JPH02288656A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To property recognize the content of a conversation reservation request even when the operator is absent by adding an automatic answering function in addition to a conversation reservation function. CONSTITUTION:In addition to a facsimile communication function, the conversation reservation function and the automatic answering function are added and a conversation reservation button 23 is provided for the purpose and the button operating state is fetched by a CPU 11 via an interface 22 and the automatic switching of the communication state to the telephone circuit is attained automatically when the transmission/reception of the original is finished. When the operator is absent or does not reside in the vicinity of the facsimile equipment and the conversation reservation request exists, the automatic replying message is started after the prescribed time elapses. Thus, the operator discriminates the presence of the conversation reservation request after the end of communication and proper processing is attained.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a facsimile machine having a conversation reservation function and an answering machine function, and in particular, a facsimile machine that can record a message from the other party even when there is no response from the operator to the conversation reservation. The present invention relates to a facsimile device having such a structure.

[Background of the Invention] Current facsimile machines have a conversation reservation function.

This is a function that, if a conversation reservation request is made during the transmission of image information, switches to the telephone line once the transmission and reception of one sheet of original is completed, allowing conversation even during the transmission of the image information. be.

By using this function, for example, if reception conditions are poor and you want the same page to be sent again, you can request a conversation reservation from the receiving side, and as soon as the reception of the manuscript is finished, a telephone line will be established for both parties. Can have a conversation. When the conversation ends, the original facsimile communication can be continued.

In such a facsimile machine, when a conversation reservation is set, a ring tone sounds on the other party's side, and when an operator on the other party's side is present, the handset is taken off-hook and switched to the telephone side.

However, when the operator on the other end is not available, the handset remains on-hook even after the ring tone has been sounded for a certain period of time. In that case, after returning an appropriate response signal, the process 3 is continued.

At this time, some devices allow you to print out a ``callback message'' to indicate that the other party has requested a conversation reservation after the communication has ended.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] By the way, when a conversation reservation request signal is received, the ring tone for calling the operator is 5 to 1, according to the rules of 9 communication.
It takes about 5 seconds.

Therefore, if the operator is a little far away from the device or is too late to notice the ringing tone, the presence of the operator will often not be enough.

Furthermore, even facsimile machines that can print ``callback messages'' cannot capture the name of the company that reserved the conversation. In general, I'm not sure who at the company made the reservation for the conversation and wanted to talk. I don't know why I requested a conversation reservation.

As a result, the operator does not consider whether or not to return the call or, if they do, who at the company to call.

Therefore, conventional facsimile machines have not been able to fully utilize the conversation reservation function.

Therefore, the present invention solves this problem by adding an answering machine function so that the conversation reservation function can be fully utilized even when the operator is absent.

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the present invention, when a conversation reservation request is received while transmitting/receiving image information, the state of answering machine mode is determined, and the answering machine mode is turned on. If the operator does not respond to the conversation reservation request even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, an automatic response message is started.

[Function] When a conversation reservation request is received when the operator is absent or not near the facsimile machine,
After a predetermined time has elapsed, an automatic response message can be started.

By doing this, the operator's intention can be conveyed to the other party through an automatic response message. Further, by starting recording of the message after this, it is possible to record the name of the other party and the reason for making the conversation reservation request. This allows the operator to know that a conversation reservation request has been made after the end of the communication, making it possible to carry out appropriate processing.

[Example] Next, an example of a facsimile device according to the present invention will be described in the first example.
This will be explained in detail with reference to the figures below.

Figure 1 shows communication control means 1 built into a facsimile machine.
0 is an example, and 11 is a CP that manages communication control.
It is U. 12 is a ROM in which a control program for controlling the device is stored, and 13 is a RAM in which various information is stored.

The image information read by the image reading unit 14 is sent to the modem and network control circuit (NCU) via the interface 15.
16. Further, image information input through the line is supplied to the recording unit 18 via the modem and NCU 16, and more specifically via the interface 17, and is recorded therein.

The communication mode, transmission time, etc. are displayed on the display section 20 via the interface 19.

As mentioned above, in addition to the function of performing facsimile communication, the facsimile machine is provided with at least a conversation reservation function and an answering machine function.

For this reason, as shown in FIG. 1, the facsimile machine is provided with a conversation reservation button 23, and the button operation status is imported into the CPU II via the interface 22. When a conversation reservation request is made, the document is sent (
8 or when reception is completed, the communication state is automatically switched to the telephone line side.

Reference numeral 25 denotes an answering machine, and a well-known recording/reproducing device can be used for this. Recording and reproduction control for the answering machine 25 is performed via the interface 24.

Although not shown, a key for selecting an answering machine mode is provided in connection with the answering machine 25. C
In PUII, control is executed according to the selected state of this answering machine mode.

Now, Figures 2 and 3 show an example of the processing routine when a conversation reservation request occurs on the sending side and the receiving side. Refer to and explain.

In this example, it is assumed that the answering machine mode is set to the on state.

When a call is made from the calling party to the called party to connect the line,
A 2100 Hz tone signal (CED signal) is sent from the called side, and in response, the called side sends a non-standard function identification signal (N S F signal) and a called terminal identification signal (No. 8 (No. 8)).
C3I signal) and a digital identification signal (DIS signal) are sent to the calling party.

In response to this, the calling side sends out a transmitting terminal identification signal (TSI signal) and a non-standard function setting signal (NSS signal).

When it is desired to set a non-standard mode, non-standard content is set in this NSS signal.

After that, a training check signal (TCP (No. 3) is sent, and during normal operation, a reception readiness confirmation signal (
CFR signal) is sent, the phase B mode ends, and the mode transitions to phase C.

In phase C, an image signal is transmitted from the calling side. It is assumed that the conversation reservation button is operated on the calling side while this image signal is being sent.

When the transmission of image signals for one sheet of original is completed, the calling side transmits a procedure end signal (EOP signal) and a procedure interruption EOP signal (PRI-EOP signal) indicating interruption of the procedure. This is to temporarily suspend the phase C procedure in response to the operation of the conversation reservation button.

Upon receiving the PRI-E needle signal, the called party will hear a ring tone to summon the operator. PRE-EOP signal signal transmission window When the predetermined time (seconds) has elapsed, PRI-EO is activated again.
A P signal is sent out. After 3 seconds, EOP 4
Issue M is sent out.

Here, if the handset goes off-hook before the second PRI-EOP signal is sent, the second PRI-EOP signal
After EOP (No. 3 is sent, the procedure interruption affirmative signal (P I
F signal) is sent to the calling party. Therefore, in this case, no EOP signal is sent.

Also, after the second PRI-EOP signal is sent, E
If the handset is off-hook before the OP signal is sent, then the called party will send the PIP signal after the EOP signal is sent.

On the other hand, after sending the first PRI-EOP signal, the handset does not go off-hook for a predetermined period of time (
For example, after 7 seconds have elapsed, even if the callee is on-hook, the called party automatically sends a PIP signal as being off-hook.

The calling party will then hear an operator ring tone, which will cause the calling party to pick up the handset and go off-hook. This off-hook operation allows the calling party to
-EOP signal is sent. In response to this, the called side activates the answering machine 25 provided on the called side, reproduces an automatic response message, and sends the contents to the calling side.

This allows the called party to know that the operator is absent or not nearby. When the automatic answering message ends, the caller enters the normal answering machine state, and the caller's requirements are recorded. When the handset is turned on-hook upon completion of recording, the process transitions to phase B again and preparations are made to receive image signals.

By reading the recorded content on the answering machine 25, the operator on the called side can clearly know who made the request for a conversation reservation, and for what purpose. On the other hand, appropriate responses can be taken.

FIG. 3 shows a processing routine when a conversation reservation request is made on the receiving side.

Descriptions of processes similar to those shown in FIG. 2 will be omitted.

If a conversation reservation is made while an image signal is being received, when the transmission of the image signal for that page is completed, the calling side will send a multi-page signal (MPS (No. 3), EOP signal, message end signal (EOM (No. 8)). ) No. 48 (collectively referred to as the Q signal) is transmitted.

When any number 018 arrives, the called party immediately sends P.
The IF signal is sent out and a ring tone is sounded for the operator on the calling side. If the handset is not off-hook even after a predetermined period of time has elapsed (this is the case when there is no operator), the calling side sends out a PRI-Q signal, assuming that the handset has been off-hook.

When the operator on the called side goes off-hook, the PIP signal is sent again, and the calling side receives this and sends it to the answering machine 25.
is activated, an automatic response message is sent, and the recording process of the requirements is executed.

As a result, even if the operator on the called side is absent or not nearby, by reading the recording content recorded on the answering machine 25, it is possible to clearly know who requested the conversation reservation and for what purpose. Based on this, the calling party can also respond appropriately.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the configuration of the present invention, in addition to the conversation reservation function, an answering machine function is added, so that even when there is no operator available, the content of the conversation reservation request can be accurately recorded. It has tangible benefits.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing an example of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing an example of a processing routine when requesting a conversation reservation.・Communication control means ・Image reading section ・Recording section ・Display section ・Conversation reservation button ・Answering device Patent applicant: Konica Co., Ltd.When a conversation is reserved on the sending side, a call is made (auto transmission), called (auto reception) Figure 2

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) When a conversation reservation request is received while transmitting/receiving image information, the state of answering machine mode is determined, and even if the answering machine mode is on and a predetermined time has elapsed, the conversation reservation request is not responded to. A facsimile machine characterized in that an automatic response message is started when there is no response from an operator.