JPH11191824A - Multimedia communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To communicate the data of various media while determining a communication method corresponding to a communicating party by performing the communication through a communication protocol corresponding to the kind of data and controlling a network to be connected at the time of communication. SOLUTION: When communicating an original image through facsimile communication, a manipulation part 3 provided with keys for manipulation inputs the execution of facsimile communication and the destination of a party by watching a display part 2 or the like. Then, the original image is read by a scanner part 6, and image data are transformed to data matched with the standard of a facsimile by a data transforming part 7, connected to a line by a network control part 8 and outputted through a MODEM part 9 for data communication to a communication line. At such a time, since an image signal to be outputted to the monitor of a television receiver or the like is outputted from an image output part 10, by connecting the monitor of the television receiver or the like, the image read by the scanner part 6 can be read.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to communication of data on different media by a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as PC).
The present invention relates to a multimedia communication device that can be realized independently without connecting such devices.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a facsimile apparatus mainly converts an image into image data using a scanner and transmits the image data, and reproduces the image using a printer from the received image data. Met. Usually, this type of facsimile apparatus has a voice communication function (telephone function).

[0003] In addition, a device such as a PC or a portable terminal and a communication device such as a modem are required to create or transmit a text for E-mail, or to receive E-mail. .

[0004]

However, the conventional facsimile does not have an E-mail communication function.
On the other hand, a PC could not transmit a facsimile without a scanner and a modem. In order to perform both of these, there is a problem that all devices are required and the configuration becomes redundant.

[0005] Further, there is a problem that even if all of these are prepared and connected to a network, there is a case where communication cannot be performed because data and voice cannot be distinguished.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-223346 discloses that
A facsimile apparatus that can handle a plurality of media such as voice data, image data, and text data has been disclosed. However, such a facsimile apparatus uses a PC for text creation, and has a problem that the configuration becomes redundant. Has not been resolved.

[0007]

According to the present invention, communication is performed with a text creating means for converting a character input from a keyboard into a text by a communication protocol (data communication, facsimile communication, etc.) according to the type of data. Communication means, and network control means for controlling a network connected for communication, so that one or both of the image data and the text created by the word processor function can be transmitted over the network without using a PC.
It was configured to be able to communicate (transmit / receive) as AX or E-mail.

[0008]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The invention according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises: image data generating means for generating image data from a document image; a keyboard for inputting characters; and a keyboard interface means for connecting a keyboard. Controls a network that is connected for communication, and a text creation unit that converts characters input by the keyboard interface into text, a communication unit that performs communication using a communication protocol (data communication, facsimile communication, etc.) according to the type of data Network control means, and an image generated by the image data generating means or an image obtained by communication (for example, FAX or E-ma
il), and a multimedia communication device provided with image output means for outputting these images (for example, FAX and E-mail) to a monitor device. Without using any of these, one or both of the image data and the text created by the text creation function can be communicated (transmitted / received) as a facsimile or e-mail using a network.

Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a multimedia communication apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a main control unit that controls each unit, 2 denotes a display unit that displays the state of the apparatus, and 3 denotes an operation unit that includes operation keys. Reference numeral 4 denotes a data storage unit that stores various data.
Reference numeral 5 denotes a serial interface unit serving as a keyboard or mouse interface. Reference numeral 6 denotes a scanner unit for reading an image.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a data conversion unit for converting various data such as images and sounds into data suitable for a communication method, 8 a network control unit connected to a communication line, and 9 a modem unit for data communication. Reference numeral 10 denotes a generated image or an image obtained by communication (for example, FAX or E-mail)
Is an image output unit for outputting the image to a monitor such as a television receiver. 11 is a program memory unit, 12 is a media I / F
Reference numeral 13 denotes a data conversion memory unit. Reference numeral 17 denotes an image output memory unit.

Next, the configuration of the network control unit 8 will be described in detail. Reference numeral 14 denotes a handset unit for performing voice communication, 15 denotes a microphone unit, and 16 denotes a speaker unit. Reference numeral 18 denotes a communication line. Reference numeral 19 denotes an analog control unit, reference numeral 20 denotes an analog switch, and reference numeral 21 denotes a hybrid unit connected to a communication line (LAN or telephone line) and having a function such as 2-wire to 4-wire conversion.

The operation of the multimedia communication device will be described below. First, when a document image is to be communicated by facsimile communication, facsimile communication is performed using the operation unit 3 having operation keys, and the destination is input by looking at the display unit 2 or the like. As a result, the original image is read by the scanner unit 6, the image data is converted into data conforming to the facsimile standard by the data conversion unit 7, connected to the line by the network control unit 8, and the modem unit 9 for data communication Output to the communication line via

At this time, since an image signal to be output to a monitor such as a television receiver is output from the image output unit 10, if a monitor such as a television receiver is connected, an image read by the scanner unit 6 can be viewed. I can do it.

When transmitting the original image by E-mail,
Communication can be performed similarly by inputting a command for selecting E-mail communication, a mail address and a file format of an image.

Next, when a text is mainly created for transmission by E-mail, a monitor such as a television receiver is connected to the image output unit 10 for monitoring the created text, and a keyboard and a mouse interface are provided. A keyboard and a mouse are connected to the serial interface unit 5.
The user inputs text creation from the operation unit 3, and inputs text using a connected keyboard or the like (not shown).

The main control unit 1 converts a character input by a key into a font of a predetermined conversion format such as a kanji or a kana by a data conversion unit 7 and outputs it as an image signal from an image output unit 10 to create the image signal. The data is stored in the data storage unit 4 as a file of the sentence.

Next, the receiving operation of facsimile and voice data (answering machine function) will be described. When an incoming call is detected by the network control unit 8, the number of bells set in advance is counted, and then the line is captured and an answering message recorded in advance and stored in the data storage unit 4 is transmitted to the line. At the same time, the signal of the line is monitored by the modem unit 9. Here, when a facsimile communication procedure signal such as CNG is detected, the facsimile is received in the facsimile communication procedure and stored in the data storage unit 4 as facsimile image data.

In the case of voice, the data is digitized and modulated by PCM or the like, and voice data is compressed by the CELP method or the like, and then stored in the data storage unit 4 as voice data. This data is mainly an answering machine message.

When used as a normal telephone, the main control unit 1 detects whether the handset unit 14 is in the off-hook state or the speakerphone is turned on, and the voice input to the handset unit 14 or the microphone unit 15 is output. The data is transmitted to the line through the network control unit 8 connected to the communication line.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, data of different media, such as voice data, image data, and text data, can be communicated by determining a communication method by a communication partner.

(Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 of the present invention will be described. The cordless connection means according to the sixth aspect exhibits an effect when the multimedia communication device of the present invention is used away from the network connection point by making the network control unit 8 shown in FIG. 1 cordless. .

In FIG. 2, the configuration of the digital section 22 is the same as that shown in FIG.
Each description is omitted. Reference numeral 23 denotes a cordless network control unit. Reference numeral 24 denotes an RF unit (wireless transceiver). In this case, in order to make the network control unit 23 cordless,
An F unit 24 (wireless transceiver) is added.

Reference numeral 25 denotes a cordless network connection unit separate from the main unit, which wirelessly transmits and receives signals to and from the main unit. In the cordless network connection unit 25, 26 is an RF unit, 27 is a hybrid unit connected to a communication line (LAN or telephone line or the like) and having a function such as 2-wire to 4-wire conversion.

With the configuration shown in FIG. 2, the analog voice signal, modem signal, or digital modem signal processed by the network control unit 23 can be transmitted or received to the cordless network connection unit 25 by wireless communication.

[0025]

According to the present invention, data of different media, such as voice data, image data, text data, etc., can be determined and communicated by a communication partner depending on the communication partner.

Further, sentences and images exchanged by the communication,
By providing the audio input device, the object can be achieved in a stand-alone manner without connecting a PC or the like.

Further, these audio data, image data and text data can be managed and stored as files.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a multimedia communication device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Main control part 2 Display part 3 Operation part 4 Data storage part 5 Serial interface part 6 Scanner part 7 Data conversion part 8 Network control part 9 Modem part 10 Image output part 11 Program memory part 12 Media I / F part 13 Data conversion Memory unit 14 Handset unit 15 Microphone unit 16 Speaker unit 17 Image output memory unit 18 Communication line

──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification symbol FI H04L 12/58 G06F 15/20 558 H04M 11/00 303 15/62 U H04N 1/21 H04L 11/20 101B 1/32

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. An image data generating means for generating image data from a document image, a keyboard for inputting characters and a keyboard interface means for connecting a keyboard, and the characters input by the keyboard interface means are converted into text. Text creating means, communication means for communicating with a communication protocol according to the type of data, network control means for controlling a network connected for communication, and image or communication generated by the image data generating means. A multimedia communication device, comprising: a data storage unit for storing images obtained by the above process; and an image output unit for outputting these images to a monitor device. 2. A communication means for judging whether the communication is voice, facsimile communication or data communication at the time of an incoming call, and performing communication using a communication protocol according to the type. 2. The multimedia communication device according to claim 1, further comprising an answering machine. 3. The multimedia communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising printing means for printing out a generated image or an image obtained by communication (for example, FAX or E-mail). 4. The multimedia communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a voice interface means and a voice communication means such as a wired or cordless handset unit or a speakerphone for performing voice communication. . 5. The multimedia communication apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a voice interface means and a voice communication means such as a wired or cordless handset unit or a speakerphone for performing voice communication. . 6. A cordless connection means having a network connection (telephone line or the like) portion and a main body separately, and having a cordless connection means for connecting between them by cordless communication.
The multimedia communication device according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4.