JP2000032117A - Communication equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide communication equipment which can reduce a storage capacity of an identification number of another party equipment indicated by an American standard code for information interchange(ASCII) code by almost half. SOLUTION: A transmitter's number transmitted by an ASCII code from an exchange is first written in a buffer (S3) and, regarding each number composing the transmitter's number written in the buffer, data of low-order 4 bits are taken out from leading data of 1 bit in turn (S4, S6 and S11). The fetched data of low-order 4 bits are synthesized every two data (S8), made to be the data of 1 byte and are written in a transmitter's number memory (S9). Thus, a storage capacity of the transmitter's number memory can be reduced about by half in comparison with the case in which the transmitter's number transmitted by the ASCII code is written in the transmitter's number memory as it is.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication device, and more particularly, to a communication device capable of reducing the storage capacity of a telephone number of a partner device represented by an ASCII code to about half.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In Japan, the United States and the United Kingdom, so-called outgoing telephone number display services ("number display", "Caller ID") have been put to practical use. In this service, when the called device (communication device) has subscribed to the service, the exchange sends the telephone number (caller number) of the other device (calling device, caller) to the communication device. Service. In Japan and the United Kingdom, the timing at which the caller ID is transmitted is a silent section immediately before the call signal, and in the United States, it is a silent section between the first call signal and the next call signal. Thus, the caller ID can be received by the communication device before the receiver of the communication device is picked up (while the receiver is in the on-hook state). Therefore, if this service is used, the caller ID is displayed on the display (for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD)) of the communication device before the telephone line is closed.
This allows the user of the communication device to recognize the caller.

[0003] In addition, when a new call is received from another party during a call, a so-called call waiting service has been put to practical use, in which the other party can be switched by a simple operation. In the call waiting service, in the United States, a service for transmitting a telephone number (caller ID) of a called device newly called during a call from an exchange (a so-called call waiting information notification service (“Call Waiting Caller”).
ID))) has been put to practical use. Some communication devices receive a caller number sent from the exchange according to this service, and display the received caller number on a display (for example, a liquid crystal display (LCD)) of the communication device during a call. Some have the function to do. Therefore, a communication device having this function can recognize a newly called caller by looking at the display contents of the LCD.

The caller number sent from the exchange by the above-mentioned calling telephone number display service and the busy information notification service is a so-called ASCII (American Standard).
Codefor Information Interchange). This ASCII code is a coding system for data communication in the United States specified by the American Standards Association (ASA), and is a coding system for standard JIS information exchange in Japan and an international standardization organization (IS).
O (International Organization for Standardizatio
n)) is based on the international coding system specified.
The data length of this ASCII code is 1 byte, and codes such as numbers and alphabets are defined by a combination of upper 4-bit data and lower 4-bit data.

More specifically, when the upper 4 bits of the ASCII code are 3, a number is defined, and 30h is "0", 31h is "1", 32h is "2", ..., 39h.
Is defined as “9”, respectively. Therefore, exchange 2
In the caller number transmitted from 9 as an ASCII code, the data of the upper 4 bits is 3, and the data of the lower 4 bits are each number constituting the caller number.

[0006]

As mentioned above, AS
The caller number represented by the CII code always has the upper 4 bits of data "3", and the caller number itself can be recognized only by the lower 4 bits of data. Nevertheless, when the communication device receives the caller number sent from the exchange in the ASCII code, the communication device sequentially stores the received caller number in the RAM or the like without changing the ASCII code for the reception history and other purposes. Let me. For this reason, in order to store the caller number, the upper 4 bits unrelated to the caller number must be stored together, and there is a problem that the storage capacity is unnecessarily increased.

[0007] This problem is caused by the fact that in a communication device which stores the name of the caller in association with the caller number in order to display the name of the caller on the LCD, many caller numbers are stored in the communication device in advance. It was particularly noticeable because it had to be remembered. Further, these caller numbers are stored in a nonvolatile memory such as an EEPROM so that re-registration is not required even if the power of the communication device is turned off. However, such EEPROMs are much more expensive per bit than dynamic RAMs, which are volatile memories. Therefore, an increase in the storage capacity of the caller ID has a great effect on an increase in device cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and provides a communication device capable of reducing the storage capacity of the identification number of a partner device represented by an ASCII code to about half. It is intended to be.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, a communication device according to the present invention comprises a detecting device for detecting an identification number of a partner device represented by a predetermined code,
Further, extracting means for extracting a part of data for each code constituting the identification number of the partner device detected by the detecting means, and extracting the partial data extracted by the extracting means with the identification number of the partner device. And combining means for combining with a part of the data extracted from the other codes constituting the above to create new combined data, and storage means for storing the combined data created by the combining means.

According to the communication device of the present invention, when the identification number of the partner device represented by the predetermined code is detected by the detection means, each code constituting the detected identification number of the partner device is detected. Is extracted by the extracting means. A part of the data extracted by the extracting means is combined with a part of the data extracted from another code constituting the identification number of the partner device by the combining means to create new combined data. The created composite data is stored by the storage unit.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the communication device according to the first aspect, the predetermined code is constituted by an ASCII code, and the extracting means constitutes an identification number of the partner apparatus detected by the detecting means. The lower 4 bits of data are extracted for each ASCII code to be converted, and the combining means combines the lower 4 bits of data extracted by the extracting means for every two data.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the communication apparatus of the second aspect, the code data of the lower 4 bits extracted by the extracting means is only one data,
When combining by the combining means is impossible, predetermined data consisting of 4 bits is added to the code data to provide two data.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the communication device of the third aspect, the adding means adds any one of Ah to Fh as predetermined data.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the communication apparatus according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, the detecting means detects an identification number of the partner apparatus transmitted from another apparatus by an ASCII code. Is what you do.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the communication apparatus according to any one of the second to fifth aspects, further comprising an input unit for inputting a character or a symbol, and the detecting unit including the input unit. Is used to detect the identification number of the partner device represented by the ASCII code input by.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the communication apparatus according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, the storage means comprises an EEPROM.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of FIGS. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of a facsimile machine 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. A handset 3 is attached to a side of the main body 2 of the facsimile machine 1. Handset 3
Is placed on a hook (not shown) provided on the main body 2 during a non-call, and is picked up from the hook and used during a call. The former is called an on-hook state, and the latter is called an off-hook state.

An operation panel 4 having a plurality of keys 4a is provided at a front portion of the upper surface of the main body 2, and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 5 is provided at a left rear portion of the operation panel 4. The facsimile apparatus 1 is operated by depressing a plurality of keys 4a provided on the operation panel 4, and the operation state and operation procedure are displayed on the LCD 5.

A document insertion slot 6 is provided at the rear of the operation panel 4 and the LCD 5. The original to be transmitted by facsimile is inserted into the original insertion slot 6 with the original surface facing downward, and after reading is performed, the original is sent from an original exit 7 provided on the front surface of the main body 2 and below the operation panel 4. Is discharged. A recording paper holder mounting portion 9 is provided at the rear of the document insertion slot 6, and a recording paper holder 10 capable of stacking and storing a plurality of recording papers is detachably mounted on the recording paper holder mounting portion 9. ing. The recording paper supplied from the recording paper holder 10 and used for printing is discharged from a recording paper discharge port 8 provided below the document discharge port 7. Also, body 2
Is provided with a speaker 28 for sounding a ringing sound in response to an incoming call (an incoming call signal).

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the facsimile machine 1. First, the facsimile machine 1
Are connected to the telephone line 31 via the NCU 19. This telephone line 31 is connected to an exchange 29 on the facsimile machine 1 side, and this exchange 29 is connected to another exchange via a telephone line 32. Note that the other exchanges are further connected to the partner device via a telephone line.

The facsimile apparatus 1 includes a CPU 11 and an R
OM 12, EEPROM 13, RAM 14, image memory 15, audio memory 16, audio LSI 17, network control unit (hereinafter referred to as "NCU") 1
9, a modem 20, a buffer 21, a scanner 22, an encoding unit 23, a decoding unit 24, a printer 25, an operation panel 4, and an amplifier 27, which are connected to each other via a bus line 30.

The NCU 19 performs line control, and the facsimile machine 1 is connected to a telephone line 31 via the NCU 19. NCU 19 is the exchange 2
In response to the operation of the key 4a on the operation panel 4, it receives various signals such as a call signal sent from the terminal 9 and a signal indicating the telephone number (caller number) of the other device (caller device, caller). The dial signal at the time of calling is transmitted to the exchange 29, and an analog voice signal is transmitted and received during a call.

The CPU 11 controls each unit connected by the bus line 30 in accordance with various signals transmitted and received via the NCU 19, and executes facsimile operation and telephone operation, that is, data communication. ROM 12
This is a non-rewritable memory storing a control program executed by the facsimile machine 1 and the like. The program shown in the flowchart of FIG.

The EEPROM 13 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory, and the data stored in the EEPROM 13 is retained even after the power of the facsimile machine 1 is turned off. This EEPROM 13 has a caller number memory 13a.

The caller number memory 13a stores the telephone number of the other device transmitted from the exchange 29 by the caller telephone number display service described in the section of "Prior Art" upon the incoming call before the telephone line is closed. This is a memory for temporarily storing (caller number). For this reason, if the telephone number of the partner device (caller) is not transmitted from the exchange 29 even if there is an incoming call, the contents of the caller number memory 13a are cleared to "0". Therefore, the caller ID memory 1
By checking the contents of 3a, if it is not "0", it can be determined that the call is an incoming call from the partner apparatus (caller) of the telephone number stored in the caller number memory 13a, while the caller number memory 13a Is "0", it can be determined that the telephone number of the called device (caller) that has received the call has not been transmitted from the exchange 29.

As described in the section of “Prior Art”, A
In the caller number represented by the SCII code, the data of the upper 4 bits is 3, and the data of the lower 4 bits are each number constituting the caller number. For this reason, data of lower 4 bits is extracted for each number constituting the sender number of the ASCII code stored in the buffer 21 described later, and data obtained by combining the extracted 4 bits of data for every two data is This caller ID memory 14
stored in a.

The RAM 14 is a memory for temporarily storing various data when each operation of the facsimile machine 1 is executed. The image memory 15 is a memory for storing communication history, image data, and a bit image for printing, and is an inexpensive large-capacity dynamic RA.
M (DRAM). The received image data is temporarily stored in the image memory 15 and is stored in the printer 2.
5, after the image memory 1
5 erased. Generally, the image data has a large capacity, but since the image data is deleted on condition that the image data is printed, the image memory 15 can be used effectively.

The voice memory 16 is a memory for storing a response message sent to the partner device and an incoming message sent from the partner device. Like the image memory 15, the image memory 15 is configured by a dynamic RAM (DRAM) which is an inexpensive large-capacity memory. The incoming message stored in the voice memory 16 is erased by performing an erasing operation via the operation panel 4 or by receiving an erasing command sent from another device connected to the telephone line. You.

The voice LSI 17 performs voice recognition processing for converting an analog voice signal received by the NCU 19 into a digital voice signal, and converts a digital voice signal generated inside the facsimile apparatus 1 into an analog voice signal.
This is for performing voice synthesis processing for output to the NCU 19 and the speaker 28 (amplifier 27). The modem 20
It is for modulating and demodulating image information and communication data for transmission, and for transmitting and receiving various procedure signals for transmission control.

The buffer 21 is for temporarily storing data including coded image information transmitted / received to / from the partner device. The data stored in this buffer is retained until an erasure instruction is given or until overwriting is performed. Exchange 29 via telephone line 31
The caller ID sent in ASCII code from
After being received by 19, it is temporarily stored in the buffer 21.

The scanner 22 reads a document inserted into the document insertion slot 6 as image data.
The encoding unit 23 encodes image data read by the scanner 22. The decoding unit 24 reads the image data stored in the buffer 21 or the image memory 15 and decodes the image data. The decoded data is printed by a printer 25 on a recording sheet. The operation panel 4 is used by the operator to operate the facsimile device 1.
The LCD 5 displays an operation state and an operation procedure associated with an operation of the key 4 a on the operation panel 4. The amplifier 27 is for sounding a speaker 28 connected to the amplifier 27 and outputting a ringing tone and a voice.

Next, the operation of the facsimile apparatus 1 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flow chart showing the calling telephone number conversion processing of FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, it waits until a call signal is received (S1: N
o), when a call signal is received (S1: Yes),
It is confirmed whether or not the telephone number (caller number) of the other party's device sent from the exchange by the above-mentioned calling telephone number display service has been received (S2). Even if the facsimile apparatus 1 has subscribed to the calling telephone number display service, if the calling party refuses to send the telephone number, the calling party number is not transmitted from the exchange 29, and the calling party number is received. Can not do. Therefore, in such a case, (S2: N
o), the calling telephone number conversion process ends.

On the other hand, when the caller number is received (S
2: Yes), the received caller number is stored in the buffer 21.
(S3). The caller number written in the buffer 21 is represented by an ASCII code, and the data of the lower 4 bits of the caller number represents each number constituting the caller number. For this reason, after writing to the buffer 21 in the process of S3, the first one of the numbers constituting the caller number written to the buffer 21 is
The lower 4 bits of data are extracted from the byte data (S4).

Thereafter, it is determined whether or not there is data of the next one byte, that is, whether or not there is a number for which the lower 4 bits of data have not yet been extracted from the numbers constituting the caller number stored in the buffer 21. Is determined (S5). If the result of the determination is that there is data for the next one byte (S5:
Yes), the lower 4 bits of data are extracted from the 1-byte data (S6), the previously extracted data is set as the upper 4 bits, and the later extracted data is combined as the lower 4 bits to form 1-byte data ( S8).

On the other hand, if there is no next 1-byte data (S5: No), the lower 4
Bit extraction has been completed. In this case, the number of caller numbers sent from the exchange 29 in ASCII code is an odd number, and the data of the lower 4 bits out of the data that is combined in the processing of S8 to be 1 byte is insufficient. , Fh is set as the data of the four lower bits (S7). The data set as Fh is added (synthesized) to the previously extracted data as data to be extracted later, and is converted into 1-byte data (S
8).

As described above, when the number of caller numbers is odd, if the extraction of the lower 4 bits has been completed for all the numbers of the caller numbers in the processing of S5, the Fh of the data previously taken out is Data is added. Since the data of Fh is a numerical value other than “0 to 9” representing the caller number, the data is not confused as a part of the caller number, and the caller number can be accurately recognized. Therefore, even when the number of telephone numbers of the partner device represented by the ASCII code is an odd number, the storage capacity of the telephone number of the partner device can be reduced to about half.

After the processing of S8, 1-byte data is
The data is written into the caller number memory 13a in the PROM 13 (S9). After writing, it is determined whether or not the next 1-byte data exists (S10). If the result of the determination is that there is data for the next 1 byte (S10: Yes), the 1
The lower 4 bits of data are extracted from the byte data (S11), and then the process proceeds to S5 to repeat the processes from S5 to S10. On the other hand, when there is no next 1-byte data (S10: No), the extraction of the lower 4 bits has been completed for all the numbers of the caller numbers.
In this case, the number of caller numbers sent from the exchange 29 in ASCII code is an even number, and there is no 4-bit data left uncombined, so this caller telephone number conversion process is terminated as it is. .

As described above, in the calling telephone number conversion process, the lower 4 bits of data are taken out from the leading 1-byte data for each number constituting the calling number sent from the exchange 29 in the form of ASCII code, and 2 data The data is combined into one-byte data and written to the caller number memory 13a. Therefore, the caller number transmitted by the ASCII code is stored as is in the caller number memory 13a.
Thus, the storage capacity of the caller ID memory 13a can be reduced to about half as compared with the case of writing to.

In this embodiment, claims 1 to 6
The processing of S4, S6, and S11 corresponds to the extracting means described in, and the processing of S8 corresponds to the combining means.
The additional means according to claims 2 to 6 include S7 and S
8 corresponds to the processing.

As described above, the present invention has been described based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. Can easily be inferred.

For example, in this embodiment, the ASCII code described in each claim is not necessarily the ASCII code itself, but may be any coding system (code) based on the ASCII code. At least the number part of “0-9” in the encoding system is ASCII
Like the code, the upper or lower 4 bits are "0-9"
In the claims 1 to 6, the ASCII codes including these code systems are referred to.

In the process of S3 in this embodiment, the caller numbers sent from the exchange 29 in the ASCII code are all written once in the buffer 21, and then the lower 4 bits of each number constituting the caller number are written. Data retrieval and synthesis were performed. However, instead of this, switch 2
9 while receiving the caller number transmitted in ASCII code, in parallel with the reception, extracts the lower 4 bits of data for each number constituting the received caller number, and fetches the extracted data every two data May be combined and stored.

In the facsimile machine 1 of the present embodiment, FIG.
In the outgoing telephone number conversion process shown in the flow chart of FIG. 5, the lower 4 bits of data are extracted and combined for each number constituting the caller number transmitted in ASCII code by the outgoing telephone number display service. But,
For each of the numbers constituting the caller number transmitted by the ASCII code by the busy information notification service, the lower 4 bits of data are extracted, and the lower 4 bits of data are combined for every two data to the caller number memory 13a. You may make it memorize. Further, when the facsimile machine 1 is connected to a device such as a personal computer (hereinafter abbreviated as “PC”), the PC
For the telephone number sent by the SCII code, lower 4 bits of data may be extracted, and the lower 4 bits of data may be combined and stored for every two data. Further, the ASCII key is operated by operating the key 4a on the operation panel 4.
For each of the numbers constituting the telephone number of the partner device input by the code, lower 4 bits of data may be taken out, combined and stored. When the telephone directory data is stored by associating the telephone number of the partner device with the name of the partner device based on the data input by operating the key 4a on the operation panel 4, Although a large number of telephone numbers are stored, the storage capacity of telephone numbers can be reduced by about half, so that the storage capacity of the storage means can be greatly reduced.

In the calling telephone number conversion process of this embodiment, the calling number transmitted from the exchange 29 in the form of an ASCII code is compressed to about half the size and transmitted to the calling number memory 13.
a. However, instead of storing the caller number itself, the communication history with the partner device may be stored in association with the telephone number (caller number) of the partner device. Although a large number of caller IDs are stored in the communication history, the storage capacity of the caller ID is reduced to about half, so reduce the storage capacity of the communication history and use the storage area of the memory effectively. You can do it.

[0045]

According to the communication device of the present invention, a part of data is extracted by the extracting means for each code constituting the identification number of the partner device represented by the predetermined code. The extracted part of the data is combined with the part of the data extracted from the other codes constituting the identification number of the partner device by the combining means to create new combined data. Since the synthesized data created in this way is stored in the storage means, the storage capacity can be reduced as compared with the case where the identification number of the partner device represented by the predetermined code is stored in the storage means as it is. There is an effect that can be.

According to the communication device of the second aspect, in addition to the effects of the communication device of the first aspect, furthermore, the ASCI
With respect to each ASCII code constituting the identification number of the partner device represented by the I code, data of lower 4 bits is extracted by the extracting means. The extracted lower 4-bit code data is combined with a part of the data extracted from the other codes constituting the identification number of the partner apparatus by the combining means to create new combined data. Since the synthesized data created in this way is stored in the storage means, the storage capacity is reduced to about half as compared with the case where the identification number of the partner device represented by the ASCII code is stored in the storage means as it is. There is an effect that can be.

According to the communication apparatus of the third aspect, in addition to the effect of the communication apparatus of the second aspect, further, the lower 4 bits of data extracted by the extraction means are only one data, and the data is synthesized by the synthesis means. If this is not possible, predetermined data consisting of 4 bits is added to the data. Therefore, even when the number of identification numbers of the partner device represented by the ASCII code is an odd number, the storage capacity of the identification number of the partner device can be reduced to about half.

According to the communication device of the fourth aspect, in addition to the effect of the communication device of the third aspect, any one of data from Ah to Fh is added as predetermined data by the addition means. Therefore, without confusing the data added by the adding means as a part of the identification number,
This has the effect that the identification number of the partner device can be accurately recognized.

According to the communication device of the fifth aspect, in addition to the effect of the communication device of the second aspect, further, the identification number of the partner device transmitted by another device in the form of an ASCII code. Is detected by the detecting means,
The identification number is made 1 byte for every two data by the extracting means and the synthesizing means, and is stored in the storage means. Therefore, even when the identification number of the partner device transmitted by another device as an ASCII code is stored, the storage capacity of the identification number can be reduced to about half. For example, when another device is an exchange and the identification number of the other device sent from the exchange is stored in association with the communication history with the other device, a large number of identification numbers are stored in the storage means. . However, as described above, the storage capacity of the identification number is reduced to about half, so that the storage capacity of the communication history stored in the storage means can be reduced and the storage means can be used effectively.

Another device is a device such as a personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a "PC"), and a telephone such as a personal computer (PC) is associated with the identification number of the partner device and the name of the partner device. Book data may be stored. When such telephone directory data is transmitted from a device such as a PC to the present communication device and stored, a large number of identification numbers are stored in the telephone directory data, but as described above, the storage capacity of the identification numbers is reduced to about half. As a result, the storage capacity of the entire telephone directory data can be reduced, and the storage means can be used effectively.

According to the communication device of the sixth aspect, in addition to the effects of the communication device of the second aspect, further, the partner device represented by the ASCII code input by the input means. When the identification number is detected by the detection means, the identification number is made one byte for every two data by the extraction means and the synthesis means and stored in the storage means. Therefore, based on the data input by the input means, there is an effect that the storage capacity of the telephone directory data for storing the identification number of the partner device and the name of the caller in association with each other can be reduced. In particular, since the identification numbers of a large number of partner devices are stored in the telephone directory data, by reducing the storage capacity of the identification numbers by about half, the used capacity of the storage means can be significantly reduced. .

According to the communication device of the present invention, in addition to the effect of the communication device of any one of the second to sixth aspects, since the storage means is constituted by an EEPROM,
By storing the telephone directory data in which the identification number of the partner apparatus and the name of the caller are stored in the storage unit, the telephone directory data can be retained even when the power of the communication apparatus is turned off. This has the effect. Thereby, even when the power of the communication device is turned off, it is not necessary for the user to re-enter the telephone directory data.

Also, since the bit unit price of the EEPROM is relatively expensive, using a large-capacity EEPROM requires
This increases equipment costs. On the other hand, although a large number of identification numbers are stored in the telephone directory data, the storage capacity of the large number of identification numbers can be reduced to about half, so that the used capacity of the EEPROM can be reduced. . Therefore, even if an EEPROM is used for the storage means,
There is an effect that the used capacity of the EPROM can be reduced to prevent an increase in device cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a facsimile apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the facsimile apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a calling telephone number conversion process.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Facsimile machine (communication device) 13 EEPROM (storage means) 13a Caller ID memory (storage means) 19 Network control unit (NC
U) (part of receiving means) 20 modem (part of receiving means) 21 buffer (part of receiving means) 29 exchange 31 telephone line (line)

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. A communication apparatus comprising a detecting means for detecting an identification number of a partner device represented by a predetermined code, wherein each code constituting the identification number of the partner device detected by the detecting means is partially included. Extracting means for extracting the data of the other device, and combining the partial data extracted by the extracting means with the partial data extracted from another code constituting the identification number of the other party device to create new combined data A communication device, comprising: a synthesizing unit that performs synthesis; and a storage unit that stores synthesized data created by the synthesizing unit. 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the predetermined code is an ASCII code, and the extracting means extracts lower 4 bits of data for each ASCII code constituting the identification number of the other device detected by the detecting means. 2. The communication apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said combining means combines the lower 4 bits of data extracted by said extracting means for every two data. 3. When the lower 4 bits of data extracted by the extracting means are only one data and cannot be combined by the combining means, predetermined data consisting of 4 bits is added to the data. 3. The communication device according to claim 2, further comprising an adding unit that converts the data into two data. 4. The communication apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said adding means adds any one of Ah to Fh as predetermined data. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means receives an ASCI message from another device.
The communication device according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein an identification number of the counterpart device transmitted by an I code is detected. 6. An input device for inputting a character or a symbol, wherein the detecting device is configured to input an ASC input by the input device.
The communication device according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein an identification number of the partner device represented by an II code is detected. 7. The communication device according to claim 2, wherein said storage means is constituted by an EEPROM.