JPH04223651A - Reception switching method for facsimile equipment with automatic answering telephone - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To desirably and smoothly operate a speech or the recording of a requirement by a telephone without making even a caller making a telephone call feel uneasy. CONSTITUTION:A CPU 11 controls each equipment according to a program in an ROM 12, and a facsimile reception is switched to an automatic answering telephone function. This switching is operated by the presence or absence of a CNG signal, and the caller making the telephone call for operating an automatic recording or the like is made to wait for some time. Thus, both a message urging the start of a facsimile transmission and a message that it takes some time to operate a switching to the automatic recording or the like, are transmitted to the caller side, at the same time with the incoming call from the caller side. Therefore, the caller making the telephone call can know that it takes some time to operate the speech or the automatic recording.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a reception switching method in a facsimile machine with an answering machine.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art A facsimile machine with an answering machine that integrates an answering machine and a facsimile machine has been put into practical use. This facsimile device is normally designed to give priority to reception from the other party's facsimile. In other words, if the transmission from the sender is from a facsimile machine, a 1300Hz identification signal (CNG signal) is sent, so if that signal is detected within a predetermined time, facsimile reception is performed and the If not, it is determined that the fax is not being sent and the function is switched to an answering machine.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in the above-mentioned reception switching method, if there is no CNG signal within a predetermined time after receiving a call, switching to the answering machine function is performed.
It takes a while for the machine to switch from receiving a fax to answering machine. Therefore, a caller who calls in the hope of recording a conversation or request may hear silence during this time, which may make him or her feel uneasy.

The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and its purpose is to provide a reception switching method for a facsimile machine with an answering machine that does not cause a sense of anxiety to the caller. It is in.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention receives a facsimile if there is a facsimile signal within a predetermined time after receiving a call from the calling party, and switches to an answering machine if there is no such signal. In this method, a message is sent to the caller to inform them that there will be some waiting time before switching to the answering machine, almost at the same time as the above-mentioned incoming call is received. be.

[0006]

[Effect] When a call is received from the caller, a message is sent to the caller to inform them that there will be some waiting time before switching to an answering machine. Since you are aware of this, you will not feel uneasy even if the silence continues afterwards.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a facsimile machine with an answering machine for carrying out the present invention. In the figure, 11 is a CPU as a main control unit, 12 is a ROM that stores a control program, 13 is a RAM that stores data, 14 is an operation panel that issues various commands, and 15 is a RAM that stores data.
is a modem, 16 is an NCU as a network control unit, 17 is a line, 18 is a recording device that prints received data, 19 is a reader, 20 is a timer, 21 is a recording device for recording when you are away,
22 is a telephone.

[0009] The CPU 11 controls each device according to a program in the ROM 12 and switches between facsimile reception and answering machine function. This switch, as before,
This is done depending on the presence or absence of a CNG signal, and the caller who calls to record the answering machine will have to wait for some time. Therefore, in this embodiment, a message prompting the caller to start facsimile transmission and a message informing that it will take some time to switch to the recording mode, etc. are sent to the caller almost simultaneously with the arrival of the call from the caller.

[0010] These messages are stored in the RAM 13 in advance. When receiving a call, the CPU 11 converts the message stored in the RAM 13 into an audio signal using the modem 15 and transmits it to the calling device via the NCU 16 and line 17. Thereafter, the CPU 11 makes a ringer call using the telephone 22 and activates the timer 20.
CN from the calling side within the set time t1 of this timer 20.
Detect whether a G signal is transmitted. If a CNG signal is detected within this time t1, the line 17 is connected to the facsimile reception function, and on the other hand, if the handset is picked up, the line 17 is connected to the telephone 22 to enable communication. Further, if the CNG signal is not detected and the handset is not picked up, it is connected to the recording device 21 to enable recording when the user is away.

[0011] In addition to the above-mentioned message, the RAM 13 also stores a message prompting the user to record the requirements, and the CPU 11 transmits the message to the caller in the same way as described above, before the recording device 21 records the absence. Flow.

Next, the reception switching operation between facsimile reception and answering machine function of this embodiment will be explained in detail with reference to FIG.

[0013] Now, when a calling signal from the calling side device is input and the incoming call is confirmed (step 2), the above-mentioned transmission start message and standby message are sent to the calling side. Here, it says, ``...I'm not near the phone at the moment. If you're sending a fax, please press the send button. If you're calling, please wait for a while as I will ring you.''
A message containing the following information will be broadcast, and the caller will hear it (Step 3). Next, the telephone 22 rings and the ring tone is returned to the caller (step 4). After the timer 20 is activated, it is determined whether there is a CNG signal from the transmitting side (
Step 5) When this signal is detected, facsimile reception is performed (Step 6).

On the other hand, if no CNG signal is detected in step 5, the hook state of the telephone 22 is determined (
Step 7) If on-hook, then timer 20
It is determined whether the set time t1 has elapsed.
(Step 8). Here, if it is within the set time t1, the process loops to step 5, the CNG signal is detected again, and this is repeated until the time is up in step 8.

During this repetition, facsimile reception is performed whenever a CNG signal is detected (step 6).
. Further, when the handset of the telephone 22 is lifted and goes off-hook (step 7), the call is switched to the telephone 22 (step 9). In addition, if a CNG signal from the caller is not detected and the telephone 22 remains on-hook, it will be determined that the caller is not available and will send a message stating that the caller is unable to answer the call. Please tell me what you need.'' is played, and then the system switches to recording when the user is away using the recording device 21 (step 10).

Therefore, according to this embodiment, when a call is received from the calling side device, a message is first sent to the calling side to prompt the calling side to start facsimile transmission, and then it takes time to switch to an answering machine, etc. By broadcasting a message to this effect, those who wish to send a facsimile can do the necessary work to start sending a facsimile, and those who wish to make a telephone call or record an answering machine can be given enough time to avoid waiting. It can help prepare you psychologically. Therefore, switching between facsimile reception, telephone conversation, and answering machine recording is performed smoothly, and regardless of whether the calling device is a telephone or a facsimile machine, the user can send in the desired format.

In the above embodiment, a ringer call is made, a CNG signal is determined, and then the hook state of the telephone 22 is determined. However, after a time-up in step 8, a ringer call is made and an off-hook state is determined. Please feel free to judge.

[0018]

[Effects of the Invention] In summary, according to the present invention, a message is sent to the calling party that there will be some waiting time before switching to an answering machine almost at the same time as the call is received from the calling party. It is possible to relieve the anxiety of a caller by informing the caller that there will be a waiting time. Therefore, telephone conversations and recording of requirements can be smoothly performed as desired.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of a reception switching method in a facsimile machine with an answering machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a facsimile machine with an answering machine for implementing a reception switching method according to an embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 17 Line 20 Timer 21 Recording device 22 Telephone

Claims (1)

[Claims] [Claim 1] Reception switching in a facsimile device with an answering machine that receives a facsimile if there is a facsimile signal within a predetermined time after receiving a call from a calling party, and switches to an answering machine and records the answering machine when there is no such signal. A method for switching reception in a facsimile machine with an answering machine, characterized in that almost simultaneously with the reception of the call, a message is sent to the calling party to the effect that there will be some waiting time before switching to the answering machine.