Apparatus and method that allow telephone callers to leave longer messages

US6522724B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Information and Communication Networks, Inc. · US

Inventors

• Leland Lester · Austin, US
• David C. Iglehart · Austin, US
• Kevin M. Raper · Austin, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 20, 1998
• Grant date: Feb 18, 2003
• Expiry date: Jan 20, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04Q3/72
• WIPO field: Telecommunications
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A messaging system allows a message recipient to assign different message lengths to different messages. In one embodiment, the recipient sets the length of time per message. In another embodiment, the recipient programs the messaging system with codes that, when matched, enable longer messages. The recipient assigns the codes to “preferred” senders. The senders transmit the code, either explicitly, for example by a sequence of keystrokes, or automatically, for example by transmitting caller identification.