Patent · US Expired

Total service telephone answering system

US4328396A · kind A · utility

33Cited by
11References
5Claims
0Family size

Inventor

Key dates

Filing dateNov 30, 1977
Grant dateMay 4, 1982
Priority date
Expiry dateNov 30, 1997

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
  • CPC primaryH01J2201/32
  • WIPO fieldTelecommunications
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

A total service telephone answering system including answering machines, for carrying on a programmed telephone conversation with a respondent, having an interface with the telephone line, and a control for altering the course of the programmed conversation when a disconnect signal is passed by the interface. The system contemplates serving a multiplicity of incoming telephone with a number of line operator stations, with the capability of overflow calls being handled by the answering machines. The system also includes a concentrator which continuously sweeps the incoming telephone lines to select any line having an unanswered call, continuously sweeps the answering machines to identify an available machine, and then effects a connection between the selected telephone line and the available machine.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.