JPH04352560A - Communication equipment and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To refuse reception in the case of non-coincidence with a specified terminating call pattern by detecting a terminating call pattern before connecting a line. CONSTITUTION:A counter setting memory 18 stores a number (n) of times for terminating calls arbitrarily set beforehand by using an operational port 17 and a number m(n) of calling for each terminating call. A counter part 19 counts a number (x) of times to successively terminate calls at prescribed intervals (t) and counts a number Y(x) of calling for each terminating call. An FCU (reception refusing means) 11 refuses the reception until the number (x) of times to terminate calls counted by the counter part 19 is coincident with the number (n) of times to terminate calls stored in the counter setting memory 18 and the counted number Y(x) of calling is coincident with the number m(n) of calling stored in the above-mentioned counter setting memory 18 for each terminated call.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication device and a communication method, such as a facsimile machine and a telephone, and more particularly to a communication device and a communication method that can reject transmissions from anyone other than a specific caller.

0002

[Background Art] Conventionally, in a communication device such as a facsimile machine, after a call is received, a line is connected, and during protocol exchange between the calling party and the called party, a decision is made to accept or reject the call based on an ID code. The reception refusal method is often used. In this method, after connecting the line, I
The calling side sends the D code, and the receiving side identifies it and decides whether to accept or reject the call.

[0003] Also, as another method, for example,
There is a reception refusal method in a facsimile machine described in Japanese Patent No. 92059. In this publication, a time slot for reception and a time slot for refusing line connection (reception) are set respectively, and reception rejection is determined according to the time slot.

0004

[Problem to be Solved by the Invention] However, in such conventional communication devices, when rejecting reception using ID codes, the line is disconnected when the ID codes do not match. However, since the line is connected once, the calling party will be charged for the use of the line even if reception is refused.

[0005] Another method is to accept or reject reception depending on the time of day.
With this method, the calling party cannot be selected, and there is a problem in that not only unnecessary communications but also necessary communications are rejected. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device that detects an incoming call pattern before connection to a line and can reject reception if the incoming call pattern does not match a specific incoming call pattern.

[0006] Another object of the invention is to provide a communication device that can notify a user of a reception rejection status by storing a call history in the order of incoming calls. Further, the invention as claimed in claim 3 provides a communication device that can automate the calling operation of the calling side by setting the calling pattern of the calling side in accordance with the incoming call pattern set in advance on the called side. is intended to provide.

[0007]Furthermore, the invention as claimed in claim 4 aims to provide a communication system that can identify a calling party based on an incoming call pattern and receive only communication from a calling party that matches a specific incoming call pattern. It is said that

[0008]

[Means for solving the problem] The invention according to claim 1 includes:
In order to achieve the above purpose, there is provided a memory means for storing the number of calls arbitrarily set in advance and the number of calls for each call, and a number of calls counter for counting the number of calls received sequentially within a predetermined interval. means for counting the number of incoming calls for each incoming call, and a number of incoming calls counted by the number of incoming calls that matches the number of incoming calls stored in the storage means; The present invention is characterized by comprising a reception rejecting means for rejecting reception until the number of incoming calls matches the number of calls stored in the incoming call.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the invention as claimed in claim 2 includes a call history storage means for storing at least the time of call arrival and the number of calls for each call arrival in the order of call arrival; The present invention is characterized by comprising a reporting means for creating a reception rejection report based on the storage contents stored in the storage means and notifying the reception rejection report to the outside. Further, in order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 3 includes a calling condition storage means for storing arbitrarily set number of calls, calling interval, and number of calls for each call; automatic calling means for automatically making a series of intermittent calls according to calling conditions.

[0010] Furthermore, in order to achieve the above object, the invention as set forth in claim 4 is arranged such that the number of calls, the interval between calls,
The present invention is characterized in that a series of incoming call patterns are set based on the number of calls and the number of calls, and reception is refused until a call that matches the incoming call pattern is made from the calling party.

[0011]

[Operation] In the invention according to claim 1 having the above configuration, the number of incoming calls arbitrarily set in advance and the number of incoming calls for each incoming call are stored in the storage means, and the number of incoming calls is counted by the incoming call number counting means at predetermined intervals. The number of calls that are received sequentially within the system is counted, and the number of calls for each call is counted by the number of calls counting means. The reception rejecting means matches the counted number of incoming calls with the number of incoming calls stored in the storage means,
And reception is refused until the counted number of calls matches the number of calls stored in the storage means for each incoming call.

Further, in the invention according to claim 2 having the above configuration, the incoming call history storage means stores at least the time of incoming calls and the number of rings for each incoming call in the order of incoming calls, and the notification means stores the incoming calls. A reception rejection report is created based on the contents stored in the history storage means, and the reception rejection report is notified to the outside. Further, in the invention as set forth in claim 3 having the above configuration, the number of calls, the call interval, and the number of calls for each call that are arbitrarily set are stored in the call condition storage means, and the number of calls for each call is automatically set. The calling means automatically makes a series of intermittent calls according to these calling conditions.

[0013] Furthermore, in the invention as set forth in claim 4 having the above configuration, a series of incoming call patterns are set on the called side based on the number of incoming calls, an interval between calls, and the number of incoming calls, and the calling side Reception is refused until a call that matches the incoming call pattern is made.

[0014]

EXAMPLES The present invention will be explained below based on examples. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a facsimile device embodying a communication device and a communication method according to an embodiment of the invention as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 4. First, the configuration will be explained. In FIG. 1, FCU (Facsimile Control
Unit) 11 controls the entire system, and performs various controls according to predetermined firmware. The scanner 12 reads an image of a document to be transmitted, and outputs binarized image data. Plotter 13
receives binary image data and prints it on recording paper.

The transmission control unit 14 controls the data to be transmitted, compresses the data during transmission, transfers the data to the modem (modem/demodulator) 15, and reproduces the compressed code data sent from the modem 15 during reception. Decode and plotter 13
Transfer data to. The modem 15 converts the encoded digital data sent from the transmission control unit 14 into analog data at the time of transmission and transfers it to the NCU (network control unit) 16, and also converts the analog data received from the NCU 16 through the line L at the time of reception. is converted into digital data and transferred to the transmission control section 14.

The NCU 16 is an analog interface that connects the line L and the modem 15, and also has the function of making a call. The operation port 17 is provided with a key input device consisting of switches and a display device that visually displays the system status to the operator. Here, the configuration seen from the called side will be explained.

The counter setting memory 12 is a storage means, and stores the number of incoming calls n and the number of incoming calls m(n) for each incoming call, which are arbitrarily set in advance using the operation port 17. The counter section 19 serves as an incoming call count means for counting the number of incoming calls received sequentially within a predetermined interval t, and also serves as an incoming call count means for counting the number of incoming calls Y(x
) to count. Note that the number of calls Y(x) is counted by one of the following methods: (1) the number of ringback tones, or (2) the line connection time from the first ringback tone.

[0018] Here, the FCU 11 functions as reception rejecting means, and calculates the number of incoming calls x counted by the counter unit 19.
is the number of incoming calls stored in the counter setting memory 18
, and the counted number of calls Y(x) is the number of calls m(x) stored in the counter setting memory 18.
n) for each incoming call. That is, the called side sets a series of call patterns with the conditions of the number of calls n, the call interval t, and the number of calls m(n), and the calling side makes a call that matches the call pattern. will refuse to accept communications from this caller unless this is done.

The actual call arrival interval T(x) is measured by a timer 20 and compared with the set call arrival interval t. Further, the call arrival interval t may be fixed or arbitrarily set. In addition, the image memory 21
stores the image data read by the scanner 12 or the received image data, and in this embodiment, as a call history storage means, it stores at least the call arrival time and the number of calls Y(x ). FCU11
creates a reception rejection report based on the contents stored in the image memory 21. An example of this reception rejection report is shown in FIG.
The information is notified to the outside using the display device as a notification means.

Next, the configuration seen from the calling side will be explained. In this case, the counter setting memory 18 functions as a call condition storage means, and stores the number of calls, the call interval, and the number of calls for each call that are arbitrarily set using the operation port 17. These calling conditions are naturally set to match the incoming call pattern, and a series of intermittent calls according to these calling conditions are executed by the NCU 1, which functions as an automatic calling means.
6 is automatically performed.

Next, the operation will be explained. First, the user on the called side sets the number of incoming calls n and the number of rings m(n) for each incoming call from the operation port 17 . The setting contents are stored in the counter setting memory 18. If the number of incoming calls n is set to 2, the number of rings m(n) for the first incoming call is set to 2, and the number of rings m(n) for the second incoming call is set to 3, the user on the called side sets it. It shall be assumed that

[0022] The calling party calls the called party to communicate through line L, but at this time, the calling party
If the number of calls has been made, the counter unit 19 is the number of calls m(n)
= Count k. Here, the calling side knows the incoming call pattern of the receiving side, and in order to have the receiving side receive the call, first, the number of rings is set to 2 for the first incoming call, and the counter section 19 of the called side is When the number of calls reaches Y(1)=2, the calling party temporarily disconnects the communication line and calls again within a certain period of time. This reception status is shown at reception time 01:21 in FIG.

Subsequently, in the second call shown at the reception time 01:22 in FIG. 2, the number of calls is set to three, and the counter section 19 on the called side counts the number of calls Y(2)=3 times. . These call counts Y(1) and Y(2) are stored in a predetermined area of the image memory 21 as an incoming call history. When the second call arrives, the counter unit 19 on the called side counts the number of calls Y(2
) = 2 times, the calling side temporarily disconnects the communication line and makes a third call within a certain period of time.

[0024] When the third call arrives, which is shown at the reception time 01:30 in FIG. (Setting details) and the interval between the first, second, and third calls is a certain time t (for example, t = 10 minutes).
It is confirmed by the timer T(x) of the timer 20 that the call is within the limit, and it is determined whether or not the third incoming call is to be received.

[0025] In this case, the number of rings for the first call Y(1)
= 2 times, the number of rings for the second incoming call Y (2) = 3 times, and the fixed time t = 10 minutes, so it matches the incoming call pattern set on the called side, The called party connects the line (reception). Suppose that the calling party rings three times when the first call arrives and three times when the second call arrives.
When the third call arrives, the called party refuses to connect the line because the number of rings (3 times) in the first call is different from the set number of rings (2 times) and the content (incoming call pattern) does not match. do(
(See reception time 01:42 in FIG. 2, reception refused).

[0026] Also, suppose that the calling party rings twice when the first call arrives and twice when the second call arrives.
When the third call arrives, the called party refuses to connect the line because the number of rings (2) in the second call is different from the set number of rings (3) and the content (incoming call pattern) does not match. do(
(See reception times 01:18 and 01:19 in FIG. 2, reception refused).

Furthermore, the reception times 01:31 and 01 in FIG.
As shown in :42, reception is also rejected if the call interval is longer than a certain time t (for example, 10 minutes or more). In this embodiment, as described above, it is possible to automatically make a series of intermittent calls in accordance with the pattern of incoming and outgoing calls, so it is possible to eliminate mistakes in making calls where reception is rejected.

Note that the counter section 19 and timer 20 are reset each time a call arrives. In addition, even after the line is connected, communication is performed, and the communication is completed, the counter section 19
and the timer 20 is reset. Further, the timer 20 measures a certain period of time (T(x)>t), and is reset even if there is no incoming call during this period. In addition, if the user requests or sets incoming call history storage, after the end of communication or when the counter section 19 and timer 20 are reset, the number of incoming calls Y(x), its reception time, etc. are stored, and when a certain amount is accumulated or requested by the user, they are converted into an image by the plotter 13, for example. Note that the image memory 21 is also used as a memory for storing communication data when there is no paper, etc.

The processing procedure of this embodiment will be explained below with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure for storing the number of incoming calls and the number of rings for each incoming call. First, using the operation port 17, the number of incoming calls n
, the number of rings m(n) at the n-th incoming call, and the incoming call interval t (step S1). The set values input here are displayed on the display device of the operation port 17. The set value is confirmed by this display (step S2), and if it is OK, the set value is stored in the counter setting memory 18 by keying in to that effect (step S3), and the setting and storage process is completed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the reception refusal control procedure of the embodiment. First, it is determined whether the mode is reception rejection mode (step S11), and other reception modes that do not reject reception, such as a mode that accepts all receptions (step S11), are selected.
12) or reception refusal mode. If you are in reception rejection mode, wait for an incoming call from line L (
Step S13), when there is an incoming call, the number of incoming calls x from the initial value 0 is counted up by x+1, and at the same time the timer 20 is
The time measurement T(x) is started (step S14). Next, the counter unit 19 counts the number of calls Y(x) in the xth incoming call (step S15).

Next, the set value n of the number of incoming calls is compared with the current number of incoming calls x (step S16), and if n=x, that is, the current number of incoming calls x matches the set value n, the image memory 21
The count value Y(x) of the number of rings for each number of incoming calls stored in the counter setting memory 18 and the set value m(n) of the number of rings for each number of incoming calls stored in the counter setting memory 18 are It is determined whether they all match (step S17). In addition, when comparing the number of calls m(n) and Y(x), n=
It is x.

In step S17, it is determined that m(n)=Y(
x), on the condition that the time T(x) measured by the timer 20 does not exceed the set call arrival interval t (step S
18) The next incoming call, that is, the incoming call to be received, is waited for (step S19). If there is an incoming call, check again whether the incoming call is within the incoming call interval t (step S20).
, if it matches, the communication due to the current incoming call is received (step S21).

Next, as a reception history, the number of calls x, the number of calls Y(x), and the call interval T(x) are stored in the image memory 21.
(Step S22), and monitors key input from the operation port 17 to determine whether there is a request to output a reception rejection report from the plotter 13 (Step S23).
), and plots out depending on whether there is an output request (
Step S24), the counter unit 19 and timer 20 that counted the number of calls x, the number of calls Y(x), and the call interval T(x) are reset (Step S25), and the process ends.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S16 that n>x, that is, if the set number of incoming calls has not been reached, the number of incoming calls Y(x) at the time of incoming calls x is equal to the set value m(n).
(where x=n) is checked (step S26). If they do not match, that is, the incoming call patterns are different, the process advances to step S22, and if they match, that is, if the number of incoming calls and the number of rings until the current call are as set, the incoming call interval is determined by t≧T(x). If t≧T(x) is checked (step S27), the incoming call pattern up to this point is as per the set value, so the process returns to step S13 and waits for the next incoming call. On the other hand, if t≦T(x), it is determined that the incoming call pattern does not match and the process proceeds to step S22. That is, if the determination in step S17 is NO, step S1
8, NO, step S20, NO, step S26, NO, step S27, NO.
In the above case, the number of calls x, the number of calls Y(x), and the call interval T(x) are stored as a reception rejection history. Then, only the case that passes step S21 is stored as the reception history.

[0035] In this flowchart, step S
As shown in steps 16 to 18, after a match of the set incoming call pattern is detected, the incoming call communication (step S
19), but in step S18
If the answer is YES, the incoming communication at that time may be immediately received. In this way, in this embodiment, even if a call arrives from the line, the incoming call pattern on the sending side is based on the number of incoming calls n set on the receiving side and the number of rings after the incoming call m(n). Number of calls x and number of calls after incoming call Y(x)
The pattern is without receiving unnecessary communications that do not match the
The calling party can be identified without connecting a line, and reception can be rejected reliably.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, by storing the incoming call history and outputting a reception rejection report based on the incoming call history, the user can confirm that the reception has been rejected or that the reception has been rejected. Since the user can know the reception rejection status such as the number of reception rejections, the user's anxiety can be alleviated and the reliability of the facsimile machine can be improved.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, since it is possible to automatically make a call in accordance with the incoming call pattern for reception, it is possible to simplify the calling operation performed multiple times, and to reduce the burden on the user. In addition, in this embodiment, since the incoming call pattern can be converted into an ID and the calling party can be identified before the line is connected, it is possible to reliably receive necessary communications and reject only unnecessary communications. can.

Note that the call pattern set on the called side, that is, the number of calls n, the number of calls m(n), and the call interval t, can be set arbitrarily, and the calling side can also set this call pattern. Calling conditions can be freely set according to the user's needs. Further, although the embodiments have been described using a facsimile device as an example, the communication device according to the present invention is not limited to this, and includes, for example, a multi-function telephone, a mobile phone, a personal computer having a communication function, a word processor, etc. .

[0039]

As explained above, according to the communication device according to the invention as set forth in claim 1, the number of incoming calls arbitrarily set in advance and the number of incoming calls for each incoming call are stored in the storage means. The incoming call count means counts the number of incoming calls sequentially within a predetermined interval, the incoming call count means counts the number of incoming calls for each incoming call, and the counted number of incoming calls is stored in the storage means. The reception rejecting means rejects reception until the number of incoming calls matches the number of incoming calls stored in the storage means, and the number of incoming calls stored in the storage means matches the number of incoming calls stored in the storage means. It is possible to reject communications from callers that do not match the incoming call pattern, and eliminate unnecessary communications.

According to the communication device according to the second aspect of the invention, the incoming call history storage means stores at least the time of incoming calls and the number of calls for each incoming call in the order of incoming calls, and the notification means stores the incoming calls. Since a reception rejection report is created based on the memory contents stored in the call history storage means and the reception rejection report is reported to the outside, the user can confirm the reception rejection status, improving the reliability of the reception rejection operation. can do.

Further, according to the communication device according to the third aspect of the present invention, the number of calls, the call interval, and the number of calls for each call that are arbitrarily set are stored in the call condition storage means. Ok,
Since the automatic calling means automatically makes a series of intermittent calls according to these calling conditions, it is possible to automate the calling operation on the calling side according to the call pattern set in advance on the called side. Call operations can be simplified and facilitated.

Further, according to the communication method according to the invention described in claim 4, a series of call arrival patterns are set on the called side, with the conditions of the number of calls, the interval between calls, and the number of calls, and the called side Since reception is refused until a call is made that matches the incoming call pattern, the incoming call pattern can be used as an ID to identify the calling party. Can only receive communications.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a facsimile device embodying a communication device and a communication method according to an embodiment of the invention as set forth in any one of claims 1 to 4;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of notification of a reception rejection report.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure for storing the number of incoming calls and the number of rings for each incoming call.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a reception refusal control procedure according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 FCU (reception refusal means) 18 Counter setting memory (storage means) 19
Counter section (incoming call count means, ring count count means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. Storage means for storing the number of incoming calls arbitrarily set in advance and the number of incoming calls for each incoming call, and a number of incoming calls counting means for counting the number of incoming calls sequentially within a predetermined interval; a number of calls counting means for counting the number of calls for each incoming call; the counted number of called times matches the number of incoming calls stored in the storage means; and the counted number of calls is stored in the storage means. reception rejecting means for rejecting reception until the number of incoming calls matches the number of incoming calls;
A communication device comprising: 2. An incoming call history storage means for storing at least the time of incoming calls and the number of rings for each incoming call in the order of incoming calls, and creating a reception rejection report based on the contents stored in the incoming call history storage means. 2. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a notification means for notifying the reception rejection report to the outside. 3. Calling condition storage means for storing arbitrarily set number of calls, calling interval, and number of calls for each call, and automatically making a series of intermittent calls according to these calling conditions. A communication device characterized by comprising: automatic calling means for making a call. 4. A series of incoming call patterns are set on the called side based on the number of incoming calls, the incoming call interval, and the number of incoming calls,
A communication method characterized in that reception is refused until a calling party makes a call that matches the incoming call pattern.