Voice message communication method and system
A system is disclosed which provides communication of recorded voice messages over a network among a plurality of users having voice communication devices. The system has a voice message server connected to the network, which includes a receiver which receives from a sending user's communication device a voice message signal including a header component and a recorded voice message component is stored at the server in association with the corresponding header. The header component identifies the sending user and an intended recipient user, and it is transmitted to the communication device of the intended recipient identified in the header component. The corresponding voice message component is transmitted to the recipient user's communication device in response to the recipient user's communication device requesting it. The recipient user may send a responsive voice message to the server addressed to the sending user.
1. A system providing communication of recorded voice messages over a network among a plurality of users having voice communication devices, the network including a voice message server connected to the network, comprising:
a receiver constructed to receive from a sending user's communication device, over the network, a voice message signal including a header component identifying the sending user and intended recipient user, and a recorded voice message component;
storage means storing voice message components in association with the corresponding header component;
a transmitter constructed to transmit a received header component to the communication device of the intended recipient identified in the header component, the transmitter transmitting the corresponding voice message component to the recipient user's communication device only in response to the recipient user's communication device requesting the same;
an executable program running on a user's voice communication device, constructed to:
record a user's voice message and create a voice message component therefrom;
based on user input, create a corresponding header component;
create the voice message signal and communicate it to the voice message server;
receive from the voice message server a header component of a voice message signal from another user; and
responsive to user input, requesting from the voice message server a voice message component of a voice message signal from another user; and
an interface at the server sensing when the recipient of a voice message does not have the executable program running on the recipient's communication device and providing a warning indication, a further transmitter responsive to the warning indication to transmit to the recipient over a public network a notification that the recipient has a voice message waiting, and a further receiver responsive to a call back from the recipient over the public network to transmit the voice message to the recipient.
2. A method comprising receiving an audio message at a server, determining if an intended recipient of said audio message is registered, if not, contacting said recipient in accordance with a message type specified by the audio message, if so, transmitting only a first portion of such message to said recipient while storing a second portion of said message, wherein said first portion includes header or identification information and said second portion includes substantive content; and
if said recipient is registered, making a second determination, and transmitting said audio message in a manner depending at least in part upon said second determination.