JP3173270B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having an answering machine function, and more particularly, to switching of a reception standby mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a facsimile apparatus having a function of an answering machine and a function of a facsimile transceiver has been marketed. In these facsimile apparatuses, as a medium for recording a voice as an answering machine, a medium using a semiconductor memory has been becoming mainstream because of a reduction in mechanical structure and ease of operation. Usually, the answering machine of these facsimile apparatuses digitizes a received voice signal, compresses the digitized data, and stores it in a memory. At the time of reproduction, the answering machine reads out the compressed data from the memory, decompresses it, converts it into an analog signal, and drives the speaker.

[0003] Such a facsimile apparatus has modes such as a telephone mode, a facsimile mode, a telephone / fax mode, and an answering / fax mode as reception standby modes.

[0004] In telephone mode, the facsimile machine only receives calls manually. That is, when a ringing tone sounds,
The operator picks up the telephone attached to the facsimile apparatus and identifies whether the other party is a normal call or a facsimile transmission. Then, if the other party is talking, the operator continues talking, and if facsimile transmission, the operator presses the start button of the facsimile apparatus to activate the facsimile apparatus.

In the facsimile mode, a facsimile apparatus monitors a call signal on a telephone line and automatically connects the telephone line when the call signal is detected. The facsimile transmission / reception unit is based on T.T. Facsimile communication is performed in accordance with Recommendation 30 (ITU-T T.30).

In the telephone / facsimile mode, a facsimile apparatus monitors a call signal on a telephone line and automatically connects to the telephone line when the call signal is detected. Thereafter, the facsimile apparatus determines whether the other party is talking or transmitting facsimile, and if the other party is talking, emits a buzzer sound or the like to urge the operator to pick up the telephone. Also, if the other party is facsimile transmission, the above T.30 is used. According to 30, the facsimile transmission / reception unit performs reception.

[0007] The facsimile apparatus transmits the T.D. If a call tone (CNG) of 30 is detected, it is determined that the other party is facsimile transmission. However, the CNG signal is T. Since the option signal is 30, the other party's facsimile machine may not transmit CNG. Therefore, the facsimile apparatus also determines that the other party is performing facsimile transmission even when detecting silence for a certain period of time after an incoming call.

[0008] Alternatively, the facsimile apparatus analyzes the frequency spectrum on the telephone line, and if the spectrum has characteristics of human voice, the facsimile apparatus determines that the other party is talking.

In the answering machine / facsimile mode, the facsimile apparatus monitors the calling signal on the telephone line. Then, when the facsimile apparatus detects the calling signal, it automatically connects to the telephone line and starts the operation of the answering machine. Normally, the answering machine sends a response message to the other party, and then enters a recording state. During this time CNG
Alternatively, upon detecting silence, it is determined that the other party is a facsimile device, the answering machine stops operating, and the facsimile transmitting / receiving unit starts a communication operation.

[0010]

In the above facsimile apparatus, the memory capacity required for the answering machine varies depending on the frequency of use. If the capacity of the memory is increased on the assumption that the frequency of use is high, the cost of the facsimile apparatus increases. Further, if the capacity of the memory is set on the assumption that the frequency of use is low, the cost of the facsimile apparatus decreases, but there is a problem that the content of the recording is lost when the frequency of use increases.

On the other hand, in order to set the reception standby mode of the facsimile apparatus, a key switch is operated while looking at a liquid crystal display or the like of the facsimile apparatus. However, this operation is troublesome.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has as its object to provide a facsimile apparatus which can select an appropriate memory capacity according to the frequency of use and can easily set a reception standby mode.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a first aspect of the present invention is a facsimile apparatus including an answering machine and a facsimile transmitting / receiving unit, wherein the answering machine stores voice. Providing a removable storage device,
The storage device is characterized in that the standby mode of the facsimile transmission / reception unit is selected depending on whether or not the answering machine is attached.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, when a storage device is mounted on the answering machine, the apparatus stands by in a mode of voicemail / fax switching, and when no storage device is mounted on the answering machine. Wait in other modes.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the storage device is a memory card, the answering machine detects the insertion of the memory card, and outputs a signal indicating the detection result to the facsimile transmission / reception unit. The standby mode is switched based on the signal.

[0016]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a storage device for storing voice is made detachable. If several different capacities are supplied to the storage device, the user can select a storage device having an appropriate capacity according to his / her use frequency. Also,
By attaching this storage device to the facsimile machine, if the above-mentioned standby mode is switched, the operation becomes easier as compared with the mode switching operation by the key switch.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the user must attach a storage device to the facsimile machine when he / she wants the user to make an answering machine. This is to wait in the fax mode. If the user does not attach the storage device to the facsimile machine, he / she does not want to use the answering machine.
Stand by in fax mode.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the storage device is a memory card, handling of the storage device becomes easy.

[0019]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment. L1 and L2 indicate telephone lines. Network control circuit (hereinafter referred to as NCU) 1
Includes a CML relay 1a, a call signal detector 1b, and a line transformer 1c.

The CML relay 1a is connected to telephone lines L1, L2
To the attached telephone 1d and the line transformer 1c. The terminals b1 and b2 of the CML relay 1a are connected to the attached telephone 1d. Also, the terminals a1. a2 is connected to the primary winding of the line transformer 1c.

The call signal detector 1b is connected to the telephone line L
1. A call signal (16 Hz) on L2 is detected. The paging signal detection unit 1b is formed of, for example, a photocoupler. The light emitting diode element of the photocoupler is the telephone line L
1 and L2. The phototransistor of the photocoupler is connected to a CPU 13 described later.

An unattended recording processor (hereinafter referred to as a TAD processor) 2 and a modem processor 6 are connected in parallel to the secondary winding of the line transformer 1c. The TAD processor 2 has a function of digitizing an audio signal and compressing it by an appropriate method, a function of expanding compressed audio data and reproducing an analog audio signal, and a function of controlling an answering machine.

An IC memory card (hereinafter simply referred to as a memory card) M can be attached to the TAD processor 2 via an IC card interface 3 and a card terminal 4. The memory card M stores the compressed audio data. The voice data includes a so-called response message to be transmitted to the other party, in addition to a recorded message from the other party. The voice data of the response message may be stored in a memory in the TAD processor 2 instead of the memory card.

The TAD processor 2 further includes an amplifier 5
a and the speaker 5b are connected so that the user can listen to the recorded message. Further, the TAD processor 2 and the CPU 13 are connected by a serial data line, and various kinds of information can be exchanged between the TAD processor 2 and the CPU 13.

The modem processor 6 has a function of converting an analog signal on a telephone line into a digital signal, a function of converting a digital signal into an analog signal and sending it out to the telephone line, a function of modulating and demodulating a data signal, and a generation and analysis of an HDLC frame. It has the function to do. Then, the modem processor 6 is compliant with ITU-T Recommendation V. 21 (ITU-T T.30)
Modulation and demodulation of binary procedure signal), ITU-T Recommendation V. 2
7ter, V.A. A modulation / demodulation function in accordance with 29 or the like is realized.

The modem processor 6 is connected to a bus line 14. RAM7, RO
M8, printer 9, scanner 10, liquid crystal display (hereinafter referred to as L
11, a key switch 12, and a CPU 13 are connected. The RAM 6 stores image data and various fluctuating data. The ROM 8 stores an operation program of the CPU 13 and other fixed data.

As the printer 9, a thermal printer, a thermal transfer printer, an ink jet printer, a laser printer, an LED printer or the like is applied. The printer 9 prints the received image data. The scanner 10 includes a charge-coupled device (CCD) and a contact image sensor (CI)
S) and the like are applied. The scanner 10 reads a document and converts it into an electric signal.

The LCD 11 indicates the state of the facsimile machine,
For example, the type of a standby mode described later is displayed. The key switch 12 is used for instructing the operation of the facsimile machine and various settings.

The CPU 13 controls the operations of the modem processor 6, printer 9, scanner 10, LCD 11, and key switch 12 according to the program stored in the ROM 8. Further, the CPU 13 has functions specific to facsimile, such as a function of encoding and decoding image data, but is not the subject of the present invention, and thus detailed description is omitted.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In any of the standby modes described below, the CML relay 1a is switched to the b1 and b2 sides during standby.

First, the CPU 13 determines whether or not a call signal has arrived (step (hereinafter referred to as ST) 1).
The CPU 13 monitors a call signal on the telephone line L through the call signal detection unit 1b. If the CPU 13 does not detect the call signal, the CPU 13 repeats the determination in ST1. When detecting the call signal, the CPU 13 branches to the process of ST2.

In ST2, the CPU 13 determines whether the memory card M is mounted on the card terminal 4. TA
The D processor 2 sends a signal indicating whether or not the memory card M is mounted to the CPU 13 through a data line. CPU 13
Indicates that, based on this signal, the memory card M
Can be determined. CPU
If it is determined that the answer is "YES" in ST2, the process branches to ST3 as an answering / fax mode. On the other hand, C
If the PU 13 determines “NO” in ST2, the PU 13 determines that the mode is the telephone mode or the fax mode, and branches to ST7.

In ST3, the CPU 13 controls the operation in the automatic answering / fax mode. First, the CPU 13 switches the CML relay 1a to the terminals a1 and a2,
The D processor 2 is connected to the telephone line L. And TA
D processor 2 sends a predetermined message to the other party,
Start answering machine operation.

During this time, the modem processor 6 receives C from the other party.
Monitor NG (call tone 1100 Hz 500 ms). When the modem processor 6 detects CNG, it notifies the CPU 13 of the detection. CPU 13 determines whether modem processor 6 has detected CNG (ST4).
In this embodiment, the CNG is detected and the facsimile communication is determined, but silence detection or frequency spectrum analysis may be employed instead or in addition to this.

If the CPU 13 determines "NO" in ST4, the process branches to ST5 to cause the TAD processor 2 to continue the answering machine operation. When the TAD processor 2 ends the answering machine operation, the TAD processor 2 outputs a signal indicating this to the CPU.
13 is transferred. Then, the CPU 13 switches the CML relay 1a to the terminals b1 and b2, and returns to the determination of ST1.

If the CPU 13 determines "YES" in ST4, the CPU 13 branches to the process of ST6. In ST6, the CPU 13 stops the TAD processor 2 and performs a facsimile receiving operation. When the facsimile receiving operation is completed, the CPU 13 sets the CML relay 1a to the terminals b1 and b.
Switch to the second side and return to the determination of ST1.

On the other hand, when branching from ST2 to ST7, C
The PU 13 operates in a telephone mode or a fax mode. Either phone mode or fax mode operation
Whether the PU 13 performs the setting is set in advance by the user using the key switch 12.

If the CPU 13 is in the fax mode, C
The PU 13 switches the CML relay 1a to the terminals a1 and a2 and connects the modem processor 6 to the telephone line L (S
T8). Then, the CPU 13 performs a facsimile receiving operation. When the facsimile reception operation is completed, the CPU 13
Switches the CML relay 1a to the terminals b1 and b2,
Return to the determination of T1.

The CPU 13 stands by if it is in the telephone mode, and waits until the user goes off-hook on the telephone or the call signal disappears. Operator attached phone 1d
If you go off-hook, you can talk to the other party.
When the operator turns on the attached telephone 1d and disconnects the telephone line, the CPU 13 returns to the determination of ST1.

If the user presses a start key (not shown) of the key switch 12 during a call, the CPU 13 switches the CML relay 1a to the terminals a1 and a2 to start the facsimile communication operation. When the facsimile communication operation is completed, the CPU 13 connects the CML relay 1a to the terminals a1 and a2.
Side and returns to the determination of ST1.

In the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment, when the memory card M is not inserted, the telephone mode or the fax mode is set. However, a telephone / fax mode may be additionally provided.

In this embodiment, the storage device is I
Although a C memory card is used, other storage devices such as a magnetic bubble memory can be used. Further, the shape of the storage device is not limited to a card shape.

[0043]

As described above, the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect is a facsimile apparatus including an answering machine and a facsimile transmitting / receiving unit. The storage device is characterized in that the standby mode of the facsimile transmission / reception unit is selected according to the presence or absence of the answering machine, so that an appropriate memory capacity is set according to the frequency of use. There is an advantage that the user can select and the reception standby mode can be easily set.

Further, in the facsimile apparatus of the second aspect,
Since the answering machine / fax mode is set when the storage device is mounted, there is an advantage that the operator can more easily select the standby mode.

Further, in the facsimile apparatus according to the third aspect, since the storage device is an IC memory card, there is an advantage that the storage device can be easily handled.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating a circuit configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 M Memory card 1 NCU 2 TAD processor 3 IC card interface 4 Card terminal 6 Modem processor 12 Key switch 13 CPU

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Fields surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04M 11/00-11/10 H04M 1/64 H04N 1/00

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus provided with an answering machine and a facsimile transmitting / receiving unit, wherein said answering machine has a detachable storage device for storing voice, and is attached to said answering machine. A facsimile apparatus wherein a standby mode of a facsimile transmission / reception unit is selected according to presence / absence. 2. When a storage device is mounted on the answering machine, the apparatus stands by in a mode of voicemail / fax switching, and when no storage device is mounted on the answering machine, the other mode. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile apparatus waits at a time. 3. The storage device is a memory card. The answering machine detects the insertion of the memory card, and outputs a signal indicating the detection result to a facsimile transmission / reception unit. The facsimile transmission / reception unit waits based on the signal. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mode is switched.