Voicemail Policy Server for Scalable Storage Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional voicemail systems face challenges in scalability, affordability, and resilience, particularly in small installations, due to high costs associated with dedicated servers and storage, as well as issues with voicemail spam and varying user needs.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for managing voicemail that allows for flexible storage policies, using a system where voicemails can be stored on either the receiving communication device or a remote storage device based on user authentication and resiliency policies, with options for white, black, and grey lists to manage spam and storage locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a dedicated voicemail server is used, then voicemail storage reliability is improved, but system cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a voicemail policy server as an intermediary component that coordinates between sending/receiving devices and storage locations. This server manages voicemail routing decisions based on policy rules, enabling reliable voicemail delivery without requiring expensive dedicated voicemail infrastructure at each endpoint. The policy server acts as a mediator that distributes voicemail storage responsibilities across multiple locations including mobile devices, gateways, and mail servers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the traditional monolithic voicemail server functionality into distributed components: sending devices, receiving devices, gateways, mail servers, and a policy server. Each component handles specific aspects of voicemail management independently. This segmentation allows the system to achieve reliability through distributed storage and redundancy while reducing the cost burden on any single component or user.
2Ease of operation
If local storage is provided at each telephone device, then voicemail accessibility is improved, but device memory cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic voicemail storage routing where the location of voicemail storage is not fixed but determined by real-time policy evaluation. The system can dynamically route voicemails to different storage locations including the receiving device's memory, remote mail servers, or gateway storage based on current system state, user preferences, and resource availability. This dynamic approach allows devices to have minimal local storage while maintaining accessibility through networked storage options.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the voicemail system universal by enabling multiple storage locations and access points. The same voicemail can be accessible from multiple devices and locations through the policy-based routing system. The receiving device can access voicemails stored locally or remotely, and other authorized devices can also access the same voicemails. This multi-functionality provides accessibility benefits without requiring every device to have full local storage capacity.
3Device complexity
If uniform storage capacity is provided to all devices, then system simplicity is improved, but scalability to varying user needs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of storage capacity from a fixed hardware specification to a dynamic software-controlled parameter. Instead of provisioning different storage capacities in hardware for different users, the system uses policy rules to dynamically allocate and manage storage resources. The policy server can adjust storage parameters based on user needs, usage patterns, and available resources, enabling scalability without complicating the underlying storage infrastructure.
4Reliability
If duplicated storage is implemented for resiliency, then voicemail reliability is improved, but resource consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing selective duplication based on voicemail characteristics and user needs. Not all voicemails are duplicated to the same extent - the policy server can determine which voicemails require redundancy based on factors like importance, age, and user preferences. Critical voicemails may be stored in multiple locations while less important ones use single storage, optimizing the balance between reliability and resource consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A system, method and apparatus for managing voicemail in a communication session between a sending communication device and a receiving communication device are provided. It is determined at the receiving communication device that a voicemail is to be created. The voicemail based on content received via the sending communication device. The voicemail is recorded. The voicemail is caused to be stored at resources associated with the sending communication device.