JP2643346B2 - Answering machine - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an answering machine used by being connected via a telephone line.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an answering machine that responds to a caller when answering and records a message from the caller has been widely used.

This answering machine sends a pre-recorded response message to the caller, and thereafter stores the message coming from the caller by the incoming message storage means. It operates to listen to and confirm incoming messages recorded while you are away. Such an answering machine is provided with a dedicated microphone for recording a response message.

Further, in order to omit this dedicated microphone, there is a telephone which combines a telephone answering machine and a telephone to form a telephone answering machine with a handset, and records a response message using the microphone of the handset. This is the case with US Patent 4,359,
It is also described in No. 607.

Further, as a method of recording a response message without using a microphone of the answering machine or a handset of a combined answering machine, a method of calling the answering machine from another telephone, transmitting a mote signal, and recording the response message A method of recording after setting the mode is also conceivable, and is implemented in many answering machines.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, the above-mentioned conventional answering machine has the following problems.

That is, the only way to record a response message is to go directly to the equipment location of the device and directly operate the device, or perform remote operation using another telephone to record the response message. In addition, when using another telephone, there is a problem that a public telephone fee is charged every time a message is recorded.

In recent years, cordless telephones have been developed in recent years, and it is conceivable to combine this cordless telephone with the technology described in the above-mentioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,359,607. Only what is achieved.

That is, the handset is wirelessly connected to the telephone answering machine connected to the telephone line, and a message is input from the cordless handset by operating various switches provided on the apparatus main body, and stored in the apparatus main body. The duplication of the response message tape is performed.

However, in this case as well, it is necessary to go to the equipment location of the main body of the apparatus and directly operate the switch or record the response message by remote operation from another telephone, and the above-mentioned problem still remains. Not resolved.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, an answering machine of the present invention comprises an answering machine main unit (hereinafter, referred to as a main unit) connected to a telephone line.
A handset unit having a microphone and a speaker (hereinafter referred to as a “child device”) configured to be capable of wireless communication with respect to the “master device” has a control for controlling the operation of the parent device. A means for generating a signal and sending it to the master unit is provided, and the master unit is provided with a means for transmitting a voice signal sent from the slave unit to the message recording means for response upon receiving a control signal from the slave unit. Provided.

Operation With this configuration, it is possible to record a response message or listen to an incoming message from a remote place without using a public telephone line.

Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an answering machine in one embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a master unit connected to a telephone line, 2 denotes a slave unit that wirelessly communicates with the master unit 1, 3 denotes an incoming call detecting means for detecting a bell signal from the telephone line, and 4 denotes a telephone line. An interface circuit having a function of closing a call, a dial signal generating means for generating a dial signal, and a response message enabling transmission of a response message to a caller and recording of the message. Sending means 7; incoming message recording means for recording a message from the caller;
Reference numeral 8 denotes transmitting means for transmitting a signal to the handset 2, 9 denotes receiving means for receiving a signal from the handset 2, 10 denotes control signal detecting means for detecting a control signal from the handset 2, and 11 denotes a control signal for the base unit 1. A switch for switching the operation mode, a control unit 12 for controlling the operation of the master unit, switches 13, 14, 15, and 16 are switches, and a tone detecting unit 17 for detecting a busy tone. In the slave unit 2,
21 is a receiving means for receiving a signal from the base unit 1, 22 is an amplifier for amplifying the signal demodulated by the receiving means 21, 23 is a speaker, 24 is a microphone, 25 is an amplifier for amplifying a signal input from the microphone 24. , 26 is a transmitting means for transmitting a signal to the base unit 1, 27 is a calling signal detecting means for detecting a calling signal when a calling signal is input from the base unit 1, 28 is a ringing sound generating means for generating a ringing sound, Reference numeral 29 denotes dial signal input means for inputting a dial signal. Reference numeral 30 denotes a changeover switch for switching the operation mode of the handset 2. It is possible to switch between a standby mode having an incoming signal from the device and a communication mode in which a signal is transmitted to the master device to close the telephone line and enable communication. 31 is a monitor switch which, when the answering machine function of the main unit is operated, presses this switch to listen to its contents (for example, a response message being sent or a message from an incoming caller). Can be. Reference numeral 32 denotes a control start switch for starting control of the operation of the master unit. 33 is control means for controlling the operation of the slave unit. Reference numeral 34 denotes a battery, which supplies power to the transmission unit 37 via the switch 35 and to the reception unit 38 via the switch 36.

The operation of the answering machine having the above configuration will be described below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.

First, when the function as a cordless telephone is used, the changeover switch 11 of the base unit 1 is set to the cordless telephone side (a side). When a bell signal is input from the telephone line in this state, the incoming call detecting means 3 detects it (step (b)) and outputs it to the control means 12. In response, the control means 12 controls the transmitting means 8 to transmit an incoming signal to the slave 2 (step (c)). When the receiving means 21 of the handset 2 receives the incoming signal from the base unit (step (b)), the calling signal detecting means 27 detects the signal and sends a signal indicating this to the control means 33. Output. The control means 33 controls the ringing tone generating means 28 to generate a ringing tone synchronized with the bell signal (step (c)). When the user who hears the ringing tone switches the 3 changeover switch 30 of the handset 2 from the standby mode (b side) in which power is supplied only to the receiving unit 38 through the switch 36 to the talk mode (c side), From (e) to step (f), the control unit 33 turns on the switch 35 to supply power to the transmission unit 37, and also controls the transmission unit 26 to close the telephone line to the base unit 1. Transmit the command signal. However, if the changeover switch 30 of the slave unit 2 is in the off mode when the signal indicating the incoming call arrives from the master unit 1, both the switches 35 and 36 are off and power is supplied to the receiving means 21. Therefore, the incoming signal from the base unit 1 cannot be received.

Next, when the receiving means 9 of the master unit 1 receives the telephone line closing instruction signal from the slave unit 2 in step (d), the control signal detecting unit 10 detects this signal and outputs it to the control unit 12.
In response, the control means 12 controls the interface circuit 4 to close the telephone line (step (e)) and
Steps 14 and 16 are turned on to make a call (step (g)). In this state, a voice signal from the caller arriving on the telephone line passes through the interface circuit 4 and is transmitted from the transmission means 8 to the slave unit 2. The signal from the base unit 1 is received by the receiving means 21 of the base unit 2 and amplified by the amplifier 22, and then the speaker
Output from 23. The sound input from the microphone 24 of the slave unit 2 is amplified by the amplifier 25 and transmitted from the transmission unit 26 to the master unit 1. Base unit 1 receives this signal by receiving means 9,
The data is transmitted to the telephone line through the interface circuit 4. In this way, the child unit 2 and the caller are yellowed through the parent unit 1 (step (g)). When the call is completed, the changeover switch of the slave unit 2 is set to the standby mode (b side). Then, the procedure shifts from step (h) to step (i), and the control means 33 causes the transmitting means 26 to transmit a signal for releasing the telephone line, and then turns off the switch 35 to set the apparatus in the standby mode.
The signal from the slave unit 2 is detected by the master unit in the same manner as the signal for closing the telephone line, and the steps (g) to (h) are performed.
The control means 12 releases the telephone line and switches 14,1
Turn 6 off.

When calling from the slave unit 2 by dialing, the slave unit 2
Switch 30 is connected to the (c-side) to set a call state. When the control means 33 detects this, it sends a signal to the base unit 1 to close the telephone line as described above (step (j)). On the other hand, upon detecting this signal, master unit 1 shifts from step (a) to step (i) to close the telephone line, and turns on switches 14 and 16. Next, when a dial signal is input from the dial signal input unit 29 of the slave unit 2, the control unit 33 causes the transmission unit 26 to transmit the input dial signal to the master unit 1 (step (k)). This dial signal is transmitted by the receiving means 9 of the base unit 1, detected by the control signal detecting means 10, and outputted to the control means 12 (step (nu)). The control means 12 causes the dial signal generation means 5 to generate a dial signal corresponding to the input dial signal, and sends the dial signal to the telephone line through the interface circuit 4 (step (l)). When the transmission of the dialed number is completed and the called party goes off-hook, the process shifts from step (ヲ) to step (f) to enter a call state,
As described above, a call can be made between the handset 2 and the other party.

Next, the case of using as an answering machine will be described. In this case, first, the changeover switch 11 of the base unit 1 is set to the answering machine side (b side). Then, a signal indicating this is input to the control means 12, and the mode becomes the answering machine mode. In this state, when a call signal arrives from the telephone line, the incoming call detecting means 3 detects the call signal and outputs it to the control means 12. Then, the process goes from step (f) to step (y), and the control means 12 controls the transmitting means 8 to send an incoming signal to the slave unit 2 and, when the incoming signal arrives a predetermined number of times, step (t). Then, the process proceeds to step (d) to control the interface circuit 4 to close the telephone line and turn on the switch 13. Next, the response message recording / transmission means 6 is controlled to transmit the response message to the telephone line through the interface circuit 4 (step (S)). When the transmission of the response message is completed, the control means 12 turns off the switch 13 and turns on the switch 15 to operate the incoming message recording means 7 to record the incoming message coming from the telephone line and inputted through the interface circuit 4. (Steps). On the other hand, when the changeover switch 30 is at the standby position (b side), the handset 2 receives a calling signal transmitted by the base unit when an incoming signal from the telephone line arrives, and outputs a ringing tone from the ringing tone generating means 28. (Step (c)). This allows the user to know that the incoming call signal is input to the answering machine and that the answering machine is operating. In order to listen to an incoming message coming into the base unit 2 while the answering machine function is operating, the monitor switch 31 is pressed. Control means
33 detects that the monitor switch 31 has been pressed, turns on the switch 35, and transmits a monitor-on signal from the transmission means 26 to the master unit 1. This signal is received by the receiving means 9 of the master unit 1, detected by the control signal detecting means 10, and output to the control means 12. The control means 12 turns on the switch 16, and the transmission means 8 transmits the incoming message to the slave unit 2. This incoming message is received by the receiving means 21 of
(Step (m)). When the caller finishes sending the message and hooks up the telephone, a busy tone is input to the base unit 1 from the telephone line, and the tone detecting means 17 detects this (step (n)) and outputs it to the control means 12. The control means 12 causes the interface circuit 4 to open the telephone line (step (n)) and turns off the switch 15. When monitoring is being performed by the slave unit 2, when the monitor switch 31 is pressed again, the control unit 33 transmits a monitor end signal to the master unit 1 from the transmission unit 26 and turns off the switch 35.
Master device 1 turns off switch 16 when receiving the monitor end signal.

Next, a case in which the slave unit 2 controls the master unit 1 to listen to the already recorded incoming message will be described. in this case,
If the changeover switch 30 of the handset 2 is in the off state, the handset 2 cannot receive the call signal even if the calling signal is transmitted from the base unit 1, so the user first sets the changeover switch 30 of the handset 2 to (b) Side) and put it in the standby state, and press the control start switch 32. When the control means 33 detects that the control start switch 32 has been pressed, the control means 33 turns on the switch 35 and enters the control mode of the master unit 1. Next, a control signal for controlling remote listening is input from the dial signal input means 29. The control means 33 transmits a control signal from the transmission means 26 to the master unit 1. This control signal is received by the receiving means 9 of the base unit 1, detected by the control signal detecting means 10 and outputted to the control means 12. Then, the procedure shifts from step (a) to step (m), and the control means 12 turns on the switches 15 and 16 to control the incoming message recording means 7 and the transmission means 8 to reproduce the recorded message. This reproduction signal is input to the transmission means 8, and the transmission means 8 transmits the reproduction signal to the slave 2. Handset 2
Receives the reproduced signal by the receiving means 21 and outputs it from the speaker 23 (step (p)).

Next, the case where the slave unit 2 controls the master unit 1 to record a response message will be described. In this case, if the changeover switch 30 of the handset 2 is turned off, the handset 2 cannot receive the call signal even if the calling signal is transmitted from the base unit 1, so that the user first operates the changeover switch 30 of the handset 2. To (b
Side) and put it in the standby state, then the control start switch
Press 32. When the control means 33 detects that the control start switch 32 has been pressed, the control means 33 turns on the switch 35 and enters the control mode of the master unit 1. Next, a control signal for controlling the recording of the response message is input from the dial signal input means 19. The control means 33 transmits a control signal from the transmission means 26 to the master unit 1. This control signal is received by the receiving means 9 of the base unit 1, detected by the control signal detecting means 10 and outputted to the control means 12. Then, the control means 2 turns on the switches 13 and 14 to control the response message recording / sending means 6 and the receiving means 8 from step (a) to step (ス テ ッ プ). The response message received by the transmitting means 26 is received by the receiving means, and is recorded in the response message recording / reproducing means 6.

As described above, according to the answering machine of the present embodiment, the telephone can be received from a remote location without going to the facility of the answering machine and calling the answering machine using a public telephone line from another telephone. You can listen to the message.

In addition, since the recording of a response message can be performed from the slave unit, it is excellent in usability.

Effect of the Invention As described above, the present invention relates to a configuration in which a child device having a microphone and a speaker is configured to be able to wirelessly communicate with a parent device connected to a telephone line. A means for generating a signal for performing control and transmitting the signal to the master unit is provided, and the master unit receives a control signal from the slave unit and records a voice signal sent from the slave unit as a response message recording means. Recording a response message from a remote location without having to go to the place where the answering machine is installed and without calling the answering machine using a public telephone line from other telephones. Can be
Moreover, the practical effects are great.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an answering machine of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of operation of a parent device, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a flow of operation of a child device. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main machine (fixed machine) 2 ... Slave machine (mobile machine) 3 ... Incoming detecting means 4 ... Interface circuit 5 ... Dial signal generating means 6 ... Response message recording / sending means 7 ... Incoming Message recording means 8 Transmission means 9 Reception means 10 Control signal detection means 11 Changeover switch 12 Control means 13, 14, 15, 16 Switch 17 Tone detection means 21 Reception Means 22 Amplifier 23 Speaker 24 Microphone 25 Amplifier 26 Transmitting means 27 Ringing signal detecting means 28 Ringing tone generating means 29 Dial signal input means 30 Switch 31 ... Monitor switch 32 ... Control start switch 33 ... Control means 34 ... Battery 35 ... Switch 36 ... Switch 37 ... Transmission unit 38 ... Reception unit

Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Katsuyuki Kajiwara 1006 Kadoma, Kazuma, Osaka Prefecture Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-55-83366 (JP, A) JP-A-59-70326 (JP) JP-A-61-109357 (JP, A) JP-A-61-123349 (JP, A) JP-B-49-15082 (JP, B1)

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A message sending means for sending a response message stored in advance to a caller via a telephone line, a response message recording means for rewriting the response message, and a message from the caller. Receiving message recording means for recording a message, wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with a mobile device, and control signal detection means for detecting whether or not a specific control signal is included in a signal received by the wireless communication means. A fixed machine comprising: control means for operating the response message recording means when the control signal detection means detects a specific control signal, and recording the signal received by the wireless communication means as the response message; and An operation switch operated to input a control signal, a microphone, a speaker, and a control signal generated by operating the operation switch. An answering machine having a mobile device having a transmitting means for transmitting a signal input from the microphone to the fixed device as a wireless signal.