JPH01286671A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To execute the high function of facsimile equipment and to improve convenience and useability by using a picture memory for the accumulation of voice data, surely transmitting a voice to an opponent destination at the intended time and receiving a voice message from the opponent destination. CONSTITUTION:Voice data are inputted to a voice converter 20 composed of a voice digitizing means and a voice reproducing means, a response message is converted to a digital message and accumulated in a picture memory 12. Next, this is read, sent to the opponent destination and a voice message sent from the opponent destination is accumulated in the picture memory 12 and the correspondence by the voice can be performed. The voice message sound- recorded beforehand is called to the recorded opponent destination and at the date, the voice message is sent, the voice message from the opponent destination is sound-recorded and at the date when the opponent destination is present, the voice message is sent and the sure transfer can be executed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a facsimile device, and relates to a facsimile device that makes effective use of an image information memory that stores image information, and a facsimile device that can reliably transmit voice messages. Regarding.

(Prior Art) Recently, with the spread of facsimile machines, there has been a demand for higher functionality of facsimile machines, and facsimile machines equipped with large-capacity memories for storing image information have appeared. In a facsimile machine equipped with such an image memory, when sending, the image information of the document read by the scanner is stored in the image memory and then sent immediately or at a predetermined sending time, reducing sending costs. We are trying to Further, upon reception, the received image information is temporarily stored in an image memory, and at a predetermined time is recorded on recording paper by a plotter or transferred to another facsimile device. Therefore, by using the image information memory, it is possible to shorten transmission time and reduce communication costs, and to perform relay communication, broadcast communication, etc., and to improve the functionality of the facsimile machine.

On the other hand, with the spread of facsimile machines, personalization has progressed, and it is now common practice to use a line that is shared with a conventional telephone line instead of creating a new line specifically for facsimile machines.

In such cases, a switch is used to selectively switch the line between a telephone and a facsimile machine. That is, the facsimile device has a telephone mode in which the line is used preferentially by the telephone, and a facsimile mode in which the line is preferentially used by the facsimile machine, and each mode is switched and used by a switch.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) However, in such a facsimile device, if the line is shared with a telephone device, the other party sending the ringing signal may be a telephone device. In such a case, in order to send a response message to the other party or to record a voice message from the other party, a dedicated memory for recording the voice message is required, which raises the problem of increasing the cost of the facsimile machine. there were.

Further, the image memory of conventional facsimile machines is used only for storing image information, and cannot be said to be used effectively.

Further, some conventional telephones have a voice response function, and some telephones record voice messages from the other party who has called. However, this system records the voice message of the other party when the other party makes a call; it is not possible to make a call yourself and convey your own voice message to the other party.

(Object of the Invention) Therefore, the invention as claimed in claim 1 is provided with an audio digitizing means for converting audio data into digital data, and an audio reproducing means for reproducing the digital data into audio data, and for generating a response message in advance. Converts it to a digital message and stores it in the image information memory, and when received, plays it as a response message and sends it to the recipient, and also converts the voice message sent from the recipient into digital data and stores it in the image information memory. By doing so, it is possible to respond by voice, and the image memory can also be used to store voice data, with the aim of making effective use of the image memory and increasing the functionality of facsimile machines without increasing costs. There is.

Further, the invention as claimed in claim 2 provides a system for transmitting a voice message by calling a pre-recorded voice message to a pre-registered destination at a pre-registered date and time, and by recording a voice message from the destination. This system aims to improve the convenience and usability of facsimile machines by sending out voice messages at the time and date when the person is at home, ensuring that the voice messages are transmitted to the other party, and recording voice messages from the other party.

(Structure of the Invention) In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 provides a facsimile machine equipped with an image memory for storing image data, which includes an audio digitizing means for converting audio data into digital data, and an audio digitizing means for converting audio data into digital data. A voice reproducing means for reproducing the data into voice data is provided, and the response message inputted in advance is converted into digital data by the voice digitizing means and stored in the image memory.
The digital data is reproduced into a response message and sent, and the voice message sent from the other party in response to the response message is stored in the image memory as digital data by the voice digitization means. It is.

The invention as claimed in claim 2 also provides a recording/reproducing means for recording and reproducing audio, a clock means for measuring the current time, a memory for storing the telephone number of the other party and the communication date and time, and a memory for storing the telephone number of the other party and the date and time of the communication. automatic calling means for automatically calling the called party, and the recording/reproducing means records a voice message to be sent to the called party, and also records the telephone number and communication date and time of the called party to which the recorded message is sent. It is registered in memory, and when the registered communication date and time comes, an automatic call is made to the other party.
This system is characterized in that it not only sends out the voice message after confirming the response of the other party, but also records the voice message from the other party in a recording/reproducing means.

Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given based on examples.

1 to 4 are diagrams showing an embodiment of the invention according to claim 1. FIG.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a facsimile machine, and the facsimile machine 1 includes a main body 2, a document table 3 provided above the main body 2 and on which a document is placed, an operating section 4, and a handset 5. The operation unit 4 includes a numeric keypad 4a, operation keys 4b for inputting other commands, and a display unit 4C for displaying input commands and information transmitted from the facsimile machine 1 to the operator.
It is set on an installation stand 5a provided at.

The facsimile device 1 includes a system control section 11, an operation section 4,
Image memory 12, data compression/reproduction unit 13, plotter 1
4. Scanner 15, communication control section 16, modem 17, network control section 18, bus I/F 19, voice conversion bag! 20, a voice storage memory 21, and the like.

The system control unit 11 is an RO that stores a control program for the entire facsimile machine 1 and a voice processing program of the present invention.
It is equipped with RAM, etc., which forms the M and work areas, and the R
Each part of the facsimile machine 1 is controlled according to the program in the OM to execute a sequence as the facsimile machine 1, and at the same time, the voice processing program of the present invention is executed.

The image memory 12 is a large-capacity memory that stores encoded image data and also stores (accumulates) audio data converted into digital data by the audio conversion device 20.

The data compression/reproduction unit 13 aims to shorten the transmission time and improve efficiency of image data, and compresses (encodes) image data when transmitting, and converts encoded image data into original data when receiving. to play.

For example, a thermal recording device equipped with a thermal element is used as the plotter 14, and the plotter 14 records directly on heat-sensitive recording paper or indirectly on ordinary recording paper via an ink ribbon.

As the scanner 15, for example, a CCD (ChargeC
A line image sensor using an oupl.ed device is used, and it reads the image information of the document for each line and outputs it as image data.

The communication control unit 16 exchanges facsimile control signals with the other party's facsimile machine and executes control procedures.

The modem 17 modulates image data into a form suitable for transmission over an external line when transmitting, and demodulates the modulated signal sent from the external line when receiving.

The network control unit 18 is generally referred to as an AA-NCU, and is connected to an external line and the handset 5 during the day. The network control unit 18 automatically originates a call to the destination, and automatically receives a call from an external line.

The voice conversion device 20 includes a voice digitization mechanism (means) that converts voice data (analog data) into digital data, and a voice reproduction mechanism (means) that reproduces the digital data into voice data. 5
It converts voice data input from the line into digital data, reproduces the digital data into voice data, and sends it to the handset 5 or the line.

The voice storage memory 21 stores the voice data (digital data) digitally converted by the voice conversion device 20 for - hours,
The image memo 1/2 is outputted via the bus I/F 19, and the digital data read from the 1-image memory 12 is received, temporarily stored, and outputted to the audio conversion device 20.

Next, the effect will be explained.

According to the present invention, a response message is digitally converted and stored in the image memory 12, and upon reception, this response message is played back and sent.When there is a voice message from the other party, the response message is digitally converted and stored in the image memory 12. Its characteristic lies in the way it accumulates.

This operation will be explained below based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

The facsimile device 1 can be switched between a telephone mode (a mode in which the handset 5 preferentially uses the line) and a facsimile mode (a mode in which the facsimile device 1 preferentially uses the line) using the operation unit 4. Memory 12 stores response messages corresponding to each mode. That is, for phone mode, e.g.
This is a response message such as "This is OO, I'm away at the moment. I have a recording function, so if you have any messages, please feel free to send me a message." The machine is in facsimile reception mode, sends a facsimile, and sends a response message such as (please. When a response message is input from the handset 5 while operating the operation unit 4, the response message is converted into digital data by the voice conversion device 20, stored in the voice storage memory 21, and then transferred to the image memory 12. The digital data transferred to the image memory 12 is classified and managed for each mode by the file management table of the image memory 12.

When there is an incoming call with such response memory stored in the image memory 12 (step p+), the system control unit 11 checks whether the call is in telephone mode or facsimile mode, and goes to step P. 12
A response message (digital data) for telephone mode is read out from and transferred to the voice storage memory 21. The digital data in the voice storage memory is reproduced into voice data (response message) by the voice conversion device 20, and sent to the line (step P,).When there is a voice message from the other party in response to this response message, the voice data is converted. The device 20 converts it into digital data and temporarily stores it in the audio storage memory 21 (step P4). When the response is completed (step P,), the voice message is transferred and stored from the voice storage memory 21 to the image memo 2, and the file is managed (step P,).

On the other hand, in step P, when the facsimile mode is selected, the response message (digital data) for the facsimile mode is read out and transferred to the voice storage memory 21, and the voice conversion device 20 reproduces it as voice data (response memory) and connects the line. When facsimile transmission is started in response to this response message, normal facsimile reception processing is performed (step P,), and the received image data is stored in the image memory 12. When the reception ends (step P), this flow ends.

In this way, Image Memo January 2 can be used to store not only image data but also voice data (response messages, voice messages).
It can also be used for storing image memos January 2
can be used effectively.

Therefore, without increasing costs, it is possible to send a response message according to each mode to the other party and receive a facsimile reliably, and it also stores voice messages from the other party and has an answering machine function. can be set.

Note that when the voice message and image data accumulated in the image memory 12 are operated on the operation unit 4 to continue data, the system control unit 11 first extracts the management data from the image memory 12, as shown in the flowchart in FIG. Read (step S), check whether the stored data is a voice message or not (step S2), if it is a voice message, reproduce it with the voice conversion device 20 via the voice storage memory 21 and output it to the handset 5 or a speaker not shown. (Step S,).

On the other hand, when the data stored in the image memory 12 is image data, the data compression/reproduction section 13 reproduces the original data, and then transfers it to the block 14, where it is recorded on recording paper (step 54). The operations from step S are repeated until the output of all the data stored in is finished, and when the output of all the data is finished, this flow ends (step S).

Further, in the above embodiment, a case has been described in which a response message is sent according to the setting mode of the facsimile machine 1 on the receiving side, but the present invention is not limited to this. The operating mode may be determined and a corresponding response message sent.For example, as shown in FIG. 5, when an incoming call is received and voice is detected (step Q), the telephone mode is set. When a CNG signal (calling tone) indicating that the calling party is a non-voice terminal is detected (step Q,), it sets the facsimile mode and sends a corresponding response message. When a predetermined period of time has elapsed without detecting either voice or CNG signal (step Q,), the facsimile mode is set and a corresponding response message is sent (step Q4).

Therefore, it is possible to change the mode corresponding to the destination and send the corresponding message, and the convenience of the facsimile device 1 can be further improved.

FIG. 6.7 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the facsimile apparatus of the invention as claimed in claim 2. In explaining this embodiment, the same components as the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 are shown. The same reference numerals are used to omit the explanation.

FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram of the facsimile device 31, and the facsimile device 31 has a CPU (Central
l Processing Unit) 32, RO
M (Read Only Me + moly) 33,
Clock 35, recording/playback device 36 (recording/playback means)
and operation section 4, data compression/reproduction section 13, plotter 1
4, a scanner 15, a modem 17, a network control section 18, and the like.

The ROM 33 stores a control program for the entire facsimile machine and a voice processing program of the present invention, and this voice processing program sends a prerecorded voice message to the destination specified by the operator at the specified date and time. It records messages from the other party.

A work area is formed in the RAM 34, and the telephone number of the communication partner, the date and time of the call, etc. input from the operation unit 4 are registered.

The CPU 32 controls each part of the facsimile machine according to the program in the ROM 33, executes the sequence of the facsimile machine, and also executes the voice processing program of the present invention.

The clock 35 measures the current time and constitutes a timekeeping means.

The recording/playback device 36 records and plays back audio, and may be a tape recorder, a semiconductor recorder, or the like. As a semiconductor recorder, the audio conversion device 20 of the above embodiment is used.
The voice content, that is, the response message and the voice message, may be stored in the RAM 34, or may be stored in an image memory (not shown) as in the above embodiment. A tape recorder is equipped with a recording head, a playback head, etc., and records and plays back audio content on a magnetic tape.

Next, the action will be explained.

The present invention is characterized in that a recorded message recorded in advance can be sent to the other party at a pre-registered date and time, and a voice message from the other party can be recorded.

This audio processing will be explained below based on the flowchart shown in FIG.

The operator first records a voice message to be transmitted using the recording/playback device 36 (step R1) - this voice message recording can be input from the attached handset 5, but a dedicated microphone may also be attached. 0 Next, input the telephone number of the other party to whom this voice message will be sent and the sending date and time from the operation unit 4, and
4 (Rt, R3).

The CUP 32 monitors the specified transmission time using the clock 35, and when the transmission time comes (step R4), the CUP 32
Read the telephone number of the other party from M34 and make a call (step R1). Once the call is made, set a timer (step R4). If the other party does not answer after a predetermined period of time (
Step R? , R1), the process proceeds to re-calling processing. In the re-calling process, a specified number of times (re-calling number) is set in advance, and the re-calling process is performed at a predetermined interval time until the number of re-calls reaches the specified number or the called party picks up (step R,... R,.+ Rt++ Rs+ R&
l R? , R@). If the other party does not answer within the specified number of re-calls, the call request is canceled (step R).
+z).

When the other party answers the call, the voice message is reproduced by the recording/reproducing device 36 and transmitted to the line (step R1,). When the voice message transmission is completed, a timer is set (step RI4). While monitoring whether the other party hangs up due to the busy tone and whether the predetermined time has elapsed due to the timer (step RIS, R1
&), the voice message from the other party is recorded by the recording/playback device 36. Step R+t). When the other party hangs up or the timer expires, it is determined that the voice message has been successfully transmitted and the message transmission success flag is turned on. Make it. When the message carrier success flag is turned on,
The CUP 32 displays on the operation unit 4C that the voice message has been successfully transmitted, or outputs a report to that effect. As a result, the operator knows that there is a voice message from the other party, and can play it back and confirm it.Next, the operator cancels the call request (step R1).
s, R+□).

In this way, a pre-recorded voice message can be sent by specifying the time when the other party will be at home, and the voice message can be reliably sent at the intended time. Therefore, the voice message can be reliably transmitted to the other party.

You can also record a voice message from the other party, and you can receive and confirm the other party's reply as voice. As a result, the usability and convenience of the facsimile device 31 can be further improved.

(Effects) According to each invention of the present application, it is possible to respond by voice, and the usability and convenience of the facsimile device can be improved.

In particular, according to the first aspect of the invention, the image memory can also be used to store audio data, and the image memory can be used effectively.

Further, according to the second aspect of the invention, it is possible to reliably transmit a voice message to the other party at the intended time, and also to receive and receive a voice message from the other party.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 4 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a facsimile device according to the invention as claimed in claim 1, in which FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the facsimile device, FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram of the facsimile device, and FIG. Figure 3 is a flowchart of the reception process.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of the process of reproducing the stored data. FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the mode setting process at the time of reception in another embodiment of the facsimile apparatus according to the invention as set forth in claim 1. 6.7 is a diagram showing an embodiment of the facsimile apparatus of the invention as claimed in claim 2, FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram of the facsimile apparatus, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing its voice processing. l...Facsimile device, 2...Main body, 3...Original table, 4...Operation unit, 5...Handset, 11. ...System control unit, 12... Image memory, 13... Data compression/reproduction section, 14...
・Block 15...Scanner, 16...Communication control section, 17...Modem, 18...Network control section, 19...Bus I/F. 20... Voice conversion device (sound digitization means, voice reproduction means), 21... Voice storage memory, 31... Facsimile device, 32... CPU . 33...ROM. 34...RAM. 35...Clock, 36...Recording/playback device, L...Line.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A facsimile machine equipped with an image memory for storing image data is provided with an audio digitizing means for converting audio data into digital data and an audio means for reproducing the digital data into audio data, A response message is converted into digital data by an audio digitization means and stored in an image memory, and when received, the digital data is reproduced and sent as a response message, and the voice sent from the other party in response to the response message is transmitted. A facsimile apparatus characterized in that the message is stored in the image memory as digital data by the voice digitizing means. (2) A recording/playback means for recording and playing back audio, a clock means for measuring the current time, a memory for storing the telephone number of the other party and the date and time of communication, and automatic calling to the other party registered in advance in the memory. automatic calling means for the recording and
In addition to recording a voice message to be sent to the other party on the playback means, the telephone number and communication date and time of the other party to which the recorded message is to be sent are registered in the memory, and when the registered communication date and time arrive, a call is automatically made to the other party. A facsimile apparatus characterized in that it transmits the voice message after confirming a response from the other party, and records the voice message from the other party in a recording/reproducing means.