JP2811025B2 - Composite image communication device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a composite type image communication apparatus in which another type of terminal function is added to a facsimile communication terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art For example, as an image communication apparatus for performing facsimile communication via a telephone line in accordance with the standard of CCITT recommendation G3, a composite apparatus having a data terminal and a telephone terminal in addition to a facsimile terminal is provided.

In this type of conventional apparatus, as shown in FIG. 3, when an incoming call is received from a telephone line, first, a facsimile terminal unit and a data terminal unit sequentially execute a communication start procedure defined respectively. While the communication start procedure that has been executed makes the terminal unit that has progressed smoothly perform the communication operation,
When any of the communication start procedures ends abnormally, a response operation is performed by the telephone terminal unit.

In this case, a communication start procedure by the facsimile terminal is performed as follows. That is, a 1100 Hz tone signal (CN
G) and receive a 2100 Hz answer tone (CE
D), the exchange of the digital identification signal (DIS) and the digital command signal (DCS), the exchange of the modem training and the confirmation signal (CFR), and the like are sequentially executed. Transmission and reception posture (phase) of image information, so-called facsimile message
Move to

[0005] A communication start procedure by the data terminal unit is performed as follows. That is, the receiving side
After transmitting a 2100 Hz answer tone (CED) for a fixed time, a PSK modulated unscrambled binary "1" (mark) signal and a 1800 Hz guard tone are transmitted for a fixed time. After detecting the binary "1" signal for a predetermined time, the transmitting side transmits the scrambled binary "1" signal for a predetermined time. After the receiving side detects this binary signal “1” for a certain period of time, it sends out a scrambled binary “1” signal and a 1800 Hz guard tone for a certain period of time.
Transition to the data transmission / reception posture (phase). After detecting the binary "1" signal for a certain period of time, the transmitting side shifts to the data transmission / reception posture. In this way, data transmission / reception is started only after both the transmitting side and the receiving side have shifted to the data transmission / reception state.

[0006] If both of the above two start procedures are unsuccessful, the type of the calling terminal is determined to be a normal telephone, and
A response operation is performed by the telephone terminal unit. In this response operation, the tone ringer is driven, or a voice message prepared in advance is transmitted.

As described above, by sequentially executing the communication start procedure specified for each communication terminal type, it is possible to respond to calls from any of the facsimile, data and telephone terminal types. (For example, see Japanese Patent Publication No. 2-15151).

[0008]

However, according to such a structure, the user on the transmitting side is confused unnecessarily, and a wasteful waiting time is often imposed under the charge of the line usage fee. was there.

The above problem occurs for the following reasons. That is, if the calling terminal is a telephone, the called side determines that the communication terminal of the calling side is a telephone, and performs a facsimile operation until a response operation corresponding to the telephone communication terminal is performed. It is necessary to execute a predetermined communication start procedure for each of the communication terminal and the data communication terminal, and to determine whether or not each executed communication start procedure has been completed as predetermined.

[0010] During this time, the user on the calling side is kept confused for a long time under the charge of the line usage fee, while being puzzled by a silent state in which there is no answer by telephone.

[0011] Also, even if the originating terminal is a facsimile or data, if the receiving side device is not set to preferentially use a terminal unit of the same type as the originating side,
The transmitting side is left unnecessarily waited until a predetermined communication start procedure determined for another terminal unit set for preferential use is executed and the result of the execution is evaluated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and is capable of responding to a plurality of terminal types and promptly and accurately responding to an incoming call from any terminal type. It is another object of the present invention to provide a composite image communication apparatus capable of reducing the embarrassment and waiting time of a calling user.

[0013]

According to the present invention, there is provided an incoming call detecting method for detecting an incoming call from a telephone line.
A stage, and a facsimile terminal unit that performs communication response of the document image information by the telephone line, and a data terminal unit that performs communication response data information by the telephone line, the telephone terminal unit that communicates voice response, the telephone line Tone signal detection means capable of distinguishing and detecting a plurality of types of tone signals from the telephone line, and connecting the telephone line to the facsimile terminal unit,
Terminal unit, the telephone terminal unit, and the tone signal detection
Switching means for selectively switching and connecting means, and this switching means
Control information that specifies the connection position of the
And a microcomputer having information
Based on the information, the incoming call detecting means
When an incoming call is detected, the switching means switches to the detecting means.
Connection, and after switching, the tone signal detecting means
The switching means for detecting a predetermined tone signal
Is the corresponding facsimile terminal or the data
Switch to the terminal unit, and the tone signal detecting means
If the specified tone signal is not detected within the specified time,
It is provided with a configuration for switching connection to the telephone terminal unit .

[0014]

According to the present invention, a microcontroller
The connection position of the switching means provided in the computer and the communication response
Based on the control information specifying the terminal unit to perform
Upon detection of an incoming call, a tone signal indicates the selection switching destination of the switching means.
Switch to detection means, tone signal detection means within a predetermined time
When a predetermined tone signal is detected at
Compatible terminal units (facsimile terminal unit, data terminal unit)
Switch, connect, and detect a predetermined tone signal within a predetermined time.
If not issued, the switching means switches to the telephone terminal and connects
And perform operations in accordance with the connected terminals.
It is.

[0015]

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

In the drawings, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a composite image communication apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, wherein 1 is a facsimile terminal unit for communicating image information through a telephone line L, and 2 is text information through the telephone line L. A data terminal unit 3 for performing telephone communication via the telephone line L; a telephone terminal unit 4 for performing a line switching connection; and a tone signal 5 for detecting a specific tone signal from the telephone line L. The detection unit 6 is a control unit that centrally controls the operation of each unit.

The facsimile terminal 1 has a facsimile modem 11, a codec / decoder 12, a read / recorder 13 for reading and printing document image information, and the like. Perform communication.

The data terminal unit 2 includes a data communication modem 2
1. It has a display unit 22 using a CRT or a liquid crystal display or the like as an output unit, an operation unit 23 such as a keyboard, etc., and communicates data mainly composed of character codes.

The telephone terminal unit 3 includes a speech circuit 31 including a speech network and the like, and a handset (receiver) 3.
2. A dial transmitter 33 that generates a dial signal by DTMF (multi-frequency tone signal) or DP (dial pulse) and sends it out to the line L; an incoming call detector 34 that detects an incoming call from the line L; The tone ringer 35 is driven by sound upon detection of the sound signal, and performs direct communication by an audio signal.

The switching unit 4 selectively switches and connects the telephone line L to the above-mentioned three types of terminals 1, 2, 3 based on a command from the control unit 6. Although not shown, the switching unit 4 also includes a network control function such as hook on / off.

The tone signal detector 5 includes at least the first
The second two types of specific tone signals CNG1 and CNG2 are configured to be detected separately, and the detected content is notified to the control unit 6.

In this case, the first specific tone signal CNG1
A tone signal (CNG: usually 1100 Hz) transmitted by the telephone network facsimile apparatus of the CCITT recommendation G3 standard at the time of calling is determined, and a second specific tone signal CN is defined.
A tone signal of a frequency other than the above is defined as G2.

The control section 6 is constituted by using a general-purpose control apparatus in the form of a microcircuit, a so-called microcomputer, and centrally controls the operations of the above-described sections 1 to 5. Further, the control unit 6 has a control function of designating a connection position of the line L by the switching unit 4 and a terminal unit for performing a communication response based on the detection contents of the incoming call detection unit 34 and the tone signal detection unit 5. It is built in.

The operation of the composite image communication apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

FIG. 2 shows an operation example at the time of automatic response by the apparatus of FIG. First, when the incoming call detection circuit 34 detects an incoming call from the line L, the control unit 6 switches the switching unit 4 based on this detection.
Control. With this control, the switching unit 4 connects the line L to the tone signal detection unit 5. The tone signal detection unit 5
Under the control of the control unit 6, the line L
To monitor.

Here, when the tone signal detecting section 5 detects the first specific tone signal CNG1, the control section 6 determines that the transmitting terminal type is facsimile, and switches the line L via the switching section 4 to facsimile. Connect to terminal unit 1. The facsimile terminal unit 1 connected to the line L executes a predetermined communication start procedure under the control of the control unit 6, and shifts to a transmission / reception state (phase) of document image information, that is, a facsimile message.

When the tone signal detecting unit 5 detects the second specific tone signal CNG2, the control unit 6 determines that the type of the terminal on the transmitting side is the data communication, and switches the line L to the data via the switching unit 4. Connect to terminal unit 2. The data terminal unit 2 connected to the line L executes a predetermined communication start procedure under the control of the control unit 6, and shifts to a data transmission / reception posture.

On the other hand, if the tone signal detector 5 does not detect the specific tone signal CNG1 or CNG2 during the detection period of the fixed time, the controller 6 determines that the type of the terminal on the calling side is a telephone, and the switching unit 4 The line L is connected to the telephone terminal unit 3 via the. The telephone terminal unit 3 connected to the line L performs an automatic call answering by a voice prepared in advance.

As described above, even if an incoming call is received from any of facsimile, data communication, and telephone terminal types, a protocol procedure for starting facsimile or data communication is executed, and the call is transmitted without waiting for the result. By determining the type of the side terminal type, it is possible to promptly respond by the communication function according to the determined terminal type. As a result, the user on the calling side is not confused by the
Further, the automatic response operation for a plurality of types of communication terminals can be performed quickly and accurately using the same telephone line L without imposing a wasteful waiting time under the charge of the line usage fee.

[0030]

As is apparent from the above description, the present invention relates to the connection of the switching means provided in the microcomputer.
Control to specify the location and terminal unit for performing communication response
Selection switching of switching means by incoming call detection based on information
Switch to the tone signal detection means, and
If the stage detects a given tone signal within a given time, this
Terminals corresponding to tone signals (facsimile terminals,
Data terminal section), connect to it, and
If no tone signal is detected, the switching means switches to the telephone terminal.
Switching and connection, and the tone signal detection
The switching means switches the selection with the output means.
Simple configuration and control of switching based on information from
In addition to supporting multiple terminal types,
Responds quickly to incoming calls from
Do it properly, and be confused and waiting for the starting user
Has the effect of reducing
You. Further, the switching means including the tone signal detecting means is switched off.
Configuration, so that each terminal unit can be
Useless signals do not flow through the
Can reliably be prevented.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a composite image communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an outline of an operation of a main part of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the conventional composite image communication apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 L Telephone line 1 Facsimile terminal unit 11 Facsimile modem 12 Encoding / decoding unit 13 Reading / recording unit 2 Data terminal unit 21 Data communication modem 22 Display unit 23 Operation unit 3 Telephone terminal unit 31 Talking circuit 32 Handset (handset) 33 Dial Transmitter 34 Incoming Detecting Unit 35 Tone Ringer 4 Switching Unit 5 Tone Signal Detecting Unit 6 Control Unit

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An incoming call from a telephone line is detected, and a voice
A facsimile terminal for performing a communication response of document image information by the telephone line;
A data terminal unit for performing a communication response of data information over the telephone line, tone signal detecting means capable of distinguishing and detecting a plurality of types of tone signals from the telephone line, the facsimile terminal unit and the data terminal unit for the telephone line A switching unit for selectively switching and connecting the telephone terminal unit and the tone signal detection unit; and a microcomputer having control information for specifying a connection position of the switching unit and a terminal that performs a communication response. The telephone terminal detects an incoming call from the telephone line based on the control information .
Then, the switching means switches to the tone signal detecting means.
For example, said facsimile terminal unit tone signal detecting means is the switching means when detecting a predetermined tone signal within a predetermined time corresponding or by switching connection to the data terminal unit, the tone signal detecting means said predetermined time A multi-function image communication apparatus for switching connection to the telephone terminal when a predetermined tone signal is not detected.