JP2002232945A - Communication system and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system that can conveniently call other slave unit. SOLUTION: The communication system is provided with a master unit A and slave units B1-B5 which are communicated with each other. A CPU 10 of the master unit A transmits a check command to the slave units B1-B5 so as to check whether or not the slave units B1-B5 can make an extension speech. For example, when the slave unit B1 calls the other slave units B2-B5, a CPU 30 of the slave unit B1 displays only the slave units whose extension speech is discriminated to be available on a display section 44 as a designation enabled call destination on the basis of speech propriety check result information obtained by checking whether or not the slave units B1-B5 are in an extension speech enable state by the master unit A.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system including, for example, a facsimile apparatus main body as a master unit and a telephone as a slave unit.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, in a conventional communication system including a facsimile apparatus main body as a base unit and a plurality of cordless telephones as handset units, there is a communication system which enables an extension call between a base unit and a handset unit. is there. In general, when making an extension call, it is necessary to specify the call destination. However, if the parent device or the child device as the call destination is operating or out of the communication range, the call is disconnected even if the call destination is specified. It is said.

[0003]

As described above, in the conventional communication system, it is sometimes impossible to make an extension call due to the situation of the called party, but in such a case, the user who does not know the situation of the called party has to call the called party. The operation for specifying is wasted, and the parent device and the child device cannot be conveniently called.

[0004] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above points, and has stored therein a communication system capable of conveniently calling another communication device, and a program for realizing such a communication system. It is intended to provide a storage medium.

[0005]

To achieve the above object, a communication system according to the present invention is a communication system including a plurality of communication devices that communicate with each other. A communication availability check unit for checking whether or not communication between the communication devices is possible; and a communication device determined to be communicable by the communication availability check unit when calling another communication device from any of the plurality of communication devices. Call destination presenting means for presenting only the call destination that can be designated.

According to such a communication system, only communication devices that can communicate as call destinations are presented, and designation can be made only to the call destinations that are presented in this manner. It is not specified and another communication device can be called conveniently.

A communication system according to a second aspect of the present invention is the communication system according to the first aspect, wherein one of the plurality of communication devices has a function as a parent device. The other has a function as a slave, the call destination presenting means is provided in each of the master and the slave, whereas the communication availability investigation means,
It is provided only in the master unit.

According to such a communication system, in addition to the effect of the communication system according to the first aspect, for example, when specifying another slave unit to perform communication between the slave units,
Only the slaves that can communicate with the master as an intermediary can be displayed, and the user can specify and call a desired slave from among them.

The communication system according to a third aspect of the present invention is the communication system according to the second aspect, wherein the communication availability check means determines whether or not the plurality of communication devices can communicate with each other. Is transmitted to each of the slave units, and the call destination presenting means presents a call destination that can be specified with reference to the communication availability determination result information.

According to such a communication apparatus, in addition to the effect of the communication system according to the second aspect, for example, communication enable / disable investigation result information in which each slave unit is associated with whether communication is possible or not is provided. The user can specify and call a desired slave from among the slaves displayed as communicable based on the communication availability check result information.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a program for controlling a communication system including a plurality of communication devices that communicate with each other, wherein the plurality of communication media are stored. A communication availability check program for checking whether or not communication is possible between devices, and when calling another communication device from any of the plurality of communication devices, it is determined that communication is possible based on the communication availability check program. And a call destination presentation program for presenting only the communication device as a call destination that can be designated.

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

[0013]

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 one embodiment of a communication system according to the present invention. As shown in this figure,
A communication system according to the present invention includes a facsimile apparatus main body A1 as a master unit and a plurality of cordless telephones B1 to B5 as slave units, and enables an extension call between the parent and child or the slave unit. It was done. In the following description, the main body of the facsimile apparatus denoted by reference character A is referred to as a parent device, and the cordless telephones denoted by reference characters B1 to B5 are referred to as slave devices. Further, since the slave units B2 to B5 have the same configuration as the slave unit B1, detailed description is omitted, and FIG. 2 shows an appearance of the slave unit B1.

First, the master unit A will be described with reference to FIG. 1. The master unit A includes a CPU 10, an NCU 11, a RAM 1
2, modem 13, ROM14, NVRAM (non-volatile R
AM: Non-Volatile RAM) 15, gate array 16, codec 17, DMAC 18, reading unit 21, printing unit 2
2, an operation unit 23, a display unit 24, a wireless communication unit 25, and the like. CPU 10, NCU
11, RAM 12, modem 13, ROM 14, NVRA
M15, gate array 16, codec 17, and D
The MACs 18 are mutually connected by a bus line 27. The bus line 27 includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control signal line. The reading unit 21, the printing unit 22, the operation unit 23, the display unit 24, and the wireless communication unit 25 are connected to the gate array 16. A public telephone line 28 is connected to the NCU 11.

The CPU 10 controls the operation of the master unit as a whole. The NCU 11 is connected to the public telephone line 28 and performs network control. Although not shown, a handset incorporating a microphone and a speaker is connected to the NCU 11. The RAM 12 provides a work area for the CPU 10 and a buffer area for various data. The modem 13 modulates and demodulates the audio signal. The ROM 14 stores the CPU 1
0 stores a program to be executed. NVR
The AM 15 stores various information and data. Although details will be described later, the slave unit B1 is stored in the NVRAM 15.
ＢB5 includes table information as communication availability check result information that associates whether or not an extension call is possible.
The gate array 16 functions as an interface between the CPU 10 and each of the units 21 to 25. Codec 17
Encodes and decodes audio signals and data. DMA
The C18 directly exchanges data with the RAM 12 or the like without the intervention of the CPU 10.

The reading section 21 includes an image sensor, an LED light source, and the like, and reads an image such as a character or a figure from a document. The printing unit 22 prints images such as characters and figures on paper by, for example, an inkjet method. The operation unit 23 includes a numeric keypad and various operation buttons,
An input signal corresponding to a user operation is transmitted to the CPU 10.
The display unit 24 includes a liquid crystal display of, for example, 320 × 240 dots, and displays various information. The wireless communication unit 25 includes an antenna (not shown) and exchanges audio signals and various kinds of information with each of the slave units B1 to B5 by radio waves.

Next, with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG.
To be more specific, the slave unit B1 includes a CPU 30 and a RAM
32, modem 33, ROM 34, NVRAM 35, gate array 36, codec 37, operation unit 43, display unit 4
4 and a wireless communication unit 45. CPU 30, RAM 32, modem 33, ROM
34, the NVRAM 35, the gate array 36, and the codec 37 are interconnected by a bus line 47. The bus line 47 includes an address bus, a data bus, and a control signal line. An operation unit 43, a display unit 44, and a wireless communication unit 45 are connected to the gate array 36.

The CPU 30 controls the operation of the slave unit B1. The RAM 32 provides a work area for the CPU 30, a buffer area for various data, and the like. The modem 33 modulates and demodulates the audio signal. The ROM 34 is a CPU 30
Stores programs to be executed. NVRA
M35 stores various information and data. Although details will be described later, the NVRAM 35 includes child devices B1 to B1.
Table information is included for each B5 as communication availability check result information that associates whether or not an extension call is possible. The gate array 36 functions as an interface between the CPU 30 and each unit 43 to 45. The codec 37 encodes and decodes audio signals and data. Although not shown, a microphone and a speaker are connected to the codec 37.

As shown in FIG. 2, the operation unit 43 includes ten keys and various operation buttons, and transmits an input signal corresponding to a user operation to the CPU 30. In the present embodiment, an extension button 43A and a scroll button 43B for moving a cursor up, down, left and right are mainly used. The display unit 44 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display capable of displaying characters, numbers, and the like over several lines, and displays various types of information. The wireless communication unit 45 includes an antenna (not shown) and the like, and exchanges audio signals and various information with the master unit A and the other slave units B2 to B5 by radio waves.

To explain the main point, according to the present communication system, an extension call can be made between the parent and child or between the child devices. At this time, the user can call the parent device A or the child devices B1 to B5 as the call destination. Must be specified. The callee is
Since it is not possible to make an extension call when an outside line is in use or outside the communication range, the master unit A and the slave units B1 to B5 which can make a call must be specified.

For this reason, master unit A transmits a check command to all slave units B1 to B5 at fixed time intervals, and informs the slave unit B1 that it has been normally received in response to the check command.
It is checked whether a CK signal is returned from each of the slave units B1 to B5. The CPU 10 of the base unit A determines that the extension unit can communicate with the slave unit to which the ACK signal is returned, but determines that the extension unit cannot communicate with the slave unit to which the ACK signal is not returned. As a result, table information is created for each of the slave units B1 to B5 in association with whether or not an extension call is possible and stored in the NVRAM 15, while the table information is distributed to each of the slave units B1 to B5. You. The table information is stored in the NVRAM 35 in each of the slave units B1 to B5 as in the case of the master unit A, and is updated as needed.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining table information. In the table information shown in FIG.
Using a flag of “1” or “0” for each of 1 to B5, a state in which an extension call is possible (valid) or a state in which the extension call is not possible (invalid) is indicated. In addition, this table information can indicate whether the extension call is valid or invalid for the eight slave units, but the area corresponding to the unregistered slave unit that does not exist at the present time indicates “−”. Is indicated.

For example, from the slave unit B1 to the other slave units B2 to B
When the extension button 43A is pressed to call the extension 5, the CPU 30 of the slave unit B1 refers to the table information of FIG.
3 and B4 are displayed on the display unit 44. At this time, master unit A
Is also displayed on the display unit 44 as a valid extension call. Here, since the check command is transmitted from master unit A, master unit A determines that the extension call is valid. However, it may be managed in the same manner as the slave unit using the table information in FIG. Then, the user selects the parent device A and the child device B displayed in the list.
The desired call destination can be designated by operating the cursor button 43B from among the terminals 3 and B4. In short, the other handset indicated as the call destination can be called without fail while the extension call is available. of course,
The same applies when calling any of the slave units B1 to B5 from the master unit A.

That is, the CPU 10 of the master unit A implements a communication availability check means for checking whether or not each of the plurality of communication devices can communicate. In addition, the slave units B1 to B
The CPU 30 of No. 5 realizes a call destination presenting means for presenting, as a call destination that can be designated, only the communication device determined to be communicable by the communication availability checking means when calling another communication device from any of the plurality of communication devices are doing.

Further, the ROM 14 of the master unit A is a storage medium storing a program for controlling a communication system including a plurality of communication devices that communicate with each other, and is capable of communicating with each of the plurality of communication devices. A communication availability check program for checking whether or not a state is present, and when calling another communication device from any of a plurality of communication devices, only communication devices determined to be communicable based on the communication availability check program can be designated. A storage medium storing a program including a call destination presentation program for presenting as a call destination is realized.

Next, the operation of the communication system will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the valid slave unit checking process in the master unit A. As shown in FIG.
The CPU 10 of the main unit A executes (S
1: YES), slave units B1 to B1 set in the communication system.
The number of B5 is read as n (S2). In the present embodiment, n = 5.

Further, the CPU 10 controls each of the slave units B1 to B5.
First, the count number m corresponding to the set number is taken as "1" and taken into a register or the like (S3).

Then, the CPU 10 sends a check command to the slave unit corresponding to the current count number m (S4). For example, when m = 1, a check command is transmitted to slave unit B1.

At this time, the CPU 10 also distributes the latest table information to the same child device (S5). The step of S4 may be omitted, and the distribution of the latest table information may be used as a check command in this step.

After transmitting the check command in this way,
The CPU 10 determines whether or not an ACK signal indicating that a check command has been received from the slave unit corresponding to the count number m has been received (S6).

When an ACK signal is received from the slave unit (S
6: YES), the CPU 10 sets the flag of the slave unit corresponding to the count number m to “1” and updates the table information (S7). That is, the count number m in this case
Is recognized as a slave unit capable of making extension calls.

Thereafter, the CPU 10 increases the count number m by one (S8), and determines whether or not the count number m is greater than the number n of the slave units B1 to B5 (S9).

Finally, the count number m is equal to the slave unit B1.
If the number becomes larger than the number n of B5 (S9: YES),
The CPU 10 ends the valid child unit checking process.

On the other hand, in S9, the count number m
Is less than or equal to the number n of slave units B1 to B5 (S9: NO),
The CPU 10 returns to S4, transmits a check command to another slave unit corresponding to the current count number m, and thereafter repeats the same processing.

In S6, when the ACK signal from the slave unit is not received (S6: NO), the CPU 10 times out without receiving the ACK signal even after a predetermined time has passed since the check command was transmitted. It is determined whether or not it has been (S10).

When a timeout occurs (S10: YE
S), the CPU 10 updates the table information by setting the flag of the slave unit corresponding to the current count number m to “0” (S11), and then proceeds to S8. That is, the slave unit corresponding to the count number m in this case is recognized as a slave unit that cannot make an extension call. Examples of the mode in which an extension call is not possible include when the corresponding handset is out of charge, when there is a handset outside the communication area where radio waves from the base unit A do not reach, or when an e-mail is being created by the corresponding handset. Call, an external call, an internal call, downloading melody data, registering or editing phonebook data, playing answering machine data, A from the slave unit, such as when performing a setting operation
There is a situation where the CK signal cannot be transmitted.

In S10, if the elapsed time for timeout has not yet been reached (S10: NO), the CPU 10
Returns to S6 and repeats the same operation until an ACK signal is received from the slave unit.

In S1, if the fixed time has not yet elapsed (S1: NO), the CPU 10 waits until the fixed time has elapsed.

Next, FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a command receiving process in the slave B1. As shown in this figure, the CPU 30 of the slave B1 sends some command from the master A or the other slaves B2 to B5. When a command is received (S2
1: YES), it is determined whether the received command is a check command transmitted from master unit A (S22).

In the case of a check command (S22: YE
S), the CPU 30 receives the latest table information distributed from the master unit A following the reception of the check command (S23).

Further, the CPU 30 sends A
A CK signal is returned (S24). Note that, when the slave unit B1 is in the state where the extension call is not possible, the check command cannot be received, or the ACK signal cannot be returned even if the check command is received. .

Finally, the CPU 30 stores the latest table information in the NVRAM 35 (S25), and ends the command receiving process.

In S22, if the received command is not a check command (S22: NO), the CPU 30
Terminates the command receiving process in order to perform another process according to the type of the received command.

In S21, when no command is received from master unit A or other slave units B2 to B5 (S21:
NO), CPU 30 waits until receiving any command.

Next, FIG. 6 is a flowchart of the extension calling process in the slave unit B1, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a display state at the time of specifying a call destination, as shown in FIG. Next, when the user presses the extension button 43A (S31: YE).
S), the table information currently stored in the NVRAM 35 is read out, and an effective slave unit capable of making an extension call is recognized with reference to the table information (S32).

The CPU 30 recognizing the valid child unit in this way
Causes the display unit 44 to display valid slave units capable of extension calls except for the self unit (S33). At this time, for example, if the table information has the content as shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, in addition to the parent device A as a call destination that can make an extension call, the child devices B3 and B4 corresponding to the count numbers "3" and "4" are displayed. In other words, the other handset units B2 and B5 for which extension calls are not allowed are not displayed as call destinations, and the user cannot specify these handset units B2 and B5.

After that, the user presses the scroll button 43B.
Is operated to move the cursor 44 as shown in FIG.
When the desired call destination is designated by combining A with (S
34: YES), the CPU 30 proceeds to the process of calling the designated call destination and making an extension call (S35), and thereafter ends the extension calling process. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when a slave unit B3 having a count number "3" capable of making an extension call is designated as a call destination, the slave unit B3 is designated.
3 rings in response to a call from the slave unit B1, and then the slave unit B3 is set to an off-hook state to start an extension call.

In S34, when the call destination is not specified (S34: NO), the CPU 30 returns to S33 and continues to display the valid slave units that can make an extension call.

If the user does not press the extension button 43A in S31 (S31: NO), the CPU 3
0 stands by until the extension button 43A is pressed.

Therefore, according to the present communication system, as the call destination of the extension call, an effective sub-unit capable of making an extension call is displayed in addition to the base unit A, and only the valid sub-unit displayed in this manner is designated. Since the extension can be performed, the extension in which the extension call cannot be performed is not designated as the call destination, and another extension can be conveniently called.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment.

The table information can, of course, also be used when specifying the destination of the extension call from the master unit A. Also,
Each of the slave units B1 to B5 may independently create table information by exchanging check commands and ACK signals with other slave units.

In the above-described embodiment, it is assumed that the handset which cannot make an extension call is not displayed as a call destination. May be displayed.

As a mode of displaying the call destination, a name may be registered for each of the slave units B1 to B5, and the registered name may be displayed. In addition, a call destination that can be specified for a person who is blind or the like may be notified by voice.

In the above embodiment, the function of managing the table information of the slave unit is provided only in the master unit A, thereby reducing the burden on the slave unit. However, depending on the function of the slave unit, the same applies to each slave unit. , And the information can be instantaneously received at the time of off-hook of the child device or the like, and the valid information can be displayed and the information can be changed as appropriate. In addition, the design of the number of slave units and the contents of the table information can be appropriately changed.

[0058]

As described above, according to the communication system of the first aspect of the present invention, only communication devices that can communicate as call destinations are presented, and only the call destinations thus presented are designated. Therefore, a communication device in a situation where communication cannot be performed is not designated as a call destination, and another communication device can be conveniently called.

According to the communication system of the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the communication system of the first aspect, for example, when specifying another slave unit to perform communication between the slave units, Only the slave units that can communicate with each other through the master unit can be displayed, and the user can specify and call a desired slave unit from among them.

Further, according to the communication system of the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect of the communication system described in claim 2, for example, communication in which communication is enabled or not for each slave unit. The availability check result information is distributed to each slave, and the user can specify and call a desired slave from among the slaves displayed as communicable based on the communication availability check result information.

According to the storage medium of the invention described in claim 4, the operation of the communication system 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 one embodiment of a communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing an external appearance of a slave unit.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram for explaining table information.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a valid slave unit check process in the master unit.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of a command receiving process in the slave unit.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an extension calling process in the slave unit.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram for explaining a display state when a call destination is specified.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 CPU 11 NCU 12 RAM 13 Modem 14 ROM 15 NVRAM 16 Gate Array 17 Codec 18 DMAC 21 Reading Unit 22 Printing Unit 23 Operation Unit 24 Display Unit 25 Wireless Communication Unit 28 Public Phone Line 30 CPU 32 RAM 33 Modem 34 ROM 35 NVRAM 36 Gate array 37 Codec 43 Operation unit 44 Display unit 45 Wireless communication unit A Facsimile machine body (base unit) B1 to B5 Cordless telephone (child unit)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C062 AA12 AA37 AB23 AB38 AB42 AC05 AC55 BA00 BB03 5C075 BA05 CA14 5K067 AA34 BB08 EE02 EE10 FF23 FF25 GG01 HH23 KK13 KK15 5K101 KK01 LL11

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A communication system including a plurality of communication devices that communicate with each other, wherein a communication availability check unit that checks whether or not the plurality of communication devices can communicate with each other, and the plurality of communication devices. A call destination presenting means for presenting only a communication device determined to be communicable by the communication feasibility checking means as a call destination that can be designated when calling another communication device from any of the above. . 2. One of the plurality of communication devices has a function as a parent device, and the other has a function as a child device. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication availability check unit is provided only in the master unit, while being provided in each of the slave units. 3. The communication availability check means distributes communication availability check result information as to whether or not the plurality of communication devices are in a communicable state to each of the slave units, and the call destination presentation means. 3. The communication system according to claim 2, wherein the communication system presents a call destination that can be specified by referring to the communication availability check result information. 4. 4. A storage medium storing a program for controlling a communication system including a plurality of communication devices that communicate with each other, and checks whether or not the plurality of communication devices can communicate with each other. A communication availability check program for calling, when calling another communication device from any of the plurality of communication devices, presenting only communication devices determined to be communicable based on the communication availability determination program as callable destinations that can be designated A storage medium characterized by storing a program including a call destination presentation program for executing the program.