JP2833520B2 - Communication terminal device with absence recording function - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication terminal device such as a facsimile device having an answering machine function, which is connected to a telephone by branching to the same telephone line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a facsimile apparatus of this type, a telephone connected in a branch (parallel) manner (hereinafter referred to as a branch telephone) even while an answering machine is operating.
If you go off-hook with your handset, you can talk to the other party. However, even in such a case, since the operation of the answering machine is continued, for example, when the branch telephone is installed in a place remote from the facsimile machine, the answering machine does not stop the answering operation, and the content of the call remains unchanged. Recording was continued unnecessarily.

To solve such a problem, it has been proposed to provide a monitoring circuit for monitoring off-hook of the branch telephone. The monitoring circuit is, for example, connected to a telephone line so as to be in parallel with the branch telephone, and detects a change in voltage on the telephone line due to off-hook of the branch telephone. Then, if the voltage change on the telephone line was detected by the monitoring circuit while the answering machine function was operating, it was determined that the branch telephone was off-hook, and the answering machine function was controlled to be stopped. .

[0004]

However, since a voice signal or the like flows on the line, it is difficult to accurately detect a voltage change on the telephone line due to off-hook of the branch telephone. In addition, the voltage may be changed by factors other than the off-hook of the branch telephone (such as various switch operations). As a result, recording cannot be stopped even though the branch telephone has been off-hook, or conversely, the absence recording function has been stopped even if the branch telephone has not been off-hook. was there.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the problems existing in the prior art described above, and has as its object to surely stop an active absence recording function when a branch-connected telephone goes off-hook. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication terminal device having an answering machine recording function that can perform the recording.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, in a communication terminal device with an automatic recording function that is branch-connected to a telephone set with respect to the same telephone line, the communication terminal apparatus with an answering function is provided. A communication terminal device with an absence recording function, comprising: tone signal detection means for detecting a tone signal; and control means for stopping an active absence recording function when a predetermined tone signal is detected by the tone signal detection means. It is.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a communication terminal device with an automatic telephone recording function, which is connected to the same telephone line by branching to a telephone, an impulse signal detecting means for detecting an impulse signal accompanying an off-hook of the telephone at the input side of the modem. And a control means for stopping the voice recording function in operation based on the detection by the impulse signal detecting means.

[0008] In the invention of claim 3, the modem has the impulse signal detecting means.

[0009]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when a predetermined tone signal from the branch telephone is detected by the tone signal detecting means, the automatic answering function is stopped under the control of the control means.

[0010] In this way, only by transmitting a predetermined tone signal from the branch telephone, it is possible to surely stop the automatic voice recording function during operation. According to the second aspect of the present invention, when the impulse signal detecting means detects an impulse signal accompanying the off-hook of the telephone, the answering function in operation is stopped under the control of the control means.

The impulse signal accompanying the off-hook of the branch telephone has an extremely large amplitude as compared with a voice signal or the like, so that it can be reliably distinguished from other signals. Therefore, based on the detection by the impulse signal detecting means, it is possible to accurately determine the off-hook of the branch telephone set, and to reliably stop the answering function during operation.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the impulse detecting means is provided in a modem. Therefore, it is not necessary to separately provide the impulse detecting means with the modem, and the circuit configuration can be simplified.

[0013]

First Embodiment Hereinafter, a first embodiment in which the invention of claim 1 is embodied in a facsimile apparatus with an answering machine function will be described. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the facsimile machine 1 is connected to a telephone line L via a connection terminal S. The telephone 2 is connected to the facsimile apparatus 1 in a branch (parallel) manner with the same telephone line L (hereinafter, referred to as a branch telephone).

The branch telephone 2 has a handset 3, and when the handset 3 is off-hook, a hook switch 4 provided in the branch telephone 2 is closed. In the drawing, reference numeral 6 denotes a dial circuit, which generates a push tone signal corresponding to the operated dial key 5 and sends it out onto the telephone line L.

Next, the facsimile machine 1 will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the facsimile apparatus. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 7 denotes a central processing unit (CPU) as control means of the present embodiment, and 8 denotes a control unit for controlling the operation of the apparatus. A read-only memory (ROM) storing a program and a read / write memory (RAM) 9 for temporarily storing various information such as received image data and read image data are shown.

Modem 10 as tone signal detecting means
Performs modulation / demodulation of transmission / reception data, and generates / detects a push tone signal corresponding to the telephone number of the other party, a digital command signal, a digital identification signal, and the like.
The tone generation circuit 10α and the tone detection circuit 10β are provided in the modem 10. This tone generating circuit 10α
Generates a 1100 Hz ringing tone (CNG) or the like. The tone detection circuit 10β detects a CNG signal or the like from the transmitting device. Network control unit (NC
U) 11 controls the connection between the apparatus 1 and the telephone line L under the control of the CPU 7. As shown in FIG. 2, the NCU 11 has a transformer 19 having a telephone line L side as a primary side and a modem 10 side as a secondary side. Amplification / filter circuit 1
2 amplifies the signal sent from the telephone line L and cuts off unnecessary frequency signals (noise).

The reading section 13 is for taking in an image on a document as image data, and the recording section 14 is for printing the received image data on recording paper.
The timer 15 is for measuring a predetermined time in each operation of the device 1.

The facsimile machine 1 of the present embodiment
Has an answering machine recording function as a function accompanying the facsimile function. That is, a digital signal processor (DSP) 16 for digitally processing an audio signal includes a RAM 16α for storing audio in an encoded state, and an encoding / decoding circuit 1 for encoding / decoding audio data.
6β. In a certain area in the RAM 16α, for example, a response voice message indicating that the user is out of the office is stored in advance, and in another area, a voice message from the transmission side is stored. The key input section 17 has an answering key 17α for setting an answering machine mode, and the like. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 18 denotes a handset used for a call on the facsimile machine 1 side.

When the answering machine mode is set by operating the answering key 17α, the CPU 7 activates the answering machine recording function after the line connection by the NCU 11. That is, DS
By controlling P16, the response voice message stored in the RAM 16α is transmitted to the transmitting device, and the voice message transmitted from the transmitting device is stored in the RAM 16α. And CPU7
Detects the predetermined push tone signal from the branch telephone 2 during the operation of the answering machine, and stops the operation of the answering machine.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus 1 having the above-described configuration with an automatic recording function will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Here, it is assumed that the answering machine mode is set by operating the answering key 17α.

Now, after a ringing tone is sounded a predetermined number of times by a calling signal from the converter based on a call from the transmitting side device, the line is connected by the NCU 11 and the answering function is activated (step 1). Hereinafter, S1). That is, the response voice message stored in the RAM 16α by the DSP 16 is transmitted to the transmitting device, and the voice message transmitted from the transmitting device is transmitted to the RA 16α.
Stored in M16α.

Here, when a CNG signal from the transmitting device is detected during the operation of the absence recording function (S2),
It is determined that the transmitting side is a facsimile apparatus, the operation of the answering machine is stopped (S3), and the operation shifts to the facsimile receiving operation (S4). That is, the received image data is printed on the recording paper in the recording unit 14.

During operation of the answering machine, the handset 3 is hooked off on the branch telephone 2 side,
When, for example, “♯” is operated as the predetermined dial key 5, a push tone signal corresponding to the dial key operation is transmitted from the telephone 2. When this push-tone signal is detected by the modem 10 (S5), the answering machine function in operation, that is, the sending operation of the response voice message or the storing operation of the voice message from the transmitting side device is stopped (S7). ). Therefore, the contents of the call with the transmitting side are not stored (recorded).

Even if a predetermined push tone signal is not detected, even if a predetermined time has elapsed since the absence recording function was activated (S6), the operation of the absence recording function is stopped (S7).

As described above, in the present embodiment, it is possible to reliably stop the automatic voice recording function during operation by a simple operation in which the handset 3 of the branch telephone set 2 is off-hook and the predetermined dial key 5 is operated. Can be. Therefore, there is no need to provide a special circuit for detecting the off-hook of the branch telephone 2 unlike the related art, and the configuration can be simplified, and the size and cost of the device 1 can be reduced.

[0026]

Second Embodiment Hereinafter, a description will be given of only a difference of the second embodiment, which embodies the second aspect of the present invention, from the first embodiment. As shown in the circle A in FIG. 4, in the present embodiment, attention is paid to the fact that a signal having a very large amplitude is instantaneously generated on the line due to the off-hook of the branch telephone 2, and this is detected. By branch telephone 2
Is considered off-hook.

That is, as shown in FIG. 4, the impulse signal detecting means in this embodiment is a peak hold circuit 2
The signal input from the amplification / filter circuit 12 to the modem 10 is input to the circuit 20. And
The peak hold circuit 20 detects the peak value of the signal input to the modem 10, and when the detected value exceeds a predetermined value, it is determined that the branch telephone 2 is off-hook, and the answering machine during operation is in operation. Control for stopping the recording function is performed. That is, in the present embodiment, the "impulse signal accompanying the off-hook of the telephone" is a signal indicating a peak value exceeding a predetermined value.

As described above, paying attention to the fact that the signal input to the modem 10 shows a peak value exceeding a predetermined value due to the off-hook of the branch telephone 2, this is detected by the peak hold circuit 20, and 2 is determined to be off-hook. The amplitude of the signal input to the modem 10 due to the off-hook of the branch telephone 2 is very large, and the difference between the peak values is clear as compared with the amplitude of a voice signal or the like. Therefore, the off-hook of the branch telephone 2 can be easily and reliably determined.
As in the conventional off-hook monitoring circuit, the absence recording function can be prevented from malfunctioning.

Here, the peak hold circuit 20
It is provided on the secondary side (modem 10 side) of the transformer 19, and can avoid various problems as compared with the primary side (telephone line L side). In other words, according to the current legislation, when manufacturing and selling a product provided with the peak hold circuit 20 as an improved type of an existing device (approved device), the peak hold circuit 20 is If installed on the primary side, approval for the improved device must be reacquired. However, in the case of an improved product in which the circuit 20 is provided on the secondary side, this is not necessary, and the labor for reacquiring the approval can be omitted.

The present invention can be practiced in the following modes without departing from the spirit of the present invention. (1) In the first embodiment, when "@" is operated as the predetermined dial key 5, the push tone signal corresponding to the dial key 5 ("@") is detected, and the absence recording function is performed. Had to be stopped. This may be changed and stopped by another dial key 5, or a combination of a plurality of dial keys 5 or the absence recording function may be stopped even if any dial key 5 is operated. good. (2) Each of the above embodiments has been embodied in the facsimile apparatus 1 with the answering and recording function that is branch-connected to the telephone 2 for the same telephone line L. The present invention may be embodied in a telephone with an answering function that is connected in a branch. (3) As a specific embodiment of the present invention, the peak hold circuit 20 is provided in the modem 10. Also,
If the sensitivity of the modem 10 is good, an impulse signal accompanying the off-hook of the branch telephone set 2 can be detected, so that the modem 10 may be used as an impulse signal detecting means. In this way, unlike the second embodiment, there is no need to provide an impulse detecting means (20) separate from the modem 10, so that the circuit configuration can be simplified and the size and cost of the device can be reduced. .

[0031]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
It is possible to stop the automatic voice recording function in response to the off-hook of the branch telephone, without requiring a circuit for detecting the off-hook of the branch telephone. Therefore, the configuration can be simplified, and the size and cost of the device can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the off-hook of the branch telephone can be accurately detected with a simple circuit configuration, the configuration can be simplified, and the size and cost of the device can be reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the modem has the impulse signal detecting means, a circuit can be formed at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration near an NCU.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the facsimile machine.

FIG. 4 is a view showing a second embodiment, and is a circuit diagram showing a configuration near an NCU.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facsimile apparatus as a communication terminal device, 2 ... Telephone, 7 ... CPU constituting control means, 10 ... Modem as tone signal detection means, 16 ... DSP constituting absence recording function, 20 ... Impulse signal detection means , A peak hold circuit, L ... telephone line.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-61-150455 (JP, A) JP-A-63-260254 (JP, A) JP-A-1-179555 (JP, A) JP-A-1- 215172 (JP, A) JP-A-1-216663 (JP, A) JP-A-1-253359 (JP, A) JP-A-2-25148 (JP, A) JP-A-2-45899 (JP, A) JP-A-3-4651 (JP, A) JP-A-3-94553 (JP, A) JP-A-4-142145 (JP, A) JP-A-4-207749 (JP, A) JP-A-4-252552 (JP, A) JP-A-5-136905 (JP, A) JP-A-5-236149 (JP, A) JP-A-7-183964 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶⁾ H04M 1/64-1/65 H04M 11/00-11/10 H04N 1/00

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A communication terminal device having an automatic voice recording function, which is connected to a telephone set on the same telephone line by a branch, with a tone signal detecting means for detecting a predetermined tone signal from the telephone set, and a predetermined tone signal detected by the tone signal detecting means. A communication terminal device with an answering function provided with control means for stopping an operating answering function when a tone signal is detected. 2. An impulse signal detecting means for detecting an impulse signal accompanying an off-hook of a telephone at an input side of a modem in a communication terminal apparatus having an answering machine with a branch connection to the same telephone line. A communication terminal device with an absence recording function provided with control means for stopping an active absence recording function based on detection by a detection means. 3. The communication terminal device according to claim 2, wherein said impulse signal detection means is provided in a modem.