DE10122349A1 - Telephone call answering system without two-way talk - Google Patents

Abstract

To the system telephone line is operatively coupled a network controller (100), which is linked to an operating interface (106), which can transmit a verbal message during the telephone call, when a receiver has received a telephone call, without need of two-way talk. The verbal message is transmitted from the interface to the network controller over an operational link. Then the verbal message is transmitted to the telephone line, via the controller, so that the caller can hear it. Independent claims are included for answering a telephone call and for instruction program readable by controller from a memory.

Description

The invention relates generally to answering machine systems and in particular an apparatus and a method for virtually answering a call without however a two-way To have a conversation.

Devices are known from the prior art which enable the caller to leave a message if the person called (hereinafter called the recipient) cannot accept the telephone call. These devices can be answering machine systems or voice mail systems. Systems are also available that allow calls to be selected so that the recipient can turn off the phone or respond with a pre-programmed answer during the phone call. Another system known from the prior art monitors the incoming telephone calls and responds with a preprogrammed personal response that depends on the identity of the caller. By using a number identification device, for example, a personal message can be transmitted to caller 1 if the call was made from caller 1's telephone.

Systems known from the prior art can be used for the Be very helpful, but they're so limited that the respective caller receives only a general answer. However, it would be beneficial if a system existed that allows the recipient a specific verbal response to generate during the phone call. This could Recipient on an important phone call with a specific answer verbal answer but without a two-way conversation to have to lead and his currently executing activity pause to answer the call. It would also be beneficial if delivering a verbal response is none before recording and converting the answer before Transferring the same to the caller would be required.

Accordingly, the invention features an apparatus and Method of generating a specific verbal response to a phone call, but without a two-way conversation to have to lead. The invention has a device and  Procedure for answering a phone call with a certain verbal answer to it without giving it to the caller it is possible to respond to it.

An alternative embodiment of the invention enables to the caller on a verbal transmitted by the recipient Reply message. Using a call number identification device, the recipient's identity the caller's notice and a verbal answer to one Share the network device. This verbal message can be sent to a network controller will be sent to the message then forwards to a telephone line so that the caller this hears without the message being picked up and by one analog to digital format.

The invention is described in the following description Help explained in more detail in the drawing.

Fig. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of a network controller according to the invention;

Fig. 2 shows an exemplary block diagram of the components used in the exemplary embodiment according to the invention;

Fig. 3 shows an exemplary home network with exemplary network devices, and

A flow chart of an exemplary process FIG. 4, according to the invention.

The invention is based on one in the Drawing preferred embodiment shown closer described.

Referring to FIG. 1, a hardware system is represented in accordance with the invention. The hardware system shown in FIG. 1 has the entire hardware architecture of a network controller according to the invention. A controller, such as a processing system 102 , controls a network controller 100 . The processing system 102 has a central processing unit, such as a microprocessor or a microcontroller, for executing programs, performing data manipulations and controlling the tasks of the network controller 100 . Communication with the processing system 102 can be carried out by a message or system bus 110 in order to transmit information between the individual components of the network controller 100 . The system bus 110 may have a data channel to facilitate the transfer of information between a memory and other peripheral devices of the network controller 100 . The system bus 110 also has further signal buses required for communication with the processing system 102 , a data bus, an address bus and a control bus. System bus 110 may include any standard bus architecture, such as Industry Standard Architecture (ISA), Extended Industry Standard Architecture (EISA), Micro Channel Architecture (MCA), Peripheral Device Interconnect Bus Interconnect, PCI), the standards issued by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) such as IEEE 488 General Purpose Interface Bus (GPIB), IEEE 696 / S-600, etc. System bus 110 may also be any of the issued Comply with industry standards. For example, system bus 110 may be configured according to one of the following bus architectures, such as industry standard architecture (ISA), advanced industry standard architecture (EISA), microchannel architecture (MCA), peripheral device connection bus (PCI), universal serial bus (Universal Serial Bus, USB), Access bus, IEEE P6394, Apple Desktop Bus (ADB), Concentration Highway Interface (CHI), Fire Wire, Geo Port or interface for small computer system (SCSI).

In addition, the network controller 100 has a memory 104 . In one embodiment, memory 104 is provided on a single inline memory module (SIMM), while in another embodiment, memory is provided on a two inline memory module (DIMM), with each module corresponding to one is placed on a connection plate (motherboard) arranged base and this connection plate has many different components, as can be seen from FIG. 1. The memory 104 has a conventional dynamic random access memory (DRAM), a random access memory with accelerated data output (Extended Data Out, EDO DRAM), a synchronous random access memory (Synchronous DRAM, SDRAM) or other suitable memory technologies. Memory 104 may also include additional memory to store instructions and data that are stored in memory 104 prior to execution. The additional memory can be a semiconductor-based memory such as a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrical have erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or a flash memory (a block-oriented memory similar to an EEPROM).

The network controller 100 also has a network connection component or a network interface 106 . The network controller 100 and a component located remotely from it, such as external devices, networks, information sources or host systems, which manage a plurality of network controllers, are connected to one another via the network interface 106 . Host systems, such as servers or information handling systems may for example allow the network controller 100 to run software controlling, serve as storage for the network controller 100 or coordinate on any network kontroller 100 separate software running. The network interface 106 can provide or receive analog, digital, or high frequency data. The network interface 106 preferably corresponds to the architectural standards of the industry such as the standards 232 (RS-232) recommended by the Electrical Industries Association, infrared data association (IrDA) standards, Ethernet IEEE 802 standards (e.g. IEEE 802.3 for broadband and Baseband networks), IEEE 802.3z for Gigabit Ethernet, IEEE 802.4 for token passing bus networks, IEEE 802.5 for token ring networks, IEEE for wide area networks (metropolitan area networks), 802.66 for wireless networks, etc., fiber channel, digital subscriber line (DSL), asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL), frame relay, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), integrated digital network (ISDN), personal communication service (Personal Communications Services, PCS), transfer tax protocol l / Internet Protocol (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol, TCP / IP), serial line internet protocol / point-to-point protocol (Serial Line Internet Protocol / Point To Point Protocol, SLIP / PPP) and universal serial bus (Universal Serial Bus, USB). The network interface 106 may include, for example, a network adapter, a serial port, a parallel port, a printer adapter, a modem, a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter port (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter, UART), etc., or use various wireless technologies such as an infrared port, a radio frequency (RF) communication adapter, an infrared transmitter, or a radio frequency modem.

The network controller 100 also has a display system 112 which is connected to a display device 114 . The display system 112 can have an image output adapter with all desired components for driving a display device, these components having a video random access memory (VRAM), buffer and graphics engine. The display device 114 may include a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid-crystal display (LCD) or an alternative display technology, such as a light-emitting diode (LED), a gas or plasma display, or use flat panel technology.

The network controller 100 may further include an input / output system (I / O) 116 to connect one or more input / output devices 118 , 120 to N input / output devices. The input / output system 116 may include one or more controllers or adapters that provide an interface function between the one or more input / output devices 118-122 . The input / output system 116 can have, for example, a serial connection, a parallel connection, a network adapter, a printer adapter, a universal asynchronous receiver / transmitter connection (UART) etc., in order to connect the corresponding input / output devices to one another, such as, for example, a mouse, joystick, Trackball, trackpad, track stick, infrared transmitter, printer, modem, high-frequency modem, barcode reader, charge-coupled device (CCD), scanner, compact disc (CD), optical disc (CD-ROM), digital video Disc (Digital Versatile Disc, DVD), video recording device, contact screen, stylus, electro-acoustic transmitter, microphone, loudspeaker etc.

Although the invention has been described to a certain extent, it should be noted that those skilled in the art could change elements of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention. One of the embodiments of the invention can be implemented as an instruction set arranged in the memory 104 of one or more network controllers 100 , the network controller 100 being configured as a whole as described in FIG. 1. As long as this is not required for the network controller, the instruction set can be stored in other readable memory, for example a hard disk drive or a removable memory, such as a disk used in a CD-ROM drive, a floppy disk used in a floppy disk drive, one in an optical disc used in an optical drive or a personal computer memory card used in a personal computer card connector. The instruction set can also be stored in the memory of an information processing system and, if desired by the user, via a local area network or a wide area network, e.g. B. Internet are transmitted. In addition, the command set can be transmitted over a network in the form of an applet that is interpreted or compiled sooner after transmission to the computer system than before transmission. Those skilled in the art would recognize that the physical storage of the instruction sets or applets physically changes the medium on which they are stored electrically, magnetically, chemically, physically, optically or holographically so that the medium has computer readable information.

Referring to FIG. 2 is an exemplary From management form 200 shown a block diagram showing the components of the invention. To receive a phone call, there must be a phone signal input 210 . The telephone signal input 210 can be in the form of a hard-wired telephone line leading into the house or in the form of a wireless signal. In the preferred embodiment, a device can be used to identify the caller so that the recipient can respond to a phone call accordingly without actually answering the phone call. Thus, the number identification device can be included in the invention to identify the caller.

In order to accommodate a specific verbal message, an interface 230 can be operably connected to a network controller 250 via a network device 240 . The interface 230 can have a microphone and loudspeaker suitable for the transmission and acceptance of the verbal message. It should be noted that the invention can be used without a network device by maintaining an operable connection between the interface 230 and the network controller 250 .

In another exemplary embodiment of the invention, the interface 230 may be located within a network device 240 . For example, a television set can be operably connected to the network controller 250 and have an interface for transmitting and accepting the verbal message. An advantage of using a network device is to provide full home and workstation access in accordance with the invention, since various network devices are available at home or in the office. As a result, a user can transmit a verbal message directed toward the network device in any room of his or her home. Examples of network devices 300 that can be used in the invention are shown in FIG. 3. An answering machine 320 , a telephone 330 , a toaster 340 , a computer 350 , a radio 360 and a television set 370 can be operably connected to a network controller 310 and serve as a network device.

Referring again to FIG. 2, the network controller 250 may be operably connected to the network device 240 if a network device is present. The network controller 250 can accept a verbal message from the interface 230 and transmit it to a telephone signal output 260 . The network controller 250 may be able to receive the verbal message in real time and transmit it to the phone signal output without first converting and recording the message. This can be advantageous since the sound quality is improved, less processing time is required and less processor power is required for the transmission of the message. The telephone signal output 260 can be in the form of a hard-wired telephone line or a wireless telephone line.

Referring to Fig. 4, an exemplary process is described according to the invention. A recipient may be busy cooking dinner 410 and coordinating the various dishes so that they are ready at the appropriate time. When the recipient is busy with this effort, stopping cooking may be impossible or not worthwhile. Then, when the phone rings 420 , people generally do not let it ring because the call may be important. In the invention, a number identification device can identify the caller's number as well as the caller when the telephone rings.

For example, the caller may be the recipient's mother 430 .

Unable to answer the call 440 in a conventional manner, the recipient can make a pseudo-telephone call using verbal commands. In that the receiver directs his voice towards a network device according to the invention, the receiver can verbally answer the call and transmit a certain verbal message to his or her mother 450 . For example, a television can be placed near the receiver in the kitchen where the receiver is preparing dinner. By virtually answering the call, the recipient's mother knows that she should call again in 10 minutes while the recipient continues cooking without having to interrupt. The system of the invention enables the recipient to answer a call "hands-free" without losing focus on the activity at hand. In some embodiments, the telephone connection may be switched to a full duplex connection if the recipient wishes to answer the call 440 , where the recipient may continue the "hands-free" conversation until the conversation 444 is terminated in the conventional manner.

Claims (29)

1. Telephone answering system, with:
a telephone line;
a network controller ( 100 ) that can be operated on the telephone line; and
an operable interface ( 106 ) connected to the network controller ( 100 ), whereby a recipient, when receiving a telephone call, can transmit a verbal message during the telephone call via the interface ( 106 ), but without having to make a two-way conversation, the verbal message is transmitted from the interface ( 106 ) to the network controller ( 100 ) via an operational connection and the verbal message is then transmitted to the telephone line via the network controller ( 100 ) so that the caller hears it. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising one at Telephone line ready connected number identification device to verify the identity of the recipient Notify caller. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the operational Connection has a network component. 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the network component comprises the interface ( 106 ). 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the receiver can answer a phone call using verbal commands, the verbal commands being directed to the interface ( 106 ). 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the telephone call is ended after the verbal message to the Telephone line was transmitted. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the telephone call  is ended after the verbal message to the Telephone line was transmitted and one for the caller sufficient time to respond has passed. 8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the caller is on a response from the recipient. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the interface ( 106 ) comprise a microphone and loudspeakers which are suitable for recording verbal communication. 10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the telephone line is hardwired. 11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the telephone line is wireless. 12. A procedure for answering a phone call, with the following steps:
Answering a phone call by verbally answering the phone call;
Transmit a verbal message directed to the interface during the telephone call, but without having to make a two-way conversation; and
Automatic termination of the telephone call after the verbal message has been transmitted to the caller and a sufficient period of time has elapsed during which the verbal message is transmitted from the interface ( 106 ) via the operable connection to the network controller ( 100 ) and then via the network controller ( 100 ) is transmitted to the telephone line. 13. The method of claim 12, further comprising a call number identification indicator is checked to identify of the caller. 14. The method of claim 12, wherein the operational Connection has a network component.   15. The method of claim 14, wherein the network component has the interface ( 106 ). 16. The method of claim 12, wherein the time period is sufficient to respond to the verbal message of the To prevent callers. 17. The method of claim 12, wherein the time period is sufficient to respond to the verbal message of the Allow caller. 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the interface ( 106 ) comprise a microphone and loudspeakers which are suitable for recording verbal communication. 19. The method of claim 12, wherein the telephone line is hardwired. 20. The method of claim 12, wherein the telephone line is wireless. 21. A command program stored in a medium readable by the network controller, whereby the network controller performs steps that allow the recipient to answer verbally during the telephone call, but without having to make a two-way conversation, comprising the following steps:
Determining that a phone call is directed to a phone line that is operable by the network controller ( 100 );
Releasing the interface so that the recipient can generate a verbal message;
Accepting the verbal message transmitted by the recipient;
Transmit the verbal message over the telephone line so that it is audible to the caller;
End the telephone call, the recipient being able to transmit a verbal message by directing the verbal message to the interface ( 106 ) and the interface transmitting the verbal message to the network controller via an operable connection. 22. The command program of claim 21, wherein the receiver the Identity of the caller using a to the phone line operable connected number identification device notes. 23. Command program according to claim 21, wherein the operable Connection has a network component. 24. The command program according to claim 21, wherein the network component has the interface ( 106 ). 25. The command program of claim 21, wherein the Network controller ends the phone call after the verbal Message was sent to respond to the verbal Prevent caller's message. 26. The command program of claim 21, wherein the network controller ended the phone call after the verbal Message was sent and a sufficient amount of time has elapsed to respond to the verbal message of the Allow caller. 27. The command program according to claim 21, wherein the interface ( 106 ) comprises a microphone and loudspeakers which are suitable for recording verbal communication. 28. The command program of claim 21, wherein the telephone line is hardwired. 29. The command program of claim 21, wherein the telephone line is wireless.