JPH0548754A - Automatic answering telephone device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a CNG signal from being misrecognized and put the automatic answering telephone device in secure operation by switching the device to facsimi1e according to data, generated by detecting the level, ON/OFF time, and period of the CNG signal, once the CNG signal is detected during the transmission of an answer message. CONSTITUTION:When the input signal level of a line is ON, a CNG detection part 4 monitors its continuous ON time, and makes a return by judging that the input signal level is improper if the ON time exceeds a specific value. The detection part 4 monitors the continuous OFF time of the signal level, decides as being one cycle when the OFF time can be verified, and repeats the process to end the verification when the 2nd cycle is obtained. Consequently, when the ON/OFF time of the CNG signal and the cycles based upon its sum satisfy prescribed permissible values, the real CNG signal is judged and a control part switches a switching part 5 to a facsimile function part 7. Consequently, the CNG signal is prevented from being misrecognized and the secure operation is performed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an answering machine which sends a prerecorded response message when a call is received in an answering machine mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional facsimile apparatus with an answering machine function, when an incoming call is received in an answering machine mode, first, an
After starting the transmission of the GM, it is determined whether the incoming call is a telephone call or a facsimile. That is, when the CNG signal from the other party is detected during transmission of the OGM, it is determined that the incoming call is to the facsimile, the line is switched from the telephone side to the facsimile side, and the image data receiving operation is performed.

Further, the OGM is usually stored in an IC memory or the like in the apparatus by a recording operation of a user.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, since the CNG signal is detected only by its level and the detection time, the CNG signal is detected during OGM.
If a signal-like component is included, this is the true CNG.
There is a possibility that the signal may be mistakenly recognized as a signal, and a malfunction such as switching to a facsimile may occur.

On the other hand, in the conventional answering machine,
OGM is recorded unconditionally, and even if a silent area is included in OGM, the OGM is recorded as it is on the device side, which causes discomfort to the other side during actual use. There is inconvenience.

The present invention can prevent erroneous detection of a CNG signal due to the transmission of OGM, and also, for example, an OG including a silent portion.
It is an object of the present invention to provide an answering machine that can prevent recording of M and obtain a good answering machine function.

[0007]

The present invention has means for switching between a telephone and a facsimile, sends an OGM at the time of an incoming call in an answering machine mode, and sends a CNG from the other party.
In an answering machine that switches from a telephone to a facsimile by detecting a signal, when a CNG signal is detected during transmission of the OGM, the level, on / off time and cycle of this CNG signal are detected, and these data are recorded. Based on this, the switching operation to the facsimile is executed. As described above, by adding the signal cycle in addition to the CNG signal level and ON / OFF time as the CNG signal detection condition, the CNG signal can be reliably detected and the malfunction of switching to the facsimile can be eliminated. You can

Further, the present invention is an answering machine in which an OGM that has been recorded in advance is transmitted when an incoming call is received in the answering machine mode, when a specific recording signal continues for a predetermined time during the recording of the OGM. , This recording signal is invalidated and the recording work is stopped. Specifically, the specific recording signal is, for example, a signal having a level close to silence, and by disabling recording at a level close to silence, proper OGM recording is ensured and good recording is achieved. You can get an answering machine.

[0009]

1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

The apparatus of this embodiment is constructed as a facsimile machine with an answering machine, and this facsimile machine has an NCU section 1 for controlling connection / disconnection between the apparatus and a line.
A control unit 2 that controls the operation of the entire apparatus, an OGM sending unit 3 that sends prerecorded OGM to the line, and a CN that detects a CNG signal from the line while sending the OGM.
A G detection unit 4, a switching unit 5 for switching the device to a telephone or a facsimile, a telephone unit 6 for controlling a function as a telephone, and a facsimile function unit 7 for controlling a communication operation as a facsimile are provided.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the connection relationship between each unit that controls the answering machine recording function of this embodiment and a line.

In the figure, of the two-wire lines L1 and L2, the CNG detector 4 is connected to the input L1 and the OGM transmitter 3 is connected to the output L2. The lines L1 and L2 are connected to the connection switching circuit 51 in the switching unit 5. And this switching circuit 5
From 1, an input line is led to a cassette unit 61 for recording a message from a partner machine at the time of absence recording and a receiving circuit section (not shown) of the facsimile function section 7,
Depending on the state of the switching circuit 51, a message or a facsimile communication signal from the partner machine is input.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a signal waveform when a CNG signal is detected in this embodiment.

In FIG. 3, (A) shows an OGM waveform, (B) shows an actual CNG signal waveform,
(C) shows the detection waveform of the CNG detection unit 4. That is, the actual CNG signal and the OGM are simultaneously CN
Since the input signal is input from the input port of the G detection unit 4 and the input signal is edge-processed in the CNG detection unit 4, a detection waveform slightly deformed from the actual CNG signal can be obtained.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation at the time of an incoming call in the answering machine of this embodiment.

First, as a premise operation, when there is a call from the other party in a state where the apparatus is set to the answering machine, the control unit 2 turns on the CML to connect the line, and the OGM transmission unit 3 transmits OGM. .. At this time, the CNG detector 4 simultaneously detects the CNG.

That is, in the CNG detector 4, the line L1
Identify whether the signal level of is on (S1),
If it is on, the on-time is verified (S2).
As described above, the CNG signal is affected by OGM and contains a noise component, so that the continuous ON time (H1) is monitored while ignoring the level fluctuation of the short wavelength. If the ON time exceeds a predetermined maximum value, it is regarded as ineligible and the process returns (S3).

Wait for the level to turn off (S
4) If it is turned off, the off time is verified (S5). Also in this case, the continuous off-time (H2) is monitored while ignoring the level fluctuation of the short wavelength.

Then, it is assumed that there is one cycle when the off-time can be verified (S6). Next, such an operation is repeated once again, and when the second cycle is taken (S7), it is assumed that the test is completed (S8).

As a result of the above processing, the control unit 2 determines whether the switching unit 3 should be the telephone unit 6 or the facsimile function unit 7. That is, the on / off time of the CNG signal detected by the CNG detector 4 satisfies a predetermined allowable value,
When the cycle of the CNG signal according to the sum of the ON / OFF times matches the specified value, it is determined that the genuine CNG signal is detected, and the switching operation to the facsimile is executed.
In other cases, it is determined that the signal is a false CNG signal, and the process does not shift to the facsimile.

In this way, it is possible to switch to the facsimile function unit 7 only for a correct CNG signal.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

In this embodiment, when an OGM is recorded on an answering machine, if the OGM contains a silence for a certain period of time or more, it is regarded as an illegal OGM and the recording is stopped. The recording medium unit 11 for recording the OGM, the control unit 12 for controlling the entire apparatus, and the invalid recording verification unit 13 for determining the above-mentioned recording to be invalidated.
And an operation unit 14 having operation keys and the like necessary for recording work
And a microphone unit 15 for inputting voice.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation of the OGM during recording in this embodiment.

First, the user inputs a response message from the microphone 15 while pressing a predetermined recording button (not shown). On the device side, while the recording button is being pressed (S11), a predetermined timer is started to activate the invalid recording verification section 1
The input level is monitored by 3.

That is, when the voice input level exceeds a predetermined threshold value and is turned on (S12), the continuation of the ON state is periodically monitored (S13), and if it is continuing, the timer is updated (S14) and the time is over. Is determined (S1
5). On the contrary, when the voice input level is equal to or lower than the predetermined threshold value and turned off, the timer value is newly set (S17) and the process returns to S11.

When the voice input level is turned off in S12, the continuation of the off state is regularly monitored (S1
8) If the timer is continuing, the timer is updated (S19), and the time-out is determined (S20). On the contrary, when the voice input level is turned on, the timer value is newly set (S22), and the process returns to S11.

When the time-over is detected in S15 or S20, the recording operation is considered to be invalid recording and the recording operation is stopped, resulting in abnormal termination (S23).

That is, in this embodiment, not only when the silent state in which the voice input level is turned off continues for a certain period of time, but also when the on state of the voice input level continues for a certain period of time, the abnormal termination is performed. In other words, if the recorded message is proper, it is natural that momentary silence is naturally detected by breathing, etc., and if the ON state continues for a certain time without any silence, For example, it is judged as an invalid message such as a scream and invalid. This can prevent mischief.

In the second embodiment, the audio input level is judged to limit the OGM recording.
For example, when the OGM being recorded has a specific frequency component, it may be regarded as an improper OGM and the recording may be prohibited. This has the effect of preventing the erroneous detection of the CNG signal accompanying the transmission of the OGM, as in the first embodiment described above. In other words, if the frequency component that tends to cause erroneous detection of the CNG signal is removed beforehand during recording of the OGM, the risk of erroneously detecting the CNG signal can be inevitably reduced.

Further, if the function for invalidating the OGM recording as described above can be selectively used by the mode switching operation or the like, the usability can be further improved.

[0032]

As described above, according to the present invention,
There is an effect that erroneous recognition of the CNG signal can be prevented and a reliable operation can be obtained regardless of the transmission of the OGM.

Further, according to the present invention, when an OGM is recorded, an invalid message such as one in which a silent state continues for a long time is invalidated, and a proper OGM recording is promoted to obtain a good answering machine function. There is an effect that can be done.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a connection relationship between each unit that controls an answering machine recording function of the first embodiment and a line.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of a signal waveform when a CNG signal is detected in the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of an incoming call in the answering machine of the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation during recording of OGM in the second embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 12 ... Control unit, 2 ... NCU unit, 3 ... OGM sending unit, 4 ... CNG detection unit, 5 ... Switching unit, 6 ... Telephone unit, 7 ... Facsimile function unit, 11 ... Recording medium unit, 13 ... Invalid recording Verification unit, 14 ... Operation unit, 15 ... Microphone unit.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. An answering machine which has a means for switching between a telephone and a facsimile and which switches from a telephone to a facsimile by sending a response message when a call is received in an answering machine mode and detecting a CNG signal from the other party. When a CNG signal is detected during the sending of the response message, the level, on / off time and cycle of the CNG signal are detected, and the switching operation to the facsimile is executed based on these data. Answering machine. 2. An answering machine which sends out a prerecorded reply message when an incoming call is received in the answering machine mode, when a specific recording signal continues for a predetermined time during the recording of the reply message. An answering machine that invalidates the recording signal and stops the recording operation.