EP0437489A1 - A multi-purpose communications device - Google Patents

Abstract

The described multipurpose communication device not only performs the basic functions of a telephone but also includes a document reader and a document printer within the same device. Documents can be read and transmitted to a facsimile remote receiver, which receives them from a facsimile transmitter and prints or reads and reprints them for reproduction of the document. The device can also include a function for recording and storing audio messages from the telephone line or the telephone microphone and ensures the transmission of a stored message via the telephone line to a telephone remote receiver, the number of the teleprinter having been memorized and automatically dialed by the device. The device can also include a communication function with a computer, to allow the transfer of data, voice information and fax messages from the computer to a remote telephone, a fax transmitter / receiver or another computer and vice vice versa.

Description

A Multl-Purpose Communications Device Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to communication devices which are able to transmit and receive information via a telephone line. Such devices typically include telephones, facsimile machines, and audio message receivers which generally comprise a tape recorder. Background of the Invention

Hitherto, devices such as telephones, answering machines, facsimile transceivers and computer to fax transceivers have constituted separate machines connected to more than one telephone line. Such a collection cannot function as a simple desktop device due to excessive clutter and desk space usage and because of the need for automatic switching so that the collection can be connected to one telephone line. Without automatic switching, every call has to be accepted by the operator, thus defeating the object of automatic message reception by the facsimile transceiver and/or the answering machine. Summary of the Invention

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a multi-purpose communications device comprising a microphone and a loudspeaker, and a housing; said housing having a telephone circuit operable with said microphone and said loudspeaker and a connector outlet connectable to a telephone line, said housing further including a document reader, a printer, and an electronic control circuit Including a central processing unit, a memory and stored program; said control circuit being connected to said document reader, said printer and said telephone circuit to selectively digitally encode a document read by said document reader, transmit said encoded document via said telephone line to a remote facsimile receiver, print said encoded document on said printer, and/or receive via said telephone line from a remote facsimile transmitter an encoded transmitted document and print same on said printer whereby said multi-purpose communications device can selectively function as a telephone, a facsimile transmitter, a document reproducer, and/or a facsimile receiver. Preferably the device also includes an audio message recording means to record and store audio messages either received via said telephone line, or dictated via said microphone, and an audio message transmitter means to transmit a stored audio message via said telephone line. The device also preferably includes a computer interface means which can accept digital data from an adjacent computer and transmit this data as facsimile code to a remote facsimile receiver and which can transmit digital data to an adjacent computer. Such data can be received from a remote facsimile transmitter, a remote computer or it can be received from the document reader in the device. Furthermore, responses to the transmitted audio message can also be recorded for replay. Both the audio messages and the responses thereto can be digitised and stored 1n a memory in the device. In such a case, the digitally stored responses can also be transmitted to an adjacent computer via the computer interface.

The advantages of such a device are that all the facilities are integrated into one device, all incoming calls are automatically managed, operator time required for outgoing facsimile and voice calls is reduced, expense is reduced by eliminating redundancy in the electronic circuits and reliability and efficiency are increased.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic telephone message transmitting device for attachment to a telephone having a microphone and a loudspeaker and a telephone circuit operable with said microphone and said loudspeaker and a connector outlet connectable to a telephone line, said device comprising recording means for recording one or more audio messages either received via said telephone line or dictated via said microphone, storage means for storing one or more telephone addresses for each of said audio messages and control means coupled to said storage means and recording means for controlling said telephone circuit to connect with a first one of said telephone addresses and to transmit to said first one of said telephone addresses the corresponding audio message, and to continue dialing each of said stored telephone addresses and transmit thereto the corresponding audio message. In a preferred embodiment of such an automatic message transmitting device, the recording means includes a digitizer means for converting said audio message into digital data and memory means for storing the digitised message.

Preferably, the recording means also records any response to said telephone message from said telephone line. Preferably, the digitizer means also digitises any such response, which is then stored in the memory means.

Brief Description of the Drawings One embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a functional block diagram of a multi-purpose communications handset device of a preferred embodiment,

Fig. 2 is a detailed block diagram of the operating circuit of the device of Fig. 1 ,

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the keyboard of the circuit of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a flow chart of the decision making process Involved 1n text (facsimile) or voice message transmission timing,

F1g. 5 1s a flow chart of the decision making process Involved in the storage of voice messages, and

Fig. 6 is a longitudinal vertical cross-section through the device of the preferred embodiment. Detailed Description

The communications device of a preferred embodiment is a multi¬ purpose communications device which, within the one piece of equipment, combines a number of functions. In particular, a compact facsimile machine is combined with a telephone which includes memory dialling, a digitized store for audio messages, and a device for forwarding such messages via the telephone line, a telephone answering machine which receives and stores voice messages from the telephone line, and a data communications facility which permits computer text to be received and outputted via the facsimile transmitter and received and transmitted to a computer. The ability to combine all the various facilities within the one device is made possible by means of a micro-computer control system. As will become apparent from the detailed description hereafter, the micro-computer and its software controls and Interacts with a keyboard, a document reader, a miniature line printer, a calendar clock, a liquid crystal display, and a analogue multiplexing circuit which can inter¬ connect a telephone device, voice encode and voice decode circuits, and a modem. The interconnection can be either to each other and/or to a telephone line through a line isolation circuit or to a mobile telephone. The common resources of the micro-processor, and its associated memory, timing and interface circuits are shared by all the sub-systems and the sub-systems also use each other's capability to economically achieve a variety of useful functions which could not otherwise be readily implemented except by the use of individual stand alone items of equipment, and additional telephone lines.

The principal operations of the device of the preferred embodiment are illustrated in the functional block diagram of Fig. 1. The facsimile receiver 1 1s an apparatus for receiving and transmitting copies of documents over the public switched telephone system. The apparatus is compatible with CCITT Group III recommendations.

The apparatus reads and prints A5 size documents. Facsimile transmissions of standard (A4) size documents are reduced to approximately half size when printed. The remote sending station 1s not aware of any difference between the operation of the invention and the operation of a standard Group III machine.

The codec 2 is a full duplex speech encoder and decoder which transforms analog signals with frequencies in the audio telephony band into digital data suitable for storing in the memory system of a computer.

The telephone 3 provides all the functions of a standard telephone, and comprises a microphone, a speaker and a dialling keyboard.

The data communications block 4 1s a means for transferring data between the device and other equipment such as a word-processor, a personal computer or an electronic typewriter with a corresponding interface. The microcomputer system 5 1s a computer and memory system which controls the selective connection of one of the abovementioned four functional blocks to the switch 6 and thence to the public telephone line 7. Turning now to Fig. 2, a detailed block diagram of the operating circuit of the device of Fig. 1 is illustrated, like parts being numbered in like manner. Those subsystems which are directly controlled by software are connected together via a data, address and control bus 39. A microprocessor or central processor unit 31 executes Instructions contained in an EPROM 32. The static RAM 33 stores working data as well as providing long term storage for such information as stored telephone numbers and characteristics of the machine peculiar to each installation. A dynamic RAM 34 is organised into banks, any one of which can be selected by the microprocessor 31. There are many operations in the machine which have to be timed and these are controlled by the counter/timer circuit (CTC) 5, which under the control of the microprocessor 31 and a software algorithm provides ten independent timers, 16 variable delays up to 4 hours in length timing for data communication and timing for the speech coding and decoding circuits. A calendar clock 36 maintains data and time of day information which 1s accessed by the microprocessor 31 and used to provide printed verification of time and date of voice and facsimile transmissions are required.

A liquid crystal display (LCD) 37 displays two lines each of 16 characters and is used to guide operators of the machine, as well as to display the time and date.

A dual parallel Input/output chip 8 controls a variety of sensors 23-28, a keyboard 40, a printer 10 and Its interface controller 9. The Input/output chip 8 also controls an optical receiver 12 and its scanner controller interface 11.

A dual serial input/output chip 13 is the channel by which all serial data is conveyed to the microprocessor 31. One port of the chip 13 is dedicated to a modem 14 while the other port can be switched via switch 15 either to the speech codec 2 or an RS-232 data communications interface 16 by the data switch 15. A connector 30 forms the input/output connection to the RS-232 data communications interface 16.

An analog multiplexor which functions as switch 6 of Fig. 1, can select any one of the telephone handset 3, the codec 2 or the modem 14 to be connected to the line isolation unit 19 and thence to the telephone line 7. The analog multiplexor 6 can also connect the codec 2 to the handset 3 for such operations as recording voice messages.

The printer controller 9 not only controls the thermal line printer 10 but also enables data to be transferred directly from any part of the memory to the print head of the printer 10 by direct memory access logic in the controller 9.

The scanner controller 11 extracts serial data from the optical receiver 12 and converts 1t to parallel data which is encoded and loaded directly into any part of the memory. The optical receiver 12 also incorporates an Illumination arrangement for the object document to be scanned.

The power supply 21 is able to be switched via switch 22 from a normal operating condition to a stand-by condition so that only a small amount of power is then drawn, less than 1/4 watt. The switch 22 is triggered by an input from any one of the five sensors 23-28.

The hook switch sensor 23, is a reed switch actuated by the magnetic field from the magnet contained within the handset speaker (not illustrated). When the handset is placed in the rest position the sensor 23 is actuated. This is an improvement over prior art methods as there is no need for an additional magnet and the reed switch can be mounted on the main circuit board (see the later description of Fig. 6) which eliminates the need for a mechanical switch with associated wiring.

The document detector 24 detects the presence of a document in the feed slot of the optical receiver 12 by means of a light emitting diode (not illustrated) which 1s oriented towards a phototransistor placed on opposite sides of the slot.

The ring detector sensor 25 detects the presence of a ring signal from the telephone exchange. This detector improves on prior art arrangements by eliminating the need for an additional isolating device in the line isolating unit 19 connected to the telephone line 7. The ring -^• detect electronics is sensitive to the weak "off line" signals emanating from the equipment side of the line transformer in the line Isolating unit 19 when a "ring" signal is transmitted from the telephone exchange via the telephone line_.7. The ring detector is used when the apparatus is on line to detect tones, to measure tone frequencies under software control and to detect the presence of speech signals.

The data detector 26 detects if a computer (not illustrated), or other device such as a security system or a telemetry system, connected to the serial data port (i.e. connector 30) wishes to commence transmitting data. The keyboard activity sensor 27 detects if a key of the keyboard 40 has been depressed.

The clock detector 28 receives an input from the calendar clock 35. While the system 1s in stand-by condition, these inputs occur at one minute intervals. This causes the microprocessor 31 to update the time of day display on the LCD 37.

Within about 100 milliseconds of any of the detectors 23-28 switching the power supply 21 on, the microprocessor 31 is powered up. It then initialises all the system, locates the source of the "wake-up" signal and commences appropriate action for that sensor. As soon as the procedures for that sensor are complete the microprocessor 31 conducts an activity test and, if no other sensors are active, shuts down the power supply 21 via switch 22 and consequently all its operations until the next detector input. This particularly economic use of power minimises battery drain on those occasions when the system 1s operated from a 12 volt battery.

The power supply 21 can be operated either from AC power via a mains supplied "plug-pack" or from a battery supply of 12 volts. In the event that there is no power connected to the power supply 21, a backup battery 29 provides a very small current which enables the static RAM 34 to retain stored data, the calendar clock 36 to keep operating and a power sensing circuit to keep the system reset.

The connector 30 is used to convey not only the above entioned RS-232 signals, but also the +12 volt DC supply or the voice band signals from such equipment as a mobile telephone or a radio transceiver. The connector can also be used to input signals from other equipment as a security system. The timing of events within the system is derived from an 8MHz system clock 31 which generates a number of different signals to drive the microprocessor 31, the counter time chip (CTC) 35 and the printer and optical controllers 9,11.

The microcomputer system comprises the 8 bit micro-processor 31, the 16 kilobyte EPROM 32 for program storage, the 8 kilobyte static RAM 33 for non-volatile storage and 256 kilobytes of dynamic RAM 34 arranged in 16 banks of 16 kilobytes. Associated with these elements are the 8MHz crystal clock 38, the four channel timing chip 35 and the various parallel and serial input/output devices 8,13 and interface controllers 9,11. These components are realized as follows:

Microprocessor 31 Z8400A PS

EPROM 32 27C256

Static RAM 33 6264

Dynamic RAM 33 8x4256-15

Channel Timing Chip 35 Z8430A PS

The full duplex speech coder/de-coder (Codec) 2 comprises two single chip variable slope delta modulators, amplifiers and filters, (e.g.

Motorola 3417). The codec 2 accepts voice signals from either the telephone line 7 or the handset 3 and converts these into digital data for storage in RAM 34. Simultaneously the codec 2 can convert stored voice data into high quality voice signals which can be transmitted to either the phone line 7, or the handset 3.

The analogue multiplexor 6 provides a connection path from the microphone of handset 3 to the codec input and another from the codec output to the line 7. This path is used to transmit encrypted speech. The full duplex voice capability of the codec 2 enables it to encode the signal from the microphone, apply the encryption algorithm, and transmit the treated signal without discernable delay.

When the apparatus is receiving encrypted speech signals the analog multiplexor 6 provides a path from the line 7 to the codec input and from the codec output to the handset speaker. The incoming signal 1s concurrently decrypted by the codec 2 and output to the handset speaker.

The modem 14 1s a half duplex 9600 bits per second single chip device (e.g. Rockwell R96 MFX) which converts digital data to analogue signals suitable for the telephone line bandwidth. The modem 14 also operates at 300 baud for exchanging control information with a remote facsimile machine as specified in the CCITT Group III recommendations. This device can generate dual frequency tones such as are needed for DTMF dialling and also detects tones.

The serial data input/output interface 13 comprises a single chip transceiver (e.g. Motorola 145406) for converting computer level signals to the RS-232C standard levels. Six of the standard RS-232C data signals are provided at the nine pin connector mounted on the back panel of the base of this device. The connector also provides a means to attach the apparatus to a mobile telephone transceiver. pin 1 audio input for earphone pin 2 receive data from DTE pin 3 transmit data to DTE pin 4 request to send from DTE pin 5 clear to send to DTE pin 6 audio input for earphone/data terminal ready from DTE pin 7 + 12 volts in or out pin 8 signal ground pin 9 data set ready to DTE

Fig. 3 illustrates the arrangement of the keys of the keyboard 40 of Fig. 2. The keyboard 40 is used to initiate many of the frequently used procedures with one keystroke.

In the case of possibly ambiguous keys such as START, VOICE and MEMORY, the choice of procedure is made by the controlling software through reference to inputs from other sensors and information remaining on the LCD

37 from previous operations. For example, the START key means enter Auto-Answer mode if the handset is on the hook and there is no document in the reader feed slot, but START means make a copy if there 1s a document in the slot.

Other procedures can be selected by holding the key down or by quick successive keystrokes. For example, the START key selects one of four auto-answer modes; while holding the key pressed, the operator watches the

LCD change to the next selection every 1.5 seconds. Upon relesing the key, the current displayed mode is selected. Instead of holding the key pressed, the operator can select the desired auto-answer mode by pressing the START key in quick succession. A concise list of commonly used functions is stored in the EPROM 32.

This is printed out when the * key is pressed twice. Below is a replica of the print out.

TO SEND A FAX

1 handset up or down 2 feed document into slot

3 dial phone number

4 press the START key TO SEND VOICE MAIL

1 left handset up 2 press VOICE key twice

3 dial phone number then press START

4 record message, max 10 seconds TO ACTIVE AUTO ANSWER press START key with handset on hook TO REPLAY MESSAGES

11ft handset press VOICE then the 0 key TO STORE YOUR INTRODUCTORY MESSAGE lift handset press VOICE then MEMORY TO RECEIVE FAX WHILE ON THE PHONE press START key handset does not matter TO MEMORY DIAL STORED NUMBER press MEMORY and two number address TO STORE NUMBER 1 press MEMORY key, then # key

2 enter two number address

3 enter phone number to be stored 4 press START to terminate number

5 enter name to be stored with number

6 press START to end name TO AUTO RE DIAL press # key (redials up to 5 times⁾ TO LIST STORED NUMBERS press MEMORY twice TO COPY DOCUMENT read in document with handset on hook and then press START key TO SET TIME AND DATE 1 press MEMORY then * then the 1 key

2 follow LCD

3 press START

TO SELECT TONE OR PULSE DIAL

1 press MEMORY then * then the 2 key 2 press 1 for tone dial

3 press 0 for pulse dial TO STORE ID OF THIS FAX PHONE

1 press MEMORY then * then the 3 key

2 follow LCD TO CLEAR ALL MESSAGES press MEMORY then STOP key TO STOP AT ANY TIME press the STOP key

The methods of operation of the device of the preferred embodiment will now be described. The most fundamental mode of operation is that of a standard telephone. This enables the device to communicate with a standard telephone. There are additional telephone facilities available as follows: Memory Dial The device can store 50 16 digit numbers with 50 16 character names. Pressing the MEMORY key followed by two numbers retrieves and dials a stored number. Memory dialling can be performed with the handset on or off hook. A list of the stored names and numbers can be printed by the printer 10 by pressing the MEMORY key twice. Auto Redial Pressing the # key will cause the apparatus to automatically redial that number. If the handset 1s on hook, this will be done every 60 seconds. When the destination number answers and the hanset is on hook, a special tone is sounded to alert the caller. Pressing the STOP key cancels Auto Redial.

An innovative operating mode of the preferred device is the "Voice Mail" facility. Although here described as one feature of the multi-purpose communications device, 1t will be apparent that the "voice mall" feature could be provided on standard telephones and/or answering machines. The "voice mail" feature may be likened to the reverse of a telephone answering machine. Here, It is Intended to transmit a prerecorded message to one or more telephone numbers. The forwarding of the telephone messages incorporates automatic re-dialling.

Up to eight 16 second voice messages can be stored in the system's memory. Each message is stored with the destination number which is loaded at the time the recording is made. Voice Mall mode is initiated when the voice key is pressed twice. The LCD 37 then prompts the operator to key in a telephone number. If there is a number already displayed, such as would be the case if a call had just been attempted, the operator can use this by pressing the VOICE key once. Three pips at one second intervals combined with a message on the LCD 37 counting down the recording seconds guide the operator through the procedure.

After the message has been recorded the apparatus automatically despatches it to the desired telephone number. The despatching of Voice Mail automatically commences when the system is idle for ten seconds. The message despatch process proceeds as follows:

The apparatus detects dial tone, busy tone or ringing tone to monitor the progress of the call. If a busy tone is detected, the LCD displays "number is busy" after the sixth burst of busy tone and then disconnects. When a ringing signal is detected at the called number, the apparatus detects breaks in the ringing signal of longer than one second. After one second of silence the apparatus begins generating pips at one second intervals. If after three pips the ringing signal has not resumed, the stored message is transmitted. If a ringing signal is detected, the apparatus waits for the next break between ringing tones before resuming transmission of the pips. During message transmission, the apparatus monitors the line to detect CED - a facsimile transceiver. If this Is detected, the message is aborted. At the end of the 16 second transmission of the voice message, the apparatus detects speech signals from the person called. If signals are detected, they are recorded as a 16 second response to the first message. If no speech signals are detected, the apparatus retransmits the message and at the end of this second transmission again listens for a response. If no response is detected the line 1s disconnected. Respondents' messages can be replayed and retrieved later by the operator in the same way that answering messages are replayed and retrieved. After a voice message is successfully transmitted the time, date and destination 1s confirmed on a printed report produced on printer 10.

When a message cannot be despatched a retry delay is set for that message and the next (if any) message is recycled to the auto dialling process. The re-try procedure attempts to despatch a Voice Mail message at increasing intervals. The procedure provides for a limit to the number of tries. When this limit is reached, the message is cancelled, and the printer lists the time at which the message was abandoned.

The device of the preferred embodiment is also able to function as a conventional telephone answering machine. However, computer memory is used to store digitized voice message rather than use the conventional tape cassette of a tape recorder.

The device automatically answers incoming calls on the second burst of ring signal while it is in Auto-Answer mode. This mode is activated by pressing the START key while the handset is on its hook. One of four AUTO ANSWER modes can be selected by either holding the START key down or by successive quick key strokes. Both methods index the display of modes. Setting the Auto-Answer mode clears all previously received messages provided that they have been played at least once. When in this mode the LCD 37 displays alternately Auto-Answer and one of four displays:-

- message taking mode - "x messages" - announcement only mode - "announcement only"

- message relay mode - "relay messages"

- fax receive only mode - "fax receive only"

An important facility of the apparatus is its ability to distinguish between incoming calls from persons and facsimile transceivers. This facility is operational when the apparatus is operating as a telephone as well as an auto answering machine. The procedures differ for the two basic models.

Firstly a procedure is described by which person callers can be distinguished from automatic facsimile transceivers when the apparatus is 1n telephone mode. The apparatus answers all incoming calls after a certain number of bursts of ring signal. The number can be set by the operator according to his installation. For example if the apparatus is connected in parallel with other telephones the number would be set to say eight rings so that there would be a chance to answer calls from the extension phones. The sequence of events is as follows:

1. After the pre-set number of rings the apparatus loops the line and begins to transmit a simulated ring signal.

2. Between bursts of simulated ring the apparatus tests for the characteristic tone of an automatic facsimile transmitter.

3. If the caller is a person, the apparatus continues to generate simulated ringing and also alerts the called party with a ring sound. 4. If the caller 1s an automatic facsimile transceiver this is detected within the first few seconds after the line is looped. The apparatus switches to facsimile to receive mode and transmits its identity.

5. If the caller is a person with a manual facsimile transmitter the apparatus will leave this call to be answered by the operator. This is because manual transmitters emit no calling signal. The calling and the called person can then both select facsimile communication mode by pressing the appropriate buttons on their respective machines.

6. After about 25 seconds if the called party does not answer and If there is an introductory message present in the memory, the auto answer, message taking mode is activated. By this means it is possible to remotely activate the answering machine facility.

7. If there is no introductory message stored in the apparatus and the call is not answered for about 25 seconds, the facsimile procedures are commenced. By this means it is always possible to receive a call from a manual facsimile transmitter, even when the apparatus is in telephone mode and is unattended.

The apparatus includes means by which the facsmile receive process can be activated from a parallel telephone. This facility is needed on those occassions when a call from a person with a manual facsimile transmitter is answered by a parallel telephone. When the apparatus is in telephone mode, the called person can cause the apparatus to begin facsmile procedures by a few successive presses of the hook switch (hook flashes) on the parallel telephone. The apparatus is activated by the alternate presence and absence of events of line current which is caused by the hook flash. The sequence of events is as follows:

1. The apparatus monitors the interuptlons of line current caused by the hook flash from the parallel telephone until these have stopped for about two or three seconds. If the pulses of line interuptions do not resume within this time the apparatus decides that the interuptions were not incoming ring signal.

2. The apparatus then loops the line and listens for dial tone. If there 1s no dial tone this Indicates that the line is already looped by the parallel phone. The apparatus then begins facsimile communications procedures.

Now the procedures are described by which the apparatus distinguishes between incoming calls from persons and those from facsimile transceivers when the apparatus is in auto answer mode. There are four auto answer modes. The operator selects the desired mode by either holding the Start Key down or by quick successive presses of the Start Key. The auto answer modes are:

1. Auto answer with outgoing message followed by message recording. 2. Auto answer with outgoing message only ... announcement only mode.

3. Auto answer with outgoing message followed by message recording. When the caller disconnects the message is transmitted to another number. This is called relay mode. 4. Auto answer with only facsimile procedures.

In all four modes incoming calls are answered within about two bursts of ring signal. In mode 4 the facsimile receive procedures are commenced shortly after the line is looped. The procedures for modes 1, 2 and 3 are now described: 1. For the first six seconds, while the outgoing message is being transmitted to the line the apparatus detects the presence of the characteristic CNG tone transmitted by an automatic facsimile transmitter. Facsimile procedures are commenced immediately this tone is detected. 2. If CNG tone is not present the outgoing message continues while the apparatus checks if the caller wishes to unload messages by detecting the presence of DTMF 0 or a preprogrammed PIN number if such has been programmed into the apparatus. After the outgoing introductory message has been transmitted the apparatus detects whether or not the caller has hung up by detecting a busy signal. If there is no busy signal the apparatus Indicates to the caller to start a message recording session by transmitting a short tone.

For the first few seconds of the recording session the apparatus detects the presence of a voice signal. If no voice is present the apparatus infers that the caller is a manual facsimile transceiver and the facsimile procedures are started. If voice signals are present the recording proceeds for 16 seconds then the apparatus transmits a short tone to the caller to indicate that recording time has elapsed.

At the end of the recording session the line is disconnected and a printed report showing message number, time and date 1s output from printer within the apparatus. The time at which a message 1s received is recorded with the message and this appears on the LCD 37 as the message is replayed. The apparatus , cancels auto-answer mode and begins replaying recorded messages on the first occasion the handset is lifted after auto-answer has been set. Messages are also replayed if the VOICE and 0 keys are pressed. A particular message can be selected for continuous replay by pressing VOICE and then a digit corresponding to that message number. As each message 1s played, it is marked. Only when all messages have been played can they be cleared.

The answering machine outgoing message is stored in memory chips in the apparatus by pressing the VOICE key and then the MEMORY key. As with the recording of voice mail, three pips are used to cue the operator to the start of recording.

Voice messages can be retrieved from the apparatus from remote tele¬ phone or remote computer systems capable of generating DTMF tones. The apparatus is called from the remote telephone and while the outgoing message is being transmitted, the caller keys in a three digit password on his tone dialling telephone. Upon detecting that password, the apparatus begins transmitting any recorded messages. The apparatus will also transmit stored facsimile messages if the calling station presses a fourth digit of the password. The voice messages are then played in the sequence in which they were received until a busy tone is detected.

In addition, the device of the preferred embodiment can also operate as a facsimile transceiver which can read documents up to 150 mm wide (A5). An alternate embodiment reads documents up to 216 mm wide. Standard width (A4) documents are received in the same way as an A4 size machine and then reduced so that they can be printed on the small thermal line printer. The remote sending station does not distinguish that the apparatus is other than a standard Group III transceiver.

To send a facsimile message the document is fed Into the reader slot. The apparatus operates as either an automatic stored message transmitter or as a manual fax transmitter depending on the handset being on or off hook. The scanning circuitry detects the leading edge of the document, and then the LCD displays a message to the operator "dial fax number".

If the handset 1s on hook, after the operator dials the number and presses the START key, that number is stored. Then the document is scanned and the scan data is encoded and stored in the apparatus memory. The message is subsequently transmitted automatically with automatic retries until the called facsimile transceiver confirms satisfactory reception.

If the handset is off hook, the operator must dial and wait until the CED tone of the remote facsimile is received. When the CED tone is detected, the operator presses the START key, the document is scanned and transmitted.

If there is an existing connection and the handset is off hook, the message can be sent immediately to that remote station by pressing the START key. This would be the case if an operator wished to send a sketch to someone having a like machine and with whom he was having a telephone conversation.

Up to 8 memo size facsimile messages, destined for different numbers can be stored. If one of the destinations 1s busy the other messages will be sent and that busy number will be automatically redialed until it 1s free to receive its message. The same "back-off" procedure as used with the Voice Mail facility is used. Consequently the telephone line 7 is not constantly in use and incoming calls can be received. When the message is actually being sent a duplicate bearing a time and date stamp can be printed for verification purposes, if desired. The scanning system can also be used to input the document to a computer. This mode is selected by pressing the * key instead of dialling a destination number. Scan data is transmitted to the computer through the RS-232 connector in bit map format as the document is scanned. It will be apparent to those skilled 1n the art that the combination of the printer 10 and optical receiver 12 within a single device, enables the device to be used as a document reproducer by first optically reading, and then printing the document. This Is analogous to a photocopier. In order to carry out this operating procedure, the document is fed into the optical receiver and the START key is pressed.

The device is also able to function as a communications link which enables text produced in a word processor, personal computer or the like, to be directly transmitted as a facsimile. This operating capability is achieved by means of the RS-232C communications port 16,30 and operating software which enables it to accept ASCII text streams. The text is buffered, converted into Group III facsimile code and transmitted to a remote facsimile transceiver. With this facility a word processing system can be used to compose text messages for transmission to a remote facsimile machine. The operating software within the apparatus converts the ASCII characters into a dot matrix, then encodes and transmits the dot patterns. The resulting received document has superior definition to that of a document input through the normal scanning facility of a typical facsimile machine. An improvement upon the prior art Is the method by which the apparatus obtains the destination number for the message. This destination number is automatically extracted from the text of the message without the need for any Intervention by the operator. Any conventional phone number format is acceptable, so brackets and spaces can be included as is often the case with long distance numbers. All that is required is that the destination number be located in the text before any other group of numbers. This number is then recognised and stored with the message as the destination to be dialled later. The same automatic mail despatch procedures which are used with voice and facsimile messages are used to despatch text messages.

The RS-232 interface can be used to connect a laser or inkjet printer. In facsimile mode, according to the set up Instructions programmed into the memory, if such apparatus, such as the laser printer, is ready to receive data, as is indicated by the data terminal ready signal on pin 6 of the RS-232 connector, the decoded graphic information from the remote facsimile transmitter 1s output to the laser printer in one of the standard laser printer formats. By this means, A4 width facsimile documents can be printed on plain paper.

It will also be apparent that the codec 2 can be arranged to enable secure conversation between two like devices by digitally scrambling voice conversations.

Turning now to Fig. 4, the decision making processes involved in managing the delivery of stored voice and facsimile messages will now be discussed.

The process commences whenever a flag stored in memory 34 Indicates that there is "mall" to be sent. "Mall" can be up to 8 messages which can be any combination of facsimile or voice messages. The process allows ten seconds of Idle time before activating.

The memory banks of RAM 34 are searched for an "active" bank. When one is located the present time of day is compared with the scheduled transmission time for this message. This information is contained at the head of the message in each bank together with the destination phone number.

If the scheduled time coincides with, (or has passed), the current time the header is further examined to determine if the message is a facsimile or a voice message. Accordingly the appropriate transmit procedure is initiated.

When the transmission procedure is complete a "message OK" flag is checked to see if all went well. If the message was not transmitted successfully the re-try procedure is used to determine when the next transmission attempt should be made and this time is loaded at the head of the message.

Turning now to Fig. 5, the decision making processes involved in the storage of voice messages will now be described. Voice mail is a facility for storing and forwarding voice messages to specified destinations. The process begins when the operator dials a telephone number. If the number is busy the operator then presses the VOICE key. The software searches through the 8 memory banks to locate one which is not utilised.

The apparatus signals the operator to begin talking by emitting three pips at one second intervals. The analog multiplexor 6 switches the handset microphone to the input of the codec 2 and the serial input/output chip 13 transfers digitised speech to the dynamic RAM 34 under interrupt control. As the recording proceeds the number of recording seconds left is displayed on the LCD 37.

The operator can also elect to store a voice message by taking the handset off hook and pressing the voice key twice. The LCD then displays a message requesting the operator to enter a telephone number. The operator terminates the number by pressing the START key. This causes the apparatus to begin the recording session as described in the paragraphs above. When recording 1s complete the bank of memory which stores the message 1s marked to Indicate that 1t holds Voice Mall. The destination telephone number 1s transferred from the LCD to the head of the memory bank and the "mall" flag 1s set. The process then returns to the Idle condition. If no other activity occurs for 10 seconds, the software procedure for transmitting Voice Mail begins.

The sending of a voice message is initiated by the mail manager process described above in relation to Fig. 4. The destination telephone number is extracted from the selected memory bank and used by the automatic dialling process to make a connection with the desired number. The call progress is monitored to determine if the called number is ringing, busy or has answered.

If the number falls to answer within 35 seconds the "message not OK" flag is set for the benefit of the mail manager.

When the number answers, the output of the Codec 2 is connected to the telephone line 7 through the switch/multiplexor 6 and the line isolating unit 19, and it begins converting the digital data stored in memory 34 to an analog signal which is a reproduction of the original recorded voice. The quality of the reproduction can be controlled by the sampling rate of the codec 2. This rate is controlled by the time chip 35 which in turn is controlled by the operating software. The person at the called number hears the recorded message which is terminated by a single burst of tone. As soon as the reply 1s complete the line is disconnected and the "bank busy flag" at the head of the memory bank is reset so that it is free for another message.

In the preferred embodiment of the device there are 8 banks of memory each capable of storing approximately 16 seconds of message. Thus an operator can store up to 8 messages to be sent to 8 different destinations. An alternative embodiment uses one megabyte memory chips and so provides 16 banks each capable of storing a 30 second message.

In order for the device to operate as a telephone answering machine, the operator, when no document is in the optical reader 12, presses the START key while the handset is 1n the rest position. If all these conditions are met the Auto-Answer mode is entered.

When a ring signal from the telephone exchange is detected, the line 7 is connected and the recorded greetings message is generated by the codec 2 from data stored in one of the banks of the RAM 34. The codec 2 is connected to the line 7 through the multiplexor 6.

At the same time the modem 141s put Into tone detect mode and connected to the line. This allows 1t to monitor the line to determine if the caller is another facsimile transceiver. If the Group III signalling tone is detected the stored voice message is disconnected and the apparatus switches to the process for receiving a facsimile message.

At the end of the greetings message the input of the codec 2 is connected to the line 7 and the caller's voice is digitised and stored in a memory bank. The time at which the message is received is obtained from the calendar clock 36 and recorded with the voice message. This will be displayed on the LCD 37 when the message is replayed.

When the transaction is complete a message counter is incremented and this count is displayed on the LCD 37 as the number of messages received. The automatic scanning, storing and sending of a facsimile message is initiated by the operator feeding a document Into the reader. When the leading edge of the document is detected, the operator is asked to key in the destination phone number and this information is stored at the head of the memory bank together with a flag Indicating that the banks holds a facsimile message. The document is then progressively scanned in horizontal scans spaced approximately 3.8mm apart and the scan information is encoded and stored in a memory bank.

This method improves on present techniques as the scanning can be done relatively quickly (more quickly than the time taken to read and transmit) and the operator need not be delayed if the destination is busy. The mall manager takes over the despatching of the document as soon as the device becomes Idle.

This arrangement allows the operator to quickly load up to 8 documents each bound for different destinations and then rely on the device to transmit them.

At the end of each transmission a report is generated on the printer 10 which advises the number of the remote station, the duration of the transmission and that the transaction was successful. Turning now to Fig. 6, the mechanical construction of the multi-purpose communications handset device 50 of the preferred embodiment will now be described. The arrangement is entirely electronic and is mounted within a two part injection moulded plastic case 51 having a top 52 and a base 53. The top 52 and base 53 are arranged to function both as a chassis as well as a housing. The top 52 supports the keyboard 40, LCD 37 and handset 3 (not illustrated in Fig. 6). Mounted underneath the top 52 1s the main printed circuit board 54 which carries substantially all the components of Fig. 2.

However, two further printed circuit boards 55 and 56 are mounted in the base 53 and respectively carry the power supply 21 and optical receiver 12.

Mounted in front of the printed circuit board 56 and arranged to focus light onto the optical receiver 12 1s a lens system 57. Behind the printed circuit board 56 is a light source 58 which directs light into the feed slot 59 of the document reader having four feed rollers 60 and paper guide 61. Light reflected from a document within the feed slot 59 is reflected via a mirror system 62 into the lens system 57. Also located behind the printed circuit board 56 is the printer 10 which has its output arranged to coincide with the feed slot 59 which therefore results in printed documents issuing from the feed slot 59.

The printer 10 is a conventional miniature thermal line printer with a 640 element print head (SEIKO LTP 452). The same printer 10 is used for both printing text such as a list of store telephone numbers, and printing the image of a received document. When printing text, an 8x16 dot matrix is used to generate characters. The character generator program is stored in the EPROM 32. The text line length is 40 characters.

The optical receiver 12 is a linear array of 1024 light receiving elements fabricated 1n a single charge coupled device (oki OPA 1024). An alternative arrangement uses a line sensor of 2048 light receiving elements (Sharp LZ 2019).

The light source 58 preferably comprises two light sources in order to provide an improved lighting arrangement for lighting facsimile documents. Because of the geometry of the lens system 57, the image intensity from a uniformly illuminated object, is reduced as the distance from the lens axis increases. As the Image to be transmitted via the lens system 57 is essentially one dimensional, it is possible to correct this undesirable effect with two light sources placed at a distance and spacing relative to the lens axis which compensates for lens Intensity reduction. A further advantage arising out of the location of the printed circuit board 56 is that it acts as a light shield or barrier which blocks all but light from the illuminated object from entering the lens system 57.

The printer 10 is provided with a stepper motor and reduction gear train (not illustrated) which drives both the document feed roller 60 and the roller (not illustrated) of the printer 10. When a document is read, a simultaneous copy can be generated by the printer 10. A one way clutch is arranged in the gear train so that when the stepper motor drives in one direction, the printer roller feeds paper past the print head, but when it drives in a reverse direction, the clutch slips, the printer roller is not driven and the reader rollers rotate in the appropriate direction to feed in a document from the reader slot. The cross section taken in Fig. 6 lies on the optical centre line of the optical system including the lens system 57. The arrangement of mounting the mirror system 62 has the substantial advantage that it is insensitive to mis-alignment of the optical assembly. The two mirrors which comprise the mirror system 62 are mounted in a rigid sub-assembly so that the angle between the mirrors remains fixed at 94.75°. This sub-assembly is then slid into a holding slot (not illustrated) moulded into the base 53. Thus, even if the base 53 should be twisted or imperfectly moulded, this does not alter the light path.

This arises because the angle between the incident beam and the reflected beam of the light path depends only upon the angle between the mirrors and not on their angle relative to the base 53. If the two mirrors comprising the mirror system 62 are twisted about an axis through the centre of the lens system, the image is also twisted. However, this is relatively unimportant as the feeding of the document is rarely perfectly vertical and small errors of this type are acceptable in any subjective test.

The forgoing describes only one embodiment of a multi-purpose communications device and modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. As mentioned above, the "Voice Mail" feature can be provided separately for known telephone systems. In such cases, there is provided a recording device for recording an audio message which is to be transmitted. The recording device includes means for storing telephone numbers to which the audio message is to be transmitted. A control circuit controls the recording device to dial the telephone numbers, in turn, and to transmit the audio message when the dialed telephone number answers. Although, it will be appreciated that the recording device may be a magnetic tape recorder which records the message and then plays it back when the dialed telephone answers, in the preferred embodiment, the recording device includes a duplex speech encoder and decoder (Codec) which digitises the audio message and stores 1t 1n a memory. The memory also stores the telephone numbers to which the message is to be sent. Clearly, more than one message for more than one telephone number can be stored, depending on the size of the memory. Thus, the device need only be a small module containing the codec, the memory and a control circuit for connection to a standard telephone so that the message is dictated via the telephone microphone and transmitted via the telephone circuit. It will also be appreciated that, for a telephone with a real time clock, a time of day may be stored for each telephone number or message so that the corresponding message is transmitted to the corresponding number when that time of day has been reached or has passed. Obviously, the real time clock could also be provided in the device. As described above, the main features of the Voice Mail facility are the following steps:

- push a button and dial

- record a message and store it

- dial/auto dial destination - detect a person answering

- play recorded message (once or more than once)

- disconnect.

As an option, the Voice Mail facility may also include the steps of:

- detect start of response - record response, if any

- play response back.

It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the above described recording device can function in the same way as the Voice Mail feature described earlier and that therefore further detailed description of the device when used in an ordinary telephone is not required. This device, when produced for use in ordinary telephones, can, therefore, be manufactured in ASIC technology so that only a small number of extra components need be added to the ordinary telephone in order to provide it with the Voice Mail facility.

Claims

1. A multi-purpose communications device comprising a microphone and a loudspeaker, and a housing; said housing having a telephone circuit operable with said microphone and said loudspeaker and a connector outlet connectable to a telephone line, said housing further including a document reader, a printer, and an electronic control circuit including a central processing unit, a memory and stored program; said control circuit being connected to said document reader, said printer, and said telephone circuit to selectively digitally encode a document read by said document reader, transmit said encoded document via said telephone line to a remote facsimile receiver, print said encoded document on said printer, and/or receive via said telephone line from a remote facsimile transmitter an encoded transmitted document and print same on said printer whereby said " multi-purpose communications device can selectively function as a tele¬ phone, a facsimile transmitter, a document reproducer and/or a facsimile^' receiver.

2. A device according to claim 1 further comprising a memory means for storing digital information received via said telephone line.

3. A device according to claim 1 further comprising an audio message recording means to record and store audio messages either received via said telephone line, or dictated via said microphone, and an audio message transmitter means to transmit a stored audio message via said telephone line.

4. A device according to claim 3 wherein said audio message recording means comprises digitising means for digitising the audio message and a memory means for storing the digitally encoded message, and said audio message transmitter means converts said stored digitally encoded message to an analog signal which is transmitted via said telephone line.

5. A device according to claim 4 wherein said audio message recording means and said audio message transmitter means comprise a duplex speech encoder and decoder (codec) for transforming analog signals into digital data, and vice versa.

6. A device according to claim 3 further comprising storage means for storing one or more telephone addresses, wherein said control circuit controls said telephone circuit and said audio message transmitter means to automatically transmit said stored audio message to said one or more tele¬ phone addresses when said device is not being used for another purpose.

7. A device according to claim 3 wherein said audio message recording means also records and stores audio responses received via said telephone line.

8. A device according to claim 7 wherein said audio message recording means comprises digitising means for digitising the audio response and memory means for storing the digitally encoded response.

9. A device according to claim 1 further including a computer interface means to accept digital data from an adjacent computer and transmit thisdata as facsimile code via said telephone line to a remote facsimile receiver.

10. A device according to claim 2 wherein the computer interface means also transmits digital data from said memory to an adjacent computer.

11. A device according to claim 4 wherein the computer interface means also transmits digital data from said memory to an adjacent computer.

12. A device according to claim 9 wherein the computer interface means also transmits digital data from said memory to an adjacent computer.

13. A device according to claim 10 wherein said digital data is facsimile or other digital information.

14. An automatic telephone message transmitting device for attachment to a telephone having a microphone and a loudspeaker, and a telephone circuit operable with said microphone and said loudspeaker and a connector outlet connectable to a telephone line, said device comprising recording means for recording one or more audio messages either received via said telephone line or dictated via said microphone, storage means for storing one or more telephone addresses for each of said audio messages and control means coupled to said storage means and recording means for controlling said telephone circuit to connect with a first one of said telephone addresses and to transmit to said first one of said telephone addresses the corresponding audio message, and to continue dialling each of said stored telephone addresses and transmit thereto the corresponding audio message.

15. An automatic telephone message transmitting device according to claim 14 arranged so as to record a response from the telephone line after the audio message has been transmitted.

16. An automatic telephone message transmitting device according to claim 14 wherein said recording means comprises a digitizer means for converting said audio message into digital data and memory means for storing said digital data.

17. An automatic telephone message transmitting device according to claim

15 wherein said recording means comprises a digitizer means for converting said response into digital data and memory means for storing said digital data.

18. An automatic telephone message transmitting device according to claim

16 wherein said digitizer means comprises a duplex speech encoder and decoder (codec).

19. An automatic telephone message transmitting device according to claim 17 wherein said digitizer means comprises a duplex speech encoder and decoder (codec).

20. An automatic telephone message transmitting device according to claim 14 wherein for each stored telephone address, said storage means also stores a time of day at which the telephone address is to be dialled and the corresponding audio message is to be transmitted, said control circuit being coupled to a clock counter for determining whether said stored time of day corresponds to the actual time of day.