Abstract: A telephone control unit 12 allows the calling party to optionally select either a standard telephone call or a voice-mail transmission. If a voice-mail message is selected, the system allows the user to dictate the message which is then analog-to-digital converted and stored in memory. Once the user selects the receiving party's telephone number, the system dials the number and sends a header signal to the receiving unit indicating that a voice-mail transmission is desired. If the receiving unit detects the voice-mail header, it sends an acknowledgment signal, whereby the transmitting unit digitally compresses the stored voice-mail message and transmits the compressed message through the telephone network to the receiving site. The receiving site then flashes an indicator to the user that voice-mail is waiting. Upon a user replaying a voice-mail signal, the receiving site decompresses and digital to analog converts the signal for reproduction by the user.

Abstract: A component measuring machine includes a base on which a carriage is mounted for movement along an x-axis. A compound slide structure is mounted on the carriage for moving a cradle along y- and z-axes. A support on the carriage and the cradle supports an arm so that it is angularly movable about a point relative to the carriage. Thickness measurements can be made by means of a caliper structure mounted on the end of the arm, which can be turned about its own longitudinal axis for varying the orientation of the caliper structure. The precise positions of the contact tips of the caliper structure are determined by accurately monitoring displacements of the carriage and the compound slide structure, and turning of the arm on its axis.