Patent EP0330441B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0330441B1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Interface to and operation of a voice messaging system
Assignee: VMX Inc
•
Filing: 1989-02-22
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Granted: 1996-01-03
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Expires: 2009-02-22
Abstract
No abstract record available.
Inventors
- 👤 David J. Ladd
- 👤 Gregory E. Pounds
- 👤 Tim J. Kusumi
- 👤 Peter A. Bonnee
- 👤 Robert R. Shepard
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 17:26
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/64; H04Q3/66; H04Q3/665; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/42314; H04M3/50; H04M3/51; H04M3/527; H04M3/53; H04M3/54; H04M3/546; H04Q3/58; H04Q3/62; H04Q3/625; H04Q3/627; H04M1/00; H04M1/57; H04M2201/00; H04M2201/38; H04M2242/00; H04M2242/22; H04M3/42025; H04M3/42034; H04M3/42042; H04M3/42059; H04M3/42085; H04M3/42093; H04M3/42102; H04M3/487; H04M3/5166; H04M7/00; H04M7/009; H04M7/14; H04Q3/70
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 54
Claim 1
Independent Claim
179 words
A telephone system, comprising: a telephone switching means (210) comprising a plurality of ports (208, 212, 213, 214) associated with a plurality of extensions (241); and a voice messaging system (250); characterized in that: said telephone switching means (210) comprises a first port (212) adapted to supplying call information to a feature phone, where said first port (212) is associated with said plurality of extensions (241); said telephone switching means (210) further comprises a plurality of second ports (213), where each of said second ports (213) is associated with one of said plurality of extensions (241); said voice messaging system (250) is coupled with said first port (212) and said plurality of second ports (213) for receiving said call information related to a first call on said first port (212) and further processing said first call on one of said plurality of second ports (213); and said voice messaging system (250) comprises a feature phone emulator interface (251) for accepting said call information from said first port (212) and supplying said call information to said voice messaging system (250).
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
59 words
The telephone system, as recited in Claim 1, wherein said telephone switching means (210) further comprises a third plurality of ports (214) for coupling with a plurality of telephones (223,224), said telephone switching means (210) further comprising a circuit for switching a call from one of said plurality of telephones (223,224) to one of said plurality of extensions (241).
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
64 words
The telephone system, as recited by Claim 1, wherein said telephone switching means (210) further comprises a fourth plurality of ports (208) for coupling with a plurality of external telephone lines (205,206), said telephone switching means (210) further comprising a circuit for switching a second call from one of said plurality of external telephone lines (205,206) to one of said plurality of extensions (241).
Claim 4
Independent Claim
179 words
A method for processing a first telephone call in a telephone system, said telephone system comprising a switching means (210) having a first port (212) adapted to supplying call information to a feature phone, said first port (212) associated with a plurality of extensions (241), said switching means (210) further having a plurality of second ports (213), each of said second ports (213) associated with one of said plurality of extensions (241), and a voice messaging system (250) coupled with said first port (212) and said plurality of second ports (213), said voice messaging system (250) comprising a feature phone emulator interface (251), comprising the steps of: (a) said voice messaging system (250) receiving an indication of said first telephone call on said first port (212) via said feature phone emulator interface (251); (b) said switching means (210) providing call information to said voice messaging system on said first port (212) via said feature phone emulator interface (251); (c) said voice messaging system (250) completing processing of said first call on one of said plurality of second ports (213).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
67 words
The method, as recited by Claim 4, wherein said voice messaging system (250) answers said first call subsequent to receiving an indication of said first call on said first port (212) via said phone emulator interface (251) and said voice messaging system (250) places said first call on hold on said first port (212) prior to said one of said plurality of second ports (213) going off-hook.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method, as recited by Claim 4, wherein said voice messaging system (250) answers said first call subsequent to receiving an indication of said first call on said first port (212) via said phone emulator interface (251) and said voice messaging system (250) causes one of said plurality of second ports (213) to be conferenced in on said first call.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method, as recited by Claim 4, wherein said voice messaging system (250) receives said call information responsive to providing a code to said switching means (210) on said first port (212).
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method, as recited by Claim 4, wherein said voice messaging system (250) receives a second call on said first port (212) prior to completion of processing of said first call on said one of said plurality of second ports (213).
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method, as recited by Claim 4, wherein said voice messaging system (250) completes processing of said first call on one of said plurality of second ports (213) by providing a code on one of said second ports and said switching means providing said call on said one of said second ports responsive to said code.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
120 words
Method of using the telephone system recited by one of claims 1 to 3, said method comprising the steps of: (a) said switching means (210) directing said call at a first of said plurality of telephone stations (223,224); (b) determining said call is not answered by said first telephone station (223,224); (c) said switching means (210) directing said call to said voice messaging system (250) in response to said call not being answered; (d) said switching means (210) providing said call information to said voice messaging system (250); (e) said voice messaging system (250) selecting a second of said plurality of telephone stations (223,224) to transfer said call to, said second telephone station (223,224) selected based on said call information.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
67 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 10, wherein said determination that said call was unanswered comprises determining whether said first telephone station (223,224) is busy, whether said call is not answered by said first telephone station (223,224) for a predetermined number of rings or determining said first telephone station (223,224) has been placed in a mode in which it is not accepting calls.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 10, wherein said selection of a second of said plurality of telephone stations (223,224) is based on the current time and day.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 10, wherein said second of said plurality of telephone stations (223,224) is selected based on the source of a call.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
35 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 10, wherein said set of predetermined conditions comprises selecting a second of said plurality of telephone stations (223,224) based on said first telephone station (223,224).
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
36 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 10, wherein said set of predetermined conditions comprises selecting a second of said plurality of telephone stations (223,224) based on the time a call is received.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
55 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 10, wherein said telephone system further comprises a feature phone coupled with said voice messaging system (250) and said switching means (210), said feature phone receiving said call information from said switching means (210) and supplying said call information to said voice messaging system (250).
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 10, the method further comprising the steps of: (a) determining said call is unanswered by said second telephone station (223,224); (b) directing said call to said voice messaging system (250) in response to said call being unanswered by said second telephone station (223,224); (c) said voice messaging system (250) providing said call access to a message recording means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
24 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 17, wherein said message recording means is associated with said first telephone station (223,224).
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 17, wherein said message recording means provides an announcement to said call, said announcement associated with said first telephone station (223,224).
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 10, the method further comprising the step of said voice messaging system providing information to a person answering said second telephone station (223,224) if said call is answered by said second telephone station (223,224).
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 20, wherein said information comprises identifying information identifying said first telephone station (223,224).
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 20, wherein said information comprises the reason said call was unanswered by said first telephone station (223,224).
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
170 words
Method of using the telephone system recited by one of claims 1 to 3, said method comprising either the steps of : (a) accessing said voice messaging system (250) from one of said telephone stations (223,224); (b) supplying said voice messaging system (250) with a first identifying information, said first identifying information identifying a first mailbox; (c) supplying said voice messaging system (250) with an access code for said first mailbox; (d) said voice messaging system (250) allowing access to a first set of predetermined functions in response to said first identifying information and said access code; or the steps of : (a) accessing said voice messaging system (250) from one of said telephone stations (223,224) by steps (a) and (b) of the method recited by Claim 4; (b) supplying said voice messaging system (250) with a second identifying information, said second identifying information identifying a second mailbox; (c) said voice messaging system (250) allowing access to a second set of predetermined functions in response to said second identifying information.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 23, wherein said second method is available depending on time and day.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
31 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 23, wherein said first and second identifying information is automatically supplied by said telephone system to said voice messaging system (250).
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
23 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 23, wherein said second predetermined set of functions comprises changing a personal greeting.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
22 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 23, wherein said second predetermined set of functions comprises sending a message.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
24 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 23, wherein said second predetermined set of functions comprises accessing a telephone system network.
Claim 29
Independent Claim
237 words
A method for processing a telephone call in a telephone system, said telephone system comprising at least one call originating means (201,223,224), at least one call receiving means (201,223,224), switching means (210) for switching calls from said call originating means (201,223,224) to said call receiving means (201,223,224), said switching means (210) having a first port (212) adapted to providing call origination and destination information to a feature phone, said first port (212) associated with a plurality of extensions (241), a second plurality of ports (213) associated with said plurality of extensions (241) and a messaging means (250) coupled with said first port (212) and said plurality of second ports (213), said messaging means (250) comprising a feature phone emulator interface (251), comprising the steps of: (a) originating a call from one of said call originating means (201,223,224) to one of said call receiving means (201,223,224); (b) determining said call was unanswered by said call receiving means (201,223,224); (c) said switching means (210) providing said call to said messaging means (250) on one of said second plurality of ports (213) in response to said call being unanswered; (d) said switching means (210) providing said messaging means (250) with said call origination and destination information on said first port (212) via said feature phone emulator interface (251); (e) said messaging means (250) providing a voice message to said call, said voice message associated with said call receiving means (201,223,224).
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method, as recited by Claim 29, wherein said message may be changed by accessing said messaging means (250).
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
215 words
The method, as recited by Claim 4, comprising the steps of : (a) said switching means (210) receiving a first call from a first call originating means (201,223,224); (b) said switching means (210) providing said first call to said voice messaging system (250) on one of said plurality of second ports (213), said switching means (210) further providing a first identifying information on said first port (212), said first identifying information identifying said first call as originating from said first call originating means (201,223,224); (c) said voice messaging system (250) providing a first message to said first call in response to receiving said first call and said first identifying information; said method further comprising the steps of: (a) said switching means (210) receiving a second call from a second call originating means (201,223,224); (b) said switching means (210) providing said second call to said voice messaging system (250) on one of said plurality of second ports (213), said switching means (210) further providing a second identifying information on said first port (212), said second identifying information identifying said second call as originating from said second call originating means (201,223,224); (c) said voice messaging system (250) providing a second message to said second call in response to receiving said second call and said second identifying information.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method, as recited by Claim 31, wherein said first call originating means (201,223,224) comprises a first plurality of external telephone trunks (201,223,224), said first plurality of external telephone trunks (201,223,224) coupled with said switching means.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method, as recited by Claim 32, wherein said second call originating means (201,223,224) comprises a second plurality of external telephone trunks (201,223,224), said second plurality of external trunks (201,223,224) coupled with said switching means.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method, as recited by Claim 31, wherein said switching means (210) comprises a private branch exchange (210).
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method, as recited by Claim 31, wherein said first message comprises a first menu of call options.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method, as recited by Claim 31, wherein said second message comprises a second menu of call options.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method, as recited by Claim 35, further comprising the step of switching said first call to one of said call receiving means (201,223,224) in response to selection of one of said first call options.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method, as recited by Claim 36, further comprising the step of switching said second call to one of said call receiving means (201,223,224) in response to selection of one of said second call options.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
154 words
The method, as recited in Claim 10, wherein said voice messaging system selects a second of said plurality of telephone stations (223,224) to transfer said call to based on a set of predetermined conditions, said second telephone station (223,224) selected based on said call information; further comprising the steps of : (a) said voice messaging system (250) indicating to said switching means (210) said call is to be transferred to said second telephone station (223,224); (b) said switching means (210) connecting said voice messaging system (250) with said second telephone station (223,224); (c) said voice messaging system (250) announcing said call to said second telephone station (223,224) after said second telephone station (223,224) answers; (d) said voice messaging system (250) disconnecting from said call after announcing said call; (e) said switching means (210) connecting said call with said second telephone station (223,224) in response to said voice messaging system (250) disconnecting from said call.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
46 words
The method, as recited by Claim 39, wherein said voice messaging system (250) indicates to said switching means (210) said call is to be transferred by temporarily interrupting loop current on said switching means (210) and outpulsing an identification number identifying said second telephone station (223,224).
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
154 words
The method, as recited by Claim 39, further comprising the steps of: (a) determining said call is not answered by said second telephone station (223,224); (b) said voice messaging system (250) reconnecting to said call in response to said call not being answered; (c) said switching means (210) providing said call information to said voice messaging system (250); (d) said voice messaging system (250) indicating to said switching means (210) said call is to be transferred to a third telephone station (223,224) in response to said call not being answered by said second telephone station (223,224); (e) said voice messaging system (250) announcing said call to said third telephone station (223,224) after said third telephone station (223,224) answers; (f) said voice messaging system (250) disconnecting from said call; (g) said switching means (210) connecting said call with said third telephone station (223,224) in response to said voice messaging system (250) disconnecting from said call.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method as recited by Claim 39, wherein said switching means (210) further comprises a second port for supplying said call information to said voice messaging system (250).
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method as recited by Claim 39, wherein said telephone system further comprises a feature phone coupled with said voice messaging system (250) and said switching means (210), said feature phone receiving said call information from said switching means (210) and supplying said call information to said voice messaging system (250).
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method, as recited by Claim 39, wherein said selection of said second of said plurality of telephone stations (223,224) is based on the time and day.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
73 words
Method of using the telephone system recited by one of claims 1 to 3, said method comprising the steps of : (a) said switching means (210) receiving said telephone call and directing said telephone call at said telephone station (223,224); (b) said telephone call being unanswered by said telephone station (223,224); (c) said voice messaging system (250) providing a messaging to said telephone call, said message describing the reason said call was unanswered.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
83 words
Method of using the telephone system recited by one of claims 1 to 3, said method comprising the steps of : (a) said switching means (210) directing said telephone call at said first telephone extension (241); (b) detecting said telephone call is not answered by said first telephone extension (241); (c) said voice messaging system (250) providing the caller placing said telephone call a plurality of menu options, said plurality of menu options depending on the time and day of said telephone call.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
31 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 46, wherein said caller indicates said call is to be transferred to a second extension (241) responsive to said menu options.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
32 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 47, wherein said caller indicates said call is to be transferred by depressing a predetermined digit on said caller's telephone set (223,224).
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
119 words
Method of using the telephone system recited by one of claims 1 to 3, said method comprising the steps of : (a) said switching means (210) directing said telephone call at said first telephone extension (241); (b) detecting said telephone call is not answered by said first telephone extension (241); (c) said voice messaging system (250) providing a message to said telephone call, said message comprising information regarding the reason said first telephone station (223,224) did not answer said telephone call; (d) caller placing said telephone call indicating to said voice messaging system (250) said telephone call is to be transferred to said second telephone extension (241), said second telephone extension (241) associated with said first telephone extension (241).
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
104 words
Method of using the telephone system recited by one of claims 1 to 3, said method comprising the steps of : (a) said switching means (210) directing said telephone call at said first telephone extension (241); (b) detecting said telephone call is not answered by said first telephone extension (241); (c) caller placing said telephone call indicating to said voice messaging system (250) said telephone call is to be transferred to said second telephone extension (241), said second telephone extension (241) associated with said first telephone extension (241); (d) said voice messaging system (250) providing an informational message to said second telephone extension (241).
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
23 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 50, wherein said informational message comprises information identifying said first telephone extension (241).
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
31 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 50, wherein said informational message comprises information regarding the reason said first telephone extension (241) did not answer said telephone call.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
144 words
Method of using the telephone system recited by one of claims 1 to 3, said method comprising the steps of : (a) said switching means (210) directing said telephone call at said first telephone extension (241); (b) detecting said telephone call is not answered by said first telephone extension (241); (c) caller placing said telephone call indicating to said voice messaging system (250) said telephone call is to be transferred to said second telephone extension (241), said second telephone extension (241) associated with said first telephone extension (241); (d) detecting said telephone call is not answered by said second telephone extension (241); (e) reconnecting said telephone call to said voice messaging system (250) responsive to said telephone call being unanswered by said second telephone extension (241); (f) said voice message allowing said caller to leave a voice message for said first telephone extension (241).
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
46 words
Method of using the telephone system, as recited by Claim 53, wherein said caller may indicate to said voice messaging system (250) said telephone call is to be transferred to said third extension (241) if said telephone call is unanswered by said second telephone extension (241).
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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