US5384832A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for a telephone message announcing device
Assignee: CommStar Inc
•
Filing: 1992-11-09
•
Granted: 1995-01-24
•
Expires: 2012-11-09
Abstract
Abstract The local telephone message announcing device automatically checks a remote telephone voice messaging system for stored messages in a consistent and timely manner, announces the presence of stored messages through an external indicator and automatically connects the user to the stored messages upon entry of a predetermined command by the user. The device checks for the stored messages by detecting a unique tone sent to a user's telephone set or telephone number by the remote telephone voice messaging system to indicate the presence of stored messages. The detection occurs at predetermined time intervals whereby interference with the operation of the local telephone set is minimized. In addition, the device is easily installed by a person without technical expertise and can be adapted to any type of telephone set.
Inventors
- 👤 Fred C. Zimmerman
- 👤 Verne L. Severson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 11:14
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/50; H04M3/53; H04M3/537
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 4
Claim 1
Independent Claim
255 words
A local telephone message announcing device for signaling a telephone user as to the presence of one of more recorded messages that are stored by a remote telephone voice messaging system for a telephone number associated with a telephone line to which said message announcing device is connected, said message announcing device comprising: detecting means for identifying one or more predetermined signals on said telephone line, at least one of said predetermined telephone line signals generated by said remote telephone voice messaging system and indicating the presence of a recorded message stored by said remote telephone voice messaging system, said detecting means including hook means for indicating an off hook signal for said local telephone, tone means for indicating a message waiting signal from said remote telephone voice messaging system, and ring means for indicating a ring signal for said local telephone; control means operably coupled to said detecting means and to said telephone line for automatically initiating the detection of said predetermined telephone line signals generated by said remote telephone voice messaging system in response to a first preselected time interval after said ring means has indicated a ring signal, and also initiates the detection of said predetermined signal after a second preselected time interval after said first preselected time interval; and notification means operably coupled to said control means for alerting said telephone user as to the presence of said recorded messages that are stored by said remote telephone voice messaging system in response to the identification of said predetermined telephone line signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
255 words
A local telephone message announcing device for signaling a telephone user as to the presence of one of more recorded messages that are stored by a remote telephone voice messaging system for a telephone number associated with a telephone line to which said message announcing device is connected, said message announcing device comprising: detecting means for identifying one or more predetermined signals on said telephone line, at least one of said predetermined telephone line signals generated by said remote telephone voice messaging system and indicating the presence of a recorded message stored by said remote telephone voice messaging system, said detecting means including hook means for indicating an off hook signal for said local telephone, tone means for indicating a message waiting signal from said remote telephone voice messaging system, and ring means for indicating a ring signal for said local telephone; control means operably coupled to said detecting means and to said telephone line for automatically initiating the detection of said predetermined telephone line signals generated by said remote telephone voice messaging system in response to a first preselected time interval after said ring means has indicated a ring signal, and also initiates the detection of said predetermined signal after a second preselected time interval after said first preselected time interval; and notification means operably coupled to said control means for alerting said telephone user as to the presence of said recorded messages that are stored by said remote telephone voice messaging system in response to the identification of said predetermined telephone line signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said control means further includes means for setting a continous monitor mode and automatically initiating the detection of said predetermined signal after a third preselected time interval if said continuous monitor mode is set.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
51 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said control means initiates the detection of said predetermined telephone line signal by determining that there is no off hook signal, generating an off hook signal on said telephone line and monitoring said detecting means to determine the presence of said predetermined telephone line signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3865985A
Cited
US4298774A
Cited
US4280021A
Cited
US4338494A
Cited
US4582957A
Cited
US4533792A
Cited
US4747126A
Cited
US4853952A
Cited
US4969186A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1998-01-23 | 1998-07-25 | 1999-01-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-01-23 | 2002-07-25 | 2003-01-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-01-23 | 2006-07-25 | 2007-01-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |