JP3104895B2 - Simultaneous command system and protocol conversion 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 simultaneous broadcast command system using a one-way communication path and a protocol conversion facsimile apparatus used in this system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a simultaneous command system for providing voice information and image information using a one-way communication path such as a satellite line has been widely known. The communication device used in the voice simultaneous command system is a communication device dedicated to transmission, unlike a device such as a facsimile that performs a bidirectional procedure, and is a device similar to a communication device in a satellite broadcasting system.

On the other hand, when image information is provided by a simultaneous command system, protocol conversion and the like are performed using a simultaneous command dedicated facsimile, that is, a reception-only facsimile that is directly connected to the satellite circuit. It provides image information without any need. Such a system is used as a command system at the time of disaster or emergency, or a system for issuing information on disaster prevention and the like.

[0004]

However, in the prior art as described above, a general facsimile apparatus which performs a bidirectional procedure for responding to input and output of image information in a system configuration required by simultaneous command. Can not be used as a facsimile machine dedicated to simultaneous command,
There has been a problem that such a general facsimile machine cannot be used effectively.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems. In view of the configuration of the simultaneous command system, a general facsimile apparatus is used as it is as a simultaneous command transmitting station facsimile apparatus and a simultaneous command each receiving station facsimile. The purpose is to be able to capture as a device.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a simultaneous command system which has a function of enabling the simultaneous command transmitting station to grasp the image information reception state of all the simultaneous command receiving stations while using a one-way communication protocol. Things.

Further, the transmission and reception procedures of the simultaneous command transmitting station facsimile apparatus and the simultaneous command receiving station facsimile apparatus can be matched, and the time lag can be minimized to reduce the capacity of the storage unit in the system. It is intended to endure a huge amount of image information.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A protocol according to the invention
The conversion facsimile device is connected to a general facsimile device or a host device having a facsimile procedure equivalent to the general facsimile device and a command control device for issuing a facsimile protocol conversion command to achieve the above object, and the general facsimile device or A protocol conversion facsimile that converts image information input from a host device by a general facsimile procedure into a one-way facsimile procedure according to a command from the command control device, and outputs it to a one-way communication path via the command control device. An apparatus, wherein said general
General facsimile from facsimile machine or host machine
The first time when the multi-page signal of the re-procedure is received
After the elapse, the message confirmation signal is sent to the general facsimile.
To the device or host device, or
The message after a second time period longer than the first time period
The confirmation signal is transmitted to the general facsimile machine or the host machine.
A time control unit for returning to the first time or
The message acknowledgment signal at any of the second times
To the general facsimile machine or the host machine.
And selecting means for selecting whether or not .

A line connection device for controlling communication with the one-way communication path is connected, and a one-way facsimile procedure whose protocol has been converted is transmitted from the one-way communication path in accordance with a command from the line connection device. received, and protocol conversion in general bidirectional facsimile procedure, receives the image information side
Protocol conversion for delivery to the general facsimile apparatus
Means are provided.

On the other hand, the simultaneous command system according to the present invention
General facsimile machine or equivalent facsimile
Host device with procedures and facsimile protocol changes
A command control device for issuing a command for changing
Millimeter or host to general facsimile procedure
Image information input from the command control device.
Ri, and protocol conversion to one-way facsimile procedure, one
Protocol conversion facsimile device that outputs to the communication channel
The general facsimile machine or the host machine
Receive a multi-page signal of the general facsimile procedure
The message confirmation signal after the first time has passed.
Return to general facsimile machine or host machine,
Or, after a lapse of a second time longer than the first time,
Message confirmation signal to the general facsimile machine or
A time control unit for returning to the strike device;
Confirmation of the message either during or during the second time
A signal to the general facsimile machine or the host machine.
Selection means for selecting whether to send
Communication between the conversion facsimile machine and the one-way communication path
Line connection device that controls the
One-way facsimile with protocol conversion
Received from the one-way communication path,
Converts the protocol to a x-similitude procedure and transfers the image information to
Protocol conversion means for sending to a general facsimile machine
And a second protocol conversion facsimile machine having the following.

[0011]

[0012]

Therefore, according to the simultaneous command system and the protocol conversion facsimile apparatus of the present invention, different protocol procedures are converted into each other so that an apparatus operating in a bidirectional facsimile protocol and an apparatus operating in a one-way facsimile protocol can be used. Since the communication can be performed freely between them, a general facsimile apparatus can be used as a one-way communication facsimile apparatus.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below. FIG.
It is a lineblock diagram of a simultaneous command system of an example of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes, for example, a general group 3 facsimile apparatus or a group 4 facsimile apparatus according to the CCITT recommendation (here, it is assumed and described as a group 3 facsimile apparatus), and reference numeral 2 denotes a CCITT recommendation. This is a host device having a general group 3 facsimile protocol or a group 4 facsimile protocol. Reference numeral 3 denotes a protocol conversion facsimile machine capable of performing protocol conversion according to a predetermined command.
Reference numeral 4 denotes a command control device which issues a general command, selects a general command receiving station, and controls the general command transmitting side, and has an interface between the protocol conversion facsimile device 3 and a line.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a line connection control device for performing command control on the simultaneous command receiving side and reporting the image information receiving state when the simultaneous command is received. The protocol conversion facsimile device 3 has an interface with the command control device 4 or the line connection control device 5, converts a general bidirectional facsimile protocol into a one-way facsimile protocol, and conversely converts a one-way facsimile protocol into a general two-way facsimile protocol. Convert to facsimile protocol. It also has the function of controlling the timing of a general facsimile protocol.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a satellite channel as a one-way communication channel in the system of the present embodiment. The command controller 4 and the channel connection controller 5 communicate via the satellite channel 6 with the protocol of the broadcast command transmitting station. The conversion facsimile apparatus 3 performs one-way communication according to a one-way facsimile protocol.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described based on the flow of data and the flow of processing.

In the data flow of the present system, first, the command control device 4 selects a station from the line connection control device 5 of the receiving station that issues the simultaneous command. The line connection control device 5 whose station has been selected instructs the protocol conversion facsimile device 3 having the interface with the line connection control device 5 to start receiving the simultaneous command, and then waits for reception. By this station selection, when a response from each line connection control device 5 receiving the command for simultaneous command reception is confirmed, the command control device 4
Transmits the simultaneous transmission command to the protocol conversion facsimile machine 3
To. The protocol conversion facsimile machine 3 which has received the command of the simultaneous transmission command shifts to the general facsimile protocol with respect to the image information input from the facsimile device 1 or the host device 2 connected thereto, and executes the pre-procedure and image processing. Receive and execute post-procedures.

A protocol conversion facsimile device 3 which exchanges a general two-way facsimile protocol with the facsimile device 1 or the host device 2 converts the data into a one-way facsimile protocol for the satellite line 6. And send it out. This one-way facsimile protocol is received and analyzed by the other party, ie, the protocol conversion facsimile device 3 of the broadcast command receiving station, converted into a general bidirectional facsimile protocol, and sent to the fax command device 1 of the broadcast command receiving station or the host device 2. Finally, it is output as image information.

As described above, regarding the input image information,
By passing through the protocol conversion on the way, the image information can be output as one-way communication via the satellite line. Further, after the image information is output, the protocol conversion facsimile device 3 of the broadcast command receiving station normally terminates the protocol with the facsimile device 1 or the host device 2 or determines whether or not the received image information by visual observation is valid. A procedure for reporting the received image information state to the command control device 4 upon receipt is adopted. As a result, the broadcast command transmitting station recognizes normal reception or abnormal reception such as non-delivery from all broadcast command receiving stations, and thereafter terminates the broadcast command for both the transmitting station and the receiving station. The above is the data flow of the simultaneous command system in the embodiment of the present invention.

Next, the processing flow of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. FIG. FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram showing in more detail a block diagram of the internal configuration of the protocol conversion facsimile device 3 in the simultaneous command system in the present embodiment. 3 and 4 are simultaneous command processing sequence diagrams for explaining the data flow of the simultaneous command system.

First, the simultaneous command transmission will be described with reference to the sequence diagrams of FIGS. The start of the simultaneous command transmission is based on the station selection 31 from the command control device 4 to the line connection control device 5. The command control device 4 which has transmitted the signal of the station selection 31 transmits a connection confirmation 3 which is a response to the signal.
2 is received from the line connection control device 5. By this signal exchange, the command control device 4 recognizes that the line connection control device 5 of the designated simultaneous command receiving station is waiting for the simultaneous command reception.

Next, the command control device 4 sends out the signal of the line connection 33 via the line connection control device 5 to the partner station which has sent out the signal of the station selection 31, and the response confirmation 36 Receive a signal. By this signal exchange, the line connection control device 5 of the designated simultaneous command receiving station and the protocol conversion facsimile device 3 connected thereto are
The command control device 4 recognizes the simultaneous reception waiting state. The command control device 4 executes the sequence from the station selection 31 to the response recognition 36 for all the receiving stations of the simultaneous command to prepare for the simultaneous command.

When each of the simultaneous command receiving stations waits for reception according to the signal of each response confirmation 36, the command control device 4
Sends a signal to start the simultaneous transmission 37 to the protocol conversion facsimile machine 3 connected thereto. This signal is a signal having an interface with the main control unit 21 of the device, and is analyzed here. The main control unit 21 shifts the facsimile procedure control unit 22 to the bidirectional facsimile protocol reception waiting state and the protocol conversion unit 23 to the one-way facsimile protocol transmission wait state by the simultaneous transmission start 37.

Thereafter, a general facsimile protocol from the facsimile apparatus 1 or the host apparatus 2 is executed by the facsimile procedure control unit 22 as the first facsimile procedure control unit of the protocol conversion facsimile apparatus 3. At this time, the main control unit 21 temporarily stores various necessary data on the facsimile protocol reported from the facsimile procedure control unit 22 in the data storage unit 24. With respect to the stored various data on the facsimile protocol, the protocol conversion unit 23 extracts only the data necessary for the one-way facsimile protocol from the data storage unit 24 in accordance with an instruction from the main control unit 21, and uses it as a one-way facsimile protocol. It is sent to the satellite channel 6.

At this time, data transmitted by the protocol conversion facsimile apparatus 3 as a one-way facsimile protocol is transmitted from a protocol conversion section 23 as a second facsimile procedure control section of the apparatus, and the command control apparatus 4 is passed through. pass. The sequence between the facsimile machine 1 or the host device 2 in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 and the protocol conversion facsimile machine 3 is a general facsimile procedure sequence, and the sequence between the protocol conversion facsimile machine 3 and the command control device 4 D which is a binary control signal of
CS / TSI (digital identification signal / transmission terminal identification signal) 3E, image information 3H, MPS (multi-page signal) 3
K, image information 42 of the next page following this MPS, and E
The OP (procedure end signal) 47 is a one-way facsimile protocol converted by the protocol converter 23.

After all the facsimile procedures executed by the facsimile procedure control unit 22 have been sent out to the satellite line 6 as a one-way facsimile protocol by the protocol conversion unit 23, the command control unit 4 sends a command from each of the simultaneous command receiving stations. Waiting for the report. End report 4 from each broadcast command receiving station
In response to the signal B, a signal of the receipt response request 4C is transmitted.
This signal is for confirming whether or not the image information transmitted by the series of simultaneous commands has been normally transmitted, and receives a receipt confirmation 4F as a response. The reception confirmation 4F is received from all the broadcast command receiving stations, the command end 4H is instructed to all the receiving stations, and the broadcast transmission end 4G is also instructed to the protocol conversion facsimile apparatus 3.

The image information input by the general bidirectional facsimile procedure from the facsimile apparatus 1 and the host apparatus 2 according to the flow of the processing in accordance with the command of the command control apparatus 4 into the one-way communication facsimile procedure. It can be converted and transmitted to the satellite channel 6.

At this time, the sequence relating to the station selection 31 between the command control device 4 and the line connection control device 5 of the other receiving station, and the normal termination, non-delivery, Or, by providing a function to report the status of abnormal termination, etc.,
For a station other than a normal end, such as an unreachable station, only that station can be selected again as a simultaneous command receiving station.

Next, the simultaneous command reception will be described. The broadcast command receiving station is first instructed by the broadcast command transmitting station command control device 4, and the line connection control device 5 selects the broadcast station.
Received as 1 signal. On the other hand, if the line connection control device 5 of the simultaneous command receiving station can receive the signal, a signal of the connection confirmation 32 is returned. Further, the line connection control device 5
Next receives the signal of the line connection 33, instructs the protocol conversion facsimile device 3 connected thereto to start simultaneous reception 34, and if the protocol conversion facsimile device 3 can receive the simultaneous command, , A simultaneous reception start response 35 is sent to the line connection control device 5. As a result, the line connection controller 5 responds to the command controller 4 with the response signal 36.

In the sequence up to this point, the broadcast command receiving station is ready to receive the broadcast command at any time, and each block in the protocol conversion facsimile apparatus 3 operates as follows.

The signal of the simultaneous reception start 34 is transmitted to the main control unit 21.
The facsimile procedure controller 22 is shifted to a bidirectional facsimile protocol transmission wait state, and the protocol converter 23 is shifted to a one-way facsimile protocol reception wait state. Thereafter, the one-way facsimile protocol transmitted by the protocol conversion facsimile device 3 of the broadcast command transmitting station is received by the protocol conversion facsimile device 3 of the broadcast command receiving station via the satellite line 6. At this time, the line connection control device 5 becomes through.

The one-way facsimile protocol is received and analyzed by the protocol conversion unit 23 of the protocol conversion facsimile apparatus 3, and the main control unit 21 temporarily stores various data after the reception analysis in the data storage unit 24. The stored various data on the facsimile protocol are transmitted from the facsimile procedure control unit 2 according to an instruction from the main control unit 21.
2 extracts data necessary for a general bidirectional facsimile protocol from the storage unit 24 and executes the procedure with the facsimile apparatus 1 or the host apparatus 2.

The data stored in the data storage unit 24 is
When all the exchanges have been completed with the facsimile apparatus 1 or the host apparatus 2, the protocol conversion facsimile apparatus 3 responds to the line connection control apparatus 5 with a signal of the reception end report 4A. When this response is received, the image information of the simultaneous command issued in this communication is normally output, and the line connection control device 5 receives the reception response request 4C for asking whether or not it has been confirmed, and sends it to the protocol conversion facsimile device 3. Instructed as a receipt confirmation request 4D. As a result, the protocol conversion facsimile apparatus 3 automatically recognizes whether the facsimile protocol was normal with the facsimile apparatus 1 or the host apparatus 2, or visually checks the image information of the output simultaneous command. When the normal or abnormal button is pressed, the status such as whether the image information of the simultaneous command is valid or invalid, equivalent to non-delivery, is added to the signal of the acknowledgment 4E. To the line connection device 5.

The valid or invalid state is reported to the command control device 4 of the simultaneous command transmitting station as a receipt confirmation 4F, and the states of all receiving stations can be confirmed here. After this response,
By the simultaneous reception end 4I, the processing of the simultaneous command receiving station ends.

In such a processing flow, a facsimile procedure for one-way communication is received from the satellite line 6, and the protocol is converted into a general two-way facsimile procedure. The image data can be sent to the host device 2 having the same facsimile procedure and the image information of the simultaneous command can be output.

At this time, between the protocol conversion facsimile device 3 and the line connection control device 5, an acknowledgment confirmation request 4
D, the sequence of the acknowledgment 4E and the function of reporting the status of the normal command reception image information such as normal / abnormal. You can check.

Next, referring to FIGS. 2, 5 and 6,
The protocol conversion facsimile machine will be described. FIGS. 5 and 6 are sequence diagrams illustrating protocol time control in the present embodiment.

First, an ordinary general facsimile apparatus has a facsimile protocol for transmission and a facsimile protocol for reception on the transmitting side and the receiving side, respectively. In most cases, there is a time difference between the two protocols. . Further, this time difference is generally slower for the facsimile protocol at the time of reception than at the time of the facsimile protocol at the time of transmission, and this is because the receiving side has no relation to protocols such as printing and paper cutting. This is because it takes time to perform the processing that does not exist.

In the simultaneous command system according to the present embodiment, there is also a time difference between the protocols in the simultaneous command transmitting station facsimile apparatus and the simultaneous command receiving station facsimile apparatus. That is, when image information of a plurality of pages is transmitted from the transmitting station, for example, one page is transmitted and the time t until the transmission of the next page is started.
A (57) is required on the transmitting side, whereas the protocol is executed on the receiving side for a longer time tB (5).
8) is required. At this time, (time tB-time t
The time difference A) is cumulatively increased for each page.
In the present embodiment, this time difference is absorbed by being stored in the data storage unit 24.

However, considering the finiteness of the data storage unit 24, a time control unit 25 and a switch 26 as to whether or not to use the time control unit 25 are provided in the protocol conversion facsimile apparatus 3. The time control unit 25 is operated by the switch 26 as necessary from the facsimile protocol at the time of reception of the simultaneous command receiving station, and specifically, performs time control of a general facsimile protocol.

For example, as described above (time tB-time tA)
In order to control the time difference between the MPS 61 and the MCF (message acknowledgment signal) 62, and between the MPS 64 and the MCF 65, a time interval tB1 (69) is created to control the protocol. That is, the protocol exchange facsimile apparatus 3 receives the MPS 64 from the facsimile apparatus 1 or the host apparatus 2, and transmits the MCF 65 after the elapse of the time tB1. At the same time, the other party's facsimile machine 1 or the host machine 2 which is the simultaneous command receiving station is time t
The MPS 6C delayed by B1 is transmitted.

As described above, the input protocol and the output protocol are processed in the same time and the time difference is eliminated, so that the capacity of the storage unit (storage unit) for storing the facsimile protocol can be minimized. .

As described in the above embodiment, according to the simultaneous command system and the protocol conversion facsimile apparatus of the present invention, the simultaneous command input from a general facsimile apparatus and a host apparatus having the same procedure as this. Can be transmitted via a one-way communication path, and can be received and output to a general facsimile apparatus and a host apparatus having a procedure equivalent thereto. Also, at the broadcast command transmitting station, the broadcast command receiving station can check the image information reception status of each broadcast station,
It has a sequence that can be retransmitted to stations with poor reception.

Further, by providing a time control unit in the protocol conversion facsimile apparatus according to the present invention, it is possible to eliminate the time difference between the transmission and reception protocols, to reduce the size of the data storage unit, and to transmit and receive a large amount of image information. It is.

In the above practical example, the protocol is CCITT
Although the description has been given of the procedure of the group 3 facsimile, the application of the group 4 facsimile is also possible.

[0046]

According to the broadcast command system and the protocol conversion facsimile apparatus of the present invention, transmission is performed from a general facsimile apparatus by a normal input method without being conscious of a one-way facsimile protocol of a one-way communication path. It is possible to output the data to a general facsimile machine without being aware of a one-way facsimile protocol or the like even when handling the data at a receiving station.

Further, in the simultaneous command system of the present invention, since the simultaneous command transmitting station can monitor the reception status of all the receiving stations, it is possible to centrally manage the status of each simultaneous command receiving station and to efficiently select the stations. Can be a station.

Further, in the protocol conversion facsimile apparatus of the present invention, since a time control section is provided to absorb a transmission / reception protocol time difference of a general facsimile apparatus, a large amount of image information can be stored in only a small data storage section. Communication can be realized.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a simultaneous command system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a system configuration diagram showing the internal configuration of the protocol conversion facsimile apparatus in the present embodiment in further detail;

FIG. 3 is a simultaneous command processing sequence diagram in the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a simultaneous command processing sequence diagram in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating protocol time control according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating protocol time control according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 General facsimile apparatus 2 Host apparatus having general facsimile procedure 3 Protocol conversion facsimile apparatus 4 Command control apparatus 5 Line connection control apparatus 6 Satellite line path (one-way communication path) 22 Facsimile procedure control section 23 Protocol conversion section 25 Time control Part 26 switch

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-62-40869 (JP, A) JP-A-55-145458 (JP, A) JP-A-59-154848 (JP, A) JP-A 62-40848 178066 (JP, A) JP-A-2-54674 (JP, A) JP-A-5-130293 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) H04N 1/00-1 / 00 108 H04N 1/32

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A general facsimile apparatus or a host apparatus having a facsimile procedure equivalent to the facsimile apparatus and a command control apparatus for issuing a facsimile protocol conversion command are connected.
The image information input by the general facsimile procedure from the general facsimile apparatus or the host apparatus is converted into a one-way facsimile procedure by a command of the command control apparatus, and the one-way facsimile procedure is performed via the command control apparatus. A protocol conversion facsimile apparatus for outputting to a communication path, wherein the general facsimile apparatus or a general
When a multi-page signal of the facsimile procedure is received,
After a first time has elapsed, a message acknowledgment signal is sent to the general
Return it to the facsimile or host device, or
Or after a lapse of a second time longer than the first time,
The message confirmation signal is sent to the general facsimile machine or
A time control unit for returning to the host device;
The message at either the time or the second time
The confirmation signal is transmitted to the general facsimile machine or the host machine.
Selecting means for selecting whether to return to the protocol conversion facsimile apparatus. 2. A further connects the line connection device which controls the communication between the one-way communication path, by a command from the line unit, the one-way communication protocol converted one-way facsimile procedure From the network, convert the protocol to a general two-way facsimile procedure, and receive image information
Protocol change to be sent to the general facsimile
2. The prototype according to claim 1, further comprising:
Col conversion facsimile machine. 3. A general facsimile machine or its equivalent
Host device with facsimile procedure and command control to issue facsimile protocol conversion command
A device, the image information that has been more input to general facsimile procedure from the general facsimile device or the host device, the command
By a command from the control device, pro unidirectional facsimile procedure
Protocol conversion that performs protocol conversion and outputs to one-way communication path
A facsimile machine, wherein said general facsimile machine
Multi-fax facsimile procedures from a local or host device
When a page signal is received, a message
The general facsimile machine or the host
Returned to the device or a second longer than the first time
After a lapse of time 2, the message confirmation signal is sent to the general file.
Time control for sending back to the x-millimeter or host device
And at any one of the first time and the second time
The general facsimile apparatus transmits the message confirmation signal
Or a selection means for selecting whether to return to the host device.
The first protocol conversion facsimile apparatus obtained, a line connection device for controlling communication between the one-way communication path, and a protocol conversion by a command from the line connection device.
Received one-way facsimile procedure from the one-way communication path.
To convert the protocol to a general two-way facsimile procedure.
And sends the image information to a general facsimile machine on the receiving side.
A second protocol converter having protocol conversion means for causing
Simultaneous finger, comprising a replacement facsimile machine
Ordinance system .