Voice Mail Patents (Class 455/413)
  • Patent number: 8494490
    Abstract: Disclosed are methods, circuits, systems and applications for providing messaging services. The methods, circuits, systems and applications may provide for download, synchronization, voicemail-message to text-message translation, direct access and handling of selected voicemail messages through a user's user interface and other functionalities relating to voicemails, voicemail messages and/or voicemail/voicemail-messages related data received/generated/stored on a cellular operator's voicemail server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: Silent Communicatin Ltd.
    Inventors: Max Eitan Bluvband, Shahar Hajdu
  • Patent number: 8494125
    Abstract: A network method for using a network telephone voice-mail service, by which a caller may leave a voice-message that includes the identification of an attachment, which may include, as examples only, audio, video, text, programs, spreadsheets and graphic attachments. A video, text, spreadsheet or graphic attachment may be converted to an audible attachment to the voice-mail at the caller's or the voice-mail subscriber's request. Such entries may be made, after receiving an automated prompt for leaving an attachment identifier or conversion request, audibly or by using a keypad entry. A network method is also provided for using a network telephone voice-mail service, by which the voice-mail service may detect an attachment to a voice-mail message and provide access to the attachment to the voice-mail message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property II, L.P.
    Inventors: Frederick Murray Burg, John F. Lucas, Vivian A. Pressley-Harris
  • Publication number: 20130183942
    Abstract: Systems, methods and computer readable media for providing or managing or using voicemails are described. In one embodiment, a method includes receiving, at a first data processing system, data representing an expiration time of a voicemail left for a user of the first data processing system and storing the data representing the expiration time for later use by the first data processing system. Systems, media, and other methods are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: APPLE INC.
    Inventor: Apple Inc.
  • Patent number: 8487975
    Abstract: Initiating a conference in a conferencing system (e.g., a videoconferencing or aduioconferencing system). Input may be received to the conferencing system from a mobile communication device. The input may specify one or more participants in the videoconference, e.g., by selecting from contact information stored on the mobile communication device. Accordingly, the conferencing system may initiate the conference based on the received input. The videoconference may include the one or more participants selected from the contact information stored on the mobile communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: LifeSize Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Keith C. King, Matthew K. Brandt
  • Patent number: 8488752
    Abstract: A system and method for recording voicemail. The system includes a first phone, a second phone, and a server. A call is placed from the first phone to the second phone. The server is configured to transmit a notification to the first phone to initiate recording of a voicemail at a location local to the first phone, receive a file of the voicemail recorded by the first phone, store the recorded voicemail, and establish a session between the server and the second phone to access the recorded voicemail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Alex Wiesen
  • Patent number: 8489130
    Abstract: An integrated system for messaging content delivery for use in a wireless network that incorporates a messaging application broker that interfaces with messaging applications; management applications, a plurality of user devices, and external networks. The interfaces use the appropriate protocols to interact with the messaging applications, management applications, user devices and external networks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventor: Venson M. Shaw
  • Patent number: 8489074
    Abstract: A method for operating a mobile device to set a voicemail greeting includes providing the mobile device with a memory for storing a visual voicemail (VVM) application, an I/O interface, and a microphone for receiving an audio input. The method further includes: receiving a selection for an option to record the voicemail greeting, receiving the audio input, recording the audio input as the voicemail greeting for a voicemail account associated with the mobile device, storing the recorded voicemail greeting in the memory, and generating a request that includes the recorded voicemail greeting, a network address for a VVM system, and instructions to set the voicemail greeting as an active voicemail greeting for the voicemail account. The method further includes transmitting the request to the VVM system and receiving a response from the VVM system that includes an indication of whether the voicemail greeting was set as the active voicemail greeting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: William Joseph Sigmund, Michael Robert Zubas, Brian Keith Rainer
  • Patent number: 8489075
    Abstract: A method for delivery of a voice mail message to a recipient. The method includes determining content of the voice mail message, identifying a recipient of the voice mail message based on the determining step, converting the voice mail message to a format for delivery based on the identifying step, and delivering the converted voice mail message to the recipient. The method further includes identifying a voice mail box of the recipient and caching voice mail box information at a voice mail server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Venson M. Shaw
  • Patent number: 8483672
    Abstract: Methods and systems for monitoring mobile communication terminals. A correlation system selects candidate communication terminals to be monitored, and then attempts to identify whether the candidate terminals are indeed operated by target users. Following successful correlation of a candidate terminal with a target user, various surveillance actions can be performed with respect to the terminal. Correlation of candidate communication terminals with target users is based on identification of speech key-phrases. When evaluating a given candidate terminal, the system analyzes speech that is communicated via the candidate terminal and attempts to detect one or more of the speech key-phrases in the analyzed speech.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Verint Americas, Inc.
    Inventors: Eithan Goldfarb, Yoav Ariav
  • Patent number: 8483666
    Abstract: After the input of a subscriber (TLN1) of the first terminal (EG1), a connection to a temporarily available voice memory (SPS) is signalized by the same, and subsequently a voice message (spn) and at least one piece of retrieval information (ai) identifying the second terminal (EG2) is transmitted and stored at that location. Subsequently, the connection is terminated and the second terminal (EG2) is informed of the presence of a retrievable voice message (spn) in the voice memory (SPS) via the voice memory (SPS) by means of the at least one piece of retrieval information (ai), and the voice message (spn) can be retrieved from the second terminal (EG2) by means of the transmitted retrieval information (ai), or is transmitted to the second terminal (EG2) by the voice memory (SPS). In this manner voice messages (spn) can be stored for terminals (EG2) and retrieved by the same, regardless of whether one or no voice memories—such as an answering machine—is associated with these terminals (EG2).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Siemens Enterprise Communications GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Bruno Bozionek, Karl Klaghofer, Holger Prange, Michael Tietsch
  • Patent number: 8478239
    Abstract: A method for operating a voicemail system can include receiving a call at the voicemail system, wherein the call originates from a calling party device, determining if the calling party device is compatible with a video greeting feature, sending a video greeting to the called party device if it is determined that the calling party device is compatible with the video greeting feature, and recording a voicemail message received in response to the video greeting being played on the called party device. Another method can include sending a video greeting identifier to the called party device, the video greeting identifier being used to identify a video greeting stored on the calling party device. Methods for operating a mobile device and a voicemail system are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: William Joseph Sigmund, Michael Robert Zubas, Brian Keith Rainer
  • Patent number: 8472589
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide ways to locally store and deliver voicemail messages on personal communication devices. An illustrative method includes initiating a call to a recipient's device, receiving an indication the call cannot be established, prompting the user to leave a voicemail, storing the voicemail locally on the communications device, and sending the voicemail to the recipient's device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Douglas Green, Arthur D. Townsend
  • Patent number: 8472988
    Abstract: The invention is apparatus for communicating between a subscriber and a second party in a 2-way texting system. The apparatus includes a hosted application system, having a host application server, storage, communication apparatus and a hosted application. A subscriber's 2-way communication device is coupled to the communication apparatus and assigned a unique designator. The hosted application system is coupled to receive a message and designated recipient from a message originator's 2-way communication device. The message originator is one of the subscriber and the second party, and the recipient is the other of the subscriber and the second party. The hosted application converts the message to a designated format and delivers the message using the unique designator, to the recipient's 2-way communication device. The message can be responded to by the recipient using the unique designator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Voice Assist, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Metcalf, Tracy Roberts
  • Publication number: 20130157627
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes accessing a communication sent from a first user to one or more second users; searching multiple communication threads for a specific thread associated with both the first and second users; and if the specific communication thread is located, then adding the communication to the thread; and for each second user, sending the communication to the second user using a communication protocol selected determined to be appropriate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Mohit Talwar, Miladin Pavlicic, Siddharth Murlidhar
  • Publication number: 20130157626
    Abstract: Methods and systems directed to assigning individual messages and call log data into an aggregated conversation thread on both client and server devices for a user interface having a conversations view including all the communications a given users has with his or her contacts across multiple communication means and protocols. Messages between a user and a particular contact are threaded together, regardless of their format or protocol in order to provide the user with a quick history of all communications with his or her contacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2011
    Publication date: June 20, 2013
    Inventors: Mohit Talwar, Miladin Pavlicic, Siddharth Murlidhar
  • Patent number: 8467777
    Abstract: A visual voicemail system can convert visual voicemail message content to an alternate format based on the location of the recipient device, whether and how the recipient device is in motion, a priority of the message content, user preferences, or other criteria. Alternately, a recipient wireless device may also convert content to an alternate format based on the similar criteria. Content may be presented automatically to a user on recipient device based on such criteria. Content may be converted from audio to text, text to audio, or from any format to any other format. Location, motion data, user preferences, etc. may be obtained from a location based service system, a recipient wireless device, or any other source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Venson M. Shaw
  • Patent number: 8467820
    Abstract: A push to talk message protocol operating on a communication network between an originating and terminating communication device operates to transmit compressed message formats to initiate the push to talk message protocol. Four compressed session protocol message formats are used in the preferred embodiment. A compressed originating session initiation invite message is transmitted from the originating mobile station. A compressed terminating session initiation invite message is received by the terminating mobile station. A compressed session initiation protocol ping message is transmitted from the originating mobile station and received by the terminating mobile station. A compressed 200 OK session initiation protocol message is transmitted from the terminating mobile station and received by the originating mobile station. Finally, the originating mobile decompresses the 200 OK session initiation protocol message. These compressed messages are used to initiate the push to talk communication session.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: Apple, Inc.
    Inventors: Haseeb Akhtar, Anthony R. Jones
  • Publication number: 20130150003
    Abstract: Voicemail systems and methods for managing voicemail systems are provided herein. The subject voicemail systems provide a plurality voicemail greeting, each of which are associated with a context tag. The context tag can be, for example, a location, a device parameter, an account parameter, a network parameter, or any other contextual information. Upon receipt of a change in a context tag, the voicemail system determines a new voicemail greeting associated with the new context tag and sets the new voicemail greeting to the active voicemail greeting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Applicant: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventor: AT&T Mobility II LLC
  • Patent number: 8463927
    Abstract: Illustrated is a system and method to record video mail using a peer to peer network. In some embodiments, a first computer system is operatively coupled to a second computer system, wherein the first and second computer systems are in a peer-to-peer configuration, a receiver resides on the second computer system to receive a video mail message, and a storage device resides on the second computer system to store the video mail message. In some embodiments, also illustrated is a method including configuring a first computer system and a second computer system into a peer-to-peer configuration, receiving a video mail message at the second computer system, and storing the video mail message on the second computer system. The method may further include receiving an audio signal on the first computer system, receiving a video signal on the first computer system, and transmitting the video signal using the first computer system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: eBay Inc.
    Inventor: Sonya Rongsheng Liang
  • Publication number: 20130143512
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for controlling activity of a mobile device corresponding to a first user is provided. The method includes enabling an application to receive an indication of permitted usage from a second user. An indication of permitted usage of the mobile device is received via the application from the second user. Instructions are transmitted to the mobile communication device to disable or enable at least one functional component of the mobile device responsive to the indication of permitted usage. Further provided is a computing system including at least one memory configured to perform a procedure for controlling activity of a mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: WAVEMARKET, INC.
    Inventors: Sarah Hernandez, Choongil Fleischman, Andrew Talbot
  • Patent number: 8457602
    Abstract: Hybrid communications voicemail systems and methods are disclosed. A wireline telephone number may be operatively associated with a wireless telephone voicemail box such that calls placed to the wireline telephone number and subsequently routed to voicemail may be routed to the wireless telephone voicemail box. Thus, the user of both wireline and wireless telephones may check voicemail messages at a single wireless voicemail box. Parents or supervisors may check voicemail messages or converted text messages deposited for children or employees at the single wireless voicemail box. A wireless telephone user may allow calls to be routed to his/her wireless telephone from his/her wireline telephone if he/she cannot be reached at the wireline telephone or as designated by the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2013
    Assignee: Cox Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas David Gravino, Radhakrishnan Gopinath, Michael L. Poffenberger
  • Publication number: 20130137404
    Abstract: A method of responding to incoming calls while driving includes establishing a connection between an electronic device and a mobile phone to enable the electronic device to receive calls through the mobile phone. The electronic device receives position signals, calculates a speed at which the electronic device is moving, and thereby calculates a driving speed. The electronic device determines whether the driving speed is greater than a speed threshold when the mobile phone has an incoming call. The electronic device presents the user of the electronic device with an option to answer the incoming call when the driving speed is less than the speed threshold, and the electronic device presents the user with the option to answer the incoming call when the driving speed is greater than the speed threshold and when a phone number associated with the incoming call is present in a list of important contact numbers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2011
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Inventor: Juhang Kuo
  • Patent number: 8451990
    Abstract: A method and apparatus, and system for storing voicemail data are provided. Voicemail data is generated at a telephony device engaged in a communication session with a calling telephony device, the voicemail data comprising a voice message. E-mail data is then automatically generating after the voicemail data is generated, the e-mail data comprising data identifying the voicemail data, the e-mail data further comprising the voicemail data. The e-mail data is then transmitted to a network address associated with a remote e-mail server, such that the e-mail data, including the voicemail data, is stored at the remote e-mail server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: Mitel Networks Corporation
    Inventors: John Albert, Jerry Yin, Kavita Jain, Zhou Liang, Thomas A. Gray
  • Publication number: 20130130648
    Abstract: A system for providing support to a user, the system comprising a server, the server communicatively coupled to a number of mobile devices, in which the server receives a number of sets of voice messages and configuration data from the mobile devices and causes the voice messages and configuration data to be routed to a number of support providers. A method of providing support to a user, the method comprising receiving a data packet from a mobile device containing a voice message and appended user specific configuration data, the voice message containing a service request from the user; routing the voice message and appended user specific configuration data to a customer service provider; and responding to the user's service request.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2011
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Inventors: Kamran J. Tadjeran, Srinivasan Karamadai, Thomas Tripp
  • Patent number: 8447274
    Abstract: Disclosed are a method, system and computer program product for managing voicemail greetings on a wireless communication device based on the device's location. A user records location-specific voicemail greetings on the user's wireless communication device, and associates the greetings with specific locations. When an authorized caller calls the user's wireless communication device, the location of the user's wireless communication device is detected, and location information of the user's device is sent to a call switching component. The call switching component presents the caller with the voicemail greeting associated with the location of the user's wireless communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Martinianus B. Hadinata, Steven C. Lingafelt, John E. Moore, Brian M. O'Connell, Keith R. Walker
  • Patent number: 8447275
    Abstract: A lossless inductor current sense technique integrates a matched, tunable complimentary filter with a switch mode power supply (SMPS) controller for accurately measuring current through the power inductor of the SMPS without introducing losses in the power circuit. The complimentary filter can be adjusted in-circuit to significantly reduce the effects of component tolerances, accurately measuring the power inductor current for over current protection and/or closed loop control. The frequency pole and gain of the complimentary integrated filter can be adjusted on the fly in order to adapt to dynamically changing operating conditions of the SMPS system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: Microchip Technology Incorporated
    Inventor: Scott Dearborn
  • Publication number: 20130122871
    Abstract: A method for delivery of a voice mail message to a recipient. The method includes determining content of the voice mail message, identifying a recipient of the voice mail message based on the determining step, converting the voice mail message to a format for delivery based on the identifying step, and delivering the converted voice mail message to the recipient. The method further includes identifying a voice mail box of the recipient and caching voice mail box information at a voice mail server.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: AT & T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventor: Venson M. Shaw
  • Publication number: 20130122870
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for managing a voice mailbox on a voice mailbox server comprising the steps of getting (S_GET_VOICE_MSG) voice mail data (VOICE_MSG), getting (S_GET_SNDR_ID) a Sender Identification (SNDR_ID), and getting (S_GET_INFO_CALL) at least one characterizing information about the call (INFO_CALL).
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: GEMALTO SA
    Inventors: Prasanna Hegde, Chan Keng Kun, Michael Jim Tien Chan
  • Patent number: 8443403
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus for retrieving and providing voice mail messages from a server are described. In accordance with the invention voice mail messages may be retrieved via requests made via a set top box. Voice mail messages are retrieved in response to the request from a voice mail server which is also accessible via the telephone network. Retrieved voice mail is transcoded and included in a video on demand (VOD) file. Text, call ID information and/or other information as, e.g., an automatically generated transcript of the voice mail message, may be included in the VOD file. The VOD file is supplied to a VOD server which provides the file including the message to the set top box for display. A user can view the messages and switch from viewing one message to the next by using video play back commands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Time Warner Cable Inc.
    Inventors: David G. Bell, Matthew Cannon, Chad Enney, Tom Gonder
  • Patent number: 8442492
    Abstract: A method of operating a cellular telephone comprises presenting a user with an option of a first rule or a second rule, and accepting a selection of the first rule or the second rule. The first rule relates to a voice message, and the second rule relates to a text message. The method determines that reception is not sufficient to establish communication, and stores an address of an intended recipient. The method also stores the voice message if the first rule was selected or the text message if the second rule was selected. When reception is sufficient to establish communication, the stored message is sent to the address.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Anthony P. Petronelli, Canhui Ou
  • Patent number: 8442496
    Abstract: A method for creating and managing a distribution list can include creating a distribution list at a voicemail system. The distribution list can include at least one recipient and at least one language preference for one or more of the at least one recipients. The method can further include selecting the created distribution list and recording an audio message to be sent to the at least one recipient. Translating the audio message into the at least one language preference for one or more of the at least one recipients thereby creating at least one translated audio message and sending the at least one translated audio message to the at least one recipient.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: William Joseph Sigmund, Michael Robert Zubas, Brian Keith Rainer
  • Patent number: 8442495
    Abstract: A system and method for voice messaging the enables the modification of recorded voice messages and caller-specific conveniences. More particularly, the present invention pertains to identifying a caller and, thereby, enabling the caller to modify recorded voice messages and enabling a recipient to designate how calls from a particular caller should be handled, for example, by specifying a greeting message for a particular caller or by specifying the order in which voice messages are presented based upon the associated caller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventors: Sarkis Boghjalian, Reza Jalili
  • Patent number: 8442493
    Abstract: An apparatus may include a housing that is configured to support a first picture and a second picture, a first sensor that is configured to receive a first input and that is associated with the first picture, a second sensor that is configured to receive a second input and that is associated with the second picture, a communication module that is configured to communicate with a remote device and to retrieve audio messages from the remote device, a speaker that is configured to play the audio messages, an electronics control module that is configured to control playing of the audio messages that are designated as being associated with the first picture in response to selection of the first sensor and control playing of the audio messages that are designated as being associated with the second picture in response to selection of the second sensor, and a power module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Inventor: Hayes S. Raffle
  • Patent number: 8437745
    Abstract: A system for registering a mobile device located in a network outside a device's home network is described. In some examples, the system receives a message including contents associated with a location of the mobile device, and extracts the contents of the received message. The system matches the extracted contents to one or more rules associated with an adjustment of subscriber data within a registration database for the home network, adjusts the data, and registers the mobile device having the adjusted data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: T-Mobile USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Janardhan Theppasandra, Rob Piscopo, Nancy Bostdorff
  • Patent number: 8437785
    Abstract: A communication apparatus includes: an e-mail creating unit configured to create the e-mail with specifying an e-mail address of a destination; an e-mail transmitting/receiving unit configured to transmit/receive the e-mail; a display unit provided with a received mail display area for displaying a received e-mail set if necessary and a created mail display area for displaying an e-mail being created; and a control unit configured to set the received mail display area and display the received e-mail if the e-mail is received during creating the e-mail and the e-mail address of a sender of the received e-mail matches with the e-mail address of the destination of the e-mail being created.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Fujitsu Mobile Communications Limited
    Inventors: Chikara Yasuda, Masatoshi Tsubouchi, Akemi Toyokura
  • Patent number: 8437458
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method includes obtaining information relating to a first telephone number, and determining whether the first telephone number corresponds to a first speed dial button on a device. The first speed dial button is highlighted if the first telephone number corresponds to the first speed dial button. If the first telephone number does not correspond to the first speed dial button, the method also includes determining whether the first telephone number is associated with a second telephone number, determining whether the second telephone number corresponds to the first speed dial button if the first telephone number is associated with the second telephone number, and highlighting the first speed dial button when it is determined that the second telephone number corresponds to the first speed dial button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: John Toebes
  • Patent number: 8433044
    Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a voicemail device having a controller to detect a recording of a voicemail message, generate a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) message, wherein the SIP message contains visual voicemail data associated with the recorded voicemail message, and transmit the SIP message to a cordless phone system, wherein the SIP message is received by the cordless phone system over a data port of the cordless phone system, wherein the cordless phone system comprises a base station and at least one cordless communications device, wherein the visual voicemail data is retrieved by the base station, and wherein the visual voicemail data is transmitted by the based station to the at least one cordless communications device by utilizing a cordless wireless access protocol. Other embodiments are disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P.
    Inventors: Anup Karnalkar, R. Tyler Wallis, William S. Robbins, David Dudley
  • Patent number: 8428562
    Abstract: A provisioning system configured to retrieve a voicemail password and/or a pilot number for a voicemail account, create a first service request directed to an over-the-air system, and send the first service request to the over-the-air system, if the provisioning system determines that the voicemail account has been initialized. The first service request instructs the over-the-air system to format a first message including the voicemail password and/or the pilot number for delivery to a mobile device. The provisioning system is further configured to create a second service request directed to the over-the-air system and send the second service request to the over-the-air system, if the provisioning system determines that the voicemail account has not been initialized. The second service request instructs the over-the-air system to format a second message including a default voicemail password and/or a default pilot number for delivery to the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Adrianne Luu, Mark Causey, Michael Zubas
  • Patent number: 8428563
    Abstract: A device receives, from a user device, a request to use a visual voicemail (VVM) application, directs the user device to a self provisioning server based on the request, and receives, from the self provisioning server, a selected VVM subscription plan and information associated with a user of the user device. The device also provides, to a billing system, a feature code associated with the selected VVM subscription plan, receives, from one or more voicemail servers, pre-existing voicemail messages associated with the user, and provides, to the user device, the pre-existing voicemail messages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc.
    Inventors: Jack Jianxiu Hao, Chris Helbling, Gaurav D. Mehta, Michael R. Oliver, Guillermo Ortiz, Okeno Palmer, Dahai Ren, Diego S. Rozensztejn, Atul Thaper
  • Patent number: 8428551
    Abstract: Methods, systems, and computer-readable media are provided for providing enhanced video voice messages from a first mobile device to a second mobile device. The method comprises providing user preferences from a first mobile device to a video enhancement component. A video voice message is generated at the first mobile device. Additionally, the video voice message is communicated to the video enhancement component. Further, the video voice message is enhanced based on the user preferences from the first mobile device. The enhanced video voice message is then provided to the second mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Mark D. Peden, Raymond Reeves, Simon Youngs, Piyush Jethwa, Gary D. Koller
  • Publication number: 20130095799
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a method for ensuring quality of a media message is provided. The method includes receiving information for a media message. At least a portion of the media is analyzed to determine a media quality for the media message. The method then determines if the media quality is acceptable. If the media quality is not acceptable, then an alert may be sent regarding the media quality of the media message. For example, a caller may be prompted to re-record a media message.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2012
    Publication date: April 18, 2013
    Applicant: CISCO TECHNOLOGY, INC.
    Inventor: Cisco Technology, Inc.
  • Patent number: 8422997
    Abstract: A system and computer-readable media are provided for facilitating playback of voicemails using a mobile device having a display. Furthermore, embodiments of the present invention allow users to customize the grouping of voicemails, and view and play back voicemails according to these groupings. Additionally, users are able to automatically play back subsets of groups of voicemails in an order that is most meaningful to them without having to intervene during playback.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Sprint Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Michael T. Lundy, Kristen Elizabeth Miller, Teresa Marie Meseke, Clyde Cornelius Heppner
  • Patent number: 8422645
    Abstract: A method of managing a voicemail network is described herein. Voicemail system data for the voicemail network is received. The voicemail system data includes communication node data, source voicemail node data, and destination voicemail node data. A destination voicemail node is determined based on the destination voicemail node data and a destination voicemail node criteria. When the source voicemail node data meets a source voicemail node criteria, a communication node is associated with the destination voicemail node.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: Spring Communications Company L.P.
    Inventors: Kanglung Wong, Caleb S. Hyde, Brendan Lee Hughes, Narayanan Govindan Kasi
  • Patent number: 8416927
    Abstract: Methods and systems for limiting voicemail transcription. The methods include answering a forwarded call from a caller to a subscriber of the voicemail transcription service, outputting an audio message to the caller prompting for the caller to leave a voicemail message, recording the voicemail message from audio of the forwarded call, and transcribing the audio of the forwarded call into text. The step of transcribing may be limited according to one or more of the following criteria: the duration of the recording, the number of characters transcribed, the number of text messages generated and filled from transcribed text, the caller ID of the call, the time the call is received, and the duration of the transcription. The systems include a call handler and a transcriber. At least one of the methods may be embodied by a software product including instructions for executing the steps of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Ditech Networks, Inc.
    Inventor: James Siminoff
  • Patent number: 8417224
    Abstract: The exemplary live voicemail functionality offers a user of a mobile station the ability to listen to a voicemail message in real-time, as the message is being recorded in a voicemail platform. The mobile communication network serving the user directs an incoming call intended for the mobile station to the voicemail platform, which records the audio for the incoming message. The network infrastructure also duplicates the audio and directs the duplicate audio to the mobile station for real time monitoring of the incoming message by the user, as the platform is recording the voicemail message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Cellco Partnership
    Inventor: David W. Young
  • Patent number: 8417223
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a communication request from a remote requester is intercepted at the computing device. Based on the intercepted communication request, one or more voicemail features are enabled at the computing device, independent of carrier voicemail support. The remote requester may be, for example, a caller or a voicemail server, and the intercepted communication request may be a phone call or a voicemail notification, respectively. In another embodiment, a system at a computing device coupled to a network includes a communication request handler and a voicemail manager. The communication request handler intercepts a communication request from a remote requester at the computing device. The intercepted communication request may be a voicemail notification from a network server or a phone call from a caller. The voicemail manager enables one or more voicemail features at the computing device, independent of carrier voicemail support, based on the intercepted communication request.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Google Inc.
    Inventor: Jean-Michel Trivi
  • Patent number: 8412817
    Abstract: A load balancing server system balances the load imposed by requestor requests for services across a set of service-providing servers. A network interface receives the requestor requests from a network communication system and sends server requests for services to the service-providing servers. A data processing system creates and maintains server status information indicative of whether each service-providing server is operational, and server pointer information identifying the service-providing server to which the next server request should be sent. In response to each requestor request, the data processing system causes the network interface to send one or more server requests for one or more services related to the requestor request to the service-providing server identified by the server pointer information and increments in a round-robin manner the server pointer information to the next operational service-providing server.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Cellco Partnership
    Inventor: Madhu Bharathula
  • Patent number: 8412162
    Abstract: A method for managing accessibility to a visual voicemail (VVM) service from a mobile device includes detecting that a first SIM has been inserted into a slot interface of the mobile device and establishing a data session with a VVM system to create a first VVM account. The first VVM account is configured to receive and store voicemail messages directed to a subscriber identified by the first SIM. The method further includes the mobile device receiving a voicemail message from the VVM system and storing the voicemail message in a memory. The method further includes the mobile device detecting the first SIM being removed and a second SIM being inserted into the slot interface. Upon insertion of the second SIM, the mobile device prevents access to the voicemail message associated with the first VVM account and communicative access to the first VVM account.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: William Joseph Sigmund, Michael Robert Zubas, Brian Keith Rainer
  • Patent number: 8412163
    Abstract: This document describes various techniques for implementing local voicemail on a mobile device. These techniques may include enabling the mobile device to answer a voice call, record audio of the voice call to provide a voicemail file, and store the voicemail file to local computer-readable media. A locally stored voicemail file may be associated with relevant data, exposed via the associated data for local processing, and/or manipulated through a user interface of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: Microsoft Corporation
    Inventors: Joe Abou Rjeili, Jean Khawand
  • Patent number: RE44293
    Abstract: A mobile communication terminal includes timer for detecting the time of an incoming call, a caller number registration table for storing caller numbers, answer message ID numbers and time-dependent switching codes in relation to each other, the time-dependent control codes designating callers for whom answer messages are switched depending on a time zone in which the call is made. There is thus provided a capability of selecting an answer message for a caller based on the caller number included in the incoming call signal and switching between answer messages based on the time of call incoming detected by the timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventor: Masaki Kinoshita