JPH1169068A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce the cost of the hardware and to improve the kind and quantity of a voice message itself by receiving automatic voice message AVM data and informing the AVM to a caller. SOLUTION: The facsimile equipment with an automatic incoming outgoing call function having a local connection function with a PC is provided with a means receiving (sending) AVM data that are sent when a call reaches the facsimile equipment through a line via the PC and an I/F means from the PC through a local I/F and the PC stores the AVM. Whether or not the operator awaits the arrival of a call in states of steps S1, S11, whether or not a request of AVM communication is made is awaited in steps S2, S12, the transmission of the AVM data is requested from the PC in steps S3, S13. Voice data are received from the PC in a step S4 and the data are modulated and the modulated data are outputted to the PC through a line as voice data. The voice data are sent to the PC in a step S14 and the modulated voice data are outputted to the PC through the line.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus, and more particularly, to a PC (personal computer) connection function of a facsimile apparatus, and is applicable to, for example, an MFP (multifunction peripheral).

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art AVM (auto voice messeage) uses a tone signal or the like and provides various voice messages to a calling side in response thereto, or uses a voice message as guidance to provide the calling side with a voice message. This is a service in which information is selected by a tone signal or the like and facsimile image information is provided. When performing AVM with a conventional facsimile apparatus, audio data is stored in a memory of a facsimile apparatus control unit.

[0003]

According to the above conventional method,
When arbitrarily registering audio data, the audio data usually has a large data size, and thus there is a cost problem when using a semiconductor memory as a medium. In addition, when a magnetic recorder such as a tape is used, it is difficult to restrict time such as random access.

According to the present invention, in the case of a facsimile apparatus having a local I / F with a PC, the facsimile and its local I / F are used in a large-capacity memory (HD or the like) on the PC side to transmit voice data. Transmission and reception are possible, and existing hardware can be used by storing voice data in a large-capacity memory so that the unit cost per bit is sufficiently lower than when a memory is built in a facsimile. It was done.

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, a personal computer (PC) is provided.
Facsimile machine with automatic call origination and termination function with local connection function with PC connected by local I / F
Has a means for receiving data of AVM (auto voice message) performed when a facsimile is received from a line by a PC and an I / F means, so that the PC can hold a voice message. Characteristically, from a PC connected by a local I / F, data of an AVM (auto voice message) performed when a facsimile is received from a line by a PC and an I / F means is received and transmitted to a calling side. By running AVM, hardware costs are reduced, and the type and amount of voice messages themselves are improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in a facsimile apparatus with an automatic transmission / reception function having a local connection function with a PC, a PC connected via a local I / F is connected to a PC and an I / F.
F means for transmitting data of AVM (auto voice message) which is performed when a call is received from the line to the facsimile, and the voice message can be held on the PC side.
The voice data of the calling side is transmitted to the PC connected by the local I / F with respect to the AVM (Auto Voice Message) performed when the facsimile is received from the line by the PC and the I / F means. By storing in a memory, the cost of facsimile hardware is reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, a PC connected by a local I / F is connected to a PC.
Means for transmitting and receiving AVM (Auto Voice Message) data performed when an incoming call is received from a line to a facsimile by an I / F means, and the data format is W
2. A system according to claim 1, further comprising means for handling an AV file or the like in a format used by the PC so that the PC can hold the voice message.
In addition to the invention of the second aspect, operability of audio data on a PC is improved by adding a device for encoding and decoding a WAV file or the like, which is usually used in a PC, to a facsimile.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an essential part for explaining an example of a facsimile apparatus to which the present invention is applied. In the drawing, reference numeral 1 denotes an operation display unit (OPU) of the facsimile apparatus. ,
2 is an image information (document) reading unit (SCANNER),
Reference numeral 3 denotes a writing portion for a received document and various reports, and a printing operation writing portion (PLOTTER). Reference numeral 4 denotes a buffer, an intermediate buffer for exchanging image information between peripherals, 5 a compression / decompression unit, a compression / decoding unit (DCR) for compressing / expanding image information, and 6 a CPU and a main memory. Central control unit (S.) that controls the entire facsimile
CU), 7 is a memory unit (SAF) for storing image information as a file, 8 is a communication control unit (CCU) for controlling facsimile communication, 9
Is a network control unit (NCU) connected to the line, and manages disconnection and the like of the line. Reference numeral 10 denotes a modem, and reference numeral 11 denotes a connection portion (EX. Serial 232C port, LAN port) with the PC of the present invention.

FIG. 2A is a flow chart for explaining one embodiment of the invention of claim 1, and waits for an incoming call of an operator in the state of step S1. . In the state of step S2, it is waiting for an AVM communication request. In step S3, the PC requests transmission of AVM data. In this case, communication with the PC is performed using an AT command or the like using a 232C serial I / F or the like. In step S4, audio data is received from the PC, modulated, and output to the line as audio data.

FIG. 2B is a flow chart for explaining an embodiment of the invention of claim 2, and waits for an operator's incoming call in the state of step S11. . In step S12, it is waiting for an AVM communication request. AVM to PC in step S13
Requesting data transmission. In this case, communication with the PC is performed using an AT command or the like using a 232C serial I / F or the like. In step S14, the audio data is transmitted to the PC, and the audio data from the modulated line is output to the PC.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the first or second aspect, the FAX side has a media conversion device capable of handling data such as WAV data.
It is designed to handle files that are easy to operate. That is, in addition to the first or second aspect of the present invention, the operability of audio data on a PC is improved by adding a device for encoding and decoding a WAV file or the like generally used in a PC to a facsimile.

[0012]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus with an automatic transmission / reception function having a local connection function with a PC.
/ F means for receiving data of AVM (auto voice message) which is performed when an incoming call is received from the line to the facsimile, and the voice message is held on the PC side. AVM (Auto Voice Message) data received when a facsimile is received from the line by the PC and I / F means from the PC, and the calling side receives the AVM data.
By sending the message, the hardware cost can be reduced, and the type and amount of the voice message itself can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus with an automatic transmission / reception function having a local connection function with a PC.
It has means for transmitting data of AVM (auto voice message) which is performed when a facsimile is received from the line by means of F means, and the voice message is held on the PC side, so that it is connected by a local I / F. By transmitting voice data on the calling side and storing it in the memory on the PC side with respect to AVM (auto voice message) performed when a facsimile is received from the PC via the line by the PC and I / F means. It can be expected that the cost of facsimile hardware will be reduced.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect of the present invention, a PC connected by a local I / F is connected to a PC.
Means for transmitting and receiving AVM (Auto Voice Message) data performed when an incoming call is received from a line to a facsimile by an I / F means, and the data format is W
A means for handling AV files and other data in a format used by the PC is provided, and the voice message is retained on the PC side.
By adding a device for encoding and decoding a WAV file or the like, which is usually used in a facsimile, an improvement in the operability of audio data on a PC can be expected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a main part configuration diagram for explaining an example of a facsimile apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an embodiment of the first and second aspects of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1. Operation display unit (OPU) of facsimile machine, 2.
Image information (original) reading unit (SCANNER), 3 ...
Print operation writing section (PLOTTER), 4 ... buffer,
5: compression / decoding section (DCR), 6: central control section (SC)
U), 7: Memory unit (SAF), 8: Communication control unit (CCU), 9: Network control unit (NCU), 10: Modem, 11
... Connection part with PC.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile apparatus with an automatic call origination / reception function having a local connection function with a PC.
A which is performed when a call is received from the PC connected by F to the facsimile apparatus from the line by the PC and I / F means
A facsimile apparatus having means for receiving data of a VM (auto voice message), wherein a voice message can be held on a PC side. 2. A facsimile apparatus with an automatic call origination / reception function having a local connection function with a PC.
A which is performed when a call is received from the PC connected by F to the facsimile apparatus from the line by the PC and I / F means
A facsimile machine having means for transmitting VM (Auto Voice Message) data, wherein a voice message can be held on a PC side. 3. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the PC connected to the local I / F connects the PC to the PC.
A means for transmitting and receiving AVM (Auto Voice Message) data performed when a facsimile is received from a line by an I / F means with C, and a data format of W
A facsimile apparatus having means for handling an AV file or the like in a format used by a PC, wherein the PC can hold a voice message.