JPH0342829B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a communication device, and particularly to a communication device that communicates image data with a terminal on the other end via a telephone line.

[Prior art]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, facsimile devices having an automatic calling function are known as devices of this type. Devices of this type are known that use one-touch keys, speed dials, etc., 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 circuit, and devices are also known that automatically make a call to a pre-entered destination at a specified time.

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

Therefore, if the called device is left set to manual reception, the operator always responds, making it impossible to detect a significant procedure signal and making communication impossible.

〔the purpose〕

The present invention eliminates the above-mentioned drawbacks, and also enables telephone calls or image data communication operations regardless of the communication mode of the other party's device.
The purpose of the present invention is to provide a communication device that can smoothly communicate with a terminal on the other end.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings. However, in the following, a G3 facsimile device using a telephone line compliant with CCITT (International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee) Recommendation T4 will be explained as an example.

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

In Figure 1, 2 uses the telephone network for data communication, etc., so it connects to the terminal of the line to control the connection of the telephone exchange network, change to a data communication path, and connect the loop. It is an NCU (network control unit) that performs maintenance. The NCU 2 inputs the signal of the signal line 40a, and when this signal level is "0", the connected telephone line 2a is connected to the signal line 2b of the telephone 6 side.
Connect to. Further, when the signal line 40a is at level "1", the telephone circuit 2a is connected to the facsimile device side, that is, to the input signal line 2c of the hybrid circuit 10. Under normal conditions, the telephone line 2a is connected to the signal line 2b on the telephone 6 side. Further, 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. Signal switching circuit 4
By inputting a level "0" or "1" to the signal line 40b, the signal line 2b is switched to the signal line 4a or 4b, respectively.

The calling circuit 8 is a circuit that generates a calling signal controlled by signal lines 40c and 40b. signal line 4
When a pulse is generated at 0c, the calling circuit 8 closes the DC circuit, inputs the telephone number to be output to the signal line 40d after 3 seconds or more has elapsed, and outputs a corresponding selection signal to the signal line 4b. Note that a function may be added to confirm the tone of the line after the DC circuit is closed.

The input and output terminals of the facsimile device are constituted by a hybrid circuit 10. The hybrid circuit 10 is a circuit that separates a received signal inputted from the signal line 2c and a transmitted signal inputted from the signal line 30a. After the transmission signals are added by the adding circuit 30, they are transmitted from the hybrid circuit 10 only to the signal line 2c side. The received signals are also input to circuits 16, 18, 20 and 22 via signal line 10a.

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

The specific voice detection circuit 18 further generates a pulse on the signal line 18a when it detects a specific voice indicating a facsimile device such as "fax" or "fax" in the operator's voice signal.

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

The signal detection circuit 22 receives signals transmitted from the other party.
When a combined signal of NSF, CSI, and DIS is detected, a pulse is generated on the signal line 22a.

On the other hand, blocks 24, 26 and 28 are shown as transmission system circuits.

The signal sending circuit 24 has the above-mentioned NSF, CSI and
NSS, TSI and DCS corresponding to DIS signal respectively
It sends out signals. Transmission of these signals is started by pulse input to the signal line 40f, and the NSS, TSI, and DCS signals are input to the adder circuit 30 via the signal line 24a and added. When the signal sending circuit 24 finishes transmitting the signal, the signal line 2
A pulse is generated at 4b.

The voice generating circuit 26 is composed of a voice synthesizer or a tape recorder, and outputs a voice message to the signal line 2 in synchronization with the pulses generated on the signal line 40b.
Output to 6a. It is assumed that this voice message instructs switching to the facsimile communication channel when the other party's facsimile device is set to manual and the operator is responding. For example, "Please press the receive (send) button."

The signal sending circuit 28 is a circuit that outputs a CNG signal to the signal line 28a when a pulse is generated on the signal line 40i, and when the transmission of this signal is completed, the signal line 2
A pulse is generated at 8b.

The control circuit 40 is composed of a microprocessor, a memory, etc., and controls the operation of the entire device, and the above-mentioned signal lines are connected as shown in the figure. Connected to the control circuit 40 are timer circuits indicated by reference numerals 31 to 34 and an automatic transmission command detection circuit 38 for control to be described later.

The timer circuits 31 to 34 each have a signal line 40.
j, 40k, 40l, 40m, 3 seconds, 60 seconds, 45 seconds and 35
The seconds are counted, and when each time is finished, the signal line 3
Pulses are generated at 1a, 32a, 33a and 34a.

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

Next, the control procedure of the control circuit 40 will be explained in detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 2A and 2B. In the flowchart below, flows with the same number are assumed to be continuous at that position.

In steps S50 to S56 of FIG. 2A, flags and each circuit block are initialized. That is, in step S50, a counter (built in the control circuit 40) COUNT for counting the number of calls is set to "0". In step S52, a flag FAXFLG indicating whether or not the other party's terminal is a facsimile machine is set.
is reset to "0".

In step S54, the level "0" is set on the signal line 40a.
is output and the NCU 2 connects the telephone line 2a to the signal line 2b, that is, to the telephone 6 side.

In step S56, the level "0" is set on the signal line 40b.
is output and the signal switching circuit 4 connects the signal line 2b to the signal line 4a. This allows telephone line 2
The telephone 6 is now connected to the terminal a.

After the above initialization operation, the device will step
Enter standby mode with S60. In step S60, the process waits for a pulse to be generated on the signal line 38a, that is, it waits for an automatic transmission command to be input, and if the command is input, control proceeds to step S62 and subsequent steps.

In step S62, a level "1" is output to the signal line 40b to perform an automatic transmission operation, and the signal switching circuit 4 connects the signal lines 2b and 4b. This connects the calling circuit 8 and the NCU 2.

In step S64, the telephone number input from the operation system (not shown) is input to the calling circuit 8 via the signal line 40d.

In step S66, a pulse is input to the calling circuit 8 via the signal 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 40l to start the timer circuit 33. This starts measuring the calling operation time, which is set at 45 seconds. In step S70, level "1" is output to the signal line 40a, and the telephone line 2a is connected to the signal line 2c.
Connect to the side.

Subsequently, in a loop of steps S74 and S76, the states of the signal lines 2d and 33a are checked. That is, step
In S74, it is checked whether a predetermined calling operation time of 45 seconds has elapsed, and a pulse on the signal line 2d indicating a polarity reversal in response to a response from the other party is detected. step
If there is a response in S74, proceed to step B in Figure 2.
Move to S102. Further, if it is confirmed in step S74 that 45 seconds have elapsed, the process moves to step S86.

Steps S86 to S100 show control of the number of automatic calls, and in step S86, a level "0" is output to the signal line 40a and the telephone line 2 is connected using the NCU 2.
a to the signal line 2b on the telephone 6 side.

Subsequently, in step S88, level "0" is output to the signal line 40b, and the signal switching circuit 4 connects the signal line 2a to the signal line 4a of the telephone 6.

In step S92, a counter COUNT for counting the number of automatic calls is incremented by one. Subsequently, in step S94, it is determined whether the content of this counter has 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 S96. If not, the process moves to step S98 and a pulse is generated on the signal line 40k to start the one-minute timer circuit 32.

In step S100, the state of the signal line 32a is checked,
Check whether the 1 minute waiting time has expired.
When the one-minute interval has ended, the process returns to step S62 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 SS74 that a polarity reversal has occurred in the signal on the line, since the other party has responded, the process moves to step S102 in FIG. 2B. In step S102, a pulse is generated on the signal line 40m to start the 35 second timer circuit 34. Next, in step S104, a pulse is generated on the signal line 40i, and the signal sending circuit 28 outputs a CNG signal.
send a signal.

In step S106, it is determined whether a pulse has been generated on the signal line 28b, that is, whether the transmission of the CNG signal has ended. If the transmission has not been completed, the operations from step S108 onwards are performed, and when the transmission has been completed, the operations from step S124 onwards are performed.

In step S108, it is determined whether the flag FAXFLG is "0", that is, whether the other party's terminal is other than a facsimile device.
If the other party is a fax machine, step
The process moves to S112, and in the case of another terminal such as a telephone, the process moves to step S110.

At step S110, the signal line 16a is at level "1"
In other words, it is determined whether the voice recognition circuit 16 has confirmed the voice signal of the other party.
If the voice of the other party's operator is recognized, the process moves to step S142. If the voice is not recognized, the process moves to step S112.

In step S112, it is determined whether a pulse has been generated on the signal line 18a, that is, whether a specific voice such as "fax" or "fax" has been detected. Further, in step S114, it is determined whether a pulse has occurred on the signal line 20a, that is, whether a CED signal from the other party's facsimile device has been detected. If either step S112 or S114 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 S116. is set, and the process moves to step S118.
If there is no possibility of facsimile communication, the flag is not set and the process moves directly to step S118.

In step S118, it is determined whether a pulse has been generated on the signal line 22a, that is, whether the NSF, CSI, and DIS signals transmitted from the other party's facsimile device have been detected. If the signal is detected, the process moves to step S120, and if it is not detected, the process returns to step S106.

In step S120, the NSS, TSI and DCS signals in response to the NSF, CSI and DIS signals are connected to the signal line 40.
A pulse is generated at f and outputted from the signal sending circuit 24. Thereafter, in step S122, known facsimile communication is performed.

On the other hand, if the transmission of the CNG signal has ended, in step S124 a pulse is generated on the signal line 40j to start the 3 second timer circuit 31.

Subsequently, in step S126, a time-up of this timer circuit is detected, and if the 3 second interval has ended, in step S128, it is confirmed that the initial identification time of 35 seconds started earlier has ended. Unless the initial identification time of 35 seconds ends in step S128, the process returns to step S104, and the process is repeated at intervals of 3 seconds.
Repeat transmission of CNG signal. If it is confirmed that the initial identification time has ended, the process moves to step S146.

In step S126, until the 3-second interval has not ended, the operations from step S130 onwards are performed during this interval period.

In step S130, as in step S108, a flag is set to indicate whether the other party is a facsimile device.
Determine by checking the contents of FAXFLG.
If the other party is a fax machine, step
The process moves to step S134, and if it is not a facsimile device, the process moves to step S132.

In step S132, the other party's voice is detected as in step S110. If the voice of the other party operator is confirmed, the process moves to step S142. If no voice is recognized, the possibility of facsimile communication is checked in steps S134 and S136 by the voice detection circuit 18 or the CED signal detection circuit 20, similar to steps S112 and S114. If facsimile communication is possible, a flag FAXFLG is set in step S138, and if it is not possible, the process directly proceeds to step S140 without setting the flag.

In step S140, similarly to step S118, the signal detection circuit 22 detects the NSF, CSI, and DIS signals. If the signal is detected, the process goes to step S96, and if it is not detected, the process returns to step S126.

As described above, a CNG signal is transmitted every 3 seconds during the initial identification time of 35 seconds, and the possibility of facsimile communication is determined during the transmission of this signal and during the 3-second interval, and a significant procedure signal is determined. If 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 by telephone, the control from step S142 onwards is performed.

In step S142, a pulse is output to the signal line 40g, and the voice generating circuit 12 outputs a voice to the operator at the other end saying, ``Please press the receive button (or ``send button'' if you want to receive an image). Next, in step S144, a pulse is generated on the signal line 26b, that is, the process waits for the end of this audio output.

When the audio output is finished, a flag FAXFLG is set in step S146 to prepare for switching to the facsimile device of the other party's terminal.

On the other hand, in steps S146 and S148, initialization is performed before the end of the operation. That is, the signal line 40
A and 40b are output with level "0" respectively, the telephone line 2a is connected to the telephone side, and the signal switching circuit 4
After the calling circuit 8 is disconnected from the calling circuit 8, the process is stopped at step S150.

When making an automatic call as described above, the procedure signal and specific voice signal sent from the other party are detected, and appropriate instructions are given to the other party's operator accordingly, even if the other party is in manual mode. Facsimile communication can be performed reliably and line connections can be used effectively. Furthermore, even if 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 the line can be used effectively. Further, since the voice generating means can give instructions according to the control to the operator on the other side, it is possible to urge the operator on the other side to perform appropriate operations.

In the above, voice instructions to the other party's operator are not limited to image sending/receiving operations.
Other instructions can also be given.

Further, although the above embodiments are based on facsimile devices, the present invention can be broadly implemented in other data communication devices that use telephone lines.

〔effect〕

As described above, according to the present invention, when a telephone line is connected to the other party, a signal related to image data communication is transmitted, the presence or absence of an audio signal from the other party is detected, and the predetermined signal is transmitted in accordance with the voice detection. Since a voice message is sent, even if the other party is in the call mode, the voice message can be sent immediately, and subsequent communication can be carried out smoothly.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the structure of a facsimile device as an example of a communication device according to the present invention, and FIGS. 2A and 2B are flowcharts showing the processing procedure of a control circuit in the device of FIG. 2...NCU, 6...Telephone, 8...Calling circuit,
16... Voice recognition circuit, 18... Specific voice detection circuit, 26... Voice generation circuit, 31-34... Timer circuit.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A communication device that communicates image data with a terminal on the other end via a telephone line, comprising: means for transmitting a signal related to image data communication; detection means for detecting an audio signal from the telephone line; means for transmitting a predetermined voice message, transmitting a signal related to the image data communication, detecting whether or not a voice signal is received by the detection means, and transmitting the predetermined voice message in response to the voice detection by the detection means; A communication device characterized by transmitting messages.