JPS6218858A - Automatic answering telephone set - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To form a no-sound period in an answer message which informs the opposite part of absence even when the capacity of a semiconductor memory is small by using a timer together when the answer message is reproduced from the semiconductor memory. CONSTITUTION:When the answer message is recorded by an automatic answering telephone set 2, a sound recording state is entered with a switch 52A for message sound recording for its depression period under the control of a system control part 40 and a memory control part 70. Then when this switch is released, the pause state of the sound recording is entered. In this sound recording state, the addresses of a RAM 61 for the answer message are changed successively to perform the sound recording, but the addresses are not changed in the pause state and the pause period is stored. When the answer message is reproduced, the pause period of the same length is inserted where a pause is made in the sound recording. When the sound recording is performed, the RAM 61 is not wasted in the pause period, so the RAM 61 may have small capacity.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] The explanation will be given in the following order.

A. Industrial application field B. Summary of the invention C Conventional technology D. Problem that the invention aims to solve E. Means to solve the problem (Figure 1) F. Effect G Example G1 first embodiment (Figures 1 to 6) G2 other examples Effect of H invention A. Industrial application field The present invention relates to an answering machine.

B. Summary of the Invention This invention provides an answering machine that, when reproducing a message from a semiconductor memory informing the other party that you are away, can reproduce the message even if the capacity of the semiconductor memory is small, by using a timer in conjunction with the message. This allows a silent period to be created.

C. Conventional technology An answering machine has a built-in tape recorder, and when a call is received, it plays back a message from the tape informing the other party that you are not home (hereinafter referred to as a "response message"), and then Messages from the other party (hereinafter referred to as "message messages") are recorded on tape.

However, when accessing messages using a tape recorder, the tape must be fast-forwarded or rewound to the required location, and it takes time to access the message.

Furthermore, since the tape recorder is built in, the device becomes large. Furthermore, the durability is not very good.

Therefore, a semiconductor memory was installed in place of the tape recorder.
A system that allows access to response messages and business messages is being considered. That is, by doing so, the response message and the business message can be accessed instantaneously, without having to wait. Also.

Because it uses semiconductor memory, it does not need to be as large as a tape recorder, and can be made to be almost the same size as a regular telephone.

Furthermore, it has excellent durability and high reliability.

D. Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, when response messages are recorded in a semiconductor memory in this way, if a long response message can be recorded, the capacity of the semiconductor memory becomes large.
It is inappropriate in terms of cost, space factor, etc. Therefore, in reality, as shown in FIG. 6A, the response message memory is capable of recording about 8 seconds.

However, when the recording time of the response message is short as described above, it is not possible to insert a silent period in the middle of the response message, and the response message may be inappropriate as a response message.

This invention attempts to solve such problems.

E. Measures to solve the problem For example, as shown in Figure 6B, when you press the switch for recording a response message, the response message will be recorded only while the switch is pressed, and when you release the switch, the recording will start. It will be in a pause state. In this recording state, the address of the memory for response messages is sequentially converted and the response messages are sequentially recorded, but in the pause state, the memory address is not changed and
The length of this pause period is stored.

When the response messages are played back, as shown in Figure C, the response messages recorded in the memory are played back in sequence, but a pause period of the same length is inserted at the position where a pause was applied during recording. .

F When recording a response message, as shown in Figure B, speak the response message while pressing the switch, and release the switch at the position where a silent period is required. When the response message is played back,
As shown in Figure C, the response messages are sequentially reproduced, and at the position where the switch was released at the time of recording, a silent period with a length equal to the period during which the switch was released is inserted.

G Embodiment G1 First Embodiment In FIG. 1, (1) shows a telephone circuit, and (2) shows an answering machine according to the present invention.

In this device (2), (11) is a dial key for inputting the other party's telephone number, etc., (12) is an encoder that converts the key output into a DTl'IF signal, and (13) is a handset transmitter. The speaker (14) is a built-in microphone used when talking while on-hook. In addition, (21) is, for example, a 2-wire to 4-wire conversion circuit configured with a hybrid transformer, (22)
is the relay contact corresponding to Funksui Sochi, (23
) is the relay, and (25) is the beep signal forming circuit.

Further, (31) is a detection circuit (ring detector) that detects a call from the other party from the ring tone signal, and (32) is a detection circuit (ring detector) that detects when the other party calls. When, the linga that announces this,
(33) is a decoder that decodes the DTMF signal; (33) is a decoder that decodes the DTMF signal;
4) is a handset receiver, and (35) is a speaker used when listening to the other party's voice while on-hook.

(40) is a system controller that is composed of a microcomputer and controls the operation of the entire device, (41) is its CPU, (42) is a ROM in which various programs are written, and (43) is RAM for the work area, (44) a human power board, (45) an output port, and these circuits (42) to (45) are connected to the CPU (41) through a system path (46).

Note that the ROM (42) contains the subroutines (100) and (2) of the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
00) is also written.

Furthermore, (51) is a hook switch, (52A) ~ (
52N) is a non-button type pushbutton switch for performing various operations, and (53A) to (53M) are LEDs for displaying the operating status of this device. The switch (52A) is an automatic response switch that serves as a response message recording switch and an automatic response mode switch.

Furthermore, (61) is R where the response message is accessed.
AM, (62) is the RA where the message is accessed.
M, (63) is a D/A converter, (64) is an A/D converter, (70) is a memory controller, and this controller (70) is also composed of a microcomputer and its ROM
The subroutines (300) and (400') of the flowcharts shown in Figs. 4 and 5 are written in the subroutines (300) and (400') for selecting, reading and writing the RAMs (61) and (62) according to commands from the controller (40). and specify the address. In addition, RAM (6
The length of a message that can be accessed in 1) and (62) is, for example, 8 seconds.

Further, (91) to (97) are switch circuits, which are not shown in the figure, but are connected to the controller (40) and are switched to predetermined contacts by the controller (40).

When this device is in a standby state, the controller 7 (40) repeatedly executes the main routine and polls for requests for processing in items (1) to (X) described below. When a request for that process is made, the process moves to a subroutine for the corresponding process.

(1) When in the normal call waiting state, from the main unit (2) to the handset 71-
When (13) and (34) are picked up, the hook switch (51) is turned on, which in turn turns on the controller (4).
0). Then, the controller (40)
drive voltage is supplied to the relay (23) through the amplifier (24), the contact (22) is turned on, and the line (1
) are connected to the conversion circuit (21) through the contact (22), and the switch circuits (91), (92), (95),
(96) is connected to the "0" contact as shown.

Then, when the other party's telephone number is input using the dial key (11), the key output is supplied to the encoder (12) and converted into a DTMF signal, and this signal is sent to the conversion circuit (2).
1) and to the line (1) through the contact (22).

When the other party answers the call, the audio signal from the transmitter (13) is transmitted from the switch circuit (91) to the amplifier (15).
) → Switch circuit (92) → Conversion circuit (21) - Contact (
22) to the line (1). Also, the audio signal from the other party is transmitted from line (1) to contact point (2).
2) - Conversion circuit (21) - Switch circuit (95) → amplifier (36) → switch circuit (96) is supplied to the receiver (34) through the signal line. In other words, this is the state of the conversation with the other party.

Then, when the call was over, I set the handset (13)
, (34) is placed on the main body (2), the switch (51
is turned off, this is detected by the controller (40), the drive of the relay (23) is stopped, and the contact (
22) is turned off.

(TI) When you receive a call from the other party when you are in the normal incoming call standby state,
The signal of the bell sound is detected by the detection circuit (31),
The detection output is supplied to the controller (40). Then, the processing of the CPU (41) moves to step (101) of the routine (100). And this step (1
In step 01), the automatic answering mode flag AAMF indicating whether or not to answer automatically is checked, and in this case, it is a normal incoming call and the flag AAMF has been reset, so the process moves from step (101) to step (102). )
In this step (102), the ringer (32) is controlled by the controller (40) to ring a bell to indicate that there is an incoming call.

During this time, the processing of the CPU (41) is performed in step (1).
02) to step (103) and step (10).
3) and (104) are repeated. That is, in step (103), the handset (13), (
34) is picked up, and the handset (13).

If (34) is not picked up, the process proceeds from step (103) to step (104). This step (104) is to determine whether or not the other party's phone is still ringing by checking the output of the detection circuit (31). If the call is still ringing, the process proceeds to step (103). return.

Therefore, when there is an incoming call and the ringer (32) is ringing, if you do not pick up the hand cents (13) and (34), the call will last as long as the other party is ringing.
The ringa (32) continues to ring.

However, when the hand cents (13) and (34) are picked up, the hook switch (51) is turned on, which is detected by the controller (40) in step (103), and the process proceeds from step (103) to step (111). In step (111), the ringer (32) stops ringing. The process then proceeds to step (112''), where the controller (40) turns on the contact (22) and switches the switch circuits (91), (92), (
95) and (96) are connected to the "0" contact. Therefore, from now on, the call will be in the same state as when the call was made.

During this call, the footer switch (51) continues to be checked in step (113).

After the call is over, set the handset (13).

(34) is returned to the body (2), this is the step (
113), the process proceeds to step (114) and the contact (22) is turned off, and then the process returns to the main routine in step (115) and enters a standby state.

Further, when steps (103) and (104) are repeated and the other party hangs up, the detection circuit (3)
The output of step 1) will no longer be obtained, but this is step (10
4), the process proceeds from step (104) to step (121), where the ringer (32) is turned off, and then, through step (122>), the process returns to the main routine and enters a standby state.

(III) Recording of response message While on-hook, response message switch (52A)
Turn on. Then, this is detected by the controller (40) and the process moves from the main routine to step (2).
01), the response message flag OGMF is checked in this status sub (201). This flag OGMF is set when the response message is recorded in the RAM (61), and is set when the response message is not recorded.

When this flag OGMF is set, no response message can be recorded.

However, when the flag OGMF is reset, the process proceeds from step (201) to step (202), where the LED (53A) is set to a blinking state, and then proceeds to step (203), where the switch is switched. Circuit (91).

(94) is connected to the "1" contact, and at the same time, a command indicating that a response message is to be recorded is supplied from the controller (40) to the controller (70), and the controller (70) stores this in the RAM (61). A chip select signal, a write signal, and an address signal for selection are supplied (details of the operation of the controller (70) will be described later in the summary).

Therefore, when you speak a response message into the microphone (4) while turning on the switch (52A), the voice signal is transmitted from the microphone (14) to the switch [1 (9).
1) - Amplifier (15) - The switch circuit (94) is supplied to the A/D converter (64) through the signal line and converted from an analog signal to a digital signal, and this signal is R
The data is supplied to AM (61) and written sequentially.

While this response message is being recorded, C.
PU (41) f7) The process proceeds from step (203) to step (204''), and this step (204)
The on/off status of the switch (52A) is checked in step 1, and if it is on, that is, if the switch (52A) continues to be pressed, the process proceeds to step (205) where the controller (70) transfers the information to the controller (40).
It is checked whether data indicating that the recording time of the response message has ended has been sent. If this end data has not been sent, the process proceeds to step (20).
5) returns to step (204). Therefore, if you keep pressing the switch (52^), the step (204) will continue until the response message recording time of 8 seconds has elapsed.
), (205) are repeated, and during this time, response messages are continuously recorded.

When the recording time for the response message ends, data indicating this is sent from the controller (70) to the controller (40), which is determined in step (205) and the process proceeds from step (205) to step (2).
Proceed to step 06). Then, in step (206), the controller (40) switches the switch circuit (96),
(97) is connected to the "1" contact, and the forming circuit (25) is controlled to form a beep signal, and this signal is transmitted to the switch circuit (97) - amplifier (36) - switch circuit (96). Speaker (35) through the signal line
, and the speaker (35) produces a "beep" sound indicating the end of the recording of the response message. Furthermore, the LED (53A) is lit continuously.

The process then proceeds to step (207'') and flags OG.
After MP and AAMF are set, step (208
) returns to the main routine. Therefore, from now on, it will be in a standby state.

In this way, when the recording of the response message is completed,
(52A) is off.

On the other hand, switch (52A) is pressed while recording the response message.
If this is turned off, this is determined in step (204) and the process goes from step (204) to step (21).
Proceeding to step 1), in this step (211), the controller (40) supplies a command to the controller (70) to temporarily stop the recording of the response message, and the recording state of the response message is set to a pause state. Note that during this pause period, the address of the RAM (61) is not changed. Further, the point in time when this pose is reached is stored in the controller (70).

The process then proceeds to step (212) where the LE
After D (53A) is made to blink at a fast cycle, the process proceeds to step (213), and in this step (213), the on/off status of the switch (52A) is checked.
When it is off, the process returns to step (213'). Therefore, while recording a response message, switch (52A)
) is turned off, the recording of the response message is paused, and step (213) is repeated until the switch (52A) is turned on again.

Then, when the switch (52A) is turned on again, this is determined in step (213) and the process continues in step (213).
The process proceeds from step (213) to step (214), in which the controller (40) supplies a command to the controller (70) to release the pause state and resumes recording the response message, and then proceeds to step (214). In 215), the blinking of the LED (53A) is returned to the original cycle in step (202), and then the process returns to step (205). Therefore, if the switch (52A) is turned off while the response message is being recorded, the recording of the response message will be in a paused state for only the off period.

When the total recording time excluding the pause period reaches 8 seconds, the process proceeds from step (205) to step (206) as described above, ends the recording of the response message, and then enters a standby state.

(IV) Confirmation (playback) of response message contents Turn on the playback switch (52B) while on-hook. Then, when the response message is being recorded, the flag OGMF is set, so the switch circuit (93
), (96) are connected to the "1" contact, and
A command indicating that a response message is to be reproduced is supplied from the controller (40) to the controller (70), and a chip select signal, a read signal, and an address signal for selecting this are supplied from the controller (70) to the RAM (61). Ru.

Therefore, the response message signals of the RAM (61) are sequentially read out, and are supplied to the D/A converter (63) to be converted from a digital signal to an analog signal. →Speaker (35) through the signal line of the switch circuit (96)
and a response message is played back from the speaker (35). Note that if the response message includes a silent period, this is also inserted.

When the reproduction of the response message is completed, data indicating this is transferred from the controller (70) to the controller (4).
0), and thereafter enters the waiting state.

Furthermore, when the response message is not recorded in the RAM (61), the flag OG? When the IP is reset but this flag OGMF is reset,
The beep signal from the formation circuit (25) is transmitted to the switch circuit (9
7) - Supplied to the speaker (35) through the signal line of the amplifier (36) → switch circuit (96), and the speaker (
35) makes a beeping sound, indicating that no response message has been recorded.

(V) Clearing the response message Turn on the switch (52A) while turning on the clear switch (52C) with the footer still on.

Then, the flag OGMF is reset, and from then on, the RAM
Regardless of the contents of (61), it is assumed that no response message has been recorded. Also, LED (538)
is turned off.

(Vl) Turn on the switch (52A) with the cent and reset on footers in automatic response mode. Then, the processing of the CPU (41) moves from the main routine to step (201), where the flag OGMF is checked, and when this flag OGMF is set, the processing moves from step (201') to step (221),
In this step (221), the flag AAMF is inverted, that is, if the flag AAMF had been reset until now, it is set, and since it had been set, a new cent is sent.

The process then proceeds to step (222), where the flag AAMF is strongly checked, and when the flag AAMF is set, the LED (538) is turned on by Stellaf (223). and is being reset, step (224)
The LED (53A) is turned off, and steps (223) and (224) to step (22)
5) returns to the main routine and then enters a standby state.

In addition, when the flag OG liver is checked and this is reset, as mentioned in section (nl),
Steps (202) to (205) enter the response message recording mode.

(■) Incoming call in automatic answering mode (when absent) When the other party calls, the flag AAMF is checked in step (101) according to the same procedure as in section (n), and in this case, Since the flag AAMF has been sent, the process moves from step (101) to step (131).
), and in this step (131), the ringer (3
After 2) is sounded, for example, three times, the process goes to step (13).
Proceeding to step 2), the contact (22) of the relay (23) is turned on, and the line (1) is connected to the conversion circuit (21). Subsequently, in step (133), the switch circuit (95)
is connected to the "0" contact, and the switch circuit (96) is connected to the "1" contact. From then on, when the other party speaks, the voice signal is transferred to the line (11 - contact (22) - conversion circuit (2)
1) - Switch circuit (95) - Amplifier (36) - Speaker (35) through the signal line of switch circuit (96)
In other words, speaker monitoring is enabled, and then in step (134) the switch circuit (92) is set to the "1" contact and the Sui-Sochi circuit (93) is set to the "0" contact.
'' contact, and as in the case of item (■), a command indicating that the response message is to be played is supplied from the controller (40) to the controller (70). Therefore, the response message in the RAM (61) is The signals of are read out sequentially, and this is the D/A converter
- Switch circuit (93) - Switch circuit (92) - Conversion circuit (21) - Send out to line (1) through the signal line of contact (22). Note that even while this response message is being played back (sending out), the voice of the person on the other end of the phone call can be monitored through the speaker.

Then, while this response message is being played, C
The processing of the PU (41) proceeds from step (134) to step (135), and in this step (135) the hook switch (51) is checked, and when on-hook, the processing proceeds from step (135) to step (13).
Proceed to step 6) and change the controller (70) to the controller (
40), it is checked whether data indicating the end of reproduction of the response message has been sent. If this end data has not been sent, the process returns from step (136) to step (135). Therefore, if the on-hook state continues, steps (135) and (1
36) is repeated and the response message continues to be played. At this time as well, the voice of the person on the other end of the phone call can be monitored through the speaker.

When the reproduction of the response message is completed, data indicating this is transferred from the controller (70) to the controller (4).
0). Then this is step (136)
The process proceeds from step (136) to step (141), and in step (141), the controller (40) switches the switch circuit (92).
, (97) are connected to the "0" contact, and the formation circuit (25) is controlled to form a beep signal, and this signal is transmitted between the switch circuit (97) and the amplifier (15).
- Switch circuit (92) - Conversion circuit (21) - Contact (2
The message is sent to line (1) through the signal line (2), and the other party's telephone makes a "bee" sound indicating the start of recording the message.

Subsequently, the process proceeds to step (142) where the switch circuit (94) is set to the "0" contact and the switch circuit (95) is set to the "1" contact.
``At the same time, the controller (40) supplies a command indicating that the message is to be recorded to the controller (70), and the controller (70)
A chip select signal, a write signal, and an address signal for selecting the RAM (62) are supplied from the RAM (62).

Therefore, when the person on the other end of the phone speaks the matter according to the signal tone to start recording, the voice signal is transmitted from line fl) to contact point (22).
) - Conversion circuit (21) - Switch circuit (95) - Switch circuit (94) - A/D converter (64) is supplied to the RAM (62) through the signal line, and the message of the other party's business is sent to the RAM (62). are written sequentially.

When the 8 seconds of writing is completed, data indicating this is supplied from the controller (70) to the controller (40). Then, in step (143), a beep signal is sent from the formation circuit (25) to the line (1) in the same manner as when recording of any business message is started.
The other party is notified that the recording of the message has ended.

Further, in step (144), a flag ICMP indicating whether or not a business message has been recorded is set, and the LED (53C) is turned on, and then in step (145), the step circuit (96) is set to "0".
After the speaker monitor is turned off by being connected to the contact, the contact (22) is turned off in step (146);
At step (147), the process returns to the main routine and is then placed in a standby state.

(■) Receiving a call in automatic answering mode (when you are at home) This is, for example, when you are at home and used the "Away" mode by setting the automatic answering mode, but you decide to answer the call midway through. It is.

That is, while the response message is being reproduced, steps (135) and (136) are repeated, and the speaker monitor can be monitored by step (133). Therefore, as shown in Figure 6C, if there is a silent period in the response message and the person on the other end calls during this silent period as shown in the same figure, this can be heard sufficiently from the speaker (35). be able to.

If the other party is, for example, an important one and it is necessary to answer the phone, the user picks up the hand cent (13), (34) while this response message is being played. Then, this is determined in step (135), and the process proceeds from step (135) to step (151), in which the controller (40) instructs the controller (7o) to stop playing the response message. A command is supplied to stop the playback of the response message, and then step (15)
In 2), a switch circuit (91)'.

(92), (95), and (96) are connected to the "0" contact, the speaker monitor is turned off, and the handsets (13) and (34) are ready for use. Therefore, from now on, you can talk to the other party in the same way as when receiving a normal call.

During this call, the check of Fungusisochi (51) continues in step (153).

Then, after the call was over, I hand cented (13).

(34) is returned to the body (2), this is the step (
153), the process proceeds to step (154) and the contact (22) is turned off, and then the process returns to the main routine in step (155) and enters a standby state.

(IX) Turn on the playback switch (52D) while leaving the footer on. Then, when the business message is being recorded, the flag ICMP is set, so the switch circuits (93) and (96) are connected to the "1" contact, and the controller (4o) is connected to the controller (70).
) is supplied with a command indicating that the message/message is to be played back, and the controller (70) sends the command to the RAM (62).
A chip select signal, a read signal, and an address signal are supplied to select the chip.

Therefore, the business message signals in the RAM (62) are sequentially read out, and are supplied to the D/A converter (63) to be converted from digital signals to analog signals. ) - the speaker (35) through the signal line of the switch circuit (96)
and the message is played back from the speaker (35).

When the playback of the business message is completed, data indicating this is transferred from the controller (7o) to the controller (7o).
0) to the controller (4o), and thereafter enters a standby state.

Note that when the message is not recorded in the RAM (62), the ICMP flag is set.
When this flag ICMF is reset, a beep signal from the forming circuit (25) causes the speaker (35
) will make a beep sound, indicating that the message has not been recorded.

(X) Delete message message While on-hook, turn on the clear switch (52C) and turn on the recording switch (52E). Then, the flag ICMP is reset, and from then on, the RAM (62
), it is assumed that the message is not recorded. Further, the LED (53C) is turned off.

On the other hand, in the controller (70) as well, when this device is in a standby state, the main routine is repeatedly executed and commands from the controller (40) are received and accepted.When a command is accepted, the corresponding subroutine is executed. Processing moves to .

The subroutines (300) and (400) for recording and reproducing a response message are as follows.

(i) When a command for instructing the controller (70) to record a response message is issued from the controller (40) in the response message recording step (203), the CP of the controller (70)
Processing of U is from main routine to subroutine (300)
Move to step (301), and this step (301)
A timer LNTMA < r whose length changes from a value corresponding to 0 seconds to a value corresponding to 8 seconds as the response message recording time elapses is reset to OJ, and an address indicating the address of RAM (61). Counter ADR3 is reset to the initial value. Note that this timer LNTM and counter ADl? S may be configured by either software or hardware.

Next, in step (302), one sample of the digital signal of the response message from the A/D converter (64) is written into the address indicated by the address counter ADR5 in the RAM (61).

The process then proceeds to step (303) where timer LNT
After M and counter ADR3 are incremented by "1", the process proceeds to step (304) and timer LNTM is incremented by "1".
is checked, and if this value is less than the value corresponding to 8 seconds, the process proceeds from step (304'') to step (305''), in which a response message is sent from the controller (40). It is checked whether a command to pause recording has been issued, and if this command has not been issued, the process returns from step (305) to step (302). Therefore, unless timer LNTM reaches a value corresponding to 8 seconds and a command is issued to suspend the recording of the response message, step (30
2) to (305) are repeated, and the address counter ADR5 is incremented by "1" in each cycle, and the response message signal is sequentially written into address ADR5 of the RAM (61). At this time, although not shown, when steps (302) to (305'') are repeated, both are synchronized so that A/Di conversion of the converter (64) is performed once.

Then, when the recording of the response message continues and the net recording time excluding the silent period reaches 8 seconds, the timer LNT
M7! The value corresponds to l<8 seconds, and this is determined in step (304), and the process continues with step (304).
The process proceeds from step (304) to step (311), in which data indicating the end of recording of the response message is formed, and this data is sent to the controller (70).
is supplied to the controller (40) from step (31).
2) returns to the main routine and after that the controller (
70) is waiting for a command.

Further, when steps (302) to (305) are repeated to record a response message, if a recording pause command is issued from the controller (40), this is determined in step (305), The process proceeds from step (305) to step (321), and in this step (321), the timer LNT at this point is
The value of M, that is, the value of timer LNT'H at the time when the switch (52A) is turned off, is determined by the controller (
70) in a predetermined area of the RAM. Next, in step (322), a timer PSTM that measures the period during which the switch <52A> is off, that is, the length of the pause period, is reset, and then in step (322), the timer PSTM is reset.
3), the timer PSTM75< r I J is incremented, and then in step (324) it is checked whether a pause release command has been issued from the controller (40), and if it has not been issued, the process continues from step (324>). Step (323)
Returning to , timer PSTM is incremented. In this way, when a pause command is issued, the address AD
R5 stops, writing to the RAM (61) stops and enters a pause state, and the value of timer LNTH at the time of entering this pause state is stored, and then the length of this pause period is stored by timer PSTM. It is measured.

Then, when the controller (40) issues a command to release the pause by turning on the switch (52A) again, this is determined in step (324) and the process proceeds from step (324) to step (325).
In this step (325), the value of the timer PSTM at this point, that is, the length of the pause period, is stored in a predetermined area of the RAM of the controller (70), and the process then proceeds to step (305). Proceed to. Therefore, recording of the response message is resumed thereafter.

In this way, according to the routine (300), a response message is recorded in the RAM (61) while the switch (52A) is pressed, as shown in FIG.
52A) is in a pause state. At this time, in the pause state, data of the start point and length of this pause period are stored, and the RAM (61) is not consumed during this pause period.

(ii) When a command is issued from the controller (40) to the controller (70) to reproduce the response message in the response message reproduction step (134), the processing of the CPU of the controller (40) changes from the main routine to the subroutine. (40
0) step (401), and this step (40
In step 1), timer LNT is set as in step (301).
M is reset to "0" and the address counter ADR3 is reset to the initial value, and then step (40
In 2), one sample of the digital signal of the response message is read from the address not indicated by the counter ADR5 in the RAM (61) and supplied to the D/A converter (63).

Next, the process proceeds to step (403) where timer LNT
After M and counter ADR5 are incremented by "1", the process proceeds to step (404) and timer LNTM is incremented by "1".
is checked, and if this value is smaller than the value corresponding to 8 seconds, the process proceeds from step (404) to step (405), in which step (405') the value of timer LNTM and step (321 ') is stored and compared with the timer value at the start of the pause period, and if they do not match, the process proceeds to step (4).
05) and returns to step (,102). therefore,
Steps (402) to (4) are performed unless the timer LNTM has reached a value corresponding to 8 seconds and is in a pause period.
05) is repeated, and the counter ADRS is
is incremented by "1", and the response message signals are sequentially read out from address ADR5 of the RAM (61). Although not shown, steps (402) to
When (405) goes around, D of converter (63)
Both are synchronized so that /A conversion is performed once.

Then, the response message continues to be played, excluding the non-recording period (when the net playback time reaches 8 seconds, the timer LN
When TM becomes a value corresponding to 8 seconds, this is determined in step (404), and the process proceeds to step (,40
4), proceed to step (411'), and execute this step (
In step (411), data indicating the end of playback of the response message is formed, this data is supplied from the controller (7o) to the controller (40), and in step (412)
) to return to the main routine and then press the controller (7).
0) will wait for a command.

Further, when steps (402) to (405) are repeated and the response message is being played back, step (
405), the value of timer LNTM changes to step (32
When the timer value at the start of the pause period stored in step 1) matches, the process proceeds from step (405) to step (421), and in this step (421), the timer value stored in step (325) matches the timer value stored in step (325). After waiting for the length of the pause period, the process returns to step (402). Therefore, this step (405).

(421) gives a pause of the same length at the same time position as the pause period during recording of the response message.

Thus, according to the present invention, when recording a response message, as shown in FIG. 6B, when recording is performed while turning on and off the switch (52A) according to the content of the response message, as shown in FIG. A response message with a silent period is played in response to the on/off of the switch (52A). Moreover, in this case, especially according to the present invention, since the RAM (61) is not consumed during this silent period, the R
There is no need to increase the capacity of AM (61), and the capacity can remain small.

In addition, in the automatic answering mode, as shown in Figure 6C and D, the caller's voice can be clearly heard during the silent period of the answering message, and therefore, if necessary, the caller can be answered. can.

G2 Other Embodiments In the above description, converters (63) and (64) can share their main parts. Also, for example, the switches (52^) and (52E) are replaced by LEDs (53A).

(53G) can also be made self-illuminated. Furthermore, the number of pause periods inserted into the response message and the length of each pause period can be limited, or a pause switch can be provided separately from the switch (528). In addition, on-hook dialing, redialing,
Functions such as speed dialing can also be added.

H Effects of the Invention According to this invention, when recording a response message, FIG.
As shown in Figure C, when recording is performed while turning on and off the switch (52A) according to the contents of the response message, a response message with a silent period is played in response to the on/off of the switch (52A), as shown in Figure C. be done. Moreover, in this case, especially according to the present invention, since the RAM (61) is not consumed during this silent period, the RAM (61) is not consumed.
There is no need to increase the capacity of 61), and the capacity can remain small.

In addition, in the automatic answering mode, as shown in Figure 6C and D, the caller's voice can be clearly heard during the silent period of the answering message, and therefore, if necessary, the caller can be answered. can.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram of an example of the present invention, FIGS. 2 to 5 are flowcharts of main parts, and FIG. 6 is a timing diagram thereof. +11 is the telephone line, (11) is the dial key, (13)
is a transmitter, (34) is a receiver, (40) is a system controller, (61) and (62) are RAM, (63) is a
) is a D/A converter, and (64) is an A/D converter. Agent: Sada Ito ",,''!,,. Same as Hidemori Matsukuma, 1...7.. 1,゛

Claims (1)

[Claims] The device includes a semiconductor memory, a D/A converter, an A/D converter, and a switch, and when a response message is recorded, the analog signal of the response message is converted into a digital signal by the D/A converter. This digital signal is sequentially written into the semiconductor memory, and when the switch is operated while this response message is being recorded, the writing of the digital signal to the semiconductor memory is stopped, and the switch is The data at the time of operation and the operation period are stored, and when the response message is reproduced, the digital signals are sequentially read from the semiconductor memory, and the read digital signals are supplied to the D/A converter. is converted into an analog signal of a response message, and during playback of this response message, the stored data is used to store data from the semiconductor memory for a period corresponding to the operation period from the time corresponding to the time when the switch was operated. reading of the digital signal is stopped and a silent period is inserted into the analog signal of the converted response message.