JPH03167954A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain facsimile communication with a called party facsimile equipment even when a person not knowing well the operation of the facsimile equipment replies the call while hooking off the handset by providing a means sending a predetermined instruction message in voice in response to the connection of line. CONSTITUTION:Upon the discrimination of line connection, a caller station starts a timer for detecting a reply time and outputs a instruction message in synthesized voice. An operator at a called station lifts up a handset, listens to a instruction message in the synthesized voice coming from the handset and depresses a 'start' button or a 'communication' button provided to the called station according to the instruction message, hooks on the handset. Thus, the called station reaches the reception mode and outputs a CED (called terminal equipment identification signal) and a DIS(digital identification signal).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to a facsimile machine, and particularly relates to an improvement in the automatic transmission function of a facsimile machine.

<Prior Art> Facsimile machines that can be switched between automatic mode and manual mode for transmission and reception have been put into practical use. In such a facsimile machine, when set to automatic mode, transmission processing or reception processing is automatically performed when a line is connected.

On the other hand, if the mode is switched to manual mode, when the line is connected, the operator uses the handset to check the other party's response signal or outgoing signal, and after checking these signals, performs the operation to send or receive. Is it necessary to press a button?

Problems to be Solved by the Invention> In the conventional facsimile machine as described above, when the facsimile machine on the calling side that transmits data is in automatic mode,
Consider the case where the called party's facsimile machine receiving data is in manual mode.

In such a case, when a paging signal is given to the called party and the ring tone of the called party's device rings, the owner of the called party's facsimile device picks up the handset and responds in the same way as a telephone. do. At that time, the user knows that it is a facsimile communication because he hears a calling tone (CNG signal) from the calling facsimile machine instead of a human voice. Therefore, press the start button on the called device to which you are answering, and then hang up the handset.

However, in the case described above, if the person who picks up the handset is an elderly person or a young person who is not familiar with facsimile machines while the phone is away, even if a CNG signal is heard from the handset, the person who picks up the handset cannot receive a facsimile communication. If you unknowingly put the handset on the hook and disconnect the communication, or even if you know it is a facsimile communication, you do not know how to respond and end up putting the handset on the hook and disconnecting the communication. There were many.

Of course, there is no problem if the called party's facsimile machine is always switched to automatic mode, but switching between manual mode and automatic mode is actually necessary in households with only one telephone line or in small In general households and small shops, the facsimile machine is often used as both a telephone and a facsimile machine by switching the mode of the facsimile machine. In such ordinary households, it is not always the case that a specific person who knows how to operate a facsimile machine picks up the handset; rather, it is often a person who does not know how to operate the facsimile machine who picks up the handset. Therefore, it has been desired to solve the above-mentioned problems.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in order to overcome the drawbacks of the conventional devices, and when the facsimile device of the called party is in manual mode, no matter who picks up the handset, it is difficult to operate the facsimile device easily. To provide a facsimile device which allows facsimile communication with a called facsimile device even if a stranger picks up the handset and answers the call.

<Means for Solving the Problems> The present invention provides a facsimile machine having an automatic transmission function that automatically performs transmission processing when a line is connected.
The facsimile apparatus is characterized in that it is provided with means for transmitting a predetermined voice instruction message in response to connection of a line.

Further, the present invention provides the above-mentioned facsimile device,
The predetermined voice instruction message is characterized in that it includes a specific instruction to switch the receiving device to a state capable of receiving facsimile.

Furthermore, the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention is characterized in that it includes a mode switching means capable of switching the mode between an automatic mode and a manual mode, and the automatic transmission function is executed in the automatic mode.

Function> In the automatic transmission mode, the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention first transmits a voice instruction message in response to connection of a line.

This instruction message may read, for example, ``You are about to send a facsimile.Press the button labeled ``Start'' or ``Communication'' on your device, and then put the receiver back on the receiver.''

Therefore, the person who picks up the handset of the phone receiver on the called side only has to operate according to the instructions.

Embodiment> Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

The facsimile machine is equipped with a control section 1 that is structured around a microcomputer, for example, and this control section 1 includes a reading section 2, a recording section 3, a mechanism section 4, a sensor section 5,
Operation unit 6, memory 7, voice synthesis unit 8, modem 9 and N
A CU (network control circuit) 10 is connected. Further, the handset 11 is connected to the NCUIO.

The reading unit 2 is for optically reading image data recorded on a document. The sensor unit 5 determines whether a document is set in the reading unit 2 or not.

The recording unit 3 is for recording image data, communication record management data, etc. received by the facsimile machine on recording paper.

The mechanism section 4 is a mechanical component of the facsimile machine, and is composed of a motor, a cam, a roller, a switch, and the like. The mechanism section 4 transports documents and paper, and drives the heads of the reading section 2 and the recording section 3.

The sensor section 5 is used to determine the presence or absence of a document in the reading section 2 and the presence or absence of recording paper in the recording section 3, as described above.

The operating section 6 is disposed on the outer surface of the facsimile machine, and is provided with various types of keys that can be operated by an operator. These keys include a mode switching key 12 for switching the mode of this facsimile machine between automatic mode and manual mode.

When the automatic mode is selected by the mode switching key 12, the facsimile machine can automatically perform transmission processing or reception processing when the line is connected. On the other hand, when the manual mode is selected by the mode switching key 12, the line is connected by placing the handset 11 in an off-hook state, and the operation unit 6 is operated based on the transmission signal or response signal from the other party. By doing so, it is possible to cause the facsimile machine to perform transmission processing or reception processing.

The memory 7 stores the control program executed by the control unit 1, and also stores the set function data when additional functions such as one-touch dialing and speed dialing are set.

The audio synthesis section 8 is a section for synthesizing data given from the control section 1 into audio data.

The modem 9 is used to modulate image data sent from the facsimile device and demodulate image data received by the facsimile device.

The NCUIO is for connecting an external communication line and a facsimile machine or handset 11, and signals are transmitted to the external communication line and signals from the external communication line are received via the NCUIO.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the transmission control operation which is a feature of this facsimile machine. The transmission control operation shown in FIG. 2 is executed when the facsimile machine is in automatic mode.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a signal transmission procedure between a calling station and a called station when this facsimile apparatus performs transmission processing in automatic mode as a calling station.

Furthermore, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the control operation of the called station when the facsimile machine as the called station in FIG. 3 is in manual mode.

Next, the control operation of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

It is assumed that the calling station is the facsimile machine according to the embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIG.
It is assumed that automatic mode is selected. Further, the called station is a facsimile device according to the present invention or a facsimile device already on the market, and the mode is switched to automatic mode or manual mode, and the mode of the called station is set to manual mode. It is assumed that there is

First, the calling station performs dialing (step S1),
A calling signal is output (step S2).

At the called station, when the calling signal is detected, step S21)
, generates a ringing tone (step s22).

Upon hearing the ringing tone, the operator of the called station picks up the receiver, so the called station determines the off-footer (step S23) and connects the line (step S24).

When the calling station determines the line connection (step S3),
A timer is started to detect the response time (step S4), and an instruction message is output by synthesized voice (
Step S5). At this time, the CNG signal may be output together with the voice instruction message or after the voice instruction message is output.

At the called station, the operator who picks up the receiver listens to an instruction message in the form of synthesized voice coming from the receiver (step S25). This instruction message is, for example, ``We are about to send a facsimile.Press the button labeled ``Start'' or ``Communication'' on your device, and then put the receiver back on the receiver.'' In other words, the message includes specific instructions on how the operator at the called station should respond.

Accordingly, the operator of the called station must follow this instruction message and press the "Start" button or "Communication" button provided on the called station (many manufacturers' facsimile machines are labeled as the "Start" button). However, depending on the manufacturer, it may be displayed as a "communication" button.)
is pressed, the handset is returned to its original position, and the handset is placed on-hook (step S26). As a result, the called station enters the receiving mode (step S27) and transmits the CHD (called terminal identification signal).
and DIS (digital identification signal) is output (step S28).

After outputting the synthetic voice instruction message in step S5, the calling station determines whether or not to receive CHD and DIS (step S6). The output of the voice instruction message is repeated (steps S5 and S7).

If CHD and DIS are not received within a certain period of time, the line is disconnected (step S10).

On the other hand, if CHD and DIS are received (step S
6) The calling station outputs a DCS (digital command signal) and a training check signal in response (step S8).

The called station outputs a CFR (reception readiness confirmation signal) in response to receiving the DCS and the training check signal (step 329).

In response, the calling station performs a process of transmitting image data (step S9), and the called station performs a process of receiving the image data (step S30).

Then, when the calling station ends the communication, it disconnects the line (step S10).

In the embodiments described above, the synthetic voice instruction message is merely an example; for example, the instruction message may be as simple as "Please press the start button."

<Effects of the Invention> Since the present invention is configured as described above, when the facsimile machine is set to automatic mode to perform transmission processing, if the receiving side is in manual mode and a person who is not accustomed to operating the facsimile machine or a person who does not respond In such cases, anyone can respond appropriately and send a facsimile because instructions on how to respond are given by voice.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a transmission control operation when a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is used as a calling station. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a signal transmission procedure performed with a called station when a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is used as a calling station. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a reception control operation of a called station that receives a signal from a facsimile machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1...control unit, 8...speech synthesis unit, 1
2... Indicates a mode switching key. Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. Automatically sends data when the line is connected. A facsimile machine with an automatic transmission function that performs In the millimeter device, In response to the line being connected, an audible Predetermined voice instruction messages It is characterized by providing a means for transmitting facsimile machine. 2. Facsimile machine according to claim 1 In, The predetermined voice instruction message A message is a message that sends the receiving device to a fax machine. Specifics of switching to a state where millimeter reception is possible Items characterized by containing instructional content It is. 3. The fan according to claim 1 or 2 Kushimiri device has automatic mode and manual mode. Mode switching allows you to switch between modes. said means, when in automatic mode. Features an automatic sending function It is something to do.