Automatic telephone answering apparatus including conversion recording mode

Claim 2

An automatic telephone answering apparatus for sending an outgoing message recorded in first storing means through a telephone line and recording incoming messages in second storing means, said automatic telephone answering apparatus further having a further mode for recording a conversation between an operator and a conversation partner, comprising: reproducing means response to a reproducing command signal for reproducing one of incoming messages from said second storing means; line status detection means for detecting a line status of said telephone line; first control means responsive to said second storing means for detecting an area of said second storing means where said incoming messages is stored and for storing data indicative of said area; second control means for detecting an empty area of said second storing means in accordance with said storing data; third control means responsive to said line status detection means for effecting a predetermined preparation operation when said line status detection means detects a start of use of said telephone line in order to make it possible to record said conversation between said operator and said conversation partner on said second storing means by causing said second control means to detect said empty area; and fourth control means responsive to said third control means and a recording command signal for effecting said further mode.

Claim 3

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: reproducing detection means responsive to said reproducing means for detecting a reproducing condition of said reproducing means, said third control means effecting said preparation operation by causing said reproducing means to stop the reproducing of said one of said stored incoming messages when said reproducing detection means detects said reproducing condition and said line status detection means detects said start of use of said telephone line.

Claim 4

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: (a) out-going message recording means responsive to an out-going message command signal for inputting and storing said out-going message into said first storing means; and (b) recording detection means responsive to said recording means for detecting a recording condition of said out-going message recording means, said third control means effecting said preparation operation by causing said out-going message recording means to stop said recording of said out-going message when said recording detection means detects said recording condition and said line status detection means detects said start of use of said telephone line.

Claim 5

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a handset for communicating with said telephone line, said line status detection means comprising an off-hook switch actuated by said handset for detecting an off hook condition of said automatic telephone answering apparatus.

Claim 6

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said line status detection means comprises ring signal detection means for detecting a ring signal sent from said telephone line.

Claim 7

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising off-hook detection means for detecting an off-hook condition of a telephone connected to said telephone line in parallel.

Claim 8

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said off-hook detection means comprises voltage-decrease detection means for detecting said off-hook condition by detection of decrease in a voltage between lines of said telephone line.

Claim 9

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said off-hook detection means comprises receiving means for receiving an off-hook signal from an off-hook switch included in said telephone.

Claim 10

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said second storing means comprises a semiconductor memory, an a/d converter for converting a voice signal indicative of said incoming message and said conversation to a digital voice signal, a semiconductor memory for storing and reading said digital voice signal, and a d/a converter for converting read digital voice signal to an analog voice signal.

Claim 11

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising out-going message recording means responsive to an out-going message command signal for inputting and storing said out-going message into said first storing means, said first storing means having: (a) a semiconductor memory; (b) an a/d converter for converting a voice signal indicative of said incoming message and said conversation to a digital voice signal; (c) a semiconductor memory for storing and reading said digital voice signal; and (d) a d/a converter for converting read digital voice signal to an analog voice signal.

Claim 12

An automatic telephone answering apparatus for sending an out-going message recorded in first storing means through a telephone line and recording incoming messages in second storing means, said automatic telephone answering apparatus further having a further mode for recording a conversation between an operator and a conversation partner, said second storing means storing one of said incoming messages and said conversation in response to first address signal, said second storing means reading one of said incoming messages and said conversation in response to second address signal, comprising: (a) first control means responsive to said second storing means for detecting an area of said second storing means where said incoming messages are stored and for storing data indicative of said area; (b) second control means for detecting an empty area of said second storing means in accordance with said stored data; (c) reproducing means responsive to a reproducing command signal for supplying said second address signal to said second storing means in accordance with said stored data, for causing said second storing means to read said stored one of said incoming messages with said supplied second address signal, and for reproducing said read one of said incoming messages; (d) line status detection means for detecting a line status of said telephone line; (e) third control means responsive to said line status detection means for causing said second control means to detect said empty area when said line status detection means detects a start of use of said telephone line and for supplying said first address signal in accordance with said detected empty area to said second storing means in order to store said conversation with said supplied first address signal by said second storing means; and (f) fourth control means responsive to a recording command signal and said third control means for effecting said further mode using said first address signal.

Claim 13

An automatic telephone answering apparatus for sending an out-going message recorded in first storing means through a telephone line and recording incoming messages in second storing means, said automatic telephone answering apparatus further having a further mode for recording a conversation between an operator and a conversation partner, said second storing means storing one of said incoming messages and said conversation in response to first address signal, said second storing means reading one of said incoming messages and said conversation in response to second address signal, comprising: (a) first control means responsive to said second storing means for detecting an area of said second storing means where said incoming messages are stored and for storing data indicative of said area; (b) second control means for detecting an empty area of said second storing means in accordance with said stored data; (c) reproducing means responsive to a reproducing command signal for supplying said second address signal to said second storing means in accordance with said stored data, for causing said second storing means to read said stored one of said incoming messages with said supplied second address signal, and for reproducing said read one of said incoming messages; (d) line status detection means for detecting a line status of said telephone line; (e) third control means responsive to said line status detection means for causing said second control means to detect said empty area when said line status detection means detects a start of use of said telephone line and for supplying said first address signal in accordance with said detected empty area to said second storing means in order to store said conversation with said supplied first address signal by said second storing means; and (f) fourth control means responsive to a recording command signal and said third control means for effecting said further mode using said first address signal.

Claim 14

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 11, further comprising a handset for communicating with said telephone line, said line status detection means comprising an off-hook switch actuated said handset for detecting an off hook condition of said automatic telephone answering apparatus.

Claim 15

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said line status detection means comprises ring signal detection means for detecting a ring signal sent from said telephone line.

Claim 16

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 11, further comprising off-hook detection means for detecting an off-hook condition of a telephone connected to said telephone line in parallel.

Claim 17

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said off-hook detection means comprises voltage decrease detection means for detecting said off-hook condition by detection of decrease in a voltage between lines of said telephone line.

Claim 18

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said off-hook detection means comprises receiving means for receiving an off-hook signal from an off-hook switch included in said telephone.

Claim 19

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein said second storing means comprises a semiconductor memory, an a/d converter for converting a voice signal indicative of said incoming message and said conversation to a digital voice signal, a semiconductor memory for storing and reading said digital voice signal, and a d/a converter for converting read digital voice signal to an analog voice signal.

Claim 20

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 11, further comprising out-going message recording means responsive to an out-going message command signal for inputting and storing said out-going message into said first storing means, said first storing means having: (a) a semiconductor memory; (b) an a/d converter for converting a voice signal indicative of said incoming message and said conversation to a digital voice signal; (c) a semiconductor memory for storing and reading said digital voice signal; and (d) a d/a converter for converting read digital voice signal to an analog voice signal.

Claim 21

An automatic telephone answering apparatus for sending an out-going message recorded in first storing means through a telephone line and recording incoming messages in second storing means in an automatic answering mode, said automatic telephone answering apparatus further having a further mode for recording a conversation between an operator and a conversation partner in a non-automatic answering mode, comprising: (a) line status detection means for detecting a line status of said telephone line; (b) a switch responsive to a manual operation for producing a mode signal indicative of either of said automatic answering mode and said non-automatic answering mode; (c) control means responsive to said line status detection means and said mode signal for causing said second control means to detect said empty area in said non-automatic answering mode when said line status detection means detects a start of use of said telephone line in order to store said conversation in said second storing means at said detected empty area; and (d) means responsive to a recording command signal and said control means for effecting said further mode to record said conversation at said empty area.

Claim 22

An automatic telephone answering apparatus for sending an out-going message recorded in first storing means through a telephone line and recording incoming messages in second storing means in an automatic answering mode, said automatic telephone answering apparatus further having a further mode for recording a conversation between an operator and a conversation partner in a non-automatic answering mode, comprising: (a) line status detection means for detecting a line status of said telephone line; (b) a switch responsive to a manual operation for producing a mode signal indicative of either of said automatic answering mode and said non-automatic answering mode; (c) control means responsive to said line status detection means and said mode signal for causing said second control means to detect said empty area in said non-automatic answering mode when said line status detection means detects a start of use of said telephone line in order to store said conversation in said second storing means at said detected empty area; and (d) means responsive to a recording command signal and said control means for effecting said further mode to record said conversation at said empty area.

Claim 23

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 19, further comprising: (a) second control means responsive to said second storing means for detecting an area of said second storing means where said incoming messages are stored and for storing data indicative of said area; and (b) third control means for detecting an empty area of said second storing means in accordance with said stored data, said control means effects said preparation operation by causing said third control means to detect said empty area.

Claim 24

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 19, further comprising: (a) reproducing means response to a reproducing command signal for reproducing one of said stored incoming messages in said non-automatic answering mode; and (b) reproducing detection means responsive to said reproducing means for detecting a reproducing condition of said reproducing means, said control means effecting said preparation operation by causing said reproducing means to stop the reproducing of said one of said stored incoming messages when said reproducing detection means detects said reproducing condition and said line status detection means detects said start of use of said telephone line.

Claim 25

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 19, further comprising: (a) out-going message recording means responsive to an out-going message command signal for inputting and storing said out-going message into said first storing means in said non-automatic answering mode; and (b) recording detection means responsive to said recording means for detecting a recording condition of said out-going message recording means, said first mentioned control means effecting said preparation operation by causing said out-going message recording means to stop said recording of said out-going message when said recording detection means detects said recording condition and said line status detection means detects said start of use of said telephone line.

Claim 26

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 19, further comprising a handset for communicating with said telephone line, said line status detection means comprising an off-hook switch actuated said handset for detecting off hook condition of said automatic telephone answering apparatus.

Claim 27

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said line status detection means comprises ring signal detection means for detecting a ring signal sent from said telephone line.

Claim 28

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 19, further comprising off-hook detection means for detecting an off-hook condition of a telephone connected to said telephone line in parallel.

Claim 29

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein said off-hook detection means comprises voltage decrease detection means for detecting said off-hook condition by detection of decrease in a voltage between lines of said telephone line.

Claim 30

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 25, wherein said off-hook detection means comprises receiving means for receiving an off-hook signal from an off-hook switch included in said telephone.

Claim 31

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 19, wherein said second storing means comprises a semiconductor memory, an a/d converter for converting a voice signal indicative of said incoming message and said conversation to a digital voice signal, a semiconductor memory for storing and reading said digital voice signal, and a d/a converter for converting read digital voice signal to an analog voice signal.

Claim 32

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 19, further comprising out-going message recording means responsive to an out-going message command signal for inputting and storing said out-going message into said first storing means, said first storing means having: (a) a semiconductor memory; (b) an a/d converter for converting a voice signal indicative of said incoming message and said conversation to a digital voice signal; (c) a semiconductor memory for storing and reading said digital voice signal; and (d) a d/a converter for converting read digital voice signal to an analog voice signal.

Claim 33

An automatic telephone answering apparatus for sending an out-going message recorded in first storing means through a telephone line and recording incoming messages in second storing means in an automatic answering mode, said automatic telephone answering apparatus further having a further mode for recording a conversation between an operator and a conversation partner in a non-automatic answering mode, said second storing means storing one of said incoming messages and said conversation in response to first address signal, said second storing means reading one of said incoming messages and said conversation in response to second address signal, comprising: (a) first control means responsive to said second storing means for detecting an area of said second storing means where said incoming messages are stored and for storing data indicative of said area; (b) second control means for detecting an empty area of said second storing means in accordance with said stored data; (c) reproducing means responsive to a reproducing command signal for supplying said second address signal to said second storing means in accordance with said stored data, for causing said second storing means to read said stored one of said incoming messages with said supplied second address signal, and for reproducing said read one of said incoming messages; (d) line status detection means for detecting a line status of said telephone line; and (e) a switch responsive to a manual operation for producing a mode signal indicative of either of said automatic answering mode and said non-automatic answering mode; (f) third control means responsive to said line status detection means for causing said second means to detect said empty area in said non-automatic answering mode when said line status detection means detects a start of use of said telephone line and for supplying said first address signal in accordance with said detected empty area to said second storing means in order to cause said second storing means to store said conversation with said supplied first address signal; and (g) means responsive to a recording command signal and said third control means for effecting said further mode using said first address signal.

Claim 34

An automatic telephone answering apparatus for sending an out-going message recorded in first storing means through a telephone line and recording incoming messages in second storing means in an automatic answering mode, said automatic telephone answering apparatus further having a further mode for recording a conversation between an operator and a conversation partner in a non-automatic answering mode, said second storing means storing one of said incoming messages and said conversation in response to first address signal, said second storing means reading one of said incoming messages and said conversation in response to second address signal, comprising: (a) first control means responsive to said second storing means for detecting an area of said second storing means where said incoming messages are stored and for storing data indicative of said area; (b) second control means for detecting an empty area of said second storing means in accordance with said stored data; (c) reproducing means responsive to a reproducing command signal for supplying said second address signal to said second storing means in accordance with said stored data, for causing said second storing means to read said stored one of said incoming messages with said supplied second address signal, and for reproducing said read one of said incoming messages; (d) line status detection means for detecting a line status of said telephone line; and (e) a switch responsive to a manual operation for producing a mode signal indicative of either of said automatic answering mode and said non-automatic answering mode; (f) third control means responsive to said line status detection means for causing said second means to detect said empty area in said non-automatic answering mode when said line status detection means detects a start of use of said telephone line and for supplying said first address signal in accordance with said detected empty area to said second storing means in order to cause said second storing means to store said conversation with said supplied first address signal; and (g) means responsive to a recording command signal and said third control means for effecting said further mode using said first address signal.

Claim 35

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 30, further comprising a handset for communicating with said telephone line, said line status detection means comprising an off-hook switch actuated said handset for detecting off hook condition of said automatic telephone answering apparatus.

Claim 36

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 30, wherein said line status detection means comprises ring signal detection means for detecting a ring signal sent from said telephone line.

Claim 37

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 30, further comprising off-hook detection means for detecting an off-hook condition of a telephone connected to said telephone line in parallel.

Claim 38

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein said off-hook detection means comprises voltage decrease detection means for detecting said off-hook condition by detection of decrease in a voltage between lines of said telephone line.

Claim 39

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 33 wherein said off-hook detection means comprises receiving means for receiving an off-hook signal from an off-hook switch included in said telephone.

Claim 40

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 33, wherein said second storing means comprises a semiconductor memory, an a/d converter for converting a voice signal indicative of said incoming message and said conversation to a digital voice signal, a semiconductor memory for storing and reading said digital voice signal, and a d/a converter for converting read digital voice signal to an analog voice signal.

Claim 41

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 33, further comprising out-going message recording means responsive to an out-going message command signal for inputting and storing said out-going message into said first storing means, said first storing means having: (a) a semiconductor memory; (b) an a/d converter for converting a voice signal indicative of said incoming message and said conversation to a digital voice signal; (c) a semiconductor memory for storing and reading said digital voice signal; and (d) a d/a converter for converting read digital voice signal to an analog voice signal.

Claim 42

An automatic telephone answering apparatus for sending an out-going message recorded in first storing means through a telephone line and recording incoming messages in second storing means, said telephone answering apparatus further having a further mode for recording a conversation between an operator and a conversation partner, comprising: (a) first control means responsive to said second storing means for detecting an area of said second storing means where said incoming messages is stored and for storing data indicative of said area; (b) second control means for detecting an empty area of said second storing means in accordance with said data; (c) line status detection means for detecting a line status of said telephone line; (d) third control means responsive to said line status detection means for causing said second control means to detect said empty area when said line status detection means detects a start of use of said telephone line; and (e) fourth control means responsive to a recording command signal and said third control means for storing said conversation in said second storing means at said detected empty area when said recording command signal indicates said recording of said conversation.

Claim 43

An automatic telephone answering apparatus for sending an out-going message recorded in first storing means through a telephone line and recording incoming messages in second storing means, said telephone answering apparatus further having a further mode for recording a conversation between an operator and a conversation partner, comprising: (a) first control means responsive to said second storing means for detecting an area of said second storing means where said incoming messages is stored and for storing data indicative of said area; (b) second control means for detecting an empty area of said second storing means in accordance with said data; (c) line status detection means for detecting a line status of said telephone line; (d) third control means responsive to said line status detection means for causing said second control means to detect said empty area when said line status detection means detects a start of use of said telephone line; and (e) fourth control means responsive to a recording command signal and said third control means for storing said conversation in said second storing means at said detected empty area when said recording command signal indicates said recording of said conversation.

Claim 44

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 38, further comprising a handset for communicating with said telephone line, said line status detection means comprising an off-hook switch actuated said handset for detecting off hook condition of said automatic telephone answering apparatus.

Claim 45

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 38, wherein said line status detection means comprises ring signal detection means for detecting a ring signal sent from said telephone line.

Claim 46

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 38, further comprising off-hook detection means for detecting an off-hook condition of a telephone connected to said telephone line in parallel.

Claim 47

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 41, wherein said off-hook detection means comprises voltage decrease detection means for detecting said off-hook condition by detection of decrease in a voltage between lines of said telephone line.

Claim 48

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 41, wherein said off-hook detection means comprises receiving means for receiving an off-hook signal from an off-hook switch included in said telephone.

Claim 49

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 38, wherein said second storing means comprises a semiconductor memory, an a/d converter for converting a voice signal indicative of said incoming message and said conversation to a digital voice signal, a semiconductor memory for storing and reading said digital voice signal, and a d/a converter for converting read digital voice signal to an analog voice signal.

Claim 50

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 38, further comprising out-going message recording means responsive to an out-going message command signal for inputting and storing said out-going message into said first storing means, said first storing means having: (a) a semiconductor memory; (b) an a/d converter for converting a voice signal indicative of said incoming message and said conversation to a digital voice signal; (c) a semiconductor memory for storing and reading said digital voice signal; and (d) a d/a converter for converting read digital voice signal to an analog voice signal.

Claim 51

An automatic telephone answering apparatus for sending an out-going message recorded in first storing means through a telephone line and recording incoming messages in second storing means, said automatic telephone answering apparatus further having a further mode for recording a conversation between an operator and a conversation partner, said second storing means storing one of said incoming messages and said conversation in response to first address signal, said second storing means reading one of said incoming messages and said conversation in response to second address signal, comprising: (a) first control means responsive to said second storing means for detecting an area of said second storing means where said incoming messages are stored and for storing data indicative of said area; (b) second control means for detecting an empty area of said second storing means in accordance with said stored data; (c) reproducing means responsive to a reproducing command signal for supplying said second address signal to said second storing means in accordance with said stored data, for causing said second storing means to read said stored one of said incoming messages with said supplied second address signal, and for reproducing said read one of said incoming messages; (d) line status detection means for detecting a line status of said telephone line; and (e) third control means responsive to said line status detection means for causing said second control means to detect said empty area when said line status detection means detects a start of use of said telephone line; (f) fourth control means responsive to a recording command signal for effecting said further mode by supplying said first address signal in accordance with said detected empty area to said second storing means in order to cause said second storing means to store said conversation with said supplied first address signal.

Claim 52

An automatic telephone answering apparatus for sending an out-going message recorded in first storing means through a telephone line and recording incoming messages in second storing means, said automatic telephone answering apparatus further having a further mode for recording a conversation between an operator and a conversation partner, said second storing means storing one of said incoming messages and said conversation in response to first address signal, said second storing means reading one of said incoming messages and said conversation in response to second address signal, comprising: (a) first control means responsive to said second storing means for detecting an area of said second storing means where said incoming messages are stored and for storing data indicative of said area; (b) second control means for detecting an empty area of said second storing means in accordance with said stored data; (c) reproducing means responsive to a reproducing command signal for supplying said second address signal to said second storing means in accordance with said stored data, for causing said second storing means to read said stored one of said incoming messages with said supplied second address signal, and for reproducing said read one of said incoming messages; (d) line status detection means for detecting a line status of said telephone line; and (e) third control means responsive to said line status detection means for causing said second control means to detect said empty area when said line status detection means detects a start of use of said telephone line; (f) fourth control means responsive to a recording command signal for effecting said further mode by supplying said first address signal in accordance with said detected empty area to said second storing means in order to cause said second storing means to store said conversation with said supplied first address signal.

Claim 53

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 46, further comprising a handset for communicating with said telephone line, said line status detection means comprising an off-hook switch actuated said handset for detecting off hook condition of said automatic telephone answering apparatus.

Claim 54

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 46, wherein said line status detection means comprises ring signal detection means for detecting a ring signal sent from said telephone line.

Claim 55

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 46, further comprising off-hook detection means for detecting an off-hook condition of a telephone connected to said telephone line in parallel.

Claim 56

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 49, wherein said off-hook detection means comprises voltage decrease detection means for detecting said off-hook condition by detection of decrease in a voltage between lines of said telephone line.

Claim 57

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 50, wherein said off-hook detection means comprises receiving means for receiving an off-hook signal from an off-hook switch included in said telephone.

Claim 58

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 46, wherein said second storing means comprises a semiconductor memory, an a/d converter for converting a voice signal indicative of said incoming message and said conversation to a digital voice signal, a semiconductor memory for storing and reading said digital voice signal, and a d/a converter for converting read digital voice signal to an analog voice signal.

Claim 59

An automatic telephone answering apparatus as claimed in claim 46, further comprising message recording means responsive to an out-going message command signal for inputting and storing said out-going message into said first storing means, said first storing means having: (a) a semiconductor memory; (b) an a/d converter for converting a voice signal indicative of said incoming message and said conversation to a digital voice signal; (c) a semiconductor memory for storing and reading said digital voice signal; and (d) a d/a converter for converting read digital voice signal to an analog voice signal.

Claim 60

An automatic telephone answering apparatus for sending an out-going message recorded in first storing means through a telephone line and recording incoming messages in second storing means, said automatic telephone answering apparatus further having a further mode for recording a conversation between an operator and a conversation partner, said second storing means storing one of said incoming messages and said conversation in response to first address signal, said second storing means reading one of said incoming messages and said conversation in response to second address signal, comprising: (a) first control means responsive to said second storing means for detecting an area of said second storing means where said incoming messages are stored and for storing data indicative of said area; (b) second control means for detecting an empty area of said second storing means in accordance with said stored data; (c) reproducing means responsive to a reproducing command signal for supplying said second address signal to said second storing means in accordance with said stored data, for causing said second storing means to read said stored one of said incoming messages with said supplied second address signal, and for reproducing said read one of said incoming messages; (d) line status detection means for detecting a line status of said telephone line; and (e) third control means responsive to said line status detection means for causing said second control means to detect said empty area when said line status detection means detects a start of use of said telephone line and said reproducing means is reproducing one of said stored incoming messages, and for supplying said first address signal to said second storing means in order to store said conversation in said second storing means at a location defined by said first address signal.

Claim 61

An automatic telephone answering apparatus for sending an out-going message recorded in first storing means through a telephone line and recording incoming messages in second storing means, said automatic telephone answering apparatus further having a further mode for recording a conversation between an operator and a conversation partner, said second storing means storing one of said incoming messages and said conversation in response to first address signal, said second storing means reading one of said incoming messages and said conversation in response to second address signal, comprising: (a) first control means responsive to said second storing means for detecting an area of said second storing means where said incoming messages are stored and for storing data indicative of said area; (b) second control means for detecting an empty area of said second storing means in accordance with said stored data; (c) reproducing means responsive to a reproducing command signal for supplying said second address signal to said second storing means in accordance with said stored data, for causing said second storing means to read said stored one of said incoming messages with said supplied second address signal, and for reproducing said read one of said incoming messages; (d) line status detection means for detecting a line status of said telephone line; and (e) third control means responsive to said line status detection means for causing said second control means to detect said empty area when said line status detection means detects a start of use of said telephone line and said reproducing means is reproducing one of said stored incoming messages, and for supplying said first address signal to said second storing means in order to store said conversation in said second storing means at a location defined by said first address signal.