JP2002044290A - Communication device and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication device where a voice data added to an electronic mail is recorded in the same way as ordinary call speech. SOLUTION: A facsimile device is provided with a function for receiving an electronic mail in addiction to a function for recording a voice transferred through a telephone circuit 27 in a RAM 12. Here, if the received electronic mail is added with a voice data, a CPU 10 converts the voice data into a format recordable in the RAM 12. The CPU 10 further records the voice data whose data format has been converted in the RAM 12.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication device having, for example, an electronic mail receiving function in addition to an answering machine function, and a storage medium storing a program for controlling the communication device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, due to the rapid expansion of the Internet, communication terminals capable of using electronic mail without being limited to personal computers are becoming widespread. For example, some facsimile machines are capable of sending and receiving electronic mail via an Internet line. In general,
E-mail exchanged via the Internet is allowed to attach audio files in addition to files such as documents, still images, and moving images.

[0003]

A telephone, not only a facsimile machine, is provided with an answering machine function and a function capable of recording conversation contents, a digital recording system using a semiconductor memory, and a magnetic recording system using a magnetic tape. Some models use a recording method.

However, even when an e-mail is received by a facsimile apparatus having a recording function and a sound file is attached to the e-mail, the sound file can be recorded on a semiconductor memory or a magnetic tape. , The content cannot be recorded, and eventually the audio file attached to the e-mail is
The contents could not be heard unless they were reproduced using another personal computer or the like.

[0005] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above points, and a communication device capable of recording voice data attached to an electronic mail in the same manner as a normal call voice, and a communication device therefor. It is an object to provide a storage medium storing a control program.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a communication apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention has a function of recording voice transmitted through a communication line in voice recording means and receiving an electronic mail. A voice conversion means for converting the voice data into a format recordable in the voice recording means, when voice data is attached to the received e-mail; Recording control means for recording the sound data converted in format by the means in the sound recording means.

[0007] According to such a communication device, the voice data received as attached to the e-mail is converted into a recordable format in the same manner as the voice transmitted through the communication line. The voice data can be recorded in voice recording means such as a memory or a magnetic tape in the same manner as normal call voice.

A communication device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the communication device according to the first aspect, further comprising a reproduction control unit that reproduces audio data recorded and stored in the audio recording unit.

According to such a communication device, in addition to the effect of the communication device according to the first aspect, the voice data attached to the electronic mail can be transmitted in the same manner as the normal call voice recorded in the voice recording means. Can be played.

Further, a communication device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the communication device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the voice data recorded and stored in the voice recording means includes:
Recording management means is provided for managing the contents of the corresponding e-mail in association with the contents.

According to such a communication device, in addition to the effects of the communication device according to claim 1 or 2, the content of the e-mail includes, for example, the date and time of the mail received in the header information and the mail of the sender. Since the address and the like and the sound data attached to the e-mail are managed in association with each other, the sound data can be confirmed according to the reception date and time, the mail address, and the like.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium for controlling a communication device having a function of receiving an electronic mail in addition to a function of recording voice transmitted through a communication line in voice recording means. A storage medium storing a program, wherein voice data is attached to the received e-mail, a voice conversion program for converting the voice data into a format recordable in the voice recording means; A program including a recording control program for causing the voice recording means to record voice data that has been format-converted based on the conversion program is stored.

According to such a storage medium, by operating the CPU based on the stored program,
The communication device according to claim 1 can be realized.

[0014]

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

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus as one embodiment of a communication apparatus according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a network environment for transmitting and receiving e-mail with the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. FIG. The present embodiment has a feature in processing a sound file attached to an e-mail, and therefore, will be described mainly with respect to that point.

First, as shown in FIG. 1, a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention comprises a CPU 10, an NCU 11, a RAM 1
2, a modem 13, a ROM 14, an EEPROM 15, a gate array 16, a codec 17, a DMAC 18, a reading unit 21, a printing unit 22, an operation unit 23, a display unit 24, a sound output unit 25, and the like. CP
U10, NCU11, RAM12, modem 13, ROM
14, the EEPROM 15, the gate array 16, the codec 17, and the DMAC 18 are interconnected by a bus line 26. The bus line 26 includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control signal line. A reading unit 21, a printing unit 22, an operation unit 23, a display unit 24, and an audio output unit 25 are connected to the gate array 16. NC
A public telephone line 27 is connected to U11.

As shown in FIG. 2, the public telephone line 27 is connected not only to the facsimile apparatus A but also to another personal computer X or another facsimile apparatus Y which is a source of e-mail. Used to connect to INET. When an e-mail is transmitted from another personal computer X or facsimile apparatus Y to the facsimile apparatus A, the e-mail is once taken into the transmission mail server SMTP, and the transmission mail server SMTP is transmitted via the Internet network INET. To send the e-mail to the receiving mail server POP.
Then, the receiving mail server POP notifies the facsimile apparatus A designated by the mail address of the e-mail, and also transmits the file attached to the e-mail to the facsimile apparatus A.

More specifically, the received mail server POP transmits the contents of the e-mail, for example, header information describing the mail reception date and time, the mail address of the sender and destination, and a body message to the facsimile machine A. I do. E-mail attachments include files such as documents, still images, and moving images, as well as audio files. This audio file has the extension "wa
v "or MIDI (Musi
There are sound source files in the form of “cal Instrument Digital Interface”, etc., but “audio data” includes audio signals embedded in video files. When exchanging the above audio data between personal computers,
Normally, audio data cannot be recorded or reproduced without sound editing software or the like related to the data format. However, according to the present invention, the facsimile apparatus records audio data as described later. Can be played.

Referring again to FIG. 1, the configuration of the facsimile apparatus will be described. The CPU 10 controls the operation of the entire facsimile apparatus. The NCU 11 is connected to the public telephone line 27 and performs network control. RAM 12 is a CP
It provides a work area for U10 and a storage area for various data. Although not specifically shown, the RAM 12 stores an ICM (In C) for recording a voice transmitted from a partner through a line.
An OGM (Outing Message) recording area and an OGM (Out Going Message) recording area in which a voice for responding to the other party is recorded are provided. The modem 13 has a function of performing modulation and demodulation of facsimile data and a function of performing modulation and demodulation of data accompanying transmission and reception of electronic mail. The ROM 14 stores programs to be executed by the CPU 10 and data such as set values. EEPROM1
Reference numeral 5 stores various flags and setting data. The gate array 16 functions as an interface between the CPU 10 and each unit 21 to 25. The codec 17 encodes and decodes audio. DMAC18 is mainly RAM
12 to write and read data.

The reading section 21 has a function of reading an image from a transmission original or the like. The printing unit 22 has a function of printing an image or the like based on the received facsimile data by, for example, an inkjet method or a thermal transfer method. The operation unit 23 includes a key switch group such as a numeric keypad and a character key, and transmits a command corresponding to a user's input operation to the CPU 10. The display unit 24 includes a display such as an LCD.
Various character information and the like are displayed under the control of the PU 10. The audio output unit 25 outputs audio using a speaker or the like.

The facsimile apparatus A is provided with a function of answering by a digital recording method using the RAM 12 and a function of recording conversation contents. Further, the facsimile apparatus A can receive an e-mail sent from the reception mail server POP, and when voice data is attached to the e-mail, the CPU 10 stores the voice data in the RAM 1.
The audio data is converted into a recordable format in the same manner as a normal audio signal so as to be stored in the second ICM recording area. Normal audio signals are managed by the reception history table in association with the reception date and time and the source telephone number based on the number display service. Associated with the e-mail address, etc., and is managed by the reception history table. The user can refer to the reception history table stored in the EEPROM 15 or the like, call up the reception history information as the contents on the display, and then specify and reproduce specific audio data.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the reception history information displayed on the display. As shown in FIG. 3, the user designates one piece of reception history information managed in the reception history table. By doing so, the audio data attached to the e-mail can be
The voice data can be called from the CM recording area, and the voice data can be reproduced in the same manner as the recorded voice.

That is, when voice data is attached to the received e-mail, the CPU 10 converts the voice data into a format recordable in the ROM 12 (voice recording means), Recording control means for recording the converted audio data in the audio recording means. Further, the CPU 10 realizes a reproduction control unit that reproduces audio data recorded and stored in the audio recording unit. Further, the CPU 10 implements a sound recording management means for managing the sound data recorded and stored in the sound recording means in association with the contents of the corresponding e-mail.

The ROM 14 is a storage medium storing a program for controlling a communication device having a function of receiving an electronic mail in addition to a function of recording voice transmitted through a communication line in voice recording means. When voice data is attached to the electronic mail, a voice conversion program for converting the voice data into a format recordable by the voice recording means, and voice data converted based on the voice conversion program And a recording control program for causing the audio recording means to record the program.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus having the above configuration when handling electronic mail will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when receiving an electronic mail. As shown in this figure, when receiving an e-mail from the receiving mail server POP (S11: YES), the CPU 10 displays the contents of the e-mail, that is, character information such as header information and text message on a display (S12). . The contents of the e-mail are stored as reception history information in the EEPROM 15 or the like in a process described later. The contents of the e-mail may be printed as well as displayed on the display.

Next, the CPU 10 determines whether there is an attached file to be received following the content of the electronic mail (S13).

If there is an attached file to be received (S13: YES), the CPU 10 checks whether the attached file is audio data (S14). As described above, the audio data is a sound file or a sound source file characterized by an extension.

When the attached file is audio data (S
14: YES), the CPU 10 converts the audio data into the same data format as when recording normal audio (S1).
5) Then, the voice data converted into a recordable format is recorded in the RAM 12 (S16). That is, audio data that cannot be recorded / reproduced without sound editing software on a personal computer or the like is stored in the ICM recording area of the RAM 12 like a normal audio signal, and can be reproduced by processing described later. Note that recording means recording voice.

After recording the audio data in this way, the CPU
10 creates reception history information on the audio data and updates the reception history table currently stored in the EEPROM 15 or the like at the present time (S17).

Thereafter, the CPU 10 controls the public telephone line 27
Is released to end the receiving operation (S18), and the e-mail receiving process ends.

In S14, if the attached file is not audio data (S14: NO), the CPU 10 determines that the attached file is data such as a printable document or still image, and treats the attached file as facsimile data as it is. To perform the printing process (S19). At this time, the attached file may be transmitted as facsimile data by the mailing service of the received mail server POP, or may be expanded and printed in a format printable by the facsimile apparatus.
The attached file may be stored in the RAM 12 or the like as a reception history.

In S13, if there is no attached file to be received (S13: NO), the CPU 10
In step 17, the reception history information is created for the received e-mail, and the reception history table is updated.

At S11, the received mail server POP
If no e-mail is received from the user (S11: NO),
The CPU 10 does not perform the e-mail receiving process,
It operates based on another routine corresponding to normal facsimile data reception and the like.

Next, FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for calling the reception history information of the electronic mail and reproducing the voice data.

As shown in this figure, when the user performs a predetermined operation for calling the reception history information (S21: YES),
The CPU 10 reads the reception history table from the EEPROM 15 or the like, and displays the reception history information as the contents on a display (S22). At this time, the user
According to a key operation or the like, the reception history information can be displayed retroactively from the latest one to the past, or conversely, the reception history information can be displayed in order from the oldest received one. On the display, as shown in FIG. 3, the normal reception history information and the e-mail reception history information are displayed in a mixed state.

When the reception history information is displayed on the display as described above, the CPU 10 determines whether or not the reception history information relating to the e-mail is selected according to a predetermined key operation by the user (S23). .

When the reception history information of the electronic mail is selected (S23: YES), the CPU 10 further determines whether or not the reception history information includes the related information indicating that the voice data is recorded (S24). .

When audio data has been recorded (S2
4: YES), the CPU 10 stores the audio data in the RAM
12 and read and output the audio through the audio output unit 25 (S25). After reproducing and outputting the audio, the CPU 10 ends the entire operation of this processing.

If no voice data is recorded in S24 (S24: NO), the CPU 10 displays a message such as no voice recording on the display (S26), and ends the entire operation of this processing. Note that, when an electronic mail is received and there is no audio data and the attached file is stored, the attached file may be printed.

In S23, when the reception history information of a normal voice call is selected without selecting the reception history information of the e-mail (S23: NO), the CPU
10 determines whether or not the reception history information includes related information indicating that a normal audio signal has been recorded (S27).

When a normal audio signal has been recorded (S
27: YES), the CPU 10 proceeds to S25, reads the audio signal from the ICM recording area of the RAM 12, and reproduces and outputs the audio through the audio output unit 25. That is,
The voice data recorded by e-mail and the voice signal recorded based on the normal answering machine function and the like cannot be distinguished only by listening to the user, but are managed centrally as a reception history. .

On the other hand, if a normal audio signal is not recorded (S27: NO), the CPU 10 displays a message such as no audio recording on the display as in S26, and ends the entire operation of this processing. When facsimile data is received and stored without receiving an audio signal, the facsimile data may be printed.

In S21, when a predetermined operation for calling the reception history information is not performed (S21: NO), the CPU
Reference numeral 10 stands by until a key operation by the user or a reception state is reached.

Therefore, according to the facsimile apparatus having the above configuration and operation, the voice data attached to the electronic mail is stored in the ICM recording area of the RAM 12 or the like in the same manner as when the voice transmitted via the public telephone line 27 is recorded. The recorded voice data can be recorded and played back in the same manner as the voice recorded by an ordinary answering machine.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

As the reception history information shown in FIG. 3, the name of the caller may be displayed by storing the mail address or telephone number in association with the name registered in the telephone directory. Further, the reception history information by normal voice recording and the reception history information by electronic mail may be managed by separate reception history tables.

The voice data may be stored in the RAM 12 or the like without converting the data format once, and then converted into the data format after the e-mail receiving operation is completed, and recorded in the ICM recording area. On the other hand, audio data may be reproduced immediately upon receiving an electronic mail. The audio data may be reproduced in response to a password input operation known only to a specific user.

In receiving an e-mail, header information and a body message, which are different from the voice data, are transmitted to the R
The audio information may be stored in the AM 12 or the like, and the header information and the body message may be printed out when the audio data is reproduced.

The audio data is not limited to a semiconductor memory such as the RAM 12, but may be recorded on a magnetic tape or another readable / writable medium. In that case, the audio data is converted into a data format suitable for the recording medium.

[0051]

As described above, according to the communication apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, voice data attached to an electronic mail and received can be recorded in the same manner as voice transmitted through a communication line. Since the voice data is converted into the format, the voice data attached to the e-mail can be recorded in voice recording means such as a memory or a magnetic tape in the same manner as a normal call voice.

According to the communication device of the second aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the communication device of the first aspect, the electronic mail can be transmitted in the same manner as the normal call voice recorded in the voice recording means. Can be reproduced.

According to the communication device of the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the communication device of the first or second aspect, the content of the electronic mail, for example, the mail included in the header information Since the reception date and time, the mail address of the sender, and the audio data attached to the e-mail are managed in association with each other, it is possible to confirm the audio data corresponding to the reception date and time, the mail address, and the like.

According to the storage medium of the invention described in claim 4, the communication device described in claim 1 can be realized by operating the CPU based on the stored program.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile machine as one embodiment of a communication device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a network environment for transmitting and receiving an electronic mail with the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of reception history information displayed on a display.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when receiving an e-mail.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a procedure for calling the reception history information of the e-mail and reproducing the audio data.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 CPU 11 NCU 12 RAM 13 Modem 14 ROM 15 EEPROM 16 Gate Array 17 Codec 18 DMAC 21 Reading Unit 22 Printing Unit 23 Operation Unit 24 Display Unit 25 Audio Output Unit

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A communication device having a function of receiving an e-mail in addition to a function of recording a sound transmitted through a communication line in a sound recording means, wherein the received e-mail has sound data attached thereto. In the case, it is preferable that the voice recording device include: voice conversion means for converting the voice data into a format recordable by the voice recording means; and recording control means for recording the voice data converted by the voice conversion means into the voice recording means. Characteristic communication device. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a reproduction control unit that reproduces audio data recorded and stored in said audio recording unit. 3. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a sound recording management means for managing the sound data recorded and stored in said sound recording means in association with the contents of the corresponding e-mail. 4. A storage medium storing a program for controlling a communication device having a function of receiving an e-mail in addition to a function of recording voice transmitted through a communication line in a voice recording means, When voice data is attached to the e-mail, a voice conversion program for converting the voice data into a format recordable in the voice recording means, and voice data that has been format-converted based on the voice conversion program. A storage medium storing a program including a recording control program for causing the voice recording means to record.