JPH05308411A - Automatic answering telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To record a reply message next to an interrupted part of the message when the recording of the reply message is tentatively interrupted and the recording is again started from the interrupting state in the automatic answering telephone system. CONSTITUTION:When a reply M recording start key is depressed to enter a reply message from a microphone 24, an ADM 20 converts a voice signal of the reply message into voice data and the data are stored in a reply M storage area 42. When the recording of the reply message is tentatively interrupted by a reply M recording interruption key, an end address in the reply M recording storage area 42 is stored in an EA storage section 52, and when the reply M recording start key is again depressed and the recording of the reply message is started, the reply message is stored from an address next to the end address in the EA storage section 52.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an answering machine for storing a response message.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in this type of answering machine, a cassette tape is used as a voice data memory for storing voice data of a response message when a telephone line is received and voice data of a caller's message. One using a semiconductor memory is known. A semiconductor memory is used as a memory for storing the response message,
There is also an answering machine that uses a cassette tape as a memory for storing a message.

In an answering machine using a semiconductor memory (RAM) as a memory for storing a response message,
The RAM is provided with a voice data memory that stores a response message as voice data, and a management table that stores a start address and an end address of voice data in the voice data memory. In such an answering machine, when the answering machine owner records a reply message, when the recording of the reply message is started, the address of the voice data memory is stored in the management table as the start address and the reply The voice message is converted from the analog voice signal into voice data and stored in the voice data memory. After that, when the recording of the response message is stopped, the address of the voice data memory is stored in the management table as the end address, and the recording of the response message ends.

When the response message is reproduced, the start address and end address stored in the management table are read out, and the voice data from the start address to the end address in the voice data memory are read out.
The response message is converted from voice data into an analog voice signal and reproduced.

[0005]

However, in the conventional answering machine, if the recording of the response message is interrupted, the recording mode is exited, and even if the recording of the response message is started again from the continuation, the voice message is lost. The voice data recorded in the data memory is overwritten on the voice data already stored. Therefore, once the recording of the response message was interrupted, the recording could not be resumed from where it was interrupted again. For example, while recording a long response message that is elaborate, such as mixing not only voice but also music and various sound effects as BGM, if a visitor unavoidably interrupts the work, There was a problem that the reply message could not be recorded, and the elaborate work had to be repeated from the beginning.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and during recording of a response message, even if the storage of the response message in the semiconductor memory is temporarily interrupted, the suspension is stopped. It is an object of the present invention to provide an answering machine that can store a response message in a semiconductor memory from the continuation.

[0007]

In order to achieve this object, an answering machine according to the present invention comprises an input means for inputting a response message and a semiconductor memory for storing the response message input by the input means. A storage start unit for starting storage of the response message in the semiconductor memory and a storage end unit for ending storage of the response message in the semiconductor memory, and further storing the response message by the semiconductor memory. It is provided with storage suspending means for suspending, and re-storing control means for continuing storage of a response message from the state suspended by the storage suspending means.

[0008]

In the answering machine of the present invention having the above structure, as shown in FIG. 1, when the response message is input by the input means, the storage start means starts storing the response message in the semiconductor memory. To do. Then, when the input of the response message is temporarily stopped, the storage of the response message in the semiconductor memory is temporarily stopped by the storage interruption means, and when the input of the response message is started again, it is temporarily stopped by the re-storage control means. The storage of the response message is resumed from the state, and the storage of the response message in the semiconductor memory is terminated by the storage termination means.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The control section of the answering machine of the present embodiment is provided with a CPU 12, and the CPU 12 has a ROM 14 storing a control program, a RAM 16 having a working memory area, and an integrated circuit for voice recording / playback (ADM). ) 20 etc. are connected via a bus.

In the voice information conversion circuit provided in the ADM 20, the analog voice signal input from the microphone 24 provided in the answering machine is converted into voice data and stored in the RAM 18.
The voice data read from the RAM 18 is converted into an analog voice signal and output. Further, the ADM 20 is provided with a register for temporarily storing a read instruction signal R, a write instruction signal W, a chip enable signal CE, data for addressing the RAM 18, and the like sent from the CPU 12. As the ADM 20, for example, TC8831F type manufactured by Toshiba Corporation can be used.

Further, in the RAM 18, a response M storage area 42 for storing voice data of a response message, a message M storage area 44 for storing voice data of a plurality of message messages, and a start address of the response message. And an end address, a response M management table 46, a message M management table 48 that stores a start address and an end address of a message, and an SA management unit that stores a start address in the response M storage area 42. 49 and the like are provided. Further, in the response M management table 46, the SA storage unit 50 that stores the start address of the response message in the response M storage area 42 and the EA that stores the end address of the response message in the response M storage area 42 are stored. A storage unit 52 and an interruption instruction storage unit 54 for setting whether or not the recording of the response message is interrupted by the flag to F0 when not interrupted and F1 when interrupted are provided. ing.

Keyboard 2 provided on the answering machine
2, a response M recording start key for sending an audio signal input from the microphone 24 to the ADM 20 for storage in the response M storage area 42, and a response M recording interruption for interrupting storage in the response M storage area 42. A key, a response M recording end key for ending storage in the response M storage area 42, a response M playback key for playing back a response message stored in the response M storage area 42, and the like.

The output signal from the keyboard 22 and the output signal from the photocoupler 30 forming a part of the network controller 28 are sent to the CPU 12. And that CP
The switch 34 for connecting the telephone line 29 and the line transformer 32 is selectively opened / closed by the output signal sent to the U12, and the switch 36 of the switch 36 selectively led to either the facsimile device 42 or the switch 26. Switching is performed, and the switch 26 that selectively sends either one of the output audio signal from the microphone 24 and the signal from the switch 36 to the ADM as an analog signal input is switched. Further, the mode of the facsimile device 42 is switched by the output signal sent to the CPU 12,
The switch 40 for selectively guiding the reproduced analog audio signal from the DM 20 to either the line transformer 32 or the speaker 38 is switched.

Next, the operation of the answering machine thus constructed will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

First, when the response M recording start key of the keyboard 22 is pressed (S1), the response M management table 4
It is determined whether the flag in the interruption instruction storage unit 54 of No. 6 is F0 or F1 (S2). When set to F0 (S
2: NO), the start address of the storage area to be allocated as the response M storage area 42 of the RAM 18 is obtained from the SA management unit 49 (S3). Then, the start address is stored in the SA storage unit 50 and the EA storage unit 52 of the response message management table (S4).

The ADM 20 is instructed by the CPU 12 to start recording, and the switch 26 turns on the microphone 24.
When the voice signal output from the microphone 24 is sent to the ADM 20, the voice signal is converted into voice data and the response M of the RAM 18 is transmitted.
It is written in the storage area (S6).

During recording, it is always determined whether or not the response M recording end key or the response M recording interruption key of the keyboard 22 is pressed (S7, 8). M for response
If it is determined that the recording interruption key has been pressed (S8: YE
S), the interruption instruction storage unit 54 of the response M management table 46
The flag therein is set to F1 (S9), and the end address of the response message written in the response M storage area 42 of the RAM 18 is EA of the response M management table 46.
It is stored in the storage unit 52 (S11).

Thereafter, when the recording of the response message is started again from the continuation of the interruption (S1), the interruption instruction storage unit 54 is set to F1 (S2: YE).
S), the end address is read from the EA storage unit 52 of the response M management table 46 (S12). Then, the address next to the end address is stored in the SA storage unit 50 as a start address (S13), and the response message is written in the response M storage area in the same manner as described above (S6).

On the other hand, when the response M recording end key is pressed (S7: YES), the flag in the interruption instruction storage section 54 of the response M management table 46 is set to F0 (S1).
4). After that, the process proceeds to S11, and the recording end process is performed in the same manner as described above.

If it is determined in S8 that the response M recording interruption instruction key is not pressed (S8: N
O), and returns to S7.

As described above, in the answering machine of the present embodiment, even if the recording of the response message is suspended, the recording can be resumed from the continuation. Therefore, when the recording is resumed after the recording is temporarily stopped, it is not necessary to re-record the response message from the beginning, which shortens the recording time.

Further, since the end address serves both as the end address when the recording is finished and the end address when the recording is interrupted, the end address is fixed even in the recording interrupted state, so the response message Playback also works fine. Further, since the end address is stored even when the recording is interrupted, it is possible to save the trouble of searching the end address of the response message when the recording is restarted from the interrupted position.

Furthermore, when the recording of the response message is resumed from the recording suspended state, the response M recording start key used for starting the recording of the response message is used, so that the number of keys is reduced and the cost is reduced. Become.

Although the end address is stored in the EA storage unit 52 of the response M management table 46 in this embodiment, an address relative to the start address may be stored.

[0026]

As is apparent from the above description, the answering machine of the present invention temporarily interrupts the recording of the answering message, and when the recording is restarted from the interrupted state, the answering message continues from the interrupted state. Can be recorded.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of one embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 CPU 18 RAM 20 ADM 24 Microphone 42 Response M storage area 46 Response M management table

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An input unit for inputting a response message, a semiconductor memory for storing the response message input by the input unit, and a storage start unit for starting storage of the response message in the semiconductor memory. In an answering machine having a storage ending unit for ending the storage of the response message in the semiconductor memory, a storage interruption unit for temporarily stopping the storage of the response message in the semiconductor memory, and a temporary stop by the storage stop unit. An answering machine according to claim 1, further comprising: re-storing control means for restarting storage of a response message in the semiconductor memory from a stopped state.