Patent EP0318454A2 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
EP0318454A2
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Mass-distributed, preprogrammed automatic dialing mechanism and related processes
Assignee: U S NEWS LP
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Filing: 1988-05-09
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Granted: —
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Expires: 2008-05-09
Abstract
Abstract An automatic telephone number dialing device for use with mass-distribution media products to enable consumers to automatically dial a preprogrammed number associated with one or more sources of goods and/or services. The device may be constructed as an insert (10) for magazines, books, direct mail advertising, or newspapers. The device may also be constructed as a customized service card for accessing sources of products or services. The preprogrammed number may be that of a centralized, automated, or personal telemarketing system (76). The dialing device includes a single chip microprocessor (20, 22) capable of producing DTMF tones corresponding to the preprogrammed telephone. By passing the tones through a miniature speaker (24) or other sound transducer, the preprogrammed number will be automatically dialed. Related processes of manufacture and use are also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Jacob J. Winebaum
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 20:48
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/02; H04M1/23; G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/0866; G06; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/36; G06Q20/363; G07F17/00; G07F17/0014; H04M1/26; H04M1/27; H04M1/274; H04M1/2745; H04M1/275
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
85 words
An automatic dialing device comprising a plurality of substrate means (10) adapted for distribution to a plurality of individuals, said substrate means including information related to goods or services, characterized by automatic telephone dialing means (20, 24, 40) mounted on each of said substrate means, said automatic dialing means capable of producing DTMF tones corresponding to a preprogrammed telephone number associated with a source of said goods or services, and switch means (26) mounted on said substrate means for activating said automatic telephone dialing means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
85 words
An automatic dialing device comprising a plurality of substrate means (10) adapted for distribution to a plurality of individuals, said substrate means including information related to goods or services, characterized by automatic telephone dialing means (20, 24, 40) mounted on each of said substrate means, said automatic dialing means capable of producing DTMF tones corresponding to a preprogrammed telephone number associated with a source of said goods or services, and switch means (26) mounted on said substrate means for activating said automatic telephone dialing means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
A device as defined in claim 1 and further characterized in that said substrate means includes means (54) for removably attaching said mechanism to inert media means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
A device as defined in claim 1 and further characterized in that said automatic telephone dialing means comprises a single chip microprocessor (20) with an on-chip DTMF tone generator (38), a speaker (24) and a power source (22).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
113 words
A communications device for linking inert and interactive media characterized by a single chip microprocessor (20, 32) having a memory (34) sufficient to store at least one telephone number, means (38) for generating dual tone multi-frequency signals corresponding to said telephone number, means (10) separably mounting said microprocessor to inert media means, including advertising for a product or service source, and means (16, 26) associated with said mounting means for activating said microprocessor to generate said signals, such that, when said microprocessor is activated, and when said microprocessor is located adjacent a telephone microphone, said at least one telephone number is automatically dialed to connect the user with means related to the source.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
113 words
A communications device for linking inert and interactive media characterized by a single chip microprocessor (20, 32) having a memory (34) sufficient to store at least one telephone number, means (38) for generating dual tone multi-frequency signals corresponding to said telephone number, means (10) separably mounting said microprocessor to inert media means, including advertising for a product or service source, and means (16, 26) associated with said mounting means for activating said microprocessor to generate said signals, such that, when said microprocessor is activated, and when said microprocessor is located adjacent a telephone microphone, said at least one telephone number is automatically dialed to connect the user with means related to the source.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A device as defined in claim 4 and further characterized in that said mounting means includes a relatively stiff but flexible substrate.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device as defined in claim 5 and further characterized in that said activating means comprises a switch (26) provided in a fold-over flap portion (16) located at one end of said substrate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
80 words
A communications system combining mass-distributed media and a centralized interactive media (76) comprising a plurality of media means (50) adapted for mass-distribution to individual consumers, and characterized by automatic telephone dialing means (20, 24, 40) associated with each said media means for automatically dialing a preprogrammed number associated with said centralized interactive media (76), thereby enabling each said consumer to communicate directly with said centralized interactive media, and selectively actuable switch means (26) for actuating said automatic telephone dialing means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
80 words
A communications system combining mass-distributed media and a centralized interactive media (76) comprising a plurality of media means (50) adapted for mass-distribution to individual consumers, and characterized by automatic telephone dialing means (20, 24, 40) associated with each said media means for automatically dialing a preprogrammed number associated with said centralized interactive media (76), thereby enabling each said consumer to communicate directly with said centralized interactive media, and selectively actuable switch means (26) for actuating said automatic telephone dialing means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as defined in claim 7 wherein said media means comprises a customized service card (72).
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
36 words
A system as defined in claim 7 wherein said media means comprises print media (50) and further characterized in that said automatic dialing means is mounted on a substrate (10) removably attached to said print media.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as defined in claim 7 wherein said centralized interactive media (76) comprises a telemarketing system for receiving individual telephone calls from consumers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
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