JPH11284831A - Communication device and storage medium - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] [PROBLEMS] To provide a communication device and a storage medium capable of not switching to reception of image information when image information is transmitted during a call. A CPU determines in step 12 that a call waiting has been received, and determines in step 14 that a switching operation to call waiting has been performed, switches the line in step 18 and determines in step 20 whether a CNG signal has been detected. If CNG is detected, the line is restored in step 28. As a result, it is possible to prevent switching to automatic facsimile reception after CNG detection and to return to the call with the original party.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a communication device having a call waiting function and a storage medium storing a computer program for controlling the communication device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as the above communication device, for example,
A facsimile apparatus having a telephone function is known. This facsimile apparatus plays a predetermined sound when a call is received from another party during a call with the other party using the attached handset when a call waiting contract is made with the exchange. To inform the caller that call waiting has been received. When the caller performs hooking, or performs a call waiting operation such as pressing a predetermined button provided on the telephone, the caller switches to the call state with the other party, and performs the call waiting operation again to perform the first call. Return to the call state with the other party.

[0003]

There is known a facsimile apparatus having a function of automatically switching to facsimile reception when facsimile transmission is performed from another party during a call. However, in this facsimile apparatus, call waiting is performed during a call, the line is switched by performing a call waiting operation, and if the switched party is facsimile communication, the apparatus automatically switches to facsimile reception. There is a problem that it becomes impossible to make a call with the user.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a communication device and a storage medium that can prevent switching to reception of image information when image information is transmitted during a call. .

[0005]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an image information receiving means for receiving image information via communication means, and an image information receiving means for receiving image information via communication means. Communication means for making a call with the transmission source by means of the communication means, and when there is a call for transmitting the image information from another transmission source during the communication with the transmission source by the communication means, And a notifying means for notifying the calling party of the call that there is a call from another source during a call with the sending source. Call detecting means for detecting the call, call determining means for determining whether the call detected by the call detecting means is a call for transmitting image information, and call determining means Is determined to be a call for transmitting image information. If the, adopt the technical means of communication switching prohibiting means is provided for inhibiting the switching to communication with the other sources.

According to the invention described in claim 2, in the communication apparatus according to claim 1, after the switching to the communication with the other transmission source is prohibited by the communication switching prohibiting means,
Technical means is employed in which there is provided a selection means for selecting one of a call with the transmission source and a reception of image information transmitted from the other transmission source.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the communication apparatus according to the second aspect, the selecting means includes a return switch for returning to a call with the transmission source, and a transmission switch from the other transmission source. And a reception start switch for starting reception of image information to be received.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the communication apparatus according to any one of the first to third aspects,
An elapsed time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time since the switching to the communication with the other transmission source is prohibited by the communication switching prohibiting means, and an elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measuring means is set in advance. Automatic return means for automatically returning to the call with the transmission source if the communication with the other transmission source is not switched to before the predetermined time is reached. adopt.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the communication apparatus according to any one of the first to fourth aspects,
When the switching to the communication with the other transmission source is prohibited by the communication switching prohibition unit, the switching prohibition notification unit performs notification indicating that the switching to the communication with the other transmission source is prohibited. The technical means that was provided.

[0010] In the invention according to claim 6, the image information receiving means for receiving the image information via the communication means, the communication means for making a call with the transmission source via the communication means, and the transmission means by the communication means Notifying means for notifying the calling party that there is an outgoing call when there is an outgoing call for transmitting the image information from another source during a call with the original. In a storage medium storing a computer program for controlling a communication device provided with, while talking with the transmission source, detects that there is a call from another transmission source, It is determined whether or not the detected call is a call for transmitting image information, and the call detected by the call detection means is a call for transmitting image information. If it is determined that the other source Computer program adopts a technical means that are stored including the communication switching control program for controlling to prohibit switching to the communication.

[0011]

According to the present invention, the call detecting means detects that there is a call from another source while talking with the source. The call determination unit determines whether the call detected by the call detection unit is a call for transmitting image information. The communication switching prohibiting unit prohibits switching to communication with the other transmission source when the call determining unit determines that the call is for transmitting image information. That is, according to the first to sixth aspects of the present invention, when a call for transmitting image information is transmitted from another transmission source during a call, the communication with the other transmission source is not performed. Switching can be prohibited. Therefore, unlike the related art, it is not possible to switch to reception of image information during a call, so that it is possible to return to the call with the first transmission source.

[0012] In particular, in the invention according to claim 2, the selection means, after the communication switching prohibition means is prohibited from switching to communication with the other transmission source, talks with the transmission source, and Select one of receiving image information transmitted from another transmission source. In other words, when there is a call for transmitting image information from another transmission source during a call, even after the switching to the communication with the other transmission source is prohibited, the selection unit performs the above operation. It is possible to select whether to return to the call with the first transmission source or to receive image information transmitted from another transmission source.

The selection means may include a return switch for returning to a call with the transmission source or a reception of image information transmitted from another transmission source. Use a reception start switch to start. For example, as described in an embodiment of the invention described later, by turning on the hook switch as the return switch, it is possible to return to the call with the first transmission source,
Alternatively, set the start button as the reception start switch to O
By performing N, reception of image information transmitted from another transmission source can be started.

Further, in the invention according to claim 4, the elapsed time measuring means measures an elapsed time since the switching to the communication with the other transmission source is prohibited by the communication switching prohibiting means, The automatic return means, if the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measuring means has not been switched to the communication with the other transmission source until the predetermined time set in advance, the transmission source and Automatically return to the call. In other words, even if a predetermined time has passed since the switching to the communication with the other transmission source is prohibited by the communication switching prohibition unit, if no switching operation is performed, the communication with the transmission source is not performed. It can return automatically. Therefore, even if the user forgets to switch to the original call, it is possible to prevent switching to communication with another source and secure the call with the original source.

[0015] In the invention according to claim 5, the switching prohibition notifying means is provided when the switching to the communication with the other transmission source is prohibited by the communication switching prohibition means. A notification indicating that switching to communication with is prohibited. Therefore, the caller can reliably know from the notification that the reception of the image information transmitted from the other transmission source is prohibited.

Further, as in the invention according to claim 6,
During a call with the above-mentioned source, it is detected that there is a call from another source, and it is determined whether or not the detected call is a call for transmitting image information. If the call detected by the call detection means is determined to be a call for transmitting image information, switching to communication with the other transmission source is prohibited. By using a storage medium storing a computer program including a communication switching control program for controlling, the communication device according to claim 1 can be realized. That is, for example, as described in an embodiment of the invention described below, the communication device includes a CPU built in the communication device, or
Since it is controlled by a computer connected to the communication device, by providing a ROM as the storage medium, or by installing a computer program stored in the storage medium into the computer,
This is because the invention described in claim 1 can be implemented.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of a communication device and a storage medium according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In the following embodiments, a so-called multifunction having a plurality of functions such as a facsimile function, a telephone function, a printer function, a copy function, an image scanner function, a PC facsimile function, and an answering machine function as a communication device of the present invention. A typical facsimile machine will be described.

First, the electrical configuration of the facsimile apparatus of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The facsimile machine 3 includes a communication unit TU and a printer unit PU, and both units are interconnected by an interface 42. The communication unit TU includes communication control with the other party facsimile device 61 and the other party telephone 62, operation control of the image scanner 37, and PC (Personal Co.).
A CPU 30 for executing input / output control of various data between the MPU 2 and the like is provided.

The CPU 30 has a built-in timer T,
The communication control circuit 41 is connected. Communication control circuit 41
The ROM 31 stores a control program 31a for the CPU 30 to perform the various controls described above.
Control program read from 1 and image scanner 3
A RAM 32 for temporarily storing image information and the like read by the CPU 7 and an EEPROM 33 for rewritably storing a facsimile number of the facsimile apparatus 61 and a telephone number of the telephone set 62 are connected. Further, the communication control circuit 40 has an NCU (N
network control unit) 34, a communication modem 60, an encoder 35 for encoding the image information read by the image scanner 37 to convert the image information into compressed data, and an encoded data of the received image information. 36, a control panel 20 provided with buttons for giving various instructions to the communication control circuit 41 and the printer control circuit 43, and a liquid crystal display for displaying the functions and operation states of the facsimile machine 3. A display section (LCD display) 38 and a document sensor 40 for detecting that a document has been set are connected.

The buttons provided on the operation panel 20 include a start button 21 for instructing the image scanner 37 to start reading a document or to start manual reception of image information. Also, NCU3
The receiver 50 is connected to the receiver 4.
The hook switch 51 provided in the part where
The communication control circuit 41 is connected. By the way, the receiver 50 corresponds to the communication means of the present invention. Further, the hook switch 51 and the start button 21 correspond to the selection unit of the present invention, the hook switch 51 corresponds to a return switch, the start button 21 corresponds to a reception start switch,
The timer T corresponds to the elapsed time measuring means.

The printer unit PU is provided with a printer control circuit 43 for controlling the ink jet printer 49. The printer control circuit 43 includes a C for executing a program for controlling the ink jet printer 50.
PU44 is connected. The printer control circuit 4
3 is a ROM 45 storing a program executed by the CPU 44 and the like, a RAM 46 having a work memory used when the CPU 44 is executed, a print memory storing print data, and the like.
C interface 47 and a character generator (C) storing vector fonts such as characters for printing.
G) 48 is connected.

Next, when there is a call from the other party's facsimile apparatus 61 during a call, which is a feature of the present invention, the CPU
The contents of the communication switching control (hereinafter, referred to as communication switching control 1) executed by 30 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. It is assumed that the user of the facsimile apparatus 3 is now using the receiver 50 to talk with the other party's telephone 62. Facsimile machine 6
1 performs facsimile transmission. CPU 30
After detecting the line connection (Step 10: Ye
s) It is determined whether or not call waiting has been received, that is, whether or not there has been an interruption of communication from a device other than the partner telephone 62 (step 12).

When the CPU 30 determines that the call waiting has been received (step 12: Yes), the CPU 30 determines whether or not the user who has heard the catch sound emitted from the telephone exchange 6 has performed a switching operation to the call waiting (step 12: Yes). Step 16). In this embodiment, this determination is made based on whether the user goes on-hook or whether a call-switching button (not shown) provided on the receiver 50 or the operation panel 20 is pressed. Then, CPU3
When it is determined that the switching operation to the call waiting is performed (step 16: Yes), the line is switched to the call waiting, that is, the line of the other party interrupted during the call (step 18).

Then, the CPU 30 determines whether a CNG signal has been detected from the line switched in step 18 (step 20). That is, it is determined whether or not the line switched in step 18 is a line connected to the partner facsimile machine 61 that is going to perform facsimile transmission. Here, if the CPU 30 detects a CNG signal (step 20: Yes), it returns the line to the line with the partner telephone 62 (step 28). Thereby, the facsimile apparatus 3 detects the CNG signal,
Switching to the automatic facsimile reception mode can be prohibited.

Subsequently, the CPU 30 determines whether or not the user has again performed the switching operation to the call waiting (step 30), and when it is determined that the user has not performed the switching operation to the call waiting (step 30: No). ), Return to the state of continuing the telephone conversation with the other party's telephone 62 in a state where the switching to the communication with the other party's facsimile apparatus 61 is prohibited, and step 1
Return to 0. If it is determined in step 30 that the user has performed the switching operation to the call waiting, that is, that the CPU 30 has selected the communication with the facsimile apparatus 61 (step 30: Yes), the CPU 30 automatically receives the image information. To receive the image information transmitted from the other party facsimile device 61 (step 32), and when the end of the reception of the image information is detected (step 34: Ye)
s) Return to step 10.

As described above, if the facsimile machine 3 of the first embodiment is used, even if the other party's facsimile machine 61 is interrupted by facsimile communication during a call with the other party's telephone 62, automatic facsimile communication is possible. It is possible to prohibit switching to reception and return to the original call with the other party's telephone 62.

Next, a facsimile apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The facsimile apparatus according to the second embodiment is characterized in that when a switching operation is not performed for a certain period of time after the prohibition of facsimile reception during a call is set, the original call can be automatically restored.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a communication switching control (hereinafter, referred to as communication switching control 2) executed by a CPU provided in the facsimile apparatus of the second embodiment, with a part thereof being omitted. Note that the mechanical configuration and the electrical configuration of the facsimile apparatus are the same as those of the facsimile apparatus 3 of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. In the communication switching control executed by the CPU, the description of the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

The CPU 30 has a partner facsimile device 61
In order to prohibit switching to automatic facsimile reception due to detection of reception of a CNG signal transmitted from the server, the line with the partner facsimile device 61 is held (step 22), and the time elapsed since the holding was held. The timer T (FIG. 1) to be measured starts counting (step 24). When the CPU 30 determines that the count T of the timer T has reached a set time T1, for example, 10 seconds previously set in a memory or the like built in the CPU 30 (step 26: Yes), the line is switched to the other party's telephone. The connection is returned to the connection with 61 (step 28). In other words, when the set time T1 has elapsed since the line with the other party's facsimile device 61 was put on hold, it is possible to automatically return to the original communication state with the other party's telephone 61. Also, the CPU 30
Means that the hook switch 51 is pressed and turned on before the count T of the timer T reaches the set time T1 (step 26: No) (step 27: Ye).
s) Even before the count T of the timer T reaches the set time T1, the line is returned to the connection with the partner telephone 61 (step 28). Further, the CPU 30 determines that the count T of the timer T has not reached the set time T1 (step 2).
6: No), and when the hook switch 51 is not turned on (Step 27: No), the operation panel 2
If it is determined that the start button 21 provided at 0 has been pressed (step 30: Yes), image information transmitted from the partner facsimile apparatus 61 is received (step 32). As described above, if the facsimile machine 3 of the second embodiment is used, even if it is inadvertently left after the interruption of the other party facsimile apparatus 61, the automatic transmission to the other party facsimile apparatus 61 can be performed. Since switching to reception can be prevented and switching to the original caller can be performed automatically, a call with the original caller can be reliably ensured.

Next, a facsimile apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The facsimile apparatus according to the third embodiment is characterized in that the user can be notified that facsimile reception inhibition during a call has been set. FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a communication switching control (hereinafter, referred to as communication switching control 3) executed by a CPU provided in the facsimile apparatus of the third embodiment, with a part thereof being omitted. Note that the mechanical configuration and the electrical configuration of the facsimile apparatus are the same as those of the facsimile apparatus 3 of the first embodiment, and a description thereof will be omitted. Also,
In the communication switching control executed by the CPU, the description of the same parts as in the first embodiment will be omitted.

The CPU 30 includes a partner facsimile device 61
Is returned to the line with the partner telephone set 61 in order to prohibit switching to automatic facsimile reception upon detection of reception of a CNG signal transmitted from
8) A notification indicating that facsimile automatic reception has been prohibited is issued (step 29). This notification is performed by, for example, turning on a predetermined LED provided in the facsimile device 3 or displaying a message such as “automatic facsimile reception has been prohibited” on the liquid crystal display unit 38. Further, an audio circuit and a speaker (not shown) provided in the facsimile apparatus 3 transmit such a message.
It can also be performed by playing back with audio using. Then, C
When the PU 30 determines that the switching operation to the facsimile automatic reception has not been performed (Step 30: No),
Maintain a state in which automatic facsimile reception is prohibited, and set a communication state with the original caller. If the CPU 30 determines in step 30 that the switching operation to facsimile automatic reception has been performed (step 30: Ye
s) Switching to automatic facsimile reception to receive image information transmitted from the other party facsimile device 61 (step 32).

As described above, by using the facsimile machine 3 of the third embodiment, it is possible to notify that the switching to the automatic facsimile reception for the other party's facsimile machine 61 interrupted during the call is prohibited. Thus, the user can be surely notified that automatic facsimile reception is prohibited.

In the above embodiments, the case where the CPU 30 incorporated in the facsimile machine 3 executes the communication switching control shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 has been described. 1) can be executed. In this case, the facsimile machine 3 and the PC
2 functions as the communication device of the present invention. As described above, when causing the PC 2 to execute the communication switching control, the computer program for executing each control is a CD.
-A computer program stored in a storage medium such as a ROM or FD, and stored in the storage medium, is installed using a drive provided in the PC. In this case, the computer program corresponds to the communication switching control program according to claim 6, and the storage medium such as the CD-ROM or the FD functions as the storage medium according to claim 6. Also, in each of the above embodiments, the facsimile apparatus has been described as a representative of the communication apparatus of the present invention. However, the functions of the telephone and the facsimile apparatus such as a PC having a telephone function such as a hands-free handset and capable of receiving image information are provided. The present invention can also be applied to other communication devices provided with.

Incidentally, step 14 executed by the CPU 30 functions as the notification means according to claim 1, step 12 functions as a call detection means, and step 20 functions as a call determination means. Step 2 in communication switching control 1 of communication 2 and communication switching control 3 of FIG.
8 and step 22 in the communication switching control 2 of FIG. 3 function as communication switching prohibition means. CPU3
Steps 27 and 30 in the communication switching control 2 of FIG. 3 executed by 0 function as the selecting means according to claim 2, and step 24 functions as the elapsed time measuring means according to claim 4, Steps 26 and 28 function as automatic return means. Further, C
The step 29 in the communication switching control 3 of FIG. 4 executed by the PU functions as the switching prohibition notifying means according to claim 5.

[0034]

As described above, claims 1 to 6 are as described above.
According to the invention described in the above, the call detecting means for detecting that there is a call from another source while talking with the transmission source, and the call detected by the call detection means Calling determination means for determining whether the call is for transmitting image information; and, if the call determination means determines that the call is for transmitting image information, Communication switching prohibition means for prohibiting switching to communication with the transmission source, so that switching to reception of image information transmitted from another transmission source during a call does not occur, so that the first transmission source and You can return to the call.

In particular, according to the second aspect of the present invention, after the switching to the communication with the other transmission source is prohibited by the communication switching prohibition unit, the communication with the transmission source and the other transmission are prohibited. Since there is provided a selection unit for selecting any one of the reception of the image information transmitted from the original, even after the switching to the communication with the other transmission source is prohibited, the first transmission is performed by the selection unit. It is possible to select whether to return to the original call or to receive image information transmitted from another transmission source.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, a return switch for returning to a call with a transmission source and a reception start switch for starting reception of image information transmitted from another transmission source. Therefore, it is possible to select whether to return to the call or to receive the image information by operating the switch.

Further, according to the invention described in claim 4,
The elapsed time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time since the switching to the communication with the other transmission source is prohibited by the communication switching prohibiting means, and the elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measuring means is set in advance. If it is not possible to switch to the communication with the other transmission source before the predetermined time is reached, the automatic transmission means for automatically returning to the communication with the transmission source is provided. Even if the user forgets to do so, it is possible to prevent switching to communication with another transmission source and secure communication with the original transmission source.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the switching to the communication with the other transmission source is prohibited by the communication switching prohibition means, the communication with the other transmission source is prohibited. Since the caller is provided with the switch prohibition notifying means for notifying that the switching is prohibited, the caller becomes in a state in which the notification prohibits the reception of the image information transmitted from the other transmission source. Can be surely known.

Further, as in the invention according to claim 6,
During a call with the above-mentioned source, it is detected that there is a call from another source, and it is determined whether or not the detected call is a call for transmitting image information. If the call detected by the call detection means is determined to be a call for transmitting image information, switching to communication with the other transmission source is prohibited. Since the configuration is a storage medium storing a computer program including a communication switching control program for controlling, the storage medium is provided as a ROM in the communication device, or
By installing the computer program stored in the storage medium into a computer, the communication device according to claim 1 can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the electrical configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention by blocks.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the contents of communication switching control 1 executed by a CPU 30 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the contents of a communication switching control 2 executed by a CPU 30 according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the contents of a communication switching control 3 executed by a CPU 30 according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Facsimile apparatus 21 Start button (reception start switch) 30 CPU 50 Handset (communication means) 51 Hook switch (return switch) 61 Other facsimile apparatus (other transmission source) 62 Other telephone (transmission source) T Timer (elapsed time measurement means) )

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image information receiving means for receiving image information via a communication means, a communication means for communicating with a transmission source via the communication means, and a communication with the transmission source by the communication means A notification means for notifying the calling party that the call has been made, when there is a call for transmitting the image information from another source on the way. In the device, a call detecting means for detecting that there is a call from another source during a call with the source, and the call detected by the call detecting means is image information. Call determination means for determining whether or not the call is for transmitting image information. If the call determination means determines that the call is for transmitting image information, the other transmission is performed. Communication switching prohibition means that prohibits switching to the original communication Communication apparatus characterized by the obtained. 2. A communication with the transmission source and a reception of image information transmitted from the other transmission source after the switching to the communication with the another transmission source is prohibited by the communication switching prohibition unit. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a selection unit that selects one of the communication devices. 3. The selection means includes: a return switch for returning to a call with the transmission source; and a reception start switch for starting reception of image information transmitted from the other transmission source. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein the communication device is provided. 4. Elapsed time measuring means for measuring an elapsed time since switching to communication with the other transmission source is prohibited by the communication switching prohibiting means, and an elapsed time measured by the elapsed time measuring means. But,
Automatic return means for automatically returning to the call with the transmission source if the communication with the other transmission source is not switched before the predetermined time reaches a predetermined time. The communication device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is a communication device. 5. When the switching to the communication with the another transmission source is prohibited by the communication switching prohibition unit, a notification indicating that the switching to the communication with the other transmission source is prohibited. The communication device according to claim 1, further comprising a switching prohibition notifying unit for performing the switching prohibition. 6. An image information receiving means for receiving image information via a communication means, a communication means for communicating with a transmission source via said communication means, and a communication with said transmission source using said communication means. A notification means for notifying the calling party that the call has been made, when there is a call for transmitting the image information from another source on the way. In a storage medium storing a computer program for controlling the device, during a call with the transmission source, it is detected that there is a call from another transmission source, and the detected call is It is determined whether or not the call is for transmitting image information, and if the call detected by the call detection means is determined to be a call for transmitting image information, Switching to communication with the other source is prohibited A computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program including a communication switching control program for controlling the communication switching.