Abstract:
A door answering machine records a short verbal message of a visitor at a door of a building. The door answering machine includes a voice message recorder for recording verbal messages, a power source for the voice message recorder for recording verbal messages; as well as a lockable holder for the voice message recorder. The voice message recorder has a manually operable record function button which operates the recorder. A message retrieval and playback feature retrieves and plays back the visitor&#39;s recorded verbal messages. Optionally, the door answering machine can be alternately used as either a voice message recorder or as a sound annunciator, such as a door chime or door bell. An optional sliding switch actuator urges the record button and then releases the record button upon a reverse sliding excursion of the sliding switch actuator.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is based in part upon my provisional application No. 60/045,777 filed on May 5, 1997. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates to voice message recorders for building entrances, such as doors thereof. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     At small businesses, homes (houses, condos, and apartments), hotel rooms, hospital rooms, college dorms, offices, etc. often visitors arrive at the door, but the door is not answered because the occupant is not in or is otherwise unable or unwilling to answer the door. 
     Sometimes the visitor will leave a note attached to the door to say that they were there and to the describe the nature of the visit. To leave a note, the visitor must have paper, pen, and tape to attach the note to the door. In addition, wind, vandals or rain can detach the note so that it is lost. 
     Also, the attachment of a note to a door may signify that the home or office is unoccupied to those seeking an opportunity to burglarize it. The problem of answering a phone when the occupant is out has been solved by the telephone answering machine. Although elaborate intercom systems for manually answering door inquiries are well known, simple voice message recorders for use at the door are not available. 
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is a door answering machine. Such a machine is used to record a short verbal message at the door. Several embodiments are described which fulfill the following objectives: 
     An object of the present invention is to provide a lockable holder for a commercially available solid-state voice message recorder to convert it into a door answering machine. 
     A further object is to convert the commercially available voice message recorder into a “hold the button while you speak” variety for ease of use as a door answering machine. 
     Another object of the present invention is to design a special purpose solid-state voice message recorder with one or more outgoing messages for use as a door answering machine. 
     Yet another object is to offer a time display and message time stamp feature for the door answering machine. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide a door answering machine for mounting on the inside of a door. 
     Another object is for the inside door answering machine to be easily replaced with mechanical chimes or an electronic annunciator. 
     A further object of the present invention is to provide an inside door answering machine that is rechargeable and can therefore be solid-state or based on tape recorder technology. 
     Another object is to provide a rain shield accessory for the door answering machine. 
     It is yet another object to improve over the disadvantages of the prior art. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In keeping with these objects and others which may become apparent, the present invention is a door answering machine that records a short verbal message of a visitor at a door of a building. The door answering machine includes a voice message recorder for recording verbal messages, a power source for the voice message recorder for recording verbal messages, as well as a lockable holder for the voice message recorder. The voice message recorder has a manually operable record function button which operates the recorder. A message retrieval and playback feature retrieves and plays back the visitor&#39;s recorded verbal messages. 
     Optionally, the door answering machine can be alternately used as either a voice message recorder or as a sound annunciator, such as a door chime or door bell 
     In case of inclement weather, a rain shield enclosure encloses the door answering machine, and includes a waterproof, transparent and sound transitive cover covering the recorder. 
     In one embodiment, a traditional voice message recorder can be modified with a sliding switch actuator which alternately urges the record button and then releases the record button upon a reverse sliding excursion of the sliding switch actuator. 
     In the preferred embodiment, there is provided a voice record/playback member communicating with a microcontroller, which receives analog audio input from a microphone, wherein the microcontroller drives an audio output to a loudspeaker outside of the door. A time-of-day module may also communicate with the microcontroller. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention can best be understood in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: 
     FIG. 1 is an isometric front view of the door answering machine of the present invention; 
     FIG. 2 is a rear back view of the door answering machine of the present invention; 
     FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the door answering machine with a “conversion” record button; 
     FIG. 4 is a cross sectional detail view of the “conversion” record button as in FIG. 3, taken along line “ 4 — 4 ”of FIG. 3; 
     FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of a special purpose recorder in a holder; 
     FIG. 6 is a front elevational view of the special purpose recorder, as in FIG. 5; 
     FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the special purpose recorder; 
     FIG. 8 is a flow chart of the “Message Recording” steps of the present invention; 
     FIG. 9 is an inside door view of another embodiment for a door answering machine, shown with chimes; 
     FIG. 10 is a side elevational view in detail of the door mounting for the door answering machine of the present invention; 
     FIG. 11 is a front elevational view of a record button with a bezel for the present invention, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 10; 
     FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the recorder in a charging cradle; 
     FIG. 13 is a front elevational view of a rain shield accessory for door answering machine of the present invention; 
     FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the rain shield accessory as in FIG. 13, 
     FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an indoor embodiment of the door answering machine of the present invention, with a wired exterior module; and, 
     FIG. 16 is a block diagram of an indoor embodiment with a wireless exterior module. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     With the advent of small solid-state personal message recorders, the technology for an inexpensive, yet effective, door answering machine has been demonstrated. By combining one of these commercially available recorders with a lockable holder mounted to the outside surface of a door (or adjacent to it), a basic door answering machine is provided. 
     A front isometric view of this first embodiment for door answering machine  1  is shown in FIG. 1; and a rear back view is shown in FIG.  2 . Since the size, shape and location of the record buttons vary from model to model, lockable holder  2  of door answering machine  1  is custom designed to match the features of recorder  2 , such as a particular personal message recorder. 
     Door answering machine  1  includes lockable holder  2  and recorder  5 . Holder  2  is manufactured as a metal die casting, a sheet metal fabrication, or as an injection molded part in a high impact resin such as ABS. The purpose of holder  2  is to attach recorder  5  to a door or door jamb surface for easy use, to permit access to record button  6 , to deny access to the remaining control buttons of recorder  5 , and to prevent easy theft of recorder  5 . 
     Key lock  3  locks tang  7  in a horizontal position to prevent removal of recorder  5 ; and a key (not shown) is used to position tang  7  vertically to permit removal of recorder  5 . 
     A visually readable or Braille readable note  4  of readable indicia instructs the user to record a short message in the event that the door is not answered by the occupant. 
     In operation, visitors leave recorded messages; and later, the occupant then removes recorder  5  (using his or her key) from holder  2  and play back the recorded messages. Then recorder  5  is returned to holder  2  and locked in place. Holder  2  is attached to the door or adjacent surfaces thereof in either one of two ways (or both for increased security). 
     For example, FIG. 2 shows two adhesive strips  12  of high bond tape with a peel-off release liner. Adhesive strips  12  can be used for quick attachment. A typical example of such an adhesive tape is that of 3-M Company&#39;s VHB double-sided tape, which is an appropriate choice. 
     FIG. 2 also shows one or more holes  10 , 11 , and  11   a,  such as three holes, including top hole  10  and bottom holes  10 ,  11  and  11   a,  can be used for screw mounting of door answering machine  1  to a surface, such as a door or door jamb. Top hole  10  is accessible from the front when recorder  5  is removed. 
     Removable logo strip  8  of FIG. 1 hides two front panel screw access holes in positional registration with bottom holes  11  to permit screw access for mounting. Leaf spring element  13  pushes recorder  5  up for easy removal when tang  7  is unlocked in the vertical position. Recorder  5  is simply pushed down against resistance from spring  13  when locking in place within holder  2 . 
     Some personal message recorders such as the “Voice Memo” model 63-944 from Radio Shack Corporation have a system requiring two successive pushes on the record button for operation. The first push turns on recorder  5  to permit recording a message; the second push turns off recorder  5 . Although this model has a “voice operated” feature which conserves solid-state message space, if the second push on the record button is not made after the recording, the machine stays on and wastes battery power. Also, it is difficult to explain this “two-push” operation to someone not familiar with recorder  5 . It is almost impossible to insure that users adhere to the procedure; which results in frequent “dead batteries”. 
     Therefore, FIG. 3 shows modified holder  2  for recorder  5  of this type. Holder  2  of door answering machine  1  includes conversion accessory member  20  with sliding actuator  21 , which slide switch actuator simply converts operation of recorder  5  to a “hold while recording” phase of use. 
     The cross sectional lines in FIG. 4, which correspond to line “ 4 — 4 ” in FIG. 3, show the cooperating elements of conversion accessory member  20 . For example, sliding actuator  21  includes nib bump  25  which engages raised section  24  on flexible diaphragm  23  momentarily on the excursion of sliding actuator  21  against pressure of spring  22 . This momentary engagement of nib bump  25  of sliding actuator  21  with raised section  24  of flexible diaphragm  23  pushes record button  6  in, and then releases record button  6 , upon further excursion of sliding switch actuator  21  This starts the recording process. Sliding switch actuator  21  is held by pressure against spring  22  until after recording of the message is completed. 
     Upon release of sliding actuator  21  by the user, spring  22  pushes sliding actuator  21  back to the left, again causing nib bump  25  to push raised section  24  momentarily against record button  6 ; which pushing action turns off recorder  5 . Since record time is limited in these message recorders, the “hold while recording” procedure encourages desirably short messages. 
     The personal message recorders noted above, such as recorder  5 , are not ideally configured for use as door answering machines although they can serve the purpose at low cost as described in two embodiments above. Alternatively, a preferred embodiment is shown as purposely designed solid-state recorder  33 , as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. 
     Recorder  33  is larger than the typical personal message recorder to afford more space for larger batteries with longer life. As shown in FIG. 6, this preferred embodiment of recorder  33  also has recess  45  in a bottom thereof, with spring  46  pushing engagement tang  47 . This is part of a self locking feature which automatically locks recorder  33  in place in holder  30  without the use of the key in lock  31 . Lock tang  48  has a sloping edge which forces engagement tang  47  to the left against spring  46  force when recorder  33  is pushed down until it locks in place in the notch in tang  48 . 
     A key (not shown) may be used to unlock recorder  33  by rotating tang  48  away from engagement tang  47 . 
     As shown in FIG. 5, recorder  33  has an optional time of day clock built-in with liquid crystal display  35 . A “push while recording” button  34  is accessible to the visitor. The mounting options for holder  30  as discussed in the first embodiment apply here in also, including the use of a logo strip  32 . 
     FIG. 6 also shows other buttons ( 36  through  42 ) which are only accessible when removed from holder  30 . This purpose built recorder  33  has outgoing messages (OGM&#39;s) which make instructional note  4  used in the first two embodiments unnecessary. These out going messages (OGM&#39;s) can be either user recordable or can be factory supplied to reduce cost by eliminating the extra button and logic. 
     The out going message is presented to the visitor when the record button  34  is pushed. Typically, it says, “If no one is available to answer the door, please push the record button while recording a short message”. If the message space is all used up, a different outgoing message would typically say, “Sorry we cannot answer the door, please leave a note or call again”. 
     Solid-state recorders either use analog-to-digital conversion, data compression and digital memory recording, or they use a type of analog or “multi-level” recording. In this preferred embodiment, a single-chip voice record/playback device of the ISD33000 series type is used. Various chips in this series provide recording durations of one to four minutes. These chips are fully addressable multi-level array types and offer nonvolatile message storage with 100 year retention and 100,000 recording cycles. They are available from Information Storage Devices, Inc. They have on chip timing, input and output audio amplifiers and audio filters. These chips are designed to interface with a micro controller via a serial peripheral interface (SPI). 
     FIG. 7 shows a high level block diagram of recorder  33  with the time-of-day feature. The ISD33000 single-chip voice record/playback device  51  communicates with microcontroller  50  and also receives analog audio input from microphone  52  and drives audio output to loudspeaker  53 . Time-of-day module  56  communicates with controller  50  although this feature can be built into controller  50 . Display driver  55  drives time display  35 ; and display driver  55  may also be part of microcontroller  50 . The record button is shown as reference numeral  34 . Reference numeral  36  is the playback button, and reference numeral  37  is the erase button. Reference numeral  38  is the record button for out going message OGM 1 . This can be combined with simultaneous pressing of the playback button  36  to record outgoing message OGM 2 . The rest of the push buttons are for time set control. For example, H for hours, M for minutes, + to increase and − to decrease. A power source, such as battery  54  powers recorder  33 . 
     FIG. 8 shows a flow chart of the “record a message” operation. Pushing record button  34  issues a system wake-up. If the memory is full, the second outgoing message OGM 2  is played over the loudspeaker and the recorder is returned to sleep mode. If the memory is not full, the normal greeting of outgoing message OGM 1  is played and a time-out timer is started. A control loop is now entered to monitor if the record button  34  is depressed before the time-out expires. 
     If the time-out expires before record button  34  is depressed, the system is returned to sleep mode. Otherwise the message is first recorded and then the system goes into sleep mode. The flow chart of FIG. 8 does not represent the time of day feature. 
     If the time of day feature is implemented, the time of day is recorded in the message storage as tone encoded information or as synthesized speech after the message is completed and just before the system is returned to sleep mode. 
     Upon playback, these tones are decoded and are used to display the message time on the time-of-day display, or if synthesized speech were recorded, the time would be audibly presented as part of the message playback. 
     As shown in FIG. 9, a further alternate embodiment of a door answering machine  60  calls for its attachment to the inside surface of a door with a single button  73  that penetrates the door  71  to an outer surface thereof. This alternative embodiment of door answering machine  60  is especially attractive in high vandalism areas or in areas of very cold temperatures which preclude reliable operation of externally mounted units. 
     An inside door view of this arrangement of door answering machine  60  within door  71  is presented in FIG.  9 . Top rail  61  with spring loaded latch member  64  holds chassis plate  65  in slidable fashion to inside door surface  70   a  with the cooperation of bottom rail  62 . On the left side of FIG. 9 there is shown chimes module  66  and on the right side is non-lockable holder  67  with message voice recorder  68 . Chassis  65  can be moved in the direction of arrow  69  so that latch  64  engages notch  74 . In the present view, a notch similar to notch  74  centered over recorder  68  is currently engaged with latch  64 . 
     The side view of FIG. 10 shows second button  73  in bezel fixture  72 . Exterior button  73  is a long button which extends through the thickness of the door  71  from the outer surface  70  to the inner surface  70   a  thereof. Support rails  61  and  62  are bonded with high bond tape or screws to inside surface  70   a  of door  71 . 
     When recorder  68  is centered and latched by latch  64 , exterior button  73  is in registration with record button of recorder  68 . When sound annunciator module  66 , such as a door bell or a chimes module is latched by latch  64 , the operating button of sound annunciator module  66  is in registration with button  73 . Sound annunciator module  66  may be mechanical chimes of well known construction, or it may be a battery operated electronic annunciator of a wide variety of capabilities including simulated chimes, music or voice. 
     In this way, if the occupant is in and willing to answer the door, sound annunciator module  66  is slidably moved in place and latched. Exterior button  73  then operates the chimes of sound annunciator module  66 . If the occupant is leaving or wants to screen visitors, recorder  68  is shifted into latching registration with exterior button  73 . From the outside, a visitor does not know whether the chime will sound or an outgoing message will entreat him or her to leave a message. 
     Voice message recorder  68  is either of a solid state variety as described in the preferred embodiment, or it can be a tape recorder with a single outgoing message OGM. Since tape recorders have almost “unlimited” message capacity, a second outgoing message OGM for “tape full” would seldom be required. Other advantages of a tape recorder are removable media and generally better audio fidelity. Since they are less power efficient than solid-state message recorders, rechargeable batteries can be used. 
     As shown in FIG. 12, charging contacts on the bottom of message tape recorder  81  can be used to recharge message recorder  81  while not in use. FIG. 12 shows a charging cradle  82  supplied power by plug-in power module  83  via cable  84 . 
     As shown in FIG. 11, regardless of the type of message recorder used, bezel  72  incorporates an array of sound holes  80  around button  73 . These are necessary to carry sound in both directions through the door while using a single door penetration for installation. A flexible lightweight barrier (such as vinyl film) can be used as a draft barrier to prevent heat loss from sound holes  80 ; this barrier may be placed on the inside end of the button bezel assembly. 
     As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in areas where the door or entry way is not protected from rain, rain shield accessory  90  is used to protect the externally mounted door answering machine. As shown in an open position of FIG. 14, rain shield accessory  90  includes a hinged frame  93  with a flexible waterproof transparent film surface  94 . Stationary frame member  90   a  is attached around the door answer machine  33  with adhesive, such as strips of high bond tape attached to its back side (or with screws). 
     High friction piano hinge  92  at the top edge of frame  90   a  permits hinged frame  93  to be swung open, as shown in FIG. 14, for removal of voice message recorder  33  from rain shield accessory  90 . 
     If transparent film cover  94  is sufficiently flexible and sound transmissive, transparent film cover  94  can be left down in place, as shown in FIG. 13, while the record button is depressed to make a recording. Tabs  91  are used to latch frame  93  in the down position so as not to be lifted by wind. Frame  93  has molded “bumps” that are in registration for engagement with holes in tabs  91 . 
     FIG. 15 shows a block diagram of a preferred embodiment for an indoor recorder version of the present invention. The objectives of this embodiment are to eliminate or reduce the size of the required penetration through the door and to eliminate the need for battery power. Small exterior module  105  is surface mounted on the door frame, or on the exterior door surface. Module  105  encloses microphone  102 , small loudspeaker  103 , and momentary push-button  104  which serves the dual functions of “doorbell” and “record” buttons. A small four conductor flat ribbon cable  106  passes through small channel  107  in the door frame (or through a hole in the door such as a ¼″ (6 mm.) hole) to communicate with interior module  100  which houses both the electronic annunciator as well as the special purpose message recorder of either solid-state or tape variety. 
     Control buttons  111  for the recorder function may include additional buttons for a time-of-day feature as discussed in the embodiments above. Switch  113  selects either the door answering machine function (which lights indicator  112 ) or the annunciator function which may simulate chimes. Wall mounted low voltage DC power supply  101  is plugged into a convenient AC wall outlet. Module  100  need not be mounted on the door; in fact, for ease of powering, a location on the wall or on the entry floor may be more convenient. However, interior door mounting for module  100  with exterior door mounting for module  105  as well as interior battery powering within module  100  is a viable option in lieu of power supply  101 . 
     FIG. 16 shows a block diagram of an embodiment which substitutes a wireless radio link for the cable  106  of the last embodiment. Indoor transceiver  113  communicates with exterior transceiver  112  which is housed in a small surface mounted module  110  along with loudspeaker  103 , microphone  102 , momentary switch  104  and battery  111  to power transceiver  112 . In this embodiment, indoor module  100 , which is functionally equivalent to that of the last embodiment, interfaces with signals from transceiver  113  which also derives power from power supply  101 . Transceiver  113  can, be integrated within the housing of indoor module  100 . This embodiment offers maximum flexibility for placement of the outdoor  110  or indoor  100  modules with the addition of only one battery  111 . 
     It is further noted that other modifications may be made to the present invention, without departing from the scope of the present invention, as noted in the appended claims.