JPH0331303B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field of the Invention] The present invention relates to an answering machine, and more particularly to an answering machine having a function of automatically answering an incoming call and then recording a message from a caller.

[Prior art]

In this type of answering machine, the above operation is performed by setting the answering machine mode, and the subscriber can listen to the recorded content after returning home, but in order to do this, conventionally, the subscriber has to cancel the answering machine mode. It was necessary to perform an operation to set the device to the at-home mode, and then to perform rewind and playback operations on the recording and reproducing device using operations similar to those of a normal recording and reproducing device.

[Object and structure of the invention]

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide an answering machine that reduces the operational effort required when listening to recorded content after returning home.

In order to achieve such an objective, the present invention
It is equipped with a manual switch for setting and canceling the answering machine mode, and a memory means for storing the presence or absence of a recording operation while the answering machine mode is set by the manual switch, and a memory means for storing the presence or absence of recording operation when the answering machine mode is set by the manual switch. The apparatus is provided with a control means for controlling the recording and reproducing apparatus based on the stored contents to cue the start position of the recorded message and perform the reproducing operation. Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail using Examples.

〔Example〕

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, L is a central office line terminal, and TEL is a telephone connected to this terminal. On the other hand, the answering system includes a control circuit 11 equipped with a well-known microprocessor, a cassette deck 13 for sending out response messages (OGM), and a cassette deck 13 for sending out response messages (OGM), which are controlled by the control circuit 11 via deck controllers 12, respectively. ICM) has a cassette deck 14 for recording. Further, 15 is an incoming call detection circuit, 16 is a line transformer, and the control circuit 11 performs control operations as shown in FIG. ₂ depending on the state of the answering switch SW1.

In FIG. 2, when the answering switch SW ₁ is closed (step 101), the control circuit 11 clears the contents of a built-in predetermined register R to 0 (step 101).
102), and prepares to receive a call (step 103). That is, it prepares for an incoming call by locating the beginning of a response message, locating the recording section of a business message, and the like.

Before answering machine switch SW ₁ is released, that is, before answering machine mode is released (step
104) When an incoming call is detected (step 105), the control circuit 11 operates the A relay 17 (step 105).
106). As a result, the connection to the office line terminal L is switched from the telephone TEL side to the line transformer 16 side, ie, to the answering system, by contact a.

Next, the control circuit 11 switches the analog switch 18
is turned on and the deck 13 is operated for regeneration. This causes the response message to be sent to head 19.
The signal is then transmitted to the telephone line via amplifier 20 and hybrid amplifier 21 (step 107). Thereafter, the control circuit 11 turns on the analog switch 22 and causes the deck 14 to perform a recording operation, so that the message arriving on the telephone line is transmitted to the head 24 via the hybrid amplifier 21 and the amplifier 23, and is recorded. (Step 108). After completion (step 109), control circuit 1
1 restores the A relay and opens the central line (step 110), and then writes "1" into the register R mentioned above (step 111).

On the other hand, if it is detected that the answering machine switch SW ₁ is released, that is, the answering machine mode is released (step 104), the control circuit 11 reads the contents of the register R, and if it is "1" (step 112). ,
After confirming with the detector 25 that the tape for recording the message is attached (step
113), and the deck 14 is rewound to the beginning of the tape (step 114). Thereafter, by turning on the analog switch 26 and operating the deck 14 for reproduction, the reproduction signal is output from the head 24, via the amplifier 27, and from the speaker 28.
Subscribers can listen to this (step
115, 116).

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, only the business message sent from the caller side after automatically answering an incoming call was targeted, but by using the same recording tape as such a business message, for example, A message recording section is set in advance, and by operating a message switch (not shown) while the answering machine mode is set, messages between personnel on the subscriber side are recorded via a microphone (also not shown). Messages like this can also be considered a type of message. That is, even if such a message recording operation occurs while the answering machine mode is set, "1" is written in the register R, and reproduction is automatically performed when the answering machine mode is canceled.

Moreover, especially when answering an incoming call, even if the caller starts recording the message, the caller often ends up on-hook without actually sending the message. If an on-hook is detected, the recording operation will be stopped at that point, but in such a case, there is no point in playing back, so a timer is set up to measure the recording operation time and the recording operation is stopped after a certain period of time. The contents of the register may be set to "1" only when the data is crossed.

〔Effect of the invention〕

As explained above, according to the present invention, there is provided a storage means for storing the presence or absence of a recording operation while the answering machine mode is set by the manual switch, and a storage means for storing the presence or absence of a recording operation while the answering machine mode is set by the manual switch. By providing a control means that controls the recording/playback device to play back the recorded message based on the stored contents of the means, the subscriber who returns home can easily read the message by simply operating the switch to cancel the answering machine mode. If there is a recording, the relevant message is automatically played back, significantly reducing the operating effort.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an example of control operation in the control circuit. 11...Control circuit, 14...Cassette deck for recording business messages, 15...Incoming call detection circuit, 2
5... Cassette detector, 28... Speaker for playing back message, L... Office line terminal.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In an answering machine that automatically answers an incoming call and then records a message from the caller on tape using a recording/playback device, a manual switch for setting and canceling the answering machine mode;
A storage means for storing whether or not a recording operation is performed by the recording/playback device while the answering machine mode is set; and a storage means for storing a recorded message in the recording/playback device based on the memory contents of the storage means when the answering machine mode is canceled by the manual switch. 1. An answering machine comprising a control means for performing a cueing operation for a starting position and a subsequent reproduction operation.