Method and apparatus for defining parameter transmission protocols for a call intercept/message delivery telephone system

US5455852A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Unisys Corporation · US

Inventors

• Edwin M. Elrod · Downingtown, US
• Carl R. Faix · Cherry Hill, US
• John U. Daniel · West Chester, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 7, 1993
• Grant date: Oct 3, 1995
• Expiry date: Oct 7, 2013

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04M3/533
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A Voice Messaging System (VMS) offers a voice store and forward service to a caller on an incomplete call. The caller records the voice message at a Message Delivery System (MDS) via an Intercept Processing Unit (IPU) during a recording session. Call related parameters are transferred from the IPU to the MDS utilizing a handshake protocol specific to the IPU. The VMS accommodates different types of IPUs having different call parameter transfer protocols. The system displays, on the administration terminal, protocol maintenance screens including a generic list of call parameters with fields for entering the order and field length of selected parameters so as to designate a protocol specification to the system. The fields also include information regarding the delimiters utilized to separate the parameters of a parameter string and to designate the end of a parameter string. The protocol specifications are stored in protocol tables keyed by CALLTYPE designating the type of IPU calling the MDS. A split protocol is implemented where a first string of parameters is transmitted prior to the recording session and a second string after the recording session. A special protocol state denote…