JPH0249070B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to an answering machine that, when an incoming telephone call is detected, uses voice synthesis to utter and send a message in response to the caller.

(b) Prior Art A conventional answering machine is equipped with a response tape for sending a response message to the caller and a recording tape for recording the message from the caller. When a call is received, a response tape is run to play a pre-recorded response message on a playback device, and the response message is sent to the caller. Recording is common. This type of answering machine was first introduced in the 1970s.
-Described in Publication No. 16987. However, the conventional answering machine requires two driving mechanisms: a response tape drive mechanism and a recording tape drive mechanism, resulting in a complicated mechanism and an increase in the overall size of the device. Therefore, an answering machine has been developed which is equipped with a tape recorder for sending a response message to a caller by voice synthesis and for recording and reproducing the message from the caller. This telephone answering machine can be called from outside by its user and controlled by a remote control device that is acoustically coupled to the telephone port.

(c) Problems to be solved by the invention The remote control signal emitted from the conventional remote control device is a signal that combines two types of audible frequencies, and the answering machine detects an incoming call and sends a response message. After that, it is detected whether a remote control signal has arrived. In particular, when a remote control signal arrives in the mode of recording a message from a caller, this remote control signal will be recorded on tape. When a tape is played using a remote control signal that instructs playback and the playback sound is listened to via a telephone line, when the recorded remote control signal is played back, the remote control signal is detected as having come from outside and malfunctions. I had the inconvenience of doing so. Furthermore, malfunctions also occurred when a signal similar to a remote control signal was generated during fast forwarding or rewinding of the tape.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it amplifies the playback signal of the tape recorder and applies it to the internal signal line, and transmits the signal to the telephone via the line interface. A muting means that can be controlled by a function control means is provided in the path of the amplification means sent to the line, and the muting means is operated when a remote control signal or a signal similar to a remote control signal is detected.

(E) Effect According to the above means, when a remote control signal or a similar signal is detected, the reproduced signal is muted in the amplification path of the reproduced signal of the tape recorder and is no longer sent to the internal signal line. Only the original remote control signal coming from the telephone line is detected.

(F) Embodiment FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention. Line interface 2, which is connected to the telephone line by terminal 1, includes a resistor R and a capacitor C for inputting an incoming signal, an LS relay that closes the line when an incoming call is received, and a signal sent to the line. Line transformer LT consists of a line transformer LT that inputs audio signals and outputs audio signals to the line.
One end of LT is grounded, and the other end is connected as an internal signal line 3 to incoming and disconnection detection means 4, remote control signal detection means 5, and amplification means 6. The incoming and disconnection detecting means 4 detects the resistance R of the line interface 2.
and an incoming signal of a predetermined frequency flowing to the primary side of the light transformer LT via the capacitor C, and
A signal generated on the secondary side of the line transformer LT detects a signal indicating that the line has been disconnected on the caller's side when the line is closed by the LS relay. Remote control signal detection means 5
is for determining whether or not a signal input via the line is a remote control signal when the line is connected by the LS relay of line interface 2. By separating different types of audible frequencies using a filter and examining their configuration, it is possible to recognize that the remote control signal is a predetermined remote control signal and the operation that the remote control signal instructs. The keyboard 7 is equipped with a number of switches for operating the answering machine, including a PLAY key, FFWD key, REW key, and REC key for instructing the operation of the tape recorder 8, and a fan for specifying the mode. Function keys, for example, AUTO key to set auto answer mode to automatically answer incoming calls, S/E key to set to memory mode to set phone number, STOP to set standby mode to stop operation from all modes. There are provided keys, etc., and numeric keys that are operated when setting a telephone number. Closing of these key switches is detected by the key input means 9,
The code corresponding to the closed key is stored in the key input means 9.

The function control means 10 takes in the code of the closed key from the key input means 9 as necessary, performs an operation to realize the function instructed by the key, and also detects incoming calls and disconnections in a predetermined mode. The detection output of the means or remote control signal detection means 5 is inputted, and each part means and circuit are controlled in order to perform an operation corresponding to the input. Further, the modes realized by the function control means 10 include, for example, an initial mode executed when the power is turned on, a memory mode for setting a telephone number, and an auto-answer mode for automatically answering an incoming call. , a teleco control mode in which the tape recorder 8 is played back, fast-forwarded, rewinded, etc., and a remote control control mode in which the tape recorder 8 is controlled based on remote control signals.

The amplification means 6 is a switch that switches the input signal.
Signal switching circuit 11 consisting of S ₁ , S ₂ , S ₃ and S ₄
, a preamplifier 12 to which the signal switched by the signal switching circuit 11 is input, a power amplifier 14 that amplifies the output of the preamplifier 12 and drives the speaker 13, and a resistor that connects the output of the preamplifier 12.
It consists of an output amplifier 15 that inputs via R ₁ and a capacitor C ₁ , amplifies it and outputs it to an internal signal line 3, and a muting means 16 provided at the input of the output amplifier ₁₅ . 3,
The output of the voice synthesis means 17 is connected to the switch _S2 , the input/output of the tape recorder 8, that is, the recording/playback head is connected to the switches _S3 and _S4 , and the output of the preamplifier ₁₂ is connected to the switch S4. ing. This signal switching circuit 11 is controlled by the function control means 10, and in an outgoing mode in which a response message is sent to the caller after detecting an incoming call, the switch _S1 is closed and the voice synthesis The response message synthesized by means 17 is amplified by a preamplifier and further outputted to internal signal line 3 via output amplifier 15. Further, in the recording mode in which a message from the caller is recorded following the outgoing mode, switches _S1 and _S4 are closed, and the message transmitted from the line to the internal signal line 3 is preamplified. 1
2 and recorded on the tape recorder 8. In addition, in the remote control playback mode in which the tape recorder 8 is played back by the remote control signal, the switch
_S3 is closed, and the signal reproduced by the tape recorder 8 is amplified by the preamplifier 12 and output amplifier 15, and sent to the telephone line via the internal signal line 3. Furthermore, when the PLAY key on the keyboard 7 is operated, the switch _S3 is closed in the normal playback mode, and the signal played back by the tape recorder 8 is amplified by the preamplifier 12 and power amplifier 14 and output from the speaker 13. be done. On the other hand, the muting means 16 is an NSN type transistor connected between the input of the output amplifier 15 and the ground, and is turned on by applying a positive voltage from the function control means 10 to its base, and the output amplifier 15 is turned on by applying a positive voltage from the function control means 10 to its base. The input is grounded to prevent signals from being output to the internal signal line 3.

The speech synthesis means 17 synthesizes speech based on the speech data read from the speech data memory 18, and employs, for example, the PARCOR method. In addition, when the voice synthesis means 17 is of the PARCOR method, the voice data memory 18 stores the K parameter,
It is a memory that stores audio data such as pitch and amplitude in units of sentences or phrases that are synthesized. For example,
ROM is used. This audio data memory 18
has an area from address numbers "1" to "23", and address numbers "1" to "10" each store voice data for vocalizing the numbers 1 to 0. Numbers "11" to "23"
This includes a greeting, a message to be recorded, a message to notify the called party of the phone number, a phrase to notify the operator of the operation when operating the remote control, ``rewind'', ``playback'', etc. , "Skip", and "Repeat" are stored, and in particular, address number "15" has a 0.5-second period to create a blank space between words between sentences. Silent data is stored, and address number "16" is used as a notification sound to indicate that a key operation on the keyboard 7 has been adopted, and a beep sound that is emitted at the end of an operation or function is emitted. The audio data for this purpose is stored.

When controlling an answering machine configured as shown in Figure 1 with a remote control device, the remote control operator calls the telephone number to which the answering machine is set, and after the answering message has been sent. , When the recording mode is entered, the remote control device is acoustically coupled to the mouthpiece and a predetermined key operation is performed. As a result, the remote control signal is transmitted to the answering machine via the telephone line, and the operation instructed by the remote control signal is performed.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a remote control signal. The remote control signal transmits data by a combination of audio frequency signals of 1470 Hz and 1923 Hz, with the 1470 Hz signal being a logic "1" and the 1923 Hz signal being a logic "0". As shown in Figure 2, when a key operation on the remote control is performed, a remote control signal with one cycle of 542.46 mS is output continuously after 12 mS, and one cycle of the remote control signal includes a start marker pulse, function instruction data, etc. pulse, intermediate marker pulse, pulse indicating an 8-bit code,
It consists of an end marker pulse, a start pulse, and a pause period. The start marker pulse and the intermediate marker pulse each have a period of 17.68 mS and are 1470 Hz signals, that is, pulses that are "1", and the 53.04 mS function instruction data pulse narrowed by the start marker pulse and the intermediate marker pulse is 17.68 This is a pulse indicating 3-bit data, where mS is 1 bit, and this 3-bit data is data that instructs the operation of the answering machine.
In the case of Figure 2, the function instruction data pulse is "010"
This instructs the remote control playback mode. Further, when the 3-bit data is "000", it indicates remote control rewind mode, and when it is "001", it indicates remote control fast forward mode. The end marker pulse is a 1923Hz signal with a duration of 17.68mS,
In other words, it is a pulse that becomes "0", and there is a distance of 141.44m between the intermediate marker pulse and the end marker pulse.
There is a pulse that indicates an 8-bit code, with 1 bit being S, that is, 17.68 mS. This 8-bit code is a keyword for remote control of the answering machine, and remote control is possible only when it matches a keyword preset in the answering machine. This keyword is set identically to an 8-bit deep switch (not shown) provided in the remote control signal detection means 5 of the answering machine and an 8-bit deep switch provided on the remote control device side. The start pulse after the end marker pulse has a duration of 194.48 mS, 1470 Hz,
That is, it is a pulse that becomes "1", and by detecting this pulse, it is possible to distinguish other signals from remote control signals.

Therefore, after confirming that the 1470Hz signal exists for a period of 194.48mS, the remote control signal detection means 5 of the answering machine detects the second signal that arrives 100.46mS later.
Data is captured from the start marker pulse of the cycle, and the captured 8-bit code is compared with an internally preset 8-bit code to determine whether the remote control signal is a signal from the user of the answering machine. At the same time, the operation instructed by the remote control signal is recognized based on the function instruction data. Furthermore, in order to make the detection of the remote control signal more reliable, there is a method in which the remote control signal detection means 5 continuously recognizes two cycles of the remote control signal and determines whether each piece of captured data matches. .

On the other hand, the remote control signal shown in FIG. 2 may have come from outside via a telephone line, or
In order to distinguish whether the signal was reproduced by the tape recorder 8 and sent to the internal signal line 3, the remote control signal detection means 5 detects whether the 1470 Hz signal is continuous for a period of 150 mS. i.e. 1470Hz
If the signal continues for a period of 150 mS, the signal may be the start pulse shown in FIG. do.
Therefore, when the 1470 Hz signal being detected is a remote control signal reproduced by the tape recorder 8, this signal is no longer output to the internal signal line 3 by the muting means 16, so that the 1470 Hz signal is detected by the remote control signal detection means 5. Continuous 194.48mS is not detected and is not recognized as a remote control signal. Furthermore, in the case of a remote control signal arriving via a telephone line, the start pulse is detected by the remote control signal detection means 5 in order to apply it to the internal signal line 3 regardless of the on state of the muting means 16. .

Next, the operation of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1 will be briefly explained. First, when the answering machine is turned on, it enters the initial mode, and the function control means 1
0 sets each means, circuit, etc. to a predetermined initial state. Thereafter, the function control means 10 specifies predetermined address numbers of the audio data memory 18 in a predetermined order and combination in order to check each means, controls the signal switching circuit 11 of the amplification means 6,
A predetermined voice-synthesized sentence is uttered from the speaker 13, and the tape recorder 8 is further controlled to run the tape in a reproducing state for about 8 seconds to detect abnormal rotation and eliminate tape slack. If no key has been operated on the keyboard 7, the initial mode changes to a standby mode among the auto-answer modes. When the STOP key of the keyboard 7 is closed during the initial mode, the operation being executed at that time is stopped and a standby mode is entered in which no operation is performed. In the standby mode, the function control means 10 inputs key data from the key input means 9 and detects whether or not a key is operated. If the AUTO key is closed in standby mode, it will enter auto answer mode. The auto answer mode includes a standby mode, an outgoing mode, and a recording mode. When the auto answer mode is entered, the function control means 10 controls the tape recorder 8 to perform a check run in the same way as in the initial mode, and then enters the standby mode. mode. In the standby mode, the incoming call/disconnection detecting means 4 is operated, and by determining its output, it is recognized whether there is an incoming call or not, and it is also detected whether or not a key operation has been performed. When a key is operated in the standby mode, the mode specified by that key is entered, and if no key is operated and an incoming call is detected, the function control means 10 controls the line interface 2. to close the line and enter outgoing mode. In message sending mode, function control means 1
0 specifies predetermined address numbers of the audio data memory 18 in a predetermined order and combination, and controls the amplification means 6 to send a predetermined sentence synthesized by the speech synthesis means 17 from the internal signal line 3 to the line interface 2. to the telephone line. When the sending of the response message is completed, the amplifying means 6 and tape recorder 8 are controlled to enter a recording mode for recording the message from the caller. In the recording mode, the remote control signal detection mode shown in FIG. 8 is stopped and goes into standby mode again.

In the recording mode, in the remote control signal detection mode in which the remote control signal detection means 5 operates, a remote control signal instructing playback is detected. When a remote control signal indicating playback is detected, it enters remote control control mode, synthesizes "rewind" and notifies the remote control operator, rewinds the tape in the tape recorder 8 to its initial state, and then utters "playback". The tape recorder 8 is placed in a playback state. In the remote control control mode, the remote control signal detection mode shown in FIG. 3 is executed during each operation and for a predetermined period of time (for example, 10 seconds) after the end of the operation, and when a remote control signal is detected, the operation instructed by the remote control signal is executed. After notifying the remote control operator by voice synthesis, the tape recorder 8 is controlled to the instructed operating state.
If no remote control signal is detected, the line is disconnected and the device enters standby mode.

As described above, the remote control signal detection mode in which the remote control signal detection means 5 operates during the recording mode and the remote control control mode is shown in the flow diagram of FIG. In the remote control signal detection mode shown in FIG. 3, it is determined whether "1" of the internal signal line 3, that is, a signal of 1470 Hz is output, and if "1" is detected, the signal of "1" is output for 150 mS. It is determined whether the period is continuous or not. When “1” is not detected,
If the "1" signal does not continue for a period of 150 mS, this means that the remote control signal has not arrived, and the process returns to the beginning and performs the same operation. Also,
If the “1” signal continues for a period of 150mS,
Since there is a possibility that the start pulse shown in the configuration diagram of the remote control signal in FIG.
Furthermore, after setting a timer for counting the muting period to 470 mS, it is determined whether the "1" signal continues for a period of 194.48 mS. If the "1" signal is cut off by the operation of the muting means 16, or if it is not a regular remote control signal, the muting signal is turned off when the set timer counts 470 mS, and the operation of the muting means 16 is canceled. do. On the other hand, if the signal continues to be "1" for a period of 194.48 mS, it is recognized as a remote control signal that has arrived via the telephone circuit, and data is taken in from the start marker pulse that arrives after 100.46 mS. During this data acquisition operation, when the timer that determines the mute period measures 470 mS, the mute signal is turned off and the operation of the muting means 16 is canceled, and when the data acquisition is completed, the 8-bit data is It is detected whether the 8-bit code preset in the remote control signal detection means 5 matches or not, and if they match, the tape recorder 8 etc. is controlled to realize the operation instructed by the loaded function instruction data. do. Through such an operation, the remote control signal shown in FIG. 2 can be detected.

(G) Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, the remote control signal consists of a start pulse and a function instruction data pulse that last for at least a certain period of time and is repeatedly transmitted, and the remote control signal detection means detects the first When a part of the start pulse of the remote control signal is detected, the function control means is operated to operate the muting means to mute the audio signal to be reproduced by the tape recorder, and after the muting, the remaining part of the start pulse is Since the remote control signal is detected and recognized as a remote signal, it will not malfunction even if the remote control signal recorded on the tape recorder is played back.
In addition, it takes in the function instruction data pulse of the next remote control signal that is repeatedly transmitted to control the tape recorder, cancels muting, and notifies the current operating state of the tape recorder with the audio signal from the audio synthesis means. The operator can clearly grasp the operating status even if he/she is in a remote location.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a remote control signal, and FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing the operation in a remote control signal detection mode. 1...Terminal, 2...Line interface, 3
... Internal signal line, 4 ... Call reception and disconnection detection means,
5...Remote control signal detection means, 6...Amplification means,
7...Keyboard, 8...Tape recorder, 9...
...Key input means, 10...Function control means, 11...
...Signal switching circuit, 12...Preamplifier, 13...
Speaker, 14... Power amplifier, 15... Output amplifier, 16... Muting means, 17...
Voice synthesis means, 18... voice data memory.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 A line interface that connects and disconnects a telephone line and transmits signals between the telephone line and an internal signal line, and an operation after a voice-synthesized response message is sent to the caller when a telephone call is received. a tape recorder for recording a message from a caller; a remote control signal detection means for detecting a remote control signal transmitted to the internal signal line when a telephone call is received; and a remote control signal detected by the remote control signal detection means. function control means for controlling the tape recorder and controlling each unit in order to perform instructed operations; and a function control means for amplifying the signal transmitted to the internal signal line and applying it to the tape recorder in a recording state; In the answering machine, the remote control signal consists of a start pulse and a function instruction data pulse that last for at least a certain period of time and is repeatedly transmitted. , when the remote control signal detection means detects a part of the start pulse of the first remote control signal, the function control means is operated to amplify the playback signal of the tape recorder, and the amplification means is applied to the internal signal line. When the remaining start pulse is detected even after the mutating means provided therein is operated, the function of the next remote control signal is recognized as a remote control signal, and the next remote control signal is repeatedly transmitted. The instruction data pulse is taken into the function control means to control the tape recorder, and mutating is canceled and the voice synthesis means generates an audio signal notifying the operating state of the tape recorder at that time based on the signal from the function control means. An answering machine is characterized in that it generates a message and notifies an operator via a telephone line.