Abstract: A portable radio telephone is provided with a headset having a user actuable switch and a microphone. The handset of the radio telephone includes circuitry for responding to the operation of the headset by the user to select or generate information such as a telephone number.

Abstract: A technique for preventing voice announcements in a group call is provided. A VM tone begins a voice announcement of a voice mail system. Parties that cause the VM tone to be transmitted are not added to the group call. This approach guarantees that no voice announcements will be added to the group call. With this approach, all subscribers are allowed to use voice mail systems, but the subscribers currently forwarding messages to voice mail will not be connected to group calls.

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: A cellular mobile telephone apparatus has circuits for generating messages, a storage circuit for storing messages, and transmitter/receiver circuit for transmitting a message. When the user of the cellular mobile telephone apparatus cannot immediately respond to an incoming call, a desired one of a plurality of previously generated and stored messages can be transmitted to a calling party through simple key manipulations or by other means.

Abstract: A telephone voice mail messaging system for performing recognition of characters included in a telephone message left by a caller includes: speaker recognition means, responsive to the telephone message, for extracting a voice model of the caller from the telephone message and comparing the voice model of the caller against a plurality of pre-obtained voice model's respectively associated with a plurality of potential callers to find a pre-obtained voice model from among the plurality of pre-obtained voice models that matches the voice model of the caller and, if the matching pre-obtained voice model is found, then the speaker recognition means identifying at least one pre-obtained set of characters attributed to a potential caller from among the plurality of potential callers associated with the matching pre-obtained voice model; character spotting means, responsive to the telephone message, for identifying sets of characters in the telephone message; and comparator means for comparing characters of the

Abstract: A blended callflow method in which a spoken digit dial option is added to the caller options for dialing. By automatically switching from an implicit to an explicit mode during such an option, without requiring an explicit command from the caller, the present invention allows a more detailed call flow and allows the caller to confirm the number's accuracy, prior to dialing. The method may also switch between modes where spoken input is received near the expiration of a receiver offhook (ROH) timer.

Abstract: A facsimile machine including an automatic answering machine with a voice memory checks whether the facsimile is set to an automatic answering mode, upon receiving a ring signal of an incoming call. If the facsimile machine is set to the automatic answering mode, a check is made as to whether or not the voice memory is full. If the voice memory is full, the facsimile machine sends to a caller a memory-full status message requesting the caller to leave call-back information and prints out the received call-back information on a recording sheet. The call-back information is a telephone number of the caller. Therefore, in case of a long absence of the user, the facsimile machine may print out the telephone numbers of the callers on a recording sheet.

Abstract: A telephone call screener and method of use is disclosed for use with a user's telephone system. It rejects unwanted telephone calls, such as those from telemarketers, while still allowing personal calls to ring through to the user, all without any user involvement. The screener recognizes an incoming call and disconnects the user's telephone. The screening process then reads prerecorded messages to the caller, attempting to verbally filter out and reject undesired call types. In a first embodiment, the screener generates a random single digit number, and requests the caller to press this number key on their phone to verify compliance with the previously read message. Depending on the caller's actions, the call is either disconnected, or is allowed to ring through to the user's telephone. Neither the caller nor the screener user needs to know any predefined codes. Further, the screener does not depend on any Caller ID system or telephone answering machine.

Abstract: A data communication apparatus includes a receiving unit for receiving data, a memory unit for storing received data, an informing unit for, after memory reception is performed by the memory unit, automatically calling a predetermined destination and informing that memory reception is performed, and a transmitting unit for transmitting data of the memory unit in accordance with reception of a control signal.

Abstract: In a telephone set, a voiced and silent section detecting device detects whether the voice message stored in a storage device by an automatic answering function is a voiced section or a silent section, and the detected voiced or silent section information is stored in a storage device, corresponding to the voice message. Therefore, by pressing a skip operation button while reproducing a voice message, reproduction is started from the start position of the next voiced section.

Abstract: The present invention is an audio transceiver (having an audio receiver and a transmitter) which, on the receiving side, adaptively controls the amount of audio data in the buffer of a PC audio device, such that the audio device always has something to play. On the transmission side, the audio transmitter provides at least sequence numbers to the audio packets to be sent. The audio receiver is concerned only with the state of the buffer of the audio device. Therefore, the audio transmitter does not have to be synchronized with the audio receiver.

Abstract: An agent speech detector system 100 includes an agent terminal 112 which detects whether an agent speaks during a telephone call routed to the agent by a telephonic switch 102. An interface circuit 104 may interconnect the agent terminal 112 and the telephonic switch 102. A call begin circuit 216 detects the beginning of a telephone call and notifies a speech detector 218. The speech detector 218 monitors the voice of the agent until a call termination circuit 220 indicates that the telephone call has terminated. If the speech detector 218 detects that the agent did not speak during the telephone call, it notifies a communications circuit 222 which automatically transmits this information to a supervisor computer system 105.

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: An automatic call distributor (10) having a multiport switch (12) controlled by a central control processing unit (14) and an associated memory (16) for receipt of audio voice energy from answered telephonic calls through an external telephonic public switching network (22) to selectively connect the answered calls with internal telephonic units (18) coupled with the multiport switch (12) provided with a digital signal processing circuit card (30) for determining the presence of an answering machine (24) by running a pause timer and a delay timer which disables execution of the pause timer to establish a first minimum time period that an initial pause in the received voice energy from an external telephonic unit (20) must exceed to indicate the presence of a live voice in which the pause timer is disabled from timing any pauses until the end of a delay time internal, a second minimum time period which is no longer than the first minimum time period that a pause must exceed after the lapse of the delay time in

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of voice, single tone and dual tone signals compares a ratio r which equals the square of the maximum value of the received signal (A max) during a sampling period divided by a measure E of the energy to three different thresholds. If r is less than the first threshold (3), a single tone is indicated. If it is greater than the first but less than the second, the received signal level is compared to the third threshold (-43 dB) and receipt of a voice signal is indicted if the level of the received signal exceeds this threshold.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to provide a means for indicating an incoming message recording mode of a telephone answering device, such as a fixed or variable mode, by means of a distinguishable audible signal, which is outputted to speaker 9 or telephone line L1,L2 via output port O-6, on the following occasions: when one of the mode keys of console 2 is manually operated; when the telephone answering device is set to automatic answer mode by the "AUTO" key operation; and when a predetermined signal entered remotely is received through telephone line L1,L2, line transformer, amplifier 12 and tone decoder 13. Such a predetermined signal is also used to switch the recording mode by remote control.

Abstract: A method for detecting the presence of voice, single tone and dual tone signals compares a ratio r which equals the square of the maximum value of the received signal (A max) during a sampling period divided by a measure E of the energy to three different thresholds. If r is less than the first threshold (3) a single tone is indicated. If it is greater than the first but less than the second (5.2) a dual tone is indicated. If it is greater than the second, the received signal level is compared to the third threshold (-43 dB) and receipt of a voice signal is indicated if the level of the received signal exceeds this threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus improves the perceived quality of a voice message received in a radio signal by a radio communication receiver (108) having voice storage capability and operating in a fading signal environment. A monitor (203) repeatedly monitors (304) a received radio signal quality indication during intervals of reception of contiguous portions of the voice message, and a selective storage element (228) selectively stores (308) for later playback (404) only those portions of the voice message received during the intervals of reception having a radio signal quality indication higher than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Synthesized voice having a high level is prevented from being output. A detector detects whether the level of a voice signal synthesized by a linear predictor based on linear predictive coefficients exceeds a predetermined threshold or not, and a control signal is output to a suppressor if the level exceeds the predetermined threshold. Upon receipt of the control signal from the detector, the suppressor stops the output of the voice signal supplied by the linear predictor.

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: A facsimile apparatus with automatic answering telephone function comprising an automatic reception mode to record a voice signal sent from an originating side with a recording unit and the facsimile reception mode to record an image signal sent from the originating side with a sound recording unit, which includes a reception switching mechanism to switch any one mode of the automatic reception mode and facsimile reception mode depending on the kind of a sending signal from the originating side.

Abstract: A method of processing a signal having characteristics and received from a telephone line is presented. The method includes defining a frame by measuring a plurality of samples from the signal over a predetermined period. Additionally, linear prediction coding coefficients of a selected group from the plurality of samples are determined. Further, the variance of the linear prediction coding coefficients are determined and the variances compared to a reference variance. A heuristic rule is applied to a selected characteristic of the signal to determine if the signal comprises a voice signal.

Abstract: Voice signal information in a telephone-type signal is detected by subjecting the signal to several tests such as a minimum energy test, an amplitude ratio test, and a sequencing test which ensures that the other tests have been satisfied for a sufficient length of time and/or sufficiently frequently over a predetermined time interval. A voice processing system such as a voice mail system may use the detection of voice as above to initiate the transmission of an announcement or message during an automatically placed telephone call.

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: There is provided a telephone system including a recording/reproducing section for recording an answering message to be transmitted to a calling subscriber and for reproducing the answering message, wherein a predetermined command from the calling subscriber is received through a telephone line during sending of the reproduced answering message to the telephone line, a predetermined operation is executed in correspondence with the command. In this telephone system, there are provided sections (25, 107) for generating a soundless period discrimination signal indicating a soundless period of the answering message at the time of recording the answering message, and command reception sections (11, 20, 21) for receiving the command signal in response to the soundless period discrimination signal at the time of sending the reproduced answering message to the telephone line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed which allows the sending or receiving of either speech or digital data calls over a phone line by correctly connecting either a digital data machine or a voice phone with the line without any human involvement. An analyzer connected to the phone line interrogates each incoming call to determine if it is a voice call or a digital data call. If it is a voice call, the analyzer rings the phone and connects it to the line when the phone is answered. If the incoming call is a digital data call, the data machine, e.g., fax, is connected to the phone line. The distinction between voice and digital data calls is based in part on analyses of incoming response to an interrogation of the caller with messages from a speech synthesizer. For outgoing calls, the analyzer determines which of the phone and the data machines becomes active, and connects the active one with the phone line while it blocks access to the line by the other one until the outgoing call is complete.

Abstract: A method for recording incoming message signals on a telephone answering machine includes the step of generating a first instruction message on an outgoing telephone line to indicate to a party calling from a touch tone telephone a first signaling protocol for selecting which of the plurality of individuals is to receive a message from the calling party. In a subsequent step, the incoming telephone line is monitored for an incoming touch tone signal transmitted by the calling party in response to the first instruction message. In the event that a touch tone signal is received from the calling party in response to the first instruction message within a predetermined period of time from the beginning of transmission of the first instruction message, the received touch tone signal is decoded to determine the identity of a called individual to receive an incoming message signal from the calling party.

Abstract: A terminal switching control apparatus, used for a combination of a voice terminal device and a non-voice terminal device, comprises a call signal recognition detector to detect an incoming signal and distinguish the detected signal between an voice signal and an non-voice terminal call signal, a device for transmitting a response message to urge the calling party to respond if no incoming voice signal is detected, an action request device for urging the called party to respond by the voice terminal device when an incoming voice signal is recognized after transmitting the response message, a control device for switching the line connection to the non-voice terminal device if neither the voice signal nor the non-voice signal is detected by the call recognition device, and a set of mode selector switches for selecting a presence mode and an absence mode according to the presence/absence status of the called party.

Abstract: A terminal switching control apparatus includes a controller. The controller responds to one of a record stop (RS) signal, a communication signal from a telephone, and a facsimile communication end (FCE) signal from a facsimile to monitor a call detect CED signal from a call detector. The controller determines whether the mode set by a mode setting section is a first mode or a second mode, in response to the CED signal from the call detector. In the first mode, the controller responds to a CNG detect signal from a CNG detector within a first time period and outputs a switch control (SC) signal to a switch so as to couple a communication line to the facsimile, and then responds to the communication signal upon elapse of the first time period and outputs the SC signal to the switch so as to couple the communication line to the telephone.

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: In a telephone answering device, artificial intelligence sends an outgoing message to the caller upon receipt of an incoming call. When the caller responds, the artificial intelligence determines whether the caller's voice is registered with the device, and if so, particular messages are played to the caller. If the caller's voice is not registered, the caller is notified by the device, and he may receive his specific message by sending a touch tone code (e.g., telephone number) from his telephone.

Abstract: In an automatic telephone answering and recording device which detects a pause between words during recording the outgoing message tape to identify the end of the outgoing message and switch the incoming message tape T-2 to record an incoming message, if there is a pause that occurs within a couple of seconds from the start of the tape during recording of the outgoing message, the incoming message tape T- 2 is not switched on. However, if there is a pause after a couple of seconds from the start, the incoming message tape T-2 is turned on to record an incoming message. This makes it possible for a general user to record the outgoing message through a microphone or from a distant location without concern that any inadvertent hesitation in the outgoing message will turn on the incoming message tape T-2 early.

Abstract: A telephone message recording device for recording messages from a caller on an incoming telephone line, including a recording memory for recording of calls and incoming messages, an announcement memory, a detector responsive to incoming telephone calls and producing a start signal for the announcement memory, a voice detector switch for detecting whether there are voice signals on the incoming line and supplying a start signal to the recording memory and a pair of numeric displays indicating that a call or calls have been received, one display for indicating the number of calls received and a second display for indicating the number of calls which have been recorded on the recording memory. First and second counters are provided for the displays formed by two-digit BCD counters whose output signals are applied via multiplexers and drive circuits to the associated display.

Abstract: An advanced electronic telecommunication system is provided for the deposit, storage and delivery of audio messages. A Voice Message System (10) interconnects multiple private branch exchanges (12) of a subscriber with a central telephone office (22). Individual subscriber users may access the Voice Message System (10) through ON NET telephones (18) or OFF NET telephones (24). The Voice Message System (10) includes an administrative subsystem (60), call processor subsystem (62) and a data storage subsystem (64). The Voice Message System (10) enables the user to deposit a message in data storage subsystem (64) for automatic delivery to other addressees connected to the system. The Voice Message System (10) also enables a user to access the system to determine if any messages have been stored in the data storage subsystem (64) for the user by first entering an identification code and then speaking a password. The password is compared to a speaker dependent template stored in the system.

Abstract: A programmed conversation recording system presents a caller with a sequence of messages and records caller responses to these messages during respective calling periods. According to this invention, pauses in the caller response are automatically detected and timed and a patience interval is provided which varies in real time during the recording period as a function of the duration of the caller response. The recording period is automatically terminated when the duration of a pause in the caller response exceeds the patience interval. By varying the patience interval in real time during the recording period, the recording system can be programmed to respond properly, even to responses to complex questions.

Abstract: An automatic telephone answering device includes a generator for a voice synthesized acceptance message for collect calls. The acceptance message is generated in one of several modes of operation of the answering device, selected by a user. Preferably, the acceptance message is generated only in a fixed time message receiving mode.

Abstract: A programmed conversation recording system utilizes distinctive control signals to condition voice actuated circuitry to respond to silence intervals, pause intervals, and speech length intervals to select and start the appropriate prerecorded message for creating a facsimile of a live conversation with an unrehearsed and untrained respondent.

Abstract: A telephone answering machine which includes a speakerphone feature to enable the user to converse directly with a calling party through the machine. A microphone and a speaker are included in the machine together with interconnecting circuitry which may be activated by the user upon the receipt of a telephone call to enable the user to communicate with the calling party through the machine instead of having the calling party record his message on the machine in response to a recorded announcement.

Abstract: In an automatic telephone answering apparatus, an input signal sent through telephone lines is enveloped to derive pulses. The pulses are counted by a first counter. When a predetermined period of time has elapsed, a count of the first counter is compared with a reference value. When the count is larger than the reference value, the input signal is regarded as a speech signal, and the first and second counters are reset to count the pulses again. The above operation is repeated. When the count has not reached the reference value, the second counter is operated. When another predetermined period of time has elapsed, the count of the first counter is compared with the reference value, and this operation is repeated. When the count of the second counter reaches a given value, the automatic telephone answering apparatus is set in the standby mode.

Abstract: Recording apparatus which may be in the form of a telephone answering machine which responds to ring signals received over a telephone line to answer a call and proceed through its normal answer sequence. A modem is connected to the apparatus, and if at any time during the answer sequence a data signal carrier is detected by the modem indicating the presence of data signals, a control signal is introduced to the apparatus to disable the internal VOX circuitry which does not respond to data signals, so as to enable the apparatus to continue to record the data signals for so long as the data signal carrier is detected. When the data signal carrier is no longer detected, the apparatus switches back to its normal mode.