JP2010178181A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reliably terminate sound recording regardless of a line network to use when facsimile reception is performed in an answering mode. <P>SOLUTION: Facsimile equipment includes: a first switch for switching a first state that a second terminal for connecting an external telephone set is connected to a public line via a first terminal and a second state that the second terminal is disconnected from the first terminal to connect it to a power supply part; and a second switch which is provided between the first switch and the power supply part and switches connection and disconnection between the first switch terminal and the power supply part. When a signal to receive is a facsimile signal, it is in the second state by the first switch and connection between the second terminal and the power supply part is interrupted by the second switch. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus capable of performing facsimile communication via a public line.

Patent Document 1 discloses a facsimile apparatus that can be connected to an external answering machine. Even when the answering machine mode is set, this apparatus detects a CNG signal and receives a facsimile by receiving a facsimile signal. In the answering machine mode, the pseudo busy tone signal generated inside the apparatus is transmitted to the external telephone until reception of the facsimile is completed. By detecting this pseudo busy tone, the telephone determines that the call has ended and ends recording. This avoids recording silence and CNG signals for a long time.
JP-A-9-93417

  The apparatus of Patent Document 1 is operated so that recording of an external telephone is terminated by a pseudo busy tone signal. However, the frequency and interval of the busy tone signal may differ depending on the difference in the network infrastructure (which varies from country to country). For this reason, a busy tone cannot be detected depending on the line network used, and recording cannot be stopped. In addition, in order to generate the pseudo busy tone signal, an insulation configuration using a dedicated transformer or the like is required to satisfy the safety standard inside the device, which increases the cost of the device.

  The present invention has been made based on recognition of the above-described problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus capable of reliably ending recording regardless of a circuit network to be used when a facsimile is received when an external telephone is in an answering machine mode. A further object of the present invention is to realize the above-described facsimile apparatus while avoiding an increase in cost.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, a facsimile apparatus of the present invention is a facsimile apparatus capable of performing facsimile communication via a public line, and is a first apparatus for connecting to the public line. A second terminal for connecting a telephone with an answering voice recording function for performing a voice call through the public line, a communication unit for transmitting and receiving the facsimile signal through the public line, and the second A power supply unit for generating a voltage to be supplied to a telephone connected to the terminal, a first state in which the second terminal is connected to the public line via the first terminal, and a second terminal A first switch for switching between a second state of being disconnected from the first terminal and connected to the power supply unit; and provided between the first switch and the power supply unit; And the power supply When performing the facsimile communication with a second switch for switching presence / absence of connection, the second switch is used to set the second state, and the second switch is used to connect the terminal and the power source. Control means for controlling to disconnect the connection.

  As described above, according to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, if a facsimile is received when the external telephone is in the answering machine mode, the recording can be reliably terminated regardless of the line network used. Further, the above-described facsimile apparatus can be realized without increasing the cost.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a facsimile apparatus 100 capable of performing facsimile communication via a public line. The CPU 101 controls the facsimile apparatus according to a program stored in the ROM 102. This facsimile apparatus has a plurality of operation modes. The CPU 101 performs control by selecting, for example, a telephone priority mode or a facsimile priority mode as the reception mode. As will be described later, this apparatus has a function of automatically switching between telephone (voice call) and facsimile communication. The CPU 101 controls data communication using the control unit (communication control unit) 104, document reading operation using the reading unit 109, and recording operation on a recording medium using the recording unit 108. The ROM 102 stores a program shown in a flowchart described later, a program controlled by the modem unit 105, a program for displaying a number display, and the like.

  The RAM 103 is a memory for temporarily storing various data when each operation of the facsimile apparatus 100 is executed. The RAM 103 is, for example, a dynamic RAM (DRAM). The received image data is stored in the RAM 103, recorded on a recording sheet by the recording unit 108, and then erased from the memory. Further, the image data read by the reading unit 109 is also stored in the RAM 103.

  The control unit 104 is an interface connected to the public line 131 and is connected to the telephone line of the central office switch. The control unit 104 includes a SiDAA 151 that is a semiconductor data access device for facsimile communication, including a full-wave rectifier circuit using a diode. SiDAA is a data access device that is semiconductorized in an interface (I / F) section with a telephone line for the purpose of miniaturizing a facsimile machine, and is also referred to as semiconductor DAA (Data Access Arrangement). The control unit 104 further includes a polarity matching circuit that matches the polarity of the line voltage and a ringer detection circuit that detects a call signal from the central office switch. The modem unit 105 modulates and demodulates image information and communication data and transmits the modulated data, and is connected to the telephone line 130 via the control unit 104 to perform facsimile communication. The SiDAA 151 includes an off-hook rectifier, a DC loop cut capacitor, and the like. SiDAA 151 and modem unit 105 constitute a communication unit for transmitting and receiving facsimile signals.

  The reading unit 108 includes a flat bed type or sheet through type scanner for generating image data for reading a document and transmitting it by facsimile. In the case of facsimile transmission, the image data is encoded suitable for communication. In the case of facsimile reception, recording is performed on the recording paper by the recording unit 108 based on the decrypted data. The recording unit 108 includes a printer such as an ink jet method or a thermal method for printing image data received by facsimile. The printer includes a conveyance motor that conveys recording paper, a carriage motor that moves a carriage on which the recording head is mounted, a recording head that ejects ink, and the like.

  The amplifier unit 106 rings the speaker 107 and outputs a ringing tone and a warning tone. The sensor unit 110 detects the presence / absence of recording paper, and detects the position of the recording head, opening / closing of the cover, and the like. The display unit 111 is a display device such as a color LCD, which displays facsimile operations, time display, line status during communication, and error status. The operation unit 112 includes a dial key for inputting alphabets and symbols such as a dial number and a URL, a transmission key for receiving and transmitting a facsimile, and a reception key. The operation unit 112 further includes keys such as a hook key for switching between an on-hook state and an off-hook state, and a select key for setting a function.

  The power supply unit 113 is a switching power supply that generates a DC voltage from a commercial power supply input from the outside. The power supply unit 113 includes a voltage (for example, 5 volts) supplied to a logic circuit such as the CPU 101, a drive voltage for the recording head, an off-hook detection voltage (24 volts) for an external telephone, and a pseudo-CI voltage (minus 150 volts). ) Etc. As described above, the power supply unit 113 generates a voltage used for off-hook detection and a voltage used for pseudo CI.

  When outputting the voltage for detecting the off-hook of the external telephone, a current sufficient to detect that the external telephone is off-hook is supplied from the power supply unit 113. The power supply unit 113 can output a calling signal (CI signal) to an external telephone. At this time, the above-described rectangular pulse signal of minus 150 volts is output.

  The external telephone 141 is a telephone with an answering machine function for performing a voice call through a public line. As shown in FIG. 2, the external telephone 141 is connected to the public line in parallel with the SiDAA 151.

  The external telephone 141 has a recording function, and the audio data received from the public line is recorded by a recording unit having a medium such as a memory or a tape. For example, the external telephone 141 starts (starts) recording when receiving an incoming call. The external telephone 141 ends recording by detecting a busy tone signal sent from the telephone line, detecting a silent state, detecting polarity reversal, and the like. Thus, the external telephone 141 has a plurality of conditions for ending recording. The external telephone 141 ends the recording if any of the above-mentioned conditions is satisfied. That is, the external telephone 141 starts recording based on the arrival of a signal from the public line, and ends recording by detecting at least a silent state.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the control unit 104 including the SiDAA 151. The SiDAA 151 includes a voltage detection unit 161, a CODEC 162, and a serial interface unit 163.

  L1 and L2 are two-pole terminals (first terminals) for connecting the facsimile apparatus to the telephone line 130 connected to the public line network 131, and T1 and T2 connect the facsimile apparatus to the external telephone 141. This is a bipolar terminal (second terminal).

  The voltage detection unit 161 detects the voltage of the telephone line 130. If SW1 is in the state as shown in FIG. 2, the voltage detector 161 can detect whether the external telephone is on-hook or off-hook based on a change in the voltage of the telephone line 130.

  The CODEC 162 performs A / D conversion and D / A conversion of a facsimile signal (facsimile data). As this data, digital data is transferred between the serial interface unit 163 and the modem 105 by serial communication.

  The control unit 104 further includes switches (relays) SW1, SW1 for switching connection / disconnection with the telephone line of the external telephone 141, and a switch (relay) SW2 for switching connection / disconnection with the power supply unit 113. I have. In the facsimile apparatus, the states of these switches are determined according to a plurality of operation modes. The switch SW2 can be a mechanical relay, an electronic relay, a photo relay, or the like.

  A current detection unit 153 is provided between the switch SW1 and the terminal T1. If external telephone 141 and power supply unit 113 are connected via SW1 and SW2, CPU 101 can use current detection unit 153 to know whether the external telephone is on-hook or off-hook.

  A switch (relay) SW1 for changing the connection destination of the external telephone 141 is controlled by a signal C1 output from the CPU 101. A switch (relay) SW2 for switching connection / disconnection of the signal line is controlled by a signal C2 output from the CPU 101. A signal line connecting SW1 and the power supply unit 113 is connected in a state where SW2 is on, and is disconnected in a state where SW2 is off.

  The current detection unit 153 includes a photocoupler (one-way photocoupler or sensor) that operates with a voltage in one direction, and the output state of the photocoupler 153 is input to the CPU 101 via the signal line S. In other words, the CPU 101 can acquire information on the signal level of the signal line in which the photocoupler 153 is provided. For example, in this off-hook state, the signal level of the signal S is “H” level (high level), and in the on-hook state, the signal level of the signal S is “L” level (low level).

  The modem unit 105 is insulated from the telephone line 130 by the insulating unit 154. The insulation unit 154 is a high voltage capacitor. With the above configuration, the modem unit 105 is connected to the telephone line 130 via the control unit 104 and performs facsimile communication.

  Next, control by the control unit 104 will be described. Based on the instruction from the CPU 101, the control unit 104 can switch the reception mode between the facsimile priority mode and the telephone priority mode. FIG. 2 shows a state (first state) in which the external telephone 141 and the telephone line 130 are connected. Further, SW1 and the power supply unit 113 are connected. The state shown in FIG. 2 is when the reception mode of the facsimile apparatus is the telephone priority mode. That is, in the telephone priority mode, the first switch is controlled to enter the first state in which the second terminal is connected to the public line via the first terminal.

  On the other hand, when the reception mode of the facsimile apparatus is the facsimile priority mode, SW1 is controlled so as to be connected to the external telephone 141 and SW2 (second state) and to turn on SW2. Controlled. That is, in the facsimile priority mode, the first switch is set to the second state, and the second switch is controlled so that the first switch and the power supply unit 113 are connected. With this control, the external telephone 141 is connected to the power supply unit 113, and the voltage generated by the power supply unit 113 is supplied to the external telephone 141.

  The control of the facsimile apparatus will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the telephone priority mode is set, if there is an incoming call from the public line, the external telephone 141 records a voice signal (voice data) received by the recording unit.

  S101 is a state of waiting for an incoming call. When an incoming call occurs in S101 (Y), the external telephone 141 closes the line (S102). On the other hand, the SiDAA 151 does not close the line in the telephone priority mode.

  In S103, recording of the caller's message is started. The CPU 101 knows from the detection of the current detection unit 153 that the external telephone 141 has closed the line.

  In S104, a CNG signal indicating facsimile communication is detected, and it is determined whether or not the signal received via the first terminal is a facsimile signal. If a CNG signal is detected (Y), it is determined that the communication is facsimile. On the other hand, if no CNG signal is detected (N), voice recording is performed in the recording unit of the external telephone in S106, and the line of the external telephone is released in S106 when the recording ends (Y). Then, the process proceeds to S101 waiting for incoming call.

  If a CNG signal is detected in S104, the process proceeds to S107. In S107, the SiDAA 151 direct current capture circuit operates to close the line. As a result, the telephone line is connected to the modem. Next, SW1 (switch 1) is switched in S108. The state is switched from the state in which the external telephone 141 and the public line (telephone line) are connected (first state) to the state in which the external telephone 141 and the power supply unit 113 are connected (second state). Before this switching is performed, both the external telephone 141 and the SiDAA 151 are closed for a short period of time. By switching the switch SW1, the external telephone 141 and the power supply unit 113 are connected, and the voltage for hook detection is supplied from the power supply unit 113. The hook state can be detected by the current detection unit 153.

  In step S109, SW2 (switch 2) is controlled to disconnect the connection between the external telephone 141 and the power supply unit 113. Here, the connection between the external telephone 141 and the power supply unit 113 is disconnected by controlling SW2 to be off. With this control, the external telephone 141 ends the recording operation in S110. The external telephone 141 can detect the silent state reliably because the voltage supplied through the bipolar terminals T1 and T2 is 0 volts.

  In S111, the facsimile communication is terminated. Note that the execution of S109 is performed using the start of facsimile communication as a trigger, thereby simplifying the control of the CPU 101.

  If communication is completed in S111 (Y), the switch SW2 is controlled in S112, and the power supply unit 113 and the external telephone 141 are connected. By this time, the external telephone 141 opens the line. Next, in S113, the SiDAA 151 opens the line. Next, SW1 is switched in S114 to shift from the state where the external telephone 141 and the power supply unit 113 are connected to the state where the external telephone 141 and the public line (telephone line) are connected. As a result, the external telephone 141 can be prepared for the next incoming call.

  Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus and the operation of the external telephone 141 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, time has passed from left to right.

  When an incoming call arrives at timing T1, the external telephone 141 closes at timing T2. Then, recording starts at timing T3. On the other hand, when the SiDAA 151 detects the CNG signal, it closes at the timing T4. The SiDAA 151 notifies the CPU 101. Then, the CPU 101 switches SW1 from the second state to the first state at timing T5, and switches SW2 from on to off at timing T6. As a result, the external telephone 141 opens the line and stops recording at timing T7. Conventionally, recording is performed until facsimile communication is completed. However, as described above, recording can be started and ended in the period R. Thereby, the amount of memory used for recording can be suppressed.

  Next, when the facsimile communication process of the SiDAA 151 is completed at the timing T8, the SiDAA 151 notifies the CPU 101. The CPU 101 switches SW2 from off to on at timing T9. At timing T10, the SiDAA 151 opens the line. At timing T11, the CPU 101 switches SW1 from the first state to the second state at timing T9.

  After timing T11, the facsimile apparatus returns to the same state as timing 1.

  Period A is a period during which hook detection is performed using line current. The period B is a period in which hook detection is performed using the power supply from the power supply unit 113. Period C is a period during which hook detection cannot be performed, but facsimile communication is performed until timing T8, and hook detection is not necessary. Timing T8 to timing T9 after facsimile communication can be ignored because the time required for switching SW2 is short.

  According to the above facsimile apparatus, it is possible to suppress useless recording processing when performing facsimile reception while appropriately performing hook detection. That is, if a facsimile is received when the external telephone is in the answering machine mode, the recording can be surely terminated regardless of the line network used. Further, the above-described facsimile apparatus can be realized without increasing the cost.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the control unit 104 included in the SiDAA 151. The same parts as those in the first embodiment will not be described repeatedly, and different contents will be described.

  SW of FIG. 5 is a switch (relay) SW for switching the connection destination of the external telephone 141. This switch SW is controlled by an instruction C_SW from the CPU 101. FIG. 5A shows a state where the external telephone 141 is connected to a public line. FIG. 5B is a diagram showing a state where the external telephone 141 is connected to the open terminal and is not connected (open state). FIG. 5C is a diagram showing a state where the external telephone 141 is connected to the power supply unit 113.

  As described in the first embodiment, when the telephone priority mode is set in the state shown in FIG. 5A, if there is an incoming call from the public line, the external telephone 141 receives the voice signal (voice data). ).

  Then, the CNG signal is detected, and if the CNG signal is detected, the SiDAA 151 notifies the CPU 101. Then, the SW is switched according to the instruction C_SW from the CPU 101. The state is changed to the state shown in FIG. 5B by an instruction C_SW from the CPU 101. As a result, the external telephone 141 ends the recording. Then, after the facsimile communication is completed, the state is changed to the state shown in FIG. 5C by an instruction C_SW from the CPU 101. As a result, the external telephone 141 is connected to the power supply unit 113.

1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment The figure explaining the control part in 1st Embodiment Diagram showing control flow of facsimile machine The figure explaining the timing of the operation of the facsimile machine The figure explaining the control part in 2nd Embodiment

101 CPU
104 Control unit (communication control unit)
105 Modem 151 SiDAA

Claims (7)

A facsimile apparatus capable of performing facsimile communication via a public line,
A first terminal for connecting to the public line;
A second terminal for connecting a telephone with an answering machine function for performing a voice call through the public line;
A communication unit for transmitting and receiving the facsimile signal via the public line;
A power supply unit for generating a voltage to be supplied to the telephone connected to the second terminal;
A first state in which the second terminal is connected to the public line via the first terminal; and a second state in which the second terminal is disconnected from the first terminal and connected to the power supply side. A first switch for switching between the two states;
A second switch provided between the first switch and the power supply unit for switching the connection between the second terminal and the power supply unit;
When performing the facsimile communication, control is performed so that the second switch is set to the second state and the second switch is disconnected from the power supply unit by the second switch. Means,
A facsimile apparatus comprising:   The control means determines whether the signal received via the first terminal is a facsimile signal. If the signal is a facsimile signal, the control means sets the second state by the first switch, and 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the connection between the second terminal and the power supply unit is disconnected by a switch of 2.   The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the power supply unit generates a voltage for detecting off-hook. The control means can switch the reception mode between a facsimile priority mode and a telephone priority mode,
In the facsimile priority mode, the first switch is set to the second state, and the second switch is controlled so that the first switch and the power supply unit are connected.
4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the telephone priority mode, the first state is set by the first switch.   5. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the telephone starts recording based on an incoming signal from the public line, and ends recording upon detecting at least a silence state.   6. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the communication unit includes a semiconductor data access apparatus for facsimile communication.   7. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a scanner for reading image data for generating facsimile data for facsimile transmission and a printer for printing image data received by facsimile.