US3721765A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telephone answering machine
Assignee: Hashimoto Corp
•
Filing: 1971-06-07
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Granted: 1973-03-20
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Expires: 1991-06-07
Abstract
Abstract An automatic telephone answering machine for use in combination with a conventional telephone utilizes a first magnetic tape cassette to store a prerecorded message and a second tape cassette to record a caller''s message. The two tape cassettes are driven by transport means which operates to drive the first tape cassette with a prerecorded message in response to receipt of an incoming call and which automatically shifts to drive the second cassette for recording the caller''s message when the prerecorded message is completed. The machine provides for counting each incoming message received, an automatic cutoff circuit that stops the second recording cassette after a predetermined period of silence and for recording any desired message on the first tape cassette.
Inventors
- 👤 C Ho
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 02:44
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/64; H04M1/65; H04M1/6515
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
207 words
An automatic telephone answering machine for use in combination with a conventional telephone set comprising, a casing, a first receptacle in the casing for removably retaining a first magnetic tape cassette having a prerecorded message, a second receptacle in the casing for removably retaining a second magnetic tape cassette for recording a received message from a caller on said telephone, a pair of cooperating tape drive elements within each receptacle for driving the tape comprising, a pinch roller element and a capstan element, one of the drive elements of each pair being operatively connected to be constantly driven by a driving means common to both, the other of the elements of each pair being movably mounted for pressing said tapes into engagement with a respective one of the driven elEments to effect feeding movements thereof, means responsive to a received call to said telephone set for moving a first of said other elements to effect feeding movement of the tape in the first cassette, and means responsive to completion of the prerecorded message in the first cassette for moving the second of said drive elements to effect feeding movement of the tape in the second cassette and terminating feeding movement of the tape in the first cassette.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
207 words
An automatic telephone answering machine for use in combination with a conventional telephone set comprising, a casing, a first receptacle in the casing for removably retaining a first magnetic tape cassette having a prerecorded message, a second receptacle in the casing for removably retaining a second magnetic tape cassette for recording a received message from a caller on said telephone, a pair of cooperating tape drive elements within each receptacle for driving the tape comprising, a pinch roller element and a capstan element, one of the drive elements of each pair being operatively connected to be constantly driven by a driving means common to both, the other of the elements of each pair being movably mounted for pressing said tapes into engagement with a respective one of the driven elEments to effect feeding movements thereof, means responsive to a received call to said telephone set for moving a first of said other elements to effect feeding movement of the tape in the first cassette, and means responsive to completion of the prerecorded message in the first cassette for moving the second of said drive elements to effect feeding movement of the tape in the second cassette and terminating feeding movement of the tape in the first cassette.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
85 words
An automatic telephone answering machine in accordance with claim 1, including, a movable plate mounted in each receptacle, the other of said pair of drive element each being supported on a respective movable plate which constitutes the movable mounting therefor, a magnetic transducer means and a tape sensing means for controlling tape feeding, supported on each of the plates for concurrent movement into engagement with the tapes when said other one of the pair of drive elements is moved to effect feeding of the tapes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
68 words
An automatic telephone answering machine according to claim 2 wherein the tape sensing means of the first cassette cooperates with means carried by the tape thereof at the end of the prerecorded message to effect movement of the tape in the second cassette, the tape sensing means of the second cassette being responsive to a predetermined pressure of the tape thereon for terminating operation of the driving means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
An automatic telephone answering machine according to claim 3 wherein the magnetic transducer means in the first receptacle is a playback head, the transducer means in the second receptacle includes a recording head, said second receptacle providing means for receiving and removably retaining the first cassette therein for cooperation of the tape therein with said recording head, and manually operable control means for effecting feeding of the tape of the first cassette by the drive elements in the second receptacle when the first cassette is located therein, and for causing energization of the recording head to record a message on the tape of the first cassette.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-03-19 | 1976-09-18 | 1977-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-03-19 | 1980-09-18 | 1981-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-03-19 | 1984-09-18 | 1985-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |