JPH07336439A - Communication terminal - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a communication terminal which can control its operation by the function of a telephone set that is branch-connected to a common telephone line. CONSTITUTION:In a communication wait state, a specific push tone signal is transmitted by a dial key 53 of a branch telephone set 50 and then detected by a modem 10. Thus a CPU 7 instructs a facsimile equipment 1 to carry out a prescribed operation. The specific push tone signal includes a 1st code signal that shows an operation start request and a 2nd code signal that shows the contents of the operation. Then the CPU 7 orders the equipment 1 to carry out an operation corresponding to the 2nd code signal only when this code signal is detected within 3 seconds after the 1st code signal is detected. When a CNG signal is detected in the communication wait state, the CPU 7 switches a CML relay 36 toward a contact (b) in order to start the communication procedure to be carried out by a facsimile main body 2 and to close the connection between the modem 10 and a telephone line.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication terminal device branch-connected to a telephone on a common telephone line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A communication terminal device of this type, for example, a facsimile device is used in a state of being connected to a telephone line, but another telephone is connected to a telephone line to which the facsimile device is connected, so-called branch (parallel). ) It is more common than ever to connect. In the following, this branch-connected telephone is called a branch telephone. In this way, when the facsimile device and the branch telephone are connected in parallel to the common telephone line, the communication with the other party can be performed using either the facsimile device or the branch telephone. .

[0003]

By the way, usually, the branch telephone and the facsimile device are often installed at positions separated from each other. However, unlike a so-called parent-child telephone, the facsimile machine and the branch telephone are simply connected in parallel to a common telephone line, and thus, conventionally, the operation of the branch telephone causes
It was not possible to control the operation of the facsimile machine. Therefore, for example, if you want to directly switch to facsimile communication after making a call on the branch telephone,
With the branch telephone off-hook, a troublesome operation is required to move to the facsimile machine and perform a predetermined operation to start facsimile communication, and then move to the branch telephone again to hook the telephone. Met.

In recent years, in facsimile machines,
Of course, there are those equipped with various functions such as those equipped with an auxiliary telephone for performing a normal call operation, and those equipped with an absence recording function as the auxiliary telephone. In such a case, for example, it is also demanded that a voice message recorded on the facsimile machine side from the calling side is reproduced by operating the branch telephone and heard on the telephone side.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication terminal device whose operation can be controlled by operating a telephone branch-connected to a common telephone line.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the invention of claim 1, in a communication terminal device branch-connected to a telephone on a common telephone line, a tone signal transmitted from the telephone is transmitted. Detecting means for detecting
When a specific tone signal is detected by the detecting means, a control means for controlling to execute a predetermined operation is provided.

According to the second aspect of the invention, the specific tone signal is the first code signal indicating the operation start request,
And a second code signal indicating the content of the operation, and the control means outputs the second code only when the second code signal is detected within a predetermined time after the detection means detects the first code signal. The operation corresponding to the signal is executed.

Further, in the invention according to the third aspect, the facsimile communication means for performing the facsimile communication and the facsimile communication means for starting the communication procedure by the facsimile communication means when the CNG signal is detected by the detecting means. A line control means for controlling the connection between the communication means and the telephone line to be closed is provided.

[0009]

Therefore, according to the invention described in claim 1, the tone signal transmitted from the telephone (branch telephone) branch-connected to the common telephone line is detected by the detecting means. Then, when the specific tone signal is detected by the detecting means, a predetermined operation is executed under the control of the control means. Therefore, even if the branch telephone and the communication terminal device are installed at mutually distant locations, for example, with the branch telephone off-hook, simply by operating the dial keys of the telephone to send a specific tone signal, It is possible to cause a communication terminal device located at a remote place to execute a predetermined operation.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, only when the second code signal is detected within a predetermined time after the detection means detects the first code signal, the control means controls The operation corresponding to the second code is executed. Therefore, on the branch telephone side, after operating the dial key to transmit the first code signal, the dial key is not operated or the wrong dial key is operated to transmit the tone signal other than the second code signal. The communication terminal device is not operated after a predetermined time elapses in such a state.

Further, according to the invention of claim 3, when the CNG signal is detected by the detection means, the facsimile communication means and the telephone are controlled by the control of the line control means so as to start the communication procedure by the facsimile communication means. The connection with the line is closed. For this reason, for example, when a call is being made on a branch telephone and the other party shifts to facsimile communication and a CNG signal is transmitted, the facsimile communication procedure is automatically started on the communication terminal device side.

[0012]

[Embodiment] An embodiment in which the communication terminal device of the present invention is embodied in a facsimile device with an absence recording function will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the facsimile device 1 is connected to a telephone line L via a connection terminal S, and another telephone 50 is connected to a telephone line L to which the facsimile device 1 is connected. )It is connected. In the following, this branch-connected telephone 5
0 is called a branch telephone 50.

As shown in FIG. 2, the branch telephone 5
0 has a handset 51, and when the handset 51 is off-hooked, a hook switch 52 provided in the branch telephone 50 is closed. The dial key 53 is for inputting a telephone number or the like. The dial circuit 54 uses the operated dial keys 53.
Generates a push tone signal (DTMF) corresponding to, and sends it out over the telephone line L.

As shown in FIG. 1, the facsimile device 1 includes a facsimile device main body 2 as a facsimile communication means, an attached telephone 4 having a recording device 3, and an NCU.
(Network control unit) 5. The facsimile apparatus main body 2 transmits / receives image data to / from the other party, that is, performs facsimile communication operation. The recording device 3 records a voice message from the calling side. The NCU 5 controls the connection with the telephone line L. The attached telephone 4 is provided integrally with the facsimile apparatus 1 and performs a call operation with the other party. In addition, in this embodiment, in addition to the auxiliary telephone 4, the slave telephone 6 is connected to the facsimile apparatus 1 via a cable (not shown), and this slave telephone 6 also performs a call operation with the other party. be able to.

Here, the facsimile apparatus main body 2 will be described. A CPU (Central Processing Unit) 7 has a ROM (Read Only Memory) 8 storing a program for controlling the operation of the entire facsimile apparatus main body 2 and the operation of the NCU 5, and a RAM for temporarily storing various information.
(Random access memory) 9 is connected. The modem 10 as a detecting means modulates and demodulates transmitted / received data, and at the same time, generates and detects a push tone signal corresponding to the telephone number of the other party, a digital command signal (DCS) and a digital identification signal (DIS). To do. In addition, the tone generation circuit 11 and the tone detection circuit 1 are provided in the modem 10.
2 is provided, and the tone generating circuit 11 generates a ringing tone (CNG) of 1100 Hz, a called station identification signal (CED) of 2100 Hz, and the like. Then, the tone detection circuit 12
Detects the CNG signal and the CED signal.

The CPU 7 includes a reading unit 13 for reading an image on a document, a recording unit 14 for printing on a recording paper based on the received image data, and a timer 1.
5 and various operation keys (not shown) such as a start key for starting a facsimile operation are connected.

Next, the attached telephone 4 will be described. The attached telephone 4 is provided with a dial CPU 21 for controlling the operation of the entire telephone 4 excluding the recording device 3. A dial key 22 for inputting a telephone number or the like is connected to the dial CPU 21.
A handset 23 is connected to the attached telephone 4.

The recording device 3 is provided with a CPU 24 for controlling the operation of the entire recording device 3, and the attached telephone 4
The CPU 24 controls the operation related to the absence recording. The CPU 24 is connected to the dial CPU 21 via a photo coupler 25, and is also connected to the CPU 7 of the facsimile apparatus main body 2 via a bus (serial bus) 26 for performing serial communication. Serial communication is performed between the CPU 24 of the recording device 3, the dial CPU 21 of the attached telephone 4, and the CPU 7 of the facsimile apparatus main body 2.

DSP (Digital Signal Processor)
27 is for digitally processing the audio signal,
The CP via the address bus 28 and the data bus 29
It is connected to U24. The DSP 27 includes a RAM 30 for storing audio data in an encoded state, and an encoding / decoding circuit 31 for encoding and decoding the audio data.
have. In addition, the CPU 24 of the recording device 3
Answering machine key 32 to set and cancel the absence recording mode
Also, various operation keys such as a reproduction key (not shown) for reproducing the audio data stored in the RAM 30 are connected.

By setting an answering machine recording mode with the answering machine key 32, when the calling side is a telephone,
When the DSP 27 is operated, first, the voice response message previously recorded and stored in the RAM 30 is transmitted to the calling side, and the voice message transmitted from the calling side thereafter is stored in the RAM 30. Even if the answering machine recording mode is set, if the calling side is a facsimile machine, a normal facsimile operation is executed.

Next, the NCU 5 will be described. C
The ML relay 36 is provided to selectively connect the telephone line L to the modem 10 side of the facsimile apparatus main body 2 and the telephones 4 and 6 side. Then, the CML relay 3 is controlled by the control of the CPU 7 of the facsimile apparatus main body 2.
When 6 is switched to the contact a side, the telephone line L is connected to the telephones 4 and 6. On the other hand, the CML relay 36
Is switched to the contact b side, the telephone line L is connected to the modem 10 side via the transformer 37. The CML relay 36 has a contact a in the communication standby state of the device.
Switched to the side.

The incoming call detection circuit 38 is the CML relay 36.
Is connected to the contact point a side of the telephone line L, detects a call signal of 16 Hz on the telephone line L, and outputs the detected signal to the CPU 7 of the facsimile apparatus main body 2. Dial pulse generation circuit 39
Is interposed between the contact b side of the CML relay 36 and the modem 10 to generate a dial pulse corresponding to the telephone number of the other party. First and second off-hook detection circuits 40,
41 are connected to the auxiliary telephone 4 or the sub telephone 6 respectively. Then, each off-hook detection circuit 40, 4
1 detects the off-hook state of each of the telephones 4 and 6 (including the state of picking up the handset, and the operating state of the recording device 3 in the case of the attached telephone 4), and the detection result is sent to the CPU 7 of the facsimile apparatus main body 2. Output.

The DC voltage generating circuit 42 is used for each telephone 4, 6
This is for supplying a predetermined current to each of the telephones 4 and 6 in order to detect the off-hook of, and + 24V is applied as an input voltage. That is, when the telephones 4 and 6 are off-hook, the change in the current supplied to the telephones 4 and 6 is detected by the off-hook detection circuits 40 and 41. Then, based on the detection of the current change by the off-hook detection circuits 40 and 41, the facsimile apparatus main body 2
CPU 7 recognizes the off-hook state of the telephones 4 and 6.

The DC voltage generating circuit 42 is connected to the telephones 4 and 6 via the TEL relay 43 so as to be switchable with the telephone line L. Then, the TEL relay 43 is controlled by the control of the CPU 7 of the facsimile apparatus main body 2.
Is connected to the contact a side, the telephones 4 and 6 are connected to the telephone line L side. On the other hand, when the TEL relay 43 is connected to the contact b side, the telephones 4 and 6 are connected to the DC voltage generating circuit 42 side. In addition, this TEL relay 43
Are switched to the contact a side in the communication standby state of the device. The transformer 44 is a TEL relay 43 and a modem 1
It is interposed between 0 and 0. Then, in the communication standby state of the device, both CMLs are switched and arranged on the contact a side.
Relay 36 and TEL relay 43, and transformer 44
The tone signal on the telephone line L is detected by the modem 10 via.

In the present embodiment, the CPU 7, the ROM 8 and the RAM 9 of the facsimile apparatus main body 2 constitute the control means. That is, when a push tone signal is transmitted from the telephone set 50 in response to the operation of the dial key 53 of the branch telephone set 50 in the communication standby state of the facsimile apparatus 1, the push tone signal is the contact point of the telephone line L and the CML relay 36. It is detected by the modem 10 via the a side, the contact a side of the TEL relay 43, and the transformer 44. If the detected pushtone signal is a specific pushtone signal, CP
U7 causes the facsimile apparatus 1 to execute a predetermined operation in response to the specific push tone signal.

Here, the specific push tone signal is
A first code signal (“#” in this embodiment) indicating an operation start request and a second code signal (“1”, “2”, “3”, “4” in this embodiment) indicating the operation content thereof. ) And. The contents of each operation indicated by each second code signal will be described later.

When the CPU 7 detects the first code signal, that is, "#", via the modem 10, it activates the timer 15 to measure a predetermined time (3 seconds in this embodiment). Then, only when the second code signal, that is, any of "1" to "4", is detected within 3 seconds, the CP
U7 causes the facsimile apparatus 1 to execute the operation corresponding to the detected second code signal.

Further, in this embodiment, the CPU 7, ROM 8, RAM 9 and CML relay 3 of the facsimile apparatus main body 2 are used.
6 constitutes a line control means. That is, while the facsimile apparatus 1 is in the communication standby state, the CN on the telephone line L
The G signal is transmitted via the contact a side of the CML relay 36, the contact a side of the TEL relay 43, and the transformer 44 to the modem 1
It is detected by the tone detection circuit 12 in 0. Then,
The CPU 7 controls the switching of the CML relay 36 from the contact a side to the contact b side in order to start the communication procedure by the facsimile apparatus main body 2 and closes the connection between the modem 10 and the telephone line L.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus configured as described above will be described. In the facsimile device 1, when the push tone signal from the branch telephone 50 in the off-hook state or the CNG signal on the telephone line L is detected in the communication standby state, the control of the CPU 7 is also performed. Then, the operation as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 3 is performed. That is, in the communication standby state, C
Both the ML relay 36 and the TEL relay 43 are switched and arranged on the contact a side. Here, for example, when the branch telephone 50 is off-hook and the dial key 53 of “#” of the telephone 50 is operated, the telephone 50
The push-tone signal of "#" is transmitted as the first code signal from, and the push-tone signal of "#" is detected via the modem 10 (step S1). Then, the timer 15 is activated and the measurement for 3 seconds is started (step S2).

Subsequently, it is determined whether or not 3 seconds, which is the time measured by the timer 15, has elapsed (step S3).
Here, if the "1" dial key 53 is operated subsequent to the operation of the "#" dial key 53 on the branch telephone 50 side, a "1" push tone signal is output from the telephone 50 as a second code signal. Sent out. Then, when the "1" push tone signal is detected within 3 seconds from the detection time point of the "#" push tone signal (step S4), the CML relay 36 is switched from the contact a side to the contact b side. Then, the connection between the modem 10 and the telephone line L is closed, and the manual facsimile reception is started (step S5). If the CML relay 36 is switched to the contact b side and the facsimile device 1 is connected to the telephone line L, the branch telephone 50 may be hooked on as it is.

That is, it is assumed that, for example, while using the branch telephone 50 to make a call with the other party, the other party is switched to the facsimile communication by the manual transmission. In this case, on the branch telephone 50 side,
The facsimile communication procedure is automatically started on the side of the facsimile apparatus 1 by a simple operation of operating the dial key 53 of "1" after operating the dial key 53 of "#".

Therefore, even if the branch telephone 50 and the facsimile machine 1 are installed at positions separated from each other,
After the call by the branch telephone 50, the facsimile machine 1
It is possible to easily shift to the facsimile communication by the above, and it is possible to reliably receive the image data transmitted from the other party after the call. In this case, since the other party performs the facsimile communication by manual transmission, the CNG signal is not transmitted from the other party.
On the side, since the manual reception is performed correspondingly, the image data from the other side can be received without any trouble.

If the push tone signal of "2" is detected as the second code signal before the timer 15 has elapsed 3 seconds (step S6), the DSP 27 is activated and stored in the RAM 30. The voice message from the calling side is reproduced (step S7). That is, the branch telephone 50 is taken off-hook, and in this state, "#"
The voice message from the calling side recorded on the side of the facsimile device 1 can be easily heard through the handset 51 by a simple operation of operating the dial key 53 of "2" and the dial key 53 of "2". be able to.

Similarly, when the push tone signal of "3" is detected as the second code signal before the lapse of 3 seconds (step S8), the DSP 27 is operated and the RAM is operated.
The voice response message is ready to be recorded in 30 (step S9). That is, the branch telephone 50 is off-hooked, and in this state, the dial key 53 of "#" is operated and subsequently the dial key 53 of "3" is operated. Then, subsequently, by simply speaking via the handset 51 of the branch telephone 50, the voice response message can be easily recorded.

Similarly, when the push tone signal of "4" is detected as the second code signal before the lapse of 3 seconds (step S10), the DSP 27 is operated and the setting contents of various functions are voiced. Be notified (step S1)
1). That is, the branch telephone 50 is off-hooked, and in this state, by operating the dial key 53 of "#" and then the dial key 53 of "4", the setting contents of the function on the side of the facsimile device 1 are set. You can easily hear through 51. There are various kinds of function setting contents such as whether or not the absence recording mode is set and whether or not the TEL / FAX switching mode is set. These data are in the form of voice data. , Are stored in the RAM 30 of the DSP 27. Therefore, for example, "Absent recording mode is set. TEL / FAX switching mode is ...", via the handset 51 of the branch telephone 50,
By listening to the setting contents of the function on the facsimile apparatus 1 side by voice, the setting contents can be easily confirmed.
Note that the TEL / FAX switching mode is a mode in which when a call is received from the calling side, the call is first received, and when it is confirmed that the calling side is a facsimile device, the mode automatically switches to the facsimile receiving operation. is there.

In step S3, if 3 seconds elapse from the time when the "#" push tone signal is detected and none of the "1" to "4" push tone signals are detected, communication is performed. Return to the standby state. That is, on the branch telephone 50 side, the “#” dial key 53
After operating, do not operate the dial keys 53,
Alternatively, if 3 seconds elapse while the dial keys 53 other than "1" to "4" are operated, the facsimile machine 1 returns to the standby state without being operated. For this reason,"#"
Even if the user wants to invalidate the dial key 53 after operating it, or if he / she operates the wrong dial key 53, the series of operations are automatically invalidated without requiring a special cancel operation, The facsimile device 1 can be reliably returned to the communication standby state.

On the other hand, in step S1, "#"
Modem 1 without detection of push tone signal
When the CNG signal on the telephone line L is detected by 0 (step S12), the CML relay 36 is switched from the contact a side to the contact b side, and the connection between the modem 10 and the telephone line L is closed (step S12). S13). Then, the facsimile apparatus main body 2 starts a facsimile communication procedure for receiving image data from the other party (step S1).
4).

That is, assume that, for example, while using the branch telephone 50 to make a call with the other party, the other party shifts to facsimile communication and a CNG signal is transmitted. Then, the CNG signal is received by the facsimile device 1 side in the communication standby state, and the facsimile communication procedure is automatically started on the facsimile device 1 side. Incidentally, the CML relay 36
Is switched to the contact b side, and the facsimile device 1 is connected to the telephone line L, the branch telephone 50 can be directly hooked.

Therefore, even if the branch telephone 50 and the facsimile machine 1 are installed at positions separated from each other,
After the call by the branch telephone 50, the facsimile machine 1
It is possible to easily shift to the facsimile communication by the above, and it is possible to reliably receive the image data transmitted from the other party after the call.

When the facsimile communication procedure is completed, C
The ML relay 36 is switched from the contact b side to the contact a side (step S15), and then returns to the communication standby state. As described above, in the present embodiment, the operation of the facsimile apparatus 1 can be easily controlled by a simple operation of operating the specific dial key 53 on the branch telephone 50 side. Therefore, in order to operate the facsimile apparatus 1, it is not necessary to go to the facsimile apparatus 1, and the operation of the branch telephone 50 allows the facsimile apparatus 1 at a remote place to be easily operated. Further, in the present embodiment, the CNG signal is transmitted from the other party so that the facsimile communication procedure is automatically started on the side of the facsimile machine 1 even when the branch telephone 50 is used for a call. You can
For this reason, unlike the conventional case, in order to switch to the facsimile communication, the troublesome operation of performing the predetermined operation by going to the distant place of the facsimile apparatus 1 is not necessary at all.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but can be embodied in the following modes, for example. (1) Change the time to wait for the second code signal to a time other than 3 seconds.

(2) Before the predetermined operation is executed in response to the detection of the second code signal, the DSP 27 is activated to give a voice notification that the operation is executed.
For example, when the push tone signal of "1" is detected as the second code signal, before starting the manual reception,
A voice notification such as "manual reception starts." In this way, on the branch telephone 50 side, the operator can surely confirm by voice whether or not the content of the operation executed on the facsimile device 1 side is the required operation.

(3) As operations that can be controlled by operating the branch telephone 50, it is possible to control various operations other than those exemplified in the above embodiment. For example, after operating the dial keys 53 of “#” and “5” on the branch telephone 50 side, the dial key 53 is operated.
Thus, when a predetermined speed dial code is input, the facsimile device 1 side automatically transmits the telephone number corresponding to the speed dial code. still,
In the above embodiment, the telephone line L may be either a dial line or a push line. But,
In the case of this another example, the push tone signal transmitted from the branch telephone 50 on the telephone exchange side may be mistakenly recognized as a telephone number. Therefore, a dial line is used to generate a dial pulse from the facsimile device 1 side. It is desirable to send the phone number in the form.

(4) To embody the present invention in a simple answering machine having no facsimile communication function. Or, embody it in a mere facsimile machine that does not have a call function.

The technical ideas other than the claims that can be understood from the above-described embodiments will be described below along with their effects. (1) The communication terminal device according to claim 2, further comprising an informing means for announcing the content of the operation corresponding to the second code signal by voice when the second code signal is detected.

Here, the notification means is composed of the DSP 27. According to this structure, the content of the operation executed on the facsimile apparatus 1 side can be surely confirmed by voice.

[0047]

As described in detail above, according to the present invention, the following excellent effects are obtained. According to the invention described in claim 1, since the predetermined operation is automatically executed based on the detection of the specific tone signal transmitted from the branch telephone, the branch telephone and the communication terminal device are separated from each other. Even when installed in a location, the operation can be easily controlled by operating the branch telephone.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, for example, on the branch telephone side, when the dial key is operated to send the first code signal and then the operation is desired to be invalidated, or an incorrect dial is made. Even when a key signal is operated to send a tone signal other than the second code signal, the series of operations can be automatically invalidated without requiring a special cancel operation.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 3, the facsimile communication procedure can be automatically started after the call by the branch telephone, and the transition from the call by the branch telephone to the facsimile communication becomes easy.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit configuration diagram showing an embodiment in which a communication terminal device of the present invention is embodied as a facsimile device with an answering machine recording function.

FIG. 2 is a circuit configuration diagram mainly showing a branch telephone.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation when a push tone signal from a branch telephone or a CNG signal on a telephone line is detected in a communication standby state.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facsimile apparatus, 2 ... Facsimile apparatus main body as facsimile communication means, 7 ... CPU configuring control means and line control means, 8 ... ROM configuring control means and line control means, 9 ... Control means and line control means RAM constituting the device, 10 ... Modem as detecting means, 12 ...
Tone detection circuit, 15 ... Timer, 36 ... CML relay constituting line control means, 50 ... Branch telephone, 53 ...
Dial key, 54 ... Dial circuit, L ... Telephone line.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. In a communication terminal device branch-connected to a telephone on a common telephone line, a detecting means for detecting a tone signal sent from the telephone and a predetermined tone signal when the detecting means detects a specific tone signal. And a control unit that controls to execute the operation of. 2. The specific tone signal is composed of a first code signal indicating an operation start request and a second code signal indicating the content of the operation, and the control means uses the detection means to detect the first code signal.
The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the operation corresponding to the second code signal is executed only when the second code signal is detected within a predetermined time after the code signal is detected. 3. Facsimile communication means for performing facsimile communication, and when the detecting means detects a CNG signal, the facsimile communication means and a telephone line are connected so as to start a communication procedure by the facsimile communication means. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising: a line control unit that controls the circuit to be closed.