Telephone dialing system

Claim 3

A method as claimed in claim 1, in which a plurality of sets of numbers to be called are stored in the storage device, and which includes controlling the storage device selectively to emit a particular set of numbers from the storage device and controlling the storage device to emit a further set of numbers when calling of a preceding set of numbers has been successfully completed or when the predetermined number of attempts have been made without calling being completed.

Claim 4

A method as claimed in claim 1, which further includes controllably cancelling the calling of the number if, after initiation of the calling of the number, a predetermined period elapses without calling being completed.

Claim 5

An automatic dialling device for emitting a number to be called onto a telephone line, which includes a storage device adapted to receive a number to be called and operable to emit the stored number onto the telephone line, sensing means adapted to sense whether or not calling of the number is completed, and control means responsive to the sensing means and operable to cause the storage device to re-emit the stored number onto the telephone line to recall the number if calling has not been completed, the control means including tally storage means operable by an operator for each call to be made to permit storing of a variable tally representative of the number of times that a particular number is to be recalled, the control means being adapted to cause recalling of the number for a maximum number of times as predetermined by the tally, and timing means with said control means being responsive to said timing means to provide an interval between successive attempts to recall the number.

Claim 6

An automatic dialling device for emitting a number to be called onto a telephone line, which includes a storage device adapted to receive a number to be called and operable to emit the stored number onto the telephone line, sensing means adapted to sense whether or not calling of the number is completed, and control means responsive to the sensing means and operable to cause the storage device to re-emit the stored number onto the telephone line to recall the number if calling has not been completed, the control means including tally storage means operable by an operator for each call to be made to permit storing of a variable tally representative of the number of times that a particular number is to be recalled, the control means being adapted to cause recalling of the number for a maximum number of times as predetermined by the tally, and timing means with said control means being responsive to said timing means to provide an interval between successive attempts to recall the number.

Claim 7

A device as claimed in claim 4, in which the timing means includes at least one counter triggerable by a series of pulses at a fixed frequency, the output of the counter being comparable with a predetermined output generated by switch means, the switch means being adjustably pre-settable by an operator to provide variation of the interval between successive attempts to recall the number.

Claim 8

A device as claimed in claim 4, which includes indicating means operable to give a viSual indication of the number stored.

Claim 9

A device as claimed in claim 4, in which the sensing means includes tone detection means operable after a number has been called and adapted to sample during a predetermined period the tones appearing on the telephone line thereby to sense whether or not calling of the number has been completed.

Claim 10

A device as claimed in claim 7, in which the tone detection means include analogue to digital conversion means adapted to convert the tones received on the telephone line to digital pulses or levels.

Claim 11

A device as claimed in claim 4, adapted for association with a computer terminal modem and adapted to call a number allocated to a computer thereby to permit a telephone connection between the modem and the computer, which includes monitoring means for monitoring the quality of signals on the telephone line, the monitoring means being adapted to prevent connection of the telephone line to the modem if the quality of the signals is below a predetermined level.

Claim 12

A device as claimed in claim 9, in which the monitoring means is adapted to monitor both the amplitude and presence of the signals over a predetermined period.