Remote operational screener
First Claim
1. Apparatus for screening incoming telephone calls comprising:
- a telephone answering means having recording means for recording incoming telephone messages and having a transmitter for transmitting the incoming telephone messages as audio signals simultaneously as the incoming telephone messages are received; and
a remote call screening device having a receiver for receiving the audio signals and a loudspeaker for audibly emitting the incoming telephone messages simultaneously as the incoming telephone messages are received and recorded;
wherein said telephone answering means includes a remote-override switch for switching said apparatus to a remote-override mode in which said transmitter is prevented from transmitting to said remote call screening device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
This invention provides for an audible remote screening function or device (FIGS. 3A and 13) for use with an answering device or machine (FIG. 6B) and may also combine this screening function with an ability for remote operational control (FIGS. 4A, 4B, and 7B) of an answering device or machine.
A remote call screening device provides for the remote screening capabilities to be outwardly audible a distance from itself.
Preferred forms of the invention provide for remote call screening of an answering device or machine, or remote call screening of an answering device or machine together with remote operational control of an answering device or machine, with the capability to remotely operate and/or remotely screen calls (incoming or pre-recorded) of that of an answering device or machine from a remote area or room via the remote function or device. In preferred forms: the audible remote screening from the device can be heard across a room or from another room as it is outwardly audible; the remote device can be made to stay in an active ON mode eliminating any need for the user to search, locate, or activate the remote device or any command signal per call being screened; the remote operational control and/or screening device can be directly plugged in (230) (FIG. 3B) allowing for simultaneous power and recharge abilities for an indefinite source of power and uninterrupted operation ability; a remote-override switch (100) (FIG. 6B) located on an answering device or machine for privacy control over unauthorized access to the answering device or machine from the remote device; and small size for portability.
The functions and capabilities of the remote device can be implemented, combined, and used in conjunction with/into any other unit or housing (FIGS. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, and 15).
24 Citations
46 Claims
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1. Apparatus for screening incoming telephone calls comprising:
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a telephone answering means having recording means for recording incoming telephone messages and having a transmitter for transmitting the incoming telephone messages as audio signals simultaneously as the incoming telephone messages are received; and a remote call screening device having a receiver for receiving the audio signals and a loudspeaker for audibly emitting the incoming telephone messages simultaneously as the incoming telephone messages are received and recorded; wherein said telephone answering means includes a remote-override switch for switching said apparatus to a remote-override mode in which said transmitter is prevented from transmitting to said remote call screening device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21)
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22. Apparatus for screening incoming telephone calls comprising:
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a telephone answering means having recording means for recording incoming telephone messages and having a transmitter for transmitting the incoming telephone messages as audio signals simultaneously as the incoming telephone messages are received; and a remote call screening device having a receiver for receiving the audio signals and a loudspeaker for audibly emitting the incoming telephone messages simultaneously as the incoming telephone messages are received and recorded; wherein said remote call screening device includes an ON/OFF switch capable of operating said remote call screening device in at least three modes, including an OFF mode in which said loudspeaker does not audibly emit the incoming telephone messages, an ON mode in which, upon user activation of said ON/OFF switch, said loudspeaker audibly emits an incoming telephone message as the incoming telephone message is received and recorded, and an active screening ON mode in which said loudspeaker audibly emits each incoming telephone message as the incoming telephone messages are received and recorded without further intervention of the user. - View Dependent Claims (23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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36. Apparatus for screening incoming telephone calls comprising:
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a telephone answering means having recording means for recording incoming telephone messages and having a transmitter for transmitting the incoming telephone messages as audio signals simultaneously as the incoming telephone messages are received, said telephone answering means having a base family code that allows communication with equipment having a matching family code; and a remote call screening device having a receiver for receiving the audio signals and a loudspeaker for audibly emitting the incoming telephone messages simultaneously as the incoming telephone messages are received and recorded, said remote call screening device being programmable to have a remote family code to match the base family code of said telephone answering means, thereby permitting communication between said remote call screening device and said telephone answering means; wherein said telephone answering means includes a remote-override switch for switching said apparatus to a remote-override mode in which said transmitter is prevented from transmitting to said remote call screening device.
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37. Apparatus for screening incoming telephone calls comprising:
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a first telephone answering means having recording means for recording incoming telephone messages and having a transmitter for transmitting the incoming telephone messages as audio signals on a first channel or frequency simultaneously as the incoming telephone messages are received; a second telephone answering means having recording means for recording incoming telephone messages and having a transmitter for transmitting the incoming telephone messages as audio signals on a second channel or frequency simultaneously as the incoming telephone messages are received; and a remote call screening device having a receiver for receiving audio signals and a loudspeaker for audibly emitting incoming telephone messages simultaneously as the incoming telephone messages are received and recorded, said remote call screening device including a channel or frequency selector switch for operating said remote call screening device to audibly emit incoming telephone messages transmitted as audio signals on said first channel or frequency and/or on said second channel or frequency; wherein at least one of said first telephone answering means or said second telephone answering means includes a remote-override switch for switching said apparatus to a remote-override mode in which the transmitter is prevented from transmitting to said remote call screening device. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41)
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42. Apparatus for screening incoming telephone calls comprising:
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a telephone answering means having recording means for recording incoming telephone messages and having a transmitter for transmitting the incoming telephone messages as audio signals simultaneously as the incoming telephone messages are received, said telephone answering means including a channel or frequency selector switch for operating said transmitter to transmit incoming telephone messages as audio signals on a first channel or frequency and/or on a second channel or frequency; a first remote call screening device having a receiver for receiving audio signals transmitted on said first channel or frequency and a loudspeaker for audibly emitting incoming telephone messages simultaneously as the incoming telephone messages are received and recorded; and a second remote call screening device having a receiver for receiving audio signals transmitted on said second channel or frequency and a loudspeaker for audibly emitting incoming telephone messages simultaneously as the incoming telephone messages are received and recorded; wherein said telephone answering means includes a remote-override switch for switching said apparatus to a remote-override mode in which said transmitter is prevented from transmitting on at least one of said first channel or frequency or said second channel or frequency. - View Dependent Claims (43, 44, 45, 46)
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Specification