JPH0923290A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To simplify and secure a complicated and troublesome job by a conventional OMR and operation button in the function setting of the facsimile equipment. SOLUTION: An OFF-HOOK detection means 1 detects an on/off-hook state of an externally mounted telephone set 10 and an incoming call detection means 3 detects the arrival of a call from a public line 12 to set an OFF=HOOK flag, a DTMF detection means 2 detects a DTMF signal sent from th externally mounted telephone set 10 to set the externally mounted telephone set operation mode. Then a network control section 4 controls the connection to the public line and an operation print means 5 displays an operation content to input interactively the function setting. The interactive operation input and the setting of the ON-OFF flag are controlled by an operation control means 6.

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 which sets a device function by inputting a DTMF signal from an external telephone, or
The present invention relates to a communication device that uses a DTMF signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, in facsimile machines, there is a tendency to minimize the buttons on the operating section in order to downsize the equipment and reduce the cost. As a method of setting functions specific to a predetermined facsimile machine, for example, A method of writing a predetermined mark on a paper of a predetermined format by optical mark recognition (OMR) and reading it from the reading unit of the facsimile apparatus, or a method of setting it with an operation button or the like installed in the main body of the facsimile apparatus. and so on.

[0003]

In the conventional method as described above, in the case of the OMR setting method, it is complicated and complicated to fill in the function setting contents on a predetermined sheet, and when the sheet is read into the facsimile apparatus. However, there is a possibility that it may not be sufficiently recognized due to the density of recording marks, the accuracy of entry, etc., and there is a problem that it takes more time and effort than necessary to set the function.
Further, in the case of the setting method using operation buttons, as described above, it is against the tendency of downsizing of equipment and cost reduction, and it is not allowed to add operation buttons exclusively for function setting. Since it had a function, the button operation itself was complicated and difficult to handle, and there was a problem in practical use.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention focuses on a telephone attached externally to a facsimile machine, allows simple and reliable function setting operation, and is suitable for downsizing of equipment and cost reduction. To provide a facsimile machine.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention,
A facsimile device to which a telephone is externally connected includes DTMF detecting means for detecting a DTMF signal transmitted from the external telephone, and the DTMF detecting means detects the DTMF signal transmitted from the external telephone. By doing so, the facsimile apparatus is set to the external telephone operation mode.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, there is provided operation switching number storage means for storing an operation switching number that enables switching to the external telephone operation mode. The external telephone operation mode is set by detecting a DTMF signal from the external telephone corresponding to the switching number.

The invention according to claim 3 is the invention according to claim 1 or 2.
The facsimile apparatus described above has a configuration including network control means for disconnecting a connection with a public line to which the facsimile apparatus is connected in response to an operation from the external telephone. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects, the operation printing means prints the operation contents in response to an operation from the external telephone, and the operation printing means. It is configured to include first operation control means for recognizing and processing the content of the DTMF signal sent from the external telephone according to the printed operation content.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, an incoming call detecting means for detecting an incoming call from a public line to which the facsimile apparatus is connected; The incoming call from the public line and the off-hook state are detected by the OFF-HOOK detecting means for detecting that the facsimile apparatus is in the off-hook state by the incoming call of the above, and the incoming call detecting means and the OFF-HOOK detecting means. In the case of the second, prohibiting the setting of the external telephone operation mode
The operation control means is included.

With such a configuration, in the invention according to the first aspect, when the operator intends to set an arbitrary function of the facsimile machine, the DTMF signal is transmitted from the telephone 10 externally connected to the facsimile machine. , DT
The signal is detected by the MF detecting means 2, and the mode is switched to the external telephone operation mode. As a result, the function can be set from the external telephone, and the operator performs desired function setting by operating the external telephone.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, when switching to the external telephone operation mode, a switching number is set in advance for the DTMF signal sent from the external telephone and stored in the operation switching number storage means 6. When the operator intends to switch the operation mode and sends out a DTMF signal (switching number), this is compared and collated with the number in the switching number storage means, and if they match, the external telephone operation mode is set. To do.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the external telephone 10 is operated to switch to the external telephone operation mode, the network control unit 4 disconnects the facsimile apparatus from the public line 12. As a result, the DTMF signal transmitted from the external telephone connected to the facsimile apparatus via the telephone line is not transmitted to the public line, and the occurrence of a wrong telephone call in the external telephone operation mode is prevented. .

Further, in the invention of claim 4, the contents of the operation actually performed by the operator in setting the function are printed and displayed by the operation printing means 5 together with the operation guidance (guidance). Therefore, the operator can confirm the operation content by this display and perform the operation according to the desired function setting according to the guidance. The first operation control means 6 recognizes the printout of the operation content and the operation input from the operator accompanying the guidance.

According to the invention of claim 5, claims 1 to 4 are provided.
In addition to the effect of the above, prior to the setting of the external telephone operation mode, the incoming call detecting means detects whether the external telephone is receiving a call from the public line, and when the incoming call is not received,
OFF-The external telephone is turned off by the HOOK detection means-
Detects if there is a hook. As a result, the condition under which the switching to the external telephone operation mode can be monitored and the switching of the external telephone operation mode due to the transmission of the DTMF signal from the public line is prevented. The monitoring and detection of the switching condition to this operation mode is controlled by the second operation control means 6.

[0014]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Detailed embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to claims 1 to 5 of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 is OFF-HOOK detection means for recognizing the on / off-hook state of an external telephone connected to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, and 2 is an external telephone 10 connected to the facsimile apparatus. Is a DTMF detecting means for detecting a DTMF signal output from the telephone line 11 to the internal bus 9, and 3 is an incoming call detecting means for detecting a ringing signal when the facsimile machine receives an incoming call from the public line 12. 4 is a network control unit for switching and controlling the connection between the facsimile apparatus and the public line 12, and the connection between the telephone line 11 connected to the external telephone 10 and the public line 12, and 5 is an external telephone operation guide, Reference numeral 6 is a printing means for displaying confirmation of the operation contents to the operator, and 6 is an external telephone operator according to the detected DTMF signal. Is an operation control means (first and second operation control means) for controlling the operation mode, and 7 is an operation switching number for storing a switching number corresponding to the DTMF signal when switching to the external telephone operation. A storage means 8 is a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM for controlling the entire facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the network control means of the facsimile apparatus according to claim 3 of the present invention. The same components as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same symbols. In FIG. 2, reference numeral 21 is a relay for selecting whether to connect the public line 12 to the modem 24 for facsimile communication or to connect to the external telephone 10 via the telephone line 11, and 22 is a modem 24 for facsimile communication. Is a relay for selecting whether to connect to the public line 12 side or the telephone line 11 (external telephone 10) side. OFF-H, which detects whether the external telephone is off-hook, on the telephone line 11 side
The OOK detecting means 1, the incoming call detecting means 3 for recognizing whether there is an incoming call from the public line 12 to the facsimile machine, and the DTMF detecting means 2 for detecting the DTMF signal sent from the external telephone 10 are connected and the facsimile machine is connected. A direct current generating means 23 for generating a direct current required for the external telephone 10 to operate normally even if the public line 12 is disconnected by the relays 21 and 22 is connected.

Next, in explaining the overall operation of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the OFF-HOO which is first performed.
The setting of K-FLAG will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG.
Is an OFF-H applied to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.
It is a flow chart which shows control of OOK-FLAG.
OFF-HOOK-FLAG is a flag which is set only when the operator puts the external telephone 10 into the off-hook state except when the call is received from the public line 12, and is a trigger which is firstly performed in the entire operation of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention. Is the part used as.

First, it is checked by the incoming call detecting means 3 shown in FIG. 1 whether an incoming call is coming from the public line 12 (P1).
Is performed and the call is being received, OFF-HOOK-FL
Reset AG (P4). If you are not receiving a call,
The OFF-HOOK detection means 1 allows the external telephone 10
Is off-hook state is checked (P
2). Here, in the off-hook state, the call is not being received (the ringing signal is not detected), and the off-
Since it is in a hook state, OFF-HOOK-
Turn on FLAG (P3). This work is executed at a predetermined interval by an interrupt operation, and is always OFF-HOO.
The state is reflected in K-FLAG. The series of OFF-HOOK-FLAG setting processing is controlled by the operation control means 6 (second operation control means).

In this way, OFF-HOOK-FLAG
Is ON, the external telephone 10 is in the off-hook state, so no incoming call from the public line 12 is possible. Therefore, this FLAG is reset after the external telephone 10 This is the case when the on-hook state is entered. Therefore, only when this OFF-HOOK-FLAG is in the ON state, it becomes possible to switch to the external telephone operation mode and the connection with the public line 12 is cut off. Therefore, the DTM from the public line 12 is disconnected.
The malfunction of the facsimile machine due to the F signal is prevented.
(Claim 5) Next, the overall operation of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

First, the above-mentioned OFF-HOOK-F
Monitor whether LAG is on (P11), OFF
If -HOOK-FLAG is on, the DTMF detecting means 2 monitors whether or not the DTMF signal for switching to the external telephone operation mode sent from the external telephone 10 is detected (P12). This DT
Upon detection of the MF signal, the facsimile machine is switched to the external telephone operation mode, and the operator can set a desired function by operating the external telephone 10. (Claim 1) When switching to the external telephone operation mode, a switching number is set in advance for the DTMF signal transmitted from the external telephone 10 to simplify the switching operation and to reduce the load on the DTMF detecting means 2. A method for reducing the weight is shown as step P12 in FIG. Here, as the switching number, a DTMF that can be called by an ordinary telephone stored in advance in the storage unit of the facsimile device is used.
A symbolized number such as "# 123" having a 4-digit number, which is composed of signal numbers or the like and is not normally used as a telephone number, is set and stored in the operation switching number storage means 7. .

DTMF sent from the external telephone 10
When the signal is recognized and detected as the switching number (P1
2) If the operator decides that he / she desires external telephone operation, and if the switching number is not detected, then the operator decides that he / she wants to make a normal telephone call using the external telephone. Do not switch to external telephone operation mode. (Claim 2) Next, when the switching number is detected in step P12, the contact of the relay 21 of the network control unit 4 is switched to the ● side, and the contact of the relay 22 is switched to the ○ side (P13).
Therefore, the public line 12 is disconnected from the facsimile machine, and after detecting the operation switching number, the DTMF signal sent from the external telephone 10 is transmitted to the public line 1.
2 is not sent, and it is possible to prevent making a mistaken call while performing an external telephone operation. (Claim 3) Here, since the direct current from the public line 12 is cut off after switching the relays 21 and 22, the external telephone 10
May not operate normally, so in order to prevent this, a direct current is made to flow through the telephone line 11 that connects the facsimile device and the external telephone 10 (P14).

In this way, the facsimile apparatus has shifted to the external telephone operation mode. Next, the operation printing means for indicating the state of the external telephone operation and the contents of the operation to the operator is printed by the operation printing means. It is printed and displayed on page 5 (P15).
In this case, the printing means normally used when the facsimile machine receives the data may be used. Also, instead of printing, a voice message is added to the facsimile device to explain the operation by voice, or LCD is used.
(Liquid crystal display element) Display means may be provided for displaying.

The following is used as a specific example of the message printed or displayed by the operation printing means. This is an item in which items normally set in the facsimile operation unit are printed and displayed in a menu format.

Next, after a message is printed and displayed on the operation printing means 5, the operator waits for input of a desired operation using the external telephone 10 from the number shown in the menu, and the predetermined DTMF. When the termination code by the signal, for example, "***" is detected (P16), the external telephone operation mode is terminated. The print display on the operation printing means and the recognition processing of the input from the operator for the print display are performed by the operation control means 6 (first operation control means).

Further, when the end code is not detected while the above menu is printed and the menu number, for example, "2" is recognized and detected (P17),
The mode shifts to the CSI (callee identification signal) setting mode.
In this case, there is no particular need for the selection function to operate, and the procedure returns to the operation printing of step P15, and C
One step of SI setting Print the detailed menu. The following is an example of the detailed menu.

[0025] In response to this display, the operator inputs a telephone number to be registered as CSI from the external telephone 10 with 20 digits or less. After the above detailed menu is printed and displayed, follow the procedure P.
While monitoring the exit code in step 16, CSI in step P17
The number of 20 digits or less input until "**" indicating the end of setting is detected is stored. When "**" is detected, the stored number is changed to C by the selected function operation.
Register as SI in the system (P18). (Claim 4) DTMF which moves to the upper stage of the menu after the setting of CSI is completed
If a predetermined code based on a signal, for example, "0" is set in the device in advance and the DTMF signal "0" is input from the external telephone 10, the operation is simplified,
It will be easier to understand.

In the present invention, the operation is performed using the DTMF signal. However, even if this signal is a pulse signal, the DTMF detecting means uses the pulse signal detecting means in the present invention. It goes without saying that it works the same as. Further, although omitted in the flowchart of FIG. 4, when the external telephone returns to the on-hook state in all states, the external telephone operation mode ends at that point.

As described above, according to the first aspect of the invention, the DT is connected to the telephone externally attached to the facsimile apparatus.
By transmitting the MF signal and detecting the signal by the DTMF detection means, the mode is switched so that the device function setting of the facsimile apparatus can be operated from the external telephone, so that input work such as OMR for the function setting is required. In addition, hardware such as operation buttons can be omitted.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since it is possible to switch to the external telephone operation mode by the preset switching number, the DTMF signal transmitted from the external telephone is registered (stored). Switching to the external telephone operation mode can be simplified by comparing and collating with the existing switching number.

According to the third aspect of the invention, by switching the relay of the network control means, the connection between the facsimile apparatus and the public line is cut off and made independent, so that the DTMF signal sent from the external telephone is sent to the public line. It is possible to prevent a wrong phone call being sent out. further,
According to the invention of claim 4, the operation contents can be confirmed by printing and displaying the operation contents actually performed together with the guidance, and the interactive input becomes possible. Therefore, the input setting error of the device function can be prevented.

According to the invention of claim 5, it is possible to switch to the external telephone operation mode by detecting whether the external telephone is not receiving a call from the public line or in an off-hook state. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the operation mode from being switched due to the DTMF signal from the public line and prevent the malfunction of the facsimile apparatus.

[0031]

According to the first aspect of the invention, since the function of the facsimile apparatus can be set by the DTMF signal from the external telephone, complicated and complicated input operation using OMR paper or the like is not required, Further, since the operation buttons and the like of the main body of the facsimile device can be omitted, the size of the device and the cost can be reduced.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the external telephone operation mode is switched by the preset DTMF signal, no hardware such as an operation mode changeover switch is required.
It is possible to suppress the cost increase of the device and reduce the size of the device. According to the third aspect of the invention, the facsimile machine is disconnected from the public line in the external telephone operation mode, so that the DT sent from the external telephone is sent.
It is possible to prevent the occurrence of a wrong call due to the MF signal.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, since the function setting status of the facsimile device by the external telephone is printed and displayed, it is possible to clearly recognize the operation content and prevent an input error. According to the invention described in claim 5, by detecting the incoming call from the public line and the off-hook state by the incoming call detecting means and the OFF-HOOK detecting means, the external telephone operation mode by the DTMF signal from the public line is entered. Since the switching of the facsimile is prohibited, it is possible to prevent the malfunction of the facsimile apparatus.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of network control means of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is OFF applied to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention.
-A flowchart showing the control of HOOK-FLAG.

FIG. 4

[Explanation of symbols]

6 is a flowchart showing the overall operation of the facsimile apparatus of the present invention. 1 OFF-HOOK detection means 2 DTMF detection means 3 Incoming call detection means 4 Network control means 5 Operation printing means 6 Operation control means 7 Operation switching number storage means 9 Internal bus 10 External telephone 11 Telephone line 12 Public lines 21, 22 Relay 23 DC generating means 24 modem

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus to which a telephone is externally connected, wherein a dual tone M transmitted from the external telephone
atrix Frequency signal (hereinafter DTMF
DTMF detecting means for detecting a DTMF signal transmitted from the external telephone, and the DTMF detecting means detects the DTMF signal transmitted from the external telephone, thereby allowing the facsimile device to respond to an operation from the external telephone. Facsimile machine characterized in that the device function can be set (hereinafter referred to as an external telephone operation mode). 2. The facsimile apparatus further comprises operation switching number storage means for storing an operation switching number that enables switching to the external telephone operation mode, from the external telephone corresponding to the operation switching number. 2. The external telephone operation mode is set by detecting the DTMF signal of the external telephone.
A facsimile machine as described. 3. The facsimile apparatus further comprises network control means for disconnecting a connection with a public line to which the facsimile apparatus is connected, in response to an operation from the external telephone. Alternatively, the facsimile machine according to the item 2. 4. In the facsimile device, an operation printing means for printing the operation content according to an operation from the external telephone, and the external phone according to the operation content printed by the operation printing means. 4. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising first operation control means for recognizing and processing the DTMF signal sent from the facsimile machine. 5. In the facsimile machine, an incoming call detecting means for detecting an incoming call from a public line to which the facsimile machine is connected, and an incoming call from the public line to detect that the facsimile machine is in an off-hook state. When the incoming call from the public line and the off-hook state are detected by the off-hook (hereinafter referred to as OFF-HOOK) detection means, the incoming call detection means and the OFF-HOOK detection means, the external connection is performed. The facsimile apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a second operation control unit that prohibits setting of a telephone operation mode.