Automatic screening apparatus and method for use with telephone answering devices

摘要

A method and apparatus for screening an incoming telephone call from a caller on an external telephone line connected to an answering device for recording the call includes inserting into the telephone line a circuit comprising a voltage sensitive device and a bridging device for allowing a handset of a telephone set connected to the telephone line and remote from the answering device to be picked up to listen to the call. The handset of the telephone set is picked up to enable a speaker component of the telephone set without interrupting operation of the answering device. The incoming call is listened to via the enabled speaker component while the answering device operates. A microphone component of the telephone set is optionally enabled to speak with the caller. The operation of the answering device may be interrupted by pressing a switch.