JPH04160855A - Facsimile equipment with cordless telephone set - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To attain a cordless feature for both a facsimile function and a telephone function without increasing the equipment cost by using an optical signal to couple the facsimile equipment having a communication control function through a telephone line with a slave set of a cordless telephone set coupled with a master set in a radio wave. CONSTITUTION:The facsimile equipment is provided with a telephone line 1, a modular jack 2 to connect a terminal equipment such as a telephone set to the telephone line 1, a master set 3 of a cordless telephone set, a slave set 4, a radio wave medium 5 connecting the master set 3 and the slave set 4, a telephone network facsimile equipment 6 making facsimile communication through the telephone line, and an optical coupling means 7 coupling the facsimile equipment 6 with the slave set 4 by an optical signal 8. That is, the facsimile equipment 6 and the telephone line 1 are indirectly connected not by an exclusive radio wave but by the radio wave medium 5 coupling the slave set 4 and the master set 3 of the cordless telephone set and the slave set 4 and the facsimile equipment 6. Thus, a cordless feature for both a facsimile function and a telephone function is provided without increasing the equipment cost.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine with a cordless telephone, which combines a facsimile machine and a cordless telephone.

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 7, a conventional device of this type includes a cordless telephone that connects a base unit 3 connected to a telephone line 1 and a slave unit 40 having a handset function using radio waves 5; A telephone network facsimile connected to the telephone line 1 through the cordless telephone base unit 3! The device 6 was used to enable switching between facsimile and cordless telephone functions using the same telephone line 1.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, with this configuration, there are problems in that the location where the facsimile can be used is restricted and the functions of the cordless telephone are not effectively utilized.

The above problem arises for the following reasons.

That is, with a cordless telephone that connects a base unit and a slave unit using radio waves, the user can freely choose the location where the telephone is used within the reachable range of the radio waves. However, the locations where the fuji l can be used are limited to places where it can be connected to a telephone line.

In addition, for users who wish to use both telephone and facsimile functions in the same place, the places where they can use the phone are also limited due to the restrictions on the places where they can use the phone, making it difficult to utilize the cordless phone's functions effectively. Such inconveniences also occur.

As a countermeasure to the above-mentioned problem, it is conceivable to provide the facsimile J apparatus with coupling means using radio waves. However, in this case, it is necessary to add a wireless transmitting/receiving device for coupling using radio waves, which causes another problem in that the cost of the device increases significantly.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile device with a cordless telephone that can perform both facsimile and telephone functions without increasing the cost of the device. .

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a method of connecting a facsimile device having a communication control function using a telephone line to a cordless phone handset that connects to a base phone using radio waves using an optical signal. It has the following configuration.

According to the present invention, with the above-described configuration, the facsimile device and the telephone line can be connected to each other by wireless radio waves that connect the base unit and handset of a cordless telephone and optical waves that connect the handset and the facsimile device, without using dedicated radio waves. Because they are connected indirectly by signals, it is possible to make both facsimile and telephone functions cordless without increasing the cost of the equipment.

Example Embodiments of the present invention will be described below based on the drawings.

FIG. 1 schematically shows the electrical configuration of a facsimile apparatus with a cordless telephone according to a first embodiment of the present invention, in which 1 is a telephone line, and 2 is a terminal such as a telephone that is connected to the telephone line 1. 3 is a base unit of the cordless phone, 4 is a handset of the cordless phone, 5 is a radio wave for connecting the base unit 3 and handset 4 of the cordless phone, 6
1 is a facsimile device having a communication control function using a telephone line; 7 is an optical coupling means for coupling the facsimile device 6 to the handset 4 using an optical signal 8;

The base unit 3 of the cordless telephone includes a line control unit 31 that detects incoming calls and connects/disconnects the line (hook-off/on) to the telephone line 1, a communication circuit 32 consisting of a hybrid, etc., and a radio wave of low power or weak power. MCA (multi-channel access) wireless transmitter/receiver unit 33 that performs bidirectional wireless communication, a wireless antenna 34 for both transmitting and receiving functions, a control circuit 35 that centrally controls the operation of each part, and a DC power supply from a commercial power source (AClooV). It is composed of a power supply circuit 36 that generates a low-voltage operating power supply, and the like.

The handset 4 of the cordless telephone includes a wireless antenna 41 for transmitting and receiving, a wireless transmitter/receiver 42 corresponding to the wireless transmitter/receiver 33 of the base phone 3, and A microphone 43 that captures the speech sound, a speaker 44 that reproduces the received speech sound, an operation section 45 in which dial keys, hook switches, etc. are arranged, a control circuit 46 that centrally controls the operation of each section, an independent power supply 47 using a rechargeable battery, etc. is provided. As a result, the handset 4 can be used as a freely movable telephone within the reachable range of the radio waves 5.

Furthermore, in addition to the configuration described above, the slave device 4 includes an optical transmitter/receiver 71 as the optical coupling means 7, which includes a light emitting element such as a light emitting diode or a semiconductor laser, and a light receiving element such as a photodiode. An interface circuit 72 for exchanging signals via the transmitter/receiver 71 is provided. In addition, the wireless transmitter/receiver 42
A switching circuit 48 is also provided for switching speech signals input and output between the microphone 43 and speaker 44 and the interface 72.

In order to configure the basic functions of the facsimile device, the facsimile device 6 includes a modem (modulator/demodulator) 61 that transmits facsimile signals and communication control signals using signals in the transmission frequency band of the telephone line. 61
an encoding/decoding section 62 for compressing and decompressing image signals exchanged via the image reading section 63, an image reading section 63 for reading image information from a document, an image recording section 64 for printing and recording image information on recording paper, and an operation section. 65, a control circuit 66 for centrally controlling the operation of each section, an independent power source 67 using a rechargeable battery, and the like. This makes it possible to perform facsimile communication using signals in the transmission frequency band of the telephone line in accordance with the communication control procedure recommended by the CCITT. Furthermore, by having an independent power source 67, it is possible to use it on the go without being supplied with commercial power (AC 100V).

Furthermore, in addition to the above-described configuration, the facsimile device 6 includes an optical transceiver 73 corresponding to the optical transceiver 71 on the slave device 4 side as the optical coupling means 7; An interface circuit 74 for signal exchange with the machine 4 is provided.

In addition, the facsimile device 6 is provided with a receiving portion 9 for installing the handset 4, as shown in FIG. The optical coupling means 7 is provided so that when the slave unit 4 is placed on the receiving portion 9, the slave unit 4 and the facsimile device 6 are coupled by an optical signal.

The optical transceivers 71 and 73 constituting the optical coupling means 7 are as follows:
Although the reference numbers in the figure are omitted, two sets are provided, one for communication and one for control. Optical transmitters and receivers for telephone calls transmit telephone signals (
It is used for transmitting telephone signals (sending and receiving signals or facsimile signals). Further, the control optical transceiver is used to multiplex transmit line control signals such as incoming call detection signals, line connection/disconnection signals, and dial numbers. Multiplexing of control signals is performed, for example, by modulating an optical signal with a multifrequency tone signal.

The operation of the cordless telephone facsimile apparatus configured as described above will be described below.

1 and 2, first, a case will be described in which the facsimile device 6 is not connected to the handset 4 or the operation of the facsimile device 6 is stopped. In this case, the device described above operates as a normal cordless telephone.

That is, when a call arrives, incoming call information is wirelessly transmitted from base unit 3 to handset 4. The handset 4 that has received the incoming call information issues a ring tone to notify that there is an incoming call. When the user who learns of the incoming call performs a hook-off operation on the slave unit 4, a hook-off command is wirelessly transmitted from the slave unit 4 to the base unit 4. Upon receiving this hook-off command, base unit 3 connects telephone line l to DC connection (
hook-off) and connect to the communication circuit 32. Call circuit 3
2 is a microphone 43 on the handset 4 side via wireless radio waves 5.
and the speaker 44. This allows the handset 4 to make a phone call.

On the other hand, when making a call, a handoff command to the base unit 3 is wirelessly transmitted from the handset 4 by the user's operation.

Upon receiving this hook-off command, the base unit 3 connects the telephone line 1 to the communication circuit 32 by DC closing the telephone line 1 . The communication circuit 32 is coupled to a microphone 43 and a speaker 44 on the handset 4 side via radio waves 5. Thereby, on the handset 4 side, it is possible to perform a dial number input operation while checking the dial tone (DT) from the direct current connected telephone line 1. The dial number input on the slave unit 4 side is wirelessly transmitted to the base unit 3. Base unit 4 sends a dial signal in the form of a pulse or DT (multi-frequency tone signal) to telephone line 1 in accordance with the received dial information. When the called terminal is connected by this dialing, a telephone conversation with the connected called terminal can be carried out on the handset 4 side via the radio waves 5. After the call ends, when a hook-on operation is performed on the handset 4 side, a hook-on command is wirelessly transmitted from the handset 4 to the base unit 4. Upon receiving this hook-on command, base unit 3 performs line disconnection (hook-on) to release the direct current connection of telephone line 1 .

As described above, by combining the handset 4 with the base unit 3 connected to the telephone line 1 using the radio waves 5, the handset 4 can be used as if it were a normal telephone connected directly to the telephone line. I can do it.

Note that line control signals such as incoming call information and hook-off/on commands are wirelessly transmitted using, for example, a wireless signal modulated with a tone signal of a specific frequency or the presence or absence of a wireless carrier wave.

Next, a case will be described in which the facsimile device 6 is connected to the handset 4 of a cordless telephone and is in operation. In this case, the facsimile device 6 receives a telephone call via a telephone line 1 that is indirectly connected via an optical signal 8 that connects the facsimile device 6 and the handset 4 and a radio wave 5 that connects the handset 4 and the base device 3. Line transmission frequency band (voice frequency band)
Facsimile communication is carried out using signals modulated by

That is, when a call arrives, incoming call information is wirelessly transmitted from base unit 3 to slave unit 4, as in the case of a telephone.

The incoming call information received by the handset 4 is delivered directly to the facsimile machine 6 via the optical coupling means 71 and 73 and the interface circuits 72 and 74.

The facsimile device 6 that received this incoming call information
A hook-off command is issued based on the communication control procedure of the T recommendation. This hook-off command is optically transmitted from the facsimile device 6 to the handset 4, and then wirelessly transmitted from the handset 4 to the base device 3. Upon receiving the hook-off command from the facsimile 9 device 6, the base unit 3 connects the telephone line 1 to the communication circuit 32 by DC-connecting it, as in the case of a telephone. The communication circuit 32 is coupled to the handset 4 via radio waves 5, and the handset 4 receives an optical signal 8.
is coupled to the facsimile machine 6 via. Therefore, although the facsimile device 6 connected to the handset 4 is not directly connected to the telephone line 1, it is connected to the telephone line in accordance with the communication control procedure recommended by CCITT, just like a normal telephone network facsimile device. 1 can perform facsimile communication (reception).

On the other hand, when making a call, the hook-off command and dial number issued by the facsimile device 6 are optically transmitted from the facsimile device 6 to the handset 4, and then from the handset 4 to the base device 3.
wirelessly transmitted to. Upon receiving this, the base unit 3 connects the telephone line 1 to the communication circuit 32 by DC connection, and performs a dialing operation using the received dial number, as in the case of a telephone. When the called terminal is connected by this dialing, the facsimile device 6 transmits the telephone number via the optical signal 8 that connects the facsimile device 6 and handset 4 and the radio wave 5 that connects handset 4 and base device 3. Facsimile communication using signals modulated in the transmission frequency band of line 1 (
◇After communication is completed, when a hook-on command (line disconnection command) is issued from the facsimile device 6 side, this command is transmitted to the base unit 3 via the optical signal 8 and radio waves 5, and Upon receiving the message, base unit 3 disconnects the telephone line 1 to release the direct current connection.

As described above, the facsimile device 6 is indirectly connected to the telephone line 1 via the optical signal 8 and the radio wave 5, and is directly connected to the telephone line by this indirectly connected telephone line 1. Like a normal telephone network facsimile device, facsimile communication can be performed using signals modulated in the transmission frequency band of a telephone line.

With the above mentioned facsimile machine with cordless telephone.

In this case, the connection between the facsimile machine 6 and the telephone line 1 is between the base unit 3 and the handset 4 of the cordless telephone without using dedicated radio waves.
By indirectly connecting via the radio waves 5 that couple the facsimile and telephone functions, both facsimile and telephone functions can be made cordless without adding a wireless transmitting/receiving device for facsimile.

Further, a user who wants to use both telephone and facsimile functions at the same location can freely move the cordless telephone handset 4 together with the facsimile device 6. This also allows the functionality of cordless telephones to be effectively utilized.

Furthermore, a cordless telephone handset 4 and a facsimile machine 6
Since the connection between the two is performed in a non-contact manner by the optical coupling means 7, the connection between the two can be achieved by simply installing the handset 4 at a predetermined coupling position, and the connection can be released by simply lifting the handset 4. It will be held in As a result, the cordless telephone function using only the base unit 3 and handset 4, and the facsimile machine 6
Cordless facsimile functions can be switched and used very easily and quickly.

FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of the invention.

In the embodiment shown in the same figure, there are two sets of optical coupling means 7 (
7A, 7B) are provided. In this case, when the handset 4 is placed vertically on the receiving portion 9 of the facsimile machine 6, the optical transmitter/receiver 71 and 73 of both devices optically face each other and are coupled by an optical signal. It is placed in such a position that it forms a

The other optical coupling means 7B connects the handset 4 to the facsimile device 6.
When placed horizontally on the receiving portion 9 of the optical transmitter/receiver 71 of both
- 73 are provided at positions where they optically face each other and perform optical signal coupling. Accordingly, the handset 4 and the facsimile device 6 can be combined in each installed state, regardless of whether the handset 4 is installed vertically or horizontally.

FIG. 4 shows a third embodiment of the invention.

In the embodiment shown in the figure, in addition to the configuration of the second embodiment described above, a detection means S1 for detecting the installation state of the slave device 4 is provided.
．． S2, and a logic circuit 101 that logically determines the installation state of the slave device 4 based on the detection by the detection means 81 and 82.
A selection circuit 102 is provided which selectively operates only one of the two sets of optical coupling means 7A or 7B based on the determination of this logic circuit 101. Detection means S1
- S2 is configured using a micro switch, a mercury switch, etc.

Accordingly, out of the two sets of optical coupling means 7A and 7B, only the optical coupling means 7A or 7B which performs coupling by the optical signal 8 depending on the installation state of the handset 4 is selectively operated, and the other optical coupling means 7A and 7B are operated selectively. The optical coupling means can be stopped from operating.

For example, when the handset 4 is installed vertically, only the optical coupling means 7A that performs coupling in the vertically installed state is operated, and the optical coupling means 7B that performs coupling in the horizontally installed state is stopped from operating. . On the other hand, when the handset 4 is installed horizontally, the optical coupling means 7B performs the connection in this horizontally installed state.
The optical coupling means 7A, which couples in the vertically installed state, is made to stop operating.

In this way, since the operation of the optical coupling means without coupling is stopped, the cordless telephone handset 4 and the facsimile machine 6 are at risk of being subjected to optical disturbance from the outside. This makes it possible to bond stably and reliably without any problems.

FIG. 5 shows an example of how the detection means Sl, 82 is attached to the handset 4, and the detection means 81.

S2 is attached to the top and bottom of the handset 4.

Each detection means S1. Each S2 is configured to operate at 0N10FF depending on the weight of the handset 4 or the direction of the mercury switch. Accordingly, an installed state in which the handset 4 is placed with its surface facing down, that is, a horizontally placed state, and an installed state in which the handset 4 is installed with its bottom surface facing down, that is, it is placed vertically are determined, respectively.

FIG. 6 shows an optical transceiver 71 constituting the optical coupling means 7.
, 73 is shown.

The optical transceivers 71 and 73 shown in the figure are provided with a diffusion lens 81 that expands the area for transmitting and receiving the optical signal 8 into a conical shape. Thereby, even if the installation position of the handset 4 is slightly shifted, the connection between the handset 4 and the facsimile machine 6 can be reliably performed using the optical signal 8. Along with this, it has become possible to provide a margin for the dimensional accuracy of the handset 4 and the receiving part 9, and it has become possible to attach the handset 4 to the receiving part 9 and take it out very smoothly. become.

Effects of the Invention As is clear from the above description, the present invention has the following advantages: By connecting a facsimile device having a communication control function using a telephone line to a cordless phone handset that connects to a base phone using radio waves using an optical signal, This is because the facsimile device and the telephone line are indirectly connected not by dedicated radio waves, but by an optical signal that connects the base unit and handset of the cordless phone and an optical signal that connects the handset and the facsimile device. , it is possible to make both facsimile and telephone functions cordless without increasing equipment costs.
This has the effect of

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a cordless telephone facsimile device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. M2 is a diagram showing an example of the external appearance of the same device, and FIG. Schematic configuration diagram of facsimile machine with telephone, No. 4
5 and 5 are diagrams showing an outline of a facsimile device with a cordless telephone according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing main parts of a facsimile device with a cordless telephone according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. , FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a conventional facsimile machine with a cordless telephone. 1...Telephone line, 2...Modular jack, 3°
°・Base unit of cordless telephone, 4...Slave unit of cordless telephone, deceased/radio radio waves, 6...Facsimile machine, 7.
7A, 7B... Optical coupling means, 71, 73... Optical transceiver, 72, 74... Interface circuit, 8
. . . Optical signal, 81 . . . Diffusion lens, 9 .
- Logic circuit for determining the installation state, 102... Optical coupling means selection circuit. Name of agent: Patent attorney Akira Okaji and 2 others
Figure 6 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 7 Do-Fixed side--11-Moving side←

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A cordless telephone that connects a base unit connected to a telephone line and a slave unit having a handset function using radio waves, a facsimile machine having a communication control function using a telephone line, a slave unit of the above-mentioned cordless telephone, and the above-mentioned cordless telephone. A facsimile device with a cordless telephone, comprising an optical coupling means for coupling facsimile devices with optical signals. 2. A facsimile apparatus with a cordless telephone according to claim 1, further comprising: an optical coupling means for coupling the handset and said facsimile apparatus using an optical signal at a receiving portion of the facsimile apparatus. (3) A cordless telephone that uses radio waves to connect a base unit that is connected to a telephone line and a slave unit that has a handset function, and a facsimile machine that has a communication control function using the telephone line and a receiver in which the handset is installed. a plurality of optical coupling means for coupling the handset and the facsimile device installed in the receiving portion with optical signals depending on the installation state of the handset; and a detection means for detecting the installation state of the handset; A facsimile apparatus with a cordless telephone is provided with a selection circuit that selectively operates only the optical coupling means that performs coupling by optical signals based on the detection by the detection means. 4. A facsimile apparatus with a cordless telephone according to claim 1, further comprising a diffusion lens for enlarging the area for transmitting and receiving optical signals in said optical coupling means.