GB2032225A - Control Device in an Automatic Telephone Answering Apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

A control device in an automatic telephone answering apparatus having dual recording media, and several operating modes selected by tone markers activating a control circuit including a microcomputer. A first recording medium 1 contains a first call answering text 2, 3 without a request to speak and a second call answering text 4, 5 and 6 with a request to speak. Tone markers 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 of predetermined frequencies, on both texts are differently spaced to cause the microcomputer to assume a respective control state for reproduction or recording in response to the detected tone markers. A recording detector is used to determine the reaching of the capacity limit of a second recording medium which records incoming conversation. In response to a signal from the recording detector, the microcomputer returns the first recording medium to the beginning of the answering text without a request to speak. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Control Device in an Automatic Telephone Answering Apparatus The invention relates to a control device in an apparatus for the automatic answering of telephone calls. More particularly, it relates to such a device in an apparatus having an answer producing means which includes a first magnetic recording medium for the recording and reproduction of a multipart, incoming call answering text and a storage means which includes a second magnetic recording medium for the recording and reproduction of incoming conversations. The control device is provided for the establishment of various interconnection configurations corresponding to different operating modes of the apparatus, or alternatively for the automatic control of the cyclical sequence of functions of the apparatus in its various operating modes.The control device includes means for recording control signals of a predetermined frequency on the first recording medium in that recording track thereof which is provided for the incoming call answering text, and for reproducing the recorded control signals for the purpose of switching of the apparatus from that operating mode in which it reproduces a first portion of the text into that operating mode in which it records the incoming conversation, and for returning the first recording medium to its starting position after reproduction of a final text portion.

In known apparatus of this type, the incoming call answering text is recorded upon the first recording medium and reproduced in response to a call. In addition to identifying data, the first text portion contains a speaking request for recording upon the second recording medium a message which is subsequently to be given by the caller. After a predetermined period of time, or one which is controlled by the speech, a termination message is issued from the first recording medium, whereupon the first recording medium returns to its starting position so as to be ready for the answering of a further call. In that connection, reference is made, by way of example, to the Canadian Patent Specification No. 961,186 and the corresponding British Patent Specification No. 1,388,037 as well as the U.S. Patent Specification No. 3,937,893.These patent specifications fully describe an automatic telephone answering apparatus of the type to which the present invention relates.

When the recording capacity of the second recording medium has been reached, recording of an incoming message can no longer take place, and this inability is not perceptible to callers. To overcome this problem, an instrument is already known which automatically switches to an answer-only text upon reaching its full recording capacity, so that the caller is prevented from continuing with a message. However, in this known apparatus, the switching to the reproduction of the answer-only text is performed by means of a costly mechanical arrangement which, furthermore, does not permit varying the length of the incoming call answering text.

Accordingly, it is the principal object of the present invention to provide a control device in an apparatus of the initially described type which, with few additional circuit means, makes possible an automatic selection of the appropriate operating mode in response to an automatic determination of the type of call answering text, and an automatic selection of the operating mode in which the call answering text having no request to speak is reproduced and transmitted, when the capacity of the second magnetic recording medium is reached or that recording medium is absent.

This and other objects which will appear are achieved in accordance with the invention by providing a control device which includes a microcomputer having a plurality of signal inputs and signal outputs. First and second signal inputs thereof are coupled to a control signal detector associated with the first magnetic recording medium and to a recording detector associated with the second magnetic recording medium. A signal output of the microcomputer is coupled to a reversible drive for the first recording medium.The microcomputer is so constructed as to assume a control state for respective reproduction of either answering text having no request to speak and including a request to speak, when during an initial reproduction of the answering text, after the detection of a first recorded control signal having a predetermined frequency, a second recorded control signal having the same frequency is detected by the control signal detector within a predetermined time interval or, in the other case, within a time interval which is longer than said predetermined time interval.The first recording medium which consecutively includes both types of answering text without and with a request to speak is returned to the beginning of the answering text without request to speak, when the recording detector supplies a signal to the microcomputer indicating that the second recording medium is unusable for recording an incoming conversation.

The invention will be further described with reference to an illustrative embodiment and the accompanying drawings wherein: Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a first magnetic tape with control markers and containing a first incoming call answering text without a request to speak and a second incoming call answering text including a request to speak; Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of another first magnetic tape with control markers and containing exclusively an incoming call answering text without a request to speak; and Figure 3 is a block diagram of a portion of an automatic telephone answering apparatus embodying the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, the magnetic tape 1 which serves as the first magnetic recording medium for the apparatus embodying the invention has a beginning A and an end E. The magnetic tape 1 includes text portions 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 of two incoming call answer texts recorded on the magnetic tape. The magnetic tape further includes tone markers 7 and 8 having a relatively low tone frequency of 100 Hz, for example, further tone markers 9, 10 and 11 having a relatively high tone frequency of 1000 Hz, for example, and a tone marker 12. The tone frequency of the tone marker 12 is lower than the frequency of the tone markers 9, 10 and 11 by the same factor by which the rewind speed of the magnetic tape 1 is higher that its forward speed, i.e., its recording or playback speed.Provided the rewind speed is five times higher than the forward speed, the frequency of the tone marker 12 would be chosen to be 200 Hz in the example mentioned above.

The magnetic tape 1 includes two types of series of text portions, namely, a first series of the text portions 2 and 3 representing an incoming call answer text without any request to the caller to speak, and a second series of the text portions 4, 5 and 6 including a request to speak.

In the first series of text portions, the first tone marker 7 having a relatively low frequency of 100 Hz follows the first answer text portion 2. As will be explained later, the tone marker 7 has the effect of offering to the caller the occasion of transmitting an identification code message for subsequently performing a remote read-out of incoming messages previously recorded on the second magnetic recording medium.

Following the tone marker 7, the magnetic tape 1 includes the second answer text portion 3 which is terminated by the first tone marker 9 having the relatively high frequency of 1000 Hz.

Immediately thereafter follows the particular tone marker 1 2 with the intermediate frequency of 200 Hz.

The subsequent second series of text portions starts again with the first answer text portion 4 and the first tone marker 8 having the relatively low frequency of 100 Hz, followed by the second answer text portion 5 which is terminated by the tone marker 10 having the relatively high frequency of 1000 Hz.

The text portions 2, 3 and 4, 5, respectively, are not identical with respect to the information represented by them. As the first series of the text portions 2 and 3 serves as a pure answer text, the text portion 3 includes, immediately preceding the tone marker 9, a terminating statement. The second series of the text portions 4, 5 and 6, however, is used in connection with the recording of an incoming message from the caller. Therefore, its second text portion 5 includes, immediately preceding the tone marker 10, a request to speak. The tone marker 10 is then followed by the third text portion 6 which now includes a terminating statement, after the incoming message has been recorded on the second magnetic recording medium.The remaining portion of the magnetic tape 1 is filled with the tone marker 11 having the relatively high frequency of 1000 Hz.

By way of example, the lengths of the various segments of the magnetic tape 1 may have the following time values which partly are laid down by regulations of telephone administrations or companies: Text portions 2 and 3 including tone marker 7:not less than 15 seconds Tone marker 7: 2 seconds Tone marker 9: 0.5 seconds Tone marker 12: 2 seconds Text portions 4 and 5, including tone marker 8:not less than 15 seconds not more than 4 minutes Tone marker 10: 0.5 seconds Text portion 6: not more than 6 seconds Tone marker 11: rest of the magnetic tape The time position of the tone markers 7 and 8 within the text portions 2, 3 and 4, 5, respectively, is at choice.

The vertical arrows illustrated below the magnetic tape 1 of Figure 1 indicate the operation of a push-button switch provided for recording the text portions and the tone marks, and explained later.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a second magnetic tape 1 A, whose text serves as a mere incoming call answer text without a request to speak to be used when the recording of incoming messages is not desired or when the telephone answering apparatus has no such recording facilities.

Therefore, the magnetic tape 1 A, in conformity with the first series of text portions of the magnetic tape 1 in Figure 1, includes the two text portions 2 and 3, which are separated by the tone marker 7 and terminated by the tone marker 9. Thereafter, the tone marker 1 2 having the particular frequency of 200 Hz follows again. After the tone marker 12, there is a short empty interval of not more than one second. The remaining portion of the magnetic tape is again filled with the tone marker 11 having the relatively high frequency of 1000 Hz.

In Figure 3, portions of the automatic telephone answering apparatus are schematically illustrated which control the magnetic tapes 1 or 1 A (whichever is in use in the apparatus) to take the required starting or rest positions. The remaining elements and circuits of the automatic telephone answering apparatus are not illustrated as they are clearly apparent from the patent specifications referred to above.

The partially illustrated apparatus comprises an answer producing system 21 including the first magnetic recording medium, specifically the magnetic tape 1 or 1 A illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, respectively. The magnetic tape 1 or 1 A can be unwound from a storage reel 22 onto a take-up reel 23 and vice versa. For the operation of the reels 22, 23 there is provided a motor 24 whose direction of movement is determined by a direction-control magnet 25. The magnetic tape 1 or 1A is equipped with a combined magnetic head 26 which serves both to record the incoming call answering text and the tone markers upon the magnetic tape as well as for their reproduction during operation of the apparatus as a telephone call answering device. Furthermore, the magnetic tape 1 or 1 A is equipped in known manner with an erase head 27 connected to erase circuits not shown.In addition, the answering reproducing system 21 has a photoelectric arrangement including a light source 28 and a photocell 29, for detecting the end of the magnetic tape 1 or 1 A wound up on reel 23.

For the control of the entire apparatus there is provided a microcomputer 31 which in known manner has a program stored therein. Structure and programming of microcomputers or microprocessors with a program memory or other integrated or monolithic circuits for a digital are established prior art. In particular, U.S. Patent Specification No. 3,937,893 describes a central digital control unit designed as a one-chip integrated circuit having programmed functional connections between input and output terminals for the control of any functions in an automatic telephone answering apparatus. The digital control unit described in the aforementioned U.S. patent specification could apparently be replaced by an appropriate microcomputer now commercially available with the required programming facilities.Therefore, only those connections to the microcomputer 31 are shown in Figure 3 which are provided for the rewind control of the magnetic tape 1 or 1 A.

Thus, the microcomputer 31 has a first output lead which supplies a binary control signal MOT to the motor 24 via an amplifier 33, and a second output lead which supplies a binary control signal MAG to the direction control magnet 25 via another amplifier 34. These output variables MOT and MAG from the microcomputer 31 are controlled in response to the program stored in the microcomputer 31 and the input variables supplied to the microcomputer 31 which are as follows: -an output signal NOMA from an amplifier 35 connected to the photocell 29: -an output signal from a tone marker detector 36 connected to the magnet head 26; -an output signal SD from a speach detector 37 connected to the magnetic head 26; and -an output signal NOMS from a magnetic tape detector 38 associated with the second magnetic recording medium not shown in Figure 3. The detector 38 detects the state of the second magnetic recording medium or tape provided in the automatic telephone answering apparatus for recording incoming messages from the callers, and it particularly detects the absence of the second magnetic recording tape, a rupture of that tape or an insufficient length of tape to record one further incoming message of predetermined length.The magnetic tape detector 38 may be constructed in any known manner In particular, it may take the form of -a usuai tape length counter supplying a signal at a predetermined measured tape length near the end of the tape: -a light source and an associated light sensor for detecting a light reflective or light transparent mark disposed the tape near its end, such as the elements 28, 29 and 35 shown in Figure 1 for the magnetic tape 1 or 1A; -an electrically conducting coating applied on the tape near its end, the coating being sensed by an electrical contact set.

As to the absence or rupture of the magnetic tape, specifically of a magnetic tape in a cassette, a variety of devices including, for example, a feeler lever actuating an electrical contact device such as a microswitch, are known.

According to Figure 3, a pushbutton switch 39 is connected to the microcomputer 31. The switch 39 may take the form of a start switch disposed on the housing of the apparatus or a microphone switch separated from the apparatus housing. The pushbutton switch 39 will be used for recording the answer text portions and tone markers onto the magnetic tape 1 or 1 A (Figures 1 and 2), after the apparatus has been brought by a corresponding switch (not shown) into the operational condition of "recording an answer text". Such recording is performed as follows: For recording the text portions 2 to 6 of Figure 1, whilst speaking into a microphone connected to the apparatus, the operator pushes the pushbutton switch 39 which preferably is a switch disposed on the housing of the microphone. Pushing the switch 39 causes the microcomputer 31 to supply the signal MOT to the motor 24 for the desired movement of the magnetic tape 1 from the supply reel 22 to the take-up reel 23. It also supplies amplified microphone signals to the combined magnetic head 26 and an erase current to the erase head 27.

When the pushbutton switch 39 is released at the desired instant, i.e. each time at the end of the desired text portion 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6, the microcomputer 31 supplies the appropriate tone marker signals 7, 9 and 12, 8, 10 and 11, respectively, to the combined magnetic head 26, the programming in the microcomputer 31 being realized in a manner that the tone marker signal subsequent to a preceding tone marker signal has the required frequency as explained in connection with Figure 1. Thereafter, the movement of the magnetic tape 1 is stopped by the microcomputer 31 (no signal MOT), to which purpose the microcomputer 31 includes a delay function started when the pushbutton switch 39 is released. The recording is then continued by again actuating the pushbutton switch 39.After the recording of the text portion 6 and after releasing the switch 39, the tape 1 will advance as far as its end E, and a tone marker signal 11 with the relatively high frequency of 1000 Hz will be supplied to the magnetic head 26.

In case an incoming call answer text according to Figure 2 is to be recorded on the magnetic tape 1 A, the operator proceeds in the same manner but, of course, dictates a different text having no request to speak. After terminating the text portion 3, he again releases the switch 39, whereupon the tone markers 9 and 12 will be automatically recorded, the movement of the tape 1A being stopped thereafter. The operator then again actuates the switch 39, but only for a short instant of less than one second. By that operation, the tape 1 A will advance, but no signal will be recorded on the tape 1 A, i.e.

the empty interval 1 3 will be formed. After release of the switch 39, the tape 1 A again advances until it reaches its end E. Simultaneously, the tone marker 11 with the relatively high frequency of 1000 Hz will be automatically recorded on the tape 1 A.

In Figures 1 and 2, the actuation of the pushbutton switch 39 is illustrated by arrows 39', a downwardly directed arrow 39' indicating a pushing movement on the switch 39, and an upwardly directed arrow 39' indicating a releasing movement.

It is evident that programming the microcomputer 31 to exhibit the functions and to supply the signals described above is a matter of routine for an expert programmer in the microcomputer field.

An operation mode is now considered in which the present automatic telephone answering apparatus is connected to a telephone line to answer incoming calls and, if this is desired and provided, to record incoming messages. To obtain that operation mode, a respective switch (not shown) of the apparatus is actuated. It is a feature of the control device of the invention that after the actuation of that telephone answering mode switch, the microcomputer 31 first checks the type of magnetic tape 1 or 1A inserted in the apparatus, and then only switches over the apparatus to assume its respective start position for the telephone answering operation mode.

The checking operation is initiated by a complete rewind of the magnetic tape 1 or 1 A to its beginning A upon respective control signals from the microcomputer 31. When the magnetic tape reaches its beginining, that state is transmitted to the microcomputer as binary signal NOMA from the photoelectric means 28, 29 via the amplifier 35. The microcomputer 31 now effects a forward movement of the magnetic tape 1 or 1 A by means of the signal MOT supplied to the motor 24 via the amplifier 33. Simultaneously, the text portions recorded previously on the magnetic tape are read out, and reproduced by a loudspeaker of the apparatus. The tone marker detector 36 which is connected to the magnetic head 26, watches over the tone markers on the magnetic tape.The speach detector 37 which is also connected to the magnetic head 26, watches over the presence of the text or the absence of speach stops.

The signals TD supplied by the tone marker detector 36, which reproduce detected tone markers having the relatively high frequency of 1000 Hz, are checked by the microcomputer 31 with respect to their time intervals and their lengths or durations. If after a first detected tone marker a second tone marker is detected within less than 6 seconds, for example, then the magnetic tape in the apparatus certainly is a magnetic tape 1 A according to Figure 2. On that tape, the time distance of the second tone marker 11 from the preceding tone marker 9 is not more than 3 seconds according to the preceding statements. On the magnetic tape 1, the distance of the second tone marker 1 0 having the higher frequency from the preceding tone marker 9 equally having the higher frequency is at least 1 7 seconds, which rules out the presence of the magnetic tape 1 in the apparatus.Apparently, the magnetic tape in the apparatus is a magnetic tape 1 according to Figure 1, if the time interval measured by the microcomputer 31 between two consecutive tone markers of 1000 Hz is more than 6 seconds.

With that information now stored in the microcomputer 31, the further tone marker signals having the relatively high frequency of 1000 Hz are supplied to microcomputer 31 and are checked by the microcomputer with respect to their length or duration. As soon as a tone marker having a duration of more than 2 seconds is ascertained by the microcomputer 31, which duration corresponds to the tone marker 11 extending to the end E of the magnetic tape 1 or 1 A, the microcomputer 31, by means of respective signals MAG and MOT, causes the magnetic tape 1 or 1 A to be rewound.If the microcomputer 31 has acertained the presence of a magnetic tape 1 according to Figure 1, rewinding continues until the tone marker 12 having the frequency of 200 Hz is reached, which on fast rewinding also produces a signal having the relatively high frequency of 1000 Hz, the signal being supplied to the microcomputer via the tone marker detector 36. If, however, the microcomputer 31 has ascertained the presence of a magnetic tape 1 A according to Figure 2, the magnetic tape is rewound until it reaches its beginning A. The magnetic tape 1 or 1 A inserted in the telephone answering apparatus is now in the state of readiness for answering incoming calls and, in the case of the magnetic tape 1, for recording incoming messages.

If during the automatic check described above, a defective magnetic tape is in the apparatus, either a tape having a rupture or a tape having recorded thereon speach with silent intervals of more than 2 seconds (not admitted by some telephone administrations), such defect is signalled to the microcomputer via the speach detector 37. In case the signal SD from the speach detector 37 either is totaily absent or shows silent intervals of more than 2 seconds, the microcomputer 31 completely blocks all functions of the apparatus. The operator has then to detect and remove the source of the defect.

If in the course of the check described above the microcomputer 31 has ascertained the presence of a magnetic tape 1 according to Figure 1, the microcomputer further checks the second magnetic recording medium or tape on which incoming messages are recorded. Respective information input signals are supplied to the microcomputer from the magnetic tape detector 38 and from tape end detectors (not shown) associated with the magnetic tape. If the magnetic tape is completely erased, control signals from the microcomputer 31 will rewind it to its beginning. If the magnetic tape is partially filled with recorded incoming messages, the microcomputer 31 will rewind it to the end of last recorded incoming message.In case the magnetic tape is either completely filled, defective or absent, the microcomputer will rewind the magnetic tape 1 to its beginning A, whereby forthcoming calls will only be answered, and no request to speak will be transmitted to the caller over the telephone line.

With an incoming call, the ringing signal is detected in known manner; the telephone answering apparatus is then automatically connected to the telephone line and the motor 24 in the answer producing system 21 is energized. If the magnetic tape 1 according to Figure 1 is in use for recording incoming message on the second magnetic recording medium, the first text portion 4 will be transmitted over the telephone line. In the case of only the incoming call answer text without a request to speak having to be transmitted, or the magnetic tape 1 A according to Figure 2 being in use, the respective text portion 2 will be transmitted over the telephone line.

When between this first text portion 4 or 2 and the subsequent text portion 5 or 3, respectively, the tone marker 8 or 7 passes in front of the magnetic head 26, the detected signal having a relatively low frequency of 100 Hz will cause the microcomputer 31 to switch over to the state of reception of an incoming signal for 2 seconds, the magnetic tape further moving in the forward direction. During that time interval of 2 seconds, an instructed caller may transmit a specific code signal for effecting a remote read-out of the messages previously recorded on the second magnetic recording medium. As such remote read-out is not an object of the present invention, it will not be described in detail.

If dunng the interval of 2 seconds no signal or an incorrect code signal is received from the telephone line, the following text portion 5 or 3 will be transmitted over the telephone line. At the appearance of the following tone marker 10 or 9 which has the relatively high frequency of 1000 Hz, the microcomputer 31 will either switch over the apparatus to the operational state of recording an incoming message (tone marker 10 following a request to speak at the end of the text portion 5 on the magnetic tape 1) or it will separate the apparatus from the telephone line and rewind the magnetic tape 1 or 1 A to its beginning A (tone marker 9 at the end of the text portion 3 on the magnetic tape 1 or 1 A). In the latter case, the apparatus is ready, therefore, for receiving and answering a further incoming call.

In the preceding case of recording an incoming message, the end of the message will be signalled to the microcomputer 31 by a voice detector not shown in Figure 3. The microcomputer 31 then effects the transmission of the text portion 6 including a terminating statement. The final tone marker 11 causes the microcomputer 31 to separate the apparatus from the telephone line and to rewind the magnetic tape. On rewind, the tone marker 12 having a frequency of 200 Hz is detected as a tone marker having the relatively high frequency of 1000 Hz. The detection of the tone marker 12 stops the rewind movement of the magnetic tape 1, and the apparatus is again ready for receiving and answering a call, recording an incoming message, and transmitting a terminating statement as described.

If during the recording of an incoming message the second magnetic recording medium or tape becomes filled up to a spare length corresponding to 30 seconds, for example, or if the second magnetic recording medium should become defective, the microcomputer 31 will automatically rewind the magnetic tape 1 to its beginning A due to the control signal NOMS from the tape detector 38. That rewind position assures that a further incoming call will only be answered (transmission of text portions 2 and 3 in Figure 1), and that no request to speak will be transmitted to the caller.

It should be noted that the only tone marker frequencies detected by the tone marker detector 36 and accepted by the microcomputer 31 are the relatively low frequency of 100 Hz and the relatively high frequency of 1000 Hz. Therefore, during a forward movement of the magnetic tape 1 (Figure 1), the tone marker 12 having a frequency of 200 Hz has no effect at all. The same is true in the rewind direction of movement of the tape for the tone markers 10, 8 and 7, because with the increased rewind speed their frequencies will be 5000 Hz and 500 Hz, respectively.

It becomes apparent that the present apparatus embodying the invention realizes an automatic adaption of the operation of the apparatus to the type and condition of the first magnetic recording medium containing the incoming call answer text and to the condition of the second magnetic recording medium provided for the recording of incoming messages. No intervention by the operator or user of the apparatus is required. In addition, only a small number of circuit components have to be installed, as a substantial portion of the watch, check and switch functions may be realized without any discrete circuits and circuit elements by programming the microcomputer in a manner to perform the desired functions.

Claims (6)

Claims

1. A control device in an automatic telephone answering apparatus having answer producing means including a first magnetic recording medium for recording and reproducing a multiportion incoming call answering text, and having storage means including a second magnetic recording medium for recording and reproducing incoming conversation, said control device being adapted for setting up a plurality of system configurations corresponding to different operating modes of the instrument and the automatic control of the operating cycle of the instrument in its different operating modes, and said control device including means for recording control signals of predetermined frequency upon the first recording medium in its recording track for the answering text and for reproducing the recorded control signals to switch the apparatus from its operating mode in which it reproduces a first text portion into the operating mode in which it records the incoming conversation, and to return the first recording medium to its initial position after reproducing of a final text portion, wherein the control device includes a microcomputer having a plurality of signal inputs and a plurality of signal outputs, a first signal input hereof being coupled to a control signal detector means including a magnetic head for reproducing the control signals recorded on the first magnetic recording medium, a second signal input thereof being coupled to a recording detector means for determining the at least approximate reaching of the recording capacity of the second magnetic recording medium or the absence of the second medium, and at least one signal output thereof being coupled to a reversible drive means for the first magnetic recording medium, said microcomputer being so constructed as to assume a control state for the reproduction of a first recorded answering text having no request to speak, when during an initial reproduction of said first answering text, after the detection of a first recorded control signal having a predetermined frequency, a second recorded control signal having the same frequency is detected by said control signal detector means within a predetermined time interval, to assume a control state for the reproduction of a second recorded answering text including a request to speak, when during said initial reproduction of said second answering text said first and second control signals are detected within a time interval which is longer than said predetermined time interval, and to return the first magnetic recording medium, which consecutively includes both said first and second recorded answering texts, to the beginning of the first answering text having no request to speak, when said recording detector means supplies a signal to the microcomputer indicating that the second magnetic medium is unusable for recording incoming conversation.

2. The control device of claim 1, wherein a speech detector is coupled to said magnetic head, the output of said speech detector being coupled to a further signal input of said microcomputer, said microcomputer further being so constructed as to block the apparatus when the speech detector does not detect any speech signal within a predetermined time interval.

3. The control device of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic recording medium includes a further control signal disposed between the end of the first answering text and the beginning of the second answering text for marking the beginning of the second answering text, the frequency of said further control signal being lower than the predetermined frequency by the same factor by which the return speed of the first magnetic recording medium is higher than its forward speed.

4. The control device of claim 1, wherein the first magnetic recording medium includes a control signal at the end of the entire answering text a control signal for causing the return of the recording medium, said control signal having the predetermined frequency, and which has a longer duration than any other control signal having the predetermined frequency.

5. The control device of claim 1, wherein a pushbutton switch is coupled to said microcomputer for energizing the reversible drive means and for recording the answering text when the switch is actuated, and for recording a control signal having a frequency and a duration determined by said microcomputer when subsequently the switch is released.

6. A control device in an automatic telephone answering apparatus, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.