JPH0955814A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent line occupancy by detecting busy tones and cutting off a telephone set from a line when a handset is not correctly returned after communication. SOLUTION: When the handset of the telephone set 2 is not correctly returned after communication, a DC detection circuit 11 detects a loop current, sends out the busy tone to the telephone set 2 and sends it also to a system control part 8 through a first transformer 14. The control part 8 detects it, switches a second relay 13 so as to open the lines L1 and L2, detects a current in a hook detection circuit 17, closes a switch SW and connects a ringer circuit 18 to a telephone line. In the state, when a call is terminated to the telephone set 2, by tentatively returning the handset of the telephone set 2 to a correct position, the circuit 17 detects it and the communication with an opposite side is performed. Also, at the time of a fax mode, even when the telephone set 2 is cut off from the telephone line in the relay 13, since the circuit 17 is connected to the telephone line and ringer signal detection is possible, when an incoming call is detected, a first relay 12 is switched to a fax side and the communication is performed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having a telephone connected to a line via a network control device and having control means for switching and controlling a telephone function and a facsimile function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic structure of a facsimile apparatus of this type. In the figure, reference numeral 1 is a network control device (hereinafter referred to as "N") having an automatic transmission / reception function for connecting the facsimile device to an exchange through a public telephone line.
It is abbreviated as CU), and an external telephone 2 is connected to the NCU 1 so that the telephone 2 and the facsimile device can be automatically switched. Reference numeral 3 denotes an operation display unit for operating the facsimile apparatus, which includes various operation keys and various display devices. A reading unit 4 scans a document at a predetermined resolution to read an image and performs various image processing, and a recording unit 5 records received image data at a predetermined resolution.
Reference numeral 6 is a speaker for generating various warning sounds and the like, and 7 is a power supply section for supplying power to each section of the apparatus.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a system control section (control means) for performing the control processing of each section of the above-mentioned apparatus and the processing of the facsimile transmission control procedure, and stores a CPU (central processing unit) and a program executed by the CPU. It is composed of a ROM (read-only memory) and a RAM (readable / writable memory) which serves as a work area when the program is executed and which stores image data and the like.

In such a facsimile apparatus, the telephone 2 is usually connected to the telephone line from the exchange through a relay or the like in the NCU 1. When an incoming call is received from the outside, the bell of the telephone 2 rings and the operator makes a telephone call. Calling is possible by taking the second handset and going off-hook. In addition, when making a call to the outside, the operator uses the telephone 2
You can make a call by taking the handset of the off-hook and off-hooking and dialing the telephone number of the other party. In both cases of incoming and outgoing calls, after the call ends, the telephone line is opened by placing the handset of the telephone set 2 and hooking it up, so that a new incoming call or facsimile transmission / reception can be performed.

[0005]

However, in such a conventional facsimile apparatus, the telephone line cannot be opened in the off-hook state unless the telephone receiver is correctly placed after the telephone call is completed. , The line will be occupied and you will not be able to send and receive incoming calls and faxes. Therefore, unless the operator correctly replaces the receiver, the telephone cannot be used, and the facsimile transmission / reception cannot be performed.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of preventing the line from being occupied by a telephone receiver that is not placed correctly after a call. It is what

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 includes a telephone connected to a line through an NCU, and controls to switch between a telephone function and a facsimile function. In a facsimile machine having means, the signal transmission means for transmitting the signal sent from the exchange to the control means in a state where the line is connected to the telephone, and the disconnection for disconnecting the telephone from the line by the control of the control means The control means includes means for controlling the disconnecting means to disconnect the telephone from the line when a busy tone is detected via the signal transmitting means after the telephone call. If the handset of the telephone is not placed correctly after the call, the telephone will remain off-hook and a busy tone (busy tone) will be sent from the exchange. Therefore, by detecting this busy tone and disconnecting the telephone from the line, the line occupation can be released and the facsimile transmission / reception can be performed.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 2, in a facsimile apparatus having a telephone connected to a line through an NCU and having a control means for switching and controlling a telephone function and a facsimile function, the line is connected to the telephone. In a connected state, it has a signal transmission means for transmitting a signal sent from the exchange to the control means, and a disconnection means for disconnecting the telephone from the line under the control of the control means,
A hook state detecting means for detecting the hook state of the telephone disconnected from the line and notifying the control means, the control means disconnects when a busy tone is detected via the signal transmitting means after the telephone call. When the on-hook state of the telephone is detected by the hook state detecting means while controlling the means to disconnect the telephone from the line, the disconnecting means is controlled to connect the telephone to the line. With this, in addition to the effect of claim 1, it is possible to determine whether or not the telephone has been correctly replaced, and if it has been correctly replaced, the telephone can be connected to the line to restore the original state. You can

Further, in the invention described in claim 3, in the facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, the hook state detecting means is off-hook when a current is supplied by supplying power to the telephone set disconnected from the line. And a disconnection means for connecting the telephone with the hook detection circuit when disconnecting the telephone from the line. By implementing the function of claim 2 by utilizing the original function of the telephone, the telephone can be used as it is.

The invention according to claim 4 is, in the facsimile apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, for notifying an incoming call when the telephone is off-hook while the telephone is disconnected from the line. It is provided with a notification means. This allows the operator to be notified of an incoming call when the telephone is disconnected from the line. Based on this, the operator picks up the handset of the telephone, but since there is no reaction, it is judged that the handset was not placed correctly, and the handset is replaced correctly. This causes the telephone to go on-hook, so that the telephone can be connected by connecting to the line and the operator picking up the receiver again.

[0011]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 indicate the same or corresponding portions.

In FIG. 1, L1 and L2 are telephone lines from the exchange. Numeral 11 is inserted in one of the telephone lines in series to detect whether or not the telephone lines L1 and L2 are closed by detecting the DC loop current flowing through the telephone lines L1 and L2, that is, whether or not the telephone lines are off-hook. This is a DC detection circuit for making a determination. The DC detection circuit 11 also serves as a polarity inversion detection circuit caused by the response (off-hook) of the partner station. These detection results are transmitted to the system control unit 8 as a control means.

Reference numeral 12 is a first relay for switching the connection between the telephone 2 and the telephone lines L1, L2 of the facsimile machine, and 13 is a second relay (disconnecting means) for disconnecting the telephone 2 from the telephone lines L1, L2. ) And the first of these
The relay 12 and the second relay 13 are controlled by the system controller 8. Reference numeral 14 is a first transformer (signal transmission means) for transmitting a signal such as a busy tone sent from the exchange for the system control section 8 to detect, and is connected to the telephone line via a DC blocking capacitor C. It 1
Reference numeral 5 is a second transformer for transmitting a transmission signal and a reception signal of the facsimile.

Reference numeral 16 is an incoming call detection circuit for detecting a ringing signal (incoming call signal) from the exchange, and the detection result is transmitted to the system controller 8. 17 is a telephone 2
A hook detection circuit (hook state detection means) for detecting the on-hook or off-hook state of the
Is connected when the telephone 2 is disconnected from the telephone line by the relay 13 and the power is supplied to the telephone 2 to detect whether or not the electric current flows, thereby detecting whether or not the telephone is in the off-hook state.
The detection result is transmitted to the system control unit 8.

Reference numeral 18 is a ringing circuit (incoming call notification means) for converting a ringing signal, which is an incoming call signal, into a sound to notify an operator of an incoming call. The ringing signal is connected to a telephone line by a switch SW, and the switch SW is a system control unit. Controlled by 8.

The above-mentioned DC detection circuit 11, first and second relays 12 and 13, first and second transformers 14 and 15,
Capacitor C, incoming call detection circuit 16, hook detection circuit 1
7. NCU by the ringing circuit 18 and its switch SW
1 is configured. Here, the second relay 13,
Hook detection circuit 17, ringing circuit 18 and its switch S
W is newly provided in this embodiment. This NCU 1 is connected to a system control unit 8 having a built-in modem, and the system control unit 8 has an operation display unit 3,
The reading unit 4, the recording unit 5, the speaker 6, the power supply unit 7, and the like are connected.

Next, the operation of this embodiment thus constructed will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.
The flowchart of FIG. 2 shows a characteristic operation of the present embodiment executed by the CPU constituting the system control unit 8 during a call.

In the initial state, the first relay 12 and the second relay 13 are in the state shown in FIG. 1, and the telephone 2 is in a state of being connected to the telephone lines L1 and L2 via these. Now, when making a call using the telephone 2 externally attached to this facsimile apparatus, if the operator picks up the handset of the telephone 2 and goes off-hook, the telephone lines L1, L2
A DC loop current flows through the DC loop current, and the DC detection circuit 11 detects this and notifies the system control unit 8. In this state, when the other party dials the telephone number of the other party to call the other party, and the other party picks up the receiver and goes off-hook, the polarities of the telephone lines L1 and L2 on this side are reversed. This is the DC detection circuit 1
When 1 detects and notifies to the system control part 8, the system control part 11 will judge that the telephone call was started and will perform the process shown in the flowchart of FIG.

When the processing of FIG. 2 is executed, first, waiting for the end of the call (N loop of judgment 101), the handset of the telephone 2 on this side is correctly on-hooked, and the DC loop current is detected by the DC detection circuit 11. Is not detected, or the direct-current detection circuit 11 detects that the receiver of the other party's telephone has gone on-hook and the polarity has returned to the original state, and notifies the system control unit 8 that it is judged that the call has ended (decision 101).
Y).

Next, it is judged whether or not the telephone set 2 is on-hook. If the handset of the telephone set 2 is not correctly placed, the DC detection circuit 11 continues to detect the DC loop current, so that the telephone set 2 is on-hook. It is determined that there is not (N of determination 102). If the handset of the telephone set 2 is not correctly placed after the call is completed (while the telephone is off-hook), a busy tone (busy tone) is sent from the exchange because the other party's telephone is on-hook. The busy tone sent is the first transformer 14 connected to the telephone line.
Is sent to the system control unit 8 via.

The system control unit 8 waits for a busy tone (N at decision 103), and when it detects a busy tone (Y at decision 103), switches the second relay 13 to open the telephone lines L1 and L2 ( Process 104). As a result, the telephone 2 is disconnected from the telephone lines L1 and L2 and connected to the hook detection circuit 17 to supply power to confirm whether the telephone 2 is off-hook (decision 105). When the hook detection circuit 17 detects that a current flows, it is determined that the telephone 2 is off-hook (Y in decision 105), the switch SW is turned on, and the ringing circuit 18 is connected to the telephone line.

On the other hand, when the hook detection circuit 17 cannot detect the flow of current, the telephone set 2 judges that the telephone is on-hook (N in judgment 105), the other party first on-hooks to open the line, and thereafter. It is determined that the receiver correctly placed the handset on the hook and returned the switch SW and the second relay 13 to the original state and shifts to the initial state (state of FIG. 1) (step 107), and ends the series of steps. . In addition, in the determination 102, even when the telephone 2 is determined to be on-hook by the DC detection circuit 11, the initial state is directly entered and the process is terminated (Y in determination 102 → process 107).

Next, when the receiver of the telephone set 2 is not correctly placed (off-hook state), the second relay 13 is switched and the switch SW is turned on (decision 105).
Of Y → Process 106 → Y of decision 105 during a loop) will be described. In this state, when a call is received from the other party, the ringing circuit 18 converts the ringing signal (incoming signal) into a sound by a buzzer or the like and sounds.
The operator is notified of the incoming call. When the operator recognizes that the buzzer is sounding, the operator lifts the handset of the telephone 2. However, in this state, since the telephone 2 is not connected to the line, no sound is heard from the handset and the ringer sounds. Circuit 18 continues to ring. This allows
The hook detection circuit 17 detects the on-hook by the operator who notices that the handset is not placed correctly and correctly returns the handset to hook the telephone set 2. As a result, it is determined that the handset is normally placed and is on-hook (N in decision 105), and the second relay 13
Is switched to the telephone line side and the switch SW is turned off to shift to the initial state (process 107). By switching the second relay 13 to the telephone line side, the operator is ready to talk with the other party.

In the facsimile mode, even if the telephone 2 is disconnected from the telephone line by the second relay 13, the incoming call detection circuit 17 is connected to the telephone line and can detect a ringing signal. Therefore, when an incoming call is detected, the first relay 12 is switched to the facsimile side, and the facsimile communication becomes possible. That is, regardless of the presence or absence of the hook detection circuit 17 and the ringing circuit 18, by disconnecting the telephone 2 from the telephone line by the second relay 13 when the telephone 2 is not properly off-hooked,
Facsimile communication is possible. Further, regardless of the presence or absence of the ringing circuit 18, when the operator does not hear any sound when making a call, the operator recognizes that the receiver is not placed correctly and replaces it correctly.
The hook detection circuit 17 operates to enable communication as in the above case.

In the above embodiment, the hook detecting circuit 17 is provided as the hook state detecting means to detect whether the telephone is off hook or not by supplying power to the telephone 2 disconnected from the telephone line and flowing current. By using the original functions of the telephone, the above-mentioned functions were realized without any modification to the telephone 2. However, a sensor for detecting the depression of the hook is attached to the telephone 2, and the detection signal is sent to the system controller. You may make it input into 8.

In the above embodiment, the ringing circuit 18 is provided as the incoming call notification means, but instead of the ringing circuit 18, or together with the ringing circuit 18, a light emitting device is provided to notify the operator of the incoming call by lighting or blinking the light. You may
Furthermore, the system control unit 8 may control the speaker 6 to ring by the detection result of the incoming call detection circuit 16.

In the above embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to an external telephone is explained, but the present invention can also be applied to a telephone with a built-in telephone, and the same effect as above can be obtained.

[0029]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the facsimile is provided with the telephone connected to the line through the NCU and having the control means for switching and controlling the telephone function and the facsimile function. The device has a signal transmission means for transmitting a signal sent from the exchange to the control means while the line is connected to the telephone, and a disconnection means for disconnecting the telephone from the line under the control of the control means. The means controls the disconnecting means to disconnect the telephone from the line when a busy tone is detected via the signal transmitting means after the telephone call, so that the line caused by the telephone handset not being placed correctly after the call is made. It has the effect of preventing occupation.

According to the invention described in claim 2, N
In a facsimile apparatus having a telephone connected to a line via a CU and having control means for switching and controlling a telephone function and a facsimile function, a signal sent from an exchange while the line is connected to the telephone. And a disconnection means for disconnecting the telephone from the line under the control of the control means, and a hook state detection means for detecting the hook state of the telephone disconnected from the line and notifying the control means. When the control means detects a busy tone through the signal transmission means after the telephone call, the disconnecting means is controlled to disconnect the telephone from the line, while the hook state detecting means detects the on-hook state of the telephone, Since the disconnecting means is controlled to connect the telephone to the line, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, the telephone Can determine whether talking device has healed put correctly, if it repositioned correctly, by connecting the telephone to the line, there is an effect that can be restored to the original state.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 3, in the facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, when the hook state detecting means supplies power to the telephone set disconnected from the line and a current flows. As an off-hook state, and a hook detection circuit for detecting when no current flows as an on-hook state, and the disconnecting means comprises a relay that simultaneously connects the hook detection circuit to the telephone when disconnecting the telephone from the line. In addition to the effect of claim 2,
By realizing the function of claim 2 by utilizing the original function of the telephone, the telephone can be used as it is.

According to the invention described in claim 4, in the facsimile apparatus according to claim 2 or claim 3, when the telephone is disconnected from the line and the telephone is in an off-hook state, an incoming call is notified. In addition to the effect of claim 2 or claim 3, even if there is an incoming call when the telephone is disconnected from the line, the operator can be notified of the incoming call. If the handset is properly replaced and picked up again, there is an effect that the telephone is connected to the line and the telephone call becomes possible.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a characteristic operation of the above embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a general facsimile apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 L1, L2 Telephone line 1 Network control unit (NCU) 2 Telephone 3 Operation display unit 4 Reading unit 5 Recording unit 6 Speaker 7 Power supply unit 8 System control unit 11 DC detection circuit 12 First relay 13 Second relay 14 First Transformer 15 second transformer 16 incoming detection circuit 17 hook detection circuit 18 ringing circuit SW switch C capacitor

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus comprising a telephone connected to a line via a network control device and having control means for switching and controlling a telephone function and a facsimile function, wherein the line is connected to the telephone. In addition, while having a signal transmission means for transmitting a signal sent from the exchange to the control means, the disconnection means for disconnecting the telephone from the line under the control of the control means, the control means, after the call by the telephone A facsimile apparatus, characterized in that, when a busy tone is detected through the signal transmitting means, the disconnecting means is controlled to disconnect the telephone from the line. 2. A facsimile apparatus comprising a telephone connected to a line via a network control device and having control means for switching and controlling a telephone function and a facsimile function, wherein the line is connected to the telephone. In addition, while having a signal transmission means for transmitting a signal sent from the exchange to the control means, disconnection means for disconnecting the telephone from the line by the control of the control means, and a hook state of the telephone disconnected from the line A hook state detecting means for detecting and notifying the control means, wherein the control means controls the disconnecting means to control the disconnecting means when a busy tone is detected via the signal transmitting means after the telephone call by the telephone. When the on-hook state of the telephone is detected by the hook state detecting means while the telephone is disconnected from the line, the disconnecting means is activated. Facsimile apparatus characterized by connecting the telephone to the line in your. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the hook state detection means sets an off-hook state when current is supplied by supplying power to the telephone set disconnected from the line, and when no current flows. A hook detection circuit for detecting as an on-hook state, wherein the disconnecting means disconnects the telephone from the line,
At the same time, a facsimile apparatus comprising a relay for connecting the hook detection circuit to the telephone. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising an incoming call notification unit that notifies an incoming call when the telephone is off-hook while the telephone is disconnected from the line. And a facsimile machine.