Abstract: The present invention comprises a telephone system and method that identify and announce the caller and/or the callee of an incoming telephone call. After receiving a telephone call from a caller, the telephone system answers the incoming telephone call. The identity of the caller is then determined. The telephone system prompts the caller to say his/her name. The name is recorded and repeatedly played back through a built-in speaker announcing the name of the caller to the users of the telephone. The telephone system may also ask the caller to say the name of the callee. In that case, the name of the callee is also recorded and repeatedly played back. The name of the caller and the name of the callee are both announced to the users of the telephone.

Abstract: In recent years, the telecommunications industry has witnessed the proliferation of a variety of digital vocoders in order to meet bandwidth demands of different wireline and wireless communication systems. The rapid growth in the diversity of networks and the number of users of such networks is increasing the number of instances where two vocoders are placed in tandem to serve a single connection. Such arrangements of low bit-rate codecs can degrade the quality of the transmitted speech. To overcome this problem in the specific situation involving store-and-forward systems (e.g. voicemail), the invention provides a novel method and apparatus including a plurality of different vocoders that can be selectively invoked to process the voice signal so as to reduce signal degradation. Also, the apparatus has the capability to bypass the vocoder bank when exchanging data with a remote signal processor capable of accepting data frames in compressed format.

Abstract: In a mobile communication apparatus having a codec which codes first voice data into second voice data and decodes the second voice data into the first voice data, a memory in which the second voice data should be recorded and a silent data generating unit which generates silent data, the second voice data is successively recorded in the memory. While the second data is being recorded, the silent data is recorded in the memory as a substitute for the second voice data which is in a first state. The first state is a state in which the second voice data may be noise data.

Abstract: The invention is a telephone answering device that permits the number of rings before the call is answered, and the speaker volume, to be programmed to vary depending on the time of day and day of the week, or to be set at desired levels for specific lengths of time. The device contains a timer 19 and a microcomputer 10, said microcomputer 10 having a programmable ring register 23 and a programmable speaker register 24. A program ring button 25, a program speaker button 26, a time ring button 27, a time speaker button 28, a plus button 29, and a minus button 30 located on a control module 14 enable the user to access programmable ring register 23 and programmable speaker register 24, to set the number of rings before answering and the speaker volume. Incoming telephone calls are handled by a ring detector circuit 13 and microcomputer 10. When the number of cumulative ring signals matches the appropriate programmed setting, the incoming call is sent to an answering apparatus 18.

Abstract: A voice messaging system and method includes a voice recorder/playback device to store a plurality of voice messages associated with a respective plurality of incoming calls. A receiver receives call related information associated with each of the respective plurality of incoming calls. A controller is provided to organize the plurality of voice messages for playback by the voice recorder/playback device based on pre-stored groupings of expected call related information irrespective of an order in which voice messages are stored. In one aspect the pre-stored groupings relate to various priority levels for playback sequencing. In another aspect the pre-stored groupings relate to a specific voice mailbox or bin to receive the voice message. In yet another aspect, voice recognition techniques may be utilized to query the voice messaging system, either locally or remotely, for voice messages grouped in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Abstract: In a communication system, a file communication apparatus includes an address management portion for storing information about a corresponding relationship between a telephone number of a telephone set and a network address of a computer, a file receiving portion for receiving the network address and the voice file which are transmitted from the computer, a file storing portion for storing the received voice file, a DA conversion portion for converting the stored voice file into a voice signal, and a telephone control portion for transmitting the voice signal. The file communication apparatus further includes a main control portion which obtains the telephone number corresponding to the received network address based on the relationship in the address management portion, and controls the telephone control portion to transmit the voice signal to the telephone set corresponding to the obtained telephone number.

Abstract: In a communication apparatus capable of selectively preventing the production of a caller's voice only during the recording of a message without requiring a user to change the message volume setting, a setting unit is provided for allowing setting to be made regarding whether or not the voice signal is to be produced as a voice to be monitored from a speaker simultaneously with the recording of the voice signal. A silencing control unit, including a CPU, performs control such that, if a setting has been made by the setting unit such that the caller's voice is not to be produced, output of the voice by the speaker is prevented or reduced to a substantially inaudible volume during the recording of the caller's voice signal.

Abstract: A door answering machine records a short verbal message of a visitor at a door of a building. The door answering machine includes a voice message recorder for recording verbal messages, a power source for the voice message recorder for recording verbal messages; as well as a lockable holder for the voice message recorder. The voice message recorder has a manually operable record function button which operates the recorder. A message retrieval and playback feature retrieves and plays back the visitor's recorded verbal messages. Optionally, the door answering machine can be alternately used as either a voice message recorder or as a sound annunciator, such as a door chime or door bell. An optional sliding switch actuator urges the record button and then releases the record button upon a reverse sliding excursion of the sliding switch actuator.

Abstract: Voice data requires large storage resources even when compressed and takes a long time to retrieve. Further the required information cannot normally be directly located and it is difficult to analyze the voice data for statistical information. There is described a method for performing a voice recognition function on a voice telephone conversation to convert the conversation into text data using a voice processing system. The method comprises receiving voice data representing the telephone conversation comprising a first series of speech data from an agent interspersed with a second series of speech data from a client and storing the first and second series of speech data as a single body of voice data for later retrieval. Then a voice recognition function is performed on the voice data to convert it into text data representing the telephone conversation and the text data is stored for later retrieval. Such a solution allows entire days/weeks or even months of conversation to be stored and accessed.

Abstract: A method of providing delayed communications within a communication system begins with the steps of detecting (201) selection of simultaneous transmission of a message on at least one communication resource and recording (203) at least a part of the message, yielding a recorded message. When at least one of the at least one communication resource has a busied status, resulting (205) in at least one busied resource, and subsequently when at least one of the at least one busied resource becomes free, transmitting (2075) at least a part of the recorded message on the at least one of the at least one busied resource that became free. In addition, the method may further include the step of monitoring (2071) the at least one busied resource for a free status. The transmitting (2075) step may begin before the completion of the transmission on the first busied resource.

Abstract: A telephone answering apparatus for determining the time of message reception includes a host computer having a host clock operatively connected to an application running on the host computer. A telephone answering device includes a controller operatively connected to a device clock, and a memory device operatively connected to the controller to store a message. The application is operatively connected to the controller wherein the application resets the device clock and stores a host clock value on the host computer and adds an incremented device clock value assigned to the stored message to the host clock value to determine the actual time of message reception.

Abstract: A call answering system or device for a telephone network provides a mechanism for an outbound message (typically a greeting in a call answering scenario) to be identified as semi-interruptible. An attempt to skip over a semi-interruptible message activates a warning message to alert the caller of the special status of the message. The caller may then choose to resume listening to the original message, or confirm their decision to skip it.

Abstract: A telephone on-hold system (10) allows a calling party such as a consumer (20) to place the telephone call on-hold from the consumer's handset (18C) in response to dialing a number where the receiving end (R) put the call on-hold pending availability of an agent (22). While the call is on-hold from the consumer's end, a counter-message is played to alert the agent (22) to notify the consumer's handset (18C) that the agent (22) is available, such as by depressing touch-tone keys at the agent's end (18R). The system (10) recognizes the tones and provides an alert (40) to the consumer (20) so as to allow the consumer (20) to end the on-hold status of the call from the consumer's end and undertake normal conversation with the agent (22).

Abstract: For a service with no interruption even upon occurrence of a fault in a message processor, such message processors and message storages are separately included in a message processing and reproducing system and are connected through a control device which makes an exchange network use another message processor upon occurrence of the fault.

Abstract: A voice recording/reproducing apparatus including a first recording device for recording voice data converted into a digital signal in a solid-state memory. A data read device reads out the voice data which is written in the solid-state memory by the first recording device. A D/A conversion device converts the voice data which is read out from the solid-state memory by the data read device into an analog voice signal. A second recording device records the analog voice signal output from the D/A conversion device on a tape-like recording medium. A reproduction device reproduces the analog voice signal which is recorded on the tape-like recording medium by the second recording device. An output switching device switches between the analog voice signal output by the D/A conversion device and the analog voice signal reproduced by the reproduction device, and outputs a selected one of the analog voice signals.

Abstract: Telephone exchange with associated voice mail device is connected to a calling subscriber after a predetermined time if the called subscriber does not answer the call, as well as method to store such voice messages in such a device, whereby the voice mail device is able to store voice messages arriving from the calling subscriber and intended for the called subscriber and to send them to the called subscriber on his request. The telephone exchange comprises means which will also connect all further calls for the called subscriber to the voice mail device as soon as one switch-over after timeout of the called subscriber to the voice mail device has been executed. Hence, the exchange recognizes that the called subscriber is not ready to speak and switches all further arriving calls to the voice mail device.

Abstract: An adaptive volume controlled radiotelephone system includes a microphone, a loudspeaker, a transceiver, and an adaptive volume control. The microphone generates an output electrical audio signal in response to sound, and the loudspeaker produces sound in response to an input electrical audio signal. The transceiver is responsive to the microphone and transmits radiotelephone communications to a remote party and receives radiotelephone communications from the remote party to generate the input electrical audio signal. The adaptive volume control is responsive to the output electrical audio signal and selects an amplitude of the sound produced by the loudspeaker so that the amplitude of the sound produced by the loudspeaker increases as the amplitude of the sound received at the microphone increases and decreases as the amplitude of the sound received at the microphone decreases.

Abstract: There is provided a portable packet switched wireless voice messaging device capable of transmitting and receiving a digital voice signal. The device includes a microphone for inputting a voice message, an encoder for encoding the voice message, a memory for storing the encoded message, a data compressor with variable compression ratio for compressing the encoded message in accordance with a data compression mode selected by the user and a transmitting circuit for transmitting the compressed data with information indicating the mode selected.

Abstract: A ring voice message generating device for use in an automatic answering telephone system including a key input unit having alphanumeric keys or other function keys, for allowing a user to set the telephone system in a voice calling mode so that, upon reception of an incoming telephone call, a personalized voice message pre-recorded is announced in lieu of a standard ring tone to inform the user of such an incoming telephone call. Otherwise, the telephone system generates a standard ring tone if the voice calling mode is not set by the user. A ring detecting unit is connected to an incoming telephone line from a central exchange for detecting an incoming telephone call. An on/off hook switch is connected to the telephone system for forming a telephone conversation path when the user picks up the telephone handset to answer the incoming telephone call.

Abstract: In a voice mail exchange for voice mail telephone sets grouped into first through N-th groups, where N represents a first predetermined number, a message recorder comprises memory sectors in one-to-one correspondence to the first through N-th groups for storage of messages originating at and destined to the telephone sets. The voice mail exchange may also include interface circuits which are selectively put in operation by control signals produced in accordance with predetermined office data by a control unit. The interface circuits interface between first through N-th recorder signals supplied to (and reproduced from) the memory sectors and first through M-th switchboard signals produced by (and supplied to) a switchboard connected to the telephone sets, where M represents a second predetermined number related to N by the office data.

Abstract: An audio data transmission system encodes audio files into individual audio data blocks which contain a variable number bits of digital audio data that were sampled at a selectable sample rate. The number of bits of digital data and the input sampling rate are scaleable to produce an encoded bit stream bit rate that is less than or equal to an effective operational bit rate of a recipient's modem. The audio data transmission system uses computing units which are designed to select an appropriate combination of block size and input sampling rate to maximize the available bandwidth of the receiving modem. For example, if the modem connection speed for one modem is 14.4 kbps, a version of the audio data compressed at 13000 bits/s might be sent to the recipient; if the modem connection speed for another modem is 28.8 kbps, a version of the audio data compressed at 24255 bits/s might be sent to the receiver.

Abstract: An automated telephone hold device including a housing with a visual indication mechanism, audible indication mechanism, and push button switch positioned on a top face thereof. Further included is a voice playback mechanism, decoder, phone interface, and sequential logic located within the housing. In use, the sequential logic allows a user on hold to depress the push button switch which, in turn, actuates the visual indication mechanism. At this point in time, the phone interface allows communication between the voice playback mechanism and the phone of the second party for prompting the second party to press a designated key on the phone thereof. Once the second party presses the designated key, the sequential logic mechanism is adapted to actuate the audible indication mechanism. Also, upon the user lifting the handset thereof from an inoperative orientation, the sequential logic mechanism prompts the phone interface to revert to a normal mode of operation.

Abstract: A method for receiving and processing an incoming message in a wireless messaging terminal. The method includes providing a receiver which receives the message and a memory for storing the message. The method further includes matching the message with a pre-recorded voice prompt stored in the memory and retrieving the voice prompt from the memory. In addition, the method includes playing the voice prompt as an audible alert signal through an audio output device.

Abstract: A messaging system in which a sender is able to receive certification of receipt of messages sent to a receiver that ensures that only the desired recipient gains access to the messages. Also, the messaging system sends between a sender and a receiver both encrypted communications and decryption information used to decipher the encrypted communications.

Abstract: A memory device for digital storage of pre-recorded audio. Contained within a housing adapted for insertion into a solid state audio player is an array of memory cells for storage of digitally recorded audio. Each of the memory cells is individually addressable over a parallel address bus and data is read and/or written over a parallel data bus. Data is transmitted to and from the device by means of a serial interface with the solid state audio player. Shift registers within the memory device are coupled to the serial interface for transmitting serial data to and receiving serial data from the audio player. Data buffers are interposed between the address bus, data bus and respective shift registers for storing data to be placed on the address bus and receiving data from the data bus. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a series of capacitive plates is included to provide a contact-less interface between the memory device and the associated solid state audio player.

Abstract: Desired tasks are modeled as a plurality of database slots. Each of the slots is opportunistically fillable by a predetermined set of values in accordance with a predetermined set of user utterance recognition rules. The user utterance recognition rules include a first layer which recognizes questions and commands based upon co-occurrences of key words in a sentence, removes corresponding database slot values and generates a supplemental utterance. A second layer recognizes database word values irrespective of sentence context and fills the slot appropriately. Responsive utterances are generated in accordance with a predetermined set of condition-action rules. The condition-action rules are based on logical combinations of filled slot values and, in operation, provide a user with the desired perception of a linguistically competent dialog while at the same time eliciting further information to complete a desired task.

Abstract: A telephone answering machine includes at least two tapes, the first of which records a subscriber's outgoing universal message (OGM) to all callers. A second of the two tapes records incoming messages from callers. A control device detects a tone code defined by, and entered by, a caller in conjunction with recording one of the messages as a message from the caller. The second tape is rewound and plays back the recorded caller's message to the subscriber. The subscriber can then re-enter the same code and record a response to the recorded caller's message on the first tape. The control device detects the code being re-entered by the caller if the caller has called again, in search of the response recorded by the subscriber, which corresponds to the re-entered code. The control device further searches for the re-entered code on the first tape in conjunction with the response recorded by the subscriber in response to the caller having re-entered the code.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for use in conjunction with voice messaging systems for determining playback volume of a message so that a good representation is provided for a voice-related portion of the message and the playback volume of a loud sound is reduced. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the log mean square power (MSP) of the message is determined while the message is being recorded and an MSP value for use in determining the playback volume is determined by analysis of the values received near the end of the message.

Abstract: An telephone answering apparatus connected to a facsimile apparatus. A controller transmits a response message stored in a memory to the line, and starts recording an incoming message inputted from the line into the memory. In a case where a tone detector detects a tone signal, the controller releases the line and records a switching message stored in the memory instead of the incoming message. This prevents wasting incoming message storing capacity due to recording a tone signal and erroneous operation of the facsimile apparatus caused by reproducing a recorded tone signal.

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: A telephone answering machine which includes a recording position memory for storing address data corresponding to a recorded leading position of each message on a recording medium and a number designation device such as a dial pad. When a number input is made by the number designation device at the time of a reproduction operation, the recording position corresponding to this number is indexed, and the message is reproduced. When a key corresponding to a given message is pushed down during reproduction of this message, the message is again reproduced from the start. According to this construction, a message to be reproduced can be designated from a plurality of messages by a one-touch operation, and a desired message can be immediately listened to. When the same key is simply pushed, the message corresponding to the key can be listened to once again.

Abstract: A communication apparatus comprising a RAM having a back up power source; a recording/reproducing portion having a flash EEPROM, for recording at least a piece of information in the EEPROM having a plurality of sectors and for reproducing the information stored therein, each sector having a sector number and a given capacity and being independently erasable; and a recording control portion, responsive to a ring signal from a telephone line or a command signal, for receiving the information, detecting a data amount of the received information, for storing the information in at least one sector, for detecting a sector number of the at least one sector used to store the control data in accordance with the detected data amount, and for storing the detected sector number in the RAM.

Abstract: A user configurable telephone station receives telephone calls in a normal manner and also provides a user settable alarm for alerting a user at prescribed times. At each prescribed time, an alerting signal is provided by actuating the telephone ringer either with a distinctive ring or a normal ring, such configuration being selectable by the user. The telephone station optionally also includes a recorder with which the user may record a spoken announcements for associating with the alerting signal. When the switch-hook in the telephone station is actuated in response to the alerting signal, any associated, recorded announcements is played through an acoustic device, such as a speaker, in the telephone station.

Abstract: Voice, facsimile, and electronic mail messaging is integrated in a system (FIG. 1 ) that converts e-mail messages into voice-and-fax messages. An e-mail message (400) is parsed into voiceable, prose, segments (403) and non-voiceable, non-prose, segments (404). Prose segments are converted into voice message segments (503) via text-to-speech facilities. Each non-prose segment is converted into a fax segment (504). Voice pointers (505) to fax segments are inserted into the voice message, in places corresponding to the non-prose segments in the e-mail message. The voice file (500) and fax file (510) are then stored for subsequent delivery of the message as an integrated voice-and-fax message. Conversion of integrated voice-and-fax messages into e-mail messages is likewise envisioned.

Abstract: A battery powered hand-held portable computer device for audible processing of messages stored at one or more remote central message facilities. A telephonic interface is included within the portable computer device. A connection between the portable computer device and the remote central message facility is automatically established in response to a connection to a telephonic network and the operation of a single switch. Thereafter, selected audio and/or digital messages from a remote central message facility are transferred to the portable computer device, digitized if necessary, and stored within random access memory or stored utilizing analog storage systems. The portable computer device preferably utilizes a limited number of tape recorder-like switches. In response to a single operation of a "start" switch, electronic messages stored in a digital format are sequentially coupled to a text-to-speech conversion application and converted to audible speech through a speaker or headphone.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for creating a specific audio message for playback, in a data processing system. The data processing system has a multitude of diverse data types, and the audio message includes one or more audio segments and a presentation that is associated with one or more unique identifiers. Each of the unique identifiers includes a specification of a particular data type to be returned for presentation. The user is prompted to record one or more audio segments. One or more of the unique identifiers are associated with the audio segments. In response to a query from a caller or a signal from the data processing system, the audio message is automatically presented by presenting the audio segments and the presentation associated with the unique identifiers. The presentation is created by retrieving the data type and the location specified by unique identifiers from the data processing system.

Abstract: A data backup apparatus for temporarily storing the data stored in a volatile memory using an internal battery when the main power is stopped. When the operation of the internal battery is started, the data stored in the volatile memory as a digital signal is converted into an analog signal by a D/A converter, and then it is stored in a magnetic storage unit. When the power supply is restored, the data stored in the magnetic storage unit as the analog signal is read out and converted into the digital signal, and then it is restored to the volatile memory.

Abstract: Described is an automatic paging system that will alert a paging service subscriber to the occurrence of specific events at a remote location using a standard home type answering machine and/or a standard alarm system. The paging system works in conjunction with existing paging subscription services and answering machines presently available. The system detects if a valid message has been left on the answering machine or if an alarm has been tripped, then dials a number that the user programs into the system that corresponds to the paging service telephone number, then waits for an acknowledgment tone from the paging service and dials a distinct code that corresponds to what has occurred at the remote location. The system will forward a telephone number to the paging service subscriber, if such a number has been entered into the answering machine by a caller.

Abstract: A telephone call initiating system according to the invention is provided in order to make it possible to control telephone call initiation from an extremely small mobile communication terminal. This is accomplished with a key input section, a speech recognition section, a data base and display section, and a data base input control section for forming a record. The record consists of telephone number data from the key input section and data including family and given names from the speech recognition section. The record is stored into the data base. A search parameter accepting section searches the data base for the record according to data including the family and given names, and stores the retrieved record into a work area. A scroll control section scrolls, in predetermined units, the retrieved record and displays the data on the display section.

Abstract: A communication system includes a digital network and an audio network such as a telephone system. An audio network server communicates with client work stations in the digital network and with the telephones in the telephone system. The audio network server stores, and plays back, digital representations of voice objects from, and to, a telephone handset. An instruction set accessible from the digital network controls operation of the audio network server and thus the telephone system to record and play back audio information stored on the audio server. The communication system may also include a caching capability to temporarily store compound documents or component objects in a media presentation server.

Abstract: A wake-up and reminder system for a telephone takes advantage of the attention-drawing characteristics of the telephone ringer to awaken and/or remind a person of various tasks or appointments. The wake-up and reminder system for a telephone is provided with modular jacks for connecting between the telephone and the wall jack. A timer is provided for establishing an alarm time, and a relay responsive to the timer is provided for disconnecting the telephone temporarily from the telephone line. The system includes a ringing device for ringing the telephone at a predetermined rate and an off-hook detection circuit for detecting when the telephone has been taken off the hook. In addition, a second relay is provided responsive to the off-hook detection circuit for disconnecting the telephone from the ringing device and connecting the telephone to a recorder which plays a pre-recorded message.

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 storage apparatus capable of storing information in accordance with the history of use of the storage medium employed therewith. Control is performed in accordance with the history of reproduction from the storage medium and with the number of times storage operations have been performed on the storage medium. New storage operations are arranged to avoid those portions of the storage medium which have been used frequently. The apparatus may be used in conjunction with a telephone answering machine.

Abstract: A voice message system having a plurality of user voice mailboxes is disclosed. The voice message system utilizes a method in which a message is encrypted using a unique encrypting key corresponding to a designated user. The encrypted message is then stored in one location while the encrypting key is stored in another location. The encrypted message is retrieved by the designated user by utilizing a decrypting key which corresponds to the stored encrypting key. The decrypted message is then played by the designated user.

Abstract: A cellular telephone dialing controller comprising an operator switch, a state machine, digitally stored audio prompts, and a Dual Tone Multi-Frequency signal generator, in which at each dialing step the operator hears sequentially the numerals zero, one, etc. and the operator "dials" by closing the operator's switch when the proper number is played. At completion of "dialing" the entire phone number is audibly replayed for operator approval, after which the call is automatically initiated, including the generation of Dual Tone Multi-Frequency as well as Off-Hook/On-Hook control signals, the entire dialing operation being completed without visual participation or use of the operator's hands, thereby ensuring driving safety.

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: A radio telephone system having a charger separated from a base unit and connectable to a radio telephone to provide power thereto, and a recording and reproducing circuit separated from the radio telephone and the base unit to record and reproduce a voice signal. The voice signal representing a telephone call from the subscriber line is transmitted from the base unit via the charger to the recording and reproducing circuit for the voice signal to be recorded therein. The recorded voice signal can be reproduced and played through a speaker in places detached from the base unit. The radio telephone system includes a mode selector to set the system either in an automatic answering mode or a reproduction mode. Even when the battery power of the radio telephone runs out, the recording and reproducing circuit can still reproduce the recorded voice signal where an alternating current power outlet is available for the charger to provide power to the recording and reproducing circuit.

Abstract: An establishment which provides goods and/or services to customers or patrons, such as a retail store or restaurant, is provided with a telephone handset in a stand located at a convenient and readily accessible spot but yet which is outside the congested or heavily trafficked area and gives the user a feeling of privacy and the telephone handset is coupled to a message repeater and a message recorder so when the customer or patron picks up the telephone handset out of its cradle he or she hears a message from the message repeater which provides an introduction and instructions and then the customer talks into the mouthpiece or transmitter of the telephone handset and the message is recorded.

Abstract: A system which presents a user with a sequence of prompt messages and stores user responses to at least selected ones of these prompt messages, classifies the stored user responses in a first category when the user responds to a first one of the prompt messages and not to a second one of the prompt messages, and classifies the stored user reponses in a second category when the user responds to both the first and second prompt messages. In addition, this system classifies the stored user response in a third category when the response includes any one of a plurality of code words, and in a fourth category when the user response includes none of these code words. An alternate embodiment classifies stored user responses in accordance with the duration of the response to a selected prompt message. The described classification techniques materially enhance transcription efficiency.