Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method for an originator of a voice mail message stored on a voice mail system to modify the message after the session in which the message has ended. An originator initiates a session with a voice mail system, which queries the originator as to the intent of the session. If the session is to record a new message, the voice mail system accepts the message and a unique message identifier is assigned to the message. If the originator wishes to modify an existing voice mail message, the voice mail system requests the originator to supply the unique message identifier. After the message has been identified, the originator is given several options to modify the existing message.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    This invention relates generally to the field of communication systems, and more particularly to modification of voice mail messages previously delivered to a voice mail system.  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0002]    Existing voice mail systems allow an originator of a voice mail message a number of options during the session during which the message is recorded. Originators can select among options such as re-recording the message, listening to the message recorded during the session, approving the message recorded during the session, setting the delivery time of the message, and creating a list of message recipients.  
           [0003]    However, after the originator has ended a session in which the voice mail was recorded, the originator has no facility to modify the recorded message. If the originator needs to change the message due to needed changes in information in the message, the only option for the originator is to record a subsequent message containing the updated information. This is not an optimal solution as a recipient of the voice mail message may not listen to the second corrected message before the recipient acts on the incorrect information in the first message.  
           [0004]    Therefore, a need exists for a method and apparatus that allows the originator of a voice mail message to modify a message previously recorded by the originator in the voice mail system. Further, a need exists for a method that allows the originator to specify which existing voice mail message is to be modified.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0005]    The present invention provides a method for an originator of a voice mail message stored on a voice mail system to modify the message after the session in which the message was recorded has ended. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an originator initiates a session with a voice mail system. An originator preferably uses an originating user terminal during the original session, but can use the originating user terminal or any other user terminal to re-access the voice mail system. The voice mail system queries the originator as to the intent of the session. If the session is to record a new message, the voice mail system accepts the message and assigns a unique message identifier to the message so that the originator can modify the message at a later time.  
           [0006]    In a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention, if upon querying the originator the voice mail system determines that the originator wishes to modify an existing message, the voice mail system requests the originator to supply the unique message identifier. After the message has been identified, the originator is given several options to modify the existing message. Example options include deletion of the entire message and editing specific parts of the message.  
           [0007]    Advantageously, such an arrangement gives message originators the facility to modify messages stored in voice mail systems after the session in which the message had been recorded has ended. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0008]    [0008]FIG. 1 depicts a communication system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0009]    [0009]FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart of a method for determining desired user action in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention during recording of a new message.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart of a method for accepting a new voice mail message in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of a method for modifying an existing voice mail message in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0012]    [0012]FIG. 1 depicts a communication system  100  in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Communication system  100  includes user terminals  110  and  120 , communications network  130 , and voice mail system  140 . Communication network  130  comprises known functions necessary to operate and maintain communications between users of the network. Communication network  130  can be based on any well known technologies such as analog, digital, wireless, or wireline. For example, communication network  130  can be a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), analog wireless (AMPS) or wireless digital (TDMA or CDMA).  
         [0013]    User terminals  110  and  120  are coupled to communications network  130  via links  111  and  121 , respectively, and provide communications among a plurality of user terminals such as  110  and  120 . User terminals  110  and  120 , as well as links  111 ,  121 , and  141 , can be based on any well-known technologies such as analog, digital, wireless, or wireline. It should be understood that communication system  100  can include a plurality of elements and user terminals. Only a single block of communication network elements  130 , two user terminals  110  and  120 , and single voice mail system are depicted in FIG. 1 for clarity.  
         [0014]    In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, user terminal  110  and user terminal  120  are coupled to and communicating with communication network  130 . It should be understood that in an actual network a plurality of user terminals are coupled to communication network  130 . As depicted in FIG. 1 user terminal  110  is communicating with communication network  130  via link  111 . User terminal  120  is communicating with communication network  130  via link  121 . Links  111  and  121  can utilize the same protocol, or can be using different protocols to communicate with communication network  130 .  
         [0015]    In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, voice mail system  140  is coupled to and communicating with communication network  130  via link  141 . It should be understood that in an actual network a plurality of voice mail systems are coupled to communication network  130 .  
         [0016]    In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, voice mail system  140  receives a call request from a user terminal. The call request can originate from a terminal connected to communication network  130  or from any other network that can interface with communication network  130 , such as an external PSTN. For this example, the call request is considered to arrive from user terminal  110 .  
         [0017]    Voice mail system  140  accepts the call and requests instructions from the originator using originating user terminal  110 . The request can be sent a variety of ways, including but not limited to using inband analog signals and out-of-band messages.  
         [0018]    If the instructions indicate that the originator using originating user terminal  110  will send a new voice mail message, voice mail system  140  records the incoming voice mail message. The presently recorded message can be erased and re-recorded at voice mail system  140 .  
         [0019]    When the message has been satisfactorily recorded, voice mail system prompts the originator using originating user terminal  110  to determine if a preferred identifier for the message is desired. The prompt can be sent in a variety of ways, including but not limited to inband analog signals and out-of-band messages. If a preferred identifier is not desired, voice mail system  140  assigns an identifier and transmits it to originating user terminal  110 . The identifier can be transmitted in a variety of ways, including but not limited to inband analog signals and out-of-band messages.  
         [0020]    If a preferred identifier is desired, voice mail system  140  receives the preferred identifier from originating user terminal  110 . The preferred identifier can be received in a variety of ways, including but not limited to inband analog signals and out-of-band messages. After voice mail system  140  receives the preferred identifier, voice mail system  140  determines if the intended use of the preferred identifier would cause ambiguity or be in conflict with another preassigned use of the same identifier. For example, the preferred identifier may already be in use for an existing voice mail message from a different user. If no conflict is discovered, the preferred identifier is accepted and associated with the new voice mail message. If a conflict is discovered, voice mail system  140  sends a request to originating user terminal  110  to supply another preferred identifier, or voice mail system  140  can select the ID for the originator and send to originating user terminal  110 .  
         [0021]    If during the initial interaction with originating user terminal  110  voice mail system  140  determines that an existing message is to be modified, voice mail system  140  prompts the originator via originating user terminal  110  for the identifier of the message to be modified. Voice mail system  140  receives the unique identifier of the message to be modified. This interaction can be supported in a variety of ways, including but not limited to inband analog and out-of-band messages.  
         [0022]    Voice mail system  140  prompts the originator for instructions concerning the modification to be made to the existing message. Any modification to data in a stored medium can be supported by the present invention. Two examples are modification of the entire message and modification of a segment of the message. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the segment to be modified could be identified by the originator sending a signal at the beginning and end of the segment to be modified while voice mail system  140  plays the existing message. Voice mail system  140  then performs the modification requested.  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 depicts a flowchart ( 200 ) of a method for determining desired user action during recording of a new message in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0024]    Voice mail system  140  prompts ( 201 ) the user using originating user terminal  110  for instructions. The prompting can be done in a variety of ways, including but not limited to an analog inband voice prompt or out-of-band message.  
         [0025]    Voice mail system  140  determines ( 202 ) based on the instructions from originating user terminal  110  if the originator wants to leave a new voice mail message. The decision can be made in a variety of ways, including but not limited to Automatic Speech Recognition (ASR) techniques, touch tone receivers, and by processing an out-of-band message. If voice mail system  140  determines that originator wants to leave a new voice mail message, voice mail system  140  accepts ( 203 ) the new message, as described in more detail in FIG. 3 below. If voice mail system  140  determines at step  202  that the originator does not want to leave a new voice mail message, voice mail message  140  modifies ( 204 ) an existing voice mail message, as described in more detail in FIG. 4 below.  
         [0026]    Turning now to FIG. 3, FIG. 3 depicts a flowchart  203  of a method for accepting a new voice mail message in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0027]    Voice mail system  140  records ( 301 ) a new voice mail message. This preferably occurs after prompting the originator to determine their desired action. The message is then stored at the voice mail system, although the originator using originating user terminal  110  still exercises some control over the stored voice mail message.  
         [0028]    Voice mail system  140  determines ( 302 ) if the presently recorded message is to be changed. This decision can be caused by an independent signal from originating user terminal  110  or via interactions between originating user terminal  110  and voice mail system  140 . For example, voice mail system  140  can prompt the originator using originating user terminal  110  for instructions on whether the originator wishes to change the message, delete the message, or deliver the message to the voice mailbox of the intended recipient. The interactions can be supported in a variety of ways, including but not limited to inband analog and out-of-band message.  
         [0029]    If the presently recorded message is to be changed, voice mail system  140  records ( 301 ) a new message. Voice mail system  140  preferably deletes the previously recorded voice mail message.  
         [0030]    If the presently recorded message is not to be changed during this session, voice mail system  140  determines ( 303 ) if a preferred identifier is desired for the presently recorded message. This decision can be caused by an independent signal from the originator using originating user terminal  110  or via interactions between originating user terminal  110  and voice mail system  140 . The interactions can be supported in a variety of ways, including but not limited to inband analog and out-of-band message.  
         [0031]    If a preferred identifier is not required, voice mail system  140  selects ( 307 )an identifier. This selection can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including but not limited to the use of a random number generator or via a sequential distribution of identifiers. After the identifier has been generated, the identifier is checked for conflict with existing identifiers. If a conflict is detected, a new identifier is generated. If no conflict is detected, the new identifier is utilized.  
         [0032]    Voice mail system  140  transmits ( 308 ) the selected identifier to originating user terminal  110 . The transmission of the identifier can be supported in a variety of ways, including but not limited to inband analog an out-of-band message.  
         [0033]    The session now ends ( 399 ). It should be understood that originating user terminal  110  may desire to send a second voice mail message to the recipient. In this case, the process would begin again at step  301 .  
         [0034]    If a preferred identifier from the originator using originating user terminal  110  is desired as determined at step  303 , voice mail system  140  receives ( 304 ) the preferred identifier form originating user terminal  110 . The reception of the identifier can be supported in a variety of ways, including but not limited to inband analog an out-of-band message.  
         [0035]    After reception of the preferred identifier, voice mail system  140  determines ( 305 ) if the preferred identifier is in conflict with an identifier already assigned. If not, voice mail system  140  sends an acknowledgement to originating user terminal  110  indicating that the preferred identifier has been accepted, and the session ends ( 399 ).  
         [0036]    If voice mail system  140  detects a conflict between the selected identifier and an existing identifier, the processing returns to step  303 . In this manner, the originator using originating user terminal  110  can decide to choose an alternate message identifier, or can allow voice mal system  140  to choose an identifier for the stored voice mail message.  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart ( 204 ) of a method for modifying an existing voice mail message in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0038]    Voice mail system  140  requests ( 401 ) the voice mail message identifier of the message to be modified. This prompting can be supported in a variety of ways, including but not limited to inband analog and out-of-band message.  
         [0039]    Using the received identifier, voice mail system  140  determines ( 402 ) if the message identifier is a valid message identifier. This can be accomplished through any known schemes for indexing to information in a data base. For example, the identifier may actually be the address for the memory location of the beginning of the message to be modified.  
         [0040]    If voice mail system  140  determines that the message identifier given is invalid, i.e. is not associated with a currently-stored voice mail message, voice mail system  140  returns to step  401  and requests ( 401 ) a message ID for the stored voice mail message. This process continues until a valid message ID is received from the originator. The process can also be terminated by allowing the originator to choose to end the process, such as by pressing a predetermined key sequence or by hanging up, via a timeout by voice mail system  140 , or by a predetermined number of failed attempts to enter a valid message identifier.  
         [0041]    Once a valid message identifier has been entered, voice mail system  140  requests ( 403 ) instructions as to the type of modification to be made on the existing message. Any modification to data in a stored medium currently in the art can be supported by the current invention. Two examples are modification of the entire message and modification of a segment of the message. In an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the segment to be modified could be identified by the originating user terminal sending a signal at the beginning and end of the segment to be modified while voice mail system  140  plays the existing message. Voice mail system  140  then will replace the marked message segment with a newly recorded message from the originator.  
         [0042]    Voice mail system  140  executes ( 404 ) the desired modification. This modification can be accomplished in a variety of ways, including but not limited to over writing a segment of analog recording and replacing a block of digital data in memory. The session then ends ( 499 ).  
         [0043]    The present invention thereby provides a method for modifying a message that has been stored in a voice message system. By using the present invention, the originator of a voice message can update out-of-date information in a stored voice mail message. Currently, the person receiving the messages would have to listen to the updated message to receive the correct message. By allowing an originator to modify a voice mail message stored in a previous voice mail session, more accurate information can be deposited in the voice mail account of a voice mail user.  
         [0044]    While this invention has been described in terms of certain examples thereof, it is not intended that it be limited to the above description, but rather only to the extent set forth in the claims that follow.