GB2238208A

GB2238208A - Automatic telephone calling device

Info

Publication number: GB2238208A
Application number: GB9019518A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Peter Henry Dawson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1989-11-11
Filing date: 1990-09-06
Publication date: 1991-05-22
Anticipated expiration: 2010-09-06
Also published as: GB2238208B; GB9019518D0

Abstract

A device is provided upon which a user can record a message to be sent by telephone to another person's telephone automatically. The user records his speech message on the device and programmes the telephone number or numbers to which appropriate messages are to be sent, and the time for sending the messages, and the device then automatically dials the first number and plays the corresponding message when the telephone is answered. If the device cannot get through at the first dialling attempt it waits for a period and then redials. The device is portable and may incorporate a telephone answering facility, a printer, a fax, and/or a portable telephone.

Description

AUTOMATIC TELEPHONE CALLING DEVICE This invention relates to an automatic telephone calling device.

Automatic calling devices are of course well-known, for making telephone calls for various purposes. For example, some facsimile machines can be set up to transmit documents to predetermined numbers at predetermined times. Some telephone answering machines, having recorded an incoming message, then dial a pre-set number, and re-transmit the recorded message. However, there is currently available no device which can transmit speech messages, rather than digitally coded messages, to predetermined numbers at predetermined times.

According to the present invention, an automatic telephone calling device is adapted for connection to the telephone system, and comprises means for storing at least one variable speech message, means for storing telephone numbers and times, automatic dialling means for dialling a given stored number at the given stored time, and means for playing back the appropriate stored speech message once the telephone connection has been made.

This device has the advantage of enabling speech messages to be sent automatically by telephone, at a given time.

Conveniently, the messages are recorded on audio tape, the device having an audio tape recording and playback means such as a standard dual reel cassette recorder. The automatic dialling means may be of any known type. The device conveniently has microprocessor means for storing the other information and for controlling the operation of the device. Thus, the microprocessor means includes a clock means, memory means for storing the telephone numbers and times, means for operating the automatic dialling means for the appropriate number at the appropriate time, means for monitoring the telephone connection, and operating the tape to play back the message once the connection has been made. The microprocessor also controls the termination of the connection, and may operate in response to signals from the called telephone.

The microprocessor means may also include further memory means for storing other data. The device preferably includes a display, and a keyboard means for entering the information to the microprocessor means.

The device may be mains or battery powered, and is preferably portable. It may also be arranged so that it can be used as a telephone answering machine.

An embodiment of an automatic telephone calling device will now be described in more detail.

The device is an electrically-operated unit, adapted for connection to the telephone system, and comprising an audio tape recording and playback means for storing variable speech messages, automatic dialling means, and microprocessor means for storing telephones numbers and times, the microprocessor means operating the automatic dialling means to call a stored number at the appropriate stored time, and on connection operating the tape playback to transmit the speech message.

The device may operate on A.C. supply from the mains, being able to operate on various voltages, or D.C. supply from batteries, which are re-chargeahle from the mains. It also has an appropriate socket to enable it to be connected to a telephone system.

Adaptor leads are preferably provided to ensure that the device can be connected to systems in this country and abroad, including PBX (private branch exchange) systems. The device also includes appropriate circuitry to ensure that as far as possible, all available facilities of the telephone system can be used. An acoustic coupler is also provided.

The audio tape recording and playback means is a unit of any standard type used in telephone answering machines, having two cassette tapes with the ability to record onto, and play back from, each tape. As with telephone answering machines constant information will normally be recorded onto one tape, and variable speech messages onto the other. The unit has an inbuilt microphone and loudspeaker, together with sockets for detachable microphone and headphones. The unit also has the usual controls for the tape players, for recording, playback, winding and rewinding the tapes, and of course for stopping and ejecting the cassettes.

Tone volume and recording level controls are also provided.

The automatic dialling means is also of an appropriate known type, and operates to open the telephone line and to dial a number.

The microprocessor means has a memory for storing the telephone numbers and times, and also has calendar and clock functions. In order to operate the device, it is able to send signals and information to the dialling means, to send signals to the tape unit for playback of the tapes, to receive signals from the called telephone, to monitor the telephone connection and to send signals to terminate the connection. The microprocessor means is of course provided with appropriate programming to enable it to operate the device.

The device also has keyboard means for the input of information to the microprocessor, in particular the telephone numbers and times to the memory. A display, such as an LCD display or VDU screen, is incorporated for displaying the information, and the clock and calendar information.

The microprocessor means has a further memory storage area, designed for more permanent information.

This could include a list of most used telephone numbers, and personal details and financial information which is therefore readily available when recording messages. The further storage area preferably comprises a memory ir. the microprocessor means itself, together with hard or floppy discs, to give even greater memory capacity. For example, the standard time differences from Greenwich Mean Time for a range of places may be recorded, so making it easy to calculate the time at which a telephone call is to be made.

In order to set the device up for operation it is first necessary to record the constant information tape, typically with an introduction to warn the called telephone that a speech message is to be transmitted, and with a conclusion to signal the end of the speech message.

The variable messages are then recorded in turn by the user on the variable information tape, with the appropriate telephone number and time being stored for each. The recording can be done without the device connected to the telephone system.

With the device connected into the telephone system, it operates as follows to send a speech message. At the predetermined time, as stored in the memory, the microprocessor signals the automatic dialling means to dial the predetermined stored number. The microprocessor monitors the connection, and when it is made, sends a signal to the tape unit to play the constant information tape. When the introduction has finished that tape is stopped. On receipt of a signal from the called telephone - this may be the user dialling a given digit, or a tone from an answering machine - the microprocessor signals the tape unit to play the speech message recorded on the variable information tape. At the end of the message that tape is stopped and the constant information tape is played to give the conclusion. This may give the user the opportunity to hear the message again, by dialling a given digit, which causes the microprocessor to operate the tape unit to rewind and replay the variable speech message, followed by the conclusion on the constant information tape. The call is terminated by the microprocessor either on receipt of a signal from the user, such as the dialling of a given digit, or after the elapse of a given time with no signal being given. The microprocessor then operates the tape unit to rewind the constant information tape; the variable information tape is operated to go to the start of the next message, which is transmitted in the same way at the appropriate time.

If when the number is called initially it is engaged, the device calls it again after a given time interval. The same happens if the called telephone is not answered. If the speech message fails to be transmitted, the device provides a message to that effect on the display.

Various modifications to the device are also envisaged. For example, a voice generator may also be incorporated, to generate speech from the permanent information stored in the further memory storage area.

This enables the stored information to be incorporated automatically into the speech message, thus obviating the need for the user to record this information onto the tape. This can be particularly useful for financial information such as credit card numbers and the like. The further memory storage area may include a part in which variable information can be stored as required, and the voice generator may generate speech from this information as well. This enables the variable messages to be keyed into the device, rather than being recorded directly onto the variable information tape by the user.

The audio tape and playback means may be multi-reel rather than dual reel, using perhaps three or four cassette tapes, so that the variable information speech messages may be recorded on more than one tape. The device may be arranged so that any playback means which do not contain variable information tapes can be used to play back any other tapes to the user, even when the machine is transmitting messages. The device may be mono, or be provided with a stereo system with appropriate loudspeakers.

The device may also incorporate a detachable portable telephone, so that it is not necessary to link it directly into the telephone system. The microprocessor means is then provided with the appropriate programming to enable it to operate the portable telephone. The portable telephone may be of any suitable known type, as required to provide access to telephone systems worldwide, and may have any of the usual dialling, memory and safety systems. The portable telephone can also re-charge its batteries from the mains via the device.

In a further modification, the device may be adapted to be switched for use as a telephone answering machine, The microprocessor then being programed to operate the tape unit accordingly.

Alternatively, a separate answering machine may be incorporated, and connected to the microprocessor means for operation. The answering machine may be of any known type, to provide facilities such as remote paging, playback of messages via the pager or a voice-actuatea system, call screening, call diversion and conferencing, as required. The voice-actuated system may also be used to control the incoming message tape to eliminate pauses. The usual tape break and tape full detectors are incorporated, operating switching means to another tape if possible. The device may also incorporate a voice translator, to convert incoming audio messages to a form which can be stored in an appropriate part of the further memory storage area, the microprocessor means again being programmed appropriately. Such messages may be re-translated by the voice generator, or displayed on the VDU screen.Language translation facilities may also be provided where appropriate.

The device may be switched to being a telephone answering machine remotely, for example by a person who the device has telephoned. The device may be adapted to telephone someone to send a message and on the same call be activated by the recipient to record a return message. One specific example of how the device could work is as follows:- the device telephones a selected telephone number at a selected time and plays an introductory message for example, "Hello This is a pre-recorded message. Please have a pen and paper ready. The message will begin after a ten second tone." The device then plays the (variable and specific) pre-recorded message and then follows with a general ending "If you do not understand any part of this message, please hold this call and press 'zero' on your telephone for a complete replay.The message will replay as many times as zero is pressed. Should you wish to leave a message press ttwos on your telephone and record your message after the tone. If you did understand this message, please press 'one' on your telephone. The call will then be logged on the user's machine." The device then proceeds to the next pre-programmed call. The recipient of a call may switch the device to its answering machine mode by means other than pressing a dialling digit of his telephone.

The general ending may be programmed to include the callers name, address, telephone number, credit card and the like, or such information may be selected to be part of a general introduction.

In a further modification, the microprocessor means may be adapted to operate as a word processor or computer, with appropriate software as required, and a printer may also be provided. The printer may also be used to print messages from the calling or answering machine.

The device may also include means enabling it to be linked to a facsimile machine.

It will be appreciated that the tape unit can also be used as a portable dictating machine.

The microprocessor means may also be programmed to provide an alarm call function, using the clock and calendar functions, and to monitor the cost of both incoming and outgoing calls.

Claims

1. An automatic telephone calling device adapted for connection to the telephone system comprising means for storing at least one variable speech message, means for storing telephone numbers and times, automatic dialling means for dialling a given stored number at the given stored time, and means for playing back the appropriate stored speech message once the telephone connection has been made.

2. A device according to Claim 1 in which the messages are recorded on audio tape and the device has an audio tape recording and playback means.

3. A device according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 which has microprocessor means for storing the other information and for controlling the operation of the device.

4. A device according to Claim 3 in which the microprocessor means includes a clock means, memory means for storing the telephone numbers and times, means for operating the automatic dialling means for the appropriate number at the appropriate time, means for monitoring the telephone connection, and operating the tape to play back the message once the connection has been made.

5. A device according to Claim 4 in which the microprocessor also controls the termination of the connection.

6. A device according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 in which the microprocessor means includes further memory means for storing other data.

7. A device according to any preceding claim which the microprocessor operates in response to signals from the called telephone.

8. A device according to any preceding claim which further comprises a display, and a keyboard means for entering information to the device.

9. A device according to any preceding claim which is portable.

10. A device according to any preceding claim which is mains and/or battery powered.

11. A device according to any preceding claim which can be arranged so that it can be used as a telephone answering machine.

12. A device according to any preceding claim which can record messages transmitted to it over the telephone system.

13. A device according to Claim 12 which is capable of automatically calling a stored telephone number and when the connection has been made with the called telephone is capable of recording a message sent to it from the called telephone, either before or after playing its own stored speech message.

14. A device according to any preceding claim which if it cannot make connection with a selected telephone waits for a period and then re-dials the number.

15. A device substantially as described herein.