Abstract:
A method and system for using a voicemail system. A command is received, from a first telephone device connected to the voicemail system after a call from a second telephone device was received by the first telephone device,. The command is for the voicemail system to pause a process of recording a voicemail message being spoken by a user using the first telephone device. In response to the receiving the command, the voicemail system is directed to pause the process of recording the voicemail message, which results in the process of recording the voicemail message being paused by a pause/resume invocation system that is remote to the voicemail system.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a continuation application claiming priority to Ser. No. 12/034,495, filed Feb. 20, 2008. 
     
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0002]    Embodiments are generally related to telecommunications products and techniques. Embodiments additionally relate in general to the field of computers and similar technologies, and in particular to software utilized in this field. Embodiments are also related to voice mail applications and techniques for handling incoming calls while recording voicemail. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Voicemail is a feature that is common to many modern telephony systems, including both landline and wireless systems. When a call is placed to a subscriber on a telephony system that includes a voicemail system and if the call is not answered, the call can be redirected to an automated system that instructs and enables the caller to record a voicemail message. The voicemail message is then typically retrieved by the intended recipient at a later time. In modern telecommunications systems, network-based voicemail systems provide the subscribers with the ability to receive and review saved voice messages left by calling parties when the subscriber&#39;s telephone is busy or unanswered. 
         [0004]    In instances when a caller records a voicemail and receives an incoming call, the caller may presently continue to record the voicemail by ignoring the incoming call, or the caller can answer the call leaving a partially recorded voicemail message. If the caller continues to record the voicemail, the incoming call is ignored and may be transferred to a voicemail, which often results in the user needing to return a call to the incoming caller. If the caller answers the incoming call, the voicemail recording is typically abandoned, resulting in a partially completed recording. The result is generally that either the voicemail must be abandoned or the incoming call must be ignored. 
         [0005]    In the majority of prior art voicemail systems, the caller is provided with an audible instruction prior to recording, which indicates that the caller may push a key such as a ‘*’ key to pause recording, with other keys to resume recording, play back, or start over. Similarly, with call waiting, the caller leaving a voicemail in such a system may be alerted to an incoming call and can pause the recording if the caller is aware of the proper codes to use. The caller can switch to the call, and then switch back to resume recording. Such voicemail systems have the ability to return to record the voicemail after placing a call from within the voicemail system. Such applications, however, may not permit the user to receive a call or to allow the inbound call event to automatically signal a pause with respect to the external voicemail system. Also, such systems do not provide the ability to instruct the inbound caller about the voicemail event or the ability to suspend the voicemail system. 
         [0006]    Therefore, a need exists for an improved method and system for automatically pausing and resuming a voicemail message, while receiving an incoming call. A need also exists for notifying the incoming caller about the user voicemail interaction. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0007]    The following summary is provided to facilitate an understanding of some of the innovative features unique to the present invention and is not intended to be a full description. A full appreciation of the various aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein can be gained by taking the entire specification, claims, drawings, and abstract as a whole. 
         [0008]    It is, therefore, one aspect of the present invention to provide for an improved voicemail method and system. 
         [0009]    It is a further aspect of the present invention to provide for a method, system and computer-usable medium for automatically pausing a remote voicemail recording to answer an incoming call. 
         [0010]    The aforementioned aspects and other objectives and advantages can now be achieved as described herein. A method and system is disclosed for automatically pausing a remote voicemail recording to answer an incoming call and to notify an incoming caller of a user voicemail interaction. A command to pause the voicemail recording can be determined by the user prior to establishing the voicemail recording. Upon receiving an incoming call the user can be notified of the incoming call prior to terminating the voicemail recording. The command to pause the voicemail recording can be sent to a voicemail system to pause the voicemail recording if the user opts to receive the incoming call. When the call is concluded, the user can be returned to the voicemail system with options such as resume recording, playback, delete, or cancel the message. 
         [0011]    The incoming caller can be notified about the user voicemail interaction utilizing a message recorded by the user or a message recorded by a service provider or a computer synthesized message. Embodiments may automatically invoke this feature or permit the user to invoke this feature upon notification of the incoming call. Furthermore, the user can select a set of users to automatically notify such as those stored in the telephony device&#39;s address book. The telephony device can transmit a digital signal or keytones to a voicemail service provider requesting the voicemail to pause. The voicemail service provider can store the keytones required for pausing, resuming, and other manipulations of a remote service provider&#39;s voicemail system. The partial message already recorded can also be replayed to remind the user of the message content, and the user can be permitted to delete the partial left message and re-record the entire voicemail. The resuming recording can automatically normalize the volume of the previously recorded section with the new recording to minimize disparity in voice and background noise when said message is resumed. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    The accompanying figures, in which like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally-similar elements throughout the separate views and which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, further illustrate the present invention and, together with the detailed description of the invention, serve to explain the principles of the present invention. 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a network diagram of a telephone system associated with a voicemail system, which can be implemented in accordance with invention preferred embodiment; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a schematic view of a computer system in which the present invention may be embodied; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates a schematic view of a software system including an operating system, application software, and a user interface, which can be adapted for use in carrying out an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4  depicts a graphical representation of a network of data-processing systems in which aspects of the present invention may be implemented; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates a detailed flow chart of operations illustrating logical operational steps of a method for automatically pausing and resuming a remote voicemail recording, which can be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  illustrates a component activity diagram illustrating actions of components in a time sequence, which can be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment; and 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary system diagram, which can be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0020]    The particular values and configurations discussed in these non-limiting examples can be varied and are cited merely to illustrate at least one embodiment and are not intended to limit the scope of such embodiments. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a network diagram of a telephone system  100  associated with a voicemail system  165 , is illustrated in accordance with the invention&#39;s preferred embodiment. The computer telephone system  100  includes a general-purpose computer system  250 , one or more telephone devices  105  and  110  and a call-switching component  115 , which is coupled to a telephone network  130 . A remote voicemail system  165  can also be coupled to a network  140  for providing communication access from one or more telephone devices  105  and  110  to the voicemail system  165 . A call waiting system  120  enables a user to be efficiently and effectively notified that a current call is waiting. The call waiting system  120  also provides audible notification for all incoming calls, whether the call is a current call or a waiting call, which is received while the current call is still in progress. 
         [0022]    The voice mail system  165  operates to record voice messages for call waiting service subscribers. The voicemail system  165  utilizes conventional technology for storing messages of a calling party. These messages can include, for example, the calling party&#39;s number, and/or a voice message provided thereby. For instance, the voicemail system  165  can utilize a conventional IVR (Interactive Voice Response) system to guide the calling party in the voicemail process along with providing conventional storage media for recording said messages. The voicemail system  165  can utilize computing technology such as a desktop computer  200  in  FIG. 2 . The voicemail system  165  can operatively be coupled to a remote voicemail service provider  160  and a pause/resume invocation system  170 . 
         [0023]    The pause/resume invocation system  170  supports a remote pause, resume and repeat feature that may be invoked by the voicemail system  165 , which is configured to store voicemail messages for the user. The pause/resume invocation system  170  can be invoked when the user is engaged with the remote voicemail system  165 . For example, the voicemail system  165  may store voicemail messages for a caller and may store voicemail messages for a callee. However, the voicemail system  165  resides remotely from the callee and is typically serviced by the remote voicemail service provider  160 , such as a telecommunications company. When a call is re-directed to the voicemail system  165 , a callee&#39;s telephone device such as  105  is removed from the call flow and a connection between caller telephone device  110  and voicemail system  165  can be provided. 
         [0024]    The telephone system  100  further includes a call status component  150  and a call notification system  155 . A notification can be sent to the caller through the call notification system  155  if the caller receives a call while recording voicemail. If the caller opts to receive the incoming call, a command can be sent to the voicemail system  165  and the pause/resume invocation system  170  can pause the recording. The telephony device  105  can transmit a digital signal or keytones to the voicemail service provider  160  requesting the voicemail to pause. The service provider  175  can store keytones required for pausing, resuming, and other manipulations of a remote voicemail system  160 . The keytones can be transmitted to the telephony device  105  so that the telephony device  105  may transmit the keytones when required, or the service provider  175  transmits the keytones to the remote voicemail system  165  when instructed by the telephony device  105 . If the remote voicemail service provider  160  is the same as the user&#39;s service provider  175 , the user&#39;s service provider  175  can directly manipulate the voicemail system  165 . 
         [0025]      FIGS. 2-4  are provided as exemplary diagrams of data-processing environments in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. It should be appreciated that  FIGS. 2-4  are only exemplary and are not intended to assert or imply any limitation with regard to the environments in which aspects or embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. Many modifications to the depicted environments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
         [0026]    As depicted in  FIG. 2 , the present invention may be embodied in the context of a data-processing apparatus  200  comprising a central processor  201 , a main memory  202 , an input/output controller  203 , a keyboard  204 , a pointing device  205  (e.g., mouse, track ball, pen device, or the like), a display device  206 , and a mass storage  207  (e.g., hard disk). Additional input/output devices, such as a printing device  208 , may be included in the data-processing apparatus  200  as desired. As illustrated, the various components of the data-processing apparatus  200  communicate through a system bus  210  or similar architecture. 
         [0027]    Illustrated in  FIG. 3 , a computer software system  250  is provided for directing the operation of the data-processing apparatus  200 . Software system  250 , which is stored in main memory  202  and on mass storage  207 , includes a kernel or operating system  251  and a shell or interface  253 . One or more application programs, such as application software  252 , may be “loaded” (i.e., transferred from storage  207  into memory  202 ) for execution by the data-processing apparatus  200 . The data-processing apparatus  200  receives user commands and data through user interface  253 ; these inputs may then be acted upon by the data-processing apparatus  200  in accordance with instructions from operating module  251  and/or application module  252 . 
         [0028]    The interface  253 , which is preferably a graphical user interface (GUI), also serves to display results, whereupon the user may supply additional inputs or terminate the session. In an embodiment, operating system  251  and interface  253  can be implemented in the context of a “Windows” system. Application module  252 , on the other hand, can include instructions, such as the various operations described herein with respect to the various components and modules described herein, such as, for example, the methods  500 ,  600  depicted in  FIGS. 5-6 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 4  depicts a graphical representation of a network of data-processing systems  400  in which aspects of the present invention may be implemented. Network data-processing system  400  is a network of computers in which embodiments of the present invention may be implemented. Network data-processing system  400  contains network  402 , which is the medium used to provide communications links between various devices and computers connected together within network data-processing apparatus  200 . Network  202  may include connections, such as wire, wireless communication links, or fiber optic cables. 
         [0030]    In the depicted example, server  404  and server  406  connect to network  402  along with storage unit  408 . In addition, clients  410 ,  412 , and  414  connect to network  402 . These clients  410 ,  412 , and  414  may be, for example, personal computers or network computers. Data-processing apparatus  200  depicted in  FIG. 2  can be, for example, a client such as client  410 ,  412 , and/or  414 . Alternatively, data-processing apparatus  200  can be implemented as a server, such as servers  404  and/or  406 , depending upon design considerations. 
         [0031]    In the depicted example, server  404  provides data, such as boot files, operating system images, and applications to clients  410 ,  412 , and  414 . Clients  410 ,  412 , and  414  are clients to server  404  in this example. Network data-processing system  400  may include additional servers, clients, and other devices not shown. Specifically, clients may connect to any member of a network of servers which provide equivalent content. 
         [0032]    In the depicted example, network data-processing system  400  is the Internet with network  402  representing a worldwide collection of networks and gateways that use the Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) suite of protocols to communicate with one another. At the heart of the Internet is a backbone of high-speed data communication lines between major nodes or host computers, consisting of thousands of commercial, government, educational and other computer systems that route data and messages. Of course, network data-processing system  400  also may be implemented as a number of different types of networks, such as for example, an intranet, a local area network (LAN), or a wide area network (WAN).  FIG. 2  is intended as an example, and not as an architectural limitation for different embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0033]    The following description is presented with respect to embodiments of the present invention, which can be embodied in the context of a data-processing system such as data-processing apparatus  200 , computer software system  250  and data-processing system  400  and network  402  depicted respectively  FIGS. 2-4 . The present invention, however, is not limited to any particular application or any particular environment. Instead, those skilled in the art will find that the system and methods of the present invention may be advantageously applied to a variety of system and application software, including database management systems, word processors, and the like. Moreover, the present invention may be embodied on a variety of different platforms, including Macintosh, UNIX, LINUX, and the like. Therefore, the description of the exemplary embodiments, which follows, is for purposes of illustration and not considered a limitation. 
         [0034]      FIG. 5  illustrates a detailed flow chart of operations illustrating logical operational steps of a method  500  for automatically pausing a remote voicemail recording to answer an incoming call, which can be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment. Note that the method  500  can be implemented in the context of a computer-useable medium that contains a program product. The method  500  depicted in  FIG. 5  can also be implemented in a computer-usable medium containing a program product. A determination can be made if there is a call connection request, as depicted at block  510 . If there is a call connection another determination can be made if the requested line is busy, as shown at block  512 . If the requested line is not busy the parties can be connected, as illustrated at block  514 . The call can be continued until either party terminates the call, as illustrated at block  516 . If the call is terminated by either party, the call can be ended, as depicted at block  552 . 
         [0035]    If the requested line is busy, as shown at block  512 , a determination can be made whether a voicemail recording process is in progress, as shown at block  540 . If the voicemail recording process is not in progress, the incoming call can be notified to the callee, as depicted at block  520 . Otherwise, the incoming call can be notified to the callee, as shown at block  542 , and a determination can then be made whether to answer the call immediately, as illustrated at block  544 . If the call has to be answered later a determination can be made whether to ignore the call, as depicted at block  546 . 
         [0036]    If the call is to be ignored the call can be transferred to the voicemail, as shown at block  556 . Otherwise, the caller can be instructed to hold the line until the callee finishes recording the voicemail, as illustrated at block  548 . The system  100  may inform the incoming caller utilizing a message recorded by the user, a message recorded by the provider, or a computer synthesized message. Embodiments may automatically invoke this feature or permit the user to invoke this feature upon notification of an incoming call. Furthermore, the user may select a set of users to automatically notify, such as those stored in the telephony devices address book. 
         [0037]    After finishing voicemail recording the call can be transferred to the caller, as shown at block  550 . Thereafter, the call can be ended, as depicted at block  552 . If the incoming call has to be answered immediately the voicemail can be paused, as illustrated at block  522 . The call can be transferred to the caller, as shown at block  524 . After the call ends, as illustrated at block  526 , the call can then be transferred to the voicemail, as illustrated at block  528 . The voicemail recording can be resumed, as shown at block  530  and the call can be ended, as shown at block  552 . It should be noted that the partial message already recorded can also be replayed prior to the step that resumes voicemail recording. Furthermore, the partial message can be replayed, reminding the user of the message content, and the user can be permitted to delete the partial left message and re-record the entire voicemail. An audio modification method can be utilized during post processing to normalize the audio levels of resumed messages to minimize the disparity in voice and background noise that may occur when a message is resumed. 
         [0038]    The command to pause the voicemail recording can be determined by the user prior to establishing the voicemail recording and an incoming call can be notified to the user. This can be achieved by either a look-up to the voicemail system  165  matched to their commands, or by parsing the automated greeting for the word “pause” or similar word accompanied by a command such as “star”, “pound” or “one.” The command can then be sent to the voicemail system  165  to pause the recording, if the user opts to receive the incoming call. This can be a tone such as a standard call waiting tone generated by the call waiting system  120 . The inbound caller&#39;s information, such as the name and phone number, can be displayed on a screen of the telephone device  105  and  110  or can be announced so as not to interrupt the user who prefers to continue their voicemail session. When the call is concluded, the user can be returned to the voicemail system  165  with options such as resume recording, playback, delete, or cancel the message. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a component activity diagram  600  illustrating actions of components in a time sequence is illustrated, in accordance with a preferred embodiment. The component activity diagram  600  depicted in  FIG. 6  generally includes components such as call switching component  115 , call status component  150  and phone mail functions  620 . The component activity diagram  600  illustrates the actions of such components in a time sequence. The command flow is indicated in  FIG. 6  by arrow  612  and the voice conversation flow is indicated by arrow  632 . 
         [0040]    As illustrated in the component activity diagram  600 , a subscriber ‘A’ can call a subscriber ‘B’, as shown at block  625 . If the subscriber ‘B’ does not answer, as indicated at block  620 , then the call “rolls” to subscriber ‘B’ voicemail. The status of the call can be updated by the call status component  150 , as depicted at block  645 . As illustrated in  FIG. 6  the arrow  622  represents component sequential activities. A status indicator can be set, indicating that subscriber ‘A’ is leaving a message for subscriber ‘B’, as depicted at block  685 . A subscriber ‘C’ calls the subscriber ‘A’, as shown at block  695 . 
         [0041]    The call-switching component  115  can determine that subscriber ‘C’ is calling subscriber ‘A’ and subscriber ‘A’ is on the phone, as shown at block  640 . The call-switching component  115  determines that subscriber ‘A’ is currently leaving a phone message for subscriber ‘B’. The call-switching component  115  inquires from subscriber ‘A’ if subscriber ‘A’ wishes to immediately switch to subscriber ‘C’ incoming call, as depicted at block  635 . If yes, then the present voicemail recording can be paused, as depicted at block  655 . Otherwise, subscriber ‘C’ receives an automated voice prompt indicating that subscriber ‘A’ is recording a voicemail. The call status can be updated as shown at block  645  utilizing call status component  150 . The pause/resume system  170  can be invoked while the user is engaged with the remote voicemail system  165  to pause and resume voicemail recording, as shown at block  650 ,  660  and  670 . 
         [0042]    The service provider  175  detects when the user is engaged with the voicemail system  165 . If the caller&#39;s service provider  175  maintains the remote voicemail system  165 , detection of user engagement with the voicemail system  165  may occur internally within the service provider  175 . If another remote voicemail service provider  160  maintains the remote voicemail system  165 , an agreement and a protocol for voicemail engagement notification may be required between service providers  160  and  175 . The user can be presented with additional options to invoke the proposed invention to pause and resume the remote voicemail system  165  when the user engages the call waiting system  120 . The options can be presented by the telephony device  105  and  110  utilizing known selection methods or the remote voicemail service provider  160  through voice prompts. 
         [0043]      FIG. 7  illustrates an exemplary system diagram  700 , which can be implemented in accordance with a preferred embodiment. It should be appreciated that the particular implementations shown and described herein are merely exemplary and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention in any way. The exemplary system diagram  700  illustrates “Alice” leaving a voicemail for “Bob” and receives a call from “Charlie”. The telephone device  725 ,  735  and  745  manages the phone mailbox for “Alice”, “Bob” and “Charlie”. “Alice” calls “Bob” as indicated by arrow  710 . “Bob” does not answer and the call “rolls” to Bob&#39;s voicemail  730 , as indicated by arrow  720 . A status indicator is set, indicating that “Alice” is leaving a message for “Bob” by the call status component  150 . “Charlie” calls “Alice”, as indicated by arrow  740 . The call-switching component  115  determines that “Charlie” is calling “Alice” AND “Alice” is on the phone. The call-switching component  115  further determines that “Alice” is currently leaving a phone message for “Bob”. The call-switching component  115  inquires from “Alice” if “Alice” wishes to immediately switch to “Charlie&#39;s” incoming call. If yes, then the present voicemail recording can be paused, as indicated by arrow  750 . Otherwise, “Charlie” receives an automated voice prompt indicating that “Alice” is recording a voicemail and will be with the caller shortly. 
         [0044]    The user can associate proper keytones with each contact on the telephone device  105  and  110 . In most embodiments the user can associate the keytones for voicemail manipulation such as pause, resume and delete for each user utilizing known methods of contact entry and manipulation. In an alternate embodiment, the user selects the service provider  175  for each contact and the telephony device  105  and  110  contains a table that associates the service provider  175  with keytones for remote voicemail manipulation. The proposed invention requires voicemail system  165  to support a remote pause, resume and repeat feature that may be invoked by the caller. 
         [0045]    Programs defining functions on the present invention can be stored in a data storage system or a computer system in a variety of data storage media, which include, without limitation, non-writable storage media (e.g., CD-ROM), writable storage media (e.g., hard disk drive, read/write CD ROM, optical media), system memory such as but not limited to Random Access Memory (RAM). It should be understood, therefore, that such data storage media when storing computer readable instructions that direct method functions in the present invention, represent alternative embodiments of the present invention. Further, it is understood that the present invention may be implemented by a system having means in the form of hardware, software, or a combination of software and hardware as described herein or their equivalent. Thus, the method  500  described herein can be deployed as process software in the context of a computer system or data-processing system as that depicted in  FIGS. 2-4 . 
         [0046]    While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and detail may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Furthermore, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the term “computer” or “system” or “computer system” or “computing device” includes any data-processing system including, but not limited to, personal computers, servers, workstations, network computers, main frame computers, routers, switches, Personal Digital Assistants (PDA&#39;s), telephones, and any other system capable of processing, transmitting, receiving, capturing and/or storing data. 
         [0047]    It will be appreciated that variations of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be desirably combined into many other different systems or applications. Also that various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations or improvements therein may be subsequently made by those skilled in the art which are also intended to be encompassed by the following claims.