Voice messaging system for converting oral messages into text messages

Abstract

A network-based voice messaging system is provided. A voice message is received at a network. The network converts the voice message into a text message by utilizing speech recognition software. The text message is transmitted to the intended recipient as an electronic mail (e-mail) message or facsimile document and is received by the intended recipient on conventional text receiving equipment.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for transmitting a message to an intended recipient, the method comprising: 
 receiving an oral message for an intended recipient from a sending party;    determining whether a voice mail box associated with the intended recipient is full;    if the intended recipient's mail box is full, converting the oral message into a text message using speech recognition software; and    transmitting the text message to the intended recipient.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein transmitting the text message further comprises emailing the text message to the recipient.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein transmitting the text message further comprises faxing the text message to the recipient.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein transmitting the text message further comprises sending an instant message to the recipient.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , further comprising the step of determining a facsimile phone number for the intended recipient by accessing a database.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of determining an e-mail address for the intended recipient by accessing a database.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of notifying the sender of the oral message of the status of transmitting the text message to the intended recipient.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oral message is received on an integrated services network.  
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the oral message is received on an integrated services network.  
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of storing information related to the transmitted text message.  
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of billing the intended recipient of the text message.  
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of billing the sender of the oral message.  
     
     
         13 . An answering service, the answering service performing the steps of: 
 receiving an oral message from a sender for a recipient;    determining whether a voice mail box associated with the recipient is full;    if the recipient voice mail box is full: 
 converting the oral message into a text message;  
 audibly playing the text message to the sender for error correction;  
 receiving error correction from the recipient, if any; and  
 transmitting the text message to the recipient; and  
   if the recipient voice mail box is not full, delivering the oral message to the recipient's voice mail box.    
     
     
         14 . The answering service of  claim 13 , wherein converting the oral message into a text message occurs using speech recognition software.  
     
     
         15 . The answering service of  claim 13 , wherein converting the oral message into a text message further comprises: 
 determining whether words exist in the oral message that may not be contained in a general purpose speech recognition software program; and    if words exist in the oral message that are not likely contained in a general purpose speech recognition software program, applying a restricted domain speech recognition program.