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`
`
`
`USOO?53589GBZ
`
`(12; United States Patent
`Rojas
`
`[10) Patent No.:
`
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,535,890 32
`May 19, 2009
`
`(54)
`
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTANT VOIP
`MESSAGING
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: Michael J. Roj as. North Canton. OH
`(US)
`
`[73) Assignee: Ayalogie. Inc.. Akron. OH (US)
`
`( ’9‘ ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer. the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154[b)by 799 days.
`
`(21) Appl.No.: 101740330
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Dee.18,2003
`
`[65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 20'052’0135333Al
`
`Jun. 23. 2005
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Cl.
`H04L [2/66
`..
`(52) U. S. Cl.
`(58) Field of Classification Search
`
`(2006.01)
`
`370352; 709.206
`. 370854.
`370852
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U .S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`7:2004 .Vcheal. Jr.
`6.763.226 Bl‘“
`5f2003 Sgic’ral.
`2003.-"008T632 Al"
`12003 Creamer et a].
`200330126207 Al"
`2-2004 Schultes etal.
`200450030046: Al’“
`6.522004 Goodmanetal.
`200450122906: Al“
`r'2004 Bernsteinetal.
`2004-0128356 A”
`200430252679 Al" 12.-'2004 Willimnsel‘al.
`2005.-"0053230 Al"
`3.“'2005 Gieraeltf .........
`200530105697 Al”
`53200.5 Hollowelletal.
`2006-0167883 Al“
`1’2006 Boukob’za
`2006:"0268TSU Al‘
`1132006 Weincr
`
`..
`.....
`
`.
`
`45590.2
`455-"4l4
`709E204
`525.571
`709.5206
`.. 709'206
`.370'356
`329'406.06
`.. 379588.13
`...... TOT-"l0
`3705260
`
`
`
`532007 Malik
`2007.t0[12925 Al’“
`2.32007 Barry
`2007i’0l74403 Al "‘
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`709E206
`709.5207
`
`http::1-"www.cisco.cornfwmp.-'ptlblic.-"cc:'pd.-'nemnsw-'callmn-'prodlit.-'
`cm33__ds.htm; “Data Sheet (Tiseo Calannnger Version 3.3". Nov.
`22, 2002.
`htlps-‘I-“wwtci seocom-“en-"Ll S-'pro ducts-"hw.-'switehes-'ps | 025!
`prod ucts_ data_sheet_09 1 8630080 0a3e3d .html; “Data Sheet Cisco
`MGX 8000 Series” (date unknown).
`http:.-'.-'wW‘.hsleiianrt.comr'english.-"?mne=3 100—V2 IP;
`3100-V2IP”. 2003.
`http:.-".-"www,linterdeviccsco m-"articlcsAl'S |99942519htmlg
`“Device Profile: snom [00 Vbll’ phone". May [5. 2002.
`http:.-".-"www.pinglel.com-"pr xpressajsp; No limits with the advanced
`industry standard SIP phone; Dec. 8. 2003.
`AndioCoded Enabling Technology Products. Tl’NH I00 \r'oP Media
`Gateway Modules. copyright 2003.
`
`"Tel iphone
`
`’9‘ cited by examiner
`
`Primer]: Eventing—Creighton Smith
`(74) Attornev. Agent. or Firm—Scully. Scott. Murphy &
`Presser. RC.
`
`(5?)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`There is provided an instant voice messaging system (and
`method)
`for delivering instant messages over a packet-
`switched network, the system comprising: a client connected
`to the network. the client selecting one or more recipients.
`generating an instant voice message therefor. and transmit-
`ting the selected recipients and the instant voice message
`therefor over Lhc network: and a server connected to the
`network. the server receiving the selected recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor. and delivering the instant
`voice message to the selected recipients over the network. the
`selected recipients being enabled to audibly play the instant
`voice message.
`
`70 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`216
`
`
`
`
`212
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`US. Patent
`
`May 19, 2009
`
`Sheetl 0f9
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`US 7,535,890 32
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`US. Patent
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`May 19, 2009
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`Sheet 2 of9
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`US 7,535,890 B2
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`US. Patent
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`US. Patent
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`May 19, 2009
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`US. Patent
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`May 19, 2009
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`Sheet 9 of9
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`US 7,535,890 B2
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`US ?,535,890 BZ
`
`l
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTANT VOTP
`MESSAGING
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. 'I‘cchnical Field of the Invention
`The present invention generally relates to Internet tele-
`phony (lP telephony). More particularly, the present inven-
`tion is directed to a system and method for enabling local and
`glo bal instant Vol P messaging over an LP network. such as the
`Internet. with PSTN support.
`2. Description ofthe Prior Art
`Traditional 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 com-
`municate via a proprietary protocol. which may be different
`depending on the vendor of the legacy switch. Circuit switch-
`ing provides a communication path {i.e.. dedicated circuit) for
`a telephone call from the telephone terminal to another device
`over the PSTN, including another telephone terminal. During
`the telephone call. voice communication takes place over that
`communication path.
`An altemative to the PSTN is Voice over Internet Protocol
`
`(i.e.. “V"olP"). also known as [P telephony or Internet tele-
`phony. In the [P telephony. a VoIP terminal device is con-
`nected to a packet-switched network (e.g.. Internet} and voice
`communication front the VoIP terminal device is digitized.
`packetized and transmitted over the packet—switched network
`to a destination VolP temrinal device. which reconstructs the
`packets and audibly plays. stores or otherwise processes the
`transmission. The VolP terminal device may be a V’oIP tele-
`phone or a general-purpose personal computer (PC) enabled
`for [P 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 V'oll’ terminal
`device or a VolP sofiphone.
`FIG. I is an illustrative example ol‘a prior art IP telephony
`system 100. The IP telephony system 100 compt‘iscsa packet-
`switched IP network 102. such as the Internet. which trans—
`mits VoIP traffic from and to a plurality of terminal devices
`104. 106 and 110. Temtinal device 104 is a VoIP sofiphone
`that is enabled for [P telephony over the network 102. 'l‘enni-
`nal device 106 is a VoIP telephone. which is connected to the
`network 102 via a sol‘tswitch 108. The VoIP soliswitch 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 VoIP
`telephone 106). and routes packets over the packet-switched
`IP network 102. The softswitch 108 may also manage and
`perform administrative functions for the terminal device or
`devices (cg. VoIP telephone 106) to which it is connected.
`Whether the terminal device is a VhlP softphone 104 or a V'olP
`telephone 106. the terminal device is connected to the IP
`network 102 via a networking standard such as Ethernet.
`Bluetooth. IEEE 1394 (also known as “Firewire“). IEEE
`802.]l (also known as “Wil-‘i“)_. or networking over serial
`communication channels such as the Universal Serial Bus
`[i.e.. “U81 "). Data communication over the network then
`takes place using a connection protocol, e.g.. transfer control
`protocolflnternet protocol (i.e._. “‘TC‘PI1P").
`Further regarding FIG. 1, terminal device 110 is a legacyr
`telephone that is connected to a legacy switch 112 for (circuit—
`switched) voice communications over the PS’I‘N 116 with
`other terminal devices. A media gateway 114 may be pro-
`
`2
`
`vided between the legacy switch 112 and the packet-switched
`network 102 to enable IP telephony between the legacy tele-
`phone 1 10 and a VoIP terminal device, such as a V'olP soft-
`phone 104 or VoIP telephone 106. More specifically. the
`media gateway 114 converts the audio signal carried over
`PS'IN 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 soliswitch 120 to convert
`the audio signal front the legacy telephone 110 to packets
`routed over the [P network 102 via the softswitch 120.
`
`10
`
`Voice messaging in both the VoIP and PSTN is known.
`More specifically. the foregoing systems tnay 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 tnust 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 sti'llwarc and in data communication over an [P
`network with an instant text-messaging server. The instant
`text—messaging server presents the user. via the client terrni—
`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 tnessage 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
`VoIPi'PSTN voice communication and voiceltext messaging,
`there is still a need in the art for providing a system and
`method for providing instant Vol? messaging over an IP
`network. More particularly. there is a need in the art for
`providing local and global instant voice messaging over V'oIP
`with PSTN support.
`
`SUMMARY 01’ THE lNV’liN’l‘lON
`
`The present ittvention 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 deliv—
`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
`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 messaging system for del iv-
`ering instant messages over a packet-switched network
`enabling public switched telephone network (PSTN) support.
`the system comprising: a PSTN telephone connected to the
`network for providing input audio: at client cormected to the
`network. the client selecting one or more recipients. generat-
`
`3r]
`
`4f]
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`11
`
`11
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`

`

`US ?,535,890 B2
`
`3
`
`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-ovcr-internet-protocol (VolP)
`telephone connected to the network for providing input audio:
`a client connected to the network, the client selecting one or
`rttore recipients, generating an instant voice message therefor
`using the input attdio provided by the \I‘olP telephone, artd
`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 ol‘packct-
`switched networks.
`the system comprising: a client con-
`nected to a local network, the client selecting one or more
`extemal recipients cormected to an extemal network outside
`the local network, generating an instant voice message there-
`for, and trzmsmitting the selected recipients and the instant
`voice message therefor over the local network and the exter-
`nal network: and a server connected to the external network,
`the server receiving the selected rwipients 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 art
`instant
`voice message therefor using the input audio provided by the
`PSTN telephone, and transmitting the selected recipients and
`the instant voice message therefor over the local network and
`the external network; a server connected to the external net~
`work, the server receiving the selected recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor. and delivering the instant
`voice message to the selected recipients over the external
`network. the selected recipients being enabled to audibly play
`the instant voice message.
`According to yet a further embodiment of the present
`invention, there is provided an instant voice messaging sys—
`tem for delivering instant messages over a plurality ofpacket-
`switched networks, the system comprising: a voice-over-in-
`ternet-protocol
`(VoIP)
`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 VoIP telephone. and transmitting
`the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor
`
`10
`
`3o
`
`4E]
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`over the local network and the external network: all server
`comtected 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, tlte 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 client selecting one or more
`recipients connected to a local network, generating an instant
`voice message therefor. and transmitting tlte selected recipi-
`ents and the instant voice message therefor over the external
`network: an external server system connected to the extemal
`network. the external server system receiving the selected
`recipients and the instant voice message, and routing the
`selected recipients and the instant voice message over the
`external network and the local network; a local server con-
`nected to the local network, the local server receiving the
`selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor, and
`delivering the instant voice message to the selected recipients
`over the local network. the selected recipients being enabled
`to 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 more recipients for instant voice messaging at a cl ient:
`generating art instant voice message for the selected recipi-
`ents at the client: transmitting the selected recipients arid 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 attdibly playing the instant voice
`message at the selected recipients.
`According to another embodiment ofthe present invention.
`there is provided a method for instant voice messaging over a
`packet-switched network enabling public switched telephone
`network (PSTN) support, the method comprising: providing
`input audio via a PSTN telephone connected over the net—
`work; selecting one or more recipients for instant voice mes-
`saging at a client: generating an instant voice message using
`the 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 further embodiment of the present inven-
`tion, there is provided a method for instant voice messaging
`over a packet—switched network, the method comprising: pro-
`viding input audio via a voice—over—intemet—protocol (VolP)
`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 V'oIP
`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 audihly
`playing the instant voice message at the selected recipients.
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`5
`
`6
`
`US ?,535,890 B2
`
`According to still another embodiment of the present
`invention. there is provided a method for instant voice mes-
`saging over a plurality of packet-switched networks.
`the
`method comprising: selecting one or more external recipients
`for instant voice messaging at a client cotutected to a local
`network, the one or more external recipients connected to an
`external network outside the local network; generating an
`instant voice message for the selected external recipients at
`the client; transmitting the selected external recipients and the
`instant voice message therefor over the local network and the
`external network; receiving the selected external recipients
`and the instant voice message therefor at an external server
`connected to the external network: delivering the instant
`voice message to the selected extemal recipients over the
`extemal network: and audibly playing the instant voice mes
`sage at the selected external recipients.
`According to yet another embodiment ot'the present inven-
`tion. there is provided a method for instant voice messaging
`system over a plurality ol'packet-switched networks enabling
`public switched telephone network (PS'I'N) support,
`the
`method comprising: providing input audio via a PSTN tele—
`phone connected to a local network: selecting one or more
`external recipients for instant voice messaging at a client, the
`one or more external recipients connected to an external
`network outside the local network: generating art instant
`voice message liar the one or more external recipients using
`the input audio provided by the PSTN telephone: transmitting
`the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor
`over the local network and the external network: receiving the
`selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor at a
`server connected to the extemal 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 rites—
`saging system over a plurality of packet—switched networks.
`the method comprising: providing input audio via a voice-
`over-internet-pmtocol (V’oll’) telephone connected to a local
`network: selecting one or more external recipients for instant
`voice messaging at a client. the one or more extemal recipi-
`ents connected to an external network outside the local net—
`
`work; generating an instant voice message for the one or more
`extemal recipients using the input audio provided by the VoIP
`telephone; transmitting the selected recipients and the instant
`voice message therefor over the local network and the exter-
`nal network: rtxeiving 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 ines-
`saging over a plurality of a plurality of packet-switched net-
`works. the method comprising: selecting one or more recipi~
`ents connected to a local network at a client connected to all
`
`external network: generating an instant voice message for the
`selected recipients at the client: transmitting the selected
`recipients and the instant voice message therefor over the
`external network front the cl icnt to an external server system:
`receiving the selected recipients and the instant voice ines-
`sage at the external server systetn; 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
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`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. 1 illustrates an example of a prior art ll’ telephony
`system:
`FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary local IVM system for
`enabling instant voice messaging according to the present
`invention:
`FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary IVM client of FIG. 2 for
`enabling instant voice messaging according to the present
`invention;
`FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary IVM server of FIG. 2 for
`enabling instant voice messaging according to the present
`invention;
`FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary global IVM system com—
`prising a local IVM system and global IVM clients. according
`to the present invention:
`FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary global IVM server system
`depicted in FIG. 5. according to the present invention:
`FIG. 7 illustrates an exemplary transport server depicted in
`1" 1G. 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 cont-
`prising a plurality of local IVM systems and global IVM
`clients. according to the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF 'l‘l-IE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention is directed to a system and method
`for enabling local and global instant \r’oll’ 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 IVM server 202 that provides the core functionality for
`enabling instant voice messaging with PSTN support accord-
`ing to the present invention. The architecture of the local IVM
`server 202 will be described in detail hereinbelow with ref-
`
`erence to FIG. 4. According to the exetuplary lVM system
`200. the local IVM server 202 is enabled to provide instant
`voice messaging to one or more IVM clients 206 and 208, as
`well support instant voice messaging for PSTN legacy tele—
`phones 110. It is noted that although FIG. 2 depicts one of
`each lV’M client 206, 208 and legacy telephone 1 I 0 for clarity
`and brevity, the local IVM server 202 is enabled to support a
`plurality of each of the 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—
`connecting the local IVM server 202 to the local IP 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
`:1 Vol P sofiphone, the architecture of which will be described
`in detail liereinbelow with reference to FIG. 3. A microphone
`212 is connected to the IVM client 208 and enables the
`
`recording ofan instant voice ntessa 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
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`US ?,535,890 B2
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`7
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`(e.g.. a keyboard) is connected to the IVM client 208 to select
`one or more recipients that are to receive the rmorded instant
`voice message. Although not depicted in FIG. 2, the input
`device 218 may include a trackball. digitizing pad or mouse.
`or the like. A display device 216 is connected to the IV’M
`client 208 to display instant voice messages recorded andi'or
`received by a userofthe IVM client 208. An audio device 214.
`such as external speaker. is connected to the IVM client 208
`to play received instant voice messages. It is noted that the
`microphone 212. audio device 214. display device 216 and
`input device 218 tnay form integral parts of the IV’M client
`208.
`Further with reference to FIG. 2, IVM client 206 is inte -
`connected via the network 204 to the local IVM server 202.
`
`An exemplary IVM client 206 is a VoIP telephone. which
`comprises a screen display (not shown) capable of displaying
`instant voice messages recorded and/or received by a user of
`the IVM client 206 according to the present invention. The
`VolP telephone 206 further comprises a handset andi‘or
`speakerphone for recording instant voice messages and lis-
`tening to instant voice messages received at the Vol? tele—
`phone 206 according to the present invention. The VoIP tele-
`phones which may be implemented to provide instant voice
`messaging functionality according to the present invention
`are commercially available from many vendors. including
`Alcatelm. l..ucentTM, NBC” and (‘iscoTl‘k to namejust a Few.
`In addition to the fiiregoing lVM clients 206. 208. the IV’M
`system 200 supports a legacy telephone 110 for instant voice
`messaging according to the present invention. The legacy
`telephone 1 10 is connected to a legacy switch 1 1 2. The legacy
`switch 1 1 2 is further connected to a media gateway 1 1 4. 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.. “TPNCP”) 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 carried 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 followed by
`the implementations for IVM client 206 and legacy telephone
`1 10. with reference to the local lVM system 200 depicted in
`FIG. 2. These implementations implement a “record mode”
`of the instant voice messaging according to the present inven-
`tion. There will further be described an “intercom mode" of
`
`the instant voice messaging according to the present inven—
`tion. Therefore. in operation of the lV’M client 208 according
`to FIG. 2, the WM client (IVM softphone) 208 is connected
`over the network 204 to the [VM server 202. which as afore-
`mentioned enables instant voice messaging ftutctionality
`over the network 204. The NBA client 208 displays a list of
`one or more IVM recipients on its display 216. provided and
`stored by the local IVM server 202. as will be particularly
`described hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 4. The user
`operates the iV‘M client 208 by using the input device 218 to
`indicate a selection of one or more IVM 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 ines-
`saging according to the present invention. In response to the
`start signal _. the IVM client (sofiphonc) 208 listens to the input
`audio device 212 and records the user’s Speech into a digi-
`tized audio file 210 (i c instant voice message) stored on the
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`IVM client 208. The audio file 2'10 at the IVM client 208 is
`finalized via a stop signal. which is generated by the user via
`the input device 218 or a preset time period without speech
`input via the input audio device 212 on the IVM client 208.
`Once the recording of the user’s speech is finalized. lVM
`client 208 generates a send signal indicating that the digitized
`audio file 210 (instant voice message) is ready to be sent to the
`selected recipients. The user generates the send signal when
`the user operates the IV’M client 208 via the input device 218.
`e.g.. pressing a key on a keyboard or clicking a button on a
`mouse. The IVM client 208 transmits the digitized audio file
`210 and the send signal
`to the local [VM server 202.
`In
`response to the send signal indicating that the instant voice
`message is ready to be sent. the IVM client 208 sends the
`recorded audio file 210 destined forthe selected one or more
`recipients via local lVM server 202. Alter receiving the audio
`file 210. the IVM server 202 thereafter delivers the transmit-
`ted instant voice message to the selected one or more recipi-
`ents via the local IP network 204. The one or more recipients
`are enabled to display an indication that the instant voice
`message has been received and audibly play the instant voice
`message to an associated user. It should be understood that
`only the available IVM recipients, currently connected to the
`[VM server 202. will