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Line interface unit for caller-controlled receipt and delivery of voice messages

  • US 4,825,460 A
  • Filed: 06/22/1988
  • Issued: 04/25/1989
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1988
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A line interface unit for controlling receipt and delivery of voice messages over a telephone system having a voice message facility connectible to at least one calling station and a called station via a central office, the calling station having tip and ring lines connected to the central office, comprising:

  • a first switch connected to the calling station in the tip and ring lines and a second switch connected to the central office in the tip and ring lines, each of the first and second switches having first and second positions and wherein signals on the tip and ring lines are connected directly between the calling station and the central office when each of the switches are in the first position;

    a speed dial circuit for dialing the voice message facility;

    a speech circuit for issuing a predetermined prompt to the caller at the calling station;

    means for monitoring the tip and ring lines;

    means connected to the monitoring means for detecting a predetermined condition at the called station upon call initiation to the called station, for detecting receipt of a first predetermined code from the calling station and for detecting receipt of a second predetermined code from the voice message facility;

    control means connected to the detecting means and the first and second switches, the control means responsive to detecting of the predetermined condition for switching the first switch from its first position to its second position to connect the speech circuit to the calling station for issuing the prompt;

    wherein after the prompt is issued the control means is responsive to receipt of the first predetermined code from the calling station for switching the second switch from its first position to its second position to connect the speed-dial circuit to the central office for dialing the voice message facility; and

    wherein after dialing the voice message facility the control means is responsive to receipt of the second predetermined code from the voice message facility for switching the first and second switches from their respective second positions back to their respective first positions to connect the calling station to the voice message facility.

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