Abstract: A reset system for a telephone answering machine which, in the event of power failure, or disconnection from the power source, will reset the telephone answering machine when power is restored to the condition it was in prior to the power failure. The system is applicable to both single tape machines in which the outgoing announcement and incoming messages are all recorded on one magnetic tape, and dual tape machines in which the outgoing announcements are recorded on one magnetic tape and the incoming messages are recorded on a second magnetic tape. The system of the invention serves to determine whether there were incoming messages on the incoming message tape when the power failed and if so, the end of the last recorded incoming message is located so that when power is restored the incoming message tape can be set to the same position it was in when power was lost.

Abstract: A reset system for a telephone answering machine which, in the event of a power failure, or should the telephone answering machine be disconnected from the power mains, will reset the telephone answering machine when power is restored to the condition it was in just prior to the power failure. In a specific embodiment to be described, when power is restored, an incoming message magnetic tape is set to rewind for a selected time interval (for example, 2 to 3 seconds), and the number of pulses generated by the magnetic tape mechanism during that period are examined. If the number of pulses exceeds a predetermined minimum, it is assumed that there are incoming messages recorded on the tape, and the tape is returned to the position it occupied prior to rewind. In addition, control and indicator mechanisms within the system are set to the state they were in just prior to the power failure.

Abstract: A telephone answering machine which upon initial power-up plays back a message recorded by the manufacturer on the incoming message tape. This message may be in the form of advertising, operational instructions, or the like. Subsequent use of the machine causes the initial message to be erased. The message is recorded at the beginning of the incoming message tape together with a pre-defined tone. Upon initial power-up, the incoming message tape is rewound to its home position by the microcomputer of the telephone answering machine and, if the tone is detected, the machine automatically plays back the recorded message. At the end of the playback, the incoming message tape is returned to its home position and the telephone answering machine is set by the microcomputer to its auto answer mode, ready to respond to the first telephone call.

Abstract: A telephone answering machine which records and displays the date and time of each recorded incoming message and, if required, displays the duration of each message. The telephone answering machine is microcomputer controlled, and when a call is received, the random access memory of the microcomputer stores a number equivalent to the time and date on which the telephone line was seized. The telephone answering machine then records the call in normal manner. At the end of the call, a second number representing the time at which the call terminated may also be stored in the random access memory. At that time, the microcomputer causes the message tape to rewind to a point past the beginning of the recorded message and causes the data and time at which the message was received to be recorded on a blank portion of the tape just before the beginning of the message. The microcomputer then causes the tape to move forward to the end of the message in preparation for taking the next call.

Abstract: A message playback control system for a telephone answering machine of the type in which a user, in order to recover his messages, by operation of a manually operated local switch, causes the message tape in the machine to rewind to a particular position, and then causes the message tape to move in the forward direction and play back the messages recorded on the tape, and then automatically causes the message tape to stop when all the messages have been played back. In the system of the present invention, provision is made so that if the local switch is subsequently operated further control operations may be effectuated.

Abstract: An automatic microcomputer controlled telephone answering machine which uses a single magnetic tape for both the outgoing message (OGM) and the incoming messages (ICM). The OGM is pre-recorded on the tape near the origin position of the tape. Then, whenever an incoming telephone call is received, the machine is first set to a playback mode and the OGM is sent to the calling party over the telephone line. The tape is then advanced at high speed past any previously recorded ICM's to the first vacant location on the tape. The ICM from the caller is then recorded at that location. When the call is completed, the machine rewinds the tape back to the origin position and awaits the next call. The tape includes a data section at the origin position which precedes the start of the OGM.

Abstract: A telephone answering system in which the calling party may record a message of any length within the recording capabilities of the message tape, and is not limited to any predetermined message time interval. The system is controlled by a microcomputer, and includes circuitry such that the microcomputer only responds to actual voice signals, so that the message recording interval is terminated when the calling party stops talking for a particular time interval, regardless of whether a tone signal or a busy signal then appears on the telephone line.