JPH11289375A - Communication system and storage medium thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To inform a user that a telephone number, etc., of a called party is under automatic retransmission when it is automatically transmitted, and to properly hold a use condition of a line. SOLUTION: After the telephone number of a called party has been transmitted, a tone signal to be returned according to a connecting condition with the called party is detected by a CPU (S6). When a busy tone is detected (S6: YES), the telephone number of the called party is transmitted repeatedly by executing a step S4 and its succeeding steps by the CPU (S5). A state in which a backlight on a display part is turned on is held, while such transmission of the telephone number of the called party is repeated by the CPU (S3).

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication apparatus such as a facsimile apparatus capable of automatically retransmitting a telephone number of a destination, and a storage medium storing a program for controlling the communication apparatus. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as an example of a communication apparatus, for example, a facsimile apparatus has been enhanced in functions, and one of them is an automatic redial function.

The automatic redial function is a function of repeatedly transmitting the previously transmitted telephone number at predetermined time intervals when the other party's facsimile machine does not respond to the call signal. During the retransmission of the destination telephone number based on the automatic redial function, the user automatically transmits the telephone number without having to perform any operation for retransmission. Such an automatic redial function is possible even when talking by voice.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional facsimile apparatus, in particular, the fact that the other party's telephone number transmitted for making a call is being retransmitted by the automatic redial function during retransmission. No action was taken to notify the user, and in some cases, the user may forget to be retransmitting and leave the device, which is undesirable for the recipient and the user. There was a risk of inviting the use of the line.

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above points, and when automatically re-transmitting a designated code such as a destination telephone number, the user is informed that the re-transmission is in progress. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication device capable of appropriately maintaining the use state of a line, and a storage medium storing a program for controlling the communication device.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, a communication apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention transmits a designated code of a destination via a communication line to call the destination. In addition, the communication device is capable of automatically retransmitting the specified code, and includes a notifying unit that notifies the operating status by light emission or sounding, and after transmitting the specified code, the communication device with the destination. Signal detection means for detecting a signal returned according to the connection status; transmission control means for repeatedly transmitting the designation code when a signal indicating that connection is impossible is detected by the signal detection means; A notification control unit that activates the notification unit while the transmission of the designated code is repeated.

According to this communication apparatus, when the destination code is transmitted and the destination is called, if the destination cannot be connected, the destination code is repeatedly transmitted, and the transmission is repeated. Since the light is emitted or sounded by the notification means, the user can surely know that the designated code is being retransmitted by the light emission or sound, and the operating condition of the device itself is perceived. Can properly maintain the use condition.

The communication line may be a telephone line or a dedicated line, and may be a wired or wireless line.

As the designation code, a telephone number transmitted when making a call with the other party via a telephone line is generally used, but other code information may be used.

As the notification means, for example, LCD or LE
A light emitting body such as D or a sounding body such as a speaker or a buzzer can be considered.

A communication device according to a second aspect of the present invention is the communication device according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the transmission control means detects a connectable signal by the signal detection means. If the connection with the other party is not established after a lapse of a predetermined time, the designated code is not retransmitted.

According to this communication device, in addition to the effect of the communication device according to the first aspect, the transmission control means can communicate with the other party even if a predetermined time has passed after the signal indicating that connection is possible is detected by the signal detection means. When the connection is not established, the designated code is not retransmitted, so that the apparatus itself can be used efficiently according to the case where retransmission should be performed as appropriate.

Further, a communication device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the communication device according to the first or second aspect, wherein the transmission of the designation code is repeated by the transmission control means. In the meantime, if a call signal from another destination is detected, retransmission of the designated code by the transmission control means is stopped, and activation of the notification means by the notification control means is stopped.

According to this communication device, in addition to the effects of the communication device of the invention described in claim 1 or 2,
If a call signal from another party is detected during the retransmission of the designated code, the retransmission is stopped and the activation of the notification means is also stopped, so that the transmission / reception status via the communication line is activated. It can be properly notified depending on the state.

A communication device according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is the communication device according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the notifying means is provided for displaying the designation code. For the display panel.

According to this communication device, in addition to the effect of the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the notifying means includes a display panel light provided for displaying the designation code. Therefore, there is no need to provide a special illuminant or sounding body to notify that retransmission is in progress. For example, by using a backlight provided on a display panel such as a liquid crystal, the number of parts can be reduced and cost can be reduced. Down can be planned.

A communication device according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the communication device according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the designation code is transmitted when talking with the other party. Phone number.

According to this communication device, in addition to the effects of the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the designation code is a telephone number transmitted when talking with the other party. The present invention can be applied to a case where a telephone number required for connection with a communication partner based on a telephone function is automatically retransmitted.

In the storage medium according to the present invention, by transmitting a designation code of a destination via a communication line, the destination is called and the designation code is automatically retransmitted. A storage medium storing a program for controlling a communication device provided with a notifying unit for notifying an operation state by light emission or sounding, and after the transmission of the designation code, a connection with the destination. A signal detection program for detecting a signal returned according to a situation, and a transmission control program for repeatedly transmitting the designation code when a connection-disabled signal is detected based on the signal detection program, While the transmission of the designation code is repeated based on the transmission control program, a program including a notification control program for activating the notification means. It is characterized by storing the ram.

According to this storage medium, the operation of the communication device according to the first aspect can be realized by operating the CPU based on the stored program.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a facsimile apparatus as an example of a communication apparatus according to the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the facsimile apparatus includes a CPU 1, an NCU 2, a RAM 3, and a modem 4. , ROM
5, EEPROM 6, gate array 7, codec 8,
It comprises a DMAC 9, a voice codec 10, a reading unit 11, a recording unit 12, an operation unit 13, a display unit 14, and a communication unit 15. CPU1, NCU2, RAM
3, the modem 4, the ROM 5, the EEPROM 6, the gate array 7, the codec 8, the DMAC 9, and the voice codec 10 are mutually connected by a bus line. The bus lines include an address bus, a data bus, and a control signal line. The gate array 7 includes a reading unit 11, a recording unit 1,
2, the operation unit 13, the display unit 14, and the communication unit 15 are connected. The NCU 2 is connected to a telephone line 21 as an example of a communication network.

The CPU 1 controls the entire facsimile machine. The NCU 2 is connected to the telephone line 21 and performs network control. The RAM 3 is backed up by a battery (not shown) such as a rechargeable battery, and stores various data such as audio data and image data. The modem 4 performs modulation of transmission data and demodulation of reception data. ROM
Reference numeral 5 stores various programs and data such as initial setting values. The EEPROM 6 stores various flags, registration data, and the like. The gate array 7 functions as an input / output interface of the CPU 1. Codec 8
Performs encoding of facsimile transmission data and decoding of facsimile reception data. The DMAC 9 writes and reads data to and from the RAM 3. Audio codec 1
0 mutually converts an analog audio signal and digital audio data.

The reading section 11 includes a light source, an image sensor, and the like, and outputs an analog image signal. The recording unit 12 includes, for example, an ink jet recording device, and records a received image, a read image at the time of copying, and the like on a recording sheet. The operation unit 13 includes a key switch group including a redial key, which will be described later, and outputs an operation signal corresponding to a user's operation input, for example, a signal corresponding to a telephone number of the other party. The display unit 14 includes a display panel such as an LCD and is controlled by the CPU 1 to perform various kinds of display, for example, display of a telephone number of an opponent whose operation is input. The communication unit 15 includes a handset incorporating a speaker, a microphone, and the like, and inputs and outputs voices emitted by the user and voices of the other party received.

To explain the gist, this facsimile machine has an automatic redial function in addition to a redial function. In the redial function, after the telephone number of the other party previously transmitted is temporarily stored in the redial buffer area of the RAM 3, the CPU 1 transmits the telephone number of the other party again in response to the user's redial operation. The automatic redial function is different from a simple redial function and is a function of repeatedly transmitting a previously transmitted destination telephone number at predetermined time intervals when a facsimile machine of the destination does not respond in response to a call signal. More specifically, if only the busy tone is detected by the destination facsimile machine without responding to the call signal from the exchange, the CPU 1 opens the telephone line 21 once. After a few seconds, the destination telephone number is transmitted again. On the other hand, if a ringback tone (ringing tone) is detected by transmitting the telephone number and the detection state is continued for several tens to several hundreds of seconds, C
PU1 determines that the terminal device of the other party cannot receive the signal due to the timeout process, and does not retransmit the previously transmitted other party's telephone number. At the time of such transmission and retransmission of the destination telephone number, the CPU 1 displays the destination telephone number to be transmitted on the display panel, and turns on the backlight provided on the display panel.
In particular, in the case of retransmission, the backlight is turned on until a predetermined operation or the like is performed by the user. Lighting of the backlight in conjunction with such an automatic redial function is realized both when transmitting facsimile transmission data and when making a voice call.

In the present embodiment, the normal redial function and the automatic redial function are executed when the redial key is pressed while the handset is lifted (off-hook), and the normal redial function operates. on the other hand,
When the redial key is pressed while the handset is placed (on-hook), the automatic redial function is configured to operate, but regardless of the hook state of the handset,
Each function may be operated by a separate key operation.

That is, the backlight in the display unit 14 implements an informing means for informing the operating condition by emitting light.

After transmitting the designation code, the CPU 1 detects the signal returned according to the connection status with the other party, and the CPU 1 transmits the designation code when the signal detection means detects a signal indicating that connection is impossible. Transmission control means for repeatedly transmitting and notification control means for activating the notification means while the transmission of the designated code is repeated by the transmission control means are realized.

The ROM 5 can transmit the designation code of the other party via the communication line to call the other party and automatically re-transmit the designation code. A storage medium storing a program for controlling a communication device including a notification unit that notifies a situation, and after transmitting the designation code,
A signal detection program for detecting a signal returned according to the connection status with the other party; and a signal for repeatedly transmitting the designation code when a connection-disabled signal is detected based on the signal detection program. A storage medium storing a program including a transmission control program and a notification control program for activating the notification unit while the transmission of the designation code is repeated based on the transmission control program is realized.

Next, the essential points of the operation of the facsimile apparatus having the above configuration will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of an automatic redialing process when a call is made by voice in the facsimile apparatus. Before the automatic redialing process, the destination telephone number is transmitted once and the RAM 3
Is already stored in the redial buffer area.

First, the CPU 1 determines whether or not a redial operation has been performed by the user based on an operation signal from the operation unit 13 (S1). If a redial operation has been performed (S1: YES), the CPU 1 proceeds to on-hook operation. Is determined (S2). The determination as to whether or not the hook is on-hook is made based on a signal from a hook switch provided in the operation unit 13 or the communication unit 15.

If the on-hook operation is performed during the redial operation (S2: YES), the CPU 1 turns on the backlight of the display unit 14 (S3). Specifically, the destination of the dialed telephone number is busy, so that the user puts down the handset, an on-hook signal is output from the hook switch, and then the user presses the redial key. By doing so, the backlight is turned on.

Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not there is an incoming call signal from another party via the telephone line 21 (S4). If there is no incoming call (S4: YES), the CPU 1
Switches to the off-hook state and transmits the destination telephone number stored in the redial buffer area (S5).

After transmitting the telephone number, the CPU 1
It is determined whether or not a busy tone has been detected via S1 (S6). The busy tone is a signal returned from the exchange when the other party's telephone device or the like is in an off-hook state.

When no busy tone is detected (S6:
NO), the CPU 1 executes a timeout process (S
7) Then, the routine relating to the automatic redialing process ends. The time-out process will be described in detail. The CPU 1 detects a ringback tone returned from the exchange, and when the ringback tone continues for a predetermined time, for example, about several tens to several hundreds of seconds, The CPU 1 turns off the lit backlight, and then ends the automatic redialing process. When a response signal is received from the other party of the telephone number transmitted during the detection of the ring back tone, the CPU 1 turns off the lit backlight and then executes the call processing. Note that the ring back tone is a signal returned from the exchange when the handset cannot be picked up in the other party's telephone device or the like, that is, in the on-hook state.

If a busy tone is detected in S6 (S6: YES), the CPU 1 puts the apparatus into an on-hook state by releasing the line (S6).
8).

Thereafter, the CPU 1 continues a standby state of, for example, about several seconds (S9), and determines whether or not it is in an on-hook state (S10).

If it is on-hook (S10:
(YES), that is, if the on-hook state is maintained without being switched to the off-hook state by an operation of the user or the like, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the redial operation has been performed a predetermined number of times (S11).

If the redial operation has not been performed a predetermined number of times (S11: NO), the CPU 1 executes the steps from S4. As a result, the transmission of the destination telephone number is repeatedly and automatically performed, and the backlight is always turned on while the destination telephone number is retransmitted.

If the redial operation has been executed a predetermined number of times in S11 (S11: YES), the CPU 1 ends the routine relating to the automatic redial processing.

In S10, when the user is switched off-hook by an operation of the user or the like (S10: NO),
The CPU 1 executes a normal calling process (S12),
End this routine. Here, the calling process is a process before performing a normal telephone call process, and is a more general process than the conventional one, so that the detailed description is omitted. Further, when shifting to the calling process, the CPU 1 executes the process after turning off the backlight in the lighting state.

In S4, if there is an incoming call signal (S4: NO), the CPU 1 executes a normal response process (S13) and ends this routine. Here, the response process is a process before performing a normal telephone call process, and is a more general process than the conventional one, so that the detailed description is omitted. When shifting to the response process, the CPU 1 executes the process after turning off the backlight in the lighting state.

If it is determined in S2 that the user is off-hook at the time of the redial operation (S2: NO), the CPU 1 executes a normal redial process (S14) and terminates this routine. Here, the normal redialing process is a process of transmitting the destination telephone number only once, and is a more general process than the conventional one, so that the detailed description is omitted.

If the redial operation is not performed in S1 (S1: NO), the CPU 1 continues the standby state without executing the routine relating to the automatic redial processing.

Therefore, according to the facsimile apparatus having the above-described configuration and operation, when a telephone number of a destination is transmitted to call the destination, for example, in a situation where the destination cannot be connected due to a busy state or the like. If there is, the transmitted destination telephone number is repeatedly transmitted, and while the transmission is repeated, the backlight on the display unit 14 is turned on, so that the user is in the process of retransmitting the destination telephone number. Can be surely known by the light emission of the backlight, and the operating condition of the facsimile apparatus itself is perceived, so that the line use state can be appropriately maintained.

Although the specific configuration and operation of the present invention are applied to the telephone function of the facsimile apparatus in the present embodiment, the present invention can also be applied to a telephone apparatus that mainly transmits and receives voice data.

As another embodiment, a case where image data is transmitted to a facsimile machine of the other party can be considered.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a transmission processing procedure for facsimile transmission according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, in the facsimile transmission processing, first, the CPU 1 It is determined whether or not a document has been set based on the signal from S2 (S2).
1).

When the original is set (S21: YE
S), the CPU 1 turns on the backlight of the display unit 14 (S22), and then transmits the facsimile number of the other party (S23).

Then, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the line is connected to the other party (S24). If the line is connected to the other party (S24: YES), the CPU 1 performs a document image transmission process (S24). S25).

Thereafter, when the transmission processing is completed, the CPU 1
Turns off the backlight (S26) and ends this routine.

In S24, if the line cannot be connected due to the use state of the other party (S24: NO), the CPU
In step S1, the line is temporarily opened (S27), and thereafter, for example, the standby state is continued for about several seconds (S28).

Next, the CPU 1 determines whether or not the redial operation has been performed a predetermined number of times (S29), and if the redial operation has not been performed a predetermined number of times (S29: NO),
CPU 1 again determines whether or not a document is set (S30).

When a document is set (S30: Y
ES), the CPU 1 jumps to S23 and executes the same processing as described above.

If no document is set in S30 (S30: NO), the CPU 1 terminates this routine after executing the processing of S26.

If the redial operation has been performed a predetermined number of times in S29 (S29: YES), the CP
U1 terminates this routine after performing the process of S26.

If a document is not set in S21 (S21: NO), CPU 1 repeatedly executes the determination processing in S21 until a document is set.

According to the processing procedure in the facsimile transmission as described above, the backlight is turned on during the automatic redial operation, so that the same effect as in the above embodiment can be obtained. In the case of such facsimile transmission, without operating the redial key,
The redial operation starts automatically.

In the above-described processing procedure, the backlight is turned on when a document is set, and is continuously turned on even during the automatic redial operation. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The backlight may be turned on when the facsimile number is transmitted or when the line is not connected to the other party and the mode shifts to the redial mode.

Further, in the above embodiments, the display unit 14
The backlight is turned on during the automatic redialing process, but it may be made to blink, and besides the light emission by the backlight, the speaker is informed that the automatic redialing process is being performed by voice. It may be.

[0062]

As described above, according to the communication apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, when the destination code is transmitted and the destination is called, the connection with the destination cannot be established. The specified code is repeatedly transmitted, and while the transmission is repeated, the notification unit emits light or emits a sound, so that the user can reliably know that the designated code is being retransmitted by emitting light or generating a sound. ,
As a result, the operating state of the device itself is perceived, so that the line use state can be appropriately maintained.

According to the communication device of the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the communication device of the first aspect, in addition to the effect of the communication device, the transmission control means detects that a connectable signal is detected by the signal detection means. If the connection with the destination is not established even after the lapse of the predetermined time, the designated code is not retransmitted, so that the apparatus itself can be used efficiently according to the case where retransmission should be performed appropriately.

According to the communication device of the third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of the communication device of the first or second aspect of the present invention, the other communication destination during the retransmission of the designated code can be obtained. When the call signal is detected, the retransmission is stopped, and the activation of the notification means is also stopped. Therefore, the transmission / reception status via the communication line can be properly notified by the activation state of the notification means.

According to the communication device of the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effect of the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the notification means displays the designation code. Since it is a light for a display panel provided in a display panel, there is no need to provide a special illuminant or sounding body to notify that retransmission is being performed, and for example, use a backlight provided in a display panel such as a liquid crystal. so,
The number of parts can be reduced and cost can be reduced.

Further, according to the communication device of the invention described in claim 5, in addition to the effect of the communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the designated code is transmitted when talking with the other party. Since the telephone number is used, the present invention can be applied to a case where a telephone number required for connection with a communication partner based on the telephone function is automatically retransmitted.

According to the storage medium of the invention described in claim 6, the operation of the communication device described in claim 1 can be realized by operating the CPU based on the stored program.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a facsimile apparatus as an example of a communication apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of an automatic redialing process in the facsimile machine.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a transmission processing procedure when performing facsimile transmission as another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 CPU 2 NCU 3 RAM 4 Modem 5 ROM 6 EEPROM 7 Gate array 8 Codec 9 DMAC 10 Voice codec 11 Reading unit 12 Recording unit 13 Operation unit 14 Display unit 15 Talk unit 21 Telephone line

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. By transmitting a designated code of a destination through a communication line, the destination can be called and the specified code can be automatically retransmitted. A communication device provided with a notifying means for notifying, after transmitting the designation code, a signal detecting means for detecting a signal returned according to a connection state with the destination, and a connection disabled by the signal detecting means The transmission control means for repeatedly transmitting the designation code when the signal of (i) is detected, and the notification control means for activating the notification means while the transmission of the designation code is repeated by the transmission control means. Communication device. 2. The transmission control means does not retransmit the designated code if it is not connected to the destination even after a lapse of a predetermined time since the connection detection signal is detected by the signal detection means. 2. The communication device according to 1. 3. When a call signal from another destination is detected while the transmission of the designated code is repeated by the transmission control means, retransmission of the designated code by the transmission control means is stopped. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein activation of the notification unit by the notification control unit is stopped. 4. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein said notification means is a light for a display panel provided for displaying said designation code. 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the designation code is a telephone number transmitted when talking with the other party.
The communication device according to any one of the above. 6. By transmitting a designated code of a destination via a communication line, the destination can be called and the specified code can be automatically retransmitted. A storage medium storing a program for controlling a communication device provided with a notifying means for notifying a communication device, for detecting a signal returned according to a connection state with the partner after transmitting the designation code. A signal detection program, a transmission control program for repeatedly transmitting the specified code when a signal indicating that connection is impossible is detected based on the signal detection program, and transmission of the specified code based on the transmission control program. A storage medium storing a program including a notification control program for activating the notification means during the repetition. .