JP2718491B2 - Facsimile machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a facsimile apparatus connected to a dial-in contracted line.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional facsimile apparatus is connected to a facsimile-dedicated subscriber line separately from a general telephone.
Generally, a fax number for facsimile is assigned to this dedicated line. In this case, the transmitting side dials the facsimile number to give a calling signal to the receiving side, and the receiving side responds based on this, and performs facsimile reception from the transmitting side.

[0003] In recent years, facsimile apparatuses have become widespread in general, and a usage form in which a telephone line and facsimile transmission / reception are shared by one subscriber line has been widely adopted.

In such a usage form, when a calling signal is given from a line, the receiving side once picks up the handset, and if it is determined that the calling signal is related to facsimile transmission from the transmitting side, the receiving side is manually operated. To switch to the facsimile reception mode to receive the information.

[0005] As another method, when a call signal is given from a line, whether the call signal is for a telephone call or for facsimile transmission / reception, the receiving side is: Once this is automatically answered, it is then determined based on a signal from the calling party whether it relates to a telephone call or to facsimile transmission and reception. Then, as a result of the determination, when the calling side requests a telephone call, the calling side is notified of the incoming call by ringing a ringing tone or the like. The receiving side knows the incoming call from the ringing tone and makes a telephone call with the calling side.

[0006] If the result of the determination is that the transmitting side has requested facsimile transmission, the mode is switched to the facsimile reception mode to receive information.

By the way, NTT (Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Company)
Is connected to the telephone network, and the PBX (Private Branch E
A service called a dial-in service is provided to user terminals including user terminals including xchange). This is generally used in the form as shown in FIG. 3, and when an incoming call from the transmitting side is directly sent to the extension of the PBX 31, it does not pass through the central office relay station (not shown) of the PBX 31 but directly. The extension of the target is called.
In other words, if you subscribe to the dial-in service when you subscribe to a line, a general telephone number is assigned to each incoming extension, and the last one to four digits of the telephone number are used as extension designation numbers from the telephone network 33. By transmitting the call to the PBX 31, the extension of the incoming call is designated.

The connection operation is performed as shown in FIG. That is, from the transmitting side, for example, 0123-45-678
1, 0123-45-6782 and 0123-45
When any one of the three telephone numbers 6783 is dialed, the telephone network 33 first inverts the polarity of the dial-in line 32 and then sends out a calling signal. In response, the PBX 31 closes the dial-in line 32 (temporary response) and then receives the extension designation number (DTMF signal) sent from the telephone line network 33.

The extension designation number is selected within a range of one to four digits based on a contract with the user. For example, when the user selects the last digit of the telephone number at the time of the contract, in the above three telephone numbers, 1, 2, or 3 is received as the extension designation number. After receiving the extension designation number, the PBX 31 temporarily releases the line. Thereafter, the PBX 31 sends a call signal to the extension designated by the above 1, 2 or 3, and when the receiving side goes off-hook, the dial-in line 32 is closed again (secondary response), and a call can be made with the transmitting side. State.

[0010] This dial-in service is provided by PB
Even if only one dial-in line 32 is connected to X31, by assigning different extension designation numbers to a plurality of extensions, a specific one extension designation number can be directly called.

[0011]

However, in a facsimile apparatus such as the above-mentioned conventional example which is connected to a general subscriber line, one subscriber line is shared for telephone calls and facsimile transmission / reception. When a signal is received, it cannot be quickly and reliably determined whether the incoming signal requires a telephone call or a facsimile reception, and thus has the following problems.

That is, generally, when an incoming signal related to facsimile transmission is detected, the incoming call bell is not ringed,
A facsimile apparatus that performs facsimile reception after an automatic response and detects an incoming signal related to a telephone call by a telephone without automatically responding and rings a ringing ring is desirable, but it is very difficult to realize this. Have difficulty.
This is based on the following reasons. That is, it is impossible to determine whether the received signal is related to facsimile reception or a telephone call by using only the incoming signal from the dial-in line.

Therefore, in actuality, regardless of the incoming signal related to facsimile reception or telephone call, the facsimile apparatus automatically responds once and then performs telephone call based on the signal sent from the other party. Is determined, or whether facsimile reception is requested, and if facsimile reception is requested, perform the reception operation without ringing the incoming call ring,
When a telephone call is requested, a method of ringing an incoming call bell and notifying the receiving side of the ringing is generally adopted.

However, in this case, if the calling party is not a facsimile and calls, even if the called party is absent, it automatically responds to the incoming signal.
Call charges are imposed on the calling party. Also, if the calling party is trying to perform facsimile transmission, if the receiving party does not receive CNG within a predetermined time after the automatic answering of the called party, it is determined that a telephone call is requested, so the telephone calling The sound rings.

When the calling party requests a telephone call, after the automatic answering of the called party, a separate time is required to determine which of the telephone call and the facsimile reception is required. Until the determination result is obtained, the calling side is kept waiting. This is rude to the caller, and the caller often unnecessarily cancels the call state, and the caller is charged a call charge corresponding to this time. In addition, since the ringing of the incoming call bell is made on the receiving side after the above determination, the start of the call is delayed by that amount. Further, hardware and software for performing the above-mentioned operation are increased in scale, and the cost is increased as a whole. As described above, the above problem is caused when the automatic response is made to the incoming signal.

On the other hand, in a device that does not automatically respond to an incoming signal, an incoming call is ringing on the receiving side even when the transmitting side is performing facsimile transmission. In response to this, the receiving side requires a very troublesome operation of manually switching to the facsimile receiving mode.

Therefore, it is conceivable to provide a dedicated line for telephones and a dedicated line for facsimile transmission and reception separately. In this case, it is necessary to pay a line usage fee for each dedicated line and provide a dedicated line. This method is not preferable for users who use the facsimile at a low frequency because additional work is required.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and has as its object to use a relatively inexpensive dial-in service to provide a facsimile facsimile number and a telephone Telephone numbers are provided, and if the incoming signal is related to a facsimile number, facsimile reception is immediately performed, while if the incoming signal is related to a telephone number for a telephone, a ringing tone of the telephone is ringed. A facsimile machine is provided.

[0019]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a facsimile apparatus in which the following means are provided in order to solve the above problems.

That is, the facsimile apparatus includes an incoming call detecting means for detecting an incoming call signal from a line for which a dial-in contract is made, a facsimile means for transmitting / receiving information, and a first calling means for making a call. Storage means for storing each extension designation number of the facsimile means and the first call means, and
The extension designation number detecting means for detecting the extension designation number received from the line, the extension designation number detected by the extension designation number detection means, and the extension designation number stored in the storage means are collated and detected. Determining means for determining whether the extension designation number belongs to the facsimile means or to the first calling means; and, based on the result of the determining means, the facsimile means and the first calling means as connection destinations of the line. Switching means for selecting and switching any one of them.

A facsimile apparatus according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the following means are taken in addition to the configuration of the first aspect in order to solve the above problems.

That is, the facsimile apparatus receives information sent via the line in place of the first telephone means when the first telephone means is set to the absence state, and stores the received information. A second communication means, wherein when the line is connected to the first communication means set to the absence state, the switching means connects the line to the second communication means via the first communication means. It has become.

Further, a facsimile apparatus according to a third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the following means are taken in order to solve the above problems.

That is, the facsimile apparatus includes: an incoming call detecting means for detecting that a call signal from a line for which a dial-in contract has been received; a facsimile means for transmitting / receiving information; External call connection means for connecting external call means provided outside the apparatus to the line, storage means for storing each extension designation number of the facsimile means and the external call means, based on the detected call signal, The extension designation number detecting means for detecting the extension designation number received from the line, the extension designation number detected by the extension designation number detection means, and the extension designation number stored in the storage means are collated and detected. Judgment means for judging whether the extension designation number is for facsimile means or external call means, and based on the result of the judgment means. There are, and a switching means for switching to select either one of a facsimile unit and external telephone connecting means as the connection destination of the line.

[0025]

According to the configuration of the first aspect of the invention, when the incoming call detecting means detects that a call signal has arrived from the line for which a dial-in contract has been made, the extension designation received from the line based on the call signal. The number is detected by the extension designation number detecting means.

Then, the detected extension designation number is compared with the extension designation number stored in the storage means by the determination means. As a result of the collation, when it is determined by the determining means that the detected extension designation number belongs to the facsimile means, the connection destination of the line is switched by the switching means and connected to the facsimile means. Thereafter, information from the transmitting side is received by the facsimile means based on a predetermined communication protocol.

On the other hand, as a result of the collation, if the judging means judges that the detected extension designation number belongs to the first communication means, the switching means switches the connection destination of the line to the first communication means. Connected to. Then, the user is informed of this by sounding a ringing tone indicating an incoming call, and the user responds, so that a call is made with the other party. As described above, the switching between the first calling means and the facsimile means is automatically and quickly and reliably performed.
The first communication means and the facsimile means can be shared by using one line.

According to the configuration of the second aspect of the present invention, in addition to the function of the first aspect, when the first communication means is set to the absence state, the line is connected to the first communication means. Then, the line is connected to the second communication means via the first communication means by the switching means. The information sent via the line is received by the second communication means via the first communication means, and the information is stored.

Further, according to the third aspect of the invention, when the incoming call detecting means detects that a call signal has arrived from the line for which a dial-in contract has been made, the extension designation received from the line based on the call signal. The number is detected by the extension designation number detecting means.

Then, the judging means compares the detected extension designation number with the extension designation number stored in the storage means. As a result of the collation, when it is determined by the determining means that the detected extension designation number belongs to the facsimile means, the connection destination of the line is switched by the switching means and connected to the facsimile means. Thereafter, information from the transmitting side is received by the facsimile means based on a predetermined communication protocol.

On the other hand, as a result of the collation, if the judging means judges that the detected extension designation number belongs to the external communication means, the switching means switches the connection destination of the line to the external communication connecting means. Connected. Then, by sending a call signal indicating an incoming call to the external calling means, a ringing tone of the external calling means sounds, and when the user responds to this, the external calling means is connected to the calling side through the external calling connection means. You can talk with As described above, since the switching between the external call connection means and the facsimile means is automatically performed quickly and reliably, the external call means provided outside the apparatus and the facsimile means can be shared using one line.

[0032]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.

The facsimile apparatus according to this embodiment is similar to the facsimile apparatus shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, a telephone line 1 for which a dial-in contract is made with NTT is connected to an incoming call detecting circuit 2 (an incoming call detecting means). The incoming call detection circuit 2 detects an incoming call signal from the telephone line 1. The telephone line 1 is connected to the primary response circuit 5 via a switch circuit 6 and is connected to a telephone circuit 9 via a switch circuit 13 (switching means).
It is connected to the. Further, the telephone line 1 is a switch circuit 1
6 (switching means) and connected to the facsimile 15 (facsimile means).

The incoming signal detected by the incoming detection circuit 2 is sent to the primary response control circuit 3. The primary response control circuit 3 generates a signal for controlling the opening and closing of the switch circuit 6 based on the detected incoming signal and sends the signal to the switch circuit 6. The primary response control circuit 3 controls the primary response procedure based on the detected incoming signal. The primary response circuit 5, based on the output from the primary response control circuit 3, switches the telephone line 1 when the switch circuit 6 is in the closed state.
Is closed, and the received signal is sent to the DTMF receiving circuit 4.

In a DTMF (Dual-tone Multifrequency) receiving circuit 4 (extension designated number detecting means), when the switch circuit 6 is in a closed state (primary response), transmission is performed from the telephone line 1 closed by the primary response circuit 5. Extension number is detected. The extension designation number corresponds to either a telephone number or a fax number.

The extension designation number detected by the DTMF receiving circuit 4 is sent to the matching circuit 8 (determining means). Further, the extension designation number output from the storage circuit 7 is input to the matching circuit 8. The extension number of the facsimile and the telephone is stored in the storage circuit 7 in advance. Matching circuit 8
Then, the extension designation number from the storage circuit 7 is compared with the extension designation number detected from the DTMF receiving circuit 4, and the result is sent to the telephone selection circuit 14 or the facsimile selection circuit 17 as a selection signal. Therefore, the collating circuit 8 determines whether the detected extension designation number is for facsimile or telephone (that is, whether the incoming signal is for facsimile or telephone). Is done).

If the result of the determination by the matching circuit 8 is that the incoming signal is for a telephone, a selection signal is sent from the matching circuit 8 to the telephone selecting circuit 14 and the telephone selecting circuit 14 of the switching circuit 18 Selected. Then, the telephone selection circuit 14
The switch circuit 13 is controlled to be in a closed state (at this time, the switch circuit 16 is in an open state) based on the control signal from the telephone line 1, and the telephone line 1 is connected to the telephone circuit 9.

At this time, a telephone circuit 9 (first telephone means) for making a normal telephone call notifies the receiving side of the incoming (ringing) sound of the telephone via the speaker 11. After confirming the ring tone, the receiving side sets the call handset 1
A call is made to the sender via 0 (ie, by off-hook of the handset 10). An answering machine circuit 12 (second communication means) is connected to the telephone circuit 9, and information (message) sent via the line when the telephone circuit 9 is set to the answering machine is transmitted to the telephone circuit 9. Instead of being received and stored.

On the other hand, if the incoming signal is for a facsimile, the selection signal is sent from the matching circuit 8 to the facsimile selection circuit 17, and the facsimile selection circuit 17 is selected from the switching circuit 18. Then, based on the control signal from the facsimile selection circuit 17, the switch circuit 16
Is controlled to a closed state (at this time, the switch circuit 13 is opened), the telephone line 1 is connected to the facsimile 15, a reception start signal is given to the facsimile 15, and the facsimile 15 performs facsimile reception.

The primary response control circuit 3, collation circuit 8, telephone selection circuit 14, and facsimile selection circuit 17
May be constituted by the same microcomputer or the like.
Further, the switches 6, 13 and 16 are in an open state at the time of each operation standby.

Here, the operation of the facsimile apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 at the time of an incoming call will be described as follows. For convenience of explanation, the fax number for the facsimile is 0123-45-6781, the telephone number for the telephone is 0123-45-6782, and the extension designation number for the facsimile is 1 on the dial-in contracted line. And the extension designation number for the telephone is 2. It is assumed that these extension designation numbers are stored in the storage circuit 7 in advance via input means (not shown).

The transmitting side has a fax number 0123-45.
Dial 6781 or the phone number 0123-
When you dial 45-6782, dial-in line 1
And a call signal is received. This call signal is detected by the incoming call detection circuit 2, and the result is sent to the primary response control circuit 3. Accordingly, the switch circuit 6 is controlled to be closed by the primary response control circuit 3, and then the telephone line 1 is closed by the primary response circuit 5. The closing of the telephone line 1 corresponds to the primary response signal in FIG.

Thus, the telephone line 1 is connected to the primary response circuit 5
When the telephone is closed, the extension number 1 or 2
Is sent to the DTMF receiving circuit 4 as a DTMF signal. DT
After detecting the DTMF signal, the MF receiving circuit 4 sends the corresponding extension designation number to the matching circuit 8 and notifies the primary response control circuit 3 of the end of the extension designation number reception. I have. When the primary response control circuit 3 receives the reception end notification, the switch circuit 6 is opened and the telephone line 1 is opened.

On the other hand, the collating circuit 8 verifies the extension designation number based on the DTMF signal received and detected by the DTMF receiving circuit 4 with the facsimile extension designation number and the telephone extension designation number stored in the storage circuit 7. You. As a result of this collation, when it is determined that the detected DTMF signal matches the facsimile extension designation number 1, a control signal to that effect is sent to the facsimile selection circuit 17, while the detected DTMF signal is transmitted to the telephone extension designation number. When it is determined that they match 2, a control signal to that effect is sent to the telephone selection circuit 14.

That is, when an incoming call arrives at the telephone, the telephone selection circuit 14
Is controlled to a closed state, and then a control signal is sent to the telephone circuit 9 to cause the speaker 11 to ring a ringtone. And
When the user confirms this ring tone and then off-hooks the telephone handset 10, the telephone circuit 1 closes the telephone line 1 (corresponding to the secondary response signal in FIG. 4), and the ring tone from the speaker 11 is output. Ringing is stopped. In this state, a telephone call can be made between the telephone handset 10 and the telephone line 1 via the interface of the telephone circuit 9.
Then, when the call handset 10 is hooked on after the end of the call, the telephone line 1 is opened by the telephone circuit 9 and then a call end signal is sent to the telephone selection circuit 14.
The switch circuit 13 is controlled to the open state by the telephone selection circuit 14 based on the call end signal, so that the facsimile apparatus returns to the standby state.

By the way, when there is an incoming call to the telephone and the answering machine circuit 12 is set to the answering machine state, the switch circuit 13 is controlled to the closed state by the telephone selecting circuit 14 as described above. Thereafter, a ringing tone is called from the speaker 11 and an incoming call signal is also sent to the answering machine circuit 12.

When the answering machine circuit 12 receives an incoming signal for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times, the telephone circuit 9 is controlled to close the telephone line 1 (secondary response), and the answering machine circuit 12 and the telephone line 1 Are connected via an interface of the telephone circuit 9. After that, the answering machine circuit 12
After sending a response message to the caller, a message (information) from the caller is received and recorded. When the calling side hangs up the telephone, a busy tone from the telephone line 1 is detected, the telephone circuit 9 is controlled to release the telephone line 1, and an end signal is sent to the telephone selection circuit 14. Since the switch circuit 13 is controlled to the open state by the telephone selection circuit 14 based on this end signal, the facsimile apparatus returns to the standby state.

On the other hand, when there is an incoming call to the facsimile,
The facsimile selection circuit 17 controls the switch circuit 16 to be in a closed state, and thereafter, a reception start signal is given from the facsimile selection circuit 17 to the facsimile 15. The facsimile 15 starts a receiving operation based on the reception start signal, and first, after closing the telephone line 1 by the facsimile 15, performs transmission and reception of a control signal with the transmitting side,
Receives a facsimile image and prints it on recording paper.
When facsimile reception is completed, facsimile 1
5 is a facsimile selecting circuit 1 after the telephone line 1 is released.
7, a facsimile reception end signal is sent. As a result, the switch circuit 16 is controlled to the open state by the facsimile selection circuit 17, and the facsimile apparatus returns to the standby state.

Here, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
This will be described below with reference to FIG. Note that members having the same functions as those in the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted here.

The facsimile apparatus according to the present embodiment has an external telephone connection circuit 19 instead of the telephone circuit 9 of the above embodiment.
(External telephone connection means) is provided, and an external telephone 20 (external telephone means) is connected to the external telephone connection circuit 19, and accordingly, the telephone in the switching circuit 18 (switching means) of the above embodiment is connected. Except that an external telephone selection circuit 21 is provided instead of the selection circuit 14, it has basically the same configuration as that of the above embodiment.

Therefore, as the extension designation number stored in the storage circuit 7, the telephone number of the external telephone 20 and the fax number of the facsimile 15 are stored.

The external telephone connection circuit 19 detects a signal from the telephone line 1 and connects the telephone line 1 to the external telephone 20 by detecting a connection terminal (not shown) for connecting the external telephone 20. And a circuit (not shown) for sending a call signal to the external telephone 20. The telephone line 1 is connected to an external telephone connection circuit 19 via a switch circuit 13 (switching means).

As a result of the collation by the collation circuit 8, if the received extension designation number matches the extension designation number of the external telephone set 20, a selection signal is sent to the external telephone selection circuit 21 in the switching circuit 18, The external telephone selection circuit 21 is selected.
On the other hand, if the received extension designation number matches the extension designation number of the facsimile 15, the selection signal
8 is sent to the facsimile selection circuit 17 and the facsimile selection circuit 17 is selected.

The external telephone selection circuit 21 is provided with a matching circuit 8
When it is determined by the (determining means) that there is an incoming call to the external telephone 20, the switch circuit 13 is controlled to a closed state, and a calling signal is transmitted to the external telephone 20. Then, when the external telephone 20 is off-hook, a call can be made between the external telephone 20 and the calling side. On the other hand, if it is determined by the matching circuit 8 (determining means) that there is an incoming call to the facsimile 15, the switch circuit 16 (switching means) is controlled to a closed state so that the facsimile 15 receives a facsimile image from the transmission side. It has become.

According to the above configuration, when the collation circuit 8 determines that there is an incoming call to the external telephone set 20, the external telephone connection circuit 19 controls the switch circuit 13 to the closed state. Thereafter, a call signal is sent to the external telephone set 20 via the external telephone connection circuit 19 to cause the external telephone set 20 to ring. When the user confirms the ring tone and turns off the handset of the external telephone 20 and answers, the transmission of the call signal to the external telephone 20 is stopped, the ringing of the ring tone is stopped, and the telephone call is stopped. Since the line 1 is closed by the external telephone connection circuit 19 (corresponding to the secondary response signal), a telephone call can be made between the external telephone 20 and the calling side via the telephone line 1. After the end of the call, when the external telephone 20 is turned on, the telephone line 1 is released by the external telephone connection circuit 19, and a call end signal is sent to the external telephone selection circuit 21. This termination signal is sent to the external telephone selection circuit 21.
Is received, the switch 13 is controlled to the open state.
The facsimile machine returns to the standby state.

On the other hand, when there is an incoming call to the facsimile,
The facsimile selection circuit 17 controls the switch circuit 16 to a closed state, and thereafter, a reception start signal is given from the facsimile selection circuit 17 to the facsimile 15. The facsimile 15 starts a receiving operation based on the reception start signal. After the telephone line 1 is closed by the facsimile 15, the facsimile 15 transmits and receives a control signal to and from the transmitting side, and receives a facsimile image. This is printed on recording paper. When the facsimile reception is completed, the facsimile 15
Is a facsimile selecting circuit 17 after releasing the telephone line 1.
To the end of facsimile reception. As a result, the switch circuit 16 is controlled to the open state by the facsimile selection circuit 17, and the facsimile apparatus returns to the standby state.

In the above two embodiments, examples have been described in which the incoming call detection circuit 2 operates by receiving a call signal from the telephone line 1, but the present invention is not limited to this. A configuration for detecting the presence or absence of an incoming call by detecting the reversal of the polarity of the line 1 may be used, or a configuration for detecting the presence or absence of an incoming call by combining the two.

The telephones in the above two embodiments are:
The present invention can be applied not only to a normal telephone line interface but also to a cordless telephone having a slave unit. At this time, if there is an incoming call to the telephone, the incoming call is notified to the receiving side by ringing a ringing tone from the slave unit, and when the outside line capturing operation is performed by the slave unit, the communication state is established with the telephone line 1. On the other hand, when an outside line releasing operation is performed by the slave unit, the telephone line 1 is released and returns to the original state.

[0059]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an incoming call detecting means for detecting that a call signal from a line for which a dial-in contract has been received, a facsimile means for transmitting and receiving information, and a telephone call. First calling means for performing a call, storage means for storing the extension designation numbers of the facsimile means and the first calling means, and an extension for detecting the extension designation number received from the line based on the detected calling signal. The designated number detecting means and the extension designated number detected by the extension designated number detecting means are compared with the extension designated number stored in the storage means, and whether the detected extension designated number is that of the facsimile means, Alternatively, a judging means for judging whether or not the line belongs to the first calling means, and based on the result of the judging means, the facsimile means and the first calling means as connection destinations of the line. A configuration in which a switching means for switching to select one.

Therefore, the switching between the first calling means and the facsimile means is automatically and promptly and reliably performed, and the sharing of the first calling means and the facsimile means can be reduced by using a single line. Can be realized. In addition, conventionally, there is also an effect that it is possible to avoid a situation in which a caller is burdened with a call charge because an automatic answer is made even when the called party is absent.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, as described above, in addition to the configuration of the first aspect, when the first telephone means is set to the absence state, the information transmitted via the line is transmitted to the first telephone.
A second communication means for receiving the information in place of the communication means and storing the received information;
When connected to the communication means, the line is connected to the second communication means via the first communication means by the switching means.

Therefore, in addition to the effect of the first aspect, even when the first communication means is set to the absence state, the line is switched to the second communication means via the first communication means by the switching means. The information that is connected and sent via the line is reliably received by the second communication means, and the information is stored, so that the information can be transmitted and received efficiently without imposing a time constraint on the transmitting side. Play.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided an incoming call detecting means for detecting the arrival of a call signal from a line for which a dial-in contract has been made, a facsimile means for transmitting and receiving information, and a switching means. Based on the output, external call connection means for connecting external call means provided outside the apparatus to the line, storage means for storing the extension designation numbers of the facsimile means and the external call means, and a detected call The extension designation number detecting means for detecting the extension designation number received from the line based on the signal, and the extension designation number detected by the extension designation number detection means and the extension designation number stored in the storage means are compared. And determining means for determining whether the detected extension designation number is for facsimile means or for external communication means,
Switching means for selecting and switching one of facsimile means and external call connection means as a connection destination of the line based on the result of the determination means.

Therefore, the switching between the external call connection means and the facsimile means is automatically and quickly and reliably performed.
Using one line, sharing of external communication means and facsimile means can be realized at a low contract fee. Also, conventionally,
Even if the called party is absent, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the calling party is forced to bear the call charge because it automatically answers. Further, this configuration has an effect that it is effective when an external telephone is connected to an inexpensive facsimile having no telephone means such as a telephone circuit.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main part of a configuration of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main part of a configuration of another facsimile apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram illustrating a dial-in service that is connected to a telephone line network and performed for a user terminal including a PBX.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a connection operation of a dial-in line.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Telephone line (Dial-in contracted line) 2 Incoming detection circuit (incoming detecting means) 3 Primary response control circuit 4 DTMF receiving circuit (extension designated number detecting means) 7 Storage circuit (memory means) 8 Matching circuit (determining means) DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Handset for telephone calls (1st telephone means) 12 Answering machine circuit (2nd telephone means) 18 Switching circuit (switching means) 19 External telephone connection circuit (external telephone connection means)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An incoming call detecting means for detecting an incoming call signal from a line for which a dial-in contract has been made, a facsimile means for transmitting and receiving information, a first calling means for making a telephone call, the facsimile means, Storage means for storing each extension designation number of the first telephone means, extension designation number detection means for detecting an extension designation number received from the line based on the detected call signal, and extension designation number detection means The detected extension designation number is compared with the extension designation number stored in the storage means, and it is determined whether the detected extension designation number is for the facsimile means or the first call means. And selecting and switching either one of the facsimile means and the first telephone means as a connection destination of the line based on a result of the determination means. Facsimile apparatus characterized by comprising a switching means. And a second communication means for receiving information sent via a line in place of the first communication means and storing the received information when the first communication means is set to the absence state. Wherein the switching means connects the line to the second communication means via the first communication means when the line is connected to the first communication means set to the absence state. The facsimile apparatus according to claim 1. And a facsimile means for transmitting / receiving information, and a facsimile means for transmitting / receiving information. The facsimile means is provided outside the apparatus based on an output of the switching means. External call connection means for connecting the external call means to the line, storage means for storing the extension designation numbers of the facsimile means and the external call means, and a call signal received from the line based on the detected call signal. The extension designation number detecting means for detecting the extension designation number, the extension designation number detected by the extension designation number detection means is compared with the extension designation number stored in the storage means, and the detected extension designation number is transmitted by facsimile. And a connection destination of the line based on a result of the determination means. Facsimile apparatus characterized by comprising a switching means for switching to select either one of a facsimile unit and the external call connection means Te.