Abstract: A system and method for recording telephone conversations which have been placed on hold is provided. After a telephone conversation has been placed on hold, assuming that the conversation was being recorded, the call is designated to be in the background. Once a processor senses that a background call exists, a check is performed to determine if there is a downlink connection for this call. If there is, a new communication channel is opened so that the background call can be recorded and then appended to the original recording.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provides systems and methods for pooled IP recording. An exemplary method of the present invention comprises monitoring a user's logon, associating a communication device to the user, assigning an interface to a recorder associated with the communication device, and recording data from the communication device sent over the interface. Another exemplary method of the present invention comprises detecting a recorder failure and dynamically routing an interface associated with the failed recorder to at least one other recorder.

Abstract: A system and method for recording telephone conversations which have been placed on hold is provided. After a telephone conversation has been placed on hold, assuming that the conversation was being recorded, the call is designated to be in the background. Once a processor senses that a background call exists, a check is performed to determine if there is a downlink connection for this call. If there is, a new communication channel is opened so that the background call can be recorded and then appended to the original recording.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for capturing media during a recording session using a separate input device for each of plural audio sources. An exemplary method includes producing audio data with the separate input device, processing the audio data to identify a portion of audio data having a first audio characteristic, and storing an audio record for each identified portion of audio data. Each audio record is associated with temporal data used in determining a sequence of the identified portion of audio data in relation to other identified portions of audio data from other separate input devices, and each audio record is associated with identity data representing identifying characteristics for the identified portion of audio data.

Abstract: A listening conditioning system includes an audio conditioning unit and optionally one or more audio delivery components. A receiver provides at least one receiver channel which receives signals indicative of sound from a source of desired sound, and provides as an output digital sound data for each receiver channel. Digital signal processing circuitry coupled to the at least one receiver channel filters the digital sound data from each receiver channel using a filter profile to obtain filtered digital sound data. A profile upload input is configured to receive a multiple filter profiles, wherein each of the filter profiles corresponds to user preferences or to an audiogram of a user of the listening conditioning system and to a particular sound environment. A profile selection user input can be used to select the filter profile from the multiple filter profiles. A transmitter coupled to the digital signal processing circuitry is configured to transmit filtered sound data from each receiver channel.

Abstract: A recipient-specific voice message playback system detects the presence of a message recipient, identifies the recipient, and plays a message addressed to the recipient. The system includes a recorder. The recorder has multiple channels for recording voice messages. Each channel is assigned to a particular message recipient. A controller couples to the recorder and generates a control signal to regulate message recordation and playback on each channel. A switch also couples to the controller and is associated with each channel. Each switch directs the controller to selectively playback or record a message on each associated channel. The playback system includes a sensor and an alarm. The sensor detects the presence of a recipient and causes the alarm to notify the recipient when a message has been recorded. Actuation of a particular switch identifies a particular recipient and accesses the channel assigned to the particular recipient.

Abstract: A telephone having an answering function includes a receiving section for receiving a voice signal, a command signal, and a receiving signal from a telephone line, and providing the voice signal, the command signal, and the receiving signal as respective outputs; a sending section for sending a response message to the telephone line in response to the receiving signal; a storing section for storing the voice signal provided by the receiving section; a determining section for determining a time period during which the response message is sent to the telephone line; a judging section for judging whether the command signal provided by the receiving section is a predetermined command signal during the time period and generating a judging signal which indicates that the command signal is the predetermined command signal; an output section for converting the voice signal provided by the receiving section into a voice and for outputting the voice; and a prohibiting section for prohibiting the voice signal from being

Abstract: A digital telephone answering device (DTAD) that allows messages to be forwarded to certain internal mailboxes. Random access memory (RAM) is flexibly and dynamically controlled by a microprocessor or controller. Audio signals in the form of voice messages are digitized and stored in the RAM. Messages can be sorted and allocated to specific mailboxes and made retrievable by pressing a button assigned to that mailbox. Messages can also be moved or re-assigned from a common message area to a certain mailbox or mailboxes. Outgoing messages are also stored in RAM and can be of sufficient number to have an outgoing message correspond to each incoming message storage area. The normal message recording and message playback functions of the DTAD may be activated after the call has been answered on the receiving side. Memos can be appended to messages that have been moved or re-assigned from a common message area to a certain mailbox or mailboxes.

Abstract: An automatic call distributor (10) with a switch (12) which interconnects customer telephonic units (14A) of an external telephonic network (14B) with an internal network of agent units (16) having an automated call servicing system including a voice response unit (18) with a plurality of stored scripts for servicing different types of calls from customers automatically in response to call type identification signals, such as Dial Number Identification System (DNIS) numbers, corresponding to the different types of calls associated with the different stored scripts of the voice response unit (18) to automatically service a plurality of different types of calls without customer prompting while also functioning to respond to customer prompting when no DNIS number or other call type identification is provided with the call.

Abstract: A telephone time recording system is provided in which the opening part only of the voice communication that takes place during a telephone conversation is recorded, along with, amongst others, information relating to the total time of the call. The latter information may be generated as a synthesized speech and as such recorded on the same record medium as the opening part of the voice communication. The information recorded in this manner can later be used to identify the parties who participated in the call and the matter in question, and this can then be correlated with the information relating to the total time of the call, for billing purposes.

Abstract: An answering machine has a single tape for recording phone messages wherein messages are recorded on at least two tracks. The answering machine optionally includes a voice synthesis system for generating announcement messages and a microphone for recording announcement messages and monitoring audio events either over a phone line or via a recording. Recordings on each track are executed in the same direction. In one embodiment of the invention, a first track accepts messages received without requiring that a code be transmitted. Messages are recorded on a second track in a mailbox mode of operation only when a predetermined mailbox code is received. A second embodiment includes inputs for two phone lines. The first tape track is dedicated to a first phone while the second track is dedicated to the second phone line. A third embodiment further includes the capability to record on third and fourth tracks which function as mailbox tracks for respective ones of the first and second tracks.

Abstract: In an automatic telephone message management apparatus connectable with two telephone lines, while a message is recorded on an analog recording cassette tape in response to a telephone call received via one of the two telephone lines in the automatic telephone message management operation mode of the apparatus, when another telephone call is made on the other telephone line, the apparatus operates also in the automatic telephone message management operation mode for the other telephone line, and a message received via the other telephone line is temporarily recorded in a digital IC memory. After completion of recording of the messages received via both of the two telephone lines, the message recorded in the digital IC memory is reproduced and subjected to D/A conversion, and then transferred to the analog recording cassette tape to be recorded thereon.

Abstract: In an automatic answering telephone apparatus, a correspondence table between a plurality of record areas of a speech memory and a plurality of identification numbers is provided. When an identification number is received from a calling party, an answer message is output from one record area corresponding to the received identification number of the calling party. Two separate control circuits are used to control the identification and reproduction of a recorded message.

Abstract: A digital telephone answering device (DTAD) that allows messages to be forwarded to certain internal mailboxes. Random access memory (RAM) is flexibly and dynamically controlled by a microprocessor or controller. Audio signals in the form of voice messages are digitized and stored in the RAM. Messages can be sorted and allocated to specific mailboxes and made retrievable by pressing a button assigned to that mailbox. Messages can also be moved or re-assigned from a common message area to a certain mailbox or mailboxes. Outgoing messages are also stored in RAM and can be of sufficient number to have an outgoing message correspond to each incoming message storage area. The normal message recording and message playback functions of the DTAD may be activated after the call has been answered on the receiving side.

Abstract: For a single telephone line having plural telephone answering devices (TADs) connected to it, a system of TADs is disclosed where only one TAD answers the telephone but all other TADs connected to the telephone line are accessible and activated by means of tones transmitted over the telephone line by the caller. The caller is notified by the answering TAD of the available tone codes which are then used to select the desired TAD. When a TAD is selected by means of tones, the first TAD is temporarily disconnected from the telephone line so that message privacy is maintained.

Abstract: A transmission device using a telephone is provided. In a facsimile apparatus incorporating a telephone answering machine, a message or facsimile data is recorded on a magnetic tape, followed by index information concerning the recorded message or facsimile data. The index information includes the number of messages or facsimile data recorded on the magnetic tape and the record position of each data. The index information on magnetic tape is updated every time a new message or facsimile data is recorded on the tape. Even if a magnetic tape having data recorded is unloaded from the device and then loaded again, the facsimile apparatus can be restored to the state just before the magnetic tape was unloaded. Thus, head position detection and reproduction of the magnetic tape can be carried out promptly.

Abstract: A telephone answering machine for receiving and recording calls received over telephone lines includes one of a plurality of interchangeable base units having different functions and features, one of a plurality of interchangeable user-interface units also having different functions and features, and a system for communicating between the units. Each base unit includes a telephone line interface circuit, a player/recorder and a first controller, responsive to commands for operating the base unit devices. Each installed user-interface unit is remote from an associated installed base unit and includes user-operable key means for inputting command signals related to the recording and playing back of messages. It also includes a speaker, a microphone, a display for visually displaying information, and a second controller for controlling operation of the keys, speaker, and display. The communication system uses a standard interface for coupling any base unit to any user-interface unit.

Abstract: A voice message storage device receives, stores and plays back voice messages transmitted on a telephone line. The device includes a first analog recording tape unit associated with a first identification signal and a first password, and a second analog recording tape unit associated with a second identification and a second password. An identification signal detecting unit is provided for detecting dial pulses or DTMF signals, denoting the identification signal and password for accessing the first or second analog recording tape unit.

Abstract: An automatic telephone answering machine which is capable of selecting a new outgoing message or an old outgoing message. If a new OGM is unsatisfactory, the operator may retain an old OGM and discard the new OGM. Both a semiconductor memory and a magnetic tape are utilized in switching the OGM's from one to the other. The OGM stored in the semiconductor memory is automatically checked and read out at least once at an end of storage of the OGM in the semiconductor memory, and thereafter the OGM is automatically read out again and transferred to and recorded in an area of a magnetic tape.

Abstract: The invention discloses a telephone set and a method for its operation for storing a message and a telephone number of each telephone set to which a message is transferred, and reading out the telephone number to perform dialing for the destination telephone set. If a continuous period of silence is sent back from the destination telephone set for a predetermined time interval within a larger predetermined time interval after the connection is established, the telephone set reproduces the recorded message and sends it over the telephone lines to the destination set, otherwise the telephone set disconnects from the telephone line. The operation is automatically repeated for each designated destination telephone set, thereby automatically transferring the same message to a plurality of destination telephone sets.

Abstract: A device according to the invention is compatible with conventional magnetic tape loggers. Such a device is termed a message repeater, and it records and replays audio signals forming messages on a message channel, such as a telephone line or a radio channel. The message repeater includes circuits for converting the audio signals on a particular channel into corresponding digital signals and circuits for storing the digital signals. The message repeater also includes circuits for selectively recalling the signals that were stored and circuits for converting the signals that were recalled into analog audio signals. Messages on the selected message channel may be recorded and later replayed by the message repeater. Preferably, the message repeater includes a display with indications of the relative locations and lengths of the stored messages as well as a cursor or index.

Abstract: A computer system is disclosed which has an automatic answering telephone function. The system comprises a main control unit, a telephone control unit, a voice information storage medium, a program unit for automatic telephone answering and processing, a program unit for performing data processing, and a mode setting circuit for setting the automatic telephone answering and the data processing to be performed. Either of the above program units may be started for operation by the mode setting circuit.

Abstract: The present invention is a magnetic tape-based "voice mail" multi-user message system. The system transmits audio prompts to callers to help guide them through the various procedures. The callers respond with Touch-Tone commands. A novel circuit is provided to detect these tone commands without significant interference from the audio prompt signals. This circuit is highly insensitive to deviations in the impedance of the incoming telephone line from its expected value. A circuit is also provided to prevent Touch-Tone commands which are recorded on tape from being re-executed when they are played back from the tape. A single L.E.D. indicator on each recipient's telephone set indicates the status of the system: idle with new message waiting; idle without new message waiting; busy with new message waiting; or busy without new message waiting.

Abstract: A recording system is provided in which digital time code information is recorded interspersed on the same data track as analog audio message signals. The time codes have a unique format which enables their bit rate to be extracted while reading the code, thus enabling use of the system with tape transports having unregulated fast wind speeds. The system is placed in a fast wind mode of operation and time codes are read and compared to a preselected time code in order to locate a desired audio message for playback. The configuration of the system ensures that the playback of each message will commence only at the beginning of a message. In addition, the invention eliminates the need for a separate data track for time codes, thus increasing the signal to noise ratio of the system.

Abstract: This invention relates to an automatic telephone answering apparatus which has a record/play head, a play means, a record means, a fast forward means, a rewind means, a detecting means for detecting a remote control signal supplied through telephone lines, and a tape position detecting means. When the remote control signal is detected during playback of an outgoing message prerecorded on the tape, the tape is fast forwarded to a predetermined position, and the apparatus is set in the play mode. During playback, when the remote control signal is detected, the tape is rewound to the beginning of the outgoing message, and the apparatus is set in the record mode to record a new outgoing message. After the new outgoing message is recorded to the predetermined position, the tape is rewound to the beginning of the outgoing message, and the apparatus is set in the play mode.