JPH09200468A - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Abstract] [Purpose] To send a voice message related to the relevant destination information to the destination facsimile machine. A facsimile device 1 includes a modem 2 capable of transmitting and receiving a voice signal, a response signal detecting unit 3 that detects a signal from a facsimile transmission destination and determines whether or not facsimile communication can be started, and a response signal detecting unit. In accordance with an instruction from 3, the facsimile signal transmission unit 6, the voice message transmission unit 5, the signal transmission switching unit 4 for switching the connection of the modem 2, and the facsimile signal reception unit 8 for receiving the facsimile signal.
An image reading section 7 for reading a facsimile image, an output section 9 for outputting the received image information, a voice message storage section 10 for voice-synthesizing and storing a voice message prepared for each destination, and a destination information storage The system 11 includes a unit 11, a destination information input unit 12 for inputting information of a destination of image information, an operation unit 13 for inputting a telephone number, an instruction such as start of transmission, and a control unit 14 for controlling the entire operation device. It

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus capable of sending a voice message to a destination.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When a telephone line is used for both telephone (for conversation) and facsimile, the receiving side may receive it by telephone even if the sender performs automatic facsimile transmission. In the case of manual reception mode).
In such a case, in order to properly receive the facsimile signal, the facsimile transmission signal CN transmitted from the transmission side is used.
The other party may recognize G by hearing and judge that a facsimile will be sent after this signal sound, press the start button, put the receiver, and enter the facsimile signal transmission / reception operation.

However, this dial tone is not well known so that anyone can judge that it is a "sound when a facsimile is sent". In addition, this signal is silent for 3 seconds and 0.
It is composed of 1100Hz sound that flows for 5 seconds, and 3 seconds of silence on the phone is actually a long feeling,
Although it is a problem of the environment and the operator, the sound of the "poo" itself is short and difficult to hear, and it is mistaken for a silent telephone,
Alternatively, the line may be disconnected without knowing the meaning of the dial tone. On the sending side, even if the user wants to send image information by facsimile, it depends on the environment and the operator of the receiving side, and even if the other party is instructed to receive it properly, he feels resistance and annoyance.

[0004] In addition, if the person who receives the call by telephone always has to say "I will send a fax from the beginning" in words, exchange greetings, start talking about other matters, etc. There is also a problem in work efficiency that it takes extra time even though I only want to send it. In order to improve the inefficiency of facsimile transmission / reception by such an artificial operation, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 6-46 has been proposed.
The facsimile apparatus described in Japanese Patent No. 228 is invented. The facsimile device stores a voice message informing the start of facsimile transmission in advance in the facsimile device, and automatically sends the voice message when it detects that the other party has received the manual reception mode. A device has been invented.

[0005]

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 6-46228
In the facsimile device described in the publication, the recipient who hears the voice message can clearly switch to the facsimile receiving mode. However, the telephone reception in a normal office usually differs depending on the business relationship with the other party. In a conventional facsimile apparatus capable of sending a voice message, the type of voice message cannot be automatically switched depending on the other party, so it is necessary for some other party to answer the telephone without using the voice message. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to solve the above problems and to provide a facsimile apparatus which automatically selects and sends a voice message according to the destination of facsimile transmission.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention solves the above-mentioned problems by sending a facsimile signal sending unit for notifying the start of facsimile transmission, a voice message sending unit sending a voice message, and a response from the receiving side. A response signal detection unit for detecting a signal and a signal transmission switching unit for switching transmission of a facsimile signal and a voice signal to the line are provided, and a voice message is transmitted after detecting a response to the facsimile signal transmitted from the facsimile signal transmission unit. However, in the facsimile device that switches the line to the transmission of the facsimile signal after detecting the response signal from the receiving side after the transmission of the voice message, the voice message storage unit that stores a plurality of voice messages to the transmission destination and the transmission destination A destination information storage unit that stores information, and a destination information storage unit to identify the destination. When the destination information is input, the destination information stored in the destination information storage unit is compared with the input destination information, and the matching transmission is performed. When the destination information is detected, a voice message specifying means for reading out a voice message related to the corresponding destination information from the voice message storage unit and sending the voice message from the voice message transmitting unit to the destination facsimile machine is provided. Further, it may be set such that the response by the voice message to the facsimile signal sent from the facsimile signal sending unit is performed after detecting the CNG. Furthermore, an activation means for activating the sending operation of the voice message and a voice message registration key for registering in association with the voice message are provided, and when the voice message registration key is selected, the activation means is activated. The voice message registered in association with each other may be transmitted.

[0007]

According to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, a plurality of voice messages suitable for the business relationship with the destination can be stored in the voice message storage unit for storing a plurality of voice messages to the destination. it can. These voice messages can be stored in association with each other as a part of the destination information in the destination information storage unit that stores the destination information. When performing facsimile transmission, the destination telephone number is input to the destination information input unit for inputting the destination information in order to specify the destination. At this time, the destination information stored in the destination information storage unit is compared with the input destination telephone number, and when the matching destination information is detected, it is related to the relevant destination information. The voice message can be read from the voice message storage unit and sent from the voice message transmission unit to the destination facsimile machine.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to a first embodiment (hereinafter, embodiment 1) of the present invention.

The facsimile apparatus 1 detects a signal from a facsimile transmission destination by a modem 2 (V.32bis standard or the like) capable of modulating / demodulating a received image and a transmitted image and transmitting / receiving a voice signal. A response signal detection unit 3 for determining whether or not facsimile communication can be started, and a facsimile signal transmission unit 6 according to an instruction from the response signal detection unit 3.
And a voice message sending unit 5 and a signal sending switching unit 4 for switching the connection of the modem 2, a facsimile signal receiving unit 8 for receiving a facsimile signal, an image reading unit 7 for reading a facsimile image, and an output for outputting the received image information. Unit 9, a voice message storage unit 10 for voice-synthesizing and storing voice messages prepared for each destination, and a transmission for giving a selection instruction to the voice message storage unit 10 which voice message should be transmitted. Destination information storage unit 11,
Destination information input unit 1 for inputting destination information of image information
2 and an operation unit 13 for inputting a telephone number, instructions for starting transmission, etc.
And a control unit 14 that controls the entire operation device (control of facsimile communication procedure, etc.).

A case where the facsimile apparatus of the first embodiment performs facsimile transmission will be described. Here, when the other party is an ordinary facsimile machine and the facsimile communication procedure is started after responding to the signal from the calling side, the description is the same as the description of the G3 facsimile communication procedure or the like, which is a known technique. Is omitted. Therefore, Example 1
The facsimile machine can also perform facsimile communication by the same operation as a normal facsimile machine.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. First, use the document as a destination for which you cannot automatically switch between facsimile communication and telephone communication, or use a facsimile machine as a telephone for conversation even if you can set such automatic switching. The operator who wants to send to the other party sets the original in the image reading section 7 and inputs the other party's telephone number into the destination information input section 12 from the operation section 13 composed of ten keys, one-touch keys or dials. Do (S
1). The other party is a person who is specified in advance as a user who may respond to the call from the sender.

When the operation unit 13 is operated, the contents are sent to the destination information input unit 12. The transmission destination information input unit 12 converts the input telephone number or the code issued in response to the pressed key into a telephone number and transmits it to the transmission destination information storage unit 11. Here, if the telephone number registered in advance in the destination information storage unit 11 matches the input telephone number, the destination information storage unit 11 instructs the control unit 14 to
There is a possibility that the other party may answer by telephone, and it is notified that it is a facsimile machine that manually switches to facsimile communication. As a result, the other party calling from now on can start facsimile communication in anticipation of the case where there is a voice response first.

Subsequently, the response signal detecting section 3 checks the response code of the modem 2 in order to detect the incoming call of the other party. When the busy tone of the response code that can be detected after the call is made is no longer detected, it is determined that the call is received by the other party (S2).

When the incoming call to the destination is detected, the destination information storage unit 11 searches the destination telephone number received from the destination information input unit 12 for a message registered corresponding to the destination telephone number. The message corresponding to the recipient is, for example, a message such as "Thank you very much, **. I will send you a fax. Please switch to receive fax." The message is registered in the voice message storage unit 10 in advance as one message file in the voice message sending unit 5 in a data format that can be converted into a voice signal together with unique identification information for each message. As for the desired message, when the identification information is given to the voice message storage unit 10, a message file corresponding to the identification information is sent to the voice message sending unit 5.

In addition to the identification information, the message is registered at the same time as the message transmission timing whether the message is to be transmitted immediately after the call is received by the other party, or whether the message is to be transmitted when a predetermined time has elapsed. Furthermore, a message when a time-out occurs can be registered. All of this information is set in one message file.

When the message corresponding to the other party is stored in the transmission information storage unit 11, since the identification information for calling the message is simultaneously registered, the identification information is sent to the voice message storage unit 10. To be When the corresponding message file is found, the message sending timing stored corresponding to the voice message is checked (S4). At this time, if a voice message is to be sent after a lapse of a fixed time after the incoming call of the other party is detected, the operation is suspended and waits for a specified fixed period (S5).

First, the case where the voice message is directly transmitted will be described. From the message files stored in the voice message storage unit 10, data that can be converted into voice information is sent to the voice message sending unit 5. The voice message sending unit 5 converts data that can be converted into voice information into a voice signal, and converts it into a signal format that is sequentially sent out on the line,
It is sent to the modem 2 via the signal transmission switching unit 4. In this way, the voice message is transmitted on the line (S6). The signal transmission switching unit 4 is previously switched by the control unit 14 so that the signal from the voice message transmitting unit is transmitted to the modem 2.

After the voice message is transmitted, it waits until the CED signal is detected (S7). When the CED signal is detected here, it means that the other party has confirmed that the environment is such that the facsimile communication can be started.
The facsimile transmission procedure is started (S12). If the CED signal cannot be detected even after a certain period of time, the control unit 14 checks whether the time is over (S
8). If the time has not expired, the message is sent again (S6). When the time-out is detected, it is then determined whether the message transmission timing is after a fixed time or immediately after (S9).

C when the message transmission timing is direct
After transmitting the NG signal (S10), the CED signal is detected (S11). When the CED signal is not detected for a certain period of time, the control unit 14 checks whether the time is over (S13). If the time has not expired, the CNG signal is transmitted again (S6). When the time-out is detected, it is determined that the destination cannot respond to the facsimile communication procedure, and the line is disconnected (S14). Here, when the CED signal is detected (S1
1) Since the other party has confirmed that the environment is such that the facsimile communication can be started, the facsimile transmission procedure is started (S12).

Next, when the message file is found, as a result of checking the message sending timing stored corresponding to the voice message (S4), the voice message is sent after a lapse of a fixed time after the detection of the incoming call of the other party. If so, the operation is suspended and waits for a specified period (S5). CNG after suspending operation for a certain period
A signal is sent (S15). After that, since the other party may be able to perform facsimile communication, the CED signal is detected for a certain period (S16). CE for a certain time
When the D signal is not detected, the control unit 14 checks whether the time is over (S17). If the time is not over, the CNG signal is transmitted again (S15). When the time over is detected, a message is sent (S6). When the CED signal is detected here, it is confirmed that the other party is in an environment where the facsimile communication can be started. Therefore, it is no longer necessary to send the message, and therefore the facsimile transmission procedure is started ( S12).

As described above, when it is known in advance that the other party sending the facsimile document can switch between the facsimile and the telephone, the message suitable for the other party can be registered to ensure the facsimile communication. become able to. However, it may not be possible to know in advance whether or not the other party will switch between the facsimile and the telephone.
In such a case, there is a high probability that there will be a voice response after the facsimile transmission is started. At this time, it is not known whether the operator at the other end switches to facsimile reception only by listening to the CNG signal transmitted from the transmission source. Therefore, in the second embodiment, when there is a voice response after the facsimile transmission is started, a predetermined message is transmitted to the other party in advance in association with the message transmission key and the key being pressed. It can be so.

Specifically, in the facsimile apparatus according to the first embodiment, a key specified from the ten keys or one-touch keys of the operation unit 13 or a plurality of keys of the ten keys are pressed in succession. , Is configured to send a message prompting facsimile transmission. The other party who hears this message immediately performs an operation for switching to facsimile reception, and is likely to enter facsimile communication thereafter. In this way, even if there is a voice response when attempting to perform facsimile transmission, the other party can promptly switch to facsimile reception without having to talk to the other party and switch to facsimile reception. .

[0023]

According to the facsimile apparatus of the present invention, even if there are a plurality of recipients who manually receive a facsimile, it is possible to individually register a message indicating that the facsimile transmission is to be performed. A combined explanation can be given. Further, since the timing of sending the message indicating that the facsimile transmission is to be performed can be set to be sent after a fixed time, the message can be surely transmitted to the other party. Further, even if a voice response is received during the start of facsimile transmission, a message prompting the other party to switch to facsimile reception can be sent.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing functions of a facsimile apparatus embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Facsimile apparatus according to the present invention 2 ... Modem 3 ... Response signal detection unit 4 ... Signal transmission switching unit 5 ... Voice message transmission unit 6 ... Facsimile signal transmission unit 7 ... Image reading unit 8 ... Facsimile signal receiving unit 9 ... Output unit 10 ... Voice message storage unit 11 ... Destination information storage unit 12 ... Destination information input unit 13 ... Operation unit 14 ... Control unit

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A facsimile signal sending unit for informing the start of facsimile transmission, a voice message sending unit for sending a voice message, a response signal detecting unit for detecting a response signal from a receiving side, a facsimile signal and a voice signal. And a signal transmission switching unit for switching transmission to the line of (1), transmitting a voice message after detecting a response to the facsimile signal transmitted from the facsimile signal transmitting unit, and transmitting a response signal from the receiving side after transmitting the voice message. In a facsimile device that switches the line to sending a facsimile signal after detection, a voice message storage unit that stores a plurality of voice messages to a destination, a destination information storage unit that stores information of the destination, and a destination are specified. In order to input the destination information in order to When the corresponding destination information is detected, the destination information stored in the destination information storage unit is compared with the input destination information. And a voice message specifying unit for reading the voice message from the voice message storage unit and transmitting the voice message from the voice message transmitting unit to the destination facsimile device. 2. A response by a voice message to a facsimile signal sent from a facsimile signal sending section is C
2. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the facsimile apparatus is set to be performed after NG is detected. 3. An activation means for activating a voice message sending operation, and a voice message registration key for registering in association with the voice message are provided, and the activation means is activated when the voice message registration key is selected. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a voice message registered in association with each other is transmitted.