Virtual Messaging Routing via Email Server Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current voice messaging systems require substantial equipment and maintenance, as well as designated voice mailboxes with finite storage, leading to high costs and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A method of routing incoming calls to a plurality of virtual message servers, where each server operates independently, allowing for message storage and notification without the need for subscriber accounts or mailboxes, using protocols like SMS or MMS for message delivery and retrieval.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional voice messaging systems use designated voice mailboxes with finite storage, then messages can be stored and retrieved, but the system becomes cumbersome and expensive to maintain as more accounts and messages are added
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the message storage function from traditional voice mailboxes and relocates it to email servers. Messages are stored as email attachments rather than in dedicated mailbox storage, allowing the use of existing email infrastructure for voice message storage without requiring separate mailbox systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses multi-functional email servers that handle both traditional email and voice message storage. The same email infrastructure serves multiple purposes: email communication, voice message storage, and message notification, eliminating the need for dedicated voice messaging servers and reducing overall system complexity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If conventional systems require substantial equipment and maintenance for each subscriber, then voice messaging service can be provided, but the cost and complexity increase substantially
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges voice messaging functionality with existing email infrastructure. By combining voice message storage, notification, and retrieval functions into the email system, the patent eliminates the need for separate voice messaging equipment, substantially reducing deployment and maintenance costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The system leverages existing email servers and protocols that are already deployed and maintained by email service providers. These self-sufficient email infrastructures automatically handle voice message storage and notification without requiring additional dedicated resources or specialized maintenance.
3Quantity of substance
If voice mailboxes have finite size, then storage capacity is defined, but subscribers must be vigilant in deleting messages or requesting additional storage space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic storage capacity by leveraging the essentially unlimited storage of email servers. Unlike fixed-size voice mailboxes, email-based storage can dynamically expand to accommodate more messages without requiring user intervention to delete messages or request additional space.
Solution Approach 2:
The system copies the familiar email storage model to voice messaging. Since email accounts already have established storage capacities that users are accustomed to managing, the voice message storage inherits these characteristics, providing users with familiar, manageable storage expectations without the limitations of traditional voice mailbox sizes.
4Productivity
If traditional systems require call processing servers to manage caller load and store messages, then messaging service is supported, but the number of servers and storage must increase as more accounts are opened
Solution Approach 1:
Email servers perform multiple functions including voice message storage, caller load management, and message notification. This multi-functionality allows a single email server infrastructure to support unlimited accounts and messages without requiring proportional increases in dedicated voice messaging servers.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus of providing virtual messaging is provided. The method comprises examining status information associated with a plurality of servers for notifying call recipients of messages using at least one messaging protocol, wherein each of the plurality of servers operates independently, identifying an available server of the plurality of servers, based on the status information, for handling a message and directing an incoming call to the available server, wherein the available server stores the message until communication of the message to at least one call recipient, wherein the available server communicates at least one notification message associated with the message to at least one telephone number of the at least one call recipient, wherein the at least one notification message comprises a telephone number associated with the call origination device and a message link number for communicating with the available server.