Abstract:
A system and associated method is provided for capturing outgoing voice messages on a mobile communications device equipped with a display and a memory device. In accordance with the system, a software program is installed in the memory device which causes a graphical user interface (GUI) to be displayed on the display thereof. The GUI enables the user to make a telephone call to a second party through appropriate input. The software program monitors the call and, when it is determined that the user is leaving a voice message on a recording device associated with the second party, the voice message is recorded on the mobile communications device.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 62/096,476 (Abadi), entitled “SYSTEMS AND METHODOLOGIES FOR CAPTURING OUTGOING VOICE MESSAGES AND PROVIDING SECURED ACCESS THERETO,” which was filed on Dec. 23, 2014, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to voice messaging, and more particularly to systems and methodologies for providing for the capture of outgoing voice messages and the secured access thereto. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0003]    Voice messaging is a routine aspect of business life. When a person to whom a call is directed is not available to take the call, voice messaging allows a caller to record a message, either on an answering machine or by way of an electronic messaging system, which typically identifies the user and the reason for the call. The use of voice messaging provides context for a missed call, and may allow the recipient to better understand the urgency of the call or to undertake suitable preparations for a return call. 
       SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
       [0004]    In one aspect, a method is provided for capturing outgoing voice messages. The method comprises (a) displaying, on a mobile communications device equipped with a display and a memory device, a graphical user interface (GUI) which enables the user to make a telephone call; (b) in response to input on the GUI by the user identifying a second party to call, placing a call to the second party; (c) determining that the user is leaving a voice message on a recording device associated with the second party; and (d) recording the voice message on the mobile communications device. 
         [0005]    In another aspect, a mobile communications device is provided which is equipped with a display and a tangible, non-transitory memory device. The memory device has suitable programming instructions recorded therein which, when executed by at least one computer processor, perform the steps of (a) displaying a graphical user interface (GUI) on the display which enables the user to make a telephone call; (b) in response to input by the user on the GUI identifying a second party to call, calling the second party; (c) determining that the user is leaving a voice message on a recording device associated with the second party; and (d) recording the voice message on the mobile communications device. 
         [0006]    In a further aspect, a computer-implemented system is provided which comprises:
       a. a digital processing device comprising an operating system configured to perform executable instructions and a memory;   b. a computer program including instructions executable by the digital processing device to create a voicemail management application configured to execute whenever a calling user utilizes phone calling features of the digital processing device to place a phone call to a receiving user, the application comprising:
           i. a software module configured to detect a tone generated by a voicemail system of the receiving user, the call placed by the calling user;   ii. a software module configured to record a voicemail left by the calling user in the voicemail system of the receiving user; and   iii. a software module configured to provide the recorded voicemail to the calling user subsequent to the call.   
               
 
         [0012]    In still another aspect, a non-transitory, computer-readable storage media is provided. The media is encoded with a computer program including instructions executable by a processor to create a voicemail management application configured to execute, whenever a calling user utilizes phone calling features of the digital processing device to place a phone call to a receiving user, the application. The application comprises:
       a. a software module configured to detect a tone generated by a voicemail system of the receiving user, the call placed by the calling user;   b. a software module configured to record a voicemail left by the calling user in the voicemail system of the receiving user; and   c. a software module configured to provide the recorded voicemail to the calling user subsequent to the call.       
 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a first embodiment of a system for capturing outgoing voice messages in accordance with the teachings herein. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2  is an illustration of a second embodiment of a system for capturing outgoing voice messages in accordance with the teachings herein. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0018]    Despite the prevalence of voice messaging, some significant shortcomings remain in these systems as currently practiced. For example, as currently practiced, a caller who leaves a voice message loses access to that message once the call is terminated. This puts the onus on the caller to remember the details of the message, should they become important later. Moreover, the supervisor of employees who frequently leave messages has no access to those messages, thus hindering his ability to effectively manage his employees. 
         [0019]    It has now been found that the foregoing problems may be addressed with the systems, methodologies and software disclosed herein. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, software is provided, an instance of which is installed on a mobile communications device associated with a user. The mobile communications device is equipped with a display and a memory device within which the software is installed The software displays a graphical user interface (GUI) on the display which may be utilized by the user to place a call to a second party. The software monitors the call to determine when the user has been asked to leave a voice message such as, for example, by detecting a tone emitted by the message recording device associated with the second party. The software then records the subsequent message so that it may be accessed in the future by the user or an appropriately authorized party (such as, for example, the user&#39;s supervisor). In various embodiments, the recorded message may be sent to one or more designated recipients by email or text messaging, or may be stored on a server or enterprise system. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1  is an illustration of a first particular, non-limiting embodiment of a system for capturing outgoing voice messages in accordance with the teachings herein. As seen therein, the system  101  includes a caller  103  who places a call on a mobile communications device to a second party or callee  105 . The mobile communications device is equipped with a memory device and a display. The memory device has an instance of software recorded therein which displays a GUI that is utilized by the user in placing the call. The GUI may include various functionalities for this purpose including, for example, a virtual keypad which may be utilized by the user in inputting a number, an address book of contacts known to the user, a display of alphanumeric entries made by the user, and the like. The GUI also preferably includes a selectable switch  107  which the user can utilize to manually record a conversation or voice message. 
         [0021]    The system further includes a processor  113  which monitors the call. The processor  113  includes an embedded processor or application processor  109  which analyzes the tone spectrum of the audio feed associated with the call and detects the presence of a tone  111  indicating that a recording device associated with the callee  105  has asked the caller  103  to leave a voice message. Assuming that the software has been suitably configured to permit it to do so, the processor  113  then triggers a voice recorder  115 , which records the ensuing message and associates a caller ID and time stamp with it  117 . Alternatively, or in situations in which no tone is provided, the user may manually select the switch  107  to record the voice message. 
         [0022]    The software preferably includes various user selectable options which allow the user to specify what happens to a voice message after it has been recorded. These options may be accessible to the user through, for example, various menus or screens associated with the GUI. 
         [0023]    For example, the user may configure the software so that any recorded voice message is saved for future reference  119  in a suitable memory device. Such memory device may associated with or reside on the mobile communications device itself, a computer or other such device associated with the user, or a network computer or server. The voice message may be saved in various file formats, and is preferably saved to a searchable directory or database to permit easy retrieval by the user or an authorized third party (such as, for example, the user&#39;s supervisor). For example, the user may configure the software so that any recorded voice message is forwarded by email  121  or text message  123  to one or more designated parties, either instead of, or in addition to, the foregoing options. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  depicts a second particular, non-limiting embodiment of a system in accordance with the teachings herein. This system is similar in most respects to the system of  FIG. 1 , but is more specifically directed to users working across an enterprise platform. While the software in the system of  FIG. 1  may be a stand-alone application, in this embodiment, the software preferably takes the form of a distributed or network-based mobile application  104  which is installed on the user&#39;s mobile communications device. The mobile application  104  works similar to the software described in the system of  FIG. 1 , but in addition stores the recorded voice messages on an enterprise system  124  associated with a business or organization that the user is employed by or associated with. The recorded messages are preferably encrypted and password protected so that only users with the appropriate credentials can gain access to them. 
         [0025]    The system of  FIG. 2  is especially useful for applications involving a sales force or another group of employees which is under the supervision of a supervisor. The supervisor is preferably provided with suitable credentials to access the recorded voice messages, thus allowing the supervisor to, for example, track the progress of sales efforts or projects. 
         [0026]    The systems disclosed herein may be implemented on a variety of operating systems. These include, but are not limited to, the Apple iOS™, Android™ or Windows™ operating systems. Similarly, these systems may be encoded in various programming languages or codes as are known to those skilled in the art. 
         [0027]    Various mobile communications devices may be utilized in the systems and methodologies disclosed herein. Preferably, these devices are hand-held devices such as, for example, the mobile phones and tablets currently sold by Apple or Android, although some embodiments may also utilize laptop computers with suitable calling functionality. The term “mobile communications device” as used herein is not intended to encompass desktop computers or devices which weigh more than 8 lbs. 
         [0028]    The above description of the present invention is illustrative, and is not intended to be limiting. It will thus be appreciated that various additions, substitutions and modifications may be made to the above described embodiments without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be construed in reference to the appended claims. In these claims, absent an explicit teaching otherwise, any limitation in any dependent claim may be combined with any limitation in any other dependent claim without departing from the scope of the invention, even if such a combination is not explicitly set forth in any of the following claims.