Importance

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Abstract

The present invention comprises an improved telephone system and method that enable a caller to leave a message on a telephone without the telephone first generating a ring sound. The telephone receives an incoming telephone call from a caller, and if the ring/message option feature is enabled, the telephone answers the incoming telephone call. The telephone answers the incoming telephone call prior to the telephone generating a ring sound. The caller is then given the choice by the telephone to either access an answering machine in order to leave a message or have the telephone generate a ring sound in order to alert the user or users to the incoming telephone call. If the caller chooses to leave a message, the telephone transfers control to an answering machine unit which plays a message requesting the caller to leave a message after the answering machine unit generates a characteristic tone. After the answering machine unit generates the characteristic tone, the answering machine unit receives and records a message from the caller. Thus, the caller may leave a message without disturbing the user. For example, the caller may call a telephone with the ring/message option feature and leave a message late at night when the user or users are asleep.

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First Claim