JPS6113856A - Communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To utilize efficiently one line by adopting the constitution in which a storage means records voice of a caller when the absence of an operator is confirmed by a switch means and the operator is called by a calling means when the adsence of the operator is confirmed. CONSTITUTION:A voice recording circuit 18 is controlled via a signal line 60b by a control circuit 60. That is, the voice recording circuit 18 is a circuit recording a signal of a signal line 16a when the level of the signal line 60b is logical ''1''. When the operator turns on an absence switch, the control circuit 60 outputs a voice signal urging the absence of the operator and the recording of a message from a voice generating circuit 34. When the absence switch is turned off, a voice signal from the caller side is outputted from a speaker circuit 20 to call the operator. When an off-hook detection circuit 44 confirms that the telephone set 12 is hooked off, an NCU10 connects a telephone line to the telephone set 12 to attain conversation between the operators.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Technical Field] The present invention relates to a communication device, and particularly to a communication device that performs a predetermined communication operation via a communication line such as a public telephone line for transmitting and receiving voice signals.

[Prior art]

Conventionally, this type of apparatus automatically receives a document transmitted in response to a paging signal from a calling party, or automatically transmits a manuscript from a called party. A facsimile IJ device having a so-called automatic call receiving function is known.

Generally, the FANSIMI 1, 1 device having an automatic call receiving function is also equipped with a manual call receiving mode in which a call is received by an attached telephone and then the line is manually switched to the facsimile machine.

The facsimile machine is normally configured to switch between automatic call receiving mode and manual call receiving mode using a changeover switch provided on the operation panel of the facsimile machine.

If the device is set to manual incoming call mode, the telephone attached to the facsimile device can be used like a regular telephone, and can of course receive calls from public telephones, etc. but,
When receiving documents, operator intervention is required.
After picking up the handset, the operator must press the receive button and switch the line to the facsimile machine.

On the other hand, if you set the automatic incoming call mode, you can automatically receive originals sent from a facsimile machine.
In this case, the telephone connected to the device is deprived of its normal calling function, and there is a drawback that calls cannot be made from a normal voice terminal such as a public telephone. 1st
A specific example of this is shown in the figure. Here, G2, which meets CCITT (International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee) recommendations T3 and T4. G
3 facsimile machines are illustrated as receivers.

As shown in the figure, a facsimile machine set to automatically receive a call from a public telephone or the like sends a CED (tonal called station identification) signal 1 to the line. Following this, the device sends NSF (non-standard equipment) signals 2, C3l (
A digital called station identification) signal 3 and an IS (digital identification) signal 4 are sent to the line.

After this, the facsimile machine is NSF, C8I, DI
Procedure signals on the transmitting side for S signals, namely N5S (non-standard equipment setting), TSI (transmitting station identification), D
It attempts to receive a C8 (digital command) signal, but if the call is made from a normal telephone, these signals are of course not sent, so the device waits 3 seconds and then sends the GI2 signal 5, NSF.
Send signal 2, C8I signal 3', and DIS signal 4 to the line.

After this, the facsimile machines are Gi2, NSF, and C.
3I.

The device tries to receive the transmitter's procedure signals, GC2, NSS, TSI, and DO8 signals corresponding to each DIS signal, but if the call is made from a normal telephone, these signals will not be sent, so the device will After waiting for seconds, the first NSF sends the GI2, NSF, C8I, and DIS signals to the next line again in sequence.
C8I: After repeating the DIS signal for 35 seconds from the start of transmission, the line is disconnected due to an error.

Conventional automatic incoming calls are as described above.
For users who only read books, the phone must also be able to be used as a regular phone. Therefore, the device cannot be set to the automatic call receiving mode all the time, and the automatic call receiving mode becomes a completely useless function.

In consideration of this, we have created an automatic call receiving function that interrupts the facsimile communication and outputs this voice signal from the speaker if it detects a voice signal from the other party when receiving a call (that is, if the calling party is a normal voice terminal). Other devices have also been proposed. Such a device detects the hook state of the telephone while outputting voice, and switches the line from the facsimile device to the telephone when the operator lifts the hook of the telephone.

With this configuration, it is possible to switch between normal calls and facsimile communications even if automatic reception is set depending on the type of terminal on the other end, but if the operator on the receiving end is not present, As mentioned above, this method has the disadvantage that the call setup becomes invalid.

Although the facsimile apparatus has been described above as an example, this situation is a common drawback of communication apparatuses that use a communication line, such as a telephone line, whose main purpose is to transmit voice signals.

〔the purpose〕

The present invention was made in order to eliminate the above-mentioned conventional drawbacks, and even when the automatic call receiving mode is set, it is possible to perform a predetermined communication operation or call operation without wasting the line connection. To provide a communication device that does not waste line usage charges.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail based on embodiments shown in the drawings. However, in the following, G2 and G3 Fac 7mm devices that comply with CCITT recommendations T3 and T4 will be explained as examples.

FIG. 2 shows, as a block diagram, an embodiment of a facsimile machine according to the invention. In Fig. 2, the reference numeral 10 is used to use the telephone network for data communication, etc., so it is connected to the terminal of the line to control the connection of the telephone exchange network, and is connected to the data communication path (that is, on the facsimile machine side). This is an NCU (network control unit) that performs switching to the network or maintains the line loop. The signal line 10a connected to NCtJlo is a telephone line. Telephone line 10a
is the signal line 10 on the attached telephone 12 side by NCUlo.
The connection can be switched between the signal line 1 and the signal line connected to the facsimile machine side of the hybrid circuit 16 and below.

The connection of NCUlo is controlled by the control circuit 60 via the signal line 6.
Controlled via 0a. That is, when the signal line 60a is at level "0", the signal line 10a (telephone line) is switched to the signal line 1C1b side. Also, the signal line 60a is at level r.
In the case of lJ, the signal line 10a is switched to the signal line 10c. In a normal state, the signal line 60a is at level "0" and the telephone line is connected to the telephone 12 side.

A ringing signal detection circuit 14 is connected to the signal line 10b on the telephone 12 side together with the telephone. Normally, the exchange transmits a ring signal to the called phone after confirming that the called phone is not busy;
Detected by When the calling signal detection circuit 14 detects a calling signal, it outputs a pulse to the control circuit mark via the signal line 14a.

On the other hand, a hybrid circuit 16 is connected to the signal line 10c. The hybrid circuit 16 is a known circuit that separates a transmitted signal and a received signal. Here, the receiving system circuits include a voice recording circuit 18, a speaker circuit 20, a voice recognition circuit 22, a CCU signal detection circuit 24, and an N5S-TSI.
A DC8 signal detection circuit 26 is connected. On the other hand, the signal to be transmitted is a signal obtained by adding signals from a transmitting circuit, which will be described later, in an adding circuit 36, and is sent to the hybrid circuit 16 via a signal line 36a.
is input. The signal input from the signal line 10c is transmitted only to the signal line 16a side by the hybrid circuit 16, and the signal input from the signal line 36a is transmitted only to the signal line 10c side via the hybrid circuit 16.

The audio recording circuit 18 is connected to the signal line 60b by the control circuit 60.
controlled via. That is, the audio recording circuit 18 is a circuit that records the signal on the signal line 16a when the level of the signal line 60b is "1". When the signal line 60b is at level "0", no recording is performed.

The speaker circuit 20 is similarly controlled by the control circuit 60 via the signal line 60c. That is, when the level of the signal line 60c is "1", the signal of the signal line 16a is output. Further, when the level of the signal line 60c is IQ or J, no audio signal is output.

The voice recognition circuit η inputs the signal on the signal line 16a, and when it recognizes human voice, outputs the level "I" through the signal line 22a.
J and the level rOJ when the voice is not recognized are output to the control circuit 6o.

The twisted GC2 signal detection circuit 24 is a detection circuit that inputs the signal of the signal line 16a and outputs a pulse to the control circuit ω via the signal line 24a when the GC2 signal is detected. In other words, when a GC2 signal is sent from the other party, signal line 2
The reception of this signal is notified to the control circuit mark via 4a.

Furthermore, the N5S-TSI/DC8 signal detection circuit 26 detects these N5S-TSI/DC8 signal detection circuits similarly to the GC2 signal detection circuit described above.
When detecting the connected procedure signal of DC8, the signal line 2
6a to notify the control circuit 60 of the reception of the signal.

On the other hand, the inputs of the adder circuit 36 on the transmitting side include a CED signal sending circuit 28, a GI2 signal sending circuit 30, and an N5F-C8I-
A DIS signal sending circuit 32 and an audio generating circuit 34 are connected via signal lines 28a, 30a, 32a and 34a, respectively. These circuits are the control circuit 60
is controlled via signal lines 60d to 60h.

That is, the CED signal sending circuit 28 outputs a CED signal to the signal line 28a when a pulse is generated on the signal line 60d, and outputs a pulse to the control circuit 60 via the signal line 28b when this output is completed. . Similarly, when a pulse is generated on the signal lines 60e and 60f, the GI2 signal sending circuit 30 and the N5F-C8I/DIS signal sending circuit 32 output the corresponding signal to the signal lines 30a and 32a, respectively, and when the output ends, the signal is output. Lines 30b, 32b
The control circuit 6o is notified of the end of the output through the respective terminals.

The sound generation circuit 34 is composed of, for example, a tape recorder, a sound synthesis circuit, etc., and is controlled by signal lines 60g and 60h similarly to the above-mentioned circuit, and after outputting a predetermined sound to the signal line 34a, the signal line indicates the end of the output. This is to notify the control circuit 60 via 34b.

The signal lines 60g and 60h are used to control switching and output of two types of voices recorded on the voice generating circuit. Among these, the signal line 60h is used to activate the audio generation circuit 34 by inputting a pulse.

Further, the signal line 60g is used to switch between three types of sounds recorded in the sound generation circuit 34. In other words, if the signal line 60g is at level 0, for example, ``The operator is absent, so we will record a message.
Please talk within minutes. ” etc. will be generated. Moreover, when the level of the signal line 60g is "1", the sound generation circuit 3
4 generates a voice such as "Please continue speaking until the operator responds." If the level of the signal line 60g is 12'', a voice such as ``Please wait a moment as I will call the operator.'' is generated.

The control circuit 60 is composed of a microcomputer, a computer, etc., and controls the operation of the entire device, and is connected to timer circuits and detection circuits indicated by reference numerals 38, 40, 41, 42, and 44 for control described later. has been done. The timer circuit A is used to count all three seconds, and is started by a pulse on the signal line 60i, and when the three second count ends, generates a pulse on the signal line 38a. if timer circuit 40
similarly measures 35 seconds, and the signal line 60j
The signal line 40a is started by the pulse of
generates a pulse.

The switched timer circuit 41 is similarly started by a pulse on the signal line 60, and generates a pulse on the signal line 41a at the end of the three-minute time measurement.

The absence detection circuit 42 is composed of a known switch input circuit or the like that detects the state of a switch provided on an operation panel, and the operator turns on this switch when the vicinity of the apparatus is unoccupied. This switch should be turned off when the operator can be near the device. Depending on the state of the absence switch, the absence detection circuit 42 outputs a level "1-1" when the absence switch is on, and a level "0" when the absence switch is off, to the control circuit 6 via a signal line 42a.
Output to 0.

The off-hook detection circuit is a known circuit for detecting the hook state of the telephone 12, which outputs a level "0" to the signal line 44a when the telephone 12 is on the hook (that is, when the handset is off). Output. Also telephone 12
When the hook is off (that is, when the handset is picked up), a level "1" is output to the signal line 44a.

Next, an outline of the control procedure of the control circuit 60 will be described. In the standby state, the control circuit 60 connects the telephone line to the telephone 12 and the ringing signal detection circuit 14 by the NCU 10 as in the conventional case.
Connect it to the side. When a calling signal is input from the telephone line, the calling signal detecting circuit 14 generates a pulse on the signal line 14a, whereby the control circuit port connects the telephone line to the hybrid circuit 16.

Subsequently, during the initial identification time of 35 seconds, a procedure signal similar to that of the conventional example shown in FIG. 1 is repeatedly transmitted until a voice signal or a significant procedure signal from the calling party is detected.

When a procedure signal is detected, facsimile communication similar to the conventional one is performed. - When the voice signal from the calling side is confirmed by the recognition circuit η, the following control is performed depending on the operation state of the absence switch provided on the operation panel.

When the operator turns on the absence switch, the control circuit indicia outputs an audio signal from the voice generating circuit to indicate the operator's absence and to record a message. When the absence switch is off, the speaker circuit 20 outputs an audio signal from the calling side to call the operator. When it is confirmed by the off-hook detection circuit that the telephone 12 is off-hook, the NCUlo connects the telephone line to the telephone 12 again and allows the operators to have a conversation with each other.

Next, the operation of the above control circuit will be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. It is assumed that there is

In the standby state, the control circuit 60 connects the signal line 60 as shown from step S74 to step S74 in FIG. 3(5).
Level "0" is output to each of a, 60b, and 60c. That is, the telephone line is connected to the telephone side by NCUlo, and the operation of the voice recording circuit 18 and the speaker circuit is prohibited.

Next, in step S76, the process waits for a pulse to be generated on the signal line 14a. In other words, it waits for a call signal to be received.

Upon receiving the ringing signal, control circuit 60 performs step 878.
outputs level "1" to the signal line 60a to connect the telephone line to the hybrid circuit 16 side. Then step S8
0, a pulse is generated on the signal line 60d, causing the sending circuit 28 to transmit the CED signal.

Next, in step S82, it is checked whether a pulse has been generated on the signal line 28b, and it is checked whether the transmission of the CED signal has been completed. If the transmission has finished, step S
At step 84, if the process has not been completed, the process moves to step 5100.

In step 5100, signal! 22a is novel “1”?
That is, it is determined whether a voice signal from the calling side is detected. If an audio signal is detected, the process moves to step 5122 in FIG. 30. If no audio signal is detected, the process returns to step S82.

Normally, the operator starts speaking when the ringing tone stops, so if the calling party is a voice terminal, control moves from here to step 5122 and subsequent steps.

On the other hand, in step S84, a loop or the like in the program is used to wait for 7577Zs. In step 886, a pulse is generated on the signal line 60j to start a 35 second timer circuit.

Subsequently, in step 888, a pulse is generated on the signal line 60f to cause the sending circuit 32 to transmit the N5F-C8I and DIS signals.

In step 890, all pulse outputs to the signal line 32b are detected. In other words, it is confirmed that the transmission of the above signal is completed. While signal transmission is being performed in accordance with the determination result in this step, an audio signal from the other party is detected in step 5102, similar to step 5100.

If an audio signal is detected, the process moves to step 5122;
If the transmission of the procedure signal ends without detecting an audio signal, the process moves from step S90 to step S92.

In step S92, a pulse is generated on the signal line 60i to
The second timer circuit 38 is started.

In step S94, it is determined whether a pulse has been generated on the signal line 40a, that is, whether or not the timer circuit that determines the initial identification time of 35 seconds has finished counting. If the initial identification time has expired, the process returns to the waiting loop from step 870.

On the other hand, if the initial identification time of 35 seconds has not elapsed in step S94, the process moves to step 5104 in FIG. 3(B), and it is checked whether a pulse has occurred on the signal line 38a.

That is, it is determined whether or not the 3-second timer circuit 38 that was started earlier has finished counting.

If 3 seconds have elapsed, the process moves to step 5106; if 3 seconds have not elapsed, the process moves to step 5110.

In step 5106, a pulse is generated on the signal line 60e to transmit the output path GI2 signal. Here, while the GI2 signal is being transmitted, as shown in steps 5108 and 5120, the other party's voice signal is +4 detected in the same manner as described above. If a voice signal is detected in step 5120, the process moves to step 5122, and if the signal transmission ends without detecting a voice, the process returns to step 888 and repeats the above operations.

On the other hand, in step 5110, it is determined whether a pulse has occurred in the signal a24a, that is, whether the GC2 signal of the other party has been detected. Further, in step 5112, it is determined whether a pulse has occurred on the signal line 26a, that is, if the N5S-TSI
・Check whether the DC8 signal has been received. In step 5114, the state of the signal line 22a is checked to see if an audio signal is being received.

Step S110. If either S112 is affirmed, the process moves to step 5116 or 5118, and a reception operation in G2 mode to G3 mode is performed. Step 5114
step 51 in response to the detection of the audio signal.
It is determined whether to proceed to step 22 or return to step 5104.

If a voice signal from the calling side is detected, the level of the signal line 42a is checked at step 5122 in FIG. 3 (Q).

As mentioned above, when the operator is absent, the output of the absence detection circuit 42 is at level "1". If the operator is not present, the level is 0-1. If the operator is near the device, step 5140
If not, the process moves to step 5124.

In step 5124, a pulse is generated on the signal line 60k.
The minute timer circuit 41 is started. Next, in step S126.8128, the signal line 60g is set to level "0".
, a pulse is generated on the signal m 60h. That is, the voice generating circuit M transmits a voice signal indicating that the operator is absent and prompting the recording of a message. Next, in step 5130, after confirming that the above message has been sent, step 513
Move on to 2.

In step 5132, level "1" is output to the signal line 60b to activate the voice recording circuit 18 and record the voice of the other party.

In step 5134, considering the case where the message ends in less than 3 minutes, it is determined whether the output signal line 22a of the voice recognition circuit n has been at level "o" for 10 consecutive seconds. Minute timer circuit 41 in step 8136
Determine whether the time measurement has finished. Step 513
If the end of the message is confirmed in step 4, or if it is confirmed in step 8136 that the prescribed three minutes have ended, the process returns to the waiting loop of step S70.

On the other hand, if the absence of the operator is confirmed in step 5122, the process moves to step 5140, and a pulse is generated on the signal line 60j to start the 35 second timer circuit 40. Next, in steps S142 and S144, level "1" pulses are generated on the signal lines 60g and 60h, respectively, to cause the speech recognition circuit to output a speech signal. Here, the level "1" of the signal line 60g generates a voice saying "Please continue speaking until the operator responds."

Next, in step 8146, it is checked whether a pulse has been generated on the signal line 34b, that is, whether the transmission of the audio signal in "-" 2 has been completed. When the transmission of the audio signal is completed, the level "1" is set on the signal line 60c in step 8148.
” is output to activate the speaker circuit 20. As a result, the other party's voice is output from the speaker circuit 20.

Subsequently, in a loop of steps 5150 and 5152, a response from the operator is waited for while checking the state of the signal line 140a, that is, checking the passage of the initial identification time of 35 seconds. As soon as the operator takes the telephone 12 off the hook and answers the telephone, the signal line 44a of the off-hook detection circuit goes to level "1", so the process moves to step 5154. On the other hand, there is no response from the operator -1
:''!, when the initial identification time of 35 seconds has ended, the process returns to the standby state of step S70.

In step 5154, a level "0" is output to the signal line 60c to prohibit the operation of the speaker circuit 20, and in step 5156, a level "0" is output to the signal line 60a and the NC
Ulo connects the telephone line from the hybrid circuit to telephone 1.
Switch to side 2. Thereafter, in step 5158, a telephone conversation takes place between both operators.

As described above, even when the operator is absent, the message of the calling operator can be recorded, so that once the call is established, the line can be used effectively without wasting the call setup. Furthermore, since the control status is notified to the calling party using the voice recognition circuit, the calling party is not confused.

In the above embodiment, the speaker circuit 20 is used as a circuit to indicate that the calling terminal is a normal voice terminal, and the recording circuit 18 is used as a message recording means. ) may be changed as shown.

That is, the speaker circuit 20 may be replaced with a known pseudo-bell sound generating circuit 46 comprising an oscillator, a suitable modulation circuit, etc., as shown in FIG. 4(5).

With this change, the level "
1" is output, a pseudo bell sound is generated. Therefore, since the calling operator does not need to continue speaking for the purpose of calling, the control circuit 60 outputs level "2" to the signal line 60g for the voice recognition circuit in step 5142, and the operator You can output the message "Please wait a moment while I call you."

Furthermore, the audio recording circuit 18 can be replaced between the audio-pattern conversion circuit 48 and the recording circuit as shown in FIG. 4(B). The recording circuit 50 is constituted by a storage means such as a random access memory, and is configured to record the calling side's voice signal converted into a digital signal pattern using a predetermined method by the voice-to-pattern conversion circuit. The operations of these circuits are controlled by the control circuit 60 via the signal line 60b. This type of configuration is simple because it can omit mechanical operating parts like a tape recorder.

It has the advantage of being inexpensive.

〔effect〕

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, in a communication device that performs a predetermined communication operation by automatically receiving a call via a communication line for transmitting and receiving voice signals, there is a means for recognizing a voice signal of a caller. a switch means that is set to a predetermined state when the operator is absent; an operator calling means;
A means for recording the voice of the caller is provided, and when the voice signal of the caller is recognized by the recognition means at the time of automatic call reception, when the absence of the operator is confirmed by the switch means, the recording means records the voice of the caller. Since the system uses a configuration in which the voice of the operator is recorded and the operator is called by the calling means when the presence of the operator is confirmed, there is no need to waste call setup using one line between the voice terminal and the communication device. It is possible to provide an excellent communication device that can be used efficiently without having to do anything.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the communication procedure of a conventional facsimile device, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a facsimile device adopting the present invention, and FIG. FIG. 4 (5) and ([3) are block diagrams each showing a partially modified configuration of the configuration in FIG. 2. 10...NCU, 12. ... telephone, 18 ... voice recording circuit, 20 ... speaker circuit, η ... voice recognition circuit, familiarization ... voice generation circuit, 42 ... absence detection circuit, 44 ... off-hook detection circuit. Figure 3 (C) Figure 4 (A)

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) In a communication device that performs a predetermined communication operation by automatically receiving a call via a communication line for transmitting and receiving audio signals,
A means for recognizing the voice signal of the caller, a switch means to be set to a predetermined state when the operator is absent, a means for calling the operator, and a means for recording the voice of the caller are provided, and the recognition is performed when the call is automatically received. When the voice signal of the calling party is recognized by the means, the recording means records the voice of the calling party when the absence of the operator is confirmed by the switch means, and the voice signal of the calling party is recorded by the recording means when the presence of the operator is confirmed. A communication device characterized in that an operator is called by a calling means. (2) A means for sending an audio signal to the calling side is provided, and the sending means sends out an audio signal corresponding to each of the control states to the calling side. communication equipment. (3) Means for detecting an operator's response during the operator calling operation is provided, and line control is performed in accordance with the operator's response state detected by this means. The communication device described in .