JPS61147653A - Automatic answering telephone set - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To protect the privacy of an owner by preparing two areas different in character on a recording medium where business messages are recorded and providing a function button capable of recording and reproducing each area and accessing both areas individually by the remote control. CONSTITUTION:A button 'response', 'specific', or 'general' of a function key 21 is depressed to designate a response area AM, a specific business area S, or a general business area G, and one or two desired number buttons of a dial circuit 11 are depressed to select one of display addresses of recording blocks of said areas. Display number information selected in this manner is set to a block address register in a microcomputer 20. When this set display address information coincides with the display address displayed by address means, a plunger 6 and a forward/reverse speed control circuit 4 are controlled through a latch 27, and thereby, the recording tape is stopped in the state where the prescribed block is searched.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to an answering machine comprising a recording/playback device, a CPU (central processing unit), and a telephone.
More specifically, even a specified number of people other than the owner of the answering machine can send and receive voice messages in the form of messages to and from each other through the answering machine owned by others. The present invention relates to an answering machine.

[Conventional technology]

Now, in response to an incoming call on a telephone line, the DC loop is automatically closed with the central office (hereinafter referred to as automatic call answering), and a pre-prepared response message is sent to the calling party, and then the calling party's Devices that can record received messages are widely used as answering machines.

In addition, in recent years, a remote control function has been introduced that allows the caller to play back and listen to the message recorded on the answering machine by sending a predetermined signal from the calling party after automatically answering the call. An answering machine has also been developed.

However, it can be said that these telephone devices have drawbacks as described below. In other words, with the former type of answering machine, even if the car owning the answering machine wants to listen to messages recorded while the user is away from home, the answering machine cannot be used as a relay for other devices. It is not possible to exchange voice messages between telephones.

The latter type of answering machine with a remote control function improved the drawback of not being able to listen to messages from outside the home. This type of telephone device uses an FS (frequency shift) signal or a telephone push-button dialing signal as a remote control signal,
After automatically answering an incoming call, by sending a remote control signal to the answering machine via the telephone at the place of residence, a playback instruction can be given to the recording medium on which the message has been recorded, thereby allowing the message to be listened to on the go. It is something that can be done.

However, with this type of telephone device, the person who has a remote control pad that can generate the FS signal as a control signal or who knows how to send a remote control signal using a PB (push button dial) signal If so, anyone other than the owner of the answering machine can play back and listen to all the messages sent to the answering machine from an unspecified number of callers. From the outside perspective, something that could be perceived as an invasion of privacy may occur.

Therefore, with conventional answering machines equipped with a remote control function, only a small number of people, such as the owner or his or her family, know how to use the remote control function and can listen to messages from anywhere. It was limited to how it was used.

Therefore, in order to use an answering machine with a conventional remote control function, even if the owner or other person who does not belong to the owner's group, including his or her family, can use the answering machine. It is not possible to use the remote control function to listen to only specific messages among the messages recorded by members of the club.
Among people in a group, such as colleagues at work or relatives, a method is used in which someone records a message on an answering machine and another person listens to it using the remote control function. However, it is impossible to prevent messages sent to the individual owner of the answering machine from being heard even if members of the group try to listen to them.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

Therefore, the present invention provides an answering machine that allows anyone who belongs to a specific group who knows how to use the remote control function to record a message on the telephone and listen to it by playing it back. This allows people within the group to use the answering machine in an open manner, as if it were a message board; Recording and playback of private messages, etc. is made impossible for people who simply belong to the specified group, and only a very limited number of people are allowed to do so to protect the privacy of the individual owner. This is a problem that needs to be solved.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an answering machine that solves the above-mentioned problems.

[Means and effects for solving the problem] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides two areas (a first message area and a second message area) on a recording medium for recording business messages. ), both areas are divided into multiple blocks with fixed length recording time intervals, and the main answering machine is equipped with a function button that allows recording/playback of each area. If no input is made, the recording becomes possible in the first task area, and when a remote control signal corresponding to the first task area is input, the first task area becomes in a playback state, and the second task area becomes recording enabled. When a remote control signal corresponding to the area is input, the second task area becomes the playback state, and when the first or second task area becomes the playback state, recording/playback can be freely performed by a certain predetermined remote control signal. I'm trying to do it.

〔Example〕

The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

First, the allocation format of the recording tape recording area used in the present invention will be explained.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of this recording area allocation. One of the features is that the recording area is sequentially divided into a large number of blocks on the recording tape l as shown in the figure. , response area AM for recording response messages
Another feature is that message areas G (first message area) and S (second message area) for recording message messages are allocated to one recording tape.

Response area A is placed at the midpoint between the start end ST and the end end ED of the recording tape, and is a response recording message block AM.
, (second response block) and response-only message block AMb (first response block). ", "I'm out of the house," etc.), and is assigned a time length of, for example, 60 seconds.

The recorded response message block AM records a recorded response message that includes recording of the message (for example, "I'm not home right now. I'll record your message. Please speak when the beep sounds. Please go ahead.") This is a recording block that is assigned a time length of <60 seconds, which is the same as that of AMb, for example. Response area A? After l, a general use area G (first purpose area) is provided for each block Gl l G
f t...I Gl. For example, the recording blocks G+ * Gf are sequentially arranged as shown in the figure with a recording gap of 6 seconds between blocks with a time length of 40 seconds.
r G3 + ...I Gl. Record the contents of the call during your absence in the empty blocks in this order.

Recording block G,, Gt of general business area G.

...One of the features of the present invention is that the recording blocks S+, St, Ss, and Ss of the specific task area S (second task area) are provided outside the ICI@, and this specific task area The recording block Sl+ of S...G4 records a specific message instead of a so-called "memo" for mutual communication between a plurality of parties using this telephone device.

In this case, recording can be done by directly entering a message into the desired recording block S+, Sz, Ss or G4 of the device using a microphone, or by entering a password etc. by remote control after connecting the line from the subscriber line. It is possible to access a predetermined recording block S+, St, G3 or G4 to record a message. Recording block 07 St, S
The time lengths of t, Ss, and S- are, for example, general recording block G.

GR,...*, the time length is selected to be <40 seconds, which is the same as the time length of Gl@.

The recording tape 1 is stopped so that the first standby point P, which corresponds to the head of the response recording message block AM in the normal response area AM, faces the head, and when a call is received, the message in the response recording message block AM is recorded. After playback and transmission, -i recording blocks Cz, Gt, ・
...1 Facing the empty block that is the first among coo,
Record the message at the time of the incoming call in that empty block.

With the same operation, recording blocks G+, Gz, etc.

G. When all messages have been recorded, the recording tape 1 has stopped so that the head faces the second waiting point P2 corresponding to the beginning of the response-only message block AMb, and the recording tape 1 is stopped so that the head faces the second waiting point P2 corresponding to the beginning of the response-only message block AMb. Controls to play and send a response-only message. Recording block Sl+ of specific message area S...S4 can be accessed when controlled by the control button or by remote control using a PIN number when receiving a call, and can be used to record or record specific message messages. The content is controlled so that it can be played back.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention.

In the same figure, 1 is a recording C & 11 stored in a cassette.
2) a magnetic head for recording and playback; 3, a servo for driving the magnetic tape 1; 4, a forward/reverse speed control circuit for controlling the driving direction of the magnetic tape 1 and on/off of the drive; 5;
．． ．． 5. 1 is a motor for driving the recording tape 1, and 6 is a plunger for controlling contact/non-contact of the magnetic head 2 with the tape 1.

Telephone circuit IO includes dial circuit 11 and line 12)
A transmitter 13, a receiver 14, and a sounder 15 are attached. The microcomputer 20 as a CPU that forms the center of the control circuit system includes function keys 21, read-only memories (ROM) 22, 34, a pushbutton (PB) signal receiver 23, an input circuit 24, 32) and a selection circuit 25. , U・7chi 26.27.28,30. ．． 30.
, light emitting element 29.7 segment circuit 31. , 31. , a speech synthesizer 33 is attached.

The output of the speech synthesizer 33 is applied to an amplifier 43 via a filter 40. An 800 Hz oscillator 41 is applied to the input of an amplifier 43 via an inhibit gate 42 .

44 is a PB signal amplifier that amplifies the button signal (PB double signal and other line signals) applied via the line 12 and the telephone circuit 10; 45 is a line amplifier that amplifies the line signal; 46 is an audio switch; 47 is a A silence detection circuit, 48 a speaker amplifier, 49 a speaker, and VR a volume for volume adjustment.

51 is a microphone, 52 is a recording preamplifier, 53 is a reproduction preamplifier, 54 is a recording/reproduction changeover switch, 55 is a recording amplifier, and 56 is a bias oscillator for generating a bias signal.

^S+, ASz, ASyu, ASa, AS
s, Ash, ASs.

AS+o, AS++, AS+z are switch elements controlled by the latch 26, and AS? , 8S are switch elements controlled by the microcomputer 20.

Next, the operation of the circuit shown in FIG. 1 will be explained.

In the present invention, the number of rotations of the reel of the recording tape 1 is set to the starting point ST or t! of the recording tape 1. ! ! : A plurality of recording blocks Sl+Sz+S2 sequentially allocated on the recording tape 1 as described above based on the count value calculated from the edge HD.
．． S#, AMb, AMa, G+, Gt, Gs.

. . . uses address means for sequentially indicating display addresses of G1°.

Specifically, in response to the rotation of the shaft of the motor G, for example, three or five pulses can be generated for each rotation of the shaft by appropriate means.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, if the rotation information of the shaft of the motor G is supplied to the input "rotation detection" of the microcomputer 20, and a predetermined number of pulses are generated every time the shaft rotates as described above, By counting these pulses with a counter from the start end ST or the end end ED of the recording tape, the display address of each recording block can be determined in advance based on the counted value.

“Response” and “Specific” in the function keys 21.

By pressing any of the "General" buttons, you can specify either the response area AM, the specific business area S, or the -a business area G, and press the desired one or two of the number buttons on the dial circuit 11. By pressing , one of the display addresses of each recording block is selected. The display address information selected in this way is set in the block address register within the microcomputer 20.

Therefore, when the display address information set here and the display address displayed by the address means fail, the plunger 6 and forward/reverse speed control circuit 4 are controlled via the latch 27 to obtain a predetermined value. This means that the recording tape can be stopped while cueing up the recording block.

Due to the above configuration, specific operations can be performed as follows.

First, in the case of recording a response message, the display address of the response recording message block can be immediately set when the "Response" button of the function key 21 is pressed. As a result, the plunger 6 and forward/reverse speed control circuit 4 operate via the launch 27 as described above, and the motors 5, . 5. is driven at high speed, and when the magnetic head 2 faces the head position of the response recording message block AM, the drive is stopped, and the drive of the magnetic tape 1 is as follows.
Pause.

Now, by pressing the "record" button of the function key 21, the switch elements AS+, As2, ^SI! is turned on, the recording/playback selector switch 54 is switched to the recording preamplifier 52 side, and the plunger 6 and the forward/reverse speed control circuit 4 operate, thereby causing the motor 5. ．． 5k is driven at normal low speed.

By issuing the guidance signal GD, an 800 Hz signal can be heard from the oscillator 41 through the speaker 49 via the inhibitor gate 42 - amplifier 43 - switch element ASI - volume VR -> amplifier 48, and at this time, the microphone 51 and utters a response recording message, [microphone 51 → switch element AS, → recording preamplifier 52 - recording/playback selector switch 54 - switch element AS, - switch element AS + z - recording amplifier 55]. The signal is applied to the magnetic head 2 through the magnetic head 2, and a desired response message can be recorded.

An example of a recorded response message is ``Yes, this is Kobayashi, but I will be away on a business trip until the 00th.I'm afraid I'll be there later.''Follow the woman's voice guidance and record your business.'' Please,
Thank you very much. ``Now, I will guide you to the recording.The recording time will be approximately 40 seconds.Your name,
Please tell me your phone number and your business, then go ahead.'' (
voice guidance)].

Here, the voice guidance is sent from the voice synthesizer 33 after the response recording message to the line 12 via [filter 40-amplifier 43-line amplifier 45->switch element AS,-telephone circuit 10].

By pressing the "Record" button again, the automatic playback mode of the recorded response message will be activated, and the [Magnetic head 2
- Switch element AS, , - Playback preamplifier 53 - Recording/playback selector switch 54 - Switch element AS? →Switch element Ass→Volume VR→Speaker amplifier 48-Speaker 49] The content can be confirmed by the reproduced sound. Also, from the line amplifier 45 to the audio switch 46
Therefore, when the response recorded message is normally played back, the output ol is sent to the microcomputer 20.
and then allows you to set it to Away mode.

In addition, by pressing the "Play" button after playing the response recorded message, the response-only message block AMb is specified as described above, and by pressing the "Record" button here, the response-only message can be recorded into the microphone in the same manner as described above. 51 can be used for recording. An example of a response-only message is ``Yes, this is Kobayashi.
I am sorry to inform you that I am not available at the moment, but please call back later.

This response-only message is also handled in the same way as the response recorded message, and is configured so that it is automatically played back and the shift to the away mode is possible only when the playback output is obtained as the output ol by the audio switch 46. can do.

Each recording block G+, Gz in general use area G.

. . . The access operation to G1° is performed via the subscriber line 12.

In the absence mode, when the recording tape is at the first standby point P, there is an incoming call from the subscriber's line 12, the incoming call detection output IR is detected by the microcomputer 2o, and the line is closed by the L relay (contact L). When the connection is made, switch element A is activated for sending out a response recorded message.
SII, AS? , ASs is turned on, the recording/playback selector switch 54 is switched to the pre-playback 1 amplifier 53 side, and the plunging 6 and forward/reverse speed control 1 are set via the latch 27.
By operating circuit 4, the response recorded message is [
Magnetic head 2 - switch element AS, - reproduction preamplifier 5
3'-Recording/playback selector switch 54-Switch element ASv
=line amplifier 45-switch element AS,-telephone circuit 10], and the silence detection circuit 47 detects the end of the response recorded message, and the detection output is 0! The selection of the speech synthesizer 33 and the read-only memory 34 by the selection circuit 25 in response to the selection circuit 25 causes the speech guidance to be transmitted from the speech synthesizer 33 to [filter 40 → amplifier 43 → line amplifier 45 - switch element AS% - telephone circuit 10 ] to the subscriber line 12.

After the recorded response message and voice guidance are sent out, the servo is controlled by the address designation of the microcomputer 20 so that the magnetic head 2 faces the leading position of the magnetic block (for example, Gl) in the nearest empty general business area G. 3 and motor 5. ．． The magnetic tape 1 is driven by a 5° movement. When the completion of this operation is detected by the matching of the display address of the recording pro and ri as described above, the guidance G
D issues a guidance signal, and the guidance signal is sent out to the other party along the route of [oscillator 41 - inhibit circuit 42 - amplifier 43 -> line amplifier 45 - switch element ASs - telephone circuit 10 - line 12], and is recorded when the transmission ends. The playback system is in recording mode, and the recording tape 1 starts running at a normal speed.

Therefore, at this time, if the other party of the incoming call speaks the business, the business will be [line 12--filler circuit 10-switch element As5-recording preamplifier 52-recording/playback selector switch 5
4 → Switch element AS? →Switch element ASI! - recording amplifier 55], the signal is applied to the magnetic head 2, and is recorded in its recording block G.

After this recording is completed, it is registered in the recording block register in the microcomputer 20 that this recording block G1 has been recorded and is not empty.

The contents of the registered recording blocks can be displayed by pressing the "general" and "playback" buttons on the funxylan key 21, and the recording tape driving means can display the contents of the registered recording blocks in the order of registered recording blocks recorded in the register in the microcomputer 20. (2
7, 6, 4, 5.

5, under the control of 3), the regeneration circuit system (2°ASI
I, 53. 54. as,, Ass, VR
, 48, 49).

In the case of playback by remote control from the subscriber line 12,
The remote control signal is [subscriber line 12-telephone circuit 10-
Switch element As5-amplifier 44-PB signal receiver 23
→ microcomputer 20], the signal is transmitted to the microcomputer 20 and decoded, and in addition to the recording tape drive means, another playback circuit system (2, ASII, 53.
54. ASt, 45, Ass, 10
] The content of the recorded block that has been reproduced is sent to the subscriber line 12.

Next, FIG. 3A and FIG. 3B are a flowchart together showing the operation of the present invention. Each step includes (
Since the symbols such as a), (b), (c), etc. are given, the following description will be made with reference to these.

As mentioned above, when there is a calling signal (a), the line is closed by the LIJ relay (b), and a response message (AM
(c).

From this state, monitoring of the remote control signal is started (2).

i) ゛ ′ - is not executed When the sending of the response message is finished (N), the block that is not recorded in the general message area is cued up (G), the message is recorded (S), and the recording ends. Then (wa), the line will be opened (te).

1i) Stop sending the message in response to the message you received (in the evening), determine whether the access number is for the general business area or the access number for the specific business area (+
/), locates the beginning of the recorded block in the corresponding area and starts playback (S or N); the subsequent operations start from step (S) and are the same no matter which area is accessed. .

That is, the remote control signal is constantly monitored in any operating state, and when a remote control signal is present, it can be used as an access signal for a general or specific area, or as a block stop signal (for example, fast forward playback, rewind playback, recording, etc.). (specified signal), performs the corresponding operation, and when the operation is completed (
7) Monitor whether or not a remote control signal is input (C), and if it is input, perform the same operation as above, and if not input, open the line (T).

Next, the reason why each area and block are arranged on the recording tape 1 as shown in FIG. 2 is as follows.

a) I Shinki (i) Since the operations are performed in the order of playback of the A response area - cueing of the general business area - recording of the general business area, cueing will be easier if the areas are arranged along the direction of tape progression. This is because the time is shortest and it is convenient.

(b)+(ii)'' 4 Whether the general business area is accessed or the specific business area is accessed, the cueing time for each area is approximately the same, and the waiting time is equal.

C) When the mode is set, the response area (AM, , AMb) is automatically played back and a response message is recorded in the response area or not.
Alternatively, it would be better to have the user confirm whether the recorded response message is appropriate or not when setting the away mode.For this reason, AM.

It is preferable for AMb to be close to each other because the time required for confirmation will be shorter. Also, when recording a response message, it is better to have AM, , AMb close to each other because it will reduce the waiting time for cueing. It is.

A characteristic usage example of the answering machine according to the present invention having the above configuration will be shown below.

■Inform the members of the circle of the remote control number for accessing the specific business area other than the remote control number for accessing the general business area, and specify information within the circle (for example, event date and time 2 announcements, etc.) Make sure to record it in the message area.

Members can listen to the information from anywhere by calling the telephone device and accessing the specific task area. It is also possible to inject messages related to your circle.

On the other hand, general messages (some of which you do not want others to hear) sent to the individual owner of this telephone device by an unspecified number of people do not know the remote control number to access the general message area. It will not be listened to by circle members.

By using the above method, you can use the store clerk for a specific area.

It is also possible to use this telephone device within a specific group related to co-workers, people with disabilities, etc., and to exchange messages (information) with each other via this telephone device.

■ By agreeing that the specific message area will be used for exchanging messages within the family, family messages will not be mixed in with the unspecified number of messages recorded in the general message area. This saves you the trouble of selecting and listening to family messages when messages are mixed.
Messages within the family can be easily and quickly received by simply accessing the specific message area. That is,
Specific people always promise to broadcast their messages into the specific message area (this makes it possible to listen to messages between specific people in a short time).

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, two areas with different characteristics are prepared on the recording medium for recording business messages, and function buttons are provided for recording and reproducing each area. By configuring the device so that both areas can be accessed individually, it is possible to easily exchange voice messages between a specific group other than the owner, which was not possible with conventional telephone devices of the same type, and the privacy of the owner is protected. It has the advantage that it can be made to

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the recording format of the recording tape used in the present invention, and FIGS. 3A and 3B together illustrate the embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations. Code explanation

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) Consisting of a recording/playback device, a CPU (central processing unit), and a telephone, when the operation mode is set to the absence mode, when there is an incoming call, the CPU detects this and automatically In an answering machine that is capable of closing the line, sending a response message from the recording and reproducing device via the telephone, and then recording a business message from the caller, the recording medium of the recording and reproducing device is In addition to the response message recording area, at least two message areas, a first message area and a second message area, are provided, and normally, after the response message is sent, the first message area is automatically recorded. the first task area or the second task area by transitioning to a recording enabled state for the task area and then receiving a first remote control signal from the caller or receiving a second remote control signal from the caller. When the first or second task area is in the playback state, a third remote control signal from the calling party causes the first or second task area to be moved to the playback state. An answering machine characterized in that the CPU operates so as to freely record and reproduce data within the range of . 2) In the answering machine set forth in claim 1, the recording medium comprises one magnetic recording tape, and when viewed from the beginning of the tape, constitutes a second business area and a response message recording area. An answering machine characterized in that each area is arranged in the order of a first response block, a second response block, and a first business area of two response blocks.