DE19529594A1 - Telephone answering machine esp. for connection to telephone line with facsimile machine - has switching stage with processor which receives incoming call and has identifies type of call, for mode selection depending on whether call is for telephone or facsimile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The telephone answering machine is connected to a telephone network via a subscriber line. The machine includes at least one speech memory and a call recognition device (4). An input switching stage operates for mode selection. A call tone identification stage (11) and a processor (12) set the answering machine into operation if the incoming call is not for a facsimile machine. If the incoming signal is for a facsimile machine, then the system switches (13) mode after a number of call tone signals.

Description

The invention relates to an answering machine for connection to a telephone network via a subscriber line at least one voice mailbox and with one Call recognition device for commissioning the Answering machine for an incoming call and one Fax switch.

Fax machines can be used in one of several ways simple telephone connection can be operated. The easiest One possibility is to connect the fax machine to a existing triple TAE socket in addition to the telephone to connect. The subscriber can then put his fax machine in manual mode or automatic Use mode of operation.

In manual operation, the subscriber must be able to Can receive faxes, accept the call on his phone and then, if necessary, the start button on his fax machine actuate. This has the disadvantage that the participant too Must be home to receive a fax, and that the phone must be near the fax machine so that if necessary, the start button can be pressed.  

In automatic mode, the fax machine is set to one certain number is set. According to this Setting, the fax machine automatically seizes the line on an incoming call. The user is not at home or is it not possible before the set number to pick up the phone, the call will be Fax machine accepted. This may apply to callers who have a Want to have a conversation with the participant, be angry, because a fee will be charged in any case.

So-called fax switches are also known, which the Possibility of call selection and thus a better one Offer comfort. To determine if the call is is or is not a fax call, but is also in the In the case of the fax switch, the line is seized required. If no fax identification signal is recognized, receives the caller usually sends a text message, while the downstream phone on the called one Subscriber is called by the fax switch. Here too fees will be charged if the call is unsuccessful. There this is particularly annoying when repeatedly unsuccessful Attempts to call are made in addition to Fax switch the acquisition of an answering machine recommended. Then the caller can send at least one message leave or the call at a cheaper time repeat if the called party answers appropriate note on the answering machine spoken Has.

However, this is a relatively expensive solution, at which is multiple individual devices in the right way must be interconnected and together with the Connection cables have a considerable space requirement.

The object of the present invention is, if possible low effort calls to participants who are on a Operate line a phone and a fax machine, cheap to handle.

This object is achieved with the invention Answering machine solved by the fact that a Sound recognition device is provided, which on arrival a fax identification signal switches off the answering machine.

A further development of the answering machine according to the invention consists in the fact that when a Fax identification signal to a connected fax machine Call forwarded and the subscriber line to the fax machine is switched through.

Since the further operation of the answering machine when lifting the Telephone receiver is no longer required at a another development of the invention proposed that the Answering machine from one circuit to Loop current monitoring is controllable such that the Answering machine is switched off when a connected Telephone seized the subscriber line.

Another development of the invention is that further upon detection of a predetermined sound signal Fax machine forwarded a call and the subscriber line is switched through to the fax machine. It can be used during a phone call by dialing a given one Number or combination of numbers (by-election) by the calling or called participants the transmission of a Faxes are initiated.

This training can also be advantageous a fax switch can be provided in that further upon detection of a predetermined tone signal to the fax machine  a call is forwarded and the subscriber line to Fax machine is switched through.

Embodiments of the invention are in the drawing schematically shown as a block diagram and in the following description explained in more detail. It shows:

Fig. 1 an answering machine according to the invention and

Fig. 2 shows a fax switch according to the invention.

Identical parts are given the same reference symbols in the figures Mistake.

The answering machine 1 according to the invention contains a known controller and a voice memory 2 corresponding to conventional answering machines. Basically, an answering machine with a so-called "announcement function" or an answering machine with additional recording of the incoming calls can be used for the invention.

A socket 3 is provided for receiving a TAE connection cable, with which the answering machine 1 is connected to the subscriber line and thus to the telephone network. A circuit 4 for call detection controls the answering machine in such a way that the call is accepted and, if necessary, recorded after a number of ring signals to be entered.

In the answering machine according to the invention, a circuit 5 for detecting the fax identification signal CNG is also provided, which switches off the answering machine immediately after the detection of the CNG signal. The circuit 5 also controls a call signal generator 6 which sends a call to a connection 7 to which the fax machine can be connected. As soon as the fax machine, not shown, receives the call, it switches on and receives the incoming fax after the usual signaling.

A telephone, also not shown, is also connected to the subscriber line. As soon as the handset is lifted when the answering machine is active, a circuit 8 for loop current monitoring detects it and also switches off the answering machine.

In the fax switch 10 shown schematically in FIG. 2, a connection 3 is provided for connection to the telephone network. A circuit 4 for call detection controls the fax switch so that an incoming call is accepted by seizing the line. A device 11 for sound recognition then checks whether a fax identification signal CNG arrives. If this is not the case, a switch 13 is controlled by a processor 12 such that a telephone connected to 14 receives the call signal and a call signal generator 6 is activated. After lifting the handset, the subscriber line is switched through to the telephone.

However, if a fax identification signal CNG arrives, the call signal generated at 6 is fed to a fax machine via the changeover switch 13 and the connection 7 . This then switches on and receives the incoming fax.

During a telephone call, the device 11 is able to recognize predetermined tone dialing signals, whereupon the processor 12 controls the changeover switch 13 to the connection 7 and activates the call signal generator 6 . It is thus possible to initiate the transmission of a fax by dialing a number or a number combination even with the fax switch according to the invention.

Claims (5)

1. Answering machine for connection to a telephone network via a subscriber line with at least one voice memory and with a call detection device for starting up the answering machine for an incoming call, characterized in that a sound detection device ( 5 ) is provided which, when a fax identification signal arrives, the answering machine ( 1 , 2 ) switches off. 2. Answering machine according to claim 1, characterized characterized in that further when a Fax identification signal to a connected fax machine Call forwarded and the subscriber line to the fax machine is switched through. 3. Answering machine according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the answering machine ( 1 ) can be controlled by a circuit ( 8 ) for loop current monitoring such that the answering machine ( 1 , 2 ) is switched off when a connected telephone occupies the subscriber line . 4. Answering machine according to one of claims 2 or 3, characterized in that further when a a given sound signal to the fax machine and the subscriber line through to the fax machine becomes.   5. Fax switch for connection to a telephone network via a Subscriber line with a call recognition device Assignment of the subscriber line for an incoming call and with a sound detection device that when a Fax identification signal to a connected fax machine Call is forwarded and the subscriber line to the fax machine turns on, characterized in that further at Recognize a predetermined sound signal to the fax machine Call forwarded and the subscriber line to the fax machine is switched through.