Patent US3858006A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3858006A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic telephone answering apparatus
Assignee: Pioneer Corp
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Filing: 1972-09-05
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Granted: 1974-12-31
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Expires: 1992-09-05
Abstract
Abstract An automatic telephone answering apparatus in which necessary messages to be conveyed to a specified caller may be previously recorded on the message sending tape, which is adapted to run, only when the signal detecting circuit detects a specific signal from said caller within the specified period, to send out the message for him, so that said specified caller can listen to the message left for him by telephoning to his home where no one is present or to his office after the closing hour, and a caller other than said specified caller receives only conventional automatic telephone answering due to the particular structure of the signal detecting circuit.
Inventors
- 👤 T Tomita
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 13:49
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/64; H04M1/65; H04M1/652
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
An automatic telephone answering apparatus comprising: starting circuit means adapted to start its operation by a call signal; first timer circuit means adapted to be actuated through said starting circuit means and determine the whole operating time of the apparatus; second timer circuit means adapted to operate at the conclusion of an initial delay time following the actuation of said first timer circuit; signal detecting circuit means adapted to operate when a specific signal is transmitted by a caller within the predetermined period after said first timer circuit has been operated and before the second timer circuit has started its operation; message sending circuit means having a message sending track actuable for sending out a special message to the specific signal transmitting caller; answering means having a further message sending track for sending out a standard answering message to callers not transmitting said specific signal; track switching means responsive to said signal detecting circuit means and comprising relay means having first and second alternately actuable contacts, one of said contacts being connected to said message sending circuit means for sending out the special message therefrom only when said signal detecting circuit means has been operated, and the other of said contacts being connected to said answering means for sending out said standard answering message upon receipt of a call not operating said signal detecting circuit means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
226 words
An automatic telephone answering apparatus comprising: starting circuit means adapted to start its operation by a call signal; first timer circuit means adapted to be actuated through said starting circuit means and determine the whole operating time of the apparatus; second timer circuit means adapted to operate at the conclusion of an initial delay time following the actuation of said first timer circuit; signal detecting circuit means adapted to operate when a specific signal is transmitted by a caller within the predetermined period after said first timer circuit has been operated and before the second timer circuit has started its operation; message sending circuit means having a message sending track actuable for sending out a special message to the specific signal transmitting caller; answering means having a further message sending track for sending out a standard answering message to callers not transmitting said specific signal; track switching means responsive to said signal detecting circuit means and comprising relay means having first and second alternately actuable contacts, one of said contacts being connected to said message sending circuit means for sending out the special message therefrom only when said signal detecting circuit means has been operated, and the other of said contacts being connected to said answering means for sending out said standard answering message upon receipt of a call not operating said signal detecting circuit means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
30 words
An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a single endless tape having two tracks is employed for said message sending track and for said answering track.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
26 words
An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said specific signal to operate the signal detecting circuit is a signal of specific frequency.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said specific signal to operate the signal detecting circuit is a signal of specific magnitude.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
189 words
In an automatic telephone answering apparatus having answering means for automatically answering a call by sending a prerecorded answering message to the caller and recording means for thereafter automatically recording information from the caller, the improvement comprising: preselected signal sensing means responsive to a preselected signal from the caller; first timer circuit means responsive to an incoming telephone call for defining a predetermined time interval and generating a first signal in response thereto for initially switching said incoming call to said signal sensing means; second timer circuit means responsive to said first signal and generating a second signal in response thereto a delayed interval of time later for switching said incoming telephone call from said preselected signal sensing means and for actuating said answering means, and circuit means normally connecting said incoming telephone call to said answering means and recording means after said initial switching, said delayed interval of time terminating substantially before the end of said predetermined time interval to enable operation of said answering means and recording means in tHe remainder of said predetermined time interval following said switching of said call from the signal sensing means.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
189 words
In an automatic telephone answering apparatus having answering means for automatically answering a call by sending a prerecorded answering message to the caller and recording means for thereafter automatically recording information from the caller, the improvement comprising: preselected signal sensing means responsive to a preselected signal from the caller; first timer circuit means responsive to an incoming telephone call for defining a predetermined time interval and generating a first signal in response thereto for initially switching said incoming call to said signal sensing means; second timer circuit means responsive to said first signal and generating a second signal in response thereto a delayed interval of time later for switching said incoming telephone call from said preselected signal sensing means and for actuating said answering means, and circuit means normally connecting said incoming telephone call to said answering means and recording means after said initial switching, said delayed interval of time terminating substantially before the end of said predetermined time interval to enable operation of said answering means and recording means in tHe remainder of said predetermined time interval following said switching of said call from the signal sensing means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
76 words
The improvement according to claim 5, wherein said preselected signal sensing means is responsive to appearance of said preselected signal during said delayed interval of time for generating a third signal; and including message sending circuit means for sending a special prerecorded message to a caller who provides said preselected signal; and means responsive to said third signal for switching said incoming telephone call to said message sending circuit means in place of said answering means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
110 words
The improvement according to claim 6, wherein said answering means comprises a first tape track capable of playing back said prerecorded answering message and said message sending circuit means comprises a second tape track capable of playing back said special prerecorded message, said means responsive to said third signal comprising a relay having a first normally closed contact in circuit with said first tape track and a second normally open contact in circuit with said second tape track, said relay being responsive to said third signal for switching said contacts from their normal conditions, and including means for connecting the closed one of said contacts in communication with the caller.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
115 words
The improvement according to claim 6, in which said answering means and message sending circuit means comprise first and second tape tracks respectively, and including common motor means responsive to said second signal for advancing said first and second tracks simultaneously and including means actuable after a further delayed interval of time following said first mentioned delayed interval of time, said further delayed interval being sufficient to enable completion of sending of the alternatively selected one of said answering message and special message, said further delayed interval terminating before the end of said predetermined time interval, for switching the caller from the alternatively selected one of said first and second tracks to said recording means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
54 words
The improvement according to claim 8, in which said recording means comprises a third tape track and second motor means for driving said third tape track, said common and second motor means being independently actuable respectively by said second timer circuit means and said means actuable after completion of said further interval of time.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
164 words
The improvement according to claim 8 in which said first and second tracks comprise alternatively selectable tracks of a common endless loop tape and said third track comprises a track of a second and substantially longer tape, said predetermined time interval including in sequence said first mentioned delayed interval of time during which said preselected signal sensing means is connected to said caller, said further delayed interval of time during which the alternatively selected one of the answering means and message sending circuit means is connected to the caller and a third interval of time during which said recording means is connected to said caller, whereby during said further delayed interval a caller who has supplied said preselected signal is connected to said message sending circuit means but any alternative caller is connected to said answering means, callers of both types thereafter being connectable to said recording means to leave an incoming message, incoming messages on said recording means being inaccessible to all callers.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-30 | 1978-07-01 | 1978-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-30 | 1982-07-01 | 1982-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-30 | 1986-07-01 | 1986-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |