Abstract:
A voice message processor is disclosed for producing remote voice recordings in a decentralized, non-networked environment. Connections are provided for a communication link capable of transmitting and receiving calls over a public communication network, for a telephone set, and for a recordable voice message recording/playback device. A switching device provides a first state in which the telephone set connection and communication link connection are connected together, a second state in which the voice message recording/playback device input is connected to the communication link connection, and a third state in which the voice message recording/playback device output is connected to the communication link connection. A controller enable the voice message recording/playback device to be selectively recorded and played back when the switching device is in its second state and enables the voice message recording/playback device to be selectively played back when the switching device is in its third state.

Description:
This is a continuation of international application Serial No. PCT/JP97/04464, filed Dec. 5, 1997. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to personalized voice message recording/playback devices for use in association with gifts and greeting cards to selectively deliver a personalized voice recording from the gift giver and, more particularly, concerns a method and apparatus for producing the voice recording in a decentralized and non-networked environment. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     U.S. Pat. No. 5,063,698 to Johnson, et al. discloses a greeting card with an electronic sound recording that embodies a personalized message for the recipient of the card, including a method whereby the message received via telephone from a sender at a remote location is recorded onto an answering machine at a central location, where it is converted into an electronic signal and programmed onto an integrated circuit. The system disclosed in the Johnson et al. patent requires the voice message to be recorded on the memory chip at the location of the answering machine. Such a solution may be adequate for use at the point of purchase where the card is sold for local delivery, however, if as is many times the case, the intended recipient of the card is remotely located from the point of purchase, then the solution offered by Johnson et al. is inadequate. 
     Stern U.S. Pat. No. 5,425,078 discloses a system for producing voice message recording/playback devices which includes a central message processor which may be accessed from a plurality of communication links such as telephone lines. A customer records a message using a conventional telephone set and a fulfillment site or delivery outlet retrieves the message remotely and records it onto a memory chip, using a subscriber set. When accessed by a customer&#39;s set, the central processor permits the caller to create a temporary mailbox associated with the gift purchase, in which he/she may then record a voice message. When called by a subscriber set, the central processor permits previously created mailboxes to be accessed and will transfer the message recorded therein to the subscriber set, where it stored in the integrated circuit contained in the voice message recording/playback device. 
     Such a solution may be adequate for use by a mail-order catalog which has a single fulfillment and distribution center from which all orders are shipped or a number of fulfillment and distribution centers which are networked together. Similarly, such a solution would be adequate for a floral wireservice, Co-op or other association of retail outlets which form a delivery network from which orders placed within the closed network are fulfilled. In an association where each member is connected to the others through a centralized computer and/or telecommunication network it would be possible and even desirable to have all voice messages stored on a centralized message processor and stored under a temporary mailbox which has a dynamically generated and/or serialized transaction ID associated with a particular gift purchase. Similarly, for a mail-order catalog where orders are taken and entered on a central computer network it would be possible and desirable to associate a temporary mailbox with a dynamically generated order number for a gift purchase. 
     In a networked environment, there would never be a concern that two independent retailers might generate the same transaction ID with which a temporary mailbox would be associated causing the message of one customer to be delivered in place of another customer. 
     For a centralized mail-order catalog or for a networked association of retailers, it would be possible and even desirable to have the fulfillment site call the centralized message processor to access the previously recorded voice message. In such a networked environment where the outlets are connected by a computer and/or communications network, it would be possible to identify automatically which outlet is closest to the point of delivery and so instruct that outlet to connect to the message processor, access the temporary mail box and transfer the message onto a voice message recording/playback device. Similarly, a mail-order catalog having one distribution and fulfillment center would have no difficulty in generating a schedule of temporary mail box numbers which needed to be accessed in order to ship a complete order of gift merchandise and associated voice message recording/playback devices. The system of Stern is effective, primarily as long as there is a computer and/or communication network linking the location which captures the order and generates the transaction ID with the location which accesses the temporary mailbox and transfers the message into the voice message recording/playback device, the Stern patent is preferred. 
     Similarly, there are many mail-order catalogs which also have retail outlets and many retailers of gift merchandise which take orders both over the phone as well as from walk-in customers. The Johnson and Stern patents address the needs of a telephone customer who wishes to order a voice message recording/playback device, but they do not address the needs of a walk-in customer who wishes to create a voice message recording/playback device in a store environment and have it delivered from another location. In both the Johnson and Stern inventions the walk-in customer would be required to transfer all payment and delivery information to the sales agent in the store, but would then have to either leave the store to call in his/her message, or inconvenience both the store and him/herself to use a telephone in the store. 
     In practice, the Stern system and method not only require the use of a central voice processor but also require a minimum of three different phone calls to transfer information and the voice message itself: 1) the customer calls to order gift merchandise, 2) the customer must call [or be transferred] to a dedicated line into the central voice processor to record a message, and 3) the point of delivery must use a subscription device to dial into the central voice processor to retrieve the message. Since each phone call uses sophisticated enhanced switching or processing technologies there is a significant expense associated with either purchasing the equipment needed to process the calls or with paying an outside telephone service provider to provide these enhanced services. 
     If voice message recording/playback devices are to become a standardized and preferred form and method of sentiment expression it becomes necessary to introduce a system and method which permits independent retailers, vendors and service providers to capture orders for voice message recording/playback devices without a precondition that they are to be a member of an association nor a requirement that they are connected to a computer and/or a communications network. Similarly, it would be desirable that any independent distribution and fulfillment center or outlet set up with a voice message recording/playback device fulfillment station and having in inventory voice message recording/playback devices, could be available to receive a voice message for transfer onto a voice message recording/playback device in a commercial environment. 
     If voice message recording/playback devices are to be made available to customers who sometimes use a phone to order gift merchandise and sometimes visit a local retail outlet, and if voice message recording/playback devices are to be offered by retailers who sell gift merchandise both over the phone and from retail outlets and showrooms, then it becomes necessary to provide a method and system that is equally accessible by phone-in and walk-in customers. 
     If voice message recording/playback devices are to be made available for same-day delivery and if a customer or retailer wishes to control the selection of the delivering agent and the quality of the goods and services delivered with the voice message recording/playback device it is necessary for a method and system to provide for the real-time transfer of the customer&#39;s voice message from the point of sale to the point of delivery without the use of a automated computer network. 
     In conclusion, if voice message recording/playback devices are to be made available by retailers and delivery services of all sizes and levels of technical sophistication and by independent and even non-networked associations, then a flexible method and system for creating and fulfilling the voice message recording/playback devices must be provided which permits voice message recording/playback devices to be created in a manner that reflects the inconsistent buying habits of the typical consumer and that similarly permits fulfillment to be achieved in a flexible manner which permits the voice message to be forwarded from the point of purchase to the point of delivery (call and forward) or retrieved on demand by the point of delivery (record on-demand). 
     The solutions offered by Johnson and Stern do not address the needs nor mirror the buying habits of the typical consumer or the complexity of multilevel and multi-channel retailers and independent shops and are therefore inadequate. 
     Broadly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for the recording, transfer and downloading of voice messages onto voice message recording/playback devices in real-time and directly between two points without the need to unnecessarily handle and transfer sensitive electronics as in Johnson et. al nor by way of a central processor and centralized order entry system such as Stern. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     It is a purpose of the present invention to provide for a simple and flexible method and system that will permit voice message recording/playback devices to be ordered and recorded during one phone call without the need for expensive switching and voice processing hardware and similarly to provide a flexible system which permits voice message recording/playback devices to be recorded at a point of sale whether that point of sale is accessed by way of a phone call or a personal visit. 
     It is also a purpose of the present invention to provide a system and method that permits an agent at the point of sale to select independently the point of delivery, instruct personnel at the point of delivery directly and control the time to transfer the voice message from the point of sale to the point of delivery. 
     It is also a purpose of the present invention to permit the customer to select personally and the sales agent to request personally from the delivery site the maximum recording length of the voice message recording/playback device, the model, package design of the voice message recording/playback device, as well as to select any accessory which the customer wishes to have delivered with it. 
     The invention provides a low cost and straightforward voice message recording/playback device recording and transmission station which records a customer&#39;s voice message whether he/she orders a voice message recording/playback device over the phone or in person. The invention uses the same hardware to record and create a voice message recording/playback device for local delivery or remote delivery. To record a voice message recording/playback device in person, the customer is given a standard voice message recording/playback device with a special attachment which permits the customer to stand at any quiet location in or outside of the store to record a voice message directly into the voice message recording/playback device. 
     Otherwise, the customer may use a voice message recording/playback device which is operable by the customer for recording directly thereonto without need of a special attachment. Recording a voice message recording/playback device in such a manner directly mirrors the accepted and common practice of providing a customer with a card so that he/she can write a personal message as he/she walks around a store. To record a voice message recording/playback device over the phone, the sales agent simply inserts a blank voice message recording/playback device into the voice message recording/playback device message processor while the customer is on the line. The sales agent instructs the customer to wait for instruction and then to record his/her message. The sales agent switches the voice message recording/playback device point-to-point message processor from ‘Telephone’ to ‘Record’ mode. The voice message recording/playback device point-to-point message processor greets the customer and instructs the customer. 
     A preferred message processor would also permit a spokesperson at the point of sale to record personalized instructions to customers using the language and dialect of the customer and making reference to and promoting the point of sale&#39;s name. 
     It is a feature of the present invention that the voice message recording/playback device point-to-point message processor may be connected to any standard telephone line without the need for a dedicated line. 
     In accordance with the present invention, a system for producing voice message recording/playback devices includes a voice message recording/playback device point-to-point message processor which may be accessed over a plurality of communication links, such as telephone lines or directly at the point of purchase. The message processor may be so accessed by means of a customer&#39;s communication set, such as a conventional telephone set, by means of another voice message recording/playback device point-to-point message processor or directly by a customer at the point of purchase. Depending on the setting of a ‘mode’ switch the voice message recording/playback device point-to-point message processor will record or transfer a new voice message onto a voice message recording/playback device at the point of purchase or to another voice message recording/playback device point-to-point message processor remotely located at another point of delivery. When accessed by a customer&#39;s communication set or directly by a customer at the point of purchase, the message processor permits the customer to record a voice message directly onto a voice message recording/playback device. If the customer desires that his/her voice message recording/playback device should be delivered from the point of purchase, the voice message recording/playback device may be removed from the voice message recording/playback device point-to-point message processor and delivered. If the customer desires that his/her voice message recording/playback device should be delivered from a location other than the point of purchase, the voice message recording/playback device point-to-point message processor permits the voice message recording/playback device created by the customer to function as a temporary storage device for the voice message. Once the ‘mode’ switch on the voice message recording/playback device point-to-point message processor has been set to ‘transfer’ and a connection is made with a voice message recording/playback device point-to-point message processor remotely located at the desired point of delivery, and the ‘mode’ switch on the voice message recording/playback device point-to-point message processor located at the desired point of deliver is set to ‘record’ then the message stored on the voice message recording/playback device located at the point of sale which functions as a temporary storage device is transferred to a voice message recording/playback device located at the point of delivery. 
     A voice message recording/playback device in accordance with the present invention includes an integrated circuit which is a single chip voice message system. In the preferred embodiment, this voice message system permits recordation and playback of messages under the power of a battery which is included on the same circuit board as the chip, and a miniature speaker included on the circuit board permits the voice message to be heard. The voice message recording/playback device retains the recorded message in non-volatile form, and the entire voice message recording/playback device is contained in a housing which encloses the circuit board. A pin or edge connector is accessible from the outside of the housing and permits the voice message recording/playback device to be plugged into the point-to-point message processor or alternatively to be plugged into a special direct record microphone attachment which permits a customer at the point of sale to record a message directly into the voice message recording/playback device. 
     A voice message recording/playback device in accordance with another aspect of the present invention includes a microphone which permits a customer to record a voice message directly onto the playback device without need of a special microphone attachment. The voice message recording/playback device has a connector to be plugged into the point-to-point message processor. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The foregoing, as well as the other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be understood more completely from the following detailed description of a presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiment, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which: 
     FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of a point-to-point voice message recording/playback device recording system in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIGS. 2-4 are flowcharts illustrating how certain processing is performed in the system described in FIG. 1; 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a message processor in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view, on an enlarged scale illustrating the presently preferred structure of a voice message recording/playback device and the presently preferred structure of a direct record input device in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a voice message recording/playback device in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a direct record input device in accordance with the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 (FIG. 9 comprises FIGS. 9 a,    9   b,    9   c  and  9   d ) is a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of a point-to-point message processor in accordance with the present invention. 
     FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of another preferred embodiment of a voice message recording/playback device in accordance with the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Turning now to the details of the drawing, FIG.  1 . is a schematic block diagram illustrating a system  10  incorporating objects and features of the invention. System  10  includes a plurality of point-to-point processors  12  which handle both remote and local connections  14 . Each of the connections  14  may be accessed by a conventional touch-tone telephone used by a customer  16  (via a conventional telephone line  17  connected to the public telephone system), sales agent at a point-of-sale  18 , a fulfillment agent at a point-of-delivery  26 , or by a voice message recording/playback device  22  which is either blank or contains a previously recorded voice message recorded with a special direct input device  24 . It is, however, foreseen that system  10  could operate with rotary telephones, as will be described further below. 
     The remote and local connections  14  are accessed in the manner of a conventional telephone connection or personal visit to a point-of-sale by dialing predefined telephone numbers or by physically visiting a point-of-sale. By means of a choice of a combination of a ‘mode’ switch settings and connection of a voice message recording/playback device  22  to a function-specific connector on the point-to-point message processor  12 , the point-to-point message processor  12  responds with an appropriate response enabling a customer to record a message over the phone  16 . Alternatively, a sales agent at a point-of-sale to transfer a message stored on a previously recorded voice message recording/playback device  22  to a blank voice message recording/playback device  22  inserted into a second point-to-point message processor  12  remotely located at a point-of-delivery. The point-to-point message processor  12  will therefore deliver different responses based on the settings of its ‘mode’ switch and the selection and connection of a voice message recording/playback device to a function-specific connector. 
     In operation, a customer&#39;s telephone call  16 , including Internet, Personal Computer Networks, Wide/Local Area Networks etc., might be received via telephone line  17  from customers wishing to record a voice message recording/playback device  22  for either local or remote delivery. Line  17  is connected to telephone  18  through processor  12 , permitting the customer&#39;s telephone call to be received at phone  18 . A blank voice message recording/playback device  22  would be inserted into the ‘record’ bay on a voice message recording/playback device point-to-point message processor  12 . The voice message recording/playback device point-to-point message processor  12  would be connected to the same phone line or phone system as that used by the sales agent to receive customer calls. The sales agent would deliver oral instructions to a first-time customer including instructions to press a designated ‘record’ key (e.g. the # 1  key combination) on the touch-tone phone pad on his/her phone  16  when desiring to record and re-record a message. In addition, the customer would be instructed to wait for a ‘beep’ tone and then record his/her message. The customer would also be informed as to the maximum recording length of the particular voice message recording/playback Device  22  selected and advised that he/she can either press a second designated key on his/her touch-tone phone pad to ‘stop record’ (e.g. the #0 key combination) so that the system will play the customer&#39;s message or the system will automatically play the customer&#39;s message after the maximum recording length has timed-out. Thereafter, the customer could either re-press the designated key on his/her touch-tone phone pad key (e.g. the #1 key) to ‘record’ another message or wait for the point-of-sale agent to come back online. A repeat customer could forego any instructions from the sales agent. 
     It should be understood that in a preferred embodiment, the point-to-point message processor  12  could contain a pre-recorded outgoing message (OGM) which would deliver identical instructions to the customer. In such a preferred embodiment, the sales agent would simply advise the customer that he/she is being transferred to the message processor for instructions and to record the customer&#39;s personal message. 
     In order to accommodate rotary phones, the point-to-point message processor  12  could be made responsive to commands pronounced by the customer, as is now conventional in some telephone answering devices (TAD), instead of responding only to tones coded in on the telephone keypad. In such an embodiment the customer would be instructed to press a designated key on his/her touch tone pad or speak the word ‘yes’ when ready to record a message. 
     Next the sales agent switches the ‘mode’ switch on processor  12  from ‘Telephone’ to ‘Record’. Switching the ‘mode’ switch from ‘Telephone’ to ‘Record’ disconnects the sales agent&#39;s phone from the line, isolating the customer&#39;s line from any background noise at the point of sale, and giving the customer a sense of privacy while he/she records a message. The sales agent can nonetheless monitor the recording session from a built-in speaker on the point-to-point message processor  12  in order to assist the customer, if required, and to terminate the call after the message has been successfully recorded. 
     The point-to-point message processor  12  sounds a ‘beep’ to alert the customer, who may then speak his/her message. Once the voice message recording/playback device  22  times out, or if the customer presses a second designated key on his/her touch-tone phone pad to ‘stop record’ (e.g. the # 0  key), the message processor immediately plays back the message so that the customer can review it. The customer may press the designated record key (e.g. the # 1  key) on the touch-tone pad on his/her phone to re-record his/her message as many times as necessary until he/she is satisfied with his/her message. 
     Once the message has been successfully recorded, the sales agent, switches the ‘mode’ switch on the point-to-point message processor  12  from ‘Record’ to ‘Telephone’, thanks the customer and hangs up. 
     In an alternative operation, a customer present at the point of sale who desires to send a voice message recording/playback device  22  for local or remote delivery would be given a voice message recording/playback device  22  into which would be connected a direct record input device  24 . The direct record input device  24  is connected to a connector on the voice message recording/playback device  22  and contains a built-in microphone, a ‘Rec’ button and a light emitting diode (LED) which stays lit as long as the ‘Rec’ button is pressed and/or until the record cycle has timed out. The customer located at the point of sale may press the ‘Rec’ button, to record a message, press the play button to review his/her message and re-record his message as many times as desired until he/she is satisfied with the message. Once satisfied, the customer returns the voice message recording/playback device  22  and the direct record input device  24  to the sales agent. 
     Once a voice message recording/playback device  22  has been successfully recorded either by a phone customer as in the first operation described above, or by a customer present at the point of sale as in the alternative operation described above, the voice message recording/playback device  22  is removed from the point-to-point message processor  12  (in the case of a phone customer) or disconnected from the direct record input device  24  (in the case of a customer present at the point of sale). 
     The successfully recorded voice message recording/playback device  22  is now complete for a delivery which is local to the point of sale. If, on the other hand, the customer wishes for the voice message recording/playback device  22  to be delivered from a remote location, the voice message recorded on the voice message recording/playback device  22  must be transferred to another voice message recording/playback device  22  located at a remote point of deliver. 
     To transfer a voice message from one voice message recording/playback device  22  located at one location, to a voice message recording/playback device  22  located at an other location, the sales agent places a voice message recording/playback device  22  containing the message that is to be transferred, into the ‘Transfer’ bay on the point-to-point message processor  12  located at the point of sale. The sales agent then dials a point of delivery using his telephone  18 . The delivery agent answers his/her phone  26  and is given orally all of the relevant delivery, payment and other customer personal selection information from the sales agent. The sales agent also advises the delivery agent regarding the length of the customer&#39;s previously recorded message so that the delivery agent can select a blank voice message recording/playback device  22  with adequate recording capacity from inventory. 
     The delivery agent inserts an appropriate voice message recording/playback device  22  into the ‘Record’ bay on the point-to-point message processor  12  located at the delivery point and switches the ‘mode’ switch on the point-to-point message processor  12  located at the delivery point to ‘Record’. The sales agent switches the ‘mode’ switch on the point-to-point message processor  12  located at the point of sale to ‘Transmission’ and then presses the ‘Transfer’ button on the point-to-point message processor  12  located at the point of sale which causes the point-to-point message processor  12  located at the point of sale to emit a DTMF tone which puts the voice message recording/playback device inserted into the ‘Transfer’ bay on the point-to-point message processor  12  located at the point of sale into play mode and puts the voice message recording/playback device  22  inserted into the ‘Record’ bay on the point-to-point message processor  12  located at the point of delivery into record mode. 
     The agents at both the point of sale and point of delivery can monitor the transfer from the built-in speakers contained on their respective point-to-point message processors  12 . Once the voice chips on the two voice message recording/playback devices  22  have timed-out and the message has been successfully transferred, the two voice message recording/playback devices  22  may be removed from the respective point-to-point message processors  12 . The voice message recording/playback device  22  located at the point of delivery may be delivered to the intended recipient. The voice message recording/playback device  22  located at the point of sale, which functioned as a temporary mail-box, may be re-used to record another customer&#39;s voice message. 
     When the voice message recording/playback device is received by the ultimate recipient, he/she will be able to play the recorded message at will by simply pressing a ‘play’ button. 
     FIG. 2 is a illustrating the operation of message processor system  12  in accordance with the present invention when phone customer desires to record a message onto a voice message recording/playback device. The point of sale (P-O-S) agent talks to the customer using his/her telephone  18  at block  100 . At block  102  the customer is asked whether he/she wants to record a new voice message or not. If not, the customer is instructed to visit the point of sale and record a voice message in person. If yes, at block  104  the P-O-S agent instructs the customer on how to record a new message using the touch-tone pad on his/her phone to enter commands, and the mouthpiece on his telephone handset to record a message. At block  106  the P-O-S agent inserts a blank voice message recording/playback device  22  into the ‘Record’ bay of the message processor  12  connected to his/her phone line. At block  108  the P-O-S agent switches the ‘mode’ switch on the message processor  12  from ‘telephone’ to ‘Record’. At block  110  the ‘Record’ LED on the message processor  12  begins to flash and the ‘Recording’ LED lights. At block  112  the built-in speaker on the message processor  12  is activated and the phone set of the P-O-S agent is temporarily disconnected. Simultaneously with block  110 , at block  114  a ‘beep’ tone sounds over the phone line. 
     At block  116  a determination is made whether the customer entered the ‘Record’ touch tone. If not, at block  118  the P-O-S agent switches the ‘mode’ switch back to ‘Telephone’ at block  118 . At block  120  ‘Record’ and ‘Recording’ LEDs go out. At block  122 , the built-in speaker on message processor  12  is disconnected and the P-O-S agent&#39;s phone set is reactivated. At block  124  the P-O-S agent removes playback device  22  from message processor  12  and talks to the customer. If the determination at block  116  is positive, then at block  126  message processor  12  puts playback device  22  into ‘Record’ mode and playback device  22  records the customer&#39;s message. 
     At block  128 , it is determined whether the customer either entered a ‘Stop Record’ touch tone (e.g. the #0 key) if he/she finishes recording message before playback device  22  times-out. If not, at block  130  the ‘Record’ cycle times-out. At block  132 , message processor  12  sounds a ‘beep’ tone. At block  134 , message processor  12  pauses and then puts playback device  22  into ‘Play’ mode and playback device  22  plays the message for the customer. If at block  128  it is determined that a customer entered a ‘Stop Record’ touch-tone (e.g. the #0 key), message processor  12  pauses and puts playback device  22  into ‘Play’ mode and the playback device  22  plays the message for customer at block  134 . 
     The customer decides whether he/she is satisfied with the message. If the customer is not satisfied, he/she presses the ‘Record’ key and the record sequence repeats starting at block  116 . If customer is satisfied, he/she does not press the ‘Record’ key and the P-O-S agent re-establishes the phone connection at block  118 . Termination of the process proceeds through block  120 - 124 , and control returns to the start of the process. 
     FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of message processor system  12  in accordance with the present invention when a customer present at the point-of-sale desires to record a message directly onto a voice message recording/playback device. The point of sale (P-O-S) agent asks the customer present at the point-of-sale if he/she would like to record a message directly onto a voice message recording/playback device  22  at block  200 . If yes, the P-O-S agent instructs the customer at block  202 . The P-O-S agent connects a direct record input device  24  into a blank voice message recording/playback device  22  at block  204 . The customer takes a voice message recording/playback device  22  which has a direct record input device  24  connected to it, to a quiet area either inside or outside of the P-O-S at block  206 . 
     At block  208 , the customer presses the ‘Record’ button on the direct record input device  24 . The ‘Record’ LED on the direct record input device lights up at block  210 . At block  212  the voice message recording/playback device  22  goes into ‘Record’ mode and records the customer&#39;s message. At block  213 , the ‘Record’ cycle timer is started on the voice message recording/playback device  22  and times-out after a predefined interval at block  214 . The ‘Record’ LED on the direct record input device  24  goes out at block  216  and control transfers to block  220 . The customer presses the ‘Play’ button on the voice message recording/playback device  22  at block  218 . The voice message recording/playback device  22  goes into ‘play’ mode at block  220  and plays the message from the built-in speaker at block  222  after the customer is finished recording or as a result of having previously timing-out at block  214 . 
     At block  224 , the customer decides whether he/she is satisfied with the message. If the customer is satisfied with the message he/she returns the voice message recording/playback device  22  with the direct record input device  24  attached to it to the P-O-S agent and at block  226  the P-O-S agent removes the direct record input device  24  from the playback device  22 . If the customer is not satisfied, he/she presses the ‘record’ button located on the direct record input device  24  and control transfers to block  208 , repeating the ‘record’ sequence. 
     FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of message processor system  12  in accordance with the present invention when P-O-S desires to transmit a previously recorded voice message from a voice message recording/playback device  22  located at the P-O-S to a blank voice message recording/playback device  22  located at a remote point of delivery (P-O-D). The P-O-S agent determines a convenient time to transfer the message and contacts a P-O-D at block  300 . At block  302  P-O-S agent dials a P-O-D agent on his/her telephone  18 . P-O-D agent receives a call on his/her telephone  26  at block  304 . At block  306  P-O-S agent gives P-O-D agent instructions including all associated delivery and billing information. P-O-S agent inserts previously recorded voice message recording/playback device  22  into ‘Transmission’ bay on message processor  12  at block  308 . At block  310 , P-O-S agent switches ‘mode’ switch on message processor  12  from ‘Telephone’ to ‘Transmission’. At block  312 , ‘Transmission’ LED flashes and ‘Transmitting’ LED lights. 
     At block  314 , P-O-D agent inserts blank voice message recording/playback device  22  into ‘Record’ bay on message processor  12 . At block  316 , P-O-D agent switches ‘mode’ switch on message processor  12  from ‘Telephone’ to ‘Record’. ‘Record’ LED flashes and ‘Recording’ LED lights on P-O-D message processor  12  at block  318 . At block  320 , speakers monitor recording session and telephone sets are temporarily disconnected on message processors  12  of both the P-O-S and P-O-D. At block  322 , P-O-S agent presses ‘Transmission’ button on his/her message processor  12 . Message processor  12  at P-O-S issues ‘Record’ touch-tone at block  324 . Previously recorded message plays from voice message recording/playback device  22  at P-O-S at block  326 . Blank voice message recording/playback device  22  located at the P-O-D records the message at block  328 . At block  330 , message processor  12  located at P-O-D pauses and puts the voice message recording/playback device  22  into the ‘play’ mode. At block  332 , agents decide if they are satisfied with the recording. If not, they cause the process to return to block  300  to redo transfer sequence. If yes, the agents remove the voice message recording/playback devices  22  from their respective message processors at block  334  and the transfer is complete. 
     FIG. 5 is a schematic representation of a point-to-point message processor  12  in accordance with the present invention. The message processor contains an RJ-11 telephone jack  170  via which it is connected to a line in from the telephone network and a second RJ-11 telephone jack  172  which is connected to a line out to a standard telephone set. The processor  12  also contains a special circuit board including receptacles for receiving voice message recording/playback devices and circuitry for operating the same to record and transfer a message thereon and therefrom. In addition, message processor  12  includes circuitry controlling and monitoring the cooperation of the telephone components and recording components as described in flowcharts contained in FIGS. 2 and 4. 
     Speaker  150  is used to monitor recording and transferring sequences. Mode switch  152  is used by P-O-S and P-O-D agents to control the functions of the message processor  12  at switch  820  on  12 ′. Record bay  154  and Transmission bay  156  contain male connector pins, which mate with female connectors on the voice message recording/playback device  22  and complete a circuit to record and transmit a recording respectively. Button  158  (which activates switch  860  on  12 ′) is pressed by the P-O-S agent to put a voice message recording/playback device  22  inserted into the Transmission Bay  156  (corresponding to connector in bay  814  on  12 ′) into ‘Play’ mode and simultaneously put a voice message recording/playback device  22  inserted into a Record bay  154  (corresponding to connector in bay  812  on  12 ′) on a remotely located message processor  12  into ‘Record’ mode. 
     LED  160  (corresponding to LED  822  on  12 ′) flashes when the mode switch  152  is switched to the ‘Transmission’ position. LED  162  corresponding to LED  818  on  12 ′) flashes when the mode switch  152  is switched to the ‘Record’ position. ‘Playing’ LED  164  (corresponding to LED  828  on  12 ′) stays lit when a voice message recording/playback device  22  inserted in the Record bay  154  is re-playing a message just recorded. ‘Recording’ LED  166  (corresponding to LED  824  on  12 ′) stays lit when a voice message recording/playback device  22  inserted in the Record bay  154  is recording a message and ‘Transmitting’ LED  168  (corresponding to LED  826  on  12 ′) stays lit when a voice message recording/playback device  22  inserted in the Transmission bay  156  is transmitting a message. 
     FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a voice message recording/playback device  22  and a direct record input device  24  in accordance with the present invention. The voice message recording/playback device  22  is generally shaped like a card, approximately two inches wide and three inches long, and appropriately one-quarter inch high. It includes circuit board  22 ′ described below and has a frame and protective cover preferably made of plastic and securely attached to the circuit board  22 ′. After a message has been transferred to the voice message recording/playback device  22 , it may be inserted into a decorative sleeve preferably made of card stock. The plastic cover protects the circuits inside when the playback device is handled. A grid (or plurality of holes)  250  are provided in cover  258  above the location of the speaker  603  (reference to FIG.  7 ), to permit convenient listening to playback. In addition, a removable door  254  is provided in cover  258  to permit access to a battery  610  (reference to FIG.  7 ), for replacement. A pressure sensitive membrane  252  is provided in cover  258  over the location of switch  614  (reference to FIG.  7 ). By applying downward pressure on membrane  252 , it can be deformed inwardly, depressing switch  614  (reference to FIG.  7 ). 
     As is conventional, circuit board  22 ′ has a female connector  256  which is located on the edge of the board and has contacts to permit electrical connections to be made to the board. Message processor  12  and direct record input device  24  can then be conveniently provided with a male connector, which receives and engages the contacts on the female connector when the female connector on the edge of the board  22 ′ is inserted. 
     The direct record input device  24  is generally shaped so as to compliment the card shape of the voice message recording/playback device  22 , approximately one inch wide and two inches long, and appropriately one-quarter inch high. It includes a circuit board  24 ′ described below and has a frame and protective cover preferably made of plastic and securely attached to the circuit board  24 ′. The plastic cover protects the circuits inside when the playback device is handled. A grid (or plurality of holes)  262  are provided in cover  268  above the location of the microphone  720  (reference to FIG.  8 ), to permit convenient recording of a voice message. A hole  266  is provided in cover  268  over the location of switch  710  (reference to FIG. 8) to permit it to be easily pressed. Another hole  264  is provided in cover  268  over the location of LED  718  (reference to FIG. 8) to permit it to be easily visible. 
     As is conventional, circuit board  24 ′ has a male connector  260  which is located on the edge of the board and serves as contacts to permit electrical connections to be made to the board. Voice message recording/playback device  22  can then be conveniently provided with a female connector, which receives and engages the contacts on the male connector when the male connector on the edge of the board  24 ′ is inserted. 
     FIG. 7 is a simplified schematic diagram of a voice message recording/playback device  22  in accordance with the present invention. Preferably, the device will be fabricated as a hybrid circuit on a circuit board of less than 2×2 inches in size. The circuit board would be provided with an appropriate connector, for example, a 10 pin female connector, designed to fit in a male connector either on the message processor  12  or direct record input device  24 . 
     At the heart of the playback device  22  is an integrated circuit  602 , which is a single chip voice message system, preferably an ISD 1420 chip available from ISD (Information Storage Devices) Inc. of San Jose, Calif., U.S.A. This device is capable of direct storage of analog signals on the chip and playback at will under electronic control. Furthermore, storage is non-volatile, so a stored message is retained indefinitely, without the need for a power supply. Pins  1 - 8  are not used in this application and are returned to ground. Pin  9  and  10  are digital and analog inputs which are connected to a common ground. 
     All of the circuitry of playback device  22  is mounted on a circuit board  22 ′ of conventional design. The circuit board also includes a conventional connector  600  (e.g. a female pin connector) and a mounting for a conventional disk-type battery (6 volts)  610 . A miniature 16 ohm speaker  603 , which is mounted on circuit board  22 ′ is connected between terminals  11  and  12  and in parallel to terminals  8  and  9  of the connector  600 . Pin  13  is the power input for the analog circuits in chip  602  and pin  24  is the power input for digital circuits in chip  602 . Both pins  13  and  24  are connected to power supply circuitry  610  to be described below. 
     Pins  14  and  15  are designed to have a microphone connected between them. These pins are connected to terminals  5  and  6  respectively, of connector  600 . Pin  16  is provided for the external connection of components to control the characteristics of automatic gain control, which is used during recording (AGC). This pin is connected to terminal  4  of connector  600  and when playback device  22  is plugged into message processor unit  12  or into the direct record input device  24 , a capacitor and resistor  808  on the message processor unit  12  or a capacitor and resistor  708  on the direct record input device  24  are connected in parallel between pin  16  and ground. The values of the capacitor and resistor are selected in accordance with the chip manufacturer&#39;s specifications in order to achieve specific, desired AGC characteristics. This avoids the need to supply these components on each chip. A capacitor and resistor  608  are connected in serial between pins  17  and  18  in accordance with the manufacturer&#39;s specifications for proper operation of the circuitry. 
     Pin  19  is a playback level activation signal of the chip  602  which is connected to VCC voltage  610 . Pin  20  is a playback edge activated signal in the chip  602 . When a low-going transition is detected on this input signal, a playback cycle begins. Pin  20  is connected to pull up resistor  612  and to VCC  610  and is also connected to the internal play switch  614  and also terminal  7  on connector  600  for playback from message processor  12 . When switch  614  is closed, pin  20  (PLAYE; Playback Edge-Activated) is connected to ground and this initiates a playback cycle from the beginning of the message space. An alternative method to initiate playback is to close play circuit from external connector  600 . 
     Pin  23  is the record signal. The device records whenever this signal input is low. A record cycle is completed when the input is pulled high or the memory space is filled. Pin  23  is connected to VCC  610  by resistor and capacitor  616 . Pin  23  is also connected to terminal  2  on connector  600  which is connected to a record switch  710  on the direct record input device  24  or switch  810  on message processor  12 . 
     Pin  21  is Rec LED out. The output on this pin is low during a record cycle. This pin is used to drive an LED to provide feedback that a record cycle is in progress. The output returns to a high state when record pin  23  is released high or when the recording is completed due to the message space being filled. Pin  21  is connected to terminal  3  on connector  600  which is connected to LED  718  on the direct record input device  24  or LED  824  on message processor  12 . 
     Pin  22  which is the external clock input of the device is not used and is therefore connected to ground. 
     FIG. 8 is a simplified schematic diagram of a direct record input device  24  in accordance with the present invention. Preferably, the device will be fabricated on a circuit board  24 ′ of less than 1×2 inches in size. The circuit board would be provided with an approximate connector  730 , for example, a 10 pin male connector, designed to fit in a female connector  600  on the voice message recording/playback device  22 ′ (in FIG.  7 ). LED  718  shows that the record cycle has been activated and connects to terminal  3  on connector  600  which connects to Pin  21  on chip  602 . Record switch  710  connects to terminal  2  on connector  600  which connects to Pin  23  on chip  602  and initiates a record cycle as described above. Capacitor and resistor  708  connect to terminal  4  of connector  600  in parallel between pin  16  and ground. The values of the capacitor and resistor are selected in accordance with the chip manufacturer&#39;s specifications in order to achieve specific, desired AGC characteristics. 
     FIGS. 9 a,    9   b,    9   c  and  9   d  constitute a schematic diagram of a preferred embodiment of the message processor  12 . When voice message recording/playback device  22  is plugged into message processor  12 , the message processor can control whether the playback device is recording or playing back by controlling the level of the signal on terminal  2  and  7  respectively of connector  600  as described above. When message processor  12  causes playback device  22  to record a message, the desired message, as received from the message processor  12 , is supplied between pins  5  and  6  of connector  600 . This causes the voice information to be applied between pins  14  and  15  of chip  602  which are the microphone input pins. 
     When mode switch  820  is in ‘Telephone’ mode, the telephone circuit is closed and internal speaker  850  is open. When mode switch  820  is switched to either ‘record’ or ‘Transmit’ (send), the telephone circuit is open and internal speaker  850  is closed. LED  818  is a record LED corresponding to LED opening  162  in FIG.  5 . LED  822  is transmitting (send) LED corresponding to LED opening  160  in FIG.  5 . LED  824  is the recording LED corresponding to LED opening  166  in FIG.  5 . LED  826  is the Transmitting (send) LED corresponding to LED  168  opening in FIG.  5 . LED  828  is the playing LED corresponding to LED opening  164  in FIG.  5 . Switch  860  corresponds to ‘Transmit’ switch opening in FIG.  5  and when pressed closes a circuit to UM95088, which is a DTMF Tone generator chip (indicated as  862 ) and which transmits over telephone line circuit  830 . 
     When a DTMF (Dual Tone Multi-Frequency) tone (e.g. Pushbutton ‘1’ 697 Hz and 1209 Hz Frequency) is pressed by customer it is detected by the MC145436 DTMF decoder chip  864  and CD4514 4-TO-16 Line Decoder (multiplexer) chip  866 , which identifies the DTMF tone and sends a high voltage to pin  9  of chip  866 . This lights a green LED and triggers flip flop circuits  832  and  834 , to activate ‘record’ terminal  3  on REC bay  812  which corresponds to Record Bay cut-out  154  in FIG.  5 . This also activates ‘Play’ terminal  7  on Transmission (send) Bay which corresponds to Transmission Bay cutout  156  in FIG.  5 . 
     During recording, signal  836  is always high. When recording is finished, either by chip  602  reaching its maximum capacity or when a DTMF tone (e.g. Pushbutton ‘0’ 941 Hz and 1336 Hz Frequency)  838  is pressed by customer, signal  836  triggers rec while going low and the output of NAND  840  goes high. As a result the input to flip flop  842  goes high. The output of this device goes to flip flops  844  and  846  which send a ‘Play’ signal via switch  848  to terminal  7  on ‘record’ bay  812 . 
     A playback device  26  of another preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 10 in a simplified schematic diagram. 
     Preferably, the message recording/playback device  26  will be fabricated as a hybrid circuit on a circuit board  26 ′. The circuit board  26 ′ would be provided with a connector  900  such as a 10 pin female connector which is suitably designed to receive a male connector on the message processor  12 . 
     At the heart of the playback device  26 , there is an integrated circuit  902  which is a single chip voice message system, preferably an ISD 1420 chip available from ISD Inc. of San Jose, Calif. 
     Pins  1  to  8  are not used in this application and are returned to ground. Pins  9  and  10  represent digital and analog inputs which are connected to ground. 
     All of the circuit components of the playback device  26  are mounted on the circuit board  26 ′. The circuit board  26 ′ includes a conventional connector  900  (e.g. a female pin connector) and a mount for a conventional disk-type battery  910 . A miniature 16 ohm speaker  903  is mounted on the circuit board  26 ′ and is connected between terminals  11  and  12  and in parallel to terminals  8  and  9  of the connector  900 . Pin  13  is the power input for the analog circuits in chip  902 , and pin  24  is the power input for the digital circuits in chip  902 . Both pins  13  and  24  are connected to power supply circuitry  910 . 
     Microphone  924  is connected between pins  14  and  15 . These pins  14  and  15  are connected to terminals  5  and  6 , respectively, of the connector  900 . Capacitor and resistor  920  is connected between pin  16  and ground. The values of the capacitor and resistor are selected in accordance with the chip manufacturer&#39;s specifications in order to achieve specific, desired AGC (Automatic Gain Control) characteristics. Capacitor and resistor  908  is connected in serial between pins  17  and  18  in accordance with the manufacturer&#39;s specifications for proper operation of the circuitry. 
     Pin  19  is a playback level activation signal of the chip  902  which is connected to VCC  910 . Pin  20  is the playback signal. When a low-going transition is detected on this input signal, the playback cycle begins. Pin  20  is connected to VCC  910  via a pull up resistor  912  and to ground via a play switch  914  and also to terminal  7  of the connector  900  for playback from message processor  12 . When playback switch  914  is closed, pin  20  PLAY is connected to ground and this initiates the playback cycle from the beginning of the message space. An alternative method to initiate playback is to close play circuit from the external connector  900 . 
     Pin  23  is the record signal. Whenever this input signal is low, the record cycle begins. The record cycle is completed when the input is pulled high or the memory space is filled. Pin  23  is connected to VCC  910  via resistor and capacitor  916  and to terminal  2  of the connector  900  which is connected to switch  810  on the message processor  12 . Record switch  922  and play switch  914  are connected in serial between the pin  23  and ground. The chip  902  is designed such that REC  23  signal takes precedence over PLAY  20  signal. Therefore, when both the switches  914  and  922  are closed, the record cycle begins. Of course, the record switch  922  may be connected between the pin  23  and ground. In this case, whenever the switch  922  is closed, the record cycle begins. 
     LED  928  is connected between the VCC  910  and REC LED pin  21 . The output on this pin  21  is low during the record cycle. Therefore, the LED  928  shows that the record cycle has been activated. The output returns to a high state when the record pin  23  is released high or when the recording is completed due to the message space being filled. 
     Pin  22  which is the external clock input of the device is not used and is therefore connected to ground. 
     Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many additions, modifications and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as defined by the accompanying claims.