JPH0998252A - Communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To end a command to operate an external equipment by calling a facsimile equipment from a visiting location. SOLUTION: When a facsimile equipment FB at a remote location sends a reservation content described according to a prescribed format to a facsimile equipment FA, the facsimile equipment FA recognizes the received image at its control section to discriminate the reservation content and converts it into a control signal, which activates an infrared ray remote control signal transmission section Ct to send the signal to an infrared ray remote control signal transmission section Cr to reserve video recording. Furthermore, the content controlling a video deck V by a reverse polling communication function is converted into an image and returned to allow a setting person to confirm its content.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication device such as a facsimile device having a function of controlling an electric device such as a video deck through a telephone line from a remote place.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a VCR, a television,
Also, although audio equipment with a program reservation function is widely used, it is remembered that the user does not reserve a program on the go, or it is necessary to make a reservation for a specific program on the go. Is often caused. Further, in recent years, as an electric appliance having a program reservation function of this kind, one that enables operation of the apparatus including program reservation by using a remote control device is rapidly becoming popular.

By the way, as a conventional facsimile apparatus using a telephone line, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-37967 discloses a facsimile apparatus having a remote control sending section, and the facsimile apparatus is provided with a remote control receiving section. While the video signal recording / reproducing device such as a video deck, etc. is connected by a connector, the facsimile device remotely controls the video signal recording / reproducing device via the remote control transmission unit to convert the received image of the facsimile device into a video signal. Then, output a video signal from the output terminal and record with the video signal recording / playback device, or convert the playback image of the video signal recording / playback device into a video signal and input it to the facsimile device. Can be sent to other fax machines Those to have been proposed.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art example, there is an advantage that an external device such as a video deck can be operated by a remote control from the facsimile machine, but the facsimile machine can be called from a destination. , It is not possible to send commands to operate external equipment. Therefore, since the transmission / reception function of the facsimile machine itself and the remote control function for an external device are not linked, there is a problem that the remote control function cannot be fully utilized.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems. A remote control transmission section for operating an external device is provided, and data transmitted from this remote control transmission section is sent from a destination to a telephone line. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device capable of performing control such as recording reservation to a VCR from a remote place by enabling input.

[0006]

The present invention is intended for a communication device represented by a facsimile machine. To achieve the above object, the first technical means of the present invention comprises: A receiver, a converter, and a remote control signal transmitter are provided, and the receiver receives an image signal of another communication device transmitted through a telephone line,
After the conversion unit is requested to remotely control the external device during the communication procedure, the image received by the reception unit is identified and the content thereof is converted into a signal for controlling the external device. Then, the remote control signal sending unit sends the external device control signal converted by the converting unit to the external device, which allows the facsimile machine at the remote place to reserve the VCR and set the air conditioner. It is possible to control external equipment such as.

In addition to the above configuration, an image signal returning means is provided, and by this image signal returning means, the contents of controlling the external device by the above procedure are converted into an image image for the contents setter to confirm. By configuring to reply, the set contents can be confirmed by the image.

A second technical means of the present invention comprises a receiving unit, a transmitting unit, an identifying unit, a converting unit and a remote control signal transmitting unit, wherein the receiving unit is connected to another communication device through a telephone line. When the remote control request signal sent to the external device is received, the sending unit sends the operation guide by voice announcement to the telephone line. Then, the identifying unit identifies the push signal input by the other communication device in accordance with the operation guidance transmitted from the transmitting unit, and further the conversion unit identifies the content identified by the identifying unit to the external device. The signal is converted into a signal to be controlled, and finally, the remote control signal sending unit sends the external device control signal converted by the converting unit to the external device. You can control external devices such as reservations and air conditioner settings.

In addition to the above configuration, a voice signal replying means is provided, and the voice signal replying means sends back the contents of controlling the external equipment by the above-mentioned procedure by a voice announcement so that the contents setter can confirm the contents. With this configuration, the set contents can be confirmed by voice.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment in which the present invention is applied to a facsimile machine will be described below with reference to the drawings.
First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
Shows an example of a system centered on a facsimile machine FA. As shown in this figure, the fax machine FA
Is connected to an unspecified other facsimile device FB via a public telephone line L and a line switch S installed in a telephone station. Further, the facsimile apparatus FA is provided with an infrared remote control signal sending section Ct, while the video deck V as an external device is provided with an infrared remote control signal receiving section Cr.

It is assumed that the infrared remote control signal receiving section Cr of the video deck V is set at a position where the signal transmitted from the infrared remote control signal transmitting section Ct of the facsimile apparatus FA can be correctly received. Further, as the infrared remote control signal transmission unit Ct of the facsimile apparatus FA, one having the same configuration as the infrared remote controller used in home electric appliances is used.

The facsimile device FA can be operated from the outside by another facsimile device FB.
That is, the recording reservation communication of the video deck V is selected by the other facsimile apparatus FB, and the image data indicating the contents for controlling the video deck V according to a certain format is transmitted to the facsimile apparatus FA. In the facsimile device FB, during the pre-communication procedure, it is confirmed whether or not the facsimile device FA is provided with the infrared remote control signal transmission unit Ct, and after confirmation, the contents to be set are transmitted as an image. After receiving the image data, the facsimile apparatus FA identifies the received content after the reception is completed, converts the content into a control signal, and sends the control signal toward the video deck V from the infrared remote control sending unit Ct. Control.

In the present embodiment, the VCR V is mentioned as the external device to be controlled, but other devices such as a television, an audio device, or a device equipped with a remote control device such as an air conditioner. It is also suitable for control of.

FIG. 2 shows the overall structure of the facsimile machine FA.
FIG. 3 shows a connection state between the control unit and other components. In these figures, reference numeral 1 is a control unit composed of a microcomputer system, which controls the entire apparatus main body. Image data from the image processing unit 2 is given to the control unit 1. The image processing unit 2 creates image data by performing halftone processing, shading correction, and other predetermined image processing on the output signal of the reading unit 3 having a scanner 3a that optically reads a document to be transmitted. Reference numeral 4 denotes an operation unit including various operation keys such as a start key.

Reference numeral 5 is an encoding / decoding circuit, 6 is a modem unit, 7 is an NCU (network control unit), which constitutes a receiving unit for receiving an image signal of another facsimile apparatus FB, and controls it. The unit 1 is connected to a public telephone line L via an encoding / decoding circuit 5, a modem unit 6 and an NCU (network control unit) 7.

A transmission function unit 8 encodes image data according to a predetermined encoding method, and creates a control signal necessary for facsimile communication. Reference numeral 9 denotes a reception function unit, which executes decoding of a received code into image data and a predetermined reception control procedure. Reference numeral 10 is a recording unit having a print unit 10a for recording a received image or the like on a recording sheet, and 11 is a liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like, and is a display for displaying various modes, such as a destination telephone number and a current time The part 12 is an RS-232C port which is an interface part for data communication.

In FIG. 3, the control unit 1 includes a CPU 1
3. Power backup RAM1 that functions as memory
4. It consists of the program ROM 15 etc.
The U 13 is connected to each component of the scanner 3 a, the print unit 10 a, the operation unit 4, the RAM 14, the ROM 15, and the modem 6 through the data bus 16.

The RAM 14 is backed up by a battery (not shown), which is a separate power source, and is a work area for cryptographic communication, a cryptographic key storage area as one form of a memory area, and a CBC initial value (IV). Storage area, etc.
It has a counter and the like. In addition, the ROM 15 stores various parameters for overall control, and R
It stores the S-232C port 12, AT command control program, and other necessary software. Further, the control unit 1 is configured by software such that the timer 17 generates a clock pulse.

Since the structure of the facsimile device FB is the same as that of the facsimile device FA,
Description is omitted.

In the normal operation mode, the facsimile devices FA and FB having the above-mentioned configuration operate the keys of the operation unit 4 to issue a call command,
When the telephone number and the transmission information are given to the control unit 1, the control unit 1 communicates with the transmission function unit 8, the image processing unit 2, and the encoding / decoding circuit 5, and the public telephone line L is connected. A call is made to the destination via the line, and the transmission information such as image data is sent to the public telephone line L after the line connection. Also, when received,
In response to the incoming call, the control unit 1 communicates between the control unit 1 and the reception function unit 9, the recording unit 10, the operation unit 4, and the encoding / decoding circuit 5 to perform a predetermined reception control procedure. To execute.

Video deck V by facsimile machine FA
When performing the remote control operation of
The user can set the wavelengths of various operation modes of the infrared remote control signal receiver Cr of the VCR V in advance to RO.
Register in M15. Further, as described above, the VCR V must be set at a position where the remote control signal receiving section Cr can correctly receive the signal sent from the remote control signal sending section Ct of the facsimile apparatus FA. The interval between the transmission / reception units Ct and Cr also needs to be registered in the control unit 1, and the control unit 1 adjusts the remote control signal transmission unit Ct according to the registered interval.

Now, assuming that the contents of control of the video deck V to be performed from the facsimile device FB through the facsimile device FA is a program recording reservation, first, the operator determines the facsimile device FB.
The reservation function of the VCR V is selected according to the display on the operation section of. Then, the contents of the reservation written according to the preset predetermined format shown in FIG.
Set in the reading section 3 of.

This manuscript is to be entered using the numbers 0 to 9, and the content of the content entry field is to enter the control content of the external device with a preset code number. In the one shown in FIG.
It is stipulated that the program recording reservation of the VCR V is represented by a four-digit code "0001", and the numerical value is entered at a predetermined position in the field. Similarly, the start date, start time, end date, end time, and channel are entered in the corresponding entry fields.

The start date entry field 1005 indicates that it is October 5th, the start time entry field 2200 indicates that it is 22:00, and the end date entry field 1005 indicates that it is October 5th. The time entry column 2230 indicates that it is 22:30, and the channel entry column 10 indicates that the broadcasting station has 10 channels. Also, the broken line in the upper left corner shows the preset reading start point,
Point P is the starting point.

By the way, the communication procedure in the normal operation mode of the facsimile apparatus is performed as shown in FIG. 5, for example, in non-standard communication between common type facsimile apparatuses. In this figure, the thick solid line indicates the high-speed signal,
A thin solid line shows a low-speed signal excluding a call, and a broken line shows a single tone signal.

That is, when the necessary items are completed on the manuscript, the user of the facsimile device FB can
Enter the FA telephone number using the numeric keypad on the control panel 4 and press the start key. As a result, as shown in FIG.
Call is made to FA. In this calling operation,
CN that is a ringing tone with a transmission time of 0.5 seconds and a frequency of 1,100 Hz
A G (Calling Tone) signal is sent to the called party.

When the line is connected and the CNG signal is received by the called side, the called side facsimile apparatus FA first sends the transmission time.
CED (C that is a called station identification signal with a frequency of 2,100 Hz for 3.0 seconds
Alled Station Identification) signal is sent back to the calling side, and then in step # 2, the normal identification signal NSF (Non-StandardF) is followed according to the normal G3 facsimile apparatus procedure.
acilities) signal, CSI (Called Subscriber Identific
ation) signal, DIS (Digital Identification Signal)
The signal is returned to the sending side facsimile device FB.

Here, the NSF signal is a non-standard function identification signal including information for performing non-standard communication. For example, confidential transmission is possible or relay instruction communication is possible. This is an optional signal for informing the user. The CSI signal is a called terminal identification signal indicating the telephone number of the called terminal and is an option signal. Further, the DIS signal is a digital identification signal for notifying the transmitting side of the receiving capability of the called terminal. For example, a CCITT such as a recordable size or a communication speed that the called terminal can receive
Indicates that the standard reception function is included.

When the calling side facsimile device FB receives each of the above signals, it first checks the NSF signal to see if the called side facsimile device FA is a model having a common configuration. If the called facsimile device FA is not a common component model, a DCN (Disconnect) signal is transmitted, the telephone line L is disconnected, and the processing ends in error. If the called facsimile machine FA is of a common configuration type but does not have a remote control function, a DCN signal is similarly sent, the line is disconnected, and the processing ends in error. Here, the DCN signal is a disconnection command signal that is sent to notify the other party that the telephone line L will be disconnected, and does not require a response.

When it is confirmed that the called side facsimile device FA has a common configuration model with the calling side facsimile device FB and has a remote control function,
In step # 3, TSI (Transmitting Subscriber Ide
ntification) signal, NSS (Non-Standard facilities S
et-up) signal is transmitted to the called-side facsimile device FA.

Here, the TSI signal is a transmission terminal identification signal indicating the telephone number of the transmission terminal and is an option signal. Further, the NSS signal is a non-standard function setting signal including information for performing non-standard communication and is an option signal. This NSS signal is also a response signal to the NSF signal, that is, a signal for notifying the receiving side by comparing the ability of the receiving side and the ability of the transmitting side among the non-standard functions displayed by the NSF signal to determine the transmission parameter. is there.

In the information field of this NSS signal, a flag is provided to inform that remote control communication is to be performed, and this flag is set to notify the called facsimile device FA that the contents of the remote control will be transmitted. The called facsimile machine FA confirms whether the communication is normal communication or remote control communication by the above flag in the NSS signal, and the TCF (T
image quality is checked by the raining check) signal. Here, the TCF signal is a check signal for confirming the training, and is an all "0" signal of ± 10% for 1.5 seconds.

Upon completion of the training check on the calling side, the called device FA sends a CFR (Confirmation to R) command in step # 4.
eceive) or FTT (Failure to Train) signal is returned. Here, the CFR signal is a reception preparation confirmation signal for confirming that the image transmission may be started, and is a response signal indicating that the procedure before the message transmission is completed and the message transmission may be started. is there. The FTT signal is G
3 A response signal that rejects the training signal and requests retraining.

More specifically, the TCF signal is usually a signal sent from the calling side facsimile apparatus FB to the called side facsimile apparatus FA as described above, and at the same speed as the image transmission before the image transmission. It is a signal to check whether data is sent normally. It is the same speed as image data (14400 to 2400bps) and is "0" for 1.5 seconds (14400bps is 2).
It sends out 1600 "0" s. Called side facsimile machine FA
Then, check the signal, whether it was able to receive correctly,
That is, it is checked whether all the received data are "0". At this time, if the telephone line is in poor condition and there is a lot of noise, etc., some of the "0" sent in 1.5 seconds when received by the called facsimile machine FA are garbled to "1".
Therefore, it can be determined that reception is impossible. Then, if reception is possible, a CFR signal is returned, and if reception is not possible, an FTT signal is returned.

When the calling side receives the FTT signal indicating that the call cannot be received, fallback, that is, the transmission speed is reduced, the TSI signal, the NSS signal, and the TCF signal are transmitted again to check the training. Further, when the CFR signal indicating the receivability is received, it can be determined that the communication at that speed is possible, so that the transmission of the image is started in step # 5. This transmission data is encoded by the encoding method determined by the NSF signal and the NSS signal, and the HDLC
Framed and sent.

After the image transmission is completed, an EOP (End of Procedures) signal is sent in step # 6. The EOP signal is the end-of-procedure signal and indicates the end of the page of the facsimile message and the absence of any other transmitted document. When this EOP signal is received, the called facsimile machine FA
Returns an MCF (Message Confirmation) signal in step # 7. The MCF signal is a message confirmation signal,
An acknowledgment of the EOP signal indicating that the message has been completely received. Finally, in step # 8, the above-mentioned DCN signal is transmitted from the called side, and the communication ends.

After that, in the called side facsimile apparatus FA, the control unit 1 recognizes the received image to judge the reservation content and convert it into a remote control signal.
The infrared remote control signal transmission unit Ct is operated to be transmitted to the infrared remote control signal reception unit Cr of the video deck V, which is an external device, to make a recording reservation.

FIG. 6 shows an example of a system centering on the facsimile apparatus F according to the second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in this figure, the facsimile apparatus F has an unspecified other push button dial type telephone T via a public telephone line L and a line switch S installed in a central office.
Is connected to

FIG. 7 shows the overall structure of the facsimile apparatus. In this figure, parts common to the configuration and function of the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG. 2 are designated by common reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted. The facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment detects an infrared remote control signal transmission unit Ct having the same configuration as an infrared remote controller used in home appliances, a function for announcing a voice, and a push signal (DTMF). It has functions and. Reference numeral 18 is a speaker for voice announcement. It is assumed that the infrared remote control signal receiver Cr of the video deck V is set at a position where the signal sent from the infrared remote control signal transmitter Ct of the facsimile apparatus F can be correctly received.

Then, the facsimile apparatus F of the present embodiment
In the case of, a push-button telephone T installed at a remote location
From this, it is possible to make a recording reservation of the video deck V, which is an external device, through the facsimile apparatus F. That is, if a call is made from the other push button dial type telephone set T to the facsimile apparatus F, and the push button having a predetermined number is pushed from the telephone set side after the telephone line L is connected,
The facsimile device F detects this, and the remote control guidance is started by the voice announcement output from the speaker 18.

When the user of the telephone T operates the push button of the telephone T according to the guidance from the facsimile F, the facsimile F displays the content of the signal sent from the telephone T as a remote control signal. To the video deck V from the infrared remote control signal sending unit Ct to control the video deck V.

Further, a prescribed push number is registered in the facsimile device F in advance. It is desirable that the push number has a plurality of digits such as a four digit number such as "1111", "2222", "1234" ... Including the meaning of the password for specifying the facsimile device. The registered push number is the power backup RA in the control unit 1.
Stored in M.

Now, assuming that the contents of control of the video deck V to be performed from the push button type telephone set T through the facsimile device F is the program recording reservation, the operator first dials the telephone number of the facsimile device F from the telephone set T. If the telephone line L is connected, the normal G3 as in the above embodiment
In accordance with the facsimile device procedure, the facsimile device F returns the NSF signal, the CSI signal and the DIS signal, which are initial identification signals, to the telephone set T.

When the operator of the telephone set T hears the signal tone of the facsimile device F, as described above, the facsimile device F is in advance.
Press the specified push number registered in. After transmitting the initial identification signal, the facsimile device F is capable of receiving both the signal from the telephone T and the signal from the normal facsimile device. Then, when the signal from the facsimile is received, the normal receiving operation is started.

On the other hand, when the prescribed push signal is received from the telephone set T, the remote control is guided by a voice announcement. As an example of this guide, first, a simple operation guide such as "please press 1 when setting the VCR V and press 2 when setting the air conditioner" is provided. At this time, if the user of the telephone set T presses the button 1,
Next, the operation guide "Please make 1 when making a recording reservation, and make 2 when rewinding the video deck V" is given.

In this way, the start and end dates and times of the recording reservation are similarly input by the push button of the telephone T. After the input of the numerical values of these necessary items, the facsimile device F converts the received contents into a remote control signal, and the infrared remote control signal sending unit.
The Ct is operated and sent to the infrared remote control signal receiving section Cr of the video deck V to make a recording reservation.

By the way, in the first embodiment in which the program recording reservation content is transmitted as an image image from a remote place to the facsimile apparatus FA, and the program recording reservation of the VCR V is made based on the image image. There is a problem that the operator on the ground cannot confirm whether or not the facsimile apparatus FA has executed the operation according to the operation.

Therefore, in such a case, the VCR V
It is possible to solve the problem by adding a so-called reverse polling communication function of converting the controlled content to an image and sending it back for confirmation by the person who set the content. That is, polling reception is to receive the original set in the calling side facsimile device FB, while reverse polling communication is a function that combines this polling reception and normal transmission, and sends the original. After that, it refers to a communication method in which the document set on the calling side is polled and received.

FIG. 8 shows an example of the reverse polling communication procedure in this case. In this figure, step #
11 to step # 15 are the same as the pre-communication procedure shown in FIG. 5, and in step # 15, the contents of the program recording reservation are instructed to the called side facsimile apparatus FA as an image. Then, in the post-communication procedure of steps # 16 and # 17, EOM (End of
Message) Send a signal. The EOM signal is a message end signal and indicates the end of the page of the facsimile message. Upon receiving this EOM signal, the called facsimile machine FA sends an MCF indicating message confirmation in step # 17.
Send back the signal.

As described above, the called facsimile machine FA, after judging the reservation content which is the received image, converts it into a remote control signal without passing through the telephone line L, and outputs the video from the infrared remote control signal transmission section Ct. Infrared remote control signal receiver Cr of deck V
It sends it to and makes a recording reservation.

After the recording reservation, in steps # 18 to # 22, in the same procedure as the reverse polling communication,
Facsimile machine on the calling side with the image of reservation completion, completed reservation contents, and already registered reservation contents
Send to FA. This transmission is in step # 18
The NSF signal, the CSI signal, and the DIS signal, which are initial identification signals, are returned according to the normal G3 facsimile apparatus procedure.

In the calling side facsimile apparatus FB, in step # 19, CIG (Calling Subscriber Identificatio
n) Signal and NSC (Non-Standard Facilities Command)
The signal is transmitted to the called side facsimile device FA. here,
The CIG signal is a calling terminal identification signal and the NSC signal is a non-standard function command signal, which is a digital command signal responding to the information contained in the NSF signal.

In response to this, the facsimile machine on the called side
From the FA, the TSI signal, the NSS signal and the TCF signal are returned in step # 20, and if the calling side facsimile device FB is receivable, the CFR signal is sent to the called side facsimile device FA in step # 21 and step # 22. Then, the image transmission is started, and the reservation completion result is returned to the calling side facsimile device FB. Then, after the image transmission is completed, step # 23.
In step # 24, an EOP signal is sent, and the calling facsimile FB that received the EOP signal sends an MCF signal in step # 24. Finally, in step # 25, the above-mentioned DCN signal is transmitted from the called side, and the communication ends.

It is also possible to confirm the program recording reservation contents in the second embodiment of the present invention by voice announcement using the reverse polling communication. In this case, after the reservation contents are sent to the video deck V by infrared remote control, the completion of the reservation contents and the reserved contents are announced to the operator on the telephone side by a voice announcement. In this case, the instruction of the reservation content in step # 15 and the return of the reservation completion result in step # 22 shown in FIG. 8 are made by voice announcement instead of by an image, and the other communication procedures are the same as those in FIG.

[0055]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the image signal of another communication device transmitted through the telephone line is received, and the remote control of the external device is requested during the communication procedure. After that, the received image is identified, the content is converted into a signal for controlling the external device, and the external device control signal is sent to the external device by remote control. It is possible to carry out control of external equipment, which has not been possible in the past, at any remote location, such as reservation of video recording of a video deck and setting of ON / OFF of an air conditioner.

According to claim 2, when the remote control request signal for the external device sent from the other communication device through the telephone line is received, the operation guide by voice announcement is sent out to the telephone line, and the operation guide is responded to. Identify the push signal input by other communication equipment,
Furthermore, since the identification content is converted into a signal for controlling an external device and finally the external device control signal is sent to the external device by remote control, it is possible to reserve a VCR from a telephone at a remote place or to operate an air conditioner. It is possible to control external devices such as settings.

According to the third aspect, the content of controlling the external device by the image signal replying means is converted into an image image for the purpose of confirming the content setter, and the reply is made. The contents can be confirmed by the image.

According to the fourth aspect, the contents controlled by the voice signal reply means are replied by a voice announcement so that the contents setter can confirm the contents. Therefore, the set contents are It can be confirmed by voice.

In summary, according to the present invention, a remote control sending unit for operating an external device is provided,
By making it possible to input the data sent from the remote control sending unit from a destination via a telephone line, it is possible to make a recording reservation or switch ON from a remote location to an external device such as a VCR or an air conditioner.
It has an excellent effect not seen in the past that it can control ON / OFF.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing one form of a system configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a facsimile device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a specific state of the control unit and a connection state with other components.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a format for describing reservation contents.

FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing a communication procedure between facsimile devices.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram schematically showing one form of a system configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of a facsimile device.

FIG. 8 is a diagram schematically showing a reverse polling communication procedure between facsimile devices.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Control Section 4 Operation Section 5 Encoding / Decoding Circuit 8 Transmission Function Section 9 Reception Function Section 11 Display Section 13 CPU 14 RAM 15 ROM F Facsimile Machine FA Facsimile Machine FB Facsimile Machine T Telephone L Public Telephone Line

Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Koichi Matsuo 1-2-28 Tamazo, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi Inside Mita Kogyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Tetsuya Sugimoto 1-2-28 Tamatsuzo, Chuo-ku, Osaka-shi Mita Kogyo stock In company

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A receiving unit for receiving an image signal of another communication device transmitted through a telephone line, and an image received by the receiving unit after a remote control of an external device is requested during a communication procedure. It is characterized by comprising a conversion unit for converting the content into a signal for controlling the external device, and a remote control signal transmission unit for transmitting the external device control signal converted by the conversion unit to the external device. Communication equipment. 2. A receiving unit for receiving a remote control request signal for an external device sent from another communication device through a telephone line, and a voice announcement on the telephone line when the remote control request signal is received by the receiving unit. A sending unit for sending the operation guide, an identifying unit for identifying a push signal input by the other communication device according to the operation guide sent from the sending unit, and the external device for identifying the content identified by the identifying unit. A communication device, comprising: a conversion unit for converting the control signal into a signal for controlling the external device; and a remote control signal transmission unit for transmitting the external device control signal converted by the conversion unit to the external device. 3. A receiving unit for receiving a communication procedure signal of another communication device transmitted through a telephone line, and a communication procedure signal received by the receiving unit after remote control of an external device is requested during the communication procedure. A converter for converting the contents of the above into a signal for controlling the external device, a remote control signal sending unit for sending the external device control signal converted by this converter to the external device, and contents for controlling the external device And an image signal returning means for converting the image into an image and returning the image for confirmation by the person setting the content. 4. A receiving unit for receiving a remote control request signal for an external device sent from another communication device through a telephone line, and a voice announcement on the telephone line when the remote control request signal is received by the receiving unit. A sending unit for sending the operation guide, an identifying unit for identifying a push signal input by the other communication device according to the operation guide sent from the sending unit, and the external device for identifying the content identified by the identifying unit. A conversion unit for converting the control signal into a signal for controlling the external device, a remote control signal transmission unit for transmitting the external device control signal converted by the conversion unit to the external device, and the contents of controlling the external device to the contents setter. A communication device, comprising: a voice signal returning means for returning a voice announcement for confirmation. 5. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is configured as a facsimile device.