JP2011135318A - Communication apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication apparatus having a stored data transfer function which has good convenience. <P>SOLUTION: When the number of times of receiving a ring signal is less than five in the case that an incoming call ends before responding to the incoming call, an MFP 1 determines that the incoming call is an automatic answering recording and transfer instruction and makes a call to the received transmitting telephone number (the telephone number of a cellular phone of Mr./Mrs. A in a case illustrated in Fig.3). If an external device of the called side responds to the call, the MFP 1 transfers the automatic answering recording data stored in an automatic answering recording data memory. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a communication device.

  A transfer function for transferring a message recorded in a telephone device while the user is away to a user who is out is known. Patent Document 1 discloses a telephone device that automatically dials a telephone number registered in advance when a message is recorded and transfers the recorded message. In Patent Document 2, when an incoming call is received from a user who is out, an automatic response is received, a remote control operation is received by a DTMF signal sent from the telephone device of the user who is out, and the message is transferred to the user who is out A telephone device is disclosed.

JP-A-4-341038 JP 2002-77367 A

  However, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has a problem in that the message cannot be transferred at a timing convenient for the user who is out and the convenience is poor. For example, every time a message is recorded on a telephone device installed in the company, it is troublesome and inconvenient if the message is transferred to the mobile phone of an employee who is out for business negotiations.

  In addition, the technique described in Patent Document 2 has a problem in that it is not convenient because a communication fee is charged to a user who is out. For example, if an employee makes a call from a mobile phone owned by an individual in order to check a message recorded on the company's telephone device in the face of business needs, the individual employee will bear the communication fee. It ’s unreasonable.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a communication device having a convenient stored data transfer function.

  In order to achieve this object, the communication device of the present invention comprises a calling telephone number receiving means for receiving a calling telephone number of the external device sent from the communication network when there is an incoming call from the external device, and the incoming call A call signal receiving means for receiving a call signal sent from the communication network when there is, and after receiving the call signal by the call signal receiving means, by transmitting a response signal to the communication network, A response means for responding to an incoming call, and if the incoming call is terminated before the response means responds to the incoming call, the outgoing telephone number received by the outgoing telephone number receiving means is called and stored in the data storage means Transfer means for transferring the stored data to the external device.

  In the above communication apparatus, the communication device further includes counting means for counting the number of times the call signal is received by the call signal receiving means, and the transfer means is configured to count the counting means when the incoming call ends before responding to the incoming call. The stored data may be transferred when the number of receptions of the paging signal counted by the above is less than a predetermined number.

  The present invention relates to a communication device, a communication control device that controls the communication device, a communication system including the communication device, a communication method, a communication control program that controls the communication device, a recording medium that records the communication control program, and the like. It can be configured in various ways.

  According to the communication device of the first aspect, when the incoming call is terminated before answering the incoming call from the external device, a call is made to the outgoing telephone number of the external device, and the stored data is transferred. Therefore, since the stored data is transferred at a timing convenient for the user on the external device side, there is an advantage that convenience is good. In addition, when using a communication service in which a communication fee is charged to the calling device, the communication fee is charged to the side of the communication device that is the transfer source of the stored data. There is an effect that the burden on the user on the external device side is reduced and the convenience is good.

  According to the communication device of the second aspect, in addition to the effect achieved by the communication device of the first aspect, the stored data is transferred when the number of receptions of the call signal is less than a predetermined number. As seen, the communication device is caused to transfer the stored data with a simple instruction operation of terminating the call from the external device to the communication device while the communication device receives the call signal less than a predetermined number of times. It has the effect of being convenient and convenient.

  According to the communication device of the third aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the communication device of the second aspect, the ringing of the ringing tone is prohibited while the number of receptions of the call signal is less than the predetermined number. There is an effect that it is possible to prevent the user on the communication device side from responding to the incoming call even though it is an incoming call instructing the transfer.

  According to the communication device of the fourth aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the communication device of the third aspect, the setting data stored for the outgoing telephone number acquired by the outgoing telephone number acquisition means transfers the stored data. In this case, ringing of the ringing tone is prohibited when the number of receptions of the ringing signal is less than the predetermined number, so that ringing of the ringing tone is prohibited when there is a high possibility that the incoming call is an instruction to transfer stored data. There is an effect that can be done.

  According to the communication device of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect of the communication device according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, after receiving the call signal less than a predetermined number of times, the call signal is continuously transmitted for a predetermined time or more. If the line is not received, the line is closed, so that after the incoming call from the external device ends, the line is used by receiving an incoming call from another device before making a call for transferring stored data. There is an effect that it can be suppressed.

  According to the communication device of the sixth aspect, in addition to the effect of the communication device according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, when the incoming call is terminated before answering the incoming call, When 0, the transfer of the stored data is prohibited, so that it is possible to suppress the transfer of the stored data until the user on the external device side calls the communication device due to an erroneous operation. .

  According to the communication device of the seventh aspect, when transfer of stored data is executed, final answering machine transfer time data indicating the execution date and time of the transfer is stored in association with the telephone number of the transfer destination external device. The Then, the stored data stored after the transfer execution date and time indicated by the final recorded message transfer time data is transferred. Therefore, according to the communication device of the seventh aspect, in addition to the effect produced by the communication device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, a telephone number indicating at which point the stored data should be transferred Therefore, even if the stored data transfer function is used from a plurality of external devices, there is an effect that convenience is good.

1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of an MFP which is an embodiment of a communication apparatus of the present invention. (A) is a figure which shows typically the structure of a telephone directory memory, (b) is a figure which shows the structure of an answering machine data memory typically, (c) is a normal call start RING count setting memory. It is a figure which shows a structure typically. It is a figure explaining the outline | summary of the answering machine transfer function which MFP has. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an answering record transfer instruction reception process executed in the MFP. 6 is a flowchart showing an answering record transfer execution process executed in the MFP.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing an electrical configuration of a multifunction peripheral device (hereinafter referred to as “MFP (Multi Function Peripheral)”) 1 which is an embodiment of a communication apparatus of the present invention. The MFP 1 has an answering machine function and an answering machine transfer function in addition to a telephone function and a facsimile function. The answering machine function is a function of storing an incoming message sent from another telephone device via the telephone network 100 in a memory. The answering machine transfer function is a function of transferring an incoming message stored by the answering machine function to an external device via the telephone line network 100. In particular, the MFP 1 has a convenient answering machine transfer function.

  The telephone line network 100 is a public line telephone network. Although not shown in FIG. 1, the telephone line network 100 is also connected to other line networks such as a mobile telephone network, and a telephone device (for example, a mobile phone) connected to the other line network. Can also communicate.

  The MFP 1 mainly includes a CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, flash memory 14, operation keys 15, LCD 16, scanner 21, printer 22, handset 23, amplifier 24, speaker 25, NCU 26, modem 27, and the like.

  The CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, and flash memory 14 are connected to each other via a bus line 28. The operation key 15, LCD 16, scanner 21, printer 22, handset 23, amplifier 24, NCU 26, modem 27, bus line 28, etc. are connected to each other via an input / output port 29.

  The CPU 11 controls each function of the MFP 1 and controls each unit connected to the input / output port 29 in accordance with fixed values stored in the ROM 12 or the like or various signals transmitted / received via the NCU 26. It is.

  The ROM 12 is a non-rewritable memory that stores programs and the like. The CPU 11 executes the processes shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 based on the control program stored in the ROM 12. The RAM 13 is a rewritable volatile memory, and is provided with a RING signal reception number counter 13a and a calling telephone number memory 13b.

  The RING signal reception number counter 13a is a counter for counting the number of RING signal receptions (hereinafter referred to as RING signal reception number). Here, the RING signal is a call signal sent from the telephone network 100 to the MFP 1 when there is an incoming call to the MFP 1. The initial value of the RING signal reception number counter 13a is “0”, and the MFP 1 counts up the value of the RING signal reception number counter 13a every time the RING signal is received once.

  The outgoing telephone number memory 13b is a memory for storing outgoing telephone numbers. When the MFP 1 is subscribed to a calling telephone number display service called “Number Display (registered trademark)” or “CallerID”, the calling side is switched from the exchange of the telephone network 100 to the MFP 1 in addition to the RING signal. A signal (hereinafter referred to as a CallerID signal) including the calling telephone number of the apparatus is sent. When the MFP 1 receives the Caller ID signal, the MFP 1 stores the calling telephone number included in the signal as an answering machine transfer target number in the calling telephone number memory 13b.

  The flash memory 14 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and is provided with a telephone directory memory 14a, an answering machine data memory 14b, and a normal call start RING count setting memory 14c. The MFP 1 automatically responds when an incoming call is received from another telephone device during the setting of the answer phone mode for executing the answer phone function. Then, the MFP 1 converts the incoming message sent as a voice signal from the other telephone device into digital data by a built-in CODEC (not shown), and stores it in the recorded message data memory 14b. The incoming message stored in the recorded message data memory 14b is hereinafter referred to as recorded message data. The configuration of the memories 14a, 14b, and 14c will be described later with reference to FIG.

  The operation key 15 is provided with a numeric keypad for inputting a telephone number. The LCD 16 displays a screen representing the state of the MFP 1. Further, the MFP 1 is configured so that image data read by the scanner 21 can be transmitted by FAX, and the image data received by FAX can be printed out by the printer 22.

  The handset 23 is placed on a hook (not shown) provided in the main body of the MFP 1 when not in a call, and is picked up from the hook and used during a call. When the NCU 26 receives the RING signal, the amplifier 24 rings a bell sound (ringing sound) from the speaker 25.

  The NCU 26 controls the closing and opening of the line 30 that communicates with the telephone line network 100. The NCU 26 receives various signals such as a RING signal and a CallerID signal sent from the telephone line network 100, transmits a dial signal when making a call, and transmits and receives a voice signal during communication. The modem 27 modulates the image data to be transmitted by FAX into a signal that can be transmitted to the telephone line network 100 and transmits the signal via the NCU 26, or demodulates the signal input from the telephone line network 100 via the NCU 26 to the image data. To do. The modem 27 converts the Caller ID signal received from the telephone line network 100 into digital data and outputs the digital data.

  FIG. 2A is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the telephone directory memory 14a. The telephone directory memory 14a is provided with a name area 14a1, a telephone number area 14a2, an answering record transfer registration area 14a3, a final answering record transfer time area 14a4, and an answering record transfer registration time area 14a5.

  The name area 14a1 is an area for storing a name or name, and the telephone number area 14a2 is an area for storing a telephone number. The user can register these data in the telephone book memory 14a by inputting an arbitrary name, telephone number, or the like using the operation keys 15.

  The voice mail transfer registration area 14a3 is an area for storing setting data indicating whether or not voice mail data is transferred for each of the telephone numbers stored in the telephone number area 14a2. The MFP 1 transfers the recorded data to the telephone number associated with “present” as the setting data. On the other hand, the MFP 1 does not transfer the recorded data to the telephone number associated with “none” as the setting data. The setting data can be changed as appropriate by the user.

  The last recorded message transfer time area 14a4 is an area for storing the last recorded message transfer time data for each telephone number associated with “Yes” as the setting data. The recorded message transfer registration time area 14a5 is set as the setting data. This is an area for storing the recorded message transfer registration time data for each telephone number associated with “Yes”. When the MFP 1 transfers the answering machine data to a certain external device, the MFP 1 acquires the transfer execution date and time from the clock built in the MFP 1 and uses the telephone of the transfer destination external device as the final answering machine transfer time data. The number is stored in the last recorded message transfer time area 14a4 in association with the number. That is, the last message recording transfer time data represents the date and time when the message recording data was last transferred to the external device having the associated telephone number. Further, when “Yes” is registered as the setting data for a certain telephone number, the MFP 1 acquires the execution date and time of the registration as voice mail transfer registration time data, and associates the telephone number with the voice mail transfer registration. Store in the time area 14a5.

  FIG. 2B is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the recorded message data memory 14b. The answering record data memory 14b is provided with a data number area 14b1, a recording time area 14b2, and an answering record data area 14b3. The MFP 1 stores a data number corresponding to the answering record data on a one-to-one basis in the data number area 14b1. Also, recording time data representing the date and time when the recorded message data is stored is stored in the recorded time area 14b2 in a one-to-one correspondence with the recorded message data. When the reproduction is instructed by the operation key 15 or when an instruction to transfer an answering record, which will be described later, is received, the MFP 1 converts the answering data stored in the answering data area 14b3 into an audio signal by the built-in audio CODEC. And output or transfer.

  FIG. 2C is a diagram schematically showing the configuration of the normal call start RING count setting memory 14c. The value set in the normal call start RING count setting memory 14c is hereinafter referred to as a normal call start RING count. When the number of RING signal receptions is equal to or greater than the number of normal incoming call RINGs, the MFP 1 determines that the incoming call is a normal incoming call requesting a call or the like. The number of normal incoming call start RINGs can be arbitrarily set by the user. In the following description, it is assumed that the number of normal incoming call start RINGs is set to “5”.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an overview of the recorded message transfer function of the MFP 1. First, as shown in FIG. 3A, a call is made from the mobile phone 200 of Mr. A to the MFP 1 installed in the company. Note that the phone number of Mr. A's mobile phone 200 is registered in the phone book memory 14a described with reference to FIG. 2A, and the setting data stored for the phone number is the recorded data. “Yes” indicating transfer. When Mr. A terminates the call from the mobile phone 200 and disconnects the line while the RING signal received by the MFP 1 is less than five times, the MFP 1 determines that the incoming call is a message transfer instruction. .

  In other words, when the incoming call ends before responding to the incoming call and the number of RING signal receptions is less than 5, the MFP 1 determines that the incoming call is an answering message transfer instruction, and FIG. As shown in b), a call is made to the received calling telephone number (in the example shown in FIG. 3, the telephone number of Mr. A's mobile phone). When the external device on the called side answers the call, the MFP 1 converts the recorded message data stored in the recorded message data memory 14b into a voice signal, and transmits the voice signal to the external device on the called side via the telephone line network 100. Forward to. On the other hand, in the external device on the called side, the received answering data is output from the transmitter as voice.

  In this way, since the transfer of recorded data is executed at a timing convenient for the user on the external device side (Mr. A in the example shown in FIG. 3), the convenience is good. In addition, when using a communication service in which a communication fee is charged to the calling side device, the communication fee is charged to the MFP 1 that is the transfer source of the recorded message data. This reduces the burden on the user on the external device side and is convenient.

  From the viewpoint of the user on the external device side, the answering machine data can be transferred by a simple instruction operation of terminating the call from the external device to the MFP 1 while the number of RING signal reception in the MFP 1 is less than a predetermined number. It can be executed by the MFP 1 and is convenient.

  In the telephone directory memory 14a described with reference to FIG. 2A, setting data “none” is registered for the telephone number of the mobile phone 202 of Mr. B. Further, the telephone number of the C company fixed telephone 204 is not stored in the telephone directory memory 14a. Therefore, when receiving an incoming call from Mr. B's mobile phone 202 or the C company fixed telephone 204, the MFP 1 processes the incoming call in the same manner as a normal incoming call, and does not transfer the recorded data. Therefore, security is ensured.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an answering record transfer instruction receiving process executed by the CPU 11 of the MFP 1. This process is a process of accepting an absence recording transfer instruction. When there is an incoming call to MFP 1, the exchange of telephone network 100 reverses the polarity of line 30, and then sends an information reception terminal activation signal to MFP 1 to notify that the incoming call is a caller ID notification. When the MFP 1 detects the information receiving terminal activation signal, it starts this message recording transfer instruction acceptance process.

  First, the CPU 11 transmits a primary response signal indicating a response to the information reception terminal activation signal to the exchange, thereby setting the MFP 1 to be able to receive a CallerID signal (S401). When the exchange of the telephone network 100 receives the primary response signal from the MFP 1, it sends a Caller ID signal to the MFP 1.

  Next, the CPU 11 receives a Caller ID signal sent from the telephone line network 100 (S402). This CallerID signal is converted into digital data by the modem 27. Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the calling telephone number transmitted from the exchange included in the CallerID signal is stored in the telephone directory memory 14a (S404). If the determination in S404 is affirmative (S404: Yes), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the received outgoing telephone number is a telephone number that is a target for forwarded message recording (S406). Specifically, it is determined whether or not the setting data stored in the recorded message transfer registration area 14a3 for the acquired calling telephone number is “present” indicating that the recorded message data is to be transferred.

  If the determination in S406 is affirmative (S406: Yes), the CPU 11 shifts the MFP 1 to the incoming call mode of the recorded message transfer instruction (S408). In the incoming message transfer instruction call mode, the CPU 11 displays on the LCD 16 that the incoming call message transfer instruction is being received (S410), prohibits the ringing of the bell sound by the amplifier 24 (S412), and further the handset. 23 and the hook key (not shown) are invalidated (S414). That is, the NCU 26 is set so as not to close the line 30 even if a call start key provided on the operation key 15 is pressed or an off-hook caused by raising the handset 23 is detected.

  In this way, the display on the LCD 16 can inform the user that a call is being received. In addition, since the bell is not ringed, it is possible to prevent a user on the MFP 1 side from mistaking an incoming call that is likely to be a message recording transfer instruction as a normal incoming call. Further, the invalidation of the handset 23 and the hook key can prevent the user on the MFP 1 side from answering the incoming call. If the user on the MFP 1 side responds to the incoming call even though the incoming message transfer instruction is received, the answering machine transfer function will not function normally, and a communication fee will be charged to the caller's external device. The inconvenience of being charged arises.

  Next, the CPU 11 stores the received outgoing telephone number as an answering machine transfer target number in the outgoing telephone number memory 13b (S415), and clears the number of RING signal receptions to zero (S416). Then, the CPU 11 opens the line 30 and makes the MFP 1 ready to receive a RING signal (S417). Next, the exchange of the telephone line network 100 sends a RING signal to the MFP 1. The exchange sends the same number of ringing tones (ringback tones) as the RING signal sent to the MFP 1 to the caller external device. Therefore, the caller's external device can know the number of RING signal receptions in the MFP 1 by listening to the number of ringing sounds.

  Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not a RING signal has been transmitted (S418). If the determination in S418 is affirmative (S418: Yes), the RING signal is received (S420), and the number of RING signal receptions Is counted up (S422).

  Next, the CPU 11 determines whether or not the RING signal reception count has reached the normal incoming call start RING count (S424). When the determination in S424 is negative (S424: No), the CPU 11 repeats the process from S418. That is, the ringing of the bell is prohibited while the number of RING signal receptions is less than the number of normal ringing start RINGs.

  If the determination in S404 or S406 is negative (S404, S406: No), or if the determination in S424 is positive (S424: Yes), the CPU 11 shifts the MFP 1 to the normal incoming call mode in S426 ( S426). In the normal call mode, the CPU 11 changes the screen of the LCD 16 to the normal call display (S428), and when receiving the RING signal, the CPU 24 sets the bell 25 to ring from the speaker 25 (S430). Then, the hook key is activated (S432).

  In this way, when the number of RING signal receptions is equal to or greater than the number of normal incoming call start RINGs, that is, when it is determined that it is not an answering message transfer instruction, the user of the MFP 1 can display the LCD 16 as in the case of normal incoming calls. It is possible to recognize the incoming call by the display or the bell sound and answer the incoming call. On the other hand, for a user who makes a call to the MFP 1 from an external device, the call may be continued until the number of RING signal reception in the MFP 1 becomes equal to or greater than the number of normal ringing start RINGs. In this way, it is possible to make a phone call by causing the MFP 1 to emit a bell sound, notifying the user on the MFP 1 side of the incoming call.

  If the received outgoing telephone number is not stored in the telephone directory memory 14a, or if the setting data associated with the received telephone number indicates that the recorded message data is not transferred, the incoming call is not recorded. Since it is clear that this is not a record transfer instruction, the MFP 1 shifts to the normal call mode regardless of the number of RING signal receptions. Therefore, the user on the MFP 1 side can make a call in response to the incoming call in the same manner as a normal incoming call.

  Next, the CPU 11 clears the number of RING signal receptions to 0 (S434). In this manner, when the MFP 1 is configured to execute a predetermined process (for example, a process for starting FAX reception in response to an automatic response) when the number of RING signal receptions exceeds the user set value, A predetermined process can be executed based on the number of times the RING signal has been received since the bell sound began to sound.

  Then, the answering machine transfer target number stored in the calling telephone number memory 13b is cleared (S436), the process shifts to a normal incoming call process (S438), and the process ends. In this normal incoming call processing (S438), when the press of the call start key provided on the operation key 15 or the off-hook due to raising the handset 23 is detected, the CPU 11 sends a secondary response signal to the telephone line network 100. Respond to incoming calls by sending. Since the normal incoming call process is a known process, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  On the other hand, when the determination in S418 is negative (S418: No), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the elapsed time from the last reception of the CallerID signal or the RING signal exceeds a predetermined time (S440). Here, the “predetermined time” is a value set so that it can be determined that the incoming call has ended when no signal is sent from the exchange for more than this time. For example, it is assumed that the exchange of the telephone line network 100 is configured to send a RING signal again after sending a RING signal for 1 second and then a signal off period of 2 seconds. In this case, if the “predetermined time” is set to, for example, 2.1 seconds or more in consideration of an error, it can be suitably determined whether or not the incoming call has ended. In the extension environment where the MFP 1 is connected to the extension switch, the reception interval of the RING signal in the MFP 1 may differ depending on the specifications of the extension switch. Therefore, the “predetermined time” may be set longer. The “predetermined time” is preferably set to 6 seconds or less so that the end of the incoming call can be determined in a short time.

  If the determination in S440 is negative (S440: No), the CPU 11 returns to S418 and repeats the process. On the other hand, if the determination in S440 is affirmative (S440: Yes), the CPU 11 determines whether or not the number of RING signal receptions is 0 (S442). When the determination in S442 is negative (S442: No), the CPU 11 executes the absence recording transfer execution process (S444) to transfer the absence recording data, and proceeds to the processing of S446. Note that the recorded message transfer execution process (S444) will be described later with reference to FIG.

  On the other hand, if the determination in S442 is affirmative (S442: Yes), the CPU 11 shifts the MFP 1 to the incoming call waiting mode (S446). In the incoming call waiting mode, the CPU 11 changes the screen of the LCD 16 to the standby display (S448), sets a ringing sound when receiving the RING signal (S450), and validates the handset 23 and the hook key (S452). That is, when the incoming call is terminated before answering the incoming call and the number of RING signal receptions is 0, the transfer of voice mail data is prohibited. In this way, it is possible to avoid transferring the recorded data until the user on the external device side calls the MFP 1 by mistake. This is because the situation where the caller ID signal has been received but the RING signal has not been received and the incoming call has ended is likely to cause an erroneous operation on the external device side of the caller.

  Next, the CPU 11 clears the number of RING signal receptions to 0 (S454), clears the outgoing telephone number stored in the outgoing telephone number memory 13b as an answering machine transfer target number (S456), and ends the process.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an answering record transfer execution process (S444). This answering record transfer execution process (S444) is a process of transferring the answering record data.

  First, the CPU 11 closes the line 30 (S502). That is, after receiving the RING signal less than five times, the line 30 is closed on condition that the RING signal is not received continuously for a predetermined time or more. In this way, it is possible to prevent the line 30 from being used in response to an incoming call from another device, after the incoming call from the external device is finished, and before a call for transferring the recorded data is started. As a result, it is possible to respond to an answering record transfer instruction without delay.

  Next, the CPU 11 waits for a certain time (S504). That is, a certain time is taken before starting a call to an external device. In this way, the user on the external device side receives a call from the MFP 1 after a short while after calling the MFP 1 to hang up the telephone for answering instructions. So you can calm down and answer incoming calls.

  Next, the CPU 11 obtains the current time as the current message recording transfer time (S506), and whether the final message recording transfer time data associated with the telephone number of the message recording target number is stored in the telephone directory memory 14a. It is determined whether or not (S508). If the determination in S508 is negative (S508: No), the CPU 11 obtains the recorded message transfer registration time data stored in the recorded message transfer registration time area 14a5 in association with the telephone number of the recorded message transfer target number. Then, the final recorded message transfer time data is set in the final recorded message transfer time area 14a4 (S510). If the determination at S508 is affirmative (S508: Yes), the CPU 11 skips S510.

  Next, the CPU 11 obtains the final answering machine transfer time data associated with the answering machine transfer target number, and from the last answering machine transfer time indicated by the final answering machine transfer time data to the current answering machine transfer time. In addition, the newly recorded answering data newly registered in the answering record data memory 14b is listed and set as a transfer target (S512). That is, the answering machine data stored in the answering machine data memory 14b is extracted as a transfer target after the date and time indicated by the final answering machine transfer time data.

  As described above, since the telephone message memory 14a (see FIG. 2A) stores the last recorded message transfer time data in association with each telephone number, the MFP 1 stores the recorded message at any time. It is possible to manage for each telephone number whether it should be transferred from the recording data. Therefore, even when the answering machine transfer function is used from a plurality of external devices, it is convenient. Also, for telephone numbers that do not store the final answering machine transfer time data, the answering machine data to be transferred is extracted based on the answering machine transfer registration time data. Data can be transferred. This is because there is little need to transfer the setting data for a certain phone number back to the recorded message data stored before it is set to “present” and transfer it to the external device.

  Then, a call is made to the answering record transfer target number (S514), and it is determined whether or not the other party's external device has responded to the call by closing the line (S516). If the determination in S516 is negative (S516: No), the CPU 11 opens the line 30 (S517), waits for a certain time (S518), and returns to S502. That is, after a certain period of time, the transfer of recorded data is retried. In S518, the CPU 11 performs the processing from S446 to S454 shown in FIG. 4 after releasing the line in S517 so that the MFP 1 can accept an incoming call from another person while waiting for a certain time. May be. Further, if the answering machine data transfer cannot be executed even after a predetermined number of retries, the answering machine transfer execution process (S444) may be terminated.

  On the other hand, if the determination in S516 is affirmative (S516: Yes), the CPU 11 accepts an input of a personal identification number (S519). On the condition that the correct personal identification number has been input in the external device on the other side, the CPU 11 next determines whether or not the number of recorded messages is 0 (S520).

  If the determination in S520 is negative (S520: No), the CPU 11 converts the recorded data for the number of cases to be transferred into a voice signal and sends it to the telephone network 100 (S522). That is, all the recorded message data extracted in S512 is transferred.

  On the other hand, if the determination in S520 is affirmative (S520: Yes), the CPU 11 sends a message indicating that the transfer target is 0 (S524). Since this message is output from the handset of the external device on the called side, the user of the external device that instructed the transfer of the recorded message can know that the number of recorded message data to be transferred was zero.

  Next, the CPU 11 opens the line 30 (S526), sets the current recorded message transfer time as the final recorded message transfer time data, associates it with the telephone number of the recorded message transfer target number, and stores the final recorded message in the telephone directory memory 14a. It is stored in the recording / transfer time area 14a4 (S528). That is, the last recorded message transfer time data indicating the transfer date and time that was successfully transferred is stored. In this way, it is possible to avoid transferring the recorded message data again to the telephone number that is the target of the current message recording transfer at the next transfer.

  In the above embodiment, the telephone line network 100 corresponds to an example of a communication network, the answering machine transfer function corresponds to an example of a stored data transfer function, and the CPU 11 that executes S402 corresponds to an example of a calling telephone number receiving unit. The RING signal corresponds to an example of a call signal, the CPU 11 that executes S420 corresponds to an example of a call signal receiving unit, the secondary response signal corresponds to an example of a response signal, and the CPU 11 that executes S438 includes an example of a response unit. The answering machine data memory 14b corresponds to an example of data storage means, the answering machine data corresponds to an example of stored data, the CPU 11 executing S444 corresponds to an example of a transfer means, and a RING signal reception frequency counter 13a corresponds to an example of a counting unit, and the number of times stored in the normal incoming call start RING count setting memory 14c corresponds to an example of a predetermined number of times. 24 and the speaker 25 correspond to an example of a sounding means, the CPU 11 that executes the processing of S412 corresponds to an example of a sounding prohibiting means, the telephone number area 14a2 corresponds to an example of a telephone number storage means, and an answering record transfer registration area 14a3 corresponds to an example of a setting storage unit, the NCU 26 corresponds to an example of a line control unit, the CPU 11 that executes S502 corresponds to an example of a line closing unit, and executes processing when the determination in S442 is affirmed The CPU 11 that performs this operation corresponds to an example of a transfer prohibition unit, the final recorded message transfer time area 14a4 corresponds to an example of a transfer date storage unit, and the CPU 11 that executes S512 corresponds to an example of a transfer date acquisition unit and an extraction unit.

  Although the present invention has been described based on the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be easily made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Can be inferred.

  In the above-described embodiment, the answering data as an example of the storage data has been described as being stored as digital data. However, the “storage data” described in the claims and the specifications means analog data and digital data. It means a superordinate concept that includes both.

  In the above-described embodiment, the MFP 1 may be configured to synthesize a voice that reads out the data number or recording time data associated with the recorded message data and transfer it together with the recorded message data. In that case, the data number, recording time data, and answering machine data each correspond to an example of stored data.

  In the above embodiment, all of the recorded message data extracted as the transfer target by the processing of S512 is transferred. Instead of this, for example, before transferring the answering machine data, the number of the extracted answering machine data and the data number of the extracted answering machine data are transmitted as a voice message and sent from the telephone device of the call destination. Alternatively, it may be configured to transfer only the recorded data of the designated data number using the DTMF signal. In this way, only the recorded message data that the user wants to hear can be transferred.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the description has been made assuming that the present invention is applied to the case where the recorded message data is transferred. However, for example, data recording the conversation between the calling party and the called party during a call is stored in a memory, and a communication device for transferring to an external device or image data received by FAX is stored in a memory. The present invention can also be applied to a communication device that transfers data to the device. In that case, the data recording the call and the image data correspond to examples of stored data.

  In the above embodiment, the ringing tone is prohibited while the number of times the RING signal is received is less than the predetermined number. In addition to or instead of this, “Please do not take the handset” A voice message may be output from a speaker.

  Further, in the above embodiment, when there is 0 record data to be transferred, a message is sent to the external device. However, when there is 0 record data to be transferred, for example, an external device is connected. After calling for a predetermined number of times, the calling may be terminated to notify that there is no answering data to be transferred.

  Further, the MFP 1 may have a telephone number dedicated to forwarding recorded messages. In that case, when there is an incoming call from an external device and the incoming call is terminated before responding to the incoming call, the recorded message data may be uniformly transferred to the external device. In other words, the answering data may be transferred regardless of the number of times the RING signal is received, whether or not a telephone number is registered, and regardless of the setting data.

  In the above embodiment, the MFP 1 has been described as performing communication via the telephone line network 100 which is a public telephone line. However, when performing IP telephone communication for exchanging data in units of packets via the Internet line or the like. Also, the present invention can be applied.

1 MFP
13a RING signal reception frequency counter 14a Phonebook memory 14b Answering machine data memory 24 Amplifier 25 Speaker 26 NCU
100 telephone network

Claims (7)

An outgoing telephone number receiving means for receiving the outgoing telephone number of the external apparatus sent from the communication network when there is an incoming call from the external apparatus;
A call signal receiving means for receiving a call signal sent from the communication network when there is an incoming call;
Response means for responding to the incoming call by transmitting a response signal to the communication network after receiving the call signal by the call signal receiving means;
If the incoming call ends before responding to the incoming call by the response means, the outgoing telephone number received by the outgoing telephone number receiving means is called, and the stored data stored in the data storage means is stored in the external device. A communication device comprising transfer means for transferring data to the communication device. Counting means for counting the number of times the call signal is received by the call signal receiving means;
The transfer means transfers the stored data when the incoming call is terminated before responding to the incoming call, and the number of times of reception of the call signal counted by the counting means is less than a predetermined number. Item 2. The communication device according to Item 1. Ringing means for ringing a ringing tone when receiving the call signal;
The communication device according to claim 2, further comprising: a ringing prohibiting unit that prohibits ringing of the ringing sound by the ringing unit while the number of receptions of the calling signal counted by the counting unit is less than the predetermined number of times. Telephone number storage means for storing a telephone number;
For each telephone number stored in the telephone number storage means, setting storage means for storing setting data indicating whether the stored data is transferred,
The ringing prohibiting means is
When the setting data stored in the setting storage means for the calling telephone number acquired by the calling telephone number acquisition means indicates that the stored data is to be transferred, the number of receptions of the call signal counted by the counting means The communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein when the number is less than the predetermined number of times, ringing of the ringing tone is prohibited. Line control means for controlling the closing and opening of a line leading to the communication network;
Line closing means for closing the line by the line control means when the call signal is not received continuously for a predetermined time or more after the call signal is received less than the predetermined number of times in the state where the line is opened. The communication apparatus according to claim 2, further comprising:   A transfer prohibiting means for prohibiting the transfer of the stored data when the number of times of reception of the call signal counted by the counting means is zero when the incoming call is terminated before the response means responds to the incoming call; The communication apparatus according to any one of claims 2 to 5. When performing transfer of the stored data by the transfer means, it comprises transfer date storage means for storing the last recorded message transfer time data indicating the execution date of the transfer in association with the telephone number of the external device of the transfer destination,
The transfer means includes
Transfer date and time acquisition means for acquiring the last recorded message transfer time data stored in the transfer date and time storage means in association with the call telephone number received by the call phone number receiving means;
An extraction means for extracting stored data stored in the data storage means after the execution date and time of the transfer indicated by the final recorded message transfer time data acquired by the transfer date and time acquisition means;
The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage data extracted by the extraction unit is transferred.

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