JPH036160A - Automatic receiving device for automatic answering telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To execute the sound recording without giving a discomfort sense to a caller by converting a message from a caller to a digital signal and storing it in a memory circuit, setting a tape recorder from a standby state to a sound recording state and converting the signal read out of the memory circuit to an analog signal. CONSTITUTION:When a tape recorder informs a fact that a start of sound recording operation of a message is movable to a caller by a beep tone signal, the message from the caller is inputted to an amplifying circuit 14 through a line transformer 7 and a changeover switch 8. Subsequently, this signal is led to a first voice converting circuit 15, and the message signal is brought to A/D conversion, and stored in a memory circuit 17. Thereafter, the signal written in the memory circuit is brought to D/A conversion in a second voice converting circuit 20 and readout of the message is executed, and the tape recorder is switched from a sound recording standby state to a sound recording state. As a result, an output of the circuit 20 is amplified 2, and brought to sound recording to a tape T by a magnetic head 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an automatic answering machine that records a message from the caller on a magnetic tape after receiving a call in response to a ringing signal coming from a telephone line. Regarding equipment.

(B) Conventional technology An automatic answering machine is configured to automatically receive a call, send a response message to the caller, and then record the message from the caller. A general automatic answering machine is equipped with two magnetic tapes: a response tape on which a response message is recorded, and a recording tape on which a message from a caller is recorded. Such an automatic answering machine using two magnetic tapes has problems in that it is expensive and the size of the main body of the device is large because it incorporates two tape recorders. As a method to solve this problem, there is a method of recording a message from the caller on a magnetic tape on which a response message is recorded, and such a technique is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10951/1983. There is something.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention In an automatic answering machine configured to record a response message and a message from the caller on the same magnetic tape, after the response message is played back, the The tape is fast-forwarded to a recording start position, and when the fast-forwarding is finished, a message from the caller is recorded on the magnetic tape. In such an automatic answering machine, as the number of messages from callers recorded on the magnetic tape increases, the time required to fast-forward to the recording start position becomes longer. There is a problem in that it takes a long time to record the message from the caller, causing discomfort to the caller.

The present invention aims to provide an automatic answering machine that solves this problem.

(2) Means for Solving the Problems The automatic answering machine of the present invention fast-forwards the magnetic tape to a recording start position after sending out a response message, and at the same time puts the tape in a recording standby state at the recording start position. A recorder control circuit, a memory circuit that stores a message from a caller obtained through a telephone line as a digital signal for a predetermined period of time, and reads out the signal after a predetermined period of time, and converts the digital signal read from the memory circuit into an analog signal. It is comprised of an audio conversion circuit that converts the analog signal and inputs the analog signal to a recording amplifier circuit.

(E) Function The present invention converts a message from a caller obtained through a telephone line into a digital signal and stores it in a memory circuit for a predetermined period of time, and converts the signal read out from the memory circuit after a predetermined period of time into an analog signal. It was designed to be recorded on magnetic tape.

(F) Embodiment The circuit shown in FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the automatic answering machine of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between signals recorded on a magnetic tape. In Figure 1, (1) is a connection terminal with a telephone line, and (2) is a ringing signal detection circuit that detects a ringing signal coming from the telephone line. It has an output terminal (3) that outputs a detection signal. <4> is a closing switch that closes the telephone line, and (5> is activated when an H level signal is applied to the control terminal (6) and closes the closing switch (4). (7) is a line transformer, (8) and (9) are a response state in which a response message is sent to a caller, and a recording state in which a message from a caller is recorded on a magnetic tape (I'). This is a changeover switch that switches between the common terminal (8a)
(9a), response side terminals (8b) (9b), and recording side terminals (8c) (9c). (10) is a magnetic terminal for reproducing signals recorded on the magnetic tape (1') and recording signals on the magnetic tape (T), and its signal terminal is connected to the switching switch notch. (9) is connected to the common terminal (9a). (il) is a reproducing amplifier circuit whose input terminal is connected to the response terminal (9b) of the changeover switch (9), and whose output terminal is a common terminal (8a) connected to the line transformer (7). (12) is a beep tone detection circuit that detects the beep tone signal recorded on the magnetic tape (T). It is configured to output an H level signal to an output terminal (13) when detected. (14) is an amplifier whose input terminal is connected to the recording side terminal (8c) of the changeover switch (8). is a circuit,
It has the effect of amplifying the message from the caller. (15) is a first audio conversion circuit which receives the signal amplified by the amplifier circuit <14) and converts the signal into a digital signal, and has an output terminal (16) which outputs the converted digital signal. We are prepared.
(17) is a memory circuit into which the signal converted into a digital signal by the first audio conversion circuit (15) is input and stores the signal for a predetermined time; the output terminal of the first audio conversion circuit (15) It has a write terminal (18) and a read terminal (19) connected to (16). (20) is a second audio conversion circuit that receives the digital signal read from the memory circuit (17) and converts the signal into an analog signal, and has an output terminal (21) from which the analog signal is output. are doing.

<22) is a recording amplifier circuit which receives an analog signal which is the output signal of the second audio conversion circuit (20) and amplifies the signal, and its output terminal is connected to the recording side of the changeover switch (9). Connected to terminal (9C). (
23) is a control circuit that controls each operation of the automatic answering machine, and has the function of controlling the operations of the first voice conversion circuit (15), the memory circuit (17), and the second voice conversion circuit (20). have. (24) is a switch circuit that is activated by a switching signal output from the control circuit (23) when an H level signal is output to the output terminal (13) of the beep tone detection circuit (12); It has the function of switching the changeover switch (8) <9) to the recording side, which is the opposite side from the state shown in the figure. (25) is a pulse signal generation circuit that generates a pulse signal corresponding to the rotation of the reel shaft (26), and (27) receives the pulse signal output from the pulse signal generation circuit (25) and calculates the number of pulse signals. This is a counter circuit for counting, and is configured to perform an up-count operation during playback, recording, and fast-forwarding operations, and to perform a down-count operation during rewinding operations. (28) is a counter memory circuit, which is configured to memorize the count value of the counter circuit (27) when the recording operation of the message from the caller is completed. (29) is a tape recorder control circuit that controls the operation of the tape recorder by the control operation of the control circuit (23);
When the playback operation of the response message and beep tone signal recorded on the magnetic tape (T) is completed, the magnetic tape (T) is fast-forwarded to the position of the count value memorized by the counter memory circuit (28), and then the tape recorder is configured to switch to a recording standby state, that is, a pause state in a recording state. Then, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the writing of the message from the caller to the memory circuit (17) was started and the reading operation from the memory circuit (17) is started, the recording standby state of the tape recorder is released. The recording state of the tape recorder is canceled when there is no more message from the caller to be read after being written to the memory circuit (17). At the same time, a rewinding operation of the magnetic tape (T) is performed, and the magnetic tape (1'') is rewound to the standby position, that is, the beginning of the response message, and becomes stopped.
Reference numeral (30) indicates an operation button provided for performing switching operations of the automatic answering machine. In such a circuit configuration, the time stored by the memory circuit <17) is set in consideration of the time required for fast-forwarding the magnetic tape ('I'). If the time required to fast-forward the magnetic tape (T) to the end is 60 seconds, the sampling frequency is 4KHz, and the number of quantization bits is 4, then 60X
Since a memory having a capacity of 4000x4-960000 bits is required, a 1 Mbit RAM may be used as the memory circuit (T). As described above, the automatic answering machine of the present invention has been constructed, and the operation of the circuit will now be described.

Counter circuit (27) after attaching magnetic tape (T)
After resetting the count value to zero, the operation button (30) is used to record the response message and the beep tone signal. Such a recording operation can be performed using a well-known technique, and its explanation will be omitted. Figure 2 (a)
indicates the state of the magnetic tape (T) on which such a recording operation was performed, and from count value O to count value T, a response message (A) and a beep tone signal (B
) is recorded. After performing the recording operation and confirming the playback of the response message (A), when the operation button (30) is set to the standby state, the magnetic tape (T) is rewound, and the magnetic tape (I') is It stops at the position where the count value is 0, that is, at the beginning of the response message (A).

When such an operation is performed, the count value T0 is stored in the counter memory circuit <28>. In this way, the automatic answering machine is set to a standby state.

When a ringing signal arrives from the telephone line while the automatic answering machine is in standby mode, the ringing signal detection circuit (2)
A detection operation is performed, and an H level signal is output to its output terminal (3). The calling signal detection circuit (2
) When an H-level signal is output to the output terminal (3), the control circuit (23) starts a control operation, and first, an H-level signal is applied to the control terminal (6) of the closing circuit (5). Ru. As a result, the closing circuit (5) becomes operational and closes the closing switch (4), thereby performing a telephone line closing operation. When such a closing operation is performed, the control circuit (23) controls the tape recorder control circuit (29), and the reproduction operation of the tape recorder is started. The response message (A) recorded on the magnetic tape (T) is reproduced by the magnetic head (10) and then input to the reproduction amplifier circuit (11) through the changeover switch (9).The reproduction amplifier circuit (11
) is amplified and then sent to the caller through a changeover switch 8) and a line transformer <7). When the reproduction and transmission operation of the response message (A) to the caller is completed, the beep tone signal (B) recorded after the response message (A) is reproduced. The beep tone signal (B) amplified by the reproduction amplifier circuit (11) is sent to the beep tone detection circuit (
12) and is sent to the caller to make him or her aware that the message recording operation will start. When the beep tone signal (B) is input to the beep tone detection circuit (12), the beep tone detection circuit (12)
) is performed, and an H level signal is output to its output terminal (13). When an H level signal is output to the output terminal (13), a switching signal is output from the control circuit (23) and the switch circuit (24) is activated, and as a result, the changeover switches (8) and (9) are activated. It is switched to the recording side, which is the opposite side from the state shown in the figure. In such a state, since the count value of the counter circuit (27) and the count value stored in the counter memory circuit (28) match, fast-forwarding of the magnetic tape (I') is not performed. The tape recorder is switched to a recording standby state after the playback operation. Furthermore, when such a switching operation is performed, the first audio conversion circuit (15), the memory circuit (17), and the second audio conversion circuit (20) are activated by the action of the control circuit (23), and the first audio conversion circuit (23) is activated. The conversion circuit (15) performs a conversion operation of an analog signal into a digital signal, the memory circuit <17) performs a storage operation, and the second audio conversion circuit (20) performs a conversion operation of a digital signal into an analog signal. That is, in such a state, a message from the caller coming from the telephone line will be transmitted through the line transformer (7) and the changeover switch (
8) and is input to the amplifier circuit (14).

The message input to the amplification circuit (14) is amplified and then input to the input terminal of the first voice conversion circuit (15). The message, which is an analog signal input to the first voice conversion circuit (15), is converted into a digital signal and output to the output terminal (16>.
) The digital signal output to the memory circuit (17
) is input to the write terminal (18) provided in the memory circuit (17) and stored in the memory circuit (17). The memory circuit (
The signal stored in 17) is output to the read terminal (19) after a predetermined time, that is, about 60 seconds. The read terminal (
The digital signal outputted to 19) is inputted to the second audio conversion circuit (20), converted into an analog signal which is the original signal, and outputted to the output terminal (21). The message from the caller, which is an analog signal output to the output terminal (21), is input to the recording amplifier circuit (22), but the message is approximately
After 0 seconds, the signal is input to the recording amplifier circuit (22). When the message reading operation from the memory circuit (17) is started, the tape recorder is switched from the recording standby state to the recording state by the switching operation of the tape recorder control circuit (29). As a result, the message that has been amplified by the recording amplifier circuit (22) is applied to the magnetic head (10) through the changeover switch (9), so that the message is recorded on the magnetic tape (T) by the magnetic head (10). . In this way, the message from the caller is recorded onto the magnetic tape (T), but the recording operation continues until all messages from the caller stored in the memory circuit (17) are read out. It is done. That is, when the caller hangs up the phone after speaking the message, the message input to the first voice conversion circuit (15) disappears, but the message spoken so far is stored in the memory circuit <17>. Therefore, the tape recorder is kept in a recording state until the signal reading operation is completed. When all the messages from the caller that have been stored in the memory circuit (17) are read out and recorded on the magnetic tape <T), the recording state of the tape recorder is canceled and the tape recorder is switched to the rewinding state. It will be done. The count value T of the counter circuit (27) when the rewinding operation of the magnetic tape (T) is started.

is stored in the counter memory circuit (28).

When the magnetic tape (T) is rewound to the count value 0 position, it is switched to the stopped state, and the closing circuit (5) and the switch circuit (24) are returned to the non-operating state, and the automatic answering machine operates as follows. The device is switched to a standby state where it waits for an incoming call. In this way, the message from the caller is recorded on the magnetic tape (T), but the message is recorded at the position shown in Figure 2 (b), that is, from the count value T to the count value T1. It would have been recorded on.

Although the message from the first caller is recorded as described above, the operation for recording the message from the next caller will now be described. When a calling signal arrives while in the above-mentioned standby state, the above-mentioned incoming call operation, response message (A) and beep tone signal (B) sending detection operation are performed, and then the message is written to the memory circuit (17) and A read operation is performed. On the other hand, the tape recorder is controlled by a tape recorder control circuit (29). That is, the response message (A) and the beep tone signal (
When the playback operation in B) is completed, the tape recorder is switched to fast forward mode. The magnetic tape (1') is fast-forwarded to the recording start position, that is, the counter memory circuit (2').
When the vehicle reaches the count value T stored in step 8), the fast forwarding state of the tape recorder is canceled and the tape recorder is switched to a recording standby state. When the reading operation of the message from the caller stored in the memory circuit (17) is started, the recording standby state of the tape recorder is canceled and the recording state is switched to the recording state, so that the message from the caller is read out from the magnetic tape ( ff)
can be recorded. Thereafter, the above-described operations are performed and the automatic answering machine is returned to the standby state, but at this time the count value T is stored in the counter memory circuit (28). In this case, the message from the caller is recorded at the position shown in (D) in FIG. 2 (b), that is, from the count value Tt to the count value T. Thereafter, the above-described operations are repeated, and messages from the caller are recorded one after another on the magnetic tape (r).

In this embodiment, the storage operation time by the memory circuit (17) is set to 60 seconds, but this time is longer than the magnetic tape (1').
It is set according to the time required for fast-forward operation, and the storage time is not limited.Furthermore, the count value of the counter circuit is used to search for the recording start position on the magnetic tape (1'). However, it is also possible to record a positioning signal after the recording position of the message from the caller and to detect the recording start position by detecting the positioning signal.

(G) Effects of the Invention The automatic answering machine of the present invention converts a message from a caller obtained through a telephone line into a digital signal, stores it in a memory circuit for a predetermined period of time, and reads it out from the memory circuit after a predetermined period of time. In other words, the message received from the caller via the telephone line is delayed for a predetermined period of time and then recorded on the magnetic tape. The tape can be fast-forwarded to the recording start position, and even if the answering message and the message from the caller are recorded on the magnetic tape at any time, the message from the caller can be sent without making the caller wait. can be recorded, and the present invention has a very large effect.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The circuit shown in FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the automatic answering machine of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between signals recorded on a magnetic tape. Explanation of main drawing numbers (2)...Call signal detection circuit, (4)...Closing switch, <5)...Closing circuit, <7)...Line transformer, (10)... ...magnetic head, (11)
... reproduction amplifier circuit, (12> ... beep tone detection circuit, (15) ... first audio conversion circuit, (17)
)...Memory circuit, (20)...Second audio conversion circuit, (22)...Recording amplifier circuit, (23)...
...control circuit, (25>...pulse signal generation circuit,
(27)... Counter circuit, (28)... Counter memory circuit, (29)... Table feeder control circuit, (I')... Magnetic tape.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Sending a response message in an automatic answering machine configured to send a response message recorded on a magnetic tape to the caller and then record a message from the caller on the same magnetic tape. A tape recorder control circuit that fast-forwards the magnetic tape to a recording start position and puts it in a recording standby state at the recording start position, and a tape recorder control circuit that stores a message from a caller obtained through a telephone line as a digital signal for a predetermined period of time, and records the message after a predetermined period of time. It consists of a memory circuit from which the signal is read out, and an audio conversion circuit which converts the digital signal read out from the memory circuit into an analog signal and inputs the analog signal to a recording amplifier circuit, and the signal is stored in the memory circuit. This automatic answering machine is characterized in that the tape recorder is switched from a recording standby state to a recording state when a signal reading operation is started, thereby recording a message from a caller on a magnetic tape.