Integrated multimedia messaging system

An integrated multimedia messaging system for use on a digital network, the system comprising:

• a first message server comprising a storage and connected to the network for receiving messages in a first format and for digitizing first format messages and storing the digitized first format messages in the storage along with state information indicating whether the first format messages have been read and identification information uniquely identifying each first format message;
• a second message server comprising a storage connected to the network for receiving messages in a second format different from the first format and for digitizing second format messages and storing the digitized second format messages in the storage along with state information indicating whether the second format messages have been read and identification information uniquely identifying each second format message;
• a synchronizer connected to the network for insuring that message information is stored in the first server storage for both first format messages stored in the first server storage and second format messages stored in the second server storage;
• and
• a mechanism in the synchronizer which is responsive to second format message information being stored in the first server storage for accessing the second server using the message information stored in the first server to delete second format messages stored therein.

A method for use on a digital network for coordinating messages received in both a first messaging system which receives and stores messages in a first format and a second heterogeneous messaging system which receives and stores messages in a second format, the method comprising the steps of:

• A. creating a synchronizer and connecting it to the network;
• B. connecting the synchronizer to the first messaging system by means of a first standard interface to allow the synchronizer to control the first messaging system;
• C. connecting the synchronizer to the second messaging system by means of a second standard interface to allow the synchronizer to control the second messaging system;
• D. using a first mechanism in the synchronizer to examine the second messaging system and to insure that information is stored in the first messaging system corresponding to messages stored in second messaging system;
• and
• E. using a second mechanism in the synchronizer to examine the first messaging system and to delete messages stored in the second messaging system corresponding to the information stored in first messaging system.

A computer program product for use on a digital network for coordinating messages received in both a first messaging system which receives and stores messages in a first format and a second heterogeneous messaging system which receives and stores messages in a second format, the computer program product comprising a computer usable medium having computer readable program code thereon, the program code including:

• program code for creating synchronizer connected to the network;
• program code for creating a first standard interface connecting the synchronizer to the first messaging system to allow the synchronizer to control the first messaging system;
• program code for creating a second standard interface connecting the synchronizer to the second messaging system to allow the synchronizer to control the second messaging system;
• first program code in the synchronizer for examining the second messaging system and for insuring that information is stored in the first messaging system corresponding to messages stored in second messaging system;
• and
• second program code in the synchronizer for examining the first messaging system and for deleting messages in the second messaging system corresponding to messages stored in first messaging system.