Facsimile communication apparatus

Abstract: A facsimile communication apparatus is disclosed which is operable under either one of a facsimile mode for transmitting facsimile signal from a calling station along a telephone line to a called station, and a conversation mode for sending conversation signal from the calling station along the telephone line to the called station. The facsim­ ile communication apparatus at the called station includes a detector (8) for detecting a facsimile request signal indicative of a facsimile communication request made by a calling station within a predetermined period of time after a telephone line is connected to a facsimile communication apparatus of the calling station, and a signal producer (9) for producing a facsimile request signal when the detector detects the facsimile request signal and for producing a conversation request signal when the detecting means detects no facsimile request signal within the predetermined period of time.

Description: 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 provided with an automatic line connection function, when it is operated as a receiver, connects the telephone line after several rings and receives the facsimile signal transmitted from a facsimile communication apparatus of a calling station, but it has no function of accepting automatically 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 the mode between the facsimile mode and the conversation mode. To this end, a voice signal on the telephone line transmitted from the calling station may be detected to automatically start the conversation, but this method requires a voice detecting means, and thus it results in high manufacturing cost. A facsimile communication apparatus according to the preamble of claim 1 is known from the US-patent US-A-4,677,660. In this apparatus, the telephone line is cut as soon as said second predetermined period of time has elapsed. The facsimile control signal producing means is arranged for producing a facsimile control signal all over the first and second periods of time, unless the start of a conversation is detected by the fact that an operator actuates a telephone set button to change from the facsimile mode to the conversation mode. As soon as the conversation mode is actuated, the operator may pick-up the handset of the telephone set to talk to the operator at the calling station. The document JP-A-62-199158 describes a facsimile communication apparatus being combined with an automatic telephone receiver. This apparatus outputs a message at the called station as soon as the network control unit has connected the called station to the telephone line upon receipt of a telephone call from a calling station. After the message has finished, the apparatus checks for a predetermined period of time whether the hook of the telephone set is picked-up or whether a facsimile request signal (CNG) is received. When the hook is picked-up, the apparatus automatically switches to a conversation mode, whereas it automatically switches to a facsimile mode when the facsimile request signal is received. In case that the predetermined period of time should elapse without the hook being picked-up or the facisimile request signal being received, the apparatus switches to communication by facsimile. The document GB-A-2 156 187 describes a data communication apparatus connected to a telephone line which apparatus checks during a predetermined period of time whether a control or carrier signal is received. If this is the case, the apparatus switches to a data communication mode; otherwise it switches, after said predetermined period of time has elapsed, to a conversation mode. The just described apparatus has the disadvantage that it is not possible to switch back to the data communication mode as soon as the apparatus has automatically switched to the conversation mode. The apparatus according to the document JP-A-62-199158 has the disadvantage that in any case the message at the called station is announced even when a facsimile device in automatic mode is calling. The message is normally rather long as it has to announce that there is either the possibility to send a facsimile or to speak onto the automatic telephone receiver. Therefore, there is the additional disadvantage that the calling station has to wait a rather long time till it can really build up a facsimile transmission. The apparatus according to the US-patent US-A-4,677,660 has the disadvantage that facsimile control signals are transmitted from the called station all over the first and second predetermined periods of time when no facsimile request signal is received. These facsimile control signals produce rather unpleasant noise at the calling station. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to provide a facsimile communication apparatus having a function of automatically accepting a telephone conversation request as well as a facsimile communication request without providing for unnecessary announcements on the called side and without producing unpleasant noise at the calling station. The facsimile communication apparatus of the present invention is defined by the teaching of appended claim 1. Within a first predetermined period of time, this apparatus only awaits a facsimile request signal from the calling station. When such signal is received, the facsimile transmission will start without having disturbed a person at the called side by announcing an unnecessary message. A message will only be announced during a second predetermined period of time when the first predetermined period of time has elapsed without receiving a facsimile request signal. Neither in the first nor the second predetermined periods of time, facsimile control signals are sent, therefore excluding the development of unpleasant noise at the calling station. When the second predetermined period of time has elapsed, the line is not directly cut when stopping the announcement, but then facsimile control signals are transmitted, thereby enabling facsimile transmission with a manually operated station, in which an operator intended to have a telephone call before transmitting a facsimile. 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 to control the line between the external telephone line and the facsimile communication apparatus 1, and also it has an automatic line connection function so that facsimile communication apparatus 1 is connected to the telephone lines after a 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 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 signal of an original document transmitted from the facsimile communication apparatus of the calling station is modulated by modem 7, and the image signal at the called station is demodulated by modem 7. 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 the detection of 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 so that when the polarity of the telephone 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 the dial keys. The message storing unit 10 stores a 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 is described in connection with time chart (1) in Fig. 2. At time t0, the automatic dialing system is effected 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 so 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) which is defined by a calling tone of 1100 Hz that continues for 0.5 second, repeated with an interval of 3 seconds. The CNG signal is usually produced by the auto-dial 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 can 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 and, at the same time, the same message is transmitted through the telephone line to the calling station. In this manner, the people in the called station will be informed that the person at the called station is requesting the conversation and, at the same time, the person at the called station holding the handset is informed the "conversation request" is being announced repeatedly at the called station. In the above example, the message announce 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 at which 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 detected at step n3 whether or not the CNG signal has been detected. If yes, the program goes to step n10 at which 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 detected 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 detected 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 so actuating the network control unit by the control 6. As 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.

Claims: A facsimile communication apparatus for a called station which apparatus is operable in either a facsimile mode for receiving a facisimile signal transmitted from a calling station along a telephone line, or a conversation mode for receiving a conversation signal from a calling station along said telephone line, said facsimile communication apparatus comprising: a network control unit (2) for automatically connecting the apparatus to the telephone line upon receipt of a telephone call from the calling station; timer means (11) for counting a first predetermined period of time (T1) and a second predetermined period of time (T2) subsequent to counting said first predetermined period of time; detecting means (8) for detecting a facsimile request signal (CNG signal) from the calling station and for outputting a detection signal in this case; facsimile control signal producing means (9) for producing a facsimile control signal (CED, NFS, CSI, DIS); conversation control means (6) for detecting the start of a conversation; and message producing means (10, 6, 12) for producing and outputting a message during said second predetermined period of time as long as neither said detection signal is outputted by said detection means nor the start of a conversation is detected by said conversation control means; characterized in that said detecting means is arranged to detect said facsimile request signal from the calling station only within said first predetermined period of time; said message producing means is arranged to produce and output said message only within said second predetermined period of time, provided that no start of a conversation is detected by said conversation control means; and said facsimile control signal producing means (9) is arranged to produce said facsimile control signal either when receiving said detection signal from said detecting means, or when said second predetermined period of time has elapsed without the start of a conversation as detected by said conversation control means. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said network control unit (2) is arranged to operate said facsimile communication apparatus in the conversation mode during said second period of time (T2). An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said network control unit (2) is arranged to operate said facsimile communication apparatus in the conversation mode as soon as said conversation control means (6) detects the start of a conversation. An apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein said conversation control means (6) is arranged to detect the start of a conversation by detecting the holding up of a handset (3). An apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein said conversation control means (6) is arranged to detect the start of a conversation by detecting the depression of a conversation start button. An apparatus as claimed in one of the preceding claims, wherein said message producing means (6, 10, 12) produces a message in form of an announcement. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said message producing means comprises message memory means (10) for storing a predetermined message, and speaker means (12) for phonetically producing said message. An apparatus as claimed in one of the claims 1 to 5, wherein said message producing means (6, 12) produces a message in form of a simple sound.

Inventors: HACHINODA MASAYUKI, HAYASHI MOTOHIKO, KOTANI MATAHIRA, MATSUDA TOSHIHIRO, NAKAJIRI TAKASHI, HACHINODA, MASAYUKI, HAYASHI, MOTOHIKO, KOTANI, MATAHIRA, MATSUDA, TOSHIHIRO, NAKAJIRI, TAKASHI
Applicants: SHARP KK, SHARP KABUSHIKI KAISHA
Application year: 1988
Main classification: H04N1
IPC codes: H04N1