System and method for message delivery

US5646982A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Link USA Corp. · US

Inventors

• Steven J. Hogan · Cedar Rapids, US
• Kristi T. Feltz · Cedar Rapids, US
• Douglas R. Murdock · Cedar Rapids, US
• Roy Allen Rhodes · Marion, US
• Keith E. Smith · Cedar Rapids, US
• Todd A. Goodman · Cedar Rapids, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 30, 1994
• Grant date: Jul 8, 1997
• Expiry date: Dec 30, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04M2203/2016
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A message delivery sequence coordinates the scheduling and delivery of messages. When a user desires to send a message, the user contacts the message delivery system. An automated voice response unit prompts the user for message delivery information, including a delivery time and other delivery options and also prompts the user for the message itself. The message is stored in a message database and an access record corresponding to the message and containing message delivery information is stored in an access database. A delivery time is determined for the message and an event is stored in a scheduling database indicating the delivery time. At the scheduled delivery time, the message delivery system instructs a network control processor to start delivery of the message. The network control processor notifies the automated voice response unit that the message is to be delivered. The network control processor originates a call to the recipient and informs the automated voice response unit when the recipient answers. The automated voice response unit retrieves the message from the message database and initiates delivery of the message to the recipient.