JPH11163967A - Communication interface device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To execute communication by means of a proper network corresponding part by connecting one of the first network corresponding part or the second network corresponding part to a network, permitting it to try communication and executing communication through the use of the corresponding part when a try succeeds. SOLUTION: An indicating signal is given from a control part 4 with a signal line 11 and a switch 10 is changed-over and controlled. A MODEM control part 7 starts a timer based on the indication of the control part 4, the exchange of parameters is tried with an opposite MODEM and it is detected whether exchange succeeds or not. At the time of success in parameter exchange, communication with an opposite party device is executed by controlling a serial controller 6 and a MODEM control part 7 based on the obtained parameter. In the meantime, unless parameter exchange is executed, it is detected whether time is up in the timer or not, the control part 4 stops an operation by the MODEM control part 7 at the time of a time-up, starts DSU 9 for ISDN so as to start a call, starts the timer and tries synchronization establishment as against the clock of an ISDN line.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication interface for connecting a data terminal such as a personal computer to a plurality of different communication media and automatically enabling communication corresponding to the communication media.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when communication is performed by a personal computer 400 through various communication media, FIG.
Was configured as shown in FIG. That is, when the analog telephone network 100 is used, RS232-C (CCITT
(Current ITU-T) Recommendation V. 24 / V. 28) and the like, the personal computer 400 and the modem 110 are connected to each other, and the V.V. Communication is performed based on a communication protocol such as 34. In addition, ISDN (Integrated Services Digital N
etwork) network 200 is used. 24 and X. 2
The personal computer 400 is connected to a TA (terminal adapter) 210 or a router via a terminal interface such as 1 and communicates between the TA 210 and the ISDN network 200. Furthermore, OCN (Open Computer Networ
k) When the network 300 is used, a dedicated router 310 or the like for the OCN network 300 is required.

FIG. 6 shows a case where a personal computer 400 is connected to an analog telephone network 100 using an RS232-C cable 120 and a launch box type external modem 110, and a case where the personal computer 400A is connected to the modem 110A. Is shown, and a connection is made to the analog telephone network 100 through a two-wire telephone line 130 and a rosette terminal 150.

FIG. 7 shows a personal computer 400 without a TA 210, a personal computer 410 with a built-in TA 210, a TA 210 and a DSU (Digital s).
An example is shown in which a personal computer 420 with a built-in service unit 220 connects to the ISDN network 200. 230 is the V.230. 24 / V. 28 and X. 21 is a cable for 240, a cable for S-point connection of ISDN, 2
50 is a rosette terminal for home wiring.

As described above, conventionally, when connecting to different communication media, it is necessary to prepare an interface device suitable for each communication medium, replace the interface device, and perform the connection. There was a problem.

Furthermore, in recent years, it has become possible to communicate via a wireless line using a personal computer. Wireless communication includes PHS (Personal)
LAN (Local Area Netwo) by Handyphone System
rk) and a wireless communication LAN. When communication is performed through the PHS LAN, a PC (Personal Computer) dedicated to the PHS LAN is used.
It was necessary to prepare a card and connect it to a personal computer, and when performing communication by wireless LAN, it was necessary to prepare a PC card dedicated to the wireless LAN and connect it to the personal computer.

[0007]

By the way, in recent years, personal computers have been reduced in size and weight, and portable computers have appeared. It is necessary to carry a PC card for the analog telephone network and a PC card for the ISDN, and exchange them according to the type of line.
It was annoying.

[0008] Considering the case of wireless communication, PHS
Is 32 Kbps, the transmission rate by wireless LAN studied by IEEE etc. is 2 Mbps or 10 Mbps, and
High-speed wireless LAN using PC card for LAN of S
Service is not available. In addition, wireless L
When an AN PC card is used, there is a problem that communication cannot be performed at all outside the service area.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems of the conventional communication interface device used for a personal computer or the like, and its object is to exchange an interface device such as a PC card. It is an object of the present invention to provide a communication interface device that can appropriately connect to a plurality of types of communication media. Another object is to provide a communication interface device capable of connecting to a plurality of types of communication media so as to enable communication at a higher transmission speed.

[0010]

A communication interface device according to a first aspect of the present invention is connected to a first communication network, and communicates with a partner device via the first communication network. A communication network corresponding unit, a second communication network corresponding unit connected to the second communication network, and communicating with the partner device via the second communication network, and connected to the first or second communication network And a switch that controls the switch, and controls this switch to connect either the first or second communication network corresponding unit to the network, and causes a communication trial to be performed. On the other hand, if the communication try is unsuccessful, the switch is switched to connect another corresponding unit to the network, and the communication try is performed. And a control unit for performing communication using the corresponding unit. The features. Thus, even when a connection is made to a network whose type is unknown, communication by an appropriate network corresponding unit can be performed by performing a communication trial. In the communication interface device according to the second aspect of the present invention, the first communication network is an analog telephone network, the first communication network corresponding unit is an analog telephone network corresponding unit, and the second communication network is an IS.
This is a DN network, and the second communication network compatible unit is an ISDN network compatible unit. As a result, even when connected to an analog telephone network, an ISDN network, or an unknown network,
The communication trial enables communication by an appropriate network corresponding unit.

The communication interface device according to the third aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the analog telephone corresponding unit tries to exchange parameters with the modem of the partner device in a communication trial. As a result, parameters such as the transmission speed are extracted from the modem of the partner device, and communication is appropriately performed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the communication interface device, the ISDN network corresponding unit attempts to establish synchronization with a clock coming from the network in a communication trial. As a result, communication is performed by appropriately identifying the ISDN network based on the presence or absence of synchronization establishment.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication interface device connected to a wireless communication LAN and communicating with the wireless communication LAN via the wireless communication LAN.
P that is connected to the HS network and communicates through the PHS network
Using an HS network corresponding unit and the wireless communication LAN corresponding unit,
When a link establishment try is performed, and when the link establishment attempt is successful, communication is performed using the corresponding unit. On the other hand, when a communication attempt is unsuccessful, a PHS network corresponding unit is used.
A control unit for causing a communication trial to be performed and, when the communication trial is successful, performing communication using the PHS network corresponding unit. As a result, a communication trial is performed from the wireless LAN having a high transmission rate, and communication with a higher-grade service among the services at the point can be performed.

[0014] The communication interface device according to claim 6 of the present invention is connected to a device having a display means for displaying information, and when the communication attempts by the two corresponding units are both unsuccessful, the display means is displayed on the display means. Display control means for displaying a connection error message. Thus, it is possible to know at a glance that communication with the connected network is impossible.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication interface device connected to a first communication medium and communicating with the first communication medium via the first communication medium; A second communication medium corresponding unit that is connected to the communication medium and performs communication via the second communication medium; and a communication capable of high-speed communication among the first communication medium corresponding unit and the second communication medium Connects to the medium and causes a communication trial to be performed. If the communication trial is successful, the communication unit performs communication using the corresponding unit. If the communication trial is unsuccessful, the communication unit performs a communication trial. Is connected to a network to perform a communication trial, and when the communication trial is successful, a control unit for performing communication using a corresponding unit of the other communication medium is provided. As a result, a communication trial is performed from a communication medium with a high transmission speed, and communication with a higher-grade service among the services at the point becomes possible.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A communication interface device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows a communication interface device according to the first embodiment. This communication interface device 1
Is connected to a PC card slot of a personal computer as shown in FIG. 5 by a connector 2, and to a line extending from a network via a modular plug 13. The communication interface device 1 has a configuration in which a control unit 4 including a microcomputer or the like controls each unit. The control unit 4 sends and receives data and commands to and from the personal computer via the PC card slot interface 3. The memory 5 is used for storing data transmitted and received via a network.

The communication interface device 1 is shown in FIGS.
A serial controller 6 and a modem control unit 7 for performing modulation and demodulation are provided as analog telephone network corresponding units for connecting to the analog telephone network 100 described above. Further, as an ISDN network corresponding section for connecting to the ISDN network 200 described in FIGS. 5 and 7, an ISDN network serial controller 8 and an ISDN DSU 9 for converting an ISDN S / T point interface to a U point interface are provided. Provided.

Further, a switch 10 for switching between an analog telephone network compatible unit and an ISDN network compatible unit is provided. This switch 10 connects the modem control unit 7 and the modular plug 13 in an initial state. The telephone cable 12 is connected between the switch 10 and the modular plug 13. The switch 10 receives an instruction signal from the control unit 4 via a signal line 11 and is switched and controlled.

The communication interface device 1 configured as described above receives the communication request from the personal computer and executes the program of the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, based on the instruction of the control unit 4, the modem control unit 7
Makes a call (S1), starts a timer T1, tries to exchange parameters (modem type, rules adopted) with the partner modem (S2), and detects whether the parameter exchange is successful. (S3).

In the above, when the parameter exchange is successful, the serial controller 6 and the modem control unit 7 are controlled based on the obtained parameters to communicate with the partner device (S4). On the other hand, if parameter exchange is not possible,
It is detected whether the timer T1 has timed out (S
5). If the time has not expired, the process returns to step S2 and attempts to exchange parameters with the partner modem. Then, when the timer T1 times out, the control unit 4 stops the operation by the modem control unit 7, and the DSU 9 for ISDN
To start a call (S6), start the timer T2, and try to establish synchronization with the clock of the ISDN line (S7).

Here, when synchronization is established, IS
Call setup is performed from the DSU 9 for DN, the ISDN serial controller 8 is started, and communication with the partner device is performed using these (S9). On the other hand, if the synchronization has not been established, it is detected whether or not the timer T2 has expired (S10). If the time is not up, step S
7, and attempts to establish synchronization. Then, when the timer T2 expires, the control unit 4 sends the ISDN DSU 9
Is stopped, the notification of the connection error is sent to the personal computer, and the display of the personal computer is caused to display the connection error (S11). Thus, even if the network is the analog telephone network 100, the ISDN network 2
00, without any special operation by the user,
Communication can be performed appropriately.

FIG. 3 shows a communication interface device according to a second embodiment of the present invention. This communication interface device 20 is connected to a PC card slot of a personal computer as shown in FIG. The antennas 29 and 30 (these may be one) are provided in the communication interface device or the personal computer.

The communication interface device 20 has a configuration in which a control unit 24 composed of a microcomputer or the like controls each unit. The control unit 24 transmits and receives data and commands to and from the personal computer via the PC card slot interface 22. The memory 5 is used to store data transmitted and received via a wireless line.

Further, the communication interface device 20
PHS serial controller 25 as HS network compatible part
(Wireless) unit 26 corresponding to the PHS and the PHS, and a 2 Mbps wireless LAN as a wireless LAN compatible unit.
And a RF (wireless) unit 28 corresponding to the wireless LAN. The memory 23
The data transmitted and received by communication is stored.

The communication interface device configured as described above receives the communication request from the personal computer and executes the program of the flowchart shown in FIG. That is, the control unit 24 sets up the wireless LAN control unit 27 and the RF unit 28, activates the timer T3 (S21), and further attempts to establish a wireless LAN link (S22). Then, it is detected whether the link has been established (S23). When the link is established, the wireless LAN controller 27 and the RF unit 28 use the wireless LAN at 2 Mbps.
(S24).

On the other hand, if the link is not established, it is detected whether or not the timer T3 has timed out (S25). If the timer T3 has not expired, the process returns to step S22 and attempts to establish a wireless LAN link. When the timer T3 times out, the control unit 24 switches to the wireless LAN control unit 27 and the RF unit 28.
Is stopped, the PHS serial controller 25 as the PHS control unit and the RF unit 26 are set up, and the timer T
4 is started (S26), and an attempt is made to establish a link by the PHS (S27).

The control unit 24 detects whether a link has been established via the PHS serial controller 25 (S2).
8) When the link is established, PHS communication is performed using the PHS serial controller and the RF unit 26 (S29). On the other hand, if the link is not established, it is detected whether or not the timer T4 has expired (S3).
0). If the time has not elapsed, the process returns to step S27 to try to establish a wireless LAN link.

When the timer T4 times out, the control unit 24 stops the PHS serial controller and the RF unit 26, sends a notification of a connection error to the personal computer, and connects to the display of the personal computer. An error is displayed (S31). Thus, firstly, access is made to a service by a wireless LAN having a high transmission speed, and if this service is not performed, access is made to a service by a PHS. Communication at a higher transmission speed becomes possible. Note that here, the wireless LAN
Although the transmission speed is 2 Mbps, another transmission speed such as 10 Mbps may be used. The types of communication media are analog telephone network 100, ISDN network 200, PHS network,
It is not limited to a wireless LAN.

[0029]

As described above, according to the communication interface device of the first aspect, the first network corresponding unit and the second
If one of the network corresponding parts is connected to the network and a communication trial is performed, and if the communication trial is successful, the communication is performed using the corresponding part, so if the network is connected to a network of unknown type In this case, the communication can be performed by an appropriate network corresponding unit by performing a communication trial. According to the communication interface device of the second aspect, the analog telephone network compatible unit and the IS
Any one of the DN network corresponding units is connected to the network and a communication trial is performed. If the communication trial is successful, the communication is performed using the corresponding unit. Therefore, it is unknown whether the network is an analog telephone network or an ISDN network. Even when the connection is made, the communication by the appropriate network corresponding unit can be performed by the communication trial.

As described above, according to the communication interface device of the third aspect, the analog telephone corresponding unit includes:
In the communication trial, parameter exchange with the modem of the partner device is attempted, so that parameters such as the transmission speed can be extracted from the modem of the partner device to perform appropriate communication.

As described above, according to the communication interface device of the fourth aspect, the ISDN network corresponding unit attempts to establish synchronization with the clock coming from the network in the communication trial, so that the presence or absence of synchronization establishment Thus, it is possible to identify the ISDN network and perform appropriate communication.

As described above, according to the communication interface device of the fifth aspect, a link establishment trial is performed by using the PHS network corresponding unit for performing communication via the PHS network and the wireless communication LAN corresponding unit. If the link establishment attempt succeeds, communication is performed using the corresponding unit.
A trial of communication is performed from a wireless LAN with a high transmission rate, and communication with a higher-grade service among the services at the point is enabled.

As described above, according to the communication interface device of the sixth aspect, when both of the communication attempts by the two corresponding units are unsuccessful, the device having the display means is connected to the display device. Since the error is displayed, it is possible to know at a glance that communication with the connected network is impossible.

As described above, according to the communication interface device of the seventh aspect, the first communication medium corresponding unit and the second communication medium are connected to the communication medium capable of high-speed communication to perform communication. If the communication try succeeds, the communication is performed using the corresponding unit of the communication medium. Communication with high-grade services becomes possible.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a communication interface device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the communication interface device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a communication interface device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the communication interface device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a conventional method of network connection by a personal computer.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a connection example between an analog telephone network and a personal computer.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a connection example between an ISDN network and a personal computer.

[Explanation of symbols]

1, 20 Communication interface device 2, 21 Connector 3, 22 PC card slot interface 4, 24 Control unit 5, 25 Memory 6, Serial controller 7 Modem control unit 8 ISDN serial controller 9 ISDN DSU 10 Switch 25 PHS serial controller 26, 28 RF section 27 Wireless LA
N control unit

Claims (7)

[Claims] A first communication network corresponding unit connected to a first communication network and communicating with a partner device via the first communication network; and a second communication network connected to a second communication network. A second communication network corresponding unit that communicates with a communication partner device via the communication network, a switch that switches connection to the first or second communication network, and a first or second switch that controls this switch. If any of the communication network corresponding units are connected to the network, a communication try is performed, and if the communication try is successful, the communication is performed using the corresponding unit, while if the communication try becomes unsuccessful,
Switch the switch to connect the other corresponding part to the network,
A communication interface device comprising: a control unit that causes a communication trial to be performed and, when the communication trial succeeds, performs communication using the other corresponding unit. 2. The first communication network is an analog telephone network.
2. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the first communication network corresponding unit is an analog telephone network corresponding unit, the second communication network is an ISDN network, and the second communication network corresponding unit is an ISDN network corresponding unit. The communication interface device according to claim 1. 3. The communication interface device according to claim 2, wherein the analog telephone corresponding unit tries to exchange parameters with a modem of a partner device in a communication trial. 4. The communication interface apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ISDN network corresponding unit attempts to establish synchronization with a clock coming from the network in a communication trial. 5. A wireless communication LAN compatible unit connected to the wireless communication LAN and communicating via the wireless communication LAN, a PHS network compatible unit connected to the PHS network and communicating via the PHS network, Using the wireless communication LAN corresponding unit, a link establishment trial is performed. If the link establishment trial succeeds, communication is performed using the corresponding unit. If the communication trial fails, a PHS network corresponding unit is activated. A communication interface device comprising: a control unit that causes a communication trial to be performed by using the PHS network corresponding unit when the communication trial is successful. 6. A display control means connected to an apparatus having a display means for displaying information, and displaying a connection error message on said display means when both of the communication attempts by the two corresponding units are unsuccessful. The communication interface device according to claim 1, comprising: 7. A first communication medium corresponding unit connected to a first communication medium and performing communication via the first communication medium, and a second communication medium connected to a second communication medium A second communication medium corresponding unit that communicates via the first communication medium, and a communication medium that is capable of high-speed communication among the first communication medium corresponding unit and the second communication medium, and performs a communication trial. If the communication trial succeeds, the communication unit performs communication using the corresponding unit of the communication medium.If the communication trial fails, the corresponding unit of the other communication medium is connected to the network and the communication trial is performed. And a control unit for performing communication using the corresponding unit of the other communication medium when the communication trial succeeds.