WO2003100634A1

WO2003100634A1 - Method and system for handling multi-part messages sent to cellular phones from e-mail clients

Info

Publication number: WO2003100634A1
Application number: PCT/US2002/015697
Authority: WO
Inventors: Yoav Shaked; Zvi Rosenman; Uzi Shneor
Original assignee: Xcitel Ltd.
Priority date: 2002-05-17
Filing date: 2002-05-17
Publication date: 2003-12-04
Also published as: AU2002309922A1

Abstract

A system and method for enabling the creation and communication of multi-part messages (MPMs) using standard email client software. These MPMs are composed of both text and multimedia content, and can be received by users of conventional wireless communication devices (210). In addition, a plug-in application is provided for the purpose of recording a voice file on a client device (215), when there is no readily available voice input mechanism.

Description

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR HANDLING MULTI-PART MESSAGES SENT TO CELLULAR PHONES FROM E-MAIL CLIENTS

References

1. Short Message Service (SMS); Point-to-Point (PP) (Global System for Mobile Communications); 03.40 version 6.1.0 Release 1997); European Telecommunications Standards Institute.

2. Global System Mobile (GSM) standards 09.02 and 03.40; European Telecommunications Standards Institute.

FIELD AND BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to wireless communicators, and more particularly to a system for enabling the creation and sending of multi-format messages from email clients to wireless devices.

2. Description of the Related Art

Mobile telephone usage for conventional voice communication has expanded rapidly. In recent years there has also been a significant increase in data communication over the wireless channels. The need for systems to facilitate the usage and management of voice and text using wireless communication devices led to various new developments in the wireless communications market. Currently available technologies, enabling the transfer of text over mobile phones, are generally associated with the Short Messaging Service (SMS), while technologies enabling the management of voice messages over mobile phones are generally associated with voicemail.

SMS technology allows SMS-enabled cellular phones, such as digital cellular networks, including Global System Mobile (GSM), CDMA and TDMA, to transfer short textual messages between two parties. Typically messages are 100 to 256 characters long. SMS allows the creation of text messages either on mobile handsets or by computer systems, and receiving of such text messages on mobile handsets. Furthermore, recent technologies allow the transfer of images (icons) along with SMS messages. In the definition of more advanced technology, referred to as 3G (third generation) mobile telephony technologies, there are available features, which enable the transfer of audio and video clips as attachments to messages, which are exchanged between mobile handsets, or between mobile handsets and e-mail clients. However, these 3G technologies are not available when using current handsets and wireless architectures, and require massive hardware upgrades in both network and client systems. Such future technologies include Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) and Wideband-CDMA (CDMA 2000). Voicemail technology allows depositing of voice messages in a user's voicemail box, so that a user may later access that box, usually by using technologies such as Interactive Voice Response (IVR) systems, to retrieve previously stored messages. SMS notification for voicemail messages is commonplace today, wherein the user is notified by a SMS when a new voicemail has been deposited in his or her voice mailbox. However, the integration between SMS and voicemail is not tight, since after receiving an SMS notification, the user is still required to log on to the voicemail system in order to obtain a new message. In most cases the user needs to navigate through voice menus for the retrieval of the desired message. It is generally not possible to browse visually through the stored messages in order to locate a certain message. The ability to create an SMS message and to attach a voice message or any kind of data attachment (referred to as "multi part messages" or "MPM") over a cellular is described in detail in PCT patent application ILOl/01166, entitled "A Method and System for Handling Multi-Part Messages by Users of Cellular Phones", assigned to common assignee and hereby incorporated by reference in full for all it contains. Reference is now made to FIG. 1, illustrating an exemplary system 100 for handling a MPM. System 100 is operated through various software components, such that system 100 enables composition, management, storage and tracking of MPMs. These components optionally include SIM toolkits, as well as protocols including DTMF, IVR, WAP, etc. The core technology of the system is a software component, which is part of application server 170 that coordinates and controls the activities of system 100. These components comprise means for creating, managing, manipulating, monitoring and communicating multi-part messages only over wireless communication devices, including cellular phones. An MPM is composed using a mobile station 110. The voice part of an MPM is transferred to a voice interface 150, via mobile switching center (MSC) 120, and the textual part is transferred to a data interface 160, via short message service center (SMSC) 130 or via a wireless gateway 140 such as WAP gateway, HTML gateway, CHTML gateway or XML gateway. The MPM components are saved in storage devices 180 and 185, where textual data is stored in main database 185 and voice data is stored on voice storage 180. Application server 170 executes manipulations and services initiated by an incoming request. Application server 170 main databases 185, voice storage 180, voice interface 150, and data interface 160 communicate via common communication means 190, including but not limited to local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), and other networking means. System 100, described above provides a means for sending and receiving a multi part message over cellular phones.

The basic capabilities of the cellular phones utilized in current networks include voice communications, Short-Message-Services (SMS), SIM Toolkit capabilities (STK) and Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) support (which also includes the ability to handle Wireless Markup Language (WML) directives with a WML browser or an equivalent directive).

However, the above-described technology does not provide for initiating the sending of an MPM from a conventional email client. There is thus a widely recognized need for, and it would be highly advantageous to have a method and a system that can provide for the integration of voice and data communications between e-mail users and wireless communication devices, using existing email client and communication device capabilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention there is provided a system and method for enabling the creation of a multi part message (MPM) by an e-mail client application. The system comprises the following elements: application server; mail server; database; voice interface unit; data interface unit and a network.

According to the present invention, a method is provided whereby email messages with multimedia attachments are composed using standard email client software. These messages are subsequently converted, by a mail server, to Multi-Part Messages (MPMs). These MPMs are subsequently sent to users of typical mobile communication devices.

In a further embodiment, the present invention describes a plug-in recorder (PIR) application, for assisting a user to create a voice file message even if the device being used to compose the message lacks a local microphone.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is herein described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Figure 1 - illustrates an exemplary system for creating and handling a multi part message.

Figure 2 - illustrates an exemplary system for retrieving of multi part message by cellular phones, according to the present invention, when an e-mail client sends such messages.

Figure 3 - illustrates an exemplary method for retrieving of multi part message by cellular phones, when such messages are created and sent by an e-mail client, according to the present invention.

Figure 4 - illustrates the functionality of the plug-in recorder application, according to the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention relates to a system and method for enabling users of standard email client software to create and send messages, comprised of multimedia attachments and an optional text message, to mobile communication devices. These messages are created for the purpose of enabling non-textual data to be sent to users of wireless communication devices, such as mobile and cellular handsets, smart phones, pocket and mobile computers. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention as provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the preferred embodiment will be apparent to ihosc with skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to

.^" tl τ embodiments. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the μariicular embodiments shown and described, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features herein disclosed.

Specifically, the present invention can be used to enable standard email client _.( iftwaiv to create and communicate SMS messages that include voice attachments, or 'J υi t ici is pes of attachments, hereinafter referred to as "Multi-Part Messages" or "MPMs". MPMs can be dynamically created or edited, or pre-generated and kept in a central tvp sii υ ry of the preferred system. These attachments may be, for example, one or more vil hu-map icons, vocal tones, audio clips, video clips, business card information and any other data attachments. A MPM can be, for example, an SMS combined with a voice 5 message, or two SMS messages, etc. The MPM as described above can be sent from standard e-mail client software, in the form of an e-mail message with an attachment, which is subsequently converted into an MPM, and then sent to a wireless communication device such a cellular phone.

Reference is now made to FIG. 2 illustrating an exemplary system for creation of 0 a ι\ IPM. ent as an e-mail message by an email client, sending of the MPM to a wireless c . ininunication device, including mobile or cellular phones, and subsequent retrieval of the MPM to the device. System 200 is operative through various software components, such that system 200 enables creation, reception, management, storage and tracking of MPMs. According to FIG. 2, email messages with multimedia attachments are composed 5 using standard email client software 215. These messages are subsequently converted from e-mail messages that include text and a voice file, to MPMs, and are sent to users of typical mobile communication devices. These wireless communication devices optionally include devices with SIM toolkits, as well as devices compatible with protocols including DTMF, IVR, WAP, etc. The core technology of the system is an application server 253 that coordinates the various components of the system 200. This component comprises means for creating, receiving, managing, manipulating, monitoring and communicating MPMs.

The application server 253 executes applications and services based on incoming requests. These requests may be either from voice interface 251 or from a data interface

252. Voice Interface 251 runs all the voice related activities and interfaces, includes a line interface card, such as El/Tl, ISDN, SS7 or the likes. Data Interface 252, executes all data related activities and interfaces and provides seamless support for wireless communication devices, such as standard mobile and cellular devices, including WAP phones, STK phones, SMS phones and handheld devices such as Palm®, EPOCH®, and PocketPC®. Voice storage database 255, is a high-speed storage device that handles all voice related storage activities. Data storage database 254, is a standard storage device that contains all information to be stored and retrieved on behalf of server application

253, such as run time transaction information, provisioning information, user data etc. System 200 communicates with mobile station 210 through mobile switching center

(MSC) 220 for voice transactions, and through short message service center (SMSC) 230 or wireless gateway 240 for data transactions. Wireless gateway 240 may be a WAP gateway, XML gateway, CHTML gateway, HTML gateway and other functionally equivalent gateway for enabling data transactions. System 200 includes two additional components, Mail Server 256 and Mail Gateway 245. These components allow the handling of e-mail messages, and the creation of MPMs from email messages.

According to FIG. 2, an email client 215 creates an email message, which includes a multimedia attachment and an optional text message. This message includes (within the email destination address field) the destination mobile phone address, to which the creator of the message wishes to send an MPM. The e-mail message is typically a message in standard e-mail format such as SMTP/ESMTP or MIME. The email message is then sent from the email client 215 to the Mail Gateway 245, typically using SMTP or ESMTP protocols. The Mail Gateway 245 interfaces between the email client 215 and the mail server 256, enabling sending of the email message to the mail server 256. The Mail Server 256, executes all activities related to converting an e-mail m s age (text message with a voice file attachment) to a message that includes SMS with a vo c attachment (MPM). The E-mail client 215 may be any type of device with the capability of sending and receiving e-mail messages, such as Microsoft Office Outlook ®, Microsoft Outlook Express®, Lotus Notes®, Netscape Messenger, Eudora, etc.

The email message, upon being sent from the Mail gateway 245 to the Mail Server 256, is converted to a SMS compatible multi-part message (MPM), by means of the Mail Server 256. The Application Server 253 subsequently prepares the MPM for sending to the destination device. This preparation requires storing of the various components of the MPM in the main database (DB) 254 and voice database (VS) 255 respectively. The data component is sent to the Data Interface 252, from where the data is transferred to the destination device via either the SMS Center (SMSC) 230 or the Wireles;' gateway 240. The MPM is sent via a wireless gateway 240 if the MPM message is sent to a WAP enabled phone. Otherwise the message is sent through SMSC 230, to SMS compliant phones that are not WAP enabled.

The MPM is finally retrieved by the mobile communications device, mobile station (210). The actual procedure of retrieval of MPMs to mobile communications devices is described in PCT patent application ILOl/01166, entitled "A Method and System for Handling Multi-Part Messages by Users of Cellular Phones", which is fully incorporated herein by reference, as if fully set forth herein.

A reference is now made to FIG. 3, which illustrates the preparation and sending of an MPM from an e-mail client, and the retrieval of such an MPM by a cellular phone. It should be noted that FIG. 3 does not exemplify the methods for retrieving an MPM message over the different basic cellular phones (WAP phones, STK phones and SMS only phones). These methods are described in detail in PCT patent application number ILOl/01166, entitled "A Method and System for Handling Multi-Part Messages by Users of Cellular Phones", assigned to common assignee, which is hereby included by reference for all it contains. FIG. 3 includes the following acronyms: EMC - email Client IX K T - e-mail Gateway

AS - Application Server MS - e-mail Server

DB - Database VS - Voice Storage

Dt - Data Interface

VI - Voice Interface

MSC - Mobile Switching Center SM C - Short Message Service Center M._: Mobile Station

\VG - WAP Gateway

Following is a detailed description of the steps described in Fig. 3. otep 310: An E-mail user composes an email message using his her e-mail client 215. The e-mail message may include text and voice, or any other multimedia attachment. The text part includes the subject of the message, and optionally the body content entered by the user. Additionally, the e-mail user may add a voice message file attachment to the composed message. Optionally, the user may add a uniform resource locator (URL) of a \ nic file, which serves as a link to a voice message. The voice message may be an audio file in MP3, WAV, AU, AUD, AIFF, AIF, formats, or other digital audio formats, or a

message. A user may record a voice message using a voice input mechanism (such as a microphone), and standard recorder application (e.g. Microsoft® sound recorder, Real Jukebox etc.) or using a plug-in recorder (PIR) application. The PIR application is one embodiment of the present invention, and is described in detail below. The e-mail that has been composed, which includes a text message and a voice file, or URL as an attachment, is now ready for sending. In order to send the e-mail message, the sender of the email 215 enters the recipient's address in the destination address field of the email. The recipient's address may be a standard e-mail address format (e.g. <name>@<domain>), and/or may include the recipient cellular phone number/address, according to a formula such as, "<mobile number>@<domain>". An example of such an address can be, "050673688@microsoft.com". Alternatively, the e- mail address may contain the recipient nickname affixed with a defining character (e.g. "Kiko@" or "Kiko#"). System 200, upon receipt of an e-mail, is responsible to translate the e-mail address (in the various formats) provided into the destination cellular phone number, based, for example, on a database that it maintains, which maps recipient e-mail addresses and their respective cellular-phone numbers. Optionally, the message can be sent to a distribution list containing more than one subscriber. The e-mail message is sent to the system 200, via the email gateway 245, which forwards the message to the mail server 256.

Step 320: Mail server 256 receives the e-mail message and converts the e-mail message components to MPM compatible components, by first converting the voice attachment. In the case where there is an attached voice file, the e-mail server 256:

1. Converts the attached voice file (such as WAV or MP3) to voice data compliant with cellular phones; and

2. Saves the voice data in the system's voice database 255.

In the case where the voice file is represented by a URL, the e-mail server 256: 1. Downloads the voice file from the source denoted by the URL; 2. Converts the (downloaded) voice file to cellular telephone compatible voice data; and

3. Saves the voice data in the system's voice database 255.

Step 330: E-mail server 256 then converts the e-mail's text message to a SMS compliant format and stores it in the system's main database 254. The created SMS message may have a format such as: "From <email-address>; <subject>; <body>".

Step 340: The AS creates an SMS message, which is comprised of the SMS message (text), taken from the main database 254, and an announcement informing the receiver of the MPM of the presence of a voice message. Typically, this announcement will provide instructions for how to access this voice message, such as "dial xxxx to access voice message"' or "click OK to hear the message". The voice message announcement is ulleπvtli vely represented by an icon on the cellular telephone screen, according to the capabilities of the cellular telephone. The cellular communications provider can alternatively provide the necessary menus that enable the user to listen to the voice message.

The AS then sends the SMS component of the MPM to the Data Interface 252, and subsequently to the subscriber 210 cellular phone, via SMSC 230 or Wireless gateway 240, depending on the type and capabilities of the destination device.

flk'p 350: The subscriber reads the SMS component of the MPM, and if the subscriber wants tυ listen to the voice message, s/he executes the appropriate instructions (such as those described above), thereby instructing the system 200 to play the voice message to the subscriber 210. A voice session is thereby established, for this purpose, between the \ oice interface unit 256 and the subscriber/receiver 210 cellular phone, via the MSC 120, to enable the system to play the voice message over the voice session.

The subscriber's communications device typically establishes this voice session by dialing into the application server 253, with a dial-up number, via MSC 220. The dial- up number may be a previously assigned number or a number provided by the system on a case-by case basis. Alternatively, the user may use the reply option, namely sending a SMS back to the system in order to ask the system to initiate a voice session. As a result, the s stem will initiate a voice session with the mobile station 210.

Step 360: After establishing a voice session, voice interface 256 locates and obtains the voice message from the voice storage 254, and plays the voice message to subscriber 210 over the voice session. Subsequently, subscriber 210, after listening to the voice component of the message, may replay, save, erase, reply or forward the message.

It should be noted that system 200 can likewise enable the creation of a MPM from an e-mail message, by first converting the text message and then converting the voice message. Reference is now made to FIG. 4 illustrating an additional embodiment of the present invention, wherein an apparatus is provided that assists a user to create a voice file (optionally for a message), even if the device being used lacks a local microphone or alternative audio input mechanism. The apparatus includes a plug-in recorder (PIR) 415, which is installed on the user's computer device (optionally configured to operate together with the user's e-mail client application), such that whenever a need arises to create a voice file, the plug-in is activated. For example, the plug-in can be activated from the e-mail client toolbar).

According to the above example, the PIR 415 acts in conjunction with an e-mail client 410; telephone device 420; data connection 430; voice connection 420; and a control program. Alternative applications of the PIR can be configured to operate with any other applications (besides an e-mail client), or as an independent audio recording application.

The data connection 430 enables carrying communication between the system and e-mail client, thereby providing for establishing a voice session between voice interface and mobile switching center (MSC), for voice recording from a telephone device. In this case, the voice recording is saved in a format that can be used for the email voice attachment. The recorded voice file is generally saved in system 200, and sent to email client via data connection 430. System 200 may send the recorded voice file or a URL for this file.

The control program is capable of requesting an establishment of a voice session between the telephone and the mobile switching center (MSC), and to voice interface unit of system 200.

The voice file is recorded over the voice session, and transferred to the e-mail client over the data connection;

The PIR 415attaches the voice file to an e-mail message, which is being composed in the email-client, and the e-mail message is then ready to be sent.

The PIR 415 thereby provides a user with the means to record a voice message by using a conventional wired or wireless phone device, as the case may be. The recorded voice message can subsequently appear as an attachment to the e-mail being created in the e-mail client application.

The PIR 415ϊs executed within the client computer that also executes e-mail client 410. E-mail client 410 is connected to system 200 via data connection 430. Data connection 430 may be, for example, a TCP/IP connection. Data connection 430 serves the PIR 415 to request of system 200 to establish a voice session with the phone 420. Phone 420 may be wireless or fixed (wireline) phone, depends on the PIR 415 configuration, in order to record a voice message over system 200. Data connection 430 also serves the purpose of transferring the recorded voice message from system 200, to e- mail client 410. Subsequently, the PIR 415places the recorded voice message in the e- mail message. Alternatively, system 200 may transfer a URL of the recorded voice message file to the PIR 415, which will subsequently place it in the e-mail being created in e-mail client 410.

The method for enabling the recording of audio content via a telephonic device is as follows: i. In order to create voice file using the PIR 415, a user first activates the PIR 415, for example, by pressing an icon located in the e-mail client 410 toolbar, ii. The PIR application requests of system 200, via data connection 430, to dial to the user's phone 420. System 200 initially requests the user's phone number, and then dials automatically to the user's phone. When the phone 420 is answered by the user, a voice session is thereby established over voice connection 440. iii. After establishing a voice session between system 200 and phone 420, the user is prompted to record his or her message, for example by pressing the "START RECORDING" button in the PIR 415 toolbar, and entering (speaking) the desired message into the telephone device that was previously called by system 200. In order to stop the recording a user presses the "END RECORDING" button that appears in the PIR 415. After pressing the "END RECORDING" button a user is notified that the voice message was composed. i v i he voice file is recorded in an email attachment format, and automatically appears as an ai.aehment to the relevant e-mail message being composed. The voice may appear in die e-mail client as a voice file, or as a URL to the voice file in system 200. v. Either the voice file or the URL is sent to e-mail client 410 over data connection 430. vi. The voice file is saved in system 200, optionally as a WAV file with a random file name (e.g. "XciTel20010624001.wav").

The principles and operation of a system and a method according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings and the accompanying i ll description, it being understood that these drawings are given for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to be limiting, wherein:

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It should be appreciated that many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.

0

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A system for enabling the creation of a multi part message (MPM) using an e-mail client application, said system comprising: an application server for executing services based on incoming requests; a mail server for enabling composition of a MPM compatible SMS message, from an e- mail message, the text of said email message becoming a text component of said

MPM, and the voice attachment of said email message becoming a voice component of said MPM; at least one database for storing system data; a voice interface unit for transferring voice commands to and from said application server; and a data interface unit for transferring data commands to and from said application server; a network capable of carrying communication between said application server, said mail server, said database, said voice interface unit and said data interface unit.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said database further comprises a main database for storing textual message data, and a voice database for storing voice message data.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein said voice attachment comprises a file format selected from the group consisting of: WAV, MP3, AU, AUD, AIFF and AIF.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said system further comprises an SMS center (SMSC) for transferring text data between a wireless communication device and said data interface unit.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said system further comprises a wireless gateway, for transferring data between a wireless communication device and said data interface unit. (->. The system of claim 5, wherein said wireless gateway is selected from the group consisting of WAP gateway, XML gateway, HTML gateway, CHTML gateway, WML gateway.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said system further comprises a mail gateway, for transferring e-mail based data from said e-mail client to said mail server.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said voice interface unit further comprises a mechanism for enabling voice connection with said wireless communication device.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein said voice interface unit further comprises a mechanism for at least recording a voice message.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein said data interface unit comprises a mechanism for enabling the transfer of said text between a wireless communication device and said application server.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein said e-mail message is an e-mail format selected from the group consisting of SMTP, ESMTP and MIME formats.

12. The system of claim 1, wherein said network is a local area network.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein said network is a wide area network.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a wireless communication device, said wireless communication device selected from the group consisting of: cellular phones with at least one SIM toolkits; SMS enabled cellular phones; and cellular phones with navigation software.

15. The system of claim 14, wherein said wireless communication device further comprises navigation software, said software supporting at least one markup language selected from the group consisting of: WML, CHTML, HTML, and XML.

16. The system of claim 15, wherein said navigation software comprises an Internet browser.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein said application server further comprises instructions that enable functions selected from the group consisting: controlling said mail server; controlling said voice interface unit; controlling said data interface unit; controlling said database; and composing the MPM.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein said application server further enables functions selected from the group consisting of: controlling said mail server; controlling said voice capture unit; controlling said data capture unit; controlling said database; and storing the MPM.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein said application server further comprises instructions that enable functions selected from the group consisting of: controlling said mail server; controlling said voice capture unit; controlling said data capture unit; controlling said database; and enabling retrieval of the MPM.

20. The system of claim 1, wherein said application server further comprises instructions that enable functions selected from the group consisting of: controlling said mail server; controlling said voice capture unit; controlling said data capture unit; controlling said database; and managing the MPM.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein said managing comprises the operations selected from the group consisting of deleting, tracking, monitoring, and manipulating of MPM.

22. The system of claim 1, wherein said mail server further comprises instructions that enable at least one function selected from the group consisting of: transforming said attached voice file to digital voice format compatible with at least one wireless communication device; extracting text message from a message in an e-mail format; and converting said text message to a standard text format compatible with at least one wireless communication device.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein said voice format is an audio digital format supported by the system.

24. A method for composing a multi part message (MPM) using an email client application, the method comprising: a) composing an e-mail message with at least a text component and a voice component as an attachment; b) sending said email message through a mail gateway to a mail server; c) transforming said voice component to a voice message, by said mail server; d) storing said voice message in a database; e) transforming said text component to a SMS compliant text message;

1 ) toring said text message in a database; and g) composing an MPM from said text message and said voice message.

25. The method of claim 24, further comprising sending said MPM to a wireless communication device.

26. The method of claim 25, wherein said sending MPM further comprises: establishing a voice session between said wireless communication device and a voice interface, via a mobile switching center (MSC); and playing said voice message over said voice session.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein said voice component is a URL, said URL providing a link to voice component data.

28. The method of claim 27, further comprising transforming said URL component into a voice message, comprising: downloading a voice file from source denoted by the URL; converting said downloaded voice file to cellular telephone compatible audio format; and saving said audio format file in a system database.

29. The method of claim 24, wherein said composing a MPM further comprises binding said SMS and said voice component according to an internal message identity.

30. The method of claim 26, wherein said establishing of a voice session comprises dialing a number.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein said dialing comprises dialing a pre-defined number.

32. The method of claim 30, wherein said dialing comprises dialing a dialed number provided by said system.

33. The method of claim 32, wherein said dialing is manual.

34. The method of claim 30, wherein said dialing is automatic.

35. The method of claim 26, wherein said establishing of a voice session further comprises sending a short message to said system, for the purpose of initiating said voice session by the system.

36. The method of claim 26, wherein said establishing of a voice session is initiated by said system.

37. The method of claim 25, wherein said wireless communication device is selected from the group consisting of: cellular phone with a SIM toolkit; SMS enabled cellular phone; and cellular phone with navigation software.

38. The method of claim 37, wherein said navigation software supports at least one markup languages selected from the group consisting of WML, CHTML, HTML, and XML.

39. The method of claim 38, wherein said navigation software comprises an Internet browser.

40. The method of claim 24, wherein said voice component comprises a file in a format selected from the group consisting of: WAV, MP3, AU, AUD, AIFF, AIF.

4 1. A computer executable code for enabling composing of multi part messages (MPM) from e-mail messages, said e-mail messages comprising at least a text component and a voice component as an attachment, the computer executable code comprising instructions for: a) receiving the e-mail message sent from an e-mail client; b) transforming the voice component of the message to a voice message; o^") storing said voice message in a database; i) transforming the text component of the message to a SMS compliant text message; e) storing said SMS compliant text message in a database;

I) composing a MPM from said SMS compliant text message and said voice message; and g) sending said MPM to a wireless communication device.

42. The computer executable code of claim 41, wherein said sending MPM further comprises: establishing a voice session between said wireless communication device and a voice interface unit, via a mobile switching center (MSC); and playing said voice message over said voice session.

43. The computer executable code of claim 41, wherein said voice component is a URL, said URL providing a link to the voice component data.

44. The computer executable code of claim 43, further comprising transforming said URL component into a voice message, according to the steps of: downloading a voice file from source denoted by said URL; converting said downloaded voice file to cellular telephone compatible audio format; and saving said audio format file in a system database.

45. The computer executable code of claim 42, wherein said establishing of a voice session comprises dialing a number.

46. The computer executable code of claim 45, wherein said dialing comprises dialing a pre-defined number.

47. The computer executable code of claim 45, wherein said dialing comprises dialing a number provided by said system.

48. The computer executable code of claim 45, wherein said dialing is manual.

49. The computer executable code of claim 45, wherein said dialing is automatic.

50. The computer software product of claim 42, wherein said establishing of a voice session comprises sending a short message to said system.

51. The computer executable code of claim 42, wherein said establishing of a voice session is initiated by said system.

52. The computer executable code of claim 41, wherein said voice component comprises a file in a format selected from the group consisting of WAV, MP3, AU, AUD, AIFF and AIF.

53. An apparatus for recording a voice file on a computing device, without the aid of an audio input mechanism for the computing device, comprising: a plug in application for managing voice recording for the computing device; an e-mail client for creating email messages by the computing device; a telephone device for inputting voice data into the apparatus, ; a data connection for connecting said telephone device to said email client; and a control program for managing voice sessions between said telephone device and said email client;

54. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein said telephone device further comprises a device selected from the group consisting of wireline communication devices and wireless communication devices.

55. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein said voice data is attached to said e-mail massage as a file.

56. The apparatus of claim 53, wherein said voice data is represented by a uniform resource locator (URL) in said e-mail message.

57. A method for enabling a user to create a voice file on a computing device, even if the computing device lacks a local audio input mechanism, comprising: i. configuring a plug-in recorder (PIR) utility, such PIR being a software application operational within the computing device; ii. activating said PIR utility using the computing device; iii. initiating calling the user's telephone device, by said PIR utility, thereby establishing a voice session between a system that initiated said call and said telephone device; iv. entering voice data into said telephone device, by the user; v. recording said voice data as a voice file, on the computing device.

58. A method for enabling a user to create a Multi-Part Message (MPM) with a voice component, using a computing device, even if the computing device lacks a local audio input mechanism, comprising: i. configuring a plug-in recorder (PIR) utility, such utility being a software application operational within the computing device; ii. activating said PIR utility using the computing device; Hi requesting of a multi part message (MPM) system to call the user's telephone device, by

.-.aid PIR utility, thereby establishing a voice session between said MPM system and said telephone device; iv. entering voice data into said telephone device, by the user; v. recording said voice data as an email compatible voice file, on the computing device; vi. adding said voice file to an email message as an attached file.