Importance

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Abstract

A message delivery system is described which includes a plurality of announce units, each of which includes means for storing a respective message segment. A controller activates selected ones of the announce units in sequence in order to broadcast a message made up of a plurality of message segments to a number of line interface units. Each of the line interface units is connected to a respective telephone line and acts to transmit the message to the associated telephone line. The controller activates selected ones of the announce units which store selected message segments in a predetermined sequence such that a total message made up of a number of separate segments is broadcast to the line interface units. Each message segment is recorded with an end of segment signal which is detected by the announce unit at the end of the respective segment. Each announce unit generates an end of segment signal which is used by the controller in order automatically to sequence the announce units in the proper order. Because the message is divided into a plurality of segments, it is possible to change only one segment without disturbing other portions of the message. Furthermore, if any single announce unit fails, remaining announce units continue to deliver remaining portions of the message. In this way the disclosed message delivery system continues to operate at reduced capacity in the event of failure of one or more of the announce units.

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First Claim