JPS6348063A - Facsimile equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To elevate an operational ability by providing an acoustic coupler, a facsimile main body which has a built-in modulator-demodulator to convert a sound signal from the acoustic coupler into a picture data signal, and an auxiliary hand set to sound-output the sound signal inputted from the acoustic coupler. CONSTITUTION:The hand set 15 is hooked off and the telephone number of a partner to be transmitted is dialed through the dial key 12b of an existing telephone set 12, then, at the point of a time when the partner takes up his handset, a message to send a picture is informed. Next, when the transmitting key of the facsimile main body 14 is depressed the acoustic coupler 13 is connected to the modulator-demodulator by the action of an inside switch circuit, and the picture is read, is made to be the picture data signal, is converted into the sound signal by the modulator-demodulator, and is sound-outputted in the acoustic coupler 13. Said sound is converted again into the sound signal in the handset 12a, and is transmitted to a telephone line 11 through the existing telephone set 12, then the picture data is transmitted to the facsimile equipment of the partner. Accordingly, while the handset of the existing telephone set is left being set on the acoustic coupler, a voice communication with the partner side can be carried on, and the operational ability is elevated.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a portable facsimile Hffi, and particularly to a facsimile device that is connected to a handset of an existing telephone via an acoustic coupler.

[Prior Art] A typical facsimile machine consists of a facsimile main body 1 and a telephone section 2, as shown in FIG. Usually, the telephone 2 is connected to a telephone line connected to a telephone office, and the telephone line is switched and connected to the facsimile body only when transmitting/receiving an image (original).

The procedure for transmitting an image using such a facsimile device is as follows. First, a sheet of paper on which an image (original) to be transmitted is drawn is set in the original insertion slot 3 of the facsimile body 1, and the handset 4 of the telephone section 2 is picked up.

Then, as shown in the operating procedure flowchart of FIG. 4, confirm that a dial tone is heard on sl. After confirming the dial tone, the user dials the destination telephone number using the dial key 5. Then, in s2, the ringing tone of the destination telephone d is heard. If the ring tone is heard, the call is not in progress at the destination telephone center, so when the other party picks up the handset, a message to send the image is sent in step s3. Thereafter, for example, by pressing a send key provided on the operation panel of the facsimile main body 1, the telephone line is connected to the facsimile main body 1 and image transmission is started. Note that when transmission is started, the handset 4 is put down.

Also, if it is a busy tone instead of a ringing tone in S2,
After a certain period of time has elapsed, the user puts down the handset 4 and hangs up the call.

Further, when receiving an image from another facsimile device, the operation is performed as shown in FIG. That is, when the telephone 2 hears the ringing bell in S4, the telephone 2 picks up the handset 4. Then, in S5, a voice message is received from the sender. Thereafter, the telephone line is switched from the telephone 2 side to the facsimile main body 1 side using the reception key or the like on the facsimile main body 1.

In addition to the above-mentioned facsimile machine which is a combination of a telephone and a facsimile main body, a facsimile machine in which an acoustic cover is attached to the facsimile main body has been considered. In such facsimile machines,
Images can be sent and received by simply installing an acoustic coupler to the handset of an existing telephone. In other words, when sending and receiving images, after contacting the other party at the existing telephone station, attach the handset of the existing telephone to the acoustic coupler, and press the send or receive key on the facsimile machine to send and receive the image. is started.

By using the acoustic coupler in this manner, this facsimile device can be made portable, and images can be easily transmitted and received from existing telephone halls installed in various locations.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, facsimile machines using the above acoustic coupler have the following problems. That is, in order to transmit image data at high speed using an acoustic coupler, it is necessary to firmly fix the handset of an existing telephone to an acoustic coupler.

Therefore, the handset is generally fixed with a belt or rubber band. However, before the facsimile machine actually starts transmitting and receiving image data, that is, from S1 to
During the operation period of S3 and S4 to $5, it is necessary to be able to talk to the other party. This is s? If you perform a sending/receiving operation on the facsimile main body at Jl without checking the status of the other party's facsimile machine, there is a problem that the leading part of the image may be missing, making it impossible to send or receive the image accurately.

In order to eliminate this inconvenience, it is possible to attach the handset to the acoustic coupler after thorough discussion with the other party, but as mentioned above, it is necessary to securely fix the handset with a belt or rubber band. Therefore, considerable labor time is required to attach the handset to the acoustic coupler. As a result, in addition to the time required to actually transmit and receive image data, extra time is required to attach the handset, resulting in an increase in call charges.

The present invention has been made based on these circumstances, and its purpose is to replace the handset of an existing telephone with an acoustic coupler by providing an auxiliary handset that listens to the audio signal input from the acoustic coupler. To provide a portable facsimile device that allows voice communication with the other party while the facsimile device is set, improves operability, and reduces call charges.

In addition to the above object, another object of the invention is to provide a facsimile machine that is equipped with a horizontal splitting tS device and can directly connect a facsimile main body to a telephone line.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The facsimile device of the present invention includes an acoustic coupler that is selectively attached to a handset of an existing telephone connected to a telephone line;
It is equipped with a facsimile main body that has a built-in modem (MODEM) that converts the audio signal from the acoustic coupler into an image data signal, and an auxiliary handset that outputs the audio signal input from the acoustic coupler.

In addition to the above invention, another invention is a network control device (NCU) for directly connecting a facsimile main body to a telephone line.
) is provided so as to be freely connectable to the telephone line, and furthermore, a telephone section is provided which is connected to the telephone line via this network control device, and the auxiliary handset is switched and connected between the telephone section and the acoustic coupler by a switch. That's what I do.

C Effect: With the facsimile machine configured in this way, it is possible to make calls using the auxiliary handset while the handset of the existing telephone is attached to the acoustic coupler.

Therefore, even if the handset of the existing telephone is connected to the acoustic coupler before starting dialing operations using the dial keys of the existing telephone, the user can operate the facsimile main body while communicating with the person to be called by voice. Therefore, operability is greatly improved.

In addition to the above-mentioned functions, another invention provides a horizontal splitting @ device that can directly connect the facsimile main unit and the telephone line, a telephone section, and a switch that switches the auxiliary handset between the acoustic coupler side and the telephone section side. Therefore, by connecting the Ii-based WJ device U to the telephone line and switching the switch to the telephone section side, images can be sent and received with the facsimile body directly connected to the telephone line.

[Example code] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a facsimile machine according to an embodiment. In the figure, reference numeral 11 indicates a telephone line connected to a telephone exchange at a telephone office, and an existing telephone set 12 is connected to this telephone line 11. And the handset 1 of this existing telephone 12
2a is fixed to the acoustic coupler 13 of the facsimile machine of the embodiment with a rubber band 13a. And acoustic coupler 13
is connected to a facsimile main body 14 having a built-in modem (modem, modem, modem). Further, an auxiliary handset 15 is connected to the facsimile main body 14.

Normally, the auxiliary handset 15 is directly connected to the acoustic coupler 13 by a switching circuit provided within the facsimile body 14. Therefore, when the facsimile body 14 is not in use, the auxiliary handset 15 is used to call the existing telephone vi1.
2 sending and receiving 1j! It is possible to directly hear the voice emitted from the telephone 112a, and it is also possible to input the voice from this auxiliary handset 14 to the handset 12a of the existing telephone 12. Further, the switching circuit provided in the facsimile main body 14 is switched in response to key operation of a transmit key or a receive key provided on the operation panel of the facsimile main body 14. Then, when the switching circuit operates, the auxiliary handset 1
5 is disconnected from the acoustic coupler 13, and the acoustic coupler 13 is connected to a modem (MODEM). This modem (MO
The DEM converts the audio signal input from the acoustic coupler 13 into an image data signal when receiving an image, and converts the image data signal sent to the acoustic coupler 13 into an audio signal when transmitting an image.

The operation of the facsimile machine configured as described above will be explained. First, the case of transmitting image 9 (original) will be explained. First, a transmission image (original) is set on the facsimile main body 14. Next, the handset 12a of the existing telephone set 12 is fixed to the acoustic coupler 13 with a rubber band 13a. Then, the handset 12a of the existing telephone 12 and the auxiliary handset 15 are directly connected via the acoustic coupler 13. In addition, handset 1
2a is set in the acoustic coupler 13, if the auxiliary handset 15 is placed on the existing telephone 12, the existing telephone 12 will not be busy. And the operator
Pick up the auxiliary handset 15 and use the dial key 12b of the existing telephone 12 to dial the destination telephone number. When the other party picks up the handset, inform the other party that you will send the image.

Thereafter, when the send key on the facsimile body 14 is pressed, the internal switching circuit operates and the acoustic coupler 13 is connected to the modem. Then, the image is read into an image data signal, which is converted into an audio signal by the modem, and is output as audio by the acoustic coupler 13. This voice is converted into a voice signal again by the handset 12a, and then sent to the telephone line 11 via the telephone gate 12.
sent to. The image data is then transmitted to the other party's facsimile machine. Note that when transmission starts, the auxiliary handset 15 is connected to the existing telephone 12 as shown in the figure.
place it somewhere else.

Also, set the handset 12afi-acoustic coupler 13,
And with the auxiliary handset 15 placed on the existing telephone 12,
When receiving an image from another facsimile machine, when the existing telephone 12 rings, the auxiliary handset 15 is picked up. Then, you will be contacted by voice from the sender. Thereafter, when the reception key of the facsimile main body 14 is pressed, the acoustic coupler 13 is connected to the modem, and the facsimile main body 14 starts receiving image data.

With the facsimile machine configured in this way, normal voice calls can be carried out using the auxiliary handset 15 while the handset 12a of the existing telephone farm 12 is attached to the acoustic coupler 13. Therefore, the dial key 1 of the existing telephone 12
Before starting dialing operation on 2b, check the existing telephone method 12.
Even if the transmitter/receiver 12a is attached to the acoustic coupler 13,
The facsimile main body 14 can be operated while communicating with the destination by voice. Therefore, errors in transmitting and receiving images (original documents) can be reduced, and operability can be greatly improved.

Furthermore, since the telephone line is not connected to the destination telephone or facsimile main body during the period when the handset 12a is attached to the acoustic coupler 13, call charges can be saved compared to a facsimile machine using a conventional acoustic coupler.

Furthermore, by using the acoustic coupler 13, an existing telephone can send and receive image data to and from the facsimile device of the destination via the acoustic coupler 12, making this facsimile device portable and easy to use wherever a telephone is installed. It has the same effect as a facsimile machine using a conventional acoustic coupler.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a facsimile machine according to another embodiment of the present invention. The same parts as in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals. In addition, in this example,
The existing telephone section 12 shown in FIG. 1 is not shown. In the figure, 21 is a low set connected to an external telephone line 11, and this rosette 21 is connected to the existing telephone 12 described above or the network control unit (NCU) of the facsimile machine of this embodiment.
22 are alternatively connected. This network control unit (NCU)
22 is a modem in the facsimile body 14 <MODE~1
) and has a dial function.
Connected to 3. The telephone section 23 has a dial key 23a
The network control unit (NCU>22) and the auxiliary handset 15 connected via the switch 24 have the functions of a normal telephone.

The modem of the facsimile main body 14 is connected to the horizontal split @ device (
NCU) 22 and is also connected to the acoustic coupler 13 via an amplifier 25.

The acoustic coupler 13 is connected to the amplifier 25 and the switch 24.
It is connected to the auxiliary handset 25 via.

The switching device 24 is switched, for example, by operating a switch attached to the operation panel of the facsimile main body 14.

The operation of the facsimile machine configured as described above will be explained. First, if the existing telephone 12 is connected to the rosette 21, connect the switch 24 to side b using the changeover switch on the facsimile body 14, and connect the auxiliary handset 15 to the acoustic coupler 13 via the amplifier 25. I'll let it happen. Then, as in the previous embodiment, the handset 12a of the existing telephone 12 is
is set in the acoustic coupler 13, and then dial the destination telephone number using the dial key 12b of the existing telephone line 12. After establishing voice contact with the destination, when the send key on the facsimile body 14 is pressed, the image data signal is converted into an audio signal by the modem and sent to the acoustic coupler 13 via the amplifier 25.

Then, it is converted into audio by the acoustic coupler 13 and the existing telephone 1
The signal is input to the No. 2 handset 12a. The image data is then transmitted to the destination facsimile machine.

Next, we will explain the case where the existing IW telephone 12 is removed from the rosette 21 and the network control unit (NCU>22 is connected to the telephone line 11.
is connected to the a side, and the auxiliary handset 15 is connected to the telephone section 23. Then, the user dials the destination telephone number using the dial key 23a of the telephone section 23. After establishing voice contact with the destination, press the send key on the facsimile main unit 14, the image data signal is converted to an audio signal by the modem, and the signal is sent directly to the telephone line via the network control unit (NCU) 22.
! It is sent to 1llll. The image data is then transmitted to the destination facsimile machine.

With a facsimile device configured in this way, if the existing portable telephone 12 can be easily attached and detached from the rosette 21 using a soldering machine or the like, the existing telephone 1
Image data can be transmitted and received by removing NCU 2 and directly connecting network control unit (NCU) 22 to rosette 21. Therefore, since the image data signal can be directly transmitted without first converting it into audio, more accurate image transmission and reception can be performed. Additionally, handling operations are simplified.

Of course, it is also possible to transmit and receive image data using the acoustic coupler 13 as shown in the previous embodiment.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, an auxiliary handset that listens to the audio signal input from the acoustic coupler is provided. Therefore, voice calls can be made with the other party while the handset of the existing telephone is set in the acoustic coupler, improving operability and reducing call charges.

Furthermore, since it is equipped with a network control device, the facsimile main body can be directly connected to a telephone line, and image data can be sent and received more accurately.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a facsimile machine according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the schematic configuration of a facsimile machine according to another embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
The figure is an external view of a general facsimile machine, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing the operating procedure of the general facsimile machine. 11...Telephone line, 12...Existing telephone d, 12a.
... handset, 12b... dial key, 13... acoustic coupler, 13a... rubber band, 14... facsimile body, 15... auxiliary handset, 21... rosette, 22...・Network control unit (NCU), 23... Telephone section, 23a... Dial key, 24 River switch, 25
···amplifier. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue - Figure 2 Figure 3 (,1o4- station) Figure 4 (NeL call station) Figure 5

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) An acoustic coupler that is selectively attached to the handset of an existing telephone connected to a telephone line, and a modem (MODEM) that converts the audio signal from this acoustic coupler into an image data signal.
), and an auxiliary handset that outputs audio signals input from the acoustic coupler. (2) An acoustic coupler that is selectively attached to the handset of an existing telephone connected to a telephone line, and a modem (MODEM) that converts the audio signal from this acoustic coupler into an image data signal.
), an auxiliary handset for outputting audio signals input from the acoustic coupler, and an auxiliary handset that is connectable to the telephone line, for directly connecting the facsimile body to the telephone line. a network control unit (NCU), a telephone unit connected to the telephone line via the network control unit, and a switching device for switching and connecting the auxiliary handset to the telephone unit and the acoustic coupler. A facsimile device characterized by: