JPH02224452A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To designate the destination of a message recorded during absence by communicating the message to be recorded during absence to the destination, and simultaneously, recording the message recorded during absence after converting it into a bar code, and reproducing a corresponding voice signal by recognizing the bar code from the read signal of the message recorded during absence. CONSTITUTION:When the recording of the message is finished, a line is disconnected, and conversation with the operator of a calling side is finished, and the report of the message recorded during absence in which personal identification number data stored at that time and the sound data of the message recorded during absence are recorded by the bar code is edited, and is recording- outputted from a plotter 4. The operator of facsimile equipment returns home, and knows that the report of the message recorded during absence was outputted from the plotter 4, and when he operates and inputs a message number being indicated on the report of the message recorded during absence while a handset 11 is hooked off, the name of the destination of the report of the message recorded during absence is outputted in a voice, and he can hear it from the handset 11.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a facsimile machine equipped with an answering machine function.

[Prior Art] In recent years, facsimile machines that share a telephone and a telephone line and are equipped with an answering machine function have been put into practical use.

Since such a facsimile device can share one telephone line for telephone calls and data communication, communication costs can be significantly reduced, especially when installed in a private home.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, conventionally, in such facsimile machines, the message recorded by the answering machine function is
Anyone can play the message, so if the facsimile machine is shared by multiple people, an operator other than the person to whom the message was sent can listen to it, making it impossible to leave messages that you want to keep private. It was causing inconvenience.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a facsimile apparatus which can solve the problems of the conventional apparatus and specify the destination of an answering message.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides an answering machine address registration means for registering an addressee to which an answering machine message is to be notified, and converting the data of the recorded answering machine message into a corresponding barcode, and converting the data of the recorded answering machine message into a corresponding barcode and generating an image of the barcode. A voicemail message report recording means that records and outputs a voicemail message report with a message added, and when voicemail message playback is commanded, outputs the address registered in the voicemail address registration means, and reads and inputs the voicemail message report. The apparatus is equipped with an answering message reproducing means for recognizing the bar code from the read image signal and reproducing the corresponding audio signal.

[Operation] Therefore, since the destination of the recorded message can be specified, it is possible to leave the recorded message to be kept confidential.

[Embodiments] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 shows a facsimile machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. This facsimile device shares a telephone and a telephone line, and also has an answering machine function.

In the figure, a control unit 1 is for performing device control processing of this facsimile machine and predetermined facsimile transmission control processing, and a memory 2 is for processing programs executed by this control unit 1 and necessary for the processing programs. It stores various types of information and constitutes the work area of the control section 1.

The scanner 3 is for reading a document image at a predetermined resolution, and the plotter 4 is for recording and outputting an image at a predetermined resolution.

The operation display unit 5 is for operating this communication terminal device, and includes various operation keys necessary for operation, various display devices such as a liquid crystal display, and a call tone for calling an operator when an incoming call is detected. It consists of a tone generator, etc.

The encoding/decoding unit 6 encodes and compresses the image signal, and decodes the encoded and compressed image information into the original image signal.

The modem 7 is for performing predetermined modulation/demodulation processing so that digital data can be transmitted and received via the telephone line, and the network control device 8 is for connecting this communication terminal device to the telephone line.

In addition, this network control device 8 has an automatic call/receive function, and
It has a button signal decoding function.

The audio encoding/synthesizing device 9 encodes audio signals to form audio information, and synthesizes the audio information into the original audio signal. The audio memory 10 is for storing audio information. The handset 11 is used for making calls, manually producing a response voice, and outputting a voice recorded during an absence, and its on-hook/off-footer state is detected by the control unit 1.

The two-circuit switch 12 is for switching the connection destination of the network control device 8, and the two-circuit switch 13 is for switching the connection destination of the handset 11.
The circuit switch 14 is for switching the connection destination of the speech encoding/synthesizing device 9.

One common terminal 12ac of the switch 12 is connected to the network control device 8.
One switching end 12ab of the common terminal 12ac is connected to the transmission signal output end of the modem 7, and the other switching end 12aa is connected to the switching end 13 of the switch 12.
ba and the switching end 14ab of the switch 14.

The other common terminal 12be of the switch 12 is connected to the network control device 8.
One switching end 12bb of the common terminal 12bc is connected to the receiving signal input end of the modem 7, and the other switching end 12ha is connected to the switching end 13 of the switch 12.
aa and the switching end 14bb of the switching device 14.

One common terminal 13ac of the switch 13 is connected to the speaker connection end of the handset 11, and the common terminal 13ac is connected to the speaker connection end of the handset 11.
The other switching end 13ab of 3ac is the switching end 1 of the switch 14.
Connected to 4aa.

The other common terminal 13bc of the switch 13 is connected to the microphone connection end of the handset 11.
The other switching end 13bb of bc is the switching end 14 of the switch 14.
connected to ha.

One common terminal of the switch 14 is the voice encoding synthesis bag W1.
The other common terminal is connected to the audio signal input end of the audio encoding/synthesizing device 9.

Also, a control unit 1, a memory 2, a scanner 3, a plotter 4,
Operation display section 5, encoding/decoding section 6. The modem 7, network control device 8, and voice encoding/synthesizing device 9 are connected to a system bus 15, and information is exchanged between these elements via the system bus 15.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the operation display section 5. As shown in FIG.

In the same figure, a start key 58 is used to input a command to start the transmission/reception operation of the facsimile machine, a stop key 5b is used to stop the operation of the facsimile machine, and a numeric keypad 5c is used to input a command to start the transmission/reception operation of the facsimile machine. The answering machine key 5d is used to operate and input numerical information such as numbers and passwords, the answering machine key 5d is used to set/cancel the answering machine function, and the answering machine lamp 5e is used to set the answering machine function. It is sometimes displayed by lighting up.

The answering machine playback key 5f is for inputting a command to reproduce the answering machine message recorded in the answering message report (described later), and the liquid crystal display 5g is for displaying and outputting various guidance messages. The mode key 5g is used to input various mode settings.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 3(a), the voice memory 10 also contains response voice message data for storing various response voices, and a tone of a predetermined frequency for notifying the start/end of recording. A response voice area where data for generating sounds is stored, an answering voice recording area for temporarily storing an answering message input when the answering machine mode is set, and an answering machine message area. A destination name voice area is set for storing voice information of the destination name to be notified.

Further, FIG. 3B shows an example of destination name voice management information for identifying the destination name stored in the destination name voice area.

This destination name voice management information includes a message number for identifying each voicemail message.

The storage area in the destination name audio area of the audio information of the destination name input when recording the answering message is comprised of audio data area information.

FIG. 4 shows an example of processing executed by this facsimile machine when detecting an incoming call.

First, when the network control bag W8 detects an incoming call (result of judgment 101 is YES), the network control device 8 connects the line (process 102), and at that time, the predetermined facsimile transmission control procedure is not started and the call mode is set. Check whether it is (
Judgment 103): When a predetermined facsimile transmission control procedure is started and the result of judgment 103 is YES, facsimile automatic response processing upon detecting an incoming call is started.

If the result of the decision 103 is NO, the call is for a telephone call, so it is checked whether the answering machine mode is set at that time (decision 104).

When the result of judgment 104 is YES, switch 12
to the switching terminals 12aa and 12ba, and connecting the switching device 14 to the switching terminals 14ab and 14bb, and connecting the voice encoding/synthesizing device 9 to the telephone line via the network control device 5. I'm away at the moment.

If you are leaving a message, please tell us the name of the recipient.'' is synthesized and outputted from the voice encoding/synthesizing device 9 (process 1o6).

As a result, when the operator at the other end speaks the destination name,
The voice signal of the spoken destination name is input to the voice encoding/synthesizing device 9, converted into corresponding voice data, and stored in the destination name voice area of the voice memory 1o (input 107).
), the speech encoding/synthesizing device 9 also forms and stores the above-mentioned destination name management information. The message number used at this time is generated by the control section 1 and notified to the speech encoding/synthesizing device 9.

Next, for example, the voice encoding/synthesizing device 9 synthesizes and outputs a password input guidance message such as "Please enter your password by operating the button dial" (
Process 108).

As a result, when the operator at the other end operates the button dial and inputs the PIN number, numerical information corresponding to the button signal of the PIN number is outputted from the network control device i8, so that the control unit 1.

The numerical information is stored in the memory 2 as password information (input 109).

When the input of the destination name and PIN number is completed in this way, a message input guidance message such as "Please send a message after the beep sound" is synthesized and output from the voice encoding synthesis bag W9 (process 110). , Subsequently, after a beep sound is synthesized and output from the audio encoding synthesis bag [9 (process 111).

The voice encoding/synthesizing device 9 starts the voice recording operation during absence (processing 112).

Thereby, the voice encoding/synthesizing device 9 encodes the voice signals inputted from then on to form voice message data, and stores the voice message data in the voice recording time area of the voice memory 10.

When the control unit 1 starts the recording operation of the audio encoding/synthesizing device 9, it determines whether a predetermined maximum recording time has elapsed.

Alternatively, it is monitored that the other party goes on-hook and a busy tone is detected (No loop of judgments 113 and 114).

When the maximum recording time has elapsed and the result of judgment 113 becomes YES, the recording operation of the voice encoding synthesis bag Wt9 is terminated (
Processing 115), the voice encoding/synthesizing device 9 synthesizes and outputs a beep sound (Processing 116).

Also, if the other party is on-hook and the busy tone is detected, judgment 11
If the result of step 4 becomes YES, the recording operation of the speech encoding/synthesizing device 9 is ended (processing 117).

When the recording of the answering message is finished in this way, the switch 12 is reset (process 118), and the network control device i
8 to open the telephone line (process 119).

Then, the voice encoding/synthesizing device 9 processes the voice memory 10
The recorded voice message stored in the recorded voice-time area of the voice message is played back (processing 120), and the playback data is transferred to the memory 2 via the system bus 15 (processing 12).
1) Edit the image of the message report in the format shown in FIG. 5 (122), and cause the plotter 4 to record and output the message report.

Here, the voicemail message report includes aRI, in which the message number for identifying the voicemail message is expressed in numbers, and aR, in which the contents of the PIN number are expressed in barcodes.
2, and 1ilR3 in which the contents of the message data stored in the memory 2 are written in barcodes. Also.

In each barcode column, an image is added to a mark for specifying the area where the barcode is recorded.

Note that any appropriate format can be used as the barcode.

Further, if the answering machine mode is not set at that time and the result of judgment 104 is No, the switch 12
is switched to the switching terminals 12aa and 12ba, and the switching device 13 is switched to the switching terminals 13aa and 13ba, and the handset 11 is connected to the line via the network control device 8 (
Process 124).

Then, until the handset 11 goes off-hook or the other party goes on-hook and detects a busy tone,
A calling tone is generated from the operation display section 4 to call the operator (processing loop of process 125 and judgments 126 and 127).

When the operator hears the ringing tone and picks up the handset 11 and the result of decision 126 becomes YES,
Is the handset 11 returned to the on-hook state?
Alternatively, a command to start communication is issued from the operation display section 4 (No loop of judgments 128 and 129).

When the handset 11 is returned to the on-hook state and the result of determination 128 is YES, the line is released (process 130) and this process ends.

When a command to start communication is input, the switch 12 is switched to the switching terminals 12ab and 12bb, and the modem 7 is connected to the telephone line via the network control device 8 (process 131).
, the process moves to facsimile transmission control procedure processing during manual response.

Further, if the operator does not respond to the call tone due to absence or the like, and the calling party goes on-hook after a considerable period of time and responds with the busy tone, and the result of determination 127 becomes YES, the process moves to process 130. .

In this way, if the calling party wants to make a call when an incoming call is detected, and the answering mode is set on the own terminal, the answering machine responds by voice to indicate that it is in answering mode, and then sends a voice message to the destination of the answering message. In response to the input request, the operator on the calling side speaks the destination name and stores it.

Then, the operator on the calling side is requested to input a password, and the password input by the operator on the calling side is stored in response to the request.

Next, a request is made to speak an answering message, and in response, the answering message inputted by the operator on the calling side is input by voice and stored.

In this way, when you finish recording the voicemail message, you disconnect the line, end the communication with the calling operator, and then save the memorized PIN data and voice message data. The answering message report recorded in code is edited and recorded and outputted from a plotter 4.

Further, when a facsimile transmission procedure signal is received when an incoming call is answered, a predetermined facsimile transmission procedure is started.

Also, when an incoming call is answered, if the calling party wishes to talk and the answering mode is not set on the own terminal, a ringing tone is generated to call the operator, and when the operator answers, the call is placed. A call is made to the other party.

When a data communication discussion with the other party's facsimile machine is made during the call and the restart key 58 is turned on from the operation display unit 4, communication control during manual response is started and communication between the calling party and the other party is started. facsimile image communication is performed.

Also, the operator does not answer the ringtone call,
When the calling party gives up on the call and goes on-hook, the original standby state is restored.

In this way, the operation at the time of receiving a call is performed.

FIG. 6 shows an example of processing executed when the answering machine playback key 5f is operated.

When the answering machine playback key 5f is operated, first, the switch 13 is switched to the switching terminals 13ab and 13bb, and the switching device 14 is switched to the switching terminals 14aa and 14ba, and the voice encoding/synthesizing device 9 is connected to the handset 11. process 201), for example, ``Pick up the handset,
Message number input/off-hook guidance "Please enter your message number" is displayed on the liquid crystal display 5g (process 202).

As a result, the operator operates the numeric keypad 5c to input the message number, and the handset 11
, the input information at that time is stored (input 203).

Then, a voice response is commanded to the voice encoding/synthesizing device 9 while specifying the message number input at that time.

As a result, the voice encoding/synthesizing device 9 searches for the destination name management information having the specified message number, and fills the voice memory based on the voice data area information of the destination name management information.
The voice data of the destination name is extracted from the destination name voice area of O, and the voice data is synthesized and output (process 204).
).

Next, 1) for example, display the password input guidance "Please enter your password" on the LCD display 5g (205), so that the operator can
When a password is input by operating , the data of the password is stored (input 206).

When the input of the password is completed, for example, message report reading guidance such as "Please set the message report and press the start key" is displayed on the liquid crystal display 5g (process 207).

This allows the operator to send the answering machine report to the scanner 3.
and turn on the start key 58 (input 20
8) Start the reading operation of the scanner 3 (processing 2)
09).

Then, based on the image signal output from the scanner 3,
The barcode data in the PIN column R2 recorded in the answering report is extracted by referring to the mark MK, and the barcode is decoded to determine the PIN number (processing 2).
10).

When the password is determined in this way, the document reading operation of the scanner 3 is temporarily stopped (process 211), and it is checked whether the password determined at that time matches the password input in input 206. (Judgment 212).

Those PIN numbers match, and the result of judgment 212 is YES.
When this happens, restart the document reading operation of the scanner 3 (process 213), refer to the image of the mark MK,
The barcode data of 1llR3 is determined line by line, and the barcode is decoded and stored in the memory 2 as recorded voice message data (processing 214).

Then, the absentee recorded voice message data is transferred to the voice encoding synthesis bag W9, and the absentee recorded voice message corresponding to the absentee recorded voice message data is synthesized and output (
Processing 215).

When you finish outputting the recorded voice message.

For example, the voice message end guidance ``The playback of the voice message you recorded while you were away has finished'' is displayed on the LCD display 5.
As shown in step 216), the switching devices 13 and 14 are returned to their original positions (step 217), and this processing ends.

Also, the PIN entered in input 206 and the PIN recorded in the answering message report do not match.
When the result of the judgment 212 is NO, for example, the process 218) displays the PIN mismatch guidance "The PIN does not match" on the LCD display 5g, and forces the scanner 3 to read the document set at that time. It is discharged (process 219), and this process ends.

Therefore, when the operator of this facsimile machine returns home, finds out that the message report has been output from the plotter 4, and turns on the voice mail playback key 5f to play back the message, he will receive message number input and off-hook guidance. is displayed.

With the operator picking up the handset 11,
When the message number displayed on the message report is inputted, the name of the destination of the message report is audibly output and can be heard from the handset 11.

If the destination is the operator, the operator inputs the password in response to the password input guidance that is displayed next.

When you finish inputting the message, the message report reading guidance will be displayed, so if you set the message report on the scanner 3 and then turn on the start key 5a, you will be able to read the password you entered at that time.
If the PIN numbers recorded in the voicemail message report match, the voicemail message recorded in the voicemail message report will be answered by voice.
You can listen to it on the handset 11.

Furthermore, when an incorrect password is entered, a password mismatch guidance is displayed and the scanner 3 forcibly outputs the message report.

In this way, in this embodiment, it is possible to specify the destination of the answering message report by responding by voice, and the contents can only be read aloud after the pre-arranged PIN is entered correctly. Since you will receive a response, you can record the voice you want to keep secret.

Furthermore, since the voicemail message is converted into a voicemail message report and recorded, the capacity of the voice memory can be reduced.

Incidentally, in the embodiment described above, a message report such as the one shown in FIG. 5 is recorded and output, but the format of the message report is not limited to this.

Further, the operating procedure when recording an answering machine and the operating procedure when reproducing an answering machine are not limited to those of the embodiment described above.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a handset is used to reproduce and output the recorded message, but a monitor speaker or the like may be used for this reproduction output.

Note that the method for recognizing the barcode recorded in the message report is a well-known method, and therefore, the detailed content thereof has been omitted in the above explanation.

Further, in the above description, only the parts directly related to the present invention are shown, and the description of the operation of a normal facsimile machine is omitted.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, the addressee of a voicemail message is notified, and a voicemail message report is recorded and recorded by converting the voicemail message into a bar code. Since the bar code is recognized from the read image signal of the recorded message report and the corresponding audio signal is reproduced, the destination of the recorded message can be specified, thereby making it possible to conceal the recorded message.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a facsimile machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the operation display section, and FIG. 3(a) is a schematic diagram showing an example of the storage contents of the voice memory Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing an example of destination name management information, Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when an incoming call is detected, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an answering message report, and Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing an example of destination name management information. The figure is a flowchart showing an example of processing executed when the answering machine playback key is operated. l...control unit, 2...memory, 3...scanner,
4... Plotter, 5... Operation display section, 5a... Start key 5c... Numeric keypad, 5f... Answering machine playback key, 9... Audio encoding/synthesizing device, 10... Audio Memory, 11...Handset, 12, 13.14...
・Switcher. Figure 2 Figure 1 h Figure (a) (b)

Claims (1)

[Claims] A facsimile machine equipped with an answering machine function includes an answering machine address registration means for registering the addressee to which the answering machine is notified, and an answering machine that converts the data of the recorded answering machine into a corresponding barcode and adds an image of the barcode. A voicemail message report recording means for recording and outputting a voicemail message report, and when a voicemail message playback is commanded, an address registered in the voicemail destination registration means is output, and the voicemail message report is read and input. 1. A facsimile apparatus comprising an answering message reproducing means for recognizing a bar code from the read image signal and reproducing a corresponding audio signal.