Telephonic communications – Audio message storage – retrieval – or synthesis – Call source identification
Reexamination Certificate
1998-07-02
2002-05-21
Weaver, Scott L. (Department: 2645)
Telephonic communications
Audio message storage, retrieval, or synthesis
Call source identification
C379S210010
Reexamination Certificate
active
06393108
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to voice messaging systems. More particularly, it relates to a telephone answering device capable of allowing a user to remotely retrieve voice messages and call back a person who left a message without disconnecting from the remote telephone line.
2. Background of Related Art
Voice messaging systems in general, and telephone answering devices (i.e., answering machines) in particular, are useful devices for the home or office. A conventional telephone answering device operates on a single telephone line and answers an incoming call to an unused (i.e., on-hook) telephone after a desired number of rings. The telephone answering device causes the telephone line to enter an off-hook condition, then plays an outgoing greeting message to the caller. After the outgoing message, the caller may leave a voice message on the telephone answering device. At a later time, the voice message is replayed by the user, either local to the telephone answering device or via remote connection from another telephone.
FIG. 5
illustrates a conventional telephone answering device capable of answering an incoming call on a telephone line. In
FIG. 5
, a telephone answering device
11
is connected to a telephone company central office
13
via a telephone line
15
. A telephone line interface (TLI)
17
in the telephone answering device
11
provides the conventional isolation, DC and AC impedance as required by telephone company standards. The telephone line interface
17
also provides a ring detect signal to a controller
19
. Controller
19
may be any suitable processor, e.g., microprocessor, microcontroller, or digital signal processor (DSP). The ring detect signal indicates to the controller
19
the ringing of an incoming call on the telephone line
15
.
After a desired number of ring signals, the telephone answering device
11
causes the telephone line interface
17
to place the telephone line in an off-hook state, and instructs a voice recorder/playback audio module
18
to play an outgoing greeting message over the telephone line
15
to the caller. Upon completion of the outgoing greeting message, the caller may leave a voice message in voice memory
21
under the control of controller
19
. A keypad
23
allows the user to select various modes of operation, including the playback of voice messages.
The conventional telephone answering device
11
illustrated in
FIG. 5
includes a Calling Identity Delivery (Caller ID) detector/receiver
25
to detect and receive call related information, e.g., the telephone number and/or household name of a calling party. The call related information is displayed on display
27
.
By using Caller ID, the user of the conventional telephone answering device
11
can determine the name and telephone number of the caller leaving the voice message. Basic call information such as Caller ID information is transmitted from the local telephone company to the called party while the called party's phone is in a hung-up or on-hook state, e.g., between the first and second rings.
Oftentimes, a remote user of a voice messaging system such as a telephone answering device may want to return a call to a caller who left a voice message. However, there are instances where it may not be convenient or possible for the remote user to call back those who called the voice messaging system. For example, if the user is at a pay phone and has minimal funds for additional phone calls, the user may need to return the telephone calls but may not have sufficient funds or change to complete the task. Additionally, if the telephone answering device's location is a toll call from the user's remote location, the user will be required to make multiple toll calls to return his/her messages thereby spending additional money. Furthermore, persons may leave a message without leaving a telephone number in the voice message. In such a case, the call related information (e.g., Caller ID information) may be the only information useful for calling the caller back, but is displayed at the telephone answering device itself.
Unfortunately, conventional telephone answering devices do not allow a user to retrieve his/her messages from a remote location and then to return a call to one or more callers without having to first disconnect the telephone line, deposit or expend additional funds, and dial the caller's telephone number.
Accordingly, there exists a need for a telephone answering device which allows a user to remotely retrieve voice messages and return one or more calls to callers without having to disconnect from a telephone line.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a controlling system for a voice messaging system comprises a controller. A calling module, controlled by the controller, is adapted to initiate a telephone call back to a caller to the voice messaging system. The controlling system also includes a DTMF generator. The calling module causes the controller to initiate an outgoing call, with a telephone number of the outgoing call relating to a party who called the voice messaging system.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a telephone answering device comprises a controller and a voice recorder/playback module. A calling module is also included which is activated by a remote user to call back a caller. The calling module causes the controller to initiate a telephone call between the remote user and the caller.
A method for remotely calling back callers to a voice messaging system in accordance with the principles of the present invention comprises allowing a user remote access via a telephone line to stored voice messages in a voice messaging system. The remote user is placed on hold. A call on the telephone line from the voice messaging system is initiated to a previous caller to the voice messaging system, while the remote user remains on hold. A communication path between the remote user and the caller is established.
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patent: 5062133 (1991-10-01), Melrose
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patent: 5572576 (1996-11-01), Klausner et al.
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patent: 5974117 (1999-10-01), Mahvi
patent: 6067349 (2000-05-01), Suder et al.
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Bollman William H.
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
Weaver Scott L.
LandOfFree
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