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Method and apparatus for answering a telephone with speech

  • US 6,483,897 B1
  • Filed: 12/24/1998
  • Issued: 11/19/2002
  • Est. Priority Date: 12/29/1997
  • Status: Expired due to Fees
First Claim
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1. A sound activated telephone answering device for use with a land-line telephone by a call recipient for receiving telephone calls from a telephone, comprising:

  • a) a microcontroller for recognizing a pattern of sound signals and absence of sound signals within a predetermined amount of time for determining whether enough time has elapsed for said microcontroller to conclude a current sampling period and to evaluate results of said period, said microcontroller placing the device in a first off-hook mode upon recognizing said pattern of sound signals, and a second automatic answer mode when recognizing the absence of said sound signals;

    b) a sound receiver for detecting said pattern of sound signals or absence thereof to place said microcontroller in said first off-hook mode or said second automatic answer mode;

    c) a ring detector for detecting a call from a caller on a telephone line, and then signaling said microcontroller to enter a mode wherein it receives sound signals from said sound receiver;

    d) a switch hook for opening a telephone connection between said sound activated telephone answering device and said telephone when said microcontroller is in said off-hook mode; and

    e) a playback device actuated by said microcontroller for playing a message over the telephone, such that said call recipient may remotely actuate the microcontroller to open a telephone connection and communicate said message to the caller for delayed pick-up by said call recipient of said telephone call, or alternatively provide for said automatic operation of said telephone.

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