Patent ID: 6229878
Filing Date: 2001-05-08
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
A telephone answering device comprised of:i) a personal computer means coupled to a telephone office via a telephone line for use with a telephone coupled separately to said telephone line, said computer means for:A) receiving telephone ringing signals having a repeated number of rings on said telephone line;B) analyzing data signals received from said telephone line that at least partially identify a calling party prior to answering said call;C) answering at least some received telephone calls in response to analyzed data signals received on said telephone line after a predetermined number of the repeated number of rings, and said telephone was not answered;D) receiving a message over said telephone line aft answering a call and formatting said message received for storage;ii) data storage means, coupled to said computer means, for storing information received by said computer meansiii) telephone line interface means for coupling said telephone line to said computer means.