Robert Bokwhan Choi

US Patent:

50291980, Jul 2, 1991

Filed:

Jan 17, 1990

Appl. No.:

7/466644

Inventors:

Geary A. Walpole - Oakland NJ
Robert S. Choi - Landisville PA
C. Kwai Kong - Mount Joy PA
Jude Buckwalter - Willow Street PA

International Classification:

H04M 121
H04M 164

US Classification:

379 88

Abstract:

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.