Point to point voice message processor, method and recording/playback device
DCFirst Claim
1. A voice message processor comprising, in a single, co-located, unit:
- a connection for a communication link capable of transmitting and receiving cells over a public communication network;
a connection for a telephone set;
a connection for a recordable voice message recording/playback device having an input for a signal representing a voice message to be recorded and an output for a signal representing a previously recorded voice message to be played back;
a switching device providing;
a first state in which the telephone set connection and communication link connection are connected together, a second state in which the voice message recording/playback device input is connected to the communication link connection, and a third state in which voice message recording/playback device output is connected to the communication link connection; and
a controller controlling said voice message recording/playback device to be selectively recorded and played back when said switching device is in its second state and controlling said voice message recording/playback device to be selectively played back when said switching device is in its third state.
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Abstract
A voice message processor is disclosed for producing remote voice recordings in a decentralized, non-networked environment. Connections are provided for a communication link capable of transmitting and receiving calls over a public communication network, for a telephone set, and for a recordable voice message recording/playback device. A switching device provides a first state in which the telephone set connection and communication link connection are connected together, a second state in which the voice message recording/playback device input is connected to the communication link connection, and a third state in which the voice message recording/playback device output is connected to the communication link connection. A controller enable the voice message recording/playback device to be selectively recorded and played back when the switching device is in its second state and enables the voice message recording/playback device to be selectively played back when the switching device is in its third state.
61 Citations
19 Claims
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1. A voice message processor comprising, in a single, co-located, unit:
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a connection for a communication link capable of transmitting and receiving cells over a public communication network;
a connection for a telephone set;
a connection for a recordable voice message recording/playback device having an input for a signal representing a voice message to be recorded and an output for a signal representing a previously recorded voice message to be played back;
a switching device providing;
a first state in which the telephone set connection and communication link connection are connected together, a second state in which the voice message recording/playback device input is connected to the communication link connection, and a third state in which voice message recording/playback device output is connected to the communication link connection; and
a controller controlling said voice message recording/playback device to be selectively recorded and played back when said switching device is in its second state and controlling said voice message recording/playback device to be selectively played back when said switching device is in its third state. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
establishing a telephone connection with the remote location via a communication link connected to said connection for a communication link;
connecting a recordable voice message recording/playback device to said connection for a recordable voice message recording/playback device; and
placing the switching device in its second state, whereby the controller enables local recording of a message received over the communication link.
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10. The method of claim 9 wherein the voice message at the remote location is produced by the voice message processor playing back a previously recorded voice message recording/playback device.
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11. The method of either of claim 9 or 10 wherein the recording step is performed in response to signals received from the remote location over the communication link.
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12. A method for utilizing a voice message processor in accordance with claim 1 to make a recording at a remote location of a local voice message, comprising the steps of:
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establishing a telephone connection with a remote location at which the voice message processor is located, via a communication link connected to said connection for a communication link;
arranging to have a recordable voice message recording/playback device connected to said connection for a recordable voice message recording/playback device;
arranging to have the switching device in placed its second state; and
transmitting a locally generated voice message over the communication link, the controller enabling remote recording of the locally generated message.
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13. The method of claim 12 wherein the local voice message is produced by the voice message processor playing back a previously recorded voice message recording/playback device.
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14. The method of claim 12 wherein the local voice message is produced by the combination of the voice message processor and a remote voice message recording/playback device previously recorded at the remote location by means of the direct record input device, while connected to said remote voice message recording/playback device by playing back the voice message recording/playback device.
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15. The method of any of claims 12-14 wherein said transmitting step is performed in response to a signal received from the remote location over the communication link.
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16. A voice message recording/playback device, comprising:
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a connector constructed to connect to the connection for a recordable voice message recording/playback device in a voice message processor as in claim 1 and a direct record input device;
a playback switch for generating a playback signal;
a speaker for audible reproduction of a recorded voice message; and
a control device for playing back said recorded message from said speaker in response to said playback signal transmitted from said playback switch or from said voice message processor via said connector.
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17. A direct record input device adapted to be used in combination with a voice message recording/playback device in accordance with claim 16, comprising:
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a connector for connecting to said voice message recording/playback device;
a microphone for inputting a voice message; and
a record switch for generating a record signal.
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18. A direct record input device in accordance with claim 17 further comprising an indicator for showing a record cycle being activated.
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19. A voice message recording/playback device for recording a voice message and for providing an audible reproduction of a recorded voice message, comprising:
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a connector constructed to connect to the connection for a recordable voice message recording/playback device in a voice message processor as in claim 1 and;
a playback switch for generating a playback signal;
a speaker for audible reproduction of the recorded voice message;
a record switch for generating a record signal;
a microphone for inputting said voice message; and
a control device for recording said voice message from said microphone in response to said record signal transmitted from said record switch and for playing back said recorded message from said speaker in response to said playback signal transmitted from said playback switch.
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Specification