Electronic audio communication system with user controlled message address

Claim 2

An electronic communication system for connection to a user's telephone facility for storing and forwarding audio messages, comprising: means responsive to signals transmitted from a telephone for enabling access to said system, means for storing an audio message transmitted from the telephone; means for storing route data indicating the desired routing of the audio message; means for accessing a stored audio message in response to specified route data; means for reproducing the accessed stored audio message; and means for transmitting the reproduced stored audio message to a second telephone. -

Claim 3

An electronic communication network enabling communication between remote locations of a user's network telephone facility comprising: a plurality of remotely disposed electronic communications systems, coupled to the telephone facilities of a user's network telephone facility, each of said electronic communication systems having: means for storing digital representations of audio messages transmitted from the user's telephone facility; means for storing digital representations of route data transmitted from the user's telephone facility and indicating the intended recipient of the audio messages; means for accessing stored digital representations of audio messages for a selected message recipient in response to said route data; means for reproducing the audio messages from the stored digital representations; means for converting the digital representations of said route data to tone digit signals; analog transmitting means for transmitting said tone digit signals and the reproduced audio messages over the user's network telephone facility to a selected other of said communication systems; analog receiving means for receiving said tone digit signals and the reproduced audio messages from the user's telephone facility transmitted from another one of said communication systems; means for converting said tone digit signals to digital representations of said route data; and means for transmitting the reproduced audio messages to the telephone station of the message recipient.

Claim 4

An electronic communication network enabling communication between remote locations of a user's network telephone facility comprising: a plurality of remotely disposed electronic communications systems, coupled to the telephone facilities of a user's network telephone facility, each of said electronic communication systems having: means for storing digital representations of audio messages transmitted from the user's telephone facility; means for storing digital representations of route data transmitted from the user's telephone facility and indicating the intended recipient of the audio messages; means for accessing stored digital representations of audio messages for a selected message recipient in response to said route data; means for reproducing the audio messages from the stored digital representations; means for converting the digital representations of said route data to tone digit signals; analog transmitting means for transmitting said tone digit signals and the reproduced audio messages over the user's network telephone facility to a selected other of said communication systems; analog receiving means for receiving said tone digit signals and the reproduced audio messages from the user's telephone facility transmitted from another one of said communication systems; means for converting said tone digit signals to digital representations of said route data; and means for transmitting the reproduced audio messages to the telephone station of the message recipient.

Claim 5

The communication network of Claim 2 wherein said analog receiving means includes means for generating an acknowledging signal in response to receiving said route data from said means for transmitting.

Claim 6

4 . The communication network of Claim 3 wherein said digital analog receiving means includes means for receiving said acknowledging signal and sequentially dispersing from said analog transmitting means the reproduced audio messages in response to said acknowledging signal.

Claim 7

An electronic communication network enabling communication between remote locations of a user's network telephone facility comprising: a plurality of remotely disposed electronic communications systems coupled to the telephone facilities of a user's network telephone facility, each of said electronic communication systems having: means for storing digital representations of audio messages transmitted from the user's telephone facility; means for storing digital representations of route data transmitted from the user's telephone facility and indicating the intended recipient of the audio messages; means for accessing stored digital representations of audio messages for a selected message recipient in response to said route data; means for reproducing the audio messages from the stored digital representations; digital transmitting means for transmitting the digital representations of said route data to a selected other of said communication systems; analog transmitting means for transmitting the reproduced audio messages to said selected other communications systems through the user's-network telephone facility; digital receiving means for receiving the digital representations of said route data transmitted from another one of said communication systems; analog receiving means for receiving the reproduced audio messages from another one of said communications systems; means for transmitting the reproduced audio messages to the telephone station of the message recipient; and - a digital data link interconnecting all of said electronic communications systems.

Claim 8

An electronic communication network enabling communication between remote locations of a user's network telephone facility comprising: a plurality of remotely disposed electronic communications systems coupled to the telephone facilities of a user's network telephone facility, each of said electronic communication systems having: means for storing digital representations of audio messages transmitted from the user's telephone facility; means for storing digital representations of route data transmitted from the user's telephone facility and indicating the intended recipient of the audio messages; means for accessing stored digital representations of audio messages for a selected message recipient in response to said route data; means for reproducing the audio messages from the stored digital representations; digital transmitting means for transmitting the digital representations of said route data to a selected other of said communication systems; analog transmitting means for transmitting the reproduced audio messages to said selected other communications systems through the user's-network telephone facility; digital receiving means for receiving the digital representations of said route data transmitted from another one of said communication systems; analog receiving means for receiving the reproduced audio messages from another one of said communications systems; means for transmitting the reproduced audio messages to the telephone station of the message recipient; and - a digital data link interconnecting all of said electronic communications systems.

Claim 9

The communication network of Claim 5 wherein said digital means for transmitting includes means for generating an acknowledging signal in response to receiving said route data from another one of said communications systems over said digital data link.

Claim 10

The communication network of Claim 6 wherein said digital means for receiving includes means for receiving said acknowledging signal and sequentially dispersing from said analog transmitting means the reproduced audio messages in response to said acknowledging signal.

Claim 11

8, An electronic communication network enabling communication between remote locations of a user's network facility for storing and forwarding audio messages,.comprising: a plurality of remotely disposed electronic communication systems coupled to remote portions of the telephone facility of a user's network telephone facility, each of said electronic communication systems having; means responsive to signals from the user's telephone facility for enabling access to each of said systems; means for receiving analog data including audio message data and associated data from the user's telephone facility; means for discriminating said analog data into the audio message data and associated data, the associated data including route data indicating the intended recipient of the audio message data and identifying data indicating the originator of the audio message; means for storing digital representations of the audio message data discriminated by said means for discriminating; means for storing digital representations of said associated data discriminated by said discriminating means; means for reproducing the audio message data from the stored digital representations of the audio message data, means for converting the digital representations of the associated data to analog representations; analog transmitting means for transmitting said analog representations of the associated data and the reproduced audio messages from said means for reproducing over the user's telephone facility to a selected other of said communications systems; analog receiving means for receiving the analog representations of said associated data and the reproduced audio messages from the user's telephone facility transmitted by another one of said communication systems; and means for transmitting the reproduced audio messages to the telephone station of the message recipient.

Claim 12

8, An electronic communication network enabling communication between remote locations of a user's network facility for storing and forwarding audio messages,.comprising: a plurality of remotely disposed electronic communication systems coupled to remote portions of the telephone facility of a user's network telephone facility, each of said electronic communication systems having; means responsive to signals from the user's telephone facility for enabling access to each of said systems; means for receiving analog data including audio message data and associated data from the user's telephone facility; means for discriminating said analog data into the audio message data and associated data, the associated data including route data indicating the intended recipient of the audio message data and identifying data indicating the originator of the audio message; means for storing digital representations of the audio message data discriminated by said means for discriminating; means for storing digital representations of said associated data discriminated by said discriminating means; means for reproducing the audio message data from the stored digital representations of the audio message data, means for converting the digital representations of the associated data to analog representations; analog transmitting means for transmitting said analog representations of the associated data and the reproduced audio messages from said means for reproducing over the user's telephone facility to a selected other of said communications systems; analog receiving means for receiving the analog representations of said associated data and the reproduced audio messages from the user's telephone facility transmitted by another one of said communication systems; and means for transmitting the reproduced audio messages to the telephone station of the message recipient.

Claim 13

An electronic communication network . enabling communication between remote locations of a user's network facility for storing and forwarding audio messages, comprising: a plurality of remotely disposed electronic communication systems coupled to remote portions of the telephone facility of a user's network telephone facility of a user's network telephone facility, each of said electronic communication systems having; means responsive to signals from the user's telephone facility for enabling access to each of said systems; means for receiving analog data including audio message data and associated data from the user's telephone facility; means for discriminating said analog data into the audio message data and associated data, the associated data comprised of route. data indicating the intended recipient of the audio message data and identifying data indicating the originator of the audio message; means for storing digital representations of the audio message data discriminated by said means for discriminating; means for storing digital representations of said associated data discriminated by said discriminating means; means for reproducing the audio message data from the stored digital representations of the audio message data, digital transmitting means for transmitting the digital representations of the associated data to a selected other one of said communictions systems analog transmitting means for transmitting the reproduced audio messages to user's telephone facility for reception- by said other one of said communications systems; means for synchronizing said digital and analog trasmitting means when both the digital representations of the associated data and the reproduced audio messages are transmitted together; digital receiving means for receiving the digital representations of the associated data transmitted by said digital transmitting means in another one of said communication systems; and analog receiving means for receiving the reproduced audio messages from the user's telephone facility transmitted by said another communication system synchronously with the digital representations of the associated data; means for transmitting the reproduced audio messages to the telephone station of the message recipient; and a digital data link interconnecting all of said communications systems.

Claim 14

An electronic communication network . enabling communication between remote locations of a user's network facility for storing and forwarding audio messages, comprising: a plurality of remotely disposed electronic communication systems coupled to remote portions of the telephone facility of a user's network telephone facility of a user's network telephone facility, each of said electronic communication systems having; means responsive to signals from the user's telephone facility for enabling access to each of said systems; means for receiving analog data including audio message data and associated data from the user's telephone facility; means for discriminating said analog data into the audio message data and associated data, the associated data comprised of route. data indicating the intended recipient of the audio message data and identifying data indicating the originator of the audio message; means for storing digital representations of the audio message data discriminated by said means for discriminating; means for storing digital representations of said associated data discriminated by said discriminating means; means for reproducing the audio message data from the stored digital representations of the audio message data, digital transmitting means for transmitting the digital representations of the associated data to a selected other one of said communictions systems analog transmitting means for transmitting the reproduced audio messages to user's telephone facility for reception- by said other one of said communications systems; means for synchronizing said digital and analog trasmitting means when both the digital representations of the associated data and the reproduced audio messages are transmitted together; digital receiving means for receiving the digital representations of the associated data transmitted by said digital transmitting means in another one of said communication systems; and analog receiving means for receiving the reproduced audio messages from the user's telephone facility transmitted by said another communication system synchronously with the digital representations of the associated data; means for transmitting the reproduced audio messages to the telephone station of the message recipient; and a digital data link interconnecting all of said communications systems.

Claim 15

An electronic communications message system for receiving, storing and forwarding analog information from user's and non-user's telephone facilities, comprising: electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of the message system; digital memory means controlled by said electronic digital signal processing means for storing digital representations of the analog information; the analog information comprising a first portion for routing to selected recipients and a second - portion for defining route data; user access means for enabling a user to access the message system through analog signals transmitted from the user's telephone facility; non-user access means for enabling limited access to the message system by a selected non-user via the non-user's telephone facility; the scope of said non-user's limited access controlled by the user through signals input through the user's telephone; first means for storing in said memory means digital representations of said first portion of the analoa information received from the user's telephone facility; second means for storing in said memory means digital representations of the second portion of the analog information received from the user's telephone ' facilities; means for accessing said stored digital representations of the first portion of the analog information associated with particular route data; means for reproducing said first portion of the analog information in analog format from the stored digital representations; and means for sequentially transmitting the reproduced analog information to the telephone station of said selected recipient.

Claim 16

An electronic communications message system for receiving, storing and forwarding analog information from user's and non-user's telephone facilities, comprising: electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of the message system; digital memory means controlled by said electronic digital signal processing means for storing digital representations of the analog information; the analog information comprising a first portion for routing to selected recipients and a second - portion for defining route data; user access means for enabling a user to access the message system through analog signals transmitted from the user's telephone facility; non-user access means for enabling limited access to the message system by a selected non-user via the non-user's telephone facility; the scope of said non-user's limited access controlled by the user through signals input through the user's telephone; first means for storing in said memory means digital representations of said first portion of the analoa information received from the user's telephone facility; second means for storing in said memory means digital representations of the second portion of the analog information received from the user's telephone ' facilities; means for accessing said stored digital representations of the first portion of the analog information associated with particular route data; means for reproducing said first portion of the analog information in analog format from the stored digital representations; and means for sequentially transmitting the reproduced analog information to the telephone station of said selected recipient.

Claim 17

The message system for receiving, storing and forwarding analog information of Claim 10 wherein said non-user access means comprises: second digital memory means controlled by said electronic digital processing means for storing digital representations of receive-only analog information; said receive-only analog information supplied by only one user and accessable only by control of said one user; user controlled means for enabling access to the message system by said selected non-user and controlled by said one user; means for storing in said second memory means digital representations of said receive-only analog information; means operable only by said selected non-user for accessing said stored digital representations of said receive-only analog information; means for reproducing said receive-only analog information in analog format in response to analog signals input through said selected.non-user's telephone; and means for sequentially transmitting said receive-only selected analog information to said selected non-user.

Claim 18

The communications system for receiving, storing and forwarding analog information of Claim 11 further comprising: user controlled means for outputting a prerecorded reply analog prompt to said selected non-user after said receive-only selected analog information is transmitted to said selected non-user; and means for storing in said digital memory means digital representations of responsive analog information supplied by said selected non-user in response to said pre-recorded reply prompt, said stored digital representations of said responsive analog information accessible only by said one user.

Claim 19

13 ., The message system for receiving, storing and forwarding analog information of Claim 12 and further comprising a timer for timing the beginning of said analog information supplied in response, said timer automatically disconnecting the message system from user'F telephone facility if no responsive analog information is supplied for a predetermined interval.

Claim 20

The communication system for forwarding, storing and receiving analog information of Claim 10 wherein said non-user access means comprises: a plurality of second digital memory means controlled by said electronic digital signal processing means for storing digital representations of receive-only analog information input by only one user, each of said second memory means associated with a selected non-user and accessable by said one user; user controlled means controlled by said one user for enabling limited access to the message system from said selected non-user's telephone station; means for storing in each said second memory means digital representations of said receive-only analog information; means for accessing each said stored digital representations of said receive-only analog information by a single said selected non-user; means for reproducing said receive-only analog information stored in said second memory means in analog format; means for sequentially transmitting reproduced analog information from each said second memory means to said selected non-user in response to analog signals from said non-user's telephone station; and means for storing in said digital memory means non-user originated analog information received from said selected non-user's telephone station, said non-user originated analog information accessible by only said one user.

Claim 21

15 . The message system for receiving, storing and forwarding analog information of Claim l4 further comprising: user controlled means for outputting a pre- recorded analog prompt to said selected non-user after said receive-only analog information is transmitted to said selected non-user; and means for storing in said digital memory means digital representations of responsive analog information supplied by said selected non-user in response to said pre-recorded prompt, said stored digital representations of said responsive analog information-accessible only by said one user.

Claim 22

The message system for receiving, storing and forwarding analog information of Claim 13 further comprising: non-user controlled means for storing in said digital memory means responsive analog information in response to analog signals from said selected non-user's telephone station; and means to associate said responsive analog information with route data of said one user wherein said responsive analog information is accessible only by said one user.

Claim 23

. An electronic communication message system for being coupled to a private branch exchange or central office for receiving, storing and forwarding analog information from a user's telephone facility, comprising: electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of the message system; digital memory means controlled by said electronic digital signal processing means for storing digital representations of the analog information; the analog information including a first portion for routing to selected recipients' telephone stations and a second portion for defining route data; means for enabling access to the message system through analog signals transmitted from a user's telephone facilities; first means for storing in said memory means digital representations of said first portions of the analog information received from the user's telephone facility; second means for storing in said memory means digital representations of said second portion of the analog information received from the user's telephone facility; means for storing selected analog information from an originating user for limited access by a plurality of other selected non-originating users, the scope of said non-originating user's limited access controlled by said originating user through signals input through said originating user's telephone; means for accessing said digital representations of the first portion of the analog information associated with particular route data; means for reproducing the'first portion of the analog information in analog format from the stored digital representations; and means for sequentially transmitting the reproduced analog information to said selected recipient's telephone station.

Claim 24

. An electronic communication message system for being coupled to a private branch exchange or central office for receiving, storing and forwarding analog information from a user's telephone facility, comprising: electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of the message system; digital memory means controlled by said electronic digital signal processing means for storing digital representations of the analog information; the analog information including a first portion for routing to selected recipients' telephone stations and a second portion for defining route data; means for enabling access to the message system through analog signals transmitted from a user's telephone facilities; first means for storing in said memory means digital representations of said first portions of the analog information received from the user's telephone facility; second means for storing in said memory means digital representations of said second portion of the analog information received from the user's telephone facility; means for storing selected analog information from an originating user for limited access by a plurality of other selected non-originating users, the scope of said non-originating user's limited access controlled by said originating user through signals input through said originating user's telephone; means for accessing said digital representations of the first portion of the analog information associated with particular route data; means for reproducing the'first portion of the analog information in analog format from the stored digital representations; and means for sequentially transmitting the reproduced analog information to said selected recipient's telephone station.

Claim 25

The communications system for receiving, storing and forwarding analog information of Claim 17 wherein said means for storing selected information comprises: second digital memory means controlled by said electronic digital signal processing means for storing digital representations of said selected information; said second digital memory means associated with only said originating user and accessable by a plurality of non-originating users, the scope of said access under control of said originating user; means for storing in said second memory means digital representations of said selected information by said originating user; means operable only by said selected non-originating user for accessing said stored digital representations of said selected analog information; and means for reproducing said selected analog information in analog format in response to analog signals input through said selected-non-originating users' telephone.

Claim 26

19 . The communications system for receiving, storing and forwarding, analog information of Claim 18 wherein said means for accessing further comprises means for said non-originating user to store digital representations of responsive analog information in said digital memory means for routing to said originating user, said means activated by said originating user through analog signals transmitted through said originating user's telephone.

Claim 27

An electronic communications message system for receiving, storing and forwarding analog information from a user's and limited user's telephone facilities, comprising: electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of the message system; digital memory means controlled by said electronic.digital signal processing means for storing digital representations of the analog information; the analog information comprising audio messages for routing to selected recipients and route data; user access means for enabling a user to access the message system through signals transmitted from the user's telephone facility; means for enabling an originating user to input a template having a plurality of audio messages arranged in a queue format and route data associated with said template; limited user access means for enabling limited access to the message system by a selected limited user via the non-user's telephone facility, the scope of said limited user's limited access controlled by the user and restricted to receiving audio messages contained in said template and to responding with responsive analog information for routing only to said originating user; first means for storing in said memory means digital representations of said audio messages received from the user's telephone facility; second means for storing in said memory means digital representations of said route data received from the user's telephone facilities; means for accessing said stored digital representations of said audio messages associated with particular route data; means for reproducing the audio messages in analog format from the stored digital representations; and means for sequentially transmitting the reproduced analog information to the telephone station of said selected recipient.

Claim 28

An electronic communications message system for receiving, storing and forwarding analog information from a user's and limited user's telephone facilities, comprising: electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of the message system; digital memory means controlled by said electronic.digital signal processing means for storing digital representations of the analog information; the analog information comprising audio messages for routing to selected recipients and route data; user access means for enabling a user to access the message system through signals transmitted from the user's telephone facility; means for enabling an originating user to input a template having a plurality of audio messages arranged in a queue format and route data associated with said template; limited user access means for enabling limited access to the message system by a selected limited user via the non-user's telephone facility, the scope of said limited user's limited access controlled by the user and restricted to receiving audio messages contained in said template and to responding with responsive analog information for routing only to said originating user; first means for storing in said memory means digital representations of said audio messages received from the user's telephone facility; second means for storing in said memory means digital representations of said route data received from the user's telephone facilities; means for accessing said stored digital representations of said audio messages associated with particular route data; means for reproducing the audio messages in analog format from the stored digital representations; and means for sequentially transmitting the reproduced analog information to the telephone station of said selected recipient.

Claim 29

The message system for receiving, storing and forwarding analog information of Claim 20 wherein said limited user access means comprises: means for accessing the digital representations of only the audio messages in said template by the limited non-user; means for sequentially transmitting each of the audio messages in said prompt; means for pausing between transmission of individual audio messages in said template to allow the accessing limited user to provide responsive analog information; and

Claim 30

An electronic communication message system for being coupled to a private branch exchange or central office for receiving, storing and forwarding information from a user's telephone facilities, comprising: electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of the message system; digital memory means controlled by said electronic digital signal processing means for storing digital representations of the information; means for enabling access to the message system through signals transmitted from user's telephone facilities; means for receiving information transmitted in analog format from the user's telephone facility; first means for storing in said digital memorv means digital representations of a first portion of the analog information received from the user's telephone facility, said first portion containing information to be routed to a selected recipient's telephone station; second means for storing in said digital memory means digital representations of a second portion of the analog information received from the user's telephone facilities, said second portion containing information defining route data associated with said first portion; identifying means for storing digital representations of a unique analog identifier associated with a particular originating user for identifying analog information originated by said originating user; means for accessing said stored digital representations of said first portion associated with particular route data and with said associated identifier; means for reproducing said first portion and the associated identifier in analog format from said stored digital representations; and means for sequentially transmitting said reproduced analog information and associated identifier to said selected recipient's telephone station, said' reproduced identifier preceding said reproduced analog information.

Claim 31

An electronic communication message system for being coupled to a private branch exchange or central office for receiving, storing and forwarding information from a user's telephone facilities, comprising: electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of the message system; digital memory means controlled by said electronic digital signal processing means for storing digital representations of the information; means for enabling access to the message system through signals transmitted from user's telephone facilities; means for receiving information transmitted in analog format from the user's telephone facility; first means for storing in said digital memorv means digital representations of a first portion of the analog information received from the user's telephone facility, said first portion containing information to be routed to a selected recipient's telephone station; second means for storing in said digital memory means digital representations of a second portion of the analog information received from the user's telephone facilities, said second portion containing information defining route data associated with said first portion; identifying means for storing digital representations of a unique analog identifier associated with a particular originating user for identifying analog information originated by said originating user; means for accessing said stored digital representations of said first portion associated with particular route data and with said associated identifier; means for reproducing said first portion and the associated identifier in analog format from said stored digital representations; and means for sequentially transmitting said reproduced analog information and associated identifier to said selected recipient's telephone station, said' reproduced identifier preceding said reproduced analog information.

Claim 32

The message system for receiving, storing and forwarding information of Claim 22 wherein said unique analog identifier is comprised of the name of said originating user voiced by said originating user.

Claim 33

24 . The message system for receiving, storing and forwarding analog information of Claim 22further comprising: means for storing digital representations of the time and date of said originating user's input of said first portion; means for converting said digital representations of said time and date to an audio message voiced in a nondescript voice; and means for transmitting said converted time and date to said selected recipient preceding the corresponding first portion.

Claim 34

The message system for receiving, storing and forwarding analog information of Claim22 further comprising: means for accessing digital representations of a pre-stored general audio message from said memory means; means for reproducing said general audio message in analog format from said stored digital representations; and transmitting said reproduced general audio message to each of the users upon access to the message system. particular route data and with said associated identifier; means for reproducing said first portion and the associated identifier in analog format from said stored digital representations; and means for sequentially transmitting said reproduced analog information and associated identifier to said selected recipient's telephone station, said reproduced identifier preceding said reproduced analog information.

Claim 35

26 . The message system for receiving, storing and forwarding analog information of Claim 22 wherein said means for enabling access comprises means for comparing a unique code stored in said digital memory means with an identification code of a user transmitted from user's telephone facility to identify user and allow user access to the message system.

Claim 36

The message system for receiving, storing and forwarding analog information of Claim 26 further comprising means for altering said stored unique code by the user associated with said unique code through analog signals transmitted from the user's telephone facility.

Claim 37

An electronic communication message system for connection to a private branch exchange telephone facility for use in facilitating communications between users of the private branch exchange, comprising: an electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of a message system; means for enabling an. audio message originator to access the message system through a signal transmitted to said electronic digital signal processing means from a telephone unit of the private branch exchange; digital memory means for storing digital representations of an audio message originating from a telephone unit of the private branch exchange: means for selecting at least one addressee to receive said audio message; means for storing an address of said one message addressee in said digital memory means; means for reproducing said audio message from the stored digital representations; means for transmitting said reproduced audio message to the address of said message addresee; means for transmitting said audio message to said message originator in response to a function code generated at said originator's telephone unit; means for deleting portions of said audio message by said originator.

Claim 38

An electronic communication message system for connection to a private branch exchange telephone facility for use in facilitating communications between users of the private branch exchange, comprising: an electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of a message system; means for enabling an. audio message originator to access the message system through a signal transmitted to said electronic digital signal processing means from a telephone unit of the private branch exchange; digital memory means for storing digital representations of an audio message originating from a telephone unit of the private branch exchange: means for selecting at least one addressee to receive said audio message; means for storing an address of said one message addressee in said digital memory means; means for reproducing said audio message from the stored digital representations; means for transmitting said reproduced audio message to the address of said message addresee; means for transmitting said audio message to said message originator in response to a function code generated at said originator's telephone unit; means for deleting portions of said audio message by said originator.

Claim 39

An electronic communication message system for receiving, storing and forwarding audio messages from user's telephone facility, comprising: electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of the message system; digital memory means controlled by said electronic digital signal processing means for storing digital representations of the audio messages; means for enabling a user to access the message system through signals transmitted from a telephone station; means for storing in said memory means digital representations of audio messages from the telephone station of an originating user for forwarding to a selected recipient user; means for storing selected recipient user addresses corresponding to digital representations of audio messages stored in said memory means; means for said selected recipient user to access said stored digital representations associated with said recipient user's corresponding address; means for reproducing the audio messages from said stored digital representations; means for sequentially transmitting the reproduced audio messages to said selected recipient user; means for storing digital representations of said delivered audio message for access only by said selected recipient user; and means for selectively accessing the stored digital representations of said delivered.audio messages by said selected recipient user.

Claim 40

An electronic communication message system for receiving, storing and forwarding audio messages from user's telephone facility, comprising: electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of the message system; digital memory means controlled by said electronic digital signal processing means for storing digital representations of the audio messages; means for enabling a user to access the message system through signals transmitted from a telephone station; means for storing in said memory means digital representations of audio messages from the telephone station of an originating user for forwarding to a selected recipient user; means for storing selected recipient user addresses corresponding to digital representations of audio messages stored in said memory means; means for said selected recipient user to access said stored digital representations associated with said recipient user's corresponding address; means for reproducing the audio messages from said stored digital representations; means for sequentially transmitting the reproduced audio messages to said selected recipient user; means for storing digital representations of said delivered audio message for access only by said selected recipient user; and means for selectively accessing the stored digital representations of said delivered.audio messages by said selected recipient user.

Claim 41

3 0. The message system for receiving, storing and forwarding audio messages of Claim 29 further comprising means for selectively accessing only undelivered audio messages by said selected recipient . user that are addressed to said recipient user.

Claim 42

The message system for receiving, storing and forwarding audio messages of Claim 30 further comprising means for identifying messages that have been undelivered to said se-lected user recipient as undelivered to said originating user, said originating user thereby identified as a recipient user.

Claim 43

32 . The message system for receiving, storing and forwarding audio messages of Claim 29 wherein said delivered audio messages are stored in a queue format when there are more than one of said delivered audio messages, the most recent of said delivered audio messages stored at the least accessible location in said queue.

Claim 44

33 . An electronic communication message system for receiving, storing and forwarding audio messages from user's telephone facility, comprising: electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of the message system; digital memory means controlled by said electronic digital signal processing means for storing digital representations of the audio messages; means for enabling a user to access the message system through signals transmitted from a telephone station; means for storing in said memory means digital representations of audio messages from the telephone station of an originating user for forwarding to a selected recipient; means for storing selected recipient addresses corresponding to the digital representations of audio messages stored in said memory means; , means for storing the time and date corresponding to the time of storage of the.digital representations of the audio messages; recipient user access means for accessing the digital representations of the audio messages corresponding to the address of said recipient user; originating user access means for accessing the digital representations of audio messages corresponding to audio messages originated by said originating user for said selected recipient on a specific date; means for reproducing the audio messages from the digital representations; and means for sequentially transmitting said reproduced audio messages to said selected recipient and said originating user.

Claim 45

33 . An electronic communication message system for receiving, storing and forwarding audio messages from user's telephone facility, comprising: electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of the message system; digital memory means controlled by said electronic digital signal processing means for storing digital representations of the audio messages; means for enabling a user to access the message system through signals transmitted from a telephone station; means for storing in said memory means digital representations of audio messages from the telephone station of an originating user for forwarding to a selected recipient; means for storing selected recipient addresses corresponding to the digital representations of audio messages stored in said memory means; , means for storing the time and date corresponding to the time of storage of the.digital representations of the audio messages; recipient user access means for accessing the digital representations of the audio messages corresponding to the address of said recipient user; originating user access means for accessing the digital representations of audio messages corresponding to audio messages originated by said originating user for said selected recipient on a specific date; means for reproducing the audio messages from the digital representations; and means for sequentially transmitting said reproduced audio messages to said selected recipient and said originating user.

Claim 46

An electronic communication message system for connection to a private branch exchange telephone facility for use in facilitating communications between users of the private branch exchange, comprising: an electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of a message system; means for enabling an audio message originator to access the message system'through a signal transmitted to said electronic digital signal processing means from a telephone unit of the private branch exchange; digital memory means for storing digital representations of an audio message originating from a telephone unit of the private branch exchange; means for selecting at least one addressee to receive the audio message; means for accessing said message addressee's telephone unit connected to the private branch exchange in response to the selected message addressee; means for accessing pre-stored digital representations of an identifying audio message; means for reproducing the audio message from the stored digital representations; means for reproducing said identifying audio message from the digital representations; means for transmitting said reproduced identifying audio message to the addressed telephone unit; and means for transmitting the reproduced audio message to the addressed telephone unit.

Claim 47

An electronic communication message system for connection to a private branch exchange telephone facility for use in facilitating communications between users of the private branch exchange, comprising: an electronic digital signal processing means for controlling the operation of a message system; means for enabling an audio message originator to access the message system'through a signal transmitted to said electronic digital signal processing means from a telephone unit of the private branch exchange; digital memory means for storing digital representations of an audio message originating from a telephone unit of the private branch exchange; means for selecting at least one addressee to receive the audio message; means for accessing said message addressee's telephone unit connected to the private branch exchange in response to the selected message addressee; means for accessing pre-stored digital representations of an identifying audio message; means for reproducing the audio message from the stored digital representations; means for reproducing said identifying audio message from the digital representations; means for transmitting said reproduced identifying audio message to the addressed telephone unit; and means for transmitting the reproduced audio message to the addressed telephone unit.