Door answering machine

Details Door answering machine Door answering machine

1998-04-28

2001-11-27

Tsang, Fan (Department: 2645)

Telephonic communications

Audio message storage, retrieval, or synthesis

Dynamic audio signal recording or reproduction

C379S067100, C379S445000, C379S102060

Reexamination Certificate

active

06324261

ABSTRACT:

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'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.


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