GB2297219A - FAX receipt confirmation - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus and a method are disclosed for confirming from a remote place the content of document received by a facsimile. The facsimile apparatus is set to a "secretary function" mode by the user during his absence. On receipt of an incoming call, an answering machine 80 is powered up or driven into operation. In response to a calling tone provided to a telephone line of the facsimile, the facsimile receives and stores document data in the answering machine 80. Afterwards, in response to another tone, such as a dual tone, applied through the said telephone line, the facsimile transmits the received document data to the said telephone line.

Description

FACSIMILE RECEIPT CONFIRMATIONThe present invention relates to an apparatus and a method for confirming from a remote place the content of a document received by a facsimile.

In general, as communication appliances are developed, many auxiliary appliances for business have been produced. As a result of this trend, facsimile functions have changed and diversified. Conventional facsimiles had a simple reception function, but modern facsimiles have many functions such as automatic reception, automatic response, and memory reception. However, with conventional facsimiles, the user cannot confirm a document received through the facsimile until he returns.

Therefore, in the conventional facsimile, there arises a problem in that it is difficult for the user to confirm in a remote place the content of a document received through the facsimile. It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a facsimile apparatus and a method for confirming in a remote place the content of a document received through a facsimile.

Accordingly, the present invention provides a method of confirming from a remote place data received through a facsimile comprising the steps of:receiving and storing document data in a memory device in response to a calling tone provided to a telephone line of the facsimile; andtransmitting the received document data to the said telephone line in response to another tone applied through the said telephone line.

The method may comprise the initial step of driving the memory device in response to reception of an incoming call at the facsimile.

The present invention also provides apparatus for confirming from a remote place data received through a facsimile comprising:means for receiving and storing document data in a memory device in response to a calling tone provided to a telephone line of the facsimile; andmeans for transmitting the received document data to the said telephone line in response to another tone applied through the said telephone line.

The apparatus may comprise means for driving the memory device in response to reception of an incoming call at the facsimile.

Preferably, the apparatus includes means for setting a secretary mode in response to a user designation.

The said other tone is preferably a dual tone.

The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus according to the present invention; andFig. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a "secretary function" of the apparatus.

In the drawings, like components are referenced by like reference numerals. Furthermore, in the following description, specific details such as detailed circuit construction, modem, memory, and printer are set forth by way of example only, so as to provide a more thorough understanding of the invention.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a facsimile apparatus. There are provided a printer 70, a memory 30 for storing the procedures of Fig. 2 in a programming language and a scanner 40 for reading documents received. The printer 70, the memory 30, and the scanner 40 are connected to a central processing unit 10. The central processing unit 10 accesses a predetermined program and controls all the operations of the facsimile to perform a "secretary function" according to the present invention, as shown in the flow chart of Fig. 2.

A liquid crystal display LCD 60 receives and displays data under the control of the central processing unit 10. A sensor 80 is disposed in the facsimile mechanism to sense whether or not a document is inserted and also sensing any abnormal states which might arise, and provided data to the central processing unit 10. An operation panel OPE 20 has various keys arranged in the form of a matrix and also has a "secretary function" key. A modem 50 modulates document transmission data supplied from the central processing unit 10 and provides it to a line interface 70. Also, the modem 50 demodulates data from a transmitting facsimile, which is received through the line interface 70, to provide it to the central processing unit 10. The line interface 70 interfaces a telephone line with the facsimile.

In response to a command from the central processing unit 10, an answering machine 80 receives and stores the facsimile data received through the line interface 70 and transmits the stored data to the telephone line. The operations mentioned above are performed in accordance with the algorithm illustrated in Fig. 2. Thus, the data received is stored and the stored data is then transmitted, in response to a specific signal such as a dual tone DTMF (DualTone Multi-Frequency) applied from the remote place.

Accordingly, once the user sets the facsimile to "secretary function" mode, the document data of a transmitting facsimile is received and stored automatically. Thereafter, the document received can be printed, transmitted to a designated number or the same line, or deleted under the user's remote control.

That is, the facsimile performs the functions of a secretary.

Referring to Fig. 2, In step 200, the user sets the "secretary function" mode with a specific key on the operation panel 20 during his absence. Thereafter, if an incoming call (ring) is detected in step 202, the central processing unit 10 begins to operate the answering machine 80 in step 204.

When the answering machine 80 operates, the central processing unit 10 checks whether or not a CNG tone is detected in step 206. In this case, if theCNG tone is detected, the central processing unit 10 begins to perform a receiving and storing operation.

Meanwhile, the central processing unit 10 checks whether a dual toneDTMF is detected, together with the CNG tone. In this case, if the DTMF is detected, the central processing unit 10 stops the answering operation in step 216 and enters the "secretary function" mode. On the other hand, if the DTMF is not detected, the central processing unit 10 detects whether the answering operation is completed in step 210. Thereafter, the central processing unit 10 detects whether silence is detected and then enters a receiving mode.

Furthermore, codes may be received from the remote user during the secretary mode. If the code is effective, a corresponding function is performed and the next code is received. If the next code is not received within a period of, say, 10 seconds, the functions in steps 216, 218, 220, and 222 are completed. The command executing according to the code received is tabulated in < Table 1 > . It is possible to transmit the document received, according to the code received, to a telephone number designated by the user or to the same line. Alternatively, it is possible to print and delete the document.

Thus, the user can confirm from a remote place the document received through the facsimile apparatus.

Code Roception Command Content *77* DTMF detect &num;1 Transmit a report received &num;2 XI X2 | Transmit content received in the (X1 X2)-th &num;3 X1 X2 Print content of the (X1 X2)-th &num;4 X1 X2 Delete content of the (X1 X2)-th &num;5 X1 X2 Print and delete content of the (X1 X2)-th &num;6 X1 X2 D1 D2..DN&num; Transmit content of the (X1 X2)-th to D1 D2..,DN End < Table 1 >

Claims (8)

1. CLAIMS: 1. A method of confirming from a remote place data received through a facsimile comprising the steps of:receiving and storing document data in a memory device in response to a calling tone provided to a telephone line of the facsimile; andtransmitting the received document data to the said telephone line in response to another tone applied through the said telephone line.
2. 2. A method according to claim 1 comprising the initial step of driving the memory device in response to reception of an incoming call at the facsimile.
3. 3. Apparatus for confirming from a remote place data received through a facsimile comprising:means for receiving and storing document data in a memory device in response to a calling tone provided to a telephone line of the facsimile; andmeans for transmitting the received document data to the said telephone line in response to another tone applied through the said telephone line.
4. 4. Apparatus according to claim 3 comprising means for driving the memory device in response to reception of an incoming call at the facsimile.
5. 5. Apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4 including means for setting a secretary mode in response to a user designation.
6. 6. A method or apparatus according to any preceding claim in which the said other tone is a dual tone.
7. 7. A method of confirming data received through a remote facsimile substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.
8. 8. Apparatus for confirming data received through a remote facsimile substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.