Facsimile and static presentation processing – Facsimile – Facsimile system interface
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-15
2001-02-20
Mancuso, Joseph (Department: 2723)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Facsimile
Facsimile system interface
Reexamination Certificate
active
06191869
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a facsimile machine provided with a telephone conversation function.
2. Description of the Related Art
Conventionally, a protocol for telephone conversation reservation (telephone conversation reservation function) has been available for facsimile machines provided with a telephone conversation function. In a facsimile machine provided with such a telephone conversation reservation function, when a telephone conversation reservation is made by a predetermined procedure at either a calling party side terminal or a receiving party side terminal during facsimile communication, the terminal generates a calling sound after facsimile communication. When either party of the terminals responds to the calling sound and lifts the handset, the facsimile communication mode of the terminal is shifted to the telephone conversation mode, and telephone conversation can be carried out between the calling party side and the receiving party side.
However, in the above-mentioned conventional facsimile machine provided with a telephone conversation function, a telephone conversation reservation function is required at both the calling and receiving party side terminals in order to shift the facsimile communication mode to the telephone conversation mode after facsimile communication. Therefore, terminals whose modes can be shifted to the telephone conversation mode after facsimile communication by telephone conversation reservation are limited in number. For example, when the receiving party side terminal is not provided with the telephone conversation reservation function, the calling party side must make a call again to confirm whether transmitted images have been received properly by the receiving party side, or the receiving party side must make a call to the calling party side. As a result, troublesome operation is required at the calling or receiving party side. In addition, extra charges are required.
Even when the telephone conversation reservation function is provided at both the calling and receiving party side terminals, if an error or the like occurs during facsimile communication, shifting to the telephone conversation mode cannot be attained. Therefore, if an error occurs during facsimile communication and images cannot be received properly, the calling party side must make a call again to the receiving party side, or the receiving party side must make a call to the calling party side. As a result, troublesome operation is required at the calling or receiving party side. In addition, extra charges are required.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to provide a facsimile machine capable of securely shifting the facsimile communication mode to the telephone conversation mode after facsimile communication even if an error occurs during facsimile communication, without needing a telephone conversation reservation function.
In order to attain the above-mentioned object, in a first aspect of the invention a facsimile machine having a telephone conversation function comprises sound emitter for externally emitting a signal sound transmitted through a communication line, and a controller for maintaining occupation of the communication line for a predetermined time after facsimile communication, and for controlling the sound emitter to externally emit the signal sound transmitted through the communication line.
According to the first aspect of the invention, the controller maintains the occupation of the communication line for a predetermined time after facsimile communication, and the sound emitter externally emits the signal sound transmitted through the communication line, whereby the calling party side can easily recognize whether the receiving party side requests a call or not. Furthermore, in this state, shifting to the telephone conversation mode can be attained by performing simple operation such as lifting the handset. Therefore, even when no telephone conversation reservation function is available at the calling or receiving party side, and even if an error occurs during facsimile communication, shifting to the telephone conversation mode after the facsimile communication can be attained securely.
In a second aspect of the invention, a facsimile machine having a telephone conversation function comprises a detector for detecting a call-ending signal generated in response to a receiving party side terminal releasing a communication line (i.e., ending conversation by hanging up), a sound emitter for externally emitting a signal sound transmitted through a communication line, and a controller for maintaining occupation of the communication line until the detector detects the call-ending signal after facsimile communication, and for controlling the sound emitter to externally emit the signal sound transmitted through the communication line.
According to the second aspect of the invention, the controller maintains the occupation of the communication line until the detector detects the call-ending signal due to the receiving party side releasing a communication line (i.e., ending conversation by hanging up) after facsimile communication, and the sound emitter externally emits the signal sound transmitted through the communication line, whereby the calling party side can easily recognize that the receiving party side requests a call. Furthermore, in this state, shifting to the telephone conversation mode can be attained by performing a simple operation such as lifting the handset. Moreover, the calling party side can end communication immediately when the receiving party side does not request any call.
In a third aspect of the invention, a facsimile machine having a telephone conversation function comprises a detector for detecting a call-ending signal generated in response to a receiving party side terminal releasing a communication line, a calling device for externally emitting a calling sound, and a controller for maintaining occupation of the communication line until the detector detects the end of conversation on the receiving party side after facsimile communication and for controlling the calling device to externally emit the calling sound.
According to the third aspect of the invention, the controller maintains the occupation of the communication line until the detector detects the call-ending signal due to the receiving party side terminal releasing the communication line after facsimile communication, and the calling device externally emits a calling sound, whereby the calling party side can easily recognize that the receiving party side requests a call. Furthermore, in this state, shifting to the telephone conversation mode can be attained by performing a simple operation such as lifting the handset. Moreover, the calling party side can end communication immediately when the receiving party side does not request any call.
According to the second or third aspect of the invention, even when the calling party side or the receiving party side has no telephone conversation function, or even when an error occurs during facsimile communication, shifting to the telephone conversation mode can be attained securely after facsimile communication. Furthermore, the calling party side can end communication immediately, when the receiving party side does not require any call after facsimile communication. Accordingly, it is possible to avoid useless occupation of the communication line and extra communication charges.
In a fourth aspect of the invention, the facsimile machine comprises a sound output device for outputting a sound indicating that the calling party is being called, wherein the controller for transmitting the sound from the sound output device maintains the communication line until the detector detects the call-ending signal generated in response to the receiving party side terminal releasing the communication line after facsimile communication.
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the controller maintains the occupation of the communication line until the detector
Cooperrider F. E.
Mancuso Joseph
Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
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