JPH0267065A - Conversation control system for facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To eliminate the waste of communication time by instructing the prohibition or permission of conversation to a reception side on a transmission side by the procedure signal of a transmission control procedure, displaying a conversation prohibited state on the reception side when the prohibition of the conversation is instructed, and nullifying a conversation preserving operation. CONSTITUTION:A display device 8a to display character information, a conversation preservation key 8b, and a conversation prohibition key 8c, etc., are arranged on an operation display part 8. In such a case, when the conversation preserving operation is performed, one page of an original is transmitted, and after that, operator calls are issued from both transmission and reception sides, thereby, they can communicate with each other, and also, when a conversation prohibiting operation is performed, the conversation preserving operation on the reception side is nullified. In such a way, since no standby for fixed time on the reception side is generated in spite of receiving no response from an operator on the transmission side after preserving the conversation, it is possible to save the waste of the communication time.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] The present invention relates to a conversation control method for a facsimile machine.

[Prior Art] One of the functions of a facsimile machine is a conversation reservation function that allows operators on both the sending and receiving sides to talk on the telephone after the conversation is completed if a conversation reservation operation is performed during the exchange of original images. It is being

In a facsimile machine having this function, for example,
If a conversation reservation operation is performed on the receiving side while the sending side is transmitting an image, the ringing tone of an operator call is first output on the sending side after the communication is completed.

Then, when the transmitting operator picks up the telephone handset,
Next, the receiving side outputs the ring tone of the operator call, and
When the operator on the receiving side picks up the handset of the telephone, both parties can talk.

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, in this case, if the transmitting operator does not respond due to absence etc., the facsimile machine
According to ITT standards, the operator call is executed for a maximum of 15 seconds, and then the line is disconnected.

At this time, the receiving side has to wait for the above-mentioned amount of time because the other party's operator may respond, which wastes communication time, while the transmitting side is unable to respond even though there is no operator to respond. Since the ring tone of the operator call is output, there is an inconvenience that it causes noise, especially at night.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a conversation control system for a facsimile machine that can eliminate the above-mentioned inconveniences, eliminate wasted communication time, and prevent unnecessary operator calls.

[Means for Solving the Problems] To this end, the present invention provides a procedure signal for a transmission control procedure to
The sending side instructs the receiving side to prohibit or permit conversation, and when the receiving side is instructed to prohibit the conversation, the receiving side displays the conversation prohibited state and disables the conversation reservation operation. It is.

In this case, - For example, on the sending side, for each sending process,
Allowing you to set conversations to be prohibited or allowed,
When transmitting the procedure signal, the prohibition or permission status set at that time is indicated.

In addition, as another example, the sending side may be able to arbitrarily set prohibition or permission of the above-mentioned conversation in advance for each form of sending processing, and when executing the sending processing, the setting may be set according to the sending form. Indicates the prohibited or permitted status of the above.

[Effects] When the operator call is unnecessary, such as when the transmitter is absent or at night, the transmitter can prevent the receiver from reserving a conversation by setting the transmitter to prohibit conversation.

As a result, on the receiving side, there is no need to wait for a certain period of time even though a conversation has been reserved and the transmitting side operator does not respond, thereby eliminating wasted communication time. Further, unnecessary operator calls on the transmitting side can be prevented.

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a facsimile machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a scanner 1 reads an original image and extracts image information, and a plotter 2 records the image information on recording paper.

The encoding/decoding unit 3 encodes image information to be transmitted and decodes received image information. The image memory 4 temporarily stores image information to be transmitted in the case of storage and transmission.

The network control device 5 performs predetermined call origination and incoming call operations by acquiring a line, sending out a selection signal which is an originating optical telephone number, and detecting an incoming call.

The modem 6 modulates and demodulates image information and transmits the same, and also transmits various procedure signals in transmission control procedures.

The communication control unit 7 controls the network control device 5 and the modem 6 to execute facsimile transmission according to a predetermined transmission control procedure.

The operation display section 8 displays the operating status of the device, operation guidance, etc., and performs various operations on the device. In this embodiment, the operation display section 8 is provided with a display 8a for displaying character information, a conversation reservation key 8b, a conversation prohibition key 80, and the like. These conversation reservation key 8b and conversation prohibition key 8c are set to a predetermined state when they are pressed one more time, and are released when they are pressed again.

The system memory 9 stores various information necessary for transmission and reception processing.

The system control section 10 is composed of a microcomputer system, and controls each section mentioned above to execute predetermined operations of the facsimile machine.

With the above configuration, communication operations between the facsimile machines of this embodiment will now be described.

FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) show the operation on the transmitting side in this case. That is, the transmitting operator sets a transmission document on the facsimile machine and performs predetermined transmission setting operations such as inputting a destination telephone number and selecting a communication mode.

By the way, this embodiment has a conversation reservation function in which when a conversation reservation operation is performed, an operator call is made on both the sending and receiving sides after one page of the original is transmitted, and the two parties can have a conversation. Furthermore, the transmission image has a function of disabling the conversation reservation operation on the receiving side by performing the conversation prohibition operation.

Therefore, when making the above settings, the operator operates the conversation prohibition key 8c as necessary to set it as a conversation prohibition key (
Above is the process 101).

As a result, the facsimile machine starts operating and makes a call to the set destination (process 102).

When the destination facsimile machine receives a call, the receiving side sends out NSF, CSI, and DIS signals, and receives these signals (process 103).

In this embodiment, the receiving side notifies the transmitting side, by means of this NSF signal, that it is equipped with a conversation prohibition function that invalidates the conversation reservation operation. For this.

Among the data transmitted by the NSF signal, one bit, which has not been used in the past, is used. For example, when that bit is 1", it indicates that the above-mentioned conversation prohibition function is provided.

Now, the receiving side is also the facsimile machine of this embodiment,
It is also possible to communicate with a facsimile machine that does not transmit NSF signals. Therefore, when an NSF signal is received (Y in process 104), the above-mentioned 1 bit of the data is identified and the receiving side function is determined (process 105).

If the receiving side has the above-mentioned conversation prohibition function (process 10
5 Y) Next, the setting state of the conversation operation by the conversation prohibition key 8c is determined (processing 106).

In this embodiment, the receiving side tells the transmitting side, by means of an NSS signal,
An instruction is given to prohibit or permit the above-set conversational behavior. In this case, as well as the NSF signal, N
One bit of data transmitted by the SS signal is used to indicate the setting state of the conversation operation.

Therefore, if the conversation is prohibited (Y in process 106), a predetermined bit of the transmission data of the NSS signal is set (process 107), and if the conversation is not prohibited (process 107). 105N), do not set that bit.

On the other hand, when communicating with other facsimile machines.

If the NSF signal is not received (N in process 104) - or if there is no conversation prohibition function (N in process 105)
), the above bits should also not be set.

Next, a predetermined pre-message procedure of transmitting an NSS signal, modem training signal, etc. and receiving a response signal is executed (process 108). Then, image information for one page of the transmitted original is transmitted (process 109).

By the way, the setting of conversational behavior is not limited to the time of the process 101, but can also be performed after the start of communication6.Therefore, the operator sets the conversational behavior at any time as necessary.

Therefore, if there is a next page after the above-mentioned one page of image information is sent (Y in process 110), it is determined whether or not the setting of conversational behavior has been changed (process 111). If this setting has not been changed (N in process 111), an Mps signal is transmitted (process 112). Furthermore, if there is a setting change (Y in process 111), an EOM signal is sent (process 113). Furthermore, if there is no next page (processing 1
10N), and sends out an EOP signal (processing 114).

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, when the receiving side receives a call (process 201), it sends out an NSF signal to notify the device function (process 202). Next, when the NSS signal is received (Y in process 203), the setting state of the conversation operation is determined (process 204). When conversation is prohibited (Y in process 204), the display 8a displays, for example, ``Please do not reserve conversation.'' ” message (
Processing 205).

Also, when communicating with other facsimile machines, NSS
If no signal is received (N in process 203), or
If conversation behavior is set to permission (N in process 204)
), the above message will not be displayed.

Next, a predetermined pre-message procedure is executed (process 206
), one page of image information is received (process 207).

During such communication, the receiving operator operates the conversation reservation key 8b when reserving a conversation.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the conversation reservation key 8b is operated (process 301), the facsimile machine determines the setting state of the conversation operation from the sending side (process 102), and if conversation is permitted ( Processing 302: N), the conversation reservation is accepted and stored (processing 303).

Furthermore, if conversation is prohibited (Y in process 302), an alarm sound is output from a speaker (not shown) to indicate that the conversation reservation cannot be accepted (process 304).

FIG. 5 shows the situation on the receiving side while image information PIX is being transmitted in a state where conversation prohibition is not set on the sending side.

It shows the operation of the sending and receiving sides when a conversation reservation is made.

In this case, the receiving side receives one page of image information, MPS,
After receiving the ROM or EOP signal, it is determined that the conversation reservation has been made (Y in process 208),
The receiving side sends out a PIP or PIN signal (process 20
9).

On the other hand, when the transmitting side receives the PIF and PIN signals (Y in each of processes 115, 116, and 117), it outputs a ringing tone for an operator call (process 118).

Here, when the transmitting operator picks up the handset of the telephone and presses the stop key on the facsimile machine, the transmitting facsimile machine receives the PRI-Q signal, that is, the PRI
-MPS, PRI-1! Sends OM or PRI-EOP signal.

When the receiving facsimile machine receives the PRI-Q signal, it similarly makes an operator call.

Here, when the receiving operator similarly picks up the handset and presses the stop key, the PIF and PIN signals are retransmitted, allowing conversation between the two parties (process 119 and process 210). Then, both parties end the conversation and put down the handset, disconnecting the 9 lines (process 211).
The above communication ends.

On the other hand, in the above, if the transmitting side operator does not respond, the transmitting side calls the operator for a certain period of time, for example, 15 seconds, and then sends out a DCN signal to disconnect the line. When the receiving side receives the DCN signal, it similarly disconnects the line and ends one or more communications.

Next, FIG. 6 shows the operation when conversation is prohibited on the transmitting side. In this case, on the receiving side, the fourth
As explained in the figure, the conversation reservation operation is disabled.

Therefore, after receiving one page of image information and the MPS, ROM, or EOP signal, it is determined that there is no conversation reservation (N in process 208), and if the reception is successful without error, the MCF signal is sent as usual (process 212). .

Then, if an MPS signal is being received (processing 21
3 Y) Shift to receiving the image information of the primary page (Process 2)
to 07). Also, if an EQM signal is being received (
Step 214: Y), the transmission control procedure from phase B is executed (proceed to step 202). Further, if an EOP signal is received (N in process 214), the transmission control procedure of phase E is executed to end the communication (process 215).
), the line disconnection process 211), and the reception process ends. The transmitting side also performs predetermined operations corresponding to these.

Next, for example, assume that conversation is initially prohibited on the transmitting side, and conversation prohibition is canceled while image information is being transmitted. In this way, when the settings are changed (Y in process 111)
, after sending one page, an EOM signal is sent (processing 1
13).

In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the receiving side sends out the MCF signal, then sends out the NSF, C3I, and DIS signals, and the sending side sends out the NSS signal. . Therefore, at this point, permission for conversation is notified to the receiving side by the NSS signal. As a result, when a conversation reservation operation is subsequently performed on the receiving side, conversation becomes possible as explained with reference to FIG.

Also, on the sending side, conversation prohibition is not set at the beginning,
Even if it is set during image information transmission,
Similarly, after transmitting one page, the receiving side is set to a predetermined state.

As described above, in this embodiment, when the sending side sets the prohibition of conversation, the receiving side is notified of this, and at this time, the receiving side invalidates the conversation reservation.

Therefore, when the transmitting side does not need an operator call, such as when the operator is away or at night, the transmitting side performs the transmission process with conversation prohibited. As a result, when the transmitting side does not need an operator call, such as when the operator is away or at night, the transmitting side can prevent the receiving side from reserving a conversation by setting the conversation to prohibited and performing the transmission process.

As a result, on the receiving side, there is no need to wait for a certain period of time even though a conversation has been reserved and the transmitting side operator does not respond, thereby eliminating wasted communication time. Further, unnecessary operator calls on the transmitting side can be prevented.

In the above embodiment, a dedicated conversation prohibition key 8c is provided on the transmitting side in order to prohibit conversation, but the setting may be performed using other methods.

For example, as shown in Figure 8, when performing a transmission setting operation, it is known that the display provides sequential guidance on input items and operation keys, such as the number of originals, department code, and destination. One possible method is to use the "Y" or "N" key to input whether or not to prohibit conversation.

In addition, the operator has to set the conversation behavior each time a transmission operation is performed, but for example, as shown in FIG. 9,
Conversation behavior is set in advance for each type of transmission process, such as allowing conversation behavior when performing normal transmission or immediate memory transmission to one destination, and prohibiting it when sending at a specified time or sending to multiple destinations. At the time of transmission, settings may be made automatically according to the settings.

Additionally, some facsimile machines are known that automatically transmit data one after another by setting multiple transmission processes by inputting the transmission time and destination, respectively. Alternatively, it is also conceivable to enter prohibition, store the settings in each file 1 to n that manage each transmission process, and automatically transmit according to the settings, as shown in FIG. Further, in this case, it would be convenient if the setting contents of each file 1 to n could be arbitrarily updated as needed.

Furthermore, on the receiving side, text indicating that conversation is prohibited,
It is also conceivable to output a voice message instead of an alarm sound when a conversation reservation operation is performed in a conversation-prohibited state. Further, when a conversation reservation operation is performed in a conversation prohibited state, the operator is alerted by an alarm sound without disabling the conversation reservation state, but it may be possible to set the conversation reservation state.

Furthermore, when the conversation reservation button is operated, the conversation state is entered after one page is completed, but it goes without saying that the conversation state may be entered after all pages are transmitted.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the transmitting side instructs the receiving side to prohibit or permit conversation, and the receiving side receives an instruction to prohibit conversation using the procedure signal of the transmission control procedure. If the conversation is prohibited, the conversation reservation operation is disabled, so if the sender sets the conversation prohibition, the receiver can reserve a conversation and the conversation reservation operation will be disabled even if the sender does not respond. There is no need to wait for a long time, and wasted communication time can be eliminated, while unnecessary operator calls on the transmitting side can be prevented.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are flowcharts showing operations on the sending side, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing operations on the receiving side. Fig. 4 is an operation flowchart showing the conversation reservation operation on the receiving side, Fig. 5 is a time chart of procedure signals when both operators on the sending and receiving sides have a conversation, and Fig. 6
The figure is a time chart of the procedure signal when conversation is prohibited, Figure 7 is a time chart of the procedure signal when the sending side changes the conversation behavior setting, and Figure 8 is another example of the operation method for setting the conversation behavior. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing another embodiment of the conversation behavior setting method at the time of transmission, and FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing yet another embodiment of the conversation behavior setting method at the time of transmission. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Scanner, 2...Plotter, 3...Encoder/decoder, 4...Image memory, 5...Network control device,
6... Modem 57... Communication control section, 8... Operation display section, 8a... Display unit, 8b... Conversation reservation key,
8c... Conversation prohibition key, 9... System memory, 1
0...System control unit. fig fig fig fig fig fig fig fig fig fig fig fig fig fig fig fig fig fig fig fig fig fig.

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) If a conversation reservation operation is performed during image communication, an operator call ringtone is output on both the sending and receiving sides after the image communication ends, and in the conversation control method of facsimile machines that is controlled to be in a telephone conversation state, the sending side is equipped with a conversation operation instructing means for instructing the receiving side to prohibit or permit conversation using a procedure signal of the transmission control procedure, and displays a conversation prohibited state on the receiving side when the prohibition of conversation is instructed. A conversation control method for a facsimile machine, characterized in that the conversation control method for a facsimile machine is further provided with a conversation reservation inhibiting means for disabling the conversation reservation operation. (2) The sending side is equipped with means for arbitrarily setting prohibition or permission of the above conversation for each sending process to be executed, and
2. A conversation control system for a facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said conversation operation instruction means, when transmitting said procedure signal, instructs said prohibited or permitted state that is set at that time. (3) The transmitting side is provided with a means for arbitrarily setting prohibition or permission of the above-mentioned conversation in advance for each form of transmission processing, and the above-mentioned conversation operation instruction means is configured to set according to the form of the above-mentioned transmission processing to be executed. 2. The conversation control system for a facsimile machine according to claim 1, further comprising the step of indicating the prohibited or permitted state.