JPH09200324A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve the convenience of the facsimile equipment with an automatic answering telephone function by forcibly switching to the facsimile mode when automatic answering recording is disable so as to omit an useless operation and validate the effective operation. SOLUTION: When the automatic answering telephone function is out of order, the facsimile equipment is forcibly switched to the facsimile mode. In this facsimile equipment, a CPU 11 uses a counter function to store number of messages into a RAM 13 in the setting to the automatic answering mode to always monitor the capacity (residual capacity) as to whether or not the messages are recordable. When the count reaches a preset count and the residual capacity of the RAM 13 reaches a setting value, the facsimile mode is automatically switched without transmission of a reply message. That is, the CPU 11 acts like a residual capacity detection means and a mode changeover means.

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 an answering machine function for recording a message from the other party when setting an answering machine mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a facsimile machine for transmitting / receiving image information read from a document to / from a destination, and this facsimile machine has a telephone function for making a call through a telephone line. . This type of facsimile apparatus is described in, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. S58-170277, and this facsimile apparatus responds to the destination with a message (transmission of a message) when an incoming call is received by telephone. There is an answering machine function that records a message sent from the other party by doing.

[0003] Such a facsimile machine includes:
When a facsimile reception is detected in the answering machine mode in which the answering machine function is operated, some devices are devised so that the image information sent from the other party can be automatically switched to the facsimile mode.

[0004]

However, in such a conventional facsimile apparatus, the message message sent in the answering machine mode is stored (recorded) in a storage medium such as a memory or a tape. There was a problem that when a message message was recorded and the remaining amount of the message was exhausted, a reply message prompting the other party to send a message was repeatedly sent even though the message could not be recorded.

Therefore, the invention according to claim 1 is provided with an answering machine function by forcibly switching to the facsimile mode when it becomes impossible to record an answering machine, thereby eliminating unnecessary operation and enabling effective operation. The purpose is to improve the convenience of a facsimile machine. It is an object of the present invention to improve the convenience by notifying an incoming call before operating the facsimile mode so that a call can be made.

It is an object of the present invention to improve the usability by rearranging the inside of the storage medium to extend the time when the message cannot be recorded. It is an object of the invention according to claim 4 to prevent unnecessary information from disappearing and to further improve convenience by limiting only unnecessary information to be organized in the storage medium.

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a facsimile apparatus having an answering machine function for automatically answering a message in a storage medium in a recording medium in an answering machine mode. A remaining amount detecting means for detecting that the remaining amount of the storage medium has reached a preset set value, and a mode switching means for switching the setting mode from the answering mode to the facsimile mode based on the detection information. It is characterized by being provided.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when it is detected that the remaining amount of the storage medium for recording the sent message reaches the set value, the answering machine mode is forcibly switched to the facsimile mode. Therefore,
The absence of recorded message is detected, and the user can switch to a valid facsimile mode even when the user is absent. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, there is provided ringing means for outputting a ringing tone and notifying an incoming call, and the facsimile mode switched by the mode switching means when there is an incoming call. It is characterized in that a notification means for driving the ringing means to output the ringing sound a preset number of times before the start of the call is provided. Here, "before starting the facsimile mode switched by the mode switching means" means before the switching by the mode switching means and before starting the facsimile mode after switching.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when it is detected that the answering machine cannot be recorded when an incoming call is received, a ringing tone is output a set number of times before the facsimile mode is started to notify the incoming call. Therefore, even if the answering mode is set, the user can recognize that an incoming call was received before the facsimile mode was started. In addition to the configuration of the invention described in claim 1 or 2,
A history storage unit for storing the reproduction history information of the message stored in the storage medium, and a search in the history storage unit based on the detection information by the remaining amount detection unit to erase the message in the storage medium having the reproduction history. And a message erasing means.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the history of reproducing the message is stored, and when it is detected that the message cannot be recorded, the reproduced message is searched and deleted. Therefore, the reproduced message is erased from the storage medium. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the configuration of the third aspect of the present invention, a propriety storage means for storing propriety information for erasing a message stored in the storage medium is provided, and the message erasing means stores the propriety storage. It is characterized in that the message in the storage medium, which is not prohibited to be erased, is erased by referring to the inside of the means.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, whether or not the message can be erased is stored corresponding to the message, and when it is detected that the message cannot be recorded, an erasable message is retrieved. The messages that have been played and are not prohibited to be deleted are deleted. Therefore, it is possible to prohibit the erasing of messages that have already been reproduced and need to be reproduced again, and it is possible to erase only unnecessary messages.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are views showing a first embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, and this embodiment corresponds to the invention described in claim 1. First, the configuration will be described.

Referring to FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus includes a CPU (Central Processing) for executing various processing programs.
Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 in which various processing programs are stored in advance, and a RAM (Random Access) that temporarily stores data necessary for operation.
Memory) 13 and various information on LCD (Liquid Crystal Dis
play) and the like, and controls the operation display unit 14 for inputting settings and commands by the user and the modem 15 for modulating / demodulating transmitted image information and various procedure signals to make a predetermined call or incoming call. Based on the image control, a communication control section 17 that transmits and receives (transmits) image information via a network control device 16 that performs line control to disconnect the connection with a telephone line, a scanner 18 that reads image information from a document, and A plotter 19 for recording and outputting an image on a paper by a recording medium, a coding / decoding unit 20 for compressing and coding the read image information and expanding and decoding the received image information, and read An image memory 21 for accumulating image information and received image information, a parameter memory 22 in which data necessary for operation together with information such as a telephone number of the other party and operating conditions are set and backed up by a battery 22a, A character generator 23 that stores font data for each character such as letters, numbers, kana characters, symbols, and kanji, a clock circuit 24 used to detect the operating time, elapsed time, etc., and to talk to the other party Telephone device (ringing means) equipped with a ringing bell and a ringing ring for notifying the user of an incoming call
25 and are connected via a bus 26. Reference numeral 18a denotes a document sensor group for detecting document setting, paper feeding, jam occurrence, etc. provided in the scanner 18, and 19a similarly denotes a plotter.
19 is a paper sensor group for detecting paper setting, paper feeding, and jam occurrence.

The CPU 11 is adapted to perform overall control of the above-mentioned units based on the mode set when an incoming call is received, and to execute a telephone mode or a facsimile mode. As the telephone mode, an incoming call is detected. After that, a call mode that enables a call with the other party through the handset picked up by ringing the call bell, and a response message previously recorded in the parameter memory 22 is sent to the other party. Equipped with an answering machine that prompts a message and stores the recorded message in the RAM 13 and records it. In the facsimile mode, the image information received according to the transmission control procedure of the facsimile communication after detecting the incoming call is directly printed on the paper. There are a direct reception mode, a memory reception mode in which image information is stored in the image memory 21 and processed, and the like. Although only the direct reception mode and the memory reception mode are illustrated here as the facsimile mode, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to this.

The CPU 11 performs the same operation as that of an answering machine function using an IC (Integrated Circuit) memory which is generally performed when the answering machine mode is set, and sends it to an area prepared in the RAM 13. The received message message is recorded and stored, and when an incoming call is received by a facsimile while the answering machine is set, in the transmission control procedure of the facsimile communication during or after transmitting the response message. When the CNG signal (calling tone) is detected, the mode is automatically switched to the facsimile mode and the transmitted image information is received by facsimile. The answering machine is not limited to the method of using the RAM 13 as a storage medium, but may be a method of connecting a dedicated storage device and storing the storage medium in a storage medium such as a tape. Further, when the call mode is set, it may be automatically switched between the facsimile mode and the facsimile mode, and one of them may be set to be prioritized. The area in the RAM 13 used when setting the answering machine mode is set to the maximum value at the time of factory shipment, and is managed in block units (for example, 5 kbyte units) that can be changed later.

Then, the CPU 11 constantly checks (monitors) the capacity (remaining amount) of whether or not the message can be recorded by counting the accumulation of the message in the RAM 13 by the counter function (not shown) when the answering mode is set. ), The count value becomes a preset value, and when the remaining amount of the RAM 13 reaches a set value (for example, no remaining amount), the facsimile is sent without sending the response message. The mode is automatically switched. That is, the CPU 11 constitutes a remaining amount detecting means and a mode switching means.

Next, the operation and the operation when an incoming call is received will be described with reference to FIG. In the standby state, RAM13
The presence or absence of an incoming call is confirmed while monitoring the remaining amount of the inside and making a comparative judgment as to whether or not the set value has been reached. Then, when a mode other than the answering machine mode is set at the time of detecting an incoming call (step P11), the operation in the setting mode is started. For example, when the call mode is set, a ringing bell is sounded. The user can be informed of the incoming call by the ringing tone and the receiver can be picked up to talk with the other party. When a CNG signal is detected during the operation in the call mode, the mode is automatically switched to the facsimile mode and the facsimile reception is started. Therefore, when the telephone mode and the facsimile mode other than the answering machine mode are set, the call and the facsimile are automatically switched according to the other party.

On the other hand, when the answering mode is set (step P11), when it is confirmed that the remaining amount in the RAM 13 has not reached the set value and the message can be recorded (step P12), the answering machine is set. Record the message that is sent back after starting the operation according to the mode and sending the response message. When a CNG signal is detected during the operation in the answering machine, the facsimile mode is automatically switched to start the facsimile reception. Therefore, when the answering machine mode is set, the answering machine and the facsimile are automatically switched according to the other party.

Further, when it is confirmed that the remaining amount in the RAM 13 reaches the set value and the recording of the message is impossible at the time of setting the answering machine (steps P11 and P12), the reply message is not transmitted and the facsimile mode is set. When the CNG signal is detected, the operation in the facsimile mode is started, and the image information sent from the other party is received by the facsimile. Therefore, the facsimile mode is promptly started without wastefully sending the response message to the other party despite the absence of the recorded message.

As described above, in this embodiment, the RAM
When it is not possible to record the message message because the inside of 13 is full, it is possible to forcibly switch to the facsimile mode, and despite not being able to record the message, without sending the response message to the other party uselessly, It is possible to set and start a facsimile mode in which the user can operate effectively even when he is absent.

Next, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, and this embodiment corresponds to the invention described in claim 2. This embodiment is the same as the first embodiment.
Since the configuration is substantially the same as that of the embodiment, only the characteristic portion will be described with reference to FIG. First, the configuration will be described. FIG.
In, the CPU 11 has a RAM when setting the answering mode.
When the remaining amount in 13 has reached the set value, the calling bell is rung a preset number of times, and then the mode is automatically switched to the facsimile mode without sending a response message. That is, the CPU 11 constitutes an informing means, and at this time, the user handset that knows the incoming call by the output of the ringing sound before the ringing of the ringing ring of the set number of times ends is picked up, and the call becomes possible. It should be noted that the number of times of setting may be set to the number of times that the user can sufficiently pick up the handset after receiving an incoming call.

Next, the operation and the operation when an incoming call is received will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, in the present embodiment, the same processing as that of the above-described embodiment is denoted by the same reference numeral, and the description thereof will be omitted. When the answering mode is set, the line connection is switched to the telephone device 25 side by the relay even if the remaining amount in the RAM 13 reaches the set value and recording of the message is impossible (steps P11 and P12). Therefore, the ringing bell is sounded and the number of times of ringing is counted (step P21).

Then, when the receiver is not picked up (step P23) until the ringing of the ringing bell reaches the set number of times (step P22), the facsimile mode is compulsorily switched without sending a response message, and CNG is set.
When a signal is detected, the operation in the facsimile mode is started and the image information sent from the other party is received by the facsimile. Therefore, the response message is not unnecessarily transmitted to the other party, and the facsimile mode is promptly started when the user is absent and cannot record the message.

On the other hand, when the handset is picked up before the ringing of the ringing bell reaches the set number of times (step P22) (step P23), the call mode is set in which the call is made to the other party through the line, and the other party also calls. If the call was made by, the call can be made as it is. Further, at this time, when the destination is a call by a facsimile machine, the facsimile reception can be started by an operation of starting the reception, for example, by pressing the start key of the operation display unit 14. Therefore, the user can talk with the other party by picking up the receiver even when the message cannot be recorded, and the image information can be received by facsimile without any inconvenience even by facsimile.

As described above, in this embodiment, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment, when an incoming call is received, the ring tone is output by the set number of times before the facsimile mode is started even in the state where recording cannot be performed. Informs the user of the call, so
If there is a user even when the answering machine is set, the user can pick up the handset by knowing that there was an incoming call before starting the facsimile mode, so that the telephone can be called when the incoming call is received by telephone. On the other hand, facsimile reception can be started even in the case of facsimile.

Next, FIGS. 4 and 5 are views showing a third embodiment of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, and this embodiment corresponds to the invention of claim 3. It should be noted that the present embodiment is configured substantially the same as the above-described second embodiment, and only the characteristic portion will be described with reference to FIG. First, the configuration will be described.

In FIG. 1, the RAM 13 is designed to store and manage the recording start time and recording time of the accumulated message messages in a message management table. As shown, the CPU 11 stores the recording start time and the recording time in accordance with the order of accumulation of the message messages, and the reproduction history of the reproduction request input by the user from the operation display unit 14 is added and managed as reproduced or unreproduced. It is like this. The CPU 11 normally does not erase the message unless it is selectively input from the operation display unit 13, but the RAM 13 is set when the answering machine mode is set.
When the remaining amount of the message reaches the set value, the reproduced message messages are deleted from the oldest one in accordance with the accumulation order. That is, the RAM 13 constitutes the history storing means, and the CPU 11 constitutes the message erasing means.

Next, the operation when a call is received and the operation will be described with reference to FIG. In addition, in the present embodiment, the same processing as that of the above-described embodiment is denoted by the same reference numeral, and the description thereof will be omitted. If the incoming call is detected when the answering machine is set and the remaining amount in the RAM 13 reaches the set value and recording of the message is impossible (steps P11 and P12), the RAM 13 When the message management table is searched to search for a message message to which the reproduced history that has been reproduced is searched (step P31), the corresponding message message is erased (step P32), and the operation in the answering machine mode is started. Therefore, by deleting the reproduced message message, the remaining amount in the RAM 13 is set to a capacity for recording the message message, and when the message message is sent from the other party after the reply message is sent in the answering machine, You can record a message. Also, while operating in this answering machine, C
When the NG signal is detected, the mode is automatically switched to the facsimile mode and the facsimile reception is started.

When the reproduced message message is not retrieved from the message management table in the RAM 13 (step P31), the same processing as in the above embodiment is performed (steps P21 to P23), and the ringing of the ringing bell reaches the set number of times. If the handset is not picked up by the time, the image information sent from the other party is automatically received when the CNG signal is detected by automatically switching to the facsimile mode and before the ringing of the ringing bell reaches the set number of times. When the handset is picked up, it is possible to talk to the other party or receive a facsimile depending on the call mode.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment, when it is detected that the message cannot be recorded, the message with the replay history that has already been replayed is retrieved and erased. It is possible to organize the reproduced message messages in, cancel the unrecorded message and continue recording the recorded message, and it is possible to extend the period when the recorded message cannot be recorded.

Next, FIGS. 6 and 7 are views showing a fourth embodiment of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, and this embodiment corresponds to the invention of claim 4. Note that the present embodiment is configured substantially the same as the above-described third embodiment, and only the characteristic portion will be described using FIG. First, the configuration will be described.

In FIG. 1, the CPU 11 prompts the user to input whether or not the message message may be erased after the reproduction from the operation display unit 14 which is operated when the message message is requested to be reproduced. As shown in FIG. 6, the RAM 13 stores in the message management table for managing the message message whether or not the inputted message message can be erased.
It is added and managed by PU11. Then, the CPU 11 deletes the reproduced message messages which are not prohibited to be deleted from the oldest ones according to the storage order when the remaining amount in the RAM 13 reaches the set value when the answering machine mode is set. That is, RAM13
Also constitutes a propriety storage means.

Next, the operation when there is an incoming call will be described together with the operation with reference to FIG. In addition, in the present embodiment, the same processing as that of the above-described embodiment is denoted by the same reference numeral, and the description thereof will be omitted. When an incoming call is detected when the answering machine is set and recording of a message is impossible (steps P11 and P12), the reproduced message message retrieved from the message management table in the RAM 13 is detected (step P31). It is confirmed whether erasure is prohibited (step P41), and when it is not prohibited, the corresponding message message is erased (step P32) and the operation in the answering machine mode is started. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the message message whose deletion is prohibited by the user is not deleted, only the message message that has been reproduced and is not prohibited to be deleted is deleted, and the remaining amount in the RAM 13 records the message message. Made to the capacity possible.

Further, when the reproduced message message is not retrieved from the message management table in the RAM 13 (step P31), or when the deleted message is prohibited even for the reproduced message message (step P41), the above-mentioned operation is carried out. Is processed in the same manner as the form (steps P21 to P23),
If the handset is not picked up before the ringing ring reaches the set number of times, it automatically switches to the facsimile mode and receives the image information sent from the other party when the CNG signal is detected, while the ringing bell is received. When the handset is picked up before the number of times of ringing reaches the set number of times, it is possible to talk with the other party or receive a facsimile by the call mode.

As described above, in the present embodiment, in addition to the effects of the above-described embodiment, when it is detected that the voice mail cannot be recorded, the reproduced message message whose deletion is not prohibited is searched and deleted. For example, it is possible to prevent erasing a message message that needs to be repeatedly listened to or a message message that needs to be reproduced again in order to be heard by another user from the RAM 13, but it is not necessary to retain it. By deleting and organizing the message messages, the unrecorded message can be canceled and a new message message can be accumulated, and the time when the recorded message cannot be recorded can be extended.

[0036]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when it is detected that the message cannot be recorded, the facsimile mode is compulsorily switched, so that a message prompting a message is not wastefully transmitted, and it is effective even when the user is absent. It is possible to set a facsimile mode that can be operated in. Therefore,
Convenience can be improved.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when an incoming call is received, the incoming call is notified by a set number of ringing tones before the facsimile mode is started even in a state where the answering machine cannot be recorded. Therefore, the answering mode is set. Even if the user is present, it is possible to know that there is an incoming call before starting the facsimile mode when the user is present, and by picking up the handset, the incoming call can be made by telephone. Therefore, convenience can be further improved.

According to the third aspect of the invention, when it is detected that the message cannot be recorded, the replayed messages are searched for and erased, so that the replayed messages are sorted out from the storage medium. It is possible to extend the time when the absence can be recorded. Therefore, usability can be improved. According to the invention described in claim 4, when it is detected that the absence recording is impossible,
Since messages that are not prohibited to be deleted are searched and deleted, it is possible to prevent deleting messages that need to be replayed from the storage medium, and delete messages that do not need to be retained. It is possible to extend the time when recording becomes impossible. Therefore, it is intended to further improve convenience.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a first embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, and is a block diagram illustrating an overall configuration thereof.

FIG. 2 is a flow chart for explaining the operation together with the operation of the incoming call.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a second embodiment of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, and is a flow chart for explaining the operation together with the operation at the time of an incoming call.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a third embodiment of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, and is a conceptual diagram illustrating a message managed by its main part.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart for explaining the operation together with the operation of the incoming call.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a fourth embodiment of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, and is a conceptual diagram illustrating a message managed by its main part.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart for explaining the operation together with the operation of the incoming call.

[Explanation of symbols]

11 CPU (remaining amount detection means, mode switching means, notification means, message deletion means) 12 ROM 13 RAM (storage medium, history storage means, availability storage means) 14 operation display section 17 communication control section 19 scanner 20 plotter 21 image memory 22 Parameter memory 25 Telephone device (sounding means)

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. In a facsimile apparatus having an answering machine function for automatically answering a message in a storage medium in an answering machine mode, the remaining amount of the storage medium reaches a preset value. A facsimile apparatus, comprising: a remaining amount detecting unit for detecting that the setting mode is changed; and a mode switching unit for switching the setting mode from the answering mode to the facsimile mode based on the detection information. 2. A ringing means for outputting a ringing tone and informing of an incoming call is provided, and when the incoming call is received, the ringing means is driven and set in advance before the facsimile mode switched by the mode switching means is started. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an informing means for outputting a ringing tone only for a predetermined number of times. 3. A history storage means for storing reproduction history information of a message stored in the storage medium, and a storage medium having a reproduction history by searching the history storage means based on the detection information by the remaining amount detection means. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: a message erasing unit that erases the message. 4. A storage medium which is provided with a propriety storage means for storing propriety information for erasing a message stored in the storage medium, wherein the message erasing means is not prohibited from being erased by referring to the propriety storage means. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the facsimile message is erased.