US5541981A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automated announcement system
Assignee: Microlog Corp
•
Filing: 1993-12-21
•
Granted: 1996-07-30
•
Expires: 2013-12-21
Abstract
Abstract An automated announcement system allows messages to be played on a public address system and/or displayed on a display device in accordance with a predetermined schedule, which can be modified automatically to maintain a predetermined minimum interval between messages. Conflicts between messages to be played at the same time are detected and resolved by assigning priorities to messages based on deficits in the number of times each message has been played. Additional features of the automated announcement system include programmable control over announcement volume levels, the ability to input scheduling parameters which apply to specific announcements or to all announcements, the use of multi-level password protection to restrict specific system functions to authorized users, and an interface which allows live announcements to be made without interference from stored or recorded announcements.
Inventors
- 👤 Joe J. Lynn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 04:30
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M3/00; H04M3/42; H04M3/487; G; G04; G04G; G04G11/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 69
Claim 1
Independent Claim
137 words
An automated announcement system for playing messages, comprising: storage means for storing a plurality of messages and at least one schedule for playing said messages; input means for inputting said messages and said schedule to said storage means; an output device for playing selected ones of said messages; and programmable control means coupled to said storage means, said input means and said output device for receiving said messages and said schedule from said input means, for storing said messages and said schedule in said storage means, and for selecting individual ones of said messages for playing by said output device in accordance with said schedule, said programmable control device being operable to play said messages other than in accordance with said schedule in order to maintain a predetermined minimum interval between messages played by said output device.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
137 words
An automated announcement system for playing messages, comprising: storage means for storing a plurality of messages and at least one schedule for playing said messages; input means for inputting said messages and said schedule to said storage means; an output device for playing selected ones of said messages; and programmable control means coupled to said storage means, said input means and said output device for receiving said messages and said schedule from said input means, for storing said messages and said schedule in said storage means, and for selecting individual ones of said messages for playing by said output device in accordance with said schedule, said programmable control device being operable to play said messages other than in accordance with said schedule in order to maintain a predetermined minimum interval between messages played by said output device.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
An automated announcement system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said schedule comprises a desired play frequency for each of said messages beginning at a desired start time, said play frequency and start time being independently selectable for each of said messages.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
An automated announcement system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said programmable control means is operable to temporarily inhibit the playing of messages by said output device in order to maintain said predetermined minimum interval.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
An automated announcement system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the length of said predetermined minimum interval is selectively variable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
An announcement system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said output device is an audio device.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
An announcement system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said output device is a display device.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for playing messages, comprising the steps of: inputting and storing first and second messages; inputting and storing a schedule for playing said first and second messages; playing said first message in accordance with said schedule; in the event that said schedule requires said second message to be played within a predetermined minimum interval following the playing of said first message, inhibiting the playing of said second message; and in the event that said schedule does not require said second message to be played until said predetermined minimum interval has expired, playing said second message.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
96 words
A method for playing messages, comprising the steps of: inputting and storing first and second messages; inputting and storing a schedule for playing said first and second messages; playing said first message in accordance with said schedule; in the event that said schedule requires said second message to be played within a predetermined minimum interval following the playing of said first message, inhibiting the playing of said second message; and in the event that said schedule does not require said second message to be played until said predetermined minimum interval has expired, playing said second message.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method for playing messages as claimed in claim 7, wherein at least one of said playing steps comprises the step of playing said message on an audio output device.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method for playing messages as claimed in claim 7, where said one of said playing steps comprises the step of displaying said message on a display device.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method for playing messages as claimed in claim 7, where said inhibiting of the playing of said second message is effective only for the duration of said predetermined minimum interval, said second message being made available for playing following the expiration of said interval.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method for playing messages as claimed in claim 7, wherein said schedule comprises a desired play frequency for each of said first and second messages beginning at a desired start time, said play frequency and start time being independently selected for each of said first and second messages.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method for playing messages as claimed in claim 7, further comprising the step of varying the length of said predetermined minimum interval.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
120 words
An automated announcement system for playing messages, comprising: storage means for storing a plurality of messages and at least one schedule for playing said messages; input means for inputting said messages and said schedule to said storage means; an output device for playing selected ones of said messages; and programmable control means coupled to said storage means, said input means and said output device for selecting individual ones of said messages for playing by said output device in accordance with said schedule, said programmable control means being operable to establish a priority between conflicting messages scheduled to be played at the same time and to selectively play or inhibit the playing of said conflicting messages in accordance with said priority.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
120 words
An automated announcement system for playing messages, comprising: storage means for storing a plurality of messages and at least one schedule for playing said messages; input means for inputting said messages and said schedule to said storage means; an output device for playing selected ones of said messages; and programmable control means coupled to said storage means, said input means and said output device for selecting individual ones of said messages for playing by said output device in accordance with said schedule, said programmable control means being operable to establish a priority between conflicting messages scheduled to be played at the same time and to selectively play or inhibit the playing of said conflicting messages in accordance with said priority.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
32 words
An automated announcement system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said programmable control means establishes said priority based on the number of times each of said conflicting messages has already been played.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
38 words
An automated announcement system as claimed in claim 13, wherein at least one of said messages is designated a priority message and is played before another one of said messages when scheduled play times for said messages conflict.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
58 words
An automated announcement system as claimed in claim 13, wherein said programmable control means establishes said priority based on relative deficits in the number of times each of said conflicting messages has already been played as compared with the number of times each of said conflicting messages would have been played in the absence of other conflicting messages.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
34 words
An automated announcement system as claimed in claim 16, wherein said schedule includes a desired play frequency for each of said messages and a desired minimum interval between messages played by said output device.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for playing messages, comprising the steps of: inputting and storing a plurality of messages; inputting and storing a schedule for playing said messages; periodically reviewing said schedule to determine whether one or more messages are to be played; in the event that said schedule requires only one message to be played, playing said message; and in the event that said schedule requires more than one message to be played, establishing a priority between or among conflicting messages and selectively playing or inhibiting the playing of said conflicting messages in accordance with said priority.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
95 words
A method for playing messages, comprising the steps of: inputting and storing a plurality of messages; inputting and storing a schedule for playing said messages; periodically reviewing said schedule to determine whether one or more messages are to be played; in the event that said schedule requires only one message to be played, playing said message; and in the event that said schedule requires more than one message to be played, establishing a priority between or among conflicting messages and selectively playing or inhibiting the playing of said conflicting messages in accordance with said priority.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method for playing messages as claimed in claim 18, wherein the step of establishing a priority between or among conflicting messages includes the steps of: determining the number of times each of said conflicting messages has already been played; and establishing said priority based on said determination.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
105 words
A method for playing messages as claimed in claim 18, wherein the step of establishing a priority between or among conflicting messages includes the steps of: determining the number of times each of said conflicting messages has already been played; determining the number of times each of said conflicting messages would have been played in the absence of other conflicting messages; and establishing said priority based on relative deficits in the number of times each of said conflicting has already been played as compared with the number of times each of said conflicting messages would have been played in the absence of other conflicting messages.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
87 words
A method for playing messages as claimed in claim 20, wherein said relative deficits are computed as ratios between the number of times each of said conflicting messages has already been played and the number of times each of said conflicting messages would have been played in the absence of other conflicting messages, and wherein the step of establishing said priority based on said relative deficits comprises the steps of comparing said ratios and selecting for playing the one of said conflicting messages having the lowest ratio.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
87 words
An automated announcement system for playing messages, comprising: storage means for storing a plurality of messages and volume level data relating to said messages; input means for inputting said messages and said volume level data to said storage means; an output device for playing said messages at a controllable volume level; and programmable control means coupled to said storage means and said output device for selecting said messages for playing by said output device and for controlling said volume level in accordance with said volume level data.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
87 words
An automated announcement system for playing messages, comprising: storage means for storing a plurality of messages and volume level data relating to said messages; input means for inputting said messages and said volume level data to said storage means; an output device for playing said messages at a controllable volume level; and programmable control means coupled to said storage means and said output device for selecting said messages for playing by said output device and for controlling said volume level in accordance with said volume level data.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
An automated announcement system as claimed in claim 22, wherein at least a portion of said storage means comprises a magnetic storage device for storing said messages in digital form.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
25 words
An automated announcement system as claimed in claim 22, wherein said volume level data is the same for all messages stored in said storage means.
Claim 30
Independent Claim
50 words
A method for playing a message, comprising the steps of: inputting and storing a message; inputting and storing volume level data relating to said message; retrieving said stored message; retrieving said stored volume level data; and playing said message at a volume level determined by said retrieved volume level data.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
50 words
A method for playing a message, comprising the steps of: inputting and storing a message; inputting and storing volume level data relating to said message; retrieving said stored message; retrieving said stored volume level data; and playing said message at a volume level determined by said retrieved volume level data.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for playing a message, comprising the steps of: storing a message; storing volume level data relating to said message; retrieving said stored message; retrieving said stored volume level data; playing said message at a volume level determined by said retrieved volume level data; and modifying said stored volume level data.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
52 words
A method for playing a message, comprising the steps of: storing a message; storing volume level data relating to said message; retrieving said stored message; retrieving said stored volume level data; playing said message at a volume level determined by said retrieved volume level data; and modifying said stored volume level data.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
53 words
A method for playing a message as claimed in claim 26, wherein said modifying step comprises the steps of modifying said stored volume level data in accordance with a group of parameters comprising the day and the time of day, and changing said volume level in accordance with said modified volume level data.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
58 words
A method for playing a message as claimed in claim 26, wherein said modifying step comprises the steps of determining the approximate number of people for whom said message is being played, modifying said stored volume level data in accordance with said number of people, and changing said volume level in accordance with said modified volume level data.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
60 words
A method for playing a message as claimed in claim 26, wherein said modifying step comprises the steps of determining an approximate ambient noise level in the area within which said message is played, modifying said stored volume level data in accordance with said ambient noise level, and changing said volume level in accordance with said modified volume level data.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
38 words
A method for playing as claimed in claim 25, further comprising the steps of inputting, storing and retrieving an additional message and playing said additional message at the same volume level determined by said stored volume level data.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
103 words
An automated announcement system for playing messages, comprising: storage means for storing a plurality of messages and desired scheduling parameters for playing said messages, said scheduling parameters including a plurality of first scheduling parameters which are respectively applicable to individual ones of said messages and a second scheduling parameter which is applicable to all of said messages; an output device for playing selected ones of said messages; and programmable control means coupled to said storage means and to said output device for selecting individual ones of said messages for playing by said output device in accordance with said first and second scheduling parameters.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
103 words
An automated announcement system for playing messages, comprising: storage means for storing a plurality of messages and desired scheduling parameters for playing said messages, said scheduling parameters including a plurality of first scheduling parameters which are respectively applicable to individual ones of said messages and a second scheduling parameter which is applicable to all of said messages; an output device for playing selected ones of said messages; and programmable control means coupled to said storage means and to said output device for selecting individual ones of said messages for playing by said output device in accordance with said first and second scheduling parameters.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
41 words
An automated announcement system as claimed in claim 31, wherein at least one of said first scheduling parameters is selected from the group consisting of a daily start time, a daily stop time, an announcement repeat interval, and a weekly schedule.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
56 words
An automated announcement system as claimed in claim 31, wherein said second scheduling parameter is selected from the group consisting of a required minimum interval between messages played, a maximum daily number of messages played, a day of the week for deleting messages played on a weekly schedule, and a maximum allowable duration for each message.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
36 words
An automated announcement system as claimed in claim 31, further comprising an input device coupled to said programmable control means for inputting said first and second groups of scheduling parameters for storage in said storage means.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
35 words
An automated announcement system as claimed in claim 34, wherein said input device comprises a telephone set, said telephone set also being operable to allow messages to be input for storage in said storage means.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for playing messages, comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of messages; storing a plurality of first scheduling parameters which are respectively applicable to individual ones of said messages; storing a second scheduling parameter which is applicable to all of said messages; and playing said messages in accordance with said first and second scheduling parameters.
Claim 45
Independent Claim
57 words
A method for playing messages, comprising the steps of: storing a plurality of messages; storing a plurality of first scheduling parameters which are respectively applicable to individual ones of said messages; storing a second scheduling parameter which is applicable to all of said messages; and playing said messages in accordance with said first and second scheduling parameters.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
42 words
A method for playing messages as claimed in claim 36, wherein at least one of said first scheduling parameters is selected from the group consisting of a daily start time, a daily stop time, an announcement repeat interval, and a weekly schedule.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method for playing messages as claimed in claim 36, wherein said second scheduling parameter is selected from the group consisting of a required minimum interval between messages played, a maximum daily number of messages played, a day of the week for deleting messages played on a weekly schedule, and a maximum allowable duration for each message.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
27 words
A method for playing messages as claimed in claim 36, further comprising the step of modifying at least one of said first and said second scheduling parameters.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method for playing messages as claimed in claim 36, further comprising the step of recording a message for storage using a telephone set.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
144 words
An automated announcement system for playing messages, comprising: a storage device for storing a plurality of messages; an output device for playing selected ones of said messages; a programmable control device coupled to said storage device and to said output device for selecting individual ones of said messages for playing by said output device; and an input device coupled to said programmable control device for programming said control device using control commands and passwords; wherein said programmable control device is responsive to at least first and second different control commands and to at least first and second different passwords, said first control command being recognized by said control device only after said first password has been entered using said input device and said second control command being recognized by said control device only after said second password has been entered using said input device.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
144 words
An automated announcement system for playing messages, comprising: a storage device for storing a plurality of messages; an output device for playing selected ones of said messages; a programmable control device coupled to said storage device and to said output device for selecting individual ones of said messages for playing by said output device; and an input device coupled to said programmable control device for programming said control device using control commands and passwords; wherein said programmable control device is responsive to at least first and second different control commands and to at least first and second different passwords, said first control command being recognized by said control device only after said first password has been entered using said input device and said second control command being recognized by said control device only after said second password has been entered using said input device.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
43 words
An automated announcement system as claimed in claim 41, wherein said first control command is selected from the group consisting of recording a message, reviewing an existing message, deleting an existing message, changing a message play schedule, and changing a message play frequency.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
44 words
An automated announcement system as claimed in claim 42, wherein said second control command is selected from the group consisting of recording a perpetual or priority message, reviewing a perpetual or priority message, deleting a perpetual or priority message, and supplying system initialization data.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
36 words
An automated announcement system as claimed in claim 41, wherein said second control command in recognized by said control device only after both of said first and second passwords have been entered using said input device.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
29 words
An automated announcement system as claimed in claim 44, wherein said first control command is a general system function and said second control command is a reserved management function.
Claim 56
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for playing messages, comprising the steps of: recording and storing a plurality of messages; inputting a first password and a first control command enabled by said first password; inputting a second password and a second control command enabled by said second password but not by said first password, said second password being different from said first password and said second control command being different from said first control command; and playing selected ones of said messages in accordance with said first and second control commands.
Claim 57
Independent Claim
87 words
A method for playing messages, comprising the steps of: recording and storing a plurality of messages; inputting a first password and a first control command enabled by said first password; inputting a second password and a second control command enabled by said second password but not by said first password, said second password being different from said first password and said second control command being different from said first control command; and playing selected ones of said messages in accordance with said first and second control commands.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method for playing messages as claimed in claim 46, wherein said first control command is selected from the group consisting of recording a message, reviewing an existing message, deleting an existing message, changing a message play schedule, and changing a message play frequency.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
45 words
A method for playing messages as claimed in claim 47, wherein said second control command is selected from the group consisting of recording a perpetual or priority message, reviewing a perpetual or priority message, deleting a perpetual or priority message, and supplying system initialization data.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method for playing messages as claimed in claim 46, wherein said second control command is recognized only after both of said first and second passwords have been input.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
30 words
A method for playing messages as claimed in claim 49, wherein said first control command is a general system function and said second control command is a reserved management function.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
96 words
An announcement system for playing messages, comprising: a storage device for storing a plurality of messages; an output device for playing selected ones of said messages; a control device coupled to said storage device and to said output device for selecting individual ones of said messages for playing by said output device; a microphone coupled to said output device for allowing a live announcement to be made using said output device; and an interface circuit connected between said microphone and said control device for inhibiting the playing of a message when said microphone is in use.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
96 words
An announcement system for playing messages, comprising: a storage device for storing a plurality of messages; an output device for playing selected ones of said messages; a control device coupled to said storage device and to said output device for selecting individual ones of said messages for playing by said output device; a microphone coupled to said output device for allowing a live announcement to be made using said output device; and an interface circuit connected between said microphone and said control device for inhibiting the playing of a message when said microphone is in use.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
29 words
An announcement system as claimed in claim 51, wherein said interface circuit comprises a current sensing circuit for sensing the current flowing between said microphone and said output device.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
16 words
An announcement system as claimed in claim 52, wherein said current sensing circuit comprises an opto-isolator.
Claim 66
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for playing a message through an output device having a microphone for making live announcements, comprising the steps of: storing a message; playing said message in accordance with a predetermined schedule; detecting when said microphone is in use; and inhibiting the playing of said message when said microphone is in use.
Claim 67
Independent Claim
53 words
A method for playing a message through an output device having a microphone for making live announcements, comprising the steps of: storing a message; playing said message in accordance with a predetermined schedule; detecting when said microphone is in use; and inhibiting the playing of said message when said microphone is in use.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
37 words
A method for playing a message as claimed in claim 54, wherein the step of detecting when said microphone is in use is carried out by detecting the current flowing between the microphone and the output device.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
26 words
A method for playing a recorded audio message as claimed in claim 54, further comprising the step of resetting said schedule for said inhibited audio message.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3889291A
Cited
US4072986A
Cited
US4070697A
Cited
US4276572A
Cited
US4101742A
Cited
JPS5414106A
Cited
US4307859A
Cited
JPS54141106A
Cited
US4228470A
Cited
US4389546A
Cited
US4625081A
Cited
US4783800A
Cited
US4955047A
Cited
US4623761A
Cited
US4636880A
Cited
JPS6126336A
Cited
US4817086A
Cited
US4734930A
Cited
US4741020A
Cited
US5172111A
Cited
US4922526A
Cited
US4961215A
Cited
US5367560A
Cited
US5056086A
Cited
US5093854A
Cited
US5125023A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-07-30 | 2000-01-29 | 2000-07-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-07-30 | 2004-01-29 | 2004-07-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-07-30 | 2008-01-29 | 2008-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |