Method and apparatus for an improved call interrupt feature in a cordless telephone answering device

Abstract

A telephone answering device and system that receives and stores in memory caller identifying data such as Caller ID data received automatically from the PSTN or alternate caller-identifying entries received from a caller. The Caller ID data or alternate caller-identifying entries are stored in memory along with an associated voice message. The caller is given an option to review or modify the Caller ID data to be associated with the voice message and the Caller ID data may be annunciated using a speech synthesizer. The caller identifying data associated with voice message data from a caller can be selectively played back to a called party and used to redial the caller in order to return the call.

1 - 14 . (canceled)  
   
   
       15 . A telephone answering device, comprising: 
 a) a controller;    b) a CID decoder for receiving Caller ID data originating from the PSTN;    c) a speech synthesizer that generates audible data corresponding to said received Caller ID data for verification or change by a caller;    d) a decoder for receiving alternate caller identifying information and commands originating from a caller;    e) an incoming message unit for receiving a voice message from a caller; and    f) a memory connected to and managed by said controller for storing said Caller ID data or said alternate caller identifying information in association with said voice message received during a particular incoming call.    
   
   
       16 . A telephone answering device as in  claim 15  wherein said commands and said alternate caller identifying information comprise DTMF signals entered by the caller and said decoder for receiving alternate caller identifying information is a DTMF decoder.  
   
   
       17 . A telephone answering device as in  claim 15  wherein said received Caller ID data is FSK data.  
   
   
       18 . A telephone answering device as in  claim 15  wherein said alternate caller identifying information comprises voice data spoken by a caller.  
   
   
       19 . A telephone answering device as in  claim 15  wherein said Caller ID data that is blocked, out-of-area or unavailable causes an instruction to the caller to enter alternate caller identifying information.  
   
   
       20 . A telephone answering device as in  claim 15  wherein said alternate caller identifying information comprises a telephone number entered by the caller.  
   
   
       21 . A telephone answering device as in  claim 15  wherein said alternate caller identifying information comprises voice data spoken by the caller.  
   
   
       22 . A telephone answering device as in  claim 15  wherein the absence of a command received from the caller to verify or change said Caller ID data allows said Caller ID data to be stored in association with said voice message.  
   
   
       23 . A telephone answering device as in  claim 15  wherein the presence of a command received from the caller to verify said Caller ID data received allows the said voice message to be stored and associated with said Caller ID data.  
   
   
       24 . A telephone answering device as in  claim 15  wherein a called party may selectively playback said Caller ID information and an associated voice message.  
   
   
       25 . A telephone answering device as in  claim 15  wherein a called party may selectively playback said alternate caller identifying information and an associated voice message.  
   
   
       26 . A telephone answering device as in  claim 15  wherein a remotely located called party may call in and listen to the said Caller ID information and the said associated voice message.  
   
   
       27 . A telephone answering device as in  claim 15  wherein a remotely located called party may call in and listen to the said alternate caller identifying information and the said associated voice message.  
   
   
       28 . A telephone answering device as in  claim 15  that will store said Caller ID data in said memory without the receipt and storage of a voice message in the incoming message unit;  
   
   
       29 . A telephone answering device as in  claim 15  in which said Caller ID data or said caller identifying data stored in said memory is used to redial and establish communication from a called party to a calling party.  
   
   
       30 . A method for storing caller identifying data and associated voice messages in memory, said method including the steps of: 
 a) receiving Caller ID data automatically supplied from the PSTN;    b) generating an annunciation of said Caller ID data to be heard by a caller for verification or change by said caller;    c) allowing entry of alternate caller identifying data from said caller;    d) storing received Caller ID data or said alternate caller identifying data in a memory;    e) allowing input of a voice message from said caller; and    f) associating said received Caller ID data or said caller identifying data with said voice message stored in memory.    
   
   
       31 . A telephone answering system comprising: 
 a) a controller;    b) a decoder adapted to receive caller identifying data comprised of either Caller ID data originating from the PSTN or alternate caller identifying information and commands originating from the caller;    c) a speech synthesizer that annunciates said Caller ID data to allow the caller to verify or change the caller identifying data;    d) an incoming message unit for receiving a voice message; and    e) a memory connected to and managed by said controller for storing said the said caller identifying data in association with the said voice message received during a particular incoming call.