JPH05236185A - Facsimile equipmemt - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To confirm the communication state even at a location apart from the facsimile equipment by transferring the mode at the end of picture information communication so as to send the transmission state and restoring the picture information communication mode. CONSTITUTION:When an error takes place or the communication is finished without fail after the start of communication, a changeover relay 23 interrupts the connection between a modem 20 and an external line NCU 21 under the control of a CPU 4 and the connection between the modem 20 and an extension NCU 22 is made to interrupt a telephone line being an external line (external line telephone set) from the modem 20 and the modem 20 is connected to an extension (extension telephone set) telephone line. Then, the CPU 4 extracts an extension number inputted in advance from the RAM 3 and the extension NCU 22 makes dialing to a telephone set having the extension number to deliver the communication state of the facsimile transmission to the extension telephone set. Then, the CPU 4 activates again the changeover relay 23 to interrupt the connection between the modem 20 and the extension NCU 22 and to connect the modem 20 and an external line NCU 21.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus capable of transmitting information about normal or abnormal termination of facsimile transmission to a facsimile operator via an extension telephone or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional facsimile apparatus is used as a means for informing a facsimile sender of information about normal or abnormal end of facsimile transmission (hereinafter referred to as communication status). Imprint,
In the case of abnormal termination, a method of generating an alarm sound and displaying the abnormality on a display provided on the operation panel is adopted.

Therefore, the sender (including the person concerned)
Waits beside the facsimile machine from the start of transmission to the end of transmission, for example, to check whether an alarm sound is generated, or after the transmission is completed, go to the installation location of the facsimile machine. Therefore, the communication status of the facsimile transmission is confirmed by visually confirming whether or not the transmission stamp is stamped on the transmission document.

That is, in the case of the conventional facsimile apparatus,
When the installation location of the facsimile device is in a remote place such as not on the same floor as the sender's resident position, the sender may confirm the communication status by, for example, the sender up to the installation location of the facsimile device. They had to go out or make an inquiry to someone near the installation site by using an extension telephone or the like.

[0005]

As described above, in the conventional facsimile apparatus, as means for informing the sender of the communication status of facsimile transmission, a stamp of a stamp, an alarm sound or an abnormal display on the display is displayed. Because the method is colored, when the sender located far from the installation location of the facsimile machine confirms the communication status of the facsimile transmission, either go to the installation location of the facsimile machine or There is a problem that it is necessary to inquire people in the vicinity by using an extension telephone or the like, and it takes time and labor and time.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and even an operator who is far from the installation position of the facsimile apparatus can save manpower and time as in the past by the operator's request. It is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile device capable of easily and quickly confirming the communication status of facsimile communication without needing to do so.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention comprises an operating means for setting the telephone number of a communication destination telephone and a storage means for storing the telephone number set by this operating means. A mode switching unit for switching between a first mode for communicating image information and a second mode for transmitting the communication status; and, when communication in the first mode ends, the mode switching unit causes the first mode. And a control means for returning to the first mode after transmitting the transmission status from the mode to the second mode.

[0008]

With the above configuration, when the facsimile communication in the first mode is completed, the mode is shifted to the second mode, the communication status is transmitted to the telephone having the telephone number stored in the storage means, and the communication status is terminated. Then, the first mode is restored again, and new communication becomes possible.

[0009]

1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of hardware of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is a communication unit equipped with a modem, network control device, etc., which will be described later, 2 is a ROM storing a program of a CPU (central processing unit) 4, which will be described later, and 3 is an operating unit 7, which will be described later. A RAM (storage unit) for temporarily storing the input extension number and the like, 4 is the CPU for executing control and processing of each unit, 5 is a reading unit for reading a transmission document, and 6 is received image information. A recording unit 7 for recording on a recording sheet is an operation unit for the operator to perform operations such as starting and stopping of the facsimile apparatus and setting of terminal-specific numbers. The extension number is input from the operation unit 7. .. Reference numeral 8 is an encoding / decoding unit for expanding the transmission image information, compressing the reception image information, and the like, 9 is a communication line connecting to an extension telephone and an outside telephone, and 10 is a path of the CPU 4.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a concrete configuration of the communication unit 1 in FIG. 1, in which 20 is a modem (modulator / demodulator), and 21 and 22 are networks for external lines and internal lines, respectively. In this example, 21 is an external line NCU and 22 is an internal line NCU.

The external line NCU 21 has a telephone line (communication line) of an external line (external line telephone or the like), and the internal line NCU 22.
A telephone line (communication line) of an extension (extension telephone) is connected to each.

Reference numeral 23 is a switching relay (switching means) for switching the connection between the external line NCU 21 and the modem 20, or the internal line NCU 22 and the modem 20, and the relay 23 is controlled by the CPU 4.

FIG. 3 is a flow chart for explaining the processing operation of the CPU 4 when transmitting the communication status of facsimile transmission (information of normal termination or abnormal termination) to the extension telephone.

The operation of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.

When the sender carries out facsimile transmission, the transmission original is set on the facsimile device, and then the information necessary for facsimile transmission such as the telephone number of the other party and the transmission mode is inputted from the operation section 7.

At that time, if the sender at a remote place wants to confirm the communication status of the transmission by the extension telephone [YES in step (hereinafter abbreviated as ST) 101 in FIG. 3], The extension number is also input from the operation unit 7 at the same time (ST102).

If the extension number is not entered (ST
If the answer is NO in 101, normal facsimile communication is performed (ST110).

As a means for inputting the extension number from the operating section 7, there are, for example, a method of inputting through the operating panel provided in the operating section 7, and other methods.

The extension number input from the operation unit 7 is temporarily stored in the RAM 3 (ST102).

In this way, when the extension number is input from the operation unit 7 and all input operations necessary for facsimile transmission are completed, facsimile communication is started (ST10).
3).

After the start of the communication, however, if an error has occurred due to some cause (YES in ST104) or no error has occurred (NO in ST104) and the communication has been safely completed (YES in ST105), The switching relay 23 operates under the control of the CPU 4, and the relay 2
Reference numeral 3 disconnects the connection between the modem 20 and the external line NCU 21 and switches to the connection between the modem 20 and the internal line NCU 22 (ST106), where an external line (external line telephone, etc.)
Is disconnected from the modem 20, and the modem 20
Connects to the telephone line of the extension (extension telephone).

Next, the CPU 4 takes out the extension number input in advance from the RAM 3. Then, the extension NCU
22 calls the telephone having the extension number (ST107),
The communication status of facsimile transmission is transmitted to the extension telephone (ST108).

Here, as the means for transmitting the communication status, in this embodiment, the modem 20 transmits a tonal signal. In other words, set the frequency of the tonal signal transmitted at the time of normal end and abnormal end in advance,
This is sent after connecting to the extension telephone depending on the communication status. Figure 4 shows an example of this, and at the normal end, 8
A 00Hz tonal signal is transmitted continuously for 10 seconds to generate a normal end tone, and when abnormal end occurs, 400Hz
And 800Hz tonal signal alternate every 0.5 seconds
The abnormal termination sound is generated by continuously transmitting for 0 seconds. However, it is needless to say that various transmission means can be adopted without being limited to this.

The normal termination sound and the abnormal termination sound enable the sender to easily and quickly check the communication status of the facsimile transmission even if the extension telephone is at a place distant from the facsimile.

When the transmission of the communication status is completed, the CPU
4 again operates the switching relay 23 to disconnect the connection between the modem 20 and the extension NCU 22, and the modem 2
0 and switch to the external line NCU 21 (ST10
9). As a result, the extension (the telephone line of the extension telephone is disconnected and the external telephone line is connected to the so-called initial state (standby state) is restored.

[0027]

As described above, according to the present invention, the operation procedure for setting the telephone number of the destination telephone of the communication status, the storing means for storing the telephone number set by this operating means, and the image information. Mode switching means for switching between a first mode for performing the communication of the above and a second mode for transmitting the communication status, and at the end of the communication in the first mode, the mode switching means causes the first mode to the second mode. By providing the control means for returning to the first mode after transmitting the transmission status to the transmission mode, an operator at a place away from the facsimile machine does not need manpower or time as in the conventional case. A simple and quick confirmation of normal or abnormal end of facsimile communication is possible, and after communication of the transmission status, new communication can be executed without any operation. And it has a.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of a specific configuration of a communication unit in FIG.

3 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the apparatus in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for explaining an example of communication status transmission means for facsimile transmission according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Communication Unit 3 Storage Unit (RAM) 4 Central Processing Unit (CPU) 7 Extension Number Input Means (Operating Unit) 20 Modem 21 External Network Control Unit (External Line NCU) 22 Internal Network Control Unit (External Line NCU) 23 Switching means (switching relay)

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Takuhiro Kikuchi 2-3-8 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo Matsushita Dentsu Co., Ltd. (72) Toshio Narima 2-3-8 Shimeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo Matsushita Dentsu Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Hiroaki Nouchi 2-3-8 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo Matsushita Dentsu Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Toshiaki Shinano 2-3-8 Shimomeguro, Meguro-ku, Tokyo Matsushita Dentsu Co., Ltd. In the company

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. An operating means for setting a telephone number of a telephone to which a communication status is transmitted, a storage means for storing the telephone number set by the operating means, a first mode for communicating image information, and a communication status. And a mode switching means for switching between a second mode for transmitting the communication with the second mode, and at the end of communication in the first mode, the mode switching means causes the mode to shift from the first mode to the second mode to change the communication status. A facsimile apparatus having a control unit that restores the first mode after transmission.