180 results about "Answering Machine" patented technology

Systems and methods for creating a Universal Media Server (UMS) and associated Digital Media Renders (DMRs) are disclosed. This system provides functions such as in-home wired or wireless network for media distribution with PVR functions from a distributed archive while at the same time including functions such as an answering machine, voice recorder, voice over IP gateway, firewall, NAT, DHCP, and security monitoring. A variety of advanced features and functions are also disclosed.

A method for exchanging voice messages that may be employed in an answering machine, in wired or wireless telephone, or in an voice messaging system. An incoming voice message from a message source is received and recorded, parsed into segments, and the parsed message is played back to a listener, pausing between each of the parsed segments to accept and record a spoken response from the listener. A reply message is returned to the original message source that includes each such spoken response along with a snippet extracted from the particular segment responded to in the original message. The listener may also interrupt the playback of the voice message at any time to record a response.

An apparatus and method for detecting an answering machine for a new voice message delivery method and system. The invention detects the presence of an existing answering machine or voicemail system of a Recipient by listening for talk-over during playback of the message or initial prompts. The method and system will also restart playback of the prompts and / or message if talk-over is detected to ensure that the message is properly recorded on the answering machine.

A telephone docking station that combines the operation of a wireless telephone, a cordless telephone, and a land-line telephone interface is taught. The wireless telephone and land-line interface provide telephone resources to the cordless telephone, which functions as a telephone terminal unit. Telephone calls can originate or terminate from either telephone resource. The cordless telephone handset provides for selection and display of the presently connected telephone resource. Caller ID information from both resources are routed to the cordless telephone. The cordless telephone automatically answers the presently ringing resource when is received. A speakerphone and an answering machine are added as alternative telephone terminal units in an illustrative embodiment. A Caller ID preview and hold function is provided so that the user can manage multiple calls from the telephone resources.

In a communications network, systems and methods using a feature other than a tone for detecting if the destination is a machine are described. An exemplary method includes the following steps: establishing a communication with a destination, detecting a response, if a response is not detected within a pre-determined time interval, determining that the destination is a machine. If a response is detected, the method further includes the following steps: determining whether the response includes a speech signal that includes a predefined term (e.g., “please leave a message”), and if it does, determining that the destination is a machine. If the response does not include a predefined term, the method may send out a query to the destination and if no response to the query is received or the response is not a speech signal, the method determines that the destination is a machine.

A telephone docking station that combines the operation of a wireless telephone, a cordless telephone, and a land-line telephone interface is taught. The wireless telephone and land-line interface provide telephone resources to the cordless telephone, which functions as a telephone terminal unit. Telephone calls can originate or terminate from either telephone resource. The cordless telephone handset provides for selection and display of the presently connected telephone resource. Caller ID information from both resources are routed to the cordless telephone. The cordless telephone automatically answers the presently ringing resource when is received. A speakerphone and an answering machine are added as alternative telephone terminal units in an illustrative embodiment. A Caller ID preview and hold function is provided so that the user can manage multiple calls from the telephone resources.

A mediation device located in the user's home receives dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals via a Plane Old Telephone Service (POTS) connection and decodes the signals into signals that are used to control one or more cameras of the user's home security system. The mediation device may be a device that serves only this purpose, or it may be part of another device, such as, for example, an answering machine, a fax machine, or a cordless telephone.

A docking station for a mobile computing device such as, for example, a Palm PC, a personal digital assistant, a cellular phone, or any of a variety of other types of handheld computing devices which have their own LCD displays. The docking station provides a variety of functions to the mobile computing device including: telephone, videophone, fax, digital answering machine, printing, keyboard, modem, internet access digital interface ports for connection to a variety of peripherals including scanners, cameras, disk drives and a number of other peripherals in addition to providing the two typical functions of existing docking stations, i.e., providing power charging to the mobile computing device's rechargeable battery and providing a digital connection between the mobile computing device and a personal computer.

Systems and methods for detecting call blocking devices or services. The devices monitor outbound call connections to determine if a connected call has been answered by a call blocking device or service rather than a person or answering machine. The verification is a comparison between the connection of an outbound call and a predefined parameter of data associated with that connection. For example, the predefined timing parameter may require detecting a connection before the first ring, or a connection occur within a predetermine period of time from when the outbound call is placed, or a connection occurring after a certain number of rings, etc. Which predefined parameter is associated with a particular outbound call may depend on the call blocking device or service the call center placing the outbound call expects to encounter on a particular connection attempt of a particular phone number. Once the call blocking device or service has been detected on a connected call, the call can be process as if a connection occurred including routing such calls to an available agent or other handling process customized to handle such calls such as automatically navigating prompts for voice or dialing responses from the privacy director systems.

A telephone answering system and method that integrates caller ID and directory information to automate the message reply functions is taught. In an illustrative embodiment a telephone line interface circuit for receiving voice and caller ID information, with a telephone number portion, is coupled to a caller ID data decoding circuit. A voice message memory and a data memory are coupled to a controller. The controller operates to receive and store the voice portion of each message in the voice message memory, and to store the decoded caller ID data in the data memory. A reply actuator is coupled to the controller, and actuation of the reply actuator causes the controller to enable a telephone line interface to place a telephone call to the telephone number portion of the caller ID data. The reply message may be recorded to the message memory for communication at a later time, specified by the user. In an illustrative embodiment, a telephone answering machine is taught that applies the present invention together with a speakerphone. The machine utilizes an alphanumeric display and a keypad for a user interface.

A holistic, automated, personalized telephone call management system is capable of responding to all incoming calls. The system employs customized software, computer chips, printed circuit board, ANI, where available, and a data input / output module, which are applied in an integrated manner to accomplish a broad array of functions important to modem household communication needs. System accepts operational time factors and telephone numbers as stored data to be matched automatically with the telephone numbers of incoming calls. The telephone rings under certain qualifying criteria, and an incoming call is passed in silent mode to a smart answering machine under other criteria. The smart answering machine is capable of handling emergency call situations, and the integration of call-waiting options. System also has a smart software function to deal with a state of delinquency on any lease / rent contract for the system.

A system for an adaptive network phone includes a SIP-enabled handset or other telephone device to be connected to a host computer, for instance via a USB connection. The host computer may initiate a call event when the user picks up the SIP device and wishes to make a call, in one regard by testing line conditions for a data connection to the Internet or other network to determine if a packet-based call will meet minimum noise, delay or other criteria of the user. If the conditions are satisfactory, the call may proceed as a packet network transmission, otherwise the call may revert to the public switched telephone network for fallback completion. The SIP-enabled handset may also interface to multimedia functions in the host computer, for instance to permit paging, answering machine, cordless operation or other features.

The packet network phone unit is an interface between a telephone instrument and a packet network for enabling voice data to be communicated over the packet network. The unit also functions as a gateway between a packet network and a public switched telephone network, thereby interconnecting the networks and providing a public switched telephone network gateway to a packet network. When power is not supplied to the unit, a fallback switch automatically links the telephone instrument directly to the public switched network, bypassing the circuitry in the unit. The unit includes links to a plurality of external serial communications lines as well as an interface for connecting to a personal computer. The unit also includes an LCD driver and a display for displaying information such as a caller identification. The packet network phone unit also may function an answering machine / messaging system.

Methods are disclosed for reducing occurrences of nuisance calls. A called party identifies a call as an undesired (or “nuisance”) call after answering, screening or reviewing recorded messages of calls. In one embodiment, the called party receives or screens a call and informs a terminating office that it desires to block future calls from the calling party. The terminating office determines the directory number of the calling party and causes the directory number to be added to a blocking database. In another embodiment, a called party reviews one or more prior messages recorded by a messaging system (e.g., answering machine or voicemail system) and flags a message (e.g., message #2) as originating from an undesired caller. The messaging system determines the directory number of the undesired caller and instructs a service provider to add the directory number to a blocking database. Thereafter, in either or both embodiments, the blocking database is consulted upon receiving an incoming call and, if the call is from a directory number in the blocking database, the call is ended or routed to an announcement without ringing the called party phone.

Method and apparatus to automatically screen incoming telephone calls, wherein the caller identification ("Caller ID") transmitted by the telephone company is received, compared to a list of stored caller identification criteria, and a telecommunication device, such as a telephone, answering machine, fax machine or computer modem, is activated or deactivated in response to unwanted or low-priority calls. The Caller ID information transmitted by the telephone company, such as date, time, number and / or name of the calling party, is used as the decision criteria to accept or intercept the call.

An automatic pet feeder system which allows a user to monitor the operation of the pet feeding and determine whether or not the pet feeding system is operating normally by placing a phone call to his or her house. The invention includes both a water reservoir and food reservoir which are each in connection with a separate bowl while monitoring sensors in the reservoirs and bowls determine the level of food and / or water and which when necessary indicate through a monitoring circuit to a controller to actuate an inlet valve to allow either food or water to enter into the appropriate bowl. The control circuit includes a telephone relay disconnect with an inlet and outlet telephone line while a regular telephone answering machine is attached to an outlet line from the automatic feeder so that when an interruption in the systems's operation is encountered the telephone answering machine is disconnected through the relay alerting the user to a feeding system malfunction. A timing device is provided in line with the control circuitry and provides a device for releasing food into the reservoirs at a given time. An auxiliary power battery is provided in line with conventional AC power cord for powering the system.

Enabling a user of a video chat application to a virtual video message answering machine to contextually provide a video message to at least one other user of the video chat application for play back if the user is unavailable. The video message can be arranged to be played when another user attempts to initiate a video communication session with the unavailable user or during an existing video chat session after the user becomes unavailable. Also, the user can choose one or more contexts for playing back a video message to one or more other users that are likely to be participants in a future video communication session. The other user is provided with a user interface that enables the other user to record a video message reply for subsequent playback by the unavailable user.

The invention relates to a method for realizing high-precision time synchronization by utilizing a spread spectrum transponder. The method comprises the following steps: (1) test equipment for ground test and control transmits an up measuring frame to the spread spectrum transponder; (2) the spread spectrum transponder carries out sampling to the up measuring frame, extracts up pseudo-range information and inserts the up pseudo-range information to a down measuring frame and then transmits the down measuring frame to the test equipment for ground test and control; (3) the test equipment for ground test and control obtains the time Ts on the satellite from the down measuring frame, records the ground time Tg corresponding to a falling edge or a rising edge of a certain position of frame synchronous code of the down measuring frame, simultaneously measures transmission time delay DeltaTR of the up measuring frame and the down measuring frame and calculates the transmission time delay tauR of one-way distance; (4) Tg-Ts-tauR is calculated to obtain the time difference DeltaT of the satellite and the ground; and (5) the test equipment for ground test and control transmits an up modulation signal containing DeltaT to the spread spectrum transponder; and time reference equipment on the satellite carries out relevant adjustment according to the DeltaT sent by the spread spectrum transponder. The invention realizes time synchronization of the satellite and the ground of nano second level.

A system and method for remotely controlling one or more monitoring devices in a user's household in the event of emergency so as to more productively monitor the emergency situation on a real-time basis. The monitoring devices may include a number of multimedia instruments such as a telephone with an answering machine, a computer with a built-in digital camera, a video recording device, a cellular phone with an integrated digital camera, etc. An emergency service provider may remotely activate the monitoring devices in the user's vicinity upon receiving an emergency help request from the user, and receive the information sent by the monitoring devices to enable the service personnel to plan appropriate response to the emergency at hand. Such an arrangement allows for better monitoring of the user's vicinity in an emergency situation without the need for prolonged user participation in narrating or describing the emergency situation. Further, the emergency service provider may obtain a better picture of the emergency and its impact by controlling appropriate monitoring devices available in the user's vicinity. The remote activation and control of a monitoring device may be accomplished via the Internet.

A telephone system provides an alternative to being kept “on hold”. When placed on hold, *8 or some can be dialed, which allows the party placed on hold to hang up his or her phone without disconnecting the call. To resume the call, the party that placed the call on hold dials any number on his or her phone and the phone of the party that had been placed on hold rings to signify that the call is off hold and can be resumed. When the call back is answered the call is resumed. In a first embodiment, the callback on hold operation is performed in cooperation with a telecommunication company's central office switch. In a second embodiment, dedicated circuitry and microprocessor firmware are added to consumer telephone equipment, performing the callback on hold operation without requiting any specific support from a central office switch. The present invention is disclosed in the environments of telephones, answering machines, combination telephone and answering machines, both corded and cordless telephones (with or without answering machines), cellular telephones, and standalone devices attachable between a telephone and / or answering system and the central office telephone lines. A “hold on hold” indicator lamp may optionally be employed. The indicator lamp circuitry detects brief DTMF tone pairs to signal the operation of a hold LED with a unique cadence indicating of a callback hold, rather than a normal hold condition.

A telephone system allowing a caller whose call is intercepted by a telephone answering machine (TAD) to hear an alternate outgoing message from the TAD with instructions allowing the caller, who feels his / her call is an emergency, to override the TAD and cause the user's phone to ring anyway. This invention being applicable to wired and cellular phones and to VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) and cable system phones.

An Electronic Document Answering Machine is adapted to connect to remote information sources and to download digital documents including e-mail and WEB pages, and to store the documents for later review by a user. The Answering machine has an alert device for alerting a user that new documents are available for review, and an initializing device for a user to cause documents to be communicated for review one-at-a-time. In a preferred embodiment documents are communicated over a speaker via voice synthesis. In an alternative preferred embodiment a small display is provided wherein documents may be displayed in alphanumeric characters. The answering machine can be implemented as a stand-alone device or can be connected via a serial port to a host PC for transferring documents to the PC for processing and review. In other embodiments the Answering Machine is implemented as a system in a PC, with alert and selective input added as an interface. The interface can be in a keyboard, and can be provided by existing keys and LEDs on a keyboard. An Answering Machine is also provided as a set-top-box for a TV, downloading digital documents from the Internet and providing the documents with user prompting to a TV via an audio / video output. prompting may be by infrared input from a remote controller.

Systems and methods are described for multiple leg call processing, in which the timing of a plurality of outgoing call legs is determined according to a plurality of parameters in order to achieve near simultaneous notification of a group of member directory numbers. The parameters can include static information obtained from a network database such as end user device technology type, call forwarding disposition, answering machine or voicemail service, geographic distance to the member directory number, and / or signaling type and carrier or other local information. Actual setup times may be measured for use in determining the timing of the outgoing call leg processing, which may be used alone or in combination with the local and static information parameters to determine the outgoing call schedule for routing the call to multiple member directory numbers.

A holistic, automated, personalized telephone call management system is capable of responding to all incoming calls. The system employs customized software, computer chips, printed circuit board, ANI, where available, and a data input / output module, which are applied in an integrated manner to accomplish a broad array of functions important to modem household communication needs. System accepts operational time factors and telephone numbers as stored data to be matched automatically with the telephone numbers of incoming calls. The telephone rings under certain qualifying criteria, and an incoming call is passed in silent mode to a smart answering machine under other criteria. The smart answering machine is capable of handling emergency call situations, and the integration of call-waiting options. System also has a smart software function to deal with a state of delinquency on any lease / rent contract for the system.

A message is automatically broadcast to a plurality of recipients from a mobile wireless communications device. A recipient list of recipient names and addresses is preprogrammed and stored in the wireless communications device. Recorded voice and text messages are sent to recipients and recipient telephones, voicemail systems, and email and Internet addresses from the recipient list Delivery status options can be selected to identify the recipient addresses receiving the message, the recipient addresses with answering machines receiving the message, the recipient addresses not accepting the message, or non-communicating recipient addresses. In addition, recipient message response options can be selected including accepting, displaying or storing the responses. Recipient non-receipt options also can be selected, such as rebroadcasting the message, displaying a status message, or doing nothing in response to recipient addresses not receiving the message.

The invention discloses an intelligent monitoring and early warning system for safety helmet wearing on the transformer substation site. The intelligent monitoring and early warning system comprises a central processing unit, a camera monitoring device, a pyroelectricity infrared sensing module, a GSM module, a voice warning module and transformer substation entrance guard equipment. The whole intelligent monitoring and warning system for safety helmet wearing on the transformer substation site is installed on a transformer substation entrance guard. According to the system, the pyroelectricity infrared sensing module monitors whether operators enter or not, the camera monitoring device collects and analyzes images, whether the operators wear the safety helmets already is determined, if the operators wear the safety helmets correctly, the operators are allowed to enter, if the operators do not wear the safety helmets, the entrance guard is closed, the operators are not allowed to enter, the voice warning module is started to give a voice alarm, the GSM module is started to inform the operators on duty through an answering machine, the potential safety hazards are eliminated, the safety of the operators is protected, and the safety production management is improved.