JPH06261142A - Facsimile equipment with automatic answering telephone function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To reserve and record automatically even the conversations of facsim ile communication by sending a message to request the input of a DTMF signal to the opposite party side and starting the automatic recording action when the DTMF signal is detected. CONSTITUTION:When a conversation reserve button is operated at the calling side in a facsimile reception mode, a PRI-EOP signal is transmitted from the calling side when the facsimile communication is over. When the PRI-EOF signal is detected by a protocol signal detecting circuit 15, a voice message is sent to the opposite party side via a circuit control part 18 to request the input of a DTMF signal. When a subscriber of the calling side hears the message and outputs a DTMF signal, public telephone circuit L is switched to an automatic answering telephone set via the part 18 at the called (receiver) side. At the same time, a recording part 23 is started to record the message received from the calling side. Thus the message is recorded after the reception of the subscriber of the opposite party side is confirmed so that the idle recording of the message is eliminated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an improvement of a facsimile machine with an answering machine function.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a normal facsimile apparatus, if a predetermined button operation is performed during facsimile communication, both the calling side and the called side buzzer sound at the end of the image data communication. It has a conversation reservation function that enables conversation when the handset is off-hook.

On the other hand, recently, a facsimile apparatus having an answering machine function has become widespread. This is because a silent state continues while a caller's message (ICM) is recorded.
Facsimile communication can be started when the CNG signal is detected. By the way, even if the above-mentioned conversation reservation function is used, not only the handset can be used for off-hook communication, but also the answering machine function cannot be used. Was there.

However, even if both the calling side and the called side buzzer sound as described above, it is determined whether or not the other handset is off-hook, that is, the other party's person responds to the answering machine (facsimile device). There was a problem that I could not start answering machine recording because I could not judge whether I did it (without checking whether the other person responded,
There is a risk of blank recording when you start answering machine recording).

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and even for a conversation reservation of facsimile communication, an answering machine facsimile can be operated without making a blank recording. The purpose is to provide a device.

[0006]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION A facsimile machine with an answering machine function according to the present invention, which is proposed to achieve the above object, has a calling side and a called side after facsimile communication by a conversation reservation operation during facsimile communication. It is equipped with a conversation reservation function that allows conversation between parties, and when a signal requesting operator intervention is received from the other party, a message requesting input of a DTMF signal is sent to the other party, and this DTM is transmitted.
When the F signal is detected, the answering machine recording is started.

[0007]

In the facsimile machine with an answering machine function of the present invention, when the other party operates during facsimile communication and a signal requesting the intervention of the operator is received, the other party receives a specific DTMF signal (dual tone) by a voice message. A message requesting the input of a multi-frequency signal is transmitted. Then, when the other party hears this input request and inputs this specific DTMF signal by the key (numeric key) operation, the facsimile machine with an answering machine function detects it and starts the answering machine recording. Therefore, since the answering machine recording is started after confirming whether or not the person at the other end has answered, there is no fear of making an empty recording, and the answering machine can be operated even at the time of conversation reservation.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of a facsimile machine with an answering machine function according to the present invention. In the figure, 10 is an image reading unit of a facsimile machine, and 11 is an RO for storing voice messages and the like.
M, 12 are RAM, 13 is a print output unit, 14 is a modem,
Reference numerals 15 and 16 are a detection circuit and a generation circuit for a protocol signal which is a procedure signal for performing facsimile communication, 17 is a buzzer generation section for generating a buzzer sound for calling a conversation reservation, and 18 is a public telephone line L and a facsimile. A line control unit that connects and switches lines with devices and answering machines.

Numeral 19 is a telephone circuit of an answering machine, 2
0 is a speaker, 21 is a handset, 22 is an off-hook detection switch, 23 is a recording section of an answering machine, 24 is a timer circuit, 25 is an answering machine button for setting the answering machine in an answering machine mode, and 26 is a conversation reservation. A conversation reservation button for inputting, 27 is a keypad for inputting a DTMF signal (dual-tone multi-frequency signal), a key operation section composed of an answering machine button 25, a conversation reservation button 26, etc., 28 is a keypad of the key operation section 27. DTMF to send according to the operation of
A DTMF signal generating circuit for generating a signal, 29 is a DTMF signal detecting circuit for detecting a transmitted DTMF signal, and 30 is a specific DTM stored in the ROM 11.
A message generation unit that generates a voice message requesting the input of the F signal, and 31 is a signal processing unit configured by a microcomputer or the like.

The operation of the facsimile machine 1 with an answering machine function having such a configuration when the answering machine button 25 is operated and the answering machine becomes the called party in the answering machine mode will be described below. Explained. If the conversation reservation button is operated on the calling side during facsimile reception, the PRI-EO will be sent from the calling side when the facsimile communication is completed.
The P signal (procedure interruption EOP (procedure end) signal) is output. When this PRI-EOP signal is detected by the protocol signal detection circuit 15, the signal processing unit 31 causes the buzzer generation unit 1 to operate.
Sound the call buzzer from 7.

Even if the buzzer starts to ring, no one is in the surroundings, and no one picks up the handset 21 and turns off the off-hook detection switch 22 until the PRI-EOP signal is sent three times. If not, the signal processing unit 3
1 transmits a PIP signal (procedure interruption acknowledge signal) via the protocol signal generation circuit 16, and PRI- from the calling side is transmitted.
After receiving EOP signal or 10 seconds, ROM11
The message generation unit 30 generates a voice message stored in the message requesting the other side to input a specific DTMF signal (dual tone multi-frequency signal), and the line control unit 18
To send via. As an example of this voice message, something like "I am absent now. If you are in need, please press # 3 on the numeric keypad and talk to me." The specific DTMF signal # 3 is also stored in the ROM 11 together with the voice message.

The person on the calling side hears this voice message and presses # 3 on the ten key on the calling side to call DT on the calling side.
When the DTMF signal # 3 is output from the MF signal generation circuit,
On the called side (reception side), the DTMF signal detection circuit 29 detects the DTMF signal # 3, and the signal processing section 31 causes the RO
After confirming that it matches the specific DTMF signal # 3 stored in M11, the buzzer is stopped and the line control unit 18 switches the public telephone line L to the answering machine and the recording unit 23. Activate and record the voice message from the calling party.

When the voice message from the calling side ends,
When the handset of the calling side is turned on, a busy tone is transmitted from the calling side. When the called side is detected by the line control section 18 on the called side, the line control section 18 detects a public telephone line L. And disconnects the line between the answering machine and the answering machine, and the signal processing unit 3
1 stops the recording unit 23. On the other hand, when the buzzer starts to ring, the handset 21 is picked up, and the off-hook detection switch 22 is turned off, the signal processing unit 31
Transmits a PIP signal (procedure interruption acknowledge signal) through the protocol signal generation circuit 16 to stop the buzzer from sounding, and a normal conversation is performed.

Further, after the called side (reception side) starts transmitting the PIP signal (procedure interruption positive signal) and the voice message requesting the input of the specific DTMF signal # 3, the timer circuit 24 measures the time. DT from the calling side for a predetermined time
When the DTMF signal detection circuit 29 does not detect the MF signal # 3, the line is disconnected according to the line disconnection procedure of the facsimile communication.

Steps 50 to 72 of FIG. 2 are a flow chart showing such an operation, and FIG. 3 shows a signal such as a protocol signal between the calling side and the called side in such an operation. It is a figure showing the mode of transmission and reception. By the way, in the above,
I explained the case where the conversation reservation button was operated on the calling side and the answering machine was set on the called side, but in the case of memory transmission or when the sender started transmitting and then left the place. The opposite case is also possible. A case where the conversation reservation button is operated on the called side and the facsimile machine with an answering machine function of the present invention is used on the calling side will be described below.

If the conversation reservation button is operated on the called side during facsimile transmission, the PIP signal (procedure interruption positive signal) is output from the called side at the time when the facsimile communication is completed. On the calling side, when the PIP signal is detected by the protocol signal detection circuit 15, the signal processing unit 31 causes the buzzer generation unit 17 to ring a buzzer for calling. Even if the buzzer starts ringing, when no one is in the surroundings and no one picks up the handset 21 and turns off the off-hook detection switch 22 for a predetermined period of time measured by the timer circuit 24, the signal processing unit 31 sets the protocol to the protocol. Signal generation circuit 1
A voice that transmits a PRI-EOP signal (procedure interruption EOP (procedure end) signal) via 6 and requests the other party to input a specific DTMF signal (dual-tone multi-frequency signal) stored in the ROM 11. The message is generated by the message generation unit 30 and transmitted via the line control unit 18. This voice message, as in the case above,
You can use something like "I am out of the office right now. If you are in need, please press # 3 on the numeric keypad and talk to me." The specific DTMF signal # 3 is also stored in the ROM 11 together with the voice message as in the above case.

Upon receiving this voice message, the person on the called side presses # 3 on the ten key on the called side to call the DT on the called side.
When the DTMF signal # 3 is output from the MF signal generation circuit,
On the calling side (transmission side), the DTMF signal detection circuit 29 detects the DTMF signal # 3. Then, the signal processing unit 3
After confirming that 1 matches the specific DTMF signal # 3 stored in the ROM 11, the buzzer is stopped and the line control unit 18 switches the public telephone line L to the answering machine and The recording unit 23 is activated to record a voice message from the called side.

When the voice message from the called side ends,
When the handset of the called side is turned on, a busy tone is transmitted from the called side. On the calling side, when the line control unit 18 detects the busy tone, the line control unit 18 detects the public telephone line L. And disconnects the line between the answering machine and the answering machine, and the signal processing unit 3
1 stops the recording unit 23. On the other hand, when the buzzer starts to ring, the handset 21 is picked up, and the off-hook detection switch 22 is turned off, the signal processing unit 3
1 via the protocol signal generation circuit 16
Send an OP signal (procedure interruption EOP (procedure end) signal),
The buzzer stops ringing and normal conversation is held.

Further, the calling side (sending side) is connected to the PRI-EO.
P signal (procedure interruption EOP (procedure end) signal) and specific D
When the DTMF signal detection circuit 29 does not detect the DTMF signal # 3 from the called side for a predetermined time period counted by the timer circuit 24 after the transmission of the voice message requesting the input of the TMF signal # 3 is started. , Disconnect the line according to the facsimile communication line disconnection procedure.

Steps 75 to 96 of FIG. 4 are a flow chart showing such an operation, and FIG. 5 shows signals such as protocol signals between the calling side and the called side in such an operation. It is the figure which showed the aspect of transmission / reception. The above voice message "I am absent now. If you are in need, please press # 3 on the numeric keypad and talk to me." Is an example, and various other possibilities are possible. Also, the DTMF signal # 3
However, the number of digits does not have to be two.

[0021]

According to the facsimile machine with the answering machine function of the present invention, since the answering machine recording is started after confirming whether or not the person at the other party has answered, there is no fear of making a blank recording, and the conversation reservation can be made. You can also use the answering machine at times.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an embodiment of a facsimile machine with an answering machine function according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart showing an operation of the facsimile apparatus with an answering machine function according to the present invention when the conversation reservation button is operated on the calling side during facsimile reception with the answering machine set. .

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a facsimile machine with an answering machine function according to the present invention, between a calling side and a called side when a conversation reservation button is operated on the calling side when receiving a facsimile with an answering machine set. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a mode of transmitting and receiving a protocol signal and the like of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an operation of the facsimile apparatus with an answering machine function according to the present invention when the call reservation button is operated on the called side during facsimile transmission with the answering machine set. .

FIG. 5 is a diagram of a facsimile machine with an answering machine function according to the present invention, between a calling party and a called party when a conversation reservation button is operated on the called party during facsimile transmission with an answering machine set. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a mode of transmission and reception of the protocol signal of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 ... ROM 17 ... Buzzer generation unit 18 ... Line control unit 22 ... Off-hook detection switch 23 ... Recording unit 24 ... Timer circuit 25 ... Voice record button 26 ... Conversation Reservation button 27 ... Key operation unit 28 ... DTMF signal generation circuit 29 ... DTMF signal detection circuit 30 ... Message generation unit 31 ... Signal processing unit L ... Public telephone line

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A conversation reservation function capable of conversation between a calling side and a called side after facsimile communication by a conversation reservation operation during facsimile communication, and when a signal requesting operator intervention from the other side is received, A message requesting the input of the DTMF signal is sent to the other party and the DTMF signal is sent.
A facsimile machine with an answering machine function, which starts recording an answering machine when an F signal is detected.