Telephonic communications – Audio message storage – retrieval – or synthesis – Message management
Reexamination Certificate
1998-05-28
2001-09-18
Weaver, Scott L. (Department: 2745)
Telephonic communications
Audio message storage, retrieval, or synthesis
Message management
C379S074000, C379S386000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06292545
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to the field of automatic telephone answering systems and, in particular, to an apparatus for detecting the source of a telephone tone signal during the playback of a recorded message.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are various types of systems which automatically answer an incoming call and maintain a telephone line connection which are broadly defined as automatic telephone answering systems. These systems include, for example, automatic telephone message recording equipment, message recording systems having remote access message playback, automatic telephone call forwarding equipment, automatic dial-up alarm receiving equipment, automatic answering data entry systems, and other telephone devices used in association with modem equipment. Each of these systems typically include some means for establishing a connection to the telephone line and for disconnecting from the telephone line.
Disconnection from a telephone line is typically accomplished by providing a telephone tone detector which causes the disconnection of the telephone line in response to, for example, the detection of a dial tone generated after the calling party hangs up. Difficulties arise, however, in a message recording system having remote access playback capabilities. For example, a dial tone may be present during the recording interval of a message and, as a result, the dial tone may be recorded. When a remote access connection is established and the message is played back, the dial tone detector may detect the recorded dial tone and cause the inadvertent disconnection of the telephone line.
Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a simple and cost effective apparatus for detecting the source of a telephone tone signal that overcomes the disadvantages described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the invention provides a telephone answering apparatus for detecting a telephone tone signal including a signal detector for detecting the telephone tone signal. A timer is operatively connected to the signal detector to designate a period of time to allow the signal detector to detect for the presence of the telephone tone signal while playback of a message is stopped. The telephone tone signal may include a dial tone or a busy tone.
Another aspect of the invention provides an apparatus for detecting a tone signal including a signal detector for detecting the tone signal, a memory device for storing a message, and a controller for stopping playback of the message in response to the tone signal. The controller determines whether the tone signal is present while playback is stopped. A timer may preferably be operatively connected to the signal detector to designate a period of time for the signal detector to detect for the presence of the tone signal while playback is stopped.
Another aspect of the invention provides a method for detecting the source of a tone signal in a telephone answering system. A signal detector, a memory device, and a controller are provided. A message is played. When a tone signal is detected, the playing of the message is stopped and the controller determines whether the detected tone signal is present while the message is stopped. A timer may preferably be provided. A timer sequence may be initiated in response to the message being stopped. The controller may preferably determine whether the detected tone signal is present during the timer sequence. The timer sequence may preferably end. The playing of the message may resume in response to ending the timer sequence. The telephone line connection may be disconnected when a tone signal is detected during the timer sequence. A telephone line connection to the telephone answering system may be initiated. The tone signal may be a dial tone or a busy tone.
Another aspect of the invention provides a telephone answering apparatus for detecting a tone signal including an audio player, a detector operatively connected to the audio player, and a controller operatively connected to the audio player. A timer is also operatively connected to the controller wherein the timer designates a period of time to allow the detector to detect for the presence of the tone signal while playback of a message by the audio player is stopped and wherein the controller determines whether the tone signal is present while playback of the message is stopped.
The invention provides the foregoing and other features, and the advantages of the invention will become further apparent from the following detailed description of the presently preferred embodiments, read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The detailed description and drawings are merely illustrative of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
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Brablec Milos
Ivanov Chavdar
3Com Corporation
Baniak Pine & Gannon
Weaver Scott L.
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