Google Inc. v. Rockstar Consortium US LP et al

Filing 134

MOTION for Issuance of Letters Rogatory to the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, Canada for Nortel Networks Corporation, Jean-Pierre Fortin, Angela de Wilton, Jaspreet Harit, Yee-Ning Chan, Brian Finlay Beaton, Bruce Dale Stalkie, Mitch A. Brisebois, Laura A. Mahan, Paul Michael Brennan, Brian Cruickshank, and John Eric Lumsden filed by Google Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit A to Google's Notice of Unopposed Motion and Motion for Issuance of Letter Rogatory, # 2 Declaration of Kristin J. Madigan In Support of Google's Unopposed Motion for Issuance of Letter Rogatory, # 3 Exhibit 1, # 4 Exhibit 2, # 5 Exhibit 3, # 6 Exhibit 4, # 7 Exhibit 5, # 8 Exhibit 6, # 9 Exhibit 7, # 10 Exhibit 8, # 11 Exhibit 9, # 12 Exhibit 10, # 13 Exhibit 11, # 14 Exhibit 12, # 15 Exhibit 13, # 16 Exhibit 14, # 17 Exhibit 15, # 18 Exhibit 16, # 19 Exhibit 17, # 20 Exhibit 18, # 21 Exhibit 19, # 22 Exhibit 20, # 23 Exhibit 21, # 24 Proposed Order)(Curran, Patrick) (Filed on 9/29/2014) Modified on 9/30/2014 (cpS, COURT STAFF).

EXHIBIT 13

US005987100A

Ulllted States Patent [19]

[11] Patent Number:

Fortman et al.

[45]

[54]

UNIVERSAL MAILBOX

Date of Patent:

5,630,060

5,987,100
Nov. 16, 1999

5/1997 Tang 6161. ......................... .. 379/88.13

5,675,507 10/1997 B6b6,11
Inventors: Peter AI Fortman; Lester I4I White,

both of Raleigh, NC; Thomas Kredo,
Rochester, NY.

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
WO 87/07801

[73] Ass1gnee: Northern Telecom Llmlted, Canada
[21] Appl- N05 08/841,516
[22] Filed:
Apr. 23, 1997
[51]

12/1987

WIPO.

Primary Examiner_Fan S‘ Tsang
Attorney, Agent, or Firm—Finnegan, Henderson, FaraboW,
Garrett & Dunner, L.L.P.

[57]

Int. Cl.6 .................................................... .. H04M 1/64

364/514

Vaudreuil ........................... ..

ABSTRACT

A messaging Center, Connected to a Communications

U-S. Cl. .................................... ..

network, processes messages intended for a Subscriber_ A

Field of Search ............................ .. 379/88.13, 88.14,

caller sends a message to the message center in a ?rst caller

379/88.25, 88.26

[58]

format. The message center stores the message in the ?rst
caller format, noti?es the subscriber, and aWaits a request for
the stored message from the subscriber. In response to the

[56]

References Cited

Us‘ PATENT DOCUMENTS

message request, the message center sends the stored mes

4,902,881

2/1990 Janku .................................... .. 235/381

sage to the subscriber 1n a ?rst subscriber format 1ndepen
dent of the ?rst caller format. If the subscriber desires, the

5,138,653
5,339,156

8/1992 Le Clercq 8/1994 Ishii ~~~~~~~~~~~~ ~~

---- -- 379/96
358/402

subscriber constructs a response to the message and sends it
to the message center in a second subscriber format inde

.. 379/67

pendent of the ?rst caller format and the ?rst subscriber

5,351,276

9/1994

5,416,831

5/1995 Chewning, III et a1. .

D611, Jr. et 61. ........ ..

379/96

5 479 408 12/1995 Will

-

37O/94 1

format. The message center stores the response 1n the second

"570/1161

5’ 479’ 411 12/1995 Klein"""""""""" "

subscriber format and sends the stored response to the caller

574837352

1/1996 Filmy/‘11666161..................

5,497,373

3/1996 Hlllen 6161. ............................ .. 370/79

358/402

5,500,893

3/1996 Onosaka

5,524,137

in a Second Caller format independent of the ?rst Caller
format and the ?rst and Second Subscriber formats

6/1996 Rhee ....................................... .. 379/93

379/396
40 Claims, 9 Drawing Sheets

: 620
PLAIN TELEPHONE TRANSLATOR

K 630
FAX MACHINE TRANSLATOR

f 610
640

SERVICE I

,

K

PROVIDER
CONTROLLER __

ADSI TELEPHONE TRANSLATOR

SUBSCRIBER
MAILBOX H

K 650
INTERFACE ——T
COMPUTER THANSLATOR

K 660
PAGER TRANSLATOR

K 670
MISCELLANEOUS TRANSLATOR

U.S. Patent

Nov. 16,1999

Sheet 1 of9

5,987,100

91%
42.0258:.5

@<we;562.m <

.GE
F
A

03@

295 8

$025 ..222 2@.52350 :5

382.5 wmioaw

DmomEnqz

U.S. Patent

Nov. 16,1999

310

Sheet 3 0f 9

5,987,100

320

/

/
330

NETWORKS
INTERFACE

—

SERVICE

R

-

PROVIDER

SUBSCRIBER

MAILBOX

_
'

MESSAGE
TRANSLATCR

\ 340

FIG. 3

U.S. Patent

Nov. 16,1999

Sheet 4 0f 9

5,987,100

420
: MESSAGE

410

l

4
_

NETWORKSH TRANSCEIVER

430 TRANSLATOR

DETECTOR ——I 4
‘

1

‘

SERVICE

E SELECTORH PROVIDER

: MESSAGE

I

TRANSLATQR

DETECTOR

NETWORKS<—> TRANSCEIVER

7'

'

l

> SELECTOR +—» ggmggR

; MESSAGE

TRANSLATOR

DETECTOR

NETWORI<S+—> TRANSCEIVER

T

FIG. 4

> SELECTORH ggg‘olgEER

U.S. Patent

Nov. 16,1999

Sheet 5 of9

5,987,100

r510
VOICE MAIL
SERVER

ADS! MAIL
SERVER

SUBSCRIBER
MAILBOX

FAX MAIL
INTERFACE =

—

SERVER

>

AND

MESSAGE
TRANSLATOR

PAGE
SERVER

FIG. 5

U.S. Patent

Nov. 16,1999

Sheet 6 of9

K

5,987,100
620

PLAIN TELEPHONE TRANSLATOR

K
‘

630

FAX MACHINE TRANSLATOR

K 610
640

SERVI

/

PROVI
CONTROLLER

ADSI TELEPHONE TRANSLATOR

SUBSCRIBER
MAILBOX <—+

K 650
INTERFACE
~

COMPUTER TRANSLATOR

K
-

660

PAGER TRANSLATOR

K 670
~

FIG. 6

MISCELLANEOUS TRANSLATOR

U.S. Patent

Nov. 16,1999

Sheet 7 0f 9

5,987,100
710

RECEIVE MESSAGE FROM

LER

)

IN A CALLER FORM

I

720

STORE MESSAGE IN CALLER FORMAT

)

730

NOTIFY SUBSCRIBER OF PENDING MESSAGE

/5

I

740

DETERMINE SUBS
HETFIIEV

ER’S NoRMAL

/§

RMAT

750

TRANSLATE MESSAGE FROM CALLER FORMAT

)

TO SUBSCRIBER'S NORMAL RETRIEVAL FORMAT

760

STORE MESSAGE IN SUBSC
NORMAL RETRIEVAL FOR

FIG. 7

's

)

U.S. Patent

Nov. 16,1999

Sheet 8 of9

5,987,100

810

RECEIVE SU
PE

RIBER REQUEST FOR /
NG MESSAGE

820

DETECT TYPE OF TELECOMMUNICATIONS /
EQUIPMENT USED BY SUBSCRIBER

DETERMINE SUBSCRIBER'S

/

RETRIEVAL FORMAT

YES

830

NO

IS MESSAGE ALREADY STORED
IN RETRIEVAL FORMAT?

V

850

\’\

‘

K
860

TRANSLATE MESS

RETRIEVAL FO

TO

TRANSMIT MESSAGE
TO SUBSCRIBER

I

K
870

FIG. 8

TRAN

MESSAGE TO

CRIBER

U.S. Patent

Nov. 16,1999

Sheet 9 0f 9

5,987,100

910

RECEIVE RESPONSE FROM SUBSCRIBER /
IN RESPONSE FORMAT

YES

NO
IS CALLER ALSO A SUBSCRIBER?

930

STORE RESPONSE IN RESPONSE
FORMAT

980

‘N
I

v

TRANSLATE RESPONSE FROM
RESPONSE FORMAT TO CALLER

94o

FORMAT

NOTIFY CALLER OF PENDING
RESPONSE
99o

\\
950

OETERMINE CALLER’S NORMAL

DETERMINE LOCATION
OF CALLER

"/4,

RETRIEVAL FORMAT
995

‘

L/\ TRANSMIT RESPONSE TO CALLER
F RMAT

TRANSLATE RESPONSE FROM
RESPONSE FORMAT TO CALLER'S
NORMAL RETRIEVAL FORMAT

96°

‘

970

STO

ESPONSE IN CALLER'S

NO

L RETRIEVAL FORMAT

j

FIG. 9

‘N CALLER O

5,987,100
1

2

UNIVERSAL MAILBOX

face 1300 performs protocol conversions of the information

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

received in various telecommunications formats so host
messaging center 1400 can process and store the information

in the host’s data processing and storage format, typically a
compressed data format.

The present invention relates generally to messaging and
more particularly to a universal messaging center or mailbox

Once converted, host messaging center 1400 processes
the relevant messaging information extracted from the com
munications channel to deliver the particular messaging or

that noti?es subscribers of any type of message that is

Waiting for them, for example, voice mail, fax mail, e-mail,
etc., and alloWs subscribers to retrieve and respond to the
messages in formats independent not only of each other but
also of the format in Which the message Was originally
transmitted.
The trend in the telecommunications industry is toWard
providing a Wide variety of information and communication
services, or messaging services, over various communica
tions netWorks to remote subscribers having diverse analog

telephony service requested by the subscriber. Multimedia
interface 1300 then converts the information for responding
to the subscriber’s service request back into the communi

cations protocol format used by the subscriber, and transmits
the converted information to the subscriber via telephony
front end 1200 and communications netWork 1100.
15

and digital communications equipment. These messaging
services might include voice messaging, facsimile
messaging, electronic mail, electronic document
interchange, interactive voice response, audio text, speech

appropriate protocol conversion algorithms to selected digi
tal signal processors depending upon the type of services
required by a particular subscriber. The selected digital

synthesis, speech recognition, video messaging, video mail,

signal processors convert and store the information in the
format of host messaging center 1400 so host messaging
center 1400 can process the information according to the

etc.

To provide these messaging services, different types of
communications equipment and processing protocols con
nect to a single host system or messaging center that

provides the messaging services. The messaging center
performs protocol conversions betWeen the format
employed by the messaging center and the various telecom
munications formats employed by the diverse subscriber

particular messaging service requested by the subscriber.
25

With this system, a subscriber’s responses to the retrieved

information Were limited to only the precise formats that the
information Was stored and retrieved. This limited the sub
scriber’s options to retrieve and respond to messages by not

Companies that provide messaging services over the
public telephone netWork traditionally use hardWired trans
ceiving and protocol conversion equipment dedicated to a
particular type of equipment and communications format
costs and lack of ?exibility and adaptability. The disadvan
tages arise because dedicated hardWare cannot be readily

alloWing use of other telecommunications equipment having
different or multiple formats.
Therefore, a need exists to take advantage of the capa
35

modi?ed to increase data throughput, or handle communi

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention addresses this need by providing a
universal mailbox by Which a subscriber can retrieve a

for diverse communications equipment thus requires costly

pending message in a format independent of the format used

module replacements and neW designs for dedicated hard
Ware.

Recently, some developers have proposed digital signal
45

munication trunk lines. For example, US. Pat. No. 5,497,

processes messages intended for a subscriber. A caller sends
a message to the message center in a ?rst caller format. The
message center stores the message in the ?rst caller format,

55

through various public and private communications net
Works 1100, including, for example, a public sWitched

telephone netWork (PLMN), and a packet sWitched public
data netWork (PSPDN) . The messaging system includes

telephony front end equipment 1200, multimedia interface

a subscriber’s voice or data channel from communications

netWork 1100 and the messaging system. Multimedia inter

noti?es the subscriber, and aWaits a request for the stored
message from the subscriber. In response to the message
request, the message center sends the stored message to the
subscriber in a ?rst subscriber format independent of the ?rst
caller format.
If the subscriber desires, the subscriber constructs a
response to the message and sends it to the message center
in a second subscriber format independent of the ?rst caller
format and the ?rst subscriber format. The message center
stores the response in the second subscriber format and
sends the stored response to the caller in a second caller
format independent of the ?rst caller format and the ?rst and
second subscriber formats.

telephone netWork (PSTN), a public cellular or mobile

1300, and host messaging center 1400.
Telephony front end 1200 interfaces to communications
netWorks 1100 and provides the necessary interface betWeen

to store the message, and respond to the message in a format
independent of the format used to store or retrieve the
message.
In accordance With the purpose of the invention as

embodied and broadly described herein, the universal mail
box according to the principles of the present invention

373 to Hulen et al. describes a system With a host messaging

center that supports numerous types of messaging applica
tions and makes the necessary protocol conversions for
different telecommunications protocols corresponding to
various types of telecommunications media. The system
uses multiple digital signal processors to perform real time
protocol conversions betWeen the different telecommunica
tion protocols and the protocol of the host messaging center.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram shoWing hoW Hulen et al.’s
messaging system might connect to multimedia subscribers

bilities of current telecommunications equipment to provide
subscribers With greater ?exibility in the formats of retrieval
and responses to messages.

cation protocols from neW telecommunications equipment
or services. Supporting multiple types of messaging services

processing and multimedia interfaces to process the com

The subscriber retrieves the information in the communica

tions protocol format used by the subscriber.

equipment.

and protocol. Unfortunately, this approach suffers from high

Multimedia interface 1300 includes several parallel digi
tal signal processors dynamically allocated to handle differ
ent types of protocol conversion for multiple communica
tions channels. Host messaging center 1400 doWnloads

65

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying draWings, Which are incorporated in
and constitute a part of this speci?cation, illustrate an

5,987,100
3

4

embodiment of the invention and, together With the

ADSI telephone 2130 connect to end of?ces 2200 over

description, explain the objects, advantages and principles of

conventional analog lines. Group 4 facsimile machine 2140

the invention. In the drawings,

and ISDN telephone 2150 connect over conventional digital

lines. PCS Wireless telephone 2170, PCS mobile telephone
2180, and analog/digital cellular telephone 2190 connect to

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a conventional messaging

system;

end of?ces 2200 via conventional Wireless connections.
End of?ce 2200 connects to universal mailbox 2300 by

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communications netWork

having the universal mailbox of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the elements of the universal
mailbox shoWn in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the elements of the interface

conventional mechanisms over a Public Telecommunica

tions Network (PTN), such as a Public SWitched Telephone
10

shoWn in FIG. 3;

nisms over the Internet. Universal mailbox 2300 includes a

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the elements of the service

computer With conventional connections to the PTN and the

provider shoWn in FIG.3;
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the elements of the message

Internet, and might include a UNIX-capable computer, such
15 as an HP model or the IBM Risc 6000.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the elements of universal
mailbox 2300. Universal mailbox 2300 preferably includes

translator shoWn in FIG.3;
FIG. 7 is a How chart of a process for storing a message

interface 3100, service provider 3200, subscriber mailbox

in the universal mailbox consistent With the principles of the

3300, and message translator 3400. Interface 3100 connects
universal mailbox 2300 to various telecommunications

present invention;
FIG. 8 is a How chart of a process for retrieving a message

netWorks, including the PTN and the Internet.

from the universal mailbox consistent With the principles of

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the elements of interface

the present invention; and

3100, including transceivers 4100, detectors 4200, and

FIG. 9 is a How chart of a process for responding to a

retrieved message consistent With the principles of the
present invention.

selectors 4300. Transceivers 4100 interface With the various
25

netWorks, including the PTN and the Internet, and exchange
signals With the subscriber equipment to permit subscribers
to store, retrieve, and respond to messages in universal
mailbox 2300, and to permit universal mailbox 2300 to

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

notify the subscribers of pending messages aWaiting

The folloWing detailed description of the invention refers
to the accompanying draWings that illustrate preferred

retrieval.

embodiments consistent With this invention. Other embodi
ments are possible and changes may be made to the embodi
ments Without departing from the spirit and scope of the

invention. The folloWing detailed description does not limit
the invention. Instead, the scope of the invention is de?ned

NetWork (PSTN). Internet terminal 2160, on the other hand,
connects to universal mailbox 2300 by conventional mecha

35

Detectors 4200, Which preferably include conventional
signal line detectors, detect the type of telecommunications
equipment a subscriber is using based upon the types of
signals received by transceivers 4100. Detectors 4200 send
information indicating the equipment type to message trans
lator 3400 and a selection signal to selectors 4300.

only by the appended claims.

Selectors 4300, Which include conventional selectors,

In the detailed description that folloWs, “subscriber”

such as multiplexers/demultiplexers, route the subscriber

refers to a person that subscribes to the services provided by

signals received by transceivers 4100 to service provider
3200 using the selection signal from detectors 4200, and also

the universal mailbox. The subscriber can store messages for
other subscribers in the universal mailbox or retrieve mes
sages that have been stored therein. A “caller,” on the other
hand, refers to a person Who does not subscribe to the
universal mailbox services. The caller’s actions are limited

to leaving messages for subscribers. The universal mailbox
consistent With the principles of the present invention per
mits subscribers to retrieve and respond to any type of stored

route noti?cation signals to the subscribers via transceivers
4100.
Returning to FIG. 3, service provider 3200 connects to
interface 3100, subscriber mailbox 3300, and message trans
45

lator 3400, and provides subscriber services in the various
forms as the subscribers require. FIG. 5 is a block diagram

of possible elements of service provider 3200, including

message in Whatever format the subscribers desire.

voice mail server 5100, ADSI mail server 5200, fax mail
server 5300, e-mail server 5400, and page server 5500.
Voice mail server 5100 provides voice mail services for a

I. System Elements
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communications netWork

containing the universal mailbox of the present invention.

subscriber, including the storage and retrieval of voice

Subscribers of the universal mailbox service connect to the

messages in subscriber mailbox 3300. Upon receipt of a
voice call, voice mail server 5100 detects information
regarding the caller, such as calling line identi?cation

netWork via a variety of telecommunications equipment

through analog, digital, and Internet lines, and Wireless
connections. The subscriber equipment includes, but is not
limited to, group 1, 2, 3 facsimile machine 2110, Plain Old

Telephone System (POTS) telephone 2120, Analog Display
Services Interface (ADSI) telephone 2130, group 4 facsimile
machine 2140, ISDN telephone 2150, computer terminal
2160, Personal Communications Services (PCS) Wireless
telephone 2170, PCS mobile telephone 2180, and analog/
digital cellular telephone 2190. ADSI telephone 2130 might
include group 3 facsimile machine 2132 and printer 2134
connected thereto.
End of?ces 2200 connect the subscriber equipment,
except for Internet terminal 2160, to the netWork. Group 1,

2, 3 facsimile machine 2110, POTS telephone 2120, and

55

(CLID) data, from the voice call signal by conventional
mechanisms, and stores the caller information along With the
voice message in subscriber mailbox 3300.
ADSI mail server 5200 provides ADSI mail services for

the subscriber, including the storage and retrieval of voice,
ADSI text, and mixed voice and ADSI text messages in

subscriber mailbox 3300. Upon receipt of ADSI mail, ADSI
mail server 5200 detects the caller information from the
ADSI mail signal, as above, and stores the caller information
along With the ADSI mail in subscriber 3300. Fax mail
65 server 5300, e-mail server 5400, and page server 5500 store

and retrieve fax, e-mail, and page messages, respectively, for
the subscriber in the same manner set forth above.

5,987,100
5

6

In addition to storing and retrieving the various forms of
subscriber messages, servers 5100 through 5500 also notify
the subscribers of pending messages in subscriber mailbox
3300 that aWait retrieval. Table 1 shoWs examples of various
forms of subscriber noti?cation based upon the type of

interface 3100. From the recorded equipment type, control
ler 6100 determines a normal retrieval format for each
subscriber. If a subscriber typically retrieves pending mes

sages using POTS telephone 2120, for example, controller
5

telecommunications equipment the subscriber uses to

retrieve the pending messages.

During idle periods, as the pending messages reside in
subscriber mailbox 3300, controller 6100 retrieves the pend
ing messages from subscriber mailbox 3300, translates them
from the stored format to the normal retrieval format using

TABLE 1
RETRIEV
AL

POTS

ADSI

DEVICE

Phone

Phone

Pager

Fax

Computer

NOTIFICATION

>Phone
call

>Phone
call

>Deliver
the

>Deliver
the

>Audible
or visual

>Message >Message message.

message.

alert

TYPES

Waiting

Waiting

light
light
>Message >Message
Waiting
Waiting
tone.

6100 records the subscriber’s normal retrieval format as a

voice format. Controller 6100 stores the subscriber’s normal
retrieval format in subscriber mailbox 3300.

15

on screen

>Deliver
the
message.

one of the translators 6200 through 6700, and returns the
translated messages to subscriber mailbox 3300. Translators
6200 through 6700 execute conventional translation
techniques, such as described in US. Pat. No. 5,497,373 to
Hulen et al., to perform translations from the stored format
to the subscriber’s normal retrieval format. Table 2 shoWs

examples of various translations performed by translators
6200 through 6700.

tone

>Display
message
informa
tion
on screen

>DoWn

load
message

TABLE 2
RETRIEV
AL
DEVICE
25 TRANS-

ADSI

Phone

Phone

Fax

Computer

Pager

Plain
telephone

None.

Message
information can

Voice to
text to
Fax

Voice to
sound
?le (and

Message
informa
tion

be provid- graphics,

to text

only.

ed in

(for
non-voice
messages).

POTS

LATOR

to phone

for

Returning to FIG. 3, subscriber mailbox 3300 preferably

ADSI text Message
format.
informa-

and

tion.

to ADSI
text used

message
informa

for

35

particular formats of a pending stored message might
include the format used by the caller or subscriber leaving
the message and the format typically requested by the

hearing
impaired),

Voice

includes a large-capacity memory device, such as a disk

array, With connections to service provider 3200 and mes
sage translator 3400. Subscriber mailbox 3300 stores sub
scriber messages in the different subscriber formats. The

and

tion.

hearing
impaired
Fax

preferably stores the pending messages in both of these
formats.

Fax

service.
Fax

machine

subscriber, as described beloW. Subscriber mailbox 3300

graphics

graphics

None.

Fax

Message

graphics

informa

to text

to ADSI

to

tion

to voice.

text.

computer

only.

Subscriber mailbox 3300 preferably also stores a database

graphics,

of subscriber pro?le data. The subscriber pro?le data
includes subscriber-de?ned information regarding the sub
scriber’s noti?cation preferences. The subscriber pro?le data
might include any of the noti?cation types shoWn in Table
1, including notifying the subscriber using a message Wait

ADSI
text to

and
message
informa
tion.
ADSI
text to

Fax

text.

45

ADSI
telephone

ing light or tone, or by sending part or all of the message to

None for
voice.
ADSI

text to

the subscriber as the noti?cation.
Computer

voice.
Text to
voice.

graphics.
Text to
Fax

Text to
ADSI

Text to
Fax

Message
informa
tion

only.

graphics.

text.

type of telecommunications equipment. For example, the

Text to
ADSI

text.

The subscriber pro?le data could be more speci?c. The
subscriber might associate a noti?cation type With a speci?c

None.

Message
informa

graphics.

tion

only.

subscriber could designate noti?cation by an ADSI text

Pager

message When retrieving messages using ADSI phone 2130.
Message translator 3400 connects to subscriber mailbox

None.

Text to
voice.

55

None.

None.

3300, interface 3100, and service provider 3200, and per

II. Processing

forms translations betWeen the various subscriber message
formats. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the elements of

FIGS. 7—9 are How charts illustrating the operation of the
universal mailbox consistent With the principles of the

message translator 3400, including controller 6100, plain
telephone translator 6200, fax machine translator 6300,
ADSI telephone translator 6400, computer translator 6500,
pager translator 6600, and miscellaneous translator 6700.
Controller 6100 preferably includes a standard processor
that controls the operation of translators 6200 through 6700.
For each message retrieval, controller 6100 records the type
of telecommunications equipment the subscriber uses based
on the subscriber equipment detected by detectors 4200 of

present invention. FIG. 7 is a How chart of a process for
storing a message in universal mailbox 2300. The process
begins When a caller sends a message to a subscriber in a

caller format. The caller format depends upon the type of
telecommunications equipment the caller utiliZes to send the
65

message.
The caller may send the message to universal mailbox
2300 or to the subscriber’s telecommunications equipment.

5,987,100
7

8

The subscriber’s telecommunications equipment Would then
relay the message to universal mailbox 2300 by conven
tional mechanisms, When the subscriber is unavailable to

mailbox 3300 and translates the message to the retrieval

format [step 8600]. After translation, message translator
3400 gives the message to service provider 3200. Service
provider 3200, in turn, sends the message to the subscriber

receive the message.
In any event, interface 3100 in universal mailbox 2300
receives the message from the caller in the caller format

in the retrieval format [step 8700].
If the subscriber Wants to respond to the retrieved
message, the subscriber must ?rst determine What form the
response should take. Table 3 shoWs examples of various

[step 7100], and forwards it to service provider 3200.
Service provider 3200 analyZes the message to detect infor
mation regarding the caller from the message signal, as
described above. Service provider 3200 then stores the
message in subscriber mailbox 3300 in the caller format

responses permitted by some types of telecommunications
1O

TABLE 3

along With the detected caller information [step 7200], and
noti?es the subscriber of the pending message [step 7300].
Service provider 3200 noti?es the subscriber according to
the subscriber pro?le data stored in subscriber mailbox

equipment.

RETRIEV
AL

15 DEVICE

3300. The subscriber noti?cation may include a message
Waiting light or tone on the subscriber’s telephone, or the

POTS

ADSI

Phone

Phone

Pager

Fax

Computer

RESPONSE

message itself delivered to the subscriber’sADSI telephone,

>Phone

>Phone

>Message

>Phone

>E-mail

TYPES

call.

call
>Text
message.

information.

call
>Fax.

>E-Mail
With
voice ?le
attach

pager, fax, or computer (Table 1).
Off-line, during idle periods, message translator 3400

ment.

determines the subscriber’s normal retrieval format from the

information stored in subscriber mailbox 3300 [step 7400].
When the caller format differs from the subscriber’s normal
retrieval format, message translator 3400 translates the mes
sage from the caller format to the subscriber’s normal

Once the subscriber determines What form the response
Will take, the process shoWn by the How chart in FIG. 9
25

retrieval format [step 7500]. Message translator 3400 then

occurs. The subscriber generates a response for the caller

and sends it to universal mailbox 2300. Interface 3100
receives the response from the subscriber in the response
format [step 9100] , and forWards it to service provider 3200.
The response format may differ from both the caller format
and the retrieval format.

stores the message in subscriber mailbox 3300 in the sub

scriber’s normal retrieval format [step 7600], preferably
Without erasing the message in the caller format. As a result,
subscriber mailbox 3300 stores the message in both the
caller format and the subscriber’s normal retrieval format.

Upon receipt of the response, service provider 3200

When the subscriber Wants to retrieve a pending message,

determines Whether the caller is also a subscriber to the

the process shoWn by the ?oW chart in FIG. 8 occurs. The

universal mailbox services by checking for the caller’s
identity in subscriber mailbox 3300 [step 9200]. If the caller

subscriber establishes a connection betWeen the subscriber’s

telecommunications equipment and universal mailbox 2300
to request retrieval of the pending message. The subscriber

35

is a subscriber, service provider 3200 stores the response in

subscriber mailbox 3300 in the response format [step 9300],

might accomplish this by dialing universal mailbox 2300’s
telephone number, or by con?guring the subscriber’s tele

and noti?es the caller of the pending response, in the manner

described above [step 9400].
Off-line, during idle periods, message translator 3400

communications equipment to automatically establish the
connection.
Interface 3100 of universal mailbox 2300 receives the

determines the caller’s normal retrieval format from the

subscriber’s request for retrieval of the pending message

When the response format differs from the caller’s normal
retrieval format, message translator 3400 translates the
response from the response format to the caller’s normal

[step 8100], and detects the type of telecommunications
equipment the subscriber used to make the request [step
8200]. Because some types of telecommunications equip
ment permit the subscriber to retrieve the pending message

information stored in subscriber mailbox 3300 [step 9500].

45

retrieval format [step 9600]. Message translator 3400 then
stores the response in the caller’s normal retrieval format in

in more than one form, the subscriber must specify the

subscriber mailbox 3300 [step 9700].

desired retrieval form When using these types of telecom
munications equipment. For example, if the subscriber uses
ADSI telephone 2130 to retrieve the pending message, the
subscriber must specify Whether the pending message

If the caller is not also a subscriber, service provider 3200
noti?es message translator 3400, Which translates the
response to the caller format, the same format as the original

message sent by the caller [step 9800]. After translating the

should be doWnloaded in voice or ADSI text form.

response, message translator 3400 returns it to service

Interface 3100 then routes the request to service provider
3200. Based on the detected type of subscriber telecommu

provider 3200. Service provider then determines the location
of the caller, including the caller’s e-mail address, telephone

nications equipment and any subscriber speci?ed retrieval
format, service provider 3200 determines the subscriber’s
retrieval format [step 8300]. Service provider 3200 reads the
pending message from subscriber mailbox 3300 and deter

55

number, or fax number, from the caller information stored in

subscriber mailbox 3300 [step 9900]. Alternatively, service

mines Whether the message is already in the retrieval format

provider 3200 could obtain the caller’s location from the
subscriber. Service provider 3200 might obtain the caller’s
location from the subscriber When the caller information

[step 8400]. The message Would already be in the retrieval

Would not direct the response to the caller’s correct location,

format if the retrieval format is the same as the caller format
or the subscriber’s normal retrieval format. If the message is

from public telecommunications equipment.

already in the retrieval format, then service provider 3200
sends the message to the subscriber [step 8500].
If the message is not already in the retrieval format,
service provider 3200 noti?es message translator 3400.
Message translator 3400 reads the message from subscriber

for example, When the caller originally sent the message

65

Once service provider 3200 obtains the caller’s correct
location, service provider 3200 transmits the response to the
caller in the caller format [step 10000]. This transmission
might take the form of a telephone call, a fax, an e-mail, or
a page to the caller.

5,987,100
9

10

The universal mailbox consistent With the principles of
the present invention permits subscribers to retrieve and
respond to messages in any format, independent of the
formats used to store, retrieve, and respond to the messages.

Wherein the means for sending the response comprises
means for sending the response to the caller in the caller
format at the location indicated by the received caller
location information.
5. The mailbox of claim 1, Wherein the means for sending
the information includes

The foregoing description of preferred embodiments of
the present invention provides illustrations and descriptions,

5

but is not intended to be exhaustive nor limit the invention

means for receiving a retrieval request from the

to the precise form disclosed. Modi?cations and variations
are possible in light of the above teachings or may be
acquired from practice of the invention. The scope of the
invention is de?ned by the claims and their equivalents.

subscriber, and
means for sending the information to the subscriber in
response to the retrieval request.

6. The mailbox of claim 1, further comprising

For example, Tables 1 through 3 shoW types of
noti?cation, translators, and responses, respectively, corre
sponding to various types of telecommunications equip

means for determining a subscriber noti?cation prefer
ence; and
means for notifying the subscriber of the received infor

ment. These Were presented as examples only and Would

obviously include other types of noti?cation, translators,
responses, and telecommunications equipment, taking

mation according to the subscriber noti?cation prefer
ence.

advantage of neW advancements in the art, as Well as the

7. The mailbox of claim 6, Wherein the notifying means
includes the means for sending the information to the
subscriber in the ?rst subscriber format.

development of neW types of telecommunications equip
ment.

Furthermore, the subscriber has been described as
responding to a retrieved message using the same telecom
munications equipment used to retrieve the message. This
need not be the case, hoWever. The universal mailbox

8. A method for exchanging information of different

formats, comprising the steps of:

mits a subscriber to respond to a pending message using a 25

receiving information from a caller in a caller format;
determining a normal subscriber format from a normal
type of equipment a subscriber has used to retrieve

different type of telecommunications equipment than Was
used to retrieve the message Without requiring the subscriber

sending the information to the subscriber in a ?rst sub

consistent With the principles of the present invention per

information;
scriber format independent of the caller format, the ?rst
subscriber format being the normal subscriber format
When equipment used by the subscriber to retrieve the
information is the normal type of equipment;

to retrieve the message a second time. The subscriber need

only record the reference number associated With the
retrieved message to inform the universal mailbox of the

identity of the message to Which the subscriber subsequently

responds.

receiving a response from the subscriber in a second

subscriber format independent of the caller format and
the ?rst subscriber format; and
sending the response to the caller in the caller format.
9. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps of
translating the information from the caller format to the
normal subscriber format; and
storing the information in the caller format and the normal
subscriber format.
10. The method of claim 8, Wherein the sending the

What is claimed is:
1. Amailbox in a telecommunications system comprising:
means for receiving information from a caller in a caller 35

format;
means for determining a normal subscriber format from a

normal type of equipment a subscriber has used to

retrieve information;
means for sending the information to the subscriber in a

?rst subscriber format independent of the caller format,
the ?rst subscriber format being the normal subscriber
format When equipment used by the subscriber to
retrieve the information is the normal type of equip
ment;

response step comprises the substeps of
translating the response from the second subscriber for
mat to the caller format,
determining a location of the caller, and
sending the response to the caller in the caller format at
the determined location.
11. The method of claim 8, further comprising the step of
receiving caller location information from the subscriber,
the caller location information indicating a location of
the caller; and

45

means for receiving a response from the subscriber in a

second subscriber format independent of the caller
format and the ?rst subscriber format; and
means for sending the response to the caller in the caller
format.

2. The mailbox of claim 1, further comprising
means for translating the information from the caller
format to the normal subscriber format; and
means for storing the information in the caller format and
the normal subscriber format.
3. The mailbox of claim 1, Wherein the means for sending

Wherein the sending the response step comprises the

substep of
sending the response to the caller in the caller format at
the location indicated by the received caller location
information.

12. The method of claim 8, Wherein the sending the
information step includes the substeps of
receiving a retrieval request from the subscriber, and

the response comprises
means for translating the response from the second sub
scriber format to the caller format,
means for determining a location of the caller, and
means for sending the response to the caller in the caller
format at the determined location.

sending the information to the subscriber in response to

the retrieval request.
13. The method of claim 8, further comprising the steps
of

4. The mailbox of claim 1, further comprising
means for receiving caller location information from the
subscriber, the caller location information indicating a

location of the caller; and

65

determining a subscriber noti?cation preference; and
notifying the subscriber of the received information
according to the subscriber noti?cation preference.

5,987,100
11

12

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the notifying step

means for sending the received information to the sub
scriber in the ?rst subscriber format.

includes as a substep the step of sending the information to
the subscriber in the ?rst subscriber format.

23. A method for relaying information of different

15. An information processing system comprising:

formats, comprising the steps of:

means for receiving information in a caller format from a

receiving information in a caller format from a caller

caller using caller equipment;

using caller equipment;

means for storing the information in the caller format in
a mailboX belonging to a subscriber;

storing the information in the caller format in a mailboX
belonging to a subscriber;
determining a ?rst subscriber format from a normal type

means for determining a ?rst subscriber format from a

normal type of equipment used by the subscriber to
retrieve information from the subscriber mailboX;
means for converting the stored information from the
caller format to the ?rst subscriber format if the caller
format is different than the ?rst subscriber format;
means for receiving a request from the subscriber to
retrieve the stored information from the subscriber

10

of equipment used by the subscriber to retrieve infor
mation from the subscriber mailboX;
converting the stored information from the caller format
to the ?rst subscriber format if the caller format is

different than the ?rst subscriber format;
receiving a request from the subscriber to retrieve the
stored information from the subscriber mailboX;

15

mailboX;

detecting a type of equipment used by the subscriber to
send the request;

means for detecting a type of equipment used by the
subscriber to send the request;

converting the stored information to a second subscriber

means for converting the stored information to a second

format When the detected type of equipment is different
than the caller equipment and the normal type of

subscriber format When the detected type of equipment
is different than the caller equipment and the normal

equipment; and

type of equipment; and
means for sending the stored information to the subscriber
in the second subscriber format When the detected type

sending the stored information to the subscriber in the
second subscriber format When the detected type of

25

equipment is different than the caller equipment and the
normal type of equipment.
24. The method of claim 23, Wherein the sending step
includes the substep of

of equipment is different than the caller equipment and
the normal type of equipment.
16. The information processing system of claim 15,
Wherein the sending means includes
means for sending the stored information to the subscriber
in the ?rst subscriber format When the detected type of

sending the stored information to the subscriber in the ?rst
subscriber format When the detected type of equipment
is the same as the normal type of equipment.

equipment is the same as the normal type of equipment.
17. The information processing system of claim 16,

25. The method of claim 24, Wherein the sending step
includes the substep of

Wherein the sending means includes
means for sending the stored information to the subscriber

sending the stored information to the subscriber in the
caller format When the detected type of equipment is

in the caller format When the detected type of equip

the same as the caller equipment.

ment is the same as the caller equipment.

26. The method of claim 23, Wherein the sending step
includes the substep of
sending the stored information to the subscriber in the
caller format When the detected type of equipment is

18. The information processing system of claim 15,
Wherein the sending means includes
means for sending the stored information to the subscriber

in the caller format When the detected type of equip

the same as the caller equipment.

ment is the same as the caller equipment.

19. The information processing system of claim 15,

further comprising

27. The method of claim 23, further comprising the steps
45

of
receiving a response to the retrieved information from the
subscriber in a third subscriber format independent of
the caller format and the ?rst and second subscriber

means for receiving a response to the retrieved informa
tion from the subscriber in a third subscriber format

independent of the caller format and the ?rst and
second subscriber formats; and

formats; and

means for forWarding the response to the caller.

20. The information processing system of claim 19,
Wherein the forWarding means comprises
means for determining Whether the caller is also a sub

scriber;
means for storing the response in the third subscriber
format for later retrieval by the caller When the caller is
a subscriber; and
means for translating the response from the third sub
scriber format to the caller format and sending the 60
translated response to the caller When the caller is not
a subscriber.

21. The information processing system of claim 15,
further comprising means for notifying the subscriber of the
received information.

22. The information processing system of claim 21,
Wherein the notifying means includes

65

forWarding the response to the caller.
28. The method of claim 27, Wherein the forWarding step
includes the steps of
determining Whether the caller is also a subscriber;
storing the response in the third subscriber format for later
retrieval by the caller When the caller is a subscriber;
and
translating the response from the third subscriber format
to the caller format and sending the translated response
to the caller When the caller is not a subscriber.

29. The method of claim 23, further comprising the step
of

notifying the subscriber of the received information.
30. The method of claim 29, Wherein the notifying step
includes the substep of
sending the received information to the subscriber in the
?rst subscriber format.

5,987,100
14

13
31. A messaging center comprising:

receiving a response to the message from the subscriber in
a second subscriber format independent of the ?rst

means for receiving a message from a caller in a ?rst

means for notifying a subscriber of the received message;

caller format and the ?rst subscriber format;
storing the response in the second subscriber format; and

means for storing the message in the ?rst caller format;

sending the stored response to the caller in a second caller

caller format;

means for determining a normal subscriber format based
upon a type of equipment the subscriber has used to
retrieve messages;
means for receiving a request for the stored message from

10

the subscriber;
means for sending the stored message to the subscriber in
a ?rst subscriber format independent of the ?rst caller

format, the ?rst subscriber format being the normal
subscriber format When the type of equipment used by

15

the subscriber to request the information is the normal

type of equipment;
means for receiving a response to the message from the

subscriber in a second subscriber format independent of
the ?rst caller format and the ?rst subscriber format;
means for storing the response in the second subscriber

to the subscriber in the ?rst subscriber format.
39. A mailboX in a telecommunications system compris

format; and

ing:

means for sending the stored response to the caller in a

second caller format independent of the ?rst caller
format and the ?rst and second subscriber formats.
32. The messaging center of claim 31, further comprising
means for translating the information from the ?rst caller
format to the normal subscriber format; and
means for storing the information in the ?rst caller format
and the normal subscriber format.
33. The messaging center of claim 31, Wherein the means
for sending the stored response includes

25

caller format;
from a normal type of equipment a subscriber has used
to retrieve information;
a memory that stores the information in the normal

subscriber format; and
a service unit that sends the information to the subscriber

in the normal subscriber format When equipment used
by the subscriber to retrieve the information is the
35

means for sending the stored response to the caller in
response to the caller’s request.

from a caller using caller equipment;
a memory that stores the information in a mailboX belong

ing to a subscriber;

message to the subscriber in the ?rst subscriber format.

35. A method for exchanging messages in different

a translator that determines a normal subscriber format

formats, comprising the steps of:
receiving a message from a caller in a ?rst caller format;
45

notifying a subscriber of the received message;
determining a normal subscriber format based upon a
normal type of equipment the subscriber has used to
retrieve messages;
receiving a request for the stored message from the

normal subscriber format;
subscriber to send a request to retrieve the stored

information from the subscriber mailbox; and
a service unit that sends the stored information to the

sending the stored message to the subscriber in a ?rst

equipment;

from a normal type of equipment used by the subscriber
to retrieve information from the subscriber mailboX,
that converts the information from the caller format to
the normal subscriber format if the caller format is
different than the normal subscriber format, and that
stores the information in the subscriber mailboX in the
a detector that detects a type of equipment used by the

subscriber;
subscriber format independent of the ?rst caller format,
the ?rst subscriber format being the normal subscriber
format When the type of equipment used by the sub
scriber to request the information is the normal type of

normal type of equipment.
40. An information processing system comprising:
an interface that receives information in a caller format

34. The messaging center of claim 31, Wherein the noti
fying means includes the means for sending the stored

storing the message in the ?rst caller format;

an interface that receives information from a caller in a

a translator that determines a normal subscriber format

means for receiving a request for the stored response from

the caller, and

format independent of the ?rst caller format and the
?rst and second subscriber formats.
36. The method of claim 35, further comprising the steps
of translating the information from the ?rst caller format to
the normal subscriber format; and
storing the information in the ?rst caller format and the
normal subscriber format.
37. The method of claim 35, Wherein the sending the
stored response step includes the substeps of
receiving a request for the stored response from the caller,
and
sending the stored response to the caller in response to the
caller’s request.
38. The method of claim 35, Wherein the notifying step
includes as a substep the step of sending the stored message

subscriber in the normal subscriber format When the
55

detected type of equipment is the normal type of

equipment.