US5450488A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Multiple service voice messaging system
Assignee: Qwest Communications International Inc
•
Filing: 1994-03-02
•
Granted: 1995-09-12
•
Expires: 2014-03-02
Abstract
Abstract A centralized multiple service voice messaging system. Additional directory numbers are dedicated to the message service system. The central office switching processor is programmed to forward calls dialed to these dedicated directory numbers to the voice mail system. The voice mail system, in turn, is programmed to recognize these numbers and perform a service based on the directory number dialed by the calling party and, in some cases, the directory number of the calling party.
Inventors
- 👤 John B. Pugaczewski
- 👤 Mark S. Maize
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 13:37
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/50; H04M3/53; H04M3/533; H04M2242/00; H04M2242/22; H04M3/42025; H04M3/42034; H04M3/42059; H04M3/42085; H04M3/42102; H04M3/53333; H04M3/53358; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/72
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
An interface to access a plurality of types of service in a voice messaging system, said interface comprising: at least one dedicated telephone line devoted to each of said types of service, each said dedicated telephone line identified by a dedicated directory number and operatively associated with said voice messaging system; means operatively associated with said voice messaging system, for forwarding to said voice messaging system a call made from a calling telephone line to one of said dedicated telephone lines; and means, operatively associated with said voice messaging system for recognizing said dedicated directory numbers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
An interface to access a plurality of types of service in a voice messaging system, said interface comprising: at least one dedicated telephone line devoted to each of said types of service, each said dedicated telephone line identified by a dedicated directory number and operatively associated with said voice messaging system; means operatively associated with said voice messaging system, for forwarding to said voice messaging system a call made from a calling telephone line to one of said dedicated telephone lines; and means, operatively associated with said voice messaging system for recognizing said dedicated directory numbers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
An Interface according to claim 1 further including means, operatively associated with said voice messaging system, for identifying said calling telephone line.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An interface according to claim 2 wherein said identifying means includes: an input/output processor, and a simplified message desk interface operatively associated with said input/output processor.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
54 words
An interface according to claim 1 wherein said recognizing means includes: a multiline hunt group operatively associated with said voice messaging system; an input/output processor operatively associated with said voice messaging system; a plurality of terminals operatively associated with said voice messaging system; and a matching look-up table associated with said voice messaging system.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An interface according to claim 2 wherein the aforesaid types of service include rapid message retrieval.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
An interface according to claim 1 wherein said types of service include business voice messaging.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
15 words
An interface according to claim 1 wherein said types of service include residential voice messaging.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
An interface according to claim 1 wherein said types of service include advertising bulletins.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
An interface according to claim 1 wherein said types of service include time service.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
14 words
An interface according to claim 1 wherein said types of service include weather service.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
17 words
An interface according to claim 1 wherein said dedicated telephone lines are configured to always appear busy.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
30 words
An interface according to claim 1 wherein said forwarding means includes an input/output processor programmed to forward to a multiline hunt group all calls placed to said dedicated telephone lines.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for providing a plurality of types of services in a voice messaging system comprising the steps of: devoting at least one dedicated telephone line to each of said types of services; forwarding to said voice messaging system calls made from a calling telephone line to one of said dedicated telephone lines; identifying said one of said dedicated telephone lines to said voice messaging system; and providing a service to said calling telephone line dependent upon the results of said step of identifying.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for providing a plurality of types of services in a voice messaging system comprising the steps of: devoting at least one dedicated telephone line to each of said types of services; forwarding to said voice messaging system calls made from a calling telephone line to one of said dedicated telephone lines; identifying said one of said dedicated telephone lines to said voice messaging system; and providing a service to said calling telephone line dependent upon the results of said step of identifying.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 13 further including the steps of: providing a number associated with said calling telephone line to said voice messaging system; and comparing said number to a matching look up table.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 14 wherein the aforesaid step of providing a service includes providing rapid message retrieval.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 13 further including, prior to said step of forwarding, the step of programming an input/output processor to forward call information for calls placed to said dedicated telephone lines to a multiline hunt group.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method according to claim 13 further including, prior to said step of forwarding, the step of configuring said dedicated telephone lines to always appear busy.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a telephone network including: a plurality of access lines; a multiline hunt group operatively associated with said telephone network; an input/output processor operatively associated with said telephone network; a simplified message desk interface operatively associated with said input/output processor; and a voice mail system operatively associated with said simplified standard message desk interface and said multiline hunt group for providing a plurality of types of voice messaging services, the improvement comprising: a plurality of dedicated lines each identified by a dedicated directory number, each of said dedicated lines associated with a particular one of said types of voice messaging services and operatively associated with said telephone network; wherein said input/output processor is programmed to forward to said multiline hunt group calls made from said access lines to said dedicated directory numbers.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
132 words
In a telephone network including: a plurality of access lines; a multiline hunt group operatively associated with said telephone network; an input/output processor operatively associated with said telephone network; a simplified message desk interface operatively associated with said input/output processor; and a voice mail system operatively associated with said simplified standard message desk interface and said multiline hunt group for providing a plurality of types of voice messaging services, the improvement comprising: a plurality of dedicated lines each identified by a dedicated directory number, each of said dedicated lines associated with a particular one of said types of voice messaging services and operatively associated with said telephone network; wherein said input/output processor is programmed to forward to said multiline hunt group calls made from said access lines to said dedicated directory numbers.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
A telephone network according to claim 18 wherein said dedicated lines are configured to always appear busy.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5027384A
Cited
US4878240A
Cited
US4926462A
Cited
US5029196A
Cited
US4980906A
Cited
US5012511A
Cited
US5060255A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-09-11 | 1999-03-13 | 1999-09-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-09-11 | 2003-03-13 | 2003-09-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-09-11 | 2007-03-13 | 2007-09-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |