Granted Patent B2

US 7,321,655 · App. 11/053,272 · Granted Jan 22, 2008

Abstract

Claims (34)

1. A method for integrated messaging, comprising:

interfacing with a network using an interface module (IM), the network including a database storing a groupware application and a directory service, wherein the directory service stores user information for use in messaging of a first type among client devices coupled to the network;

pushing the user information with the IM from the database to a messaging communication server (MCS), wherein the MCS couples to at least one communication network and to the network;

caching the pushed user information;

providing—messaging of a second type among the client devices, wherein the MCS uses the pushed user information to provide the messaging of a second type;

detecting changes to the user information using the IM; and

pushing the detected changes to the MCS;

wherein the messaging of the second type includes voice mail messaging, and wherein the MCS comprises voice applications;

wherein the voice applications perform functions including:

maintaining shared address lists that all voice mail users can view and edit;

scheduling meetings that include people and conference rooms by viewing associated free or busy schedules;

sending a new voice mail;

forwarding a received voice mail;

exchanging voice mails and corresponding information with the groupware applications; and

granting people other than a voice mail user access to user voice mailboxes on behalf of the user.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the cache includes:

a local cache that is local to a certain MCS; and

a distributed cache that is communicatively coupled among multiple MCSs.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the user information pushed by the IM includes:

a global address list (GAL) that includes information pertaining to all members of the enterprise;

public folders that include information of the enterprise that is shared with all users, including shared contact information and shared calendar information;

personal contacts folders that include corresponding contact-information for each member of the enterprise; and

a user list that includes information of users of the integrated messaging.

4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the GAL and the public folders are each pushed periodically.

5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the personal folders are pushed on demand, including when a user logs into the MCS.

6. The method of claim 3 , wherein the personal folders are pushed incrementally, including upon detecting an update of information in a personal folder.

7. The method of claim 3 , wherein updated information in the personal folders is pushed incrementally upon detecting an update of information in a personal folder.

8. The method of claim 3 , wherein the personal folders include a user contacts folder, and wherein the contacts folder is pushed incrementally, including pushing the contacts folder to the MCS upon a user initially logging into the MCS, wherein the contacts folder is pushed with a timestamp.

9. The method of claim 8 , wherein the timestamp is applied prior to accessing the contacts folder for pushing.

10. The method of claim 8 , wherein pushing the contacts folder incrementally includes receiving the contacts folder and a timestamp subsequent to the user logging into the MCS, including receiving detected updates to the contacts folder.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein pushing the contacts folder incrementally further comprises:

the MCS receiving the requested contacts folder, timestamp and a total number of contacts listed in the contacts folder;

comparing the received total number of contacts with a cached total number of contacts corresponding to a previous version of the contacts folder; and

if there is a difference between the two totals, requesting the contacts folder to be pushed by the IM to the MCS.

Assignments (19)