Voice messaging system which allows a remote user to return a call without disconnecting from a telephone line

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to voice messaging systems. More particularly, it relates to a telephone answering device capable of allowing a user to remotely retrieve voice messages and call back a person who left a message without disconnecting from the remote telephone line.

2. Background of Related Art

Voice messaging systems in general, and telephone answering devices (i.e., answering machines) in particular, are useful devices for the home or office. A conventional telephone answering device operates on a single telephone line and answers an incoming call to an unused (i.e., on-hook) telephone after a desired number of rings. The telephone answering device causes the telephone line to enter an off-hook condition, then plays an outgoing greeting message to the caller. After the outgoing message, the caller may leave a voice message on the telephone answering device. At a later time, the voice message is replayed by the user, either local to the telephone answering device or via remote connection from another telephone.

Fig. 5 illustrates a conventional telephone answering device capable of answering an incoming call on a telephone line. In Fig. 5, a telephone answering device <b>11</b> is connected to a telephone company central office <b>13</b> via a telephone line <b>15</b>. A telephone line interface (TLI) <b>17</b> in the telephone answering device <b>11</b> provides the conventional isolation, DC and AC impedance as required by telephone company standards. The telephone line interface <b>17</b> also provides a ring detect signal to a controller <b>19</b>. Controller <b>19</b> may be any suitable processor, e.g., microprocessor, microcontroller, or digital signal processor (DSP). The ring detect signal indicates to the controller <b>19</b> the ringing of an incoming call on the telephone line <b>15</b>.

After a desired number of ring signals, the telephone answering device <b>11</b> causes the telephone line interface <b>17</b> to place the telephone line in an off-hook state, and instructs a voice recorder/playback audio module <b>18</b> to play an outgoing greeting message over the telephone line <b>15</b> to the caller. Upon completion of the outgoing greeting message, the caller may leave a voice message in voice memory <b>21</b> under the control of controller <b>19</b>. A keypad <b>23</b> allows the user to select various modes of operation, including the playback of voice messages.

The conventional telephone answering device <b>11</b> illustrated in Fig. 5 includes a Calling Identity Delivery (Caller ID) detector/receiver <b>25</b> to detect and receive call related information, e.g., the telephone number and/or household name of a calling party. The call related information is displayed on display <b>27</b>.

By using Caller ID, the user of the conventional telephone answering device <b>11</b> can determine the name and telephone number of the caller leaving the voice message. Basic call information such as Caller ID information is transmitted from the local telephone company to the called party while the called party's phone is in a hung-up or on-hook state, e.g., between the first and second rings.

Oftentimes, a remote user of a voice messaging system such as a telephone answering device may want to return a call to a caller who left a voice message. However, there are instances where it may not be convenient or possible for the remote user to call back those who called the voice messaging system. For example, if the user is at a pay phone and has minimal funds for additional phone calls, the user may need to return the telephone calls but may not have sufficient funds or change to complete the task. Additionally, if the telephone answering device's location is a toll call from the user's remote location, the user will be required to make multiple toll calls to return his/her messages thereby spending additional money. Furthermore, persons may leave a message without leaving a telephone number in the voice message. In such a case, the call related information (e.g., Caller ID information) may be the only information useful for calling the caller back, but is displayed at the telephone answering device itself.

Unfortunately, conventional telephone answering devices do not allow a user to retrieve his/her messages from a remote location and then to return a call to one or more callers without having to first disconnect the telephone line, deposit or expend additional funds, and dial the caller's telephone number.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a telephone answering device which allows a user to remotely retrieve voice messages and return one or more calls to callers without having to disconnect from a telephone line.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the principles of the present invention, a controlling system for a voice messaging system comprises a controller. A calling module, controlled by the controller, is adapted to initiate a telephone call back to a caller to the voice messaging system. The controlling system also includes a DTMF generator. The calling module causes the controller to initiate an outgoing call, with a telephone number of the outgoing call relating to a party who called the voice messaging system.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a telephone answering device comprises a controller and a voice recorder/playback module. A calling module is also included which is activated by a remote user to call back a caller. The calling module causes the controller to initiate a telephone call between the remote user and the caller.

A method for remotely calling back callers to a voice messaging system in accordance with the principles of the present invention comprises allowing a user remote access via a telephone line to stored voice messages in a voice messaging system. The remote user is placed on hold. A call on the telephone line from the voice messaging system is initiated to a previous caller to the voice messaging system, while the remote user remains on hold. A communication path between the remote user and the caller is established.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following description with reference to the drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 illustrates a telephone answering device for allowing a user to remotely retrieve voice messages and return one or more calls to callers, without having to disconnect from a telephone line, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates another embodiment of a telephone answering device for allowing a user to remotely retrieve voice messages and return one or more calls to callers without having to disconnect from a telephone line, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 3 illustrates yet another embodiment of a telephone answering device for allowing a user to remotely retrieve voice messages and return one or more calls to callers without having to disconnect from a telephone line, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

Fig. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the process by which the telephone answering device of FIGS. 1 - 3 constructed in accordance with the present invention records a caller's voice message, allows a user to remotely retrieve the voice message, and return a call to any caller without having to disconnect from the telephone line.

Fig. 5 illustrates a conventional telephone answering device operating on a single telephone line.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

The present invention provides a voice messaging system, and method for recording a voice message of a caller, which allows a user to remotely retrieve a voice message and return a call to the caller who left the voice message, without having to disconnect from the telephone line.

In particular, call related information with respect to a caller is detected and received in a call information detector/receiver. After a predetermined number of rings, a telephone answering device in accordance with the principles of the present invention automatically answers the call by placing the telephone line in an off-hook condition and initiating a standard outgoing greeting message. Thereafter, the caller can leave a voice message on the telephone answering device, which is stored in voice message memory via a voice recorder/ playback module. Upon retrieval of the voice message by the user from a remote location, the telephone answering device can be prompted to connect the remote user with the third party caller without disconnecting the remote user from the telephone line. By not disconnecting the user, a voice messaging system in accordance with the principles of the present invention increases the user's convenience, increases productivity by not requiring the remote user to hang up and separately call back each caller to his/her voice messaging system, and decreases costs by calling the third party caller from a home or office location.

In particular, Fig. 1 illustrates a telephone answering device, indicated generally at <b>10</b>, capable of recording a voice message of a caller, allowing a user to remotely retrieve the voice message, and allowing the user to return a call to the caller leaving the voice message, without having to disconnect from the initial telephone call, in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

In the embodiment of Fig. 1, the telephone answering device <b>10</b> includes at least one telephone line interface <b>17</b> for interconnection with a central office <b>13</b> via a telephone line <b>15</b>. The telephone line interface <b>17</b> interconnects the telephone line <b>15</b> with a voice recorder/playback module <b>18</b>. Furthermore. the telephone line interface <b>17</b> preferably interconnects the telephone line <b>15</b> with a call information detector/ receiver <b>25</b> (e.g., for detecting and receiving the available Caller ID information). The call information detector/receiver <b>25</b> detects and receives available call related information regarding a caller to the user of the telephone line <b>15</b>.

The telephone answering device <b>10</b> of the present invention further includes a dual tone, multiple frequency (DTMF) generator <b>22</b> implemented within a controller <b>24</b>. The controller <b>24</b> may be any suitable processor, e.g., microprocessor, microcontroller, or digital signal processor (DSP). The DTMF generator <b>22</b> provides touch tone signals for use by the telephone answering device <b>10</b> to dial out on the telephone line <b>15</b> when prompted by the remote user of the telephone answering device <b>10</b>, e.g., after the retrieval of the voice messages.

The telephone answering device <b>10</b> of Fig. 1 further includes a calling module <b>26</b> which can return a call to a past caller without requiring a remote user to disconnect from the telephone line <b>15</b>.

To allow the telephone answering device <b>10</b> access to an additional telephone line, the central office <b>13</b> may include conventional three way conference calling services.

The calling module <b>26</b> of the telephone answering device <b>10</b> flashes the telephone line <b>15</b> to put the remote user on hold, and allows a dial tone from the central office <b>13</b> to be presented to the telephone answering device <b>10</b>. The telephone answering device <b>10</b> then dials out, using call related information if available, e.g., Caller ID information. Alternatively, if a telephone number of the caller is not available using call related information, the controller <b>24</b> may provide pre-stored voice prompt information requesting a telephone number be input by the remote user. For instance, the voice recorder/playback module <b>18</b> may audibly request that a telephone number be input using a DTMF keypad. In such a case, the controller <b>24</b> would include a DTMF decoder to decode the digits of the telephone number as they are input by the remote user.

The telephone answering device <b>10</b> then establishes a telephone call between the telephone answering device <b>10</b> and the third party, and again flashes the telephone line <b>15</b> to indicate to the central office <b>15</b> to conference together the incoming telephone call from the remote user with the outgoing telephone call to the third party, and to present the same to the remote user as a single telephone call. Thus, a three way call is established between the remote user, the telephone answering device <b>10</b>, and the third party.

The calling module <b>26</b> is preferably a software module included within the program code of the controller <b>24</b>. Of course, the calling module <b>26</b> can be implemented separate from the controller <b>24</b>, but regardless, will preferably be in communication with the controller <b>24</b>.

Fig. 2 shows an alternative embodiment of the telephone answering device <b>10</b>. In particular, Fig. 2 shows a DTMF generator <b>22</b> which is separate from the controller <b>24</b>. Preferably, the DTMF generator <b>22</b> is controlled by the controller <b>24</b>.

Fig. 3 shows yet another embodiment of a telephone answering device <b>10</b> in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

In particular, Fig. 3 shows that rather than having the three way conference calling services utilizing one telephone line <b>15</b> as in Figs. 1 and 2, the remote user can instead utilize at least two telephone lines <b>15, 28</b> and a telephone answering device <b>10</b> having two telephone line interfaces <b>17a, 17b</b> for receiving the multiple telephone lines <b>15, 28</b>. In this instance, the telephone answering device <b>10</b> still records the incoming voice message of a caller in the manner described above. However, instead of establishing a three-way call on a single telephone line <b>15</b>, as in the embodiments of Figs. 1 and 2, the user remotely retrieves his/her voice messages from the telephone answering device <b>10</b> on one telephone line, e.g., on the first telephone line <b>15</b>. The telephone answering device <b>10</b>, upon directive from a remote user, then establishes a call on the second telephone line <b>28</b> back to the caller who left a particular voice message.

The remote user may designate the particular voice message to return a call to by, e.g., inputting a particular predetermined code when prompted by the telephone answering device <b>10</b>.

Upon establishment of the call from the telephone answering device <b>10</b> to the third party on the second telephone line <b>28</b>, the telephone answering device <b>10</b> establishes a voice communication path between the first telephone line <b>15</b> and the second telephone line <b>28</b>. In this way, the remote user can return a message or speak directly with the caller leaving the voice message without having to be disconnected from the first telephone line <b>15</b>.

The number of telephone lines actually accessible through the telephone answering device <b>10</b> for conference calling by the user is limited only by the number of connections available to the telephone answering device <b>10</b>.

Fig. 4 illustrates a flow chart showing the process by which the telephone answering devices <b>10</b> of FIGS. 1 and 2 allow a remote user to return a call to a person leaving a voice message wherein the telephone answering device <b>10</b> maintains connection to the telephone line <b>15</b> after retrieval of the voice message by the remote user.

With reference to Fig. 4, in step <b>202</b>, the caller attempts to call the user at the telephone number of the telephone line <b>15</b>. Upon a predetermined number of rings, the telephone answering device <b>10</b> answers and plays an outgoing greeting message such as "l'm not available right now, please leave a message" or other similar greeting. The telephone answering device <b>10</b> further generally allows the caller to record an incoming voice message of a predetermined or indeterminate length. The telephone answering device <b>10</b> stores the voice message in voice message memory <b>21</b> until the user, either local or remote, retrieves and deletes the voice message from the telephone answering device <b>10</b>. The call related information, e.g., the telephone number with respect to the voice message, is indicated to the user via a display <b>27</b> and stored in memory accessible by the controller <b>24</b>, as indicated in step <b>204</b>.

In step <b>206</b>, the user remotely retrieves, e.g., from a location remote from the telephone answering device <b>10</b>, the voice message left by the caller on the telephone answering device <b>10</b>. In step <b>208</b>, upon retrieving the incoming message from the telephone answering device <b>10</b>, the remote user of the telephone answering device can prompt the telephone answering device <b>10</b> to flash the telephone line <b>15</b>, thus placing the remote user on hold.

In step <b>210</b>, the DTMF generator <b>22</b> provides touch tone signals for use by the telephone answering device <b>10</b> to dial out on the telephone line <b>15</b>, to return a call to the person leaving the voice message.

In decision step <b>212</b>, the telephone answering device <b>10</b> determines if the third party caller has answered the call from the telephone answering device <b>10</b> dialed on the telephone line <b>15</b>. If not, step <b>210</b> is repeated until the caller answers.

A time-out or maximum retry limit may be tested in step <b>214</b> to exit the calling module <b>26</b>, e.g., after a predetermined number of unsuccessful callback tries. The user may set the predetermined number of unsuccessful callback tries before timeout, or may rely on a factory default setting, e.g., of two.

At an appropriate time, e.g., when the called-back caller answers his/her telephone, in step <b>216</b>, the telephone answering device <b>10</b> again flashes the telephone line <b>15</b> and causes the central office <b>13</b> to connect the remote user to the third party caller. Alternatively, the telephone answering device <b>10</b> may again flash the telephone line <b>15</b> before the called-back caller answers his/her telephone.

While the embodiments disclosed herein relate to a telephone answering device in particular, the principles of the present invention are equally applicable to voice messaging systems in general.

While the invention has been described with reference to the exemplary embodiments thereof, those skilled in the art will be able to make various modifications to the described embodiments of the invention without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention.