HK1034010B - Apparatus and method for retrieving voicemail messages in a wireless communication system - Google Patents

Description

Apparatus and method for receiving voicemail message in wireless communication system

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to wireless communication systems, and more particularly, to an apparatus and method for receiving voicemail messages in a wireless communication system.

Description of the Related Art

Wireless communication systems, such as cellular telephones, have been widely used to replace traditional telephone systems. In addition to being used to replace traditional telephones, wireless communication devices may also be used for text message retrieval and voicemail retrieval. These wireless communication devices, sometimes referred to as Personal Communication Systems (PCS), require an alphanumeric display in order to display the retrieved text message. The alphanumeric display also provides a voice message indication to the waiting user. The voice message is stored in a central message storage area and retrieved by dialing a designated telephone number.

Other wireless communication devices do not have an alphanumeric display and are not capable of receiving or retrieving messages. For example, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) systems provide wireless communication in areas where the traditional telephone infrastructure is minimal or non-existent. WLL systems provide basic telephone service without the need for wires to connect individual subscribers to a central telephone exchange. However, conventional WLL phones do not include a display and do not have the capability of text messaging or voicemail retrieval.

While wireless communication devices, such as PCS devices, provide various communication devices, other communication devices, such as WLL devices, do not have such capabilities. Thus, it can be appreciated that there is a great need for devices and methods for voice messaging retrieval using wireless communication devices without the need for alphanumeric text display. The present invention provides this and other advantages as described below and illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

Summary of The Invention

A wireless communication device of the present invention for voicemail message notification and retrieval in a wireless communication system including a central message storage area using a wireless communication device without an alphanumeric display for displaying text messages, wherein the wireless communication device comprises:

an antenna that detects wireless transmissions from a location remote from the wireless communication device;

a receiver coupled to said antenna for receiving a wireless communication message based on said detected wireless transmission, said wireless communication message having a predetermined format including a plurality of voicemail messages representative of voicemail messages stored in said central message storage area for said wireless communication device and including a data portion of transmission data representative of a dynamic callback telephone number, wherein said dynamic callback telephone number is called to retrieve voicemail messages stored in said central message storage area for said wireless communication device;

a storage location storing a number representing a number of voicemail messages stored in the central message storage area for the wireless communication device;

voicemail message notification circuitry selectively enabled when said storage location has a data value greater than zero to provide a user with an indication that at least one voicemail message is stored in said central message storage area for said wireless communication device, said voicemail message notification circuitry selectively disabled when said storage location has a data value equal to zero;

a first callback number storage area storing preprogrammed data representing a predetermined callback telephone number to be called to retrieve voicemail messages stored in the central message storage area for the wireless communication device;

a second callback number storage area storing the transmission data representing the dynamic callback telephone number to be called to retrieve voicemail messages stored in the central message storage area for the wireless communication device if transmitted in the wireless communication message; and

a transmitter coupled to the antenna to transmit a voicemail message retrieval request to retrieve a voicemail message from the central message area, the transmitter retrieving a voicemail message from the central message storage area using the dynamic callback telephone number if transmitted in the wireless communication message, and using a predetermined callback telephone number if the wireless communication message does not include data transmitted in the wireless communication message.

A wireless communication apparatus of the present invention for voicemail message notification and retrieval in a wireless communication system including a central message storage area, wherein the wireless communication apparatus comprises:

a voicemail message notification processor that detects and processes voicemail message notifications from said central message storage area to said wireless communication device, said voicemail message notifications including the ability to retrieve a callback telephone number optionally including a voicemail that sends the callback telephone number;

a dynamic callback number storage area storing the transmitted callback telephone number if transmitted with the voicemail message notification;

a predetermined callback number storage area storing a predetermined telephone number to call to retrieve voicemail messages stored in the central message storage area for the wireless communication device; and

a transmitter that sends a voicemail message retrieval request to retrieve a voicemail message from the central message storage area, retrieves a voicemail message from the central message storage area using the send callback telephone number stored in the dynamic callback number storage area if such dynamic callback number is sent with the voicemail message notification, and retrieves a voicemail message from the central message storage area using the predetermined telephone number stored in the predetermined callback number storage area if the voicemail message notification does not include the send callback telephone number.

A method of the present invention for utilizing a wireless communication device for voicemail message notification and retrieval in a wireless communication system including a central message storage area utilizing a wireless communication device without an alphanumeric display for displaying text messages, wherein the method comprises the steps of:

storing a predetermined callback telephone number to call to retrieve voicemail messages stored in said central message storage area for said wireless communication device;

detecting a voicemail message notification from said central message storage area to said wireless communication device, said voicemail message notification including a voicemail retrieval callback telephone number capability optionally including a transmission callback telephone number;

storing the transmitted callback telephone number if transmitted with the voicemail message notification; and

sending a voicemail message retrieval request using said stored send call back telephone number to retrieve voicemail messages from said central message storage area;

if the voicemail message notification does not include sending a voicemail retrieval callback telephone number, sending a voicemail message retrieval request using the predetermined callback telephone number to retrieve voicemail messages from the central message storage area.

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a wireless communication device for voicemail message notification and retrieval that does not have an alphanumeric display for displaying text messages. The wireless communication device is for operating in a wireless communication system that includes a central message storage area. The wireless communication device includes a voicemail message notification processor that detects and processes voicemail message notifications from the central message storage area to the wireless communication device. The voice message notification includes data representing a number of voice mail messages stored in the central message storage area to be sent to the wireless communication device. The wireless communication device also includes a storage location for storing data representing a plurality of mail messages stored in the central message storage area. The voicemail notification circuit is selectively enabled when the memory area has a data value greater than zero to provide a user indication of at least one voicemail message being stored in the central message storage area for transmission to the wireless communication device. Voice message notification is selectively disabled when the storage location has a data value equal to zero.

The voicemail message notification circuit may include a light that is selectively activated to provide a visual indication of the storage of voicemail messages in the central message storage area or an audio signal that provides an audible indication of the storage of at least one voicemail message in the central message storage area.

The wireless communication device also includes a callback number storage area that stores a predetermined telephone number, such as a service-programmed telephone number, to call retrieve voicemail messages stored in the central message storage area. The voice message notification includes the ability to send a voicemail retrieval callback telephone number as well as a voicemail message notification. The wireless communication device includes a dynamic callback number storage area to store the transmitted callback telephone number.

If the voicemail notification includes a callback telephone number, the transmitter sends a voicemail message retrieval request to retrieve a voicemail message from the central message store using the send callback telephone number stored in the dynamic callback number store. Otherwise, the transmitter will receive the voicemail message using the predetermined telephone number stored in the callback number storage area. If the voicemail message notification does not include a callback telephone number, the voicemail message notification processor also clears the data previously stored in the dynamic callback number storage area.

Brief Description of Drawings

The features, objects, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters identify corresponding elements:

fig. 1 is a functional block diagram of a wireless communication device designed according to the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a functional block diagram of the operation of the wireless communication device of fig. 1 to communicate with a central message storage area.

Fig. 3 is a functional block diagram of another embodiment of the operation of the wireless communication device of fig. 1 to communicate with a central message storage area.

Fig. 4A and 4B together form a flow diagram of the operation of the system of fig. 1 to provide a voicemail message notification to a user.

Fig. 5 is a flow chart of operation of the wireless communication device of fig. 1 to provide another voicemail message notification to a user.

Fig. 6 is a flow chart of the operation of the wireless communication device of fig. 1 to retrieve voicemail messages from a central message storage area.

Detailed description of the preferred embodiments

Expensive wireless communication devices, such as PCS phones, provide text messaging as a standard feature. Text messages require the use of an alphanumeric display. Alphanumeric displays typically include icons and other indicators to indicate when a text message is received. The text message is retrieved from the central message storage area and displayed on the alphanumeric display. Similarly, the alphanumeric display includes an icon or other indicator that informs the user to wait for a voicemail message. The user retrieves the voicemail message from the central storage area by calling a predetermined telephone number.

The present invention is directed to a technique for voicemail retrieval in a wireless communication device that does not have alphanumeric for text messaging or message retrieval instructions. This is particularly advantageous in low cost systems where each phone does not have text messaging capability, such as WLL systems. The present invention is embodied in a wireless communication device 100 as shown in the functional block diagram of fig. 1. The wireless communication device 100 can be easily implemented with any wireless device, such as a cellular phone. However, for clarity of illustration, the following description describes the implementation of the wireless communication device 100 in a cellular telephone. The wireless communication device 100 advantageously provides voicemail message notification and retrieval in a wireless communication device without requiring expensive alphanumeric displays.

The wireless communication device 100 includes a Central Processing Unit (CPU)102 and memory 104, which may include read only memory and random access memory. The random access portion of the memory 104 may also include non-volatile memory. The wireless communication device 100 also includes a keypad 106 operable by a user to control the wireless communication device 100.

The transmitter 110 and receiver 112 allow data, such as audio communications, to be transmitted and received between the wireless communication device 100 and a remote location, such as a site controller (see fig. 2). The transmitter 110 and receiver 112 are also combined into a transceiver 114. An antenna 118 is coupled to the transceiver 114.

Also included in the wireless communication device 100 is a message indicator 120 that provides an indication to the user that one or more voicemail messages have been received and stored in the central message storage area (see fig. 2). The message indicator provides a visual and/or audible indication to the user that a voicemail message has been received for the user. In one embodiment, the wireless communication device 100 may include a visual indicator 122, such as a light or flashing LED, as a voicemail message arrival indicator. On the other hand, the wireless communication device 100 may include an audible indicator 124, such as a speaker, as a voicemail message arrival indicator. The audible indicator 124 may be implemented using a speaker installed in a conventional wireless communication device. A detailed description of the message indicator 120 is provided below.

A dialed digits storage area 126 used in the wireless communication device 100 temporarily stores the destination telephone number. As is known in the art, the user operates the keypad 106 to enter a desired destination telephone number, which is temporarily stored in the dialed digits storage area 126. When the user presses the Send key (not shown) on keypad 106, transmitter 100 transmits the number in dialed digits storage area 126 to the station controller (see fig. 2). In WLL systems, the wireless communication device 100 generally does not have a SEND button, but operates in the same manner as a conventional telephone, wherein the user picks up the handset and dials the desired destination telephone number. In this embodiment, the wireless communication device 100 need not have a dialed digits storage area 126 to store the entire destination telephone number.

As described in detail below, industry standards are provided for message notification in a wireless communication system. In some examples, the message notification includes a callback telephone number that can be used to retrieve voicemail messages. The call back number is a destination telephone number that the user of the wireless communication device 100 can use to retrieve voicemail messages. The wireless communication device 100 includes a dynamic callback number storage area 128 for storing callback numbers sent in accordance with voicemail message notifications.

The wireless communication device 100 also includes a service programmed callback number storage area 130 for storing service programmed voicemail message retrieval telephone numbers. For example, a service provider retrieves national telephone numbers using a single voicemail message. In this embodiment, the service-programmed call back number storage area 130 is programmed with the appropriate number at the appropriate time when the wireless communication device 100 is initially programmed for operation. The dynamic callback number store 128 and the service stylized callback number store 130 may be part of the memory 104. In an example embodiment, the dynamic callback number storage area 128 and the service stylized callback number storage area 130 are stored in a non-volatile portion of the memory 104. Alternatively, the dynamic callback number storage area 128 and the service-programmed callback number storage area 130 may be portions of the memory 104 designated for use with a quick dial application in the wireless communication device 100. The operation of dialing a storage location quickly is known in the art and is not described in detail herein.

Also included in the wireless communication device 100 is a message number storage area 134. The message number storage area 134 includes a data value representing the number of unread voicemail messages waiting for the user of the wireless communication device 100. As described in detail below, the voicemail message notification includes a data value representing the number of unread messages stored in the central message storage area (see fig. 2). In an example embodiment, the message number storage area 134 is the portion of the memory 104 that has been designated for the speed dial application. Reserving a location in memory 104 for a fast dial includes two digits that are unused and reserved for future applications. The two-digit memory of the selected speed-dial location may be used to record the number of messages waiting for the user of the wireless communication device 100.

The various elements of the wireless communication device 100 are coupled by a bus system 136, wherein the bus system 136 includes a power bus, a control signal bus, and a status signal bus, as well as a data bus. However, for simplicity of illustration, various buses are shown in FIG. 1 as the bus system 136.

Fig. 2 illustrates the operation of the wireless communication device 100 to retrieve voicemail messages as a cellular telephone system. Site controller 150 is coupled to site antenna 152. The station controller 150 and the antennas communicate with the wireless communication device 100 in a conventional manner and need not be described again here. The zone controller is coupled to a central message storage area 156 by a communication link 158. The central message storage area 156 may be at the same physical location as the site controller 150 or at a location remote from the site controller. Communication link 158 may be any form of known communication means such as a hard-wired cable, fiber optic cable, network connection, microwave link, or the like. The present invention is not limited to a particular form of communication link 158.

The third party may generate a voicemail message for the wireless communication device 100 in a conventional manner, such as by calling a telephone number (i.e., mobile identification number) of the wireless communication device 100. If the user does not answer the telephone call, or if power to the wireless communication device 100 is turned off, the third caller may leave the voicemail message in the central message storage area 156. After the voicemail message is completed, the central message storage area 156 generates a voicemail message notification and transmits the voicemail message notification to the wireless communication device 100 through the station controller 150 and the antenna 152.

In an example embodiment, the voicemail notification message utilizes a data format selected according to one or more industry standards. For example, IS-95A and J-STD-008 provide standards for Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) communications at 800 megahertz and 1900 megahertz, respectively. Each such industry standard provides a message waiting signal that includes data indicating the number of messages stored in the central message storage area 156 that have not yet been retrieved by the user. Another standard that may be used in the wireless communication device 100 IS the Short Message Service (SMS) standard IS-637 that provides voicemail notification messages including data indicating the number of messages in the central message storage area 156 that have not been retrieved by the user. The SMS standard also specifies a priority level selected by the message sender, and optionally a callback number.

If the callback number is included in the voicemail notification message, the callback number is stored in the dynamic callback number storage area 128 (see FIG. 1). On the other hand, if the voicemail message notification does not include a callback number, then the voicemail message may be retrieved from the central message store 156 using the service-programmed telephone number in the service-programmed callback storage 130. In another embodiment, hard coded (hardcoded) calling numbers may be included in program code stored in a read-only portion of memory 104. In this embodiment, a user may retrieve a voicemail message from the central message storage area 156 by actuating a predetermined key on the keyboard 106.

The wireless communication device 100 utilizes a predetermined level to automatically determine an appropriate call back number for voicemail retrieval. If the wireless communication device 100 includes a hard-coded callback number, the user need only actuate a predetermined key on the keypad 106 to cause the communication system to retrieve voicemail messages from the central message storage area 156. If the callback number is not hard-coded in the wireless communication device 100, the wireless communication device utilizes the callback number stored in the dynamic callback number storage area 128 or the service programming number in the service programming number storage area 130. The wireless communication device 100 stores only the call back number from the most recently received voicemail message. If the callback telephone number is sent along with the voicemail message notification, the wireless notification device 100 saves the callback number in the dynamic callback number storage area 128 for later voicemail retrieval. If a subsequent voicemail message notification is received and there are no callback numbers, the wireless communication device 100 clears the dynamic callback number storage area 128 so that the wireless communication device does not use the expired callback telephone number.

The wireless communication device 100 will then use the callback number in the dynamic callback number storage area 128 if available. If no callback number exists in the dynamic callback number storage area 128, the wireless communication device 100 utilizes the telephone number in the service programmed callback number storage area 130. Alternatively, the telephone number may be later retrieved by manually entering a voicemail using the keyboard 106.

During normal operation, the desired callback number is passed to the dialed digits store 126, whether manually entered via the keypad 106 or called from the dynamic callback number store 128 or the service stylized callback number store 130 (recall). The transmitter 110 transmits the dialed digits to the station controller 150. Alternatively, the transmitter 110 may send a number directly from the dynamic callback number store 128 or the service stylized callback number store 130 to retrieve voicemail messages.

The user retrieves the voicemail message from the central message storage area 156 by actuating a predetermined key or series of keys on the keyboard 106. In an example embodiment, the user enters "99" through the keyboard 106 to retrieve the voicemail message. However, other keys or sequences may be readily used by wireless communication device 100. Thus, the present invention is not limited to a particular key or key sequence for retrieving voicemail messages.

The advantage of the above described callback telephone number ranking is that the service provider can program the service-programmed call number storage area 130 (see fig. 1) with a fixed telephone number for voicemail message retrieval. However, if the user is in a different geographic area utilizing a different callback telephone number, or the service provider wishes to change the callback telephone number, a new callback telephone number may be sent as part of the voicemail message notification. The wireless communication device 100 will automatically exercise the new callback telephone number stored in the dynamic callback number storage area 128. This process is transparent to a user who simply dials a predetermined sequence of keys (e.g., 99) to retrieve a voicemail message. The wireless communication device 100 automatically selects the appropriate callback telephone number.

The wireless communication device 100 determines the appropriate voicemail message retrieval number in the manner described above. Once the wireless communication device 100 has established contact with the central message storage area 156, messages can be retrieved using keys (not shown) on the keyboard 106. The activation of a key to retrieve a voicemail message is known in the art and need not be described further herein. As the user retrieves each voicemail message from the central message storage area 156, the stored message is marked as read by the user. When the user has retrieved one or more messages from the central message storage area and terminated the call, the central message storage area 156 determines the number of stored messages that have not been read and sends a new voicemail notification message to the wireless notification device 100. If the user has read all messages, the voicemail message notification contains data with a value of zero to indicate that the central message storage area 156 has no voicemail messages that have not been read by the user. However, if the user does not retrieve all voicemail messages, then the voicemail message notification provides the user with instructions that unread voicemail messages remain contained in the central message storage area 156. It should be noted that the user need not delete voicemail messages from the central message storage area 156. However, the voicemail message notification includes data that only represents voicemail messages that have not been read by the user.

If the wireless communication device is on and has registered with the station controller 150, the wireless communication device 100 automatically receives a voicemail notification message when a new message is received in the central message storage area 156. On the other hand, when the wireless communication device is turned on and first registers with the station controller 150, a voicemail message notification is sent to the wireless communication device 100. In both cases, the wireless communication device 100 will receive a voicemail message notification that includes data indicating the number of unread voicemail messages in the central message storage area 156. If the number of unread messages is greater than zero, the message indicator 120 generates an indication that the unread messages are waiting to be retrieved by the user. The message indicator may selectively activate either the visual indicator 122 or the audible indicator 124.

On the other hand, when the user of the wireless communication device 100 places the wireless communication device in an "off-hook" state, the message indicator 120 may generate a changed dial tone. The term "off-hook" refers to an operating state in which a conventional telephone is removed from a hook (hook) and a dial tone is generated. With reference to a wireless communication device, such as a cellular telephone, the term "off-hook" refers to an operational state in which a "Send" button (not shown) is actuated. However, in the WLL system, the wireless communication apparatus 100 can be set in an off-hook state by simply picking up the handset. The message indicator 120 then provides an indication to the user of the wireless communication device 100 that the unread voicemail message is stored in the central message storage area 156.

Fig. 2 illustrates the operation of the wireless communication apparatus 100 as a cellular phone. However, another embodiment may be devised in accordance with the principles of the present invention. Fig. 3 illustrates one embodiment of a wireless communication device 100 utilizing a conventional telephone 162, wherein the wireless communication device 100 includes a telephone cable 164 and an industry standard telephone plug 166. The wireless telephone device 100 is contained within a wireless adapter 168 that includes the transmitter 110 (see fig. 1) and the receiver 122 as a desktop unit. The wireless adapter 168 includes an industry standard telephone receptacle 170 to receive the telephone plug 166. The wireless adapter 168 converts cellular telephone voltages and signals into a form used by the conventional telephone 162. The conventional telephone 162 may include a visual indicator 122 to provide an indication to the user that an unread voicemail message is stored in the central message storage area 156. The user may retrieve the stored voicemail message in the manner described above. On the other hand, when the user picks up the handset of the conventional telephone 162, the message indicator 120 may generate an audible signal or generate a modified dial tone.

The operational procedure of the wireless communication device 100 for voicemail notifications is shown in the flow charts of fig. 4A and 4B. At start 200, assume that the wireless communication device is turned on and registered with a site controller 150 (see fig. 2 and 3). In step 202, the wireless communication device 100 receives a voicemail notification message from the central message storage area 156 via the station controller 150 and the antenna 152. If the voicemail notification message indicates that the number of unread messages in the central message storage area 156 is greater than zero, the determination 204 is YES. If all voicemail messages have been retrieved from the central message store 156, the voicemail message notification will indicate a value of zero for the number of unread messages. In this case, the determination result 204 is NO. If the determination 204 is NO, then the wireless communication device 100 clears the callback telephone number stored in the dynamic callback number storage area 128 in step 208. In step 210, the wireless communication device 100 sets the number of unread messages equal to zero. In step 212, the system 100 disables the message indicator 120, thereby turning off the visual indicator 122 and the audible indicator 124. The process ends at step 214.

If there is an unread message in the central message storage area 156 (see FIGS. 2 and 3), then the determination 204 is YES. In this case, in determination 220, the wireless communication device 100 determines whether to receive the callback number and the most recent voicemail message notification. If NO callback number and voicemail notification message are received, then the determination 220 is NO. In this case, the wireless communication device 100 clears the dynamic callback number storage area 128 in step 222.

In step 226, as shown in fig. 4B, the wireless communication device 100 sets the message number storage area 134 to a new value representing the number of unread messages in the central message storage area 155. In step 228, the wireless communication device activates the message indicator 120, which in turn activates the visual indicator 122 and/or the audible indicator 124 to provide the user with an indication of the unread voicemail message currently stored in the central message storage area 156. Processing ends at 230.

Returning to fig. 4A, if the voicemail message notification includes a callback number, then the determination 220 is YES. In this case, the wireless communication device 100 stores the callback number from the voicemail message notification in the dynamic callback number storage area 128 in step 224 as shown in fig. 4B. Following step 224, the wireless communication device 100 sets the message number storage area 124 equal to the unread message value in the central message storage area 156 in step 226. In step 228, the wireless communication device activates the message indicator 120, which in turn activates the visual indicator 122 and/or the audible indicator 124 to provide the user with an indication that the currently unread voicemail message is stored in the central message storage area 156. Processing ends at 230.

Another voicemail message notification is shown in the flow chart of fig. 5. At start 250, assume that a voicemail message notification has been received by the wireless communication device 100. In step 252, the wireless communication device 100 detects an off-hook condition. In determination 254, the wireless communication device 100 determines that the number of messages in the message number storage area 134 is greater than zero. If an unread message is stored in the central message storage area (see fig. 2 and 3), then the determination 254 is YES. In this case, the message indicator 120 generates a modified dial tone to provide an audible indication to the user that the unread voicemail message is waiting for retrieval by the user in step 256. The wireless communication device 100 ends at 260. The message number storage area 134 of the wireless communication device 100 has a value of zero if there are no unread messages in the central message storage area 156. In this case, the determination result 254 is NO. As a result, when the off-hook condition occurs, the wireless communication device 100 generates a normal dial tone in step 258. Again, the process ends at 260.

The operational procedure for the wireless communication device 100 to retrieve voicemail messages is illustrated in the flow chart of fig. 6. At start 270, assume that wireless communication device 100 is turned on and has registered with a site controller 150 (see fig. 2 and 3). In step 272, the wireless communication device 100 detects a user selection of a predetermined key sequence on the keypad 106. As previously mentioned, different forms of keyboard button sequences may be used as the predetermined key sequence. In the example embodiment described herein, 99 is selected as the predetermined key sequence.

Upon detecting the predetermined key sequence in step 272, the wireless communication device 100 determines whether a callback number exists (in decision 274) in the dynamic callback number storage area 128 (see FIG. 1). If a callback number exists in the dynamic call number storage area 128, then the determination 274 is YES and the wireless communication device sets the dialed digits storage area 126 equal to the number in the dynamic callback number storage area 128 in step 276. If NO numbers are present in the dynamic callback area code memory 128, then the determination 274 is NO and the wireless communication device 100 sets the dialed digits memory area 126 equal to the number in the service programmed callback number memory area 130 in step 278.

After completing step 276 or step 278, the wireless communication device 100 transmits the call back number in the dialed digits storage area 126 in step 280. It should be noted that if the wireless communication device 100 is a cellular telephone, then appropriate execution of step 280 requires the user to place the wireless communication device in an off-hook mode by actuating a Send button (not shown). If performed in a WLL system, the user places the wireless communication device in an off-hook state by picking up the handset prior to the step 272 of detecting whether the user has entered a predetermined key. Thus, when the user enters a predetermined key, step 280 automatically transmits the selected callback number. In either method of implementation, the transmitter 110 (see FIG. 1) transmits the digits and dialed digits storage area 126 to the site controller 150.

The station controller 150 establishes communication with the central message storage area 156 via communication link 158. When a connection has been established between the wireless communication device 100 and the central message storage area 156, the wireless communication device may retrieve one or more stored messages from the central message storage area 156 in step 282. The process ends at 284 when the user terminates the connection between the wireless communication device 100 and the central message storage area 156.

Thus, the wireless communication device 100 provides the ability to simplify voicemail message notification and retrieval without the need for expensive alphanumeric displays. This technique is particularly useful in systems such as WLL systems where a conventional telephone may be used with a wireless adapter.

The previous description of the preferred embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of the inventive faculty. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features described herein.

Claims (22)

1. A wireless communication device for voicemail message notification and retrieval in a wireless communication system including a central message storage area using the wireless communication device without an alphanumeric display for displaying text messages, the wireless communication device comprising:

an antenna that detects wireless transmissions from a location remote from the wireless communication device;

a receiver coupled to said antenna for receiving a wireless communication message based on said detected wireless transmission, said wireless communication message having a predetermined format including a plurality of voicemail messages representative of voicemail messages stored in said central message storage area for said wireless communication device and including a data portion of transmission data representative of a dynamic callback telephone number, wherein said dynamic callback telephone number is called to retrieve voicemail messages stored in said central message storage area for said wireless communication device;

a storage location storing a number representing a number of voicemail messages stored in the central message storage area for the wireless communication device;

voicemail message notification circuitry selectively enabled when said storage location has a data value greater than zero to provide a user with an indication that at least one voicemail message is stored in said central message storage area for said wireless communication device, said voicemail message notification circuitry selectively disabled when said storage location has a data value equal to zero;

a first callback number storage area storing preprogrammed data representing a predetermined callback telephone number to be called to retrieve voicemail messages stored in the central message storage area for the wireless communication device;

a second callback number storage area storing the transmission data representing the dynamic callback telephone number to be called to retrieve voicemail messages stored in the central message storage area for the wireless communication device if transmitted in the wireless communication message; and

a transmitter coupled to the antenna to transmit a voicemail message retrieval request to retrieve a voicemail message from the central message area, the transmitter retrieving a voicemail message from the central message storage area using the dynamic callback telephone number if transmitted in the wireless communication message, and using a predetermined callback telephone number if the wireless communication message does not include data transmitted in the wireless communication message.

2. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the voicemail message notification circuit includes a flash that is selectively activated when the storage location has a data value greater than zero to provide a visual indication to a user that at least one voicemail message is stored in the central message storage area for the wireless communication device.

3. The wireless communication device of claim 1, wherein the message notification circuit includes an audible signal that is selectively enabled to provide an audible indication to a user that at least one voicemail message is stored in the central message storage area for the wireless communication device when the storage location has a data value greater than zero.

4. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 3, wherein the audio signal is a modified dial tone.

5. The wireless communication device of claim 1, further comprising a speed dial storage area, wherein the data storage location storing the plurality of voicemail messages stored in the central message storage area is a portion of the speed dial storage area.

6. The wireless communication device of claim 1, further comprising a keypad operable by a user, and a processor coupled to the keypad and responsive to the user actuating keys on the keypad in a predetermined sequence, the processor actuating the transmitter to transmit the voicemail message retrieval request in response to the user actuating keys on the keypad in the predetermined sequence.

7. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 1, wherein the predetermined callback telephone number stored in the first callback number storage area is a service-programmed callback telephone number.

8. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a processor that clears the dynamic call back telephone number stored in the second call back number storage area if the wireless communication message does not include the send data.

9. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 8, further comprising a speed dial storage area wherein the second call back number storage area is a portion of a speed dial storage area.

10. A wireless communication device for voicemail message notification and retrieval in a wireless communication system including a central message storage area, the wireless communication device comprising:

a voicemail message notification processor that detects and processes voicemail message notifications from said central message storage area to said wireless communication device, said voicemail message notifications including the ability to retrieve a callback telephone number optionally including a voicemail that sends the callback telephone number;

a dynamic callback number storage area storing the transmitted callback telephone number if transmitted with the voicemail message notification;

a predetermined callback number storage area storing a predetermined telephone number to call to retrieve voicemail messages stored in the central message storage area for the wireless communication device; and

a transmitter that sends a voicemail message retrieval request to retrieve a voicemail message from the central message storage area, retrieves a voicemail message from the central message storage area using the send callback telephone number stored in the dynamic callback number storage area if such dynamic callback number is sent with the voicemail message notification, and retrieves a voicemail message from the central message storage area using the predetermined telephone number stored in the predetermined callback number storage area if the voicemail message notification does not include the send callback telephone number.

11. The wireless communications apparatus of claim 10, wherein the exercise mail message notification circuit is selectively disabled when the storage location has a data value equal to zero.

12. The wireless communication device of claim 10 further comprising a keypad operable by a user and a processor coupled to the keypad and responsive to the user activating keys on the keypad in a predetermined sequence, the processor activating a transmitter to transmit the voicemail message retrieval request in response to the user activating keys on the keypad in the predetermined sequence.

13. The wireless communication device of claim 10 wherein the voicemail message notification circuit includes a light that is selectively activated when the storage location has a data value greater than zero to provide a visual indication to a user that at least one voicemail message is stored in the central message storage area for transmission to the wireless communication device.

14. The wireless communication device of claim 10, wherein the message notification circuit includes an audio signal, wherein the audio signal is selectively enabled when the storage location has a data value greater than zero to provide an audible indication to a user that at least one voicemail message is stored in the central message storage area for transmission to the wireless communication device.

15. The wireless communication device of claim 10 wherein if the voicemail message notification does not include the callback telephone number, the voicemail message notification processor clears the data stored in the dynamic callback number storage area and the transmitter retrieves the voicemail message from the central message storage area using the telephone number stored in the predetermined callback number storage area.

16. A method of operating a wireless communication device for voicemail message notification and retrieval in a wireless communication system including a central message storage area using a wireless communication device without an alphanumeric display for displaying text messages, the method comprising the steps of:

storing a predetermined callback telephone number to call to retrieve voicemail messages stored in said central message storage area for said wireless communication device;

detecting a voicemail message notification from said central message storage area to said wireless communication device, said voicemail message notification including a voicemail retrieval callback telephone number capability optionally including a transmission callback telephone number;

storing the transmitted callback telephone number if transmitted with the voicemail message notification; and

sending a voicemail message retrieval request using said stored send call back telephone number to retrieve voicemail messages from said central message storage area;

if the voicemail message notification does not include sending a voicemail retrieval callback telephone number, sending a voicemail message retrieval request using the predetermined callback telephone number to retrieve voicemail messages from the central message storage area.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of selectively disabling the message indicator when the stored data has data equal to zero.

18. The method of claim 16 wherein the predetermined callback telephone number is a service-programmed callback telephone number.

19. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of sensing a user actuation of a keypad of keys on the keypad in a predetermined sequence, the step of sending the voicemail message retrieval request being performed in response to the user actuation of keys on the keypad in the predetermined sequence.

20. The method of claim 16, wherein the message indicator comprises a light, and the step of selectively activating the message indicator comprises the step of turning on the light.

21. The method of claim 16, wherein the message indicator includes a sound source, and wherein the step of selectively activating the message indicator includes the step of generating an audible signal using the sound source.

22. The method of claim 16, further comprising the step of clearing said stored sent callback telephone number if a later received voicemail message notification does not include a sent callback telephone number, the step of using said stored predetermined telephone number to send to retrieve voicemail messages from said central message storage area.