JPH02233047A - Automatic answering telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily execute dubbing by recording a sound with an increased sampling frequency at first when the sound is recorded to a random access memory(RAM) from a tape after restoration of power and recording the sound again with a decreased frequency when the capacity of the RAM is deficient. CONSTITUTION:When a power restoration detection means 3 detects restoration of power, a control means 14 controls so that a backup reply message (OGM) reproduced from a magnetic tape is stored in a RAM 8 with a high frequency sampling set by a changeover means 9. Then whether or not all the OGM is stored in the RAM 8 is discriminated, and when not all of the OGM is recorded, a low sampling frequency is set by a sampling frequency revision means 9 to control the RAM 8 to store the OGM again. Thus, the OGM recorded on the tape is easily dubbed in the RAM 8.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention uses random access memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) as a storage medium for response messages (hereinafter referred to as OGM).
), and a message from the caller (hereinafter referred to as I).
This invention relates to an answering machine that uses magnetic tape as a storage medium for commercials (commercials).

Conventional technology Dynamic RAM has traditionally been used as a storage medium for OGM.
There is an answering machine that uses DRAM (hereinafter referred to as DRAM).

In such a system in which OGM is stored in a DRAM, the sound quality improves when the audio sampling frequency is increased, but the amount of data increases and the recording time in the DRAM becomes shorter. Conversely, if the audio sampling frequency is lowered, the recording time will be longer, but the sound quality will be poorer. Taking advantage of these characteristics of the DRAM recording system, an answering machine equipped with a sampling frequency changeover switch is conceivable. This means that the OGM recording time may be short, but users who wish to improve the sound quality should set the sampling frequency to a higher value, and the sound quality may be worse.
If a user wants to increase the recording time, the answering machine is set to a lower sampling frequency.

Additionally, when DRAM is used as a storage medium, if power cannot be supplied to the answering machine due to a power outage, etc., DRAM will not be able to retain its memory content and the stored OGM data will be lost. Use an auxiliary power source such as However, since auxiliary power sources such as batteries have a limited lifespan, the OGM recorded in the DRAM is recorded on a magnetic tape for ICM recording without using the auxiliary power source, and this magnetic tape is used first when the power is restored. An answering machine has been developed that dubs the OGM recorded on the DRAM.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, when the above-mentioned sampling frequency switching method is combined with the method of backing up OGM to ICM tape, it becomes impossible to dub OGM recorded on TCM tape to DRAM when power is restored. When doing so, there is a problem in that dubbing is difficult because it is not known whether the OGM was recorded at a high sampling frequency or a low sampling frequency.

For example, when recording GM, if the sampling frequency is set low and the OGM is reloaded at a high sampling frequency, there is a problem that the OGM will only be reloaded halfway due to insufficient DRAM capacity. Ta.

Means for Solving the Problem In order to solve this problem, the answering machine of the present invention has O.
A RAM for storing GM, a message data storage means for storing OGM data in the RAM, and a message data storage means for storing OGM data in the R.
A sampling frequency changing means for switching the sampling frequency of audio from a magnetic tape to a higher or lower one when storing it in AM, a magnetic tape for recording GM and ICM, and the fact that the power supply was interrupted and then restored. a power supply restoration detection means for detecting power restoration; and control so that when the detection means detects the power restoration, a backup OGM reproduced from a magnetic tape is stored in the RAM at a high sampling frequency set by the switching means. Shi, OGM
is stored in the RAM, and if not recorded, the sampling frequency changing means is set to a lower sampling frequency and the data is stored in the RAM again.
It is comprised of a control means for controlling the GM to be stored.

Effect With this configuration, if the OGM data recorded in the RAM is lost due to an interruption in the power supply, after the power is restored, the ○GM recorded on the magnetic tape will be restored first.
Stored in RAM at high sampling frequency, OGM is R
If the capacity of AM is exceeded, storage will be performed again using lower frequency sampling.

EXAMPLE Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of an answering machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a message transfer function.

In Fig. 1, 1 is a telephone line, 2 is a line closing means for connecting/disconnecting the telephone line 1, 3 is a bell detection means for detecting a bell signal from the telephone line 1, and 4 is an OGM or ICM. The transmitting/receiving circuit that controls the input/output of audio signals includes a recording/playback amplifier, a line, a microphone, a speaker, a cassette deck, and a DRA.
An analog switch to close the path to M and a voice detection means to detect the voice in the signal (hereinafter referred to as vOX circuit)
It consists of 5 is Mike, 6 is Subika,
7 is a cassette/sotode/socket for recording ICM, and a magnetic tape 7a is attached to this.
The first 40 seconds of a is used as an OGM pickup area, and the rest is used as an ICM recording area. 8 is OGM DRAM (512 bits) 8a
Message data storage and retrieval means 9 is for recording OGM data from the DRAM 8a and reproducing it as audio; 9 is message data storage and retrieval means 8;
The bit rate (recording time) during recording or playback is 3.
Sampling frequency changing means for switching between 2K bits/second (16 seconds) and 16K bits/second (32 seconds), and 10 sets the bit rate (recording time) to 32K bits when OGM is played from the microphone 5 as 1=A sound. /second (16 seconds) or 1
The user sets the switch to 6K bits/second (32 seconds). 11 is the OGM recording button that is pressed when recording ○GM from microphone 5, and 12 is the ○GM recording button that is pressed when playing back the recorded OGM from the subica. A playback button 13 is an ICM playback button that is pressed when playing back an ICM recorded on a magnetic tape from the speaker, and 14 is a control means for controlling the main answering machine, which is constituted by a microcomputer.

The operation of the answering machine configured as described above will be explained below.

First, when the answering machine is powered on, the control means 1
4 controls the sampling frequency changing means 9 to set it to 32 Kbits/sec, which provides good sound quality (step 1). next,
DRA the OGM recorded at the beginning of magnetic tape 7a.
The magnetic tape 7a is rewound for dubbing onto M8 (step 2).

When the magnetic tape 7a reaches the starting point, the control means 14 sets the timer inside the control means to 3 seconds (Step 3), controls the analog switch of the transmitting/receiving circuit 4, and starts the cassette deck 7 and the message data storage/retrieval means 8. Then, the magnetic tape 7a is put into the playback state and the message data storage/extraction means 8 is put into the storage state, and dubbing from the magnetic tape 7a to the DRAM 8a is started (step 4). During dubbing, the control means 14 controls the content recorded on the magnetic tape 7a from the transmitting/receiving circuit 4 to be silent (low level)/sound (no level).
and when there is no sound (low level), control means 1
4 Count down the internal timer. If no sound is detected after dubbing is started, and the silent state continues for 3 seconds, it is determined that OGM has not been recorded on the tape, and the cassette deck 7 and message data storage/extraction means 8
stops operating and enters an error state (step 5). If a sound is detected within 3 episodes after the start of dubbing, it is determined that OGM has been recorded on the magnetic tape 7a, and the timer inside the control means 14 is set to 2 seconds, and the message data is stored in the cassette deck 7. Dubbing by the extraction means 8 is continued (step 6). During dubbing, when the control means 14 receives silence (low level) from the transmitting/receiving circuit 4, it counts down the timer inside the control means 14, and when it receives sound, it resets the timer inside the control stage 14 to 2 seconds again. (Step 6). If the silent state continues for 2 seconds, it is determined that the OGM has ended, the operation of the cassette deck 7 and the message data storage/extraction means 8 is stopped, and the magnetic tape 7 is moved to the position where it had stopped before the power was turned on. (Step 7) and enters a waiting state for incoming calls (Step 8). When the dubbing control stage 14 receives information from the message data storage and retrieval means 8 that the DRAM 8a is full and cannot record any more (step 13), it determines which sampling frequency is currently being recorded (step 13). 14) If the sampling frequency is 32K bits/second, control the sampling frequency change step 9 to set it to 16K bits/second, which allows long recording.Step 9) Dubbing is performed again from Step 2. In step 14, when information is received that the capacity of the DRAM 8 is full and no further recording is possible even if dubbing is performed with the setting to 16K bits/second, the operation of the cassette deck 7 and the message data storage/extraction means 8 is stopped and the tape 7 is Fast forward (step 7) and the call is received (step 8). In the case of an error (step 5), you can receive the call by recording the OGM. When recording the OGM, 16K/
Set the 32K changeover switch 1o to, for example, 16K bits/second, and press the GM recording button 11. Control means 14
When determining that the OGM recording button 12 has been pressed (step 15), open the analog switch in the transmitting/receiving circuit 4 so that the microphone 5 and the OGM recording/playback IC 8 are connected, and open the 16K/32K selector switch 10. The state is read (16K bits/second), the sampling frequency changing stage 9 is controlled to switch to 16K bits/second, and recording start information is sent to the message data storage/extraction means 8 to start recording (step 10). While recording, make sure that there is no silence for more than 2 seconds. OGM again to end recording
Press the record button 12. When the control means 14 determines that the OGM recording button 12 is pressed again, the control means 14 starts recording/reproducing ○GM.
Recording end information is sent to C8 to end the recording, and the analog switch in the transmitter/receiver circuit 4 is closed. After this, DRAM
In order to back up the OGM in 8a to the magnetic tape 7, the control stage 14 controls the cassette deck 7 to send the magnetic tape 7a to the starting point (step 11).
Connect the analog switch inside to cassette deck 7 and OG.
After opening the cassette deck 7 so that it is connected to the message data storage/retrieval means 8 of the M, and putting the cassette deck 7 into the recording state, it sends playback start information to the message data storage/retrieval means 8 and DR.
Back up OGM in AM8a to tape 8 (
Step 12).

At the same time, after recording 2 seconds of silence on the tape 7 after the OGM so that the end position of the OGM backed up on the tape 8 can be known when the power is turned on, the operation of the cassette deck 7 and the message data storage/extraction means 8 is started. Stop magnetic tape 7
Fast-forward to step 7).The device enters a waiting state for incoming calls (step 8).

In addition, in this embodiment, when recording OGM, the DRAM is
8a and then dubbing it to a magnetic tape, it is also possible to record it to a DRAM and a tape at the same time when recording OGM.

The operations which are the original functions of the telephone answering machine are carried out according to the flowchart shown in FIG.

That is, when a bell signal arrives from the telephone line, the bell detection stage 3 detects it and notifies the control stage 14 (step 21). On the other hand, the control means 14 recognizes the arrival of the bell signal and controls the wire closing means 2 to close the telephone line (step 22). Then, it further controls the transmitting/receiving circuit 4 and the message data storage/retrieval means 8 (step 23) to
The GM data is taken out, converted to voice, and then quickly sent to telephone line 1 (step 24). When the transmission of the OGM is completed, the process moves from step 25 to step 26, where the control unit 14 disconnects the transmitting/receiving circuit 4 and the message data storage/retrieval means 8, and replaces the cassette deck 7 with the transmission/reception circuit 4.
The cassette deck 7 is controlled to be in a recording state, and the message (ICM) from the caller arriving on the telephone line is recorded on the magnetic tape 7.
a (step 28). When the recording of the ICM is completed, the process moves from step 29 to step 30, and each part is controlled to return to the standby state.

As described above, the present invention provides a RAM for storing OGM, and a RAM for storing OGM.
message data storage means for storing M data in the RAM; sampling frequency changing means for switching the sampling frequency of the audio from the magnetic tape to a higher or lower one when storing the OGM in the RAM;
A magnetic tape for recording commercials, a power recovery detection means for detecting that the power supply has been interrupted and restored, and a backup OGM that is reproduced from the magnetic tape when the detection means detects that the power supply has been restored. Control is performed to store the OGM in the RAM at a high frequency sampling set by the sampling frequency changing means, and it is determined whether all of the OGM has been stored in the RAM, and if not recorded, the sampling frequency changing means Set a lower sampling frequency to R A M +'l again:
By controlling the storage of the OGM, when recording from tape to RAM after a power outage, the sampling frequency is initially set high, and if the RAM capacity is insufficient, the frequency is set lower. By re-recording the OGM from the tape, it is possible to easily dub the OGM backed up to the tape from the tape to the RAM when the power is restored, which has a great practical effect.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of an answering machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of operation of a message transfer function, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the flow of operation of the function. 1...Telephone line 2...Line closing means 3...Bell detection means 4...Talking/receiving circuit 5...Microphone 6...Subika 7...Cassette deck 7a...Magnetic tape 8...Message data storage and retrieval means 8 a-D
R A M 9...Sampling frequency changing means 10...Bit rate changeover switch 11...O
GM recording button l2... OGM playback button 13... ICM playback button 14... Control means No. 1 Figure/-1, Kansen Hyakusenkyoku 2 Figure/a

Claims (1)

[Claims] a bell detection means for detecting a bell signal when it arrives on a telephone line; a line closing means for automatically closing the telephone line when the bell signal is detected by the bell detection means;
After the line is closed by the line closing means, a response message means retrieves response message data stored in advance in a random access memory, synthesizes a voice according to the data, and sends the synthesized voice to the telephone line; a recording and reproducing means for recording on a magnetic tape an incoming message received from a caller via a telephone line, and reproducing a response message and an incoming message; a message data storage means for storing the playback output in the random access memory while being played back by the recording and playback means; and a sampling frequency of audio when data is stored from the magnetic tape to the random access memory by the message data storage means. a sampling frequency changing means capable of switching the sampling frequency to at least two stages; a power restoration detecting means for detecting that the power has been restored from a power outage; and a first sampling frequency when the power restoration detecting means detects that the power has been restored sample the response messages stored on the magnetic tape and start storing them in the random access memory, and if all of the response messages stored on the magnetic tape cannot be stored in the random access memory; The random access is performed by controlling the sampling frequency changing means to switch to a sampling frequency lower than the first sampling frequency, and then sampling the response message stored on the magnetic tape again at this sampling frequency. An answering machine characterized by comprising a control means for controlling storage in a memory.