JPH08331273A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To remotely operate private image data with any specified party by setting a mail box area with password in an image data storage means. CONSTITUTION: Received image data are printed onto recording paper by a printer 13. When there is no recording paper, the received image data are stored in a memory area for facsimile reception formed in a ROM 6. In this case, five mail box areas can be set in the ROM 6, for example. Any specified password composed of four-digits of numerals is allocated to any desired mail box area by switching an operating part 9. Facsimile equipment 14 on the call originating side selects any arbitrary mail box area corresponding to a prescribed dial key operation and stores the image data in this box. In this case, access to the mail box is performed by an open sequence and everybody can store data. When remotely extracting the data in the mail box, however, the set password is required.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine in which a caller can remotely retrieve data stored in a memory.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional facsimile apparatus, a voice message is transmitted and voice information from a calling side is stored in a storage means, for example, in an answering machine answering mode. Also, for example, in polling transmission mode or polling reception mode,
Performs polling transmission or polling reception.

[0003]

However, in the conventional facsimile apparatus, one type of processing is determined for each mode, and one of a plurality of processing is arbitrarily selected by the DTMF signal from the calling side. could not. Therefore, the content of the process that can be remotely controlled from the calling side is inconvenient because it is determined as one type by the mode setting of the called side facsimile device.

The present invention was devised under the circumstances as described above, and by the DTMF signal from the calling side,
The state of transmitting the voice information stored in the voice information storage means to the calling side, the state of transmitting the image information stored in the image information storage means to the calling side by facsimile, and the voice information from the calling side. And / or a facsimile capable of receiving image information and storing it in the mail information storage means, or switching to a state in which the voice information and / or image information stored in the mail information storage means is transmitted to the calling side. The purpose is to provide a device.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a facsimile machine according to the invention of claim 1 has a voice information storage means for storing voice information and an image information storage for storing image information. Means and mail information storage means for storing voice information and / or image information for a specific partner and voice information and / or image information from the specific partner,
In a specific mode, a state in which the voice information stored in the voice information storage means is transmitted to the call side in accordance with the DTMF signal from the call side, and the image information stored in the image information storage means. Is sent to the calling side by facsimile, and voice information and / or image information from the calling side is received and stored in the mail information storage means, or the voice information and / or the voice information stored in the mail information storage means is received. Alternatively, it is provided with an operation state switching means for switching a state of transmitting image information to the calling side.

A facsimile apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the voice information storage means stores voice information of a plurality of groups, and image information is stored. The means stores a plurality of groups of image information, and the mail information storage means stores a plurality of groups of voice information and / or image information for a plurality of specific parties and a plurality of groups of voice information from a plurality of specific parties. And / or image information is stored, and the operation switching means switches the operation state in accordance with the DTMF signal in the specific mode, and then in accordance with the new DTMF signal from the calling side, the specific group. The audio information and / or the image information is transmitted and / or received.

[0007]

In the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention having the above structure, the voice information is stored in the voice information storage means, the image information is stored in the image information storage means, and the mail information storage is stored. The means stores voice information and / or image information for a specific partner, if necessary. Then, in a specific mode such as an answering / answering mode, the operation state switching means sets the D from the calling side.
In response to the TMF signal, a state in which the voice information stored in the voice information storage means is transmitted to the calling side, a state in which the image information stored in the image information storage means is facsimile-transmitted to the calling side, and A state in which voice information and / or image information from the calling side is received and stored in the mail information storage means, or the voice information and / or image information stored in the mail information storage means is transmitted to the calling side. Switch.

Therefore, the caller operates the dial key of the facsimile machine to cause the called facsimile machine to transmit the voice information stored in the voice information storage means to the caller side. A state in which the image information stored in the image information storage means is facsimile-transmitted to the calling side, and voice information and / or image information from the calling side is received and stored in the mail information storage means, or the mail information is stored. By switching to a state in which the voice information and / or the image information stored in the storage means is transmitted to the calling side, desired information can be obtained or transmitted from the called side facsimile apparatus. Of course, even when the calling side is a telephone device, desired voice information can be obtained or messaged from the called side facsimile device.

Further, in the facsimile apparatus according to the second aspect of the present invention, the voice information storing means stores the voice information of a plurality of groups, and the image information storing means stores the voice information.
The image information of a plurality of groups is stored, and the voice information and / or the image information of a plurality of groups for a plurality of specific opponents is stored in the mail information storage means as needed. Then, for example, in a specific mode such as an answering / answering mode, after the operation switching means switches the operation state in accordance with the DTMF signal from the calling side, in response to a new DTMF signal from the calling side, Send and / or receive audio information and / or image information of a specific group.

Therefore, the caller operates the dial button of the facsimile device to switch the processing operation on the called side, and then operates the dial button of the facsimile device again to select the desired information from the plurality of groups. You can select information to get or message. Of course, even when the calling side is a telephone device, it is possible to select and obtain desired voice information from a plurality of groups of voice information and to give a message.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the control unit 1 of the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment. A central processing unit (CPU) 2 is connected to a ROM via a bus line 3.
4, EEPROM 5, RAM 6, network control unit (NC
U) 7, modem 8, operation unit 9, decoding unit 10, encoding unit 11, scanner 12, printer 13 and the like are connected.
The ROM 4 stores a control program executed by the CPU 2 and the like. A speed dial or the like is registered in the EEPROM 5. The NCU 7 establishes a communication line with the partner facsimile machine 14. A speaker 15 for line monitoring is connected to the NCU 7. Modem 8
At the time of facsimile transmission, the transmission signal is modulated into a form suitable for transmission over the telephone line, and at the time of facsimile reception, the modulation signal sent from the telephone line is demodulated. The operation unit 9 is provided with a ten-key pad, various switches, a mode selection key, and the like. Further, in the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment, in particular, the operation section 9 is provided with a remote operation mode ON / OFF switch 23 such as a mail box function and / or a data box function which will be described later. The encoding unit 11 compresses and encodes the image data at the time of transmission. The decoding unit 10 decodes the compressed image data at the time of reception. The scanner 12 reads image data from a document. The printer 13 prints on recording paper according to the image data. A recording paper sensor 24 for detecting the presence / absence of recording paper for facsimile reception is attached to the printer 13. The storage area in the RAM 6 is used as various memories, and details of the usage of the RAM 6 in this embodiment will be described later, but at least the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment receives an image when there is no recording paper. A facsimile reception memory 25 for storing data is formed (see FIG. 6).

At the time of normal reception, the printer 13 prints on recording paper according to the decoded received image data. If there is no recording paper, the received image data is stored in the facsimile receiving memory 25. During normal transmission, the image data read by the scanner 12 is encoded and transmitted via the modem 8.

In the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment, the answering / answering mode can be selected, and in this answering / answering mode, the caller can remotely retrieve the data stored in the memory. You can set the mode. This remote operation mode can be set by turning on the remote operation mode ON / OFF switch 23 provided in the operation unit 9.

In this embodiment, the remote operation mode includes the following functions. The first function is the so-called mail box function. This mail box function means, as shown in FIG. 6, a plurality of mail boxes formed in the RAM 6 (in the illustrated example, five mail boxes numbered 01 to 05 are formed. The mail box selected from among the above) can be accessed by the telephone set of the calling side or the facsimile device 14, and voice data or image data can be sent to and stored in the selected mail box. A function to retrieve the voice data or the image data stored in the mail box from the calling side telephone or the facsimile device 14 on condition that the password set in advance corresponding to the mail box is input. Is. In other words, this mail
With the box function, anyone can remotely store data in the selected mailbox, but only the person who knows the password corresponding to that mailbox can remotely retrieve the data in that mailbox. be able to. That is, the data in each mail box in this mail box function has confidentiality.

The second function is a so-called fax-on-demand function. This feature name is
It is provided because the calling side can receive the image data stored in the called side facsimile apparatus at any time via the telephone line. In this embodiment, the fax-on-demand function is R
From the calling facsimile 14 to one or more of a plurality of image data boxes (99 image data boxes given numbers 01 to 99 are formed in the illustrated example) formed in the AM 6. This is a function that can be accessed to remotely retrieve the image data stored in each image data box.

The third function is a so-called voice-on-demand function. This function name is given because the calling side can listen to the voice data accumulated in the called side facsimile apparatus at any time via the telephone line. In the case of this embodiment,
The voice-on-demand function means a plurality of voice data boxes (01 in the illustrated example) formed in the RAM 6.
99 voice data boxes, numbered .about.99, have been formed. 1) is accessed from the calling side telephone or the facsimile machine to remotely retrieve the voice data stored in each voice data box, that is, the voice data can be heard.

The second function of fax
The on-demand function and the third function, voice-on-demand function, are the functions that can retrieve the contents of the data box formed in the memory from the caller side device at the request of the caller. , Generically,
It can be called the data box function.

As can be seen from the above description, in the mail box function, the data stored in each mail box has confidentiality, while the fax on demand function and the voice on demand function. The data in each data box in the function (data box function) has no confidentiality.

In order to facilitate understanding of the present invention, an example of how to use the above-mentioned functions will be described. For example, at a business office, five salesmen are assigned five mail boxes (01 to 05) having a mail box function. Each salesman registers a password in the assigned mail box and stores voice data and / or image data to be notified to his / her customer. The password is registered, for example, by operating the operation unit 9 of the facsimile apparatus to select the password registerable state and inputting, for example, a 4-digit number using the ten keys. To store the voice data, the operation unit 9 is operated to select the voice data storage possible state in the mail box, and the voice information is recorded from the microphone of the handset. The image data is stored by operating the operation unit to select a state in which the image data can be stored in the mail box and reading a desired document with a scanner. As shown in FIG. 6, the password, the image data, and the voice data relating to these specific mail boxes are stored in the mail box memory 16 allocated in the RAM 6. Meanwhile, each salesman gives the password to the customer who should be allowed to access the data in his / her mailbox. It should be noted that voice guidance for explaining how to use the mail box function can be input in advance, and the input is performed by the operation unit 9
Operate to select the voice guidance input enable state for the mail box and record the voice from the microphone of the handset. The mail box voice guidance 17 thus input is also stored in a predetermined area of the mail box memory 16 allocated in the RAM 6, as shown in FIG.

In each of the image data boxes (01 to 99) in the fax-on-demand function, image data common to the business office is stored. For example, new product information in box Nos. 01 to 10 and box No. 11
Store product price information in ~ 20, product shipping schedule in box Nos. 21-30, lineup information of all products in box Nos. 31-40, and product order form in box Nos. 41-50. Used. The image data is stored by operating the operation unit 9 to select a state in which the image data can be stored in the image data box of the designated number, and read a predetermined document with a scanner. In addition, it is possible to input voice guidance explaining how to use the fax-on-demand function. For the input, select the fax-on-demand voice guidance input enable state by operating the operation unit 9. Then, record the voice from the microphone of the handset. Fax on entered in this way
The voice guidance 18 for demand, as shown in FIG.
It is stored in a predetermined area of the demand memory 19.

In each voice data box (01 to 99) in the voice-on-demand function, for example, voice information corresponding to the information stored in each data box in the above-mentioned fax-on-demand function is stored. . By doing so, it is possible to provide the information providing service by voice even to the customer who does not own the facsimile device. The voice data is stored by operating the operation unit 9 to select the voice data storage possible state in the voice data box of the designated number and recording voice from the microphone of the handset. In addition, it is possible to input voice guidance explaining how to use the voice-on-demand function, and input the voice guidance for voice-on-demand by operating the operation unit 9 box. Do this by selecting and recording voice from the handset microphone. The voice-on-demand voice guidance 20 thus input is stored in a predetermined area of the voice-on-demand memory 21 allocated in the RAM 6, as shown in FIG.

As described above, the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment can set the remote control mode including the mail box function, the fax on demand function and the voice on demand function, and the mode is turned on.
When in the state, the caller can select the above feature and retrieve the desired data remotely. Here, the mail box function, the fax-on-demand function, and the voice-on-demand function are collectively referred to as a message center function.

[0024] It is possible to give a voice guidance to the caller at the time of the incoming call in the answering / answering mode, which introduces that the called facsimile has the message center function as described above. It is convenient for the caller to use the service. Therefore, in this embodiment, it is possible to input the message center voice guidance 22 to be given to the caller at the time of the incoming call. This input is performed by operating the operation unit 9 box to select the voice guidance input enabled state for the message center and recording a predetermined voice from the microphone of the handset. Such message center voice guidance 22 is stored in a predetermined area of the message center memory 23 allocated in the RAM 6, as shown in FIG. The voice-on-demand memory 21 constitutes voice information storage means for storing voice information. The fax-on-demand memory 19 constitutes image information storage means for storing image information. Memory for Mail Box 1
Reference numeral 6 constitutes mail information storage means for storing voice information and / or image information for a specific partner and voice information and / or image information from the specific partner. Control unit 1
The CPU 2 of the D
In response to the TMF signal, the state in which the voice information stored in the voice-on-demand memory 21 is transmitted to the calling side and the image information stored in the fax-on-demand memory 19 is displayed on the calling side. To the facsimile memory and the voice information and / or image information from the calling side to be stored in the mailbox memory 16 or the voice information and / or the voice information stored in the mailbox memory 16 Alternatively, it constitutes an operation state switching means for switching between a state in which image information is transmitted to the calling side.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment in the absence answer mode will be described.

FIG. 1 shows a main routine representing an incoming call process in a state where the answering mode is selected. When this facsimile machine is called from the calling side device,
It is determined whether or not the ringing tone has sounded a predetermined number of times (S1). When the ringing tone sounds a predetermined number of times (S1: Y
ES), it is determined whether there is a recording sheet (S2).
Whether or not there is a recording sheet is determined by detecting a signal from a recording sheet sensor 24 attached to the printer 13. If there is a recording sheet (S2: YES), facsimile reception is possible, so the line is closed to receive the call (S6). When it is determined in S2 that there is no recording sheet (S2: NO), it is next determined whether or not the facsimile receiving memory 25 in the RAM has a space (S).
3). Even if the facsimile receiving memory 25 has a free space (S3: YES), facsimile reception is possible, so the line is closed to receive the call (S6). When it is determined in S3 that the facsimile receiving memory 25 is full (S3: NO), it is next determined whether or not the remote operation mode switch 23 is ON (S4). If it is ON, the line is closed to receive the call (S6). If it is OFF,
Do not receive the call. That is, the caller waits until the caller disconnects the line and the ringing tone stops (S5), and returns to S1 to wait for a call from the caller.

That is, in the present embodiment, neither reception by the recording paper nor reception by the memory is possible, and if the facsimile reception is not possible as a whole and the remote operation mode is not selected, no call arrives. Even if the facsimile cannot be received, when the remote control mode is selected, the call is received.

Next, it is determined again whether the reception mode is the normal reception mode or the remote control mode (S).
7). This is the remote operation mode ON / OF
It is to determine whether the F switch is ON or OFF. When it is ON, it is the remote control mode, and when it is OFF, it is the normal reception mode. In the normal reception mode (S
7: normal), normal reception processing is performed (S8). That is, when there is a recording sheet, the received image data is printed on the recording sheet, and when there is no recording sheet, the received image data is stored in the facsimile receiving memory.

If the remote operation mode is set in S7 (S7: remote), then the reproduction / transmission of the message center voice guidance 22 is started (S9). In the case of the above-mentioned business office, for example, "If you leave a message in the mail boxes of salesmen A to E or if you want to receive the contents of the mail boxes of salesmen A to E, enter" 01 * ", If you would like to receive our new product information by fax, please click "0
2 * ”, if you would like to hear our new product information etc. by voice, please enter“ 03 * ”. The message center voice guidance 22 including contents such as "is reproduced and transmitted. At this point,
The line is monitored by the speaker 15.

Next, the type of access request from the calling side is judged (S10). In this case, the above “01 *”,
Which of "02 *" and "03 *" was input,
Alternatively, it is determined whether nothing has been input. Such an input signal is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus by the DTMF signal, and at this time, the line monitoring speaker 15 plays a "pippoper" sound. When nothing is input within the predetermined time (S10: NO), the main routine ends. The above "01 *", "02 *",
If any of "03 *" is input (S10:
01 *, 02 *, 03 *), shut off the line monitors (S11, S12, S13), mail box processing (S14), fax on demand processing (S1).
5) or voice-on-demand processing (S16). Therefore, after shifting to these processes, nothing can be heard from the line monitor speaker 15.
The switching operation of S10 to S16 is performed by the CPU 2 of the control unit 1.
Is executed by the operation state switching means realized by.

FIG. 2 shows the mail box processing routine. First, the mail box designation guidance of the mail box voice guidance 17 is reproduced and transmitted (S101). That is, in the case of the example of the above-mentioned business office, for example, “01 *” is accessed when the mail box of the salesman A is accessed, and “05” is accessed when the mail box of the salesman E is accessed. Please input "*". The voice guidance including the contents such as "is played and transmitted. Next, it is determined whether the mail box designation code has been input (S102). When the box designating code is input (S102: YES), the reproduction / sending process of the mail box designating guidance is stopped (S10).
7) Then, it is determined whether the mail box designation code is valid (S108). If not valid (S1
08: NO), returning to the above S101, mail again
Plays / sends the box specification guidance and prompts you to re-enter the mail box specification code. When the mail box designation code is valid data, that is, when “01 *” to “05 *” are correctly input in this example (S108: YES), the process proceeds to the next process.

When the mail box designating code is not input in S102 (S102: NO), the process waits until the reproduction / sending of the mail box designating guidance is completed (S102: NO → S103: NO), and When the reproduction / transmission of the guidance for mail box designation is completed (S103: YES), for example, a timer for 5 seconds is set (S105), and until this time-out (S106: YES), the mail box designation code is input. Is accepted (S105, S106). That is, the length of the guidance for mail box designation lasts for a finite time because of the allocated memory capacity, but in the case of the present embodiment, the mail box designation code is still input for 5 seconds even after this guidance is completed. Accept. When the mail box designating code is input during these 5 seconds (S105: YES), the process jumps to S108, and it is determined whether the input code is valid. The process when it is determined to be invalid (S108: NO) is as described above. If the mail box designation code is not input within the above 5 seconds (S106: YES), the process returns to the beginning of the operation before the shift to this routine.

When the mail box designation code input as described above is valid (S108: YE
S), and the password input guidance for the designated mail box is reproduced / sent (S109). "01
For example, if the mail box for salesman A is specified, for example, "Yes," A "
It is. If you want to retrieve the contents of my mail box, please enter my mail box number "01" again.
Enter "*" and then the password. If you leave me a voice message or fax message, please speak after a beep or press the start button on your fax machine to send a fax. The password input guidance including contents such as "is reproduced and transmitted.

Next, it is determined whether the mail box designation code has been input (S110). Here, when the mail box designation code is input (S11
(0: YES), which means that the calling side has made an intention to retrieve the contents in the mail box, and before the password input guidance is completed (S111: YES).
If the box designation code is not entered (S11
0: NO), meaning that the caller is not willing to retrieve the contents in the mail box. When the password input guidance is finished as it is (S111: YES), the communication sound “P” is emitted as described above, and the voice message (voice mail) from the caller side is recorded for a certain period of time (S112). . This voice mail is stored in the mail box.

Next, it is determined whether or not a password has been input (S113). In this embodiment, this determination step is performed both when the mail box designation code is accepted in S110 (S110: YES) and after the voice mail recording process is started (S112). Therefore, the caller can enter the data in the mailbox either by entering the password following the entry of the box designation code, or by entering the password during the voice mail acceptance period as described below. Can be accessed. S1
When the password is entered in step 13 (S113: Y
ES), it is determined whether or not data exists in the mail box (S116), and if data exists (S116: YES), the voice mail reproduction process (S117) is followed by fax mail reproduction. The process (S118) is executed. That is, the voice data and / or the image data in the mail box is transmitted to the calling side. Acceptance of password input continues until the caller's voice message recording time expires (S
114: NO), when the voice message recordable time is over (S114: YES), the fax message from the caller side is accepted (S115). Accepting fax messages from the caller side (S115)
End, and fax / mail replay processing (S1
At the end of step 18), the mail center function automatically ends.

In this embodiment, in S116,
It is determined whether or not there is data in the mail box, and if there is data (S116: YES),
As described above, the accumulated data in the mail box is transmitted to the calling side, but if there is no data (S116: N
O), the line is cut off and the mail center function is forcibly terminated (S119).

By doing so, it is possible to eliminate a wasteful line closed state and effectively use the line. In particular, as in the case of this embodiment, a plurality of mail boxes set in the same facsimile apparatus or a fax-on-demand function and voice-on
When the demant function is used by multiple people, it seems that the number of times the facsimile machine is accessed is large, and it becomes inconvenient for other callers to monopolize the line unnecessarily,
By doing so, such inconvenience will be alleviated.

As described above, in the main routine shown in FIG. 1, this mail box processing routine (S1
Since the line monitor is shut off before shifting to step 4) (S11), even if the password is transmitted by the DTMF signal from the caller in the above mail box processing, this will still flow from the line monitor speaker. Instead, the confidentiality of the password and thus of the data stored in the mailbox is preserved. As a matter of course, the salesman A who has returned to the office operates the operation unit 9 so that the caller leaves a voice mail or a fax mail left in his / her own mail box.
You can pull out the mail.

FIG. 3 shows the fax-on-demand processing routine. First, the fax-on-demand voice guidance 18 is reproduced and transmitted (S20).
1). In other words, in the case of the above office, "You can receive our product information by fax. If you would like to receive our new product information, please refer to" 01
* "To" 10 * "," 11 * "to" 20 * "to receive our product price information," 21 * "to" 30 "to receive product shipping schedule information * ”, If you would like to receive the information of our entire product lineup, please refer to“ 31 * ”to“ 4
Please enter "0 *" and "41 *" to "50 *" if you want to receive the product order form. In addition,
By entering "99 *", you can receive the fax service description and specific operation instructions by fax. The voice guidance including the content such as "is reproduced and transmitted.

Next, it is judged whether or not the image data box designation code is input (S202). If the box designation code has been entered (S202:
If YES, the reproduction / transmission of the above-mentioned fax-on-demand voice guidance 18 is stopped (S207), it is judged whether the entered box designation code is valid (S208), and if it is valid (S208). : YE
S) Then, the image data in the designated box is facsimile-transmitted to the caller side (S209). If it is not valid (S208: NO), the process returns to S201, the reproduction / sending of the voice guidance 18 is started again, and the calling side is prompted to re-input the box designating code. When the box designation code is not valid, 01 to 9 out of 99 boxes formed in the memory for fax on demand
This is the case, for example, when a three-digit number other than 9 is input. When the image data of the designated box is transmitted in S209, the process returns to S201, and the above processing is repeated.

When the box designation code is not input in S202 (S202: NO), it is determined whether the reproduction of the fax-on-demand voice guidance 18 is completed (S203), and if it is completed. (S203: YES), for example, a timer for 5 seconds is set (S204), and further box designation code input is accepted for 5 seconds (S205, S206). If there is a box designation code input within these 5 seconds (S205: YE
S) In the same manner as described above, it is determined whether the input box designation code is valid (S208), and if it is valid (S208: YES), the image data in the designated box is sent to the caller side. Facsimile transmission to (S20
9). If the timer times out for the above 5 seconds (S2
06: YES), and returns to the beginning of the operation before the shift to this routine. That is, in the case of this embodiment, this fax
The on-demand processing routine does not end automatically unless the caller disconnects the line. Therefore, if there is no data in the designated box, the routine automatically returns to the beginning of this routine to start the reproduction / transmission of the fax-on-demand voice guidance 18 again, and the caller does not You can specify a box and access it. This is because the fax-on-demand function does not require a password to be input to access the data in the image data box, unlike the mail box function.

FIG. 4 shows a voice-on-demand processing routine. First, the voice-on-demand voice guidance 20 is reproduced / transmitted (S301). In other words, in the case of the above-mentioned offices, "You can hear our product information, etc. by voice. If you want to hear about our new product information, please click" 01 * "to" 10 * ".
, "11 *" to "20 *" if you want to hear our product price information, and "21 *" to "30 *" if you want to hear product shipping schedule information.
Please input "31 *" to "40 *" if you would like to hear all our product lineup information.
In addition, the contents of this voice service and the explanation of the specific operation method are in the fax service,
You can receive by fax by entering "99 *". The voice guidance including the content such as "is reproduced and transmitted.

Next, it is judged whether or not the voice data box designation code has been input (S302). When the box designation code is input (S302:
If YES, the reproduction / transmission of the voice-on-demand voice guidance 20 is stopped (S307), it is determined whether the input box designating code is valid (S308), and if it is valid (S308). : YES), the voice data in the designated box is transmitted to the caller side (S307). If not valid (S308: N
O), return to S301, and again the above voice guidance 2
Playback / transmission of 0 is started, and the calling side is prompted to re-enter the box designation code. When the box designation code is not valid, it means that, out of 99 boxes formed in the voice-on-demand memory 21, a box in which no data is stored is designated, or if a box other than 01 to 99 is set, for example, 3 This is the case when a digit is input. When the voice data of the designated box is transmitted in S309, the process returns to S301 and the above process is repeated.

If the box designation code is not input in S302 (S302: NO), voice-on
It is judged whether or not the reproduction of the demand voice guidance 20 is completed (S303), and if it is completed (S303).
303: YES), for example, a timer for 5 seconds is set (S304), and the box designation code input is further accepted for 5 seconds (S305, S306). If there is a box designation code input within these 5 seconds (S305: YE
S) Similarly to the above, it is determined whether the input box designation code is valid (S308), and if valid (S308: YES), the voice data in the designated box is sent to the caller side. (S309). If the timer times out for 5 seconds (S306: YES),
Return to the beginning of the operation before the shift to this routine. That is, in the case of the present embodiment, this voice-on-demand processing routine is not automatically terminated unless the calling side disconnects the line. Therefore, when there is no data in the designated box, the process automatically returns to the beginning of this routine and again the voice-on-demand voice guidance 2
Playback / transmission of 0 is started, and the caller can specify another box to access that box. This is because the voice-on-demand function does not require the password input to access the data in the voice data box, unlike the above-mentioned mail box function.

[0045]

As described above, according to the facsimile machine according to the invention described in each claim of the present application, the following effects can be obtained.

According to the facsimile apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the caller operates the dial button of the facsimile apparatus to store the called facsimile apparatus in the voice information storage means. Status of sending voice information to the calling side, sending the image information stored in the image information storage means to the calling side by facsimile, and receiving voice information and / or image information from the calling side. To store in the mail information storage means or to switch to a state in which the voice information and / or the image information stored in the mail information storage means is transmitted to the calling side to obtain desired information or message. be able to. Of course, even if the calling side is a telephone device, desired voice information can be obtained or messaged.

According to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the caller operates the dial button of the facsimile apparatus to switch the processing operation on the called side, and then dials the facsimile apparatus again. By operating a button, desired information can be selected from a plurality of groups of information and obtained or messaged. of course,
Even when the calling side is a telephone device, desired voice information can be selected or obtained from a plurality of groups of voice information and can be transmitted.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a processing example in a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a main processing in an answering / answering mode.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a processing example in a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a mail box processing.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing example in a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
An on-demand process (data box process) is shown.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a processing example in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, showing a voice-on-demand processing (data box processing).

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an outline of a control unit of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an R of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.
It is explanatory drawing of the memory structure example formed in AM.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Control Unit 2 Central Processing Unit (CPU) 3 Bus Line 4 ROM 5 EEROM 6 RAM 7 NCU 8 Modem 9 Operation Unit 10 Decoding Unit 11 Encoding Unit 12 Scanner 13 Printer 14 Opposite Facsimile Device 15 Speaker 16 Mail Box Memory 17 Voice guidance for mail box 18 Voice guidance for fax on demand 19 Memory for fax on demand 20 Voice guidance for voice on demand 21 Voice memory for demand 22 Voice guidance for message center 23 Remote Operation mode ON / OFF switch 24 Recording paper sensor 25 Facsimile reception memory

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A voice information storage means for storing voice information, an image information storage means for storing image information, voice information and / or image information for a specific partner and voice information and / or image for a specific partner. A mail information storage means for storing information, and a state of transmitting the voice information stored in the voice information storage means to the calling side in response to a DTMF signal from the calling side in a specific mode, A state in which the image information stored in the image information storage means is transmitted to the calling side by facsimile, and voice information and / or image information from the calling side is received and stored in the mail information storage means, or Facsimile machine including an operation state switching means for switching between a state in which voice information and / or image information stored in the mail information storage means is transmitted to a calling side. apparatus. 2. The voice information storage means stores a plurality of groups of voice information, the image information storage means stores a plurality of groups of image information, and the mail information storage means stores a plurality of groups. A plurality of groups of audio information and / or image information for a specific partner and a plurality of groups of audio information and / or image information from a plurality of specific partners are stored, and the operation switching means is configured to operate in a specific mode. , The DT
After the operation state is switched according to the MF signal, the voice information and / or the image information of a specific group is transmitted and / or received according to a new DTMF signal from the calling side. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: