JPH04311152A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile machine, and more particularly to a facsimile machine that automatically switches the facsimile machine to an automatic reception mode depending on the surrounding brightness.

0002

[Prior Art] A facsimile machine equipped with an automatic facsimile reception function uses a single telephone line in common between the telephone and the facsimile machine.For example, in an office, the telephone line is switched to the telephone line while the user is in the office. If the call is for a phone call, you can make the call, and if the call is to send a fax, it will switch to fax, and if you are not available, you can switch to fax and automatically receive faxes, which is convenient. It is. However, a manual switching operation is required to switch this device to automatic facsimile reception mode. Therefore, for example, when the user forgets to switch the facsimile to automatic reception mode when going out or leaving work, problems may occur, such as being unable to receive facsimile communications during the user's absence.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above points.It detects brightness, and when the brightness is below a predetermined level, the facsimile machine switches to automatic reception mode, and when the brightness exceeds a predetermined level, In this case, the present invention provides a facsimile apparatus which can be switched to receive facsimile by a necessary manual operation.

0004

[Means for Solving the Problems] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a facsimile machine having an automatic reception function, which includes an illuminance detection section that detects brightness, and a memory section that stores reference data of brightness, etc. a determination unit that compares and determines the signal from the illumination detection unit with data read from the memory unit; a reception control unit that switches the facsimile to automatic reception; and the illuminance detection unit, memory unit, determination unit, and reception control. The present invention provides a facsimile apparatus which is configured to include a control section for controlling a section, and to control switching of facsimile to automatic reception based on a signal from the discriminating section.

[0005]

[Operation] As configured as above, the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention determines the surrounding brightness based on the signal from the illuminance detection section, and if the brightness is less than a predetermined brightness,
The facsimile apparatus is switched to automatic reception mode via the reception control section, and facsimile reception is performed in response to a call signal via the telephone line.

[0006]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, embodiments of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of essential parts of an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention. In the figure, 1 is an input section into which a signal from a telephone line is input. Reference numeral 2 denotes an illuminance detection section which detects the amount of incident light via a photoconductive element such as a cadmium sulfide cell or a cadmium selenide cell. 3 is a memory unit that stores brightness reference data and the like. Reference numeral 4 denotes a discrimination section which compares the signal from the illuminance detection section 2 with the brightness reference data read out from the memory section 3, and outputs a signal when the brightness is less than the reference brightness. Reference numeral 5 denotes a reception control section which switches the apparatus to an automatic facsimile reception mode based on the signal from the discrimination section 4 and the like. Reference numeral 6 denotes an operation section which performs switching operations such as automatically switching to facsimile reception mode or not switching to facsimile reception mode in response to a signal from discriminating section 4. 7 is a control unit that controls each part of this device.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention will be explained with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. 2(A). The operation unit 6 has a "FAX" function that automatically receives facsimiles at all times.
, a switch is provided for switching between "telephone", which is switched and connected to the telephone by a ring signal, and "automatic switching", which automatically switches to the telephone or facsimile depending on the surrounding brightness. . The facsimile machine is
When this switch is set to the ``FAX'' side, a response signal for an incoming facsimile call is sent as a ringing signal, and when this switch is set to the ``telephone'' side, the telephone bell rings. When this switch is switched to the "automatic switching" side (step 1: Yes, hereinafter abbreviated as ST1: Yes, etc.), the illuminance detection unit 2 detects the brightness. The illuminance detection unit 2 is installed, for example, in a place where the required brightness is provided by a lighting device while the family member is at home, and where the lighting device is turned off and dark when the family member goes out or goes to bed. The signal from the illuminance detection section 2 is input to the discrimination section 4 via the control section 7. The determination unit 4 compares the signal from the illuminance detection unit 2 with the brightness reference data read out from the memory unit 3 via the control unit 7, and outputs a signal if it is darker than the reference value (ST2: Ye).
s). This signal is input to the reception control section 5 via the control section 7, and the apparatus is switched to the facsimile automatic reception mode via the reception control section 5 (ST3). A ringing signal from the telephone line is input to the device through the input section 1, and when the ringing signal is received a predetermined number of times (ST4: Yes), the device goes off-hook and sends out an incoming call signal (ST5). Then, the facsimile signal via the input section 1 is received (ST6).

FIG. 2B is a flowchart for determining the brightness each time a calling signal is input and switching to facsimile reception mode. That is, if the switch on the operation unit 6 is switched to the "automatic switching" side (ST11: Yes)
), in response to the required number of ringing signals from the telephone line (ST
12: Yes), the determination unit 4 compares the signal from the illuminance detection unit 2 with the brightness reference value read from the memory unit 3 via the control unit 7, and outputs a signal when the brightness is less than the reference value (ST13 :Yes). This signal is input to the reception control section 5 via the control section 7, and the apparatus is switched to facsimile reception mode via the reception control section 5 (ST14). Thereafter, it goes off-hook, sends out an incoming call signal (ST15), and receives a facsimile signal via input section 1 (ST16).
). Upon completion of facsimile reception (ST17: Yes)
), the device returns to the initial mode (ST18).

[0009]

As explained above, according to the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, once the required switching operation is performed, facsimile reception can be switched to automatic reception or manual reception based on the signal from the illuminance detection section. By installing the illuminance detection unit in an appropriate location, the phone will ring during the day regardless of whether it is a facsimile communication or a telephone call. At night or when you are out of the house, the system automatically switches to automatic facsimile reception. Therefore, if this device is installed in an office or the like, for example, it will be convenient to automatically receive facsimiles without having to perform a switching operation each time the user is away or leaves the office.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of essential parts of an embodiment of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Input section 2 Illuminance detection section 3 Memory section 4 Discrimination section 5 Reception control section 6 Operation section 7 Control section

Claims (1)

[Claims] Claim 1: A facsimile machine having an automatic reception function, comprising: an illuminance detection section that detects brightness; a memory section that stores brightness reference data, etc.; and data read out from the memory section of a signal from the illuminance detection section. a reception control section that controls switching of the facsimile to automatic reception; and a control section that controls the illuminance detection section, memory section, determination section, and reception control section. A facsimile device characterized in that it is configured to control switching of facsimile to automatic reception based on a signal.