JPH0698043A - Communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide the communication equipment which can efficiently use a line by performing prescribed data communication and speaking while switching them. CONSTITUTION:This communication equipment connected to the line together with a telephone set for executing the prescribed data communication and speaking while switching them is provided with a voice recognition circuit 22 for recognizing a voice in a received signal in the case of setting automatic reception, and the voice in the received signal is recognized by the voice reocgnition circuit 22 while sending a signal such as a CED signal showing the state of the present equipment. When the voice is detected, speaking is performed by the telephone set 12 and when no voice is detected, the prescribed data communication is performed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication device, and more particularly to a communication device which performs a predetermined communication operation via a communication line such as a public telephone line for transmitting and receiving voice signals.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a device of this type, a so-called automatic device for automatically receiving a document transmitted in response to a calling signal from a calling side or automatically transmitting a document for a called side is known. Facsimile devices having an incoming call function are known.

In general, a facsimile machine having an automatic incoming call function is usually provided with a manual incoming call mode in which a call is temporarily received by an attached telephone and then the line is manually switched to the facsimile machine side.

Switching between the automatic incoming call mode and the manual incoming call mode is usually performed by a changeover switch provided on the operation panel of the facsimile apparatus.

When the device is set to the manual incoming call mode,
The telephone attached to the facsimile machine can be used in the same manner as an ordinary telephone, and can of course be received even from a public telephone. However, when receiving a document, it is necessary for the operator to intervene, and the operator must push the receive button after raising the handset to switch the line to the facsimile machine side.

On the other hand, when the automatic call receiving mode is set, the original transmission from the facsimile can be automatically received, but in this case, the telephone connected to the apparatus loses the normal call function. However, there is a drawback in that a call cannot be made by making a call from an ordinary voice terminal such as a public telephone. FIG. 1 shows this specific example. CCITT here
(International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee) G2 and G3 facsimile machines conforming to Recommendations T3 and T4 are exemplified as a receiver.

As shown in the figure, a facsimile machine set to automatically receive a call from a public telephone or the like first sends a CED (tonal called station identification) signal 1 to the line. Following this, the device follows the NSF (non-standard device signal) 2,
A CSI (digital called station identification) signal 3 and a DIS (digital identification) signal 4 are sent to the line.

After this, the facsimile machine is operated by NSF, CS.
Procedure signal on the transmitting side for I, DIS signals, ie N
SS (non-standard device setting), TSI (transmitting station identification), DC
Although it tries to receive the S (digital command) signal, these signals are naturally not transmitted if the call is made from a normal telephone. Therefore, the apparatus waits for 3 seconds, and then the device waits for 3 seconds and then the GI2 signal 5, the NSF signal 2, the CSI signal 3, and the DIS. Send signal 4 to the line.

After this, the facsimile machine is GI2, NS
An attempt is made to receive the procedure signals GC2, NSS, TSI, DCS signals of the transmitting side corresponding to the respective signals of F, CSI, DIS, but these signals are naturally not transmitted if a call is made from an ordinary telephone, so the device Waits for 3 seconds, and then sends the respective signals of GI2, NSF, CSI, and DIS to the line in sequence again for the first NSF, CSI, DI.
After repeating the transmission of the S signal for up to 35 seconds, it is judged as an error end and the line is disconnected.

[0010]

The conventional automatic call reception is as described above. For example, a user who has only one telephone must be able to use the telephone as an ordinary telephone. Therefore, the device cannot always be set to the automatic incoming call mode, and the automatic incoming call mode becomes a completely useless function.

In view of this point, when the voice signal of the other party is detected at the time of incoming call (that is, when the calling side is a normal voice terminal), the facsimile communication is interrupted and the voice signal is output from the speaker. A device provided with a function has also been proposed. Then, in such a device, the state of the hook of the telephone is detected while outputting the voice, and when the operator lifts the hook of the telephone, the line is switched from the facsimile device to the telephone.

With such a configuration, it is possible to switch between normal call and facsimile communication even if automatic reception is set according to the type of the terminal on the other side, but there is no operator on the receiving side. In the case of, there is a drawback that the call setting becomes invalid as described above. In the above description, the facsimile apparatus is described as an example, but such a situation is a drawback common to communication apparatuses using a communication line such as a telephone line whose main purpose is the transmission of voice signals.

The object of the present invention is to solve the above problems, and even when the automatic incoming call mode is set, predetermined data communication or telephone call can be switched and executed without wasting the line connection, and the line can be efficiently connected. It is to provide a communication device that can use the.

[0014]

In order to solve the above problems, in the present invention, a data communication means for performing data communication, a call means for making a call, and a signal for sending a signal indicating the state of the own device. Sending means, detecting means for detecting a signal from the other party, and data communication by the data communication means or a call by the calling means according to the signal detected by the detecting means during signal transmission by the signal sending means. A configuration having switching means for switching whether to perform is adopted.

[0015]

According to the above construction, during transmission of the signal indicating the state of the own device, whether the data communication is carried out by the data communication means or the telephone communication is carried out according to the signal detected by the detection means. It can be switched.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings. However, in the following, CCITT Recommendations T3 and T
A G2 and G3 facsimile apparatus conforming to the No. 4 standard will be described as an example.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 10
In order to use the telephone network for data communication, etc., is connected to the terminal of that line to control the connection of the telephone exchange network, or switch to the data communication path (that is, the facsimile machine side) , Or an NCU (network control unit) that holds a line loop. NCU10
The signal line 10a connected to is a telephone line. The telephone line 10a is switched by the NCU 10 between the signal line 10b on the side of the attached telephone 12 and the signal line 10c connected to the side of the facsimile machine below the hybrid circuit 16. The connection control of the NCU 10 is controlled by the control circuit 60 via the signal line 60a. That is, the signal line 60
If a is level "0", signal line 10a (telephone line)
To the signal line 10b side. When the signal line 60a is at level "1", the signal line 10a is switched to the signal line 10c. In a normal state, the signal line 60a is at level "0", and the telephone line is connected to the telephone 12 side.

A call signal detection circuit 14 is connected to the signal line 10b on the telephone 12 side together with the telephone. Normally, the exchange sends a call signal to the called telephone after confirming that the called telephone is not busy, and this calling signal is detected by the detection circuit 14. Ringing signal detection circuit 14
Outputs a pulse to the control circuit 60 via the signal line 14a when a calling signal is detected.

On the other hand, a hybrid circuit 16 is connected to the signal line 10c. The hybrid circuit 16 is a known circuit that separates a transmission signal and a reception signal. Here, a voice recording circuit 18 and a speaker circuit 2 are used as receiving circuits.
0, voice recognition circuit 22, GC2 signal detection circuit 24 and N
The SS / TSI / DCS signal detection circuit 26 is connected. On the other hand, as a signal to be transmitted, a signal obtained by adding a signal from a transmitting circuit, which will be described later, by the adding circuit 36 is input to the hybrid circuit 16 via the signal line 36a. The signal input from the signal line 10c is transmitted only to the signal line 16a side by the hybrid circuit 16, and the signal input from the signal line 36a is transmitted only to the signal line 10c side via the hybrid circuit 16.

The voice recording circuit 18 is controlled by the control circuit 60 via the signal line 60b. That is, the voice recording circuit 18 uses the signal line 1 when the level of the signal line 60b is "1".
This is a circuit for recording the signal of 6a. When the signal line 60b is at level "0", recording is not performed.

The speaker circuit 20 is similarly controlled by the control circuit 60 via the signal line 60c. That is, when the level of the signal line 60c is "1", the signal of the signal line 16a is output. When the level of the signal line 60c is "0", no audio signal is output.

The voice recognition circuit 22 inputs the signal of the signal line 16a, and when the human voice is recognized, the level is "1" via the signal line 22a, and when the voice is not recognized, the level is "0". Are output to the control circuit 60, respectively.

Further, the GC2 signal detection circuit 24 includes a signal line 16
The detection circuit is a circuit that inputs the signal a and outputs a pulse to the control circuit 60 via the signal line 24a when the GC2 signal is detected. That is, when the GC2 signal is transmitted from the other party, the control circuit 60 is notified of the reception of this signal via the signal line 24a.

Further, the NSS / TSI / DCS signal detection circuit 26 is the same as the above-mentioned GC2 signal detection circuit, and these NS
When a procedure signal in which S, TSI, and DCS are connected is detected, the control circuit 60 is notified of the reception of the signal via the signal line 26a.

On the other hand, C is applied to the input of the adder circuit 36 on the transmission side.
ED signal transmission circuit 28, GI2 signal transmission circuit 30, NS
The F / CSI / DIS signal sending circuit 32 and the sound generating circuit 34 are connected via signal lines 28a, 30a, 32a and 34a, respectively. These circuits are controlled by the control circuit 60 via the signal lines 60d to 60h.

That is, the CED signal transmission circuit 28 outputs a CED signal to the signal line 28a when a pulse is generated on the signal line 60d, and outputs a pulse to the control circuit 60 via the signal line 28b when the output is completed. It is a thing. GI
Similarly, the 2 signal sending circuit 30 and the NSF / CSI / DIS signal sending circuit 32 output the corresponding signals to the signal lines 30a and 32a when a pulse occurs on the signal lines 60e and 60f, respectively, and output the signals when the output ends. The control circuit 60 is notified of the end of output via the lines 30b and 32b, respectively.

The voice generating circuit 34 is composed of, for example, a tape recorder or a voice synthesizing circuit, and is controlled by the signal lines 60g and 60h in the same manner as the above-mentioned circuit, and outputs a predetermined voice to the signal line 34a and then ends the output. Signal line 34
The control circuit 60 is notified via b. The signal lines 60g and 60h are for controlling switching and output of two kinds of sounds recorded or recorded in the sound generation circuit 34. Of these, the signal line 60h activates the voice generation circuit 34 by the input of a pulse. Further, the signal line 60g switches three kinds of sounds recorded in the sound generating circuit 34. That is, when the signal line 60g is at level "0", for example, a voice message such as "The operator is absent, so a message will be recorded. Please tell us what you need within 3 minutes."

When the level of the signal line 60g is "1", the voice generating circuit 34 generates voice such as "Please continue talking until the operator responds."
When the level of the signal line 60g is "2", a voice message such as "Please call the operator, please wait a moment" is generated.

The control circuit 60 is composed of a microcomputer, a memory, etc., and controls the operation of the entire apparatus. Reference numerals 38, 40, 41, 42 are used for the control described later.
The timer circuit and the detection circuit denoted by 44 and 44 are connected. The timer circuit 38 measures the time of 3 seconds and is started by the pulse of the signal line 60i and generates a pulse on the signal line 38a when the time of the 3 seconds is finished. Further, the timer circuit 40 similarly counts 35 seconds,
It is started by the pulse of the signal line 60j, and a pulse is generated on the signal line 40a at the end of the timing. In addition, the timer circuit 41
Is also started by the pulse of the signal line 60k and 3
A pulse is generated on the signal line 41a at the end of the minute counting.

The absence detecting circuit 42 is composed of a known switch input circuit or the like for detecting the state of the switch provided on the operation panel, and the operator turns this switch on when the vicinity of the apparatus becomes unattended. The switch should also be off when the operator can be near the device. The absence detecting circuit 42 outputs a level "1" to the control circuit 60 via the signal line 42a when the absence switch is on and a level "0" when the absence switch is off according to the state of the absence switch.

The off-hook detection circuit 44 is a known telephone 1.
A circuit for detecting the state of the hook No. 2 outputs a level "0" to the signal line 44a when the hook of the telephone 12 is on (that is, when the receiver is placed).
Also, when the hook of the telephone 12 is off (that is, when the handset is picked up), the level "1" is output to the signal line 44a.

Next, an outline of the control procedure of the control circuit 60 will be described. In the standby state, the control circuit 60 connects the telephone line to the telephone 12 and the ringing signal detection circuit 14 side by the NCU 10 as in the conventional case. When a call signal is input from the telephone line, the call signal detection circuit 14 causes the signal line 14
A pulse is generated at a, which causes the control circuit 60 to connect the telephone line to the hybrid circuit 16.

Subsequently, during the initial identification time of 35 seconds, as shown in FIG.
The procedure signal similar to that of the conventional example shown in (1) is repeatedly transmitted until a voice signal from the calling side or a significant procedure signal is detected.

When the procedure signal is detected, facsimile communication similar to the conventional one is performed. On the other hand, when the voice signal from the calling side is confirmed by the recognition circuit 22, the following control is performed depending on the operation state of the absence switch provided on the operation panel.

When the operator turns on the absence switch, the control circuit 60 outputs a voice signal from the voice generating circuit 34 to prompt the absence of the operator and the recording of a message. When the absence switch is off, the speaker circuit 20 outputs a voice signal from the calling side to call the operator. Then, when it is confirmed by the off-hook detection circuit 44 that the hook of the telephone 12 has been turned off, the NCU 10 connects the telephone line to the telephone 12 again to allow the operators to talk with each other.

Next, the operation of the above control circuit will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. It is assumed that the portions having the same numbers in FIGS. 3 to 5 are connected to each other.

In the standby state, the control circuit 60 controls the signal line 6 as shown in steps S70 to S74 of FIG.
The level "0" is output to each of 0a, 60b, and 60c. That is, the NCU 10 connects the telephone line to the telephone side and prohibits the operations of the voice recording circuit 18 and the speaker circuit 20.

Then, in step S76, the process waits until a pulse is generated on the signal line 14a. That is, it waits for the reception of the calling signal.

When the call signal is received, the control circuit 60 outputs the level "1" to the signal line 60a in step S78 to connect the telephone line to the hybrid circuit 16 side. Then, in step S80, a pulse is generated on the signal line 60d and the sending circuit 28 sends the CED signal.

Next, in step S82, it is checked whether or not a pulse has occurred on the signal line 28b, and it is confirmed whether or not the transmission of the CED signal is completed. If the transmission is completed, the process proceeds to step S84, and if not completed, the process proceeds to step S100.

In step S100, it is determined whether the signal line 22a is at level "1", that is, whether or not the calling side voice signal is detected. If a voice signal is detected, then FIG.
Then, the process proceeds to step S122. If no voice signal is detected, the process returns to step S82. Normally, the operator starts talking with the stop of the ringing tone. Therefore, if the calling side is a voice terminal, the control proceeds to step S122 and thereafter.

On the other hand, in step S84, a 75 ms wait is made using a loop or the like in the program. In step S86, a pulse is generated on the signal line 60j to start the timer circuit 40 for 35 seconds.

Then, in step S88, a pulse is generated on the signal line 60f to cause the sending circuit 32 to output NSF / CSI / D.
Send an IS signal.

In step S90, the pulse output to the signal line 32b is detected. That is, the end of transmission of the above signal is confirmed. While the signal is being transmitted according to the determination result in this step, the voice signal of the other party is detected in step S102 as in step S100. When the voice signal is detected, the process proceeds to step S122, and when the transmission of the procedure signal is completed without detecting the voice signal, the step S122 is performed.
The procedure moves from 90 to step S92.

In step S92, a pulse is generated on the signal line 60i to start the 3-second timer circuit 38.

In step S94, it is determined whether or not a pulse has occurred on the signal line 40a, that is, whether or not the timer circuit 40, which determines the initial identification time of 35 seconds, has timed. When the initial identification time ends, the process returns to the standby loop from step S70.

On the other hand, in step S94, the initial identification time 35
If the second has not elapsed, the process moves to step S104 in FIG. 4 to check whether a pulse has occurred on the signal line 38a. That is, the 3 second timer circuit 3 that was previously started
It is determined whether or not the timing of 8 is finished. If 3 seconds have elapsed, the process proceeds to step S106, and if not, the process proceeds to step S110.

In step S106, a pulse is generated on the signal line 60e to cause the transmission circuit 30 to transmit the GI2 signal. During transmission of the GI2 signal, the voice signal of the other party is detected in the same manner as described above, as shown in steps S108 and S120. When a voice signal is detected in step S120, the process proceeds to step S122, and when the signal transmission is completed without detecting the voice, the process returns to step S88 and the above operation is repeated.

On the other hand, in step S110, the signal line 24a
Pulse is generated, that is, whether or not the other party's GC2 signal is detected. In addition, step S12
2, whether a pulse is generated on the signal line 26a, that is, N
Check whether SS / TSI / DCS signals have been received. In step S114, the state of the signal line 22a is checked to see if a voice signal is being received. If either of steps S110 and S112 is affirmed, the process proceeds to step S116 or S118 to perform the G2 mode to G3 mode reception operation. When the process proceeds to step S114, the process proceeds to step S122 depending on the detection of the audio signal,
It is determined whether to return to step S104.

When the voice signal of the calling side is detected, the process shown in FIG.
In step S122, the level of the signal line 42a is checked.
As described above, when the operator is absent, the output of the absence detection circuit 42 is at level "1". If not present, the level is "0". If the operator is near the apparatus, the process proceeds to step S140, and if not, the process proceeds to step S124.

In step S124, a pulse is generated on the signal line 60k to start the timer circuit 41 for 3 minutes.
Next, in steps S126 and S128, a level "0" is generated on the signal line 60g and a pulse is generated on the signal line 60h. That is, the voice generation circuit 34 transmits a voice signal prompting the absence of the operator and the recording of a message. Next in step S13
After confirming that the transmission of the above message has been completed at 0, the process proceeds to step S132.

In step S132, the level "1" is output to the signal line 60b to activate the voice recording circuit 18 to record the voice of the other party.

In step S134, the voice recognition circuit 2 considers the case where the message is completed in less than 3 minutes.
The second output signal line 22a is continuously at the level "0" for 10 seconds.
It is determined whether or not. In step S136, it is determined whether or not a pulse has occurred on the signal line 41a, that is, whether or not the time counting of the timer circuit 41 for 3 minutes has ended. If it is confirmed in step S134 that the message has ended, or if it is confirmed in step S136 that the prescribed 3 minutes have ended, the process returns to the standby loop of step S70.

On the other hand, when it is confirmed that the operator is absent in step S122, the process proceeds to step S140 and a pulse is generated on the signal line 60j to start the timer circuit 40 for 35 seconds. Next, in steps S142 and S144, a level "1" and a pulse are generated on the signal lines 60g and 60h, respectively, and the audio signal is output from the audio generation circuit 34. Here, a voice "Please keep talking until the operator responds" is generated by the level "1" of the signal line 60g.

Next, in step S146, the signal line 34b
Then, it is checked whether or not a pulse is generated, that is, whether or not the transmission of the above audio signal is completed. When the transmission of the audio signal is completed, subsequently in step S148, the level "1" is output to the signal line 60c to operate the speaker circuit 20. As a result, the voice of the other party is output from the speaker circuit 20.

Subsequently, in the loop of steps S150 and S152, while checking the state of the signal line 40a, that is, 35
Wait for operator response while checking progress of initial identification time of seconds. When the operator unhooks the telephone 12 and responds, the signal line 44a of the off-hook detection circuit 44 becomes the level "1", and thus the process proceeds to step S154. On the other hand, when the initial identification time of 35 seconds ends with no response from the operator, the process returns to the standby state of step S70.

In step S154, the level "0" is output to the signal line 60c to prohibit the operation of the speaker circuit 20, and in step S156, the level "0" is output to the signal line 60a and the NCU 10 connects the telephone line to the hybrid circuit. To the telephone 12 side. After this step S15
At 8, a call is made between both operators.

As described above, the message of the calling operator can be recorded even when the operator is absent, so that the line can be effectively used without wasting the call setting once connected. Further, since the control state is notified to the calling side by the voice generation circuit 34, the calling party is not confused.

In the above embodiment, the speaker circuit 20 is used as a circuit showing that the calling side terminal is a normal voice terminal.
Although the recording circuit 18 is illustrated as the message recording means, these may be changed as shown by the reference numeral (A) or (B) in FIG.

That is, the speaker circuit 20 may be replaced with a known pseudo bell sound generating circuit 46 composed of an oscillator and an appropriate modulating circuit, as shown by reference numeral (A) in FIG. Due to this change, the pseudo bell sound is generated when the level "1" is output to the signal line 60c in step S148 in the procedure shown in the above-mentioned flowchart. Therefore, the calling side operator does not need to continue talking to make a call. In step S142, the control circuit 60 outputs the level "2" to the signal line 60g to the voice generating circuit 34, and "the operator is called. Please wait a moment "message.

The voice recording circuit 18 can be replaced with a voice-pattern conversion circuit 48 and a recording circuit 50 as shown in FIG. 6 (B). The recording circuit 50 is composed of storage means such as a random access memory, and records the voice signal of the calling side which is converted into a digital signal pattern by the voice-pattern conversion circuit 48 by a predetermined method. Both of these circuits operate on the signal line 60.
It is controlled by the control circuit 60 via b. Since such a structure can omit the mechanical actuation part like a tape recorder, there is an advantage that the structure is simple and inexpensive.

[0062]

As is apparent from the above, according to the present invention, the data communication means for performing data communication, the call means for making a call, the signal sending means for sending a signal indicating the state of the own machine, and the other party. Detecting means for detecting a signal from the data transmission means, and switching between data communication by the data communication means and communication by the communication means according to the signal detected by the detection means during signal transmission by the signal transmission means. Since it adopts a configuration with switching means, it is possible to quickly determine whether the other party is trying to make a data communication or a call and respond to it, which is an excellent way to use the line efficiently. A communication device can be provided.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a communication procedure of a conventional facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus adopting the present invention.

3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a control circuit in FIG.

4 is a flowchart showing a data communication control procedure of the control circuit in FIG.

5 is a flowchart showing a communication control procedure of the control circuit in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration obtained by partially modifying the configuration of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 NCU 12 Telephone 18 Voice recording circuit 20 Speaker circuit 22 Voice recognition circuit 34 Voice generation circuit 42 Absence detection circuit 44 Off-hook detection circuit

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A data communication means for performing data communication, a call means for making a call, a signal sending means for sending a signal indicating a state of the own machine, a detecting means for detecting a signal from a partner, and the signal sending. A communication device, comprising: switching means for switching between data communication by the data communication means and communication by the call means according to a signal detected by the detection means during signal transmission by the means.