WO1998058483A1

WO1998058483A1 - Electronic memo pad for use with touch-tone telephones

Info

Publication number: WO1998058483A1
Application number: PCT/IB1998/000939
Authority: WO
Inventors: Howard B. Rosen
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1997-06-18
Filing date: 1998-06-17
Publication date: 1998-12-23
Anticipated expiration: 1999-12-18
Also published as: CA2235572A1

Abstract

An audio storage and playback unit coupled to the telephone line is adapted to record a message off the telephone line in response to the application of a 'record' control signal and to play back the recorded message onto the telephone line in response to the application of a 'play' signal. A first tone decoder responds to the actuation of a first predetermined key on the telephone key pad by generating the 'record' signal. A second tone decoder responds to the actuation of a second predetermined key by instituting the generation of the 'play' signal. In a preferred embodiment, a third tone decoder responds to the actuation of a third predetermined key by instituting the generation of a 'stop' signal. Thus, if a call is received which is for a party other than the person who answered the call, the caller may leave a voice message. The person who took the call pushes the first predetermined key to start recording the message and the third predetermined key to stop recording. Later, when the person for whom the call was intended is available, he/she may pick up a telephone and touch the second predetermined key to start playback of the message. When the message has been delivered, the user may touch the third predetermined key to end the playback process.

Description

ELECTRONIC MEMO PAD FOR USE WITH TOUCH-TONE TELEPHONES

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to telephone systems and, more particularly, to a telephone message recorder which can be activated and controlled by selectively actuating predetermined keys of a touch-tone telephone to correspondingly selectively record and play back telephone messages.

Background of the Invention

Conventional telephone answering devices serve to record messages from callers when no one is present to answer the phone or the phone is deliberately not answered. However, when a phone is answered, but the call is for another person, it is often necessary for the person taking the call to write down (or memorize) a message or, in elaborate telephone systems, to transfer the caller to the called person's vox into which the caller can record a message. The latter option is usually not available in simple telephone systems, such as a residential or small business installation, such that the inconvenience of writing down, or trying to remember, a message becomes the responsibility of the person who answered the phone. It will therefore be appreciated that it would be highly desirable to provide a simple device, which can readily be incorporated into any telephone system, by which the function of a vox recorder can be emulated such that a person taking a call can readily switch a calling party to a record/playback facility for recording a message which is therefore available for later playback by the called party. It is to this end that the present invention is directed.

Objects of the Invention

It is therefore an object of the invention to provide an electronic memo pad for use with a telephone installation. It is also an object of the invention to provide such an electronic memo pad which is convenient to operate.

In another aspect, it is an object of the invention to provide such an electronic memo pad which is simple and economic to implement.

Summary of the Invention

Briefly, these and other objects of the invention are achieved by special purpose electronic memo pad apparatus which is connected onto the line pair of a local telephone installation which includes at least one touch-tone telephone. An audio storage and playback unit coupled to the telephone line is adapted to record a message off the telephone line in response to the application of a "record" control signal and to play back the recorded message onto the telephone line in response to the application of a "play" signal. A first tone decoder is responsive to the actuation of a first predetermined key on the telephone key pad, for example, the "2" key, by instituting the generation of the "record" signal. A second tone decoder is responsive to the actuation of a second key, for example, the "5" key, by instituting the generation of the "play" signal. In a preferred embodiment, a third tone decoder is responsive to the actuation of a third key, for example, the "8" key (or an alternative circuit sensing hang-up), by instituting the generation of a "stop" signal. Thus, if a call is received which is for a party other than the person who answered the call and the person called is not available, the person who answered the call may inquire of the caller if he/she wishes to leave a voice message. If so, the person who took the call pushes the "2" key on the telephone pad. As a result, the "record" signal is sent to the voice storage and playback unit to start recording the message. When the message has been recorded, the user may touch the "5" key on the dial pad to stop the recording process. Later, when the person for whom the call was intended (and who now has a message stored in voice storage and playback module) is available, he/she may pick up a telephone and touch the "5" key to cause the "play" signal to be sent to the voice storage and playback module, thereby enabling the playback mode during which the recorded message may be listened to. When the message has been delivered, the user may touch the "5" key on the dial pad to stop the playback process.

Description of the Drawing The subject matter of the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of the specification. The invention, however, both as to organization and method of operation, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the subjoined claims and the accompanying drawing of which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a telephone arrangement in which the inventive apparatus is connected; and FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the inventive apparatus; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of an alternative exemplary embodiment of the inventive apparatus.

Description of the Preferred Embodiments)

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a high level block diagram of a telephone installation including the subject invention and by which the operation of the invention may be readily understood. One or more telephones, represented by telephone A 1 and telephone N 2, may be conventionally disposed across a local telephone line pair 3. (Each of the telephones on the line pair 3 include a touch-tone key pad as represented by the key pad IKP.) In addition, electronic memo pad apparatus 12 according to the invention is coupled to the telephone line pair 3 by connection line pair 5 which drive a touch-tone decoder 4 and communications line pair 7 which communicate bilaterally with a voice storage and playback module 6. Consider now the operation of the invention. If a call is received which is for a party other than the person who answered the call and the person called is not available, the person who answered the call may inquire of the caller if he/she wishes to leave a voice message. If so, the person who took the call pushes a first predetermined key (say, for example only, the "2" key) on the telephone pad. As a result, the telephone issues an audio tone at a standard predetermined frequency, representative of the "2" key, which is sensed and decoded by the touch-tone decoder 4. The touch-tone decoder 4 then issues a "record" signal on line 8 to the voice storage and playback unit 6.

In response to the "record" signal, the voice storage and playback unit 6 is enabled to record the message received on the line pair 7 from the caller. When the message has been completed, the person who took the call actuates a second predetermined key (say the "8" key for example only) which is decoded by the touch-tone decoder 4 to develop a "stop" signal. The "stop" signal is issued on a line 10 to voice storage and playback module 6 to end the record mode. Later, when the person for whom the call was intended (and who now has a message stored in voice storage and playback module 6) is available, he/she may pick up a telephone connected on the line pair 3 and touch a third predetermined key (for example only, the "5" key) on the key pad. The touch-tone decoder decodes the resulting tone from the telephone to develop a "play" signal. The "play" signal is issued on a line

9 to the voice storage and playback module 6 to enable the playback mode during which the stored message is sent onto the communications line pair 7 and to the telephone line pair 3 such that the recorded message may be listened to by the user. When the message has been delivered, the user may touch the second predetermined key on the dial pad to cause the "stop" signal to again be issued to deactivate the playback operation, or the message may stop automatically.

As will be discussed more folly below, the storage medium in the voice storage and playback module 6 is preferably a conventional semiconductor storage device (typically provided, along with its support circuitry, in a single integrated circuit) although record/playback using a microcassette or the like medium may alternatively be employed with suitable provision for rewinding. Attention is now directed to FIG. 2 which is a more detailed, partially block/partially schematic diagram of the electronic memo pad 12 of the present invention. (For convenience and clarity, the apparatus is shown single ended, it being understood that a suitable reference potential, such as local ground, is maintained throughout the local installation. Positive logic is also assumed throughout.) Thus, line 5, connected to the telephone line 3, is applied to a suitable amplifier 13 which drives inputs to each of three bandpass filters 14, 15 and 16. The bandpass filters 14, 15 and 16 are respectively tuned, in the example, to the middle frequencies of the standard tones issued by the telephone set(s) when the "2", "5" and "8" dial keys are respectively actuated.

The circuitry is best understood if the "stop" function is first discussed. As will be described in detail below, at the end of the "record" or "playback" operation modes, trie second predetermined key or "stop" button ("8" in the example) is actuated by the person who took the call. That is, at the end of the recording or playback of a message, the person then using the telephone will have pressed the second predetermined key ("8" in the example) on the key pad of the telephone to actuate the "stop" function. The tone associated with the second predetermined key is therefore issued by the telephone and passes through the amplifier 13 and the band pass filter 16 (which is tuned to the center frequency of the "8" tone), but not through the band pass filters 14 and 15, to rectifier/diode 23 and the filter network including a capacitor 25 and a resistor 24 to develop a pulse which is applied, via line 10, to the set input of the "stop" flip-flop 28. "Stop" flip-flop 28 therefore switches from the reset state to the set state. This causes the "1" output of the "stop" flip-flop 28 to switch from logic "0" to logic "1" to provide a pulse, via a line 31 and a capacitor 34, which is developed temporarily across a resistor 37 having its other end connected to ground potential. This pulse is conveyed, via line 47, to the reset inputs of each of the "record flip-flop 26 and the "play" flip-flop 27 to cause them to reset, thus, disabling either the record or the play function which may have been in use. A diode 40 may be provided across the resistor 37 to protect the logic circuitry when the "stop" flip-flop 28 switches back to the reset state as will be described. If desired, conventional initialization circuitry (not shown) may be provided to ensure that the "stop" function automatically takes place upon power up.

If a message is to be recorded such that the person taking a call has touched the "2" key, the corresponding standard audio tone from the telephone set passes through the bandpass filter 14 (but not the bandpass filters 15 and 16) and is rectified by diode 17 resulting in a positive going signal whose leading edge is developed as a pulse through capacitor 19 and across resistor 18. This pulse is applied to the set input of a "record" flip-flop 26 via line 8 causing the flip-flop 26 to switch to the set state from the reset state. Therefore, the signal from the "1" output of the flip-flop 26, appearing on the line 29, switches to a logic "1". This signal, applied to record/playback unit 41, institutes the "record" function such that the message to be left by the calling party is conveyed, via line 7, to amplifier 43 and is recorded in audio storage block 42 which, as previously described, may be a conventional semiconductor audio storage device.

In addition, the leading edge of the signal which occurs on the line 29 when the flip-flop 26 switches from the reset to the set state is coupled, via capacitor 32, as a pulse to a resistor 35 and a first input to an OR-GATE 45, the resistor 35 serving to develop the pulse. Therefore, the pulse is coupled through the OR-GATE 45 and is applied to the reset input of "stop" flip-flop 28. Flip-flop 28 may previously have been in the set condition, and it should be reset in anticipation of the next use of the "stop" function.

When the present message has been recorded, and the "stop" ("8" in the example) key on the telephone set has been depressed, the corresponding standard audio frequency signal passes through the band pass filter 16 to actuate the "stop" function as previously described, thereby terminating the "record" function just previously in operation. A diode 38 may be provided across the resistor 35 to protect the logic circuitry when the "record" flip-flop 26 switches back to the reset state when the "stop" function is instituted. Later, when the person for whom the message is available, he/she selects any of the telephones on the line 3 and actuates the third predetermined key ("5" in the example) on the key pad to generate, via the band pass filter 15, diode 20, and the filter including capacitor 22 and resistor 21, a resulting "play" signal on line 9 which serves to set the "play" flip-flop 27. As a result, the "1" output of the flip-flop 27 switches from logic "0" to logic "1" to apply a "play" signal to the record/playback unit 41 via line 30. The previously stored message is then played back from audio storage block 42, via amplifier 44 and line 7 to the telephone line 3 such that the message can be audited on the telephone set in use.

In addition, the leading edge of the signal which occurs on the line 30 when the flip-flop 27 switches from the reset to the set state is coupled, via capacitor 33, as a pulse to a resistor 36 and a second input to the OR-GATE 45, the resistor 36 serving to develop the pulse. Therefore, the pulse is coupled through the OR-GATE 45 and is applied to the reset input of "stop" flip-flop 28. Flip-flop 28 may previously have been in the set condition, and it should be reset in anticipation of the next use of the "stop" function.

When the message playback has been completed, the listener may again push the second predetermined button ("8" in the example) on the key pad to activate the stop function as previously described, to deactivate the "play" mode by instituting the "stop" mode. A diode 39 may be provided across the resistor 36 to protect the logic circuitry when the "play" flip-flop 26 switches back to the reset state when the "stop" function is instituted.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative configuration for the electronic memo pad 12 in which the "record" and "play" functions operate as previously described, but the stop function is actuated by hang up detector 48. As is well known in the art, when the line 3 changes from an off-hook condition (as a result of one of the telephones on the line having been picked up) to an on-hook condition when the telephone is hung up, there is a resultant change in voltage, usually a decrease in voltage, across the line 3. This voltage change is detected by hang up detector 48 which may be a suitably adapted conventional voltage comparator. For a more detailed exposition of a suitable circuit for the hang up detector 48, one may refer to United States Patent Application Serial No. 08/811,710, filed March 5,

1997, for TELEPHONE LINE AUTOMATIC PREFIX DIALER, by Howard Rosen. Thus, rather than pressing the "8" key to institute the "stop" function, the person taking the call or listening to the message need only hang up the phone, the "stop" function being automatically generated in response to that action.

As previously mentioned, the simplest manner to implement the record/playback unit 41 is to use a commercially available integrated circuit audio message storage device such as that marketed by Radio Shack under catalog no. 276-1324. Some of these single chip integrated circuits have not only the support circuitry that responds to the application of "record" and "play" signals as previously described, but also include the necessary amplifiers equivalent to the amplifiers 43, 44 shown in FIGs.

2 and 3 to effect a further simplification of the electronic memo pad.

It is well known in the art that the various functions contemplated may be achieved by diverse circuitry. For example, if an integrated circuit for the record/playback unit 41 is selected that requires only pulses, rather than steady state signals, to actuate the record and playback functions, the flip-flops

26, 27 and 28 may be eliminated. Further, the entire "stop" function circuitry may be eliminated if the record/playback integrated circuit merely times out after actuation of the record and playback functions.

While the invention has been described as a separate device, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the invention is equally adaptable to integration into a telephone set.

Referring briefly again to FIG. 1, such an integral installation is represented by the box 12A disposed within telephone A 1.

Thus, while the principles of the invention have now been made clear in illustrative embodiments, there will be immediately obvious to the those skilled in the art many modifications of structure and components used in the practice of the invention which are particularly adapted for specific environments and operating requirements without departing from those principles.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An electronic memo pad for a telephone installation including at least one telephone connected to a telephone line, which telephone includes a dial key pad whereby actuating a key causes an audio tone of predetermined center frequency to be issued to the telephone line, the electronic memo pad comprising: A) an audio storage and playback unit coupled to the telephone line and adapted to record a message off the telephone line in response to the application of a "record" control signal and to play back a recorded message onto the telephone line in response to the application of a "play" signal;

B) a first decoder coupled to the telephone line, said first decoder being responsive to the actuation of a first key on the telephone by generating a "record" pulse;

C) a second decoder coupled to the telephone line, said second decoder being responsive to the actuation of a second key on the telephone by generating a "play" pulse;

D) first transfer means for employing said "record" pulse to effect said "record" signal; and

E) second transfer means for employing said "play" pulse to effect said "play" signal.

2. The electronic memo pad of Claim 1 in which said "record" pulse is employed as said "record" signal and said "play" pulse is employed as said "play" signal.

3. The electronic memo pad of Claim 1 in which: A) said first transfer means includes a first flip-flop having a first input connected to said first decoder to receive said "record" pulse and adapted to issue said "record" signal from an output to said audio storage and playback unit when said "record" pulse is received; and B) said second transfer means includes a second flip-flop having a first input connected to said first decoder to receive said "play" pulse and adapted to issue said "play" signal from an output to said audio storage and playback unit when said "play" pulse is received.

4. The electronic memo pad of Claim 3 in which said first flip-flop is switched from a first state to a second state when said "record" pulse is received thereby and said second flip-flop is switched from a first state to a second state when said "play" pulse is received thereby.

5. The electronic memo pad of Claim 4 which further includes:

A) a third decoder coupled to the telephone line, said third decoder being responsive to the actuation of a third key on the telephone by generating a "stop" pulse; B) a third flip-flop having a first input connected to said third decoder to receive said "stop" pulse and adapted to issue a "stop" signal from an output; and in which:

C) said first flip-flop has a second input coupled to said output of said third flip-flop such that the presence of said "stop" signal causes said first flip-flop to switch from the second state back to the first state, thereby terminating said "record" signal; and

D) said second flip-flop has a second input coupled to said output of said third flip-flop such that the presence of said "stop" signal causes said second flip-flop to switch from the second state back to the first state, thereby terminating said "play" signal.

6. The electronic memo pad of Claim 4 which further includes:

A) a third decoder coupled to the telephone line, said third decoder being responsive to a transition of the telephone line from an off-hook condition to an on-hook condition by generating a "stop" pulse; B) a third flip-flop having a first input connected to said third decoder to receive said "stop" pulse and adapted to issue a "stop" signal from an output; and in which:

7. The electronic memo pad of Claim 5 in which said third flip-flop has a second input and in which said second input of said third flip-flop is coupled to each of said outputs of said first flip-flop and said second flip-flop such that when either of said first and second flip-flops switch from said first state to said second state, said third flip-flop is switched from a second state at which said "stop" signal is issued to a first state at which said "stop" signal is not issued.

8. The electronic memo pad of Claim 6 in which said third flip-flop has a second input and in which said second input of said third flip-flop is coupled to each of said outputs of said first flip-flop and said second flip-flop such that when either of said first and second flip-flops switch from said first state to said second state, said third flip-flop is switched from a second state at which said "stop" signal is issued to a first state at which said "stop" signal is not issued.

9. The electronic memo pad of Claim 1 which is integrated into the telephone.

10. The electronic memo pad of Claim 2 which is integrated into the telephone.

11. The electronic memo pad of Claim 3 which is integrated into the telephone.

12. The electronic memo pad of Claim 4 which is integrated into the telephone.

13. The electronic memo pad of Claim 5 which is integrated into the telephone.

14. The electronic memo pad of Claim 6 which is integrated into the telephone.

15. The electronic memo pad of Claim 7 which is integrated into the telephone.

16. The electronic memo pad of Claim 8 which is integrated into the telephone.