US5144648A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for processing pages
Assignee: Mobile Telecommunication Technology
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Filing: 1991-05-16
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Granted: 1992-09-01
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Expires: 2011-05-16
Abstract
Abstract A paging system includes a digital switch, an interface processor, and a central computer. The interface processor voice prompts a caller to input a desired function code and in response, performs the desired function or instructs the digital switch to route the call to a different portion of the paging system which may include a voice mailbox unit for recording voice messages. The digital switch, in response to an instruction from the interface processor, can establish a telephone connection to an outside number for a caller already connected to the paging system.
Inventors
- 👤 Jai P. Bhagat
- 👤 Robert L. Vence
- 👤 William D. Hays
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 03:44
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W84/00; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/50; H04M3/53; H04M3/533; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S379/00; Y10S379/917
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
226 words
An apparatus for providing numeric and alphanumeric paging services and voice-mail services to callers, comprising: a central computer means connected to a transmitter for preparing pages for transmission; a voice-mail unit separate from and connected to said central computer means for recording and playing back voice messages; an alphanumeric speech unit separate from and connected to said central computer means for verbalizing alphanumeric messages; a digital switch means connected to said voice-mail unit and said alphanumeric speech unit; an interface processor means connected to said central computer means and said digital switch means for obtaining information for a page from a caller when the caller inputs a function code corresponding to a paging service; for issuing a first instruction to connect the caller to said voice-mail unit when the caller inputs a function code corresponding to a voice-mail service; and for issuing a second instruction to connect the caller to said alphanumeric speech unit when the caller inputs a function code corresponding to a request to review stored alphanumeric pages; said digital switch means being provided for receiving telephone calls; for forwarding the telephone calls to said interface processor means; for switching the caller to said voice-mail unit when said interface processor means issues said first instruction; and for switching the caller to said alphanumeric speech unit when said interface processor means issues said second instruction.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
226 words
An apparatus for providing numeric and alphanumeric paging services and voice-mail services to callers, comprising: a central computer means connected to a transmitter for preparing pages for transmission; a voice-mail unit separate from and connected to said central computer means for recording and playing back voice messages; an alphanumeric speech unit separate from and connected to said central computer means for verbalizing alphanumeric messages; a digital switch means connected to said voice-mail unit and said alphanumeric speech unit; an interface processor means connected to said central computer means and said digital switch means for obtaining information for a page from a caller when the caller inputs a function code corresponding to a paging service; for issuing a first instruction to connect the caller to said voice-mail unit when the caller inputs a function code corresponding to a voice-mail service; and for issuing a second instruction to connect the caller to said alphanumeric speech unit when the caller inputs a function code corresponding to a request to review stored alphanumeric pages; said digital switch means being provided for receiving telephone calls; for forwarding the telephone calls to said interface processor means; for switching the caller to said voice-mail unit when said interface processor means issues said first instruction; and for switching the caller to said alphanumeric speech unit when said interface processor means issues said second instruction.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
20 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said interface processor means instructs the caller to enter a desired function code.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
134 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said interface processor means is further provided: for recognizing an "outdial" function code input by the caller, said "outdial" function code corresponding to a request by the caller currently connected to the interface processor means to establish a telephone connection with a terminal having a predetermined telephone number; for instructing the caller to input a telephone number to be called in response to recognizing the "outdial" function code; and for issuing a third instruction to establish a telephone connection to a terminal having the telephone number input by the caller; and wherein said digital switch means is further provided: for establishing a telephone connection between the caller and the terminal having the telephone number input by the caller when said interface processor means issues the third instruction.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of operating a system for providing numeric and alphanumeric paging services and voice-mail services to callers, which includes a central computer, a voice-mail unit, an alphanumeric speech unit, a digital switch and an interface processor, comprising the steps of: receiving a telephone call at said digital switch; forwarding the telephone call to said interface processor; obtaining, at said interface processor, information for a page from a caller when the caller inputs a function code corresponding to a paging service; and issuing a first instruction at said interface processor to connect the caller to said voice-mail unit when the caller inputs a function code corresponding to a voice-mail service; or issuing a second instruction at said interface processor to connect the caller to said alphanumeric speech unit when the caller inputs a function code corresponding to a request to review stored alphanumeric pages.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
144 words
A method of operating a system for providing numeric and alphanumeric paging services and voice-mail services to callers, which includes a central computer, a voice-mail unit, an alphanumeric speech unit, a digital switch and an interface processor, comprising the steps of: receiving a telephone call at said digital switch; forwarding the telephone call to said interface processor; obtaining, at said interface processor, information for a page from a caller when the caller inputs a function code corresponding to a paging service; and issuing a first instruction at said interface processor to connect the caller to said voice-mail unit when the caller inputs a function code corresponding to a voice-mail service; or issuing a second instruction at said interface processor to connect the caller to said alphanumeric speech unit when the caller inputs a function code corresponding to a request to review stored alphanumeric pages.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A method according to claim 4, further comprising the steps of switching the caller to said voice-mail unit when said interface processor issues said first instruction; or switching the caller to said alphanumeric speech unit when said interface processor issues said second instruction.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
A method according to claim 4, further comprising the step of instructing the caller to enter a desired function code.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
94 words
A method according to claim 4, further comprising the steps of: recognizing, at said interface processor, an "outdial" function code input by the caller, said "outdial" function code corresponding to a request by the caller currently connected to the system to establish a telephone connection with a terminal having a predetermined telephone number; instructing the caller to input a telephone number to be called in response to recognizing the "outdial" function code; and issuing a third instruction at said interface processor to establish a telephone connection to the telephone number input by the caller.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method according to claim 7, further comprising the step of, establishing a telephone connection between the caller and the terminal having a predetermined telephone number input by the caller when said interface processor issues said third instruction.
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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) | 1995-09-01 | 1996-03-02 | 1996-09-01 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-09-01 | 2000-03-02 | 2000-09-01 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-09-01 | 2004-03-02 | 2004-09-01 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |