GB2309118A - A doorbell answering system - Google Patents

Abstract

The system comprises: a doorbell sounder 21; a doorbell switch 4 for activating the doorbell sounder 21; audio recording means 20, for recording and reproducing an audio message, including a first microphone 5 located near the doorbell switch 4 for receiving an audio message to be recorded; and control means 20, 7 for controlling operation of the audio recording means. The system enables a caller to leave a recorded message for an occupant if there is no response on sounding the doorbell. The audio recording means 20 may be a semiconductor memory. A display 22 is provided for displaying the number of recorded messages.

Description

DOORBELL SYSTEMS This invention relates to doorbell systems.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a doorbell system comprising: a doorbell sounder; a doorbell switch for activating the doorbell sounder; audio recording means, for recording and reproducing an audio message, including a first microphone located near the doorbell switch for receiving an audio message to be recorded; and control means for controlling operation of the audio recording means.

Thus, doorbell systems embodying the present invention allow a caller to leave a message for the occupant if there is no response on sounding the doorbell. The microphone of the audio recording means is located near the doorbell switch, conveniently in the same unit as the doorbell switch, so as to be conveniently accessible to the caller. The audio message can subsequently be reproduced by the audio recording means, under control of the control means, to replay the message to the occupant of the premises when convenient. The invention thus provides a useful aid both to callers and occupants, allowing callers to leave messages when an occupant is out or cannot answer the door for some reason.

While basic embodiments of the invention may simply provide a message recordal/replay facility for callers' messages, preferred embodiments of the invention provide a facility for replaying to callers a message pre-recorded by an occupant.

Accordingly, it is preferred that the audio recording means includes a first loudspeaker located near the doorbell switch, and that the control means is responsive to operation of the doorbell switch to control the audio recording means to reproduce a prerecorded audio message via the first loudspeaker. Thus, on detection of operation of the doorbell, the control means causes the pre-recorded message to be replayed to the caller.

The pre-recorded message may be a standard message recorded in the apparatus during manufacture, for example a simple instruction such as "please leave a message by speaking into the microphone". Preferably, however, the system provides the facility for the occupant to record his own message to be replayed to callers. This allows the message to be varied according to circumstances. For example, the occupant might leave a message indicating when he will return to the premises. A particular circumstance in which this additional messaging facility would be advantageous is for an occupant, such as an elderly or disabled person, who may be slow in answering the door. Such a person might record a message advising a caller to wait momentarily for the door to be answered.

In particularly preferred embodiments, the control means is switchable between an "auto-answer" mode wherein a pre-recorded message is automatically replayed to callers when the doorbell is activated, and a "normal" mode in which the pre-recorded message is not replayed on activation of the doorbell. In this case, an occupant can switch the system to "normal" mode when he is at the premises and able to answer the door, and switch the system to "auto-answer" mode when going out or unable to answer the door.

Some applications may be envisaged where reproduction to an occupant of messages left by callers is via the same loudspeaker as that.used to replay a prerecorded message to a caller activating the doorbell. As an example, a doorbell system embodying the invention might form a single unit mounted on the wall outside an office door, so that callers can leave messages and the occupant of the office can listen to recorded messages on retuming to the office. In most situations, however, the doorbell switch, the first microphone and the said first loudspeaker will be provided in a first apparatus, preferably an integral unit, for mounting by the entrance to a premises, and the system will include a second loudspeaker, provided in a second apparatus for location within the premises, the control means being arranged to effect reproduction via the second loudspeaker of messages recorded via the first microphone. Thus, a pre-recorded message will be replayed to callers at the door via the first loudspeaker, but messages recorded by callers will be replayed to the occupant via the second loudspeaker of the internal unit. As noted above, the said first apparatus for mounting by the entrance to the premises is preferably a single unit incorporating the doorbell and microphone/speaker functions. However, in some systems, the doorbell switch may be provided in one unit, and the microphone/speaker functions provided by a separate unit, for example for use in conjunction with a preinstalled doorbell unit.

Where a separate internal unit is provided to replay callers messages to an occupant, and where the system has a facility for an occupant to record his own message for replay to callers, a second microphone is provided in the internal unit for receiving the occupant's audio message to be recorded for replay to callers.

In some systems, the control means may be arranged to enable the said first microphone (for a caller to record a message) automatically, for example immediately after replaying a pre-recorded message to the caller. Preferably, however, the control means includes a record enable switch, located adjacent the first microphone, for enabling recording of an audio message via the first microphone. Thus, a caller can activate the record enable switch himself to enable recording of his message.

Preferably, the system includes a message counter for counting messages recorded via the first microphone, and a display for displaying the message count to the occupant of the premises. For example, where a record enable switch is provided as previously described, the message counter may detect each activation of the record enable switch to increment the count. When the occupant returns to the premises there is then a convenient indication on the display of how many messages have been left.

A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a front view of the doorbell unit of a doorbell system embodying the invention; Figure 2 is a front view of the internal unit of the doorbell system embodying the invention; and Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of the doorbell system embodying the invention.

In the preferred embodiment to be described, the doorbell system comprises two units, a doorbell unit 1 for mounting by an entrance to a premises, and an internal unit 2 intended for location within the premises. These units are shown in Figures 1 and 2 respectively. Referring to Figure 1, the doorbell unit 1 comprises a housing 3 which may conveniently be mounted on a wall beside a door by any suitable mounting means (not shown in the figure). In the front panel of the housing 3 as shown in the figure, there is a push-button 4 for the doorbell switch which is connected to activate a doorbell sounder in known manner. The doorbell sounder need not, of course, be a bell, but may be a buzzer or any other suitable form of sounder. A microphone 5 and speaker 6 are also provided in the doorbell unit 1, together with a further pushbutton 7 which serves as a record enable switch for the microphone 5 as described further below. In this particular embodiment, the doorbell unit 1 is about 9cm by Scm and has wording printed on the front panel to indicate the function of various elements and instructions for use. Of course, the construction and appearance of the doorbell unit can be varied as desired.

As shown in the front view of Figure 2, the internal unit 2 has a generally rectangular housing 9, and may be a table-top unit or wall-mountable unit for example. The internal unit 2 is provided with a speaker 10 and microphone 11 together with various controls and indicators. In particular, in the front panel of the unit 2 in this embodiment, there is a "play messages" button 12 to control replay of messages recorded by callers, a "record outgoing message" button 13 to enable an occupant to record his own message, and an "auto-answer" button 14 for setting the mode of operation of the unit as discussed further below. Slider controls 15, 16 are provided for setting the volume and tone respectively for reproduction of messages.

There is also a "playback record test" button 17 to enable test replay of a message recorded by the occupant, and a message counter display which in this embodiment is in the form of an LED 18. In this embodiment, the internal unit 2 is about 9cm by 16cm, though again of course the construction and appearance of the unit can be varied as desired.

Figure 3 is a schematic block diagram of the components of the doorbell system of this embodiment. In Figure 3, the doorbell unit 1 and internal unit 2 are indicated schematically by the broken lines. In use, connection of the units 1, 2 is by hard-wiring to provide the necessary control and signal communications to be described, although wireless embodiments may be envisaged. As shown, the internal unit 2 houses an audio memory and controller 20 for recording and reproducing audio messages and controlling operation of the system. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, the audio memory and controller 20 may be implemented in numerous ways, preferably, as in this embodiment, as an integrated circuit. The circuit 20 includes a semiconductor RAM for digital recording of audio data, a speech processing integrated circuit, such as a V2233 integrated circuit, and control circuitry for implementing the various functions to be described as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

The audio memory and controller 20 is connected to the doorbell switch 4, loudspeaker 6, microphone 5 and (via microphone 5) to the record enable switch 7 in the doorbell unit 1. In the figure, a doorbell sounder 21 is shown as part of the doorbell unit 1, although, of course, the doorbell sounder 21 may be a separate element, connected to the doorbell switch 4, for mounting inside the premises as in known doorbell devices.

The audio memory and controller 20 is connected to the loudspeaker 10, microphone 11, and auto-answer switch 14 of the internal unit. The circuit 20 is also connected to the control keys 12, 13 and 17, and to the volume and tone controls 15, 16 as indicated schematically in the figure. In addition, the control circuit 20 is connected to a message counter and display driver 22 which drives the message count display 18 and is connected to the record enable switch 7 of the doorbell unit.

Finally, the unit 2 is provided with an on/off switch 23 which controls supply of power to the system. The power supply (not shown) may be mains or battery or a combination thereof. Of course, the units 1, 2 may be powered separately, and in particular the doorbell sounder 21 may have an independent power supply.

In operation, when the occupant of the premises is at home and able to answer the door, the auto-answer switch 14 is switched to a first setting which sets the controller 20 to a "normal" mode of operation. In this mode, when a caller arrives at the door, he would naturally press the doorbell switch 4 in the normal manner. This would activate the doorbell sounder 21 as usual, whereupon the occupant can answer the door. If, in spite of the setting of the auto-answer switch 14, the occupant does not answer the door for some reason, the caller still has the option of leaving a message for the occupant. To do this, the caller will press and hold the record enable switch 7, and speak his message into the microphone 5. Activation of the record enable switch 7 is detected by the controller 20, whereupon the message transmitted to the controller 20 is recorded in the internal memory. Activation of the record enable switch 7 is also detected by the message counter 22 which then drives the LED 18 to flash once (indicating one recorded message) at periodic intervals.

Flashing of the LED 18 indicates to the occupant that a message has been left.

To listen to the message, the occupant presses the play button 12 which triggers the controller 20 to reproduce the recorded message via the loudspeaker 10. The message may then be erased automatically by the controller 20, or this function may be under the control of the occupant in any convenient manner as described further below.

If multiple messages are left before these are replayed by the occupant, then the recorded messages will be reproduced sequentially after the play button 12 is depressed. As each subsequent message is recorded, this is detected by the message counter 22 which then drives the LED 18 to flash a corresponding number of times at periodic intervals. Thus, if there are three recorded messages which have not yet been replayed by the occupant, the LED 18 will flash three times at periodic intervals.

In addition to the "normal" mode of operation described above, the system can be set to "auto-answer" mode in which a message recorded by the occupant is replayed to callers at the door. To record this message, the occupant presses the record button 13 and talks into the microphone 11 whereupon the controller 20 records the message in the internal memory. Any such message previously recorded by the occupant may be overwritten by the new message, or the controller may automatically delete a message previously recorded by the occupant when the record button 13 is next depressed for recording a new message. The message can be checked by pressing the playback test button 17, whereupon the controller 20 replays the recorded message via the loudspeaker 10. The auto-answer switch 14 is then switched to the auto-answer setting, to indicate to the controller 20 that the recorded message is to be replayed to callers automatically.

This mode will generally be selected when the occupant is going out or will be unable to answer the door for some reason, but may also be used simply to request callers to wait while the door is answered. In this mode, when a caller activates the doorbell switch 4, the doorbell sounder 21 will be activated as normal, but activation of the doorbell switch is also detected by the controller 20. The controller 20 then effects reproduction of the occupant's pre-recorded message which is replayed to the caller via the loudspeaker 6 in the doorbell unit 1. After listening to the recorded message, the caller can leave his own message for the occupant if he wishes as described above in connection with the first operational mode.

Again, recorded messages will be indicated to the occupant by the LED 18 and can be replayed by pressing the play button 12 as previously described. Conveniently, after listening to the recorded messages, these can be erased by the controller 20 in response to the occupant pressing the auto-answer switch 14, and the message counter can be reset to zero accordingly.

It will be appreciated that the doorbell system described above provides a simple and convenient system enabling an occupant to receive messages that are normally missed due to failure to answer the door to a caller. Embodiments of the system can be designed for various different applications, some examples being as follows: as a domestic system for use in the home; for individual internal offices and external office doors in the workplace; as an aid to the disabled in the home and workplace to advise a caller to wait while the door is opened; for commercial and industrial site and unit entrances, portacabins and temporary buildings; for secure buildings - where access may be denied to certain personnel and where this form of communication may be required; and for flats and multiple-occupancy complexes where individual and multiple intercom systems are installed.

It will of course be appreciated that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the specific embodiments described above without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, if desired in a particular. application, the functions of various components such as the microphones 11 and 5, and also the loudspeakers 6 and 10, may be combined.

As a further example, the function of the doorbell sounder 21 may in some cases be performed by the audio memory and controller 20, for example by reproducing a tone or tune via the loudspeaker 10 when the doorbell switch is activated.

Claims (9)

1. A doorbell system comprising: a doorbell sounder; a doorbell switch for activating the doorbell sounder; audio recording means, for recording and reproducing an audio message, including a first microphone located near the doorbell switch for receiving an audio message to be recorded; and control means for controlling operation of the audio recording means.

2. A doorbell system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the audio recording means includes a first loudspeaker located near the doorbell switch, and wherein the control means is responsive to operation of the doorbell switch to control the audio recording means to reproduce a pre-recorded audio message via the first loudspeaker.

3. A doorbell system as claimed in claim 2, wherein the control means is selectively operable in a first mode, in which the control means is responsive to operation of the doorbell switch to effect reproduction of said pre-recorded message, and a second mode in which the control means is not thus responsive.

4. A doorbell system as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the doorbell switch, the first microphone and the first loudspeaker are provided in a first apparatus for mounting by the entrance to a premises, and wherein the system includes a second loudspeaker, provided in a second apparatus for location within the premises, the control means being arranged to effect reproduction via the second loudspeaker of messages recorded via the first microphone.

5. A doorbell system as claimed in claim 4, wherein a second microphone is provided in the second apparatus for receiving an audio message to be recorded as said pre-recorded message.

6. A doorbell system as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the control means includes a record enable switch, located near the first microphone, for enabling recording of an audio message via the first microphone.

7. A doorbell system as claimed in any preceding claim including a message counter for counting messages recorded via the first microphone, and a display for displaying the message count.

8. A doorbell system as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the audio recording means comprises a semiconductor memory for recording the audio messages.

9. A doorbell system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.