JPH01245751A - Information communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain high speed automatic dialing by monitoring a signal relating to the transmission of a dial signal outputted from an automatic dialing function section, deciding the end of dialing and transiting the state into the connection standby state of a telephone line or the control of information communication. CONSTITUTION:With automatic dial information inputted from a key matrix 40, dial information corresponding to the control circuit 41 is read from a memory 43 and the dial signal corresponding to the dial information is sent through a dial transmission line 35 at a possible highest speed continuously to the telephone line. A mute signal (m) is kept turn-on from the transmission start time of the initial digit till the point of transmission end time of the final digit and restored to the turn-off state after the end of transmission of the final digit. A facsimile control section 22 starts the deciding of the end of dialing by monitoring the mute signal and when it judges the end, the section 22 awaits the detection of the polarity inversion of the telephone line by an adaptive loop detection circuit 23. Thus, the dialing time is reduced and the state is brought quickly into the line connection standby state or the facsimile communication procedure.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to an information communication device, such as a facsimile machine with a built-in telephone, which is equipped not only with the function of information communication over a telephone line but also with the function of making a telephone call. The present invention relates to a similar information communication device having a ring function.

2. Description of the Related Art Hitherto, as an information communication device of this type, a facsimile device 3 with a built-in telephone as shown in simplified form in FIG. 4 has been known.

This facsimile machine has two dial sending units 1, 1 and 2 to enable dialing for calls even during power outages.
It is equipped with 2. One dial sending unit 2 is normally used to send out a dial signal (dial pulse or DTMF signal) for image communication or calling, and is supplied with operating power from a device power supply (not shown). It is now possible to do so. The other dial sending unit 1 is used to send out a dial signal during a power outage, and is operated by power supplied from a telephone line.

3 is a switch for switching the connection of the telephone line to the telephone side or facsimile side, and 4 is a switch for switching the connection between the telephone line and the dial sending units 1 and 2.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a facsimile line control section comprising a network control circuit, a modem, and the like. A control section 6 performs dialing control, facsimile communication control, and overall control of the apparatus.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a memory section for storing dial information for auto dialing (so-called one-touch dialing, speed dialing, redialing), and its reading and writing are controlled by the control section 6.

Facsimile line control section 5, control section 6 and memory section 7
Operating power is provided by the device power supply.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a keyboard matrix for inputting dial information, auto-dial information, etc. in response to key operations on a keyboard (not shown), and the input information is sent to the dial sending section 1 and the control section 6. Since the dial sending circuit 1 and the control section 6 need to be electrically isolated, the keyboard matrix 8 is a double contact type having independent contacts for the dial sending circuit 1 and the control section 6, respectively. We use things to separate them.

In normal times when the device power source is in operation, the switch 4 is set to the dial sending section 2 side by the control section 6. When making a call for facsimile communication, the user operates the keys on the keyboard and inputs dial information (facsimile number or telephone number) or auto-dial information using keys 5, \-, and board matrix 8.

When dial information is directly input, the dial information is sent from the control section 6 to the dial sending section 2 (also sent to the dial sending section 1), and a corresponding dial signal is sent out to the telephone line by the dial sending section 2. .

The operation when auto-dial information (one-touch dial, speed dial, or re-dial information) is input is as follows. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the operation.

First, once the autodial information is entered (Step 1)
0), the control section 6 reads the corresponding dial information from the memory section 7 (step 11), sends this dial information one digit at a time to the dial sending section 2, and at the same time starts the timer in the control section 6 (step 13) The dial sending unit 2 sends a dial signal corresponding to the given dial information to the telephone line.

When the timer times out, the control unit 6 selects one digit 6.\-
It is determined that the dial signal for 7 minutes has been sent, and it is checked whether the dial information has been sent to the dial sending section 2 up to the last digit (step 14). If there are remaining digits, the process returns to step 12.

If the control unit 6 determines that there are no remaining digits in step 14, it determines that dialing is complete, switches the switch 3 to the facsimile side, and waits for the facsimile line control unit 5 to detect line polarity reversal, that is, the other party's facsimile Shifts to standby state for connection to the device (Step 1)
5). When the polarity reversal of the line is detected, the process moves to a facsimile communication control procedure.

Note that here, we assumed a telephone line that performs polarity reversal, so we waited for the line's polarity to be reversed. However, in the case of a line that does not perform polarity reversal, step 15 is skipped and facsimile control signals are detected immediately. .

On the other hand, in the event of a power outage, the power supply from the device power source is cut off, making control by the control unit 6 impossible.

In this state, switches 3 and 4 are respectively on the telephone side 7...
-2 and the dial sending section 1 side. Since the dial sending unit 1 is operated by power from the line, if dial information is entered one digit at a time from the keyboard matrix 8 by operating the keys on the keyboard,
A corresponding dial signal is sent from the dial sending unit 1 to the telephone line. Therefore, even during a power outage, it is possible to make a call by manual dialing.

However, the auto-dialing function is not available. Of course, facsimile communication is impossible.

It should be noted that in normal times, it is amazing that it is possible to call the other party and make a conversation using manual dialing or auto dialing.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, this configuration has the following problems.

First, there is the problem with dialing. Regarding the dial signal, there are two methods: one is to send it in the form of a DTMF signal, and the other is to send it as a dial pulse. There are still two methods for sending dial pulses: the DPIOPPS method, which sends out a maximum of 10 dial pulses per second, and the DP20PP method, which sends out a maximum of 20 dial pulses per second.
There is an S method.

Conventionally, even in the case of auto-dialing, a timer is used to check the transmission of one digit of the dial signal, and when the timer times out, the dial signal of the next digit is transmitted, and the completion of dialing is determined from the number of digits transmitted. Therefore, in order to be compatible with any of the three types of dial signal methods mentioned above, the timer time is set to about 1 second in accordance with the DPIOPPS method, which takes the longest time.

As a result, even if it is possible to send dial signals at high speed in the form of DTMF signals, it is impossible to reduce the sending time for one digit of the dial signal to more than 1 second, so it is difficult to It takes at least as much time as the number of digits in the dial signal multiplied by about 1 second to complete the ring, and the time from the dial operation to the start of the facsimile communication control procedure becomes long.

9.\-/ Next is a problem regarding the circuit configuration. That is, since dialing during normal times and during power outages are performed using separate dial sending circuits, circuit redundancy is high.

The auto-dialing function cannot be used during a power outage, but in order to make it available, a similar memory section and control circuit must be installed separately, which are electrically separated from the control section 6 and memory section 7 and can operate even during a power outage. Additional circuit redundancy is likely to be added.

To avoid this, I had to sacrifice the auto-dialing function during power outages.

Further, in order to electrically separate the dial sending circuit 1, which is operated by line power, from the control circuit, which is operated by power from the apparatus power source, the keyboard matrix 8 must be of a complicated and expensive double contact type.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and enables speeding up of auto-dialing in the above-mentioned information communication equipment, simplifies the configuration of equipment related to dialing, and further improves the speed of automatic dialing. The purpose is to enable automatic dialing.

10... Means for Solving the Problems The first invention includes an auto-dialing function section that reads dial information from a memory and sends a dial signal corresponding to the dial information to a telephone line by the dial sending section. In the information communication device, means is provided for determining the end of dialing by monitoring a signal related to the dial signal sending operation output from the auto-dialing function section, and in response to the end determination by the means. It is equipped with a configuration that allows the system to switch to a standby state for telephone line connection or to control information communication.

A second invention is an information communication device that performs information communication and phone calls over a telephone line, in which an auto-dialing function for information communication and call origination is integrated in a first circuit part,
This is operated by power supplied from the telephone line, and a second circuit section for controlling information communication after dialing is electrically separated from the first circuit section, and is also supplied from the device power source. 11, related to the operation of transmitting a dial signal output from the first circuit section,
,-.

The signal is transmitted by a signal transmission means such as a photocoupler,
The signal is transmitted to the second circuit section while maintaining mutual electrical isolation between the first circuit section and the second circuit section, and the second circuit section monitors the signal to determine whether dialing is complete. The apparatus is provided with a means, and in response to a termination determination by the means, the apparatus shifts to a telephone line connection standby state or information communication control.

According to the configuration of the first invention described above, for example, a meet signal (this signal has conventionally been used for the purpose of suppressing the detection output of the automatic incoming call detection circuit during transmission) without using timer monitoring.
Since the completion of dialing is determined by monitoring the signal (signal generated by the dial sending section), in the case of auto dialing, the speed at which the dial signal is sent by the auto dialing function section is determined. The completion of dialing can also be recognized without any problem.

Therefore, in the case of automatic dialing, dialing signals are sent at the fastest possible speed to shorten the dialing time and to quickly shift to a line connection standby state or information communication control. Become.

According to the configuration of the second invention described above, similarly to the first invention, dialing signals are transmitted at the fastest possible speed in the case of auto dialing, thereby shortening the dialing time.
It is possible to quickly shift to line connection standby state or information communication control.

Furthermore, according to the configuration of the second invention described above, the auto-dialing function for information communication or calling is consolidated in the first circuit section that operates inversely by line power. Eliminates the need to provide redundant dialing signal sending circuits to enable dialing during power outages.
The circuit can be simplified, and automatic dialing for calls is possible even during a power outage.

EXAMPLE An example of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a telephone built-in phone 13 according to an embodiment of the present invention.
/ It is a schematic block diagram of an axis device. However, parts not directly related to the gist of the present invention are omitted.

In FIG. 1, 20 is a connection terminal for a telephone line. 2
Reference numeral 1 denotes a telephone circuit section (first circuit section) that controls dialing (auto dialing, manual dialing) and telephone functions for facsimile communication and calling. Reference numeral 22 denotes a facsimile control unit that controls facsimile communications and controls the entire apparatus. Telephone circuit parts 21 and 7
The axis control units 22 are electrically isolated from each other.

B is a polarity/loop detection circuit for detecting the polarity of the telephone line and detecting whether the DC loop is on or off. Sae is the network control circuit, and includes a line polarity rectifier circuit, a loop control circuit, etc. 5 is a high print circuit, and 26 is a modem. 27 is a switch for switching and connecting the telephone line and the network control circuit 24 or the telephone circuit section 21;

Reference numeral 4 denotes a document detector for detecting the presence or absence of a document in the scanner for reading a transmission document, and its detection signal is input to the facsimile control section 22 .

A photocoupler 29 serves as a means for transmitting the mute signal M output from the telephone circuit section 21 to the facsimile control section 22. The facsimile control unit 22 is provided with a determination circuit 32 that monitors the meet signal input via the photocoupler 29 to determine whether dialing by the telephone circuit unit 21 is complete.

Reference numeral 30 denotes a device power source operated by commercial alternating current.

Operating power for the facsimile control section 22 , modem 26 , document detector path, and phototransistor 31 of the photocoupler 29 is supplied from the device power supply 30 . Therefore, in the event of a power outage, these circuit portions cease operating.

On the other hand, the telephone circuit section 21 uses power supplied from a telephone line as operating power, and can operate even during a power outage.

The components of this telephone circuit section 21 are as follows.

33 is a rectifier circuit for polarity rectification of the telephone line, 3415
...-7 is a stabilizing power supply circuit that stabilizes the power supplied from the telephone line and supplies it to each part as operating power.

35 is a dial sending circuit that sends a dial signal (dial pulse or DTMF signal) to the telephone line;
This includes a circuit that generates a meet signal m related to the dial signal sending operation, a hookup of the handset 36,
Also included is circuitry that turns on the line's DC loop in response to pressing the on-foot dial or auto-dial keys on the keyboard.

The emitter follower circuit of the transistor 38 is for external output of the mute signal m. The light emitting diode 39 of the photocoupler 29 is driven by the meet signal M passed through this emitter follower circuit.

40 is a keyboard matrix for inputting dial information, auto dial information, etc. This keyboard matrix 40 is of a single contact type because it is not necessary to perform electrical isolation as in the conventional case. 4
1 is a control circuit that controls dialing and calls using the handset 36; 43 is auto dialing (one-touch dial, speed dial, redial)
This is a memory for storing dialing information (telephone number or facsimile number) for , and reading and writing thereof is controlled by a control circuit 41 .

Note that 44 is a calling signal detection circuit for detecting an incoming call.

The operation of the facsimile machine configured as described above will be described below.

An outline of the operation when making a call for facsimile communication using the auto-dialing function during normal times (when the device power source 30 is in operation) will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 2.

First, when the handset 36 is hooked up or the on-hook dial key on the keyboard is pressed, the dial sending circuit 35 turns on the DC loop of the telephone line.

Note that the switch 27 is set on the telephone side (upper side in the figure).

and 17 on the keyboard (not shown)...
-7 When the auto dial key is pressed and auto dial information is input from the key matrix 40 (step 50),
The control circuit 41 reads the corresponding dial information (facsimile number) from the memory 43 (step 51).

Next, the control circuit 41 passes the dial information for all digits to the dial sending circuit 35, and the dial sending circuit 35 continuously sends dial signals corresponding to the dial information to the telephone line at the highest possible speed (step 52). In this case, since the dial signal for each digit is sent out continuously, the meet signal m is held on (H level) from the time when the transmission of the first digit starts until the time when the transmission of the last digit ends. After completion, it returns to off (L level).

The facsimile control unit 22 starts determining the end of dialing by monitoring the mute signal (step 53).

When the dial sending circuit 35 finishes sending out the dial signal and the meet signal m turns off, the facsimile control section 22 determines that dialing has ended 188-7, and the suitability/loop detection circuit reverses the polarity of the telephone line. is in a detection waiting state (line connection waiting state) (step 54).

When the polarity reversal is detected, the facsimile control section 22 switches the switch 27 to the facsimile side (lower side in the figure) and shifts to the facsimile procedure.

However, in the case of a line that does not perform polarity reversal, step 54 is omitted.

As described above, since the facsimile control section 22 determines the end of dialing by monitoring the mute signal and transfers control, there is no need to assume the lowest dialing signal transmission speed as in the prior art.

Therefore, in the case of auto dialing, telephone circuit section 2
1 is capable of transmitting dial signals at the fastest possible speed, reducing dialing time and quickly transitioning to a line connection standby state or facsimile communication procedure.

Next, the operation when making a telephone call or facsimile communication will be described in detail. Note that when performing facsimile communication, the original to be sent is scanned into the scanner in advance.

First, the handset 36 is hooked up or the on-hook dial key on the keyboard is pressed. Accordingly, the dial sending circuit 35 turns on the direct current loop of the telephone line. Note that the switch 27 is set to the telephone side.

Next, in the case of manual dialing, press the dial keys on the keyboard in order and press the keyboard matrix 40.
Enter the Yoshidial information one digit at a time. This dial information is sent to the dial sending circuit 35 via the control circuit 41, and a dial signal is sent out to the line one digit at a time. The meet signal m is turned on when transmission of the dial signal starts, and is turned off when transmission ends. In other words, it is turned on and off for each digit. However, if the digit spacing is short, the switch will turn on continuously for two or more digits, similar to auto dialing.

For auto dialing, press the auto dial key on the keyboard. The operation of the telephone circuit section 21 in this case is the same as that already explained. The process will be explained below with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

The facsimile control section 22 checks the detection signal from the document detector 4 and determines whether there is a document to be transmitted (step 60). If it is determined that no original to be transmitted is set in the scanner, the call is for a telephone conversation, and the control of the facsimile control section 21 ends. In this case, the control circuit 4
1 and a handset 36 connected to a telephone line via a dial sending circuit 35, it is possible to make a call in the same way as with a normal telephone.

If it is determined in step 60 that there is a document, this is a call for facsimile communication (transmission), so the facsimile control unit 22 proceeds to determining whether dialing is complete (steps 61 to 67). These steps are performed by the judgment circuit 3.
This is the second function.

In this embodiment, since the telephone circuit unit 21 does not notify the facsimile control unit 22 of the distinction between automatic dialing and manual dialing, the determination algorithm is determined to be compatible with either type of dialing. It is also possible to support lines that do not perform polarity reversal 21.\-/.

In step 61, it is checked whether the mute signal is on.

When the meet signal is turned on, it is checked in step 62 whether the mute signal is turned off.

If automatic dialing is assumed, dialing may be determined to have ended if the mute signal is turned on and then turned off. That is, in the case of auto dialing, the process can proceed from step 62 to step 68 if the polarity is reversed. However, as described above, the facsimile control unit 22 does not know whether it is automatic dialing or manual dialing, and since manual dialing cannot be supported, the process proceeds from step 62 to step 67, a determination loop.

In step 63, an inter-digit timer is activated, and in step 64, a timeout of the inter-digit timer is checked. Note that the set time of the inter-digit timer is adjusted to the sending time of 1 equivalent υ in the case of the slowest dialing signal speed. If the timeout has not occurred, it is checked in step 65 whether the line polarity reversal has been detected, and if not detected, it is checked in step 66 whether the meet signal is on.

If it is off, return to step 64.

In the case of auto-dialing, the meet signal will not turn on again unless dialing is performed immediately, so it will time out after the set time from the initial start of the inter-digit timer, and the dialing will be determined to have ended. . That is, in the present embodiment, in the case of auto-dialing, the end determination is delayed by the set time of the inter-digit timer after the meet signal is turned off.

Note that if the polarity reversal of the line is detected before the inter-digit timer's timeout, it is determined in step 65 that the dialing has ended. The reason why the determination of polarity reversal is performed in the determination loop in this way is to enable support for lines that do not perform polarity reversal.

Step 64 When the end of dialing is determined in step 65, the facsimile control unit 22 switches the switch 27 to the facsimile side (step 68).
Next, the process moves to the facsimile procedure and goes to network 23.

Communication of facsimile control signals and the like are performed via the control circuit 24 and the modem 26.

Note that if only the telephone line for which polarity is to be reversed is to be targeted, step 65 may be excluded from the determination loop and the polarity reversal wait may be performed immediately before step 68.

On the other hand, in the case of manual dialing, when the first digit dial signal is sent out, the process proceeds to step 63 where an inter-digit timer is started, and the loop from step 64 to step 67 is repeated. Each time a 1-digit dial signal is sent out, the process returns to step 63 and an inter-digit timer is started. When the transmission of the dial signal for the last digit is completed, it is determined in step 64 or step 65 that the dialing has ended, and the loop exits.

Now, in the event of a power outage, the facsimile control section 22 and the like to which operating power is supplied from the device power source 30 become inoperable, but the telephone circuit section 21 is operable.

Unfortunately, the switch 27 is set to the telephone side unless controlled by the facsimile control section 22.

Therefore, it is possible to make a call by dialing, and both manual dialing and automatic dialing are possible. However, facsimile communication is not possible.

The operation in the case of receiving a call is the same as the conventional one, so the explanation will be omitted.

Note that from the telephone circuit section 21 to the facsimile control section 22,
A signal for distinguishing between auto dialing and manual dialing is sent via a photocoupler, etc., and in the facsimile control unit 22, as described above, in the case of auto dialing, the mute signal is changed from on to off. The end of dialing may be determined immediately.

A transformer or the like may be used instead of the photocoupler 29 for transmitting the mute signal.

The determination circuit 32 may be realized by a program using a microprocessor or the like.

Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to similar information communication devices other than facsimile devices.

Advantageous Effects of the Invention 5-7 As is clear from the above explanation, the present invention shortens the auto-dialing time to quickly start information communication, and improves circuit redundancy for dialing during power outages. This has the advantage that the device configuration can be simplified by eliminating this, and that automatic dialing can be performed during a power outage.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a facsimile device with a built-in telephone according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of auto-dialing in the facsimile device, and FIG. Flowchart showing detailed operation of facsimile control unit, No. 4
The figure is a schematic diagram of a conventional facsimile machine with a built-in telephone.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for schematically explaining the operation in the case of automatic dialing in the conventional device. 21... Telephone circuit section (first circuit section), 22... Facsimile control section (second circuit section), 29... Photocoupler (signal transmission means), 30... Device power supply, 34... Stabilized power supply circuit, 35...Dial sending circuit, 40...
・Keyboard 261\-. Matrix, 41...control circuit, 43...memory. Name of agent: Patent attorney Toshio Nakao and 1 other person 2nd
Diagram: Border: 2-inch conch shell: Diagram: 3: Diagram: 5

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An information communication device comprising an auto-dialing function section that reads dial information from a memory and sends a dial signal corresponding to the dial information to a telephone line,
It has a means for determining the end of dialing by monitoring a signal related to the dial signal sending operation outputted from the auto-dialing function section, and waits for connection of the telephone line in response to the end determination by the means. An information communication device characterized by shifting to state or information communication control. (2) An information communication device equipped with information communication and phone call functions via a telephone line, which is supplied with operating power from the telephone line, reads dial information for information communication and call origination from memory, and responds accordingly. a first circuit section for sending dialing signals to a telephone line; and a control section for information communication after dialing, which is electrically separated from the first circuit section and supplied with operating power from the device power supply. a second circuit section for performing the above, and a signal related to a dial signal sending operation outputted from the first circuit section while maintaining electrical isolation between the first circuit section and the second circuit section; and a signal transmitting means for transmitting the dialing signal to the second circuit section, and the second circuit section has a determining means for determining the end of dialing by monitoring the signal, and the determining means determines the end of dialing. What is claimed is: 1. An information communication device that shifts to a telephone line connection standby state or information communication control in response to the above.