A METHOD FOR RECORDING AND STORING RECEIVED SOUND SIGNALS AND, POSSIBLY, PICTURE SIGNALS IN CONNECTION WITH A TELEPHONE APPARATUS

Abstract: A method for recording and storing received signals, e.g. sound signals, in connection with a telephone apparatus receiving said signals from a remote apparatus. The telephone apparatus also receives information about the telephone number of the remote apparatus, to which it is interconnected through a telephone network, with the purpose of being capable of playing back the stored signals at a later stage. It is intended to indicate a new method for simplified storing of information which, upon being played back, can identify the caller when the calling telephone number is received over the telephone line. The recording of e.g. sound signals (voice) from said remote apparatus and/or the telephone apparatus called, starts when a telephonic connection has been established with a remote apparatus, and stops after a predetermined time, whereupon the telephone number of the remote apparatus is stored searchably in the data storage medium.

Description: A METHOD FOR RECORDING AND STORING RECEIVED SOUND SIGNALS AND, POSSIBLY, PICTURE SIGNALS IN CONNECTION WITH A TELEPHONE APPARATUS The invention relates to a method for recording and storing received sound signals and, possibly, picture signals in connection with a telephone apparatus or a telephone central office adapted to receive said signals from a remote apparatus, and where the telephone apparatus or telephone central office further is adapted to receive information about the telephone number of the remote apparatus, the telephone apparatus and the remote apparatus being connected to a telephone network, with the purpose of later to play back stored sound signals in a loadspeaker/handset , possibly to play back stored picture signals on a graphic display screen when the telephone apparatus is called from the remote apparatus, the telephone apparatus or the telephone central office being assigned a data storage medium and a data processor adapted to search in the data storage medium for telephone numbers received via the telephone line, and to play back stored sound signals be- longing thereto, possibly picture signals if the telephone number exists in the data storage medium, and where the data processor further is adapted to store searchable telephone numbers and recordings in the data storage medium belonging thereto. When a telephone apparatus signalises a call through a sound or light signal, it is often desirable to be capable of identifying from where the call comes. Digitised telephone systems, such as ISDN and mobile tele- phones of GSM type, may show the number of the calling apparatus in a character window. The calling telephone number can also be transferred on analog communication. Telephone numbers can be difficult to remember, and it is previously known that a telephone apparatus can connect an identified number to an electronically stored telephone list and show a name in the character window instead of the number. Known apparatus have a plurality of disadvantages. First, one has to maintain a telephone list oneself. Secondly, the call can not be identified without studying the character window, this being a disadvantage where several people have a common telephone apparatus, such as the case would be in most homes. It is known to associate an identified calling telephone number to a voice message stored in a data storage medium, and play back the voice message in a loadspeaker, in order to thereby facilitate the identification of a call. From International patent application WO95/05045 it is previously known a telephone apparatus adapted to play back stored messages instead of ring sound. A disadvantage of this known solution is that storing speaking messages is bothersome, storing being carried out upon a signal from the caller or upon a signal from the receiver. Of course, these measures also require relatively complex and expensive equipment. The object of the invention is to provide a method for simplified storing of information which, upon playing back, can identify the caller when the calling telephone number is received over the telephone line. According to the invention, automatic recording of sound, possible picture, is carried out from the first seconds of a telephone connection with a remote apparatus. Voices are relatively easy to identify and, additionally, the caller will most often introduce himself/herself early in a telephone conversation. If a recording is not already associated to the actual remote apparatus, the calling telephone number is automatically stored searchably in a data storage medium and associated to the recording belonging thereto, the latter also being stored. Concretely, this is carried out in that recordings of sound signals from the remote apparatus and/or the receiving telephone apparatus, possibly picture signals, or display of text extracted from the stored voice message by means of voice-to- text-decoding, start upon the establishment of a telephonic connection with a remote apparatus, possibly first when suitable sound signals (voice) are received from the remote apparatus, and wherein recording stops after a predetermined time, whereupon the telephone number of the remote apparatus is searchably stored in the data storage medium and associated to the recording, which is also stored. When calling telephone number, as previously known, is identified upon a call, it is searched in the data storage medium for the telephone number. If the telephone number exists in the data storage medium, the stored sound recording belonging thereto is played back in an amplifier, and a picture is, possibly, displayed on a graphic display screen. The conversation may also be announced in that a stored recording is converted into text by means of a speech recogni- tion program in a computer. Thereupon, the text may be displayed. The playback may be automatic, e.g. in association with ring signals, or playback may be activated manually, prior to a possible reply to the call. Sound recording can be played back through a separate loadspeaker, or through the handset. Necessary duration of a recording can be determined in several ways, and the telephone apparatus may advantageously be such adapted that the duration can be adjusted. This function can be present in a central, in other external equipment or within the telephone apparatus itself.

Claims: C l a i 1. A method for recording and storing received sound signals and, possibly, picture signals in connection with a telephone apparatus or a telephone exchange adapted to receive said signals from a remote apparatus, and wherein the telephone apparatus or the telephone exchange further is adapted to receive information about the telephone number of the remote apparatus, the telephone apparatus and the remote apparatus being connected to a telephone network, with the purpose of later playing back stored sound signals in a loadspeaker/handset, possibly playing back stored picture signals on a graphic display screen when the telephone apparatus is called from the remote apparatus, the telephone apparatus or the telephone exchange be- ing assigned a data storage medium and a data processor which is adapted to search in the data storage medium for telephone numbers received via the telephone line, and to play back stored sound signals belonging thereto, possibly picture signals, if the telephone number exists in the data storage medium, and wherein the data processor further is adapted to store searchable telephone numbers and recordings in the data storage medium belonging thereto, c h a r a c h t e r i z e d i n that recording of sound signals from remote apparatus and/or telephone apparatus called, possibly picture signals, or display of text extracted from the stored speech message by means of speech- to-text-decoding, starts when a telephonic connection has been established with a remote apparatus, possibly first when suitable sound signals (voice) have been received from the remote apparatus, and wherein recording stops after a predetermined time, whereupon the telephone number of the remote apparatus is stored searchably in the data storage medium and is connected to the recording, which is also stored.

Inventors: KOLNES STEINAR, KOLNES, STEINAR
Applicants: KOLNES STEINAR, KOLNES, STEINAR
Application year: 1998
Main classification: G11C
IPC codes: H04M1, H04M3, H04Q3