Patent ID: 6128382
Filing Date: 2000-10-03
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
A method for enabling a caller to leave a message on a telephone without the telephone first generating a ring sound, the method comprising:the telephone receiving an incoming telephone call from a caller;the telephone answering the incoming telephone call, wherein the telephone answers the incoming telephone call prior to the telephone generating a ring sound;receiving input from the caller indicating whether the caller desires to record a message or have the telephone generate a ring sound;an answering machine unit receiving and recording a message from the caller in response to receiving caller input to record a message;the telephone generating an alert sound to a callee indicating that the telephone received an incoming call and that the caller is able to leave a message on the telephone without the telephone first generating a ring sound;the telephone generating a ring sound to the callee in response to receiving caller input indicating that the telephone should generate the ring sound.