JPH0369468B2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Technical field of invention] The present invention relates to improvements in telephone answering machines.

[Technical background of the invention and its problems]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as one type of answering machine, one configured as shown in FIG. 1, for example, is known. That is, this device includes, in addition to a call system consisting of a call receiving circuit 1 and a dial call circuit 2, an automatic call answering circuit 3, a call end detection circuit 4, and a recording device 5.
A changeover switch 7 is provided for selectively connecting these systems to the line 6.

Therefore, when the changeover switch 7 is set to the absence response system side, this device enters the absence response mode.
When an incoming signal from the caller arrives in this state, this incoming signal is detected by the automatic incoming call answering circuit 3, and as a result, a preset signal is sent from the voice generation circuit provided in the automatic incoming answering circuit 3. The received response message is sent to line 6. After sending this response message, the flip-flop 5a of the recording device 5 is set, the recording device main body 5b is activated, and the message from the caller is recorded thereon. This recording is stopped at the output of the call end detection circuit 4.

Incidentally, in recent years, as an example of the use of such an answering machine, a method has been considered in which the apparatus is set to an answering mode even when the user is at home, thereby preventing prank calls and the like.

However, while the above-mentioned conventional devices certainly function effectively against prank calls, they are unable to respond immediately to incoming calls from family members or acquaintances, for example, and can only be answered by listening to the recording. Since the person will be aware of the situation, it will not be possible to make an emergency contact. This was extremely inconvenient.

[Purpose of the invention]

The present invention is capable of immediately notifying the called party of an incoming call from a specific caller such as a family member even when the answering mode is set, and allowing the called party to respond with a specific code. can be detected reliably at all times without being affected by response messages, and can notify the calling party that it is now possible to accept a specific code. To provide an answering machine which can easily prevent a ringing tone from being generated in response to an incoming call from someone, thereby increasing resistance to prank calls.

[Summary of the invention]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention first stops the transmission of the response message when a specific code is sent from the calling side while sending the response message, and then the code sent from the calling side. When the code matches a specific code set in advance, a ring tone is generated to notify the occurrence of an incoming call, and a timer circuit is provided to measure a predetermined time in conjunction with the sending of the response message. The ring tone generator is activated to generate a ring tone only when a match between the specific codes is detected during the time counting operation of the timer circuit.

[Embodiments of the invention]

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of an answering machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, the same parts as those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals and detailed explanations will be omitted.

A new PB signal detection circuit 11 is added to the answering system.
A timer circuit 12 and a ring tone generating circuit 13 are also provided. The automatic call response circuit 30 also includes a newly installed PB signal detection circuit 11.
Introducing signals from and being controlled by them, etc.
The configuration is partially different from that in FIG. The PB signal detection circuit 11 receives, demodulates and decodes the PB signal that arrives from the calling side via the line 6, and if the signal represents a predetermined "start", it outputs a response stop signal 11A ("H" level). ) and supplies this response stop signal 11A to the automatic call response circuit 30. Also, the PB signal detection circuit 11
receives and demodulates the specific signal representing the PIN number that comes after the signal representing the "start" mentioned above, decodes it to obtain PIN information, and compares and checks this information with its own number stored in advance. , outputs a match signal (“H” level) when both match. This match signal is then supplied to the AND circuit 14. On the other hand, the timer circuit 12 starts a timing operation in response to a start signal generated from the automatic incoming call response circuit 30 at the start of sending a response message, and measures a predetermined period of time.
The above AND circuit 1 generates a gate signal of level
4. This AND circuit 14 is opened only during the generation period of the gate signal ("H" level) and allows the coincidence signal ("H" level) to pass through. The time measured by the timer circuit 12 is set to the total period of the response message sending period and a portion of the subsequent recording period. Further, the ringing tone generation circuit 13 includes a ringing tone generator 13a.
and a flip-flop 13 that defines the operating period.
This flip-flop 13b is set by the output of the AND circuit 14 and reset by the output of the OR circuit 15. Note that this OR circuit 15 is connected to the switch 1
The signal output from the interlocking contact 10a of 0 and the end of call detection signal of the end of call detection circuit 4 are logically summed. As shown in FIG. 4, the automatic incoming call response circuit 30 includes an incoming call detection circuit 31 that detects an incoming call signal from the caller side, and a call detection circuit 31 that detects an incoming call signal from the caller side.After being turned on by a detection signal (start signal) from the incoming call detection circuit 31, A response message generator 32 that outputs an audio signal representing a response message until time elapses or until a response stop signal is supplied from the PB signal detection circuit 11, and this audio signal or ring tone generator 13a.
and an amplifier 33 that amplifies the ringing tone signal 13A from the line 6 and sends it to the line 6 side.

On the other hand, an interlocking contact 1 of the switch 10 is connected between the changeover switch 7 and the answering system and the telephone system.
0b is provided. This interlocking contact 10b switches to the answer system when the switch 10 is off, and switches to the call system when the switch 10 is on.

Next, the operation of the device configured as above will be explained. First, the operation as a normal answering machine will be explained. When the changeover switch 7 is set to the absence response side, this device enters the absence response mode. Even in the answer mode, when the switch 10 is turned on, the dial telephone circuit 2 is connected to the line 6 via the interlocking contact 10b, and a telephone call can be made. Now, when an incoming call signal from the caller arrives in the answering mode and the switch 10 is off, this incoming signal is sent to the automatic answering call detection circuit 3.
The incoming call is detected by the incoming call detection circuit 31 in 0 (FIG. 4), and a ringing tone is emitted to notify the incoming call. and,
When a predetermined period of time has elapsed, for example, a ring tone has been generated a predetermined number of times, the response message generator 32
is turned on, and a preset response message is sent to line 6. On the other hand, incoming call detection circuit 3
The flip-flop 5a of the recording device 5 is set by the output signal No. 1, and the recording device main body 5b is activated.Subsequently, when a message is sent from the calling party, it is recorded. This operation is stopped at the OR output of the output of the end of call detection circuit 4 and the output of the interlocking contact 10a of the switch 10. Further, at the same time as the sending of the response message starts, the timer 12 is activated and starts a time counting operation.

Now, in this state, the caller operates the pushbutton dial in the order shown in FIG. 3, for example. This PB
At the time when the # signal, which is a special code signal representing the "beginning" of the signal, is detected, the PB signal detection circuit 1
1 generates a response stop signal, and this signal causes the automatic incoming call response circuit 30 to stop sending response messages. Then enter your PIN number (40 in the illustration)
When a PB signal representing 2) is sent, this PB signal becomes
The signal is received and demodulated by the PB signal detection circuit 11, and then compared with the personal identification number of this telephone device. When the two numbers match, the PB signal detection circuit 11 outputs an "H" level match signal. At this time, the AND circuit 14 is opened by the output of the timer circuit 12. Therefore, the coincidence signal passes through the AND circuit 14 and is supplied to the flip-flop 13b, and as a result, the flip-flop 13b is set and the ringing tone generator 13a operates, and a ringing tone is generated from the ringing tone generator 13a. You will be notified that a call has occurred. At this time, an internal ringing tone generated by the ringing tone generator 13a is sent to the line 6 through the automatic call response circuit 30 to notify the calling party that a call is being made. In addition, if the two numbers do not match, PB
The signal detection circuit 11 does not output an "H" level coincidence signal, and the ringing tone generation circuit 13 is not activated. However, the output of the timer circuit 12 is “H”
During the predetermined period when the caller is at the level, the caller can operate the push-button dial again to send the PB signal, and if the password matches, the ring tone generation circuit 13 can be activated.

When the subscriber responds to the call by picking up the handset, the interlocking contact 10a of the switch 10 is first turned on, and an "H" level reset signal is supplied via the OR circuit 15 to the flip-flop 13b. As a result, the flip-flop 13b is reset, the ringing tone generator 13a stops generating a ringing tone, and as a result, the output of the ringback tone is also stopped. When this ringing stops, switch 1
0 and its interlocking contact 10b are respectively switched to the two-dot chain line side in the figure, and as a result, the dial communication circuit 2
is connected to the line 6, after which calls can be answered. When the call is terminated and the handset is turned on, the switch 10 and its interlocking contacts 10a, 10b return to the solid lines in the figure, thereby returning the device to the standby state in the answer mode. Note that if the caller does not respond to the generation of the ring tone due to, for example, being absent, the caller waits for the end of the call, and when the end of the call is detected by the end of call detection circuit 4, the flip-flop 13b is reset. The generation of the ring tone is stopped and the telephone returns to the standby state.

As described above, in this embodiment, when a PB signal such as a specific code "#" is received while a response message is being sent, the response message transmission is stopped, the PIN code input is waited, and the PB representing the PIN code content is displayed.
When it receives a signal, it compares this PIN number with its own number, and if they match, it generates a ring tone to notify the subscriber of an incoming call, and when the subscriber answers, it connects the calling circuit to the line. This makes it possible to immediately answer incoming calls from family members, acquaintances, etc. who know the PIN number even if the machine is in answer mode, and as a result, emergency calls can be made as easily as regular calls. It can be done in exactly the same way. Therefore, it is possible to provide a highly functional telephone device that can handle both prank calls and emergency calls.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. For example, the comparison and verification of the PB signal detection circuit 11, the clocking operation of the timer circuit 12, the ringing tone generation control operation, etc. in the embodiment described above are performed according to a program by a control circuit whose main controller is a microprocessor. You can also do this. Further, a timer may be provided in place of the end of call detection circuit, so that when there is no response even after calling for a certain period of time, the device automatically returns to the standby state.
In addition, the form of the personal identification number, the structure of the signal representing it, the structure of each circuit, etc. can be modified in various ways without departing from the gist of the present invention.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As described in detail above, the present invention first stops the sending of the response message when a specific code is sent from the calling side while sending the response message, and then the code sent from the calling side is transmitted. When the code matches a preset specific code, a ring tone is generated to notify the occurrence of an incoming call, and a timer circuit is provided to measure a predetermined time in conjunction with the sending of the response message. The ring tone generator is activated to generate a ring tone only when a match between the specific codes is detected during the timekeeping operation of the circuit.

Therefore, according to the present invention, even if the answering mode is set, if an incoming call is received from a specific caller such as a family member, it is possible to immediately notify the user of the incoming call.

In addition, we have made it possible to stop sending the response message when the specific code that is sent before the specific code is detected, making it possible to always detect the specific code reliably without being affected by the response message. This can improve the operational reliability of the device. Furthermore, by stopping the transmission of the response message, the caller can be informed that the specific code is now being accepted, so it is possible to provide the caller with an easy-to-use device.

Furthermore, a timer circuit is provided, and the ring tone can be generated only during the time period of this timer circuit.
For example, if a person other than the specified person continues to enter various codes as a prank, and as a result, a specific code is entered by chance and a ring tone is generated, the probability of a problem occurring is reduced, and this reduces the probability of occurrence of a problem such as a prank call. It is possible to further increase the resistance against. This effect is particularly effective, for example, when the specific code is a relatively simple code of about one or two digits.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a conventional answering machine. Fig. 2 is a circuit block diagram of an answering machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a mode of transmitting a PIN number used in the same embodiment, and Fig. 4 is an automatic incoming call in Fig. 2. FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram of a response circuit. 3, 30... Automatic call answering circuit, 4... End of call detection circuit, 5... Recording device, 6... Line, 7... Changeover switch, 11... PB signal detection circuit, 12...
...Timer circuit, 13...Ring tone generation circuit, 10...
...Hook switch, 10a, 10b...Interlocking contacts.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. In an answering machine having a function of sending a preset response message to a line when a call is received, an incoming call detection circuit that detects an incoming call from a calling party and closes the line; After the incoming call detection circuit closes the line, a response message generator that sends out the response message, detects a specific code from the calling side and stops sending the response message, and also detects a specific code from the calling party and stops sending the response message. a signal detection circuit that generates a code matching signal indicating that the code sent from the calling side matches; a timer circuit that performs a timing operation for a predetermined time in connection with the sending operation of the response message; and this timer circuit. 1. An answering machine comprising at least a ringing tone generator that is activated and generates a ringing tone only when a code matching signal is generated from the signal detection circuit during a period when the answering machine is performing a timekeeping operation.