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Claims  |
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What is claimed is:
1. A facsimile communication apparatus which is operable under either one
of a facsimile mode for transmitting facsimile signals from a calling
station along a telephone line to a called station, or a conversation mode
for transmitting voice signals from the calling station along the
telephone line to the called station, said facsimile communication
apparatus at the called station comprising:
network control means for automatically connecting said called station to
said telephone line upon receipt of a telephone call from the calling
station;
timer means for counting a first predetermined time period, said timer
means being activated in response to the automatic connection by said
network control means;
detecting means, operatively connected to said timer means, for detecting
if a facsimile request signal from the calling station is present within
said first predetermined time period;
facsimile control signal producing means, responsive to said detecting
means, for producing facsimile control signals when said detecting means
detects said facsimile request signal within said first predetermined time
period, thereby enabling the facsimile mode;
said timer means counting a second predetermined time period in response to
said facsimile request signal not being detected by said detecting means
within said first predetermined time period;
message producing means, responsive to lapse of said first predetermined
time period, for producing a message, at said called station, indicating
that an operator at said calling station desires said facsimile apparatus
to operate in said conversation mode; and
conversation control means, responsive to said message producing means, for
producing a control signal to enable said facsimile apparatus to operate
in the conversation mode, within said second predetermined time period;
wherein said facsimile control signal producing means responsive to said
timer means for producing facsimile control signals upon the lapse of said
second predetermined time period, thereby enabling said facsimile mode.
2. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said message producing
means comprises:
memory means for storing a predetermined message;
control means for outputting said message from memory; and
speaker means, responsive to said control means, for outputting said
message in an audible form at said called station.
3. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 2, wherein said message is a
"conversation request" message, thereby indicating to an operator at the
called station that an operator at the calling station desires the
facsimile apparatus to operate in the conversation mode.
4. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 1, wherein said conversation control
means comprises:
a telephone handset; and
a plunger, whereby when the handset is lifted the plunger is raised thereby
producing said control signal to enable said facsimile apparatus to
operate in said conversation mode.
5. A facsimile communication apparatus which is operable under either one
of a facsimile mode for transmitting facsimile signals from a calling
station along a telephone line to a called station, or a conversation mode
for sending conversation signals from the calling station along said
telephone line to the called station, said facsimile communication
apparatus at the called station comprising:
network control means for automatically connecting said called station to
the telephone line upon receipt of a telephone call from the calling
station;
timer means for counting a first predetermined period of time;
detecting means for detecting if a facsimile request signal from the
calling station is present within said first predetermined period of time;
facsimile control signal producing means for producing facsimile control
signals when said detecting means detects, within said first predetermined
period of time, said facsimile request signal;
said timer means further counting a second predetermined period of time
subsequent to the counting of said first predetermined period of time;
message producing means for producing a message, within said second
predetermined time period, when said detecting means fails to detect,
within said first predetermined period of time, said facsimile request
signal; and
said facsimile control signal producing means produces said facsimile
control signals after counting said second predetermined period of time,
when an operator at said called station fails to respond to said message,
within said second predetermined period of time to thereby enable the
facsimile mode.
6. A facsimile communication apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said
network control unit disconnects said telephone line therefrom after
counting said second predetermined period of time, when said detecting
means fails to detect, within said first predetermined period of time,
said facsimile request signal.
7. A facsimile communication apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said
message producing means comprises message memory means for storing a
predetermined message and speaker means for phonetically producing said
message.
8. A facsimile communication apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said
message producing means produces message in a form of announcement.
9. A facsimile communication apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said
message producing means produces message in a form of simple sound.
10. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 5, further comprising:
conversation control means for producing a control signal when an operator
at the called station responds to said message, within said second period
of time, thereby enabling said converstion mode.
11. An apparatus, as claimed in claim 10, wherein said conversation control
means comprises a telephone with a receiver, which, when said operator
picks up said receiver, generates said control signal.
12. A method of enabling a facsimile apparatus to operate in either one of
a facsimile mode for transmitting facsimile signals from a calling station
along a telephone line to a called station, or a conversation mode for
transmitting voice signals from the calling station along the telephone
line to the called station, said method comprising the steps of:
automatically connecting said called station to said telephone line upon
receipt of a telephone call from the calling station;
counting a first predetermined time period, in response to said automatic
connection;
detecting if a facsimile request signal from the calling station is present
within said first predetermined time period;
producing facsimile control signals when said facsimile request signal is
detected within said first predetermined time period, thereby enabling the
facsimile mode;
counting a second predetermined time period in response to said facsimile
request signal not being detected within said first predetermined time
period;
producing a message, at said called station after lapse of said first
predetermined time period, indicating that an operator at said calling
station desires said facsimile apparatus to operate in said conversation
mode;
producing a control signal to enable said facsimile apparatus to operate in
the conversation mode, if, within said second predetermined time period an
operator at the called station responds to said message; and
producing facsimile control signals upon the lapse of said second
predetermined time period, thereby enabling said facsimile mode.
13. A method, as claimed in claim 12, wherein said operator at the called
station responds to said message by lifting a handset of his telephone,
thereby producing said control signal. |
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Claims |
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Description |
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a facsimile communication apparatus
provided with a normal telephone function to exchange conversation.
A facsimile communication apparatus is provided with an automatic line
connection function, such that when it is operated as a receiver, it
connects the telephone line after several rings and receives the facsimile
signal transmitted from a facsimile communication apparatus of a calling
station. It has no function of automatically accepting a conversation
requested by the calling station over the telephone line.
A facsimile communication apparatus provided with no automatic line
connection function may exchange conversation over the telephone line, but
a manual operation is required to switch between the conversation mode and
the facsimile mode.
There is a growing demand for the development of a facsimile communication
apparatus which has an automatic line connection function and also which
can automatically change between the facsimile mode and the conversation
mode.
To achieve this, a voice signal on the telephone line, automatically at the
start of the conversation this method automatically start the
conversation, but this method, however, requires a voice detecting means,
and thus it results in a high manufacturing cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention has been designed with a view to substantially
solving the above-described disadvantage. The essential objective is to
provide a facsimile communication apparatus which has a function of
automatically accepting a telephone conversation request, as well as a
facsimile communication request.
In order to achieve the above-described object, the facsimile communication
apparatus, according to the present invention, is operable under either
one of a facsimile mode for transmitting facsimile signals from a calling
station along a telephone line to a called station, or a conversation mode
for sending conversation signals from the calling station along the
telephone line to the called station. The facsimile communication
apparatus at the called station, according to the present invention,
comprises a network control unit for automatically connecting the
telephone line thereto upon receipt of a telephone call from the calling
station; a timer means for counting a first predetermined period of time;
a detecting means for detecting a facsimile request signal (CNG signal)
from the calling station within the first predetermined period of time; a
facsimile control signals producing means for producing facsimile control
signal (CED, NFS, CSI, DIS) when the detecting means detects, within the
first predetermined period of time, the facsimile request signal; and a
message producing means for producing a message when said detecting means
fails to detect, within the first predetermined period of time, the
facsimile request signal.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects and feature of the present invention will become
apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the
preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings,
in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile communication apparatus according
to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing the operation of the facsimile
communication apparatus of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is flowchart for showing an operation of the facsimile communication
apparatus of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram of a facsimile communication apparatus
1, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, is shown.
The facsimile communication apparatus 1 has a network control unit 2
connected to an external telephone lines L1 and L2. Circuit network
control unit 2 has a function of controlling the line between the external
telephone line and the facsimile communication apparatus 1. It also has an
automatic line connection function such that facsimile communication
apparatus 1 is connected to the telephone lines after several telephone
rings, caused by the dialing of the facsimile calling station. The
connection of the facsimile communication apparatus with the telephone
lines L1 and L2 is accomplished when the polarity of the telephone lines
L1 and L2 is changed.
The network control unit 2 is connected to a conversation control unit 4
having a handset 3 and a plunger 3' for the telephone conversation between
the calling station and the called station. The network control unit 2 is
also connected, through a modem 7, to a control 6 which produces a signal
for changing the mode between conversation mode and facsimile mode, as
will be further explained later. Modem 7 modulates and demodulates a
carrier signal, which the facsimile communication apparatus 1 transmits or
receives through the telephone line, between the facsimile communication
apparatus of the calling station and that of the called station. More
specifically, image signals of an original document transmitted from the
facsimile communication apparatus of the calling station are modulated by
modem 7, and the image signals are demodulated by modem 7 at the called
station.
A signal detector 8 and a signal generator 9 are also provided between
network control unit 2 and control 6. The signal detector 8 detects
various signals by detecting signal levels and/or signal frequency of
different signals transmitted from the calling station through the
telephone line. Signal generator 9 produces a control signal to be
transmitted to the calling station in response to a signal outputted from
the control 6. Network control unit 2 and control 6 are connected to each
other by a line S1 such that when the polarity of the telepone lines L1
and L2 is changed, in response to the telephone line connection, the
network control unit 2 produces and applies a signal representing the line
connection along line S1 to control 6.
Connected to the control 6 are a message memory 10, a timer 11, a speaker
12, a document reading unit 13, and recording unit 14 and a switch panel
15 including dial keys. The message storing unit 10 stores predetermined
message data, such as "calling operator", which can be phonetically
reproduced. Timer 11 counts a first predetermined time period T1 (such as
5 seconds) and a second predetermined time period T2 (such as 15 seconds),
which will be described in detail later. The speaker 12 is provided for
phonetically producing a message stored in message memory, or tone signal
requesting the conversation. The document reading unit 13 is provided for
optically reading an image of an original document to be transmitted
through facsimile, and a recording unit 14 is provided for recording the
received image signal transmitted from the calling station.
FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing an operation of an automatic mode
selection between a facsimile mode and a telephone conversation mode,
either one of which can be performed by the facsimile communication
apparatus 1 of FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, time chart (1) shows a case when the
calling station dials the destination station by the auto-dial system
requesting only the facsimile transmission and no conversation request,
and time chart (2) shows a case when the calling station dials the
destination station after the handset is picked up for requesting the
conversation.
First, the operation will be described in connection with time chart (1) in
FIG. 2. At time t0, the automatic dialing system is affected, in the
calling station, to automatically dial the telephone number of the
destination station. Thereupon, the calling ring is produced at the
destination station, i.e., called station. At the called station, when the
telephone bell rings a predetermined number of times, the automatic
telephone line connection function is activated by the network control
unit 2. This occurs such that, at time t1, the polarity of telephone lines
L1 and L2 is changed to connect the called station with the calling
station through telephone line L1 and L2. Also, at time t1, network
control unit 2 generates a signal along line S1 in response to the change
of the polarity, which is applied to control 6. Thereupon, using timer 11,
control 6 starts to count the first predetermined time period T1 (such as
5 seconds).
In the case of time chart (1), since the calling station is requesting the
facsimile signal transmission, the calling station sends, immediately
after the line connection, a facsimile request signal (referred to as a
CNG signal). This is defined by a calling tone of 1100 Hz that continues
for 0.5 second and repeated with an interval of 3 seconds. The CNG signal
is usually produced by the autodial system. Within the first predetermined
time period T1, the called station detects the CNG signal by the detector
8, thereby starting necessary steps to start the facsimile signal
transmission. More specifically, after time t2, i.e., after counting the
first predetermined time period T1, the called station produces and sends
a called station identification signal (referred to as CED signal) to the
calling station. The CED signal is defined by a tonal signal of 2100 Hz
which continues for 2.6 seconds to 4 seconds. By the receipt of the CED
signal, the calling station is informed that the facsimile transmission
may be started. After the CED signal, the called station further produces
and sends the following control signals to the calling station in the
following order: non-standard facilities signal (NFS signal 0000 0100), a
called station identification signal (CSI signal 0000 0010), and a digital
identification signal (DIS signal 0000 0001). Thereafter, the image
information of the original document is transmitted from the facsimile
communication apparatus of the calling station, and the same is received
by the facsimile communication apparatus of the called station. The
above-described control signals, including the CED signal, are produced by
the signal generator 9 as explained below.
When the signal detector 8 detects the CNG signal received by the network
control unit 2, signal detector 8 produces and sends a signal indicative
of the receipt of the CNG signal to the control 6. In response to this
signal, control unit 6 outputs a signal to the signal generator 9,
indicating that the above-described control signals should be produced. In
response to this signal, the signal generator 9 generates the control
signals in the order as described above. The control signals are further
transmitted from the network control unit 2 to the facsimile communication
apparatus of the calling station through the telephone line.
Next, the operation is described in connection with time chart (2) of FIG.
2. At time t0, to request the conversation, an operator at the calling
station picks up the handset 3 and dials the telephone number of the
destination station. Thereupon, the calling ring is produced at the
destination station, i.e., called station. At the called station, when the
telephone bell rings a predetermined number of times, the automatic
telephone line connection function is activated by the network control
unit 2 to connect the called station with the calling station through
telephone lines L1 and L2. Also, at time t1, network control unit 2
generates a signal along line S1 in response to the change of the
polarity, which is applied to control 6. Thereupon, using timer 11,
control 6 starts to count the first predetermined time period T1 (such as
5 seconds).
In the case of time chart (2), since the calling station is operated, not
by the automatic dialing system, but by manual dialing operation, no CNG
signal is produced, during or even after the first predetermined time
period T1. Therefore, during the first predetermined time period T1, no
CNG signal will be detected by the signal detector 8. Then, during the
next predetermined time period T2, as counted by timer 11, a message, such
as "conversation request" as stored in message memory 10 is read out and
is reproduced phonetically through speaker 12 in the called station. At
the same time, the same message is transmitted through the telephone line
to the calling station. In this manner, the people in the calling station
will be informed that the person at the called station is requesting the
conversation and, at the same time, the person at the calling station
holding the handset is informed the "conversation request" is being
announced repeatedly at the called station.
In the above example, the message announced at the called station and the
message heard at the calling station are the same, but they can be
different, such that the calling station may hear the ringing sound. By
producing some signal or message on the telephone at the calling station,
the person requesting the conversation will know that the "conversation
request" is being continued.
When somebody at the called station responds to the "conversation request"
within time period T2 by holding up the handset 3, enabling the projection
of plunger 3', or by depressing a conversation button (not shown) provided
in switch panel 15, control 6 produces a mode change signal to network
control unit 2. Thereupon, network control unit 2 changes the mode from
facsimile mode to conversation mode, thereby enabling the conversation
between the calling and called stations.
If, at the called station, nobody answers the telephone announcement
"conversation request" within time period T2, the announcement stops and
the facsimile transmission procedure continues. Thus, in this case, when
time period T2 elapsed, the CED signal and the other control signals
mentioned above are produced from the called station and transmitted to
the calling station. This method for starting the facsimile communication
is adopted to accomplish a facsimile communication requested by a
facsimile communication apparatus employing the manual dialing operation
system.
According to the facsimile communication which is to be performed by the
facsimile communication apparatus employing the manual dialing operation
system, the person at the calling station, who has been waiting for
somebody to answer the telephone but in vein, presses the transmission
start key after the lapse of time period T2. Thus, he can confirm the
receipt of the CED signal indicating that the facsimile communication
procedure has been started. Therefore, in this case, no CNG signal is
produced by the signal transmitting unit 9. That is, if the telephone call
is not answered by the called station during the second time period T2,
the operator of the calling station can start the facsimile communication
procedure.
Referring to FIG. 3, a flowchart shows the operation of control 6 of the
facsimile communication apparatus of the present invention.
When the change of the polarity of the telephone lines L1 and L2 is
detected by network control unit 2 at step n1, the counting of the first
predetermined time period T1 starts at step n2.
It is determined at step n3 whether or not the CNG signal has been
detected. If yes, the program goes to step n10 at which time the CED
signal is transmitted to the calling station and a facsimile communication
procedure starts. If no, the program goes to step n4 at which it is
determined whether or not the first predetermined time period T1 is
counted. If no, the program goes back to step n3. If yes, the program
advances to step n5.
At step n5, timer 11 starts to count the second predetermined time period
T2. At step n6, a conversation request message is produced phonetically by
speaker 12. At step n7, the conversation request message is transmitted to
the calling station through the telephone lines.
At step n8, it is determined whether or not the second predetermined time
period T2 is counted. If no, the program goes to step n9.
At step n9, it is detected whether or not handset 3 is lifted, i.e., it is
decided whether or not plunger 3' has been projected. If yes, that is, if
somebody at the called station picks up the handset or depresses the
conversation start button, then it is possible to start a conversation
between the persons on the telephones at the calling station and the
called station. If nobody answers the telephone within the time period T2
at the called station, the program goes back to step n6.
If it is detected at step n8 that the second time period T2 is counted, the
program goes to step n10 at which the CED signal is transmitted to the
calling station and a facsimile communication procedure starts.
According to the present invention, the facsimile communication apparatus,
provided with the automatic line connection function, may accept either
the facsimile transmission or conversation, and yet it may accept the
facsimile telephone call from the automatic dialing system or from the
manual dialing system. Thus, the facsimile communication apparatus,
according to the present invention, is widely applicable in this field.
It is to be noted that, instead of producing the announcement "conversation
request" at step n6, it is possible to produce a simple sound signal, such
as a buzzard or ring, which is distinguishable over the normal telephone
ring.
It is also to be noted that, after the second time period T2, when nobody
answers the conversation request, it is possible to automatically
disconnect the facsimile communication apparatus of the called station
from the telephone line by actuating the network control unit by the
control 6.
As is apparent from the foregoing description, the facsimile communication
apparatus provided with the automatic line connection function, according
to the present invention, is applicable both to facsimile communications
and telephone calls.
Although the present invention has been fully described in connection with
a preferred embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying
drawings, it is to be noted that various changes and modification are
apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications are
to be understood as included within the scope of the present invention as
defined by the appended claims unless they depart therefrom.
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