JPH0654151A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the use efficiency of a line by detecting the signal from an opposite telephone set after an incoming is responded and switching the telephone set and a facsimile equipment corresponding to a detection output. CONSTITUTION:After a line L between an originating call station and a called station is established, an originating caller operates the pushphone at his station and transmits a tone signal as a transmission start code. A tone detection circuit 4 of the facsimile equipment (FX) of the called station outputs a code signal Dc to a communication control circuit 3 based on a tone signal. The circuit 3 outputs a communication control signal Ct instructing a transmission start to a FX main body circuit 5, outputs a switching instruction (e) to a switch circuit 1 and connects contacts 1c and 1a. Therefore, the originating caller can switch the telephone set T and the circuit 5 on the called side, using a telephone set and the line efficiency is improved by a simple constitution.

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 can be controlled by operating a telephone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, facsimile machines having various advanced and convenient functions have been realized. For example, a facsimile machine that has multiple communication modes and automatically sets the communication mode of its own station to the communication mode of the partner station, and a polling (calling station reception) function, and the manufacturer code sent from the partner station Alternatively, a facsimile machine that identifies a password code and automatically starts transmission based on the identification result, and a facsimile machine having an editing function have been realized.

[0003]

However, although such a facsimile machine is convenient, it also has the following drawbacks. (1) In order to execute the above-mentioned various functions, it is necessary to send and receive a complicated control procedure and a complicated code signal, so that the device is expensive. (2) Even if the caller wants communication (telephone call) between telephones rather than facsimile communication between facsimile machines, as long as the called station's facsimile machine is in the automatic reception state, the called station must always perform facsimile. Since priority is given to the line connection with the device, there is a drawback that telephone calls cannot be made. In order to solve such a drawback, by pushing the telephone call switch of the calling side facsimile device,
There is a method in which a special code signal is transmitted to the called station to cancel the automatic reception state of the called station side facsimile apparatus, and the line connection is switched from the non-called station side facsimile apparatus to the called station side telephone. However, this method is premised on that the caller operates the facsimile machine of his own station, and the automatic reception state of the facsimile machine of the called station cannot be canceled from the public telephone, for example, and the telephone of the called station side cannot be canceled. There is a drawback that the telephone call cannot be made because the line connection cannot be switched. That is, the caller cannot cancel the automatic reception state of the called station's facsimile machine by using the telephone of his own station and cannot switch the line connection from the called station's facsimile machine to the called station's telephone. However, there is a drawback that the telephone line cannot be used efficiently.

The present invention has been made to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks, and various functions can be switched between the telephone set on the other side and the facsimile apparatus by operating the telephone set with a relatively simple structure. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile machine which can improve the use efficiency of the line.

[0005]

Therefore, the present invention provides a facsimile apparatus with a dial signal obtained from a telephone, for example, a PB signal or a dial pulse which is a dial signal generated as a tone signal from a push-button dial telephone. The above object is achieved by providing a signal detection unit for detecting and a communication control unit for performing communication control based on the detection result of the signal detection unit, and enabling switching between the telephone and the facsimile device by operating the telephone. To achieve.

[0006]

According to the present invention, switching between the telephone and the facsimile can be controlled based on the dial signal from the partner station.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a first embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, in which T is a push button dial telephone (hereinafter referred to as a push phone), L is a telephone line, and FX.
Is a facsimile machine. The fax machine FX
It is composed of a switching circuit 1, a calling signal detection circuit 2, a communication control circuit 3, a tone signal detection circuit 4, and a facsimile main circuit 5. The switching circuit 1 is based on a switching command signal e which is an output of the communication control circuit 3 described later, and the telephone line L
Is connected to the touch-tone telephone T or the facsimile main body circuit 5 and is normally connected as shown in the drawing.
b is connected, and the telephone line L is connected to the telephone T and the calling signal detection circuit 2.

Therefore, when the telephone line L is connected to the calling station via an exchange (station) (not shown), the call signal of 16 Hz output from the exchange (station) is the telephone line L and the switching circuit. 1 is input to the touch-tone telephone T and the ringing signal detection circuit 2 respectively.

The ringing signal detection circuit 2 detects the ringing signal of 16 Hz and outputs a ringing signal detection signal Sc1, and this signal Sc1 is input to the communication control circuit 3. The tone signal detection circuit 4 detects a tone signal input through the telephone line L by the operator of the calling station operating a push button of a touch-tone telephone (not shown), and outputs a code signal Dc corresponding to this tone signal. This signal Dc is input to the communication control circuit 3.
The communication control circuit 3 operates the switching circuit 1 based on the input signal Sc1.
The switching command signal e for connecting the contacts 1c and 1a of the facsimile is output, and the signal S output from the facsimile main circuit 5 is output.
A switching command signal e for connecting the contacts 1c and 1b of the switching circuit 1 is output based on c2. Further, the communication control circuit 3 also forms a communication control signal Ct corresponding to the input signal Dc for executing facsimile communication and outputs the communication control signal Ct to the facsimile main body circuit 5. The facsimile main body circuit 5 performs predetermined communication control based on the input signal Ct, and also sets the switching circuit 1 to the initial state (contact 1
Signal S for returning to the state (c and 1b are connected)
It outputs C2.

Next, the operation of this facsimile apparatus FX,
Particularly, the initial operation will be described. In this embodiment, the telephone line L and the tone signal detection circuit 4 are connected so that the signal on the telephone line L is directly input to the tone signal detection circuit 4.

First, consider the case where the facsimile apparatus FX serves as a calling station. The switching circuit 1 is normally connected to contacts 1c and 1b as shown in the drawing, and the touch-tone telephone T
The tone signal obtained by operating the push button of is input to the tone signal detection circuit 4 via the switching circuit 1 and the telephone line L. Therefore, by operating the push button of the touch-tone telephone T, it is possible to control the transmission start of the own station. That is, the calling party (the operator of the facsimile apparatus FX) calls the called station and activates the called station side facsimile apparatus. Then, the caller operates a push button of the touch-tone telephone T with a transmission start code, for example, "#" or "2", so that the tone signal corresponding to the "#" or "2" is generated by the switching circuit 1 or the telephone line. It is input to the tone signal detection circuit 4 via L. The tone signal detection circuit 4 sequentially outputs the code signal Dc corresponding to the input tone signal to the communication control circuit 3. The communication control circuit 3 identifies this input signal Dc and determines whether this signal Dc is a transmission start code signal. Here, since this signal Dc is the transmission start code signal, the communication control circuit 3 outputs the communication control signal Ct instructing the transmission start to the facsimile main body circuit 5 and the switching command signal e to the switching circuit 1. To do. When the signal e is input, the switching circuit 1 connects the contacts 1c and 1
The connection of the telephone line L is switched from the touch-tone telephone T to the facsimile main circuit 5 so that a is connected. On the other hand, the transmission operation of the facsimile body circuit 5 is started based on the input signal Ct.

It should be noted that if the facsimile apparatus FX is the facsimile apparatus on the calling station side or the called station side, the same operation can be performed when controlling the receiving operation of this facsimile apparatus FX of the own station after the end of the call, and therefore the description thereof is omitted. .

Secondly, consider a case where the facsimile apparatus FX is the called station and is in the automatic reception state. In this case, after the line between the calling station and the called station is established, the caller operates the touch tone of his own station (not shown) and sends the obtained tone signal as an automatic reception cancellation code signal. The signal is input to the tone signal detection circuit 4. The tone signal detection circuit 4 outputs the code signal Dc to the communication control circuit 3 based on this tone signal. Since this signal Dc is an automatic reception cancellation code signal, the communication control circuit 3 cancels the automatic reception state of the facsimile main circuit 5. On the other hand, the communication control circuit 3 emits a ringing tone (not shown) to notify the operator of the called station that there is a call, and after a certain period of time, the switching circuit 1 returns the switching circuit 1 to the connection state shown by the switching command signal. That is, the connection of the telephone line L from the touch-tone phone T to the facsimile main unit 5 is switched. Therefore, the calling party and the called station operator can communicate (talk) using the telephone. Further, if the call is automatically returned to the automatic reception state at the end of the call after the cancellation of the automatic reception, the next call can be handled by the automatic reception.

As described above, according to this embodiment, there is an advantage that the line between the telephone and the facsimile can be switched.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted. In this embodiment,
The tone signal detection circuit 41 is connected to the telephone line L and the touch-tone T so that the tone signal output from the touch-tone telephone T and the tone signal on the telephone line L are input to the tone-signal detection circuit 41. The tone signal detection circuit 41 has the same function as the tone signal detection circuit 4 in the above-mentioned embodiment. The communication control operation in this embodiment is similar to that in the first embodiment described above.

However, according to this embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the tone signal obtained from the telephone of the partner station is
Since the signal is always input to the tone signal detecting circuit 4, there is an advantage that the switching circuit 1 can be operated using the telephone of the partner station.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. In this embodiment, the voice response circuit 10 and the communication control circuit 31 are provided so that the operator on the partner station side can control the switching circuit 1 in an interactive manner. The communication control circuit 31 receives the output signal Sc of the calling signal detection circuit 2 and the output code signal Dc of the tone signal detection circuit 4, and controls communication of the facsimile main circuit 5 based on these input signals Sc and Dc. While outputting the communication control signal Ct, the response control signal Cc corresponding to a predetermined communication control procedure is output. Further, the voice response circuit 10 is provided with a voice signal S that enables the operator of the partner station to confirm the communication control procedure.
The voice signal Ss is stored in the telephone line L in response to the response control signal Cc output from the communication control circuit 31.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus, especially the initial operation will be described. Further, here, a case is considered where the facsimile apparatus FX serves as a called station side facsimile apparatus.

A line with the calling station is established, a call signal of 16 Hz is detected by the call signal detection circuit 2, and a signal Sc1
Is input to the communication control circuit 31, the communication control circuit 31
First outputs a response control signal Cc representing before communication is started. As a result, the voice response circuit 10 outputs the voice signal Ss representing the initial setting state of the own station such as the communication mode,
Then, a voice signal Ss representing the first question item is output. This voice signal Ss is emitted as an audible sound from a touch-tone telephone, not shown, via the telephone line L. As for the calling sound, after hearing the first question item issued from the touch-tone phone, the touch-tone is operated by operating the touch-tone phone so that the desired communication mode is set and the tone signal is transmitted. When the tone signal detection circuit 4 receives this tone signal and outputs a corresponding code signal Dc, the communication control circuit 31 outputs this signal D
If c is identified and the signal is a predetermined code signal, the response control signal Cc representing the next stage of the communication procedure is output. As a result, the voice response circuit 10 outputs the voice signal Ss representing the next question.

In this way, the transmission start of the own station can be controlled by operating the push button of the touch-tone phone T. That is, the calling party calls the called station and activates the called station side facsimile apparatus FX. Then, the caller operates a push button of the touch-tone phone T with a transmission start code, for example, "#" or "2", and then the "#" or "2".
The tone signal corresponding to is input to the tone signal detection circuit 4 via the switching circuit 1 and the telephone line L. The tone signal detection circuit 4 receives the code signal Dc corresponding to the input tone signal.
Are sequentially output to the communication control circuit 31. Communication control circuit 31
Identifies this input signal Dc and determines whether this signal Dc is a transmission start code signal. Here, since this signal Dc is the transmission start code signal, the communication control circuit 3 outputs the communication control signal Ct instructing the transmission start to the facsimile main body circuit 5 and the switching command signal e to the switching circuit 1. To do. The switching circuit 1 connects the contacts 1c and 1a when the signal e is input, that is,
The connection of the telephone line L to the touch-tone telephone facsimile main circuit 5 is switched. On the other hand, the transmission operation of the facsimile body circuit 5 is started based on the input signal Ct.

In this way, the inquiry and response according to the communication control procedure are repeated, the control of the facsimile apparatus can be performed, and the switching circuit 1 can be controlled.

Therefore, according to the present embodiment, since the caller and the facsimile apparatus FX have an interactive form, the operator can easily control the switching circuit 1 without having to remember the code number or the like. You can

In each of the above-described embodiments, the dial signal P obtained by the push-button dial telephone as the tone signal is obtained as the dial signal obtained from the telephone of the own station.
Although the B signal has been described as an example, a dial pulse may be used instead of the PB signal.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention,
By the operator of the other station operating the telephone,
Since it is possible to operate the switching between the facsimile device and the telephone, it is possible to improve the use efficiency of the line.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a third embodiment of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Switching circuit, 2 ... Ring signal detection circuit, 3, 31 ... Communication control circuit, 4, 41 ... Tone signal detection circuit, 5 ... Facsimile main circuit, 10 ... Voice response circuit

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. Facsimile communication means for performing an operation relating to at least one of transmission and reception of image information, switching means for switching a telephone line to connect to either a local telephone or the facsimile communication means, and the telephone. In a facsimile apparatus having a call signal detecting means for detecting a call signal from a line and responding to an incoming call from the telephone line, the telephone line is switched after the call signal detecting means responds to the incoming call from the telephone line. Signal detecting means for detecting a dial signal transmitted from the telephone of the opposite station via the communication terminal, and communication controlling means for controlling the operation of the switching means in response to the detection output of the signal detecting circuit. Facsimile machine. 2. Facsimile communication means for performing an operation relating to at least one of transmission and reception of image signals, switching means for switching a telephone line to connect to either a local telephone or the facsimile communication means, and the telephone. In a facsimile apparatus having a calling signal detecting means for detecting a calling signal from a line and responding to an incoming call from the telephone line, a facsimile device having a calling station after the calling signal detecting means responds to the incoming call from the telephone line. Voice response means for transmitting a voice prompting the input of a dial signal, signal detection means for detecting a dial signal from the partner station telephone transmitted via the telephone line, and detection output of the signal detection means. A facsimile apparatus, comprising: a communication control unit which controls the operation of the switching unit correspondingly.