Automatic telephone directory message system
First Claim
1. A telephone directory message system which comprises means for detecting numbers representing user codes and messages to be transmitted to callers or users which are entered on a telephone line, memory means for storing user code numbers and accompanying message numbers and having a plurality of different locations each for a separate user code number and its accompanying message number, means for writing each of said user code numbers and said message numbers which accompany them into said different locations in said memory, speech synthesizer means having a vocabulary of words of speech corresponding to said message numbers, and means responsive to said user code numbers for operating said synthesizer in accordance with the message numbers stored in the same location with said user code numbers for transmitting signals representing said speech words on said telephone lines.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An automatic telephone directory system is interactive with users over telephone lines and provides voice messages to callers where the user wishing to leave a message enters his user code number and numbers representing messages, which may include any phone number at which the user may be reached, if available. Messages may be removed from the directory or changed. Callers obtain the messages over the directory telephone lines by entering the user code number identifying the user party which the caller wishes to contact. Then the system transmits the voice message to the caller. The user code numbers and numbers representing the messages entered by the user are stored in separate locations in memory. The system counts calls for directory service and removes the user code number and the message accompanying it, if a call for that user is not received during a predetermined number of calls to the directory thereby enabling removal of stale messages automatically. A speech synthesizer has a vocabulary of words corresponding to the message numbers and instructional words. A microprocessor controls the system in response to the entry of user code numbers and message numbers over the directory telephone line. There may be more users than locations in memory for user and message numbers. The system provides an instructional message to users wishing to leave messages that the directory is full when the memory locations are all occupied.
116 Citations
17 Claims
- 1. A telephone directory message system which comprises means for detecting numbers representing user codes and messages to be transmitted to callers or users which are entered on a telephone line, memory means for storing user code numbers and accompanying message numbers and having a plurality of different locations each for a separate user code number and its accompanying message number, means for writing each of said user code numbers and said message numbers which accompany them into said different locations in said memory, speech synthesizer means having a vocabulary of words of speech corresponding to said message numbers, and means responsive to said user code numbers for operating said synthesizer in accordance with the message numbers stored in the same location with said user code numbers for transmitting signals representing said speech words on said telephone lines.
Specification