|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||l|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
`
`USOUS724622B2
`
`(12} Unlted States Patent
`Rojas
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,724,622 B2
`*May 13, 2014
`
`(54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTANT VOIP
`MESSAGING
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Miehael J. Roj as. North Canton. OH
`(US)
`
`[73} Assignee: Empire [P LLC. Austin. TX (US)
`
`( ’9‘ ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer. the term of this
`._
`.
`‘
`Pa‘f’“! ‘3 ”“1”“de 0‘" “dll‘t‘L‘d “I‘d” 35
`U -5-(-- 154tblby OdHYS-
`..
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`”Its 12mm 13 811131301 10 5' lemumi (115'
`clalmer.
`
`(21) AFN-NW 1315464573
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Jul. 11, 2012
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`U5 201230275452 Al
`
`NU“ 1- 2012
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(63) Continuation of application No. 122398.063. filed on
`Mar. 4. 2009. now Pat. No. $243,723, which is a
`continuation of application No. l()f740.030. filed on
`Dec. 18. 2003‘ now Pat. No. 7.53S,890.
`
`(51)
`
`(2006.01)
`
`Int. ('11.
`H04L 12/66
`(52) U.S. (Ii.
`3701352; 7092206; 329188.17
`USPC.‘
`[58) Field ofClassifieation Search
`USPC
`379288.1717092’206:3701352
`5‘39 application file for complete 533K311 hi 5‘01".“-
`
`(56}
`
`References (mid
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`6.763.226 Bl
`7.372.826 B2 *
`
`T.-"2004 McZeaJ. Jr.
`51'2008 Dahod etal.
`
`7.535.890 BZ
`8.19934? 132
`2003.-':0087632 Al
`333135232; :2:
`200420030046 Al
`2004-0085456 Al
`200450122905 Al
`2004:"0l28356 Al
`
`5:"2009 Rojas
`622012 Rojas
`5.52003 S‘agieta].
`$333: £fl:§:tal'
`2-2004 Schulteseta].
`5-2004 Kwag et a].
`5-‘3004 GOOdm-ln 61 at.
`722004 Bernstein etal.
`
`2004-0179992 Al
`200420223500 211*
`2004-0252629 .-\1
`200520053230 Al
`20052010569? Al
`2005-0112591 Al *
`2006-0162883 Al
`200620268250 AP“
`
`952004 1'" Pm":
`1122004 Bearetal.
`12-2004 Williams eta].
`322005 Gicrachf
`552005
`I'Iellowell ct al.
`622005 Hurtta et a].
`222006 Boukobza
`[132006 Weiner
`
`2007501122925 Al
`
`522007 Maiik
`(Continued)
`OTHER PU BLICA'l‘IONS
`
`320-20202
`
`320-401
`320-260
`
`http:.-'2'wvtw,cisco.001ne’warp.-"public.-"cc-’pd.-"ncmnswicallmn-'prodiit.-"
`cm33_ds.h1m; “Data Sheet (.‘iseo CaliMamger Version 3.3“. Nov.
`22. 2002.
`
`(Continued)
`
`Pmnwjv Examiner— Creighton Smith
`[74) Attorney. Agent, or 1-mn-- John R. Kasha: Kelly L.
`Kasha: Kasha Law LLC.‘
`
`ABSTRACT
`(57)
`Methods. systems and programs for instant voice messaging
`over a packet-switched network are provided. A method for
`instant voice messaging may comprise receiving an instant
`voice message having one or more recipients, delivering the
`instant voice message to the one or more recipients over a
`packet-switched network.
`temporarily storing the instant
`voice message it'a recipient is unavailable; and delivering the
`stored instant voice message to the recipient once the recipi~
`ent becomes available.
`
`370x328
`
`39 Claims,9 Drawing Sheets
`
`216
`
`2'
`ET
`
`ii
`
`'206
`
`NM CLIENT
`(“th
`PHONE)
`
`/ m
`
`@660
`iim
`
`112
`,._.._
`
`52011011
`ittt
`
`-
`
`LEGACY
`PHONE
`
`1
`
`GOOGLE 1001
`
`GOOGLE 1001
`
`1
`
`

`

`US 8,724,622 B2
`Page 2
`
`(56}
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`7."200'? Barry
`20010124403 Al
`121'2008 Dcl’ietro et a].
`200850298309 Al *
`6.02009 Rojas
`200950161664 Al
`3:"2010 Cast
`201020070275 Al
`201330229681 Al“ 10."20l3 Weiner
`
`.............. 370.328
`
`379320102
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`U.S. Olfice Action dated Oct. 18. 2011 received in related case.
`namely U.S. Appl. No. 123398.063. filed Mar. 4. 2009.
`
`“Tel iphone
`
`htlp:.-".*'www.hsteliann.comtenglish.='?zone=3 100-V2 1P;
`3100-V21P”, 2003.
`http:«'.-"www.linuxdevices.com-"aniclesrATS1999475 19.ht|'nl.
`“Device Profile: snom 100 Voll’ phone". May 15. 2002.
`the
`http:.-"."www.pingtel.c01ru‘pr_xpressa.jsp; No
`limits with
`advanced industry standard SIP phone, Dec.
`8. 3003; and
`AudioCoded Enabling Technology Products. 'l‘PM-1100 Vol” Media
`Gateway Modules; 2003.
`U .5. Final Office Action dated Jan. 25. 2012 received in related ease,
`namely. U.S. Appl. No. 121398.063 filed Mar. 4. 2009.
`Notice of Allowance dated MM. 30. 2012 received in related case.
`namely. U.S. Appl. No. 12.398063. filed Mar. 4. 2009.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 13, 2014
`
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`US 8,724,622 B2
`
` SOFI'PHONE
`
`FIG. 1
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`3
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 13, 2014
`
`Sheet 2 of 9
`
`US 8,724,622 B2
`
`214
`
`216
`
`200
`
`/
`
`20E?“
`
`Him
`*W-
`{ A3119? ll
`IVM CLIENT
`1
`
`212
`
`204
`
`,1
`
`LOCAL
`IPNETWORK
`/
`-
`
`SERVER
`
`LOCAL
`
` /
`/
`E
`
`“
`
`.
`
`206
`
`NMCLIENT
`(Vol?
`PHONE)
`
`114
`
`GATEWAY
`
`E 112
`IE] LEGACY
`
`.._g
`
`*— SWITCH
`110
`
`LEGACY
`PHONE
`
`FIG“ 2
`
`4
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`M
`
`9
`
`US 8,724,622 132
`
`4“a._m«BramEaMmoahmzAm.wdue:2158M.3“
`,mmm...m20550mmSE033S_
`
`ZOHmmmmmEoomD20?;ngmammmoog
`
`
`
`mom
`
`wow
`
`8m
`
`wgwfimmmfl
`
`Emwm
`
`m.03
`
`5
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 13, 2014
`
`Sheet 4 of 9
`
`US 8,724,622 132
`
`mam.
`
`
`
`mmwfi5&8
`
`w
`
`gamma;5—gmmm-
`
`
`
`
`
`5o;zoaofiozzougmmm
`
`3w
`
`am.“on?
`
`ME“
`
`
`
`magma£325.53
`
`v.65
`
`845%mmbmmm
`
`magma;
`
`fimfiwm
`
`SE9.
`
`E93
`
`mom.3“
`
`6
`
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 13, 2014
`
`Sheet 5 of 9
`
`US 8,724,622 132
`
`
`
`7
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 13, 2014
`
`Sheet 6 of 9
`
`US 8,724,622 132
`
`..Emmm
`
`wmohvmfim
`
`E3émoqo
`
`mgmmm
`
`28.me
`
`Eompmz
`
`szmmezu
`
`wmommmmfi.
`
`
`.mmamm
`
`Ea
`
`Sm
`
`q4uog
`
`New2E:
`
`33
`
`mom
`
`ma
`
`we“
`
`%Ema
`
`_23.J.
`
`9.DE
`
`8
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 13, 2014
`
`Sheet 7 of 9
`
`US 8,724,622 132
`
`
`
`EmombfimZOP<DHZD§OU
`
`£6£8
`
`
`
`mmfi$55
`
`me<§
`
`5.UE
`
`madwmmna
`
`mmmmflfim
`
`9
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 13, 2014
`
`Sheet 8 of 9
`
`US 8,724,622 132
`
`New
`
`mow
`
`cow
`
`3mmama
`
`maozm
`
`Eogn—29349232500
`
`@504mmm2
`
`Mamfizfi.%o<z§mg.
`
`
`
`gumméufiMam:Ema
`
`2m
`
`Exemwéh
`
`medg
`
`w.OE
`
`10
`
`10
`
`
`
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`May 13, 2014
`
`Sheet 9 of 9
`
`US 8,724,622 B2
`
`
`
`11
`
`11
`
`

`

`US 8,704,622 B2
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTANT VOTP
`MESSAGING
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser.
`No. 12898063 filed Mar. 4. 2009. which is now U .8. Patent
`Publication Number 2009t0161664 Al. published Jun. 25,
`2009. which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.
`10t740,030 filed on Dec. 18. 2003. now U.S. Pat. No. 7.535,
`890. issued May 19, 2009. the entire content and disclosure of
`which is incorporated by reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`]. ’l‘eclmical Field ol‘the Invention
`
`The present invention generally relates to Internet tele-
`phony (IP telephony). More particularly. the present inven-
`tion is directed to a system and method for enabling local and
`global instant VoIP messaging over an IP network, such as the
`Internet. with PSTN support.
`2. Description ofthe Prior Art
`‘I'raditional telephony is based on a public switched tele-
`phone network (i.e._. “PSTN"). In the PSTN. a telephone
`terminal is electrically connected to a conventional or legacy
`switch. The telephone terminal and the legacy switch corn-
`municate via a proprietary protocol. which may be different
`depending on the vendor of the legacy switch. Circuit switch—
`ing provides a communication path (i.e., dedicated circuit) for
`a telephone call from the telephone terminal to another device
`over the PSTN. including another telephone tenninal. During
`the telephone call. voice communication takes place over that
`coininwiication path.
`An altemative to the PSTN is Voice over Internet Protocol
`
`(i.e._. “V’oIP")_. also known as IP telephony or Internet tele—
`phony. In the IP telephony. a VoIP terminal device is corn
`nected to a packet-switched network (e.g., Internet) and voice
`commtmication front the VoIP terminal device is digitized.
`paeketized 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 tenninal device may be a V’oIP tele—
`phone or a general-purpose personal computer (PC) enabled
`for IP telephony. More specifically, the PC is programmed
`with the software and equipped with audio inputtontpttt
`devices (cg. a combination of microphone and speaker or a
`headset) to serve as a V’oIP terminal device. The PC so enabled
`and equipped will herein be referred to as a VoIP terminal
`device or a VoIP sofiphone.
`FIG. I is an illustrative example ofa prior art IP telephony
`system 1 00. The IP telephony system 100 comprises a packet-
`switched Il’ network 102. such as the Internet, which trans-
`mits VoIP traffic from and to a plurality of tenninal devices
`104. 106 and 110. Terminal device 104 is a VoIP softplione
`that is enabled for IP telephony over the network 102. Termi—
`nal 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 (cg, Internet) 102
`between an origination terminal device (such as V’oIP soft-
`phone 104) and a destination terminal device (such as V'oIP
`telephone 106). and routes packets over the packet-switched
`IP network 102. The softswitch 108 may also manage and
`perform administrative functions for the terminal device or
`devices (e.g.. V’oIP telephone 106) to which it is connected.
`Whether the terminal device is a V’olP softphone 104 or a Vol P
`telephone 106. the tenninal device is connected to the [P
`
`30
`
`4E]
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`2
`
`network 102 via a networking standard such as Ethernet.
`Bluetooth. IEEE 1394 (also known as “l"irew'ire"). IEBE
`802.11 (also known as “Wil’i"). or networking over serial
`conminnication 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
`protoccli'lnternet protocol (i .e.. “TCPtIP’j.
`Further regarding FIG. 1. temiinal device 110 is a legacy
`telephone that is connected to a legacy switch 1 12 for (circuit-
`switched) voice conununications over the PSTN 116 with
`other terminal devices. A media gateway 114 may be pro-
`vided between the legacy switch 1 12 and the packet-switched
`network 102 to enable IP telephony between the legacy tele-
`phone 110 and a VoIP terminal device, such as a VoIP soft—
`phone 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 l 18 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
`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 messages for
`recipients. which is a feature that is familiar to anyone who
`uses a telephone. Conventionally. leaving a voice message
`involves dialing the recipient’s telephone number (often
`without knowing whether the recipient will answer). waiting
`for the connection to be established. speaking to an operator
`or navigating through a menu ofoptions. listening to a greet-
`ing message. and recording the message for later pickup by
`the recipient. In that message, the user must typically identify
`himself or herself in order for the recipient to return the call.
`Instant text messaging is likewise known. More specifi-
`cally. a user is provided with a client terminal, which is
`typically a general—purpose PC programmed with instant text
`messaging sofiware and in data communication over an IP
`network with an instant text-messaging server. The instant
`text-messaging server presents the user. via the client tenni-
`nal. with a list of persons who are currently “online” and
`ready to receive text messages on their own client terminals.
`The user then uses the client terminal to select one or more
`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
`\r'ole'PS'l‘N voice communication and voieettext 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 PS‘IN support.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed to a system and method
`for enabling local and global instant VoIP messaging over an
`IP network. such as the Internet.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention.
`there is provided an instant voice messaging system for del iv-
`ering instant messages over a packet-switched network. the
`system comprising: a client connected to the network. the
`client selecting one or more recipients. generating an instant
`voice message therefor, and transmitting the selected recipi—
`ents and the instant voice message therefor over the network:
`and a serverconnected to the network, the server receiving the
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`3
`
`4
`
`US 8,704,622 B2
`
`selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor. and
`delivering the instant voice message to the selected recipients
`over the network, the selected recipients being enabled to
`audibly play the instant voice message.
`According to another embodiment ofthe present invention.
`there is provided an instant voice measaging system for del iv-
`ering instant messages over a packet—switched network
`enabling public switched telephone network [PSTINU support.
`the system comprising: a PS’IN telephone connected to the
`network for providing input audio; a client connected to the
`network, the client selecting one or more recipients, generat-
`ing an instant voice message therefor using the input audio
`provided by the PSTN telephone, and transmitting the
`selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor
`over the network: a server connected to the network. the
`server receiving the selected recipients and the instant voice
`message therefor. and delivering the instant voice message to
`the selected recipients over the network, the selected recipi-
`ents being enabled to audibly play the instant voice message.
`According to a further embodiment of the present inven-
`tion, there is provided an instant voice messaging system for
`delivering instant messages over a packet—switched network.
`the system comprising: a voice-over-internet-protocol (VolP)
`telephone connected to the network forproviding input audio:
`a client connected to the network. the client selecting one or
`more recipients, generating an instant voice message therefor
`using the input audio provided by the V'oIP telephone. and
`transmitting the selected recipients and the instant voice mes—
`sage therefor over the network; a server connected to the
`network. the server receiving the selected recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor. and delivering the instant
`voice message to the selected recipients over the network. the
`selected recipients being enabled to audibly play the instant
`voice message.
`According to still another embodiment of the present
`invention, there is provided an instant voice messaging sys—
`tem for delivering instant messages over a plurality ofpacket—
`switched networks,
`the system comprising: a client con-
`nected to a local network. the client selecting one or more
`external recipients connected to an external network outside
`the local network. generating an instant voice message there-
`for, and transmitting the selected recipients and the instant
`voice message therefor over the local network and the exter—
`nal network: and a server connected to the extemal network.
`the server receiving the selected recipients and the instant
`voice message therefor. and delivering the instant voice mes-
`sage to the selected recipients over the external network, the
`selected recipients being enabled to audibly play the instant
`voice message.
`According to yet another embodiment ofthe present inven—
`tion, there is provided an instant voice messaging system for
`delivering instant messages over a plurality of packet-
`switched networks enabling public switched telephone net-
`work (PSTN) support. the system comprising: a PSTN tele-
`phone connected to a local network for providing input audio:
`a client connected to the local network. the client selecting
`one or more external recipients connected to an external
`network outside the local network, generating an instant
`voice message therefor using the input audio provided by the
`PSTN telephone, and transmitting the selected recipients and
`the instant voice message therefor over the local network and
`the external network; a server connected to the external Irel-
`work, the server receiving the selected recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor, and delivering the instant
`voice message to the selected recipients over the external
`netwurk. the selected recipients being enabled to audibly play
`the instant voice message.
`
`10
`
`3t]
`
`4t]
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`According to yet a further embodiment of the present
`invention, there is provided an instant voice messaging sys-
`tem for delivering instant messages over a plurality ofpacket-
`switched networks, the system comprising: a voice-over-in-
`teniet-protocol
`[VialP]
`telephone connected to a
`local
`network for providing input audio; :1 client connected to the
`local network, the client selecting one or more external recipi—
`ents connected to an external network outside the local net-
`Work. generating an instant voice message therefor using the
`input audio provided by the Vol? telephone. and transmitting
`the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor
`over the local network and the external network: an server
`connected to the external network. the external server receiv-
`ing the selected recipients and the instant voice message
`therefor. and delivering the instant voice message to the
`selected recipients over the external network. the selected
`recipients being enabled to audibly play the instant voice
`message.
`According to still a further embodiment of the present
`invention, there is provided an instant voice messaging sys-
`tem for delivering instant messages over a plurality ofpacket—
`switched networks, the system comprising: a client con-
`nected to an external network, the cl ient selecting one ormore
`recipients connected to a local network, generating an instant
`voice message therefor, and transmitting the selected recipi-
`ents and the instant voice message therefor over the external
`network: an external server system connected to the extenial
`network, the external server system receiving the selected
`recipients and the instant voice message. and routing the
`selected recipients and the instant voice message over the
`extemal network and the local network; a local server con-
`nected to the local network. the local server receiving the
`selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor. and
`delivering the instant voice message to the selected recipients
`over the local network, the selected recipients being enabled
`to audibly play the instant voice message.
`According to an embodiment of the present invention.
`there is provided a method for instant voice messaging over a
`packet-switched network. the method comprising: selecting
`one or tnore recipients for instant voice messaging at a c] ient:
`generating an instant voice message for the selected recipi-
`ems at the client; transmitting the selected recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor over the network from the
`client to a server. receiving the selected recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor at the server; delivering the
`instant voice message from the server to the selected recipi-
`ents over the network: and audibly playing the instant voice
`message at the selected recipients.
`Ac cording to another embodiment ofthe present invention.
`there is provided a method for instant voice messaging over a
`packet—switched network enabling public switched telephone
`network {PS'IN} support, the method comprising: providing
`input audio via a l’S’l'N telephone connected over the net-
`work: selecting one or more recipients for instant voice mes-
`saging at a client: generating an instant voice message using
`the input audio from the PSTN telephone for the selected
`recipients at the client; transmitting the selected recipients
`and the instant voice message therefor over the network from
`the client to a server: receiving the selected recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor at the server; delivering the
`instant voice message from the server to the selected recipi-
`ents over the network: and audibly playing the instant voice
`message at the selected recipients.
`According to a timber embodiment of the present inven~
`tion, there is provided a method for instant voice messaging
`over a packet-switched network. the method comprising: pro-
`viding input audio via a voice-over-intcmet-protocol (VolP)
`
`13
`
`13
`
`

`

`5
`
`6
`
`US 8,224,622 B2
`
`telephone connected over the network; selecting one or more
`recipients for instant voice messaging at a client: generating
`an instant voice message using the input audio from the VoIP
`telephone for the selected recipients at the client: transmitting
`the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor
`over the network from the client to a server: receiving the
`selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor at
`the server: delivering the instant voice message from the
`server to the selected recipients over the network; and audibly
`playing the instant voice message at the selected recipients.
`According to still another embodiment of the present
`invention. there is provided a method for instant voice mes-
`saging over a plurality of packet-switched networks,
`the
`method comprising: selecting one or tnore external recipients
`for instant voice messaging at a client connected to a local
`network. the one or more external recipients connected to an
`extemal network outside the local network: generating an
`instant voice message for the selected external recipients at
`the client: transmitting the selected external recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor over the local network and the
`extemal network; receiving the selected external recipients
`and the instant voice message therefor at an external server
`connected to the external network: delivering the instant
`voice message to the selected external recipients over the
`extemal network: and attdibly playing the instant voice mes-
`sage at the selected external recipients.
`According to yet another embodiment ofthe present inven-
`tion, there is provided a method for instant voice messaging
`system over a plurality ofpacket—switched networks enabling
`public switched telephone network (PS’I‘N) support,
`the
`method comprising: providing input audio via a PS'I‘N tele-
`phone connected to a local network: selecting one or more
`external recipients for instant voice messaging at a client. the
`one or more external recipients connected to an external
`network outside the local network; generating an instant
`voice message for the one or more extemal recipients using
`the input audio provided by the PSTN telephone: transmitting
`the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor
`over the local network and the extemal network: receiving the
`selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor at a
`server connected to the external network; delivering the
`instant voice message to the selected recipients from the
`server over the external network; and audibly playing the
`instant voice message at the selected recipients.
`According to still a further embodiment of the present
`invention, there is provided a method for instant voice mes-
`saging system over a plurality of packet-switched networks,
`the method comprising: providing input audio via a voice-
`over—internet—protocol (V’oIP) telephone connected to a local
`network: selecting one or more external recipients for instant
`voice messaging at a client, the one or more external recipi«
`ents comiected to an external network outside the local net-
`
`work; generating an instant voice message for the one or more
`external recipients using the input audio provided by the VoIP
`telephone: transmitting the selected recipients and the instant
`voice message therefor over the local network and the exter-
`nal network; receiving the selected recipients and the instant
`voice message therefor at a server connected to the external
`network; delivering the instant voice message to the selected
`recipients from the server over the external network; and
`audibly playing the instant voice message at the selected
`recipients.
`According to yet a further embodiment of the present
`invention. there is provided a method for instant voice mes—
`saging over a plurality ofa plurality of packet—switched net—
`works. the method comprising: selecting one or more recipi-
`ents connected to a local network at a client wrrnected to an
`
`10
`
`3t]
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`external network; generating an instant voice message forthe
`selected recipients at the client; transmitting the selected
`recipients and the instant voice message therefor over the
`extemal network from the client to an external server system:
`receiving the selected recipients and the instant voice mes-
`sage at the cxtemal server system: routing the selected recipi-
`ents and the instant voice message over the external network
`and the local network; receiving the selected recipients and
`the instant voice message therefor at a local server connected
`to the local network; delivering the instant voice message to
`the selected recipients over the local network; audibly playing
`the instant voice message at the selected recipients.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`The objects. features and advantages of the present inven-
`tion will become apparent to one skilled in the art. in view of
`the following detailed description taken in combination with
`the attached drawings. in which:
`FIG.
`I illustrates an example of a prior art IP telephony
`system;
`FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary local IVM system for
`enabling instant voice messaging according to the present
`invention;
`FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary lVM client of FIG. 2 for
`enabling instant voice messaging according to the present
`invention;
`FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary IV’M server of FIG. 2 for
`enabling instant voice messaging according to the present
`invention:
`FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary global WM system com-
`prising a local IVM system and global IVM clients. according
`to the present invention:
`FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary global IVM server system
`depicted in 1:1G. 5. according to the present invention:
`FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary transport server depicted in
`FIG. 6. according to the present invention:
`FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary directory server depicted in
`FIG. 6. according to the present invention: and
`FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary global IVM system com-
`prising a plurality of local IVM systems and global IV'M
`clients. according to the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT OI" THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed to a system and method
`for enabling local and global instant VoIP messaging over an
`IP network with PSTN support.
`FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration of a local instant voice
`messaging (IVM) system 200 according to the present inven~
`tion. The instant voice messaging system 200 comprises a
`local lV’M server 202 that provides the core functionality for
`enabling instant voice tnessaging with PSTN support accord-
`ing to the present invention. The architecture ofthe local IV’M
`server 202 will be described in detail hereinbelow with ref—
`
`erence to FIG. 4. According to the exemplary IVM system
`200. the local IVM server 202 is enabled to provide instant
`voice messaging to one or more IV’M clients 206 and 208, as
`well support instant voice messaging for PSTN legacy tele-
`phones .l]0. It is noted that although FIG. 2 depicts one of
`each lVM client 206, 208 and legacy telephone ll 0 for clarity
`and brevity. the local IVM server 202 is enabled to support a
`plurality of each ofthe foregoing IVM clients 206, 208 and
`legacy telephone 110. The local packet—switched IP network
`204 interconnects the IVM clients 206. 208 and the legacy
`telephone 110 to the local IVM server 202 as well as inter-
`
`14
`
`14
`
`

`

`US 8,224,622 B2
`
`7
`
`connecting the local IVM server 202 to the local ll’ network
`204. The network 204 may be a local area network {LAN}, a
`wide area network (WAN). or the like. which supports both
`wired and wireless devices. The exemplary IVM client 208 is
`a VoIP soliphone. the architecture of which will be described
`in detail hereinbelow with reference to 1" 1G. 3. A microphone
`212 is connected to the WM client 208 and enables the
`
`recording ofan instant voice nies sa ge according to the present
`invention into an audio file 210 for transmission to the local
`
`IVM server 202 over the network 204. An input device 218
`(cg. a keyboard) is connected to the IVM client 208 to select
`one or more recipients that are to receive the recorded instant
`voice message. Although not depicted in 1" 16. 2, the input
`device 218 may include a trackball. digitizing pad or mouse.
`or the like. A display device 216 is connected to the IVM
`client 208 to display instant voice messages recorded andfor
`received by a usero'fthe [VM client 208. An audio device 214.
`such as external speaker. is connected to the IVM client 208
`to play received instant voice messages. ll is noted that the
`microphone 212. audio device 214, display device 216 and
`input device 218 may form integral parts of the IVM client
`208.
`Further with reference to FIG. 2. WM client 206 is inter-
`connected via the network 204 to the local lVM server 202.
`
`An exemplary lV’M client 206 is a V’oIP telephone. which
`comprises a screen display (not shown) capable ofdi splaying
`instant voice messages recorded andlor received by a user of
`the IVM client 206 according to the present invention. The
`Voll’ telephone 206 further comprises a handset andfor
`speakerphone for recording instant voice messages and lis-
`tening to instant voice messages received at the Voll’ tele-
`phone 206 according to the present invention. The Voll’ tele-
`phones which may be implemented to provide instant voice
`messaging functionality according to the present invention
`are commercially available li‘om many vendors. including
`AlcatelT’“. LucentTM, NECTM and CiscoTM. to namejust a few.
`In addition to the foregoing lVM clients 206, 208. the IVM
`system 200 supports a legacy telephone 1 1 0 for instant voice
`messaging according to the present invention. The legacy
`telephone 110 is connected to a legacy switch 112. The legacy
`switch 112 is further connected to a media gateway 1 14. Both
`the legacy switch 112 and the media gateway 114 intercon—
`nect the legacy telephone 110 via the network 204 to the local
`IVM server 202. thereby facilitating instant voice messaging
`according to the present invention. The media gateway 114
`may be a gateway that supports trunk pack network control
`(i.e.. “"I’PNCTP") protocol. media gateway control protocol
`(i.e.. “MGCP“), or a media gateway control [-1.428 protocol
`(i.e.. “MEGACO”). As previously mentioned. the media gate—
`way 114 converts the audio signal can'ied over PSTN to
`packets to be transmitted over a packet-switched 11’ network,
`such as the local network 204.
`
`The implementation of the instant voice messaging for
`IVM client 208 will be described first and will be fol lowed by
`the implementations for lVM client 206 and legacy telephone
`110. with reference to the local IVM system 200 depicted in
`FIG. 2. These implementations implement a “record mode"
`ol'the instant voice messaging according to the present inven—
`tion. ’l’here will funher be described an “intercom mode" of
`
`the instant voice messaging according to the present inven-
`tion. Therefore. in operation ol'the lV'M client 208 according
`to 17K}. 2. the lVM client (lVM softphone) 208 is connected
`over the network 204 to the IVM server 202. which as afore—
`mentioned enables instant voice messaging functionality
`over the network 204. The IVM client 208 displays a list of
`one or more IVM recipients on its display 216. provided and
`stored by the local IVM server 202. as will be particularly
`
`8
`described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 4. The user
`operates the WM client 208 by using the input device 218 to
`indicate a selection of one or more lVM recipients from the
`list. The user selection is transmitted to the lVM server 202.
`
`The user selection also generates a start signal to the WM
`client 208 that the user is ready to begin instant voice mes-
`saging according to the present invention. In response to the
`start signal. the IVM client (so fiplio ne) 208 listens to the input
`audio device 212 and records the user‘s speech into a digi-
`tized audio file 210 [i.e.. instant voice message) stored on the
`IVM client 208. The audio file 210 at the WM client 208 is
`
`10
`
`finalized via a stop signal. which is generated by the user via
`the input device 218 or a preset time period without speech
`input via the input audio device 212 on the IVM client