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US6104789A
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Method and system for transmitting text messages from a caller to a subscriber at an unknown address
Assignee: Finisar Corp
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Filing: 1997-12-29
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Granted: 2000-08-15
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Expires: 2017-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A method and system for transmitting a text message from a caller to a subscriber at an unknown address based on a known address or number associated with the subscriber includes a server application having a database. The database contains addresses and phone numbers associated with the subscriber. The caller transmits a first signal to obtain access to the database, and then transmits a second signal representative of one of the known address and number upon accessing the database. The caller then receives either a text-based address or number, or both, associated with the subscriber in response to the second signal. A text-based address or number is an address or phone number capable of receiving text messages, such as an e-mail address or fax number. The caller then transmits a text message to one of the text-based address and number for receipt by the subscriber.
Inventors
- 👤 Arnold M. Lund
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 21:46
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/0016; H04Q3/0029; H04L; H04L51/00; H04L61/00; H04L61/45; H04L51/06; H04L51/066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 19
Claim 1
Independent Claim
203 words
For use with a server application in a circuit switched telephone network having a database containing addresses and phone numbers associated with a subscriber, a method for transmitting a text message from a caller to the subscriber at an unknown address based on a known address or number associated with the subscriber, the method comprising: initiating a voice telephone call from the caller to the server application over the circuit switched telephone network by transmitting a first signal over the circuit switched telephone network to obtain access to the database; transmitting a second signal from the caller to the server application representative of one of the known address and number upon accessing the database; receiving one of a text-based address and number associated with the subscriber from the server application in response to the second signal, both the text-based address and number being capable of receiving text messages; receiving an originate text message prompt from the server application that allows the caller to opt to originate a text message for transmission to the subscriber; and originating and transmitting the text message at least partially over the circuit switched telephone network to one of the text-based address and number for receipt by the subscriber.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
203 words
For use with a server application in a circuit switched telephone network having a database containing addresses and phone numbers associated with a subscriber, a method for transmitting a text message from a caller to the subscriber at an unknown address based on a known address or number associated with the subscriber, the method comprising: initiating a voice telephone call from the caller to the server application over the circuit switched telephone network by transmitting a first signal over the circuit switched telephone network to obtain access to the database; transmitting a second signal from the caller to the server application representative of one of the known address and number upon accessing the database; receiving one of a text-based address and number associated with the subscriber from the server application in response to the second signal, both the text-based address and number being capable of receiving text messages; receiving an originate text message prompt from the server application that allows the caller to opt to originate a text message for transmission to the subscriber; and originating and transmitting the text message at least partially over the circuit switched telephone network to one of the text-based address and number for receipt by the subscriber.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein transmitting the text message includes transmitting at least one touch-tone digit.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein receiving one of the text-based address and number includes receiving a third signal indicating a plurality of predefined text messages available to be transmitted to the subscriber and wherein transmitting a text message includes transmitting a fourth signal selecting one of the plurality of predefined text messages.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as recited in claim 3 wherein the third signal is an audio signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method as recited in claim 3 wherein the third signal is a visual signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein transmitting the text message includes transmitting at least a portion of the text message.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as recited in claim 1 wherein receiving one of the text-based address and number further includes receiving an electronic address containing graphical information associated with the subscriber in response to the second signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method as recited in claim 7 further comprising automatically retrieving and displaying the graphical information.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
214 words
A system for transmitting a text message from a caller to the subscriber at an unknown address based on a known address or number associated with the subscriber, the system comprising: a server application on a circuit switched telephone network having a database containing addresses and phone numbers associated with the subscriber; an input device for initiating a voice telephone call from the caller to the server application over the circuit switched telephone network by transmitting a first signal over the circuit telephone switched network to obtain access to the database and transmitting a second signal from the caller to the server application representative of one of the known address and number upon accessing the database; means for receiving one of a text-based address and number associated with the subscriber from the server application in response to the second signal, both the text-based address and number capable of receiving text messages; and the server being configured to send an originate text message prompt that allows the caller to opt to originate a text message for transmission to the subscriber; and the input device being configured to originate and transmit the text message at least partially over the circuit switched telephone network to one of the text-based address and number for receipt by the subscriber.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
214 words
A system for transmitting a text message from a caller to the subscriber at an unknown address based on a known address or number associated with the subscriber, the system comprising: a server application on a circuit switched telephone network having a database containing addresses and phone numbers associated with the subscriber; an input device for initiating a voice telephone call from the caller to the server application over the circuit switched telephone network by transmitting a first signal over the circuit telephone switched network to obtain access to the database and transmitting a second signal from the caller to the server application representative of one of the known address and number upon accessing the database; means for receiving one of a text-based address and number associated with the subscriber from the server application in response to the second signal, both the text-based address and number capable of receiving text messages; and the server being configured to send an originate text message prompt that allows the caller to opt to originate a text message for transmission to the subscriber; and the input device being configured to originate and transmit the text message at least partially over the circuit switched telephone network to one of the text-based address and number for receipt by the subscriber.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system as recited in claim 9 wherein the input device includes a touch-tone keypad for transmitting at least one touch-tone digit.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system as recited in claim 9 wherein the input device includes a keyboard for transmitting text.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
56 words
The system as recited in claim 9 wherein the means for receiving is further operative to receive a third signal indicating a plurality of predefined text messages available to be transmitted to the subscriber and wherein the input device is further operative to transmit a fourth signal selecting one of the plurality of predefined text messages.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system as recited in claim 12 wherein the third signal is an audio signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
15 words
The system as recited in claim 12 wherein the third signal is a visual signal.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system as recited in claim 9 wherein the input device is operative to transmit at least a portion of the text message.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system as recited in claim 9 wherein the means for receiving is further operative to receive an electronic address containing graphical information associated with the subscriber in response to the second signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
The system as recited in claim 16 further comprising: an application coupled to the means for receiving for automatically retrieving the graphical information; and a display for displaying the graphical information.
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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) | 2003-08-15 | 2004-02-14 | 2004-08-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2007-08-15 | 2008-02-14 | 2008-08-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2011-08-15 | 2012-02-14 | 2012-08-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |