JPS61176237A - Communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve both the workability and the operability in a communication mode by providing a means to secure the connection to plural circuits CONSTITUTION:The ringing tone of a telephone 18 rings if an incoming call arrives at a.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a communication device that has not only a communication function but also a call function with the other party.

[Prior Art] For example, a facsimile machine has been known as one type of communication device of this type that also has a function of making a call with the other party.

Facsimile machines are broadly classified into automatic response type devices and manual response type devices.

In the case of a reception operation in a manual facsimile machine, when receiving a telephone call, the user first picks up the handset of the telephone connected to the main body of the machine and answers the telephone as usual. Thereafter, if image communication is to be performed, the facsimile machine is activated by pressing a switch provided on the main body of the apparatus that instructs to start communication. As a result, the line is switched from the telephone side to the facsimile machine side, and a communication operation is performed between both facsimile machines.

The same is true when making a call from this side; after answering the telephone as usual, when communicating, the facsimile machine is activated by operating switches.

On the other hand, in the case of an automatic answering type facsimile machine, image communication is automatically performed after a predetermined control procedure is performed after receiving a call, so there is no room for talking to the other party. However, depending on the model used, it is possible to make a call as appropriate, but in that case, the image communication will be interrupted.

As described above, conventionally known facsimile machines are used by switching between the image communication state and the telephone conversation state, and therefore have the disadvantage that they cannot perform image communication and telephone conversation at the same time.

[Objective] In view of the above-mentioned points, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication system that improves the work and operability during communication by configuring the communication function and the communication function to be executed simultaneously or selectively. The goal is to provide equipment.

In order to achieve such an object, the present invention provides a communication device equipped with a communication means and a calling means for communicating and making calls, including a connecting means for connecting to a plurality of lines, and the communication means and the calling means. and control means configured to simultaneously connect the respective lines to the separate lines via the connection means.

[Example] Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on Examples.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

In this figure, A indicates the main body of the facsimile machine, B indicates a network control section, and L1 and L2 indicate telephone lines.

(2) and 2 are calling signal detection circuits (hereinafter referred to as CI detection circuits) connected to each telephone line (□). This CI
The detection circuits 1 and 2 detect the hook state of the handset (that is, the state of whether the handset is lifted or not) and detect the ringing tone obtained from the line side. Inform.

11 is a dial signal generator, 12 is a modem, and 13 is a master
The main control unit is composed of a microprocessor and various memories and controls the entire communication operation; 14 is an operation unit including dial buttons; 15 is an image reading unit equipped with a CCl1 line sensor; and 16 is an image unit equipped with a thermal printer, etc. A recording unit, 17 is a telephone equipped with a handset and a calling bezel (the dial button is included in the operation unit i4), and 18 is a general telephone connected to the outside of the main body of the apparatus.

3 to 10 are changeover switch units (hereinafter abbreviated as SW). Among these, SW3 and SW4 are switch sections for switching between the circuits on the telephone 17.18 side and the modem 12 side, and SW5 and SW6 are switch sections for switching between the circuits on the telephone 17.18 side and the dial signal generator 11 side.

In addition, 5117 and SW8 connect the telephone 17 to line L2.
Turn the phone 18 to the side 11! This is a switch section for switching to the Ll side. Furthermore, 5Wi9 is a switch for sending the dial signal sent from the dial signal generating section 11 to either line Ll or L2 side, 5WI
O is a switch for connecting the modem 12 to either line Ll or L2:.

20 is a memory for storing telephone numbers, which will be described in detail later.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be explained.

1) First, the general operation of this embodiment will be explained.

In the normal state, the line L1 has SW1. SW3. S
W5° is connected to the telephone side circuit via SW7.

On the other hand, line L2 has 5112.
It is connected to an external telephone 18 via SW4゜swe and swa.

When a calling signal arrives from line L1, the bell of telephone 17 rings. Then, when you lift the handset (that is, put it in an off-footer state), the line is captured and you can talk to the other party. In addition, when transitioning to data communication from the middle of a call, a start button (not shown) included in the operation unit 14 may be pressed. That is, when this start button is pressed, the line L1 is switched to the modem 12 side by SW3. Furthermore, 5WIO is also SW3
is switched to connect to modem 12.

When the modem 12 is connected to the @ lines 1, 1 in this way, the modem 12 starts transmitting and receiving predetermined procedure signals in order to perform image communication with the other party's facsimile machine.

The received signal obtained through the line L1 is demodulated by the modem 12, and the demodulated data is sent to the image recording section 16,
A record is made on recording paper.

On the other hand, the original to be transmitted is read by the image reading unit ↓ and sent to the line Ll side via the modem 12.

Further, when the device according to this embodiment is set to the automatic reception mode, the CI detection circuit 1 detects a calling signal, and in response to the detection output, the controller 13 switches the SW.
3 and 5 WIO switching operations are performed, and line L1 is connected to modem 12. Thereafter, communication operations are automatically started according to conventionally known control procedures.

The same operation as the line L1 can be performed for the line L2 as well. That is, when a calling signal arrives from line L2, the bell of telephone 18 rings. At this time, telephone 18
If the telephone 18 is a push button type, the push button is pressed to generate a tone signal when entering data communication, and the tone detector (not shown) is placed at a distance from the main body of the device. The tone signal is detected in step 1). When confirming that the tone signal has been emitted, the main control unit 13 switches SW4 to connect the line L2 to the 5WIO side. Furthermore, 5W
Line L2 is connected to modem 12 by IO. After that, the image communication operation is started.

2) Next, the case where a telephone call is made from the device side will be explained.

First, press the hook button (not shown) provided on the operation unit 14 or lift the handset of the telephone 17 to confirm the dial tone from the central exchange.
After that, the dial button on the operation unit 14 is pressed.

The main control section 13 receives dial button data from the operation section 14, and energizes the dial signal generation circuit section 11 to generate a dial signal.

Further, at the same time as the dial button is pressed, SW9 is switched to the side that connects the dial signal generating section 11 and SW5, and SW5 is switched to the side that connects SW3 and SW9. By switching these switches, the dial signal is sent to line L1 via SW9, SW5, SW3 and CI detection circuit 1.

”1 dial signal can also be further sent to line L2. In this case, the dial signal is SW9. S
W6. SW4 t-3 and CI detection circuit 2 via telephone line L
2. However, whether or not to capture line L2 is
The CI detection circuit 2 checks the hook state of the telephone 18 (that is, whether it is in an on-hook state or an off-hook state).

3) When communicating by making a call from this device side, follow the procedure for making a call described above to connect line L1 or line L2.
After making a dialing call and confirming that the other party has answered the call, switch SW3 or SW4 to 12 on the modem side.
Switch to . The main control section 13 switches the 5WIO to the connected line side, and then starts image communication operation via the modem 12.

4) This device is capable of making phone calls even while image data is being communicated.

Assuming that image communication is currently being performed through line L1, line L1 is connected to CI detector 1 and S-3゜5W.
It is connected to the modem 12 via IO. At this time,
Since the telephone 17 is disconnected from the line L1, if the line L2 is free, a call can be made.

As a means to realize such simultaneous calls, SW7 and S
Wa is used. That is, when the handset of the telephone 17 is lifted and the dial button of the operation section 14 is pressed, the main control section 13 uses the CI detector 2 to monitor the line L2 in order to execute the procedure for making a call. If times! If iL2 is vacant, the main control unit 13 switches SW7 t-3 and SWa, thereby switching the telephone 17 to SW7. SWa, 5WEI.

It is connected to line L2 via SWa and CI detection unit 2. Further, the telephone 1st is disconnected from the line L2 by SWa. Furthermore, SW6 and 8%19 are switched, and thereby the dial signals emitted from the dial signal generating section 11 are changed to SWa, 5tile, SWa.
and is sent to line L2 via CI detection circuit 2.

Similarly, line L2 card CI detection circuit 2, SWa, 51
Even when the telephone 11 is connected to the modem 12 through the telephone 110 and communication is being performed through this, it is possible to make a telephone call using the telephone 17 if the line Ll is free.

That is, when the dial button of the operation unit 14 is pressed, after confirming that the line Ll is empty, the dial signal from the dial signal generating unit 11 is changed to SWa, SW5, SW.
a and the CI detection circuit 1 to the line L1. Next, when the other party responds and the CI detection circuit 1 confirms that the polarity of the line is reversed, SW5 is switched, and as a result, the line L1 is connected to the CI detection circuit 1゜SWa, SW5.
and is connected to the telephone 17 via SW7.

Furthermore, it is also possible to make a call from the telephone 18 side. In this case, after confirming that the dial button has been pressed, the idle state of the line is detected, and SWa, SW7. SW5゜SWa
and the telephone 18 is connected to the line Ll via the CI detection circuit l. However, in this case, dialing will be performed from the telephone 18 side.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 1 schematically shows the control procedure described above, that is, the control procedure when image communication and telephone conversation are performed simultaneously.

That is, when communication is being performed using one line (step S1), when the handset of the telephone 17 or 18 is lifted and the dial button is pressed, the main control unit 13 determines that there is an intention to make a call. Deeds (
Step S2): Check the availability of the other line using CI detection circuit 1 or 2 (Step S3). Thereafter, the dial signal generating section 11 dials a vacant line via a predetermined switch (step S4).
) and make a phone call (step S5).

5) When this device is performing image communication using one line, if a call is received on the other free line, the call can be made using either phone @17 or 18. .

If there is an incoming call on line L2 while communicating through line L1, the telephone 18 will ring. At this time, it is possible to make a call by lifting the handset of the telephone @18, but it is also possible to make a call using the telephone '17 on the main body side of the device. That is, the controller 13 recognizes that the handset of the telephone 17 has been lifted, and by switching 5w8 and SW7, the line L2 can be connected to the telephone 17, thereby making it possible to make a call.

Similarly, if a call is received on line L1 while communication is being performed using line L2, the telephone 17 provided on the main body side of the device rings. At this time, telephone 17
It is also possible to make a call by lifting the handset of the external telephone 18, but even if the handset of the external telephone 18 is lifted, the controller 13 recognizes this and switches SW7 and SWa to connect the line L1 to the telephone 1.
Can be connected to 8 sides.

FIG. 3 shows a flowchart schematically showing the above control procedure. That is, when communication is being conducted through one line (step 510) and a call is received through the other line (step 511), the main control unit 13 detects the off-hook state of one of the telephones. At step 512), the telephone is connected to the line from which the call was received via a predetermined switch, step 513), and a call is made (step 514).

6) According to this device, even when the telephone set on the device main body side is in use, it is possible to perform image communication using another line.

Now, when the telephone 17 is connected to the line L1 and used, if you want to send a document using this device, first set the document in the image reading section 15, and then press the operation section 14.
Press the dial button. When the main control unit 13 detects this, it is subsequently confirmed that the line L2 is free, and the dial transmission unit 11 sends the switch to SW9.
．． SW6. A dial signal is sent out via SW4 and CI detection circuit 2. When the other party responds to such a call, the line L2 is connected to the CI detection circuit 2, SW4, 5W.
It is connected to the modem 12 via IO and can start image communication.

FIG. 4 is a schematic flowchart showing such a control procedure. That is, if a telephone call is being made using a telephone set on the device main body side (step 520
), press the dial button on the operation section 14 after setting the original. If the dial button is pressed (step 521), the main control unit 13 determines that there is an intention to communicate, checks the availability of the other line (step 522), and dials that line (step 522). Step 523), and if there is a response from the other party, image communication can be started via the modem 12 (step 524).

7) According to this device, even if the telephone set on the device main body side is in use, image communication can be performed when there is an incoming call on the other line.

For example, when the telephone Ia17 on the device side is connected to the line L1 and used, if there is an incoming call on the line L2, and the line L2 is set to automatic reception mode, the device enters the reception operation. Alternatively, the reception operation can also be started by pressing the reception button on the operation unit 14.

FIG. 5 shows an outline of such a control procedure. That is, when the telephone 18 on the main unit side of the device is in use using one line (step 530), when an incoming call is received on the other line (step 531), the device is set to automatic reception mode. or when the receive button is manually pressed (step 532), the modem 12 is connected to the line from which the call was received via a predetermined switch (step 532).
Step 533) Image communication is performed (Step 53)
4).

8) It is clear from the above explanation that calls and communications can be made at the same time using two lines, but it is troublesome to remember the communication telephone number and the telephone number of the other party, respectively.

Therefore, when communicating and calling at the same time using two lines, a control procedure will be described which simplifies the operation procedure that the user should perform and thereby improves the operability.

First, for the other party you frequently call, in addition to the telephone number of one of the other party, the other party's (second) telephone number,
Alternatively, store a pair of nearby phone numbers in the memory 20 (No. When it becomes necessary to perform an operation, press an operation key (not shown) on the operation unit 14 or lift the handset of the telephone 17 (that is, put it in an off-footer state).
Automatically calls the other party's other phone by referring to the other party's second phone number registered in the memory (using the other free line), making it possible to communicate and talk at the same time. can.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart for realizing this function. That is, when communication or a call is being made using one of the lines (step 540), when the telephone 17 is placed in an off-hook state or a key on the operating section 14 is operated (step 541), the main control section 1
Step 3: Make sure the other line is free Step 5
41), then the second telephone number of the other party is read from the memory (step 543), and a call is made from the other line (step 544). If the other party answers the call, the call or communication control is started (step 5).
45).

9) In addition to carrying out the control procedure described with respect to FIG.
An optional signal can be used to automatically dial the other party.

Generally, procedure signals during communication are transmitted and received in accordance with CC:ITT Recommendation T-30, but optional signals are used to identify specific user requests that are outside the scope of this recommendation. Therefore, in this device, the optional signal is TeN5F (Non 5 standard Faci).
non-standard equipment) or N5S (WonSt.
andard Facilities Sgt-up;
non-standard device settings). In other words, the other telephone number (second telephone number) that is not used for communication is treated as non-standardized information by the NSF or NSS FIF (
Facsimile Information File
ld), and the side receiving the information stored in this PIF stores the contents in advance in the memory.

Then, as described in step S41 in FIG. 6, in response to off-hook of the telephone or key operation on the operation unit 14, the previously stored telephone information is read from the memory and the call is made to the second vacant line. Make calls automatically. In this way, it is possible to make a call by automatic calling even during communication.

FIG. 7(A) and FIG. 7(B) are flowcharts showing details of this control procedure.

FIG. 7(A) shows the control procedure on the called side. That is, upon starting the communication procedure, step 550)
, the second telephone number (vacant telephone number) of the called party is notified to the calling party by NSF (step 551). Next, it is checked whether the NSS PIF sent from the calling party includes a second telephone number (vacant telephone number) (step 552), and the second telephone number of the other party is included. If so, the telephone number is stored in memory within the called device (step 553). Next, start image communication (
Step 554), when the telephone is off-hook during the communication or a key operation (for example, pressing the hook button) on the operation unit 14 is performed (step 555), the previously memorized vacant telephone number of the other party (calling party) is read from the memory (step 35B, 557), and an automatic call is made from the other unused line (step 958).

Thereafter, a call is made (step 558). However, even if you go off-hook or press the hook button on the telephone (step 555), if the other party's second telephone number is not stored in the memory, communication will simply continue and will not be automatically terminated. No call is made (step 580).

FIG. 7(B) shows the control procedure on the calling side. That is, upon starting the communication procedure, step 561)
, First, it is checked whether the FIF of the NSF includes the second telephone number (vacant telephone number) of the called party (step 562). If the called party's second telephone number is included in the PIF, its contents are stored in the memory within the calling party's device (step 563), and then the calling party's second telephone number (an empty (telephone number) is sent to the called party using NSS (step 584). Next, image communication is started (step 565), but if the telephone is off-hook during the call or a key operation on the operation unit 14 (for example, pressing the hook button) is performed (step 88B), the previously stored The free telephone number of the other party (called party) is read from the memory (step S87, 588), and an automatic call is made from the other unused line (step 569). In this way, it becomes possible to make a call at the same time during the communication (step 570). However, even if the telephone goes off-hook or the hook button is pressed (step 58),
6) If the other party's second telephone number is not stored in the memory, the communication will simply continue and no automatic call will be made, similar to step 380 shown in FIG. 7(A). (Step 571).

10) Next, we will explain the control procedure for automatic reception using this device.0 For example, when there is an incoming call on line L1, the CI detection circuit 1 first detects the ringing tone and confirms that there is an incoming call. is notified to the main control section 13. The main control unit 13 determines whether the reception mode is set to automatic mode or manual mode,
If it is in automatic mode, SW3 is closed, SWTO is switched to the modem 12 side, and communication is started.

Similarly, when there is an incoming call at the time mL2, the CI detection unit 2. The modem 12 and line L2 are connected via SW4 and 5WIO to start communication.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 8 outlines this control procedure. That is, when the CI detection circuits 1 and 2 confirm the incoming call (step 580), the main control unit 13 checks that the device is set to automatic reception mode, and then captures the line where the incoming call was received. Then, in steps S81 and S82), communication is started (step 583).

11) Furthermore, since this device has separate CI detection circuits for each of the lines L1 and L2, it is possible to independently set the mode of automatic reception or manual reception for each line. As a result, it is also possible to set one of the lines for manual use only and the other line for automatic use only.

In general, if the automatic reception mode is set, the reception operation can be started without human intervention even when an incoming call is received, so in places where fax machines are frequently used, In many cases, it is dedicated.

However, in places where facsimile machines are used infrequently, it is often set to manual reception mode in order to activate the facsimile machine as needed while using the line primarily for telephone calls.

Therefore, at present, the automatic/manual mode is appropriately switched depending on whether the purpose is telephone communication or facsimile communication. Furthermore, it is common for the person on the other end of the phone call to know whether the phone number is for voice calls or facsimile calls before making the call.

Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to have both the advantages of an automatic reception-only device and the advantages of a manual device, thereby eliminating the need for two facsimile machines.

Further, when leaving work, by setting both lines to automatic reception mode, facsimile information etc. can be reliably received no matter which line receives a call.

In the embodiment described so far, the telephone 17 is constructed integrally with the main body of the apparatus according to the embodiment, but it is also possible to attach a general independent telephone externally.

Further, in this embodiment, the function of a facsimile device and the function of a telephone communication device are combined, but it is also possible to have a function of not only such image communication but also general data communication.

Furthermore, although the present embodiment has been described assuming that the number of lines used is "2", it is of course possible to perform more complex switching control using three or more lines.

[Effect] As explained above, according to the present invention, even during communication, the attached telephone can be used at the same time using another free line, so communication is efficient and easy to use. You can get the equipment.

Especially in companies and offices where multiple telephones are used, there is no need to add new lines.
It becomes possible to add new communication functions such as facsimile.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus to which the present invention is applied; FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7 (A
), FIG. 7(B), and FIG. 8 are flowcharts showing an example of the control procedure in this embodiment. Ll, L2... Line, 1.2... Calling signal detection circuit (CI detection circuit), 3~Work0... Changeover switch section, 11... Dial signal generation section, 12... Modem, 13...Main control unit, 14...Operation unit, 15...Image reading unit, 16...Image recording unit, 17.18...Telephone, 20...Memory. Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 4 Figure 5 Figure 6 Figure 1N Kaisho 61-17 G 237 (10) Figure 7 (A
) [7 sig;? 1 hammer] Arm S50 Figure 7 (f3) One row. Figure 8

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1) A communication device equipped with a communication means and a call means for communicating and making a call, comprising: a connection means for connecting to a plurality of lines; and a connection means for connecting the communication means and the call means to the 1. A communication device comprising: control means configured to simultaneously connect to each of the separate lines via means. 2) The communication device according to claim 1, wherein even if the communication means is in use, the communication means is operated via a remaining free line.