초록 ▼

A telephone call responding system which allows the user to respond to an incoming telephone call without actually speaking to the caller personally, and, if desired, without having to pick up the telephone to answer a call. To activate the responder system, the user, upon receiving an incoming tele

A telephone call responding system which allows the user to respond to an incoming telephone call without actually speaking to the caller personally, and, if desired, without having to pick up the telephone to answer a call. To activate the responder system, the user, upon receiving an incoming telephone call, selects one of a plurality of call response messages by actuating a control key of the responder system corresponding to the desired message. Once activated, the responder system connects itself to the telephone line and, utilizing speech synthesis or digital-to-analog conversion, delivers the selected message for putting-off an unwanted or nuisance call, asking the caller to call back later, or instructing a person on an extension telephone to hang up. After delivering the message, the responder system disconnects itself from the telephone line until once again activated by the user. The digital message data are pre-programmed into interchangeable plug-in non-volatile ROM units and different messages can be set up for selection. The responder system is digitally controlled, and a control method and program therefor are described. Various devices embodying the responder system are also described.

대표청구항 ▼

A method for controlling a telephone call responding system having a keypad means including a plurality of control keys each associated with a different preprogrammed message stored as a digital speech data representation thereof, a message speech generator means for processing digital speech data i

A method for controlling a telephone call responding system having a keypad means including a plurality of control keys each associated with a different preprogrammed message stored as a digital speech data representation thereof, a message speech generator means for processing digital speech data into an analog speech signal, and a telephone interface means connectable with a telephone line for placing the telephone line in an off-hook condition and for delivering the analog speech signal output of the message speech generator means over the telephone line, the method comprising: (a) detecting the actuation of any of said control keys; (b) upon detecting actuation of any one of said control keys, causing the telephone interface means to place the telephone line in an off-hook condition and to connect the analog speech signal output of the message speech generator means to the telephone line; (c) causing the message speech generator means to process the stored pre-programmed digital speech data representing the message corresponding to the particular key actuated into an analog speech signal and to output said analog speech signal over the line; and (d) upon completion of the outputting of said analog speech signal over the telephone line, causing the telephone interface means to place the telephone line in an on-hook condition and to disconnect the analog speech signal output of the message speech generator means from the telephone line.