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`UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL
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`Transmitted herewith for filing under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) and 37 CFR. 1.53(b) is a new utility patent application for an
`invention entitled:
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`YSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTANT VoIP MESSAGING
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`was unintentional.
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`Request That Application Not Be Published Pursuant To 35 U.S.C. 122(b)(2)
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`19. CI 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 months after filing
`of the application.
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`Warning
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`3
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`UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMI'I'I'AL
`(”an“)
`(Only for new nonprovisronal applications under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
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`I
`
`Docket No.
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`17188
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`4
`
`Correspondence Address:
`
`Customer No. 23389
`
`Fee Calculation and Transmittal
`
`—l_——nI
`
`———l-__|
`—|— -
`_I_
`_I—
`TOTAL FILING FEE I
`$1,362.00
`
`to cover the filing fee is enclosed.
`D A check in the amount of
`The Director is hereby authorized to charge and credit Deposit Account No.
`as described below.
`
`19-1013 SSMP
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`Registration No. 30,749
`
`Charge the amount of
`Credit any overpayment.
`Charge any additional filing fees required under 37 C.F.R. 1.16 and 1.17.
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`pursuant to 37 C.F.R. 1.311(b).
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`Dated: December 18, 2003
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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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`Docket No-
`CERTIFICATE OF MAILING BY "EXPRESS MAIL" (37 CFR 1.10)
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`Applicant(s): MICHAEL J. ROJAS 17188
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`Serial No.
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`unassigned
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`invention:
`
`Filing Date
`
`herewith
`
`Examiner
`
`unassigned
`
`Group Art Unit
`
`unassigned
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTANT VoIP MESSAGING
`
`
`I hereby certify that this NEMAIENIABBLKZAIIQN
`(Identzfi’ 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, PO. Box
`
`1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450 on
`
`De c embeds, 2003
`(Date)
`
`Paul J. Esatto, Jr.
`(Typed or Printed Name ofP son Mailing Correspondence)
`
` (Signaturea/ers MailingCorrespondence)
`
`EV-244-125-044-US
`
`(”Express Mail" Mailing Label Number)
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`Note: Each paper must have its own certificate of mailing.
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`PDSB/REVOZ
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`5
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`
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`:0
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`Express Mail Label No. EV-244-125—044-US
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`I
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`
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` OldS'll6999i
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`SOQLZL
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`UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL
`
`
`
` (Small Entity)
`
`(Only for new nonprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
`
`TO THE COMMISSIONER FOR PATENTS
`
`Docket No.
`17188
`
`Total Pages in this Submission
`4
`
`Mail Stop Patent Application
`P.O. Box 1450
`Alexandria, VA 22313-1450
`
`Transmitted herewith for filing under 35 U.S.C. 111(a) and 37 CFR. 1.53(b) is a new utility patent application for an
`invention entitled:
`
`YSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTANT VoIP MESSAGING
`
`
`
`and invented by:
`
`llllllllllllllll
`
`121803
`
`MICHAEL J. ROJAS
`
`
`
`
`
`if a CONTINUATION APPLICATION, check appropriate box and supply the requisite information:
`
`CI Continuation
`Which is a:
`
`Cl C ntinuation
`Which is a:
`
`CI Divisional
`
`El Continuation-in-part(ClP)
`
`of priorapplication No.:
`
`CI Divisional
`
`CI Continuation-in-part(ClP)
`
`of priorapplication No.:
`
`CI Continuation
`
`El Divisional
`
`CI Continuation-in-pan(ClP)
`
`of priorapplication No.:
`
`Enclosed are:
`
`Application Elements
`
`1.
`
`Filing fee as calculated and transmitted as described below
`
`2.-
`
`Specification having
`
`75
`
`pages and including the following:
`
`Kt
`
`EWEEDDEJ
`
`on
`
`n...
`
`Descriptive Title of the Invention
`
`Cross References to Related Applications (if applicable)
`
`Statement Regarding Federally-sponsored Research/Development (if applicable)
`
`Reference to Sequence Listing, a Table, or a Computer Program Listing Appendix
`
`Background of the Invention
`
`Brief Summary of the invention
`
`Brief Description of the Drawings (if filed)
`
`Detailed Description
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`Claim(s) as Classified Below
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`Abstract of the Disclosure
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`Page 1 of 4
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`PO1USMUREV06
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`UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL
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`Application Elements (Continued)
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`Formal
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`9
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`D k t N .
`°i7iss °
`Total Pages in this Submission
`4
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`El
`
`Informal
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`Number of Sheets
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`new Oath or Declaration
`51.09"!”
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`[Z Newly executed (original or copy)
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`Ci Unexecuted
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`Copy from a prior application (37 CFR 1.63(d)) (for continuation/divisional application only)
`
`With Power of Attorney
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`CI Without Power of Attorney
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`Signed statement attached deleting inventor(s) named in the prior application,
`see 37 CFR. 1.63(d)(2) and 1.33(b).
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`Express Mail (Specify Label No.): EV-244-125—044-US
`
`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.
`
`CD ROM or CD-R in 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)
`
`. C] Computer Readable Form (CFR)
`
`b. C]
`
`Specification Sequence Listing on:
`
`i. C] CD-ROM or CD—R (2 copies); or
`
`ii. CI
`
`Paper
`
`. E]
`
`Statement(s) Verifying Identical Paper and Computer Readable Copy
`
`Accompanying Application Parts
`
`E Assignment Papers (cover sheet & document(s))
`
`37 CFR 3.73(B) Statement (when there is an assignee)
`
`English Translation Document (if applicable)
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`DUDE Preliminary Amendment
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`Information Disclosure Statement/PTO-1449
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`Cl Copies of IDS Citations
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`it
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`Return Receipt Postcard (MPEP 503) (Should be specifically itemized)
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`Certified Copy of Priority Document(s) (if foreign priority is claimed)
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`ED Certificate of Mailing
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`Cl
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`First Class
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`P01USML/REV06
`
`7
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`
`
`UTILI | Y PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL
`(Slmall Entity)
`(Only for new nonprovrsronal applications under 37 CFR 1 .53(b))
`
`
`
`‘
`
`Docket No.
`
`17133
`Total Pages in this Submission
`4
`
`Accompanying Application Parts (Continu d)
`
`17.
`
`Applicant claims small entity status. See 37 CFR 1.27.
`
`C!
`
`(Optional) Small Entity Statement(s) - Specify Number of Statements Submitted:
`
`18.
`
`Additional Enclosures (please identify below):
`
`Assignee: Ayalogic, Inc.
`Akron, Ohio 44311
`
`was unintentional.
`
`Request That Application Not Be Published Pursuant To 35 U.S.C. 122(b)(2)
`
`19. CI 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 months after filing
`of the application.
`
`Warning
`
`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),
`must notify 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
`
`Page 3 of 4
`
`P01USML/REV06
`
`8
`
`
`
`UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMI'I'I'AL
`(”an“)
`(Only for new nonprovisronal applications under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
`
`
`
`I
`
`Docket No.
`
`17188
`
`4
`
`Correspondence Address:
`
`Customer No. 23389
`
`Fee Calculation and Transmittal
`
`—l_——nI
`
`———l-__|
`—|— -
`_I_
`_I—
`TOTAL FILING FEE I
`$1,362.00
`
`to cover the filing fee is enclosed.
`D A check in the amount of
`The Director is hereby authorized to charge and credit Deposit Account No.
`as described below.
`
`19-1013 SSMP
`
`Registration No. 30,749
`
`Charge the amount of
`Credit any overpayment.
`Charge any additional filing fees required under 37 C.F.R. 1.16 and 1.17.
`
`as filing fee.
`
`$1,362.00
`
`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).
`
`Dated: December 18, 2003
`
`/
`
`Signature
`
`Paul J. Esatto, Jr.
`
`Page 4 of 4
`
`POIUSML/REVOS
`
`9
`
`
`
`
`
`Docket No-
`CERTIFICATE OF MAILING BY "EXPRESS MAIL" (37 CFR 1.10)
`
`Applicant(s): MICHAEL J. ROJAS 17188
`
`Serial No.
`
`unassigned
`
`invention:
`
`Filing Date
`
`herewith
`
`Examiner
`
`unassigned
`
`Group Art Unit
`
`unassigned
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTANT VoIP MESSAGING
`
`
`I hereby certify that this NEMAIENIABBLKZAIIQN
`(Identzfi’ 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, PO. Box
`
`1450, Alexandria, VA 22313-1450 on
`
`De c embeds, 2003
`(Date)
`
`Paul J. Esatto, Jr.
`(Typed or Printed Name ofP son Mailing Correspondence)
`
` (Signaturea/ers MailingCorrespondence)
`
`EV-244-125-044-US
`
`(”Express Mail" Mailing Label Number)
`
`Note: Each paper must have its own certificate of mailing.
`
`PDSB/REVOZ
`
`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
`
`Traditional telephony is based on a public switched telephone 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
`
`communicate via a proprietary protocol, which may be different depending on the vendor
`
`of the legacy switch. Circuit switching 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 alternative to the PSTN is Voice over Internet Protocol (i.e., “VoIP”),
`
`also known as IP telephony or Internet telephony. In the IP telephony, a VoIP terminal
`
`device is connected to a packet-switched network (e.g., Internet) and voice
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`_1_
`
`H:\work\l 732\l 7 l88\Spec\l 7 l 88newl .spc.doc
`
`11
`
`11
`
`
`
`communication fiom the VoIP 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 VoIP terminal device may be a VoIP telephone or a general-purpose
`
`personal computer (PC) enabled for IP telephony. More specifically, the PC is
`
`programmed with the software and equipped with audio input/output 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.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`Figure 1 is an illustrative example of a prior art IP telephony system 100.
`
`The IP telephony system 100 comprises a packet-switched IP network 102, such as the
`
`Internet, which transmits VoIP traffic from and to a plurality of terminal devices 104, 106
`
`and 110. Terminal device 104 is a VoIP soflphone that is enabled for IP telephony over
`
`the network 102. Terminal device 106 is a VoIP telephone, which is connected to the
`
`network 102 via a sofiswitch 108. The VoIP sofiswitch 108 is disposed on the packet-
`
`switched network (e.g., Internet) 102 between an origination terminal device (such as
`
`VoIP sofiphone 104) and a destination terminal device (such as VoIP telephone 106), and
`
`routes packets over the packet-switched IP network 102. The sofiswitch 108 may also
`manage and perform administrative functions for the terminal device or devices (e.g.,
`
`20
`
`VoIP telephone 106) to which it is connected. Whether the terminal device is a VoIP
`
`sofiphone 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\l7188\Spec\l7188new1.spc.doc
`
`12
`
`12
`
`
`
`known as “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 1 10 is a legacy telephone that is
`
`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 sofiphone
`
`104 or VoIP 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 connected to a
`
`sofiswitch 120 to convert the audio signal from the legacy telephone 110 to packetsr-
`
`15
`
`routed over the IP network 102 via the sofiswitch 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 messages for recipients, which is 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 message for later pickup by
`
`_3_
`
`H:\work\l732\l7188\Spec\l7188newl.spc.doc
`
`13
`
`13
`
`
`
`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 specifically, a user is
`
`provided with a client terminal, which is typically a general-purpose PC programmed
`
`with instant text messaging software 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 terminal, 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 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 VoIP/PSTN
`
`voice communication and voice/text messaging, there is still a need in the art for
`
`providing a system and method for providing instant VoIP 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 PSTN support.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`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.
`
`_4_
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`According to an embodiment of 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 more recipients, 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 over the network, the selected recipients being enabled to audibly play the
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`instant voice message.
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`According to another embodiment of 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 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 message therefor 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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`recipients and the instant voice message therefor, and delivering the instant voice
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`message to 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 embodiment of 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-intemet—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 more recipients, 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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`According to still another embodiment of 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 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 message therefor,
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`and transmitting the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor over the
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`local network and the external network; and a server connected to the external network,
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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 message to 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 embodiment of 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 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 connected to the local network, the client selecting one
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`or more external recipients connected to an external network outside the local network,
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`generating an instant voice message therefor 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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`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 embodiment of 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 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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`connected to an external network outside the local network, generating an instant voice
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`message therefor 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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`receiving the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor, and delivering
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`the instant voice message to 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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`According to still a further embodiment of 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 more recipients connected to a local network,
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`generating an instant voice message therefor, and transmitting the selected recipients and
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`the instant voice message therefor 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 message to 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 embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a
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`method for instant voice messaging over a packet-switched network, the method
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`comprising: selecting one or more recipients for instant voice messaging at a client;
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`generating an instant voice message for 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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`client to a server; receiving the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor
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`at the server; delivering the instant voice message from the server to the selected
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`recipients over the network; and audibly playing the instant voice message at the selected
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`recipients.
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`According to another embodiment of the present invention, there is
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`provided a method for 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 fi'om the PSTN telephone for 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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`message therefor at the server; delivering the instant voice message from the server to the
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`selected recipients over the network; and audibly playing the instant voice message at the
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`selected recipients.
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`According to a further embodiment of 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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`method comprising: providing input audio via a voice-over-internet-protocol (VoIP)
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`telephone connected over the network; selecting one or more recipients for instant voice
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`messaging at a client; generating an instant voice message using the input audio fiom the
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`VoIP telephone for the selected recipients at the client; transmitting the selected
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`recipients and the instant voice message therefor over the network from the client to a
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`server; receiving the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor at the
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`server; delivering the instant voice message from the server to the selected recipients over
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`the network; and audibly playing the instant voice message at the selected recipients.
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`According to still another embodiment of the present invention, there is
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`provided a method for instant voice messaging over a 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 connected to the external network; delivering the
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`instant voice message to 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 embodiment of the 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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`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 messaging at 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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`generating an instant voice message for the one or more external recipients 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 message therefor at a server connected to the
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`external network; delivering the instant voice message to 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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`According to still a further embodiment of the 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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`networks, the method comprising: providing input audio via a voice-over-internet-
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`protocol (VoIP) telephone connected to a local network; selecting one or more external
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`recipients for instant voice messaging at a client, the one or more external recipients
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`connected to an external network outside the local network; generating an instant voice
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`message for the one or more external recipients using the input audio provided by the
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`VoIP telephone; transmitting the selected recipients and the instant voice message
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`therefor over the local network and the external network; receiving the selected recipients
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`and the instant voice messag