Abstract: A telephone answering machine with digital storage of announcements and messages and enhanced message playback features. When an incoming call is detected the line is seized and a predetermined outgoing message is placed upon the telephone line. The outgoing message prompts the calling party to provide a telephone number, a priority code, or other information which can be input via a telephone DTMF keypad. The DTMF tones sent by the calling party are decoded and stored in a memory. When recalled by the user, the numbers corresponding to the DTMF tones are presented to the user as spoken words via a voice synthesizer. In addition, the machine is responsive to a set of commands which allows the user to play back the messages in chronological order or by a selected priority code, advance or backup to a particular message, and record a new outgoing message.

Abstract: An improvement to automatic answering and call forwarding features used in telephone communications which allows a user to remotely activate, modify, and deactivate these features. The improvement describes a transformerless means for coupling signals to and from the telephone line without compromising the operation of the telephone line. The apparatus employs a microprocessor controller (11) with memory (12), a tone encoder (15), a toner decoder (14), a voice synthesizer (16), a timer (13), a cassette interface (17), an RS232C interface (20), a switching matrix (21), and a line interface (22). Audio, pulse dial, and tone signals are routed among the components and the telephone line (51) by the switching matrix (21) and line interface (22). The line interface (22) provides a transformerless means for coupling signals to and from the telephone line (51) and also analyzes the status of, and signals present on, the telephone line (51).

Abstract: The invention relates to circuitry for providing and monitoring the status of telephones, especially those used in conjunction with advanced telephone answering machines, such as is also disclosed herein. The voltage on the extension line leading to the telephone set (termination device) is monitored to determine whether the telephone set is on-hook or off-hook. Also, a tone decoder monitors DTMF signals on the extension line. The telephone set, when off-hook, is normally connected to the subscriber line. However, if a predetermined digit is keyed into the telephone set, the telephone set will be disconnected from the subscriber telephone line and connected to a selectively actuable current source. The telephone set, being powered by the current source and being disconnected from the subscriber line, can then be used for the control and monitoring of the telephone answering machine. Also, the current source is protected against the application of the subscriber line voltage.

Abstract: An improvement to automatic answering and call forwarding features used in telephone communications which allows a user to remotely activate, modify, and deactivate these features. The improvement describes a transformerless means for coupling signals to and from the telephone line without compromising the operation of the telephone line. The apparatus employs a microprocessor controller (11) with memory (12), a tone encoder (15), a tone decoder (14), a voice synthesizer (16), a timer (13), a cassette interface (17), an RS232C interface (20), a switching matrix (21), and a line interface (22). Audio, pulse dial, and tone signals are routed among the components and the telephone line (51) by the switching matrix (21) and line interface (22). The line interface (22) provides a transformerless means for coupling signals to and from the telephone line (51) and also analyzes the status of, and signals present on, the telephone line (51).

Abstract: An improvement to automatic answering and call forwarding features used in telephone communications which allows a user to remotely activate, modify, and deactivate these features. The improvement describes a transformerless means for coupling signals to and from the telephone line without compromising the operation of the telephone line. The apparatus employs a microprocessor controller (11) with memory (12), a tone encoder (15), a tone decoder (14), a voice synthesizer (16), a timer (13), a cassette interface (17), an RS232C interface (20), a switching matrix (21), and a line interface (22). Audio, pulse dial, and tone signals are routed among the components and the telephone line (51) by the switching matrix (21) and line interface (22). The line interface (22) provides a transformerless means for coupling signals to and from the telephone line (51) and also analyzes the status of, and signals present on, the telephone line (51).

Abstract: An improved combination of a hardware and digital signal processing filter for detecting pick-up of a telephone call, solely through audio information on the telephone line. The apparatus employs a high gain band pass filter (28) with no automatic gain control, the output of which goes to a window comparator (30). The output from the window comparator (31) goes to a digital high pass filter (32) and from there to an integrator 37 for providing a digital output signal (40) indicative of the presence or absence on the telephone line of a signal exceeding a predetermined magnitude within the filter pass band. The digital signal is then processed by an intelligent digital filter having a set of predetermined threshold values of durations for states of the digital output signal, by which determinations of pick-up are made. The digital filter is adaptive and learns the durations high and low states of the digital output signal as they occur, subsequently checking for deviations from previously learned valid values.

Abstract: An improved combination of a hardware and digital signal processing filter for detecting pick-up of a telephone call, solely through audio information on the telephone line, is disclosed. The apparatus employs a high gain band pass filter (28) with no automatic gain control, the output of which goes to a window comparator (30). The output from the window comparator (31) goes to a digital high pass filter (32) and from there to an integrator 37 for providing a digital output signal (40) indicative of the presence or absence on the telephone line of a signal exceeding a predetermined magnitude within the filter pass band. The digital signal is then processed by an intelligent digital filter having a set of predetermined threshold values of durations for states of the digital output signal, by which determinations of pick-up are made.