JP3738192B2 - Communication device - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
An ordinary facsimile apparatus (for example, SFX-P31CL manufactured by Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.) has three reception modes of a telephone mode, a facsimile mode, and an absence mode, and a user sets in advance which mode is to be executed. It is possible.
[0003]
In the telephone mode, when a predetermined number of ringing sounds are sent from the speaker at the time of an incoming call, the line is automatically closed and a CNG signal having a frequency of 1100 Hz indicating that the calling party desires facsimile communication is detected. Start.
[0004]
In the facsimile mode, when an incoming call is detected, the line is immediately connected and detection of a CNG signal from the line is started. When a CNG signal is detected, facsimile reception is performed. On the other hand, if no CNG signal is detected, a predetermined number of times is received. Is sent from the speaker, and then, for example, a voice message “switch to FAX” is sent to the line, and then facsimile reception is started.
[0005]
In the above absence mode, when an incoming call is detected, a predetermined number of ringing sounds are sent out from the speaker, and then the line is automatically connected and the detection of the CNG signal is started, followed by a response message (for example, “I'm just out. ("Message") is sent to the line, and then the message of the message from the line (message from the called party) is started to be stored.
[0006]
In each of these modes, when a call is received from the telephone, if the called user picks up the handset in response to the ringing tone, the call becomes ready, and the calling user presses the start button during the call. Facsimile transmission can be performed by this. On the other hand, the called user can start facsimile reception by pressing a start key after hearing a message to start facsimile transmission from the calling side during a call.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
As described above, when a call is made between the calling side and the called side, the calling side user informs the called side that facsimile communication is to be performed, and the calling side It is possible to perform facsimile communication by performing an operation for starting facsimile communication (for example, pressing the start key) by both users on the called side, but if both users are not familiar with the operation, After the calling user tells the called user that facsimile communication is about to start, the handset is on-hooked to release the line, and then the automatic transmission function is used to connect the line again to send the facsimile. Had gone.
[0008]
However, even when it is clear that the incoming call is a facsimile reception, the incoming side device is set to the telephone mode or the answering mode, and the incoming call start and the line connection set on the incoming side are set. If the time required for sending the ringing tone (number of times the ringing tone is sent) is longer than the waiting time for answering the other party on the calling side, the user on the called side can leave the call or the response is delayed for the incoming call If the call is not made in time, there is no response from the called party within the waiting time for the other party to answer the calling party, so that the calling party releases the line and consequently cannot start facsimile communication. .
[0009]
In order to avoid such a problem, the user of the called device sets the time required for sending the ringing tone at the time of the incoming call (number of times the ringing tone is sent) to be shorter than the caller's partner response waiting time. However, it is difficult for a user who is not in operation to change the setting immediately.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention reliably executes facsimile reception after the end of a call by temporarily reducing the number of times the ringing tone is transmitted with a simple operation.
A communication device capable of automatically determining whether a calling party desires a call or communication at the time of an incoming call, the instruction means for instructing to change the number of times of ringing sound, and from the instruction means Control means for controlling, based on the instruction, the number of times that the ringing tone is transmitted to the number of times instructed by the instructing means until communication succeeds for the next and subsequent calls after the instruction. It is characterized by.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
A facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment to which the present invention is applied will be described below.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the apparatus of this embodiment.
[0013]
In FIG. 1, a control unit 10 is a main CPU that controls each circuit shown below.
[0014]
An NCU (Network Control Unit) 20 detects an incoming signal from the line L and closes the line under the control of the control unit 10.
[0015]
The dialer 25 sends a dial number to the line via the NCU 20.
[0016]
The modem 30 is connected to the NCU 20 and performs transmission / reception of facsimile control signals such as CNG signals and DIS signals, and modulation / demodulation of image information.
[0017]
The encoding / decoding unit 40 encodes and decodes image information.
[0018]
The scanner 50 reads image information, and the printer 60 prints image information.
[0019]
A DSP (Digital Signal Processor) 70 can store a plurality of response messages to be transmitted to a partner connected to the line L and can store a plurality of message messages from the partner input from the line L.
[0020]
The storage unit 80 includes, for example, an SRAM (Static Random Access Memory), and indicates various parameters necessary for the control unit 10 to process and whether the facsimile apparatus is set to a telephone mode, an absence mode, or a facsimile mode. Data (setting data), data indicating the number of ringing tone transmissions until line connection in each mode (normal ringing number data), and temporarily when the setting data is in telephone mode or answering mode, based on pressing of the start key The data indicating the number of times of calling sound to be changed (forced call number data), the flag indicating whether or not the call number data is set as the number of calls (call number flag), and the like are stored.
[0021]
The input unit 90 includes a numeric keypad, a start key, an up / down key, a registration key, and the like. The registration key and the up / down key are keys for setting setting data and the number of calls stored in the storage unit 80. The start key is a key for instructing facsimile transmission / reception and turning on or off the mode flag.
[0022]
A ROM (Read Only Memory) 100 stores a control program of the control unit 10.
[0023]
Hook switch 110 detects on-hook / off-hook of handset 120.
[0024]
The display unit 130 displays the telephone number, the setting data stored in the storage unit 90, and the state of the mode flag.
[0025]
The speaker 140 is connected to the ringer 150 and transmits a ringing tone input from the ringer 150.
[0026]
The operation of the apparatus of this embodiment will be described below.
[0027]
2 to 4 are flowcharts showing the operation of the apparatus of this embodiment.
[0028]
In step S200, when detecting a signal indicating that there is an incoming call from NCU 90, control unit 10 proceeds to step S301 shown in FIG. 3, and otherwise proceeds to step S201.
[0029]
In step S201, if the control unit 10 determines that there is a key input from the input unit 90, the process proceeds to step S202. If not, the process proceeds to step S207.
[0030]
In step S202, if the control unit 10 determines that the key pressed in step S201 is the start key, the process proceeds to step S203. If not, the process proceeds to step S206.
[0031]
In step S203, if the control unit 10 determines that the other party's telephone number (FAX number) is already input from the input unit 90 and the telephone number (FAX number) is displayed on the display unit 130, the process proceeds to step S204. If not, the process proceeds to step S205.
[0032]
In step S204, the control unit 10 controls the dialer 25 so that the telephone number displayed on the display unit 130 is dialed to the line. After the call (communication) is completed, the process returns to step S200.
[0033]
In step S205, the control unit 10 switches the mode flag stored in the storage unit 80 to on when it is off and off when it is on, and returns the process to step S200.
[0034]
In step S206, the control unit 10 performs processing corresponding to the pressed key. For example, processing such as setting the mode (phone mode, facsimile mode, absence mode), inputting the telephone number of the other party, and setting the normal call count data and forced call count data stored in the storage unit 80 is performed. , The process returns to step S200.
[0035]
In step S207, if the control unit 10 determines that the hook switch 110 is off-hook, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S208, and otherwise returns to step S200.
[0036]
In step S208, if it is determined that there is a dial input from the input unit 90, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S209, and if not, proceeds to step S211.
[0037]
In step S209, the control unit 10 controls the dialer 25 to dial the destination telephone number input in step S208 to the line L.
[0038]
In the subsequent step S210, the control unit 10 starts a call process in response to the response on the called side, and advances the process to step S214.
[0039]
If it is determined in step S211 that the start key has been pressed from the input unit 90, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S212, and otherwise returns to step S207.
[0040]
In step S212, if the control unit 10 determines that a document is set on the scanner 50, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S213. If not, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S215. The control signal for notifying the other party that a facsimile transmission such as a CNG signal is desired is transmitted to the line L by controlling 30. If the other party responds within a predetermined time, it is set in the scanner 50. The original is read, the image information is modulated by the modem 30, and then sent to the line L via the NCU 20, and the process proceeds to step S214.
[0041]
In step S214, the control unit 10 disconnects the line L by controlling the NCU 20, and returns the process to step S200.
[0042]
In step S215, the control unit 10 controls the modem 30 to transmit a control signal for notifying the other party that a facsimile signal such as a DIS signal is desired, and the other party responds to the request within a predetermined time. If the image information has been transmitted, the modem 30 is made to demodulate the image information, and after the received image information is printed by the printer 60, the process proceeds to step S214.
[0043]
In step S301 shown in FIG. 3, the control unit 10 reads the setting data from the storage unit 80. If it is determined that the data is in the facsimile mode, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S302, and otherwise proceeds to step S314.
[0044]
In step S <b> 302, the control unit 10 connects the line by controlling the NCU 20 and starts detecting the CNG signal by controlling the modem 30.
[0045]
In the subsequent step S303, when the control unit 10 detects a signal indicating that the CNG signal has been received from the modem 30 within a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds), the control unit 10 proceeds to the process in step S304. Otherwise, the process proceeds to the step S309. To proceed.
[0046]
In step S304, the control unit 10 performs facsimile communication processing. Specifically, the control unit 10 controls the modem 30 to transmit and receive a facsimile control signal such as a DIS signal, and then the image information input from the line L is demodulated by the modem 30 and printed by the printer 60. To do.
[0047]
In the subsequent step S305, if the control unit 10 determines that the facsimile communication is normally completed, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S306, and otherwise proceeds to step S307.
[0048]
In step S306, the control unit 10 controls the storage unit 80 to turn off the mode flag stored in the storage unit 80, and returns the process to step S200 shown in FIG.
[0049]
If the mode flag is off from the beginning in step S306, that state is maintained.
[0050]
In step S307, if the control unit 10 determines that the setting data stored in the storage unit 80 is the telephone mode or the answering machine mode, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S308, and if not, the process proceeds to step S200 shown in FIG. To return.
[0051]
In step S308, the control unit 10 turns on the mode flag stored in the storage unit 80, and returns the process to step S200 shown in FIG.
[0052]
In step S309, the control unit 10 controls the ringer 150 to cause the speaker 140 to transmit a ringing tone and count the number of times the ringing sound is transmitted, and the process proceeds to step S310.
[0053]
In step S310, the control unit 10 compares the number of ringing tone transmissions counted in step S308 with the setting data of the number of ringing tone transmissions corresponding to the absence mode stored in the storage unit 80, If it is determined that the number of sound transmissions exceeds the set data, the process proceeds to step S304; otherwise, the process proceeds to step S311.
[0054]
In step S311, when the control unit 10 detects a signal indicating that the handset 120 is off hook from the hook switch 110, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S312; otherwise, the process returns to step S303.
[0055]
In step S <b> 312, the control unit 10 controls the NCU 20 to close the line so that a call can be made.
[0056]
In the subsequent step S313, when the control unit 10 detects a signal indicating that the handset 120 is on-hook from the hook switch 110, the control unit 10 returns the process to step S200 in FIG. 2, and otherwise returns the process to step S312.
[0057]
In step S314 shown in FIG. 4, the control unit 10 reads the setting data stored in the storage unit 80, and proceeds to step S315 if it determines that the setting data is in the absence mode. Otherwise, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S325. Proceed to the process.
[0058]
In step S315, if the control unit 10 determines that the flag stored in the storage unit 80 is on, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S316, and otherwise proceeds to step S317.
[0059]
In step S316, the control unit 10 reads the forced call count data stored in the storage unit 80, and sets the number of ringing sounds sent up to the line connection to the number (for example, 3 times) indicated by the forced call count data. , The process proceeds to step S318.
[0060]
In step S317, the control unit 10 reads the normal number-of-calls data corresponding to the absence mode stored in the storage unit 80, and indicates the number of times that the ringing tone is transmitted until the line connection is indicated by the number of times indicated by the normal number-of-calls data (for example, 9 times), and the process proceeds to step S318.
[0061]
In step S318, the control unit 10 controls the ringer 150 to send a ringing tone from the speaker 140 and count the number of times the ringing tone is sent, and the process proceeds to step S319.
[0062]
In step S319, when the control unit 10 detects a signal indicating that the handset 120 is off-hook from the hook switch 110, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S334, and otherwise proceeds to step S320.
[0063]
In step S320, the control unit 10 compares the number of ringing sounds sent in step S318 with the number of ringing sounds sent in step S316 or S317, and sets the number of ringing sounds sent. If it is determined that the data has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step S321; otherwise, the process returns to step S318.
[0064]
In step S321, the control unit 10 controls the NCU 20 to close the line and causes the modem 30 to start detecting a CNG signal, and proceeds to step S322.
[0065]
In the subsequent step S322, when the control unit 10 detects a signal indicating that the CNG signal has been received from the modem 30 within a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds), the control unit 10 proceeds to a process in step S304 shown in FIG. The process proceeds to step S323.
[0066]
In step S323, the control unit 10 transmits a ringing tone from the speaker 140 and controls the DSP 70 to transmit message data such as “I am just out” from the DSP 70 to the line L via the NCU 20.
[0067]
In the subsequent step S324, the control unit 10 controls the DSP 70 to store the message message input from the line L in the DSP 70. After the line is disconnected, the process returns to step S200 in FIG.
[0068]
Thus, steps S314 to S324 show the operation when the facsimile apparatus is in the absence mode. If the number-of-calls flag is ON, the ringing tone transmission time (calling time) is temporarily received until reception is completed. The number of times is set to be shorter than the call waiting time (for example, 35 seconds) of the calling terminal (for example, about 9 seconds and the number of calls is 3 times). Is possible.
[0069]
In step S325, if the control unit 10 determines that the number-of-calls flag stored in the storage unit 80 is on, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S326, and otherwise proceeds to step S327.
[0070]
In step S326, the control unit 10 reads the forced call count data stored in the storage unit 80, and sets the number of ringing tone transmissions until line connection to the number (eg, 3 times) indicated by the forced call count data. , The process proceeds to step S328.
[0071]
In step S327, the control unit 10 reads the normal number-of-calls data corresponding to the absence mode stored in the storage unit 80, and indicates the number of times that the ringing tone is transmitted until the line connection is indicated by the number of times indicated by the normal number-of-calls data (for example, 15 times), and the process proceeds to step S328.
[0072]
In step S328, the control unit 10 controls the ringer 150 to cause the speaker 140 to transmit a ringing tone and count the number of times the ringing sound is transmitted, and the process proceeds to step S329.
[0073]
In step S329, when the control unit 10 detects a signal indicating that the handset 120 is off-hook from the hook switch 110, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S334, and if not, proceeds to step S330.
[0074]
In step S330, the control unit 10 compares the number of ringing sound transmissions counted in step S328 with the number of ringing sound transmissions set in step S326 or S327, and the number of ringing sound transmissions is set as described above. If it is determined that the data has been exceeded, the process proceeds to step S331, and if not, the process returns to step S328.
[0075]
In step S331, the control unit 10 controls the NCU 20 to close the line and causes the modem 30 to start detecting a CNG signal, and proceeds to step S332.
[0076]
In the subsequent step S332, when the control unit 10 detects a signal indicating that the CNG signal has been received from the modem 30 within a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds), the control unit 10 proceeds to the step S304 shown in FIG. The process proceeds to step S333.
[0077]
In step S333, the control unit 10 sends a ringing tone for a predetermined time from the speaker 140 and controls the DSP 70, and sends message data such as “switch to facsimile” from the DSP 70 to the line L via the NCU 20, The process proceeds to step S304 shown in FIG.
[0078]
In step S334, the handset 120 is connected to the line L and communication is possible. Thereafter, the control unit 10 advances the processing to step S335.
[0079]
In step S335, when the control unit 10 detects a start key pressing signal from the input unit 90, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S336, and otherwise proceeds to step S338.
[0080]
In step S336, if the control unit 10 determines that a document is set on the scanner 50, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S337, and otherwise proceeds to step S304 shown in FIG.
[0081]
In step S337, the control unit 10 controls the modem 30 to transmit a control signal for notifying the other party that a facsimile transmission such as a CNG signal is desired on the line L. The original set in the scanner 50 is read and modulated by the modem 30, and then sent to the line L via the NCU 20, and the process proceeds to step S339.
[0082]
In step S338, the control unit 10 proceeds to step S339 when detecting the on-hook of the hook switch 110, and returns to step S334 if not.
[0083]
In step S339, the control unit 10 disconnects the line L by controlling the NCU 20, and returns the process to step S200.
[0084]
As described above, in the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment, when the user presses the start button during standby, the number of ringing sounds is automatically transmitted three times only for the next incoming call.
[0085]
Since the number of ringing sounds can be reduced simply by pressing the start button in this way, the time required for sending the ringing tone for the number of times set on the receiving side while the facsimile apparatus is in the absence mode or the telephone mode. However, the problem that the facsimile reception cannot be performed because the sender response waiting time on the transmission side is exceeded can be avoided.
[0086]
In addition, once the user presses the start key and the mode flag is turned on, the number of ringing sounds is set to 3 until the facsimile reception is successful, so even if the facsimile reception from the transmission side fails, There is no need to press the start key again or change the number of ringing sounds.
[0087]
Furthermore, even if the called user does not press the start key (when the flag is off), once the facsimile communication fails, the called side mode flag is turned on, and the called side device responds to the next incoming call. Thus, the number of ringing sounds is automatically set to 3 times. The reason for this configuration is that once the facsimile communication is performed and fails, there is a high possibility that the calling party will try the facsimile transmission again. The user on the call side can reliably receive a facsimile without performing complicated operations.
[0088]
In the present embodiment, the number of times of ringing sound to be changed by pressing the start key is set to 3, but the number of times of ringing sound is not limited to this.
[0089]
【The invention's effect】
The communication device of the present invention can reliably communicate with a simple operation.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment apparatus to which the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart of the apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the apparatus according to the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the apparatus according to the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Control unit 20 NCU
30 modem 80 storage unit 90 input unit 110 hook switch

Claims (1)

A communication device capable of automatically determining whether the calling party wishes to talk or communicate when receiving a call,
Instruction means for instructing to change the number of times the ringing tone is transmitted;
Control means for controlling, based on an instruction from the instruction means, for the next and subsequent incoming calls after the instruction so that the number of ringing sounds is set to the number instructed by the instruction means until communication is successful. And a communication device.

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