| abstract |
A voice message store and forward service (20) includes voice message store and forward units ("VMSFUs") that intercommunicate by employing a protocol A for transferring voice messages between VMSFUs with user information transfer units that include the voice message and a message envelope containing enhanced feature information, and service information transfer units that include notifications of successful and/or unsuccessful transfer of a user message. An originating VMSFU (22) accepts a voice message from a voice message system (16), delivers the voice message to a destination VMSFU (24), and/or returns a delivered or not delivered notification to the voice message system. The destination VMSFU delivers the voice message to a voice message system (18) identified by a destination mailbox indicated in a voice message header. Protocol A conveys enhanced features, such as conveying unique features of disparate voice message systems, converting message formats or voice encoding algorithms, translating and mapping addresses, and accommodating message priorities. VMSFUs assign each voice message a globally unique message identification number for tracing message progress, reporting on message delivery status, and providing accounting information. The store and forward service provides services, such as delivering voice messages at a specified time, redirecting voice messages to alternate VMSFUs, deferring delivery of specified voice messages, delivering voice messages in accordance with specified priority and delivery commitments, and minimizing message delivery costs with a scheduler. |