US3586779A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telephone answering device with solenoid coupler
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1969-01-08
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Granted: 1971-06-22
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Expires: 1989-01-08
Abstract
Abstract A telephone-answering device with recording and playback features. The device is placed on a standard telephone receiving and transmitting apparatus, and is electrically independent of the telephone circuit. When actuated by a ringing signal, the device transmits a prerecorded message to the caller. Afterward, the device will record any spoken message from the calling party in response to the prerecorded message. The recorded messages from the calling party may be played back, at will, at the telephone-receiving apparatus.
Inventors
- 👤 M Philip Chernack
- 👤 Arthur L Zimmet
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 15:24
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/64; H04M1/65; H04M1/654; H04M1/6545
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
266 words
A telephone-answering device for use with a conventional telephone receiving and transmitting apparatus comprising, in combination, ringing signal sensing means for sensing a ringing signal applied to said telephone apparatus; electromagnetic actuating means energized from said sensing means and actuating said telephone apparatus to simulate removal of the handset from its cradle in said conventional telephone apparatus; message transmitting means actuated by said sensing means for transmitting a prerecorded message from said telephone apparatus; message receiving and recording means actuated by said message transmitting means for receiving and recording a message transmitted to said telephone apparatus after said prerecorded message has been transmitted from said telephone apparatus; resetting means actuated at the end of said message transmitted to said telephone apparatus for deenergizing said electromagnetic means and returning said device and said telephone apparatus to the initial state preparatory to performing a new cycle commencing with said ringing signal and ending with the recording of said message transmitted to said telephone apparatus, said electromagnetic actuating means comprising a solenoid coil producing a magnetic field when energized and having an opening directed along its longitudinal axis; hollow ferromagnetic core means slidable within said opening in said coil along said axis; armature means secured to one end of said core means; spring means within said core means and bearing against said armature means; and spring depressing means acting on said spring means and partially projecting from said core means, said core means being partially moved out of said opening in said coil when said spring depressing means is depressed against said spring means and said coil is deenergized.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
266 words
A telephone-answering device for use with a conventional telephone receiving and transmitting apparatus comprising, in combination, ringing signal sensing means for sensing a ringing signal applied to said telephone apparatus; electromagnetic actuating means energized from said sensing means and actuating said telephone apparatus to simulate removal of the handset from its cradle in said conventional telephone apparatus; message transmitting means actuated by said sensing means for transmitting a prerecorded message from said telephone apparatus; message receiving and recording means actuated by said message transmitting means for receiving and recording a message transmitted to said telephone apparatus after said prerecorded message has been transmitted from said telephone apparatus; resetting means actuated at the end of said message transmitted to said telephone apparatus for deenergizing said electromagnetic means and returning said device and said telephone apparatus to the initial state preparatory to performing a new cycle commencing with said ringing signal and ending with the recording of said message transmitted to said telephone apparatus, said electromagnetic actuating means comprising a solenoid coil producing a magnetic field when energized and having an opening directed along its longitudinal axis; hollow ferromagnetic core means slidable within said opening in said coil along said axis; armature means secured to one end of said core means; spring means within said core means and bearing against said armature means; and spring depressing means acting on said spring means and partially projecting from said core means, said core means being partially moved out of said opening in said coil when said spring depressing means is depressed against said spring means and said coil is deenergized.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The telephone-answering device as defined in claim 1 including amplifying means and switching means for connecting said amplifying means as desired to said sensing means, message transmitting means, and message receiving and recording means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The telephone-answering device as defined in claim 1 wherein said ringing signal-sensing means comprises an electromagnetic coil in proximity to the conventional bell coil in said conventional telephone apparatus, said electromagnetic coil being magnetically linked with the magnetic field generated by said bell coil when a ringing signal is transmitted thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
89 words
The telephone answering device as defined in claim 1 wherein said message-transmitting means comprises magnetic tape means with a message prerecorded thereon, and switching contact segments on said tape said switching contact segments determining the timing of said cycle through spacing on said tape and switching from said message transmitting to said message-receiving and recording means; tape reading means in contact with said tape means for reading information recorded on said tape means; and speaker means for converting the information read by said tape reading means into audible sounds.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
62 words
The telephone-answering device as defined in claim 1 wherein said message-receiving and recording means comprises a magnetic tape means upon which a message is recordable; tape-recording head means associated with said tape means for recording on said tape means a message; and microphone means connected to said recording head means for converting audible sounds into electrical signals recordable on said tape means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
The telephone-answering device as defined in claim 1 including playback means for playing back the message recorded by said message-receiving and recording means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The telephone-answering device as defined in claim 1 including controlling switching means actuated by said armature means for controlling the operational state of said device.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
62 words
The telephone-answering device as defined in claim 1 including motor means for drivingly operating said message transmitting means and said message-receiving and recording means; capstan drive means connected to said motor means, said message transmitting means and receiving and recording means having magnetic tape driven by said capstan, and flywheel means driven by said motor means for providing substantial constant rotational speed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
23 words
The telephone-answering device as defined in claim 1 including motor means for drivingly operating said message-transmitting means and said message-receiving and recording means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The telephone-answering device as defined in claim 9 including flywheel means in contact with said motor means and providing substantially constant rotational speed for operating said message-transmitting means and said message-receiving and recording means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
153 words
The telephone answering device as defined in claim 1 wherein said message-transmitting means comprises magnetic tape means with a message prerecorded thereon, said message-transmitting means and said message-receiving and recording means having solid state circuitry, and first and second switching contact segments on said tape for switching said solid state relay circuitry, said switching contact segments determining the timing of said cycle through spacing on said tape of said first contact segment and switching said solid state relay circuitry from said message transmitting to said message receiving and recording means, the spacing of said second switching contact segment on said type determining the switching of said solid state relay circuitry to terminate a cycle and prepare for the next cycle; tape reading means in contact with said tape means for reading information recorded on said tape means; and speaker means for converting the information read by said tape reading means into audible sounds.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
81 words
The telephone-answering device as defined in claim 11 wherein said message receiving and recording means comprises separate endless magnetic tape means upon which a message is recordable; capstan driving means for driving said separate endless tape and said first-mentioned tape; tape-recording head means associated with said separate endless tape means for recording on said tape means a message; and microphone means connected to said recording head means for converting audible sounds into electrical signals recordable on said separate endless tape means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-06-21 | 1974-12-21 | 1975-06-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-06-21 | 1978-12-21 | 1979-06-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-06-21 | 1982-12-21 | 1983-06-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |