Abstract: In an automatic telephone answering apparatus, an outgoing message tape is driven upon reception of an incoming call, and a first outgoing message and a specific signal are reproduced. When the specific signal is detected, a timer is started. While the timer is being operated, a loudspeaker unit amplifies the voice of a caller. A non-recorded portion of the outgoing message tape is reproduced while the timer is being operated. When a preset timer time has elapsed, the second message is sent out onto a telephone line, and the telephone answering apparatus automatically sets itself in a standby mode.

Abstract: An automatic telephone answering and recording device is capable of selecting, in accordance with a length of time for pushing an "absent" button, either the case where the device operates automatically after a first or a second incoming ringing signal or the case where the device does not constitute the closed circuit of a telephone line while an answer tape is driven, by one round, for confirmation and the device merely returns a ringing back tone to a calling party. Also, the device adopts a control system controlled by the program stored in a microcomputer thereby to distinguish two cases each of which is formed dependent on a length of time for pushing the "absent" button, respectively.

Abstract: In the event of an earthquake or fire, important objects like a recording medium used in a location where important information to the outside are relayed or in a location where natural phenomena are observed, are carried away, hanging from an airborne balloon that is inflated and released in response to the mechanical shock of an earthquake or the heat of a fire.

Abstract: A control system for use with telephone terminal equipment comprises a timer which generates a dummy control signal upon elapse of a preset period of time from the instant of time when operation of an automatic telephone answering apparatus starts. A dummy ringing signal generated in response to the dummy control signal is applied to the telephone terminal equipment connected through a relay to the public telephone circuit. Then, the terminal equipment responds to the dummy ringing signal to operate to be connected with the calling party side.

Abstract: At least two operation buttons are arranged to set one of a plurality of operation modes of a recording/reproducing apparatus. When each operation button operated a plurality of times within a predetermined period of time is detected by a microprocessor, a switching circuit sets a recording medium in a predetermined operation mode determined by the operation/non-operation and the number of operations of each operation button. In the predetermined operation mode, at least one recording medium mounted in the recording apparatus is erased while being rewound or fast forwarded.

Abstract: A remote control unit controls at least one additional device such as a facsimile system through a telephone answering device. The telephone answering device is engaged with telephone lines upon reception of a ringing signal, and an outgoing message and an instruction message are sent out. A calling party can record an incoming message in a recorder in the telephone answering device if desired. However, when the calling party wishes to drive an additional device, a remote control signal corresponding to the desired additional device is sent in accordance with the instruction message. Then, the desired additional device can be driven, and other data can be transmitted or received. If the calling party sends the wrong remote control signal and therefore drives the wrong additional device, the calling party can reset the wrong device and drive the correct device by sending the correct remote control code, without hanging up the telephone.

Abstract: A telephone answering device with an amplication feature during outgoing message has a blank portion for a couple of seconds between first outgoing message and second outgoing message. If a calling party speaks his name during the blank portion, his voice is amplified in the region of the device to be answered by any people around it. If the calling party does not speak his name, however, a second outgoing message will be produced after the blank portion. After a beep tone, the calling party can leave his message on the incoming message tape.

Abstract: A telephone answering device using voice synthesizer as an outgoing message generating device, which playbacks outgoing message through built-in loudspeaker for confirmation in standby mode, even if occasional incoming call is received during confirmation of outgoing message, makes reset instantly then transmits outgoing message from its beginning to the calling party.

Abstract: An easily operable recording/reproducing apparatus of double cassette type having a master tape and a slave tape is disclosed, which is adapted to operate each of these tapes in a plurality of modes including recording, playing back, rewinding, and fast-forwarding modes. The recording/reproducing apparatus comprises a first operation button for operation of the master tape, a second operation button for operation of the slave tape, and a third operation button for dubbing operation from the master tape to the slave tape. A microprocessor is adapted to detect depressed buttons and a number of times of depression of each button, and controls so that each of the master tape and the slave tape is operated in operation mode in accordance with the detected result. When the third operation button is depressed, dubbing operation from the master tape to the slave tape is performed. When the second and third buttons are depressed simultaneously, recording on the slave tape is performed.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for extracting programs suitable for individual subscriber taste from among all available television programs and for editing an individual subscriber television program list, objective data is statistically processed by linear programming. The processed results are input to a computer and are stored on a hard disk. The storage contents are read out from the hard disk and are printed out. Subscriber complaints about the program list are periodically fed back to improve prediction precision, thereby providing an automatic controller attuned to subscriber taste when the individual subscriber program list is used to automatically control a TV or VTR.

Abstract: A record/play unit and a tape controller in an automatic telephone answering device with a paging function that sets an incoming message tape in a record mode in response to a beep tone generated upon completion of the sending of a first, normal, outgoing message and a second outgoing message for providing a paging procedure to a caller when an incoming message is not recorded by the caller after the beep tone is generated. The controller thereafter drives an engaging section in response to a special code sent by the calling party. The engaging section temporarily disengages the device from the telepone lines and then engages the device with the telephone lines again. Subsequently, a DTMF oscillator is operated to dial a prestored telephone number.

Abstract: An automatic telephone answering device includes a generator for a voice synthesized acceptance message for collect calls. The acceptance message is generated in one of several modes of operation of the answering device, selected by a user. Preferably, the acceptance message is generated only in a fixed time message receiving mode.

Abstract: A cordless telephone having a base unit with automatic telephone answering function and a portable unit has an engaging means for forming an engaging circuit upon an incoming call from a calling party, when the portable unit is kept in the off-hook state over a preset period of time during sending of outgoing message from the base unit, and an outgoing message inhibiting circuit which activated by output of preset timer means and inhibit outgoing message then both parties' conversation can be recorded in recording means on base unit which is set in stand-by mode.

Abstract: In an automatic telephone answering apparatus, an input signal sent through telephone lines is enveloped to derive pulses. The pulses are counted by a first counter. When a predetermined period of time has elapsed, a count of the first counter is compared with a reference value. When the count is larger than the reference value, the input signal is regarded as a speech signal, and the first and second counters are reset to count the pulses again. The above operation is repeated. When the count has not reached the reference value, the second counter is operated. When another predetermined period of time has elapsed, the count of the first counter is compared with the reference value, and this operation is repeated. When the count of the second counter reaches a given value, the automatic telephone answering apparatus is set in the standby mode.

Abstract: A switching apparatus is proposed which automatically switches between a telephone set connected to a telephone line and a terminal device for data communication in accordance with a signal sent through the telephone line. When an incoming call signal is detected, the telephone lines are engaged with the telephone set, and a response signal is sent out onto the telephone line. Thereafter, when a control signal or the like is received by the switching apparatus, the terminal device is automatically engaged with the telephone line. When the control signal is not sent to the switching apparatus, the called party can communicate with the calling party when the telephone set is set in the off-hook state.

Abstract: Letters and a space are assigned to numeric keys of a pushphone. A desired numeral, letter or space is transmitted by depressing a corresponding numeric key a predetermined number of times, and thereafter a specific symbol key is depressed. At a reception side, a transmitted letter is detected in accordance with the corresponding numeric key code and the data representing the number of times of depression of the corresponding numeric key. An alphanumeric character string is thus displayed.

Abstract: In a remote control system of electric equipment, a remote control box which is to be incorporated with the electric equipment is adapted to the remote control adapter which accepts a telephone call and engages with the telephone line upon acceptance of a telephone call and receives many kinds of remote control signals through telephone line to control the remote box according to the tone decoder connected to microprocessing controlled switches.

Abstract: An automatic telephone answering apparatus is arranged such that an outgoing message stored in an IC memory is read out and converted to an audio analog signal which is then sent out onto telephone lines, and thereafter an incoming message sent from a calling party is converted to a digital signal which is then stored in one of a plurality of other IC memories.

Abstract: In an automatic telephone answering apparatus, a ringing tone generated upon reception of an incoming call is detected by a ringing tone detecting means, a pulse or leakage flux generated upon reception of the incoming call is detected by a pulse detecting means, and a telephone line is engaged when the ringing tone detecting means and said pulse detecting means simultaneously generate detection signals, thereby operating the automatic telephone answering apparatus.