Abstract: An improved messaging system (100, 900) enables a message recipient to take notes electronically while retrieving messages, such as by electronically extracting and separately recording a portion of a received message in a scratchpad area (250, 1050) of his or her mailbox (111, 911) or by dictating into a telephone (102, 103), typing on a terminal (902, 903) keyboard, or entering on a Touch-Tone telephones' keypad, words and/or numbers, into the scratchpad area, for subsequent use by the message recipient. The messaging system then enables the message recipient either to retrieve the electronic notes from the scratchpad area, or to automatically place a call to a telephone number that is contained in the electronic notes in the scratchpad area. An improved graphical user interface (915) provides the message recipient with easy access to, and control over, this functionality of the messaging system.

Abstract: An improved telephone switching arrangement in which all of the telephones (i.e.; audio terminals) are in a normally off hook state. The user desiring to place a call need not take the telephone off hook or change the electrical state of the connection between the telephone switching equipment and the audio terminal. In a preferred embodiment, the called party's telephone number to be dialed is transmitted from a personal computer to the telephone switching equipment.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a telephone answering machine which can be initiated after a telephone connection is established. It comprises a memory for storing out-going messages and incoming messages, a voice processing circuit for playing the out-going messages stored in the memory and recording incoming messages into the memory, a line interface circuit connected to an external telephone network for connecting the voice processing circuit to the telephone network, a microprocessor for controlling the voice processing circuit and the line interface circuit, and a recording key connected to the microprocessor wherein the microprocessor establishes a telephone connection between the voice processing circuit and the telephone network by using the line interface circuit and initiates the voice processing circuit to play an outgoing message and record incoming messages after the recording key is actuated.

Abstract: In a telephone answering machine, when the calling party information reception unit receives calling party information, and the call detection circuit detects a receiving signal, the main control unit makes the line interface capture the communication line and generate a communication path to the calling party telephone. The main control unit then determines whether the memory has the same calling party information that has been received by the calling party information reception unit. When it has been judged in the negative, the main control unit makes the response message output unit output the first response message. When it has been judged in the affirmative, the main control unit makes the response message output unit output the second response message. Under the direction of the main control unit, the response message output unit outputs the first response message or the second response message to the calling party telephone through the communication path which is generated by the line interface 2.

Abstract: A method of operating a subscriber terminal to provide a flexible tapeless personalized auto-attendant telephone by means of measuring ring cadence of an incoming telephone call; and selecting one outgoing message in response to the ring cadence and playing it after a predetermined number of rings. The method also provides for the selection of group greetings and mailboxes automatically, for example, based on CLID and name match in a directory.

Abstract: This invention includes a voice response unit that communicates rapidly and directly with a system with minimum human intervention and minimizes the number of retransmissions of information due to errors. The rapid communication is achieved by knowing the question or prompt posed by the voice response unit and preparing a response which is speed dialed to the voice response unit. The voice response unit also examines an error correction code, i.e., Reed-Solomon, to determine if there is an error in the information transmitted to the voice response unit. The timing information enabled the voice response unit to determine whether or not one or more tones are missing from the transmitted information or one tone became two tones. The voice response unit determines if the information it received is correct based upon the error correction code. If, the information is incorrect the voice response unit uses the error correction code to determine and correct certain errors.

Abstract: An on hold telephony service that allows a party placed on hold, if he is a subscriber to the service, to also place the call on hold and then hang up. The on hold service can be implemented on a central office switch or an enhanced services platform connected to the switch. The on hold service is accessed by the party placed on hold, i.e., subscriber, through a transfer function that causes the call to be maintained by the on hold service. When the party who originally placed the call on hold returns to the call, the on hold service informs him that the service will then call the subscriber so that both parties can be reconnected.

Abstract: A method and system adaptively substitutes a single dialing button sequence for a selected action in a voice menu of a telephone system. A shortcut message in the voice menu prompts a caller to select a shortcut button to achieve a shortcut action. The system then accumulates counts related to frequencies of occurrence of a plurality of actions prompted by the voice menu. The system then ranks the plurality of actions by their respective accumulated counts and determines if any one of the plurality of actions has an accumulated count greater than an accumulated count of the shortcut action. If it does, then the system causes the substitution the one of the plurality of actions and a corresponding message for the shortcut action and the shortcut message in the voice menu.

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: A communication device having an automatic answering telephone function which can record a message spoken by a sender in a record/reproduction part when there is an incoming signal in an automatic answering mode and also which can interlacedly reproduce only head parts of messages when the received message is to be reproduced. The communication device, which further has a speech processing part for changing a speech rate while keeping a speech pitch constant, can reproduce a recorded message at a speech rate designated by a user and can transmit a rate-changed speech message.

Abstract: A telephone recycling system answers an incoming telephone call placed by a user, prompts the user to enter a ZIP Code via the user's touchtone telephone keys, and provides the user with a recycling voice message that varies according to the ZIP Code entered by the user. The recycling message is provided directly in response to the ZIP Code without the user having to provide additional input.

Abstract: Method and a system for a user-customizable interactive voice mail/voice response system are disclosed. In a preferred embodiment, an interactive voice mail/voice response ("IVR") system of the present invention enables a user to build and operate custom IVR functions using voice templates. An interactive voice mail/voice response ("IVR") system of the present invention enables a user to build and operate custom IVR menus. The system comprises a voice menu system that includes a plurality of menus, each comprising a plurality of script records implemented using voice templates made up of voice template elements of various types, the characteristics and behavior of which will be determined by their user-designated type and the characteristic of the voice response record with which they are associated. As a result, the voice elements, and in turn, the voice templates they comprise, dynamically exhibit a behavior that is appropriate to the current environment.

Abstract: A method of preserving privacy in an electronic storage-and-retrieval message system includes providing access by designated persons to manipulating interface features for storage/retrieval information related to directing messages, while restricting access to any stored messages. In a voice mail system, the storage/retrieval interface feature includes the greeting that is presented to a calling party. A first access code, such as a password, is assigned to enable access to the interface features, while a second access code is assigned to enable message-retrieval. In the preferred embodiment, changes to a greeting or the like are reported in an audit message that is stored in the user's mailbox. The audit message is automatically generated. The audit message notifies the user of the history of any changes. Changes to a greeting may also be automatically generating by using a stepped sequence of prompts to solicit information relating to the user.

Abstract: A voice interactive agent training system has a series of discrete voice messages stored in a digital memory. These messages are keyed to screens used in live call center operations. The call center logic used in live call center operations determines the sequence in which the screens are displayed on the agent's monitor. When transferred to an agent's terminal, the screen is identified, based upon a characteristic of the actual screen (e.g. character count in a field) so that there is no need for access to the call center operating system in order to identify which screen is displayed. A voice energy transducer responsive to the trainee's voice, causes a reproduction of appropriate discrete voice messages to respond to passages in the script which have been read by the trainee from the monitor. In one embodiment, agent inputs are compared to "appropriate" inputs and inappropriate inputs are fed back to the trainee concurrently with the appropriate input.

Abstract: When a request to record is received from an information provider by way of a telephone network, a storage area is secured for each information number of provided information, and index numbers designated by the information provider and voice file numbers designated within the device are recorded to the storage area. The information is then recorded in designated voice files for each arbitrary unit set by the information provider. When a playback request is received from an information user, voice file numbers are read out from the corresponding storage area in the order of the index numbers according to the designation of information numbers from the information user, and the information is played back in the order of the read voice files.

Abstract: A battery powered transponder in a vehicle for communicating with a toll station or weigh station lights one of a few LEDs to indicate whether a bypass of the station is authorized or denied. A transmit/receive circuit sends data to an IC which signals the instruction to a microprocessor which is programmed to activate the proper LED when so instructed for a short period and then maintains a recall state for a long period. A pushbutton switch connected to the microprocessor, if operated within the long period, triggers a replay of the proper LED to verify the instruction while minimizing power consumption.

Abstract: A telephone ringing system in which one or more user-selected sound segments are received using the microphone portion of a telecommunications instrument, stored in digital or analog form, and audibly reproduced using the loudspeaker portion of the telecommunications instrument when a ring signal is detected to provide a distinctive, personalized indication of an incoming call.

Abstract: A distributed voice system and method provides voice scripting and voice messaging to a call processing system. According to this system and method, audio voice is recorded in frames and the frames encapsulated into data packets. The data packets are stored in a database as voice scripts or voice messages. To play back a voice script or voice message, its packets are sequentially retrieved from the database. As soon as the first packet is retrieved, the data are extracted therefrom and playback can begin. As the voice is being played back to a user 106, subsequent packets are retrieved, the data extracted therefrom, and the data buffered for playback. In this manner, a voice script or a voice message can be played back without interruption.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a telephone user with automated attendant functions with numerous selectable options. The options include selecting one of many greetings to be given to the caller before putting the caller on hold or sending the caller to voice mail, recording a new greeting for the caller after learning the caller's identity, re-routing the call and adding an audio message to be delivered to the substitute called party before the call is connected. A display screen with a cursor is used to facilitate presentation of information and options to the telephone user and selection of options by the telephone user.

Abstract: A telephone answering device (TAD) which includes a means of intelligently organizing voice messages, associated entered codes such as personal IDs and home telephone numbers, and information stored in the memory of the TAD. These codes or numbers are decoded by means of the caller entering DTMF signals into the telephone which are recognized, recorded and processed by the TAD. When processed with codes and personal information previously entered into the device's memory, the TAD displays the identity of the callers for each message, thus providing a menu of choices, i.e., a list of callers. This enables the user to access messages in a selective manner based on the identity of the caller. The need to listen to the actual voice messages to determine the caller's identity and the need to listen to the messages sequentially or chronologically is obviated, saving both time and effort.

Abstract: A telephone console (10) for use in a telephonic call distribution system (12) for selectively interconnecting a plurality of telephonic units (16) of an external telephonic network (18) with a plurality of consoles (10) of the system, a prerecorded voice message system having a portable voice message storage unit (40) with a recorded voice message, a connector module (26) for releasable connection with the portable voice message unit (40) and a microprocessor (20) programmed to control the playing back of a recorded message to a console (10).

Abstract: A directory answering machine which allows a desired telephone number which is registered in the form of an abbreviated dialing code to be found by an access from an external telephone even when the abbreviated code is forgotten. When a predetermined remote command is received from an external telephone to the answering machine through the telephone line, a control circuit serially reads out the telephone numbers registered in an abbreviated dialing code information memory in the form of abbreviated dialing codes and the subscriber names thereof, converts the read data into speech synthesized by a voice synthesizer, and supplies them to the telephone line through a communication circuit. When a predetermined selection signal is supplied from the external telephone, the subscriber name and the corresponding telephone number which are being output at this point in time are selected. The data are supplied again to the telephone line in a synthesized speech.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing a telephone user with automated attendant functions with numerous selectable options. The options include selecting one or many greetings to be given to the caller before sending the caller to voice mail, recording a new greeting for the caller after learning the caller's identity, re-routing the call and adding an audio message to be delivered to the substitute called party before the call is connected, and delivering a selected or customized greeting to the caller and then placing the caller on hold without accepting the call. A display screen with a cursor is used to facilitate presentation of information and options to the telephone user and selection of options by the telephone user.

Abstract: A remotely controlled telephone operator simulator includes a microprocessor control circuit for supplying digitally recorded voice messages and non-voice messages, as initial "answers" to an incoming telephone call, which is automatically "call forwarded" to a remote telephone set. When the call is received at the remote telephone set, the user supplies tone signals back to the initial called line. Duplexer circuits and a two-input multiplex circuit are provided to prevent these tone signals from being heard by the calling party on the first line. The tone signals, however, do cause operation of the microprocessor control circuit, to cause selected ones of the voice and non-voice messages to be supplied through the multiplex circuit to the calling line. After the desired number of these stored messages are supplied, the microprocessor control circuit switches the multiplex circuit from response to the stored messages to "live" outgoing conversation from the second telephone line.

Abstract: A telephone answering device (TAD) which includes a means of intelligently organizing voice messages, associated entered codes such as personal IDs and home telephone numbers, and information stored in the memory of the TAD. These codes or numbers are decoded by means of the caller entering DTMF signals into the telephone which are recognized, recorded and processed by the TAD. When processed with codes and personal information previously entered into the device's memory, the TAD displays the identity of the callers for each message, thus providing a menu of choices, i.e., a list of callers. This enables the user to access messages in a selective manner based on the identity of the caller. The need to listen to the actual voice messages to determine the caller's identity and the need to listen to the messages sequentially or chronologically is obviated, saving both time and effort.

Abstract: Telephone communication apparatus permits an individual, while using a telephone, to select the language which both will be utilized in all messages given to the individual by the telephone and will be utilized by an operator, reservation clerk, or other individual that the individual contacts for assistance while using the telephone apparatus.

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: According to the present invention, a telephone answering machine stores a plurality of messages and establishes a correspondence between those messages and a plurality of phone numbers. The phone number of a caller is identified and one of the plurality of messages selected for playback based on the identified phone number and the established correspondence. In a preferred embodiment, the answering machine is microprocessor-based and the correspondence of telephone numbers to messages is stored in a memory table. Messages may be stored either on magnetic media or in semiconductor memory using a signal compression/decompression module where economy dictates in order to reduce the size of the semiconductor memory. Microprocessor control allows economical realization of a full-featured machine.

Abstract: A telephone answering device wherein an outgoing messsage can be repeatedly played back from the beginning in response to a predetermined special signal sent out by a calling party. In case of a call to the device through a telephone operator, the calling party can listen to the whole outgoing message again by sending the special signal after the telephone operator puts him through. The calling party can then confirm that it is his desired called party's number. Further, if a foreign calling party is not able to understand thoroughly the outgoing message in the original language after only one playback, he can listen to the outgoing message again.

Abstract: An automatic telephone answering device which has multiple outgoing message sections for recording multiple outgoing messages. A selecting means is provided for selecting one outgoing message from multiple recorded outgoing messages to greet calling parties. A user can change the outgoing message easily by setting the selecting switch means instead of recording an entirely new outgoing message. The original outgoing message can be recovered instead of erased after switching to another outgoing message.

Abstract: In response to a first outgoing message from a telephone answering device in an original language, such as English, if a calling party from a country speaks in doubt or he cannot answer it quickly, his voice is analyzed to determine what language it is in order to send him a second outgoing message in his own language, or else a second outgoing message in the original language is sent out promptly to prevet the calling party from hanging up. The foreign calling party thus can understand the second outgoing message and leave his message on an incoming message tape. It is possible to use the present invention not only in a telephone answering device, but also in a general banking system or in question and answer telephone equipment.

Abstract: An answering machine with one or more special features. These features include either means for providing multiple out-going messages, or multiple in-coming message locations, or both, with the message locations being selectable by the caller by means of preselected code sequences entered by the owner. When both portions of the present invention are present there are two sets of code sequences, one for out-going messages and another for in-coming messages. The number of digits in each code sequence can be the same or different, as can the actual codes since the detection of the proper code is time dependent on where in the cycle of the answering sequence the answering machine is at the time that the caller enters the code sequence.

Abstract: A message exchange device for communication between a manager and particular persons, which is adapted to enable a particular person to listen to a particular message directed to a particular caller and recorded on an associated channel of a multi-channel recording medium, by sending a caller-representative coded signal assigned to him, and then stores that the particular message has been transmitted.

Abstract: An electronic dispatch board for use with a voice message recording-playback machine. The dispatch board lights certain lamps responsive to signals sent from the message recording-playback machine when a message has been placed in a certain voice mailbox. The dispatch board is comprised of a serial-to-parallel converter, a board address comparator, an address signal verifier, a lamp driver, and a plurality of lamps. The address signal verifier determines if a valid address signal has been received from the message recording machine. A number of dispatch boards may be simultaneously connected to the same message recording machine. The board address comparator in each dispatch board determines if the address signal from the message recording machine is meant for that particular dispatch board. If a valid address signal has been received, a certain lamp is set to an on, off or blink state.

Abstract: A telephone answering system including a locally or remotely programmable voice synthesizer for transmitting messages is disclosed. The answering system is connected to a particular (local) telephone and is actuated in the usual manner by an incoming call to transmit a predetermined message. The message consists of a sequence of individual words, pauses, or other message segments which are stored in the synthesizer and transmitted in a desired sequence determined by pressing corresponding keys of either the phone to which the system is connected or any remote phone. As the operator of the system presses each key to program a desired message, the word or other message segment is immediately transmitted for the user to hear, thereby providing positive verification of entry. Changes or corrections may be made at any time to one or more individual message segments without the necessity of re-entering the entire message.

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: A radiotelephone system for motor vehicles, including a transducer for remote pickup, processing and transmitting of the speech of a user located in an environment with interference and a module for recognition of a control vocabulary by a user of the various operating modes of the system, a central processing unit connected to the speech recognition module and to a package of memories to control automatic dialing of telephone numbers of the radiotelephone in response to the recognition by the speech recognition module of the numbers or key words associated with stored telephone numbers, a module for synthesis of set speech suitable for generating, under the control of the central processing unit, permanently stored messages, a module for recording of nonpermanent voice messages from the speech transducer or from the radiotelephone and for playback of the messages by means of the radiotelephone or other voice data restoring circuits in the user environment, a selection unit for selecting predetermined modes o

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.

Abstract: A processor-assisted system helps persons with speech or hearing handicaps communicate with any telephone caller having an ordinary tone generating telephone. With minimal training, the caller can communicate with the handicapped person using a one key per letter technique for spelling out words. Received keypad sequences are decoded by the processor and the decoded message is presented on a video display or monitor. Since there are three alphabetic letters on most of the keys of a tone generating telephone, the decoding process must take into account that more than one word might have been intended by a particular keypad sequence. The decoding process retrieves all possible words and allows the handicapped person to choose the appropriate word from the context of the sentence. According to one decoding process, all words which might be represented by a particular key sequence are stored in records including the keypad sequence.