Method and system for filter based message processing in a unified messaging system

Abstract

A system and method for interfacing unified message processing systems with legacy voice mail, e-mail and facsimile systems, located behind corporate firewalls. The system includes a unified message server, a proxy interface and a message protocol convertor. The proxy interface is configured to access the legacy system in response to a request from a unified message server. Messages stored on the legacy system are converted by a protocol convertor to a predetermined format compatible with the unified message server. The converted messages are then transferred to a unified message server which is capable of providing messages from different messaging system, such as voice mail, e-mail and facsimile to users in a predetermined format. The invention permits enterprise wide communication systems to provide unified messaging without abandoning pre-existing legacy messaging system.

1 . A method of providing unified messaging services, the method comprising: 
 obtaining profile information associated with a message recipient;    receiving a message intended for the message recipient at a unified message server, wherein the message is received over a first communication channel;    providing information associated with the message to a notification server;    determining if the message recipient is to be notified based on a comparison between profile information associated with the recipient and the information associated with the message; and    providing a notification to the recipient over a second communication channel different from the first communication channel based on the determination.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing a notification to the recipient over multiple communication channels.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the information associated with the message is selected from the group consisting of a message source identifier, a subject header, a date stamp, a time stamp, and message type.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising obtaining a user profile comprising the profile information.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the profile information comprises information associated with one or more communication channels preferred by the recipient for receipt of notifications.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the profile information comprises information specifying actions to be taken by the notification server in response to messages received from specified sources and relating to specified subjects.  
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising providing the information associated with the message to the notification server in response to a query from the notification server.  
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further comprising periodically querying the message server.  
     
     
         9 . A messaging system comprising: 
 a unified message server coupled to receive a message over a first communication channel;    a notification server configured to 
 receive, from the unified message server, information associated with the message;  
 determine if a message recipient is to be notified about receipt of the message based on a comparison between profile information associated with the recipient and the information associated with the message; and  
 provide a notification to the recipient over a second communication channel, different from the first communication channel, based on the determination.  
   
     
     
         10 . The messaging system of  claim 9 , further comprising a user interface to obtain user profile information associated with a message recipient.  
     
     
         11 . The messaging system of  claim 9 , wherein the notification server is further configured to provide a notification to the recipient over multiple communication channels.  
     
     
         12 . The messaging system of  claim 9 , wherein the information associated with the message is selected from the group consisting of a message source identifier, a subject header, a date stamp, a time stamp, and message type.  
     
     
         13 . The messaging system of  claim 9 , wherein the profile information comprises information associated with one or more communication channels preferred by the recipient for receipt of notifications.  
     
     
         14 . The messaging system of  claim 9 , wherein the profile information comprises information specifying actions to be taken by the notification server in response to messages received from specified sources and relating to specified subjects.  
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the message server is further configured to provide the information associated with the message to the notification server in response to a query from the notification server.  
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the notification server is further configured to periodically query the message server.  
     
     
         17 . A computer readable medium tangibly embodying a program of executable instructions, said program of executable instructions comprising: 
 at least one instruction to obtain, at a notification server, information associated with a message received over a first communication channel;    at least one instruction to compare profile information associated with an intended recipient of the message and information associated with the message;    at least one instruction to determine, based on a result of the at least one instruction to compare, if the intended recipient is to be notified; and    at least one instruction to provide a notification to the recipient over a second communication channel, different from the first communication channel, based on a result of the instruction to determine.    
     
     
         18 . The computer readable medium of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one instruction to provide a notification to the intended recipient over multiple communication channels.  
     
     
         19 . The computer readable medium of  claim 17 , wherein the profile information comprises information associated with one or more communication channels preferred for receipt of notifications.  
     
     
         20 . The computer readable medium of  claim 17 , further comprising at least one instruction to perform an action indicated by the profile information in response to messages from specified sources and relating to specified subjects.