Telephone answering machine and method employing caller identification data
First Claim
1. A telephone answering system, comprising:
- a telephone line interface circuit for receiving a message including a voice portion and caller ID data with a telephone number portion;
a caller ID data decoding circuit coupled to said telephone line interface for decoding said caller ID data;
a voice message memory;
a data memory;
a controller coupled to said voice message memory and said data memory, and operable to receive and store said voice portion in said voice message memory, and operable to store said decoded caller ID data in the data memory, and a reply actuator coupled to said controller, wherein actuation of said reply actuator causes said controller to enable said telephone line interface to place a telephone call to said telephone number portion.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A telephone answering system and method that integrates caller ID and directory information to automate the message reply functions is taught. In an illustrative embodiment a telephone line interface circuit for receiving voice and caller ID information, with a telephone number portion, is coupled to a caller ID data decoding circuit. A voice message memory and a data memory are coupled to a controller. The controller operates to receive and store the voice portion of each message in the voice message memory, and to store the decoded caller ID data in the data memory. A reply actuator is coupled to the controller, and actuation of the reply actuator causes the controller to enable a telephone line interface to place a telephone call to the telephone number portion of the caller ID data. The reply message may be recorded to the message memory for communication at a later time, specified by the user. In an illustrative embodiment, a telephone answering machine is taught that applies the present invention together with a speakerphone. The machine utilizes an alphanumeric display and a keypad for a user interface.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A telephone answering system, comprising:
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a telephone line interface circuit for receiving a message including a voice portion and caller ID data with a telephone number portion;
a caller ID data decoding circuit coupled to said telephone line interface for decoding said caller ID data;
a voice message memory;
a data memory;
a controller coupled to said voice message memory and said data memory, and operable to receive and store said voice portion in said voice message memory, and operable to store said decoded caller ID data in the data memory, and a reply actuator coupled to said controller, wherein actuation of said reply actuator causes said controller to enable said telephone line interface to place a telephone call to said telephone number portion. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A telephone answering machine, comprising:
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a controller;
a telephone line interface circuit coupled to said controller for receiving a message including a voice portion and caller ID data with a telephone number portion;
a caller ID data decoding circuit coupled to said controller and coupled to said telephone line interface for decoding said caller ID data;
a voice message memory coupled to said controller;
a data memory coupled to said controller;
an audio reproduction circuit coupled to said controller;
wherein said controller is operable to receive and store said voice portion in said voice message memory, and operable to store said decoded caller ID data in the data memory, and operable to reproduce said stored voice portion through said audio reproduction circuit;
a reply actuator coupled to said controller, wherein actuation of said reply actuator causes said controller to enable said telephone line interface to place a telephone call to said telephone number portion;
a record reply actuator coupled to said controller;
a microphone and interface circuit coupled to said controller, and wherein said controller is operable to record a reply message from said microphone and interface circuit into said voice message memory upon actuation of said record reply actuator, and operable to replay said reply message to the called party during said telephone call, and wherein said controller replays said recorded reply message upon answering said telephone call by the called party;
a time input actuator coupled to said controller, and wherein said controller is operable to receive a specific time from said time input actuator for placing said telephone call.
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11. A method of operation in a telephone answering system that includes caller ID data reception capability, a voice message memory, and a data memory, comprising the steps of:
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receiving a message having a voice portion and caller ID data with a telephone number portion;
storing said voice portion in the voice message memory, and, storing said caller ID data in the data memory, and replying to said message by recalling said telephone number portion and placing a telephone call in accordance therewith. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification