GB2114399A - Telephone answering device - Google Patents

Abstract

A telephone answering device in which one or more outgoing messages are supplied to the telephone line if the telephone is not answered manually within a set period of time, the outgoing messages being constructed by selecting from a solid state memory syllables or words according to a preset sequence to complete a phrase, at least some of the syllables or words being capable of being programmed into the desired sequence by placing the sequence and order of the syllables or words into the memory which then reproduces that sequence when required.

Description

SPECIFICATION Impovements in telephone answering devices This invention relates to telephone answering devices and to telephones and telephone devices which include an answering function.

Telephone answering devices are known and generally include some form of tape recorded message whose replay and transmission along the telephone line are initiated by an incoming telephone call if the telephone is not manually answered within a set time. Such machines may additionally have a space on the tape for the recording of an incoming message.

It is an object of the invention to provide a telephone answering device which can be simpler than this and dispense with the use of the tape recorded message for a caller.

According to the invention there is provided a telephone answering device in which one or more outgoing messages are supplied to the telephone line if the telephone is not answered manually within a set period of time, the outgoing messages being constructed by selecting from a solid state memory syllables or words according to a preset sequence to complete a phrase, at least some of the syllables or words being capable of being programmed into the desired sequence by placing the sequence and order of the syllables or words into the memory which then reproduces that sequence when required.

Such a device can be very simple since a speech synthesizing chip can take the place of the tape recorded message although in some circumstances it may still be desirable to provide means for recording an incoming message from a caller.

The message which is generated by the solid state memory can be fed directly into the telephone line as electrical signals and can additionally, if desired, be converted to a sound output from the device which is reproduced through a loudspeaker so that the message can be monitored. By way of example the type of phrase which could be programmed into the memory could be something like "please call back later after .......... " or "please call telephone number .........". . In such simple messages the time or telephone number can quickly and easily be programmed into the answer by the owner of the device before he goes out and the caller will then know where and when to contact the owner of the device.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the device additionally contains components capable of storing in a memory a number of regularly used telephone numbers and of dialling those numbers when a particular stored number is required by the user. In addition one of the stored numbers could be a call to an emergency number in which case the solid state memory could also be programmed to produce some form of emergency message such as "emergency, please help" and that message could then be arranged to be repeated to the emergency number dialled at least for a sufficient length of time to enable the call to be traced. Alternatively the message could say "emergency, please help, this is telephone number ".

A telephone answering device according to the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying block diagram showing the operation of the generalised electronics within the device.

In the device 10 shown in the drawing there is provided a speech synthesizing circuit 12. This is composed of a speech processor chip 14 and one or more speech memory ROM's 16 which store the speech parameters of a predetermined vocabulary. The circuit 12 can be composed of known components and by way of example reference is directed to the speech processors marketed for example by General Instrument under No. SP-0256 or National Semiconductor under the brand DT1000 DIGITALKER which contains speech synthesizing MAXIROMS. In such devices the electronic analogue of various simple words and phrases together with various constant sounds and silent periods are programmed into the ROM's. These sounds can then be called up in any sequence to complete words and phrases.

The machine 10 also is provided with a keyboard 18 and a central memory and control 20. Further a display 22 such as a fluorescent display or a liquid crystal display is provided so that the user can observe the operation of his programming. The display should be capable of displaying not only numbers but also letters so that words can be displayed as well as numbers. By means of the keyboard telephone numbers can be stored in the central memory 20 which is therefore a chip containing the necessary present programs for these for example of the type supplied by us and which is present in our existing telephone dialling machines which are marketed under the names COMPUPHONE and COMPUDIALER. The operation of the keyboard 18 provides visually an output on the display 22 and a corresponding sound output from the circuit 12.

The sound programmed into the speech memory ROM 16 can be called up in any sequence to complete words and phrases by means of output addressing data from the control 20, that data being entered into the speech process or chip 14. This chip in turn retrieves speech parameter from the ROM 16 and uses these parameters to control an artificial vocal cord located within the chip 14 which generates electrical signals for sound generation.

The address output from the control 20 is a "virtual address" in the sense that it does not correspond to the physical addresses of the parameters of the words stored in the ROM 16. Thus, for example, if one wishes to reproduce the sentence "THIS IS A WORD", the control might output an address sequence "1/2/3/4", "1 " being the address for "THIS", "2" being for "IS", etc. Then these addresses will be translated into a physical address sequence corresponding to the parameters for each word. Again, for example, the parameters for "A" could be "1,2", for "THIS" could be "3,4,5,6,7", for WORD could be "8,9,10,11,12" and for "IS" could be "13,14,15".In this case, the chip 14 would translate the address sequence for the ROM 16 to "3,4,5,6,7/13,14,15/1,2/8,9,10,11,12" and the ROM 16 would deliver the data stored in its registers in the order 3,4,5,6,7/13,14, etc. to drive the artificial vocal cord in the chip 14.

The sequence of address for the ROM 16 is stored in the control 20 in the case of standard words and phrases whilst user programmed sequences can be placed in the control 20 by using the keyboard 18. Thus to set into the control 20 various sequences or to complete sequences which are already partially stored in the control 20, the keyboard is used.

The device 10 is connected to a telephone line 24 at a telephone interface 26. This interface also receives the electronic speech synthesized bythechip 14which pass through a buffer and filter 28 and an amplifier 30 directly to the telephone line via the interface. The output from the chip 14 additionally passes through another amplifier 32 to a speaker 34 so that the user can hear both what is being programmed into the control 14 and what is passing to the telephone line.

Between the telephone interface and the central memory and control 20 is provided a ringing detector 40.

When a caller engages the telephone line 24 this detector notes this and waits for a preset period of time before activating the device. The detector operates by noting the ringing pulses and averaging them and summing them so that once a predetermined sum is reached, the detector then activates the machine. This sum and so the time delay can be controlled by the central memory and control 20.

Also between the interface 26 and central memory and control 20 is provided a pulse/tone dialing device 42 of conventional form which is arranged to provide dialling pulses according to numbers programmed into the central memory and control 20 so as to call up any particularly required number.

Finally also linked to the telephone interface is a telephone handset containing a conventional speech network 44 so that the owner of the machine can use the machine either as a conventional telephone via the handset or as an answering machine when the handset is not raised.

An advantage of the device is the convenience and efficiency of the dialling and choosing of telephone numbers since the numbers are also reproduced in sound so that the user can check them easily.

The device 10 can also be used to show and announce time by means of the display 22 and circuit 12 if the appropriate program is included in the central memory and control. In addition this function can provide a spoken alarm with say an announcement of time.

By way of example the device 10 can operate as follows: Operation instruction 1. Startup - connect device to a power source.

- Display will show clock start running from A 00-00-00 (A for A.M., Pfor P.M.) 2. To set clock - Press the SET TIME Key (voice 'set time') and display show - - 00 - enterthe time through the keyboard 18. If the hour value is less then 10, key in 0 follows by the time.

For example a) To set clock to 9 hr. 5 min P.M. Key in 0 9 0 5 AM/PM b) To set clock to 12 hr. 5 min.A.M. Key in 1205 - Press the STORE key to restart the clock.

- The time will be announced for every 30 minutes.

3. To set alarm - Press the SET ALARM Key (voice 'set alarm') and display show - - 00 - enter the alarm time through the keyboard.

- Press the STORE key and the time you have set is stored.

4. To test alarm - Press ALARM Key (voice 'alarm) - the alarm time will voice "the time is time you have set".

4.1 To announce the clock time - Press TIME Key.

- the clock time will be announced "the time is current time." 5. Disable alarm - When alarm time comes, ringer will ring as a call comes in.

- Either pick up the phone, (you can hear the time you have set) or press DISABLE ALARM Key.

6. Manual Dialing - Lift handset - Key in numbers, number will show on the display and be announced through the speaker 34 - Outpulsing will start and dialing LED will blink.

7. 1 Way Dialing - Press 1 WAY, wait for dialing tone come through the speaker.

- Enter the telephone number through the numeric keyboard, number will show on display.

- When you hear the called party answer through the speaker, pick up handset and talk.

- If the called party does not answer within 30 seconds, the device will automatically release the telephone line.

For example To Dial 123456 Press 1 WAY Enter1 23456 If no answer will release line after 30 seconds.

If called party answers, pick up the handset.

8. 2 Way Dialing - Press 2 WAY, wait for dialing tone come through the speaker.

- Enter the telephone number through the numeric keyboard, number will show on display and be announced through the speaker 34.

- When you hear the called party answer through the speaker, conversation start.

- If the line is busy, Press # key to release line.

For example Todial234567 Press 2 WAY Enter234567 If called party answer, talk.

If line is busy, press # key.

9. Last number re-dial - If the line was busy, press # key to release line.

- Press 1 WAY or 2 WAY key, wait for dial tone.

- Press * Key, the latest number you have dialed will be redialed once.

For example To re-dial 654321 Press 1 WAY or 2 WAY key, wait for dial tone.

Enter 6 5 4 3 2 1 If line is busy, Press # key Wait a while and press 1 WAY or 2 WAY key, wait for dial tone and then * Key to re-dial.

10. Emergency Programming - Press SET EMERGENCY (voice 'set emergency') - Key in telephone number you want to store, the number will appear in display and be announced through the speaker 34.

- Press STORE key.

For example To store 1 23456 For emergency Press SET EMERGENCY Enter 23456 Press STORE 11. Emergency Diaiing - Press EMERGENCY - The device will automatically dial the number you have stored in.

- Outgoing message of 'Emergency, Please help' for 1 minute and then release line.

12. Call Dad programming - Press SET CALL DAD (voice set DAD) - Key in telephone number you want to store, the number will appear in display and be announced through the speaker 34.

- Press STORE For example To store 6 5 4 3 2 1 for DAD Press SET CALL DAD Enter654321 Press STORE 13. Call DAD Dialing - Press CALL DAD Key - The device will automatically dial the number you have stored in.

- When you hear the called party answer through the speaker, pick up the phone or press 2 WAY and talk.

14. Answering Service Programming - Press SET ANSWERING SERVICE and the device will announce "call service".

- Key in time you want to store. Time will appear in display.

- Press STORE Key For example To store a time 4 hr. 20 min. P.M.

Press SET ANSWERING SERVICE Enter 0 4 2 0 AM/PM Press STORE 15. Answering Service - When incoming call arrives, the ringer is turned on.

- After 8 seconds of ringing, the system will repeatedly announce "Phone call !" - For ringing longer than 12 second, the device will automatically connect to line.

- Outgoing message 'I am out, please call back at time you have set'to the caller and then release the line.

16. To stop dialing - either pick up and replace handset or press # key to release to line.

17. To reset programming - Press RESET key and the system will return to "CLOCK" mode (display the clock) 18. Ringervolumecontrol (50) - Use it to control the ringing tone volume.

19. Volume Control (52) - Use it to control the voice volume.

CLAIMS (Filed on 19.1.83) 1. A telephone answering device in which one or more outgoing messages are supplied to the telephone line if the telephone is not answered manually within a set period of time, the outgoing messages being constructed by selecting from a solid state memory syllables or words according to a preset sequence to complete a phrase, at least some of the syllables or words being capable of being programmed into the desired sequence by placing the sequence and order of the syllables or words into the memory which then reproduces that sequence when required.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 in which a speech synthesizing chip comprises the solid state memory.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the message which is generated by the solid state memory is fed directly into the telephone line as electrical signals.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 3 in which the message is additionally converted to a sound output from the device which is reproduced through a loudspeaker so that the message can be monitored.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim which additionally contains components capable of storing in a memory a number of regularly used telephone numbers and of dialing those numbers when a particular stored number is required by the user.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (7)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. 12. Call Dad programming - Press SET CALL DAD (voice set DAD) - Key in telephone number you want to store, the number will appear in display and be announced through the speaker 34. - Press STORE For example To store 6 5 4 3 2 1 for DAD Press SET CALL DAD Enter654321 Press STORE 13. Call DAD Dialing - Press CALL DAD Key - The device will automatically dial the number you have stored in. - When you hear the called party answer through the speaker, pick up the phone or press 2 WAY and talk. 14. Answering Service Programming - Press SET ANSWERING SERVICE and the device will announce "call service". - Key in time you want to store. Time will appear in display. - Press STORE Key For example To store a time 4 hr. 20 min. P.M. Press SET ANSWERING SERVICE Enter 0 4 2 0 AM/PM Press STORE 15. Answering Service - When incoming call arrives, the ringer is turned on. - After 8 seconds of ringing, the system will repeatedly announce "Phone call !" - For ringing longer than 12 second, the device will automatically connect to line. - Outgoing message 'I am out, please call back at time you have set'to the caller and then release the line. 16. To stop dialing - either pick up and replace handset or press # key to release to line. 17. To reset programming - Press RESET key and the system will return to "CLOCK" mode (display the clock) 18. Ringervolumecontrol (50) - Use it to control the ringing tone volume. 19. Volume Control (52) - Use it to control the voice volume. CLAIMS (Filed on 19.1.83)

1. A telephone answering device in which one or more outgoing messages are supplied to the telephone line if the telephone is not answered manually within a set period of time, the outgoing messages being constructed by selecting from a solid state memory syllables or words according to a preset sequence to complete a phrase, at least some of the syllables or words being capable of being programmed into the desired sequence by placing the sequence and order of the syllables or words into the memory which then reproduces that sequence when required.

2. A device as claimed in Claim 1 in which a speech synthesizing chip comprises the solid state memory.

3. A device as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2 in which the message which is generated by the solid state memory is fed directly into the telephone line as electrical signals.

4. A device as claimed in Claim 3 in which the message is additionally converted to a sound output from the device which is reproduced through a loudspeaker so that the message can be monitored.

5. A device as claimed in any preceding claim which additionally contains components capable of storing in a memory a number of regularly used telephone numbers and of dialing those numbers when a particular stored number is required by the user.

6. A device as claimed in Claim 5 in which one of the stored numbers is an emergency number and the

solid state memory is programmed to produce some form of emergency message when that emergency number is dialed.

7. A telephone answering device substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.