Automatic telephone polling system

Patent 4922520 Issued on May 1, 1990. Estimated Expiration Date:

January 31, 2009. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

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Inventors

Assignee

M. A. Kempner, Inc.

Application

No. 304704 filed on 01/31/1989

US Classes:

379/88.11, Display of message related information379/92.03, Having central station equipment379/93.26By voice frequency signal (e.g., tone code)

Examiners

Primary: Brown, Thomas W.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Zallen; Joseph

Foreign Patent References

0199255 EP 12/13/1986
0107756 JP 06/13/1983

International Classes

H04M 001/276
H04M 011/00

Abstract

An efficient, easily-programmed and annoyance-free polling system includes the utilization of multiple voice synthesizers in multiple identical Telephone Interface Units (TIUs) operating independently under control of their own microprocessor, with the TIUs being connected to a bank of telephone lines. A Master Unit with its own voice synthesizer programs the TIUs for simultaneous polling and receipt of polled information. The voice synthesizer in the Master Unit is used for easy message editing and the elimination of "dead time". A personal or other computer is used for initialization, message set up and editing, telephone number generation, and cross-correlation and printing of polling results, with the TIUs working independently for simultaneously polling over many telephone lines. In one embodiment, programming of each individual TIU is accomplished through a specialized coding system unique to polling operations. In one embodiment branching occurs on a non-response or an erroneous answer for improved polling results. Message editing capability and trimming of the outgoing message is provided through the changing of the starting address and ending address of the message.