JPH036159A - Automatic receiving device for automatic answering telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To bring a caller's message to sound recording by setting a sound recording standby state to a sound recording state after a rapid traverse operation when a sound recording start position is a shorter position than a set value, and at the time of start of a read-out operation of a signal stored in a memory when it is a longer position. CONSTITUTION:When a call signal arrives at the time when a sound recording operation of a message from a first caller is ended, and the equipment is in a standby state, sending-out of a message for answer and a beep tone signal is detected 12 and a switching operation to the sound recording side of changeover switches 8, 9 by a switch circuit 25 is executed. In that case, since a counting value T1 stored in a counter memory circuit 29 is smaller than a set value Ts, after bringing a tape recorder to rapid traverse operation, a caller's message is brought to sound recording. On the other hand, at the time of a counting value T2 in which a sound recording start position is larger than the set value Ts, at the time when a read-out operation of a message is started by a counter memory circuit 18, a sound recording standby state is switched to a sound recording state and sound recording is executed by a switching operation of a tape recorder control circuit 30.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to an automatic answering machine that records a message from the caller on a magnetic tape after receiving a call in response to a ringing signal coming from a telephone line. Regarding equipment.

(B) Conventional technology An automatic answering machine is configured to automatically receive a call, send a response message to the caller, and then record the message from the caller. A general automatic answering machine is equipped with two magnetic tapes: a response tape on which a response message is recorded, and a recording tape on which a message from a caller is recorded. Such an automatic answering machine using two magnetic tapes has problems in that it is expensive and the size of the main body of the device is large because it incorporates two tape recorders. As a method to solve this problem, there is a method of recording a message from the caller on a magnetic tape on which a response message is recorded, and such a technique is disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10951/1983. There is something.

(c) Problems to be Solved by the Invention In an automatic answering machine configured to record a response message and a message from the caller on the same magnetic tape, after the response message is played back, the The tape is fast-forwarded to a recording start position, and when the fast-forwarding is finished, a message from the caller is recorded on the magnetic tape. In such an automatic answering machine, as the number of messages from callers recorded on the magnetic tape increases, the time required to fast-forward to the recording start position becomes longer. There is a problem in that it takes a long time to record the message from the caller, causing discomfort to the caller.

The present invention aims to provide an automatic answering machine that solves this problem.

(d) Means for Solving the Problems The automatic answering machine of the present invention fast-forwards the magnetic tape to the recording start position after sending out a response message, and puts the tape in a recording state or a recording standby state at the recording start position. A recorder control circuit and a memory that becomes operational when the recording start position is longer than a set value, stores a message from the caller obtained from the telephone circuit as a digital signal for a predetermined period of time, and reads out the signal after a predetermined period of time. and an audio conversion circuit that converts a digital signal read out from the memory circuit into an analog signal and inputs the analog signal to a recording amplifier circuit.

(*) Effect The present invention is capable of converting the message from the caller into a digital signal and storing it in a memory circuit for a predetermined period of time when the recording start position for recording the message from the caller is at a position longer than a set value. The signal read out from the memory circuit is later converted into an analog signal and recorded on a magnetic tape.

(F) Embodiment The circuit shown in FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the automatic answering machine of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between signals recorded on a magnetic tape. In Figure 1, (1) is a connection terminal with a telephone line, and (2) is a ringing signal detection circuit that detects a ringing signal coming from the telephone line.When a ringing signal is detected, the level becomes H (high). The output terminal 3) outputs a detection signal. (4) is a closing switch that closes the telephone line, and (5) is activated when an H level signal is applied to the control terminal (6) and closes the closing switch (4). (7) is a line transformer, (8) and (9) are a response state in which a response message is sent to a caller, and a recording state in which a message from a caller is recorded on a magnetic tape (1"). This is a changeover switch that switches between the common terminal (8a)
(9a), response side terminals (8b) (9b) and hii'f
(Equipped with J[terminal (8c>(9c). (10)
is a magnetic head that plays back signals recorded on the magnetic tape (T) and records signals onto the magnetic tape (T), and its signal terminal is connected to the changeover switch (9).
is connected to the common terminal (9a) of. (11> is a reproducing amplifier circuit whose input terminal is connected to the response terminal (9b) of the changeover switch <9), and whose output terminal is a common terminal (8a) connected to the line transformer (7). It is connected to the response side terminal (8b) of the selector switch (8). <12) is a beep tone detection circuit that detects a beep tone signal recorded on a magnetic tape (T), and is configured to output an H level signal to an output terminal (13) when the beep tone signal is detected. ing. (14) has the input terminal as the changeover switch (8).
This is an amplifier circuit connected to the recording side terminal (8c) of the caller, and has the function of amplifying the message from the caller. (15) is a control switch that is switched depending on whether the recording start position of the magnetic tape (T) is longer or shorter than the set value, and the common terminal (15) is connected to the output terminal of the amplifier circuit (14). 15a), a first terminal (15b) connected to the common terminal (15a) when the recording start position is shorter than the set value, and a second terminal (15b) connected to the common terminal (15a) when it is longer than the set value. 15c). (16) is a first audio conversion circuit that receives the signal amplified by the amplifier circuit (14) through the control switch (15) and converts the signal into a digital signal when the recording start position is longer than the set value. , and an output terminal (17) for outputting the converted digital signal. (1B) is a memory circuit which receives signals converted into digital signals by the first audio conversion circuit (16) and stores the signals for a predetermined time, and is an output terminal of the first audio conversion circuit (16). Write terminal (19) and read terminal (20) connected to (17)
It is equipped with (21) is the memory circuit (18)
This is a second audio conversion circuit to which a digital signal read out from the audio signal is input and which converts the signal into an analog signal, and has an output terminal (22) from which the analog signal is output. (23) is the first terminal (15b) of the control switch (15) and the output terminal (21) of the second audio conversion circuit (21).
22), and its output terminal is connected to the recording side terminal (9C) of the changeover switch (9). (24) is a control circuit that controls each operation of the automatic reception device for telling people that you are away;
Audio conversion circuit (16), memory circuit (18) and second
It has the function of controlling the operation of the voice conversion circuit (21). (25) is a first switch circuit that is activated by a switching signal output from the control circuit (24) when an H level signal is output to the output terminal (13) of the beep tone detection circuit (12); When in the operating state, it has the effect of switching the changeover switch (8) (Q) to the recording side, which is the opposite side from the state shown in the figure. (26) is a pulse signal generation circuit that generates a pulse signal corresponding to the rotation of the reel shaft (27), and (28) receives the pulse signal output from the pulse signal generation circuit (26) and calculates the number thereof. It is a counter circuit that counts, plays,
It is configured to perform an up-count operation during recording and fast-forwarding operations, and to perform a down-count operation during rewinding operations. (29) is a counter memory circuit, which is configured to memorize the count value of the counter circuit (28) when the recording operation of the message from the caller is completed. (30) is a tape recorder control circuit that controls the operation of the tape recorder by the control operation of the control circuit (24), and the reproduction operation of the response message and beep tone signal recorded on the magnetic tape (T) is completed. Then, the counter memo circuit (2
After fast forwarding the magnetic tape (T) to the position of the count value memorized by step 9), if the count value is smaller than the set value, switch the tape recorder to the recording state, and if the count value is larger than the set value. The tape recorder is configured to switch to a recording standby state, that is, a pause state in the recording state. Then, when a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of the writing operation of the message from the caller to the memory circuit (18) and the reading operation from the memo no circuit (18) is started, the recording standby state of the tape recorder is released. recording operation is started. Further, the memory circuit (1
8) When there is no more message from the caller to be read after being written to, the recording state of the tape recorder is canceled and the magnetic tape (T) is rewinded,
The magnetic tape (T) is configured to be rewound to a standby position, that is, to the beginning of the response message, and then to a stopped state. (31) is the counter memory times 2i! 1(
The second switch circuit is activated by a switching signal outputted from the control circuit (24) when the count value stored in (29) is larger than the set value, and when in the operational state, the control switch (15) is activated. It has the effect of switching to the opposite side from the illustrated state. (32) When the count value stored in the counter memory circuit (29) is smaller than the set value, a beep tone signal is detected by the beep tone detection circuit (12) and fast forwarding of the magnetic tape (T) is started. This is a notification signal generation circuit which inputs a control signal from the control circuit (24) and becomes operational and outputs a notification signal to the caller.The magnetic tape (T) is fast-forwarded and the tape recorder starts recording. The device is configured to be switched to an inactive state when switched to the inactive state. Reference numeral (33) is an operation button provided for performing switching operations of the automatic answering machine. In such a circuit configuration, the time stored by the memory circuit (18) is set in consideration of the time required for fast-forwarding the magnetic tape (T). The time required to fast-forward the magnetic tape (T) to the end is 60 seconds, and the sampling frequency is 4K).
z, 4i If the number of quantization bits is 4, then 60X4000X
Since a memory with a capacity of 4-960,000 bits is required, a 1M bit R is used as the memory circuit (18).
AM may be used, and the second switch circuit (31
), the control switch (15) is switched to the opposite side from the state shown in the figure, and the count value T of the counter memory circuit (29) is set to a value such that the time required to fast-forward the magnetic tape (T) is, for example, 10 seconds. Set. The answering machine self-exciting device of the present invention is constructed as described above, and the operation of this circuit will now be described.

Counter circuit (28) after attaching magnetic tape (T)
After resetting the count value to zero, the operation button (33) is used to record the response message and the beep tone signal. The recording operation of such a signal can be performed using well-known technology, but such a response message can be, for example, ``Yes, this is ○○. Please talk to me,'' is recorded. Figure 2) shows the state of the magnetic tape on which such a recording operation was performed, and from count value O to count value T, a response message (A) and a beep tone signal (B) are recorded.
is recorded. Such recording operation and response message (
After performing the playback confirmation operation of A), if the operation button (33) is set to the standby state, the magnetic tape (T) is rewinded, and the magnetic tape (T) is moved to the position of the count value O, that is, the response message ( Stop at the beginning of A). When such an operation is performed, the count value T6 is stored in the counter memory circuit (29). In this way, the automatic answering machine is set to a standby state.

When a ringing signal arrives from the telephone line while the automatic answering machine is in standby mode, the ringing signal detection circuit (2)
A detection operation is performed, and an H level signal is output to its output terminal (3). The calling signal detection circuit (2
) When an H level signal is output to the output terminal (3) of the control circuit (24), the control operation by the control circuit (24) is started, and first, an H level signal is applied to the control terminal (6) of the closing circuit (5). Ru. As a result, the closing circuit (5) becomes operational and closes the closing switch (4), thereby performing a telephone line closing operation. When such a closing operation is performed, the control circuit (24) controls the tape recorder control circuit (30), and the reproduction operation of the tape recorder is started. The response message (A) which has been completely recorded on the magnetic tape (I') is reproduced by the magnetic head (10) and then input to the reproduction amplifier circuit (11) through the changeover switch (9). The reproduction amplifier circuit (1
The response message (A) inputted in 1) is amplified and then sent to the caller through the changeover switch (8) and the line transformer (7). When the reproduction and sending operation of the response message (A> to the caller is completed, the beep tone signal (B) recorded after the response message (A>) is reproduced. It is amplified by the reproduction amplifier circuit (11). The beep tone signal (B) is generated by the beep tone detection circuit (
12) and is also sent to the caller as a notification tone. When the beep tone signal (B) is input to the beep tone detection circuit (12), a detection operation is performed by the beep tone detection circuit (12), and the output terminal (
13), an H level signal is output. The output terminal (
When an H level signal is output to the control circuit (24)
) outputs a switching signal from the first switch circuit (25).
becomes operational, and as a result, the selector switches (8) (9)
is switched to the recording side, which is the opposite side from the state shown.

In addition, in such a state, the counter memory circuit (29)
The count value T stored in the memory is the set value T.

Due to its smaller size, the second switch circuit <31> is not switched into the active state and the control switch (15) is in the state shown. In such a state, the count value of the counter circuit (28) and the counter memo circuit (28)
Since the count value T stored in 9) matches the magnetic tape (1"), the fast-forwarding operation of the magnetic tape (1") is not performed, and the tape recorder is switched to the recording state after the playback operation. Therefore, the control circuit (24) does not output a control signal to activate the notification signal generation circuit (32), and the notification signal generation circuit (32) is in an inactive state. Since only the beep tone signal (B) is sent to the caller as a notification tone, the caller must speak the message after switching the changeover switches (8) and (9) to the recording side. Messages from the caller coming from the line are transferred to the line transformer (7) and the changeover switch (8).
) is input to the amplifier circuit (14). The message input to the amplifier circuit (14) is amplified and then input to the recording amplifier circuit (23) through the control switch (15). The message amplified by the recording amplifier circuit (23) is applied to the magnetic head (10) through the changeover switch (9).
) is recorded onto magnetic tape (1). In this way, the message from the caller is recorded on the magnetic tape (T), but when the caller hangs up, the control circuit (24) cancels the recording state of the tape recorder and records the message on the magnetic tape (T). The recorder is switched to rewind mode. When the rewinding operation of the magnetic tape <T) is started, the count value TI of the counter circuit (28) is stored in the counter memory circuit (29). When the magnetic tape (I') is rewound to the position of the count value O, it is switched to the stopped state, and the closing circuit (5) and the first switch circuit (25) are returned to the non-operating state, and the automatic answering machine is activated. is switched to a standby state where it waits for the next call. In this way, the message from the caller is recorded on the magnetic tape (T), but the message is recorded at the position shown in (C) in FIG. It will have been recorded by.

Although the message from the first caller is recorded as described above, the operation for recording the message from the next caller will now be explained. When a calling signal arrives while in the above-described standby state, the above-described incoming call operation, response message (A) and beep tone signal (B) sending detection operation are performed. When the beep tone detection circuit (12) performs the detection operation, the first switch circuit (25) switches the changeover switches (8) and (9) to the recording side. In such a state, since the count value T stored in the counter memory circuit (29) is smaller than the set value T, the second switch circuit (31) is not switched to the operating state and the control switch ( 15
) is in the state shown. On the other hand, the tape recorder is controlled by a tape recorder control circuit (30). That is, when the reproduction operation of the response message (A) and beep tone signal (B) recorded on the magnetic tape (T) is completed, the tape recorder is switched to the fast forward mode. When the magnetic tape (τ) is fast-forwarded and reaches the recording start position, that is, the count value TI stored in the counter memory circuit (29), the fast-forward state of the tape recorder is released and the tape recorder enters the recording state. can be switched to Further, when the tape recorder is switched to the fast-forward state, the control circuit (24) outputs a control signal to put the notification signal generation circuit (32) into the operating state, so the notification signal generation circuit (32) becomes the operating state. . When the notification signal generation circuit (32) is activated, the signal output from the notification signal generation circuit (32) is sent to the caller following the above-mentioned beep tone signal (B). Therefore, the caller can recognize that the automatic answering machine is not in a state to perform a recording operation. When the magnetic tape (T) is fast-forwarded to the recording start position and the tape recorder is switched to the recording state, the notification signal generation circuit (32) becomes inactive, and the notification sound sent to the caller disappears. . Since the caller can no longer hear the notification tone, he or she can recognize that the automatic answering machine is in a state where it is ready to perform a recording operation, and can therefore speak the message. As a result, the message from the caller will be sent to the line transformer (7
) - Selector switch <8) - Amplifier circuit (14) - Control switch (15) - Recording amplifier circuit <23) - Applied to the magnetic head (10) through the selector switch (9) to record on the magnetic tape (T) I can do it. When the recording operation of the message from the caller is completed, the above-mentioned operation is performed and the automatic answering machine is returned to the standby state, but at this time, the count value T is stored in the counter memory circuit (29). It turns out. In this case, the message from the caller is recorded at the position shown in (D) in FIG. 2 (b), that is, from the count value T1 to the count value T. Then, the count value T in this case is made larger than the set value T.

As described above, the operation is performed when the count value at the recording start position is smaller than the set value T, but next we will explain the operation when the recording start position is at the set value T, which is a smaller count value T. . When a paging signal arrives while in such a standby state, the above-described incoming call operation, response message (A) and beep tone signal (B) sending detection operation are performed. When the beep tone detection circuit (12) performs the detection operation, the first switch circuit (25) switches the changeover switches (8) and (9) to the recording side. In such a state, the count value T stored in the counter memory circuit (29) is larger than the set value T, so the second switch circuit (31) is activated and the control switch (15) is activated. The state is switched to the opposite side.The tape recorder is also controlled by the tape recorder control circuit (30).

That is, when the reproduction operation of the response message (A) and beep tone signal (B) recorded on the magnetic tape (T) is completed, the tape recorder is switched to the fast forward mode. When the magnetic tape (I) is fast forwarded and reaches the recording start position, that is, the count value T1 stored in the counter memory circuit (29), the fast forwarding state of the tape recorder is canceled and the tape recorder switches to the recording standby state. It will be done. In this way, magnetic tape (1
) is performed, but since the count value T stored in the counter memory circuit (29) is larger than the set value T, the control circuit (24) activates the notification signal generation circuit (32). No control signal is output, and the notification signal generation circuit (32) is in an inactive state. Therefore, only the beep tone signal (B) is sent to the caller as a notification tone. Also, when the control switch (15) is switched, the first voice conversion circuit (16) and the memory circuit (18) are activated by the action of the control circuit (24).
and the second voice conversion circuit (21) becomes operational, and the first
An operation of converting an analog signal into a digital signal by the audio conversion circuit (16), a storage operation by the memory circuit (18), and an operation of converting the digital signal into an analog signal by the second audio conversion circuit (21) are performed. That is, in such a state, a message from a caller arriving from the telephone line is input to the amplifier circuit (14) through the line transformer (7) and the changeover switch (8). The message input to the amplification circuit (14) is amplified and then passed through the control switch (15) to the first voice conversion circuit (15).
6) is input to the input terminal. The message, which is an analog signal input to the first voice conversion circuit 16), is
It is converted into a digital signal and output to the output terminal (17). The digital signal output to the output terminal (17) is input to a write terminal (19) provided in the memory circuit (18) and stored in the memory circuit (18). The signal stored in the memory circuit (18) is output to the read terminal (20) after a predetermined time, that is, approximately 60 seconds. The digital signal outputted to the readout terminal 20) is inputted to a second audio conversion circuit (21), converted into an analog signal which is the original signal, and outputted to the output terminal (22). The message from the caller, which is an analog signal outputted to the output terminal (22), is input to the recording amplifier circuit (23), but the message waits approximately 60 seconds from the time it arrives from the telephone line. and is input to the recording amplifier circuit (23). When the message reading operation from the memory circuit (18) is started, the tape recorder is switched from the recording standby state to the recording state by the switching operation of the tape recorder control circuit (30). As a result, the message amplified by the recording amplifier circuit (23) can be applied to the magnetic head (10) through the changeover switch (9).
1o) is recorded on magnetic tape (T). In this way, the magnetic tape of the message from the caller (I)
The recording operation is continued until all messages from the caller stored in the memory circuit (18) are read out.

That is, when the caller hangs up after speaking the message, the message input to the first voice conversion circuit (16) disappears, but the message spoken up to that point is stored in the memory circuit (18). Therefore, the tape recorder is held in a recording state until the signal reading operation is completed. All messages from the caller stored in the memory circuit (18) are read out and transferred to the magnetic tape (T
), the recording state of the tape recorder is canceled and the tape recorder is switched to the rewind state. When the rewinding operation of the magnetic tape (T) is started, the count value T of the counter circuit (28) is stored in the counter memory circuit (29). Magnetic tape(
r) is rewound to the count value 0 position, it is switched to the stopped state, and the closing circuit (5), the first switch circuit M (25) and the second switch circuit (31) are returned to the non-operating state. , the automatic call answering device is switched to a standby state where it waits for the next incoming call. The recording operation of a message on the magnetic tape (r) when the recording start position is at the set value T, which is the smaller count value T, is performed as described above, but such a message is recorded as shown in FIG. It means that the recording was made up to the position indicated by (E), that is, the count value T. Thereafter, the above-described operations are repeated, and messages from the caller are recorded one after another on the magnetic tape (r).

In this embodiment, the storage operation time by the memory circuit (18) is set to 60 seconds, but this time can be set according to the time required for fast-forwarding the magnetic tape (T); However, the recording start position for recording a message on the magnetic tape (I') using the memory circuit (18) was set to 10 seconds, but the time is not limited to this. The configuration can be easily achieved by using a microcomputer as a control circuit (24) provided to control each circuit.

(G) Effects of the Invention The automatic answering machine of the present invention converts the message from the caller into a digital signal when the recording start position for recording the message from the caller is at a position longer than a set value, and converts the message from the caller into a digital signal. The system stores the signal for a predetermined period of time and converts the signal read out from the memory circuit after a predetermined period of time into an analog signal and records it on a magnetic tape, thereby delaying the message received from the caller over the telephone line for a predetermined period of time. Since recording is done on magnetic tape, the magnetic tape can be fast-forwarded within a specified time.
Even if the answering message and the message from the caller are recorded on a magnetic tape, the message from the caller can be recorded without making the caller wait for more than a set time, and the present invention has a very large effect.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The circuit shown in FIG. 1 is an embodiment of the automatic answering machine of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the relationship between signals recorded on a magnetic tape. Explanation of main drawing numbers (8) (9)...Choice switch, (11)...Reproduction amplifier circuit, (12)...Beep tone detection circuit, (15)...Control switch, (16)... )...1st
Audio conversion circuit, (18)...Memory circuit, (2
1)...Second audio conversion circuit, (23>...Recording amplifier circuit, (24)...Control circuit, (25)...
first switch circuit, (28)...counter circuit,
(29)...Counter memory circuit, <30)
... tape recorder control circuit, (31) ... second switch circuit, (32) ... notification signal generation circuit,
(T)...Magnetic tape.

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) Sending a response message in an automatic answering machine configured to send a response message recorded on a magnetic tape to the caller and then record a message from the caller on the same magnetic tape. There is also a tape recorder control circuit that fast-forwards the magnetic tape to the recording start position and puts it into a recording state or recording standby state at the recording start position, and when the recording start position is longer than a set value, it becomes active and receives information from the telephone line. A memory circuit that stores a message from a caller as a digital signal for a predetermined period of time and reads the signal after a predetermined period of time; and a memory circuit that converts the digital signal read from the memory circuit into an analog signal and uses the analog signal for recording. It consists of an audio conversion circuit that inputs the input to the amplifier circuit.
When the recording start position is shorter than the set value, the message from the caller is recorded on the magnetic tape after a fast forward operation, and when the recording start position is longer than the set value, the signal stored in the memory circuit is read out. The automatic answering machine is characterized in that when a caller's message is started, the tape recorder is switched from a recording standby state to a recording state, thereby recording a message from a caller on a magnetic tape.