JPH10336343A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide the inexpensive facsimile equipment where a load imposed on a control section is relieved and the circuitry of the control section is simplified. SOLUTION: The facsimile equipment transmits a signal denoting a telephone number based on the received telephone number. That is, in the case that a line type switch is set for a dial line, a signal denoting a telephone number entered from a DP terminal of a transmission reception section 27 is given to a dial pulse transmission circuit 51 via an OR circuit 61. As a result, the dial pulse transmission circuit 51 sends a dial pulse corresponding to the telephone number between telephone lines L1. On the other hand, in the case that the switch is set to a push line, a DTMF signal of the received telephone number is sent between the telephone lines L1 via an analog switch 43 from a DTMF terminal (terminal RXAUDIO) of the transmission reception section 27.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus having a cordless telephone and an attached telephone.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, facsimile machines have become small and inexpensive as the semiconductor technology advances. For this reason, facsimile machines are spreading to ordinary households.
Some facsimile machines have a cordless telephone in addition to an attached telephone. If this cordless telephone is used, it is possible to make an extension call with an attached telephone provided in the apparatus main body,
Outgoing calls can also be made. In addition, the cordless telephone can be easily installed anywhere as long as radio waves can reach from the apparatus body.

[0003]

By the way, when a call is made from a cordless telephone to an outside line, a command signal from the cordless telephone is transmitted from the transmitting / receiving section of the cordless telephone to the transmitting / receiving section of the apparatus body via radio waves. Then, the device main body transfers the received command signal to the control unit. The control unit analyzes the received command signal,
A call was being made from an NCU to an outside line.

However, the control unit must simultaneously control the apparatus itself in addition to the process of making a call from the cordless telephone. For this reason, when a call is frequently made from a cordless telephone, the load on the control unit of the apparatus main body, especially on the program increases. Therefore, it is possible to configure the control unit using a CPU or the like that can perform high-speed processing. However, if the control unit is applied to a general household facsimile machine, the device becomes expensive and the circuit configuration of the control unit is increased. Becomes complicated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems in the prior art, and reduces the load on the control section and simplifies the circuit configuration of the control section at low cost. A facsimile machine is provided.

[0006]

To achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a first control unit for controlling a first communication unit and a facsimile unit, a first communication unit and a second communication unit. A second control unit for controlling communication with the communication means, wherein the first communication means and the facsimile means make a call to an outside line from the first control part, and the second communication means makes a call to the outside line from the second control part. Call.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, when a call is made from the second communication means, the first control unit restricts use of the first communication means and the facsimile means. .

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first aspect, when a call is made from the first communication means, the second control unit restricts use of the second communication means. In the embodiments of the invention described below, the “first calling means” described in the claims or the means for solving the problems corresponds to the attached telephone 23, and the “second calling means” is also a cordless phone. The "facsimile means" is equivalent to the CPU 3, the ROM 12, the R
AM 13, reading unit 14, recording unit 15, operation unit 16, display unit 17, image memory 18, NCU 19, modem 20, and control unit 21. Similarly, "first control unit" is CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, and control unit. The “second control unit” is also the CPU 27
a, ROM 27b, RAM 27c and control unit 2
Equivalent to 1.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus 1 includes an apparatus main body 2 having a parent machine function and a cordless telephone 3. Device body 2
Are a CPU 11, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a reading unit 1
4, recording unit 15, operation unit 16, display unit 17, image memory 18, NCU 19, modem 20, control unit 21,
It comprises a monitor speaker 22, an attached telephone 23, a transmitting / receiving unit 27, and an antenna 28.

The CPU 11 controls each unit constituting the apparatus main body 2. The ROM 12 stores a program for controlling the apparatus main body 2. The ROM 12 also stores beep sound data indicating an error. The RAM 13 temporarily stores various information related to the apparatus main body 2. The reading unit 14 reads image data on a document and outputs black and white binary image data. The recording unit 15 is formed of an electrophotographic printer, and records received image data and image data read by the reading unit 2 on recording paper.

The operation unit 16 includes a numeric keypad (including the * and # keys) 16a for inputting a telephone number, an extension key 16b for making an extension call to the cordless telephone 3, a start for starting a facsimile communication operation and the like. Key 16c
And various operation keys such as one-touch dial keys. A display unit 17 such as an LCD displays various information such as an operation state of the apparatus.

The image memory 18 temporarily stores received image data and image data read by the reading unit 14. NC
U19 has a function of closing and opening the telephone line L1, detecting transmission and reception of a dial pulse corresponding to the fax number of the other party, and the like. Also,
The NCU 19 also has a function of switching the telephone line L1 from the device main body 2 to a line L2 for connecting to another device. The modem 20 modulates and demodulates transmission / reception data.

The control unit 21 controls the modem 2 based on control signals from the main unit 2 and the cordless telephone 3.
0, the control of the monitor speaker 22, the attached telephone 23 and the transmission / reception unit 27. The monitor speaker 22 sounds a ringing tone and a key pressing sound in response to an incoming call from an outside line or a pressing operation of a numeric keypad. The attached telephone 23 is the main unit 2.
Connected by a cable. This attached phone 2
With the use of No. 3, it is possible to make a call to a communication partner by making a call to an outside line, or to make a call by making an incoming outside line off-hook.

The transmission / reception unit 27 includes a CPU 27a, a ROM 2
7b, a RAM 27c, a transmission unit 27d, and a reception unit 27e. The CPU 27a controls the entire transmitting and receiving unit 27. The ROM 27b stores a program necessary for controlling the transmission / reception unit 27. The RAM 27c temporarily stores various information related to transmission and reception with the cordless telephone 3. The transmission unit 27d sends various data to the cordless telephone 3. The receiving unit 27e receives various data transmitted from the cordless telephone 3. Therefore, the transmission / reception unit 27 transmits / receives information necessary for various controls to / from the cordless telephone 3 via the antenna 28. The transmission / reception unit 27 and the CPU 11 are connected in parallel by a bus 29. A line type switch (not shown) for switching between a dial line and a push line is provided on the back of the apparatus main body 2.

A cordless telephone 3 having a handset function is
It comprises a CPU 31, a ROM 32, a RAM 33, an operation unit 34, a transmission / reception unit 35, and an antenna 36. CP
U31 controls the entire cordless telephone 3. RO
M32 stores a program for controlling the cordless telephone 3. The RAM 33 temporarily stores various information of the cordless telephone 3. A numeric keypad (including * and # keys) 34 for inputting a telephone number is
a, an extension key 34b for making an extension call with the attached telephone 23, an extension key 34c for calling an outside line or off-hook a received outside line, and a disconnection for ending a telephone or remote operation. A key 34d and an answering machine setting key for setting the answering machine are provided. The transmission / reception unit 35 transmits and receives information necessary for control and the like to and from the apparatus main body 2 via the antenna 36.

Next, the NCU 19 and the control unit 21
Will be described with reference to FIG. The NCU 19 and the control unit 21 include a relay 41, analog switches 42 to 47, a dial pulse transmission circuit 51, a transformer 52, and OR circuits 61 and 62.

The relay 41 and the analog switches 42 to 47 of the control section 21 are normally set to the 0 terminal. The relay 41 of the NCU 19 is the CML of the modem 20
The terminal is switched from the 0-side terminal to the 1-side terminal based on the control signal from the terminal and the CML terminal of the transmitting / receiving section 27. The analog switches 42 to 47 of the control unit 21 are switched from the 0-side terminal to the 1-side terminal based on a control signal from the modem 20. The dial pulse sending circuit 51 of the NCU 19 sends dial pulses corresponding to the numeric keys 16a and 34a. The transformer 52 magnetically connects the telephone line L1 and the control unit 21. The OR circuits 61 and 62 of the control unit 21 are configured by two-input OR circuits, and output “H” when at least one of the two inputs becomes “H (High)”.

The telephone line L1 is connected to a primary side of a transformer 52 via a relay 41. The telephone line L2 is
It is connected to the 0 terminal of the relay 41 and one of the telephone lines L1.

The dial pulse sending circuit 51 is connected between the telephone lines L1. The DP terminal of the CPU 11 and the DP terminal of the transmission / reception unit 27 are connected to the input side of the OR circuit 61, respectively. The output side of the OR circuit 61 is connected to the dial pulse sending circuit 51. The CML terminal of the CPU 11 and the CML terminal of the transmission / reception unit 27 are connected to the input side of the OR circuit 62, respectively.

One of the secondary sides of the transformer 52 is a receiving RX.
Terminal and the transmission TX terminal, and the other is grounded. The reception RX terminal is connected to the DATA terminal of the modem 20 and the 0-side terminal of the analog switch 42. The transmission TX terminal is connected to the terminal c of the analog switch 43. The 0 side terminal of the analog switch 43 is connected to the c terminal of the analog switch 44. One terminal of the analog switch 43 is connected to one terminal of the analog switch 42,
It is connected to a DTMF (RXAUDIO terminal: reception terminal from the cordless telephone 3) terminal of the transmission / reception unit 27.

The 0 side terminal of the analog switch 44 is connected to the DTMF terminal of the modem 20. One terminal of the analog switch 44 is connected to the one terminal of the analog switch 45 and the MICIN terminal (sending terminal) of the attached telephone 23. The c terminal of the analog switch 45 is C
It is connected to the RWG terminal of PU11. The 0 side terminal of the analog switch 45 is connected to the monitor speaker 22.

The SPOUT terminal (receiving terminal) of the attached telephone 23 is connected to the c terminal of the analog switch 46. One terminal of the analog switch 46 is connected to the c terminal of the analog switch 42 and the one terminal of the analog switch 47. The c terminal of the analog switch 47 is
It is connected to the TXAUDIO terminal (transmission terminal to the cordless telephone 3) of the transmission / reception unit 27. The 0-side terminals of the analog switches 46 and 47 are grounded.

Next, in the facsimile apparatus 1 configured as described above, the operation of the NCU 19 and the control unit 21 when making a call from the attached telephone 23 or the cordless telephone 3 will be described with reference to flowcharts shown in FIGS. Will be explained.

First, an operation performed by the apparatus main body 2 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. This operation is based on a program stored in the ROM 12.
It is executed under the control of the CPU 11.

In S1, it is determined whether or not the attached telephone 23 has been hooked off by the user. If an off-hook has been made, the process proceeds to S2. On the other hand, if the user is not off-hook, the process proceeds to S12.

In S 2, information indicating that the attached telephone 23 is being used (for example, PHONE BUSYON) is written to the RAM 27 c of the transmitting / receiving unit 27 via the bus 29. As a result, the cordless telephone 3 cannot be used while the attached telephone 23 is being used. When the external line key 34c of the cordless telephone 3 is pressed or the start key 16c is pressed to start a facsimile communication operation or the like while the attached telephone 23 is in use, a beep sound indicating an error is generated. Sent from the receiving side of the telephone 3.

In S3, the relay 41 is switched from the 0-side terminal to the 1-side terminal, and the exchange and the facsimile machine 1 are connected. In S4, the user inputs the telephone number of the other party from the numeric keypad 16a of the operation unit 16 or the like.

In S5, a signal indicating the telephone number is transmitted based on the telephone number input in S4. That is, when the line type switch (not shown) is set for the dial line, the D
The signal indicating the telephone number input from the P terminal is an OR circuit 6
1 is input to the dial pulse transmission circuit 51.
As a result, a dial pulse corresponding to the telephone number is transmitted from the dial pulse transmitting circuit 51 to the telephone line L1. On the other hand, if it is set for a push line, C
A DTMF signal of the telephone number input from the PU 11 via the DTMF terminal of the modem 20 is transmitted between the telephone lines L1.

In S6, the analog switches 44,
46 is switched from the 0-side terminal to the 1-side terminal, and the reception RX
The terminal is connected to the SPOUT terminal of the attached telephone 23 via the analog switches 42 and 44. The MICIN terminal of the attached telephone 23 is connected to the transmission TX terminal via the analog switches 44 and 43.

At S7, a call can be made between the caller on the outside line and the attached telephone set 23. In S8, the call with the outside line is terminated, and the user waits for the attached telephone 23 to go on-hook. When the attached telephone 23 is hooked, the process proceeds to S9.

In S9, the analog switches 44,
46 is switched from the 1-side terminal to the 0-side terminal, and the transmission T
The connection between the X terminal and the reception RX terminal and the attached telephone 23 is disconnected.

In S10, the relay 41 is switched from the 1-side terminal to the 0-side terminal, and the exchange and the facsimile machine 1 are disconnected. In S11, information indicating that the attached telephone 23 is unused (for example, PH
ONE BUSY OFF) is connected to the R
It is written to AM 27c. As a result, the cordless telephone 3, facsimile transmission, and the like can be used, and this processing ends.

In step S12, a signal indicating that the outside key 34c of the cordless telephone 3 has been pressed by the user and the telephone has been off-hook is transmitted to the transmitting / receiving unit 3 of the cordless telephone 3.
5, it is determined whether or not the input has been made to the transmission / reception unit 27 of the apparatus main body 2. S13 when the outside line key 34c is pressed
Move to On the other hand, if the outside line key 34c is not pressed, the process returns to S1.

In S13, the process shifts to the process of the cordless telephone 3 (S21), and this process ends. Next, an operation performed by the cordless telephone 3 activated when the outside line key 34c is pressed in S12 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. This operation is executed under the control of the CPU 31 based on a program stored in the ROM 32.

In S21, information indicating that the cordless telephone 3 is in use (for example, CORDLESS BUSY ON)
The data is input to the apparatus main body 2 via the transmission / reception unit 35 and the bus 29
Is written to the RAM 13 of the apparatus main body 2 via the. As a result, while the cordless telephone 3 is being used, the attached telephone 23 becomes unusable. Therefore, when the attached telephone 23 is off-hook or the start key 16c for starting a facsimile communication operation or the like is pressed while the cordless telephone 3 is in use, a beep sound indicating an error is generated on the monitor of the apparatus main body 2. Sent from the speaker 22.

In S22, the relay 41 and the analog switch 43 are switched from the 0-side terminal to the 1-side terminal, and the transmission TX terminal and the DTMF terminal (RX
AUDIO terminal) is connected. As a result, the exchange and the cordless telephone 3 are connected.

In S23, the user operates the numeric keypad 34a of the operation unit 34 provided on the cordless telephone 3 by the user.
For example, the telephone number of the other party is input, and the input data is input to the apparatus main body 2 via the transmission / reception unit 35.

In S24, a signal indicating the telephone number is transmitted based on the telephone number input in S23. That is, a line type switch (not shown)
Is set for the dial line,
The signal indicating the telephone number input from the DP terminal of No. 7 is OR
The signal is input to the dial pulse transmission circuit 51 via the circuit 61. As a result, a dial pulse corresponding to the telephone number is transmitted from the dial pulse transmitting circuit 51 to the telephone line L1. On the other hand, when the setting is made for the push line, the DTMF signal of the input telephone number is transmitted from the DTMF terminal (RXAUDIO terminal) of the transmission / reception unit 27 to the telephone line L1 via the analog switch 43.

In S25, the analog switch 47
Is switched from the 0-side terminal to the 1-side terminal, and the reception RX terminal is connected to the TXAUDIO terminal of the transmission / reception unit 27 via the analog switches 42 and 47.

In S26, a call can be made between the cordless telephone 3 and the other party calling the outside line via the transmission / reception units 27 and 35. In S27, the call with the outside line is terminated, and the off key 3 of the cordless telephone 3 is turned off.
4d is waited for to be pressed. When the off key 34d is pressed, the flow shifts to S28.

In S28, the processing (S
The process proceeds to 31), and this process ends. Next, the S
An operation performed by the apparatus main body 2 that is started when the off key 34d is pressed in 27 will be described with reference to a flowchart shown in FIG. This operation is executed under the control of the CPU 11 based on a program stored in the ROM 12.

In S31, the analog switch 4
3 and 47 are switched from the 1-side terminal to the 0-side terminal, and the connection between the transmission TX terminal and the reception RX terminal and the cordless telephone 3 is disconnected.

In S32, the relay 41 is switched from the 1-side terminal to the 0-side terminal, and the exchange and the facsimile machine 1 are disconnected. In S33, information indicating that the cordless telephone 3 is unused (for example, CORDLESS BUSY OFF) is written to the RAM 13 of the apparatus main body 2 via the bus 29. As a result, the attached telephone 23 and facsimile transmission / reception can be used, and this processing ends.

Next, in the facsimile apparatus 1, the NCU in the case where facsimile transmission is performed from the apparatus body 2 is performed.
The operation of the control unit 19 and the control unit 21 will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. Note that this operation is performed based on a program stored in the ROM 12 by the CPU.
11 is executed by the control.

In S41, the user waits for the document to be placed on the reading section 14. That is, it is waited for the document presence / absence sensor (not shown) arranged near the reading unit 14 to detect the signal of the document “present”. When the document is placed on the reading unit 14, the process proceeds to S42.

In S42, the user inputs the facsimile number of the transmission destination from the ten key 16a of the operation unit 16 or the like. In S43, it is waited that the start key 16c of the operation unit 16 is pressed. Then, when the start key 16c is pressed, the flow shifts to S44.

In S44, the image data of the original is stored in the image memory 18 while the original is read by the reading section 14. In S45, information indicating that facsimile transmission is being performed in the apparatus main body 2 (for example, FAX TX BUSY O
N) is written to the RAM 27c of the transmission / reception unit 27 via the bus 29. As a result, during facsimile transmission, the attached telephone 23 and the cordless telephone 3 become unusable. Accordingly, during the facsimile communication, the attached telephone 23 is hooked off or the external line key 34 of the cordless telephone 3 is set.
When c is pressed, a beep sound indicating an error is transmitted from the monitor speaker 22 of the apparatus main body 2 or the receiving side of the cordless telephone 3.

In S46, the relay 41 is switched from the 0-side terminal to the 1-side terminal, and the connection between the exchange and the facsimile machine 1 is established. In S47, S4
In step 2, a call is made to the facsimile number entered.

In S48, after the exchange of the communication procedure, the image data of the original is read from the image memory 18 and transmitted from the facsimile machine. In S49, it is waited that all the image data of the document stored in the image memory 18 is transmitted. When all the image data stored in the image memory 18 has been transmitted, the process proceeds to S50.

In S50, the relay 41 is switched from the 1-side terminal to the 0-side terminal, and the connection between the exchange and the facsimile machine 1 is disconnected. In S51, information indicating that facsimile transmission has been completed in the apparatus main body 2 (for example, FAX TX BUSY OFF) is written to the RAM 27c of the transmission / reception unit 27 via the bus 29. As a result, the attached telephone 23 and the cordless telephone 3 can be used, and this processing ends.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the following effects can be obtained. The device body 2 and the cordless telephone 3 can independently make outgoing calls. Therefore, the device body 2
Hardly imposes a burden on the CPU 11. Therefore, the control performed by the CPU 11 of the apparatus main body 2 can be processed at high speed.

Since the attached telephone 23 and the cordless telephone 3 can independently make outgoing calls to the outside line, the CPU 1
1 and the control circuit including the CPU 27a and the like of the transmission / reception unit 27 are simplified, and each control circuit has a simple configuration.

Since the processing load is not applied to the CPU 11 of the apparatus main body 2, a high-performance CPU is not used,
An inexpensive facsimile machine can be provided. The cordless telephone 3 and facsimile transmission are disabled while the attached telephone 23 is used, and the attached telephone 3 and facsimile transmission are disabled while the cordless telephone 3 is used, and facsimile transmission is performed. In this case, the attached telephone 23 and the cordless telephone 3 cannot be used. That is, the attached telephone 2
3. While the cordless telephone 3 and the facsimile transmission are being used, data is written in the RAM 13 and the RAM 27c so that the usage state of each can be understood. As a result, only one of the attached telephone 23, the cordless telephone 3 and the facsimile transmission can be used. Therefore, when any telephone or the like is in use, use of another telephone or the like can be reliably restricted. In addition, since a beep sound indicating that the device cannot be used is transmitted, whether or not the device can be used can be confirmed by the sound.

The present embodiment can be embodied with the following modifications.・ Attached telephone 2 in RAM 13 and RAM 27c respectively
3, a storage area indicating the cordless telephone 3 and facsimile transmission may be provided, and a flag may be set in the storage area. That is, in each of the storage areas, a flag of "1" is set to indicate that the storage area is being used, and a flag of "0" is set if the storage area is not used, and the operation of the attached telephone 23 and the cordless telephone 3 is performed according to the flag. May be controlled.

At the time of facsimile reception, information indicating that facsimile reception is in progress (for example, FAX RX BUSY
ON), and when the facsimile reception is completed, the RAM 27
c indicates information indicating the end of facsimile reception (eg, fax
RX BUSY OFF) may be written.

In place of the cordless telephone 3, a second attached telephone (not shown) connected to the apparatus main body 2 by a cable may be used.

[0057]

Since the present invention is configured as described above, it has the following effects. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the first communication means and the facsimile transmission means,
The second communication means is independently connected to an outside line. Therefore, the first and second control units can be simplified, and an inexpensive facsimile apparatus can be provided.

According to the invention described in claim 2, according to claim 1
In addition to the effects of the invention described in (1), the use of the first telephone means and the facsimile means can be reliably restricted. According to the third aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of the first aspect, the use of the second communication means can be reliably restricted.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing an NCU and a control unit.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation of the apparatus main body at the time of calling.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the cordless telephone at the time of calling.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation of the apparatus main body at the time of calling.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation at the time of facsimile transmission.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facsimile apparatus, 2 ... Device main body, 3 ... Cordless telephone as 2nd communication means, 11 ... CPU which comprises 1st control part and facsimile means, 12 ... ROM which comprises 1st control part and facsimile means, 13 ... RAM constituting the first control unit and the facsimile means, 14 reading unit constituting the facsimile means, 15 recording unit constituting the facsimile means, 16 operating unit constituting the facsimile means, 17 constituting the facsimile means Display,
18 image memory constituting facsimile means, 19 ...
NCU constituting facsimile means, 20 modem constituting facsimile means, 21 first control section, second control section and control section constituting facsimile means, 2
3 ... Attached telephone as first communication means, 27a ... CPU forming second control unit, 27b ... ROM forming second control unit, 27c ... RAM forming second control unit.

Claims (3)

[Claims] A first control unit that controls the first communication unit and the facsimile unit; and a second control unit that controls communication between the first communication unit and the second communication unit. And the facsimile means calls the outside line from the first control unit,
The second communication means is a facsimile apparatus for calling the outside line from the second control unit. 2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when calling from the second communication means, the first control unit includes:
A facsimile apparatus for restricting use of the first telephone means and the facsimile means. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when calling from the first communication means, the second control unit includes:
A facsimile apparatus for restricting use of the second communication means.