Patent ID: 8706088
Filing Date: 2014-04-22
Classification: H04M,H04W

Abstract:
1. A method for recording, playing and forwarding an audio message, the method comprising: receiving a first feature code from a communication device over a network, the first feature code being a non-telephone number; receiving a user identification code from the communication device over the network; determining if the user identification code identifies a subscriber to an audio message service; wherein when the identification code does not identify a subscriber to the audio message service, playing an error message and disconnecting the communication device; wherein when the identification code does identify a subscriber to the audio message service then: establishing a communication path over the network between the communication device and a server; validating the user in response to the user identification code; upon validating, receiving the audio message from the communication device over the network; providing the user with access to a personal audio storage area on an audio message storage unit remote from the communication device, wherein providing the user access to the personal audio storage area occurs directly without providing a greeting message and without requiring additional command codes from the user; allowing the user to record the audio message in the personal storage area via the network, recording of the audio message being be stopped upon detecting no activity for a designated period of time; receiving a second feature code from the communication device over the network, the second feature code different from the first feature code, the second feature code being a non-telephone number; wherein when the identification code does identify a subscriber to the audio message service then: establishing a communication path over the network between the communication device and the server; validating the user in response to the user identification code; providing the user with access to a personal audio storage area on an audio message storage unit remote from the communication device, wherein providing the user access to the personal audio storage area occurs directly without providing a greeting message and without requiring additional command codes from the user; allowing the user to play an audio message stored in the personal storage area via the network; receiving a third feature code from the communication device over the network, the third feature code being a non-telephone number different from the first feature code and the second feature code; receiving a destination telephone number; and determining if the destination telephone number corresponds to a second subscriber to the audio message service; wherein when the destination telephone number does not identify the second subscriber to the audio message service, providing an option to enter another destination telephone number; wherein when the destination telephone number does identify the second subscriber to the audio message service, forwarding the audio message to a personal audio storage area on the audio message storage unit associated with the destination telephone number.