JPH0774845A - Facsimile equipment with voice response function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To start a facsimile communication immediately by correctly detecting a facsimile communication start signal even while a response signal is being sent out. CONSTITUTION:This facsimile equipment is equipped with a CNG signal detecting circuit 9 which detects the facsimile start signal (CNG signal) inputted from a telephone line 1 and a CNG similar signal detecting circuit 12 which detects a communication start similar signal (CNG similar signal) similar to the CNG signal in a response message outputted by an OGM sending-out circuit 4; when the CNG signal detecting circuit 9 receives the CNG signal after a ring signal detecting circuit 3 detects a ring signal and the OGM sending-out circuit 4 starts sending out the OGM and then finishes sending out the OGM, a switching circuit 8 performs switching to a facsimile communication. When the CNG signal is detected before the transmission of the OGM is completed, a comparison with the CNG similar signal is made and the characteristics and timing are not the same, it is considered that the CNG signal can be detected not through the sneak path of the OGM, so that the equipment is switched by the switching circuit 8 to the facsimile communication.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine with a voice response function which responds to a calling side by voice before starting facsimile communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a facsimile machine has been widely used, but a facsimile machine having a voice response function is also used. To explain the outline of this facsimile machine, when a ring signal is input from the telephone line, the telephone line is automatically closed, and first, a response message (hereinafter,
After sending OGM), the operation is switched to the one for receiving facsimile information. In addition, after transmitting OGM, the signal input from the telephone line is voice (hereinafter referred to as ICM
If the signal input from the telephone line is a facsimile communication start signal (hereinafter referred to as a CNG signal), or if there is no sound, a facsimile apparatus that switches to a facsimile operation is there.

The conventional facsimile apparatus with a voice response function will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a conventional facsimile apparatus with a voice response function. In the figure, 1 is a telephone line, 2
Is an interface circuit, 3 is a ring signal detection circuit, 4 is an OGM transmission circuit, 5 is an ICM recording circuit, 6 is a facsimile communication circuit, 7 is a voice signal detection circuit, 8 is a switching circuit, and 9 is a switching circuit.
Is a CNG signal detection circuit, and 10 is a control means, which is constituted by a microcomputer. Reference numeral 11 is a timer provided in the control means 10.

The mutual relationship and operation of the above-mentioned components will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of a conventional facsimile apparatus with a voice response function. In step 1, the ring signal detection circuit 3 constantly checks the input of the ring signal from the telephone line 1, and when it detects the ring signal, it outputs it to the control means 10. In step 2, the control means 10 controls the interface circuit. 2 is controlled to close the telephone line 1. Next, in step 3, the control means 10 controls the OGM sending circuit 4 to send OGM to the telephone line 1. Step 4
In the above, the control means 10 checks the end of the OGM transmission, and when the OGM transmission is completed, the process moves to step 5 to control the ICM recording circuit 5 to start recording the signal input from the telephone line 1. , And the timer 11 is operated. The end of the OGM transmission is detected by detecting the beep sound recorded at the recording end position of the OGM when the OGM is recorded on the magnetic tape, and the OGM is recorded on the integrated circuit. If so, a method such as detection by the address at the end of OGM recording is publicly known, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

Next, in step 7, the control means 1
In 0, the voice signal detection circuit 7 checks whether or not the signal input from the telephone line 1 is a voice signal. When a voice signal is detected, the process proceeds to step 8 and the ICM recording circuit 5 continues the recording operation. If the signal is not a voice signal, the process proceeds to step 9 and the CNG signal detection circuit 9 checks whether the signal input from the telephone line 1 is a CNG signal. When the CNG signal is detected, the process moves to step 10 and the control means 10 switches the switching circuit 8 to the facsimile communication circuit 6. If the CNG signal is not detected, the process proceeds to step 11 to check whether the count of the timer 11 has expired. If not, the process returns to step 7 to check the input of the voice signal and the CNG signal. Repeatedly, in this process, when the timer reaches the predetermined count, the process shifts to step 10, and the control means 10 switches the switching circuit 8 to the facsimile communication circuit 6.

[0006]

In such a conventional facsimile apparatus with a voice response function, when a CNG signal is input from the calling side during transmission of the OGM, the OGM wraparound occurs in the CNG signal detection circuit. As a result, the CNG signal cannot be detected accurately, and there is a problem that facsimile communication cannot be performed during OGM transmission.

In particular, in a facsimile machine, if the time from when the calling side closes the telephone line until the reception side receives the signal of the receiving side is a certain time or longer, the calling side decides to release the telephone line according to the standard. However, when the OGM is long, there is a problem that facsimile communication cannot be performed.

As means for solving the above problems, OGM
A filter that removes the same signal component as the CNG signal is provided at the output of the sending circuit so that the OGM does not include the same component as the CNG signal, and the CNG signal can be detected even if the OGM goes around to the CNG signal detection circuit. It is known that, in this case, the C in the OGM sent to the telephone line.
Since the NG signal band is removed, the frequency characteristics of the OGM are significantly deteriorated, and there is a problem that the correct OGM is not transmitted.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems.
GM is sent to the telephone line without deterioration of frequency characteristics, and OGM
An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus with a voice response function that can correctly detect a CNG signal input during transmission and immediately start facsimile communication.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a ring signal detecting means for detecting a ring signal inputted from a telephone line, and the ring signal detecting means in response to an output of the ring signal detecting means. Interface means for closing the telephone line; response message sending means for sending a response message to the telephone line after the interface means has closed the telephone line; and a facsimile communication start signal inputted from the telephone line. Whether the facsimile communication start signal detecting means for detecting, the facsimile communication means for performing facsimile communication, and the communication start similar signal having a signal component similar to the facsimile communication start signal are included in the voice output of the response message sending means. Facsimile communication start similar signal detecting means for detecting whether or not the response message A switching means for switching the output means and the facsimile communication means to connect to the interface means, and a control means for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus, the control means closing the telephone line by receiving a ring signal. At the same time, the transmission of the response message is started, and when the facsimile communication start signal is detected after the end of the transmission of the response message, the facsimile communication control is switched to the facsimile communication. When it is detected, the facsimile apparatus with a voice response function controls to switch to facsimile communication when it is determined that the detected facsimile communication start signal and the communication start similar signal are not the same in characteristics and timing.

[0011]

According to the present invention, in the above structure, the control means controls each means to control the operation of the entire apparatus. When the ring signal input from the telephone line is detected, the telephone line is closed,
Start sending the response message. After the start of sending the response message, if the input of the facsimile communication start signal is not detected from the telephone line by the end of sending the response message, the communication is switched to the facsimile communication by detecting the communication start signal following the end of the response message. When the facsimile communication start signal is detected before the end of the response message, it is compared with the communication start similar signal, and if they are not the same in characteristics and timing, switch to facsimile communication. continue.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a facsimile apparatus with a voice response function of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus with a voice response function of the present invention. The same components as those in the conventional example are designated by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. This embodiment is different from the conventional example in that it is provided with a CNG-like signal detection circuit which is means for detecting whether or not the output of the OGM transmission circuit which is the response message transmission means includes a signal component similar to the CNG signal. There is something. CNG signal detection circuit 9 which is a facsimile communication start signal detecting means and CN which is a facsimile communication start similar signal detecting means
The G-like signal detection circuit 12 is composed of a bandpass filter of 1100HZ ± 38HZ and a comparator,
When a signal of 0HZ ± 38HZ is input, a signal according to the duration of the input signal is output to the control means 10. CNG
The signal detection circuit 9 inputs the output of the interface circuit 2, detects the CNG signal input from the telephone line 1, and outputs the CNG signal.
The similar signal detection circuit 12 receives the output of the OGM sending circuit 4 and detects a signal component similar to the CNG signal in the OGM. The control means 10 compares the output of the CNG signal detection circuit 9 and the output of the CNG similar signal detection circuit 12 in waveform,
It is checked whether the two are synchronized, and if they are synchronized, it is determined that the OGM is wrapping around in the CNG signal. As shown in FIG. 3, the CNG signal is a signal of 1100 Hz ± 38 Hz for 0.5 seconds which is repeated every 3.5 seconds. Usually, this signal continues for a certain period of time until the facsimile communication is started between the calling side and the receiving side, or until the calling side releases the telephone line.

The operation of the above arrangement will be described below. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of the facsimile apparatus with a voice response function of this embodiment. The operation of each means in each step is controlled by the control means 10, and the control operation of the control means 10 will not be described below. In step 21, the ring signal detecting means 3 constantly checks the ring signal input from the telephone line 1, and when the ring signal is detected, the process proceeds to step 13 and the interface circuit 2 closes the telephone line 1. Next, in step 14, the OGM sending circuit 4 starts sending OGM to the telephone line 1. Next,
By the loop of step 15 and step 25, CN
The G signal detection circuit 9 constantly monitors the CNG signal input from the telephone line 1 to check the end of the OGM transmission, and when the CNG signal is not detected by the end of the OGM transmission, it is shown in FIG. Then, the operation proceeds to step 5 and subsequent steps in the flowchart of the conventional example. The operation of the facsimile machine in this case is the same as that of the conventional example. When the CNG signal is detected before the end of the OGM transmission in step 15, the process proceeds to step 16, and the CNG similar signal in the OGM detected by the CNG similar signal detection circuit is compared with the detected CNG signal to determine whether or not they are synchronized. I will check. If they are synchronized, it is determined that the OGM has sneak into the CNG signal, the process returns to step 15, and detection of the CNG signal is started again.

In step 16, the CNG signal is CNG.
If it is not synchronized with the similar signal, it is determined that the OGM does not go around the CNG signal, the process proceeds to step 17, the timer 11 is started, the counting of the elapsed time is started, and the process proceeds to step 18. In step 18, it is checked whether or not the time of the timer has passed 0.5 seconds, and until it counts 0.5 seconds, it returns to step 15 and continues to detect the CNG signal, and when 0.5 seconds has passed The process moves to step 19 to check the presence or absence of the CNG signal. If CNG is not detected, it is determined that one CNG signal has passed, the process proceeds to step 21, and the process returns to step 18 and continues to detect the CNG signal until 3.5 seconds have passed.

When 3.5 seconds have elapsed in step 21, the process proceeds to step 22, and it is checked whether the next CNG signal is continuously detected for 0.5 seconds or more. If the CNG signal is not detected, the first CNG signal is detected. It is assumed that the first CNG signal of 1 is false and the process returns to step 15 to restart the detection of the CNG signal. When a CNG signal of 0.5 seconds or more is detected in step 22, it is determined that two CNG signals have been detected, and CN
Assuming that the G signal has been received, the process proceeds to step 25 and CNG
If it is synchronized with the similar signal, return to step 15 and CNG
The signal detection is restarted, but if the signals are not synchronized, it is determined that the CNG signal can be detected and the process proceeds to step 24.
Switch to facsimile communication and start facsimile communication.

As described above, according to this embodiment, the CNG-like signal detection circuit 12 for detecting the CNG-like signal similar to the CNG signal from the output of the OGM sending circuit 4 is provided, and the CN
When the G signal detection circuit 9 detects the CNG signal, CNG
If synchronized with the similar signal, OG is added to the CNG signal.
By discarding the CNG signal detected as M wraparound and switching to facsimile communication when it can be determined that there is no OGM wraparound, OGM
Unless wraparound is confirmed even while sending
Facsimile communication can be started by detecting the G signal. Further, since the OGM sending circuit is not provided with a filter for removing the CNG signal component, it can be sent without degrading the frequency characteristics of the OGM.

[0017]

As is apparent from the above embodiments, the present invention provides a ring signal detecting means for detecting a ring signal input from a telephone line, and the telephone line in response to the output of the ring signal detecting means. Interface means for closing the telephone line, a response message sending means for sending a response message to the telephone line after the interface means has closed the telephone line, and a facsimile communication start signal inputted from the telephone line. Whether a communication start similar signal having a signal component similar to the facsimile communication start signal is included in the voice output of the facsimile communication start signal detecting means, the facsimile communication means for performing facsimile communication, and the response message sending means. Facsimile communication start similar signal detecting means for detecting A switching means for switching between the facsimile communication means and the interface means and a control means for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus are provided, and the control means closes the telephone line by receiving a ring signal and responds. When the facsimile communication start signal is detected after the message transmission is started and the response message is ended, the control is switched to the facsimile communication, and when the facsimile communication start signal is detected by the end of the response message transmission. By controlling to switch to facsimile communication when it is determined that the detected facsimile communication start signal and the communication start similar signal are not the same in characteristics and timing, the response is output without providing a filter to the response message sending means. Sending out a signal Also it can start immediately facsimile communication communication start signal correctly detected and from the transmitting side, also be transmitted without degrading the frequency characteristics of the response message.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus with a voice response function of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the operation of an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus with a voice response function of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram showing a CNG signal.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a conventional facsimile apparatus with a voice response function.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of a conventional facsimile apparatus with a voice response function.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Telephone Line 2 Interface Circuit 3 Ring Signal Detection Circuit 4 OGM Transmission Circuit (Response Message Transmission Means) 6 Facsimile Communication Circuit (Facsimile Communication Means) 8 Switching Circuit (Switching Means) 9 CNG Signal Detection Circuit (Facsimile Communication Start Signal Detection Means) 10 Control means 12 CNG-like signal detection circuit (facsimile communication start-like signal detection means)

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A ring signal detecting means for detecting a ring signal inputted from a telephone line, an interface means for closing the telephone line in response to an output of the ring signal detecting means, and the interface means for the telephone. Response message sending means for sending a response message to the telephone line after the line is closed, facsimile communication start signal detecting means for detecting a facsimile communication start signal input from the telephone line, and facsimile communication for performing facsimile communication Means for detecting whether or not a communication start similar signal having a signal component similar to the facsimile communication start signal is included in the voice output of the response message sending means, and the response. By switching the message sending means and the facsimile communication means, A switching means connected to the interface means and a control means for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus are provided, and the control means closes the telephone line by receiving a ring signal and starts transmitting a response message, and returns the response. When a facsimile communication start signal is detected after the end of message transmission, control is switched to facsimile communication, and when the facsimile communication start signal is detected by the end of response message transmission, communication with the detected facsimile communication start signal is performed. A facsimile apparatus with a voice response function for controlling to switch to facsimile communication when it is determined that the characteristics and timing are not the same as the start similar signal.