Patent · US Expired

Technique for reducing message notification blockage in voice mail systems

US5388151A · kind A · utility

13Cited by
7References
9Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateMay 20, 1994
Grant dateFeb 7, 1995
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 20, 2014

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH04Q3/625
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

Method and apparatus are disclosed for dedicating one or more second lines interconnecting a public/private communication system (PCS), such as a Private Branch Exchange (PBX), and a Voice Mail System (VMS) for only providing message notification to communication devices of recipients of voicemail messages via the PCS. A plurality of analog first lines in a hunt group between the PCS and the VMS permit voice communications between callers and the VMS via the PCS. The VMS includes an applications processor which is integrated (coupled) to the PCS. The applications processor determines if a second line to be used only for message notification is part of the plurality of analog first lines in the hunt group. If the second line is part of the plurality of analog first lines, the applications processor accesses the PCS over the second line, and causes the second line to be made inaccessible to the public/private communication system for transmitting incoming calls to the Voice Mail System. When a second line is not part of the plurality of analog first lines, the applications processor accesses the PCS, and causes all incoming calls that are directed to the VMS over this second line to …

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.