Casio Phonemate, Inc.

Phonemate, Inc.

Casio Communications, Inc.

Mark J Karnowski

Stephen B Knuth

Sanford M Brown, Iii

Kenneth R Core

Frank Sacca

Alex Nirshberg

James W Mazzolini

Catherine Tsang

Kevin R Mullally

Consumer process equipment (CPE) for cost effective caller identification (CID) and call-waiting (CW) for a multi-line telephone includes a single CIDCW detection circuit and a single switch for coupling the single CIDCW detection circuit between a plurality of telephone lines. The CPE is able to process CIDCW information over a plurality of telephone lines by dynamically switching the single switch from one telephone line to another, depending upon the current state of the CPE.

Apparatus and method for cost effective caller identification and call-waiting for a multi-line telephone

An apparatus connected to a telephone line automatically detects the presence of modulated data (i.e. modem data, modem carrier signal, facsimile data and the like) that is being sent or received over the telephone line. The apparatus is used in conjunction with a consumer premises equipment (CPE) such as a telephone or the like, and detects a modem signal on the telephone line regardless if the CPE is in an on-hook or off-hook condition. If modem signals are present on the telephone line, the apparatus of the present invention will automatically prevent the CPE from seizing the telephone line (i.e. go off-hook). In addition, an audible or visual indication is provided to the user. For example, a visible 'modem-in-use' indicator, such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an illuminated LED, or an audible signal such as a 'beep' tone, speech signals or the actual modem signal, may be presented to the CPE attempting to go off-hook. Both the detection and indication of a modem signal on the telephone line are accomplished without interfering with the modem signal.

Apparatus and method for preventing disconnection of consumer premises

The improved full duplex speakerphone system replaces two A/D converters normally required in conventional speakerphone systems with a single A/D converter. This single A/D converter is a higher speed A/D converter which is multiplexed at its input. By alternately connecting the A/D converter between a microphone input circuit and a telephone line input circuit, the single higher speed A/D converter can be used to digitize both input signals. Because the A/D converter samples the data at a much higher rate and uses a digital filter to greatly reduce the impact of aliasing, very simple, low cost external filters may be used.

Full duplex speakerphone system

A caller identification device attachable to a telephone line and having a message function includes a line interface coupled to the telephone line, a ring detector for detecting rings of an incoming telephone call, and a line monitor for receiving an incoming telephone call signal from the telephone line in an on-hook state. A caller identification detector is coupled to the line monitor for detecting caller identification information including at least the caller's telephone number when the line monitor receives an incoming telephone call signal. A speech synthesizer generates and transmits speech signals on the telephone line, and a remote detector is coupled to the line monitor for detecting a remote command tone signal. A controller activates the line interface to seize the telephone line when the ring detector detects rings of an incoming telephone call. The controller enables recording of the caller identification information detected by the caller identification detector, and causes the speech synthesizer to generate and transmit to the caller a menu of spoken options prompting the caller to enter a remote command tone signal corresponding to a message when the line interface seizes the telephone line. The message corresponding to the remote command tone signal entered by the caller and detected by the remote detector is recorded. The controller may optionally control dialing of a service such as a pager service, to transmit caller identification information and, if applicable, a message, to the pager service.

Calling party identification device with message function

A backup system for a time of day clock in an electronic device that enables a microprocessor to accurately maintain the time of day clock in the event of a power interruption. The backup system can be used with any AC powered electronic device that maintains a clock. The backup system allows a capacitor to supply backup power to the microprocessor and insures the accuracy of the clock by accounting for component tolerances in the system. The backup system calibrates the time constant of an RC circuit connected to the microprocessor while AC power is still available and stores that value for later use in determining the length of a power interruption. The calibration process allows the system to use lower cost components with higher tolerance values without compromising the accuracy of the time of day clock.

Backup system for a time of day clock in an electronic device

An integrated cordless telephone and telephone answering device allows a user to selectively replay messages previously recorded on the telephone answering device either through a loudspeaker or through an earpiece, both of which are provided in the cordless handset, as well as locally at the telephone answering device. The loudspeaker is the same loudspeaker that is used when the cordless handset is in a speakerphone mode. When a user wishes to initiate message retrieval through the cordless handset, a PLAY key is pressed which automatically supplies the audio signal to the loudspeaker. If the user then wishes to listen to messages through the earpiece in the cordless handset, a MODE key is pressed which supplies the audio signal to the earpiece. In addition, when the user presses a TALK key, the audio signals from the telephone line are automatically supplied to the earpiece, and finally, when the user presses a SPEAKERPHONE key, the audio signals from the telephone line are automatically supplied to the loudspeaker.

Integrated cordless telephone with telephone answering device and method

A telephone answering device includes a line interface for connecting the telephone answering device to a telephone line and a ring detector, coupled to the telephone line, for detecting ringing signals sent from a telephone company central office. A calling party identification (CPID) detector, coupled to the telephone line, is provided for detecting CPID information. A controller controls the line interface to seize the telephone line immediately after the ring detector detects a first ring on the telephone line and the CPID detector detects that the CPID information is blocked. After the line interface seizes the telephone line, the telephone answering device plays an outgoing message to the caller and, thereafter, the caller may record a message for the telephone answering device owner. If the telephone answering device owner is present at the time of the call, he or she may simultaneously listen while the caller is leaving a message and determine the caller's identity despite the blocked CPID information. If the CPID detector detects that the CPID information is not blocked, the controller controls the line interface to seize the telephone line only after a predetermined number of rings occurs with no answer. Two outgoing messages may be provided; one for use when the CPID information is blocked and another for use when the CPID information is not blocked.

Telephone answering device and method for screening incoming telephone

In a speakerphone, which operates under software control, transmit and receive signal levels are sampled and compared against one another, with hysteresis, to enable one of two speakerphone modes of operation--either a transmit mode or a receive mode. A single peak detector is multiplexed to sense the transmit and receive signal levels. Fixed attenuators are switched into either the receive signal path or into the transmit signal path, depending upon the current speakerphone operation mode. Signal compression is used to provide for improved mode determination over a wide dynamic range. The level detection and/or attenuation may be performed in software. The speakerphone functions are readily implemented using standard line interfaces and control circuitry. Automatic gain control in the receive mode ensures a constant level of signals at the speakerphone loudspeaker, regardless of telephone line conditions.

Software speakerphone system and method of operating a speakerphone

A digital telephone answering device (DTAD) that allows messages to be forwarded to certain internal mailboxes. Random access memory (RAM) is flexibly and dynamically controlled by a microprocessor or controller. Audio signals in the form of voice messages are digitized and stored in the RAM. Messages can be sorted and allocated to specific mailboxes and made retrievable by pressing a button assigned to that mailbox. Messages can also be moved or re-assigned from a common message area to a certain mailbox or mailboxes. Outgoing messages are also stored in RAM and can be of sufficient number to have an outgoing message correspond to each incoming message storage area. The normal message recording and message playback functions of the DTAD may be activated after the call has been answered on the receiving side. Memos can be appended to messages that have been moved or re-assigned from a common message area to a certain mailbox or mailboxes.

Voice mail telephone answering device

A telephone answering device, having an automatic page feature for automatically paging a user after a message has been recorded thereon, is programmed to dial the telephone number of a paging service to which the user subscribes each time a message is recorded, and to transmit at least numeric information that will ultimately be displayed on a portable pager. The numeric information can include the number of messages recorded on the telephone answering device, a caller's telephone number or a special predetermined code that lets the user know that the device is paging him. The telephone answering device is designed so as to be compatible with a wide variety of paging services and can be re-programmed if the user changes paging services. The device includes a memory that stores the digits of the paging service telephone number and automatically stores information representing the pauses and audible activity that are present between key presses during the programming process. The telephone answering device also has a test mode that allows the user to test the device, after completion of the programming process, to insure that the paging service telephone number has been stored correctly. The automatic page feature can still further be selectively enabled and disabled by the user.

Telephone answering device with improved pager access feature

A telephone answering device (TAD) includes a remote access mode which is operative responsive to dual tone multi-frequency (DTMF) signals. At least three bandpass filters each receive an input signal from a telephone line interface provided in the TAD. A software controlled sampling section receives outputs from all the bandpass filters for sampling outputs from the bandpass filters, the sampling section including a multiplexer which receives the outputs from all of the bandpass filters, and a peak hold circuit coupled to an output of the multiplexer. An analog-to-digital converter receives an output from the peak hold circuit, and a digital controller receives the output of the analog-to-digital converter for controlling operations of the TAD in a remote access mode responsive to the detected DTMF signals. First and second ones of the bandpass filters have respective center frequencies corresponding to frequencies of respective DTMF signals and a third bandpass filter has a different center frequency. The absence of an output from the third filter confirms that there is no noise or other undesirable signals that would indicate that an incoming signal is not a DTMF signal. At least one of the bandpass filters preferably is a switched capacitor filter having a center frequency which is switchable between at least two different center frequencies. At least the bandpass filters, multiplexer, peak hold circuit and analog-to-digital converter are all included in a single application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

Telephone answering device with low cost dual tone multi-frequency

A telephone answering device with a direct telephone line connection eliminates the need for a transformer, optoisolators and relays that are normally used in telephone answering devices to isolate the telephone answering device system from the central office circuit. Isolation is instead achieved directly at the exposed metal points of the system by physical isolation, switched isolation, resistive isolation and dielectric isolation.

Telephone answering device with direct telephone line interface

A telephone answering device includes a digital recording and playback circuit for digitizing, recording and playing back a message from a telephone line; an audio random access memory for storing messages digitized by the digital recording and playback circuit; and a control unit, coupled to the audio random access memory. The control unit initially performs a test of only part of the memory in an amount sufficient to enable a user to perform predetermined basic functions, immediately after power is supplied to the device, without testing a remainder of the memory. Thereafter, a continuous repetitive series of tests of at least the remainder of the memory is performed while waiting for user input, to determine failed sections of the memory that are to be avoided during recording of a message. The failed sections of the memory, that are to be avoided during recording of a message after the determination, are marked. The user input is processed when it occurs, stopping performance of the continuous repetitive series of tests simultaneously with processing of the user input. The system returns to the step of performing the continuous repetitive series of tests after completion of the processing of the user input.

Digital telephone answering device and method of testing message storage

A telephone answering device (TAD) determines the 'distinctiveness' of an incoming ring signal, and responds accordingly. Distinctive ring features of some current telephone utilities have established ring patterns with plural ring signals occurring within a single ring cycle. Normally, one ring signal is present per ring cycle. In the distinctive ring TAD set forth herein, ring cycles with one or more ring signals are discriminated and responded to by playing a different outgoing message corresponding to the distinctiveness of the ring cycle. In a further enhancement, the TAD does not answer the incoming telephone call if the answer ring cycle (upon which the TAD is to answer the call) is cut short, indicating that the telephone call has been answered by a person.

Method for system and message activation based on distinctive ringing

A system of telephone answering devices includes a master telephone answering device (MTAD) and at least one (and often a plurality) of extension telephone answering devices (ETADs). If a telephone call is answered by someone, others nearby may be paged through the ETADs from any telephone. The ETADs can be temporarily disarmed so that they do not respond to tone codes that might otherwise activate them. When activated, the ETADs transmit back to the caller noticeably different ringback signals to indicate that the activated ETAD is responding to the caller's commands. For telephone utilities offering a distinctive ring service, the ETADs may respond to distinctive rings corresponding to the ETADs by usurping the function of and disabling the MTAD and by subsequently answering the telephone call.

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Huntington Beach, CA, United States of America

Mark J Karnowski