JPS61157140A - Automatic answering telephone set - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To omit the trouble of operation of a switch changing over the automatic answering mode and the home stay mode and to prevent a fault of automatic answering recording due to the changeover switch left unoperated when reproduction of a message (ICM) is intermitted by designing the titled set that the automatic answering mode is set automatically when a prescribed time is elapsed after reproduction of message is intermitted. CONSTITUTION:Figure shows a tape format of a tape 1 on which plural mes sages are recorded. An inter-block and a cue signal recording part are formed at first for 0.5sec respectively from a point N3 after a leader tape of the tape 1. The an OGM is recorded for maximum 60sec together with, e.g., a 30Hz cue signal. After a sectioning part comprising an inter-block of nearly 4sec and a beap tone signal for nearly 0.2sec is formed, the 1st ICM is recorded for maximum 60sec from a point N7 to a point N8. In depressing a stop button during the ICM reproduction, the tape running is stopped and when the set is left undone for a prescribed time (e.g., 30sec), all ICMs are protected and the automatic answering mode is attained. When the reproduction button is depressed within 30sec, the tape is rewound and the reproduction is restarted from a position where the depression of the reproduction button is stopped.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF INDUSTRIAL APPLICATION The present invention relates to an answering machine that records incoming calls while the user is away.

Generally speaking, when a conventional answering machine receives a call, it first sends a response message to the caller stating that the answering machine will record the answering machine, and then records the caller's message. . Conventional devices of this kind are provided with a switch for selecting an answering mode and an at-home mode, and when the user goes out, the user switches the switch to the answering mode.

When the answering mode is set, confirmation playback is first performed to check whether the response message is recorded in a predetermined tape format. When the confirmation playback is completed, the tape is rewound to the beginning of the response message, and a telephone call waiting state is established.

When the first call comes in, a response message is first played and conveyed to the caller. The caller's business is then recorded after the response message. When the recording of the business is completed, the tape is rewound to the beginning of the response message and the next call is waited for. When a second call is made, the response message is played back, the part where the first message was recorded is skipped in fast forward, and then the second message after the above part is recorded. When the second call has been recorded, the tape is rewound to the beginning of the response message and waits for the next call. Thereafter, similar operations are automatically repeated, and the matters are sequentially recorded.

When reproducing the messages recorded in this manner, the user operates the changeover switch to enter the at-home mode, and then presses the playback button to sequentially reproduce the messages starting from the first time. Generally, when the answering mode is set, if a cassette is inserted or removed, the answering mode is canceled.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention In conventional answering machines, when a user goes out and plays back a message recorded while the user is away, the playback of the message may be interrupted due to an emergency, for example. After that, when going out again, the user sometimes forgets to operate the aforementioned changeover switch to set the answering machine mode, and as a result, the user sometimes fails to record the answering machine.

Means for Solving the Problems In the present invention, the answering mode is automatically set when a predetermined period of time has elapsed after the business call was interrupted.

Embodiment FIG. 1 shows the tape format of a tape 1 on which a plurality of requirements are recorded. In the following explanation, the response message is OGM (outgoing message) and the message is IC.
It is called M (Incoming Message). In addition, in the present invention, the number of rotations of the reel shaft is detected to locate the starting point of OGM and ICM, and to detect other necessary tape positions.
This is done by comparing the number of rotations stored in advance, and in the following explanation and drawings, N o and N +
, Nz-------m--.--1--- indicates the tape position determined from the number of rotations of the reel shaft.

In Figure 1, N is past the leader tape of tape L.
Starting from point 1, the silent part and cue signal recording part are each set to 0.
．． Formed for 5 seconds. The OGM is then recorded for a maximum of 60 seconds with a cue signal of, for example, 3011z. Then about 4
After a silent part of 2 seconds and a pre-break part of about 0.2 seconds of heap tone signal are formed, the first ICM is N1.
The data is recorded for a maximum of 60 seconds from the point to the N8 point. At this time, the first 3 seconds are recorded together with a cue signal of 30H2, for example. Next, after about 1 second of silence and 0.2 seconds before the break, the second ICM ■ is recorded from point N7.

Similarly, from the third time onwards, through the silent part and before the break
CM■------------------------------------------------- are recorded up to at least ICMIe.

The answering machine according to this embodiment having the tape formant described above has the following four features.

A. A means is provided for automatically setting the absent mode when a predetermined time (5 seconds in the embodiment) has elapsed since the cassette was inserted into the device.

B. A means is provided for automatically setting the answering mode when a predetermined time (5 seconds in the embodiment) has elapsed since the reproduction of the OGM was interrupted. For example, when a user wants to know the contents of an OGM, he or she plays the OGM, but at this time, the user may listen to the first part and then stop the playback when the content is understood.

C1 A means is provided for automatically setting the answering mode when a predetermined time (30 seconds in the embodiment) has elapsed after the reproduction of all ICMs was completed and stopped. 30 above
Within seconds, the user can choose whether or not to protect the recorded ICM.

When protecting a recorded ICM, the next ICM is recorded after the last ICM, and the next ICM is recorded starting from the part marked ICM (2) in FIG.

D. A means is provided for automatically setting the answering mode when a predetermined period of time (30 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed since ICM reproduction was interrupted. In this case, the recorded ICM is protected, but may not be protected.

Incidentally, the present invention has the above-mentioned characteristics.

Next, a series of operations of the answering machine will be explained with reference to FIG.

First, record the OGM.

(1) Insert the cassette into the device and press the 00M recording button. This starts the preparation operation, and the first LED placed near the 00M recording button lights up.

(2) First, tape 1 is rewound to the tape top number, and then fast-forwarded to point N3. '(3), then N
Forward erasure is performed for approximately 0.5 seconds from point 3 to point N4. During this time, the head passes sufficiently over the leader tape section and the previously recorded signal is erased.

(4) Next, after recording a cue signal for about 0.5 seconds from point N4, a pause state is entered and the preparation operation is completed. At this time, the first LED changes from lighting to slow blinking, and
A beep tone will sound for about 1 second to notify you that preparation is complete.

(5) After confirming that the preparation operation is complete, press the 00M recording button again.

(6) As a result, the pause is released and the mode becomes 00M recording mode. The user records the OGM using a microphone. At this time, the first LED changes from flashing to lit, indicating that 00M recording is in progress. At the same time, a separately provided second LED blinks in accordance with the audio level from the microphone.

Note that when the pause state is left for about 30 seconds, the pause state is canceled and the stop state is established, and the first LED blinks rapidly.

(7) During 00M recording, a cue signal is recorded together with the audio signal. This OGM recording is performed for a maximum of 60 seconds, but if you press the 00M recording button during these 60 seconds, the recording operation will be stopped, and after this, forward erasing will be performed for about 4 seconds to form a silent section, and then the tape will start recording. will be stopped. Note that this silent portion is formed by the erasing head that precedes the recording head, and a beep tone sounds during this four-second erasure.

(8) When about 5 seconds have passed since the beep tone stops sounding and the 00M recording has completely stopped, the device automatically enters the answering mode. At this time, the third LED lights up.

In this answering mode, first check whether the OGM is recorded in the predetermined 00M format.
Confirmation playback is performed.

(9) First, tape 1 is rewound and No and N are displayed.

It stops at an appropriate point N2 predetermined between.

(10) Next, the signal is sent forward to point N3, and it is further checked that a silent portion continues for about 0.5 seconds from N3 to N4. At this time, if a sound of 1 second or more is detected, it is processed as a 00M formant error. For example, when the stop state is reached, the third LED
A process is performed in which the icon blinks rapidly.

(11) When the above-mentioned approximately 0.5 seconds of silence is confirmed, the next 0.5 seconds of cue signals are checked.

At this time, if the sound continues for 7 seconds or more, it is processed as a 00M format error.

(12) When the above cue signal is confirmed, the speaker output is turned on and there is sound (audio + cue) for 1 second.
Check that it continues. At this time, if silence continues for 0.3 seconds or more, it is treated as a 00M format error.

(13) When it is confirmed that the above 1 second of sound (audio + cue) continues, 00M playback continues and OGM
When silence is detected for approximately 0.4 seconds after the end of the recording, the tape is stopped and the speaker output is turned off. The stopping position N at this time is memorized as 00M end,
OGM confirmation playback ends. In addition, OGM playback time is 7
If it continues for 0 seconds or more, it will be treated as a 00M format error.

(14) When the OGM1+i recognized playback is completed, it is rewound to a predetermined point N1, then fast-forwarded to N3, and then forwarded to N.

(15), and further stops at point N where the cue signal is detected for 0.2 seconds from N4. This N is stored as 00M top.

As a result of the above, the device enters a waiting state for receiving a telephone call.

(16) When the first incoming call is received in the incoming call standby state, when the telephone ring is detected twice, for example, the DC connection relay is turned on and the device and the telephone are connected. At the same time, playback of tape 1 begins.

This causes the OGM to be played and transmitted over the line to the caller.

(17) 00M reproduction ends when a silent portion of 0.4 seconds is detected within 2 seconds after reproduction has been performed up to OGM end Nb. Or conversely, 00M playback ends when N6 is detected within 2 seconds after 0.4 seconds of silence is detected first. Therefore, N6
If 0.4 seconds of silence is not detected within 2 seconds, or if N6 is not detected within 2 seconds after 0.4 seconds of silence is detected, it is treated as a 00M format error. For example, when it comes to a stop state,
A process is performed in which the third LED blinks rapidly.

Note that the above 2 seconds takes into consideration the pulse period (2 seconds) for detecting the rotation of the reel shaft. That is, the above 00M
There will be an error range of 2 seconds at the time of detection of end N6.

(18), When 00M playback ends as described above,
A melody tone is sent to the caller, and forward cancellation is performed for about 4 seconds.

(19) After the forward cancellation, send a beep tone for 0.8 seconds to the calling party. The last 0.2 seconds of this beep +-- are also recorded on tape 1 as a separator.

(20) When the transmission of the above beep tone is finished, the IC
Recording of M begins.

(21), the maximum length of ICM recording is 60 seconds, and this 6
Detect continuous sound or silence within 0 seconds,
The end of ICM is detected by detecting a click noise or a busy tone that occurs when the receiver is hung up.

(22) After the ICM recording ends, the end point N8 is memorized and a beep tone is sent out for about 4 seconds to notify the end of the recording.

(23), erasing tape 1 while transmitting the above beep tone;

(24) After erasing the tape, the DC closing relay is turned off and the tape stops.

(25), then the tape is rewound at point N2, and the tape is rewound at point N2 to
Step 4) is reached, and then step 2 is reached through step (15) above.
The system is now waiting for the next call.

(26) When a second call arrives, 00M playback is performed up to N in the same procedure as described above.

(27), then fast-forward the melody sound to just before N8, perform forward erasure for about 1 second, and at the same time send out the beep tone for 0.8 seconds, then repeat the above (20).
At this stage, ICM ■ is recorded following the same procedure.

Next, a second embodiment of the device for performing the above-mentioned operation will be described.
This will be explained with reference to FIG.

In this device, all of the above-mentioned operations are automatically performed based on instructions from the dPU of the microcomputer.

In Figure 3, instructions are given to CPUl0, or CPUl0
FIG. 2 shows the input/output circuit, recording circuit, etc. connected to the telephone set.

In FIG. 2, when recording OGM, the OGM signal obtained from microphone 11 is
2. The signal is applied to the recording/reproducing head 15 through the recording amplifier 13 and the equalizer 14, thereby being recorded onto the tape 1. At the same time, a cue signal from the cue signal oscillator 16 is applied to the recording/reproducing head 15 for recording. The cue signal oscillator 16 is also operated at the aforementioned predetermined timing during ICM recording. Further, the OGM signal is applied to the speaker 19 through the volume resistor 17 and the main amplifier 18 and is monitored. Note that when using earphones, the earphone jack 20 is used. Also, the bias oscillator 21 is operated to apply a bias current to the recording/reproducing head 15, and at the same time, an erase current is applied to the erase head 38. The beep tone is transmitted from the beep tone oscillator 34 to the recording/reproducing head 15 through the muting circuit 35, line input circuit 36, recording amplifier 13, and equalizer 14.
is added to tape 1 and recorded on tape 1.

On the other hand, telephone terminals 22a, 22b and central office line terminal 23a
, 23b are connected to a separator 24, and this separator '
The line transformer 25 is connected to the DC connection relay 26 in the device 24.
connected via. Further, a detection circuit 27 is connected to the terminal 23b for detecting whether the handset is picked up or put down. When there is an incoming call, a bell sound signal is input to the terminals 22a and 22b, and this signal is detected by the bell detection circuit 28 from the transformer 25. When the detection signal when the bell rings twice is applied to CPU10, the relay 26 closes to effect the closure. Then, when the OGM is reproduced together with the cue signal, this reproduced signal is applied from the head 15 to the bypass filter 30 via the preamplifier 29 to remove the cue signal, and is applied to the speaker power 19 from the equalizer 31 via the amplifier 18, as well as to the line output. The signal is transmitted from the circuit 32 to the calling party via the transformer 25 and then over the line. The reproduced signal is also applied to the cue signal detection circuit 33, and the cue detection signal is applied to the CPU10. When the 00M reproduction ends, a melody sound is sent out from the melody sound generation circuit 37.

During ICM recording, an ICM signal from a caller is applied from the transformer 25 to the line input circuit 36, and further applied to the head 15 through the recording amplifier 13 and equalizer 14, where it is recorded on the tape 1. In this case, if the ICM exceeds 60 seconds, a beep tone will sound and it will automatically shut off. Every time ICM recording is performed, the CPU 10 calculates Na, N+o-・−−−−1・・−・・− at the end of ICM recording.
・Memorize the value of Further, when fast forwarding to the start point of the next ICM recording, the number of rotations of the reel shaft is detected, and the recording start point is cued by comparing the detected number of times with the recorded number of times. In addition, the non-signal portions and the bones of the punctuated notes are erased by the erasing head 38 at predetermined timings.
This signal is generated by operating the beep tone oscillator 34 and the like. It should be noted that each circuit in FIG. 2 is operated when necessary at a predetermined timing according to the operation order already described in FIG. 1 and (1) to (25) above, and is stopped or muted when unnecessary. CP as if
Controlled by Ul0. To this end, as commonly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a control signal is applied from the CPU I O to a predetermined circuit, and an instruction signal is applied to a predetermined circuit or the CPU I O.

Furthermore, the device of the present invention can be remotely controlled, in which case the remote control number switch circuit 2 is used to set the same number as the remote controller number. A remote control signal sent from a remote controller through a line is detected by a remote control signal detection circuit 3.

In FIG. 3, 1B power is applied to the CPU 10 when the tape cassette accidental erasure prevention claw detection switch 40 and the disconnector 24 are closed.

When rewinding the tape 1 to the tape top point N0, the reel shaft rotation detection circuit 42 detects that the reel shaft 41 has stopped rotating. Incidentally, this detection circuit 42 also detects the number of rotations of the reel shaft.

In addition to instructions from the predetermined circuit shown in FIG. 2, the CPU 10 also receives instructions based on the operation of the mode setting switch 3. CPU
IO also includes a plunger drive circuit 43, a capsun motor drive circuit 44, a reel motor drive circuit 45, a relay drive circuit 46, a display drive circuit 47, and an LED drive circuit 48.
, 49, 50, and 60. by this,
Forward plunger 51, cue signal plunger 5
2. Capstan motor 53, reel motor 54, relay 26, recording count display circuit 55, operation display LED 56
．． 57, 58, 59, etc. are operated at predetermined timings. Further, the CPU 10 is reset by the reset circuit 59 after the recording while the user is away is finished.

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

A. After inserting the cassette, answering mode will be automatically set 5 seconds later.

First, when the power is turned on, if a cassette tape is not loaded in the cassette storage section, the first LED blinks at a rapid cycle to notify the user.

When the cassette is installed and the presence of the erroneous erasure prevention claw is detected, the blinking of the first LED changes to a slower cycle.

Thereafter, when a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed, the answering mode is automatically set. Note that the above 5 seconds takes into consideration the time it takes to reliably load the cassette tape. Next, first, confirmation playback of OGM is performed. If the OGM is in a non-regular format, tape running is stopped and
The first LED'D flashes rapidly to indicate a 00M error. This state will be maintained until the tape is replaced. At this time, even if the bell rings, there will be no response. Also, when the playback button is pressed, a "warning sound" is generated to alert the user. If the 00M format is normal, rewinding is performed and the OGM is cued, and then an incoming call is waited for.

When a cassette without a tab to prevent accidental erasure is inserted, the first LED flashes quickly and the answering mode is not automatically set.

Also, when power is restored after a power outage, if a cassette is installed, the data in the backup memory will be tested.

If the bank-up has been completed, after a predetermined period of time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed, the system automatically enters the answering mode.

If no backup has been made, the LED blinks slowly and the device remains in a stopped state without being automatically set to be away.

This is a measure to erase ICM recorded before the power outage by inadvertently setting the caller to be away.

FIG. 4 shows a flowchart for carrying out the above operations. When the operation according to this flowchart is performed, the operation according to the answering mode setting routine shown in FIG. 5 is continued.

The flowchart in FIG. 5 shows the process from when the answering mode is set until the end of the 00M confirmation playback and the standby for incoming calls. In the first step in FIG. 5, there is a push button called a "play/open again" button. This pushbutton is essentially a playback button, and when pressed, the ICM is played back, provided that the ICM, if any, is protected.

If the button is pressed again during playback, the ICM will be played again.

B. If you interrupt playback of 00M, answering mode will be automatically set after 5 seconds.

When the stop button is pressed during OGM playback, the tape stops, and after a predetermined period of time (for example, about 5 seconds), the system automatically enters the answering mode. Then, cue the OGM. OGM
The cue is located at the point where the cue signal is received, and if the device is not performing confirmation playback of the OGM, the playback continues. Then, the OGM end position is stored. After confirming the end position of the OGM, the tape is rewound again, the beginning of the OGM is found, and the tape is stopped when a cue signal is received.

After that, it will be in a waiting state for incoming calls. FIG. 6 shows a flowchart for carrying out the above operation.

After all 10M of C1 is played, the answering mode is automatically set 30 seconds later.

During ICM playback, the CPU always checks the final positions of all ICMs based on the number of revolutions of the reel shaft or the presence or absence of a cue signal. When the tape position reaches the final position, the CPU outputs a mechanical deck stop signal, thereby stopping the forward operation.

Thereafter, the stopped state continues until a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

During this time, if you press the ``Play/Reopen'' button, the tape will be rewound and playback will begin from the position where you stopped pressing this button. Also, if no button is pressed during this period, the predetermined time has elapsed (
After 30 seconds, for example, the device will automatically switch to answering mode. Then, the OGM cueing operation is performed and the device enters a call waiting state. When the bell rings, after sending 00M, the previous IC
M is not protected, and a new ICM is recorded from the ICM ■ portion.

FIG. 7 shows the above operation routine.

Incidentally, in FIG. 7, the fourth LED is an LED that displays "call received while absent," and lights up when an ICM is recorded while the user is absent. Therefore, when the above operation is performed, the fourth lamp ED is turned off when all 10M reproduction is completed, that is, when the mechanical deck is stopped.

D. When 10M playback is interrupted, the answering mode is automatically set 30 seconds later (a feature of the present invention).

As shown in the flowchart in Figure 8, if you press the stop button during 10M playback, tape running will stop and a predetermined time (
If you leave it alone (for example, 30 seconds), it will protect all ICMs and go into answering mode. If the play button is pressed during the above 30 seconds, the tape is rewound and playback starts again from the point where the play button was stopped. In addition, in the above operation, ICM
is protected, but in some cases it may be possible to choose not to protect it.

Effects of the Invention When 10M playback is interrupted, it is possible to save the trouble of operating the conventional switch for switching between the answering mode and the at-home mode, and it is also possible to prevent the failure of answering machine recording due to forgetting to operate the changeover switch. .

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the tape format of an answering machine according to the present invention, Figs. 2 and 3 are block diagrams showing the embodiment of the present invention, and Figs. 4 to 7 show features of the embodiment. Flowchart FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the present invention. In addition, in the symbols used in the drawings, l・-・・・・−・−−−−−1−Tape 10・−・−
...--CPU.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An answering machine comprising: means for detecting that message playback has been interrupted; and means for setting an answering machine mode after a predetermined time based on the detection by the detecting means.