Patent ID: 6404762
Filing Date: 2002-06-11
Classification: H04L,H04M

Abstract:
A Universal Messaging system including a mechanism to connect a sessionless environment, including the World Wide Web, with a real-time, session-based environment, including a voice/fax mail system, comprising:(a) a messaging platform supporting an e-mail messaging system and a voice/fax messaging system, wherein messages stored by said e-mail and voice/fax messaging systems are accessible to a remote Web-based client employing a Web browser interface via a wide area communications network operatively coupled to said messaging platform through a session based interface; and (b) a session manager supported by said messaging platform for initiating and maintaining a session between said messaging platform and said Web-based client; wherein, when the Web-based client first requests access to voice, fax, or e-mail message services via the Web browser, the system receives from the client a mail profile identifier and a password, and then the session manager establishes a session with the messaging platform and associates a session ID with the session, and then the session manager saves the profile identifier, password, and session ID in a session record; and wherein subsequent requests from the Web browser interface are automatically accompanied by the user's mail profile identifier, password and session ID.