US5239573A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Telephone terminal incorporating speech synthesizer for enhanced communication
Assignee: TELECREDIT Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1990-10-17
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Granted: 1993-08-24
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Expires: 2010-10-17
Abstract
Abstract In conjunction with elements of a single conventional telephone, a central processor isolates the telephone from the communications network facility to function with a voice synthesizer structure and a DTMF encoder/decoder apparatus and develop a data packet for inquiry from a terminal to a telephone inquiry processing center. On completion of the data packet, a dial-up connection is established between the terminal and the inquiry processing center for fast, efficient automated communication. Reply data is delivered through the telephone by the voice synthesizer. The control processor executes a series of switching operations to accomplish the data exchange.
Inventors
- 👤 Srirangam Rangan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 02:01
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/64; H04M1/65; H04M1/6505; H04M1/651; H04M11/00; H04M11/06; H04M11/066
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
An auxiliary terminal apparatus for use in association with a telephone unit including an earpiece, a keypad and first telephone circuits for operation with a dial-up system to formulate an inquiry for communication with a central processor, said auxiliary telephone apparatus comprising: a vocabulary memory for storing signal representations of select words; a voice synthesizer for receiving said signal representations of select words to provide voice signals; and programmable control means including switch means for, transferring said signal representations from said vocabulary memory to said voice synthesizer and coupling said voice synthesizer to said telephone earpiece to instruct a caller according to a specific format to input data using said keypad, transferring inquiry signals from said keypad to formulate an inquiry, and actuating the second telephone circuits to dial-up said central processor to communicate the inquiry and thereafter to receive a response from said central processor through said voice synthesizer for providing a vocal response to said caller.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
An auxiliary terminal apparatus for use in association with a telephone unit including an earpiece, a keypad and first telephone circuits for operation with a dial-up system to formulate an inquiry for communication with a central processor, said auxiliary telephone apparatus comprising: a vocabulary memory for storing signal representations of select words; a voice synthesizer for receiving said signal representations of select words to provide voice signals; and programmable control means including switch means for, transferring said signal representations from said vocabulary memory to said voice synthesizer and coupling said voice synthesizer to said telephone earpiece to instruct a caller according to a specific format to input data using said keypad, transferring inquiry signals from said keypad to formulate an inquiry, and actuating the second telephone circuits to dial-up said central processor to communicate the inquiry and thereafter to receive a response from said central processor through said voice synthesizer for providing a vocal response to said caller.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
35 words
An auxiliary terminal apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said programmable control means includes a switching structure to isolate said voice synthesizer from lines extending from the telephone unit to an associated telephone communication facility.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
19 words
An auxiliary terminal apparatus according to claim 2 wherein said switching structure couples said voice synthesizer to said earpiece.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
An auxiliary terminal apparatus according to claim 1 further including an encoder/decoder for coupling to said keypad.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
An auxiliary terminal apparatus according to claim 2 further including an encoder/decoder for coupling to said keypad and wherein the switching structure couples the encoder/decoder to said keypad.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An auxiliary terminal apparatus according to claim 1 further including a modem for coupling to said telephone circuits.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
30 words
An auxiliary terminal apparatus according to claim 2 further including a modem for coupling to said telephone circuits and wherein said switching structure couples said modem to said telephone circuits.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
An auxiliary terminal apparatus according to claim 1 wherein said programmable control means formulates an inquiry from data resident in the terminal apparatus and from data input by said caller with said keypad.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
142 words
A telephone instrument for operation through a dial-up system to formulate an inquiry for communication with a central processor and receive a reply, comprising: an earpiece; a dialing keypad; telephone connection and processing circuits; a vocabulary memory for storing signal representations of select words; a voice synthesizer for receiving said signal representations of select words to provide voice signals; and control means including switch means for selecting signal representations from said vocabulary memory, coupling said voice synthesizer to said telephone earpiece to instruct a caller according to a specific format to input data using said keypad, receiving inquiry signals from said keypad to formulate an inquiry, and actuating said telephone circuits to dial-up said central processor to communicate said inquiry and thereafter to receive a response from said central processor through said voice synthesizer for providing a vocal response to said caller.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
142 words
A telephone instrument for operation through a dial-up system to formulate an inquiry for communication with a central processor and receive a reply, comprising: an earpiece; a dialing keypad; telephone connection and processing circuits; a vocabulary memory for storing signal representations of select words; a voice synthesizer for receiving said signal representations of select words to provide voice signals; and control means including switch means for selecting signal representations from said vocabulary memory, coupling said voice synthesizer to said telephone earpiece to instruct a caller according to a specific format to input data using said keypad, receiving inquiry signals from said keypad to formulate an inquiry, and actuating said telephone circuits to dial-up said central processor to communicate said inquiry and thereafter to receive a response from said central processor through said voice synthesizer for providing a vocal response to said caller.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4503288A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-08-23 | 1997-02-22 | 1997-08-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-08-23 | 2001-02-22 | 2001-08-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-08-23 | 2005-02-22 | 2005-08-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |