JPS6133075A - Communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To perform the communication assuredly to the setting of a single call by carrying out the communication of a prescribed system and the sound communication between operators in response to the output of a detecting means. CONSTITUTION:A network controller 2 which holds a loop supplies the signal of a signal line 40a and connects a telephone circuit 2a to a signal line 2b at the side of a telephone set 6 when said input signal is set at level ''0'' and to an input line 2c of a hybrid circuit 10 of a facsimile equipment when the input signal is set at level 1 respectively. The automatic transmission instruction given from an operation system of the facsimile equipment delivers a signal pulse 1 to the line 40a since a pulse is produced on a signal line 38a by the detection signal of an automatic transmission detecting circuit 38. Thus a signal switching circuit 4 is switched to a signal line 4b. When a pulse is produced on a signal line 40n, a false level is produced to call an operator. Thus the prescribed communication is possible regardless of the mode of a device at the remote side.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a communication device, and particularly to a communication device that automatically makes a call via a predetermined communication line using a speed dial, a numeric keypad, or the like.

[Prior art]

Conventionally, facsimile machines having an automatic dialing function are known as devices of this type. Devices of this type are known that use one-touch keys, speed dialing, or the like, or that automatically make calls using a numeric keypad or the like without picking up the handset.

A telephone line or a facsimile communication line is used as the communication line, and devices are also known that automatically make a call to a pre-entered destination at a specified time.

In general, a facsimile machine that automatically makes a call at a specified time detects a significant procedure signal transmitted from the called party immediately after making a call. At this time, if a significant procedure signal cannot be detected because the called party's facsimile machine is set to manual reception or the line is in use, call again after a certain period of time (for example, about 1 minute). conduct. This redialing is set to be performed at least twice.

Therefore, if the called device is still set to manual reception, the operator always responds, and a significant procedure signal cannot be detected, making communication impossible.

〔the purpose〕

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional technology.
Alternatively, it is an object of the present invention to provide an efficient communication device that enables predetermined communication operations and that can reliably perform communication for one call setup.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings. However, in the following, a G3 facsimile machine using a telephone line conforming to CCTTT (International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee) Recommendation T4 will be described as an example.

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of a control system of an automatic sending facsimile machine employing the present invention.

In Fig. 1, since the telephone network is used for data communication etc., 2 is connected to the terminal of the line to control the connection of the telephone exchange network, switch to the data communication path,
This is an NCU (network control unit) that maintains the loop. N.C.
U2 inputs the signal on the signal line 40a, and connects the telephone line 2a connected when the signal level is "0" to the signal line 2b on the telephone 6 side. Also, the signal line 40a is at level “1”.
”, the telephone line 2a is connected to the facsimile machine side, that is, to the input signal line 2C of the hybrid circuit 10.

Under normal conditions, the telephone line 2a is the signal line 2b on the telephone 6 side.
It is connected to the. Furthermore, when the NCU 2 detects a polarity reversal of the signal on the telephone line 2a, it generates a pulse on the signal line 2d.

Telephone 6 is connected via signal switching circuit 4 . The signal switching circuit 4 switches the signal line 2b to either the signal line 4a of the telephone 6 or the signal line 4b of the calling circuit 8. The signal switching circuit 4 sets the level "0" to the signal line 40b.
” or “1”, the signal line 21] is switched to the signal line 4a or 4b, respectively.

The calling circuit 8 is a circuit that generates a calling signal controlled by the signal lines 4 [1c, 40d. When a pulse is generated on the signal line 40C, the calling circuit 8 closes the DC circuit, inputs the telephone number to be output on the signal line 40d after 3 seconds, and outputs the corresponding selection signal on the signal line 4b. do.

Note that a function may be added to confirm the tone of the line after the DC circuit is closed.

The input/output terminal of the facsimile machine is )・Ibrid circuit 10
It is made up of. No hybrid circuit is signal line 2
This is a circuit that separates a received signal inputted from the signal line 30a and a transmitted signal inputted from the signal line 30a. The transmission signals are added in an adder circuit 60 and then sent from the hybrid circuit 10 to the signal line 2.
It is transmitted only to the C side. The received signals are input to circuits designated by 12, 14, 16, 18, 20 and 22 via signal line 10a.

Among these, the speaker circuit 12 is an audio output device controlled by a signal line 40e, and outputs the received audio signal from the speaker when level "1" is input to the signal line 40e. When the input level is 10'', no output operation is performed.

The signal tone detection circuit 14 detects a busy signal tone used in telephone procedures, and outputs a level "1" to the signal line 14a when this signal tone is confirmed.

The voice recognition circuit 16 is for detecting the operator's voice signal when the other party responds manually, and outputs a level "1" to the signal line 16a when the voice signal is recognized.

The specific voice detection circuit 18 further detects a specific voice indicating a facsimile machine such as "facsimile" or "fax" in the operator's voice signal, and outputs the signal line 1.
A pulse is generated at 8a.

The CED signal detection circuit 20 detects the CED signal transmitted from the other party.
(called station identification signal), and when this signal is detected, a pulse is generated on the signal line 20a.

The signal detection circuit 22 is the NSF transmitted from the other party.

When a combined signal of C8I and DIS is detected, a pulse is generated on the signal line 22a.

On the other hand, the transmission system circuits are coded 24, 26 and 28.
Blocks marked with are shown.

The signal sending circuit 24 includes the aforementioned NSF, C8I and D.
It sends out N88, TSI, and DC8 signals, which correspond to the I8 signal, respectively. The transmission of these signals is started by a pulse input to the signal line 40f,
The N8S, TSI and DC8 signals are input to the adder circuit 30 via the signal line 24a and added. When the signal output path 24 finishes transmitting the signal, it generates a pulse on the signal line 24b.

The voice generating circuit 26 is composed of a voice synthesizer or a tape recorder, and outputs a voice message to the signal line 26a, which is selected according to the level of the signal applied to the signal line 40g in synchronization with the pulses generated on the signal line 40h. do. If the level of the signal line 40g is "0", a voice message saying "Please continue talking until the operator responds" will be sent, and if the level is "moon", a voice message will be sent saying "Please wait a moment as I will call the operator". Output. When the transmission of the voice message is completed, a pulse is generated on the signal line 26b.

The signal sending circuit 28 is a circuit that outputs a CNG signal to the signal line 288 when a pulse is generated on the signal line 401, and generates a pulse on the signal line 28b when the transmission of this signal is completed.

The control circuit 40 controls the operation of the entire device including a microprocessor, memory, etc., and the above-mentioned signal lines are connected as shown. Connected to the control circuit 40 are timer circuits 61 to 34, an off-hook circuit 36, an automatic call command detection circuit 38, and a pseudo bell sound generation circuit 42 for control purposes to be described later.

The timer circuits 31 to 34 each have a signal line 40j.

40k, 40A, and 40m, and time is measured for 3 seconds, 60 seconds, 45 seconds, and 35 seconds, and when each time measurement ends, the signal line 61a.

Pulses are generated at 32a, 33a and 34a.

The off-hook detection circuit 36 is a circuit that detects whether the handset of the telephone 6 is on-hook or off-hook, and the signal is level "0" when on-hook, and level "1" when off-hook. It is output on line 36a.

The facsimile machine of this embodiment is equipped with a known operation system that automatically makes a call using a one-touch key, speed dial, or numeric keypad in an on-hook state (circuit not shown).
This automatic transmission command from the operating system is detected by the automatic transmission command detection circuit 38. If a command is detected, a pulse is generated on signal line 38a.

The pseudo-bell sound generating circuit 42 is a circuit consisting of a known oscillator, speaker, etc., and generates a pseudo-bell sound to call an operator when a pulse is generated on the signal line 40n.

Next, the control procedure of the control circuit 40 will be explained in detail with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2(4) to 2(D). Note that in the present invention, the operator can be called by the pseudo bell sound generating circuit 42 or the speaker circuit 12;
In this case, steps 858, 878, and 8, which will be described later,
90, 8142, 8150, 8160 and 51
The control at 66 changes depending on which circuit is used. Either one of these operator calling circuits may be used, or both may be provided and used properly depending on each control. ′!
! : In the following flowcharts, flows with the same number are assumed to be continuous at that position.

In steps 850-58 of FIG. 2(A), flags and each circuit block are initialized. That is, in step 850, a counter (control circuit 40
(Built-in) Set “0” to C0UNT. In step S52, a flag FAXFLG indicating whether the other party's terminal is a facsimile machine is reset to "0".

In step 854, a level "0" is output to the signal line 40a, and the NCU 2 connects the telephone line 2a to the signal line 2b, that is, to the telephone 6 side.

In step S56, level "0" is output to the signal line 40b, and the signal switching circuit 4 connects the signal line 2b to the signal line 4a. As a result, the terminal of the telephone line 2a is the telephone 6.
is now connected.

In step 85B, a level "0" is output to the signal line 40e to prohibit the operation of the speaker circuit 12. When the pseudo bell sound generation circuit 42 is used for calling the operator, the signal line that outputs level "0" becomes the signal line 40n.

After the above initialization operation, the device enters a standby state in step 860. In step 860, the process waits for a pulse to be generated on the signal line 38a, that is, waits for the input of an automatic transmission command, and if the command is input, control proceeds to step 862 and subsequent steps.

In step 862, the signal line 40 is
The signal switching circuit 4 connects the signal lines 2b and 4b by outputting a level "1" to the terminal b. As a result, the calling circuit 8 and the NCU
2 is connected.

In step 864, the telephone number input from the operation system (not shown) is input to the calling circuit 8 via the signal line 40d.

In step 866, a pulse is input to the calling circuit 8 via the communication line 40C, and a selection signal corresponding to the input telephone number is outputted. As a result, the calling circuit 8 closes the DC circuit and outputs the selection signal after 3 seconds have elapsed.

In step S68, a pulse is generated on the signal line 401 to start the timer circuit 33. As a result, measurement of the calling operation time, which is set at 45 seconds, is started. At step 870, level "1" is output to the signal line 40a to connect the telephone line 2a to the signal line 2C side.

Subsequently, in a loop of steps 872 to 876, the signal line 14
Check the states of a, 2d, and 33a. That is, in step S76, it is checked whether the predetermined calling operation time of 45 seconds has elapsed, and in step 872, the level "1" on the signal line 14a corresponding to the detection of the signal tone representing busy or a response from the other party is detected. A pulse on the signal line 2d indicating polarity reversal is detected. If the other party is busy in step 872, the process goes to step 878, and if there is a response in step 874, the process goes to step 510 in FIG. 2(C').
2 respectively. Further, if it is confirmed in step S76 that 45 seconds have passed, step 88 in FIG. 2(B)
Move to 6.

In step 878, level "1" is output to the signal line 40e, causing the speaker circuit 12 to output the audio signal on the signal line 10a.

When the pseudo-bell sound generation circuit 42 is used for calling, a level "1" is output to the signal line 40n to generate a pseudo-bell sound.

In step 880, as in step 876, time-up of the timer circuit 33 of 45 seconds is detected.

If 45 seconds have not elapsed, the process moves to step 882; otherwise, the process moves to step 886.

In step 882, it is determined whether the signal line 36a is at level "1", that is, whether the operator has answered the telephone 6 by taking it off the hook. Here, if off-hook is detected, the operation is stopped in step 884, and the telephone 6
remains on-hook, the process returns to step 880.

FIG. 2(B) shows the control of the number of automatic calls, and in step 886, a level "0" is output to the signal line 40a, and the NCU 2 connects the telephone line 2a to the signal line 2b on the telephone 6 side. .

Subsequently, in step 888, the level "0" is applied to the signal line 40b.
is output and the signal switching circuit 4 connects the signal line 2b to the signal line 4a of the telephone 6.

In step 890, a level "0" is output to the signal line 40e to stop the audio output from the speaker circuit 12.

When using the pseudo bell sound production circuit 42 for calling, the level of the signal line 40n is set to "0".
2. Stop ringing with the bell sound.

In step 892, a counter C is used to count the number of automatic calls.
Count up 0UNT by 1. Subsequently, in step 894, it is determined whether the contents of the counter have reached 3 or not. If this step is affirmative, it is assumed that three automatic calls have been made and the operation is stopped in step 896. If not, the process moves to step 898, and a pulse is generated on the signal line 40k to the timer circuit 32 for one minute.
Start.

In step 5100, the state of the signal line 62a is checked to see if the one minute waiting time has ended. When the one-minute interval has ended, the process moves to step 862 in FIG. 2 (4) and the above operations are repeated in order to perform the automatic calling operation again.

On the other hand, if it is confirmed in step 874 of FIG. 2 (4) that a polarity reversal has occurred in the signal on the line, since the other party has responded, the process moves to step 5102 of FIG. 2 (0).

In step 5102, a pulse is generated on the signal line 4 (1 m) and a 35 second timer circuit 64 is started. Subsequently, in step 5104, a noise signal is generated on the signal line 401, and the signal sending circuit 28 is caused to send a CNG signal.

In step 5106, it is determined whether a cross has occurred on the signal line 28b, that is, whether the transmission of the CNG signal has ended. If the transmission has not been completed, step 81
The operations from step 8124 onwards are performed, and if the process has been completed, the operations from step 8124 onwards are performed.

In step 8108, it is determined whether the flag F'AXFLG is "0", that is, whether the other party's terminal is other than a facsimile machine. If the other party is a facsimile machine, the process moves to step 5112. If the terminal is another terminal such as a telephone, the process moves to step 5110.

In step 5110, the signal line 16a is at level "1",
That is, the voice recognition circuit 16 determines whether or not the other party's voice signal has been confirmed. If the voice of the other party's operator has been recognized, the process moves to step 5142 in FIG. 2(D). If the voice is not recognized, the process moves to step 5112.

In step 5112, it is determined whether a noise has occurred on the signal line 18a, that is, whether a specific voice such as "facsimile" or "fax" has been detected. ′! ! In step 5114, it is determined whether a pulse has occurred on the signal line 20a, that is, whether a CBD signal from the other party's facsimile machine has been detected. If either step 8112 or 8114 is affirmative, the other party's facsimile is responding, or at least a facsimile in manual reception mode is connected and facsimile communication is possible, so the flag FAXFLG is set in step 5116. Then, the process moves to step 8118. If there is no possibility of facsimile communication, the flag is not set and the process directly moves to step 8118.

In step 8118, it is determined whether a nox has occurred on the signal line 22a, that is, whether NSF, C8I, and DNS signals transmitted from the other party's facsimile machine have been detected. If the signal is detected, the process moves to step 5120, and if it is not detected, the process returns to step 5106.

In step 5120, N8F, CHI and I)
The NS8, TSI, and DC8 signals responsive to the NS8 signal are outputted from the signal sending circuit 24 by generating pulses on the signal line 40f. Thereafter, in step 5122, known facsimile communication is performed.

On the other hand, if the transmission of the CNG signal has ended, a pulse is generated on the signal line 401 in step 5124 to start the 3-second timer circuit 31. Then step 51
Step 26 detects the time-up of this timer circuit, and if the 3 second interval has ended, step 812
8. Confirm that the initial identification time of 35 seconds that was started earlier has ended. Unless the initial identification time of 35 seconds ends in step 5128, the process returns to step 5104 and repeats the transmission of the CNG signal at 3 second intervals. If the end of the initial identification time is confirmed, step 5146 in FIG. 2(D)
Move to.

In step 5126, until the 3-second interval has not ended, the operations from step 8130 onward are performed during this interval period.

In step 5130, as in step 8108, it is determined whether the other party is a facsimile machine by checking the contents of the flag T'AXFLG. If the other party is a facsimile machine, the process moves to step 5134; if it is not a facsimile machine, the process moves to step 5132. Step 5
At step 132, similarly to step 5110, if the voice of the operator on the other side is detected, the process moves to step 5142 in FIG. 2(c). If no voice is recognized, the possibility of facsimile communication is checked in steps 5134 and 5166 by the voice detection circuit 18 or the JD signal detection circuit 20, similar to steps 8112 and 8114. If facsimile communication is possible, flags FA, XFT, and G are set in step 8138, and if there is no possibility, the process directly proceeds to step 5140 without setting the flag.

In step 5140, similarly to step 8118, the signal detection circuit 22 detects the NSF, C8I, and DIS signals. If the signal is detected, proceed to step 5120; if no trench is detected, proceed to step 5.
Return to 126.

As described above, in Fig. 2 (C), the CNG signal is transmitted every 3 seconds during the initial identification time of 35 seconds, and the possibility of facsimile communication is established during the transmission of this signal and during the 3 second interval. If a significant procedure signal is detected, facsimile communication is performed. When the voice signal of the other party is detected, that is, when the operator of the other party is responding to the telephone, the control shown in FIG. 2(D) is carried out.

In step 5142 of FIG. 2(D), level "1" is output to the signal line 40e, and the speaker circuit 12 outputs the audio signal of the other party. This calls the operator, but if a pseudo bell sound is used, the signal line 40n
Level 1 is output to activate the pseudo bell sound generation circuit 42.

In step 5144, it is checked whether a pulse has occurred on the signal line 34a, that is, whether the tire circuit 34 has timed out for 35 seconds, and it is determined whether the predetermined initial identification time has expired. If the initial identification time has ended, the process moves to step 5146; otherwise, the process moves to step 5156.

In steps 8146 to 150, initialization is performed before the end of the operation. That is, level "0" is output to signal lines 4Qa, 40b and 40e, respectively, and telephone line 2
A is connected to the telephone side, the calling circuit 8 is disconnected from the signal switching circuit 4, and the operation of the speaker circuit 12 is prohibited. If a pseudo bell sound is used to call the operator, in step 5150, a level "0" is output to the signal line 40n to prohibit the operation of the pseudo bell sound generating circuit 42. After the above operation, the process is stopped in step 5152.

On the other hand, in step 5153, it is checked whether the flag FAXFLG is "M", that is, whether the other party's device is other than a facsimile device. If the other party is not a facsimile machine, the process moves to step 5154, and if it is a facsimile machine, the process moves to step 5164.

In step 5154, the response state of the survey operator is detected to see if the signal line 36a is at level "1".

If the operator takes off the receiver of the telephone 6, the operator is allowed to talk to himself/herself in step 5156. If the hook remains on, the process moves to step 8158.

In step 8158, it is checked whether a pulse has occurred on the signal line 18a, that is, whether a specific voice such as "Facsimile" or "Facsimile" has been detected. Further, in step 5162, it is determined whether a pulse has occurred on the signal line 208, that is, whether a CED signal from the other party has been detected. If either step 8158 or 8162 is affirmed, since the other party is a facsimile machine, the process moves to step 8160, outputs the level rOJ to the signal line 40e (or signal line 40n), and outputs the level rOJ to the speaker circuit 12 (
- The operation of the pseudo-bell sound generating main circuit 42) is halted by i. Then step 5
After setting the flag FAXFLG in step 161, step 5
Moving on to 164.

In step 5164, it is determined whether or not a pulse is generated on the signal line 22H, that is, the NSF of the other party's facsimile machine is checked.
, check whether C8I and DIS signals are detected.

If the signal is detected, the process moves to step 5166;
If not detected, the process returns to step 5144.

In step 5166, a level "0" is output to the signal line 40e or 40n to prohibit the operation of the speaker circuit 12 or the pseudo bell sound generating circuit 42, and then the process returns to step 5120. Thereafter, normal factor transmission is performed as described above.

As described above, when an automatic call is made, the procedure signal or voice signal sent from the other party is detected, and a facsimile communication or telephone call can be made in response to this, making effective use of the line connection. I can do it. In addition, if the operator on the other side is responding, this voice is output as is, or a pseudo-bell sound is used to call the operator, so unless the area near the device is completely unmanned, both parties can It is possible to talk between operators. Further, even when the other party is responding by voice, if a specific voice such as "facsimile" is detected in the voice, a procedure signal is detected, so that the line can be used effectively. ! Since it is possible to give an instruction according to the control to the operator on the other side using the voice generating means, the operator on the other side can be prompted to perform an appropriate operation.

In the following, a voice instruction is given to the operator at the other end only when notifying the execution of an operator calling operation, but other instructions such as an instruction to manually switch between a telephone and a facsimile device can also be given.

In the second embodiment, a facsimile machine is used as an example, but the present invention can be widely implemented in other data communication devices that use telephone lines.

〔effect〕

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, means for detecting the procedure signal sent from the other party when making an automatic call and means for detecting the voice signal of the other party's operator are provided. Since voice communication using a telephone or communication operation using a predetermined method can be performed in accordance with the detection output, it is possible to provide an excellent communication device that does not waste a single line connection once established.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a facsimile machine as an example of a communication device according to the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a control circuit in the device shown in the figure. 2...NCU 6...Telephone 8...
Calling circuit 12... Speaker circuit 16... Voice recognition circuit 18... Specific voice detection circuit 26...
・Sound generation circuit 31 to 34...Timer circuit 66・
... Off-hook detection circuit 42 ... Pseudo-bell sound generation circuit Patent applicant: Canon Inc. J□□+lζ Agent: Patent attorney: Taku Kato. 1, --11, ;, 2 no

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) In a communication device that automatically makes a call via a communication line and performs a communication operation using a predetermined method with the called party's terminal, a means for detecting a procedure signal sent from the party's party when making an automatic call, and an operator on the party's party. 1. A communication device comprising means for detecting voice signals of the operators, and performing communication operations of the predetermined method or voice communication between operators in accordance with the outputs of these detection means. (2) The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising means for calling an operator when a response from the other party's operator is confirmed by the voice signal detecting means in the automatic calling operation. . (3) Providing means for detecting a specific voice related to the predetermined communication method from the voice signal of the other party's operator, whereby when the specific voice is detected, the procedure signal detection means is activated to perform communication according to the predetermined method. The communication device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the communication device performs the following. (4) The communication device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising means for giving an instruction to the other party's operator using a voice signal.