US6748054B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Single telephone number access to multiple communications services
Assignee: Verizon Services Corp
•
Filing: 1999-10-07
•
Granted: 2004-06-08
•
Expires: 2019-10-07
Abstract
Abstract A platform provides access to multiple telecommunications services via a single telephone number. These services may include, for example, voicemail services, facsimile messaging services, paging services, and outbound calling services. A guest caller may call the single phone number to speak to a subscriber, leave a voicemail message for a subscriber, leave a facsimile message for a subscriber, or place a page to a subscriber. A subscriber may call the phone number to place outbound calls. In addition, a subscriber may call the single phone number to retrieve or send facsimile messages and/or voicemail messages. A subscriber may also call the phone number to configure service options. For instance, a subscriber may select routing options and choose what services are available to guest callers.
Inventors
- 👤 Karen A. Gross
- 👤 Thomas J. Galvan
- 👤 Rupika Chib
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 00:07
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/42229; H04M3/42127
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
69 words
In a telecommunications system that provides multiple services on behalf of a party, a method comprising: receiving an electronic mail message in the system while the selected party is on a call; generating a voice message that informs the selected party that the electronic mail message has been received in the system; and playing the voice message to the selected party while the selected party is on the call.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
69 words
In a telecommunications system that provides multiple services on behalf of a party, a method comprising: receiving an electronic mail message in the system while the selected party is on a call; generating a voice message that informs the selected party that the electronic mail message has been received in the system; and playing the voice message to the selected party while the selected party is on the call.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the telecommunications system includes a phone line that is used for the call and wherein the playing comprises outputting the voice message over the phone line to the selected party.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the telecommunications system includes a platform for providing the multiple telecommunications services and wherein the method is performed by the platform.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the voice message is played at a volume substantially below a normal speaking volume.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
70 words
In a telecommunications system that provides multiple services on behalf of a party, a method comprising: receiving an event in the system while the selected party is on a call; generating an audio message that informs the selected party that a voicemail message for the selected party has been received in the system; and playing the audio message to the selected party while the selected party is on the call.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
70 words
In a telecommunications system that provides multiple services on behalf of a party, a method comprising: receiving an event in the system while the selected party is on a call; generating an audio message that informs the selected party that a voicemail message for the selected party has been received in the system; and playing the audio message to the selected party while the selected party is on the call.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
69 words
In a telecommunications system that provides multiple services on behalf of a party, a method comprising: receiving an event in the system while the selected party is on a call; generating an audio message that informs the selected party that a page for the selected party has been received in the system; and playing the audio message to the selected party while the selected party is on the call.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
69 words
In a telecommunications system that provides multiple services on behalf of a party, a method comprising: receiving an event in the system while the selected party is on a call; generating an audio message that informs the selected party that a page for the selected party has been received in the system; and playing the audio message to the selected party while the selected party is on the call.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
71 words
In a telecommunications system that provides multiple services on behalf of a party, a method comprising: receiving an event in the system while the selected party is on a call; generating an audio message that informs the selected party that an electronic mail message for the selected party has been received in the system; and playing the audio message to the selected party while the selected party is on the call.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
71 words
In a telecommunications system that provides multiple services on behalf of a party, a method comprising: receiving an event in the system while the selected party is on a call; generating an audio message that informs the selected party that an electronic mail message for the selected party has been received in the system; and playing the audio message to the selected party while the selected party is on the call.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a telecommunications system, a platform for providing access to multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber, said platform comprising: an event facility for receiving at least electronic mail messages directed to the subscriber; an audio message generator for generating voice messages informing the subscriber of electronic mail messages received at the event facility; and an interface with a phone line over which the subscriber is conducting a call, to output voice messages from the audio message generator to inform the subscriber of the electronic mail messages that are received at the event facility.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
95 words
In a telecommunications system, a platform for providing access to multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber, said platform comprising: an event facility for receiving at least electronic mail messages directed to the subscriber; an audio message generator for generating voice messages informing the subscriber of electronic mail messages received at the event facility; and an interface with a phone line over which the subscriber is conducting a call, to output voice messages from the audio message generator to inform the subscriber of the electronic mail messages that are received at the event facility.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
19 words
The platform of claim 8 , further comprising an automatic telephone dialing system for automatically dialing stored telephone numbers.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a telecommunications system, a platform for providing access to multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber, said platform comprising: an event facility for receiving events directed to the subscriber, at least one of the events identifies receipt of a voice message for the subscriber; an audio message generator for generating audio messages informing the subscriber of events received at the event facility; and an interface with a phone line over which the subscriber is conducting a call, to output audio messages from the audio message generator to inform the subscriber of the events that are received at the event facility.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a telecommunications system, a platform for providing access to multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber, said platform comprising: an event facility for receiving events directed to the subscriber, at least one of the events identifies receipt of a voice message for the subscriber; an audio message generator for generating audio messages informing the subscriber of events received at the event facility; and an interface with a phone line over which the subscriber is conducting a call, to output audio messages from the audio message generator to inform the subscriber of the events that are received at the event facility.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
103 words
In a telecommunications system, a platform for providing access to multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber, said platform comprising: an event facility for receiving events directed to the subscriber, at least one of the events identifies receipt of an electronic mail message for the subscriber; an audio message generator for generating audio messages informing the subscriber of events received at the event facility; and an interface with a phone line over which the subscriber is conducting a call, to output audio messages from the audio message generator to inform the subscriber of the events that are received at the event facility.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
103 words
In a telecommunications system, a platform for providing access to multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber, said platform comprising: an event facility for receiving events directed to the subscriber, at least one of the events identifies receipt of an electronic mail message for the subscriber; an audio message generator for generating audio messages informing the subscriber of events received at the event facility; and an interface with a phone line over which the subscriber is conducting a call, to output audio messages from the audio message generator to inform the subscriber of the events that are received at the event facility.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
101 words
In a telecommunications system, a platform for providing access to multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber, said platform comprising: an event facility for receiving events directed to the subscriber, at least one of the events identifies receipt of a page for the subscriber; an audio message generator for generating audio messages informing the subscriber of events received at the event facility; and an interface with a phone line over which the subscriber is conducting a call, to output audio messages from the audio message generator to inform the subscriber of the events that are received at the event facility.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
101 words
In a telecommunications system, a platform for providing access to multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber, said platform comprising: an event facility for receiving events directed to the subscriber, at least one of the events identifies receipt of a page for the subscriber; an audio message generator for generating audio messages informing the subscriber of events received at the event facility; and an interface with a phone line over which the subscriber is conducting a call, to output audio messages from the audio message generator to inform the subscriber of the events that are received at the event facility.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a telecommunications system, a platform for providing access to multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber, said platform comprising: an event facility for receiving events directed to the subscriber, at least one of the events identifies receipt of a facsimile message for the subscriber; an audio message generator for generating audio messages informing the subscriber of events received at the event facility; and an interface with a phone line over which the subscriber is conducting a call, to output audio messages from the audio message generator to inform the subscriber of the events that are received at the event facility.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
102 words
In a telecommunications system, a platform for providing access to multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber, said platform comprising: an event facility for receiving events directed to the subscriber, at least one of the events identifies receipt of a facsimile message for the subscriber; an audio message generator for generating audio messages informing the subscriber of events received at the event facility; and an interface with a phone line over which the subscriber is conducting a call, to output audio messages from the audio message generator to inform the subscriber of the events that are received at the event facility.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
77 words
In a telecommunications system that provides multiple services on behalf of a party, a method comprising: receiving an event in the system while a selected party is on a call, wherein receiving an event receives a facsimile message for the selected party; generating an audio message that informs the selected party that the event has been received in the system; and playing the audio message to the selected party while the selected party is on the call.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
77 words
In a telecommunications system that provides multiple services on behalf of a party, a method comprising: receiving an event in the system while a selected party is on a call, wherein receiving an event receives a facsimile message for the selected party; generating an audio message that informs the selected party that the event has been received in the system; and playing the audio message to the selected party while the selected party is on the call.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a telecommunications system that provides multiple services on behalf of a party, a method comprising: receiving an event in the system while a selected party is on a call, wherein receiving an event receives a video mail message for the selected party; generating an audio message that informs the selected party that the event has been received in the system; and playing the audio message to the selected party while the selected party is on the call.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a telecommunications system that provides multiple services on behalf of a party, a method comprising: receiving an event in the system while a selected party is on a call, wherein receiving an event receives a video mail message for the selected party; generating an audio message that informs the selected party that the event has been received in the system; and playing the audio message to the selected party while the selected party is on the call.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a telecommunications system that provides multiple services on behalf of a party, a method comprising: receiving an event in the system while a selected party is on a call; generating an audio message that informs the selected party that the event has been received in the system; and playing the audio message to the selected party while the selected party is on the call, wherein the audio message is attached to a facsimile or electronic mail message.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
78 words
In a telecommunications system that provides multiple services on behalf of a party, a method comprising: receiving an event in the system while a selected party is on a call; generating an audio message that informs the selected party that the event has been received in the system; and playing the audio message to the selected party while the selected party is on the call, wherein the audio message is attached to a facsimile or electronic mail message.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
118 words
In a telecommunications system, a platform for providing access to multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber, the platform comprising: an event facility for receiving events directed to the subscriber, the event facility receives events that identify receipt of video mail messages for the subscriber; an audio message generator for generating audio messages informing the subscriber of events received at the event facility, wherein the audio message generator includes a stored message indicating receipt of a video mail message; and an interface with a phone line over which the subscriber is conducting a call, to output audio messages from the audio message generator to inform the subscriber of the events that are received at the event facility.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
118 words
In a telecommunications system, a platform for providing access to multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber, the platform comprising: an event facility for receiving events directed to the subscriber, the event facility receives events that identify receipt of video mail messages for the subscriber; an audio message generator for generating audio messages informing the subscriber of events received at the event facility, wherein the audio message generator includes a stored message indicating receipt of a video mail message; and an interface with a phone line over which the subscriber is conducting a call, to output audio messages from the audio message generator to inform the subscriber of the events that are received at the event facility.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
101 words
In a telecommunications system, a platform for providing access to multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber, the platform comprising: an event facility for receiving events directed to the subscriber, wherein the event facility receives voice messages attached to facsimile or electronic mail messages; an audio message generator for generating audio messages informing the subscriber of events received at the event facility; and an interface with a phone line over which the subscriber is conducting a call, to output audio messages from the audio message generator to inform the subscriber of the events that are received at the event facility.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
101 words
In a telecommunications system, a platform for providing access to multiple communications services on behalf of a subscriber, the platform comprising: an event facility for receiving events directed to the subscriber, wherein the event facility receives voice messages attached to facsimile or electronic mail messages; an audio message generator for generating audio messages informing the subscriber of events received at the event facility; and an interface with a phone line over which the subscriber is conducting a call, to output audio messages from the audio message generator to inform the subscriber of the events that are received at the event facility.
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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) | 2007-06-08 | 2007-12-08 | 2008-06-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2011-06-08 | 2011-12-08 | 2012-06-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2015-06-08 | 2015-12-08 | 2016-06-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |