Network-based multimedia communications and directory system and method of operation

A communications system, comprising:

• a network system operable to be connected to external voice messaging systems;
• interface systems resident in the network system and operable to be coupled to the external voice messaging systems, the network system operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from the external voice messaging systems, at least two of the external voice messaging systems communicating with the network system using disparate communications protocols;
• database storage resident within the network system operable to store user profile information associated with users of the communications system connected through at least two of the external voice messaging systems, the user profile information comprising routing information for particular users of the communications system specifying the routing of messages according to the contents of the messages and the external messaging systems available to the particular users;
• a network center coupled to the network system through an internal data communication path, the network center containing network support systems for the administration, tracking and operation of the communications system;
• the network center comprises a central access and control system operable to manage the interaction of the systems within the network center;
• the network center comprises an interface system operable to allow users of the communications system to access the central access and control system to interact with the system;
• and
• the interface system comprises a customer computer interface system operable to allow a particular user of the communications system operating a computer terminal in communication with the customer computer interface system to alter user profile information associated with the particular user.

A communications system, comprising:

• a network system operable to be connected to external voice messaging systems;
• interface systems resident in the network system and operable to be coupled to the external voice messaging systems, the network system operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from the external voice messaging systems, at least two of the external voice messaging systems communicating with the network system using disparate communications protocols;
• database storage resident within the network system operable to store user profile information associated with users of the communications system connected through at least two of the external voice messaging systems, the user profile information comprising routing information for particular users of the communications system specifying the routing of messages according to the contents of the messages and the external messaging systems available to the particular users;
• a network center coupled to the network system through an internal data communication path, the network center containing network support systems for the administration, tracking and operation of the communications system;
• the network center comprises a central access and control system operable to manage the interaction of the systems within the network center;
• and
• the network center comprises an interactive voice response system operable to allow a particular user of the communications system to access the central access and control system to interact with the system using a telephone to alter user profile information associated with the particular user.

A communications system, comprising:

• a network system operable to be connected to external voice messaging systems;
• interface systems resident in the network system and operable to be coupled to the external voice messaging systems, the network system operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from the external voice messaging systems, at least two of the external voice messaging systems communicating with the network system using disparate communications protocols;
• database storage resident within the network system operable to store user profile information associated with users of the communications system connected through at least two of the external voice messaging systems, the user profile information comprising routing information for particular users of the communications system specifying the routing of messages according to the contents of the messages and the external messaging systems available to the particular users;
• a network center coupled to the network system through an internal data communication path, the network center containing network support systems for the administration, tracking and operation of the communications system;
• the network center comprises a message tracking system operable to store status information associated with messages being processed by the system, the message tracking system operable to report the status of a message being processed by the system and further operable to stop the delivery of the message at the request of the sender of the message;
• a central access and control system operable to manage the interaction of the systems within the network center;
• and
• a customer computer interface system operable to allow users of the communications system operating computer terminals to access the central access and control system to interact with the system, the customer computer interface system operable to allow a particular user of the communications system operating a computer terminal in communication with the customer computer interface system to receive reports on the status of messages being processed by the system and to stop the delivery of messages sent by the particular user and not yet delivered by the system.

A communications system, comprising:

• a network system operable to be connected to external voice messaging systems, interface systems resident in the network system and operable to be coupled to the external voice messaging systems, the network system operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from the external voice messaging systems, at least two of the external voice messaging systems communicating with the network system using disparate communications protocols;
• database storage resident within the network system operable to store user profile information associated with users of the communications system connected through at least two of the external voice messaging systems, the user profile information comprising routing information for particular users of the communications system specifying the routing of messages according to the contents of the messages and the external messaging systems available to the particular users;
• a network center coupled to the network system through an internal data communication path, the network center containing network support systems for the administration, tracking and operation of the communications system,
• the network center comprises a message tracking system operable to store status information associated with messages being processed by the system, the message tracking system operable to report the status of a message being processed by the system and further operable to stop the delivery of the message at the request of the sender of the message;
• a central access and control system operable to manage the interaction of the systems within the network center and the interaction of the network center with the network system;
• and
• an interactive voice response system operable to allow users of the communications system to access the central access and control system to interact with the system using telephones, the interactive voice response system operable to allow a particular user of the communications system using a telephone in communication with the interactive voice response system to receive reports on the status of messages being processed by the system and to stop the delivery of messages sent by the particular user and not yet delivered by the system.

A communications system, comprising:

• a network system operable to be connected to external voice messaging systems;
• interface systems resident in the network system and operable to be coupled to the external voice messaging systems, the network system operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from the external voice messaging systems, at least two of the external voice messaging systems communicating with the network system using disparate communications protocols;
• database storage resident within the network system operable to store user profile information associated with users of the communications system connected through at least two of the external voice messaging systems, the user profile information comprising routing information for particular users of the communications system specifying the routing of messages according to the contents of the messages and the external messaging systems available to the particular users;
• a network center coupled to the network system through an internal data communication path, the network center containing network support systems for the administration, tracking and operation of the communications system;
• the network center comprises a billing system operable to store and accumulate accounts associated with users of the system and to report the status of the accounts;
• a central access and control system operable to manage the interaction of the systems within the network center;
• and
• an interactive voice response system operable to allow users of the communications system to access the billing system through the central access and control system to interact with the billing system using telephones, the interactive voice response system operable to allow a particular user of the communications system using a telephone in communication with the interactive voice response system to receive reports on the status of the account associated with the particular user.

A communications system, comprising:

• a network system operable to be connected to external voice messaging systems;
• interface systems resident in the network system and operable to be coupled to the external voice messaging systems, the network system operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from the external voice messaging systems,at least two of the external voice messaging systems communicating with the network system using disparate communications protocols;
• database storage resident within the network system operable to store user profile information associated with users of the communications system connected through at least two of the external voice messaging systems, the user profile information comprising routing information for particular users of the communications system specifying the routing of messages according to the contents of the messages and the external messaging systems available to the particular users;
• a network center coupled to the network system through an internal data communication path, the network center containing network support systems for the administration, tracking and operation of the communications system,
• the network center comprises a billing system operable to store and accumulate accounts associated with users of the communications system and to report the status of the accounts;
• a central access and control system operable to manage the interaction of the systems within the network center and the interaction of the network center with the network system;
• and
• a customer computer interface system operable to allow users of the communications system operating computer terminals to access the central access and control system to interact with the system, the customer computer interface system operable to allow a particular user of the communications system operating a computer terminal in communication with the customer computer interface system to receive reports on the status of the account associated with the particular user.

A communications system, comprising:

• a network system operable to be connected to external voice messaging systems;
• interface systems resident in the network system and operable to be coupled to the external voice messaging systems, the network system operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from the external voice messaging systems, at least two of the external voice messaging systems communicating with the network system using disparate communications protocols;
• database storage resident within the network system operable to store user profile information associated with users of the communications system connected through at least two of the external voice messaging systems, the user profile information comprising routing information for particular users of the communications system specifying the routing of messages according to the contents of the messages and the external messaging systems available to the particular users;
• the network system comprises a network hub system having a plurality of network hubs interconnected by internal data communications paths and where each of the external voice messaging systems is coupled to one of the network hubs;
• and
• each of the network hubs comprises a network processor operable to communicate to other network hubs through the internal data communication paths and where the network processor is operable to receive updated information regarding users of the system and updated information regarding status of messages being processed by the system and is operable to update a database within the network hub system to reflect the updated information received from other network hub systems.

A communications system, comprising:

• a network system operable to be connected to external voice messaging systems;
• interface systems resident in the network system and operable to be coupled to the external voice messaging systems, the network system operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from the external voice messaging systems, at least two of the external voice messaging systems communicating with the network system using disparate communications protocols;
• database storage resident within the network system operable to store user profile information associated with users of the communications system connected through at least two of the external voice messaging systems, the user profile information comprising routing information for particular users of the communications system specifying the routing of messages according to the contents of the messages and the external messaging systems available to the particular users;
• the network system comprises a network hub system having a plurality of network hubs interconnected by internal data communications paths and where each of the external voice messaging systems is coupled to one of the network hubs;
• each network hub comprises a message system database operable to store routing information used to route messages through the system;
• an inbound message queue operable to store message records associated with messages received by a particular network hub;
• an outbound message queue operable to store message records associated with messages to be transmitted from a particular network hub to another network hub or to an external messaging system;
• and
• a message router operable to access the message system database and the inbound message queue in order to construct the message records placed in the outbound message queue.

A communications system, comprising:

• a network system operable to be connected to external voice messaging systems;
• interface systems resident in the network system and operable to be coupled to the external voice messaging systems, the network system operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from the external voice messaging systems, at least two of the external voice messaging systems communicating with the network system using disparate communications protocols;
• database storage resident within the network system operable to store user profile information associated with users of the communications system connected through at least two of the external voice messaging systems, the user profile information comprising routing information for particular users of the communications system specifying the routing of messages according to the contents of the messages and the external messaging systems available to the particular users;
• the network system comprises a network hub system having a plurality of network hubs interconnected by internal data communications paths and where each of the external voice messaging systems is coupled to one of the network hubs;
• a network center coupled to the network system through an internal data communication path, the network center containing network support systems for the administration, tracking and operation of the communications system and wherein each network hub comprises:
• a message system database operable to store routing information used to route messages through the system;
• an inbound administrative message queue operable to store message records associated with administrative messages received by a particular hub from another hub, from the network center system, or from an external messaging system;
• an outbound administrative message queue operable to store message records associated with administrative messages to be transmitted from a particular hub to another hub, to the network center, or to an external messaging system;
• and
• an administrative event manager operable to access the message system database and the inbound administrative message queue in order to construct the message records placed in the outbound administrative message queue.

A communications system, comprising:

• a network system operable to be connected to external voice messaging systems;
• interface systems resident in the network system and operable to be coupled to the external voice messaging systems, the network system operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from the external voice messaging systems, at least two of the external voice messaging systems communicating with the network system using disparate communications protocols;
• database storage resident within the network system operable to store user profile information associated with users of the communications system connected through at least two of the external voice messaging systems, the user profile information comprising routing information for particular users of the communications system specifying the routing of messages according to the contents of the messages and the external messaging systems available to the particular users;
• the network system comprises a network hub system having a plurality of network hubs interconnected by internal data communications paths and where each of the external voice messaging systems is coupled to one of the network hubs;
• and
• each network hub comprises a media translator comprising a plurality of transformation and translation modules, the media translator operable to sequentially use selected ones of the transformation and translation modules to selectively change messages processed by the network hub.

A communications system, comprising:

• a network system operable to be connected to external voice messaging systems;
• interface systems resident in the network system and operable to be coupled to the external voice messaging systems, the network system operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from the external voice messaging systems, at least two of the external voice messaging systems communicating with the network system using disparate communications protocols;
• database storage resident within the network system operable to store user profile information associated with users of the communications system connected through at least two of the external voice messaging systems, the user profile information comprising routing information for particular users of the communications system specifying the routing of messages according to the contents of the messages and the external messaging systems available to the particular users;
• and
• the system operable to receive a message that is encrypted and deliver the message in encrypted form to provide secure message delivery.

A communications system, comprising:

• a network system operable to be connected to external messaging systems;
• interface systems resident in the network system and operable to be coupled to the external messaging systems, the network system operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from the external messaging systems;
• database storage resident within the network system operable to store directory information associated with users of the external messaging systems and the communications system, the directory information comprising user profiles including advertising delivery information of users of the communications system;
• and
• information provider databases coupled to the network system and operable to store advertising messages for distribution to selected users of the communications system based on advertising delivery information within user profiles of the selected users stored in the database storage and information associated with information services available to users of the communications system.

A communications system, comprising:

• a network system operable to be connected to external voice messaging systems;
• interface systems resident in the network system and operable to be coupled to the external voice messaging systems, the network system operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from the external voice messaging systems, at least two of the external voice messaging systems communicating with the network system using disparate communication protocol;
• and
• database storage resident within the network system operable to store user profile information associated with particular users of the communications system connected through at least two of the external voice messaging systems, the user profile information comprising delivery preference information associated with the particular users, some messages routed to the particular users of the communications system comprising advertising messages identifiable by subject matter information and where a particular user of the communications system may elect to receive particular advertising messages by electing to receive messages identified by selected subject matter information, the user profile of the particular user reflecting the particular user's preferences with respect to the advertising messages.

A communications system, comprising:

• a network system operable to be connected to external messaging systems;
• interface systems resident in the network system and operable to be coupled to the external messaging systems, the network system operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from .the external messaging systems;
• database storage resident within the network system operable to store directory information associated with users of the external messaging systems and the communications system, the directory information comprising user records for locating users of the communications system;
• and
• an interface system associated with the network system and operable to interact with a nonsubscriber to obtain a message nonsubscriber identification and delivery information from the nonsubscriber, the network system then operable to route the message received from the nonsubscriber within the communications system as necessary to deliver the message to an intended recipient.

A communications system, comprising:

• a network system operable to be connected to external messaging systems;
• interface systems resident in the network system and operable to be coupled to the external messaging systems, the network system operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from the external messaging systems;
• database storage resident within the network system operable to store directory information associated with users of the external messaging systems and the communications system, the directory information comprising a user record for each user comprising a unique internal identifier, at least one external address associated with the user, and routing information for messaging systems available to the user;
• the network system operable to receive messages from external messaging systems with an external address of an intended recipient having a user record, the network system further operable to use the external address to access the user record of the intended recipient to retrieve the internal identifier of the intended recipient and the routing information for the messaging facility associated with the intended recipient appropriate for the message to be delivered;
• and
• the network system operable to access subject matter delivery preference information associated with the intended recipient of a message and to retrieve routing information associated with a messaging facility of the intended recipient appropriate for the subject matter of the message to be delivered.

A communications system, comprising:

• a plurality of network hubs interconnected by internal data communication paths;
• interface systems resident in the network hubs and operable to be coupled to external messaging systems and the internal data communication paths, the network hubs operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from the external messaging systems and the internal data communication paths;
• and
• a database storage resident within at least one of the network hubs operable to store directory information associated with users of the external messaging systems and the communications system;
• and
• a message system database, within each particular network hub operable to store configuration information detailing the configuration of each external messaging system connected to the particular network hub such that the messaging system database may be used to reconfigure an external messaging system should the external messaging system be damaged or a replacement external messaging system should the external messaging system be destroyed.

A communications system, comprising:

• a network system operable to be connected to external messaging systems;
• interface systems resident in the network system and operable to be coupled to the external messaging systems, the network system operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from the external messaging systems;
• database storage resident within the network system operable to store directory information associated with users of the external messaging systems and the communications system;
• and
• a mailing list distribution system operable to accept a message and deliver the message to a plurality of destinations, where the mailing list distribution system is recognized by the communications system as the sender of the message to the plurality of destinations such that the mailing list distribution system receives all replies and error messages resulting from the delivery of the message to the plurality of destinations.

A communications system, comprising:

• a plurality of network hubs interconnected by internal data communication paths;
• interface systems resident in the network hubs and operable to be coupled to external messaging systems and the internal data communication paths, the network hubs operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from the external messaging systems and the internal data communication paths;
• a network center coupled to at least one of the network hubs through an internal data communication path, the network center containing network support systems for the administration, tracking and operation of the communications system;
• database storage resident within at least one of the network hubs operable to store directory information associated with users of the external messaging systems and the communications system;
• a message tracking system resident in the network center and operable to store status information associated with messages being processed by the communications system, the message tracking system operable to report the status of a message being processed by the system and further operable to stop the delivery of the message at the request of the sender of the message;
• an interface system operable to allow users to access the message tracking system, the interface system operable to allow a particular user to receive reports on the status of messages being processed by the communications system and to stop the delivery of messages sent by the particular user and not yet delivered by the communications system;
• and
• the interface system comprises a customer computer interface system operable to allow users operating computer terminals to access and interact with the message tracking system.

A communications system, comprising:

• a plurality of network hubs interconnected by internal data communication paths;
• interface systems resident in the network hubs and operable to be coupled to external messaging systems and the internal data communication paths, the network hubs operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from the external messaging systems and the internal data communication paths;
• a network center coupled to at least one of the network hubs through an internal data communication path, the network center containing network support systems for the administration, tracking and operation of the communications system;
• database storage resident within at least one of the network hubs operable to store directory information associated with users of the external messaging systems and the communications system;
• a message tracking system resident in the network center and operable to store status information associated with messages being processed by the communications system, the message tracking system operable to report the status of a message being processed by the system and further operable to stop the delivery of the message at the request of the sender of the message;
• an interface system operable to allow users to access the message tracking system, the interface system operable to allow a particular user to receive reports on the status of messages being processed by the communications system and to stop the delivery of messages sent by the particular user and not yet delivered by the communications system;
• and
• the interface system comprises an interactive voice response system operable to allow users to access and interact with the message tracking system using telephones.

A communications system, comprising:

• a plurality of network hubs interconnected by internal data communication paths;
• interface systems resident in the network hubs and operable to be coupled to external messaging systems and the internal data communication paths, the network hubs operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from the external messaging systems and the internal data communication paths;
• a network center coupled to at least one of the network hubs through an internal data communication path, the network center containing network support systems for the administration, tracking and operation of the communications system;
• database storage resident within at least one of the network hubs operable to store directory information associated with users of the external messaging systems and the communications system;
• a message tracking system resident in the network center and operable to store status information associated with messages being processed by the communications system, the message tracking system operable to report the status of a message being processed by the system and further operable to stop the delivery of the message at the request of the sender of the message;
• and
• where an account is maintained for each user of the communications system within the network center and where the account of the user accessing the message tracking system is charged an mount dependent on the service requested of the message tracking system.

A communications system, comprising:

• a plurality of network hubs interconnected by internal data communication paths;
• interface systems resident in the network hubs and operable to be coupled to external messaging systems and the internal data communication paths, the network hubs operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from the external messaging systems and the internal data communication paths;
• a network center coupled to at least one of the network hubs through an internal data communication path, the network center containing network support systems for the administration, tracking and operation of the communications system;
• and
• database storage resident within at least one of the network hubs operable to store directory information associated with users of the external messaging systems and the communications system, the directory information comprising user records for locating users of the communications system and comprising at least one external address and a unique internal identifier for each user of the system;
• and
• an interface system resident in the network center operable to interact with nonsubscriber users of the communications system to locate particular users of the communications system using information supplied by the nonsubscriber users in connection with using the database storage resident within the at least one of the network hub.

A communications system, comprising:

• a plurality of network hubs interconnected by internal data communication paths;
• interface systems resident in the network hubs and operable to be coupled to external messaging facilities and the internal data communication paths, the network hubs operable to receive communications traffic through the interface systems from the external messaging facilities and the internal data communication paths;
• a network center coupled to at least one of the network hubs through an internal data communication path, the network center containing network support systems for the administration, tracking and operation of the communications system;
• and
• database storage resident within at least one of the network hubs operable to store directory information associated with users of the external messaging facilities and the communications system, the directory information comprising a user record for each user comprising information associated with at least one delivery feature, the user record further comprising information indicating the actions to be taken by the system in the event that the delivery feature is not supported by a messaging system associated with an intended message recipient.