Unified Messaging Solutions, LLC v. Groupon, Inc.

Filing 1

COMPLAINT against Groupon, Inc. filed by Unified Messaging Solutions, LLC; Jury Demand. Filing fee $ 350, receipt number 0752-6896971. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet, # 2 Exhibit A, # 3 Exhibit B, # 4 Exhibit C, # 5 Exhibit D, # 6 Exhibit E)(Simon, Anthony)

EXHIBIT A

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
United States Patent and Trademark Office
February 07, 2012
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT ANNEXED HERETO IS A TRUE COPY FROM
THE RECORDS OF THIS OFFICE OF:

U.S. PATENT: 6,857,074
ISSUE DATE: February 15, 2005

By Authority of the
Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Proper~
and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office

US006857074B2

(12) United States Patent
Bobo, II

(lO) Patent No.: US 6,857,074 B2
(45) Date of Patent: Feb. 15, 2005

(54) SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STORING,

DELIVERING, AND MANAGING MESSAGES

(75)
(73)

Inventor: Charles R. Bobo, II, Atlanta, GA (US)

(*)

Notice:

Assignee: j2 Global Communication, Inc., Los
Angeles, CA (US)
Subject to any disclaimer, the t, erm of this
patent is extended or adjusted under 35
U.S.C. 154(b) by 24 days.

US 2003/0208688 A1 Nov. 6, 2003

Related U.S. Application Data
23, 2001, now Pat. No. 6,564,321, which is a continuation
of application No. 09/186,595, filed on Nov. 5, 1998, now
Pat. No. 6,350,066, which is a continuation of application
No. 08/944,741, filed on Oct. 6, 1997, now Pat. No. 5,870,
549, which is a continuation-in-part of application No.
08/431,716, filed on Apr. 28, 1995, now Pat. No. 5,675,507.

G06F 3]00

713/168; 713/165; 713/200;
(52) U.S. C! ........................
713/201
(58)

Field of Search ................................. 713/168, 165,
713/200, 201
References Cited

(56)

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
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Int. Clo7 ..................................................

AU
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Prior Publication Data
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(51)

FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS

Primary Examiner--Thomas R. Peeso
(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm--Kenyon & Kenyon
ABSTRACT
(57)
A Message Storage and Deliver System (MSDS) is connected to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) and
receives incoming calls with these calls being facsimile,
voice, or data transmissions. The MSDS detects the type of
call and stores the message signal in a database. The MSDS
is also connected to the Internet and has a hyper-text transfer
protocol deamon (HTYPD) for receiving requests from
users. The HTI’PD forwards requests for certain files or
messages to a network server which transmits at least part of
the message to the HTrPD and then to the user. In addition
to requests for certain documents, the HTI’PD may also
receive a request in the form of a search query. The search
query is forwarded from the HTI’PD to an application
program for conducting the search of the database. The
results of the search are forwarded through the HTI~D to
the user. The user may then select one or more files or
messages from the search results and may save the search for
later reference.
28 Claims, 18 Drawing Sheets

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US 6,857,074 B2
Page 2

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Lotus Turns Up the Heat on Microsoft Exchange Rival,
Network Week, Jan. 27, 1994.
Novell Inc. to Demonstrate Alex, a Universal In-box That
Will Accept and Store Email, Voice mail and Faxes, Computer ReseLler News, Feb. 6, 1995.
IBM Soflward Allows Phone Messages to be Retrieved Via
Internet World Wide Web, press release, Nov. 28, 1995
(announcing product release).
MSN Hotmail Continues to Grow Faster than Any Company
in History, press release, Feb. 8, 1999 (referencing Jul. 4,
1996 launch of Hotmail, which permitted users to access
e-mail accounts through web browsers).

Copy provided bv USPTO from the PIRS Imaae Database on 02/06/2012

U.S. Patent

US 6,857,074 B2

Feb. 15, 2005 Sheet 1 of 18

TELEPHONE CALL
INITIATED
28

i ADDRESSS’G"AL I
DELIVERED
CALL ROUTED
WITHIN MSDS

!
MESSAGE
STORAGEAND
DELIVERY
SYSTEM

CALLANSWERED~
AND ADDRESS
SIGN,A,, L RECFJVED_ I

ESTABLISHED

, BYMSDS

DATABASE IS
UPDATED

CUSTOMER IS
NOTIFIED

32

i

MESSAGE IS CONVERT- I
ED TO HTMLBASED ON |
US~ PREFERENCES~J

FIG 1

FIG 2

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U.S. Patent

Feb. 15, 2005 Sheet 2 of 18

US 6,857,074 B2

I

INTENDED RECIPIENT
CONNECTS TO,INTERNET

" INTENDED RECIPIENT
ACCESSES MAILBOX

HTTPD RECEIVES
URL REQUEST

i HTTPDREQUESTS I

USER AUTHENTICATION I

ID AND PASSWORD
SUPPLIED

~,,,ID ANDPASSWOi~I)---. NOel SEND AUTHENTICATION I "
MATCH FOR REQUESTED’~----’3 FAILURE MESSAGE
~/MAILBQX?~"
74 ¯
70 ~YES
I

ACCESS

I

I

I PROVIDED,

RECEIVE INFORMATION I
REQUEST

~~b-~s~ ’

FIG 3

UESTED
RMATION ~,,~"~-’-t

IGENERATE INFORMATIONI
SENDusER,sINFORMATIONcoMPUTERTO ~

I/

80

I

82.

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U.S. Patent

Feb. 15,2005

US 6,857,074 B2

Sheet 3 of 18

I GENERAT~UST~NG ’ /
RRSTPAGE I
TH!~BNAIL UNK TO |

GENERATEUSTING
WITH EMBEDDED
RRSTPAGE
UNK TO FAX FILE

I

t

I

MOVE RLE TO
INTERNET SERVER

FIG 4A

I04/

Copy provided bv USPTO from the P|RS |ma(=e Database on 02/0612012

U.S. Patent

Feb. 15, 2005

~

US 6,857,074 B2

Sheet 4 of 18

NO

FIFIST PAGE I
1-24/ I_I EXTRACT
I ,, ~54

I REOUCED S~ZE I

I S~ZE~T~

I o~,, I

L OF PA,GE
148 /

I IMAGE

! HTMLIMAGE !

GENERATE
ISTING WITH
EMBEDDED
IMAGE AND
NKS TO PREVIUS AND NEXT
PAGES

CREATE FULL
SIZEHTML
IMAGE
OF PAGE

I

GENERAi~E
LISTING WITH
EMBEDDED.
IMAGE
THUMBNAIL
WITH LINK TO
FULL SIZE IMAGE

YES

I INTERNET I--’

FIG 4B

Copy provided by USPTO from the PIRS Image Database on 02/06/2012

U.S. Patent

Feb. 15, 2005

Sheet 5 of 18

US 6,857,074 B2

DETERMINE IMAGE
TYPENEEDED

YES

~OM.BASE~AX~LEI
82~/ ~
GENERATE HTML
IMAGE AS NEEDED
(THUMBNAIL OR
FULL SIZE) ,
82D/ ~

I
EMBED ~MAGE AND I
I

LINKS TO OTHER i=
PAGES IN HTML RLEI
82E/

FIG 5

TIFF/F

TIFF/F

TIFF/F
3

1.PPM

k,

2.PPM

3.PPM

1.GIF
"LHTML

3.GIF
2.HTML

3.HTML

FIG 6
/I

~PREVlOUSI
.)

Copy provided by USPTO from the PIRS Ima_qe Database on 02/06/2012

U.S. Patent

Feb. 15, 2005

US 6,857,074 B2

Sheet 6 of 18

Fax from [phone]

RETRIEVE
VOICE FILE

Received on May 31,1995 at 1:58 PM
Page 1 of 3

CONVERT AD/PCM
TO WAV
172
From: Charles R. Bobo,ll.
Pages: 3
Date: May 31,1995

UPDATE HTML
LISTING
174

FIG 8
RETRIEVE
DATA FILE

I

UPDATE HTML
LISTING

182/

FIG 9
Next Paqe
Return to Fax Listir~_
This page was automatically generated by FaxWeb(tmJ.On May 31,1995 at 2.~Sprr~
@1995 NetOffice, inc.
NetOffice, inc.
PO Box 7115
Atlanta, GA 30357

FIG
[e-mail] 7

Copy provided by USPTO from the PIRS Imaqe Database on 02/06/2012

U.S. Patent

Feb. 15, 2005

US 6,857,074 B2

Sheet 7 of 18

J

GO OFF
¯ HOOK AND RING
PHONE

STOP
_.~
RINGING
YES ~[
2O4

FAX
MESSAGE,

STOP
RINGING

DATA
MESSAGE

STOP
RINGING

DIGIT

NO
DTMF
DIGIT?

NO

FIG 10

Copy provided by USPTO from the PIRS Image Database on 02/06/2012

U.S. Patent

Feb. 15, 2005

Sheet 8 of 18

US 6,857,074 B2

PLAY
VOICE
GREETING

YES

FAX
MESSAGE

DIGIT

DIGIT

¯
¯

DEFAULT

YES

PROMPT
FOR
MESSAGE

MESSAGE
TO RLE

PROMPT
USER WITH
OPTIONS

FIG 11

Copy provided by USPTO from the PIRS Image Database on 02/06/2012

U.S. Patent

US 6,857,074 B2

Feb. 15, 2005 Sheet 9 of 18

PROMPTFOR
PASSWORD

PASSWORD

PASSWORD i NQ,/I~’PASSWOBD’~
INCORRECT

~MORE THAN "N~’~--~’~ ATTEMPTS=?f2~ AI~OtJNCEMEI~SI

i

PLAY FAILURE
MESSAGE

I

BEGIN MAIl.BOX
OWNER’S MENU

TERMINATE
CALL

NO
YES

/

284 ,,~

I TERMINATE 1
CALL

YES

YES

PLAY
MESSAGES

YES

OPTIONS
MEI~J

NO

NO
~ PREVIOUS MENU

~ ~M~wuu~MU~J I
v=RI BETURNTO
27~ ~ NO

274/

FIG 1 2

Copy provided by USPTO trom the PIRS image Database on 02/06/2012

I

U.S. Patent

Feb. 15, 2005 Sheet 10 of 18

US 6,857,074 B2

SOFTWARE

. DIO TRUNK_

CENTRAL
PROCESSOR

STORAGE

INPUT/
OUTPUT
DEVICE ,, i i5
/

SOFTWARE

INTERNE
SERVER

INTERNET

3O

r

PAGING
SYSTEM

FIG 1 ~

Copy provided by USPTO from the PIRS Image Database on 02/06/2012

U.S. Patent

Feb. 15, 2005 Sheet 11 of 18

PULSE/
TONE
DECODER

I

¯

LINE
INTERFACE
!TELEPHONE

i

US 6,857,074 B2

DID TRUNK
15/

21

23
DIGITAL
SIGNAL
PROCESSOR
/

~’29

I

PULSE/
TONE
DECODER

TELEPHONE
LINE
INTERFACE

21

r

DIGITAL
SIGNAL

I-’--

,, PROCESSOR
¯
25

STORAGE

MICROPROCESSOR
27/

[

fl

SOFTWARE

FIG 14

Col~v I~rovJded bv USPTO from the PIRS Imaae Database on 02/06/2012

DIDTRUNK
15

U.S. Patent

Feb. 15,2005

US 6,857,074 B2

Sheet 12 of 18

CENTRAL
PROCESSOR

MEMORY

! II S~GNAL I

STORAGE

PAGING
SYSTEM

11/

FIG 5

INDIVIDUAL APPUCATION PRO6RAMS

PREFORMATTED HTML FILE

COMMON GATEWAY INTERFACE (¢GI)

HTTPD

HTTPO

INETD

INTERNET DEAMON (INETD)

OS

OPERATING SYSTEM (05)

TCP/IP

TCP/IP

FIG 16A

FIG 1 6B

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U.S. Patent

Feb. 15, 2005

Sheet 13 of 18

o

UJ

~o~

Z

Copy provided by USPTO from the PIRS Image Database on 02/06/2012

US 6,857,074 B2

U.S. Patent

Feb. 15, 2005 Sheet 14 of 18

US 6,857,074 B2

320
USER SENDS REQUEST
FOR SEARCH

MSDS SENDS USER A
SEARCH QUERY FORM

USER ENTERS SEARCH
PARAMETERSIN
SEARCH QUERY FORM

MSDS PERFORMS
REQUESTED SEARCH
FOR FILESIMESSAGES

MSDS SENDS USER
RESULTS OF SEARCH

326

FIG. 18

t

USER SELECTS DESIRED
FILES/MESSAGES

Copy provided by USPTO from the PIRS Image Database on 02/06/2012

U.S. Patent

Feb. 15, 2005 Sheet 15 of 18

SEARCH QUERY

REClPIENT’S NAME:
DOCUMENT TYPE:

DATE:
TIME:
CALLING NO.:

FILE SIZE:
NO. PAGES:
DOCUMENT NO.:

OTHER FIELD:

RECENT FILES
~EARCH GROUP

HELP

FIG. 19

Copy provided by USPTO from the PIRS Image Database on 02/06/2012

US 6,857,074 B2

U.S. Patent

Feb. 15, 2005 Sheet 16 of 18

SEARCH QUERY
RECIPIENT’S NAME:

FACSIMILE

DOCUMENT TYPE:
DATE:
TIME:
CALLING NO.:

I (4(J4) 249-6801

FILE SIZE:
NO. PAGES:
DOCUMENT NO.:
OTHER FIELD:

RECENT FILES
STORED SEARCHES

FIG. 20

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US 6,857,074 B2

U.S. Patent

Feb. 15, 2005

Sheet 17 of 18

US 6,857,074 B2

SEARCH
RESULTS
1. Document No. 11" Facsimile from [phone] to Jane Doe
on May 31. 1995.3 Pages
2. Document No. 243: Facsimile from [phone] to Jane Doe
on July 16.1995.21 Pages
9. Document No. 1002: Facsimile from [phone]
to Jane Doe on January. 1. 1996.10 Pages

SAVE SEARCH AS: [CHARLES R. BOBO FACSIMILES

FIG. 21

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U.S. Patent

Feb. 15, 2005

Sheet 18 of 18

US 6,857,074 B2

STORED
SEARCHES
1, CHARLES R.’BOBO FACSIMILES
2. CHARLES R. BOBO VOICE MESSAGES
3. DATA TRANSFERS FROM 01-01-96 TO.6-01-96 TO

FIG. 22

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US 6,857,074 B2

1

2

machine needs repairing, or when the facsimile machine is
busy with another message. These costs occur more frequently with some of the smaller businesses, who are also
less able to incur these expenses, since many of them have
This application is a continuation of patent application
5 a single phone line for a telephone
facsimile
Ser. No. 09/840,759, filed Apr. 23, 2001, U.S. Pat. No. machine and thereby stand to lose handset and thecalls and
both telephone
6,564,321, which is a continuation of patent application Ser. facsimile messages when the single line is busy. In fact, the
No. 09/186,595, flied Nov. 5, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. Atlanta Business Chronicle estimated that fewer than 5% of
6,350,066, which is a continuation of patent application Ser. the small businesses have 2 or more facsimile machines.
No. 08/944,741, filed Oct. 6, 1997, now U.S. Pat. No. Many of the larger companies can reduce these losses by
5,870,549, which is a continuation-in-part of patent appli-a0 having more than one facsimile machine and by having calls
cation Ser. No. 08/431,716, filed Apr. 28, 1995, now U.S. switched to another machine when one of the machines is
Pat. No. 5,675,507.
busy. These losses, however, cannot be completely eliminated since the machines can still experience a demand
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
which exceeds their capabilities.
This invention relates to system(s) and method(s) for is A main benefit of the facsimile machine, namely the quick
storing and delivering messages and, more particularly, to
transfer of documents, does not necessarily mean that the
system(s) and inethod(s) for storing messages and for delivdocuments will quickly be routed to the intended recipient.
ery the messages through a network, such as the Intemet, or
The facsimile machines may be unattended and a received
a telephone line to an intended recipient. In another aspect, 2o facsimile message may not be noticed until a relatively long
the invention relates to system(s) and method(s) for storing,
period of time has elapsed. Further, even for those machines
delivering, and managing messages or other files, such as for
which are under constant supervision, the routing procearchival purposes or for document tracking.
dures established in an office may delay the delivery of the
documents. It is therefore a problem in many offices to
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
25 quickly route the facsimile message to the intended recipiSYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR STORING,
DELIVERING, AND MANAGING MESSAGES

Even though the facsimile machine is heavily relied upon ellt.
The nature of the facsimile message also renders it
by businesses of all sizes and is quickly becoming a standard
difficult for the intended recipient to receive a sensitive
piece of office equipment, many businesses or households
message without having the message exposed to others in
cannot receive the benefits of the facsimile machine.
Unfortunately, for a small business or for a private 30 the office who can intercept and read the message. If the
household, a facsimile machine is a rather expensive piece
intended recipient is unaware that the message is being sent,
of equipment. In addition to the cost of purchasing the
other people may see the message while it is being delivered
facsimile machine, the facsimile machine also requires or while the message remains next to the machine. When the
intended recipient is given notice that a sensitive message is
toner, paper, maintenance, as well as possible repairs. These
expenses may be large enough to prevent many of the small 35 being transmitted, the intended recipient must wait near the
businesses and certainly many households from benefiting
facsimile machine until the message is received. It was
from the service that the facsimile machine can provide. For therefore difficult to maintain the contents of a facsimile
message confidential.
others who are constantly traveling and who do not have an
office, it may be impractical to own a facsimile machine. In
In an office with a large number of employees, it may also
fact, the Atlanta Business Chronicle estimates that 30% of 40 be difficult to simply determine where the facsimile message
the small businesses do not have any facsimile machines.
should be routed. In fight of this difficulty, some systems
Therefore, many businesses and households are at a disadhave been developed to automatically route facsimile mesvantage since they do not have access to a facsimile
sages to their intended recipient. One type of system, such
machine.
as the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,257,112 to Okada, can
Because a facsimile machine can be such an asset to a 45 route an incoming call to a particular facsimile machine
based upon codes entered with telephone push-buttons by
company and is heavily relied upon to quickly transmit and
receive documents, a problem exists in that the machines are the sender of the message. Another type of system, such as
not always available to receive a facsimile message. At the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,326 to Burgess et al.
times, a facsimile machine may be busy receiving another or in U.S. Pat. No. 5,247,591 to Baran, requires the sender
message or the machine may be transmitting a message of its 50 to use a specially formatted cover page which is read by the
own. During these times, a person must periodically attempt
system. This type of system, however, burdens the sender,
who may very well be a client or customer, by requking the
to send the message until communication is established with
sender to take special steps or additional steps to transmit a
the desired facsimile machine. This inability to connect with
facsimile message. These systems are therefore not very
a facsimile machine can be frustrating, can consume quite a
bit of the person’s time, and prevent the person from 55 effective or desirable.
performing more productive tasks. While some more
Another type of routing system finks a facsimile machine
advanced facsimile machines will retry to establish commu- to a Local Area Network (LAN) in an office. For instance,
nication a number of times, a person will still have to check in the systems disclosed in the patents to Baran and Burgess
on the facsimile machine to ensure that the message was
et al., after the system reads the cover sheet to determine the
transmitted or to re-initiate the transmission of the message. 6o intended recipient of the facsimile message, the systems
send an E-mail message to the recipient through the local
In addition to labor costs and a reduction in office
network connecting the facsimile machine to the recipient’s
efficiency, a facsimile machine may present costs to busicomputer. Other office systems, such as those in U.S. Pat.
nesses that are not readily calculated. These costs include the
No. 5,091,790 to Silverberg and U.S. Pat. No. 5,291,546 to
loss of business or the loss of goodwill that occurs when the
facsimile machine is not accessible by another facsimile 65 Giler et al., are linked to the office’s voice mail system and
may leave a message with the intended recipient that a
machine. These costs can occur for various reasons, such as
facsimile message has been received. Some systems which
when the facsimile machine is out of paper, when the

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US 6,857,074 B2

3

4

are even more advanced, such as those in U.S. Pat. No.
Many of the problems associated with facsimile messages
5,317,628 to Misholi et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 5,333,266 to are not unique to just facsimile messages but are also
Boaz et al., are connected to an office’s local network and associated with voice mail messages and data messages.
provide integrated control of voice messages, E-mail With regard to voice messages, many businesses do not have
messages, and facsimile messages.
5 voice mail systems and must write the message down. Thus,
the person away from the office must call in during normal
The various systems for routing facsimile messages, and
office hours to discover who has called. The information in
possibly messages of other types received in the office, are
these messages are usually limited to just the person who
very sophisticated and expensive systems. While these office
called, their number, and perhaps some indication as to the
systems are desirable in that they can effectively route the
messages at the orifice to their intended recipients, the a0 nature of the call. For those businesses that have voice mail,
the person away from the office must call in and frequently
systems are extremely expensive and only those companies
incur long distance charges. Thus, there is a need for a
with a great number of employees can offset the costs of the
system for storing and delivery voice messages which can be
system with the benefits that the system will provide to their
easily and inexpensively accessed at any time.
company. Thus, for most businesses, it still remains a
problem to effectively and quickly route messages to the a5 With regard to data messages, the transmission of the
intended recipients. It also remains a problem for most
message often requires some coordination between the
businesses to route the messages in a manner which can
sender and the recipient. For instance, the recipient’s compreserve the confidential nature of the messages.
puter must be turned on to receive the message, which
usually occurs only when someone is present during normal
Even for the businesses that have a message routing
system and especially for those that do not have any type of 20 office hours. Consequently, the recipient’s computer is usually only able to receive a data message during normal office
system, it is usually difficult for a person to retrieve facsimile
hours. Many households and also businesses may not have
messages while away from the office. Typically, a person
a dedicated data line and must switch the line between the
away on business must call into the office and be informed
phone, computer, and facsimile. In such a situation, the
by someone in the office as to the facsimile messages that
have been received. Consequently, the person must call into 25 sender must call and inform the recipient to switch the line
over to the computer and might have to wait until the sender
the orifice during normal business hours while someone is in
the orifice and is therefore limited in the time that the can receive the message. The retransmission of the data
message to another location, such as when someone is away
information in a facsimile message can be relayed.
from the office, only further complicates the delivery. It is
If the person away on business wants to look at the
facsimile message, someone at the office must resend the 30 therefore frequently difficult to transmit and receive data
messages and is also difficult to later relay the messages to
message to a facsimile machine accessible to that person.
another location.
Since this accessible machine is often a facsimile machine at
A standard business practice of many companies is to
another business or at a hotel where the person is lodging,
maintain records of all correspondence between itseff
it is difficult for the person to receive the facsimile message 35 other entities. Traditionally, the correspondence that and
has
without risking disclosure of its contents. Further, since
someone at the person’s orifice must remember to send the been tracked and recorded includes letters or other such
printed materials that is mailed to or from a company to the
message and since someone at the accessible facsimile
other entity. Although tracking correspondence of printed
machine must route the message to the person away from the
office, the person may not receive all of the facsimile 40 materials facsimile messages, e-mail messages, voice
such as is relatively easy, non-traditional correspondence,
messages or may have to wait to receive the messages.
The retrieval of facsimile messages, as well as voice mail messages, or data messages, are more difficult to track and
messages, while away from the office is not without certain record.
For example, facsimile messages may be difficult to track
costs. For one, the person often must incur long distance
telephone charges when the person calls the office to check 45 and record since the messages may be received on thermal
paper, which suffers from a disadvantage that the printing
on the messages and to have someone in the office send the
fades over time. Also, accurate tracking of facsimile mesmessages to another facsimile. The person will then incur
sages is difficult since the facsimile messages may only be
the expenses of transmitting the message to a fax bureau or
partially printed at the facsimile machine or the messages
hotel desk as well as the receiving location’s own charges
for use of their equipment. While these charges are certainly 50 may be lost or only partially delivered to their intended
recipients. Facsimile messages also present difficulties since
not substantial, the charges are nonetheless expenses
they are often delivered within an organization through
incurred while the person is away from the office.
Overall, while the facsimile machine is an indispensable different channels than ordinary mail and thus easily fall
outside the normal record keeping procedures of the compiece of equipment for many businesses, the facsimile
55 pany.
machine presents a number of problems or costs. Many
Voice mail messages are also diffcult to track and record.
businesses or households are disadvantaged since they are
unable to reap the benefits of the facsimile machine. For the Although voice messages can be saved, many voice mail
servers automatically delete the messages after a certain
businesses that do have facsimile machines, the businesses
period of time. To maintain a permanent record of a voice
must incur the normal costs of operating the facsimile
machine in addition to the costs that may be incurred when 60 message, the voice message may be transcribed and a
the facsimile machine or machines are unable to receive a printed copy of the message may be kept in the records. This
message. Further, the facsimile messages may not be effi- transcribed copy of the voice message, however, is less
credible and thus less desirable than the original voice
ciently or reliably routed to the intended recipient and may
message since the transcribed copy may have altered matehave its contents revealed during the routing process. The
costs and problems in routing a facsimile message are 65 rial or may omit certain portions of the message.
compounded when the intended recipient is away from the
In addition to facsimile and voice mail messages, data
office.
messages are also difficult to track and record. A download

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US 6,857,074 B2
5

6

or upload of a file may only be evident by the existence of server receives a request from the user over the network, the
a file itself. A file transfer procedure normally does not lend network server transmits at least a portion of the message
itself to any permanent record of what file was transferred, over the network to the user.
the dialed telephone number, the telephone number of the
Preferably, the network storage and delivery system can
computer receiving the file, the time, or the date of the 5 receive facsimile messages, data messages, or voice mestransfer. It is therefore difficult to maintain accurate records sages and the network is the Intemet. The messages are
of all data transfers between itself and another entity.
converted into a standard generalized mark-up language and
the user is notified that a message has arrived through E-mail
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
or through a paging system. A listing of the facsimile
It is an object of the invention to reliably and efficiently a0 messages may be sent to the user in one of several formats.
These formats include a textual only listing or a listing along
route messages to an intended recipient.
with a full or reduced size image of the first page of each
It is another object of the invention to route messages to
message. A full or reduced size image of each page of a
the intended recipient while maintaining the contents of the
message in the listing may alternatively be presented to the
message confidential.
15 user.
It is another object of the invention to enable the intended
According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a
recipient to access the messages easily and with minimal
system and method for managing files or messages and
costs.
involves storing message signals in storage and receiving
It is a further object of the invention to permit the
requests from a user for search. The search
simultaneous receipt of more than one message on behalf of 20 comprises a search queryathat is completed by preferably
a user and
the intended recipient.
supplied to a hyper-text transfer protocol deamon (HTYPD)
It is a further object of the invention to enable the intended
in the system. The HTI’PD transfers the request through a
recipient of a message to access the message at any time and
common gateway interface (CGI) to an application program
at virtually any location world-wide.
which conducts the search. The results of the search are
It is yet a further object of the invention to enable the 25 preferably returned through the HTYPD to the computer in
intended recipient of a message to browse through the
the form of a listing of all messages or files satisfying the
received messages.
search parameters. The user may then select one or more of
It is yet a further object of the invention to quickly notify
the listed messages or files and may save the search for later
an intended recipient that a message has been received.
references.
It is still another object of the invention to receive 3O
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
messages of various types.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in,
It is still another object of the invention to deliver mesand form a part of, the specification, illustrate an embodisages according to the preferences of the intended recipient.
ment of the present invention and, together
It is still a further object of the invention to record and 35 description, serve to explain the principles of the with the
invention.
track correspondence, such as facsimile messages, voice
In the drawings:
mail messages, and data transfers.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the connections of
Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the
a message storage and delivery system MSDS;
invention will be set forth in the description which follows,
and will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon 40 FIG. 2 is an overall flow chart of operations for transmitting a message to the MSDS of FIG. 1;
reading this description or practicing the invention. The
FIG. 3 is an overall flow chart of operations for receiving
objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and
a message stored at the MSDS of FIG. 1;
attained by the appended claims.
FIGS. 4(A) and (B) are flowcharts of operations for
To achieve the foregoing and other objects, in accordance
with the present invention, as embodied and broadly 45 generating HTML files according to user preferences;
described herein, a system and method for storing and
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of operations for generating
delivering messages involves receiving an incoming call and
requested information;
detecting an address signal associated with the incoming
FIG. 6 is a flowchart of operations for converting a
call, the address signal being associated with a user of the
facsimile message into HTML files;
message storage and delivery system. A message accompa- 5o FIG. 7 is an exemplary display of a first page of a
nied with the address signal is then received and converted
facsimile message according to a fourth display option;
from a first file format to a second file format. The message
FIG. 8 is a flowchart of operations for converting a voice
is stored in the second file format within a storage area and
message into an HTML file;
is retrieved after a request has been received from the user.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart of operations for converting a data
At least a portion of the message is then transmitted to the 55 message into an HTML file;
user over a network with the second file format being a
FIG. 10 is a flowchart of operations for detecting a type
mixed media page layout language.
of call received at the MSDS 10;
In another aspect, a network message storage and delivery
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of operations for receiving voice
system comprises a central processor for receiving an
incoming call, for dete’cting an address signal on the incom- 60 messages;
FIG. 12 is a flowchart of operations for interacting with an
ing call, for detecting a message on the incoming call, and
owner’s call;
for placing the message in a storage area. The address signal
FIG. 13 is a more detailed block diagram of the MSDS 10;
on the incoming call is associated with a user of the network
FIG. 14 is a block diagram of the central processor in FIG.
message storage and delivery system. A network server
receives the message from the storage area, converts the 65 13;
FIG. 15 is a block diagram of the Internet Server of FIG.
message into a mixed media page layout language, and
13;
places the message in the storage area. When the network

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FIGS. 16(A) and 1603) depict possible software layers for
When the call reaches the MSDS 10, the call is routed
the Internet Server of FIG. 13;
within the MSDS 1(1 in a manner that will be described in
FIG. 17 is a diagram of a data entry for a message signal; more detail below with reference to FIG. 13. At step 46, the
MSDS 10 answers the telephone call and receives the
FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a process for sending a search
query, for conducting a search, and for returning results of 5 address signal from the DID trunk 15. Next, at step 48, the
call is established between the MSDS 10 and the third party
the ~earch to a computer through the Internet;
and, at step 50, the MSDS 10 receives the message transFIG. 19 is an example of a search query form for defining mitted over the telephone line. The message is stored at step
a desired search;
52, a database within the MSDS 10 is updated at step 54, and
FIG. 20 is an example of a completed search query; 10 the intended recipient of the message is notified at step 56.
FIG. 21 is an example of a set of search results returned The intended recipient of the message uses the services
provided by the MSDS 10 and will hereinafter be referred to
to the computer in response to the search query of FIG. 20;
and
as a user. At step 58, the message is converted into hyper-text
mark-up language (HTML).
FIG. 22 is an example of a listing of stored searches.
15 After the MSDS 10 receives a message [or one of its
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
users, the user can then communicate with the MSDS 10 at
PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
any time and at any location by connecting to the Interact
Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred World Wide Web 30 and retrieving the message stored
embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illus- within the MSDS 10. With reference to FIG. 3, at step 60 the
2o user first connects to the Internet 30, such as through a
trated in the accompanying drawings.
personal computer 32 which may be connected to the
With reference to FIG. 1, a message storage and delivery
system (MSDS) 10 is connected to a central office 20 of the Internet 30 in any suitable manner, such as through its own
portal or node or through some intermediate access provider."
telephone company through at least one direct inward dialThe personal computer 32 is not limited to a single
ing (DID) trunk 15. With each call on the DID trunk 15, an25 but may instead comprise a network of computers,computer
such as
address signal indicating the telephone number being called
a local area network within an office.
is provided to the MSDS 10. The DID trunk 15 can carry a
Once connected with the Internet 30, at step 62, the user
large number of telephone numbers or addresses. Preferably,
the DID trunk 15 comprises a number of DID trunks 15 accesses with a hyper-text browser the Universal Resource
Locator (URL) associated
connected in parallel between the central office 20 and the 3o The computer 32 may usewith his or her MSDS 10 mailbox.
any suitable hypertext browser,
MSDS 10 so that the MSDS 10 can simultaneously receive
such as Netscape, to access the mailbox. A Hypertext
more than one call and, moreover, can simultaneously
receive more than one call for a single telephone number or Transfer Protocol Deamon (H’YI’PD) within the MSDS 10
receives the URL request at step 64 and, at step 66, requests
address.
user authentication.
supplies his or
The central office 20 is connected to a number of third 35 password at step 68 The user then valid at step 70,her ID and
and, if found
the MSDS
parties. For instance, the central office 20 may be connected
to a facsimile machine 24, a telephone set 26, and to a 1(1 provides the computer 32 with access to the mailbox at
step 72. If the ID and password are invalid, as determined at
computer 28 with each connection being made through a
step 70, then the HTTPD sends the computer 32 an authenseparate telephone line. While a single computer 28 is
shown in the figure, the single computer 28 may actually 40 tication failure message at step 74.
After the user gains access to the mailbox at step 72, the
represent a local area network which is connected through
the central office 20 to the MSDS 10. Although the facsimile user can request information stored within the MSDS 10.
machine 24, telephone set 26, and computer 28 have been The MSDS 10 receives the request at step 76 and, at step 78,
determines whether the information exists. As is common
shown on separate fines, it should be understood that one or
the
more of these devices could share a single line.
45 practice, the MSDS 10 also determines the validity of the
request at step 78. The request from the user will include
The MSDS 10 is also connected to a network, preferably
mailbox number for the user, the message identifier, display
the Interact World Wide Web 30. Although the Internet 30
preferences, and, if the message is a facsimile message, a
has been shown as a single entity, it should be understood
page identifier. If for any reason the request is invalid, such
that the Interact 30 is actually a conglomeration of computer
networks and is a constantly evolving and changing struc- 5o as when a hacker is attempting to gain access to privileged
ture. The MSDS 10 therefore is not limited to the current information, the request for the information will be terminated.
structure or form of the Internet 30 but encompasses any
future changes or additions to the Internet 30. Further, the
If the requested information is available, then at step 80
the information is transmitted through the Internet 30 to the
MSDS 10 is shown as being directly connected to the
Internet 30, such as through its own node or portal. The 55 user’s computer 32. If, on the other hand, the information
MSDS 1(I, however, may be practiced with any suitable does not exist, then at step 82 the MSDS 10 will generate the
requested information and then send the information to the
connection to the Interuet 3(1, such as through an intermeuser’s computer through the Interuet 3(1 at step 80.
diate Internet access provider.
With reference to FIG. 2 depicting an overall operation of
Prior to gaining access to the mailbox at step 72, the user
the invention, a telephone call directed to a number serviced 60 is preferably sent a greeting page or other such type of
by the MSDS 10 is initiated at step 40 by a third party, for
information which permits the user to learn about the
services provided by the MSDS 10, open an account with the
instance, through the facsimile machine 24, telephone set
26, or computer 28. The incoming telephone call may MSDS 10, or gain access to an account. Once access is
therefore carry a facsimile message, a voice message, or a provided at step 72, the user is provided with information
data message. At step 42, the address signal associated with 65 indicating the total number of messages stored in his or her
the initiated call is routed through the central office 20, over mailbox within the MSDS 10. Preferably, the information
sent by the MSDS 10 indicates the total number of messages
the DID trunk 15, and to the MSDS 10.

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for each type of message and also the total number of saved
The second through fifth options allow the user to preview
an image of the facsimile message before having the mesmessages versus the total number of new messages.
sage downloaded from the MSDS 10 through the Internet 30
The user is also preferably given the option at this step to
change account information. The account information might
and to the computer 32. The second option permits the user
include the E-mail address for the user, the manner in which 5 to view the list of messages with a reduced size image of the
messages are to be reviewed, the user’s pager information,
cover page next to each entry on the list. When the user
as well as other user preferences. The display options and
selects one of the messages on the list, the selected facsimile
other user preferences will be discussed in further detail
message is transmitted through the Interact 30 to the combelow.
puter 32. The user may also scroll through the listings if all
The general information HTML file which indicates the a0 of the message cannot be displayed at one time on the
total number of different messages is provided with a
computer 32.
number of anchors, which are also termed links or referThe third option provides the user with a full size view of
ences. In general, an anchor permits a user on the computer
the cover page of each facsimile message. The user can
32 to retrieve information located on another file. For quickly scroll through the cover pages of each message
instance, an anchor to a listing of facsimile messages is 15 without downloading the entire message to the computer 32.
preferably provided on the display of the total number of
The full size view of the cover pages permit the user to
messages. When the user selects the anchor for the facsimile
clearly discern any comments that may be placed on the
list, the MSDS 10 pulls up and displays the file containing
may not be possible from just a
the list of facsimiles, such as a file "faxlist.html." The other cover page, which page available through the secondreduced
image of the cover
option.
types of messages, such as voice messages and data 20 The fourth option provides the user with a reduced size
messages, would have similar anchors on the general inforimage of each page and permits the user to scroll through the
mation page directed to their respective HTML listing files.
When a new message is received at step 54 in FIG. 2, the entire message. The user can therefore read the entire
facsimile message on screen before the message is downuser’s mailbox is updated to display the total number and
types of messages. The MSDS 10 might also update other 25 loaded onto the computer 32. With this option, the user can
go through the pages of the facsimile message and can also
files in addition to the total listing of messages. Additionally,
skip to the next message or previous message. Additionally,
at this time, the MSDS 10 sends an E-mail message to the
user’s computer 32 to inform the user of the newly arrived the user has the option of enlarging a page to a full size view
of the page. When one of the messages is selected, as with
message. The MSDS 10 could also send notice to the user
the other options, the
causes
through a paging system so that tile user receives almost 30 the facsimile message HTFPD within the MSDS 10Intemet
to be transmitted through the
instantaneous notice that a message is received.
30 to the user’s computer 32.
The MSDS 10 also generates additional information
With a fifth option, a full size image of each page is
according to the user’s preferences. These preferences on
transmitted to the user’s computer 32. The user can scroll
how the MSDS 10 is configured for the user include options
on how the messages are reviewed. With facsimile 35 through the pages of the facsimileuser wants the message
the contents of each page. If the message and easily read
messages, for instance, the user can vary the amount or the
type of information that will be supplied with the listing of downloaded to the computer 32, the user selects the message
and the HTYPD within the MSDS 10 transmits the message
the facsimile messages by selecting an appropriate option.
to the user’s computer 32 through the Internet 30.
Other options are also available so that the user can custom
fit the MSDS 10 to the users own computer 32 or own 40 As discussed above, after the database is updated at step
54, the MSDS 10 will generate additional information based
personal preferences.
upon the option selected for displaying the facsimile mesFor instance, when a facsimile message is received, the
MSDS 10, at step 54, will update the total listing of all sages. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 4(A), if the first
option has been selected, as determined at step 100, then at
messages to indicate the newly received message and may
additionally generate the HTML files for the newly received 45 step 102 the MSDS 10 will generate the textual listing of the
facsimile messages with anchors or references to the respecfacsimile message according to the user’s preferences.
tive facsimile files. The HTML files are then moved to an
When the user later requests information on the message at
Internet Server at step 104.
step 76, the HTML information has already been generated
If the first option is not selected, the MSDS 10 next
and the MSDS 10 may directly send the requested information to the user at step 80. If, on the other hand, the user 50 determines whether the second option has been selected at
step 106. With the second option, the facsimile messages are
desires to view the message according ’to one of the other
listed along with a reduced size image of the cover page. To
options, the MSDS 10 will generate the HTML files at step
generate this information, the cover page is extracted from
82 according to that other option at the time of the request.
A first option available to the user for viewing a facsimile the facsimile file at step 108 and a reduced size HTML
message is a textual only listing of the messages. The 55 image of the cover page is created at step 110. At step 112,
a listing of the facsimile messages is generated with a
information on the textual listing preferably includes the
. thumbnail view of each cover page linked to its respective
date and time that the message was received at the MSDS
facsimile file. The generated HTML files are then sent to the
10, the telephone number from where the message was
Internet Server at step 104.
transmitted, the number of pages, the page size, and the size
of the message in bytes. The messages, of course, could be 60 When the third option is selected, as determined at step
114, a full size image of the cover page is sent to the
listed with other types of information. When the user selects
computer 32. The full size image of the cover page is
one of the facsimile messages on the list, a request is sent to
the HTI’PD within the MSDS 10 causing the message to be generated by first extracting the cover page from the facsimile file at step 116. Next, the cover page is converted into
downloaded via the Interact 30 to the user’s computer 32.
Once the message is received by the computer 32, the 65 a full size HTML image at step 118 and, at step 120, the
listing is generated with the embedded cover page linked to
message can be displayed, printed, or saved for further
the facsimile file.
review.

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If, at step 122, the fourth option is determined to be
The process for converting a facsimile message into
HTML files according to the fifth option will be described
selected, then a reduced size image of each page is provided
to the user with the option of enlarging the page to view the
with reference to FIG. 6. This process will occur at step 54
contents of the page more dearly. With reference to FIG.
when the message is received and when the fifth option is the
4(B), the information necessary for the third option is 5 user’s preferred option of displaying the messages. It should
produced by first extracting the first page of the facsimile be understood that a similar type of process will also occur
message at step 124. A reduced size ItTML image is created when the user requests a page of information according to
at step 126 and then a full size HTML image is created at the fifth option when the user is retrieving a facsimile
step 128. At step 130, the listing is generated with embedded
message and the fifth option is not the user’s preferred
thumbnail images of the pages with links to the full size 10 option. The conversion processes according to the other
images. If the page is not the last page, as determined at step
options will become apparent to those skilled in the art and
140, then the next page is extracted at step 142 and steps 126
will therefore not be discussed in further detail.
to 130 are repeated to generate the HTML files for the other
With reference to FIG. 6, when the facsimile message is
pages of the facsimile message. After the last page has been
received, the message is in a Tagged Image File Format/
converted into an HTML file according to the third option, 15 Facsimile (TIFF/F) and each page of the facsimile message
the files are moved onto the Intemet Server at step 104.
is split into a separate file. Each page of the facsimile
At step 144, the MSDS 10 determines whether the fifth message is then converted from the TIFF/F format into a
option has been selected. The fifth option provides the user
Portable Pixel Map (PPM) format. The PPM files are next
with a full size image of each page of the facsimile message. converted into separate Graphic Interchange Format (GIF)
While only five options have been discussed, the inven- ~o files and then into separate HTML files. Thus, each page of
tion may be practiced with additional options. Consequently,
the facsimile message is converted into a separate HTML
file. The TIFF/F files may be converted into PPM with an
with additional options and with the fourth option not being
selected, the MSDS 10 would next determine whether one of available software package entitled "LIBTIFF" and the PPM
files may be converted into GIF files with an available
the additional options have been selected. With the preferred
embodiment of the invention having only five options, 25 software package found in "Portable Pixel Map Tools."
however, the MSDS 10 will assume that the fifth option has
The invention is not limited to this exact conversion
been selected if none of the first four options were found to
process or to the particular software packages used in the
be selected.
conversion process. For instance, the TIFF/F files may be
The information necessary to display the pages of the
converted into another portable file format, through any
facsimile message according to the fifth option is generated 30 other type of intermediate format, or may be converted
by first extracting the first page of the facsimile message at directly into the GIF format. Further, instead of GIF, the
step 146. At step 148, a full size HTML image of the page facsimile messages may be converted into JPEG, BMP,
PCX, PIF, PNG, or any other suitable type of file format.
is created and, at step 150, a listing is generated with an
embedded image and links to previous and next pages.
The files may be identified with any suitable filename. In
When the page is not the last page, as determined at step 152, 35 the preferred embodiment, the files for each user are stored
the MSDS 10 extracts the next page and generates the
in a separate directory assigned to just that one user because
HTML file for that page. After all pages have been converted
an entire directory for a given user generally can be prointo HTML files according to the fourth option, the files are
tected easier than the individual files. The memory, however,
sent to the Internet Server at step 104.
may be organized in other ways with the files for a single
While FIGS. 4(A) and (B) describe the operations of the 40 user being stored in different directories. The first part of the
MSDS 10 at the time a message is received, FIG. 5 depicts filename is a number preferably sequentially determined
an overall flowchart of operations for the MSDS 10 when the
according to the order in which messages arrive for that user.
user requests a page of information in a display format other
The preferred naming convention for ending the filenames is
than the user’s preferred option of displaying the message.
depicted in FIG. 6. Each page of the facsimile message is
FIG. 5 is therefore a more detailed explanation of bow the45 saved as a separate file with an extension defined by the
format of the file. Thus, the files will end with an extension
MSDS 10 generates the necessary information at step 82 of
of ".TIFF," ".PPM," ".GIF," or ".HTML" according to the
FIG. 3.
In general, as shown in FIG. 5, the MSDS 10 first format of the particular file. In the example shown, the
separate pages have filenames which end with the respective
determines the type of image that is 20 needed at step 82a.
50
For example, at this step, the MSDS 10 will determine page number, for instance, the first page ends with a "1." The
files, however, are preferably terminated with a letter or
whether images are unnecessary, whether an image of just
multiples letters to indicate the order of the pages. For
the cover page is necessary, whether an image is needed for
instance, page 1 might have an ending of "aa," page 2 might
every page, and whether the image needs to be a full size, a
have an ending of "ab," etc. The invention, however, is not
reduced size, or both full and reduced sized images. At step
82b, the MSDS 10 determines whether the image has 55 limited to the disclosed naming convention but encompasses
other conventions that will be apparent to those skilled in the
already been created. If the image has not been created, then
at step 82c the MSDS 10 will extract the page from the base art.
As shown in FIG. 6, in addition to the GIF files reprefacsimile file and, at step 82d, generate the required HTML
image. As discussed above, the required image may be for
senting the pages of the facsimile message, the HTML files
just the cover page, for all the pages, and may be a full size 60 include a number of anchors or references. In the example
and/or a reduced size image of the page. At step 82e, the
shown, the first HTML file has an anchor a for the "Next
image is embedded with links or anchors to other HTML Page." Anchor a is defined as a=<A HREF="2.html">Next
files. These links or anchors might be references to the next
Page</a> and will therefore reference the second HTML file
when a user selects the "Next Page." The second HTML file
and previous pages and also to the next and previous
facsimile messages. Finally, the HTML file having the65 has an anchor b for the "Previous Page" and an anchor c for
embedded image and links is sent to the user at step 80 in
the "Next Page" and the third HTML file has an anchor d for
the "Previous Page." With these particular HTML files, the
FIG. 3.

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retrieved at step 170. The voice message is then converted
user can scroll through each page of the facsimile message
either into an AU format or WAV format in accordance with
and view a full size image of the page.
Each HTML file preferably contains anchom in addition the user’s preference, which is stored in memory. Preferably,
the message is preferably in the AD/PCM format originally
to those relating to "Next Page" and "Previous Page." For
instance, each HTML file may contain an anchor to the next 5 and is converted in WAV, hut the voice fries may alternafacsimile message, an anchor to the previous facsimile tively be stored and converted in file formats other than the
message, and an anchor to return to the facsimile list. The
ones disclosed, such as RealAudio (1L~).
At step 174, the listing of all of the voice messages is then
H°IWIL files preferably contain anchors relating to "Save"
updated to include a listing of the newly received voice
and "Delete." When the "Save" anchor is selected, the user
message and an anchor to the voice message. For filename
would be able to save the message under a more descriptive a0 the original voice message may be stored withinstance,
name for the message. The "Delete" an(hor is preferably
"l.vox" and is converted into WAV and stored with a
followed by a inquiry as to whether the user is certain that
filename "1.way." The HTML file "voicelist.html" which
he or she wants to delete the message. Other anchors, such
contains a list of all voice messages would then have an
as an anchor to the general listing, will be apparent to those
anchor to the filename "l.wav" along with identifying
skilled in the art and may also be provided.
a5 information for the voice message, such as when the mesFIG. 7 provides an example of a display according to the sage was received.
fifth option for the first page of the facsimile message shown
The listing of the voice messages may have additional
in FIG. 6. The headings of the display provide information
anchors or references. For instance, each voice message may
on the telephone number from where the message was sent,
have an anchor directing the MSDS 10 to a file which
the date and time the message was received at the MSDS 10, 20 contains a short sampling of the message. Thus, when the
and an indication of the page of the message being disuser selects this anchor, the user could receive the first 5
played. The main portion of the display is the full size image
seconds of the message or some other predefined number of
of the page. At the bottom of the display, an anchor or link
seconds. As with the listing of facsimile messages, the
is provided to the "Next Page" and another anchor is
listing of the voice messages also preferably has anchors to
provided to the "Return to Fax Listing." Additional infor- 25 "Save" and "Delete."
mation may also be provided on the display, such as a link
FIG. 9 illustrates a process for converting a data message
to a company operating the MSDS 10.
into HTML. At step 180, the data file is retrieved from a
An example of the "l.html" file for generating the display database and at step 182 the HTML file containing the list
shown in FIG. 7 is shown below in Table 1.
of data messages is updated to include a listing of the newly
30 received message along with identifying information. For
TABLE 1
instance, the HTML file for the listing "datallst.html" would
be updated to include an anchor to a data file "file 1.1" and
<HTML>
would have information such as the time and date that the
<HEAD>
<TITLE>Fax Received on May 31, 1995 at 1:58 PM from (404) 249
data was transmitted, the size of the data file, as well as
6801;
35 additional identifying information.
Page 1 of 3<flITLE>
Because the MSDS 10 can receive messages of various
<fHEAD>
types, such as a facsimile message, voice message or data
<BODY>
<Ha>Fax from (404) 249--680acJ-II>
message, the MSDS 10 must be able to determine the type
<H2>Received on May 31, 1995 at 1:58 PM</I-12>
of message that is being sent over the DID trunk 15. With
<H2>Page I of 3</H2>
40 reference to FIG. 10, when an incoming call is received, the
<IMG SRC="I.gi£’>
<P>
MSDS 10 goes off hook at step 20.0 and starts to generate a
<A HREF="2.html">Next Page</a>
tinging sound. If, at step 202, a facsimile calling tone is
detected, then the ringing sound is stopped at step 204 and
<A HREF="faxlist.html">Return to Fax Listing</A>
the message is received as a facsimile message at step 206.
<P>
45 Similarly, when a data modem calling tone is detected at step
This page was automatically generated by FaxWeb(tm) on
May 31, 1995 at 2:05 PM.
208, the ringing sound is stopped at step 210 and the
<P>
message is identified as a data message at step 212.
&copy; 1995 NetOttice, Inc.
If the MSDS 10 detects a DTMF digit at step 214, the
<ItR>
ringing sound is stopped at step 216 and the MSDS 10 then
<Address>
<A HREF="http:/tkvww.netotfice.comf’>NetOffice, Inc.</A><BR>
50 determines which digit was pressed. When the digit is a "1,"
PO Box 7115<BR>
as determined at step 218, the message is identified as a
Atlanta, GA 30357<BR>
facsimile message. The MSDS 10 will thereafter receive and
<A HREF="maflto:in [e-mail]">[e-mail]</A>
store the facsimile message in the manner described above
</Address>
</BODY>
with reference to FIG. 2. If the digit is identified as a "IY’ at
</IITML>
55 step 220, the call is identified as an owner’s call and will be
processed in a manner that will be described below with
As is apparent from the listing in Table 1, the image file reference to FIG. 12. AS will be apparent, other digits may
"l.gif" for the first page is embedded into the HTML file cause the MSDS 10 to take additional steps. If any other
DTMF digit is pressed, at step 224 the MSDS 10 activates
"1.html." Also apparent from the listing is that the anchor for
"Next Page" directs the MSDS 10 to the second page of the 60 a voice call system, which will be described in more detail
facsimile message having the filename "2.html" and the below with reference to FIG. 11.
With step 226, the MSDS 10 will enter a loop continuanchor for "Return to Fax lasting" directs the MSDS 10 to
the filename "faxlist.html" containing the list of facsimile ously checking for a facsimile calling tone, a data modem
calling tone, or for a DTMF digit. If after n rings none of
messages.
Aprocess for converting a voice message into an HTML 65 these tones or digits has been detected, the ringing sound is
file is illustrated in FIG. 8. The voice message is originally stopped at step 228 and the voice call system is activated at
stored in a VOX format or an AD/PCM format and is step 224.

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With reference to FIG. 11, when a fax calling tone or from GIF to another format, the owner can select the file
formats for the voice messages, as well as other options.
modem calling tone is not detected, the voice call system
If the "*" DTMF digit is received, as determined at step
begins at step 230 by playing a voice greeting. If the greeting
was not interrupted by a DTMF digit as determined at step
272, then the owner is returned to a previous menu. The "*"
232, then the caller is prompted for the voice message at step 5 digit is also used to terminate the call when the owner has
returned to the initial menu. The "*" digit is therefore
234 and, at step 236, the voice message is recorded and
stored in memory. At step 238, the caller is prompted with universally recognized by the MSDS 10 throughout the
a number of options, such as listening to the message, saving
various menus as a command for returning to a previous
the message, or re-recording the message. Since the selecmenu.
tion of these options with DTMF digits will be apparent to ~0 If the owner enters a DTMF digit that is not being used by
the MSDS 10, the owner receives an indication at step 276
those skilled in the art, the details of this subroutine or
subroutines will not be described in further detail. When the
that the key is invalid and the owner is then again provided
with the owner’s menu at step 258. When the owner does not
caller wishes to re-record the message, as determined at step
2411, the caller is again prompted for a message at step 234. enter a DTMF digit while the owner’s menu is being played,
If the caller does not wish to re-record the message, the call a5 as determined at step 2611, the menu will be replayed n times.
is terminated at step 242.
Once the menu has been replayed n times, as determined at
If the voice greeting is interrupted by a DTMF digit, as step 262, then the call will be terminated at step 278.
If the password is incorrect, as determined at step 254,
determined at step 232, then the MSDS 10 ascertains which
then the MSDS 10 checks whether the user has made more
digit has be~n pressed. At step 244, ff the digit is a "0," the
MSDS 111 detects that the call is an owner’s call. When the 20 than "n" attempts at step 280. If "n" attempts have not been
digit is a "1," the MSDS 10 is informed at step 206 that the made, then a password incorrect message will be displayed
to the user at step 282 and the user will once again be
call carries a facsimile message. As discussed above with
reference to FIG. 111, other DTMF digits may cause the prompted for the password at step 250. When the user has
MSDS 10 to take additional steps. If an invalid digit is made "n" attempts to enter the correct password, the MSDS
pressed, by default at step 248 the routine returns to step 234 25 10 will play a failure message to the user at step 284 and then
terminate the call at step 286. The specific number "n" may
of prompting the caller for a message.
be three so that the call is terminated after three failed
It should be understood that the invention is not limited to
attempts.
the specific interactive voice response system described with
The owner’s menu may be responsive to an additional
reference to FIG. 11. As discussed above, the invention may
be responsive to DTMF digits other than just a "0" and a "1." 30 number of DTMF digits and may be structured in other
Further variations or alterations will be apparent to those
ways. For instance, separate DTMF digits may direct the
skilled in the art.
owner to the respective types of messages, such as a
With reference to FIG. 12, when the call is considered an facsimile message, data message, or voice message. Also,
owner’s call, the caller is first prompted for the password at separate DTMF digits may direct the owner to a recording
step 250. The password is received at step 252 and, if found 35 of new messages or to a recording of saved messages. Other
variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
correct at step 254, a set of announcements are played to the
A more detailed diagram of the MSDS 10 is shown in
owner. These announcements would preferably inform the
owner of the number of new messages that have been
FIG. 13. AS shown in the figure, a plurality of DID trunks 15
are received by an input/output device 17 and are then sent
received, the number of saved messages, the number of
facsimile message, the number of data messages, and the 40 to a central processor 3. The number of DID trunks 15 may
number of voice messages. Other announcements, of course,
be changed to any suitable number that would be necessary
to accommodate the anticipated number of telephone calls
could also be made at this time.
At step 258, the owner then receives a recording of the
that may be made to the MSDS 10. The input/output device
owner’s menu with the appropriate DTMF digit for each 17 routes a call on one of the DID trunks 15 to an open port
option. For instance, the DTMF digit "1" may be associated 45 of the central processor 3 and is preferably a DID Interface
Box manufactured by Exacom.
with playing a message, the DTMF digit "2" may be
The central processor 3 receives the calls on the DID
associated with an options menu, and the DTMF digit "*"
trunks 15 and stores the messages in storage 11 in accormay be associated with returning to a previous menu or
dance with soft~vare 7. Preferably, a separate directory in
terminating the call if no previous menu exists.
ADTMF digit is detected at step 260 and the appropriate 50 storage 11 is established for each user having an account on
the MSDS 10 so that all of the messages for a single user will
action is taken based upon the digit received. Thus, if the
digit is determined to be a "1" at step 264, the owner can
be stored in the same directory. It should be understood that
play a message at step 266. At step 266, the owner is
the number of processors within the central processor 3 is
dependent upon the number of DID trunks 15. With a greater
preferably greeted with a menu giving the owner the options
of playing or downloading new messages, saved messages, 55 number of DID trunks 15 capable of handling a larger
number of telephone calls, the central processor 3 may
facsimile messages, data messages, or voice messages. As
actually comprise a number of computers. The input/output
should be apparent to those skilled in the art, the owner may
receive one or more menus at step 266 and the owner may device 17 would then function to route incoming calls to an
available computer within the central processor 3.
enter one or more DTMF digits in order to play or download
a particular message.
60 A more detailed diagram of the central processor 3 is
If, instead, the digit is determined to be a "2" at step 268, shown in FIG. 14. The central processor 3 comprises a
telephone line interface 21 for each DID trunk 15. The
then the owner receives an options menu at step 270. With
telephone interface 21 provides the ringing sounds and other
the options menu, the owner can enter or change certain
parameters of the MSDS 10. For instance, the owner can communication interfacing with the telephone lines. The
change his or her password, the owner can change the 65 signals from the telephone interface 21 are routed to a
manner in which facsimile messages are displayed on the
pulse/tone decoder 23 and to a digital signal processor
computer 32, the owner can change the image file format (DSP) 25. The pulse/tone decoder 23 detects the address

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handled by the HTrPD 37, transferred through the CGI 35,
signal off of an incoming call and sends the address signal
and then received by the application programs 31. The
onto a bus 29 to a microprocessor 27. The DSP performs the
application programs 31 would then take appropriate actiors
necessary signal processing on the incoming calls and routes
according to the request, such as transferring the requested
the processed signals to the microprocessor 27.
The microprocessor 27 will then read the address signal 5 file through the CGI 35 to the HTI’PD 37 and then through
the Internet 30 to the user’s computer 32.
from the pulse/tone decoder 23 and store the message from
The Interact Server 5 may be connected to a paging
the DSP 25 in an appropriate directory in storage 11. As
system 13. Upon the arrival of a new message, in addition
discussed above, the central processor 3 may comprise a
number of computers or, more precisely, a number of to sending an E-mail message to the user’s mailbox, the
microprocessors 27 with each microprocessor 27 handling 10 Internet Server 13 may also activate the paging system 13 so
the calls from a certain number, such as four, DID trunks 15. that a pager 15 would be activated. In this manner, the user
could receive almost instantaneous notification that a mesThe microprocessor 27 may comprise any suitable
sage has arrived.
microprocessor, but is preferably at least a 486 PC.
The paging system 13 is preferably one that transmits
In addition to handling incoming calls and storing the
messages in storage 11, the central processor 3 also coor- a5 alphanumeric characters so that a message may be relayed to
the user’s pager 15. The Internet Server 5 therefore comdinates the interactive voice response system of the MSDS
10. The software 7 would incorporate the flowcharts of prises a signal processor 41 for generating signals recogoperations for receiving a message shown in FIG. 3, for nized by the paging system 13 and a telephone interface 43.
The signal processor 41 preferably receives information
detecting the type of message on an incoming call shown in
FIG. 10, for receiving voice messages shown in FIG. 11, and20 from the application programs 31 and generates a paging
for receiving an owner’s call shown in FIG. 12. Based upon message in a paging file format, such as X10/TAP. The
telephone interface 43 would include a modem, an autothe above-referenced flowcharts and the respective
marie dialer, and other suitable components for communidescriptions, the production of the software ’7 is within the
capability of one of ordinary skill in the art and will not be cating with the paging system 13.
25 The information from the application programs 31 may
described in any further detail.
simply notify the user of a message or may provide more
The Interact Server 5 is connected to the central processor
detailed information. For instance, with a facsimile message,
3, such as through a local area network, and also has access
the information from the application programs 31 may
to the storage 11. The Intemet Server 5 performs a number
comprise CSI information identifying the sender’s telephone
of functions according to software 9. For instance, the
Internet Server 5 retrieves the data files stored in storage 11 3o number. The user would therefore receive a message on the
pager 15 informing the user that a facsimile message was
by the central computer 3 and converts the files into the
appropriate HTML files. The converted HTML files are then received from a specified telephone number. The amount
and type of information that may be sent to the user on the
stored in storage 11 and may be downloaded to the computer
pager 15 may vary according to the capabilities of the paging
32 through the Internet 30. The Internet Server 5 also
handles the requests from the computer 32, which might 35 system 13 and may provide a greater or lesser amount of
require the retrieval of files from the storage 11 and possibly information than the examples provided..
The Internet Server 5 is not limited to the structure shown
the generation of additional HTML files.
The software 9 for the lnternet Server 5 would therefore’ in FIG. 15 but may comprise additional components. For
instance, the HTI’PD 37 would be linked to the Internet 30
incorporate the flowchart of operations for generating
HTML files according to user preferences shown in FIG. 4, 4o through some type of interface, such as a modem or router.
The Intemet Server 5 may be connected to the Intemet 30
for generating requested information from a user shown in
FIG. 5, for converting facsimile messages into HTML through typical phone lines, ISDN lines, a T1 circuit, a T3
shown in FIG. 6, for converting voice messages into HTML circuit, or in other ways with other technologies as will be
apparent to those skilled in the art.
shown in FIG. 8, and for converting data messages into
HTML shown in FIG. 9. Based upon the above-referenced 45 Furthermore, the Internet Server 5 need not be connected
to the Internet 30 but may be connected to other types of
flowcharts and their respective description the production of
the software 9 is within the capability of one of ordinary skill networks. For instance, the Internet Server 5, or more
generally the network Server 5, could be connected to a large
in the art and need not be described in any further detail.
Nonetheless, a more detailed block diagram of the Inter- private network, such as one established for a large corponet Server 5 is shown in FIG. 15. The Internet Server 5 runs5o ration. The network Server 5 would operate in the same
manner by converting messages into HTML fil~s, receiving
on a suitable operating system (OS) 39, which is preferably
requests for information from users on the network, and by
Windows NT. The Interact Server 5 has a number of
transmitting the information to the users.
application programs 31, such as the ones depicted in the
Also, at least one interface circuit would be located
flowcharts discussed above, for communicating with the
central processor 3 and for accessing data from storage 11 55 between the Intemet Server 5 and the central processor 3 in
order to provide communication capabilities between the
and also from memory 33.
The memory 33, inter alia, would contain the data indi- Internet Server 5 and the central processor 3. This network
interface may be provided within both the Intemet Server 5
cating the preferences of each user. Thus, for example, when
and the central processor 3 or within only one of the Interuet
a facsimile message in the TIFF/F format is retrieved by the
Internet Server 5, the Intemet Server 5 would ascertain from 60 Server 5 or central processor 3.
Examples of the Internet Server 5 software layers are
the data in memory 33 the preferred option of displaying the
shown in FIGS. 16(A) and 16(B), with FIG. 16(A) reprefacsimile message and would generate the appropriate
senting the Internet Server 5 in an asynchronous mode of
HTML files.
communication and FIG. 16(B) representing the Internet 5
All interfacing with the Internet 30 is handled by the
65
HTI’PD 37, which, in the preferred embodiment, is "Enter- in a synchronous mode of communication. As shown in the
prise Server" from NetScape Communications Corp. Any figures, the software 9 for the Internet Server fi may additional comprise an Interact Deamon for running the HTTPD
requests from users, such as a request for a file, would be

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37. The software 9 for the Interact Server 5 would also converted from a two tone black or white image into an
image with a varying gray scale. As is known in the art, a
include TCP/IP or other transport layers. Moreover, while
gray scale image of a facsimile message provides a better
the authentication is provided through the HTYPD 37, the
image than simply a black or white image of the message.
authentication of the user’s password and ID may be supple5 The signal processing may comprise any suitable standard
mented or replaced with other ways of authentication.
contrast curve method of processing, such as anti-aliasing or
The term synchronous has been used to refer to a mode of
operation for the MSDS 10 in which the all possible HTML a smoothing filter. The signal processing may occur concurrently with the conversion from TIFF/F to GIF and is
files for a message are generated at the time the message is
preferably performed for both full and reduced size images
received. The HTML files may be generated by the central
processor 3 or by the application programs 31. When a a0 of the facsimile messages.
Furthermore, the user may be provided with a greater or
request for information is then later received by the HTFPD
fewer number of options in displaying or retrieving mes37, the information has already been generated and the
HTI’PD 37 only needs to retrieve the information from sages. The options are not limited to the exact forms
storage 11 and transmit the information to the user’s com- provided but may permit the user to review or retrieve the
puter 32. With a synchronous mode of operation, the CG135 a5 messages in other formats. The options may also permit a
user to join two or messages into a single message, to delete
would be unnecessary.
portions of a message, or to otherwise the contents of the
The MSDS 10 preferably operates according to an asynmessages. Also, the various menus provided to the user over
chronous mode of operation. In an asynchronous mode of
the telephone may have a greater number of options and the
operation, information requested by the user may not be
available and may have to be generated after the request. The 20 MSDS 10 may accept responses that involve more than just
a single DTMF digit.
asynchronous mode of operation is preferred since fewer
The specific DTMF digits disclosed in the various menus
files are generated, thereby reducing the required amount of
are only examples and, as will be apparent to those skilled
storage 11. Because the information requested by a user may.
in the art, other digits may be used in their place. For
not be available, some anchors cannot specify the filename,
such as "2.html," but will instead contain a command for the 25 instance, a "9" may be used in the place of a "*" in order to
file. For instance, an anchor may be defined as <AHREF= exit the menu or to return to a previous menu. Also, the
"/faxweb/users/2496801/viewp age .cgi?FAX_NUM= DTMF digits may be changed in accordance with the user’s
I&PAGE=I&VIEW~MODE=FULL">for causing the CGI personal convention. If the user had a previous voice mail
35 to run a viewpage program so that page 1 of facsimile system, the user could customize the commands to correspond with the commands used in the previous system in
message 1 will be displayed in a full size image. The CG135 30
will generate the requested information when the informa- order to provide a smooth transition to the MSDS 10.
The MSDS’10 may restrict a user to only certain types of
tion has not been generated, otherwise the CGI 35 will
retrieve the information and relay the information to the messages. For instance, a user may want the MSDS 10 to
store only facsimile messages in order to reduce costs of
HTTPD 37 for transmission to the user.
With the invention, the MSDS 10 can reliably receive 35 using the MSDS 10. In such a situation, the MSDS 10 would
voice, facsimile, and data messages for a plurality of users perform an additional step of checking that the type of
message received for a user is a type of message that the
and can receive more than one message for a user at a single
MSDS 10 is authorized to receive on the user’s behalf. When
time. The messages are stored by the MSDS 10 and can be
the message is an unauthorized type of message, the MSDS
retrieved at the user’s convenience at any time by connecting to the Internet 30. The Internet World Wide Web 30 is a 4o 10 may ignore the message entirely or the MSDS 10 may
inform the user that someone attempted to send a message
constantly expanding network that permits the user to
to the MSDS 10. Moreover, the MSDS 10 has been
retrieve the messages at virtually any location in the world.
described as having the central processor 3 for handling
Since the user only needs to incur a local charge for
incoming calls and the Interact Server 10 for interfacing
connecting to the Interact 30, the user can retrieve or review
with the Internet 30. The invention may be practiced in
messages at a relatively low cost.
45
Even for the user’s at the otfice or at home, the MSDS 10 various ways other than with two separate processors. For
instance, the central processor 3 and the Internet Server 5
provides a great number of benefits. The user would not need
a facsimile machine, voice mail system, or a machine may comprise a single computer or workstation for handling
the incoming calls and for interfacing with the Internet 30.
dedicated for receiving data messages. The user also need
not worry about losing part of the message or violating the 5o The MSDS 10 may convert the messages into HTML files
prior to storing the messages. Also, the central processor 3
confidential nature of the messages. The user, of course, can
still have a facsimile machine and dedicated computer for may communicate with the paging system 13 instead of the
data messages. The MSDS 10, however, will permit the user Internet Server 5. Additionally, as discussed above, the
central processor 3 may comprise a number of microproto use the telephone company’s "call forwarding" feature so
that messages may be transferred to the MSDS 10 at the 55 cessors 27 for handling a large number of DID trunks.
The invention has been described as converting the mesuser’s convenience, such as when the user is away from the
sages into HTML and transmitting the HTML files over the
office.
The software 7 and software 9 are not limited to the exact Internet 30 to the computer 32. The HTML format, however,
is only the currend~, preferred format for exchanging inforforms of the flowcharts shown but may be varied to suit the
particular hardware embodied by the invention. The soft- 60 mation on the Inter/net 30 and is actually only one type of a
Standard Generalized Mark-Up Language. The invention is
ware may comprise additional processes not shown or may
therefore not limited to the HTML format but may be
combine one or more of the processes shown into a single
practiced with any type of mixed media page layout lanprocess. Further, the software 7 and 9 may be executed by
guage that can be used to exchange information on the
a single computer, such as a Silicon Graphics Workstation,
65 Internet 30.
or may be executed by a larger number of computers.
SGML is not limited to any specific standard but encomThe facsimile messages preferably undergo signal propasses numerous dialects and variations in languages. One
cessing so that the images of the facsimile messages are

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In addition to different versions of H’ITP, the HTI’PD 37
example of an SGML dialect is virtual reality mark-up
language (VRML) which is used to deliver three dimen- of the MSDS 10 may operate with other implementations of
HTrP. For instance, the W3C’s has an implementation of
"sional images through the Internet. As another example, the
HTrP called "Jigsaw." Jigsaw is an HTFP server entirely
computer 32 for accessing the MSDS 10 through the Internet
30 may comprise a handheld device. A handheld device is 5 written in Java and provides benefits in terms of portability,
generally characterized by a small display size, limited input extensibility, and efficiency. The MSDS 10 may employ
Jigsaw or other implementations of HTIP.
capabilities, limited bandwidth, and limited resources, such
With regard to the transmission of messages to the user’s
as limited amount of memory, processing power, or permacomputer 32, the MSDS 10 permits the user to sample the
nent storage. In view of these limited capabilities, a handheld device markup language (HDML) has been proposed to s0 voice message or to preview the facsimile message without
requiring the MSDS 10 to transmit the entire message to the
provide easy access to the Intemet 30 for handheld devices.
The SGML information transmitted by the MSDS 10 to the computer 32. This sampling ability is a significant benefit
computer 32 may therefore comprise HDML information since the transmission of the entire message would frequently tie up the computer 32 for a rather long period of
suitable for a handheld device or may comprise VRML.
As another example, Extensible Mark-Up Language 25 time. Thus, with the preview or sample feature, the user can
(XML) is an abbreviated version of SGML, which makes it determine whether the user needs the message transmitted to
the computer 32.
easier to define document types and makes it easier for
programmers to write programs to handle them. XML omits ~ If the user does decide that the entire message needs to be
transmitted, as stated above, the user’s computer 32 might
some more complex and some less-used parts of the standard SGML in return for the benefits of being easier to write 20’ be receiving the message for a relatively long period of time.
After the entire message has been received, the user then has
applications for, easier to understand, and more suited to
the options of viewing, listening, retrieving, or saving the
delivery and inter-operability over the Web. Because XML
is nonetheless a dialect of SGML, the MSDS 10 therefore message. As an alternative, the user’s computer may instead
indicate the contents of the message to the user as the
encompasses the translation of facsimile, voice, and data
messages into XML, including all of its dialects and 25 message is being received.
For instance, with a voice message, the user’s computer
variations, and the delivery of these messages to computers
32 could send the message to an audio speaker as the
32 through the Internet 30.
message is being received. In this manner, the message
As a further example, the MSDS 10 encompasses the use
of "dynamic HTML." "Dynamic HTML" is a term that has would be played in real time and the user would not need to
been used to describe the combination of HTML, style 30 wait until the entire message is received before listening to
the message. In order to play the messages in real time, the
sheets, and scripts that allows documents to be animated.
The Document Object Model (DOM) is a platform-neutral messages are preferably in the RealAudio (RA) format,
which the user can select as the preferred file format for
and language neutral interface allowing dynamic access and
voice messages.
updating of content, structure, and style of documents. The
MSDS 10 may therefore include the use of the DOM and35 In operation, the MSDS 10 would transmit an HTML file
dynamic HTML to deliver dynamic content to the computer containing an RA file. If the user selects the RA file with the
browser on the computer 32, the browser will activate a
32 through the Internet 30.
The MSDS 10 is also not limited to any particular version program for use with RA’files. The operations and functioning of this program will be apparent to those skilled in the
or standard of HTFP and thus not to any particular hypertext transfer protocol deamon 37. In general, HTYP is a data 40 art and will be available as a separate software package or
will be incorporated within a browser program. The RA
access protocol run over TCP and is the basis of the World
program will request the RA data file containing the message
Wide Web. HTI~,P began as ’a generic request-response
from the MSDS 10 and, as the RA file is being received at
protocol, designed to accommodate a variety of applications
the computer 32, this program will play the message in real
ranging from document exchange and management to
searching and forms processing. Through the development 45 time.
The MSDS 10 and the user’s computer 32 could also be
of HTI’P, the request for extensions and new features to
H’FI’P has exploded; such extensions range from caching, arranged so that each page or even line of a facsimile
message could be displayed as the computer 32 receives the
distributed authoring and content negotiation to various
facsimile message. Further, although the transmission of a
remote procedure call mechanisms. By not having a modularized architecture, the price of new features has been an 50 data message is relatively fast in comparison to a voice or
overly complex and incomprehensible protocol. For facsimile message, the computer 32 could also be proinstance, a Protocol Extension Protocol (PEP) is an exten- grammed to permit access to the data message as the
message is being received.
sion mechanism for H’ITP designed to address the tension
The invention has been described as storing and transbetween private agreement and public specification and to
accommodate extension of HTI’P clients’ and servers by55 mitting voice messages. It should be understood that the
software components. Multiplexing Protocol (MUX) is voice message would probably be the most often type of
audio message stored at the MSDS 10. The invention,
another extension that introduces asynchronous messaging
however, may be used with any type of audio message and
support at a layer below HTI’P. As a result of these drawbacks of HTI’P, a new version of HTI’P, namely HT!’P-NG, is in no way limited to just voice messages.
has been proposed and its purpose is to provide a new 60 According to another aspect of the invention, the MSDS
10 may be used as a file repository serving as an archive for
architecture for the HTFP protocol based on a simple,
extensible distributed object-oriented model. HTFP-NG, for a particular user or group of users. As described above, the
MSDS 10 may maintain a list of all messages for a particular
instance, provides support for commercial transactions
user which is displayed to the user when the user access his
including enhanced security and support for on-line payments. Another version of HT!’P, namely S-H’ITP, provides65 or her mailbox. The MSDS 10 may store all messages,
secure messaging. The MSDS 10 and the HTYPD 37 may whether they are voice, facsimile, or data, for a user in the
database indefinitely. The MSDS 10 may therefore be relied
incorporate these versions or other versions of H’FI’P.

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may also be used by a user to customize the MSDS lfl
upon by a user to establish the authenticity of a message and
according to his or her own desires. For instance, if the user
the existence or absence of a particular message. Through
the MSDS 10, a user can therefore maintain an accurate is a company, the company may want to classify messages
record of all received email messages, facsimile messages, according to the division at which the message is directed,
and data transfers.
5 such as one code for marketing, one for sales, one for
engineering, and one for legal.
In addition to serving as a file depository, the MSDS 11~
As another example of a use of one of the other fields 309,
may also function as a documen,t management tool. As
a user can input notes in the other field 309. When a user
described above with reference to FIG. 2, when the MSDS
initially receives a data entry 300, the entry 300, for
10 receives a message, the MSDS 10 updates a database
with information on the message. This information includes ~0 instance, may include data in all fields 301 to 308 except
the type of message, whether it is a facsimile message, voice
field 309, which has been left blank. The user can then input
his or her notes in the other field. An initial data entry 300
message, or data message, the time and date at which the
may include the field 305 for the caller’s telephone number
message was received, the size of the file, such as in bytes,
which contains the digits for the calling number. The user,
the telephone number of the caller leaving the message, as
well as other information, such as the number of pages of a ~5 however, may not readily recognize the caller from just
facsimile message. Because the telephone number called is
reading the telephone number listed in field 305. To more
clearly indicate the caller, the user may input notes in field
unique for each user, the information also includes the
309 to identify the caller’s name. Alternatively, the notes in
intended recipient of the message.
An example of a data entry 300 in storage 11 for a field 309 may reflect part or all of the contents of the
message is shown in FIG. 17. The data entry 300 represents 20 message. The user may receive a large document or message
and may input a brief description of the document or
the entry for just a single message with each message having
a separate data entry 300. Preferably, the data entries 300 are message in the field 309. As another example, the recipient
of the message may read the message or document and
stored in a relational database and may be searched through
discover that the caller is requesting some service or goods
a structured query language (SQL).
As shown in FIG. 17, the data field 300 for a message may25 from the recipient, such as a request for certain documents
comprise numerous data fields for describing the message.
or delivery of a certain quantity of goods. The recipient may
One of these data fields may comprise a field 301 for read the document or message and place some notes in the
field 309 to indicate the type of follow-up service or action
indicating the name of the person receiving the message. AS
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the person may
that needs to be taken. An assistant to the recipient can then
be identified in numerous ways, such as by a portion of the 30 view the notes in field 309 and take appropriate steps to
person’s name or by a unique number. Another field 302 in ensure that the requested service or goods are delivered. If
the data entry 300 indicates the type of the document, such
the data entry is security protected, one of the other fields
as whether the document is a facsimile message, voice 309, as discussed above, may grant the assistant limited
access to just the field 309 or may grant more expansive
message, or data transfer, and fields 303 and 304 respectively indicate the date and time that the message was 35 access whereby the assistant can view fields 301 to 309 as
well as the actual document or message. The fields 309 may
received by the MSDS 10. The telephone number of the
caller is indicated in field 305 while the size of the message, serve various other purposes, as will be apparent to those
which may be measured in bytes, is indicated in field 306 skilled in the art.
FIG. 18 illustrates a process 320 for using the MSDS 10
and the number of pages of the message is indicated in field
307. A document number for uniquely identifying the mes- 40 for document management purposes. With reference to FIG.
18, a user sends a search request to the MSDS 10 for a
sage is indicated in field 308. AS discussed above, the files
or messages received for a particular user may be numbered particular document or set of documents at step 321. The
user may issue this request with the computer 32 by clicking
sequentially in the order that they are received by the MSDS
on a link, such as a link to "Search Documents," which may
10. The files and messages, however, may be numbered or
identified in other ways, such as by a combination of 45 be presented to the user by the MSDS 10 after the user has
been granted accesses to his or her mailbox at step 72 shown
numbers with an identifier for the date when the message
in FIG. 3. The MSDS 10 may present the user with the
was received. Also, the documents number or identifier may
option to search the document archives at other times, such
be unique for each file or message directed to a user or,
as when the user first attempts to access the mailbox at step
alternatively, may be unique for each file or message
directed to a plurality of users, which is advantageous when 50 62, or when the URL received by the HTI’PD 37 from
computer 32 points toward the document archives.
the MSDS 10 tracks documents for an entire company or
In response to this request, the HTI’PD 37 sends the user
other group of users.
In addition to fields 301 to 308, the data entry 300 for a a search query form at step 322 to allow the user to define
message or file may have other fields 309 for describing or a desired search. An example of a search query form is
documenting the message or file. The other fields 309, for55 shown in FIG. 19. The search query form may include an
entry for each of the data fields 301 to 309 in the data entry
instance, may be used to identify the type of storage that a
300. For instance, the user may input one or more names for
message should receive. The messages or files may have
a recipient and have the MSDS 10 search for all messages
different lengths of time that the message is stored before
or files directed to just those recipients. The user may also
being automatically deleted. The type of storage, such as
whether the full text of the message is stored, may also be 60 indicate the type of document, such as whether it is a
indicated by field 309. Another example of a trait that may facsimile, voice message or data file. The search query form
also has entries for the date or time, which preferably accept
be contained within the other field 309 is security. At times,
ranges of times and dates, and an entry for the telephone
a user may desire and may be granted access to another
person’s mailbox, such when the MSDS 10 tracks docu- number of the caller to the MSDS 10. The search query form
ments for an entire company. By designating a message or 65 may also include an entry for the size of the file or for the
number of pages, which is relevant if the message is a
file as secure in field 309, a user may restrict or deny access
facsimile message. The search query form may also include
to that message or file by other users. The other fields 309

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26

an entry for the document number, which may accept a range
saves the results of a search as an open search, then the files
of document numbers, and also an entry for another field.
or messages in that named search may be updated with
At step 323, the user enters the search parameters in the
recent files or messages falling within the particular search
search query form with computer 32 and returns the infor- parameters for the search. On the other hand, a closed search
mation to the MSDS 10 through the Interact 30. The user 5 is one in which the files’or messages in the named search are
may define the search about any one data field or may define
limited to those e£isting at the time of the search. For
the search about a combination of two or more data fields.
example, if the MSDS 10 saved the search results shown in
For instance, as reflected in the completed search query form
FIG. 21 as a closed search, then any retrieval of the
shown in FIG. 20, a user may define a search by designating
"CHARLES R BOBO FACSIMILES" would result in only
the document type as a facsimile and the calling number as 10 the three listed documents. If, on the other hand, the search
[phone]. Once the user has finished defining the named as the "CHARLES R BOBO FACSIMILES" was
search, the user then selects the "SEARCH" link shown at
saved by the MSDS 10 as an open search, then the MSDS
the bottom of the screen whereby the user’s computer 32
10 would reactivate the search query shown in FIG. 20 in
would send the completed search query form through the
response to a request by the computer 32 for that search in
Internet 30 to the HTI’PD 37 of the MSDS 10.
a5 order to obtain all facsimile messages from that particular
At step 324, the HTI’PD 37 receives the completed search
telephone number, including those received after the initial
query form and, through CG135, invokes one or more of the saving of the search results.
application programs 31 for performing the desired search
With reference to FIG. 19, rather than defining a new
for any files or messages falling within the parameters of the
search, the user may click on the "STORED SEARCHES"
search. The results of the search are passed from the appli- 20 link in order to receive the results of a previously performed
cation programs 31 through the CGI 35 to the HTITD 37 search. For example, by clicking on this link, the MSDS 10
and, at step 325, are returned to the user through the Internet
may return a listing of searches stored for that particular
37. Preferably, the MSDS 10 returns the search results in the
user, such as the searches shown in FIG. 22. As shown in this
figure, the "CHARLES R. BOBO FACSIMILES" is
form of a listing of all files or messages contained qcithin the
search parameters, although the MSDS 10 may return the 25 included within the list of stored searches. If the user then
results in other ways.
selected the "CHARLES R. BOBO FACSIMILES" search,
An example of the search results of the query shown in
the user may then be presented with the listing of facsimiles
FIG. 20 is shown in FIG. 21. As discussed above, the shown in FIG. 21, possibly including recent additions to the
parameters of the search were all facsimile messages from search group.
telephone number [phone]. With reference to FIG.
30 With reference to FIG. 19, the MSDS 10 may also provide
21, this query resulted in three messages being discovered.
a user with a link to "RECENT FILES" at step 322. By
The first document has a document number 11 and is
selecting this link, the MSDS 10 may return a listing of all
facsimile, voice, and data messages received with a particudescribed as being a facsimile from the designated telephone
number to Jane Doe on May 31, 1995, and consists of three
lar period of time, such as the last month. By placing the
pages. This first-listed document is an example of the 35 "RECENT FILES" link on the search query form rather than
facsimile shown in FIG. 7. The other two documents respec- in the listing of "STORED SEARCHES," the user can
tively correspond to document numbers 243 and 1,002 and
quickly turn to the most recent files and messages. The
are also from the designated telephone number.
search query form may contain other such easy-access links,
At step 326, the user selects the desired file or message
such as a link to the last search performed by the MSDS 10
from the listing of messages and files. For instance, by 4o on behalf of the user.
clicking on the first ’listed document, namely document
The messages or files received by the MSDS 10 need not
number 11, the computer 32 sends a request to the MSDS 10 arrive from a third party. In other words, the MSDS 10 may
for a viewing of that document and, in response, the MSDS
be used as a file repository or as a file manager for docu10 provides a viewing of the document according to the user
ments generated by the user itself. The user may call the
defined preferences. As described above, the user may 45 designated telephone number for receiving messages and
receive a reduced size image of the first page, a full size transmit voice messages, data messages, or facsimile mesimage of the first page, reduced size images of all pages, or sages and have the MSDS 10 document the receipt and
full size images of all pages of the facsimile message. Thus, content of these messages. A user may easily use a facsimile
machine as a scanner for entering documents into the storage
if the user selected the fourth display option as the user
defined preference, the MSDS 10 would return an image of50 11 of the MSDS 10.
the first page of the facsimile, such as the one depicted in
The MSDS 10 may have applications in addition to those
discussed-above with regard to serving as a message
FIG. 7.
At step 326, the user may also have the MSDS 10 save the
deliverer, file repository, and file manager. For instance, the
search results. For instance, as shown in FIG. 21, the user
MSDS 10 may perform some additional processing on the
may input the name of "CHARLES R. BOBO FACSIMI- incoming calls prior to forwarding them to the user. For
55
LES" as the name for the search. By clicking on the "SAVE voice messages, this processing may involve transcribing
SEARCH AS" link, the name of the search is provided from the message and then returning the transcribed messages to
the computer 32 to the MSDS 10. At the MSDS 10, the the user. The MSDS 10 may therefore be viewed as offering
HTI~PD 37 transfers the information from the computer 32 secretarial assistance which may be invaluable to small
to the CGI 35 and the CGI 35 invokes an application6o companies or individuals who cannot afford a secretary or
program 31 to store the results of the search in storage 11
even to larger businesses who may need some over-flow
under the designated name. The invoked application proassistance. The transcription may be provided by individuals
gram 31 preferably does not store the contents of all meslocated in any part of the world or may be performed
sages but rather stores a listing of the search results in the
automatically by a speech-to-text recognition software, such
storage 11.
65 as
The results of a search may be stored in storage 11 as
Another type of processing that the MSDS 10 may
either a closed search or an open search. If the MSDS 10 provide is translation services. The incoming call, whether it

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is a voice, facsimile, or data message, can be converted into
7. The communications messaging platform as set forth in
SGML and then forwarded first to a translator. Given the claim 5, wherein the Internet file storage and management
reach of the Internet, the translator may be located virtually
function enables the Internet users to control access privianywhere in the world and can return the translated doculeges to the files.
ment via the Intemet to the MSDS 10. The MSDS 10 can 5 8. The communications messaging platform as set forth in
notify the user that the translation has been completed
claim 5, wherein the Internet file storage and management
through email, voice marl, pager, facsimile, or in other ways. function provides a thumbnail view of the files.
The user would then connect to the Intemet and retrieve the
9. The communications messaging platform as set forth in
translated document. The translation services of the MSDS
claim 1, wherein the computerized server system is further
10 may also provide transcription of the message, such as
programmed to implement a meta-directory function conwith speech-to-text recognition software.
figured to store user preferences associated with the Intemet
The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments
users.
of the invention have been presented only for the purposes
10. The communications messaging platform as set forth
of illustration and description. It is not intended to be
in claim 9, wherein the meta-directory function is configured
exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form
to store meta-data associated with the files.
disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in
11. An integrated messaging platform, comprising:
light of the above teaching.
The embodiments were chosen and described in order to
at least one computerized server system programmed to
explain the principles of the invention and their practical
implement:
application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize
a messaging function configured to receive an electronic
the invention and various embodiments and with various 20
document intended for an Internet user, to provide a
modifications as are suited to the particular use contemsecure mailbox for the Intemet user, to store the elecplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention only be
tronic document in a storage area associated with the
limited by the claims appended hereto.
Intemet user’s mailbox, and to receive electronic docuI claim:
ments of a plurality of different formats; and
1. A communications messaging platform, comprising:
a notification function configured to provide the Intemet
at least one computerized server system programmed to
user with notification of the availability of the elec~nplement:
tronic document, the notification including a reference
a messaging function configured to receive messages
provided to assist the Intemet user to gain access to the
and configured to place the messages in storage areas
associated with respective mailboxes associated with 30
electronic document, wherein:
respective intended recipients of the messages, the
the messaging function is configured to interface with the
messages being of any one or media types selected
Intemet user through a browser interface;
from the group consisting of an audio media type, an
Internet user’s mailbox and the electronic document assoimage media type, and a data media type; and
ciated therewith are capable of being accessed by the
a notification function configured to send notification
Intemet user through the browser interface; and
messages to respective ones of the intended recipi- 35
the messaging function is configured to forward the
ents after receipt of the messages, the notification
electronic document via the Internet for delivery to the
messages alerting the respective ones of the intended
user.
recipients of the receipt and availability of the mes12. The integrated messaging platform as set forth m
sages at their respective mailboxes, wherein:
the messaging function is configured to interface with the 40 claim 11, wherein the reference included with the notificaintended recipients through a browser interface;
tion comprises a Uniform Resource Locator.
13. The integrated messaging platform as set forth in
the intended recipients are capable of accessing their
claim 11, wherein the reference included with the notificarespective mailboxes and the messages associated
tion comprises a set of alphanumeric characters.
therewith through the browser interface; and
14. The integrated messaging platform as set forth in
the messaging function couples information associated 45
claim 11, wherein the messaging function determines the
with the messages to the respective intended recipients
via the Internet.
authenticity of the electronic document.
2. The communications messaging platform as set forth in
15. The integrated messaging platform as set forth m
claim 1, wherein the notification function provides a Uni- claim 11, wherein the messaging function tracks the delivery
form Resource Locator in the notification message.
50 of the electronic document.
3. The communications messaging platform as set forth in
16. The integrated messaging platform as set forth m
claim 1, wherein the notification messages comprise wire- claim 11, wherein the messaging function translates the
less messages.
electronic document from a first format to a second format.
17. The integrated messaging platform as set forth m
4. The communications messaging platform as set forth in
claim 1, wherein the notification messages comprise email 55claim 11, further comprising a document management tool.
messages.
18. The integrated messaging platform as set forth in
5. The communications messaging platform as set forth in claim 17, wherein the document management tool controls
claim 1, wherein the computerized server system further privileges associated with the electronic document.
comprises an Internet file storage management functio~
19. The integrated messaging platform as set forth in
configured to store files associated with Internet users, 6o claim 17, wherein the document management tool stores
wherein the Intemet file storage and management function is meta-data associated with the electronic document.
configured to interface with the Internet users through a
20. The integrated messaging platform as set forth in
browser interface, and is configured to enable the Internet
claim 11, wherein the messaging function receives the
users to manage the files through the browser interface.
electronic document in hyper-text transfer protocol.
6. The communications messaging platform as set forth in 65 21. The integrated messaging platform as set forth in
claim 5, wherein the Internet file storage and management claim 11, wherein the messaging function forwards the
function supports files of a plurality of different formats.
electronic document to a plurality of Intemet users.

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US 6,857,074 B2
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3O

22. The communications messaging platform as set forth
with a mailbox associated with an intended recipient
of the facsimile message; and
in claim 1, wherein:
a notification function configured to send a notification
at least one of the messages is of the audio media type, is
message to the intended recipient after receipt of the
received from a telephone line, and is converted to an 5
facsimile message, the notification message alerting
audio formatted file which is stored in a messaging
~
the intended recipient of the facsimile message of the
database associated with the communications messagavailability the image formatted file via the mailbox,
ing platform, and
wherein:
the information associated with the at least one of the
the messaging function is configured to interface with the
messages comprises the audio formatted file.
intended recipient through a browser interface;
23. The communications messaging platform as set forth 10 the mailbox and the image formatted file associated
in ,claim 1, wherein:
therewith are capable of being accessed by the intended
recipient through the browser interface; and the mesat least one of the messages is of the image media type,
saging function is operative to couple the image foris received as a facsimile transmission from a telephone
matted file from the communications messaging platline, and is converted to an image formatted file which
is stored in a messaging database associated with the a5 form via the Internet for download to the intemet
recipient in response to a client request packet received
communications messaging platform, and
via the browser interface.
the information associated with the at least one of the
26. An integrated messaging platform, comprising:
messages comprises the image formatted file.
24. A communications messaging platform, comprising: 20 at least one computerized server system programmed to
implement:
at least one computerized server system programmed to
a messaging function configured to receive a media file
implement:
intended for a user of a packet switched data
a messaging function configured to receive a voice
network, to provide a secure mailbox for the user, to
message over a telephone line, convert the voice
store the media file into a storage area associated
message into an audio formatted file, and place the 25
with the user’s mailbox, and to receive media files of
audio formatted file into a storage area associated
a plurality of different formats; and
with a mailbox associated with an intended recipient
a notification function configured to provide the user with
of the voice message; and
notification via a wireless transmission path of the
a notification function configured to send a notification 30
availability of the media file in the storage area, the
message to the intended recipient after receipt of the
notification including a reference provided to assist the
voice message, the notification message alerting the
user to gain access to the media file, wherein:
intended recipient of the voice message of the availthe messaging function is configured to interface with the
ability of the audio formatted file via the mailbox,
user through a browser interface;
wherein
35 the mailbox and the media file stored in the storage area
the messaging function is configured to interface with the
associated therewith are capable of being accessed
intended recipient through a browser interface;
through the browser interface; and the messaging functhe mailbox and the audio formatted file associated theretion is configured to forward the media file via the
with are capable of being accessed by the intended
packet switched data network for delivery to the user.
recipient through the browser interface; and
40 27. The integrated messaging platform as set forth in
the messaging function is operative to forward the audio
claim 26, wherein the packet switched data network is the
formatted file from the communications messaging Internet and the user uses a web browser to interface with the
platform via the Interact for download to the intended
browser interface.
recipient in response to a client request packet received
28. The integrated messaging platform as set forth in
via the browser interface.
45 claim 26, wherein the packet switched data network is a
25. A communications messaging platform, comprising: restricted access network coupled to the Internet, the user
at least one computerized server system programmed to
uses an application program that interprets markup language
to render information on a user interface to interface with the
implement:
browser interface, and at least oen of the plurality of
a messaging function configured to receive a facsimile
message over a telephone fine, convert the facsimile 50 different formats is an image file format.
message into an image formatted file, and place the
image formatted file into a storage area associated

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