Richard J Jaeger

US Patent:

49320424, Jun 5, 1990

Filed:

Mar 3, 1989

Appl. No.:

7/318292

Inventors:

Elliott Baral - Chicago IL
Percy B. Brown - East Brunswick NJ
Reuben D. Hauptman - Marlboro NJ
Richard J. Jaeger - West Chicago IL
Frank C. LaPorta - Millington NJ
Pamela J. Lauber - Middletown NJ
Richard E. LeCronier - New Monmouth NJ
Randall H. Nelson - Ocean NJ
Thomas L. Russell - Colts Neck NJ
Wen-Ping Ying - East Brunswick NJ

Assignee:

AT&T Bell Laboratories - Murray Hill NJ

International Classification:

H04M 350
H04M 706
H04M 1100

US Classification:

379 67

Abstract:

This invention relates to arrangements for providing a new spontaneous voice message service to any telephone customer at any telephone station when that customer encounters any destination that is busy or that does not answer. When a customer having a dual tone multifrequency (DTMF) station calls any destination that is busy or does not answer, the customer is invited, via an announcement identifying the new service, to record the caller's voice message. The announcement accompanies the returned busy tone or audible ring signal. The customer keys *867(=*VMS) and is then connected to a Voice Message Operations Center (VMOC) which prompts the customer to record the message. Advantageously, customers need not redial a VMOC number, their own number, and a destination number to reach a VMOC for storing the video message; the added convenience of this arrangement should stimulate substantial additional use of voice message service. The announcement, at very low cost, makes the customers aware of the service at the time they are most likely to use the service.