Call Answering System Email Forwarding Voicemail Storage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing call answering systems incur costs and complexity due to the need for centralized voice message storage and management, especially in telephony systems where users do not require extensive messaging functionalities.
Innovation Solution
A call answering system that stores and forwards voice messages to a user-specified email address, eliminating the need for centralized storage by converting voice messages into email attachments sent to an SMTP address, allowing users to configure their email settings through interfaces on handsets or websites.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If centralized voice message storage is implemented in call answering systems, then users can receive and store voice messages, but storage costs and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the voice message storage function from the traditional centralized voicemail system and relocates it to the user's email server. The call answering system records messages and forwards them via email to the user's specified email address, eliminating the need for centralized voice message storage infrastructure while maintaining reliable message delivery.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces email as an intermediary mechanism between the call answering system and the user. Instead of directly storing messages in a centralized database, the system uses email servers and protocols (SMTP, POP3, IMAP) as intermediaries to transfer and store voice messages at the user's designated location.
2Reliability
If centralized voice message storage is implemented, then messages can be stored and managed, but management and administration costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables users to self-manage their own voice message storage by configuring their email addresses and accessing messages through their existing email accounts. Users can control their own message storage, retrieval, and management without requiring centralized administration, thereby eliminating ongoing management and administration costs.
3Ease of operation
If traditional voicemail systems are used, then call answering functionality is provided, but users cannot access messages flexibly across different devices
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the voice message system universal by integrating it with the widely adopted email infrastructure. Users can access their voice messages through any email client or device that supports standard email protocols (POP3, IMAP, SMTP), eliminating device-specific constraints and providing flexible cross-platform access without increasing system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
There is disclosed a call answering system comprising storage means for storing a user specified address; means for recording voice messages associated with the user; and forwarding means for forwarding recorded voice messages to the user specified address.