(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY(PCT)
`
`(19) World Intellectual Property Organization
`International Bureau
`
`(43) International Publication Date
`
`28 February 2002 (28.02.2002) QO 0AILA
`
`(10) International Publication Number
`WO 02/17658 Al
`
`(51) International Patent Classification’: H04Q 7/22, 7/32
`
`CZ, DE, DK, DM, DZ, EC, EE, ES, FI, GB, GD, GE, GH,
`GM,HR, HU, ID, IL, IN, IS, JP, KE, KG, KP, KR, KZ, LC,
`LK, LR, LS, LT, LU, LV, MA, MD, MG, MK, MN, MW,
`(21) International Application Number:=PCT/FIO01/00732
`Mx, MZ, NO, NZ, PL, PT, RO, RU, SD, SE, SG, SI, SK,
`SL, TJ, TM, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VN, YU, ZA,
`ZW.
`
`(22) International Filing Date: 20 August 2001 (20.08.2001)
`
`(25) Filing Language:
`
`(26) Publication Language:
`
`(84— Designated States (regional): ARIPO patent (GH, GM,
`KE, LS, MW, MZ, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZW), Eurasian
`patent (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), European
`patent (AT, BE, CH, CY, DE, DK, ES, FI, FR, GB, GR, TE,
`IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, SE, TR), OAPT patent (BF, BJ, CF,
`(30) Priority Data:
`CG, Cl, CM, GA, GN, GQ, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD,
`20001838 21 August 2000 (21.08.2000)—FI
`
`TG).
`
`English
`
`English
`
`(71) Applicant and
`(72) Inventor:
`VAANANEN, Mikko, Kalervo [FI/FI];
`Laivanvarustajankatu 7B 13, FIN-00140 Helsinki (FD.
`
`Published:
`
`with international search report
`
`(81) Designated States (national): AE, AG, AL, AM, AT, AU,
`AZ, BA, BB, BG, BR, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CN, CO, CR, CU,
`
`For two-letter codes and other abbreviations, refer to the "Guid-
`ance Notes on Codes and Abbreviations" appearing at the begin-
`ning of each regular issue ofthe PCT Gazette.
`
`(54) Title: INSTANT VIDEO- AND VOICEMAIL MESSAGING METHOD AND MEANS
`
`UAAIAN
`WO02/17658Al
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`20
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`210
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`220
`
`230
`
`
`
`connection formed to
`server
`
`Recipient(s) contact
`
`information transferred
`to server
`
` Recipient(s)
`selected
`
`
`
`
`telephony network
`
`server(s) attempt to
`resend message(s) lo
`resend to alternative
`directories, send notifica
`tion of message
`
`undelivered message(s)
`stored al SFSN
`
`server(s) relay message
`to the recipient(s) through
`the Internet orthe
`
`240
`
`(57) Abstract: The invention relates to the field of instant
`messaging. More specifically the invention relates to a server
`centric method and means for instant voice and video mail
`
`Even more particularly the invention relates to
`messaging.
`voicemail messaging with mobile terminals.
`The invention
`has been explained above with reference to the aforementioned
`embodiments and several commercial and industrial advantages
`have been demonstrated. The inventive methods and means
`
`under study allow faster voice messaging and enable similar,
`but not identical audio/video message “ping ball". The sending
`of voicemail in accordance with the invention is instantaneous
`
`and involves no different telephone numbers for the sender to
`remember. The reception of messages is always instantaneous,
`provided the recipient is available, and only if not available, may
`the delivery of the messages be delayed.
`
`Facebook Ex. 1008
`Facebook Ex. 1008
`U.S. Pat. 7,535,890
`USS. Pat. 7,535,890
`
`
`
`audio/video
`message recorded
`via connection to
`the server
`
`
`
`
`
`Recipient contact
`260
`information and
`message passed
`
`to SFSN
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`I
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`

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`WO 02/17658
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`PCT/F101/00732
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`Instant video- and voicemail messaging method and means
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`PRIORITY REQUEST DATA
`
`A previous patent application describes an invention with same goals and essence in
`
`patent application FI20001838 with server independent embodiments, where servers
`
`are used only as a backup, which is here taken as reference and priority of which is
`
`requested.
`
`10
`
`FIELD OF INVENTION
`
`The invention relates to the field of instant messaging. More specifically the invention
`
`relates to a server centric method and means for instant voice and video mail
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`15
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`messaging. Even more particularly the invention relates voicemail messaging with
`
`mobile terminals.
`
`BACKGROUND
`
`20
`
`Forfurther prior art to this invention, we wish to submit WO 01/54387 Al, Nguyen.
`
`This document discloses a method where: “A unique telephone numberand extension
`
`are associated with each (1) one of a plurality of subscribers (105). The telephone
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`number is also associated with a remote access point ofpresence (RAPP)(120).
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`Messagesare left for subscribers by establishing a phonecall to the phone number
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`25
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`associated therewith. The phonecall is received at a RAPP (120). The RAPP (120)
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`receives the voice message, digitises and pocketsize the voice message, and transmits
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`the message over a packet network (130) to a store and forward messaging system
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`(125). The store and forward messaging system stores the message forretrieval. The
`message can beretrieved by either telephone, a client computer, or a private branch
`
`30
`
`exchange terminal (110).” This documentis cited here as reference.
`
`In addition prior art methodsin delivering messages include Cellular voicemail and
`SMS(Short Message Service) messages. SMS messages are text-based messages,
`which are delivered to the terminal directly as a first priority, and stored on the
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`networkif delivery is unavailable. With Cellular Voicemail it is possible to call the
`
`voicemail box ofthe recipient, and the recipient of the voicemail maylaterlisten the
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`message.
`
`This prior art has several disadvantages in contrast with the invention in the priority
`
`documentand this inventive method understudy based on the priority document.
`
`SMS messagesare restricted to text, whichis harder to input than voice by speech.
`SMS messagesare therefore tedious to the sender. Cellular voicemail is both tedious
`to send and receive. In order to send voicemail, the sender has to know the telephone
`number ofthe voicemail box ofthe recipient, whichis typically different from the
`phone number, or wait‘for the voicemail box to connectto the original telephone
`number whenthe recipient is not available. In order to receive voicemail, the recipient
`
`needsto retrieve the message from the network, because the message is not delivered.
`
`instantly to him.
`
`SUMMARY
`
`10
`
`15
`
`The method under studyis far faster and enables similar, but not identical audio/video
`message “ping ball” as described in the priority document. The sending ofvoicemail
`
`20
`
`in accordance with the invention is instantaneous and involves no different telephone
`
`numbers for the sender to remember. The reception of messages is always
`
`instantaneous, provided the recipient is available, and only ifnot available, may the
`
`delivery of the messages be delayed.
`
`25
`
`The aforementioned advantages are best realised with an exemplary embodiment of
`
`the invention, in which the userhas a software application running on his subscriber —
`terminal. The user chooses a recipient for a voice- or video mail from the contacts
`book of the terminal by pressing a button. The terminal forms a data connection to a
`
`30
`
`serveror dials a telephone connection to a server, which typically has a low latency
`
`i.e. the connectionto the serveris formed fast. The subscriber terminal sends the
`
`contact information of the recipient to the server. The subscriber terminal, the server
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`or both indicate to the user that the recording of the message is begun or may be
`
`started. The recording is displayed and/or dictated down the phoneline to the server
`or through a packet switched connection to the server. The server stores the recording
`
`typically in MP3-, WAV- or RealSystem Secure, u-law, A-law, PCM or ADPCM or
`the like format to a database. There is typically a DSP circuit that digitises the
`
`recording to a data file. Alternatively tape recording may be used. Theserver inspects
`the phone number, IP addressor other contact directory ofthe recipient, and routes
`the message file, or a copyofit, to a server in close proximity in the SFSN (Store and
`
`Forward Server Network). This server, or alternatively the original server, then
`establishes a communication connection to the recipient(s). The connectionis
`typically established by a phonecall to the recipient, and whenthe recipient answers
`the messageis played to the recipient. Prefixes and postfixes maybeattached to the
`
`message such as: *Message ofMs. Vilma Vaianiinen” MESSAGE “ The message of
`
`Vilma Vaananen was brought to you by OPERATOR.”
`
`A video- and/or voicemail messaging method, comprising at least one subscriber
`
`terminal and at least one server, in accordance with the invention is characterised by
`
`the stepsof,
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`-
`
`choosing at least one messagerecipient or a group,
`
`forming a communications connection to at least one server,
`
`recording at least one voice/video messageto at least one server via at least one
`
`established communications connection,
`
`transferring at least one contact directory ofat least one recipient to at least one
`
`server,
`
`disconnecting the connection to at least one server,
`
`at least one server relays the messageto at least one recipient terminal via
`
`telephony network orthe Internet.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`A video- and/or voicemail messaging method, comprising at least one subscriber
`
`30
`
`terminal andat least one server, in accordance with the invention is characterised by
`
`the steps of,
`
`-
`
`choosing at least one messagerecipient or a group,
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`forming a communications connection to at least one server,
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`recording at least one voice/video messageto at least one servervia at least one
`
`established communications connection,
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`transferring at least one contact directory of at least one recipient to at least one
`
`server,
`
`disconnecting the connection to at least one server,
`
`transferring at least one said message andat least one said contact directory to a
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`Store and Forward Server Network (SFSN),
`
`at least one server in the SFSNorthe original server relays at least one message to
`
`10
`
`at least one recipient terminal device through the Internet or the telephony
`
`network,
`
`A video- and/or voicemail messaging server, comprising at least one media player
`
`and/or a DSP andatleast one data storage means and communications connections in
`
`15
`
`and out of the telephony network, SFSN and/or the Internet in accordance with the
`
`invention is characterised in that,
`
`a recording is arranged to be madeto the media player and/or DSP through an
`
`established communications connection from a subscriber terminal,
`
`a capture of recipient contact information and/or other messageattributes from the
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`20
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`subscriber terminal is arranged ontheserver, and the contact informationis
`
`arranged to be stored to the storage means,
`
`at least one media player and/or DSPis arrangedto store the recording to a data
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`file,
`
`at least one datafile is arranged to be stored on the data storage means,
`
`25
`
`at least one data file, or at least one copy ofthe data file is arranged to be sent to
`
`anotherserver in the SFSN and/or a connection is arranged to be formed to at least
`
`one recipient.
`
`A video- and/or voicemail messaging subscriber terminal in accordance with the
`
`30
`
`invention is characterised in that,
`
`the user is arranged with the possibility to select at least one recipient,
`
`SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE26)
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`~
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`-
`
`-
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`-
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`at least one communications connection is arranged to be formedto the server
`
`upon selection ofat least one recipient,
`the recipient contact information is arranged to be sent to the server,
`
`the terminalis arranged to relay at least one video and/or audio signal to the
`
`server,
`the communication connection is arranged to be disconnected upon a dedicated
`
`action or upon the fulfilmentof dedicatedcriteria.
`
`10
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`In the following the invention will be described in greater detail with referenceto
`
`exemplary embodiments in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which
`
`15
`
`Figure 1 demonstrates the principal method 10 of the inventionas a flow diagram.
`
`Figure 2 demonstrates a more scalable messaging method 20 in accordance with the
`
`invention.
`
`20
`
`Figure 3 demonstrates a methodapplicableto circuit switched networks in accordance
`
`with the invention.
`
`Figure 4 demonstrates a subscriber terminal 40 in accordance with the invention.
`
`25
`
`Figure 5 demonstrates a network server 50 in accordance with the invention.
`
`Figure 6 demonstrates a scalable messaging architecture 60 in accordance with the
`
`invention,
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
`
`In phase 110 offigure 1 the message recipient is chosen. The recipient may be chosen
`
`by labeling the recipient with a pointer from the “contacts” file ofthe terminal device,
`
`the recipient may be chosen by speech recognition, a dedicated keyboard accelerator,
`
`hot key, dedicated key or any combinations or permutations of these in some
`
`10
`
`embodiments. Several recipients or a group mayalso be selected in some
`embodiments. A simple press of a button mayalso beusedto selectat least one
`recipient. The terminaldeviceis typically a computer, palmtop, laptop, or a mobile
`station, mobile phone, pager or any wired or wireless information device. In some
`embodiments the terminal features Windows-, Windows NT-, Epoc-, Windows CE-,
`Unix-, Linux-, OS/2, Symbian, Epoc, PalmOS, Pocket PC, GEOS, MS-Stinger and/or
`
`15
`
`Sybaseorthe like operating system or software.
`
`In phase 120 a packet switched or a circuit switched connection is established to the
`
`server. In some embodiments the subscriber terminal intercepts a selected recipient(s)
`
`20
`
`contact directory, and forms a communications connection to the server. The
`connectionis typically a SS7-, GSM-, H323-, HTTP-, GSM-data, IP-RAN-, UMTS-,
`WAP, Teldesic-, Inmarsat-, Iridium-, GPRS-, CDMA-data-, WCDMA-data-, HTTP-,
`H323-, SMS-, MMS-, email- LAN-, TCP/IP-, imode-, Globalstar- and/or WLAN-
`
`connection in some embodiments.
`
`25
`
`In phase 130 the recipient contact information of at least one recipient or a recipient
`
`group is transferred to the server via the connection or otherwise. The recipient
`
`contact information may comprisethe telephone number,static or dynamic IP-
`address, ISDN-number, MSISDN-number, email, SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) ID
`
`of the recipient, or any other directory information. The subscriber terminal may
`
`30
`
`translate directory information from one type to the next depending on the
`
`requirements, For example, when the networkis packet switched, a telephone number
`may be converted to an IP-address in some embodiments. In some embodiments the
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`

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`directory information ofthe sender, such as Caller ID, telephone number, IP address
`
`or the like is transferred to the server as well. The directory information of the
`
`recipients, sender or other message attributes are transferred via the established
`communications channel, or through a separate communications or messaging —
`channel. For exampleif the connection is a phone call, DIMF tones, SMS messages,
`
`USSD messages or the like may be used to communicate the said information.If the
`
`connection is an IP connection, usually this same connection is used to convey the
`
`said information.
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`10
`
`In phase 140 the voice/video messageis recorded in packet switched orcircuit
`switched format, but other formats are also possible in some embodiments.
`Consequently, the recording is written to a data file. The data file is typically an MP3-
`
`, WAV-or RealSystem Secure data file in some preferable embodiments. In some
`
`alternative embodiments the message maybe recorded ontape. In some embodiments
`
`15
`
`phase 140 maybe executedprior to 130, or both maybe executed concurrently.
`
`In phase 150 the connection is disconnected. The connection is preferably
`
`disconnected when the message has been completed. The connection may be
`
`disconnected by the user by a dedicated action, such as pressing a button or a like
`
`20
`
`action. The fulfilment of a predefined time limit may disconnect the connection,as
`
`well as Voice Activity Detection.If the useris silent, then either the terminal may
`
`conclude the message completed, and disconnect the connection. Also the release or
`
`press of a button may be used to disconnect the connection.
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`25
`
`In phase 160 the server relays the message to the recipient(s) through the Internet or
`
`the telephony network.If the recipient terminal is capable ofreceiving the datafile,
`
`which meanstypically having a packet switched accessto the recipient device, the
`message may be sent with an packet switched connection,like IP, through the
`Internet, or through some other closed network. If the receiving terminalis a circuit
`
`30
`
`switched device, for instance a telephone ofany kind, the server maycall the number
`
`and once answeredbyarecipient or a voicemail box plays the message as playback
`down the phoneline. In some embodimentsof the invention, a special prefix and
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`

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`WO 02/17638
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`postfix may bestoredto the server, which in some embodiments are associated and
`
`recognized on thebasis of the sender’s directory information, the SIM or the mobile
`
`station memory, and is playedpriorto the recording in the data file or after it. The
`
`prefix and/orpostfix could play for instance: “In the following you will hear a
`message from Ms Vilma Vaanénen.”MESSAGE“ This completed the message of
`
`Vilma Vaaninen.” In some preferable embodiments the senderis displayed on the
`
`recipient terminal screen.
`
`Whenthe recipient receives the message in phase 170, someindication ofthis is
`
`10
`
`typically captured. The recipient is asked in the postfix whether he wouldlike to hear
`
`the message again, whether he understood the message, whether he is the person the
`
`message wasintendedto or anyother attributes related to the status of the message
`
`may be queried. The user may indicate his preferences bypressing e.g. a dedicated
`
`button. This dedicated action will signal the server on the status of a certain message
`
`15
`
`with respect to a certain recipient.
`
`If the recipient is unavailable, the message may bestored on the server for sometime,
`
`and attempts to deliver the message may be takenattimely intervals. In some
`
`embodiments the message is rerouted to an alternative directory, such as email or
`
`voicemail box if the user is unavailable. The server may sendanotification to the
`20
`
`sender concerning which messages got delivered, which did not, how long will the
`
`messages remain in the network andother related important delivery status
`
`information relating to the delivery of said messages orattributed given by the
`
`recipient(s).
`
`25
`
`In phase 180 the recipient may answer senderdirectly. This may be donebypressing
`
`a button after the data file has been played and dictating another data file or another
`
`dictation to tape, which will be sent to the initial sender as a reply. The reply may be
`
`delivered in accordance with the inventive methods 10, 20 and/or 30 in some
`
`30
`
`embodiments. In some further embodimentsit is also possible to forward messages to
`
`other recipients or third parties. The datafile is typically an MP3-, WAV- or
`
`RealSystem Secure datafile.
`
`SUBSTITUTE SHEET(RULE26)
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`

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`Figure 2 displays a more scalable messaging methodin accordance with the invention.
`
`In phase 210 offigure 2 at least one recipient is chosen. In phase 220 the subscriber
`terminal forms a connection to the server. Recipient contact informationis typically
`transferred in phase 230, and the recording of the said video/audio messageis done in
`
`phase 240, The connection is disconnected in phase 250.
`
`Before phase 260 the server establishes, whetherit should deliver the message to the
`
`recipient directly as in phase 160 of method 10, or forwardit to other servers in a
`
`10
`
`Store and Forward Server Network associated with the original server. In a scalable
`networkarchitecture, phase 260 is typically proceeded with and both the recipient
`contact information and the message are passed onto the SFSN. In some embodiments
`
`whereseveral recipients orat least one group exists, the message may be relayed to
`
`somerecipients by the original server and to some by the SFSN. The SFSNis °
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`15
`
`typically a network of servers linked together through the Internet, telephony network,
`
`a Virtual Private Network (VPN), or some other communicationsor signalling
`network, The connectionsin the SFSN may be TCP/IP-, IP-, UDP-, HTTP-, H323-,
`and/or FTP- in some embodiments.
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`20
`
`In phase 270 the servers in the SFSN typically deliver a copy of the messageto a
`
`servernear a recipient, and this server attempts to relay the messageto the said
`
`recipient. The server may attempt to form a packet switched connection to one, some
`
`orall of the recipients terminals, attempt to dial a circuit switched telephone
`
`connection and play the message as playback down the phoneline, or email the
`
`25
`
`messageto the recipient. In phase 280 the messages that were undelivered are stored
`
`on the SFSN.
`
`In phase 290 someorall of messages that weré undelivered in phase 270are being
`resent. The server may attempt to resend the message to the samedirectories or
`
`30
`
`addresses, or it may attempt to reroute the messageto an alternative address ofthe
`
`recipient. In some preferable embodimentsthe server sends a different message, for
`instance an SMS message,signifying that the message was not delivered andis on the
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`10
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`server forlater retrieval. The notification message may contain access codes, directory
`
`information of the server, such as dial in phone number, URL address, IP address or
`thelike.
`
`In one alternative embodiment, the software in the subscriber terminal has the .
`telephone number of the software stored. Both the telephone number andthe current
`IP-addressare given to the server. Telephone numbers and IP-addresses can then be
`
`used interchangeably when contact is made between software applications. This
`
`10
`
`results to the effect that information in packet switched format can be readily
`transmitted to telephone numbers, provided these telephone numbers have a
`corresponding IP-address.
`
`In figure 3 the method 30 showsan inventive audio/video messaging method which is
`
`most applicable to circuit switched communication systems,i.e. cellular e.g. GSM or
`
`15
`
`CDMA orfixed line e.g. POTS (Pain Old Telephone Service). In phase 310 at least
`
`one recipient or a group are selected from the telephone or mobile station memory.
`
`The recipient may be chosen by labelling the recipient with a pointer from the
`
`“contacts”file ofthe terminal device, the recipient may be chosen by speech
`
`recognition, a dedicated keyboard accelerator, hot key, dedicated key or any
`
`20
`
`combinations or permutations of these in some embodiments. Several recipients or a
`
`group may also be selected in some embodiments. A simple press of a button may
`
`also be usedto select at least one recipient.
`
`In some preferable embodiments the mobile station features SIM Application Toolkit
`
`20
`
`(SAT), Java Virtual Machine- or Wireless Telephony Application Interface support
`
`WTALA special menue.g. “Voice Messages”, or “Instant Voice Messages”or “Uni-
`
`directional phonecall” menu mayberealised in accordance with the invention. The
`
`recipient may be selected from this menu, typically on the SIM and/or mobile station
`
`memory with the aforementioned methods.
`
`30
`
`In phase 320 the terminalintercepts the selected recipient telephone number, and dials
`
`a telephone numberassociated with the server.
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`Once the connection to the server is operational, either the terminal sends or server
`
`retrieves the recipient(s) contact directory and the telephone numberof the sender or
`
`caller ID of the message in phase 330. These telephone numbers maybe sent through
`
`SS-, USSD-, SMS- or SS7- channels, or as DTMF tones through the connection. The
`
`server then records these numbers andtranslated or modifies them according to some
`
`rules or definitions to enable further delivery of the message. Once the relevant
`
`information has been signalled between the terminal and the server, either one may
`
`indicate to the user that the dictation may begin.
`
`10
`
`In phase 340 the messageis being dictated through the connection and recorded on
`
`the server. Consequently, the recording is written to a data file. The data file is
`
`typically an MP3-, WAV- or RealSystem Secure, u-law, A-law, PCM or ADPCM
`
`data file in some preferable embodiments. In some alternative embodiments the
`
`15
`
`message may be recorded on tape. In some embodiments the process is cancelled if
`
`the connection breaks andan error notification indicating this may be sent by SMS.
`
`In phase 350 the dial up connection is disconnected. The connection is preferably
`
`disconnected when the message has been completed. The connection may be
`
`20
`
`disconnected by the user by a dedicated action, such as pressing a button or a like
`
`action. The fulfilment of a predefined time limit may disconnect the connection, as
`
`well as Voice Activity Detection.If the useris silent, then either the terminal may
`
`conclude the message completed, and disconnect the connection. Also the release or
`
`press of a button may be used to disconnect the connection.
`
`25
`
`In phase 360 the server examines the message delivery requests. If it is determinable
`
`that the recipient is near the server, from the telephone number, country or area code,
`
`VLR(Visitor Location Register), HLR (Home Location Register) or any other source,
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`the server may proceed to phase 371. Ifthe server concludesthat reaching the
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`recipientis not feasible or justified according to set criteria, it will proceed to phase
`370. Other logical reasons apart from narity, for example cost of terminating
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`connection may determine whetherto proceed to 370 or 371, or neither. In extreme
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`circumstances,if the delivery of the messageis impossible, the server may delete the
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`message and senda notification to the recipient, for example by SMSor email.
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`Assumethe server proceeded to 371. In this phase the original server calls the
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`numbersofthe recipients and once answered bya recipient or a voicemail box plays
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`the message as playback down the phoneline. In some embodimentsofthe invention,
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`a special prefix and postfix may be stored to the server, which in some embodiments
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`are associated and recognized onthe basis of the sender’s directory information, the
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`SIM orthe mobile station memory, and is played prior to the recording in the datafile
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`or after it. The prefix and/or postfix could play for instance: “In the following you will
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`hear a message from Ms Vilma Vaindnen."MESSAGE “This completed the message
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`of Vilma Vaiandnen.” In some preferable embodiments the senderis displayed on the
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`recipient terminal screen. In some embodiments,the caller ID, the nameof the sender
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`or the like is displayed by the Caller ID property of the network, or by a SMS, OTA
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`(Over the Air) or WAP-flash, or SMS broadcast message.
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`In phase 381 the undelivered messagesare stored at the serveror in the SFSN.In
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`phase 391 the original server or the SFSN attempts to deliver the message at timely
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`intervals, for example by placing further calls. In some embodiments the messageis
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`rerouted to an alternative directory, such as email or voicemail box,or the like if the
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`user is unavailable. Alternatively, the messages could be attempted to send via a
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`packet switched connection as described in FI20001838 of the applicant. The server
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`may senda notification to the sender concerning which messages got delivered, which
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`did not, what was the reason; was the recipient busy,refused the call, in radio shadow,
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`how longwill the messages remain in the network and other related important
`delivery status information relating to the delivery of said messages. In some
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`preferable embodiments the server sends a different message to the recipient, for
`instance an SMS message,signifying that the message was notdelivered andis held
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`on the server forlater retrieval. The notification message may contain access codes,
`directory information of the server, such as dial in phone number, URL address, IP
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`address orthelike.
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`Assumethe server proceeded to phase 370. Here the SFSN servers relay the message
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`to the recipients through the Internet or the Telephony network. Thecall to the
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`recipient is sometimes made froman optimal server in the SFSN. This may be the
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`closest server or the one with the most inexpensive communications connection to the
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`recipient. The choice of the server making contact with a particular recipientis
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`determined by delivery criteria set in the network. When the same messageis
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`delivered to various recipients in different locations, copies of the same message may
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`be routed to several different servers, from which the call is made. The message
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`delivery process may be as described in phase 371.
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`In phase 380, the undelivered messages are stored on the SFSN. The messages may be
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`stored for a period of time, before proceeding to phase 390. In somealternative
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`embodimentsthere is an iteration loop between phases 380 and 390. In some cases
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`several attemptsto call a recipient are made, andanotification or rerouting of the
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`message are taken after some attempts have failed. Any SFSN server may send a
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`notification to the sender concerning which messages got delivered, which did not,
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`how long will the messages remain in the network and other related important
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`delivery status informationrelating to the delivery of said messages.
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`The recipients may also answersenderdirectly, upon reception of a message. This
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`maybe donebypressing a button after the data file has been played anddictating
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`another data file or another dictation to tape, which will be sent to the initial sender as
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`areply. The reply may be delivered in accordance with the inventive methods 10, 20
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`and/or 30 in some embodiments. In some further embodiments it is also possible to
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`forward messages to otherrecipients or third parties. The datafile is typically an
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`MP3-, WAV- or RealSystem Secure, u-law, A-law, PCM or ADPCM datafile.
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`During, in betweenorafter any of the phases of methods10, 20, 30, directory lookup
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`maybe executed in somepreferable embodiments. The telephone number ofthe
`recipient is converted to an IP-address in one preferable embodiment.A priorart
`solution to directory lookup and conversion is presented in my patent application
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`“Telenetwork directory template”, FI19992774, which is taken here as reference.
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`Directory lookup is here established as the interchangeretrieval and/or comparison of
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`any directory information such as email-, IP- address, URL, ISDN number, MSISDN,
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`phone number or the like to another corresponding email-, IP- address, URL, ISDN
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`number, phone numberorthe like directory from the network, network server and/or
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`terminal in order to deliver the message to a directory. Especially in cases where the
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`IP-address ofthe recipient is a dynamic one, the directory lookup 1s an advantageous
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`feature. In some embodiments where the recipient has a static IP address, the IP-
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`address need not be looked up separately every time. In some preferable embodiments
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`IP-addresses ofrecipients are stored on the subscriber terminal. In some embodiments
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`only static IP-addressesof recipients are stored.
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`During, in between orafter any of the phases of methods 10, 20, 30, signal barring
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`maybeexecuted in some preferable embodiments. In some embodiments the
`recipients may decline to receive messages from unwanted parties, for example by
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`setting conditions to their subscriber terminal.
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`Voice recognition may be employed during, before, in betweenor after any ofthe
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`phases ofmethods 10, 20, 30. In some preferable embodiments, voice recognition is
`used to convert the dictation into a written email, SMS-,MMS- messageorthe like.
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`In some embodiments,at least one subscriber terminal and at least one server form a
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`Virtual Private Network (VPN).
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`A Regret function or request may be employed during, before, in betweenor after any
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`of the phases ofmethods 10, 20, 30 in order to destroy an unwanted intermittent or
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`complete message.It may be sentto the server directly, which will handle the
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`message cancellation on itself or the SFSN, even when it has already been sent. In
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`some embodiments the message is destroyed upon receipt of the regret message on
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`any server, in some embodiments after the receiver has played the messageor in some
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`In some embodiments,it is possible to utilize Autoplay upon reception. In this
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`embodiment, the audio/video message is playe