JPH07231362A - Communication line switching method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent a caller from feeling uneasy and to surely receive CNG signals by transmitting a message when facsimile signals are not received even after a certain period elapses after a communication line is closed and further, keeps monitoring the reception of the facsimile signals in parallel to the message transmission. CONSTITUTION:When call termination is detected, a network control part 1 closes the communication line. Thereafter, the reception of the CNG signals is monitored for the time T1. When the reception of the CNG signals is detected during the time T1, a prescribed communication procedure is executed through a modem 2, and facsimile communication is started. On the other hand, when the CG signal are not detected, and a T1 timer overflows, the message stored in a voice storage part 9 is transmitted through a voice output part 8, and a T2 timer is started so as to monitor the output of the message. Thereafter, the reception of the CNG signals and the hook state of a telephone set 10 are monitored for the time T2.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication line switching method for selectively switching a communication line between a telephone and a facsimile machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, for example, when one communication line is shared by a telephone and a data terminal device such as a facsimile device, a telephone and a facsimile device are selectively switched by a changeover switch to be used respectively. It has become. The switching method is, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-26.
There is a method proposed in Japanese Patent No. 0473. In this proposal, the received signal is monitored for a certain period of time after the line is terminated due to an incoming call, and if a CNG (Call-ing tone) signal is received during this period, the receiving procedure of the facsimile is started, while a certain period of time has elapsed. Also, when the CNG signal is not received, the operator is called by a buzzer or the like. Incidentally, the CNG signal is a signal which is first transmitted by the facsimile device which is automatically received.

However, depending on the model of the facsimile machine, there are various types of CNG signals such as those which are sent immediately after the line on the receiving side is closed and those which are sent after a fixed time of 10 seconds elapses. Therefore, in order to reliably detect the CNG signal, the monitoring time of the received signal must be set long.

Therefore, when the calling side is intended for communication, a new problem arises in that the calling party becomes silent until the called operator answers the telephone. That is, if the monitoring time is set to be long in order to reliably detect the CNG signal, on the contrary, if the calling side has the purpose of making a call, the calling party may feel uneasy.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above problems and ensures that the caller does not feel uneasy.
An object is to provide a communication line switching method capable of receiving an NG signal.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention of claim 1 selects the communication line between a telephone and a facsimile machine based on an identification signal transmitted through the communication line. In the communication line switching method in which the communication line is switched to one, the identification signal is monitored for a certain period of time after receiving a call, and if the identification signal is received within the certain period of time, the communication line is switched to the facsimile machine side to execute the communication procedure. On the other hand, when the identification signal is not received after a lapse of a certain time, a predetermined message is sent to the calling side, and the identification signal is continuously monitored even while the message is being sent.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 2 is the invention of claim 1, wherein when the identification signal is received during message transmission, the communication line is transferred to the facsimile device side. It is characterized in that the communication procedure is executed by switching.

Further, in order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 3 is the invention of claim 1 or 2, wherein when the identification signal is not received even after a certain period of time,
It is characterized in that a predetermined message is sent to the calling side and a ringing signal is sent to the telephone, and when the off-hook of the telephone is detected, the communication line is switched to the telephone.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 4 is a communication for selectively switching a communication line between a telephone and a facsimile device based on an identification signal transmitted through the communication line. In the line switching method, the identification signal and the voice signal are monitored for a certain period of time after the call is received, and when the identification signal is received, the communication line is switched to the facsimile machine side to execute the communication procedure, while the voice signal is detected. In the case where it is performed, a predetermined message is sent to the calling side, and thereafter, a voice signal sent via the communication line is stored in the voice storage unit.

Further, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the invention of claim 5 disconnects the communication line when the storage of the voice signal is completed in the invention of claim 4, and thereafter, the ringing signal is sent to the telephone. When the off-hook of the telephone is detected, the voice signal stored in the voice recording unit is read and transmitted to the telephone.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a communication for selectively switching a communication line between a telephone and a facsimile device based on an identification signal transmitted through the communication line. In the line switching method, after the call is received, the identification signal and the voice signal are monitored for a certain period of time, and when the identification signal is received, the communication line is switched to the facsimile machine side to execute the communication procedure, while the voice signal is transmitted. A ringing signal is transmitted to the telephone when it is received, and the communication line is switched to the telephone when the off-hook of the telephone is detected.

[0012]

According to the inventions of claims 1 and 2 having the above-mentioned structure, a message is transmitted when a facsimile signal is not received within a certain period of time after the communication line is closed. It is possible to prevent the person from feeling uneasy. Further, since the reception of the facsimile signal is continuously monitored while the message is being sent, even if the calling operator receives the instruction of the message and requests the facsimile communication, the CNG signal is promptly received and the facsimile communication is performed. Can be migrated.

According to the third aspect of the present invention having the above-mentioned structure, a ringing signal is sent to the telephone when the identification signal is not received even after a certain period of time has passed, and when the telephone is off-hook, the communication line is sent to the telephone. Since it is switching,
It is possible to promptly deal with the case where the calling party intends to make a call.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4 having the above-mentioned structure, since the storage of the voice signal is started when the voice signal is detected after the communication line is closed, the facsimile apparatus is a kind of answering machine. Can be used as

Further, in the invention of claim 5 having the above-mentioned structure, after storing the voice signal, the stored voice signal is sent (transferred) to an external telephone to store the voice signal in the device. Since it is not necessary to provide a large amount of memory for doing so, the device can be downsized and the cost can be suppressed.

Further, in the invention of claim 6 having the above-mentioned structure, when a voice signal is detected after the communication line is closed, a ringing signal is sent to the telephone, and when the telephone goes off-hook, the communication line is telephoned. By switching to the caller side, it is possible to promptly deal with the case where the calling party intends to make a call.

[0017]

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, specific examples will be described based on examples of the present invention. 1 to 9 are views showing an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. The facsimile apparatus includes a network control unit 1, a modem 2, a system control unit 3, an image memory 4, an operation display unit 5, and an image reading unit. 6, an image recording unit 7, a voice output unit 8, and a voice storage unit 9. The network control unit 1 includes a line switching relay that selectively switches the communication line network L between the external telephone 10 and the modem 2, a call signal detection unit that detects an incoming call from the communication line network L, and a communication line closure. A line closing detection unit for detecting the state of a line, and an off-hook detection unit for detecting a hook state of the connected telephone 10, that is, an off-hook detection unit.

The modem 2 transmits / receives a transmission control procedure signal during facsimile communication, and also modulates / demodulates image information for transmission / reception. The system control unit 3 has a CPU (C
entral Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory),
It is composed of a RAM (Random Access Memory) and the like, and controls the main body of the facsimile apparatus according to a program in the ROM. The image memory 4 stores the image information read by the image reading unit 6 or the image information received via the network control unit 1.

Next, FIG. 2 shows a structural example of the operation display section 5. The operation display section 5 includes various operation keys such as a start button 11, a stop button 12, and a numeric keypad for operating the facsimile apparatus, and a display device 13 for displaying various mode setting states and messages for operation guidance. Is provided. Further, the start button 11 is of a shuttle type, and the information displayed on the display 13 can be scrolled up and down by rotating it left and right. Furthermore, by pressing the "#" key, the input mode is switched, and it becomes possible to input English characters and Kana characters from the ten keys.

The image reading section 6 reads the image information of the document at a predetermined resolution. The image recording section 7 records image information on recording paper at a predetermined resolution. Audio output unit 8
Is for transmitting the information of the voice message accumulated in the voice storage unit 9 to the telephone of the other party or the telephone 10 via the communication line network L. The voice storage unit 9 is composed of, for example, a voice memory IC, and in the present embodiment, the following five messages M1 to M5 are stored in advance. Further, it also stores the voice signal sent through the communication line. -Message M1 "The communication line is connected. If you wish to use facsimile communication, press the start button."-Message M2 "Calling the operator. Please wait."-Message M3 "Operator is If you wish to use facsimile communication, please press the start button. "・ Message M4" Please press the start button to start facsimile reception. "・ Message M5" The operator seems to be absent Excuse me, but please enter your name and requirements. "

With the above configuration, the modem 2, the system control unit 3, the image memory 4, the operation control unit 5, the image reading unit 6 and the image recording unit 7 exchange data via the bus line. Next, the communication line switching operation in the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. When the call signal detection unit detects an incoming call (step 101), the network control unit 1 closes the communication line. During standby, the communication line network L is connected to the telephone 1 by the line switching relay.
It is connected to the 0 side. Then, a T1 timer for monitoring the elapse of a preset time is started (step 102).

After this, the reception of the tone signal which is turned on at 1100 Hz for 500 ms, that is, the CNG signal is monitored for T1 time (step 103). What is a CNG signal?
00Hz tone signal is turned on and off, CC
According to the ITT standard, the on-time is 500 ms ± 1
The off time is defined as 5 ms and the off time is 3000 ms ± 15%. Therefore, the T that monitors the reception of the CNG signal
A value of 3.5 seconds or more is set at least for one timer.

When the reception of the CNG signal is detected during this T1 time (Y in step 103), CED (Called Stat)
ion identification) signal, DIS (Digital Identifi)
A predetermined communication procedure of transmitting a cation signal) signal and receiving a DCS (Digital Command Signal) from the destination facsimile machine is executed via the modem 2 to start facsimile communication (step 115).

On the other hand, the CNG signal is not detected and T
When the 1-timer overflows (Y in step 104), the voice storage unit 9 is output via the voice output unit 8.
The message M1 stored in is sent to the facsimile machine on the other side, and the T2 timer for monitoring the output of the message M1 is started (step 10).
5). At this time, a ringing signal is sent to the telephone 10 to ring the bell. Message M1 informs you that the communication line is connected and prompts you to start the facsimile communication, such as "The communication line is connected. If you want to use facsimile communication, press the start button." Any message will do. Further, a value equal to or longer than the time when the message M1 is completely transmitted is set in T2.

Then, the CNG signal is received (step 10).
6) and the hook state of the telephone 10 (step 107) will be monitored for T2 time. Now, if the operator on the other side listens to the message M1 and presses the start button of the facsimile apparatus as instructed by the message, the CNG signal will be received during the time T2. In this way, when it is determined that the CNG signal is received (Y in step 106), the CED signal, D
Sends the IS signal, and the facsimile machine on the other side sends DC
A predetermined communication procedure of receiving the S signal is executed via the modem 2 to start facsimile communication (step 1
15).

Step 107 is a step of monitoring whether or not the telephone 10 is off-hook. That is, the bell of the telephone 10 rings, and the operator
When the handset of 0 goes off-hook (Y in step 107), the off-hook detection unit of the network control unit 2 detects this and notifies the system control unit 3. Upon receiving this notification, the system control unit 3 sends the message M1 and the telephone 10
The transmission of the ringing signal to the telephone is stopped and the line switching relay is switched to the telephone 10 side so that the operator on the other side can talk (step 116).

Of course, if the operator on the other side knows through this call that he / she desires facsimile communication, the operator may press the start button 11.
As a result, a predetermined communication procedure with the facsimile machine on the other side is executed. That is, when the start button is pressed when the line is closed, the system control unit 3 causes the network control unit 2 to operate.
The program of the ROM is set so that the communication line is switched to the modem 2 side through the line switching relay and the communication procedure is executed.

On the other hand, if the T2 timer overflows without receiving the CNG signal and the off-hook of the telephone 10 is not detected (Y in step 108), the voice storage unit 9 is stored in the voice storage unit 9 via the voice output unit 8. The stored message M2 is sent to the facsimile machine on the other side, and
A T3 timer for monitoring the output of the message M2 is started (step 109). At this time, the telephone 10
The ringing signal is continuously transmitted to.
The message M2 may be any message that informs that the operator is being called, such as "Calling the operator. Please wait for a while."
Further, the hold sound may be transmitted instead of the message.

Thereafter, the CNG signal is received (step 11).
0), the hook state of the telephone 10 (step 111), and the detection of the voice signal (step 112) are monitored for the time T3. When it is determined in step 110 that the CNG signal has been received, the CED signal and the DIS signal are transmitted, and the predetermined communication procedure of receiving the DCS signal from the facsimile machine on the other side is executed via the modem 2. Starts facsimile communication (step 11)
5).

Step 111 is a step of monitoring whether or not the telephone set 10 is off-hook.
When the operator off-hooks the handset due to the ringing of the bell (Y in step 111), the off-hook detector of the network controller 2 detects this and notifies the system controller 3 of this. When the system control unit 3 receives the off-hook notification,
Transmission of message M2 or hold tone, and telephone 10
Transmission of the ringing signal to the network controller 1
The line switching relay is switched to the telephone 10 side so that the operator on the other side can talk (step 11).
6). Here again, if the operator on the other end knows through the call that he / she wants to use facsimile communication,
The operator only has to press the start button 11, and the predetermined communication procedure is executed with the facsimile machine on the other side.

Step 112 is a step of judging, via the modem 2, whether or not a voice signal has been received. If any voice signal is detected (Y in step 113), the detected voice signal is stored in the voice storage unit 9 (step 117).

On the other hand, if the T3 timer overflows without receiving the CNG signal, detecting the off-hook of the telephone set 10 and detecting the voice signal (Y in step 113), the voice storage unit via the voice output unit 8 will be described. The message M3 stored in No. 9 is sent to the facsimile machine on the other side (step 114). The message M3 may be any message as long as the message prompts the start of the facsimile communication such as "the operator seems to be absent. If you want the facsimile communication, press the start button". When the transmission of the message M3 is completed, the system control unit 3 starts the communication procedure of the facsimile apparatus via the modem 2. Of course, it does not matter if the CNG signal and the off-hook are detected during the transmission of the message M3.

Next, the operation of detecting the CNG signal and the voice signal in the modem 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. When any signal is received through the communication line (Y in step 120), the frequency of this signal is detected. The detected frequency is 110
If it is 0 Hz (± 38 Hz) (step 121
Y), monitor the duration of the signal. If the duration of the signal is less than 500 ms (± 15%) (N in step 122), it is determined that the signal is noise on the communication line, and the signal is detected again in step 120.
Return to. If the signal does not turn off even after 500 ms (± 15%) has passed (step 126), it is determined that the signal is a voice signal and the process ends (step 126).

When it is detected that the signal is turned on for 500 ms (Y in step 122), detection of whether or not the rest time (off time) matches the specified value is started. Step 124 is a step of determining whether or not the off time of the received signal matches a specified value (3000 ms ± 15%). When it is detected that the signal is off for 3000 ms (Y in step 124), it is determined that the signal is the CNG signal, and the process is ended (step 125). On the other hand, the off time of the signal is a specified value (3000
If it is less than or more than (ms ± 15%), it is determined that the signal is noise on the communication line, and the process returns to step 120 to detect the signal again.

In this way, since the CNG signal or the voice signal is detected, even if the messages M1 to M3 include the signal of 1100HZ, it is not possible to mistakenly detect this as the CNG signal. Disappear. Further, in order to improve the detection accuracy of the audio signal, when the cadence and frequency of the CNG signal are not satisfied and the frequency is within a range that can be set by the user or the country code,
It may be configured to determine that the signal is an audio signal.

These detection operations are performed in steps 103, 106, 110 and 110 of FIGS.
Although it is performed in step 12, even if the voice signal is detected in steps 103 and 106, the voice signal is ignored or the step 12 of FIG.
Either the determination process of 6 is deleted.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, since the reception monitoring of the facsimile signal is continued in parallel while the message is being sent out, the operator on the calling side receives the instruction of the message and performs the facsimile communication. Even if a CNG signal is sent out upon request, this CNG signal can be received quickly. Further, since the message is stored and left even when the operator is absent, the facsimile apparatus can be used like an answering machine. However, in this case, since the facsimile apparatus stores the message, the memory capacity of the voice storage unit 9 must be secured to some extent. Therefore, as a second embodiment of the present invention, the voice signal stored in the voice storage unit 9 is transferred to the storage medium (cassette tape or the like) of the telephone 10 to minimize the memory capacity of the voice storage unit 9. As configured. Hereinafter, the second embodiment will be specifically described.

The communication line switching operation in the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flow charts shown in FIGS. Since the system configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, FIGS. 1 and 2 will be applied mutatis mutandis to these. Also, the reception of the CNG signal and the detection of the voice signal are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore the description thereof is omitted.

When an incoming call is detected by the call signal detector (step 130), the network controller 1 closes the communication line. During standby, the line switching relay is used to connect the communication line network L.
Is connected to the telephone 10 side. Then, a T4 timer for monitoring the elapse of a preset time is started (step 131), and it is determined whether the device is set to the recording mode (step 132).
The recording mode is set by pressing a predetermined function key on the operation display unit 5 to turn on the recording mode flag of the system control unit 3. On the other hand, the recording mode is released by pressing the function key again to turn off the recording flag. If the recording mode flag is on, it is determined that the recording mode is set, and the process proceeds to step 133,
If the recording mode flag is off, it is determined that the recording mode is not set, and the step 1
Go to 46

In step 133, 50 at 1100 Hz
Reception of a tone signal which is turned on for a period of 0 ms, that is, a CNG signal is monitored for T4 time. What is CNG signal?
The 0 Hz tone signal turns on and off, and CCI
According to the TT standard, the on-time is 500 ms ± 15
%, The off time is defined as 3000 ms ± 15%, and is normally sent in a cycle of 3.5 seconds. Therefore, the T4 timer that monitors the reception of the CNG signal is set to a value of at least 3.5 seconds.

When the reception of the CNG signal is detected during this T4 time (Y in step 133), CED (Called Stat)
ion identification) signal, DIS (Digital Identifi)
A predetermined communication procedure of transmitting a cation signal) signal and receiving a DCS (Digital Command Signal) from the destination facsimile machine is executed via the modem 2 to start facsimile communication (step 137).

Step 134 is a step of judging, via the modem 2, whether or not a voice signal is detected. If a voice signal is detected during the time T4 (Y in step 134), the process proceeds to step 138 to store the message (message).

Step 138 is a step for sending the message M5 stored in the voice storage unit 9 to the facsimile apparatus on the other side via the voice output unit 8. The message M5 may be any message as long as it prompts the message to be sent, such as "The operator seems to be absent. Excuse me, but please enter your name and requirement." After that, the transmitted voice signal is stored in the voice storage unit 9 (step 139), and after the storage is finished, the communication line L is disconnected (step 140).

After disconnecting the communication line, the system control unit 3 sets T
5 Start the timer (step 141),
A ringing signal is sent to the telephone 10 connected to the network control unit 1 to ring the bell (step 142). still,
When the telephone 10 detects that the bell has sounded a predetermined number of times while in the answering machine mode, the telephone answering mode is activated, and thereafter, the voice signal from the communication line L is recorded in the internal storage medium. It is configured. Of course, the T5 timer will be set to a value sufficient to activate this answering machine mode. When it is detected that the handset of the telephone 10 has gone off-hook during the time T5 (Y in step 143), the system control unit 3 determines that the answering machine mode is activated, and the system control unit 3 stores the voice signal stored in the voice storage unit 9. The telephone 10
(Step 145). After that, when the transmission of the audio signal is completed, the system control unit 3 causes the audio signal storage unit 9
The voice signal stored in is deleted from the memory. on the other hand,
If the voice signal is not confirmed and the T5 timer overflows (Y in step 144), it is determined that the answering machine mode is not set, and the system control unit 3 returns the apparatus to the standby state.

When the T4 timer overflows without detecting the CNG signal and the voice signal in the determination of step 135 (Y in step 135), the voice is stored in the voice storage unit 9 via the voice output unit 8. The transmitted message M1 is sent to the facsimile machine on the other side (step 136). The message M1 may be any message as long as the message prompts the start of facsimile communication, such as "The communication line is connected. If you want to use facsimile communication, press the start button." When the sending of the message M1 is completed, the system control unit 3 starts the communication procedure of the facsimile apparatus via the modem 2 (step 137).

Next, the operation when the apparatus is not set to the recording mode (Y in step 132) will be described. When the system control unit 3 confirms in step 132 that the flag for the recording mode is off, the CN
Reception of the G signal (step 146) and detection of the voice signal (step 147) are monitored for T4 time. Step 1
If it is determined in 46 that the CNG signal has been received, a predetermined communication procedure of transmitting the CED signal and the DIS signal and receiving the DCS signal from the facsimile machine on the other side is executed via the modem 2, Facsimile communication is started (step 150).

Step 147 is a step of judging, via the modem 2, whether or not a voice signal is detected. If any voice signal is detected (Y in step 147), the process proceeds to step 151 so that the telephone 10 can talk. The system control unit 3 starts the T6 timer (step 151), and then causes the message M2 stored in the voice storage unit 9 to be sent to the facsimile machine on the other side via the voice output unit 8 (step 152). A ringing signal is sent to the telephone 10 connected to the network control unit 1 to ring the bell (step 153).

The message M2 may be any message that informs the operator that the operator is calling, such as "I am calling the operator. Please wait for a while." You may do so.

Step 154 is a step of monitoring whether or not the handset of the telephone set 10 has been hooked off. That is, when the bell of the telephone 10 rings and the telephone 10 is off-hook by the operator (Y in step 154), the off-hook detector of the network controller 2 detects this and notifies the system controller 3 of this. Upon receiving this notification, the system control unit 3 interrupts the transmission of the message M2 and switches the line switching relay to the telephone 10 side so that the operator on the other side can talk (step 156).

Of course, when the operator on the other side knows through this call that he / she desires facsimile communication, the operator may press the start button 11.
As a result, a predetermined communication procedure with the facsimile machine on the other side is executed. That is, when the start button is pressed when the line is closed, the system control unit 3 causes the network control unit 2 to operate.
The program of the ROM is set so that the communication line is switched to the modem 2 side through the line switching relay and the communication procedure is executed. On the other hand, when the off-hook of the telephone 10 is not detected and the timer of T6 overflows (Y in step 155), the system control unit 3 suspends the sending of the ringing signal to the telephone 10 and disconnects the communication line. Put the device back in standby.

In the judgment of step 148, the TNG signal is not received, and no voice signal is detected.
When it is confirmed that the 4-timer has overflowed (Y in step 148), the message M1 stored in the voice storage unit 9 is sent to the facsimile machine on the other side via the voice output unit 8 (step 149). . The message M1 may be any message as long as the message prompts the start of the facsimile communication, such as "please press the start button if you want the facsimile communication". After that, when the transmission of the message M1 is completed, the system control unit 3 starts the communication procedure of the facsimile apparatus via the modem 2 (step 143).

In the second embodiment, no reference was made to the timing of sending the audio signal to the external telephone, but most of the telephones currently equipped with the answering machine are recording. Since a predetermined signal sound is transmitted as a signal at the time of starting, the audio signal may be transmitted after waiting for the predetermined signal.

[0053]

As described above, according to the inventions of claims 1 and 2, a message is transmitted when a facsimile signal is not received within a certain period of time after the communication line is closed. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the caller from feeling uneasy. Furthermore, since the reception monitoring of the facsimile signal is continued in parallel while the message is being sent, even if the operator on the calling side receives the instruction of the message and requests the facsimile communication to send the CNG signal, the CNG signal is sent. It can be reliably received. Further, according to the invention of claim 3, a ringing signal is sent to the telephone when the identification signal is not received even after a certain period of time, and the communication line is switched to the telephone when the telephone is off-hook. It is possible to promptly deal with the case where the calling party intends to make a call. Further, according to the invention of claim 4, when the voice signal is detected after the communication line is closed, the storage of the voice signal is started, so that the facsimile apparatus can be used like a kind of answering machine. . According to the invention of claim 5, after storing the voice signal, by sending the stored voice signal to the external telephone 10, a large amount of memory is provided in the device for storing the voice signal. It is not necessary, and the device can be downsized and the cost can be suppressed. Further, according to the invention of claim 6, when a voice signal is detected after the communication line is closed, a ringing signal is sent to the telephone, and when the telephone goes off-hook, the communication line is switched to the telephone side. It is possible to promptly deal with the case where the calling party intends to make a call.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of an operation display unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a communication line switching operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart following FIG. 3, showing the communication line switching operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a CNG signal / voice signal detection operation according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a communication line switching operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart following FIG. 6, showing a communication line switching operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a communication line switching operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, which is subsequent to FIGS. 6 and 7;

9 is a flowchart showing a communication line switching operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention, following FIG. 6, FIG. 7, and FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Network control unit, 2 ... Modem, 3 ... System control unit,
4 ... Image memory 5 ... Operation display unit, 6 ... Image reading unit, 7 ... Image recording unit, 8 ... Voice output unit 9 ... Voice storage unit, 10 ... Telephone 11 ... Start key, 12 ... Stop key, 13 ... Display unit

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A communication line switching method for selectively switching the communication line between a telephone and a facsimile machine on the basis of an identification signal sent through the communication line. Monitor for a certain period of time, and if the identification signal is received within a certain period of time, switch the communication line to the facsimile machine side to execute the communication procedure, but if the identification signal is not received after a certain period of time In the communication line switching method, a predetermined message is sent to the calling side, and the identification signal is continuously monitored even while the message is being sent. 2. The communication line switching method according to claim 1, wherein, when the identification signal is received during sending of a message, the communication line is switched to a facsimile device side to execute a communication procedure. 3. When the identification signal is not received within a certain period of time, a predetermined message is sent to the calling side and a ringing signal is sent to the telephone, and off-hook of the telephone is detected. 2. The communication line is switched to the telephone side in the terminal.
Or the communication line switching method described in 2. 4. A communication line switching method for selectively switching the communication line between a telephone and a facsimile machine based on an identification signal sent out through the communication line. The voice signal is monitored for a certain period of time, and when the identification signal is received, the communication line is switched to the facsimile device side to execute the communication procedure, while when the voice signal is detected, a predetermined message is issued. A communication line switching method, characterized in that the voice signal sent to the communication side and then stored in the voice storage section is stored in the voice storage unit. 5. When the storage of the voice signal is completed, the communication line is disconnected, a ringing signal is then sent to the telephone, and when an off-hook of the telephone is detected, the voice recording unit is 5. The communication line switching method according to claim 4, wherein the recorded voice signal is read and sent to the telephone. 6. A communication line switching method for selectively switching the communication line between a telephone and a facsimile machine based on an identification signal sent out through the communication line. The voice signal is monitored for a certain period of time, and when the identification signal is received, the communication line is switched to the facsimile device side to execute the communication procedure, while when the voice signal is detected, the ringing signal is sent to the telephone. A communication line switching method, wherein the communication line is switched to the side of the telephone when the telephone is sent out and the off-hook of the telephone is detected.