GB2225193A

GB2225193A - Combined facsimile/telephone communication terminal

Info

Publication number: GB2225193A
Application number: GB8924208A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Masaharu Iida
Original assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Current assignee: Ricoh Co Ltd
Priority date: 1988-11-02
Filing date: 1989-10-27
Publication date: 1990-05-23
Anticipated expiration: 2009-10-27
Also published as: GB2225193B; JP2809651B2; DE3936309A1; DE3936309C2; GB8924208D0; JPH02124674A

Description

22 2-25193 1 "DATA COMMUNICATION TERMINAL" The present invention generally

relates to data communication terminals, and more particularly to a data communication terminal such as a facsimile machine which has a monitoring function.

Conventionally, the facsimile machine has the monitoring function to monitor a communication signal during a communication. FIG.1 shows an example of such a conventional facsimile machine. A facsimile machine 1 shown in FIG.1 generally comprises a line switch 2, a protective device 3, a modem 4, a controller 5, a speaker amplifier 6, a speaker 7, a calling signal detector 8, and a telephone circuit 9 which are connected as shown. A telephone line L is connected to the line switch 2.

In the facsimile machine 1, the calling signal from the telephone line L is detected in the calling signal detector 8, and the controller 5 rings a bell of the telephone circuit 9 based on a detection result of the calling signal detector 8. After the bell rings, the controller 5 connects the telephone line L to the telephone circuit 9 to enable a conversation via a handset (not shown) of the telephone circuit 9 if the handset is unhooked within 2.

1 a predetermined time. on the other hand, if the handset is not unhooked within the predetermined time after the bell rings, the controller 5 supplies a switching signal to the line switch 2 so as to connect the telephone line L to the modem 4 to enable a signal exchange of a facsimile communication via the modem 4. A communication signal of the facsimile communication is monitored via the speaker amplifier 6 and the speaker 7. In addition, when making a facsimile transmission from the facsimile machine 1, the communication signal is monitored via the speaker amplifier 6 and the speaker 7.

Accordingly, the operator of the facsimile machine 1 can confirm that the facsimile communication is positively being made by listening to a monitoring sound of the communication signal.

on the other hand, a telephone set which is recently proposed has a loudspeaker conversation function which can make a loudspeaker conversation via a speaker and a microphone, without the use of the handset. FIG.2 shows an example of such a conventional telephone set. In a telephone set 10 shown in FIG.2, the telephone line L is connected to one of a handset 12 and a loudspeaker 13 via a switch 11. When a ringing is received from the telephone 3.

line L in the state shown in FIG.2, a bell ringer circuit 14 rings a bell. When the operator of the telephone set 10 unhooks the handset 12 in response to the ringing of the bell, a switch 15 switches over to the side of the handset 12 and a conversation is enabled from the handset 12 via a conversation control circuit 16. In this state, when the operator selects the loudspeaker function by manipulating a loudspeaker switch (not shown), the switch 11 switches over to the side of the loudspeaker 13 and a loudspeaker conversation control circuit 17 enables a loudspeaker conversation via a speaker 18 and a microphone 19. In addition, when dialing, the handset 12 is unhooked and a dialing number is entered so that a dialing signal is output from dialing signal generator 20. The dialing signal is sent to the telephone line L via the switches 15 and 11. After the line is connected, the operator may select the loudspeaker function by manipulating the loudspeaker switch if the loudspeaker conversation is desired via the loudspeaker 13.

However, the conventional facsimile machine is inconvenient in that the loudspeaker conversation cannot be made during the conversation using the telephone function because the telephone circuit of 4.

1 the facsimile machine does not have the loudspeaker function.

It is possible to consider using the telephone set 10 shown in FIG.2 in place of the telephone circuit 9 of the facsimile machine 1 shown in FIG. 1. The telephone set 10 has the loudspeaker conversation function.

But when the telephone set having the loudspeaker conversation function is simply connected to the facsimile machine which has the monitoring function, the loudspeaker conversation function of the telephone set and the monitoring function of the facsimile machine overlap. As a result, there is a problem in that the cost of the facsimile machine becomes high.

- Accordingly, it is a general object of the present invention to provide a novel and useful data communication terminal in which the problems described above are eliminated.

The present invention provides a data communication terminal comprising a network control unit coupled to a telephone line, a telephone part including a handset, a microphone and a speaker, a conversation control circuit coupled between said network control unit and said telephone part, said 5.

1 conversation control circuit having at least a handset conversation function in which a conversation is possible via the handset of said telephone part and a loudspeaker conversation function in which a loudspeaker conversation is possible via the microphone and the speaker of said telephone part, modem means for modulating and demodulating signals during a communication, a facsimile part coupled to said modem means, communication mode switching means for coupled to said conversation control circuit and said modem means for selectively supplying to said network control unit an output of said conversation control circuit in a conversation mode and an output of said modem means in a facsimile mode, and a controller means for controlling operation timings of said network control unit, said conversation control circuit, said modem means, said facsimile part and said communication mode switching means, said conversation control circuit enabling said loudspeaker conversation function when said loudspeaker conversation function is designated regardless of whether the data communication terminal is in the conversation mode or the facsimile mode. According to the data communication terminal of the present invention, it is possible to make the 6.

1 loudspeaker conversation and also monitor the communication by use of a single conversation control circuit. As a result, the number of parts of the data communication terminal is reduced, thereby making it possible to also reduce the cost of the data communication terminal.

other objects and further features of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIG.1 is a system block diagram showing an example of a conventional facsimile machine having a monitoring function; FIG.2 is a system block diagram showing an example of a conventional telephone set having a loudspeaker conversation function; FIG.3 is a system block diagram showing an embodiment of a data communication terminal according to the present invention; and FIG.4 made up of Figs 4A and 4B is a flow chart for e-plaining an operation of the embodiment shown in FIG.3.

FIG.3 shows an embodiment of a data communication terminal according to the present invention. In this embodiment, the present invention is applied to a facsimile machine. A facsimile W 7.

1 machine 31 shown in FIG.3 generally comprises a line unit 22, a calling signal detector 23, a protective device 24, a 2/4 line converter circuit 25, a communication mode switch 26. a conversation control circuit 27, a hook switch 28, a handset 29. a microphone 30, a speaker 31, a modem 32, a controller 33, a bell ringer circuit 34, and a unit part 35. A telephone line L is accommodated within the facsimile machine 21. A manipulation part 50 is connected to the controller 33. This manipulation part 50 includes a loudspeaker conversation key (not shown) which will be described later.

The line unit 22 makes a connect/disconnect operation with respect to the telephone line L under a control of the controller 33. The calling signal detector 23 detects a calling signal from the telephone line L and informs the controller 33 of the detection result. The 2/4 line converter circuit 25 converts 2 lines into 4 lines, and supplies a reception signal from the telephone line L to the conversation control circuit 27 and the modem 32. The 2/4 line converter circuit 25 also sends to the telephone line L a conversation output of the conversation control circuit 27 received via the communication mode switch 26 or a transmission output 8.

1 is of the modem 32. The communication mode switch 26 operates under a control of the controller 33 and selectively supplies to the 2/4 line converter circuit 25 the conversation output of the conversation control circuit 27 or the transmission output of the modem 32.

The line unit 22, the calling signal detector 23, the protective device 24, and the 2/4 line converter circuit 25 constitute a network control unit (NCU) 100 which is indicated by a phantom line.

The conversation control circuit 27 comprises a sending signal detector, a receiving signal detector, a gain control circuit, a sending/receiving signal control circuit and the like, and enables a conversation via the handset 29. The conversation control circuit 27 also comprises a function selector switch, a microphone amplifier, a speaker amplifier and the like, and has a loudspeaker conversation function for enabling a loudspeaker conversation via the microphone 30 and the speaker 31.

The function selection by the conversation control circuit 27 is made in response to a switching signal Sc which is received from the controller 33. As shown in the following Table, the switching signal 9.

1 Sc is a 4-bit signal which has a bit structure in correspondence with each function. In other words, the switching signal Sc indicates a handset conversation function when the bits are 11101011, a loudspeaker conversation function when the bits are 90010011, and a handset loudspeaker function when the bits are 11110111. The handset loudspeaker function refers to a function of enabling both the conversation via the handset 29 and the monitoring via the speaker 31. The function selection is made from the loudspeaker conversation key which is provided in the manipulation part 50 of the facsimile machine 21.

Table

Switching Signal Sc Bit 0 Bit 1 Bit 2 Bit 3 Function 1 0 1 0 Handset Conversation 0 1 0 0 Loudspeaker Conversation 1 0 1 Handset Loudspeaker The hook switch 28 detects the hooked and unhooked states of the handset 29 and supplies a detection result to the controller 33. The modem 32 modulates and demodulates the communication signal when making the facsimile communication. The 10.

1 is controller 33 comprises a central processing unit (CPU), a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), an input/output port and the like. The controller 33 controls various parts of the facsimile machine 21 based on programs which are stored within the ROM. A sequential operation of the facsimile machine 21 and the process of switching the functions of the facsimile machine 21 are controlled by this controller 33. The bell ringer circuit 34 rings a bell (not shown) in response to a driving signal which is received from the controller 33. The unit part 35 generally refers to a remaining part of the facsimile machine 21 including a scanner, a plotter, a coding and encoding unit and the like.

Next, a description will bz given of the operation of this embodiment. This embodiment is characterized in that the loudspeaker process during the conversation and the monitoring process during the conversation can be controlled by a single conversation control circuit. The process of switching the functions will be described in conjunction with the flow chart of FIGA which shows the operation of the controller 33.

In an initial state of the facsimile machine 21, the communication mode switch 25 is 11.

1 is connected to the side of the conversation control circuit 27 and the line unit 22 is open. In this state, a step S1 shown in FIG.4 discriminates whether or not a cailing signal is received from the telephone line L. The calling signal detector 23 detects and binarizes the calling signal and supplies a detection signal to the controller 33. When the discrimination result in the step S1 is YES, a step S2 rings the bell. The controller 33 supplies the driving signal to the bell ringer circuit 34 to ring the bell when the detection signal is received from the calling signal detector 23. A step S3 discriminates whether or not the handset 29 is unhooked and a step S4 discriminates whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed when the discrimination result in the step S3 is NO. The process returns to the step S3 when the discrimination result in the step S4 is YES. Hence, the process advances to a step S5 when the handset 29 is unhooked within the predetermined time after the bell rings.

The step S5 stops ringing the bell. The controller 33 closes the line unit 22 and stops the supply of the driving signal to the conversation control circuit 27. In this state, the communication 12.

mode switch 26 is connected to the side of the conversation control circuit 27, and thus, the operator can make a conversation via the unhooked handset 29. A step S6 discriminates whether or not the loudspeaker conversation key is pushed, and a step S7 discriminates whether or not the handset 29 is hooked when the discrimination result in the step S6 is NO. The process returns to the step S6 when the discrimination result in the step S7 is No. The process advances to a step S12 when the discrimination result in the step S7 is YES. Hence, when the handset 29 is hooked in a state where the loudspeaker conversation key is not pushed, the step S12 disconnects the line and the process ends. In other words, the controller 33 discriminates that the conversation is ended and disconnects the telephone line L by opening the line unit 22.

When the loudspeaker conversation key is pushed during the conversation, the discrimination result in the step S6 is YES and the process advances to a step S8. The step S8 sets the conversation control circuit 27 to the loudspeaker conversation function. That is, the controller supplies to the conversation control circuit 27 the switching signal Sc for designating the loudspeaker conversation is il 13.

1 function so as to set the loudspeaker conversation function, and enables the loudspeaker conversation via the microphone 30 and the speaker 31. A step S9 discriminates whether or not the loudspeaker conversation key is pushed. When the discrimination result in the step S9 is YES, a step S10 sets the conversation control circuit 27 to the handset conversation function. In other words, the controller 33 supplies to the conversation control circuit 27 the switching signal Sc for designating the handset conversation function so as to return the function to the handset conversation function. After the step S10 or when the discrimination result in the step S9 is NO, a step S11 discriminates whether or not the handset 29 is unhooked. The process returns to the step S6 when the discrimination result in the step S11 is No. But when the discrimination result in the step S11 is YES, the step S12 disconnects the line and the process is ended.

Therefore, by pushing the loudspeaker conversation key during the conversation, it is possible to arbitrarily select the loudspeaker conversation function or the handset conversation function.

On the other hand, when the bell rings but 14.

1 the handset 29 is not unhooked within the predetermined time, that is, when the discrimination result in the step S4 is NO, a step S13 stops ringing the bell. A step S14 connects the communication mode switch 26 to the side of the inodem 32. In other words, in the steps S13 and S14, the controller 33 stops supplying the driving signal to the bell ringer circuit 34 and supplies a switching signal to the communication mode switch-26 to connect the communication mode switch 26 to the side of the modem 32. A step S15 discriminates whether or not the loudspeaker conversation key is pushed. When the discrimination result in the step S15 is YES, a step S16 sets the conversation control circuit 27 to the handset loudspeaker function and a step S17 closes the line unit 22. on the other hand, when the discrimination result in the step S15 is NO, the process advances to the step S17.

A step S18 discriminates whether or not a facsimile transmission is received. When the discrimination result in the step S18 is YES, a step 519 discriminates whether or not the loudspeaker conversation key is pushed. When the discrimination result in the step S19 is YES, a step S20 sets the conversation control circuit 27 to the handset 15.

1 loudspeaker function. The process returns to the step S18 when the discrimination result in the step S19 is NO or after the step S20. Hence, it is possible to monitor the reception signal. Thereafter, when the facsimile communication ends and the discrimination result in the step S18 becomes NO, a step S21 sets the conversation control circuit 27 to the handset conversation function and a step S22 opens the line unit 22. The process is ended after the step S22.

Therefore, it is possible to utilize the loudspeaker conversation function of the conversation control circuit 27 by enabling the monitoring of the reception signal during the facsimile communication. In addition, it is possible to reduce the number of parts of the facsimile machine 21. As a result, it is possible to reduce the cost of the facsimile machine 21 which has the functions of making the loudspeaker conversation and the monitoring of the communication.

Further, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, but various variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

16.

1 is

Claims

A data communication terminal comprising: a network control unit adapted to be coupled to a telephone line; a telephone part including a handset, a microphone and a speaker; a conversation control circuit coupled between said network control unit and said telephone part, said conversation control circuit having at least a handset conversation function in which a conversation is possible via the handset of said telephone part and a loudspeaker conversation function in which a loudspeaker conversation is possible via the microphone and the speaker of said telephone part; modem means for modulating and demodulating signals during a communication; a facsimile part coupled to said modem means; communication mode switching means for coupled to said conversation control circuit and said modem means for selectively supplying to said network control unit an output of said conversation control circuit in a conversation mode and an output of said modem means in a facsimile mode; and 1 17.

a controller means for controlling operation timings of said network control unit, said conversation control circuit, said modem means, said facsimile part and said communication mode switching means, said conversation control circuit being adapted to enable said loudspeaker conversation function when said loudspeaker conversation function is designated regardless of whether the data communication terminal is in the conversation mode or the facsimile mode.
2. The data communication terminal as claimed in claim 1 wherein said conversation control circuit further has a handset loudspeaker function in which a conversation is possible via both the handset of said telephone part and the microphone and the speaker of said telephone part.
3. The data communication terminal as claimed in claim 1 or 2 which further comprises manipulating means coupled to said controller means for designating the loudspeaker conversation f,jncz-Jo-,-.., said controller means beinq adapted to supply a to said conversation control circuit for enabling said loudspeaker conversation function in response to a 18.

1 designation of said loudspeaker conversation function via said manipulating means.
4. The data communication terminal as claimed in claim 3 which further comprises a bell ringer circuit coupled to said controller means and including a bell, and said network control unit comprises a line unit Which is, in use, coulDled to the telephone line and a calling signal detector coupled to the telephone line for supplying a detection signal to said controller means when a calling signal is detected on the telephone line, said controller means being adapted to supuly a driving signal for rine-rincf the bell of said bell rinaer circuit in response to the detection signal received from said calling signal detector.
5. The data communication terminal as claimed in claim 4 wherein said controller means in the conversation mode supplies a signal to said line unit for initially opening said line unit and closing said line unit when the handset is unhooked within a predetermined time from a time when the bell of said bell ringer circuit starts to ring.

19.

1
6. The data communication terminal as claimed in claim 5 wherein said controller means supplies a signal to said conversation control circuit for enabling said loudspeaker conversation function when said loudspeaker conversation function is designated from said manipulating means after said line unit closes.
7. The data communication terminal as claimed in claim 6 wherein said conversation control circuit further has a handset loudspeaker function in which a conversation is possible via both the handset of said telephone part and the microphone and the speaker of said telephone part, and said controller means supplies a signal to said conversation control circuit for enabling said handset loudspeaker function when said handset loudspeaker function is designated from said manipulating means after said line unit closes.
8. The data communication terminal as claimed in any one of claims 4 to 8 wherein said conversation control circuit further has a handset loudspeaker function in which a conversation is possible via both the handset of said telephone part and the microphone and the 20.

speaker of said telephone part, and said controller means sets a mode of the data communication terminal to the facsimile mode when the handset remains hooked over a predetermined time after the bell of said bell ringer circuit starts to ring.
9. The data communication terminal as claimed in claim 8 wherein said controller means in the facsimile mode supplies a signal to said line unit for initially opening said line unit and supplies a signal to said conversation control circuit for enabling said handset loudspeaker function when said handset loudspeaker function is designated from said manipulating means.
10. The data communication terminal as claimed in claim 8 or 9 wherein said controller rn-ans supplies a signal to said line unit for closing said line unit after said handset loudspeaker function is enabled.
11. The data communication terminal as claimed in claim 9 or 10 wherein said controller rreans supplies a signal to said conversation control circuit for enabling said handset conversation 21.

1 function after a facsimile communication ends.
12. A data communication terminal substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 of the drawings.

Plublished1990 at The Patent Office. Stat,-House.66 71 High Holborn. London WCIR4TP Further copies mkV be obtained from The Patent Office Sales Branch. St Mary Cray. Orpirigtcn. Kent BR5 3RD Prinled by Multiplex techniques ltd. St Ma-",v Cray. Kent. Con 1'87