US3989901A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optional telephone answering system
Assignee: MESSAGE CENTER SYSTEMS Inc
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Filing: 1975-04-30
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Granted: 1976-11-02
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Expires: 1995-04-30
Abstract
Abstract An optional telephone answering system is connected in parallel with the telephone of a subscriber. When the subscriber does not answer a call the system is operated. At first an announcement is delivered to the caller telling him if he wishes to leave a recorded message he should speak after hearing a first tone but if he wishes to speak to a line operator he should wait to hear a second tone and then request the operator. At the end of the announcement a recording unit is energized. If the caller then starts talking the recording unit stays energized recording the caller's voice signals. The recording unit is deenergized at the end of the message. If the caller did not start talking a second tone is generated a given time after the first tone and the recording unit is deenergized. When the caller now gives an indication by voice or dial signaling, the answer service operator is called onto the line to take the message.
Inventors
- 👤 Marvin R. Neuwirth
- 👤 Warren C. Hubbs
- 👤 Edward A. Murphy
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 20:13
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/64; H04M1/65; H04M1/654
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
221 words
A telephone answering apparatus connected to an answer service operator position so that an answer service operator can converse with a calling party, and to a subscriber's line in parallel with the subscriber's telephone instrument which receives ringing signals when called and receives voice and characteristic signals after a call has been established, said apparatus comprising ringing signal sensing means for generating an indicator signal when a given number of consecutive ringing signals occur on the subscriber's line within a given period of time, announcing means activated by the occurrence of the indicator signal for transmitting an announcement and a first tone after the announcement to the subscriber's line, a message recording means connected to the subscriber's line for recording voice signal messages, means for activating said message recording means after the transmission of the first tone, means responsive to the absence of voice signals on the subscriber's line for a given time after the occurrence of the first tone for transmitting a second tone to the subscriber's line and for deactivating said message recording means, and sensing means responsive to the presence of a characteristic signal on the subscriber' s line after the occurrence of the second tone for transmitting calling signals to the answer service operator position to instruct the answer service operator to converse with a calling party.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
221 words
A telephone answering apparatus connected to an answer service operator position so that an answer service operator can converse with a calling party, and to a subscriber's line in parallel with the subscriber's telephone instrument which receives ringing signals when called and receives voice and characteristic signals after a call has been established, said apparatus comprising ringing signal sensing means for generating an indicator signal when a given number of consecutive ringing signals occur on the subscriber's line within a given period of time, announcing means activated by the occurrence of the indicator signal for transmitting an announcement and a first tone after the announcement to the subscriber's line, a message recording means connected to the subscriber's line for recording voice signal messages, means for activating said message recording means after the transmission of the first tone, means responsive to the absence of voice signals on the subscriber's line for a given time after the occurrence of the first tone for transmitting a second tone to the subscriber's line and for deactivating said message recording means, and sensing means responsive to the presence of a characteristic signal on the subscriber' s line after the occurrence of the second tone for transmitting calling signals to the answer service operator position to instruct the answer service operator to converse with a calling party.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
15 words
The telephone apparatus of claim 1 wherein said sensing means includes a voice frequency detector.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
The telephone apparatus of claim 1 wherein said announcing means includes an endless loop magnetic tape playback device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The telephone apparatus of claim 1 wherein the first tone is recorded on the endless loop of magnetic tape.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1979-11-02 | 1980-05-03 | 1980-11-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1983-11-02 | 1984-05-03 | 1984-11-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1987-11-02 | 1988-05-03 | 1988-11-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |