Dictaphone Corporation.

Other

Pitney Bowes Inc.

David B Chamberlin

Emil F Jachmann

Jy-Hong J Su

Nicholas A D'Agosto, Iii

Jeremy Saltzman

Thomas J Foth

Andrei Obrea

David W Riley

John J Dwyer

James A Euchner

David L Rich

Felix Bator

Mark N Harris

Suzanne N Grey

Feliks Bator

Daniel F Daly

Ernest D Hoffman

Larry E Bergeron

A system and method for instantly printing PC postage before establishing a postage meter account. The method includes the steps of a meter vendor obtaining a first meter license from the Post for a first meter; loaning the use of a first meter licensed in the customer's zip code to a customer; requesting a second meter license for the customer; initializing the first meter for use by the customer; and transferring the first meter to the Customer's meter license when the second meter license is received. Alternatively, when the second meter license is received a second meter is assigned to the customer and the first meter is reassigned to the meter vendor.

System and method for instant online postage metering

A method for acquiring customers for meter licenses for PC postage. The method includes the steps of a meter vendor obtaining a first meter license from the Post for a first meter; loaning the use of a first meter licensed in the customer's zip code to a customer; requesting a second meter license for the customer; initializing the first meter for use by the customer; and transferring the first meter to the Customer's meter license when the second meter license is received. Alternatively, when the second meter license is received a second meter is assigned to the customer and the first meter is reassigned to the meter vendor.

Method for acquiring a customer for online postage metering

A method and apparatus for generating, and storing for later retrieval, selected voice messages in response to selected verbal input trigger phrases. The voice signals including predetermined trigger phrases are transmitted from an input device such as a multiline telephone to a voice recognition system. The voice recognition system associates the trigger phrases with predetermined blocks of text message and in response to a sequence of trigger phrases, creates a report. The text is then output to a voice synthesizer system for the creation of synthetic voice signals corresponding to the full text of the report and the synthetic voice signals are output to a voice storage and forward system for later retrieval. The system also provides a printed copy of the full text of the report. In one embodiment of the system, an exception dictionary is provided which substitutes replacement words having a modified spelling for exception words whose pronunciation, as synthesized by the voice synthesizer, is not considered acceptable.

Method and apparatus for the generation of reports

A system for storing and forwarding voice signals. The system provides for central, digital storage of voice signals for later access by addressee system users. When addresses access a previously stored voice signal they have the capability to incrementally construct a reply by 'toggeling' between a playback state, to listen to the previously stored signal and a record state to record at least a partial response. In another embodiment originators of voice signals have the capability to edit signals after storage.

Method and apparatus for storing and forwarding voice signals and

A method and apparatus for storing and forwarding voice signals wherein a user has increased control and flexibility in distributing voice signals. In one embodiment the originator of a stored voice signal may restrict an addressee's ability to forward a message to other users. In another, the originator may limit the addressee's ability to use the voice store and forward system until such time as the addressee responds to a stored voice signal.

Method and apparatus for storing and forwarding voice signals with

The network is particularly useful in office communications. The network includes a plurality of transceiver units, each of which can be used as a telephone, or as a dictation terminal, or optionally as an automatic telephone answering machine. The network includes a personal computer for performing various communications and communication control functions. A private branch telephone exchange ('PBX') can be included. Preferably, each transceiver unit includes a visual display for displaying messages. Messages can be sent from the computer to the transceiver units, or from one transceiver unit to another. The messages can be pre-set standard messages, or messages created uniquely. A telephone or PBX operator may send messages through the network reporting missed telephone calls, thus avoiding the need for written notes or other memoranda. The personal computer is used to send, forward, store and log messages. It can do telephone call accounting. It also can create, store, transmit to and receive from the transceiver units telephone directories for each transceiver unit. The computer also can keep a dictation log and a log of automatic telephone answering machine communications. It also can be used for ordinary computing or work processing functions simultaneously with its use in most of its other functions. The computer stores and retrieves information regarding appointments that the users of the network may have. Daily, weekly and monthly appointment calendars are provided for every user of the network. Then the user is given a reminder message through the network at a predetermined time prior to the appointment.

Communications network and method

The network is particularly useful in office communications. The network includes a plurality of transceiver units, each of which can be used as a telephone, or as a dictation terminal, or optionally as an automatic telephone answering machine. The network includes a personal computer for performing various communications and communication control functions. Preferably, each transceiver unit includes a visual display for displaying messages. The computer stores and retrieves information regarding appointments that the users of the network may have. Daily, weekly and monthly appointment calendars are provided for every user of the network. The user is given a reminder message through the network at a predetermined time prior to the appointment. Appointment schedules for current, prior and future time periods can be viewed.

Communications network and method with appointment information

A dictation transcription system having a recording/playback module and a display module which are detachably connectable to form an integral structure. The display module provides a visual display of the length, locations and types of messages by storing and utilizing display data. This display data is generated during a dictate operation and, when dictation is 'finished', the display data is recorded on the record medium. Subsequently, and preferably, prior to transcription of the dictated messages, the record medium is scanned for the display data which then controls a transcriptionist's display module to reproduce the visual indication originally derived during dictation.

Display for modular dictation/transcription system

A programmable telephone/dictation terminal that can be disposed in any one of several different modes of operation including, but not limited to, dictating information onto a recorder, communicating over a telephone network, recording incoming messages received via a telephone line, preventing a telephone dial out operation and communicating 'text' messages with a supervisory console. The terminal is provided with several programmable keys each being assignable by the terminal user with a particular function such that, upon the simple operation of that key, the assigned function is carried out. The user may change the function to which a particular programmed key is assigned, as desired.

Programmable telephone/dictation terminal and method of operating same

A system for storage and forwarding of voice signals. The system includes apparatus for storage and retrieval of voice signals and telephone-like station sets for access to the stored signals. The station sets also include a display and the system transmits text messages corresponding to various stored signals to the station sets corresponding to the addressees of the various stored signals to inform the addressees that they have messages waiting. In one embodiment the text messages identify the originator or class of the voice signals. In another embodiment the station set will respond to an input by a user to automatically contact the apparatus for storage and retrieval of voice signals to retrieve a stored voice signal corresponding to a displayed text message.

Method and apparatus for visual indication of stored voice signals

A modular dictation/transcription system is described comprising a modular construction wherein the system is composed of a set of modules which are detachably connectable to each other. Connection or detachment of individual modules from the system configures the system to provide such functions as may be required while deleting such functions which are not necessary. Included within the modules are one or more recording/playback modules a display module and a telephone module. All of the modules interact with each other in accordance with preselectable functions to provide for a more efficient utilization of the dictation/transcription system. Clusters of the modules may be arranged as stations, with the stations connected by a digital communication link.

Modular dictation/transcription system

A multiline access module for connection of a number of telephone lines to a station set. The station set is controlled by a microprocessor and communicates with the access module through a communications channel to select one telephone line for connection to the station and to read the line status, ringing, on-hook, seized, no connection, or hold, for each line; the microprocessor controlling audible and visual indicators accordingly. The access module monitors voltage levels on each line to determine the line status. Each access module includes apparatus for connection to first and second groups of telephone lines and when two modules are interconnected by an appropriately polarized cable each will activate a different connection apparatus, allowing two modules to be connected in parallel for greater line capacity.

Multi-line access module for telephone set

A dictation transcription system having two or more recording/playback modules and a display module, all of which are detachably connectable to form an integral structure. The display module provides a visual display of the length, locations and types of messages recorded on either recording/playback module by storing and utilizing display data derived from either active module. This display data is generated and displayed during a dictate operation. When one recording/playback module is disposed in an inactive mode, its display data is stored and the display data derived from the other module if active, now is displayed.

Growing community of inventors

Monroe, CT, United States of America

David B Chamberlin