JP2000183871A - Communication terminal device and communication setting changing method - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a communication terminal device which can make a communication through more than one path at the same time through easy operation. SOLUTION: When facsimile equipment is actuated, a setting change part 32 checks whether or not a PC card is inserted into a PC card socket 21A. When the PC card is inserted, the setting change part 23 identifies the PC card. Then it is checked whether or not the PC card is a PC card for communication. The setting change part 32 sets the use setting flag corresponding to the kind of the PC card identified according to setting contents registered in a communication setting table 33 and changes the communication setting. An Internet connection part 34 connects to the Internet according to the communication setting whose flag is set.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication terminal device for transmitting and receiving data such as Internet communication.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Multifunctional communication terminals equipped with a telephone function, a facsimile function, an Internet function and the like have been developed. In such a communication terminal device, communication through a plurality of routes has been considered. That is, while telephone or facsimile communication is performed via the public line network, the user connects to the Internet via the LAN and browses WWW pages.

[0003] From the beginning, to be able to handle multiple routes,
It is conceivable to mount a modem that communicates via a main line and a network interface or modem for connecting to a LAN or a sub line. However, it is not preferable to install all communication functions in advance, since this causes a rise in product price. Therefore, it is conceivable to connect an external communication device to a serial port or a PC card and connect a LAN or a sub line to the external communication device.

[0004]

However, when communication is performed by connecting an external communication device, communication is performed by connecting an external communication device from the setting for connecting to the Internet via a built-in modem. Need to change to settings. Therefore, if an attempt is made to connect to the Internet during telephone or fax communication without changing the settings, an error occurs because the main line is already blocked.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and provides a communication terminal device capable of simultaneously performing communication on a plurality of routes with a simple operation.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention detects that a communication device is connected to an external interface of a communication terminal device and automatically changes communication settings to contents corresponding to the communication device.

[0007]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A communication terminal device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a line termination unit connected to a line, an external interface connected to an external device, and the line termination unit and the external interface. Connected data communication means, detection means for detecting that a communication device is connected to the external interface, and, when the detection means detects the communication device, the communication setting of the data communication means to the communication device And a setting change unit for changing the setting to a corresponding setting.

According to this configuration, the setting change unit changes the communication setting of the data communication unit to a setting corresponding to the communication device when the detection unit detects that the communication device is connected to the external interface. Accordingly, it is not necessary to manually change the communication settings each time the operator attaches the communication device, and it is possible to prevent a communication error from occurring due to forgetting to change the settings.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the communication terminal device according to the first aspect, the external interface is a PC.
The configuration is an MCIA interface.

According to this configuration, when a communication PCMCIA card is inserted into the PCMCIA interface, the communication setting of the data communication means is changed to a setting corresponding to the communication PCMCIA card.

[0011] A third aspect of the present invention employs a configuration in which the communication terminal device according to the first aspect includes storage means for storing communication settings.

According to this configuration, the setting change means selects the communication setting stored in the storage means according to the detected external device.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the communication terminal device according to the first aspect, when the communication setting corresponding to the communication device connected to the external interface is not stored in the storage means, the communication setting is performed. A configuration including communication requesting means for requesting is adopted.

According to this configuration, when the necessary communication settings are not registered in the storage means, an additional registration of the communication settings is requested, so that the operator can be prevented from forgetting the communication settings.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the communication terminal device according to the first aspect, the communication device is configured to be a network interface.

According to this configuration, data communication via a line and data communication via a network can be simultaneously performed.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the communication terminal device according to the first aspect, the communication equipment is a line termination device connected to another line.

According to this configuration, data communication via one line and data communication via another line can be performed simultaneously.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the communication terminal device according to the first aspect, the communication device includes attribute storage means for storing attribute data indicating its function, and the detection means includes the attribute storage means. A configuration is adopted in which the attribute data is read from the means to identify the type of the communication device.

According to this configuration, since the detecting means identifies the type of the communication function from the attribute data possessed by the communication device, the setting changing means can change the communication setting according to the type of the communication function. .

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the communication terminal device according to the first aspect, there is provided a display means for displaying a setting screen, and the setting screen includes a print instruction unit for printing the setting contents. It adopts the configuration.

According to this configuration, since a print instruction section such as a print icon is included in the setting screen, the setting contents can be easily printed by the operator clicking the print support section or the like.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication setting changing method, comprising: a line terminator connected to a line, an external interface connected to an external device, and data communication connected to the line terminator and the external interface. Means for detecting whether or not a communication device is connected to the external interface of the communication terminal device having the means. Take a configuration to change.

According to this configuration, when it is detected that a communication device is connected to the external interface, the communication setting of the data communication means is changed to a setting corresponding to the communication device.
Accordingly, it is not necessary to manually change the communication settings each time the operator attaches the communication device, and it is possible to prevent a communication error from occurring due to forgetting to change the settings.

A facsimile apparatus according to a tenth aspect of the present invention comprises a facsimile modem connected to a line, a PCMCI
A PCMCIA interface to which an A card is connected, an Internet connector connected to the FAX modem and the PCMCIA interface, a memory for storing a plurality of connection settings of the Internet connection device, and a communication P
A detector for detecting that a CMCIA card is connected, and a setting change for changing a communication setting of the Internet connector to a setting corresponding to the communication PCMCIA card when the detector detects the communication PCMCIA card. And a container.

According to this configuration, when it is detected that the communication PC card is connected to the PCMCIA interface, the communication setting of the Internet connection device is changed to the communication P card.
Change the settings according to the CMCIA card. This eliminates the need to manually change the communication settings each time the operator installs the communication PCMCIA card, and prevents a communication error from occurring due to forgetting to change the settings.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

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

A touch panel display 3 is attached to the upper surface of the main body 2 of the facsimile apparatus 1 so as to be freely opened and closed. The touch panel display 3 has a screen 3a
Is turned upside down.

A dial key 4 and a cursor key 5 are provided on the upper surface of the main body 2. The cursor keys 5 are input means for freely moving a cursor and a pointer displayed on the screen 3a in four directions.
The dial keys 4 and the cursor keys 5 are covered when the touch panel display 3 is turned down as described above.

A handset 6 is attached to a side surface of the main body 2. In this example, a handset with a cord is used for the handset 6, but a cordless handset may be used. A printer discharge section 7 is provided on the front surface of the main body 2. A power supply L indicating power on / off is provided at the upper right end of the touch panel display 3.
ED201, answering machine LED2 indicating ON / OFF of answering machine
02, and a browser input LED 202 indicating whether the input is also used for the browser input or not.

FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of the facsimile apparatus according to the above embodiment.

The CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11
Perform the desired processing according to the program.

The ROM (Read Only Memory) 12 is a read only memory storing a basic program such as a start program.

The RAM (Random Access Memory) 13
A main memory in which the CPU 11 reads and executes programs and data.

A flash memory (hereinafter referred to as FROM) is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory that can be erased and rewritten, and mainly stores an execution program such as an application program and data.

Line control unit (hereinafter referred to as NCU) 15
Controls transmission and reception of signals to and from a public line network (hereinafter, PSTN) 16. The NCU 15 performs processing such as calling and receiving. The handset 6 and the built-in speaker 17 are connected to the NCU 15.

The communication control unit 18 performs data communication and facsimile communication via the PSTN 16. In this example, it is a facsimile modem, but it may be a DSU or a terminal adapter (TA). Facsimile modems also digitize voice signals.

The audio processing section 19 encodes and compresses the digitized audio signal, and conversely decodes and expands the compressed audio signal.

The touch panel display 3 comprises a liquid crystal panel display as a display unit and a touch panel as input means. The touch panel display 3 displays information and accepts a user operation. Specifically, the screen 3 of the touch panel display 3
a includes various information, an input screen, an operation menu,
Icons and buttons are displayed. By touching the screen 3a with a pen or a finger, input of characters or pictures and selection of a menu or the like can be performed.

The dial key 4 is used not only for dialing a telephone, but also for inputting a number or the like into an input field displayed on the touch panel display 3.

The external I / O 20 controls data communication with external devices such as a PC, a TA, a barcode reader, and an external modem. The external I / O 20 is, for example, a serial interface or a USB (Universal Serial Bus).

The PC card interface 21 is a PC
Controls data transmission and reception between the card and the main unit. PC
Various cards such as a flash memory card, a modem card, a LAN card, and an ISDN card can be used as the card.

The scanner 22 reads a document.
The printer 23 prints various data such as images and texts.

The bus 24 includes the CPU 11, the ROM 12,
This is a line connecting each part such as the RAM 13.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the facsimile apparatus according to the above embodiment.

The PC card interface 21 is a PC
It comprises a card socket 21A and a PCMCIA controller 21B.

The PC card software 31 recognizes the PC card inserted into the PC card socket 21A,
This is a program for performing abstraction or the like of the CMCIA socket, and is executed by the CPU 11. For information on PC card standards, see, for example, "Introductory PCMC by Larry Levin.
IA "(BEN Corporation, May 3, 1996
(Issued daily).

The PC card software 31 stores attribute information (Card Information Structure) stored in the PC card.
re; CIS). The CIS contains a tuple that indicates the function of the card. The function identification tuple (CISTPL_FUNCID) indicating the function of the card is as follows.

1: CD_Memory Memory Card 2: CD_Sirial Modem Card 3: CD_Parallel Parallel Card 4: CD_FixedDisk ATA Card 5: CD_Video Video Card 6: CD_Network LAN Card The setting change unit 32 obtains a function identification tuple from the PC card software 31. Upon receipt, the communication setting is changed based on the type of the PC card. The communication settings are registered in a communication setting table 33 stored in the FROM 14.

The Internet connection control unit 34 connects to the Internet by switching the connection method to be used based on the contents of the communication setting table 35.

Next, the operation of the facsimile machine 1 having the above configuration will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a concept of an Internet connection in facsimile apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing steps of recognizing a PC card and changing settings in the facsimile apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment.

The communication setting table 33 in the FROM 14 of the facsimile apparatus 1 has a built-in FAX as a default.
A setting 1 for dial-up connection to the Internet via the PSTN 16 using the modem 41 is registered.

When the facsimile machine 1 is started, in a step (hereinafter referred to as ST) 501, the setting change section 32
Checks whether a PC card is inserted into the PC card socket 21A. If no PC card is inserted, the communication setting may be left at the default, and the process is terminated.

On the other hand, if a PC card is inserted in ST501, in ST502, setting change unit 3
2 identifies the PC card. Next, in ST503, it is checked whether the PC card is a communication PC card. Here, the communication PC card is an I / O card used for communication.
OPC card, for example, LAN card, modem card, ISDN card, mobile phone communication card, PHS
Communication card etc. As a non-communication PC card,
For example, there is a memory card.

If the PC card is a memory card in ST503, the communication setting may be left as it is, and the process is terminated. On the other hand, if the PC card is a communication PC card, in ST504, it is checked whether or not the setting corresponding to the PC card has already been registered in communication setting table 33. Here, in the initial state,
Since only setting 1 is registered, the setting is always No. In ST505, setting change section 32 causes display control section to display setting registration screen 42 as shown in FIG. The setting registration screen 42
It is for AN connection. The operator uses a soft keyboard or the like to input items of an IP address, a subnet mask, a gateway address, and a name server. When the setting is completed, the execution icon 43 is clicked. Setting change unit 32
Waits for the end of the setting in ST506.

Note that a print icon 44 is provided on the setting registration screen 42. By clicking the print icon 44, the registered communication setting contents can be printed and stored by the printer 23. Further, a FAX icon for performing FAX transmission may be provided.

Here, the setting registration screen 42 is displayed when there is no setting. However, only a display such as “Please make LAN settings” may be performed to request the operator to register communication settings.

In ST507, setting change section 32
The communication setting is changed by setting the use setting flag to the one corresponding to the type of the PC card identified from the setting contents registered in the communication setting table 33.

The change of the communication settings described above is performed when the facsimile machine 1 is started.
May be performed when it is detected that a PC card is inserted into the PC card socket 21A during operation.

Next, the procedure of the Internet connection in the facsimile machine 1 according to the above embodiment will be described.

When a connection command is issued to the Internet connection unit 34, the Internet connection unit 34 connects to the Internet 45 based on the setting of the communication setting table 32 in which the use setting flag is set. That is,
In the case of the default setting of setting 1, the built-in fax modem 41
Make a dial-up connection using. In the case of the LAN connection of the setting 2, the connection is made to the Internet 45 via the LAN 47 using the LAN card 46 inserted in the PC card socket 21A. In the case of the connection of the modem card of the setting 3, the dial-up connection is made to the Internet 45 via a line different from the built-in FAX modem 41 using the FAX modem card 48 inserted in the PC card socket 21A.

As described above, according to the facsimile apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, in addition to the dial-up connection by the built-in FAX modem 41, the FAX modem card 48 can be connected via the LAN using the LAN card 46. Internet 45 by dial-up connection
To perform data communication.

Since the communication PC cards such as the LAN card 46 and the FAX modem card 48 are optional communication devices connected to the PC card interface 21, the initial product cost can be reduced.

In addition, the PC card socket 21A has a PC
When it is detected that a card is inserted, the PC card can be identified and the communication setting can be automatically switched to the communication setting according to the type. This eliminates the need to manually switch communication settings when an external device is connected, thereby preventing a communication error from occurring due to an incorrect communication setting.

As a result, according to the facsimile apparatus 1 according to the present embodiment, the FA using the built-in FAX modem 41
When the main line is used for X communication or a call from the handset 6, the LAN card 46 or the FA
The X modem card 48 can be used to connect to the Internet using the LAN 47 or a sub line.

More specifically, when a LAN card 46 or a FAX modem card 38 is inserted in the PC card interface 21, the CPU 11 exchanges Internet communication data via the PC card interface 21 by using a program stored in the ROM 12. I do. The Internet communication data is displayed on the touch panel display 3 as needed. At this time, the telephone operation using the communication control unit 18, the NCU 15, and the handset 6 is performed while performing Internet communication by causing the CPU 11 to operate another program in a time-division manner.

Similarly, during Internet communication, image data read by the scanner 22 is encoded, and FAX transmission is performed via the communication control unit 18 and the NCU 15.
Further, the FAX data is received via the NCU 15 and the communication control unit 18, decoded, and printed by the printer 23.

When the fax modem card 48 is connected to the PC card interface 21, the NCU
If the FAX 15 is in use, FAX communication can be performed using the FAX modem card 48. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a facsimile communication procedure in facsimile apparatus 1 according to the above embodiment.

When there is a FAX transmission command, first, ST
At 701, it is checked whether the NCU 15 is in use. If NCU 15 is in use, in F <b> 704, FAX transmission is performed using FAX modem card 48. On the other hand, when the NCU 15 is not in use, the FAX communication is performed using the built-in FAX modem 41. As a result, it is possible to perform FAX transmission while a call is being made using the handset 6 and the NCU 15.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, external interfaces include a PC card interface, a serial interface and a U
SB is also included.

The present invention is not limited to facsimile machines, but is widely applied to personal computers, word processors, personal digital assistants (PDAs), telephones, portable telephones, PHSs, and other communication terminals having data communication functions, particularly Internet communication functions. Applied.

[0073]

As described above, according to the present invention,
Since the communication setting can be automatically changed by detecting the communication device connected to the external interface, communication can be performed on a plurality of paths simultaneously with a simple operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a concept of an Internet connection in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing steps of PC card recognition and setting change in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a view showing an example of a setting screen in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a facsimile communication procedure in the facsimile apparatus according to the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 facsimile apparatus 2 apparatus main body 3 touch panel display 4 dial key 6 handset 15 NCU 16 PSTN 18 communication control section 21 PC card interface 31 PC card software 32 setting change section 33 communication setting table 34 Internet connection section 41 built-in FAX modem 46 LAN Card 47 LAN 48 FAX modem card

Continued on the front page F term (reference) 5C062 AA01 AA02 AA29 AA30 AA35 AB10 AB23 AB42 AC04 AC31 AC58 AE14 BA00 5C075 AB90 CA03 CD07 FF03 FF04 FF09 5K030 HA05 HC01 JA08 JT05 JT10 KA04 5K101 KK01 NN01 NN03 MM03

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A line termination unit connected to a line, an external interface connected to an external device, data communication means connected to the line termination unit and the external interface, and a communication device connected to the external interface. Detecting means for detecting that the communication device has been detected, and setting change means for changing a communication setting of the data communication means to a setting corresponding to the communication device when the detecting means detects the communication device. Characteristic communication terminal device. 2. The external interface is PCMCIA.
The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the communication terminal device is an interface. 3. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising storage means for storing communication settings. 4. The communication apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising a communication setting requesting unit for requesting the communication setting when the communication setting according to the communication device connected to the external interface is not stored in the storage unit. Communication terminal device. 5. The communication terminal according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is a network interface. 6. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the communication device is a line termination device connected to another line. 7. The communication device has attribute storage means for storing attribute data indicating its function, and the detection means reads out the attribute data from the attribute storage means to identify the type of the communication device. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein: 8. A display device for displaying a setting screen,
The communication terminal device according to claim 1, wherein the setting screen includes a print instruction unit that prints setting contents. 9. The communication terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising: a line termination unit connected to a line, an external interface connected to an external device, and data communication means connected to the line termination unit and the external interface. A communication setting change method comprising: detecting whether a communication device is connected; and, when detecting the communication device, changing a communication setting of the data communication unit to a communication setting corresponding to the communication device. 10. A fax modem connected to a line,
A PCMCIA interface to which a CMCIA card is connected, an Internet connector connected to the FAX modem and the PCMCIA interface,
A memory that stores a plurality of connection settings of the Internet connection device, a detector that detects that the communication PCMCIA card is connected to the PCMCIA interface, and a detector that detects the communication PCMCIA card when the detector detects the communication PCMCIA card. A facsimile apparatus, comprising: a setting changer that changes communication settings of the Internet connection device to settings corresponding to the PCMCIA card for communication.