JPS6365753A - Line terminal equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To automatically record additional explanation or the like from a caller in case of absence by reproducing a reply message at first in succession with the end of reception of a picture signal, sending the result, then receiving and recording the message from the caller party. CONSTITUTION:When an incoming call comes while an absence/presence switch 15 is set to the position of absence, a 1st reply message reproducing means 1a is operated and a reply message is sent to a line 9. When a facsimile signal from the caller is sent and the reception of the facsimile signal is finished by a facsimile section 5, a 2nd reply message is sent to the line 9 from a 2nd reply message reproducing means 1b. The message of additional explanation sent from the caller side is received and recorded by the message reception means 2. A telephone reservation signal reception means 4c activates said automatic answering telephone means only when the telephone reservation signal is received from the opposite party. Thus, in case of the provision of the reception means 4c, the message is recorded only when the caller desires the communication.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a line terminal device that can automatically transmit and receive audio signals and receive image signals.

2. Description of the Related Art Traditionally, for example, in facsimile machines that can send and receive image signals using a telephone line as a transmission path, the operator of one of the two facsimile machines that is communicating presses a telephone call button. Devices that have a function that allows you to call the operator of the other device to the telephone after image communication is completed are now in use. or,
It has also been proposed that if the operator of the called facsimile machine is absent, a voice synthesis LSI or the like can be used to automatically respond by voice.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, although the facsimile machine as described above has the advantage of being able to notify the operator on the calling side that the operator on the receiving side is not available, was unable to leave a message to provide additional explanation about the contents of the fascism he sent. Therefore, in the above case, if the other party is absent, you will have to call the other party again to explain the details, and if the other party is absent for a long time, you will have to make multiple calls. However, this method has the problem of wasting valuable time.

Means for Solving the Problems Therefore, the line terminal device of the present invention, following the completion of receiving the image signal, first reproduces a response message and transmits it to the line, and then receives and records the message from the other party. It was configured as follows.

Function: With this configuration, it is possible to automatically record a supplementary explanation message from the caller after receiving a facsimile even when the operator on the called side is away.

EXAMPLE Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of a facsimile machine with an answering machine function in one embodiment of the present invention.

In this figure, 1 is the first response message reproducing means 1
a1 Second response message reproduction means 1b.

and a response message means including a first changeover switch 1c; 2 is a message receiving means for recording a voice signal (received message) from a caller; 3 is a means for switching between sending a response message and receiving a message. 4a is a voice detection means for detecting the presence or absence of a voice signal on the telephone line; 4b is a CNG signal sent from the calling side (when automatically transmitted, it is mandatory to send it to the line) 4C is a telephone reservation signal detection means for detecting a telephone reservation signal sent from the calling side, 5 is A facsimile unit 6 receives the image signal sent from the calling side, and selectively connects the signal sent from the calling side to the facsimile unit 6, response message means 1, or receiving message means 1. 7 is an interface circuit for connecting the telephone line 9 to this device; 8 is an incoming call detection means for detecting an incoming signal coming from the telephone line 9; 10 is a main switch for the telephone line 9; A telephone is connected in parallel with the device; 11 is hook detection means for detecting the hook of the telephone 10; 12 is a fourth changeover switch that selectively switches the telephone line 9 between the device and the telephone 1o; 13; is the fourth changeover switch 1
When 2 connects this device to telephone line 9, telephone 1
Power supply means 14 supplies a constant current to 0, and control means 14 controls the entire apparatus, which is composed of a microcomputer. 15 is an away/home switch for setting the operating mode of this device; 16 is an away/home switch 15
This is a FAX button that is operated when manually receiving a facsimile signal when the user is set to "at home."

The operation of the facsimile machine with answering machine function configured as described above will be explained below with reference to the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

(i) First, the operation when the away/home switch 15 is set to "away" will be explained.

When an incoming signal arrives from the telephone line 9, the incoming call detection means 8
The detection signal is detected by the input terminal P1 of the control means 14.
(STEPI). In response to this, the control means 14 outputs a control signal from the output terminal P5, switches the fourth selector switch from rB to "A", and closes the telephone line n9 (STEP 2). This allows the device to make phone calls via the interface circuit 7! Connected to jA9.

Thereafter, the control means 14 sets the third changeover switch 6 to r T J (till) by using the output terminal P6, and sets the third changeover switch 6 to
The second selector switch 3 is set to the rQ side, and the output terminal P is set to the rQ side.
8, the first selector switch l of the response message means 1
c respectively to the "A" side. Then, the output terminal P9 controls the response message means 1 to the operating state, and the first response message reproduction means 1a prompts the other party to respond, for example, "Yes, this is Matsushita Electric. Which one would you like?" A response message is sent to the telephone line 9 (STEP 3). Further, the control means 14 starts counting by a built-in timer means. This timer means is set to expire in 7 seconds (STEP 4).

Phone number 1 here! The signal from A9 is sent to the voice detection means 4a and CN via the line connection means 7 and the third changeover switch 6.
The G signal is applied to the G signal detection means 4b. Detection signals from these detection means are input to the input terminals P2 and P of the control means 14, respectively.
3 is applied.

The control means 14 first starts sampling the signal applied to the input terminal P2 in order to check the presence or absence of an audio signal (
STEP 5). If there is no voice signal from the calling party,
That is, if the calling party manually attempts to send a facsimile and does not say anything, the control means 14 counts up the aforementioned timer means, and then checks whether the timer means has expired or not. (STEP 12). If it has not expired, return to 5TEP5, and if it has expired (that is, silence continues for 7 seconds), proceed to 5TEP 13.

Also, if some kind of signal (voice, control signal, etc.) is returned from the calling party in response to the above-mentioned first response message, that is, if the calling party tries to leave a message, When someone speaks his or her own name or there is background noise, or when the calling party's facsimile machine is in automatic transmission mode, the control means 14 transmits 5TEP6 to 5.
Proceeding to TEP7, first a test is made to see if it is a CNG signal.

If the calling party is in automatic transmission mode, CNG
If a signal is detected, the process proceeds to 5TEP13.

In addition, if the CNG signal cannot be detected in 5TEP7, the signal from the telephone line 9 is a voice signal, noise, or CNG signal.
It is determined that the signal is a signal other than an NG signal (intermittent sound, continuous sound, etc.), and further discrimination is performed between these signals. If the frequency and period are not determined, the control means 14 determines that it is a voice or noise signal and transmits 5T.
Proceed to EPIO. 5 If TEP8 determines that the sound is continuous or intermittent with a specific frequency or period, 5
Proceeding to TEP9, the above-mentioned timer means is counted up and it is checked whether the timer means has expired or not. If it has not expired, return to 5TEP5. This is 5T
This is to make it possible to detect the CNG signal again until the above-mentioned timer expires even if the detection of the CNG signal fails in EP7. 5TEP
When the timer means expires at step 9, the control means 14
Proceed to TEPIO.

At 5TEPIO, the control means 14 sets the third changeover switch 6 to the "T" side by means of the output terminal P6, sets the second changeover switch 3 to the "O" side by means of the output terminal P7, and sets the second changeover switch 3 to the "O" side by means of the output terminal P8.
The first selector switch 1c of the response message means 1
Switch to 'BJ side respectively. Then, the output terminal P9 controls the response message means 1 to be in operation, and the second response message reproduction means 1b outputs, for example, ``If you are queuing to the answering machine, please tell us the queuing requirements.Here you go.'' A second response message is sent to the telephone line 9 (STEPIO). Next, the control means 14 outputs the output terminal P7.
switches the second selector switch 3 to the rl side, controls the message receiving means 2 to the operating state via the output terminal P4, and records the message from the caller (STEP
11').

After finishing recording the message from the caller, press 5T.
Proceed to EP 17.

Further, in 5TEP13, the control means 14 switches the third selector switch 6 to the "F" side through the output terminal P6, controls the facsimile section 5 to the operating state through the output terminal PIO, and receives the facsimile signal from the calling side. starts receiving operation.

When the facsimile signal reception operation is completed, 5TEP1
Proceed to step 4. At step 5TEP14, the control means 14 checks whether a detection signal is applied to the input terminal P11 from the telephone reservation signal detection means 4C. If detected, 5T
Proceed to EP 15, if not detected, 5TEP17
Proceed to.

At 5TEP 15, the control means 14 checks the status of the away/home switch 15. In this case, since the absentee/at-home switch 15 is "absent", the process advances to STEPIO.

At step 5TEP17, the control means 14 controls the line closing means 7 to the OFF state through the output terminal P5, opens the telephone line 9, and waits for the next incoming call.

(ii) Next, the operation when the absence/home switch 15 is set to "r home" will be described. When an incoming signal arrives from the telephone line 9, the bell of the telephone 10 rings. In response to this, the operator on the receiving side goes off-hook (STEP 18), and a conversation with the caller becomes possible (STEP 19). When the operator at the receiving end confirms that the caller desires facsimile communication, the operator manually presses the facsimile button 16 (STEP 20), and the control means 14 switches the fourth changeover switch from rB to A" to connect the device to the telephone line 9. Then, the operator puts the telephone 10 on the hook (STEP 21).

Thereafter, the control means 14 proceeds to 5TEP 13.

At 5TEP 13, the control means 14 switches the third selector switch 6 to the "F" side through the output terminal P6, controls the facsimile section 5 to the operating state through the output terminal P10, and receives the facsimile signal from the calling side. Start receiving operation. When the reception is completed, the process proceeds to 5TEP 14. 5
At TEP 14, the control means 14 checks whether a detection signal is applied to the input terminal pH from the telephone reservation signal detection means 4c. If detected, proceed to 5TEP 15; if not detected, proceed to 5TEP 17.

At 5TEP 15, the control means 14 checks the status of the away/home switch 15. In this case, the absentee/at-home switch 15 is "at home", so the process advances to 5TEP16.

At 5TEP 16, the control means 14 notifies the operator that there is a telephone reservation by means not shown, and also monitors the signal from the hook detection means 11. Here, even if the fourth changeover switch is set to the "A" side and disconnected from the telephone line, the telephone 10 is connected to the power supply means 13, and when the telephone 10 is off-hook, the current flowing through the telephone 10 is It is configured to be detected by a flop detection means. Here, when the operator on the receiving side takes the telephone 10 off-hook, a detection signal from the hook detection means 11 is applied to the control means 140 input terminal P12. In response to this, the control means 14 switches the fourth changeover switch 12 from the "A" side to the rB side, disconnects the device from the telephone port*9, connects the telephone set 10 to the telephone line, and proceeds to 5TEP17. . In this state, a conversation can take place between the operator on the receiving side and the caller.

At step 5TEP17, the control means 14 controls the line closing means 7 to the OFF state by the output terminal P5, opens the telephone port 1s9, and waits for the next incoming call.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the present invention is configured so that, following reception of an image signal, a response message is first reproduced and sent to the line, and then a message from the other party is received and recorded. Even if the operator on the calling side is absent, the calling party can provide supplementary explanation after returning home.Also, from the operator's point of view, this means that when the receiving party is absent, as in the case of conventional This is extremely useful because it eliminates the hassle of making multiple calls until the recipient returns home.Furthermore, when a telephone reservation signal arriving on the line is detected, a response message is sent immediately after receiving the image signal. If the message is sent to the calling party, and then a message from the calling party is received and recorded, if the calling party wishes to receive audio communication (for example, supplementary explanations, etc.) following image signal communication. This has great practical effects, such as being able to perform the above-mentioned operation after receiving the image signal and preventing unnecessary line capture only when the image signal is received.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the main parts of a facsimile machine with an answering machine function according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 are flowcharts showing the operation of the facsimile machine. 1-111 response message means la--first response message reproduction means lb--second
Response message reproduction means lc--first changeover switch 2-111reception message means 3----1 second changeover switch 4a-1audio detection means 4b-CNG signal detection means 4cm-telephone reservation signal detection Means 5-111 Facsimile unit 6---Third changeover switch 7---Interface circuit 8-111 Incoming call detection means 9-111 Telephone line 10-1---Telephone 11-- --Hook detection means 12-----Fourth changeover switch 13-----Power supply means 14-----Control means

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) A response message means that reproduces a response message and sends it to the line, a message reception means that records a message from the caller, and an image reception means that receives an image signal sent from the caller. and after the image receiving means finishes receiving the image signal, the response message means is driven to send a response message to the caller, and then the message reception means is driven to record the message from the caller. 1. A line terminal device comprising: control means for controlling each part. (2) A response message means for reproducing a response message and transmitting it onto the line, a message receiving means for recording a message from the calling party, and an image receiving means for receiving the image signal sent from the calling party. a signal detecting means for detecting a telephone reservation signal sent from the calling party; and when the telephone reservation signal is detected by the signal detecting means, the response message means is sent after the image receiving means finishes receiving the image signal. and control means for controlling each part so as to drive the message receiving means to send a response message to the caller, and then drive the message receiving means to record the message from the caller. Device.