US4941167A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telephone system with customized central message center
Assignee: Motorola Solutions Inc
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Filing: 1988-11-04
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Granted: 1990-07-10
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Expires: 2008-11-04
Abstract
Abstract A telephone system employs a novel message system for calling parties. The switch controller includes selectable and programmable announcement machines, while the telephone devices include indicators which allow call transferees the ability to determine the reason the call was transferred, e.g., the called telephone was busy, did not answer or the called telephone party is in conference. When desired, a telephone party is capable of programming the switch controller to reply to any particular incoming phone calls with one of a number of customized or preselected messages.
Inventors
- 👤 Gary A. Cannalte
- 👤 Todd Smith
- 👤 William F. Zancho
- 👤 Robert J. Crawford
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-04 07:56
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W88/00; H04W88/02; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/50; H04M3/53; H04M3/54; H04M3/487
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 6
Claim 1
Independent Claim
149 words
A telephone communications system, comprising: switch control means for intercoupling a plurality of telephone devices and for activating at least one prerecorded message of a plurality of prerecorded messages in response to initiated telephone calls, including: means for providing at least one prerecorded message, wherein one of the prerecorded messages is a help message for access by a first telephone device; means for providing telephone call transfers from the first telephone device to a second telephone device; and means for communicating data to the second telephone device; the first telephone device having means for designating a prerecorded message at the means for providing prerecorded messages; and the second telephone device having means for indicating, in response to a telephone call transfer from the first telephone device and in response to data from the means for communicating data, a prerecorded message designated by the means for designating a prerecorded message.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
149 words
A telephone communications system, comprising: switch control means for intercoupling a plurality of telephone devices and for activating at least one prerecorded message of a plurality of prerecorded messages in response to initiated telephone calls, including: means for providing at least one prerecorded message, wherein one of the prerecorded messages is a help message for access by a first telephone device; means for providing telephone call transfers from the first telephone device to a second telephone device; and means for communicating data to the second telephone device; the first telephone device having means for designating a prerecorded message at the means for providing prerecorded messages; and the second telephone device having means for indicating, in response to a telephone call transfer from the first telephone device and in response to data from the means for communicating data, a prerecorded message designated by the means for designating a prerecorded message.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The telephone communications system of claim 1 wherein the means for indicating are light emitting diodes.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The telephone communications system of claim 1 wherein the means for designating a prerecorded message is a keypad integral to the first telephone device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
The telephone communications system of claim 1 wherein the data is a telephone number.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The telephone communications system of claim 1 wherein the data is a status indication of the first telephone device.
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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) | 1993-07-09 | 1994-01-08 | 1994-07-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-07-09 | 1998-01-08 | 1998-07-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-07-09 | 2002-01-08 | 2002-07-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |