Microprocessor operated telecommunications interface for a terminal of an automatic teletypewriter switching service

A microprocessor operated telecommunications interface for connection to a telecommunications line to provide transmission of data between a terminal of an automatic teletypewriter switching service and a database, the interface comprising:

• a microprocessing unit (MPU) for centrally controlling the functioning of the interface;
• memory for operating said MPU;
• a random access memory accessible by said MPU for storing message information, dialing information, and user identification information;
• a telecommunications modem for converting digital information to information for telecommunications transmission, said telecommunications modem being connected to said telecommunications line;
• means for formating and controlling serial asynchronous data communications information transmitted between said user terminal and said MPU;
• at least two user-actuatable means for selecting a function of said interface, one said function selecting means accessing said MPU to said user terminal to provide for entry and editing of message information in said random access memory by said user terminal;
• a second said function selecting means actuating said telecommunications modem to dial said database using said dialing information stored in said random access memory, said MPU transmitting user identification stored in said random access memory to said database, said MPU upon request by said database transmitting message information to said database;
• and
• means for signaling that a message is available at said database, said MPU detecting a telephone ring at said telecommunications modem, said MPU sensing the amount of time elapsed since a last ring, said MPU after a predetermined amount of time, actuating said signal means to thereby signal the user that a message is available at said database.

A method for interfacing a terminal of an automatic teletypewriter switching service with a database by a microprocessor operated telecommunications interface having a microprocessor, a random access memory and a telecommunications modem, said method comprising;

• A. originating a message from said user terminal to said database by the following steps:
• actuating a user-actuatable means for originating transmission of said message from the user terminal to the database;
• dialing said database by said modem controlled by said microprocessing unit that obtains database dialing information from said random access memory;
• listening for a connect tone by said telecommunications modem;
• subsequent to connect, sending user identification information stored in said random access memory to said database;
• requesting by said database of said message stored in said random access memory;
• transmitting by said interface of said message to said database;
• accessing said user terminal to said database;
• disconnecting said user terminal from said database;
• B. originating a message from said database to microprocessor interface by the following steps:
• dialing of said interface by said database;
• answering said database by said interface after a predetermined number of rings;
• listening for a connect tone by said telecommunications modem;
• subsequent to connect, sending user identification information stored in said random access memory to said database;
• requesting by said database of said message stored in said random access memory;
• transmitting by said interface of said message to said database;
• accessing said interface to said database and reprogramming said random access memory;
• disconnecting said database from said interface;
• and
• C. interrupting said terminal for incoming terminal traffic comprising the steps of:
• periodically sensing for incoming terminal traffic;
• and
• disconnecting said terminal when incoming traffic is sensed.

A method for interfacing a terminal of an automatic teletypewriter switching service with a database by a microprocessor operated telecommunications interface having a microprocessor, a random access memory and a telecommunications moden, said method comprising;

• A. originating a message from said user terminal to said database by the following steps:
• actuating a user-actuatable means for originating transmission of said message from the user terminal to the database;
• dialing said database by said modem controlled by said microprocessing unit that obtains database dialing information from said random access memory;
• listening for a connect tone by said telecommunications modem;
• subsequent to connect, sending user identification information stored in said random access memory to said database;
• requesting by said database of said message stored in said random access memory;
• transmitting by said interface of said message to said database;
• accessing said user terminal to said database;
• disconnecting said user terminal from said database;
• B. Originating signal from the database to the interface that a message is available at the interface by the following steps:
• dialing the interface by the database, and ringing the interface a predetermined one or more times;
• detecting by the interface of said predetermined number of rings;
• sensing by the interface for a predetermined length of time since the last ring of the predetermined number of rings;
• turning on a means for indicating a message is available, if the predetermined amount of time has elapsed without another ring;
• and
• C. Interrupting said terminal for incoming terminal traffic comprising the steps of:
• periodically sensing for incoming terminal traffic;
• and
• disconnecting said terminal when incoming traffic is sensed.