DE3212417A1 - Answering machine with one or more devices for storing sound information - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an answering machine with one or more devices for storing sound information, with a central control unit, which is preferably a processor, where the beginnings and the ends of the text parts are rendered identifiable. Each start of any text part which has been rendered identifiable can be activated by the central control unit and a plurality of text parts can be combined with one another by the central control unit to form the complete announcement. The text parts may also contain information transmitted by the caller, where memory segments in the sound information memory can be accessed so quickly that announcement text parts can be sequenced to form a continuous announcement and/or memory segments containing messages are replayed without delay at the beginning and/or during the transition between any two messages. To mark the beginnings and ends of the text parts on the sound medium, mark inserters and mark identifiers to insert and identify marks on the sound medium and/or parts marking the sound medium position to identify the text parts and/or control commands can be provided and connected to the processor. <IMAGE>

Description

Answering machine with one or more facilities

for storing audio information The invention relates to an answering machine with one or more devices for storing sound information with a central control unit, preferably a processor, with the beginnings and ends of the text parts are made recognizable.

Answering machines are known to contain a specific text, usually Reporting and identification, e.g. here is speaking from the company anyway, followed by a current one Information, e.g. we can be reached again at 2 p.m., and then standard information, e.g. end, included. With this first function, the caller receives a message or notification that there is an answering machine at the called subscriber station, which tells the caller who is the owner of the answering machine and one Message, e.g. why the owner is not present and where and when he can be reached is.

In addition, answering machines are known that allow that after an announcement by the caller during a certain period of time can be spoken. It is a record of messages for the owner of the answering machine possible.

It is also known to use standard texts that are interchangeable are.

Answering machines are also known that the owner of a call code, and only give this person the opportunity to identify himself with the code after reporting, followed by playback of recordings intended only for the code owner he follows.

It is also known an answering machine that is on a magnetic sound carrier contains several sections representing different parts of the text, with the beginning and end of the text parts are made recognizable and between the text parts The program of activities is set. However, the text parts can only be used in one play a predetermined sequence with the program parts and do not vary.

There is a major disadvantage of all known answering machines that in each case a certain program is played invariably or a certain speaking time is available, whereby when checking the text the entire recording must be played through, which requires a great deal of time. Usually all or most of the text must be changed when changing the text be changed.

The aim of the invention is to design an answering machine, the possibility of exchanging parts of the text and the full use of the Recording medium, but also quick access to certain parts of the text that Control of parts of the text and the deletion or replacement of certain parts of the text and allows a program change.

This goal is achieved with an answering machine of the type mentioned at the beginning Kind achieved, which is characterized by the fact that everyone can be recognized by the control unit made beginning of any text part is controllable, the text parts can be linked by the control unit to form the complete announcement, whereby the text parts can also contain information sent by the caller, where the Access to memory sections on the sound information memory takes place so quickly that It is possible to string together parts of the announcement to form a closed announcement and / or the re- release of memory sections containing messages without delay at the beginning and / or at the transition between any two messages he follows.

According to the proposed invention, the sound carrier has a number of different ones Parts of text that, be it for recording, changing or listening to the audio information can be controlled quickly and specifically, as well as a control unit that is in the Is able to initiate the control of certain parts of the text and the consequence and possibly to save and according to a certain or determinable program the text parts to link. As is known, e.g.

one or more tape heads are used that record on phonograms, the sound carrier being designed as a tape cassette or sleeve with individual tracks can be, but also other, for example disc-shaped sound carriers, but also other suitable carriers and recording and playback devices which permit sound information possible are.

Such is the use of a telephone answering machine possible with multi-lane telephone carriers, e.g. a multi-lane cassette, whereby the forward drive of the magnetic sound carrier, for example, two speed levels and wherein the speech tracks by moving one or more audio heads Sound heads are searched perpendicular to the direction of rotation of the magnetic sound carrier and with a separate from the forward drive of the magnetic sound carrier for moving the audio heads own drive system is available, with the forward drive system with lower Start-up and braking time constant, e.g. 100 m / sec. works, the drive system to Moving the tape head (s) also works with a short time constant, in order to achieve short access times and whereby of the two speed levels of the forward drive the lower speed to speak and the higher speed is used to reach the zero position. as Text and lead motor and tracking motor can be one with a lower time constant A fast starting motor, preferably an ironless DC motor, is used be, wherein the drive system is expediently low-mass.

To actually join the clay pieces together in the way you want and to be able to edit, a control unit is proposed, which e.g. the Setzantiieb and also controls the sound information memory. To enable this control in a meaningful way, are additional control units and feedback lines for operating the processor intended. To identify and recognize the sound parts and their position on the sound carrier to be able to, it is proposed that to mark and recognize the beginnings and ends the text parts on the sound carrier in a known manner as brand setters and recognizers for setting and recognizing marks on the sound carrier and / or marking the sound carrier layer Parts for recognizing the text parts and / or control commands provided and with the processor are connected. For example, in the case of a magnetic tape, recording pulses with a be used with a certain frequency, either as a marker setter its own or an existing tape head is used. A mark can, for example, at the end and at the The beginning of each tone must be present and one appropriate to the speaking frequency have different frequency. Different control impulses can also be used by using different frequencies that can be distinguished by a decoder are used, each brand being determined by feedback to the processor Can trigger processor steps. But there are also other brands, e.g. light brands possible with a light barrier control and the like.

It is further proposed that controlled by the processor The announcement can be changed by replacing one or more parts of the text is, whereby text parts can be exchanged by switching over as well as by repeating them are.

It is suggested that at least three parts of the text, namely 1.) Reporting and identification, 2.) current information and 3.) standard information are present, with additional text parts, such as voice prompt, recording an externally recorded information and end text and the like are also switched can be. Part 1.) is advantageous, especially external, cannot be changed, this ensures that the message is correct.

It is further suggested that text parts and standard information can have different lengths, with an identification tag after each text part is provided.

By means of a rapid setting motor and further a rapid advance, e.g. of the tape up to a market which is a reaction of the processor to the setting and activation triggers a desired function, passes by selecting correspondingly rapidly running Drive parts little time, allowing rapid setting at every point in the text is possible. This makes it possible to have quick access, even with different to have long text parts if the text parts can be found by an identification tag are.

It is also proposed that parallel to the sound carrier and the sound information unit another storage medium is provided in parallel for speaking and storing is. Through this it is possible that there is only a certain one on the sound carrier Period, possibly with several text parts, is saved and after it has expired of this period of time the longest previous part of the announcement text is deleted and is discussed again, while the permanent information is stored on a documentation cassette running in parallel is stored. This has the major advantage that the sound carrier in the Answering machine can be kept low mass and thus easily movable and you still has the option of having permanent information available, and that on the other hand only a certain part of the text, namely the The last part of the text recorded must and can be checked and it is not necessary is to check the recording cartridge.

It is further proposed that the processor with a decoder unit connected to detect and trigger control signals coming from the call line is. The processor is expediently connected to a program memory for access to have repetitive programs.

It is also useful to have a connection to a work switch to have certain work processes, such as forwarding, stopping at a brand, etc., to be able to achieve, whereby the connection with a program switch is advantageous is, these memories work together appropriately via the processor. In order to select certain programs, the processor with a control panel is expedient connected to the selection of programs.

It is further suggested that text parts that have a recorded Message contained both on the answering machine and deleted remotely can. For example, when you make a phone call, you can press a Code button and triggering a code signal, e.g. entering a text or a tone sequence via the decoder and through process control, in the first recording part. Well can For example, in the case of service providers, it can be useful for the service technician to provide the information receives, he should e.g. carry out a certain repair on Mr. X's. Here can it may be useful if he erases this information as he has recorded it so that it can be seen that he has already accepted this assignment and everything Has arranged the necessary and is prevented from accepting this order from a second person.

In addition, parts of the text for a new meeting become available.

In order to be able to run through the recording quickly without any recording to listen in full, it is suggested that by operating the answering machine or remotely controlled, with a code signal the processor access to the beginning of the listened to or prompted to start the next recording so that you can immediately come to the beginning or the end of the previous or following recording and can either repeat or skip the recording. But it is also possible to provide a keying that e.g. leads back 10 seconds and from reproduces from there.

It is also proposed that the control be activated when messages are present switches on one or more assigned signal lamps on certain parts of the text. This is used to recognize whether certain functions are being performed. E.g.

a message from the office can be kept ready for an interrogator, which can be queried by actuating a code signal. So the office now knows that this information has been retrieved, when the query is made, the memory e.g. a signal lamp, switched on. on the other hand can it be possible be that information is recorded by the remote operator for the office after code operation will. This is also indicated by lamps on the device, so that you can immediately see that either information is there or has been queried.

It is also proposed that to facilitate remote control Text parts on the sound carrier for querying mixed special functions, such as changes the announcement text, office notification, etc. are available on the questions to the caller are recorded and by the control unit depending on the already expired questions or the last question on receipt of a Confirmation signal by the caller, be it a code or a voice utterance, the offered special function is initiated, with the last question for Confirmation can be repeated. This gives you the option of voice communication the answering machine to establish with the caller and depending on the question asked to achieve a meaningful tracking of the answering machine that of the answering machine the offered possibility can be realized.

To increase the ease of use, it is possible that the processor the tape recording is controlled by the caller's code signals for repetition or skipping quickly forwards or backwards or over tracks or to the next The recording mark jumps forward or backward. The feedback to the processor can by the expired tape length or by marks behind the respective Question, with each brand establishing the next program readiness and the implementation of the program, i.e. the setting on the specific track by a Statement from the caller, be it by playing a code or by speech information can be triggered. It's such a good combination and composition of text parts in two-way communication, specifically in two-way communication possible with the answering machine.

Examples of the functions that can be achieved with the invention are illustrated in FIG of the exemplary embodiments are given without this being limited thereto.

Fig. 1 shows a side view from above of the mechanical Structure of the telephone answering machine with schematically drawn functional parts; Fig. 2 is a side elevational schematic view in outline; Fig. 3 shows schematically the Track division either for 21, 64 or 66 tracks; Fig. 4 shows in an oblique view the mechanical functional parts of FIG. 1; Fig. 5 shows schematically as a block diagram the control of the answering machine; 6 schematically shows a track and mark division; Fig. 7 shows a control scheme related to the tracks; Fig. 8 shows a on the control points related control scheme; FIG. 9 like FIG. 8 As shown in Fig. 1 schematically can be seen, are in the housing 16, into which the cassette with belt loop 17 introduc- and the tape motor 14, which drives the cassette drive via a tape drive 20, can be plugged in 21 is actuated and a spindle motor 15, which via a transmission 18, a spindle 19 which drives the slide 4 along the cassette perpendicular to the direction of travel of the tape shifts. The recording and sound pick-up head can also be moved on the slide arranged. The motor 14 for driving the belt loop is used as an answering machine Movable in two speeds, namely "slow forward", approx. 1200 rpm for the motor to achieve a belt speed of 2.7 to 2.8 cm / second and furthermore "fast forward" with 12000 rpm corresponding to a belt speed of 28 cm / second to quickly reach the zero position of the belt. A light barrier 3 is used to determine the rest position of the belt loop. The belt loop will for this purpose either covered with a reflective foil or there will be some Holes punched so that the white surface of the cassette core is a reflection for triggers the light barriers. The stickers or the perforation of the light barriers must be long enough that the motor is safe to use within a maximum of 60% of the glued surface Standing comes.

The motor 15 for moving the head carriage by means of the spindle 19 via the translation 18 is operated at three speeds, in the direction in which the tape head moves in increasing track numbers and at two speeds for the direction of decreasing track numbers, namely fast forward "- fast forward to the desired track, "fast backwards" - fast reverse to the desired one -Track, "slow forward". Following the quick fore run upwards the motor is switched to "slow" when the last track is reached before the stop and stopped when a light barrier 1 is reached. The light barrier 1 is used for this to determine the rest point of the drive wheel of the spindle. This rest position is achieved by blackening 20-300 of the circumference of the drive wheel of the spindle.

After a fast reverse, when the last track is reached before stopping, the motor is briefly switched to "slow" and when the position is reached the light barrier 1 stopped.

With continuous recording, the transition is from one track to the other achieved by "slowly forward".

The transition time is a maximum of 100 milliseconds, if more than one A track can therefore be played for a maximum of the first 100 milliseconds without recording be or without containing invalid records. The response time of the engines including control is a maximum of 15 milliseconds.

A light barrier 2 is used to determine track 2 in a 60-track system. The light barrier is adjusted so that the light barrier is between two impulses 1 switches over safely. This property must be despite the service life of the device possible soiling up to 30%. A cleaning brush may be required for this required, which is arranged next to the light barrier 2 and the one on the slide hot-stamped cylindrical concave mirror dusts off while driving by. Light barriers 5-9 are used to identify different cassettes.

A contact 11 is used to determine the complete introduction the cassette in the tape drive. The cassette snaps through the hold-down device and a small groove on the edge of the cassette on the top. The engagement itself is from the Contact 11 not determined, only the mechanical end position that is used for the drive is sufficient.

A contact 12 is used to determine the track -2 as a safety device with regard to light barrier 2 and as an emergency end against overflow and switches on opening of the slide 4. A contact 13 is used to determine the overflow on the Track 64. In normal operation, the tracks are counted by the electronics and thus overflow is automatically prevented. An electronic one is built into the device Control that is controlled and operated by a keypad, not shown in detail can be.

It can be combined with an electronic memory, an electronic Control and appropriate call buttons achieve that the inclusion of different Conversations, possibly after submitting appropriate notices and reports in advance, eavesdropping, eavesdropping, partial recording, etc. take place slowly and quickly can.

Since it is possible to use the fast, independent of the belt drive motor Spindle motor removes the slide that carries the tape head from one track in the shortest possible time to bring to the other, any track following programs can be done via appropriate input works and electronic memories are electronically controlled and switched.

The electronic circuit and the control scheme of an embodiment is shown schematically in FIG. The heart of the control is a processor 22, which is connected to the mechanical part via a driver 33 and the individual Drive motors via the driver and via an amplifier 30, the recording and Monitoring functions with the aid of microphones 31 and speakers 32 controls. The control commands come either via a control panel 26, with which also direct recording functions, Selection functions of various texts and other functions already described controlled can be, as well as from the telephone line 36 via the telephone set 29 or a decoder connected to this telephone set. The processor comes with a program memory 25, a main memory 24 and a program switch 23 connected. Depending on the programming and work instructions, a corresponding control program is carried out. Parallel A documentation apparatus 35 is connected to the recording device 21, which likewise is controlled by the processor 22 via a driver 34. With the in the block diagram The links shown in FIG. 5 can be programmed after suitable programming the processor, the switches and the memory control the desired program sequences. It can be used known microprocessors that make it possible to Keep telephone answering machines small.

6 shows a possible division of the tracks.

The text distribution on the individual tracks is as follows: Abbreviation Allocation of track AZ records 59 to 15 MO output message 14, 13, 12 MI input message 11, 10, 9 EA end announcement 8 SA voice request 7, 6 announcement 1 5 announcement 0 4 ID identification 3, 2 ST Special text 1, 0 The ones drawn in the tracks Boxes are marks that represent an instruction for a processor and a specific one Initiate function. Special text, tracks 0 and 1 contain sequence - and Operating commands and instructions. Lanes 2 and 3 contain the message with the address. The text parts can then look like this: Text parts: Text: Do you want 1 one Open message 2 change the current information 3 listen to messages VARIANTS 2 speak the current text again, change the announcement 3 recordings listen / listen.

A conversation can take place as follows: After a call, the sound information unit on tracks 2 and 3 of the cuff of the sound carrier set, with these traces running in a spiral on the cuff.

The identification information and then the announcement and voice prompt played, e.g.

"Here company Meier, Meiershausen, Meierstrasse 5. At the moment that is Telephone not busy. Leave a message, tell me your name and speak after the beep ". After the beep, the processor will initiate a switching program so that the audio information unit is on a free speech track drives, which happens very quickly thanks to the inertia-free drives, whereby automatically an empty track can be searched for. If all tracks have been discussed, the Selected track that was last discussed.

The information copied during the new discussion is the next Storage medium that records in parallel, stored, the storage medium has a much larger storage capacity. After the message is agreed is, automatically stops the tape and the audio information unit if there is no voice information moves to the end announcement, which plays, for example, thank you for your message, goodbye ", whereupon a flag causes the device to be switched off. Is the caller owner a code device or knows the code signal and triggers the code signal, what during identification and announcement, but also later. can, he can trigger further functions. For example, a code setter box can have three Have "Special Functions", "Listen" and "Rewind" buttons. Will during the conversation If the code "special function" is also triggered, it is sent to the processor via the decoder the command is given to move the sound information unit to the beginning of tracks 0 and 1 'BSpecial text' must be set. The text described above is then displayed played first "do you want to speak a message". If the Answer "yes", then this answer, i.e. the presence of a speech signal after the first information is used to give the command to the processor the beginning of the tracks A transmission message "9, 10, 11 or, if already these tracks are previously discussed to drive on a free part of these lanes, whereupon the message can be spoken. There is a reaction only when the text part is the current one Change information "was unwound from the special texts, the device moves to Announcement track current track 5 and gives the possibility to change this track. If there is a reaction only after the text "Listen to messages", the Sound information unit at the beginning of the oldest recording of the tracks or when these are empty on track 15, whereupon messages intended only for the code holder be delivered.

By pressing the code button backwash on the code device "it is possible to as is known with dictation machines, to drive back on the recorded track or listen again by pressing the "Listen" button. There is such a thing Possible possibility of a meaningful conversation of the answering machine miMdem caller in normal language by asking the wishes of the caller, whereby according to the current state of the sound carrier or a control signal recorded on the tape if the caller responds accordingly, the processor executes a predetermined program which triggers the sound information unit on the track belonging to the question sets, whereby the superimposition of further program commands, such as rewind, listening, etc. is possible. It is also possible if several messages are on the trail should be listened to quickly one after the other, which are separated by marks to cause a corresponding code signal when you see that in a certain Section is not important information to skip forward or back to the next mark and quickly through all the information to an interesting piece of information that is eavesdropped should be asked. In principle it is possible to use the processor and the associated instruction memory to combine any programs and any desired, Quickly put together any text combination that is considered sensible and a sensible one To achieve two-way communication with control of the associated lane setting.

Fig. 7 shows schematically the lane branching possibility and Fig. 8 shows the possibility of instruction branching in the processor for an embodiment which can of course be varied accordingly for each entered program. It means in Fig. 8: Condition definition 20 TEX text play 21 WRT wait 22 WTX repeat text part 23 SSA setting information unit + signal-24 AFN recording exception 25 MRK marking 26 WG playback 27 SSW setting information unit + Signal recording no. Text part Text 0 - "Do you want to dictate a message to" 1 TXM " 2 TXA "Change the announcement" 3 TXP "Listen to AZ; PB" Fig. 9 shows the Option of branching an incoming text.

The processor indicates the status of the sound carrier by way of feedback and which branches can be expected and acts at the branch points according to the respective commands. The processor can give the particular one Conditions can be adapted. The device can be simpler or with additional functions be equipped.

As is known per se, it is possible to have one call line and a second To give the interrogation line into the device, whereby queries can be made via the interrogation line are. It is just as well possible to query only for specific ones via the call line To allow decoder commands.

Claims (11)

Answering machine with one or more storage facilities of sound information claims answering machine with one or more devices for storing sound information with a central control unit, preferably a processor, whereby the beginnings and ends of the text parts are made recognizable, in this way, that everyone can be recognized by the control unit made beginning of any text part is controllable, the text parts from the tax linked to form the complete announcement The text parts can also contain information sent by the caller, the access to memory sections on the sound information memory takes place so quickly, that it is possible to string together parts of the announcement to form a closed announcement is and / or the playback of memory sections containing messages without Delay at the beginning and / or transition between any two messages he follows. 2. Answering machine according to claim 1, characterized in that g e k e n n -z e i c n e t that for marking and recognizing the beginnings and ends of the text parts on Sound carrier in a manner known per se, mark setters and recognizers for setting and recognizing of marks on the sound carrier and / or the sound carrier layer marking parts for recognition the text parts and / or control commands are provided and connected to the processor are. 3. Answering machine according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized g e no notice that the change of the announcement is controlled by the processor can be carried out by replacing one or more parts of the text, with both Text parts can be exchanged by switching over as well as by repeating them. 4. Answering machine according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized g e no indication that at least three parts of the text, namely 1.) message and Identification, 2.) current information and 3.) standard information available are, with additional text parts, such as voice prompt, recording an external spoken information and end text and the like additionally switched can be. 5. Answering machine according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized g e it is not indicated that parts of the text can have different lengths. 6. Answering machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized it is noted that parallel to the sound carrier and the sound information unit Another speech medium is provided for speaking on and storing. 7. Answering machine according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized g e it does not indicate that the processor is equipped with a decoder unit for recognition and triggering control signals coming from the call line. 8. Answering machine according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized g e it does not indicate that parts of the text that contain a recorded message can be deleted both on the answering machine and remotely. 9. Answering machine according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized g e no indication that operation on the answering machine or remote control, with a code signal the processor access to the beginning of the eavesdropped or to Initiated the beginning of the next recording. 10. Answering machine according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized g e it does not indicate that the controller is responding to certain messages when there are messages Parts of text switches on one or more assigned signal lamps. 11. Answering machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized It is not noted that to facilitate remote control on the sound carrier Text parts for querying mixed special functions, such as change the announcement text, office notification, etc. are available on the questions to the caller are recorded and by the control unit depending on the already expired questions or the last question on receipt of a Confirmation signal by the caller, be it a code or a voice utterance, the offered special function is initiated, whereby the last question Confirmation can be repeated.