Abstract: A system for customizing time limits for inmate communications in a correctional facility is disclosed. The system includes a profile subsystem that stores an inmate profile of the inmate and a communication processing subsystem comprising one or more processors configured to receive data of an inmate communication of an inmate, identify a type of communication device of the inmate and a call recipient of the inmate communication based on the data of the inmate communication, retrieve the inmate profile of the inmate form the profile subsystem, identify a plurality of behaviors of the inmate based on the inmate profile, determine a time limit based on at least one of the type of communication device, the call recipient of the inmate communication, and the plurality of behaviors of the inmate, and assign the time limit to the inmate communication of the inmate.

Abstract: An audio device, which is configured to receive audio data from anther device, comprises a memory that stores instructions and a processor. The processor is configured to execute the instructions stored in the memory to: receive the audio data and a time stamp attached to the audio data, output a pulse data having a predetermined length, detect end time of the pulse data, compare the end time of the pulse data and the time stamp, adjust the audio data based on the comparing result, and output the adjusted audio data.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a Unified Messaging System having a controller element to submit to a Calling Card Server (CCS) over a primary call leg a Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) SUBSCRIBE message requesting outdial event notification for a call placed on a secondary call leg responsive to a reply of a voicemail message, and receive over the primary call leg a SIP NOTIFY message from the CCS indicating outdial events associated with placing the call over the secondary call leg. Additional embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method of generating at least two distinctive auditory alerts upon receiving a transmission or telephone call at a device is described. Data indicative of a first plurality of sounds corresponding to a user of a device configured to receive the transmission or telephone call is accessed, such as from a memory. The first plurality of sounds is played at the device so as to identify a received transmission or telephone call being directed to the user. A telephone number, subscriber name or identifier associated with a transmitting or calling party of the transmission or telephone call is accessed. Data indicative of a second plurality of sounds designating the transmitting or calling party based on the subscriber name, telephone number or identifier is retrieved, such as from a data structure, and the second plurality of sounds is played at the device so as to identify the transmitting or calling party.

Abstract: A communication terminal includes a transceiver and a controller. The transceiver receives electronic messages from another communication terminal. The controller responds to receipt of each of the messages by examining content of the message according to at least one defined rule and to control sound characteristics of an alert tune that is played through a speaker responsive to the examined message content. The controller may attempt to match text from the message to a stored list of words and/or phrases, and to control the sound characteristics of the alert tune in response to an outcome of the matching.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining connected transmissions within a first site of a communications network comprising the steps of: —retrieving (70) at least one transmission characteristic comprising a time parameter of a first number of transmissions over transmission links within at least the first site of the communications network, and determining (72) a second number of transmissions of the first number of transmissions that are connected to each other and form a two way transmission based on comparison of the transmission characteristic of the first number of transmissions.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method for filtering an incoming call to a communication device. The communication device stores a default ring duration M and a default call frequency N. The communication device may calculate the ring duration of an incoming call, and further determines whether the ring duration reaches the default ring duration M. If the ring duration does not reach the default ring duration M, the communication device determines whether a call frequency of the incoming call reaches the default call frequency N. If the call frequency reaches the default call frequency N, the communication device blocks a phone number of the incoming call.

Abstract: The present invention relates to system and method of reading and rewriting EDID in a video transmission system includes a transmitter transmitting a video signal and a receiver receiving the video signal that the transmitter transmitted which are connected to each other through digital interface, the method includes a reading step where the transmitter reads the EDID of the receiver through the digital interface; a first transmitting step where the transmitter transmit the video signal to the receiver on the basis of the EDID which the transmitter read; a second transmitting step where the receiver transmits a first message related to the EDID of the receiver; and a third transmitting step where the receiver transmits a second message related to the EDID of the receiver; wherein the transmitter, which received the first message from the receiver, does not read the EDID of the receiver until the second message is received.

Abstract: A system for playing a color ring back tone (CRBT) based on a user's state presence information including the network element devices of: a HLR, a calling user's MSC/VLR, a called user's MSC/VLR, a CRBT control server, and a state presence server. A method for playing a CRBT based on a user's state presence information includes: providing a state presence server in a communication system which includes a CRBT control server; establishing a physical connection channel, and defining an information interface between the CRBT control server and the state presence server; the CRBT control server obtaining the called user's current state information by exchanging information through the information interface; and the CRBT control server playing a corresponding CRBT based on the current state information of the called user and corresponding subscription information of the color ring back tone service when the user is called.

Abstract: Methods, graphical user interfaces and devices for creation and management of voicemail greetings are disclosed. A user of a mobile communication device can create and manage multiple voicemail greetings. In one aspect, a user of a mobile communication device can create customized voicemails. The customized voicemails can be assigned to specific contacts (or groups of contacts) known to the mobile communication device. The customized voicemail greetings can also have controlled expiration dates. In another aspect, customized voicemails can be assigned to incoming calls in real-time.

Abstract: Provided is a method for multiple-termination routing in a wireless network environment that includes an Internet Protocol (“IP”) core. The method includes receiving a call delivery request. The call delivery request is based upon intelligent network protocols and includes a called number. The call features associated with the called number are retrieved, a determination is made whether the call features include multiple-termination routing information for a plurality of potential terminating devices, wherein at least one termination to be routed utilizes Session Initiation Protocol. When the call features include the multiple-termination routing information, call setups are initiated to each of the plurality of potential terminating devices. Upon detecting a first potential terminating device to complete one of the plurality of initiated call setups, any remaining initiated call setup or setups are released.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for the selective notification of incoming electronic messages. In this regard, a selective message notification method can include selectively generating a notification for a received message based upon pre-determined criteria irrespective of how the received message is handled. The pre-determined criteria can include a manually specified criteria, a rules based criteria, or a profile based criteria.

Abstract: A system and method for providing easy access to messaging services in a telecommunications network having office switches that are used by different providers of telephone and messaging services. The system uses a supplementary services database to maintain customer records including whether the customer uses messaging services and whether the customer subscribes to a short dialing sequence service for access to the messaging services. The customer is connected to the central office switch, which analyzes the dialing sequences generated by the customer. When the customer attempts access to the messaging services, the customer dials a short dialing or message sequence, such as *XX. The central office switch triggers a query to the supplementary services database for a call forwarding number to the messaging service used by the customer when the selected short dialing sequence is recognized by the switch.

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 method includes previously downloading, to a device of a user, media content chosen by a buddy of the user and an indication that it is to be associated with the buddy, passing the downloaded media content to the device as the media content to be associated in a contact list with the buddy and playing the media content in response to an identification of the buddy.

Abstract: A method of personalizing a call set-up of a mobile radio terminal includes acquiring contact information associated with a callable device. The contact information includes call set-up audio data corresponding to audio content selected by a user of the device. The contact information is stored as an entry in a database maintained by the mobile radio terminal. The audio content corresponding to the call set-up audio data is played back when the entry is selected.

Abstract: A mobile telephone comprises a ringer to provide an audible alert of an incoming telephone call. The mobile telephone has a ringer control schedule. The ringer control schedule indicates times at which a parameter of the ringer is to change. The mobile telephone further comprises a ringer controller to automatically change the parameter of the ringer according to the ringer control schedule.

Abstract: The illustrative embodiments described herein provide a method, apparatus, and computer program product for distributing targeted audible advertisements as ringtones. A user profile associated with a user is identified. An audible advertisement is selected from a plurality of audible advertisements using criteria matching the user profile. A currently selected ringtone is substituted with the audible advertisement on a communication device associated with the user.

Abstract: A cellular telephone handset stores audio files previously recorded by the user as well as voice mail messages from other users and selectively transmitted selected ones of these files to the remote listener, or to the voice mail system of a remote user. Voice mail messages are composed, stored, transmitted, forwarded and reviewed using a voice mail system without ringing the remote party's telephone, much as email is composed, stored, transmitted and reviewed using an email server.

Abstract: A system and method for providing easy access to messaging services in a telecommunications network having office switches that are used by different providers of telephone and messaging services. The system uses a supplementary services database to maintain customer records including whether the customer uses messaging services and whether the customer subscribes to a short dialing sequence service for access to the messaging services. The customer is connected to the central office switch, which analyzes the dialing sequences generated by the customer. When the customer attempts access to the messaging services, the customer dials a short dialing or message sequence, such as *XX. The central office switch triggers a query to the supplementary services database for a call forwarding number to the messaging service used by the customer when the selected short dialing sequence is recognized by the switch.

Abstract: There is provided a method of alerting a user of an occasion date in a phone having an idle mode screen displaying function and an incoming call ring sound alteration function. It is first determined whether today is a registered occasion date. If today is not the registered occasion date, a first predetermined image is set for an idle mode screen and a first predetermined ring sound is set as an incoming call ring sound. On the other hand, if the today is the registered occasion date, the first predetermined image is changed to a second predetermined image for the idle mode screen and the first predetermined ring sound is changed, to a second predetermined ring sound in place of the incoming call ring sound.

Abstract: A mobile telephone comprises a ringer to provide an audible alert of an incoming telephone call. The mobile telephone has a ringer schedule interface to receive a ringer control schedule. The ringer control schedule indicates times at which a parameter of the ringer is to change. The mobile telephone further comprises an integrated ringer controller to automatically change the parameter of the ringer according to the ringer control schedule.

Abstract: An apparatus for allowing a calling party to transmit a message for scheduled delivery from a network-enabled device. The apparatus includes a server for receiving a message request in response to a command from the network-enabled device, for generating one or more message addresses from the message request, and for transmitting the message request to one or more telecommunication networks corresponding to the one or more message addresses.

Abstract: A method of sending personalized outgoing voicemail/multimedia mail messages based on the caller ID in a multimedia telecommunications network, the method including storing the subscriber's personalized outgoing voicemail and multimedia mail messages at a first network element, receiving a call having a unique caller ID for the subscriber at a second network element, determining at the second network element whether the subscriber has activated the service and whether the subscriber is unavailable to take the call, forwarding the call to the first network element where the service has been activated by the subscriber and the subscriber is unavailable to take the call, analyzing at the first network element the caller ID of the call to determine which of the stored outgoing messages is an appropriate outgoing message for the caller, and playing the appropriate outgoing message to the caller.

Abstract: A telephone annunciator is disclosed which includes a voice ROM with a prerecorded message which is played back in response to a call received from an unwanted caller. A line current modulator is coupled with the voice ROM and the telephone line. A DTMF tone decoder circuit is coupled with the telephone line for decoding at least one DTMF code signal for producing a trigger signal. An on/off control circuit is responsive to the trigger signal for turning on the voice ROM whereby the telephone line current is modulated by the modulator in accordance with the audio signal from the voice ROM. A start-up power supply includes a storage capacitor and stores a charge in response to a ring signal on the telephone line. A main power supply is connected with the telephone line to receive power therefrom when an off-hook signal is detected.

Abstract: The system comprises an off-premises voice or fax mail system and an on-premises CPE device that can periodically interrogate the telephone line to monitor for signals indicating that a voice or fax message has been received at the off-premises message system. The on-premises CPE device contains, or is connectable to, an incoming message storage means, an automatic dialing means, a message counter means, and a means for establishing an off-hook/on-hook condition with the telephone line. When a call comes in while the telephone line is busy, the call is directed to an off-premises message center where a message is stored. Then, the central office of the telephone network generates a special signal such as a stutter dial tone to be transmitted to the called party location upon the next off-hook condition after the previous call has been completed.

Abstract: A system and method for providing easy access to messaging services in a telecommunications network having office switches that are used by different providers of telephone and messaging services. The system uses a supplementary services database to maintain customer records including whether the customer uses messaging services and whether the customer subscribes to a short dialing sequence service for access to the messaging services. The customer is connected to the central office switch, which analyzes the dialing sequences generated by the customer. When the customer attempts access to the messaging services, the customer dials a short dialing or message sequence, such as *XX. The central office switch triggers a query to the supplementary services database for a call forwarding number to the messaging service used by the customer when the selected short dialing sequence is recognized by the switch.

Abstract: A telephone set device capable of vocalizing a telephone number being called. A line interface circuit serves as an interface between the tip and ring wires of a standard telephone circuit and the internal circuit. A ring detector detects whether a ring signal is being input. A controller provides the input of signals from the line interface circuit, the keypad, and the ring detector. A hybrid circuit divides the connecting terminals of the line interface into a voice input and a voice output. A keypad inputs the control signal or the number signal to the controller, and sets the address data in the internal memory of the controller to output the voice data. A DTMF generator generates DTMF signals to represent each key on the keypad. A number voice generator receives the address data and decompresses the corresponding compressed voice data retrieved from the internal memory. A handset receives/transmits a voice signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a voice over internet protocol device capable of auto-selectively dialing up public switch telephone network or internet phone, said voice over internet protocol device can base on preset operation mode to detect if there is an in-coming call ringing signal transmitted from public switch telephone network thereon, if there is one, then the employment status of at least one terminal apparatus connected with said voice over internet protocol device can be based on making unused terminal apparatus be transferred to a loop which the said public switch telephone network is connected thereon.

Abstract: A communication system in which when an incoming call has arrived, a communication line having the capability of a high sampling rate is automatically selected without assistance of an exchange operator by transmitting an ultra high speed modem indication signal indicating the capability of data communication at an ultra high speed modem rate among the capabilities of a called terminal, and receiving an ultra high speed modem capability signal indicating the capability of an ultra high speed modem of a calling terminal.

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

Abstract: Presented is a telephone calling party announcement system which stores telephone numbers and associated voice messages provided by a user. When an incoming telephone call occurs, and a telephone number of a calling party matches a stored telephone number, an associated stored voice message is played back. Calling party information is provided by Caller ID information transmitted between a first and a second ring signal. If a stored telephone number matches the telephone number portion of the Caller ID information, a stored voice message associated with the telephone number is played back between (or in place of) subsequent ring signals. The stored voice message is typically the name of the calling party, and in this case the name of the calling party is announced between ring signals. A first embodiment includes a voice message unit which receives, stores, and plays back voice messages provided by the user.

Abstract: A Central Office voicemail system permits a customer to monitor incoming calls and decide whether or not he wishes to take the call. When a call is made to a called party (customer) and the called party does not answer the phone the call is transferred to voicemail in the usual way. Additionally, a special ringing tone is applied automatically by the Central Office to the called party line. This has the effect of alerting the called party to the fact that the caller has been transferred to voicemail. The called party can then monitor the message being left simply by lifting his phone and, if he wants to talk to the caller, he simply carries out a hookswitch flash. Alternatively, with a specially adapted terminal, the called party does not even have to lift the phone to monitor the message because the special ringing tone causes his terminal to go automatically into off-hook hands-free mode.

Abstract: A telephone annunciator is disclosed which includes a voice ROM with a prerecorded message which is played back in response to a call received from an unwanted caller. A line current modulator is coupled with the voice ROM and the telephone line. A DTMF tone decoder circuit is coupled with the telephone line for decoding at least one DTMF code signal for producing a trigger signal. An on/off control circuit is responsive to the trigger signal for turning on the voice ROM whereby the telephone line current is modulated by the modulator in accordance with the audio signal from the voice ROM. A start-up power supply includes a storage capacitor and stores a charge in response to a ring signal on the telephone line. A main power supply is connected with the telephone line to receive power therefrom when an off-hook signal is detected.

Abstract: A VMWI (Visual Message Waiting Indicator) multisense detection device solves both the problem of long CLASS VMWI signal retransmission delays and unreliable CLASS VMWI signal transmission by simultaneously enabling both stutter dial tone detection and CLASS VMWI signal detection. The multisense device samples the line each time the phone is placed on-hook or after the phone goes unanswered after a ring. If a valid CLASS VMWI signal is detected before the scheduled dial tone test, the dial tone test will be canceled. If no CLASS VMWI signal is detected, after a given amount of time, the VMWI device automatically enables stutter dial tone detection. The detection circuitry periodically polls for a preamble field of the CLASS signal to determine whether a valid CLASS signal is about to be transmitted. If the preamble indicates a CLASS signal is being transmitted, the detection circuitry remains on and the CLASS signal is received and processed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mode-switchable telephone and mode setting and switching methods for the telephone. The mode-switchable telephone has a comparing unit which compares a value of a ringer adjusting volume with a volume value for setting a second mode, and a control unit which switches a first mode to the second mode when it is determined based on the result of the comparison by the comparing unit that the value of the ringer adjusting volume is set to be equal to or less than the volume value for setting the second mode. This structure facilitates the operation of the telephone having an automatic answering/recording function and a simple pager function.

Abstract: A computer system has an automatic answering device and a method of automatically communicating an audio response message to a caller, in response to an incoming telephone call by the caller, when the system is in a hibernation state where the contents of all of the devices of the system have been saved and the system has substantially been turned off for the sake of reducing power consumption. The automatic answering device has an address generator for generating a set of addresses, a memory for storing audio response message data, an address selector, a data switch for switching data paths, and a digital-to-analog converter for converting the audio data into analog audio response signals. The audio response signals are sent through a modem to a caller so that the caller gets an audio response message indicating that the system is in the hibernation state.

Abstract: According to the invention, a system and method are provided for notifying a user of an awaiting message. The awaiting message is located in a user mailbox (24). User (10) is first provided with notification. This notification is different for different types of messages. The notification to user (10) is repeated if user (10) fails to respond to it. The repeating occurs until user (10) responds to the notification, and the repeating takes place after a predetermined period of time. User (10) is then informed of the awaiting message located in user mailbox (24).

Abstract: An off-hook state of a telephone associated with a computer is used in order to disable the power management unit of the computer to prevent premature power shutdown while the telephone is being used. A power-managed computer system includes a bus system, and a central processing unit coupled to the bus system. The central processing unit has a normal power mode and a power saving mode. A telephony interface coupled to the bus system has a port for coupling to a telephone system network. A power management unit is also coupled to the bus system and is responsive to bus system activity and to indicia of telephony interface activity. The power management unit causes the central processing unit to be in a power saving mode when both bus system activity and telephony interface activity are less than a predetermined level of activity.

Abstract: A telephone answering apparatus with answer-only. The telephone answering apparatus includes a converter for converting the ringing signal to a DC voltage which is used to power the telephone answering apparatus. A ring signal detector is devised to detect the presence of the ringing signal to thereby generate an actuating signal when the presence of the ringing signal is detected. Responsive to the actuating signal, a dial IC retrieves pager numbers or voice messages prerecorded in a speech synthesizer IC and sends the retrieved voice message via the telephone system to the caller.

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: There is disclosed a system and method for monitoring the performance of a multi-line automated telephone system and detecting complete or intermittent faults on the incoming phone lines and in interactive applications accessed by the automated telephone device. The system gathers and analyzes statistical parameters associated with each incoming phone line and compares the parameters with those of other phone lines and with past statistical averages to detect out-of-tolerance lines. The system also gathers and analyzes statistical parameters associated with the execution of various applications and compares the parameters with past statistical averages to detect out-of-tolerance accesses to the applications.

Abstract: Described is an extension device for use with a computer system which includes a memory for storing an application program which can perform at least one software function. A modem is operative to encode the at least one software function to first tone signals and transfer them onto a telephone line. The modem is further operative to decode second tone signals received from the telephone line and transfer the first tone signals in response thereto. The system includes power management circuitry (PMC) for changing the system from a low power state to a normal operating state responsive to a wake up control tone signal. The extension device includes a keypad for inputting (1) command signals corresponding to the at least one software function and (2) a wake up command signal. A display is included on the extension device for displaying information related to the at least one software function. The extension device also includes a controller coupled to a signal generator and a signal decoder.

Abstract: A telephone answering device includes a line interface for connecting the telephone answering device to a telephone line and a ring detector, coupled to the telephone line, for detecting ringing signals sent from a telephone company central office. A calling party identification (CPID) detector, coupled to the telephone line, is provided for detecting CPID information. A controller controls the line interface to seize the telephone line immediately after the ring detector detects a first ring on the telephone line and the CPID detector detects that the CPID information is blocked. After the line interface seizes the telephone line, the telephone answering device plays an outgoing message to the caller and, thereafter, the caller may record a message for the telephone answering device owner.

Abstract: A telephone set including a data obtaining device which obtains a plurality of sets of own-call-number data each set of which identifies a corresponding one of a plurality of different own call numbers allotted to the telephone set according to a common numbering rule, each of the different own call numbers identifying the telephone set from other telephone sets to which other call numbers different from the own call numbers are allotted according to the common numbering rule, a plurality of memories which are related with the different own call numbers, respectively, and in which a plurality of batches of sound information are stored, respectively, and a transmitter which transmits, to one of the other telephone sets, the batch of sound information stored in one of the memories which corresponds to one of the different own call numbers identified by one of the sets of own-call-number data obtained by the data obtaining device.

Abstract: A telephone ring detector detects a ring signal voltage from a diverse set of signals transmitted on a telephone line before a complete alternating current ring signal cycle is received. In an exemplary embodiment, the ring detector includes a voltage threshold setting device for establishing a voltage threshold and comparing the ring signal voltage to the voltage threshold to provide an output signal when the ring signal voltage is above the voltage threshold. A pair of zener diodes having a selected voltage value can provide the threshold setting and comparison functions. A microprocessor, including a timer for measuring a time duration of the output signal, outputs a ring detection signal when the time duration exceeds a predetermined time interval value, which is substantially less than a full ring cycle. A line switch responsive to the ring detector is provided to direct communication signals to a telecommunications device.

Abstract: A call forwarding parameter, which a communication network uses to control forwarding of a subscriber's incoming calls to a centralized messaging system, is varied as a function of the status of a subscriber's services within the centralized messaging system. This forwarding control may apply to a variety of different types of communication network and/or to a variety of centralized messaging systems. For example, if the messaging system provides voice mail type services, and the communication network is a public switched telephone network, the voice mail system might instruct the network to change the threshold ringing interval or the threshold number of rings before forwarding unanswered calls directed to a subscriber to the voice mail system, as a function of the status of that subscriber's mailbox.

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.