JPH0530254A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To receive urgent information or important information with priority in the facsimile equipment accommodating plural lines. CONSTITUTION:Automatic incoming call signal binarizing circuits 61-63 binarize an automatic incoming call signal from lines L1-L3 and input the signal to an incoming call reception section 74 via gate circuits 71-73. A priority setting register 75 sets priority to the lines L1-L3 and upon the receipt of the incoming call, the incoming call reception section 74 closes a gate circuit for a line with low priority and receives the arrival of a call only when a call from a line with high priority does not comes within a prescribed time counted by a timer 76 after the arrival of the call is detected. The incoming call reception section 74 receives the incoming call only when incoming call comes from a line with high priority within a prescribed time. When the call comes from the line with high priority within a prescribed time, the call is received. A line corresponding to the received incoming call is connected to a transformer 15 of the facsimile section with a line changeover section 25.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine which accommodates a plurality of lines.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, facsimile machines have become widespread. This facsimile machine includes, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2-1
As shown in Japanese Patent No. 31659, there are some which accommodate two lines, a public line and a dedicated line.

In the incoming call processing in the conventional facsimile apparatus that accommodates a plurality of lines in this way, as described in the above publication, the incoming call is given priority.

[0004]

However, in such incoming call processing, even if there is urgent information or highly important information, the incoming call cannot be accepted because it is slightly delayed from other incoming calls. There was a problem that the transmission of such information was delayed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus which accommodates a plurality of lines and which can preferentially receive urgent information or highly important information.

[0006]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus which comprises a facsimile section which is selectively connected to one of a plurality of lines and which receives at least image information, and a plurality of lines. An incoming call detecting means for detecting each incoming call, a priority setting means for setting priorities of a plurality of lines, and a predetermined time when the incoming call detecting means detects an incoming call from a second or later line When the incoming call from the line having the first priority is detected by the time keeping means and the incoming call detecting means, the first incoming call accepting means that accepts the incoming call and the incoming call detecting means from the second and subsequent priority lines When an incoming call is detected, the incoming call is accepted only when an incoming call from another line with a high priority is not detected within the predetermined time counted by the timing means. That a second incoming call receiving means, in which a line switching means for connecting the line corresponding to the incoming call received by the first incoming call receiving means or the second incoming call receiving means in the facsimile unit.

In this facsimile apparatus, when the incoming call detecting means detects an incoming call from the line having the first priority, this incoming call is accepted by the first incoming call accepting means, and the line corresponding to this incoming call is sent to the line. The switching means connects to the facsimile section. On the other hand, the priority is 2
When an incoming call from the second or subsequent line is detected, the incoming call is accepted by the second incoming call accepting unit only when an incoming call from another line having a high priority is not detected within a predetermined time period counted by the timing unit. The line is accepted and the line is connected to the facsimile section by the line switching means. If an incoming call from another line with a higher priority is detected within a predetermined time after an incoming call from the second or higher priority line is detected, the first detected call is not accepted and the priority order is not accepted. An incoming call from another line having a high communication rate is processed by the first or second incoming call acceptance means.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect of the invention, further, after the second incoming call acceptance means receives an incoming call from a line whose priority is second or higher, When an incoming call from another expensive line is detected, an interruption means is provided to interrupt the reception process corresponding to the accepted incoming call.

In this facsimile apparatus, the priority is 2
Even after accepting incoming calls from the second and subsequent lines,
When an incoming call from another line with a high priority is detected, the receiving process corresponding to the received incoming call is interrupted, and an incoming call from another line with a high priority is received by the first or second incoming call receiving means. It is processed.

[0010]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

1 to 7 relate to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment.

The facsimile apparatus of this embodiment is adapted to be connected to three lines of a first line L ₁ , a second line L ₂ and a third line L ₃ and is connected to the first line L _1. It has lines 11A and 11B, lines 12A and 12B connected to the second line L ₂ , and lines 13A and 13B connected to the third line L ₃ . Each line is network controller 1
It is connected via 0 to a modem 16 which constitutes a facsimile section, and this modem 16 is connected to a control section 20. Each line may be a public line or a dedicated line.

Between the lines 11A and 11B, the line 1
2A and 12B and between lines 13A and 13B serve as an incoming call detection means, and an automatic incoming call signal from each line
There are provided automatic incoming signal binarizing circuits 61, 62, 63 for digitizing. Each automatic incoming signal binarization circuit 61, 62,
63 is connected to the control unit 20 via the priority determination unit 70.

The network control unit 10 controls each line L ₁ , L ₂ , L ₃
Is provided with a line switching unit 25 for selectively connecting to the facsimile unit, the telephone unit and the dial unit. This line switching unit 2
5, a modem 16 is connected as a facsimile section through a transformer 15 and a telephone 18 is connected as a telephone section. A hook detection circuit 19 for detecting an on-hook or an off-hook of the telephone 18 is provided on one line connecting the telephone 18 and the line switching unit 25.
A dial pulse generating circuit 31 is connected to the line switching unit 25 as a dial unit. The dial pulse generating circuit 31 is a dial tone multi-frequency (hereinafter referred to as DTMF) which is a push button signal via a transformer 32. .) Generating DTMF generating circuit 3
Connected to 3. The DTMF generating circuit 33 is connected to the dial circuit 34. The dial pulse generation circuit 31 connects the line switching unit 25 and the transformer 32 to each other.
A series resistor 35 and capacitor 36 interposed between the two lines, a reed relay 37 also interposed between the two lines, one end of the reed relay 37, and the transformer 3
2 and the relay 38 interposed between the two ends. The reed relay 37 and the relay 38 are controlled by the dial circuit 34.

FIG. 2 is a circuit section showing the line switching section 25 in FIG. This line switching unit 25 is provided for each line L ₁ ,
The relays 1, 2, and ₃ are connected to L ₂ and L ₃ , the changeover switch 4 is connected to the telephone section, and the changeover switch 5 is connected to the dial section. Relay 1 is line 11
A movable contacts 1a and 1d connected to A and 11B, fixed contacts 1b and 1c selectively connected to the movable contact 1a, and fixed contacts 1e and 1f selectively connected to the movable contact 1d. ing. Further, the relay 2 has lines 12A and 12B.
To the movable contacts 2a and 2d, fixed contacts 2b and 2c selectively connected to the movable contact 2a, and movable contact 2d
And fixed contacts 2e and 2f selectively connected to. The relay 3 includes movable contacts 3a and 3d connected to the lines 13A and 13B, fixed contacts 3b and 3c selectively connected to the movable contact 3a, and fixed contacts 3e selectively connected to the movable contact 3d. 3f. The fixed contacts 1b, 2b, 3b are connected to one line of the facsimile section, and the fixed contacts 1e, 2e, 3e are connected to the other line of the facsimile section.

The changeover switch 4 includes movable contacts 4a and 4e connected to respective lines of the telephone section, fixed contacts 4b, 4c and 4d selectively connected to the movable contact 4a, and the movable contact 4
It has fixed contacts 4f, 4g, and 4h selectively connected to e. In addition, the changeover switch 5 includes movable contacts 5a and 5e connected to each line of the dial portion and movable contact 5
fixed contacts 5b, 5c, 5d selectively connected to a,
Fixed contacts 5f, 5 selectively connected to the movable contact 5e
g and 5h. The changeover switch 5 can also be in a non-contact state in which the movable contacts 5a and 5e are not connected to any of the fixed contacts.

The fixed contact 1c of the relay 1 is fixed contact 4b,
5b, the fixed contact 1f is connected to the fixed contacts 4f and 5f, and the fixed contact 2c of the relay 2 is fixed contacts 4c and 5f.
c, the fixed contact 2f is connected to fixed contacts 4g and 5g, and the fixed contact 3c of the relay 3 is fixed contacts 4d and 5d.
The fixed contact 3f is connected to the fixed contacts 4h and 5h.

In the line switching unit 25 having such a configuration, the relays 1, 2, 3 are respectively connected to the lines L ₁ , L ₂ , L.
₃ has a function of switching between the facsimile section side and the telephone section or dial section side, and the changeover switches 4 and 5 have a function of selecting a line connected to the telephone section and the dial section, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control unit 20 in FIG. The control unit 20 includes a reading unit 21, a recording unit 22, and a recording unit 22, which are connected to each other by a bus 54.
The operation panel 23, an encoding / decoding unit 55, a main control unit 56, and a file control unit 57 are provided. A storage memory 58 and an ID / telephone number management file 59 are connected to the file control unit 57. The bus 54 is connected to the modem 16, the network control unit 10 and the priority determination unit 70 shown in FIG. The reading unit 21 has, for example, a one-dimensional image sensor (not shown) and a document feeding unit, and the image information of the document is read line by line by the one-dimensional image sensor while the document feeding unit conveys the document. There is. Further, the recording unit 22 has, for example, a thermal head, a document conveying unit, and a recording sheet, which are not shown, and while the recording sheet is conveyed by the document conveying unit, the thermal head records the image information line by line on the recording sheet. It is like this. Further, the operation panel 23 is provided with dial keys (not shown).
The main control unit 56 is a read-only memory (hereinafter referred to as RO
Write as M. ) And random access memory (hereinafter R
It is referred to as AM. ) And using the RAM as a work area to execute a program stored in the ROM to perform various controls described later.

FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram showing the configuration of the telephone 18 in FIG. As shown in this figure, the telephone 18 has connection terminals 41 and 42, and a varistor 43 is interposed between the connection terminals 41 and 42. Also, the connection terminal 4
1 is connected to the movable contact 44a of the hook switch 44. One fixed contact 44b of the hook switch 44
The connection terminal 42 and the connection terminal 42 are connected to a communication circuit 46 via a diode bridge 45, and a handset receiver 47 and a transmitter 48 are connected to the communication circuit 46.
Further, the other fixed contact 44c of the hook switch 44 and the connection terminal 42 are connected to a ringer circuit 52 via a diode bridge 51. The ringer circuit 52 has a buzzer 5
3 is connected. A capacitor 49 and a resistor 5 are provided between the fixed contact 44c and the diode bridge 51.
0 is inserted in series. Also, the hook switch 44
Is a movable contact 44a and a fixed contact 44 in the on-hook state.
c is connected, and in the off-hook state, the movable contact 44a and the fixed contact 44b are connected.

As shown in FIG. 1, the priority determination section 70 includes gate circuits 71, 72 and 73 for inputting the output signals of the respective automatic incoming signal binarization circuits 61, 62 and 63, and the respective gate circuits 71, An incoming call acceptance section 74 for inputting the output signals of 72 and 73, a priority setting register 75 and a timer 76 connected to the incoming call acceptance section 74 are provided. Each of the gate circuits 71, 72, 73 is controlled by an incoming call acceptance section 74 to open and close the gate, that is, to pass or block an input signal. The output signal of the incoming call acceptance section 74 is sent to the control section 20. The priority setting register 75 is connected to the control unit 20.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described.
First, the operation of facsimile transmission will be described. For example, when the facsimile transmission is performed using the first line L ₁ , the relay 1 and the changeover switch 5 in the line changeover unit 25
To control the first line L ₁ to the dial pulse generation circuit 3
Connect to 1. Then, a dial key provided on the operation panel 23 is operated to operate the dial circuit 34 to dial the facsimile machine on the other side. First line L ₁
Is a dial line, the dial circuit 34 operates the reed relay 37 of the dial pulse generation circuit 31 to generate a dial pulse signal from the dial pulse generation circuit 31 and send it to the first line L ₁ . The relay 38 is normally on (conducting), but it is off during the generation of the dial pulse. As a result, the reed relay 3
The dial pulse is made and broken only with the 7 contacts. When the first line L ₁ is a push button line, the dial circuit 34 controls the DTMF generating circuit 33 to generate a push button signal from the DTMF generating circuit 33, and sends the push button signal to the first line L ₁ . afterwards,
The changeover switch 5 is brought into a non-contact state, the relay 1 is changed over, and the first line L ₁ is connected to the transformer 15 of the facsimile section. When making a facsimile call using the second line L ₂ or the third line L ₃ , the relay 2 is used instead of the relay 1.
Alternatively, the relay 3 is controlled in the same manner as above.

When sending a facsimile, the reading unit 21
The original is read in, and the obtained image information is encoded by the encoding / decoding unit 55 shown in FIG. 3, temporarily stored in the storage memory 58, read out, modulated by the modem 16 and sent to the line.

In the case of making a telephone call, after dialing the other party's telephone in the same manner as described above, the line is connected to the telephone section.

Next, the operation of facsimile reception will be described. The automatic incoming signal from each of the lines L ₁ , L ₂ and L ₃ is converted into an automatic incoming signal binarizing circuit 61, 62, 63, respectively.
And is binarized. The automatic incoming signal binarized by the automatic incoming signal binarizing circuits 61, 62, 63 is input to the priority determination unit 70. Then, the priority determination unit 70
Information on the incoming call received in step S20 is sent to the control unit 20. The control unit 20 causes the line switching unit 2 to connect the line corresponding to the incoming call received by the priority determination unit 70 to the facsimile unit.
Control 5 The signal sent from the facsimile machine on the other side via the line is demodulated by the modem 16, temporarily stored in the storage memory 58, read out, decoded by the encoding / decoding unit 55, and recorded by the recording unit. It is recorded on a recording sheet at 22.

In this embodiment, the priority can be set for the lines L ₁ , L ₂ and L ₃ . This priority order is input, for example, by the operation panel 23 in the control unit 20, and is set and stored in the priority order setting register 75.

FIG. 5 shows the priorities of lines L ₁ , L ₂ and L.
FIG. 7 is a functional block diagram showing functions of an incoming call reception unit 74 when the order is set to ₃ . Incoming call acceptance section 74 in this case
The first incoming call acceptance means 81 accepts an incoming call through the first line L ₁ when an automatic incoming call signal from the first line L ₁ having the first priority is detected via the gate circuit 71.
When an automatic incoming signal from the second line L ₂ having the second highest priority is detected via the gate circuit 72, the first line L ₁ having a higher priority within a predetermined time T seconds counted by the timer 76. A second incoming call acceptance means 82 for accepting an incoming call from the second line L _{2 only} when an incoming call from the second line L ₂ is not detected, and an automatic incoming signal from the third line L ₃ having the third priority through the gate circuit 73. When an incoming call from the first line L ₁ or the second line L ₂ having a high priority is not detected within a predetermined time T seconds counted by the timer 76, the incoming call from the third line L _{3 is} received. The third incoming call reception means 83 for receiving. First
The incoming call acceptance means 81 closes the gate circuits 72 and 73 when it detects an incoming call from the first line L ₁ , and the second incoming call acceptance means 82 opens the gate circuit 73 when it detects an incoming call from the second line L _2. It is supposed to close.

Although the incoming call accepting unit 74 can be realized by a dedicated microcomputer or the like, the main control unit 56 in the control unit 20 can also serve as this. Although the priority determination unit 70 is shown as a circuit separate from the control unit 20 in FIG. 1, the main control unit 56 in the control unit 20 executes a predetermined program to realize the priority determination unit 70 as a whole. You can also do it.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of facsimile reception in this embodiment. In this behavior,
First, in step (hereinafter referred to as S) 101, the priority order of lines is set. Below, priority is given to lines L ₁ , L ₂ , L
An example of setting in the order of ₃ will be described.

Next, in step S102, an incoming call for the lines L ₁ , L ₂ and L ₃ is waited for. Automatic incoming signal binarization circuit 61, 62, 63
When an incoming call from any one of the lines is detected by, an automatic incoming signal is input to the incoming call accepting unit 74 via the gate circuits 71, 72, 73. The incoming call reception unit 74 displays the information in S103.
Then, determine which line the call came from.

In the case of an incoming call from the first line L ₁ having the first priority, the gates of the second line L ₂ and the third line L ₃ are processed by the first incoming call acceptance means 81 shown in FIG. 5 in S104. The circuits 72 and 73 are closed, and the control unit 20 is notified of an incoming call from the first line L _{1 in} S105. The control unit 20 controls the line switching unit 25 to connect the first line L ₁ corresponding to the incoming call received by the priority determination unit 70 to the facsimile unit and close it. Next, in step S106, facsimile communication via the first line L ₁ is started, and in step S107, the end of communication is awaited. When the communication is completed, the control unit 20 notifies the incoming call acceptance unit 74 of the fact, and the first incoming call acceptance unit 81 of the incoming call acceptance unit 74 causes the gate circuits 72 and 73 of the second line L ₂ and the third line L ₃ to be received. Open and return to S102.

In step S103, the second priority is the second priority.
2 lines L₂When it is determined that the incoming call is from S109
Then, the second incoming call reception means 82 shown in FIG.
Line L ₃The gate circuit 73 of is closed, and T seconds are counted in S110.
The timed timer 76 is started. Next, in S111,
First line L with high priority₁Whether there was an incoming call from
To judge. If YES, the process proceeds to S104. Therefore,
In this case, the second line L₂Without accepting incoming calls from
1 line L₁Incoming call from the first line L ₁by
Facsimile communication is performed. In S111, the first line L
₁If there is no incoming call (NO), in S112,
If the imager 76 has timed out, the result is NO.
If so, the process returns to S111 and the first line L₁Monitor incoming calls from
It In S112, when the timer 76 times out (Y
ES), the second incoming call acceptance means 82, in S113, the second
Line L₂The control unit 20 is notified of an incoming call from. Control unit 2
0 controls the line switching unit 25 to be received by the priority determination unit 70.
Second line L corresponding to the incoming call₂To the facsimile section
Connect and close. Next, in S114, the second line L₂By
Facsimile communication is started and waits for the communication to end in S115.
One. When the communication is completed, a message to that effect is received from the control unit 20.
The second incoming call acceptance of the incoming call acceptance section 74 transmitted to the attachment section 74
The means 82 is the third line L₃Open the gate circuit 73 of S1
Return to 02.

In step S103, the third priority is assigned to the third priority.
3 lines L₃If it is determined that the incoming call is from S117
Then, T seconds are set by the third incoming call acceptance means 83 shown in FIG.
The timer 76 for measuring time is started. Next, S118
And the first line L with high priority₁Or the second line L₂Or
It is judged whether or not there is an incoming call. First line L₁From
If there is an incoming call, the process proceeds to S104. Therefore, this
If the third line L₃1st without accepting incoming calls
Line L₁Incoming call from the first line L₁By
Kushimil communication is performed. Also, in S118, the second line L
₂If it is determined that there is an incoming call from S109, go to S109.
move on. Therefore, in this case, the third line L ₃Incoming call from
Do not accept the new line 2₂There is an incoming call from
If it does, perform the process. Also, in S118, the first line L₁Well
Or second line L₂If there is no incoming call from (NO),
In S119, it is determined whether the timer 76 has timed out.
If NO, return to S118 and return to the first line L₁and
Second line L₂To monitor incoming calls from. Thailand in S119
If the phone 76 times out (YES), the third incoming call is accepted.
Attaching means 83 determines the third line L in S120.₃Incoming call from
Notify the control unit 20. The control unit 20 controls the line switching unit 25.
Control and respond to an incoming call accepted by the priority determination unit 70
Third line L₃Is connected to the facsimile section and closed. Next
Then, in S121, the third line L₃Facsimile communication by
And waits for the end of communication in S122. Communication has ended
Return to S102.

As described above, in this embodiment, when an incoming call from the first line L ₁ having the first priority is detected, this incoming call is immediately accepted, but an incoming call from the lines having the second or higher priority is received. Is detected, the incoming call is accepted only when an incoming call from another line having a high priority is not detected within T seconds. If an incoming call from the first line L ₁ is detected within T seconds after the incoming call from the second line L ₂ having the second priority or the third line L _{3 having} the third priority is detected, this first line is detected. An incoming call from one line L ₁ is immediately accepted. When an incoming call from the second line L ₂ is detected within T seconds after the incoming call from the third line L ₃ having the third priority is detected, a new timer of T seconds is started. , If the incoming call from the first line L ₁ is not detected within T seconds, the incoming call from the second line L ₂ is accepted, and if the incoming call from the first line L ₁ is detected within T seconds, this first Line L ₁
Calls from are accepted immediately.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation in this embodiment. FIG. 7A shows the second line L.
_The figure shows the case where the incoming call from the first line L ₁ is not detected within T seconds after the incoming call from 2 is detected, and the incoming call from the second line L ₂ is accepted after T seconds. Also, FIG.
(B) shows T after the incoming call from the third line L ₃ is detected.
Call from the second line L ₂ is detected in the second, the second line incoming call from the first line L ₁ in T seconds from from L ₂ is detected, from the first line L ₁ The case where the incoming call is immediately accepted is shown.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the priority is set for a plurality of lines accommodated in the facsimile apparatus, and if it is within the predetermined time after the incoming call from the second or higher priority line is detected, Since it is possible to receive an incoming call from a line having a high priority, it is possible to receive information of urgency or information of high importance with priority.

8 to 10 relate to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the structure of the control unit in this embodiment. As shown in this figure, in this embodiment, an interruption processing unit 90 newly connected to the bus 54 is provided in the control unit 20. In this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the incoming call from the line with the higher priority is preferentially accepted through the priority determination unit 70, but only after the incoming from the line with the second or higher priority is accepted. However, when an incoming call from another line with high priority is detected, the receiving process corresponding to the accepted incoming call is interrupted. The interruption processing unit 90 processes an interruption job when the reception processing is interrupted in this way. That is, even if the reception process is interrupted, the data already received is stored in the storage memory 58. Therefore, when the communication process by another line having a higher priority is completed, the interruption processing unit 9
0 records and outputs the data stored in the storage memory 58 from the line in which the reception process is interrupted by the recording unit 22 and receives the data from the partner station in which the reception process has been interrupted at what time, at what time. Then, the information on whether or not it was interrupted is automatically transmitted by facsimile communication, and a resend request is made. Therefore, the interruption processing unit 90 includes a timer for measuring the time and means for storing the telephone number of the partner station, the number of received sheets, etc., and the network control unit 10
Control the dialing to the other station, the time when the reception was interrupted,
It has a function of outputting information such as the number of sheets as image information.

The other structure is similar to that of the first embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the operation of facsimile reception in this embodiment. In this embodiment as well, similar to the first embodiment, the priority order is set to the line L ₁ ,
An example of setting L ₂ and L ₃ in this order will be described.

In the present embodiment, the operation from the receipt of an incoming call to the start of facsimile communication is the same as that of the first embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted and only the operation after the start of facsimile communication will be described.

First, when the communication of the first line L ₁ is started in S106, the communication is waited for in S107, and when the communication is completed, the above-mentioned interrupted job is processed in S107-2,
In S108, the gate circuit 7 of the second line L ₂ and the third line L ₃
Open 2, 73 and return to S102.

When the communication of the second line L ₂ is started in S114, it is determined in S131 whether there is an incoming call from the first line L ₁ having a higher priority. In the case of NO, it is determined in S132 whether or not the communication is completed, and if not completed (NO), the process returns to S131. When the communication is completed in S132 (YES), the interrupted job is processed in S133, and then the gate circuit 73 of the third line L ₃ is processed in S134.
Open and return to S102.

On the other hand, in S131, the first line L₁Incoming from
If YES is detected (YES), the second line L is sent in S135.₂Communication
Communication is interrupted and the second line L₂Open, and in S136,
Store the communication contents received in the storage memory 58,
Proceed to S104. In this case, the first line L₁Communication by
Is started. Then, after this communication is completed, S107
-2 is stored in the storage memory 58 during the processing of the suspended job.
Second line L that was paid ₂Record the communication contents received from
22 and output to the partner station that interrupted the reception process.
On the other hand, the information on how many times, how many sheets were received and was interrupted
It is automatically sent by fax communication and a resend request is sent.
It will happen.

When the communication of the third line L ₃ is started in S121, it is determined in S141 whether there is an incoming call from the first line L ₁ or the second line L ₂ having a higher priority. In the case of NO, it is determined in S142 whether or not the communication is completed. If not completed (NO), the process returns to S141, and if completed (YES), the process returns to S102.

On the other hand, in S141, the first line L ₁ or the second line
If an incoming call from the line L ₂ is detected (YES), S143
Then, the communication of the third line L ₃ is interrupted, the third line L ₃ is opened, and the contents of the communication already received are stored in the storage memory 58 in S144. Next, in S145, it is determined whether the incoming call is the first line L ₁ or the second line L ₂ . In the case of the first line L ₁ , the process proceeds to S104. In this case, the communication by the first line L ₁ is started, and after this communication is finished, S107-2
In the processing of the interrupted job, the recording unit 22 stores the communication content received from the third line L ₃ stored in the storage memory 58.
In addition to the above, the same retransmission request as described above is issued to the partner station whose reception processing has been interrupted. Also, S1
In the case of the second line L ₂ at 45, the process proceeds to S109. In this case, the third line L ₃ stored in the storage memory 58 in the processing of the interrupted job in S133 or S107-2.
The communication content received from the recording unit 22 is output from the recording unit 22, and the same retransmission request as described above is issued to the partner station whose reception processing has been interrupted.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing an example of the operation in this embodiment. In this example, the second line L ₂ is received within T seconds after the incoming call from the third line L ₃ is detected.
Incoming calls from is detected, the second line incoming call from the first line L ₁ in T seconds from from L ₂ is not detected, but a communication by the second line L ₂ has started, the second line Since the incoming call from the first line L ₁ is detected before the end of the communication by L ₂ , the communication by the second line L ₂ is interrupted and the communication by the first line L ₁ is started. Then, after the end of the communication by the first line L ₁ , the processing of the interrupted job for the second line L ₂ is performed.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, even after the incoming call from the line having the second or higher priority is accepted, the incoming call is accepted when the incoming call from the other line having the high priority is detected. The reception process corresponding to the incoming call that has been interrupted is interrupted, and the incoming call from another line having a high priority can be accepted. Therefore, it is possible to immediately receive urgent information or highly important information.

Other operations and effects are similar to those of the first embodiment.

Although the priorities are set in the order of the lines L ₁ , L ₂ and L ₃ in each of the above embodiments, it goes without saying that the priorities can be set arbitrarily.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention as set forth in claim 1 or 2, in a facsimile apparatus accommodating a plurality of lines, priorities are set for the plurality of lines, and within a predetermined time after an incoming call is detected. If there is, it is possible to accept an incoming call from a line with a higher priority, so that it is possible to preferentially receive urgent information or highly important information.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, even when the incoming call from the line having the second or higher priority is accepted, the incoming call from the other line having the high priority is detected. Since it is possible to receive an incoming call from another line having a high priority, in addition to the above effect, there is an effect that it is possible to immediately receive urgent information or highly important information.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit unit showing a line switching unit in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit in FIG.

4 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of the telephone in FIG.

5 is a functional block diagram showing functions of an incoming call reception unit in FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of facsimile reception in the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a timing chart showing an example of operation in the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control unit in the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an operation of facsimile reception in the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing an example of operation in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

10 ... Line switching unit, 16 ... Modem, 20 ... Control unit, 61
... 63 ... Automatic incoming signal binarization circuit, 70 ... Priority determination section,
71 to 73 ... Gate circuit, 74 ... Incoming call reception section, 75 ... Priority setting register, 76 ... Timer

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Makoto Kimura             Fujize, 3-7-1, Fuchu, Iwatsuki City, Saitama Prefecture             Rox Co., Ltd. Iwatsuki Office

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile unit which is selectively connected to one of a plurality of lines and which receives at least image information, an incoming call detection unit which detects an incoming call of each of the plurality of lines, and a plurality of lines. Priority setting means for setting the priority, clocking means for timing a predetermined time when the incoming call detecting means detects an incoming call from a line having a second or higher priority, and the incoming call detecting means sets the priority order. When an incoming call from the first line is detected, the incoming call is accepted first
When the incoming call receiving means and the incoming call detecting means detect an incoming call from the second or higher priority line, an incoming call from another high priority line is received within a predetermined time counted by the timing means. Second incoming call acceptance means for accepting the incoming call only when it is not detected, and line switching means for connecting the line corresponding to the incoming call accepted by the first incoming call acceptance means or the second incoming call acceptance means to the facsimile section. And a facsimile machine. 2. A facsimile unit which is selectively connected to one of a plurality of lines and which receives at least image information, an incoming call detecting unit which detects an incoming call of each of the plurality of lines, and a plurality of lines. Priority setting means for setting the priority, clocking means for timing a predetermined time when the incoming call detecting means detects an incoming call from a line having a second or higher priority, and the incoming call detecting means sets the priority order. When an incoming call from the first line is detected, the incoming call is accepted first
When the incoming call receiving means and the incoming call detecting means detect an incoming call from the second or higher priority line, an incoming call from another high priority line is received within a predetermined time counted by the timing means. Second incoming call acceptance means for accepting the incoming call only when it is not detected, and line switching means for connecting the line corresponding to the incoming call accepted by the first incoming call acceptance means or the second incoming call acceptance means to the facsimile section. When the second incoming call acceptance means accepts an incoming call from a second or higher priority line, and when an incoming call from another high priority line is detected, a reception corresponding to the accepted incoming call is received. A facsimile apparatus comprising: an interruption unit for interrupting processing.