JP3637673B2 - Non-voice information receiving system with answering machine function - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an answering machine with respect to a communication line and a non -voice information receiving system with an answering machine function comprising a communication device connected in parallel to the answering machine and having at least a function of receiving non-voice information. Is.
[0002]
[Prior art]
A facsimile apparatus can be considered as an example of a communication apparatus having a function of receiving at least non-voice information such as image information.
[0003]
Generally, a facsimile apparatus is configured so that a user can set the number of ringing sounds. That is, a call signal input via a communication line is activated for 1 second, for example, at a cycle of 3 seconds. The number of times of activation is measured, and when the measured value reaches a set value, the line is activated. Was closed.
[0004]
On the other hand, in the case of the answering machine, the user may be able to set the number of ringing sounds, or the user may not be able to change the preset number of rings. In some cases.
[0005]
Therefore, when the facsimile machine and the answering machine are connected in parallel to the telephone line by connecting an external answering machine to the facsimile machine, the setting on the facsimile machine side with respect to the number of ringing sounds is made. If the value is larger than the setting value on the answering machine, the answering machine closes the line. Conversely, if the setting on the facsimile machine is smaller than the setting on the answering machine, the line closes. Conclude.
[0006]
That is, when the answering machine function is unnecessary, the setting value on the facsimile apparatus side with respect to the number of ringing sounds is made smaller than the setting value on the answering machine apparatus so that the facsimile apparatus is operated first, and the answering machine is set. When the telephone function is required, the answering machine may be activated first by setting the setting value on the facsimile machine side larger than the setting value on the answering machine side. Of course, even if the answering machine is closed first, the facsimile apparatus monitors the CNG signal input via the telephone line. Therefore, if the facsimile apparatus detects a CNG signal indicating that the calling side transmits non-voice information, the facsimile apparatus also performs facsimile reception with the line closed.
[0007]
In recent years, an answering machine generally has a function of not performing an answering voice recording operation when a signal for stopping the answering voice recording operation is input via a telephone line. For example, a function for calling an answering machine from a location outside the office and changing a response message corresponds to this function. In this case, the answering machine does not perform an answering voice recording operation.
[0008]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in the conventional facsimile apparatus, when the external answering machine is first closed, it is impossible to prevent non-voice information such as received image information from being recorded on the external answering machine. was there.
[0009]
In other words, when the external answering machine is closed first, if the non-voice information is received, the CNG signal is detected, and the facsimile apparatus receives the facsimile by closing the line. Since the device is also closed and no signal for stopping the answering machine recording operation is input to the answering machine, the non-voice information is recorded in the answering machine and the storage means of the answering machine Will be wasted.
[0010]
The present invention, which was proposed in view of the above, distillate Mamoru number telephone non-voice information is recorded in the storage means of the device, answering machine that can prevent the storage means is used wastefully It aims at providing a functional non-voice information receiving system .
[0011]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a non-voice information receiving system with an answering machine function according to claim 1 is connected to a communication line in parallel to the answering machine and the answering machine , and at least A non -voice information receiving system with an answering machine function comprising a communication device having a non-voice information receiving function, wherein the answering machine closes a line when a call signal is equal to or more than a preset number of times. An answering machine for storing a signal for causing the answering machine to stop an answering machine recording operation, comprising a control means and a response message sending means for starting transmission of a response message after the line is closed by the answering machine control means. When there is a recording stop signal storage means and a signal indicating that non-voice information is to be transmitted from the calling party via a communication line, And a message recording stop signal sending means for sending a signal to read out the communication line to stop the message recording operation to the Voice Mail system from stopping signal storage means, message recording stop signal sending means, line by answering machine control means When the message for stopping the answering machine recording operation is received from the answering machine recording stop signal storage means after the closing of the message and before the response message is transmitted by the answer message sending means, the answering machine recording operation is stopped. It is characterized by.
[0012]
According to this non-voice information receiving system with an answering machine function, when a signal indicating that non-voice information such as image information is transmitted from the calling side via a communication line, an answering machine performs a recording operation on the answering machine. Since the signal for stopping the answering machine recording operation is input to the answering machine via the communication line and the answering machine operation is stopped, the signal for stopping the answering machine is stopped. Non-speech information is not recorded in the storage means, and wasteful use of the capacity of the storage means can be prevented.
[0013]
The communication device is, for example, a facsimile device, but is not limited to this, and various electronic devices to which an answering machine can be externally attached, such as a copying machine with a built-in modem and a personal computer, are conceivable. As the answering machine recording stop signal storage means, for example, a ROM is conceivable, but the invention is not limited to the ROM, and an EEPROM or the like may be used. As a storage means of the answering machine, for example, a RAM is conceivable, but is not limited to the RAM, and an EEPROM, a magnetic tape, or the like may be used. As a signal for causing the answering machine to stop the answering machine recording operation, for example, a DTMF signal composed of a remote control code and a line opening code is conceivable. However, the present invention is not limited to this, so that the answering machine recording operation is not performed. Since the signal to be performed is determined based on the specification of the answering machine, it is only necessary to store the signal in the answering recording stop signal storage means. This signal does not necessarily need to be a signal for opening the line, and it is only necessary to perform an answering machine recording operation. As a signal for transmitting non-voice information, for example, a CNG signal can be considered, but the signal is not limited to this. As non-speech information, for example, image information can be considered, but it is not limited to this.
[0014]
Further, non-voice information receiving system with automatic answering function of the invention described in claim 2 is the non-voice information receiving system with automatic answering function according to claim 1, wherein, in order to stop the message recording operation to the Voice Mail system Is a DTMF signal including a remote control code and a line release code, and a signal for transmitting non-voice information is a CNG signal.
[0015]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described with reference to the drawings.
[0016]
FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a principal part of a facsimile apparatus as an example of a communication apparatus of a non-voice information receiving system with an answering machine function according to the present invention and an answering machine externally attached thereto. The answering machine 2 is externally attached. The facsimile apparatus 1 includes a CPU 4, an NCU 5, a RAM 6, a modem 7, a ROM 8, an EEPROM 10, a gate array 11, a reading unit 12, a recording unit 13, an operation unit 14, a display unit 15, terminals 16 and 18, and the like. A telephone line 17 is connected to 16. The CPU 4, NCU 5, RAM 6, modem 7, ROM 8, EEPROM 10, and gate array 11 are connected to each other via a bus line. The gate array 11 includes a reading unit 12, a recording unit 13, an operation unit 14, and a display unit. 15 is connected. The NCU 5 is connected to the modem 7 and the terminal 16. Terminal 16 and terminal 18 are short-circuited.
[0017]
The facsimile machine 1 transmits / receives color or monochrome image information, voice information, and the like to / from other facsimile machines via the telephone line 17. The CPU 4 controls the entire facsimile apparatus 1. The NCU 5 is connected to the telephone line 17 via the terminal 16 and performs network control. The RAM 6 stores various digital data such as image information. The modem 7 performs modulation of transmission data, demodulation of reception data, and the like. The ROM 8 stores a DTMF signal including a remote control code for remotely operating the answering machine 2 and a line opening code for opening the answering machine 2 and various programs. The EEPROM 10 stores various registration data and flags. The gate array 11 functions as an input / output interface for the CPU 4. The reading unit 12 includes a light source, a CCD sensor, a document feed motor, and the like, reads a document, and outputs an image signal. The recording unit 13 includes an inkjet printer or a thermal transfer printer, and records an image on a recording sheet based on image information. The operation unit 14 includes a group of key switches and the like, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to a user operation. The display unit 15 includes an LCD and the like, and is controlled by the CPU 4 to perform various displays.
[0018]
That is, a part of the ROM 8 constitutes an answering voice recording stop signal storage means for storing a DTMF signal as a signal for causing the answering machine 2 to stop the answering voice recording operation. When a CNG signal as a signal for transmitting non-voice information is input from the calling side via the telephone line 17, the CPU 4 and the NCU 5 receive from the answering voice recording stop signal storage means constituted by a part of the ROM 8. An answering machine recording stop signal sending means for reading out a DTMF signal as a signal for stopping the answering machine recording operation to the answering machine 2 and sending it to the telephone line 17 is constructed.
[0019]
The answering machine 2 includes a terminal 19, an NCU 21, an answering machine control unit 23, a RAM 24, and the like. The NCU 21 is connected to the telephone line 17 via the terminal 19, the wiring 25, and the terminals 18 and 16. That is, the facsimile machine 1 and the answering machine 2 are connected to the telephone line 17 in parallel with each other.
[0020]
The answering machine 2 records voice information such as a received message received via the telephone line 17. The NCU 21 is connected to the telephone line 17 and performs network control. The answering machine control unit 23 includes a CPU, a voice codec, and the like, and controls the entire answering machine function. The RAM 24 stores voice information as digital data.
[0021]
Next, the procedure of the incoming call processing in the answering machine mode of the facsimile apparatus 1 and the answering machine 2 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS.
[0022]
FIG. 2 shows a procedure of incoming call processing in the answering machine mode of the facsimile apparatus 1. First, whether or not the CPU 4 of the facsimile apparatus 1 has received a call signal via the telephone line 17 based on a signal from the NCU 5. Is determined (S1). If a call signal is input (S1: YES), the CPU 4 starts a timer (not shown) (S2). This timer is composed of, for example, a counter, and performs a timing operation by counting down a set value set by a program using a pulse of a predetermined frequency using a clock signal of the CPU 4 as a timing pulse. Then, the CPU 4 determines whether a CNG signal input from the calling side via the telephone line 17 is detected based on the signal from the NCU 5 (S3). This CNG signal indicates that the calling side is a non-voice terminal. If the CNG signal is input (S3: YES), the CPU 4 controls the NCU 5 to close the line (S4). The fact that the CNG signal has been input means that the answering machine 2 has already been closed, and that the calling side is a non-voice terminal, so image information from the calling side is received. Therefore, the line is closed. The CPU 4 reads out a DTMF signal including a remote control code for remotely operating the answering machine 2 and a line opening code for opening the answering machine 2 from the ROM 8, modulates it by the modem 7, and controls the NCU 5. To the telephone line 17 (S5). The DTMF signal is transmitted to the calling side via the telephone line 17 and is also input to the answering machine 2 via the terminals 16 and 18, the wiring 25 and the terminal 19. The operation of 2 will be described later.
[0023]
Then, the facsimile machine 1 performs a FAX reception operation (S6). Specifically, the image information input from the calling side to the NCU 5 via the telephone line 17 is demodulated by the modem 7 and decoded by the CPU 4 and stored in the RAM 6 or recorded by the recording unit 13. Printed on paper. Then, the CPU 4 determines whether or not the reception is finished (S7). If reception has been completed (S7: YES), the CPU 4 controls the NCU 5 to release the line (S8), and this routine is terminated.
[0024]
In S7, if the reception is not completed (S7: NO), the process returns to S6 and continues the reception.
[0025]
If the CNG signal is not detected in S3 (S3: NO), the CPU 4 determines whether or not the timer started in S2 has expired (S9). If the timer has not expired (S9: NO), the process returns to S3 and waits for the CNG signal to be detected.
[0026]
In S9, if the timer has expired (S9: YES), this routine ends. That is, the fact that the CNG signal is not detected even if a predetermined time has elapsed after the call signal is input means that the calling side is not a non-voice terminal, so there is no need to receive it by the facsimile machine 1, and the answering machine Since it is sufficient to record the received audio information in 2, the routine is terminated without sending out the DTMF signal.
[0027]
If the call signal is not input in S1 (S1: NO), the process returns to S1 and waits for the call signal to be input.
[0028]
FIG. 3 shows the procedure of the incoming call processing in the answering machine mode of the answering machine 2. First, the answering machine control unit 23 of the answering machine 2 calls the call signal via the telephone line 17 based on the signal from the NCU 21. It is determined whether or not is input (S11). If the calling signal is input (S11: YES), the answering machine control unit 23 starts a timer (not shown) (S12). This timer is composed of, for example, a counter, and performs a timing operation by counting down a set value set by a program using a pulse of a predetermined frequency using a clock signal of the answering machine control unit 23 as a timing pulse. . Then, the answering machine control unit 23 counts the number of times that the calling signal becomes active (S13). Next, the answering machine control unit 23 determines whether or not the number of times that the call signal becomes active is equal to or greater than a preset value (S14). If the number of times that the call signal is activated is equal to or greater than a preset value (S14: YES), the answering machine control unit 23 controls the NCU 21 to close the line (S15), and the response message Transmission is started (S16). Specifically, the response message read from the RAM 24 is sent to the telephone line 17 via the NCU 21.
[0029]
Next, the answering machine control unit 23 determines whether or not a DTMF signal input via the telephone line 17 has been received based on the signal from the NCU 21 (S17). This DTMF signal is sent from the facsimile apparatus 1 in S5 of FIG. 2, and includes a remote control code for remotely operating the answering machine 2 and a line opening code for releasing the answering machine 2; Is included. If the DTMF signal is not received (S17: NO), the answering machine control unit 23 determines whether or not the transmission of the response message is completed (S18). If the transmission of the response message is completed (S18: YES), the answering machine 2 executes the recording process (S19). Specifically, voice information from the calling side input to the NCU 21 via the telephone line 17 and the wiring 25 is converted into digital data by the answering machine control unit 23 and stored in the voice information storage area of the RAM 24. The Then, the answering machine control unit 23 determines whether or not the reception is finished (S20). If the reception is completed (S20: YES), the answering machine control unit 23 controls the NCU 21 to release the line (S21), and this routine is terminated.
[0030]
In S20, if the reception is not completed (S20: NO), the process returns to S19 and the recording process is continued.
[0031]
If the transmission of the response message is not completed in S18 (S18: NO), the process returns to S16 and the transmission of the response message is continued.
[0032]
If the DTMF signal is received in S17 (S17: YES), the process proceeds to S21 to release the line. That is, since the DTMF signal includes a remote control code for remotely operating the answering machine 2 and a line opening code for releasing the answering machine 2, the answering machine control unit 23 sends the NCU 21 in accordance with this code. Control and release the line. The fact that the DTMF signal has been received means that the facsimile apparatus 1 has detected the CNG signal and the DTMF signal has been transmitted from the facsimile apparatus 1 in S5 of FIG. 2, and the calling side is a non-voice terminal. Therefore, image information is not stored in the voice information storage area of the RAM 24 of the answering machine 2, and wasteful use of the capacity of the RAM 24 can be prevented. Since the CNG signal is immediately transmitted from the calling side when the line is closed, if the calling side is a non-voice terminal, the response message transmission period from the line closing in S15 to the start of the recording process in S19 The DTMF signal is transmitted from the facsimile apparatus 1 and the DTMF signal is always received in S16. Therefore, the reception of the DTMF signal is monitored every predetermined time during the response message transmission period.
[0033]
In S14, if the number of times that the call signal has become active is not equal to or greater than a preset value (S14: NO), the answering machine control unit 23 determines whether or not the timer started in S12 has expired. Judgment is made (S22). If the time is not up (S22: NO), the process returns to S13 and continues counting the number of times the call signal becomes active.
[0034]
In S22, if the timer has expired (S22: YES), this routine ends. In other words, even if a paging signal is input, the calling side may stop making a call before the line is closed, so that the paging signal becomes active even if a predetermined time elapses after the paging signal is input. If the number of calls does not reach the preset value, the calling process is terminated as if the calling side stopped calling.
[0035]
If the call signal is not input in S11 (S11: NO), the process returns to S11 and waits for the call signal to be input.
[0036]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the non-voice information receiving system with an answering machine function according to the first aspect of the invention, when a signal to transmit non-voice information is input from the calling side via a communication line Since a signal for stopping the answering machine recording operation is sent to the communication line to the answering machine, the signal for stopping the answering machine operation is input to the answering machine via the communication line and the answering machine recording operation is stopped. As a result, non-voice information is not recorded in the storage means of the answering machine, and wasteful use of the capacity of the storage means can be prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram of a main part of a facsimile machine as an example of a communication apparatus of a non-voice information receiving system with an answering machine function according to the present invention and an answering machine attached externally.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the procedure of incoming call processing in the answering machine mode of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of incoming call processing in the answering machine mode of the answering machine shown in FIG. 1;
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Facsimile machine 2 Answering machine 4 CPU
5 NCU
7 Modem 8 ROM
13 Recording unit 17 Telephone line 21 NCU
22 Modem 23 Answering Machine Control Unit 24 RAM

Claims (2)

A telephone answering device to the communication line, which is connected parallel to each other with voice mail system, and a non-voice information receiving system with automatic answering function comprising a communication apparatus having a function of receiving at least a non-voice information,
The answering machine has an answering machine control means for closing the line when the calling signal is equal to or more than a preset number of times, and a response message for starting transmission of a response message after the answering machine control means closes the line A transmission means,
The communication device has an answering machine recording stop signal storage means for storing a signal for stopping the answering machine recording operation in the answering machine, and a signal for transmitting non-voice information from the calling side via the communication line. An answering machine recording stop signal sending means for reading out a signal for stopping the answering machine recording operation to the answering machine from the answering machine recording stop signal storage means and sending it to the communication line when input ,
The answering machine recording stop signal transmission means is configured to record the answering machine from the answering machine recording stop signal storage means to the answering machine after the line is closed by the answering machine control means and before the response message transmission means completes transmission of the response message. A non-voice information receiving system with an answering machine function, wherein an answering machine recording operation is stopped when a signal for stopping the operation is received . The signal for stopping the answering machine recording operation by the answering machine is a DTMF signal including a remote control code and a line release code, and the signal for transmitting the non-voice information is a CNG signal. The non-voice information receiving system with an answering machine function according to claim 1.

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