Cisco Technology, Inc.

David S Gress

Robert Raymond Sealey

Robert James Lockwood

Thomas Bryant Sealey, Ii

A user computer, for example a personal computer (PC), includes a recorder configured for generating an audio file having an identifier enabling a unified messaging system to identify the audio file as a voice message, and an e-mail client configured for sending the audio file to a prescribed destination corresponding to a unified messaging subscriber voice mail inbox, enabling the unified messaging subscriber to use the unified messaging system for retrieval of the audio file as a stored voice message.

Arrangement in a local computer for sending voice messages to a unified communications system

A messaging system is provided for playing a messaging prompt in response to a request for execution of a messaging operation. The request contains calling party number information. The messaging system includes an application runtime environment configured for retrieving for playback as the messaging prompt, a personalized voice message based on a match of the received calling party number information with calling party number information stored in an Internet Protocol (IP) based database server. The personalized voice message corresponds to the matched, stored calling number information of the calling party. Hence, a subscriber can record personalized greeting for preferred callers such that when a preferred caller reaches the subscriber's voice mail, the personalized greeting for that caller is played. If the caller is not a preferred caller, a generic greeting is played.

Unified messaging feature that plays greetings based on the received calling party number

A unified messaging system is configured for encrypting messages. The calling party is prompted to encrypt the unified message, for example as part of an extended options menu. The unified messaging system encrypts the unified message based on an encryption key input by the user into an encrypted message, and generates an open-network destination header for identifying a destination location for the encrypted message according to an open-network protocol. The unified messaging system then outputs the open-network destination header and the encrypted message as an open-network encrypted message to an open-network message store. During retrieval of the message, the unified messaging system identifies the encrypted message and prompts the destination subscriber for a decryption key; the unified messaging system performs a decryption operation to recover a decrypted file, and outputs the decrypted file for playback to the user.

Unified messaging system configured for transport of encrypted messages

A unified communications system is configured for receiving, storing, and/or sending SMS messages based on management of the SMS messages according to a prescribed open standards-based protocol. The unified communications system includes an SMS module configured for receiving SMS messages according to SMPP protocol. The SMS module obtains source and destination information from the received SMS message, and accesses a subscriber profile directory for subscriber profile information based on at least one of the source and destination information. The SMS module generates a common format message that includes the SMS message, and selectively supplies the common format message to selected destinations based on the accessed subscriber profile information. The common format message may be stored in a prescribed message store, for example an IMAP directory, or output as an e-mail message to a prescribed destination. The SMS module also is configured for selectively supplying stored messages to a unified messaging subscriber as an SMS message based on the profile information on the unified messaging subscriber. Hence, the unified communications system enables SMS messaging users to send SMS messages to non SMS-type devices (e.g., telephones, e-mail clients, etc.) and retrieve stored common format messages (e.g., fax, e-mail, voice messages) using the SMS message system.

Unified messaging system configured for management of short message service-type messages

A unified communications system includes an SMS command processor configured for executing prescribed messaging operations based on reception of an SMS message having respective prescribed commands, and a text-to-speech resource configured for controlling conversion of the SMS message into an audible message. The SMS command processor parses the received SMS message for the prescribed command, and executes the prescribed command as necessary. In response to detecting a text-to-speech command, the SMS command processor invokes the text-to-speech resource for conversion of the SMS message into an audible message. The SMS command processor outputs the audible message for delivery of the audible message, for example using a notification service that initiates an outgoing telephone call to a messaging destination specified in the SMS message, or by establishing a voice over IP telephone connection with the messaging destination and playing the audible message.

Unified messaging system configured for converting short message service messages to audible messages

A unified communications system includes an SMS command processor configured for executing prescribed messaging operations based on reception of an SMS message having respective prescribed commands. The SMS command processor is configured for receiving the SMS message based on the SMS message having a prescribed destination that corresponds to the address for the SMS command processor. The SMS message may be generated by the unified messaging subscriber requesting execution of a prescribed messaging operation, or from another agent configured for generating the SMS message based on a prescribed event. The SMS command processor parses the received SMS message for the prescribed command, and executes the prescribed command as necessary. The prescribed command may be defined by the service provider, alternately the prescribed command may be user-defined according to a command table stored in a subscriber profile directory. Hence, SMS messaging users can send SMS messages as a command interface for a unified messaging system, enabling storage and retrieval of unified messages.

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Mechanicsville, VA, United States of America

David S Gress