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`
`U8008199747B2
`
`(12; United States Patent
`Rojas
`
`[10) Patent No.:
`
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,199,747 32
`*Jun. 12, 2012
`
`[54) SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTANT VOIP
`MESSAGING
`
`[75)
`
`Inventor: Michael J. Roj as. North Canton. OH
`(US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Ayalegic, Inc.
`
`( ’3 } Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer. the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`use. 154(b) by 646 days.
`
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claiiner.
`
`(21) ApplNo; 121398.076
`
`(22)
`
`Filed:
`
`Mar. 4, 2009
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 200901616651“
`
`Jun. 25. 2009
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`l2i'2004 Williams eta].
`2004r'025267‘) Al
`332005 Gierachf
`2005;005:3230 Al
`$2005 I-Iollowcllet a].
`20055010569? A1
`'1-‘2006 Bottkobza
`2006-0167883 A1
`[132006 Weiner
`200630268750 Al
`5:200? Malik
`20010112925 Al
`2.52007 Barry
`200130174403 Al
`2008-0298309 Al” [2-2008 DePietro elal.
`
`OTHER PU]3I..-ICA'I‘IONS
`
`370828
`
`"’l‘el iphe ne
`
`htIp:.-'.-"www.cisco.com’warpr'public.-"cc.-'pd.-"rlemnsurreal}Inrtr'prodliL-"
`c1n33_ds_hlm; "Data Sheet Ciscu CallMariager Version 3.3". Nov.
`22, 2002.
`http:.-".-'www.hsteliann.com-"eng|ish.-"'?zo nc=3 IOU-V211);
`3100-V21P". 2003.
`http:r.-"\a.ww. linuxdevices.c om-‘anieles-‘ATS [999425 19.hlml,
`“Device Profile: snorn 100 Vol? phone". (May 15. 2002).
`http::‘r'vwvw.pingtelcomr'pr xpressajsp: No limits with the advanced
`industry standard 311’ phone. Dec. 8. 2003; and.
`AudioCoded Enabling 'l'cchnology Products. 'l'PM-l 100 VoP Media
`Gateway Modifies; 2003.
`imp:.-'.-"www.cisee.eom-"warpr'pnblic.-"ee.-"pd.-'nemnsw.-'calimn-'prodliL-’
`cm33_ds.htm; “Data Sheet Cisco Call-Manager Version 3.3“. Nov.
`22.
`2002;
`httpn'i'wwweisco.com-'en-"llSfproductsfhw-“switchest
`psl925.-"products data sheet
`09186 a0080033e3d.htm1:_
`“Data
`Sheet (‘isco MGX 8000 Series” (Date unknown).
`
`(63} Continuation of application No. 102240330, filed on
`Dec. 18. 2003, now Pat. No. 7.535.890.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`(51)
`
`Int. Ct.
`1104!. [2/66
`(52) U.S. (3].
`(58) Field ofClassifieation Search
`
`(2006.01)
`
`3701354: 209906
`370L152.
`3701354: 709006
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`Primary Excrriiiner — Creighton Smith
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`There is provided an instant voice messaging system (and
`method} for delivering instant messages over a packet—
`switchcd 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 the 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 atldibly play the instant
`voice message.
`
`15 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets
`
`[56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`6.763.226 Bl
`2.52004
`.Vcheal. Jr.
`200330082632 Al
`5."2003 Sgi ct al.
`20039012620? A1
`2.9003 Creamer eta].
`2004-0014455 Al “'
`02004 Vnncn
`200490030046 Al
`232004 Schultes eta].
`200430122906 Al
`652004 Goodman et :11.
`2004-0128356 Al
`732004 Bernstein elal.
`200430224678 Al‘“
`1132004 Dahodetal.
`
`455-"413
`
`45554261
`
`
`
`PHONE)
`
`GOOGLE 1001
`
`GOOGLE 1001
`
`1
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`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2012
`
`Sheet 1 of 9
`
`US 8,199,747 B2
`
` SOFTPHONE
`
`FIG. 1
`
`(PRIOR ART)
`
`2
`
`

`

`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2012
`
`Sheet 2 of 9
`
`US 8,199,747 B2
`
`214
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`a?“
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`/ =
`
`LEGACY
`SWITCH
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`[I PHONE
`IE LEGACY
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`WM CLIENT
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`(Vol?
`PHONE)
`
`FIG. 2
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`3
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`

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`US. Patent
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`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2012
`
`Sheet 4 of 9
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`US 8,199,747 B2
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`US. Patent
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`Jun. 12, 2012
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`Sheet 5 of 9
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`US 8,199,747 B2
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`US. Patent
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`Jun.12,2012
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`Sheet60f9
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`US 8,199,747 B2
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`US. Patent
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`Jun. 12, 2012
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`Sheet 7 of 9
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`US 8,199,747 132
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`US. Patent
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`Jun. 12, 2012
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`Sheet 8 of 9
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`US 8,199,747 B2
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`US. Patent
`
`Jun. 12, 2012
`
`Sheet 9 of 9
`
`US 8,199,747 B2
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`
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`SERVER SYSTEM
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`

`US 8,199,?47 B2
`
`1
`SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR INSTANT VOTP
`MESSAGING
`
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`
`This application is a continuation of US. application Ser.
`No. 10(740030 fled on Dec. 18. 2003. the entire contents of
`which are incorporated herein by this reference.
`
`10
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. 'l‘cclmical Field of 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 V'oiP messaging over an IP network. such as the
`Internet, with PSTN support.
`2. Description of the I’riorArt
`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 tenninal. During
`the telephone call. voice communication takes place over that
`communication path.
`An altemative to the PSTN is Voice over Internet Protocol
`
`(i.e.. “VoIP"}. also known as IP telephony or Internet tele-
`phony. In the IP telephony. a VoIP terminal device is cott-
`nected to a packet-switched network (e.g.. Internet) and voice
`communication from the Voll’ terminal device is digitized,
`packetiaed 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 inpttttoutput
`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 Voll’ terminal
`device or a VoIP softphone.
`FIG. I is an illustrative example ol‘a prior art IP telephony
`system 100. The IP telephony system 100 comprises a packet-
`switched IP network 102. such as the Internet. which trans—
`mits VoII’ traflic from and to a plurality of tenninal devices
`104, 106 and 110. Tenninal device 104 is a VoII’ soltphone
`that is enabled for IP telephony over the network 102. "fermi-
`nal device 106 is a VoIP telephone. which is connected to the
`network 102 via a softswitch 108. The V1111) soltswitch 108 is
`
`disposed on the packet-switched network (e.g., 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 soliswitch 108 may also manage and
`perform administrative functions for the terminal device or
`devices (eg. VoIP telephone 106) to which it is connected.
`Whether the terminal device is a VoIP softphone 104 or a VoIP
`telephone 106. the terminal device is connected to the IP
`network 102 via a networking standard such as Ethernet,
`Bluetooth, IEEE 1394 (also known as “Firewire")_. IEEE
`802. ll (also known as “Wil’i"), or networking over serial
`communication channels such as the Universal Serial Bus
`
`3t]
`
`4E]
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`11
`
`2
`(i.e., “USB"). Data eonununication over the network then
`takes place using a connection protocol, e.g., trans ler control
`protocoli'lnternet protocol (i.e.. “’fC PIIP”).
`Further regarding FIG. 1. tennina] device 110 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 pro—
`vided between the legacy switch 112 and the packetnswitched
`network 102 to enable IP telephony between the legacy tele-
`phone 1 10 and a VoIP terminal device, such as 3 Vol? 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 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 packets
`routed over the IP network 102 via the sofi'switch 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 nutnber (ofien
`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 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 cal].
`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 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 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
`VoII’t’PSTN voice eonununication and voiceftext messaging,
`there is still a need in the art for providing a system and
`method for providing instant VolP 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 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 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.
`
`11
`
`

`

`3
`
`4
`
`US 8,199,?47 B2
`
`According to another embodiment o fthe present invention,
`there is provided an instant voice messaging system for del iv-
`ering instant messages over a packet-switched network
`enabling pub] ic switched telephone network [PSTN) support,
`the system comprising: a PSTN telephone connected to the
`network for providing input audio; at 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 (V’olP)
`telephone connected to the network for providing input audio:
`at 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 Volt" 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 ot‘packet-
`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 external 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 ot'the 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 I’STN tele—
`phone connected to a local network tbr 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 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 of packet-
`switched networks, the system comprising: a voice-over—in-
`
`10
`
`3t]
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`local
`telephone connected to a
`(VoIP)
`teniet-protocol
`network for providing input audio; a 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 andio provided by the Vol P telephone, and transmitting
`the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor
`over the local network and the external network: an server
`coimected 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 2m instant voice messaging sys-
`tem for delivering instant messages overa plurality ofpacket-
`switched networks, the system comprising: a client COtl-
`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 the selected recipi—
`ents and the instant voice message therefor over the external
`network; an external server system connected to the external
`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 client;
`generating an instant voice message for the selected recipi-
`ents at the client; transmitting the selected recipients rmd 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 another embodiment of the 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 cotmected 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 l’S'l‘N 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 audihl}r 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-internet—protoco] (VoIP)
`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 V0113
`telephone for the selected recipients at the client; transmitting
`
`12
`
`12
`
`

`

`5
`
`6
`
`US 8,199,?47 B2
`
`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 rites-
`saging over a plurality of packet-switched networks.
`the
`method comprising: selecting one or more external recipients
`for instant voice messaging at a client connected 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 external recipients over the
`external network: and audibly 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 (PSTN) support.
`the
`method comprising: providing input audio via a PSTN tele-
`phone connected to a local network; selecting one or more
`extemal recipients for instant voice messaging at a client. the
`one or more external recipients connected to an external
`network outside the local network; generating am instant
`voice message for the one or more external recipients ttsing
`the input audio provided by the PS'IN telephone; transtuitting
`the selected recipients and the instant voice message therefor
`over the lo cal network and the external 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-pmtocol (VolP) telephone connected to a local
`network: selecting one or more external recipients for instant
`voice tnessaging at a client, the one or more external recipi-
`ents connected 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 fiirther 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 connected to an
`
`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 from the client to an external server system:
`
`receiving the selected recipients and the instant voice mes-
`sage at the external 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; andibly playing
`the instant voice message at the selected recipients.
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`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 ll3 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
`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 IV’M systems and global IVM
`clients, according to the present invention.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED
`EMBODIMENF 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 with PS'I‘N support.
`FIG. 2 is an exemplary illustration of a local instant voice
`messaging (IV’M) 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 messaging with PSTN support accord—
`ing to the present invention. The architecture of the local IVM
`server 202 will be described in detail hereinbclow 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 IVM clients 206 and 208. as
`well support instant voice messaging for PSTN legacy teles
`phones 110. It is noted that although FIG. 2 depicts one of
`each lVM client 206, 208 and legacy telephone 110 for clarity
`and brevity. the local [V’M server 202 is enabled to support a
`plurality of each of the foregoing WM clients 206. 208 and
`legacy telephone 110. The local packet-switched IP network
`204 interconnects the WM clients 206, 208 and the legacy
`telephone 110 to the local IV’M server 202 as well as inter~
`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
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`US 8,199,247 B2
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`21 Vol? soltphone. the architecture ofwhich will be described
`in detail hereinbelow with reference to FIG. 3. A microphone
`212 is connected to the WM client 208 and enables the
`
`recording ol'an instant voice message 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
`(e.g.. 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 FIG. 2. the input
`device 218 may include a trackball. digitizing pad or mouse.
`or the like. A display device 2'16 is connected to the IVM
`client 208 to display instant voice messages recorded andfor
`received by a userolthe IVM clienl 208. An audio device 214.
`such as extemal speaker, is 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 may form integral parts of the IVM client
`208.
`l"'urther with reference to F IG. 2. WM client 206 is into -
`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 ol‘displaying
`instant voice messages recorded andi’or received by a user of
`the WM client 206 according to the present invention. The
`VolP telephone 206 further comprises a handset andfor
`speakerphone for recording instant voice messages and lis-
`tening to instant voice messages received at the VoIP 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 eonunercially available from many vendors, including
`Alcateln“. Lucent‘m. NBC“ and C isco‘m. to name just a [law
`In addition to the [bregoing lVM clients 206. 208. the IVM
`system 200 supports a legacy telephone 110 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 comtected to a media gateway 114. 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.. “MGC‘P“)_. or a media gateway control H.428 protocol
`(i.e.. “MliGACO"). As previously mentioned. the media gate-
`way 114 converts the audio signal carried over PS‘IN to
`packets to be transmitted over a packet-switched ll’ 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
`110, with reference to the local IV’M system 200 depicted in
`F 1G. 2. These implementations implement a “record mode“
`ofthe 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 lVM client 208 according
`to FIG. 2. the IVM client (IVM soliphone) 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 lVM 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 lVM 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 WM server 202.
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`The user selection also generates a start signal to the lVM
`client 208 that the user is ready to begin instant voice mes-
`saging according to the present invention. 111 response to the
`start signal. theIVM client {sol‘tphone} 208 listens to the input
`audio device 212 and records the user‘s speech into a digi-
`tired audio file 210 (i.e. . instant voice message) stored on the
`WM client 208. The audio file 210 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 clicnt 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 IVM 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 IVM server 202. In
`response to the send signal indicating that the instant voice
`message is ready to be sent, the WM client 208 sends the
`recorded audio file 210 destined for the selected one or more
`
`recipients