JPH0358661A - Facsimile equipment having voice store and forward function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To increase the storage capacity of a communication content from an opposite party and to attain effective utilization of a memory by storing voice to a storage means storing a facsimile picture. CONSTITUTION:A picture signal is decoded one by one line, and a memory 8 stores a picture data by using a memory management table as an index storing a file number, an identification code of picture data, a start address and an end address of the memory. In the case of a voice signal, the signal is compressed and coded and the voice data is stored in the memory 8 by using the memory management table as the index. Thus, the memory 8 is used effectively and a large capacity of a RAM 7 to attain effective storage without limit of the recording time for the voice signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a facsimile machine, and particularly to a facsimile machine having a voice storage function.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, many facsimile devices incorporate both a facsimile function and a telephone function so that telephone communication can also be performed. Particularly, now that facsimile machines are becoming more common in households, it is thought that it is rare for each household to have a dedicated facsimile line, considering the frequency of use. Therefore, it is common sense to incorporate a telephone function into facsimile machines suitable for home use.

On the other hand, telephones with a built-in answering machine function are now on the market, and some facsimile machines are also equipped with telephones with a built-in answering machine function. The answering machine recording function needs to store a message informing the other party that the telephone is set to an answering machine and an audio signal of the contents of the call from the other party. Conventionally, messages to be conveyed to the other party are often stored in RAM because they last for a short time, and the contents of the conversation from the other party are recorded on an audio tape. Some devices stored the contents of calls from the other party in RAM, but the storage time was only about 15 seconds, and the number of calls was limited to only a few.

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and it increases the storage capacity of the contents of the call from the other party by also storing voice in the storage means for storing facsimile images. This was done with the aim of making effective use of memory.

(Means for Solving the Problems) The present invention provides a facsimile device that includes means for encoding audio, means for encoding images, and storage means for storing data obtained by these means in the same memory. It is characterized by:

Audio and images can be encoded and stored in memory for either transmission or reception.

(Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a line, 2 is a line control unit, 3 is a transmission control unit, 4 is a modem, 5 is an audio conversion unit, 6 is a ROM that stores programs and fixed information, 7 is a RAM, and 8 is an image and audio memory. , 9 is a document reading section, 10 is a recording section, 1
Reference numeral 1 denotes an operation unit, and 12 a main control unit (CPU) that is in charge of overall control of these units. Image and audio memory 8 is RA
It may be included in M7.

The operation of the second construction drawing will be explained with reference to the flowchart of FIG. When the called party receives a call based on the ringing tone, it sends out a digital identification signal (DIS) (Step 1). Upon receiving the digital command signal (DCS) from the calling party (Ste
p2), then receive a training signal (Step
3) If OK, send reception readiness confirmation signal (CFR) to the calling party.
) (Step 4), and receives an image signal from the calling side. The image signal is decoded line by line (
Step 5), stored in memory 8 (Step 6)
. Repeat decoding and storage in memory (Step 7)
, message confirmation signal (MCF
) (Step 8), and the line is disconnected from the transmission control unit 3 by the disconnection command signal (DCN) from the calling side (Step 9).
disconnects the line and ends communication. In the memory 8, as shown in FIG. 3, the file number (file name),
Image data is stored using a memory management table that stores an occupation code indicating that it is image data (for example, "0" is received image data), a start address on the memory, and an end address as an index.

In Step 2, if the digital command signal (DOS) is not received within the predetermined time, it is not a facsimile signal, so proceed to Step ○, and if it is an audio signal,
It is compressed and encoded and stored in the memory 8. memory 8
In this system, audio data is stored using the above-mentioned memory management table as an index. For example, "1" is used as the identification code to indicate that the received audio data is received audio data. When the voice call ends (Step 3), the line is disconnected.

In Step 2, if no audio signal is received, a timeout occurs after a certain period of time (Step 4).
,finish.

Since the image signal is stored on the memory, a printer can be used as the recording section. Printed out image data or audio data that is no longer needed after playback can be deleted from the memory to increase free memory.

In the above embodiment, received images and received audio have been described, but transmitted images and transmitted audio can also be stored on the memory 8 in the same way. The stored audio data is expanded and decoded, converted into an audio signal by the audio converter 5, and sent to the line via the modem 4.

(Effects of the Invention) As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, in a facsimile machine, an image signal and an audio signal are stored in the same memory, so the memory can be used effectively, and the RAM can be used efficiently. By using a large-capacity one, there is no restriction on the recording time of audio signals, and the effect is that the audio signals can be stored effectively.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a flowchart, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a memory management table. 1... Line, 2... Line control unit, 4... Modem,
5... Voice converter, 6... ROM, 7... RAM
, 8... Image and audio memory, 9... Document reading section, 1o... Recording section, 1l... Operation section, 12...
Main control unit (CPU).

Claims (1)

[Claims] means for encoding audio in a facsimile machine;
1. A facsimile machine having a voice storage function, comprising means for encoding an image, and storage means for storing data obtained by these means in the same memory.