Recording telephone system equipped with a remote control change-over switch

Abstract: A message telephone with message recording and reproducing function equipped with remote control switch is disclosed. The message telephone has a calling signal identification circuit and after counting a predetermined number of calling signal, if the calling party once disconnect the call and originate a second call within a predetermined time interval the device works as a message telephone after identifying MF signal pass-word to work various message function under control of the remote calling party.

Description: The present invention relates to a telephone message device having remote control switching capabilities and comprising at least one micro-computer with associated switches, calling signal identification means, pass-word identification means, a telephone set, message function means and message recording and reproducing apparatus. The invention also relates to a method of enabling a calling party to receive from and provide a separate private message to another telephone having a telephone message device equipped with remote control switching capabilities. It has been known as a kind of multi-function telephone or housekeeping telephone which is equipped with a function so called as the "message function". Namely, even since the opening the market of manufacture and sales of the telephone equipment to free competition, the house use telephone equipment has been developed remarkably to accommodate various novel functions. Among the multi-function telephone equipment ever developed and sold by manufacturers, there is one having a housekeeping function plus "message function". What is meant by the "message function" is a telephone communication function to allow free exchange of messages among particular persons, i.e. among the members of a family, between intimate friends, between beloved persons, etc. by using telephone installed at outside, for instance, from a public telephone and by means of a particular secret code. This function is especially useful for conveying unexpected messages between persons whose location is unknown, for instance, to convey change of meeting place, change of appointment time, change of promised matter etc. and the message is transferred to a particular person who is using the system while keeping secret to a third person. US-A-4 571 458 discloses a telephone answering system which has an additional feature in that it can be remotely controlled by coded control signals transmitted over the telephone line. By using different codes, the calling party may record different messages at different locations on an announcement tape which may be forwarded to different persons. These different persons are each provided with a different code, and they may obtain their messages from their respective remote locations by sending their codes over the telephone line and thereby obtaining access to the particular location on the tape at which their particular messages are recorded. The telephone answering system always operates as an answering system and not as an ordinary telephone system. However, there are still disadvantages in the known multi-function telephone set equipped with the message function or in the message service developed for the public communication system controlled by a push button telephone network in the manner of use and/or the function. The main disadvantages are as follows. Namely, the known multi-function telephone sets can have the message function only as an extension of its housekeeping telephone function so that the message function is unavailable unless the telephone set is previously switched to the housekeeping telephone position. Whereas, if the telephone set is switched to the housekeeping telephone position, it can not work as an ordinary telephone set unless it is switched back. Accordingly, the use as the message function is limited for a case when the whole members of a family are out of home and there is no need to use the telephone set as an ordinary telephone, or an individual owner of a telephone set is out from the location. The use in both the above cases is limited to a case that the telephone set is switched to its housekeeping telephone position. Moreover, as for the manner of use of the function, more especially when a message is desired to be transmitted to particularly limited persons without leaking the content to a third person, it is actually difficult to use the function, since the confirmation whether or not the called party's telephone is switched to the housekeeping position is unobtainable in the known system. Also when the telephone set is switched to the housekeeping telephone position, it is possible that the transmitted message content may be heard by an undesired third person especially if it is in a loudspeaker position and then the privacy can not be maintained. The message service or a message-board service under development in the public telephone system has a merit to communicate a certain message by using already existing push-button telephone sets since the system is incorporated in the telephone network service. However, it has another disadvantage as the manner of use is complicated and as the input communication number, private secret-code and the content of the message may be erased after lapse of a certain time so that the service can not be used unless the communication number and the private secret-code are already determined between two parties and it had been registered. The secret-code may tend to be simplified so that the private and secret content may be leaked to a third party. Besides the above two systems, there is a service of "voice message" handled as an enterprise. However, it is costly depending upon the system and the admittance fee, monthly maintenance fee may become high due to the operational system so that it is rather difficult to use the service by an individual person. The present invention has its object to develop a message telephone system equipped with a remote controllable switching function so as to allow an interchange of messages among particular members acquainted with each other and the system can be connected as an ordinary telephone set to an already existing telephone line and it can be operated in a simple manner as a housekeeping telephone set having a message function only between the members who have knowledge of controlling. The device according to the invention comprises a calling signal identification circuit and a switching circuit provided at the connecting terminal of a telephone line, and it operates an identification operation by the calling signal identification circuit at the time of receiving a telephone call, the incoming call is once disconnected after receipt of n₁ number of the calling signal and then recalled within a predetermined time t₁ second and the number of the calling or ringing signal of the second call exceeds over a predetermined number n₂ and the switching circuit is changed to a pass-word identification circuit and operates as a housekeeping telephone having the message function after confirming the pass-word. By using the device of the invention, the following effect may be obtained. (1) While maintaining the proper function of an ordinary telephone set, message can be recorded or used or changed at the terminal device without ringing the bell by the control from other telephone set. (2) The utilization is limited among members familiar to the operation and the pass-word so that a high confidentiality can be obtained. (3) For the general persons other than the aforementioned particular members, the device operates just as same as the usual telephone set and if there is no attendant, the device functions as a housekeeping telephone by the ringing over a predetermined member. (4) A consideration can be arranged not to give any annoyance for a receiving call incidentally falling in the aforementioned preset time interval. The invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: Fig. 1 is a block diagram for explaining the operation of the device of the present invention; Figs. 2-5 are the flow-charts for explaining the operation of the device of the present invention, wherein; Fig. 2 is to explain switching between an ordinary telephone and the message function, Fig. 3 is concerned with ordinary telephone operation, Fig. 4 is to explain pass-word message function operation, and Fig. 5 is to explain the message recording and reproducing function according to the present invention. The invention will now be explained by referring to the accompanying drawings. The operational principle will be explained by using block diagram shown in Fig. 1. In Fig. 1, L designates end of a public telephone line and TEL designates a telephone set. In an ordinary subscriber telephone set, the above two parts are connected directly. The device of the present invention is designed to be inserted between the telephone line L and the telephone set TEL, however, it is more convenient when the function is formed integral with the telephone set. A calling signal identification circuit 1 is directly connected to the telephone line L. This circuit 1 identifies the telephone calling signal sent via the respective telephone line i.e. an electric signal having the basic wave of 16-25 Hz superposed with higher frequency audio signal and interrupted signal having one second ON-condition and two second OFF-condition and the number n₁ of the signal receiving is applied to a micro-computer unit CPU. The micro-computer unit CPU is a solid state circuit including a number of electronic switches SW1-SW4 and SW6 etc. shown by using symbol like mechanical switches at various circuit locations. This unit receives an identification signal from the calling signal identification circuit 1 and a pass-word identification circuit 2 and controls respective switches in turn based on a judgement by using controlling information obtained by combining the abovementioned identification information with a timer housed therein and operates respective functions like "message transmission", "message recording", "erase signal receiving" and "message erase" shown by the blocks. The above functions may also be formed from solid state circuits. The various switches in Fig. 1 are shown at the signal watching position i.e. the position when the line is idle or in a free condition. When the telephone line L has an incoming call, the calling signal identification circuit 1 responds to the incoming calling signal and counts the number n₁ thereof. During this term, the switch SW1 is located at its neutral position POS2 so that no signal is delivered to the telephone set TEL. The function of this circuit 1 and that of CPU is as follows. After receiving the n₁ number of the calling signal and when the incoming call is disconnected, the identification circuit 1 judges as the operation instruction of the message stand-by function 2 and the switch SW1 is switched from position POS2 to position POS3 to connect the pass-word identification circuit 2 and wait next incoming call in this condition. At this condition if the next incoming call is received within a predetermined time t₁ second, at count n₂ of said receiving call, the circuit is changed to pass-word stand-by condition. By identifying a predetermined pass-word received thereafter the message function is now operated. The message function may be explained for each sequential step from the receiving call condition as follows. This message function may have the following functions according to the number of received calling signal. (1) After counting n₁ number of the receiving call and then the call is disconnected and then another call is received and further counted n₂ number within t₁ second, the device of the present invention is connected to the telephone line and the circuit is now in stand-by condition of the message telephone function and awaiting a pass-word. (2) If a predetermined MF signal is sent from the calling party, the aforementioned message function commences to operate. (3) After entering this stand-by condition, if no MF signal is sent from the calling party, the circuit will transmit a previously prepared message and connect to the normal telephone function. (4) When the calling signal is counted consecutively more than n₃ times, the circuit is connected to the normal telephone. (5) After switching to the normal telephone, if further n₁ times of the calling signal is received, the normal housekeeping telephone function is connected without the pass-word. (It is also possible to switch to the housekeeping telephone by a manual switch provided in this device). (It should be noted that during the operation of the above (1)-(4), the bell of the telephone is not operated.) After switching to the stage (1), it is possible to transmit the message, to erase the message and to re-record the message by an MF signal to be sent from the calling side. The number n₁ and n₂ of the calling signal and the waiting time t₁ may be fixed or may be varied each time according to the convenience of use. The pass-word is sent from the calling party by MF signal (multi-frequency signal) and is identified by the device at the called party. If required, it is possible to listen or monitor a prerecorded message by the telephone set connected to this device by using a pass-word and with confidential function, (not to connect the speaking circuit). The above operation is explained as follows. When the calling signal or the ringing signal is received, the calling signal identification circuit is operated and counts the number of the calling signal. If the number exceeds a predetermined member n₁ and if the calling party disconnects the connection by replacing the handset, the device judges as the message operation instruction and the switch SW1 is switched from POS2 to POS3 and awaits a further calling signal. After the above switching to the position POS3 and a recalling signal is received within t₁ second and if the calling party operates the MF signal to operate the message function, the device becomes in a stand-by condition of the voice message operation. If a regular MF signal is transmitted from the calling party, an announcement is sent to the calling party for selecting channels. In the drawing, it is shown by way of example that the message function comprises two channels. The number of channels, however, can vary. When the MF signal for instructing the voice message function operation is not delivered within a predetermined time or an erroneous operation instruction is given more than two times, the device transmits a previously decided message and then switches to a normal telephone set. If the pass-word for the channel selection is given by the MF signal of a push-button telephone line, the pass-word identification circuit judges it whether it is identical with a predetermined DTMF pulse series. When the pass-word is identical or coincident to the predetermined one, the switch SW3 is switched to a position POS2. In this condition, if a message is recorded, switch SW4 is switched to POS1 and an announcement is given for the message call and a received or recorded message is transmitted. If no message is recorded already, switch SW4 is switched to POS3 and an announcement of inquiry is transmitted by the device for a message recording request and the device awaits a further transmission of an MF signal for recording. If a particular MF signal is received, a recording becomes possible. After listening to the received message or recording a transmitted message, an announcement is sent to inquire whether it is desired to erase the old message and to record the new message, and to switch the switch SW4 to POS2 and wait an erase signal to be transmitted from the other party (calling party). If there is non-coincidence of the pass-word for the channel selection, an announcement is given to the other party (calling party) in this effect and to request re-transmission of the pass-word. If the 2nd pass-word is still found as non-coincidence, it operates to return the switch SW1 to POS2 and enters a receiving call waiting condition. In the above manner after a series of the sequence operation or during the operation of the sequence, the other calling party returns to the on-hook condition by replacing its handset, all the switches return to the initial condition and enters to a receiving call waiting condition. If the original calling signal is sent over a predetermined number n₁′, it is judged as the normal telephone function is selected and the switch SW1 is switched to POS1 and kept thereon. After the above condition, if the main telephone set (called party) does not enter to the off-hook condition and the call continues to ring more than a predetermined number, the switch SW2 is switched to POS2 and a normal housekeeping telephone function is operated by the operation of SW5 without any pass-word. When the switch SW2 is located at POS1, and the main telephone set at the receiving side enters on-hook condition, or a series of the operation is completed at the switch SW2 at POS1, and when the calling party enters on-hook condition by replacing the handset, the device brings all the switches SW to the initial condition and enters into a call waiting condition. When it is desired to listen to the recorded message by the telephone set connected to this device, a manual switch SW5 is thrown to ON condition and by sending a pass-word the recorded message can be monitored. Flow-charts for showing detailed operation of this device according to the present invention are shown in Figs. 2-5. In the above figures, a protection function or protection circuit such as an erroneous reading preventing operation caused by chattering of the switches or arrestor for high voltage, which are not related to the basic operation of the device are not shown. The device can be made more simple by selectively removing non-required functions shown in the above flow-charts which are not required depending upon the convenience of a user. As has been explained in the foregoing, although several kinds of multi-function telephone sets having the message function and housekeeping telephone function have been on the market since some time, the known multi-function telephone sets are kind of expansion of the housekeeping telephone function so that it does not work unless the telephone set is previously switched to the housekeeping telephone facility or being switched to the functional position after the calling signal or bell has been rung over a predetermined number of times. The present invention is quite convenient since the telephone set equipped with this device can be selectively switched by an automatic remote control irrespective of the fact that it is in normal operating condition or it is switched to the housekeeping telephone function, and by using only the number of received calling signal transmitted from the outside, the on-off signal of the telephone line and by using MF signal pass-word previously determined while not operating the bell of the telephone set at receiving end to switch it between the voice recording function and the normal telephone function.

Claims: A telephone message device having remote control switching capabilities and comprising at least one microcomputer (CPU) with associated switches (SW1-SW6), calling signal identification means (1), pass-word identification means (2), a telephone set (TEL), message function means and message recording and reproducing apparatus, characterized in, that the calling signal identification circuit means (1) is connected to a telephone line (L) and to said micro-computer (CPU) for identifying the number of calling signals transmitted to said device and originating from another telephone, said calling signal identification circuit means (1) counting the number of calling signals and cooperating with said micro-computer (CPU) as follows: (i) when the number of the calling signals is less than a predetermined number n₁, the micro-computer (CPU) acts to place a first switch (SW1) in a second position (POS2) which terminates the telephone line and no signal is sent to the telephone set (TEL), (ii) when the number of the calling signals exceeds a number n₃, wherein n₃ > n₁, the micro-computer (CPU) operates to place the first switch (SW1) in a first position (POS1) which connects the telephone line (L) to the telephone set (TEL) via a second switch (SW2) in a first position (POS1) and the calling signal is sent to the telephone set (TEL) and if any person is attending there the person can answer the call exactly the same as an ordinary telephone set, and if no person is attending at the telephone site and if further the number n₁ of the calling signals is received, the micro-computer (CPU) operates to control the second switch (SW2) to a second position (POS2) which connects the telephone line to the message recording and reproducing apparatus and the device to function as a normal housekeeping telephone and to send a message and allow the caller to record its message, (iii) when, after counting the number n₁ of the calling signals the call is disconnected and then another call is received within a predetermined time interval of t₁ seconds and thereafter a number n₂ of the calling signals is counted, then the pass-word identification means (2) is connected to the telephone line (L) by the function of the micro-computer (CPU) by placing the first switch (SW1) in a third position (POS3) and the pass-word identification means (2) is now in stand-by condition of the message telephone function and awaits a predetermined pass-word, (iv) if an MF signal forming the predetermined pass-word is received by the pass-word identification means (2), this means (2) sends this information to the micro-computer (CPU) and the micro-computer (CPU) acts to activate a third switch (SW3) for selecting of a channel and a fourth switch (SW4) to bring the device as the message telephone to record, to transmit and to erase messages for members of an authorized group allowed for access. The telephone message device as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said device includes means (SW1) for preventing the bell of a telephone (TEL) in communication with said device from ringing during the counting of said predetermined number n₁ of calling signals. The telephone message device as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said message function means include message transmission means and message recording means. The telephone message device as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said predetermined number n₁ is between 1 and 10. The telephone message device as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said predetermined time interval t₁ is between 1 and 60 seconds. The telephone message device as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said message function means include a plurality of individual channels, each channel providing a separate message function. The telephone message device as defined in claim 1, characterized in that said message function means include erase signal receiving means and message erase means. The telephone message device as defined in claim 1, characterizes in that said switches (SW1-SW4, SW6) are separate from said at least one micro-computer (CPU). A method of enabling a calling party to receive from and provide a separate private message to another telephone having a telephone message device equipped with remote control switching capabilities characterized in that the number of calling signals transmitted to said telephone message device from the calling party is identified and, when, after counting a predetermined number n₁ of the calling signals the call from the calling party is disconnected and then another call is received within a predetermined time interval of t₁ seconds and thereafter a number n₂ of the calling signals is counted, then the message device is put into a stand-by condition and awaiting a predetermined pass-word and if an MF signal forming the predetermined pass-word is received by the message device, said device is put into a message function thereby allowing the calling party to receive, record and erase private messages; when the number of the calling signals exceeds a number n₃, wherein n₃ > n₁, the message device is put into a condition in which the calling signals are sent to a telephone set and, if any person is attending there, the person can answer the call exactly the same as an ordinary telephone set or, if a further number n₁ of the calling signals is received, the message device is put into a condition in which the call from the calling party is connected to a message recording and reproducing apparatus and the message device to function as a normal housekeeping telephone and to send a message and allow the caller to record its message.

Inventors: NISHIMURA KINJI, SEZAKI MATSUO, NISHIMURA, KINJI, SEZAKI, MATSUO
Applicants: ITOH FUEL CO LTD C, NISHITOMO CO LTD, C. ITOH FUEL CO. LTD., NISHITOMO CO. LTD.
Application year: 1988
Main classification: H04M1
IPC codes: H04M1