Abstract:
A conference call recorder that utilizes a cassette or digital recording medium. The recorder is capable of initializing a call at a pre-programmed time, connecting, entering a PIN, and recording the call. This capability is not limited to one call placement and records up to 2 hours on cassette and 5-10 hours on CD. The calls are stored on cassette or digital medium for later listening or for removing and listening in other players. The recorder is also capable of playing various messages to incoming preprogrammed numbers and groups of numbers.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   Not Applicable 
   FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
   Not Applicable 
   INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISK 
   Not Applicable 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   The invention relates to telephones and telephone accessories and more specifically to a conference call recorder that is either a part of or works in conjunction with a telephone. 
   2. Description of the Prior Art 
   Answering machines and telephone recorders are not new in the art; however, none demonstrate the advantages of the present invention. By way of example: 
   U.S. Pat. No. 4,862,509 issued to Townsend on Aug. 29, 1989 discloses a portable recorder. 
   U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,231 issued to Cho on Aug. 6, 1996 discloses a method of recording a telephone conversation. 
   While the above-described devices fulfill their respective and particular objects and requirements, they do not describe a conference call recorder that provides for the advantages of the present invention, therefore, a need exists for an improved conference call recorder, particularly one that includes a compact disc or cassette recorder for recording lengthy conference calls, even when a listener is not present to initiate and operate the recorder. In this respect, the present invention substantially departs from the conventional concepts and designs of the prior art. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of telephone recorders now present in the prior art, the conference call recorder overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the conference call recorder, described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a conference call recorder which has all of the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in an improved conference call recorder which is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in combination thereof. 
   To accomplish this, the conference call recorder comprises programmable features which allow a user to preprogram times for which conference calls or other calls are to be made. With conference calling, for example, if a user cannot be present to initiate a call, the conference call recorder is programmed with time, date, and phone number. In addition, the invention can be preset to make more than one attempt and to make more than one call connection. Further, the timeframe needed to receive audio feedback from a call connection can be set, such that a delay in audio signal from the number reached need not affect disconnect function. After initiating and completing a call, the invention records the audio signals, either via cassette or digital storage device such as a compact disc (CD) or even hard drive. Digital storage is not limited but includes various devices known in the art. The preprogrammed timeframe needed for audio feedback and disconnect determines when the invention halts the recording. The number and time programmed by the user causes the invention to retain the recording in that particular unique file. This file can also be determined by unique number designated by a user. 
   Calls are thereby initiated and preserved for future listening and for transport of recordings. As example, a user might replay an important conference call while traveling in an auto, utilizing the auto&#39;s CD or cassette player. A user might replay a recorded call or conference among a group of others, for shared information. The conference call recorder enables such advantages without requiring a user to be present at a phone during any particular event. 
   Recording capabilities are also used in person, if so desired. The conference call recorder is offered in several embodiments. Those include both cassette and digital storage device, whether hard drive or compact disc, employment with the invention separate from a typical telephone. 
   The embodiments also offer inclusion of a telephone within the same case as the conference call recorder. While technology known in the arts of communication and recording are not unique, the incorporation of those technologies in providing the advantages of the conference call recorder are. Especially important is that the preferred embodiments of the conference call recorder feature up to 2 hours of recording time with cassette employment and 5-10 hours of recording time with the employment of current CD technology. A user need no longer miss important calls nor be relegated to recording only a short call. The mobility of the recorded medium also provides great leeway in listening environment, with a user being able to take the recorded messages virtually anywhere to share with anyone desired. 
   Controls of the various embodiments of the conference call recorder are exemplary of those known in the arts of communication and recording and playback. Controls are not limited to only those portrayed. Other controls known in the arts are utilized in further embodiments. 
   Additional features of the programmability of the conference call recorder provide that a user is also able to record virtually any message for an incoming call. The microprocessor recognizes an incoming call and can even be programmed to play different messages to pre-recorded numbers called from. A user therefore is able to uniquely tailor a particular answer message to a particular caller or even groups of callers. 
   Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of the conference call recorder so that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. 
   Numerous objects, features and advantages of the conference call recorder will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the conference call recorder when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this respect, before explaining the current embodiments of the conference call recorder in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustration. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for purposes of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 
   Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the design of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the conference call recorder. It is therefore important that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention. 
   A primary object, then, of the conference call recorder is to provide a programmable conference call recorder that is capable of initiating and completing a connection and recording a call without a user being present. 
   An additional object of the conference call recorder is to provide for recording lengthy audio signal. 
   A further object of the conference call recorder is to provide for conference call recording as either a telephone with recording and playback capabilities or as an apparatus that works in conjunction with an existing telephone. 
   And, it is an object of the conference call recorder to provide a portable medium of recorded calls. 
   These together with additional objects of the conference call recorder, along with various novel features that characterize the invention are particularly pointed out in the claims forming a part of this disclosure. For better understanding of the conference call recorder, its operating advantages and specific objects attained by its uses, refer to the accompanying drawings and description. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the conference call recorder employing compact disc (CD) technology and plugged into an existing typical telephone. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the combined conference call recorder and telephone, the recorder utilizing a CD. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the conference call recorder embodiment that utilizes a cassette, the recorder utilizing an existing telephone. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the embodiment of the combined conference call recorder and telephone, the recorder utilizing a cassette. 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram of the circuitry of the conference call recorder and accompanying telephone and handset. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
   With reference now to the drawings, and in particular  FIGS. 1-5  thereof, the preferred embodiment of the conference call recorder employing the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference number  10  will be described. 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , the companion embodiment of invention  10  is connected to a phone  82 . Phone  82  is typical in the art and requires no unusual features in order to communicate properly with invention  10 . This embodiment of invention  10  is a companion to a phone  82  in that this embodiment does not include a handset  80  or the phone  82 . Existing phone  82  is utilized such that this embodiment of invention  10  works in conjunction with phone  82 . Invention  10  comprises a typical keypad  14 . Invention  10  further comprises a typical Compact Disc (CD) receiving slot  25  disposed within the front of the invention  10 , the slot for accepting a typical CD. Control buttons  24  disposed below keypad  14  are also typical in the art of CD controls and include buttons for forward, reverse, play, and eject. While buttons  24  are exemplary, they are not limited to only these functions but may employ other features and controls known in the field of art. Display  18  is featured on the rearward top of invention  10  and offers displays also typical in the field, features such as display of time and date, number dialed, numbers in memory, program function display, and the like. To the left of keypad  14  are volume control buttons  22 . Additionally and proximally to buttons  22  is speed dial button  20  which functions as a speed dialer  20  when a party to be reached is recalled from numbers in memory. The typical speaker  12  is disposed on the opposite side of keypad  14 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 2 , the complete embodiment of invention  10  is illustrated with handset  80  and phone  82  incorporated into a complete unit. Controls and functions identical to those of  FIG. 1  remain. Phone  82  is of typical construction and internal components and is known throughout the art. CD phone case  83  is unique to invention  10  in order to incorporate both invention  10  and phone  82 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 3  the embodiment of invention  10  utilizing a standard cassette is further comprised of controls and functions typical in the art of cassette recorders and includes the same keypad  14 , volume controls  22 , speed dial  20 , open button  34  for opening the cassette compartment  16  and accessing a cassette (not shown) for loading and unloading. Display  18  is included in like fashion to that of the previously described embodiments of invention  10 . Typical cassette controls  17  include fast forward, play, stop, pause, and rewind. 
   Referring to  FIG. 4 , the further embodiment of invention  10  incorporating a phone  82  is similar to the CD and telephone embodiment of invention  10  with the difference only of cassette rather than CD function and controls. Cassette phone case  85  incorporates both phone  82  and handset  80  design and also encasement of invention  10 . 
   Referring to  FIG. 5 , a schematic of the components of invention  10  illustrates functional schematic of invention  10 . The schematic remains identical in all embodiments whether incorporating invention  10  within or without a phone case  83  or  85 . A relay connects phone  82  functions to microprocessor  86  of invention  10 . Microprocessor  86  communicates with the various functional components and commands of invention  10 . Also communicating and interacting with microprocessor  86  is recordable medium drive mechanism  88  and recordable medium reader/recorder  90 . Both mechanism  88  and reader/recorder  90  are known throughout the art of CD and cassette recording and playback devices, especially with respect to music. Typical power source  84  is battery or AC voltage as is typically used to power telephones. Such devices are designed to record lengthy audio and thereby provide for invention  10  to do likewise. Invention  10  is therefore not limited to short time frame audio recording, as are typical telephone recorders and playback devices. 
   In use, user (not shown) is provided with a variety of functional commands. User first ensures that a cassette is inserted into compartment  16 . If the CD embodiment is utilized, a recordable CD  60  is inserted into CD receiving slot  25 . In order to command the invention  10  to make and record a conference call, as example of unique function of invention  10 , user utilizes programming controls  36  to communicate with microprocessor  86 . To make a future conference call connection while not present, the user chooses the number to be dialed. 
   User then chooses date and time of call, as many conference calls occur at preset times. User then enters the PIN needed to join a conference call. User then selects how many times invention  10  is to try to complete the call, in case the first call is met with busy signal or other inconvenience. Each programming function is displayed on display  18 . Invention  10  is therefore programmed to perform without a user having to be present. Upon the preset time being met, invention  10  opens the telephone connection and listens for a dial tone, exactly as if a user had picked up the handset  80 . A sample sequence of events then occurs as follows: 
   
     
       
             
             
           
         
             
                 
             
           
           
             
               dial tone? 
               yes 
             
             
               dial number 
               1.970.555.1515 
             
             
               connection? 
               no 
             
             
               disconnect, wait 5 seconds, redial 
               1.970.555.1515 
             
             
               connect? 
               yes 
             
             
               pause 5 seconds (time is editable) 
               send PIN 
             
             
               create unique file and record conference 
             
             
               listen for 10 seconds of no sound (time frame editable) 
               disconnect 
             
             
                 
             
           
        
       
     
   
   The conference call is now preserved on either the CD or the cassette contained within invention  10 . Upon return, a user selectively removes the CD or cassette for potential transport for listening elsewhere, such as during travel or even at a personal conference or meeting. Conversely, a user selects play button, in person, for play of calls at and from invention  10 . 
   Additionally, if a use is present at the time of a conference call, or any call wishing to be recorded, user utilizes record features of the various embodiments of invention  10  to record in person. 
   With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the conference call recorder, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention. 
   Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.