US6021181A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Electronic voice mail message handling system
Assignee: Orange SA
•
Filing: 1997-02-24
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Granted: 2000-02-01
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Expires: 2017-02-24
Abstract
Abstract A virtual intercom method implemented by a computer-based electronic assistant and including the steps of receiving a voice command from a first party, wherein the voice command identifies a user selectable one of a plurality of subscriber parties; responding to the voice command by generating a greeting to the first party, wherein the greeting is an audio recording in the voice of the identified subscriber; receiving a message generated by the first party for the identified subscriber; and storing the received message for later playback to the identified subscriber.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard A. Miner
- 👤 David M. Pelland
- 👤 William J. Warner
- 👤 Nancy Benovich Gilby
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 07:21
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/50; H04M3/527; H04M3/436; H04M3/53; H04M3/533; H04M9/00; H04M9/02; H04M2201/00; H04M2201/40; H04M3/38; H04M3/382; H04M3/42204; H04M3/487; H04M3/53333; H04M3/53341; H04M3/53358; H04M3/53366; H04M3/53375; H04M3/53383
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A message handling method implemented by a computer-based electronic assistant, said method comprising: storing a voice message that includes a recorded message and stored information describing said voice message, and wherein said voice message is a reply to a first message; receiving a command of a first command type from a caller; in response to receiving said command of said first command type, playing said recorded message to said caller; after playing said recorded contents, receiving a command of a second command type from said caller; in response to receiving the command of said second command type, reporting to said caller said stored information describing said voice message; and after reporting said stored information, receiving a further command of said second type; and in response to receiving the further command of said second command type, playing said first message to which the voice message was a reply.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A message handling method implemented by a computer-based electronic assistant, said method comprising: storing a voice message that includes a recorded message and stored information describing said voice message, and wherein said voice message is a reply to a first message; receiving a command of a first command type from a caller; in response to receiving said command of said first command type, playing said recorded message to said caller; after playing said recorded contents, receiving a command of a second command type from said caller; in response to receiving the command of said second command type, reporting to said caller said stored information describing said voice message; and after reporting said stored information, receiving a further command of said second type; and in response to receiving the further command of said second command type, playing said first message to which the voice message was a reply.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
101 words
A call handling method implemented by a computer-based electronic assistant, said method comprising: using the computer-based electronic assistant to monitor a telephone call between a first person and a second person; in response to a first command issued by either the first or second person, causing the electronic assistant to intervene and participate in the telephone call; and in response to a further command issued by either the first or second person, causing the electronic assistant to provide voice mail services to the party issuing the further command, thereby permitting the other party to terminate its participation in the telephone call.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
101 words
A call handling method implemented by a computer-based electronic assistant, said method comprising: using the computer-based electronic assistant to monitor a telephone call between a first person and a second person; in response to a first command issued by either the first or second person, causing the electronic assistant to intervene and participate in the telephone call; and in response to a further command issued by either the first or second person, causing the electronic assistant to provide voice mail services to the party issuing the further command, thereby permitting the other party to terminate its participation in the telephone call.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2003-01-31 | 2003-08-02 | 2004-02-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-01-31 | 2007-08-02 | 2008-02-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-01-31 | 2011-08-02 | 2012-02-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |