JPS60157366A - Communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To avoid a communication unable state due to a misoperation by changing forcibly an answer mode to a call signal to an automatic or manual answer mode only at the time band set by a time counting means. CONSTITUTION:For instance, a manned time band and an unmanned time band which are designated by a time counting circuit 104 deliver 104a ''H'' and ''L'' level respectively. A panel SW106 delivers 106a ''H'' and ''L'' level in a manual answer mode and an automatic answer mode respectively. An NAND gate 110 can select an automatic or manual mode with operation of the SW106 when the output 104 is set at ''H'' level. However the gate 110 delivers ''H'' level regardless of the output of the SW106 when the output 104a is set at ''L'' level (unmanned). Thus an AND gate 108 is opened. In a reception mode of an NCU102, an automatic answer mode is set. Thus a facsimile (not shown in the figure) starts reception under the control of a control part 100. Thus the communication is received assuredly at an unmanned time band despite misswitching 106. Then just a single piece of circuit can be used effectively for both call and communication purpose.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a communication device, and particularly to a communication device using a telephone line having an automatic answering mode.

[Prior art]

Conventional communication devices of this type, especially generally MA type NCU,
A facsimile machine equipped with a network control device called an AA type NCU has a function of detecting a call signal from a telephone network and automatically answering the call signal.

This type of device has the feature of automatically performing communication operations even when unattended, but on the other hand, it also has some practical inconveniences.

For example, when a call is made to this type of device from outside for the purpose of making a call, the facsimile machine responds without a human being responding, resulting in an error and the call cannot be made. This problem can be solved by using a dedicated facsimile telephone, but this is very uneconomical for users who use facsimile IJs infrequently.

In view of this point, facsimile machines have been put into practical use that are equipped with a mechanism for switching an MA type or AA type NCU to an MM type or AM type NCU using a changeover switch. That is, it is a device that switches between an automatic response type NCU and a manual response type NCU.

However, since the changeover switch is operated by an operator, problems arise due to erroneous operation.

In other words, the device that was supposed to be in manual answering mode was not set to automatic answering mode, so calls could not be made, and conversely, when the device was left unattended at night, it was in manual answering mode and faxes from outside could not be made. There were times when communication was not possible.

〔the purpose〕

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a communication device that prevents communication failures due to operator error and allows a single telephone to be effectively used for both communication and telephone calls. .

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

The figure is block A showing the structure of a facsimile machine as an example of a communication device employing the present invention.

In the figure, the reference numeral 100 denotes a control section, which is usually comprised of a microprocessor and peripheral memory, and performs various controls necessary for facsimile communication.

The one still designated by the reference numeral 102 is an MA type NCU, and the NCU 102 has a call signal detection function similar to that of a known one. When the NCUI02 detects a calling signal, it sets the signal line 102ae to a high level. In response to this detection signal, the control unit 100 controls the NCU 102 to perform predetermined processing such as switching a line from a telephone (not shown) to the device side.

The signal line 102a is connected to one input of the AND gate 108, and the output of the AND gate 108 is connected to the signal line 10.
8a to the control section 100.

The other input terminal of the AND gate 10B is the signal line 110a
is connected to the output of the Nant gate 110 via the Nandt gate 110.

; Panel switch 1 is connected to one input of the node gate 110.
06 is connected via a signal line 106a.

The panel switch 106 is composed of a button switch provided on the operation panel, and a flip-flop or the like that performs a toggle operation when the button switch is operated.

Panel switch 10 every time a button switch is operated
The output of 6 is alternately switched between high level and low level. In this embodiment, the panel switch 106 outputs a high level when the operator sets the manual response mode by operating a switch, and a low level when the operator sets the automatic response mode.

The other input of the Nant gate 110 has a time counter circuit 1.
04 is connected via a signal line 104a. The time counting circuit 104 is constructed using a known technology such as a clock IC. A high level signal is output to the signal line 104a only for a time specified in advance by the operator. For example, the configuration is such that the signal @1048 is output at a high level only during times when the device is not in an unattended state.

Drivers 116° and 114 are located after the Nant gate 110.
Display devices 118 and 120 are connected to each other, respectively driven by the driver 116. However, an inverter 112 is inserted in front of the driver 116, and the display devices 118 and 120 are controlled so that one of them is always on. Ru. These indicators can be constructed from LEDs, lamps, and the like.

In the above configuration, while the output signal line 104a of the time counting circuit 104 is at a high level, the level of the output signal line 106a of the panel switch 106, that is, the level of the output signal line 106a of the panel switch 106 is
The response mode can be switched between manual and automatic by operating the button.

When the signal line 106a is at a low level, that is, the switch is set to the automatic response side, and the output signal line 104a of the time counting circuit 1° is at a high level, that is, when the panel switch 10 can be operated. , depending on the operation of the panel switch 106, the output signal line 110a of
But...it becomes level.

Therefore, one input of the AND gate 108 is connected to the signal line 110.
When the NCU 102 detects a calling signal, this detection signal is sent from the signal line 108 to the control unit 100 via the signal line 102a and the AND gate 108.
is input. As a result, an automatic response operation is performed in the same manner as in the known manner, and communication is performed.

When the output signal line 104a of the time counting circuit 104 is at a high level and manual response is selected by the panel switch 106, the signal line 106a becomes a high level, and the output of the Nand gate 11o becomes a low level. is closed. As a result, even if the NCU 102 detects a calling signal, the detection signal is not input to the control unit 100 and no automatic response is performed. Therefore, the line is not switched to the device side, and a manual response is performed using the attached telephone.

On the other hand, during the time period when the output of the time counting circuit 104 is at a low level, the output of the Nantes gate 110 is at a high level regardless of the output level of the panel switch 106, the AND gate 108 is opened, and the NCU 102 detects a calling signal. The mode is set in which automatic response operation is performed in case of emergency.

In the above operation, the signal line 110a becomes high level in automatic response mode and low level in manual response mode, so the display 120 lights up in automatic response mode, and the display 118 lights up in manual response mode, and the signal line 110a goes to low level in automatic response mode. The operating mode is announced.

As described above, the response mode selector switch can be operated only during the time period set by the operator, and the automatic response mode is automatically set at other times. Therefore, in an office or the like, if settings are made so that switching is possible only during working hours, problems due to erroneous operation will not occur.

In the following embodiment, the flip-flop of the panel switch 106 may be forcibly set at the rising edge of the output signal of the output 104 of the time counting circuit.

As a result, no matter how the panel switch 106 is operated while the time counting circuit 104 is in the automatic response mode, the panel switch is automatically activated from the moment the output of the time counting circuit 104 changes from low level to high level. 1
06 will be set to the manual response mode side. Therefore, since the manual response mode is always set at the start of work, the possibility of erroneous operation is further reduced.

In the above embodiment, the automatic response mode is always selected during the set time period, but it is also possible to forcibly set the manual response mode.

Moreover, although the embodiment of a facsimile device has been described above, it goes without saying that the present invention can be applied to other communication devices.

〔effect〕

As is clear from the above, the present invention employs a configuration in which a predetermined response mode is always selected during a set time period, thereby preventing communication failure due to incorrect operation, It is possible to provide an excellent communication device that can be effectively used for both purposes. Furthermore, the present invention can be implemented with the addition of a small number of logic circuits, making it very simple and inexpensive.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The figure is a block diagram showing the main part configuration of a facsimile machine employing the present invention. 100...Control unit 102...NCU104...Time counting circuit 106...Panel switch 108...
And Gate 110... Nantes Gate 112...
Inverter 114.116... Driver circuit 118.120... Display

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) Communication by automatic response in response to a call signal A communication device characterized in that one of the above conduction modes is forcibly set only during a time period set in the special counting means. (2) A switch means for selecting one of the communication modes described above is provided, and the switch means is enabled to operate in a time zone other than the time period set in the time counting means. Communication devices as described in Section. (3) The communication device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the switch means is set to one of the communication modes at the same time as the time zone set in the time counting. .