JPH05207127A - Automatic answering telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make a callee not to listen to an unnecessary message when the callee listens to the messages at home by providing a means rerecording a message from the beginning when a caller records the message of which he is not convinced. CONSTITUTION:When a caller makes a mistake in his matter of conversation while an automatic answering telephone responses and records the matter, the caller pushes a [#] key in accordance with the content of the guidance in the response message to which he listened before. A remote signal detection means 14 receives a DTMF signal [#], a cassette tape for matter 7 is returned to the location before the matter recording is performed, a record starting signal is transmitted to a telephone line 1 by a beep sound generator 13 and the recording of the matter is started again.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an answering machine, and more particularly to an answering machine in which a caller can redo his or her own message recording.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when a caller is connected to a telephone line and automatically answers a bell signal from the telephone line when he / she is absent, the message from the calling party is accumulated and the called party returns home. There is an answering machine that allows you to listen to accumulated messages. When recording a message from the caller, silence or a tone signal from the central office is detected to detect whether the caller has finished talking while recording the voice signal on the telephone line. When a silence or tone signal is detected for a second, the recording of the message is terminated, the telephone line is opened, and the next telephone is prepared to answer.

[0003]

However, in the conventional structure as described above, when the caller records a message on the answering machine, even if the recorded content is wrong or unpleasant, Unable to erase, the caller has no choice but to record the message again after that. If the caller leaves an incorrect or disliked message, the caller is reluctant to leave unnecessary messages on the answering machine. In addition, the called party had a problem that it was a waste of time to listen to unnecessary matters for a long time when he returned home.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the prior art. If the caller makes a mistake or records a message that he or she does not like, the caller is guided in advance. It is an object of the present invention to provide an answering machine which can erase a recorded message by the method and perform recording again from the beginning.

[0005]

To achieve this object, an answering machine according to the present invention has a bell detecting means connected to a telephone line for detecting a bell signal from the telephone line and a bell detecting means for detecting a bell. A telephone line closing means for closing the telephone line upon detecting the arrival, a response message sending means for sending a response message to the calling party, and a recording start signal outputting means for informing the calling party of the start of recording. And a message recording means for recording a message from the caller, and a remote signal detecting means for detecting a specific signal while recording the message,
The remote signal detecting means comprises a message recording resetting means for restarting the message recording when a certain signal is detected.

[0006]

According to the present invention, when the caller makes a mistake or leaves a recording that he / she does not like, the present invention allows the caller to redo the recording, and the caller is satisfied with the requirement. Since it is possible to record, unnecessary messages will not remain on the answering machine, and the called party will not have to listen to unnecessary messages when returning home.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An answering machine according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an answering machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are operation flowcharts thereof.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a telephone line, 2 is a bell detecting means for detecting a bell signal from the telephone line 1, 3 is a telephone line closing means for closing / opening the telephone line 1, and 4 is a speaker. 5 is a microphone, 6 is an audio cassette tape for response (hereinafter, cassette tape for response) on which a response message is recorded, 7 is an audio cassette tape for message (hereinafter, referred to as a message) from which a message from a caller is recorded. (Cassette tape for the case), 8 is a cassette deck for driving the audio cassette tape 6 or 7 for a response, 9 is an audio signal control means for controlling an audio signal, and 10 is a rotation of the cassette tape 6 for a response. Rotation detecting means for response tape, and 11 is rotation detecting means for message tape for detecting rotation of the audio cassette tape 6 for message. It is composed of a reed switch operated by a circular magnet with its magnetic force given to for example the take-up reel side of the tape mechanism of a cassette deck 8. Reference numeral 12 is a rotation speed counter which increases (when rotating in the forward direction) and decreases (when rotating in the reverse direction) a 16-bit counter in response to a signal from the rotation detecting means 11 for the condition tape, so that the final position of the condition is 0 rotation. The number of revolutions counter 12 is set to 16 bits in order to make it a value sufficient to count the end point to the end point of the tape, and the numerical value is not limited to this. Reference numeral 13 is a beep sound generator for generating a recording start signal, 14 is a remote signal detecting means for detecting a remote signal (DTMF signal), 15 is a tone detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a voice signal and a tone signal from a telephone office, 16 Is an operation switch for operating the main answering machine, 16a is a response recording button, 16b is a response playback button, 16c is a message playback button, and 16d is a message rewind button. Reference numeral 17 is a control means for controlling the answering machine, which is composed of a microcomputer.

The operation of the answering machine having the above structure will be described below with reference to the flow charts of FIGS. 2 and 3.

First, when the power is turned on to the answering machine, the control means 17 resets the rotation number counter 12,
The current position of the message cassette tape 7 is set to the last position of the message (step 1). Next, the cassette tape 6 for response is made to stand by at the starting point of the rewinding tape, and recording of the response message and preparation for the calling signal are performed (step 2).

Next, recording and confirmation of the response message will be described. When the response recording button 16b is operated in the standby state of the cassette deck 8, the control means 17 records the cassette deck 8 in the response tape recording state and the voice signal control circuit 9 records from the microphone 5 to the response cassette tape 6 And record the response message (step
p3).

The content of the response message is, for example,
Notify the caller that he / she is out and say, "If yes, I am out of the office right now. If you have a message, please say it after the beep." Along with the recording guidance message, the caller invalidates the message once recorded, and a re-recording guidance message for guiding the caller to restart recording from the beginning is also recorded at the same time. The content of the re-recording guidance message is, for example, "If you want to start recording again, press the [#] button to start recording again."

When the recording of the response message is finished, the response recording button 16a is operated again. When the button is pressed, the unrecorded state is written on the response tape 6 for 3 seconds in order to mark the end of the response message on the tape. Even if the response recording button 16a is not pressed, the present apparatus silently detects the end of the response message. Therefore, when the tone detecting means 15 detects a silence for 2 seconds or more during recording, the recording is automatically terminated (step 4).

After recording the response message, the response cassette tape 6 is automatically stopped and rewound, and the cassette deck 8 is stopped at the start point of the response cassette tape 6 (s
(Step 5), the standby state is entered (Step 6).

When the response reproduction button 16b is operated in this standby state for confirmation of the response message, the control means 17 sets the cassette deck 8 to the response tape reproduction state and the audio signal control means 9 to the response cassette tape 6. From the speaker to the speaker 4 and the response message is reproduced (step 7). The end of the response message playback can be automatically ended by detecting the silence for 2 seconds,
Alternatively, the response reproduction button 16b can be operated again to end the reproduction. After the reproduction is completed, the response tape is automatically rewound (step 8) and is in a standby state (step 9).

Next, the response operation to the calling signal and the message re-recording operation will be described. When a ringing bell signal comes into the answering machine from the telephone circuit 1, the bell detecting means 2
Then, the bell signal is detected and the control means 17 closes the line closing means 3 (step 10). Then, the cassette deck 8 is set to the response tape reproduction mode, and the audio signal control means 9 is set to the condition that the signal is transmitted from the response cassette tape 6 to the telephone line 1, and the prerecorded recording guide message and the rerecording guide message are transmitted to the line. Send (step
11). At the end of the response message, the silent portion written at the end of recording the response message is detected and terminated (response message sending means).

When the reproduction of the response message is completed, a beep sound prompting the caller to record is output from the beep generator 13 to the telephone line 1 (step 12 ... Recording start signal output means),
The cassette deck 8 is set to the recording mode of the cassette tape 7 for the message, the voice signal control means 9 is set to the signal input state from the telephone line 1 to the cassette tape 7 for the message, and the message from the other party is set to the cassette tape 7 for the message. Record (step
13 ... Message recording means). In addition, cassette tape 7 for business
The rotation number counter 12 is counted during the operation of, and in the condition recording state, 0000001, 0002, 0003, 0
It is counted up as 004 ...

If the calling party makes a mistake in the message to speak, the [#] key is pressed in accordance with the contents of the guidance previously heard ([#] is an example).

When the remote signal detecting means 14 receives the DTMF signal [#] during the recording of the message, the control means 17 causes the cassette deck 8 to rewind the message tape 7 at high speed (step 14). In the rewinding state, the revolution counter 12 ... 0003, 0002, 0001,000,000
When the flow counts down to 0, FFFF, and underflows (UDF), the control means 17 puts the cassette deck 8 in the reproducing state of the cassette tape 7 for the subject, and accurately aligns the starting point of the cassette tape 7 for the subject. Do (st
ep15). The reason why the cassette tape 7 for business is aligned is that it rotates at a high speed even if the high-speed rewinding state is stopped by the underflow of the rotation speed counter 12, because of the inertia of the cassette deck and the tape.
However, FFFF does not stop and turns several rotations. In the playback state, the rotation speed counter 12 ... FFF
When D, FFFE, FFFF, 0000 is counted up and overflows (OVF), positioning of the starting point of the cassette tape 7 for the job is completed, and the cassette tape 12 for the job is the position before recording the message. Return to. The cassette deck 8 is temporarily stopped, and the beep sound generator 13 outputs a beep sound prompting the caller to record to the telephone line 1 (step
p16), cassette tape 8 for the case cassette tape 7
The recording mode is set, the voice signal control means 9 is set in a state of inputting a signal from the telephone line 1 to the message cassette tape 7, and the message from the other party is recorded again on the message cassette tape 7 (step 17).

If the calling party makes a mistake in the message again, the recording can be redone as many times as necessary by pressing the [#] key.

When the caller finishes the recording, the tone detecting means 15 detects the silence or the tone signal from the exchange for about 6 seconds, and the recording is finished (step 18). The telephone line 1 is opened (step 19), the rotation number counter 12 is reset to 0000 (step 20), the response cassette tape 6 is rewound (step 21), and the standby state is entered (step 22). From this step14
A series of operations up to step 22, at least step 17
The operation up to is the means for resetting the message recording.

Next, the operation when the called party returns home and listens to his / her message will be described. When the message reproduction button 16 is operated in the standby state, the control means 17 causes the cassette deck 8 to operate.
Then, the case cassette tape 7 is rewound at a high speed to rewind the tape to the starting point (step 23). At this time, the rotation speed counter 12 displays 0000, FFFF, FFFE ...
・ Count down. When it is detected that the rotation has stopped at the tape start point, the cassette deck 8 is set to the reproduction state of the message cassette tape 7 and the audio signal control means 9 is set to a mode in which the message cassette tape 7 is output to the speaker 4. Is reproduced (step 24). In the reproduction state, the rotation speed counter 12 ... FFFD, FFFE, FFF
When it counts up to F, 0000 and overflows, the reproduction of all the messages ends, the cassette deck 7 is stopped, and the system returns to the standby state (step 25).

After listening to the message, if the user wants to record the next message from the beginning of the tape, he presses the message rewind button. When the message rewind button 16d is operated in the standby state,
The control means 17 puts the cassette deck 8 in the high-speed rewinding state of the case cassette tape 7 and rewinds the tape to the starting point (step 26). At this time, the rotation speed counter 12 is 0.
Count down as 000, FFFF, FFFE .... When it is detected that the rotation has stopped at the tape start point, the rotation number counter 12 is reset (step 2
7) Then, the cassette deck 8 is stopped to return to the standby state (step 28).

If you want to hear the message again while listening to the message,
When the message rewind button 16d is pressed during the reproduction to perform the rewind operation and the message replay button 16c is pressed during the message rewind, the reproduction can be performed again.

As described above, according to the present invention, when the caller leaves an error or a recording that he / she does not like, the message cassette tape 7 is sent to the starting point by sending a specific signal in a previously announced manner. Since it is configured to rewind and start recording again, it is possible for the caller to redo the recording, and the caller can record the message he or she is satisfied with. In addition, the called party does not have to listen to unnecessary matters when he returns home.

In the present embodiment, the re-recording guide message for guiding the caller to re-record from the beginning is recorded on the tape, but it should be built in the answering machine by voice synthesis beforehand. Due to
If only the recording guidance message is recorded, the troublesomeness at the time of recording the response message is reduced.

Although the response / requirement has been described as being recorded on the audio cassette tape, if the recording medium is not the audio cassette tape but another system, the same function can be obtained. It doesn't matter.

Further, the numerical values in the embodiments are examples and can be arbitrarily changed.

[0029]

As described above, according to the present invention, a bell detecting means connected to a telephone line for detecting a bell signal from the telephone line, and a telephone when the bell detecting means detects the arrival of a bell. Telephone line closing means for closing the line, response message sending means for sending a response message to the caller, recording start signal output means for notifying the caller of the start of recording, A message recording means for recording a message, a remote signal detecting means for detecting a certain specific signal while recording the message, and a message recording is restarted from the beginning when a certain specific signal is detected by the remote signal detecting means. If the caller makes a mistake or leaves a recording that he / she does not like by providing the means for resetting the recording of the message, the caller can redo the recording, and the caller can confirm that he / she is satisfied. Since you can record a message, unnecessary messages will not remain on the answering machine, and the called party will not have to listen to unnecessary messages for a long time when returning home, and its practical effect will be great. is there.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of an answering machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[Fig. 2] Similarly, its operation flowchart

[Fig. 3] Similarly, its operation flowchart

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Telephone line 2 Bell detecting means 3 Telephone line closing means 4 Speaker 5 Microphone 6 Response cassette tape 7 Message cassette tape 8 Cassette deck 9 Audio signal control device 10 Response tape rotation detection device 11 Message tape rotation detection Means 12 Revolution counter 13 Beep generator 14 Remote signal detector 15 Tone detector 16 Operation switch 16a Response recording button 16b Response playback button 16c Message playback button 16d Message rewind button 17 Control means

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A bell detecting means connected to a telephone line for detecting a bell signal from the telephone line, and a telephone line closing means for closing the telephone line when the bell detecting means detects the arrival of a bell. A response message sending means for sending a response message to the caller, a recording start signal output means for notifying the caller of the start of recording, and a message recording means for recording a message from the caller, An answering machine comprising remote signal detecting means for detecting a specific signal during recording of a case and message recording resetting means for restarting the recording of a message when the remote signal detecting means detects a specific signal. Telephone device.