Patents by Inventor Howard E. Carter

Howard E. Carter has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 5982858
    Abstract: The present invention describes as automatic voice messaging system for use in a telephone network having a calling station connectible to a first switch and a called station connectible to a second switch, with the first and second switches connected by a digital serial link. The voice messaging system preferably comprises an interface, a detection circuit, a speech circuit and a control circuit. The interface monitors signals on the digital serial link. The detection circuitry is connected to the interface for detecting busy or ring/no answer conditions at the called station upon call initiation to the called station from the calling station, and for detecting receipts of a predetermined code from the calling station indicating that the caller desires to leave a message from the called station. The speech circuit is also connected to the interface for issuing a predetermined prompt to a user of the calling station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1999
    Assignee: MessagePhone, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard E. Carter, Byron C. Pierce, Joel A. Pugh
  • Patent number: 5694456
    Abstract: The present invention describes an automatic voice messaging system for use in a telephone network having a calling station connectible to a first switch and a called station connectible to a second switch, with the first and second switches connected by a digital serial link. The voice messaging system preferably comprises an interface, a detection circuit, a speech circuit and a control circuit. The interface monitors signals on the digital serial link. The detection circuitry is connected to the interface for detecting busy or ring/no answer conditions at the called station upon call initiation to the called station from the calling station, and for detecting receipt of a predetermined code from the calling station indicating that the caller desires to leave a message for the called station. The speech circuit is also connected to the interface for issuing a predetermined prompt to a user of the calling station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 1996
    Date of Patent: December 2, 1997
    Assignee: MessagerPartners
    Inventors: Howard E. Carter, Joel A. Pugh, Byron C. Pierce
  • Patent number: 5646980
    Abstract: The present invention describes an automatic voice messaging system for use in a telephone network having a calling station connectible to a first switch and a called station connectible to a second switch, with the first and second switches connected by a digital serial link. The voice messaging system preferably comprises an interface, a detection circuit, a speech circuit and a control circuit. The interface monitors signals on the digital serial link. The detection circuitry is connected to the interface for detecting busy or ring/no answer conditions at the called station upon call initiation to the called station from the calling station, and for detecting receipt of a predetermined code from the calling station indicating that the caller desires to leave a message for the called station. The speech circuit is also connected to the interface for issuing a predetermined prompt to a user of the calling station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 8, 1997
    Assignee: MessagerPartners
    Inventors: Howard E. Carter, Byron C. Pierce, Joel A. Pugh
  • Patent number: 5381465
    Abstract: The present invention describes an automatic voice messaging system for use in a telephone network having a calling station connectible to a first switch and a called station connectible to a second switch, with the first and second switches connected by a digital serial link. The voice messaging system preferably comprises an interface, a detection circuit, a speech circuit and a control circuit. The interface monitors signals on the digital serial link. The detection circuitry is connected to the interface for detecting busy or ring/no answer conditions at the called station upon call initiation to the called station from the calling station, and for detecting receipt of a predetermined code from the calling station indicating that the caller desires to leave a message for the called station. The speech circuit is also connected to the interface for issuing a predetermined prompt to a user of the calling station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1995
    Assignee: Messager Partners
    Inventors: Howard E. Carter, Byron C. Pierce, Joel A. Pugh
  • Patent number: 5036533
    Abstract: The present invention describes an automatic voice messaging system for use in a telephone network having a calling station connectible to a first switch and a called station connectible to a second switch, with the first and second switches connected by a digital serial link. The voice messaging system preferably comprises an interface, a detection circuit, a speech circuit and a control circuit. The interface monitors signals on the digital serial link. The detection circuitry is connected to the interface for detecting busy or ring/no answer conditions at the called station upon call initiation to the called station from the calling station, and for detecting receipt of a predetermined code from the calling station indicating that the caller desires to leave a message for the called station. The speech circuit is also connected to the interface for issuing a predetermined prompt to a user of the calling station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: Messager Partners
    Inventors: Howard E. Carter, Joel A. Pugh, Byron C. Pierce
  • Patent number: 4901341
    Abstract: A line interface unit for caller-controlled receipt and delivery of voice and/or data meassages over a telephone system having a voice/data message facility, the message facility connectible to at least one calling station and a called station and normally having access prevention circuitry for preventing storage and forwarding of voice/data messages unless predetermined access codes are received and verified by the circuitry. In the preferred embodiment, the unit comprises a switch connected to a central office and having first and second positions and wherein signals are connected directly between the calling station and the central office when the switch is in the first position. The interface unit also includes circuitry for signaling the message facility and circuitry for monitoring call progress upon call initiation to the called station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 1989
    Date of Patent: February 13, 1990
    Assignee: Messager Partners
    Inventors: Howard E. Carter, Joel A. Pugh, Byron C. Pierce
  • Patent number: 4825460
    Abstract: A line interface unit for controlling receipt and delivery of voice messages over a telephone system having a voice message facility connectable to at least one calling station and a called station via a central office. The interface unit comprises a first switch connected to the calling station in the tip and ring lines and a second switch connected to the central office in the tip and ring lines, the switches having first and second positions and wherein said signals on the tip and ring lines are connected directly between the calling station and the central office when each of the switches is in the first position. In operation, a control circuit of the line interface unit responds to detection of a busy/no answer condition at the called station for switching the first switch from its first to second position to connect a speech circuit to the calling station for issuing a prompt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 25, 1989
    Assignee: MessagePhone, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard E. Carter, Joel A. Pugh, Byron C. Pierce