JPH05136932A - Facsimile equipment with automatic answering telephone set function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To easily set a free rely message without need for the user to record a reply message in voice. CONSTITUTION:The facsimile equipment is provided with a voice RAM 8 storing a reply message and a voice ROM 4 storing respectively voice data sounding various single sound character. When a scanner 17 reads a mark sheet sequentially designating various single sound character or a syllable, a CPU 1 receives and analyzes the mark sheet data through a mark sheet read processing circuit 12 and calls sequentially voice data of a single sound character designated from the voice ROM 4 and transfers the data to the voice RAM 8, in which a reply message is generated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine with an answering machine function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, when a facsimile machine with an answering machine function receives an incoming signal from a line in an answering machine mode, it automatically activates the answering machine function after connection to the line and reproduces a predetermined response message to make a call. Send to the original. At this time, if the sender is a facsimile machine, a non-voice terminal identification signal (hereinafter abbreviated as CNG signal) is periodically sent out, so that the reception of this CNG signal is awaited.
Then, when the CNG signal is received within a predetermined time, the facsimile function is switched to, and thereafter the image data sent through the line is printed out by the printing unit. On the other hand, if the CNG signal is not received within the predetermined time, the originator is the telephone, so that the voice signal transmitted thereafter via the line is recorded.

By the way, in order to operate the answering machine function in the above facsimile apparatus, it is necessary to set a response message in advance. Conventionally, as a method of setting the response message, a method in which the user blows the response message by voice from a microphone and sets it, and one type selected by the user from several preset fixed type response messages is used. There was a way to set.

[0004]

However, in the former method, there is a complication that the response message has to be blown in by voice, and in the latter method, there is no complication like the former, but it is predetermined. However, there is a drawback that only a fixed response message can be used.

Therefore, the present invention is intended to provide a facsimile machine with an answering machine function which allows a user to easily set a free reply message without blowing the reply message by voice.

[0006]

According to the present invention, when a line is connected during facsimile transmission, image data of a document read by an image reading unit is transmitted to a destination, and the line is connected by an incoming call in an answering machine mode. It determines whether the sender is a facsimile or a telephone, and if it is a facsimile, it prints out the image data received via the line from the printing unit,
In the case of a telephone, in a facsimile machine with an answering machine function, which records a voice signal received through a line after transmitting a predetermined response message to a sender, a message memory for storing a response message and various When a document read by the image reading unit is a mark sheet that sequentially specifies various single-tone characters or phrases, the memory for voice data that stores the voice data that pronounces each single-tone character or phrase is read. Means, a voice data calling means for sequentially calling the voice data of the designated single character or phrase by analyzing the information on the mark sheet read by the reading means from the voice data memory, and the voice data sequentially called by the calling means. Transfer to message memory and create response message It is obtained by a response message creation unit.

[0007]

According to the present invention having such a structure, the user first marks the mark sheet so as to match the desired response message, and sequentially designates single-tone characters or phrases. Next, the mark sheet is read by the image reading unit. Then, the information on the mark sheet is read, the information is analyzed, and the voice data of the designated monophonic character or phrase is sequentially called from the voice data memory and transferred to the message memory. As a result, the voice data is combined in the message memory to create the response message. The response message thus created is transmitted to the caller when an incoming call is received in the answering machine mode.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the apparatus of this embodiment, and the CP which constitutes the main body of the control unit as shown.
U (central processing unit) 1 via bus line 2 to system ROM (read only memory) 3 and voice RO
M4, system RAM (random access memory)
5, parallel / serial conversion circuit 6, I / O port 7,
Voice RAM 8, voice synthesis circuit 9, modem (MODE)
M: modulator / demodulator) 10, serial / parallel conversion circuit 1
1 and the mark sheet reading processing circuit 12 are connected to each other.

The system ROM 3 stores in advance fixed data such as program data for the CPU 1 to control each section. The system RAM 5 temporarily stores data processed by the CPU 1 based on the program data.

The voice ROM 4 has "a", "i", and "u".
The voice data for pronouncing the single-tone characters corresponding to the character codes of various single-tone characters such as ... Is digitized and stored in advance. (Voice data memory) Voice RAM 8
Is for temporarily storing a response message constructed by combining voice data of various single-tone characters stored in the voice ROM 4. (Memory for messages)

The I / O port 7 is provided with a key for inputting a telephone number, a key for instructing transmission of a facsimile image, a key for selecting an answering machine mode, a key for selecting an answering message setting mode of an answering machine, etc. A key signal is input from the keyboard 13 thus selected. Further, drive signals are output from the I / O port 7 to the motor driver 15 of the motor 14 and the display 16 which drive the document or recording paper conveyance system.

The serial / parallel conversion circuit 11 converts the image data (serial data) of the document read by the scanner 17 as an image reading unit into parallel data, and has a shading correction function. The parallel / serial conversion circuit 6 converts parallel data into serial data for printout and outputs the serial data to the thermal head 18 as a printing unit.

The modem 10 has a function of modulating and transmitting a signal to the telephone line 19 and a function of demodulating a signal received from the telephone line 19, and the modem 10 and the telephone line 1
An NCU (network control unit) 20 is interposed between the NCU 9 and the server 9.

The NCU 20 has a recording device 22 for recording a response message blown from a microphone 21 and a message of the other party, and an amplifier 2 of a speaker 23 for reproducing the message of the other party recorded by the recording device 22.
4. An answering machine voice processing circuit 25 for controlling recording and reproduction of the recording device 22 is connected respectively.

The voice synthesis circuit 9 includes the voice RAM 17 described above.
The voice signal of the response message stored in the circuit 9 is synthesized, and the voice signal (analog signal) of the response message synthesized by the circuit 9 is recorded by the voice mail processing circuits 25 and N.
The data is transmitted to the telephone line 19 via the CU 20.

The mark sheet reading processing circuit 12 specifies a mark sheet 3 for sequentially designating various single-tone characters or phrases in the original read by the scanner 17 as shown in FIG. 2 (a).
When it is 0, the serial / parallel conversion circuit 11 is synchronized with the timing signal from the timing generation circuit 26.
Mark sheet 30 from the parallel data converted by
The information is read. (Mark sheet reading means).

As shown in the figure, the mark sheet 30 is formed by printing a plurality of mark rows each including a single character (including a dull sound and a semi-voiced sound) from "a" to "n". On both sides of each mark row, timing generation marks M,
M is printed. The timing generation circuit 26 is adapted to generate a timing signal to the mark sheet reading processing circuit 12 by detecting the timing generation marks M on both sides.

In such a structure, when the user sets the answering message of the answering machine by using the mark sheet 30, first, one character is selected for each row so that the one-letter character is selected so as to match the desired answering message. Fill the corresponding mark column. Then, after the response message setting mode is selected by the key input of the keyboard 13, the mark sheet 30 is set in the document insertion slot and read by the scanner 17. Then, the CPU 1 is programmed to execute the control shown in FIG.

That is, the timing generation circuit 26 determines the timing generation mark M.M.D. on both sides of the mark sheet from the image data read by the scanner 17. A timing signal is generated by detecting both of the timing generation marks M.M and M.M. Since the data of the mark row sandwiched between M is read, the mark sheet data read by the mark sheet reading processing circuit 12 is input as ST (step) 1. Then, in step ST2, the mark sheet data is analyzed and converted into a character code of the marked single character. However, if invalid data (for example, two or more marks are marked) as a result of the analysis of the mark sheet data, an error is displayed on the display unit 16 and the control is terminated.

When the mark sheet data can be converted into the character code of a single tone character, the voice ROM 4 is searched in ST3 to call the voice data corresponding to the character code. (Voice data calling means)

Next, the address of the voice RAM 8 is designated as ST4, and the voice data called in ST3 is transferred to the designated address of the voice RAM 8 as ST5. (Response message creation means)

Next, at ST6, it is confirmed whether or not the next mark sheet data read by the mark sheet reading processing circuit 12 exists. And ST1 if present
Then, the mark sheet data is input and the above-described processing is repeated. In this case, RA for voice
The designated address of M8 is sequentially incremented. In this way, if the above processing is repeatedly executed for all the mark sheet data read by the mark sheet reading processing circuit 12, this control is ended.

As a result, the voice RAM 8 stores and saves the response message, which is designated character by character on the mark sheet 30, as voice data. When the incoming signal from the telephone line 19 is received in the answering machine mode, the answering machine function is automatically operated after the line is connected.

That is, the voice data stored in the voice RAM 8 is converted into a voice signal by the voice synthesis circuit 9,
Line 1 via voice mail processing circuit 25 and NCU 20
9 is sent. As a result, the response message set by the user using the mark sheet is transmitted to the sender.

At this time, if the sender is a facsimile machine, the CNG signal is periodically sent out, so that the reception of this CNG signal is awaited. If a CNG signal is received within a predetermined time, the function is switched to a facsimile function, the image data sent via the line 19 is demodulated by the modem 10, and then converted into serial data by the parallel / serial conversion circuit 6. Output to the thermal head 18 and print out. On the other hand, if the CNG signal is not received within the predetermined time, the sender is a telephone, so the recording device 22 records the message (voice signal) of the other party sent via the line 19.

When a manuscript other than the mark sheet 30 is set in the manuscript insertion port, the telephone number of the other party is input using the keyboard 13 and then a facsimile image transmission is instructed, the scanner 17 is connected after the line connection with the other party. The image reading of the original is started by. The read image data is converted into parallel data, modulated by the modem 10, and then transmitted to the line 19.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the mark sheet 3 is made to match the response message desired by the user.
Mark 0 and sequentially specify single-letter characters, and use the mark sheet 30 in the scanner 17 in response message setting work.
You can set the answering message of the answering machine by just reading with. Therefore, it is of course possible to eliminate the complexity of having to blow a response message by voice from the microphone 21, and it is possible to create and set a free response message by a simple work of marking the mark sheet 30. Practicality can be improved.

In addition, since the data of the mark sheet 30 is input by using the scanner 17 which functions as a document reading section in a normal facsimile transmission work, a special device is not required to use the mark sheet 30. Therefore, it is possible to improve the practicality at low cost.

Further, timing generation marks M, M are provided on both sides of each mark row of the mark sheet 30, respectively, and when both of these timing generation marks M, M are detected by the timing generation circuit 26, the mark sheet reading processing circuit 12 produces the same. Since the data of the mark row sandwiched between the marks M and M is read, even if the mark sheet 30 is read by the scanner 17 in a slightly tilted state, the marks can be read accurately.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), one monotone character is designated by one mark string printed on the mark sheet 30, but a response message having a large number of characters is set. If you do, it will take time. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 2B, the setting time can be shortened by designating one clause by designating two or more characters in one column of the mark sequence.

That is, for example, a conventional phrase is used as a response message such as "this is", "is", "just now", "absent", "out of the house", "leave your seat", and "is". The character code string is registered in the system ROM 3 or the like. In addition, a clause code is assigned in advance to the character code string of each clause. For example, in the case of "here", the sheet mark data when "ko", "chi", "ha", and "ra" in the mark string are respectively marked may be used as the clause code.

In this case, if more than one mark is made in one column, the sheet mark data is analyzed and converted into a clause code, and the character data string of the clause to which the clause code is assigned is called from the system ROM 3. Then, the voice data is sequentially called from the voice ROM 4 and transferred to the voice RAM 8 for each character data forming the character data string. On the other hand, when there is one mark in one row, the process is the same as in the above embodiment.

By doing so, it becomes possible to set one response message by freely combining the conventional phrases and the single-tone characters as the response message. By using the clauses in this way, the number of mark strings required for setting the response message is reduced, so that the time required for setting is shortened.

Further, since the number of mark strings required for setting one response message is small, the marks N, N indicating the breaks are printed in the central portion of the mark sheet 30 as shown in FIG. When the marks N, N are detected, the reading operation of the mark sheet data is programmed. By doing so, two types of response messages can be set at the upper and lower portions of the marks N, N, and the mark sheet 30 can be effectively used.

[0036]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, a facsimile machine with an answering machine function can easily set a free reply message even if the user does not blow the reply message by voice. Can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of a mark sheet and its modification in the same embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a response message setting process of the CPU in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... CPU, 4 ... Voice ROM, 8 ... Voice RAM, 1
0 ... Modem, 12 ... Mark sheet reading processing circuit, 17 ...
Scanner, 18 ... Thermal head, 22 ... Recording device, 3
0 ... Mark sheet.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. When a line is connected during facsimile transmission, the image data of the original read by the image reading unit is transmitted to the destination, and when the line is connected by an incoming call in the answering machine mode, it is determined whether the source is a facsimile or a telephone. Discriminate,
In the case of a facsimile, the image data received via the line is printed out from the printing unit, and in the case of a telephone, a predetermined response message is sent to the sender and then the voice signal received via the line is recorded. In a facsimile machine with an answering machine function for recording in a reproducing section, a message memory for storing the response message,
When the voice data memory that stores the voice data that pronounces various monotone characters or phrases, respectively, and the document read by the image reading unit is a mark sheet that sequentially specifies various monotone characters or phrases, the information of the mark sheet is read. The mark sheet reading means, the voice data calling means for sequentially calling the voice data of the designated single character or phrase by analyzing the information of the mark sheet read by the reading means from the voice data memory, and the calling means for sequentially calling the voice data A facsimile machine with an answering machine function, comprising: a reply message creating means for creating a reply message by transferring voice data to the message memory.