JPH0898005A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To attain reception of information by a DTMF signal even when an automatic answering telephone set connected to a facsimile equipment makes an automatic reply by providing a means for detecting that a telephone set connected to the facsimile equipment is hooked off. CONSTITUTION: A telephone set hook detection means of a line control section 12 of a facsimile equipment 1 detects it when a telephone set 3 connected to the facsimile equipment 1 changes from hook-on into hook-off state or vice versa. When a call comes from a telephone line 2, the facsimile equipment 1 sends a call tone to the telephone set 3 up to a prescribed number of times. In this case, the facsimile equipment 1 uses the telephone set hook detection means to check whether or not the telephone set 3 is hooked off. When the hooked off telephone set is detected, a DTMF signal is detected. Through the detection of the DTMF signal, a succeeding DTMF signal is received as information.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine, and more particularly to a facsimile machine having a function of receiving a message transmitted by a DTMF signal from a telephone or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A facsimile apparatus is a transmission apparatus which can exchange image information such as documents and drawings with a remote place by using a public line and is widely used.
Facsimile machines are often connected to lines dedicated to facsimile machines, especially for business use. When a telephone call is made, the facsimile machine connected to the dedicated line for such a facsimile machine automatically connects the line and gives a response for performing facsimile reception. For this reason, even when a telephone is called from this ordinary telephone, that is, a facsimile machine, the facsimile machine makes a response for receiving a facsimile as described above (sound "peehyorohyoro" when listening by telephone). ， The person who made the phone call cannot convey any message.

[0003] A means for solving such a problem, that is, when a telephone call is made from a telephone to a facsimile apparatus which responds automatically, a message cannot be transmitted at all, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 62-260472. Are disclosed in. The DTMF signal detecting means is provided in the facsimile device, and after the response for receiving the facsimile is made as described above, the D sent through the telephone line is sent.
The TMF signal is detected and the number indicated by the DTMF signal is printed. The other party who called from a telephone other than the facsimile machine, if the facsimile machine responds, calls DTMF.
By sending a signal, it becomes possible to send numerical information to the facsimile device. When a telephone call comes in, the facsimile machine automatically responds to the call by connecting the line and receiving the facsimile, as well as the above-mentioned conventional facsimile machine.
Start checking if the F signal is sent. If the called party is a facsimile machine, a response for transmitting a facsimile is returned in response to the above-mentioned response for performing facsimile reception. If the called party is a facsimile machine, the facsimile communication is started. On the other hand, if the called party is a telephone, the response cannot be returned to the response for the facsimile reception of the facsimile device. At this time, the called party sends a predetermined command by the DTMF signal, and when the facsimile machine detects this command, the facsimile machine assumes that the called party sends information from the telephone. The number sent by the DTMF signal is once stored and then printed on the recording paper. As a result, it becomes possible to transmit numerical information from the telephone to the facsimile device, and it becomes possible to cause the facsimile device to print information such as a telephone number.

[0004]

According to the above-mentioned conventional technique,
When a telephone call comes in, a line is automatically connected and a response is received to receive a facsimile. Even when the telephone is called from the telephone, the numerical information such as the telephone number is sent to the facsimile, that is, it is printed. It is possible.

In recent years, facsimile machines have come to be used in general households and the like. Along with this, unlike the conventional use in business, the use of a single telephone line between a facsimile machine and a telephone for communication has increased. In such a case, the automatic switching function is generally used to switch between the telephone and the facsimile. That is, when a call is made from the telephone line, the ringing tone of the telephone is sounded a preset number of times, and when no one answers the telephone, a facsimile reception is performed in the same manner as a conventional facsimile apparatus. Give a response. As a result, a single telephone line can be shared by the facsimile device and the telephone. When installed in a general home, an answering machine may be connected. In this case, if the answering machine is set to answering machine, the answering machine automatically connects the line before the facsimile machine. It is common to connect.

As described in the above-mentioned prior art, the purpose of making it possible to transmit information by using a DTMF signal from a telephone other than the facsimile machine is to provide the DTMF signal detecting means in the facsimile machine. In a facsimile machine connected to a dedicated telephone line for the purpose of performing only facsimile communication, when a call is made from a telephone other than the facsimile machine,
It was to be able to convey some information, here the telephone number of the person who made the call by sending a number by a DTMF signal. However, as facsimile machines have been installed in general households, it has become necessary to consider the following as the purpose of this technology. .
That is, there is a case where it is desired to send information from a place where there is no facsimile machine, but it is difficult for a normal call. For example, when making a call from a public telephone installed in a crowded place, you do not want people around you to hear the conversation, but you cannot send a fax because the fax machine is not nearby. When it is not possible.

When the information transmission to the facsimile apparatus by the DTMF signal is used for such a purpose, even if a person answers the telephone by a telephone connected to the facsimile apparatus when making a telephone call in extreme cases, the DTMF signal is transmitted. There may be a case where you want to send information by using and print it. Also, when an answering machine is connected to a facsimile machine and an answering machine answers an incoming call, there may be a case where the user wants to print a message on the facsimile machine instead of recording the message. However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, it is possible to transmit information by a DTMF signal from a telephone because a facsimile machine automatically connects a line when a telephone call comes in and gives a response for performing facsimile reception. In contrast, DTMF
When a response is returned by a signal, that is, when a telephone connected to a facsimile machine is picked up and an incoming call is answered, or an answering machine connected to the facsimile machine is automatically sent before the facsimile machine. Information transmission by a DTMF signal from the telephone set to the facsimile machine when the line was connected and an answering reply was not taken into consideration.

An object of the present invention is to provide a facsimile apparatus having a function of receiving information using a DTMF signal,
Even if the telephone line connected to the facsimile apparatus goes off-hook before the facsimile apparatus automatically connects the line and responds to receive the facsimile, the information by the DTMF signal is transmitted. It is to provide a facsimile device that enables reception.

[0009]

The above object is to provide a facsimile apparatus having a function of receiving information by detecting a DTMF signal sent from a telephone,
The facsimile device is provided with a telephone hook detection means for detecting a change in the hook state of the connected telephone, and when a call is made from the telephone line, the change in the hook state of the connected telephone is monitored and the call is detected. Even in the off-hook state, the DTMF signal instructing the transmission of information by the DTMF signal is sent from the other side as in the case where the facsimile machine automatically connects the line to the call from the telephone line. Whether or not it is detected,
If it is detected that a DTMF signal instructing the transmission of information by the MF signal has been sent, D
This is accomplished by configuring the facsimile machine to receive the information sent by the TMF signal.

[0010]

The telephone hook detection means for detecting a change in the hook state of the telephone connected to the facsimile apparatus changes the state of the telephone connected to the facsimile apparatus from the on-hook state to the off-hook state or from the off-hook state to the on-hook state. If this is detected. When there is a call from the telephone line, the facsimile device sends a call signal as it is to the connected telephone up to a predetermined number of times, whereby a ringing tone of the telephone sounds. At this time, the facsimile apparatus checks, by the above-mentioned telephone hook detecting means, whether the connected telephone does not go off-hook, that is, whether or not the telephone is answered. When it is detected that the telephone goes off-hook, the DTMF signal is detected from that point. DT
When the MF signal is detected, the caller is the DTM
When the facsimile apparatus is instructed to receive information by the F signal, for example, when it is detected that a predetermined command is transmitted by the DTMF signal,
The subsequent DTMF signal is received as information. As a result, even when the user of the facsimile machine answers the telephone with the connected telephone, the information can be received by the DTMF signal. Even if the telephone connected to the fax machine is an answering machine and the answering machine automatically connects the line and answers automatically before the fax machine automatically connects the line, the answering machine will automatically connect the line. Since the connection, that is, the off-hook state is detected and the DTMF signal is detected, information can be received by the DTMF signal.

On the other hand, if the telephone does not go off-hook even if the telephone ringing tone of the telephone connected to the facsimile is played a predetermined number of times, the facsimile automatically connects the line like the conventional facsimile. To do. At this time as well, since the DTMF signal is detected after the line connection, if the other party who made the call sends information by the DTMF signal, it can be received.

[0012]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 3 is a view showing the outer appearance of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Details will be described later,
The facsimile apparatus 1 in this embodiment is used by connecting a telephone. Therefore, the main body of the facsimile device does not have a telephone function. A liquid crystal display unit 501 displays the state of the facsimile apparatus, a simple operation method, and various information in facsimile communication.
Reference numeral 502 denotes a recording paper discharge unit, from which the printed recording paper is discharged when the facsimile apparatus 1 prints. The facsimile apparatus of this embodiment does not have an automatic cutter function of automatically cutting the recording paper, and the user of the facsimile machine cuts the recording paper by himself after the recording paper is ejected. A start button 503 is used to instruct the facsimile apparatus 1 to start various processes. A stop button 504 is used to instruct the facsimile apparatus 1 to suspend processing. The basic operation of the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment is a start button 503 and a stop button 50.
4 is used. For example, when performing facsimile transmission with the facsimile device 1, the original document to be transmitted is set on the facsimile device 1, the destination telephone is called by the telephone connected to the facsimile device 1, and when the other party is ready for facsimile reception, Start button 50
Press 3. As a result, facsimile transmission is started.
When the facsimile transmission is stopped halfway, the stop button 504 is pushed. Further, when the facsimile device 1 receives a facsimile, the telephone connected to the facsimile device 1 answers the incoming call and presses the start button 503. As a result, reception of the facsimile is started. As in the case of facsimile transmission, if the stop button 504 is pressed during facsimile reception, facsimile reception is stopped. If you receive a call,
That is, the details of the operation when receiving a call will be described later. The functions of the facsimile machine not directly related to the present invention will not be described here.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the connection between the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 3 and a telephone. A line connection terminal 13 and a telephone connection terminal 14 are provided on the back surface of the facsimile apparatus 1. The line connection terminal 13 is connected to the telephone line terminal 507 of each home or office by the modular cable 506. The telephone line terminal 507 is connected to the telephone line. As a result, the facsimile machine 1 is connected to the telephone line. Also, the telephone connection terminal 1 of the facsimile device 1
The telephone 3 is connected to the telephone 4. The line connection terminal 508 of the telephone 3 is normally connected to the telephone line when the telephone 3 is used alone. When the telephone 3 is connected to the facsimile apparatus 1, the line connection terminal 508 of the telephone 3 and the telephone connection terminal 14 of the facsimile apparatus 1 are connected by the modular cable 508. In this way, by connecting the telephone line and the facsimile device 1 and further connecting the telephone device 3 to the facsimile device 1, it is controlled so that both the facsimile communication by the facsimile device 1 and the telephone call by the telephone device 3 are performed by one telephone line. It becomes possible to do. 509
Is a power cord of the facsimile machine 1 and is connected to a power outlet 505.

FIG. 5 shows the facsimile apparatus 1 described with reference to FIG.
It is a figure which shows the structure of. As described above, the facsimile machine 1 is connected to the telephone line 2 through the line connection terminal 13. Reference numeral 12 is a line control unit for controlling the connection between the facsimile device 1, the telephone line 2 and the telephone 3 connected to the telephone connection terminal 14, and the details of the configuration will be described later. Reference numeral 4 is a facsimile communication unit for performing facsimile communication, 5 is an image reading unit for reading image information of a document to be transmitted in facsimile communication, and 6 is a recording unit for printing a facsimile document received in facsimile communication or reception of information communication described later. is there. As described above, the recording paper recorded here is discharged from the recording paper discharge port 503 of FIG. Reference numeral 9 is a DTMF signal detecting section for detecting a DTMF signal sent from a telephone line, and 7 is a control section for controlling the operation of the entire facsimile apparatus 1. Reference numeral 8 denotes an operation unit for the user of the facsimile apparatus 1 to perform various operations of the facsimile apparatus 1 and to display the status of the apparatus to the user of the facsimile apparatus. In this embodiment, the start button described in FIG. Fifty
3, a stop button 504, a liquid crystal display 501 and the like. Reference numeral 10 is a character string information storage unit, 11 is a character information storage unit, and 15 is a DTMF signal storage unit, the details of which will be described later.

FIG. 6 shows the configuration of the line controller 12 in FIG. A line connection switch 24 is normally connected to the b side, and is connected to the a side when the facsimile apparatus 1 is connected to the telephone line. Reference numeral 21 denotes a 2-wire / 4-wire conversion unit, which is generally composed of a hybrid transformer or the like. Reference numeral 25 is a voice response generation unit, and the facsimile device 1
Sends a response message to the telephone line when the auto-answers. Reference numeral 22 is a call signal detection unit that detects a call signal transmitted from the telephone line 2. A telephone hook detection unit 23 detects whether the telephone 3 is in an off-hook state or an on-hook state. 26 is C
NG signal detector, C sent from telephone line 2
The NG signal is detected. The CNG signal is a signal for informing the receiving side device that a facsimile transmission is to be performed. Line connection switch 24, voice response generator 25
Are controlled by the controller 7. Also, the ringing signal detector 2
2, outputs of the telephone hook detection unit 23 and the CNG signal detection unit 26 are input to the control unit 7.

Next, specifications of information communication using the DTMF signal in this embodiment will be described. The facsimile apparatus of this embodiment enables two types of methods for information communication using DTMF signals. One is based on the "fixed-form message" and the other is based on the "free-form message". In the fixed-form message, some message messages are stored in the facsimile device 1 in advance, the message numbers of the respective message messages are indicated by numbers, and the message number is transmitted by the DTMF signal, whereby the facsimile device 1 is transmitted. Is to print the message that is instructed. On the other hand, free text message is to print the number sent by DTMF signal as it is, and use simple communication such as encrypted communication using numbers, for example, "0906" is read as "Ocquerel". It is used for contacting the above telephone number.

FIG. 9 shows the structure of a fixed-form message in the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment. In this embodiment, the fixed form message is 2
0 kinds of message texts are stored in advance in the character string information storage unit 10 of the facsimile apparatus 1. Details of the storage method will be described later. In this embodiment, "a message that conveys feelings" 3
Seven kinds of message texts are stored as 03, six kinds of message texts are stored as “waiting related message” 304, and seven kinds of message texts are stored as “return home related message” 305.
A message number 301 is attached to each message text, and DT
When the message is transmitted using the MF signal, the corresponding message text is printed by designating the message number 301. For example, the content 302 of each message text is composed of a message text body part, a "sorry (;;)" part, and four-digit numerical information 307 when the message number "01" is taken as an example. How to use the numerical information 307 will be described in the following operating method.

FIG. 7 shows an operation method when using a fixed form message. This is an operation method in the case of transmitting a fixed form message by utilizing the information receiving function of the facsimile apparatus 1 by the DTMF signal. The operation of the facsimile machine 1 will be described later. When sending a message to the facsimile device 1,
The facsimile apparatus of this embodiment is called from a telephone capable of transmitting a DTMF signal, specifically, a telephone connected to a touch-tone telephone line or a telephone having a function of transmitting a tone signal connected to a dial line. (Step 201) When you answer the phone (Step 202), "4
Press "649". (Step 203) When a call is made, there are several possible states in which the call is connected. First is the case where the facsimile apparatus 1 automatically connects the line and gives a response for performing facsimile reception. The second is when the telephone 3 connected to the facsimile apparatus 1 goes off-hook. This state may be when the telephone 3 answers the telephone, or when the telephone 3 is an answering machine and the answering machine responds. In any case, when the fixed text message is transmitted, the facsimile machine 1 is put into a state of receiving information by using the DTMF signal by pressing the dial button "4649" no matter what is answered. When the facsimile machine 1 detects "4649" by the DTMF signal and becomes ready to receive information using the DTMF signal, a beep sound is returned. (Step 204) This is for notifying the called party that the facsimile apparatus 1 can receive information by the DTMF signal. If you don't hear "beep" even if you press "4649", press "4649" again. "Pippi"
When you hear, press the message number of the message you want to send next. (Step 205) As described above, in the fixed form message of the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment, 20 types of fixed form messages shown in FIG. 9 can be received. For example, press "01" to send "I'm sorry (;;)" and press "14" to send "Ikara Karaimas (^ O ^)". If the user hears "pipipipi" through the telephone line when pressing the message number in step 205 (step 206), the facsimile device 1 indicates the message number D.
The TMF signal could not be detected correctly, or the message number in which the message was not defined, in the case of the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment, for example, "30" was pressed, the facsimile apparatus 1 could not detect the message number correctly. This is the case. In such a case, press the message number again. In the case of transmitting the fixed phrase message, if only the fixed phrase is transmitted, the process proceeds to step 209, but as described above, in the fixed phrase message of the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment, a 4-digit number is transmitted together with the fixed phrase. It is possible. When transmitting the 4-digit number, the 4-digit number is pushed after the message number pushed in step 205. (Step 207) In this embodiment, any number of digits may be used as long as it is 4 digits or less. As in the case of pressing the message number, if you hear "pippi pi" while pressing a four-digit number, it means that you have made a mistake in inputting, for example, if you pressed "#" or "*". If you hear a beeping sound while pressing a 4-digit number, press again from the message number. That is, the process returns to step 205. If you don't hear "beep beep" indicating an error, press "* #". (Step 209) When the 4-digit number is not pressed, that is, when only the message number of the fixed form is transmitted, "* #" is pressed after the message number.
(Step 209) “* #” indicates the end of information transmission using the DTMF signal, and the facsimile apparatus 1 receives “* #” to indicate that all operations have been completed normally. Returns a sound. (Step 2
10) When the "beep" is not heard, the facsimile machine cannot normally receive the "* #". In such a case, a "beep beep" indicating an error is usually heard instead of the "beep". In such a case, press again from the message number. If a "beep" is heard, the facsimile machine receives the information using the DTMF signal. In this case, the reception of the fixed form message has been completed normally, so the call is hung up. (Step 211) As a result, the operation of transmitting the fixed form message is completed.

FIG. 11 shows an example of printing in the facsimile apparatus 1 of the fixed text message transmitted by the procedure shown in FIG. In this embodiment, the date and time 311 when the fixed phrase message is received is printed in the center of the recording paper 11. Then, the dividing line 31
2 is printed using the character “*”, and “Dengon ga arimashita” is printed below to indicate that there was a message received. (313) Since the facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment does not have character information of Chinese characters and Hiragana, all sentences including fixed form messages are composed only of numbers and alphabets, katakana and some symbols. A message 314 is printed below it, followed by a 4-digit number 3.
15 is printed. As described above, the 4-digit number is not printed unless the number is pressed after the message. A delimiter line 316 using the character “*” is printed under the same as the 312. In this embodiment, 312 to 31
The message parts up to 6 are printed in a size four times as large as a normal character. In the example of FIG. 11, the character size of the message part is four times the character size of the date and time 311. Since the 4-digit number is printed following the message in this way, it can be used in a variety of ways, such as being used to convey the time or pre-deciding the code.

FIG. 8 shows an operation method when using a free text message. This is an operation method when a free text message is transmitted by using the information receiving function of the facsimile apparatus 1 by the DTMF signal. The operation of the facsimile machine 1 will be described later. When sending a message to the facsimile device 1,
The facsimile apparatus of this embodiment is called from a telephone capable of transmitting a DTMF signal, specifically, a telephone connected to a touch-tone telephone line or a telephone having a function of transmitting a tone signal connected to a dial line. (Step 213) When answering the call (Step 214), "4
Press "649". (Step 215) Similar to the transmission of the standard message, when the free text message is transmitted, no matter what answer is received by pressing the dial button "4649", the l facsimile machine 1 transmits the DTMF signal. It is in a state of receiving the used information. Facsimile machine 1 is DT
When "4649" due to the MF signal is detected and it becomes possible to receive information using the DTMF signal, a beeping sound is heard. (Step 216) This is for notifying the other party of the telephone that the facsimile apparatus 1 can receive information by the DTMF signal. If you don't hear "beep" even if you press "4649", press "4649" again.
When you hear "beep," then press "90". (Step 217) In this embodiment, a free text message is instructed by pressing "90" at a position corresponding to the message number of the fixed text message. That is, the operation up to pressing "90" is the same for both the fixed message and the free message. If you hear a beeping sound through the telephone line when you press the message number in step 217 (step 218)
The facsimile machine 1 instructs the free text message to "9
This is the case where "0" could not be detected correctly. In such a case, press "90" again. After pressing "90", use the number buttons to send a free text message. (Step 219) As mentioned above, basically only numbers can be used in free text messages, but some symbols are "*".
It is possible to send by using a combination of buttons and number buttons. These details will be described later along with an example of sending a free text message. If you don't hear the error sound “Pippi Pippi” by the time you finish pressing the free text message (Step 22
0) Press "* #" to notify the facsimile device of the end of free text message. (Step 221) When an error sound "beep beep" is heard, "90" is pressed (step 217) to start over. The “* #” pressed in step 221 indicates the end of the information transmission using the DTMF signal as in the case of the fixed message, and when the facsimile device 1 receives “* #”, all the operations become normal. It will beep to indicate that it has finished.
(Step 222) When the "beep" is not heard, the facsimile machine cannot normally receive the "* #". In such a case, a "beep beep" indicating an error is usually heard instead of the "beep". . In such a case "9
Start over from pressing "0" (step 217).
If a "beep" is heard, the fax machine is DTM
The information reception using the F signal, in this case, the reception of the free text message has been completed normally, so the call is hung up. (Step 22
3) This ends the free text message transmission operation.

Although not shown in the drawing, the printing of the free text message is performed in the same format as the printing of the fixed text message described above. That is, in the print example of the fixed phrase message shown in FIG. 11, a free sentence composed of numbers and symbols is printed on the character string 314 of the fixed phrase message and the four-digit number 315.

FIG. 10 shows symbols and the like that can be used in free text messages. By pressing the button indicated by 308, the facsimile machine prints 3
The character shown at 09 is printed. "**" is a backspace and is used to cancel the last character pressed. “* #” Indicates the end of the free text message as described above. For example, as a free text message, "0
465 * 2 * 496 ** 5 * 6 * 21234 * 8464
If you press "9", the fax machine will display "0465-
(95) -1234 4649 "is printed.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the facsimile apparatus 1 has a D
A flow of processing when information is received using the TMF signal will be described.

As shown in step 101 in FIG. 1, the control unit 7 of the facsimile apparatus 1 connects the line connection switch 24 of the line control unit 12 to the side b so as to determine whether or not a call signal is sent from the telephone line 2. Is detected by the calling signal detector 22. When it is detected that a call signal is sent from the telephone line 2, that is, when a call is received, the control unit 7 detects whether the telephone 3 connected to the facsimile device 1 is off-hook. While (step 102), it waits for a call signal to be sent from the telephone line a predetermined number of times. (Step 103) The telephone hook detector 23 of the line controller 12 detects whether or not the telephone 3 has gone off-hook. Also, at this time, since the line connection switch 24 is still connected to the side b, the ringing signal sent from the telephone line 2 together with the ringing signal detecting unit 22 of the line control unit 12 of the facsimile apparatus 1 is detected by the telephone hook detecting unit. It is also sent to the telephone 3 through 23. As a result, the ringing tone from the telephone line causes the ringing tone of the telephone set 3 to be heard, and the user of the facsimile device 1 can know that a call has been received. When the telephone hook detection unit 23 does not detect that the telephone 3 goes off-hook even if the telephone 3 rings the predetermined number of times, the control unit 7 switches the line connection switch 24 to the a side to switch the line. Connecting. (Step 104) In this embodiment, the number of calls until the facsimile apparatus 1 connects the line, that is, the above-mentioned predetermined number of calls, is 6 to 8 times.
Expected to be about once. When the connected telephone 3 is an ordinary telephone, it is considered that the telephone can be answered if the ringing tone sounds 6 to 8 times. That is, the facsimile device 1 can answer the telephone before connecting the line. In the case where the telephone 3 is an answering machine, there is no problem because in a normal operation, the answering machine responds after the ringing tone sounds two to five times. That is, it is possible for the answering machine to automatically connect the line and make an answering reply before the facsimile device connects the line. When the answering machine answering machine answers, the telephone 3 goes off-hook at that time and is detected in step 102.

After connecting the line, the control unit 7 of the facsimile apparatus 1 starts to send a voice response to the telephone line 2 by the voice response generation unit 25 of the line control unit 12. (Step 1
05) The voice response sent here is, for example,
I'm away. If you are a facsimile, please send it as is. Callers are afraid, but please call again. It is a content such as ". It is also possible to add a content notifying that information can be received by the DTMF signal. When the control unit 7 starts transmitting this voice response, the CNG signal detection unit 26 of the line control unit 12 sends a CNG signal from the telephone line 2 (step 1).
06), and whether a DTMF signal is sent from the telephone line 2 by the DTMF signal detector 9 (step 107)
Is continued until the above voice response is completed (step 108).

When the CNG signal is not detected in step 106, and the voice response transmission is completed without the DTMF signal being detected in step 107, the control unit 7 of the facsimile apparatus 1 performs the facsimile receiving operation (step 110). That is, the facsimile communication unit 4 performs facsimile communication, and the recording unit 6 prints the received image. Further, when the CNG signal is detected in step 106, the control unit 7 also performs the facsimile receiving operation (step 110). As described above, the CNG signal is a signal for the facsimile apparatus that transmits a facsimile to inform the receiving side that the facsimile is about to be transmitted. When the CNG signal is detected in the facsimile machine on the receiving side as shown in FIG. 1, the facsimile reception process starts.

When the DTMF signal is detected in step 107, the message receiving operation (step 109) is performed. Details of the message receiving operation will be described later.

In step 102, the line controller 12
The flow of processing when the telephone hook detector 23 detects that the telephone 3 connected to the facsimile apparatus 1 has gone off-hook in response to a calling signal from the telephone line 2 will be described. When the control unit 7 of the facsimile apparatus 1 detects that the telephone 3 has gone off-hook,
Detection of CNG signal by NG signal detection unit 26 (step 111) and DTMF by DTMF signal detection unit 9
The signal detection (step 112) is started. In the present embodiment, these detections are performed when the telephone 3 connected to the facsimile apparatus 1 goes on-hook.
It continues until it is detected by the telephone hook detection unit 23 in 13. The telephone 3 goes on-hook when the telephone 3 is an ordinary telephone and is off-hook because a person answers the telephone, or when the telephone call is ended and the telephone is hung up. If the telephone 3 is an answering machine and is off-hook by automatically connecting the line for answering, the answering is over,
That is, when the answering machine disconnects the line due to the completion of recording the message. The period for detecting the CNG signal and the period for detecting the DTMF signal are set to a predetermined time after the off-hook detection, and are set in accordance with the usage status of the facsimile apparatus. In this embodiment, both CNG signal detection and DTMF signal detection are performed during the period from off-hook detection to on-hook detection.

When the CNG signal is detected in step 111, the controller 7 connects the line connection switch 24 to the side a, and then the facsimile receiving operation (step 110).
I do. Even when the DTMF signal is detected in step 112, the control unit 7 performs the message receiving operation (step 109) after connecting the line connection switch 24 to the side a.

If the telephone hook detection unit 23 does not detect that the telephone 3 is on-hook in step 113, the process ends.

The flow of the message reception process shown in step 109 of FIG. 1 will be described with reference to FIG. In message reception, it is first checked whether or not the DTMF signal detected in step 107 or 112 of FIG. 1 is "4649". (Step 114) As described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8, in the information reception using the DTMF signal of the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment, “4649” and the DTMF signal are set in order to make the information reception state using the DTMF signal. Press to perform. When "4649" is detected in step 114, the control unit 7 informs the telephone line 2 to inform that it is ready to receive information by the DTMF signal.
Send a beep sound to. (Step 117) In the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment, the "beep" sound is sent out by the voice response generator 25 of the line controller 12. Also,
The DTMF signal detected in step 114 is "4".
If it is not "649", the control unit 7 sends a "beep beep" sound to the telephone line 2 to indicate an error. The transmission of this “beep beep” sound is also performed by the voice response generation unit 25, similarly to the transmission of a “beep beep” sound. DT in step 114
When it is detected that the MF signal is not "4649", a "beep beep" sound for indicating an error is sent to the telephone line 2 in step 115, and then the DT is transmitted from the telephone line 2.
It is detected whether or not the MF signal is sent. (Step 116) As described in the explanation of the operation method in FIGS. 7 and 8, “4649” is pressed, but “pippipipip”
When the sound is returned, the operator presses "4649" again. In step 116, this is detected. Step 1
The reason why the DTMF signal is not detected as "4649" in 14 is that the operator does not press it correctly.
It is conceivable that the condition of the line is bad and the DTMF signal pressed by the other party cannot be correctly detected, or that the DTMF signal which is not pressed is detected due to a conversation on the telephone 3.

After sending out a "beep" sound in step 117, the control section 7 detects the DTMF signal.
(Step 118) When the first two digits of the DTMF signal detected in Step 118 are “90” (Step 1
19) Receive the free text message. (Step 123)
If the first two digits of the DTMF signal detected in step 118 are the message numbers of the fixed phrase message shown in FIG. 9 (step 120), the fixed phrase message is received. (Step 122) DTMF detected in Step 118
If the signal is neither "90" nor the message number of the fixed phrase message, the control unit 7 sends a "beep beep" sound to the telephone line 2 for notifying the error (step 121),
Returning to the detection of the DTMF signal in step 118, the operator waits for the DTMF signal to be retransmitted. Step 12
Similarly to the transmission of the "beep beep" sound in step 115, the transmission of the "beep beep" sound in 1 is also performed by the voice response generation unit 25.
Done by. DTMF detected in step 118 and checked in steps 119 and 120
The signal is temporarily stored in the DTMF signal storage unit 15.

When the fixed form message is received in step 122, the third and subsequent digits of the DTMF signal stored in the DTMF signal storage section 15 are checked. It has been confirmed in step 120 that the first two digits of the DTMF signal are the message numbers corresponding to any of the messages shown in FIG. Three
When the digits after the first digit are numbers, it is a case where the numerical information of 4 digits or less described in FIG. 7 is input. As described above, in this embodiment, the numerical information is a numeral of 1 to 4 digits, and "*" or "#" cannot be used. Therefore, in the case of the fixed form message, the configuration of the DTMF signal stored in the DTMF signal storage unit 10 is as follows.
It is either "message number" + "* #", "message number" + "number of 4 digits or less" + "* #". If the number of 4 digits or less contains "*" or "#", it is a message error. If a message error is detected (step 124), an error sound "beep beep" is transmitted and the step 1 is repeated.
Returning to DTMF signal detection of 18. Therefore, when the operation sound is mistaken in the fixed form message and the error sound "beep beep" is returned, the operator re-inputs from the message number. In this embodiment, when five or more digits are detected between the message number and "* #", the last four digits are treated as valid. For example, when instructing message number 15, “1
If "5123456 * #" is entered, message number 15
Message and “3456” are printed as a 4-digit number.

If no message error is detected in step 124, the control unit 7 sets the telephone line 2 to "P".
Send sound. (Step 125) This "beep" signal informs the operator that the fixed phrase message has been normally received. In the present embodiment, the voice response generator 25 of the line controller 12 also sends this "beep" sound. After sending out the "beep" sound, the control unit 7 disconnects the line by connecting the line connection switch 24 of the line control unit 12 to the side b.
(Step 126) Following this, the control unit 7 prints the fixed form message according to the DTMF signal stored in the DTMF signal storage unit 15. (Step 127) The configuration for printing the fixed phrase message is as described in FIG. Here, the flow of processing for printing will be described.

First, a method of storing text information of a fixed text message in the facsimile device 1 will be described. In this embodiment, each character forming the character string is represented by the character code shown in FIG. 12, and is stored in the character string information storage unit 10. Each character is represented by 1-byte data. Figure 12 shows the top four
The horizontal axis is the bit (318), and the lower 4 bits are the vertical axis (3
17) The character code of each character is shown. The shaded portion (319) in the figure is not used in this embodiment. From this table, for example, the character "2" is represented by the code "32 (hexadecimal)" and the character "M" is represented by the code "4D (hexadecimal)". FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a storage state of the text of the message text of the message number “01” of the fixed text message in FIG. 9 in the character string information storage unit 10. Each character forming the text of the message is defined by the character code shown in FIG. (32
1) Here, the character code 321 is a hexadecimal number. 12
According to the code table shown in FIG. 3, the first character “K” is stored in the character string information storage unit 10 in the character code “BF”, the second character “Kakuten” is stored in the character code “DE”, and so on. The character string information storage unit 10 stores the content of the character string information corresponding to each message number shown in FIG. 9 as a sequence of character codes of 20 characters per message. In the fixed form message of this embodiment, FIG.
As described above, it is possible to add numerical information of 4 digits or less. In the character string information storage unit 10, a character code indicating "blank" is stored in the area 322 for printing this number. As a result, when the numerical information of 4 digits or less is not input in the fixed text message, a blank is printed instead of the numerical information.

FIG. 14 shows how each character is represented. In this embodiment, one character is represented by a total of 35 dots, which is 5 dots horizontally and 7 dots vertically. Figure 14 shows the character code (3
23) Character pattern of "B2" and "A" (324)
Is shown. The black portion of the character pattern is defined as "1" and the white portion thereof is defined as "0", and one line from the upper portion of the character is defined as the character information 325 in units of 5 dots. In the example of FIG. 14, “01” “02” “04” from the top
It becomes "0C""14""04""04". All numerical values here are hexadecimal numbers. Character information storage unit 1 in FIG.
1 stores the character information of all the characters shown in FIG. 12 in the form described above. The reference of the character information from the control unit 7 is performed by the character code and the number of lines (nth line).
For example, when the request for the data of the fourth line of the character code “B2” (character “A”) is met, the character information storage unit 11
Outputs "0C (hexadecimal number)".

When printing the sentences that make up the message,
The control unit 7 stores the D stored in the DTMF signal storage unit 15.
The message number is read from the TMF signal, and the character string information forming each message is obtained by referring to the character string information storage unit 10 described above. Next, the character pattern of each character forming the character string information is obtained from the character information storage unit 11. These are arranged in the format shown in FIG. 11 and then printed by the recording unit 6.

Next, free sentence reception in FIG. 2 (step 1
The process 23) will be described. D in step 123
The third and subsequent digits of the DTMF signal stored in the TMF signal storage unit 15 are checked. It has been confirmed in step 119 that the first two digits of the DTMF signal stored in the DTMF signal storage unit 15 are "90" indicating that the message is a free text message. The free text message in this embodiment is composed of the numbers and the contents shown in FIG. 10 as described above.
If any other DTMF signal is detected, a message error will occur. For example, if "#" is detected in addition to "* #" that indicates the end of the message, or "2" follows "*",
This is the case when numbers other than “4”, “6”, “8”, “*”, and “#” are detected. In this embodiment, the maximum length of free text message is 20 characters. Therefore, a message error will occur even if more DTMF signals are input. When a message error is detected in step 124, an error sound "beep beep" is sent out as in the case of the fixed text message, and the DTMF signal indicating the message number is detected again. Therefore, the user can make an error sound "beep beep".
If is returned, enter the message number and try again. When no message error is detected in step 124 as in the case of the fixed message, the control unit 7 informs the operator that the free text message is normally received by the operator.
After the sound is transmitted (step 125), the line is disconnected by connecting the line connection switch 24 of the line controller 12 to the side b (step 126), and then the DTMF signal stored in the DTMF signal storage 15 A free text message is printed in accordance with (step 127).

In printing free text messages, the control unit 7 uses the DTM.
The character information of the number corresponding to the DTMF signal stored in the F signal storage unit 15 is read from the character information storage unit 11, and is arranged in the format shown in FIG.
To print. FIG. 11 shows an example of printing in the case of a fixed text message, but as described above, in the case of a free text message, 314,
The number input as a free text message is printed at the position indicated by 315. The control unit 7 indicates that the DTMF signal read from the DTMF signal storage unit 15 is “* 2” shown in FIG.
In the case of "* 4", "* 6", and "* 8", processing is performed after replacing with "-", "(", ")", and blank. In the case of "**", the processing is performed assuming that the last character is not present.

As described above, in the facsimile apparatus of this embodiment, the hook state of the telephone connected to the facsimile apparatus is detected, and when it is detected that the telephone is off-hook, the telephone line is connected. When the DTMF signal that is sent is detected, and when the DTMF signal is detected, the information reception using the DTMF signal is performed.
Further, even when the facsimile machine is not connected to the line, such as when the connected telephone is an answering machine and answering a call to the telephone, it is possible to receive information using the DTMF signal.

[0042]

According to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, it is detected that the connected telephone is off-hook and the DT is detected.
Since the detection of the MF signal is started, when a telephone call is received, the telephone connected to the facsimile machine answers the telephone call, and the telephone connected to the facsimile machine is an answering machine and the telephone call is received. In this case, even if the answering machine responds to the answering machine, it is possible to receive the information by the DTMF signal transmitted through the telephone line.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a flow of processing when an incoming call is made in a facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a flow of processing of message reception in FIG.

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

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a connection between a facsimile device and a telephone in the embodiment of FIG.

5 is a diagram showing a configuration of a facsimile apparatus in the embodiment of FIG.

6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a line control unit 12 in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an operation method for sending a fixed phrase message in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an operating method for sending a free text message in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing correspondence between message numbers and message texts of fixed form messages in the embodiment of FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing symbols and the like that can be used when sending a free text message in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a print result of a fixed form message in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing correspondence between characters and character codes in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a method of storing character string information in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a method of storing character information in the embodiment of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Facsimile machine, 2 ... Telephone line, 3 ... Telephone, 4
... Facsimile communication unit, 5 ... Image reading unit, 6 ... Recording unit,
7 ... control part, 8 ... operation part, 9 ... DTMF signal detection part, 1
0 ... Character string information storage unit, 11 ... Character information storage unit, 12 ...
Line control unit, 13 ... Line connection terminal, 14 ... Telephone connection terminal, 15 ... DTMF signal storage unit, 21 ... 2-wire / 4-line conversion unit, 22 ... Ring signal detection unit, 23 ... Telephone hook detection unit, 24 ... Line Connection switch, 25 ... Voice response generator,
26 ... CNG signal detector, 501 ... Liquid crystal display, 502
... Recording paper discharge section, 503 ... Start button, 504 ... Stop button, 507 ... Telephone line terminal, 508 ... Telephone 3 line connection terminal

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A DTMF having a DTMF signal detecting means for detecting a DTMF signal sent from a telephone line, a recording means for printing image information, and a means for converting the DTMF signal into printable image information. In a facsimile machine in which image information is recorded by a recording means in accordance with a DTMF signal detected by a signal detecting means, a telephone hook detecting means for detecting a change in hook state of a telephone connected to the facsimile machine is provided, and a call is made from a telephone line. On the other hand, when the telephone hook detection means detects that the telephone connected to the facsimile apparatus goes off-hook, the DTMF signal detection means starts detection of the DTMF signal sent from the telephone line. However, when the reception of the DTMF signal of the predetermined specific combination is detected, the DT Converts the F signal to printable image data, a facsimile apparatus and recording by said recording means. 2. A facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of character string information is associated with a specific number, and the facsimile apparatus stores a plurality of character string information storing means. A character information storage unit for converting the characters forming the character string information into image information is provided, and a DTMF signal representing a specific number corresponding to the character string information is provided after the DTMF signal of the predetermined specific combination. When detected, the character string information stored in the character string information storage unit is converted into image information by the character information stored in the character information storage unit, and recorded by the recording unit. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1.