DE2252902A1 - TELEPHONE ANSWERING MACHINE - Google Patents

Description

PATENT LAWYERS

Dr. phil. GB HAGEN
Diploma Phys. W. KALKOFF

8000 MUNICH 71 (Solin)
Franz-Hals-Strasse 21

Tel. (0811) 796213 Munich, October 23, 1972

K./fr JAC 3099

Sava W. Jaoobson

8130 Orion Street

Van Nuys, California, USA

Telephone answering machine priority; Nov. 3, 1971; UNITED STATES,;

No. 195 400

April 19, 1972; UNITED STATES.;

JSTr. 254 924

The invention relates to a telephone answering machine and has the aim of training this so that between the delivery of a previously recorded message and the recording of a message there are no mechanical shifts of the caller; further the invention relates to a solid-state circuit which can be used for this purpose.

Automatic telephone answering machines have found widespread use in the business community. When using such a device, a businessman it for some Z _e may have to be absent from his office, before recording a message that each caller to prompt you to leave a message. The answers are stored by the device to be played back when the businessman returns. No call goes unanswered this way.

309819/0798

Bayerische Vereinsbank Munich 823101
Potters 54782

Heretofore, the complexity of such devices as well as the high cost have greatly increased the personal use of such devices limited # A simple answering machine with little Costs could therefore also be widely used in households.

There are already different versions of answering machines known. In one implementation, a plurality of messages are recorded on different sections of a single tape recorded. Empty sections of tape in between are used to record incoming messages. The sections for incoming and outgoing Messages are separated by metallic spots on the tape that are sensed by an electronic circuit to determine the operating mode of the device from the message playback to switch to recording an incoming message. In this mechanically well-developed embodiment it is required to record the message to be issued very often on the tape, so that it is very costly to this message change.

Some known answering machines use two tracks on the same tape, one of which is the pre-recorded one Message and the other saves the incoming messages. However, the outgoing message must also be very important here often recorded on the tape. The termination of the Answer cycle can be due to the lack of speech signals of the line, or the registration of conductive tape sections at the beginning of each message section can stop recording an incoming message.

Another known implementation is shown in U.S. patent No. 3,376,390 to Hashimoto. With this answering machine, the outgoing message is previously on an endless one Tape loop recorded by means of a on a

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Joint fork arranged and connected to a cable drive roller is driven, which is mechanically coupled due to the telephone call signal. Incoming messages are recorded on a separate message tape which does not move while the tape containing the messages is being driven. When the outgoing message has been completed, a solenoid shifts the drive roller mounted on the yoke away from the tape containing the messages and moves a second drive roller, located on the same yoke, into driving connection with the message tape. Special clock circuits ensure that either a certain duration is provided for the recording of the incoming message or that the recording lasts as long as speech signals are present on the line. . '

The use of a-special tape for the outgoing Messages only requires a one-time recording of the expiring message; however, it is switching the drive systems s mechanically cumbersome between the belts for incoming and outgoing messages. With the present The invention is therefore aimed at an answering machine, which also has separate bands for the outgoing messages and the incoming messages are provided, in which, however, no mechanical operation is required to Device from the message delivery mode of operation to the message to toggle the drawing operating mode.

With most of the known telephone answering machines, press this Call signal a relay, which the drive motor, an amplifier and connects other circuits to a power supply. The relay can also apply an inductive load to the Create telephone line to simulate the telephone state "unloaded fork". Usually an interlock circuit is used provided to keep the relay closed until the end of the response cycle.

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An electromechanical relay does not have the reliability a solid-state circuit. A relay also provides a relatively expensive component, wea is undesirable in low-price answering machines. Followed accordingly The present invention also aims to provide a simple and inexpensive solid-state circuit for initiation and termination the answer cycle of the answering machine without the use of a relay.

The aforementioned goals are, according to one, a Telephone answering machine, in which a single message is previously recorded on an endless loop of tape and a separate message recording tape driven by means of a friction wheel connection is used to record incoming messages. The drive roller for the belt loop attacks the friction wheel driven at its end, which is assigned to the news tape take-up reel, so that a single motor keeps both the tape loop and the message recording tape continuously throughout Response cycle can drive.

When a telephone call signal occurs, the drive mechanism activated, the telephone line is loaded, and the outgoing message is sent to the via a repeater Telephone line handed over. If an electrically conductive segment on the tape loop containing the message has a When the first set of contacts is reached, a FLIP-FLOP is set to lock the amplifier and a record playback head, which is coupled to the message recording tape to desaturate. The one received from the phone line The message is then recorded on this tape without an amplifier. When the conductive segment has another set of contacts reached, the drive mechanism is switched off to the End response cycle.

Provision has been made for a new message to be sent on the tape loop using the telephone as a microphone can be recorded. In this mode of operation connects

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closing the first set of contacts “the amplifier

on

with a feedback loop to a sound signal / the tape loop record which later inform the caller about it should so that he can begin his message "

A solid-state circuit according to the invention contains a rectifier bridge, that is hard to connect to the phone line. A trigger capacitor is used from the output of the rectifier bridge charged. When a call signal occurs, the charge of the trigger capacitor exceeds a limit value, which is sufficient to switch on a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR). The silicon controlled rectifier is in Series with an inductance or a resistor as well as with a section of a transistor parallel to the bridge output switched. With this arrangement, the DC voltage holds the ■ Telephone line the line status of the controlled rectifier is maintained during the answer cycle, and the inductance or resistance loads the telephone line so that a telephone condition "unloaded fork" is simulated. The electrical energy from a battery or other power source is connected to the motor, the amplifier and other components of the answering machine via the emitter-collector path of the Connected transistor, which is switched on when the controlled rectifier becomes conductive.

At the end of the response cycle, the conductive segment on the tape loop containing the message closes a current loop, whereby the conduction state of the controlled rectifier is terminated. As a result, the load is disconnected from the telephone line and the transistor disconnects power from it the electrical circuits of the answering machine. No relay is used in this control circuit.

The effort and costs of the device are thereby minimal held that many components perform more than one puncture .

309819/079

Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description of an exemplary embodiment, in FIG Connection with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings show:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of an inventive Answering machine;

Pig. Figure 2 is a top plan view of the Pig device. I, wherein the drive mechanism for driving the die Message containing tape loop and the separate tape for recording the incoming messages will be shown;

3 shows a schematic circuit diagram according to a first Execution s form of the answering machine according to the invention;

Pig. Figures 4 and 5 are electrical circuit diagrams of the audio amplifier and the FLIP-FLOP, respectively, for use in the arrangement of Fig. 3;

Figure 6 is a schematic circuit diagram of a plunger circuit for use with the answering machine of Fig. 1;

7 is a schematic circuit diagram of an alternative to circuitry using to turn off the controlled rectifier of Fig. 6;

8 is a schematic circuit diagram of a control circuit to be used as an alternative;

9 is a schematic view of a two-lane Recording-playback head for use in the belt loops of Fig.

In the description of an exemplary embodiment given below, structural and operational features are intended

of the embodiments described first also for later Embodiments described apply unless such Features are obviously not applicable or expressly an exception is made in this regard. The device 10 shown in FIG. 1 is used to receive data via a telephone 11 Answer calls. The occurrence of a call signal the line 12 to the telephone 11 leads to the fact that the device lü is put into action and y.ne beforehand on an endless Tape loop 13 recorded message about a re-

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output head 14 and an audio amplifier 15 (Figs. 3 and 4) the telephone line 12 gives up. Preferably the calls Message prompts the caller to deliver a message when a tone is heard, this message being on a, usual from one reel to the other running tape 16 of the device 10 is recorded. With the tape 16 it can also be a cassette tape (not shown).

Both the tape loop 13 containing the message and the tape 16 recording the incoming message by a single motor 18 (Figs. 2 and 3) continuously driven through the entire response cycle. At the beginning of the response cycle, a conductive metal segment 19 is placed on the Belt loop 13 positioned next to a first set of electrical contacts 20a, 20b which are on a contact arrangement 20 are attached.

While the outgoing message is being communicated to the caller, the belt loop 13 moves according to Pig. 1 clockwise, until the conductive segment 19 reaches and electrically shorts a second set of contacts 22a, 22b that are on one Arrangement 22 are mounted. This leads to the device from the message delivery mode of operation to the message recording mode of operation toggles; as discussed below, no mechanical displacements occur at this point or changes in the type of belt drive. the Tape loop 13 continues to circulate in the same direction while the incoming message is recorded on baad 16 will. Eventually the conductive segment 19 reaches the again Contacts 20a and 20b and short-circuits them. Short-circuiting these contacts 20a and 20b stops the motor IS and switches off the energy supply of the device 10 and thus ends the response cycle.

In order to put the unit 10 in readiness for answering incoming calls, a B _e is operating key

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pressed. This leads to the fact that an L-shaped arm 24 with respect to the chassis 25 of the device 10 extends to the rear emotional. A recording head 26 and an erasing head 27 are thereby in operative position relative to the tape 16 to record the incoming message. Such a backward movement of the arm 24 also causes a lever 28 to rotate about its bearing point 29, around the belt loop drive wheel 30 in frictional engagement to bring with the friction wheel 31, which on the shaft 32 the tape take-up reel 16a is seated. Except when rewinding the friction wheel 31 is driven at its edge by a roller 33, which in turn is driven by the shaft 18a of the motor 18.

During the response cycle, the single motor 18 drives the tape 16 via the friction wheel 31 and the shaft 32 of the take-up reel 16a. The M _o "kor 18 also drives the belt loop 13 via the friction wheel 31, the drive wheel 30 and a belt loop drive roller 34, which is coaxially fixed to the wheel 30 for rotation about one of the lever 28 from protruding shaft 35th The tripper 13 is guided by a pair of idler rollers 36 and 37 mounted on the chassis, and the belt loop 13 is kept under tension by an idler roller 38 attached to a support member 39 which is pivotally supported on the chassis 25 about a shaft 40 A spring 41 biases the roller 38 in a direction such that the ribbon loop 13 is maintained under a relatively constant tension.

The rearward displacement of the L-shaped arm 24 also moves a four-pole, two possible position Switch 45 and a single pole changeover switch 46 in their operating positions shown in Pig * 3. Another four-pole, Switch 47 with two positions is also located in its operating position during the response cycle.

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JAC 3099 -9 -

According to FIG. 3, the device 10 is supplied with energy by a battery 48 or another voltage source. While of the response cycle is the battery 48 via switch 46,. ■ a line 49 and the coil of the relay 54, which is through a Diode 50 for the suppression of occurring when switching off Voltage peaks is bridged with the collector of a Transistor 51 connected. Before receiving, a call is made transistor 51 is non-conductive so that no current is drawn from battery 48.

The telephone line 52 is paired with the device 10 Terminals 52 and 53-connected. The occurrence of a ringing signal on the telephone line 12 causes the transistor 51 to conduct and the current resulting through the diode 50 the relay 54 is activated, which is thereby locked in a position in which it is the device 10 during the response cycle Supplies electricity.

The locking or self-holding of the relay 54 is achieved in the following manner. The one applied to terminals 52 and 53 Telephone call signal is transmitted through a capacitor 55 of a diode 5§ which rectifies this signal. The resulting one DC voltage charges a capacitor 57, with a charging speed determined by two resistors 58 and 59. The capacitor 57 is connected to the base of the transistor 51 via a resistor 60. Therefore, if the charge of the capacitor 57 is sufficiently large, the transistor 51 becomes conductive and thus activates the relay 54 · By setting the value of the resistor 59, the device 10 can either be set so that it responds to a call almost at the beginning of the first ringing signal answers or so that it answers after the telephone bell has already rung for a short period of time. The last-mentioned iLinst position is preferably used, since it is irritating to a caller if their phone call is answered before they hear the call sign.

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As soon as the relay 54 has been activated, a first set of relay contacts 54a closes and thus leads the Voltage of the battery 48 via a line 63 and a voltage divider, which consists of the two resistors 64 and 65 exists, to the base of the transistor 51 · This base signal puts the transistor 51 in its conduction state, whereby the relay 54 is locked in its activated state.

The relay 54 remains in the locked state throughout entire response cycle. During this time there is a capacitor 66 charged via a resistor 67. At the end of the response cycle, the conductive segment reaches 19 of the belt loop contacts 20a and 20b and short-circuits them. This establishes the connection point 68 between the capacitor 66 and the Resistor 67 connected to ground via a diode 69. Since the voltage on capacitor 66 cannot change immediately, the voltage at the base of the transistor 51 becomes sufficient positive to turn off transistor 51 and thereby open or unlock relay 54, so ate the power supply is disconnected from the device 10 and the response cycle is initiated will.

It should be noted that the relatively slow charging of the capacitor 66 prevents the relay 54 from switching off prematurely while u the conductive segment 19 still short-circuits the contacts 2Ua and 20b at the beginning of the response cycle. Preferably the in The charge stored on capacitor 66 during this initial period is less than the voltage level of diode 69 in FIG Forward direction. Thus, the diode 69 acts to open the circuit, thereby ensuring that relay 54 is not turned off prematurely, even if segment 19 contacts contacts 20a and 20b at the beginning of the cycle opens and closes intermittently.

When the relay 54 is closed at the beginning of the response cycle, the supply voltage is applied to the motor 18 via the Line 63, part 45a of switch 45, a line

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and a voltage regulator 71 is supplied. A capacitor 72 bridges the motor 18. The voltage regulator 71 serves to to ensure a constant speed of the motor 18 and thus a constant belt speed, even if the tension of battery 48 will decrease over time. Closing the relay 54 also causes the supply of the operating voltage via line 70, a resistor 73 and a filter capacitor 84 to other circuits such as the audio amplifier 15.

A second set of contacts 54b of relay 54 is used to connect an inductive load 74 - could be an inductive load instead Resistance can be used - to the telephone line 12 via the Part 47a of switch 47 to connect., This inductive load 74 simulates the load of a telephone with the handset off-hook.

To send the previously recorded message, the Tape loop 13 associated playback head ^ 14 over the switch parts 47b and 45c with the input line 75 of the audio amplifier 15 connected. The amplified signal is via the amplifier output line '76, a resistor 77, the switch contact 47c and capacitor 78 coupled to telephone line 12. During the response cycle, the Amplifier 15 outgoing voice output line 79 loaded by a resistor 80 via the switch contact 45b.

While sending the previously recorded. Report " becomes the record / playback head associated with tape 16 26 at least partially kept at saturation by a voltage that is generated by a FLIP-FLOP 81 via a line 82 and a resistor 83 is supplied. This ensures that the outgoing message is either not recorded on the incoming message tape, or is recorded with an amplitude that is much lower is as the record of incoming messages.

309819/0 7 98

The switch ται to the message delivery operating mode the message recording operating mode then takes place, when the conductive segment 19 of the ribbon loop shorts the contacts 22a and 22b. This puts one on a line 85 generated DC voltage across the short-circuited Contacts 22a and 22b and via the switch contact 47d to the switchover input 86 of the FLIP-FLOP 81. The FLIPFLOP 81 then changes its state and terminates the Power supply to the first stage of amplifier 15 on line 82. This switches off audio amplifier 15, and the recording head 26 is saturated ent.

The emergency light received from the telephone line 12 becomes via terminal 52, the closed relay contacts 54b, the capacitor 78 and the switch contact 47c are supplied to the recording / reproducing head 26 directly. It will be at the Recording of incoming message by head 26 on tape 16 no amplification used. The audio amplifier 15 is off and therefore no interfering signals are received from this source via line 76 and the resistor 77 led to the head 26. This enables incoming messages and signals to be recorded to a very low degree Amplitude without disturbances, e.g. B. could come from the motor 18 and would be amplified by the amplifier 15. After the initial ringing signal, the diode 56 is strongly reversed by a voltage supplied via a resistor 87 biased to prevent the diode 56 from distorting the incoming message.

Before playing the recorded incoming messages the tape 16 is rewound by depressing the rewind push button 90 (FIGS. 1 and 2). This process brings the L-shaped arm 24 into its retracted position and thereby pivots the lever 28 enough about the belt loop drive wheel 30 to move away from the friction wheel 31. At the same time, the motor shaft 18a of the outside hand of the

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Roller 33 uncoupled and instead with a friction wheel 91 coupled, which is arranged on the supply reel 16b of the tape 16 carrying shaft. The depression of the Push button 90 also brings the switch 46 (JIg. 3) into its rewind position, whereby the battery 48 is directly with it the motor 18 is connected. The voltage regulator 71 is not used during the rewinding process; H. the DC battery voltage ensures the highest possible rewind speed.

When the rewind is complete, the play button will be 93 pressed. This results in the recording playback head 26, but not the extinguishing head 27, is brought into contact with the belt 16 and the roller 33 is in contact with it the take-up reel pulley 31 is brought to drive the tape in the forward direction. However, the drive wheel remains 30 decoupled from the friction wheel 31, so that the belt loop stationary while the incoming messages are being played back remain. The belt loop 13 is thus in its correct position Start position for the response cycle when the operating button 23 is pressed again.

Depression of button 93 also moves switch 45 to the playback position; switches 46 and 47 remain in the operating position. These switch positions mean that the battery 48 via the line 49 and the switch contact 45a is connected directly to line 70. The motor 18 is thus activated via the voltage regulator 71, and it becomes the audio amplifier 15 is supplied via the line 70 and the resistor 73 with energy.

During playback, the record-playback becomes head Connected to the input 75 of the audio amplifier 15 via a potentiometer 94 and the switch contact 45c. the Amplifier output line 79 is via switch contact 45b

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connected to a loudspeaker 95, thus the recorded plays incoming messages.

To record a / today's message on the tape loop 13, becomes a control arm 97 (Figs. 1 and 2) towards the front / Les Chassis 25 moved in order to bring an erasing magnet 98 into position on the belt loop 13 and the switch 47 in the message recording position. The power button 23 is depressed to release the belt ifen drive wheel 30 in the operative position and a momentary push button switch 99 is closed to activate the To lock relay 54 and to supply the device 10 with energy. The new message is spoken into the telephone receiver lla, which serves as a microphone in this operating mode after the official signal has been deleted. If the leading segment When the belt loop reaches the contact arrangement 22, a Sound signals recorded on the tape loop 13, which indicates that the report is over. This tone signal later indicates to a caller that he should start his rubbish.

The control arm 97 is connected to the extinguishing magnet 98 via a connecting rod 100 connected, which is located on the chassis 25 and is guided by a pin 101 which is in a Longitudinal slot 102 in the connecting rod 100 engages. During the response cycle, the control arm 97 and the connecting rod 100 are positioned in the manner shown in FIG. 2, the erase head 98 being sufficiently far from the tape loop 13 that no recorded Delete messages. When a new message is recorded, the control arm 97 and the connecting rod position the erasing magnet 98 so that the previous output me Id ung is erased on the tape loop 13.

Closing the key switch 99 (Pig x 3) sets a Control voltage across resistor 64 to bias transistor 51 into its conduction state. In the same

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Way, as described above, brings the line state of the transistor 51 the relay 54 in its locked state, It is therefore supplied to the device 10 energy during a new message is recorded.

While the switch 47 is in the Meldungsauf recording position is located, the telephone 11 is operatively connected to the record / playback head 14. The signal path contains the terminal 52, the closed relay contacts 54b, the Capacitor 78, the switch contact 47c, a capacitor 106, an adjustable resistor 107 and the switch contact 47b. No reinforcement is used. A bias becomes the recording head 14 from a capacitor 84-via a Line 108 and a resistor 109 are supplied.

When the conductive segment 19 of the loop of tape reaches contacts 22a and 22b, a tone will sound on the loop of tape 13 recorded. This is achieved by using a feedback loop for the audio amplifier 15 is established via the short-circuited contacts 22a and 22b. The feedback sweg contains the amplifier output line 85, the switch contact 47d, a resistor 110, a capacitor 111 and an input line 112 to the amplifier-15 · Das Sound signals generated by the resulting vibration of the amplifier 15 are transmitted to the recording head 14 via the amplifier

output line 76, the resistor 77, another Widera

113 and the switch contact 47b supplied. The Sohwing

frequency is primarily determined by the resistor and the capacitor 111, while the resistor 113 determines the level, recorded with the 'the tone signal on the tape loop 13 will.

When used to record a message, this is Telephone 11 is not inductively loaded. This' ensures that d'ir state of "relieved tolefon fork" after returning dos Trj 1 ofonhörers lla on the phone 11 after the recording d'ir ii'iuori Wn.!. dun; ·; does not last. If the inductive load 54

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JAG 3099 - 16 -

remained switched on, the state "unloaded telephone fork" continue, and the signs provided by the Office for this purpose, i. H. Beep in which Telephone 11 can be heard. The switch contact 47a becomes this used the inductive load 74 in the message recording position separate and also serves to turn on a lamp 114, which indicates that the device 10 is in the Message recording operating mode is located.

In Pig. 4 is a preferred Ausführungsbei game for Audio amplifier 15 shown. The output of the recording playback head 14 is led via line 75 and a capacitor 120 to a first transistor 121, the emitter of which is grounded via a resistor 122 and a capacitor 123. C olector voltage is used in the transistor 121 from a line 82 via a Laab resistor 124 and a shunt capacitor 125 is only fed when the FLIP-FLOP 81 is in its state for activating amplifier 15. The amplifier 15 is activated during the recording blocked for an incoming message; in this case will no voltage supplied on line 82 from FLIP-FLOP 81.

The output of transistor 121 is through a another transistor 126 amplified, the emitter of which has a Resistor 127 and capacitor 128 are grounded. The bias for transistor 121 is taken from the emitter of the Transistor 126 supplied through resistor 129; the base of the transistor 121 is also through a resistor

130 grounded.

The output of transistor 126 is across one another Secondary side having a central tapping transformer

131 is connected to a pair of transistors 132 and 133 connected in series in opposite directions. The central tap becomes a bias of the transformer I31 via a voltage divider

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which consists of two resistors 134 and 135.

The transistors 132 and 133 are connected in parallel to the primary winding 137a, which is provided with a central tap, of an output transformer 137 which has a pair of secondary windings which are connected to the output lines 76 and 79, respectively. Feedback is provided through a resistor 138 connected between output line 79 and the primary winding of transformer I3I. A capacitor 139 for eliminating parasitic voltages bridges the primary winding 137a, and a shunt capacitor 14O is connected between the center tap of the primary winding 137a ^U11 ^ · earth. During operation as an oscillator, this output is fed back directly to the base of the transistor 126 in the manner described above via the resistor, the capacitor 111 and the line 112. As already mentioned, the line 85 also supplies the DC voltage which the FLIP-FLOP 81 triggers when contacts 22a and 22b are closed during the switchover operating mode.

A preferred embodiment of the FLIPFLOP 81 is shown in FIG. The FLIP-FLOP 81 is switched in such a way that, when the device 10 is supplied with voltage at the beginning of a response cycle, a first transistor 151 is conductive and on another transistor 152 is non-conductive. This is achieved by having the base of transistor 151 "two resistors." 153 and 154 are immediately supplied with a bias. the Transistor 152 is biased by the cooperation of resistors 155 »156, 157 and capacitor 159 delayed.

When the transistor 151 is conductive, current flows through the collector resistor 155 »and the base of the transistor. 152 is over resistors 156, 157 and conductive transistor 15I Clinging to earth. In this state, a voltage is supplied across a silicon diode 158 and the line 82, to the To activate amplifier 15 and the message recording

head · 26 to saturate.

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As already mentioned, a FLIP-PLOP trigger signal is on on line 86 when conductive segment 19 of the loop of tape shorts contacts 22a and 22b. This Trigger signal charges a capacitor 159 via a resistor 160. The capacitor 159 is across the resistor 156 connected to the base of transistor 152. If the charge on capacitor 156 is large enough, the goes Transistor 152 in its conduction state, and the Transistor 151 is turned off, whereby the state of the PLIP-PLOPS 81 is switched, with a delay Responding to the occurrence of the trigger signal. During this delay, what is recorded on the tape loop 13 is recorded Beeps are sent, informing the caller that he can begin his message.

Diode 158 ensures that the voltage on line 82 is substantially zero when the collector voltage of transistor 152 is at the saturation value, which is typically a few tenths of a volt. As a result if line 82 has no voltage, watch; accordingly, the amplifier 15 is disabled and the recording head 26 is desaturated to allow the incoming message to be recorded. A germanium diode 161 is provided to quickly discharge capacitor 159 at the beginning of the response cycle to ensure transistor 151 is initially is conductive.

Pig. 6 shows a body circuit 170 that is used in place of the relay and associated circuitry of Pig. 3 used can be. In this embodiment, the telephone line is 12 via the terminals pair 171 (Pig. 6) with the input connected to a rectifier bridge 172, the four diodes 172a 172d having. Bridge output line 173 will therefore always be negative and output line 174 will always be positive be independent of the polarity of the phone line. A

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individual rectifiers (not shown) could be used instead the bridge 172 can be used; however, this would require the telephone line to be connected with one polarity that corresponds to the peer-to-peer.

Normally there is always a DC voltage on the Telephone line 12. This DC voltage charges a capacitor 175 via a resistor 176 to a voltage level - preferably 48 YoIt - which is not sufficient to to ignite a neon lamp 177. Dj_e charge of the capacitor

175 remains at this value during the standby time before receiving a call.

The AC call signal superimposed on the DC voltage is rectified by bridge 172. When a ringing signal is received, the voltage across the capacitor increases 175 to a value - preferably 70 volts - sufficient to ignite the neon lamp 177. When this happens, it discharges the capacitor 175 is connected via the lamp 177 and via two resistors 178 and 179> whereby a signal is provided on line 180 which is a silicon controlled rectifier (SCR) 181 turns on. The value of the resistance

176 corrects the charging rate of the trigger capacitor 175 and can be selected so that the controlled rectifier is only switched on after the occurrence of a complete ringing signal will. In this way, the caller cannot be irritated by the fact that his call is answered without he first heard a call signal.

The controlled rectifier 181 is connected to a resistor 182 and the emitter-base junction of a transistor 183 in series, this series circuit being the output lines and 174 the GIe ich rehen he bridged bridge 172. Thus, after switching on, the conductive state of the controlled rectifier 181 by the telephone line 12

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Maintain the supplied DC voltage. Audio signals to the telephone line 12 or from this are the DC voltage superimposed and are therefore in both directions and thus in terms of fidelity from the rectifier bridge 172 not disturbed. The audio connection between the telephone line 12 and the device 10 is achieved via terminal 174a, which is connected to line 174. When used in Pig's circuitry. 4, the terminal 174a can be connected to the Audio coupling capacitor 78 may be connected.

The resistor 182 preferably has a value of 250 ohms, i. H. similar to that of the phone 11. Therefore, if the controlled Rectifier 181 conducts, therefore resistor 182 loads telephone line 12 in such a way that the condition "unloaded" Telephone fork "is simulated. It could also be an inductor with a direct current impedance of 250 ohms instead of resistor 182 can be used.

The voltage from the battery 48 'is fed to the motor 18, the Amplifier 15 and the FLIP-FLOP 81 are supplied via the emitter-collector path of the transistor 183. In standby mode Before answering a call, the base of transistor 183 is raised through resistor 184 held at the same potential as the emitter. This keeps transistor 183 in its non-conductive state. When the controlled rectifier 181 is turned on, the resulting negative voltage is removed from the line fed to the base of transistor 183 and turns this transistor on. As a result, the positive terminal becomes the Battery 48 · via the sansistor 183 and the line 185 to the motor 18, the amplifier 15 and the other circuits of the device lü connected.

It is possible that the DC voltage of the telephone line Vd is interrupted during the answer cycle, which results in the controlled rectifier 181 being switched off prematurely. To do this . prevent is the negative clamp

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JAG 3099 -21- 225 290?

of battery 48 'through resistor 186 and a diode 187 connected to line 173. The value of resistor 186 is chosen to provide sufficient current to hold of the controlled rectifier 181 in its conductive Condition is delivered for the pail that the DC voltage should be interrupted on telephone line 12 «. The diode 187 prevents the telephone line 12 from passing through the Resistor 186 and battery 48 · during standby is charged.

In summary, it can be said that a call signal den controlled rectifier 181 brings into its conductive state. This causes resistor 182 to cut the telephone line burdened, resulting in a state of "unburdened telephone fork" simulated. It also causes the transistor 183 to conduct, which leads to the supply of energy to the device 10 and results in the start of the response cycle. During the response cycle the DC voltage of the telephone line holds the controlled rectifier 181 in its conductive state. At the end of the response cycle, the rectifier will be controlled 181 is switched off as described below.

When the controlled rectifier 181 is conductive, there is a potential difference between the line 173 and the negative terminal of the battery 48 ^f. As a result, the capacitor 188 is charged via a resistor 189. The polarity of capacitor terminal 188a becomes negative with respect to line 173. When the conductive segment 19 of the tape loop 13 reaches the contact arrangement 20 at the end of the response cycle, the contacts 20a and 20b are short-circuited so that the capacitor 188 is connected in parallel with the controlled rectifier 181. The capacitor 188 is then discharged via the controlled rectifier 181 with a polarity which brings the controlled rectifier into the switched-off state.

η ei a ι Q ι η ι α

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A resistor (not shown) can be connected in series with contacts 20a and 20b to discharge the capacitor 188 to slow down and switch off the controlled rectifier 181 to ensure.

If the controlled rectifier 181 no longer conducts, the test resistor 182 is decoupled from the telephone line 12, so that the line returns to the "telephone fork loaded" state. The transistor 183 also becomes turned off so that the power supply to the motor 18 and the amplifier 15 is cut off and thereby the response cycle is terminated.

The control circuit 10 may be used in conjunction with others Answering machines are used in which the cycle time is not controlled by an endless belt loop. In such an application, capacitor 188, resistor 189, and contacts 20a and 20b (Pig. 6) can pass through a transformer 190 and replaced by a blocking capacitor 192 running in parallel with the controlled Rectifier 181 can be connected, as shown in FIG. 7. Dio Clock circuit (not shown) of the telephone answering machine leads the primary winding of the transformer 190 to an input signal to, on line 191 at the end of the response cycle. That induced in the secondary winding of transformer 190 Signal is applied to controlled rectifier 181 through capacitor 192 with polarity such that the conductive State of the controlled rectifier is ended.

A silicon controlled rectifier is shown in FIG. 6; however, the invention is not limited to this. Other semi-conductor switching devices could be used instead, such as a triac circuit element or a pair of complementary mutually feedback transistors.

The term "controlled G Leichrichter" used here so Ll such fiefdoms may include shells. An »te LIo der

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Neon lamp 177 could also show other breakthroughs Switching elements are used to create the separation point between the trigger capacitor 175 and the controller for the controlled Rectifier 181 to form.

In the simplified control circuit 170 × of FIG the circuit components which are provided with a primed reference number, those with a corresponding unprimed reference number Components of FIGS. 6 and 7 provided with reference symbols. The resistors 193 and 194 form a voltage divider parallel to the output of the bridge 172 'and are chosen so that the DC voltage of the telephone line 12 has a voltage on the line 180 'results, which is not sufficient to the controlled rectifier 181 'to control line. Same DC voltage on the line 173 'blocks the diode 195' whereby a current flow from the 'battery 48' to the load 196, which contains the motor 18 and the amplifier 15, is prevented. The receipt of a ringing signal leads to the voltage of line 180 'rises enough to control the rectifier 181 'to switch on, whereupon the resistor 182' loads the telephone line. The conductive state of the controlled Rectifier 181 'also causes the voltage on line 173' to drop, causing diode 195 to conduct State brings. The. Battery 48 'is therefore connected to the load 196 via the diode 195 and the controlled rectifier 181 * tied together. At the end of the response cycle, a voltage induced in transformer 190 'switches the controlled rectifier 181 ', with the result that diode 195 is turned off.

The answering machine 10 of Figure 1 could also be a stereo record / playback head Use 14 '. This would make it possible for two different reports to be submitted pre-recorded on parallel tracks of the same part of the tape loop J3. A suitable switch 198 (Fig. 9) can be used to use each To select and thus determine the track exit of the head 14 ' where I «message is to be sent to telephone line 12.

30 9 819/0798

In order to clean the recording-reproducing head 14, the Belt loop 13 with a short segment 199 (FIG. 1) which acts to a small extent and which is preferably 1/2 cm long is to be provided. Then each time a report is issued, segment 199 becomes contaminated accumulated from the head 19, thus promoting a clear reproduction of the message. A similar abrasive segment (not shown) can be provided near the end of the tape 16 for the incoming message to the head 26 to clean.

Claims;

3 0 H 8 1 <3/0 7 9 8

Claims (3)

jag 3099 - * - 2252904 Jf Pa tenta n sayings fly telephone answering machine, where one was previously on one Message recorded on a tape loop during a message delivery period of the answer cycle delivered to the telephone line and then an incoming message on a separate news tape during a tracking period of the response cycle is recorded and at which the tape loop an encrypted one used for clocking Segment is identified by a common drive that operates during the Response cycle drives both the belt loop (13) and the separate message belt (16) continuously, through a Control circuit for initiating the response cycle based on the registration of a ringing signal on the telephone line (12) and by Ums ehaltmittel (81), based on a first Registration of the encrypted Sqapent (19) a non-mechanical Carry out switching from the message delivery operating mode to the message recording operating mode, wherein the control circuit the response cycle on the basis of a subsequent second registration of the encrypted segment (19) ended. 2. Answering machine according to claim 1, characterized in that that the encrypted segment (19) is electrically conductive and that the switching of the • device from the message delivery operating mode to the message on drawing operating mode takes place in that a first ' Set of contacts (22a, 22b) is short-circuited by the conductive segment (19) and that the completion of the * response cycle takes place by short-circuiting a second set of contacts (20a, 20b) through the conductive segment (19) will. 309 819/0798 3 · answering machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that said common Drive includes a shaft (32) for the winding spuxes on the message tape, which contains a motor (18) Drive device (18, 18a, 33, 31) is driven and that means (30, 34) are provided to this drive device to use also to drive the belt loop (13). 4 · Answering machine according to claim 3 »thereby g e ken It shows that the said shaft (32) is provided with a gear wheel (31), which is dutch at its edge the motor (18) is driven and that said means (30, 34) are a drive roller acting on the belt loop (13) (54) to which a wheel (30) is attached coaxially, and a lever (28) which the drive roller (34) and the wheel (30) carries and serves to bring the wheel (30) with its edge into drive connection with the friction wheel (31), when the device in its prepare to answer calls State is brought. 5 · Answering machine according to claim 3 »thereby ge - indicates that the motor (18) when the device is in the state for answering calls, is coupled so that it engages the shaft (32) of the take-up reel (16a) of the message tape (16) able to drive, and that the control circuit, the motor and the other parts of the device in response to the registration of a call signal supplied with energy and thus the response cycle without mechanical Initiates displacements of said drive. 6. answering machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by a first recording / playback head (14) connected to the tape loop (13) is assigned, by an amplifier (15) »which is used by means of the first recording / playback head (14) of 309819/07 9 8 JAG 3099 - * - ■ · 4? to amplify the message read from the tape and feed it to the telephone line (12), and by a bistable switch device (81), which at the beginning of the response cycle into a first state, in which the amplifier (15) is activated, and in response to the first registration of the encrypted segment (19) is placed in a second state, thereby the amplifier (15) during the Lock message recording mode of operation. 7i answering machine according to claim 6, characterized in that g e That a second recording like the would-head (26) works smäß ig with the phone line (12) is connected when the device is in the call answering state and in the inoperative state State is as long as the bistable switch device (81) assumes its first state to record the To prevent message, and is activated when the bistable switch device (81) is in its second state, to record on the separated tape (16) an incoming message from the telephone line (12). 8. Answering machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the control circuit contains -a controlled G-Ie i real i ht it (181), a trigger circuit (172-179) »which serves the controlled To control rectifier (181) in response to the occurrence of the call signal in the conductive state, a by the controlled rectifier (181) when it is on Connectable load (182) for loading the telephone line (12), a semiconductor switch (183) which is switched on by the line state of the controlled rectifier (181) is and thus other components of the answering machine supplies power, and Abs ehalt means to terminate the conductive state of the controlled rectifier at the end of the response cycle, this termination of the conductive 19/0798 State the telephone line is relieved and the Semiconductor switch (183) for this purpose, the energy supply from the other components mentioned the answering machine. 9. Answering machine according to claim 8, characterized in that said Abs cha Itmittel contain a cut-off capacitor (188), which is charged during the response cycle, as well as discharge means (20a, 20b) which are used during the second registration of said encrypted segment (19) are operated so that they are located on the cut-off capacitor (188) Charge to the controlled rectifier (181) with one acting in the sense of a shutdown of the same Give up polarity. 10. Answering machine according to claim 8 or 9 »thereby characterized in that said trigger circuit includes a rectifier bridge (172) whose Input (171) the telephone line (12) is connected, a trigger capacitor (175) »which is connected to the output of the Bridge (172) is connected and is charged by the ringing signal rectified by the bridge (172), and one Control circuit (176-179) for connecting the trigger capacitor (175) to the control electrode of the controlled rectifier (181) to control the controlled rectifier in its conduction state when the charge of the trigger capacitor (175) has reached a certain level, after which the DC voltage supplied by the telephone line (12) the The line status of the controlled rectifier (181) is maintained. 11. Answering machine according to claim 10, characterized characterized in that said load comprises a load element (182) which simulates and is associated with the load characteristics of a telephone 3 0 9 8 19/0798 JAC 3099 - ^ - - Z3 the controlled rectifier (181) is connected in parallel to the output of the G-Ieiclirichterbrücke (172), and that means are provided for maintaining the conductive state of the controlled rectifier during the response cycle regardless of the presence of a DC voltage coming from the telephone line (12) are* 12. Answering machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the semiconductor switch contains a diode (195) which is in series with a Stromver-. supply source (48 ') and with the controlled rectifier (181 ¹ ), the bias voltage coming from the telephone line (12) blocks the diode (195) before a ringing signal occurs and the conductive state of the controlled rectifier (181 ¹ ) blocks the conductive Condition of the diode (195) and thus supplies the mentioned other components of the device with power. Answering machine according to Claim 8, characterized in that the semiconductor switch has a transistor (183) and means for connecting the base of the transistor (183) to an electrode of the controlled rectifier (181) not used for control and for switching the transistor on when it is conducting of the controlled rectifier and means that connect a current source (48 ⁸ ) to the other components of the device via the emitter-collector path of the transistor (183) » 14 answering machine according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the control circuit includes a relay (54), a first circuit to lock the relay (54) when the call signal occurs, wherein contacts of the relay put a load on the telephone line (12) and the device including the output voltage feed, and a second circuit for Entrieüpln the relay 309819/0798 (54-) in response to the subsequent second registration of said encrypted segment (19) 15 · Answering machine according to claim 6, characterized in that for the purpose of recording the Message means for positioning an erasing magnet on the tape loop after erasing a previously recorded one Message are provided and circuit means are used to the said first recording iAfiedergabekopf (14) for the purpose of Bringing a recording of a message supplied by the telephone in the operative position. 16. Answering machine according to claim 15, characterized that effective means are provided during the recording of the report to ensure that: that the amplifier (15) acts as an oscillator for a short period of time, while the encrypted segment (19) is registered for the first time, the tone character generated thereby being recorded on the tape loop (13). 17 answering machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a magnetic tape having two tracks (A, B) for the tape loop (13) is used, with a different message recorded on each track, and that a recording-reproducing head (14 ') is used for two tracks to read the messages from the tape loop (13), and that one Switch (198) is provided to select a track output and thus to make a selection about which Message of the telephone line (12) is to be transmitted. 18. Answering machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one or both of said magnetic tapes (13, 16) is a short Slightly abrasive segment for cleaning the recording-playback head assigned to the tape in question having. 3 0 9 8 19/0798 Si Read on