JPH07312642A - Automatic answering telephone system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To save labor and time for operating a changeover switch in order to switch a mode between a waiting state mode and an at-home mode by interrupting the reproducing operation of a message medium for recording a message from a caller in half way. CONSTITUTION:A response message (OGM) is recorded for 60 seconds at a maximum, next, a silent part continued for about four seconds and a delimiting tone part continued for about 0.2 second are formed and afterwards, a first message ICM (1) is recorded from a point N7 to a point N8 for 60 seconds at a maximum. At such a time, the first part of the message ICM is recorded for about 3 seconds together with a queue signal of 30Hz, for example, and after the silent part continues for about 1 second and the delimiting tone part continues for about 0.2 second from the point N8, a second ICM (2) is recorded from a point N9. Then, when a stop button is depressed while the ICM is reproduced, a tape stops and when it is left for a prescribed time (30 seconds, for example), an automatic answering mode is set after all ICMs are protected. When a reproducing button is depressed within 30 seconds, the tape is rewound and reproduction is started again from the position where reproducing button depressing is stopped.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an answering machine that records the contents of a telephone call that is received during an absence.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when an incoming call comes in, an answering machine will first send a response message to the caller to the effect that recording will be done, and then record a message from the caller. I am trying to do it. Further, in the conventional device of this type, a changeover switch for selecting the answering machine mode and the home mode is provided, and when the user goes out, the changeover switch is changed over to the answering machine mode side.

In this case, when the answering machine is set,
First, confirmation reproduction is performed to check whether or not the response message is recorded in a predetermined tape format. Then, when this confirmation reproduction is completed, the tape is rewound to the beginning of the response message, and the incoming call waiting state of the telephone is established. Also, when the first call comes in, first,
The answer message is played back to the caller. Then, the caller's message is recorded after the response message. When the recording of the message is completed, the tape is rewound to the beginning of the response message and waits for the next call. Furthermore, when the second call is received, the reply message is first played, and then the above 1
After the portion in which the message message for the second time is recorded is skipped by fast-forwarding, the message message for the second time after the recorded portion is recorded. When the recording of the second message is completed, the tape is rewound to the beginning of the response message and waits for the next call. After that, the same operation is automatically repeated, and the message messages are sequentially recorded.

When reproducing the message recorded in this way, the reproduction switch is pressed after operating the above-mentioned changeover switch to set the home mode so that the message is reproduced sequentially from the first message. Go. Further, in general, if the cassette is taken in and out while the answering machine mode is set, the answering machine mode is canceled.

[0005]

The conventional answering machine has the switch for switching between the answering mode and the home mode as described above. However, when the user returns from home and plays back the message recorded during absence, the message may be interrupted due to an urgent need. Then, when the user goes out again after that, he may forget to switch the changeover switch from the home mode to the answering machine mode, which may result in the failure of the recording.

[0006]

An answering machine according to the present invention includes a stop switch button for stopping the reproduction operation of a message medium for recording a message from a caller by the operation, and this stop switch. It is equipped with a timer that can start counting operation by operating a button and output a predetermined output when a preset time elapses, and is in a standby state by the predetermined output from the timer. Is to be set automatically.

[0007]

1 shows a tape format of an answering machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. A tape 1 has a plurality of requirements recorded therein. In the following description, the response message is OGM (outgoing message).
The message of interest is referred to as an ICM (incoming message). Further, in this embodiment, OGM and I
The beginning of the CM start point and other necessary tape position detection are performed by detecting the number of rotations of the reel shaft and collating it with the number of rotations stored in advance. Then, in the following description and drawings, N ₀ , N ₁ , N ₂ ...
Indicates the tape position obtained from the number of rotations of the reel shaft.

In FIG. 1, first, a silent portion and a cue signal recording portion are formed for 0.5 seconds respectively from the N ₃ point after passing the leader tape of the tape 1. Next, the OGM is recorded with a cue signal of, for example, 30 Hz for up to 60 seconds. Next, after a silent part for about 4 seconds and a break sound part by a beep tone signal for about 0.2 seconds are formed, 1
The ICM for the second time is recorded for a maximum of 60 seconds from N ₇ points to N ₈ points. At this time, the first about 3 seconds, for example, 30Hz
It is recorded together with the cue signal of. Then, after about 1 second of silence and 0.2 seconds of break sound from the N ₈ point, the second ICM is recorded from the N ₉ point. Similarly, the ICMs for the third time and thereafter are recorded through the silent portions and the divided sound portions, and at least the 20th ICM is recorded.

The answering machine according to this embodiment having the tape format shown in FIG. 1 has the following four characteristics.

A. Means is provided for automatically setting the answering machine when a predetermined time (5 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed since the cassette was inserted into the apparatus.

Means is provided for automatically setting the answering machine when a predetermined time (5 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed since the reproduction of B and OGM was interrupted. Eg OG
If you want to know the contents of M, play the OGM, but at this time, if you know the contents by listening to the beginning part, or if you know that the OGM is included even if you do not know the contents, the playback is interrupted. Sometimes.

There is provided means for automatically setting the answering machine mode when a predetermined time (30 seconds in the present embodiment) has elapsed since the reproduction of all the ICMs was completed and stopped. Therefore, the user can select whether or not to protect the recorded ICM during the 30 seconds. Then, when the recorded ICM is protected, a new ICM is recorded after the last recorded ICM. If the recorded ICM is not protected, a new ICM is recorded from the ICM portion of FIG.

[0013] D, after the ICM reproduction is interrupted, the above B
A means for automatically setting the answering machine mode is provided when a predetermined time (30 seconds in the present embodiment) longer than the predetermined time in the section has elapsed. In this case, the recorded ICM is protected, but may not be protected.

The present invention relates to the feature of the above item D.

Next, a series of operations of the answering machine according to this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

First, OGM recording is performed.

(1) When the tape cassette is mounted in the cassette housing of the answering machine and the OGM record button is pressed, the preparatory operation starts, and the first one is arranged near the OGM record button.
LED lights up.

(2) First, the tape 1 is the tape top N
_{It is} rewound to ₀ and then fast-forwarded to N ₃ .

(3) Next, forward erasing is performed from point N _{3 to} point N ₄ for about 0.5 seconds. During this time, the head sufficiently passes the leader tape portion,
Erase the previously recorded signal.

(4) Next, after the cue signal is recorded for about 0.5 seconds from the N ₄ point, the pause state is entered and the preparatory operation is completed. At this time, the first LED changes from lit to slow flashing, and a beep tone sounds for about 1 second to indicate the completion of preparation.

(5) When the completion of the preparation operation is confirmed, the OGM recording button is pressed again.

(6) When the OGM record button is pressed in this way, the pause is released and the OGM record mode is entered, so that the user records the OGM using the microphone.
At this time, the first LED changes to blinking or lighting, and the OGM
Display that recording is possible. And this OGM
While recording is possible, the second LED flashes according to the unvoiced level from the microphone. If the paused state is left for about 30 seconds, the paused state is released and the stop state is reached, and the first LED turns off and the fifth LED flashes rapidly.

(7) During the OGM recording, the cue signal is recorded together with the audio signal. This OGM recording is performed for a maximum of 60 seconds, but within this 60 seconds, the OGM recording is completed.
If the M recording button is pressed, the recording operation is stopped and the first LE
D turns off. Further, after that, forward erasing is performed for about 4 seconds to form a silent portion, and then the tape is stopped. The silent portion is formed by the erasing head preceding the recording head, and a beep tone sounds during the erasing for about 4 seconds.

(8) When the beep tone stops,
After about another 5 seconds, the device automatically enters answering mode. At this time, the third LED is turned on.

In this answering mode, first, OGM confirmation reproduction for checking whether or not OGM is recorded in a predetermined OGM format is performed as follows.

(9) First, the tape 1 is rewound and N ₀
Stop at an appropriate predetermined point N ₂ between the point and the N ₃ point.

(10) Next, it is forwarded to N ₃ points, and it is checked that a silent portion continues for about 0.5 seconds from N ₃ to N ₄ . At this time, if a voiced part for 1 second or more is detected, it is processed as an OGM format error. Then, for example, when the stop state is entered, the fifth LED flashes rapidly.

(11) When the silent part for about 0.5 seconds is confirmed, the cue signal for 0.5 seconds is checked next. At this time, if the silent portion continues for 7 seconds or more, it is treated as an OGM format error and the fifth LED blinks.

(12) When the cue signal is confirmed, the speaker output is turned on, and it is checked that the sound (voice + cue) portion continues for 1 second. At this time,
If the silent portion continues for 0.3 seconds or more, it is treated as an OGM format error and the fifth LED blinks.

(13) When it is confirmed that the voiced (voice + cue) portion for one second continues, the OGM reproduction is continued as it is, and a silent portion is detected for about 0.4 seconds after the OGM ends. Then, the tape is stopped and the speaker output is turned off. The N ₆ point, which is the stop position at this time, is stored as the OGM end, and the confirmation reproduction of the OGM ends. If the OGM playback time continues for 70 seconds or more, it is processed as an OGM format error and the fifth
LED blinks.

(14) When the OGM confirmation reproduction is completed,
After being rewound to a predetermined point N _1, it is fast forwarded to N ₃ points and then forwarded to N ₄ points.

(15) Further, after the cue signal is detected from the N ₄ point for 0.2 second, the process proceeds to the N ₅ point and the N ₅
Stop at a point. Then, the N ₅ points are stored as the OGM top.

As described above, the device is in a standby state for receiving an incoming call.

(16) When there is a first incoming call in the incoming call waiting state, when the bell of the telephone is detected, for example, twice, the DC closing relay is turned ON, and the device and the telephone line are connected. Is connected to a direct current, and the reproduction of the tape 1 is started, so that the OGM is reproduced and transmitted to the caller through the telephone line.

(17) When the silent portion of 0.4 seconds is detected within 2 seconds after the reproduction up to the N ₆ point of the OGM end, the OGM reproduction is ended. Alternatively, conversely, when N ₆ points are detected within 2 seconds after the silent portion is first detected for 0.4 seconds, the OGM reproduction is ended. Therefore, when no silent portion for 0.4 seconds is detected within 2 seconds from the N ₆ point, or
N within 2 seconds after 0.4 seconds of silence is detected
_{If 6} points are not detected, it is treated as an OGM format error. Then, for example, a process is performed in which the fifth LED rapidly blinks as the stop state is entered. It should be noted that the above-mentioned 2 seconds takes into consideration the cycle (2 seconds) of the pulse for detecting the rotation of the reel shaft. That is, an error range of 2 seconds occurs at the time of detecting the N ₆ point at the OGM end.

(18) When the OGM reproduction is completed as described above, a melody tone is sent to the caller and forward erasing is performed for about 4 seconds.

(19) After the forward erasure,
Send a beep tone to the caller for 0.8 seconds. And
The last 0.2 seconds of this beep tone is also recorded on the tape 1 as a break sound.

(20) When the transmission of the beep tone is completed, recording of the ICM is started.

(21) The maximum recording time of the ICM is 60 seconds. Within this 60 seconds, continuous sound is detected, or there is no sound or a click noise or call termination sound generated when the receiver is placed. By detecting, for example, the end of ICM is detected.

(22) After the recording of the ICM, the end point N ₈ is stored and a beep tone is sent for about 4 seconds to notify the end of the recording.

(23) A silent portion is formed on the tape 1 while sending the beep tone.

(24) After the formation of the silent portion, the DC closing relay is turned off and the tape 1 stops running.

(25) Next, the tape is rewound to the N ₁ point to reach the stage of (14) above, and further to (1) above.
After the step 5), the state of waiting for the second incoming call is set.

(26) When there is a second incoming call, first,
OGM reproduction is performed up to N ₆ points in the same procedure as described above.

(27) Next, while sending out the melody sound, it is fast-forwarded to the point before N ₈ points, and forward erasure is carried out for about 1 second, and at the same time, the beep tone is changed to 0.8.
It is transmitted for a second, and the above step (20) is reached. Then, the ICM is recorded according to the same procedure.

Next, an answering machine according to an embodiment of the present invention for performing the above-mentioned operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3.

In this apparatus, all the above-mentioned operations are automatically performed based on the instruction of the CPU of the microcomputer as the control means. FIG. 2 shows an input / output circuit and a recording circuit connected to the telephone, and FIG. 3 shows a peripheral circuit system which gives instructions to the CPU 10 and is operated by the instructions of the CPU 10. The CPU 10 has
As is apparent from the description of FIG. 5, a timer is included, of course.

In FIG. 2, when recording the OGM, the OGM signal obtained from the microphone 11 is the microphone amplifier 12, the recording amplifier 13, and the equalizer 1.
It is added to the recording / reproducing head 15 through 4 and recorded on the tape 1. At the same time, the cue signal from the cue signal oscillator 16 is applied to the recording / reproducing head 15 and recorded on the tape 1. The cue signal oscillator 16 is operated at the above-mentioned predetermined timing even during ICM recording. Also, O
The GM signal is supplied to the volume resistor 17 and the main amplifier 1
It is added to the speaker 19 through 8 and monitored.
When using earphones, the earphone jack 20 is used. Further, by operating the bias oscillator 21, a bias current is applied to the recording / reproducing head 15 and an erasing current is applied to the erasing head 38. Then, the beep tone is sent from the beep tone oscillator 34 to the muting circuit 35 and the line input circuit 3.
6. The recording / reproducing head 15 is applied through the recording amplifier 13 and the equalizer 14 to record the tape 1.

On the other hand, a disconnector 24 is connected to the terminals 22a and 22b of the telephone and the terminals 23a and 23b of the office line,
A line transformer 25 is connected to the divider 24 via a DC closing relay 26. Also, the terminal 23b
A detection circuit 27 for detecting whether the receiver is picked up or placed is connected to the. And when there is an incoming call, terminal 2
A bell sound signal is input to 2a and 22b, and this signal is applied from a transformer 25 to a bell detection circuit 28 and detected by the bell detection circuit 28. Further, when the detection signal when the bell rings twice is applied to the CPU 10 of FIG. 3,
The relay 26 is closed and the connection is performed. When the OGM is reproduced together with the cue signal, the reproduced signal is applied from the recording head 15 to the high-pass filter 30 through the preamplifier 29 to remove the cue signal, and then applied from the equalizer 31 to the speaker 19 through the amplifier 18. At the same time, it is transmitted from the line output circuit 32 to the calling party through the transformer 25 and the telephone line.
The reproduction signal is applied to the cue signal detection circuit 33, and the cue detection signal is applied to the CPU 10. When the OGM reproduction is completed, the melody sound generation circuit 3
A melody sound is sent from 7.

During ICM recording, the ICM signal from the caller is applied from the transformer 25 to the line input circuit 36,
Further, it is applied to the recording / reproducing head 15 through the recording amplifier 13 and the equalizer 14 and recorded on the tape 1. In this case, when the ICM exceeds 60 seconds, a beep tone sounds to automatically shut off. And CPU1
0 means N at the end of each ICM recording.
Memorize the values of ₈ points, N ₁₀ points .... Also, I
When fast-forwarding to the CM recording start point, the number of rotations of the reel shaft is detected and the detected number of times is collated with the recorded number to find the recording start point. Further, the non-signal portion, the break sound portion, and the like are formed by operating the erasing head 38, the beep tone oscillator 34, and the like at predetermined timings.
The circuits shown in FIG. 2 correspond to those shown in FIG. 1 and (1) to (2) above.
According to the operation sequence described in 5), the CPU 10 is operated at a predetermined timing when necessary, and stops or mutes when not necessary.
Controlled by. For this purpose, as commonly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a control signal is applied from a predetermined circuit to the CPU 10 and an instruction signal is applied from the predetermined circuit to the CPU 10.

Further, the apparatus of this embodiment can perform remote control, and in that case, the remote controller number switch circuit 2 may be set to the same number as the remote controller number. By doing so, the remote control signal sent from the remote controller through the telephone line is detected by the remote control signal detection circuit 3.

In FIG. 3, the CPU 10 is supplied with + B power when the erroneous erasure prevention claw detection switch 40 of the tape cassette and the slicing device 24 are closed. When the tape 1 is rewound to the tape top N ₀ point, the reel shaft 41 is stopped from rotating.
2 is detected. The detection circuit 42 also detects the number of rotations of the reel shaft. And CP
U10 receives an instruction based on the operation of the mode setting switch 3 in addition to the instruction from the predetermined circuit in FIG. Also, CP
U10 is a plunger drive circuit 43, a capstan motor drive circuit 44, a reel motor drive circuit 45, a relay drive circuit 46, a display drive circuit 47, an LED drive circuit 48,
The operation of 49, 50, 60, 61 is controlled. Then, by this control, the forward plunger 51, the cue signal plunge 52, the capstan motor 53, the reel motor 54, the relay 26, the recording frequency display circuit 55, the operation display LEDs 56, 57, 58, 59, 62, etc., are predetermined. It is operated at the timing of. Also, the CPU 10
Is reset by the reset circuit 63 after the power is turned on.

Next, the automatic answering machine mode setting means described in the above items A to D will be described.

A. When 5 seconds elapse after the cassette is inserted into the apparatus, the answering machine mode is automatically set.

First, when the power is turned on, if the tape cassette is not mounted in the cassette housing of the apparatus, the fifth LED blinks at a quick cycle to notify the user. When it is detected that the cassette is mounted and the erroneous erasure prevention claw is present, the blinking of the fifth LED changes to a slow cycle. After that, when a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) elapses, the answering machine mode is automatically set. Note that the above 5 seconds takes into consideration the time until the tape cassette is securely mounted.

First, the OGM confirmation reproduction is performed. When the OGM has a format other than the normal format, the tape running is stopped and the fifth LED flashes rapidly to notify the OGM error. After that, the state is maintained until the tape is replaced. Also, at this time, no response is made even if a bell call is made. When a play button or the like is pressed, a "warning sound" is generated to give the user attention. On the other hand, if the OGM format is regular, after the rewinding is performed and the OGM is cued, the incoming call is waited.

On the other hand, when the cassette without the erroneous erasure prevention claw is mounted, the fifth LED flashes rapidly,
The answering machine is not set automatically.

If the cassette is installed when the power is restored after a power failure, the data in the backup memory is tested. Then, when the backup is made, the automatic answering mode is automatically set after a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed. When the backup is not performed, the fifth LED blinks slowly, and the stopped state is automatically maintained without the answering machine mode being set. This is a measure to prevent the ICM recorded before the power failure from being erased by carelessly setting the answering machine mode.

FIG. 4 shows a flow chart for performing the above operation. When the operation according to this flowchart is performed, the operation according to the answering machine mode setting routine of FIG. 5 is continuously performed.

The flowchart of FIG. 5 shows the process from the setting of the answering machine to the end of the OGM confirmation reproduction and the waiting of the incoming call. The first step in FIG. 5 is the operation of a push button called the "play / listen again" button. This push button is substantially a reproduction button, and when this push button is pressed, the ICM is reproduced on condition that the ICM, if any, is protected. If the push button is pressed again during reproduction, the ICM is reproduced again.

When B and OGM reproduction is interrupted, the answering machine is automatically set after 5 seconds have elapsed.

When the stop button is pressed during the reproduction of OGM,
When the tape stops, a predetermined time (for example, about 5 seconds)
After the lapse of time, it automatically switches to the answering machine mode and cues the OGM. The cue signal is used for the beginning of the OGM, and if the device is not performing the confirmation reproduction of the OGM, the reproduction is continued. Then, the N ₆ point which is the OGM end position is stored. Further, after confirming the N ₆ point which is the OGM end position, the tape is rewound to perform the OGM cueing, and stop when the cue signal is received. After that, the incoming call standby state is set. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart for performing the above operation.

C, 3 after the reproduction of all ICMs is completed
After 0 seconds, the answering machine is automatically set.

During the reproduction of the ICM, the CPU always confirms the final positions of all the ICMs by the number of rotations of the reel shaft or the presence or absence of the cue signal. Further, when the tape position reaches the final position, the CPU outputs a mechanical deck stop signal to stop the forward operation. After that, the stopped state continues until a predetermined time elapses.
During this time, if the "play / listen again" button is pressed, the tape is rewound, and playback is started from the position where the button is stopped. If no button is operated during this period, the answering machine is automatically set after a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) has elapsed. Then, the OGM cueing operation is performed to enter the incoming call waiting state. Further, if there is a bell call, after the OGM is transmitted, the ICM up to the previous time is not protected and a new ICM is recorded from the ICM portion.

FIG. 7 shows the above-mentioned operation routine. Note that, in FIG. 7, the fourth LED is an LED for displaying "there is a telephone while not in the house", and is turned on when the ICM is recorded while not in the house. Therefore, when the above operation is performed, the fourth LED is turned off at the time when the ICM reproduction is completely finished, that is, when the mechanical deck is stopped.

The answering machine is automatically set 30 seconds after the D and ICM reproduction is interrupted.

As shown in the flow chart of FIG.
If the stop button is pressed during CM reproduction, the tape running is stopped, and if left for a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds), all ICMs are protected and the answering mode is set. When the play button is pressed within the above 30 seconds, the tape is rewound, and the reproduction starts again from the point where the play button is stopped. In the above operation, the ICM is protected, but in some cases it may be possible to select not to be protected.

[0068]

According to the present invention, the reproduction operation of the message medium for recording a message from the calling party can be interrupted by operating the stop switch button, and the interruption The standby state can be automatically set when a preset time has elapsed from the time point.

Therefore, even if the reproduction operation of the message from the caller is stopped midway, it is possible to save the labor of operating the changeover switch for switching between the standby state (answering mode) and the home mode as in the conventional case. At the same time, it is possible to very effectively prevent the missed recording due to forgetting to operate the changeover switch.

Also, during the operation of reproducing a message from the calling party, it often takes a long time to reproduce the entire message. Therefore, during this reproducing operation, a simple errand (calling someone, It's easy to do things such as turn off the gas fire), and often after listening to the continuation of the above message again. However, according to the present invention, when this is interrupted in the middle of the reproduction operation of the message from the caller, the standby state (answering mode) is automatically set after the elapse of a preset time, Even if the reproduction operation of the message from the caller may be interrupted for a short time if necessary by setting the elapsed time from the time of the interruption to the setting of the standby state to a suitable length of time. The resumption of this reproducing operation can be performed very efficiently.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a tape format of an answering machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram mainly showing an input / output circuit and a recording circuit of an answering machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram mainly showing a peripheral circuit system of an answering machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart when inserting a cassette in an answering machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing one characteristic of the answering machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing another feature of the answering machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing still another feature of the answering machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing still another feature of the answering machine according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 tape 10 CPU

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A stop switch button capable of stopping the reproduction operation of a message medium for recording a message from a caller by its operation, and the counting operation is started by operating this stop switch button. And a timer capable of outputting a predetermined output when a preset time elapses, and the standby state can be automatically set by the predetermined output from the timer. A featured answering machine.