JPH0360219B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an improvement of an answering machine equipped with a recording/playback device.

[Technical background of the invention]

Conventionally, this type of device records a response message in advance on a recording/playback device such as a tape recorder, automatically forms a telephone call circuit when an incoming call occurs, sends out the response message to the line, and transmits the response message. The recording and reproducing device is configured to record the message that comes from the other party's telephone after the transmission of the message is completed. Therefore, by playing back the recording tape on the recording/playback device after returning home, the owner can learn about the business of the caller who came in while the caller was away, and can respond appropriately.

[Problems with background technology]

However, in general, such conventional devices simply record each incoming message sequentially, following the previously recorded message. All recordings must be played back in the order in which they were recorded. For this reason, it takes a lot of time to find an important item, and even when you want to reproduce an item that has been reproduced once again, finding the beginning is troublesome and takes time. Recently, devices have been developed that allow the owner to listen to recorded messages when the owner is away by remote control from an outside line, but such devices cannot play back all messages as described above. This is especially inconvenient as it occupies the line for a long time.

[Purpose of the invention]

It is possible to easily specify and access a block in a desired area, and the specified block can be checked at all times.At the same time, it is also possible to check whether the device is in recording/playback operation or cueing operation. It is an object of the present invention to provide an answering machine that can identify and is particularly effective when recording and playing back messages.

[Summary of the invention]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention takes the following measures. In other words, a specific message area for recording messages sent to the returnee, a response message recording area for recording response messages, and a general message area for recording message messages received from the calling party are provided, and these areas are For recording media each having a recording area divided into multiple blocks,
An area specifying means for specifying a desired area of the recording medium and a block specifying means for specifying a desired block in the area specified by the area specifying means are provided, and specifying information by these specifying means is provided. According to the access means, the block is located at the beginning of the block according to the location, so that a block in a desired area can be easily specified and accessed.

Further, the present invention is provided with a display for displaying the identification information of the block, a first display control means, and a second display control means, and the first display control means controls the recording and reproducing operation of each message. The identification information of the block performing this recording/reproducing operation is
On the other hand, during a block access operation, the second display control means displays the identification information of the cue destination block in a second display format different from the first display format. By displaying the format on the display, the operator can always check what the specified block is, and at the same time check whether the device is recording or playing back. The operator can also identify whether a block is being cued up.

That is, the present invention is particularly effective when an operator directly operates an answering machine to record and play back a message, that is, when a message is recorded and played back.

[Embodiments of the invention]

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of a recording tape used in an answering machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, with ST indicating the beginning and ED indicating the end. A response message recording area (response area) AM is provided at an intermediate position between the start end ST and the end end ED. This response area AM includes a response recording message block AMa that records a response message for the response recording mode (re-recording), which includes a message that the matter can be recorded, and a message that the matter can be recorded. A response-only message block that records response-only (specialized) response messages.
AMb, each set to a length of 60 seconds. Further, a general business area G is provided at the end of the response area AM, and a specific business area S is provided at the start end. The general message area G is for recording messages that arrive from the other party's telephone after the sending of the response message is completed, and is composed of ten blocks G1 to G10 each having a length of 40 seconds. The specific message area S is for recording specific message messages (messages) as a so-called message board for mutual communication between parties using this telephone.
4 blocks S1-S each having a length of 40 seconds
It is composed of 4. The message can be recorded directly to the desired block using a microphone.
Blocks can also be selectively accessed and recorded by sending a predetermined password from an outside line. Incidentally, between each block of these response area AM and each of the task areas G and S, there is provided an interval consisting of a silent period of 6 seconds.

On the other hand, FIG. 2 shows the circuit configuration of the answering machine in this embodiment. In the same figure,
Reference numeral 1 denotes a recording tape housed in a tape recorder as a recording/playback device, 2 a magnetic head for recording and playback, 3 a servo for running the recording tape 1, and 4 controlling the running direction and on/off of running of the recording tape 1. Forward and reverse speed control circuits, 5a and 5b are motors for driving the recording tape 1, and 6 is a plunger for controlling the movement of the magnetic head 2 toward and away from the recording tape 1.

The telephone circuit 10 includes a dial circuit 11, a line 12, a transmitter 13, a receiver 14, and a sounder 1.
5 are connected to each other. The microcomputer (CPU) 20, which forms the center of the control circuit system, includes:
Function key 21, read-only memory 22,
34, PPB signal receiver 23, input circuit 24, 3
2, selection circuit 25, latch 26, 27, 28, 3
0a, 30b, a light emitting element 29, seven segment circuits 31a, 31b, and a voice synthesizer 33 are connected. The output signal of the speech synthesizer 33 is passed through a filter 40
The signal is supplied to the amplifier 43 via. A signal output from an 800Hz oscillator 41 for generating guidance sound is passed through an inhibit gate 42 to an amplifier 43.
is supplied to the input terminal of

44 is a line amplifier that amplifies the PB signal and other line signals supplied via the line 12 and telephone circuit 10, 46 is an audio switch, 47 is a silence detection circuit, 48 is a speaker amplifier, 49 is a speaker,
VR is a volume for adjusting the volume.

Further, 51 is a microphone, 52 is a recording preamplifier, 53 is a playback preamplifier, 54 is a recording/playback switch, 55 is a recording amplifier, and 56 is a bias oscillator for generating a bias signal.

AS1~AS6, AS8 and AS10~AS12
is a switch element controlled by the output of the latch 26, and AS7 and AS9 are switch elements controlled by the CPU 20.

By the way, in the apparatus of this embodiment, a block number is assigned to each recording block of the recording tape 1 mentioned above, and these block numbers are based on positional information based on the start end ST or end end ED of the recording tape 1. are associated with each. These block numbers are always displayed in the seven segments 31a by the CPU 20 and the latch 30a. This is provided with a detector that generates pulses according to the rotation of the reel shaft of the tape recorder, and the pulses generated from this detector are counted by the CPU 20, and the access position of the recording tape 1 is determined from the count value. This can be achieved by outputting the block number corresponding to the position to the latch 30a.

Further, the above block number can be set arbitrarily by selectively pressing the "response", "specific", and "general" selection buttons in the function key 21 and selectively pressing the dial button of the dial circuit 11. Can be specified. When this block number is designated, the CPU 20 fast-forwards or rewinds the recording tape 1, and records the access position of the recording tape detected during this tape feeding operation and the tape position information corresponding to the designated block number. When the comparison is made and the two match, the feeding of the recording tape 1 is stopped. The desired block is thus located.

Next, we will explain the operation of the device configured as above.
The control procedure of the CPU 20 will be explained. still,
Here, a description will be given of the response message recording operation in which the greatest effect can be expected from the configuration of the present invention.

The operator first operates the "response" button of the function key 21 and the dial button of the dial circuit 11 to designate a block of the response area to be recorded. Then CPU20
As shown in FIG. 3a, the operation of the response button is detected in step 3a, and at that point, the process proceeds to step 3b.
The block number specified by the dial button is displayed on the 7 segment 31a. Therefore, by visually checking this display result, the operator can recognize whether or not the block has been designated without error.

Also, when the above block number is displayed, the CPU
20 then operates the plunger 6 and the forward/reverse speed control circuit 4 via the latch 27 in step 3c, thereby causing the recording tape 1 to be fast-forwarded or rewound. For example, when the initial position of the magnetic head 2 is in the block S3 of the specific task area S as shown in FIG. 4a, the recording tape 1 is fast-forwarded as shown in FIG. During this fast forwarding, the access position information of recording tape 1 is compared with the block number specified above in step 3e, and when the two match, it is determined that the beginning of block AMa has been completed, and the access position information of recording tape 1 is Stop fast forwarding. Also, during the fast-forward period of this recording tape 1,
In step 3d, the CPU 20 blinks the display of the block number as shown in FIG. 4b, for example. As a result, the operator can recognize that the recording tape 1 is being fast-forwarded.

Then, when the block AMa cue is completed,
The CPU 20 changes the display form of the block number from blinking to continuous lighting in step 3f, and then monitors the operation of the record button in step 3g. When the operator presses the recording button in this state, the CPU20
In step 3h, the plunger 6 and the forward/reverse speed control circuit 4 are controlled respectively to transfer the recording tape 1 to the fourth
The vehicle is driven at normal speed as shown in Figure a. At the same time, switch elements AS1, AS7, and AS12 are turned on via latches 26 and 27,
As a result, the recording/playback switch 54 is switched to the recording preamplifier 52 side. When the recording becomes possible, the recording lamp is turned on in step 3i, the guidance signal GD is generated, and the oscillator 41 generates an 800 Hz audio frequency signal. This audio frequency signal is then passed through the inhibit gate 42.
→ Amplifier 43 → Switch element AS8 → Volume
A guidance sound is output from the speaker 49 on the path from VR to the amplifier 48, and the operator is notified that recording is possible.

Now, in this state, the operator
When a response message is injected from 1, the audio signal is transmitted through the microphone 51 → switch element AS1 → recording preamplifier 52 → recording/playback selector switch 54 →
The response message is supplied to the magnetic head 2 via the path of switch element AS7→switch element AS12→recording amplifier 55, whereby a desired response message is recorded on block AMa of recording tape 1. During the recording period of this response message, the CPU 20 determines whether the remaining block AMa is less than 5 seconds or not, and whether the record button has been pressed at steps 3j, 3l, and 3m, respectively, as shown in FIG. 3b. Monitor whether it is 2 seconds before the end of the block. For example, if there are less than 5 seconds left in the block before the record button is pressed, in step 3k, the display form of the block number in the 7 segment 31a is changed from continuous lighting to blinking, as shown in FIG. To notify an operator that the area available for recording is running low. Therefore, the operator can easily confirm that the recording area is running low by visually checking the display form of this block number.

When the recording of the response message is completed and the operator presses the record button, the CPU 20 recognizes the operation of the record button in step 3l and moves to step 3n, where a silent interval (for example, 2 seconds) representing the end of the message is recorded. form. After the silent section has been formed, the recording lamp is turned off in step 3o, and then the automatic playback mode is entered in step 3p. In addition, before the above record button is operated, the end 2 of the block is recorded at step 3m.
When it is detected that the time has passed, the CPU 20 cuts off the recorded audio at that point and forms a silent section.

In the above automatic playback mode, the recording tape 1 is rewound under the control of the CPU 20 and the block AMa
is cued, and then switch element AS11,
AS7 and AS8 are turned on, and the recording/playback switch 54 is switched.
The AMa recording content is played back and the audio signal is transferred to the magnetic head 2 → switch element AS11 → playback preamplifier 53 → recording/playback selector switch 54 → switch element AS7 → switch element AS8 → volume VR
→The signal is guided to a speaker 49 via the speaker amplifier 48, and is outputted from the speaker 49 as amplified sound. Therefore, the operator can confirm the recorded response message by listening to the reproduced message. Thus, a recorded message in response to block AMa is recorded.

You can also block AMb messages that are only for responses.
When recording a message, the operation of the function key and dial button is performed in the same way as when recording the recording response message.

The various display operations of the block number described in the above operations can also be performed during the absence response operation, and when the owner accesses the general and specific message areas after returning home and displays the message and messages recorded in each block. The same process is performed when playing back and listening to a message. However, since the operator is not present during the answering operation, there is little point in displaying the above block number, but when playing back a business message or message, the block of the area currently being accessed is clearly displayed. The effect is great because you can know what you are doing.

As described above, in this embodiment, the specific message area S is used to record a message, the response message recording area AM is used to record a response message, and the general message area G is used to record a message received from the calling party. A recording tape 1 is used which has each area and a plurality of blocks for recording a plurality of messages in each area. is specified using a dial button. Therefore, the tape position to be accessed can be searched from both the area and the block, and the block in the desired area can be easily accessed, making it easy to perform tasks such as recording response messages and message messages. For example, when the telephone functions as a message telephone for letting the person returning home hear the contents of the message, the person returning home can easily access the message contents.

In addition, in this embodiment, the number of the block currently being accessed is always displayed, so the operator can check the number of the block currently being accessed when recording a response message or a message message, or when playing a message message or a message message. Blocks can be easily and clearly recognized. Therefore,
This eliminates the problem of recording a response message or message in the wrong block and not noticing it, and also eliminates the trouble of finding the block when you want to re-access a message block that has finished playing. Problems that occur over time can also be resolved. Therefore, it is possible to provide an answering machine with even better handling properties.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the display format of the block number changes from a continuous lighting state to a blinking state while the block is being accessed and when the recording area is running low, so that the operator can easily see that the block is being accessed. This allows you to easily and clearly know when the recording area is running low, and thereby allows you to perform various operations reliably.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, in the above embodiment, the blinking cycle of the block number display when the recording area is running low and the blinking cycle of the display during the access period are set to be the same, but these cycles may be set to be different. .

Further, as the display means, in addition to visual display, display by sound or sound may be used in combination. In this way, it is possible to more clearly notify the operator of particular matters such as the fact that the recording area is running low.

Furthermore, the block number may be replaced with a code other than a number, and its form is not limited. In short, any method may be used as long as the operator can identify the blocks.

In addition, the configuration of the display device and the type of display format,
The control procedure and content of the CPU, the configuration and type of the recording tape (it may also be a memory that converts and records audio signals into digital signals, etc.), the circuit configuration of the device, etc. are within the scope of the present invention. It can be implemented with various modifications.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, there is a specific message area for recording a message sent to a returnee, a response message recording area for recording a response message, and a general message area for recording a message from the calling party. For a recording medium that has a recording area in which each area is provided and each of these areas is divided into a plurality of blocks,
An area specifying means for specifying a desired area of the recording medium and a block specifying means for specifying a desired block in the area specified by the area specifying means are provided, and specifying information by these specifying means is provided. By locating the block according to the location, it is possible to easily specify and access a block in a desired area.

Further, according to the present invention, a display for displaying the identification information of the block, a first display control means and a second display control means are provided, and the first display control means controls the recording and reproducing operation of each message. During the access operation of the block, the identification information of the block that is performing this recording/reproduction operation is displayed on the display in the first display form, while during the access operation of the block, the cue destination is displayed by the second display control means. By displaying the identification information of the block on the display in a second display format different from the first display format,
To allow an operator to always check what block is being specified, and at the same time to check whether the device is recording or playing back or cueing a block. I can do it.

The present invention is particularly effective when an operator directly operates an answering machine to record and reproduce a message, that is, when a message is recorded and reproduced.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The figures are for explaining an answering machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing the configuration of a recording tape, FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the device,
Figures 3a and 5 are flowcharts showing the CPU control procedure and control contents, Figure 4a is a schematic diagram showing an example of block access, Figures 4b and 5
The figure is a signal waveform diagram showing the display form of block numbers. 1... Recording tape, 2... Magnetic head, 20...
...CPU, 30a, 30b...display latch,
31a, 31b...7 segment display, AM...
...Response area, AMa...Message recording block for response recording, AMb...Response-only message recording block, G...General business area, G1~
G10...Block for recording general messages, S...Specific message recording area, S1-S4...Blocks for recording specific messages (messages).

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A specific message area for recording a message sent to the returnee, a response message recording area for recording a response message, and a general message area for recording a message received from the calling party are provided. , an answering machine that uses a recording medium having a recording area in which each of these areas is divided into a plurality of blocks, and records and plays back messages, response messages, and business messages for each block of this recording medium. In the apparatus, a first display control means for displaying identification information of a block performing the recording and reproducing operation on a display in a first display form during the recording and reproducing operation of each message; Area specifying means for specifying a desired area of the medium; block specifying means for specifying a desired block in the area specified by this area specifying means; a block access means for cuing the block; and displaying identification information of the block to be cued on the display in a second display form different from the first display form during the cueing operation by the block access means. and second display control means, during a cueing period for a specific block in the specific task area specified by the area specifying means and the block specifying means, the identification information of the specific block is used in the recording and playback operation. 1. An answering machine characterized by having a second display format different from a first display format representing .