Answering machine apparatus adapted for use with a telephone coupled to a telephone line having a telephone number associated therewith
US6353659B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignees
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 30, 1998 |
| Grant date | Mar 5, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 30, 2018 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04M1/6505
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An answering machine apparatus coupled to a telephone line having a number of telephones coupled thereto for receiving/recording a message or messages which enables a user to determine if a message(s) has been received/recorded by utilizing any of such telephones. That is, if a message or messages have been received/recorded and not reproduced, a signal may be provided to the telephone line when the user places any of the telephones coupled to the telephone line in an off-hook state. Such signal may provide an indication to the user of the respective telephone that a message(s) has been received/recorded. Such indication may continue for a predetermined amount of time, such as 4 seconds, after which a normal dial tone signal may be provided to the respective telephone. Accordingly, the user may determine if a message has been received/recorded by merely placing any of the telephones in an off-hook state.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.