US3845248A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telephone auto-answering device with record medium substitution
Assignee: Pioneer Corp
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Filing: 1972-12-18
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Granted: 1974-10-29
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Expires: 1992-12-18
Abstract
Abstract Control of a telephone auto-answering device having a caller''s message recording mechanism is achieved by monitoring the remaining, non-recorded length of a recording medium during an auto-answering operation, storing the fact that the remaining length becomes short and is insufficient for recording a message of a predetermined duration, and energizing a tape changer or auto-reverse mechanism of the telephone auto-answering device upon termination of the auto-answering operation if the fact that the remaining tape is short is stored, to substitute a new recording medium for the substantially fully recorded medium, thereby insuring the provision of a recording space of at least a predetermined length.
Inventors
- 👤 S Ando
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 11:12
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/64; H04M1/65; H04M1/6515
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
162 words
A control apparatus for a telephone auto-answering device having a caller''s message recording mechanism which records the message on a first recording medium and also having a means for substituting a new recording medium, said apparatus comprising detecting means operable during an auto-answering operation of the telephone auto-answering device for determining whether the non-recorded length of the first recording medium is sufficient for recording another message of a predetermined duration; memory means responsive to said detecting means for storing the detection of an insufficiency of the non-recorded length; switch means for sensing the hanging up of the caller; and a control means coupled to said memory means, and operable in response to the storage of the detection of the insufficiency of non-recorded length and to the hanging up by the caller indicating termination of the auto-answering operation and the recording of the caller''s message, to actuate the substituting means to substitute a new recording medium for the substantially fully recorded first medium.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
162 words
A control apparatus for a telephone auto-answering device having a caller''s message recording mechanism which records the message on a first recording medium and also having a means for substituting a new recording medium, said apparatus comprising detecting means operable during an auto-answering operation of the telephone auto-answering device for determining whether the non-recorded length of the first recording medium is sufficient for recording another message of a predetermined duration; memory means responsive to said detecting means for storing the detection of an insufficiency of the non-recorded length; switch means for sensing the hanging up of the caller; and a control means coupled to said memory means, and operable in response to the storage of the detection of the insufficiency of non-recorded length and to the hanging up by the caller indicating termination of the auto-answering operation and the recording of the caller''s message, to actuate the substituting means to substitute a new recording medium for the substantially fully recorded first medium.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A control apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said detecting means includes a tape length counter which provides a signal when the count exceeds a predetermined value.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
A control apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said control means includes means for returning the telephone auto-answering device to a stand-by state for preparation for another call after completion of the substitution of the new recording medium.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A control apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mechanism is a tape changer substituting means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
A control apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said mechanism is an auto-reverse substituting means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
50 words
A control apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said detecting means comprises a sensor means for sensing continuously the non-recorded length of the first recording medium and a detector circuit means responsive to said sensor means for detecting when the non-recorded length becomes less than a predetermined length.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
41 words
A control apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said sensor means senses the revolution rate of a tape supply reel in the telephone autoanswering device, and said detector circuit means compares the sensed revolution rate witH a predetermined rate.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
137 words
The control apparatus as set forth in claim 6 wherein said detector circuit means includes a first transistor having its base connected to said sensor means; a first RC timing circuit coupled to said first transistor such that the capacitor of said first RC timing circuit discharges through said first transistor when said first transistor is on; a second transistor having its base coupled to the capacitor of said first RC timing circuit said second transistor turning on when said capacitor is fully charged; and a second RC timing circuit coupled to the second transistor and the memory means wherein the capacitor of the second RC timing circuit discharges through said second transistor when said second transistor is on and said memory means is activated when the capacitor of the second RC timing circuit is fully charged.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of controlling a telephone autoanswering device having a caller''s message recording mechanism which records the message on a first recording medium and also having a mechanism for substituting a new recording medium, comprising the steps of monitoring the remaining, non-recorded length of the first recording medium while the device is recording the message from the caller, detecting when the remaining length of the first recording medium becomes less than a predetermined length, storing the detection of the condition when the remaining length becomes shorter than the predetermined length, detecting when the caller hangs up, and actuating said mechanism to substitute a new recording medium for the substantially fully recorded first medium upon detecting said caller''s hanging up, termination of the auto-answering operation of the device, and storage of said condition.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
132 words
A method of controlling a telephone autoanswering device having a caller''s message recording mechanism which records the message on a first recording medium and also having a mechanism for substituting a new recording medium, comprising the steps of monitoring the remaining, non-recorded length of the first recording medium while the device is recording the message from the caller, detecting when the remaining length of the first recording medium becomes less than a predetermined length, storing the detection of the condition when the remaining length becomes shorter than the predetermined length, detecting when the caller hangs up, and actuating said mechanism to substitute a new recording medium for the substantially fully recorded first medium upon detecting said caller''s hanging up, termination of the auto-answering operation of the device, and storage of said condition.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A control method as specified in claim 9 wherein the step of monitoring includes sensing the revolution rate of a recording medium supply reel provided in the telephone auto-answering device, and the step of detecting includes comparing the sensed revolution rate with a predetermined rate.
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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) | 1977-10-28 | 1978-04-29 | 1978-10-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-10-28 | 1982-04-29 | 1982-10-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-10-28 | 1986-04-29 | 1986-10-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |