JP2001092669A - Communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a communication system for shortening the transferring time of program data for communication terminal equipment. SOLUTION: In a communication system for managing plural terminal facsimile equipment 1 by facsimile equipment 2 for management, program data for the terminal facsimile equipment 1 are encoded by the facsimile equipment 2 for management, and the encoded program data are transferred to each terminal facsimile equipment 1, and the transferred encoded program data are decoded. Thus, the compressed encoded program data are transferred so that the transferring time can be shortened.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication system in which a communication terminal device such as a facsimile device and a management device for managing an operation program of the communication terminal device are connected to each other. The present invention relates to a communication system for transferring data from a management device to a communication terminal device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is known a communication system in which an operation program of a communication terminal device such as a plurality of facsimile devices is managed by a management device provided in a service center, for example. In such a communication system, program data for a communication terminal device is transferred from the management device to each communication terminal device. It is stored in a memory inside each communication terminal device. Conventionally, when this program data is transferred, it is sent from the management device to each communication terminal device as it is as the code stored in the memory. In such a communication system, a communication system in which both the management device and the communication terminal device are facsimile devices has been constructed.

[0003]

Conventionally, as described above, when program data is transferred from the management apparatus to each communication terminal apparatus, the code stored in the memory is transmitted as it is, so that the transfer time is long. There's a problem.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and has as its object to provide a communication system capable of shortening a transfer time of program data from a management device to each communication terminal device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a communication system capable of shortening the time for transferring program data between facsimile machines.

[0006]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a communication system comprising: one or a plurality of communication terminal devices; and a management device for managing an operation program of the communication terminal device. Has means for encoding the data of the operation program and means for transferring the encoded data to the communication terminal device, and the communication terminal device has means for decoding the transferred encoded data. It is characterized by the following.

In the communication system of the present invention (claim 1), the data of the operation program of the communication terminal device is encoded by the management device, and the encoded data is transferred from the management device to the communication terminal device. Therefore, since the data compressed by encoding is transferred, the transfer time is shorter than when the code stored in the memory is transferred as it is.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the communication system for transferring program data for the second facsimile apparatus from the first facsimile apparatus to the second facsimile apparatus, the first facsimile apparatus transmits the program data. The second facsimile apparatus has means for encoding and transferring the encoded program data to the second facsimile apparatus, and the second facsimile apparatus has means for decoding the transmitted encoded program data.

In the communication system according to the present invention, the first facsimile apparatus encodes the program data for the second facsimile apparatus, and the encoded program data is transmitted from the first facsimile apparatus to the second facsimile apparatus. Transfer to device. Therefore, since the program data compressed by the encoding is transferred, the transfer time can be reduced as compared with the case where the code stored in the memory is transferred as it is.

[0010] The communication system according to claim 3 is based on claim 1.
Or 2, the encoding method is JBIG (Jo
int Binary Image Group).

In the communication system of the present invention (claim 3), the JBIG method is adopted as a data encoding method. Therefore, JBI with high encoding efficiency and high compression ratio
Since the G method is used, the transfer time can be further reduced.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings showing the embodiments. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system of the present invention using a facsimile device as a management device and a communication terminal device.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes n terminal facsimile apparatuses. Each terminal facsimile apparatus 1 has the same internal configuration, and is a management facsimile that manages these n terminal facsimile apparatuses 1. The apparatus 2 is connected via an analog public telephone network (PSTN) 3.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the terminal facsimile apparatus 1. Terminal facsimile machine 1
Is a main control unit 10, a reading unit 11, a recording unit 12, and a display unit 1.
3, operation unit 14, JBIG encoder / decoder 15, ROM
16, RAM 17, image memory 18, modem 19, NC
A U (Network Control Unit) 20 and the like are provided.

The main control unit 10 is specifically constituted by a CPU, and is connected to the terminal facsimile apparatus 1 via a bus 21.
Are connected to the above-described hardware units to control them and execute various software functions in accordance with computer programs stored in the ROM 16 and the RAM 17.

The reading section 11 reads an original by a scanner using a CCD, for example, and outputs dot image data. The recording unit 12 is an electrophotographic printer device, and prints out image data received by facsimile communication or image data of a document read by the reading unit 11 as a hard copy.

The display unit 13 is a liquid crystal display device or a CRT.
A display device such as a display, which displays an operation state of the terminal facsimile device 1 and displays image data of a document read or image data received for transmission. The operation unit 14 includes character keys, numeric keys, speed dial keys, one-touch dial keys, various function keys, and the like necessary for operating the terminal facsimile machine 1. In addition, by using the display unit 13 as a touch panel type, it is possible to substitute some or all of the various keys of the operation unit 14.

The JBIG encoder / decoder 15 is a JBIG (Jo) which is recommended as a progressive binary image compression method.
According to the int Binary Image Group (joint binary image group) method, the original data is encoded, and the encoded data is decoded into the original data. In the present embodiment, the JBIG encoder / decoder 15 performs encoding / decoding processing of image data in normal facsimile communication, and converts encoded program data received from the management facsimile apparatus 2 into original program data. Decrypt. As described above, in the present embodiment, the decoding process of the encoded program data is performed using the existing JBIG encoder / decoder 15 which is generally used for the encoding / decoding process of the image data in the facsimile communication. Therefore, it is not necessary to add a special member.

The ROM 16 stores in advance various software programs including a process for executing a program data rewriting process. The RAM 17 has an SRA
M or a flash memory, and stores temporary data generated when executing software. Also,
The RAM 17 stores the decrypted program data. The image memory 18 is configured using a DRAM or the like,
The image data to be transmitted or the received image data is stored.

The modem 19 is connected to the bus 21 and comprises a fax modem capable of performing facsimile communication. The modem 19 is also directly connected to the NCU 20 which is also connected to the bus 21. NCU
Reference numeral 20 denotes hardware for closing and opening the analog line L with the public telephone network 3, and connects a modem 19 to the public telephone network 3 as necessary.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the internal configuration of the management facsimile machine 2. The management facsimile device 2 includes a main control unit 30, a display unit 31, an operation unit 32, a JBI
G encoder / decoder 33, ROM 34, RAM 35, NC
A U-integrated modem 36 and the like are provided.

The main control unit 30 is specifically composed of a CPU, and is connected to the above-mentioned hardware units of the management facsimile apparatus 2 via a bus 37. Various software functions are executed according to the stored computer program.

The display unit 31 is a liquid crystal display or a CRT.
It is a display device such as a display, and displays an operation state of the management facsimile device 2 and the like. The operation unit 32 includes input devices necessary for operating the management facsimile machine 2.

The JBIG encoder / decoder 33 is a JBIG
In accordance with the method, the original data is encoded, and the encoded data is decoded into the original data, which is usually used for encoding / decoding of image data in facsimile communication, and when necessary, the terminal Facsimile machine 1
Program data for encoding.

The ROM 34 stores a processing program for executing the operation of the management facsimile machine 2 in advance. The RAM 35 stores temporary data generated when executing software. NCU integrated modem 3
Reference numeral 6 controls the operation of closing and opening the analog line L with the public telephone network 3.

In the communication system according to the present invention, n terminal facsimile apparatuses 1 and management facsimile apparatuses 2
Have the above-mentioned hardware configurations, respectively. The program data for the terminal facsimile apparatus 1 is encoded by the JBIG encoder / decoder 33 of the management facsimile apparatus 2, and the encoded program data is The encoded program data is transferred from the management facsimile apparatus 2 to each terminal facsimile apparatus 1 via the public telephone network 3, and the transferred encoded program data is decoded by the JBIG encoder / decoder 15 and the decoded program is decoded. Data is stored in the RAM 17.

Next, the operation of rewriting the program data for the terminal facsimile apparatus 1 in the communication system of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of processing on the management facsimile machine 2 side. First, the terminal facsimile apparatus 1 to be rewritten is called from the management facsimile apparatus 2 (step S1). The DIS is received from the calling terminal facsimile machine 1, and the encoding / decoding capability of the terminal facsimile machine 1 is detected (step S2).

Based on the detection result, it is determined whether or not the terminal facsimile apparatus 1 has JBIG encoding / decoding capability (step S3). When the JBIG encoding / decoding capability is available (S3: YES), the transfer of the JBIG encoded program data is determined by NSS (NonStand
ard Signal) (step S4). And
The JBIG encoder / decoder 33 encodes the program data (machine code) according to the JBIG method (step S5). On the other hand, if there is no JBIG encoding / decoding capability (S3: NO), the NSS specifies to transfer uncoded program data (step S6).

In the ECM (Error Correction Mode) system, encoded or unencoded program data (machine code) is inserted into an image data frame and transmitted to the terminal facsimile machine 1 (step S).
7).

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of processing on the terminal facsimile machine 1 side. First, an incoming call is received from the management facsimile machine 2 (step S
11). To the management facsimile device 2,
A DIS including information indicating the decoding capability is transmitted (step S12).

The NSS detects a program data transfer request (step S13). JB in ECM system
Receiving IG-encoded or unencoded program data (machine code) (step S1)
4). It is determined whether or not the received program data is encoded by the JBIG method (step S1).
5).

If encoded by the JBIG system (S15: YES), the received encoded program data (machine code) is decoded by the JBIG encoder / decoder 15 (step S16). The decoded program data (machine code) or the received unencoded program data (machine code) is stored in the RAM 1
7 (step S17).

In the above example, the JBIG system is used as the encoding / decoding system.
MR (Modified Modified Read) method, MR (Modified
It is also possible to use an image encoding / decoding method such as a Read) method or an MH (Modified Huffman) method. However, the JBIG method, which can compress general data other than the method suitable for document compression, is the most effective for encoding / decoding program data and has a high compression efficiency.
The use of the BIG method is optimal.

Further, in the above-described example, the case where the facsimile apparatus is used as the management apparatus has been described. However, for example, software connected to each terminal facsimile apparatus to be managed by a LAN and capable of communicating with each terminal facsimile apparatus is stored. Of course, the present invention can be applied to a case where a personal computer is used as a management device.

[0036]

As described above, in the communication system of the present invention, the data of the operation program of the communication terminal device is encoded by the management device, and the encoded data is transferred from the management device to the communication terminal device. The transfer time can be reduced as compared with the case where the code stored in the memory is directly transferred.

Further, in the communication system of the present invention, one facsimile apparatus encodes program data for the other facsimile apparatus and transfers the encoded program data to the other facsimile apparatus.
The transfer time can be reduced as compared with the case where the code stored in the memory is directly transferred.

Further, in the communication system of the present invention, the JBIG system having a high coding efficiency and a high compression rate is adopted as a data coding system, so that the transfer time can be further reduced. it can.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a communication system according to the present invention.

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

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an internal configuration of the management facsimile machine.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of processing on the management facsimile machine side.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of processing on the terminal facsimile apparatus side.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 terminal facsimile apparatus 2 management facsimile apparatus 10 main control unit 15 JBIG encoder / decoder 16 ROM 17 RAM 30 main control unit 33 JBIG encoder / decoder

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A communication system comprising one or a plurality of communication terminal devices and a management device for managing an operation program of the communication terminal device, wherein the management device includes means for encoding data of the operation program. Means for transferring coded data to the communication terminal device, wherein the communication terminal device has means for decoding the transferred coded data. 2. In a communication system for transferring program data for a second facsimile apparatus from a first facsimile apparatus to a second facsimile apparatus, the first facsimile apparatus encodes the program data to generate the second facsimile. Means for transferring to the device,
A communication system, wherein the facsimile apparatus has means for decoding the transferred encoded program data. 3. The encoding method is a JBIG (Joint
3. The communication system according to claim 1, wherein the communication system is a binary image group (Binary Image Group) system.