`
`UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL
`(Small Entity)
`(Only for new nonprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
`
`Docket No.
`17188
`
`Total Pagesin this Submission
`
`4
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`COslck
`
`>on
`o>
`5
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`Z —_—
`Ho
`oOo
`sa
`Oo
`
`“ Express Mail Label No. EV-244-125-044-US
`
`TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`Mail Stop Patent Application
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`Transmitted herewith forfiling under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) and 37 C.F.R. 1.53(b) is a new utility patent application for an
`invention entitled:
`
`SYSTEM AND METHODFORINSTANT VoIP MESSAGING
`
`
`
`CA
`
`and invented by:
`
`MICHAEL J.
`
`ROJAS
`
`
`
`
`
`121803
`
`lf a CONTINUATION APPLICATION, check appropriate box and supply the requisite information:
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`CJ Continuation () Continuation-in-part (CIP)—of prior application No.:(©) Divisional
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`Enclosed are:
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`Application Elements
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`1. & Filing fee as calculated and transmitted as described below
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`2.
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`Specification having
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`75
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`pagesand including the following:
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`a.
`
`b.
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`c.
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`Descriptive Title of the Invention
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`(1 Cross References to Related Applications (if applicable)
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`(1
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`d. () Reference to SequenceListing, a Table, or a Computer Program Listing Appendix
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`. XJ Newly executed(original or copy)
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`C) Unexecuted
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`see 37 C.F.R. 1.63(d)(2) and 1.33(b).
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`CD ROM or CD-Rin duplicate, large table or Computer Program (Appendix)
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`Application Data Sheet (See 37 CFR 1.76)
`Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Submission (if applicable, all must be included)
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`. GO Computer Readable Form (CFR)
`
`b. CO
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`Specification SequenceListing on:
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`i. () CD-ROM or CD-R (2 copies); or
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`i. C)
`
`Paper
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`. 0 Statement(s) Verifying Identical Paper and Computer Readable Copy
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`Accompanying Application Parts
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`& Assignment Papers (cover sheet & document(s))
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`Incorporation By Reference (usable if Box 4b is checked)
`The entire disclosure of the prior application, from which a copy of the oath or declaration is supplied under
`Box 4b,
`is considered as being part of the disclosure of the accompanying application and is hereby
`incorporated by reference therein.
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`Express Mail (Specify Label No.): EV-244-125-044-US
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`KhKOOcOd
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`37 CFR 3.73(B) Statement (when there is an assignee)
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`English Translation Document(if applicable)
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`CJ] Copies of IDS Citations
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`POIUSMU/REVO6B
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`UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL
`
`(Small Entity)
`.,
`ig
`(Only for new nonprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
`
`
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`|
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`Docket No.
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`Total Pagesin this Submission
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`Accompanying Application Parts (Continu d)
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`Applicant claims small entity status. See 37 CFR 1.27.
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`Additional Enclosures (please identify below):
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`Assignee: Ayalogic, Inc.
`Akron, Ohio 44311
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`was unintentional.
`
`An applicant who makes a request not to publish, but who subsequently files in a foreign
`country or under a multilateral international agreement specified in 35 U.S.C. 122(b}(2)(B)(i),
`mustnotify the Director of such filing not later than 45 days after the date of the filing of
`such foreign or international application. A failure of the applicant to provide such notice
`within the prescribed period shall result in the application being regarded as abandoned,
`unless it is shown to the satisfaction of the Director that the delay in submitting the notice
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`Request That Application Not Be Published Pursuant To 35 U.S.C. 122(b)(2)
`
`19. © Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 122(b)(2), Applicant hereby requests that this patent application not be
`published pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 122(b)(1). Applicant hereby certifies that the invention disclosed in
`this application has not and will not be the subject of an application filed in another country, or under
`a multilateral international agreement, that requires publication of applications 18 monthsafterfiling
`of the application.
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`Warning
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`UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL
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`(Only for new nonprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
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`Docket No.
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`4
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`Correspondence Address:
`
`Customer No. 23389
`
`Fee Calculation and Transmittal!
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`CLAIMS ASFILED
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`
`
`#Filed [|Fe=|#Allowed #Extra Rate
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`Registration No. 30,749
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`
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`Multiple Dependent Claims (checkif applicable)
`
`OTHERFEE(specifypurpose)
`
`|
`BASIC FEE |
`|
`TOTAL FILING FEE |
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`$0.00
`$385.00
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`$1,362.00
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`19-1013 SSMP
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`Charge the amount of—-$1,362.00 asfiling fee.
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`to coverthe filing fee is enclosed.
`CL) A checkin the amountof
`] The Director is hereby authorized to charge and credit Deposit Account No.
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`Credit any overpayment.
`Charge any additionalfiling fees required under 37 C.F.R. 1.16 and 1.17.
`Charge the issue fee set in 37 C.F.R. 1.18 at the mailing of the Notice of Allowance,
`pursuant to 37 C.F.R. 1.311(b).
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`December 18, 2003
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`y}
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`Signature
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`Paul J. Esatto, Jr.
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`Page 4 of 4
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`PO1USMUREVO06
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`4
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`
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`Serial No.
`unassigned
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`Invention:
`
`Filing Date
`herewith
`
`Examiner
`unassigned
`
`GroupArt Unit
`unassigned
`
`SYSTEM AND METHODFOR INSTANT VoIP MESSAGING
`
`
`DocketNo.
`CERTIFICATE OF MAILING BY "EXPRESS MAIL"(37 CFR 1.10)
`
`Applicant(s): MICHAEL J. ROJAS 17188
`
`Note: Each paper must haveits own certificate of mailing. PO6B/REVO2
`
`
`| hereby certify that thisNEWPATENTAPPLICATION
`
`(Identify type ofcorrespondence)
`
`is being deposited with the United States Postal Service "Express Mail Post Office to Addressee" service under
`
`37 CFR 1.10 in an envelope addressed to: Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box
`
`1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450 on
`
`December18, 2003
`(Date)
`
`Paul J. Esatto, Jr.
`(Typed or Printed Name ofPgrson Mailing Correspondence)
`
` (SignatureMt MailingCorrespondence)
`
`EV-244-125-044-US
`
`("Express Mail" Mailing Label Number)
`
`5
`
`
`
`*
`
`Express Mail Label No. EV-244-125-044-US
`
`
`
`OldjS69%9)
`
`|
`
`COslck
`
`UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL
`(Small Entity)
`(Only for new nonprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
`
`Docket No
`17188
`Total Pagesin this Submission
`4
`
`TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`Mail Stop Patent Application
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`Transmitted herewith forfiling under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) and 37 C.F.R. 1.53(b) is a new utility patent application for an
`invention entitled:
`
`SYSTEM AND METHODFORINSTANT VoIP MESSAGING
`
`
`
`CA
`
`and invented by:
`
`MICHAEL J. ROJAS
`
`
`
`
`
`121803
`
`lf a CONTINUATION APPLICATION, check appropriate box and supply the requisite information:
`
`CJ Continuation () Continuation-in-part (CIP)—of prior application No.:(©) Divisional
`
`Whichis a:
`
`
`
`C1 C ntinuation
`Whichis a:
`
`©) Divisional
`
`(©) Continuation-in-part (CIP)
`
`of prior application No.:
`
`C) Continuation
`
`©) Divisional
`
`©) Continuation-in-part (CIP)
`
`of prior application No.:
`
`Enclosed are:
`
`Application Elements
`
`1. & Filing fee as calculated and transmitted as described below
`
`2.
`
`Specification having
`
`75
`
`pagesandincluding the following:
`
`a. XJ Descriptive Title of the Invention
`
`b.
`
`c.
`
`(1 Cross References to Related Applications (if applicable)
`
`(1
`
`Statement Regarding Federally-sponsored Research/Development(if applicable)
`
`d. () Reference to SequenceListing, a Table, or a Computer Program Listing Appendix
`
`e.
`
`f.
`
`g.
`
`h.
`
`i.
`
`Background of the Invention
`
`Brief Summary of the Invention
`
`X&
`
`Brief Description of the Drawings(iffiled)
`
`Detailed Description
`
`Claim(s) as Classified Below
`
`j. & Abstract of the Disclosure
`
`Page 1 of 4
`
`POIUSMU/REVO6
`
`6
`
`
`
`
`
`Docket No.
`
`T7188.
`Total Pagesin this Submission
`4
`
`UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL
`(Small Entity)
`(Only for new nonprovisionalapplications under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
`
`Application Elements (Continued)
`
`Drawing(s) (when necessary as prescribed by 35 USC 113)
`Formal
`Numberof Sheets
`9
`
`.
`
`. UO
`
`Informal
`
`Numberof Sheets
`
`Oath or Declaration
`
`. XJ Newly executed(original or copy)
`
`C) Unexecuted
`
`Copy from a prior application (37 CFR 1.63(d)) (for continuation/divisionalapplication only)
`
`With Powerof Attorney
`
`CJ Without Powerof Attorney
`
`DELETION OF INVENTOR(S)
`Signed statement attached deleting inventor(s) namedin the prior application,
`see 37 C.F.R. 1.63(d)(2) and 1.33(b).
`
`CD ROM or CD-Rin duplicate, large table or Computer Program (Appendix)
`
`Application Data Sheet (See 37 CFR 1.76)
`Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Submission (if applicable, all must be included)
`
`. GO Computer Readable Form (CFR)
`
`b. CO
`
`Specification SequenceListing on:
`
`i. () CD-ROM or CD-R (2 copies); or
`
`i. C)
`
`Paper
`
`. 0 Statement(s) Verifying Identical Paper and Computer Readable Copy
`
`Accompanying Application Parts
`
`& Assignment Papers (cover sheet & document(s))
`
`Incorporation By Reference (usable if Box 4b is checked)
`The entire disclosure of the prior application, from which a copy of the oath or declaration is supplied under
`Box 4b,
`is considered as being part of the disclosure of the accompanying application and is hereby
`incorporated by reference therein.
`
`Express Mail (Specify Label No.): EV-244-125-044-US
`
`KhKOOcOd
`
`37 CFR 3.73(B) Statement (when there is an assignee)
`
`English Translation Document(if applicable)
`
`Information Disclosure Statement/PTO-1449
`
`CJ] Copies of IDS Citations
`
`Preliminary Amendment
`
`Return Receipt Postcard (MPEP 503) (Should be specifically itemized)
`
`Certified Copy of Priority Document(s)(if foreign priority is claimed)
`
`BO Certificate of Mailing
`
`QO)
`
`First Class
`
`Page 2 of 4
`
`POIUSMU/REVO6B
`
`7
`
`
`
`UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL
`
`(Small Entity)
`.,
`ig
`(Only for new nonprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
`
`
`
`|
`
`Docket No.
`
`17188
`
`Total Pagesin this Submission
`4
`
`Accompanying Application Parts (Continu d)
`
`17.
`
`Applicant claims small entity status. See 37 CFR 1.27.
`
`QO)
`
`(Optional) Small Entity Statement(s) - Specify Number of Statements Submitted:
`
`18.
`
`
`Additional Enclosures (please identify below):
`
`Assignee: Ayalogic, Inc.
`Akron, Ohio 44311
`
`was unintentional.
`
`An applicant who makes a request not to publish, but who subsequently files in a foreign
`country or under a multilateral international agreement specified in 35 U.S.C. 122(b}(2)(B)(i),
`mustnotify the Director of such filing not later than 45 days after the date of the filing of
`such foreign or international application. A failure of the applicant to provide such notice
`within the prescribed period shall result in the application being regarded as abandoned,
`unless it is shown to the satisfaction of the Director that the delay in submitting the notice
`
`Request That Application Not Be Published Pursuant To 35 U.S.C. 122(b)(2)
`
`19. © Pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 122(b)(2), Applicant hereby requests that this patent application not be
`published pursuant to 35 U.S.C. 122(b)(1). Applicant hereby certifies that the invention disclosed in
`this application has not and will not be the subject of an application filed in another country, or under
`a multilateral international agreement, that requires publication of applications 18 monthsafterfiling
`of the application.
`
`Warning
`
`Page 3 of 4
`
`PO1USMUREVO6
`
`8
`
`
`
`UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL
`(Small Entity)a
`(Only for new nonprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
`
`
`
`Docket No.
`17188
`
`Total Pagesin this Submission
`4
`
`Correspondence Address:
`
`Customer No. 23389
`
`Fee Calculation and Transmittal!
`
`CLAIMS ASFILED
`
`
`
`#Filed [|Fe=|#Allowed #Extra Rate
`
`
`
`
`
`Registration No. 30,749
`
`
`
`Multiple Dependent Claims (checkif applicable)
`
`OTHERFEE(specifypurpose)
`
`|
`BASIC FEE |
`|
`TOTAL FILING FEE |
`
`$0.00
`$385.00
`$0.00
`$1,362.00
`
`19-1013 SSMP
`
`Charge the amount of—-$1,362.00 asfiling fee.
`
`to coverthe filing fee is enclosed.
`CL) A checkin the amountof
`] The Director is hereby authorized to charge and credit Deposit Account No.
`as described below.
`
`Credit any overpayment.
`Charge any additionalfiling fees required under 37 C.F.R. 1.16 and 1.17.
`Charge the issue fee set in 37 C.F.R. 1.18 at the mailing of the Notice of Allowance,
`pursuant to 37 C.F.R. 1.311(b).
`
`December 18, 2003
`
`y}
`
`Signature
`
`Paul J. Esatto, Jr.
`
`Page 4 of 4
`
`PO1USMUREVO06
`
`9
`
`
`
`Serial No.
`unassigned
`
`Invention:
`
`Filing Date
`herewith
`
`Examiner
`unassigned
`
`GroupArt Unit
`unassigned
`
`SYSTEM AND METHODFOR INSTANT VoIP MESSAGING
`
`
`DocketNo.
`CERTIFICATE OF MAILING BY "EXPRESS MAIL"(37 CFR 1.10)
`
`Applicant(s): MICHAEL J. ROJAS 17188
`
`Note: Each paper must haveits own certificate of mailing. PO6B/REVO2
`
`
`| hereby certify that thisNEWPATENTAPPLICATION
`
`(Identify type ofcorrespondence)
`
`is being deposited with the United States Postal Service "Express Mail Post Office to Addressee" service under
`
`37 CFR 1.10 in an envelope addressed to: Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office, P.O. Box
`
`1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450 on
`
`December18, 2003
`(Date)
`
`Paul J. Esatto, Jr.
`(Typed or Printed Name ofPgrson Mailing Correspondence)
`
` (SignatureMt MailingCorrespondence)
`
`EV-244-125-044-US
`
`("Express Mail" Mailing Label Number)
`
`10
`
`10
`
`
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD
`FOR INSTANT VoIP MESSAGING
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Technical Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention generally relates to Internet telephony (IP
`
`telephony). More particularly, the present invention 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.
`
`Description of the Prior Art
`
`15
`
`Traditional telephony is based on a public switched telephone network
`
`(i.e., “PSTN”). In the PSTN, a telephoneterminalis electrically connected to a
`
`conventional or legacy switch. The telephone terminal and the legacy switch
`
`communicate via a proprietary protocol, which maybedifferent depending on the vendor
`
`of the legacy switch. Circuit switching provides a communication path (i.e., dedicated
`
`20
`
`circuit) for a telephonecall from the telephone terminal to another device over the PSTN,
`
`including another telephone terminal. During the telephonecall, voice communication
`
`takes place over that communication path.
`
`An alternative to the PSTN is Voice over Internet Protocol (i.e., “VoIP”),
`
`25
`
`also knownas IP telephonyorInternet telephony. In the IP telephony, a VoIP terminal
`
`device is connected to a packet-switched network (e.g., Internet) and voice
`
`H:\work\1732\17188\Spec\17 1 88new 1 .spc.doc
`
`-l-
`
`11
`
`11
`
`
`
`communication from the VoIP terminal deviceis 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 processesthe
`
`transmission. The VoIP terminal device may be a VoIP telephoneor a general-purpose
`
`personal computer (PC) enabled for IP telephony. Morespecifically, the PC is
`
`programmedwith the software and equipped with audio input/outputdevices(e.g., a
`
`combination of microphoneand speakeror 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 softphone.
`
`Figure 1 is an illustrative example ofa priorart IP telephony system 100.
`
`The IP telephony system 100 comprises a packet-switched IP network 102, such asthe
`
`Internet, which transmits VoIP traffic from and to a plurality of terminal devices 104, 106
`
`and 110. Terminal device 104 is a VoIP softphone that is enabled for IP telephony over
`
`15
`
`the network 102. Terminal device 106 is a VoIP telephone, which is connected to the
`
`network 102 via a softswitch 108. The VoIP softswitch 108 is disposed on the packet-
`
`switched network (e.g., Internet) 102 between an origination terminal device (such as
`
`VoIP softphone 104) and a destination terminal device (such as VoIP telephone 106), and
`
`routes packets over the packet-switched IP network 102. The softswitch 108 mayalso
`manage and perform administrative functions for the terminal device or devices(¢.g.,
`
`20
`
`VoIP telephone 106) to which it is connected. Whether the terminal device is a VoIP
`
`softphone 104 or a VoIP telephone 106, the terminal device is connected to the IP
`
`network 102 via a networking standard such as Ethernet, Bluetooth, IEEE 1394 (also
`
`-2-
`
`;
`
`H:\work\1732\17188\Spec\t7188new1 spe.doc
`
`12
`
`12
`
`
`
`knownas “Firewire”), IEEE 802.11 (also known as “WiFi”), or networking over serial
`
`communication channels such as the Universal Serial Bus(i.e., “USB”). Data
`
`communication over the network then takes place using a connection protocol, e.g.,
`
`transfer control protocol/Internet protocol(i.e., “TCP/IP”).
`
`Further regarding Fig. 1, terminal device 110 is a legacy telephonethatis
`
`connected to a legacy switch 112 for (circuit-switched) voice communications over the
`
`PSTN 116 with other terminal devices. A media gateway 114 may be provided between
`
`the legacy switch 112 and the packet-switched network 102 to enable IP telephony
`
`10
`
`between the legacy telephone 110 and a VoIP terminal device, such as a VoIP softphone
`
`104 or VoIP telephone 106. Morespecifically, 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 connected to a
`softswitch 120 to convert the audio signal from the legacy telephone 110 to packets|
`
`15
`
`routed over the IP network 102 via the softswitch 120.
`
`Voice messaging in both the VoIP and PSTN is known. More
`specifically, the foregoing systems may be provided with a facility to allow users to leave
`
`voice messagesfor recipients, whichis a feature that is familiar to anyone who uses a
`
`20
`
`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 greeting message, and recording the messagefor later pickup by
`
`3.
`
`HAwork\1732\1 7188\Spec\! 7188new 1 .spo.doc
`
`13
`
`13
`
`
`
`the recipient. In that message,the user musttypically identify himselfor herself in order
`
`for the recipient to return the call.
`
`Instant text messaging is likewise known. Morespecifically, a user is
`
`provided with a client terminal, which is typically a general-purpose PC programmed
`
`with instant text messaging software andin data communication over an IP network with
`
`an instant text-messaging server. Theinstant text-messaging server presents the user, via
`
`the client terminal, with a list of persons who are currently “online” and ready to receive
`
`text messages on their own client terminals. The user then usesthe client terminal to
`
`10
`
`select one or more persons to whom the message will be sent and types in a text message.
`
`The text message is sent immediately via the text-messaging serverto the selected one or
`
`more persons andis displayed on their respective client terminals.
`
`However, notwithstanding the foregoing advances in the VoIP/PSTN
`
`voice communication and voice/text messaging,thereis still a need in the art for
`
`providing a system and method for providing instant VoIP messaging over an IP network.
`
`Moreparticularly, there is a needin the art for providing local and global instant voice
`
`messaging over VoIP with PSTN support.
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`SUMMARYOF THE INVENTION
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`Thepresent inventionis directed to a system and method for enabling
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`local and global instant VoIP messaging over an IP network, such as the Internet.
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`According to an embodimentof the present invention, there is provided an
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`instant voice messaging system for delivering instant messages over a packet-switched
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`network, the system comprising: a client connected to the network,the client selecting
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`one or morerecipients, generating an instant voice message therefor, and transmitting the
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`selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor over the network; and a server
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`connected to the network, the server receiving the selected recipients and the instant
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`voice message therefor, and delivering the instant voice message to the selected
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`recipients overthe network,the selected recipients being enabledto audibly play the
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`instant voice message.
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`According to another embodiment ofthe present invention,there is
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`provided an instant voice messaging system for delivering instant messages over a
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`packet-switched network enabling public switched telephone network (PSTN) support,
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`the system comprising: a PSTN telephone connected to the network for providing input
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`audio; a client connected to the network,the client selecting one or more recipients,
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`generating an instant voice messagetherefor using the input audio provided by the PSTN
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`telephone, and transmitting the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor
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`over the network; a server connected to the network, the server receiving the selected
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`20
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`recipients and the instant voice message therefor, and delivering the instant voice
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`messageto the selected recipients over the network, the selected recipients being enabled
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`to audibly play the instant voice message.
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`According to a further embodimentof the present invention,there is
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`provided an instant voice messaging system for delivering instant messages over a
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`packet-switched network, the system comprising: a voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP)
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`telephone connected to the network for providing input audio; a client connected to the
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`network,the client selecting one or morerecipients, generating an instant voice message
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`therefor using the input audio provided by the VoIP telephone, and transmitting the
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`selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor over the network; a server
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`connected to the network,the server receiving the selected recipients and the instant
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`voice message therefor, and delivering the instant voice message to the selected
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`recipients over the network, the selected recipients being enabled to audibly play the
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`instant voice message.
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`Accordingto still another embodimentofthe present invention,there is
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`provided an instant voice messaging system for delivering instant messages over a
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`15
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`plurality of packet-switched networks, the system comprising: a client connected to a
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`local network, the client selecting one or more external recipients connected to an
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`external network outside the local network, generating an instant voice messagetherefor,
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`and transmitting the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor overthe
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`local network and the external network; and a server connected to the external network,
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`20
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`the server receiving the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor, and
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`delivering the instant voice messageto the selected recipients over the external network,
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`the selected recipients being enabled to audibly play the instant voice message.
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`According to yet another embodimentof the present invention,there is
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`provided an instant voice messaging system for delivering instant messages over a
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`plurality ofpacket-switched networks enabling public switched telephone network
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`(PSTN)support, the system comprising: a PSTN telephone connected to a local network
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`for providing input audio; a client connectedto the local network, the client selecting one
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`or more externalrecipients connected to an external network outside the local network,
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`generating an instant voice messagetherefor using the input audio provided by the PSTN
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`telephone, and transmitting the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor
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`over the local network and the external network; a server connected to the external
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`10
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`network, the server receiving the selected recipients and the instant voice message
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`therefor, and delivering the instant voice message to the selected recipients over the
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`external network, the selected recipients being enabled to audibly play the instant voice
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`message.
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`According to yet a further embodimentofthe present invention,there is
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`provided an instant voice messaging system for delivering instant messages over a
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`plurality of packet-switched networks, the system comprising: a voice-over-internet-
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`protocol (VoIP) telephone connected to a local network for providing input audio; a
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`client connected to the local network,the client selecting one or more external recipients
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`20
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`connected to an external network outside the local network, generating an instant voice
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`messagetherefor using the input audio provided by the VoIP telephone, and transmitting
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`the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor over the local network and
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`the external network; an server connected to the external network, the external server
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`17
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`
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`receiving the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor, and delivering
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`the instant voice messageto the selected recipients over the external network,the selected
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`recipients being enabled to audibly play the instant voice message.
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`Accordingto still a further embodimentof the present invention, there is
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`provided an instant voice messaging system for delivering instant messages over a
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`plurality of packet-switched networks, the system comprising: a client connected to an
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`external network,the client selecting one or morerecipients connected to a local network,
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`generating an instant voice messagetherefor, and transmitting the selected recipients and
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`10
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`the instant voice messagetherefor over the external network; an external server system
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`connected to the external network, the external server system receiving the selected
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`recipients and the instant voice message, and routing the selected recipients and the
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`instant voice message over the external network and the local network; a local server
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`connected to the local network,the local server receiving the selected recipients and the
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`instant voice message therefor, and delivering the instant voice messageto the selected
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`recipients over the local network,the selected recipients being enabled to audibly play the
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`instant voice message.
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`According to an embodimentofthe present invention, there is provided a
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`20
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`methodfor instant voice messaging over a packet-switched network, the method
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`comprising: selecting one or morerecipients for instant voice messagingata client;
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`generating an instant voice messagefor the selected recipients at the client; transmitting
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`the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor over the network from the
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`18
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`
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`client to a server; receiving the selected recipients and the instant voice messagetherefor
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`at the server; delivering the instant voice message from the serverto the selected
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`recipients over the network; and audibly playing the instant voice messageatthe selected
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`recipients.
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`According to another embodimentof the present invention,there is
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`provided a methodfor instant voice messaging over a packet-switched network enabling
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`public switched telephone network (PSTN)support, the method comprising: providing
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`input audio via a PSTN telephone connected over the network; selecting one or more
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`recipients for instant voice messaging at a client; generating an instant voice message
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`using the input audio from the PSTN telephonefor the selected recipients at the client;
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`transmitting the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor over the
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`network from the client to a server; receiving the selected recipients and the instant voice
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`messagethereforat the server; delivering the instant voice message from the serverto the
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`15
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`selected recipients over the network; and audibly playing the instant voice messageat the
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`selected recipients.
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`Accordingto a further embodimentof the present invention,there is
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`provided a method for instant voice messaging over a packet-switched network, the
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`20
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`method comprising: providing input audio via a voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP)
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`telephone connected over the network; selecting one or morerecipients for instant voice
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`messaging at a client; generating an instant voice message using the input audio from the
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`VoIP telephonefor the selected recipients at the client; transmitting the selected
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`19
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`19
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`
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`recipients and the instant voice messagetherefor over the network from theclient to a
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`server; receiving the selected recipients and the instant voice message thereforat the
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`server; delivering the instant voice message from theserver to the selected recipients over
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`the network; and audibly playing the instant voice messageat the selected recipients.
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`Accordingtostill another embodimentof the present invention, there is
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`provided a method for instant voice messaging overa plurality of packet-switched
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`networks, the method comprising: selecting one or more external recipients for instant
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`voice messaging at a client connected to a local network, the one or more external
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`recipients connected to an external network outside the local network; generating an
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`instant voice message for the selected external recipients at the client; transmitting the
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`selected external recipients and the instant voice message therefor over the local network
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`and the external network; receiving the selected external recipients and the instant voice
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`message therefor at an external server connectedto the external network; delivering the
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`15
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`instant voice messageto the selected external recipients over the external network; and
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`audibly playing the instant voice message at the selected external recipients.
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`According to yet another embodimentofthe present invention,there is
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`provided a method for instant voice messaging system over a plurality of packet-switched
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`20
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`networks enabling public switched telephone network (PSTN) support, the method
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`comprising: providing input audio via a PSTN telephone connected to a local network;
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`selecting one or more external recipients for instant voice messagingat a client, the one
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`or more external recipients connected to an external network outside the local network;
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`
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`-10- HAwork\1732\17188\Spec\! 71 88new1.spe.doc
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`20
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`20
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`
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`generating an instant voice messagefor the one or more externalrecipients using the
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`input audio provided by the PSTN telephone; transmitting the selected recipients and the
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`instant voice message therefor over the local network and the external network; receiving
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`the selected recipients and the instant voice messagetherefor at a server connectedto the
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`external network; delivering the instant voice messageto the selected recipients from the
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`server over the external network; and audibly playing the instant voice message at the
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`selected recipients.
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`Accordingtostill a further embodiment ofthe present invention,there is
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`provided a method for instant voice messaging system over a plurality of packet-switched
`
`networks, the method comprising: providing input audio via a voice-over-internet-
`
`protocol (VoIP) telephone connected to a local network; selecting one or more external
`
`recipients for instant voice messaging at a client, the one or more external recipients
`
`connected to an external network outside the local network; generating an instant voice
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`15
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`messagefor the one or more external recipients using the input audio provided by the
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`VoIP telephone; transmitting the selected recipien