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Description  |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a telephone answering machine.
2. Description of the Related Art
A conventional telephone answering machine which sends a response message responding to any caller in a constant method is widely known.
In addition, there is known a telephone answering machine which calculates a transmission period per unit call charge on the basis of an area code.
When a message is to be recorded from an external telephone machine such as a public telephone, in a telephone answering machine of the above-mentioned type, in general a response message is played before recording is accepted. However, when a
caller does not have enough money to have a transmission period for recording the caller's message, the call is cut in the middle of the response message because of the insufficient depositing before the message is recorded.
Further, since the same message is played to any caller, when the caller records a message from a remote location, a call charge is wasteful.
A telephone machine disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 6-6442 (1994), for example, switches response messages depending on a caller. However, since the telephone machine does not switch the response messages upon
consideration of a call charge, the caller is met by the same inconvenience as that described above.
Further, having received a DTMF signal from an external telephone machine, a conventional telephone answering machine of this type accepts recording of a caller's message or reproduction of a caller's message, or judges whether to execute various
operations upon extracting and discriminating a caller's ID signal based on call incoming information.
However, a conventional telephone answering machine is structured to always provide constant answering operations, such as reproduction, to any caller whenever there is a remote control operation from outside. Hence, when a special operation is
desired (i.e., an operation which matches with a caller's will), it is necessary to enter a secret identification number to specify a caller, which is inconvenient.
To reproduce a recorded message or otherwise operate the telephone answering machine by means of remote controlling, in particular, in addition to entry of a secret identification number, it is necessary to enter an operation command or the like,
which is complex. In addition, when a caller operates the telephone answering machine from a remote location, not only the operation takes long time so that a call charge is wasteful, but also since a responding operation is provided always at a
constant speed regardless of whether the caller is remotely controlling from a place far away or a place in the neighborhood, if the caller is operating from far away, the caller is charged an expensive rate for the call.
A telephone machine disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication JP-A 4-87446 (1992), for example, allows messages from a plurality of telephone lines to be recorded separately on the respective telephone lines, and reproduces separately
on the respective telephone lines, to thereby reduce charges for calls and secure privacy. However, the telephone machine nevertheless demands complex operations as those described above for recording, reproducing, etc.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide for a telephone answering machine which reduces a charge for a call.
The invention provides a telephone answering machine comprising:
first memory means for storing caller ID information and transmission periods per unit call charge in correlation to each other;
second memory means for storing the transmission periods and response messages in correlation to each other in such a manner that the response messages become longer as the transmission periods are longer;
receiving means for receiving a call incoming signal from a telephone line network;
extracting means for analyzing the call incoming signal to extract caller ID information;
ID information checking means for checking the extracted caller ID information against the caller ID information stored in the first memory means;
transmission period reading means for reading a transmission period correlated with the caller ID information judged as matching on the basis of a checking result of the ID information checking means, from the first memory means;
transmission period checking means for checking the read transmission period against the transmission periods stored in the second memory means;
response message reading means for reading a response message correlated with the transmission period judged as matching on the basis of a checking result of the transmission period checking means, from the second memory means;
reproducing means for reproducing the read response message as a voice signal; and
sending means for sending the voice signal to the telephone line network.
According to the invention, during an answering operation, while a short response message is preferred when a call is from a place far away, since the invention allows to change a response message at a calling area depending on a call charge, if
the call is from a place far away, a short response message is played so that a transmission period is shortened and
a call charge is reduced.
The invention is characterized by further comprising:
third memory means for storing a predetermined reference transmission period;
comparing means for comparing the transmission period read by the transmission period reading means with the reference transmission period stored in the third memory means; and
controlling means for controlling the sending means, in accordance with a comparison result of the comparing means, to output a response message to the telephone line network when the transmission period read by the transmission period reading
means is longer than the reference transmission period, and to output no response message to the telephone line network when the transmission period read by the transmission period reading means is shorter than the reference transmission period.
According to the invention, when recording is to be performed from a remote area for which a call charge is expensive, it is possible to set so that a response message is not sent out, and therefore, all of the call charge is used for recording,
which is efficient. Further, it is possible to shorten a transmission period and reduce a call charge.
Alternatively, the invention is characterized by further comprising:
third memory means for storing a predetermined reference transmission period;
comparing means for comparing the transmission period read by the transmission period reading means with the reference transmission period stored in the third memory means; and
controlling means for controlling the reproducing means, in accordance with a comparison result of the comparing means, to reproduce a response message into a voice signal at a predetermined reference speed and output the response message to the
telephone line network when the transmission period read by the transmission period reading means is longer than the reference transmission period, and to reproduce a response message into a voice signal at a speed faster than the predetermined reference
speed and output the response message to the telephone line network when the transmission period read by the transmission period reading means is shorter than the reference transmission period.
According to the invention, when recording is to be performed from a remote area for which a call charge is expensive, it is possible to reproduce a response message and send the response message at a fast speed, and therefore, it is possible to
record efficiently. Further, it is possible to shorten a transmission period and reduce a call charge.
Furthermore the invention provides a telephone answering machine in which a voice signal inputted from a telephone line network is recorded by voice recording means as a caller's message from the caller and is stored in voice information memory
means, and a response message stored in advance in the voice information memory means is reproduced by voice reproducing means into a voice signal and outputted to the telephone line network, the telephone answering machine comprising:
memory means for storing ID select conditions and operation codes in correlation to each other,
the ID select conditions being correlated with caller ID information,
the operation codes representing a recording operation and a reproducing operation which are executed by the telephone answering machine;
receiving means for receiving a call incoming signal from the telephone line network;
extracting means for analyzing the call incoming signal and extracting caller ID information;
ID information checking means for checking the extracted caller ID information against the caller ID information stored in the memory means;
operation code reading means for reading an operation code associated with an ID select condition correlated with the caller ID information judged as matching on the basis of a checking result of the ID information checking means, from the memory
means; and
controlling means for causing the voice recording means and the voice reproducing means to execute an operation corresponding to the read operation code.
In such a structure according to the invention, when caller ID information supplied from a caller matches an ID select condition stored in the memory means, the voice reproducing means and the voice recording means execute the operation of an
operation code correlated with the ID select condition judged as matching.
As a result, the telephone answering machine carries out an operation suitable to a caller ID, i.e., the caller. Hence, even in a condition where a person who is not knowledgeable about an operation method or a complex operation is required, it
is possible to provide an appropriate service.
Furthermore, the invention is characterized in that operation codes associated with ID select conditions include operation codes for instructing a remote control mode.
In such a structure according to the invention, when a caller ID representing the remote control mode supplied by a caller matches an ID select condition stored in the memory means, the voice reproducing means and the voice recording means
operate in the remote control mode which corresponds to the ID select condition judged as matching.
As a result, in case of calling from a preset caller, setting the answering machine to automatically reproduce a recorded caller's message which is not reproduced yet, eliminates an operation of entering a secret identification number or an
operation command, which improves the operability.
Moreover, it is heretofore impossible to listen to a replay and the like from a telephone machine which is not capable of sending a DTMF signal during remote controlling, however in case where a telephone answering machine is set to automatically
reproduce a recorded message, it is possible to listen to a replay and the like from a telephone answering machine if ID select conditions are set in advance in the telephone answering machine. Further, since the operability is improved, it is possible
to shorten a transmission period and reduce a telephone charge.
Furthermore the invention provides a telephone answering machine in which a response message stored in advance in voice information memory means is reproduced into a voice signal by voice reproducing means, and outputted to a telephone line
network, the telephone answering machine comprising:
first memory means for storing ID select conditions associated with caller ID information and transmission periods per unit call charge in correlation to each other;
second memory means for storing said transmission periods and reproduction speed control codes representing reproduction speeds for reproducing response messages, in correlation to each other;
receiving means for receiving a call incoming signal and a DTMF signal from the telephone line network;
extracting means for analyzing said call incoming signal and extracting caller ID information;
ID information checking means for checking the extracted caller ID information against the caller ID information stored in said first memory means;
transmission period reading means for reading out a transmission period correlated with the caller ID information judged as matching on the basis of a checking result of the ID information checking means, from said first memory means;
transmission period checking means for checking the read transmission period against the transmission periods stored in the second memory means;
reproduction speed control code reading means for reading a reproduction speed control code correlated with the transmission period judged as matching on the basis of a checking result of the transmission period checking means, from the second
memory means; and
controlling means for driving the voice reproducing means to reproduce a response message as a voice signal at a speed corresponding to the read reproduction speed control code.
In such a structure according to the invention, the voice reproducing means is driven by a reproduction speed control code correlated with a transmission period per unit charge which is associated with a caller ID, so that voice data are read
from the voice information memory means.
As a result, since it is possible to change a reproduction speed in accordance with areas for which different call rates are set, when one reproduces through remote controlling from a remote location for which a call rate is expensive, for
instance, it is possible to set in such a manner that a caller's message is reproduced at a speed which is faster than a regular reproduction speed (e.g., at a double speed). This shortens a transmission period and reduces a call charge.
Furthermore the invention provides a telephone answering machine in which a response message stored in advance in voice information memory means is reproduced as a voice signal by voice reproducing means, and is outputted to a telephone line
network, the telephone answering machine comprising:
first memory means for storing ID select conditions associated with caller ID information and transmission periods per unit call charge in correlation to each other;
second memory means for storing the transmission periods and reproduction period control codes representing reproduction periods for reproducing response messages, in correlation to each other;
receiving means for receiving a call incoming signal and a DTMF signal from the telephone line network;
extracting means for analyzing the call incoming signal and extracting caller ID information;
ID information checking means for checking the extracted caller ID information against the caller ID information stored in the first memory means;
transmission period reading means for reading a transmission period correlated with the caller ID information judged as matching on the basis of a checking result of the ID information checking means, from the first memory means;
transmission period checking means for checking the read transmission period against the transmission periods stored in the second memory means;
reproduction period control code reading means for reading a reproduction period control code correlated with the transmission period judged as matching on the basis of a checking result of the transmission period checking means, from the second
memory means; and
controlling means for driving the voice reproducing means to reproduce a response message as a voice signal for a period of time according to the read reproduction period control code.
In such a structure according to the invention, the voice reproducing means is driven by a reproduction period control code correlated with a transmission period per unit charge which associated with a caller ID, so that voice data are read from
the voice information memory means.
As a result, since it is possible to change a reproduction period in accordance with areas for which different call rates are set, when one reproduces through remote controlling from a remote location for which a call rate is expensive, for
instance, it is possible to set in such a manner that each caller's message is reproduced only for a constant initial time period (e.g., for five seconds). This shortens a transmission period and reduces a call charge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE
DRAWINGS
Other and further objects, features, and advantages of the invention will be more explicit from the following detailed description taken with reference to the drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric structure of a telephone answering machine 15 of a first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a view showing a transmission period table 50 of a transmission period memory part 11 of the telephone answering machine 15;
FIG. 3 is a view showing a response message table 51 of a response message memory part 12a of the telephone answering machine 15;
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing sending of a response message performed by the telephone answering machine 15;
FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing sending of a response message performed by a telephone answering machine of a second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing sending of a response message performed by a telephone answering machine of a third embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an electric structure of a telephone answering machine 21 of a fourth embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 8 is a view showing an operation code table 52 of an ID memory part 22 of the telephone answering machine 21;
FIG. 9 is a view showing the relationship between command signals 29 and operation contents 30 of the same;
FIG. 10 is a flow chart showing response operations of the telephone answering machine 21;
FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing response operations of the telephone answering machine 21;
FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the electric structure of a telephone answering machine 31 of a fifth embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 13 is a view showing a reproduction speed table 32 of a reproduction control code memory part 12b of the telephone answering machine 31;
FIG. 14 is a view showing a reproduction period table 36 of a reproduction control code memory part 12b of the telephone answering machine 31;
FIG. 15 is a view showing the relationship between command signals 40 and operation contents 41 of the same;
FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing an operation of reproducing a response message by the telephone answering machine 31, using the reproduction speed table 32;
FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing an operation of reproduction a response message by the telephone answering machine 31, using the reproduction speed table 32;
FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing an operation of reproducing a response message of the telephone answering machine 31, using the reproduction period table 36;
FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the electric structure of a telephone answering machine 43 of a sixth embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing an operation of reproducing a response message of the telephone answering machine 43; and
FIG. 21 is a flow chart showing another operation of reproducing a response message of the telephone answering machine 43.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Now referring to the drawings, preferred embodiments of the invention are described below.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electric structure of a telephone answering machine 15 of a first embodiment of the invention. The telephone answering machine 15 comprises a central control part 1, a network control part 2, a recording part
3, a reproducing part 4, a voice data memory part 5, a caller ID extracting part 6, an ID checking part 7, a transmission period reading part 8, a transmission period checking part 9, a response message reading part 10a, a transmission period memory part
11, a response message memory part 12a, an auxiliary memory part 13a, and a reproduction control part 14.
The central control part 1 is realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), for instance, and controls overall operations of the telephone answering machine 15. The network control part 2 controls transmission of various signals from the
telephone answering machine 15 to a telephone line network and transmission of various signals from the telephone line network to the telephone answering machine 15. For example, a voice signal from the telephone line network is supplied to the
recording part 3, a call incoming signal from the telephone line network is supplied to the caller ID extracting part 6, and voice signals such as voice data or a response message, for which reproduction conditions such as a reproduction
speed are controlled by the reproduction control part 14 are supplied to the telephone line network.
The recording part 3 converts an inputted voice signal into voice data. The voice data are stored in the voice data memory part 5 through the central control part 1. The reproducing part 4 converts the voice data or response message which are
stored in the voice data memory part 5 into voice signals. After controlled for a reproduction condition by the reproduction control part 14, the voice signal is supplied to the network control part 2.
The caller ID extracting part 6 analyzes a received call incoming signal and extracts ID information regarding a caller. The ID information contains a caller's area code. The ID checking part 7 checks ID information extracted by the caller ID
extracting part 6 against ID information stored in the transmission period memory part 11. The transmission period memory part 11 stores an area code and a transmission period per unit charge in correlation to each other. The ID checking part 7
specifically compares and checks an area code. The transmission period reading part 8 reads a transmission period correlated with the area code judged as matching on the basis of a checking result of the ID checking part 7, from the transmission period
memory part 11.
The transmission period checking part 9 compares and checks a transmission period which is read by the transmission period reading part 8 with and against transmission periods which are stored in the response message memory part 12a. The
response message memory part 12a stores response messages in correlation with transmission periods. In this embodiment, response messages and fetch codes for fetching the response messages are stored in correlation with transmission periods. The
response message reading part 10a reads a response message which is correlated with a transmission period judged as matching on the basis of a checking result of the transmission period checking part 9, from the response message memory part 12a. In this
embodiment, the fetch codes are read. A read fetch code is supplied to the central control part 1. A response message associated with the fetch code supplied to the central control part 1 is fetched from the voice data memory part 5, converted into a
voice signal by the reproducing part 4, and controlled for a reproduction condition by the reproduction control part 14, and supplied to the network control part 2.
The auxiliary memory part 13a stores various registered contents which are needed for actuating the telephone answering machine 15.
FIG. 2 is a view showing a transmission period table 50 of the transmission period memory part 11. The transmission period table 50 of the transmission period memory part 11 is structured to store a plurality of area codes 16 and transmission
periods 17 in correlation to each other. The transmission periods 17 are each a period of time per unit charge, such as 10 Japanese yen, during which communication is possible. The area codes 16 are correlated with the transmission periods 17 in such a
manner, for example, that the area code "0742" among the area codes 16 is correlated with the transmission period 17 of "180 seconds" while the area code "07435" among the area codes 16 is correlated with the transmission period 17 of "180 seconds."
FIG. 3 is a view showing a response message table 51 of the response message memory part 12a. The response message table 51 of the response message memory part 12a is structured to store a plurality of transmission periods 18, response messages
20 and fetch codes 19 in correlation to each other. The transmission periods 18 are each a period of time per unit charge during which communication is possible. For example, a response message 20 and a corresponding fetch code 19, i.e., "1" are
correlated with the transmission period 18 of "180 seconds or longer," a response message 20 and a corresponding fetch code 19, i.e., "2" are correlated with the transmission period 18 of "from 120 seconds to less than 180 seconds," a response message 20
and a corresponding fetch code 19, i.e., "3" are correlated with the transmission period 18 of "from 60 seconds to less than 120 seconds," and a response message 20 and a corresponding fetch code 19, i.e., "4" are correlated with the transmission period
18 of "less than 60 seconds." That is, the longer the transmission period 18 is, the longer the response message 20 is.
FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing sending of a response message of the telephone answering machine 15. At step S1, a call incoming signal is received. At step S2, the caller ID extracting part 6 analyzes the received call incoming signal and
determines whether ID information regarding a caller is extracted. When the ID information is judged as being extracted, at step S3 the caller ID extracting part 6 further determines whether a caller's area code is extracted. When the caller's area
code is judged as being extracted, the sequence proceeds to step S4. When at the precedent step S2 the ID information is judged as not being extracted, or when at step S3 the caller's area code is judged as not being extracted, the sequence proceeds to
step S12.
At step S4, the ID checking part 7 checks the extracted caller's area code against the area codes 16 of the transmission period table 50 of the transmission period memory part 11. At step S5, the transmission period reading part 8 reads the
transmission period 17 which corresponds to the area code 16 judged as matching on the basis of a result of the ID checking part 7.
At step S6, the transmission period checking part 9 checks the transmission period 17 which is read by the transmission period reading part 8 against the transmission periods 18 of the response message table 51 of the response message memory part
12a. At step S7, the response message reading part 10a reads a fetch code 19 of a response message 20 which corresponds to the transmission period 18 judged as matching on the basis of a result of the transmission period checking part 9. The fetch code
19 which is read is supplied to the central control part 1.
At step S8, the central control part 1 retrieves the response message 20 which corresponds to the received fetch code 19, from the voice data memory part 5. For instance, when "1" is supplied as the fetch code 19, the response message 20
speaking, "I am not at home now. Please leave your message, if any." is fetched.
At step S9, the central control part 1 sets a reproduction condition, such as a reproduction speed for reproducing the response message 20, to the reproduction control part 14. For example, "0" which is an initial set value for reproducing at a
predetermined speed is set.
At step S10, setting which requires to supply an output from the reproducing part 4 to the telephone line network is provided. At step S11, the fetched response message 20 is converted into a voice signal by the reproducing part 4, controlled
for a reproduction condition by the reproduction control part 14, and supplied to the telephone line network, thereby completing the sequence.
At step S12, as a fetch code 19 for a predetermined response message 20, for instance, "1" is read and supplied to the central control part 1. The sequence thereafter proceeds to step S8.
As described above, according to the first embodiment, a relatively long response message is sent when a transmission period per unit charge is long, while a relatively short response message is sent when a transmission period per unit charge is
short. Hence, it is possible to shorten a transmission period and reduce a call charge.
Next, a telephone answering machine of a second embodiment of the invention will be described. The telephone answering machine according to the second embodiment is structured like the telephone answering machine 15 according to the first
embodiment, but is characterized in requiring a different operation to send a response message. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing sending of a response message of the telephone answering machine of the second embodiment. The flow chart adds steps S13 to
S20 to the steps S1 to S7 and S12 of the flow chart in FIG. 4 regarding the telephone answering machine 15. The auxiliary memory part 13a stores a predetermined reference transmission period.
At step S5 which is followed upon similar operations as those at the steps S1 to S4, the transmission period reading part 8 reads and temporarily stores the transmission period 17 which corresponds to the area code 16 judged as matching on the
basis of a checking result of the ID checking part 7.
Further, at step S13 which is followed upon similar operations as those at the steps S6, S7 and S12, the reference transmission period which is stored in advance in the auxiliary memory part 13a and the temporary transmission period which is
temporarily stored at step S5 are read. At step S14, the reference transmission period is compared with the temporary transmission period. If the temporary transmission period is shorter than the reference transmission period, the sequence proceeds to
step S15. If the temporary transmission period is longer than the reference transmission period, the sequence proceeds to step S17.
At step S15, the recording part 3 is connected to the telephone line network. At step S16, recording is started and the sequence is ended. At step S17, the reproducing part 4 is connected to the telephone line network. At step S18, the central
control part 1 retrieves the response message 20 which corresponds to the received fetch code 19, from the voice data memory part 5.
At step S19, the central control part 1 sets a reproduction condition, such as a reproduction speed for reproducing the response message 20, to the reproduction control part 14. For example, "0" which is an initial set value for reproducing at a
predetermined speed is set. At step S20, the fetched response message 20 is converted into a voice signal by the reproducing part 4, controlled for a reproduction condition by the reproduction control part 14, and supplied to the telephone line network,
thereby completing the operation.
As described above, according to the second embodiment, a response message is sent when a transmission period per unit charge is long, but is not sent when a transmission period per unit charge is short. Hence, it is possible to shorten a
transmission period and reduce a call charge.
Next, a telephone answering machine according to a third embodiment of the invention will be described. The telephone answering machine according to the preferred embodiment is also structured like the telephone answering machine 15 according to
the first preferred embodiment, but is characterized in requiring a different operation to send a response message. FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing sending of a response message of the telephone answering machine of the third embodiment. The flow chart
adds steps S21 to S25 to the steps S1 to S7 and S12 to S14 of the flow chart in FIG. 5 regarding the telephone answering machine of the second embodiment. The auxiliary memory part 13a stores a predetermined reference transmission period.
As in the second embodiment, at step S14 which is followed upon the operations at the steps S1 to S7, S12, S13, the reference transmission period is compared with the temporary transmission period. If the temporary transmission period is shorter
than the reference transmission period, the sequence proceeds to step S21. If the temporary transmission period is longer than the reference transmission period, the sequence proceeds to step S22. At step S21, "1" is set to quicken a regular
predetermined speed twice faster than a reproduction speed. At step S22, "0" is set to use the regular predetermined speed as a reproduction speed.
At step S23 which is followed upon the operations at the steps S21, S22, the central control part 1 retrieves the response message 20 which corresponds to the received fetch code 19, from the voice data memory part 5. At step S24, the
reproducing part 4 is connected to the telephone line network. At step S25, the fetched response message 20 is converted into a voice signal by the reproducing part 4, controlled for a reproduction condition by the reproduction control part 14, and
outputted to the telephone line network.
As described above, according to the third embodiment, a reproduced response message is sent at the regular speed when a transmission period per unit charge is long, while the reproduced response message is sent at the speed which is twice faster
than the regular speed when a transmission period per unit charge is short. Hence, it is possible to shorten a transmission period and reduce a call charge.
The reproduction speed for reproducing a response message for a short transmission period per unit char | | |
