GB2080596A - Telephone answering device - Google Patents

Abstract

A telephone answering device comprises two cassette machines, the first, Figure 1, for reproducing a prerecorded message and the second, Figures 8-10 (not shown), for then recording an incoming message. Both the tape transports revert to a rewind mode after every transducing operation to restore the tapes to the start. The second machine also has a manually- controlled fast-forward mode. For normal transport, solenoid 16 is energised to pull a slide 15: this pivots a lever 10 and a belt-driven roller 7 thereon contacts a pulley 12 on the take-up shaft 13, and also swings into operative position a plate 14 carrying heads (not- shown) and a pinch roller 23, the plate being pivoted at either end to the chassis sides. When the solenoid is de-energised, a roller 1 on a slide plate 25 is allowed to more transversely into contact with capstan flywheel 3 and the supply shaft 5 is driven therefrom via an intermediate spring-loaded roller 2. Rewind thus occurs until a photoelectric reel-rotation detector (see also Figures 12-16, not shown) detects stoppage of a sectored disc on the supply shaft. The fast-forward device of the second machine comprises an idler (48) on the slide plate (49) corresponding to the slide plate 25 which can be moved by a push-button (53) so that the idler contacts both flywheel (50) and take-up pulley (51). Requisite control circuits for automatic answering and for manual and remote control are disclosed, Figures 17, 18 (not shown). <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Telephone answering device The invention relates to a device which operates in conjunction with a telephone to answer calls automatically in the absence of the subscriber.

In particular, the invention relates to a device of the type using two cassette tape recorders, acting respectively, to send a pre-recorded message to the caller and to record messages dictated by such a caller. The device may also be remote controlled by the subscriber through the same telephone line using a multifrequency system.

According to the present invention, there is provided a telephone answering device comprising a first tape recorder for conveying a pre-recorded outgoing message and a second tape recorder for recording incoming messages, each tape recorder having an automatic disconnection system, a fast motion drive gear to the re-wind shaft, means for driving the take-up shaft at reading speed, means for moving the magnetic heads of the tape pressure roller support in an in-and-out tippling action, and means for uncoupling the fast motion drive gear from the re-wind shaft and simultaneously coupling the means for driving the take-up shaft at reading speed to said take-up shaft.

The tape recorder sending the outgoing message is set to automatically return to the rest position after the message is played, with the rewinding of the tape while so doing, as to be again ready to play the message when a new call is received.

More specifically, the tape recorder which is provided with means to be automatically activated in response to a call, is so set that when such activation takes place the reading head will immediately move to and make contact with the magnetic tape, while the motion drive mechanisms are also set to rotate the tape take-up spool shaft at the listening speed.

When the message ends, and before the instrument switches itself off, the magnetic heads are automatically withdrawn from the tape and this motion shifts the driving mechanism to drive the re-wind shaft until the tape is fully re-wound in its original position and ready to be replayed.

The drives operating the rewind and takeup spool shafts, formed by two separate groups of rollers, each intended to drive a different shaft, are manually independent, and are in turn driven in the conventional way by the inertia flywheel or by the transmission belt which drives said flywheel from the main drive shaft. The alternate operation of the two groups of rollers is controlled by the same system which moves the magnetic heads and the pressure roller to make contact with the magnetic tape.

An important part of the uniqueness of this invention is the fact that both the in-and-out magnetic heads support and the pressure roller tipple on a pivot perpendicular to the tape rewind and takeup shafts and this motion is operated automatically by means of an electromagnet to which core the support is linked through a metal strip. Holes open through this strip are inclined and parallel to direction of movement of the strip and act as cams relative to the motion transmission mechanism driving the tape rewind and takeup shafts which position is changed by these cams depending on whether the electromagnet is energised or not.

According to the described arrangement, the driving mechanism, only capable of imparting a high speed motion to the rewind shaft or a slow reading speed to the takeup shaft, is so arranged that when the electromagnet controlling the position of the magnetic heads support is not energised, such mechanism is set to drive the rewind shaft at high speed. Conversely, when the electromagnet is energised, it operates a shift by which the parts driving the rewind shaft are disabled and the parts driving the takeup shaft at reading speed are enabled.

This overall arrangement isthesameforthe initial operation of the tape recorder used to record the incoming call messages, although with the following variation: The tape recorder above described, the one set to automatically give messages when answering a telephone call and which returns to the start position and is reset to repeat the message as necessary for an infinite number of times, only requires the two speeds discussed above ( a high speed for the rewind shaft and a reading speed for the takeup shaft).

But in a tape recorder used to receive a message, not to give it, a third speed is essential (i.e. a high tape takeup speed) to allow moving the tape rapidly forward up to the point where a message which is wished to be replayed has been recorded.

Consequently, this second tape recorder uses basically the same setup previously described, but modified to provide for said third speed.

The way through which the third speed is o-btained will be explained later on, after the basic arrangement common to both tape recorders is described.

In both tape recorders the driving mechanism is divided into two separate acting groups, operating at different times, one to drive the rewind shaft and the other to drive the takeup shaft.

The high speed driving group for the rewind shaft is formed by a pair of spring-loaded rollers in permanent tangential contact with one another while at the same time they can make contact simultaneously, one with the inertia flywheel of the instrument, and the other with a third single separate roller mounted coaxially with the rewind shaft.

The first of the coupled rollers is mounted on a plate sliding between two stops within the direction determined by the position of the spool driving shafts. The second roller is mounted on a member placed in the same plane as the above sliding plate.

This member rotates around a fixed pivot through a directional slot. The reading speed driving assembly for the takeup shaft is formed by two axially coupled rollers, or rather a roller and a sheave wheel; the latter receives power from the motor transmission belt driving the instrument inertia flywheel. Both the roller and the sheave are mounted on a common shaft at the end of an angle arm, permanently spring-loaded under tension so as to keep the roller near to but not quite in contact with another roller coaxially fitted on top of the takeup shaft.

In both tape recorders when the driving assemblies are at rest, the rollers transmitting motion from the inertia shaft to the rewind shaft are engaged to the latter, while the roller associated to the sheave wheel driven by the transmission belt, is disengaged. This condition is reversed when the magnetic heads support actuating electromagnet is energised, disengaging the rewind shaft driving rollers, thus causing the sheave-carrying angle arm to turn, as well as the coaxial reduction roller which was then forcing said reduction roller to make contact with another roller coupled to the tape takeup shaft.

The above described setup being available in the incoming message recorder, the onlything required to transfer a high speed motion to the tape takeup shaft is for the sliding strip to carry an extra roller so arranged as to make simultaneous contact with the inertia flywheel and with the tape takeup shaft when the strip is pushed over, without this motion affecting the position of the magnetic heads support.

Also part of this new invention is a system to switch off each tape recorder, which automatically acts, when the tape is fully wound around any of its two spool driving shafts, so as to prevent damages due to tape overtension or other reason.

Devices performing this same function are already available, but all are prone to have break downs, their service life is considerably short and their design and construction are sufficiently complex as to make them a solution less than ideal.The automatic switch off device proposed in this invention is of simple design, easy to install in the instrument and no wear, either by friction or otherwise, occurs to shorten its service life.

Essentially this new device consists of an assemblyformed by a disk crenellated all around its edge (with regular indentations), a pinpoint light source, and a photosensitive cell designed to respond to variations of the received light beam. The disk rotates with the center aligned with the tape rewind shaft of the recorder while the light source and the photosensitive cell are placed opposing each other and in the path covered by the crenellated part of the disk.

Thus, as the disk rotates between the light source and the photocell, its indentations cause a continuous, regular, chopping of the light beam giving raise to a square waveform detected by auxiliary controls to maintain open the feed circuit to the open motor of the device until such time as the condition is reversed. When the tape is fully wound around any of the two spools and the shafts-are thus stopped together with the crenellated disk attached to one of them, the regular chopping of the light beam will also cease together with the square waveform.

The auxiliary controls will then detect the new condition and switch the power off from the motor of the instrument.

Two major assemblies in the instrument electric controls deserve particular mention: One is the automation system formed by logic circuits which purpose is to establish and control the operating sequences. The other is formed by linear circuits performing the amplifier and oscillator functions.

Both will be fully described later in connection with the various functional stages and conditions of the instrument.

The invention will now be described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is atop view of the message transmitting tape recorder; Figure 2 is a similar view to that shown in Figure 1 but with some parts removed in order to show more clearly the parts hidden from view in Figure 1; Figure 3 shows a bottom view of the same tape recorder; Figure 4 is a side elevation of the same tape recorder, partially shown in cross section; Figure 5 is a second elevation view with some of the same tape recorder parts in cross section to show more clearly the position of some of the components; Figure 6 is a section front elevation of the same tape recorder with the tape take-up shaft in mounting position; Figure 7shows to a larger scale, in detail and in perspective, the joints of the in-and-out support for the magnetic heads;; Figure 8 is a schematic plan view of the message receiving tape recorder with the drive mechanism in position to impart a reading speed to the tape take-up shaft; Figure 9 represents the same view of the tape recorder with the drive mechanism in position to transmit a high speed motion to the tape rewind shaft; Figure 10 is a similar view, but the drive mechanism is set to drive the tape take-up shaft high speed; Figure 11 is an overall top view of the entire instrument, with the two tape recorders provided and showing how the magnetic tape stop detection devices are incorporated to switch the instrument off;; Figures 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are all views of the supporting member for the light source and the photocell, according to the preferred proposed design, to hold these parts in proper relationship with the crenellated disc connected to the rewind shaft; Figure 17 is a block diagram of the logic circuitry section of the instrument; and Figure 18 is a block diagram of the analog circuitry section of the instrument.

All parts or assemblies already known or not directly concerned with the invention have been omitted from the drawings in order not to obscure the description.

Referring to Figures 1 to 7, which show the outgoing message tape recorder, it is seen from Figures 1,2 and 3 that the tape recorder is fitted with an electric motor 27 on the output shaft 9 of which there is mounted a pulley to drive an inertia flywheel 3 through an elastic drive belt 8.

The flywheel 3 is fitted on a drive shaft 2,4 and, together with the transmissiPn belt transmitting the power from the motor, is used as the drive take-off point for the drive of the magnetic tape take-up and rewind shafts.

In Figure 1, the take-up and rewind shaft are designated 13 and 5, respectively, and it can be noted that rollers 12 and 4 are solid with them.

Driving of roller 4, which motion causes rewind shaft 5 to rotate, is effected through the group formed by rollers 1 and 2 in turn driven by the flywheel 3. Driving of roller 12, which motion cuases take-up shaft 13 to rotate, is effected through the group formed by rollers 7 (Figure 1) and 6 (Figure 3), which are coaxial.

Rollers 1 and 2 are mounted respectively on a sliding strip 25 which moves in a direction perpendicular to the positions of the magnetic tape spool shafts above a spring-loaded two-leg jointed piece 26 kept in the required position by a spring 22 connected to a fixed centre 41 in the framework. In more detail, the jointed piece 26 fitted with roller 2 hinges through a collimated opening (not shown) around a fixed pin 28 and is so placed (aee Figure 2) that the tension of the spring 22 forces roller 2 to stay in the midpoint between roller 1 and roller 4, this fixed to the rewind shaft, whatever position is taken by these two rollers.

Rollers 7 and 6, comprising another group, are mounted on a common shaft located at the end of an angle arm 10 hinged onto the frame work and moving parallel to its surface; this angle arm or dogleg is loaded by spring 11 so as to keep it in resting position where roller 7 is close but not touching roller 12, fixed to the tape takeup shaft 13.

All drive rollers in both groups have a projecting member by which each group can be simultaneously actuated but in a mutually reverse sense, so they are alternatively driven at different times.

The projecting member in the group formed by rollers 2 and 1 is an extension 18 of the pivot of roller 1, while the projecting member in the roller group 7 and 6 is the member 20 which is a pivot projecting upwards from the end of the angle arm 10 are controlled by means of a strip 15 connecting the magnetic heads support 14to an electromagnet 16, as will be seen later on.

The support (14) for the magnetic heads (these not shown), which also supports the tape pressure roller, designated. 23, id joined on to the framework 42 through a pivot 35 (see Figures 4 and 7, respectively). This pivot is perpendicular to the takeup shaft and rewind shaft, 13 and 5.

The central section of the support has an opening, through which the upturned end 38 of strip 15 is inserted (see in particular Figure 5) connecting said support to the core 37 of the electromagnet 16.

Coupling of strip 15 to the core 37 is effected, as can be clearly noted in Figure 5, by means of a throughbolt 36 which projects out a considerable length to actuate a micro-switch 21 for the purposed to be discussed later on.

Metal strip 15 has directional slots 17 and 19 oriented in the sense of the strip motion and the projection 18 and pivot 20 are each inserted into a respective one of these slots.

The instrument is shown in the drawings in the reading position, that is, the magnetic heads and tape pressure roller support is advanced towards the tape, the group formed by rollers 1 and 2 used to drive the rewind shaft 5 at a high speed is inactive and the rollers 6 and 7 are driving the tape takeup shaft 13 at the reading speed.

This operating position, a consequence of the electromagnet 16 being energized, is adopted by the instrument when the auxiliary controls pick up a call signal and automatically close, in response to this call, the circuits feeding the electromagnet 16 and the electric motor 27.

The retraction of the moving core 37 of the electromagnet 16 causes, on the one hand, the moving forward of the support 14 revolving around the pivot 35 in the direction indicated by an arrow 40 in Figure 4, and on the other hand, the pushing of the extension 18 and of the pivot 20 in the direction shown by an arrow 45, which is the direction of the motion of the sliding strip 15. When all this happens, roller 1 moves away from inertia flywheel 3 and becomes inactive, while roller 7, as a swiveling of lever 10 overcoming the restraint of spring 11 makes contact with roller 12 connected to the takeup shaft 13 to drive it with the power it derives from transmission belt 8.

Obviously, the angular relationship of rollers 6,7 and 12 is such that the rotating speed of the takeup shaft 13 is the right speed for reading the tape.

The operating position just described continues while the tape is read (i.e., played), and it unwinds from spool shaft 5 and winds up around spool shaft 13. As soon as the reading is over, and thus its transmission through the telephone line ends, other detectors sense the pause and act to de-energize electromagnet 16, but maintaining power feeding to motor 27.

As a result of the electromagnet 16 becoming deenergized, its core 37 comes out by the actions of a recall spring 47, strip 15 slides in a direction contrary to arrow 45 in Figure 1 and, at the same time as the magnetic heads and the pressure roller 26 on support 14 move away from the tape, groups formed by rollers 1 and 2, and 6 and 7 go back to their rest position under spring action.

The return to rest position of rollers 6 and 7 is caused by the action of spring 11 which, as soon as the pressure applied on pivot 20 ends, moves arm 10 to a position such that roller 7 breaks contact with roller 12.

The return to rest position of rollers 1 and 2 is caused by the action of spring 22 which, after the pressure being applied on extension 18 of shaft 1 is removed, pulls from the jointed support (see Figure 1) of roller 2 so as to make this roller case roller 1 to move to make contact with inertia flywheel 3.

When this roller 1 makes contact with inertia flywheel 3 and as roller 2 is in contact with both roller 1 and roller 4, this coupled to the tape rewind shaft, the drive is inverted, with a substantial angular variation, so shaft 5 can start rotating at high speed until all the tape previously unwound from it becomes again wound around the spool in this shaft. At that time the relevant sensors detect the end of the rewind process and switch off power supply to motor 27 and the instrument is reset to repeat the cycle.

Motion of plate 25, where the roller shaft is connected, is achieved by an arrangement both very simple and highly efficient from the operational viewpoint.

The fixed pins 29 and 30 go through this plate 25, which is shown in full in Figure 2 and in section in Figure 6. These two pins are used to support the two magnetic tape shafts 5 and 13 which are coaxially mounted on said fixed pins 29 and 30. They traverse plate 25 through two directional openings 31 and 32 which, at the same time they force the plate to move in a crosswise direction relative to the instrument they also act as stroke stops for the to-and-fro motion.

The plate (as seen in Figure 6) is supported on the framework by means of three free-rolling balls 33 moving inside an equal number of straight channels also running crosswise relative to the instrument.

Finally, plate 25 is held against the framework by two retainers 39 preventing it from moving too far up or from losing its parallel relationship with the framework surface. These retainers are inserted into fixed pins 29 and 30 and are only slightly clear from plate 25 in order to limit the upward movement of the plate without obstructing its horizontal mobility.

It only remains to explain the purpose of microswitch 21, more clearly seen in Figures 1,2 and 5. This micro-switch is contacted by projection 36 of moving core 37 of electromagnet 16 when this moves back.

When the electro-magnet 16 is in the rest position, the micro-switch is in the closed position. The micro-switch is inserted in the supply circuit to the electro-magnet 16 and when the micro-switch is open causes the supply voltage to the electromagnet to drop, thus increasing the life of same.

In fact, as is well known by any expert, an electro-magnet requires a certain power supply from the startup motor to overcome the inertia of its moving core, but after such inertia has been overcome, the electro-magnet can keep the core retracted even if the voltage is reduced, this reduction in turn bringing down the heat produced, which is the desired effect.

To this end, switch 21, which is at the start in the closed position, i.e., allows enough voltage supply to the electro-magnet, is designed so its movable contact point 46 (see Figure 2) can be pushed by projection 36 of core 37 in the direction of arrow 44 when the electro-magnet starts operating. From that point in time, the voltage fed drops drastically although not so as to prevent the core from being kept in the retracted position.

The general setup described is common for both tape recorders and is exactly repeated in the incoming message tape recorder which only differs from the already described outgoing message tape recorder in that additional elements that are incorporated to it to drive the takeup shaft at high speed.

Such additional elements are clearly shown in drawings 8, 9 and 10, representing different operating positions of the incoming message tape recorder. They only consist of the provision of an additional roller 48 fitted on sliding plate 49 in a location allowing simultaneous contact with the inertia flywheel of this tape recorder and with roller 51 associated to the tape takeup spool shaft 52.

The operation of this additional driving roller by the sliding plate 49 is controlled by means of a side pushbutton 53. When this pushbutton is depressed the position of such plate can be changed and, consequently, also that of the other drive rollers 54 and 55 without need to act on the magnetic heads support which must stay away from the tape when the takeup shaft 52 is driven at high speed.

Furthermore, the operation of pushbutton 53 causes switch 56 to close, i.e., to feed motor 57 while the pushbutton remains depressed.

When the device is at rest (not shown in the drawings), the position of the different parts above described is as shown in Figure 8, except that the reductor roller 58 is away from roller 59, this being connected to takeup shaft 52.

As with the other tape recorder, when this one is in the position shown and the electro-magnet through strip 60 in the direction of the arrow 61 in Figure 8 and slot 62 pushes pivot 63 of angle arm 64to make it overcome the tension of arm positioning spring 65 to make reductor roller 58 move move near roller 59 which is fixed to the tape takeup shaft 52. At the same time as the electromagnet is energized, the tape recorder motor starts running, and a pully 66 also begins to rotate activating the belt transmitting the motor motion to the inertia flywheel 50. This flywheel, and the drive shaft 67 which projects in the conventional way out from said flywheel, exert a traction force on the tape with the aid of pressure roller 68 which has been moved towards the above mentioned shaft at the same time as the magnetic heads were shifted.The angular speed ratio in this driving system is such that the takeup shaft 52 is made to rotate at reading speed which is the right speed to record the message being received.

in the same way as explained when describing the first tape recorder, when the message is ended the pause is sensed by the relevant detectors which cause the motor to stop and de-energize electromagnet 89 which, on moving towards its rest position, causes strip 60 to move in a direction contrary to that pointed by arrow 61 to uncouple drive roller 58, and to reset the instrument for recording a new passage or to be manually operated, as required.

Manual control is possible by uncoupling plate 49 by means of the control button generally designated 53.

Using this pushbutton and with the drive roller 58' inactive, as it is when the instrument returns to rest after a message has been recorded, a forward high speed rotation can be transmitted to tape takeup shaft 52.

Figure 9 represents the rewind motion occuring when motor 57 is fed while the electromagnet is not energized and thus the sliding plate 49 has not been shifted, or when said plate has not been moved by other means. Consequently, rollers 54 and 55 remain in the same place. In other words, the motor iS fed while the said rollers are in their rest positions and thus remain coupled with the rewind shaft 69 and able to drive it.

The high speed driving of takeup shaft 52, briefly described above, can be seen in more detail in Figure 10, where it is noted that as the plate moves, roller 54 moves away from inertia flywheel 50 and pushes on roller 55, tangentially leaning on it, so overcoming the tension of spring 70. The roller 55 disengages from roller 71, associated to the rewind shaft 69 so that the roller does not act as a break for said shaft.

Meanwhile, roller 48 fitted on plate 49, on the other side of the flywheel, settles between the flywheel and the roller 51 to drive the takeup shaft 52.

The automatic switch-off system, will be described with reference to Figures 11 and 16.

In Figure 11,showing an answering device embodying the invention in plan view with the assembly of both tape recorders, each recorder is provided with a disc 72 crenellated around its edge, coaxially and solidly fitted to the rewind shaft and combined with a support 73, used to hold at each side of the disc in the area covered by the crenellation a pinpoint light source, and opposite and facing it, a photosensitive cell which responds to the light beam originating from the source.

According to the preferred layout design, support 73 consists of a base 74 (See Figures, 12-16) holding another member 75 with two horizontal mutually parallel prongs 76 and 77 at a given distance apart, each with housings 78 and 79 for the light source and the photocell, respectively. The base 74 has a vertical bore 80 which admits a locking screw, and also has, in its underside, a locating dowel 81 which, together with the locking screw, is used to properly place it in the right position when mounting.

The light source can be a light-emitting diode (LED) while the photocell could be either a photodiode or a phototransistor.

Prongs 76 and 77 of member 75 holding the LED and either the photodiode or the phototransistor are positioned with enough clearance between them to permit the crenellated disk to freely rotate inside the gap without ever touching the prongs preventing the wear which occurs in other available systems where physical contact is required to detect the switch-off point.

The operation of the instrument will be described with reference to the layout shown in the block diagrams of Figures 17 and 18. These functions will be separately described for easy understanding.

RECORDING OF THE OUTGOING MESSAGE When key A is momentarily depressed in keyboard 82 shown in block form in Figure 17, an order signal issentthrough logic gate 83to enable the bi-stable switch 84 to record the outgoing message. This bi-stable switch controls the voltage supply to: - Recording pilot lamp 85.

- Outgoing message electro-magnet 16 to pull up magnetic heads to the tape.

- Motor 27 through electro-magnet gate 88, motor gate 90 and a motor speed governor 91. When the motor starts running the tape advances.

- Recording pre-amplifier 152, via 153.

- Microphone buffer 154 and microphone 155, via 180.

- Outgoing message pre-magnetising and erasing oscillator 156, via 179.

Signal pickup by microphone 155 is amplified by recording pre-amplifier 152 and recorded op the magnetic tape by the recording-playing head 158.

The pre-magnetising/erasing oscillator 156 provides the pre-magnetising power to both the recording head 158 and the erasing head 157.

When the "end recording" pushbutton 122 is depressed, an audible tone, produced by 121 is recorded in the tape and a 6-second period begins to be counted by timer 119 during which a section of the tape is erased via 184. At the end of the period the outgoing message bi-stable switch 102 is turned on by gate 101 to rewind the outgoing tape as will be described further below.

OUTGOING MESSAGE PLAYBACK.

When key D in keyboard 82 is momentarily depressed an order signal is sent that activates the outgoing message playback bi-stable switch 93. This switch control the voltage supply to: - Playback pilot lamp 95.

- Outgoing message electro-magnet 16 to pull up magnetic heads to the tape.

- Outgoing message motor 27 through gates 88 and 90 and via speed governor 91. Motor operation causes tape to advance.

- Outgoing message reproduction buffer 159 through gate 100, via 160.

- Reproduction pre-amplifier 163 through gate 105, via 165.

- Speaker output amplifier 161 through gate 106, via 162.

The previously recorded signal is reproduced by the recording-reproducing head 158. This signal passes through the outgoing message reproduction buffer 159 and is amplified by reproduction preamplifier 163 and speaker output amplifier 161 and the signal can be heard through speaker 164.

A tone will be heard at the end of the message, and after 4 seconds of silence, counted by timer 95, the playback bi-stable switch 93 is turned off by gate 92. At the same time the outgoing message rewind bi-stable switch 102 is turned on by gate 101 as in the above procedure.

OUTGOING MESSAGE REWINDING.

This operation may be automatically or manually controlled.

Manual rewinding of the outgoing message is controlled by momentarily depressing key C in keyboard 82. With this an order is given through gate 101 to turn on and outgoing message rewind bi-stable switch 102 which in turn starts up motor 27 through gate 90 and speed governor 91 to rewirid the tape.

When the end of the tape is rewound, sensor 73 detects this detention and turns the outgoing message rewind bi-stable switch 102 off through gate 103. This will happen whether the outgoing message has been rewound manually or automatically.

Specifically, an automatic rewinding of the outgoing message will take place under any of the following conditions: a) When recording of the outgoing message is completed.

b) At the end of the outgoing message reproduc- tion (message played).

c) When the answering message ends.

d) When the incoming message preset recording time expires.

e) When the recording length of the incoming message magnetic tape is fully used up.

f) When the receiver is replaced in the hook ("hung-up") after answering, after the incoming message is recorded, or in any of the remote controlled operations.

g) When a sufficiently long voice gap (silence) occurs in the recording of the incoming message.

h) When an order to record an outgoing message is given by remote control.

AUTOMATIC ANSWERING AND INCOMING MES SAGE RECORDING.

Hold-on position: Key C in keyboard 82 is momentarily depressed to manually rewind the tape as described above. Also an order is given enabling bi-stable relay 98 which in turn lights the answer indicator pilot 99 and sets logic gate 115 to permit passage of the startup order signal from the "receiv er up" bistable 116.

Key F in keyboard 82 is momentarily depressed to send an order to enable bi-stable 127, which in turn lights the incoming message recording pilot lamp 128 and sets gate 130 to permit passage of the startup order signal from the incoming message recording bi-stable 131.

Operation: When incoming call detector 110 senses an incoming call, an order signal is produced which, through gate 115 starts up "receiver-up" bi-stable 116 and this in its turn signals the answering device 112, the "receiver-up" relay 113 to act and, through gate 107 starts up the answering device bi-stable switch 108. This latter supplies voltage to: - Outgoing message electro-magnet 16 to pull up magnetic heads through gate 88.

- Outgoing message motor 27 to initiate advance of the magnetic tape, through gates 88 and 90 and speed governor 91.

- Outgoing message reproduction buffer 159, through gate 100, via 160.

- Reproduction pre-amplifier 163, through gate 105, via 165.

- Line amplifier 166 through gate 111, via 167.

The signal previously recorded in the tape is played by the recording-reproducing head 158. This signal is fed by the outgoing message reproduction buffer 159 into the reproduction pre-amplifier 163 where it is amplified and then sent, through line amplifier 166 and line transformer 168, to the outside through the telephone line 169.

When the outgoing message ends a voice gap is sensed by the outgoing message no-voice detector 177 which orders via 178 the 4-second timer 95 to start counting time. When the preset period expires, the timer sends a signal to turn off the answering device bi-stable 108 through gate 109, while through gate 130 it turns on the incoming message recording bi-stable 131 to issue orders and supply voltages as follows: - Starts a 2 minute, 23 seconds present timer 124.

- Feeds a record message tone generator 129.

- Feeds the incoming message electromagnet 89 to pull up magnetic heads, through gate 135.

- Feeds incoming message motor 57, through gates 135 and 139 and speed governor 150 to start advancing the tape.

- Feeds the line recording buffer 170 through gate 132 via 171.

- Feeds the pre-magnetising-erasing oscillator 172 through gate 134, via 173.

- Feeds the recording pre-amplifier 152 through gate 97 via 153.

- Feeds the speaker output amplifier 161 through gate 106 via 162.

The signal being dictated from the other end of the line enters the instrument through line transformer 168 and, through the line recording buffer 170 is fed to the recording pre-amplifier 152 where it is amplified and then recorded by the incoming message recording-reproducing head 175. The premagnetising-erasing oscillator supplies premagnetising power to the incoming message recording head 175 and erasing power to the incoming message erasing head 174.

Recording of the incoming message may be terminated by any of the following events: a) Hang-up detector 114 trips and this is transformed into a signal to turn the answering device bi-stable 108 off through gate 109 and triggers the outgoing message rewind bistable 102 through gate 101 making that this in turn turns incoming message recording bi-stable 131 off through gate 133 at the same time that the tone generator 126 starts giving off rewind warning tones through gate 125.

b) The calling party remains silent over 10 seconds and incoming message detector 181 senses no-voice and trips. This starts up a preset 10-second period has elapsed the outgoing message rewinding is initiated and a similar process as in the above cases takes place.

c) The maximum answering time of 2 minutes, 23 seconds runs out. This happens when the time is measured by timer 124, a warning tone is given by tone generator 127 and the 10-second timer 123 is activated. At the end of this time, the outgoing message rewind starts and the remaining process proceeds in the same way as in the above cases.

d) The magnetic tape receiving incoming messages is exhausted. When this happens during any of the incoming message operations, the condition is sensed by the incoming message tape stop detector 73 whereupon an order is sent to trigger the incoming message end bi-stable 149 and the out going message rewind starts and the same process as in the previous cases is repeated.

e) A remote control code is received when the subscriber sends a code "matching" the instrument code preset at 66. Then the remote control receiver 143 detects the code and emits a signal to turn off the incoming message recording bi-stable 131 through gate 133. When any remote control opera tion is completed a 20-second timer 104 is triggered and when this preset time has elapsed if no new code Is detected the rewind of the outgoing message is initiated and the same process as described in previous cases takes place.

In all these instances, when the outgoing message rewind operation starts through gate 125 rewind tones are emitted by tone generator 126 which are received through the line by the caller as a warning that the rewind operation has started.

INCOMING MESSAGE REWIND When key H in keyboard 82 is momentarily depressed a signal is given to startup incoming message rewind bi-stable switch 145, through gate 144. All the following happens upon activation of this bi-stable switch: - Rewind pilot lamp 146 comes on.

- Incoming message motor 57 starts up through gate 139 and speed governor 150.

- Tone generator 126 sounds rewind tones through gate 125.

INCOMING MESSAGE FAST FORWARD While the "fast forward" key is continuously depressed a signal is given to start up incoming message motor 57, through gate 139 and speed governor 150.

INCOMING MESSAGE READ-OUT Upon depressing momentarily key I in keyboard 82 an order is given to activate read-out bi-stable 137, through gate 136 and the following events take place: - Reading indicator lamp 138 comes on.

- Incoming message electro-magnet is energised through gate 135 to pull up magnetic heads towards the magnetic tape.

- Incoming message motor 57 starts up initiating tape advance motion through gates 135 and 139 and speed governor 150.

- Incoming message reproduction buffer 176 is fed via 183.

- Line amplifier 166 is fed through gate 111, via 167.

- Speaker output amplifier 161 is fed through gate 106, via 162.

- Reproduction pre-amplifier 163 is fed through gate 105, via 165.

The signal previously recorded in the incoming message magnetic tape is read (played) by the incoming message recording-reading head 175 which through message reproduction buffer 175 is fed to the reproduction amplifier 163 and the same process follows as in the case of the outgoing message checking.

INCOMING MESSAGE ERASING When key G in keyboard 82 is momentarily depressed, an order is sent to activate incoming message erasing bi-stable relay 140 and the following events ensue: -An erasing warning lamp 141 comes on.

- Incoming message electro-magnet 89 is energized (to pull up magnetic heads towards the tape) through gate 135.

- Incoming message motor 57 starts up (initiating the transport of the tape) through gates 135 and 139 and through speed governor 150.

- Incoming message pre-amplifier and erasing oscillator 172 is fed through gate 134, via 173.

- Pre-magnetising and erasing oscillator 172 provides erasing current for the incoming message erasing head 174.

OUTGOING MESSAGE STOP When key D in keyboard 82 is momentarily depressed, the following circuits become open: - "Receiver-up" bi-stable 116 through gate 118.

-Answering device bi-stable 108 through gate 109.

- Outgoing message rewind bi-stable 102 through gate 103.

- Outgoing message checking bi-stable 93 through gate 92.

- Outgoing message recording bi-stable 84 through gate 86.

- Relay 98.

INCOMING MESSAGE STOP When key E in keyboard 82 is momentarily depressed, the following circuits become open: -"Receiver-up" bi-stable 116through gate 118.

- Incoming message recording bi-stable 131 through gate 133.

- Incoming message rewind bi-stable 145, incoming message erasing bi-stable 140 and read-out bi-stable 137, all through gate 147.

- Incoming message end bi-stable 142.

When any of the possible remote control operations is detected, the following events take place: INCOMING MESSAGE REWIND A signal appears on output J of remote control receiver 143 to activate incoming message rewind bi-stable 145 through gate 144. After this is activated and operative the process is similar as with manual rewind of the incoming message.

INCOMING MESSAGE READING A signal appears on output K of remote control receiver 143 activating read-out bi-stable 137 through gate 136. After this is done the rest of the process is the same as with manual reading of the incoming message.

INCOMING MESSAGE STOP A signal appears on output K of remote control receiver 143 to open through gate 147 the two above mentioned bi-stable circuits.

OUTGOING MESSAGE RECORDING An order is given through output L of remote control receiver 143 to activate outgoing message rewind bi-stable 102, through gate 101 and the same sequence of events take place as with manual rewind of the outgoing message, save that, after stop is detected outgoing message recording bistable 84 is activated through gate 86 and the same events as with outgoing message recording manual operation are then repeated, except that the microphone is not supplied any voltage since this time recording is effected through the line.

OUTGOING MESSAGE RECORDING END A signal appears on output M of remote control receiver 143 to the same effect as depressing the stop recording key in the instrument.

If this key is pushed in the remote control transmitter before depressing the recording key, an order is given through output 0 of remote control receiver 143 setting the system in the answering mode and this happens without requiring prior rewinding. This order is initiated by answering bi-stable 108 through gate 98 and the same action occurs then as with normal answering.

It must be finally noted that when any of the two motors is running, the possibility of any of the provided operations being performed through gate 87 (except for stopping), exists.

Claims (26)

1. Atelephoneanswering device comprising a first tape recorder for conveying a pre-recorded outgoing message and a second tape recorder for recording incoming message, each tape recorder having an automatic disconnection system, a fast motion drive gear to the re-wind shaft, means for driving the take-up shaft at reading speed, means for moving the magnetic heads of the tape pressure roller support in an in-and-out tippling action, and means for uncoupling the fast motion drive gear from the re-wind shaft and simultaneously coupling the means for driving the takeup shaft at reading speed to said take-up shaft.

2. A telephone answering device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein each of said tape recorders is provided with an inertia flywheel, and wherein each of said fast motion drive gears comprises a pair of permanently spring-loaded rollers which make tangential contact, one with the inertia flywheel and the other with a third roller axially fitted to the rewind shaft, said pair of rollers also making mutual contact.

3. Atelephone answering device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein the means for moving the magnetic heads comprise an electro-magnet and a sliding strip connecting the core of the electromagnet with the magnetic heads of the tape pressure roller support.

4. Atelephone answering device as claimed in Claim 3, wherein said means for driving the take-up shaft at reading speed comprises a sheave driven by a motor transmission belt, the sheave being coaxial ly connected with a small reductor roller which is mounted at the end of a permanently spring-loaded angle arm whereby the small reductor roller is kept close but not quite touching a further roller coaxially coupled with the take-up shaft.

5. A telephone answering device as claimed in Claim 4, wherein said means for uncoupling the fast motion drive and simultaneously coupling the reading speed driving means comprises two directional openings in said sliding strip and a pair of pivots extending from the roller shaft in the direction of the inertia flywheel and a lug projecting from said permanently spring-loaded angle arm whereby to drive the take-up shaft, whilst the incoming message receiving tape recorder is fitted with a drive gear to impart a high speed motion to the tape take-up shaft.

6. A telephone answering device as claimed in Claim 5, wherein said high-speed drive gear comprises an additional roller which does not make contact with any other part when at rest, but can makesimultaneous contact with the inertia flywheel and with a roller coupled to the tape take-up shaft underthe action of locating springs when the high speed drive to the re-wind shaft is disengaged.

7. A telephone answering device as claimed in Claim 6, wherein said additional roller is mounted on a sliding strip upon which the first of said pair of permanently spring-loaded rollers is mounted.

8. A telephone answering device as claimed in any of Claims 2 to 7, wherein the first of said pair of permanently spring-loaded rollers contact the flywheel and is mounted on a sliding strip which slides between two stops within the direction determined by the spool driving shafts, while the other of said pair of rollers is mounted on a piece parallel to the strip surface, revolving on a fixed pivot and forced towards said sliding strip by means of a spring secured to a fixed point in the framework, whereby said second roller is urged to a location between said first roller and said third roller axially fitted to the re-wind shaft.

9. A telephone answering device as claimed in Claim 8, wherein said sliding strip has two directional slots parallel to the strip motion to allow passage of the two spool shafts.

10. Atelephone answering device as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the support for the magnetic heads and the tape pressure roller hinges on a pivot perpendicular to the spool shaft.

11. A telephone answering device as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the means for moving the magnetic heads has an electro-magnet, the core of which has an extension connected to a microswitch which is closed when the electro-magnet is not energized and opened when the electro-magnet starts operation.

12. A telephone answering device as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the automatic disconnection system comprises a disc having a regularly crenellated edge which disc is mounted coaxially with the rewind shaft and is located between a pinpoint light source and a photosensitive cell, these two components being located at either side of the disc, very close to the disc and in a line parallel to the shaft of the disc, in the area covered by the crenellations around the edge of the disc.

13. A telephone answering device as claimed in Claim 12, wherein the light source and the photocell are carried by the same support bracket fitted with projections between which the crenellated edge of the disc rotates.

14. Atelephone answering device as claimed in any preceding Claim, wherein the circuits of the tape recorders may be separately and selectively controlled, either from a manual keyboard or from a remote control multi-frequency system, both the keyboard and the remote control system comprising a first output ordering the incoming message re-wind; a second output placing said tapeyecorder in reading position; a third output cancelling either of the two above operations; a fourth output placing the outgoing tape recorder in recording position; a fifth output activated after the fourth output causing the erasure of a section of the tape to indicate outgoing message end and to initiate re-wind of the magnetic tape, two further outputs to set the instrument in the automatic answering/incoming message recording mode; and four additional outputs which are used respectively to issue a checking signal to the outgoing message tape recorder, to stop the outgoing message tape recorder, to initiate erasure of the incoming message tape recorder, and to operate the fast forward motion of the incoming message tape recorder.

15. A telephone answering device as claimed in Claim 14, wherein the incoming message re-wind signal activates a re-wind bistable through a logic gate, which activation causes the motor of the relevant tape recorder to start up and which also turns on a pilot light and triggers a tone generator through a second logic gate.

16. Atelephone answering device as claimed in Claim l4orClaim 15,wherein the incoming message read-out signal activates a read-out bistable through a third logic gate, which activation causes a second pilot light to come on, feeds the reproduction buffer, line amplifier, speaker output amplifier and reproduction pre-amplifier, and which causes the electro-magnet of the means moving the magnetic heads to be energized and the relevant tape recorder motor to start up.

17. A telephone answering device as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 16, wherein the signal to stop the incoming message disconnects the read-out bistable and the re-wind bistable, and, when the order signal is issued from the manual keyboard, causes the disactivation of erasing, incoming message recording, receiver up, and incoming message stop bistable circuits.

18. A telephone answering device as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 17, wherein the outgoing message recording signal activates a further bistable through a fourth logic gate to light up a third pilot lamp, to cause power to be supplied to a recording preamplifier, to cause power to be supplied to the premagnetising and outgoing message erasing oscillator, to cause the electro-magnet to be energized and to start upthe relevant tape recorder motor.

19. A telephone answering device as claimed in Claim 18, wherein, when the order is given from the keyboard, the microphone buffer and the microphone itself are supplied, while when the order is given by remote control, the line recording buffer is fed with power.

20. Atelephone answering device as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 19, wherein, when the outgoing message recording stop order is given, a tone is generated and recorded in the tape and a preset timer sets a period of time during which a part of the tape is erased, wherein when the erasing time expires, the outgoing message bistable becomes inactive and the re-wind bistable is triggered.

21. A telephone answering device as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 20, wherein, when the order to set up the instrument for automatically answering and recording calls is given, the receiver up bistable is activated, whilst depression of a second key allows passage of a signal to start the incoming message recording bistable.

22. A telephone answering device as claimed in any of Claims 14to 21, wherein an order to check the outgoing message results in the activation of a further bistable which supplies the outgoing message reproduction buffer, the reproduction preamplifier, and the speaker pre-amplifier through fifth sixth and seventh logic gates, and wherein the electro-magnet is energized to start up the motor of the relevant tape recorder.

23. Atelephone answering device as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 22, wherein the outgoing message stop signal causes the receiver-up, answering, re-wind, checking and outgoing message recording bistables to open through their respective logic gates.

24. Atelephone answering device as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 23, wherein the incoming message erase signal activates the incoming signal erasing bistable which in turn supplies power to an indicator lamp, to the electro-magnet to the motor, to a gate controlling the motor feeding and through a speed governor, whilst at the same time feeding power to a pre-magnetising and erasing oscillator which supplies erasing power to the incoming message erasing head.

25. Atelephone answering device as claimed in any of Claims 14 to 24, wherein the fast forward motion signal starts up the incoming message tape recorder motor through an eighth logic gate and through a speed governor.

26. Atelephone answering device substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.