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VCR with video phone answering capability

  • US 5,189,691 A
  • Filed: 08/30/1991
  • Issued: 02/23/1993
  • Est. Priority Date: 08/30/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. An answering machine for unattended answering of a video telephone system comprising:

  • a) first video read and write deck means for containing a video cassette tape and for writing video signals onto said video cassette tape and for reading video signals therefrom;

    b) second video read and write deck means for containing a video cassette tape and for writing video signals onto said video cassette tape and for reading video signals therefrom;

    c) input means connected to a telephone line for receiving incoming video telephone calls;

    d) output means connected to a telephone line input of the video telephone system for bi-directionally communicating with the video telephone system; and

    ,e) answering logic means connected to said first video read and write deck means, said second video read and write deck means, said input means, and said output means for recording outgoing video answering messages onto said video cassette tape of said first video read and write deck means, for answering incoming calls on said telephone line, for playing contents of said video cassette tape of said first video read and write deck means to incoming callers on said telephone line, for recording incoming video messages onto said video cassette tape of said second video read and write deck means, and for playing back recorded incoming video messages on said video cassette tape of said second video read and write deck means to a user;

    wherein additionally,f) said first video read and write deck means and said second video read and write deck means comprise tape decks of a dual-deck video cassette recorder (VCR); and

    ,g) said dual-deck VCR includes television connection logic means for operably connecting said first video read and write deck means and said second video read and write deck means to a television signal input of a broadcast television set; and

    additionally comprising,h) switching means for selectively switching connections from said first video read and write deck means and said second video read and write deck means between said television connection logic means and said answering logic means whereby said dual-deck VCR can be used in conjunction with broadcast television viewing and recording and in conjunction with video telephone answering; and

    ,i) control means for selectively switching said switching means between an answering mode with said answering logic means connected to said first video read and write deck means and said second video read and write deck means and a VCR mode with said television connection logic means connected to said first video read and write deck means and said second video read and write deck means.

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