JPH04165746A - Automatic answering telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To record a calling signal for a telephone number to be connected based upon a DTMF signal recorded together with a caller's message and to automatically call the recorded telephone number to be connected when necessary by discriminating the DTMF signal and a voice signal from a line signal reproduced by a reproducing means. CONSTITUTION:A DTMF detector 10 for detecting a DTMF signal is connected to the output terminal of a reproducing amplifier 6 built in a telephone set to send a DTMF detecting signal to a CPU 9. A semiconductor memory such as a RAM 14 for storing a telephone number to be connected corresponding to the DTMF detecting signal is connected to the CPU 9 to store or send the telephone number to be connected as numerical data in accordance with the control of the CPU 9. Then, an automatic calling switch 15 for allowing a caller to return a call is connected to the CPU 9. Consequently, the caller is allowed to record the telephone number to be connected based upon a DTMF signal or the like together with a message, and when necessary the caller is automatically called by the DTMF signal based upon the recorded telephone number to be connected.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Industrial Application Field) The present invention relates to an automatic telephone answering device, and in particular, an automatic call is made to a caller based on the caller's contact telephone number recorded together with the business. This invention relates to automatic telephone answering equipment.

(Prior Art) There is a telephone device, generally called an answering machine, which has an automatic response function that conveys a message from the recipient and records the caller's request on a magnetic tape or the like when the recipient is not present.

and the user of the answering machine (hereinafter referred to as the recipient)
The caller plays back and listens to the recorded message, and if necessary, calls the caller's contact number and makes contact.

At that time, you can use a telephone number list, address book, or a speed dial function that has several contact telephone numbers recorded in advance.
The contact number of the caller is being called.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) According to the above-mentioned answering machine, if there is a voice contact phone number recorded in the message recorded by the caller, the recipient may write down that number in a memo pad, etc. In most cases, the caller has to be asked repeatedly, or if the contact number is not recorded, the caller's contact number must be found in a telephone directory or address book. .

In other words, if the caller receives frequent calls, you will be able to find the recipient easily, but if you receive an unspecified number of calls, such as business calls, you will need to find the caller's contact phone number. That is not an easy thing to do.

Therefore, the present invention allows the caller to record a contact telephone number along with the business using, for example, a -DTMF signal, and the receiver records the contact telephone number based on the recorded DTMF signal. It is an object of the present invention to provide an answering machine that automatically calls the caller.

(Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the answering machine of the present invention has the following features:
a reproducing means for reproducing a recorded line signal arriving from the outside, a signal discriminating means for discriminating between a DTMF signal and an audio signal from the line signal reproduced by the reproducing means, and a DTMF signal discriminated by the signal discriminating means. storage means for storing corresponding information; telephone line control means for terminating a telephone line; conversion means for converting information corresponding to the DTMF signals stored in the storage means into paging signals in the order in which they are stored; The apparatus includes a sending means for sequentially sending out the calling signals converted by the converting means to a telephone line, and a switch means for starting the operation of the sending means.

(Function) The answering machine configured as described above allows the caller to record the message as well as a contact telephone number using a DTMF signal, etc. in the message, and the receiver listens to the recorded message. Additionally, if necessary, the caller can be called automatically from a DTMF signal based on the recorded contact telephone number.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an answering machine according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

This telephone is connected to an external telephone (not shown) and a telephone line Ll.
, L2, and the DT transmitted from the external telephone is connected to the input side of the line transformer 2 via a hook switch 1 that turns on/off by disconnecting the handset.
MF signals, audio signals, etc. (hereinafter referred to as "line signals")
receives a call.

One end of the output side of the line transformer 2 is connected to a recording amplifier 3 where the line signal outputted from the line transformer 2 is connected to a recording amplifier 3.
connected to the input end of the

The output end of the recording amplifier 3 is connected to the magnetic tape 4.
a recording section 5 for recording business matters, messages, etc.; and an audio reproducing section 7 for converting the line signal into audio and outputting it via a reproducing amplifier 6 for amplifying the line signal etc. output from its output end. are connected to each. Furthermore, the output end of the recording amplifier 3 is connected to a silence detector 8 that detects whether the caller has hung up the external telephone, and sends a silence detection signal detected here to a central processing unit (CPU) 9. Sending out.

Further, a DTMF detector 10 for detecting a DTMF signal is connected to the output end of the reproducing amplifier 6, and sends a DTMF detection signal to the CPU 9.

Further, the other end of the output side of the line transformer 2 is connected to the C
A DTMF demodulator 11 that demodulates the numerical data sent from the PU 9 into a DTMF signal, and an O that operates the answering function.
It is connected to a GM (Out Going Message) regenerator 12 .

A semiconductor memory such as a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) 14 is connected to the CPU 9 and stores the contact phone number corresponding to the DTMF detection signal, and the contact information is stored as numerical data under the control of the CPU 9. Store and send phone numbers.

Furthermore, an automatic call switch 15 is connected to the CPU 9, which generates a trigger for starting an operation for causing the caller to return the call. Further, the telephone line Ll,
L2 is connected to each ringer detector 13, and when a line signal transmitted from an external telephone arrives, it sends the detection signal to the CPU 9.

When the answering machine configured in this way sets the answering machine function to the standby state, the ringer detector 13 detects a call signal transmitted from an external telephone and arrives at the telephone lines Ll and L2, and the CPU 9 The detection signal is sent to Then, the CPU 9 closes the switch 1 to put it in an off-hook state, and then the OGM regenerator 12
The message stored in the answering machine in advance indicates that the recipient is absent, and the caller's contact telephone number is sent along with the caller's business information using the keys on the external telephone (pressing the button). A tone signal emitted by the caller conveys a message requesting input to the caller.

The answering machine records the caller's business information on the magnetic tape 4 by the recording amplifier 3 and the recording section 5, and also records the caller's business on the magnetic tape 4 by the recording amplifier 3 and the recording section 5. The contact telephone number is recorded on the magnetic tape 4 as a DTMF signal together with the business information.

Thereafter, the silence detector detects that the caller has hung up the external telephone, and in response to the detection signal, the CPU 9 opens the switch 1 to put it on-hook, and resets the answering function to the standby state. Ru. Then, when there is an incoming call from another caller, the same operation is repeated.

(α), (b) Next, the operation of calling a caller by the answering machine configured as described above will be explained with reference to the 21st flowchart.

First, it is determined whether the recipient releases the standby state of the answering machine function and presses a playback button to listen to the recorded message (step Sl). If it is determined that the playback button has been pressed (YES), the counter of the RAM 14 is set to the initial state (N-0) (step S2). However, if it is determined that the playback button is not pressed (NO),
Waits in this state until the play button is pressed.

Next, after the counter of the RAM 14 is set to the initial state, the reproducing amplifier 6 and the audio reproducing section 7 are set to a reproducing state so as to reproduce the message from the caller recorded on the magnetic tape 4 (step S3), convert the recorded signal into audio and output it.

At this time, it is determined whether a DTMF signal is detected from the reproduced recording signal by the DTMF detector 10 connected to the reproduction amplifier 6 (step S4). In this determination, if it is determined that the DTMF signal is detected (YES), the detection signal is sent to the CPU 9. However, if it is determined that the DTMF signal is not detected (No), the process moves to step SIO, which will be described later.

Here, when the caller inputs the DTMF signal of the contact phone number, if the caller decides that contact is not necessary and stops inputting halfway, or if the caller inputs the phone number by mistake, A correction signal "*" has been input in the middle (however, it is assumed that the recipient's message contains instructions on how to register a contact phone number, and the caller knows how to operate the correction signal). In that case, the previous telephone number is canceled and it is determined whether a new DTMF signal of the correct contact telephone number has been input (step S5). If the correction signal "*" is inserted in this judgment (YES),
In order to cancel the DTMF signal of the contact telephone number that has been read so far, the counter in the RAM 14 is reset to the initial state (N-0) (step S6), and the process returns to step S4.

However, in step S5, if the correction signal "*" is not inserted (NO), the correct contact telephone number DT
It is determined that an MF signal is input, and the DTMF signal is converted into numerical data (step S7). The numerical data is stored in the RAM 14 (step S8).

Then add “1” to the counter N of RAM14 (N+
1) When the next numerical data arrives, a counter is set so that the next numerical data can be stored (step S9).

Next, if you want to return the call for this caller's message, press the stop button to stop playback, and if you want to continue listening to the next caller's message, press the stop button. Maintain that state without pressing. Here, it is determined whether the recipient has pressed a stop button (step 510). In this determination, if the stop button is not pressed (No), the next caller's message is continuously played. However, if the receiver determines that it is necessary to call back the caller and presses the stop button (YES), the playback is stopped.

The recipient then presses the automatic call switch 15 to generate a trigger that starts an operation for returning the call. Here, it is determined whether or not the automatic call switch 15 has been pressed (step 511). If it is determined in this determination that the automatic call switch 15 is not pressed (NO), the reproduction state is maintained as it is. However, if it is determined that the automatic call switch 15 is pressed (YES), the call counter M is set to "0".
(step 512).

Next, according to the control signal from the CPU 9, Sui-Sochi 1 is closed and the telephone line is put into an off-hook state (step 813). Thereafter, the numerical data of the contact telephone number of the desired caller is read from the RAM 14, and the numerical data is converted into a DTMF signal by the DTMFI modulator 11 (step 514). Further, the DTMF signal is sent to the telephone lines L1 and L2 (step 515).

Therefore, the count number M of the call counter is
It is determined whether the count number of the counter has reached N (step 516). In this judgment, if the count number M of the call origination counter is less than the count number N of the RAM counter (No), the count number M of the call origination counter is set to "1".
'' and returns to step S14 (Step 517), a calling signal for the contact telephone number of the next caller is sent to the telephone lines L1 and L2. However, Ste Tsubu S1
6, the count number M of the call counter and the RAM
If the count number N of the counters is the same (YES)
), to stop the contact phone number from ringing.

Next, the configuration of a second embodiment according to the present invention is shown in FIG. 3, and will be explained.

In the first embodiment, the telephone answering machine is a P-Soshphone type answering machine driven by a DTMF signal, that is, driven by a digital signal, but the present invention can also be applied to a conventional dial type answering machine. Here, the members constituting the telephone device of FIG. 3 that are equivalent to the members constituting the telephone device of FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and the explanation thereof will be omitted.

The configuration of this answering machine is first connected to an external telephone (not shown) via telephone lines Ll and L2, and a line signal transmitted from the external telephone arrives at the input side of a line transformer 2 via a hook switch 1. .

One end of the output side of the line transformer 2 is connected to the input end of the recording amplifier 3.

The output end of the recording amplifier 3 is connected to the magnetic tape 4.
A recording section 5 for recording business matters, messages, etc., and an audio reproducing section 71 are connected via a reproducing amplifier 6. Furthermore, the output terminal of the recording amplifier 3 is connected to a silence detector 8.
is connected to the central processing unit (CPU) 9 and sends the silence detection signal to the central processing unit (CPU) 9.
Send to. Further, at the output terminal of the reproducing amplifier 6, D
A TMF detector 10 is connected and sends the detected DTMF signal to the CPU 9. Furthermore, the other end of the output side of the line transformer 2 is connected to an OGM for operating an answering function.
It is connected to the regenerator 12.

A semiconductor memory, such as a random access memory (hereinafter referred to as RAM) 14, which stores the DTMF signals for each contact telephone number is connected to the CPU 9, and the DTMF signals recorded under the control of the CPU 9 are
Sends MF signal.

Further, an automatic call switch 15 is connected to the CPU 9. Further, the telephone lines L1, L21 and the ringer detector 13 are connected, and when a line signal transmitted from an external telephone arrives, the detection signal is sent to the CPU 9.

The answering machine of the second embodiment configured in this way is as follows:
It has the same functions as the answering machine function of the first embodiment described above, and performs the same reception and recording operations as the answering machine function.

Next, the operation of calling a caller by the answering machine of the second embodiment will be explained.

This answering machine performs almost the same operation as the first embodiment shown in the flowchart of FIG.

However, in the first embodiment, in step 514, the numerical data of the contact telephone number of the desired caller is stored in the RAM1.
4 and converts the numerical data into a DTMF demodulator 11 corresponding to the caller's contact telephone number.
The MF signal was converted to a telephone line and sent to the telephone line, but in the second embodiment, the CPU 9 reads the numerical data of the contact telephone number of the desired caller from the RAM 14,
The numerical data is converted into a diamond pulse by the diamond pulse generator 16 and sent to the telephone lines L1 and L2 (see 814 in parentheses in FIG. 2).

With the answering machine configured as described above, if a contact phone number is recorded in the message recorded by the caller, the receiver uses a DTMF signal etc. to send the message to the caller along with the message. A contact telephone number is recorded, and the recipient can automatically call the caller from a call signal based on the recorded contact telephone number.

Therefore, the recipient can easily return the call and call the desired caller.

Further, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and it goes without saying that various modifications and applications can be made without departing from the gist of the invention.

[Effects of the Invention] As detailed above, according to the present invention, a call signal of an optical telephone number, etc. is recorded based on the DTMF signal recorded together with the caller's business, and the receiver can It is possible to provide an answering machine that listens to the caller's business and, if necessary, automatically calls the caller using a recorded contact telephone number.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

- Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an answering machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a flowchart showing the calling operation of the first embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing the configuration of an answering machine according to the present invention. 1... Hook switch, 2... Line transformer, 3
... Recording amplifier, 4... Magnetic tape, 5... Recording section, 6... Playback amplifier, 7... Audio playback section, 8
... Silence detector, 9... Central processing unit! : (CP
U), 10...DTMF detector, 11...DTM
F demodulator, 12... OGM regenerator, 13... Ringer detector, 14... RAM, 15... Automatic call switch, Ll, L2... Telephone line. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Atsushi Tsuboi (a) (b) Figure

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] Reproducing means for reproducing a recorded line signal arriving from the outside; signal discriminating means for discriminating between a DTMF signal and an audio signal from the line signal reproduced by the reproducing means; and the signal discriminating means. storage means for storing information corresponding to the determined DTMF signal; telephone line control means for terminating a telephone line; An answering machine comprising: conversion means for converting; sending means for sequentially sending out the calling signals converted by the conversion means to a telephone line; and switch means for starting the operation of the sending means.