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Automatic call distribution with answer machine detection apparatus and method

  • US 5,724,420 A
  • Filed: 06/24/1996
  • Issued: 03/03/1998
  • Est. Priority Date: 09/28/1994
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. In an automatic call distributor having a multiport switch controlled by a central control processing unit and an associated memory for receipt of voice energy from answered telephonic calls through an external telephonic public switching network and to selectively connect said answered calls with internal telephonic units coupled with the multiport switch, the improvement being an answer machine detection apparatus comprising:

  • means for establishing a first minimum time period that an initial pause in the received voice energy must exceed to indicate the presence of a live voice includinga delay timer for establishing a preselected maximum delay time interval beginning when the received voice energy is initially detected,a pause timer for establishing a preselected pause time period, andmeans for disabling the pause timer from beginning timing in response to any pause until lapse of the end of the preselected maximum delay time interval;

    means for establishing a second minimum time period no longer than the first minimum time period that a pause must exceed after the lapse of the preselected maximum delay time interval to indicate the presence of live voice includingmeans for enabling the pause timer to start timing any pause after the lapse of the delay time interval; and

    means responsive to lapse of the second minimum time period before the end of any pause to indicate detection of live voice.

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