US5485506A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method for designating recorded messages
Assignee: Google Technology Holdings LLC
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Filing: 1994-01-05
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Granted: 1996-01-16
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Expires: 2014-01-05
Abstract
Abstract A method for designating messages allows individual messages to be designated as "read" if (i) the message has been played for a predetermined amount of time (150) or (ii) the replay of the message is completed (154). After a playback session, messages designated as "read" can be designated as "old" (102). Because of the queuing capability of the digital answering machine (142), stored messages can be replayed in any order, or a portion of a message can be conveniently replayed to determine whether the message should be replayed in full. As a result, new messages (i.e., messages which have not been designated as "read") can be located anywhere in the sequence of recorded messages. Such a function of the present invention allows a user to preview messages to selectively listen to messages, while maintaining a designation as "new" for any message in the sequence which has not been replayed in full or at least for a predetermined period of time. A user has the option of playing back all messages (92), or only those messages designated as "new" (98).
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas S. Recht
- 👤 James F. Goedken
- 👤 Michael H. Pittelkow
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 10:23
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/72; H04M1/725; H04M1/64; H04M1/65; H04M1/6505; H04M1/651
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for providing a message designation to messages recorded in an answering machine comprising the steps of: assigning a message designation to each recorded message indicating that a message is new; and updating the message designation for selected recorded messages upon replay of the recorded messages, wherein the message designation is updated for recorded messages which have been replayed for a predetermined period of time during a playback session.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for providing a message designation to messages recorded in an answering machine comprising the steps of: assigning a message designation to each recorded message indicating that a message is new; and updating the message designation for selected recorded messages upon replay of the recorded messages, wherein the message designation is updated for recorded messages which have been replayed for a predetermined period of time during a playback session.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method for providing a message designation of claim 1 wherein the step of assigning a message designation comprises sequentially assigning a number to each recorded message respectively.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method for providing a message designation of claim 2 wherein said step of updating the message designation is performed after said playback session for messages which have been replayed for said predetermined period of time.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method for providing a message designation of claim 3 further comprising a step of sequentially assigning a second number for each remaining message respectively having a new message designation.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
51 words
The method for providing a message designation of claim 1 wherein said step of updating the message designation comprises updating recorded messages which have been replayed for a predetermined period of time which is selected from the group consisting of: the duration of the message; and a fixed period of time.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for providing a message designation to a message recorded in an answering machine comprising the steps of: assigning a new message designation to each recorded message; sequentially assigning a first number to each recorded message; updating the message designation for selected recorded messages after a playback session, wherein the message designation is updated for recorded messages which have been replayed for a predetermined amount of time during said playback session; and sequentially assigning a second number for each remaining new message respectively.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
84 words
A method for providing a message designation to a message recorded in an answering machine comprising the steps of: assigning a new message designation to each recorded message; sequentially assigning a first number to each recorded message; updating the message designation for selected recorded messages after a playback session, wherein the message designation is updated for recorded messages which have been replayed for a predetermined amount of time during said playback session; and sequentially assigning a second number for each remaining new message respectively.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method for providing a message designation according to claim 6 wherein said step of updating the message designation is performed manually by a user.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method for providing a message designation according to claim 6 further including a step of manually updating the message designation.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for recording and replaying messages in an answering machine comprising the steps of: (a) recording incoming messages received by the answering machine; (b) initially assigning a message designation to each recorded message indicating that the recorded message is new; (c) replaying selected recorded incoming messages; and (d) updating the message designation for said selected messages which are replayed for a predetermined period of time during a playback session.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
70 words
A method for recording and replaying messages in an answering machine comprising the steps of: (a) recording incoming messages received by the answering machine; (b) initially assigning a message designation to each recorded message indicating that the recorded message is new; (c) replaying selected recorded incoming messages; and (d) updating the message designation for said selected messages which are replayed for a predetermined period of time during a playback session.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for recording and replaying messages of claim 9 wherein said step (a) of recording incoming messages further comprises a step of (a1) of sequentially assigning a first number to each recorded message respectively.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method for recording and replaying messages of claim 10 wherein said step (b) of initially assigning a message designation further comprises a step (b1) of sequentially assigning a second number to each new recorded message respectively.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method for recording and replaying messages according to claim 10 wherein said step (d) of updating the message designation further comprises a step (d1) of updating a second sequential number respectively assigned to each new message.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
The method for recording and replaying messages of claim 9 wherein said step of updating the message designation further comprises a step (c1) of updating recorded messages which have been replayed for a predetermined period of time which is selected from the group consisting of: the duration of the message; and a fixed period of time.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method for recording and replaying messages according to claim 9 wherein said step (c) of replaying selected recorded messages further comprises a step (c2) of replaying a group of recorded messages, said group being defined by said message designation assigned to each recorded message.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method for recording and replaying messages according to claim 9 wherein said step (c) of replaying recorded messages further comprises a step (c3) of replaying individual messages based on an assigned message number selected by the user.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method for recording and replaying messages according to claim 9 wherein said step (c) of replaying recorded messages further comprises a step (c4) of cursoring through recorded messages to reach a predetermined recorded message.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method for recording and replaying messages according to claim 9 wherein said step (d) of updating the message designation is performed by a user.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method for recording and replaying messages according to claim 9 wherein said step (c) of replaying recorded messages further comprises a step (c5) wherein a predetermined message is randomly selected.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method for recording and replaying messages according to claim 18 wherein step (c5) provides immediate access to said predetermined message with a minimum of digits of said message designation required to access said predetermined message.
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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) | 1999-01-15 | 1999-07-17 | 2000-01-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-01-15 | 2003-07-17 | 2004-01-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-01-15 | 2007-07-17 | 2008-01-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |