Method and apparatus for retrieving all voicemail messages at the same time

Abstract

A method and apparatus for retrieving all voicemail messages at the same time on packet networks such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) networks are disclosed. For example, the customer subscribes to a voicemail service where a plurality of voicemails can be retrieved and listened to at the same time. Specifically, when the customer accesses the voicemail service, the application server engages the media server to play the audio files from each of the voicemail messages at the same time, i.e., in a continuous or consecutive manner via a single input. Namely, the audio files are played consecutively without requiring another input from the customer, unless the customer wishes to execute a voicemail function.

1 . A method for retrieving a plurality of voicemail messages in a communication network, comprising:
 receiving a request for playback of said plurality of voicemail messages; and   playing back said plurality of voicemail messages in a continuous manner.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said communication network is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network or a Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) network. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said continuous playback of said plurality of voicemail messages is responsive to a single user input. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein said continuous playback of said plurality of voicemail messages being responsive to said single user input is configured in accordance with a user preference. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein said continuous playback of said plurality of voicemail messages is performed in accordance with a predefined playback order. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 presenting a pop-up window during said continuous playback of said plurality of voicemail messages.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 receiving an input from a user via said pop-up window during said continuous playback of said plurality of voicemail messages.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 executing at least one voicemail function in accordance with said received input during said continuous playback of said plurality of voicemail messages.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein said at least one voicemail function comprises at least one of: skipping one of said plurality of voicemail messages, repeating one of said plurality of voicemail messages, saving one of said plurality of voicemail messages as a new message, saving one of said plurality of voicemail messages as an old message, or forwarding one of said plurality of voicemail messages. 
     
     
         10 . A computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of instructions, the plurality of instructions including instructions which, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of a method for retrieving a plurality of voicemail messages in a communication network, comprising:
 receiving a request for playback of said plurality of voicemail messages; and   playing back said plurality of voicemail messages in a continuous manner.   
     
     
         11 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein said communication network is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network or a Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) network. 
     
     
         12 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein said continuous playback of said plurality of voicemail messages is responsive to a single user input. 
     
     
         13 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 12 , wherein said continuous playback of said plurality of voicemail messages being responsive to said single user input is configured in accordance with a user preference. 
     
     
         14 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , wherein said continuous playback of said plurality of voicemail messages is performed in accordance with a predefined playback order. 
     
     
         15 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 10 , further comprising:
 presenting a pop-up window during said continuous playback of said plurality of voicemail messages.   
     
     
         16 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 receiving an input from a user via said pop-up window during said continuous playback of said plurality of voicemail messages.   
     
     
         17 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 executing at least one voicemail function in accordance with said received input during said continuous playback of said plurality of voicemail messages.   
     
     
         18 . The computer-readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein said at least one voicemail function comprises at least one of skipping one of said plurality of voicemail messages, repeating one of said plurality of voicemail messages, saving one of said plurality of voicemail messages as a new message, saving one of said plurality of voicemail messages as an old message, or forwarding one of said plurality of voicemail messages. 
     
     
         19 . An apparatus for retrieving a plurality of voicemail messages in a communication network, comprising:
 means for receiving a request for playback of said plurality of voicemail messages; and   means for playing back said plurality of voicemail messages in a continuous manner.   
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein said communication network is a Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network or a Service over Internet Protocol (SoIP) network.