CA1268568A - Communications network and method with appointment information communication capabilities - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The network is particularly useful in office communications. The network includes a plurality of tranceiver units, each of which can be used as a telephone, or as a dictation terminal, or optionally as an automatic telephone answering machine. The network includes a personal computer for performing various communications and communication control functions.
Preferably, each transceiver unit includes a visual display for displaying messages. The computer stores and retrieves information regarding appointments that the users of the network may have. Daily, weekly and monthly appointment calendars are provided for every user of the network. The user is given a reminder message through the network at a predetermined time prior to the appointment. Appointment schedules for current, prior and future time periods can be viewed.

Description

I. FIELD OF THE _NVENTION
This invention relates to communications networks and methods, and particularly to telephone/dictation networks and using computers in the communicatlon processO More particularly, this invention relates to a computerized appointment storage, retrieval and reminder system and method.
II. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various proposals have been made in the past and equipment has been offered for intra-office communications networks utilizing computers and telephones. Most such proposals suffer from the defect that they are very expensive; too expensive for most businesses, and prohibitively expensive for relatively small groups.
Therefore, a major problem attacked in making this invention is that of providing an affordable computerized office communications network.
Another problem addressed in making the invention is that it usually is necessary to provide separate equipment for clictation and telephone functions, with each sometimes requiring its own separate computer.
This tends to make the total cost of equippiny a set of offices relatively expensive.
Prior devices have been proposed in which appointments are stored and reminders given regarding the appointments. However, such prior systems have been unacceptably complex, expensive and diEficult to use, or they have provided inadequate information for those using them, or they have other deficiencies.
Other problems which are solved by the network and methods disclosed her~in are addressed in co-pending Canadian ~ r j>' . ~ . . ~

patent applications 543,822 and 543,820, bo~h iled August 5, 1987 which disclose the same network. These problems will not be discussed herein.

III. t)BJECTS OF ASPECTS OF TH13 INVENTION
In general, it is an object of an aspect of the present invention to provide Pquipment and methods which overcome the foregoing problems. More specifically, it is an object of an aspect of the invention to provide a relatively simple and low-cost office communications network and method which results in more efficient and faster communications, especially for relatively small work groups using the equipment.
It is an object of an aspect of the invention to provide such equipment and methods for keeping track of and reminding people of appointments, without providing any written reminders and with ease of review and change.
Other objects of the invention will be set forth in or apparent from the following description of the invention.

IV. Sm~M~RY OF TH~ INVENTION
Various aspects of the invention are as follows:
A communications network, said network comprising, in combination, a plurality of telephone transceiver units, each having visual display means, a control computer, and means for interconnecting said computer and said transceiver units so that said transceiver units can be used in telephone communications and can receive and display in text form information received ~rom said control computer, ~aid control computer being adapted to store and retrieve information regarding the times for appointments for users of said transceiver units and to transmit and display on a selected one of said transceiver units in~ormation regarding said appointments.
A communication network, said network comprising, in combination, a plurality of telephone transceiver units, each having visual display means, a control computer, and means for interconnecting said computer and said transceiver units so that said transceiver units can be used in telephone communications and can receive and display in text form information received from said control computer, said control computer being adapted to store and retrieve information regarding the times for appointments for users of said transceiver units to automatically send a reminder alarm and message for display by a selected one of said transceiver units before each of said appointments.
A communications network, said network comprising, in combination, a plurality of telephone transceiver units, each having visual display means, a control computer, and means for interconnecting said computer and said transceiver units so that said transceiver units can be used in telephone communications and can receive and display information received from said control computer, said control computer being adapted to store, retrieve and display on an appointment calendar for a month selected from the group consisting of: the current month; a preceding month; a month in the future;
and a combination of the current month with a preceding or future month.
A method of communicating appointment information to the users of a plurality of telephone transceiver units, said method comprising the steps of providing a computer for storing and retrieving appointment information for each of said units, storing times for said appointments, and send a message to the user of one of said transceivers who has the appointment a reminder 2a P~

regarding the appointment at a time prior to the appointment.
In accordance with an aspect of tha present invention, the foregoing obiects are met by the provision of a talephone communications network including the plurality of telephone transceiver/dictation units connected with a low-cost general purpose digital computer; preferably a "personal" computer. By adopting the network to operate with a personal computer, the cost of the system can be kept relatively low. Moreover, the total cost of the communications equipment for the office is minimized by using various pieces of equipment in the system for multiple purposes.
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In accordance with the specific invention claimed herein, an appointm~nt calendar feature is provided whereby appointments are stored for each transceiver unit in the memory of the computer, and an automatic reminder message is transmitted t~ the transceiver user prior to the appoint-ment. Preferably, the appointments for each unit are arranged in lists for each day or week or month, and it is possible to review the lists for the current period as well as preceding and future periods of time.

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V. DESCRIPTION OF THE DR~WINGS
~ he invention is further explained and described with referPnce to the accompanying drawings, in which:
Figure 1 is partially perspectivP, partially schematic view of a communications network constructed in accordance with the present invention and sometimes referred to as the "D" network;
Figure 2 is a perspective view showing certain equipment used in the present invention;
Figure 3 is a perspective view of one of the telephone transceiver units ("C") units used in the present invention;
Figure 4 is a top plan view of the transceiver unit show in Figure 3;
Figure 5 is is a perspective view of the transceiver unit of Figures 3 and 4, together with an attached sound recorder/reproducer unit ("A" unit) and display therefore ("B" unit);
Figure 6 is a schematic block diagram showing the internal circuitry of a transceiver unit with xecorders attached as well as other units in the communication net-work;
Figure 7 is a schematic block diagram of a network interface unit connected in the network;
Fiyure 8 is schematic data flow diagram illustrat-ing the flow of data in the use of the PC of the present .invention;
Figure 9 is a schematic illustration of the data contained in a data packet used for data transmission in the system of the present invention; and ~8~

Figures 10-26 are computer program flow charts illustrating the data processing ~teps used in the compu er of present invantion.
VI. GENERAL DESCRIPTION
____ ~ igure 1 shows the communications network 110 of the present invention. This network sometimes is referred to herein as the "D" network. Some of the components used in the network sometimes are identified by the letters "A", "B" or "C" for the sake of convenience.
The network 110 includes a personal computer 112 including a housing 138, a keyboard 140, a floppy disc drive 144, a hard disc drive 146, and a video display unit 142.
~ he network also includes a plurality of transceiver units 10, which sometimes are referred to as "C"
units. Some of the transceiver units 10 have attached to them a sound recorder/reproducer unit ("A" unit) 50, and some of the "A~ units have special display units ~"B" units) 60 attached to them. The network is capable of supporting up to 16 separate transceiver units at 16 separate stat~ons.
Equipment at only BiX stations is shown in Figure 1 by way of example. The vertical dashed lines in Figure 1 indicate the addition of further stations to the network.
The transceiver units 10 are used alone at the station located in the upper left hand corner and the lower right hand corner and in the middle on the right hand side of Figure 1.
The ztation in the middle on the left hand side has a combination of a "Cn unit and an "A~ unit. The 6tation in the lower left hand corner has an "A" a "B" and a' "C~ unit integrat~d together.

, The station in the upper right hand corner has an "A" and a "~" unit attached, and shows in dashed outline a second "A'l unit 51 which may be attached as a further option, for purposes to be described below.
Each transceiver 10 include a telephone handset, a visual display, and a telephon~ keypad 24, together with other hardware and software which will be described in greater detail below.
The "A" unit has a tape cassette receiving com-partment 52, and is used for dictation and transcribing, automatic telephone answering r and telephone conference recording.
The "B" unit 60 is a special display to assist in the use of the "A" unit 50.
- Also included in the network llO are interface units I , I , I , I3, I~, and I5, each of which is connected through lines 126 and 128 between the equipment at each terminal and a data bus 116. The bus 115 is coupled to the computer 112 through the interface unit Io Ithe "master"
interface unit~ and a line 114.
Also included in the network 110 is a private branch exchange unit ~"P9X") 136. The PBX unit 136 is connected through a line 120 to an internal telephone line 118 which is connected over conductors 130 to each of the separate terminals. The PBX unit 136 provides means for making selective connections between each internal telephone in the network 110 and one of a plurality of outside tele-phone lines 124. As it is shown in Figure 1, each of the interface devices I , I , I , I , I , and I is capable of connecting the terminal equipment to a modem 184, and each interface unit except the master unit Io can connect the terminal equipment to a peripheral device such as a printer or a video display terminal as illustrated at 122.

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As it is illustrated schematically in the lower right hand corner of Figure 1, and in greater detail in Figure 6, each transceiver unit 10 also can be connected to a central dictating system 188 over a private wire system.
Alternatively, as shown in the center of Figure 1, each unit 10 can be connected for dictation to a remote dictation unit 117 through the internal telephone lines 118.
If desired, a keyset 186 can be connected to each unit 13 to provide additional keys for selecting up to five ~elephone lines to operate from one terminal.
The telephone handset 14 o~ each transceiver unit 10 advantageously can be used as an inputtoutput device for at least three different types of dictating equipment.
First, it can be used with one or more desktop dictating machines such as the "A" unit 50. Secondly, it can be used with a central dictatio~ system 188, and thirdly it can be used with a remote dictation unit 117.
If desired, a printer 148 can be connected through a line 150 to the parallel output port of the PC 112.
Fiyure 2 shows a typical work station at which various components of the network 110 are located for use by a single operator. The station includes a desk 132, and a chair l34 for the operator to sit on. Optionally located at the station is one of the transceiver units 10 ~preferably the so called "master" unit which is located in the upper left hand corner of Figure 1), the computer 112, the printer 148, and the PBX unit 136. An operator at the station can operate the PBX unit 136 to connect and disconnect various outside telephone lines with telephone lines in the office, and also can operate the PC 112 and transceiver unit 110 if and when needed.

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One of the functions of the computex in the network is to send messages to users of each of the transceiver units 10. It is particularly advantageous f~r the PBX operator to be able to send such messages to the users when their telephones are busy, thus avoiding the use of "pink slips" or other written memoranda to let the person know that he has or had another call waiting for him while he was on the telephone.
It is preferred that the master transceiver 10 be located near the PC in order that it can be used as the sole means for entry into the computer program stored in the PC
so as to take advantage of the electronic lock in the transceiver terminal to prevent access to the computer program in the PC by unauthorized personnel.
As it will be explained below, the network oper-ates on a timesharing basis so that the PC 112 can be used for word processing or office computing or the like at the same time as it is serving its function in the communica-tions network.
It should be understood that the minimum config-uration for the network 110 is the combination of one PC
with one transceiver terminal 110 and an interface unit I
(see Figure 1). However, the network is most advant.ageous when it is used with a substantial number of transceiver units.
Although the network 110 is shown including a PBX
136 such a unit is not essential. The use of a keyset 186 or programmable keys on the transceiver (as it will be explained below) makes it possible to select various differ-ent inside or outside telephone lines for communication, even when a PBX is not used.

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O~her advantageous arrangements include, ~or example, location of the PC 112, the printer 148 and the master kransceiver unit 10 ~-~ the des~ of a secretary for a small organization 6uch as a ~mall doctor'~ or lawyers' office, or ~mall work groups w~thin a larger busin~ss organization. The ~ecretary can serve 6everal personnel with with word proces ing, telephone reception and me~sage handling, as well as transcription of dictation on an ~"
unit or central recorder ~uch a that ~old under the trade-mark aTHOUGHT TANX~ by Dictaphone Corpor~tion, Rye, New York. The ~C and the printer can be u~ed both ~or word processing and for the communications function~ described herein.
Other attribute~ and functions of the network 110 and its ~omponent~ have been mentioned above and will be explained in detail below. The use6 and combinations which can be made with other office ~quipment are numerous. The ,versatility Or the equipment and methods described herein is very sub~tantial.
VII. RANSCEIVER UNIT
Figure~ 3 and 4 of the drawings show one of the transceiver units 10 in some detail~ The unit 10 is sh~wn and described in even greater detail in co-pending Canadian ?a-tent Application 543,872, filed August 6, 1987. Because of the interaction between the transceivers or "C" uni-ts and the cGmput er, it will be help~ul to an under tand~ng of the invention to describe the 6tructure and operation of the ~ransceiver in some detail.

Tr~nsce~ver unit 10 includes a hou~ing 12 contain-ing electric~l circ~itry. As it will be de cribed in detail ii6~

below, such circuitry includes a microprocessor, such as the Hitachi Model 6303. Other circuitry is shown in block diagram form in Figure 6.
1. Handset Referring to Figures 3-5, telephone transceiver unit 10 is provided with a handset 14 having a speaker and a microphone, similar to handsets normally provided in conventional telephone instruments. Handset 14 is held in a cradle 18 which includes a hook switch (not shown) whose function is similar to the conventional hook switch normally pro~ided in telephones. When handset 14 is in the cradle 18, the hook switch is open and the handset is in its "on-hook" condition, and when handset 14 is removed from cradle 18, the hook switch is closed and the handset is in its "off-hook" condition.
Handset 14 differs from conventional telephone handsets in that it has a dictation control yoke 20 and a dictation control button 22 for the purpose of controlling various dictation functions. Such a handset is shown, for example, in ~. S. Patent No. 3,872,263, assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Yoke 20 is spring-loaded and causes maynetic tape in a dictation machine (not shown) to rewind when moved by an operator (when it is moved to the left as seen in Figure 1) and stops movement of the tape when moved in the opposite direction. Dictate control button 22 is depressed to start dictation.

2. Display The display 16 of the transceiver unit comprises an LCD display capable of displaying two lines of 16 alpha-numeric characters each. Each character is formed by a 5 x 7 dot matrix. However, other alphanumeric displays may be provided, as desired, such as LED, fluorescent, incandescent ~- 16 -and plasma displays. Additionally, if economically accept-able, display 16 may comprise a "mini" CRT device.

3. Telephone Key~ad On the outer surface of the housing 12 of transceiver unit 10 are located various keys, including a conventional pushbutton telephone keypad 24, preset unction keys 26 and 28, user-programmable keys 30, 32 and 34 and ~soft" keys 40. A user of the transceiver unit 10 may initiate a telephone call by depressing appropriate ones of these pushbuttons to "dial" a desired telephone number, thus providing either ~Touch Tone" signals or conventional dialing pulses.
As will be described below, keypad 24 also may be operated as a calculator, or to generate alphanumerical characters for display.

4. Preset Function Keys Preset function keys 26 and 28 preferably are provided in separate arrays, with keys 26 being arranged in a column adjacent keypad 24 and keys 28 being arranged in a row in the vicinity of the front, or leading edge, of the unit or terminal 10.
a. "Dial" Key Function Keys 26 include a DIAI. key which, when actuated, can command an automatic dial-out operation. As noted above, the transceiver unit 10 includes automatic dialing means which, when operated, results in the display of a particular telephone number~ Once a telephone number is displayed, the actuation of the DIAL key causes the tones or pulses corresponding to the displayed telephone number to be generated. Also, terminal 10 permits the automatic re-dialing of the telephone number last dialed. Actuation o~ the DIAL key causes the last-dialed number to be displayed on display 16 or, if known, the name of the called party is displayed. Re-actuakion of the DIAL key results in the actual dialing of the displayed number.
b. "ACC Xey Function keys 26 also include a ACC key which, for example, may be actuated to initiate the operation of a telephone accessory such as the printer 122 shown in Figure 2 that may be connected to terminal 10.
c. "SELECT" Key A SELECT key also is included in the function keys 26, this SELECT key being operable during a programming mode, as will be described. For example, when entering desired telephone numbers for use by the aforementioned automatic dialing means included in terminal 10, operation of the SELECT key is indicative of the end of a desired number (which may be, for example, a 2, 3, 4,

5 or 6-digit extension, a 7-digit "local" telephone number, a 10-digit long distance telephone number or a multi-digit computer-accessed telephone number. Also, as described in co-pending Canadian application Serial No. 543,4~5, filed July 30, 1987, a directory of names and telephone numbers can be stored in terminal 10.
These names and telephone numbers are retrieved and ~5 displayed on the display 16 by spelling the names on a letter-by-letter basis, each letter being selected by the actuation of a key on the keypad 24. The operation of the SELECT key indicates the entry of a desired letter.
d. DICTATE~PAUSE Key A DICTATE/PAUSE key is provided which, when actuated, places terminal 10 in a "dictate" or "transcribe" mode for use of dictation/transcription equipment coupled to the terminal. This key also may be operated while a telephone number is being yenerated and stored in the automatic dialing means included in terminal 10 or the purpose of imparting a "pause" in the dial-out operation, as may sometimes be necessary. For example, in some PBX
sys~ems, a ~pause" to permit dial tone detection may be necessary in order to complete a dial-out operation.
e. Calculate Keys Function keys 26 also may operate to carry out addition, subtraction, multiplication and division functions when keypad 24 is operated as a calculator by depressing the calc/clear key.. The mathematical function of each key when operating in this mode is indicated by the markings to the right of the keys in Figure 4.
f. "HOLD" Key ~ The lower function keys 28 include a HOLD key which may operate to place a telephone call "on hold", as is conventional in multi-line, keyset telephone instruments.
g. SPEAKER/MUTE Key Function keys 28 also include a 5PEAKER/MUTE key which, when actuated, establishes a "speakerphone" mode of operation of terminal 10. The terminal includes a loud-speaker behind a yrille 46, and a microphone (not shown) by means of which telephone communication may proceed while handset 14 is in the cradle 18.
A preferred feature of terminal 10 is the ability to enable speaker 46 to operate when handset 14 is removed from cradle 18. This mode is established when the SPEAKER/MUTE key is actuated when handset 14 is off-hook, whereupon the built-in microphone in housing 12 is disabled, or muted. During normal speakerphone operation, the actuation of the SPEAKER/M~TE key continues to enable the operation of speaker 46 while muting the operation of the built-in micxophone.
h. Messa~e Scrolling (nBACK" Key3 Function keys 28 als~ include a ~ACK key which, when actuated, cause a backward ~crolling of alphanumeric ~essages displayed on display 160 For example, telephone directory information is included in terminal 10 for use in automatic dialing. Each directory entry may be di~played on display 16, and a user of the terminal may scroll through those entries by operating the BACK key. Also, and as it will be described below, incoming telephone messages can be recorded on a local desk-top dictating machine or "A" unit cormected to the transceiver unit 10. As each incoming message is recorded, data relating to that message, such as its length, its time of recording, and its position in a sequence (e. g. the first, second, third, etc. message) is stored in the memory of the unit 10. This data may be displayed on display 16 t and the user may scroll throug~
such data by operating the BACK key.
The BACK key may be used to ~croll through and display messages received from the computer 112.
i . n STOP 1~ key Function keys 28 also include a STOP key which, when actuated, terminates whatever routine then is being executed by the microprocessor included in terminal 10.
Also included in these function keys is a CALC~LATOR/CLEAR
key which, when actuated, establishes a calculator mode of operation by which keypad 24 and function keys 26 operate in a manner substantially similar to that of conventional desk-top (or pocket) calculators.

~ ~268~G8 j. Calc/Clear Key The C~LC/CLEAR key can be pushed to enable the use of the telephone push-buttons as a calculator. The key is lighted to indicate this mode of operation. When the calculations are complete, depression of the STOP key di.sables the calculation mode.
The CLEAR function of the key is enabled by the depression of the "#" key and an appearance of a "#" sign on the display 16, in order to display a messa~e on the display. Then, pressing the CALC/CLEAR key clears the message displayed and automatically brings up the next message for display.

- 20.1 -;i6~3 5. Programmable Ke~s User programmable keys 30, 32 and 34 are arranged in two columns, as illustrated. For example, each column includes eight separate keys and, if desired, each key may be programmed to initiate the dialing of a predetermined telephone number when it is pressed. Other functions preferably are programmed when the transceiver unit is used in the network 110.
Adjacent keys 30 is a column of paper inserts 36 on which the user can write information identifying the particular function which has been assigned to an adjacent key. For example, the identity of a telephone number with which one of these keys is programmed may be written on its associated paper insert. As another example, if terminal l0 is used in conjunction with a plurality of telephone lines, selected ones of keys 30, 32 and 34 as selected by the user, may connect the terminal to respective ones of those tele-phone lines. The identities of the respective telephone lines that have been assigned to the keys 30 and 32 may be indicated by appropriate inscription on paper inserts 36, 38. Similar inserts can be used for keys 34.
Preferably, each of programmable keys 30, 32, and 34 is provided with a suitable visual indicator, such as an LED, that is selectively energized when that key is actu-ated. The LED may be formed as an integral part of the key or, alternatively, a separate LED may be positioned adjacent the key. It will be appreciated, although not mentioned above, that similar LED's may be associated with ~he preset function keys 28.
As a function that has been programmed for a particular one of proyrammable keys 30, 32 and 34 changes, ~%~35~3 the identification of that function can be changed by simply re-writing the associated paper insert.
Following arP some examples of the functions for which the programmable keys can be programmed:
a. Central Dictation Actuation One of the programmable keys can be programmed to connect the transceiver unit 10 to a central dictation system such as system 188 shown in Figure 2. By operating the key so programmed, the handset 14 is connected to a centrally-located recorder/reproducer over special wiring.
b. Telephone Line Selection Telephone line selection can be made by program-ming one or more of the keys 30, 32 or 34 so that terminal 10 is connected to a desired one of plural telephone lines by operation of the corresponding key.
c. Telephone Voice Message Recordi_~
Telephone message recording is another programma-ble key function causing an incoming voice message that is received over a selected telephone line to be recorded on the local des}c-top dictating machine ("A" unit) connected to terminal 10 (see ~igure 5);
d. Dial-Out Inhibiting Dial-out inhibiting also can be enabled by a programmable key, whereby the use of keypad 24 or programma-ble keys 30, 32 and 34 which are programmed with desired telephone numbers may be inhibited, or the number of digits in telephone numbers permitted to be dialed in the unit 10 can be limited. This feature serves as a full or partial telephone lock.

e. Delayed ~in~ing Delayed ringing, whereby an audible ringing ~ound is not generated until a preset number of telephone call ringing signals has been received.
f~ ~
Each programmable key can be programmed to ~rans--mit to the PC 112 or any other "C~ unit a message of up to 32 characters in length. The message is pre-stored in the PC memory by the PC operator.
One example of such a message such as: "Please call or see me ASAP ~ Roger~ which could be delivered to any of the other "C" units to tell its user (who is talking on his telephone and thus cannot be reached by that means) to call or see the sender when he finishes hi~ current call.
Another message might be simply "Out of the office", or "In conference ~ hold all calls" to inform the PC operator of the sender's whereabouts or his or her a~ailability to answer the telephone. ~ message such as "cancel previous message" can be programmed in another key and sent to inform the operator that the sender has returned to the office or is now a~ailable to take calls, Such message txansmission can greatly increase the efficiency of communications in an office; it saves writing and hand-carrying notes; waiting on the telephone or re-dialing a busy line, etc.
g. Voice Reco~nition Mode In the usual network, the PC operator must enter the pre-programmed messages in the PC memory. However, in accordance with an optional feature of the invention one of the programmable ~eys can be programmed to switch the tran~ceiver unit into the voice recognition mode in which a voice recognition circui~, ~trained" to recognize the user's ii8 voice, _om~-'s sounds spcl-en in o the microphone of the handset 14 into signals representing words or alphanumeric characters which are displàyed on the display 16 and sent to the PC 112. By this means, the user of each transceiver unit 10 can generate unique messages, suited to the needs of the moment, rather than the more limited pre-stored n stan-dard n messages.
The voice recognition mode also can be used to input data to the PC to update directories, appointments, and other information stored in the computer.
Although a keyboard could be connected to the transceiver unit to accomplish the same functions, this is not desirable because of the cost of the keyboard, the space it would take in the user's desk, and the relative slowness of that mode of operation due to the fact that the user may not be skilled or practiced in keyboard operation. There-fore, the voice recognition mode facilitates more versatile operation without the use of the hands, except to operate the appropriate programmable key.
h. Data Transfer The programmable keys also can be programmed to transmit data to the PC 112. For example, changes or additions in the telephone directory, contents of programmable key, or the like can be transmitted to the PC by this means.
i. Electronic I,ock One of the programmable keys can be programmed to perform a locking function to prevent unauthorized use of the unit. When this feature is used, the uni~ 10 is pro- , grammed to display a request for the user to identify himself with a unique identify code which has been stored by the user. Only if the user enters the correct code by use of the keyp~d 24 is he enable to use the unit 10. If he does not do so, the unit 10 is disa~led ~or every function except receiving telephone calls.
j. Other Functions The programmable keys also are capable of being programmed to initiate other functions~ such as a momentary telephone line "flash", or a connection of a modem 184 (Figure 2) or other peripheral device such as a video display terminal or printer 122 to the transceiver unit.
A full list of the functions available for the programmable keys as of this writing appears below in sections XIII 5(d) (ii) and (iii) entitled: "C" Programma-ble Key Feature Codes"and "Master "C" Programmable Key Feature Codes".

- 6. oft Keys Referring now to Figures 3, 4 and S/ three such "soft" keys 40 are provided; they are labeled "A", "B" and "cn. As it is understood by those of ordinary skill in the ~rt, a "soft" key cooperates with a microproc0ssor to supply different commands and functions to that microprocessor, depending upon the particular routine which is in the process of being executed. That is, a "soft" key is not dedicated to a particular, predetermined function or command for all routines and for all operating states of the micro-processor. A given soft key, such as key A, may be operated a first tlme to represent a first command and then, as the microprocessor continues its routine, it may be operated a second time to represent a second, different command.
Preferably, soft keys 40 are aligned with display 16 and cooperate with that display and with the microprocessor in the terminal 10 so that the operation oE selected ones of these soft keys, as "prompted" by an alphanumeric message displayed on display 16, enables the microprocessor to continue with a particular routine then being executed. The manner in which so-~t keys 40 are operated to carry out and control the programming of the programmable keys 30, 32 and 34 is explained in detail in the above-identified co-pending patent applicatlon 543,872 and will not be repeated here.

VIII. ADDED DESK-TOP MODULES
Before describing typical operations which may be carried out by terminal 10, reference is made to Figure 5 which illustrates the electrical and physical interconnection between terminal 10, a record/playback module ("A" module) 50 and a display module ("B" module) 60.

1. Record/Playback Module ~"A" Module~
Record/playback module 50 comprises a desk-top dictating machine and is adapted to carry out typical dictating functions by which audio messages may be recorded on and reproduced from the record medium.
Typically, the record medium comprises a magnetic tape and this tape may be housed in a suitable cassette.
Other record media may be used, such as magnetic disks or magnetic belts. Also contemplated is a solid-state storage device, such as a magnetic bubble array or semiconductor memory chips of the type conventionally used in digital storage devices. For convenience, however, it will be assumed that the record medium is a magnetic tape cassette. Record/playback module 50 may be of the type described in co,pen~ng ~adi~Aapplication SerialNo. 543,389, Eiled July 30, 1987.

Record/playback module 50 is adapted to record audio messages which are produced by the u~e of transceiver unit 10. Such audio message5 may be dictated by a user via hand~et 14 or mav be re~eived by the terminal over one or more telephone lines~ The ~A" module 50 thus is ~apable of cooperating with kransceiver unit 10 to function as a telephone answering ma~hine, to record telephone-transmitted di~tation from a remote location or to record a telephone conversation, as will be described in greater detail below.
Still referring to Figure 5, record/playback module 50 includes a cassette compartment ~not ~hown) protected by a door 52 which, when opened, provides access to that compartment for the loading an~ unloading of a magnetic tape cassette. An eject button 54 is provided by which a loaded cassette is ejected from the module, result-ins in the opening of door 52 and facilitating the removal of that cassette from the cassette compartment. The "A"
module 50 also i5 provided with a display 56 which, typical-ly, provides an indication of the relative position of the recording tape as it i s transported during secord and playback modes of operation. As an example, display 56 provides a vlsual indication of a ~imple 4-diyit ~ape count or, alternatively, a 4-digit t~me or date function indicator.
The record/playback module also is provided with various pushbutkons 58 which, when actuated, effect the Op~-a~iull~ g~ L~'x ~2~ ~rA~2~ u;~ tt~ rlle'h.~"~ +~n F"-example, an ON button is adapted to ac~uate module 50 to its active mode, ~o that dictating operations can be carried out, 2~ Telephone Call Recording A TELEPHO~E button enables record/playback module to record telephone calls which are received or made by transceiver unit 10. As will be described below, when the terminal 10 is conditioned to record incoming telephone calls, the TELEPHONE button on module 50 should be actuated.
A RESET button functions to reset display 56 to a preset indication, such as "0000". This RESET button also may be actuated to reset the display provided on display 62 (to be described) of display module 60. A STOP button included in pushbuttons 58 establishes a quiescent mode of operation for module 50. Typically, the STOP button is actuated to terminate a fast-forward, rewind, playback or record mode of operation.
A VOX button, when actuated while in record mode, enables record/playback module 50 to record audio messages so long as a speech signal is present. That is, recording tape is advanced in the presence of such speech signals and is stopped when those speech signals terminate. Such voice-operated recording is well known to those of ordinary skill in the art.
A CONFERENCE button establishes a "conference"
mode of recording whereby the amplification of audio signals recorded on the magnetic tape is increased. Preferably, the CONFERENCE button is used in conjunction with a conference microphone (not shown) which, when connected to module 50, permits the recording of a conference among individuals.
A SPEAKER button enables the activation of an internal speaker Inot shown) provided in module 50. When audio messages ~6~
recorded on the maynetic tape are played back, such messages are reproduced by that internal speaker.
Usually, when handset 14 is used to record dictation, the internal speaker of module 50 is not used.
An INSERT button is adapted, when actuated, to establish an "insertl' mode of operation whereby audio information is recorded onto a separate channel, or track of the magnetic tape. This feature enables a user to dictate additional material without editing the message which has already been recorded.
~ ~EWIND button, when actuated, rewinds the magnetic tape at a relatively high speed until, for example, the beginning of the tape is reached or the STOP button is actuated. Conversely, a F~ST FORWA~D
button serves to advance the magnetic tape at a relatively high speed. A PLAY button, when actuated, advances the magnetic tape at its normal speed, whereby audio messages recorded thereon are played back. Such played back messages may be reproduced by the internal speaker of record/playback module 50. An ERASE button is adapted to be actuated concurrently with either the REWIND button or the FAST FORWARD button so as to establish an "erasel' mode. An electromagnetic erase circuit (not shown) is triggered to erase audio information which may have been recorded previously on the magnetic tape.

3. Display Module ("B" Module) Display module 60 (the "B" module) is described in greater detail in co--pending Canadian application 30 543,481 and also in co-pending application Serial No~
543,482, both filed July 30, 1987. This display module includes a display 62 which provides both graphical a~d dlgi-tal displa~s. As described in the aforementioned oo-pending applications 543,481 and 543,482, the g~aphical displ~s provide vi~ual inforlmation regarding the tylpe and length of eac~ reco~ded mes6age and also provide displays indicative of the loc~tion8 o recorded instructions ~nd ~special~
notes. In addition, a cur-~or di~play i~ provided to indi-oa~e the pre~ent po~ition of ~he magnetiç tape as it ls tr~nsported during v~riou~ dictate oper~tions. The digital display indicate the total length of dic:t~tion in minu~es ~nd tent~ of minute~ as such dictation is recorded. Other infcrmation alRo i~ provided by the digital display during txanscribe operations, ~uch additional displays forming no part of the pre~ent lnvention.
Display module 60 also i~ provided with di~play control buttons 64.. The function~ carried out by the individual control buttcns are repre~ent~d by the legends provided on each 8uc~ button. The SCROLL bu'ctor~, when actuated, permit~ a us~r to "8crolla through th~ various types of message~ that m~y be recorded, such as letters,~
"priority~ lett~rs, in~truction~ or ~pecial" note~. One of these types o~ me~sages may be selected for rapid access, as described mor0 particul~rly in the aforementioned co-pending applications~
A DISPLAY control button may be ~electively actuated to aca~ a dictated magnet~c tape for the purpose of detecting inform~tion recorded thereon representing the various type6, len~ch~ and locatios~s of messageJ2. ~his information i8 u~ed ~o control di~pl~y 62 to prov~de the a orementioned graph$cal di~play which i~ mo~ helpful in prsp~ring for tr~cription of dictated informationO
REWIN~ SEA~CH control button, when actuA~ed ~ C~U5~5 the m~gnetic tape to rewind in order to access a selected type of message. Message selecti~n is made by the operation of the SCROLL button, as mentioned above.
Display control buttons 64 also include a HOLD
button which, essentially, "freezesn the information dis~
played on display 62 such that if a new magnetic tape is loaded into record/playback module 50, messages may be dictated on that new tape without disturbing the display associated with the previous tape. This permits dictation to be resumed on the previous tape without any confusion or ambiguity in the display.
A FINISH control button functions to record a n summary't block of data representing the types, locations and lengths of all messages recorded on a particular magnet ic tape. This data, when read prior tG transcription, presets display 62 to indicate the types and locations of messages which need transcription. Operation of the FINISH
button during a transcribe mode serves to extinguish the display of those messages which have been transcribedO
A FORWARD SEARCH control button serves to advance the magnetic tape at a rapid rate to access a selected type of message. It is appreciated that this control button operates in a manner similar to that of the ~EWIND SE~RCH
control button~
IX. RAMSCEIVER UNIT ~ "C" UNIT) CIRCUITRY
1~ General DescriPtion ~ igure 6 is a block diagram of 60me of ~he rele-vant electrical circuitry of the transceiver unit 10 and the network 110. The circuitry of the transceiver 10 is to the left of line 101 ~n Figure 6, and the circuitxy of the ~%63~
net~rk 110 other than ~hat in the transceiver unit is shown ~o the right of line 101.
As it i~ shown in ~igure 6, the circuitry of the transceiver unit 10 includes a microprocessor 70, a recorder intesface 74, a telephone interface 76, a central dictation interf~ce 78, and a digital network interface 80. Also illustrated in Figure 4 are the pushbutton keypad 24 which, as shown, includes preset function keys 26; function keys 2B; sof~ keys 40 and programmable keys 30, 32 and 34, referred to generally as programmable keys 100. Also shown in FIG. 4 is hook switch 98 which, as mentioned above, normally is opened when handset 14 is disposed in cradle 18 and is closed when the handset is removed from the cradle.
2. Microprocessor As diagrammatically represented, microprocessor 70, which may be a conventional microprocessor, ~uch as Hitachi Model 6303, is coupled to keypad 24, function keys 28, soft keys 40, hook ~witch 98 and programmable keys 100.
The actuation of any one of the keys or switches connected to the microprocessor is detected and, in the interest of simplification, conventional interface circuitry, such as switch detector~, is omitted from the illustration. Random access memory ~"RAM") 95 and read-only memory ~nROMn) 97 are provided the RAM memory for data and variable program ~torage, and the ROM memory for fixed pxogram storage.
A clock signal source 61 is provided to provide timing signals for the uni~ 10, and for ~he time and date function of the computer 112, as it will be described below.
The source 61 has battery back-up so that it will not lose power or time during temporary power outages in ~he"house"
current.

- ~2 Microprocessor 70 is coupled by way of a bus 72 to inter~aces 74, 76 and 78, and the microprocessor also is coupled by this bus to display 16. It will be appreciated that display 16 includes not only the visual display means shown in Figures 3-5 but also the usual decoder, dis-play-driver circuitry and storage devices normally provided in micropr~cessor-driven displays.
3. Telephone Connections Bus 72 also interconnects microprocessor 70 with a dial-out generator 82, a ringing signal detector 84 and a ringing tone generator 86. Generator 82 and detector 84 are coupled to telephone interface 76 which, in turn, is coupled to the internal telephone network 118 through the line 130, and to the PBX unit 136 for selective connection to one of the outside telephone lines 12~.
Incoming ringing signals which are received over the telephone network and supplied to telephone interface 76 are, in turn, applied to ringing signal detector 84. As it wil] be described, the ringing signal detector serves to detect the presence of an incoming ringing signal and to supply microprocessor 70 with suitable indications thereof.
The ringing signal detector also is coupled through bus 72 to ringing tone generator 86 which, in turn, triggers an audible tone generator 88 to generate a suitable audible tone in response to each incoming ringing signal. Ringing tone generator 86 is controlled by microprocessor 70 and, as will be described, may supply audible tone generator 88 with different audio signals for the purpose of generating characteristic tones whose distinctiveness may be varied, as desired. For example, ringing ~one generator 86 may be controlled to produce a bell-type sound, a buzzer-type sound or an electronic tone of different frequency, pitch, or duratlon .
~ elephone interface 76 also is coupled to handset 14 for the purpose of providing a communication channel between the handset and the telephone network. Still further, the telephone interface is coupled to record/play-back modules 50 and 51 to permit incoming messages received over the telephone network to be recorded on either of these modules, under the control of microprocessor 70. A
so-called announcement message may be recorded on one or both of record/playback modules 5D and 51, this announcement message being of the type normally used in telephone answer-ing machines. Recorder/playback modules 50 and 51 are coupled to recorder interface 74 which, in turn, is coupled to microprocessor 70, such that, under microprocessor control, the announcement message may be played back and transmitted over the telephone network via telephone inter-face 76 in response to a detected incoming telephone call.
4. Centxal and Remote Dictation Connections Central dictation interface 78 is coupled to microprocessor 70 through the buses 72 and 128 and is controlled by the microprocessor to establish communication with a centrally-located dictation recorder 188 via a private wire network 92. Handset 14 is coupled to the central dictation interface 78 through buses 72 and 128 for the purpose of controlling the central recordex to carry out a dictate operation.
The transceiver unit 10 also can be connected through telephone lines 130 and 118 to the remote dictation ~L2~
unit 117 (also see Figure 2) to control remote dictation over the telephone lines rather than over the private wire n~twork 92 used with the central dictation system.

5. "D" Network connections "D" network interface Io is coupled to microprocessor 70 via the bus 72, and to the PC 112 through lines 128, 126 and 114. Also see Figures 2 and

7 for additional details.
The electrical and physical connection of the two lo "A" modules 50 and 51 is described in co-pending Canadian patent applications 543,389 and 543,388, both filed July 30, 1987.

6. Voice Recoynition Unit An optional voice recognition unit 189 is shown in Figure 6. Upon the operation of a pre-programmed programmable key, the unit 189 is connected to receive voice signals from the microphone of the handset 14 and convert them into digital signals representing words and numerals. Those signals are stored in RAM memory 95 until the message is complete, and displayed on the display 16, all under the control of the microprocessor 70. When the messaye is complete and correct, the depression of the key again transmits the message to the "D" console for storage on disc, or to another "C" unit, and returns the "C" unit to normal operation. Other data can be generated and transmitted in the same way.
The voice recognition unit 189 pre~erably is one of several microcircuit chips available today for voice recognition. Such circuits usually have a limited vocabulary of words or sound which they will recognize.
A vocabulary of 100 to 250 words and characters usually will be sufficient to enable the composition of most messages useful in of ~ice CDmmuniCations . Of course, greater vocabularies are even more desirable, bu~ may cost more than the user desires to pay.
Usually, the recognition unit 189 requires ~train-ingn _ that is, the user must 6peak each word one or more times during a "training~ mode of operation 60 ~hat the unit will recognize the work when it is spoken later.
If preferred, the recognition unit 189 may be located in the PC unit 112 where it has access to the much greater memory of the PC and its storage discs. One unit 189 may be provided for each "C" unit, or a single "mul-ti-user" unit capable of recognizing several voices can be stored there for the same purpose.
The use of the recognition unit increases the flexibility of the communications network without requiring the user to be able to type efficiently, or even to use his hands to comprise a message, and without adding the expense and space requirements of a keyboard.
X. TRANSCEIVER UNIT (~C" UNIT) OPERATION
The manner in which transceiver unit 10 is operat-ed now will be described. It is assumed that various ones of programmable keys 100 have been suitably programmed to initiate respective operating functions. The manner in which these keys are programmed are described in greater detail in co-pending application (DIC 5373 and will not be described here.
1. Dialing a Telephone Number Let i~ be assumed that the user wishes to make a telephone call. ~n one mode, handset 14 is removed from cradle lB, thus closin~ hook switch 98. Microprocessor 70 responds to this off-hook condition to control telephone interface 76, whereby a connection is made to telephone network 90. The microprocessor thereafter responds to the operation of keypad 24 and controls dial-out generator B2 to supply suitable dialing 6ignals to the telephon~ network.
~hus, a telephone call is made. ~s each pushbutton of keypad 24 is depressed, the number represented by that pushbutton is displayed on display 16. Hence, not only is the telephone number dialed but it also is displayed.
2. Automatic Re-Dialin~
In the event that the ca~ed telephone number is busy, as sensed by the detection of distinctive busy tone on the telephone line, a re-dial operation is carried out at pre-set intervals. The number of re-dial attempts which has been established previously is displayed on display 16. The user may change the number of re-dial attempts by operating keypad 24. As re-dialing takes place, an indication that it is taking place is provided by display 16 under the control of microprocessor 70.
Once the dialed telephone number is answered, a normal telephone conversation may ensue via handset 14.
Alternatively, the user may operate the speaker/mute key, whereby terminal 10 will operate in the aforementioned speakerphone mode of operation.
3. Call Recording While carrying on a telephone conversation, the user may record that conversation on, for example, re-cord/playback "A" module 50 by depressing a preselected one of the programmable keys 100. In the event that telephone interface 76 is coupled to a plurality of ~elephone lines, thi~ recording ~peration will be carried out if the telephone cail was made over the telephone line which previously had been selected ~or coupling to the record~playback module. It will be appreciated that the operation of the appropriate one of programmable keys 100 is sensed by microprocessor 70 which, in turn, turns on the re-cord/playback module ~y way of recorder interface 74.
4. Automatic Dialing Let it be assumed that various ones of programma-ble keys 100 have been assigned to desired telephone num-bers, such that the assigned number is dialed automatically upon the actuation of that programmable key. If handset 14 is off-hook, the actuation of a programmable key to which a telephone number has been assigned ~sometimes referred to herein a~ the n stored number key") is detected by micropro-cessor 70, resulting in the display of the assigned tele-phone number. If this is the telephone number which the user wishes to dial, the DIAL key is pressed, and a dial-out operation is carried out in the same manner as if keypad 24 had been operated. Of course, if the user wishes to dial a nl~ber different from the one displayed, he need merely actuate another one of the stored number keys.
Stored Directory Display Assuming handset 14 is in the cradle 18, thus establishing the on-hook condition, a store~d directory of telephone numbers may be displayed on display 16 by actuat-ing any one of keys "2" through ~9" of keypad 24. For example, if key "2" is depressed, an individual whose last name begins with the letter "A", together with hi~ or her telephone numbex i~ displayed. In one embodiment of the invention, the display includes the person's mailing ad-dress, thus giving a convenient source for that in ormation.

$~3 Successive actuations of the "2" key twhich also bears l~t~ers HA", "B~ and ~C"~ permit ~he user to scroll through the stored directory and observe, one-by-~ne, in alphabetical order, the telephone numbers, etc., of indi-viduals whose last name begins with th~ letter "A". Then when the "A" list has been exhaasted, repeated actuation of the "2" key displays t~lephone numbers of individuals whose last name begi~s with the letter ~B~o Then when the ~B"
list has been exhausted, the telephone numbers of indi~idu-als whose last name begins with the letter "C" will appear.
Similar retrieval of names beginning with other letters of the alphabet is done by depressing keys "31l through ~'9".
Once a desired name and telephone number are displayed, that telephone number may be dialed merely upon the actuation of the DIAL key.
6. Dictation Mode Normally, when handset 14 is removed from cradle 18 to establish the off-hook condition, transceiver unit 10 is conditioned to operate as a telephone instrument.
~owever, if the PAUSE/DICTATE key of preset function keys 26 is actuated, microprocessor 70 controls recorder interface 74 to activate the record/playback "A" module 50, if one is attached to the "C" unit. This module now is enabled to record dictation that may be communicated thereto from handset 14. I~ will be appreciated that the typical dic-tate, playback, fast forward and stop functions normally utilized in dictation are generated by the actuation of dictate control yoke 20 and dictate control button 22 of handset 14. The magnetic ~ape included in record/playback module 50 thus is driven and audio messages are recorded on it. In addition, letter and instruction cue signals, ~ 39 -described in, for example, afor~mentioned co-pending appl;catiorl 543,481 may be generated and recorded by operating selected control keys included in the soft keys 4~. Display 16 provides a visual indic~ion of the function~ tha~ may be c~rried out by each of ~o~t keys A, B and C.
7. ~
In an ~mbodiment wherein two record/playback modules 50 and 51 are intercon~ected in, for example, side-by-Ride relation, one or the other of these modules may be turned ON to have dictation recorded thereon. In accordance with a preferred protocol of the system in which the pre~en~ invention i~ u3ed, the le~t-most module is adapted to exhibit priority to have dictation recorded on it.

8. Operatin~ a Remote Dictation As it h~s been ~tat~d above, in addition to being able to record dictation on rocord/playback module 50, terminal 10 may be operated to re~ord d~tation on a remote-ly located dictating machine 117 ~Figures 2 and 6) via telephone lines 118, etc. An example of telephone-link~d dictation is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,65a,097 issued April 14, 1987. By using terminal 10 of the present invention, the telephone number of the remote station at which dictatlon equipment i~ located may be dialed, either by operating keypad 24, or by operating an appropriate one o~ the stored number lceyg included in progranunable keys 100, or by acces~ing that telephone num~er from the stored telephone number directory included in ~erminal 10, and then dictation opera~ons may ensue. Alternstively, ~i ~oot-- 4~ -6~3 nedal switches nf ~h~ n~ n~rmal ly used to carry out a transcription opera-tion are connected to the terminal 10, those switches may be operated to effect a transcription operation. In this manner, a transcription machine located at the called remote station is controlled to enable a user at terminal 10 to transcribe information that has been dictated onto that device.

9. Central Dictation Referring again to Figure 6, in response to the actuation of a pre-programmed programmable key 100, the microprocessor 70 controls central dictation interface 78 to effect the operable connection between terminal 10 and the central recorder 188. Dictation then may proceed by operat-ing dictate control yoke 20 and dictate control button 22 of handset 14, in a manner similar to that described in U. S.
Patent No. 3,872,263. Optionally, if handset 14 is disposed in cradle 18, a transcription operation may be carried out in cooperation with the central recorder; and display 16 provides a visual indication of this "transcribe" condition.
However, if the off-hook condition is established at termi-nal 10, a dictate operation may be carried out with the central recorder; and display 16 provides a visual in-dication of this "dictate" mode.

10. Telephone Message Recordin~
Let it be assumed that one of programmable keys 100 has been programmed to effect a telephone message recording mode of operation by which incoming audio messages that are received over the telephone network 90 are recorded on, for example, record/playback "A" module 50. Let it be further assumed that the telephone network includes a plurality of telephone lines, any one of which may be ~6~ 8 selec~ed for coupling incoming audio messages to the re-cordJplayback module. As will be described below, the user may select the appropriate line (or lines) for coupling to the record/playback module. Then, when an incoming tele-phone call is received on the selected line, the presence of that call is detected by ringing signal detector 84, and microprocessor 70 controls telephone interface 76 to couple that line to module 50. Additionaliy, the microprocessor controls recorder interface 74 to activate this recordtplayback module, whereupon the incoming audio message is recorded.

11. Automatic Telephone Answering Machine Operation In one mode of operation, record/playback module 50 operates as an automatic telephone answering machine. In this regard, the user first records an announcement message on the magnetic tape of the record/playback module such that, in response to a detected incoming telephone call, the module is turned on to play back the announcement message and thereafter the operating mode of this module is changed over to enable it to record the expected incoming audio message.
One example of the use of a dicta~ing machine as a telephone answering machine is described in U. S. Patent No. 4,309,571.
Alternatively, if record/playback modules 50 and 51 both are provided, one of these modules may have the aforementioned announcement message recorded on the magnetic tape therein and the other module may be used to record incoming audio messages. Alternatively, digital voice recording tech-niques can be used to record the audio messages. Then, in response to an incoming telephone call, microprocessor 70 controls recorder interface 74 to turn on the module having the announce-ment message and then, after that message is played bac~, the - 4~ -~6l~
recorder interface turns on the other module to permi~ the expected incoming audio message to be recorded on it.

12. ~
In a ~imilar mode of operation, terminal 10 may be used in conjunction with record/playback module 50 to recsrd dictation that may be transmitted via the ~elephone network by the user of this terminal. Optionally, the user may wish to record an announcement message on the magnetic ~ape included in module 50 to remind him of the fact that, if he telepho~es this terminal on a previously selected telephone line, he may initiate a dictation operation. ~uch an announcement message i5 optional and, if desired, it may be omitted by the user.

13. Combined Remote Dictation ng By using two record/playback modules 50 and 51, programmable keys 100 may be operated in conjunction with keypad 24 and control keys 40 to ~elect one telephone line (or one group of telephone lines) ior coupling to, for example, module 50 and another telephone line (or another group of telephone lines) for coupling to module 51. One of these modules then may be configured as a telephone answer-ing machine, as mentioned above, and the other module may be configured to record remote dictation transmitted over telephone network in the manner mentioned above. Micropro-cessor 70 cooperates with telephone interface 76, ringing signal detector 84 a~d recorder interface 74 to turn on the appropria~e one of modules 50 and 51 to record incoming messages, depending upon the particular telephone line on which an incoming ringing signal i6 detected.

- ~3 -

14. Display of Audio Messa~ Data Advantageously, upon the recording of an incon,inymessage~ be it during a telephone answering mode of op~ra-tion or a xemote dictation mode of operation, microprocessor 70 controls display 16 to provide a visual indication of the receipt and recoxdin~ of ~uch messages. Each message i5 numbered in ~equence, and its time of recordin~ and length are stored. The user of terminal lO may retrieve anyone or all of such recorded mQ~sages. For example, by operating keypad 24, such as by depressing the n*~ pushbutton, micro-processor 70 controls display 16 to display the numher of the latest message which was received, its time of recording and its length. A prompt message also is displayed; and the user then may operate a designated one of control keys 40 to retrieve that message, which then is played back. If the user does not wish to listen to the displayed message, he need merely re-depress the * pushbutton, whereupon display 16 displays the first of the received messages, its time of recording and its length. The foregoing operation then ~ay be repeated either to ~croll forward through all of the received messages or to 6elect desired ones for playback.

15. Message From rD" Console Referring now to Figures 1 and 2I relatively short text messages may be generated at the PC 112 by means of operation of the keyboard 140. This text message then is transmitted via lines 114, 116 and an interface unit I in conventional digital format. Such text message may be directed to a particular one of the "C" units lO, or to all of them. Upon receipt of thifi message by ~he inkerface I~
signal~ are trans~itted to microprocessor 70 and the micro-processor controls difiplay 16 ~o provide an audible and a vi~ible indlcation of the receipt of this text message.

Specifically, a longer or shorter "beep" is sounded by the speaker 8B (Figure 6), and a stationary or flashing pound sign n ~ ~ appears on the display. The long beep and a flashing "#- sign indicates a high priority or urgent message, and the short beep and steady "~" sign indicates an ordinary message. The ~ext message is stored in RAM memory 95 (Figure 6) and may be accessed and displayed on display

16 when th~ user presses the # pushbutton. The memory 95 permits plural text messages to be stored, and the user may scroll through those messages by successive depressions of the # pushbutton.
16. Automatic Dialing of Tele~hone Number in Message If the text message includes a telephone number, (for example, "Call Mr. Smith (703) 555-2801"), that tele-phone number will be displayed on display 16 when the stored message is retrieved. If the user then depresses the DIAL
pushbutton, the telephone number which is displayed is dialed automatically in the manner discussed above.

17 Message From "C" Unit .

As it has been noted above, certain pre-stored message can be transmitted to the "D" console 11~ and/or to one or more selected "C" units. By inputting a specific feature code, the "C" unit or "D" unit and pressing the desired one of the programmable keys 100, the message will be sent, with the aid of microprocessor 70, to the selected receiver.
Unique messages developed by the voice recognition unit 189 in response to a vocal message will be transmitted in the same manner.

XI. NETWORK I ~
Figure 7 is a block diagr~m illustrating the network interface circuitry and how it interconnects with other parts of the network.
1. Circuit The interface circuitry is sh4wn in Figure 7 ~ounted on a network interface printed ci~cuit card 152.
Preferably the card 152 is mounted in a small housing (not shown~. The network interface board 152 i5 shown connected to a modem board 154. The latter board is optional. The board 152 shown constitutes the master interface unit Io~
The network interface ~oard 152 includes an RS 232 driver/receiver circuit 176 which is connected to communi-cate with the RS 232 port 175 of the PC 112. The output of the driver/receiver 176 is delivered to a programmable switch 162 which is connected to a microprocessor circuit 156, a "UART" device 164 and, if the modem board is connect-ed, a modem unit 184 and a RS 232 driver/receiver circuit 178 on the modem board. The unit 178 is connected to external leads which lead to a printer or a video display terminal, or other peripheral device indicated at 122 which can be located near each of the transceiver units 10. The modem 184 i8 pxovided to make connections over lines 185 to external telephone lines for digital data transmission, if this function is re~uired.
The microprocessor 156 advantageously is the same type of device as the microprocessor 70 used in each transceiver unit 10.
Also provided on the network interface ~oard 152 are a random accesf~ memory (nRAMn) 158, a read only memory ~ROM") 160, another ~UART'` 166, and a network dri~er circuit 17~.

~6~

Also provided are a regulated power s~ppl~ 174;
decoding circuit 172 and a programmable swi~ch 168. The line 128 shown in Figure 1 connecting each ~C" unit 10 to the interface unit actually is a cable indicated at 128 in the upper right hand portion of Figure 7. Included in the cable 128 are conductors 171, 173 and 177. The signal on conductor 171 determines the direction of ~ata flow; that is, it determines whether data is being sent to or received from a "C" unit. Line 73 is a conductor reserved for transmitting data from the "C" unit to the interface board, and line 177 is for transmitting data from the interface board to the "C" unit.
Lines 179, forming a part of the cable 128, are decode lines connected to the decoder 172 and the interface board for each "C" unit. Each "C" unit interface board sends out a unique identification code which is detected by the decode circuit which then delivers a corresponding signal to the microprocessor unit 156 to identify the "C"
unit.
Communications between the PC and the network interface board 152 are accomplished through the port 175.
The programmable switch 162 is controlled by signals from the C unit to connect its various input and output lines in different combinations, as needed. The settings of the switch are controlled by signals from the PC
112. Various different conditions of the switch produce various different switching combinationsO For example, the output from the driver/receiver circuit 176 can be connected directly to the "UART" 164. ~lao, either the modem 184 or the driver/receiver 178 on the modem board can be connected to the "UART" 164 instead.

Alternatively, ~he programmable switch 162 can be controlled to connect driver/receiver 176 directly with driver/receiver 178 on the modem board, or driver/receiver 176 can be connected directly to the modem 1~4. Also, driver/receiver 178 can be connected directly the modem 184 by means of the switch 162.
The "UART" 164 ("UART" is an acronym for Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter) is used to convert serial data to parallel data.
The RAM 158 is used to store data, and the ROM 160 is used to store the program for the microprocessor 1560 The "UART" 166 operates to convert parallel data from the microprocessor into serial form to send polling signals through the network driver 170 thro~gh the cable 126 to the bus 116 and to other interface boards of other terminals. These polling signals are used to inquire oE
each "C" unit, in sequence, whether it has any data to deliver. If it does, data is delivered from the "C" unit ovex a data line corresponding to line 173 in Figure 7 to its own network interface board, where it is stored in RAM
until it can be transmitted to the master interface board shown in Figure 7.
When the time arrives to transmit the data from the slave interface board to the master interface ~oard 152, tlle network driver circuit is converted so as to receive data over the line 126 from the other interface boards. The "UART" 166 converts this data into parallel form and sends it to the microprocessor 156 which stores it in RAM until it can be delivered to the PC 112. The lines 169 from the network driver 170 to the microprocessor 156 indicates whether the interface is in the transmit or receive moden - 48 ~

In accordance with another advan~ageous feature of the present invention, each of the network interface boards used in a given network 110 is identical to the others when manufactured. When installed in a network, however, each board is progran~ed so that it will be identified by a unique code number, as well as to adapt the board ~o being either a "master" unit or a "slave" unit for the purposes of data transmission. This is highly advantageous in that it allows the boards to be manufactured in significant quan-tities by mass-production techniques, since each board is identical when manufactured~ Programming is done by use of the programmable switch 168, which preferably can be pro-grammed simply by the selective connection of one or more jumper wires upon installation of the network.
The "C" unit nearest the computer 112 (in the upyer left hand corner of Figure 1 e.g.) is made the master unit and is assigned identification code number "O". Each successive "C" unit is assigned a code number of 1 to 15, in a network having 16 C units. The conversion of the master interface board makes it into a network controller which controls the polling of the slave units and the transmission oE data to and from the PC.
2 Pro~ramming The program which is stored in the interface boards and used in controlling the network is a modification of the IBM Binary Synchronous Communication ("Bi-Sync") protocol. The specific program steps used will not be described because it is believed that the suitable program-ming will be readily evident and can be written by one of ordinary skill in the art without undue experimentation, ~%~6~3 with the knowledge of the interace circuitry, the foreyoing description and the descrip~ion to follow.
One ~odification of the standard Bi-Sync protocol is that the interface board selected as the network control-ler board always is the master and each of the other units in the network always is the slave, unless the ~witches 168 are changed because the ~ystem is altered. Since the swi~ch 168 preferably is 6et by the use of jumper wires, it is not anticipated that such a change will be made in the ordinary course of events.
The sequence of steps is such that the PC 112 can send a message to any "C" unit in the network between two sequential polling transactions. In other words, the sequence of events is as follows:
1. A polling message is ~ent to the interface I
of unit Cl (the first unit subsequent to the master unit;
e.g., the middle unit on the left in Figure 1) from the master interface Io;
2. A response, if thexe is any, is sent from unit Cl back to the master board and the PC. This response can be up to one "data packet" or "frame~ in length. The data packet or frame will be described in detail below;
3. The PC sends a data packet or frame to any "C" unit tif any frame is waiting to be sent);
4. A polling message is sent to unit C2;
~ . A response is sent from unit C2 (up to one frame long);
6. The PC sends a data packet or frame to any "C~ unit (if frame is waiting to be sent);
7. et~c.

The foregoing process is repeated over and over again very rapidly, the master interface repeatedly asking each "C" unit for data, receiving and transmitting it to the computer; and transmitting data from the PC to any "C" unit.
The data transmission rates need not be extraordi-narily high in order to enable the system to work at a satisfactorily high speed. For example, transmission of data over the line 126 is at 19.2K baud. Data transmitted over cable 128 is at 9307 baud, and data transmitted to and from the PC at port 175 is at 9.6K baud. The total length of bus 116 can be up to 4,000 feet in any given system, and the line 126 can be up to 50 feet long.
Due to the relatively low baud rate over line 126, it is made advantageously, of a twisted pair of ordinary conductors, rather than as an expensive coaxial cable. The bus 116 can have the same simple and inexpensive construction. This is highly advantageous in keeping costs low. The low baud rate also keeps the cost of the system components such as the network driver 170 at a level much lowex than it would be at significantly higher baud rates.
Figure 9 of the drawings shows the format of each "data packet" or "frame" 208 of text transmitted between the "C" units and the computer 11?.. Each data packet or frame includes a header portion 210, a data portion 212, and a trailer portion 214. In the present embodiment, The maximum arnount of data which can be included in any packet or frame 208 is 51 bytes. The total length of the packet or frame is a maximum of 64 bytes.
The header includes the following components-1. SYNCBYTE
2. SOH (Start of Header) 3. DESTINATION ADDRESS
4 . RETURN ADDRESS
5. ACKBYTE ~Acknowldge Byte) 6. 1 ascii letter 7. MESSAGE TYPE
8. l ascii number 9. MESSAGE N~MBER
10. XSTS (Start of Text) The trailer o~ each data packet or frame 208 includes the following components:
1. XETX or XETB ~End of Text or Endo of Text Block) 2. ERROR CHECK (2 bytes) 3. PAD (Filler) The meaning of the foregoing symbols are well known in the bi-sync protocol and will not be discussed in detail here.
Data is exchanged between the network controller and the PC in a full duplex mode; that is data can be communicated both into and out of the PC at the same time.
XII. COMPUTER FLOW CHA~TS
The processing and handling of data in the person-al computer 112 i5 illustrated by the data flow diagram of Figure 8, and the detailed flow charts of Figures 10-26.
1 Data Flow Diagram .

Figure 8 is a diagram showing the flow of data in the computer in a very general form. Data enters and leaves via line 114 which communicates with the network controller shown in Figure 7. Communication program modules are represented in rectangular block 192, application program modules are indicated by rectangular block 204, and on-line monitor program modules are indicated by rectangular block ~06. Timers 194, which are software modules controlled by hardware clock generators, are provided and control ignals are ~ent over the dashed lines to the loca~ions indicated in Figure 8.
Reference numeral 200 represents an input message buffer or queue, and 202 represents an output message queue or buffer.
Input messages are held in the buffer 200 until timers permit its tr~nsmission to the on-line monitor modules 206. Similarly, output messages are held in the buffer 202 until timing signals allow its release to the communication modules 192 for transmission to and from the network.
The application modules 2~4 are the various routines for doing such jobs as telephone management, message transmission, and other functions to be described below.
The on-line monitor modules 206 include modules for determining the sequence of operations of the hard disc drive 146, printer 148, and display 142. The keyboard 140 delivers input signals to the application and on-line monitor modules to input data and control operations~
2. Timing and Data In~ut/Output ~ eferring now to Figure 10, data from the network controller ~see upper left hand cornex of Figure 10) enters the computer and is checked in a routine 216 to determine whether a full data packet has been received. If 80, the message is stored in the input buffer at 218.
The timers 194 (Figure B) provide a timer inter-rupt isldicated at 220. The timer interrup~ preferably is 50 milli~econds in leng~h. Since data is processed only during the interruPt. there is amPle time for the computer to perform other f un~tions such as word processing or office computing or the like ~imultaneously with its opera~ion in monitoring and facilitating communications within the network 110.
When the interrupt occurs, a routine 222 is used to check to see whether a data packet is in the input buffer. If it is not, then several routines ar~ conducted as indicated in the central right hand portion Gf Figure 10.
a. Transmittin~_Packe_ to_Network First, routine 224 is executed to check to see whether a data packet is in the output buffer. If it is, the packet is ~ent to a specified "C" unit under the control of the network controller.
- b. Upload or Download Telephone Directory If there is no output data packet to be delivered, routine 226 determines whether there are any requests for uploading or downloading directory data. If so, either the ~download" routine of Figure 17 or the "upload" routine ~f Figure 18 is conducted.
Referring now to Figure 17, in response to a download request in which it is requested either by a "C"
unit or the PC operator that telephone directory information is to be downloaded from the PC memory to the "C" unit memory, first the identification of the "C" unit to which the data is to be downloaded i~ determined in routine 262.
Next, in routine 264, data is read from the hard disk to a buffer. Then, in routine 266, the data is con-verted the to output packet form shown in Figure 9. Then, in routine 268, the packet is stored in the output buffer and the program returns to ~tart. Then, during the next .

~%6~

interrupt available for sending output dat~, the packet is sent to the specified "C" u~it in routine 224 (see Figure 10) .
The specific procedures us~d for storing telephone directory information in the memory of each ~C" unit is described in ~ome detail in co-pending U~S. patent applica-tion (DIC 545), the disclosure of which hereby is incor-porated herein by reference.
Referring now to Figure 18, when a request to upload directory information frorn a "C" unit is received, such as one user of the NC'I unit which is to update the directory information stored in the PC for his "C" unit, in routine 270, the identification of the ~C" unit which is the source of the information is determined. Then, in routine 272, permission is given to send the packet, and at 268, the packet i5 stored in the output buffer of the "C" unit from where it will be transmitted to the computer under the control of the network controller, c. UPload or Download Programmable ~ey Data In Figure 10, routine 228 inquires whether there is any request to either upload or download programmable key data, such as when the user of one of the ~C" terminals change the programming of the keys or the PC operator changes the programming of those keys. If there is such a request, the appropriate one of the uploading and download-ing routine6 o~ Figures 17 and 18 is performed and the data i8 transmitted either to or from the specified "C" unit.
d. ~pointment Alarm Transmission In Figure 10, routine 230 asks whe~her there is any reque6t for an sppointment alarm. Such a request will be developed when a pre-stored appointment time arrives. If _ 55 -there is such a request, then the appointment alarm routine of Figure 19 is enacted.
Referring Figure 19, routine 274 fetches the appointment data from the hard disc where it is stored, routine 266 converts the data into output packet form, and in routine 268, the data packet is stored in the output buffer for transmission to the specific "C" unit where it will display a message and sound an alert tone which will remind the user of an appointment just prior to the appointment.
e. Updatin~ Parameters Figure 10 illustrates routine 232 in which, if there is any need to update the system control parameters (to be described below) this will be done. If not, the time and date in the PC is updated at 234, and the program returns to start.
Time and date are updated by use of the clock (Fig. 6) located in the master "C" unit. However, if the PC
has its own clock source, that source is used instead.
3 Incoming Data Packet Processing .

If there is a data packet in the input buffer, routine 236 in Figure 10 causes the oldest data packet to be retrieved. Then, in routine 238 the data packet is decoded and it is determined whether the packet contains time and date information; telephone call information; dictation status information; incoming voice status information;
telephone directory information; programmable key content information; or programmable key commands. The processing of each such type of information is illustrated in the drawing figure referred to near the listing of each type of information at the bottom of Figure 10.

- a. Ti~e and Date Inform~tion Referring now to Figure 11, the time and date information from the sy~tem controller board clock is ~ormatted as at 240, and the time and date are set in routine 242 for the "D" unit and MSDOS, the operating sof~ware for the IBM PC XT. Then the program returns to start.
b. Telephone Call Information Referring now to Figure 12, telephone call infor-mation from a ~C" unit, such as the number being called, the party to which the call is to be billed, and the billing rate, etc., is received. A routine 244 detects whether the data received constitutes the staxt of the call. This routine is necessary because the memory of each "C" unit is not large enough to store all of the informa~ion, so that it must be transmitted in sequential packets. If it is the start of a call, routine 246 is enabled to save the informa-tion in a buffer until the rest of the information has been received.
When it is determined that the entire message has been received, routine 248 determines whether the start of the call has been received previously. If the answer is no, the program returns to start because the data is invalid~
If the answer is yes, the data is formatted in routine 250, and is written to disc in routine 252. Then a request is sent to update the ~ystem par~meter6 at 254. That request is satisfied in routine 232 (Figure 10).
c. Dictation Status Information Referring now to Figure lS, dictation status information received from a "C" unit is processed by a routine 258 çalled ~X~, which iq the combination of routines ~26~3S~
250, 252 and 254 from Figure 12, which have been discussed above.
d. Incomin~ Voice Status Information As it can be seen in Figure 16, incoming voice status information is processed in the same way as dictation status information.
eO Telephone Directory Information Referring now to Figure 13, i~ telephone direc~ory information to be uploaded from a "C" unit to the PC is received, a routine 256 detects whether the end of the directory information has been received. If not, it is saved in a buffer in routine 260 and the program returns to start.
If yes, the routine 258, ~formatting, writing the disc and setting request as in Figures 15 and 16) is imple-mented.
Later, in routine 226 of Figure 10, the request is satisfied.

f. Pro rammable Re Content Information g . __ Y
Referring now to Figure 14, programmable key content information received from a "C" unit is processed in routine 262 to determine whether the end of the data has been detected. If not, it is saved in buffer in routine 260; if so, it is processed in accordance with routine 258 to set a request to upload the programmable key contents.
That request is executed in routine 228 of Figure 10.
g. Programmable Xey Commands Figure 20 illustrates the processing of many of the possible programmable key commands. Certain of the processing routine~ cannot be shown in Figure 20 because of space limitations and are shown in Figures 21-26, as it is indicated in the upper right hand corner of Figure 20.

~i) Send Message to_PC
If, in routine 276, the prvgrammable key command is to send a message to the PC console, this is detected in routine 278. Then, in routine 280 the number of the pro-grammable key and the "C" unit from which it came aredetermined. Then, in routine 282 the pre~stored message for this key is retrieved from the hard disc. In routine 284, called "Z-, the current screen and keyboard settings are saved.

In routine 286 the message is output to the PC
console. In routine 288 the message is written to disc, and in routine 290 a request is sent to update parameters.
As indicated at 292 the PC then waits for the PC

operator to hit a key. As indicated at 294, when any "ESC."
key is hit, the screen and keyboard settings are restored as at 296, and the program returns to start.
(ii) Send_Mess_~e to Another "C" Unit When a command is detected as at 298 in Figure 20 to send a message to another "C" unit, the program deter-mines the key number, the source "C" unit and the destina-tion "C" unit. ~he, at 302, the pre-stored message for this key is retrieved from disc, and is formed into a data packet at 304, and the packet is sent at 306 to the output buffer.
Then, during the next interrupt available for sending output data from the PC, the data packet is sent to the recipient "C" unit for disylay.
Then, the pre-stored message is rewritten to disc at 288, and a request to update parameters is set at 290 and the program returns to start.

~%68~
liii) Start "D" Network Mana~er_Program (Disp The "D N2twork Manager~ is the name qiven to the applications program for performing tel~phone management, performing appoinkment reminders and calendar function, maintaining a dictation log, voice messaging, and remote document printing, as indicated at the bottom of Figure 20.
As it has been noted above, it is preferred to enter the Network Manager program from the master ~CIl unit, which preferably is located next to the PC consoleO Accord-ingly, routine 308 to start the D Manager Network program will be recognized only if the command comes from the network controller; that i5 the unit next to the PC. In this manner, the electronic "lock" which prevents access to the master "C" unit without authorization is utilized to protect the Network Manager from entry by any unauthorized personnel, even though the PC itself may not have locking system. Of course, if the PC itself has a lock, then this precaution i5 unnecessary.
Since it is also possible to access the Networ~
Manager through various keystrokes of the PC, if the PC has a lock, then those keystrokes can be used to access the program, and the master "C" unit or system controller need not be used for this purpose. In that case, the "C" unit 10 next to the PC in Figure 2 can be used elsewhere in the network.
As indicated at 310, the screen and keyboard ~ettings are 6aved. Then, at 312 the Main Menu is output.
Routine 294 detects when any key is hit, and the par~icular key or keys hit is interpreted in routine 314.
RoutinP 316 deter~ines whether the right key has been hit.

~.% E,~
If not, a beep is sounded as indicated at 318, and the program returns to the "any key hit" routine 294.
If the right key has been hit, then routine 320 causes the Main Menu to be displayed, with all of its application modules or options available for selection as indicated at the bottom of Figure 20.
As indicated at 296 in Figure 20 when the operator depresses the "escape" key, the screen and keyboard 6~ttings are restored, and the program xeturns to s~art.
(iv) Upload/Download Telephone Directory Figures 21 and 22 of the drawings indicate what happens when commands are received from the programmable keys of a "C" unit to either upload or download directory information. Figures 21 and 22 are self-explanatory.
(v) Upload/Download Programmable Ke~ Information Figures 23 and 24 show what happens when the command sent from a "C" unit is to either upload or download programmable key information. Figures 3 and 24 are self-explanatory.
(vi) Deliver Message Entry Short-Cut Figure 25 shows what happens when a command is received from the master "C" unit ox system controller to start the delivery of a message. A message processing application module is loaded from disc into RAM as indicated at 340. Then, as indicated at 342, a jump routine is executed to jump to the message delivery routine. This short-cuts the several steps which usually are required to perform the delivery of a message. Since message delivery is expected to be a frequent operation for the PC operator, this 6hort-cut i~ a work ~aver. Also, operation of the "C"

~2~
unit instead of the PC itself avoids interrupting any other operations which may be going on in the use of the PC.
(vii) View Telephone Direc_o~y Entry Short-Cut If a command is received from the master "C" unit to view the directory entries, a telephone directory appli-cation module is loaded from disc to RAM as at 346, and a jump routine is executed as at 348 to view the directory immediately. This also is a work saver for the PC operator for the reasons explained above.
It should be emphasized that both of the routines shown in Figures 25 and 26 can be executed only from the master "C" unit or program controller. However, it is within the scope of the invention to program the same labor-saving routines into the PC, if it is not desired to use the master"C" unit as a nearby auxiliary control unit.
XIII COMPUTER
The preferred personal computer for use in the network 110 is the IBM PC "XT". Preferably, it has at least 256K of RAM. Although the network requires only 128K of RAM
to operate, the recommended operating program, Microsoft "MS
VOS", release 2.0 or higher, or a compatable program, requires 30K of RAM, and additional RAM may be required for other purposes, so that 256X gives a good safety factor.
As it has been mentioned above, the XT machine has both a floppy diskette drive 144 and a hard disk or "Winchester" disk drive 146 ~Figs. 1 and 2). The hard disk is mounted "permanently" in the computer; that is, it is not easy to remove and is not designed to be removed frequently like the floppy disk is. Therefore, it always is .in place for storage or retrieval of data and programs. Since the network 110 may need to store data on or retrieve data from the disk at almost any time, the use of a permanently-mounted disk is valuable.

~6~
The hard disk has a recommended storage c~pacl~y of 10 megabytes. Around 2 megabytes is needed f~r the network program9 leaving at least 8 megabytes for other purposes.
Preferably, the PC has one serial RS232 port and one parallel portO The optional printer 148 (Figs. 1 and 2) is connected to the parallel port; and the rest of the network is connected to the RS232 port 175 (See Fig. 7).
Personal computers other than the IBM PC "XT" also can be used. For example, the ITT-"XTR~" is suitable, and other personal computers compatible with those the IBM and ITT computers are believed to be usable as well.
The PC should have a video display screen 142 or other display means. Color display is not required.
The term "personal computer", as used in this specification, means a relatively low-cost mass-produced general purpose digital computer. A personal computer typically has RAM, a keyboard, peripheral memory, and display means, and is economically usable for small computing jobs, word processing and home computing functions. The computer should cost less than $10,000, preferably less than $5,000 new, when purchased in small quantities. It need not be particularly fast in operating speed, but it should be relatively small.
XIV COMPUTER OPERATION
1. Memory Requirements The software for the "D" network, called the "Dictaphone Network Manager", or "Metwork Manager", preferably is stored in a floppy disk. After the MSDOS or other operating program has been stored, the D network disk ~ 6~ -~.~6~

is loaded in the left drive port 144 (Figs. l and 2~, and stored in the hard disk, and the computer is ready to use.
The Network Manager software, including the screen files (used for creating the screens displayed on the PC) is 330K bytes in length. The default hard disk storage allocation is 1,111,000 bytes for 16 C's. The default storage allocation is broken down as Eollows:
150 Master Directory Entries per C
300 Telephone Calls Recorded per C
90 Dictation Entries Recorded per C
140 Messages Logged per C

40 Voice Messages Logged per C
280 Appointments Remembered per C
It can be seen that the invention provides a system with relatively large capabilities but relatively low memory requirementsO As mentioned above, it also permits data transmission at relatively low baud rates, thus permitting the use of relatively low-cost conductors and components for the network, even though up to sixteen "C"
units can be serviced. The cost objectives of the invention thus are met admirably.
The programming of the various sections or modules of the Network Manager program will be explained by means of i6~
descriptions of the functions performed and reproductions of actual "screens" i.e., displays on the video display produced by the program while it is running. Since the program is written in Structued Assembly language, a widely used computer language, and since the program steps used to construct the various sections or modules o the proqram are conventional, neither program listings nor flow charts are needed to give an adequate description.
2 Initialization and File Maintenance __ The Network Manager program has an initialization and file maintenance section which allows the PC operator to change telephone addresses to easily-identifiable names, to add new telephones to the system, to change the hard disk file storage allocation, to perform maintenance on the files stored on the hard disk, and to assign author identification numbers to names so that they can be identified by the Network Manager. This section of the program would be used at the time of installation and rather infrequently thereafter.
Following is a reproduction of the first or ntop level" screen in the initialization and file maintenance section of the program:

~]~7AF~D~E ~T#D~;~ I~NO~GEF~ GuF~ArlDN Vlrr X.X

t~ bl~ IDp~ n3 pt~ t ~ D cl l ~ y ~r r i o t i nla a~ Q t -Up I ~ A~ d~t~c~n-~ tlP~l~ptlD
F~ itor~ge ~ll~c~t~c~
~rr~e~r~ Fi l~ int~lrnDn~
Vo~ D~tatj~n D~r~e~Dry I I ' ~rl~a t5P~ r~ tD V~ 3 r~t ~ t~Dn.
~r~s~ ~Erlt~r~ tD U~ th~ tlc~nl T~l~p~ n~ ICrt up fr~ Esc~ t~ t 13~top~Dn~ U~rt~l~rl Pl~n~ r ~e~n~ ur~ ~n.
._ On many screens, the "Selections" are the various sub-sections of the program, each of which can be selected to perform a set of tasks described by the name of the sub-section and the ~'Available Options~ which are displayed in the right-hand portion of the screen enclosed by a box.
The selection currently chosen is ~highlighted" by the P.C. that is, the illumination around the selected name is increased, and a line is formed extending from the selection to the box. For example, in Screen 1 above, "Telephone Set-up" has been chosen. The options available are either to modify the existing set-up, or add an additional telephone.
The instructions at the bottom of screen A tell the PC operator what to do next; if he or she wishes to use the Telephone Set-up sub-section, pressing the "Enter" key on the IBM PC XT keyboard 140 will bring up the next screen, to be shown below. However, if another selection is desired, the operator presses either the Space~Bar or the --w key bearing either the ~upw arrow or the ~down" ~rrow to mo~e up or down throu~h the list of selections.
Pressing the ~E~c~ key on the keyboard will cause the oomputer to exit thi~ section of the program and ready it ~or ~nother ~ask.
(a) ~e_ ~ho~ =9~
Selection of ~Telephone Set-up~ ~nd pres~ing the ~Enter~ key bri~gs up the n~xt ~creen ~ follows:

DIC~ ONE ~ IORK ~NAGE~ CCSN~'le~lRATlOhl-701~ph~r~ .t-up v~r x. x C~l ZCt ~ D-~
TEL ADDR . AS5 I GNE D ~ArlE
y Ex~t~n~ up ~
oo TELEP~NE O
p~ I 0~ lELE~ NE ~ i 02 ~ELE~NE 2 03 ~ELEP~ONE 3 ~ ~LEVY~NE ~ r 05 rELE~HoNE S
Ob rLEp~o~E ~ I

Pr ~ t SD - c ~ t o V I Y~ t, ~ t ~ Dn .
Pr~ Ent-r~ to u~- ~hi~ ct~on~ ~odl~y )~ no IhvtuP
Pr--~ IES~ ~c r~Jrn ~1~ trr pr~v~u~ ~crl-on.

Now the "Selections~ are the option~ which ~ppeared in the previous screen. Part of the li~t of telephones and corresponding nAmes of the ~urrent telephone 6et-up i5 given in the box. Choosing one of the options i5 done as with Screen 1, and n~ wi~h all other 6cseens.
~b) Modify Ex i sting Set U~
The Modify Existing Set Up ~election w~ llow the PC operator to change the assigned n~me ~or each ~ddress on the Network to;mnke lt more ~a~ily ~d~ntifiable in day-to;~day operations. This ~ection will al~o ~erve to in~orm the PC of ~ printer connected to any C unit in the network.
Once the Modify Exi~ting SPt Up selection has been made, the u6er will be ~hvwn a list of telephone ~ddres~es, names ascigned and printer op~ion , as shown in the next ~creen:

~e~ E NET~D~I ~AN~GE~ ~NF~GUkATlD~ ~ph~e Set-up ~r X.

r ~
ITEL i tJAnE~F~FilN~Ekl RE~ kl 5 I ArD~ I ~ss I ~NED lof~lDN I
I 00 ITELEF~HC~NE O I N 1 0 I 01 ITELEC~DNE 1 I N I ~ I
I O: ITLEFHONE ~ I N I ~ I
I C~ ITELEFHDNE ' I N l O
I ~4 ITELEF~HDI~E ~ I N l O

I ~ ITELEF~O~E b l ~ l O
I C~7 ITELE~DNE 7 I N l ~ I
~ ELEFHDNE ~
I ~9 ITELEPHONE ~ I N l ~ I
ITELEFHO~E 5 0 I N l ~ I

Q~ [Sp~co-~ tL ~DV~ t~ p~on~ to ~ gn.
~r~L~ IEnt~r~ to o~l~et pr.~ne tD ~tqn.
;re~ tF~ to ~r~ nr..t p-g~ ~ ph~nQ~.
~rr~c ~Es~ ~c ~t-~rn tD pr~Du~ ~er~rn.

A table is presented in the center of the ~creen that contains the addres~ identifying each C Station on the Network, a name a~signed to each telephone ~tation (such as UTom Smith" lnstead of ~Telephone 0n), whether that C
Station has a printer connected to it or not and a ~Remarks"
field which ~an be used for items such as aCorner Office ~ale~ Dept~ to de~cribe ~he location of the C telephone.
Depre~6ion of the Sp~ce Bar will mvve the highl~gh~ed field through the li~t. ~hen the desired C Station i~

highlighted, depres~ion of the Enter Key will ~elect the station for which the above informa~ion can be changed.
Since the screen has he capability of displaying information for only eleven telephones, use of the Page Vp and Page Down ~eys on ~he PC keyboard will allow the user to examine in ormation for all ~f the telephones ~n the ~etwork. Once a telephone has been ~elected by pressing the Enter Key, the user will be allowed to change the information for that particular telephone, by use of the next screen:

lC7~rplG~E NE~ t1ANAGEk CONF]6U~A'rlClN~ phDnY 2;rt-up Ve, X. x ~ .
TELFP~lD~`lE AD~E55~ 01 nE A55~NED: 6r~tchQn 6ch~
E~ CIFT~DN ~Y or N) ~ N

IF;E~:Rl:S~ Dnl~ yDU ~5Dr ~ n0 I I

y~r Ir t~ r~ n.
IFr-~ IE- ~er~ tD 00V~ to t~- ~n::t lir~.
~r~ Dr.~ ~D aDd~'ry n~ t~--p~ n~ tup. ", Jrr~ So ~vl~ ~oC~ c~tlon~.
L tE~ rlrturn tc~ tl~ prl~v~ou~ ~cr--~n.

Screen 4 describes the telephone at the address selected. The PC operator is now free to change the name ~ssigned to the telephone, and to change the indication of whether i~ has a printer connected to it or not, as well as the remarks. Only the highlighted ~ield may be edited. The P~ge Down Xey i6 provided ~o move through the e~tire li~t o telephone~ on the ~ystem to facilit~te fir~t time ~et up.
It is nece~ary to press the Fl ~ey to ave all modifications madé before using the Page Down Xey to move to ~ L~6~
the next teleph~ne. Once all modifications ~re complete, the Escape ~ey is pressed to return to the top level menu -Screen 1.
After returning to Screen 1~ if the operator wishes to use the ~Add New Telephone" option, he ox ~he presses ~Enter" to bring up Screen 2, ~nd then moves the highlighted ~rea down to choose the 6econd option, thus creating the following screen:
DJcT~p~clNE NETWO~; PIANAGER CoNF~GuRAl~JoN~ pphwr~ S~!t--up V~Pr 5~ tl~n~
~~~ -- -- i ~odl~y E~ n~ 6-tUp I A~ phs~ ir t~ t~
qdd NQ~ n~ I

I I
__ _ _ _ Prr~6 ~5p~c~-~-r ~ t~ VI~W t~ n~Xt ~ CtlDn Pres~ tEnt~r~ to U-e ~ ct~ons ~d ~w ~ol-p~n~
Pr~ E~C~ t~ r~urn to t~ pr~ u~ ~cr~.

Screen 5 is the same ~5 Screen 2 except that the aAdd New Telephone~ 6election has been cho6en ~nd a different message appears in the box.
The ~Add New Telephone~ function provides memory storage ~pace for additional telephones ~s they are needed without reconfiguring the entire ~y6tem. Depression of the Enter ~ey will allow ~he PC oper~tor to add memory 6pace for new telephones.
The Telephone Set-up routines have ~een explained in detail here in p~rt tn order to est~bli h the procedures u~ed by t~e oper~tor in handling the func~ions of the program. These procedures are used consistentlY throughout the following description.
~b) O her Function_ The remaining selections on Screen 1 will not be explained in detail. It is unnecessary to do so in order to adequately describe the invention. It is sufficient to say that the following selections permit the functions listed beIow:
File Storage Allocation - allows the operator to re-allocate disc storage space as data stored changes.
Perform File Maintenance - allows removal of old data from the disk.
Voice/Dictation Directory - allows the operator to assign author identification numbers to the names of people using the Voice/Dictation directory.
If the latter is done, the PC will refer to author's dictation by name rather than number. These names will appear in the Voice Messaging Section. I the names are not entered into the Voice/Dictation Directory, the numbers will appear in that section instead.
A eature of considerable convenience is provided by programming such that a selection in any list on any screen can be made merely by typing the first letter of the selection. Thus, Voice/Dictation Directory can be selected from Screen 1 merely by typing the letter "V" on the keyboard, rather than having to use several key strokes to move from the top to the bottom of the list. This is .,,,,r ~L~1 6 ~
facilitated by using selection names which have different first letters.
On the foregoing screens, and in the screens to follow, the "level" of the screen - that is, the selection and option which have ~een chosen - usually appears at the top of ~he screen.
3. Entering ~he Main Pro~ram, Securi~y Precautions There are three ways to enter the main part of the Network Manager Program. They are as follows:
1. A "C" Programmable Key programmed with #*21 will bring ~he user to the top level screen or Main Menu (to be shown nextl.
2. A "C" Programmable Key programmed with #*22 will bring ~he user to the Message Deliver Screen. This can ~e used to send "pink slip" type messages quickly.
3. A "C" Programmable Key programmed with #*23 when pressed will enter the Network Manager at the expanded view section of the Master Telephone Directory stored in the PC. This will allow quick access to see the entries in~the directory.
These Programmable Keys are active only in the master C Station next to the PC ~address 00000). The Programmable Keys programmed with these codes will only be active when the user is not in the Network Manager Program.
Thus, the program is, in effect, access-protected by the security code that locks the C Telephone.
Entry to the Network Manager also can be accomplished by a 6eries of commands given when operating at the MS DOS level, but this is not recommended since entry cannot be protected by a security access code, unless the PC
has itz own lock.

If ~he Programmable ~ey~ with ~*22 or #~23 are used to entex the Dictaphone Netw~rk Manager, the "Home" ~ey on the PC keyboard will return the PC operator to the top level cre~n or Main Menu. A depression of the Escape Key, at this point, would quickly return the PC operator to the task ~hat was running prior to the depression of the Programmable Rey.
4. Main Menu Entry into the program at the start brings up the ~ain Menu below:

D~CTAPHD~E NETWDRI~ GER V~r X X
Copyri~ht 19~ Di~t~phone C~rp 5el~cti~ns Av~ ble Opti~ns T~lQph~e ~nAg~ment 1~ ~e3~ge ~roce~ing App~intment C-l~ndar 1~ T~l~p~n~ C~ cc~unt{ng l* Direct~ry ~n~ge~ent-Teleph~ne Di~t~ti~n L~g 1~ Pro~ramm~ble key Manogement Volc~ ~e~cogln~ l I
R~mote Document Printin~ I I

Fr~ 5p~c~ r~ to Vl~ thæ n~xt 6~1-ction F~e~ tEnt~r~ to u~ th~ 5-1~ctlon~ T~l~phnn~ M~n~3~m~nt ~r-~ lE~c~ to ~ it th~ Dict~phon~ N~twork Man~er The main menu ~hows the five major functions which can be performed by ~he network under the "Selections"
heading. Each of ~hose functions now will be described, in the order i~ which they are listed.
5. Telephone Mana~ement The options nvailable for the Telephone ~anagement ~election ~re ~hown in Screen 6. Those options and options for the Message ProceEsing ~election are shown in Screen 7 below.

~L2~8~ii68 TELE~HDNE ~AI~IAGEMENT ~/~r X. X

Sel ~t i Dn~ ~Y~ bl e Opt i Dns - . --M~ a~æ PrQce~sino ~ Deliv~r ~1e~ e~
I I:r~t E! ks!u~ b l ~! n~ ge ~PI~ph~ne C~ cc~u~in~ l~dit keu~Dbl~ 9~) ~J
~ tmov~ Reu~bl~ e~ 9e~s~ ~
Di-~ctDry n~n-9~m~nt-T~I~ph~n~ IPrint h~u6~ble ~5-9 e ~ ~ ) De l iv~r~d Prsl~r~ rnabl~ Key M-na~3s~m~nt ¦ i ~rec~ tSp.~ ar~ to v~w th~ n~t 5el.~tlon.
Pre~;tEnter~ tD use the S~rlect~ns ~ 9-! Pro~ ino Pr~65 tE~c~ to rrturn tc~ th-! prPviQu~ ~cr2rn.

(a) Message Processing - The PC operator can create ~hort messages to ~e directed and displayed on a desired C unit. On receipt of each Message, the C unit will produce a short beep and an indication of the waiting message will appear on the C
display in the form of a pound (#) 6ign. The C user can ~croll and ~iew these messages by pressing the pound (#) Xey lSee Fig. 4). The C user can delete these messages by pressing the Calculator Clear Key, in Key group 28 of Fig.
4, when the message to be deleted appears on the display.
A me6sage ~ent to a C may be pre-formatted to include a phone number on the 6econd line which can be ~utomatically dialed by ~he depre6sion of the Dial Rey while that message i~ di~plnyed.
Pres~ing the Enter Xey causes the PC to ~how Screen 8, the fir~t screen of the Mes~age Proc~sing section o the program: ;

T LEPHONE ~ANAGEMENT-~ESSAGE PRDCESSINB Ver X X

Selrctlons ~eliver Me6~age~s~ - ~ruoable Me~ges Cre~te keu~blc Mer.~gel~) IThio i~ a test 21~
EdiS Reu~able Mezsage(o) ICo~r ~e ~e right ~y RemDve Reu~able M~s~e~) Irr~ate ~ ~es~ase ~rint Reu~ble Mr~nqels~
Messaqe~s) Dellvrred Pr~ss t5pDce-t~ar~ to view the nrxt 5el~ction Fres~ tEnter~ to u-e the Selectionl Deliv~r ~co~-gel~) Fres~ tEsc~ to return to the pr~vlouo scr~en Selection of the Deliver Message(s) option brings up the next screen:

~ELEFHONE MANAGEMENT-MESSAGE PROCESSING-DELIVFR Ver X X
I Reu~ble M~s~agels) I A This io ~ test 1 21~ 1 1 1 I P Come ~er rne ri~h I t ~way I C cre~te ~ ~o~-qr Fress t5p-ce-~r] to mov~ through the Ii~t o~ R~uoabl~ M~o~gels) Pre~s tEnter~ to ~el~ct ~ kru~bla ~ss-or ~or delivQry Pr~ss tFI~ to type ~ n-w ~ss~qe Fress tF ~ to type ~ new ~esc~g- ~ith t~l-phon- nurber Fress tFqDn~ to ~re th~ ne~t ocre~n o~ R-us~bl~ ~r--Aq~
Frrss tFgUp~ to see the prl~vious ocreu~n o~ R-us~lbln ~1g~5~9e~
~re~s tElic~ to r~lrturn to thr pr-V~OU3 l~cr~n.

(i) Deliverin~ a Reusable Messa~
To deliver a Reusable Message, the Space ~ar and the Enter Key ~re used to 6elect ~ message ~or delivery.
The PC 6creen wiIl change to allow the 6election of destinations or receivers ~or ~he Reusable ~ess~ge just selected, as 6hown below:

- ~5 -TELEFHDNE ~4NAGE~ENT-~ESS~GE ~DCESSING-DELIVER V~r X.X
Del I v-r ~1ea~ gr to~
R~ æ i v~rr ( ~i ) ;rcr~tury ~.ShRml~ Sh~rm~
13.1~et~-y L~b K.C~n~ Sc)Dd ~C.Stoev~ Sm~th L.E~ri~ln ~elc~in D.Nic~ D-g~16tc~ et~sy E.D-v~d Ch~mherl1n N.Walt F. Jy-hc~n~ 5u 1~. J~ck Dwyær lar k Har r i ~ P . Er n i ~ HDf f ~-n lI.Sl~ail~i iCambll Q.ALL
~ . Jc~hn B~r~y Pre~ tSp;~co-~r~ to ~rlDVe to th~e d-!~irs~d R~ivær.
Pres~; CEnter3 to ~lect the Rec~iv~r ~ 5tl-vr 5mi~h ~ kepe~lt ~bove ~t~epc for sel~ctlng multipl~ kec~iv~Pr~i) Pr~ss tF~ tc~ ~end ~-s ~ nDn prior~ty ~ e.
~res~ tF,~ tc~ ~end a~; prlor~ty ~næ~ge.
~re~s tE~ic~ to r~turn to the prG!viou~ cr~r~n.

Scr~en 10 displays a li~t of possible recipients of the message 6elected previously. An asterisk will appear next to all receivers who are selected. Several receivers may be ~elected to receive a given message.
A receiver may be de-~elected (taken of f the ~elected list for delivery of thi6 particular message) by u~ing the Space Bar to ~nove to the desired receiver and pressing the Enter Xey to de-select that receiver. The ~lsterisk rlext to that particular receiver will now di~appear. The PC operator may 6elect the receiver next to the capital lettes "A" on the li6t by pressing the "A" Key.
Similarly, the xecipient next to the letter A may be de-selected by pre~ g the letter "A" Key again.
A message can be eent to all recipients by 6electing item uQn _ ALL.
Once all of the desired receiver~ have been ~elected, the user may ~end the message by pre6sing ~he Fl or F2 K~y on the PC Xeyboard.

_ 76 ~

.

5~

Depression of the F1 K~y will send the message in a ~ p,~ritX format. A non-priority message will cause the recipient C unit to issue a short beep (about ~ second), and a stationary pound sign ~#~ will appear on the display of the C unitO
Depression of the F2 Xey will send the message as a priority message which causes a long ~approx. 1 second~
beep to be issued by the recipient C unit, and cause a flashing pound sign (#) to appear on the display of that C
unit.
After ei~her F1 or F2 is pressed, the selected Reusable Message will be sent to the selected receivers and the PC will return to the previous screen. If "Escape" is pressed before Fl or F2 is pressed, the Selections made on this screen will be ignored and the user will be returned to the previous screen.
(ii) T 'n a New Non-Reusable Messaqe for Delivery y~ 1 g ~
Beginning from Screen 9, the PC operator may wish to type in a new message for delivery. The message is O
unique and is not intended to be reusable. To do this the operator presses the Fl Key, producing the following new screen:

~6~3 tEL~:rh~ .,C_SSlNG-DELlVEk V~!r X. X

_ __ Pk3~e I Lin~ 1I Hi There !
I L~nx 2s Type the d~sir~d keu~abl~- ~he~ ge. ~up tu ~ ch-r~l~tor~; per linæ) Press tEnter3 tD go to th~ noxt llnæ.
Pre~s ~F13 to deliv~r th~ M~oge.
~r~!s~ t~sc~ tc~ diGr~g-rd thi~ æ~ 9e ~md t-~turn t~ thR prevlou~ cr6ren.

The PC operator may now type in a two-line message consisting of 16 characters per line. This message will appear on the PC screen exactly as it is seen on a "C"
display. The ~econd line of this message can be a telephone number. When the message is correct, the Fl Rey is pressed to deliver it. Screen 10 now appears again to give a list of r0cipients or receivers, and the selection and transmission process described above is repeated.

~iii) Typing a ~ew Non-Reusable Messa~e With a Telephone Number The message sent can include a telephone number.
Beginning from Screen 9, the PC operator presses the F2 Key types in the telephone number in the second line of the message, an~ sends it in the manner described ~bove.
(iv) Creatinq Reusable Message(s) Beginning from the top level of the Message Processing menu (Screen 7), the PC operator can create a reusable message that will be stored in the PC's memory for future delivery ~o C units.

Selection of Create Re~sable Message(~) from Screen 7 7 ~nd then pressing "Enter~ to use the election, produces ~his sereen:

TELE~ONE ~NAGEMEN~1ESS~I;E ~RDCFSSING Vs!r ~ X

SYI æcti on~s D~l~ver ~ ge Cr rst~ R~u~bl~ P~l~a~ag~
E~ i t Re~ b l ~ goe ~ ~i ) I Lt n~
R~mc~ve 5~eu~-bl2 nC!~g~llqQ(~li) I I
Print R~eu~bl~ n~ q-~s) I Lln- 2~ - I
~1e~-q~ ) D~I I Y~Yd I I

J

F~r~ CSpac~ r~ to viæ~ th~ n~)tt 5~ ti~n ?r~ tEr~trr~ to u-~ tt ~ E;--loctil~nl Srl~t- R~ul~bl~ DO~
F'r--~ tE~c~ to r~turn to ~hlr pr~v~ou~ ~cr~l~n In the center of the screen a blank two line message for~ is presented. The ~C operator can type in a two-line mEssage having lS ~haracters per line on the blank message ~orm, ~nd may edit the message as many times as desired. Once the mes6~ge is correct, F1 is pressed ~o save (store) the message on the hard disk. Once F1 is pre3sed, a new table of Reusable Messages is displayed. The PC
operator can press Fl ~g~in to return to the Message Create screen, or press Esc~pe to return to the Message Processing main menu (Screen 7).
~ v) Edit and Remove Reusable Messaqe~s) The PC operatsr may edit th~ Reusable ~essages 6tored in PC'~ memory. Beginning from ~he m~in menu for Message Processing (Screen 8) the Edit Reu~able Mess~ge option m~y be ~e~ec~ed. ~his cre~tes a ~r~en (not ~hown) w~ich dicplay~ all exi~ing reu~able mess~ges. T~e _ 79 _ ~D

~2~
6election of one mesqage to edit creates a screen like Screen ll which can be used to edit the message in the same manner as creating a new reusable message.
Once the message appears on ~he screen correctly, it can be saved ~y pressing the Fl Xey.
Reusable messages may be removed from the list by a similar procedure.

~vi ) ~_ To print a list of the Reusable Messages currently s~ored in ~he PC, the operatox begins at the top level menu for Message Processing, Screen 8. Then, "Print Reusable Messages" is selected, and printing on the printer 148 (Fig.
1) is started by pressing the Enter Rey.

(vii) ~5)~
The PC will keep a log of all messages exchanged be~ween it and individual C units, ~s well as messages exchange~ between C units. The operator may access the message log by beginning at ~he top level menu of the Message Processing section ~Screen 8). Choosing the Messages Delivered Selectlon produces the following screen:

r .~ ., ~ .

~EL~ NE ~AN~GE~E~n'PESS~hE ~Rnr~5~ ~Ess~E~63 DELI~ERED

R~cæl~r ~3) EL~DNE O ~.~ELFP~NE 9 .~ELE~HDNE i K.~ELE~HDNE ~O
.~EL~DNE 2 L.~FLEQHoNE 11 D~ELEp~oNE 3 ~.TELE~DNE 12 E~ELE~HoNE 4 N.TELEFH~NE 1~
F.~EL~F~HDNE :5 O.TLEQHDNE l~S
~ELEpHDNE ~ ELF~HDNE lS
.YELE~HONE 7 O.N~twork nbn-g~r .TELE~HDNE ~ R.~LL

~rror ISp-r~ r~ t~ ~DV~ to ~ O--ir-d ~r-iv~r.
Pre-~ ~Enter~ eo r~v~w ~ 9-~C) D~liv~r~d ~or~ELE~HDNE O
P~e~3 CE-r~ tr~ rrturn tD t~ pr~vivu~ ocr~n.

When the desired receiver is selected pressing the Enter Key produces the following iscreen:

TELEPHDNE MAN~GEMENT-MES5AGE PROCESSlNG-nESSAGE~S) DELIVEQED rver X.X

Time Poriod ~or~ 6~cret3ry ~v~ blr Options I Rever~e Time Order From~ ~tMAR/195~ ¦ View mor~ Det-il I
To. ~/MAR/195~ l Er~se Me~ge~s) Print Me~5~9e ~ 5 ) ~ype ~ dlf~er~nt Time Porlod i~ de~irud.
Pre~s tEnter~ tD mov~ to the n~Y~t l~n2.
Fr~ t~J~ to dl-pla~ oe~c) d~liv~r-d.
Pr-~ tE~c~ to r~turn to th~ pr#vtOu~ ~eroen.

~CREEN 1 4 A cur60r will be loc~ted under the fir~t tligit of the "From!' date. The u~er can change the "From" date, which i6 alwayfi earlier than ~r the ~ame ~s, the "To" date. The Arrow Key6 will move ~che curfior through the "From" date ~o ~ B1 ~ i85;~
change a ~ingle digit or letter. The ~ab Xey will move the cursor to the be~inninq of each date.
Once the dates displayed indicate the time period ~hat the operatc)r wis~es, the Fl I~ey is pressed to view messages delivered during that Time Period as ~hown in the ollowing screen:

TELEPHONE ~AN~GE~EN~ 55ABE PRDCESSIN~-~ESS~GE~S~ DELIVERED Ver X X

Se~ectlon~
R~v~r~e Tire Order 1 RYcei~er 1 ~es~e~) Deliv~red IDate Vjrw ~Dre Drt~il 1 ~ - 1 --1 - 1 Er-5~ Mes~age~s) 15ecr~t~r~ IHi Thrre ! IM~
Frint ne~age~) 15~cr~tary 1~o dD~nl~d ~llo~ed !!!!! IM~ b 1 Fre~ LSp~ce-~ar~ to ~ve throug~ t~r ll~t of Sel~cti~n~
Press ~Enter~ to u~e t~e 5~1~cti~n 1 ~ev~r~e Time Order F~ress ~FgDn~ to ~ee the n~it ocr~en ~f ~e~ages Pre~s tFgUp~ to ~ee the previouc ~cr~en of ~esn-~e~
FrY~ ~E~c~ to r~turn to the pr~vi~us cr~en SCREEN l5 (viii) Reverse Time Order Lo~_Display Once the table of Me~sages Delivered has been~
displayed, ~election of the Reverse Time Order function (listed under the Selections column) will re-sort the list of Messages Delivered from oldest to newest and newest to oldest, and display the message in the new format.
(ix) View More Detail -The ~iew More DetAil function under Messages Delivered (Screen 15) will allow the opera~or to see the Time ~nd Sender of a par~icular message, in addition ~o all the information di~played in the table presented in Screens 13 ~nd 14. ~he following ~creen will result~

s~
~ELEPHDNE ~ANAGEMENT-MESSQGE PRocEsslNG-~Ess~GE(s~ DELIVERED Ver X X

I ~rc~iv~r 1 ~6~oe(~) Deliv~r~d ID~te I ~lmel Scnder 15ccr~t~ry IHi T~er~ ! IMAR ~ OOIF'C
15rcret-ry INo dD~mload ~ llnwed ! ! ! ! ! ~ 0E3 OOIFC

Prr~!ss IFgDn~ tD vi~ew th~ ne~ t ~cro~n o~ M~ nge~
Pre~i~ IPgUp~ tD ViYW th~ pr~viou~ ~crven o~ Me~ oo(~) Prel~s tE~c~ to r~turn to th~ pr-viDu~ ~cr~en ~x~ Erase Messag~(sL
Messages can be erased from the list of Messages Delivered (Screen 15) by selecting the Erase Message~s) function, which produces the following 0creen:

TELEPHDNE ~ANAGE~ENT-~E55AGE PROOESSING-nESSAGE~5) DELIVEkED

r R~ c~sv~!r i ~Iv~ q~(~) D-livRr-d ID~t- I Ti~RI Slrndl r ISrcrrt~ry IhlrllDoaoooooD! ! ! Il~lPR~ l7:0-lPC

~S~cr~t~ry IhellDoDDDoooo!!! IMAkl~ OllF'C ~ I

l l l ~ I

l l I I I I
Pr~r~ Sp9CII~r~ to ~ovs~ throuqh ll-t o~ th~ D~rliv-r--d ~re~ ~Ent~r~ tD n~l~ct ~ r~e to bo ~r-u-d ~kRps~t oov~ tl~pO ~or IQIl~ctin~ ~nultiplr ~ or rl n~ov-l 1 Pr~z~ IFI~ to ~r-~ th~ ct-d ~ ) an thi~ ~cr--n ~, Prv~ ~F~ to ~r~ gv~ ~or th~ ~pecl~l~d u~ar ~nd t~s p~r~od Pr~-5 ~PqDn~ to vi~w th- n~t ~cr-vn Df ~ 3~ .
Pr~ qUp~ to vi-~ t~- pr~vlou~ cro~n o~ r~g~
Pr~o~ CE~c~ to d~-r-~rd t~- 6ul~ct~on- nd r-turn to t~ pr-v~ou- ~cr~-n Once sll of the messages that are to be erased have been selected, ~he F1 ~ey is pressed ~o erase them.
Depression of ~he Fl0 Xey will erase all messages for the ~pecified user and the specified time period. Once the F10 Key is depressed, a prompt message will ~ppear in the instructi~n field of the display to enter a nYI' or an "N" on ~he PC Keyboard to confirm the erasure Selection.
Entry of a ry~ will complete the erasure process; entry of an "N" will return the operator to the same position that he or she wa-~ in before the F10 Key wa~ pressed.
Depression ~f the Escape Key before the Fl or F10 Keys will return the operator to a previous screen and disregard all of the Selections made for erasure. Once an erase is complete by the ~1 or F10 Keys, the operator will automatically return to the previous screen.
~xi) Print Message(s) Log) The PC operator may print a list of Messages Delivered for a specific user and time period by selecting the Print Message(s) function from Screen 15. Pressing the Enter Key begins the message printout. Messages will be printed on the printer 148 (Fig. 1). The message printout will include the receiver, the message delivered, the date, the time, and the sender of the message.
(b) Tele~hone_Call Accounti~ ~
The Network Manager program automatically tracks every telephone call that is made within or outside of the network. When this option is selec~ed from Screen 17 above, information about telephone usage appears in a table format.
Each entry in the table contains the C unit number ~or the name assigned ~o that uni~), the phone number called (or the words ~incoming call" r for calls received at that C unit), the time, the date and the call duration, rounded to the nearest minute. Account numbers and customer billing amounts will be added to this table if the C operator uses the Programmable;Xey for call billing.

~ he fir~t ~reen which appears ~not ~hown~ gives identificatio~ ~f the telephones and their users. After a particular telephone has ~ezn ~elected fr~m the lis~, the following ~creen appears TELEPHONE n~ GEMENT-TELEPHONE CALL ~CCOUNTING Ver X.X

Time P~riod ~ortSecr2t~ry Av~ bl~ Opttonc FrDm: ~MARtl9B~ I * Era~e Telæphone C~ll I
To: ~M~F;/19~ ~ver~ Time Order I ~ Vi~ Mor~ Det~il I
I ~ ~rint T~lephonæ C~ll I
I ~ ~odi~ C~ illinq Type in ~ dlf-er~nt Time FerlDd i~ derir~d.
Fre~s tEnter~ to 9D to the next line.
Fress [Fl~ to di6pl~y Telephone Call Accounting.
Fro~ tE~c~ to go to the pr~viou~ ~creen.

Onc,e the dates displayed indicate the time period that operator wishes to review, pressing Pl brings up the following scxeen:

TECEPHONE MANAGEMENT-TELEFHONE CALL ACCOUNTING Ver X.

T~lrphone Call(~) 5elections I NAME I TELEPHONE NUM~ER IDATE I TIME
~ - I I I
Er~e Tælephone C~ll 15t~vn 6mlth leF~919142411~CCI IM~R0~10~19Pml krvrrre Tjme Order ISt~vo Smith llncominq C-ll IMAROblC~ Pml VAeW More D~t~il ISt-vo Smith Ir~F~0525lEl~l IMAROblll~51~ml Print ~elephone C-ll ISt~ve Smith ¦aP~91r914225S47~ IMAF;O~llt~OlJml Modi~y C~ll billinq 15tvve ~mith llncomln~ C-ll IMAR0~109~2CI~ml C-lculate ~lling 16tvvv 6mith llncominq C-ll IM~ROblO9119~m .

Fre~ tSp~ce-P~rl to ~ov~ throuqh th~ It-t of Selvctionr~.
Pres~ tEnter~ to u~e thv 5rlectton~ Er~-~ T~l~phon~ C~ll Pr~s tPqDn] to ~7e thv n~xt ucr~on o~ TQl-phone C~tl~.
~re~b tFgUp~ to ~ th~ pr~vlou~ cr~n r~ T~lephon~ CAII~.
~r~ tE~c~ to r~turn to th~ pr~vlou- crn-n.

(i) ra~ing Call~,_ Rever~5ing _Tlme Order~ etc.

A li6t of Sele~ti~ns appears ~t the left 6ide ~f the s~reen. These Sele~ion may ~e used ~o manipulate the ~ 05 -68~G~

Telephone Accounting information stored for any C telephone on the network.
Erasing the telephone call, showing the calls in reverse time order, viewing more detail~ and printing a list of telephone calls are selections which are performed in essentially the same manner as the same functions are performed for messages. Since those functions are disclosed adequately above, they need not be discussed further here.
The added information given when "View More Detail" is selected is the account number to which the call was billed, and ~he amount billed for the call. All of these details will be printed out when the print option is selected.
(ii) Modify Call Billing The PC operator may change the information stored in the account number or billing field of the telephone call accounting table by using the Modified Call Billing function. When this option has been selected, the Enter Key can be pressed to create the following screen:

- 8~ -~6~
. . .
lELE~JONE P~NAGE~EN~-TELIEF~IDNE CALL ~CO-iN~ a NG ~

~pl ~U CD~ 1 t3~
mY t T~ rp~on~ ~b~r I ID~ IL~-nl acl:Dunt 3Elill I
~TELEPI~N ~ 121~ R2~1031Z/p~10~ 125_ 1 0.21 I I~ I I I I
1. 1 1 1 Typ~ n-w Qc~c~unt numblEr. Pr~ bi tt~ eh~noc Etill ~a~ount.
Er~tor ~ ~ ~ov~ tt~ xt C~
pr~F~ tc ~ n~s ~n ~ gcr~n.
Pr~qDr~3 tr~ --Y th~ t p--o~ rphDn-- C~
F~r~ P~Up~ tD oee~ tlll~ pr~Yl~u~ pa~ cn~ T~l-pllDno C~
I'rsr~ ~SE~c~ t~ r~lonrd th~ c~ngllra ~nd roturi~ tcl tn~ o~ ~ r~n.

After one of the calls in the list on Screen 20 has been selected, the Account Number and Bill fields can be changed for that call. Once the Account and Bill fields are correct, the Fl Key may be depressed to save the changes.
(iii) Calculate Call ~illin~

~ efore the amount billed can be displayed in any of the foregoing options, the Calculate Billing function must be used. Once the Calculate Billing option has been selected, the Enter Xey can be pressed to start the Calculate Billing process. The words "Please wait ~illing Calculation in Proyress" will appear until the calculation is complete.
(c) Telephone Directory Manaqement The PC is capable of maintaining a large master directory (up to 2,400 or more names and numbers) from which 16 individual "C" directories (100 names and numbers each) can be maintained. Each different number that appears in an individual C directory will appear in the Master Directory.
Directory entries will be considered different if the name and number fields are different. ~ name (or number) is not considered difEerent if ~he difference between two names (or numbers) is only upper case letters ~v.~. lower case), or if ~ne contains punctuation (~paoe~, dashes, brackets) that the other doe5 not.
The r~elephone Directory ~anagement 6ection of the Network Manager i~ capa~le of: adding, modifying, erasing, viewing and copying directory ~ntries as well a6 ~ending a directory to a phone, receiving a directory from a phone, duplica~ing directories between phones and printing directories from individual pho~es.
To use this portion ~f the program, the PC
operator must begin at the top level of the Telephone Management menu, Screen 7, and ~elect the UDirectory Management - Telephone" option. This creates th~ ~ollowing ~creen, which shows the numerou~ options available, with the use of the in~ention, for telephone directory management~

TELEPHONE ~N~GE~ENT Vrr X X

Sel~ctionr. ~v~ bl~ Options ~r~qe Proco~Ling l~dd Dir~ctory Entry l~odify Dirrctory Entry r~lephonc Call ~ccountln~ IEra-r Dirrctory Entry ,1 IVi-w Dir~ctory Entry Dir~ctury ~n-g~ment-'r~lophrJne --~Copy Dir~ctory Entry 15~nd Dlr~ctory to Phone Progr~mm-ble Kry n~n~rment t~rc~ive Dir-ctory 4rom Phone IDuplic~te Dlr~ctory IPrint DirDctorY

Pr~s tSp-c--r~ar~ to vlow th~ nuYt ~lrctlon Pre~s ~En'er~ tr u-~ the 6el~ctionl Dir~ctory ~n~ment-~el-phone Pr~ iE~c~ to r-turn to thv previou~ ~cr7~n ~i, To add a D.irectory Entry ~new n~me and ~elephone number) to a directory, the PC operator ~o~low~ the 6election in6tructions to create thi~ screen:

_ ~8 ~

~61~ii8 TELE~H~NE MAN~GE~ENT-DlR~C~OkY MANAGEMENT-ADD V~r X.X
New EntryI
~ ~c,~i;5~E ~UM~ER~P9~12~95~4BOO
I L~S~ ~ME~ 5u I FlRsT N~ME~ Jy-h~n~ I
I TITLE~ I
I ~DDRE55: i ClTY~
I ~TA~E~ I
I ~IF~ ~
1 71ME ~ONE~ I
I ~lLLlNG ~CCO~NT~ I
I ~lLLlNG R~TE~
I ~E~ARi~;S~

~ype in dire~tory ~nf~riati~.
Press lEnt~r~ t~ ~D to t~e ne:~t line.
Frr~s rF~ t~ ~elect the dir~tDry~ie~) t~ ~dd Ne~ Entr~ to.
~r~s tF-~ to ~dd the Nzw Entry tD thæ n~ter DiræctDry ~nly.
Pre~ lE~c~ tD ræturn to the previou~ ~crs~n.

SC~EEN 22 A cursor will appear after the words ~Telephone Number" at the top of the new entry orm on Screen 22. The PC operator fills in the appropriate Telephone Number here, en~ering it just as it woul.d be dialed on a ~C~ telephone.
Pauses can be inserted between numbers by entering a capital letker ~ pn.
At ~he bcttom of the entry form, the PC user can enter a billing account number and a billing rate in do}lars ($) per hour. The billing rate has five l5) character ~laces to enter a dollars ($) per hour amount and will ~ccept a decimal point so that ~ractional amounts can be entered.
This in~ormatisn is used in conjunction with a "C~' Pxogrammable Key programmed with ~*13. If ~he C user wishes to bill a particular phone call to A certain accoun~, it is possible to ~lert the PC that a call in progress 6hould be billed. To activa~e ~he call billing function, the ~Cn user ~ust bring up the name of the per~on who is to be billed for the call in progress on the ~C's" displayt then press a Programmable Xey pr~grammed with ~*13. The PC will earch _ ~9 _ 35~3 the directory for the name sent from the ~C" and, upon finding it, will add the billing account number and the billing rate multiplied by the length of the call to the telephone call accounting data table.
Note that, in order for some person to be billed for a call from a "C" unit, that person's name must be in the directory of that "C" unit, and it must be displayed on the display 16 before #*13 is used. Once all of the directory information appears on the new entry form correctly, the PC operator may select the directories to which the new entry will be added. This is done by pressing the F1 Key.
The latter procedure may be deferred, if for example, the PC operator wishes to enter several successive new entries. Depression of the F2 Key will add the new entry only to the Master Directory and present the user with a new entry form. Individual.entries can be created later from the Master, by using the Copy Entry function to be described below. Note that depression of the Escape Key before the F1 or F2 Key has been pressed will return the user to the previous screen without saving any of the data entered on the new entry form. If the F1 Key is pressed, the PC will display the list of telephones for which there are directories so that the operator can select which directory to add the entry to.
~ii) Modify Existin~ rectory_Entry To modify an existing directory entry, the PC
operator begins from the Telephone Management Directory Management top level menu, Screen 21. Selecting "Modify Directory Entry" creates a screen like the Screen 25 below.
Then, selecting a directory from Screen 25 produces the following screen:

~6~
~ELEP~DNE M~N~GE~ENT-DIRE~TO~Y ~N~GE~EM~-MDDlFY-.~Ltc~ vær A~ 1 La3t n~me~ ~tartins ~i~hl ~ - C - I Na~e I T~l~phone Number D - F I _ I
~ - I ISu IFP~12V~85~4~
J L I ~ I
- D
~ -- S I ~ . I
T - V
W -- Z

Pr~s tSp~ce-P~r~ t~ vi~ thr n~xt ~rDup of n-me~.
Fress tEnter3 t~ ~elect ~mes ~tdrt~ng withL ~ C
F~r~s tE~c~ tn r~turn to the previou~ ~rQon.
S~ 23 The operator will be prompted to select an alphabetical category in which the desired directory entry exists. The window to the right of the list will display a all portion of the names and telephone nu~bers which are stored within that particular alphabetical range. If there are not enough entries within a given range to fill the window, names from subsequent ranges will be displayed. If there are no entries for a given range and no subsequPn~
entries for subsequent ranges, the window will display the words, ~No entries for this range". Onc~ the desired alphabetical range has been ~elected, depression of the Enter Key will create the following 6creen:

_ 91 --TELEP~ONE ~lANAGEMEN~~DlREC~ORY ~W~E;ErlEN~ DlFV-SELEC7 Ver X. X
NAME I ~ELEPHDNE NUI~ER I F~Er~ s I Smi th 12~0 1 5u I BP9~ ~ 20:5i35 ~4BOO
I

Pr~is ~Sp~e~ r~ to ~Dve thro~lgh the list ~ ?ntri~.
F~r~ tEntl!r~ to ~el~ct th~ ~ntry tc~ d~fy.
Fr~s ~P~Up~ t~ ~ee the previc~ul~ p~ge~ o~ entrl~6.
Pre~ ~F~s~Dn~ to l~ee the ne~:t p,~ge of e~ntriæ~.
F~r~b~ ~E~c~ tD r~turn t~ he pr~rvlc~u~ cr~2n.
SC~EEN 24 Once the opexator has ~elected a particular range, a table of names, telephone numbers and remarks will appear on the PC screen. When the name which is to be modified has ~ been ~elected, the PC oper~tor now will be presented with all of the directory infor~ation ~tored for that particular entry in a form like the new entry form of Screen 22. Then the operator can delete or add characters to the directory elltry in the u~ual way~
(iii) Erase Directory En~~
The procedure ~or erasing directory entrie~ is sentially the 6ame as the erasure steps described above for messages and need not be repested.
If an entry i~ erased ~rom the master directory, it will be removed from all of the individual C directories ~utomatically.
Iiv) View Directory Entry T~ view a directory entry which exist~ ~n ~ny directory, the PC operator begins with Screen 21 and create from it th2 f~llo~ing ~creen-~ELrRHONE ~QGEMENT-DIRECTOkY MAN~EMENT~VIEW Ver X X

~l~phonr D~r~ctori~
~r~r~t~ry J 5h~ml- Sh~r~a ~ ~t~y L~b K ~m SDDd C 5tæve Smith L ~ri~n ~loln D Nic~ Da~o~tD ~ ~t~y E D~vid Ch~mb~rlln N Walt F Jy-hon~ Su D J~c~ Dwy~r G ~rl ~rri6 ~ ~rn~ Ho~ n H Sh2il~i K~mbli Q ~6t~r DirectDry I ~ohn G~r~y Fr~s l5p~ce-~arJ to mov~ throuyh th~ lixt ot Dlr~ctDrl~
Pre~s CEnter3 to ~ ct Dir~rt~ry to v~w ~r~r~ ~Erc~ to r~turn to pr~viou~ ucr~rn When a particular directory has been selected, the PC operator will be presented with the following new screen which divides the directory int~ alphabetical ranges.

- TELE~HONE ~ANAGE~ENT-DIRECTORY ~ANAGE~ENr-VlEW-~ocrut-ry L-rt n~ t-rtln6 ~i~h~
__ A - C - - 1 N-m- 1 T-l~p~onr ~umb~r D - F 1 - ' ~ I
~ 121b J - L
1~ -- O

W -- Z
I

Rr~ Sp~r~-~Ar~ t~ vt~w thu nc~t ~roup o~ ~-m-~
PrD~5 tEnt~r~ to -lnct H-m-~ st~rt~ng ~Iths A - C
Pra~ CEsc~ tr~ rot~rn ~rJ t~ pr~vlou- ucru~n Once ~n alphabe~ical range has been ~elected, the following screen will appear~

TELEP~IONE ~ASE~EN~-DIRECTGRY ~ANAGE~ENT-V2EW-5~er~t~ry i UA~E I ~ELE~ONE NU~BER I REM~R~:S
Su 12 I I

I
__, ~ ~
Prr3~ tSp~c~ r~ to ~ovo throu~h th~ t of ~ntri--.
Pr~ En~r3 to ~l~ct th- ~ntry tD b~ vi~d.
~r~s~ tPgUp~ to s~2 th~ prQvinu~ p~
~r~s~ CPqDn~ to ~r th~ n~t p~o~.
Pr~ E~c~ tD r~t~rn to th~ pr~v~n~ ~cro~n.

Selection of an entry to be viewed in greater de~ail is accomplished by pressing the Enter Xey. This brings up the following screen:

TELEP~DNE rAN~GEnENT-DlkEDTDRY ~GE~ENT-EXRANDED

I ~ELEP~ONE NUn~ERlK05~hO
î LA5T ~A~E: ~LAS~,DILL
FlkST NAnE~ I
I TITLE:
~DDRESS: I
~ITY~
LTATE
12SP~ j I ~ILLSNG ACCDUNTI I
b2LLlNG RATE~ .OO
RE~AR~S~ I

~r~-~ tFI~ to print ~ntry ~ n ~ddrr~ b-l.
~r~oo 2F-~ tD di~l th~ di~pla~-d phonD nu~b~r.
Pr~ tPoDn~ to 3~ th~ nr~t nntry.
Prr-- cp~up~ to ewr th- proviuu~ ontry.
~r,~-~ CE~ to r~t~n to pr~lv~c~u~ ~cr~-n.

There are many reasons ~or wishing to view a directory entry in the detail exhibited by S~reen 28. As examplest one might wifih to determine the ~orrect spelling of the name of the person or company named in the entry; or one might wi~h to determine ~he billing ~ccount number or _ 9~ _ ~26~5~
rate for the person or company narned or to determine ~he person or companies' address; etc.
In accordance with further advantageous features of the invention, the display also can be used in special labor-saving ways as follows:
tiva) ~
Depression of the Fl Rey will cause the econd through the eighth line of the directory entry to be printed as an address label on the printer 148 (Figures 1 and 2).
This is a very quick way of printing address labelq, and greatly increases the value of the ~ystem.
(ivb~ Automatic Dialin of Tele hone Number q P _ _ - Depression of the F2 Xey will dial the displayed telephone number on the master C unit next to the PC station (address 000003D
(ivc) Electronic ~otary Telephone Number Index Use of the Page Up and Page Down Reys will move the display forward or backward through the directory one entry at a time, in alphabetical order~ The PC operato~ can move to different sections of the directory by pressing the alphabetical Key on the PC Keyboard which is the same as the section of the direct~ry desired. E`or example, depression of the ~A" Key will move to the beginning of the section of the directory that contains the last names beginning with an A. This feature provides an electronic substitute for a rotary telephone number index ox file for every clirectory.
(v) Copy Directory Entry To copy a directory entry from ~n existing directory to another directvry, the PC opera~or begins from Screen 21. Once ~he Copy Direc~ory Entry ~ection of the program has ~een ~elected, a 6creen like Screen 26 showing 8~
alphabetical ranges ~or the Master ~irec~ory will be created.
Since the Master Dire~tory contains all of the pnssible entries ~or c~pying, it will always be the first tlirectory ~een when the Copy Directory entry mod~ is entered. Once an alphabetical range has been 6elected, a screen like Screen 27 will be created for the Master Directory (not the individual directory ~hown in Screen 27).
From the li~t of entries thus di~played tho~e to be copied can be ~elected .
Once al 1 of the entries to be copied have been selected, the F1 Key may ~e pr~ssed to allow the user to choose which direc~ories will receive the copied entries.
After the Fl Xey is pressed, the PC operator will be prompted tr~ ~elect the telephone directory or directories that will receive the copied entries from the following 6creen:

~ELEFHDNE M~ GEMENT-DIRECTORY ~N~GE~ENT-COPY Ver X X

~lephon~ Dir~c t Dr i e~
A Secr~t~rv J Sh-ml~ ShsrmD
~ ~et~y L~b K Om 600d C St~ve Smith L ~ri~n ~elDin D Nick D-g~ta ~ ~rt~y E D-vid Ch~mberlln N W-lt F Jy-hDng 5u O J-c~ Dwyrr G Mcr~! H~rric P.Ern~- Ho~m~n H 5h~ i K~n~bli Q ~ll l John G-r~y Pr~ tSp~ce-~r~ to move through the liJt of de-tin~tion Dlr~ctor~
Pr~s tEnt~r~ to ~el~ct th~ d~Ytin~tlon Djr~ctory~
~re~ ~FI~ to copy th~ D-lnct~d ~ntrl~ tc th~ el~ctrd Dir~ctorie~
Prr~s lE~c~ to d~r~g~rd ~vl-ction~ ~nd r~turn to thv pr-viou~ ocF~-n SCR~EN 29 Once all of the directorie6 which sre to receive the copied directQry entrie~ have been 6elected, depression of the Fl Xey will copy the entries to the selected directories. The copied entries will now be stored both in the PC and in the individual C machines.
After the depression of the Fl Key, the PC will return t~ the ~creen that contains the list of alphabetical ranges so that another range can be selected for copying.
~vi) Send Wh~le Direc~o~y to Phone The Send Directory to Phone Selection will send a complete C directory (as it is known to the PC) to a particular C telephone. Directory entries that are made at the C machine are not known to the PC unless the entire C
directory is uploaded to the PC. When a directory is sent to a particular C telephone, it will overwrite the existing directory.
To select Send Directory to Phone, the PC operator begins from Screen 21. Once this has been done, the PC
operator will be shown a list of possible telephone directories which can be sent to individual telephones.
Once all of the directories which are to be se~t have been selected, the PC operator may press the Fl Rey to send the ~elected directories to the selected telephones.
The Send Directory to Phone function can be duplicated by using a Programmable ~ey at each C unit in the network. Depression of a Programmable Key which has been programmed with the feature code #*48 will cause the PC to overwrite that particular C' 6 directory with the directory information it has ~tored for that particular C unit.
~vii) Receive Whole Directory from Phone The PC 112 has the ability to upload ~i.e., to cause tran~fer from the C to the PC) of the entire contents of any particu~ar C's directory. This is useful in a _ 97 -~2~

situation where several C units have been recently linked together in a D network. All of the existing directories in individual C machines can be uploaded ox received at the PC, thus eliminating the n ed to reenter all of the individual directories.
To use the function, the PC operator begins at Screen 21. Once the Receive Directory from Phone section of the directory management program has been selected, the user will be prompted to select which telephone directory will be received by the PC. A screen ~not shown) listing the telephones is provided for this purpose. Key Fl then is pressed to tran~fer the selected directories to the PC.
The Receive Directory irom Phone process can be duplicated at individual C telephones by depression of a Programmable Key which has been programmed with the feature code #*49. Depression of such a key at the C machine will cause the directory that is stored in the C to be received or uploaded to the PC, overwriting the individual directory currently stored in the PC for that C unit.
(viii) uplicate Whole DirectDry and Send tQ AnothernC"

The PC is capable of duplicating entire directories from any "C" unit and sending them to any other "C" unit in the network. Once this option has been ~elected, the following screen will be created:

~ELEP~DNE ~ GEffEN~-~lREC~Gk~ AGE~ENT-DUPL~6~TE V~r X.X

Dire~tDrie6 ~Y~ ble Opti~n~
.5~cr~t~ry J.Sh~ml~ 5h~rma l~.S-~r~t~ry J.5h~ml~ Sh~rma ~.~et~y L~b l~.~m ~D~d l~.~et~y L~b K.Om 6~od C.Steve Smith L.~ri~n ~l~i~ IC.St~ve Smith L.~ris~ ~eloin D Ni~k D~st~ et~y ID.Nicl! D~ga~to ~.~rt~y E D~vid Ch~mberlin ~.W~lt l.D~vid Ch~mbcrlinN.Walt ~.Jy-~Dng Su O.J~cl; Dwyer IF.ay-hong Su O.J~cl Dwyer G.~3r~ H~rris P.Erni~ Ho~f~n iG.~rl H~rri~ P.Erni~ HD~f~an .Sh~ i h~mbli IH.Sh~ i KJmbli Q.~ll I
i.John 6~r~ II.John ~ray Fres~ ~Spa~e-~ar~ to ~ve thr~ugh the ll~t o~ ~ource Dir~ctorie~.
Fress ~Enter~ to s~lect th~ ~ourc~ Dir~ctory.
Fr~ ~E~c~ to r~t~rn to the prevlou~ ~cr~en.

At the left side of Screen 30 is a list of Directories which can be used as a source of direc~ory information. Selection of a source directory from Screen 30 is followed by ~election of one or more destination directories using another ~creen (not shown~ ~howing the list of directories listed under "Available Options" in Screen 30.
Once all of the destinations have been ~elected, the PC operator can duplicate the source directory to all of the selected destination directories by pressing the Fl Rey.
(ix) Print Dire_tor~
Selection of the Print Directory option produces the following screen:

_ 99 _ TELEPHDNE ~N~GE~E~-PlRECTOkY rANAGEnFNT-~lN~ Ver X.X

Direct~r~ ble Opti~n6 .Se~r~t~ry J.~ha~l~ Sh~r~ I I
~.~etsy L~b l;.Dm Sond I # N~me~ nd Mumber~ Only C.Steve Smi~h L.~ri~ ~l~in I ~ All ~nf~rm~tion D.Nicl: Dag~st~ et6y ~.D~vid ~h~mberlin N.W~lt F.Jy-h~ng S~l ~.J~cl Dwyer G.n~r~ H~rri6 ~.Erni~ ~f~n .Sh~ i K~mbli ~.~G~tzr Dir~ctory l.JDhn Gara~ I

Pre~s ~Sp~e-~r~ tD ~Ve to the n~ Dir~tory.
Pr~s tEnter~ t~ ~el~ct Direct~ry tD print.
Fr~s CE~c~ to return t~ the pr~viou~ ~crQen.

Once a directory has been ~elected, the PC
operator will be prompted to celect which of two print options will format the directory printout.
- The option ~Name and Number~ Only" will, as the name implies, print only the name~ and telephone numbers stored in ~hat particular directory. The option "All Information" will print all of the directory information 6tored for all of the directory entries listed. Pxintout will begin at the printer 148 connected to the PC
immediately after a print option has been selected.
(d) Programmable Key Management The D unit i5 capable of managing the Programmable Key contents of each C unit connected to the network. Under Programmable Key Management, the PC will be capable of modifying, copying, printiny, sending or receiving Programmable Rey contents. ~o u~e the Programm~ble Rey Management 6ection of the program, the PC opesator begins at the top level menu or Telephone Management, Screen 7. This~
menu ~ppears immedi~tely after selecting Telephone Management irom the top level of the Dictaphone Ne~work Manager, Screen 6. Selection of this option produces the ~ I~.L1~W1n9 ~ereen li~ting the ~arious options available:
TELE~HONE ~AGEMEN~PRDGR~ LE KEYS M~N~GE~EN~ Ver X.X

~;el ~t i ~nls di~y key Cont~r-t ~ .51~cr~tbry J,Sh~ml~ 6h~rmJ~ I
CDPY i:ey CDntent l~ et~y L,l3b K.Clm SDD~I I
~rint K~ey contont IC.Steve Smith L.E~rl~n b~loln 5ænd Keys tD ~vl~phDne ID.Ni~k D~g~itt~ 3et~;y Rrceive Keyc from T~l~phc~nl~ IE.D~vld rh~mbyrl~nN.walt IF.J)~-hrns 6u l~.J~ck Dwyer IB.M~rk ~ rr~ P.Es-nie ~'ID~tl:li3n . Sh~i l Di K~lmb l ~ I
I l . J c~hn Gnr ~ y Prrs~ ~Sp~ce-ljar] tD vi-w thlD ne~:t Sæl~ctlc~n.
Pre~s tEnter~ tc) u~ie ~he Selo~tion~ 11odi~y Key Cc~nt-!nt Pre~s lEl;~ tD return to tl-e pr~vlc~u~ ~creen.

~i) Modify_~y___ntents - I~ is possible to change any Programmable Key on any C machine in the D network by using the Modify ~ey Con~ent option. Once this option has been ~elected, the user will be presented with a list (not ~hown) of telephones with Progra~able Keys which can be modiied.
When a telephone has been selected from that list, ~he PC operator will be shown the ~ollowing ~creen:

TELE~ONE ~ANAGE~tENT~DGF~ LE t~EYS~ D~Y-8ecr~rt~ry V~r X. X
--.
II~EY I C:DN-rE~rs I F~EM~RI'S
1 071 ~4b ~ 0~ C) I
! 041 1 051 ,1 071 ~t e , I

I Cl9 I ~I I I ,~ ,: I

Fr~ t5p~cl!-BI~r~ to ~nov~r tD the n~t l~ns- s7~ the K~y Cc~nt~nts.
Fr~6~ tEnter~ t~ Rlll!ct the hey C~!n~ nt-~ tc~ chDnoe.
Fr~r~G tFgDni tc s~ee ~he nzY~t paqe c- KQY Ct~nt-nt~.
Fr~ E~c~ tD return to t~ prl-vic~u~ ~crlr~rn.
SC~EEN 33 ~ f the desired Programmable Rey does not appear in the table, the Page Down Key can be used to view the remaining Progr~mmable Keys for that particular telephone.
Once the desired Programmable Key sppear6 on the screen, it can be selected, ~nd then depression of the Enter Key will allow changes to the ~elected Xey. Once the Enter Rey is pressed, the user is shown the Rey that was selected, the contents of that particular Xey ~nd the contents of the remarks ~ield that follows the Programma~le Key, in the following 6creen:

1~2 -~EL~PHDNE M~ D`\~I~ ...VC ~ Y'B~'~'~DIF`.' T~--LEP~D~E

CDNTENTS~ o ~~RKB~ ~æll D
AvAILA~LE FE~TURE CDDE5 ~01 - k~crJrdrr ~cc~s~ ~olO - ~odem An~er ~0-45 - Int~r r ~59, ~0~ - Lin~ Selnct ~#11 - ~dset ~n~r #*4b-Send ~9 t~ PC
61~03 - VDiCoe ~l~G~i~9l! 1 ~t ~12 - ~n~Fhone tlonitDr #~47~Download AP~ointments ~04 - VDice ~ess~e Right a~ Telep~one ~illing ~4S-Downlo~d Di~ctory ~0~ - El~ctrDnic Lock ~14 - Directory ~cce~s ~4q-UplD~d Dir~ctDry ~0~ - Del~yed Rins ~21 - St~rt Næt~Drk ~n-~r~50-Download hey~
~07 - ~DDI' Fl~s~ 0~22 - Deliv~r ~ec~ 51-UplD~d Keys ~OB - Modem Conn~ct ~*Z~ - View Dir~ctory Entry ~09 - kS~Z tD Network ~24 thru 2~ - Re~r~rv~d Type in n~w in~or0ation in th~ block~
Pre~s ~Entcr~ to oo to th~ next line Præss tFI~ tD ~ve th~ ChDn~es Fr~ss ~Esc~ to return to the pr~vio~s ~cr~en A cursor will be provided directly after the wc:rds ~Contents". The user ~an modify the Contents as well as the Remarks field by changing characters in the display of Scr~en 34 in the ~ame way as any characters. That is, the Arrow (left or right) Reys can ~e used to move the cursor to selectively modify a particular character without disturbing ~he other~. The Backspace Key will remove the character the cursor i~ on. The u6er may move back and forth between contents and remarks by u~ing the Enter Key or the Arrow Up/Down Reys.
~ irectly below the Remarks field i~ a list of all the Available Feature Code6 that can be placed in to the Content6 field ~f a ~rogr~mmable Rey. Note ~hat the Contents of a Programmable Key can ~lso contain a telephone n~mber. The telephone number entered ~nto a Programmable ~ey 6hould be entered exac~ly a6 it would be dialed on a C

telephone. P~u6e~ are entered a6 capital P' Once ~he content~ and remark~ field6 are correct, depres~ion cf ~he Fl Key will ~e ~11 of the changes made. Depres~ion of the ~2G~568 Escape Key before the F1 Key will ignore the changes made on the screen and the Contents o the Programmable ~ey will remain unaltered.
The feature codes listed in Screen 34 are divided into three groups:
Key numbers 1~20 are reserved for '~C" unit functions only and will not be recognized if sent to the PC.
Feature codes 21-23 are not usable on any of the ~C" units alone because they will not appear on the display of any "C" unit; rather, they appear on the PC screen.
Therefore, codes 21-23 are usable only when the master "C"
unit is next to the PC, in the arrangement shown in Figure 2, for example.
Feature codes 24-51 are reserved for the "D" unit only.
ii. "C" Programmable Key Feature Codes The meaning of the feature codes 1-14 which are used and displayed in screen 34 is as follows:

#*01. "Recorder Access". This code is used to select the central dictation system 188 (Figure 1).
#*02. "Line Select" is used to select one of several different ~elephone lines available at the "C"
transceiver unit.
#*03 and #*04. "Voice Message Left" and "Voice Message Right" are used, respectively to select either the left or the right sound recorder when two "A~ units 50 and 51 are used at the same "C" station, in the manner described above.

-- 10~ --#*05. "Electronic Lock". This is used to set *he internal electronic lock on each"C" unit which prevents authorized access to it.
#*06, #~07 and #*08. "Delayed Ring", "Hook ~lash"
and "Modem Connect" are self-explanatory r in view of the above description of the "C" unit.
#*09. "RS 232 to Network" Causes switching of the RS 232 port of an interface board for that "C" unit between the network and a peripheral device.
lO. "Modem Answer" Causes incoming telephone calls to be routed to a modem for communication or storage in a peripheral device.
ll. "Headset Answer" Directs incoming calls to a headset rather than telephone. This enables a transcriptionist to answer the telephone, with the use of the microphone of the the speakerphone to talk into, without removing the headset.
12. "AnsaPhone Monitor" This enables the user of a C unit to listen to incoming calls while they are being recorded in the automatic telephone answering mode of operation. ("AnsaFone" is a registered trademark of Dictaphone Corporation, Rye, New York for automatic telephone answering equipment). This allows the user to selectively "filter" out the calls he wishes to respond to immediately and recor~ those to be returned later.
13. "Telephone Billing n This enables telephone billing information to be transmitted from the "C" unit to the "D" unit.
14. '1Direc~ory Access" This code gives the "C"
unit access to the directory stored at the "D" unit for that "C" unit for the transfer of directory entries as described above.

At present there are no codes for spaces 15 through 20. They can bP used for telephone numbers for for any other iunction desired.
(iii~o Master "C"_Pro~rammable Key Feature Codes 21. This code, usable only at the master "C"
unit, starts the "D" unit Network Manager program, as indicated at 308 in Figure ~0.
22. "Deliver Messagen. This code starts the delivery of a message as indicated at 338 in Figure 25.
23. "View Directory Entry"~ This code starts the view directory entry routine as indicated at 344 in Figure 2~.
(iv) Programmable Key Feature Codes The following feature codes can be used only with the D network.
#*30-45. A "C" Programmable Key programmed with #*30 through #*45 will cause a text message to be sent between two C machines without PC operator intervention. A
#~30 will send a text message to the C machine station next to the PC (with an address of 0). Likewise, a "C"
Programmable Key programmed with #*31 will send a message to the station address at l, etc. The message that is sent to the C display will be a duplication oE the message found in the "Remarks" field associated wikh that programmable key in the PC memory.
#*46. A "C" Programrnable Key programmed with ~*46, when pressed, will cause a message to be sent to the display of the PC. The message that is displayed will correspond to the "Remarks" field stored in the PC for that' particular programmable Key. A #*46 will suspend any task ~ 8~
under MS - DOS. Depression of any Key will return the operator to the previous task.
#~47. Download daily appointments to a "C" unit with a printer attached.
#*48. A programmable Key programmed with ~*48 will command the PC to down-load a copy of the directory stored for that particular C machine.
#*49. A proyrammable Xey programmed with #*49 will cause the PC to upload or receive the entire contents of that C unit's directory so that it can be stored in the PC .
~ *50. A programmable Key programmed with #*50 will cause the PC to download or send all of the programmable Key contents that it has stored in its memory for a given C unit to that unit C.
~ 51. A programmable Key programmed with #*51 will cause the PC to receive or upload all of the contents of the programmable Keys programmed at a particular C unit for storage in the PC.
(v) Copy Key Contents From One "C" Unit to Another The PC operator can copy an entire set of programmable Key contents from one C unit to another. This option is shown in Screen 32 above. Since the procedure for doing this is essentially the same as that described above for copying a whole directory from one C unit to another, it will not be described further here.
The Copy Key Content function can be used to retrieve several sets of programmable Keys for a single C
telephone. For Example, a "C" at address 00002 desires two sets of programmable Keys to be saved. There are no C
telephones at addresses 15 or 16. However, their programmable Key memories (in the PC) can hold two sets of ~8~i6~3 programmable Keys for ~he C at address 00002~ The Copy function allows retrieval and download capabilities for either set to C2.
(vi) Print Xe~ Contents It is possible to prin~ the contents of any C
telephone's pro~rammable ~eys at the printer 148 located next to the PC. Since the procedure used is essentially the same as for printing directory contents, it will not be described here.
~ vii) Send ~y~_to or Receive X~ys from Telephone It is possible to Send a complete set of programmable Xeys to the PC, or for the PC to receive such a set from any telephone on the D network by using the Send Keys to Telephone option or the Receive Keys from Telephone option. Since the procedures used for these operations are essentially the same as those described above, respectively, for Sending a Directory to or Receiving a Directory from a telephone, they will not be described further here.
The Send Keys to Telephone function would be used if, for some reason, a particular C machine has lost its programmable Key contents. This situation is possible during a service call. The Send Keys to T~lephone process can be duplicated by pressing a programmable Key (on the C) ~hat has been programmed with #*50.
Reception by the PC of all programmable Xey contents from the selected telephones will overwrite all of the PC' 6 programmable Xey contents for the selected telephones. The Receive Key Contents from Telephone can be duplicated by the depxession of the programmable Key that has been programmed with #~51.

6. ppointment Calendar The D network is capable of ~t~ring, editing and d~leting calendar appointment~ ~or each user in the D
netw~rk. As appointment~ or reminders occur, ~n appropriate message will be transmitted to the ~elected C unit at pre~programmed alarm ~imes. Appointment~ may be 6cheduled ~rom 6:30 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. The calendar may be ~i~played in a daily, weekly or monthly ~ormat.
To use the Appointment C~lendar, the PC opera~or must begin at the Network Manager top level di~play or ~ain Menu, Screen 6. That Main Menu, modified to show selection of the appointment Calendar ~eat~re, is repeated below, for the sake of convenience, as Screen 35.

DIC7~P~E NETWO~ N~GER Ver X.X
Copyright ~9a~ Dict~phDne Corp.

Selection~
.
~lephone M~n~ment l~.Secret-r~ J.Sh~ml~ Sh~rm~ I
IB.~e~y L-b K.Om Sood ~ppointm~nt C~l~nd~r - - IC.St~ve 6mith L.~rl~n ~eloin ID.Nick D-g~to n.~etsy Dict~tlon L~g IE.DaY~d Ch~mb~rlin N.W~lt IF.Jy-~Dng 6u O.J-cl Dwy~r ^ I
VDice n~s~qing IG.M~rk Harri~ P.Ernie HD~man -I
IH.~h~ i K-moli ~mot~ Document Printing II.John ~r~y ~ress tSp~ce-~r~ to vi~ th~ n~S S~luctlon.
Pres~ IEnter~ to u~e the S~l~ctionl ~ppo~ntm~nt C~l~nd~r ~r~s ~E~c~ to ~Kit th~ Dict~phonu N~twork n~n~rr.

Depression of the Space Bar (or Arrow Up/Down Key6) will move the highlighted iield through the list of 5elections. When the work6 ~Appointment Calendar" are highlighted, depres~ion of the Enter Xey will ~llow the ~C

operator ~cces~ to ~he Appointment Calendar ~unctions.
Depre66ion ~ the ~Au Rey on t~e PC Xeybo~rd will duplica~e the Space Bar/Enter ~ey Selection proce s.

-- 1~9 ~

~26~
Once the Appointment Calendar ~ection of the Dictaphone network manager has been entered ieithex by Enter Key ~r A Key on ~he PC Keyboard), the PC operator will be presented with a list of names for which appointment calendar information ¢an be 6tored in the ~ollowing ~creen:

~PFOI~T~E~ C~L~N~ Vrr X.X

N~mæt~ ~v~il-ble OptiPn~
A.Secret~ry J.Sh~ h~rm~ I I
~.~etsy L~b K.Om S~d I ~ Rdd~Ch-nge ~ppointm~nt~s) C.Steve Smith L.~r~-n ~elnin I ~ k~chedule Appointment~
D.Nicl Da~st~ M.~et~y I ~ Ne::~ Day AppDint~ent~s) E.D~vid Chamberlin N.W~lt I ~ L~st D~y ~ppDintment(s) F.Jy-hong Su O.J~ D~yer I ~ Wee~ly appointment C~lendar I
G.~rl Harris F.Erni~ Ho~ n I ~ M~nthly ~ppoint~ent C~l~ndari H.Shailai ~nmb~ Print ~ppointment~
I.J~hn Garay Ffe~s C5p~ce-~ar~ to move t~rough li~t ~ ~ame~
Pre~s tEnter~ to ~ee the ~ppointment c~lend3r ~r ~S~cr~tary ~re~ tE~ to return tD th~ previDu~ ~r~e~.

Once a particular name has been ~elected, the PC
operatox will have access to all of the Appointment Calendar options for that particular name. A description of those options follows.
(a3 Add/Change Ap~o___ment It i~ possible to add or change appointments for ~ny C telephone u~er in the D network. To use the Add/Change Appointment function, the PC operator begins at Screen 36. ~y selection of the Appointment Calendar option for a particular name cx telephone, the following 6creen is generated:

~2~

~P~OIN~EN~ C~LEND~-5~cr~tary - V~r X X

Se ~ l Dn I 0~
~dd/Chan~e ~ppt 1 07~00 ~ 1 k~c~edule ~ppt 1 07'30 ~ I
Ne~t ~ay ~ppt 1 O~ ~o A~ 1Th~ ~ n te~t ~or r~mot~ ppt ~l~r~
~ee11y Appt Caloendar ; 09 00 ~ I
~onthly appt C~lendar 1 Oq ~O ~ I
Pti~t ~ppDint~ent~) I lO OC1 A~ I
I lO~ O ~ Ite~t ~or r~ch~d~ling 0 ~

Pre~fi tSp~c~ r~ to ~ir~ the ne~t Selectinn Fre~6 tEnter~ to u~e ~he current 5rl~ction ~ ~dd~Ch-nge Appt Pr~ss ~FgDn~ to ~e~ the next p~ge ~ d~ily ~ppoint~ent~
Fr~ss ~FgUp~ to o~e th~ pr~vious p~ge ~ daily ~ppo~nt~rn Pre~s ~E~c~ to return ~o th~ pr~viou~ ~cr~-n SC~EEN 37 On the left hand side of Screen 37 is a list of Selections that can be used to manipulate the Appointment C~lendar information. To the right of the Selections appears a small portion of the Appointment Calendar which includes 5~ hours of a given day'~ appointments. The information shown will be for the current day when the Appointment Calendar has been entered for the first time If the day i5 altered after that point, it will remain altered until the Appointment Calendar function is exited.
~hen the Add/Change Appointment Selection has been selected, depression of the Enter Xey will allow the user to ~egin the Add/Change appointment proces~. Th~ user will be prompted to select ~ date for which appointments can be added or changed. ~he ~election li~t will be replaced with the wordc ~Type Date" followed by the date shown previou~ly, 115 in the following ~creen:

~6~3~6~3 AF~lNTnEN~ CAL~NDAR-fi~cr~t3~ d~C~npe Ver X X

TIME I ~r ~, t~
~ype D~t~ ~ O~M-r~

~7 ~ ~0 ~
1 071~ ~M
3 O~l~O ~M
I OBt~O ~ ITh ~ ia ~ t~t iDr ro~nte ppt. ~I-rm oq o~

101 OO ~
lOs~ t~ or ~ch~duling 1 1 1 30 S~
7ypo in n~ D~te ~Dr ~ddi~ ~r c~-n~in~ pp~in~nt~
~re~ IEnt~r~ to ~dd or ch-ng~ ~pp~ntrents ~r the ~lcct~d Dst~
Fres6 ~FgDn3 to ~e the n~t p-~ o- daily ~pp~int~rnt~
Pr~ ~FgUp~ to ~e the prevlDu~ p~ d-ily ~ppoint~ent~
Fr~ lF~C~ t~ r~urn to th~ p~-vi~ bcr~n SC~EEN 38 The date now can be changed in the ~ame way as any other characters on th~ screen. Note that when the date is changed, the portion of the Appointment Calendar that is visible to the right of the date will ~ot change. The date of the Appointment Calendar that is displayed is the same as the one shown on the previous screen. The entire contents of that particular day can be viewed by using the Page Up or Page Down Xeys.
Once the date that is desired i6 typed correct;y after the words ~Type Date", the PC operator may view the appointmen~fi for that paxticular day by pressing the Enter Xey. Once the Enter Key ha~ been depressed, the user will be ~hown an expanded table of the appointments for that particular day, as in the following screen:

~gi8~i6~3 ~FF~lN'rnEt~ C;;LE~r~ S~rl~t~v ~ Chl~ng~

lE I ~ EN I ~L

I~-a(,~: A~ I ' I i I
I ':l4: C-~'- On ,~ ~.1 - An I I: C~

r~pi ~n n~w ~c~r~t~nt or cl o~ pe tT~ D c- -~n~le 16n~tr~.
Frc~s ~Ent-r ~ tc~ tD 2r~- n~ t ~p~nt.RI~t ta~r.
Frt?~s ~Fl~ t~ ~-vllr ~e r~ p;o~ntnrn~6~ Dr cl ~r~
ir~b~ e~ ~ t~ n~ r ~r. t~ Curr~n~ app~n~ t.
Fr~ Fol~n~ tD ~e n~r:.t ~ID9~, Dr ~F~Up~ ~CI s~--~ prllrv~Dub ~ r D~ ~IIIp~ 5r~5.
5CR~EN 39 The Time column lists, in sequential order, by half hour incremen~s, the time of day for particular appointments. Appointments for any particular day can be shown in three ranges; each can be acce~sed by using the Page Up and Page Down Keys.
The column di.rectly under the date (the center column) lists all of the appointments ~cheduled for that particular date. The LEN column specifies the length of~the appointment. The ALARM column indicates the time at which a text message identifying the appointment as in the center column of Screen 39 is to be delivered to the appropriate "C" unit.
To add or change appointments for the day, the desired time slot must first appe~r on the screen. The Page Up and Page Down Keys can be used to move through the hours available for appointments. When the desired time appears in the time column, the Enter Key i~ pressed to move the highlighted ~ield ~o the de~red time. A cur~or will appear on the left h~nd edge of ~he center solumn. If ~n .

~68~
appointment exists for that time slot, it can now be edited, and if an appoin~ment does not exist, one may be added.
There are 40 charact~rs available for adding or editing appoin~nent~, If an appointment is being edited, note that the fir6t depression of the Space ~ar Key will semove the old appoin~nent entirely. In the case of a new appointment, as 600n as the first character is entered in the center column, the default parameters for length (LEN) and alarm times will appear. The default for length is 30 minutes, and the Alarm Time is preset to five minutes before the appoin~ment time.
Once ~he text in the center column is correct, ~he user may move to the length column by pressing the Tab Key.
The length fleld (LEN) will accept characters in the hours and minutes format separated by a colon. The length field will accept any digits entered into it. The in*erpretation of those digits will be as follows; lengths that are not equal to specific half-hour increments will be rounded up to the next highest half-hour. Lengths entered in the min~tes field, if they are greater than 30, will be converted into the correct number of half-hour intervals.
Once the length field is correct, the user may move to the Alarm column by pxessing the Tab Key. The alarm field, like the length field, will accept any characters entered into it, however, if the time that is entered does not conform to ~he HH:MM format followed by AM or PM for a time that exist6 within the day of the appointmen~, the ~larm feature will not operate. Alarm times are not restricted to half-hour intervals.
When an appointment is entirely correct (columns under date, length and alarm are filled out correctly), 6~

de~ession of the Enter ~ey will move the cursor from that appointment and the appointment is set~ The time slots that follow the appointment in the center column will contain arrows in each half-hour segment. The user may now add or change appointments. Once all additions or changes are made for the appointments currently being displayed, it is necessary to press the Fl ~ey to change to save the changes on the screen.
(b) Telephone Dialiny From the Appointment Calendar As it is indicated in the instructions at the bottom of Screen 39, depression of the F2 Key will dial a telephone number that has been entered in the center column of the selected appointment. The call will be placed on the "master" "C" unit next to the PC 112. The first digit that appears in the appointment ~from left to right) will be considered to be the beginning of the telephone number. All digits that follow it will be dialed when the F2 Key is pressed. This feature is particularly useful when contacting persons to confirm or chang~ appointments.
tc) Reschedulin A ointments PP _ It is possible to move an appointment to another date or time using the Reschedule Appointment function. The date and time that an appointment is going to be rescheduled to should be known before entering this function since other portions of this calendar are not then visible. To use the Reschedule Appointment function, the PC operator begins at Screen 37. Once the Rescheduled Appointment option has been selected, the user will be shown an expanded Appointment Calendar for the date shown, as in the following screen:

- 115 ~

~26~6~3 r~ T~r~T C~FNDAR-Srr!crzt~ry ~RESCHEDULE ~er X.X

I TI~E I nar ~ 19E'h I LEN I AL~
I Oh:~C A~
~ 0710C~
1 07s~0 A~l I I ~ I
I 00:00 All I ~ ~ I
I QO:~C~ ~M l~h~ ~c ~ t~t ~or r~mDte ~ppt. ~l~rm 100:~0100:25AMI
1 09:CC ~ l l l I
I Oq:~O AM
10~ OC~
1 ~02Y~ it~t ~Dr r~ch~dulino 101~0110;25A~I
~ 1: 0 I 112~0 A~
Prr~s t5p~ce-~r~ tD muv~ block to next ~ppDintment.
Pr~c~ ~EnterJ to ~ælect ~n ~ppDintm-nt ~or r~cch~duling.
F~reL~ tF~gDn~ to oce the n~t p~ge ~f d-ily nppointment~s).
Fr~o tPr~Up~ to ~ the pr~viour~ pu~re o~ d~ ppDintment~c).
Preo~ CEsc~ to r~turn to the prr~viou~ ncr~rn.

After the appointment to be rescheduled has been ~lected, the ~ollowing screen appears:

AFPOINT~ENT CALEND~R-Secret~ry -RES~HEDULE V~r X.X

I TIME I ~r ~ l9a~ I LEN I ALAkM I

I OB:~O ~ IThi~ i~ ~ test ~Dr r~mDt~ appt. ~l~rm 100:3010B:25~1 Enter new ppointment d-te 1 07/~r/E~
Ent~r n~w ~ppointment time ~ OB:~OA~
Enter nrw ~ppaintment ~ This i- a trxt ~or r~moto ~ppt. larm Enter nrzw ~ppointmsnt l~n~th ~ 00~0 Enter new ~I-rm time 1 00:25AM

Pre~s lEnt~r~ tD rDvrr blncl~ trl th~ ns~t l~no.
Frc-s lFli to rc-chndul~ ~ppointm~nt.
Pre~ lF I tD roAch~dule ~ppo~ntr~nt und to r~pl~cQ rJriqin~l ~ppointment.
Pro-~ lEsc~ to rr~turn to the prcviou~ ocr~n.

T~e date of the ~ppointment can be edited in the u6ual way. Once the date ir, correct, depression of ~he Enter Key will move the highlighted field to the next appointment par~meter. Each par~meter can be edited in this manner.

6~

Onoe the new appointment information i6 correct, the PC oper~tor can press the Fl Xey to create a new appointment at the da~e and time just entered. The old appointment which appear~ in ~he box at the top of the ~creen will be removed. The previous ~creen will reappear ~o that other ~ppointments on the ~ame day can be rescheduled. Depres~ion of the F2 Xey, once all ~f ~he new appointment in f ormation has been entered, will create a new appointment at the time and date just entered and allow the user to replace the oxiginal appointment with a new appointment. Once the F2 Key has been pressed, the new appointment ingormation will be entered, ~tored in the calendar and the following ~creen will appear:

D~NTMEN~ CALENDAR-5e~r~t-ry --RESCHEDULE V2r X.X

r~ME I M~r ~, 19E3~ I LEN I ~L~FiM I
I Oh:~O AM Irepl~e ori~in-l ~ppoinSment 071 0-.l AM
1 07: 30 ~M
O~: O~.) aM
I 0~::5CI ~M I l l I
09: C~J AM
09: ~ A~l I I I I
I Cl 00 ~M
I 10~0 ~ It~t ~or ro~chndulln~ l011~0l10~25AMI
00 ~M
aM
~ypr in n~ ppDintment ~r ch~n~. Typ~ b~ to ch~ng~ l~nqth.
Pr~ ~Ent~r~ to ~ov- to th~ n~t ~ppolntmrnt t~me.
Pr2s~ ~FI~ to ~v~ thr n~w ~ppointment~) ~r ~hAnq~r~.
~r~r,~ tPgDn~ tD ~ th~ n~Kt p~9D D~ d~ily 3ppDintm~nt~.
Pre~ tPgUp~ t~ ~-e the pr~v~Du~ p~ge o~ dail~ ~ppDint~ent~.
Pr~c ~E~c ~ to di ~r~rd th~ ch~n~ nd r~turn to th~ pr~viou~ ~cr~n.

SCRF.EN 42 ~ he portion of the appointment that is now di~played will 6how the date and time of the old appointment ~the one that required re~cheduling). The PC operator i5 now allowed to e~ter ~ new ~ppointment in it~ pl~ce. ~he PC
operator may entér a new ~ppo~ntment by ~ollowing the procedure ou~lined in ~he Add/Change Appointment description ~ 117 -~%~i6~
above. Once the new appointment Aas been entered, depression of the F1 Key wiil ~dd tile new ~ppointment to ~he oalendar. ~ter the Fl Key is depressed, Screen 40 reappears. ~he PC operator is now free to reschedule o~her ~ppointments for that particular date.
~d) ~
It ~s possible to advance to the next day o~ any appointment calendas by using the Next Day Appointment function. To u~e this function, the PC operator begins at Screen 37, selects the function, and thus creates this screen:

~FFDINT~EI~T C~LEND~h-Socret~ry - Ver X.X

Sel~ctiDns I T~ME I M~r 7, 1~8b 0~:30 ~dd/Ch~nge ~ppt 1 07:~C~
Refichedule ~Fpt I 07:~0 ~ I
Næ:Jt D~y ~I-pt I OB:OO ~
L~st D~y ~ppt 1 0~:30 ~ hi- i~ o to~t ~Dr r-mote ~pp~ rm Wee~ly ~ppt Calendar 1 09~00 ~ I
nDnthly ~ppt C~len~r I Oq~o ~ I
Frint Appointm~nt~ O:O~
I ~O:~O AM
OC~

, _ _ __ Fr~ Sp~ce-~dr~ to vi~w th~ n~t Srl~ction.
Pre~s ~Enter3 tD u-e thæ c~lrr-nt 6elrct~on ~ N~t DD~ ~ppt Pr~s tFgDn~ to ~e the nc::t p~ge of d-ily ~ppointment~.
Fr~-~ tFgUp~ tD ~re the pr~viou~ p~e o~ dsily appointmrntr,.
Fr~ss IE~c'~ to r~urn to thc pr~viuu~ ~cr~n.

When ~he Next Day Appointment Selection has been made, Screen 43 6hows that depression of the Enter Key will allow the user to advance the Appointment C~lendar displayed at the right by one day. Depression oi ~he ~N" ~ey on the PC Keyboard will duplicate ~he Space Bar/Enter Key selection process. Repeated depre6sions of the Enter Xey vr the "N"
~ey will ~dvance, one day nt ~ time, through the ~ppointment Calendar. Note tha~ the date ~hat remain~ ~t ~he ~op of ~he - ~18 -Appointment Calendar will remain the same ~unless it is adjusted by anoth~r function) until the user exits the Appointmen~ Calendar function.
le) Previous Day Appointments It is possible to move the Appointment Calendar backward by one day by using the Previous Day Appointment function. This is done in the same way as viewing Next Day Appointments, except that "Last Day Appt" is ~elected from Screen 37, rather than ~Next Day Appt". Depression of the Enter Key will move the Appointment Calendar back one calendar day. $he ~L" Key on the PC Keyboard will duplicate the Space Bar/Enter Key Selection process. Repea~ed depression of the Enter Key or the "L" Xey will move the Appointment Calendar shown b~ck one calendar day for each depression.
lf) Weekly Appointment Calendar It is possible to format the Appointment Calendar so that an entire week of appointments can be viewed on one display. To use the Weekly Appointment Calendar function, the PC operator begins with Screen 37. When the "Weekly ~ppt Calendar" has been selected, the following screen is displayed:

-- 119 ~

~PP91NT~E~ CALENDAR-~e~r~t~r~ -WEE~lY V~r X X
WEE~ BEG~NNING - ~ar ~ "~e~
6rlectl~ns 1 ~IME l~n ~ lTu~ 4 lWed S l~hl ~ lFri 7 l O - --+
Add~Change Appt l 0~130 ~M ~ l I lrePl~cel l 0710~ Q~ l l l l l l ~t W~el~ l 07130 AM
I ~a:~c-~ l l l l l I
P~vi~u~ Wr~l I O~I~C~ A~ I i I l lThi~
l 09~00 ~M
l 09 ~C) ~M
l 10~00 AM
I 10 ~0 ~ l l l lt~t ~ol l 11~0~ A~ l l l l l l 0 ~
Pr~s tSpa~r-~r~ v~w the nr~t 5electiDn Pr~-s ~Enter~ tD u~e the Selecti~n ~ ~dd~ChDnge ~ppt Fr~s tFgDn~ t~ ~æ th~ next p~ge o~ weekly ~ppointment~
Frr~s tFgUp~ t~ ~ee th~ prevlou~ p3ge o~ w~ ly ~ppoin~ents Prec~ ~Esc~ t~ r~turn tD the previou~ ~creenO

Screen 44 lists all of the appointments for the ~elec~ed week.
(i) dd/Chan~e Ap~olntment (W ~
It i~ possible to add an appointment to the Appointment Calendar or change an existing appointment in the Weekly Calendar Display.
At the lefk hand side of the ficreen is a list of Selections. When the Add/Change Appointment option has been ~elected, depre~sion of the Enter Xey will allow the user to select a date for adding or rhanging appointments, as in Screen 45:

5~l~

APPD~NTnENT C~LE~ crQtary ~EEKLY
~EE~ G l NN l NG -- D--~ 3 1, 1 9 7 9 T~llE ItlDn ~ T~ I IW~ 2 l~ u :S IFr~ q I
T~atR ~ O~J~n~flO
I O~O Arl I Ithl~ Is~
1 07~00 ~
07 ~ :50 ~M
00 ~ OO ~M
,1 00: o ~Iq I I I I I I
09 ~ OO
1 09 1 50 ~
I lOsOO an 1 ~0~30~Arl I I I I I
a~-oo A11 1 11- :SO Al~ I ~ I I I i Type ln n~ D~lte ~t~r ~dd~ or ch~moin~ ~ppoinltm~nt-.
~r~rss CEnt~r~ eO ~d or rhor~ ppc~int~nt~ for th~ t--d D-t~.
Pr~ tF'gr~n~ to ~ thl~ n~ t p,-gc~ c~ da~ 3 ~ ~ppDirlt~ntl~.
Prlr~, tP~Up~ t~ th~ pr-vi~u~ p-q~ o~ ~ally ppoint~nee~.
Pr~ tEac~ to r-turn to tt-~ pr-visu1~ ocr~l-n.

The date can be changed in ~he usual way.
A cursor will be provided underneath the first digit of the date. The Arrow Reys (le~t or right) will move the cursor through the date to change a ~ingle digit or letter. The Backspace Key will delete one character from the date and move the cursor one space to the left. The q~ab Key will move the cur~or to the beginning of each field'of ~he date (DD/MMM/YY~. If a day only has B 6ingle digit in it, it should be preceded by a 0. IThe abbreviations for months are a5 follows: JAN, FEB, MAR, APR, MAY, JUN, JUL, AUG, SEP, OCT, NOV ~nd DEC. Note that when the date is changed, the portion cf the Appointment Calendar that is vi6ible to the right of the date will no~ change. Once the date that i6 desired appear~ correctly after the words "Type Date,~ the PC operator may view the appointmen~s for that particular day by pre~6ing the En~er Xey. Once the Enter Xey ha~ been depre~6ed, the user will be shown an expanded table of appointmént~ for that partioular day, as in the following 6creen:

~P~O~NT~ENT CALENDAR-S~cr~t~ry WEEKLY
--=C=~
~====~
¦ 07:00 AM
o~ t ~o 1 ~8:00 1 0~:~0 ~M
09 ~ 00 09~0 1 10:00 A~
~ ~o:~o on-I al.oo Typ2 ~n n~w ~ppoi~ent ~r ch-ng~ yp- ~T~b~ to ch-n~ l~n~th.
Pr~ ~Ent~r~ t~ ~ov~ tD th~ n~t ~ppointm~nt ti~.
Pr~6 ~Fl~ to ~ t~ ~ ~ppointm~nt~ ~r ch~ng~.
Pre~ ~F'~ t~ di-l the n~mb~r in t~ c~rr~nt ~ppol~tm~nt.
~r~ PgDn~ to ~ n-~t p~, or ~Up~ t~ pr-viou~ p~ge ~ ~pp~int~nt-.

The u6er may now add or change appointments for the dates shown in the manner described above to Add/Change appointment. Once the correct appointment information appears on the ~creen, depression of the Fl Key will ~ave the new appointments or changes. Depression of the F2 ~ey will dial a telephone number that has been entered into the highlighted appointment.
(ii) Next Week It is possible to advance the weekly c~lendar di~play forward by one week increments by using the Next Week Selec~ion. To uRe ~he Next Week function, the user begins with Screen 44. Depre6sion of the Space ~ar (or Arrow Up/Down ~eys) will move the highlighted field through he list of Selections. When ~he word6 UNext Week" are hishlighted, depre6sion of the Fnter ~ey will ~dv~nce the Weekly Calendar 6hown at the right by one week. Depression of the WN" Xey on ~he PC Keyb~axd will duplic~te the Space Bar/Enter ~ey ~election proces~, Multiple depressions of the Enter ~ey ~r the ~ Key will continuously advance the Weekly Calendar shown at the right by one w0ek i~ntervals Once the Weekly Calendar that is desired is displayed, the Page ~p ~nd Page Down Keys will allow the PC operator to view the entire day~s list of appointmen~s for each day shownl (iii) Previous Week When the appointment calendar is ~eing viewed in the weekly format, it is possible to move backwards through the calendar by one week intervals by using the Previous Week Selection. To use the Selection, Screen 44 is displayed. Once the Selection, Previous Week, is highlighted, the user may press the Enter Key to cause the weekly appointment calendar at right to display the previous week's appointments. Depression of the llp7~ key on the PC
keyboard will duplicate the Space Bar/Enter Key Selection process. Each time the P key ox the Enter Key is depressed, the weekly calendar will move backward in one week increments. Once the desired week is displayed, khe PC
operator may use the Page Up or Page Down keys to look through the entire day's list of appointments for each day shown.
(g) ~
It is possible to determine which days over a two month time span contain appointments by using the Monthly Appointment Calendar function. To use the Monthly Appointment Calendar function, the PC operator begins at Screen 44 and selects the desired function, creating this ~creen:

- 1~3 ~

A~PDINT~N~ CALE~D~R-Se~ret~ry - Ver X.X

S~l~ctions ~v~ ble Opti~n~
~dd~C~nge Appt Re~chedule ~ppt I ~ ~dd~Ch3nge ~pprintment(~) I
Ne~:t D~y ~ppt I * Ne:t MDnth LQ6t D~ ~ppt I * Last ~nth ~el~ly ~ppt C~l~ndar ~n~hly Appt C~lendar Print ~pp~intmrnt~

~r~ SSpa~ r~ to vi-w th~ n~:ct SeloctiDn.
Fr~s ~Enter~ t~ u5~ the current Sel~ction I ~onthly ~ppt rhlendar Fre~s IPgDn~ to ~2e thr ne:~t p~ge ~ d~ily ~pprintm~nts.
Fress tFgUp3 t~ ~ee the pr~viou~ p~ge ~f d-ily ~ppDintment~.
~rr~ ~Esc~ t~ r~urn tD th~ previru~ ~cr~en.

SC~E~N 46~a) On the left hand side of the screen, there is a lis~ of Selections. Depression of the Space ~ar (or Arrow Up/Down) will move the hi~hlighted field through the list of Selections. When the monthly Appointment Calendar Selection is highlighted, depression of the Enter Key will allow the user to see a two month ~ection of the Appointment Calendar.
Depression of the rM" Key on the PC Keyboard will duplic~te the Space Bar/Enter Key Selection process.
Once the Monthly Appointment C~lendar application has been Relected, the user will be presented with Screen 47, whi~h contains a list of Selections to the left of the screen and a two month condensed version of the appointment calendar on the right. Each day that contains at least one appointment will be highlighted on the calendar, that is, ~he background behind each date will be lighted brightly to make it 6tand out from the o~her da~es. Then, if details regarding the appointment6 on those dates ~re sequired, the D unit user can u~e the daily or weekly ~ppointment review features described above.

~%~;6~
The ~elections to the left of the appointment calendar will sllow the u~er to ~dd or change appointments for any particular day or move forward or backward lby using ~Next Month~ or ~Previous ~onth~) ~hrough the Appoin~ment Calendar.
(h) ~
It is possible to add or change appointments from the Monthly Calendar portion ~f the Appointment Calendar program.

~FF~OINTMEN~ CALENDAR-8ecret~ry -MDNTHLY Ver X.X

5electiDn~ ~r ~, 19 r ~
I ~or I ~pr Add/Change ~ppt I S M ~ W T F S I S M ~ W ~ F 5 l~le~t PlDnth I 2 3 4 5 h 7 a I ~ 7 B 9 10 11 1. 1 - I q 10 11 12 13 14 15 1 13 14 15 1~ 17 lB 19 I
Prrvi~u& nonth 1 16 17 1~ 19 20 21 22 1 20 21 22 2~ 24 25 2~ 1 I 2~ 24 25 2b 27 2~ 29 1 27 2a 29 30 i 30 F~ress t5poce-~ar3 to ~Dve to the næ~t 6election.
F~ress tEnter~ to u~e the vel~ction I ~dd/Chanq~ ~ppt Fr~s tE~c~ tD return gD thr previrJuc ~cr~n.

~ o use the Add/Change Appointment function (at the Monthly Appointment Calendar level), the user selects the Add/Change Appointment ~eature. The following screen appears:

~%6~5i6~3 ~P~O~NTrlENT C ALENDAR--51~rt t--ry ~IONTHLY

Ty~ Dote tl~ ~J4n~E10 J-n 1, 19E30 I a.~ ~ F - b r W 7 F SI ~; n 7 ~ ~ ~ 5 1 1 2 :~ ~ 5 ~ 1 2 1 ~ ~ 7 13 ~ ~0 11 ~2 1 ~ 7 Ç~ ~ !
I 1~ 14 15 ~ 17 ~a ~ o ~ a2 I~ 14 1~
1 20 21 2~ 2~ Z~, 25 2~ 1 17 ~B 19 20 21 22 2 1 27 2E3 Z9 :50 :51 1 24 2S 2b 27 2E~ I

'rype In nt~ D~t~ ~or ~ddin~ or ch~nc~inq ppointm~nt~
Pr~s~ tEr~t~r~ tc ~dd or ch~r~9e app~intm ~ne~ ~for tl~ al~t~d D~e~
Pr~s~ tE~c~ to ~turn to th ~ ~r~gvit~u~ ~cr-Qn The date in Screen 48 can be changed in the usual ~ay. Once the desired date is typed correctly after the words ~Type Date", the PC operator may view the appointments for ~hat particular day ~y pressing the Enter Key. Once the Enter Xey has been depressed, the user will be shown an expanded table of appointments for that particular day,`as in Screen 49:

~L2~5~

~ , ~LE~V~R-~Y~r~t~ry ~DNT~LY

I T~E i J~n 1, ~9~ I LE~ I ALAkM
1 0~ ~0 A~ ~n ~pp~in~nt ~00~0107~S~I
1 ~7 00 Q~
07 ~0 A~
0~ ~ A~
o~:~o 1 09 ~0 A~
I 10 00 A~
¦ tO ~-0 AM
I 11 ~0 A~

Type 1~ n~ pp~int~nt ~r ~hanq~ ~yp- ~T~b~ t~ eh~no~ l~n~t~
Pr~3~ t~nt~r~ t~ ~ov~ to t~ n~t ~ppDint~nt tim~
~r~ ~FI~ to ~-v~ t~ n~w ~ppol~t~nt~) ~r change~
P~s~ ~F~ di-l thn ~u~b~r ~n th~ currunt ppoi~tm~nt ~r~ Dn~ to ~-Q ~e~t p~ Dr eP5up~ tD ~ pr~vi~u~ p~ ~ppointm~nt~

The u~er may now add or change appointments for the dates shown as described above for weekly or daily appointments. Once the correct appointment information appears on the ~creen, depression of the F1 Xey will ~ave the new appointments or changes. Depression of the F2 Key will dial a telephone number that has been entered into the highlighted appointment.
(ii) Next Month It is possible to move through the Appointment Calendar at the monthly level one month at a time by using the Next Month function. Since this function operates in the same way a6 the ~Next Week~ function, it will not be described further.
~iii) Previous Month When ~he Appointment Calendar i~ being viewed in the monthly format, i~ i~ possible to move backward through ~he calendar mon~h by month by using ~he Previou6 Month Selection. Since:thi6 function oper~tes llke the NPrevious Week" function, ~t will not be described urther.

(h) _r ~ ~ts It is possible to print a li~t of daily appointments ~or any C telephone user on the D network. ~o use the Print Appointments function, the PC operator begins at Screen 37.
When the Print Appointments ~election is highli~hted, depression of the Enter ~ey will allow the user to begin printing appointments or the dates shown at the top of the Appointment CalendarO Print out will occur on the printer 148 connected to the RC. The printout will contain a time column, a date column (which contains the appointment information), the length of each appointment and the alarm time set for each appointment, in the format shown in Screen 3g. Appointments For an entire day will be printed along with the words "daily appointments or"
followed by the name of the C telephone user.
(i) ApPointment Schedule Displa~_on "C" Unit It is within the æcope of this invention to enable the computer to transmit schedules oF appointments to be displayed on the individual displays of the transceiver 10.
If the entire data will not fit on the display, the display information can be stored in the memory of the unit 10 and scrolled forwardly and backwardly to view the whole schedule.
It also iE within the ~cope of this invention to program one or more of the programmable keys of the "C" unit to re~rieve daily, weekly or monthly appointment schedules from the PC and display them on the display 16 of the "C"
unit.
7. Dictation Loq Th PC maintains a Dic~ation Status Table and Time ~6~

Order to monitor dictation activities on C/A machines in the Network. ~ dic~a.ion is completed on a C/~ unit, a message is transmitted to the PC indicating the need for transcription~ This message, the C Unit Number (or the name associated with that telephone), Date/Time, and Work Type designation. This information will be stored in a Status Table. Dictation will appear in the Status Table, whethex it is dictated locally by the C machine or remotely (when the C machine is in the remote dictation mode). To use the features associated with the Dictation Log, the user must begin at the top level display or Main Menu, Screen 6.
The above information can be viewed, displayed in reverse time order, erased and printed, in the same way as the Messages Deli~ered log. The description of those procedures will not be repeated here.

.

8. Voice Messaging The Dictaphone Network Manager has the capability of providing a status table for all voice messages that are recorded when any given C/A unit is in the auto answer mode.
To use this feature, the "Voice Messaging" option is selected from the Main Menu (Screen 6).
As with other telephone calls and dictation, the voice messaging data can be viewed in greater detail, erased, viewed in reverse time order, and printed.
~ he type of information contained in the voice messaging log is essentially the same as for the telephone call log described above and will not be repeated here.
9. Remote Document Printin~
It is possible to print any document created under MS - DOS at any C machine which has a printer attached, ~.%~

except for the o~e sitting next t~ th~ PC (address 01. To use the Remote Document Printing function, the u~er must begin at the top level screen of the Dictaphone Network Manager, i.e., the Main Menu, Screen 6.
When the 5eleetion ~Remote Document Printingn i highlighted, depression of the Enter Key will activate the Remote Document Printing function. Note that depression of the ~R" Key on the PC Keyboard will duplicate the Space Bar/Enter Selection process. Once the Remote Document Printing section of the program has been entered (either by Enter Key or ~R" Key on the PC Reyboard), the user will be presented with a lis~ of Selections related to Remote Document Printing, as i~ the following screen:

RE~D7E DO~U~IENT ~RtNT~NG-- V~r X. X

~r l ~c t ~ ~n ~ ~v~ b l u Op r ~ ~
'ryp~ N~- o~ Docu~n~ to Pr I nt --I I
T~ D~u~nt N-~2 to ~'r I nt ~ I
~bor t l~r j nt IRI~u~7~t Cl-ang~ Prlnt D~r~ctory I , _ __ a tSp-c~ ar~ t.o ~u~ tll- n~t ~-loctton.
Pr~o~ ~Ent-r ~ to uo~ ~hQ o~ ctlonl TVp~l H~ o~ nt t,D Print Pr~ E~c~ to ~1 tc~ pr-v~ou~ ~r~n, ~a) TyE~Name of Document to Print The Type Name of Document to Print Selection will allow the PC operator to begin the Remote Document Printing process. As the name of the Selection impli~s, the user will be required ~o type in a name o~ ~n existing document so that t~e remote document printing program can redirect ~26~
~hat document to a remote printer. The PC operator must know the exact name of the desired document in order to print that document. The PC operator mllst also know the direct~ry in which the document exist~. To use the Type Name of Document to Print Selection, press the Space Bar (~r Arrow Up/Down Xeys) to move the highlighted field through the list of Selections. When the 5election, Type Name of Document to Print, is highlighted~ depression of the Enter Key will allow the user to Enter the name of the document that is to be printed. Note that the Space Bar/Enter Xey Selection proce~s may be duplicated by pressing the "T" ~ey on the PC Xeyb~ard~ Once the Type Name of Document to Print Selection has been activated, the PC t;creen will change to allow the user to enter ~he document name ~ as in the following screen:

kEMOTE DDCU~EN~ PklNTlNG-~YPE N~ME DF DOCU~ENT Ver X. X

7yp~ N~me of Doeum~nt to F~rint I
r-- ~r .
rund.b~t IA.6oeeretarY J.Sh~ml~ 5h~rma ~1 IE3.~et~iy L~b K.L~m Sood IC-St~-ve ~mith L.~ri~n ~loin ID.Nlc~: D~ tO M.~rtliy IE.D~vid Ch-mb~rlin N.Walt IF.Jy-hong Su O.J~ Dwyer IG.M-rk H~rrl~ P.ErniQ Hoffr~n IH. 8hrt I Di K~mbl i I 1. Jol~n G~r~Y _ ~ype ~ e o- tlocumn~t to Frint in th~- blo~l:
PrecG tEnt~r~ to ~ol--~t th~ r~rc~v--r of th-- Docu~ nt.
pre~6 tE-c~ to r~turn to th~ pr~vlou- 6er~run.

The PC operator ir- now allowed to type in ~he document name exactly as it ~ppears in an MS - DOS
directory. The Back6p~ce ~ey can be used to delete a ~ingle character ~nd move the cursor back ~ne space to the left.

6~3 The ~rrow geys (right or left) c~n be used to edit a Eingle character with~ut disturbing th~ ones around it. Once the name appear~ correctly in the block, the PG operator ean press the Enter Key to elect the receiver of the document, as in Screen 52.

RE~DTE DOCU~EN~ ~RINTING-TYPE ~AME OF DD~UnENT-RECElVEk ~er X X

R~c~lv~r~-) A S~r~t-ry J 6h~m~ ~h~r~
~ ~tby L~b K Om SDod hC 5t~v~ Smith L ~rlan ~eloin D Nick Dlg-1~to r.E~tliy E DDvid Ch-mb~rl~n N W~lt F.JY-hOn9 SU D.JaC4 DWYQr G M~r~ ~rri~ P Erni~ Ho~m-n H Sh~ i K~mgl1 Q ~LL
l John ~r~y ~re~ tSp~ r~ to rov~ through 11st of t~l~phon~ n-mo~
Pr~ Ent~r~ to ~ul-ct ~ St~v~ Smith ~p~-t ~b~v~ ~tup~ ~or ~ele~tin~ ~ultipl~ r~c-iv~r~) ~r~s tFI~ ~o ~t~rt printing Pr~ E~c~ tD ~i~r~g-rd th~ ction~) and rQturn to th~ pr~vicuG cr~n The center portion of the new ~creen will display a list of possible recipients for Remote Document Printout.
Press the ~pace B~r to move thr~ugh the list to the desired receiver, press the Entex Xey to ~elect a receiver for Remote ~ocument Printing. An asterisk will sppear next to all receiver~ that ~re selected. Several receivers may be ~elected by u~ing the Space Bar to highlight the receiver and the Enter Key to ~elect it. ~ receiver m~y be de-~elected ~taken off the ~elected li6t ior Remote Document Printing) by using the Space Bar to move to the desired receiver and pre~6ing the Enter Xey to de ~ele~t that receiver. The ~sterisk next to a p~rticular will now di~appear. ~eceiverç may be ~elected or de-selected by u~ing the PC Keyboard~

~ 132 -~; ~
:':

The user ~ay select the receiver next to the capital letter A on the list by pressing the ~A" Key on the Keyboard. Similarly, the recipient next ~o the letter ~A"
may be de-selected by pressing the letter ~A" ~ey on the Reyboard again. Once all the desired receivers, for ~emo~e Document Printing have been ~elected, the user may begin Remote Document Printout by pressing the Fl Xey. If the Escape ~ey is pressed before the Fl Rey is pressed, ~he Selections made on this screen will be ignored and the user will be returned to the previous ~creen.
(b) Stop Print Out The PC operator may stop any printout in progress by using the Stop Print Out function. To use the Stop Print Out function, the user must begin at the top level screen for Remote Document Printing. Depression of the Space Bar (or Arrow Up/Down Keys) will move the highlighted field through the list of Selections. When the Selection, Stop Print Out, is highlighted, the user may press the Enter ~ey to bring up Screen 53, which allows one to select which.
printout will be stopped~ Once the Stop Printing function has been activated, the user will be presented with a list in Screen 53 of print requests ~hat are still being executed by the Network Manager. The PC operator may select one or all of the printouts in progress for cancellation.

_ 133 -~6~
RE~O~E DDCU~ENT PRI~TING- ~er X.X

Sæl~ction~~v~ ble Optians Type N~me ~f DDcu~ent to Print I No pr~nt r~que~t queued. I
~b~rt Print Reque~t Ch~n~e Pr~t Dir~ct~ry Fre~6 tSp~ce-~ar~ ta vl~w the n~:t ~el~ction.
Fr~s CEnter~ tD u~e the ~elrcti~n: ~b~rt Print k~que~t Pre~ CEsc~ to U t~ pr~viou~ ~cr~en.

(iii) Change Print_ Directory The Dictaphone Network Manager is able to print documents that exist in the current directory. The current directory is the one that was left behind when the Dictaphone Network Manager was activated. It is possible to complete a document using a work processing program running under MS - DOS and immediately enter the Dictaphone Network Manager (See Programmable Key) and cause a Remote Docume~t Printout without changing the directory. ~owever, if the directory that the PC operator was in at the time of en~ry to the Dictaphone Network Manager program is not the same directory tha~ holds the document that will be printed remotely, the user must change directories to accommodate ~he remote document printing function.
It i6 pO ~ible to change directories without exiting the Dictaphone Network Manager by using the Change Print Directory func~ion. To u6e the Change Print Directory function (6ee ~creen 54), press ~he Space Bar (or the Arrow Up/~own Key~) ~o ~ove the highlighted field through the list of Selections. ~hen t~e Selection Change Print Directory i~
highlighted, t~e user may press the Enter Key to activate the Change Print Direc~ory ~unction.
The Space Bar/Enter Key Selection process can be duplicated by pressing the C Key on the PC Key~oard. Once ~he Change Print Directory function has been entere~, the PC
screen will change ~o show the user the curxent directory and allow the directory to be changed to accommodate ~emote Document Printing, as in Screen S5.

~E~OTE DDCU~ENT PklNTING- Ver X.X

6electiDns ~v~il~ble Options , ~ype N~me o~ Document to Print I Pl~iæ type new print direc~ory : I
~bDrt Print Pequest I Curr~nt print directory i9 Ch~nqe Frint Dir~ctary ~- I Xd_r,o~t Press ~5pace-~r3 tD Vi~W t~æ ne~t ~lection.
Pres~ tEnter3 to u6e th~ electian~ Ch~n~e Print Dir~ctory pre~s tEsc~ tD qo tD pr~viou~ ~cr-~n.

- 135 ~

REM~TE ~DCU~ENT PRlN~lNG~ n~e ~rin- Dir~tory V~r X X

Curr~n~ Print Dir~tDry i~ 3 Ct~d~ t Yyp~ ow ~rln~ Dir~t~r~ ~ C~DI~TaDAT

Typæ ~ w Fri~t Dir~ctory ~n the blo~\ O
F~r~ SEnt~r~ to u~e ne~ ~rint Dir~tory ~re~ tE~c~ tD r~turn to th~ pr~viou~ cro2n The user is prompted to type in a new Print Directory. The Backspace Key may be used to delete on character on the screen and move the cursor back one space.
The Arrow Keys (right or left) can be used to edit a single character without disturbing the ones around it. Once the directory name that is desired appears correctly on the screen, the user may press the Enter Key to use the new print directory for Remote Document Printing.
10. Backing Up the D on Floppy Disk It is possible to save all of the Directory Information, Telephone Accounting Dictation Log, Appointments and so on (in effect, everything stored on the hard disk) on a floppy disk. These floppy disks may be used for records or transferral of D Network Manager~ to different computers. The backup function is an MS DOS
command. ~ntry of an appropriate command will copy all of the files stored on the hard disk that pertain to the current D Network Manager to a floppy disk inser~ed in drive 144 (Figs. 1 and ) of the PC112.

~ 13~ -6~

The Dictaphone Network Manager can be returned to ~he hard disk (overwriting the files currently stored there if a Network Manager has been previously installed) by executing another command followed by a depression of the Enter Key. This ~ommand will take all of the files stored on a 10ppy disk and tranGfer them to the Network Manag~r installed in Drive 146, the hard dis~ drive.
XIV CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the network and method described above admirably meet the objectives set iorth above. The invention provides a relatively low-cost versatile communications network and method of handling office tasks;
including dictation, telephone communications, message handling appointment reminders, and many others.
Specific embodiments of the invention have been set forth above in order to describe the best mode contemplated by the inventors for practicing their invention, but should not be read in limitation of the scope of the claims.

Claims (27)

CLAIMS:

1. A communications network, said network comprising, in combination, a plurality of telephone transceiver units, each having visual display means, a control computer, and means for interconnecting said computer and said transceiver units so that said transceiver units can be used in telephone communications and can receive and display in text form information received from said control computer, said control computer being adapted to store and retrieve information regarding the times for appointments for users of said transceiver units and to transmit and display on a selected one of said transceiver units information regarding said appointments.

2. A network as in Claim 1 in which each of said transceiver units is adapted to transmit dictation to and from sound recording and reproducing means, whereby the unit can be used for telephone communications, as a dictation terminal, and as a means for displaying appointment information.

3. A network as in Claim 1 in which said control computer is adapted to automatically send a reminder alarm and message for display by a selected one of said transceiver units before each of said appointments.

4. A network as in Claim 1 in which each of said transceiver units includes means for retrieving and displaying schedules of appointments for the user of one of said transceivers on the display means of that transceiver unit.

5. A network as in Claim 19 said display on said transceiver unit being of relatively limited size, said transceiver unit including means for scrolling said display forwardly or backwardly.

6. A network as in Claim 1 in which the appointments for the user of a given transceiver can be displayed for a selected time period, said time period being selected from the group consisting of one or more days, one or more weeks, and one or more months.

7. A network as in Claim 6 including means for selecting at said predetermined time period a day or week or month one or more days or weeks or months in the future.

8. A network as in Claim 1 in which the information stored for each appointment includes a telephone number, and including means for automatically dialing said telephone number upon the retrieval of said information.

9. A network as in Claim 8 including means for also displaying an appointment calendar for one or more months in the future or in the past.

10. A network as in Claim 1 in which said control computer is a small pre-programmed general purpose computer having a CPU, a RAM, a disk file, a keyboard and a video display screen. for displaying appointment information.

11. A network as in Claim 10, said disk file including a permanently installed storage disc.

12. A network as in Claim 1 including a private branch exchange for selectively connecting each of said transceiver units to outside telephone line for telephonic communication

13. A network as in Claim 10 in which the appointments for each of said transceiver units are stored separately from the appointments for others of said transceiver units.

14. A network as in Claim 1 in which one of said computer and said transceiver unit is adapted to display the telephone number of the party with whose the appointment is scheduled, and for automatically dialing said telephone number when displayed.

15. A communication network, said network comprising, in combination, a plurality of telephone transceiver units, each having visual display means, a control computer, and means for interconnecting said computer and said transceiver units so that said transceiver units can be used in telephone communications and can receive and display in text form information received from said control computer, said control computer being adapted to store and retrieve information regarding the times for appointments for users of said transceiver units to automatically send a reminder alarm and message for display by a selected one of said transceiver units before each of said appointments.

16. A network as in Claim 15 in which said telephone transceiver unit is usable for dictation, and including sound recording and reproducing means for recording and reproducing sound.

17. A network as in Claim 15 including means for modifying, cancelling, adding to and printing appointment list.

18. A network as in Claim 15 in which said control computer is adapted to transmit and display on a selected one of said transceiver units a schedule of appointments for a predetermined time period in which each of said transceiver units includes means operable by a user for retrieving and displaying said schedule on the display means of that transceiver unit.

19. A communications network, said network comprising, in combination, a plurality of telephone transceiver units, each having visual display means, a control computer, and means for interconnecting said computer and said transceiver units so that said transceiver units can be used in telephone communications and can receive and display information received from said control computer, said control computer being adapted to store, retrieve and display on an appointment calendar for a month selected from the group consisting of: the current month; a preceding month; a month in the future; and a combination of the current month with a preceding or future month.

20. A network as in Claim 19, said control computer being adapted to store and retrieve information regarding the times fox appointments for users of said transceiver units to automatically send a reminder alarm and message for display by a selected one of said transceiver units before each of said appointments.

21. A network as in Claim 20 in which said reminder gives the name of the person or persons with whom the appointment is scheduled, and the time of the appointment, and in which said computer is adapted to send said reminder alarm a predetermined length of time before the time of said appointment.

22. A method of communicating appointment information to the users of a plurality of telephone transceiver units, said method comprising the steps of providing a computer for storing and retrieving appointment information for each of said units, storing times for said appointments, and send a message to the user of one of said transceivers who has the appointment a reminder regarding the appointment at a time prior to the appointment.

23. A method as in Claim 22 including storing the appointments for each of said transceiver units separately, and transmitting to the appropriate one of said transceiver units a reminder of the appointment at a pre-determined time prior to the appointment.

24. A method as in Claim 22 including storing the telephone number of the party with whom the appointment is scheduled, retrieving that telephone number and utilizing automatic dialing means for dialing the number automatically.

25. A method as in Claim 22 including the step of sorting and storing said information into daily schedules, and using said computer to retrieve schedules for a given transceiver for current or previous or future days.

26. A method as in Claim 22 including the step of sorting and storing said information into weekly schedules, and using said computer to retrieve schedules for a given transceiver for current or previous or future weeks.

27. A method as in Claim 22 including the step of sorting and storing said information into monthly schedules, and using said computer to retrieve schedules for a given transceiver for current or previous or future months.