective client terminals.
`However. notwithstanding the foregoing advances in the
`VbIPtPSTN voice communication and voiceltext messaging.
`there is still a need in the art for providing a system and
`method for providing instant Veil) messaging over an IP
`network. More particularly. there is a need in the art for
`providing local and global instant voice messaging over VoIP
`with I’S'I'N support.
`
`4t]
`
`45
`
`50
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`55
`
`6t;
`
`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 del iv—
`ering instant messages over a packet-switched network. the
`system comprising: a client connected to the network, the
`client selecting one or more recipients, generating an instant
`voice message therefor. and transmitting the selected recipi-
`ents and the instant voice message therefor over the network:
`and a server connected to the network, the server receiving the
`selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor. and
`delivering the instant voice message to the selected recipients
`over the netwurk. the selected recipients being enabled to
`audibly play the instant voice message.
`0012
`0012
`
`

`

`3
`
`4
`
`US 8,243,723 BZ
`
`local
`telephone comtected to a
`(VbIP)
`ternet-protccol
`network for providing input audio: a client connected to the
`local network. the client selecting one or more external recipi-
`ents comiected to an external network outside the local net-
`
`According to another embodi tnent o fthe present invention,
`there is provided an instant voice messaging system for del iv-
`ering instant messages over a packet-switched network
`enabling public switched telephone network [PSTN) support.
`the system comprising: a PSTN telephone connected to the
`network for providing input audio: a client connected to the
`network. the client selecting one or more recipients. generat—
`ing an instant voice message therefor using the input audio
`provided by the PS'l‘N 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 audibly play the instant voice message.
`According to a further embodiment of the present inven-
`tion. there is provided an instant voice messaging system for
`delivering instant messages over a packet-switched network.
`the system comprising: a voice-over-interact-protocol (Vol?)
`telephone connected to the network for providing input audio;
`a client connected to the network. the client selecting one or
`more recipients. generating an instant voice message therefor
`using the input audio provided by the VolP telephone, and
`transmitting the selected recipients and the instant voice mes-
`sage therefor over the network: a server connected to the
`network. the server receiving the selected recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor, and delivering the instant
`voice message to the selected recipients over the network. the
`selected recipients being enabled to audibly play the instant
`voice message.
`According to still another embodiment of the present
`invention. there is provided an instant voice messaging sys-
`tem liar delivering instant messages over a plurality ol‘packct-
`switched networks.
`the system comprising: a client con-
`nected to a local network. the client selecting one or more
`external recipients connected to an external network outside
`the local network. generating an instant voice message there-
`for. and transmitting the selected recipients and the instant
`voice message therefor over the local network and the exter-
`nal network: and a server connected to the 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 audibly play the instant
`voice message.
`According to yet another embodiment ofthe present inven-
`tion. there is provided an instant voice messaging system for
`delivering instant messages over a plurality of packet-
`switched networks enabling public switched telephone netw
`work (PSTN) support. the system comprising: a PSTN tele—
`phone ccnnected to a local network for providing input audio:
`a 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 the
`PSTN telephone. and transmitting the selected recipients and
`the instant voice message therefor over the local network and
`the external network; a server connected to the external net—
`work. the server receiving the selected recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor. and delivering the instant
`voice message to the selected recipients over the external
`network. the selected recipients being enabled to audiny play
`the instant voice message.
`According to yet a further embodiment of the present
`invention. there is provided an instant voice messaging sys—
`tem for delivering instant messages over a plurality of packet-
`switched networks. the system comprising: a voice-over—in-
`
`ll]
`
`3o
`
`35
`
`work. generating an instant voice message therefor using the
`input audio provided by the Vol P 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 the
`selected recipients over the external network. the selected
`recipients being enabled to audiny play the instant voice
`message.
`According to still a fttrther embodiment of the present
`invention. there is provided an instant voice messaging sys-
`tem for delivering instant messages over a plurality ofpacket-
`switched networks. the system comprising: a client con-
`nected to an extental 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 therefor over the extemal
`network; an external server system connected to the external
`network. the external server system receiving the selected
`recipients and the instant voice message. and routing the
`selected recipients and the instant voice message over the
`external network and the local network: a local server con-
`nected to the local network. the local server receiving the
`selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor. and
`delivering the instant voice message to the selected recipients
`over the local network. the selected recipients being enabled
`to erudiny play the instant voice message.
`invention.
`According to an embodiment of the present
`there is provided a method for instant voice messaging over a
`packet—switched network. the method comprising: selecting
`one or more recipients for instant voice messaging at a c] ient:
`generating an instant voice message for the selected recipi-
`ents at the client; transmitting the selected recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor over the network from the
`client to a server: receiving the selected recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor at the server; delivering the
`instant voice message from the server to the selected recipi—
`ents over the network; and audibly playing the instant voice
`message at the selected recipients.
`Ac cording to another embodiment ofthe present invention.
`there is provided a method for instant voice messaging over a
`packet-switched network enabling public switched telephone
`network (PSTN) suppon. the method comprising: providing
`input audio via a PSTN telephone connected over the net
`work: selecting one or more recipients for instant voice mes—
`saging at a client; generating an instant voice message using
`the inpttt audio from the PSTN telephone for the selected
`recipients at the client; transmitting the selected recipients
`and the instant voice message therefor over the network from
`the client to a server: receiving the selected recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor at the server“. delivering the
`instant voice message from the server to the selected recipi—
`ents over the network; and audibiy playing the instant voice
`message at the selected recipients.
`According to a further embodiment of the present inven-
`tion. there is provided a method for instant voice messaging
`over a packet-switched network. the method comprising: pro-
`viding input audio via a voice-over-intemet~protocol (VoIPJ
`telephone connected over the network; selecting one or more
`recipients for instant voice messaging at a client: generating
`an instant voice message using the input audio from the VoIP
`telephone for the selected recipients at the client; transmitting
`0013
`0013
`
`4t:
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`6t;
`
`

`

`5
`
`6
`
`US 8,243,723 BZ
`
`the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor
`over the network from the client to a server: receiving the
`selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor at
`the server: delivering the instant voice message from the
`server to the selected recipients over the network: and audibly
`playing the instant voice message at the selected recipients.
`According to still another embodiment of the present
`invention. there is provided a method for instant voice 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
`external network: receiving the selected external recipients
`and the instant voice message therefor at an external server
`connected to the external network: delivering the instant
`voice message to the selected external recipients over the
`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 ofpacket-switched networks enabling
`public switched telephone network (PSTN) support.
`the
`method comprising: providing input audio via a PSTN tele-
`phone connected to a local network; selecting one or more
`external recipients for instant voice messaging at a client. the
`one or more external recipients connected to an extemal
`network outside the local network; generating an instant
`voice message for the one or more 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 liirther embodiment of the present
`invention. there is provided a method for instant voice mes~
`saging system over a plurality ofpacket—switched networks;
`the method comprising: providing input audio via a voice-
`over-intcrnet-protocol (VolP) telephone connected to a local
`network: selecting one or more external recipients for instant
`voice messaging at a client, the one or more external recipi-
`ents connected to an external network outside the local net-
`work: generating an instant voice message for the one or more
`extemal recipients using the input audio provided by the VoIP
`telephone: transmitting the selected recipients and the instant
`voice message therefor over the local network and the exter-
`nal network: receiving the selected recipients and the instant
`voice message therefor at a server connected to the external
`network: delivering the instant voice message to the selected
`recipients from the server over the external network: and
`audlhly playing the instant voice message at the selected
`recipients.
`According to yet a funher embodiment of the present
`invention. there is provided a method for instant voice mes-
`saging over a plurality ofa plurality ofpacket-switched net-
`works. the method comprising: selecting one or more recipi-
`ents connected to a local network at a client connected to an
`
`external network; generating an instant voice message for the
`selected recipients at the client: transmitting the selected
`recipients and the instant voice message therefor over the
`external network from the client to an external server system;
`
`receiving the selected recipients and the instant voice mes-
`sage at the external server system; routing the selected recipi-
`ents and the instant voice message over the external network
`and the local network: receiving the selected recipients and
`the instant voice message therefor at a local server connected
`to the local network: delivering the instant voice message to
`the selected recipients over the local network; audibly playing
`the instant voice message at the selected recipients.
`
`It]
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The objects, features and advantages of the present inven-
`tion will become apparent to one skilled in the art. in view of
`the following detailed description taken in combination with
`the attached drawings. in which:
`FIG.
`1 illustrates an example of a prior 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 IVM client of FIG. 2 for
`enabling instant voice messaging according to the present
`invention:
`FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary IVM server of FIG. 2 for
`enabling instant voice messaging according to the present
`invention;
`FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary global IVM system com-
`prising a local IVM system and global IVM clients. according
`to the present invention;
`FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary global IVM server system
`depicted in FIG. 5, according to the present invention;
`FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary transport server depicted in
`F IG. 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 IV'M systems and global IVM
`clients. according to the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTlON OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed to a system and method
`for enabling local and global instant VoIP messaging over an
`IP network with PSTN support.
`FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration of a local instant voice
`messaging (WM) system 20f.l according to the present inven-
`tion. The instant voice messaging system 200 comprises a
`local lVM server 202 that provides the core functionality for
`enabling instant voice messaging with PSTN support accord—
`ing to the present invention. The architecture ol'the local lVM
`server 202 will be described in detail hereinbelow with ref-
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`erence to FIG. 4. According to the exemplary IVM system
`200. the local IVM server 202 is enabled to provide instant
`voice messaging to one or more IVM clients 206 and 208. as
`well support instant voice messaging for PSTN legacy tele—
`phones “0. It is noted that although FIG. 2 depicts one of
`each IVM client 206, 208 and legacy telephone 110 for clarity
`and brevity. the local IV’M server 202 is enabled to support a
`plurality of each of the foregoing WM clients 206. 208 and
`legacy telephone 110. The local packet-switched IP network
`204 interconnects the IVM clients 206, 208 and the legacy
`telephone 110 to the local IVM server 202 as well as inter~
`connecting the local IVM server 202 to the local Il’ network
`204. The network 204 may be a local area network (LAN). a
`wide area network (WAN). or the like. which supports both
`wired and wireless devices. The exemplary IVM client 208 is
`0014
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`US 8,243,223 B2
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`a VoIP soliphone, the architecture of which will be described
`in detail hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 3. A microphone
`212 is connected to the WM client 208 and enables the
`
`recording ol'an instant voice message according to the present
`invention into an audio file 210 for transmission to the local
`IVM server 202 oVer the network 204. An input device 218
`[e.g.. a keyboard) is connected to the IVM client 208 to select
`one or more recipients that are to receive the recorded instant
`voice message. Although not depicted in FIG. 2. the input
`device 218 may include a trackball. digitizing pad or mouse.
`or the like. A display device 2'16 is connected to the IVM
`client 208 to display instant voice messages recorded andfor
`received by a usorofthe IVM client 208. An audio device 214,
`such as external speaker, is is connected to the WM client 208
`to play received instant voice messages. It is noted that the
`microphone 212. audio device 214. display device 216 and
`input device 218 may form integral parts of the IVM client
`208.
`Further with reference to F IG. 2. IVM client 206 is inter-
`conntxtcd via the network 204 to the local IV’M server 202.
`An exemplary IVM client 206 is a VoIP telephone. which
`comprises a screen display (not shown) capable oi‘displaying
`instant voice messages recorded andt'or received by a user of
`the IVM client 206 according to the present invention. The
`VoIP telephone 206 litrther comprises a handset attdfor
`speakerphone for recording instant voice messages and lis-
`tening to instant voice messages received at the VoIP tele-
`phone 206 according to the present invention. The “311’ tele—
`phones which may be implemented to provide instant voice
`messaging functionality according to the present invention
`are commercially available from many vendors. including
`Alcatel'm. Lucent‘l'M. NEG"M and C iscoTM. to name just a few.
`In addition to the [’oregoing IVM clients 206. 208. the WM
`system 200 supports a legacy telephone 1 10 for instant voice
`messaging according to the present invention. The legacy
`telephone 110 is connected to a legacy switch 112. The legacy
`switch 112 is further connected to a media gateway 114. Both
`the legacy switch 112 and the media gateway 114 intercon-
`nect the legacy telephone 1 l 0 via the network 204 to the local
`IVM server 202. thereby facilitating instant voice messaging
`according to the present invention. The media gateway 114
`may be a gateway that supports trunk pack network control
`(i.e.. “TPNC‘P") protocol, media gateway control protocol
`[i.e.. “MGCP")_. or a media gateway control H.428 protocol
`(i.e._. “MILGACO"). As previously mentioned. the media gate-
`way 114 converts the audio signal carried over PSTN to
`packets to be transmitted over a packet-switched IP network,
`such as the local network 204.
`The implementation of the instant voice messaging for
`IVM client 208 will be described first and will be followed by
`the implementations for IVM client 206 and legacy telephone
`110, with reference to the local IV’M system 200 depicted in
`FIG. 2. These implementations implement a “record mode"
`ofthe instant voice messaging according to the present inven-
`tion. There will further be described an “intercom mode“ ol‘
`the instant voice messaging according to the present inven—
`tion. Therefore, in operation of the IVM client 208 according
`to FIG. 2. the IVM client (WM softphone) 208 is connected
`over the network 204 to the IVM server 202. which as afore-
`mentioned enables instant voice messaging 1'ttnctionality
`over the network 204. The IVM client 208 displays a list of
`one or more IVM recipients on its display 216. provided and
`stored by the local IVM server 202. as will be particularly
`described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 4. The user
`
`operates the IVM client 208 by using the input device 218 to
`indicate a selection of one or more lV’M recipients from the
`list. The user selection is transmitted to the WM server 202.
`
`The user selection also generates a start signal to the IVM
`client 208 that the user is ready to begin instant voice mes-
`saging according to the present invention. 111 response to the
`start signal. the IVM client [soliphone] 208 listens to the input
`audio device 212 and records the user‘s speech into a digi-
`tized audio file 210 (i.e.. instant voice message) stored on the
`IVM client 208. The audio file 210 at the IVM client 208 is
`
`1U
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`finalized via a stop signal. which is generated by the user via
`the input device 218 or a preset time period without speech
`input via the input audio device 212 on the IVM client 208.
`Once the recording of the user‘s speech is finalized, IVM
`cl icnt 208 generates a send signal indicating that the digitized
`audio file 210 (instant voico message) is ready to be sent to the
`selected recipients. The user generates the send signal when
`the user operates the IVM client 208 via the input device 218.
`e.g.. pressing a key on a keyboard or clicking a button on a
`mouse. The IVM client 208 transmits the digitized audio file
`210 and the send signal to the local IVM server 202. In
`response to the send signal indicating that the instant voice
`' message is ready to be sent. the IVM client 208 sends the
`recorded audio file 210 destined forthe selected one or mor