JP2006279562A - Composite machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a composite machine, with which switching to facsimile functions is possible, particularly even if the telephone and the composite machine which are connected on the same line and are placed at positions distant from each other with respect to the composite machine, where the switching between the telephone and the facsimile is possible by means of a remote controller or the like. <P>SOLUTION: When a tone-ringer detecting circuit 18 detects a ringer pulse, a radio detecting unit 13 detects whether a transmitter signal has been output from a remote controller 4. When the transmitter signal is received from the remote controller 4 within a time frame predetermined, a line-switching circuit 20 is changed over to set the composite machine 1 as a facsimile receiving state hereafter. By thus establishing the system, e.g., even in the telephone and composite machine which are placed at separate locations, the function of the composite machine 1 can be easily transferred to facsimile-receiving functions. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention is a multi-function machine having at least a facsimile function, for example, a multi-function printing apparatus (MFP (multi-function printer)) mainly having a print function, and a multi-function printer whose function can be switched to facsimile reception by a remote control operation or the like. Related to the machine.

  In the conventional facsimile apparatus, there is a case where the facsimile function unit and the receiver are installed in a remote place, which is inconvenient. Therefore, for the purpose of performing a remote operation in a facsimile with a telephone today, a speakerphone can be off-hooked by a home remote control.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an invention in which a telephone call is made without touching the facsimile main body by making a speakerphone off-hook in a place remote from the facsimile apparatus by remote control with a home remote controller in a facsimile apparatus with a telephone. Yes. Patent Document 2 discloses an invention that enables a reservation operation for home appliances and the like using a mobile phone.
JP 07-143322 A JP-A-11-284757

  However, there is usually one household line. For example, one line is drawn in parallel on the first and second floors. In this case, telephones will be installed on the first and second floors. For example, to connect to a personal computer and use the printer function, if there is a personal computer on the second floor, a multifunction machine without a handset will be installed on the second floor. The telephone that is normally used is installed on the first floor.

  If there is a facsimile reception in this state, the speakerphone cannot be off-hooked, and the user who goes to the first floor telephone has to bother to go to the second floor, press the reception button on the multifunction device, and switch to the facsimile. is there.

  Therefore, the present invention automatically recognizes a facsimile when a user who is on the telephone notices a facsimile even when the telephone on the same line and the multifunction peripheral are installed in a remote place, and automatically uses the remote controller or the like. It is intended to provide a multi-function machine that is in a facsimile reception state.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a multi-function device having at least a facsimile function according to the present invention, wherein in the multi-function device connected on the same line as a telephone, a tone ringer detecting means for detecting a ringer pulse, and the tone ringer detecting means Detecting means for detecting a transmission signal from a remote controller operated in response to a polling sound to the telephone; and when the detecting means detects a transmission signal from the remote controller, This can be achieved by providing a multi-function machine having a reception switching means for switching.

  With this configuration, for example, even when the telephone is installed far away from the multifunction device, when the user hears the polling sound, it is easy to operate the remote control and instruct to switch to the facsimile. The MFP can be switched to the facsimile function.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a multifunction device having at least a facsimile function, wherein in the multifunction device connected on the same line as the telephone, the multifunction device detects tone ringer detecting means for detecting a ringer pulse, and the tone ringer. A dial tone detecting means for detecting a dial tone operated in response to a polling sound to the telephone after the detecting means detects the ringer pulse; and when the detecting means detects the dial tone, a facsimile reception is performed. This can be achieved by providing a multi-function machine having a reception switching means for switching.

  By configuring in this way, for example, even when the telephone is installed at a location far away from the multifunction device, when a polling sound is heard, the telephone is operated and a preset dial tone is input, so that a facsimile can be obtained. By instructing switching to the MFP, the multifunction device can be easily switched to the facsimile function.

  According to the present invention, there is provided a multifunction device having at least a facsimile function, wherein in the multifunction device connected on the same line as the telephone, the multifunction device detects tone ringer detecting means for detecting a ringer pulse, and the tone ringer. After detecting the ringer pulse, the polling sound detecting means for detecting the polling sound after setting the handset in response to the polling sound to the telephone, and when the detecting means detects the dial tone, This can be achieved by providing a multifunction device having a reception switching means for switching to facsimile reception.

  Even with this configuration, for example, even when the telephone is installed at a location far away from the multifunction device, when the polling sound is heard, the polling sound is sent to the multifunction device by placing the handset and is sent to the facsimile machine. Switching can be instructed.

According to the present invention, even when a multi-function device and a telephone are installed at remote locations, it is possible to switch to facsimile reception with a simple operation by using a remote controller.
Further, by transmitting a dial tone after a preset ringer pulse, it is possible to switch to facsimile reception, and it is possible to switch to facsimile reception without using a remote controller.

  Furthermore, it is possible to automatically switch to facsimile reception simply by placing the telephone handset on the telephone, and it is possible to provide a very convenient facsimile switching system.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
(Embodiment 1)
FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram including a telephone set installed on the same line as the multifunction peripheral of the present embodiment.

  In the figure, this system is composed of a multifunction peripheral (for example, a multifunction printing apparatus (MFP)) 1, a personal computer (PC) 2, a telephone 3, and a reception-only remote controller (hereinafter simply referred to as a remote controller) 4. . The multifunction device 1 and the personal computer (PC) 2 are installed on the second floor, for example, and the telephone 3 and the reception-only remote controller 4 are placed on the first floor. The telephone line 5 drawn from the outside is input to a terminal RJ11 (to be described later) of the multi-function device 1 and then branched by an internal line switching circuit and connected to the telephone 3 via the line 6.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the multifunction machine 1. The multi-function device 1 includes a scanner unit 8, a scanner control board 9, an MFP control board 10, a printer control unit 11, and an NCU (network control unit) 12. The MFP control board 10 is provided with a wireless detection unit 13 that receives a signal transmitted from the remote controller 4 described above. A timer 14 is also provided.

  The scanner unit 8 reads the document image placed on the document table under the control of the scanner control board 9 and outputs the document image to the MFP control board 10. For example, the printer control unit 11 receives the original image from the MFP control board 10 and performs a printing process on paper. Further, the MFP 1 is provided with connection units 15 and 16 for LAN and USB, and is connected to the personal computer (PC) 2 described above.

  The NCU 12 is connected to the MFP control board 10 and has a circuit configuration shown in FIG. That is, it comprises a tone ringer detection circuit 18, a DTMF (dual tone multiplexed frequency) detection circuit 19, a line switching circuit 20, and a modem control circuit 21.

  The telephone line 5 is connected to the terminal RJ11 and is connected to the terminal RJ12 via the line switching circuit 20. As described above, the line 6 is connected to the terminal RJ12 and is connected to the telephone 3. The line switching circuit 20 is set to a state where the normal terminals RJ11 and RJ12 are connected.

  Further, the MFP control board 10 and the NCU 12 have the connection configuration shown in the figure, and the MFP control board 10 and the circuits 18 to 21 in the NCU 12 are connected to each other. A tone ringer detection circuit 18 and a DTMF detection circuit 19, and a line switching circuit 20 and a modem control circuit 21 are also connected.

Next, in the above configuration, the following processing operation of this example will be described.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation of this example. First, the tone ringer detection circuit 18 determines whether or not a ringer pulse input via the telephone line 5 and the terminal RJ11 is detected (step (hereinafter referred to as S) 1). As described above, the terminal RJ11 is connected to the tone ringer detection circuit 18, and when a ringer pulse is input (YES in S1), the tone ringer detection circuit 18 notifies the MFP control board 10 of the input of the ringer pulse, and the MFP control board 10 Starts counting of the timer 14 (S2).

  As described above, the normal line switching circuit 20 is in a state where the terminals RJ11 and RJ12 are connected, and the ringer pulse also outputs a ringing tone to the telephone set 3 via the line 6. From this ringing tone, the user learns that a call has been made and raises the handset of the telephone 4 on the first floor. At this time, a polling sound is heard for the facsimile, and the user operates the remote controller 4 to receive the facsimile.

  By this operation, a signal is sent from the remote controller 4 to the wireless detection unit 13 in the MFP control board 10 described above. The MFP control board 10 determines whether a signal from the remote controller 4 has been received within a set time from the start of counting by the timer (S3, S4).

  If the above signal is received within the set time (S3 is NO, S4 is YES), facsimile reception is started (S5). That is, when receiving a signal from the remote controller 4, the MFP control board 10 sends a switching signal to the line switching circuit 20 to disconnect the line (line 6) with the telephone 3 and to input a facsimile from the telephone line 5. The signal is supplied to the modem control circuit 21 via the line switching circuit 20, and the facsimile data is sent to the printer control unit 11 under the control of the MFP control board 10 to be printed out.

If no signal is sent from the remote controller 4 within the set time, the process returns to the process of determining the reception of the ringer pulse (YES in S3, S1).
Thereafter, when the facsimile reception is completed, the process is terminated (S6). In this case, the line switching circuit 20 is returned to the original state, and the input of a new ringer pulse is awaited.

As described above, according to this example, even when the multifunction device 1 and the telephone 3 are installed at remote locations such as the first floor and the second floor, the remote controller 4 can be used to perform the complex operation with a simple operation. The machine 1 can be switched to the facsimile reception function.
(Embodiment 2)
Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described.

  In the above-described first embodiment, the remote controller 4 is used for facsimile reception. However, in this example, the above processing is performed by the telephone 3 without using this remote controller. This will be specifically described below.

  FIG. 5 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of the NCU 12 of this example. In this example, the dial tone (DTMF) is detected based on the user's operation instead of the remote controller 4 and the line switching circuit 20 is switched based on the detection result, so that the circuit of the first embodiment (FIG. 3). The tone ringer detection circuit 18 and the line switching circuit 20 are connected, and further, the DTMF detection circuit 19 and the line switching circuit 20 are connected. The overall configuration of the multifunction machine 1 is the same as that shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation of this example.
Also in this example, it is first determined whether the tone ringer detection circuit 18 detects the input of a ringer pulse (step (hereinafter referred to as ST) 1). In this example, instead of detecting the operation signal of the remote controller 4, the dial tone (DTMF) is detected. When a ringer pulse is input (ST1 is YES), after determining whether the pulse is within one second ( (ST2 is YES), the line relay is immediately turned on (ST3), and the input of the dial tone (DTMF) is awaited.

  That is, when the line relay is turned on, a detection signal is output from the tone ringer detection circuit 18 to the DTMF detection circuit 19, and the dial tone (DTMF) is input from the telephone set 3 to the DTMF detection circuit 19 via the line switching circuit 20. Wait for If the ringer pulse is not within 1 second (ST2 is NO), confirm that the ringer pulse does not contain a pulse of 1 second or longer (ST4). Wait for input of (DTMF) (ST4 is YES, ST3).

  Next, it is determined whether a line tone is detected (ST5). If a line tone is detected, it is determined that the line tone is not detected, and the line relay is turned off (ST5 is YES, ST11). On the other hand, when no line tone is detected (NO in ST5), the MFP control board 10 starts counting of the timer 14 (ST6).

  At this time, the telephone 3 installed on the first floor is also called, and the user lifts the handset as described above, and operates the dialing of the telephone when a facsimile polling sound is heard from the other party. For example, a registered number such as “0”, “1”, or “123” in the setting of a DTMF code after a preset ringer pulse is input.

  On the multifunction device 1 side, it is determined whether the DTMF detection circuit 19 detects a dial tone within a set time from the start of counting by the timer (ST7). That is, as described above, the line switching circuit 20 and the DTMF detection circuit 19 are connected, and when the signal is input within the set time (ST7 is NO, ST8 is YES), the dial tone (DTMF) is The signal is input from the circuit 20 to the DTMF detection circuit 19, and the DTMF detection circuit 19 detects a dial tone (DTMF). This detection is notified from the DTMF detection circuit 19 to the MFP control board 10, and then facsimile reception is started via the line switching circuit 20 and the modem control circuit 21 (ST9). That is, when a DTMF code (for example, a registered number such as “0”, “1”, or “123”) output by operating the telephone 3 installed on the first floor is detected, a facsimile from the user on the first floor is detected. It is determined that there is an instruction for reception, and facsimile reception is started.

Thereafter, when the facsimile reception is completed, the processing is terminated (T10), and the line relay is turned off (ST11).
As described above, also in this example, when the multifunction device 1 and the telephone 3 are installed at remote locations, the facsimile 3 can be operated by operating the telephone 3 and transmitting a DTMF code after a preset ringer pulse. Switching to reception is possible.

Moreover, according to this example, it is not necessary to use the remote controller used in the first embodiment, and accessories can be reduced.
(Embodiment 3)
Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

  In the second embodiment, the dial tone (DTMF) is used as an automatic reception method to switch to the facsimile by the user's operation. In this example, the handset of the telephone 3 is raised and the fax transmission is polled. After confirming the sound, it is configured to issue an instruction to switch to facsimile only by placing the handset. In this example, the circuit shown in FIG. 5 is used as the NCU 12. This will be specifically described below.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the processing operation of this example. Also in this example, first, the tone ringer detection circuit 18 determines whether to detect the input of a ringer pulse (step (hereinafter referred to as STP) 1). That is, it is determined whether the ringer pulse is a pulse within 1 second, and if it is within 1 second, the line relay is turned on (YES in STP2, STP3). The line relay is also turned on even when the ringer pulse does not include a pulse of 1 second or longer (NO in STP2, YES in STP4, STP3).

  Next, it is determined whether a line tone is detected (STP5). If a line tone is detected, it is determined that the line tone is not detected, and the line relay is turned off (YES in STP5, STP11). On the other hand, when the line tone is not detected (STP5 is NO), the MFP control board 10 starts counting the timer 14 as described above (STP6).

  At this time, the telephone 3 installed on the first floor is also called, and as described above, the user raises the handset. Switch to reception mode automatically. That is, when a handset is placed on the telephone 3 side on the same line, a polling sound is continuously sent to the multifunction device 1 side.

  On the multifunction device 1 side, it is determined whether the tone ringer detection circuit 18 detects a polling sound within a set time from the start of counting of the timer (STP7, STP8), and if the signal is detected within the set time (YES in STP7). , STP8 is YES), facsimile reception is started (STP9). Thereafter, when the facsimile reception is completed, the facsimile processing is terminated (STP10) as described above, and the line relay is turned off (STP11).

  As described above, also in this example, when the multi-function device 1 and the telephone 3 are installed at remote locations, the handset of the telephone 3 can be operated to automatically switch to facsimile reception.

  Moreover, according to this example, it is not necessary to use the remote controller used in the first embodiment, and accessories can be reduced.

1 is a system configuration diagram of a facsimile switching system according to an embodiment. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a multifunction machine. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of the NCU according to the first embodiment. 3 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation of the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of the NCU according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation of the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart for explaining a processing operation of the third embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

1 ... Multifunction machine 2 ... Personal computer (PC)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 3 ... Telephone 4 ... Remote control only for reception 5 ... Telephone line 6 ... Line 8 ... Scanner unit 9 ... Scanner control board 10 ... MFP control board 11 ... Printer control part 12 ... NCU
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Wireless detection unit 14 ... Timer 15, 16 ... Connection unit 18 ... Tone ringer detection circuit 19 ... DTMF detection circuit 20 ... Line switching circuit 21 ... Modem control circuit

Claims (4)

In a multifunction device having at least a facsimile function and connected on the same line as the telephone,
Tone ringer detection means for detecting a ringer pulse;
Detecting means for detecting a transmission signal from a remote controller operated in response to a polling sound to the telephone after the tone ringer detecting means detects the ringer pulse;
A reception switching means for switching the multifunction device to facsimile reception when the detection means detects a transmission signal from the remote control;
A multi-function machine comprising: In a multifunction device having at least a facsimile function and connected on the same line as the telephone,
Tone ringer detection means for detecting a ringer pulse;
Dial tone detection means for detecting a dial tone operated in response to a polling sound to the telephone after the tone ringer detection means detects the ringer pulse;
Reception switching means for switching to facsimile reception when the detection means detects the dial tone;
A multi-function machine comprising: In a multifunction device having at least a facsimile function and connected on the same line as the telephone,
Tone ringer detection means for detecting a ringer pulse;
A polling sound detecting means for detecting a polling sound after setting the handset in response to a polling sound to the telephone after the tone ringer detecting means detects the ringer pulse;
Reception switching means for switching to facsimile reception when the detection means detects the polling sound;
A multi-function machine comprising:   4. The multi-function peripheral according to claim 1, wherein the detection means detects a corresponding signal within a predetermined time.