JPS61157141A - Automatic answering telephone set - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To set surely the automatic answering mode by providing a means detecting the end of reproduction of all messages and a means setting the automatic answering mode after a prescribed time based on the detection. CONSTITUTION:A tape format shown in figure is given, and when all incoming messages (ICMs) are reproduced and after a prescribed time is elapsed, when the titled device is stopped, the automatic answering mode is set automatically by the means above. A consecutive voice presence is detected within the recording longest time of the ICM, or an inter-block, click noise at on-hook or a busy tone is detected by a detection circuit 27 or 28 to detect the end of the ICM. A CPU10 confirms the end location of all ICMs at all times depending on the number of revolutions of a reel shaft or the presence of a cue signal during reproduction of the ICM. The CPU outputs a mechanism deck stop signal when the tape comes to the said final location and the mode is brought automatically into the automatic answering mode after a prescribed time is elapsed. Then the program search of an OGM (outgoing message) is applied and the mode goes to the incoming standby state.

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 indicating that an answering machine will be recorded, 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 telephone call is received, a response message is first played back and conveyed to the caller.Next, the caller's business is 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 the user returns from going out and plays back the messages recorded while the user was away, once all the messages have been played back, the conventional answering machine remains in a stopped state. becomes. 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 all the tasks have been reproduced.

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 I.
It is called CM (Incoming Message). In addition, in the present invention, the starting point of OGM and ICM and other necessary tape position detection are performed by detecting the number of rotations of the reel shaft and comparing it with the number of rotations recorded in advance. No, N+, in the following description and drawings
Nz...---------- indicates the tape position determined from the number of rotations of the reel shaft.

In Figure 1, N past the leader tape of tape 1
Starting from point 1, the silent part and cue signal recording part are each set to 0.
．． Formed for 5 seconds. Next, the OGM is recorded for a maximum of 60 seconds with a 30Hz cue signal, for example, after the 0th time, a silent part of about 4 seconds and a back part with a heap tone signal of about 0.2 seconds are formed, and then the first ICM is recorded. ■ is recorded for a maximum of 60 seconds from the N9 point to the N1 point. At this time, the first approximately 3 seconds are recorded together with a 30 Hz cue signal, and after approximately 1 second of silence and 0.2 seconds of delimiter sound, the second ICM ■ is recorded from point N9. Similarly, the third and subsequent ICs are passed through silent parts and delimiters.
M■--.

The answering machine according to this embodiment having the tape format 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 to automatically set the answering mode when a predetermined period of time (5 seconds in the example) has elapsed since the playback of the OGM was interrupted.6 For example, if you want to know the contents of the OGM, turn on the OGM. The song is played back, but the playback may be interrupted after listening to the first part and understanding the content.

A means is provided for automatically setting the answering mode when a predetermined time (30 seconds in this embodiment) has elapsed after the reproduction of all C2 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 ECM is recorded starting from the ICM ■ in FIG.

D. A means is provided for automatically setting the answering mode when a predetermined time (30 seconds in the embodiment) has elapsed since the 10M playback was interrupted. In this case, the recorded ICM is protected, but may not be protected.

Incidentally, the present invention has the feature C above.

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

First, record the OCM.

(1) Insert the cassette/) into the device and press the 00M recording button, this is it! 1! The preparation operation begins, 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) Next, forward erase is performed for about 0.5 seconds from point N3 to point N4. During this time, the head sufficiently passes through the leader tape section and 1. Previously recorded signals are 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 the completion of the preparation operation, return to the above 00M
Press the record button.

(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.

Incidentally, if the above-mentioned pause state is left for about 30 seconds, the pause is canceled and the stop state is entered, and the first LED blinks rapidly.

(7) During 00M recording, a cue signal is recorded together with the audio signal. This 00M recording has a maximum length of 60 seconds.

However, if the 00M recording button is pressed during these 60 seconds, the recording operation is stopped, and after this, forward erasing is performed for about 4 seconds to form a silent section, and then the tape is 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.

During this time, the vehicle stops at a predetermined appropriate point N2.

(10) Next, the signal is sent forward to point N1, and it is further checked that a silent portion continues for about 0.5 seconds from this point N to N4. At this time, if a sound of 1 second or more is detected, it is processed as a 00M format 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 formant 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 former 7) error.

(13), Once 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. Note that if the OGM playback time continues for 70 seconds or more, it is treated as a 00M format error.

(14) When the 00M confirmation playback is completed, the tape is rewound to a predetermined point N, then fast-forwarded to N, and then forwarded to N4.

(15) Further, the process 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 call is received in the above-mentioned 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) After playing up to OGM end N,
Then, 00M playback ends when a 0.4 second silent portion is detected within 2 seconds. Or conversely, 0 first
．． 00M playback ends when N is detected within 2 seconds after 4 seconds of silence is detected. Therefore, if 0.4 seconds of silence is not detected within 2 seconds from N, or within 2 seconds after 0.4 seconds of silence is detected, N
, is not detected, it is treated as a 00M formant error. For example, a process is performed in which the third LED flashes rapidly as the vehicle enters the stop state.

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 OG
There will be an error range of 2 seconds at the time of detection of M end N.

(18) When the 00M playback ends as described above, a melody sound is sent to the caller, and about 4
Performs forward erase for 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 tone is also recorded on tape 1 as a break tone.

(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 10M recording is finished, 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 N1, and the tape is rewound at point N1.
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), Next, fast-forward the melody sound to just before N, perform forward deletion for about 1 second, and at the same time send out the beep tone for 0.8 seconds, and then perform the above (20).
At this stage, ECM ■ 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 CPU 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 disconnector 24, and a line transformer 25 is connected to the disconnector 24 via a DC connection relay 26. In addition, a detection circuit 27 for detecting whether the handset is picked up or put down is connected to the terminal 23b. When a 0 call is received, a bell sound signal is input to the terminals 22a and 22b, and this signal is transmitted from the transformer 25 to the bell detection circuit. 28. When the detection signal of the second ringing of the bell is applied to the CPU I O, the relay 26 closes and closure is effected. When 00M is reproduced together with the cue signal, this reproduced signal is applied from the head 15 through the preamplifier 29 to the bypass filter 30 to remove the cue signal, and is applied to the stereophonic power 19 from the equalizer 31 through the amplifier 18, as well as the line output. The signal is transmitted from the circuit 32 to the calling party via the transformer 25 and then over the line. Further, the reproduced signal is applied to the cue signal detection circuit 33, and the cue detection signal is sent to the CPU 1
' Added to 0. 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 the shaft will be automatically turned off. The CPU 10 outputs Ne, N, at the end of each LCM recording. −・・−・・・−・−・・Memorize the value. 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. Further, the no-signal portion, the punctuation portion bones, etc. are formed by operating the erasing head 38, beep tone oscillator 34, etc. at predetermined timings, respectively. Note that each circuit in Figure 2 is similar to Figure 1 and the above (1).
) to (25) are operated when necessary at predetermined timings, and are stopped or muted when unnecessary.
Controlled by 0. For this purpose, as commonly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, a control signal is applied from CPU10 to a predetermined circuit, and an instruction signal is applied to a predetermined circuit or CPUI0.

Furthermore, the device of the present invention can be remotely controlled, in which case the remote control number switch circuit 2 sets 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 l 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
l0 also includes 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,
49, 50. Controls the operation of 60. As a result, the forward plunger 51. Cue signal plunger 52
, capstan motor 53, reel motor 54, relay 26, recording count display circuit 55, operation display LED 56.
SL, 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 the cassette is released, answering mode will be automatically set 5 seconds later.

First, when the power is turned on, if there is no cassette tape loaded in the cassette 7) 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, after a predetermined period of time (for example, 5 seconds) has elapsed, the answering mode is automatically set. Please note that the above 5 seconds takes into account the time it takes to load the cassette. It will stop and the first LED will flash rapidly indicating 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. Furthermore, when a playback button or the like 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.

Furthermore, when the power is restored after a power outage, if the cassette 7) is attached, the data in the bank up memory is 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 bank-up has not been completed, 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 Figure 5 shows the process from the time the answering mode is set to the end of the 00M confirmation playback to the standby for incoming calls. This push button is essentially a play button, and when pressed, the ICM is played, provided that the ICM, if any, is protected.

If you press the button again during playback, the ECM will be played again.

B. If you interrupt OGM playback, the 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 m times. Then, the OGM end position N is stored. ○After confirming the end position of the commercial end, the tape is rewound again, the beginning of the OGM is found, and the tape is stopped when the 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.

The answering mode is automatically set 30 seconds after all C1 ICMs are played (a feature of the present invention).

During ICM playback, the CPU always checks the final positions of all ECMs based on the number of rotations 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 there is no button scratching during this period, a predetermined period of 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 ECM ■ portion.

FIG. 7 shows the above operation routine.

In FIG. 7, the fourth LED is an LED that displays "Call while I was away," and lights up when an ICM is recorded while I am away. Therefore, when the above operation is performed, the fourth LED is turned off when all ICM reproduction is completed, that is, when the mechanical deck is stopped.

D. If ICM playback is interrupted, answering mode will be automatically set 30 seconds later.

As shown in the flowchart in Figure 8, when the ICMC playback stop button is pressed, tape running stops and a predetermined period of 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 After all ICM playback is completed, it is possible to save the trouble of operating the conventional switch for switching between the answering mode and the home mode, and it is also possible to prevent failures in answering recording due to forgetting to operate the changeover switch. .

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a tape formant for an answering machine according to the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are block diagrams showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 4 to 6 show features of the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing other features of the embodiment. In addition, in the symbols used in the drawings, 1...------...-Tape 10--
・−・−・−CPU.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An answering machine characterized by comprising means for detecting the end of reproduction of all messages, and means for setting an answering machine mode after a predetermined time based on the detection by the detecting means.