Method and apparatus for recording or forwarding messages

• US 6,721,408 B1
• Filed: 05/21/1999
• Issued: 04/13/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/21/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Qwest Communications International Incorporated (Lumen Technologies, Inc.)
• Inventors: Steinke, Delbert D., Bain, Lynda L., Maize, Mark
• Primary Examiner(s): Hoosain, Allan
• Application Number:
  US09/316,341
• Time in Patent Office: 1,789 Days
• Field of Search: 379/34, 379/37, 379/40, 379/48, 379/49, 379/51, 379/67.1, 379/70, 379/100.05, 379/156, 379/157, 379/159, 379/160, 379/161, 379/164, 379/165, 379/167, 379/168, 379/170, 379/171-173
• US Class Current: 379/159
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0291 Door telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6505 storing speech in digital form
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/658 Means for redirecting recorded messages to other extensions or equipment
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/533 Voice mail systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/53316 Messaging centre selected by message originator
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/54 Arrangements for diverting calls for one subscriber to another predetermined subscriber based on the calling party profile H04M3/42059; based on location H04M3/42348; based on presence H04M3/42365; to voice mail H04M3/53308

Abstract

A system and method provide the capability for a visitor to a home or business to leave an audio message for the occupants if they are not present. Outside the home or building, an interface may be provided which is proximate to a doorbell which a visitor may employ when notification by the doorbell has proved unsuccessful. Actuation of a switch on the interface may activate a messaging system which will retrieve a stored phone number and establish a telephonic connection over a telephone network. The telephonic connection may be with a voice messaging system which, in turn, will broadcast via a speaker incorporated into the user interface, a greeting recorded by the occupant. At the end of the greeting, a visitor may then speak into a microphone incorporated into the user interface, and record an audio message. The controller may further be programmed to establish a telephonic connection remotely located between the visitor interface and a telephone. Through use of the components incorporated into the visitor interface, a two-way line of communication may be established between the visitor who is at the home or business and the occupant who may be remotely located.

Claims

1. A doorbell system for recording messages from visitors comprising:

an interface device positioned proximate to a doorbell which includes at least one activation switch and an apparatus for receiving audio information;

an apparatus for directing audio information, remotely located from the interface device and inaccessible by a visitor, in connection with the interface device and a junction switch, which upon selection of the at least one activation switch, automatically dials a predetermined telephone number, establishes a telephonic connection with a predetermined destination, and further provides for transmission of audio information received to the destination, and upon further selection of the at least one activation switch, terminating the telephonic connection through said junction switch; and

at least one interface connectable to the apparatus and positionable remote from the interface device which is configurable to provide functionality for programming operational information employable by the apparatus in directing the audio information.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the interface device includes at least one of:

a switch for activating the apparatus for directing audio, a re-record button for erasing a previous audio message and beginning a new audio message, and a switch for terminating the telephonic connection.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the apparatus for receiving audio information is a microphone.

4. The system of claim 3 wherein the interface apparatus further includes an audio speaker for transmitting audio received as a result of the audio connection.

5. The system of claim 4 wherein the speaker and the microphone operate in full duplex mode.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein the system is incorporated as an extension in a phone system for a structure.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein the destination location is a preprogrammed telephoned number included as part of the operational information.

8. The system of claim 7 wherein the destination location is a voice messaging system.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein the system further includes a user interface for entering destination telephone numbers for establishing the telephonic connection.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one telephone is routed through the apparatus for directing audio messages, and said apparatus includes apparatus for setting up an intercom like line of communication to said at least one telephone.

11. The system of claim 10 wherein audio messages from the interface device are routed to the at least one telephone in call waiting type manner.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein doorbell is incorporated into the interface device.

13. The system of claim 1 wherein the number dialed automatically is the number of the telephone connection being employed, wherein the call is automatically routed the voice Messaging system.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein the apparatus for directing audio information is a remotely located base station.

15. The system of claim 1 wherein the apparatus for directing audio information is incorporated into a decentralized multi-appliance premises network.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the connection between the interface device and the apparatus for directing audio information is established through a hard electrical connection.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the connection between the interface device and the apparatus for directing audio information is established through use of wireless signals.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein the connection between the interface device and the apparatus for directing audio information is established through use of a device which directs electrical signals over power lines.

19. A method for recording messages from visitors comprising the steps of:

providing a visitor interface which includes at least one user interface device located proximate to a notification device and a connection to telephone network;

providing an apparatus configured to direct audio information, wherein the apparatus in communication with a junction switch is remotely located from the interface device and inaccessible by a visitor;

receiving operational information through an interface which is positionable remote from the at least one user interface;

detecting activation of the user interface and using the operational information to establish a telephonic connection with a predetermined voice Messaging service;

broadcasting an audio message received from the voice Messaging system;

transmitting an audio message received at the visitor interface to a predetermined location via the telephonic connection; and

terminating the telephonic connection through said junction switch upon completion of the message from the visitor.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the audio message from the visitor is rerecorded at the voice Messaging system upon indication from the visitor.

21. The method of claim 19 wherein a telephonic connection is established with a voice messaging system and the audio message is stored in memory.

22. The method of claim 19 wherein the telephonic connection is established employing a predetermined phone number entered as part of the operational information.

23. The method of claim 19 wherein the interface device is located proximate to a doorbell.

24. The method of claim 19 further wherein the step of providing a telephonic connection includes establishing a two-way line of communication between the interface device and a remotely located telephone.

25. A doorbell system for recording messages from visitors, the system comprising:

a visitor interface device positioned proximate to a doorbell which includes at least one activation switch and an apparatus for receiving visitor input; and

a communication controller device located remotely from the visitor interface, in communication with the visitor interface device and a junction switch, which upon selection of the at least one activation switch is operable to automatically establish communication between the visitor interface and a predetermined destination, and upon further selection of the at least one activation switch, operable to terminate the communication through said junction switch.

26. The system of claim 25 wherein the visitor input comprises audio information.

27. The system of claim 25 wherein the system further comprises a program/operation interface connectable to the communication controller device and configurable to provide functionality for programming operational information employable by the communication controller device.