Function controller serving as an automatic telephone answering machine in an audio/video component system

Claim 1

A function controller combined with an automatic telephone answering machine, abbreviated ATAM in an audio/video component system, whereby said ATAM comprises means for delivering an announcement message to a caller and means for recording an incoming message from said caller, said controller comprising: a microprocessor for controlling the audio/video component system; an audio video function key block including a number of function keys for selecting the operational functions of the audio/video components; a switching circuit to which the audio/video components are connected; an ATAM function key block including several function keys for selecting the operation mode when the ATAM is to be operable; a detector for detecting the ringing signal of at least one telephone; a relay circuit for activating the telephone line; a sensor for sensing the state of the telephone line; a volume control circuit for controlling the volume level of the audio/video component system; a call counter circuit for counting and displaying the number of ATAM recorded incoming messages; a code designation switch for designating a secret code when the function of the ATAM is being controlled by using a dual tone multifrequency, abbreviated DTMF, signal; a DTMF receiver for receiving and encoding the DTMF signal; and a ringer for converting the ringing signal to a ringing sound.