GB2190563A

GB2190563A - Telephone answering machine

Info

Publication number: GB2190563A
Application number: GB08611959A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Henry Tseng
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1986-05-16
Filing date: 1986-05-16
Publication date: 1987-11-18
Also published as: GB8611959D0

Abstract

A telephone answering machine has first and second storage media for respectively recording incoming messages and retaining one or more outgoing messages to be transmitted when the machine answers incoming calls. The machine is adapted to retain a permanent record of one or more outgoing messages and includes transcription means operable to transfer such message or messages to the second storage medium particularly in the event that they are lost or erased therefrom. Particularly where the second storage medium 28 requires energy from a power source to retain messages thereon, the machine may be adapted to automatically effect such transcription in response to restoration of power after it has been cut off for some reason. The first storage medium is commonly a magnetic tape, and a suitably identifiable portion thereof may be used to retain permanent record of an outgoing message. The preferred second storage medium is a voice synthesizer. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Telephone answering machine This invention relates to telephone answering machines. Particularly, but not exclusively, it relates to such machines onto which the usercan record an outgoing messagefortransmission when the machine is activated to automatically answerthe telephone.

Telephone answering machines are well known.

Such machines normally have provision fortwo storage media, the first of which is adapted to record incoming messages, and the second of which retains one or more outgoing messages to be transmitted when the machine automatically answers the telephone, and which can give appropriate instructions to the incoming caller regarding the manner in which a messageshould be left. Thefirst storage medium is normally a magnetictape,and commonly in a cassette. The use of such a medium enables a succession of messages to be recorded from incoming callsfor subsequent playback bythe user, whereafterthe cassette can be re-used.

The second storage medium may a Iso bea magnetic tape but recently, other storage media such as voice synthesizers have been used. A number of these media require energy from a power source to retain outgoing messages for transmission.

The present invention is concerned with the preservation of one or more outgoing messages in a form available fortransmission in response to an incoming call, particularly in the event ofthe outgoing message being erased or otherwise lost from the second storage medium as a consequence for example, of a powerfailure. Specifically, the present invention seeks to enable such preservation without requiring the use of an auxiliary power source such as a battery.

According to the invention in its broadest concept, a telephone answering machine makes provision for keeping a permanent record of an outgoing message independent ofthe second storage medium from which it is transmitted in response to an incoming call. Additionally,the machine is adapted to selectively transcribe such a message from the permanent record to the second storage medium in the event that for some reason the message has been lost therefrom. The permanent record can conveniently be made on a portion ofthefirst storage medium, the transcription step being effected directly from one medium to the other.

Where the first storage medium is a magnetic tape, then the outgoing message can be recorded on a first portion of the tape which can be differentiated from the remainder of the tape such that it can easily be located for transcription.

Provision is normally made in machines according to the invention for recording an outgoing message on one or other of the storage media. In some embodiments, the message may be recorded on only the first medium, and immediately transcribed therefrom to the second. In others, the message is simultaneously recorded on both media, and transcription effected only in the event of it being lost from the second medium. It is also possible to record the message only on the second medium, and transcribe it to the first to form the permanent record.

Where the second storage medium must be coupled to a source of powerto retain an outgoing message thereon, the message will be lose in the event of a power cut. According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the transcription device can be adapted to automatically respond to the restoration of power after such a power cut by transcribing the message from the permanent record to the second storage medium. Where the permanent record is on the first storage medium, the device can be further adapted to reset the mechanism for receiving incoming messages in direct succession to the last received message. In most preferred embodiments of the invention, a microprocessor will be included to perform these functions.

Furtherfeatures and advantages ofthe invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodimentofthe invention. Reference will be made to the accompanying diagrammatic drawings in which Figure lisa plan view of a telephone answering machine; Figure2 is a block diagram showing the functional components of a machine as shown in Figure 1 which are concerned specifically with its operation in accordance with the invention; and Figure3 is a more detailed circuit diagram of a telephone answering machine adapted to operate according to the invention.

In Figure 1 a telephone answering machine is generally designated at 2 which includes in a single housing a telephone set 4, a tape cassette playerwith a cassette receiving device at 6, a control panel which includes a function box 8, and a microphone and loudspeaker assembly unit 12,32. The function box 8 has the usual control buttons for operating the cassette player, but includes additional function buttons, the purpose of which is explained in more detail below. The control panel also includes a power switch 22, and warning lights 24 and 30. The power switch determines whether the answering machine is functioning, and may include a light as an indication thereof. The light30 is illuminated when the machine has recorded an incoming message, as a reminder to the user.

The function and operation of a telephone answering machine is weli known. The machine illustrated will normally operate in this way. To set the machine for operation an outgoing message to be transmitted in response to incoming call is first recorded on a separate storage medium in the machine (not shown) through the microphone 12.

The function unit8 may include appropriate controls forthis purpose. Upon receipt of an incoming call, the machine functions to transmit the outgoing message and thereafter automatically activate the cassette playerto record an incoming message on a tape cassette mounted therein. This mode of operation of the machine is well known in the art and will not be described in further detail.

The present invention is concerned with the manner in which an outgoing message is retained in the machine fortransmission in response to an incoming call. The components ofthe machine which dictate the operation thereof in this respect are shown in figure 2. To record an outgoing message, the appropriate buttons on the function unit 8 are depressed, and the message dictated into microphone 12. The message is transmitted through the microprocessor 10, and recorded on a voice synthesizer 28. The preferred synthesizer is a dyamic RAM type available from Toshiba Corporation under the designation TMM41 256P. This synthesizer must be connected to an eiectrical power source in order to retain a message record thereon.Thus, in the event of power being cut off therefrom, the outgoing message recorded therein will be lost.

At the same time as the outgoing message is being recorded in the synthesizer, it is also transmitted by amplifier 14 and switch 16 to the recording head of the cassette player. The function buttons simultaneously instruct the cassette player into the "record" mode. Thus, the outgoing message is recorded both on a tape cassette in the player 6 and in the synthesizer 28 at the same time. The microprocessor 10 monitors the length of the outgoing message and retains a record ofthe portion of the cassette tape upon which the message is recorded. Normally, this will be a first portion ofthe tape. Oncetheoutgoing message has been recorded inthisway,the machine is setto its normal operational mode, and functions in the manner described above.The primary difference from known machines is that incoming messages commence only atthe end of the first portion of the tape upon which the outgoing message is recorded.

Thus, until it erased, that first portion of the tape in the cassette player 6 provides a permanent record of the outgoing message.

For the purposes ofthis invention,the permanent record ofthe outgoing message does not have to be made on the same tape that is used to record incoming messages. It may be kept on a separate tape or medium within the machine, the proviso being that it does not rely upon the supply of electrical power thereto in order to preserve the message. The advantage of having the permanent record on the tape used for receiving incoming messages is that its simplifies the construction and assembly ofthe machine which can use the same recording devices which are included in the cassette player. Additionally, it enables a user to record a separate outgoing message for each tape which can be subsequently identified, for example by including in an outgoing message reference to the date or some other identification.

The machine illustrated is adapted to transcribe an outgoing message from the tape in the cassette player 6 to the synthesizer 28. In the eventthatthe outgoing message is lost from synthesizer 28 as a consequence of a power cut or some other failure, an appropriate button may be pressed on the function unit 8 which instructs the microprocessor 10 to effect such transcription. If the loss of the outgoing message from the synthesizer 28 is a consequence of a power cut, the transcriptions process can be initiated automatically. Forthis purpose, the machine includes a solenoid 26 which senses the restoration of power and transmits an appropriate signal to the microprocessor.In the embodiment described, the microprocessor 10 then locates the portion of the tape held in the cassette player 6, which retains the outgoing message, and transcribes it to the synthesizer 28. Aftertranscription, the microprocessor 10 will then rewind the tape in the player6to its previous position; i.e., at the end of the last incoming message. It will be appreciated that the outgoing message may be transcribed in this manner to the synthesizer 28 from any suitable permanent record of the message held in the machine.

The warning light 24 in the machine shown in Figure 1 is cou pled to the microprocessor 10 so asto be illuminated when the microprocessor has been through its transcription programme. Thus, when the user comes to checkthe machine, it indicates whetherthere has been a cut in the power supply.

Because the synthesizer 28 requires continuous connection to an electric power source in order to retain the outgoing message thereon, the power supply must be connected to the machine such that it is selectively connected only to the synthesizer 28 or to both the synthesizer 28 and the automatic answering mechanism of the machine. In the embodiment described, the main power switch 22 can be a two-stage switch, or be supplemented by an additional switch which sets the machineto automaticallyansweran incoming call and record an incoming message.

In the embodiment particularly described in which the permanent record of the outgoing message is made on the tape in the cassette player 6, the initial recording of the outgoing message need not be recorded simultaneously into the synthesizer 28. It may be recorded first on the cassette tape, checked and amended if necessary, and then in a separate step transcribed to the synthesizer. Again, as the recording and playback modes of the machine are directly coupled to the cassette player in respect of incoming messages, very little additional circuitary is required to provide this additional facility.

The circuit shown in Figure 3 is based on that used in a single deck telephone answering machine having a voice synthesizer 28 as the storage medium for the outgoing message. Such a machine is manufactured and sold by Kingtronics Industrial Co., Ltd. of Kowloon, Hong Kong. Thecircuitshown however, is adapted according to the invention to make a permanent record of the outgoing message on a tape cassette held in the machine, and to automatically transcribe it to the synthesizer upon restoration of power to the machine after a cut. The basic circuitary is that used in the Kingtronics KA 7000 SBL series, and its conventional operation to automaticallyanswerthetelephone,transmitthe outgoing message and thereafter record an incoming message will be readily understood, and will not be described in detail. The external telephone line is connected at 32, and the hand set 4 is connected at 34.

When a machine having thecircuitshown in Figure 3 is first put into operation, the main power switch 36 is turned on and the outgoing message record button 38 in panel 8 is depressed. This actuates microprocessor to instruct the recording of an outgoing messagesimultaneouslyontothefirst portion of a tape held in the cassette and into the voice synthesizer 28. The outgoing message is dictated into microphone 12, and is relayed via analogue switch 16 simultaneously to the tape deck head 18 and the synthesizer 28 along line 40. Atthe end of the message, the stop button 42 in panel 8 is depressed and the microprocessor 10 makes a record of the point on the tape at which the outgoing message is completed.

So long as the power switch 36 remains claosed, and a powersupply is available, the outgoing message will be retained in the synthesizer 28.

However, in the event that the power switch 36 is opened or the supply to the circuit fails for another reason,the message will be lost. Upon reconnection ofthe power supply, the microprocessor 10 initiates a reset programme whereby the outgoing message on the first portion of the cassette tape is automatically transcribed to the synthesizer 28. The reset programme is put into operation automatically wheneverthe machine is coupled to a source of electrical power. The programme first instructs the cassette player to rewind a tape therein to its start; play the first portion of the tape, and transcribethe message from the tape deck head 18 to the synthesizer 28 along line 40. This is accomplished by instructions to the analogue switch 16. At the end of the outgoing message, the microprocessor instructs the advancement of the tape to the end of the last incoming message, and automatically sets the circuit for subsequent conventional operation.

Claims

1. Atelephone answering machine comprising a first mechanism for receiving and recording incoming messages on a first storage medium, and a second mechanism fortransmitting outgoing messages retained on a second storage medium; means for recording on the second storage medium an outgoing message fortransmission by the second mechanism; and a circuit adapted to be coupled to a source of electric power for retaining such message on said second storage medium, wherein the recording means is adapted to record a said outgoing message on and a portion of said first storage medium, and wherein the machine includes transcription means for selectively transcribing a said outgoing message on said first storage medium to the second storage means.

2. Atelephoneanswering machineaccordingto Claim 1 wherein the recording means is adapted to record said outgoing message on said second storage medium simultaneouslywith its recordal on said portion of said first storage means.

3. Atelephoneanswering machine according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 including a voice synthesizer which comprises said second storage medium.

4. Atelephoneanswering machineaccordingto Claim 1 or Claim 2 including a magnetic recording tapewhichcomprisessaidfirststoragemedium.

5. Atelephoneanswering machineaccordingto Claim 1 including a first storage medium in the form of a magnetictape in a cassette, thetranscribing means being operable to rewind the tape in the cassette to locate said portion thereof and assure the transcription of said outgoing message to said second storage medium.

6. Atelephoneanswering machineaccordingto Claim 1 wherein the transcription means includes a microprocessorfor locating a said outgoing message on said first storage medium, transcribing said message on said first storage means, and subsequently locating the last received incoming message on said first storage medium to prepare said first storage medium for receipt of a subsequent incoming message.

7. Atelephone answering machine according to Claim 6 including switch means for activating the microprocessor in response to the reconnection of the electric power source whereby a said outgoing message lost from said second storage medium is re-established thereon.

8. Atelephone answering machine comprising a first mechanism for receiving and recording incoming messages on a first storage medium, and a second mechanismfortransmitting an outgoing message retained on a second storage medium; means for recording on the second storage medium an outgoing message for transmission by the second mechanism; and a circuit adapted to be coupled to a source of electric power for retaining such message on said second storage medium, wherein the recording means is adapted to record a said outgoing message on a portion of said first storage medium, and wherein the machine includes a sensor for sensing the reconnection of the source of power to the retaining circuit after a failure thereof, and transcription means for transferring to said second storage medium said outgoing message from said portion of said first storage medium in response to such sensing.

9. Atelephoneanswering machineaccordingto Claim 8, wherein the recording means is adapted to record said outgoing message on said second storage medium simultaneously with its recordal on said portion of said first storage means.

10. Atelephoneanswering machineaccordingto Claim 8 wherein the transcription means comprises a microprocessor activated by a power circuit coupling the retaining circuit to said power source.

11. Atelephoneanswering machineaccordingto Claim 10 wherein the power circuit includes a sensor comprising a solenoid which upon actuation provokes the microprocessorto carry out its transcription programme and re-set the first mechanism to receive subsequent incoming messages.

12. Atelephoneanswering machineaccordingto Claim 11 wherein the fi rst mechanism comprises a cassette tape recorder and a magnetic tape cassette as said first storage medium, and wherein the microprocessor is programmed to locate said portion of the cassette tape for transcription of a said outgoing message, and thereafter rewind the tape to its previous position.

13. Atelephoneanswering machine comprising a first mechanism for receiving and recording incoming messages on a first storage medium, and a second mechanism fortransmitting outgoing messages retained on a second storage medium; means for recording an outgoing message for transmission by the second mechanism, wherein the recording means is adapted to make a permanent record of said outgoing message, and wherein the machine includes means for selectively transcribing a said outgoing message from said permanent record thereofto said second storage medium.

14. Atelephoneanswering machineaccordingto Claim 13, wherein the recording means is adapted to record said outgoing message on said second storage medium simultaneously with the making of said permanent record.

15. Atelephone answering machine according to Claim 13 wherein the first mechanism comprises a cassette tape recorder with a magnetic tape cassette as the first storage medium, and wherein the recording means is adapted to make said permanent record of said outgoing message on a portion of the magnetic tape cassette.

16. Atelephoneanswering machineaccordingto Claim 13 including a circuit adapted to be coupled to a source of electric powerfor retaining a said outgoing message on said second storage medium.

17. Atelephoneanswering machinecomprising a first mechanism for receiving and recording incoming messages on a first storage medium, and a second mechanism fortransmitting outgoing messages retained on a second storage medium; means for retaining a permanent record of a said outgoing messagefortransmission by the second mechanism, wherein the machine includes means forselectivelytranscribing a said outgoing message from said permanent record thereof to said second storage medium.

18. Atelephone answering machine according to Claim 17, including means for recording a said outgoing message to make said permanent record thereof.