JPH0262148A - Automatic answering telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it unnecessary to go to the set position of an automatic answering telephone system or to call the automatic answering telephone system from a public telephone set by providing a signal generating means to control the master equipment of the automatic answering telephone system at slave equipment. CONSTITUTION:By connecting a change-over switch 30 of slave equipment 2 to a contact point (b) to make it into a wait condition, and depressing a control starting switch 32, a switch 35 is turned on, and the control mode of master equipment 1 of the automatic answering telephone system is obtained. When a control signal is inputted from a dial signal input means 29, and transmitted to the master equipment 1, it is received by the receiving means of the master equipment 1, supplied through a control signal detecting means 10 to a control means 12, switching 15 and 16 are turned on, the message of an incoming message recording means 7 is reproduced through the means 7 and a transmitting means 8, and transmitted to the slave equipment 2. In the same way, the responding message from the slave equipment 2 can be recorded on the means 7, and to go to the set position of the master equipment or to call the master equipment with the use of the public telephone set is made unnecessary, and the usability can be improved.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION The present invention relates to an answering machine that is used while being connected to a telephone line.

2. Description of the Related Art Answering machines have been widely used in the past for answering callers and recording messages from callers when the caller is away.

This answering machine sends out a pre-recorded response message to the caller, and then stores messages received from the caller as an incoming message. By operating the device, you can listen to and confirm incoming messages recorded while you were away. Note that such an answering machine is equipped with a dedicated microphone for recording response messages.

In addition, in order to eliminate the need for a dedicated microphone, some answering machines combine an answering machine and a telephone to form an answering machine with a handset, and use the handset's microphone to record response messages.

This is also described in US Pat. No. 4,359,607.

Furthermore, a method for recording a response message is to call the answering machine from another telephone, send a remote signal, and record the response message without using the microphone of the answering machine or the handset of the combined answering machine. Another option is to set the mode and then record.
This is implemented in many answering machines.

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

That is, in order to record a response message, the only way to record the response message is to go to the location where the device is installed and operate the device directly, or to perform remote control using another telephone. Additionally, if you use another telephone, you will be charged a public phone charge each time you record a message.

By the way, 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. All that can be accomplished is the following:

That is, a handset is wirelessly connected to the main body of an answering machine connected to a telephone line, and a message is inputted from the cordless handset by operating various switches provided on the main body of the device, and the message is stored in the main body of the device. This involves dubbing the message on the response message tape.

However, even in this case, it is still necessary to go to the installation location of the main body of the device and operate the above-mentioned switch directly, or to record a response message by remote control from another telephone, and the above-mentioned problem still exists. Not resolved.

In addition, the problems common to all the conventional examples mentioned above are:
The following can be mentioned.

That is, to listen to incoming messages recorded on an answering machine, one must either go to the place where the answering machine is installed and operate the answering machine directly, or, if the answering machine has a remote listening function, use another telephone. The problem is that the only way to listen is by sending a remote signal from the remote control.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the answering machine of the present invention has the following features:
A handset equipped with a microphone and a speaker (hereinafter referred to as a handset) is configured to enable wireless communication with an answering machine that is connected to a telephone line (hereinafter referred to as a base unit). is provided with means for generating and sending control signals to the base unit to control the operation of the base unit, and when the base unit receives a control signal from the slave unit, the control signal is sent from the slave unit. At least one of means for transmitting the voice signal to the response message recording means and means for transmitting an incoming message to the slave unit upon receiving a control signal from the slave unit are provided.

This configuration eliminates the need to use public telephone lines (,
It is possible to record response messages or listen to incoming messages from a remote location.

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 an answering machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In Figure 1, ■ is a base unit connected to the telephone line, 2 is a slave unit that communicates wirelessly with the base unit 1, 3 is an incoming call detection means for detecting a bell signal from the telephone line, and 4 is the telephone line. 5 is a dialing signal generating means for generating a dialing signal; 6 is a response message capable of sending a response message to the caller and recording the message; sending means; 7; incoming message recording means; 8 for recording a message from a caller;
1 is a transmitting means for transmitting a signal to the handset 2; 9 is a receiving means for receiving a signal from the handset 2; 10 is a control signal detection means for detecting a control signal from the handset 2; 11 is an operation of the base unit 1 12 is a control means for controlling the operation of the base unit; 13, 14 and 15, 16 are switches; and 17 is a tone detection means for detecting a visit tone.

In the handset 2, 21 is a receiving means for receiving the 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, 2
5 is an amplifier that amplifies the signal input from the microphone 24;
26 is a transmission means for transmitting a signal to base unit 1, 27 is base unit 1
28 is a ringing sound generating means that generates a ringing sound; 29 is a dialing signal inputting means that inputs a dialing signal; 30 is an operation of the handset 2; This is a switch that switches between modes, including an off mode that stops both receiving and transmitting operations of the handset 2, a standby mode that leaves the device in reception mode and waits for an incoming signal from the base unit, and a mode that sends a signal to the base unit. You can switch between three communication modes to close the telephone line and enable communication. 31 is a monitor switch, and when this switch is pressed while the answering machine function of the base unit is operating, the contents (for example, a response message that is being sent or a message from an incoming caller) can be listened to. Can be done. 32 is a control start switch for starting control of the operation of the parent device. 33 is a control means for controlling the operation of the slave device. 34 is a battery, and the transmitter 37 has a switch 35.
Power is supplied to the receiving section 38 via the switch 36.

The operation of the answering machine configured as described above will be explained below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

First, when using the function as a cordless telephone, set the selector switch 11 of base unit 1 to the cordless telephone side (
Set it to side a). When a bell signal is input from the telephone line in this state, the incoming call detection means 3 detects it (step (b)) and outputs it to the control means 12. In response to this, the control means 12 controls the transmitting means 8 to transmit an incoming call signal to the handset 2 (step (c)). When the receiving means 21 of the handset 2 receives the incoming call 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 generation means 28 to generate a ringing tone synchronized with the bell signal (step (C)). The user who inquired about this ringtone selected the changeover switch 3 of handset 2.
0 is switched from the standby mode (side B) in which power is supplied only to the receiving section 38 through the switch 36 to the call mode (side C), the process moves from step (e) to step (''), and the control means 33 Turn on the switch 35 and send the transmitter 3
7 as well as controlling the transmitting means 26,
A signal instructing base unit 1 to close the telephone line is transmitted. However, if the selector switch 30 of the slave unit 2 is in the off mode at the time when the signal informing of the incoming call arrives from the base unit 1, both the switch 35 and the switch 36 are turned off, and power is not being supplied to the receiving means 21. This means that the incoming signal from the parent ML cannot be received.

Next, when the reception means 9 of the main unit 1 receives the telephone line closing instruction signal from the handset 2 in step (d), the control signal detection means 10 detects this signal and outputs it to the control means 12.

In response, the control means 12 controls the interface circuit 4
is controlled to close the telephone line (step (E)), and the switch 1416 is turned on to make a call (step (G)). In this state, the voice signal from the caller arriving on the telephone line passes through the interface circuit 4 and transmitting means 8.
is sent to slave unit 2. A signal from the base unit 1 is received by the receiving means 21 of the slave unit 2, amplified by the amplifier 22, and then output from the speaker 23.

Further, the audio input from the microphone 24 of the handset 2 is amplified by the amplifier 25 and transmitted to the base device 1 from the transmitting means 26.

Base unit 1 receives this signal using a receiving means, and transmits it to the telephone line through interface circuit 4. In this way, a conversation between handset 2 and the caller is carried out via base unit 1 (
Step (g)). When the call ends, the changeover switch of handset 2 is set to standby mode (side b). Then, the process moves from step (h) to step (i), and the control means 3
3 causes the transmitting means 26 to transmit a signal for opening the telephone line, and then turns off the switch 35 to enter the standby mode. The signal from handset 2 is detected by the base unit in the same way as the signal for closing the 7JX communication line, and the signal is detected by the base unit from step (G) to step (C).
The control means 12 opens the telephone line and switches the switch 1 to
4.16 is turned off.

When making a call by dialing from the handset 2 side, connect the changeover switch 3o of the handset 2 to the (C side) to put it into the talking state. When the control means 33 detects this, the main unit switches as described above. When base unit 1 detects this signal, it moves from step (a) to step (su) and closes the telephone line. Then, when a dial signal is input from the dial signal input means 29 of the slave unit 2, the control means 33 transmits the input dial signal from the transmitter 26 to the base unit 1. Stir (step (k)
)). This dial 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 (step (N)). Control means 12
The dial signal generating means 5 generates a dial signal corresponding to the input dial signal, and sends it to the telephone line through the interface circuit 4 (step 1).
). When the transmission of the dialed number is completed and the called party goes off-hook, the process moves from step (w) to step (g), and the call state is established, and a call can be made between handset 2 and the called party as explained above.

Next, the case of using it as an answering machine will be explained. In this case, first, set the changeover switch 11 of the base unit 1 to the answering machine side (side b). Then, a signal indicating this is input to the control means 12, and the answering machine mode is set.

When a calling signal arrives from the telephone line in this state, the incoming call detection means 3 detects it and outputs it to the control means 12. Then, the control means 12 moves from step (power) to step (y), and the control means 12 controls the transmitting means 8 to send an incoming signal to the handset 2, and when the incoming signal arrives a predetermined number of times, step (y) is reached. The next step is to control the interface circuit 4, close the telephone line, and turn on the switch 13.Next, the response message recording/sending means 6 is controlled, and the response message is transmitted through the interface circuit 4 to the telephone. When the sending 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. The incoming message input through 4 is recorded (step (tsu)).On the other hand, on the handset 2 side, the changeover switch 30
When the main unit is in the standby position (side b), the base unit receives a ringing 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 an incoming call signal has been input to the answering machine and that the answering machine is in operation.

To listen to incoming messages coming into base unit 2 while the answering machine function is in operation, monitor switch 31 is pressed. When the control means 33 detects that the monitor switch 31 has been pressed, it turns on the switch 35 and transmits a monitor-on signal from the transmitting means 26 to the base unit 1. This signal is received by the receiving means 9 of the base 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 transmitting means 8 transmits the incoming message to the handset 2. This incoming message is received by the receiving means 21 of the handset 2 and output from the speaker 23 (step (m)).

When the calling party finishes sending the message and puts the telephone on-hook, a visit tone is input to the base unit 1 from the telephone line, the tone detection 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 (S)) and turns off the switch 15. When the slave device 2 is monitoring, when the monitor switch 31 is pressed again, the control means 33 transmits a monitor end signal to the base device 1 from the transmitting means 26, and turns off the switch 35. When the base unit 1 receives the monitor end signal, it turns off the switch 16.

Next, a case will be described in which the slave unit 2 controls the base unit 1 and listens to an already recorded incoming message.

In this case, if the changeover switch 30 of handset 2 is turned off, even if a call signal is sent from base unit 1, handset 2
cannot be received, the user first connects the changeover switch 30 of the handset 2 to (B system) to put it in a standby state, and then presses the control start switch 32. When the control means 33 detects that the control start switch 32 has been pressed, it turns on the switch 35 to enter the control mode of the base unit 1. Next, a control signal for controlling remote listening is inputted from the dial signal input means 29. The control means 33 is the transmission means 26
The control signal is then sent to the base unit 1. After this control signal is received by the receiving means 9 of the base unit 1, the control signal detecting means 10
It is detected by the control means 12 (: outputted. Then, the process moves from step (c) 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 transmitting means 8. Play recorded messages.

This reproduced signal is input to the transmitting means 8, and the transmitting means 8 transmits the reproduced signal to the slave unit 2. The handset 2 receives the reproduced signal by the receiving means 21 and outputs it from the speaker 23 (step (p)).

Next, a case will be described in which the handset 2 controls the base unit 1 and records a response message. In this case, if the changeover switch 30 of the handset 2 is turned off, the handset 2 will not be able to receive the call signal even if it is sent from the base unit 1. (b side) and put it in standby mode, and then press the control start switch 3.
Press 2. When the control means 33 detects that the control start switch 32 has been pressed, it turns on the switch 35 to enter the control mode of the base unit 1. Next, dial signal input means 2
9 inputs a control signal for controlling response message recording. The control means 33 transmits a control signal to the base unit 1 from the transmitting means 26. This control signal is received by the receiving means 9 of the base unit 1, then detected by the control signal detecting means 10 and output to the control means 12. Then, moving from step (c) to step (i), the control means 12 turns on the switch 13.14 and controls the response message recording/sending means 6 and the receiving means 8. The response message amplified by the receiver and transmitted from the transmitter 26 is received by the receiver and recorded in the response message recording and reproducing means 6.

As explained above, according to the answering machine of this embodiment, reception can be received from a remote location without going to the place where the answering machine is installed and without calling the answering machine from another telephone using a public telephone line. Messages can be heard.

Furthermore, since response messages can be recorded from this handset, it is very easy to use.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the present invention has a handset equipped with a microphone and a speaker that can communicate wirelessly with a base unit connected to a telephone line. In addition to providing a means for generating and transmitting signals for control to the base unit, the base unit also includes means for recording a response message by recording an audio signal sent from the slave unit upon receiving a control signal from the slave unit. By providing at least one of a means for transmitting an incoming message to a handset and a means for sending an incoming message to a handset when receiving a control signal from a handset, it is possible to send an incoming message to a handset without going to the place where the answering machine is installed. It is possible to listen to incoming messages or record response messages from a remote location without calling an answering machine using a public telephone line, and has great practical effects.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the answering machine of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the base unit, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the slave unit. 1...Base unit (fixed unit) 2...Slave unit (mobile unit) 3...Incoming call detection means 4...Interface circuit 5...Dial signal generation means 6...Response message recording/sending Means 7... Incoming message recording means 8... Transmitting means 9... Receiving means 10... Control signal detecting means 11... Changeover switch 12... Control means 13.14.15.1 17 ... Tone detection means 21 ... Receiving means 22 ... Amplifier 23 ... Speaker 24 ... Microphone 25 ... Amplifier 26 ... Transmission means 27 ... Calling signal detection means 28 ... Ringing sound generation means 29...Dial signal input means 30...Changing switch 31...Monitor switch 32...Control start switch 33...Control means 34...Battery 35...Switch 6...・Switch 36...Switch 37...Transmission part 38...Reception part Name of agent Patent attorney Shigetaka Awano One idiot Figure

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A response message sending means for sending a response message to a caller, an incoming message recording means for recording a message from a caller, a wireless communication means for performing wireless communication, and a message received by the wireless communication means. control signal detection means for detecting whether or not a specific control signal is present in the signal; and when the control signal detection means detects the specific control signal, it plays back the message recorded in the incoming message recording means; A fixed machine comprising a control means for controlling transmission from a wireless communication means, a control signal input means for inputting a control signal, and a control signal input from the control signal input means for transmitting the control signal to the fixed machine as a wireless signal. The present invention is characterized by comprising a mobile device having a transmitting means for transmitting, a receiving means for receiving a radio signal transmitted from the fixed device, and a speaker for converting the signal output from the receiving means into an audible sound and outputting the audible sound. answering machine. (2) A response message sending means for sending a pre-stored response message to a caller via a telephone line, a response message recording means for rewriting the response message, and a response message recording means for sending a message from the caller. A received message recording means for recording, a wireless communication means for performing wireless communication with a mobile device, and a control signal detection means for detecting whether a specific control signal is present in the signal received by the wireless communication means; a fixed machine comprising: a control means for operating the response message recording means to record a signal received by the wireless communication means as the response message when the control signal detection means detects a specific control signal; an operating switch that is operated to input a signal, a microphone, a speaker, and a transmitting means that transmits a control signal generated by operating the operating switch and a signal input from the microphone to the fixed device as a wireless signal. An answering machine comprising a mobile device equipped with.