JPH11164009A - Automatic answering telephone set - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an automatic answering telephone set with which the convenience of message reproduction is improved without useless reproduction when a plurality of messages are recorded. SOLUTION: When a prescribed operation has been accepted by a key part 19, a control part 22 displays the list of items corresponding to respective messages stored in a voice memory 20 on a display part 18. Further, when operation for designating any item on the list has been accepted by the key part 19, the control part 22 performs control so as to reproduce the message corresponding to the relevant item.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a telephone having an answering machine recording function, and more particularly, to an improvement in a function of reproducing an answering machine recorded message.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, portable telephones and PHS (Perosonal H)
Andyphone System) Various types of telephones, such as telephones and stationary telephones, are becoming multifunctional. A function that has been put into practical use early on is an answering machine function that automatically responds and records the message of the other party. The answering machine function has been put to practical use not only in stationary telephones but also in mobile telephones such as mobile telephones and PHS telephones.

[0003] Further, in a portable telephone, a voice memo function for recording a voice message of a user in place of a memo as well as recording a message of the other party has been put to practical use.

[0004]

However, according to the conventional telephone, when a plurality of answering machine recorded messages are reproduced, all the answering machine recorded messages are reproduced in the order of recording. Even if there is, there is a problem that reproduction is uselessly performed again.

[0005] In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide a telephone answering machine which improves the convenience of message reproduction without unnecessary reproduction when a plurality of messages are recorded.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an answering machine according to the present invention has a storage means for storing an answering machine recorded message, a receiving means for receiving a user operation, and a predetermined operation received by the receiving means. Display means for displaying a list of items corresponding to individual messages stored in the storage means, and a message corresponding to the item when an operation for designating the item is received by the receiving means after the list is displayed. And reproducing means for reproducing the data.

The answering machine further comprises setting means for setting additional information relating to the message in the storage means, and the display means displays any of inverted display, blinking display and marked display in accordance with the content of the additional information. Or a display table section indicating which of the displays to combine them, a determination section for determining a display mode shown in the display table section according to the content of the additional information for each item, and a determination section for each item. A display unit for displaying each item in the determined display mode may be provided.

[0008] The additional information may indicate at least one of whether or not each message has been reproduced and whether or not a caller telephone number has been transmitted at the time of receiving the answering machine response.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS <Configuration of Mobile Phone> FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a mobile phone according to an embodiment of the present invention. The mobile phone shown in the figure is a PHS (Personal Ha
ndyphone System) and has an answering machine recording function, and is configured to play a specific message in response to a user operation when playing an answering machine recorded message.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 11 denotes a radio unit, which is a PLL (Phase Locked Loop) frequency synthesizer unit 11b for generating a local oscillation frequency signal for determining a carrier frequency to be transmitted and received, and a radio frequency input from an antenna during reception.
(RF (Radio Frequency)) signal to an intermediate frequency (IF
mediate frequency)) and an RF / IF unit 11a for converting the signal into a baseband signal via the signal.

Reference numeral 12 denotes a radio unit 11 and a TDMA processing unit 13
And π / 4 shift QPSK (Quadrature Phase Shift Keyi) with respect to the digitized baseband signal.
ng). 13
Is a time division multiplexed time slot (TDMA) that controls a transmission time slot and a reception time slot used for transmission and reception among time division multiplexed time slots.
s) Section.

Reference numeral 14 denotes a D / A and A / D converter for mutually converting between a digital audio signal and an analog audio signal. Reference numeral 15 denotes an audio processing unit that performs input / output of an audio signal via the speaker 16 and the microphone 17 and amplification of the audio signal.
Reference numeral 18 denotes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display panel. In the present embodiment, the display unit 18 has 12 horizontal characters (6 Chinese characters) for displaying a character string in addition to display areas such as a battery mark (for displaying the remaining amount) and an antenna mark (for displaying the electric field strength in the area).
It has a display area of about three vertical rows.

19 is a numeric keypad (numerical key, * key and #
Key) and various dedicated keys. Various dedicated keys include an answering key for entering answering machine recording mode, a record / replay key for recording own voice or playing a message when waiting for the other party's voice during a call, and a function for switching other key operations. Key (hereinafter referred to as an F key). For example, a message playback instruction, and an F key and a record / replay key are sequentially pressed.

Reference numeral 20 denotes an audio memory for storing a message recorded by voice mail and a message recorded by voice memo. FIG. 2 shows a specific example of a message stored in the voice memory 20. As shown in the figure, a message number, voice data representing a message up to about 30 seconds, and a recording date and time are stored for one message. In the present embodiment, the absence message and the voice memo message are mixed and stored. Voice memory 20
There are two types of recording: answering machine recording and voice memo recording, but both are the same as the conventional answering machine, and therefore will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

Reference numeral 21 denotes a storage unit for storing a telephone directory in which telephone numbers and their names used for speed dialing and the like are described, and a message management table (additional information table) for managing messages. FIG. 3 shows a specific example of the telephone directory stored in the storage unit 21. As shown in the figure, a plurality of telephone numbers and names are stored correspondingly. The registration of the telephone directory is performed by a user operation in the same manner as a conventional telephone. Also, up to about 500 telephone directories can be registered.

FIG. 4 shows a specific example of a message management table stored in the storage unit 21. In the figure, the message management table stores, for one message, a message number, an answering flag, a calling ID flag, a calling ID, and a reproduced flag as additional information. Here, the message number is a number corresponding to the message stored in the voice memory 20. The answering machine flag indicates whether the message is recorded by answering machine or voice memo. Departure I
The D flag indicates whether or not the caller's telephone number of the other party has been transmitted at the time of the incoming call when the message has been recorded by answering machine. The caller ID indicates the caller telephone number when the caller ID flag is "1". The reproduced flag indicates whether the message has been reproduced or has not been reproduced. The message management table is managed and updated by the control unit 22.

The control unit 22 is constituted by a microcomputer, and controls the entire portable telephone by executing a program in the storage unit 21 or the built-in ROM.
In particular, the control unit 22 responds to each message stored in the voice memory 20 when the reproduction of the message stored in the voice memory 20 is instructed (when the F key and the recording / replay key are sequentially pressed). A list of items to be displayed is displayed on the display unit 18, and when an operation of designating an item in the list is performed on the key unit 19, a message corresponding to the item is controlled to be reproduced.

When displaying the list, the control unit 22
Each item is displayed in a different display mode according to the additional information in the message management table. Each item in the list display has a message number and a mark. The mark may not be displayed depending on the content of the additional information. The display mode of the message number and the mark differs depending on the content of the additional information (see FIG. 6A).

FIGS. 5A and 5B are tables showing specific examples of the display mode of the message number and the mark, respectively. In FIG. 7A, how the display mode (or display attribute) of the message number is set using the content of the additional information as a display condition is defined. According to FIG.
The “display” column indicates that a message number is displayed when a message is stored in the voice memory 20 (or when a message is entered in the message management table). The “reverse” column indicates that the message number is reversely displayed when the message is recorded by an absence recording. The “blinking” column indicates that the message is displayed blinking when the message has not been reproduced.

In FIG. 1B, how to display the mark (or display attribute) is defined using the content of the additional information as a display condition. In this embodiment, the mark is
A telephone mark (pictogram) indicating a telephone. FIG.
According to the above, the column of "display" indicates that a mark is displayed when a caller telephone number is transmitted when a message is received. The "flashing" column indicates that the caller's telephone number is sent out and that the telephone number is flashed when stored in the telephone directory. <Message Management Table Update Process by Control Unit 22>
FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a process of setting and updating a message management table (additional information table) in the control unit 22.

The updating process shown in FIG. 2 is performed immediately after voice data is written into the voice memory 20 (immediately after a message is recorded by answering machine and immediately after being recorded as a voice memo). The control unit 22 controls the audio memory 2
After the voice data is recorded at 0, a new entry having the same number as the message number of the recorded message is created in the message management table, and the reproduced flag is set to "0 (unreproduced)." (Step 71: yes), the answering machine flag is set to "1 (answering machine)".
(Step 72) Further, when the calling ID is transmitted when the answering machine is received (step 73: yes), the calling ID flag is set to "1 (with calling ID)" and the calling ID is written (step 73). 74).

If the recording in the voice memory 20 is a voice memo recording (step 71: no), the answering machine flag is set to "0 (voice memo)" (step 7).
5). As described above, the information other than the reproduced flag in the message management table is updated. Note that the reproduced flag is updated in the message reproducing process. <Message Playback and Erasing Process by Control Unit 22> FIG.
5 is a flowchart showing message playback and deletion processing in the control unit 22.

The message reproducing and erasing processes shown in FIG. 3 are executed by the control unit 22 when the F key and the record / replay key are sequentially pressed during standby. The control unit 22 refers to the content of the additional information in the message management table shown in FIG. 4 and according to the display mode defined in the display mode table shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B, the item corresponding to the message here. A list of (message number, telephone mark) is displayed (step 81). As a result, a list display as shown in FIG. This list display is handled by the control unit 22 as a menu for selecting a message to be reproduced. Also, in FIG. 7A, items “*”, “0”, “#” are displayed in addition to the items corresponding to the individual messages. The item “*” indicates a continuous recording of the unplayed message in the message recorded by answering machine. "
The item "0" indicates continuous playback of all messages. The item "#" indicates continuous playback of unvoiced messages by voice memo.

When any one of ten keys (including * and #) is pressed by a user operation during list display
(Step 82) The control unit 22 reproduces the message corresponding to the item (Steps 83a to 83d), and sets the reproduced flag in the message management table to “1”. For example, when the “2” key is pressed, a display indicating that the second message is being reproduced is displayed as shown in FIG.

When the reproduction of the message is completed or the record / replay key is pressed, the control unit 22 displays an inquiry message for erasure (step 85) as shown in FIG. 6C, and an inquiry message for batch erasure as shown in FIG. Steps 86 and 87) are displayed on the display unit 18 in response to a user operation. When a user operation for instructing batch erasure is performed, the control unit 22
The display shown in (E) is displayed on the display unit 18 and all messages in the voice memory 20 and all entries in the message management table are deleted (steps 88 and 89). Also,
When a user operation for instructing individual erasure is performed, a display as shown in FIG. 6F is displayed on the display unit 18 and a message corresponding to the selected item in the above list is displayed on the audio memory 20 and The message is deleted from the message management table (step 90).

As described above, the control unit 22 enables individual reproduction and individual erasure. <List Display Processing by Control Unit 22> FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the list display processing in step 81 of FIG. 8 in more detail. When a message is stored in the audio memory 20 (step 91: yes), the control unit 22 first causes the display unit 18 to display each item of "*""0""#" (step 92).

Next, for each entry of the message management table (loop processing of steps 93 and 96), FIG.
The display mode of the message number is determined by referring to the message number display mode table shown in FIG.
(Step 94), and refer to the mark display mode table shown in FIG.
Is determined, and the display mode is determined and displayed on the display unit 18 (step 95).

If no message is stored in the voice memory 20 (step 91: no), the display 18 indicates that there is no message as shown in FIG.
(Step 97) After 2 seconds, erase (display the initial screen) (Step 98). In this way, the control unit 22 causes the display unit 18 to display a list of items (message numbers and marks) corresponding to the message.

In the example of the list display shown in FIG.
The user is informed that the fourth, sixth and seventh messages are voice memos. Of these, the voice memos Nos. 1, 3, 6, and 7 are actually blinking, so that it is notified that they have not been reproduced. Also, the second, fifth, and eighth messages indicate that the messages are recorded by answering machine. Of these messages, messages 2 and 8 indicate that they have not been reproduced.

The list display allows the user to know what messages have been recorded, so that the messages can be individually selected and reproduced as needed. Furthermore, erasing can be performed not only collectively but also individually. In the above embodiment, a mobile phone has been described as an example, but a stationary phone may be used.

In the list display of FIG. 6A, a message number or a combination of the message number and a mark is displayed as an item corresponding to each message, but a different character, symbol, kanji, or the like is used. You may. When the display area of the display unit 18 is large, a character string may be used as an item. Further, the display modes shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B may be different display modes, or display conditions and display modes may be added. For example, when the calling ID is transmitted as an answering machine message and registered in the telephone directory, a specific ID (for example, a close friend or a specific business partner) is set as a display condition, and other items are set. The display mode may be different from the display mode.

When the display section 18 supports color display, display colors may be set as display modes according to display conditions in FIGS. 5 (a) and 5 (b). Further, other contents may be added to the additional information shown in FIG. For example, in the case of a voice memo, it may be added whether or not the voice memo was recorded during a call, the voice of the other party, or the voice of the user.

[0033]

The answering machine of the present invention has a storage means for storing an answering machine recorded message, a receiving means for receiving a user operation, and an individual means stored in the storage means when a predetermined operation is received by the receiving means. A display unit for displaying a list of items corresponding to the message; and a reproducing unit for reproducing a message corresponding to the item when an operation for designating the item is received by the receiving unit after the list is displayed. At the time, the user
By selecting an item displayed in the list, only a part of all messages can be selected and reproduced. As a result, it is possible to eliminate a useless reproduction in which the previously reproduced message is heard again.

The answering machine further comprises setting means for setting additional information relating to the message in the storage means, and the display means displays a reverse display, a blinking display and a marked display in accordance with the content of the additional information. A display table section indicating which one of which or a combination thereof is to be displayed, a determining section for determining, for each item, a display mode shown in the display table section according to the content of the additional information; And a display unit for displaying each item in the display mode determined in the above manner. Since each item is displayed in a reversed, blinking, or marked display, or a combination thereof, it can be displayed on the display screen. Even when the number of characters to be displayed is restricted, a list can be efficiently displayed.
Further, since the user can distinguish the items in the list by the display mode, the user can select and reproduce only important messages or necessary messages.

Further, the additional information is configured to indicate at least one of whether or not each message has been reproduced and whether or not the caller's telephone number has been transmitted at the time of receiving the answering machine response. And a message accompanied by a caller's telephone number can be selected and reproduced. The display unit further displays a special item, and the reproduction unit reproduces at least one message selected by the additional information when an operation of designating the special item in the list is received. With such a configuration, it is possible to continuously reproduce only important messages selected by the additional information in addition to the individual reproduction.

Further, the storage means further stores a message inputted as a voice memo, and the answering machine further comprises a setting means for setting additional information relating to each message in the storage means, and the display means further comprises: Each item is displayed in a different display mode according to the information, and the additional information is a message as a voice memo or a message by an answering machine response, whether or not the message has not been played back, and is transmitted when the answering machine message is received. Is configured to indicate at least one of whether or not the caller's phone number has been sent, so that the user can select and play a voice memo or an answering machine message, an unplayed message, a message accompanied by a caller's phone number, etc. can do.

Further, the answering machine further comprises a detecting means for detecting a caller telephone number transmitted at the time of an incoming call, and the storage means further comprises: The detected caller telephone number is stored as additional information, and the display means is configured to display each item in a different display manner depending on whether or not the caller telephone number is stored. A message with a number or a message without a number can be selected and played.

Further, the answering machine is further of a telephone directory storing means for storing a plurality of telephone numbers and a first type in which, for each message in the storing means, a caller telephone number corresponding to the message is not stored. A second type in which a caller telephone number corresponding to the message is stored and the same telephone number is not stored in the telephone directory storage means, or a caller telephone number corresponding to the message is stored; Determining means for determining whether the type is the third type in which the same telephone number is stored in the telephone directory storage means, wherein the display means displays the respective items in different display modes depending on the type. With this configuration, it is possible to select and reproduce a message from a partner registered in the telephone directory, that is, a message from an acquaintance.

The answering machine further comprises an erasing means for erasing the message reproduced by the reproducing means when an operation for instructing erasure is received by the receiving means, so that the messages are individually erased. be able to.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 shows a specific example of a message stored in the voice memory 20.

FIG. 3 shows a specific example of a telephone directory stored in a storage unit 21;

FIG. 4 shows a specific example of a message management table.

FIG. 5A is a table showing display conditions and display modes of message numbers in a message list display. (B) A table showing display conditions and display modes of marks in message list display.

FIG. 6 shows a display example of the display unit 18 at the time of message reproduction and deletion.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a message management table update process in the control unit 22;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a message reproduction process in the control unit 22.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a list display process in the control unit 22.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 11 radio section 11a IF section 11b frequency synthesizer section 12 modem 13 TDMA processing section 16 speaker 17 microphone 18 display section 19 key section 20 voice memory 21 storage section 22 control section

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. A storage unit for storing an answering machine recorded message, a reception unit for receiving a user operation, and a list of items corresponding to each message stored in the storage unit when a predetermined operation is received by the reception unit. An answering machine, comprising: display means for displaying a message; and, when an operation for designating an item is received by the receiving means after the list is displayed, a reproducing means for reproducing a message corresponding to the item. 2. The answering machine further comprises setting means for setting additional information relating to a message in a storage means, and wherein the display means displays a reverse display, a blinking display, or a display with a mark in accordance with the content of the additional information. A display table section indicating which one of which or a combination thereof is to be displayed, a determining section for determining, for each item, a display mode shown in the display table section in accordance with the content of the additional information; 2. An answering machine according to claim 1, further comprising: a display unit for displaying each item in the display mode determined in (1). 3. The answering machine according to claim 2, wherein said additional information indicates at least one of whether or not each message has been reproduced and whether or not a caller telephone number has been transmitted when an answering machine response has been received. Phone. 4. The display means further displays a special item, and the reproduction means, when an operation for designating the special item in the list is received, at least one message selected by additional information. The answering machine according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the answering machine plays back. 5. The storage means further stores a message input as a voice memo, the answering machine further comprises a setting means for setting additional information relating to each message in the storage means, and the display means further comprises: Each item is displayed in a different display mode according to the information. The additional information is a message as a voice memo or a message by an answering machine response, whether or not the message has not been played back, and is transmitted when an answering machine response of the message is received. 2. The answering machine according to claim 1, wherein the answering machine indicates at least one of whether or not the caller telephone number has been transmitted. 6. The answering machine further comprises detecting means for detecting a caller telephone number transmitted at the time of an incoming call, and said setting means detects when the caller telephone number is detected in the answering message. The set caller telephone number is set as additional information of storage means, and the display means displays each item in a different display mode depending on whether or not the caller telephone number is stored. An answering machine according to item 1. 7. The answering machine according to claim 1, further comprising: telephone directory storage means for storing a plurality of telephone numbers; and for each message in said storage means, a first type in which a caller telephone number corresponding to the message is not stored. The caller telephone number corresponding to the message is stored, and the caller telephone number corresponding to the message is stored, or a second type in which the same telephone number is not stored in the telephone directory storage means. Determining means for determining whether the telephone number is the third type in which the same telephone number is stored in the telephone directory storage means, wherein the display means displays each of the items in a different display mode depending on the type. 7. The answering machine according to claim 6, wherein: 8. An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said answering machine further comprises an erasing means for erasing a message reproduced by said reproducing means when an operation for instructing erasure is received by said receiving means. An answering machine according to any of the above.