Abstract: Methods and devices for verifying whether to send a message may include delaying, at an operating system executing on the computer device, sending of a message to at least one recipient based at least upon an associated delay period for the message. The methods and devices may include verifying a completion of the delay period and determining whether at least one override condition exists. The methods and devices may include altering a sending of the message when the at least one override condition occurred.

Abstract: Disclosed aspects relate to multilingual content management. A set of language usage data for a set of languages may be ingested from a set of mobile computing devices by a multilingual content management engine. A language profile for a group of users that indicates relative usage of the set of languages with respect to the group of users by may determined by the multilingual content management engine using the set of language usage data for the set of languages. A multilingual message may be generated based on the language profile for the group of users by the multilingual content management engine. The multilingual message may be provided to the group of users by the multilingual content management engine.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for transferring digital information from a first electronic device to a second electronic device. In one example, the first device is a computer having a touch screen and the second device is a personal memory device carried or worn by an individual. The method includes selecting information on the first electronic device to be transferred, which can be done by touching the touch screen and performing a predefined finger gesture on the screen. Next, communication is established between the first electronic device and the second electronic device, preferably through a wireless connection such as Bluetooth. The selected information from the first electronic device then begins to upload to the second electronic device. As the information is transferred, vibrotactile sensations are imparted to the body of an individual with the vibrotactile sensations being indicative of the upload of information.

Abstract: A system for preventing noise transmission at the end of a telephone call includes a telephone having a handset and a base unit. The telephone has a proximity sensor configured to detect when the handset is in close proximity to the base unit prior to the handset contacting the base unit. A control element communicates with the proximity sensor and prevents transmission of sound received from the handset when the proximity sensor indicates that the handset is in close proximity to the base unit thereby preventing transmission of noise caused by the handset contacting the base unit.

Abstract: An apparatus includes: an image pickup unit capturing a color image observed by the microscope; a camera characteristic information storage unit storing camera characteristic information about a characteristic of the microscope color image pickup apparatus; a color correction parameter calculation unit calculating a color correction parameter for a color correcting process on the color image captured by the image pickup unit according to the color image captured by the image pickup unit and the camera characteristic information stored in the camera characteristic information storage unit; and a color correcting unit performing a color correcting process on the color image captured by the image pickup unit according to the color correction parameter calculated by the color correction parameter calculation unit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for delivering an advertisement to a user comprising providing an advertisement by the advertiser to the service system, followed by delivering the advertisement by the service system to a mobile phone of a user through mobile phone communication network. The user determines to browse the advertisement or not. The user watches and brows the advertisement via the display of the mobile phone.

Abstract: A disclosed remote management system includes an electronic device; a communication adaptor; and a management apparatus connected via the communication adaptor to the electronic device and configured to remotely manage the electronic device.

Abstract: A digital notification and response system utilizes an administrator interface to transmit a message from an administrator to user contact devices having an advertising module and a customer module with translation abilities. The system comprises a dynamic information database that includes user contact data, priority information, and response data. The administrator initiates distribution of the message based upon grouping information, priority information, and the priority order. The message is transmitted through at least two industry standard protocols simultaneously to groups of user contact devices based upon priority information. Once the message is received by the user contact device, the user contact device transmits a response through the industry standard protocols back to the dynamic information database.

Abstract: An answering machine tool is described which, when a message is received, accesses caller identification data associated with the message and from this data identifies an image for the message. Data is then output to cause an icon comprising this image to be displayed. This icon, in turn, may be manipulated and interacted with by a user, by touching the icon on a touch sensitive screen or by other means, such as mouse pointer or stylus. This causes the message to be replayed, moved, deleted or be subject to any other course of action that the visual rendering of the message affords the user.

Abstract: Transmission of messages composed on one or more input devices to a single or multiple recipients by means of one or plural communication modes is facilitated. Such communication modes may include conventional or wireless telephone, facsimile transmission, pager, e-mail, postal mail or courier. An application program interface (API) mediates between remote applications requesting messaging functions and a message server that actually implements these functions. The API is capable of processing high-volume requests for message routing, status information, and various other functions on an automated basis, enabling businesses to make routine use of these functions.

Abstract: A method and system for interfacing a legacy e-mail, voice mail and facsimile system into a unified messaging system. The system includes visual message notification for notifying a user of incoming messages. Visual notification may include a flashing light emitting diode and/or text messages. The text messages may include various characteristics of the waiting messages, such as identification of the sender, subject header, message type, time and date received and a like.

Abstract: A telephone call information delivery system includes answering circuitry to answer a telephone call incoming from a service provider and to attain information input by a caller. The system further includes an information signal provider to provide at least one signal to deliver at least some of the attained information to a user. As an example, from the delivered information the user can decide whether or not to answer the incoming call. In another embodiment, the system further includes an alert signal provider to provide a signal to alert the user and an activator to receive instruction from the user. The information signal provider operates responsive to the activator. This embodiment answers an incoming call, attains information from the caller, alerts the user, the user then instructs the activator and the signal provider responds and delivers attained information to the user. The user then decides whether to answer the call.

Abstract: Transmission of messages composed on one or more input devices to a single or multiple recipients by means of one or plural communication modes is facilitated. Such communication modes may include conventional or wireless telephone, facsimile transmission, pager, e-mail, postal mail or courier. An application program interface (API) mediates between remote applications requesting messaging functions and a message server that actually implements these functions. The API is capable of processing high-volume requests for message routing, status information, and various other functions on an automated basis, enabling businesses to make routine use of these functions.

Abstract: An originating party (10) places a call through an originating party called control (30), through a network (40), through a terminating party call control (50) to a terminating subscriber (22). For an inability to complete the connection from the originating subscriber to the terminating subscriber, control is returned from the terminating party call control through network (40) to the call control logic (31) of the originating party call control (30) or directly to the originating subscriber (10).

Abstract: A telecommunication device comprising a base unit and a cordless handset, wherein said telecommunication device is operable in a plurality of modes of operation. The base unit includes: (1) a ring signal detection module communicatively coupled to a telephone network; (2) a voice communication channel also communicatively coupled to said telephone network; (3) a wireless communication transmitter module; (4) a wireless receiver module; and (5) a controller for executing program instructions. The cordless handset includes: (1) a ringer module; (2) an ear piece; (3) a microphone; (4) a talk request command input device; (5) a wireless communication transmitter; and (6) a wireless communication receiver.

Abstract: A card-type voice mail system, connected to a key telephone system, includes: a key telephone system interface connected to a universal slot of the key telephone system for interfacing with the key telephone system; a codec for digitizing analog data received through the key telephone system interface from the key telephone system, and for converting the digitized data into analog data to supply the analog data to the key telephone system through the key telephone system interface; a voice mail card for compressing data digitized from the codec, and for restoring the compressed data to supply the restored data to the codec; a storage device for storing data compressed from the voice mail card, and for supplying the stored data to the voice mail card; a memory for loading a universal operating system; and a controller for controlling the overall operation of the card-type voice mail system according to the universal operating system.

Abstract: A method and system for interfacing a legacy e-mail, voice mail and facsimile system into a unified messaging system. The system includes visual message notification for notifying a user of incoming messages. Visual notification may include a flashing light emitting diode and/or text messages. The text messages may include various characteristics of the waiting messages, such as identification of the sender, subject header, message type, time and date received and a like.

Abstract: An automated method and apparatus for notifying subscribers of a customer message manager notification system upon changes in some real-time data is disclosed. Subscribers are notified in an order based on some predetermined criteria, such as subscriber level. More specifically, airline customers are notified of changes in airline information which affects their travel plans, as well as other types of notification. This notification can occur via standard communications devices commonly carried by travels such as pagers, two-way pagers, cellular telephones (e.g., via automated voice, call centers), and mobile computers (e.g., via email or a web page). The present invention further provides for notifying selected groups of customers based on a predetermined criteria, such as frequent flyer level, class of service, or price of ticket.

Abstract: A telephone answering apparatus for verification of the presence of a remote user includes a detector, and a controller operatively connected to the detector and to a timer, wherein the controller restarts the timer upon detection of a telephone signal from the remote user and terminates a telephone connection if the telephone signal is not detected within a set period of time.

Abstract: An apparatus for recognizing an establishment of speech channel in communication appliances connected in parallel to a common telephone line includes a hook switching unit for establishing a speech channel between the telephone line and a selected one of the communication appliances in accordance with a switch-on control signal, and for cutting off the established speech channel in accordance with a switch-off control signal; a detecting unit, connected to the telephone line and adapted to detect a loop current from the telephone line; a storage unit for storing a value of the loop current detected from the detecting unit as a one-channel value when the speech channel is initially established between the telephone line and the selected one of the communication appliances, and a control unit for generating the switch-on control signal to the hook switching unit in response to an incoming call, and for generating the switch-off control signal to the hook switching unit for switching a call conversation to anoth

Abstract: A telephone switching and control system connected to a telephone network for providing telephone calling services to an authorized user. The telephone switching and control system monitoring a telephone call placed via the control system to provide a additional feature not otherwise available in said telephone network.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for screening an incoming telephone call from a caller on an external telephone line connected to an answering device for recording the call includes inserting into the telephone line a circuit comprising a voltage sensitive device and a bridging device for allowing a handset of a telephone set connected to the telephone line and remote from the answering device to be picked up to listen to the call. The handset of the telephone set is picked up to enable a speaker component of the telephone set without interrupting operation of the answering device. The incoming call is listened to via the enabled speaker component while the answering device operates. A microphone component of the telephone set is optionally enabled to speak with the caller. The operation of the answering device may be interrupted by pressing a switch.

Abstract: A telephone having an answering function includes a receiving section for receiving a voice signal, a command signal, and a receiving signal from a telephone line, and providing the voice signal, the command signal, and the receiving signal as respective outputs; a sending section for sending a response message to the telephone line in response to the receiving signal; a storing section for storing the voice signal provided by the receiving section; a determining section for determining a time period during which the response message is sent to the telephone line; a judging section for judging whether the command signal provided by the receiving section is a predetermined command signal during the time period and generating a judging signal which indicates that the command signal is the predetermined command signal; an output section for converting the voice signal provided by the receiving section into a voice and for outputting the voice; and a prohibiting section for prohibiting the voice signal from being

Abstract: An automatic telephone recorder includes a computer equipped with a sound signal handling feature and a digital recording medium such as a disk drive. The sound signal handling feature includes an audio input, an audio output and programmable means for selectively effecting digital recording on the recording medium of an audio signal applied to the sound signal handling means input. A line transformer is connected between a telephone line pair and the sound signal handling means audio input. The sound signal handling means is programmed to periodically test the sound signal handling means audio input to determine if audio or a predetermined transient signal, indicating that the telephone line has gone from an on-hook condition to an off-hook condition, is present. If the audio or transient signal is present, the sound signal handling means is programmed to institute recording of any audio signal present at the sound signal handling means audio input for as long as such audio remains.

Abstract: A message delivery sequence coordinates the scheduling and delivery of messages. When a user desires to send a message, the user contacts the message delivery system. An automated voice response unit prompts the user for message delivery information, including a delivery time and other delivery options and also prompts the user for the message itself. The message is stored in a message database and an access record corresponding to the message and containing message delivery information is stored in an access database. A delivery time is determined for the message and an event is stored in a scheduling database indicating the delivery time. At the scheduled delivery time, the message delivery system instructs a network control processor to start delivery of the message. The network control processor notifies the automated voice response unit that the message is to be delivered.

Abstract: A telephone answering device with a direct telephone line connection eliminates the need for a transformer, optoisolators and relays that are normally used in telephone answering devices to isolate the telephone answering device system from the central office circuit. Isolation is instead achieved directly at the exposed metal points of the system by physical isolation, switched isolation, resistive isolation and dielectric isolation.

Abstract: A telephone terminal device, which is activated by a predetermined number of ringing signals even if a telephone call occurred immediately after a previous caller had abandoned a call before engagement of the telephone line. When the telephone terminal device is set to standby mode, the polarity of telephone line (L1, L2) is stored in microprocessor CPU-1 via photocoupler PC-3 (or PC-4) and contact y2-1. If there is a call thereafter, ringing portion of the ringing signal is detected by photocoupler PC-3 (or PC-4) via capacitor C2. During a silent period, the polarity of the telephone line (L1, L2) is checked by the aforementioned PC-3 or PC-4 via contact y2-1 which is closed. When the polarity of the telephone line at the time of abandonment of call by a caller prior to activation of the telephone terminal device coincides with the aforementioned polarity stored, the telephone terminal device is restored to standby mode (with the counter for ranging signals being cleared).

Abstract: An automatic telephone answering apparatus sends an out-going message recorded in a memory through a telephone line and records in-coming messages in another in-coming message memory. In addition, the apparatus records a conversation between an operator and a partner. The apparatus includes a line status detector that detects the status of the telephone line and a controller that is responsive to the line status detector for effecting a predetermined preparation operation. The apparatus further includes a control mechanism for detecting an area of the in-coming message memory where in-coming messages are stored and detecting an empty area of the in-coming message memory. The controller effects the preparation operation by causing the control mechanism to detect the empty area.

Abstract: An electrical apparatus, associated with a telecommunications line, includes a unique dual input/dual output prescribed audio actuating signal responsive circuit. The responsive circuit pursuant to a detection of the prescribed signal, in combination with a second signal pursuant to a detection by line pickup detection circuit of an off-hook condition of the telecommunications line, effecting production of an actuating output signal. The actuating signal upon suitable application, effecting an operational function of a suitably coupled associated electrical device. The associated device may be one of a number of electrical devices. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, this device is designated to be a time-day-date-stamp marker signal outputting device. The marker signal may then be recorded by a suitable recording device or, alternatively, not recorded but simply used as an audible time-day-date announcement clock.

Abstract: In a preferred embodiment, a power module for use in an electrical system of the type having a multiplexer which provides an output signal in response to an input signal, the output signal commanding that electrical power be furnished to a device, the power module including: a housing; a first end of the housing being adapted to be inserted into an electrical outlet; a second end of the housing being adapted for electrical connection to the device, such that, when the power module is turned on, electrical power will be furnished to the device and, when the power module is turned off, electrical power will be removed from the device; and connection means to connect the power module with the multiplexer to receive the output signal from the multiplexer so that the output signal will turn the power module on and/or off. In another aspect of the invention, a power switch similar to the power module is provided. In a further aspect of the invention, a telephone modular connector is provided.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically controlling the application of the power ring signal of an incoming call generated by the telephone company to a telecommunication device by way of an electronic switching device connected in series with the telephone line. The electronic switching device is controlled by logic circuitry operating in conjunction with circuitry designed to receive and demodulate the caller identification data signal provided by the telephone company during the silent interval between the first and second power ring signals of an incoming call. The logic circuitry maintains the electronic switching device in a nonconductive state, while the telephone company caller identification data received is used to determine whether to continue to suppress the subsequent power ring signals, or allow them to pass to the connected telecommunication device by actuating the electronic switching device to the conducting state.

Abstract: A Call Message Delivery System (CDS) in response to a request from a caller to deliver an international voice call message, uses the country code digits of the called station number to select the language to be used in the system announcement which precedes the delivery of the caller's message to the called station. Another feature enables the caller to select a system announcement to be delivered with the call message. An additional feature enables the caller to record his or her own announcement as the system announcement.

Abstract: In a telephone answering machine, a detector for a automatic disconnect function uses a first amplifier to detect, amplify, and invert small input signal changes, and second amplifier to detect large input signal changes and a logic arrangement responsive to the output signals of the first and second amplifiers to detect the presence of only the small input signal changes.

Abstract: The invention relates to an X-ray diffractometer device, comprising an X-ray source, a collimator device for the source, a sample support, a collimator device for the beam reflected by the sample and a counter producing an output signal in the form of a voltage which is proportional to the number of photons reflected by the sample. This device furthermore includes a motor drive for the sample support, recording means for the signal Y originating from the proportional counter as a function of the angle .theta. between the plane of incidence of the sample and the incident beam, denoted X, mechanical means having a support for a plurality of filters having different coefficients of absorption and including a motor drive for this filter support, data processing means for selecting one of the filters of the filter support and for controlling the motor drive of the sample support, the motor drive of the filter support and the recording means, respectively.

Abstract: A telephone answering attachment to a highfidelity music system. An adaptor switches audio signals between a telephone circuit, a double-deck recorder and an amplifier. A bell signal on the telphone circuit causes one deck to play a back a prerecorded message onto the telephone circuit and causes the other deck to then record the caller's message. A short notification message is displayed on a television screen. Otherwise, the adaptor leaves the double-deck recorder in its usual configuration.

Abstract: An answering machine is coupled to a multi-line switching system which in turn is coupled to a plurality of incoming telephone lines in parallel with the telephone equipment or the like which is also connected to the incoming telephone lines. The switching system includes a controller for switching an incoming call on any of the incoming lines to the answering machine after a preselected number of rings including zero rings. The controller picks-up and holds an incoming call on any of the lines whenever the answering machine is busy processing a previously received call, and connects the thus held call to the answering maching upon completion of the processing of the previously received call by the answering machine. The controller scans the incoming lines and senses when incoming calls are received.

Abstract: A conventional telephone answering device (hereinafter called TAD) commonly available in the market does not work if a child picks up the handset of a telephone set half in fun during the particular period when a call signal is received but the TAD is not started yet. The TAD also does return to a stand-by mode, on the other hand, if he or she picks up the handset while the TAD is in operation after receiving a call signal. In the present invention, however, it is so arranged that even if a child picks up the handset of a telephone set half in fun, the TAD will start transmitting an outgoing message to a calling party as long as the handset is hung up within a predetermined time period, and if the handset is picked up while the TAD is in operation but hung up within a predetermined time period, the TAD will continue the operation without being suspended.

Abstract: A telephone answering device (TAD) detects termination signals (Calling Party Control or CPC signals) on a telephone line by determining which signal is most probably a CPC signal, then comparing suspect signals to the determined signal. A series of memory registers store the value of an initial series of suspected CPC signals when the TAD is initially powered up. The stored values are compared with each other to confirm and validate the CPC signal. Upon finding a sufficiently repeated value, that value is stored and from there on used as the value for the CPC signal. Future signals received that are the same as the determined CPC signal terminate TAD operation.

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 voltage breakdown circuit is connected in series between telephone answering machine circuitry and a telephone line. The voltage breakdown device becomes conductive only when the voltage across its terminals exceeds a predetermined level. If a telephone connected to the same telephone line as the answering machine circuitry is placed in the off hook condition, the voltage across the voltage breakdown device falls below the threshold level and the answering machine circuitry is effectively cut off from the telephone line. The voltage breakdown circuit is also useful in defeating automatic recording equipment placed in parallel with a telephone. Such automatic recording equipment is automatically disabled whenever the voltage across the tip in ring terminals of a telephone line is above a predetermined level.

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: An automatic telephone answering and recording device, wherein if an incoming call is received when an incoming message tape is full or an owner fails to set the telephone answering device to an automatic answering mode prior to leaving, the telephone line is nevertheless engaged to operate the telephone answering device. Then an outgoing message for answering only, such as "Please call back later", is generated by a voice synthesizer and sent out to a calling party, so that the calling party can understand the situation and know what to do.

Abstract: In an automatic telephone answering system which records and reproduces an outgoing message to be sent to a calling party and an incoming message from the calling party on a recording medium, such as magnetic tape, a single-tone test signal from a touch tone signal generator is recorded on the tape as a cue signal to indicate a position of one of the incoming and outgoing messages. The single-tone signal is also used for a variety of signals in the operation of the automatic telephone answering system, such as a beep tone, an instruction signal and an alarm signal. The reproduced cue signal which is within an audio band is discriminated from an audio signal representing the outgoing or incoming message by a phase-locked loop having a narrow capture range and a loop filter with a prolonged time constant.

Abstract: A telephone answering device having immediate playback function, wherein incoming messages from calling parties are successively recorded after sending of an outgoing message, and the recorded incoming messages can be successively played back immediately from a beginning position of an incoming message tape without rewinding when a user operates the device manually or remotely to save time for the user.

Abstract: A telephone answering device having an immediate playback function, wherein incoming messages from calling parties are successively recorded on an incoming message tape after sending of an outgoing message, and the recorded incoming messages can be successively played back immediately from the beginning of the incoming message tape, without rewinding, when a user operates the device manually or by remote control.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an automatic telephone answering device with an automatic switching mechanism for switching between an automatic answering mode and a two-way conversation recording mode. When a telephone is put into an off-hook condition for a direct conversation with a calling party while the automatic answering mode is in a standby condition or in operation, such an off-hook condition is detected by a current detector and the conversation is recorded on a recording tape without any limitation of time. When the telephone is put into an on-hook condition during the recording of the conversation, the current detector or a voice signal detector is operated to stop the recording operation, and then the device is automatically brought into a standby condition for the next call.

Abstract: An automatic telephone answering device has a timer energized when the device is set in a mode other than an automatic standby mode. A time-out output from the timer upon elapse of a preset timer's time and an output corresponding to a ringing signal are supplied to an AND gate. The device is controlled to automatically make an engaging loop circuit in response to an output from the AND gate and works as a telephone answering device to answer a call.

Abstract: An automatic telephone answering device having a conversation recording function has at least one tape cassette operative in a telephone answering mode to reproduce an outgoing message to a calling party and to record incoming messages in a standard manner, in response to an incoming call when the cassette is in a first position in the device. When the cassette is removed from the device, inverted reinserted so that the cassette is in a second position, the device is automatically operative in a conversation recording mode to record conversations between the calling and called parties. If more than a predetermined period of time elapses between the end of a conversation and the start of the next conversation or turning over of the cassette to provide a standby mode, an alarm is triggered.

Abstract: In an automatic telephone answering apparatus, an outgoing message tape is driven upon reception of an incoming call, and a first outgoing message and a specific signal are reproduced. When the specific signal is detected, a timer is started. While the timer is being operated, a loudspeaker unit amplifies the voice of a caller. A non-recorded portion of the outgoing message tape is reproduced while the timer is being operated. When a preset timer time has elapsed, the second message is sent out onto a telephone line, and the telephone answering apparatus automatically sets itself in a standby mode.