JP2945780B2 - Data communication apparatus and facsimile apparatus used therefor - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a data communication apparatus, and more particularly to a data communication apparatus capable of performing facsimile communication with a destination and performing data communication using a terminal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, there has been a remarkable increase in the field of use of various data communication devices such as facsimile machines. One of the remarkable factors is the combination of a facsimile machine and a terminal such as a personal computer for image information only. An operation of transmitting and receiving character data is also performed. Conventional techniques related to such data communication include, for example, the technique disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-270467 or the technique illustrated in FIG.

In FIG. 5, reference numeral 1 denotes an image reading unit for reading an original to generate image information, 2 denotes a line memory as a memory member for temporarily storing image information read and input by the image reading unit 1, 3 Is an encoding / decoding unit which encodes transmitted image information and decodes received encoded data, and 4 is an image recording unit which outputs the received image information stored in the line memory as a hard copy Reference numeral 5 denotes an operation display unit having various keys and a display unit for performing various mode settings for the operation of the facsimile.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a modem for modulating and demodulating coded image information for transmitting image information, and 7 controls communication with the line 8 and realizes facsimile transmission in accordance with a predetermined transmission control procedure. The control unit 9 is an interface circuit for realizing a communication connection with an external terminal. Reference numeral 10 denotes a system control unit for controlling the operation of the entire apparatus, and these functional members constitute a facsimile unit 12 as an image communication unit. A personal computer 11 as an external terminal is connected to the facsimile unit 12 through an interface circuit 9 for transmitting and receiving data between the facsimile unit 12 and the personal computer 11,
Data communication can be performed with the device.

As an example of actual operation, a file on the personal computer 11 is converted into a raster file using, for example, a character generator.
An operation of printing out to a facsimile of the other party or sending to a personal computer connected to the facsimile is performed.

[0006]

However, in such a conventional data communication apparatus, the personal computer 11 as a terminal is exclusively provided with the interface circuit 9.
The facsimile unit 12 is connected to the facsimile unit 12 and the data cannot be sent out onto the line 8 without passing through the operation of the facsimile unit 12. Therefore, there is a problem that only the image communication can be performed even in the data communication. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a data communication device capable of transmitting and receiving not only image information but also various data in data communication.

[0008]

The present invention achieves the above object.
The image reading means and the
A memory section for storing the received image information, and
Image recording means for printing out the received image information,
Communication control means for transmitting and receiving image information via a communication line,
An interface that implements a connection for data transmission and reception with the terminal
Interface or data communication or image
Control means for determining whether the communication is
Facsimile machine and an independent modem
Communication control means for said facsimile apparatus via a modem
With a personal computer connected to
is there. The present invention also provides a personal computer with an independent modem.
A facsimile machine that can be connected to a
From the image reading means and the personal computer
Data and image information obtained from the image reading means.
Communication control means for transmitting via a communication line;
A connection for data transmission with a computer
Interface means, wherein the communication control means is
Direct connection with the modem provided in the personal computer
It is configured so that In the present invention,
Can be connected to a personal computer with a vertical modem
Facsimile apparatus, comprising: an image reading means;
Connect directly to a dem and download data from a personal computer.
And image information from the image reading means via a communication line.
Communication control means for transmitting and transmitting
Interface that implements a connection for data transmission between
Communication means, wherein the personal computer
When sending data from a computer,
Before sending DCN signal to destination terminal
Things.

[0009]

According to the present invention, at the time of data communication, it is determined whether the partner device connected through the line performs image information communication or data communication, and based on the result, It corresponds to each communication operation. The situation of the other party is determined by putting predetermined data on a signal for executing a communication procedure and looking at a response from the other party's device. At the time of image information communication, image information is transmitted and received through the image communication unit, while at the time of data communication, data is transmitted and received through a data line connecting the terminal to the communication control means.

[0010]

1 to 4 show an embodiment of the present invention in which an image communication section is constituted by a facsimile and a personal computer is used as a terminal. In this embodiment, the same parts as those of the above-described conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate description will be omitted.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 13 denotes a modem independently provided so as to enable data communication with the personal computer 11 in addition to image information communication. Reference numeral 14 denotes a data and control line connected between the modem 13 and the communication control circuit of the facsimile unit 12. This data,
The control line 14 sends data of the personal computer 11 directly to the line 8 or receives data directly from the line 8. Further, a CPU is used for the system control unit 10.

The operation of the data communication apparatus having such a configuration will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 is a timing chart illustrating a communication operation when both the calling device (indicated by Tx in the figure) and the called device (indicated by Rx in the diagram) are the data communication device of the present invention.

In the data communication operation, after the operator of the calling apparatus confirms the transmission data and inputs a destination telephone number and instructs a transmission instruction, the input is performed by the communication control unit 7 or the modem 13 of the personal computer 11. A calling operation is performed for the specified destination telephone number.
When the destination is called and the line 8 is established, a personal computer (indicated by PC in the drawing) 11
a, a transmission instruction signal A for data communication is sent from the personal computer 11b to the facsimile unit 12b in the called device, and a reception instruction signal by data communication is sent from the personal computer 11b to the facsimile unit 12b. A is sent. The facsimile unit 12b that has received the reception instruction signal is connected to the facsimile unit 12a of the calling device.
The NSF (Non-standard identification signal), CSI (Called terminal identification signal) and DIS (Digital identification signal) which are transmission function signals of the called device are transmitted to the personal computer 11b. A response signal notifying that operation is possible is returned. Facsimile unit 12b
Sets and sends a message in the character field of the NSF signal that indicates that the device is connected to the personal computer and that personal computer communication is possible. Facsimile unit 12 of the calling device
In a, when the above signals are received and it is recognized that there is a request for personal computer communication, facsimile communication is stopped to perform data communication, so that the facsimile unit 12b disconnects the facsimile communication line by a DCN signal.
(A disconnection command signal), and returns a response signal to the personal computer 11b that the called device can perform data communication.

Thereafter, both the calling device and the called device,
In each case, personal computers 11a, 11
b and the facsimile units 12a and 12b, the exchange of various inquiry signals for executing data communication and the response signals to the inquiry signals are repeated, and when the processing is completed, the calling apparatus transmits the inquiry signal to the called apparatus. Data transmission is performed. In this data transmission, the transmission data is transmitted to the modem 12 of the personal computer 11a of the calling device.
Is sent to the control line 13 through the communication controller 7
And transmitted to the line 8.

When it is desired to send image information from the calling device to the called device after the data transmission is completed, the calling device transmits the facsimile communication from the personal computer 11a to the facsimile unit 12a. While the transmission permission signal B is transmitted, the reception-side apparatus transmits a reception permission signal B by facsimile communication from the personal computer 11b to the facsimile unit 12b. The facsimile unit 12b that has received the reception instruction signal sends the NSF, CSI,
And DIS, and returns a response signal notifying the personal computer 11b that facsimile reception will be performed. When the calling apparatus receives the above signals, the facsimile unit 12a sends an NSS (non-standard function setting signal), which is a command signal indicating a function to be set from among the non-standard functions indicated by the NSF signal, and a transmitting terminal. A DCS (digital command signal), which is a command signal indicating a function set from among the standard functions displayed by the TSI (transmission terminal identification signal) to be displayed and the DIS signal, is transmitted to the facsimile unit 12b and transmitted to the personal computer 11a. In response, a response signal indicating that facsimile transmission is to be performed is returned. As a result, the personal computer 11a, 11
b is temporarily stopped, and thereafter, the inquiry signal is repeatedly output to the corresponding facsimile units 12a and 12b at fixed time intervals. In response, the facsimile units 12a and 12b return a message indicating that the facsimile communication procedure is being processed.

On the other hand, the facsimile unit 12a
Is output to the facsimile unit 12b, and the facsimile unit 12b receives this and sends back a CFR (reception preparation confirmation signal). As a result, image information can be transmitted and received between the two facsimile units 12a and 12b, and the image information PIX, which is a message, is sent from the facsimile unit 12a to the facsimile unit 12b.
When the transmission of the image information PIX is completed, the facsimile unit 12
A indicates the end of the page of the facsimile message from A
The PS (multi-page signal) is output, and the facsimile unit 12b that has received the PS returns an MCF (message confirmation signal) indicating that the message has been completely received. Then, the image information PIX is subsequently transmitted from the facsimile unit 12a. And all the image information PIX
Is sent from the facsimile unit 12a,
An EOP (procedure end signal) indicating the end of the page of the facsimile message and the absence of any other transmission document is output, and the facsimile unit 12b receiving this outputs the MCF.
Is returned from the facsimile unit 12a, and a DCN (disconnect command signal) indicating the end of the operation and requiring no response is received.
Is output to disconnect the line 8. Further, in response to the output of the DCN signal, both the calling side device and the called side device notify the end signals of the personal computers 11a and 11b from the facsimile units 12a and 12b that the operation of the facsimile communication procedure has been completed. The message is replied.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining the communication operation when the calling device is a data communication device of the present invention and the called device is a normal facsimile device.

In this case, in the character field of the NSF signal from the called-side device facsimile unit 12b after the line has been established, a message indicating that the own device is connected to the personal computer and that personal computer communication is possible is provided. Is not set, the facsimile unit 12a of the calling device performs a transmission operation according to a normal facsimile communication procedure. The transmission and reception operations are the same as the facsimile communication operation shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining the communication operation when the calling device is a normal facsimile device and the called device is the data communication device of the present invention.

In this case, in the character field of the NSF signal from the facsimile unit 12b of the called apparatus after the line is established, a message indicating that the own apparatus is connected to the personal computer and that the personal computer can perform communication. Is set, but the facsimile unit 12a of the calling device that has received this ignores this, so that the facsimile unit 12a of the calling device performs a transmission operation according to a normal facsimile communication procedure. The transmission and reception operations are the same as the facsimile communication operation shown in FIG.

[0021]

As described above, according to the present invention,
A personal computer connected to the image communication unit is provided with a modem, and data can be directly transmitted to and received from the line through a data communication line, so that both image communication and data communication can be performed. The range of use is expanded. Further, since it is possible to determine the other party's device only by setting a character in the NSF signal for facsimile communication, various effects can be obtained, for example, the complexity is not complicated, and the increase in cost can be prevented. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a data communication device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a timing chart for explaining a communication operation when both the calling device and the called device are data communication devices according to the present invention in the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart for explaining a communication operation when the calling device is a data communication device of the present invention and the called device is a normal facsimile machine in the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart for explaining a communication operation when the calling apparatus is a normal facsimile apparatus and the called apparatus is the data communication apparatus of the present invention in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of a conventional data communication device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Image reading part 2 Line memory 3 Encoding / decoding part 4 Image recording part 5 Operation display part 6 Modem 7 Communication control part 8 Line 9 Interface part 10 System control part 11 Personal computer 12 Modem 13 Data, control line

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁶ , DB name) H04N 1/00 H04M 11/00

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An image reading unit, a memory unit for storing image information to be transmitted / received, an image recording unit for printing out image information stored in the memory unit, and a communication for transmitting / receiving image information via a communication line. Control means, an interface unit for realizing a connection for data transmission / reception between the terminal and a communication partner to determine whether data communication or image information communication,
Facsimile apparatus having control means for executing a communication operation
It has a modem location, and independently, being connected to the communication control unit of the facsimile apparatus through the modem Paco
Data communication device consisting of a null computer . 2. Characterization of an NSF signal from a communication partner
Information on whether or not data communication is possible
2. The data according to claim 1, wherein
Communication device. 3. A personal computer having an independent modem.
A facsimile machine that can be connected to a computer
Means, and data and data from the personal computer.
And image information obtained from the image reading means via a communication line.
Control means for transmitting and transmitting, and a personal computer
Interface that implements a connection for data transmission between
And the communication control means includes the personal control means.
Connect directly to the modem on your computer
A facsimile machine characterized by comprising. 4. A personal computer having an independent modem.
A facsimile machine that can be connected to a computer
And a personal computer directly connected to the modem.
And image information from the image reading means.
Communication control means for transmitting data via a communication line;
A connection for data transmission with a computer
Interface means for performing communication, wherein the communication control means
When transmitting data from the personal computer
The DCN signal to the destination terminal prior to data transmission.
A facsimile machine characterized by giving out.