Automatic paging system

Claim 1

An automatic paging system which can handle calls for both subscribers of a first type beeper without message display capability and a second type beeper with message display capability, comprising: means at a voice mail center which executes a paging service, for detecting (a) an outgoing message which is sent back to a calling party from a paging center when a number of the first type beeper is dialed by the voice mail center, and (b) a first accompanying specific signal; means at the voice mail center, for detecting (a) an outgoing message which is sent back to the calling party when a number of the second type beeper with message display capability is dialed by the voice mail center, and (b) a second accompanying specific signal; switching means in the voice mail center for switching to first and second states according to whether the outgoing message from the paging center is for said first or second type of beeper, respectively; means for disengaging a line in a predetermined fixed time duration after dialing when said switching means is in said first state corresponding to the first type beeper; and means for disengaging the line after the calling party sends out his telephone number or other message when the outgoing message for said second type beeper with message display capacility is delivered when the switching means is in the second state.