| 摘要 |
A method for recording incoming message signals on a telephone answering machine includes the step of generating a first instruction message on an outgoing telephone line to indicate to a party calling from a touch tone telephone a first signaling protocol for selecting which of the plurality of individuals is to receive a message from the calling party. In a subsequent step, the incoming telephone line is monitored for an incoming touch tone signal transmitted by the calling party in response to the first instruction message. In the event that a touch tone signal is received from the calling party in response to the first instruction message within a predetermined period of time from the beginning of transmission of the first instruction message, the received touch tone signal is decoded to determine the identity of a called individual to receive an incoming message signal from the calling party. In the event that a touch tone signal is not received from the calling party in response to the first instruction message within the predetermined period of time from the beginning of transmission of the first instruction message, a second instruction message is generated on the outgoing telephone line to indicate to a party calling from a rotary dial telephone a second aignaling protocol for selecting which of the plurality of individuals is to receive a message from the calling party. The incoming telephone line is then monitored for an incoming voice-frequency signal transmitted from the calling party in response to the second instruction message. Finally, at least one of a plurality of message tape units included in the answering telephone machine, selected in accordance with a signal transmitted by the calling party in response to the first signaling protocol or the second signaling protocol, is activated to implement the recording of an incoming message signal from the calling party on the selected message tape unit.
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