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Multi-line telephone switching system

  • US 5,159,626 A
  • Filed: 07/10/1990
  • Issued: 10/27/1992
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/10/1990
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A multi-line telephone switching system for processing and answering incoming telephone calls on a subscriber'"'"'s premises after said incoming calls are received on a plurality of incoming telephone lines connected to a remote central station, said multi-line telephone switching system being connected to said incoming telephone lines and comprising:

  • a single one-line answering machine for selectively transmitting information to and receiving information from said incoming lines on a one-at-a-time basis; and

    control means coupled to said plurality of incoming telephone lines and to said answering machine for switching incoming calls on any of said lines to said answering machine on a one-at-a-time basis after a preselected number of rings on a called line including zero rings, said control means including means for picking up and holding received incoming calls on any of said lines only when said answering machine is busy processing a previously received call, and connecting means for connecting the thus held calls on said one-at-a-time basis to the answering machine upon completion of the processing of the previously received call by the answering machine, said connecting means including ring signal generating means for generating a ring signal that is provided to the answering machine after the answering machine completes processing of the previously received call.

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