Patent US3263889A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5748709A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5748709A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Programmable answering machine with multiple voice boxes and caller ID
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1995-09-25
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Granted: 1998-05-05
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Expires: 2015-09-25
Abstract
Abstract A method and apparatus for programming a home answering machine having multiple storage devices for individual voice mail boxes and capable of receiving "Caller ID" data. The answering machine is programmed either by the caller or the user so that the "Caller ID" data can be used to automatically route incoming messages to individual voice mail boxes. A caller identification data base stores the "Caller ID" data, and a CPU uses the data base to direct the caller's message to the appropriate voice mail box.
Inventors
- 👤 Howard H. Sheerin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 05:42
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/64; H04M1/65; H04M1/6505; H04M1/57
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
188 words
A telephone answering machine, comprising: (a) an input connected to receive information over a telephone line, the information comprising caller identification data and a caller message; (b) a plurality of individualized storage devices, wherein the caller identification data is used to select one of the individualized storage devices to store the caller message; (c) an autonomous storage device for storing the caller message if the caller identification data has not been associated with one of the individualized storage devices; (d) an identification data base for storing recorded identification data, the data base for comparing the caller identification data to the recorded identification data in order to automatically select one of the individualized storage devices for storing the caller message; and (e) an outgoing message for directing a caller to select the individualized storage device to store the caller message, wherein: the caller selects the individualized storage device by pressing a corresponding key on a numeric keypad of a telephone the caller is calling from; and the caller identification data is automatically stored in the identification data base and associated with the individualized storage device that the caller selected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
188 words
A telephone answering machine, comprising: (a) an input connected to receive information over a telephone line, the information comprising caller identification data and a caller message; (b) a plurality of individualized storage devices, wherein the caller identification data is used to select one of the individualized storage devices to store the caller message; (c) an autonomous storage device for storing the caller message if the caller identification data has not been associated with one of the individualized storage devices; (d) an identification data base for storing recorded identification data, the data base for comparing the caller identification data to the recorded identification data in order to automatically select one of the individualized storage devices for storing the caller message; and (e) an outgoing message for directing a caller to select the individualized storage device to store the caller message, wherein: the caller selects the individualized storage device by pressing a corresponding key on a numeric keypad of a telephone the caller is calling from; and the caller identification data is automatically stored in the identification data base and associated with the individualized storage device that the caller selected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
80 words
The telephone answering machine as recited in claim 1, wherein the outgoing message comprises: (a) a first message for directing the caller to select one of the individualized storage devices to store the caller message if the caller identification data has not been associated with one of the individualized storage devices; and (b) a second message for directing the caller to record the caller message if the caller identification data has been pre-associated with one of the individualized storage devices.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
158 words
A telephone answering machine, comprising: (a) an input connected to receive information over a telephone line, the information comprising caller identification data and a caller message; (b) a plurality of individualized storage devices, wherein the caller identification data is used to select one of the individualized storage devices to store the caller message; (c) an autonomous storage device for storing the caller message if the caller identification data has not been associated with one of the individualized storage devices; (d) an identification data base for storing recorded identification data, the data base for comparing the caller identification data to the recorded identification data in order to automatically select one of the individualized storage devices for storing the caller message; and (e) a program key manually activated by a user operating the telephone answering machine for associating the caller identification data corresponding to the caller message stored in the autonomous storage device with one of the individualized storage devices.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
158 words
A telephone answering machine, comprising: (a) an input connected to receive information over a telephone line, the information comprising caller identification data and a caller message; (b) a plurality of individualized storage devices, wherein the caller identification data is used to select one of the individualized storage devices to store the caller message; (c) an autonomous storage device for storing the caller message if the caller identification data has not been associated with one of the individualized storage devices; (d) an identification data base for storing recorded identification data, the data base for comparing the caller identification data to the recorded identification data in order to automatically select one of the individualized storage devices for storing the caller message; and (e) a program key manually activated by a user operating the telephone answering machine for associating the caller identification data corresponding to the caller message stored in the autonomous storage device with one of the individualized storage devices.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
162 words
A telephone answering machine, comprising: (a) an input connected to receive information over a telephone line, the information comprising caller identification data and a caller message; (b) a plurality of individualized storage devices, wherein the caller identification data is used to select one of the individualized storage devices to store the caller message; (c) an outgoing message for directing a caller to select the individualized storage device to store the caller message, wherein: (i) the caller selects the individualized storage device by pressing a corresponding key on a numeric keypad of a telephone the caller is calling from; and (ii) the caller identification data is automatically stored as recorded identification data and associated with the individualized storage device that the caller selected; and (d) an identification data base for storing the recorded identification data, the data base for comparing the caller identification data to the recorded identification data in order to automatically select the individualized storage device for storing the caller message.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
162 words
A telephone answering machine, comprising: (a) an input connected to receive information over a telephone line, the information comprising caller identification data and a caller message; (b) a plurality of individualized storage devices, wherein the caller identification data is used to select one of the individualized storage devices to store the caller message; (c) an outgoing message for directing a caller to select the individualized storage device to store the caller message, wherein: (i) the caller selects the individualized storage device by pressing a corresponding key on a numeric keypad of a telephone the caller is calling from; and (ii) the caller identification data is automatically stored as recorded identification data and associated with the individualized storage device that the caller selected; and (d) an identification data base for storing the recorded identification data, the data base for comparing the caller identification data to the recorded identification data in order to automatically select the individualized storage device for storing the caller message.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-05-04 | 2001-11-03 | 2002-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-05-04 | 2005-11-03 | 2006-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-05-04 | 2009-11-03 | 2010-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |